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Cinema
Views, news, and reviews of films, from the latest releases to classic oldies.
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.
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.

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Fame and celebrity

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

Asian cinema: Chinese films

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

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Stanley Plaza Christmas Market in 2019. The annual event celebrates its 10th edition this year with “Merry Gingermas”, featuring 100 stalls selling everything from cheese to German food. Photo: courtesy of Stanley Plaza
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.

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.

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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.

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Ryan Gosling in a still from Project Hail Mary, coming to Hong Kong cinemas in early 2026. The sci-fi is among a bevvy of star-studded Hollywood movies being released this winter. Photo: Jonathan Olley
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.

The Academy Awards will stream for free worldwide on YouTube. Photo: TNS
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.

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.

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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.

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Varang (played by Oona Chaplin) in a still from Avatar: Fire and Ash (category TBC), directed by James Cameron and starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña. Photo: 20th Century Studios
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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Kara Hui Ying-hung (left) and Hsiao Hou in a still from My Young Auntie (1981)
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.

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.

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.

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Willard E. Pugh (left) and Oprah Winfrey in a still from The Color Purple (1985). Photo: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
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.

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A woman passes a promotional poster for the film “Black Box Diaries” at a Tokyo movie theatre on Friday. Photo: AFP
United States

Director convicted of scamming millions from Netflix for unfinished sci-fi show

Carl Erik Rinsch, best known for ‘47 Ronin’, was convicted of wire fraud, money laundering and other charges.

United States

‘One Battle After Another’ leads Golden Globe nominations with 9 nods

Paul Thomas Anderson’s film earns momentum for Oscar season, while Chinese-born director Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet scores six nominations.

Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

‘We have this gift’: Hong Kong film shows healing power of city’s nature

Never Too Late shows how four Hongkongers found balance and freedom in the city’s natural spaces and why people should cherish its beauty.

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Diver and environmentalist Hidy Yu in a still from the Hong Kong documentary Never Too Late. Photo: Edko Films
Donald Trump

Kennedy Centre Honours fete celebrities, but Trump takes limelight

Sylvester Stallone and KISS are among the entertainers celebrated at the annual Kennedy Centre Honours hosted by the US president.

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk the red carpet. Photo: AP
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Was Chow Yun-fat’s mainland Chinese film career a success or a flop?

We look at five films that Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat made in mainland China, with roles including a sleazy con man and Confucius.

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Performing arts in Hong Kong

Wicked songs in Cantonese? New online series champions Hong Kong talent

Songs like ‘Popular’ and ‘What Is This Feeling’ have been painstakingly translated for the ‘Wicked in Canto’ series on YouTube and Instagram.

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