A 2007 Review
Take a peek, would you?
Oookay. I thought of a kinda review to sum up what I’ve done in 2007. I’ve tried to insert five or so for each category, but I ended up frowning like mad. So yeah. Here I go.
Note: they’re not written in an order or rank. Also, I wrote based on memory, so there might be mistakes in names and such.
Books:
How Soccer Explains the World: The Unlikely Theory of Globalization (Franklin Foer)
Actually, it’s a 2004 book. Foer’s writing kinda reminds of Rob Hughes’s writing. Serious but fun. I like the part with Red Star’s Arkan and the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers the most.
Tuhan dan Hal-hal yang Tak Selesai (Goenawan Mohammad)
This is what I got: God is almighty. Therefore, God is beyond either Exist or Non-Exist. Well, it’s either I’m so dumb or he’s so bright. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Forgive the old man his sin.
Buddha (Tezuka Osamu)
It’s going personal for me when it came to Tezuka-sensei. When I was in elementary school, I first read his manga and that’s Tetsuwan Atom. There’s a part when Uran got wacko and violent, and Atom tried to save her despite the city’s enraged protest, saying that she’s still his sister no matter what and no siblings left each others. I cried at that time, people, I did, really. Buddha is a kinda reminiscence of that touch of Tezuka-sensei’s. Or in Hindi, kabhie kushie kabhie gam (sometimes happy, sometimes sad). I read Buddha as a Japanese post-war experience. That all life is precious... it’s so idealistically post-war Japanese humanist like Tezuka-sensei. Simply magnificent. The bestest of him, I think.
Confession of an Economic Hit-man (John Perkins)
If I’m asked if the US had a role in Third World’s monetary-and later multidimensional-crisis, I wouldn’t be fair to the United States if I shout “Eat that, America!” to its face, because after all, the world is made up by two sides. Perkins told us that just fine. An idiocy synchronizes well with another idiocy, and it’ll only take a little to stumble down. Therefore, we, the part of the Third World (I don’t really like the term), were also at fault. We’re all together in this disaster, people. And I don’t believe there’s going to be a shitty way out soon.
Misteri Meede (ES Ito) and September (Noorca Massardi)
Indonesian’s National Treasures, anyone? Got lots historical, Dutch-colonial era stuff. Entertaining. And definitely more enjoyable than Andrea Hirata’s. As for September, I read it during preparing my grad thesis, which is based on Nabokov’s Lolita. So yeah, word plays, anagrams, codes and hints... clever and inviting for a smile or two, if you got what Noorca meant.
The Bartimaeus Trilogy (Jonathan Stroud) and Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallow (JK Rowling)
I put them together. Bartimaeus for a certain surprise at the end, Deadly Hallows for-well-the closure.
Saya Terbakar Amarah Sendirian (Pramoedya Ananta Toer, as interviewed by Andre Vlitjeck)
Brutally honest, brutally personal. If there’s a Nobel Literature laureate from Indonesia, Pram must be one. I quoted Chomsky’s comment: tragic to the very end. A perfect figure for a tragic hero. Note to self: must not forget to ask the book back from Johan, must discuss with Bintang.
Movies:
The Photographs
Made me wince. Who knew Shanty could do acting that way.
Nagabonar Jadi 2
As predictably preaching as it is, I still have to admit that this movie had the guts to break the mainstream of stupid horrors and silly melodramas.
Mengejar Mas-mas
Comic, cliché, chewable, though I like Dwi better in Mendadak Dangdut. But hey, who had thought Monty Tiwa had that kick of singing in him? I surely didn’t. Also, I don’t doubt that Dinna deserved her FFI Award for Best Actress. And Poppy’s pretty with her face so Indonesian-and got a such a kick. Great soundtracks. And great tagline, too-‘karena matahari tidak perlu dikejar.’ Ha-ha. All’s well done, Rudi, except for the too much close-ups and tapping pictures by handheld camera technique. Especially for the latter-after Mendadak Dangdut, which suited itself, it got annoying.
A Long Road to Heaven
Maybe because it’s talking about a sore subject (for me personally), I don’t really get the kick out of it-an unusual outcome for me of Nia Dinata’s movies. But it got Joshua Pandelaki, ‘nuff said.
Quickie Express
Tora, must you always play your best when it’s related to homosexual thingie? I like the idea, the dialogues, the not-so cliché ending. Just my taste.
Lust Caution
Tony Leung. Mmm. Broke my heart just enough and shatter its irreparable pieces to the wind.
I’m Not There
Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Should I repeat it again? Oh well. I like Cate the most in this movie. Her portrayal of Galadriel was exactly how I thought of Galadriel was-wise but distant, cold but graceful. And she’s doing it again here. Bravo, Cate!
Painted Veil
Edward Norton’s best performance was in American X, I’ve thought, but he proved me that he could do better here. I tend to brutalize my thoughts by words, but he’s everything I’m not in this movie. Hhh. I should go read the novel, really.
Anime, Manga and Dorama
Bokurano
I have to admit that I haven’t had much of anime to put any down this review, but Bokurano just gotta sit here. Well, since G-SEED Destiny got so messed up, in which it confused over super-robot and mecha, Bokurano straighten it out. All in all, children still become messiah (spare me the Evangelion juvenile angst) and the world got saved with a great number of sacrifices. Here you even got your Japanese Claire Quilty (oh my grad thesis ^^;), grumpy ultimate boy hero and not-so typical mecha heroes and heroines. And Ishikawa Chiaki’s on the soundtrack department, alright.
Nodame Cantabile
Everything about the dorama is LOVE LOVE LOVE. Heck, even Yuya’s crazy cameo is love! I love the anime, too, just not as much as I love the dorama. Long but moving, funny but serious. Pick your choice. I’m also looking forward for the manga to end-no spoiler, please. >o<
Death Note
Looking back at the consistency point, I kinda favour this anime. Got the thriller just fine. And the soundtracks rock, too. But if you ask me about the movie, I’ll just cover my ears and hum loudly (though I watched those two and am waiting eagerly for the L Movie).
Gundam 00
Ever since Char era, I’ve sold my soul to the devil in shining mobile suit. O the god of Gundam, have a mercy on me. Don’t let this series turn out ridiculous, illogical or too sentimental. And I’m so looking forward for the SEED Movie, period.
Hanazakari no Kimitachi E (Taiwanese ver. and Japanese ver.)
When it comes to an adaptation version, the first thing I take note of is the consistency to the original storyline. Especially when it’s a series that I follow for years-it’s about ten for Hanakimi. So, the Taiwanese version got higher point for that. Wu Zun’s rather cute, but not cold enough to be Sano. Ella, on the other hand, got Mizuki’s character better than Horikita. To say the least, I’m pretty disappointed with how the Japanese version turned out. Zannen na.
Music:
Ishikawa Chiaki
She’s been pretty productive this year, and I’m not complaining at all. My only crit is that whenever I heard the string instrument on her songs, I still caught a glimpse of See Saw there, faintly Kajiuran or not. Yet still, Uninstall is on the top spot on my iPod.
Rihanna
Just shut up. I just can’t get the ‘ella, ella, e, e’ chanting out of my head.
L’Arc~en~Ciel
I’m tempted not to put them on my list, but Gundam 00 does sound better with them on the opening.
Rungran (for Devil May Cry anime)
Rock + orchestra = I’m a goner.
Oookay. I thought of a kinda review to sum up what I’ve done in 2007. I’ve tried to insert five or so for each category, but I ended up frowning like mad. So yeah. Here I go.
Note: they’re not written in an order or rank. Also, I wrote based on memory, so there might be mistakes in names and such.
Books:
How Soccer Explains the World: The Unlikely Theory of Globalization (Franklin Foer)
Actually, it’s a 2004 book. Foer’s writing kinda reminds of Rob Hughes’s writing. Serious but fun. I like the part with Red Star’s Arkan and the rivalry between Celtic and Rangers the most.
Tuhan dan Hal-hal yang Tak Selesai (Goenawan Mohammad)
This is what I got: God is almighty. Therefore, God is beyond either Exist or Non-Exist. Well, it’s either I’m so dumb or he’s so bright. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Forgive the old man his sin.
Buddha (Tezuka Osamu)
It’s going personal for me when it came to Tezuka-sensei. When I was in elementary school, I first read his manga and that’s Tetsuwan Atom. There’s a part when Uran got wacko and violent, and Atom tried to save her despite the city’s enraged protest, saying that she’s still his sister no matter what and no siblings left each others. I cried at that time, people, I did, really. Buddha is a kinda reminiscence of that touch of Tezuka-sensei’s. Or in Hindi, kabhie kushie kabhie gam (sometimes happy, sometimes sad). I read Buddha as a Japanese post-war experience. That all life is precious... it’s so idealistically post-war Japanese humanist like Tezuka-sensei. Simply magnificent. The bestest of him, I think.
Confession of an Economic Hit-man (John Perkins)
If I’m asked if the US had a role in Third World’s monetary-and later multidimensional-crisis, I wouldn’t be fair to the United States if I shout “Eat that, America!” to its face, because after all, the world is made up by two sides. Perkins told us that just fine. An idiocy synchronizes well with another idiocy, and it’ll only take a little to stumble down. Therefore, we, the part of the Third World (I don’t really like the term), were also at fault. We’re all together in this disaster, people. And I don’t believe there’s going to be a shitty way out soon.
Misteri Meede (ES Ito) and September (Noorca Massardi)
Indonesian’s National Treasures, anyone? Got lots historical, Dutch-colonial era stuff. Entertaining. And definitely more enjoyable than Andrea Hirata’s. As for September, I read it during preparing my grad thesis, which is based on Nabokov’s Lolita. So yeah, word plays, anagrams, codes and hints... clever and inviting for a smile or two, if you got what Noorca meant.
The Bartimaeus Trilogy (Jonathan Stroud) and Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallow (JK Rowling)
I put them together. Bartimaeus for a certain surprise at the end, Deadly Hallows for-well-the closure.
Saya Terbakar Amarah Sendirian (Pramoedya Ananta Toer, as interviewed by Andre Vlitjeck)
Brutally honest, brutally personal. If there’s a Nobel Literature laureate from Indonesia, Pram must be one. I quoted Chomsky’s comment: tragic to the very end. A perfect figure for a tragic hero. Note to self: must not forget to ask the book back from Johan, must discuss with Bintang.
Movies:
The Photographs
Made me wince. Who knew Shanty could do acting that way.
Nagabonar Jadi 2
As predictably preaching as it is, I still have to admit that this movie had the guts to break the mainstream of stupid horrors and silly melodramas.
Mengejar Mas-mas
Comic, cliché, chewable, though I like Dwi better in Mendadak Dangdut. But hey, who had thought Monty Tiwa had that kick of singing in him? I surely didn’t. Also, I don’t doubt that Dinna deserved her FFI Award for Best Actress. And Poppy’s pretty with her face so Indonesian-and got a such a kick. Great soundtracks. And great tagline, too-‘karena matahari tidak perlu dikejar.’ Ha-ha. All’s well done, Rudi, except for the too much close-ups and tapping pictures by handheld camera technique. Especially for the latter-after Mendadak Dangdut, which suited itself, it got annoying.
A Long Road to Heaven
Maybe because it’s talking about a sore subject (for me personally), I don’t really get the kick out of it-an unusual outcome for me of Nia Dinata’s movies. But it got Joshua Pandelaki, ‘nuff said.
Quickie Express
Tora, must you always play your best when it’s related to homosexual thingie? I like the idea, the dialogues, the not-so cliché ending. Just my taste.
Lust Caution
Tony Leung. Mmm. Broke my heart just enough and shatter its irreparable pieces to the wind.
I’m Not There
Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan! Should I repeat it again? Oh well. I like Cate the most in this movie. Her portrayal of Galadriel was exactly how I thought of Galadriel was-wise but distant, cold but graceful. And she’s doing it again here. Bravo, Cate!
Painted Veil
Edward Norton’s best performance was in American X, I’ve thought, but he proved me that he could do better here. I tend to brutalize my thoughts by words, but he’s everything I’m not in this movie. Hhh. I should go read the novel, really.
Anime, Manga and Dorama
Bokurano
I have to admit that I haven’t had much of anime to put any down this review, but Bokurano just gotta sit here. Well, since G-SEED Destiny got so messed up, in which it confused over super-robot and mecha, Bokurano straighten it out. All in all, children still become messiah (spare me the Evangelion juvenile angst) and the world got saved with a great number of sacrifices. Here you even got your Japanese Claire Quilty (oh my grad thesis ^^;), grumpy ultimate boy hero and not-so typical mecha heroes and heroines. And Ishikawa Chiaki’s on the soundtrack department, alright.
Nodame Cantabile
Everything about the dorama is LOVE LOVE LOVE. Heck, even Yuya’s crazy cameo is love! I love the anime, too, just not as much as I love the dorama. Long but moving, funny but serious. Pick your choice. I’m also looking forward for the manga to end-no spoiler, please. >o<
Death Note
Looking back at the consistency point, I kinda favour this anime. Got the thriller just fine. And the soundtracks rock, too. But if you ask me about the movie, I’ll just cover my ears and hum loudly (though I watched those two and am waiting eagerly for the L Movie).
Gundam 00
Ever since Char era, I’ve sold my soul to the devil in shining mobile suit. O the god of Gundam, have a mercy on me. Don’t let this series turn out ridiculous, illogical or too sentimental. And I’m so looking forward for the SEED Movie, period.
Hanazakari no Kimitachi E (Taiwanese ver. and Japanese ver.)
When it comes to an adaptation version, the first thing I take note of is the consistency to the original storyline. Especially when it’s a series that I follow for years-it’s about ten for Hanakimi. So, the Taiwanese version got higher point for that. Wu Zun’s rather cute, but not cold enough to be Sano. Ella, on the other hand, got Mizuki’s character better than Horikita. To say the least, I’m pretty disappointed with how the Japanese version turned out. Zannen na.
Music:
Ishikawa Chiaki
She’s been pretty productive this year, and I’m not complaining at all. My only crit is that whenever I heard the string instrument on her songs, I still caught a glimpse of See Saw there, faintly Kajiuran or not. Yet still, Uninstall is on the top spot on my iPod.
Rihanna
Just shut up. I just can’t get the ‘ella, ella, e, e’ chanting out of my head.
L’Arc~en~Ciel
I’m tempted not to put them on my list, but Gundam 00 does sound better with them on the opening.
Rungran (for Devil May Cry anime)
Rock + orchestra = I’m a goner.