WEEKEND PIC (Aug 4-6 2006)

(A guide to help you plan your cinema-going)

1. JASMINE WOMEN (Mandarin drama with Zhang Ziyi, Joan Chen and Jiang Wen) Rated * * * (out of 4): This movie, about how the women of three generations of a family cope with men and tragedy, is both rivetting and stylish. Zhang and Chen are at their best in multiple roles.

2. A MOMENT TO REMEMBER (Korean tear-jerker with Woo-sung Jung, Ye-jin Son and, Jong-hak Baek) Rated * * * (3 stars): They meet when she is on the rebound but just when everything is going well, she is diagnosed with a brain disease that threatens to wipe out her memory. Manipulative but engaging love story.

3. DRAGON TIGER GATE (Cantonese kungfu actioner with Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse and Shawn Yue) Rated * * ½ (2.5 stars): If it is stylish kungfu you are looking for, this should fit the bill as its plot is just a hastily-concocted peg for the eye-boggling action choreographed by Yen.

4. LADY IN THE WATER (A Shyamalan thriller with Paul Giamatti and Bryce Dallas Howard) Rated * * (2 stars): This is strictly for Shyamalan fans as the bedtime story, upon which the movie is based, is so full of plot holes that it leaks and throws all of us into the water!

5. THE BREAK-UP (anti-romntic comedy with Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn) Rated: * * (2 stars): If you get a kick out of seeing a couple squabble, or having a glimpse of Aniston’s butt, then you may find this effort worthwhile. If not, just stay with Friends.