A Simple Life
Simple is good. Hong Kong director Ann Hui’s tale of the relationship between a live-in maid and her movie producer employer is heartfelt and moving, and a reminder that films do not need to be flashy to work their magic.
Deannie Yip’s vanity-free performance as Ah Tao gives meaning and dignity to a simple life and has been justly rewarded at film festivals and award ceremonies. Superstar Andy Lau is as unaffected as he has ever been in the role of the producer.
Together, they have an utterly believable rapport honed from working with each other in the legal tearjerkers The Unwritten Law (1985) and The Truth (1988).

Nightfall
Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung remains compelling even when he plays a mute ex-con and can communicate only through his eyes and body language. He also demonstrates his commitment to his craft by buffing up considerably. And director Roy Chow doles out details at a pace that keeps one riveted as the film toggles between the present and flashbacks to an earlier crime.
Eventually, you realise that the film is a tragic melodrama in the guise of a satisfying murder thriller.

Vulgaria
Not only does Hong Kong writer-director-producer Pang Ho Cheung’s raunchy comedy starring Dada Chen and Chapman To deliver the laughs, it also delivers a vocabulary lesson or two.
Terms such as Cow’s Bliss and Popping Candy will forever be defined by their usage in the movie. And you will never look at a mule the same way again.
Pang’s salacious saltiness, though, is balanced by a genuine affection for his characters and the story here – the plight of film-makers who plough away to make ends meet while waiting for the chance to do what they love.
That is not the dire situation faced by Pang as he made two worthy flicks this year alone: Vulgaria and the romantic comedy sequel Love In The Buff.

Timeless Love
This local movie co-directed by television host Dasmond Koh and MediaCorp veteran Lim Koong Hwee is desperately trying to masquerade as a fluffy Taiwanese idol drama but it simply falls flat.
It manages the feat of having a lazy script, leaden acting and lacklustre direction – all in one preposterous package.
When a baddie turns up at the end threatening to take over the fantasy resort island where the film is set, he has his flunkey pick open a safe with a piece of wire in broad daylight.
It is enough to make one snort out loud.
(ST)