Get reel: a feast of Lunar New Year treats for film lovers
Yvonne Teh, Film Editor
The Lunar New Year film period begins at the Hong Kong Film Archive on January 25 with the 'Double Happiness Comes Galloping In' programme that runs until February 14. But those who prefer more contemporary cinematic fare don't have to be excluded from the fun, as there are plenty of new movies being released in time for the Lunar New Year.
gets a head start over the box-office opposition by opening two days earlier, on January 28. The latest comedy offering from Lunar New Year movie specialist Raymond Wong Pak-min has the actor-producer and his good friend Eric Tsang Chi-wai playing two men eager to become grandfathers.
Other local film veterans headlining seasonal movies this year include Chow Yun-fat, who co-stars with Nicholas Tse Ting-fung in , the Wong Jing-directed gambling comedy. Wong has described this as having a new concept, but others think of it as the latest instalment of the hit series. There's also Sandra Ng Kwan-yu, whose adds another twist to the tale of Ah Kam, the endearingly wacky prostitute she first played 12 years ago in .
In 2013, the top performing Chinese-language film during this festive period was Stephen Chow Sing-chi's . Although there's nothing from the local comedy king this time around, the mischievous simian can be seen in , an ambitious 3-D action blockbuster with Donnie Yen Ji-dan in the title role.
Local movies always used to top the festive period's box office. But last year emerged as the champion, and those behind must be hoping that Hollywood blockbuster will do the same.
Also opening on January 30 are , , and . While a bittersweet comedy-drama, a European animated tale about a boy who embarks on a quest to become a knight, and the latest instalment in a mainland cartoon film series may not seem to have much in common, they are all suitably family-friendly and thus appropriate for this time of year.
