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)

Changeling (2008)

Cast : Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich, Jason Butler Harner, Michael Kelly
Director : Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood just added another impressive work thru his filmography. Although i'm not a big fan of his works (except Mystic River!), i have to admit that i got such a thrill while watching this.
Base on a true story, Changeling tells about Christine Collins, a single mother who lost her beloved 9 year old son, Walter. Until 5 months later, the LAPD claimed that Walter has been found. However Christine began to suspect that the boy returned to her is not hers.

Little issue i got regarding a story-telling plot while Eastwood trying to reveal this Gordon Northcott character which only told after first half of the movie. In the first part, i've been spoiled by being offered to watch only how Christine struggle to find her son. I found this Northcott is a very interesting character who should have been told earlier. I do love the last scene while he's about to being hang by the neck. Kinda reminds me of Dancer in the Dark scene, while Selma Jezkova mentioning 103 steps, while as Northcott got 13 steps. Not to mention the song 'Silent night' he sang which also reflect to Selma's 'This isn't the Last Song'.

No doubt that Angelina Jolie is a very fine actress. She delivers a remarkable performance by portraying Christine Collins, a single mother who just lost her son. However i kinda seen her before in the almost-same character in A Mighty Heart who also require her to portray as a wife who lost her husband. Outstanding performance. But nothing new.

Having said that, i still respect that this movie belongs to one of masterpiece from Clint Eastwood and deserve to be one contender in the Academy arena.

Frost/Nixon (2008)

Cast : Michael Sheen, Frank Langella, Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Hall, Mathew McFadyen, Oliver Platt
Director : Ron Howard

Well, what do i know about Richard Nixon? Slightly thing about that Watergate case. Not much. History & politics are clearly not my field. I need to do some researches in order to enjoy the film. And to tell you the truth, i almost skipped this film. But, i am so so so glad i didn't. It is not what i think at all. Obviously deserves to be one of the Best Film of the year.

Based on a stage-play, Frost/Nixon caught some pictures occured after Richard Milhouse Nixon resigned from the U.S presidency. Until David Frost, a satire and eccentric TV presenter, plan to made history by arranging the series of interviews with Nixon.

I gave the first credit to the playwright for such a great screenplay. Never has a political movie been mesmerize me before. He made this movie becoming an epic one, surely an epic with no riffles and no colossal views. But the intense are alike. It's Peter Morgan. You guys probably had seen another his works thru "The Queen". Very-well written.

Another credit definetely goes to the duet Frank Langella & Michael Sheen. Oh, those interview shots are similar with a boxing ring. Really thrilling-captivating. Both actors did a brilliant job! Langella is the last actor i watched as a contender for Oscar's Best Actor in a Leading Role category. And must admit that he truly deserves to bring the award home. Oops, i shudn't made a prediction here.

Last but not least, Ron Howard, which create unexpected pictures and finally can redeem himself after Oscar reward him a Best Director nod this year. Not to forget stars like Kevin Bacon, Sam Rockwell, Rebecca Hall, Mathew MacFadyen and Oliver Platt which surely reinforcing the casts. Trust me, after this i tend to find some informations regarding this Nixon. It is true that movie truly made a people wanna learn something new, eh?

Memorable Quote:
"I'm saying that when the President does it, that means it's NOT illegal!"
(Richard M.Nixon)

The Reader (2008)

Cast : Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, David Kross, Lena Olin
Director : Stephen Daldry

Adapted from Bernhard Schlink's novel, I was totally blown away by this film! It seems that Stephen Daldry scores once more. Not many directors can blow me away twice (yes twice!, previously from another of his "The Hours" which i love a lot). Great story, Stunning cinematography, Brilliant act and Wonderful music score by Nico Muhly who contributes to create its own dialog thru certain scene. I haven't happened to read the novel, but base on another previous works of David Hare, I'm pretty sure that he's a good in re-telling story. Very-well adapted.

Set in Germany, the two central characters Hanna Schmitz and Michael Berg met accidentally and finally lead them to an affair in one summer until one day Hanna left the town without leaving any note. Several years later, Berg entered a college and studying law. One not so special day, for observation study, he attend some trial for NAZI war crimes, he catches a sight for Hanna Schmitz again.

Hanna Schmitz, a cold-stern but compassionate woman, is very interesting character. Initially it was meant for Nicole Kidman which I know she will play it good. And Kate Winslet? Gosh! She is DAMN great! I haven't finished my first orgasm after saw her performance in Revolutionary Road, and now she do me again. She made me cum twice in consecutive weeks! It's about time to reward her, her first Oscar.
(Young) Michael Berg, played by a rising star from German, David Kross. Impressive play. Looking forward for his work in the future. Ralph Fiennes and Lena Olin also did an outstanding job. Especially Lena Olin, her performance in almost-the-end of the movies for having conversation with Ralph Fiennes is breathtaking.

This movie deserve 5 stars and straightly break through to the list of my favorite movie for my first watch!

The Reader, Best Picture of the year!

Memorable Quote :
"It doesn't matter what I think. It doesn't matter what I feel. The dead are still dead" (Hanna Schmitz)

"Go to the theater if you want catharsis. Please, go to literature. Don't go to the camps. Nothing comes out of the camps. Nothing."(Ilana Mather)