5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, January 31-February 2

A year after he earned much acclaim for the character-driven crime drama Rob N Roll, which won best screenplay honours in the Hong Kong Film Critics Society awards earlier this month, director Albert Mak Kai-kwong is back for another crack at the Lunar New Year box office with this unusually warm-hearted boxing drama.

While the tragicomic tale of midlife crisis in Rob N Roll represented a welcome change of pace from the plain silly offerings typical of this time of the year, Hit N Fun tells a bittersweet and at times almost philosophical story that again feels like it is striving to separate itself from all those Lunar New Year comedies.

“What’s the point of persevering?” is a question that is repeatedly posed in this film, which carries a faint echo of the spirit of Johnnie To Kei-fung’s unclassifiable 2004 gem Throw Down, another film that stars Louis Koo Tin-lok and doubles as a parable of Hong Kong at a time of major social and economic upheaval.

Fans of last year’s Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In should also delight at the references to it in Mak’s film and appearances by many of its actors. Read our full review

Head to any of the five branches of Ask for Alonzo for a good-value brunch. The newly launched Auntie Maria’s Brunch (HK$268) includes a sharing platter with Italian cold cuts, crispy calamari and tomato bruschetta and your choice of mains and dessert. There are eight mains to choose from, including Breakfast Carbonara and the must-try Auntie Maria’s Baked Eggs and Meatballs.