FILM REVIEWS 

FILM LISTINGS

Hong Kong International Film Festival - The 34th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) begins on March 21. Tickets for films are currently on sale online at www.hkiff.org.hk. HKCEC screenings and Metropolis (see p.37) must be purchased from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009.

Bright Star
Jane Campion’s latest film is about poet John Keats, starring Abbie Cornish, Ben Whishaw and Paul Schneider. Mar 27, 8pm; Mar 30, 9:45pm.

La Comédie Humaine
Chan Hing-kai and Janet Chun direct this wacky comedy starring Chapman To, Wong Cho-lam and Fiona Sit. Mar 31, 7:15pm.

Crossing Hennessy
Ivy Ho’s latest film, featuring Jacky Cheung and Tang Wei, opens the festival. Don’t miss this world premiere. Mar 21, 6:45 pm; Mar 31, 9:30 pm.

Landscape in the Mist
This 1988 film is one of director Theo Angelopoulos’ most critically acclaimed works, featuring a journey where two characters are searching for their father. Apr 18, 9:20pm.

Like a Dream
This is Clara Law’s first narrative film since “The Goddess of 1967” (2000). Starring Daniel Wu and Yolanda Yuan. Mar 21, 9:30pm; Mar 22, 7:15pm.

HK PICKS
The Red Shoes
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s 1948 classic adaptation of the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale is a seminal celluloid ballet story. Apr 3, 6pm.

The Misfortunates
Felix van Groeningen directs this Belgian coming-of-age film based on a novel by Dimitri Velhurst. Mar 31, 2:30pm; Apr 6, 8pm.

The Secret in Their Eyes
Juan Jose Campanella directs this Argentine police procedural thriller starring Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil and Pablo Rago. Mar 28, 6pm; Apr 6, 3pm.

Spring in a Small Town
Fei Mu’s 1948 black and white film follows five characters in a Chinese town. Pay attention to the use of opera techniques in this poetic drama. Mar 28, 2:30pm.

HK PICKS
Tetro
Francis Ford Coppola goes experimental in this stylish family drama. Starring Vincent Gallo, Maribel Verdu and Alden Ehrenreich. Mar 29, 9:30pm; Apr 3, 12:30pm.

Opening soon

HK PICKS
The Hurt Locker
(USA) War sucks, but there are some dudes who thrive on the adrenaline. In this film, three American soldiers stationed in Iraq must work together to deactivate bombs, but one of them is a loose cannon. Director Kathryn Bigelow’s latest action drama is an Oscar favorite this year. Starring Jeremy Renner, Guy Pearce, Ralph Fiennes. Opens Mar 11.

It’s Complicated
(USA) In writer-director Nancy Jones’ (“The Holiday”) latest romantic comedy, divorced couple Jane (Meryl Streep) and Jake (Alec Baldwin) reignite the spark in their relationship. But what’s so complicated? Jake is remarried and Jane is seeing her architect, Adam (Steve Martin). By the way, onscreen rivals Baldwin and Martin will be your Oscar hosts this week. Opens Mar 11.

Echoes of the Rainbow
(Hong Kong) Traveling back to the old Hong Kong of the bustling 60s, the film centers on a young boy, growing up in a working-class family, who observes the ever-changing society with wit and humor. Winner of the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival this year. Directed by Alex Law. Starring Simon Yam, Sandra Ng and Aarif Lee. Opens Mar 11.

Shutter Island
(USA) Martin Scorsese’s latest film is set in 1954 and follows a US Marshall investigating the disappearance of a patient. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley. Opens Mar 11.

A Single Man
(USA) See review. Opens Mar 11.

Opening

Alice in Wonderland
(USA) Tim Burton’s much anticipated adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s popular novel about 19-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) falling down a rabbit hole and starting her adventures in a peculiar fantasy world. Also starring Anne Hathaway, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Johnny Depp (as the Mad Hatter) and Helena Bonham Carter (as the Red Queen). Opened Mar 4.

HK PICKS
Crazy Heart
(USA) Jeff Bridges’s Golden Globe-winning portrayal of a faded, hard-living country singer, who, at the age of 57, is forced to face his own dysfunctional life and reach out for salvation. Directed by Scott Cooper. Also starring Colin Farrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal. Opened Mar 4. PPP

The Last Station
(Germany/Russia/UK) A biographical film starring Christopher Plummer and Helen Mirren (both are nominated for Oscars for their roles) that explores the final year of Leo Tolstoy and his troubled marriage with Sofya Tolstoy. Directed by Michael Hoffman. Also starring Paul Giamatti and James McAvoy. Opened Mar 4.

Continuing

14 Blades
(China, Hong Kong) Donnie Yen plays a secret service agent serving the Imperial Court. He’s betrayed and hunted by his colleagues, all of whom are elite killers. Directed by Daniel Lee. Also starring Zhao Wei, Wu Chun.

72 Tenants of Prosperity
(Hong Kong) After rescuing 72 evicted tenants in the 70s, Ha Kung wins a coin toss against his brother Shek Kin to marry Pinky. Now in 2010, Shek’s hatred fuels a competition between the businesses on Sai Yeung Choi Street—still home to the 72 tenants. Directed by Eric Tsang. Starring Eric Tsang, Jacky Cheung, Anita Yuen.

All’s Well Ends Well Too 2010
(Hong Kong) The all-star cast CNY comedy this year features a string of wacky characters who mistake the identity of a princess with an ordinary girl. Directed by Raymond Wong, Herman Yau. Starring Louis Koo, Sandra Ng, Raymond Wong, Ronald Cheng.

Avatar (3D)
(USA) It’s the “Star Wars” of the noughties, conceived by James Cameron. Starring Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana. IMAX 3D versions in selected cinemas. PPPP

The Blind Side
(USA) See review. 

Hot Summer Days
(USA/Hong Kong/China) In this romantic comedy, Hong Kong’s answer to “Love Actually,” a group of people are trapped in town during the hottest part of summer. Directed by Tony Chan, Wing Shya. Starring Nicholas Tse, Maggie Cheung, Rene Liu, Jacky Cheung. PPP

Little Big Soldier
(China/Hong Kong) During the Warring States period in ancient China, an old soldier (Jackie Chan) kidnaps a young general (Leehom Wang) of an enemy state and takes him on a long journey to collect the reward, but encounters a series of unexpected incidents. Directed by Sheng Ding. PPPP

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief
(USA) After Zeus’ lightning bolt is stolen, the angry gods of Olympus hunt down the prime suspect: 21st-century high school student Percy Jackson. Directed by Chris Columbus. Starring Logan Lerman, Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan and Sean Bean. PPP

HK PICKS
Nine
(USA) Rob Marshall’s film adaptation of the renowned Broadway musical based on Federico Fellini’s “8 1⁄2” and starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Nicole Kidman, Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson, Marion Cotillard and Fergie. PPP

Precious
(USA) Nominated for six Oscars this year, “Precious” tells a heart-wrenching story about 16-year-old girl Precious Jones (Gabourey Sidibe) in Harlem, abused by her mother (Mo’Nique), raped by her father, overweight and illiterate, trying to find hope in her life with the help with a teacher (Paula Patton) and a social worker (Mariah Carey). Directed by Lee Daniels. PPP

True Legend
(China) During the Qing Dynasty, after losing his fortune, Su Qi Er dedicates his life to martial arts and becomes a patriotic hero known as the “King of Beggars.” Directed by Yuen Woo-ping. Starring Vincent Zhao, Jay Chou and Michelle Yeoh. PP

HK PICKS
Up in the Air
(USA) Jason Reitman, director of “Juno,” delivers another light-hearted comedy with George Clooney as a corporate downsizing expert who has spent years flying around America firing people, but finds his cherished job and life threatened when the company decides to ground him next. Also starring Jason Bateman, Anna Kendrick, Vera Farmiga. PPP

Valentine’s Day
(USA) This ho-hum rom-com tells the intertwined stories of a group of Los Angelinos on V-Day. Directed by Garry Marshall. Starring Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Anne Hathaway, etc. PPP

The Wolfman
(USA) Returning to his hometown in search of his missing brother, haunted nobleman Lawrence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro, who looks like a werewolf already even without the make-up) reunites with his estranged father (Anthony Hopkins) and finds out about his cursed fate. Damn. Directed by Joe Johnston. Also starring Emily Blunt, Hugo Weaving. PPP

Arthouse

HKIFF Special Presentation
Metropolis
(Germany, 1927) The final restored version of Fritz Lang’s science fiction masterpiece “Metropolis” will have its Asian premiere in Hong Kong. The original score of the film will be performed live by the Hong Kong Sinfonietta under the direction of Frank Strobel, well known for conducting silent movies. Thu, Apr 1, 8pm. $100-$600 from www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009. Grand Theatre, Cultural Centre, 10 Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui. More info www.hkiff.org.hk.

Eileen Chang and Film
The Hong Kong Film Archive’s new retrospective looks at the special links between writer Eileen Chang and film. $30 each from  www.urbtix.hk, 2734-9009. Through Mar 7. Cinema, Film Archive, 50 Lei King Rd., Sai Wan Ho,  www.filmarchive.gov.hk.

June Bride
(China, 1947) A film that ranks among the best of Mandarin comedies, thanks largely to Chang’s skilful animation of screwball situations that project the complexities of modern romantic relationships in all their mix of emotions and absurdities. Sun, Mar 7, 2:30pm.

Red Rose White Rose
(Hong Kong/Taiwan/China, 1994) Director Stanley Kwan offers a treatise on gender psychology through a man’s relationship with two women—one the holy wife, the other the passionate mistress. Sun, Mar 7, 5pm.


Need to Know

AMC, 2265-8933 www.amcinemas.com.hk

BC, 2388-3188 www.cinema.com.hk

Golden Harvest Cinemas, 2622-6688 www.goldenharvest.com.

MCL, 3413-6688 www.mclcinema.com

UA, 3516-8811 www.uacinemas.com.hk

Arts Centre, 2582-0200
2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai
hkac.org.hk

Broadway Cinematheque, 2388-0002
3 Public Square St., Yau Ma Tei
bc.cinema.com.hk

Film Archive, 2739-2139
50 Lei King Rd., Sai Wan Ho
www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/culturalservice/hkfa

Grand Cinema, 2196-8170
2/F, Elements, 1 Austin Rd., Kowloon Station

Urbtix, 2111-5999 www.urbtix.gov.hk