The big winter movie preview

This winter movie season stands to be a big one with monsters like James Cameron's Avatar opening on December 17 and Sherlock Holmes on December 24. Mix in an Assassin flick, a Disney hand-drawn movie and serious stuff like Dukot which takes a look at the human-rights situation in the Philippines, and this winter's movie lineup in Asia should be a good one.

Mulan

Openings: Opened in China, Singapore and Malaysia on Nov. 27, and opens in Thailand on Dec. 10
More than a decade after Disney’s sugary hit, this live-action version of “Mulan” paints China’s best-known girl-warrior with a raw edge. With Zhao Wei, Chen Kun, Vitas and Hu Jun. Directed by Jingle Ma. Website: Mulan

 

Dukot (Desaparecidos)

Openings: Philippines on Dec 2
An in-depth look at the human-rights situation in the Philippines. With Iza Calzado, Allen Dizon, Gina Alajar, Snookey Serna, Emilio Garcia, Robert Arevalo and Felix Roco. Directed by Joel Lamangan. Website: Dukot (IMDB)

 

Paa

Openings: India on Dec. 4
Thirteen-year-old Auro suffers from a rare genetic defect that causes accelerated aging. With Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Paresh Rawal and Arundhati Naag. Directed by R. Balki. Website: Paa

 

The Princess and the Frog

Openings: Singapore on Dec. 10, South Korea on Dec. 31, Hong Kong on Feb. 18, 2010 and Japan on March 6, 2010
The actual hand-drawn animated Disney film centers on a young girl named Princess Tiana who lives in 1920s New Orleans. With Anika Noni Rose, Bruno Campos, Keith David, Michael-Leon Wooley and Jennifer Cody (voices). Directed by Ron Clements and John Musker. Website: The Princess and the Frog

 

Avatar

Openings: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea on Dec. 17 and in Japan on Dec. 23
In one of the most ambitious, technologically groundbreaking film projects ever taken, a paraplegic war vet gets caught up in a battle between humans and a far-flung planet's blue-skinned population. This one would be worth seeing on an IMAX (Link is IMAX locations.) With Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington, Michelle Rodriguez. Directed by James Cameron. Website: Avatar

 

Bodyguards and Assassins (Gôruden suranbâ)

Openings: China, Hong Kong and Singapore on Dec. 18, and in Taiwan on Dec. 24
A group of bodyguards must protect Chinese revolutionary Sun Yat-sen from assassins in 1905 Hong Kong. With Donnie Yen, Leon Lai and Nicholas Tse. Directed by Teddy Chan. Website: Bodyguards and Assassins (IMDB)

Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard

Openings: South Korea on Dec. 23
Taoist womanizer Jeon Woo-chi transports from the Joseon era to modern day Korea and causes mayhem with his knack for magic. With Kang Dong-won, Kim Yoon-seok, Im Soo-jeong and Yoo Hae-jin. Directed by Dong-hun Choi. Website: Jeon Woo Chi: The Taoist Wizard

 

Yona Yona Penguin

Openings: Japan on Dec. 23
A little girl gets trapped in a fantasy world populated by goblins who believe that their savior will be a penguin. With Rica Matsumoto, Ei Morisako and Hikari Ota (voices). Directed by Rintaro. Website: Yona Yona (IMDB)

 

Sherlock Holmes

Openings: Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea on Dec. 24 and in Japan on April 3, 2010
Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson must bring down a nemesis whose plot could destroy all of England. With Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams. Directed by Guy Ritchie. Website: Sherlock Holmes

 

The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Openings: Opened in Japan on Nov. 28. Opens in Singapore and South Korea on Dec. 3, Taiwan on Dec. 4, Hong Kong on Dec. 18, and Malaysia on Dec. 27
After her vampire love suddenly leaves town forever, high school human Bella Swan is drawn into the world of werewolves. With Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. Directed by Chris Weitz. Website: New Moon

 

The Treasure Hunter (Ci Ling)

Openings: Hong Kong and Singapore on Dec. 31
A young man struggles to protect buried treasure by recovering a map from an international criminal organization. With Jay Chou and Lin Chi-ling. Directed by Kevin Chu. More info: The Treasure Hunter

 

Where the Wild Things Are

Openings: Taiwan on Jan. 8, Singapore on Jan. 14 and Japan on Jan. 15
In this classic children’s story come to life, rambunctious Max gets in trouble, runs away and finds a forest inhabited by wild creatures that crown him as their new king. With Catherine Keener, Max Records, Mark Ruffalo, Lauren Ambrose and James Gandolfini. Directed by Spike Jonze. Website: Where the Wild Things Are.

 

Kites

Openings: India on Jan. 25
“J,” a wanted man sets out on a quest to find the love of his life, Natasha. With Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori. Directed by Anurag Basu. Website: Kites

 

Golden Slumber

Openings: Japan on Jan. 30
A man is framed for the assassination of the prime minister. With Yuko Takeuchi, Nao Omori, Teruyuki Kagawa and Akira Emoto. Directed by Yoshihiro Nakamura. Website: Golden Slumber (IMDB)