Now playing in Pattaya
Thor
3D: US, Action/ Fantasy – Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior, is sent
down to Earth as punishment for reigniting a reckless war. But after a dangerous
villain from his world sends dark forces to invade Earth, the hammer-wielding
Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero. Directed by the top Shakespearian
director of our time, Kenneth Branagh – slumming, as it were. Shown in both 2D
and converted 3D versions, it’s heightening the 3D controversy. Filming started
in true 3D but was quickly abandoned, after one day, in favor of post-production
3D conversion, with complaints that the 3D cameras and accessories were too
cumbersome and unwieldy. The studio and director are happy with the 3D
conversion, but many viewers hold that the 3D is unimpressive, and claim that
the 2D version is sharper and brighter, and thus superior. The 3D version is at
Pattaya Beach, 2D versions at all locations, with Big C showing only a
Thai-dubbed version. Early reviews: generally favorable and a sight for Thor
eyes.
Rio 3D: (Shown in digital 3D at Major) US, Animation/
Adventure/ Comedy – A simple and charming movie, big and bright. Set in the city
of Rio de Janeiro and the lush rainforest of Brazil, this comedy-adventure about
Blu, a rare macaw who thinks he is the last of his kind. From the makers of the
Ice Age series. Generally favorable reviews. Now at Major only. I really
enjoyed this one.
Source Code: US/ France, Mystery/ Romance/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – I think
it’s simply terrific in all ways as a thriller and mystery. It stars an
excellent Jake Gyllenhaal as a soldier who wakes up in the body of an unknown
man only to discover he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago
commuter train. A younger brother to Inception, it has the complex
infrastructure of top-tier science fiction. Gripping, well directed, well acted;
I highly recommend it. Generally favorable reviews. Now at Pattaya Beach only.
Monsters: UK, Drama/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – A highly regarded and dynamite
little film, loaded with atmosphere, intelligence, beauty, and courage. An
amazing achievement for a “first-time” filmmaker, which measures up to the
finest indies for performance and character-work. It’s based on characters,
relationships, fear, and mostly unseen menace. The plot: six years previously
NASA discovered the possibility of alien life within our solar system. A probe
was launched to collect samples, but crashed upon re-entry over Central America.
Soon after, a new life form began to appear, and half of Mexico was quarantined
as an Infected Zone. Today, the American and Mexican military still struggle to
contain “the creatures.” The film’s story begins when a US journalist agrees to
escort a shaken tourist through the infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the
US border. Rated R in the US for language. Generally favorable reviews. At
Pattaya Beach only, if still around.
Drive Angry: US, Action/ Thriller – Nicolas Cage as a hardened felon who
has broken out of Hell for one last chance at redemption. That’s literally Hell
– underscored by his character’s name: John Milton. Intent on stopping a vicious
cult who murdered his daughter, he has three days to stop them before they
sacrifice her baby beneath a full moon. Has been described as an exercise in
deliberate vulgarity, gross excess, and the pornography of violence. Created in
3D rather than a post production conversion, the 3D is thus better than most.
Rated R in the US for strong brutal violence throughout, grisly images, some
graphic sexual content, nudity, and pervasive language; 18+ here. Mixed or
average reviews. In 3D at Major, and 2D (so far) at Pattaya Beach. Not at Big C.
Ironclad: UK/ US, Action/ Adventure – A violent action thriller about a
crew of tough, battle hardened warriors in the middle ages who withstood several
brutal and bloody months under siege in the year 1215 in England in a desperate
bid to defend their country. The rebel barons of England forced their despised
King John to put his royal seal to the Magna Carta, a noble and vastly important
document that upheld the rights of free men. Within months of pledging himself
to the great charter, the King reneged on his word and assembled a mercenary
army with the intention of bringing the barons and the country back under his
tyrannical rule. Most reviewers seem to think it’s too gory for its own good.
Rated R in the US for strong graphic brutal battle sequences, and brief nudity;
18+ in Thailand. Early reviews: Mixed or average. Not at Big C.
Fast Five / Fast & Furious 5: (Scheduled) US, Action/ Crime/ Drama
– Vin Diesel and Paul Walker lead a reunion of returning all-stars from every
chapter of the explosive franchise built on speed. Bigger, louder, sillier – and
the most exciting of the series. Generally favorable reviews.
King Naresuan Part III: Naval Battle: Thai, Drama/ War – The third
chapter of the King Naresuan epic, continuing the story of Thai’s king and
warrior in the Ayudhya era who fought against the invasion of Burmese troops
that aimed to overpower the Ayudhya Kingdom. The details are superb and reflect
a lot of research in the design, and much skill and craftsmanship in the
execution. If the emotions and plot seem wooden, remember the difficulty in
creating a drama that offends absolutely no one (with the single exception of
the Burmese; that’s allowed). The film is rated “P” for “Promote” – meaning the
Thai government has given it its seal of approval, and everyone should go see
it. It is, to be sure, spectacular. I personally found the blood and gore of the
endless killings at the climactic battle to be too much. All locations have
English subtitles.
World Invasion: Battle Los Angeles: US, Action/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – Here
the invaders are aliens, and the movie I think is designed to show how Marines
would likely handle an attack from extra-terrestrials, if it were all up to
them. Los Angeles becomes the last stand for mankind and Marine staff sergeant
Aaron Eckhart and his new platoon must draw a line in the sand and take on the
enemy. I enjoyed Aaron Eckhart in this film – felt it was a very good
performance indeed. And I thought it was overall a fair action film. Generally
unfavorable reviews. Thai-dubbed at Big C, English elsewhere.
Ladda Land: Thai, Horror/ Mystery – A family moves into a new house where
they gradually begin to encounter paranormal and horrifying events. Rated 18+.
Jakkalan: Thai, Action/ Comedy – ‘Jeeja’ (Chocolate and Raging
Phoenix) is back in a new action comedy directed by an acclaimed director
Petchtai Wongkamlao, aka Mum Jokmok. The lives of an uncle and his niece
Jakkalan turn into chaos after she is hired to transport smuggled goods to
ruthless gangsters.
Scream 4: US, Horror/ Mystery/ Thriller – Gentle, grandfatherly,
scholarly Wes Craven revisits his horror franchise. Rated R in the US for strong
bloody violence, language, and some teen drinking. Rated 18+ in Thailand. You
know what you’re in for. Mixed or average reviews. Not at Big C.
Ha Zard: Thai, Comedy/ Drama – When a university of comedians is facing a
downturn and all its comedians are endangered, some comedy students team up to
save everyone’s career. Has at least a cameo from every comic in Thailand, plus
excessive excrement and flatulence comedy routines – so very popular. Some
really gross stuff. Big C only.
