ARTICLE
Celebrate Chinese New Year with these Movies!
By InCinemas / 13 Feb 2015 (Friday)
Huat ah! February is a month jam-packed with movies, especially the Chinese New Year films catered to the young and old.
From action-blockbusters to the feel-good comedies, read on to find out the various films to catch this Chinese New Year with your family and friends!
Director: Daniel Lee
Cast: Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Choi Siwon, Lin Peng, Wang Ruoxin
[Synopsis]
Inspired by true historical events, the story of DRAGON BLADE begins with the discovery of an ancient “military journal” featuring different totem symbols. Through clues within, two archeologists (Vanness Wu and Karena Lam) locate the ancient city of ”Li-Gan”, also known as Regum, unveiling the tale of a brave team of warriors in the Han Dynasty who maintained peace along the Silk Road.
Why you should catch it: It’s one of the rare times where you get Hollywood, Chinese and Korean stars in one Mandarin film. Plus, Dragon Blade breaks the record for the biggest budget Chinese film - a whopping US$65million! Chan mentioned that he wants to ‘keep it real’ and minimise the use of CG. Therefore, most of what you see in the film was done live.
Who should catch it: Fans of Jackie Chan and those who always always adored his style of martial arts. Super Junior fans intending to catch for your Siwon (oppa), his appearance might leave you a little disappointed.
Director: Jack Neo
Cast: Wang Wei Liang, Tosh Rock, Joshua Tan, Maxi Lim, Charlie Goh, Wesley Wong, Bunz
[Synopsis]
Ah Boys to Men 3: Frogmen brings Singapore’s favourite recruits back to the days before enlistment in ABTM. Instead of reporting to Pulau Tekong, the Ah Boys are posted to the Naval Diving Unit (NDU).
Returning to active duty are familiar characters – Ken Chow (Joshua Tan), the spoilt, rich kid, who tries to 'keng' his way out of NS. Aloysius Jin AKA Wayang King (Maxi Lim), whose over-enthusiasm creates more problems for his cabin mates. Lobang (Wang Weiliang), the street-smart wheeler dealer, out to make a quick buck off his cabin mates. Joining them is new face Hei Long AKA The Black Dragon (Wesley Wong), an aggressive gang leader, who prefers to talk with his fists instead of his mouth.
Together, these ragtag band of misfits must somehow survive 40 weeks of training in hell. Do they have what it takes to become one of Singapore’s most fearsome military units – the frogmen?
Why you should catch it: Directed by Singapore’s celebrated director Jack Neo, the film packs the local humour and gags we’re all familiar with. For the guys who went through similar trainings during your National Service, take a journey with these Ah Boys and reminiscence your ‘bro’ days.
Who should catch it: If you’ve always been a fervent supporter of the Ah Boys who took Singapore by storm with their first movie in 2012, you might enjoy this film as well as it brings back memories of the fresh new faces of these actors we once knew. Needless to say, these boys sure did their ‘ABS-ercise’. Fans, you’ve been warned.
Director: Wong Jing
Cast: Chow Yun Fat, Carina Lau, Nick Cheung, Shawn Yue
[Synopsis]
After foiling the criminal plans of the international money-laundering syndicate DOA, our hero from Macau, Ken (Chow Yun Fat) is ready to sit back and enjoy life. Ken’s plan for a calm existence comes to a halt when his protégé, Vincent (Shawn Yue) joins Interpol and asks for his master’s help in arresting the real mastermind of DOA, Ms. Aoi.
Mark (Nick Cheung), the Chief Accountant of DOA and a highly intelligent guy, betrays Aoi. He steals the dirty money from DOA via internet and flees to Thailand with his daughter Yan. Ken and the Interpol are also after him.
Why you should catch it: ‘God of Gambler’ Chow Yun Fat leads an ensemble of outstanding cast that includes Carina Lau, Nick Cheung and Shawn Yue. Besides the various casino games one would expect to see in this sequel, various action sequences add to its overall entertainment value.
Who should catch it: Anyone who loves seeing ‘card-flying’ and ‘dice-throwing’ antics, the old-school ‘gambling tricks’ with Chow Yun Fat is one not be missed.
Director: Matt Chow
Cast: Sandra Ng, Louis Koo, Anthony Wong, Pakho Chau, Babyjohn, Wilfred Lau
[Synopsis]
Chow Sum knows the art of wooing and pleasing the ladies since young. He lives off his female companions and leads a lavish lifestyle. Things are good until he is cheated by an ex-love. Soon, Sum ends up with a huge debt and flees to Thailand. Desperate and without any support in Thailand, he ends up working as an escort in a bar. Unwilling to live his life in the limbo in a foreign land, Sum summons his courage and looks set to work his mojo upon returning to Hong Kong!
Why you should catch it: Sandra Ng and a myriad of guest stars, just look at the movie poster! We’ve seen this Hong Kong actress trading her artificial 38G bust for a man-made pectoral muscles in this new movie that bounds to bring the laughter and ‘Oos and Ahhs’, just like the other ‘Golden Chicken’ franchises.
Who should catch it: This might not be the most appropriate show to watch with your parents - but it’s a good choice for those who wants a good laugh during the new year! Plus, anybody who is a big fan of the actors who guest-starred in the movie, it’s a good chance to see them on the big screen. (Ex-EXO member Luhan is one of the many guest stars in 12 Golden Ducks)
Director: Wilson Yip, Matt Chow
Cast: Francis Ng, Julian Cheung, Louis Koo, Sammi Cheng, Charmaine Seah, Amber Kuo
[Synopsis]
Young pilot Branson (Louis KOO) recently takes over Skylette, his father’s aviation empire, only to realize his old flames Cassie (Charmaine SHEH) is a flight attendant there. Several years ago, he was forced to break up with her and move to New York to take care of his father's business. To this day, the two continue to harbor feelings for each other but decide to keep them bottled up.
In an effort to rebrand the airline, Branson invites rock idol TM to star in an upcoming commercial and appoints Sam (Francis NG) as her flying consultant. Incongruent in both tastes and experience, this odd couple gets off on the wrong foot. As the shoot progresses, however, they slowly discover each other's merits, developing a strong mutual attraction.
Jayden (Julian CHEUNG) has left Skylette Airline to become a pilot for private jets. He meets the young and vivacious Kika (KUO Tsai Chieh) during a flight and assumes her to be wayward and shallow. But they turn out to have a lot in common and start falling madly in love. At the height of their romance, Jayden realizes almost too late the secret behind her recalcitrance…
Each of the three relationships comes with its own setbacks. As long as one can accept the imperfection of things, finding happiness—however fleetingly—is a blessing in itself.
Why you should catch it: The star-power in this film is over-the-roof! Movie and TV A-listers Louis Koo, Charmaine Sheh, Julian Cheung, Francis Ng, Sammi Cheng and Amber Kuo join forces as the star-studded ensemble.
Who should catch it: Fans of the TVB series who have been waiting patiently for this movie, rejoice! It’s finally hitting cinemas this February. Special mention to the ‘Captain Cool’ followers, for Cheung charms in nearly every shot, every frame in the movie.
Director: Adrian Teh
Cast: Chapman To, Mark Lee, Michelle Ye, Cheronna Ng, Venus Wong, Adrian Tan, Lenna Lim, Patricia Mok, Dennis Chew, Richard Low
[Synopsis]
“King of Mahjong” centres on the decade-long feud and eventual reunion of Wong Tin Ba (Mark Lee) and Ah Fatt (Chapman To), two top disciples of the legendary mahjong maestro, Master Ru.
20 years later, Wong Tin Ba, who is now a world-acclaimed mahjong champion and magnate, shows up in Ipoh to challenge Fatt to a final showdown – The World Mahjong Championship. Despite Wong’s insistence, Fatt declines to join the competition as he is determined and contented to lead the life of a commoner.
Why you should catch it: It’s the first collaboration between comedy kings Mark Lee and Chapman To. Expect to see an explosion of laughter with their impeccable comic timings and dynamic chemistry, together with a cast from Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Who should catch it: Who doesn’t love a good ‘Thirteen Wonders’ combination, or a ‘Four Great Blessings’ sequence? Be it on screen or in real life, a good ‘dry swimming’ mahjong game is always welcomed.
Those who missed out on their Valentine’s movie date, yes, Fifty Shades of Grey would most probably still be showing. Now you would have some spare cash, wouldn’t you?