Since watching movies is one of my favourite past-times I would like to share a list of my favourite movies. These movies are the first ten that popped in my head (so I assume they are my favourite, haha), but I am not listing them in any particular order as I find it too hard to rank them.
So here it goes:
1. In the Mood for Love|花樣年華 (2000)
Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood for Love is one of the best films I have watched recently. I was totally caught off guard by intriguing it was. The scenes looked beautiful and the two leads, Tong Leung Chi-Wai and Maggie Cheung Man-Yuk, were charismatic as ever. Of course the original soundtrack was amazing too; Nat King Cole’s Quizas, Quizas, Quizas and Aquellos ojos verdes were my favourite.
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2. Chungking Express| 重慶森林 (1994)
Yes, I admit I am a fan of Wong Kar-Wai; Chungking Express is one of those films that I never get bored of watching. It’s lighthearted, entertaining, and just a good way to spend an hour or so of your day. A bonus is that you get to see a lot of Hong Kong in the 1990’s and reminisce the good old days.
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3. God of Cookery|食神 (1996)
This wouldn’t be my list of favourite films if it didn’t comprise of a Stephen Chow movie. In my opinion, God of Cookery is one of Stephen Chow’s best movies as the humour is so cleverly played out. I remember the first time I watched this I was blown away by how creative it was. Other than the ending being a bit disappointing, the rest of the film was enjoyable.
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4. Turn Left, Turn Right|向左走·向右走 (2003)
From being a fan of Johnnie To’s triad and gangster movies, I became a fan of his rom-coms. Turn Left, Turn Right was just so enjoyable as it followed the story of two people falling in love and their misfortune of not being able to be together. If you are a believer in fate I think you would enjoy this movie.
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5&6. A Chinese Odyssey Part One: Pandora Box|西遊記第壹佰零壹回之月光寶盒& A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella|西遊記大結局之仙履奇緣 (1995)
Another story about fate is the two-part movie A Chinese Odyssey directed by Jeffrey Lau Chun-Wai. Most people with a Chinese background would recognize the characters as the movie(s) takes a creative twist on the renowned Journey to the West. Stephen Chow plays Joker and the story follows his trials through self-identity and true love. It was hard not to like Athena Chu who was so charming as Goddess Zixia.
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7. Weeds on Fire| 點五步 (2016)
A low-budget local film, Weeds on Fire, tells the story of a baseball team, Shatin Martins, and the players’ coming of age. It is a story about perseverance, friendship and most importantly, finding oneself. It teaches us that even in times of despair we should never lose hope. Along with the theme song, 沙燕之歌 (by Supper Moment), the movie makes you feel very passionate about pursuing your dreams.
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8. Your Name.|君の名は。(2016)
The only non-Hong Kong film on my list and what also sets it apart is that it is animated. I thoroughly enjoyed watching Your Name. as everything of it was just so beautiful. The vibrant colours, the music, and the sceneries that were depicted all helped me become so immersed in the movie. Your Name. is also on the rare list of “movies that made me cried” as the story is touching and I find myself feeling for the characters and their plight.
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9. Love in a Puff| 志明與春嬌 (2010)
Pang Ho-Cheung’s Love in a Puff is as realistic as a movie can get. A slice of life rom-com about how two people meet from a smoking break, Love in a Puff is funny and shamelessly vulgar. But this type of language precisely reflects how people talk in Hong Kong and the movie does a good job in reflecting Hong Kong’s culture. The movie was well received and this spawned two sequels; I had the pleasure of watching the last/latest installment in theatres here in Toronto.
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10. Needing You…|孤男寡女 (2000)
Another Johnnie To rom-com, Needing You stars Sammi Cheng and Andy Lau who frequently work together in Johnnie To films. Cheng plays Kinki (her name, unsurprisingly, reflects her character) and I find myself to be constantly enjoying her unusual behaviours. The movie reflects To’s style as it is dramatic and slightly over the top. Nonetheless, the director’s style along with Kinki and the two leads’ chemistry work seamlessly to create such an enjoyable film.
Awaken your dreams 