HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Every Singaporean is looking forward to the long weekend this week and it definitely marks a good time to catch up on the movies you have been longing to watch or the new releases that are opening this Thursday.

One of the most talked about hits of the summer, New Line Cinema’s The Conjuring has surpassed $100 million at the U.S. box office, the horror flick by “Saw” director James Wan opens in cinemas Thursday, 8 August coincidentally falling on the start of the Hungry Ghost Festival. Based on the true life story, The Conjuring tells the tale of how world renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were called upon to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in a secluded farmhouse. Plain scary already from just reading the synopsis. 

The little blue creatures by Belgium artist Peyo is back for a sequel. In Smurfs 2, the evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. Same old, same old you might say but we doubt it’s going to stop families with young children who can’t get tickets to the National Day parade from reaching out to the cute creatures.

Another new release, the $130 million R.I.P.D which stars Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges as deceased police officers who must protect the living from evil spirits poised likely to appeal to fans of MIB or kids-friendly supernatural stuff. While it’s box-office in the States is abysmal, we predict it’s going to be the last among the three new releases here as well.

There are still plenty left to offer in the theatres if the new releases aren’t your cup of tea.

Yearning for some nostalgic fun? That Girl in Pinafore is a coming-of-age tale set in 1993, Singapore, about dreams, friendships, and first loves. The third effort by local director Chai Yee Wei is brimming with cheerful insouciance, heartfelt poignancy and filled with sing-along xinyao tunes, definitely uniquely Singaporean.

DreamWorks animation answer to Disney’s hit, Cars comes in the form of Turbo unfortunately comes without the former massive success. Turbo is a high-velocity 3D comedy about an ordinary snail who dares to dream big and fast so if Smurfs 2 is out of tickets maybe a garden snail might make your day.

Based on the celebrated comic book arc, The Wolverine (in Tokyo) is still enjoying brisk business in the local circuit. Get ready for some over-the-top action as Hugh Jackman shows off more mutant powers. On the other hand, senior citizens Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Helen Mirren and Anthony Hopkins are still dealing with army of relentless assassins and ruthless terrorists in Red 2 if you are in an action mood.

Lastly, we wish all our Muslim readers Selamat Hari Raya and to all the people residing in our Lion City: Happy National Day! Enjoy the movies.