It turns out that the busiest month, in the sense of a lot of interesting films and worth noting, is October 2019. As a result, I became a lot of material in compiling my favorite list this month, and here they are. There are seven you know ...
1. Joker
(2019 - Warner Bros.)
dir. Todd Phillips
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Robert DeNiro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Brian Tyree Henry, Sharon Washington, Shea Wingham, Bill Camp, Glenn Fleshler, Leigh Hill
Watching the Joker movie feels - maybe - it's like meeting a Joker person who is laughing in front of me: I can only watch because I don't know exactly how to respond. I want to ignore it, so I feel guilty, I want to curse, I feel sorry, but I want to feel sorry, how come he troubles. That feeling arises mainly because the Joker figure in this film has conditions and behavior in such a way that I cannot guess the intentions and contents of his real head, making a dilemma between wanting to be defending or criticizing, that's what makes me cringe. I really salute that this film did not try to 'fix' the Batman's mortal enemy - different from what was done in Venom (2018) or Maleficent (2015) for example. Here the Joker remains a villain, coming from a world full of violence, even born directly from violence itself (see that the only person who is good with him is literally and figuratively "little people"), and he decides to restore and amplify violence In the beginning, maybe this movie was only aimed at scratching coins from Batman fans because the latest Batman movie never arrived, but the result is even a lot of deep thoughts and topics that can be extracted from here. Not just a history of the origin of the Joker before meeting Batman, still more to the dismantling and re-formulation of the idea of the Joker, an enemy / villain who is so tough and each iteration always gives a disturbing impression.In fact I can not say "enjoy" watching this, but the cultivation and presentation of such a way - especially from Phoenix's level doesn't make sense, making me unable to distract, and gag ideas sown to make up for a long time after watching. That powerful.
My score: 8/10
2. Hustlers
(2019 - STX)
dir. Lorene Scafaria
Cast: Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Lili Reinhart, Keke Palmer, Wai Ching Ho, Mercedes Ruehl, Cardi B., Lizzo
It is wrong to think of this film as only a fun and glamorous cheerful incline, just say, Coyote Ugly (2000). Based on a true story, this film explores a "simple" case, in which some nude dancers in New York deceive prospective clients, especially from Wall Street brokers who are considered to be the culprits of the economic crisis, by illegal means so that the dance club business naked they (which incidentally is legal in Sono) keep going. Avoiding pervert tendencies if the same topic is worked on by male filmmakers, this film has more weight because it is told directly from the point of view of women, starting from the struggle for survival to the problem of conscience. There is funny, there is emotion, there is also a comprehensive insight about the world they live in, those things are wrapped in a dish that is very nice to follow, but still feels real and emotional.
My score: 7,5/10
3. Bebas
(2019 - Miles Film/CJ Entertainment)
dir. Riri Riza
Cast: Marsha Timothy, Maizura, Susan Bachtiar, Sheryl Sheinafia, Baim Wong, Baskara Mahendra, Indy Barends, Agatha Pricilla, Widi Mulia, Zulfa Maharani, Lutesha, Kevin Ardilova, Giorgino Abraham, Amanda Rawles, Sarah Sechan, Irgi Fahrezi, Tika Panggabean, Syifa Hadju, Edward Suhadi
The main task of this film is not just to Indonesianize the stories and characters that originate from the popular Korean film titled Sunny (2011), but also tell it with an Indonesian mindset. It is fortunate that the core story about memories and high school friendship gang reunions can be applied everywhere, and for free I succeeded in making it into the Indonesian context, especially by setting the mid-1990s time setting for his high school days, which was my favorite parts from the film. The excitement and anxiety that flowed naturally flowed, and references to pop culture in the 1990s became an exciting assignment. Although occasionally seen trait that is less consistent between the character cast in high school with his adult life, I myself could not stem the positive energy that radiated throughout this film.
My score: 7,5/10
4. Perempuan Tanah Jahanam
(2019 - Base Entertainment/Ivanhoe Pictures/CJ Entertainment/Rapi Film/Logika Fantasi)
dir. Joko Anwar
Cast: Tara Basro, Marissa Anita, Ario Bayu, Christine Hakim, Asmara Abigail, Kiki Narendra, Abdurrahman Arif, Teuku Rifnu Wikana
My mind has already set that the label "directed by Joko Anwar" will offer a top-notch cinematic experience that I must watch immediately. I may not favor all doski films, but this latest film again proves that in production and craft, Joko it is still one of the mainstays of this country, a gripping setback, a neat and mysterious setting, beautiful to look at at the same time making it uncomfortable, and strong built characters smooth me to follow this film to the end. the final round (badminton times ah) and the revelation was revealed, at least this time I again felt pleased by the story with a mythology creation that was interesting and quite different, and more thorough, than similar films.
My score: 7,5/10
5. Abominable
(2019 - Universal/DreamWorks Animation/Pearl)
dir. Jill Culton
Cast: Chloe Bennet, Albert Tsai, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Sarah Paulson, Eddie Izzard, Tsai Chin, Michelle Wong
My doubts about this film, whose title I did not understand the meaning of before searching in the dictionary, was successfully destroyed. Still using the pattern of the story of human friendship and a creature that is feared by other humans, the theme and structure is clearly not new (I immediately wanted the How to Train Your Dragon series of DreamWorks too), as well as messages about the value of friendship and family that wants to be carried. However, the film is quite refreshed against the backdrop of contemporary China (the main protagonists are three and they are all single children, and especially the animated design that makes the heart happy. Simple but beautiful, cool and warm at the same time.
My score: 7,5/10
6. Love For Sale 2
(2019 - Visinema Pictures)
dir. Andibachtiar Yusuf
Cast: Della Dartyan, Adipati Dolken, Ratna Riantiarno, Ariyo Wahab, Bastian Steel, Putri Ayudya, Yayu Unru, Egy Fedly, Abdurrahman Arif, Revaldo, Taskya Namya
One thing that I am relieved about this film is the story and the situation is made very different from the first Love for Sale, which incidentally is one of my favorite films in 2018. Rather than being driven by solitude again, the story now starts from, well, "togetherness "Button. Now the Love Inc. application used by our protagonist to present a perfect prospective son-in-law, and again the figure of Arini got a turn (or even she's the only one in the company? * wild theory *), to soften the heart of the noisy matriarch about the matchmaking of her sons. Just like the first film, this film is capable of photographing authentic everyday life in one corner of the city of Jakarta which is usually reluctant to be highlighted on our big screen (East Jakarta and mas-dull, greasy face employees represented, y'all), plus a few lines and tickling behavior, as intriguing as family drama is trying to be presented. I also seem to be laughing more watching this than its predecessor. However, the consequence as a sequel to a film that arguably has a unique story and narrative, is the decline in the freshness and surprise, not to mention the turn towards a conclusion that is too sharp. Even so, in this film there is one more thing that is played as skillfully as the first film, which is the mystery of who, or which, the real figure of Arini. At least it still makes me still want to wait for the continuation of this series.
My score: 7/10
7. Susi Susanti: Love All
dir. Sim F.
Cast: Laura Basuki, Dion Wiyoko, Lukman Sardi, Iszur Muchtar, Dayu Wijanto, Moira Tabina Zayn, Farhan, Chew Kin Wah, Jenny Zhang, Kelly Tandiono, Delon Thamrin, Rafael Tan
Among the biographical films of famous Indonesian figures that I've watched, this film is among the most focused. Yes, this film really highlights the struggles and proud achievements of our badminton icon, Susi (or Susy) Susanti. Also, there was a discussion about the relationship with Alan Budikusuma, a fellow national badminton player who later became her husband. Which may not be much expected, this film turns out to also give special attention to the polemic of the citizenship status of Susi and her friends who are of Chinese descent, which means the film is also an examination of the history of this nation - the 80-90s background apparently isn't just decoration and sheer requirements. For that matter, this film deserves appreciation. Regarding the presentation on screen, it's another matter. Honestly, I have a bit of a problem with the transition of a bumpy mood, the presentation of the match scenes that are not balanced with enthusiasm, to the least time to explore the topic of citizenship earlier. However, I admit that I also enjoy the packaging that is light, positive, easy to digest, and family-oriented like Disney sports films like that - which makes me understand some parts of the story that feels "very movie". The visual design and acting are also very supportive. So, however, I still want to consider this as an example of a biographical film about an important Indonesian figure, with the same important issue.
My score: 7/10