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Paul Fonoroff

New  Releases
Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (IIB) (Cantonese and Putonghua versions)
See review on this page.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (IIB)
See review on this page.
3-D Happy Feet 2 (I) (Cantonese and English versions)
Animated musical comedy tale in which the hero of the original Happy Feet (2006) is now a father who, as his son struggles to realise his talents in the Emperor Penguin world, also has to contend with a new threat to his Utopian singing and dancing penguin community. Not reviewed.
Alvin and the Chipmunks 3 (I) (Cantonese and English versions)
Animated comedy that has Alvin, the Chipmunks and Chipettes having fun aboard a cruise ship until they get shipwrecked and are marooned on a tropical island. Not reviewed.
General Releases
3 Idiots (IIA) (Hindi, Urdu and English)
Raju Hirani's  Bollywood comedy about two friends (R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi) who embark on a journey to find their lost buddy (Aamir Khan). Also starring Kareena Kapoor. CT
3-D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy (III) (Cantonese)
Stereoscopic reworking of Stephen Shiu Yeuk-yuen's 1991 soft-porn feature about the outrageous adventures of a scholar as he searches for the secrets of sexual pleasure. PF   
The Adventures of Tintin (IIA) (Cantonese version)
Steven Spielberg's 3-D animation-action-adventure film about a  reporter named Tintin who sets off on a hunt for treasure with ties to Captain Haddock and his swashbuckling ancestor, Sir Francis. LKW 
Arthur Christmas 3-D (I) (Cantonese  and English versions)
Stereoscopic animated comedy-drama about how, one Christmas night at the North Pole, Santa's youngest son uses his father's hi-tech operation for an urgent mission. CT  
Datong: The Great Society (I) (Cantonese, Putonghua, English and French)
Evans Chan Yiu-shing's docudrama about Qing dynasty political reformer  Kang Youwei (Liu Kai-chi) who went into exile in Sweden. Also starring Lindzay Chan and Chiang Ching. YT
Magic to Win (IIA) (Cantonese)
Fantasy comedy about a quintet of master magicians, one of whom schemes to steal the others' powers. Starring Raymond Wong Pak-ming, Karena Ng Chin-yu, Wu Chun and Jacky Wu Jing. PF  
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (IIB) (English and Russian)
The fourth instalment of the Mission Impossible action adventure-thriller series sees Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his new team going rogue to clear their organisation's name after they are falsely implicated in a bombing at the Kremlin. CT
Nutcracker in 3-D (IIA)
Fantasy tale set in 1920s Vienna about a little girl (Elle Fanning) whose beloved uncle (Nathan Lane) gives her an enchanted nutcracker one Christmas Eve. CT 
Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (I)
Film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's  romantic musical adaptation of French writer Gaston Leroux's  story about a bitter man, deformed since birth, who lives in the sewers underneath the Paris Opera House and the young woman he falls for. Not reviewed.    
Sarah's Key (IIA) (French and English)
Kristin Scott Thomas stars in a drama about  a 10-year-old girl who, in July 1942, as the French police go about arresting Jewish families in the middle of the night, locks her younger brother up in their secret hiding place - with a French-American journalist investigating the round-up 67 years later. CT 
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of  Shadows (IIA)
Robert Downey reprises his role as the legendary detective and Jude Law returns as his colleague, Dr Watson, in Guy Ritchie's period crime drama pitting the pair against criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). CT  
Super Show 3 3-D Super Junior (I) (Korean)
Concert film of the South Korean boy band performing during their third Asian tour. Not reviewed.
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale I (IIB) (Seediq language, Taiwanese Hokkien, Mandarin and Japanese)
First part of Wei Te-sheng's historical epic based on the true story of the 1930 Wushe Incident, when the aboriginal Seediq people of Taiwan rebelled against imperialist Japanese forces. CT 
Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale II (IIB) (Seediq language, Taiwanese Hokkien, Mandarin and Japanese)
Concluding part of Wei Te-sheng's historical epic depicting the guerilla warfare employed as the Seediq make use of Taiwan's mountains and forests in their fight against the imperialist Japanese forces.  CT
White Vengeance (IIB) (Cantonese)
Daniel Lee Yan-kong's epic interpretation of the 'Hongmen Banquet', a historical event that took place more than two millennia ago that proved pivotal in the Qin Dynasty's demise and the founding of the Han. Starring Leon Lai Ming. PF  
You are the Apple of My Eye (IIB) (Mandarin)
Giddens Ko Ching-teng's  adaptation of his autobiographical coming-of-age novel about a mischievous high school student, his friends and the girl he will never forget. CT
Art House
Don 2 
Farhan Akhtar's sequel to the 2006 action thriller Don: The Chase Begins Again that sees the underworld kingpin (Shahrukh Khan) setting his sights on European domination even while having to contend with the threats of assassination or arrest. Also starring Priyanka Chopra. In Hindi with English subtitles. 2-D version: Dec 22, 9pm, Golden Gateway, 25 Canton Rd, TST; Dec 23, 9pm, also Dec 25, 7pm, GH Whampoa, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom, HK$120-HK$180. 3-D version: Dec 24, 9pm, also Dec 26, 9.30pm, GH Whampoa, Whampoa Garden, Hung Hom,  HK$150-HK$200. Inquiries: 2366 7725
100 Must-See Hong Kong Movies
The HK Film Archive presents a programme of 100 Hong Kong films from 1916 to 1999, including the following two films. Until 2014. HK Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, HK$30 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2734 2900 
The Kid
Fung Fung's drama centring on an orphan (Bruce Lee)  raised by a poor teacher who makes a living by renting and selling comic books. In Cantonese with English and Chinese subtitles. Dec 23, 7.30pm, HK Film Archive. 
The Way of the Dragon
Bruce Lee directs and stars in this martial arts drama centring on a Hongkonger visiting his relatives in Italy who has to defend them against thugs muscling in on their Chinese restaurant. Also starring Nora Miao and Chuck Norris. In Putonghua and English with Chinese and English subtitles. Dec 24, 1pm, Dec 30, 7.30pm, HK Film Archive. 
Beast Christmas Live
Live broadcast of the South Korean boy band's Seoul concert. Dec 24, 7.45pm, GH Mongkok, G/F Grand Century Place, 193 Prince Edward Rd West, Mong Kok, HK$280. Inquiries: 2628 9864. Also Dec 24, 7.45pm, MCL JP, JP Plaza, 22-36 Paterson St, Causeway Bay; MCL Kornhill Cinema, 4/F, Kornhill Plaza South, 2 Kornhill Rd, Quarry Bay; and MCL Telford Cinema, Telford Gardens, 33 Wai Yip St, Kowloon Bay, HK$280. Inquiries: 2418 8841
The Tramp in Hong Kong:  Re-imaginations of Chaplin's Charlie
The HK Film Archive presents the following programme of five Hong Kong films with Charlie Chaplin-like characters. Dec 25-Jan 15. HK Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, HK$30 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2739 2139 
Flower Girl
Yee Chau-shui stars as a street tramp in love with a blind flower girl in this musical comedy remake of Charlie Chaplin's City Lights that transposes the story from the Depression-era US to early 1950s Hong Kong. Also starring Hung Sin-nui. In Cantonese. Dec 25, 2pm, Jan 15, 5pm, HK Film Archive.
Great Chums
Fung Fung stars and directs this comedy revolving a petty thief who resolves to turn over a new leaf after coming out of prison and who befriends a group of impoverished street vendors who have resolved to help one another overcome difficult situations. In Cantonese. Dec 25, 5pm, Jan 14, 2pm, HK Film Archive.
Two Fools Catch the Murderer
Musical comedy-drama revolving around a muddle-headed pair of friends (Sun Ma  Si-tsang and Tang Keichen) whose paths cross with that of a swindler turned blackmailer turned murderer. In Cantonese. Dec 26, 2pm, Dec 31, 4pm, HK Film Archive.
Let's be Happy Tonight
Comedy revolving around a squatter named Charlie (Cheng Kwun-min) known for his ingenious home gadget inventions who together with a pair of song-and-dance entertainers (Chan Chai-chung and Lydia  Sum Tin-ha) seek to stage a show for the enjoyment of all in their neighbourhood.  In Cantonese. Dec 26, 5pm, Jan 15, 2pm, HK Film Archive. 
Laughing Time
John Woo Yu-sum's comedy about a homeless wanderer (Dean Shek Tin) who befriends a poor orphan and falls in love with a singer who he later has to save from the clutches of a slave trader (Karl Maka). In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles. Dec 27, 2pm, Jan 14, 5pm, HK Film Archive.
Exile Live Tour 2011 Tower of Wish
Live broadcast of the 14-member all-male Japanese pop dance group's show. Dec 25, 3.45pm, GH Mongkok, G/F Grand Century Place, 193 Prince Edward Rd West, Mong Kok, HK$280. Inquiries: 2628 9864. Also Dec 25, 3.45pm, MCL Kornhill Cinema, 4/F, Kornhill Plaza South, 2 Kornhill Rd, Quarry Bay; and MCL Telford Cinema, Telford Gardens, 33 Wai Yip St, Kowloon Bay, HK$280. Inquiries:  2418 8841
UVERworld 2011 Premium LIVE on Xmas 
Live transmission of the Japanese rock band's Christmas Day concert. Dec 25, 4.45pm,  MCL Telford Cinema, Telford Gardens, 33 Wai Yip St, Kowloon Bay, HK$220. Inquiries:  2418 8841
The Inspired Island: The Untrammeled Traveller 
Documentary about the homecoming journey of Yu Kuang-chung, a writer known for his works about longing for the homeland. In Mandarin with Chinese and English subtitles. Dec 26, 11am, Dec 29, 8pm, Jan 4, 6.05pm,  Jan 8, 3.50pm, Broadway Cinematheque, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square St,  Yau Ma Tei, HK$55; and Jan 16, 8pm, Jan 29, 11.30am, Palace IFC, Podium Level 1, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St, Central, HK$75 www.cinema.com.hk. Inquiries: 2388 0002
The Inspired Island: The Man  Behind the Book
Lin Jing-Jie's documentary looking at Taiwanese novelist Wang Wen-xing that also brings Wang's works to life through theatrical performances and animation. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Dec 26, 12.30pm, Dec29, 9.30pm, Broadway Cinematheque, Prosperous Garden, 3 Public Square St, Yau Ma Tei, HK$55 www.cinema.com.hk. Inquiries: 2388 0002
HK Arts Festival: Festival Plus
The HK Arts Festival, Unitel Classica and Classical in Cinema present a programme of four Mozart operas filmed in high definition from the Salzburg Festival, including the following two films. Dec 26-Jan 15. The Grand Cinema, 2/F Elements, 1 Austin Rd West, Kowloon, HK$150 (tickets from respective cinemas). Inquiries: 2196 8170
The Marriage of Figaro
Film of the Salzburg Festival staging of Mozart's comic opera about a day of madness in a Spanish palace during which the king, believing that his sons and betrothed are betraying him, decides to put them to the test by staging his own death. Claus Guth directs, and Ildebrando D'Arcangelo, Anna Netrebko and Bo Skovhus star. In Italian with Chinese and English subtitles. Dec 26, 4pm, The Grand Cinema.
Don Giovanni
Film of the Salzburg Festival staging of Mozart's opera in which the story, based on the legend of Don Juan, is given a contemporary twist by way of the protagonist being depicted as a child of today's consumer society. Martin Kusej directs, Thomas Hampson, Ildebrando D'Arcangelo and Christine Schafer star, and Daniel Harding conducts the Vienna Philharmonic. In Italian with Chinese and English subtitles. Jan 2, 4pm, The Grand Cinema.
Super Handsome 
Live broadcast of the Japanese girl group's concert. Dec 28, 5.45pm, GH Mongkok,  G/F Grand Century Place, 193 Prince  Edward Rd West, Mong Kok, HK$200. Inquiries: 2628 9864. Also Dec 28, 5.45pm, MCL Telford Cinema, Telford Gardens,  33 Wai Yip St, Kowloon Bay, HK$200. Inquiries: 2418 8841
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall  His Past Lives 
Apichatpong Weerasethakul's whimsical drama about a dying man who spends his  last days in the countryside surrounded by  his loved ones. In Thai with Chinese and English subtitles. Dec 30, Jan 13, 7.30pm, Jan 7, 2.30pm, HK Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai, free, reservation required. Inquiries: 2580 0200
Restored Treasures
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department presents a continuing series of movies that have undergone restoration work, including the following film. Ongoing. HK Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, HK$40 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2734 2901 
Day For Night
Francois Truffaut directs, scripts and stars (along with Jacqueline Bisset and Jean-Pierre Leaud) in his paean to cinema that takes the form of a romantic drama-comedy about a film director struggling to complete his movie while coping with a myriad of personal and professional crises among the cast and crew. In French with English subtitles. Jan 1, 2.30pm, HK Film Archive.
Classical in Cinema
Music Art & Film Culture Promotion Association of HK presents a high-definition programme of classical music concerts and operas including the following  satellite transmission. Ongoing. Cyberport outdoor cinema, Podium, L4, Cyberport 2, 100 Cyberport Rd, Cyberport; GH Mongkok,  G/F Grand Century Plaza, 193 Prince Edward Rd West, Mong Kok; The Grand Cinema,  2/F Elements, 1 Austin Rd West, Kowloon; and UA iSquare, 7/F iSquare, 63 Nathan Rd, TST, HK$200 HK Ticketing (for Cyberport outdoor cinema) and respective cinemas. Inquiries: 6336 3595
New Year's Eve Concert Dresden 2011
High-definition transmission via satellite  from Semperoper Dresden, Germany, of German TV's traditional New Year's Eve concert - the 2011 edition of which has Christian Thelemann conducting sopranos Angela Denoke and Anna Maria Labin, tenor Piotr Beczala and the Staatskapelle Dresden performing melodies from operettas by  Franz Lehar. Jan 1, 8pm, Cyberport outdoor cinema, GH Mongkok, The Grand Cinema and UA iSquare.



Film