Now playing in Pattaya
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter: US, Action/ Fantasy/
Horror/ Thriller – A film that desecrates history in its pretense to explore the
supposedly secret life of one of the greatest presidents of the US. 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 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, and
the result is not 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.
It stars the extraordinarily talented Benjamin Walker as
Lincoln. His performance in the acclaimed off-Broadway and Broadway productions
of the rock musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson was a stage sensation
which seemed to prove the proposition that the American public chooses their
presidents the way they choose their rock stars: on sexiness. Here he brings
immense presence to the role of Lincoln.
I find it an extremely irritating, exasperating film, because
at heart it is so ridiculous. “My name is Abraham. Abraham Lincoln.” “My name is
Mary Todd.” “My name is Stephen A. Douglas!” (Laughter in the audience.) But
instead of poking fun at itself, it takes itself seriously, and shows us some
truly exceptional filmmaking, undercut by the ridiculousness of its premise.
It’s marvelous in establishing time and place with historical accuracy and a
sense of wonder (New Orleans, Gettysburg). There are near-epic battlefield
scenes. People are engaged in earth-shattering true-life subjects: the Civil
War, fights for and against slavery, the terrible wastefulness of war. There are
beautifully atmospheric sets and authentic costumes, and action pieces of
tremendous excitement. All undercut by the intrusion of vampires into the mix,
trivializing all the great themes, making a mockery of burning issues in the
history of the United States, and ultimately dishonoring the dead who fought for
their beliefs.
The Amazing Spider-Man: US, Action/ Adventure/ Fantasy/
Thriller – 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 being too dark, I can only assume that 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. He’s 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. Generally highly favorable reviews. In
3D (English) and 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach and Major; 2D (Thai-dubbed) at
Big C.
What to Expect When You’re Expecting: US, Comedy/ Drama/
Romance – Apparently 93 percent of all expectant mothers who read a pregnancy
guide read What to Expect When You’re Expecting, the
extraordinarily popular book on which this film is based. It stars an ensemble
cast of Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Anna Kendrick, Dennis
Quaid, and Chris Rock. The film also features many celebrity cameos. The story
follows five Atlanta couples who “suffer the many joys” of the childbirth
process. Mixed or average reviews, saying that it’s a cheerful comedy of warm
reassurance, with just enough dark moments to create the illusion it’s really
about something – and some of it is even pretty funny. It’s in 2D (English),
showing only at Pattaya Beach.
The Dark Knight Rises: US/ UK, Action/ Adventure/ Crime/
Thriller – A much anticipated film, directed again by Christopher Nolan, with
Christian Bale, Gary Oldman, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Caine, Anne Hathaway,
and Morgan Freeman. Christopher Nolan co-wrote the screenplay with his brother
Jonathan Nolan and the story with David S. Goyer. It’s the third installment in
Nolan’s Batman film series, and is intended to be the conclusion of the series.
It was shot in 2D, with over an hour scheduled to be shot in IMAX format for
added detail. Eight years after the events of The Dark Knight, the
terrorist leader Bane arrives in Gotham City, pushing it and its police force to
their limits, forcing its former hero Batman to resurface after taking the fall
for Harvey Dent’s crimes. 2D (English) except Thai-dubbed at Big C.
Magic Mike: US, Comedy/ Drama – Really more of a
chick-flick rather than anything else, despite what you might think. 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: 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. A 2D film,
showing only at Pattaya Beach.
Ice Age 4: Continental Drift: US, Animation/ Adventure/
Comedy/ Family – One of filmdom’s most beloved trios – Manny the mammoth, Sid
the sloth, and Diego the sabre-toothed cat – 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.
Mixed or average reviews, saying that the visually inventive
film has moments of charm and witty slapstick, and the 3D looks terrific. In 3D
(English) at Pattaya Beach; 2D (English) at Major; both Digital 2D (English) and
Digital 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C. Very good family fare..
Snow White and the Huntsman: US, Action/ Comedy/ Sci-Fi –
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. One of the most exciting and
satisfying films I’ve seen in some time. Mixed or average reviews, but I
recommend it highly. Now in regular 2D only, in English, only at Major (as of
last Wednesday).
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 2D (English) and only at
Pattaya Beach – as of Wednesday.
Wong Jorn Pid / Heaven and Hell: Thai, Horror/ Thriller –
An omnibus horror movie comprising three supernatural stories, all involving
footage “found” in three security cameras: one in a broken-down elevator, one in
a convenience store, and one in a creepy old house. Rated 18+. Thai-only at
Pattaya Beach and Major; English subtitles at Big C.
