Catch a movie, get a good book or get out of town
JAKARTA (JP): If you go down to the mall today, you are sure to be in for a big surprise. It's either going to be a case of the capital's huddled masses thronging together in avid preparation for the new millennium (which some of us thought actually came at the stroke of midnight on this date last year), or deathly quiet as people stay indoors lest they end up being caught in the political horror play of a few twisted minds.
Brave the two terrors, and you may be able to while away the morning and afternoon with a coffee or a good book instead of sitting cooped up in front of the goggle box.
Better Brews: Coffee Club, Plaza Senayan, First Floor (tel. 573-0910/Open as usual on Sunday and Monday). Stunning variety of coffees from around the world (including ratings of their respective body, acidity, etc.), plus a selection of Asian and international food. Pleasant staff; find a table by the back window and linger over a magazine at your leisure.
Segafredo, Plaza Indonesia, First Floor, (tel. 315-0279/Open as usual on Sunday and Monday). Winning rave reviews among coffee lovers for its genuine brew (no watered down or warmed over variety here) and inviting location in a corner of the swank mall. Try it for yourself.
Celluloid Feast: What's playing at local theaters? Find out from the Studio 21 bilingual hot line (tel. 319-02121). Keep in mind, however, these are the holidays and everything is more subject to change than usual.
102 Dalmatians. The sequel, with Glenn Close in such high-camp form that she could teach the regulars at Taman Lawang a thing or two. Senayan 21, Pondok Indah, Sunter 21 (1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m.). Blok M 21, Puri 21, Citra 21, Gading 21 (1:45 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.). Hollywood KC (2:15 p.m., 4:55 p.m., 7:05 p.m., 9:15 p.m.)
Asterix and Obelix. Our little heroes battle the might of the Romans. Ooh la la. Puri 21, Blok M 21, Citra 21, Bintaro 21 (1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m.). Senayan 21, Anggrek 21, Pondok Indah (1:45 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.). TIM 21 (2:15 p.m., 4:55 p.m., 7:05 p.m., 9:15 p.m.) Hollywood KC (2:55 p.m., 5:35 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 9:55 p.m.).
Joshua Oh Joshua. Now, none of you sarcastic scalliwags say the country's favorite pint-sized entertainer is jumping on the Sherina bandwagon by starring in his own little cinematic vehicle. Senayan 21, Anggrek 21, Pondok Indah, Gading 21 (1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m.). Sunter 21, Bintaro 21 (1:45 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.).
The Grinch. Jim Carrey, the greatest comic talent since Buster Keaton, or a right royal ham who does the same thing over and over again in each and every role? You be the judge as Carrey, in a phenomenal makeup job, tries his hand at the famous Dr. Seuss work. Puri 21, Gading 21 (1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m.). Senayan 21, Pondok Indah, Blok M 21, Sunter 21 (1:45 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.). Hollywood KC (2:15 p.m., 4:55 p.m., 7:05 p.m., 9:15 p.m.).
Charlie's Angels. A new trio of angels arrives on the big screen, with a grateful nod to Jacquelyn, Cheryl, Farrah and Kate. Now it's Lucy Liu, Drew Barrymore and Cameron Diaz showing their muscles and moves in this tongue-in-cheek action yarn. Puri 21, Pondok Indah (1 p.m., 3:15 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m.). Blok M 21 (1:45 p.m., 4 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m.).
Read Up: Want to treat yourself to a good book this New Year?
QB Books, Plaza Senayan 3rd Floor (tel. 572-5267) Open 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Sunday and 12 p.m. - 9:15 p.m. New Year's Day. This, and the main store on Jl. Sabang, are really something for Jakarta's book lovers sadly accustomed to getting titles three years after the first print. Everything you want, from management tomes to gossip-filled celebrity hatchet jobs (they also have a special discount rack). Recently expanded to take over the small VCD shop at the corner.
Seeing Stars: Hotels, except for the beleaguered Shangri-La, will be hoping to count the profits on Sunday night. The big players include the Grand Hyatt Jakarta (tel. 390-1234) with the country's reigning songstress Krisdayanti giving heart and soul in a glittering performance It will set you back Rp 1.5 million each (including dinner) at the Fountain Lounge. Everyone on their best behavior, please, so no requests for the "Hemaviton" theme song or cracks about the perils of the pop princess standing too close to the bright lights (plastic melts, you see).
Smooth as silk and just as alluring, The Temptations are at the Mulia Hotel Senayan (tel. 574-7777), also for Rp 1.5 million a ticket, with dinner, in the ballroom. Alas, ticket reservations closed on Saturday, but you may still be able to wheedle your way in.
Cheaper by far is the entertainment at Tiga Puluh at Le Meridien (tel. 251-3131). It's Rp 170,000 ++ in a 1970s' theme party to welcome 2001 (!). There is a New Year's countdown party with a big band, featuring Tjut Nyak Deviana, at the Regent Jakarta lobby for Rp 150,000 net, including a margarita (tel. 252-3456). Or you can always get your dancing shoes on for the Black and White Ballroom Dancing Show at Hotel Borobudur Jakarta (tel. 380-5555). Tango, salsa and rhumba into the wee hours for Rp 1 million.
Head West: Want out of Jakarta for just one day and figure you could use the money which would otherwise go to one of the New Year's Eve bashes? Close at hand, but a world away for your sanity, is Bandung, with a new flight service by Deraya. For Rp 189,000 you arrive in the West Java capital in a cool 30 minutes. There are flights at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. from Jakarta, leaving from the old air base of Halim Perdanakusuma, East Jakarta. Yes, it's a small plane but the flight attendant is pleasant, you get a little snack box and no need to worry whether the railway line has received any maintenance since, oh, 1930. For more information, call Deraya at 80899505 or 392298 (brc).