Now playing in Pattaya
The Outrage / U Mong Pa Meung: Thai, Crime/ Mystery –
Adapted from the famed Japanese film Rashomon, this beautiful and
brooding Thai version takes place in a wood during Thai’s Lanna period. There’s
a mysterious murder, and the event is told at a hastily convened court by
several of the participants and eye-witnesses. Each swears to their story, but
the stories are all different. Beautifully acted by Ananda Everingham, Chermarn
Boonyasak, Mario Maurer, and Mum Jokmok, directed by ML Bhandevanop Devakul and
developed by him from his play of 20 years ago. Highly effective, and I
recommend you see it. With English subtitles at all locations.
Johnny English Reborn / Johnny English 2: (Scheduled)
US/ France/ UK, Comedy – Rowan Atkinson returns to the role of the most unlikely
intelligence officer in Her Majesty’s Secret Service, where he must stop a group
of international assassins before they eliminate a world leader and cause global
chaos.
Shark Night 3D: (Scheduled) US, Horror/ Thriller –
A weekend at a lake house in the Louisiana Gulf turns into a nightmare for seven
vacationers as they are subjected to fresh-water shark attacks. Generally
unfavorable reviews.
Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark: (Scheduled) US/
Australia/ Mexico, Horror/ Thriller — Produced and co-written by Guillermo del
Toro. The original of this was a television thriller from 1973 which so
bewitched the then 9-year-old del Toro that he then and there determined on a
life of making fantasy horror films – which he has done. A young girl sent to
live with her father and his new girlfriend in Rhode Island discovers creatures
in her new home who want to claim her as one of their own. They say it starts
out being quite scary indeed. With Guy Pearce and Katie Holmes. Rated R in the
US for violence and terror. Mixed or average reviews.
Fright Night: US, Comedy/ Horror – Strange how views can
differ about a film: this has gotten generally favorable reviews, reviewers
saying it’s smart and funny, as well as stylishly gory. But I think it’s one of
the most abysmally awful movies I’ve seen in some time — with abominable acting
and directing, and a stupid script full of dirty talk and gratuitous vulgarity.
It’s a remake of the 1985 cult classic, in which a teenager (Anton Yelchin)
guesses that his new neighbor (Colin Farrell) is a vampire responsible for a
string of recent deaths. When no one he knows believes him, he enlists a self
proclaimed vampire killer and Las Vegas magician to help him take down the evil
creature. Rated R in the US for bloody horror violence, and language, including
some sexual references; 18+ in Thailand. As of Wednesday it was in 3D at Pattaya
Beach and Major, 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
Colombiana: US/ France, Action/ Adventure/ Drama – A
young woman, after witnessing her parents’ murder as a child in Bogota, grows up
to be a stone-cold assassin. Stars Zoe Saldana (from Avatar) and she is a
riveting presence onscreen indeed. Co-written by Luc Besson (Arthur and the
Invisibles) and directed by Olivier Megaton (Transporter 3). I
liked it as an action flick. I found it intriguing and exciting, and chock-full
of action, sex, and violence – so much so that’s it’s rated 18+ in Thailand (but
only PG-13 in the US). Mixed or average reviews. Thai-dubbed at Big C; English
elsewhere.
Love, Not Yet / Rak Jud Nak: Thai, Comedy/ Romance – Thai
Rom-Com about, what else, teenaged love and sex. This Thai ensemble film is a
package of three stories by different directors on the subject of teen pregnancy
– and high-school, unplanned pregnancy, at that. Not at Major.
Zookeeper: US, Comedy/ Family/ Romance – I’ve seen this,
and some of the animal antics made me laugh, and I dare say everyone will find
them amusing to watch. But I think your overall appreciation of the film will
depend purely on how interesting you find the two human leads, Kevin James and
Rosario Dawson, and their rocky road to romance. I’m not enamored of either.
Generally unfavorable reviews. At Pattaya Beach and Major; at Major it’s in
Digital (but not 3D).
Bangkok Kung Fu: Thai, Action/ Comedy – Five kids flee
from underworld figures who turned them into beggars. Taken in and taught by a
kung fu master, they are now grown up and return for revenge for their destroyed
lives. With Love of Siam star Mario Maurer. Thai-only at Big C; English
subtitles at Pattaya Beach; not at Major.
Final Destination 5: US, Horror/ Thriller – Death is just
as omnipresent as ever in this the fifth of this series (over eleven years!)
about death not liking it when he’s cheated of his victims. One man’s
premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge
collapse. But since this group of unsuspecting souls was never supposed to
survive, each one is stalked by a particularly inventive death. Rated R in the
US for strong violent/ gruesome accidents, and some language – 18+ in Thailand.
As of Wednesday it was playing in 2D in English everywhere, except Thai-dubbed
at Big C. Mixed or average reviews.
Conan the Barbarian 3D: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy –
The tale of Conan the Cimmerian and his adventures across the continent of
Hyboria on a quest to avenge the murder of his father and the slaughter of his
village. Relentless and gory violence which they say is faithful to the original
books, but also has shallow characters, dialogue, and acting. Has a lot of
unnecessary 3D effects. Rated R in the US for strong bloody violence, some
sexuality, and nudity. Generally unfavorable reviews, and I’m skipping it. In 3D
only at Pattaya Beach; not at Big C.
Cowboys & Aliens: US, Action/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – Whatever
were they thinking? This is a film in which characters with ugly personalities
do unpleasant things to each other – the characters being humans, semi-humans,
and aliens. Try as I might, I can’t think of one reason why anyone should want
to see this. Very mixed styles, very mixed messages, all of it uncomfortable.
Also, strangely, it feels like a cheap film to me – despite the high-priced help
of Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford. Looks like it was shot on a studio back lot.
Mixed or average reviews. As of Wednesday it was in English everywhere, except
Thai-dubbed at Big C.
