Weekend Pic Feb 9 - 11

A Weekly Guide for Your Weekend Viewing:

1. BABEL (drama with Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett and Rinko Kikuchi) Rated: * * * 1/2 (out of 4): Like the Oscar-winning "Crash", here's another social critique on Man's inability to communicate despite technological advances and the Internet. There are four 'stories' here, each connected to a single careless incident in Morocco.

2. THE LAST KISS (comedy with Zach Braff, Jacinda Barrett and Rachel Bilson) Rated: * * * (3 stars): Adapted from an Italian film, this romantic comedy is about a bunch of yuppies facing mid-life crises at turning 30. With interesting takes on contemporary social and marital woes.

3. STRANGER THAN FICTION (romantic comedy with Will Farrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dustin Hoffman) Rated * * * (3 stars): Classy, controlled acting by Farrell and Gyllenhaal make this fantasy comedy a delight to watch. Plus we get some gems by Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

4. THE HOLIDAY (romantic comedy with Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Jack Black) Rated * * * (3 stars): This plot, about two 'losers-in-love' exchanging homes across the Atlantic for the Christmas holidays, has some great moments. But director Nancy Meyers drags it to the edge of boredom.

5. THE TIN MINE (Thai drama with Pitchaya Watchajittaphan and Nirun Zhuttar) Rated: * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Coming-of-age movie about a varsity dropout working at a tin mine. A refreshing change from the Thai horror thrillers.