Rating:
(4 stars out of 5) Cast: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Jake Gyllenhaal Director: Jon Watts Writer: Chris McKenna, Stan Lee (based on the Marvel comic book by) Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi Run Time: 2h 9min Premiere Date: 2 July 2019 Country: USA Screening Location:SFX Cinema Maya, Chiang Mai, Thailand Purchase Movie Ticket:
Synopsis Following the storyline of Avengers: Endgame, Spiderman is conned by a holographic villain (Mysterio) into giving up the sunglass bequethed to him by the late Tony Stark which was a control panel for satelite systems with WMD capabilities.
Actors Tom Holland as a high school Spiderman, was credible as an awkward teeny-bopper who was thrown into the major leagues with the demise of his mentor Iron Man.
Meanwhile, Jake Gyllenhaal as Mysterio, a bigger than life super villain? Sorry, but after Brokeback Mountain, I could never see him the same way again.
Marissa Tomei, what can I say? She used to be my crush in My Cousin Vinny. But this movie only underscores that time is unforgiving. Still, there is a semblance of her former allure.
Zendaya however, was a refreshing departure from the typical Hollywood leading lady with killer looks. With her ethnic look, lanky posture and borderline macabre outlook, she was a perfect fit for a somewhat off-grid high school outsider.
Ending Thoughts I'm a little lost reviewing this film. This film was developed for kids and budding teen-agers. Someone in this demographic should be reviewing this film - not me. How do you pass judgement on a kiddie film when I'm a de Niro fan from all his gangster films?
Anyway, this movie is light and an easy view. Nothing heavy...not even the serious scenes.
Post credits were long and tedious. But in order for the audience to see it in its entirety, they squeezed the last 2 segments of the movie within the credits. When I first experienced this, I thought it was a pleasant Easter Egg. But now, it felt like a commercial squeezed right inside a movie. It was annoying. I felt hostaged because I couldn't leave the movie yet until I see the lengthy credit scroll.
TheLoneRider (July 19, 2019) While my opinion based on observation remains the same, I'm keeping that opinion to myself and have revised what was written from "...time is unforgiving to women." to "...time is unforgiving". It was an opinion based on observation. Ruffling feathers (of people I care about) was not the intention.
Rosemarie (July 15, 2019) I remember Marissa Tomei in My Cousin Vinnie too. She was beautiful. And I suppose, alluring, though I may not have been viewing in that context, especially as I was about ten yrs old. Anyway. Back then, Ms Tomei, was 28. Now, she's 54. I think she's still beautiful. I couldn't help but balk at the comment that time is unforgiving to women. Maybe it is.... but maybe that's only if we are judging them solely on their sex appeal. Which, might naturally be different from when she was in her prime to being menopausal. I don't know if that's what you meant but there was no other value of her performance. Was she funny, engaging, charming... a good actress? I never thought she was that good an actor, and this would not be the masterpiece to express it in, but you get my point.
Sometimes I feel, especially as I too get older, that society conditions us to value women primarily on their appearance and not things that last, or things that really make a person, well, a person.
I suppose this is what the conversation around "toxic masculinity" is all about. I'm not sure I'm millennial enough to quantify that, but it's what all the kids are saying now. As innocent as your comment was likely intended, it stuck out to me. I know that it was about the context of this movie, and having missed it, maybe her performance was all around lousy or flat. But I guess when I read it, it inspired me to share thoughts on my hope that one day, what we all defines as alluring in women is more inclusive.
TheLoneRider (July 15, 2019) You are absolutely right. At 54, Marissa Tomei is still beautiful...but a far cry from her 28-year-old days during My Cousin Vinnie where she stole the show just by being beautiful. That was the image I had in my mind all these years until I saw her again in this movie. And I have to give it another sigh...time is unforgiving. How else could I say that without faking it?
And yes, I was judging her solely on her sex appeal. I couldn't comment on her acting since the role she played (as Happy's flirtmate) was just a comic relief. I didn't find it integral nor necessary to the story. I wish she played a bigger or more influencial role like she did in My Cousin Vinnie. And also, my comment had nothing to do with "things that last, or things that really make a person, well, a person" - as I had no basis to comment on that about her.
Essentially, my comment was based on the first impression I got about everyone without thinking too much of it. I wrote as I would have, had that been a conversation with a friend. Had I tweaked it to be politically correct or made it more inclusive to a broader demographics, then it's no longer authentic. I just made it simple and real. Apologies to everyone whose sentivities were ruffled by this observation/comment.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts that one day, "what we all define as alluring in women is more inclusive."
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
USEFUL INFORMATION
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Pub - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays by the 11pm band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
B638 #7 a/c train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
B50 red taxi fare from point to point
B100 red taxi fare from train terminal to city
Tours
B2000 full day elephant sanctuary
B750 Chiang Rai one-day tour
B1500 mountain biking scenic ride
How to Get to Chiang Mai from Bangkok by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Bus from Loei to Chiang Mai
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
General Travel Tips
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
(4 stars out of 5)
TheLoneRider
Rosemarie 
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station
Train Station
Chiang Mai International Airport
Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
RESTAURANT
WELLNESS
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
