Get Oscar Night Ready
Before the 89th Annual Academy Awards come to our screens on Sunday, 26 February, at 7pm EST (that’s 8am Monday, 27th for us in the 852!), we wanted to catch you up on some of the best films this year had to offer. To help you out, we’ve chosen a few of our top picks that you simply must see! We’ll forgive you for having missed a couple along the way, girls, but with so many incredible movies out there, we suggest you grab the sweet-and-salty popcorn and check out a few of these ASAP…
La La Land
We know it’s only mid-February, but La La Land has got to go down as one of the most popular films this year. With an outstanding 14 Oscar noms (tying them with the likes of Titanic), you’d be a fool to miss this flick. The feel-good musical revolves around jazz lover (Ryan Gosling) and wannabe actress (Emma Stone) falling madly in love in the Hollywood hills. Its beautiful original music score also got an Oscar nod, and you’ll be sure to come out singing!
Now playing at cinemas around town – released in Hong Kong on 26th January, 2017
Hidden Figures
A film that never quite got the hype it deserved, but which is now nominated for several Oscars (including Best Picture and Best Actress in a Supporting Role), Hidden Figures tells the story of the three female African-American mathematicians who worked at NASA during the US space program’s early years. Crossing all gender, race, and professional lines, this inspiring film follows the unbelievable true-life stories in the lead up to the 1962 launch of astronaut John Glenn into space.
Now playing at cinemas around town – released in Hong Kong on 2nd February, 2017
Jackie
Seen through the eyes of the iconic First Lady, Jackie tells the story of the time immediately following the assassination of JFK. Jackie is an intimate and searing portrait, exploring one of the most enigmatic figures in recent American history. Far from just giving us just a history lesson, the film delves deeper, and Natalie Portman’s convincingly accurate performance coupled with the fabulous costume design and incredible score (both with Oscar noms) makes this film a must watch!
Now playing at cinemas around town – released in Hong Kong on 9th February, 2017
Lion
Moving on from the lasting success of Slumdog Millionaire, Dev Patel is back with a brilliant performance in the Best Picture-nominated film, Lion. Adapted from the non-fiction book “A Long Way Home”, by Saroo Brierley, Lion tells the story of a former Indian street kid who falls asleep in a train carriage and wakes up thousands of miles from home, in Calcutta. Eventually adopted by a couple in Australia, he grows to be a confident and ambitious young man who still longs to find his long-lost family.
To be released in cinemas in Hong Kong on 23rd February, 2017
Manchester By The Sea
Directed by Kenneth Lonergan and with an all-star cast, including Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams, Manchester By The Sea follows the journey of an uncle who is asked to take care of his teenage nephew after his father dies. Receiving an amazing 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a handful of award nominations, this is one film that’s loved by both critics and audiences alike. Conveying the struggles of coping with his current and past grief, while also summoning the strength to comfort his teenage nephew, Casey Affleck offers up an outstanding performance in this resounding drama.
To be released in cinemas in Hong Kong on 23rd February, 2017