All aboard the Hongvivatana express
After wrapping up their masters-degree film studies in London, twin-sister filmmakers Wanweaw and Weawwan Hongvivatana thought it would be a swell idea to take the train back to Thailand.
In “Wish Us Luck”, they document their colorfully languorous one-month adventure, which took them across Europe and Asia on the Trans-Siberian Railway. They then travelled down through Mongolia, China and Vietnam and jumped the tracks to make their way across Laos before finally boarding a train home to Bangkok.
With many reflective moments along the way, the proceedings sometimes take on precious airs that recall Wes Anderson's train movie, “The Darjeeling Limited”. Other times, it's a bit weird, like when they have to share a compartment with a creepy Russian guy. It's at House on RCA.
Also opening
l “Oz the Great and Powerful” – “Spider-Man” director Sam Raimi cheekily pulls back that curtain and urges you to pay attention to the man behind it. A prequel to the classic 1939 musical fantasy “The Wizard of Oz”, Hollywood’s second big tentpole release of the year stars James Franco as the man who would be “the wizard”. He’s a shyster travelling-carnival magician from Kansas who ends up somewhere over the rainbow and smack in the middle of a battle between good and bad witches. Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz and Michelle Williams also star, with Zach Braff among the voices for the animated characters. It’s in 3D in some cinemas, including Imax and Imax Digital.
l “The Grandmaster” – Wong Kar-wai spent a few weeks in Bangkok, working until the last minute at Oriental Post to cut the international version to his martial-arts epic for its premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival. Read more about it in the review at left.
l “21 and Over” – “Hangover” writers Jon Lucas and Scott Moore squeeze into the director's chair for this tale of debauchery about a straight-A student (Justin Chon) who is turning 21 and wants to cut party. However, he has an important medical-school interview the next morning and wants to have just one beer with his pals. If you’ve seen “The Hangover” movies, then you know that nothing will go as planned. Miles Teller and Skylar Astin also star.
l “Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away” – There’s two schools of thought when it comes to 3D – gimmicky thrills with stuff flying out at you or “immersive storytelling”. James Cameron goes the “immersive” route as he produces this offering from the famous acrobatic troupe that's known for its fantastic shows. Andrew Adamson (“Shrek”, “Narnia”) directs the family-friendly action, which has a story about star-crossed lovers who are separated and must journey through astonishing, dreamlike worlds to find each other. It’s in 3D at Paragon and SFW CentralWorld.
l “Panya Raenu 3: Roopoo Roopee” – Director Bin Bunluerit’s third outing involving the comic misadventures of Isaan schoolchildren has the little boy Panya, his chubby loudmouthed bully of a girlfriend Raenu and their pals lost in India.
