From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (February 19 2009) Organization: Chaffing Heart Club (TM) The following publication contains material that might be objectionable to some readers. Parental guidance and reader discretion are advised. [FLUFF OF THE WEEK] Courtesy of Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily, Apple Daily, Oriental Daily, and Ta Kung Pao . Victor Wong Bun Koon who celebrates his birthday on the 26th 1. THIS TOP 10 IS DEDICATED TO . MISCELLANEOUS * (2/25/2009) Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Stephen Chan Chi Wan, the Asian Film Awards and the Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum executive director Ho Wan Ming yesterday attended the third annual Asian Film Awards press conference to announce that Yeung Chi King has been invited to be this year's Asian Film Awards jury chair. Yeung Chi King said that this time she would have to watch 36 movies, everyday she would watch three movies. Would she have time to be with her boyfriend? She frankly admitted that her boyfriend sometimes would ask her what she was doing. Would she ask her boyfriend to go to the movies with her? She laughed, "I have tried, but he was so confused. He would ask why Indian movies have so much singing." Would she have to do anything to cheer up her boyfriend? She said no. Yeung Chi King and Isabella Leong Lok Si were good friends. Would she invite Leong Lok Si to attend the film festival? She said that she had no idea where she was. She said, "I have a lot of friends, I don't keep in contact with every one." Would she like Leong Lok Si to return to Hong Kong? She said, "Why not ask about my boyfriend, she is a big girl and has her own ideas. Since we are friends I definitely care about her, but her career is her own decision." Was Leong Lok Si free? Yeung Chi King immediately said, "Oh, let's go back to Asian films." Yeung Chi King said that she has been on film festival juries before. Sometimes she would have to watch one movie several times as she would not take the task lightly. Would she give Hong Kong or Chinese film any sympathy points? She said that she would not as the jury would have to be fair. TVB general manager Stephen Chan Chi Wan said that TVB this year received the event's invitation to be its designated broadcaster for a third year. He said if possible he would ask the company artists to attend to show support. Reportedly Chan Chi Wan would invite Gillian Chung Yun Tung to be a guest on BE MY GUEST. Chan Chi Wan said that so far this has not been confirmed. He said producer Chin Kwok Wai should have made contact, but he did not. Would he like to interview Ah Gil? He said no problem. Would he look out for Ah Gil and not mention the sex photo scandal, Chan Chi Wan believed that if Ah Gil accepted the interview she would not say what subjects should be avoided. Chan Chi wan said that if the guests stated in advance not to mention their privacy lives he would respected the requests, when they wanted to talk about they could visit again. If Ah Gil came back, would an interview as soon as possible be better for her? He said, "The sooner the better, it has been rumored for a long time. If she is doing an interview it should be in March." Ah Gil earlier appeared on TVB's disaster relief program and received complaints. Was he worried about the opposite effect? He said that he was not worried. Ultimately this was a talk show about ups and downs of life and the mental journey, from which something could be gained and learned from. Would the program be a test for Ah Gil? He said that he has not considered that and believed that she would be willing to share honestly. The chance of the interview was rather high. Would he look at Ah Gil's photos in order to understand her? Chan Chi wan said that he definitely would not due to his principles. Publicizing these photos was already an incorrect behavior, looking at them was agreeing with it. So far he still has not seen them. * (2/25/2009) Director Andrew Lau Wai Keung earlier was invited to be the guest on the last episode of a cable entertainment metaphysics program. Lau Wai Keung said last month in San Francisco he met with Edison Chen Koon Hei, who was in a decent state but the pressure still affected his mood. He hoped that Edison would learn the lesson and wait for the right time to work together again. One of the hosts metaphysics expert Yeung Tin Ming pointed out that Chen Koon Hei's soonest chance to return and develop in hong Kong would be 2010 to 2011. Lau Wai Keung also was asked about any unfulfilled wish. He expressed that he would like to have his own studio and actively cultivate new comers. When asked promising new generation actors, he said that Chen Koon Hei and Shawn Yue Man Lok had a lot of potential. Back then when they made INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MO GAN DOH) due to Chen Koon Hei's lack of concentration he slapped him. They were not talking for awhile, but fortunately Chen understood Lau Wai Keung's painstaking efforts and buried the hatchet. Lau Wai Keung since joining the business in the 80s has worked as a photographer, an assistant director and other jobs. Finally his director dream was fulfilled. He has made hit films like STORM RIDERS (FUNG WON), A MAN CALLED HERO (JUNG WA YING HUNG), INFERNAL AFFAIRS, and INITIAL D (TAU MAN JI D). In recent years he set up his own production company and was even invited to make a foreign film. In the eyes of others he was in the heavens. Yeung Tin Ming expressed that Lau Wai Keung had a lot of benefactors in his life, especially those with fat, round faces (Wong Jing, Peter Lam Kin Ngok). His benefactor luck would deliver from 2001 to 2020. Yeung Tin Ming also said that Lau Wai Keung's extruding brows represented impulsiveness and strong observation ability. His life was in the authoritative star and he liked to supervise others, thus he was well suited to be a director and even more suitable for the Mainland development. When asked when he directed he came across any female stars who offered themselves to him, Lau said that sometimes it was inevitable. Yet his family came first. Yeung Tin Ming pointed out that his wife has blocked a lot of romantic fortune for him. * (2/24/2009) The film L-O-V-E (OI DOH DAI)'s Taiwan actors Ethan Ruan (Yuen King Tin), Van Fan Yat Sun, Chie Tanaka, Alan Kuo (Or Yau Lun), Ye An Ting, Megan Lai Nga Yin, Tracy Chou Cai Shi, Makiyo, Alice Tzeng Hoi Won, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau) and four directors two nights ago came to Hong Kong to attend the apm film promotion. The actors played games, first the actresses tossed grapes for the actors to eat. Siu Tin who only ate three saw Siu Fan had the most and joked that he was truly too much and was like a circus show. Then Siu Tin asked Yau Lun not to eat too much and leave a little room for him to save face. Later the actors felt the actresses' hands to find their on screen partners. Finally the guys made their declarations of love to the ladies and gave loving embraces. Siu Ting hug three actresses. He even presented a gift to Makiyo on one knee. Siu Fan gave the actresses a serenade. Each stood out in his own way. Siu Tin came to promote in Hong Kong for one day then would return to Taiwan for a series production. Was he confident about this movie? He expressed that he did. Hong KOng had four romantic film releases in this period, which he was very surprised to hear, "Wow, we have to catch up but we have no pressure. Actors only make the film good, hopefully everyone will give us a chance." Reportedly he looked like Andy Lau Tak Wa in the film, Siu Tin expressed that would be great if it was true. He grew up on Wa Jai's films and he is a star in his heart. Recently, Siu Tin was rumored to be dating and living with another Taiwan artist Hsu Wei-Ning. Siu Tin said that this rumor was very curious because they were just good friends. As for dating, he said with embarrassment that they had a chance. They were good friends but were not living together. As for whether he would invite her to the premiere, he expressed that he would ask all his friends and would have to come up with another approach if anyone would not go. * (2/24/2009) Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Rex Ho Chun Wai and Tsui Jing Hei two days ago promoted their new film BASIC LOVE (OI CHING GOO SI) in Mong Kok. Kong Yeuk Lam expressed that she has already seen the advanced screening on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately she would not be in Hong Kong for the release and would not be able to sneak in to see audience reaction. She joked that her company colleagues were spared this time because whenever she had a film release she would chase them and ask them about the box office. Kong Yeuk Lam in the film played a cancer patient who was very fragile, but in the just released TVB series he was very tough. However she was the happiest about the audience's praise for playing the tough role well. Hopefully everyone would see her performance and not just her gossip. She also said that earlier she has seen the advanced screening. The kiss scene with Rex lasted over ten seconds without any music, which was very awkward for her. She nearly suffocated and wanted to scream because she did not know in advance that it had no music. In addition Tsui Jing Hei and Rex were film rookies. They both said that with Kong Yeuk Lam leading them they were much more at ease. Kong Yeuk Lam said, "No, the director directed well. I am a new comer too." * (2/24/2009) Today China Film Group will hold a celebration for SILVER MEDALIST (FUNG KONG DIK CHOI CHEH)'s box office exceeding 100 million. Director Ning Hao has successfully joined the 100 million yuan director club, the four Mainland 100 million yuan director after Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Yimou and Chen Kaige. At the same time, he has also become the first new director to become an 100 million yuan director. Since its January 20 release in the Mainland SILVER MEDALIST has gone from its opening box office of 8.2 million to 18.3 million in three days. The film cost 10 million, returned ten folds at the box office and broke the 100 million mark. This was another national film box office miracle since Ning Hao's CRAZY STONE made 3 million and returned ten fold at the box office. At the same time, Ning Hao also has become the fourth member of the 100 million yuan domestic gross director club after Zhang Yimou, Feng Xiaogang and Chen Kaige. "Ning Hao's membership into the 100 million yuan director club has a very special significance. For the younger generation of directors, he will become the target for a new generation of directors. At the same time he is also an encouragement to young directors. We also hope to have more young directors who will be able to break the 100 million hurdle." China Film Group said. On the same day, Ning Hao's new movie MO YUN KUI (NO MAN'S LAND) held a production start ceremony. Ning Hao expressed that the new film will not be the third film in the CRAZY trilogy but a complete Western Highway film. * (2/24/2009) Costing nearly 100 million yuan, the first Chinese language science fiction special effect film GEI HEI HUP (MACHINE HERO) will be released this summer, the film yesterday held a production wrap press conference and a distribution alliance signing ceremony yesterday in Beijing. Attendees included the director Jeff Lau Chun Wai, actors Hu Jun, Betty Sun Li, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Ronald Cheng and Jason Wu Jing. During the flower presentation, Wu Jing presented flowers to Hu Jun then grabbed Hu Jun by the arm and said to the media, "Because Big Brother Hu Jun and I have an unusual relationship in the film, an union of body and union, I have to give roses to Hu Jun." Hu Jun immediately explained, "It's not like everyone imagine, but we indeed are unusual." Because the various mechanical transformation processes will be one of this film's biggest draw, a transformation animation was announced at the press conference. The mechanical transformation process hid a red rose because the film depicted a gut wrenching love story. Although the protagonist was not human, it still had love, the most beautiful human emotion. Lau Chun Wai said, "This film will change the view on love for the next ten years." All the major actors' costumes were also unveiled for the first time at the press conference. Cheng Chung Kei was the most notable. He wore a small pair of glasses, buck teeth, slicked back parted hair and resembled a village clerk, which was rather funny. Fong Lik Sun appeared with a wooden look in his eyes and a "peach fuzz" haircut. Surprising everyone earlier with an afro still, Hu Jun did not reveal his unique costume. The director expressed that actually Hu Jun had particularly many gimmicks, full of "Lau's nonsense" but had to be kept confidential for now. * (2/22/2009) In a recently published top Asian celebrity salary chart, Jackie Chan came in first, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) was second, and Chow Yun Fat with US$8 million film salary ranked third. Yesterday Fat Gor was promoting his new film in Thailand and said that he was very satisfied. For a non kung fu actor it was truly amazing, he could not be happier to be on the list. He joked, "The mention of my name is already a victory, yeah!" Supposedly his recent foreign film salary has been extremely high, an equivalent of six actors'. Fat Gor joked again and wanted to ask how much Mrs. Chow has "pocketed"; he did not get a cent. Fat Gor has developed in Hollywood for some time, he felt that yellow and white actors ultimately would have differences. The role of an Asian heroes will be offered to him, but for a first lead, due to skin color issue he would not have a chance. This situation may have to wait twenty years to be reversed. However, he still hoped to work with different actors. Perhaps he would have to find a cosmetic surgeon to keep him looking young, as long as the future would have an Asian president then he was fine. Would he consider setting up a company to cultivate new comers? He said that Big Brother Jackie Chan has already set one up in the Mainland. He felt that being an actor required destiny, luck and feng shui, in addition a lot of Hollywood companies have branch offices in the Mainland. So even if someone does not sign with Big Brother, he or she can enter Hollywood. * (2/22/2009) The Oscars presentation ceremony is about to take place in the United States, the Best Foreign Film nominees two nights ago met at an event. Japan's representative DEPARTURES was absent as director Yojiro Takita and actor Masahiro Motoki remained in Tokyo, Japan to take part in the 32nd Japan Academy Prize ceremony. Among its 13 nominations, DEPARTURES took home 10 major awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Actress and became this year's big winner, at the same time, the film cumulative awards increased to 60. Almost swept all the Best Actor awards, Masahiro Motoki was still grateful to the director Yojiro Takita's sharp eyes. Although DEPARTURES' actress Ryoko Hirosue ultimately was defeated at the hands of Tae Kimura, she remained a media darling in her low cut dress. Other winners include THE DARK KNIGHT for the Best Foreign Language Film, PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEASIDE was awarded with the Best Animated Picture and Best Music awards, Kenichi Matsuyama won the topic prize. * (2/21/2009) DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION yesterday held a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, director James Wong, Justin Chatwin, Chow Yun Fat, Emmy Rossum, Jamie Chung, Joon Park, and James Marsters attended; producer Stephen Chow Sing Chi who was rumored to be upset due to his opinions were not accepted remained absent. Fat Gor yesterday was firing on all cylinders. When the host asked which actor has been to Thailand, the ANNA AND THE KING star Fat Gor said, "This is my kingdom, welcome back." Immediately the entire venue cracked up. A reporter asked what the difference was between this film and drama. He joked that they were the same because he accepted the same type of checks. He also pointed out that he was the same as the character as both were dirty old men. During the shoot he did whatever he wanted and ignored the director's opinion. As for a sequel, Fat Gor joked that he hoped the film would continue to evolve like the title, evolve straight to Heaven. He felt that the weather in Mexico was the most difficult of the shoot because of the high temperatures and large sandstorms. The evening temperature dropped and he almost got sick. Reportedly producer Chow Sing Chi was upset that the production crew did not listen to his opinions and thus has been absent from all promotional activities. Gor Gor has followed the news closely, and felt the publicity was not within a producer's scope of work. He had his own position. During the shoot Sing Jai did not visit the set either so this time he did not have the chance to come in contact with him. "Double Chow" has not had any opportunity for genuine cooperation, Fat Gor said that they would always have a chance in the future. He would maintain his looks and wait for him, as one day Sing Jai would go to Hollywood. In addition, Fat Gor smiled and winked at familiar Mainland and Hong Kong reporters. Fat Gor pointed out that the biggest gain from the production was working with a group of young people, which made him feel young and energetic. Fat Gor also said that this action film was not too difficult because his action was computer generated graphics, he only had to remember the process. * (2/21/2009) The Hong Kong Film 100 Years Exhibition two days ago was unveiled in Times Square, Causeway Bay. Early film posters, star photos and ads, and veteran film collectors' collections were on display. The venue also has Hong Kong's first mini cinema that showed for free Shaw's films of different era. Artists Kay Tse On Kay, Ti Lung, Lau Ka Fai and Susan Shaw Yam Yam along with a group of filmmakers and artists carried out a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Film industry new comer Tse On Kay expressed that she just completed the Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) directed LOVE CONNECTED (BO CHI OI NEI). She felt very happy to be able to participate in a film as a new comer, but due to her new record preparation in March and concert preparation in May she has not had the time to accept a new role. She said, "This year I must first finish the concert." Although she has been working nonstop and when she got home her child was already asleep, Tse On Kay still insisted on getting up earlier to be with her child. After 30 years in film, Lau Ka Fai pointed out that Hong Kong cinema in the world has considerable status. Due to the economic take-off and technological advances, the people's biggest entertainment then has gradually lost status. He said, "In the past entertainment choices were few, one of the reasons for film audience reduction now is the entertainment program increase." Lau Ka Fai expressed, film was no longer confined to regions as film professionals could work with actors of different cultures in different places and set off new sparks. * (2/21/2009) The 2009 Hong Kong Film Directors Guild Spring Banquet was held two nights ago. The Directors Guild awards were also announced. THE WAY WE ARE (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YUT YU YEH), IP MAN and RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) received the "Most Recommended Film Award", directors Ann Hui On Wa, Wilson Yip Wai Shun and John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) also received "Outstanding Director of the Year" awards. The "New Director of the Year" award went to Derek Kwok Chi Kin for his film MOSS (CHING TOI). Two nights ago directors like Gordon Chan Ka Seung, Derek Yee Tung Sing, Joe Cheung Tung Cho and Ng See Yuen as well as any music and film new comers, such as Jason Chan Pak Yu, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Deep Ng Ho Hong, Tong Yi and Fama, attended. Sammul Chan Kin Fung and Michelle Ye (Yip Shuen) were the hosts. When the banquet started, president Chan Ka Seung encouraged everyone. He said although outside many industries were in dire straits, the Directors Guild has a very strong will to battle on. He was the best at cheering everyone on and hoped that everyone would work hard together. Two nights ago new executives also took office and a new presidential election was held. After two years as president, Chan Ka Seung said, "I can serve a few years more, but actually I too would like a successor." He confessed that because he was very busy he was afraid that with too many things going on simultaneously he would not serve well. Recently, he had to prepare for the Hong Kong Film Awards, this year the red carpet will be extended and HK$2 million would be used. Because of too many guests, they will appear in waves. An invitation will be issued for the red carpet, which followed the Oscars ceremony practice. Two nights ago apart from announcing the "Most Recommended Films" and "Most Outstanding Director of the Year", "New Actor" awards were also announced. The bronze prize went to ALL ABOUT WOMEN (NUI YUN BUT WAI)'s Kitty Zhang Yuqi, silver prize winner was THE WAY WE ARE's Leung Chun Lung, and the gold prize winner was CJ 7 (CHEUNG GONG CHUT HO)'s Xu Jiao. None of the three winners were present to accept the award. Also presented this year was "the Hong Kong Film Cornerstone Award" to Bill Kong Chi Keung in recognition of his film contributions. Kong Chi Keung expressed that in the past two years he has not attended the Directors Guild spring banquet, not because he was not supportive but because due to health issues he avoided going out at night. He said that he was very touched by this award and respected the directors, who have brought a lot of joy and business to the film industry. Chung Shu Man expressed that she would like the opportunity to make another film. She also received good news that the company will begin production on BEAST STALKER 2 (JING YUN 2), in which she will participate again. She also recommended herself for more action scenes because action actresses truly would be cool. She also intended to take the time to study acting. She heard that Jim Tsim Shui Man was a great instructor and tuition was not an issue. In addition, Stephen Fung Tak Lun revealed that TIU CHOOK HUI's additional shoot has already completed. Just an additional week alone already cost more than three million. Was he afraid that Leon Jay Williams would lack box office draw? He was not as his previous film made 60 to 70 million in Mainland. However, he also would like the Edison Chen Koon Hei version to be released on DVD. The film will be released this summer. * (2/21/2009) Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Theresa Fu Wing and Deep Ng Hon Hong yesterday at the Cultural Center attended a Radio Hong Kong event as they each brought some of their precious photos to share. His film with Karena Lam Ka Yun, CLAUSTROPHOBIA (CHUN MUK), has not had a satisfactory box office performance. He said that he did not pay attention, not to mention that the movie has not yet finished its run. He also said, "Actually during the shoot the boss already expected it (bad box office), he aimed to help the new director so the film would mostly be shown at art festivals. Film has many varieties. This is also my first art film, but I won't thus stop accepting art film roles. Actually in this market Lunar New Year films would perform better, other genres would be a little more difficult." His old flame Gigi Leung Wing Kei's GIVE LOVE (OI DUT HEI) was competing against him. Her film earlier has also performed well in Mainland. He said, "That's good! (would you support it?) I watch all kinds of movies because actors have to do homework too." * (2/21/2009) Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau) yesterday appeared on a Metro radio interview and mentioned that L-O-V-E (OI DOH DAI)'s Taiwan film company earlier was burglarized. Sum Yau said that she did not know about this. Was she afraid that the film might have been stole for piracy and thus affect the box office? She expressed that her concern would not be useful as now they could only take all the required safety measures. She hsa been to the Taiwan company before, the area was rather safe. However, if the movie already has been pirated before the film was released, the loss would certainly be enormous. Recently, a number of romantic films were released around the same period. Sum Yau was very confident in L-O-V-E and felt that this film has certain attractive places, the cast was young and consisted of the most hit actors of this generation, and directors were also very charismatic and charming. Later she will promote in Taiwan. Taiwan has a lot of television stations, every time she went to television game shows she felt that the hosts were very quick witted. She could not react in time and could only giggle, but she felt it was a lot of fun and would like the opportunity to host. * (2/20/2009) The new film BASIC LOVE (OI CHING GOO SI) two days ago promoted in Mongkok. Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Square, and Rex Ho Chun Wai attended, attracting many passers-by onlookers. One of the female leads Janice Man Wing San could not attend due to a job. Recently, five romantic films have been released around the same period, was she worried about the box office? She said that each film was about different kinds of love. Hers was very tragic as she hoped that everyone would go to the cinema and cry. In the film she had cancer. She shot one of her final scenes on her birthday. The director gave her lai see and she treated it as if she was reborn. During the shoot she asked the staff not to put her real name on her patient band, but they wrote it anyway. She could not help but shout "jinx". Someone in the crew asked her whether she wanted to take back the funeral photo. She joked that she believed in the short run she would not have any use for it. * (2/20/2009) Kay Tse On Kay yesterday attended a City University organized "Hong Kong Singer Road to Fame forum" and attracted a large number of students, most of whom claimed that they have heard Kay's songs. When asked Kay would share her road to fame with the students. She stressed that she might not necessarily talk about the rise to fame, but perhaps how her career started. She honestly said that as a singer she wanted to keep life and work separated and leave some privacy for home, but occasionally she would encountered some resistance. Recently she was accused of skipping the LOVE CONNECTED (BO CHI OI NEI) promotion and premiere due to her dispute with Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Kay said, "We have communicated about that a long time ago. My promotional work was done before the Lunar New Year, because after the New Year I was busy with the new record recording. Lately the recording has been very hard on me." She said that the movie company has invited her to attend the premiere, but she has informed them of her job. Did she regret missing her first movie? She said that she has already done a lot of publicity, which actually was already enough. She has seen a screening earlier. Was she afraid of being accused of arrogance? She immediately said, "What! If the film company and I have communication and mutual understanding then I am not afraid." Was she at odds with Tang Lai Yun? Kay said, "No, the few days that we worked together on were very pleasant. She was very easy-going, actually we have known each other for a long time. Earlier we have met several times on music programs, I don't think that we have any unpleasantness between us. After the shoot we are even more familiar." As for the astronomical price for WEDDING INVITATION STREET (HEI TIP GAI) song copyright to the film company as a theme song, she said that the responsibility was not hers. When a movie used a song it had a lot of elements other than money to consider. She expressed that so far she had no arrangement for another film, as lately she has been busy with record and concert work. * (2/19/2009) Chow Yun-fat and the DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION cast yesterday promoted the film in Seoul. When asked "Why did you accept the Master Roshi role? Would you be interested in a Hong Kong police action film?" Fat Gor expressed that he was not too interested in playing the film's lecherous Master Roshi, but because his wife wanted to buy a brand-name leather bag she encouraged him to take the role. His response made the 200 reporters on hand laughed. Fat Gor also said that Hong Kong's film production environment was at a sharp decline, film financing has been difficult to raise. In particular many offers have asked him to reprise mob or action police roles that he has played countless times in the 80s, and he has been deterred. He said that if the Mainland, South Korea or Japan participated to ensure production condition improvement and the contents of the story was desirable, regardless of the Mainland, Hong Kong, Korea or Japan, he would be interested in performing. * (2/19/2009) The film GIVE LOVE (OI DUT HEI) two nights ago held its premiere. Attending actors included Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Terry Fan Siu Wong, directors Joe Ma Wai Ho and For For. Deep Ng Ho Hong, Wylie Chiu Shek Chi, Renee Dai Mung Mung, Yin Zhen Xi also came to support the film. In the film Gigi and Chen Bo-Lin had an older woman, young man romance, she felt that she could try anything in acting but in reality she could not accept such a relationship. She liked guys with more experience than her and could teach her. She also did not like to take care of people and would rather be the one being taken care of. Gigi pointed out that even if she ran into a man who could take care of her, his age could not be much younger than her as she could accept only one or two year difference. Old flame Dior Cheng Yi Kin's CLAUSTROPHOBIA (CHUN MUK) is currently in release. Was she confident that her new movie would be able to defeat it? She said that she would not make deliberate comparison as the genres were ultimately different. She only hoped that different movies would flourish at the box office. However, she felt that the audience not supporting piracy was the most important. She already knew that GIVE after three days in release in the Mainland has already received 10 million yuan at the box office, which was welcomed news. Ng Ho Hong in April would work with director For For on the musical BIG WORLD (DAI SAI GAI). EO2's Otto, Vangie Tang Wing Chi, Sammuel Peng King Chi would participate as well. Since it was his first theatrical performance, he was very nervous. He forgot his lines and could not contain his laughter. He added that the director originally wanted Chong Man Si to play Otto's wife, but he finally could not get over the idea and felt very uncomfortable. He admitted that he was very conservative. Would Otto and Chong Si Man have intimate scenes? He admitted that when he heard his girlfriend would play someone else's wife he was already upset. * (2/19/2009) Zhou Xun in the Sundream movie EQUATION OF LOVE AND DEATH (OI SUT SEUNG) played a taxi driver, but Zhou Xun actually did not have a driver's license. For the film Zhou Xun decided to learn to drive, rushed to obtain a license before the shoot, and trained hard on her driving skills. The film had many intense car chases. Whether they were driving on the edge of the mountain or even crashing the car, Zhou Xun performed personally. For a novice, the stunts were very dangerous and Zhou Xun could not help but praise her own courage. "I think whoever dares to sit in my car is very brave. I dare to drive so wildly and bravely, but the pressure is tremendous because my driving may be very costly to the production crew. I am also afraid that hurting someone." In another scene Zhou Xun was distracted while driving, in a blur she finally drove toward a tree as another car slammed on its brakes. Then director even personally drove the other car. Zhou Xun tried many times but the result has not been satisfactory. The last time due to the speed difference between the two vehicles, Zhou Xun and the director crashed. The staff was stunned as everyone immediately ran to check on Zhou Xun. However, Zhou Xun was much more relaxed. "I see the director is fine, and I am fine. I can't be happier because I think the director must think this shot is too great. After a real collision I wouldn't have to crash into a tree, ha ha, how fun." * (2/19/2009) The film LOVE CONNECTED (BO CHI OI NEI) two nights ago held its premiere at Olympian City, director Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum), boss Paco Wong and actors Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, I Love U Boyz, Zhuge Ji Kei, Justin Lo (Juk Tin), Celina Jade, Sammy and G.E.M attended. Playing a "goddess" in the film, Theresa Fu Ying was rumored to be at odds with Stephy but still came in support. She presented Young Master Jim whose birthday was two days ago with a cake and offered her cheek for a kiss. Other guests included Alex Fong Lik Sun and Kary Ng Yu Fei. Earlier, Tang Lai Yun and Kay Tse On Kay were rumored to be at odds during the shoot. Tse On Kay's company was also rumored to have sold WEDDING INVITATION STREET (HEI TIP GAI) for an astronomical amount to be the film's theme song but the film company declined. Thus Tse On Kay has been absent from the film promotion. Two nights ago Tse On Kay did not attend her first film's premiere either. Gold Label expressed that Tse On Kay was only absent due to scheduling conflict. Tang Lai Yun did not know about Tse On Kay's absence and believed that she was working. Was they at odds? "Again? What a shame, no such thing happened, it's just speculation. I was very afraid of romantic rumors, not I would prefer that to dispute rumors." Did she invite Theresa? She said, "The company made the arrangement. The company would invite all of its employees to its movie release every time. She has been supportive of every one." Theresa explained that earlier she kissed a fan over a piece of plastic and fans complained. She believed that Jim's kiss should not be a problem because she knew Jim would not really kiss her. She heard that his girlfriend was present as well. As for angering Jim's fans, she joked, "I didn't think that much." Theresa said that each time the company had a new film she would show her support if she had time. She said the boss told her to dress like the film's "goddess" character. She said that she has worn this dress in a music video before. As for stealing Stephy's spotlight, she said that everyone was very pretty and she only did her part. She did not know whether the company has arranged for her to sit with Stephy. Miki said that she had an even sexier dress planned but due to an leg injury earlier that dress did not match. As for stealing Stephy's spotlight, she said, "No, we are all promoting the film." Miki also said that she did not know why Tse On Kay did not attend. If she has not seen the movie, not coming would be quite a pity. She said that she did not know Tse On Kay and Stephy were rumored to be at odds. She has been great to each and every friend as she was a miss congeniality. G.E.M said the film was her first, which she felt was a lot of fun. She also did not know about the dispute rumor between Tse On Kay and Stephy. During the shoot she saw them chatting. Tse On Kay did not attend perhaps due to her busy work schedule. G.E.M expressed that she was not afraid envy over so much work so early in her career. Everyone has taken care of her like a younger sister. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS MOVIES RETURNS FROM "EXAGGERATION" TO HUMANITY Low budget independent movie SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE won eight Academy Awards, more than most people expected. It is a miracle, and the content of this movie also makes people believe that the world has miracles. A story that talks about India's slums beats other Hollywood movies, once again the general trend of public change of heart is reflected. Anyone who does not change would lose. Because the exaggerated financial system has collapsed and made the entire world suffer, the audience around the world has already begun to resist "exaggeration". Japanese film DEPARTURES snatched the improbable Best Foreign Language Film. It is a story of surviving in difficulty and experiencing life, which is very timely. People of India and Japan right now should be very happy. SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE is considered a low budget independent film, the so-called low is still US$15 million. For a Chinese film the amount is a big production. Years ago, a Chinese-language film also succeeded at the Oscars. You should still remember CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON! Thus, many large-scale beautiful action films tried to please foreign film festivals in hopes of overseas success once more but failed again and again. Now made from the mold martial arts action films, even with the additions of millions of soldiers and horses cannot please foreign audiences. Instead they only to please the Mainland people, as they enable everyone to see under the economic development how film can burn and afford to burn money. In times of economic recession, the most attractive to the audience is no longer amazing big stunts and special effects but something that returns to human nature. India like China is one of the most populous countries, in other words, it is also a very big movie market. Indian film production rate is high and self-sufficient. Many are musicals. In recent years diversity has begun as action films have also become hits. Ching Siu Tung and Yuen Wo Ping both have worked on Indian action films. This year's foreign language film prize winner, Japan in the last few years has performed better in film than its neighboring countries and surpassed Korea. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 24 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS COMPETITION INTENSFIES WITH SEVERAL SMALL SIZED ROMANTIC FILMS Several love related Chinese films were released after February 14 Valentine's Day. LOVE CONNECTED (BO CHI OI NEI) had advanced screenings on Valentine's Day and the following day, Sunday to teach over 900,000, which was considered timely. Yet the official release still had to wait until the 19th. GIVE LOVE (OI DUT HEI), L-O-V-E (OI DOH DAI), BASIC LOVE (OI CHING GOO SI) were all scheduled for after Valentine's Day, even end of February release. GIVE LOVE was released earlier in the Mainland than in Hong Kong, on the first three days it had made over 10 million at the box office and over 18 million after a week. For a small romantic film, it was solid. L-O-V-E was a Hong Kong company's production in Taiwan, several directors worked with a group of young idols on their own stories. The focus market is Taiwan, Hong Kong is only a secondary market. The Pang Brothers' BASIC LOVE is a youth packaged moving tragedy, the selling point of which was different from several other films. Among these romantic films, the Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum)'s LOVE CONNECTED is the most Hong Kong authentic. With a group of popular Hong Kong idols, it is a parallel of L-O-V-E. In terms of attraction, LOVE CONNECTED should have the most Hong Kong viewer support. The cast not only has the box office guarantee Stephy Tang Lai Yun but also this year's music award show big winner Kay Tse On Kay, which is a topic. The off season is a good period for small romance, as long as no attractive foreign films appear at the same time their box office is guaranteed. Films can bet small and win big. This Lunar New Year arrived early. Originally February 14 could have been freed up for these romantic films, but the cinema operators did not release the schedule; only LOVE CONNECTED secured advanced screening. Previously youth romance would hardly perform well in the Mainland, only big productions would. After the high-speed urbanization, the audience tastes have diversified and romance has more room. Feng Xiaogang's IF YOU ARE THE ONE is a middle-aged romance and can make over 300 million, so film investors have unlimited vision for small-scale romantic movies. Big director and big star romance can achieve unprecedented success at the big slots, then small slots should have room for medium sized romance to develop. Several million yuan investments have good odds. Between romantic tragedy and comedy, in an economic downturn, comedy has the edge. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 23 2009, FILM WORDS LOVE CONNECTED'S FIVE LIVELY RELATIONSHIPS This is a Hong Kong romantic comedy that happens on Valentine's Day. Even though it was released after Valentine's Day, it still is able to attract many local young viewers and the response is favorable. Acutally human love has no seasonal difference. Unlike some animals that have a specific "mating season", human can be in heat at anytime, the problem is whether you can find a willing object of affection? Movie will also have to find targets, LOVE CONNECTED's target is the new generation of Hong Kong men and women -- the group that still listens to Hong Kong songs and watches Hong Kong films (now the Hong Kong new century is very divided, tastes differ by night and day). They seem to enjoy prank comedy and even self abusing nonsense, but in all the fun they ultimately maintain love fantasy and would not lose the usual human feeling. Writer and director Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum)'s last two films were disappointing, FORGIVE AND FORGET (CHUN OI DIK) has too many ghosts and NOBODY'S PERFECT (JUET DOI SEUNG GIU) is too comedic. This performance is better because it resumes his popular MARRIAGE WITH A FOOL (DUK GA SI OI), LOVE IS NOT ALL AROUND (SUP FUN OI), L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES (NGOR DIK JUI OI) genre and maintains the intimate big cities little people romantic comedy style. The film consists of five relationships, of course some are nonsense and some are shallow. Fortunately some are innocent and some are true, some even a sense of everyday life. Despite the limited fast food shop flavor, on the whole it is lively, has variety and would not be monotonous. The most innocent is the deaf flower girl Stephy Tang Lai Yun, whose romance with the open air singer Justin Lo (Juk Tin) cannot be separated from the conventional but fortunately is simple instead of being excessively melodramatic. Even more interesting is Hu Qingnan and Tong So Kei's dating "trial period", which captures company co-workers' gossips, pettiness, mixing personal with professional and layoff crisis. Wonderfully Tong So Kei is vivid and convincing playing downtrotten and dumb. Her acting is surprisingly good, while Hu Qingnan is faithful yet frank and kind hearted. Kay Tse On Kay and Leung Cho Hiu are the most dramatic pair. Through two Valentine's Day meals, they cleanly tell the changes in the few years between falling in love and divorce, as well as his stock market rises and falls. Leung Cho Hiu's performance is appropriate, Tse On Kay's expressions are particularly touching, showing a good woman's stability and true emotions. The other two groups are "male glutton for punishment" romantic encounters with silly games. Sammy uses the Twins trick to traverse between three beautiful girlfriends, which in the end is good for a laugh. I Love You Boyz' 2 lustful kids run into online wild child Miki Yeung Oi Kun. Actually it is not cheap and even points out the true meaning of Valentine's Day. LOVE CONNECTED is only a lightweight romantic ensemble film but achieves details among the rough. Its technique is flexible, pace straightforward; several new stars perform with emotions and fun, which can be considered not bad. - SHEK KEI 4. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 23 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS USING MARKET FORCES TO CHANCE HOLLYWOOD PRODUCERS Chow Yun Fat says that yellow skin development in Hollywood is is restricted, For producers to change their views of Asian actors there, it would take at least 20 years. Many Asian actors have a Hollywood dream, particularly the ones who have reached the top of local development. Hollywood movies are worldwide, although it is "worldwide" in comparison its market is bigger than other locations' movies. Instead of speaking Asian actors want to try their luck in Hollywood, you may as well as they want to expand their market beyond local constraints. Hollywood films are mainly in English, which is a bit difficult for Asian actors. The abilities to speak and comprehend are not big problems, using English to act is another matter. You would know from the performance of foreign actors who speak fluent Cantonese in Hong Kong films. They speak well, but when they are acting and express complex emotions they have a little difficulties. Asian actors want to go to Hollywood, but why would Hollywood want them? For no more than two reasons. First they excel more than Western actors in certain types of films like the agile action films, which explain why kung fu superstar break into Hollywood before other actors. Chow Yun Fat in their eyes is an action movie hero, the difference is he holds guns more. The second reason is breaking into the Asian market with Asian actors. Hollywood films have already dominated Europe, the United States and parts of Asia that have free market, to make more money they must enter those markets that have not fully been developed. China's 1.3 billion population is too attractive, and the market is gradually opening up. In Hollywood adding Asian actors and shooting on location in China in large sized films have become a way. Hollywood's production rate is sizable every year and English is still its main market, only a few have added Asian elements. Currently China has not completely opened its movie market, they will not add Asian elements in every movie. After all the European and American audiences still love to watch stars from the West. Hollywood producers are not discriminating against Asian actors, any bias is the market reality's bias. Any change also depends on market forces. If the Asian market is fully developed, it can rival Hollywood and can pay actors Hollywood level salary. Who would care about Hollywood then? - KWOK HIN CHING 5. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 22 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS PRODUCERS DO NOT NEED TO DO PUBLICITY? Some media accused Stephen Chow Sing Chi of skipping all promotional events due to dissatisfaction with his production DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION. The film's Master Roshi, Chow Yun Fat, expressed that the producer did not need to promote. Many people are still unclear about what movie producers do. Producer is a movie's project manager. Comprehensive producers start with the conception of a movie producer look for screen writers, directors and actors, but more importantly, they look for funding and are responsible for investors. A large sized film's financing may not only from a single investor, the producer's responsibility, aside from ensuring the film quality as it was originally promised, is also cost control, using appropriate marketing strategies to maximize profits for the movie. Management, creation, and marketing all in one, such all purpose talent is rare. Thus a movie may have producers of different nature. Producers who are responsible for monitoring costs are mostly investors assigned, especially from the majority shareholders. When we watch movies, in the opening titles the producer credits may have several names, sometimes even as many as eight to ten. Most of these people represent different film companies that invest in this film. In addition to an investment representative, some producers are production-based. They are most pragmatic, the entire film from beginning to end is created under this type of producer's control. Some producers are creative, creativity is the most important to a film. This type of producers are successful film professionals, usually famous directors. Chow Sing Chi as the DRAGONBALL: EVOLUTION producer of course is the creative type. It is generally believed that the film company invited him to produce because he has made hit movies that are full of comic book feels. SHAOLIN SOCCER and KUNG FU HUSTLE have very strong animation feel, The finale of KUNG FU HUSTLE has several designs that are extremely similar. to the animation DRAGONBALL's Kamehameha and aerial fighting. After KUNG FU HUSTLE, a live action and animation movie, people of course believe that he would know how to make the live action DRAGONBALL. Even if he does not direct himself, he is still suitable to produce. The producer does not necessarily show up at promotional activities, unless the contract stipulates that there is such a need. Perhaps because Chow Sing Chi is also a star, the media have the additional expectations of him. - KWOK HIN CHING 6. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 22 2009, LIGHT SHADOW PATH INTEGRATION MARKET BUILDS A MOVIE ROAD Half a month ago, when everyone was talking about ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009 (GA YAU HEI SI 2009) as the Lunar New Year box office champion, the writer has already mentioned the fact that co-production film market was geared mainly toward the Mainland. The news a few days ago reported that LOOK FOR A STAR (YAU LUNG HEI FUNG)'s Mainland box office has exceeded 100 million, several tens of millions more than ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009. Some columnists kept analyzing why ALL'S would win (in Hong Kong), which was already no longer significant. In the near future, the Mainland and Hong Kong market will merge into one, box office victory would not be determined regionally but would depend on the overall national revenue. Just as ducks would know first the warmth of the spring river water, director Peter Chan Ho Sun who has been in the Mainland market for several years has announced the formation of a production and a movie company to produce movies with its Mainland partners. Chan Ho Sun said that he was the director who entered the Mainland the latest, but this time his plans to enter the Mainland market could be said arriving first despite a late start, a big step that was much faster than many Hong Kong film professionals. Chan Ho Sun's "Our Production" workshop was a collaboration with the famous Mainland director Huang Jianxin. "Our Production" then with Poly-bona formed the People film company and signed a strategic alliance with the China Film Group. Poly-bona was one of China's largest private film distribution company. This time it would invest 500 million yuan liquidity into the People Film Company, which planned to make 15 films within three years. The one-stop collection of creation, production and distribution structure also contains the Mainland and Hong Kong personnel combination, which could be said was a first. Hong Kong film professionals' general views of People Film have been very positive. Chan Ho Sun is a multi-tasker. A director and also a businessman, he joined the film industry in the eighties, once forming United Filmmakers Organization with Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Lee Chi Ngai and others; he also once with Fung Yi Ching and Teddy Chan Tak Sum formed Applause Pictures. Chan Ho Sun is also the owner of Morgan & Chan. The versatile Peter is an excellent movie producer, a rarity in the circle. As Chan said, only a thorough Mainland and Hong Kong integration can film endure the long road steadily. One of "Our Production's" partner director Huang Jianxin is a very important figure, who has produced almost all the major co-production movies. He also produced the Chan directed THE WARLORDS (TAU MING JONG). For all the co-production difficulties, whether the issue is creation, production or inspection, director Huang Jianxin is the best consultant; and the quality of Director Huang's integrity is rare in the circle. This partnership to Chan Ho Sun could be said to be an added bonus. Some people questioned whether making 15 films in three-year was viable! The implication is target is very difficult to reach. According to informed sources, actually Director Chan has already prepared to produce several productions, basically five films in the first year do not seem that difficult. Even if in the subsequent two years only half the target was completed, 10 movies would have been made. The film company would be fairly prolific. - TIN LIK 7. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 22 2009 NEGATIVE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS BECOMES HOT TALK In less than two months into 2009, the local entertainment industry had one after another burst of exciting and stimulating entertainment news. While two television stations are still thriving in the game of fill in the blanks over the "salty pork hand" and "four plaster flowers" incidents, they suddenly cooked up a high-profile layoffs dish, which indeed has no corporate conscience to speak of. Then came the news program reform (the result is still controversial but obviously news is taking a lighter route), ATV's new boss comes to power and lay-offs are once again rumored at TVB and so on, even though good news like Gigi Lai Chi's wedding and Kelly Chen Wai Lam's pregnancy surface, they cannot bring the entertainment industry joy. As for the passing of martial arts novelist of a generation Liang Yusheng and Chinese song queen Chang Lu, Fong Yim Fun's golden wedding anniversary, the 50th anniversary of Ching Ting's career and such, they did not arouse any response or discussion. Strictly speaking, few in the media know about and pay attention to their status and value. The next hot news should be Gillian Chung Yun Tung's comeback, which has been announced long ago. Her job planning has already begun. One of the arrangements is a guest spot on BE MY GUEST for a truthful talk. I do not know when BE MY GUEST has become a complaint, self-defense and self-expression program. Ah Gil's willingness to be interviewed very obviously is after the "I was naive, I was stupid" press conference she hopes to be able to use this opportunity to clean her image, start a new life, the results of course depend on her declaration of truth and the ability of the masters. However, actually I feel BE MY GUEST should interview Yuen King Tan. Not only can it solve those so-called "salty pork hand" and "four plaster flower" mysteries and prevent the media from continuing to speculate who the leads in these rumors are and widespread panic at the stations, but it also at the same time avoids during program production artists affecting the result due to excessive physical contact; most importantly, during beauty pageants the end rumors that would affect the Miss Hong Kong image and the candidates' moods. Aside from Yuen King Tan, the guest list should also have Ella Koon Yun Na, Annie Yi Nung Jing, Joe Ngai Chun and so on, one after another. This way, the program's press coverage and ratings would certainly be explosive. At the same time it can also absorb a number of new pay TV subscribers. The problem is that this outstanding route and guests do not seem to coordinate with the program's always high-style, for the Master it seems more self-degrading. - CHUI HIU 8. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 22 2009 ATV MISSES OUT WITH COLD SHOULDER TO ITS ARTISTS Paw Hee Jing (Bao Hei Jing)'s Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress nomination should be good news that ATV should be proud of. Sister Bao last month with THE WAY WE ARE (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YUT YU YEH) received the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Best Actress award, and then is nominated again with the film. Her chance of winning is not low. Whether or not she wins award, the nomination to Sister Bao's show business career is quite encouraging and recognition significance. This realistic film that is described as a depiction of Hong Kong as City of Sadness premiered last year with the decent box office and good industry reputation. The message of caring and mutual assistance that emerged from the lower strata of society is even more significantly profound. A simple neighborhood story displays human nature in its simplicity. The reflection that it leads to has the ability to penetrate. In the current economic downturn it has a positive educational significance. Television and film that reflect reality can stimulate the senses with blood and gore, can be satirical towards the laughter and be done with it, or can create from the lightly worried warmth and communicate through the soul with its writing, direction and acting. Undeniably, full of worldly experience and dedicated to their profession Ann Hui On Wa and Bao Hei Jing were connected in their heart and tried to make it. Sister Bao's superb acting and professionalism need no further mention in this column. The writer feels even more that this brilliant support of a station for more than a quarter of a century is not completely utilized at ATV that has been thirsting for talent. Sister Bao's multiple performing art talents are available for full development, if the station is willing to face up to artist resources. Months ago this column has mentioned that if ATV wants to strengthen its image and publicity, it needs to improve its internal affairs and even more importantly make the best use of talents. Already with an audience base, Bao Hei Jing, Belinda Hamnett (Hong Kwan Ting), etc. actually can be even more heavily used. For Sister Bao's Hong Kong Film Critics Society Best Actress honor, luck indeed has arrived on time when she is worth commending. From now on during the New Spring period, ATV can repeatedly air the Executive Chairman Mr. Linus Cheung Wing Lam and Bao Hei Jing led charity footage at frequent intervals. Needing a moral boost, ATV indeed requires more positive and practical actions to strengthen its unity. How to make good use of influential members is like enhancing the organization's wealth of resources. No one knows the next ATV lay-off would involve artists. If it can place more effort on human resources, it is equivalent to an asset value increase. The very simple reasoning is still being neglected. Currently fewer and fewer quality actors and actresses are willing to stay in ATV. The once popular Chan Kai Tai is back to a leisurely unimportant status. Originally an ATV Best Actor Lam Wai Sun's role is uncertain. The occasional kid companion to beauty, the stable and quiet Yuen Man Kit is at a loss. Good talker and looker Karen Ka Wing also does not appear on screen often. Honestly, the actors do not enjoy their jobs and the viewers are quietly sighing. ATV's first focus is information. Lately personal promotion that is intended on promoting the newscasters is not a bad thing, certainly it has enhanced its members' visibility. Yet ultimately television is mass entertainment media, if it can balance its allocation and foster a firm foundation and the same concern for artist exposure level, proper role assignment, it is a healthy development policy. Actually it is necessary. - CHOW YI 9. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 21 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS SUPER VALUE STARS What star is the most valuable? Of course the one whose salary and the box office are in direct proportion. With such stars, regardless of the production size, they are considered a value when the production makes an equivalent of their salaries and production costs. However such stars are uniquely rare. Since they can rely on themselves to break even, of course they would be their own boss. Value has another definition, salary in direct proportion with cooperation. However as someone's value increases, the cooperation decreases. Only a very small number of highly paid stars are very cooperative. When stars have high worth and market value they tend to protect themselves. Stars are extremely self-centered people, most put their own interests first. Film is a complete work that on many occasions has a conflict a star's personal interests. Many stars only ask for their role to look good, no matter how the entire film looks. High-priced stars who are not cooperative of course are not values. Does any star exceed value? Usually stars exceed value the most when they are underestimated. Once their market value has been determined they are no longer values. Film investors with good eyes would first sign some underestimated stars. They may not be the best but they have potential, or have thought to be past their prime but have the ability to come back. Another type that exceeds value is not a star but an actor. They are not big shots, but their acting is superb. Each time they appear they achieve an effect that makes the audience happy. These supporting actors would not blindly increase their salary. Over the years their salary almost never changes. They are very cooperative, are willing to do anything, respect and enjoy their work. Super value actors are few, usually they are experienced. The new generation with good acting ability would immediately increase their salary if the audience likes them to a price that the market cannot afford. Therefore, the new generation of super value actors disappears faster than the veterans. The ones with audience luck perhaps would become stars and land on the lead positions, but they no longer exceed value. - KWOK HIN CHING 10. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 20 2009, FILM WORDS GIVE LOVE: OLDER WOMAN, YOUNGER MAN, SIBLING IN LAW ROMANCE The Joe Ma Wai Ho and For For co-directed new film GIVE LOVE (OI DUT HEI) is a small romantic comedy, Gigi Leung Wing Kei and Chen Bo-Lin performed decently with a little cuteness. Its flaws are its thin plot that drags on all over the place. Its overall performance is less than ideal. This is a "older woman, younger man/sibling in law" romance, Chen Bo-Lin plays an airline employee who falls for traveler Leung Wing Kei at first sight. When they run into each other again, she has become "sister in law" -- his older brother's bride! Yet the marriage runs aground. Will the leads in the end become sibling in laws or a couple? Leung Wing Kei is very lively. At first she treats Chen Bo-Lin like a younger brother and shares a home with him. The most wonderful is after her divorce she becomes distracted like a lost soul, then she transforms into a wild woman who catches him completely off guard. Leung Wing Kei shows comic variety, while Chen Bo-Lin is innocent and shy. His infatuated expression is lovable. Originally this story can be more intense and fun, but the script is simple, its development is not straightforward and rich enough. Sibling in law romance has taken place in the past, the presence, Chinese and foreign work. THE WATER MARGIN's Wu Song and Pan Jinlian is very classic. Yang Guo and Xiao Long Nu is a well-known older woman, younger man relationship. The old Mainland film based on Shen Cong-wen's original work XIAO XIAO - A GIRL FROM HUNAN, the bride and her child groom also resemble siblings. Old film fans will still remember the sixties Italian film GIRL WITH A SUITCASE, in which beautiful country girl Claudia Cardinale takes her suitcase and goes to Rome to find her Ungrateful boyfriend, while her boyfriend's brother Jacques Perrin sympathizes with her and has a crush on her like a guardian angel. The film is very real and moving. In the Eighties Patrick Tam Ka Ming directed, Wong Kar Wai wrote FINAL VICTORY (JUI HAU SING LEI). Eric Tsang Chi Wai plays a small time mobster who on the order of his on the run boss has to escort the two boss ladies Lee Din Long and Loletta Lee Lai Chun. A crush is also developed. A few years ago the Wong Ching Po directed MOB SISTER (AH SOH) also cooks up mob sibling romantic situation, but it is very far-fetched. Screened a few months ago at the China Film Panorama, the Inner Mongolia film HEAVENLY GRASSLAND features a younger brother who has a crush on his sister in law. The grassland flavor is rich and the film is full of helpless sorrow. In the United States Oscar winner MOONSTRUCK, Cher falls for her fiancé's younger brother Nicolas Cage. The film has many humorous takes. GET SMART's comedy star Steve Carell last year starred in the romantic comedy DAN IN REAL LIFE, in which he also falls for his brother's girlfriend Juliette Binoche. Speaking of GIVE LOVE, it is after Ivy Ho (Ong Sai)'s CLAUSTROPHOBIA (CHUN MUK) the second film to receive the Hong Kong Film Development Council funding. Wonderfully both films are about crushes. The pure art film CLAUSTROPHOBIA is very reserved and unique, while this one is more popular and comedic. - SHEK KEI 11. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 20 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FILMS SERVE STARS When the entertainment news announces star film salary, not all are fake. Some are rumors, some are asking prices, while others are actual figures. What is real and what is not, even with industry insiders not everyone would know. The one who pays and the one who receives are the most certain. Many salaries are floating, two types of stars stand firm. First are the ones who become popular recently. They do not cut a single cent, when they make room for you on their schedule they are respecting you. The other are the ones who do not have to worry about money at all and do not care, they work when they are paid fully. For others, the asking price and the actual salary depend on the situation. They definitely would charge more for a film with a long and hard shoot, especially when the director is troublesome. They of course would be more flexible with a film that can be completed in a short term, fast, pretty, and good. People say actors are ruthless, but some are still honorable. Stars who charge less due to loyal although are in the minority, they have not been extinct. They can also charge less to work with a famous director to win an award. Each actor long for acting recognition, which of course has to be paid for. Star salaries on average is a little higher than their market value, which is generally the "over-estimated phenomenon." The movie market has a very serious problem, very few film companies would truly pay attention to film creativity. Almost all movies are only selling star power and genres, director fame in comparison occupies a very low place, not to mention creativity. The cast determines how much a film can sell for, only then do stars ask for a little more salary than the market value. Everyone knows stars alone are not enough, but without them no one would even have a chance to prove whether something is viable or not. All high-paid stars have made rotten films. Most often they appear in neither good nor bad movies, they rarely have good work. You can take a look if you do not believe that. When star salaries are high, other aspects like production have to sacrifice a little. The more stars are paid, the more opinionated they are and the more difficult they are to serve. They see themselves as more important than the movie that they are making, the subject-object order has been reversed. When high-paid stars are hired, they may not serve the movie. Instead movies serve them. - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Oi Chook Mau Lit : Love Cheats d. Pang Shun, William Chan Wai Ting, Si Nga, G.E.M. Tang Chi Kei, Lee Wan, Chubby (Siu Fei), James, Ciwi, Wong Long Yin OVERHEARD Can : Sit Ting Fung Won Lit : Eavesdropping Situation d. Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Man Keung Louis Koo Tin Lok, Lau Ching Wan, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Alex Fong Chung Shun, Zhang Jingchu, Lok Sze Wan, William Chan Ting Wai [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Three cops become increasingly thrilled by the secret they heard while conducting a surveillance on a listed company, without knowing this is a path of no return. BIG CHEAT Can : Wan Dai Jor Lit : Play Too Big d. Pang Fat Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Stephanie Cheng Yung, Chow Pak Ho, William Chan Wai Ting, Wiley Chiu Shek Chi, Kung Yun Chi ACCIDENT Can : Um Sat Lit : Assassination d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Louis Koo Tin Lok, Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] When a hitman suspects he is being targeted for termination, he must find and kill his predator against all odds Can : Tung Moon Lit : Classmate d. Herman Yau Lai To Shawn Yue Man Lok, Ada Choi Siu Fun, Ella Koon Yun Na, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Chapman To Man Jat, Jun Kung Shek Leung STORM WARRIORS AKA : STORM RIDERS II Can : Fung Won II Lit : Wind Cloud II d. Pang Brothers Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Ken Ho Ka King, Lam Suet, Tang Yan Opening December 3 2009 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS MALAYSIA ] Japanese evil warlord Lord Godless desired to conquer China. He imprisoned a large number of martial artists and tried to make them subjugate. Among the prisoners were Cloud and the martial arts elder statesman Nameless. Wind came to the rescue. The trio was badly wounded by Lord Godless’s evil martial arts attack. Chu Chu was also knocked out when she blocked Cloud from Lord Godless’s strike. The remaining martial artists sacrificed their lives to save the trio, in the hope that the trio would beat Lord Godless one day and save the country. Chu Chu was badly wounded and stayed unconscious. Cloud was filled with remorse and vowed to take revenge. Wind chose to take the evil way to quickly boost up his martial arts skills, so that he could protect the people. During his training, he met the girl who changed his life, Dream. Meanwhile, the troop of Lord Godless came to attack. Wind’s training was interrupted when he tried to save Dream from Lord Godless’s assault. After some killings, Wind ran away and disappeared.... Lord Godless took The Emperor in captivity and stationed his troops in Heaven Cave. Cloud arrived alone and started a combat with Lord Godless. Lord Godless had the upper hand. In the meantime, the half-evil Wind appeared and joined the battle. During the fight, they inadvertently discovered the secret of the sovereign. The real intention of Lord Godless’ invasion was related to an ancient tomb, a forbidden ground buried with the Royal family’s secret. The truth was finally revealed. At last, how would the battle end? Who would eventually rule over the country? Can : Si Lim Lit : Reminisce d. Wai Ka Fai Lau Ching Wan, Kelly Lin (Lam Hei LUi), Yan Qing, Jo Kuk Cho Lam Can : Giu, Won Lit : Call, Soul Grace Ip Pui Man, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Jolie Chan Yuen Kei, Raymond Wong Ho Yin, Chucky Wood Gei Lan, Kwok Hoi San Can : Ang Hong Lit : Tough Guy Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Ellen Chan Nga Lun, Liu Ye, Sun Honglei FANTASTIC WATER BABES Can : Chook Shui Fu Yung Lit : Out of Water Hibiscus d. Jeff Lau Chun Wai Gillian Chung Yun Tung, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Stephen Fung Tak Lun, Tian Liang, Eva Huang Shengyi, Opening October 23 2008 in Malaysia Official Site : www.emp.hk [ OFFICIAL SITE ] A beautiful and cocky swimmer Jill and her teammates kidnaps Alex, Hong Kong's champion swimmer, in order that he can train her to win a duel against her rival in swimming and in love. All hell breaks loose when hate at first sight inadvertently becomes something else... --- [ NOW SHOWING ] Info from Mov3.com (http://www.mov3.com), Ryan's Hong Kong Movie DataBase (http://www.hkmdb.com), Korean Movie Database (http://www.krmdb.com), Cinema Thai (http://www.cinemathai.com), Hong Kong Entertainment News In Review (http://www.hkentreview.com), Internet Movie DataBase (http://www.imdb.com) BASIC LOVE Can : Oi Ching Goo Si Lit : Love Story d. Oxide Pang Shun Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Janice Man Wing San, Rex Ho Chun Wai, Tsui Ching Hei Rating : IIA Length : 103 mins. Opening February 26 2009 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] In a pure love romantic story, a song links Ling, Siu Chun and Rex in a relationship. Ling has suffered from leukemia since childhood. Optimistic, she never keeps anything in her heart. Only with a limited lifespan she has kept all her love inside and does not inform her friends Rex and Siu Chun about her illness. Siu Chun came as child with her mother from Mainland to Hong Kong and has made a living selling fish. Introverted Siu Chun was not good with expressing herself. Her personality was the polar opposite with Ling, but they became good friends from mutual concern. Siu Chun has always been fond of Rex, but Rex has not made any move. Siu Chun also does not realize that another guy Hei is silently in love with her. Very talented musically, Rex writers a song for a competition. The song is written for the girl he loves but he never reveals her name. With graduation just around the corner, they will go their separate ways. Their relationship has not further developed until Ling falls ill. Her hospitalization breaks through this relationship silence...... L-O-V-E Can : Oi Doh Dai Lit : Love To The End d. Jiu Ba Dao, Vincent Fang Wenshan, Chen Yi-Sen, Mickey Huang (Wong Chi Gau) Ethan Ruan (Yuen King Tin), Alice Tzeng Hoi Won, Van Fan Yat Sun, Megan Lai Nga Yin Lan Cheng-Lung, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau), Alan Kuo (Or Yau Lun), Tracy Chou Cai Shi Opening February 26 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Four part love story An elderly mother quietly sat on the sofa, shut her eyes and lowered her head. Suddenly the telephone rang, the mother picked it up. On the other end was his son who died five years ago. The son urged his mother to take care of herself and promised to call home again next year at the anniversary of his death... Cool looking Blue is a direct music video ad director, but his assistant has quietly had a crush on him ... Ambitious slacker Siu Tin is an amateur acting double who is in a cold war with his flight attendant girlfriend Hoi Hoi. Instead of calling them in love, one may ask well say that they have been in a damaging tug of war. Hoi Hoi can no longer stand Siu Tin's laziness and they start to complain about each other... A sloppy woman who lacks self confidence everyday fantasizes about being in love. Everyday she cries to the heavens, "Who doesn't anyone love me?" The Lord finally can tolerate no more. One day, she receives a numerologist's forecast that she will encounter six men on the road, the sixth is even her true love... GIVE LOVE Can : Oi Dut Hei Lit : Love To The End d. Joe Ma Wai Ho, For For Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Chen Bo-Lin (Chan Pak Lam), Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Terry Fan Siu Wong, HotCha, Maggie Lee Man Kwan Opening February 19 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Lina finally decides to get a divorce. Lina has almost already forgotten why she would marry Xiaodong a year ago, she cannot even remember what made her fall for Xiaodong. Lina believes that she can live on independently and not easily fall in love again. She feels that she would not again rely on the "never reliable" men, but her behavior is just the opposite. She stays in Xiaodong's home while Xiaodong has vanished.....sharing the home is Xiaodong's younger brother Yidong, a young man who does not like to talk, keeps everything inside but would suddenly scolds others "righteously". Actually the sibling in laws Lina and Yidong after Xiaodong's departure legall are independent, but they are like family and friends, can they develop into a couple? KUNG FU CHEF Can : Gung Fu Chu Sun Lit : Kung Fu Kitchen God d. Yau Tat Chi Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho), Cherrie Ying Choi Yi, Lam Tze Chung Opening February 19 2009 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ONLINE ] Jo had kept hatred in his heart for a very long time and did what he could to oust his uncle Wong Bing-Yi (Sammo Hung) from the village and to claim the rights to the “Dragon-Head Cleaver”, a symbol of power to the clan. As Wong Bing-Yi was forced out of the village, he encountered Shen Qing by chance and is determined to help her during the troubled times at her restaurant “Four Seas”. Here, he discovered a young cooking wonder, Lung Kin-Yat. To bring “Four Seas” back to the top, Lung ends up representing “Four Seas” to the competition against Chef Tin, two times “Top Chef” winner and the head chef at “Imperial Palace”, the restaurant owned by Jo. At the day of the finals, Wong Bing-Yi and Jo met privately to try to resolve their problems. Lung shined by overcoming many obstacles and preparing a dish called “Fresh Water Bak-Choy” just as his master, Wong Bing-Yi had taught him. However, the head judge has been bribed by “Imperial Palace” and he is also the master of Chef Tin. Who will finally win the title of “Top Chef”? Can the “Kung Fu Chefs” finally win over the hearts of many? EMPIRE OF SILVER Can : Bak Ngun Dai Gok Lit : White Silver Empire d. Christina Yao Shuhua Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Zhang Tielin, Hao Lei, Jennifer Tily, Ding Zhicheng, Lei Zhenyu, King Shih Chieh Opening February 12 2009 at the Berlin Film Festival Site : http://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=20090009 [ BERLINALE ] Director Christina Yao’s opulent feature film is a dynastic saga; it is also a passionate love story and a moral tale, based on historical events. The story of the Kangs, a family of bankers, and their banking empire on China’s ‘Wall Street’ spans a period from the Boxer Uprising to the Chinese Revolution and the founding of the People’s Republic in 1949. The film begins in 1899. A carefree, hedonistic young man is next in line to inherit a banking empire which has hitherto meant very little to him. However, following a tragic abduction, of which his sister-in-law was the victim, this ‘third man’ reluctantly bows to his authoritative father’s iron will. Keen to prepare his offspring for the time when he will take over his financial conglomerate, this powerful banker, Kang, is determined to turn his son into as ruthless a businessman as himself. However, his idealistic son has always called into question his father’s high-handed style of leadership and hard-nosed business principles. The tense relationship between the two men is put under additional strain on account of Kang junior’s undying love for his beautiful young step-mother. She was the first and only love of his life – before his father stole her from him. It is time for him to decide whether he will take the path his father trod before him or whether he will make his own way in life... [ COMING SOON ] BREATH d. Kim Ki-Duk Chang Chen, Zia, Ha Jung-Woo [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] On a cold winter day, after learning her husband has found a new woman, Yeon absent mindedly heads for the prison where Chen is confined. Although she does not know him personally, repeated news of his suicide attempts on TV has subconsciously grown in her mind and now is leading her to seek him. Jin has no visitors and normally would not agree to meet with a complete stranger, but hearing that it is a woman he accepts her meeting request out of curiosity. Their first meeting is as awkward as it can get. Yeon treats Jin like an old friend whereas Jin does not open up so easily. WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE MAINLAND CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Han Yan Tai Junjie, Wu Xiaoliang, Liu Shuhan, Chi Jia Rating : 105 mins. Opening March 21 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=682 [ THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Some time before the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China, a Mainland high school stages a variety show to celebrate the occasion. One of the most brilliant openings among the many recent Chinese high school titles, it introduces the unfolding drama of rival groups of "good" and "bad" students and their "internal contradictions", and serves as a continual mental backdrop for the audience: of youth caught in a society whose founding ideology has become obsolete and absurd. SNIPER Can : Sun Cheung Sau Lit : Godly Gunslingers d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Edison Chen Koon Hei, Huang Xiaoming Opening 2009 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Ming is renowned as the top shooter in the police force. However things get complicated after the release of his former teammate and superb marksman Ching from prison. With only vengeance on his mind, Ching wants to take on Ming and the police, believing that they are the ones who put him in jail. When a mysterious sniper sabotages a high-security prisoner transfer and a convict escapes, Ming and his team are dispatched to profile the suspect. THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND SEX AND CHOPSTICKS II Can : Gum Ping Mui II Oi Dik Lo Dai Lit : Golden Bottle Plum II Slave of Love d. Chin Man Kei Hikaru Wakana (Yeuk Choi Guong), Serina Hayakawa (Jo Chuen Lai Lei Noi), Kaera Uehara (Seung Yuen Kaera), Winnie Leung Man Yi, Lam Wai Kin, Ng Chi Hung, Leung Cheuk Moon, Tam Gong Chung, Lee Kin Yan Rating : III Opening March 5 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] After the lecherous Ximen Qing killed Wu Dalang, he logically married Jinlian as his concubine. Unfortunately, Ximen Qing was not satisfied. He plotted to seduce Hua Zixu's wife Li Pinger, in turn driving Hua to death from rage. Wu Dalang's younger brother Wu Song upon hearing about Wu Dalong's death vowed to avenge his brother, but he fell into Ximen Qing's beauty trap as Ximen Qing's maid Chunmei accused him of rape and he was banished! Chunmei therefore was appreciated and became one of Ximen Qing's concubines! Since then, Ximen Qing had "Jin(lian) Ping(er) (Chun)Mei" daily. Not only did he try all kinds of sexual positions but also worsen with abnormal sex games. The brilliant lifestyle has spent Ximen Qing's body as he became dependent on drugs to restore his former glory, which also started on Master Ximen's end... THE EQUATION OF LOVE AND DEATH Can : Oi Sut Seung Lit : Love Lost Compensation d. Cao Baoping Zhou Xun, Zhang Hanyu, Deng Chao Rating : IIB Length : 98 mins. Opening March 5 2009 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Only with compensation would wishes come true... Give and take in love is never in a balance, what is the love that you want like? With fiance Fang Wen disappearing for four years without a trace but often sending letters without any return address, Li Mi has repeatedly recited each word in the letter and double counted each letter's date of arrival. Li Mi's love for Fang Wen accumulates day after day, as she becomes more and more hysterical. She even becomes a taxi drivers to look for her love, thinking that she can hear about her love's whereabouts from passengers' mouths. Fir four years, Li Mi has been waiting, in the end would Fangwen coming back, or would one of his answer? One day, a drug deal case reunites Li Mi with Fang Wen, who vehemently denies his identity and led to cop Ye's suspicion and investigation that finally unveils love's most tragic dark side. GU GU THE CAT d. Isshin Inudou (Huen Tung Yut Sum) Kyoko Koizumi (Siu Chuen Gum Yut Ji), Juri Ueno (Seung Yeh Shu Lei), Ryo Kase (Ga Lai Leung) Rating : I Length : 116 mins. Opening March 5 2009 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Asako, a comic book artist in her early forties, is devastated by the death of her precious cat, Saba, which kept her company for over 15 years, as her assistant Naomi watches on with concern. Naomi is a young woman in her early twenties, who has her set of worries about love and future. Then one day, Asako meets a new cat, Gu gu, which brings new joy and vitality to her life. What is more, she finds potential for love in a man named Seiji. Like Asako, Naomi, too, embarks on a new life plan. THREADS OF DESTINY Can : 366 Tin Dik Yeuk Ding Lit : 366 Days Appoinment d. Masanori Murakami Junpei Mizobata, Nao Minamisawa Opening March 5 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] When her first love has just ended, a secondary school student meets a quiet, gentle student Atsushi. Both were born on February 29 and unconsciously they have become attracted to each other. Later she discovers that she has made Atsushi in her childhood and thus is even more convinced that this is the destiny of love. On the other hand, her mother has forced Atsushi to give up this just budding romance! In order to protect his beloved, he can only hold back the pain and disappear in front of her. Fate has arranged for an innocent romance to be filled with suicide, death, drugs, violence, abuse and so many unexpected things in the middle. In the end can the red thread bring them back together and fate destined them to be connected again? COMING SOON Can : Yum Yung Yuen Joi Lit : Dark Look In Theater d. Sophon Sakdaphisit Chantawit Thanasewee, Worrakarn "Punch" Rotjanawatchra Rating : IIB Length : 84 mins. Opening March 5 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Cinema projectionist San and his co-worker Yiu watch a horror film, after which Yiu dies and the corpse appears in the film. The ghost in the film has already left the screen and captured San back to the film word to reprise the revenge murder scene! To save her boyfriend, Siu San looks up the film production and discovers that the film is based on a true story. The ghost in the film originally was a villager. They decide to investigate but the case actually hides an unexpected and horrifying truth...... ORZBOYZ! d. Yang Ya-Che Pang Chin-Yu, Lee Kuan-Yi, Mei Fang, Ma Chih-Hsiang, Hsu Chi-Wen Opening March 12 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Does your school have someone who plays pranks on the female students, gets into fights, lies and even drives teachers to tears and breakdown? "Liar 1", "Liar 2" are such students. "Everyday after school they must remain in the library glued to the book" is the punishment for their bad deeds. This perhaps is the best decision the teacher has ever made. They have thus read every book in the library. 1 has become a strong book reader while 2 has become the world's luckiest listener; together they set sail on the sea of each story and leaving behind the real world's indifference and pain. This pair of liar brothers together pursues the prettiest girl in the school but accidentally uncover the tragic secret behind that sweet smile. Their most important plan is to go to that mysterious water world. As long as they are able to leap through the invisible door behind the water way they can enter the mysterious fairy tale world Oz, where they do not have to wait to grow up. Yet the promise is broken in a careless betrayal and they are forced to part. 2 can only go to the place alone, standing at the water way's highest point until the parting curse breaks...... A THOUSAND YEARS OF GOOD PRAYERS Can : Chin Nin Sin Toh d. Wayne Wong Henry O, Li Yiyun Rating : I Length : 84 mins. Opening March 12 2009 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Mr. Shi is a widower and a retired man from Beijing. When Yilan, his only daughter who lives in the US, has a divorce, he decides to visit her in the small town where she works as a librarian. His intention is to stay with her until he helps her recover from the trauma. He is a "rocket scientist", Mr. Shi likes to tell people he meets in America, and enjoys their attention. But Yilan acts less enthusiastic in his show-off, nor is she interested in his plan to rescue her marriage and reconstruct her life. When Mr. Shi persists in finding out the reason for the divorce, Yilan starts to avoid him. Disappointed but not discouraged, Mr. Shi explores the small town and meets an old woman, Madam, who fled the Iranian Revolution to the US. Neither Mr. Shi nor Madam speak English well, but by gesturing and talking in their own tongues, Mr. Shi and Madam start a rare friendship, in which they find momentary haven from the world of lies they have to weave to keep themselves hopeful, but the friendship is soon disrupted when Madam's son sends her away to a retirement home. Facing revelations both from Madam and Yilan's confrontation that Mr. Shi has never been prepared to face, he finally accepts things as they are, and reaches a small understanding with Yilan and her life. TOKYO SONATA Can : Dung Gaing Jau Ming Kuk d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa (Hak Jat Ching) Teruyuki Kagawa (Heung Chuen Jiu Ji), Kyoko Koizumi (Siu Chuen Gum Yut Ji), Yoji Yashuko (Yi Sor Guong Si) Opening March 13 2009 Length : 119 mins. [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] TOKYO SONATA unsettles on a deeper level with the story of an ordinary Japanese family that is slowly falling apart. After suddenly losing his job, Ryuhei hides the truth from his family and passes each day in lies. He becomes increasingly estranged from his two sons, each with secrets of his own. Quietly watching her husband and children drift apart, housewife Megumi is too tired to stop her family from unraveling. DEPARTURES Can : Lai Yi Si ji Jau Ming Kuk Lit : Ritual Master's Sonata d. Yojiro Takita (Lung Tin Yeung Yi Long) Masahiro Motoki (Boon Muk Nga Won), Ryoko Hirosue (Guong Muk Leung Ji) Rating : IIA Length : 120 mins. Opening March 19 2009 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Daigo Kobayashi is a cellist whose dream is shattered when his Tokyo orchestra suddenly closes down. Left with no choice but to sell his prized cello, Daigo returns with his wife Mika to his late mother’s house, deep in the Japanese countryside. In need of money, Daigo responds to an ad in the paper for a job in ‘Departures’, mistakenly thinking that it might be somehow related to travel. But to his complete surprise Daigo finds he has applied for a position as an ‘encoffineer’ – a man who performs the delicate and traditional Japanese ritual of preparing the bodies of the recently deceased for their departure to the next life – and without having time to think about it, he accepts the job... HAPPY FLIGHT Can : Hoi Sum Jik Hong Lit : Happy Direct Flight d. Shinobu Yaguchi Ayase Haruka, Seiichi Tanabe Opening March 26 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] "Finally I can fly on international routes!" The always optimistic flight attendant Etsuko is very excited about being able to participate on the international route job that she has looked forward to for a long time and is determined to do everything to its fullest! She never expects that the group of usually elegant and enchanting elders not only wolf down expensive flight meals in the break room but also remove their high heels for foot massage. Before the take of high-spirited novice pilots Suzuki only knows to give a silly laugh when he runs into a massive jet stream...how can two flight rookies turn the adventure into happiness with the passengers? THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT Can : Sun Juk Goo Si Lit : Shinjuku Story d. Derek Yee Tung Sing Jackie Chan, Naoto Takenaka (Juk Jung Jik Yun), Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Masaya Kato (Ga Tung Nga Ya), Xu Jinglei, Fan Bingbing, Chin Kar Lok, Paul Chun Pui, Lam Suet, Lian Jin, Jack Kao (Ko Jit) Opening APRIL 2 2009 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] In the early 1990s, a tractor mechanic from China nicknamed Steelhead illegally enters Japan to search for his girlfriend. To make ends meet, he joins his friend in Shinjuku in doing menial labor. Steelhead finds out that his girlfriend has married Eguchi, a Japanese Yakuza leader. Steelhead decides to stay in Japan and work for Eguchi as a hitman. Soon, Steelhead gets used to the power and find himself embroiled so deeply in the ways of the underworld that there is no turning back. NOBODY TO WATCH OVER ME Can : Shui Loi Sau Wu Ngor Lit : Who Would Protect me d. Ryoichi Kimizuka Koichi Sato, Mirai Shida, Ryuhei Matsuda, Yoshino Kimura, Toshiro Yanagiba Opening April 9 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A 18-year-old youth suspected of killing primary school sisters is arrested, his mother and sister's lives at the same moment collapse. The unscrupulous media pursued them day and night, the internet continued to dig and uncover their privacy. They even receive death threats against the whole family. A police officer is ordered to protect the mother and daughter but has aroused strong public reaction. The officer's dark past that few know has also been revealed. The suspect's mother finally cannot take anymore and resort to suicide, as the younger sister finds the homicide's key clues......until this moment, actually no one knows whether the suspect is the real murderer? I CORRUPT ALL COPS Can : Gum Chin Dai Gok Lit : Money Empire d. Wong Jing Eason Chan Yik Shun, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Liu Yang, Bowie Lam Bo Yi, Wong Jing Opening April 2009 NIGHT AND FOG Can : Tin Shui Wai Dik Yeh Yu Mo Lit : Night and Fog of Tin Shui Wai d. Ann Hui On Wa Simon Yam Tat Wa, Zhang Jingchu Opening May 2009 --- [ Entertainment URL ] MEDIA ASIA http://www.mediaasia.com EMPEROR MOTION PICTURES http://www.emp.hk GOLDEN SCENE http://www.goldenscene.com SING PAO http://www.singpao.com THE HONG KONG FILM ARCHIVE http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/hkfa/ CHANG CHUN CHINA FILM FESTIVAL http://www.cc-film.com GOLDEN HARVEST http://www.goldenharvest.com STAR EAST http://www.stareastnet.com CITY ENTERTAINMENT http://www.cityentertainment.com.hk Commercial Radio http://www.crhk.com.hk Television Broadcast Limited http://www.tvb.com.hk --- [ NORTH AMERICA AREA CONCERTS ] Courtesy of our neighbors at : High Level Entertainment's Concert & Event News Center http://www.levelhigh.com http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/1721/hlecaen.htm * NATASHA NA YING, A MU, AND GUAN ZHE DATE AND TIME : Sunday, April 5 2009 @ 7PM Monday, April 6 2009 @ 8:30PM VENUE LOCATION : The Avalon Ballroom Theatre Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort 6380 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls, ON L2G 7X5 Canada TICKET PRICES : CA$99.75, 126, 147 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION : TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1000416ABC04692E?artistid=1272557&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 * Eason Chan live in San Francisco,CA March 22,2009 Eason's Moving On Stage, Eason Chan Live in Concert! Date & Time: Sunday night, March 22,2009 @ 7pm Venue Location: Cow Palace, 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City, CA 94014 Ticket Prices: $58, $78, $98, $138, $198 VIP tickets on sale now online at: http://www.usastarimage.com/ticket.aspx?id=31 Info & online ticket: www.usastarimage.com concert hotline: 510-651-6888 info email: concert@usastarimage.com ticket outlets: http://www.usastarimage.com/ticket.aspx?id=31 http://www.usastarimage.com Ng Hing Kee SF 415-781-8330 Ng Hing Kee Sunset SF 415-759-1999 Ng Hing Kee Millbrae 650-692-8922 Ng Hing Kee Mountain View 650-969-2034 Ng Hing Kee Oakland 510-272-0822 Ng Hing Kee Milpitas 408-433-5188 World Books SF 415-397-8473 Evergeen Books Milpitas 408-383-9798 Taro Books Cupertino 408-863-1288 Taro Books Newark 510-818-9666 * Superkey Production and Tropicana Atlantic City Present Jade Kwan Sum Yin, Liu Jialiang Special Guest: Tam Ming Fai DATE AND TIME: Saturday night/Sunday morning, March 22 2009 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION: Tropicana Showroom - North Tower, 3rd Floor Tropicana Casino & Resort 2831 Boardwalk Atlantic City NJ 08401 TICKET PRICES: $108, 78, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.superkeypro.com CHINATOWN: P & M Music 2 Elizabeth Street 212.732.3828 BROOKLYN: Paradise Vacations 778 60th Street 718.238.1228 * LIU FANG DATE AND TIME : Saturday, March 14 2009 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION : Ryerson United Church 2195 W. 45th Ave., Vancouver BC V6K 1N7 Canada TICKET OUTLET LOCATION : TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/110042378BFB91C7?artistid=721818&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 * Sunday Entertainment and Horseshoe Hammond Present Huang Pin-Yuan Live Special Guest: Rain Li Choi Wa DATE AND TIME: Sunday, March 1 2009 @ 9PM VENUE LOCATION : The Venue Horseshoe Hammond 777 Casino Center Drive Hammond IN 46320 TICKET PRICES: $73, 53, 43 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/07004197DFAEBC96?artistid=1283342&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 * 2009 S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Fundraising Gala With Chet Lam Yat Fung, Ha Yu, Annabelle Louie DATE AND TIME : Friday, February 27 2009 @ 6PM VENUE LOCATION : Grand Ballroom The Westin Bayshore 1601 Bayshore Drive Vancouver BC V6G 2V4 Canada TICKET PRICES : CA$800, 538, 338, 238 TICKET INFORMATION: ONLINE: http://www.successfoundation.ca/gala2009 Email: fundraising@success.bc.ca Phone: 604-408-7228 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Thursday February 19 2009 10 SEVEN POUNDS d. Gabriele Muccino Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson 9 MILK d. Gus Van Zant Sean Penn, Emile Hirsch, Josh Brolin 8 BRIDE WARS d. Gary Winick Kate Hudson, Anne Hathaway, Bryan Greenberg 7 CHANGELING d. Clint Eastwood Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich 6 THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON d. David Fincher Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett 5 REVOLUTIONARY ROAD d. Sam Mendes Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet 4 VALKYRIE d. Bryan Singer Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Billy Nighy 3 YES MAN d. Peyton Reed Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper 2 MY BLOODY VALENTINE d. Patrick Lussier Jensen Ackles, Jamie King 1 LOVE CONNECTED Can : Bo Chi Oi Nei Lit : Keep Loving You d. Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Justin Lo (Juk Tin), Hu Qingnan, Tong So Kei, I Love You Boz, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Leung Cho Hiu, Kay Tse On Kay, Sammy ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS LOVE CONNECTED Rating : IIB Length : 96 mins. Opening February 19 2009 [ YAHOO! HONG KONG MOVIES ] LOVE CONNECTED depicts 5 love stories between 14 people on Valentine's Day. Would Fung whose love trial period comes to an end win the heart of his goddess Kei? Wai is a shopping center's resident singer. Would his song for a flower girl Bo bear fruit? Biker boys Dragon and Tiger develop a fantastic romance with their one online day lover Goldfish! Jo and Fong's seven year relationship has already reached an emergency level. Would the Valentine's Day dinner be their final supper? Playboy Fai plans three Valentine's Day dates but would his fantasy have any unexpected change in reality? ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, February 21 2009 15 SEEKING FORTUNE Can : Chum Fok Jacky Cheung Hok Yau 14 LOVE SONG Can : Ching Gor Jasmine Leong Jing Yu 13 UNFORGETTABLE DAY Can : Nan Mong Dik Yut Tin Xu Wei (Hui Ngai) 12 ROSE ROSE I LOVE YOU Can : Mui Gwai Mui Gwai Ngor Oi Nei Joanna Wang (Wong Yeuk Lam) 11 KING QUEEN Can : Gok Wong Wong Hau Big Mouth 10 LONELINESS GO Can : Jik Mok Bo Jau Fahrenheit (Fei Lun Hoi) 9 THAT CANNOT BE LOVE? Can : Na But Wui Si Oi Ba? Jane Zhang Liangying 8 MAKE FUN Can : Gau Siu Alan Luo (Law Chi Cheung) 7 YOU CHOOSE Can : Yau Nei Shuen Jat JJ Lin Junjie, Fama 6 LOVE IS THAT SIMPLE Can : Oi Jau Si Na Mor Gan Dan Pu Bajia (Po Ba Gap) 5 WORLD OF ONE AFRAID OF LONELINESS Can : Yut Gor Yun Dik Sai Gai Hoi Pa Gu Dan Wang Zijian (Wong Chi Kin) 4 FISH Can : Yu Cheer Chen Yi Jing 3 PERHAPS LOVE Can : Yu Gor Oi Fang Datong 2 BAD GUY Can : Wai Yun Abin Fang (Fong Gwing Bun) 1 IN SPRING RAIN FULL OF SUN Can : Chun Yu Lui Sai Moon Tai Yeung Wang Leehom (Wong Lik Won) ------ [ Yakety Yak ] The views and opinions expressed here are purely those of the writer and in no way reflect those of Hong Kong Film Top 10 Box Office, its contributors and affiliated web sites. DID HE SAY "POOPEE?" While Your Chaffing Editor has little to say this week, Former Chaffing Editor would like to congratulate his favorite Spice Girl on becoming a mother Sunday. Along those lines, it has been rather odd to see Wolverine listening to MAMA on repeat despite the warnings from previous members of Top Ten Central. Alas, it was almost less odd than seeing Hugh Jackman belting out I AM WOLVERINE at the Oscars. Finally Former Chaffing Editor has a new tune in the shower. Finally, speaking of the Oscars, Your Chaffing Editor finally saw SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE before the big event. While it was a good movie Old Chaffy did not enjoy it as much as he should. First, due to the circumstance under which he saw the film, the theater was packed. Second, for some reason he found the English dialogue early in the film difficult to understand. In fact he found himself trying to decipher whether the characters were speaking English since no subtitle appeared. Finally and most importantly, the film's "formulas" reminded him of many "hero" (A BETTER TOMORROW) film clones / variations of the 80s and 90s. As usual, if you have not seen the film this column should in no way deter you. See it and make up your own mind. Finally, some Indians have expressed displeasure about how their nation was portrayed in the film. Some of the arguments resembled the ones from MISSION IMPOSSIBLE 3's Shanghai location shoot. While many would like their hometowns to be portrayed in the much better light and "blamed" what was on screen on the "Westerners", they have overlooked the message in the story itself. Hiding a problem does not meet it does not exist (Your Chaffing Editor is somewhat an expert in this field). If you have a problem with others pointing out your problem to you, perhaps you should have beat them to the punch and improve the situation to begin with. As many of Your Chaffing Editor's critics have stated, "WTF does he know? He likes CRAP!" Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] THE CLIMB Miley Cyrus http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNkrzRLJeU8 I can almost see it. That dream I'm dreamin But there's a voice inside my head saying you'll never reach it. Every step I'm taking. Every move I make feels Lost with no direction. My faith is shakin. But I,I gotta keep tryin. Gotta keep my head held high. There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waitin on the other side. It's the climb. The struggles I'm facing. The chances I'm taking. Sometimes might knock me down but No I'm not breaking. I may not know it but these are the moments that I'm gonna remember most, yeah. Just gotta keep going. And I, I gotta be strong. Just keep pushing on 'cause, There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle But Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waitin on the other side. It's the climb. Yeah-yeah There's always gonna be another mountain. I'm always gonna wanna make it move. Always gonna be an uphill battle Sometimes you're gonna have to lose. Ain't about how fast I get there. Ain't about what's waitin on the other side. It's the climb. Yeah-yeah-yea Keep on moving, Keep climbing, Keep the faith, Baby. It’s all about, It’s all about the climb. Keep your faith, Keep your faith. Whoa, O Whoa. ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038