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)

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.

Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Cast : Ryan Gossling, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson
Director : Craig Gillespie

The script. It's the most extraordinary thing from this film. It's surprising me alot (and i love being surprised!) with its remarkably original. Thanks to Nancy Oliver.
If someone said that this movie tells about a man falling in love with a sex doll, well for me it's much much more than that. It's the journey of the emotional moment. Mixed-up emotion. It's the thing that i always earn from a good movie. And so this movie treated me. It's like i am within laugh and cry, funny and sad. Very gently moving.

Fully aware that Ryan Gosling is a very fine actor. As Lars Landstorm, who wounded by the pain of losing his parents and literally frightened by human touch, he did an astounding job. For sure.
Anyway, I also heart Emily Mortimer & Patricia Clarkson here. *claps claps claps*

Good movie that you guys should check.
Anyway, the real-doll website is truly exist. Come check it out also. LOL!

Memorable Quote :
"See they're even fake so they'll never die"
(Lars Landstorm)

"Sometimes I get so lonely I forget what day it is, and how to spell my name"
(Doctor Dagmar)

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)

A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)

Cast : Vivian Leigh, Marlon Brando, Karl Malden, Kim Hunter
Director : Elia Kazan

Ah, now i know where Nicole Kidman got that over-dramatic and exaggerate expression. It's from Blanche Dubois. Very classic kinda act. And Vivian Leigh was nailed the characters as a lonely-empty-neurotic woman who lives in a romantic fantasy world. Very disturbing, and over the top. But yet, for me her exaggerate act was done intentionally due to its character. At least, i agree with Oscar for rewarding her Best Actress at that time.

As for the picture itself belongs to drama with full of intensity, monologues and irrational numbers. We shall conclude what had happened between characters. Understood it was base on a play which i believe it will told the details regarding other things that haven't revealed thru the movie. Like, what is truly happen in Auriol? And also in Belle-Reve?

Having said that, i was delighted to see this movie. An open ending (which I always love) also let us free to conclude what will happen next.

Memorable Quotes :
"I don't tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth" (Blanche DuBois)
"You know what luck is? Luck is believing you're lucky, that's all... " (Stanley Kowalski)