From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (February 14 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. Lydia Shum Din Ha who passed away on the 19th B. Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) and his girlfriend Tina who gave birth to a 5 pound 3 ounce baby boy on the 12th. C. Master Japanese director Kon Ichikawa who passed away on the 13th due to pneumonia in Tokyo at the age of 92. Kon Ichikawa has directed 88 films, most were adapted from literary work. In his 90s he still remained tireless at work. In 2006 he directed Nanako Matsushima's THE INUGAMIS, a remake of his earlier work. * (2/20/2008) Sundream 2008 spring banquet was held yesterday. Tsui Siu Ming not only announced 08 projects but also announced the addition of Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, who in the next four years will focus on film and television development. To coordinate with the Beijing Olympics, Sundream in March will shoot DUET BIU (CHAMPIONSHIP) a movie about the Chinese wushu team. The backdrop would be the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Cheung Wai Kin would play a wushu team member. Tsui Siu Ming expressed that he has known Cheung Wai Kin for years but in the past they missed three opportunities to work together. Sundream's four year contract with Kin Jai included at least one movie a year. Kin Jai's earlier series contracts would switch to Sundream. Cheung Wai Kin expressed that he signed for four years because he would be able to select good projects. Would he take more time to take care of his family because his girlfriend Cheung Sai is pregnant? Kin Jai said, "It's for the big one and the little one, for my Mommy and my woman." He expressed that his workload has already eased a little, but he could not reduce production too much because milk was expensive. * (2/20/2008) The e-Sun group two nights ago held its spring banquet two nights ago. Boss Peter Lam Kin Ngok led the group's artists Miriam Yeung Chin Wa, Andy Hui Chi On, Denise Ho Wan Si, Michelle Ye (Yip Shuen), Fama, Janice Vidal (Wai Lan) and Jill Vidal (Wai Si). Lam Kin Ngok announced the company's big projects this year, including the Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Johnnie To Kei Fung directed SHUI FU JUEN (WATER MARGIN) I and II, both would cost 600 million. Shu Qi and Andy Lau Tak Wa would work on a modern romance. Lu Chuan's NANJING NANJING and Feng Xiaogang's new films would also be included in the six or seven films. Edison Chen Koon Hei's SNIPERS (SUN CHEUNG SAU) would wait for inspection approval for release. * (2/19/2008) The e-Sun group last night held its spring banquet. Attendees included boss Peter Lam Kin Ngok, Miriam Yeung Chin Wa, Andy Hui Chi On, Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Huang Xiaoming, directors Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Peter Chan Ho Sun and Wong Jing. Lam Kin Ngok no longer responded to the Edison Chen Koon Hei incident. Spring banquet game host Wilfred Lau Ho Lung also received a company notice for its artists to avoid talking about the "obscene photos". Huang Xiaoming said when asked whether he was familiar with Chen Koon He, "When he and I worked on SNIPERS (SUN CHEUNG SAU) I thought he was rather nice. (Reportedly due to the indecent photo incident SNIPERS would cut out Chen Koon Hei's role?) I don't know and I am not worried that would affect the film's release." SNIPERS co-star Yam Yin Chai also said, "I am not certain and am not worried about any impact on SNIPERS. My son has just been born so I have been very busy. I haven't contacted Chen Koon Hei. After this matter everyone would grow and the incident would be an example to educate the next generation. Everyone involved had to pay a great price this time." Fama, which Chen Koon Hei signed, again stressed that the concert postponement was not due to the rumored company financial and sponsorship issues but due to the Hong Kong Coliseum scheduling and they needed time to shoot SIXTH FLOOR REAR FLAT 2 (LOK LAU HAU JOR 2). Lau Wai Keung has been planned SHUI FU JUEN (WATER MARGIN). Would he continue with Nicholas Tse Ting Fung in one of the roles? He said, "The incident had no effect on casting, I only worry about the character issue. I couldn't get in touch with Chen Koon Hei and knew nothing at all. I feel that he should return to Hong Kong to explain himself. I of course would like him to come. This time Ah Gil (Gillian Chung Yun Tung) has done very well. I would support and help everyone." * (2/19/2008) Intercontinental yesterday held its spring greeting and introduced its new films for the upcoming year. CHOCOLATE's lead actress is a junior colleague of Tony Jaa. Her agility is like a real life version of Tomb Raider Lara Croft. Anyone who has seen her performance would believe that her action scenes in the film would break her into Hollywood like her senior colleague. CYBORG GIRL is Korean director Kwak Jae-Yong's Japanese film. Rising to fame with MY SASSY GIRL and CLASSIC, he casts Japanese star Haruka Ayase in the role of a sexy cyborg. * (2/19/2008) Gillian Chung Yun Tun originally would return to Beijing to shoot the film MEI LANFANG, but her manager Mani Fok Man Hei confirmed that due to scheduling issue the film could not wait for Ah Gil's additional shoot and has wrapped up production earlier. Actually Ah Gil has only worked for a few days and her role might be cut out due to too little screen time. * (2/18/2008) One of the world's three major film festivals, the 58th Berlin Film Festival closed with its award ceremony. Mainland director Wang Xiaoshuai's new film IN LOVE WE TRUST won the Best Screenplay Silver Bear award. Unfortunately Hong Kong representative, Johnnie To Kei Fung's SPARROW came home empty handed. Berlin seemed to be a special place for Mainland director Wang Xiaoshuai. In 1993 he qualified for the youth forum with THE DAYS. In 2001 with BEIJING BICYCLE he won the jury prize. His most recent international award was at 2005's Cannes film festival when SHANGHAI DREAMS won the jury prize. Wang Xiaoshuai expressed, "This award is recognition for my personal work. I truly cherish it." He even said, small budget production in Mainland was not easy to operate. He hoped that cinema owners and distribution companies could believe in Chinese film. * (2/17/2008) Shawn Yu Lok Man and director Soi Cheang Po Shui yesterday attended SHAMO (GWUN GAI) film forum. The film recently has been selected for Deauville Asian film festival competition. Lok Jai said, "It's my first nomination. I have never been nominated, for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor or New Actor. I have won many athletic awards though." * (2/15/2008) Alex Fong Lik Sun and Stephy Tang Lai Yun yesterday attended their new film NGOR DIK JUI OI (MY MOST BELOVED) trailer premiere. This time they would have a passionate kiss scene in the film, which they joked would be their most intimate time. When Siu Fong took off Stephy's clothes while he kissed her, fans was astounded. Stephy pointed out that this time would not just be kiss scene but also physical contact. The shoot took 45 minutes and finally had over ten bad takes. Siu Fong joked that after removing Stephy's coat, he discovered that her clothing underneath was even longer. Because it was too hard to perform they kept having bad takes. Stephy finally had to pull her clothes open a little so Siu Fong would easily remove it. Were they worried about these scenes would be doctored? Stephy honestly said that she could not worry that much. * (2/15/2008) Yesterday was Valentine's Day. Linda Chung Ka Yun, Shaun Tam Chun Yin and Wong Yau Nam distributed red roses on the Causeway Bay streets to promote PLAYBOY COPS (FA FA YING GAING). When the scene turned chaotic Ka Yun backed up more and more. Luckily she was not taken advantage of? "They are truly desperate!" Three baskets of roses were gone in five minutes. After losing 15 pounds, Yau Nam expressed that he hurt his right arm while shooting PLAYBOY COPS. Due to the lack of strength in his arm and loss of appetite he has slimmed down a lot. Now his right arm is recovering and he was confident that he would catch up with the pounds. Tam Chun Yin was fine all throughout the shoot, but right before the wrap Ka Yun injured his nose with a fire extinguisher. In the last few days he relied on make up to cover up the wound to be able to complete the shoot. * (2/15/2008) Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) has become a father again as his girlfriend Tina on the afternoon of the Lunar 7th gave birth to a 5 pound 3 ounce baby. Because the baby arrived a month earlier, Siu Chai and Tina were not prepared at all. Luckily Siu Chai performed in Las Vegas on the Lunar 3rd and did not stay in the U.S. After the show he immediately returned on the Lunar 5th to be with his girlfriend. On the evening of the Lunar 6th Tina was rushed to the hospital. Thus Siu Chai joked that the baby was born in accommodation to his time. He still has not come up with a name for his son. Although Tina has had a daughter and a son with Siu Chai they have not registered their marriage yet. At the end of last month when Siu Chai came to guest star in a Hong Kong film he would like everyone to give time more time. With the early arrival of the baby they were caught completely off guard. They conceivably would have to settle all the baby matter before they would plan their wedding. Siu Chai at the end of February would have to work on Johnnie To Kei Fung's new film and a concert tour at the second half of the year. Seemingly their wedding plans might have to be postponed again. * (2/15/2008) Teresa Carpio (To Lai Sa)'s daughter T.V. Carpio made her big screen debut in ACROSS THE UNIVERSE. Yesterday she promoted the film on radio. In it she played a new star who willingly left her family for love and joined a circus. She said that in real life she definitely would not leave her family for love because she felt very fortune to have loving parents. This time in order to perform the charater well, T.V. Carpio spent four months to prepare. However she felt it was a lot of fun and would like to be able to have more acting opportunities in the future. * (2/14/2008) The film FATAL MOVE (DUET SEH) will be released on the second Lunar New Year slot. This time in the film Maggie Siu Mei Kei would have her most daring performance in her film career. In one scene she would only appear in underwear with a robe on. Maggie made the sacrifice mainly because the story called for it. In addition she has already worked with director Dennis Law Sau Yiu many times and she has confidence in him not to make anything dirty. Siu Mei Kei during the shoot was very professional and did not ask for a cleared set. She explained that she has already worked with the crew many times. This time she behaved like a swimsuit model. Although she wore underwear she was not embarrassed. She only wanted to finish the scene soon. If she had to clear the set the production time would have been hindered. During the shoot, Simon Yam Tat Wa and Wong Tak Bun were on the set as well. She was not embarrassed because she has worked with Wong Tak Bun on television many times and they had a bond. She and Yam Tat Wa have also worked together many times. However when Brother Wa saw her in underwear he claimed that he has seen her in swimwear in photo but this was the first time that he has seen her in person. He has never seen her on the silver screen like that. This scene finally only took two takes. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews . MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 2008, FILM WORDS - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkeiluklei) . MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS - KWOK HIN CHING . TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 2008, HOTSPOT PURSUIT - CHOW YI . TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION TRAVERSE - CHUI HIU . TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH - TIN LIK 1. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 20 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FROM SALES ONLY TO RENTAL AND SALES Reportedly when the new copyright laws take effect in April, video rental cost would increase 50%. Now video stores rent videos that are only for sale. By reason it cannot be rented out, which everyone should know. Because of the legal loophole, video store increased in numbers to the current 500 to 700. Yet it led to a terrible reality, as stores that sell video dropped from several hundred to several dozen. From these video rental stores' angle, if in the future videos are truly divided into two categories of for sale and for rent the latter would be more expensive and rental fee naturally would increase. Some stores might thus closed. However, they have not thought about their earlier profits actually have already stripped every film industry window of revenue. The industry has suffered long ago. The final victim might be viewers. Due to video rental stores, new video sale dropped drastically. Film rights thus rapidly declined. Film revenue initially was box office driven, but in recent years that has Already dropped below 25% or even lower. In other words 70 to 80% revenue relied on other rights. Video is film's second "window", thus the copyright fees cost a lot. Then followed pay television and free television. Rental has dragged down video right prices. In recent years Hong Kong box office remained depressed. When the first two "windows" made less, film investment loss opportunity of course would be higher. Film distributors now face reality. Since they cannot eliminate rental stores they hope to reach an agreement. The writer feels that this would not be any small business pressure situation because film investors would not definitely be big film companies. Many were small independent companies. When rental stores stripped their video right revenue, their videos blatantly displayed for sale only but were rented out for a low fee, should they run out and protest with banners on the streets? Less film revenue naturally reduced budget and impacted quality; or perhaps raised video sale prices that would also raise video rental prices. In the end impacted were the viewers just the same. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 19 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS NO CASH, JUST PRIZES Chinese director Wang Xiaoshuai with IN LOVE WE TRUST wo this year's Berlin Film Festival Best Screenplay Silver Bear award. Also in competition, the Hong Kong representative, Johnnie To Kei Fung's SPARROW (MAN JEUK), received no award. In recent years Mainland directors have performed better than Hong Kong at film festivals, which reflected the Mainland film ecology. Although a minority of famous Mainland directors has the ability to make super scale films with the most top notch casts, hundreds of millions in budget and full national support, the treatment that most new directors receive on is worse than the average Hong Kong director. They all come from film schools and make small to mid scale films. After years of planning they uneasily make one movie that mostly would not appear on the big silver for the audience. In Hong Kong, no matter how rotten the movie is, the chance for release would be higher than in Mainland. For release Mainland directors are forced to use one or two Hong Kong stars as a market compromise, even if they are second, third tier or television stars. Ironically for a Hong Kong film to become a China Hong Kong co-production, it must use a certain amount of Mainland actors and the screenplay must have some Mainland parts as a policy compromise. No matter how the co-production turns out, as long as it passes inspection it can be release. The benefit that Hong Kong film receives truly makes the not yet known Mainland directors chomping at the bits. Since their commercial calculation is no match for Hong Kong, their only way out is international film festival glory. Although small investment cannot make big money as prize winning films in Mainland would not see very high box office, they definitely can be released and sell better overseas. The treatment that prize winning directors receive would be completely different from before. With a prize comes fame, which is very advantageous in Mainland. Just advertising campaign work alone would be enough to make a living and make life much better than directors who make entertainment films in Hong Kong. The Mainland market is enormous, its economy is rapidly growing. Artists would only need a little name recognition to succeed. Mainland directors do not need to be as amazing as Wang Xiaoshuai and win at a major film festival like Berlin. The world has countless film festivals. A few prizes at some less known overseas film festivals would be enough. To them, the road of film festivals is easily to take than entertainment film. It is completely different from the Hong Kong film ecology. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 18 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS WHAT ANSWER DOES EDISON CHEN KOON HEI OWE US? Many people feel the suspected artist nude photo storm's suspected lead Edison Chen Koon Hei should return to Hong Kong as soon as possible to respond. The writer is naturally dumb and truly cannot come up with what answer Chen Koon Hei owes the people of Hong Kong. If those photos truly belong to Chen Koon Hei, he still does not need to answer to the people of Hong Kong. What does artists' personal photos have to do with us, he has not shown them to us! The police of course wants him to respond as soon as possible because they have someone in custody on suspicion of information theft. Chen Koon Hei might be the victim. With a suspect and the loot, the police of course needs the victim's confirmation and testimony to see whether charges need to be filed against the suspect. Chen Koon Hei still does not need to return to Hong Kong to give his testimony. His speedy return to Hong Kong would only make the investigation more convenient and faster for the police. Instead the police truly owes that Mr. Chung who was innocently held an explanation. Internet users want to see that because what happens to him could have happened to thousands and millions of internet users. Whether Chen Koon Hei should explain to the female artist victims it has nothing to do with us or with public welfare. It is only related to public gossip. Even more ridiculous is the accusation of the suspected artist nude photos revealing artist's fake side. From the writer's observation, this comment's supporters are not these idols' "vermicelli". This incident had no way of shattering their dreams, they perhaps were not used to "vermicelli's" mad pursuit of artists earlier. If this incident made some mad "vermicelli" disappointed in their idols, it would not be bad. Previously they had excessively high impression of certain idols. Ordinary people would not be as crazy as tehy were. Thus, instead of saying exposing "fake" people's real sides, one might as well say that those "chronic vermicelli" who excessively support those idols have improved in their condition to a more normal level. Yet the writer feels, some mad "vermicelli" would not be affected. Those comments that linked all of show business in one shot would depend on each person's sense to determine whether they were reasonable. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. TA KUNG PAO, FEBRUARY 17 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH HONG KONG PUBLICATION'S TABLOID DESCEND Before the Lunar New Year I left Hong Kong for England. The temperature was colder there but the news and entertainment were the same as Hong Kong (some Hong Kong publication style imitated English tabloids). Television news and newspaper everyday were covering Paul McCartney's divorce and the response from a suspected murdered of many prostitutes. After I returned, I looked back at nearly ten days of Hong Kong publication and the dirty photo scandal remained. Local newspaper's tabloid transformation seemed to be even more severe than the "land of origin" England. Everyone knows fully whether the world is on the decline or it is "freedom" of the press. As the suspected artist obscene photos grow, one of the victims Gillian Chung Yun Tung has responded and claimed that she used to be "very naive and silly" and "felt deeply apologetic". Like Edison Chen Koon Hei's apology video, Ah Gil has not pointed out whether the photos were doctored. Their apologies have puzzled many. Some troublemakers even pointed out that internet users were not victims but "beneficiaries" and apologizing to "beneficiaries" was very strange. Ultimately details of this case remained unclear, which led to all the comments. Worthy of evaluating is any weekly magazine with this case on the cover sold well. The incident's influence on social morals has been far and deep. The ultimate origin depended on who you would ask. It absolutely was the biggest news item in recent show business. Aside from the obscene photo storm, the start of the Year of the Rat also had several film industry related news items. Several days ago the news of Japanese film master Kon Ichikawa's passing was detrimental. Kon Ichikawa has made over 70 films in his life. They included BURMESE HARP, KAGI (Cannes Film Festival Jury Pize and the Golden Global Best Foreign Film Award), FINE SNOW and last year's THE INUGAMIS. Kon Ichikawa in 1969 with late famous directors Akira Kurosawa, Keisuke Kinoshita, and Masaki Kobayashi formed the "Four Knights", who were determined to make good movies and save the declining Japanese film industry. To "post war babies" in Hong Kong, his 70s television series Kon Ichikawa Theater was the most familiar. The character Monjiro is a ronin who uphold justice with a long straw in his mouth. In each episode he helps the helpless. Finally he leaves the woman who has fallen for him (mostly widows) to wander the world again. Monjiro has become my generation's idol. At the time some even thought that Kon Ichikawa was the actor who played that ronin and admired Kon Ichikawa a lot. Another attention getting news item is director Steven Spielberg's announcement that he has resigned from his Beijing Olympic Game consultant post because China has not put "enough effort" into ending the Darfur, Sudan genocide. Obviously he has connected sports with politics and completely forgotten the Olympic spirit of athletics. As the Beijing Olympics enters into the countdown, this type of curious pressure would grow. Not everyone would like China to be able to have a good Olympics. Finally the Screenwriter's Guild of America has ended its three month strike with 90% membership approval and has won benefits from producers in regards to online programming. The strike has finally ended and everyone finally can be able to sit at home and enjoy the annual Oscar awards. - TIN LIK 5. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 16 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS LUNAR NEW YEAR'S DOUBLE CHOW PERFORMANCE Chinese language film this year celebrated the Lunar New Year with Double Chow. Stephen Chow Sing Chi's CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG 7 HO) has already made over 40 million, but the one week later release KUNG FU DUNK (GONG FU GUOON NAM) had only 7 million. The performance difference was quite far. Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) at the premiere already said that Hong Kong was not his primary market. KUNG FU DUNK definitely would not defeat CJ7. He only hoped that the Mainland box office would exceed 100 million. Chow Sing Chi fans definitely were not too satisfied with CJ7. The fact was that if this film did not specify to be a Chow Sing Chi film and eliminate his few scenes with another lead actor conceivably it would have another performance and another review. Opening a week sooner than other Lunar New Year film and almost the only choice for Chinese film of the same period, the film's marketing strategy has decided this victory and an overwhelming one at that. To challenge the record might not be that easy. Few viewers would watch CJ7 again. Thus after the Lunar New Year, it would have to absorb those viewers who have not seen it. Among the audience that has not seen this film, aside from Sing fans who went abroad for the Lunar New Year would be viewers who had the wait and see approach. The former definitely would go, the latter with the mixed word of mouth would not have too strong of a motivation. The film company would continue to have some discount and strengthen the rise of the late box office. Chow Kit Lun's KUNG FU DUNK had "Taiwan Wong Jing" Kevin Chu Yen Ping at the helm. The comedy was not too Hong Kong style and Hong Kong viewers would have a hard time having fun with it. Creatively, KUNG reminded people the SHAOLIN SOCCER basketball version. The only selling point would just be Chow Kit Lun. His directed and starred SECRET (BUT NUNG SHUET DIK BEI MUK) last year in Hong Kong made 16 million, the word of mouth of which was also good because the film matched his personal image. Although Chow Kit Lun liked to play basketball, his abilities were not amazing. Comedy was not his specialty either. KUNG had too few Hong Kong elements. It focused on the Mainland and Taiwan market. Even with the Lunar New Year slot it had no way to achieve good performance. CJ7 also had a non Hong Kong film feel, the difference lay with the tremendous anticipation that Chow Sing Chi has generated for local viewers. If foreign films were included, ENCHANTED would have cheered up the entire family the most during the Lunar New Year. - KWOK HIN CHING 6. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 15 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS ARTIST'S "FAKE IMAGE (2 OF 2) "Vermicelli's" crazy chase of idols has always been considered less than wise. Even without the suspected artist nude photo incident, anyone with a little thought should figure out that many young idols' image actually came from a group of behind the scene specialized talent. Hong Kong was not the first. The Japanese show business that has always made young idols famous has done so long ago. Management companies there have already signed contracts with new comers when they were 11 or 12. These young people had no image to speak of as they were all blank slates. Management companies according to their personal quality and marketing demand built image for them individually. How real or fake it is depends on the need. Many scandals that involve Japanese idols have appeared. With artificial idol packaging under today's media ecology, problems are inevitable. Taiwan operates in the same matter. The market needs young idols, but young people are mostly rebellious. The more famous they get the harder they are to manage. They are very different from most of last generation of idols who had to toil away before succeeding. Were all of last generation's idols truly innocent? That would be impossible. Human is ultimately human and has human weakness. The difference is those who has suffered before succeeding have learned to cherish more and thus protect themselves more. Do you think that stars who are rarely in rumors truly have no love lives? That is the difference between knowing or not knowing to protect their image. We often say that artists have to protect their image because artist image and real personality have certain distance. They are not fake, just professionally required. Teachers, doctors, lawyers, judges have to professional image that they need to mind. They cannot be said as fake. Show business is only a scaled down society. Artists can be good and bad as well. Some are even more cautious about their private lives than ordinary people. Of course some are also more complicated. Artists definitely are full of emotions, which is what they sell. Acting is false act with real emotions. To sing well, as from technique, they also need emotional focus. If the suspected artist nude photo incident has made "vermicelli" who blindly believed that artists' superficial image was them personally wake up and reduced their star chasing mad behavior, it would be right. Yet any talk about how to identify artists' real side would make people feel that the speaker is even more "innocent" than certain artists. - KWOK HIN CHING 7. MING PAO DAILY, FEBRUARY 14 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS ARTIST'S "FAKE" IMAGE (1 of 2) Is any difference or even polarization of an idol artist's image and private life a lie to the society or fans? To someone who on average has not seen any artist as an idol, the problem should not be severe at all. Show business is a dream factory that creates one after another "artificial dream". Whether an artist sings or acts, we know the act is fake but we like to get into it. When we enjoy it we experience that so fake it is almost real feeling. When singers sing break up songs, we would only care whether they are emotionally involved. When a certain singer sings brokenheartedly, we would not call him fake and play broken hearted for sympathy just because we know he has a new romance and is happily in love. When actor love passionately on screen, viewers would not be silly enough to think that they really had a romance. Privately when they ignore each other, we absolutely would not feel that they are lying to viewers. Because we know what performance is. Like last generation's viewers would not feel Shek Kin is truly a big bad guy, feel down when they learn that he actually is a nice guy, and that the movies have cheated them. Of course, the world still has an extremely minor segment of viewers who are too involved in the act and would scold and spit on actors who play bad guys in movies. Aside from the performance image, artists indeed should consider their everyday image. Their 100% true selves may not necessarily coordinate with their market positions. Modern artists actually are not just one person but has an entire team behind them. Some artists are very suitable for performance as themselves, but some are just the opposite. For example nice guys are actually very suitable to play villains, or trendy can play outdated extremely outstandingly. On these occasions image has to coordinate, no one should have a hard time understanding that. As information and communication advance, artists live in an almost see through world. Critics often urge artists to behave in public and to maintain positive image; not to tell them falsely hide the real them is a type of self respect for those who perform. Yet "vermicellis" see idol from another perspective. - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] 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 : 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. 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 Rating : IIB Length : 99 mins. Opening February 28 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] An extremely brutal armed robbery case has brought two very unusual young detectives together in Hong Kong. Both men have been known not to follow the usual rules of conduct in solving crimes. Lincoln, the younger brother of the deceased, an ex-policeman in China, has sworn to find the man who has murdered his brother. While he investigates the murder on his own in Hong Kong, he meets Michael, a CID officer on suspension. Michael has often been warned against insubordination, and for pulling stunts such as using his own private helicopter to capture criminals on the run... LE GRAND CHEF d. Jeon Yoon-Soo Kim Gang-Woo, Lim Won-Hee Length : 114 mins. Opening February 28 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] A cook-off is held to determine the best from all the chefs in the top Korean restaurant, Woonam-jung. The winner is to inherit the restaurant. The dish that the chefs must make is the dangerous yellow swellfish sushi, a taste that is to die for. The two top chefs of the restaurant, Sung-chan and Bong-joo go head to head for the seat of the owner of Woonam-jung. But the judges who taste Sung-chan's sushi get food poisoning from his dish. Bong-joo stands behind him and flashes a complacent smile....What really went on between the two? KAIDAN d. Hideo Nakata Kikunosuke Onoe, Hitomi Kuroki, Mao Inoue, Asaka Seto Opening February 28 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] 250 years ago Soetsu, a humble moneylender, is murdered by Shinzaemon, a cruel samurai, and his dead body is disposed of in the Kasanegafuchi, the pool of a river where it snakes around, and where legend has it, those who sink into the water will neer float to the surface again. 20 years later, in a chance encounter, Shinkichi, the handsome son of Shinzaemon, meets Toyoshiga, the daughter of Soetsu, and they fall in love. When Toyoshiga dies from a mysterious disease, Shinkichi finds that not only is he unable to avoid the mysterious fatality of the past and Toyoshiga's tenacious love for him, but he is also forced to confront the ghostly truths held by the Kasanegafuchi. 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? 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), Rating : IIB Length : 101 mins. Opening March 6 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] After killing his parents, teenaged Ryo became a target for bullying from the moment he arrived in the boys' home he was sent to. As he was being beaten to the verge of death, training officer and fellow prisoner Kenji Kurokawa stepped in and taught Ryo a harsh lesson in survival: if you want to leave prison alive, you will have to destroy all your enemies..... FATAL MOVE Can : Duet Shui d. Dennis 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 Opening March 6 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] In the violent world of Hong Kong's triad, one false move can be fatal. A series of unexpected misfortunes challenge gang leader and his mob, eventually leading to a bloody gangster war. The gang are moving closer to destruction as their every move backfires on them - a drug deal turns bad, a kidnap victim is murdered, and a secret mission turns into a savage shoot-out with the police. Who is the mastermind behind these evil plots? Will the gang leader be able to defy fate and survive? 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. L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES 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, Leila Tong Ning Opening March 13 2008 [ YAHOO! HONG KONG MOVIES ] Bo originally is an incredibly fortunate girl. She and Chun, the boyfriend who she grew up with, opens a small dessert shop after graduation. Bo has her heart set on marrying Chun after the business settles down. Bo one day runs into a long lost former classmate Kei, who has her eyes on the ambition of the good man Chun, ignores her relationship with Bo and takes him away. Poor Bo not only loses the love that she cherishes like a treasure but also the dessert shop that she has worked hard to established. She is left with the tragedy of losing both the guy and the shop. Mosquito is Bo's good friend who has a boyfriend of many years Fung. The pretty Mosquito often develops one after another short romance behind the introverted Fung's back. Mosquito loves Fung but she is certain that the faithful Fung would not leave her as she is reluctant to be someone who is with one person for a lifetime. 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 3 2008 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] His country torn asunder by civil war, Zhao, a commoner, heeds the call of duty. From the humblest of roots, he rises through the ranks on wings of courage to command an army charged with liberating the land from an evil warlord. Inspired by action, honour and a dream of unifying his divided nation, Zhao's heroism becomes a legend. But as the years pass and the throne changes hands, the war still rages on. When a newly enthroned king decides peace can only be achieved by defeating the warlords once and for all, Zhao embarks on his final and greatest campaign - a road to adventure that will crown his name in glory for all time. 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. RED CLIFF PART II 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 December 18 2008 --- [ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 19 2008 10 LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS d. Alek Keshishian Brittany Murphy, Matthew Rhys, Santiago Cabrera 9 THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY d. Julian Schnabel Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner 8 THERE WILL BE BLOOD d. Paul Thomas Anderson Daniel Day-Lewis 7 SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET d. Tim Burton Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman 6 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 5 L : CHANGE THE WORLD d. Hideo Nakata (Jung Tin Sau Fu) Kenichi Matsuyama (Chung San Yin Yat), Youki Kudoh (Gung Tung Jik Gwai) 4 CJ 7 Can : Cheung Gong 7 Ho d. Stephen Chow Sing Chi Stephen Chow Sing Chi, Xu Jiao, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Lam Tsz Chung 3 P.S. I LOVE YOU d. Richard LaGravenese Hilary Swank, Gerard Butler, Lisa Kudrow 2 ENCHANTED d. Kevin Lima Julie Andrews, Amy Adams, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Susan Sarandon, Patrick Dempsey 1 JUMPER d. Doug Liman Hayden Christensen, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Bilson, Jamie Bell ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS L: CHANGE THE WORLD Rating : IIB Lenght : 129 mins. 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 Length : 99 mins. 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 16 2008 15 LIGHT YEAR Can : Guong Nin Sam Lee (Lee Sing Kit) 14 MAN WOMAN Can : Nam Yun Nui Yun Valen Hsu (Hui Yu Wan) 13 HEART Can : Sum Wor Fahrenheit, S.H.E 12 DON'T WANT TO COMPREHEND Can : But Seung Dung Dut Angela Chang (Cheung Siu Hom) 11 CONNECTED RELATIONSHIP Can : Nin Dai Guan Hai Twins 10 SMOKE SPARK Can : Yin For Michael Kong (Guong Leung) 9 BIG HERO CHOW Can : Jau Dai Hup Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) 8 ZERO HOUR ZERO MINUTE Can : Ling Si Ling Fun Joey Yung Cho Yi 7 RED CARPET Can : Hung Dei Jin Justin Lo (Juk Tin) 6 YOU ARE THE PERSON I LOVE THE MOST Can : Nei Si Ngor Jui Oi Dik Yun Ivana Wong Yuen Chi 5 EIFFEL TOWER Can : Ba Lai Teet Tap Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 4 LOVE SONG Fong Datong 3 I AM COMING Huang Xiaoming 2 INNOCENT Can : Mo Gu Gary Cao (Cho Gat) 1 PAIN THAT BREATHES Can : Wui Fu Cup Dik Tung Jasmine Leong Jing Yu ------ [ 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. TMI You know, Your Chaffing Editor was prepared to welcome this year's Hallmark marketing holiday (he got a date, after all. Sure, it was with his parents but at least he was not spending it alone.) Then he gets a Valentine's Day card with the words, "DON'T FLATTER YOURSELF" in it. Wow, thank you for the reality check. Old Chaffy's entire world perspective has changed. Darn you, Nibbles. Does anyone else feel like Your Chaffing Editor when he gets his hair washed after a cut at the barber shop? Much like the feeling that he gets from his nonexistent personal life, the Chaffster feels only clean from the neck up and less than totally clean -- the kind of unclean that Your Chaffing Editor spends hours and hours in the shower, trying to scrub the stench, the shame and the guilt off only to feel even dirtier. OK, maybe he is exaggerating but you get the point, right? Speaking of which, when Your Chaffing Editor feels like that lately he has been taking the cue from some Lifetime show with some guy from Queer Guy. Though Your Chaffing Editor has never seen the show, the mere memory of his friend cringing on New Year's Eve at the sight of the preview while in a room full of less than petite women was classic. However, Old Chaffy digressed. For some reason, when Your Chaffing Editor could use a little cheering up, he looked at himself naked in the mirror and lo and behold instant hilarity ensues below. By now, you should either have stopped reading or wondered why Your Chaffing Editor is sharing Too Much Information. If you thought that was TMI, why would make someone's sex life any less so? Granted, taking photos and keeping them on your computer are not exactly acts of great intelligence, but since when do we dogpile on the stupid? Haven't they punished themselves enough? Seriously, is anyone else sick and tired of all this talk about celebrity sex based on some photos that may or may not be real? Should you really care unless they are sleeping with you? Better yet, since these dumb@$$es can post private photos of other people what would stop them from posting yours? Getting back to business, Your Chaffing Editor fulfilled his Valentine's Day promise and went to see DEFINITELY, MAYBE and JUMPER. Considering that Your Chaffing Editor has liked Ryan Reynolds since the ABC disaster TWO GUYS A GIRL AND A PIZZA PLACE, DEFINITELY MAYBE would have to be pretty bad for him to dislike it. LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE of course helps a little more. Anyway, the movie runs like a John Cusack romance movie. However if you are going for the "mystery" the answer comes fairly quickly -- just not to the question you are thinking of. While JUNO made Your Chaffing Editor giggle and want to love, DEFINITELY MAYBE also made him want to love but actually made him sob on cue at the precise tear jerking moments that were in the trailer. Luckily he could use a good cry or two, perhaps due to his old age or his current predicament. DEFINITELY MAYBE is a sweet romance, but to Your Chaffing Editor it is more about the love between a father and a daughter (like JUNO in a way) than the romance between the leads. Luckily, the new Indiana Jones trailer was shown before both films. Even better, Your Chaffing Editor had so much time between the movies that he went to JUNO for the three time. Ah, all is right with the world again. Then I saw JUMPER. The opposite could be said about JUMPER. Your Chaffing Editor has disliked Hayden Christensen since STAR WARS EPISODE II. Poor Rachel Bilson like everyone else had nothing to work with. The movie had more chemistry between Christensen and BILLY ELLIOT, uh, Jamie Bell. All the jumps were so blatant that people must have major ADHD not to notice. The exotic locations made the movie feel like the Travel Channel. Overall, the slim to none amount of story put the movie on the brink of the death and Christensen pounded in the final nail. WATCH AT YOUR OWN RISK. Finally Our former Editor would like to inform everyone that the highlight of his President's Day weekend was the Spice Girls concert at the Madison Square Garden. Despite the late start the show was money well spent. The Girls like wine are better with age. Wolverine has never seen so many straight men move to IT'S RAINING MEN who Geri performed it solo. (Insert your own questionable sexuality at a Spice Girl concert joke here) He of course lost his voice trying to cheer Melanie C over the roar of Posh fans. On the other hand, Victoria's little boy stole the show when he jumped on stage and popped a few moves. Our Former Editor thought that since he was going alone that the show would be like going to a couples dinner party alone. Alas, he was surprised to find himself fortunate enough to be seated between two beautiful women (who he would like to apologize to if they were offended by his pathetic attempt at "dancing" or the sweaty embrace from Geri's call for "group hugs"). Unfortunately, he still only had eyes for Sporty. Perhaps he should have gone to her acoustic solo show earlier in the month as well. Word of warning if you were fortunate enough to be attending the show -- get your souvenirs BEFORE the show. Our Former Editor was crushed in a sea of girls after the show, not that anyone was complaining... TMI. Ew. BABY DON'T HURT ME NO MORE Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] Ringing in his ear from a rock show Friday night. Shout out to BLACK DAWN and THE BITTER END! Good show. ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038