viceroy_88 Reviews

Buffalo Boys (2018)

Didn't feel like Indonesian movie!

[7/10 · 3 August 2018]

Well, I'm impressed. Great job to the film makers and everyone involved.

The cinematography, soundtrack, fighting scenes are on Hollywood class. If the actors doesn't speak in Bahasa Indonesia, I wouldn't know that it is an Indonesian movie.

Still, there are a few plot holes, but I'm gonna let it pass :)

Brick Mansions (2014)

Unnecessary remake but OK though

[6/10 · 16 May 2014]

I like the good cinematography, even the opening credits alone already made me liked it. David Belle is still very cool with his spins, back-flips, jumps and other stunts. It has been 10 years but I don't see any degradation of his parkour skills.

Paul Walker did good as Belle's partner-in-crime, even though he can't do parkour, he still kicked-ass. Catalina Dennis who plays Belle's girlfriend is consistent with her character, a tough girl who doesn't stand still with unfair treatments. The lousy one is RZA who plays the drug lord Tremain. Well, in my opinion he can't act, his face expression just doesn't make it.

For those who like parkour but haven't watched Banlieue 13, this might as well be in your watchlist. It's still okay even if you have watched Banlieue 13 (like me), because it was in French and it felt quite weird, even with subtitles.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

A very successful reboot sequel

[8/10 · 6 May 2014]

The Amazing Spider-Man has become a successful sequel of Marvel's Spider-Man reboot.

Even though it continues the legacy of the previous movie that follows the original story from the comics, director Marc Webb still makes some necessary deviations. He said, "There are times where we feel obligated to follow the source material, and there are times where we feel the need to deviate from it."

However, personally this thing doesn't really bother me. Spider-Man's costume, especially the eyes, is made more similarly to the original comic costume, unlike the other Spider-Man movies.

I really like the villains that are made using combinations of Marvel Comics universe and Ultimate Marvel universe. Electro appears with the background story as in Marvel Comics, but with costume from Ultimate Marvel. Green Goblin is also a mutant as in Ultimate Marvel, even though still keeps his glider from Marvel Comics. Rhino also appears at the end with background story as in Marvel Comics, but without superpowers, rather wearing some kind of iron suit from Ultimate Marvel.

As the biggest film production ever made in New York City, this movie entertains viewers with cool metro cityscapes, supported by good visual effects.

I also like the cinematography, which made me feel the sensation of falling free from such heights when Spidey swings between skyscrapers, that is the sensation of having butterflies in my stomach.

Dub step music that plays during Electro scenes is quite enjoyable too.

I certainly like Andrew Garfield more, because he can portray Spider-Man's playful and naughty characteristics, unlike Tobey Maguire's nerd, crybaby, and stupid persona. And of course Emma Stone's superb acting, even as Gwen Stacy, she can create a likable chemistry in their romance, one that can touch your heart, unlike that between Peter and MJ in previous Spider-Man trilogy, which honestly get on my nerves.

The appearance of three villains in this movie does not feel too heavy or too rushed. I know that Electro is the main villain, that Spidey's fight with the Green Goblin is very short. But in fact, there are some scenes that are cut to be able to make it for PG-13 rating. Very different with Spider-Man 3 which also features three villains, but the movie feels too fast and forced.

Highly recommended!

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

A must-see!

[7/10 · 15 April 2014]

If you expect funny acting from Ben Stiller like usual, you will be disappointed. Here, Ben Stiller is more serious, but very suitable for the role of Walter Mitty. The supporting actors like Kristen Wiig and Adam Scott play their roles well too.

The story is very good. Adventure-themed with a little mystery, we would not be bored watching until the end. Awesome scenery also fills this movie, makes it so enjoyable. From the freezing waters of Greenland, volcano in Iceland, and the mountains of Afghanistan. The pace is just right, not too fast, not too draggy. Character developments can be seen, portrayed very well. With good cinematography, very good soundtrack which supports every scene perfectly, this movie is a must-see of 2014.

American Hustle (2013)

Why overrated?

[7/10 · 14 April 2014]

With excellent story and plot, American Hustle managed to gain good ratings, even better with seductive performances of Amy Adams and Jennifer Lawrence.

Conning acts, plus good plot twist at the end, makes this more-than-two- hour-long movie very interesting to watch. It makes you thinking about what will happen next!

Over-the-top casts here are made even more awesome with a cameo from legendary actor Robert De Niro who plays the Italian mafia.

But even with those and 10 Oscar nominations, many still despise it and think it is overrated.

Not me, not me.

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones (2014)

Just another installment, rather different but nothing special

[5/10 · 14 April 2014]

It is actually rather different than the previous installments, where the protagonist sets up camera or cctv to record strange things that are happening in his house at night.

We usually see a shadow figure moving when the house inhabitants sleep, or a chandelier that falls out of the blue when there is no wind at all. But here, viewers see supernatural events when the camera owner is doing his daily routines.

Story-wise, this movie is okay to see. Horror-wise, there are several jumpy scenes, but not scary. This movie, in my opinion, fails to give me goosebumps, unlike the previous movies that gives me a few, especially when I see the shadow figure.

And of course, this didn't make me paranoid. Since there are no supernatural events at night when everybody is sleeping, I can sleep peacefully right after watching this.

So, I don't find anything special, especially not for Paranormal Activity series.

The Pirate Fairy (2014 Video)

My kind of light entertainment

[7/10 · 8 April 2014]

This early 2014, the Tinker Bell Universe got another good addition. This DisneyToon children movie did not make me regret taking 78 minutes of my sleeping time, even after struggling through two hours of traffic from office to my home. The Pirate Fairy was a good choice when I feel like in need of light entertainment.

With pretty animation, beautiful colors, and fairies with "superpowers", I could certainly enjoy this movie. It's a good thing the duration is not that long too.

You can see the young Captain Hook here. And remember the ticking crocodile that Captain Hook is so afraid of in Peter Pan movie? You can find it here how come the crocodile ticks, and how come Captain Hook is so traumatized by it.

I think this movie deserves a 7 among other direct-to-video movies, because it gave me a positive mood after I finished watching.

Walking with Dinosaurs 3D (2013)

This is for Children

[6/10 · 8 April 2014]

Cannot compare this with the 1999 BBC documentary series, this is a family movie, or I can also say, a children movie.

Made with mixture of real location filming and CGI, I think children who loves dinosaurs will like this movie.

I was quite relieved that they didn't make the dinosaurs mouth move while they talk, I prefer it this way, when their mouths stay still when they talk to each other.

Many people say that Hollywood ruins the awesome BBC documentary, but I'd say it's just another movie. And the BBC documentary is not so good anyway, in my opinion.

So, enjoy watching with your children. But be careful, some parents might find the fight scenes too violent for children under 5 years old.

Frozen (I) (2013)

Animation of the year 2013

[8/10 · 4 April 2014]

Inspired by The Snow Queen, a 1844 fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, Disney's Frozen managed to be the highest grossing animated movie in box office history. Not to mention two Oscars it obtained, best animated feature and best original song.

A lot of things make this is anyone's favorite, children and young adults alike. One of them is the soundtrack. The songs are so enjoyable nobody will say "get it over already!" or press the fast-forward button on their DVD player. Like in any musical films, the songs are in line with the events that happen in the movie, not only in imagination or daydreams.

Although the animation technique is not so exceptional, Frozen can trap the viewers with its story. I was so touched to the point that I felt some empathy to Elsa and Anna. This is what makes it hard to move on.

Most of the humor in this movie comes from Olaf the snowman. Not only cute, this guy is rich of characters. Olaf represents Elsa and Anna in many ways, he has the traits of both of them. He is sweet and lovable, and fills in the movie perfectly.

And there is Kristen Bell (the best voice actress to me) that successfully made Anna's voice so delicious in my ears!

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: The Reign of Foodimals

[6/10 · 3 April 2014]

Who doesn't agree with me when I say this is not as good as the prequel?

I think they were not being creative in giving the title. Adding the number 2 in the end, when we don't even see any meatballs in this movie anymore. Okay, the story departs exactly from where Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs left off, but they could have come out with a better title, like "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs: The Reign of Foodimals".

The story is shallow, but the animation is still good, cute, and creative. Voice acting is still good, with a lot of good puns. However, the jokes are not as funny.

It's an okay movie in conclusion, Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures still cannot beat Pixar or Disney.

Homefront (I) (2013)

Statham comes back beating up people gloriously

[7/10 · 3 April 2014]

The plot is perhaps ordinary, but this movie - which was produced by Sylvester Stallone - managed to thrill the viewers from beginning to the end. Scene by scene gives the thrilling atmosphere, in every fights even when there seems to be no fights anytime soon.

Statham is back, gloriously beating up people while he himself is being hit too, unlike Steven Seagal.

James Franco as the antagonist in this movie is just okay, he could play his role well, even though I only feel the threat from him during his first screen time. The rest of them he seems like an ordinary bad guy.

In my opinion, this movie is much better than three of Statham's previous movies (Redemption, Parker, & Safe). Skip this one and you might regret it.

Free Birds (2013)

Simple time travel movie

[5/10 · 3 April 2014]

Even with a theme of time travel, the story is quite simple, unlike any other time travel movies that make you spin your head.

The idea is cute, I can certainly say that it is safe to watch with your little ones.

Too bad that there is nothing special with the animation techniques. The jokes are absolutely corny, I don't think the kids will even find it funny.

Voice actors Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson did quite a good job in voicing the turkeys.

This is one you are looking for if you don't have any better movies to watch during your free time.

Killers (2014)

Good Indonesia-Japan collaboration

[6/10 · 17 February 2014]

The tagline "Inside Us Lives A Killer" really tells us about this movie.

The story is a little ..., you know, just like other psycho movies, we seldom understand why they became the way they are and why they do what they do. And we weren't told about the backgrounds of the victims.

It didn't bore me, I enjoyed the killings quite much.

We were kept in edge with scenes that felt like final ones but they weren't. We were kept guessing how would the characters end up. Though some were guessable, there were several unexpected scenes.

The cinematography was unexpectedly quite good. The camera works were likable, shot from good angles, reflections on the glass, etc.

What I dislike are the pace, acting and its dialog. Draggy pace, uncalled-for acts, profanity-full dialog, and often felt so fake. This is what most of Indonesian movies are like.

And then there were some stupid scenes that made me laughed mockingly. Like, why would you ask "Who are you?" to a burglar/killer who wears a mask and points a gun at you at your house?

Overall, this collaboration is good. I hope Indonesian movie makers could learn a lot from collaborations like these in the future, and in time they would make good movies themselves.

Ender's Game (2013)

Ending twist wasn't kicking

[7/10 · 17 February 2014]

I didn't read the novel so I can't compare the movie with it. But, after reading the summary of the novel, I think this is a quite successful movie adaptation.

Good storyline, good acting from the casts, good costumes & props, and cool visual effects too. Asa Butterfield successfully portrayed a child who is genius but quiet and misfitted. Abigail Breslin was lovely as a sister. Harrison Ford was suitable as a kindhearted commander.

There is only one thing to feel sorry about though. The ending, which was supposed to be a good twist but it did not feel kicking! I wish they had shown more battle simulation in the movie, I guess that will help.

Charlie Countryman (2013)

Unlikely love story with good twist

[6/10 · 17 February 2014]

Protagonists Shia LeBeouf - the stuttering Transformers boy - supported by Evan Rachel Wood, and antagonists Mads Mikkelsen and Til Schweiger, also with Rupert Grint (Harry Potter's Ron Weasley).

Poster, cast, trailer, and IMDb good rating were what made me watch this indie movie which I usually don't give an interest. Interesting poster art with 90-degree orientation, sharp stare, beautiful colors, and Evan Rachel Wood's face lurking back behind LeBeouf's face. The poster reminds me of Limitless, which tells us a story about a kind of drug that maximizes your brain capacity.

But the story is different than Limitless. The only same thing is the pupil on the poster. If in Limitless the pupil portrays a brilliant mind after consuming NZT, here it depicts hallucinations. The love story is unlikely, a blind act of love with courage to take unknown risks.

The movie has several draggy parts, a little bit of action during the last 15 minutes, a bit of funny/corny scenes, and a particular twist at the end which successfully upped my personal rating about this movie.

The cinematography was good, showing a little view of Bucharest painted with interesting colors, and accompanied by good soundtracks. The acting is good too, I like Evan Rachel Wood's Russioan accent even though I don't know whether people in Romania use that accent. LeBeouf also seems to gave his all despite his stuttering. Not forgetting the antagonists that gives a scary impression.

It felt like watching a movie based on a graphic novel. Those who loves indie movies should see this.

Runner Runner (2013)

Not a cunning movie you would expect

[5/10 · 4 February 2014]

Story is just average, one you could find anywhere, about crimes involving lots of money, bribing, threatening and beating people up. Common story but still enjoyable though. Why common? If you expect an intelligent story like 21 or Now You See Me, you will be highly disappointed. This movie is indeed themed around gambling, but that's not where the focus is. And I think the protagonist gets his ways too easy, not much effort seen to achieve anything. Blame me, but I didn't feel any tension watching this. If one of its genres is thriller, then they fail to infuse tension to its viewer. Even though there are beatings and chases, I just relaxed sitting on my chair.

Acting is quite good, JT was charismatic, Affleck was not so stiff like in Daredevil and rather good playing a gamble lord, and Gemma Arterton was stunning as always.

Pace was rather fast, maybe too fast in the beginning. Definitely not draggy, but it was hard keeping up. Perhaps they make it like this for it to have the impression of smart and cunning like in Ocean's Eleven.

And there was also shaky camera throughout the chase scenes!

Conclusion is, this was not a bad movie, but don't expect too high. With good cast like this they should have made a better movie. Watchable if you wanna kill some time, or if you have a crush on JT, or on Gemma for the matter like myself.