Top five films to watch in Hong Kong this week (October 11-17), from First Man to Destination Wedding

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

1. First Man

Following the ecstatic reception for Whiplash and La La Land , filmmaking prodigy Damien Chazelle shoots for the moon with this realistic portrait of Neil Armstrong. The exhilarating biopic follows the American hero from his entry into Nasa’s astronaut programme in 1961 to his walk on the moon eight years later. (Opens on October 11)

2. A Simple Favour

An enjoyably twisted story and a pair of potent performances make this one of the best suburban films noir in quite a while. Anna Kendrick plays a mummy blogger who turns to playing detective when her new best friend (Blake Lively) goes missing in a small town – and twists and revelations abound. (Now showing)

3. Distinction

Jevons Au Man-kit, who is remarkably a two-time Hong Kong Film Awards best picture winner ( Ten Years and Trivisa ) after co-directing just two films, makes his solo directing debut with this bittersweet school drama, which observes the daily struggles of three characters who cross paths at a school for children with special education needs. (Opens on October 11)

4. Kusama – Infinity

Art lovers who wish to take a glimpse behind the success of top-selling artist Yayoi Kusama will find much more than they would have expected from this captivating portrait, which documents her conservative upbringing in Japan, her artistic journey in 1960s New York, and her battles with sexism, racism and mental illness. (Now showing)

5. Destination Wedding

Bram Stoker’s Dracula stars Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves reunite for this romantic comedy, but it is not quite what everyone hoped for. For all its cynical and misanthropic posturing, though, this stagy, talky two-hander is still a must-see for those who live for the undeniable charm of the two 1990s screen icons. (Opens on October 11)

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