Now playing in Pattaya
The Lion King 3D: (Scheduled) US, Animation/
Adventure/ Comedy/ Drama/ Family/ Musical – This is a superb animated film,
seventeen years old now, newly minted for 3D, and as such currently an absolute
smash hit in the US, and probably will be here as well. It’s not only a
phenomenon but a truly exquisite and deeply moving film. Simba, a young lion
prince, is tricked into thinking he killed his father. The guilt-ridden lion cub
flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King. Heavy stuff, and
what legends are made from. An emotionally stirring classic. Reviews: Universal
acclaim. Major Cineplex only.
In Time: (Scheduled) US, Crime/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller –
One of the most intriguing of recent movies, with a unique premise. In a future
where time is literally money, and aging stops at 25, the only way to stay alive
is to earn, steal, or inherit more time. A young man (the ubiquitous and ever
more excellent Justin Timberlake) lives life a minute at a time, until a
windfall of time gives him access to the world of the wealthy, where he teams up
with a beautiful young heiress to destroy the corrupt system. Also stars Cillian
Murphy, Alex Pettyfer, Amanda Seyfried, and Olivia Wilde.
Dream House: US, Drama/ Mystery/ Thriller – A family
unknowingly moves into a home where several grisly murders were committed, only
to find themselves the killer’s next target. Stars Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz,
and Naomi Watts. Generally unfavorable reviews, describing it as slow and
stuffy, and way too obvious to be scary. Thai-dubbed at Big C; English
elsewhere.
Paranormal Activity 3: (Still scheduled) US,
Horror/ Mystery – Much like its immensely popular predecessors, this is a
slow-building, stealthily creepy supernatural thriller that takes a teasing and
indirect approach to generating suspense and dread, but surpasses the previous
ones in terms of tension and scares. In fact, they say it’s so spine-tingling
you might just freak out. Rated R in the US for some violence, language, brief
sexuality, and drug use; 18+ in Thailand. Mixed or average reviews.
Top Secret / Wai Roon Pan Lan: Thai, Drama – Based on a
true story of a teenage boy — “Top” Aitthipat Kulapongvanich – who was wasting
his time with online games until a twist of fate changed him from an ordinary
teenager to a young billionaire at 27 by creating his Tao Kae Noi seaweed-snack
company when he was just out of his teens. “Top” is his nickname, so the title
really reads “Top’s Secret (to success).”
The Top Secret teen billionaire is portrayed by a
peach of an actor, in fact a very rich peach: Patchara “Peach” Chirathivat, the
young actor who made his scene-stealing debut in the rock ‘n’ roll movie
SuckSeed earlier this year. Peach is also a member of the family that owns
Thailand’s Central department store chain, and thus is used to having a lot of
cash around, just like the character he portrays.
The director is Songyos Sugmakanan, one of the six legendary
directors of the legendary Thai film Fan Chan (My Girl), a film
whose charm and influence on the Thai movie industry is incalculable. It’s one
of my very favorite Thai movies. Songyos also directed another favorite of mine,
Dek Hor (The Dorm), a brilliant and spooky coming-of-age story.
30+ Single on Sale: Thai, Comedy/ Romance – A woman in
her 30’s faces misfortunes in love and struggles to find her soul mate, but
thinks her chances are nearly over now that she’s thirty – especially now that a
fortune teller tells her that if she doesn’t find a man soon, she’ll have to
wait 20 years before another one comes along. A big hit in Thailand. With
popular Thai stars Arak (Pe) Amornsupsiri and Cherman Boonyasak.
The Sorcerer and the White Snake: China/ Hong Kong,
Action/ Fantasy – I found this a richly entertaining brew of fantasy, romance,
and CGI. Superstar Jet Li stars in a Chinese fable about the forbidden romance
between a simple, kind-hearted man and a snake demon who takes the form of a
beautiful woman. It’s set in a fantasy world of striking beauty where both
humans and demons exist, with the demons deceptively taking on human form. The
rich production design of this fantasy is a treat, and the supernatural world is
vividly realized. Shown in a Thai-dubbed version only, which is a shame, and not
at Major. Mixed or average reviews.
Johnny English Reborn: US/ France/ UK, Comedy – Rowan
Atkinson returns to the role of the most unlikely intelligence officer in Her
Majesty’s Secret Service, where he must stop a group of international assassins
before they eliminate a world leader and cause global chaos. He is in truth a
very funny man, and you’ll likely be surprised to find out how much you’re
laughing uncontrollably. Mixed or average reviews – some people simply aren’t
moved by his brand of humor. Major and Pattaya Beach only (at least as of last
Wednesday).
Cars 2 3D: US, Animation/ Adventure/ Comedy/ Family – As
visually appealing as any other Pixar production, and kids should love it, but
the story for most reviewers is not that great. I found it good fun and yet
another Pixar winner. Mixed or average reviews. Only at Big C now, and only in a
2D and Thai-dubbed version (as of last Wednesday).
Friends with Benefits: US, Comedy/ Romance – While trying
to avoid the clich้s of Hollywood romantic comedies, Dylan (Justin Timberlake)
and Jamie (Mila Kunis) soon discover that adding the act of sex to their
friendship really does lead to complications. The chemistry between the two
leads is excellent, and I found it quite enjoyable. Rated R in the US for some
violent content and brief sexuality; 18+ in Thailand. Generally favorable
reviews. Pattaya Beach only.
The Smurfs 3D: US, Animation/ Adventure/ Comedy/ Family/
Fantasy – The little blue people too cute for words, famed from a 421-episode
Saturday morning television series in the US from 1981-90, have a New York City
adventure in a hybrid live-action/ animated format. Neil Patrick Harris is the
main human character, Jonathan Winters and Anton Yelchin among the stellar
voices for the cuddly creatures. Generally unfavorable reviews, but though a bit
mean-spirited, I thought it was nevertheless a fun riff on New York City. Kids
and fans of the characters will probably love it, as the film gives full play to
the charm of the Smurfs. Only at Pattaya Beach, and it’s shown in 3D.
I Don’t Know How She Does It: US, Comedy – A comedy
centered on the life of a finance executive who is the breadwinner for her
husband and two kids. Sarah Jessica Parker vehicle. Generally unfavorable
reviews. Major only.
Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World: US, Action/
Adventure/ Comedy/ Family/ Sci-Fi – A retired spy (Jessica Alba) is called back
into action, and reluctantly involves her new step-children in her assignment,
which is to stop the evil Timekeeper from taking over the world. Generally
unfavorable reviews, most saying the series has fallen off sharply, but aside
from the bathroom humor I didn’t find it more objectionable than most kid
movies. Fans of the series by director Robert Rodriguez, and most kids, will
probably love it. In 2D and only at Pattaya Beach.
