Lights, camera, prosperity

ANN/THE STAR – Need a break from visiting family, friends, and festive open houses? Escape to the cinema and enjoy these Chinese New Year films.

 

 

With Chinese New Year approaching, Zhi Tian (Ah Niu) and his wife are going through a divorce but choose to keep it a secret from their elderly parents. Instead of celebrating with their families, the couple and their grown-up children opt to spend the festive season at an Airbnb.

 

However, Zhi Tian’s mother (Hong Huifang) falls into a coma. Then a mysterious man appears before Zhi Tian and offers him a chance to go back in time to alter history. 

 

 

Village chief Long Juanfeng has three daughters, all in different stages of romance. Eldest daughter, Xiao Dong (Samantha Ko), falls in love with scientist Ma Zhuang (Kenneth Ma). Ma dislikes people who play mahjong, so Xiao Dong goes to great lengths to hide her obsession with the game. 

 

It is hate at first sight for second daughter, Xiao Nan (Jeana Ho) and actor Qian Hong (Carlos Chan). Despite their initial bickering, their relationship takes a romantic turn. Meanwhile, youngest daughter, Xiao Xi (Juliana Kwok) is being pursued by Lin Yuyun (Jiro Lee), the heir of a lingerie empire. 

 

 

Louise Wong stars as Lin who discovers her boyfriend has been cheating on her with a female fighter, Sun. Lin hires Muay Thai champ Chung Lei (Louis Koo) to prepare her for a fight with Sun.

 

 

This Malaysian production boasts a star-studded cast from Hong Kong including Eric Tsang, Bobby Au-Yeung and Edmond So. After cracking a major fraud case, the head of Anti-Fraud Society Miao Zhu uncovers a larger conspiracy. He then assigns elite members Lam, Arrow, Big Mouth and Ba Jie with infiltrating a popular pyramid-style “money game”, posing as spokespersons to attract funds while gathering criminal evidence. Malaysian actor Jack Lim also stars. 

 

 

A film that revolves around a traditional kopitiam which suddenly becomes “popular” when the owner has a tiff with an influencer and it is all captured online. With public scrutiny and cyberbullying, the business suffers. Now the owner needs to take drastic measures to save the kopitiam from going out of business. 

 

This Malaysian comedy features popular YouTubers from Dissy as well as Singaporean actors Mark Lee and Jaspers Lai. 

 

 

In this Cantonese comedy, businessman Duan Yuchen battles the “Shadow Empire” to reclaim his company with the help of the resourceful Su Hua. 

 

Blending suspense and humour, this feel-good movie delivers the message that justice will always triumph over evil. Philip Keung and Jessica Hsuan star in this movie that was shot in Malaysia.

 

 

With the help of his friends, Dongnan opens a restaurant and experiences success with his excellent culinary skills. However, things start to take a downturn when Dongnan’s apprentice betrays him and opens a similar restaurant. 

 

On top of that, his wife is suspicious of him being unfaithful. Jack Neo, Henry Thia and Patricia Mok star in this Singapore production.

 

 

In this period action flick, the Kingdom of Xiqi is under attack by the Shang Dynasty. Jiang Ziya and Ji Fa must join forces with the Kunlun immortals to defend their homeland. The second instalment of the Fengshen Trilogy stars Yosh Yu, Huang Bo and Kris Phillips.

 

 

They say opposites attract and that’s true in the case of Wen Jing and Quan. The former is a compulsive gambler while the latter is against gambling. 

 

Their marriage is put to the test when Wen Jing is forced back into gambling to save her kidnapped family members. Charlene Choi and Louis Cheung star in this Cantonese comedy. – Zai Kamal