Drag Me To Hell (2009)

Cast : Alison Lohman, Justin Long, David Paymer, Lorna Raver
Director : Sam Raimi

Classic horror is not dead! Some newbies might find this movie very-cheesy for its gallows humor mixed with slapstick comedy as they habitually live with some modern 'horror' films which rely on some gore scenes and shock editing. Whereas 'Drag Me to Hell' surely gets my attention only with very little blood and lots of loud noises. And yes, i must admit that this movie is kinda cheap and cheesy (you can tell from the title too, eh?). But damn, i LOVE it! It was the finest-darkest-creepiest moment i had in theater after so long.

Christine Brown (Alison Lohman), a loan officer at a bank, is being considered for promotion. Until one day, an old gypsy lady named Mrs. Ganush (Lorna Raver) request for an extension for house payment. Leaping out for its promotion opportunity, she takes her pride (instead of her humanity feelings) by deciding to reject the payment extension request from Ganush. Feeling ashamed of rejection, Ganush places the powerful curse of Lamia on Christine which translate her life into a living hell.

I know it's been less than 24 hours since i watched it, but i must admit that this is one of the most strictly entertaining movie I've ever seen. I always admire certain directors who has their own signature style. And this is Sam Raimi we're talking about. It's an horror comedy that made me laugh and creepy at the same time. But then again, the whole movie was satisfying, and the ending made it even more so.
Mrs. Ganush is one truly phenomenal villain which i will definitely put her in my list of best villain together with Norman Bates, Freddy Krueger, Hannibal Lecter, the Joker and Gollum!

Incredibly entertaining. Drag me to watch it again.

Angels & Demons (2009)

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Cast : Tom Hanks, Ayelet Zurer, Ewan McGregor, Stellan Skaarsgard
Director : Ron Howard

Base on the second novel of Dan Brown, perhaps some readers of the book are expected to be dissapointed while they're about to see this film. Well, call me a non-reader, it leads me to an advantage to enjoy the movie without some expectations. And it did! In fact i even impressed. It's cool to notice that a non-reader like me (who tends to be ignorance, like they said!) got this advantage :)

The movie itself begins with the death of Pope which as per regulations, some cardinals shall arrange a conclave to elect a new Pope in Vatican. In the moment after, the four strong candidates of a new pope have been kidnapped with a note of Illuminati symbol in a piece of paper. Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) was assigned by Vatican police to assist to break some 'puzzles' together with one of the scientist of CERN, Vittoria Vetra (Ayelet Zurer), commander Richter (Stellan Skarsgaard) and carmelengo of the church, Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor).

Personally, i love this movie better than The Da Vinci Code. Plot of story (including its thrill) constantly continue since the first part of the movie. Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon was good. Ayelet Zurer was okay to portray Vittoria Vetra. No complaint. But, Ewan McGregor as McKenna? Very-Impressive!

Recommended and very watchable.

Oh, i definitely will read the book after this.
Call me a reader, then :)

Down By Law (1986)

Cast : Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni
Director : Jim Jarmusch

How I love Jarmusch's features that he don't need any dramas nor actions to create some pleasures. And so was Down by Law treated me. As a non-hollywood-esque style, this picture wonderfully shot in black n white with its original script that i always adore. Definitely, still can reach its cinematic achievement.

The film begins with character introduction of the two main casts, Zack (Tom Waits) and Jack (John Lurie) until both of them are end up in jail for a crime that they didn't commit. And then Roberto (Roberto Benigni) joined the cell, with his shadiness and comical presence.

Even though i still enjoy his previous work, Stranger than Paradise, but still i must gave alot of credits to this film also.

Brilliantly created.

Memorable Quote :
"I scream.You Scream. We all scream. For ice cream"
(Roberto)

3 Hari Untuk Selamanya (2007)

Cast : Nicholas Saputra, Adinia Wirasti
Director : Riri Riza

Portraying 3 days journey of Yusuf (Nicholas Saputra) and Ambar (Adinia Wirasti) from Jakarta to Yogyakarta as a bearer of some meals equipment for midodareni, a javanese tradition agenda prior the wedding ceremony.

Poor sound editing and somehow this movie is trying hard to be a 'cool' as a road movie. However ... goddammit! This film certainly do hit my spot. I love it! Tremendous chemistry from both main casts. Absolute-contagious chemistry. Even i kinda minimize their so-called smart-cheesy conversations, since Riri Riza did the right thing by chosen a high-school-graduation characters as a justification. Hence, do not treat the conversation same as Celine & Jessie in Before Sunrise/Before Sunset.
The songs from Float is impressive and the ending is just perfect!

Vertigo (1958)

Cast : James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes
Director : Alfred Hitchcock

It's such an arduous thing to judge Hitch's movies as i know a thousand words even cannot express them. Well, Vertigo is another details work of him which unmistakably interpreted into a creation called film. As a master of suspense - instead of producing its thrills literally- Hitchcock creates some complex characters, exciting music score, striking images, provocative script and not to forget a dazzling twist. What an entertaining way to thrill!

A retired detective, John 'Scottie' Ferguson (James Stewart) is hired to follow and espy his friend's wife, Madeleine Elster (Kim Novak) who has been suspected in planning for committed suicide. One thing leads to another, Scottie becomes intrigued and then obsessed by the beautiful of Madeleine. With his disability who is scared of heights drawn into a unexpectedly plot that guide him for becoming a victim.

Stunning and so multilevelled! I simply can't wait to watch it again.
A must-have in your collection.

Memorable Quote :
"Only one is a wanderer, two together are always going somewhere"
(Madeleine Elster)

"You know, it's wonderful how they have it all taped now, John. They have music for dipsomaniacs, and music for melancholiacs and music for hypochondriacs. I wonder what would happen if somebody got their files mixed up"
(Marjorie 'Midge' Wood)

Dragonball Evolution (2009)

Cast : Justin Chatwin, Emmy Rossum, Chow Yun-Fat, Jamie Cheung
Director : James Wong

Ignoring some horrible critics and just to watch Emmy Rossum as Bulma, finally i can manage myself to watch this film. Whoa, this movie definetely got snubbed. It's not that bad for me. Well, it ain't good either, though. But, please give this movie a break!

The script is not good, i know. And visual effect is just okay. Not splendid for a big-budget movie. Cast? Well, Chow Yun Fat as Master Roshi, is mediocre. Chatwin as Goku, is nice. And Emmy Rosum as Bulma is a dear. And why people give a shit by comparing each character to the original manga version? Not very cool opinion.

Admittedly enjoy seeing it.

6.5/10

Doubt (2008)

Cast : Meryl Streep, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis
Director : John Patrick Shanley

When it comes to doubtful situation, there will be always a need for some radicalist to straighten up all the confusions occured. And God knows how hard to find such characters in this movie that represent those so called radicalists who only believe in their faiths without seeing any evidence.

"Doubt", portrayed some intriguing between faith vs doubt. John Patrick Shanley capturing this movie with full of breath-taking conversations. Having know that there's no certainty for some issues, some effective dialogs lead to some own personal judgement and opinion. Each characters struggles to confront their own doubts. A perfect cast by Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams and 12 minutes performance by Viola Davis.

4 stars (2.25 stars earn from the casts!) out of 5, for my first watch. Perhaps after i watch for the 2nd time, i will add some stars :)

Memorable quote :
"Doubt can be a bond as powerful and sustaining as certainty. When you are lost, you are not alone"
(Father Brendan Flynn)