Now playing in Pattaya
Wrath of the Titans / Clash of the Titans 2: US, Action/
Adventure/ Fantasy – Perseus braves the treacherous underworld to rescue his
father, Zeus, captured by his son, Ares, and brother Hades, who unleash the
ancient Titans upon the world. A sequel to Clash of the Titans. Not
filmed in 3D, but the entire production was conceived as a 3D picture (unlike
the first film), with a 3D stereographer on set. (The 3D conversion of the
original was an object of universal scorn, as a supreme example of how not to do
a 3D conversion.) Stars Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, and Rosamund Pike.
Generally unfavorable reviews, mostly saying that its 3D effects are an
improvement over its predecessor’s, but in nearly every other respect, Wrath of
the Titans fails to improve upon the stilted acting, wooden dialogue, and
chaos-driven plot of the franchise’s first installment. Shown in both 3D
(English) and 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach, 3D (English) at Major, and both 3D
(Thai-dubbed) and 2D (English) at Big C.
The Hunger Games: US, Action/ Drama/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – I
enjoyed this – tight, taut, creepy, exciting. And food for thought. The story:
every year in the ruins of what was once North America, the evil Capitol of the
nation of Panem forces each of its twelve districts to send a teenage boy and
girl to compete in the Hunger Games. A twisted punishment for a past uprising
and an ongoing government intimidation tactic, The Hunger Games are a nationally
televised event in which “Tributes” must fight with one another until one
survivor remains. One girl volunteers to take her younger sister’s place for the
latest match. I found it gripping, with some really great things about it. With
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. Generally favorable
reviews, saying that it’s thrilling and superbly acted, capturing the dramatic
violence, raw emotion, and ambitious scope of its source novel. Second film in
the series already shooting. A 2D film in English, except Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Titanic: (Scheduled.) US, Adventure/ Drama/ History/
Romance – This is a reworking of the 1997 film, all under the fastidious eye of
the director James Cameron, who is a stickler for perfection – or at least as
close to perfection as possible. First off, even the 2D version now is sharpened
and cleaned up in a hundred small ways: little errors fixed, some skies reworked
(there are now bright stars in the sky in the aftermath of the sinking), some
anachronisms removed. Some of the color has been changed. The audio has been
restored and enhanced. Then the whole film was scanned digitally, as a necessary
step before converting to 3D. The conversion itself, by all reports, is as good
as it gets. I have seen previews in 3D, and I found it thrilling – much more
than I had expected. The consensus of reviewers so far is that, in this very
rare case, the 3D technology improves on what is one of the greatest motion
pictures ever made. They say that James Cameron’s epic creation shines, and the
picture and sound conversion is a stunning achievement.
Generally favorable reviews. All low expectations and doubts
can be thrown overboard.
The Cold Light of Day: (Scheduled.) US, Action/
Thriller – After his family is kidnapped during their sailing trip in Spain, a
young Wall Street trader is confronted by the people responsible: intelligence
agents looking to recover a mysterious briefcase. With Henry Cavill, Bruce
Willis, and Sigourney Weaver. This is a 2D film; no reviews yet.
Mirror Mirror: US, Adventure/ Comedy/ Drama/ Fantasy – A
retelling of the Snow White tale which I found generally quite amusing, with
some surprising twists, and seasoned with a sinister side. Julia Roberts is
suitably outrageous as the Evil Queen, Lily Collins plays Snow White, Armie
Hammer is the Prince, and famed comic Nathan Lane plays a long-suffering servant
of the Evil Queen. The seven dwarfs are played by ... seven dwarfs. Directed by
the Indian director Tarsem Singh, who did “The Immortals” last year. He sees to
it that the film ends with a traditional Bollywood wild dance. Truly outstanding
and inventive costume design; make a note to pay a bit of attention. Mixed or
average reviews. This is a 2D film, in English. Not playing Big C.
John Carter: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/ Sci-Fi – This
film bombed in the US but It’s more popular overseas. I was quite taken with it.
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 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 in his first live-action
film. Mixed or average reviews. In both 2D and 3D at Pattaya Beach (English); 2D
at Major (English); 2D at Big C (Thai-dubbed).
Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax 3D: US, Adventure/ Animation – A
12-year-old boy searches for the one thing that will enable him to win the
affection of the girl of his dreams. To find it he must discover the story of
the Lorax, the grumpy yet charming creature who fights to protect his world. A
mostly delightful plea for saving Nature, and it’s mildly cute and funny. Mixed
or average reviews. 3D (English) at Pattaya Beach; 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C;
not playing at Major.
This Means War: US, Action/ Comedy/ Romance – Two CIA agents,
best friends, find themselves falling for the same girl. When they discover this
shocking news, they agree to let her choose between them. But both can’t help
but use their spy skills to keep tabs on her and each other – and also sabotage
each other’s dates with her. Stars Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, and Tom Hardy.
Rated R in the US for some sexual content. Generally unfavorable reviews. This
is a 2D film in English, Pattaya Beach and Major only.
407 Dark Flight 3D: Thai, Horror/ Thriller – Thailand’s first
3D horror movie tells of the shocking experience of a senior flight attendant
who has a hidden secret, and who has to deal with a supernatural event and
mystery on a flight: her passengers begin to die one by one. Shown now only in
2D (English subtitles) at all locations.
She / Reung Rak Rawang Ter: Thai, Drama/ Romance – Lesbian
love in two stories starring Veteran actress Penpak Sirikul, who appeared
earlier this year in the transgender romance It Gets Better. Shown only
at Big C (English subtitles).
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. Major only.