WEEKEND PIC - Dec 11 - 13, 2009

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK:

a) ZOMBIELAND (horror-comedy with Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin and Bill Murray) Rated * * * (3 stars out of 4): This 'Thriller'-like comedy is funny and engaging with some bizarre touches and a few jolts. We can't help but like Harrelson who seems to be having a whacking fun time in this movie. (Reviewed below)

b) STORM WARRIORS (martial arts fantasy with Aaron Kwok, Charlene Choi, Ekin Cheng, Nicholas Tse, Simon Yam and Tang Yan) Rated * * * (3 stars): Like 2012, this Pang Brothers production is a CGI extravaganza for fans of the 1998 Storm Riders. The stunts and effects are impressive but they can also be confusing and draggy. (Reviewed below)


c) THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG (animated fantasy with Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Jenifer Lewis, Keith David and Oprah Winfrey) Rated * * * (3 stars): It's back to the old hand-drawn cartoons with this 'contemporary take' on the classic fairy-tale. We have to admit that this is what the folks at Disney do best.

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON (romance sequel with Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Ashley Greene, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed and Kellan Lutz) Rated * * (2 stars): A clear example of how hype and star-cult frenzy can transform a franchise from one of novelty to exploitation. Under the direction of Chris Weitz, New Moon is just skinflick for teen girls. (Reviewed below)

2. LOVE HAPPENS (comedy'drama with Jennifer Aniston, Aaron Eckhart, Anne Marie DeLuise, Martin Sheen, Sasha Alexander, Dan Fogler and Judy Greer) Rated * * (2 stars): Weak rom-com sans romance or comedy about a self-help guru and a quirky florist. Love doesn't really happen here but sh*t does. (Reviewed below)

3. COUPLES RETREAT (Comedy with Vince Vaughn, Jason Bateman, Jon Favreau, Faizon Love, Kristin Davis, Malin Akerman, Kristen Bell, Kali Hawk, and Jean Reno) Rated * * (2 stars): A vacation movie sans the fun and frolic, this is actually a predictable couples therapy flick involving four pairs on an idyllic tropical island run by a French marriage therapist. Notable for its bad acting especially from Reno and poor scripting. (Reviewed below)

4. NINJA ASSASSIN (actioner with Rain, Naomie Harris, Ben Miles, Rick Yune, Sho Kosugi, Guido Foehrweisser, Stephen Marcus, Randall Duk Kim and Sung Kang) Rated * * (2 stars): Typical no-brainer Ninja flick featuring pop singer Rain as its main attraction and gory slice-em-up violence as the highlights. The novelty fades soon enough after watching Rain act and tolerating Kosugi's inane lines. (Reviewed below)