https://www.scmp.com/rss/522047/feed Liam Neeson: A distinguished Northern Irish actor, he has enjoyed a prolific career spanning decades, showcasing remarkable versatility across dramatic and action genres. Rising to prominence with his acclaimed role as Oskar Schindler in *Schindler’s List* (1993), for which he earned an Academy Award nomination, Neeson has also portrayed iconic characters such as Qui-Gon Jinn in *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace* (1999) and Henri Ducard in *Batman Begins* (2005). More recently, he has... en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com James Mottram James Mottram Predicting the movie business is a fool’s errand, but with a new year under way, let us start with a moment of cautious optimism: 2026 could be a great year for cinema. Last year, with artificial intelligence (AI) encroaching on the industry and ticket sales still trailing pre-pandemic levels, there was much soul-searching. This year, cinema is boldly heralding the theatrical experience, with heavyweights Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg and Denis Villeneuve all back with new films. Behind... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3338872/hollywood-2026-movies-and-bigger-china-focus-dunesday-heres-what-expect?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3338872/hollywood-2026-movies-and-bigger-china-focus-dunesday-heres-what-expect?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 06 Jan 2026 11:15:09 +0000 James Marsh James Marsh 3.5/5 stars It has been more than three decades since Leslie Nielsen’s bumbling police detective last cracked a case, but now The Naked Gun returns, with Liam Neeson assuming the role of Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr in a belated sequel every bit as childish, ridiculous and laugh-out-loud funny as its predecessors. The film is produced by Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy and Ted, and directed by Akiva Schaffer, who is one-third of the comedy troupe The Lonely Island. It also stars Pamela... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3319960/naked-gun-movie-review-liam-neeson-plays-bumbling-cop-hilarious-comedy-reboot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3319960/naked-gun-movie-review-liam-neeson-plays-bumbling-cop-hilarious-comedy-reboot?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Jul 2025 13:00:08 +0000 Matt Glasby Matt Glasby This is the latest instalment in our From the Vault feature series, in which we reflect on culturally significant movies celebrating notable anniversaries. When director Christopher Nolan made his fourth feature, Batman Begins, he was known for intimate, noirish indies such as 2000’s Memento. Its 2005 release, however, set him on the way to becoming the greatest blockbuster director of his generation. It was not just a stepping stone for Nolan – Batman Begins, which turns 20 this month, also... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3315902/how-christopher-nolans-batman-begins-rewrote-superhero-movie-rule-book-20-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3315902/how-christopher-nolans-batman-begins-rewrote-superhero-movie-rule-book-20-years-ago?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:45:09 +0000