Yuthlert ready with three-pack of hitman films

Having wrapped up his Buppah Rahtree ghost franchise for now, "Tom" Yuthlert Sippapak gets back to the hitman genre of his 2001 debut Killer Tattoo with a trilogy of hitman movies, Meu Puen 3 Pak (มือปืนตรัยภาค), which will be released by Phranakorn.

Yuthlert had four top actresses lined up at the press conference to promote the project, which is well under way.

Among them is Sirin "Cris" Horwang, riding high on awards-season buzz for last year's romantic comedy Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story. She previously worked with Yuthlert on the 2008 Nose Udom vehicle E-Tim Tay Nai, playing an Akkha woman.

Another actress is "May" Pichanart Sakakorn from The Victim, who starred in Yuthlert's 2004 crime comedy Sai Lor Fah (Pattaya Maniac).

There's also Ploy Jindachot from Phranakorn's giant snake thriller Deep in the Jungle and hard-working young actress "Saipan" Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, who will appear later this year in Phranakorn's snake horror The Intruder.

Can't have a Yuthlert joint without comedians, so there was the usual crew of funnymen at the press conference, including Udom Chuanchuan, Kotee Aramboy, Pattaya Maniac's "Nong" Choosak Iamsuk and Killer Tattoo star Thep Po-ngam.

The first part, Meu Puen Dao Prasook (มือปืน ดาวพระศุกร์, Venus Hitman), is being planned for release in May. Subsequent entries will be Meu Puen Dao Prasao (มือปืน ดาวพระเสาร์, Saturn Hitman) and Meu Puen Pra-athit (มือปืนพระอาทิตย์, Sun Hitman).

Each will have different themes, drama for the first, then romance and finally comedy.

Lyn's Lakorns has more from the press con.

Update: Posters!


(Via Lyn's Lakorn Blog, MThai.com)

Queens of Langkasuka hits Blu-ray in Taiwan

It's taken two years since Queens of Langkasuka (Puen Yai Jome Salad) hit cinemas in Thailand for a licensed and legal English-friendly version to come to home video.

Envisioned as a two-part big-budget epic but cut down to two hours by the studio, Nonzee Nimibutr's historical pirate fantasy still turned out to be good fun, with a great cast that includes Ananda Everingham, Dan Chupong, Sorapong Chatree and Jarunee Suksawat.

It's out on Blu-ray in Taiwan. YesAsia has it. It's a Region A disc, so U.K. folks are still out of luck. And there are no extra features listed. There's a DVD too.

Up to now, the only licensed home video release outside Thailand that I'm aware of was the Blu-ray and DVD in Germany, which had only German subtitles. There, it was released as Pirates of Langkasuka.

Of course, in the two years since it was in cinemas in Thailand, there's been plenty of time for folks to rip the Thai DVD, put it on the torrents and watch it with fansubs. There was even a DVD issued by a bootleg label.

(Thanks Logboy!)

EFM 2010: Ong-Bak 3 and Fireball Begins bring on the Thai action

Though Asian films are in the spotlight this year, the Berlinale has been quiet for Thai films. It's the accompanying European Film Market where the Thai action is.

Sahamongkol Film International is there with a big crew headed up by executive vice president Gilbert Lim. They are hawking Ong-Bak 3.

The Hollywood Reporter quotes him in their EFM Asian roundup:

Gilbert [L]im of Sahamongkol Film International, which is selling Ong Bak 3 here, confirmed that, despite the EFM's European label, Berlin's market for Asian cinema is booming.

"Each year has just been getting better for us," he said, without divulging sales figures.

I would hope that Sahamongkol is also pushing its upcoming thriller Who Are You?, with Sinjai Plengpanich.

Sahamongkol, also a big distributor of foreign films in Thailand, is there looking to buy as well.

Todd Brown of TwitchFilm.net makes the pilgrimage to EFM, and Twitch has full coverage. Todd's searching for spiritual enlightenment from the likes of Fireball director Thanakorn Pongsuwan, who has a show reel for Fireball Begins. No footage yet, just words:

He has cut together a promo reel for display to potential buyers. A mix of temp footage and more polished work that will likely be included in the final film, the reel showcases several new environments - the new fight arena is fantastic - improved camera work, and an evolution of the sport as it developed on US military bases in Thailand during the Vietnam War, moving from the traditional Thai sport of sepak takraw into the form it occupied in the first film.

Sounds good! If the camera holds steady and backs up just a little bit during the action scenes, I'll be ready for Fireball Begins.

Also braving the frigid temperatures of Berlin to participate in the European Film Market are Mei Meksuwan and Pimpaka Towira of Extra Virgin, producers of Uruphong Raksasad's Agrarian Utopia and Jakrawal Nilthamrong's Unreal Forest, which recently premiered in Rotterdam.

Thai distributor J-Bics is on the participants list as well.

(Via Wildgrounds, Twitch)

Review: My Valentine

• Directed by Songsak Mongkolthong, Pornchai "Mr. Pink" Hongrattanaporn, Seree Phongnithi
• Starring Mintada Wattanakul, Wasu Sangsingkaew, Krit Sriphoomset, Suwikrom Amaranan
• Released in Thai cinemas on February 4, 2010; rated 15+
• Wise Kwai's rating: 3/5

Light almost to the point of being forgettable, the portmanteau romance My Valentine is kept pumping by a cartoonish energy and the wild smile of leading lady Mintada "Mint AF3" Wattanakul as she flits from man to man in three different segments.

If the chemistry of Mint with one of her fellas isn't working for you, don't fret, because it will be over soon enough, and she'll be on to the next one.

Produced by Five Star, My Valentine (แล้วรัก ...ก็หมุนรอบตัวเรา, Laew Rak Kor Mun Rob Tua Rao) is directed by the same trio that did last year's cotton-candy colored romance anthology, Before Valentine: Pornchai "Mr. Pink" Hongrattanaporn (Bangkok Loco), Seree Phongnithi (Ghost-in-Law, Art of the Devil) and Songsak Mongkolthong (The Screen at Kamchanod), who also co-scripted.

As with Mr. Pink's previous projects, the opening credits are done in an energetic sequence that is part of the narrative, with names cleverly appearing on various objects. Mint and her co-worker friends are waking up late to work and have to rush, and they run through a film set outside their apartment building, and so the three directors aren't just names on the screen, they are actually in the credits, as are the other members of the crew.

The action in each segment begins on Valentine's Day, and they each start the same way -- with the bickering married couple from Before Valentine, florists Hia (Jaturong Mokjok) and Jae (Warapun Nguitragool Saptana-udom), driving a truckload of roses onto the expressway. They are so caught up in their spirited discussion, they almost rear-end another vehicle. Mint's character then has to pull an emergency manuever to avoid hitting the rose truck. She can either come to a screeching halt or swerve left or right, and reset the story.


Mind (or Mild as the subtitles state) is first rear-ended by a fortysomething guy named Mick ("Jeeb" Wasu Sangsingkaew) in a black Lamborgini (at least I think it's a Lambo), and she keeps running into the man in her travels through the city while selling insurance.

In one scene, she is so persistent in trying to sell insurance to an elderly Chinese man doing his meditation exercises in the park, that she gives the guy a heart attack, and then Mick is there wearing an angel outfit to help out.

She later spots Mike using a payphone, and he has the gall to ask her for change so he can continue his call -- not sure why his mobile wasn't working, but whatever. Mind then has to trek across town to collect the 32 baht from Mick, and somehow that turns into a relationship.

Mick is actually quite wealthy and spends all his time running various charities. While a guy with a sportscar and tons of money might make him a dream man for many women, he's so busy, he never has time for Mind. So their story is about the outlandish ways he has to try and make up for that and somehow make the relationship work.

The chemistry isn't really there, but not to worry, because the story is soon back at the expressway ramp to go in a different direction.

Mind next meets Art (Krit Sriphoomset from Dangerous Flowers), a guy about her twentysomething age, who's fun to be around. But he's also extremely rude. This is probably the most entertaining segment to watch, just to see
Art dish out the abuse and see how Mind reacts. Art works as an animator, and there is a lively animated videogame sequence here, which really boosts the intensity.

It's this middle segment that seems to take a cue from the comedy portions of GTH's Phobia (Phrang) horror portmanteaus, and have a character who's intent on satirising other movies. Here, Art lets loose with the spoilers of Five Star's own films. So if you haven't seen Before Valentine or Slice, maybe skip this one.

Finally, Mind meets an old college friend, Gong ("Per" Suwikrom Amaranan). He's actually working in the expressway toll booth, and Mind drives off while he's trying to get her attention, and breaks his arm. Despite his injuries, he's a gentle, warm and caring guy who seems able to make friends with just about anyone he meets. He seems too perfect, however, and harbors a bit of sadness.

This romantic comedy seems to be marketed on the premise that Mind has a choice of the three men, but I can't recall if it actually comes down to that. Rose petals fly into the air in a beautiful stylized CGI storm, and perhaps the choice is left up the audience.

There is more sweetness during the end credits as real couples are interviewed about how they met. So perhaps the message is, go find yourself your own perfect mate.


Related posts:

• Mr. Pink and crew are back with more romance in My Valentine

Ong-Bak 2 sets Blu-ray sales record

The Blu-ray of Ong-Bak 2 has done well since being released in the U.S., charting at No. 6 for the week ending February 7 and managing a record 43% Blu-ray market share, according to Blu-ray.com, which bases its report on figures from Home Media Magazine and Neilson Videoscan First Alert.

I am assuming the "record" is for new-released Blu-ray titles. Anybody know for sure? Let me know.

There are lots of reviews of Ong-Bak 2 rolling in.

High-Def Digest has one, noting it is a "brilliantly choreographed slugfest" and praising the cinematography and direction of Tony Jaa and Panna Rittikrai, but also looking at the technical aspects of the BRD, which has "extremely sub-par video and ... slightly disappointing audio".

Another review is at DVD Talk, which says that included on the Blu-ray is the "Alternate Cut", which is "essentially a European re-edit of the film, from Luc Besson's company EuropaCorp. The differences between the Theatrical Cut (97:50) and the Alternate Cut (88:27) boil down to a streamlining of the action beats to best appeal to casual audiences."

Blogcritics has a dual review of Ong-Bak 2: The Beginning and the Blu-ray of Ong-Bak: Muay Thai Warrior, which was released on February 2, the same day as Ong-Bak 2.

Finally, there's Kung Fu Cinema, which goes old school and reviews the DVD of Ong-Bak 2, noting that the two-disc "Collector's Edition" has all the same features as the Blu-ray, except, of course, the high resolution.

Here's the extras:

• The Making of Ong-Bak 2: The Story and Characters of an Epic (7 min.)
• The Making of Ong-Bak 2: Revealing the Majesty (7 min.)
• The Making of Ong Bak: The Art of War (7 min.)
• Behind the Scenes: Capturing a Warrior (5:00 min.)
• Behind the Scenes: The Kingdom (6 min.)
• Behind the Scenes: The Community (7 min.)
• Interviews with Cast and Crew (25 min.)
• HDNet: A Look at ONG BAK 2 (3 min.)
• Ong Bak 3 – Exclusive Footage (2 min.)
• International and U.S. trailers for Ong-Bak 2
• High-def trailers for Red Cliff, District 13: Ultimatum, Bronson and The Warlords

Makes me want to get into Blu-ray. Anybody in Thailand with recommendations on where to shop or what whether I can expect region-coding hassles if I shop locally?

Time reviews 'too beautiful' Agrarian Utopia

Uruphong Raksasad's Agrarian Utopia (Sawan Baan Na) is still making its way around the festival circuit. It's been in competition this week at the !f Istanbul AFM International Independent Film Festival. And at the end of the month, it makes its U.S. premiere, screening in New York as part of the Museum of Modern Art's Documentary Fortnight 2010: MoMA's International Festival of Nonfiction Film.

Somewhere along the line, Time magazine's John Krich caught the film. In the review Field Daze, he writes:

If there's anything to criticize in the 33-year-old director's sophomore effort (a follow-on from 2006's equally pastoral Stories from the North), it's that his high-definition images — all darkening clouds and lustrous green paddies — are too beautiful. Despite its share of grumbling about corrupt politicians, Agrarian Utopia quickly moves beyond some heavy-handed message movie toward Buddhist meditation. Uruphong's oppressed peasants are as much victims of their own restlessness as they are of meager rice prices. With a poet's eye, the sights and sounds of their close-to-nature existence are transformed into sources of comfort.

I keep being told that Agrarian Utopia is to get a commercial release in Thailand this year. So I hope to see it again.

Update: Treehugger reviews Agrarian Utopia at Istanbul's !f fest.

(Via Extra Virgin)

Mundane History to make North American premiere at BAM

Anocha Suwichakornpong's Mundane History follows its recent Tiger Award win in Rotterdam with a North American premiere at the Brooklyn Academy of Music as part of the BAMcinématek's Rotterdam@BAM series.

The screening is at 6.30pm on Saturday, March 6. You can get tickets at the BAM website.

(Via Electric Eel)

The Steven Spielberg of Thailand

Producer Frank DeMartini is in Bangkok prepping for the production of Elephant White, an action film starring Djimon Hounsou and directed by Prachya Pinkaew, who DeMartini refers to as "the Steven Spielberg of Thailand".

In a posting at Big Hollywood, "Why I'm Filming in Bangkok", DeMartini tells his readers who Prachya is:

Prachya is famous for Om Bak, Chocolat and Tom Yung Goon, three of the highest-grossing films in the history of the country. You may be wondering why I am in Thailand and not somewhere in the United States. Why am I in a country 9,000 miles away from home when I could be shooting this movie anywhere in America including Los Angeles.

DeMartini goes on to explain why he's in Bangkok and offer his views on why shooting movies in the U.S. is so expensive.

It's good that he's here. The Thailand Film Office will be pleased. He can tell other Hollywood folks that the film business in Thailand is great, because they may have heard otherwise.

By now DeMartini must feel like an old Thailand hand, having recently completed The Prince and Me 4 in Thailand, with elephants -- of course -- and production services by DeWarrenne Pictures.

But, um, Frank, the names of Prachya's movies you referred to are Ong-Bak, Chocolate (not the Johnny Depp gypsy movie) and Tom-Yum-Goong. And, among the Top 15 highest-grossing Thai films of all time, according to a study by the Thai Film Foundation's Sanchai Chotiroseranee, Tom-Yum-Goong is in fourth place and Ong-Bak is 14th. Chocolate did pretty good if I recall, but it's not in the top 15.

(Thank you, Lady Karla!)

World Film Festival of Bangkok sets dates, calls for submissions

Mark it: November 5 to 14, 2010. The 8th World Film Festival of Bangkok.

The fest is calling for submissions, with an entry deadline of October 1.

The countdown begins now.

Variety reviews Mundane History

Indie director Anocha Suwichakornpong's debut feature Mundane History, the Tiger Award winner at the recent International Film Festival Rotterdam, has been reviewed by the industry bible Variety. Here's the intro:

A recently paralyzed young man learns to release some of his anger thanks to the ministrations of a male nurse in the always intriguing, occasionally perplexing "Mundane History." Despite what it sounds like, there's no gay subtext here; rather, the pic is an unusually edited meditation on family, class, life cycles and politics. Debuting helmer Anocha Suwitchakornpong and Apichatpong Weerasethakul's regular editor, Lee Chatametikool, play with temporal shifts meant to favor rhythm over linearity, but while the experiment creates some nice qualities, it does become overcalculated.

It's a fair review by Jay Weissberg, who saw it in Rotterdam.

And I just realized the father in Mundane History is "that guy" Paramej Noiam (ปรเมศร์ น้อยอ่ำ, also stated as Parames Nongaum or Poramet Noi-um) as his name's been stated elsewhere. He's winning awards for playing the principal in Samchuk. He was the doctor in Body #19. What else has he been in?