TOPIC

Cinema

Cinema
Views, news, and reviews of films, from the latest releases to classic oldies.
Louis Koo in a still from Back to the Past.
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Back to the Past: Louis Koo, Raymond Lam lead nostalgic film sequel

This big-budget sci-fi fantasy may be an emotional watch for fans of the 2001 Hong Kong show A Step into the Past, even if it falls short.

videocam
Asian cinema

The 12 best Asian films of 2025: Ne Zha 2, Kokuho and more

videocam
France

Brigitte Bardot, French icon and animal rights activist, dies at 91

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

How Stephen Chow and Donnie Yen reinvented Bruce Lee’s classic Chen Zhen

Fist of Fury 1991 with Stephen Chow and TV series Fist of Fury with Donnie Yen saw two different versions of Bruce Lee’s famous character.

videocam
Donnie Yen in a still from the television drama series Fist of Fury (1995).
Fame and celebrity

Meet comedian Morgan Jay, who went viral for his auto-tuned musical acts

Jay grew up in a musical family and interned at The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, before going viral on TikTok for his hilarious crowd work.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

The Hong Kong films released in 2025 ranked from worst to best

It was a rough year for Hong Kong cinema – only Another World made more than HK$14 million locally – but there were still some gems released.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
American cinema

How The Joy Luck Club opened the door for majority-Asian casts in Hollywood

The Joy Luck Club (1993) is a complex tale of intergenerational trauma focusing on four Chinese mothers and their daughters in San Francisco.

videocam
Lisa Lu (left) and Rosalind Chao in a still from The Joy Luck Club (1993). The film stands as only the second Hollywood film ever to tell a contemporary story with a majority Asian cast – the first, Flower Drum Song, had arrived 32 years prior.
Fame and celebrity

Meet Bruno Gouery, who plays eccentric Frenchman Luc on Emily in Paris

The French actor also played Didier in The White Lotus alongside Jennifer Coolidge, and starred in a Johnny Depp-directed film last year.

Asian cinema: Chinese films

7 film stories from 2025 that readers loved, including a Chow Yun-fat profile

Profiles of Chow Yun-fat, Faye Wong and Deanie Ip and a look at Donnie Yen’s early films were among stories popular with readers this year.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 forgotten Hong Kong wuxia gems from director Chor Yuen

Chor Yuen’s Duel for Gold, Clans of Intrigue and Jade Tiger may be less famous than some of his other films, but are just as groundbreaking.

videocam
Ti Lung in a still from Clans of Intrigue (1977). Photo: Celestial Pictures
Fame and celebrity

Meet Robbie G.K., the scene-stealer in ice hockey series Heated Rivalry

In the show’s third episode, the Canadian actor’s appearance as Kip sent fans into a frenzy – but he could’ve had a different role.

Robbie G.K. stole the show as Kip on Heated Rivalry. Photo: @robsgk/Instagram
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Pass and Goal: Gigi Leung leads football-themed Hong Kong family comedy

Pass and Goal, starring Gigi Leung and newcomer Chau Tsz-yuet, defies expectations with its feel-good story, good acting and funny dialogue.

videocam
What to do in Hong Kong

5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, December 19-21

Head to a Christmas market, buy restaurant dinnerware to help Tai Po Fire victims, watch Two Seasons, Two Strangers and more this weekend.

videocam
Hong Kong celebrities and icons

Profile | The bold reinvention of 1990s Hong Kong sex symbol Veronica Yip

Veronica Yip posed topless for a Hong Kong magazine and acted in erotic films before becoming a pop singer, TV fixture and a tycoon’s wife.

Hong Kong entertainer Veronica Yip poses in a swimsuit in 1994. From soft-core star to mainstream success, Yip’s career was a masterclass in reinvention. Photo: SCMP
Fame and celebrity

Meet Jacob Tierney, creator of viral ice hockey romance series Heated Rivalry

Tierney began his cinematic journey at just 6 years old – he’s now a writer, director and actor, and has worked with his late producer dad.

videocam
Jacob Tierney, writer and director of Heated Rivalry; Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, stars of the show. Photos: @jacob.tierney, @hudsonwilliams/Instagram
American cinema

12 new Hollywood movies to watch this winter, from Hamnet to Song Sung Blue

Project Hail Mary, Wuthering Heights, Anaconda and Scream 7 join Hamnet, Song Sung Blue and others on our list of anticipated upcoming films.

videocam
Fame and celebrity

Oscars will move to YouTube in 2029, leaving US network ABC

Landmark deal with Google’s video giant ends a 50-year TV broadcast era and takes Hollywood’s biggest night fully online.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Crime

Son of filmmaker Rob Reiner in court on charges of murdering parents

Nick Reiner, 32, faces two counts of first-degree murder as the DA weighs whether to seek the death penalty.

Nick Reiner, wearing a blue protective vest, makes his first court appearance in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Courtroom sketch: Mona Edwards via Reuters
Asian cinema: Chinese films

Review | Good Autumn, Mommy: Shu Qi anchors gritty Chinese rural drama

Shu Qi stars as an impoverished woman who believes her newborn was taken from her in Good Autumn, Mommy, set in rural Guangzhou in 1995.

videocam
American cinema

Review | Avatar: Fire and Ash – stunning visuals carry breathless third instalment

Avatar: Fire and Ash sees the Na’vi again fighting for survival in an action-packed sequel that introduces Pandora’s menacing Mangkwan clan.

videocam
Asian cinema: Japanese films

Review | Two Seasons, Two Strangers: a hypnotic ode to writing and travel

Starring Shim Eun-kyung and Yuumi Kawai, Japanese drama Two Seasons, Two Strangers is both fascinating and beautiful.

videocam
Yuumi Kawai in a still from Two Seasons, Two Strangers
Fame and celebrity

Meet Sophie Nélisse, who plays Rose Landry on Heated Rivalry

The Montreal-raised actress made her film debut in 2011’s Monsieur Lazhar when she was only a child, and won a Genie and Jutra award for the role.

Sophie Nélisse appears on hit ice hockey romance, Heated Rivalry. Photo: @sophie__nelisse/Instagram
United States

Son arrested after Hollywood director Rob Reiner and wife found dead in LA home

Nick Reiner was taken into custody after the bodies of the prolific filmmaker, 78, and his wife Michele, 70, were found on Sunday.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

3 female action stars who ruled Hong Kong cinema alongside Michelle Yeoh

Like Michelle Yeoh, female fighters Cynthia Rothrock, Kara Hui and Shih Szu starred in their own must-see Hong Kong action classics.

videocam
K-drama news

Profile | Who is Kim Woo-bin, star of K-dramas Our Blues and Genie, Make a Wish?

Kim Woo-bin, who is marrying fellow K-drama star Shin Min-a this month, has proved he has the acting chops to match his good looks.

Korean actor Kim Woo-bin has starred in hit films and TV series including The Heirs, Twenty, Uncontrollably Fond, Our Blues and Genie, Make a Wish. He will marry his fellow K-drama star Shin Min-a this month. Photo: Instagram/kimwoobin
Fame and celebrity

Dick Van Dyke turns 100: 5 things to know about the Mary Poppins star

We look back on what the actor – best known as chimney sweep Bert in Mary Poppins – has said about Walt Disney, James Bond and the key to ageing gracefully.

Dick Van Dyke has written the book 100 Rules for Living to 100: An Optimist’s Guide to a Happy Life. Photo: @paradigmtalentagency/Instagram
American cinema

Why Spielberg’s black drama The Color Purple remains controversial 40 years on

The 1985 film, starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey, was much criticised upon release but received 11 Oscar nominations.

videocam
Japan

‘Want people to face this issue’: Oscar-nominated #MeToo film finally in Japan

After sensitive footage was cut, Shiori Ito’s ‘Black Box Diaries’ finally debuts in Japan, exposing sexual violence and pushing for #MeToo justice.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement