From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (February 26 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 1. THIS TOP 10 IS DEDICATED TO A. Albert Yeung Sau Sing who celebrates his birthday on the 2nd B. Victor Wong Bun Koon who celebrates his birthday on the 26th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (3/4/2009) After a long absence, Chow Yun Fat recently has made frequent appearances to promote his new film. Yesterday when he met with the Hong Kong media, he learned about singers Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu and Jill Vidal (Wai Si)'s alleged shoplifting in Japan and he was found on the spot in possession of marijuana. Fat Gor honestly said that this incident would affect artists' image and hoped the two would be safe. Reportedly Fat Gor in his new film will play Confucius and he has been growing facial hair for the role. He expressed that the negotiation was almost complete and he was only waiting for Mrs. Chow to sign the contract. When asked whether he was familiar with Confucius' work, he joked he only knew a line or two. * (3/4/2009) At the SHINJUKU INCIDENT climax, Jackie Chan learned that his buddy Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) was injured at the hands of foreign mobsters in Japan. He was so upset that he was in tears. He said that it was the heartbreaking and the most emotional scene in his career, even more difficult than making action films. In the film the always timid Ng Yin Cho was caught cheating at a video game arcade under the watch of foreign mobster Jack Kao and the mob tortured him. Seeing the severely injured buddy his heart ached and he was moved to tears. Jackie Chan said that this scene was an enormous challenge, "I truly put an effort into playing this emotional scene, which felt very painful. After the shoot I couldn't speak all day because I was too in character. I truly needed time to leave it." Jackie Chan said that he played the scene as if it was real. "If my buddy is kind but someone tortures him half to death, what would I do?" Jackie Chan during rehearsal has already stared to the spot where Ng Yin Cho lay and imagined it truly has happened, then he submerged himself into the scene's emotions. Seeing Ng Yin Cho's entire face was bandaged, Big Brother was very upset. His performance even affected Ng Yin Cho, who pushed his own emotions to the brink of collapse. * (2/28/2009) Cable Entertainment Limited Executive Director Tsui Siu Ming earlier was rumored to be transferred from the Entertainment Station to manage Mainland business. At the same time he also was rumored to be heading for ATV. Tsui Siu Ming yesterday met with the media and said that because of the Mainland business' fierce competition, his future focus would be the expansion of satellite TV News Units markets in Guangdong Province, as well as international distribution companies and Sundream Pictures. As for the ATV rumor, he pointed out that it has been around for half a year already. However, he conceded that with ATV has contacted him through different channels. So far the decision moment has not arrived yet, he still had business to attend to at Cable. In addition, Tsui Siu Ming revealed that Sundream Pictures will begin six movie productions this year. Johnnie To Kei Fung would produce two, Sammo Hung Kam Bo and Jacob Cheung Chi Leung would each direct one, as well as new films from director Lee Kung Lok and Wong Ching Po. Among them Cheung Chi Leung's MA TAU KUM (HORSE HEAD PIANO) would be this year's big production, with a budget that would range from US$10,000,000 to 13,000,000. The cast has not been finalized. Would he approach Gillian Chung Yun Tung with a role? He said, "Even so it's not my turn yet!" In Cable Entertainment Station's exclusive interview with Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, she has said that she would come back for a suitable script. Would Tsui Siu Ming consider her? Brother Siu Ming did not respond and only said that two night ago when Pak Chi was interviewed at the television station, he passed away and watched awhile. During the interview although Pak Chi's eyes were still red, she appeared to be admirably strong. * (2/28/2009) The Lee Chi Ngai directed new film DANCE SUBARU will be released on March 26 in Hong Kong. The film not only has the Japanese national treasure actress Kaori Momoi but also top Japanese idol Meisa Kuroki. To play the role of ballet genius Subaru, Kuroki a few months before filming began basic training. Every day from 10:00 am she practiced for 5-6 hours. Although initially it was very difficult, she slowly fell in love with ballet. Lee Chi Ngai had nothing but praise for Kuroki's perseverance. "Kuroki is a very hardworking actress with very strong will power, her performance exceeded expectation!" One of the group ballet scene also touched and impressed him. At the time he told Kuroki that he would only shoot her upper body and leave the tiptoe dancing for the double. Yet during the actual filming Kuroki actually was able to dance tiptoe. After the completion of the group scene, the whole team applauded and cheered. The director was also misty eyed, only later did he learned that she borrowed a pair of toe shoes to practice with at home. Her perseverance and determination moved the director. Kuroki felt very happy about being able to dance on her toes. "Originally the director asked me not to wear toe shoes, but I felt that there was no harm in trying. If I gave up without trying I would be very reluctant. If I don't try first I wouldn't know how anything would turn out!" * (2/27/2009) The 33rd Annual Hong Kong International Film Festival yesterday held a press conference to announce the opening films SHINJUKU INCIDENT and NIGHT AND FOG (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YEH YU MO), the closing film would be Jia Zhangke's 24 CITY, and the Film Festival will be held from March 22 to April 13. SHINJUKU director Derek Yee Tung Sing yesterday led Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Fan Bingbing, Xu Jinglei and others in attendance, Ann Hui On Wa attended with NIGHT actors Simon Yam Tat Wa and Zhang Jingchu. Jackie Chan expressed in the film he did not know how to fight. Sometimes in a fight scene he would make a martial arts pose, and the director would tell him not to make the pose too pretty. He said that in the film he needed to scream for help and call the police, which actually was very difficult. Jackie Chan and Fan Bingbing had intimate scenes in the film. During the shoot they had to remove their clothing and pull down the sheets, but the scene in the end has been deleted. Fan Bingbing said that before the shoot Jackie Chan thought the scene would be very passionate and made a lot of preparation like mouthwash and make up, but finally the scene was completed very quickly and dialogue explained the scene. Did she know that the scene was cut? She said that they did not know, during post production it was still there. Was she disappointed that the scene was not passionate enough? She joked, "Big Brother was very disappointed, I wasn't." Bingbing said that Big Brother was a great friend who liked to take care of others. When filming in Japan he often took everyone out to eat. Bingbing expressed regret that the film would not be released in the Mainland, but she believed that the director has his own ideas. Jackie Chan stated that Bingbing was just joking and he was not disappointed. He joked that the mouthwash was a lie. He said that unless an intimate scene had ample reason he would not shoot one at random. Would he dare to perform in the nude like in LUST CAUTION? He said, "Few would go as far as LUST CAUTION, either you do better or not at all." The Paris auction house Christie's auction of Chinese Yuanmingyuan rat and rabbit animal statues led to controversy. Some claimed that they were Chinese national treasures that the British and French allied forces looted. Two mysterious buyers won the bid for the two bronze statues for over HK$ 100 million each. In response, Jackie Chan said, "I think the buyers are Chinese, I am 80 percent sure. Perhaps in the future they will be returned to the country." Jackie Chan's tone was a bit agitated, saying that when he made THE MYTH it had a line that said, "No one can go to another country, take away some thing that belongs to the other country, put it in his own place and say that he is taking custody, in fact it is just robbery. Such behavior is shameful." He said during THE MYTH's release, the audience applauded the line. These ill-gotten artifacts should be returned, he said, "I have been to a number of museums in Britain, the United States, France and Germany, all had artifacts of China, Egypt and Cambodia's heritage. Actually non were obtained legally. The thieves took stolen goods, the buyers also bought stolen goods. Not to mention now is the 21st century, wherever the national treasures are placed they are still for all the world to appreciate. If historical clips of the Yuanmingyuan arson and the Chinese people being killed were released, I believe 1.3 billion people would be hurting inside. They should be returned. This is the earth in harmony." He said, "These people who won the bid only have temporary ownership, in the future when they die they pass them on to their children and grandchildren. The continuous kicking back and forth is meaningless, if they are returned to Yuanmingyuan that would be the best." Has Jackie Chan thought about buying the two statues? He said never, he could afford tens of millions to return them to the country, but over 100 billion he could not afford to bid. Jackie Chan revealed plans to make a movie about finding national treasures that would be similar to ARMOR OF GOD II OPERATION CONDOR (FEI YING GAI WAT). Earlier Jonathan Lee Chung Sing on Sandra Ng Kwan Yu's program joked that a lot of girls automatically go to Jackie Chan, but Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming) had to play guitar for them to. He laughed, "Everyone has that, including you." * (2/27/2009) The Ann Hui On Wa directed, Simon Yam Tat Wa and Zhang Jingchu starred movie NIGHT AND FOG (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YEH YU MO) would be one of this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival's opening movies. It would Zhang Jingchu's first collaboration with Yam Tat Wa. She said that during the shoot Brother Wa was easygoing and she has learned his daily living habits, like painting, English and piano playing. She said, "Earlier I even received Yam Tat Wa's photography collections as a gift." Zhang Jingchu said that this time working with the director Hui On Wa, in the film she had to play a character of an edgy story, which had a lot of pressure. Hui On Wa's THE WAY WE ARE (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YUT YU YEH) has received many awards, was she confident about winning with the second installment? She frankly admitted that after making four Hong Kong films she felt winning depended on luck; but she was very satisfied with her performance in the film. Yam Tat Wa said that before NIGHT he went to Tin Shui Wai for an understanding of the living conditions. He said that he waited 30 years before director Hui On Wa a character and a script that have some thought to them, which he felt very happy about. This was a film that he was looking forward to very much and enjoyed. As for the government budget announcement two days ago, Yam Tat Wa said that he thought about it all night and ultimately felt that it would not help the middle cass at all. it may possibly trigger red violence so he gave this budget zero point. In addition, the Edison Chen Koon Hei starred SNIPER (SUN CHEUNG SAU) since the sex photo scandal has not been released, but the film will premiere at the Hong Kong International Film Festival on March 24 22:00 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. * (2/27/2009) The Radio and Television Hong Kong television program CINEMA FOR LIFE is about the Yuen Clan's development and contribution to action movies, after earlier features on Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Yuen Qiu, Yuen Biao, and Jackie Chan, the next installment will feautre two behind-the-scenes elite Yuan Tak and Corey Yuen Kwai (Brother Dan). Back then Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) participated in the Brother Dan directed IN THE LINE OF DUTY (WONG GA SI JEH) to become the new generation "action actress". In her interview she revealed that Brother Dan was very demanding with martial arts action and required simultaneously posture and beauty. At the same time, he also knew in advance that if you have no ability to do certain moves, he would not force them just to avoid any actor injury. In addition, the program also invited Andy Lau Tak Wa who worked with Brother Dan and Yuen Tak on SAVIOR OF THE SOUL (91 SUN DIU HUP NUI) and its sequel. Wa Jai joked that in Jackie Chan and Hung Kam Bo films, if the action fell short of their requirements, you might have been "slapped in the two bus companies". The pressure was tremendous. In contrast, Brother Dan took a step by step approach to guide the actor movements and allowed you to practice slowly. Wa Jai recalled that in SAVIOR OF THE SOUL a dagger hit the eye of Aaron Kwok Fu Sing's Silver Fox. At the time Brother Dan and Yuen Tak hoped to use the subjective shot and thought of putting the camera on a piece of glass and a drop of oil on the glass. They also made a dagger, dangle it on a fishing line and drop it toward the drop of oil. When the dagger made contact the oil rippled, and the shot would be like a dagger stabbing the eye. Wa Jai sang praises of the duo not only for their agility but also their creativity as they created many classic film scenes. * (2/27/2009) Leon Lai Ming and Zhang Ziyi recently went to Tokyo, Japan to promote FOREVER ENTHRALLED (MUI LAN FONG) on a two-day campaign, the event held a welcome party for them. 700 local fans rented a Shinjuku cinema for the film and each paid nearly 2,000 yen. To thank fans for their support Ziyi and Lai Ming along with Masanobu Ando appeared at the cinema. Many fans flocked to Lai Ming for autographs and he complied. During the two-day promotion in Japan, Leon would have interviews with 20 local media. Many media have given a rather high rating for the movie, although they were not too familiar with Beijing opera they still enjoyed Lai Ming and Ziyi's romantic scenes. A Japanese media member asked Leon whether a lot was cut from the movie? He said, "Whether it is a black cat or a white cat, as long as it catches mouse it is a good cat!" The media applauded in laughter. After promoting in Japan, Lai Ming would have to go to Shanghai to attend an award show that would honor him for his past charity work. Thus he would not have time to have fun in Japan. He also pointed out that work is work and play is play. He always knew how to schedule his own time, would not due to holiday and location affect his plans. * (2/27/2009) Winnie Leung Man Yi in THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND SEX AND CHOPSTICK II (GUM PING MUI II OI DIK LO DAI) plays Ximen Qing's maid Chun Mei. In the film she had a lot of daring and provocative scenes. She said, "The shoot initially was very awkward. Aside from the love scene with the actor, all the actresses' topless performance was rather spectacular. I haven't been able to get past this psychological barrier. In the film I also had to perform in the nude, which was highly difficult; so I would have expectations for the film release now. I hope that it can have the same ideal response as the first film." Not only Leung Man Yi had expectations for the film, Japanese actress Serina Hayakawa also made a special trip to Hong Kong to promote. Known as the Adult Video version of Sandy Lam Yik Nin, she showed off her ample figure for magazine interviews and sexy swimsuit photo shoots. As for her experience, she felt quite happy filming in Hong Kong and said, "The director and other actors have been great, in addition the film had a few Japanese actresses and some staff members who understood Japanese, so communication has not been a major problem." She also felt that the ancient Chinese clothing was very beautiful, each time after the shoot she was reluctant to change back into her own clothes. * (2/27/2009) Eric Suen Yiu Wai not only starred in the movie TEAM OF MIRACLE WE WILL ROCK YOU but also recorded the theme song. Eric personally composed and wrote the lyrics, with Peter Kam Pui Tat as the producer. The film was Eric's first after returning to Hong Kong film. The Easter release has made him even more nervous. This was also Eric's first theme song for a movie. As a Christian, when he created CANDLELIGHT (JUK GUONG) he took inspiration from the film and hoped to be able to encourage Hong Kong people in the midst of the financial tsunami's harsh environment. He was confident that no matter how many difficulties we have to face in life, we always have hope. Working with Kam Pui Tat, Eric expressed that he was as at ease as putting his own child in his care. He also hoped to be able to set off new sparks. He also created and performed the song LOST (JAU SUT), which has given him many first time experiences as it was his first gospel song creation. It was also his first collaboration with Boy'Z II Men's Shawn. It was even Shawn's first Chinese song. Thus the song was very significant. * (2/26/2009) The Derek Yee Tung Sing directed SHINJUKU INCIDENT yesterday held a press conference, Jackie Chan, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Fan Bingbing, Xu Jinglei, Paul Chun Pui, Chin Ka Lok all attended. With Jackie Chan as an honorary professor, the United States Savannah College of Art & Design successfully defeated Bak Wor Hall to establish a campus in a verdict from the North Kowloon Magistracy. The case has enraged Bak Wor chair Liza Wang Ming Chuen. Jackie Chan generously said that he would not mind working with Ah Jeh and could relay the message to the United States. Jackie Chan yesterday attended the SHINJUKU INCIDENT press conference. He not only talked about movie, but also was asked about a lot of city topics, including Ah Jeh's anger of the North Kowloon Magistracy verdict. Jackie Chan frankly said that he was not very clear on the subject, but he believed that money was One of the problems. Although the Savannah College of Art & Design where he was an honorary professor has successfully won the bid, but the decoration and maintenance alone would cost several hundred million dollars and it was a long term ownership. In the future the land would have to be returned to the Government. He said that since he was so familiar with Ah Jeh he would not mind working together. He also felt that now is the time for unity as Chinese opera should not be divided into Chaozhou, foreign, Cantonese or Beijing opera. He stated that as an honorary professor he would relay Ah Jeh's message to the United States. As for the Government's 300 million allocation to the Hong Kong Film Development Fund, Jackie Chan felt that was a good thing. Although the amount would never be enough, it was better than nothing. He did not know yet whether 300 million would be enough to train qualified personnel. However, Yee Tung Sing pointed out that the Government can "save" 300 million because it is too late. Jackie Chan said that no one should be too dark, better late than never. He admitted that he would no longer ask the Government because it was fought for over many years. Jackie Chan said, "Earlier someone told me to be the Chief Executive, I said definitely not because when a lot of things aren't approved people would blame me." Jackie Chan cited the antiques at his seven homes as an example. He originally wanted to donate them to the Government, from the Tung Chee Hwa era to the present the offer was still not completed. with the Government of Singapore he only took ten days for approval. When the Government saw him was about to donate the antiques to Singapore it was unwilling, but he has already spent several hundred million on the antiques' storage. In addition, Edison Chen Koon Hei recently appeared in court in Canada. Jackie Chan said that earlier when he was working in Kunming and did not hear such news he was the happiest. He simply did not know what happened. He believed that Hong Kong people now no longer care about this, even if it involves one thousand or 10,000 girls they would not pay any attention. Having a job or improving the economy is the most important. He said, "Edison is no longer news, something that is not even worth mentioning, forget it! The harmed have already been harmed and he has suffered his own pain. Instead we should pay attention to financial turmoil's impact." Then would he also encouraged Gillian Chung Yun Tun to return? Jackie Chan said that he would encourage everyone's comeback. Would he offer Ah Gil a role? He said, "Please spare me." Albert Yeung Sau Sing was asked about Chen Koon Hei's court appearance, he coldly said, "What does that have to do with me, he doesn't belong to my company." However, Mr. Yeung expressed that Ah Gil would return in March and he would support her. Earlier rumored to be at odds with Chen Koon Hei, Ng Yin Cho expressed that he had no idea about Chen in court because they have not been in contact for years. Yee Tung Sing revealed due to its many violent scenes SHINJUKU had to abandon the Mainland market. In Hong Kong it will be released with a Category IIB rating, for which he had to cut away to Taiwan actor Jack Kao's arm breaking scene. As for yesterday's government budget when the Government has allocated 300 million to the Film Development Fund, Siu Bo said, "I can say without mercy, they can save it, it's too late! Now no one would care about Hong Kong, the entire world is looking at the Chinese market." He honestly stated that when the creative and cultural industries were mentioned he would be frustrated. Siu Bo wished the most for the Government to be "people-oriented" like Hu Jintao, and have a kind heart. * (2/26/2009) Xu Jinglei, Fan Bingbing, and Chin Ka Lok yesterday attended SHINJUKU INCIDENT press conference, Xu Jinglei wore HK$2,700,000 worth of Cartier diamond jewelry. She said, "I am not afraid, right now I have two or three security guards with me." She said the jewelry was sponsored, normally she would only wear expensive jewelry in public. Xu Jinglei expressed that sometimes when the job was too tough he would buy gifts to reward herself. She said that home computer was what he had the most. She had six cameras as well as she joked that she was a high tech freak. Fan Bingbing in the film had to speak Japanese. Has she studied it before? She said yes. She studied for over a month and felt it was somewhat difficult. This was her first collaboration with Jackie Chan, What was her impression of Big Brother? She said, "Big Brother is great, he really takes care of newcomers. After work he would treat everyone to dinner. During the shoot he has fattened me up." Bingbing and Big Brother had a break up scene in which she had to slap Big Brother, was she very vicious? She said, "Very, but Big Brother told me to really slap him and not to pretend, finally we took four or five slaps. My hand hurt too." Was Big Brother's face swollen? She laughed. "Luckily it was just red, if not I think I would be doomed." Chin Ka Lok was asked yesterday whether he has consoled his rumored girlfriend Angela Tong Ying Ying whose drunk driving case just went to court. Ka Lok expressed that he has already called her and sent her text messages. He said, "If the text message is powerful, one is enough. As a friend I'd be lying if I say I wasn't worried. I would support her." Why did he not show up the court to show his support? He said that would be too high profile. Until the case has been sentenced, any comment would be too much. He stressed that they were only good friends and did not have anything to publicize. * (2/26/2009) Elanne Kong Yuek Lam, Janice Man Wing San, Rex Ho Chun Wai, Tsui Jing Hei and Wan Chun Hei starred movie BASIC LOVE (OI CHING GOO SI) two nights ago held its premiere. Guests included Square, Wylie Chiu Shek Chi and Renee Dai Mung Mung, as well as the film's director Oxide Pang Shun and boss Daneil Lam Siu Ming. Lam Siu Ming was linked in gossip with Kong Yuek Lam. During the toast although Lam Siu Ming and Kong Yuek Lam was apart, they still shared a toast. Kong Yuek Lam expressed that two nights ago was her final night in Hong Kong before she departed for Hengdian for a television series shoot for three months. The production would shoot on location in Shanghai and she was somewhat perturbed. She said, "Originally, I really wanted to go, but the departure date drew near I got homesick. I wanted to stay close to Mommy, and my dog recently had a dislocated neck so I was very worried about it too." Her mother would visit when she had time but because the location was too far, she has already bought a camera for video conference with her. She said, "Mommy is the economic pillar of the family, if she stops working we stop eating." In the series Tsui Jing Hei would be her boyfriend. Kong Yuek Lam said that he has already promised to take care of her because Jing Hei was from Shanghai and he was very familiar with the location. They would also have a kiss scene in the series. Janice reportedly has been suspended. She said, "Really? Actually, earlier I have said that I am still doing publicity for the movie, other jobs are temporarily on hold due to the company contract. Everything is just speculation." She honestly said that now she would communicate with the company and discuss future development. She said that she has always been very happy. She started with this company when she was 15. They have worked together for five years, she just wanted to see the future development direction. Universe boss Lam Siu Ming has expressed interest in signing her, she right away said, "Then I would like to thank Mr. Lam first, but I have to think about whether I would model more or not. Actually I am a little conflicted, I would first ask the elders for their opinions." Was she suspended until the end of her contract? Janice did not directly answer the question, only said: "I would have to think about it first." If she signed with Mr. Lam, would the company have no room for Kong Yuek Lam? She said it should be blooming instead, more talent would make the company stronger. Was she worried that after suspension other models like Kama would rise? She said, "No, everyone have their own advantages." Janice also said that finance would not be a problem because she has always been very obedient and saved up like her mother suggested. She would spend five figures on private tutors for English and Mandarin lessons. She expressed that she has not thought about the loss from the suspension. Her family has been very supportive and she did not need her boyfriend's financial support as she was able to handle it on her own. Lam Siu Ming expressed that he has not said that he was interested in singing Man Wing San, but he would not reject it either. Their relationship has been great. Has he contacted her? He said, "Yes, but actually she still is under contract. We haven't talked as far as signing contracts. I will wait until her contract ends first." * (2/26/2009) TVB held a press conference for its new program yesterday. Guests included Mak Chau, Wong Cho Nam and Louis Cheung Kai Chung. Cho Nam will participate in the program and introduce theater art to the audience. However, Cho Nam himself had to work on his music, television and film careers, so the soonest would be next year before he would have a chance to perform on stage. In March he will work on the James Yuen Sai Sun directed new film AI JAI DOR CHING (ROMANTIC SHORT GUY), in which he will work with Zhou Su Na, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Race Wong Yuen Ling, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan and G.E.M. He joked that he was looking forward to kiss scenes with the actresses as all five were beauties. However, he joked that with G.E.M he should know that this film should be rather innocent. As for who he would like to perform with the most, he would leave the decision with the director. * (2/26/2009) Andy Lau Tak Wa earlier appeared on a Cable interview and revealed that when he was young he was immature. Once after receiving a script he was upset that he was not the lead. In order to avoid making the series, he destroyed the studio set, hid for two weeks and ignored company calls. Finally he was suspended for nine months. Wa Jai said that at the time he did not feel how powerful the television station was, looking back he felt he was rather ignorant then. Wai Jai later left television for film and worked with Wong Kar Wai on two films, since then they have not worked together again. When asked whether he could not "tolerate" Wong Kar Wai, Wa Jai denied and clarified that he lacked a sense of security. He said, "I am very afraid of the feeling when I can't grasp time. I am not a genius actor. My acting relies on preparation so I need a script. I am afraid of that on the spot atmosphere of not knowing what to do next." Wa Jai also said to Wong Kar Wai, "If one day you change your style, you can look for me again." Turning to his ten year absence from the Commercial Radio awards, Wa Jai expressed that was due to his experience years ago. He said, "I tried to sing in front of other singers' fans, but they gave me the evil eye. I realized that if an award show without my own die hard fans is very dangerous." Commercial Radio award show distributed tickets with its own ID.Club, which Wa Jai's fans did not take part in. Thus in order to avoid further embarrassment he decided to skip the Commercial Radio awards, he joked, "I am not as strong as everyone think, I am very fragile." Wa Jai is publicly recognized as a handsome guy. Once when he worked on a movie with Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, his long hair look was rated "handsome like Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha)" and he was dumbfounded. As for gossips, he expressed that he would rather not have his professional achievement than to be linked in rumors. He also said that if Lau Tak Wa was a character, he should be have married and have children long ago. He did not know how to balance married life. He also expressed that if one day he has to get married, he would publicize it because he thought marriage and children were secrets that could not be hidden. However, he said, "No one should be the woman behind Lau Tak Wa because it would be very hard." * (2/26/2009) Tsui Hark and See Nan Sun's Film Workshop receives the 3rd Annual Asian Film Award's Outstanding Contribution Award. At the March 23 award presentation ceremony, Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) will be the guest presenter to honor Film Workshop's 25 year of contribution to the Chinese language film industry. Tsui Hark and See Nan Sun created Film Workshop. Over 25 years it created Hong Kong film's most glorious period as it produced nearly 50 films. Tsui Hark was known as "Steven Spielberg of the East". His Film Workshop created many outstanding representative work. Among them the Tsui Hark produced, John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) directed A BETTER TOMORROW (YING HUNG BOON SIK) began the 80s hero film in Hong Kong, the ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHINA (WONG FEI HUNG) film series, the action and computer generated special effect mix THE SWORDSMAN (SIU NGO GONG WU) and A CHINESE GHOST STORY (SIN NUI YAU WON) as well as 3D animation. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 4 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS LEARNING HOW TO FACE A STORM AFTER A STORM After the storm, people finally have learned how to face it. Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi accepted a Cable interview, daringly talked about the nude photo scandal and won a round of cheers. Gillian Chung Yun Tung returned to work on ads, which the media also gave a positive spin. Starting to work, Ah Gil under the media cameras has never shown a smile. At a critical moment, if a smile was captured on film it might be used for negative speculation. Cheung Pak Chi in her interview blamed Edison Chen Koon Hei. She was involved as a victim, she had more right than anyone else to say so. Nicholas Tse Ting Fung instead has openly said that he did not hate Chen Koon Hei, his forgiving words were touching. After more than a year, every word and deed of several artists who the scandal has affected in the face of media have been very humane and very positive. Rare was how the media attitude has also changed, some has already significantly different position from a year ago and led many to believe that the way for artist victims' comeback would be much brighter than before. How the media reported indeed affected the general public. On internet discussion areas, talks of boycott has substantially reduced from the past. The occasionally intense comment could hardly draw a lot of reaction like last year. The nude photo case demonstrated the before and after change in the attitude of Internet users. During the flood of public outcry, right and wrong were always ignored as everyone vented with their extreme comments. After the scandal subsided, reason returned to the internet as a kind side also appeared. The media that considered internet opinions as public opinions were not able to find too many radical reaction and returned to being much more moderate and positive to the victims. As a positive cycle formed, as long as artists during this period watched themselves without any conduct that could provide negative speculation, they perhaps could have smooth sailing. A similar example was over a year ago after Yun Yi played Snow White on television received an unprecedented line of attack on the internet, some could be considered extremely vicious. Together with some of the media adding fuel to the fire, a vicious circle was created. Lydia Shum Din Ha's serious illness put out most of the fire. Yun Yi's polite performance at Fei Jeh's memorial event has turned the internet opinions of her by 180 degrees. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 3 2009, FILM WORDS BASIC LOVE AND L-O-V-E On top of this period's new film box office of course is SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, which left opponents far behind. In second was the United States romantic comedy CONFESSION OF A SHOPAHOLIC, which suited the female audience. Actually in SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE's various elements was also romantic comedy as it became a British concoction of Indian curry mix! In third was the Oxide Pang Shun directed, Elanne Kong Yuek Lam starred Hong Kong film BASIC LOVE (OI CHING GOO SI). Of course it was a romance, but mainly it was a tragic romance and not comedy. Entering its second week in release Hong Kong romantic comedy LOVE CONNECTED (BO CHI OI NEI) was more popular, its momentum was also decent. In fact, it was more vividly and colorfully made. The Pang Shun directed BASIC LOVE no longer cooked up ghosts but innocent young love triangle. The first half was decent as two secondary school girls and a guy's intimate friendship was natural, subtle and interesting, with quite a lot of day-to-day details that had small budget flavor. Kong Yuek Lam played a middle class female students who was brisk, cheerful, and mischievous. Her expression was very prominent; Janice Man Wing San played a fish stall girl who was hard-working, simple, and silent, and also gently beautiful. Actor Rex Ho Chun Wei was able to sing, play instrument as well as making take out delivery part time. He was quiet and attentive, both his look and expression were likable. The film's school life and after graduation work scenes were simple and ingenious, the grandmother (Cheng Pei Pei) visit in Cheung Chau was also dramatic. The alumni Mid-Autumn Festival Barbecue on an island led to the mystery of the two girls' sex same relationship, this scene was the most fun. The story developed from love triangle crush to four sided outright romance, some were dramatically suspenseful. Kong Yuek Lam and Man Wing San's personalities were polar opposites, their relationship was delicate and both performed outstandingly. Yet the plot was weak, the second half became a life and death terminal illness tragedy that became more and more melodramatic and tear jerking. Over thirty years ago Hollywood's LOVE STORY was a terminal illness romantic classic, since then terminal illness romance has flooded both East and West. This film again played with this formula, as usual some of the audience would be moved to tears. However it dragged on all over the place and made viewer very impatient. The same period also included the new Taiwan film L-O-V-E (OI DOH DAI) with four new directors shooting a section. Giddens Ko (Jiu Ba Dao)'s segment was about sentimental "ghost" calls, Vincent Fang Wenshan's was a romance of amnesia, Chen Yi-xian's was about a car racer and a flight attendant, and Mickey Huang Tzi-Chiao's was a comic book-style comedy. These four romantic segments were flexibly made. The large group of beautiful people gave vivid performance. Both showed that new Taiwan film talent was quite aggressive. However they tend to exaggerate, show off and alternative. The film was occasionally decent but overall far-fetched, impossible to be suitable for the whole family and create a record box-office miracle like CAPE NO. 7. - SHEK KEI 3. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 3 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS TSUI HARK'S FILM WORKSHOP This year's Hong Kong International Film Festival organized A TRIBUTE TO ROMANTIC VISIONS: 25TH ANNIVERARY OF FILM WORKSHOP. The soul of Film Workshop was Tsui Hark. In the Eighties young people who wanted to join the movie industry all wanted to join the Film Workshop and follow Tsui Hark. They did not mind making a little less, some were even willing to work for free. That was the era of Hong Kong film boom, why was Film Workshop more attractive than Golden Harvest, Cinema City and other movie companies? The reason was very simple; Tsui Hark represented innovation, the next mainstream was most likely Film Workshop created. Each new film professional would like to take part. Tsui Hark was an important figure in Hong Kong film history, this point was already certain. He once was Hong Kong films' R & D (research and development) who single-handedly created many film mainstreams, including hero films, costume ghost films, costume martial arts films, and new school kung fu films. People who have worked with Tsui Hark all said, you simply do not know what was in his head as it was turning too fast. Something that was agreed upon yesterday would be completely overthrown today and start all over. People in R & D would not be always successful. They must be able to withstand failure. Innovation requires a spirit of adventure, defeat is inevitable. In the Eighties Hong Kong films made a lot of money and had more resources for Tsui Hark to experiment with. Sometimes he was successful at first try, and he had to pay a high price. Tsui Hark was amazing in that he was able to turn upside down certain subjects that no one would be able to imagine, such as making SHANGHAI BLUES (SEUNG HOI JI YEH) romantic and cartoonish, A CHINESE GHOST STORY (SIN NUI YAU WON) actually turned dance hall mamasan and escort into demons, THE LOVERS (LEUNG JOOK) was made into a costume youth campus film. All were a lot of fun. When the film market was in the doldrums, it did not have as many resources for carrying out experiments. Recent Tsui Hark films like SEVEN SWORDS (CHUT GIM), MISSING (SUM HOI CHUM YUN), ALL ABOUT WOMEN (NUI YUN BUT WAI), from the experimental point of view we can still tell Tsui Hark's innovative intentions. However, investors are more conservative and so is the audience. Over twenty-five years, behind Tsui Hark's success many films that were considered failure instead were worth attention. One of them was THE BLADE (DOH), which was great to watch. are one of a "knife", a very good look. Before each unprecedented success there will always be setback. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 1 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS LET NUDE PHOTO VICTIMS STAND UP Before Gillian Chung Yun Tung's comeback, Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi has already bravely spoken up about the nude photo incident in front of the television camera. The incident has already taken place over a year ago, almost all female star victims have locked themselves up, declined media interviews, and quietly waited for time to cleanse their wounds. Cheung Pak Chi is willing to walk out first and face directly to talk about her feelings, she absolutely is worthy of support and should be praised more. Ah Gil's comeback in the future should also receive everyone's support. The nude photo scandal not only exposed artists' privacy, but also revealed some in the community who confuses right and wrong. Instead of blaming themselves for violating others' personal privacy, they blame the artists' indecent behavior behind closed doors. Even more ridiculous are some of the media adding fuel to the flames and further confusing right and wrong. They did not seriously address the incident, only grandstand to push up sales. This is not only an important lesson for the victim artists and computer information thieves, but also a reflection of the entire community. Some accused artists of hypocrisy, the remarks are built on the pure ignorance that initially is convinced that artists are one hundred percent innocent and do not have sex. You may check the entertainment news if you wish, only a handful of artists have said publicly that they have no sexual experience and have been without long-term sexual behavior. The others even if their image is innocent have never mentioned this point. Anyone who calls them hypocritical and behaves differently from their image projects unrealistic expectations on the artists. Blaming the victim instead of people who stole and disturbed the nude photos is even more absurd. Anyone who claims to boycott victim artists best try to consider it with logic. Everyone has freedom of speech in society, including those with brain problems. The most serious consequence of making unreasonable comments openly is exposing the comment makers' weakness. Strong support for unreasonably appeal is also allowed, but if too many people who confuse right and wrong appear then this society's general intelligence problem is reflected. Many Hong Kong people have two sets of ethical standards, a looser more for themselves and a tighter one to criticize public figures with. The media are the same way, wearing a few caps on one head. - KWOK HIN CHING 5. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 28 2009, LIGHT SHADOW PATH FILM INDUSTRY SUCCESS DEPENDS ON ENDURANCE At this year's Academy Awards, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE won eight awards, the first Indian themed movie to win numerous major prizes. Thus, a lot of different inferences emerged, such as warmth and humanity knocking out big special effects scenes, or the American audience began to appreciate American Indian culture. Actually, different years have different movies in competition, timing, location and people are all factors. A victory is not surprising. A few years ago CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON also won numerous awards, which did not mean costume martial art films defeat modern films. Movies with different themes or background in competition and winning are the norm of globalization. The writer instead noticed that another news item about Indian movie, a Bollywood movie company that purchased LA LINGERIE (NOI YI SIU NUI)'s remake rights. Although the price was unknown, it was after all a good start. Chan Hing Ka wrote and directed the film, during its Hong Kong release its box office was decent (though it could not be imported in the Mainland). Director Chan was a romance experts, everyday he would have a number of articles in different newspapers and magazines' published columns. What was rare, he still had time to write scripts and make films. Chan's scripts has always had both clear selling points and market sensitivity. Chan also with HEART TO HEARTS (SAM YUN SAI GAI) and BEAST COPS (YEH SAU YING GAING) won two Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Screenplay. Chan Hing Ka's other script BREAKING NEWS (DAI SI GEIN) also caught foreign buyers' eyes for remake. Persistent in constant creativity he although had depression in the end would receive the recognition that was certainly due. Coincidentally, Chan Hing Ka previous production company partner Gordon Chan Ka Seung most recently with PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) joined join the ranks of 200 million yuan directors. Chan Ka Seung's movies over the past few years were not considered hits, only A1 HEADLINE (A1 TAU TIU) had better word-of-mouth, others were not the finest creations. At present many Mainland companies have approached him about a sequel or other ghost stories. Obviously this industry required persistence. If anyone gave up easily, comeback would not be possible. Due to coincidence or some other reasons, the two Director Chan's former partner Dante Lam Yin Chiu recently also due to BEAST STALKER (JING YUN) rose in popularity. BEAST STALKER appears to be Director Lam's comeback film. He and Chan Ka Seung after completing BEAST COPS (1999 Hong Kong Film Awards Best Picture) did not have any easy work. Nine years later today, both Director Chan and This Director Lam were given due recognition. Something else that is worth mentioning is that the always hard working Nick Cheung Ka Fai with BEAST STALKER was also nominated for Best Actor, in addition his chances could not be any higher. When good actors run into good directors and good scripts they can shine and heat up. The opportunity is difficult to run into and depends on how much patience you would have. All these "persistence pays off" examples have proved that in this era of high technology, traditional "tenacious" intelligence is still effective, willpower is more important than knowledge and skills. - TIN LIK 6. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 28 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS LAUGHTER SUITS PEOPLE'S HEARTS BETTER THAN ROMANCE Sweeping eight Oscar awards SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE was released Thursday, of course it became box-office champion. On 27 screens it made one million, which was better than expected thanks to the lack of any movie that is worth talking about in the same period. Opening the same day, CONFESSION OF A SHOPAHOLIC although came in second but its box office was only a quarter of SLUMDOG with 252,000. With out a block lead, the single film dominance has again appeared during the off season. As discussed earlier in recent weeks a number of Chinese romantic films competed. So far the result was expected, LOVE CONNECTED (BO CHI OI NEI) performed the best. However, youth romance fever seemed to have cooled off a bit. In its second week LOVE CONNECTED after 8 days accumulated 3.88 million and on Thursday only 92,000, which was slightly less than expected. The drop was not due to intense competition, also released last week GIVE LOVE (OI DUT HEI) has already closed. This week's new releases BASIC LOVE (OI CHING GOO SI) and L-O-V-E (OI DOH DAI) have not performed outstandingly. BASIC LOVE on opening day made 115,000, not an ideal figure with 31 screens. Taiwan's L-O-V-E on 18 screens made almost 80,000, its opening was no match for LOVE CONNECTED in its second week. Perhaps due to the financial turmoil effort, the young audience suddenly has lost interest in young idol starred small budget romance. The world's general trend was "change", the format that was successful a year or two ago might not be able to escape the fate of change. According to trendy product laws, when a large number of similar products floods in simultaneously, it signifies that the trend will soon be over. In a free market, when a product succeeds and can earn huge profits, similar products will appear in the market to compete. The more competitors appear, the more profits are diluted until the profit is minimal, then poor quality products suffer losses and exit the market. The climate indeed is more beneficial to comedy. The Lunar New Year slot belonged to ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009 (GA YAU HEI SI 2009). Now it still remains atop the cumulative box office with 24,640,000. After the Lunar New Year, the best performer has been YES MAN, after 15 days it made 8.6 million. It is also a comedy that cheers up the viewers. Nowadays, laughter suits the people's hearts better than romance. - KWOK HIN CHING 7. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 27 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FILM PROFESSIONALS SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE GOVERNMENT The Financial Secretary in the Budget allocated 300 million to the Film Development Fund. Derek Yee Tung Sing said it was too late and told the Government to save it. Some film professionals' disappointment in the Government assistance is understandable. Starting with Tung Chee-hwa, the Government has already allocated fund to help the dying Hong Kong film industry. Money is allocated, but the framework is too strict for it to be implemented the right way. How helpful it has been to the film industry, everyone with eyes can see. The more it helps the more "dead" the industry is. The film industry support instead of starting with creativity first begins with some businessmen, accountants, lawyers to monitor. These people are not even clear about what movies are, when they learn it would be too late. They are in charge of public funds and set many restrictions. When film professionals want to apply for financial assistance, instead of being creative they are faced with complicated procedures and a large number of documents to deal with. To creative people, it is extremely painful. Film Fund's direct investment in Hong Kong films sounds very sincere, but the audit has nothing to do with creativity. It looks at whether revenue and expenditure are reasonable, in other words, the investment has to be sound be it is approved. Hong Kong films decline because of a lack of new ideas, creative industries have to bear certain risks. The more creative an idea is, the riskier it is. Hong Kong films seem to have fallen into quick sand because movie investors do not want to innovate, they only want to stick with the tried and true so a vicious cycle begins and goes backward. To encourage innovation, how can anyone talk about stability? As a movie boss says, "I dare to gamble more than the Film Fund, I can afford to lose more." Hong Kong cinema's past achievements did not come from being steady but from movie people and investors' trailblazing to open up the market. Almost all previous generation of successful film professionals have failed before, from their painful experience they find their way to success. The new generation of movie people has less opportunity to make mistake and can only rely on luck. Film Fund has tied up the rules of the game tightly, applicants have to drop the business rules and play by the fund's and lack flexibility. No encouragement for creativity or long-term plans and goals are the drawbacks of the current fund. Film professionals should still rely on themselves. - KWOK HIN CHING 8. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 26 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS CAN SEQUELS GET BETTER AND BETTER? Many large Hollywood films have sequels, one selling better than the previous. Most Hong Kong film sequels decline by half at the box office. Their word of mouth is not much better either. With the first film's performance, the sequel box office has guarantee. Its loss is a very limited, the investment is originally very advantageous. How can it be successful like Hollywood's? Film series productions have two methods, one is early preparation and make more than one installment like LORD OF THE RINGS and RED CLIFF. This way naturally costs less because when produced at the same time the films can use many resources simultaneously. The other way is to wait for the first installment's success before starting production on the second, this approach avoids the risk of the first installment's failure dragging down the second but the cost is higher. No matter the method, the period between the first and second installment release should not be too long, within one to one and a half years would be the best. The World's pace is very fast, the audience's enthusiasm cools also quite fast. When the first Hong Kong film is well received, the next one usually reduces the budget. This approach may seem clever, but actually is a bit stupid. Some Hong Kong film investors feel that since the first installment was a hit, the next film could be made a little cheaper without any concern that no one would see it. When they save a little they make a little more. Actually the practice is short-sighted, only wanting to make the quick buck. Hollywood, instead, pumps in more with victory and retreats with defeat. With one victory, the film has to maintain the upper hand and increase the stakes. It must break the previous film's record and coordinate with other related merchandise releases to expand the money making space. The cast and crew are not spared either. Cast and director changes often occur. This approach fills the audience with expectations and make them think that the film will be obviously different from the first film. Hollywood plays the series game well. The audience only recognizes the films and do not mind the cast and crew change. Even if any change happens, they still seem attractive to the audience. Hong Kong film sequels at any minute may have a weaker cast than the previous film. Director changes are rare, but when they are changed they almost always are one class lower as top directors are unwilling to make others' sequels. On one hand they do not want to take advantage of someone else, on the other hand it is a self-esteem problem. Movies are directors' works. As a merchandise, it is the producer's product, which is the Hollywood system. Works and merchandise can be classified a little clearer. - 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) 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 Length : 93 mins. 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...... 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), Shao Bing, Shaun Tam Chun Yin, HotCha, Terry Fan Siu Wong, 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. 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? A VERY SHORT LIFE Can : Duen Jam Dik Sun Ming d. Dennis Law Sau Yiu Leila Kong (Tong Ning), Maggie Shiu Mei Kei, Pinky Cheung Man Chi, Samuel Pang King Chi, Koni Lui Wai Yi, Yoyo Law Chi Ching Crystal Cheung Wai Yun, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai Rating: III Opening March 2009 Official Site: http://www.averyshortlife.com 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, Ken Low Wai Kwong, Jack Kao (Ko Jit) Rating : III Opening March 22 2009 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening APRIL 2 2009 Official Site : http://shinjukuincident.emp.hk [ 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. SNIPER Can : Sun Cheung Sau Lit : Godly Gunslingers d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Edison Chen Koon Hei, Huang Xiaoming, Bowie Lam Bo Yi Rating : IIB Length : 86 mins. Opening March 24 2009 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening April 9 2009 Site: http://www.mediaasia.com/movie.php?film_id=241&isFilm=1&locale=en Site: http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/film/detail/5/1094.html [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Handpicked by the elite Police Sniper Team Leader Hartman, rookie OJ has demonstrated all the promises to be the next top shooter. When former top shooter Lincoln reemerges from behind bars, OJ becomes fascinated by his unorthodox techniques much to the dislike of his tutor. Hartman's dark past starts to unfold and Lincoln is taking his revenge by assisting with a heist. Behind the heavy guns and scrupulous details of sniper protocols, this Dante Lam drama of brotherhood going seriously wrong is a reminder of the costs it takes to be at the top. [ 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. 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, Bowie Lam Bo Yi, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Liu Yang, Natalie Yao Meng, Wong Jing Opening April 23 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] During British rule, Hong Kong once was under a period of darkness. At the time, police corruption took place almost everyday, in the decade between 1963 and 1973 alone, the Hong Kong police corruption amounted to 10 billion at the time, roughly equivalent to 500 billion in 2009! The head of this empire of corruption was the Hong Kong Island Chinese chief inspector Brother Lak. Every time Brother Lak was unable to solve a case, he would order his subordinate Fire Kirin to find a scapegoat to take the blame. Somehow, Fire Kirin arrested university student Han Chi Bong and wanted him to admit to several dozen crimes including theft, indecent assault and battery. Fortunately Bong's mother got rent collector Pig Grease Cake to force Fire Kiri to release him. Chan Siu Gau was Brother Lak's subordinate who caught Brother Lak's eyes due to his amazing athletic ability and was promoted to the rank of inspector. One day, Siu Gau ran into the female drug lord Rose who was under drug trafficker Chaozhou Jook's pursuit. Siu Gau tried to save her and was injured in the process. Brother Lak was furious and ordered Chaozhou Jook to hand over to his turf to give Rose. Since then, Rose and Siu Gau became close friends; With the backing of Siu Gau, it was all smooth sailing for Rose! On the other hand, Brother Lak lusted after Fire Kirin's shapely lover Lucy and had an affair with her! Upon discovering the affair, Fire Kirin was assigned to reservoir guard duty! By the early Seventies because of several corruption scandals and Brother Lak's excessive arrogance that ignores evenly the newly transfer from the United Kingdom Police Commissioner, the Governor set up the Independent Commission Against Corruption and was determined to put an end to all corruption; the competent Yim Kwok Leung was responsible for Brother Lak's eradication, Fire Kirin for revenge transferred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption, Han Chi Bong also joined. With their perseverance this corruption created money empire gradually collapsed! Brother Lak realized that his time has passed and escaped to Taiwan; and the ICAC has arrested Siu Gau. Where would happen to Siu Gau? 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, Jacqueline Law Wai Guen, Amy Chum Yun Mei, Audrey Chan, Ariel Chan Length : 122 mins. Opening March 22 2009 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening May 2009 Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/film/detail/2/1097.html [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The flip side to last year's well-received feature THE WAY WE ARE, NIGHT AND FOG explores the darker side of Hong Kong's most notorious town, Tin Shui Wai. Based on a true story, the story revolves around an older, unemployed Hong Kong man, his young Mainland wife and their twin daughters. Their lives, unfortunately, are anything but easy, and the shocking conclusion raises issues about the plight of the socially deprived lower class. Despite the tough subject matter, the director treats her characters with a fair hand, while highlighting the increasingly prevalent interactions between Hong Kong and post-1997 Mainland. --- [ 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 www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com TICKET PRICES : CA$99.75, 126, 147 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION : TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1000416ABC04692E?artistid=1272557&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 * RAYMOND MIU PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND TRUMP TAJ MAHAL PRESENT ALL STAR EASTER CELEBRATION LIVE IN CONCERT 2009 Lee Heung Kam, Tam Bing Man, Lai Yiu Cheung, HotCha DATE AND TIME: Saturday night / Sunday morning, April 11 @ 1 AM VENUE LOCATIONS: Mark G Etess Arena Trump Tah Mahal Casino Resort Atlantic City NJ TICKET PRICES: $108, 88, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: Raymond Miu Productions 195 Canal Street, Suite 201 New York NY 10013 212.966.0800 www.rmpny.com Tin Ha Travel 817 60th Street, 2/FL Brooklyn NY 11220 718.431.8687 * 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 Evergreen 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Thursday February 26 2009 10 THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON d. David Fincher Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett 9 REVOLUTIONARY ROAD d. Sam Mendes Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet 8 ZACK AND MARI MAKE A PORN d. Kevin Smith Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, Jason Mewes 7 MY BLOODY VALENTINE d. Patrick Lussier Jensen Ackles, Jamie King 6 YES MAN d. Peyton Reed Jim Carrey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper 5 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 4 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 3 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 2 CONFESSION OF A SHOPAHOLIC d. PJ Hogan Isla Fisher, Hugh Dancy, Krysten Ritter 1 SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE d. Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS L-O-V-E Rating : IIA Length : 93 mins. 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... 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? BASIC LOVE 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...... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, February 28 2009 15 SEEKING FORTUNE Can : Chum Fok Jacky Cheung Hok Yau 11 KING QUEEN Can : Gok Wong Wong Hau Big Mouth 15 LONELINESS GO Can : Jik Mok Bo Jau Fahrenheit (Fei Lun Hoi) 14 WHY ME Chris Li Yuchun 13 MAKE FUN Can : Gau Siu Alan Luo (Law Chi Cheung) 12 BAD GUY Can : Wai Yun Abin Fang (Fong Gwing Bun) 11 ROSE ROSE I LOVE YOU Can : Mui Gwai Mui Gwai Ngor Oi Nei Joanna Wang (Wong Yeuk Lam) 10 LOVE SONG Can : Ching Gor Jasmine Leong Jing Yu 9 UNFORGETTABLE DAY Can : Nan Mong Dik Yut Tin Xu Wei (Hui Ngai) 8 WORLD OF ONE AFRAID OF LONELINESS Can : Yut Gor Yun Dik Sai Gai Hoi Pa Gu Dan Wang Zijian (Wong Chi Kin) 7 THAT CANNOT BE LOVE? Can : Na But Wui Si Oi Ba? Jane Zhang Liangying 6 YOU CHOOSE Can : Yau Nei Shuen Jat JJ Lin Junjie, Fama 5 LOVE IS THAT SIMPLE Can : Oi Jau Si Na Mor Gan Dan Pu Bajia (Po Ba Gap) 4 FISH Can : Yu Cheer Chen Yi Jing 3 IN SPRING RAIN FULL OF SUN Can : Chun Yu Lui Sai Moon Tai Yeung Wang Leehom (Wong Lik Won) 2 PERHAPS LOVE Can : Yu Gor Oi Fang Datong 1 ALLEGRO OPUS 3.3AM Eason Chan Yik Shun ------ [ 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. With a snowstorm to start off the month, March has started with a roar. Old Chaffy is getting a little cranky with the old "in like a lion" chestnut though, if you value yours and do not want yours cracked please keep it to yourself. Not much new is happening at the home office. Your Chaffing Editor spent the snow day and attempted to catch up with NARUTO due to Cartoon Network's irregularly scheduled programming. Once reaching SHIPPUDEN Your Chaffing Editor stumbled into Viz Media's HULU territory. Old Chaffyg could gush on and on about how generous Viz (NARUTO's U.S. distributor) has been online, Old Chaffy instead wanted to talk about Hulu. Contrary to its advertising as an "evil alien plot" (Your Chaffing Editor like most male preferred Eliza Dushku over Alec Baldwin) the site's programming advertising so far has been mostly government or non profit propaganda, unlike their network counterpart's beat it into your head commercials (After a few repeats of the same mobile carrier advertising during one viewing Old Chaffy was actually considering land lines). By now you should have heard about this blatant flaunting of multitasking abilities. If not, please take a look for yourself and see if Old Chaffy is impressed too easily. This woman allegedly was actually driving while breast feeding her child and throwing in the good old talking on the cell at the same time. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29441846/ Finally a few March milestone for our old friend Ryan's Hong Kong Films Blog (http://hongkongfilms.mysinablog.com). Since the blog launch on May 12, 2007 it has just passed the 40,000 comments mark. Congratulations Ryan and keep up the good work! If you are looking for an interesting blog about movies in Hong Kong (not necessarily just Hong Kong movies) in Chinese, please stop by and leave a message. Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] LET IT RAIN Living Things http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMLzPbTQabo Babe Why are you still inside Why don't you come outside Relieve your pain Time We've been killing time But I don't mind The city's got me down And our glory days are over Yeah our glory days are gone Let it rain, let it rain I know coming down can hurt And tonight is the night Where we leave it all behind Cuz I don't believe that they can wait The sky's going black, lets celebrate Let it rain, let it rain I know coming down can hurt Lies We've been telling lies One more's around In this sleepless town And our glory days are over Yeah our glory days are gone Let it rain, let it rain I know coming down can hurt And tonight is the night Where we leave it all behind Cuz I don't believe that they can wait The sky's going black, let's celebrate Let it rain, let it rain I know coming down can hurt And our glory days are over Yeah our glory days are gone Let it rain, let it rain I know coming down can hurt And tonight is the night Where we leave it all behind Cuz I don't believe that they can wait The sky's going black, let's celebrate Let it rain, let it rain I know coming down can hurt ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038