Now playing in Pattaya
Be on the lookout for some last-minute openings of
Oscar-nominated films this weekend, getting them in just prior to the Academy
Award telecast next Monday morning (Thai-time). Should be live on TrueVisions at
about 8:30 am.
Hugo: US, Adventure/ Drama/ Family – We’re lucky! This
masterpiece is being shown in only four cinemas in Thailand, and we’ve got one
of them! At least it was playing here as of Wednesday – I hope it’s still on so
you can make a beeline to see it. It’s a brilliant and magical film, nominated
for eleven Oscars. I think it’s the best use of 3D I’ve seen, which is fitting
for a film which celebrates film innovation and the magic of the whole process.
It’s many things: a story of early filmmaking in France, a boy’s adventure
story, a glowing homage to the wonder of ticking things and gears and
automatons. Directed by Martin Scorsese, who won the Golden Globes directing
award this year for the film, and with excellent performances by Asa
Butterfield, Chlo๋ Grace Moretz, Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Christopher
Lee, and Jude Law. Whatever qualms one might have about the film, and I have a
couple, the stupendous achievements in so many area – and the exquisite
attention to detail – makes it really a film not under any circumstances to be
missed.
Truly amazing set design and cinematography. Reviews:
Universal acclaim. In Digital 3D, and at Pattaya Beach only. (Hopefully.) Hurry!
Safe House: US/ South Africa, Action/ Crime/ Mystery/
Thriller – A young CIA agent is tasked with looking after a fugitive in a safe
house, but when the house is attacked he finds himself on the run with his
charge. With Denzel Washington, Robert Patrick, and Ryan Reynolds. Denzel does
not play a nice guy in this film at all; be warned. Rated R in the US for strong
violence throughout and some language; 15+ in Thailand. Mixed or average
reviews, saying there are strong performances from Denzel and Ryan Reynolds. Not
at Big C.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: US, Action/ Fantasy/
Thriller – Nicolas Cage is back again as the ever-popular Ghost Rider in yet
another impossible outing. Now he’s in Eastern Europe and must stop the devil,
who is trying to take human form. Generally unfavorable reviews, saying it has a
weak script and uneven CG work, with Cage giving another loony performance
that’s no longer much fun. Both 3D and 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach, 3D
(English) at Major, and both 2D (English) and 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace: US, Action/
Adventure/ Fantasy/ Sci-Fi – The recounting of the beginning of the Star Wars
story, from 1999, tinkered with by director and writer George Lucas, and recast
in 3D, with questionable results. I’d have to say you shouldn’t miss the
opportunity to see this classic again on the big screen, though you may be
strongly reminded why you didn’t particularly like it first time around. I was
happy to get reacquainted with it, even though, of the entire series, this is
generally considered to be the weakest of the lot. Mixed or average reviews for
the 1999 original and for what reviews there are for this fiddled-with version.
In converted Digital 3D and English, and at Pattaya Beach only.
It Gets Better: Thai, Drama/ Romance – Here’s a Thai film
that goes its own way. Couldn’t help it, as it’s from Tanwarin Sukkhapisit,
director of last year’s banned film Insects In the Backyard. She’s back
and unbowed, with a story with three strands. It’s only upon reflection do you
begin to see that the three apparently different stories are in truth three
aspects of one story. One strand has an effeminate high school boy being sent to
a monastery to get rid of his girlish manners, and instead he falls in love with
a monk. Another strand tells the tale of a Katoey who opens and stars in a
cabaret bar, then bequeaths the bar to his son, who comes to close it down. The
title in Thai translates to “You Can’t Ask Someone to Love You,” which makes
more sense than the English title, especially if you add a line from the final
musical number, “But you can ask them to understand you.” Not at Big C.
Man on a Ledge: US, Crime/ Thriller – As a police
psychologist works to talk down an ex-con who is threatening to jump from a
Manhattan hotel rooftop, the biggest diamond heist ever committed is in motion.
The previews play heavily on the fear of falling, making one who is afraid of
heights, like me, very uncomfortable indeed. Stars Sam Worthington, Elizabeth
Banks, and Jamie Bell. Mixed or average reviews, saying that uninspired acting
and preposterous plotlines defuse it’s mildly intriguing premise. Pattaya Beach
only, if still around.
The Melody: Thai, Comedy/ Drama – Thai multi-talented
pop-star and entertainment mogul “Dan” Worrawech Danuwong plays a famous but
depressed pop singer who goes into hiding in Mae Hong Son after his career goes
down the tubes. There, he meets a talented pianist and his life takes a turn for
the better. English subtitles, except Thai-only at Big C.
Valentine Sweety: Thailand, Comedy/ Romance – A continuation
of Bangkok Sweety which came out the last week of last year, with stories
stretching from New Year’s to Valentine’s Day. Again, an absolute bottom of the
barrel Thai RomCom, savaged by the press and hailed by the customers, with
plenty of young Thai stars, and music and dancing. Some of it is pretty gross,
having to do with defecation and such. The movie is in Thai only, and
everywhere.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island: US, Action/ Adventure/
Family/ Fantasy/ Sci-Fi – This is an utterly preposterous piece of nonsense,
with people who don’t act like any humans you know and certainly don’t talk like
anyone who ever lived. Think real pulp adventure, but with nifty computer
graphics most of the time. It’s follow-up and similar to the 2008 Journey to
the Center of the Earth. Josh Hutcherson, reprising his role from the first
film, receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island
should exist. He partners with his mom’s boyfriend on a mission to find the
source of the signal, which they think was sent by his missing grandfather. With
Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine. Mixed or average reviews. In 3D (English) at
Pattaya Beach, and 3D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C; not at Major.
Underworld 4: Awakening: US, Action/ Fantasy/ Horror – To
gauge from the previews, it’s more of the same, so if you’ve been enthralled by
the epic battle between Vampires and Lycans, as delineated so noisily and
violently in the first three episodes, then this is for you. Rated R in the US
for strong violence and gore, and for some language; 15+ in Thailand. In 2D only
now, in English; not at Big C. Mixed or average reviews.
ATM Er Rak Error: Thai, Comedy – This Thai Romantic Comedy
has to do with a wayward ATM machine that gives out too much cash. No longer
number one in Thailand, but still considered a big hit. English subtitles all
locations.
Panya Raenu 2: Thai, Comedy/ Drama – The sequel to Panya
Raenu, continuing the story of friendship between Panya and Raenu. This time
they’ve added the popular Petchtai Wongkamlao (Mum Jokmok), and Tukkie to the
cast. Now shown Thai-only; not at Pattaya Beach.
Contraband: US/ UK, Action/ Crime/ Drama/ Thriller – To
protect his brother-in-law from a drug lord, a former smuggler heads to Panama
to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills. With Mark Wahlberg and Kate
Beckinsale. Rated R in the US for violence, pervasive language, and brief drug
use; 18+ in Thailand. Mixed or average reviews, saying that, as mindless action
capers go, this is a little less mindless than some. At Pattaya Beach only, if
at all.
