John Legend
Once Again
SONY/BMG





Masih serupa dengan album perdananya, kiprah terbaru musisi dan penyanyi berbakat ini sekali lagi mengolah dramatic storytelling dan redemptive power musik soul, untuk diterapkan di landasan musik hip-hop. Bedanya, kali ini John Legend menampilkan sound yang lebih kaya, mengeksplorasi tema-tema urban dengan matang dan eksperimentasi yang lebih adventurous. Hasilnya? A soulful album, not really funky and brims with spiritual power.

Album ini memang merentang kekayaan bunyi dan gayanya cukup luas. Dari soul hingga hip-hop, dari classic pop hingga alternative. John Legend sendiri menilai album keduanya ini tidak berbeda secara dramatis, melainkan pertumbuhan dan perluasan dari musikalitasnya di album pertama. Di album ini, dia masih berkolaborasi dengan produser dan penulis lagu Kanye West. Selain bekerja sama juga dengan will.i.am, Raphael Saadiq, Craig Street, dan lain-lain.

Lagu-lagu mid-tempo di album ini mungkin sekilas terdengar agak monoton, namun simaklah dengan lebih jernih, lantas biarkan saja nada-nada itu bermain-main dengan mood dan spirit Anda.

George Michael
Twentyfive
SONY/BMG





Ada 2 alasan jika penyanyi mengeluarkan album the best atau greatest hits. Pertama, karir musiknya sudah tamat, atau kedua dia sedang merayakan kelimpahan ilham yang diterimanya selama berkarir di musik. Untuk George Michael, alasan kedua mungkin lebih tepat. Hingga album terakhirnya dua tahun lalu, Patience, George Michael masih diakui sebagai pencetak hits handal yang laris manis dan dilimpahi berbagai award.

Twentyfive, album terbarunya ini adalah perayaan 25 tahun karir musiknya. Album yang dirilis di negeri asalnya sejak November 2006 ini akan mengiringi rangkaian tour “25 Live” yang dimulainya dari Barcelona, sejak 23 September 2006.

Namanya juga greatest hits, maka yang baru dari album ini hanyalah 3 never been released singles. Album ini kebanyakan berisi hits-nya di masa solo karir, namun ada juga 4 lagu dari era Wham! yang dibawakan ulang. Album ini dikemas dalam 2 keping CD, yang masing-masing bertajuk For Living dan For Loving. Jika Anda beruntung mendapatkan limited edition, maka Anda bahkan bisa mendapat ekstra 1 keping CD yang bertajuk For The Loyal. Lumayan juga mengoleksi album semacam ini, bisa berajojing mengenang indahnya tempo doeloe, sambil menimang cucu.

BABEL, The Struggle to Survive




In the remote sands of the Moroccan desert, a rifle shot rings out - detonating a chain of events that will link an American tourist couple’s frantic struggle to survive, two Moroccan boys involved in an accidental crime, a nanny illegally crossing into Mexico with two American children and a Japanese teen rebel whose father is sought by the police in Tokyo.

This is a serious movie overflowing with memorable acting, unforgettable images, searing tragedy, unexpected humor and an eloquent plea for international understanding. And while it's by no stretch of imagination light entertainment, it's fundamentally a more optimistic work than either "Amores Perros" or "21 Grams."

Babel may be the most ambitious movie of the year, tackling towering communication barriers, global politics and cultural divides in a structurally complex and fascinating narrative.The beauty of this film is in its lapidary details, which sparkle with feeling and surprise.

The film looks at relationships, from husband/wife, parent/children, brother/sister and plays around the themes of love in adversity.

All stories are interlinked in a very random way. It seems trying to capture 6 degrees of separation realities in extreme close-ups. The film is set in Morocco, Mexico, Japan and the US, and the director makes full use of the different backdrops to bring the picture alive.

The characters are deep and insightful, each has a problem to face up to and the subtle, naturalistic way their issues play out make for truly emotional cinema. This is not a film about heroes, it's a film about trying to make the right choices when your back is to the wall, and the doubts that go with this.

A Very Great Movie!

Bloody Brilliant!


I’ve been waiting to see this movie since Warner Bros. announced this project about a year ago. I was lucky enough to get a pass on an advance screening of The Departed last week in Setiabudi 21. I love the original version with Tony Leung and Andy Lau. But I think a little Scorsese’s touch will be very good.

Apparently, The Departed very much its own movie. Scorsese only kept the main story as the basic structure of the film. He added up some sub-plots - layered stories that is not formulaic - in a very subtle way, which make this Hollywood version is even more beautiful and better than the original. The screenplay is simply brilliant. Feelings flow like molten lava. The dialogue overflows with edgy wit and acidulous arias of imprecation.

The next best thing about this film is the superb acting on top of a brilliant story. All casts give excellent performances, especially Leo DiCaprio and Jack Nicholson. They build a strong chemistry and share the screen charisma together. Nicholson creates another classic role to add to his already sparkling resume. And DiCaprio, after became Scorsese's next "muse”, he's finally put boyhood behind him and always delivers outstanding acts.

The Departed is rude, bleak, brutal, violent, gory, thrilling and gritty crime drama. Master class in suspense, but purely enjoyable. At its core, "The Departed" is a well-crafted, well-written, and well-acted film. In an age where style usually triumphs over the narrative quality, it surpasses the challenge and become an insightful story about life and value.

YOUNG & FAMOUS, What Could Have Been Better?


One of the best new shows in the last few years. Entourage brings the lifestyle of the young and famous in a likable sharply written and easy to take in way.

The key to this show is the writing, always witty and hard hitting. The writers don't tame it down, it makes us easy to believe that these are real people and gets you connected to the cast quickly. The realism of the series and the great guest stars they get is also a wonderful treat (Sara Foster, Scarlett Johanson, Jaime Presley, Ali Larter, Luke Wilson, Ralph Macchio to name a few). Ari Gold the super-agent is rapidly becoming one the most recognizable characters on HBO series with his hilarious lines and over the top antics.

The show has been nominated for 8 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes since originally airing on July 18, 2004. So, don't miss this TV show! A lifestyle is a terrible thing to waste.