Reel deal: What to see in cinemas this month

Cinemas are already gearing up for summer blockbuster season with the release of several action-packed flicks in May. Whether it’s an adventure film that takes you on a quest through the Middle Ages or a sci-fi thriller starring blood-thirsty aliens, these films are sure to get your heart pumping.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

The galaxy’s most lovable and dysfunctional saviours are back again in a sequel to the hugely popular 2014 film of the same name, which was based on a Marvel comic. Chris Pratt reprises his role as Peter Quill and grapples with his newfound identity after meeting his father. Meanwhile, the crew must fend off some new enemies, and old foes become unlikely allies. Sequels often get a bad rap, but this one is almost as good – and nearly as funny – as the first. Plus, the adorable Baby Groot (who debuted at the end of the first film) is back again in a lead role.

In theatres now

Alien: Covenant

Five years have passed since the release of Prometheus, and fans of Ridley Scott’s extraterrestrial saga now have something new to look forward to. Alien: Covenant follows the crew of a spaceship called Covenant as they travel across the galaxy to an uninhabited planet–or so they thought. They must escape a band of man-eating aliens (called Xenomorphs) in what promises to be a truly terrifying two hours.

In theatres 11 May

King Arthur: Legend of the Sword

Director Guy Ritchie (perhaps best known for the new Sherlock Holmes films) is one of the masterminds behind this epic adventure. The legend of Excalibur is retold in a fresh and compelling way. After young Arthur’s father is murdered and his uncle seizes the crown, the boy is forced onto the streets without ever learning his true identity. However, that all changes one day when he frees a magical sword from stone and learns his destiny. He must now unite an army to defeat the dictator who killed his parents.

In theatres 11 May

Love off the Cuff

If you’re not a fan of CGI explosions or epic fight scenes, this rom-com is perfect for your next date night or outing with friends. It’s the third instalment in the Love in a Puff series starring Shawn Yue (as Jimmy) and Miriam Yeung (as Cherie). The couple had hoped for a happily-ever-after ending, but they’re now facing some new challenges. An old friend of Jimmy’s shows up with an unusual request – to be artificially inseminated and bear Jimmy’s child – and hilarity ensues. Meanwhile, Cherie has some family issues of her own.

In theatres now

Text: Emily Petsko

Champagne and chips: the unlikely pair hitting Hong Kong eateries

Regardless of whether you call them chips, fries or frites, these starchy sticks of goodness are loved by just about everyone (except maybe those watching their figures). And just to make the snack even more enticing, Veuve Clicquot has teamed up with Hong Kong’s leading chefs to offer a unique happy hour special: a glass of bubbly paired with an order of gourmet fries.

The “Yellow Hours” special is available at 25 restaurants between 1 May and 30 July.

Each restaurant puts its own spin on the traditional bar food, bringing together bold and unusual ingredients. Some of the more unique offerings are the kimchi supreme fries from BiB n Hops; the spam fries from Bitters & Sweets; the Mapo tofu fries from Bao Bei; and the hand-battered truffle gouda fries (with an optional add-on of garlic poached lobster) from Bungalow.

For those who prefer to keep their potatoes simple, Flying Pig Bistro offers some classic crispy bacon fries, and sweet potato chips are available at a number of eateries.

Other restaurants offering the Yellow Hours special include:

Aqua TST & Armani / Prive

Sweet potato fries, dry caviar mayonnaise, chives and maldon flakes

Beefbar

French fries with jalapeno mayonnaise

Carpaccio

Charlotte potato “tornado”

Catalunya

Truffle soufflé potatoes

Ce La Vi

Purple sweet potato fries with three homemade dipping sauces

Comptoir

Garlic & parsley fries

Dining at Murasaki

Purple sweet potato with rock salt and homemade chili powder

Eiffel Bistro

Fried caper garlic fries

F.A.B

French fries “nachos style”

FoFo by el Willy

Sweet potato fries with truffle mayo and manchego cheese

KOKO

Sweet potato fries and harissa mayonnaise

Liberty Exchange Kitchen & Bar

Liberty fries with black truffle and sea salt

Metropolitan

French fries with espelette spice

Pastis

Oven baked parmesan fries

Porterhouse

Triple cooked fries with beer vinegar and sea salt

Saint Germain

Panisse fries

Shore Steakhouse

Poutine

Spasso

Air-fried zucchini sticks coated with parmesan & fresh herbs

Tivo

Smoked paprika lotus root & sweet potato oregano fries

Zafran

A selection of root vegetables fries

Zuma (available in May only)

Vegetable tempura fries with truffle mayonnaise

Gafencu to bring glamour and glitz to Macau in May

Gafencu is hosting an exclusive gala dinner and awards show at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Macao on 12 May.

Following the success of the event held in Hong Kong last year, the Gafencu Ball in Macau will be attended by a who’s who of local and international glitterati and movers and shakers.

The highlight of the ball will be the Gafencu awards, which will recognise the unique achievements of a number of outstanding individuals.

Be sure to follow us on social media for exclusive gala coverage on 12 May.

Aqua Luna II sets sail in Victoria Harbour

The red sails of the Aqua Luna junk have become as much a part of Victoria Harbour as the Star Ferry and Hong Kong’s iconic skyline.

Those striking sails will continue to flutter across the water each day and night, but the harbour will soon be graced with another presence: the Aqua Luna II. This vessel – the second harbour cruise boat to come from the Aqua Luna group – is bigger than its red-sailed sister and displays a different design.

Its sails are beautifully adorned with Chinese imperial-style dragons, an important symbol dating back to the Ming Dynasty. And there’s still an auspicious touch of red to be found in the crimson lanterns illuminating the boat’s upper deck.

In Chinese, the two boats are named after Cheung Po Tsai, a Hong Kong pirate from the 19th century who is said to have stashed his treasure in the caves of Cheung Chau.

Perhaps even more impressive than the boat’s aesthetic appeal is the story behind its construction. The project team was headed up by master craftsman Sifu Au, an 86-year-old shipwright who has built more wooden boats than any other person in Hong Kong. Measuring 29 metres in length, the boat was mainly constructed from wood and bamboo, and the structure is completely free of nails.

David Yeo, founder of the Aqua empire, said the introduction of the Aqua Luna II is the group’s latest effort to preserve a dying art. He spoke of the “sad disappearance of one of Hong Kong’s great traditions – the Chinese wooden junk that defined Hong Kong’s remarkable seafaring past.”

“The Victoria Harbour was once filled with glorious red sail Chinese junk boats, however over the years they have disappeared one by one,” he said. “What better way to raise the spirits of the city than to recreate such a visually stunning and a quintessentially Hong Kong icon.”

Complimentary cruises on the Aqua Luna II will be offered to Hong Kong ID holders on the 13th and 14th of May from noon to 5:30pm.

Those who dine at one of Aqua Restaurant Group’s venues between now and 31 May will also have the chance to win tickets aboard the boat.

Text: Emily Petsko

Hong Kong chiropractor publishes book on how to overcome fear

For the first time, Hong Kong-based chiropractor Dr. Kamilla Holst is sharing her personal story about how she overcame abuse and fear in a newly-published book.

The first time-author is set to release The Fear Bucket List: From Victim to Power Woman at a book launch on 25 April from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at Bitters & Sweets, Central. The $500 entrance fee includes canapés, free-flow wine and a limited edition signed book. The title is also available for pre-order on the Amazon Kindle store.

The book tells of her experience as a victim of extreme abuse, and describes how she rose above the fear and learned to live her life to the fullest.

“Through her narrative, she takes you deep into the jungles of the human spirit and out through the enlightened passageways in the Egyptian deserts, providing encouragement to other women who no longer want to be defined by their past trauma,” reads the book’s synopsis.

“The book’s central message is one of hope and empowerment: No matter what trauma you have experienced, you have the power to overcome it and go from victim to power woman.”

All proceeds from sales of the book and launch events will go to Hagar International, a non-profit organisation that helps women and children recover from severe abuse. Specifically, the proceeds will aid individuals in Afghanistan, Cambodia and Vietnam who have been subjected to human trafficking, domestic violence and exploitation. The organisation provides recipients with safe housing, healthcare, counseling, legal support, vocational training, job placements and more.

Hailing from Copenhagen, Holst is an award-winning chiropractor who specialises in methods to achieve a body/mind balance through a combination of chiropractic body work, acupressure, lifestyle coaching and meditation. She moved to Hong Kong in 2014 and has since become a respected member of the Hong Kong Chiropractor’s Association.