WEEKEND PIC - Oct 24 - 26, 2008

Your Guide To The Weekend Movies

NEW THIS WEEK:

1. TROPIC THUNDER (comedy with Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and Nick Nolte) Rating * * * 1/2 (out of 4): This spoof on Hollywood actors and mega-dollar productions is both funny and inspired. And just watch how Downey Jr steals the show...

2. HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR (with Zac Efron, Vanessa Hutchens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu) Rating: * * * (3 stars): Fans of this pop culture musical series will not be disappointed with this sequel that comes with an extra topping of everything, including the cheesiness. But hey, it's good clead family fun, okay?

3. BANGKOK DANGEROUS (crime thriller with Nicolas Cage, Shahkrit Yamnarm, Charlie Young and Nirattisai Kaljareuk) Rated * * (2 stars): In trying to adapt their script for Holywood, the Pang Brothers have discarded the most interesting aspect of their original movie - its relentlessly seamy side. Here, only darkness prevails. (Reviewed below).

4. MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL (romantic comedy with Kate Hudson, Dan Cook, Alec Baldwin and Lizzy Caplan) Rated * * (2 stars): Dan Cook did not do so well in 'Good Luck Chuck' and and here he proves that he may be the rabble-rousing comedian but not the rom-com hero. In short, he's okay as an asshole but not the hero. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

5. MAX PAYNE (crime thriller with Mark Wahlberg, Mila Kunis, Beau Bridges, Ludacris, Chris O'Donnell, Amaury Nolasco, and Olga Kurylenko) Rated * * 1/2 (out of 4): It's brooding, dark and wet; it is technically well done and has the requisite action and distractions - but this videogame-adaptation lacks heart and audience involvement. (Reviewed below)

6. FURY aka MANGKORN SAU (Thai action thriller with Som Amara and Jija Yanin) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Like the 'Ong Bak' series, this one is another fast-paced, no-holds-barred fight flick that does not use stunt doubles. Just overlook the plot and enjoy the stunts.

7. EAGLE EYE (Action thriller with Shia LeBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson, Billy Bob Thornton and Michael Chiklis) Rated * * (2 stars): If you can tolerate lots of ridiculous high-tech suspense and a lousy pay- off at the end, then this is the flick for you. (Reviewed below)

8. THE HOUSE BUNNY (comedy with Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, Rumer Willis, Katharine McPhee and Hugh Hefner) Rated * * (2 out of 4 stars): Faris, the star of 'Scary Movie' moves on to another dumb movie that graduates from juvenile to infantile as it goes along. (Reviewed below)