NATCHA ON FILM — In case you have no New Year plans, what better way to celebrate alone than go to the cinema and indulge in a good movie. Released this week is “Snap,” a romance about a couple with a history from high school. If you didn’t get enough of Christmas last week, “Barcelona Christmas Night” tells six different love stories that occur during the holiday season. “Daddy’s Home” will appeal to comedy lovers as two dads fight over the affection of their children. “About Ray” is also an intriguing movie out this week that showcases the struggles of a transgender teen in his fight for acceptance.
Snap
Is it just me or does every Thai romance film revolve around a love triangle of some sort?
“Snap” tells the story of a group of friends who went to high school together and are now moving on with their lives. One of them, Peung finds out her close friend is getting married and decides to hold part of the wedding ceremony at their old high school. Also attending the wedding is an old friend named Boy, a guy Peung has history with, who happens to be the wedding photographer. The atmosphere of being at their old high school brings back good memories for the two but there’s a problem – Peung already has a boyfriend.
From watching the trailer, the film seems to be well shot and looks like it could be watchable.
Phantai Norasing
If you go and watch this movie not understanding Thai, well tough luck, because it’s unlikely that there will be English subtitles. But it’s okay – you aren’t missing out on much.
“Phantai Norasing” is an adaptation of a story recorded in the Thai chronicle about 300 years ago during the reign of Sanphet the 8th, also known as the “Tiger King.” In the famous story, corrupt bureaucrats go against the king by collecting fees from citizens and forcing women to become their mistresses. A commoner named Sing rebels against the higher power and is part of a movement to rescue the women. One day, King Tiger, who has no clue about the corruption and is curious about his citizens, disguises himself as a commoner and meets Sing, where they bond after a Muay Thai match. King Tiger then learns of the corruption and summons Sing to work in the palace. Sing becomes the king’s boat captain and is given the title “Phantai Norasing.”
The film looks really boring to me because learning about history was over for me after high school.
Barcelona Christmas Night
Didn’t have enough of Christmas last week? Well here’s another film celebrating Christmas – Barcelona style.
“Barcelona Christmas Night” tells six different stories that play out during the holiday season in Barcelona, all celebrating the most universal emotion – love. The film unites all stories, resulting in a romance movie just in time for the holiday season.
The film is entirely in Spanish so you’d have to watch it with English subtitles but besides that it looks solid.
Daddy’s Home
The trailer pretty much explains the whole film and it’ll inevitably have some happy ending.
“Daddy’s Home” is about a mild-mannered man who strives to be the best step-dad of two children after recently marrying a divorced woman. Complications ensue when the freeloading dad of the two children comes to visit and the two dads have to compete against each other in order to win the children’s love and affection.
This comedy film features both Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg, both big names in comedy, but is let down by the fact that the jokes seemed to be recycled.
About Ray
I’m glad we’re finally seeing movies about transgender people as it shows that Hollywood is starting to progress and become more accepting of different genders.
“About Ray” is about a teenaged girl named Ray who knows she is a boy stuck in a girl’s body. She has the realization that she doesn’t want to be a girl anymore and decides to make the transition. Her single mother, Maggie, must track down her father in order to give consent for the operation which results in complications since the father isn’t ready to let go of his daughter. Things get even more difficult when Ray’s grandmother can’t accept the fact that she is going to have a grandson. As a result, they must confront each other’s identities and learn to embrace the change in the family and ultimately accept reality.
The Peanuts Movie
Today’s teenagers have probably never heard of Peanuts, or even know that Snoopy and Charlie Brown were originally part of the show.
“The Peanuts Movie” brings together Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Lucy, and the rest of the original Peanuts gang for their big screen debut. Charlie Brown and Snoopy are on a quest to pursue their arch nemesis, the Red Baron, in order to win the love of Charlie’s life.
The film revitalizes the series as the 3-D animation gives it a fresh new look for old Peanuts fans.
