MOVIE REVIEW GUNDALA

Sancaka has lived on the streets since his parents left him. Living a hard life, Sancaka survives by thinking about his own safety. When the condition of the city gets worse and injustice rages throughout the country, Sancaka must decide whether he continues to live to look after himself or rise to become their oppressed hero.

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As the opening movie for Jagat Sinema Bumilangit, Gundala will be the benchmark how next movie move. Directed by Joko Anwar (Satan Slave, Modus Anomali), the movie will be served as the origin of Gundala, a hero who get his power from lighting struck. Story began from little Sancaka, Gundala alter ego, play by Abimana Aryasatya (Warkop DKI Reborn, Haji Backpacker) how he struggled with his life after lost his family and how the lighting always chase him since his early years and continued develop to adult day when he can accept the power of lighting. Tone in this film, especially at beginning similar to horror movie with dark color dominated the screen but as film moving forward more colors play begin to appear. Nothing really special about the scoring or music, just completed the scene without overpowering a scene. Camera plays also didn't to unique but still good enough, I like how the camera following the fighting scene. Muzakki Ramdhan as young Sancaka act very well maybe one of the best in the film if not the best, Pengkor play by Bront Palarae (Satan Slave) following later with his good sympathetic villain act more like Vulture at Spider-Man: Homecoming who have strong background for his purpose and Sancaka father take Uncle Ben role, with his quote. Another stand out for me is fighting choreography especially when Sancaka fight thugs but sadly the quality weaken toward the end, and the last fight is so bad added with bad editing, like the scene jumping randomly, make it worse. I don't know why they force introduce many characters in the film mainly at the end of it, which is actually cool, but after disappointing last fight Gundala became forgotten because of it, even there're characters that previously at universe press conference was introduced as a hero in the universe but appear as villain here, interesting how they will bring the story. Will waiting for next movie, and how they will build the next world.

MOVIE REVIEW - BUMI MANUSIA

This is a story of Minke and Annelies who weave love in the early 20th century colonial turbulance. Minke is a native youth, purebred Javanese. While Annelies is a mixed-Dutch girl, the daughter of a nyai (mistress), called Ontosoroh.

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No, I didn't read the book so the review is based on the movie. The movie adapted from a novel with same title by Pramoedya Ananta Toer published in 1980 and acclaimed as one of the best Indonesian literature. Story takes around Minke life, his love story. Setting during colonialism in Indonesia by Dutch, and it centered on discrimination between Europe and local people. Hanung Bramantyo (Jomblo, Ayat-ayat Cinta) take the helmet to make the masterpiece came to life and overall he did a decent job. Location set, audio and other technician aspect nothing is stand out, some are complaining about wardrobe when the trailer is out especially for the Dutch, I don't know the detail about it but for me it does not bother me as casual viewer. Best acting coming from Sha Ine Febriyanti as Nyai Ontosoroh, she can look like strong independent woman and became soft motherly when dealing with her daughter or Minke. Main protagonist, Minke, portrait by Iqbal Ramadhan (Dilan 1990) give a so-so performance with numerous flat expression throughout movie still I rise my hat for his Dutch language and Mawar Eva de Jongh (Serendipity) as Annelies the heroine, also didn't make remarkable performance both just make acceptable acting. Something that noticeable is the rough editing of the film, some scene to scene or plot to plot transition didn't smooth and looks like jumping. The Biggest value of the book is how the author tell the story about discrimination but in this movie, it didn't really appear, yes it has some discrimination scene but didn't offer something new that we already know except law about mixed child and the story really focus on Minke-Ann love story at least that what I feel during the movie. Also, I can't see Minke's brilliance moment as educated person, Nyai Ontosoroh even looks more educated than him. Still, I think this movie will be got good reception as the story fit local taste, and Iqbal's fans also will hype the movie plus other Pram's film Perburuan from same production house have less screen at the first day, another 1 million viewer this year.

MOVIE REVIEW - DUA GARIS BIRU

Dara and Bima violated the boundary without knowing the consequences. They try to take responsibility for their choices.

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Surprisingly it really hype, sold out at many cinema in the first day even at place where I see they add more play time outside the scheduled. Maybe because Euis factor, I hear the name mentioned several times before the show, or controversial story before or perfect timing release due school holiday, dunno. It didn't take the brake with the story, the "incident" happen at very beginning and they focus more on story after that. The story develop after parental figure introduced, and how the event effect their families life, interaction between family member also seems natural with details, like “The key is on you isn't?” “No, it's on you.” conversation my parent usually have, like it. The director presented the hard theme with easy way to understand for their target market, the teenage, she put information that they should know from their school-day. Zara (Dara) pickup her good performance from previous film here, Angga (Bima) tried to follow her lead but honestly didn't too memorable but still nice actor we have here. The best is the mothers, Cut Mini and Lulu Tobing, they give their best as parents and will be hard to follow by other, Dwi Sasono never disappoint me good acting as always. Many scenes they take was good especially with their camera position, tone they set also nice despite the gloomy theme but it still bright at same time and I like the detail sound at the background like door open/close, neighbor whispering etc. Some dialogue really really cliche but you can be perfect on everything, right. The Best scene is the UKS scene, no contest. Asri Welas cameo didn't need but still nice addition for tone play. Ending is not the best but still acceptable for all parties. Fresh air in Indonesian cinema, the hype will be wider with mouth-to-mouth recommendation after their first day.

MOVIE REVIEW - 27 STEPS OF MAY

Following a horrible experience, May has isolated herself and stopped talking. Her father blames himself and tries to live by May's conditions year after year. But one day a hole appears in the wall and through it May discovers a magician. 

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Another gem this month for Indonesian movie, April was nice time for Indonesian cinema. Story about depression, it's picture perfect how sexually abuse can ruin not only the victim but also the family. From all aspect, acting is the strong point here, Raihaanun as May and Lukman Sardi as her father is play at high level. Their emotion, whatever it's sad, anger or happy was deliver right to audience they build connection as it's can happens to all people. For me, Sardi has the best performance here as he have to play two different character who warm at home and run wild at outside. Other supporting actor also play well The magician as the pairing for May although it confusing and didn't make sense and Deliveryman as the loyal friend of the father, and for Deliveryman his role to turn the mood with his comedic part make the movie less dark that it should be. I also like scoring here, it's just few but effective to set the tone. The main strength is the story, it's powerful yet disturbing at the same time the script also support the story no cliche dialog it looks natural. My only concern is the opening part when Raihaanun played as Junior school student, but it's only minor. Overall the movie give us good perspective what can be happen to people regarding sexual abuse, rape especially, and how it affect surrounding. Recommendation from me, see it while it last.

MOVIE REVIEW - MEMORIES OF MY BODY

In Center Java Juno, a pre-teen abandoned by his father, joins a Lengger dance centre where men assume feminine appearances but the political and social upheaval in Indonesia forces him on the road, meeting remarkable people on his journey.

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The movie that finally come to commercial cinema after his long journey at various festival at several country, seen it at limited cinema because Avengers: Endgame invasion in all cinema. Surprisingly all seat is full at the theater, good sign for Indonesian film. The story inspired by Rianto Manali's life as Lengger dancer and take various stories of traditional dancer at Java. Garin Nugroho with his experience take the helm to direct this masterpiece. Step into technical aspect, sound production department is something that I note, detail of the sound, good scoring selection and nice music to accompany us follow the life of Juno. The director also taken serious attention at little detail due the time setting is in early 90s to 2000, every instrument seems spot on. For acting, I like Muhammad Khan's acting how he move or dance seems natural and the young Juno also has good time on screen. Above all, one point that make this special is the script, I enjoy every dialog on this movie, every dialog has a meaning doesn't matter if it just trivial one or on important scene it's just make deep impression on me and all the advice, or we call it “Wejangan” in Java from the old person it seems easy to get in to our heart. Big issue that raise from this movie is the LGBT theme, but for me it's more that it, it's about how our body as a vessel of our soul is the one that take impact of all our action, our body will react to all aspect surrounding us. Our body is ours, it's our story.

MOVIE REVIEW - AVE MARYAM

Maryam a catholic nun who falls in love with a pastor.

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Another gem from Indonesian film, long journey from festival to festival until it can be played on commercial cinema. Simple plot, like description above, but have more meaning to it. For technical aspect this is very good film, Semarang as a background where the story happen give classic vibes through the old building that set the tone right. The dialog is minimum but scoring department give big impact to accompany us enjoy every minute of it and song choices is good too, I like the song when Maryam and Yosef pass through the forest. Maudy Koesnaedi as Sister Maryam give her best for the role, it became even better at end of story and another special performance was given by Tutie Kirana as Sister Monic, Father Yosef played by Chicco Jericho give the so-so performance. Another good aspect is cinematography, I like static camera shots that they do for many occasion make it more like portrait than movie shot. Enough for pros, let's move to the cons, I don't know if there any version of the film (director cut, etc) as the director says that the film is the same that he played at festival but for me something just doesn't make sense. Some scene have rough editing and I think they have to cut some of the scene. One that can be seen is background story of Sister Maryam who have Muslim parents (something that being informed before) is completely disappeared and it maybe makes Maryam struggle became less intense. Overall this is good film for Indonesian Movie Industry and will wider local genre that has been stuck with horror or romcom genre. Looking more like this.