Movie: Breaking Dawn part 2

First of all, I don’t even understand why I have the spirit to write about this movie while in fact, I had an incredible string of much better movies last month, to mention some of them, Skyfall, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt trifecta Premium Rush, Looper and 50/50. So, why Breaking Dawn pt.2? well, it simple, because finally this series is OVER!
Let’s see... I’m not the kind of hater or nay-sayers about the whole franchise. Actually, I’m among the earlier reader of Twilight saga and love it. But I have to make it clear that, the thing that I love about Twilight books is the conversation. I like the usage of somekind of what me and my friend called ‘middle-age demeanor’ that so trustingly embedded in Edward Cullen. And then, as infectious as swine flu, writers jump to ‘make-it-to-movie’ train and voila... 5 unbearable movies that make the series worse than it actually are.

Here the things, since the first twilight movie, I always thought that the cast is dead wrong. Not in term of looks, but in term of acting capability, well some sort in looks too, but not too much. I always get sick everytime I watched Kristen Stewart acts. She have that washboard face of her that actually look flat eventhough people try to rub an ugly thick carpet in her face. Seriously dude, where’s your expression???

And then come the teenage girl infatuation, Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen. Well, at least he has some expressions, eventhough I don’t know why he have to look mushy all the time. He's hot, but I never imagine Edward as somekind of boy with stupid smirk and mellow eyes. And the others, ah... I can’t say anything about the others, there will be too much disappointment from me about the cast, so, I think it’s kinda late to go all wishy-washy on the cast, they already there for the whole series.

Long Weekend in Bandung: Trans Studio Bandung & Braga

We have a very long-weekend holiday last week. In spirit of celebrating Islamic new year, the government decided to pronounce last Thursday and Friday as public holiday. As usual, I went back to Bandung, but at this time I spent it most with my friends.

We finally visited Trans Studio Bandung at Friday. By 'we' I mean me, Ayu and Sonia.  The place itself has been an upcoming destination in Bandung since its opening at 2011. We planned it for quite sometimes, but never really get the chance. We decided to visit it at Friday with the hope that it wouldn't be as crowded as in Saturday or Sunday.

On Saturday, I have a lunch-date with Poets. She told me that there is an exhibition at Gedung Gas Negara at Jalan Braga. It got my attention immediately, because the building has been vacant for a long time and the last time I checked, it is in a very bad shape. The exhibition itself is part of an event hold by Ikatan Mahasiswa Arsitektur Gunadharma ITB. And Poets as part of Bandung Heritage Society also prepare some material to be exhibited in the event. We agree to meet at Braga Huis at lunchtime and then head to Gedung Gas Negara to watch the exhibition.

The exhibition was awesome! The theme of the exhibition are architecture, heritage and art. There are materials showed the architectural analysis on Braga area and also other old colonial buildings in Bandung. From the exhibition, I knew that there were actually 2 colonial time architect by the name of Schoemaker, they are brothers, Richard Schoemaker and C.P Wolff Schoemaker. The name Schoemaker has been tied to most historical buildings in Bandung. Bandung Heritage society also exhibit some materials regarding historical building preservation and some studies on urban planning. I found Poets's name on some of the materials and feels oddly smug because I come with her, just WOW. 

I left the exhibition at 5 p.m. The committee said that the exhibition has surpassed their expectation of attendee, there were more than 1500 people came in 1 week. I feel deeply grateful for the committee from IMA-G ITB for holding the event in the building. It just feels nice to finally see people with so much passion for heritage preservation. And most of all, I love people that love Bandung :)

Virtually New York

I always get fascinated by New York City. I love songs about New York, from the classic "New York, New York" to the modern one like "Empire State of Mind". Most of my favourite movies take place in New York, from "Breakfast at Tiffanys" to "You've Got Mail" to the recent "Premium Rush". I've never been to New York, but New York is the only city in the US that I want to visit.

And then, there's this magical thing from the 21st century called internet, that enable people from developing asian country with limited budget like me to wander around New York city without visiting it. I like to wander around New York through Google maps street view. Checking out Apple store at 5th Avenue, wondering about how nice it will be to reading a book on a bench under a big tree in Central Park, watching people jogging or toddler playing in the meanwhile. Sitting on the steps of Met Museum and taking picture of all those people hanging around there. Gazing up from the intersection of Time Square to the those giant billboards around it. And maybe walking along 5th Avenue toward the Empire State Building. Well, I've done that virtually and hope can do it literally in the future. 

In the mean time, I find this blog,  Humans of New York. It's a fascinating blog. When I'm wandering around New York through Google Maps street view for its scenery, then I will know a little about its people through this blog. The photographer, Brandon, take picture of stranger in the street of New York City and write short caption or description when post it to his blog. It's like The Sartorialist of common sense, not so fashionable, not so glamour, just real. The picture he take give people a story, and will make us wonder what does it feels to meet those many people, have a little chat while asking to take their picture. I admire his brave in engaging with stranger and his passion that transfer those photos into a fascinating stories. And I also envy his opportunity to meet those varieties of people, including the toddlers. 

I've been following his blog for quite sometimes, and I recommend this blog to people that always has a dream to visit New York City someday, and maybe to those that has interest to meet thousands of people with different stories, virtually.