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jpenera
Reviews
JFK: The Smoking Gun (2013)
Accidental? Don't buy it for a moment!
I watched the documentary JFK: THE SMOKING GUN and it was very disturbing. Yes, it was compelling and convincing that the bullet that explored JFK's head was from a different weapon other than the rifle LHO supposedly used. It was also very compelling that one of the secret agents in the car immediately following JFK fired that lethal shot. But to further say and conclude that the agent, George Hickey, did so "accidentally" is silly and an insult to normal intelligence. In that same show it was revealed that Robert Kennedy asked the agents, "Did you kill my brother?" Even RFK himself sensed this was an "inside" job.
McLaren's teary eyed and choking statement at the end that this really was a "tragic accident" was, to me, contrived and phony.
What was the premise and goal of this documentary? It only raised more questions than to put "closure" on the matter. If it attempted to shut out all conspiracy theories it failed. In fact it opened it up all the more.
One thing is obvious. If the project or action to assassinate JFK was to "kill" him, it blatantly failed. JFK is much more alive now than ever. That bullet in Dallas did not terminate him, on the contrary, it immortalized him, made him "eternal".
The Conjuring (2013)
Heartwarming tale of terror!
In spite of the trailers and the "horror" hype built around this movie, the movie does have a heartwarming end. Good triumphs over evil -- something that is so lacking and so much needed for our times today. What is so powerful about this movie is that it is based on a true story. You have to watch till the very end, during the credits, and you'll see all the documentary texts and photographs referencing the actual event. Very impressive. The movie itself is brilliantly crafted. I saw Patrick Wilson in "Insidious". But this time he, in this movie, does not spook as much. He plays a very believable lay Catholic demonologist. The rest of the cast, needless to say, performed par excellence. Who can forget Lilli Taylor in "Ransom"? Or Vera Farmiga in "Source Code"? And here they all are knitted as one stunning ensemble of true artists. Yes, the movie "The Exorcist" will come to mind. But the difference is that in the "Exorcist" the battle is against Satan himself. In this movie, it is subtly against the same ancient enemy but disguised as hateful entities or souls that have possessed items or latched into persons or things. Both terrify, horrify and even paralyze. But in this movie, you leave feeling good. Add to that the superb music that was just right.
Merantau (2009)
All good but ...
I don't know if it is a glitch or a goof but for the hero Yuda, there is no change of clothing from almost the beginning to the end. Makes it a bit implausible since the whole movie takes the span of several days. Still I was mesmerized by the plot and action. I especially like the photography. I have never been to Jakarta but the movie showcased truly scenic and panoramic views of beauty. Music was great as well. Also I don't normally watch foreign movies with subtitles because it is always hard to look at the picture while reading dialogue. But as an exception, the last good one I saw was "Pan's Labyrinth". Merantau is equal to it but at some points even more exciting.