WEEKEND PIC Aug 17 - 19

Your Guide To The Weekend Viewing:

1. RATATOUILLE (animated comedy with voices of Brad Garrett, Patton Oswalt and John Ratzenberger) Rated * * * (out of 4): A lip-smacking comedy about a rat who wants to be a chef in the city of Paris. Great animation and an engaging story are a plus to this effort by Brad Bird of "The Incredibles".

2. HULA GIRLS (Japanese drama with Yasuko Matsuyuki, Etsushi Toyokawa, Yu Aoi, Shizuyo Yamazaki) Rated: * * * 1/2 (out of 4): This is somewhat like "The Full Monty" in grass skirts. It is about how a declining coal-mining town in Japan (circa 1965) tries to reinvent itself by having a Hawaiian dance troupe. Great performances all round. (Only at Cathay PictureHouse)

3. EVAN ALMIGHTY (comedy sequel with Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham and John Goodman) Rating: * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This story about a guy manipulated by God to build an Ark is not very funny. It even borders on the ridiculous but the message about faith can be inspiring.

4. RUSH HOUR 3 (comedy with Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker and Max von Sydow) Rated * * (2 stars): This third outing is lacklustre with the fast-talking Tucker becoming more of a nuisance than comic relief. The franchise seems stuck in a deja vu jam.

5. CONTRACT LOVER (romantic comedy with Richie Jen, Fan Bingbing and Yuen Wah) Rated * * (2 stars): A formulaic outing that is neither romantic nor funny. The story, about a guy hiring a gal to pose as his fiancee to his conservative parents, is so predictable that it is cliched. (Reviewed below)

6. SUSTER NGESOT (Indon horror with Nia Ramadhani, Mike Lewis, Donita and Lia Waode) Rating * 1/2 (1.5 stars): The plot smacks of the Japanese "Ringu" and "Death Note" combined and there's only loud noises and creaking doors to try and jolt us. (Reviewed below)

7. PERFECT STRANGER (murder thriller with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis) Rating: * * (2 stars): Here is one perfect build-up to a huge letdown. The desperate need for a surprise twist turns this movie into a bomb despite its able cast. (Sneak previews)