WEEKEND PIC July 18 - 20 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

1. THE DARK KNIGHT (fantasy sequel with Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Morgan Freeman) Rated * * * 1/2 (out of 4): A fantastic and realistic grown-up version of the comic book world of 'Batman'. And a good part of the credit goes to the late Heath Ledger who fleshes out the Joker so well that he really gives us the creeps. Yep, the Joker is the Ace here! (Reviewed below)

2. HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY (fantasy thriller with Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones and Luke Goss) Rated: * * * (out of 4): If anything, director Guillermo Del Toro is consistent. This sequel provides a nice balance of action, humour, romance and fantasy the likes of which we saw in 'Pan's Labyrinth'. You may want to quibble with the ending though.

3. HANCOCK (fantasy drama with Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman and Eddie Marsan) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): Nice actioner about a 'superhobo' with bad attitude but the film veers into a weird 'origin' story in the second half and throws a spanner into the works. (Reviewed below)

4. WANTED (action thriller with James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Mind-boggling stunts accompanied by a mindless plot. Of course, with Jolie and McAvoy, this one is a surefire hit at least for this weekend. (Reviewed below)

5. JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (fantasy adventure with Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem) Rating * * (2 stars): With its 3D technology, it comes out like a theme park ride without a compelling story that gets us involved. More of a kiddie treat.

6. WAR OF THE DRAGONS (fantasy thriller with Jason Behr, Amanda Brooks and Robert Forster) Rating * * (2 stars): This fantasy mix of Korean and Western folklore is another kiddie stuff with a hodge-potch of everything and nothing.
PS: Sorry, I had not been able to catch 'Red Cliff Pt 1'. I have been busy with a project. Will try to watch it next week.