The Raid 2: Berandal (2014) Rating: N/A "A butcher house"

First of all, I am afraid, Afraid to say anything bad about it, afraid to comment anything shit about it. Just afraid because I don't want any anonymous comments attack by fan boys. Just be serious score on IMDB of 8.8 with 75% giving perfect 10?!?!?!?.  Well not only that, user reviews talking bad about it also bombarded by disapproval. Just for a case one of the review received 5 out of 61. which means around 56 users said screw his review. Almost all critic reviews praised the movie giving perfect five stars labeling it genious. Well, I don't have anything to said about it, they are the master. Thus this time I will not rate it.

So to begin, The Raid 2 started with gruesome Rama's brother being dragged to nowhere farm and bla bla. BAM!!!! his head was smoked. Poor guy only had around 5 minutes screening time. then after that cutting to Rama in small wooden cabin in nowhere land. Conversed a couple lines then BAM!!!!!!!! The guy in raid 1 with ridiculously white hair that looked like he used bucket of paint as a shampoo being shot in the head. The story just flow on then until Rama ended up in prison after some sort of agreeing with the chief to work undercover in approaching the big mafia. Then SLAM!!!! A big fight CRACK!! SCREAM! SHOUT!! Raining blood. Then Rama went out of prison - - hmm. Then the story go on with gruesome bloody fight. Yeah mean really really bloody with cracked bones, grilled faced, skewered neck and a sprinkle of family drama. The Raid 2 is packed with martial fight scenes with BLOOD as the main ingredients. Is just like Gareth Evans (Director) said "well the fight is good, lets add some blood; well the talking is enough, lets add some blood; well lets pour the film with blood so we don't have to do it in post production". The fight is great I have to admit it. But it will be greater without the shaky camera. So the art of Silat can be clearly seen and admired. I understand that they have to hide the fakeness with shaky camera. But its a shame that the gruesome stabbing and slashing are standing out more than the art of Silat fight.

The plot and character is lacking. Starting of with Rama and then moved to Uco for the almost half of the movie and then back to Rama as the hero of the day. Other than that have to praise Oka Antara as Eka that executed it very well than the rest of the cast. As well as Kenichi Endo as Goto. They both really stand out from the crowd. But for Rama, I just don't really get it. A love-able and humble husband, A dedicated cop or just physco maniac with ambition for blood and revenge. The plot is predictable as you watched the first installment. Its just like Evans trademark to leave a twisting plot at the end of the movie. Unfortunately this time the same formula did not turn to the same result. Perhaps a miscalculation or something. Its just did not have the kick like the first installment.

Well on top of that, the raid 2 is the debut of Indonesian film that really stand out from that local creepy lame horror movie that have ridiculous name like "Pocong having grandchild".  The Raid 2 will give such entertainment and enjoyment for the blood thirsty fans. The Raid 2 is the first Indonesian action genre movie to be distributed across the globe. You like violence movie then this is a must. A must to watch in the silver screen. There are a lot of improvements from the Raid 1 like more lively dialogue , a vast setting from city to old house to warehouse. But please, please don't bring any children. REMEMBER R++++ no children for this movie. PLEASE!. You don't want to traumatize with scene of bloody piece of brain dangling from the blown skull. For faint heart, stay out of this. At the end, I like Raid 1 but not Raid 2.
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Psst: There are a lot of deleted scenes, if you are eager to look for more blood. Just search it in youtube. You can also find it in the trailer. Like the guy shooting someone head on escalator. and this gang war scenes. 

10/06/2014 update====>

Recently received a letter of complain from GOOGLE saying that I infringed a copyright law on this particular post "The Raid 2" which I do not even know what have I been infringing. Posting a poster that I took from wikipedia? Sharing a video that clearly stated trailer from youtube? 

Been checking it out on chillingeffects.org. Here is the details =>
http://www.chillingeffects.org/dmca512c/notice.cgi?NoticeID=1736067
The complaint was sent by Madman Entertainment Pty Ltd 
So to take matter no further, I deleted the posters and video that I shared on the 

Only God Forgives (2013) Rating: 0.5 / 5 "May we forgive this movie"

Cut nonsense parts and you only get a 30 minutes movie summarized for you. Nicolas Refn latest art piece is a hell a boring, bloody violence and nonsense movie. Refn pulled it out with "Drive" but repeating the same trick for the second time on "Only God Forgives" just simply not bringing the magic out. Perhaps, Refn might have forgotten about the simplest basic magic rule which is -never do the same trick twice-.  90 minutes of piecing a random art piece and very little dialogue might be appealing for someone but majority will dislikes and would probably walk-out from the cinema half-of-the movie. Especially when you will be served a 60 minutes of scene that should have been left out.

Ryan Gosling ;is the name that lifts the movie prospect. People come to see him after a positively praised for the collaboration with Refn on "Drive". Indeed many loves it and expecting that Ryan will show the magic the second time . Unfortunately, the magic does not even excite me a little.

The writing is nonsense, Compared it to artistic movie "Tree of Life- Terrence Malick" I would rather spend 120 minutes on it rather than 90 minutes of Only God Forgives. I might admit that some scenes are beautifully shot and executed but seriously do the cop has to sing every time he executed a criminal? Okay, lets cut his hand, lets split his chest, oh wait, lets booked a whole room for karaoke bonanza to celebrate it. As well, surprisingly the cop always has a dagger ready to be pulled out of a thin air.  If only if they cut all the nonsense part and make it a short movie. If Only IF- -; The whole movie is just like plugging various beautifully shot and ridiculous singing scene to make it worth for the big screen in theater.

Dark Shadows (2012) Rating : 2.5 / 5 "A lot of empty hole"

A lot of missing part and half hearted plot but with a good character execution, great costumes and great settings. Dark Shadows has a lot of holes that needed to be filled. The story is too rush, the mystery is not intriguing enough, the plot is nothing but a plug in plug out plot to make the story seems longer. However, from all the bad side, what makes the movie good enough to compete in the movie market is the cast. Johnny Depp "Barnabas Collins" is good, so do Helena Bonham Carter "Dr. Julia" and Eva Green the antagonist "Angelique Bouchard". They do really perform the best portraying the weird characters. The setting is amazing, Tim Burton is good in bringing a classic tale to new adapted darker theme just like what he did in Alice in wonderland. The costume perfectly fit the 70s time as well as the old fashion imperial age Barnabas Collins costume. Really love the way each setting and costume is crafted with full passionate. Well the comedy is not as hilarious as I could imagine. Dark Shadows is a remake of 70s  horror comedy soap opera, perhaps that is why you will find a lot of empty mysteries left behind because you just simply cannot squished all the story into  113 minutes movie.

There is absolutely a lot of mysteries being left out just to rush it to the end. Starting from the Dr. Julia, to mysteriously behaving teenage girl "Carolyn  Stoddard" and sad lonely young boy "David Collins". They are all just a plug in plug out plot to make the story longer. The ghost in the mansion is just lame. Barely anything being told about it. The nanny doesn't even solved the mystery why the Barnabas loves ghost is talking to her. Firstly the attention is being brought to the nanny "Victoria Winters" in the first part of the movie, leaving the audience with a great expectation that Barnabas Collins will be mystery. Then, reaching the half of the movie, the main attention turns to Barnabas Collins leaving out the nanny as a supporting character. But for ever what reason, suddenly Victoria Winters fell in love with Barnabas Collins while the whole story is telling about how Barnabas Collins is going to restore the family wealth. Overall the plot and storyline is weak. 

On the other side, the collaboration of Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp is great. Just like in Alice in Wonderland portraying a funny weird character, they also did it in Dark Shadows. Bonham as Dr. Julia and Johnny as the vampire "Barnabas Collins". They executed the character very well. Don't forget the antagonist Eva green, she does make Angelique as annoying and evil as it is but not neglecting the heart that the character is still in love with Barnabas Collins. The other characters are lacking of character development, perhaps not enough time to tell it. Or the writer just assume that everyone watching the movie has lived through 70s or at least have watched part of the Opera soap. Unfortunately, I haven't watched it and I feel a lot of empty plot being left out or just merely plugged in for a short amusement.

The setting is amazing, a lot of Tim Burton themed setting to please audience eyes. Barnabas Collins mansion is creepy magnificent huge and glamorous. The imperial design could still be felt in the mansion. In the town, the 70s atmosphere is surely convincing enough with the car, costume and architect. The forest is as dark as what you can find in Alice in wonderland. Tim Burton is the amazing in creating a new theme to fit the current taste of movie goers which is a little bit darker and serious. Quite amazed by the ghost scene that brings out the nanny from her room to the hall but disappointed heavily on the story line. Well directed movie as I can say. Well, here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

Avengers (2012) Rating: 4 / 5 "Making Transformers looks like amateur"

Avengers is good. In fact, with the same theme like Transformers, Avengers make Transformers look like an ordinary movie. Unlike Transformers which largely focusing on big action, big explosions and loud action scene but less on humane aspect, Avengers do put extra bit in it to distinguish itself from transformers. It involves deeply the characters in the story rather than plotting them in different action scene. Despite them working together as a big team, it is quite amazing to see all the actors playing the character really stays in the character like what they did in the individual movie. Yes, Tony Stark is just what a  Tony Stark looks like in Iron Man "an arrogant rich man with intelligence mind". There is nothing complicated and special about the premise of the movie, but the way they put it together and gives each character a proportionate scene makes it a very well balanced Avengers.

The setting is amazing. Located right in the middle of the city just like Transformer 3. The scale of destruction and explosion is as well a tight contender of Transformer 3. Some special effect like floating Battleships and flying monsters are flawless and acceptable. The battle-scene on the lifted road reminded me on the scene in "The legend" where Will Smith character trapped himself. Is it the same setting? Perhaps so. 

The ability of the writer to give a well balanced action scene for each character is amazing. Despite Nick Fury looks like supporting character, all the heroes have the chances in all the fighting scene. One hero does not overwhelmed other hero, in fact they are being developed in each plot to create the Avengers.  Even though, Hawk-eye and Black Widow do not really have  super power, their role is just as crucial as Thor, Iron Man, Hulk and Captain America. On the other words, each character role is just as important as it is. Except Nick Fury that suppose to lead but end up being set aside for the super hero bonanza. 


The storyline has lifted the movie and distinguished it from movie like Transformer that only focus on the action and less character developing. Mark Ruffalo make the green monster "Hulk" alive. Mark executed the character very well, as if he is portraying it seriously. A emotional connection could be felt from the way he executed the line. Especially the part when he told that he tried to kill himself but then the green Hulk puked it out the bullet.  

Here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

The Cold Light of Day (2012) Rating: 2.5 / 5 "Not Bad"

To start with, The Cold Light of Day is not a great movie but as well not a bad movie. Just lack of emotional connection and uninteresting plot make it looks like straight to DVD movie or TV movie at least. Bruce Willis appearance just merely an accessories to make the movie seems to be interesting.  "A marketing strategy" perhaps. Unlike Catch 44 or Expendables, Bruce Willis did  not give any plus to Cold Light of Day. In fact, Bruce Willis character "Martin Shaw" is set to be forgotten in the first 30 minutes as it turns to saving family matter rather than discovering what Martin Shaw really is. A very conflict of intention from the writer isn't it? Sigourney Weaver "Carrack" as an antagonist is just ordinary. There is nothing special on the character Jean Carrack, in fact Jean Carrack is just like any other supporting character that you can find in agency themed movie like 24.

The plot of the story is okay, although some of the plot will tingle your sense of curiosity with several twisting, it fails to finish the execution. Hence, leaving the us either with half full glass of water. Just like eating a dinner but missing a closing sweet dessert. Yet, I have to praise the effort of it. At least it is acceptable but not extra-ordinary action thriller.  I think the story line is lacking of some crucial part which is Martin Shaw. If only the writer did push up the mystery element of Martin Shaw, The Cold Light of Day could have touched the high bar. Yet, in term of entertainment, the movie is a perfect choice for your weekend outing fun with your friends and family. However, if you expected it more like 24, Die Hard or Bourne, be prepared to be disappointed.

Bruce Willis as I said is just an accessories, perhaps without him, Cold light of Day would be straight to DVD action thriller. I don't know why Bruce have been in several movies with only short appearance lately or is not the main character. Age might have been restricting him to do more than he used to be. Reaching 57 years must be hard to perform his own stun and heavy action scene.  Well, expecting him to be back in hardcore action movie like Die Hard. Hope that the upcoming Kane & Lynch game adaptation movie (2013) won't let Bruce Willis fans down.


The action scene is intense enough, some of it might lift you up from the seat. Some it is perfectly shot and I like the anti-climax scene where the Shaw car was flipped over during the chase. The cinematography "rotating shot" is brilliant. As well as the main character falling from the roof scene.

Here is the trailer for you to enjoy =>

Mirror Mirror (2012) Rating : 2 / 5 "Half baked"

Mirror Mirror Poster

The question I have been asking myself about the movie is "Is this another parody of Epic Movie or Disaster Movie?" Despite astonishing great costumes, eye catching settings and involvement of A list star "Julia Robert and Sean Bean", Mirror Mirror failed terribly to impress. The weak story which largely contributed to it. Mirror Mirror tried to set aside from the original classic Snow White fairy tale but failed miserably to fully baked the story. Beside having a weak story, the main focus is unclear either to make it into fun children and family movie or teenager movie. Unlike Alice in Wonderland (2010) that famously praised for dark version of fairy tale that targeted teens or Enchanted (2007) which is fun musical fairy tale adaptation that targeted children and family, Mirror Mirror is like another parody movie about a Snow White which is unclear whether for either teenagers or children. Lacking of creativity is what I can say.

Julia Roberts performance is not so good this time. Comparing her to Helena Bonham Carter portraying antagonist queen in Alice in Wonderland (2010), Julia Roberts is far behind. Perhaps, it was lacking character building that resulted in Julia Roberts unable to fully expressed it. The antagonist in Mirror Mirror does not have a strong character. It is more into an annoying queen rather than purely evil queen like classic Snow White. I know they tried to make Mirror Mirror into modern adaptation not a fully copy and paste stuff, however at least put some effort on it and make the queen just as bad as what she should be rather than become half baked Witch.

Left: Julia Roberts; Right: Helena Bonham Carter

The story is rather weak, is it about the Snow white, the seven dwarfs, the queen, the prince or the lost king? Well, the story started with the queen stating that this is her story but thenI barely know anything about the queen. Why she hates Snow White so much and how evil she is. It is unclear whether the queen is obsessed with the beauty or the greed of power. The whole story is like jumping from one perspective to another without fully describing it. I think that the writer must be fully assuming that everyone have read about the Snow White so he doesn't need to explain it too much or get into more detail. In spite of the title "Mirror Mirror", the whole story is not about it.  It is about how Snow White finally married to the Prince. On the other hand, the jokes, the funny act and some of the line is corny and childish. I have admit that some of the scene did make me laugh, but I am still disappointed with the movie. I was expecting more like Alice in Wonderland or at least make it fun like Enchanted. The monsters in the forest and the king lost in the darkness is added to the movie just to make it interesting while the whole movie barely talked about it. The prince? I have only one word to describe it "Lame". Moreover,the true love kiss plot is insulting to the magical classic fairly tale. The post-scene along the credits are unnecessary.

However, on all the bad side. I have to praise the costumes and the settings. The dresses are very elegant, built for perfection. The whole costumes are designed to fit perfectly in fairy tale movie. The settings are fabulous as well. Taking you across the land from the high land castle to the low land town separated by frozen lake. Each scene is beautifully crafted. Even the details of the hall from the floor to the gold tainted ceiling. Thumbs up for both costumes and the settings.
Well, here is the trailer for you to watch =>

Foster (2011) Rating: 3 / 5 "It's all about Maurice Cole"

Copyright SC Films

Foster alone without Maurice Cole is not so good. Let me tell you, this kid is absolutely brilliantly amazing. Foster is about a grieving parents thinking of adopting a child after serious traumatic incident that prevent the wife from having a baby. Well, in fact the main attention of the movie is not really about those grieving parents. Unlike Rabbit Hole 2010 (Nicole Kidman and Aaron Eckhart) that bring you along the grieving stage of parents, Foster is focusing on this special character called Eli which is portrayed by brilliant young actor Maurice Cole.  At first, I thought that this is going to be another Rabbit Hole movie that giving you a slow and sad 90 minutes ride, but I was undoubtedly wrong. In fact, Foster character 'Eli' is getting intriguingly interesting as it gets to the end.  However, there is lack of emotional connection of the couples between the audiences, Zooey (Collette)  and Alec (Gruffudd). Besides, the story plot is too simple that I could predict how it is going to end in the first 20 minutes.

Foster doesn't get you deeply into the couples, Zooey and Alec, as I said the main attention on that little character Eli. It is sometime confusing that the writer is trying to show you the sadness of the couple while at the same time having a fun Eli along the movie. At the end, the movie is all about drama comedy unlike Rabbit Hole. I think that Foster must be heavily inspired by Nanny McPhee. I would not tell you much more as it would be a spoiler. The plot of the movie is so simple and I bet that you would have guessed it half way of the movie. Despite the easily predicted ending, Foster gives you an amazing ending. They do know how to finish a story.

Eli requesting CNN Channel

In fact, the story just ordinary. The one that makes this movie different from any other movie is this character Eli. Eli is a boy with a very mature mind. It would be very difficult for a child to portrayed such character, however Cole makes it so easy like a snapped of a finger.  Having to wear a mini suit all the time and talked like an adult, Cole have done a good job for his age. Eli unexpectedly become the foster child of the couples do surely giving Alec a hard time in adjusting at the beginning. Despite the strange feeling, Alec learned a lot from the Eli. The interesting part is when the character Eli asking for a CNN channel and watched it while sipping a mug of milk.

I don't have much to say about Foster. All I can say is that Foster is a good movie for you to spend with your family. After all, it is not the couples you are following, it is Eli. So you won't have to prepare a box of tissue while watching the movie.