Pintu Terlarang (The Forbidden Door)

Directed by Joko Anwar (Kala, Janji Joni). Starring Fachri Albar (Kala), Marsha Timothy, Tio Pakusodewo and Ario Bayu (Kala).

Gambir has everthing he could possibly wish for, a successful career as a sculptor with artworks selling fast, a supportive mother, great friends and the most perfect wife. But then he started to get messages from a kid asking Gambir to save him from his abusive parents. Things around his life started to twist, apparently they are not always like what they seem.

Kala is definitely one of the best Indonesian films, IMO. The film is supposed to be a part of a trilogy, but the filmmaker, instead of doing the sequels, chose to do this. As a fan of Kala, I feel obliged to check out Joko Anwar's latest work. And it turned out to be rather disappointing. Okay, it's 'different', it stands out, it looks like it has a great soundtrack, it looks oh so pro. But the film itself is one of those films that centers around psychological stuff, which works for some people, but not for me. The performances were so-so, Fachri Albar did WAY better in Kala, although visually the film looked really great. However, there's one thing about Joko Anwar that kinda bothers me, I know this guy is a great filmmaker, a visionary or whatever, but his works feel so Americanized. Especially this one. You can't help but wonder, what's the deal with the whole American thing? The whole 60's American advertising, classic American cinema banners, the English words put here and there in the characters' lines.. I just don't get it. Yeah I think the parallel world thingie is cool, but after a while I just started to wonder why. Such a contrast to Garin Nugroho, who just succeeded in embracing Indonesia, captured in his works. All in all, I'm not a big fan of the film, I think he should start working on Kala's sequels, but nevertheless it's still a respectable effort.

6.5 / 10.

Red Cliff II

Directed by John Woo (M:I 2, Hostage). Starring Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Wei Zhao and Shido Nakamura.

This sequel to Red Cliff picked up where the first one left off, continuing the story of the three kingdoms. In this installment, both Sun Quan and Liu Bei continued to try defeating Cao Cao's army forces. Things twisted when Liu Bei, pessimistic about the war's outcome considering the limited number of people and ammunition that they had got, decided to draw back from the alliance. Liu Bei's chief advisor, Zhuge Liang, stayed with Sun Quan to help him with his war strategies. At Cao Cao's army, Sun Quan's sister, Sun Shangxiang disguised herself as a member of Cao Cao's army, to gain information which she sent back to his brother's side.

Definitely bigger than its prequel, Red Cliff II offered huge battle sequences, great performances by some of Asia's finest actors, choreographed war strategies that were just too cool. Whether you're looking for a historical piece or just a Hollywood-ish epic blockbuster, Red Cliff II is sure going to entertain you. Tony Leung, certainly one of the finest actors working today, could just do no wrong. I don't know what critics say about Takeshi Kaneshiro, but you can't blame the guy for being effortlessly good looking and great in what he does. This guy is able to so ably hop around between Chinese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong and Japanese film industries, you can't help but, at least, respect him. Shido Nakamura, one of my favourite Japanese actors, was given a very little part in the film, but nevertheless was able to steal scenes. I wonder if he really did speak his own Chinese lines.. it didn't sound much like him. This colossal piece of work is definitely one of those epic movies that you'll be able to enjoy and be entertained with, on a big screen in a well-equipped theatre. I personally don't care with how historically inaccurate it was. It's the movies.

8 / 10.

Slumdog Millionaire

Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Later, Sunshine), co-directed by Loveleen Tandan. Screenplay by Simon Beaufoy, based on the novel by Vikas Swarup. Starring Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and Anil Kapoor. Nominated for ten Oscars including Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture. Already won four Golden Globes including Best Picture. Dev Patel is nominated for a BAFTA in the Leading Actor category.

18 year-old Jamal, who grew up in the slums of Mumbay, was winning on the Who Wants to Be a Millionaire show on live TV. He was then questioned by some officials who were suspicious of his success of answering all the questions. With flashbacks, the viewers are taken to Jamal's life, starting when he was still a kid, up to the moment he arrived on that show. It showed his struggles in staying alive, hand in hand with his brother Salim, and his quest to find his true love, Latika.

Slumdog Millionaire is a dynamic, upbeat, feel-good movie that I can never stop craving for. The brilliant Danny Boyle has done it again. This film is just so upbeat you can't help but be drawn into it, heart pumping and smile widening. It touches you, it entertains you, it radiates soul. It has that kind of pace and so much soul like CIty of God. You'll laugh, you'll get teary, you'll definitely smile. It's heartwarming that in the midst of all the dust, the dirt, the guns and the blood throughout the film, it all eventually led to, or is driven by, love. Pure, innocent, naive, heartfelt love that will just make you cheer with joy. To conclude, no, the film is not overrated. Yes, it deserves all the attention that it has been getting. This kind of gem doesn't come by so often.. A true triumph. (And the ending credits scene was SO much fun!)

9.5 / 10.

Under the Tree

Directed by Garin Nugroho (Opera Jawa). Starring Marcella Zalianty, Dwi Sasono, Ayu Laksmi, Ikranagara and Nadia Saphira.

Consists of three stories, all centered around motherhood. The first story was about a woman who went to Bali to find out what her real mother was like and whether she had ever actually loved her. The second was about a woman having a troubled pregnancy, and is in doubt with her abortion decision. The third was about a young local celebrity who has lost her mother, her father was arrested, leaving her alone and aimless, seeking for a guidance, a figure. All these stories were set in Bali.

I loved that the stories took place in Bali. Like millions of people across the globe who fell in love with the island, I did too. I spent up to six months living there and was in love with it, and am still in love with it. First of all, I agree that not every film should have a beginning and an end. Some films just don't have one or any of them, including Under the Tree. It took a look at the lives of these three women, who didn't know one another, their struggles during certain periods in their lives. One of them had an apparent plot, but the other two were just floating. It felt less artistic than Opera Jawa, had less singing and dancing, and shot in a way that made the film feel indie-ish. Some performances were great, especially Ayu Laksmi as a mother unwilling to give up her unborn child and also Dwi Sasono (who starred in Mengejar Mas-Mas, a wonderful film shamefully degraded by its own filmmakers by the way they marketed it), who played a young man with a possible oedipus complex, seeing his mother's figure in Marcella Zalianty. I think the theme about motherhood was touching and some subplots were comical and lovable, all round up in a nice package. However, I find it less charming than Opera Jawa, less soulful. Some performances and dialogues felt forced and unnatural, thus stripping some charm off of the film. Sometimes it also felt half-baked, like it was torn between trying to be realistic and artistic at the same time. I personally prefer Opera Jawa, although this one deserves checking out too. Nevertheless, all that being said, I can proudly say that it is an honor and a treat for us moviegoers to have Garin Nugroho as a part of Indonesian cinema.

7 / 10.