Now playing in Pattaya
War Horse: (Scheduled.) US, Drama/ History/ War –
Steven Spielberg’s ode to horses and World War I trench warfare. Fine adventure
story, beautifully handled and photographed, but way too pretty a picture for me
for a setting of such horror. Stars Emily Watson and David Thewlis. Generally
favorable reviews.
The Lady: (Scheduled.) France/ UK, Biography/ Drama –
An epic love story about how an extraordinary couple and family sacrifice their
happiness at great human cost for a higher cause. This is the story of Aung San
Suu Kyi and her husband, Michael Aris. Despite distance, long separations, and a
dangerously hostile regime, their love endures until the very end. A story of
devotion and human understanding set against a background of political turmoil
which continues today. It’s as well the story of the peaceful quest of the woman
who is at the core of Burma’s democracy movement. Stars Michelle Yeoh, David
Thewlis, and Jonathan Raggett; directed by Luc Besson. Rated R in the US for
violence, including some bloody images. Mixed or average reviews, which admit
that this is a ploddingly conventional tribute to a heroic Burmese activist.
They say that Besson is on his best behavior, but he’s so out of his element
that his film is dull. Even imperfectly told, however, Aung San Suu Kyi’s story
remains astonishingly powerful and moving.
Man on a Ledge: (Scheduled.) 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.
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island: (Scheduled.) US,
Action/ Adventure/ Family/ Fantasy/ Sci-Fi – A follow-up 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. No reviews yet.
What’s Your Number?: US, Comedy/ Romance – With Anna Faris,
Chris Evans, Ari Graynor, and Blythe Danner. Faris’ character runs into one of
her exes who is now a Prince Charming, so she decides to look up all of her exes
to see if any of them have changed for the better. When she has trouble locating
them all, she asks her neighbor, who sleeps with women every night and sneaks
out the morning after to avoid talking to them, to help her in her search for
the perfect man among her twenty ex-lovers. Rated R in the US for sexual content
and language; 13+ in Thailand. Generally unfavorable reviews, saying in general
it’s full of lively and crude sexual banter, and discussions of hookups and sex.
Reviews say the film is funnier and more accessible than you might imagine, and
certainly keeps the genre headed in an ever-dirtier direction. Pattaya Beach
only.
First Kiss / Rak Sud Tai Pai Na: Thai, Drama/ Romance – In
this romantic comedy, a single girl, 25, meets a grade-12 boy student on a bus.
Fate plays trick with them when, minutes after they met, they accidentally kiss
as they both try to stick their heads out the same window to watch a roadside
accident. He is now determined to win her heart, despite his inexperience and
the age difference. Can a high-schooler court an office girl? Will the boy have
enough romantic tricks in his bag to win the heart of the older woman? Will this
movie give you the answer? Thai only at Pattaya Beach, English subtitles
elsewhere.
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, why this is for you. Kate Beckinsale,
star of the first two films, returns in the lead role as the vampire warrioress
Selene, who escapes imprisonment to find herself in a world where humans have
discovered the existence of both Vampire and Lycan clans, and are conducting an
all-out war to eradicate both immortal species. Rated R in the US for strong
violence and gore, and for some language; 15+ in Thailand. In 3D and 2D at
Pattaya Beach, 3D at Major, and 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C. Mixed or average
reviews, saying in general there’s more vapid action and less story in this
installment, which makes the whole affair feel inconsequential. And it does and
gets little with the 3-D.
ATM Er Rak Error: Thai, Comedy – This Thai Romantic Comedy
has to do with a wayward ATM machine that gives out too much cash. Number one in
Thailand, and 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. With English subtitles.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: US/ Sweden/ UK/ Germany,
Crime/ Drama/ Mystery/ Thriller – There are some decidedly good aspects to this
brutal and captivating film. Rooney Mara is in general quite good as the young
computer hacker Lisbeth Salander, who has to be one of the most unique and vivid
female protagonists ever created, first in the highly popular series of novels
by Stieg Larsson, then in the trio of Swedish films made from them, and now
here. Also with Daniel Craig and Christopher Plummer. The film is directed with
impressive intensity by David Fincher (The Social Network).
Rated R in the US for brutal violent content including rape
and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language; 18+ in Thailand.
Generally favorable reviews. At Pattaya Beach only (as of Wednesday), and in
Digital (not 3D).
Meung Gu: Thai, Action/ Drama – A transfer student at Chiang
Mai University becomes friends with another student, the leader of the Sperm
Gang, and gets drawn into gang warfare, learns about the dangers of life, and
thereby achieves manhood. It’s apparently based on a true story about a fight
between a gang called the Sperm Gang and another called The Night Bazaar Gang,
which terrorized Chiang Mai some 40 years ago, although this film takes place in
the present. Heartthrob Mario Maurer (The Love of Siam), is the gang
leader, but filled with virtue: Loyalty, love of his friends, respectful
treatment of girls. Well-known spots in Chiang Mai are photographed darkly,
making a nice town look quite ominous. Not at Pattaya Beach; English subtitles.
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, Giovanni
Ribisi, and Kate Beckinsale. Rated R in the US for violence, pervasive language,
and brief drug use; 18+ in Thailand. Not at Big C. Mixed or average reviews,
saying that, as mindless action capers go, this is a little less mindless than
some. Not at Big C.
Real Steel: US/ India, Action/ Drama/ Sci-Fi/ Sport – A
future-set story where robot boxing is a popular sport. Despite the outlandish
premise the movie proves that, yes, audiences can root for robots in boxing
matches, and get emotionally involved. The story about a rejected son is nicely
played and will bring a tear to your eye. And there is some truly thrilling and
exciting action, done very well indeed, as you would expect from a Steven
Spielberg production. The film uses motion capture technology of actual boxers
for accuracy during the robot fights, supervised by no less than Sugar Ray
Leonard. Overall it is an amazingly entertaining film, with a thoroughly
satisfying performance by the young boy, and the robots. Mixed or average
reviews; much better than you would think. It’s a 2D film, in English at Pattaya
Beach and Major; Thai-dubbed at Big C.
The Adventures of Tintin: US/ New Zealand, Animation/ Action/
Adventure/ Family/ Mystery – Based on the series of classic comic books created
by Belgian artist Herg้. Steven Spielberg, as director and producer, has once
again crafted what I think is a spirited, thrilling adventure using the latest
motion-capture technology and wedding it to tried and true Spielberg story
elements. It keeps close to the original tone and intent, so those who are fond
of the books will be enthralled. Whether it will capture the imagination of
those not brought up on the books is uncertain. The film has not had a very
lucrative run here in Thailand. I enjoyed it well enough, but I think the
character and his distinctive style has to be, in the main, an acquired taste.
Generally favorable reviews. Only at Pattaya Beach, in Digital 3D, at least as
of Wednesday.