Now Showing Apr 28

Produced by Ray Harryhausen, the father of stop-motion special effects, the original ‘Clash of the Titans’ was released in 1981 and went on to become a landmark production that gave rise to new standards in filmmaking. The film is based on the classic ancient Greek tale of Perseus, the demigod son of Zeus, as he shuns his divine heritage and fights against unholy demons and fearsome creatures on a quest to save mankind.

This time around, and true to the original production, ‘Clash of the Titans’ has now been completely remade into a modern, action-packed fantasy-adventure that packs plenty of punch and employs the same revolutionary 3D technology that was used in Avatar and is currently taking Hollywood by storm.

The story is set in a time when the ancient Greek peoples’ faith in the gods is waning in proportion to their increasing arrogance and desires, and the drama begins when the actions of mankind eventually infuriate Zeus and invoke the wrath of Hades, god of the underworld. Born of Zeus and a human mother but raised as a man, Perseus becomes entangled in the story when his family is murdered at the hand of Hades. Our hero, however, being no ordinary man, is destined to do more than just stand by and watch as the gods seek to discipline mankind. With nothing left to lose he sets out on a quest to avenge the death of his family and defeat Hades.

Sam Worthington, who recently caught his big break starring as Jake Sully in Avatar, plays the intrepid Perseus – displaying an impressively buff physique for the part. In addition to big names such as Liam Neeson (Zeus) and Ralph Fiennes (Hades), the picture also includes various other well known actors and actresses, and a cast who perform well in their supporting roles.

The 3D battle scenes, which include creatures such as giant scorpions, Medusa, and the Kraken are intense. This is balanced, however, by the dramatic story that unfolds as Perseus tries to come to grips with being a demigod, and the camaraderie that the group develops during their quest. This should provide enough entertainment to satisfy even those who aren’t overly keen on the action scenes. Plus with a running time of only 106 minutes, there’s no need to worry about feeling bored halfway through.

Clash of the Titans

Japanese title: Taitan no tatakai
USA, 2010
Opened: Fri Apr 23
Director: Louis Leterrier
Cast: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Website: wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/clashofthetitans/

The Wolfman

A horror tale of the anguish experienced by a man who transforms into a killer werewolf every full moon. Starring Anthony Hopkins and Benicio Del Toro who play a cursed father and son.

Japanese title: Wolfman
USA, 2010
Opened: Fri Apr 23
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Benicio Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt
Distributor: Toho Towa
Website: wolfman-movie.jp/

Righteous Kill

A crime-thriller pairing Hollywood stars (and ‘Heat’ co-stars) Robert De Niro and Al Pacino together for the first time in 12 years.

Japanese title: Border
USA, 2008
Opened: Sat Apr 24
Director: Jon Avnet
Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino
Distributor: Nikkatsu
Website: www.heat-matsuri.com/

Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire

The story of an obese, pregnant, illiterate, 16-year old African-American girl named Claireece ‘Precious’ Jones, who, whilst enduring physical, sexual and mental abuse from her dysfunctional family, makes an effort to find herself and improve her life.

Japanese title: Precious
USA, 2009
Opened: Sat Apr 24
Director: Lee Daniels
Cast: Gabourey Sidibe, Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz
Distributor: Phantom Film
Website: www.precious-movie.net/

Tida-kankan: umi to sango to chiisana kiseki

An emotional film based on the true story of Okinawan Koji Kinjo – the first person to successfully transplant and spawn cultured coral reefs.

Japan, 2010
Opened: Sat Apr 24
Director: Toshio Lee
Cast: Takashi Okamura, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Jun Kunimura, Hisashi Yoshizawa, Masami Nagasawa, Atsuro Watabe, Mieko Harada
Distributor: Showgate
Website: tida.goo.ne.jp/
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Gintama: Shinyaku Benizakura-Hen

A long-awaited animated movie that retells a story from Gintama, an incredibly popular Japanese manga series about an eccentric samurai who lives in a world where aliens conquered Japan in the late Edo period. The comic has gone on to sell over 28 million separate publications since first appearing in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump comic anthology in 2003.

Japan, 2010
Opened: Sat Apr 24
Director: Hideaki Sorachi
Cast: Tomokazu Sugita, Daisuke Sakaguchi, Rie Kugimiya, Akira Ishida, Takehito Koyasu
Distributor: Warner Bros.
Website: wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/gintama/