WEEKEND PIC: April 4 - 6 2008

Your Guide to the Weekend Viewing

1. THREE KINGDOMS: Resurrection Of The Dragon (war epic with Andy Lau, Maggie Q, Sammo Hung and Vanness Wu) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): Another disappointment by director Daniel Lee who spent so much effort and money to make an 'epic' that is so devoid of emotion and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

2. DEATH SENTENCE (action thriller with Kevin Bacon (pic), Garrett Hedlund, Kelly Preston, Jordan Garrett and Aisha Tyler) Rating * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Highly derivative revenge movie (a'la 'Death Wish') from James Wan the guy who did the "Saw" flicks. Looks like a mish-mash actioner with conflicting tones and touches.

3. THE WATER HORSE (fantasy adventure with Alex Etel, Ben Chaplin, Emily Watson and Brian Cox) Rated * * * (out of 4): This 'Free Willy'-type tale about the 'origin' of Loch Ness monster Nessie should delight kids under 10. For the older folks, it is still a passable flick for the family. (Reviewed below)
4. GONE BABY GONE (mystery thriller with Casey Affleck, Amy Ryan, Morgan Freeman dna Ed Harris) Rated * * * 1/2 (3.5 stars): A mentally and emotionally provoking movie by first-time director Ben Affleck. The missing girl tale will grab us and take us through a rollercoaster ride of intensed emotions. (Reviewed below).

5. SPIDERWICK CHRONICLES (fantasy thriller with Freddie Highmore (right), Sarah Bolger, Mary-Louise Parker and David Strathairn) Rating * * * (3 stars): Just like the Chronicles of Narnia, this one takes us to the fantasy realm of goblins, hobgoblins, trolls, and an ogre. More 'meaty' than "The Golden Compass" although not as stylish. (Reviewed below)

6. AWAKE (drama with Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Lena Olin and Christopher McDonald) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This tale about being awake while under the knife offers nightmarish terror but it soon deviates into Hitchcock territory with its twist about a conspiracy. (Reviewed below)

7. BE KIND REWIND (comedy with Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow, Melonie Diaz) Rating * * 1/2: This comedy about some video store guys reshooting their own version of blockbuster movies is rather funny. However, its appeal is limited to movie fans and those who can stand Jack Black's schtick.

8. 27 DRESSES (romantic comedy with Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Edward Burns and Malin Akerman) Rating * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): A very predictable romantic comedy about a 'serial bridesmaid' (Heigl) who finally realises her loved one only to lose him to her sister. Good show by Heigl too.