Now
playing in Pattaya
Takers: US, Action/ Comedy/ Crime – What the Takers take, is money, lots
of it, in various skillful robberies of banks or armored cars. You should like
the film if you enjoy exciting and noisy action pictures with plenty of chases.
Also if you like rappers, because one major star is bad-boy rapper T.I. (also
known as T.I.P. and “Rubberband Man”), who is in real life fresh out of jail
after serving a year and a day for attempting to purchase a small arsenal of
assault weapons. Definitely a cool character. At the other end of the spectrum
is Matt Dillon as a thoroughly experienced cop determined to bring the gang
down. Not at Major. Mixed or average reviews.
Hereafter: US, Drama/ Fantasy – That redoubtable director and notable old
man, Clint Eastwood, is still making terrific movies at age 80! This is his
latest effort, and it’s a good one. Matt Damon is one of three people Eastwood
studies, each with a different experience of an aspect of life after death. What
do these people believe, what causes them to think that way, and what is the
truth? Fascinating dramas on the topic, well done. Mixed or average reviews, but
I found it solid and fascinating. Catch it while you can! At Major Cineplex
only.
The Green Hornet 3D: US, Action/ Comedy/ Crime – A strange piece,
designed to be nothing but a thoughtless piece of fluff. As such, it’s okay.
Seth Rogen as the Hornet is an unlikely and uncomfortable super-hero, and rather
a distasteful gent. Cameron Diaz serves up the romantic interest nicely, and the
unrestrained pleasure is the arch-villain played by Christoph Waltz, the
Austrian actor who took the film world by storm by his marvelous portrayal of a
Nazi officer in Inglourious Basterds.
Of special interest to Asians is the role of the hero’s sidekick Cato, played by
Taiwanese superstar Jay Chou. He does acquit himself well in this – his slight
acting skills and his shaky use of English is underplayed, and to cover we are
served a number of funny sight gags and some impressive martial arts. The whole
thing is a bit of a mish-mash and slight, but if you approach it with a relaxed
and uncritical frame-of-mind, you will find it entertaining enough.
Generally unfavorable reviews. In 2D everywhere, and at Pattaya Beach there’s
also a 3D version (but it’s nothing exceptional); the Big C version is
Thai-dubbed only.
I Am Number Four: (Scheduled) US, Action/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller: John
is an extraordinary teen, masking his identity and passing as a typical high
school student to elude a deadly enemy seeking to destroy him. Three like him
have already been killed ... he is Number Four.
Let the Bullets Fly: (Scheduled) China, Action/ Comedy: Set in
China during the warring 1920s, notorious bandit chief Zhang descends upon a
remote provincial town posing as its new mayor, an identity that he had hijacked
from Old Tang, himself a small-time imposter. Hell-bent on making a fast buck,
Zhang soon meets his match in the tyrannical local gentry Huang as a deadly
battle of wit and brutality ensues. With Chow Yun Fat and Wen Jiang, written and
directed by Wen Jiang. The film is hugely popular in China, and is on the verge
of being China’s biggest box-office hit.
Panya Raenu: (Scheduled) Thai, Comedy/ Drama: Panya Raenu is a
story of friendship and dream that centers on a young boy named Panya who has a
talent for singing, but is too poor to afford a local music contest. However,
with his determination and the support of his friends, Panya hopes to win the
contest.
The Rite: US, Drama/ Horror/ Thriller – Anthony Hopkins looks to be at
his spooky best again as the filmmakers trot out the well-worn possessed/
exorcism/ priest scenario. If one can believe such things, this is “inspired by
true events.” We follow a skeptical seminary student (Colin O’Donoghue) as he
reluctantly attends exorcism school at the Vatican, and while in Rome, he meets
an unorthodox priest (Hopkins) who introduces him to the darker side of his
faith. Generally unfavorable reviews.
No Strings Attached: (Scheduled) US, Comedy/ Romance – To
gauge from the previews, this film is likely to get the blatant smut award of
the year, but at least the raunch is clever and cheerful. Starring Natalie
Portman, Ashton Kutcher, and Kevin Kline. Rated R in the US for sexual content,
language, and some drug material. Mixed or average reviews.
Shaolin / New Shaolin Temple: Hong Kong/ China, Action/ Drama – A story
of Shaolin monks who protect and shelter civilians during war, this is a
beautifully photographed, finely acted big budget spectacle that doesn’t rely on
star power and action to deliver the goods, but actually is a thinking man’s
film on the philosophical aspects of Buddhism. Unfortunately, it’s shown in
Thailand only in a Thai-dubbed version. Starring Jackie Chan and Andy Lau.
The Tourist: US, Action/ Drama/ Thriller – A thoroughly enjoyable
espionage caper/ romance. Highly recommended, if you don’t go expecting an
action-packed film with Jolie kicking butt. Here Angelina Jolie is demure,
however deadly, and we don’t see her tattoos. She and Johnny Depp come on as two
stars having a bit of fun together in an enchanting story and script, deceptive
on several levels. It’s a kind of espionage caper that’s visually sensuous, made
with tender attention to detail, and an elegant, understated sense of humor. See
it! Generally unfavorable reviews. At Pattaya Beach only, if still playing.
Teng Nong Jiwon Bin: Thai, Action/ Comedy – A comedy about a pilgrim and
a wealthy jeweller whose destiny has brought them to meet on a plane and then
encounter unexpected events. The formula for your run-of-the-mill Thai comedy –
of which this looks to be a prime example – seems to be: Assemble a cast of
popular TV and cafe comics, have a grain of an idea for a plot or a genre
(horror, romance, or farcical action, or all three), and then say “action!”
Maybe?
Should any of the following arrive, grab the chance and see it:
The Fighter: US, Biography/ Drama/ Sport – Highly praised film up for
Oscar best picture, director (David O. Russell), actor in a supporting role
(Christian Bale), two actresses in a supporting role (Amy Adams and Melissa
Leo), best adapted screenplay, and best editing. A drama about boxer “Irish”
Micky Ward’s unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like
rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky, a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded
in life after nearly being KO’d by drugs and crime. With Mark Wahlberg and
Christian Bale, giving two outstanding performances. I found it riveting and
rousing, and somewhat unpleasant. Mark Wahlberg’s ring sequences are the real
thing, and need to be seen to be believed. This film is close to Wahlberg’s
heart (he is one of the producers, waived his own salary) and he began training
for the role in 2005. Throughout the various production delays, Wahlberg
continued to train every day so that he could be ready for filming. Filming
finally began in July 2009, and what he does in the ring is very believable.
The unpleasantness comes from the family, who live more like bickering animals
than humans. I would have to take away from this film the lesson that devotion
to one’s family can very often be the worst possible path one could take. Rated
R in the US for language throughout, drug content, some violence, and sexuality.
Generally favorable reviews. Apparently at Major Cineplex only, if it shows.
Fair Game: US, Biography/ Drama/ Thriller – Taut and exciting tale of
dirty deeds by the White House. Director Doug Liman’s fact-based drama of former
US ambassador Joseph Wilson; his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson; and the events of
2003, when her identity as a CIA operative was leaked in retaliation by the
White House after her husband wrote an op-ed piece criticizing the US invasion
of Iraq. Generally favorable reviews.
The King’s Speech: UK/ Australia, Drama/ History – One of the top
contenders for best picture and 11 other Oscars, this is the story of the
suddenly crowned King George VI of England, who suffers from a debilitating
speech impediment. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of
a leader, his wife, Elizabeth (Helena Bonham Carter), the future Queen Mother,
arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist. Reviews:
Universal acclaim.
