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Everyone is hiding something. No matter what it is, is that a good or bad thing to hide. Its just between you and God. Mind your own business. But as a humanity, we should share, engage with people. It's okay to hide it, but trying to be honest is better. Alice's speech at the camp was representing this movie in short. Loved the message! Such a simple and beautiful coming-of-age story.

Unfortunately, I didn't quite catch with the plot. I just feel like there is a lot of unnecessary scene here. Some of the scene make me wonder, what's the purpose of that thing. And there's no further explanation after some event. Why everyone did not asking her where did she go after she came back from the bar, how can she easily escape from the father's office without getting caught after she put Wade's waistband and caught father watching some sex scene. Sometimes it's fine to haven't to be full explained. But it's really bother me. This movie trying to be realistic and natural but for me its doesn't executed quite well.

The performance was decent, Natalia Dyer did a good job as an innocent girl. I am a fan of her btw haha (main reason why I watched this, lol). Also, no complaints about visual and sound design. Everything was good.

(Full review on my YouTube channel)

Overall, Ali & Ratu Ratu Queens is a basic Indonesian drama comedy, it's funny, heartwarming, and a bit romantic with beautiful visual and nice soundtrack, although the story is generic, mostly predictable and lack of developed conflict but its still fun ride and enjoyable to watch. Recommended! Thumbs up!

Recommended! Thumbs up!

Actually, I'm not typical drama musical guy, but since La La Land, I'm trynna liked this kind of genre.

In the Heights not just telling you about Usnavi's life, but all story surrounding Washington Heights community, the culture, the diversity, and mostly their DREAMS. Everything wrapped perfectly with Latino Spanish hip hop musical numbers and energetic dance choreography, made this movie look alive and colorful.

Also, the cinematography and visual look great and eye-catching. You can feel the summer vibe party here. The production design also good, nice set. The editing and camera movement was amazing too. I love the part when Nina and Benny were dancing up and down over the building walls. Wow!

Even though, we'll enjoying the vibrant of song and dance, the storyline is the weakness. Of course its talked about culture, diversity, and community issues. I just don't know why, but at some point, the story toward the end about family, friends, dream things is 'a bit' cliche to me personally. Also technically, the duration is overly long. I guess 2 hours is much better, the story drags a bit in the middle. However, its still great storytelling, and this weakness is just minor flaws. And one more, personally, I'm not really suck in to the music, its not memorable enough. I loved the first music 'Washington Heights'.

Overall In the Heights is a joyful drama musical with bright visual, uplifting music, and energetic dance, indeed, its not perfect, the story is 'a bit' cliche, duration overly long, but still entertaining and so much fun. And maybe one of the best drama musical this year. I loved it!