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Let’s go to the movies:
by Mark Gernpy
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Mark Gernpy
Now playing in Pattaya
Kung
Fu Panda 2: (Scheduled) US, Animation/ Action/ Adventure/ Comedy/ Family –
Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, and Jackie Chan lend their voices to the characters
in this sequel to the very popular first installment. Po is now living his dream
as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and
fellow kung fu masters. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the
emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon
to conquer China and destroy kung fu. It is up to Po and his friends to journey
across China to face this threat and vanquish it. But how can Po stop a weapon
that can stop kung fu? Sounds awesome, and I thought the first film was a real
hoot, so I’m looking forward to this. And the 3D has gotten some excellent
comment.
The Hangover Part II: (Scheduled) US, Comedy – In this follow-up to the
record-breaking “The Hangover,” Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms), Alan
(Zach Galifianakis), and Doug (Justin Bartha) travel here to “exotic” Thailand
for Stu’s wedding. After the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Stu is
taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch. However,
things don’t always go as planned. (Mel Gibson was supposed to play the tattoo
artist, but the idea was dropped following protests from the cast and crew. Just
a tidbit.)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides: US, Action/ Adventure/
Fantasy – The latest in this great pop series, with a shipful of grand
scenery-chewing British star swashbucklers. This time, Captain Jack Sparrow
(Johnny Depp) crosses paths with a
woman
from his past (a delightful Penelope Cruz), and he’s not sure if it’s love — or
if she’s a ruthless con artist who’s using him to find the fabled Fountain of
Youth. Very enjoyable – the stars are terrific, and the jokes and set pieces are
funny and well done. If you liked what went before in the series, you’ll like it
again. Mixed or average reviews.
According to Disney, the movie was filmed using 3D cameras, but the special
effects were rendered in 2D and then converted to 3D to keep the budget down. I
saw the 2D version, and thought much of it way too dark visually, to the point
where you really had difficulty seeing what was going on . In 3D this must be
much worse, as things in 3D tend to be much darker and muddier than in 2D. Both
versions are at Pattaya Beach, only 2D elsewhere, and the version at Big C is
Thai-dubbed.
Ladda Land: Thai, Horror/ Mystery – A very popular Thai movie. A family
moves into a new house in a Chiang Mai housing development where the newcomers
gradually begin to encounter horrifying paranormal events. It’s the creation of
the Thai filmmaker I think is at the top of the list for horror and spookiness
at this time, 30-year-old Sophon Sakdaphisit. He’s the man responsible for some
of the most enjoyable parts of recent anthology films (like 4Bia and Phobia 2)
and as writer and/or director for some of my favorite Thai films: Alone (the
identical twin caper), Coming Soon (people sucked into a movie), and the iconic
Shutter. This time, in addition to the spookiness, he seems to have added a
level of social commentary, as this family is beguiled into accepting the lures
of the middle-class lifestyle to which they are not accustomed. It is said that
the tale behind this film is based on fact – a housing development in Chiang Mai
was eventually abandoned after a series of unexplained deaths. Rated 18+.
English subtitles at all locations.
The Ward: (Still may show up) US, Horror/ Thriller – An institutionalized
young woman becomes terrorized by a ghost. A neat little horror flick by a
master of the genre – John Carpenter – that isn’t perfect and not the scariest
or most imaginative, but a middling shocker salvaged by the director’s class,
and with some finely crafted shocks and a steady pace that almost seems stately
in these days of fast-cut horror. Rated R in the US for violence and disturbing
images. Mixed or average reviews.
Priest: US, Action/ Horror/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – The word on this film is
decidedly not kind – but there were things that I liked very much: the
performance of its star Paul Bettany, an actor I appreciate very much; the
visuals/ art direction, which were carefully and craftily done to establish a
good tense mood full of foreboding – and in general the sense of style
throughout. Strangely, it’s essentially a black and white film – and it opens
with a terrific animated short which explains the background of the film,
establishes the role of the priests, and sets the scene of this alternate
universe where vicious vampires have been at war with mankind for centuries. The
Church – headed by Christopher Plummer, no less – has become all-powerful due to
its ability to keep the vampires at bay. As of yesterday it’s been showing in 3D
at Major, 2D elsewhere, and the version at Big C is Thai-dubbed. The 3D is
“conversion” 3D, and I think not that impressive. Mixed or average reviews.
Thor: US, Action/ Fantasy – Directed by the top Shakespearian director of
our time, Kenneth Branagh – slumming, as it were. Thor, a powerful but arrogant
warrior-god as imagined by Marvel comics, is sent down to Earth as punishment
for reigniting a reckless war. Mixed or average reviews. Only 2D now, not at Big
C, and may have departed everywhere.
E Nang / I Love Farang / White Buffalo: Thai, Comedy/ Romance – Set in
the northeast of Thailand or “E San” (as this film would have it) where, they
say, some girls are fond of dating western guys, and for some families having a
Western son-in-law is now the trendy thing to do.
Kob Khun Tee Rak Kan: Thai, Drama/ Romance – Love in three different Thai
families by three different directors. Not at Major.
Fast & Furious 5: US, Action/ Crime/ Drama – Vin Diesel and his crew find
themselves on the wrong side of the law once again as they try to switch lanes
between a ruthless drug lord and a relentless federal agent. It’s a movie that’s
proud of its brainless action thrills – sleek, loud, and over the top, and the
most exciting of the series. Generally favorable reviews. At Big C it’s
Thai-dubbed only.
Jakkalan: Thai, Action/ Comedy – ‘Jeeja’ (Chocolate and Raging Phoenix)
is back in a new action comedy directed by an acclaimed director Petchtai
Wongkamlao, aka Mum Jokmok. The lives of an uncle and his niece Jakkalan turn
into chaos after she is hired to transport smuggled goods to ruthless gangsters.
Not at Major, and may have departed everywhere.
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