WEEKEND PIC - Nov 13 - 15, 2009

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) 2012 (Disaster thriller with John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Thandie Newton, Woody Harrelson, Danny Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Oliver Platt and Chin Han) Rated * * * (3 out of 4 stars): Another apocalypse-type movie by demolition guru Roland Emmerich but this time around, he seems to have gotten many things right with this cinematic thrill ride. Edge of the seat CGI action. (Reviewed below)

b) THE BOX (suspense thriller with Cameron Diaz, James Marsden, Frank Langella, Basil Hoffman, Gillian Jacobs, James Rebhorn, Michele Durrett) Rated * * (2 stars): This adaptation from a short story is a long winded affair that is more of an irritant than entertainment. It keeps us in suspense all right but the pay-off is disappointing. (Review pending)

STILL GOING STRONG

1. THIS IS IT! (Michael Jackson's concert rehearsals & clips) Rated * * * 1/2 (3.5 stars): This is one of the best pop musical concerts I have seen in a long time and wow, what a show. If these were just rehearsals, I can't imagine what the real thing would be like! Makes me wanna see it again. A must for all music lovers. (Reviewed below)

2. THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE (sci-fi rom-com with Eric Bana, Rachel McAdams, Jane McLean, Ron Livingston and Stephen Tobolowsky) Rated * * * (3 stars): A sentimental and intriguing look at a love story that transcends time. Somewhat like the Curious Case of Benjamin Buttons. (Reviewed below)

3. THE FOURTH KIND (horror thriller with Milla Jovovich, Elias Koteas, Will Patton, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Corey Johnson, Enzo Cilenti, Daphne Alexander and Alisha Seaton) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): This mock documentary about alien kidnappings tries to lull the viewer into thinking that it is based on real footage and events. There are a few scares - before we realise it's all a cheap thrill.

4. RAGING PHOENIX (Thai martial arts flick with Jija Yanin, Kazu Patrick Tang, Nui Sandang and Sompong Lertwimonkasem) Rating * * 1/2 (2.5 out of 4 stars): This female Ong Bak actioner with a touch of Drunken Master and 'capoeira' has superb stunts and fight choreography but a silly, laughable story. Action fans will lap it up, though, and that's all it aims for.

5. PHOBIA 2 (Thai horror anthology with Jirayu Laongmanee, Worrawech Danuwong, Chalee Trairat, Nicole Terio and Masha Wattanapanich) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): The directors who gave us Phobia are back with another bunch of 'scary' tales. They don't start off well but end up nicely with a funny horror-comedy. (Reviewed below)

6. NINJA (action thriller with Scott Atkins, Tsuyoshi Ihara, Todd Jensen and Miles Anderson) Rating * * (2 stars): A B-grade effort about an American ninja student trying to protect a cache of weapons. Lots of stunts but lacks sense.

7. JENNIFER'S BODY (horror comedy with Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons, Adam Brody, J.K. Simmons, Amy Sedaris and Chris Pratt) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 star): It's actually Megan Fox's luscious body that the title refers to here - plus a bit of Seyfried's. Those are the main attractions and not the silly story about how a 'college-evil' girl turns into real man-eating evil. (Reviewed below)