The Life Of Buddha

This movie shows how Prince Siddhartha who was born in a royal family became Lord Buddha. It shows Prince Siddhartha's journey where he was protected from the outside world, but eventually his curiosity on suffering made him renounced his royal lifestyle and left his kingdom to go out and search for the meaning of life, especially on causes of human suffering.

Although this movie is an animated movie, it lacks the cheerful animation that most animation brings. Its monotone and serious dialogues leaves a rather meaningful & potential movie a bore to watch; turning it more into a documentary rather than a animated movie.

Although clearly lacking the essentials needed to follow the footsteps of Thailand's animated elephant movie, Khan Kluay, however this movie is still a noble movie and would appeal to those who already know about Buddhism. And it is a real pity as this movie could actually reach out to more people, especially those who want to know more about the religion.

Ponglang Amazing

Tomorn inherits an old and run-down theatre from his uncle, who doesn't want to sell the theatre despite it not having many customers and is making loss. Tomorn wants to sell the theatre, even more so after meeting & faling in love with a pretty broker.

Tomorn meets a young cap driver who helps him with ideas on how to turn the theatre around. This comes with the help of his hilarious employees.

This is a slapstick Thai movie with exaggerated actions & humour, that will appeal more to the locals. The horror part in the movie is played down by its humour, hence not a scary movie, but a comedy which is rather okay to watch.

This movie gives insights to foreigners on the real Thai language/ culture which is normally smooth & yet can be sharp at other moments. The twist in the ending & the antics of the employees help scores for the movie.

Pleasure Factory

The star of the movie is not the actors or actresses, but mainly location Geylang - the glaring red-light district of city conscious Singapore.

I am ok with watching art movies, but this art movie seems too arty - and too lost, with many different characters in different settings, and many not contributing to the message. Even if it does, it takes too long for the message to get accross - you can actually close your eyes for a full 10 seconds and nothing has changed in that scene!

For an acclaimed director, with Chang & Eng and the blockbuster Beautiful Boxer, this seems a very big letdown. Pleasure Factory seems much more like a student's project or a first time director at most.


Unless you come from Singapore, or you are curious on Singapore's red-light district, this movie will not garner much interest except, maybe apart from its soft porn flicks. Minus Geylang, and this movie is just like any movie taken in any other red-light district in any country.


But, of course, if you think hard enough & endure the movie, you'll get Ekachai's message - the difference between love & sex. But to go through such length & 'torture', it's much better to simply visit the district itself.