Top five films to watch in Hong Kong this week (February 23-March 1), from Moonlight to Manchester by the Sea

A gay black man coming of age, a tragic family drama, an amoral political lobbyist, a 3D Hitchcock classic and a Hollywood tale are this week’s picks

Edmund Lee

Published: 9:00am, 23 Feb, 2017

Why you can trust SCMP

Click on film titles to read SCMP.com reviews

1 Moonlight

Having won the coveted original screenplay prize at the Writers Guild of America Awards on Sunday, director Barry Jenkins’ culturally vital portrait of a black gay man’s coming-of-age experience is one of the few realistic challengers to La La Land’s near-certain best picture win. (Opens on February 23)

2 Manchester by the Sea

With his sublimely subtle and complex lead performance in Kenneth Lonergan’s hauntingly sad family drama, Casey Affleck has a fighting chance to take home his first best actor Oscar. (Opens on February 23)

3 Miss Sloane

After making her mark as a formidable CIA operative in the war thriller Zero Dark Thirty , Jessica Chastain further strengthens her claim as the best Hollywood actress for steely professional roles with this gun industry drama, shouldering the film as a fascinatingly amoral political lobbyist. (Now showing)

4 Dial M for Murder 3D

Shot in 1953 as one of Hollywood’s first 3D productions, Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation of Frederick Knott’s hit drawing-room play remains a wonderful thriller today – even if the visual effects pale in comparison to the dazzling sight of Grace Kelly in her prime. (February 26, part of Cine Fan programme)

5 La La Land

In case you’re in that rarefied group of filmgoers who have somehow managed to shun this original musical romance until now, here’s your last chance to judge the hype for yourself before it takes on the Oscars. The film tied the all-time record for most nominations with 14. (Now showing)

Want more articles like this? Follow SCMP Film on Facebook

Post