Category Archives for Movies
Tabula Rasa: cuisine as a connection
One reason to feel blessed to be born Indonesian is Padang cuisine, my friend once said. For me, a Jakartan whose ancestry never goes back beyond my grandma’s occasional Javanese chitchat, those gulai otak (cow brain curry — don’t comment … Continue reading
Interstellar
What’s the last space-faring movie you’ve watched? Sci-fi in recent years continues to be the bore well of pop culture, hiding in plain sight yet goes into great depth of knowledge unlike any other genres. The 60s and 70s brought us … Continue reading
Selamat Pagi, Malam: taking a jab at Jakarta’s hypocrisy
If I had a one-way ticket to any country that I could give to anyone on the streets of Jakarta, I’m pretty sure there will be a few that would throw punches at each other to get it. Who wouldn’t take the … Continue reading
The Raid 2, and things about snow
For those who watched the violence-fest that is The Raid back in 2011, the Gareth Evans-led action flick was a not-so-gentle reminder that Indonesian movies can fare much better in the right hands. It was indeed catered to a specific … Continue reading
Only Lovers Left Alive
When was the last time you watched a movie that feels like an extensive music video? Jim Jarmusch’s Only Lovers Left Alive stretches the definition of “stylish” several ways, most visibly through the set-up: rooms full of recording equipment in … Continue reading
Luna Papa
Films that are all whimsical and full of colors usually refrain from being more than anything that is not whimsical and full of colors. The characters are pretty, problems are dreamy, and antagonists are cartoonishly evil. But sometimes, a film … Continue reading
Snowpiercer: a claustrophobic dystopia
Another year, another dystopian movie. Will people ever stop making movies based on projections of the bleakest future of humanity? I hope not, because among the neon-lit urban settings, dirty creepers on the street level, and endless sight of skyscrapers, … Continue reading
Gatsby
A man walks into his cousin’s life, meeting her tycoon husband and suddenly gets his pass into the 1920’s New York high life. His mysterious — but extremely wealthy — neighbor throws up huge party at his huge mansion every … Continue reading
See you at the movies, Ebert
Last Friday was one of the most surprising days of 2013 so far for me: I woke up to the news that the most prominent film critic in the world, Roger Ebert, is no more. It was just last Wednesday … Continue reading
What to watch for tonight: Doctor Who
Everybody’s usually got their own favorite TV show or two. Most of my friends go with How I Met Your Mother, which I also watch occasionally but to actually never meet who the real mother is after 8 or so season is … Continue reading