Now playing in Pattaya
Prometheus: US, Action/ Horror/ Sci-Fi – An exceptionally
well-done science-fiction film with a lot to think about amidst all the action.
A satisfying movie experience, which really must be seen in 3D. There was one
spot when the characters were exploring a cave, and with the sound of the water
dripping from the stalactites seemingly all around me in the theater, I was
transported into the scene more completely than I ever remember happening
before; it was an amazing movie experience.
It’s the story of a team of explorers who discover a clue to
the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest
corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the
future of the human race. Directed by Ridley Scott, director of Alien and
Blade Runner, who with this film returns to the genre he helped define.
For me, many references to 2001: A Space Odyssey – including a walking,
talking, joking HAL 9000 robot. And he’s got his own personal issues to work out
(again!). Fine performances by Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, and Michael
Fassbender (as the robot).
Rated R in the US for sci-fi violence including some intense
images, and brief language; 15+ in Thailand. Generally favorable reviews, but I
think it’s much better than that. I’d say it’s not to be missed, and (warning!)
since it’s not doing too well at the Thailand box office, time to see it is
limited. In 3D (English) and 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach; 3D (English) at
Major; and both 2D (English) and 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C – at least as of last
Wednesday.
Snow White and the Huntsman: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi –
I saw the plain old regular 2D version, and thought it a fantastically beautiful
film with superb art direction and a fully realized story. It’s the old tale
intact, with every moment, every twist and turn, given full due. Visually and
aurally it is without peer. The direction is fine with the exception of the use
of the shaky cam in a few places to cheat on the action scenes. It’s a lazy way
of doing things, just making a blur of action so you can’t tell what’s going on,
and thus they don’t have to plan out the scene very much. But it’s use is
minimal, irritating because the film is so exceptional otherwise.
Probably you won’t love it much if you have an objection to
fairy tales, but for me it is one of the most exciting and satisfying films I’ve
seen in some time. Seemed a never-ending dark feast of surprise after surprise,
delight after delight, imaginative horror after bloody evil. One could talk much
about the excellent and imaginative costuming and art direction, and music/sound
design. It all ends in a truly huge battle, unexpected in magnitude and
ferocity. Research on medieval battles and the background of the fairy tale were
provided by consultants from the University of Chichester and the University of
Oxford. All in all, just a very well-done film.
Starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize
Theron; directed by Rupert Sanders, making his feature film debut. Shot mostly
in England, with impressive photography at Pembrokeshire with a
computer-generated castle. Mixed or average reviews, but I recommend it highly.
Now in regular 2D only, in English everywhere, except Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted: US, Animation/
Adventure/ Comedy/ Family – The Madagascar team of regulars – Alex the Lion,
Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe – are still fighting
to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Their journey takes them through Europe
where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent –
Madagascar style. Mixed or average reviews, which call it bright and breezy with
fast pacing, bright colors, dazzling circus acts, a vigorous villain, and some
new characters. In 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach and Major; 3D (Thai-dubbed) at
Big C.
Antapal (Hoodlum) / Gangster: Thai, Action/ Drama – A
gritty action film on the exploits of Thai gangsters in the 1950s, starring
Krissada “Noi” Sukosol Clapp and “Tao” Somchai Kemglad as a pair of young
hoodlums who take on the old-time mafia to shake up the Thai underworld. They
then find themselves challenged by a pair of even younger hoodlums who are
obsessed with the lifestyle of James Dean.
Directed by Kongkiat Khomsiri, it’s based on a true story
about a Bangkokian Mafia that was formed during a time of social and cultural
upheaval in Thailand. Young people were listening to Elvis and aspiring to be
like James Dean, breaking down cultural norms and, in the case of the men at the
center of this film, breaking the law with a wild disregard for anything in
their way. Rated 18+. With English subtitles at all locations.
ATM: (Scheduled) US/ Canada, Horror/ Thriller – On
a late night visit to an ATM, three co-workers end up in a desperate fight for
their lives when they become trapped in an enclosed area made up of an ATM booth
and car park by an unknown hooded killer lurking outside. Rated R in the US for
violence and terror. Generally unfavorable reviews. At Major only.
Men in Black III: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi – I saw the
2D version, and I enjoyed it all. The writers and director and actors were
having fun with the story, and the fun was infectious. There’s a truly enjoyable
chemistry between Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, and as things develop in the
story, the same chemistry works just as well between Smith and a younger version
of Jones, played by Josh Brolin.
The story has a thoroughly disgusting alien criminal killing
the young Agent K in 1969, which naturally alters the timeline, changes the
Agency, and places the Earth in danger. Will Smith as Agent J must travel back
in time to 1969 before the murder and work with the young Agent K to save him,
the Agency, the Earth, and humanity itself. Some amusing comments on the year
1969 for those who can remember.
Mixed or average reviews, saying it does justice to the fun
and whimsy of the original, and gives a surprisingly emotional insight into the
characters; it’s a solid creature-feature filled with memorable performances and
remarkable visual effects. In Converted 3D (English) and 2D (English) at Pattaya
Beach; 2D (English) at Major; and 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
Marvel’s The Avengers: 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). The film is a big hit here, and actually
quite excellent for this type of film, and you may really enjoy it.
Generally favorable reviews, saying the film lives up to its
hype with a script that never forgets its heroes’ humanity. And that there
aren’t many writer-directors around as talented as Joss Whedon. Indeed, it’s the
writing that sets this film apart from the crowd. At Pattaya Beach and Major
only, in English; no longer shown in 3D.
I Miss You: Thai, Drama – A film about a handsome surgeon
whose fianc้e dies in a car crash and comes back to haunt him when he starts to
look at someone new. Quite popular. In Thai only (no English subtitles) at all
locations.
Piranha 3DD: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi – The “DD” in the
title refers to the cup size of women’s bras, so you can tell what the movie is
fixated on. It’s a horror-comedy sequel to the 2010 film Piranha 3D and
Ving Rhames and Christopher Lloyd reprise their roles from the first film. The
director has said that the film was shot in 3D, as opposed to being converted to
3D in post-production. Shown in 3D (English) at Pattaya Beach; 2D (English) at
Major; and 3D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
Generally unfavorable reviews, with many objecting to the
film’s basic premise that women’s breasts are for the viewing pleasure of other
people, and nothing else. In Thailand, only viewers over 20 years of age allowed
in.
