Now playing in Pattaya
Hugo: US, Adventure/ Drama/ Family – I hope it’s still on so
you can see it, if you haven’t already. It’s a brilliant and magical film, which
was nominated for eleven Oscars and won five. I think it’s the best use of 3D
I’ve seen, which is fitting for a film which celebrates film innovation and the
magic of the whole process. It’s many things: a story of early filmmaking in
France, a boy’s adventure story, a glowing homage to the wonder of ticking
things and gears and automatons. Directed by Martin Scorsese, who won the Golden
Globes directing award this year for the film, and with some excellent
performances. Whatever qualms one might have about the film, the stupendous
achievements in so many area – and the exquisite attention to detail – makes it
really a film not under any circumstances to be missed. Reviews: Universal
acclaim. In Digital 3D, and at Pattaya Beach only. (Hopefully.) See it!
The Grey: US, Action/ Adventure/ Drama/ Thriller – More and
more I’m thinking of this as a “must-see” film. It’s certainly come as a
surprise – out of nowhere, a film that’s spiritual, frightening, heartfelt, and
thrilling. It’s an exciting tale of survival, populated with fleshed-out
characters, and within a surprising philosophical framework. I was truly
frightened at several points, with my heart (what’s left of it, after a bypass)
pounding. Full of astonishing sequences, spectacular cinematography, excellent
performances, and heartfelt ruminations on mortality, faith, masculinity, hope,
family, and existence. It also has really cool wolves. Stars Liam Neeson. Rated
R in the US for violence/ disturbing content, including bloody images, and for
pervasive language; 13+ in Thailand. Generally favorable reviews, some of which
have been extraordinary in their philosophical reflections. In English; not
showing at Big C. (Warning: It’s essential that you sit all the way through the
closing credits. There’s one more scene – extremely short – at the very end.)
Highly recommended.
Mirror Mirror: (Scheduled.) US, Adventure/ Comedy/
Drama/ Fantasy – A retelling of the Snow White tale with some surprising twists.
Julia Roberts plays the Evil Queen, Lily Collins plays Snow White, Armie Hammer
is the Prince, and the outstanding comic Nathan Lane plays a long-suffering
servant of the Evil Queen. With the Indian director Tarsem Singh, who did “The
Immortals” last year. No reviews yet.
Rak Aow Yu: Thai, Comedy/ Romance – Director Poj Arnon is
certainly one for seizing opportunities for films direct from the headlines.
Last year it was the aborted fetuses scandal, this time it’s the Bangkok
flooding. The title comes from the oft-repeated government phrase during the
flooding “Aow Yu” meaning “We can handle it.” I’m told the title also has a
sexual meaning, but surely not! Poj rushed his actors and his film crew out into
the raging Bangkok waters hurriedly while the waters were still high. Actually,
as we all know, he had plenty of time. Stars the scandal-plagued actor Film
(Rattapoom Tokongsub) who was dragged through the mud of an unauthorized
paternity or something last year, and went very quickly from star to pariah.
However, not to worry, it’s all for laughs. English subtitles except Thai-only
at Big C.
John Carter: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Sci-Fi – I saw
this in 3D and was quite taken with it – and the 3D was quite excellent. As an
old-fashioned pulp-magazine adventure tale, it can’t be beat. No science in this
Sci-Fi film, just fantasy, and very well done indeed. You need to let the kid
inside you see this; park your maturity at the door. It’s a richly imagined and
often spectacular realization of a classic pulp novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
Transplanted to Mars, a Civil War vet discovers a lush planet inhabited by
12-foot tall barbarians. Finding himself a prisoner of these creatures, he
escapes, only to encounter a princess who is in desperate need of a savior.
Directed by Pixar director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo, WALL•E) in his
first live-action film, and it’s a solid achievement in the genre. In both 2D
and 3D at Pattaya Beach (English); 2D at Major (English); 2D at Big C
(Thai-dubbed).
Chronicle: UK/ US, Action/ Drama/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – Three
high school students make an incredible discovery, leading to their developing
uncanny powers beyond their understanding. As they learn to control their
abilities and use them to their advantage, their lives start to spin out of
control, and their darker sides begin to take over. Rated R in the US for some
violence; 13+ in Thailand. Generally favorable reviews, saying that though it
arrives during a glut of found-footage films, this film transcends its gimmicks
with a smart script, fast-paced direction, and engaging performances from its
young, talented cast. In 2D and English everywhere, but shown Digitally at Major
(not 3D) – at least as of last Wednesday.
Mae Nak 3D: Thai, Horror – Mae Nak Phrakhanong is one of
Thailand’s most enduring figures of horror and despair, and the ghost legend has
been told many times in many forms. Here, she gets the 3D treatment. My Thai
film guru Wise Kwai says: “Dull.” At Big C only, in 3D, Thai-only.
Rak Sud Teen: Thai, Comedy/ Romance – A handsome playboy in a
bike rider gang runs a jeans stall at the night market under Put Bridge. He’s a
womanizer (a new role for star Mario Maurer) and swears not to fall in love. But
destiny has other plans and has him meet a beautiful girl, and despite his
bravado, it’s love at first sight. Mario Maurer is probably Thailand’s Number
One heartthrob. Here he’s pretty rough for a change, and not very polite.
English subtitles at Big C, Thai-only at Pattaya Beach.
Haywire: US/ Ireland, Action/ Thriller – A beautiful
freelance covert operative is hired out to perform jobs which governments can’t
authorize and heads of state would rather not know about. When an operation in
Dublin goes awry and she finds herself victim of a double cross, she needs all
of her skills, tricks, and abilities to escape an international manhunt, make it
back to the United States, protect her family, and exact revenge on those who
betrayed her. Newcomer Gina Carano in the starring role is one tough cookie, and
she has tremendous presence as an intriguing mix of muscular power and
eye-catching femininity. Also starring Ewan McGregor and Michael Fassbender, but
all the males in the film are merely fodder for her kicks. Directed by Steven
Soderbergh. Rated R in the US for some violence; 18+ in Thailand. Generally
favorable reviews. Not at Big C.
Act of Valor: US, Action/ Adventure/ Thriller – When a
mission to recover a kidnapped CIA operative unexpectedly results in the
discovery of an imminent, terrifying global threat, an elite team of highly
trained Navy SEALs must immediately embark on a heart-stopping secret operation.
It’s an impressive film about professional warriors in the age of global
terrorism. Directors Mike McCoy and Scott Waugh collaborated with the US Navy
and actual Navy SEALs to give the film an accurate sense of battle tactics and
environment. Though the SEALs’ lack something in the way of acting skills, this
is more than made up for by honest performances from men who actually do this
stuff for a living. Rated R in the US for strong violence, including some
torture, and for language; 18+ in Thailand. Mixed or average reviews. In English
except Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance: US, Action/ Fantasy/
Thriller – Don’t underestimate the appeal of Nicolas Cage! He keeps riding along
week after week in Thai cinemas as the Ghost Rider in yet another impossible
outing, and racking up huge amounts of money and presumably satisfied customers.
This time the Ghost Rider is in Eastern Europe and must stop the devil, who is
trying to take human form. Generally unfavorable reviews, saying it has a weak
script and uneven CG work, with Cage giving another loony performance that’s no
longer much fun – except for your average moviegoer, who thinks he’s great. No
longer in 3D, it’s in English at Pattaya Beach and Major, and Thai-dubbed at Big
C.