Now playing in Pattaya
Marvel’s The Avengers 3D: US, Action/ Adventure/ Sci-Fi –
Marvel Comics brings its greatest superheroes together in this film, hoping
they’ll be enough to smash the evil super-villain Loki (and attract you to the
cinema by strength of sheer numbers). Includes all (or maybe most) of your
favorites: Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Incredible Hulk (Bruce Banner),
Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner)
and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Early reviews: Generally favorable, saying
it lives up to its hype with a script that never forgets its heroes’ humanity.
The film was converted to 3D during post-production.
Lockout: France, Action/ Thriller/ Sci-Fi – From French
writer-producer Luc Besson, another actioner. A man wrongly convicted of
conspiracy to commit espionage against the U.S. is offered his freedom if he can
rescue the president’s daughter from an outer space prison taken over by violent
inmates. Stars Guy Pearce. Rated 18+ in Thailand for intense sequences of
violence and action, and language including some sexual references; only PG 13
in the US. Mixed or average reviews. In English, except Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Safe: US, Action/ Crime/ Thriller – Stars Jason Statham as a
second-rate cage fighter on the mixed martial arts circuit, who lives a numbing
life of routine beatings until the day he blows a rigged fight. Wanting to make
an example of him, the Russian Mafia murders his family and banishes him from
his life forever, leaving him to wander the streets of New York tormented by the
knowledge that he will always be watched, and anyone he develops a relationship
with will also be killed. But when he witnesses a frightened twelve-year-old
Chinese girl, being pursued by the same gangsters who killed his wife, he
impulsively jumps to action and straight into the heart of a deadly high-stakes
war. It’s the imposing Statham’s badass grimace and combat acumen that primarily
elevate the film above your average direct-to-video genre work, with every
flying punch and snapped wrist reconfirming the star’s status as this era’s
Charles Bronson-style angel of righteous death. Rated R in the US for strong
violence throughout, and for language; 18+ here. Mixed or average reviews. In
English; not at Big C.
Home: Thai, Comedy/ Drama – Viewers who were moved by the
puppy-love relationship of the two boys in the world-wide Thai hit Love of
Siam will appreciate the first story in this trio by the same director, an
episode which is entirely a wide-ranging conversation between two boys as they
wander lonely high school grounds at night while one of them shoots pictures of
the deserted buildings. A tentative wisp of a relationship begins to develop in
fits and starts, with neither knowing where it’s headed. A marvelous mood-piece,
delicately told by director Chookiat Sakveerakul. All three stories take place
in and around his home town of Chiang Mai. In one story you’ll be able to see
firsthand what happens at a Thai wedding, perhaps leaving you puzzling at how
strange are mankind’s courting rituals, with none so strange as those of
Northern Thailand. Certainly a worthwhile watch by one of the best of the Thai
directors. Rated 18+. Not at Major. With English subtitles.
Titanic: US, Adventure/ Drama/ History/ Romance – I’d still
call this the one film in town to see. It’s grand entertainment and I remain in
a state of shock by the poor reception it’s gotten in Thailand. I say: If you
ever liked it, see it again in its 3D incarnation. You’ll love it. If you’ve
never seen it, now’s your chance. This is a film made to be seen on a big screen
with a good sound system. And it’s even better in 3D. I can’t encourage you
enough to go see it.
The 3D conversion is as good as it gets – much more than I
had expected or had hoped for. I agree with the majority of reviewers who say
that, in this very rare case, the 3D technology improves on what is one of the
greatest motion pictures ever made. James Cameron’s epic creation shines, and
the picture and sound conversion is a stunning achievement. And those who are
not moved to tears by the stories shown are those who are determined not to be,
who have made that decision ahead of time.
Generally favorable reviews. Showing in glorious 3D and sound
to match at Pattaya Beach and Major. See it while you can!
The Raven: US/ Hungary/ Spain, Mystery/ Thriller – When a
madman begins committing horrific murders inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s works, a
young detective joins forces with Poe to stop the lunatic from making his
stories a reality. With John Cusack, Alice Eve, and Luke Evans. Screenplay by
Shakespeare*. Rated R in the US for bloody violence and grisly images; 18+ here.
Mixed or average reviews. It’s a 2D film; only at Pattaya Beach. *(Hannah
Shakespeare, that is).
One for the Money: US, Action/ Comedy/ Crime/ Romance/
Thriller – From a mystery-comedy series of some 18 bestselling novels by Janet
Evanovich about a female bounty-hunter and the crime scenes she gets involved
in. It’s a sort of romantic comedy for those starved for such, and as such it’s
a pleasant enough way to dally for a few hours with your friends. It’s gotten
pretty poor reviews, but critics I think don’t take to comedies too well,
because the world is demonstrably a grim place and so you shouldn’t laugh. But
if you want to escape from this unhealthy world for an hour and a half, well
this will do nicely, thank you. It’s not thoughtful or logical, but it’s not
supposed to be. Generally unfavorable reviews. At Major only.
Battleship: US, Action/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – A fleet of ships
is forced to do battle with an armada of unknown origins in order to discover
and thwart their destructive goals. It’s based on the Hasbro classic naval
combat game. Just as the Hasbro game Transformers brought those toys to
the screen, so this time the popular board game is realized onscreen, with hopes
that you will want to see sequel after sequel. Stars Liam Neeson and the star of
John Carter, Taylor Kitsch. Viewers who fancy lots of pyrotechnics will
have their money’s worth here. Early reviews: mixed or average. There’s a short
scene after the closing credits which brings tidings of the first sequel. It’s a
2D film; at Big C it’s Thai-dubbed.
The Hunger Games: US, Action/ Drama/ Sci-Fi/ Thriller – I
found this to be tight, taut, creepy, exciting – and entertaining. 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. 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; playing only at Pattaya Beach, if at all.
Wrath of the Titans: 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. 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, it
fails to improve upon the stilted acting, wooden dialogue, and chaos-driven plot
of the franchise’s first installment. Shown in 3D (English) at Pattaya Beach, 2D
(English) at Major, and 3D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C – as of the beginning of this
week.
The Cold Light of Day: 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; generally negative reviews. At Pattaya Beach only.
Plon Naya 2: Thai, Action/ Comedy – Poj Arnon at it again,
continuing the farce of his 2004 bank-robbery film Spicy Beauty Queens in
Bangkok. Colorful transgender cabaret dancers robbed a bank to pay for
sex-change operations, and now they’re back so the ringleader can finally get
his change. But before that can happen, the hospital is stormed by a radical
student group. English subtitles at all locations.