WEEKEND PIC - Nov 19-21, 2010

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK

a) HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS Pt 1 (fantasy adventure with Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Ralph Fiennes, Bill Nighy, John Hurt, Rhys Ifans, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane and Imelda Staunton) Rated * * * (3 stars): This is a rather long build-up to the climax of the HP franchise and non-Potter fans may find it a bit like Sleepy Hollows. It follows the book closely and despite its dreary and draggy ambience, it has some interesting moments even for Muggles. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG:

1. UNSTOPPABLE (action thriller with Denzel Washington, Chris Pine, Rosario Dawson, Ethan Suplee and Kevin Dunn) Rated * * * (3 stars): After The Taking of Pelham 123, director Tony Scott and Washington are back on track in this tensed actioner about a runaway train. Based on a real-life event in Ohio in 2001, the film has most of Scott's trademarks like fast-paced action, character build-up and realistic edge-of-the-seat visuals. (Reviewed below)

2. MEGAMIND (animated comedy with Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Tina Fey, Jonah Hill and David Cross) Rated * * * (3 stars): It is not the epic family adventure that was The Incredibles, nor is it as hilarious as Madagascar but it is close to Despicable Me in content. This 'study' on the mind of a megavillain is however passable for an entertaining weekend family outing. At least there is 'chemistry' between Ferrell's Megamind and Tina Fey's TV broadcaster Roxanne which provides a weird attraction between them. (Reviewed below)

3. LET ME IN (horror fantasy with Kodi Smit-McPhee, Chloe Moretz, Richard Jenkins, Cara Buono, Sasha Barrese and Elias Koteas) Rating * * * (3 stars): This English-language remake of the 2008 Swedish film, Let the Right One In, by Cloverfield's Matt Reeves is a vampire thriller involving a 12-year-old boy (Smit-McPhee) and a 'young' girl from the next-door apartment. It covers many pre-teen issues like bullying and parental problems and is more scary than Twilight. Well, at least the blood-feeders do not shimmer in the light!

4. CRAYON (local indie drama with Hon Kahoe, Ariff Faisal Abdullah, Adibah Noor and Joshry Adamme) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): Like its title, this indie drama about two student volunteers at a Malaysian orphanage is 'rough at the edges' but has its heart in the right place. Even if the performances by its young cast may be amateurish, it is generously spiced with humour - courtesy of veteran comedian Adibah Noor. Check out the review here

5. SKYLINE (sci-fi thriller with Donald Faison, Eric Balfour, David Zayas, Scottie Thompson, Brittany Daniel, Crystal Reed, Neil Hopkins, J. Paul Boehmer, Tanya Newbould and Pam Levin) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 stars): From the trailer and online buzz, many people are going to be attracted to this film by its 'cool' images of alien warships and monsters. That's is about all that Skyline has to offer because everything else, from its dialogue, acting to its plot, sucks. (Reviewed below)