From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (February 7 2008) 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. Selena Li Sze Wan who celebrates her birthday on the 12th * (2/13/2008) The Johnnie To Kei Fung directed SPARROW (MAN JEUK) qualified for the 58th Annual Berlin Film Festival competition. On the Lunar 3rd Ah To led the leads Simon Yam Tat Wa and Kelly Lin (Lam Hei Lui) to attend the press conference and premiere in Germany. Brother Wa even brought his wife Qi Qi along. Brother Wa at the press conference expressed that this film production was very pleasant thus this film was very different from Ah To's previous films. It is a very tasteful light comedy and he has never played such a character. Ah To said that the film took three years to make because the film had a lot of Hong Kong nostalgia that required time to capture. Thus he needed more time. The fact was his effort was not wasted. The film originally only had one press screening but due to the overwhelming response more screens were added. At the premiere the cast watched the entire film for the film. After the show the audience applauded. They were greatly touched. * (2/12/2008) Aaron Kwok Fu Sing yesterday appeared at a Times Square Lunar New Year event. After his concert Sing Sing revealed that in March he would head to Thailand for the Pang Shun directed STORM RIDERS (FUNG WON) sequel. In the upcoming year he would focus on movies with 4 in 08. * (2/12/2008) As the Lunar New Year holiday comes to an end, even though the Hong Kong film market has been on the decline most big production films remained attractive. For example this year's Lunar New Year film CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG 7 HO) after 11 days in released made 35.92 million. Although this time Stephen Chow Sing Chi has changed his usual comedy style to a family film he remained charismatic. He should have no difficulty with breaking 40 million. The Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin starred KUNG FU DUNK (GONG FU GUOON NAM) also performed decently. This time opened on the Lunar New Year's Day, with the Lunar New Year's Eve advanced screening so far the box office has reached 6 million. Youth film still had certain market. L: CHANGE THE WORLD after two days in release in Hong Kong made 3.28 million. * (2/12/2008) Bosco Wong CHung Chak earlier attended a shopping center event. Last year he accepted his first film role DAI SEI HEI (BIG FOUR HAPPINESS). He hoped that the film would have good box office so he could make movies while working on television series at the same time. Pinky Cheung Man Chi also accepted a role in DAI SEI HEI as soon as the Lunar New Year started. In it she would play gambling god Nat Chan Pak Cheung's second wife. * (2/11/2008) Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Cheung Tat Ming, and Nat Chan Pak Cheung yesterday worked on location in the winter chill for their new film DAI SEI HEI (BIG FOUR HAPPINESS). Brother Lek gave laisee to everyone and deliberately gave two to Bosco to ask him to give to Myolie Wu Hung Yi. He only awkwardly laughed. Brother Lek for this film dyed his hair white. Because he had it done six times in a short period his scalp was damaged. * (2/11/2008) The Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) directed, Louis Koo Tin Lok and Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) starred RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BABA, formerly HAK BABA) has already been slated for an April 10 global release. The film changed its title because after watching the initial cut everyone felt that Cheung Ngai Ga's underworld through female initiation could touch people's hearts and rid any frustration. To keep the word HAK (BLACK) from misguiding viewers the title was changed. Although Goo Jai due to his mob identity breaks his family's heart, ultimately he is still a good father who loves his family. Goo Jai in the film plays a tough guy from the 20s to midlife, a first new attempt in his over a decade long career. Earlier he even worked on the first poster for the film. The poster's themes were black and white. In the white poster Goo Jai with gloves in hand boxed with his "daughter". In the black one he sat on a box and luggage and held his "daughter". Both posters expressed his fatherly love. Because the onscreen father and daughter have not seen each other for three months since the film wrapped, they were stuck together like glue when they ran into each other again. The girl even accidentally rubbed off Goo Jai's tattoo color and the make up artist had to draw it anew. Goo Jai in ROB B HOOD has worked with several month old baby Matthew, but Matthew at the time was an infant and keeping his attention was already a major project. Yet this time the "daughter' was old and has started to understand. Thus when they performed they would have exchanges of the soul and the eyes. The challenge was larger as well. Goo Jai guaranteed that their relationship would not pale in comparison to Stephen Chow Sing Chi and Xu Jiao's father and son relationship! [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 13 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS SOME SIMPLE REASONING If the writer is wrong, any correction is welcomed. 1. Violation of others' privacy without permission is immoral; 2. Violation of others' privacy due to their immoral privacy is immoral; 3. Love and sex between two people as long as they are of age and without affecting others are something that is between them; 4. Your expectation for an idol is your personal matter; any difference from the expectation is also your personal matter that you can adjust and has nothing to do with others; 5. Anyone whose privacy has been violated has nothing to do with public welfare and should be the victim; 6. Victims should be sympathized, at least not added harm; 7. Stealing others' privacy is theft and should not be encouraged; 8. Even under legal means, obtaining others' privacy remains an immoral behavior; 9. If you immorally peek at others' privacy, you have no right to criticize others' immoral privacy 10. Anyone has the right to use photography equipment to record their personal privacy; 11. Accidental leak of personal privacy is only considered careless and wise, not a distribution crime. 12. Through illegal means stealing others' privacy and widely distributing it are felony offenses; 13. With consent private intimate photos are not felony offenses and are not considered immoral; 14. Women have the right to decline to take any photo that would harm their personal reputation; 15. Women declining the aforementioned photos are appropriate self protection acts; 16. In case both consent to similar photos if they only feel they are for personal purpose and no distribution intention they have not violated any moral code; 17. Private photos should not be mentioned in the same breath as stealing others' photos and publicly distributing them; the crooked logic of not taking the photos in the first place would keep them from being publicized is unreasonable; 18. Selective law enforcement is only unfair. It does not mean illegal act is legal. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 12 2008, FILM WORDS CIVILIAN LABOR FILM: LOST IN BEIJING, CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT The Year of the Rat's highest grossing Lunar New Year film is Stephen Chow Sing Chi's CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG 7 HO) with a thriving city's poor civilian labor father and son as its leads. The film is more touching than funny. With the recent China snowstorm that has trapped countless civilian laborers, the international attention has added to this film's real meaning. Civilian laborer who comes from poor countryside to work in the city once is insultingly called "blind flow". Actually their contribution has been tremendous to China becoming a "world factory" and they have paid the painful price. Chow Sing Chi cares about them and personally plays the poor but righteous civilian laborer who loves his son so much that he nearly dies on a construction site, which gives this science fiction fairy tale blood and tears within laughter. Some Mainland films have already touched on civilian labor conditions, only Hong Kong has not paid too much attention. For example last year female Mainland director Li Yu's controversial film LOST IN BEIJING (PING GOR) with its daring nude bed scenes was sent for foreign film festivals without official approval and was penalized with a ban. Actually it is about a young civilian laborer couple's strange case in the big city. In the film the young and pretty Fan Bingbing goes to the city to work as a "foot bath" girl. Store owner Tony Leung Ka Fai rapes her. Her husband is a window wiper who takes the chance to blackmail. The childless Leung Ka Fai and wife Elaine Jin thus pays to buy the child that Fan Bingbing is carrying. LOST IN BEIJING adds gimmick to a real subject and is not a good film, but undoubtedly it has reflected the strange phenomenon of the rich and the poor's battle and challenged Mainland film inspection on sex. In Mainland it like LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) was widely talked about. LOST IN BEIJING's original version was released in Hong Kong. Even though it has beauty and Hong Kong and Taiwan stars, few knew about it as it was nowhere near the success of Ang Lee's LUST, CAUTION. Two years ago CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT was also a strange case of sex and money between the new city wealhty and the civilian laborer poor. Carina Lau Ka Ling played an upper class wife in a new Chongqing luxury home. Husband Hu Jun and the hair salon beauty Song Jia had an affair, with fellow civilian labor security guard and young store clerk the story turned into threats, murder and revenge conspiracy. The film was suspenseful and the visual was decent, but it was not released in Hong Kong. Last year in the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, the Tang Danian directed Mainland film YOUNG & CLUELESS was about a pair of female students' first love and post graduation experience. It also had a young male civilian laborer who was dull and lonely like a trapped beast in a city construction site. Li Yang's BLIND SHAFT was about young civilian laborer who was tricked to a coal mine, which was the most tragic; his recent work BLIND MOUNTAIN was about a female university student was tricked and sold to the mountain country, which was also very painful. Jia Zhangkei's STILL LIFE had an old country man going to town. He was a loyal and honorable good man. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkeiluklei) 3. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 12 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS MUSIC OPERATION FORMAT IS BEHIND THE TIMES From the major music awards' result one can predict that this year the music scene will very likely remains where it stands. Hong Kong singers in the past rise locally then head to Taiwan and Mainland. Hong Kong once was Chinese entertainment trendy spot, not only with the three lands on two shores but also Southeast Asia and anywhere globally where Chinese lived Hong Kong entertainment culture has deeply influenced them. In other words, whoever rises in Hong Kong would definitely be popular in the world's Chinese regions. At that time Hong Kong singers could develop in Taiwan and Mainland just the same despite their Mandarin abilities. Yet this gold rush has already become more and more difficult by the day. Instead more and more China and Taiwan singers have invaded Hong Kong. Top singers who rose locally in recent years have performed much poorer than last generation's singers in releasing Mandarin records in the China and Taiwan market like past singers. This fact cannot be denied. Anyone who is in the business knows that Hong Kong record release cannot make money. Record company has to sign a manager contract along with the record deal. Record release is promotion. The real profit comes from concert tours or other performance. Singers often work for free on local ad campaign in hopes of plugging their song or raising popularity with the ad. Actually some singers have already developed to the point of no turning back. They must rely on film and television products outside music to open even greater market. Otherwise they can only be trapped in this tiny Hong Kong market. Some record companies have positively cultivated substance singers but the result has not been too effective. Many in Mainland and Taiwan have substance. Hong Kong's substance would have very hard competition. With idols Hong Kong lacks film and television product coordination. The market influence cannot compare to the Taiwan young idols. The current crisis is related to music operation format being behind the times. Whether with the electronic media that promote music, record company and singers' managers, they still follow the 80s and 90s successful operation format. In addition they invest less and less. Radio and television music programs are no longer popular. Pop chart song plugging has already lost its effect long ago but still remained the same. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 11 2008, FILM WORDS L: CHANGE THE WORLD NO MATCH FOR DEATH NOTE The 2006 Japanese film DEATH NOTE and its sequel THE LAST NAME were big hits. Although both leads Light Yagami (Tatsuya Fujiwara) and L (Kenichi Matsuyama) both die in the end, as long as the market exists of course they can be "resurrected". Due to the Kenichi Matsuyama played L's special image, he has been widely popular. The new film L: CHANGE THE WORLD is this young detective's story. Yet the entire frilm aside from him keeping his original looks has completely changed its cast and crew. No longer is it the Tsugumi Oba and Takeshi Obata original manga, and the director is no longer Shusuke Kaneko. THE RING's Hideo Nakata directs but the performance drastically pales. The last two films cook up Shinigami and are full of intrigue and fantasy. They also have two guys of good and evil battling at the top of their game and become young detective films with more magical fantasy and logic in recent years. Now this spin off truly takes a detour. This film is about the 23 days before L's death he handles another case: a group of villains uses terrifying virus to wipe out the world's "excessive people". This case has nothing to do with Death Note and is purely "man made disaster". The story starts in the U.S. and Thailand, with the main story taking place in Japan. It cooks up virus induced rotten flesh grotesque make up. As for the investigation, chase and antidote study the story is very common. The familiarity shows desperation for drama. L: CHANGE THE WORLD lacks the fun of the thrill and completely relies on Kenichi Matsuyama to continue to play like a magic monkey with a crooked back, kneeling and fondness for dessert. Even though the character has become typical, he still is righteous and lovable. In the latter half he and girl and Thai boy escape together, which has a little child like fun but not lively enough. The main story actually is rather stupid. This time Hideo Nakata's direction is obviously no match for Shusuke Kaneko. Shusuke Kaneko has made many movies, perhaps more bad than good ones; but 20 years ago his girl manga adaptation SUMMER VACATION 1999 was an excellent work (girls played male students at the dormitory). The two DEATH NOTE films also achieved extraordinary brilliance. Kenichi Matsuyama as Detective L fortunately has an interesting look. He is very introverted but very highly intelligent, like a monkey that is somewhat feminine. This spin off has not told his background. Seemingly prequel may still be possible, if this film becomes a hit. The last two installments' romantic killer Light Yagami, Tatsuya Fujiwara is very handsome and very energetic but is too cold hearted and brutal. Currently his luck with stardom is no match for Kenichi Fujiwara. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkeiluklei) 5. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 11 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS REGULATING VIDEO RENTAL TO SAVE THE VIDEO MARKET To prevent piracy, cinemas would hire security for patrol during shows. More or less they would impact viewers' movie watching mood. Cinemas of course have ample instructions to try to reduce any impact on viewers, but movies require concentration and some viewers are easily distracted. They would feel disturbed when someone in front goes to the bathroom, not to mention someone on patrol. Cinema piracy in Hong Kong is already near extinction because Hong Kong's piracy law enforcement has done well and Hong Kong people's requirements have gone up. Few would buy the cinema recorded "human head version". Piracy's biggest impact is on the video market. When Hong Kong people buy pirated versions, they clearly know to buy after the official video release to guarantee it is not the cinema recorded version. Unless they are in a hurry to watch, Hong Kong people would not buy in Hong Kong anymore. Shenzhen is too convenient and the prices are much cheaper than in Hong Kong. Another even greater impact on the video market is video rental stores. Originally when the piracy fight has shown result, with a good video market royalties can be increased to make up for ticket revenue and film people can breathe a sigh of relief. Yet video rental stores have sprung up like wild flowers and given film investment another severe setback. Hong Kong video prices in comparison to Europe and North America are very inexpensive because these videos make money from sales quantity. At piracy's craziest, some council people in name of serving the people and consumer stance criticized high official video prices that made people buy pirated goods. Later the industry drastically reduced prices to respond to the market demand, but the gray area appeared as opportunity for video rental stores. Video rental stores currently number in hundreds while video sales stores have dropped to several dozen. When video companies cannot make money they naturally lower royalty. Film revenue in this window is reduced and production budget definitely would be impacted. The industry of course would like the government to regulate because videos are written only for sales and not for rental purpose. Should council people who urges for a video price drop then be a little fairer and take a little responsibility for the crisis that they have a part in creating, when the prices truly came down but the video rental issue arose? - KWOK HIN CHING 6. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 10 2008, JAY CHOU'S HERO DREAM AWAITS TO BE FULFILLED Often referred to in real life as the object of adoration for thousands, Chairman Chou Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) in KUNG FU DUNK (GONG FU GUOON NAM) for first the fime tasted the flavor of the girl he likes not liking him. His crush Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin in the film suffers rejection from Baron Chen (Chan Chor Hor). Luckily KUNG FU DUNK's selling point is not romance as the variety of wrong love is only the decoration between basketball and special effects; here, Chairman Chou also reveals that he has his sight set even further. Jay says, this film's focus is not its romance. Because many guys like to play basketball, viewers should watch the movie's basketball and special effects. Love is only assisting. KUNG FU DUNK First Time Comedy KUNG FU DUNK's story is about his character Siejie who has been well trained in gong fu since childhood. His never miss shooting even catches the eyes of Eric Tsang Chi Wai's Uncle Li. Uncle Li uses finding his relatives as the reasons for him to play basketball at the university; off the basketball court, Siejie, Chen Bo-Lin (Chan Pak Lam)'s team captain Ding Wei and Baron Chen (Chan Hor Hor)'s Xiao Lan intensified their relationships over Ah Sa's Li Li. Siejie has a crush on Ding Wei's sister Li Li, whose Prince Charming is Xiao Lan who misses his late girlfriend. Finally, for the first time in his first career Jay plays a character who falls for a girl who does not love him. When asked how it feels, he bitterly chuckles, "The feeling is very bad, in addition in the end there is no great ending. I hope for a sequel that can have decent development." he says, the characters that he usually plays talk little and are a little cooler. KUNG FU DUNK to him is a challenge because he has to play comic. The fact is, in the film he is not completely useless in touching the girl's heart. At least in one scene he comforts a crying Ah Sa and touches her in that moment. Baron Chen Becomes Chairman Chou's Romantic Rival Chan Chor Hor in the film becomes Jay's romantic rival, which he pleads innocent. He says that Ah Sa in the film likes him but he turns her down. "In the film I have a girlfriend but she is no longer here. In one scene I am thinking about her. The original arrangement is for me and that girl to kiss. Later the director cut out that scene because he feels that everyone should be able to see the film during the Lunar New Year. He doesn't want a lot of fighting, blood or passion, but brings to life a type of innocent love; I have nostalgia and love in my heart for the girlfriend. Ah Sa likes Xiao Lan, Kit Lun likes Li Li, everything is simple. As long as everyone understands then it is OK." Reportedly KUNG FU DUNK has received offers from film companies from around the world including Japan, Korea, the U.S., Malaysia and others. Earlier promoted his directed and starred film SECRET (BUT NUNG SHUET DIK BEI MUK) in Korea, Chairman Chou honestly says that he cares the most about the film being able to sell to Korea. "What I feel is special is, Korean storm used to be very decent; but now Korean's media have already started examining whether their artists are not well rounded? Are they just idols? Has Korean storm phenomenon slowed down? Has Chinese storm already started? I feel this is a good opportunity to strike." As for whether he has considered the Hollywood market, he says, "absolutely no". "I feel that is completely unimportant because these movies that we are making actually is battling Hollywood. My patriotism is strong and Chinese in Hollywood actually rarely would be the lead. So I feel I am better off with proper development on my own turf. Here is Hollywood of the East." Dreams Of Playing Ancient Hero Even though he has been busy with both music and movies, Chairman Chou's director dream is still extending. He says, he hopes to have time to direct again. The subject may be a costume film, the mob or old Shanghai. "I like many genres so I am still considering; perhaps I myself would perform because when I do I know what I am thinking to express." In KUNG FU DUNK after Ching Siu Tung's action training he has his heart set on being a hero. "I have always dreamt about playing a costume hero because I feel that is a heroic figure. I have feeling for that Lee Nin Kit (Jet Li) type hero and big films. I like him a lot. If in the future I would be able to work with him in costume then that would be amazing, but this is still just a dream." Film new comer Baron Chen (Chan Chor Hor) in KUNG FU DUNK stands tall with Chow Kit Lun and Chan Pak Lam. Each has many basketball scenes. yet he touches the basketball the least out of the three. He says, "I didn't play basketball before. Because of this movie the director asks me to practice. I always say I have been practicing but actually I am only lying to them. Then in the final month I am already too late so I go to practice with a professional basketball team. At the time I think, Kit Lun's ball handling is amazing. Yet in only a month any trick lesson is impractical. His character knows gong fu and is the lead so he would handle more. My part is truly playing ball. Since it mainly is a basketball movie, I focus on the basic abilities and more ordinary things. Aside from professional training with a basketball team, I always have done some exercises. Because I am very pale, I have to make myself look more tan to look more like an athlete." In the film he plays Ah Sa's Prince Charming. Actually while in the school he was already the super "hunk" in school. He awkwardly says, "More or less some girls would fall under the spell. My pace is faster, while in the university sometimes more passionate girls would run over and directly say that they want to know me. In secondary school because we were merged with another school, where the girls were younger and cuter. Some would crazily chase the guys. At that time I wasn't the only one who was handsome. They would chase us to gym class and volleyball. The girls would surround the place as soon as our class started. I didn't know what they were thinking." Three Hunks Compete Over Handsomeness Are basketball players more able to attract girls? Jay says, "I remember when I was in school, the captain stole all the thunder from the basketball team. Usually the captain was the star and the most handsome. Thus even if you were on the team seemingly no one would write you love letters. All the love letters went to the captain." Chen Chor Hor says, this perhaps is related to Darwin's evolutionary theory because girls subconsciously hope to have healthy children so they admire guys who would exercise and have better bodies more. "Basketball players to girls should be just right because they are tall, have a little muscle but not too excessive. With too many muscles some girls may be scared off and worry that when he gets mad he could hit her." Although three hunks are in the same movie and audience comparison is inevitable, Chen Chor Hor points out that their ranges are different and they have not competed over handsomeness. "I am more sad and sorrowful because the girlfriend is dead. Bo-Lin is more down-trotted because he is betrayed. Kit Lun is more lovable and constantly has cute little gestures. All three are the most handsome on the basketball court. As soon as we arrive at the court we naturally become handsome." - SIU () 7. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 10 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH EXPLAINING THE HONG KONG FILM AWARD NOMINATIONS The 27th Annual Hong Kong Film Award nominations have been announced. PROTEGE (MOON TOH) and THE WARLORDS (TAU MING JONG) received respectively 15 and 13 nominations. Both films are Peter Chan Ho Sun produced and are box office hits. Actually originally another strong film can share the glory but it does not meet the Hong Kong film criteria and can only be nominated for Best Asian Picture. The writer refers to LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI). Every year some reporters or viewers would ask about the Hong Kong Film Award's definition of Hong Kong film (not everyone would remember), which is meeting two out of the three standards: the investor is a Hong Kong company; the director is a Hong Kong resident; the 8 on and off screen nominated posts have Hong Kong people. LUST, CAUTION has Hong Kong investment, the director is from Taiwan but the film has less than 8 Hong Kong workers so it is not considered a Hong Kong film. Last year the standard was 6 Hong Kong people. Obviously the Hong Kong Film Awards continuously raises the bar. On the other hand it also stresses Great China and "Four Sea A Home" concept, seemingly the ideals are not uniform. Hong Kong Film Award should properly discuss that. This year's Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Film all come from five movies, including THE WARLORDS, PROTEGE, POSTMODERN LIFE OF MY AUNT (YI MA DIK HAU YIN DOI SUN WOOT), MAD DETECTIVE (SUN TAM), and EYE IN THE SKY (GUNG JUNG). All are very logical but lack any surprise. Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit)'s Best Actor nomination is very rare, but in terms of the market even if he wins foreigners may not necessarily support the film (that is without fighting). Instead the Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress are a little harder to predict. Chow Yun Fat and Andy Lau Tak Wa both compete for Best Supporting Actor. Two once top actors finally have retreated to become supporting actors, like the Best Supporting Actress nominees Karen Mok Man Wai (MR. CINEMA), Anita Yuen Wing Yi (PROTEGE) and Vicki Zhao Wei (POSTMODERN LIFE OF MY AUNT) who have abandoned their diva positions and play support with ease. They absolutely are not down on their luck, instead they are willing to accept other challenges and are no longer stubborn. Best Actress nominees have two new comers, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin (SIMPLY ACTORS) and PROTEGE's Zhang Jingchu. In the age of generation gap they are already considered rare. Among the three new director nominees two came from screen writing backgrounds. Yau Nai Hoi with EYE IN THE SKY competes for Best Director, Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best New Director. Actually he has already won four Golden Horse Award for Best Screenplay and has super potential. He may be one of the future film industry strength. The other is THE PYE-DOG (YEH LEUNG HUEN)'s Kwok Chi Kin who also is a screen writer of substance. Now he has already caught attention and will be a film festival frequent guest. EYE IN THE SKY's Kate Tsui Tsz Shan stands out the most in the New Actor category. If she is willing to work hard she will be extraordinary. Because many nominees are frequently seen names and faces, the writer instead is more interested in the new nominees. They are truly our future. - TIN LIK 8. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 10 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION TRAVERSE SADLY THE NUDE PHOTO STORM HAS OVERSHADOWED DISASTER RELIEF PASSION Stepping in 2008, Hong Kong has experience real and enduring winter chill that has not appeared for a long time, but in comparison most Mainland province has suffered snowstorms. We truly know that here is truly a lucky place. We not only did not have any snow but also no water and electricity outage. Airport and highways may be busy but they have not closed. Food, meat and fowl prices are on the rise but the supply is still guaranteed. We can still live and shop for the Lunar New Year as usual, but our Mainland compatriots due to this storm have suffered enormous impact. Some are trapped on highways, train stations, or airports and cannot be at home for the Lunar New Year. Even work, production and everyday life have been hindered. Yet this severe natural disaster has made my heart ache from the way our media have handled it and artist reactions. In comparison to East China flood and South Asia Tsunami, the damage that this rarest of the rare snowstorm in over 50 years actually has been more severe. The persistently low temperature not only has taken lives but also created livestock deaths and energy panic. The enduring storm also has impacted traffic and material transportation as well as spring planting. Everything will create many after effects and the location is our closely connected, blood thicker than water Mainland China. We still have friends and family who live on this piece of land. Yet, only because at the same time the "nude photo" incident has taken place in Hong Kong our media actually have made this disaster that impact the lives of many (and closely related to us) move aside and completely ignore it. Our artists are all panicking because this incident is a suspected to be a crazy private game of an immature artist who ignores any consequence; when the disaster first took place, no one or group like the Performing Artist Guild or electronic media like TVB responded. Such a performance absolutely was no way for an international metropolis to behave and completely was not the sympathy overflowing Hong Kong people in our impression. The time has come for the "nude photo" incident to settle down. The media's speculation of this new item should be at an appropriate amount. I sincerely hope that the Performing Artist Guild can work with each electronic media as soon as possibly on a variety of disaster relief events to raise fund and material as well as equipment (like snowplow) to lend a helping hand to the compatriots who are suffering under the storm, help ourselves by helping others, and show our love so everyone can have a warm New Spring holiday. - CHUI HIU 9. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 8 2008, FILM WORDS KUNG FU DUNK: GOOD BASKETBALL, WEAK STORY The Taiwan star Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) starred Year of the Rat Lunar New Year film KUNG FU HUSTLE (GONG FU GUOON NAM) can be called "SHAOLIN BASKETBALL". The movie uses gong fu and special effects to make the basketball games look very entertaining, but overall its attraction of course does not match several years ago Stephen Chow Sing Chi film's SHAOLIN SOCCER. This film has Taiwan veteran Chu Pen Ping as its director and features Taiwan and Hong Kong stars mainly. This type of cheery and childish Chinese action comedy once was very popular, now fewer and fewer are made. This one adds ingredients to an ancient formula and ultimately is considered to have some tricks. The story is very silly. Chow Kit Lun plays a modern city orphan who has trained in a Shaolin Temple style big martial art hall. Down on his luck manager Eric Tsang Chi Wai sees his agility and promotes him heavily as he joins the university basketball team. In the film the basketball play is the most successful, long range shots, dunks, cross over dribbling, mid air spins and flips are all very comic book like and very exaggerated. However the effect is lively and wonderful. Chow Kit Lun looks convincing, teammates Chen Bo-Lin (Chan Pak Lam), Baron Chen Chor Ho and others all looks cool and stylish. The finale climax is against a 300 style, vicious looking Tyrant team that cheats. It also excites the senses. However, later when Ng Man Tat, Leung Ka Yan and others played four great martial art mentors who plays on the basketball court the movie truly becomes outrageous. Chow Kit Lun even time travels, which is absolutely fantasy fiction. If he truly has such astounding abilities, they are wasted on basketball! Chu Yen Ping is Taiwan's most successful commercial film director in the 80s and 90s, like Hong Kong's Wong Jing he was highly productive. He has made the Andy Lau Tak Wa starred A HOME TOO FAR (YI WIK) and ISLAND OF FIRE (FOR SI DOH) and, given rises to Hui Bak Liu, Jimmy Lin (Lam Chi Wing), Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) and others. His biggest hit was with child stars Sik Siu Lung and Kot Siu Ma's SHAOLIN POPEY (SIU LAM SIU JI) film series. After Taiwan commercial films fell into hard times, even Chu Yen Ping bombed at the box office. This new film that invades Mainland actually is a variation of SHAOLIN POPEY and SHAOLIN SOCCER. The production is rather grand, special effects numerous, yet it is just a newly packaged old formula. Actor wise, Eric Tsang Chi Wai as usual has lively expression, Chow Kit Lun, Chan Pak Lam and others just have looks but little to no personalities. The other female star Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin still is likable but can only follow everyone in and out as the support. Actually Chu Yen Ping has put in quite an effort, the agile camera work and the basketball trick handling are worthy of praise. Unfortunately the story and characters copy from here and there into a mess. It is not even as simple and fun as the Thai surprise hit IRON LADIES years ago - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkeiluklei) 10. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 7 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FILM PEOPLE HAVE TO GRASP OPPORTUNITIES IN THE NEW YEAR Happy New Year! May everything go as you wish. A metaphysicist points out that this year film would thrive and urge film people to properly grasp opportunities. This comment makes sense from actual condition. 2007 had too many big Hollywood movies, this year would have its shares but not as many. Big productions require time. Before another peak harvest period arrives, the weaker Hong Kong film has an edge. Not every director who makes big film in Mainland can have their new films completed in 08. Zhang Yimou is working fully on the Olympics. Chen Kaige's MEI LANFANG does not feel like a very entertaining films. Feng Xiaogang's ASSEMBLY has just been released. In 08 even if he has a new film it would not be a big film. The Mainland market this year should have greater space for Hong Kong film. Hong Kong film professionals would have decent performance. THE WARLORDS (TAU MING JONG) is considered last year's film that is the pride of Hong Kong because it is Mainland's highest grossing Chinese film. The so-called Chinese film's biggest investment, RED CLIFF (CHET BIK)'s first trailer has already been revealed. This two part historical epic barring any accident will extremely likely be the 80 Mainland box office champion. Big film releases in the first half of the year like THREE KINGDOMS RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON (SAM GOK ji GEIN LUNG SEH GAP), THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (GONG SAN MEI YUN) are all Hong Kong directors' work. Mainland would continue to have small to mid scale film successes because the market already exists. Viewers have demand for this type of film that still await distribution coordination. Mainland has many small to mid scale films in a year, unfortunately most would not be able to be shown on the big screen due to the lack of cinema circuit support. Of course, these films lack star power and rather low entertainment value. Both are fatal reasons. However, as more and more Mainland directors switch to make entertainment films, the market has proven its existence and would bring supply. Mainland and Hong Kong small to mid scale co-productions would benefit because Hong Kong film still has an edge in terms of entertainment value. Although Hong Kong viewers criticize more than praise Hong Kong films, the demand is still visible. Especially with young people, as long as movies are made that they can relate to and suit their taste they can be profitable. Film people truly have to put in an effort! - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Ngor Dik Jui Oi Lit : My Most Beloved d. Yip Lim Sum Alex Fong Lik Sun, Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Hu Qingnan (Wu Ching Nam), Alice Tsang Hoi Won Can : Bo Chi Tung Wa Lit : Keep In Touch d. Benny Chan Muk Sing Louis Koo Tin Lok, Barbie Shui (Tsui Hei Woon), Liu Ye, Nick Cheung Ka Fai Can : Ngor Lo Por Hai Doh Sing Lit : My Old Lady Is Gambling Saint Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Meng Yao Can : Ching Toi Lit : Moss d. Kwok Chi Kin Shawn Yue Man Lok, Sin Sik Lai, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Liu Kai Chi, Terry Fan Siu Wong, Jan Lam Kam Lin, Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Shao Yam Yam Can : Oi Ching Man Shui Lit : Love Hail Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Ken Hung Cheuk Lap, Yan Ng Yat Yin, Chow Pak Ho, Sherman Chung Shu Man Can : Cha Ji Nui Lit : Woman of Investigation d. Alan Mak Siu Fai Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Eason Chan Yik Shun, Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) Can : Si Lim Lit : Reminisce d. Wai Ka Fai Lau Ching Wan, Kelly Lin (Lam Hei LUi), Yan Qing, Jo Kuk Cho Lam RUN PAPA RUN Can : Yut Gor Ho Ba Ba Lit : One Good Papa AKA : Hak Ba Ba Lit : Black Papa d. Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) Louis Koo Tin Lok, Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) Opening April 10 2008 Official Site : www.emp.hk [ OFFICIAL SITE ] Raised by a single mother in a crime-ridden neighborhood, Lee has risen from street punk to successful syndicate crime boss. Fast money and women have always come easily to Lee, but Lee unexpectedly falls in love with a lawyer named Mabel. When Mabel becomes pregnant, Lee panics. Determined to make the relationship the work, Mabel moves into his apartment uninvited. Mabel's persistence pays off when their child Heiyi is born - Lee's paternal instincts are awakened and he is transformed into a doting father. Desperate to protect his new family, Lee conceals the true nature of his business. His gang members undergo an image makeover and to all outward appearances Lee is now legitimate businessman. Lee is selected to be the next kingpin of the underworld, and he is torn between family and brotherhood. His relationship with the three women in his life: his mom, his wife and his daughter, changes his life perspective, and he is determined to make things right once and for all. 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 : Duet Shui d. Law Sau Yiu Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Danny Lee Sau Yin, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Pinky Cheung Man Chi, Jason Wu Jing, Ken Low Wai Kwong, Heung Jor, Tian Niu, Yen Wing San Can : Ang Hong Lit : Tough Guy Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Ellen Chan Nga Lun, Liu Ye, Sun Honglei THE J AND J PROJECT Can : Gong Fu ji Wong Lit : King of Gong Fu Jackie Chan, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Crystal Liu Yifei, Li Bingbing 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, 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... Can : Kit Ji Lit : Scorpion d. Joe Ma Wai Ho Sam Lee Chan Sam, Emme Wong Yee Man, Leung Siu Lung, Miki Mizuno (Shui Yeh Mei Gei), Nana Natsume (Ha Muk Noi Noi) Can : Hat Sei Nei Lit : Scare You To Death Sam Lee Chan Sam, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Tommy Yuen Man On Can : Hok Hau Hak Sai Lik Lit : School Mob Power Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Lee Si Pui, Annie Man Chung Han, Lui Hoi Yun Ada Wong Chi Hom, Timmy Hung Tin Ming Can : Goo Mo Mui Ying Lit : Ancient Tomb Phantom d. Chan Kwoon Wai Chin Kar Lok, Yuen Wah, Candy Lo Hau Yam Can : SI GUONG DOI LAU DIK WA Lit : IF TIME FLOWS BACKWARD d. Mak Kai Kwong Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Kenny Kwan Chi Bun, Yan Ng Yat Yin, Ken Wong Hap Hei, Karen Tong Bo Yu NEW PERFECT EDUCATION Can : Sun Gum Sut Pui Yuk ji Oi Dik Fu Lo Lit : New Chamber Cultivated Desire: Captive of Love d. Ng Man Lik Kaori Sakagami (Ban Seung Heung Jik) Tony Ho Wa Chiu, Vonnie Lui Hoi Yu Can : Jin Fu Lit : War Tiger Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Kristy Yang Kung Yu, Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Lam Ka Tung, Candy Yu On On, Guo Xinqi (Kwok Sam Kei), Jason Chu Wing Tong, Koey Leung Shuet Mei, Iris Wong Yat Tung, Pavarit Mongkolpisit Nahatai Lekbumrung, Yunee Can : Mo Yau 24 Siu Si Lit : Worry Free 24 Hours Chiu Chung Yu, Natalie Ng Man Yan, Simon Loui Yu Yeung, Siu Chuen Yung, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Libby Lao Kuai Ieng Can : Nui Kuen Wong Lit : Female Fist King Diana Pang Tan, Angie Cheong Wei Yee, Lai Yiu Cheung, Emi Tojo (Dung Sing Gong Mei) Mizuho Ishikawa (Shek Chuen Mei Jung Shui) --- [ 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) HONG KONG BRONX Can : Hak Sai Lik Lit : Black Power d. Billy Chung Siu Hung Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Lui Hoi Yun, Wong Chi Hom, Chan Bo Yuen, Wong Tak Bun, Winnie Leung Man Yee, Annie Man Chung Han, Timmy Hung Tin Ming Rating : III Length : 94 mins. Opening February 5 2008 [ CITYLINE ] In the 90s when the mob was thriving, Concrete Nail has made a name for himself with his fists and later is imprisoned for assault. Eight years in prison has changed him thoroughly as he decides to stay away from the underworld after his release. He forms a renovation company with his friend Gau Fai and starts a new life, if only retiring from the mob is as easy as talking about it. Rising new mobster Johnny fears Concrete Nail's return and wants to strike first with continuous harassment. First Concrete Nail's younger siblings are abused, then his friend Gau Fai is killed. Concrete Nail is determined to shake off the underworld storm but is forced to fall helplessly into this storm for revenge..... [ COMING SOON ] THE SPARROW Can : Man Jeuk Lit : Cultured Bird d. Johnnie To Kei Fung Simon Yam Tat Wa, Kelly Lin (Lam Hei Lui), Lam Ka Tung, Lo Hoi Pang, Lam Suet, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan Opening February 11 2008 at the Berlin Film Festival Site : http://www.berlinale.de/en/programm/berlinale_programm/datenblatt.php?film_id=20084390 [ BERLIN FILM FESTIVAL ] "Sparrow" is a common word used in Hong Kong street slang for pickpocket. The term refers to the special dexterity needed to pluck people's wallets from their pockets...and possibly also to the necessity of having to flutter away quickly should one de discovered. Kei is one such "sparrow" -- a nd a very professional one at that. He and his three partners earn a good living from digging deep into the pockets of oblivious passers-by moving along the crowded urban canyons of Hong Kong. As far as Kei's concerned, it's all he needs to live a carefree life. Whenever hei s not going about his business he loves to ride about the city on his bicycle photographing street scenes with his Rolleiflex camera. One day the gorgeous Chun Lei comes into his sights. Kei is fascinated but behind Chun Lei's good looks lurks a mysterious past. Kei falls in love with her -- and he is not the only one. After having managed to turn the heads of his three colleagues, she reveals her true intentions. The sparrows are to steal a key that is of great importance to her. At first the task seems simple, but then another interested party appears on the scene in shape of the shy tycoon Mr. Yen...... [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ONLINE ] They are known as the "sparrows", Hong Kong's street slang for "pickpockets". They work in groups, lifting wallets from unsuspecting tourists until one day an irresistible woman of unknown origin appears before them and requests the gang to steal a key for her. The set up begins to unravel itself when the mission completes. The pickpockets realize this exotic beauty has been slowly leading them onto a path of no return. 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. LE GRAND CHEF d. Jeon Yoon-Soo Kim Gang-Woo, Lim Won-Hee Opening February 28 2008 PLAYBOY COPS Can : Fa Fa Ying Gaing Lit : Flowery Cop d. Jingle Ma Chor Sing Shawn Yue Man Lok, Linda Chung Ka Yun, Chen Kun, Wong Yau Nam, Carl Ng Ka Lung Opening February 28 2008 KAIDAN d. Hideo Nakata Asaka Seto, Hitomi Kuroki Opening February 28 2008 THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS Can : Gong San Mei Yun Lit : Kingdom Beauty d. Ching Siu Tung Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Leon Lai Ming, Guo Xiaodong, (Kau Jun Hoi) Opening March 1 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Amid a war, Princess Feier whose father died in battle took over the duty of protecting her nation with General Xuefu. Later traitor Hu Ba assassinated and injured the princess, who luckily was saved by Duen Lanchuan. They fell for each other; but with trouble inside and outside how would Feier choose? RULE NUMBER ONE Can : Dai Yut Gai Lit : First Sin d. Tong Wing Kin Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Stephanie Che Yuen Yuen Opening March 13 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Rookie Sergeant Lee is assigned to the dubious-sounding Miscellaneous Affairs Department (MAD), where he is paired with Inspector Wong who explains that MAD's role is to answer to supernatural calls and its Rule #1 is that there are no ghosts; for every seemingly-inexplicable phenomenon, there is a scientific and rational explanation. MAD then begins investigating a string of bizarre teenage suicides. As Lee and Wong follow the clues, they realize that something sinister is heading their way. SHAMO Can : Kwun Gai Lit : Military Chicken d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Shawn Yue Man Lok, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau), Dylan Kuo (Kwok Bun Chiu), Opening March 2008 SNIPER Can : Sun Cheung Sau Lit : Godly Gunslingers d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Edison Chen Koon Hei, Huang Xiaoming Opening March 27 2008 in Malaysia [ 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. THREE KINGDOMS : RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON Can : Sam Gok Gein Lung Seh Gap Lit : Three Kingdoms See Dragon Remove Armor d. Lee Yan Kong Andy Lau Tak Wa, Maggie Q, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho), Ti Lung Opening April 2008 RED CLIFF PART I AKA : BATTLE OF RED CLIFF Can : Chet Bik Lit : Red Cliff d. John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Janny Lin Chiling, Vicki Zhao Wei, Chang Chen, Zhang Fengyi, Hu Jun, You Yong Opening July 3 2008 [ CINEMA ONLINE ] In the early third century, the warlord Cao Cao and his soldiers invaded the land of Wu. The ruler of Wu, Sun Quan called on the rival warlord Liu Bei for help, but their two armies were still badly outnumbered. However, strategists Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang see that Cao Cao's army was not used to battling at sea. With 200,000 men, Zhou Yu and Zhuge Liang defeated Cao Cao's army at the Yangtze River. --- [ Entertainment URL ] 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 * RAYMOND MIU PRODUCTIONS AND TRUMP TAJ MAHAL CASINO RESORT PRESENT HACKEN LEE HARK KUN HACKEN'S CONCERT HALL 2008 DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, March 23 2008 @ 1AM Sunday, March 23 2008 @ 2PM VENUE LOCATION : Mark G. Etess Arena Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort TICKET PRICCES : $118, 88, 68, 48 EXCLUSIVE BOX OFFICE LOCATION : Raymond Miu Productions 195 Canal Street, Suite 201 New York NY 10013 212.966.0800 www.rmpny.com * INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING AND MOHEGAN SUN PRESENT SAMMI CHENG SAU MAN SHOW MI 2008 CONCERT DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, March 23 2008 @ 2AM Sunday, March 23 2008 @ 1PM VENUE LOCATION : Mohegan Sun Arena Mohegan Sun 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard Uncasville CT 06382 (860) 862-4002 TICKET PRICES : VIP$138, 108, 78, 58 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS : ONLINE : www.iemshowplace.com CHINATOWN 89 Bowery 212.925.1098 FLUSHING International Entertainment Marketing 135-05 40 Road 2/Fl 718.888.3113 BROOKLYN International Entertainment Marketing 5609 8th Avenue 718.437.777 EDISON 1681 Rt. 27 Suite 3 732.819.8883 BOSTON 12A Tyler Street 617.695.1989 * RAYMOND MIU PRODUCTIONS AND TRUMP TAJ MAHAL CASINO RESORT PRESENT LIZA WANG MING CHUEN LIVE IN CONCERT 2008 DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, February 24 2008 @ 1AM Sunday, February 24 2008 @ 2PM VENUE LOCATION : Mark G. Etess Arena Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort TICKET PRICES : $118, 78, 48 EXCLUSIVE BOX OFFICE LOCATION : Raymond Miu Productions 195 Canal Street, Suite 201 New York NY 10013 212.966.0800 www.rmpny.com * TAI PAN TOURS AND CASINO RAMA PRESENT LIZA WANG MING CHEUNG LIVE IN CONCERT 2008 With Guests Law Kar Ying and Myolie Wu Hung Yi DATE AND TIME : Tuesday, February 19 2008 @ 8 PM VENUE LOCATION : Casino Rama Orillia Ontario Canada TICKET PRICES : CA$88, 68, 48, 28 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKETMASTER CANADA http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10003F81F0438186?artistid=1180770&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 * DANIEL CHAN HIU TUNG AND NIKI CHOW LAI KEI IN CONCERT 2008 DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, February 17 2008 @ 2AM VENUE LOCATION : Caesars Maximus Theater Caesars Atlantic City Atlantic City NJ TICKET INFORMATION: Caesars Atlantic City 877.284.8786 Harrahs Atlantic City 609.414.5948 Bally's Atlantic City 888.833.3269 Showboat 800.756.8752 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : MOV3.COM, Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Tuesday February 12 2008 10 ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUCKS d. Tim Hill Jason Lee, David Cross, Cameron Richardson, Alvin, Simon, Theodore Live Action Animation 9 27 DRESSES d. Anne Fletcher Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Edward Burns, 8 ATASHIN'CHI THE MOVIE d. Tetsuo Yasumi (Bak Gok Jik Fu) Japanese Animation 7 KITE RUNNER d. Marc Forster Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni, Shaun Toub 6 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY d. Julian Schnabel Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner 5 SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET d. Tim Burton Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman 4 KUNG FU DUNK Can : Guoon Lam Lit : Slam Dunk d. Kevin Chu Yin Ping Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Chen Bo-Lin (Chan Pak Lam), Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Baron Chen 3 L : CHANGE THE WORLD d. Hideo Nakata (Jung Tin Sau Fu) Kenichi Matsuyama (Chung San Yin Yat), Youki Kudoh (Gung Tung Jik Gwai) 2 CJ 7 Can : Cheung Gong 7 Ho d. Stephen Chow Sing Chi Stephen Chow Sing Chi, Xu Jiao, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Lam Tsz Chung 1 ENCHANTED d. Kevin Lima Julie Andrews, Amy Adams, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS L: CHANGE THE WORLD Rating : IIB Opening February 9 2008 [ CITYLINE ] After solving the Kira case, another serious case confronts L and he has only 23 days left to solve it. A person who obtained the most horrible weapon, "Death God" says the same thing as Kira... "I am going to change the world". A boy and a girl hold the keys to solving the case and L faces a crisis of global magnitude to protect the kids. He is without his most trusted partner, Watari, and cannot rely on just his superb intellect to solve the case. What will happen to L? What will change? The 23 days are packed with turns of events even L himself cannot predict. The final countdown to the shocking events are about to begin! KUNG FU DUNK Rating : IIB Opening February 7 2007 Official Site : http://www.emp.hk/kungfudunk [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Shi-Jie, grew up in a martial arts school and is well-trained in kung-fu. With his kung-fu skills and good reflexes, Shi-Jie excels in basketball by mastering the slam dunk technique. Wang-Li, who is trying to locate Shi-Jie's real family, invites him to join the university's basketball team in hope of making some money. Shi-Jie faces new challenges while trying to blend in with the basketball team members Ting-Wei and Xiao-Lan. With the upcoming basketball championship and the appearance of Li-Li, will the team members set aside their differences and personal feelings for the love of the game? CJ7 AKA : SEVEN AKA : YANGTZE RIVER 7 Rating : IIA Length : 88 mins. Opening January 31 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A down on his luck father takes his son to a broken down home as the entire family relies on his father's physical labor for a living. He also constantly picks up trash for home use. Papa has high hopes for his son to get into a star school and risks his life to pay the high tuition; the son due to his poor family background is often the subject of ridicule for teachers and students alike. Only the pretty and kind teacher Ms. Yuen never gives up on him and takes great care of him. Watching his classmates with the new technology toy dog CJ7, the envious son constantly asks Papa to get one for him. The empty pocked Papa can only bring up a plastic ball from the dump as a gift. Unexpectedly, this ball turns into a lovably alien with extraordinary abilities! The son names this new friend CJ7 and even brings it to school as his companion behind his father's back in hopes of teaching bullying classmates a lesson and resolve all difficult problems at school. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, February 9 2008 15 WOW Bibi Zhou Bichang 14 SEARCHING Can : Chum Jau (Chan Chor Sun) 13 EIFFEL TOWER Can : Ba Lai Teet Tap Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 12 I DON'T MIND YOU HATE ME Can : Ngor But Gai Yin Nei Hung Ngor Hua Er 11 MAN WOMAN Can : Nam Yun Nui Yun Valen Hsu (Hui Yu Wan) 10 HEART Can : Sum Wor Fahrenheit, S.H.E 9 YOU ARE THE PERSON I LOVE THE MOST Can : Nei Si Ngor Jui Oi Dik Yun Ivana Wong Yuen Chi 8 SMOKE SPARK Can : Yin For Michael Kong (Guong Leung) 7 PAIN THAT BREATHES Can : Wui Fu Cup Dik Tung Jasmine Leong Jing Yu 6 CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP Can : Nin Dai Guan Hai Twins 5 RED CARPET Can : Hung Dei Jin Justin Lo (Juk Tin) 4 INNOCENT Can : Mo Gu Gary Cao (Cho Gat) 3 LOVE SONG Fong Datong 2 I AM COMING Huang Xiaoming 1 ZERO HOUR ZERO MINUTE Can : Ling Si Ling Fun Joey Yung Cho Yi ------ [ 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. LET'S BE MORE THAN THIS GUNG HEI FAT CHOI! Where is my laisee? Top Ten Central wishes you a happy, healthy and prosperous Year of the Rat. If you are Disney, every year is the Year of the Rat so that does not really apply. Speaking of Rats, what is the big deal about all these supposed celebrity nude photos that have "leaked" out? First of all, Your Chaffing Editor has not seen one because he has absolutely no interest in them. If he wants to someone underdeveloped for their age, all he has to do is look down. Secondly, as several columnists have pointed out, how f'd up do our priority have to be when UNCONFIRMED celebrity nude photos are important than the impact of a histoic snowstorm? Your Chaffing Editor enjoys kicking Edison as much as the next guy but we have more pressing issue to address. Please join Your Chaffing Editor in his New Year Resolution, give a little more love to the snowstorm victims. INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT SOCIETIES http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/News/08/08020702/index.asp HONG KONG RED CROSS http://www.redcross.org.hk/home.cfm?Mid=2166&FMid=8&SMid=1076&popup=0&langid=1 Speaking of "celebrity in compromising position photos" Valentine's Day is on the way. Even without looking at the calendar Your Chaffing Editor has noticed that some have actually taken his New Year Resolution to heart as many couples are engaging in PDA (Public Display of Affection -- keep your Palm in your pants, tekkies!) While many have been disgusted such displays only bring smiles to Your Chaffing Editor's face because the contrary just sux. Enjoy the love, kids, BUT DON'T FORGET TO WRAP IT UP EVERY TIME. Keep your cooties to yourself. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooties www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6ylxWcwkUM Along those lines, for some reason Your Chaffing Editor has run across two television ads so far that have mentioned Valentine's Night. Especially disturbing is the KY ad, which is quite a creepy product in itself to begin with. The other one is some kind of lotion. Your Chaffing Editor was not paying attention but perhaps it also had KY like quality. Either way if this keeps up this Hallmark marketing holiday this year will grossed out Your Chaffing Editor more than ever. Ew. The following is an annual public announcement from Top Ten Central: Your Chaffing Editor's "contract" will expire after Valentine's Day. The female of the species have been warned. Like the public restroom when you need it, he is BROKEN, ladies; you can't save him, SAVE YOURSELVES! Triple Barf. Now that the content of Your Chaffing Editor's stomach is nothing but the annul (he wrote ANNUL) of history, Japanese marketing in an attempt to fill it back up with white candy continues to plague the Yak for a second week in a row. WTF is WHITE DAY?! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Day) Supposedly anyone who received something from someone on Valentine's Day would return the favor a month later on March 14. Before any myriad of disgusting and disturbing thoughts enter your head, you should consider the consequences. For someone who cannot even remember when July 4 is, now Old Chaffy has to keep track of who gave me what and who got what from him so he could get and give? Since when is any relationship about that? Oops, nevermind. For some reason, all Your Chaffing Editor can think of is Ben Folds Five's SONG OF THE DUMPED (www.youtube.com/watch?v=URz1qJ3aC4M) when he thinks about getting something in return. Here is one that is more to Your Chaffing Editor's liking: Black Day (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Day). Single people get together and have good old fashion Ja Jang Myeon (Isn't she a K-pop star or something?) two months after the marketing atrocity on their hearts. Afterall, empty heart is not so bad on a full stomach. Has anyone else noticed that this year's pop rock band trend is a female lead singer? Paramore, Flyleaf, thanks to Evanescence and Amy Lee almost every pop rock band has a girl in it. Alas, one of Your Chaffing Editor's favorite song on his "dumbphone" is still Veruca Salt's VOLCANO GIRLS (www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0HjzD_GiaQ). Finally, Check out the Gratitude Campaign. Our prayers, thoughts and hearts are with you. http://gratitudecampaign.org SAVORING THIS HEART THAT'S HEALING (www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-sNIWi2fLs) Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] CRUSHCRUSHCRUSH Paramore www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei8hPkyJ0bU I got a lot to say to you Yeah, I got a lot to say I noticed your eyes are always glued to me Keeping them here and it makes no sense at all They taped over your mouth, scribbled out the truth with their lies Your little spies They taped over your mouth, scribbled out the truth with their lies Your little spies Crush, crush, crush Crush, crush (1, 2, 3, 4) Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone Just the one, two I was just counting on That never happens I guess I'm dreaming again Let's be more than' this If you want to play it like a game Come on, come on let's play 'Cause I'd rather waste my life pretending than have to forget you for one whole minute They taped over your mouth, scribbled out the truth with their lies Your little spies They taped over your mouth, scribbled out the truth with their lies Your little spies Crush, crush, crush Crush, crush (1, 2, 3, 4) Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone Just the one, two I was just counting on That never happens I guess I'm dreaming again Let's be more than' this now Rock and roll baby, don't you know that we're all alone now I need something to sing about Rock and roll honey, don't you know, baby that we're all alone now I need something to sing about Rock and roll hey, don't you know, baby that we're all alone now Give me something to sing about Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone Just the one, two I was just counting on That never happens I guess I'm dreaming again Let's be more than' no Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone Just the one, two I was just counting on That never happens I guess I'm dreaming again Let's be more than' More than this Ohh Hmm ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038