Director Poj Arnon had the idea for the gay action-romance Bangkok Love Story before Brokeback Mountain came out. But since the runaway commercial success of Brokeback, it's a lot easier to get a film like Bangkok Love Story made, now isn't it?

The story is about happily married businessman who finds that he's the target of a gay assassin. Suddenly, the guy sees what's been missing in his life - another guy, so he falls in love with the shooter, in what is obviously a doomed relationship from the start. With English subtitles at some cinemas.

Also opening this week are two films that take place in hotel rooms. The better-reviewed of the two is 1408, based on a Stephen King short story and starring the always-reliable John Cusack as a sceptical writer who lives to debunk ghost stories. Of course, he gets what's coming to him when he checks into room 1408 of a Manhattan hotel, despite the best efforts of the hotel manager (Samuel L. Jackson). Aside from Cusack's performance, the special effects are notable in this film.

Meanwhile, Luke Wilson and Kate Beckinsale check in with Vacancy, about a couple trapped in a sleazy motel room where snuff videos have been made. Critics advise guests to stay away. Vacancy is only at SF cinemas.

Other films:

• The Brave One - Jodie Foster stars as a radio show host who turns vigilante after her boyfriend (Planet Terror's Naveen Andrews) is killed. Her activities place her at odds with a police detective (Terrence Howard). There were no reviews for this at press time for Weekend magazine, but the buzz seems to be that this is Oscar bait for Jodie Foster, released at the time of the year when the campaigning for the Academy Awards is heating up. Expect a strong performance from Foster, but little else in terms of substance.
• I Know Who Killed Me - Troubled young actress Lindsay Lohan isn't helping her reputation any with this puzzler of a thriller. She plays a good girl who is kidnapped, tortured and severely injured. In the hospital, she's a completely different person - a stripper named Dakota. Is the girl leading a double life? What is going on? Does anybody really care?
• Hearty Paws – Here's one that just reeks of cuteness. It's a story about a little boy who steals a golden retriever puppy for his sister. In Korean with English and Thai subtitles at the Lido.