PROMETHEUS should stand pretty much unopposed at the top of the box office charts this week, as there are only three new films hitting screens today, and none are likely to carry enough clout to cause Ridley Scott’s science-fiction blockbuster too much trouble. That said, among the new releases hitting Hong Kong screens today is one of our favourites of 2012 so far, but faces competition from a British rom-com that has been garnering strong notices back on home turf, and the latest instalment in the spine-chilling Ring saga.

Movie of the Week: THE RAID: REDEMPTION

Directed by Gareth Evans
Hard and relentless has been my praise and adoration for this low budget Indonesian action film, which takes a simple premise and squeezes every possible drop of blood, sweat and tears from its exceptionally talented cast in what is essentially a breathlessly entertaining 100-minute beat ’em up. Welsh director Gareth Evans has shot straight to the top of everyone’s list of favourite action directors, while stars Joe Taslim, Yayan Ruhian and especially leading man Iko Uwais prove themselves to be the hottest thing to hit martial arts cinema since Tony Jaa. Fernando and I discussed the film at length back in Dispatch 10, but this is an absolute must-see for anyone who applauds a well-executed kick to the head. (4/5)

SADAKO 3D

Directed by Tsutomu Hanabusa
Hideo Nakata’s film THE RING from 1998 was a shot in the arm for horror fans all over the world, introducing the West to the now iconic “long-haired girl” and spawning countless imitators, remakes and a handful of sequels in the 14 years since. While it may come as no real surprise that this latest effort has succumbed to the pressure of presenting its thrills in 3D, nowhere is the suffocating atmosphere, nuanced story-telling or beautifully orchestrated imagery that made the original film so terrifyingly effective. Satomi Ishihara plays high school teacher Akane, whose female students begin offing themselves after watching an allegedly cursed online video. As she investigates further, Akane discovers that someone is trying to resurrect the malevolent Sadako, and that her own dark secrets will be dragged to the fore before the nightmare is over. The problems with SADAKO 3D are many and severe, beginning and ending with the simple fact that it simply isn’t scary. In fact, the film is unintentionally hilarious during many of its big horror set-pieces, and the plot is as ridiculous and implausible as it is ultimately irrelevant, building to a conclusion so preposterous it may well do lasting damage to the icon of its predecessors. One to avoid at all costs. (1/5)

SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN

Directed by Lasse Hallstrom
By all accounts, Simon Beaufoy’s adaptation of Paul Torday’s novel is a simplified, but genuinely heart-warming little rom-com, with Ewan McGregor and Emily Blunt on fine form, while Kristen Scott Thomas steals the show as a vivacious political spin doctor. I’m hoping to catch this one over the weekend, but let us know if you see it!