Now playing in Pattaya
Resident Evil 5: Retribution: Germany/ Canada, Action/ Horror/ Sci-Fi/
Thriller – The Resident Evil series always does well internationally;
Resident Evil 4 was the fifth most popular film in Thailand in 2010. By all
indications, this will do similar business. From all I can see, without actually
seeing it, which I am in no hurry to do, the settings are superb, and the
visuals in general at the cutting edge of filmmaking. Other than that, it’s
basically just action, with a minimum of story and character. If you enjoyed the
previous films, especially Resident Evil 4, you should enjoy this, and
the next one yet to come, as they are simply more of the same. Only with
ever-better graphics.
I can do no better than quote a professed fan: “The Resident Evil movies
are made for a very specific fan base; yes, fans know these movies are silly and
empty-headed, but we don’t care. Sure, I love my thought-provoking and visceral
horror movies just as much as the next person, but there’s also something to be
said for going to the movies for 90 minutes and getting lost in the spectacle
and badass action sequences that these films are known for. Oh, and don’t forget
the zombies. Lots and lots and lots of zombies.”
So there you have it. Purely up to you. Umbrella Corporation’s deadly T-virus
continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions
of the flesh-eating Undead. The human race’s last and only hope, Alice, played
again of course by Milla Jovovich, whose husband is the creator behind this
series, awakens in the heart of Umbrella’s most clandestine operations facility
and unveils more of her mysterious past. Rated R in the US for sequences of
strong violence throughout. Filmed in 3D, Imax, and 3D-Imax. Shown in 3D
(English) and 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach; 2D (English) at Major; 3D
(Thai-dubbed) and 2D (Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
Early reviews: Mixed or average. Another fan says: It’s a Resident Evil
movie. I’ve watched them all at least 4 times and I wasn’t aware they were even
supposed to have a story – I mean, beyond “Hot girl kills monsters. Also,
explosions.”
Savages: (Scheduled) US, Crime/ Drama/ Thriller – I found this a
most unpleasant experience. Two pot growers face off against the Mexican drug
cartel that kidnapped their shared girlfriend. When the merciless head of the
Mexican Baja Cartel, and her enforcer, underestimate the unbreakable bond of the
three friends, they wage a seemingly unwinnable war against the cartel, thus
starting a series of increasingly vicious ploys and maneuvers in a high stakes,
savage battle of wills.
Directed by Oliver Stone and starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Taylor Kitsch, and
Blake Lively. I think it’s well-done, and some of the directing and acting quite
excellent, but it’s a vicious, bloody story told gleefully like an adolescent
out to shock. Rated R in the US for strong brutal and grisly violence, some
graphic sexuality, nudity, drug use, and language throughout. Generally
favorable reviews.
9-9-81: Thai, Horror/ Mystery – A bride-to-be jumps to her death after
she learns her fiancé has died. But he hasn’t. What really happened? In a bit of
a twist on the horror-anthology format, the points of view of the groom, the
best friend and others who were acquainted or close to the couple are recounted
in nine short segments of nine minutes each, by nine different directors. For a
total of 81 minutes! That at least explains the title. A 2D film, in Thai only,
at Pattaya Beach and Big C only.
Chapter of Jan Dara: Thai, Drama/ Erotic – Currently the most popular
film in Thailand. Based on the most controversial novel in all of Thai
literature (written in 1966), Jan Dara tells the story of a young man who moves
into adulthood with terrible burdens thrown upon him in his youth. His mother
died while giving birth to him, causing his father to resent him deeply. By the
time he was 13, he was kicked out of his house, accused of a rape he did not
commit. Years later Jan Dara returns home bent on seeking revenge against his
father. But although he has always hated his father’s riotous ways, hateful
demeanor, and his treatment of women – he has memories of his father in
compromising positions with his nanny – it seems he might be destined to repeat
the past in order to conquer it.
The film unfolds as he fights his demons amidst an environment of obsession, and
comes to grips with three women in his life, each exerting control over him in
their own unique ways. This is just the first film in a planned two-part
franchise. Rated 18+ in Thailand. A 2D film, with English subtitles at Pattaya
Beach and Major, Thai only at Big C.
Ted: US, Comedy/ Fantasy – This is truly a lot of fun, and I surprised
myself by enjoying it immensely. It’s co-written, produced, and directed by Seth
MacFarlane, who stars in it along with Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis.
The story: John Bennett was a lonely child, who dearly wished for his new
Christmas gift, a large teddy bear he names Teddy, to come to life to be his
friend. The wish succeeds with a falling star and Ted became a fully mobile
sentient being. John’s parents got over the shock, word of the miracle spread,
and Ted was briefly a celebrity. Now an adult, John has a problem with the bear:
he refuses to leave his side. Very funny, and Mark Wahlberg, who plays this
nonsense straight and with utter conviction, is a hoot!
Rated R in the US for crude and sexual content, pervasive language, and some
drug use. Generally favorable reviews. In 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach and
Major; not playing at Big C. Warning: It’s utter raunch, so don’t bring the
kiddies, however much they might want to see a talking teddy bear.
The Possession: US, Horror/ Thriller – Eerily enjoyable pulp – stylish
and truly spooky. A young girl buys an antique box at a yard sale, unaware that
inside the collectible lives a malicious ancient spirit. The catch here is that
the possession and the exorcism are not in the usual Christian framework, but a
Jewish, and the “devil” is a “dybbuk.”
Mixed or average reviews, saying that it’s full of ghost-movie clichés, but is
inspired by some degree of religious scholarship, and manages to create
believable characters in a real world. In 2D (English), except Thai-dubbed at
Big C.
The Bourne Legacy: US, Action/ Adventure/ Thriller – The plot was
generally incomprehensible to me, but there were a couple of outstanding scenes
and chases. This is a continuation of the Bourne stories focusing this
time on Jeremy Renner as an agent in yet another CIA black ops program that the
dirty powers-that-be decide to terminate, killing all involved. It’s directed by
Tony Gilroy, the screenwriter for the previous films. I found Renner and his
co-star Rachel Weisz to have a nice chemistry between them.
Generally favorable reviews, saying that it isn’t quite as compelling as the
earlier trilogy, but nevertheless proves the franchise has stories left to tell
- and benefits from Jeremy Renner’s magnetic work in the starring role. In 2D
(English) at Pattaya Beach and Major (as of Wednesday).
The Expendables 2: US, Action/ Thriller – I enjoyed most of this, and if
you like this sort of imaginative mayhem, you will too. Stars Bruce Willis,
Jason Statham, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Jet Li, and Sylvester Stallone; directed
by Simon West.
Mixed or average reviews, saying in general that it’s a fun roundup of action
stars who simultaneously celebrate and send up their former glories. I say it’s
redundant, bombastic, and cheekily self-aware. Rated R in the US for strong
bloody violence throughout. In 2D (English) at Pattaya Beach and Major, 2D
(Thai-dubbed) at Big C.
