Juri Ueno’s newest: Itsutsu no Kaban

I absolutely agree!

Juri Ueno acting as five different characters in a collections of five short movies, Itsutsu no Kaban

Nodame Cantabile Live Action Movie trailer released!

Jurippe fans everywhere, REJOICE!

Bugyaaa~!

Nodame Cantabile is a movie about the relationship of two aspiring classical musician with contrasting personalities. Nodame Megumi, the main character of the movie (who happen to get lesser time screen than the other main character despite the fact that her name is included in the movie title) is a sloppy pianist with a carefree and childlike attitude who fall in love with her senpai, Shinichi Chiaki, a strict straightforward genius who is a rising star in a classic music world. The movie..ssS! (there will be two movies) was based on the manga of the same name who already got adapted into two-season TV serials and an anime serials. It was highly popular and successfully entertaining. Well, that’s the most important thing from a romantic comedy anyway: funny, entertaining, and touching at the same time.

I’d highly reccomend watching the serials first (anime or tv series; doesn’t matter which), or at least read the manga to get to know the characters before watching the movies. Don’t worry about time, Nodame Cantabile Live Action Movies won’t be released anytime soon. It was scheduled for 2010 releases.

This movies are perfect for:

• Movie about classic music
• and in a romantic comedy genre
• Those who like Juri Ueno acting (or her beauty), like I do (I personally believe that she’s the best actress ever spawned by japan, and on par with A list hollywood actress)
• Fans of the handsome Tamaki Hirosho
• or Eita
• or any handsome/cute actors and actress in the movies

See also, Hell of an actress: Juri Ueno

Merantau or Merah Putih: I decide!

Yudha vs badass anti hero. scene from merantau

Last august we’ve seen two major releases in Indonesia cinema. Merantau is a martial art action flick about silat, while Merah Putih is a war story about post-independence war against the netherland invasion.

This two movies, despite being in a totally different genre, shares some similarities that should makes the competition to be the best of the summer release (or even the best movie of the year) even hotter.

So, what are the similarities we’re talking about?

• Both are written by non-Indonesian
• Both film crews are mixed between Indonesian and non-Indonesian
• Both movies are in a rare genre. Merantau is the first silat, martial art, action movie over the last decade(s). Merah Putih is the first war movie over the last decade(s) too.
• Both movies are released for international market
• Both, I believe, enjoy their own respective success. The number isn’t important as I believe Laskar Pelangi probably better than both of the movies.

The only difference between this two movies are, unfortunately, in the quality.

Religion + Ridiculous = RELIGULOUS

homo sapiens

Don’t call yourself for ‘having an open minded mind’ unless you’ve watched Religulous and got yourself to laugh a lot. It’s funny, yet thought-provoking. It entertains you in a way that you’ve never been entertained. Some would probably get mad and stormed out of theatre shouting ‘heretic!’ or ‘Infidel!’ in the middle of the movie (Just don’t burn it if you happen to rent it). But hey, that’s their loss, because Bill Maher is spot on and he really pushed it over the limit.

“I report faithfully that I laughed frequently. You may very well hate it, but at least you’ve been informed. Perhaps you could enjoy the material about other religions, and tune out when yours is being discussed. That’s only human nature.” -  Roger Ebert, film critic

Merantau: is it worth watching that overused silat movie genre?

Will it succed? Of course it will! It’s a freakin action movie! But the real question is…

Will it worth watching?

1st of all, cool poster!

Before we answer that question, I think I should tell you a little bit story about Silat Movie genre (Just skip to the actual review if this history lesson bores you)