Top five films to watch in Hong Kong this week (August 9-15), from Christopher Robin to Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days

Click on the film titles to read SCMP.com reviews.

1. You Were Never Really Here

Joaquin Phoenix deservedly won the best actor prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival for his visceral performance in this brutal thriller, adapted by Lynne Ramsay from Jonathan Ames’ novel. Playing a suicidal war veteran who tracks down runaways, Phoenix is astonishing as the emotionally damaged protagonist. (Now showing)

2. Christopher Robin

It’s a pity that China won’t get to see this very sweet and funny Winnie the Pooh film, which has apparently been denied a theatrical release in the country. Almost as charming as the recent Paddington films, this modest tale about a grown-up Christopher Robin is quality entertainment for kids big and small. (Now showing)

3. Men on the Dragon

One of Hong Kong cinema’s best surprises of 2018, this directing debut by screenwriter Sunny Chan Wing-sun takes a potentially cloying premise (mid-life crisis), bundles it up with an unfancied sport (dragon boat racing), and fashions an alternately hilarious and poignant drama with thoroughly endearing characters. (Now showing)

4. Bishonen

A star was born with this 1998 gay romance by art-house director Yonfan, who offered Daniel Wu Yin-cho his first starring role before he went on to global stardom with projects such as Into the Badlands and Tomb Raider . Wu’s co-stars, Stephen Fung Tak-lun and Shu Qi, married in 2016. (Re-release from August 11)

5. Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days

We didn’t like this bloated CGI spectacle of a film. Then again, it also looks like nothing could stop you from making this fantasy epic sequel – arriving just seven months after the slightly superior first film – one of the top-grossing Korean films in Hong Kong cinema history. Prepare to move over, Train to Busan ! (Opens on August 9)

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