Now playing in Pattaya
The Amazing Spider-Man: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/
Thriller – Playing everywhere in concentrated overkill, this is sizing up to be
the next super-big movie hit. With saturation like this, how could it not?
Opening weekend receipts were amazing here, to be sure.
I think it’s good, with some fine work in it, an intelligible
story, excellent special effects, the 3D used to extraordinarily good effect.
And I find that Andrew Garfield makes a tremendously appealing hero. That said,
I found myself cool to it overall, and I don’t know why. I do know that I was
irritated by the music, but mark that down to simply my tastes; and I thought
the 3D came across as way too dark. Since I haven’t read of any complaints about
the film itself being too dark, I can only assume it was the fault of the
particular projectionist when I saw it – a common enough occurrence,
unfortunately.
This time Peter Parker is played by the quite amazing Andrew
Garfield (The Social Network). Although he’s hilariously too old to be in
high school, he pulls it off, and is a delight. He plays an outcast who was
abandoned by his parents as a boy, leaving him to be raised by his Uncle Ben
(Martin Sheen) and Aunt May (Sally Field). Like most teenagers, Peter is trying
to figure out who he is and how he got to be the person he is today. After Peter
discovers a mysterious briefcase that belonged to his father, he begins a quest
to understand his parents’ disappearance – leading him directly to the lab of
his father’s former partner, a true villain whose alter-ego is The Lizard.
Generally highly favorable reviews. In 3D (English) and 2D
(English) at Pattaya Beach and Major; 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: US, Action/ Fantasy/
Horror/ Thriller – A film that explores the secret life of one of the greatest
presidents of the US, and the untold story that shaped the country. Visionary
filmmakers Tim Burton and the well-known and knowledgeable vampire director
Timur Bekmambetov (director of Wanted and the Night Watch/ Day Watch
vampire studies) bring a fresh and visceral voice to the bloodthirsty lore of
the vampire, imagining Lincoln as history’s greatest hunter of the undead.
Starring Benjamin Walker (as Lincoln), Rufus Sewell, and Dominic Cooper. Mixed
or average reviews, saying generally that it has superb visual style, but that
the mashup of genres don’t jell in a coherent way, so that the result is not
entirely satisfying. Rated R in the US for violence throughout and brief
sexuality; 18+ in Thailand. Shown only in 2D (English) in Pattaya. Big C also
has a Thai-dubbed version.
Cosmopolis: France/ Canada/ Portugal/ Italy, Drama – New
York City, in the not-too-distant-future: Eric Packer, a 28 year-old finance
golden boy dreaming of living in a civilization ahead of this one, watches as a
dark shadow is cast over the firmament of the Wall Street galaxy, of which he is
the uncontested king. As he is chauffeured across midtown Manhattan to get a
haircut at his father’s old barber, his anxious eyes are glued to the Yuan’s
exchange rate: it is mounting against all expectations, destroying Eric’s bet
against it. Eric Packer is losing his empire with every tick of the clock.
Meanwhile, an eruption of wild activity unfolds in the city’s streets. Petrified
as the threats of the real world infringe upon his cloud of virtual convictions,
his paranoia intensifies during the course of his 24-hour cross-town odyssey.
Packer starts to piece together clues that lead him to a most terrifying secret:
his imminent assassination. Stars Juliette Binoche, Robert Pattinson, and Paul
Giamatti; directed by David Cronenberg. Rated R in the US for some strong sexual
content including graphic nudity, violence and language; 18+ in Thailand. The
film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May. It’s a challenging and dense
film. See it! Mixed or average reviews. In 2D (English), showing only at Pattaya
Beach.
Magic Mike: US, Comedy/ Drama – Really more of a
chick-flick rather than anything else, despite what you might be thinking. Mike,
an experienced male stripper, takes a younger performer called The Kid under his
wing and schools him in the arts of partying, picking up women, and making easy
money. Relentlessly aimed for a female audience. Stars Channing Tatum, Alex
Pettyfer, and Olivia Munn; directed by Steve Soderbergh. Rated R in the US for
pervasive sexual content, brief graphic nudity, language, and some drug use; 18+
in Thailand. Generally favorable reviews, saying the film has excellent
direction, a smart screenplay, and strong performances. A 2D film (English), and
not showing at Big C.
The Dictator: (Scheduled) US, Comedy – This newest
film by your favorite crazy actor/ screenwriter Sacha Baron Cohen is scripted
rather than the sort-of-documentary performances of his previous Bruno
and Borat, and I feel a lot more comfortable as a result. The making of
fools out of people in real interviews which was so much the style of the
previous films made me feel very uncomfortable and sort of slimy. This is much
more a regular script. However wild and raunchy the satire might be, it belongs
to a truly valid comedic tradition, and is indeed very funny. Here a dictator
goes to any lengths to prevent democracy from taking root in the country he so
lovingly oppresses. Stars Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, and Ben Kingsley. Rated
R in the US for strong crude and sexual content, brief male nudity, language,
and some violent images; 18+ in Thailand. Mixed or average reviews.
Ice Age 4: Continental Drift: (Scheduled) US,
Animation/ Adventure/ Comedy/ Family – One of filmdom’s most beloved trios –
Manny, Diego, and Sid – embark upon a great adventure after a cataclysm sets an
entire continent adrift. Using an iceberg as a ship, they encounter sea
creatures and battle pirates as they explore a new world. Meanwhile, Scrat
continues to chase his elusive acorn. Early reviews: mixed or average.
Chernobyl Diaries: US, Horror – This low budget horror
film is about six vacationers who hire a guide to tour a deserted town near the
site of the nuclear reactor disaster at Chernobyl. What starts out as a peaceful
trip full of picture taking and jokes soon takes a turn for the worst. The film
was written and produced by Oren Peli (the creator of the original Paranormal
Activity) and directed by first time director Bradley Parker on a budget of
just $1 million. Generally unfavorable reviews, some strongly objecting to the
making of monsters out of the victims of the disaster. Rated R in the US for
violence, some bloody images, and pervasive language. Not at Big C.
Prometheus: US, Action/ Horror/ Sci-Fi – An exceptionally
well-done science-fiction film with a lot to think about amidst all the action.
A satisfying movie experience, which I think really should be seen in 3D –
unfortunately it’s no longer shown in 3D in Pattaya, and that’s a true shame.
It’s the story of a team of explorers who discover a clue to
the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest
corners of the universe. Directed by Ridley Scott, director of Alien and
Blade Runner, returning to the genre he helped define. Fine performances
by Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, and Michael Fassbender (as an intriguing
robot). Rated R in the US for sci-fi violence, including some intense images,
and brief language; 15+ in Thailand. Generally favorable reviews, but I think
it’s much better than that. I’d say it’s not to be missed, and time to see it is
limited. Now only showing at Pattaya Beach, and only in 2D (English) – at least
as of last Wednesday.
Snow White and the Huntsman: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi –
I saw the regular 2D version, and thought it a fantastically beautiful film with
superb art direction and a fully realized story. It’s the old tale intact, with
every moment, every twist and turn, given full due. Visually and aurally it is
without peer. Starring Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, and Charlize Theron;
directed by Rupert Sanders, a well-regarded creator of commercials, making his
feature film debut. Mixed or average reviews, but I recommend it highly. Now in
regular 2D only, in English, only at Pattaya Beach and Major.
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted: US, Animation/
Adventure/ Comedy/ Family – The Madagascar team of regulars – Alex the Lion,
Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe – are still fighting
to get home to their beloved Big Apple. Mixed or average reviews, which call it
bright and breezy with fast pacing, bright colors, dazzling circus acts, a
vigorous villain, and some new characters. Now in 3D (English) at Pattaya Beach;
3D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C – as of Wednesday.
Antapal (Hoodlum) / Gangster: Thai, Action/ Drama – A
gritty action film on the exploits of Thai gangsters in the 1950s, starring the
excellent Krissada “Noi” Sukosol Clapp as one of two young hoodlums who take on
the old-time mafia to shake up the Thai underworld. They then find themselves
challenged by a pair of even younger hoodlums. Rated 18+. With English
subtitles; no longer playing at Major.
Men in Black III: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi – I enjoyed
this: the writers and director and actors were having fun with the story, and
the fun was infectious. Mixed or average reviews, saying it does justice to the
fun and whimsy of the original, and gives a surprisingly emotional insight into
the characters; filled with memorable performances and remarkable visual
effects. Now only at Major, in 2D (English).
