WEEKEND PIC - July 31 - Aug 2, 2009

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) THE PROPOSAL (romantic comedy with Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson, Betty White, Denis O'Hare and Malin Akerman) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): A serviceable by-the-book rom-com that works on the strength of its cast, especially Bullock and Reynolds (pictured). Don't expect anything more, though. Reviewed below


b) THE GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST (romantic comedy with Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Michael Douglas, Breckin Meyer, Robert Forster and Anne Archer) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Again McConaughey seems to ride rough-shod over the script adapted from Charls Dickens 'A Christmas Carol' as the modern anti-romantic Scrooge. A charmless effort. Reviewed below

c) COWEB (martial arts drama with Jiang Lu Xia, Kane Kosugi, Mike Moller, Sam Lee and Siu Fai Cheung) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 star): Mindless and utterly amateurish, this one is not only a lame effort but also taxing on our intellect and patience. It features a newcomer heroine (Jiang) who just can't act. Reviewed below

STILL GOING STRONG:

1) HARRY POTTER & THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (fantasy adventure with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Jim Broadbent and Maggie Smith) Rated * * * (3 out of 4 stars): I wouldn't say this is the best HP instalment, but director David Yates does a serviceable job of it by dishing out delicious dollops of humour, awe, twists and surprises - and young love. Reviewed below

2. PUBLIC ENEMIES (crime drama with Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Stephen Dorff, Billy Crudup and Stephen Lang) Rated * * * (3 out of 4): An engaging and sometimes fascinating story of 1930s bank robber John Dillinger and his girlfriend Billie Frechette, topped with a fine performance by Cotillard. Reviewed below

3. THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 (hostage drama with Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro, Luis Guzman, Michael Rispoli and James Gandolfini) Rated * * * (3 out of 4 stars): An updated remake of the 1974 movie by Tony Scott, this one is a seat-gripper right from the start. Thanks to top class performances from Washington, Travolta and Gandolfini. Reviewed below

4. ICE AGE 3: DAWN OF THE DINOSAURS (animated adventure with voices of Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, Queen Latifah and Chris Wedge) Rated * * * (3 stars): More fun and laughter with Manny and the gang, and of course, Scratt the squirrel, in this sequel which also introduces the rascally weasel Buck and the dinosaurs. Again, a family treat. Reviewed below

5. OBSESSED (Psychological thriller with Idris Elba, Ali Larter, Beyoncé Knowles, Bruce McGill, Jerry O'Connell and Christine Lahti) Rated * * (2 stars): It looks like someone is trying to make another Fatal Attraction flick but it is such a lame attempt that it just plain sucks. Reviewed below

6. LAND OF THE LOST (comedy with Will Ferrell, Danny R. McBride, Anna Friel, Jorma Taccone, Raymond Ochoa, Pollyanna McIntosh and Logan Manus) Rated * * (2 stars): Another remake, this time from a 70s TV series. However, unlike Pelham, this misguided effort really gets lost in the land of Trite, Mediocrity and Ridicule. Reviewed below