Now playing in Pattaya
Mark Gernpy
Home: Thai, Comedy/ Drama – Viewers who were moved by the
puppy-love relationship of the two boys in the world-wide Thai hit Love of
Siam will appreciate the first story in this trio by the same director, an
episode which is entirely a wide-ranging conversation between two boys as they
wander lonely high school grounds at night while one of them shoots pictures of
the deserted buildings. A tentative wisp of a relationship begins to develop in
fits and starts, with neither knowing where it’s headed. A marvelous mood-piece,
delicately told by director Chookiat Sakveerakul. All three stories take place
in and around his home town of Chiang Mai. In one story you’ll be able to see
firsthand what happens at a Thai wedding, perhaps leaving you puzzling at how
strange are mankind’s courting rituals, with none so strange as those of
Northern Thailand. Certainly a worthwhile watch by one of the best of the Thai
directors. Rated 18+. Not at Major.
Titanic: US, Adventure/ Drama/ History/ Romance – Still the
one film in town to see. It’s grand entertainment and I’m still in a state of
shock by the poor reception it’s gotten in Thailand – seems very few people are
interested. I’m saying: If you ever liked it, see it again in its 3D
incarnation. You’ll love it. If you’ve never seen it, now’s your chance. This is
made to be seen on a big screen with a good sound system. And it’s even better
in 3D. I can’t encourage you enough to go see it.
It’s a brilliant reworking of the 1997 film, done under the
fastidious eye of the director James Cameron, who is a stickler for perfection.
Here, his work is outstanding. The 3D conversion is as good as it gets. It’s
thrilling – much more than I had expected or had hoped for. I agree with the
majority of reviewers who say that, in this very rare case, the 3D technology
improves on what is one of the greatest motion pictures ever made.
Believe me, James Cameron’s epic creation shines, and the
picture and sound conversion is a stunning achievement. And those who are not
moved to tears by the stories shown are those who are determined not to be, who
have made that decision ahead of time.
Generally favorable reviews. All low expectations and doubts
can be thrown overboard. Showing in glorious 3D and sound to match at Pattaya
Beach and Major. See it while you can!
The Raven: US/ Hungary/ Spain, Mystery/ Thriller – When a
madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s works, a
young detective joins forces with Poe to stop him from making his stories a
reality. With John Cusack, Alice Eve, and Luke Evans. Screenplay by
Shakespeare*. Rated R in the US for bloody violence and grisly images; 18+ here.
Mixed or average reviews. It’s a 2D film; not at Big C. *(Hannah Shakespeare,
that is).
One for the Money: US, Action/ Comedy/ Crime/ Romance/
Thriller – Here’s a sort of romantic comedy for those starved for such, and as
such it’s a pleasant enough way to dally for a few hours, supposedly with one or
more of your friends. It’s gotten pretty poor reviews, but critics I think don’t
take to comedies too well, because the world is demonstrably a grim place and so
you shouldn’t laugh. But if you want to escape from this unhealthy world for an
hour and a half, well this will do nicely, thank you. It’s not thoughtful or
logical, but it’s not supposed to be. You should know if you’re within the
intended demographic. From a mystery-comedy series of some 18 bestselling novels
by Janet Evanovich about a female bounty-hunter and the crime scenes she gets
involved in. The project has been in development for nearly two decades, and
it’s star Katherine Heigl is also the executive producer. Generally unfavorable
reviews. At Major only.
Marvel’s The Avengers 3D: (Scheduled for next Tuesday)
US, Action/ Adventure/ Sci-Fi – Marvel Comics brings its greatest superheroes
together in this film, hoping they’ll be enough to smash the evil super-villain
Loki (and attract you to the cinema by strength of sheer numbers). Includes all
(or most?) of your favorites: Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Incredible Hulk
(Bruce Banner), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hawkeye
(Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Early reviews: Universal
acclaim. The film was converted to 3D during post-production.
Battleship: US, Action/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – A fleet of ships
is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover
and thwart their destructive goals. It’s based on Hasbro’s classic naval combat
game. Just as the Hasbro game Transformers brought those toys to the
screen, so this time the popular board game is brought to life onscreen, with
hopes that you will want to see sequel after sequel. Stars Liam Neeson and the
star of John Carter, Taylor Kitsch. Viewers who fancy lots of
pyrotechnics will have their money’s worth here. Early reviews: mixed or
average. There’s a short scene after the closing credits which bring tidings of
the first sequel. It’s a 2D film; at Big C it’s Thai-dubbed.
The Hunger Games: US, Action/ Drama/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – I
found this to be tight, taut, creepy, exciting – and entertaining. The story:
every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the
nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and
girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising
and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally
televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one
survivor remains. With Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth.
Generally favorable reviews, saying that it’s thrilling and superbly acted,
capturing the dramatic violence, raw emotion, and ambitious scope of its source
novel. Second film in the series already shooting. A 2D film in English; not
playing at Big C (as of Wednesday).
Wrath of the Titans: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy – Perseus
braves the treacherous underworld to rescue his father, Zeus, captured by his
son, Ares, and brother Hades, who unleash the ancient Titans upon the world. A
sequel to Clash of the Titans. Stars Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and
Rosamund Pike. Generally unfavorable reviews, mostly saying that its 3D effects
are an improvement over its predecessor’s, but in nearly every other respect,
Wrath of the Titans fails to improve upon the stilted acting, wooden dialogue,
and chaos-driven plot of the franchise’s first installment. Shown in 3D
(English) at Pattaya Beach, 2D (English) at Major, and 3D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C
– as of Wednesday.
The Cold Light of Day: US, Action/ Thriller – After his
family is kidnapped during their sailing trip in Spain, a young Wall Street
trader is confronted by the people responsible: intelligence agents looking to
recover a mysterious briefcase. With Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis, and Sigourney
Weaver. This is a 2D film; generally negative reviews. At Pattaya Beach only.
Ma Mha 2: Thai, Comedy/ Family – A sequel to 2007’s popular
Mid-Road Gang, about a cute pack of soi dogs (if packs of dogs in
Thailand can ever be considered cute). Here, an adorable pooch has been adopted
by a nice family and turns would-be hero when the family baby is kidnapped and
the dog takes it as his duty to catch the kidnappers and return the kid. The
dogs speak, but only in Thai, and without English subtitles; not playing at
Major.
Plon Naya 2: Thai, Action/ Comedy – Poj Arnon at it again,
continuing the farce of his 2004 bank-robbery film Spicy Beauty Queens in
Bangkok. Colorful transgender cabaret dancers robbed a bank to pay for
sex-change operations, and now they’re back so the ringleader can finally get
his change. But before that can happen, the hospital is stormed by a radical
student group. English subtitles at all locations.
