From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (APRIL 9 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. Eric Tsang Chi Wai who celebrates his birthday on the 14th B. Jancie (Wai Lan) and Jill Vidal (Wai Si) who celebrate their birthdays on the 13th C. Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung) who celebrates her birthday on 10th D. Linda Chung Ka Yun who celebrates her birthday on the 9th E. Taiwan singer A Song who passed away on the 6th in Taipei due to end stage breast cancer at the age of 34. 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (4/14/2009) Gathering nine top actors from three lands on both sides of the Strait, the Teddy Chan Tak Sum directed 2009 action epic BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (SUP YUET WAI SING) yesterday began production in Shanghai, as the director led five key actors Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Wang Xueqi, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Fan Bingbing, and Wang Bo-Chieh in their first appearance and announced that the film will be released on December 18. Chan Tak Sum revealed that before the official production start he has already led the production team into the currently still under construction old Central, Hong Kong set. As for the actors, Chan Tak Sum expressed that half the cast remained unannounced. The currently announced actors included Leon Lai Ming, Nicolas Tse Ting Fung, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Hu Jun, and Simon Yam Tat Wa. Most of them have already completed their costume fitting and would join the production shortly. Among yesterday's five actors, Wang Xueqi was the first actor who the director confirmed. Wang Xueqi said that in the film he will play an old school Hong Kong businessman with "strong organizational abilities but no martial art at all". Leung Ka Fai in the film will play the revolutionary Chen Shaobai, the only character in the film other than Dr. Sun Yat-Sen with an actual history. Ka Fai disclosed that he especially liked his Western-style costume in the film. Appearing with a "bald" look, Taiwan artist Wang Bo-Chieh in the film will play father and son with Wang Xueqi. The master of ceremonies asked him in order to display the traditional father and son relationship a hundred years, whether he would go every morning to teacher Wang Xueqi's room to kowtow, present tea and greet him? Wang Bo-Chieh shook his head and said, "It wouldn't be that exaggerated, but I do intend to make greater use of the free time to make myself revere Teacher Wang a little more." Fan Bingbing as the only woman announced in the cast said that working with nine Best Actors gave her a superiority complex and that it will be the most special enjoyment so far in her career. As for playing a "gambler", Yen Ci Tan claimed that in the film he will have a very hard fight with major villain Hu Hun. The director still had to arrange the final outcome. * (4/14/2009) Lai Lok Yi yesterday attended the "TVB Most Popular TV Commercial Awards" campaign event with a pair of sunglasses. He explained that he had a growth in his right eye. He said, "Lately I return to the Mainland regularly for the film's post production work and voice work. Perhaps due to the heat something grew in my eye. The doctor told me it was skin irritation." His film SOR YAU MUNG SEUNG DOH HOI FA (ALL DREAMS ARE BLOOMING) will participate in a Mainland film festival in mid July. As for a Hong Kong release, he said, "The Mainland's so-called 'all purpose film' is educational film. It mainly will be released in the Guangdong Province." * (4/14/2009) Wong Kar Wai earlier went to Shenyang to meet with famous Mainland actor Zhao Benshan. Reportedly he was interested in inviting Zhao Benshan to star in YUT DOI JUNG SI IP MAN (MASTER OF A GENERATION IP MAN). The goal of Wong Kar Wai's trip was checking out locations and auditioning actors. He learned that Zhao Benshan was also in Shenyang and asked him to meet. Wong Kar Wai mentioned that the film had a role that was very suitable for Zhao Benshan, who gladly agreed to perform. Both parties are negotiating production date and details. Chang Chen reportedly may play Ip Man and Annie Shizuka Inoh (Yi Nung Jing) may play one of the female characters. Jet Ton honestly admitted Wong Kar Wai's intention to work with Zhao Benshan. As for what role Tony Leung Chiu Wai will play, the announcement will have to wait. However the company has denied that Yi Nung Jing will play a role. * (4/12/2009) The Wong Jing directed I CORRUPT ALL COPS (GUM CHING DAI GOK) yesterday promoted in Tuen Mun. Eason Chan Yik Shun, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Natalie Meng Yao, Liu Yang and Kate Tsui Tsz Shan attended. Eason in the film had nine wives and joked that he felt lucky. Earlier on a radio play he played Wai Siu Bo and only had seven wives. He said, "Actually this time including Liu Yang they were more than nine." Did Eason have any intimate scene with the actresses? He said that he did not have the pleasure. Eason in the film played a cop who for upward mobility would get into the good graces of his superiors and accept all of their unwanted wives. However his eyes were opened when the film shot in a night club. He said, "Actually I have never been there, this was the first time. When I got inside it had antique cars and four long escalators, I felt like I was traveling through time." He said that this time he was very glad to be able to work with multiple veterans like Yu Chi Ming and Anthony Wong Chau Sun. Eason earlier was rumored to be at odds with Wong Chau Sun over Edison Chen Koon Hei's gossip. Eason expressed that he did not know why Chau Sun did not attend yesterday, perhaps he had a scheduling conflict. He said that earlier he has already called Chau Sun and they were truly fine. They knew that sometimes news needed to be stirred. He said, "I asked Chau Sun what happened. He said that actually he was joking with the press. I understood and Chau Sun wasn't mad." Eason explained that Chau Sun liked to joke with everyone. He only looked serious like he was not. When he was not speaking he looked very mean, but sometimes not laughing when telling a joke would be dark humor. He also would like Chau Sun to attend the premiere together so the film presence would be stronger. Eason yesterday joked around with Fong Lik Sun's gossip with "Kitchen Beauty" and said that Siu Fong lately got kitchen grease on his clothes. Siu Fong honestly said that he did not mind and Eason only referred to the program. "I wanted to thank (Edmond) Leung Hong Man and (Ronald) Cheng Chung Kei) for speaking up about the incident and responding to everyone what happened that day." He expressed that he would not comment about other people and would maintain his distance with the opposite sex. The sexy Meng Yao was asked whether she realized that she had a wardrobe malfunction during the games. She immediately said, "Really?" and claimed that she took preventive measures. Was she afraid that her female co-stars would be upset at her for stealing their thunder? Yao Meng expressed that she was not because they all were very sexy. * (4/12/2009) Bernice Liu Bik Yi yesterday attended a Tsim Sha Tsui shopping center Easter event. Later she would work on a film with Andy On Chi Kit and Simon Yam Tat Wa. In it she would play an action role. Now she was in training and during the shoot she would train with the Jackie Chan Stuntman Association trainers. * (4/12/2009) Jacky Cheung Hok Yau recently has been busy with the film YUET MOON HIN NEI SI (FULL MOON OVER HENNESSY). Because work ended early he came to the recording studio and recorded Buddhist songs. He stated that the film will wrap at the end of April. Reportedly he had a prisoner look in the film. He said, "It's just a look for the role, which isn't a prisoner." He honestly said that at first he was not used to the short hair, but now he was very comfortable as it dried right after washing. He said that his daughter at first did not like it but now she accepted it. As for co-star Tang Wei, he expressed that the collaboration has been very smooth. Because the shoot took place in Hong Kong and he was more familiar with the location, he would take care of her more. Tang Wei might not understand some more local Cantonese and he would explain it to her. Hok Yau praised that Tang Wei's Cantonese has improved very fast. * (4/12/2009) south Korean hunk Jung Woo-Sung earlier won Best Supporting Actor at the Asian Film award. Recently he has been working with Gao Yuanyuan on the film CHENGDU I LOVE YOU and would be in a romance in English. CHENGDU I LOVE is in three parts: past, present and future. Director Fruit Chan Gor, Heo Jin-Ho and Cui Jian would each direct a part. Heo Jin-Ho would be responsible for the "present", which starred Jung Woo-Sung and Gao Yuanyuan. They would play a couple in a delicate romance. When he was studying aboard they fell in love. Years later they reunited and picked up where they left off. However, Jung Woo-Sung and Gao Yuanyuan had a language barrier, which made people worry about how they could cultivate emotions off screen. Goa Yuanyuan explained that they would use English in the romance. At the press conference, the press asked Jung Woo-Sung to teach Gao Yuanyuan to say CHENGDU I LOVE in Korean. After saying it Gao Yuanyuan joked that she sounded terrible, but Jung Woo-Sung praised her. * (4/11/2009) The Tsui Hark directed, Shi Nansun produced film DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (TUNG TIN DAI GOK, originally titled DI RENJIE) will start production in Hengdian next month. Andy Lau Tak Wa will play the famous Tang Dynasty expert detective Di Renjie. Other actors will include Tony Leung Ka Fai and Li Bingbing. Earlier female stars like Li Bingbing, Zhou Xun and Zhang Ziyi will have the chance to play Wu Zetian, but finally Bi Bingbing will play the ambitious Shangguan Waner. Why was she not chosen to play Wu Zetian? Li Bingbing said, "From the start I was cast to play Shangguan Waner." Who will play the role of Empress Wu? Yesterday online information claimed that the film company was actively in contact with a heavyweight middle age Hong Kong female star and both Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) and Cherie Chung Chor Hung came into mind. Would either return for Tsui Hark? The answer will be unveiled next month. * (4/11/2009) After Edison Chen Koon Hei risked the "bullet death threat" attended the Singapore SNIPER (SUN CHEUNG SAU) press conference and premiere, the film finally was released in Hong Kong on the 9th. However the opening box office figure had no pleasant surprise and the same day release 3D animation MONSTERS VS. ALIENS crushed it. Due to the Easter holiday, its release coincided with the Kelly Chen Wai Lam and Kenny Bee (Chung Chun To) voice acted 3D animation MONSTERS VS. ALIENS, the Brendan Fraser starred science fiction film INKHEART, the Toshiaki Karasaw and Takako Tokiwa starred TWENTIETH CENTURY BOYS CHAPTER 2. Unfortunately SNIPER unlike its trailer was unable to "hit every shot" as its single box office was only around HK$490,000 and landed fourth. SNIPER's box office was only slightly better than the same day release TWENTIETH CENTURY BOYS CHAPTHER 2 (around 270,000). Already released in 8 days, the Jackie Chan and Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) starred SHINJUKU INCIDENT (SUN SHOOK SI GEIN) box office also performed better than SNIPER. Although SHINJUKU was in release for 8 days its single day box office was still around 590,000 and came in second. Its cumulative box office has already exceeded 8 million and average box office over 1 million. The performance was decent. The single day box office champion was the 3D animation MONSTERS VS. ALIENS (near 1 million). In third is the Hong Kong audience familiar Brendan Fraser starred INKHEART with nearly 500,000. * (4/10/2009) A photo exhibition of PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI)'s production designs was held in Wanchai. Director Gordon Chan Ka Seung, Mak Tong Kit, Stephen Shiu Ting Yat and 3D SEX AND ZEN star Yeh Ling, Gigi Wong Suk Yi, Ng Lai Chun and Lo Man Yi attended. Chan Ka Seung expressed that during the production he did not think about publishing this book. Later his production designer Bill Lui Chor Hung made the suggestion and the book was released. He said that as the director he of course would like the book to be able to publish books because the production was something that was worth remembering. With the Hong Kong Film Award about to take place, has the Hong Kong Film Award chair Chan Ka Seung already confirmed the host and guest list? He expressed that he just met with Eric Tsang Chi Wai two nights ago. Because Chi Wai would like the hosts to be a little more difficult so no decision has been made. Actually last year Sammi Cheng Sau Man was chosen as a host several days before the event. As for the guest list, he expressed that he only knew Josephine Siao Fong Fong would attend. He could not reveal the others yet. * (4/10/2009) Eric Suen Yiu Wai yesterday appeared on a Radio Hong Kong interview and revealed that earlier he and Gigi Leung Wing Kei along with UNICEF went to visit Jiangxi's impoverished mountain region. His film TEAM OF MIRACLE: WE WILL ROCK YOU (LAU LONG HONG SAI GAI BUI) has already reached 2 million at the box office after four days in release. He explained that many schools realized that it was an inspirational film and organized private screenings for its students. After four days already 150 shows have been booked and made 2 million for the box office. * (4/10/2009) Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung) who just participated in the 33rd Annual Hong Kong International Film Festival earlier celebrated her birthday in advance with her fans. Turning 22 on April 10, Cheung Yung Yung happily expressed that this year she wished that her upcoming new film YANG YANG would have decent performance. At the event, Cheung Yung Young not only sang but also chose five lucky fans to perform in a relay. Fans even performed magic and music. Some fans even made cards for her. Her friend Ke Jia-Yan also made a surprise appearance and joined the fan's dance performance to show their support and love. Cheung Yung Yung also danced with fans and brought the evening to its peak. * (4/9/2009) The Hong Kong Film Award will take place on April 19 at the Hong Kong Coliseum. Yesterday a press conference was held. The Hong Kong Film Award chair Gordon Chan Ka Seung announced that the Lifetime Achievement award winner would be Josephine Siao Fong FOng and the Professionalism Award would be Ting Yu for their contribution to film with their natural talent. Chan Ka Seung announced that at the award night, the parade of stars fashion commentator would be Hong Kong fashion designer association assistant chair Ma Wai Ming. Best dressed Man and Woman would be presented. Also, earlier Josephine Siao Fong Fong, Ann Hui On Wa, Paw Hee Ching, John Woo (Ng Yu Sum), Benny Chan Muk Sing, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Barbie Hsu (Tsui Hei Woon), Zhou Xun, Karena Lam Ka Yun and Lin Chiling were present at the Hong Kong Film Award special program photo session. Yesterday Koo Tin Lok and Wilson Yip Wai Shun host the special program unveiling ceremony. Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) and Siqin Gaowa wrote congratulations for the program. Koo Tin Lok honestly said that he would not deliberately try to win Best Dressed. His confidence to win Best Actor was only half as he personally preferred Cheung Ka Fai. Earlier reportedly Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) was interested in bringing Goo Jai and Lam Ching Ha together and Goo Jai was rumored to lure Ching Ha back. Goo Jai honestly said that he liked Sister Ching Ha very much. Her comeback would be great for the film industry. He has always liked Ching Ha and Siao Fong Fong. Of course he would look forward to working with Ching Ha. He said, "Sister Ching Ha now is still very pretty, very very pretty." Goo Jai expressed that when he made RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA), Cheung Ngai Ga introduced him to Sister Ching Ha. Later Sister Ching Ha went to the premiere and liked RUN. As for using him to persuade Ching Ha, Goo Jai said that if he was asked of course he would be glad to. However he was not sure whether he could live up to the hunk scheme. Sister Ching Ha did not need him to lure her, it would more be the other way around. Recently City Entertainment chief editor Chan Pak Sun was rumored to be involved in a lawsuit. Because the magazine is a member of the Hong Kong Film Award board, Chan Ka Seung was asked whether the Hong Kong Film Award would be affected. He said currently the Hong Kong Film Award would keep City Entertainment for now, but anything further would require meetings. As for whether felons could not be members, Chan Ka Seung expressed that this was one of the issues. They also reviewed the rules. Whether this case would be a felony or not was secondary. The Hong Kong Film Award after 28 years would always be trustworthy, credible, fair, just and open. This incident challenged the "Hong Kong Film Award ideal". If Chan Pak Sun would like to remain on the board he would have a difficult time. In addition Chan Pak Sun reportedly has asked the Hong Kong Film Award to write a letter on his behalf but the Award declined? Chan Ka Seung said that the case was Chan Pak Sun's personal issue. Chan Pak Sun did not notify them. A colleague followed up and learned about the letter, but by then it was already the final two days of the deadline. They could not make it in time and would have a very hard time. He honestly said that he knew some board members would write on his behalf. As a Hong Kong Film Award chair if he was asked whether to write a letter on Chan's behalf, he would decline because the Hong Kong Film Award had no gray area. He also believed that this case would not affect the Hong Kong Film Award reputation because everyone could see its past performance. * (4/9/2009) Stephen Shiu Ting Yat yesterday announced that the film 3D SEX AND ZEN would star Taiwan's Yeh Ling. The 25 year old Yeh Ling after graduation in Taiwan has worked at a department store and in real estate. This was her first film and her first sex film. According to the event, Yeh Ling would receive a nearly seven figure payday, a decent salary. Yeh Ling with her 34C-25-35 figure expressed that her family did not know yet that she would come to Hong Kong to make a sex film. She planned to notify her family when the film would be released. She said, "My family and I have a great relationship. They probably would support me." Yeh Ling expressed that she was very nervous about undressing in front of a camera for the first time. She stated that she would not deliberately clear the set because she definitely would be shy. She said that she has not read the entire story but nudity would be required. She found that acceptable. Yeh Ling earlier has already lost 20 pounds, now she would like to lose 12 more. She felt her legs were thick. She expressed that she has already seen Amy Yip Chi Mei and Shu Mei's version of SEX AND ZEN. She accepted the role because the 3D version would be a Hong Kong first. Siu Ting yat expressed that this film would cost HK$30 million and would start production around August or September. He honestly said that he could not find actresses who dared to bare all in Hong Kong and finally went to Taiwan. He said that the first requirements were pretty and good figure. He also praised Yeh Ling looked better than Yip Chi Mei and Shu Qi. He expressed that later he would announce the actor but his company's artists probably would not participate. He joked that his artists appeared to be very daring normally but actually they did not dare to be too sexy. * (4/9/2009) Michael Tse Tin Wa, Shek Sau and Wong Hei yesterday attended a TVB8 new program taping with hosts Vivian Yeo (Yeung Sau Wai) and Kam Kong. Tin Wa would work on a film about his character Laughing Gor. The female lead was still being cast. He expressed that the only requirements would be fluent Cantonese and acting ability, but a new comer might be cast. As far as he knew several Best Actors have been invited to join the cast. He left the guesses to the reporters. "Don't be too sensitive, it is just a team. One person can't make the entire film." Would he deliberately shake off his YOUNG AND DANGEROUS (GOO WAT JAI) character's shadow? He pointed out that this time he would perform with Laughing Gor's style. The characters were different. * (4/8/2009) The Hong Kong Film Award Association announced that famous actress Josephine Siao Fong Fong would receive the 28th Annual Hong Kong Film Award Lifetime Achievement Award whiel Ting Yu would receive the Professionalism Award. Hong Kong Film Award chair Gordon Chan Ka Seung expressed that since both film veterans have always used their natural born talent to make outstanding contribution to the Hong Kong film industry, the Hong Kong Film Award Association would present special awards to them in the highest salute. Siao Fong Fong's family originated from Suzhou, Jiangsu and was born in Shanghai. When she was young she immigrated to Hong Kong with her mother. Her film career started when she was 7, her first film was TEARS OF A YOUNG CONCUBINE (SIU SING LUI). Siao Fong Fong has starred in many Hong Kong films. In 1987 she received the 7th Annual Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actress with her comedy THE WRONG COUPLES (BUT SI YUEN GA BUT JUI TAU). In 1995 with her film SUMMER SNOW (NUI YUN SEI SUP) she received the 45th Annual Berlin International Film Festival Best Actress Award. The 28th Annual Hong Kong Film Award will take place on April 19 at the Hong Kong Cultural Center. TVB and Radio Hong Kong will broadcast the event. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 2009, FILM WORDS "CONFUCIUS" SURPRISE AND REGRET Director Fei Mu in 1940 Shanghai made CONFUCIUS. After missing for decades, it sees the light of day again in Hong Kong and has also been successful restored. It has been a major contribution since the Hong Kong Film Archive establishment and the rarest screening program in this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival. An anonymous donor donated CONFUCIUS to the Archive, whcih truly is a pleasantly surprising "gift from heaven". The Museum spared no expense, worked in cooperation with the Italian laboratory and spent several years to restore the massively damaged film to resurrect a ruined movie, it is absolutely a miracle. The restored version aside from certain portions' sound was missing, the black-and-white visual is very clear and clean, the dialogue and the soundtrack are largely recovered. The end of the film also adds leftover clips. The restorers' efforts and professional skills are truly worthy of applause and salute. Producers Were Not Speculative The film's producers Jin Xinmin and Tong Zhenmin of course should be respected. During the moment of national crisis of Japanese invasion of China, they founded Min Hwa Motion Pictures and put all of their finance and energy into supporting Fei Mu's large production CONFUCIUS. The cost and time spent far exceeded the Chinese-language films at the time, and without any speculative element. It very seriously and stylish through Confucius and his disciples shows both internal and external tragedy, the determination to uphold the virtue and the spirit to insist kindness. In the crisis-ridden nation, many Chinese had lost self-respect and self-confidence in traditions and ceremonies. As new and revolutionary ideas wanted to bring down the Confucius school, this film's production was especially praiseworthy. Boring, Dull, Unrealistic Costumes Yet watching CONFUCIUS gave me deep regret, as I can only say that its sincerity is commendable but its performance is not. Frankly speaking, this film is rigid and boring, the characters and the plot are not explained clearly, sets and costumes are unrealistic. Undoubtedly, back then the Chinese film production conditions were very poor as they were not demanding in many areas. However the 30s and 40s also had some very vivid and outstanding work that could rival foreign classics of the same period. No one should think that they were all backward. Suffice to say, Fei Mu this time aimed high but shot low. The ideas were originally decent. The film broke through the popular narrative format with separate sections to describe Confucius school history, it was also cynical of blind leaders and traitors, compassionate toward the plight of the people, lamented the fate of virtuous scholar, and even added narration and subtitles. Unfortunately the actual handling was studio style, stage style, and very Old School and pretentious preaching. It lacked any solid sense and failed to thoroughly display the life and doctrine of Confucius. CONFUCIUS's production and restoration certainly should be saluted. However while confirming that the film attentively described today with ancient metaphors and put an effort in testing Chinese film's ethnic style, we must also seriously consider the flaws of why it backfired. (I) - SHEK KEI 2. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS SINGERS WHO DO NOT LIKE TO SING MUCH Reporters have asked Kenny Bee (Chung Chung To) about new singers regularly singing off key when performing live recently. He hit the nail right on its head when he said now a record release is too easy. Back then the Wynners first performed as a band. Only after continuous performances were they able to caught someone's eyes and had the opportunity to release records, so they had ample live performance experience long ago. Instead at first they were not used to the recording studio. Now few new comers came from bands. If they entered the business through winning singing contests, the chance of their live performance miscue would be less. Off key singers mostly rely on packaging for their success or are TV artists, they do not have much live performance experience. Live performance is not easy. Without experience of course people will make mistakes. Even old veterans will experience "stage fright". When strong singers sing off key, everyone would forgive them because they know that it is a mishap and they would not make anything of it. The media target less than capable singers as another way to ridicule what they are selling, which is not singing. With recording technology advancement, anyone who is completely tone deaf can walk into the studio and be adjusted to completely on key. This is actually not true. If someone is excessively off key, then all the help in the world would be able to help. As long as it is within a certain range, the computer can help. Unless technology advances further in the future and only requires the singer's voice to be input for someone else to sing and result in that singer's voice, then that is another matter. The writer believes that singers whose live performance is off key should not receive too much criticism. They should be permitted to perform more so they could gradually improve. Idols really are more popular than strong singers, and they can develop in various areas. One can only hope that they grow up amid the criticism. One of the reasons behind the record industry shrinkage is after excessive development, real musicians are not taken seriously. With market professionals in charge of record companies, many only love to do business and make money. They do not like music, some even do not listen to songs at all. Singers only like the singer treatment and fame, actually they do not like to sing much. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 14 2009, FILM WORDS TOKYO SONATA: THE PAIN OF UNEMPLOYMENT Two Japanese films TOKYO SONATA and DEPARTURES both have sonata in their Chinese titles, both have won international awards, and both male leads lose their jobs soon after the opening. Yet their temperature range in the polar extremes, while the latter is a hit the former is much more overlooked. At the Broadway Film center only special screenings take place, with English and no Chinese subtitle. Fortunately the admission rate is decent. The Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed TOKYO SONATA is not as unique, suitable for all and touching as DEPARTURES. This film in a dark and realistic manner concentrates on the characterization of the unemployment pain. Nothing fresh, fortunately it has great practical significance. The male lead is a big company's middle-aged middle-level staff. After joining the ranks of the unemployed, he dares not tell his family members. Everyday he pretends to go to work, lines up for jobs and even receives relief meals. Hong Kong films have already filmed similar scenarios long ago. This film displays the traditional Japanese sense of shame. The chauvinist even has to maintain parental dignity, the more he hides the more his wife and children suffer. Teruyuki Kagawa as this unemployed parent who is reduced to clean the toilets is appropriate. Kyoko Koizumi as the gentle wife is even more subtle; she knows everything, is extremely disappointed at her dishonest husband and frankly prefers to "run away" with a thief! Their sons are also wonderful, the elder son is immature and actually joins the U.S. military; the younger son is indifferent to his father, disrespectful to teachers, but he is not bad; he is a music prodigy. Koji Yakusho guest stars as the unlucky thief. The plot concocts a series of tragic and absurd accidents that almost put the entire family in a quagmire. Fortunately, later the film turns sorrow into joy. The child prodigy's piano playing at an entrance examination becomes the most audience pleasing, mythical sonata in the entire film. Kiyoshi Kurosawa is not a director I admire, TOKYO SONATA is ultimately more down to earth. However, Yoichiro Takinogawa's DEPARTURES takes a step further and describes a professional musician's unemployment and his return home to be an "encoffiner", a challenge that is greater than a janitor. Thus he gains even deeper life experience and care. I saw another Japanese film at the film festival: Hirokazu Koreeda's STILL WALKING, in which a married son in the prime of life loses his job, but the film does not cooked up miserable conditions. It captures real homemade flavor. Now the homeless and the unemployed often appear in Japanese movies, actually Japan's unemployment rate is still lower than in Western Europe. Many Westerners are accustomed to receive benefits, Some in Hong Kong receive the Portable Comprehensive Social Security Assistance. Should Japanese people learn from the West, rely on the government to send money, live fat and lazy lives without any shame? I think the Japanese maintaining the Eastern sense of shame and hard work is good, of course, they have to be honest with their families. They cannot conceal or evade. - SHEK KEI 4. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 14 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS WHO KNOWS THE REAL RECORD SALES Four great foreign funded companies withdrew from the IFPI Award, as East Asia, Emperor and Gold Label became the record award big winners. The four withdrawn foreign companies have singers with extremely high sales and popularity like Eason Chan Yik Shun, Kay Tse On Kay, Hacken Lee Hak Kun, Hins Cheung King Hin, etc. This reflects that the current sales awards do not really tell the public whose record truly sold the best. Unlike the film box office, record sales have no authentic figures release. Sales figures can be obtained in several ways, first is record company self-declarations, another is distributors reported numbers, third is the large record store chains' self calculated sales chart. Record company's self-report would have false reporting suspicion, exaggerating numbers to pump up a singer and call a press conference to celebrate are very easy. In contrast, record distributor numbers will be more accurate. At least they tell the exact number of the issue, whether music shops are willing to take the goods and make additional order. Figure improvement in this area is not hard either. Record companies after the first print release order people to buy them all back at record stores, they can cook up a market as long as they are willing to take a loss. Creating a market is mostly used when pushing a new comer. More spending is made to rapidly make the new singers a gold record winner. However in the weak market, very few companies are willing to spend this kind of money to support new comers. Large chain store sales record charts reflect a limited market condition. However, when the general market sales are not high, sending people to these stores to buy a small amount of records is enough to affect the sales chart. The cost is not high, as long as no opponent in the same period will use similar method it is viable. The variety of ways to improve the sales figures is actually impractical and also a little self-deceiving. The best way is not any market strategy, but to work hard to make creativity good. The product quality improvement is the best way, only good products will have a good market. Too bad few of the current record company leadership are music people, almost all are market professionals. - KWOK HIN CHING 5. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 13 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS TWENTIETH CENTURY BOYS CHAPTER 2 SHAKES UP SHINJUKU Like the last installment, big Japanese film 20TH CENTURY BOYS CHAPTER 2 is able to attract fans of Naoki Urasawa's original manga. Non manga fans would be baffled because the plot and characters, confusing, complicated and cluttered, unlike comic books of the West that cook up stimulating action and shocking special effects. I reluctantly watch it and is not considered completely out of touch. I discover that the 20TH CENTURY BOYS' first chapter is full of middle age nostalgia, the entire mysterious change is based on the 70s. A group of young students play "prediction" game that turns into a murder mystery in 1997 and even erupts into a bloody disaster before the arrival of the 21st century. I have experienced those days and believed to have more sense of familiarity than many young manga fans, though I think the story is messy. Now with the second chapter I also have a sense of familiarity, actually like Jackie Chan's new film SHINJUKU INCIDENT (SUN SHOOK SI GEIN) its backdrop is Shinjuku, Tokyo. The early part shoots in a Chinese restaurant in Kabukicho, Shinjuku. It even has a Chinese and Thai gang war, generous use of Chinese and Thai, and "transsexual", all of which make it flashier than that Hong Kong film. This time the story backdroup is the future 2015, the lead is the Endo family's next generation girl Kanna (Airi Taira) who understands Chinese, Thai and has special power. She is direct and lively. She uses a special move to stop the gang war, which is rather fun. She and young and handsome cop Chono (Naohito Fujiki)'s joyous feud also has some comedy fun. However the plot grows more exaggerated as it goes on while the characters get messy. The film becomes long winded and "clumsy". More thrilling are Airi Taira's "video game" playing, Toshiaki Karasawa escapes the prison at sea, and the savior "Friend" assassination. At least they have some action and another girl for comic relief. Overall it still is only suitable for manga fans who follow the original. The climax is the international exposition as "Friend" returns to life as "God". The scene is full of people and has international guests, but in comparison to the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony it is much simpler. As for who the masked "Friend" is, the mystery remains as Chapter 3 is coming this year. The director remains the previous installment's Yukihiko Tsutsumi, who still lacks brilliance. Even though the story has many twists and turns, yet to non manga fans it truly is a mess without beginning or end. As for actors, the most outstanding is Airi Taira who becomes a "sassy girl". Meanwhile Toshiaki Karasawa becomes a "dark prison lost soul" and maintains a disillusioned hero personality. Other characters do not have clear background, the Chinese gang only appears in the first half. However, now foreign films more and more frequently have Chinese people and language. - KWOK HIN CHING 6. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 12 2009, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS SHOW BUSINESS LIFE MAY END AT ANY MOMENT Jill Vidal (Wai Si) on the 24th will go to trial in Tokyo. For Hong Kong show business, this will not be a happy event at any rate. The public may feel young idols should be good kids. Show business should not support artists who are not too nice. Idol artists are getting younger and younger. Because cultivation requires time the return period is dragged out. Thus teenagers are the most suitable to sign as new comers. They are signed for 10 to 20 years at once, which is the rules of the game now. Good teenage kids are blank slates. Even if they have performance talent they still lack life experience. Singing can still rely on talent a little. If they act, they may not have too much achievement. The industry indeed has many nice boy and girl artists, whose performance on many occasions is no match for the not so nice ones. As artists, having been bad truly may be more beneficial. Whether singing or acting, they would know how to express more complex emotions. Single family young artists perform better than complete family ones. The problem lies here, experience is better than no experience. Any teenager with experience in other words must have been bad. Thus, everyone should be able to see that young idols who develop in the business are often exposed in the media as superficially innocent but actually are so nice early on. Many have romantic experience, after getting into the business they are under their manager contract's control. Those who know to cherish of course would grasp the chance, fully develop their careers, say goodbye to their bad past and never look back. Everyone is like that. Some do not have a smooth sailing after joining the business. The industry has many temptations and disillusioned people would have a negative force. Even those who are originally nice kids would be turned bad, not to mention those who already have bad genes in them? Show business is not as bad as certain people would describe and also have people who do not respect themselves or are easily misled. Actually every circle has them, only artists live under the camera lens and more people are interested. It would be very hard for every young idols to be self respecting, every incident only tell them that everyone have to be responsible for their own behavior. Show business life can end due to a momentary mistake at anytime. - KWOK HIN CHING 7. TA KUNG PAO, APRIL 12 2009 YUKO ASANO REMEMBERS KON ICHIKAWA: LOVE REMAINS THE SAME In the world of light and shadow, time either stays in the moment or becomes meaningless; as long as the love and spirit remain, life and death are nothing to fear? As for the "famous work of magic", the late famous Japanese director Kon Ichikawa's film FUSA finally made its big screen debut sixteen years after its completion and became the real unknown gem. FUSA's lead actress Yuko Asano earlier came to Hong Kong to attend the Hong Kong International Film Festival, meet the audience and the press. She felt that the director has never left, instead he has been by her side and encouraging her; although she and the director have been together for so many years, she still felt as though they were working together for the first time when she was 18. They have not changed over time. This year's Hong Kong International Film Festival featured a special screening of FUSA in memory of this film master of a generation who passed away in February last year. FUSA was Japan's first movie that was shot in high-definition. Starring Kiichi Nakai and Yuka Asano, the story was about a fallen samurai Shiro Hiramatsu who intended to claim power through marriage but ran into Fusa, a mysterious woman with amnesia. Hiramatsu was deeply fascinated with her and was determined to make her his wife. Yet Fusa who neither had a past nor belonged to the present ultimately left him with a realistic fantasy. This film was originally shot for television, thus it has never been shown on the big screen. Unexpectedly it thus became Kon Ichikawa's 78th film, his "final". Unforgettable Personal Role Demonstration Yuko Asano said that the director has always wanted this movie to be released on the big screen, so after so many years his dream was finally realized and everyone felt very pleased. "He was a very good director. We were able to maintain such a long-standing and good relationship, which was very rare. I felt very honored and touched to be able to be one of the leads in his final film release because he truly was one of my favorite directors." Recalling the on the set Kon Ichikawa, she said that the director was used to personally demonstrate how to perform the role for the actor and she benefited a lot. "I have worked with the director on five movies and some commercials. His approach was for every movie he would perform the role once for the actor so everyone would know how to perform. Yet he would not ask others to completely follow his interpretation, as actors was able to inject their own performance style and emotions. In terms of FUSA, the director taught me how to show what made traditional Japanese women lovable. In other works, he also taught me different interpretations, including some characters with more emotional upheaval. He gave me the opportunity to try many different things." "Although the director was a master and each actor would inevitably be stressed before working with him, he actually was very easy-going; he would try to create a very happy atmosphere on the set so everyone would do their best together. I started working with the director when I was 18. Even after many years later when we worked together again, I still felt like when I was 18; I felt like I returned to the very young and happy feeling from my school days and the director was a teacher in the school." She laughed and said that the director once said, he felt like she was always 18 and has never grown up. The Nod Was An Exclusive She said frankly that FUSA's title character was a relatively new attempt for her then, but due to the director's amazing ability she did not encountered any difficulties in the interpretation. "At that time Trendy Drama (idol drama) was very popular in Japan, my roles were all very lively; on the contrary, Fusa was a very quiet person. That was the first time I had such a role." She added, "Fortunately the director would tell me how to play a scene; very naturally I was able to assimilate into the role, the environment and the atmosphere. The feeling when I was with the male lead was easier to grasp. I didn't need to very deliberately try to figure out, so I would not have any psychological obstacles to overcome." She did not believe that the character of Fusa alone would bring any particular message, but the audience would feel something from the entire film. "Kiichi Nakai near the end of the film had a line that siad he felt very happy during that period of time with Fusa. I felt that it was the most vivid line in the entire film because although it was not true happiness and only a little happiness was experienced, people only asked for some feeling that they could savor. Thus being able to feel happy was already more than enough." She said that her deepest impression from the whole film was Kiichi Nakai's marriage proposal scene. The plot arranged for Fusa to consider for a long time before ultimately nodding in agreement. "That nod came from the director. I thought the gesture was very cute, it could be said that it came from me and the director. Years afterward, I have never repeated the same gesture in other films. Actually I have attempted to repeat it when playing other roles, but the overall environment was already different, whether it is my appearance, costume, and even the set, timing and feel. In the end I couldn't achieve the result from back then." High-definition Easily Reveal Flaws As the female lead of Japan's first high-definition, Yuko Asano said that the high-definition production would relatively easily reveal flaws. Thus more time was required on lighting and appearance. "In particular for the actress, lighting could make you very beautiful or very ugly. In addition my costume design included a period hairstyle. Both must be very carefully enforced, so the overall shooting time was a lot longer. Yet the resulting visual thus would be more detailed and prettier." She also said, she learned from this film that actually due to the high-definition filming the make-up could not be too strong, the more natural the better. This was the knowledge that she has learned from the production process. After sixteen years, FUSA finally reached the big screen but its famous director Kon Ichikawa has passed away. Remembering their past friendship, she said that because she lived near the director, when he was still healthy she went to visit regularly. Their last public meeting was a chance to watch a play. Later the director due to his illness declined all visits. As for whether the recent FUSA promotion would be more sentimental for her, she said, "Last year during the Tokyo Film Festival it was rainy. My home had a small garden. One day I saw in the garden a very big dark brown frog, which would only walk with its feet instead of jumping. It seemed to be quite old and I felt that the director has come. He through that frog encouraged me to work hard. So I never felt that the director has departed, instead he was always by my side. " - SIU O 8. TA KUNG PAO, APRIL 12 2009 FILM FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE REQUIRES CONSENSUS Last week the Legislative Council conducted a review of the Film Development Council's 300 million financial assistance for Hong Kong film project. Unexpectedly, all members present at the meeting unanimously supported the film industry's acceptance of the "subsidy". How to proper run this operation is the only part that needs to be studied. The most important part of the meeting was the film industry representatives' suggestions for the financial assistance. This project mainly targets small and medium-sized film productions. The Government will participate in the investment of 30% (cost) of film productions that cost less than 12 million but also enjoy 30% of the return. In other words after the review the Film Development Council will then become a "qualified" film investor. For more than a year, the Film Development Council received 18 applications, 11 of which have successfully received "subsidy". Thus some film professionals said tha this plan was not financial assistance but joint venture. The film industry's largest response has two main points, one of which is the Film Fund that invests 30% is not responsible for film distribution and promotion costs; investors of the other 70% must bear such costs for the Film Fund. Generally small and medium-sized productions' publicity and distribution costs would account for about 20 to 30% of the production costs. Thus as one of the investor the Fund should meet nearly 10% of the costs. However the Government refuses to pay as some representatives point out that the Fund in this area would take advantage of investors of the other 70%, contrary to the name of the "subsidy". The second point that the industry raises is the complexity and the length of the Fund's application process. Sometimes after the film completed production the government investment would arrive. So basically the Fund's investment does not have the "timely rain" effect on independent films. Reportedly each application requires 15 contracts to be signed, which indeed is a difficult task. As for the contract and distribution account return (through an independent third party company) they must be done in accordance to the wishes of the government, so some radical critics feel that fund as the minority (with only 1/3 of the investment) bullies the majority and the treaty is "unequal". The writer believes that the first point's publicity and distribution cost issue, the Fund should do its share. As for the complexity of the contract and the Government requirements, the points are separate. The contract can be simplified, but the provisions of the government funds should be observed. Because money comes from taxpayers the protection of this investment is very important. Some industry representatives questioned the application's requirement of having a member with two film productions in a decade as too strict, as both Patrick Tam Ka Ming and Alfred Cheung Kin Ting were declared ineligible due to the lack of a recent film. However, this representative was only half correct. While Tam Ka Ming before AFTER THIS, OUR EXILE (FU JI) has not made a film in over a decade, Cheung Kin Ting before CONTRACT LOVER (HUP YEUK CHING YUN) made MANHATTAN MIDNIGHT (2004) and THE EXTRA (SUT YIP DUT GUNG DUI) (1998) and absolutely met the Fund's requirements. Some speakers should do their research before making a conclusion, otherwise, the opposite effect would be achieved. - TIN LIK 9. TA KUNG PAO, APRIL 12 2009 ARTISTS' DRUG INVOLVEMENT ARE MAJOR DAMAGE The topic of artists who are suspected of drug abuse and even sales for profit has not subsided due to Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu's public apology and temporary retirement. Instead with Jill Vidal (Wai Si)'s detention in Japan and rumors of suspected drugs in her luggage it has caught the public's attention again. This is even more shocking than the self inflicted drug abuse. Sacrificing their own future is already miserable enough, not to mention also contributing to the spread of social ill. The drug problem has not only grown in the entertainment industry, but drug trade has used public figures who make a living in this business as sales targets and expand their path to fortune through different channels -- obviously the market shows a base and demand. Honestly, with the police fully escalating its crime fighting and reminding the public the harmful effects of drugs, once upon a time the upper class society and industrial and commercial businesses also have people who can afford to take drugs as a status symbol. Some famous opera performers and stars were even proud of their opium use. Many years ago while engaged in promotional activities during a certain production promotion event, a veteran film professional who participated in the star attended. He was a well-known underworld figure. When he was a little carried away, he took out a cigarette from his pocket, skillfully removed the tobacco, inserted some private tobacco into it, and slowly lit up and smoked this converted cigarette. The director and actors even joked that the smoke was fragrant, a real marijuana joint. An actress was curious and wanted to try it, this actor generously fulfilled her wish. When she smoked it she had a look of thorough enjoyment in her eyes that I still have the impression of. Back then I was aware that such acts were highly inappropriate, if the police came to investigate then everyone would be in trouble. Regardless of ruining the fun I discouraged them. Strangely, even though everyone knows that drug abuse is a crime and not a new law, public figures still dare to defy the law. Yet their heroic appearance and curiosity have more or less told the reasons. This artist who shares the joint with his colleague is directly promoting drugs and harming others. The actress who tried it was also too indulgent, without any awareness of danger. Recently Japan's young artists Shunta Nakamura was involved in a drug case. His father Masatoshi Nakamura was a star of a popular series in the 80s. Due to his son's possession of dangerous drugs he dismissed him from his company. The look of shame and disappointment on his aging face reminded people of the pressure on the family and friends of those involved with drugs. Still fresh in the memory was more than a year ago Teddy Robin Kwan's expectation of his nephew Kwan Chor Yiu's entry into the business, Alan (Tam Wing Lun)'s high expectations of his god son, as well as Kwan's father Kwan Wai Lun's record industry wide fame for hard work in creativity and promotion, the desire for the son to succeed today has all been smashed to pieces. This generation of young people really needs to raise their awareness of good and evil clearly and understand the social responsibility that they should have. When they are reminded of the harm to their loved ones they should improve, reflect and respect themselves. Even with related excuses like loss and confused, curious and stress relief, they should also show restraint and pull back from the brink to avoid the difficult returning road of regret. - CHOW YI [ In Production Now/Soon ] BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS Can : Sup Yuet Wai Sing Lit : October City Siege AKA : DARK OCTOBER d. Teddy Chan Tak Sum Leon Lai Ming, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Hu Jun, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Wang Xueqi, Fan Bingbing, Wang Bo-Chieh Opening December 18 2009 Can : Ngai Jai Dor Ching Lit : Short Guy Romantic d. James Yuen Sai Sun Wong Cho Nam, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Race Wong Yuen Ling, Angelababy, Maggie Lee Man Kwan JUNIOR SOLDIERS Can : Dai Bing Siu Jeung Lit : Big Soldier Small General d. Ding Sheng Jackie Chan, Wang Leehom (Wong Lik Won), Yoo Seung-Jun, Lin Peng Can : Yuet Moon Hin Nei Si Lit : Full Moon Hennessy d. Ivy Ho (Ong Sai) Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Tang Wei KUNG FU CYBORG Can : Gei HEI Hup Lit : Mechanical Hero d. Jeff Lau Chun Wai Hu Jun, Betty Sun Li, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Gan Wei, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Jason Wu Jing, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Law Kar Ying Opening July 2009 Can : Yut Lo Yau Nei Lit : All Along Have You d. Derek Chiu Sung Kei Louis Koo Tin Lok, Karen Mok Man Wai, Crystal Huang Yi 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 November 12 2009 in Malaysia 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) PERMANENT RESIDENCE Can: Wing Gau Gui Lau d. Scud (Wan Cheung) Sean Li Ka Ho, Osman Hung Chi Kit, Jackie Chow Tak Bong, Lau Yu Hong Rating : III Length: 115 mins. Opening March 27 2009 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening April 16 2009 Site: http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/film/detail/1137.html [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The second film from the producer/screenwriter/co-director of CITY WITHOUT BASEBALL explores in complete abandon and full nudity the life story of a young man who pursues an impossible love with his straight boyfriend and who contemplates on the mortality of his loved ones. 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? 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 ] 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 30 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? DRIFTING FLOWER Can : Piu Long Ching Chun Lit : Drifting Wave Youth d. Zero Chou Mei Ling Lu Yi-Ching, Serena Fang, Chao Yi-Lan Rating : IIA Length 97 mins. Opening April 23 2009 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Taiwanese director Zero Chou (Spider Lilies) offers up three subtle, interwoven lesbian tales of the lost and found nature of love. The first segment opens with a fragile domestic bliss cobbled together by Jing, and her younger sister Meigo. Butch accordionist Chalkie upsets the balance by falling for Jing and inspiring Meigo’s first big crush. The middle story belongs to Lily, a patient endlessly searching in her disintegrating memory for her lost lover. The final segment follows Chalkie, coming of age with best pal and coming to terms with her repulsion at her own budding body and her complicated feelings for girls. CANDY RAIN Can : Fa Hap Liu Na Nui Hai Lit : Flower Ate That Girl d. Chen Hung-I Karena Lam Ka Yun, Cyndi Wang (Wong Sum Ling), Belle Hsin Chia-Ying, Grace Chen Yang-Kun, Sandrine Pinna (Chang Yung-Yung), Waa Wei Yu Huen, Kao Iling, Niki Wu Lichi, Mo Tzu-Yi, Lu Chia-Hsin, Josephine Hsu An-An Rating : IIB Length : 107 mins. Opening April 23 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] How many types of love are there? When they are together they are very happy. When they are together they are very unhappy. When they are not together they are very happy. When they are not together they are very unhappy. All of the above are. Do you make one choice or multiple choices? No choice? In an old Taipei apartment, lovers would each receive an anonymous package addressed to Candy Rain as four little love stories are told. TOUCH OF THE PANDA Can : Hung Mau Wui Ga Lo Lit : Panda's Road Home d. Yu Zhong Daichi Harashima (Dai Doh Yuen Dei) Opeing April 30 2009 [ SINA MOVIES HONG KONG ] 9 year old Lo Jai after losing his parents in a fire loses his ability to speak. Without any friend Lo Jai in the forest runs into a young panda Bobo, which is under hunters' pursuit. To keep it from harm, Lo Jai takes it home and hides it. During this period, Lo Jai teaches Bo Bo a variety of survival skills while Bo Bo opens up his heart again. Thus they build a deep friendship. Unfortunately, Lo Jai gradually understands that his strength alone is not enough to stop the hunters and the hounds' pursuit. Thus he is determined to return Bo Bo back to its mother...As danger approaches closer, can Lo Jai finally overcome the odds with Bo Bo and find the road home? HANDSOME SUIT Can : Fan Juen Ju Nam Si Wong Ji Lit : Turning Over Pork Belly Is A Prince d. Hanabusa Tsutomu Shosuke Tanihara, Muga Tsukaji, Keiko Kitagawa, Miyuki Oshima Cantonese Voices: Eric Kot Man Fai, Jan Lam Hoi Fung Rating : IIA Length : 115 mins. Opening April 30 2009 Site : http://encorefilms.com/handsome-suit [ SINA MOVIES HONG KONG ] If you have a suit that makes you handsome, what would you do? The extremely ugly Takuro Oki after taking over his late mother's diner Kokoroya runs into new part time help Hiroko, but he suffers a major setback after she rejects him. Later he runs into the "handsome suit" and transforms into the super handsome Hikariyama Annin. He begins to live a double life as the lady killer Annin and the pervert suspect Takuro. With the ultimate Handsome Suit that can permanently transform him into Annin, what would Takuro choose? 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 7 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. A FROZEN FLOWER Can : Seung Fa Dim Lit : Frost Flower Shop d. Yoo Ha Jo In-Sung, Ju Jin-Mo, Song Ji-Hyuo [ SINA MOVIES HONG KONG ] True love requires decisive courage. In the end of Goryeo era politically manipulated by the Yuan Dynasty, unknown assassins threaten the King's life. The ambitious King of the Goryeo Dynasty organizes Kunryongwe. Hong Lim, the commander of Kunryongwe, grew up with the King and swears to protect him with his life. They develop a bed sharing relationship that is deeper than brothers. Yet they do not understand that this relationship actually has already exceeded the border of friendship. Hong Lim always sees any of the King's command as more important than his life. He never expects that this time in order to give birth to a successor, the King who has no way to be with a woman asks Hong Lim to sleep with the Queen for him. The stuck between honor and loyalty Hong Lim, the helpless Queen and the jealous King are tightly entangled in desire and power. Since that night, fate change. The complex and difficult triangle is about to explode. When his most beloved person and his wife share a bed, jealousy and fear have become the King's demons. He does not trust anyone around him and no longer believe in love. He chooses dark and cruel ways to eliminiate anyone who may reveal the secret. The struggle with desire has Hong Lim stuck in the mud. Facing the King's extreme brutality and the Queen's tender love, Hong Lim who once only has one man in his heart experiences for the first time the love from another woman. Between him and her, between personal relationship and national struggle how will Hong Lim choose? 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 May 2009 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? KERORO THE MOVIE 4 Japanese animation Opening July 9 2009 [ SINA MOVIES HONG KONG ] On the day of Keroro's Earth invasion, Keroro oversleeps! When he arrives at the space tunnel and sees his waiting teammates, enemies suddenly appear! Giroro and Dororo are under attack when another strong rival joins in the attack! One day, an inexplicable giants object "Dragon Tails" appear all over the world. To seek the truth, Keroro Platoon starts a worldwide investigation, ends up in a mysterious world landmark in France, Mont Saint Michel. There it runs into a mysterious girl Shion, whose "Dragon Book" holds incredible power that transforms Keroro Platoon into different ferocious dinosaurs with immense power. Would the dinosaur Keroro invade Earth or... --- [ 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 * TAI PAN TOURS PRESENT ALAN TAM AND HACKEN LEE WORLD TOUR 2009 TORONTO DATE AND TIME: June 8 2009 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Air Canada Centre Toronto ON Canada TICKET INFORMATION: http://www.taipantours.com/Concert/EventList.aspx * FUNG'S ENTERTAINMENT AND CAESARS ATLANTIC CITY PRESENT RENE LIU MOTHER'S DAY CONCERT 2009 With Special Guests Ocean Ou and DATE AND TIME: Saturday night / Sunday morning, May 10 2009 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION: Caesars Circus Maximus Theater Caesars Atlantic City Atlantic City NJ TICKET INFORMATION: www.fungshow.com * SUPERKEY PRODUCTION AND ATLANTIC CITY HILTON CASION RESORT PRESENT Sam Li Shengjie and Lee Lai Ha Live VENUE LOCATION: Hilton Grand Theatre Atlantic City NJ TICKET PRICES: $118, 88, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: Online: http://www.superkeypro.com P & M Music 2 Elizabeth Street 212.732.3828 Apple Travel Service Inc. 774 60th Street 2/F Brooklyn NY 718.680.6666 Paradise Vacations 135-17 40 Road 3/F Flushing NY 718.886.8294 * TAI PAN TOURS AND CASINO RAMA PRESENT ANDY HUI CHI ON AND TAI CHI CLASSIC WITH A TWIST LIVE 2009 DATE AND TIME: Sunday, April 19 2009 @ 8 PM VENUE LOCATION: Casino Rama Entertainment Centre Casino Rama R.R. #6 Rama Rd, Orillia ON L0K 1T0 Canada TICKET PRICES: TBA TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER: http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/10004254BE219CFD?artistid=1298932&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 April 9 2009 5 TWENTIETH CENTURY BOYS CHAPTER 2 d. Yukihiko Tsutsumi Toshiaki Karasawa, Etsushi Toyokawa, Takako Tokiwa 4 SNIPER Can : Sun Cheung Sau Lit : Godly Gunslingers d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Edison Chen Koon Hei, Huang Xiaoming, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Bowie Lam Bo Yi 3 INKHEART d. Iain Softley Brendan Fraser, Sienna Guillory, Eliza Bennett 2 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) 1 MONSTERS VS. ALIENS d. Rob Letterman, Conrad Vernon DreamWorks Animation English Voices: Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Cantonese Voices: Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Kenny Bee (Chung Chun To) ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS TWENTIETH CENTURY BOYS CHAPTER 2 Length : 141 mins. Opening April 9 2009 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] In 2015, 15 years after "Bloody New Year's Eve", after Kenji opposed the Friend constructed robot and vanished, the Secret Base Gang goes their separate ways. Each secretly continues to fight -- Otcho escapes from the Umihotaru Prison, Yoshitsune now leads his own underground group against Friend. Maruo decides to follow tightly a certain important individual and waits for the right itme to act, Yukiji raises Kenji's niece Kanna. This group of old classmates also gradually remembers their childhood memories in regards to Friend.....? The New Book of Prophecies has also appeared. "In 2015 at a church in Shinjuku, a savior will rise to uphold justice and be struck by an assassin." Who is this "savior"? What will happen to the world? SNIPER Rating : IIB Length : 86 mins. Opening March 24 2009 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening April 9 2009 Official Site: http://www.mediaasia.com/thesniper 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. THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT 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. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, April 11 2009 15 MY MEMORY IS NOT MINE Can : Ngor Dik Wui Yik But Si Ngor Dik Hai Mingwei, Vincy Chan (Wing Yi) 14 HUMMING LOVE Can : Hung Hung Oi Abin Fang (Fong Gwing Bun) 13 UNFORGETTABLE DAY Can : Nan Mong Dik Yut Tin Xu Wei (Hui Ngai) 12 EYES OF CHILDREN Can : Hai Ji Dik Ngan Jing Jane Zhang Liangying 11 SONG OF THE YEAR Can : Nin Doh Ji Gor Kay Tse On Kay 10 SONG WRITTEN FOR YOU Can : Wai Nei Seh Dik Gor Alan Luo (Law Chi Cheung) 9 BIG MAN Can : Dai Jeung Fu Jolin Tsai (Choi Yi Lam) 8 MARS LOVES MOON Can : For Sing Oi Yuet Leung (Wong Nga Lei) 7 PROUD OF YOU Can : Yi Nei Wai Wing Leo Ku Kui Ke 6 ALONE IS GOOD Can : Yut Gor Yun Jau Ho Jade Liu Liyang 5 CAPE STAR WEAR MOON Can : Pei Sing Dai Yuet Hins Cheung King Hin 4 I LOVE YOU Can : Ngor Oi Nei Faye Wong 3 TWO MISSING ONE Can : 2 Kuet 1 Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin 2 700 YEAR LATERS Can : 700 Nin Hau Eason Chan Yik Shun 1 THREE PERSON VISIT Can : Sam Yun Yau Khalil Fong Dai Tung ------ [ 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. DON'T TRUST ME Your Chaffing Editor was off for Black Day (April 14) and had his annual fill of Jajangmyeon. In fact he is still full from it at this writing. For some reasons it was the most satisfying Black Day yet, perhaps due to the smoldering path of ruins that he has laid through the journey of romance. Upon closer inspection, the ashes are not from his supposed past love but his entire waste of existence thus far. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Day Don't be like Your Chaffing Editor and celebrate Black Day when you don't have to, unless of course you are supporting your local Asian eatery. Meanwhile, ChiPpy for the umpteenth year in a row is upset at the Raiders schedule. How does a team that consistently perform near the bottom of the league get a tougher and tougher schedule every year? (The answer may be the same as the decline of Hong Kong film...sigh) Finally due to the Easter holiday (thank you for the remainder, Sanney) the Thursday opening day box office standings were abbreviated. We apologize for any inconvenience. IT BURNS SO GOOD, Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] I DO NOT HOOK UP Kelly Clarkson Oh, sweetheart put the bottle down, you've got too much talent I see you through those bloodshot eyes There's a cure, you've found it Slow motion sparks, you've caught that chill, now don't deny it But boys will be boys, oh, yes they will They don't wanna define it Just give up the game and get into me If you're looking for thrills then get cold feet Oh, no I do not hook up, up I go slow So if you want me I don't come cheap Keep your head on my hand and your heart on your sleeve Oh, no I do not hook up, up I fall deep 'Cause the more that you try the harder I'll fight to say goodnight I can't cook, no but I can clean up the mess you left Lay your head down and feel the beat as I kiss your forehead This may not last but this is now so love the one you're with You wanna chase but you're chasin' your tail A quick fix won't ever get you well Oh, no I do not hook up, up I go slow So if you want me I don't come cheap Keep your head on my hand and your heart on your sleeve Oh, no I do not hook up, up I fall deep 'Cause the more that you try the harder I'll fight to say 'Cause I feel the distance between us Could be over with the snap of your finger, oh, no Oh, no I do not hook up, up I go slow So if you want me I don't come cheap Keep your head on my hand and your heart on your sleeve Oh, no I do not hook up, up I fall deep 'Cause the more that you try the harder I'll fight to say 'Cause the more that you try the harder I'll fight to say goodnight Oh, sweetheart put the bottle down 'cause you don't wanna miss out ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038