Now playing in Pattaya
Let Me In: UK/ US, Drama/ Fantasy/ Horror/ Romance – I hope you took the
opportunity this week to see this unusual and excellent film about a bullied
young boy who befriends a young female vampire who moves in next door and lives
in secrecy with her guardian. The movie is very unlikely to last more than one
week. It’s done miserably in Thailand, making $300 for the whole week in each of
the two cinemas that showed it the week starting Dec 9. That’s not even enough
to pay the projectionist! I don’t know why it has done so extraordinarily poorly
in Thailand, except that it’s both a good and an unusual film – half a touching
study of how difficult it is to be 12 years old, and half a vampire story. The
scenes of the boy being bullied at school cut close to home for me –
discomfiting to the point where I cheered the resultant bloody revenge. Rated R
in the US for strong bloody horror violence, language, and a brief sexual
situation; 18+ in Thailand. Generally favorable reviews; I say don’t miss it!
(But it’s probably gone!) For sure not at Big C.
Tron: Legacy: US, Action/ Adventure/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – Garrett Hedlund
as a rebellious 27-year-old, haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his
father, played by Jeff Bridges, a man once known as the world’s leading
video-game developer. Looking into his father’s disappearance, he finds himself
pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his
father has been living for 20 years. Father and son embark on a life-and-death
journey across a visually stunning cyber universe that has become far more
advanced and exceedingly dangerous.
In this film, 3D is an integral part of the experience, so yes, see it in 3D if
you have a choice. They used an updated version of the 3D camera system that
James Cameron used to make Avatar, and by all reports, the 3D is
spectacular and cutting-edge. Bridges, say the reports, is simply sensational.
In English and, so they tell me, Hungarian. Mixed or average reviews. 3D only at
Pattaya Beach, also 2D there and elsewhere, Thai-dubbed at Big C.
The
Tourist: (perhaps) US, Action/ Drama/ Thriller – Johnny Depp stars as
an American tourist whose playful dalliance with a stranger leads to a web of
intrigue, romance, and danger. With Angelina Jolie and Paul Bettany. Directed by
Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck (The Lives of Others – a very fine
film!). Generally unfavorable reviews.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: US, Adventure/
Family/ Fantasy – I found this an excellently crafted movie, and quite
superlative of its type. It’s a detailed fantasy about a magical land, and if
you like that sort of thing, or your kids do, then you will love this. Overall,
the special effects and the magic were just exceedingly well done, and the
animated characters excellent. Only in 2D now, and Big C has a Thai-dubbed
version as well, but this information may have changed yesterday. Mixed or
average reviews.
Yes or No: Thai, Comedy/ Romance – A sweet girl off to college finds her
roommate to be somewhat of a guy-looking and guy-acting tomboy, and very
different from her. As they get to be friends, they get to be, you know, very
close friends, and the question is whether it’s friendship or something more
fun. Probably not, because the film is only rated 15+, but the filmmakers play
around with the idea.
BKO:
Bangkok Knockout / Kote Soo Kote So: Thai, Action/ Drama – Panna Rittikrai,
probably the top director of action sequences in Thai martial arts movies,
directs this movie, using mostly the stunt actors he has worked with over the
years, in an attempt to create the last word in Thai martial arts movies. It’s
the story of a college “fight club” whose members are together for a reunion
when one of them is kidnapped; they have to combine all their skills to rescue
their friend. The film features a whole range of different martial art
disciplines (Muay Thai, Capoeira, Kung Fu, Tai Chi). Stunt-master Panna is the
mentor of Tony Jaa, and was the director of Born to Fight and the fight
coordinator for Ong-bak and Chocolate. Rated 18+ in Thailand,
undoubtedly because of the violence.
Unstoppable: US, Action/ Drama/ Thriller – Exciting thriller starring
Denzel Washington taming a runaway train, and it might just be the most
entertaining movie you will see this year. Seems everybody is enjoying this one,
I certainly did. Fun all the way through – if you’re in the mood for a runaway
train movie, and who isn’t now and then? Generally favorable reviews, and I say,
“See it!” May have left by now. Not at Big C.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I: UK/ US, Adventure/ Fantasy/
Mystery – The first of the two-part conclusion to the series, and a superbly
told tale, with some of the finest British character actors. In large part, it’s
a preparation for the next film and the final confrontation between good and
evil, but it is a good deal more as well. Best of all is the menacing and
meditative mood of the film, which is full of darkness and foreboding. Generally
favorable reviews. At Major only, if still around.
Lulla Man / Pu Chai Lulla / Poo Chai Lunlla: Thai, Comedy/ Romance –
Three fun-loving married guys always sneaking off to cheat on their wives. Just
an extended TV comedy show, with Mum Jokmok and the usual Thai comedians.
Maybe
If the following shows up, grab the chance and see it:
Fair Game: US, Biography/ Drama/ Thriller – Director Doug Liman’s
fact-based drama of former US ambassador Joseph Wilson; his wife, Valerie Plame
Wilson; and the events of 2003, when her identity as a CIA operative was leaked
in retaliation by the White House after her husband wrote an op-ed piece
criticizing the US invasion of Iraq. Generally favorable reviews.
Due 6 Jan
Hereafter: US, Drama/ Fantasy – Matt Damon in a film by Clint Eastwood,
which investigates what three people know about the afterlife. What do people
believe, and what is the truth? Mixed or average reviews. But it sounds
fascinating to me.
Megamind: US, Animation/ Action/ Comedy – Actually, believe it or not, I
found this rather cute and funny. But you do have to like animation. About the
unhappiness of the most brilliant supervillain the world has ever known ... and
the least successful. Over the years, he has tried to conquer Metro City in
every imaginable way. Each attempt, a colossal failure thanks to the caped
superhero known as “Metro Man,” until the day Megamind actually defeats him in
the throes of one of his evil plans. Generally favorable reviews.
