Film
New Releases
Priest (IIB)
See review on this page.
The Detective 2 (IIB) (Cantonese)
See review on next page.
Gantz Perfect Answer (IIB) (Japanese)
Second part of the live-action adaptation of Hiroya Oku's manga series revolving around a mysterious black orb that brings the dead back to life for a series of assassination jobs against an alien force. Not reviewed.
Kaasan Mum's Life (IIA) (Japanese)
Film version of an autobiographical manga about a cartoonist and mother of two whose alcoholic husband develops a fatal disease. Not reviewed.
Let the Wind Carry Me (IIA) (Mandarin)
Documentary about the life and work of Taiwanese cinematographer Mark Lee Ping-bing. Not reviewed.
The Way We Were (IIA) (Cantonese)
Comedy-drama about a man (Liu Kai-chi) whose desperate efforts to become a movie star cause him to clash with his family. Not reviewed.
General Releases
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
A Chinese Ghost Story (IIA) (Cantonese)
Radical reinterpretation of Qing dynasty writer Pu Songling's supernatural romantic fantasy tale of love between a beautiful spectre and a man. PF
A3D Ayumi Hamasaki Arena Tour 2009 - Next Level (I) (Japanese)
Shot-in-3-D concert film featuring a headlining performance by the J-pop singer-songwriter. CT
African Cats (I)
Nature documentary showing how cheetahs, lions and lionesses teach their cubs the ways of the wild. CT
Buddha Mountain (IIB) (Putonghua)
Drama revolving around three young adults who rent rooms from a retired Peking opera singer with whom they form a bond. CT
Don't Go Breaking My Heart (IIA) (Cantonese, Putonghua and English)
Rom-com about a love triangle involving a high-flying playboy (Louis Koo Tin-lok), a female executive (Gao Yuanyuan) and a talented architect (Daniel Wu Yin-cho ). PF
Fast Five (IIB) (English and Portuguese)
The car-focused crime action franchise's fifth instalment once again has Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his crew on the wrong side of the law as they try to switch lanes between a ruthless drug lord and a relentless federal agent in Rio de Janiero. CT
Gantz (IIB) (Japanese)
Sci-fi actioner about two teens who wake up in a room dominated by a mysterious black sphere that sends them to hunt down and kill aliens hiding on earth. CT
Hop (I) (Cantonese and English versions)
Comedy, in which animation and live action blend, about an out-of-work slacker who takes the Easter Bunny in as a house guest after accidentally injuring him. CT
Incendies (IIB) (French, Arabic and English)
Drama about twins who journey to the Middle East in search of their roots. CT
Just Go With It (IIA)
Rom-com about a plastic surgeon who gets his loyal assistant to pose as his soon-to-be-divorced wife in order to cover up a careless lie he told to his girlfriend. CT
The Lost Bladesman (IIB) (Putonghua)
Historical martial arts movie revolving around legendary general Guan Yunchang's (Donnie Yen Ji-dan) struggles to stay loyal to his sworn brother and ruler amidst pressure to join a more powerful warlord's (Jiang Wen) camp. CT
Love Crime (IIB) (French and English)
Thriller about a young executive (Ludivine Sagnier) who is led by her boss (Kristin Scott Thomas) into a dangerous game of seduction and domination. CT
Mr and Mrs Single (I) (Putonghua)
Romantic comedy about a man who keeps his marriage a secret in order to get a new job as an assistant at a perfume company and a love triangle involving his female boss. CT
Punished (IIB) (Cantonese)
Crime drama about a grief-stricken tycoon (Anthony Wong Chau-sang) who turns to his loyal bodyguard (Richie Jen Hsien-chi) to help him exact revenge after his daughter is kidnapped. PF
Rango (I) (Cantonese and English versions)
Animated comic Western with a green lizard hero charged with being the unlikely saviour of a lawless outpost in the Wild West. CT
Red Riding Hood (IIB)
Medieval fantasy-horror-mystery about a young woman living in a village terrorised by a werewolf who falls for a gallant woodcutter. CT
Rio 3-D (I) (Cantonese and English versions)
Animated comedy revolving around a domesticated macaw from Minnesota who goes off with his owner and best friend on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro to find the bird of his dreams. LKW
Room in Rome (III) (Spanish, Italian, Russian, Basque and English)
Drama revolving around a Spanish woman and another woman from Russia who become involved with each other in the Eternal City. CT
Sammy's Adventures: The Secret Passage 3-D (I) (Cantonese and English versions)
Animated adventure tale with an ecological message follows a sea turtle from hatchling to adulthood. CT
Source Code (IIA)
Sci-fi action thriller about a soldier (Jake Gyllenhaal) who wakes up in an unknown man's body and finds he's part of a mission to find a train's bomber. CT
Thor (IIA)
Epic 3-D film about a warrior cast out of the mystical realm of Asgard and banished to earth where he must learn what it takes to be a true hero. CT
Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives (IIA) (Thai)
Apichatpong Weerasethakul's whimsical drama about a dying man who spends his last days in the countryside surrounded by his loved ones. CT
Water for Elephants (IIA)
Drama centring on a veterinary student who abandons his studies after his parents are killed and joins a traveling circus as their vet. Starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. CT
Art House
We are Astronomers
Sky show introducing the latest methods used by astronomers to explore the universe. English shows Wed, Fri, 6.10pm; otherwise in Cantonese. Narrations in Cantonese, Putonghua, English and Japanese are also available through headphones. Daily (except Tue), 2.40pm, 6.10pm, also Sun, 11.10am, Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Rd, TST, HK$24, HK$32 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2721 0226. Ends Jun 30
Hubble
Omnimax show chronicling a May 2009 space mission to maintain and upgrade the US' National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Hubble Space Telescope that has played a major role in unveiling the mystery of the universe since its launch two decades ago. English shows Sat-Sun, 8.30pm; otherwise in Cantonese. Narrations in Cantonese, Putonghua, English and Japanese are also available through headphones. Daily (except Tue), 1.30pm, 5pm, 8.30pm. Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Rd, TST, HK$24, HK$32 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2721 0226. Ends Aug 31
Legends of Flight
Omnimax film focusing on aircraft designs from different eras. English shows Mon, Thu, 7.20pm; otherwise in Cantonese. Narrations in Cantonese, Putonghua, English, Japanese, French and Spanish are also available through headphones. Daily (except Tue), 3.50pm, 7.20pm, also Sat-Sun, 12.20pm, Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Rd, TST, HK$24, HK$32 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2721 0226. Ends Oct 31
Morning Matinee
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department presents a continuing series of old Hong Kong movies, including the following two features. Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, HK$20 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2739 2139
Love Affairs of a Confirmed Bachelor
Comedy about a 35-year-old bachelor looking to get married. Su Chengshou directs. In Cantonese. May 13, Film Archive, 11am.
He is a Rare and Passionate Lover
Romantic comedy about a good-natured department store employee (Patsy Kar Ling) who takes pity on a man (Chow Chung) she thinks is unemployed but actually is the store owner. Also starring Leung Sing-po. In Cantonese. May 20, 11am, Film Archive.
All for One and One for All: Union Film
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department presents the complete retrospective of Union Film's catalogue of titles, including the following 10 films. Until Jun 26. Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, HK$30 Urbtix (except otherwise indicated below). Inquiries: 2734 2900
Parents' Hearts
Chun Kim's drama about a modern family, albeit one headed by an unemployed Cantonese opera performer struggling to provide a better future for his children. Starring Ma Si-tsang. In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles. May 14, 2pm, Film Archive.
Story of Father and Son
Drama about a father trying desperately to ensure that his son's future will be bright. Ng Wui directs. In Cantonese. May 14, 4.30pm, Jun 12, 7pm, Film Archive.
The More the Merrier
Dramatic contemplation on the meaning of child bearing filtered through the story of several families. In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles. May 14, 7pm, Film Archive.
Humanity
Drama about three young womens' experience at work that takes on a criminal twist when the company that employs the women is revealed to be involved in illicit businesses. In Cantonese. May 15, Film Archive, free screening of VHS version due to the unavailability of a film print.
The Cruel Hand
Drama revolving around a pair of drug addicts - one of whom comes from a wealthy family, the other of whom is a wage slave supporting a household of five. Starring Ng Cho-fan and Cheung Ying. In Cantonese. May 15, 4.30pm, Film Archive.
Sworn Sisters
Drama revolving around five women and their lives as maids. In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles. May 15, 7pm, Jun 25, 7.30pm, Film Archive.
Autumn Comes to Crape Myrtle Garden
Chun Kim's drama about a family, many of whose members struggle against the ruling feudal order in the form of their domineering matriarch. In Cantonese. May 21, 2pm, Film Archive.
Eternal Love
Lee Tit's drama centring on a man (Ng Cho-fan) whose pursuit of happiness is repeatedly thwarted by cruel fate in the form of unscrupulous people and his own unfortunate decisions. In Cantonese with English subtitles. May 21, 4.30pm, Film Archive.
The Wall
Family drama revolving around a schoolteacher and his wife, whose peaceful, loving life with their daughter threatens to turn sour as a result of a series of arguments over mostly mundane issues. Starring Lee Ching. In Cantonese. May 22, 2pm, Film Archive.
Anna
Lee Sun-fung's adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina transforms the story's courageous protagonist into a traditional Chinese woman victimised by a feudalistic order that refuses to die. In Cantonese with English subtitles. May 22, 4.15pm, Jun 19, 5pm, Film Archive.
Kuei Chih-hung, the Rebel in the System
The HK Film Archive and HK International Film Festival co-present a programme of nine films directed by the Hong Kong filmmaker, including the following two films. Until May 28. Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho, HK$30 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2739 2139
Hex
Supernatural mystery thriller revolving around an unhappy woman who conspires with her maid to kill her husband, with unexpected results. Starring Tanny Tien Ni. In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles. May 13, 7.30pm, Film Archive.
Hex After Hex
Satirical horror tale revolving around a property tycoon who goes too far in his pursuit of profit, a bodybuilder and his ghoul girlfriend who blocks his every turn. In Cantonese with Chinese and English subtitles. May 22, 7pm, Film Archive.
The Met: Live in HD in Hong Kong
Foundation for the Arts and Music in Asia presents a programme of 11 operas performed by the Metropolitan Opera of New York, including the following one. Until Jul 10. Wellcome Theatre, HK Academy for Performing Arts' Bethanie Campus, 139 Pok Fu Lam Rd, Pok Fu Lam, HK$170 HK Ticketing. Inquiries: 2880 9900
Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor
Film of the Metropolitan Opera's production of Gaetano Donizetti's tragic opera about an emotionally fragile woman caught in a feud between her own family and that of her lover's. In Italian with English subtitles. May 14-15, 6.30pm, also May 15, 1pm, Wellcome Theatre.
From Novel to Film 2 - Critics' Choice 2011
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department presents a programme of six film adaptations of novels, including the following film. Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd, Sai Wan Ho; Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Rd, TST East; and Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Rd, TST, HK$55 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2734 2900
The Conformist
Bernardo Bertolucci's adaptation of Italian writer Alberto Moravia's novel centring on a weak-willed and socially-alienated Italian man who turns into a fascist flunky and goes to Paris to assassinate his former university professor. In Italian and French with Chinese and English subtitles. May 14, 7.30pm, Space Museum, May 21, 8pm, also May 28, 2.30pm, Film Archive.
Classical in Cinema
iMagine presents a HD programme of classical music concerts and operas, including the following two films. Until Jan 2012. AMC Pacific Place, L1 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty; Broadway The One, 6-11/F, The One, 100 Nathan Rd, TST; and Palace IFC, Podium Level 1, IFC Mall, 8 Finance St, Central, HK$75-HK$120 www.amccinemas.com.hk and www2.cinema.com.hk. Inquiries: 6336 3595
Karajan Series Beethoven Symphonies No 3 and 6
Concert films double-bill that have Herbert von Karajan conducting the Berliner Philharmoniker performing Beethoven's Symphony No 3 in E-Flat Major, Eroica and Symphony No 6 in F Major, Pastorale. Hugo Niebeling directs. May 21, 2pm, May 28, 11.30am, Broadway The One, May 22, 29, Jun 5, 11.30am, Palace IFC, May 28, 6pm, AMC Pacific Place.
A Lean Night 2011 - Fresh!
The HK Arts Centre presents the following programme of four shot-on-digital video films. May 21-29. HK Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd, Wan Chai, HK$50 Urbtix. Inquiries: 2582 0273
After the Wedding
Susanne Bier's drama centring on a manager of an orphanage in India who is sent to Copenhagen, Denmark, where he discovers a life-altering family secret. Starring Mads Mikkelsen. In Danish, English, Hindi and Swedish with English subtitles. May 21, 28, 2.30pm, HK Arts Centre.
A Lake
Drama about an epilepsy-prone woodcutter with an overbearing passion for his sister whose hermetic existence is shattered by a stranger's arrival into his world. In French with English subtitles. May 21, 5.30pm, May 22, 2.30pm, HK Arts Centre.
Alexandra
Aleksandr Sokurov's war drama about an elderly woman (opera diva Galina Vishnevskaya) who takes a train trip to visit her grandson at his army camp inside Chechnya. In Russian and Chechen with English subtitles. May 21, 7.30pm, May 29, 2.30pm, HK Arts Centre. (See Don't miss, pg 7)
Last Train Home
Fan Lixin's documentary follows a working-class couple on their annual journey home to Sichuan over the Lunar New Year. The duo get trapped in the huge crowds at a Guangzhou train station. In Putonghua and Sichuanese with English subtitles. May 22, 5.30pm, May 28, 5pm, HK Arts Centre.