Highly anticipated movies to watch in December

Ending the year with a month-full of blockbuster hits to watch this December, from another Marvel film Siper-Man: No Way Home to the chart-topping The Battle at Lake Changjin, here are the most highly anticipated films of 2021 to watch this month.

The Battle at Lake Changjin
Release Date: 11 Nov 2021

Topping the blockbuster charts within weeks of its release, The Battle at Lake Changjin, directed by highly acclaimed directors Chen Kaige, Tsui Hark and Dante Lam, is a motion picture adaptation of the historic Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

Depicting the historic battle between China and the US, an important battle in the northerneast part of the Korean peninsula in the winter of 1950, the battle took place in freezing weather over a brutal 17-day confrontation. Triumphing over all odds and losses, the historic battle led to the complete withdrawal of the US X Corps and UN troops from North Korea. The film has currently grossed over US$896 million at the box office, making it the highest-grossing film of 2021 and he highest-grossing non-English film; not to mention the highest-grossing film in Chinese history.

Anita
Release Date: 12 Nov 2021

Famed for her gangtai style, electrifying dance moves and wild costumes, Anita Mui was an inspiration to many women across the city — revolutionising femininity in the ’80s during the height of Canto Pop.

Dubbed the ‘Daughter of Hong Kong’, ‘Hong Kong’s Cantopop Diva’ and even ‘Madonna of the East’, she remains as a household name and pop icon, even after her passing in 2003. This biopic, directed by Longman Leung from Cold War, opens with the pop star’s final concert and looks back on her life and her rise to stardom. Portraying her is model and first-time actress Louise Wong, along side a star-studded cast with Louis Koo, Miriam Yeung and Tony Yang and Gordon Lam.

House of Gucci
Release Date: 25 Nov 2021

Amassing major attention online and becoming one of the most buzz-worthy films of the season, House of Gucci flaunts a star-studded cast leading with Oscar-nominated musician and actress Lady Gaga and highly acclaimed actor Adam Driver.

The film is, as its title would give away, is an engrossing true depiction of the Italian family empire behind the luxury fashion house Gucci. Directed by the man behind Alien, Gladiator and Blade Runner, Ridley Scott, and featuring Jared Leto, Salma Hayek, Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, this motion picture checks all the boxes of a blockbuster hit, following the dramatic telling of three decades of love, betrayal, revenge and to the shock of the world, the inevitable death of murder Maurizio Gucci. Just how far would someone go for decadence, wealth and control?

The Matrix Resurrections
Release Date: 22 Dec 2021

Famously quoted in the third and supposed final part of The Matrix trilogy, “Everything that has a beginning has an end”, but to the surprise of movie buffs the world over, The Matrix Revolution was not it. Enter the fourth installment to the franchise: The Matrix Resurrections.

Reprising the same director and leading cast as its past films in the series, along with fresh faces, including Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who replaces Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, this film serves as the much anticipated sequel to The Matrix Revolution. Twenty years post its apocalyptic events. In this timeline, Neo (Keanu Reeves) has returned to living an ordinary life as Thomas A. Anderson, in which he nor Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) recognise each other. Haunted by the lucid dreams of what he will later learn are his memories, suppressed by the blue pills prescribed by his therapist (Neil Patrick Harris), his life takes a dramatic turn when Morpheus helps him reopen his mind to the Matrix.

Spider-Man: No Way home
Release Date: 15 Dec 2021

The third part to the Homecoming and Far From Home series, No Way Home finally lands in Hong Kong spotlighting MU’s friendly neighborhood web-slinger, Spiderman. Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch and directed by Jon Watts, the third part to the trilogy follows the aftermath of Far From Home.

With Spiderman’s identity now revealed, the unmasked teenage Peter Parker struggles to separate his normal life from his superhero identity and seeks the help of fellow Marvel hero Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to make his identity secret again. This leads to opening of the multiverse, causing villains of alternate universes to wreak havoc in the city. Are you ready for yet another action-packed Marvel superhero movie — because we are!

3 reasons to visit Hong Kong Arts Centre this month

Dedicated to cultivating the audience and development of Hong Kong movies, the Hong Kong Arts Centre (HKAC), provides a selection of movies that celebrates Hong Kong filmmakers.

Featuring the works of emerging Hong Kong filmmakers and paying tribute to legendary film masters, we round up the top three movies not to miss at Hong Kong Arts Centre this month.

Throw Down (Digitally restored)

10/8 (Fri) 7:30pm | 13/8 (Mon) 8pm | 30/8 (Thur) 7:30pm*
*Screenwriter Yau Nai-hoi and guest director Jack Lai will attend after-screening talk.

This month’s ‘Great Hong Kong Movies’ series will showcase Throw Down, released in 2004 as a tribute to the legendary film master Akira Kurosawa. This visually arresting action drama from acclaimed director Johnnie To (Running On, Karma, Breaking News) follows legendary Judo fighter, Sze-To as he unexpectedly gives up his beloved sport and lives life as an alcoholic gambler who runs a pub. After a brash Judo champion newcomer challenges him to duel, Sze-To is encouraged to finish the match that never took place. Soon, Sze-To’s pub becomes the ultimate arena where the greatest Judo fighters show off their skills. Filled with brutality, Throw Down is an emotional tale of one man’s determination to win at all costs.

Taxi Stories

11/8 (Sat) 7:45pm*
*Post-screening Q&A Session with Director Doris Yeung via Skype

As a celebration of Hong Kong indie movies, ‘Independantly Yours’ makes a comeback as a recurrent screening programme, 20 years after its initial presentation by the HKAC.

First up in this month’s programme is Taxi Stories, a myriad of three stories based in three different Asian cities, where the paths of the rich and poor cross one another in and around taxis. A closeted Beijing taxi driver, a pregnant Hong Kong trophy wife and a Jakarta slum orphan. All three characters are eager to connect on a basic human level but are their own worst obstacles. Showcasing a new world, where social mobility is linked to increasing wealth, this movie explores how money divides and separates each of them, making it tough to for them to be who they really are, not what they appear to be.

Hong Kong, Indonesia, China, Netherlands｜2017｜98 min
In Cantonese, English, Indonesian & Putonghua with Chinese & English subtitles｜DCP｜Colour

Small Talk

31/8 (Fri) 7:45pm*
*Post-screening Q&A Session with Director Huang Hui-chen via Skype

The second pick from Hong Kong Art Centre’s ‘Independantly Yours’ programme showcases Small Talk, released in 2016. This movie explores the relationship between a mother and daughter from the young girls eyes. Her mother wakes up well before her, prepares her lunch and takes off. Every evening after eating out, she comes home, washes up and closes her bedroom door, ensuring she is fast sleep by 9pm. While they haved lived in the same house for decades, they live life like they are strangers to each other. Explore the journey as a daughter finally gets the courage to talk to her mother. But will she be ready to hear what she has to say?

Taiwan | 2016 | 88 minutes
In Taiwanese and Mandarin with English subtitles | DCP | Colour

Venue: Louis Koo Cinema, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Road, Wan Chai

To book tickets: Urbix or call (852) 3761 6661

For more information: www.hkac.org.hk

Movies in June: Five films for the summer holidays

Summer holidays are round the corner, but the sun is not being exactly kind on Hong Kongers right at this moment. While we hope the weather gets better, let’s admit it, right now is not the time to stay out in the heat for too long. So if you have bored kids at home or are bored of watching Netflix yourselves, it’s a good time to head to the theatres and check out the upcoming movies in June.

Anon

Anonymity is the enemy in this near-future dystopia, where our most private thoughts are recorded as a means of wiping out crime. Only there’s a problem – a young woman seems to have subverted the system and disappeared, leaving behind no trace or history or identity. Simply known as The Girl, she may hold the clue a series of unsolved murders.

Releasing on 31 May 2018

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Silver screen’s most popular prehistoric predators are back this summer. Three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, the remaining dinosaurs need to be saved from an erupting volcano on Isla Nublar. But the scientists are in for a nasty shock when they discover a new breed of deadlier dinos. Will the rescuers need rescuing instead?

Releasing on 7 June 2018

Incredibles 2

With an approving nod and a cheeky wink to feminist movements, this Incredibles sequel sees Elastigirl spring into action to save the world, while Mr. Incredible is left to face his greatest challenge yet – taking care of the children, Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack, with the latter’s startling superpowers just starting to develop! Perfect summer holiday movie with the kids!

Releasing on 14 June 2018

Ocean’s 8

Another tongue-in-cheek movie revolving around woman leads, this one has a group of women planning the boldest of heists – stealing a $150 million dollar worth of diamonds in the middle of the high-profile Met Gala. Starring Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, this is one plan that needs to go without a hitch. Will it?

Releasing on 14 June 2018

Death Wish

This re-imagining of the classic 1972 revenge thriller Death Wish sees Dr. Paul Kersey (played by Bruce Willis) seeking revenge after a vicious attack on his wife and daughter forever shatters their humdrum lives. Fury and fate collide in this action thriller as a deadly vigilante starts wiping out the city’s criminals.

Releasing on 14 June 2018

Text: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay