As Chinese New Year greets us in a matter of days, so are movies that the whole family can watch. This year, we have an overload of "Chinese New Year" movies hitting our screens. In fact, there are six Chinese-language films to choose from, with a third of them coming from our very own country! There are the usual suspects, but there are also surprises.
In Part 1 of this special feature, let's take a look at these films. But...if Chinese-language films are not your cup of tea, there are four new Hollywood films to check out too. (Please click here to go directly to Part 2 of this feature!)
First, let's start with...
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? A mysterious magician Zhang Xian (Leung) catches the eye of local warlord, Lei Daniu (Lau), who hopes to use him to win the affections of Liu Yin (Zhou), a woman he forced into being his seventh concubine. Unbeknownst to him, Zhang is the fiancé of Liu, who has been waiting for him to rescue her.
WHO SHOULD WATCH IT? If you like magic performances, some action and comedy to go with it, or seeing the irresistible Tony Leung in a new film, this is the one to catch!
Next we have...
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? The film tells the story of Mother Loong (Lai), who desires to have a grandchild. However, none of her three children has plans for any children. Things change for the Loongs on the first day of the 2012 Year of the Dragon when a newborn boy is found on their doorstep!
WHO SHOULD WATCH IT? If you like lion dances, cute babies, or Aunty Lucy doing cha-cha, this is the one to catch! Bring your relatives and loved ones to this feel-good local film.
Next up...
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Two friends Wei Jie (Lee) and Jian Ren (Ang) have family problems at home. However, they both share the talent and interest on gadgets inventions. CK (Chan), their lecturer, helps them to create an invention for a competition. But their invention is misused by loansharks, and in an attempt to stop them, their lives are put at risk.
WHO SHOULD WATCH IT? If you like films that deliver a strong, moral message, Jack Neo's unique brand of drama-comedy, or Daniel Chan acting as a good-looking polytechnic lecturer, this is the one to catch!
And let's all get Viral!
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Jon (Chou), a righteous cop, discovers that his estranged brother Yang (Tse) is part of an organized crime syndicate, but the latter is betrayed when her young daughter is kidnapped. As the authorities go after Yang, Jon is sucked into the world of immorality and is torn between doing what he thinks is right and what he feels is right.
WHO SHOULD WATCH IT? If you like to see Jay Chou perform death-defying stunts, Nicholas Tse sweating it out in the heat. director Dante Lam's flair for shooting action, or you just simply like action films, this is the one to catch!
Besides, Jay Chou and director Lam were here in Singapore to promote The Viral Factor last Monday on 16 Jan!
Although there are some reviews that have criticized Jay's performance as wooden and stifling, we must give credit to him for taking up this challenging role in Lam's movie.
- "2012 is a brand new year and I'm looking forward to more challenges ahead. I hope that my fans will be moved and inspired to take on challenges after seeing my performance and hard work in the movie,” said Jay Chou during the Charity Reunion Dinner presented by City Chain on 16 Jan.
What's next? We hope you're well!
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? Maxine is a helpless divorcee. Seeing the abundance of single men with free time on their hands, and all the single women who need a man's help, she comes up with an idea of starting a website with the concept of "embrace" that would inspire single men with spare time to assist women in need!WHO SHOULD WATCH IT? If you have been faithfully catching all the All's Well End's Well movies, then you shouldn't miss this new release! And this is one movie to see Donnie Yen in a new makeover!
Yes, we may all love our very own Singapore, but that doesn't stop us from loving Hong Kong in 2012!
WHAT IS IT ABOUT? The Kwok family is a farce, no thanks to the different personalities living under same roof. All of them have their own share of problems and the situation doesn’t improve when everyone dwells only on their differences. The patriarch of the household, Chun, then receives earth-shattering news that the world is facing a great catastrophe. This rude shock brings awakening and Chun is determined to fix the cracks in his family before the world ends…
WHO SHOULD WATCH IT? If you like comedies from Hong Kong to lighten up your mood this festive season, this is the one to catch!
(Please click here for Part 2 of this special feature!)