HK Picks
20th Century Boys
(Japan) The first live-action adaptation of Naoki Urasawa’s sci-fi manga, about a convenience store clerk who discovers that a sudden global wave of death is linked to his early childhood. Directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi. Starring Toshiaka Karasawa, Takako Tokiwa. Opens Sep 25.

Connected
(Hong Kong) Director Benny Chan promises that his remake of the Hollywood thriller “Cellular” is better because it’s got more guns. That’s good enough for us. Opens Sep 25.

Disaster Movie
(USA) Another misfiring stoner comedy from the bozos who brought you “Scary Movie” and “Epic Movie.” Don’t expect “Funny Movie” any time soon. Directed by Jason Friedberg, Aaron Seltzer. Opens Sep 25.

Eagle Eye
(USA) Shia LaBeouf and Michelle Monaghan find themselves framed as terrorists and embroiled in an assassination plot in this action thriller from “Disturbia” director D.J. Caruso. Opens Sep 25.

Opening

Bottle Shock
(USA) Sundance favorite tracing the early days of winemaking in California in the 70s, when an American wine won a French tasting contest and brought about a landmark change in the history of the industry. Starring Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman. Opened Sep 18. AMC, BC

You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
(USA) See review, above.  AMC, BC, MCL, UA

Continuing

4BIA
(Thailand) Four horrific short films from some of the most established directors in Thailand, each involving a different psychological fear. Directed by Youngyooth Thongkonthun, Paween Purikitpanya, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoon. 4 Stars. AMC, BC,
MCL, UA

10 Promises To My Dog
(Japan) A 14-year-old girl living in Hokkaido struggles with her grueling life, until one day a golden retriever wanders into her yard. Directed by Katsuhide Motoki. Starring Mayuko Fukuda, Reiko Takashima, Etsushi Toyokawa. AMC, BC, MCL, UA

Bangkok Dangerous
(USA/Hong Kong) Nicolas Cage plays the assassin in this big-budget Hollywood remake from the Pang Brothers. Also starring Charlie Young and Shahkrit Yamnarm. 2 Stars. AMC, BC, MCL, UA

Cyborg She
(Japan) A college loner meets the girl of his dreams only to discover she’s a cyborg he invented in the future in this sci-fi romantic comedy from popular Korean director Kwak Jae-young. 3 Stars. BC, MCL, UA

The Dark Knight
(USA) See Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and the SAR at their darkest in the Batman film everybody’s been waiting for. Directed by Christopher Nolan. 5 Stars. AMC, BC, BEA IMAX, MCL, UA

A Decade of Love
(Hong Kong) Ten affectionate short films by ten different directors, devoted to Hong Kong since the handover. 4 Stars. AMC, BC,
MCL, UA

Made of Honor
(USA) Wedding comedy in which Patrick Dempsey prances around as a bridesmaid of the girl he wants to marry (Michelle Monaghan). Directed by Paul Weiland. 2 Stars. BC, UA 

Mamma Mia!
(USA) See review, above. AMC, BC, MCL, UA

Meet Dave
(USA) Eddie Murphy’s rapid decline is hastened with this ridiculous tale of a group of small aliens who operate a spaceship that looks just like a black dude with a silly face. Directed by Brian Robbins.. P AMC, BC MCL, UA

The Strangers
(USA) Hot on the heels of the “Funny Games” remake, this similar horror about a couple being tormented in their vacation home ditches the intellectual pretexts of the former in favor of a balls-to-the-wall fright orgy. Directed by Bryan Bertino. Starring Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman. 2 Stars.

Under The Same Moon
(Mexico/USA) Tearjerker about a mother and son on opposite sides of the American-Mexican border trying to find one another. Directed by Patricia Riggen. Starring Kate de Castillo, Eugenio Derbez. 2 Stars. BC, MCL

BC Sunday
Weekly Sunday films at Broadway Cinematheque. Tickets $45 from Urbtix.

Paradise Now
(Palestine) Hany Abu-Assad’s controversial drama follows two close Palestinian car mechanics on their way to a suicide bomb attack in Tel Aviv. Starring Lubna Azabal, Hamza Abu-Aiaash. Sun, Sep 21, 12:30pm.

e-wave: The TV Films of Patrick Tam
The New Wave director’s TVB films from the 70s. Tickets $30 from Urbtix. Full listings at www.lcsd.gov.hk. Screenings at Film Archive.

HK Picks
Liu Wing-Seong/Suffocation
(1976/1977) Two films starring a young Chow Yun-fat, the first about a young girl torn between two potential suitors, the second (pictured) about an experimental photographer with a taste for the macabre. Sat, Sep 20, 4:30pm.

The Robbery/Dawn, Noon, Dusk, Night
(1976/1976) Two crime films, the first about the perils and tragedy of the criminal underworld, the second about detectives on the hunt for everyday predators. Sun, Sep 21, 2:30pm.

Australian Film Festival
Tickets $50/$30 from Urbtix. Full listings at www.hongkong.china.embassy.gov.au.

HK Picks
The Home Song Stories
(2007) Based on writer-director Tony Ayres’ own life, this poignant award-winning drama unfolds through the eyes of the son of a Shanghainese songstress (Joan Chen) who leaves the nightclubs of Hong Kong for Melbourne with her Australian husband. Fri, Sep 19, 9:30pm, Arts Centre; Sat, Sep 27, 9pm, Space Museum.

Hildegarde
(2001) Richard E. Grant plays a superb villain in this adventure about a group of children’s attempts to save their pet duck. Sat, Sep 20, 2:30pm, Arts Centre; Sun, Sep 28, 2pm, Space Museum.

Austrian Movie Nights
Screenings of Austrian-Chinese produced films, organized by the Austrian Consulate General. Free admission. Hong Kong University, Global Lounge G/F, Fong Shue Chuen Amenities Centre.

For All Eternity
(2002) The true story of Fanny Ebner, an Austrian woman who fell in love with a Chinese policeman in 1930s Vienna and moved to China, only for both to face the eventual upheaval and persecution of the revolution. Directed by Hu Mei. Starring Nina Proll, Wang Zhiwen. Fri, Sep 19, 6:30pm.

Japanese New Wave Cinema
The best of Japanese New Wave Cinema from the 60s. Through Sep 28. Tickets $50 from Urbtix. Full listings at www.lcsd.gov.hk. Screenings at the Space Museum.

The Pornographers
(1967) Imamura Shohei’s debut explores lust, wealth and the moral ruins of post-war Japan through the repressed yearnings of a pimp and a widowed barber. Fri, Sep 19, 7:30pm.

Red Angel
(1966) Masumura Yasuzo’s most controversial film revolves around a nurse who comforts amputeed soldiers with sex. Sat, Sep 20, 7pm.