WEEKEND PIC - Dec 10 - 12, 2010

YOUR GUIDE TO THE WEEKEND MOVIES

NEW THIS WEEK

a) MY SOUL TO TAKE - (horror thriller with Max Thieriot, Nick Lashaway, Denzel Whitaker, Jessica Hecht, Frank Grillo, Zena Grey, Dennis Boutsikaris, Emily Meade, Shareeka Epps and Danai Gurira) Rated * 1/2 (1.5 stars): It is rather hard to believe that this trash of a thriller is the brainchild of Wes Craven, the guy who gave us Scream and A Nightmare On Elm Street. Here, it looks like he is doing a rehash of his own films, minus the scary parts. There ain't no soul to take, dudes. (Reviewed below)

STILL GOING STRONG

1. SOCIAL NETWORK (biographical drama with Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Brenda Song, Joseph Mazzello, Rooney Mara, Max Minghella, Trevor Wright and Dakota Johnson) Rated * * * 1/2 (3.5 stars): This 'talk-of-the-town movie about the founding of Facebook is not only a critic's favourite but is also touted to clinch a few Oscar nominations. Directed by David Fincher, it has great dialogue, wit and commendable acting. (Reviewed below)

2. 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)

3. RAPUNZEL: A TANGED TALE 3D (animated fantasy with voices of Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman, Jeffrey Tambor, M.C. Gainey, Brad Garrett and Paul F. Tompkins) Rated * * * (3 stars): This revisionist version of the Grimm Brothers' fairy tale comes with songs and dances and should be a delightful treat for the family during the school holidays. It comes with the usual Disney-type gutsy characters - plus some thought-provoking messages for parents. (Reviewed below)

4. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (fantasy adventure with Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Will Poulter, William Moseley and Anna Popplewell) Rated * * * (3 stars): Not all the Pevensie siblings are back for this Narnia sea adventure in this third instalment involving Edmund and Lucy. However, their cousin, Eustace Scrubb (Poulter) 'accidentally' comes along for the trip - and provides most of the laughs and comic relief. Under Michael Apted's direction, the pace is more compact and faster in providing C.S. Lewis' magical monsters and wonders. (Reviewed below)

5. THE NEXT THREE DAYS (drama with Russell Crowe, Elizabeth Banks, Olivia Wilde, Jonathan Tucker, Brian Dennehy, Liam Neeson, Lennie James, Jason Beghe and Moran Atias) Rated * * * (3 stars): An Americanised remake of the 2008 French film Pour Elle, this one has Crowe back in his element as a desperate husband whose faith in his wife makes him go against the incredible odds. At two hours, it can be a bit plodding for the average action fan but the pay-off is worth it. (Reviewed below)

6. DUE DATE (comedy with Robert Downey Jr., Zach Galifianakis, Julliette Lewis, Michelle Monaghan and Jamie Foxx) Rated * * 1/2 (2.5 stars): With Galifianakis (of The Hangover fame) playing the annoying jerk who forces Downey Jr's character to go with him on a road trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles, Due Date is more irritating than funny. Thank goodness for the pet dog who provides the movie's heartiest laughs. (Reviewed below)

7. THE WARRIOR'S WAY (fantasy spoof with Kate Bosworth, Jang Dong-gun, Geoffrey Rush, Danny Huston, Birol Tarkan Yildiz, Tony Cox, David Austin, Matt Gillanders and Nic Sampson) Rated * * (2 stars): This is what we get when some mad film-maker mixes the spaghetti western with the Samurai flick - and throw in a bit of Three Men And A Baby. Most of the scenes seems to have been shot on a green screen (to accommodate faux landscapes) - and the story is not only ridiculous but sometimes downright idiotic. Still, Kate Bosworth helps to make the film tolerable. (Reviewed below)