JP/16/STILL

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Die Another Day (Action/Adventure/Thriller, 132 minutes). Starring Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Rosamund Pike, Toby Stevens, Judi Dench. Directed by Lee Tamahori.

This 20th James Bond is edgier than its predecessors but a lot of fun. Highly impressive opening sequence accompanied by the Madonna soundtrack adds excitement to this great piece of entertainment.***1/2 (out of ****) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Adventure/Fantasy, 161 minutes). Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Kenneth Branagh, Maggie Smith, Alan Rickman. Directed by Chris Columbus.

This second installment of the series is magical and exciting with eye-popping visual effects. Definitely better than its first predecessor with better narrative and thrills that even adults can truly enjoy.***

Andai Ia Tahu (If He Only Knew) (Romance/Comedy). Starring Rachel Maryam, Marcellius Siahaan, Alex Abbad, Harry Pantja. Directed by Indra Yudhistira.

Feather-light local romantic comedy about a young, free- spirited woman who changes the life of a serious, young male TV producer. Works better as a comedy with several amusing one- liners.**1/2 Van Wilder (Comedy, 92 minutes). Starring Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Tim Matheson. Directed by Walt Becker.

Crude and unfunny National Lampoon movie about a supposedly super cool college dude who becomes an escort to pay his tuition.*1/2 (out of ****)

City by the Sea (Thriller/Drama, 108 minutes). Starring Robert De Niro, James Franco, Frances McDormand, Eliza Dushku. Directed by Michael-Caton Jones.

De Niro learns that his estranged son has become a suspect in a murder case. The overlong set-up makes viewers lose interest before the real story kicks in. **1/2

Kafir (Nonbeliever) (Horror). Starring Meriam Bellina, Sujiwo Tedjo and Subarkah. Directed by Mardali Syarief.

This surprising box office hit is just an outrageously corny local horror movie about a man who becomes obsessed with being a prophet. Campy and unintentionally hilarious, the movie will tickle fans of bad movies everywhere. A real scream. In Indonesian.**

Titik Hitam (The Black Spot). Starring Winky Wiryawan, Aurora Yahya, Enditha. Directed by Sentot Sahid.

Another box office smash local horror about a man who can see ghosts (that's original!). Poorly structured and technically unimpressive, it's supposedly based on the director's real-life experiences. Indonesian **

Deep in the Woods (Horror/Thriller, 90 minutes). Starring Clotilde Courau, Clement Sibony, Vincent Lecoeur, Alexia Stresi. Directed by Lionel Delplanque.

Strange but curiously watchable French teen-slasher flick about a group of young stage performers who get killed one by one in a mansion located deep in a remote area. *1/2

Transporter (Action/Thriller, 94 minutes). Starring Jason Statham, Shu Qi, Matt Schulze, Ric Young. Directed by Cory Yuen.

Statham gives a wooden performance as a guy who transports things without asking questions until one day Shu Qi happens to him. Passable actioner co-written by Luc Besson.**