From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (April 17 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. Sisi Wang who celebrates her birthday on the 21st 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (4/23/2008) Elva Hsiao (Siu Ah Hin) returned to EMI's Virgin for NT$100 million. Yesterday an Asian contract signing press conference was held in Beijing. Siu Ah Hin not only wanted to be the top music star but also will star in movies in hopes of becoming Best Actress. Siu Ah Hin honestly said that she would like to win the Best Actress award. She wanted to play any and all character and would not mind lesbian or nude roles, which she would not mind if they were artistic. She said that LUST, CAUTION (SIK, gAI) has won many awards and had a lot of stars. She earlier has asked her mother, who said that if she made this movie then it was OK because it won a lot of awards. She never expected her mother to be more open than she was. She would like to star opposite Tony Leung Chiu Wai. Earlier she guest starred in INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MO GAN DOH) as Wai Jai's former girlfriend. That time she had no bad take because Wai Jai was amazing and able to bring her into the role. He proved that a good co-star was very important. * (4/23/2008) Eason Chan Yik Shun, Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming), Denise Ho Wan Si and Josie Ho Chiu Yi provided their voices for the animation KUNG FU PANDA, which yesterday held a press conference at Ocean Park. Jackie Chan and Sam Lee Chan Sam also provided their voices to the film. Cho Ming stressed that his and his father's voices would not appear in the same scene and his own price tag was no match for his father's. Ho Chiu Yi felt the happiest about being able to record a group of good friends, but because Eason went to the studio first they did not have a chance to perform together. Lately Chiu Yi has been working on STREET FIGHTER THE LEGEND OF CHUN LI in Thailand. When she learned that Dior Cheng Yi Kin earlier accidentally hit Aaron Kwok Fu Sing's head while working on STORM RIDERS II (FUNG WON II) in Thailand, Chiu Yi said that she too had many action scenes in STREET and she hit people in most of them. She joked, "Husband Chan Chi Chung is fat enough. I can use his body for a sandbag. Even if I hit all 360 degrees he would not feel the pain." * (4/23/2008) The Tsui Siu Ming directed Sundream new film DUET BIU (CHAMPIONSHIP) earlier started production. This film was Tsui Siu Ming's return since HOLY ROBE OF THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE (MUK MIN GA SONG). Brother Siu Ming invited Xu Xiangdong and Yu Rongguang to perform. They worked together again 18 years later in a meaningful way. Yu Ronggang and Brother Siu Ming have known each other for years and called Brother Siu Ming Master out of respect. Although Yu Rongguang could not make the production start ceremony he did not forget to send his well wishing calligraphy. Brother Siu Ming even said, "A martial art film has always been my dream. The idea has already been brewed for years. Finaly I can make the idea come true." Aside from the usual ceremony, the martial art team even showed off their abilities. Tsui Siu Ming even personally played the drum in coordination. Actor Dicky Cheung Wai Kin said that he has never participated in such a grand production start ceremony. "Today's production start ceremony was very pleasant. After such a long time away from the film industry, I run into an experienced director like Tsui Siu Ming. In addition the subject is very positive. Every aspects have given me a lot of confidence." Not only the ceremon was grand, but also the preparation before the shoot was just as intense. "In the past many productions were instant. Now I have a few weeks to rehearse, to learn anew wire work and fighting. You know gong fu is not overnight, but I am so smart that very quickly I picked it up and looked good too. However real gong fu truly still needs hard work." * (4/22/2008) At a Mainland television series launch two nights ago, Asian Film Award Best Supporting Actor Sun Honglei answered questions about "erotic photo gate" and "Leon Lai Ming's marriage". He even honestly said that he has always had a "Best Actor" dream and hoped that it would come true in the future. Did he look forward to winning Best Actor with MEI LANFANG? He said that the award was beyond his control. As for Gillian Chung Yun Tung's scene being cut, Sun Honglei expressed that director Chen Kaige's "heart ached" over this. Actually Director Chen rather liked Ah Gil, but after the incident Ah Gil was not in good condition and did not want to work. Director Chen could only cut her out. He expressed that no one talked about the "erotic photo gate" incident on the set. When asked whether he has comforted Ah Gil on his Hong Kong trip, Sun Honglei expressed that actually he was not familiar with Ah Gil and did not want to disturb others. Right now Ah Gil needed rest. Sun Honglei even said, "Erotic photo gate's female star victims all deserve sympathy, but male lead (Edison) Chen Koon Hei doesn't. He is an irresponsible man." He expressed that he did not know about lead actor Leon Lai Ming's wedding but revealed that Lai Ming has told him early on that he would take time off. Now perhaps Lai Ming used the break to get married. Sun Honglei revealed that Lai Ming was very shy when he talked about his romance and every time he mentioned Gaile Lok, like children's first love. As for working with Lai Ming, he joked, "Lai Ming is very silly and naive. He is very simple and has not intention. I am more complicated in comparison." MEI LANFANG is still preparing its trailer and has confirmed that it would miss this year's Cannes Film Festival. * (4/22/2008) Jordan Chan Siu Chun appeared on a Mainland talk show earlier. When the Andrew Lau Wai Keung directed YOUNG AND DANGEROUS (GOO WAT JAI) had the film industry under its spell and pushed Chan Siu Chun's career to its peak, Chan Siu Chun gradually was recognized due to his role Chicken. When discussing this character, Chan Siu Chun had nothing to hide and expressed that he beg the director for the character. "At the time I just won an award. After reading YOUNG AND DANGEROUS comic books I thought why did the director not approach me. So I went with my manager. The director told me to go back and wait for the news. Finally after several months I got the role of Chicken. Originally this character would have gone to Gum Sing Mo (Takeshi Kaneshiro)." * (4/22/2008) The Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Dior Cheng Yi Kin starred, Pang Brothers directed 100 million film THE STORM RIDERS II (FUNG WON II) yesterday started prodcution in Bangkok Partret studio. Boss Daneil Lam Siu Ming, the two lead actors and the directors attended. At the event the leads turned into Cloud and Wind and shot a fight scene. Originally they looked convincing but in the end Ekin accidentally struck Sing Sing's head with the sword. Sing Sing immediately swelt up. When Sing Sing was struck he immediately lowered and held his head in pain. Ekin immediately apologized and the doctor checked him out right away. Luckily he was not bleeding and only swelt up. Sing Sing honestly said that the pain was like a tear but he kept speaking well of Ekin and claimed that they were not weapon experts. Some fights did not require them to truly fight and would use special effects. This time perhaps Ekin used too much force, but his injury was not major. Sing Sing also said that earlier they shoot a fight scene in the rain and they were all bruised. He said that he expected to be injured for action films. If it was superficial he would not care. Most importantly the viewer could see their sincerity. Sing Sing said that after ten years he and Ekin still had chemistry and they were just as young inside. As for the film theme song, Sing Sing did not care who sang it and let it with the managers. He said that ten years ago they had so much gossip and ten years later he would not care. He and Mainland actress Tang Yan would play a couple in the film. As for intimate scenes, he said that he would not have to fiery to represent his love for someone. Ekin expressed that injuries were inevitable in action shoots. His arms were covered with scars. Earlier during the rain fight scene he could not move from a waist injury and the stunt professionals had to use Qi Gong to treat him before he could move again. He felt that this time the special effect coordination was the most difficult. He would try to perform the action scenes himself. Luckily the cast has had ample rest. Being able to play Wing ten years later Ekin felt it was fate. As for the theme song, he joked that he seemed to have stopped singing but if he would be fine with singing it. Reporters joked that the directors wanted to sing themselves. Ekin said, "That's good, they are like Soler." Ekin expressed that his girlfriend Yoyo Mung Ka Wai has not visited him on the set and joked that Thailand was very comfortable. Pang Shun said that the boss has scolded them both times when they went over budget. Luckily now the production has been smooth. Lam Siu Ming claimed that perhaps due to LUST, CAUTION (SIK, gAI) this film did not receive the Mainland approval until 3 months after the application was submitted. The film would be a Christmas release next year. As for exceeding budget, he said that now the Hollywood team was still building the set in Thailand. If the production would be successful, in the second half of the year they would decide whether to make the third installment's ice scenes. Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi earlier brought her son to visit Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and stole the show. Lam Siu Ming said that as the boss he of course did not want that, but he could not possibly prohibit wives from visitin the set. He only treated it like the promotion's preview. He also revealed that in May a police film would start production with Shawn Yue Man Lok and Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam. The budget would exceed 10 million. * (4/21/2008) The Udine Far East Film Festival will take place between April 18 and 26. This year will be its tenth anniversary, and Hong Kong director Johnnie To Kei Fung and his team have been invited; two of To Kei FUng's films, MAD DETECTIVE (SUN TAM) and THE SPARROW (MAN JEUK), have also been selected. To Kei Fung's work has already been screened at the Udine Asian Film Festival as early as ten years ago. Since then almost every year To Kei Fung would attend. Earlier when he made YESTERDAY ONCE MORE (LUNG FUNG DAU) he even shot on location in Udine and invited film festival workers to be extras. Pang Ho Cheung's TRIVIAL MATTERS (POR SI YI) has also been selected this year. The event will also screen Pang Ho Cheung's first short film JI YUNG SAM HUNG (WISE BRAVE THREE BEARS) that he made when he was 14. The event also invited Pang Ho Cheung to make an one minute long film festival trailer. Other Hong Kong films will include Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga)'s RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HOR BA BA), Ching Siu Tung's THE EMPRESS AND THE WARRIORS (GONG SAN MEI YUN), Derek Chiu Leung Chun's MR. CINEMA (LO GONG JING JUEN), Wong Sau Ping's MAGIC BOY (MOR SHOOK NAM), Pang Fat's THE DETECTIVE (C+ JING TAM) and Law Wing Cheung's PTU 2 (GEI DUNG BO DUI -- GAING LAI) * (4/21/2008) Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Fama, Stephanie Cheng Yung, I Love U Boyz's Donald, Tian Yuan and Law Chung Him two nights ago promoted their new film HAPPY FUNERAL (LOK LAU HAU JOR 2 GA SHOOK JEH LAI). Kong Yeuk Lam expressed that the production was very joyful because they were all young. Sometimes when they got bored, she would play "rock, paper, and scissors" with Fama. The winner could hit the others. Thus Fama often pushed her to the wall. Kong Yeuk Lam said, in one scene she had to cry. Because she had too much fun director Barbara Wong Chun Chun helped her to get into the mood. She also tried to yell at her. Finally she cried very naturally. Cheng Yung expressed that she rarely made movies and this time was very pleasant. One day she had to work until the sun rose but she still felt very relaxed and comfortable. She said that of course she would not like acting more than singing, but she still was interested in making movies and would like more opportunities. Cheng Yung has heard many directors would yell at actors, but this time Wong Chun Chun did not and provided her with a lot of freedom. Fama's Lok Wing in the film had a two minute long kiss scene with Tian Yuan on the sofa. Because they did not reach the natural effect, in the end they worked for two hours. Director Wong Chun Chun in order to create more spark between them asked them to have more exchanges at their first meeting. Before the intimate scenes, she even trapped them into a room to get into the mood. Lok Wing honestly said that he truly was a little nervous since it was his first on screen kiss. Thus before the shoot he kept chewing gum. Lok Wing also said that the numerous kiss scene shots were not ideal. Actually only Wong Chun Chung was satisfied. * (4/20/2008) The Hong Kong professional film photography society 20th anniversary celebration took place two nights ago with over 200 Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan film professionals in attendance. Andrew Lau Wai Keung was announced to be the new chair and the most charismatic actor and actress were selected. Finally the awards went to Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying). Both attended in personally to accept the awards. Other attendees included Shu Qi, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Patrick Tam Yiu Man and Rain Li Choi Wa. Wai Jai two nights ago pointed out that even if he did not win he should come in support anyway since the relationship between cinematographers and actors was very close. He has always overlooked whether the cinematographer would make him look the prettiest. Instead the feeling was the most important. He felt that the moment when he focused on work was the most charmisatic. Wai Jai was again asked about his wedding, which he said should take place within this year. Leung Ka Fai also pointed out that Wai Jai this year will wed Carina Lau Ka Ling. He had to start consideration what gift to buy. Reporters pointed out that Wai Jai had everything. Ka Fai said, "In this world how could anyone have everything." When reporters suggested kids, Ka Fai joked that he had twin girls and could give them one. Ka Fai two nights ago revealed that he wanted to retire because earlier he saw in magazines that many were getting married. Even Leon Lai Ming was. He felt that he has already been in this business for a long time and the time has come to give others a chance. As for negotiation with his wife, he joked that he talked in his sleep every night he has talked about everything. Lau Yeuk Ying two nights ago felt that her back was the most photogenic. She also praised Wai Jai's charisma. His entire person was very photogenic and had a lot of aura. Shu Qi two nights ago denied that she would work with Edison Chen Koon Hei on a foreign film, but she did not mind working with Edison. Shu Qi expressed that each person had different opinions so she would not mind that she was not selected as the most charismatic actress. In addition, Arthur Wong Ngok Tai two nights ago was elevated to the permanent honorary chair. He said that he has already been in the post for 18 years and the time has come for retirement; Chair Lau Wai Keung expressed that his first mission was a monthly gathering. For now his company would be the temporarily meeting spot. * (4/19/2008) Jackie Chan was the 2008 Beijing Olympic bid image ambassador and also a torch runner. Jackie Chan at his latest film THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (GONG FU JI WONG)'s premiere called protestors who interrupted the torch running ceremony as a group of rafter jumping clowns, many of whom only wanted to attract public attention. He warned, "Protestors better stay away from me." He said that if anyone dared to interfere with his Beijing torch runner he would definitely show these people some clor and let them taste the might of Chinese gong fu. * (4/19/2008) Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam and Law Chung Him gave their first on screen kiss in their new film HAPPY FUNERAL (LOK LAU HAU JOR 2 GA SHOOK JEH LAI). They have been promoting nonstop for the film and yesterday they appeared on a radio interview. Kong Yeuk Lam honestly said that she did not know about the kiss scene until she arrived on the set. Finally she struggled for two hours before her company agreed. Reportedly they kept their distance during the kiss scene. Kong Yeuk Lam said, "The director asked for the object to be there because she wanted us to be a little more comfortable." Law Chung Him joked that because he was bony he needed something to hold her up. Kong Yeuk Lam denied that they kissed for four hours and said that the reports exaggerated too much. She clarified that actually they only took four seconds and three takes. Law Chung HIm even said that before the shoot he did not dare to eat, only kept drinking water and brushing his teeth. He said, "We were no match for Tian Yuan and Lok Wing's scene. We paled in comparison." Was the kiss scene awkward? Kong Yeuk Lam expressed that she has worked with Law Chung Him many times before so they did not feel awkward. She revealed that she blushed after the kiss. Law Chung Him expressed that bed scene would not be a problem but for now he could only accept baring his rear. Kong Yeuk Lam however worried about her fans and stated that this kiss scene has already upset them. * (4/19/2008) The Miki Yeung Oi Kun starred film CHUN OI DIK (DEAR) yesterday held a production start ceremony. Aside from her, other actors included Andy On Chi Kit, Kwan Chor Yiu, Alice Tsang Hoi Won and Hotcha. Miki who has been on a Chinese herbal medicina detoxification regiment now has already dropped to 100 pounds. Two nights ago though she spent the entire time in the bathroom. She said, "I still had four more days so I worried that I would not be able to work." In this new film, she, On Chi Kit and Tsang Hoi Won had a love triangle but did not know whether she had any intimate scene. She believed that the company would definitely watch over her. On Chi Kit due to his STAR RUNNER (SIU NIN AH FU) performance was invited to be the lead actor. Paco Wong would also sign him to at least two more movies in the next two years. On Chi Kit happily said, "I have the most dramatic scenes in this film. Although I used to like action films more, now I want to try more in other areas." For even better performance he has even worked hard on watching movies and television to learn Cantonese, because he only learned "foul language" from his everyday conversation with the crew. In the film he would be between two beauties. He still did not know whether they would have any intimate scenes but would do as the director asked. If the director asked him to be intimate with another man, he said that he could accept that if he was saving someone or for comedy. Kwan Chor Yiu for his first performance was always very nervous, as far as he knew he had no romance this time. Yet if the director asked him and Chubby to be intimate, he believed that he could be professional. Tsang Hoi Won was not worried that she had intimate scenes in her second Hong Kong film as long as they met with her personal limit. * (4/19/2008) Tony Leung Chiu Wai spoke about Ang Lee's LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) and said, "This film has changed my performing life." Wai Jai has made many different films. LUST, CAUTION surprised him. "When I took the role I didn't know about the love scene. Ang Lee has given me some research books and the original book. I never made a movie that strange. I was prepared to look good, but I didn't expect to look that good. I have made too many Wong Kar Wai films, by 2046 I was already tired. The habitual gestures came out automatically, which was very tired. Did I have any more breakthrough? I have made many love scenes, but why was this one was strange?" Ang Lee wanted the actors to practice for months. Everything including love making had to be rehearsed. Wai Jai said, "Making love, not just the movement but also acting at the same time as well as keeping the co-star's feeling in mind. Luckily we hae already rehearsed for months. Everyone was familiar so we just went all out." Did Wai Jai have feeling for Tang Wei? Wai Jai said, "Friendship. Tang Wei is very easy going and easy to talk to." Wai Jai said about his performance life, "Due to 100% luck was I be able to work with such a good director. Unknowingly I have learned a lot. Hou Hsiao-Hsien, (Stanley) Kwan Kam Pang, Chan Ying Hung, Ang Lee, all of them were serious, truly made movies, which was very different from making silly movies." He alos said, "I am in my forties, physically I am not able to make too many movies. One movie every two years would be the best. Carrying the film from the beginning to the end would be very hard. In addition, the timing, places and people have to be right to make a good movie. Writers, directors, the crew, co-stars have to be good, playing a character that you haven't tried before, being the not normally you, it is harder than winning the lottery." As for his wedding, Wai Jai showed a look of joy and said, "Ultimately I have to." * (4/18/2008) Kent Cheng Juk Si yesterday on a radio interviewed talked about his past film investment. Originally he only lost 6 to 7 million, but because some friends did not receive the remainder of their payment he paid them on his own. In the end he paid 11 million. As for why he did not declare bankruptcy, he honestly said that he still wanted to stand in the circle and hold his head up high. He honestly said that he had to thank two women for being able to stand up again. They were his mother and his wife. After that he started to cry. "My Ma told me, it's not important Son, you didn't gamble it away, you can start over. We came from a poor background, what are we afraid of?" His wife did not argue with him either and only urged him to think of resolutions and slowly started over. Brother Kent felt lucky that he failed earlier. If he failed after 97 he would have been much worse because the environment was even tougher. Before 97 he has already paid off his debts. * (4/18/2008) Two international gong fu superstars Jackie Chan and Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) starred film THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM (GONG FU JI WONG) two days ago held a world premiere in Beijing. Director Rob Minkoff along with action director and executive producer Yuen Wo Ping, leads Jackie Chan, Lee Nin Kit, Crystal Liu Yifei, Li Bingbing and boss Albert Yeung Sau Sing attended together. The premiere spent 7 million for over 400 security guards and police officers to maintain order and patrol the audience against piracy. Feng Xiaogang, Wong Jing, Zhao Wen Zhou and his wife were also on hand. Fresh out of the oven Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor Lee Nin Kit attended with his daughter. The host asked her how she felt and she expressed that she knew Papa made this film because he wanted to make a family film for her so she felt very honored and appreciative. After that she looked shy and did not answer another question. Lee Nin Kit joked that both of them had great abilities but did not know how to speak. After the premiere, the audience applauded for ten minutes and Jackie Chan and Lee Nin Kit were very pleased. Li Bingbing's performance received Mainland media praise. * (4/18/2008) At a soft drink event, guests included Ronald Cheng Chung Kei and model Janice Man. Cheng Chung Kei was 20 minutes late due to food poisoning and joked, "Perhaps the large intestines were not clean, I directly ate crap." Reporters joked that he would immediately recovery with one look at Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin. As for not winning Best Supporting Actor, he honestly said that he was not disapointed. The nomination was already a recognition because the competition was too strong. He was somewhat disappointed however about not winning the Best Original Song. He truly liked that song. He did not mind losing to Kary Ng Yu Fei, which was a kind of encouragement. Did he comfort Ah Sa? He said that he did not need to because the nominees were already this year's best. * (4/17/2008) Already opened in Hong Kong, RUN PAPA RUN (YUT GOR HO BA BA) will open in Taiwan next Friday. Director Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) flew there to promote. She not only personally brought the copies to Taipei but also held a Sylvia Chang vs. 100 Papa screening and forum. Attendees were almost all fathers, with celebrity fathers like director Hou Hsiao-Hsien, director Ko Yijing and Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai). Cheung Ngai Ga joked, "I haven't gone on a movie date with so many men in a long time." Siu Chai who has always been busy with work felt that he could not claim to be a good father. Lately in order to rehearse for his concert he did not have time to be with his daughter. This year he originally promised his daughter to spend her birthday with her but due to work he had to disappoint. However he had quite a connection with RUN because currently he was working with Louis Koo Tin Lok on another film. Once when he went to the beach he ran into Koo Tin Lok and Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) working on the film; in addition, Hou Hsiao-Hsien's support touched Cheung Ngai Ga. Cheung Ngai Ga talked about her production experience with many fathers. The film's many mixed emotional scenes made the fathers' hearts ached. Koo Tin Lok the mob boss had to sing children song for his daughter and his brethren made fun of him, which made them deeply feel that under the pressure of busy work and and life being a good father indeed was not easy. * (4/17/2008) Wang Yuanyuan and Lynn Xiong yesterday attended a mobile phone event. Wang Yuanyuan earlier represented her brother in law Donnie Yen Chi Tan and accepted his Hong Kong Film Award. She expressed that her sister thought that she was too fat to attend herself and sent her instead. Her sister's birthday was coming up on the 21st. Chi Tan would fly to Hong Kong to celebrate with her. * (4/17/2008) Ann Hui On Wa two nights ago as the school artist attended the Hong Kong University THE WAY WE ARE (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YUT YU YEH) screening. The venue was full and had to add more seats. Hui On Wa was very surprised at the students' overwhelming attendance. She said that the film ultimately was not a commercial film and worried that no one would come When Dr. Cheung Mei Kwan saw Hui On Wa, she called her "sister" and Hui On Wa responded, "You should call me ancestor." Hui On Wa several years ago taught at HKU. She said that at the time she realized that students rather enjoyed the university life but overlooked culture. In recent years they have paid more attention, which made her very happy. * (4/17/2008) Karena Lam Ka Yun earlier appeared on a Cable Entertainment interview. Speaking of being recognized as a substance actress, she said that she actually really wanted to play pretty girl or sexy characters but no one appreciated her that way. Ka Yun said, "In one scene in COMA (GAU MING), (Andy) Hui Chi On and I had relations. Originally He had to wear sexy lingerie, but the director saw me in costume fitting said, 'Naked Lam Ka Yun doesn't look good.' At the time i truly was a little hurt!" The host asked if she was approached to play LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) but she had to be naked like Tang Wei, would she? Ka Yun said without hesitation, "I would!" She said because of the good screenplay and good director Ang Lee, she did not mind naked performance. Ka Yun's career has been smooth sailing, but her love life seemed to be unstable. The only lover who she has publicly recognized was Chan Kwong Wing. She said, "Chan Kwong Wing is a great man. He wants to settle down and build a family, but I have too many desires and feel that I haven't achieved at work. Actually I can say that I didn't put him and family first but put myself first." Ka Yun said over her years of dating she has not experienced any major heartbreak. Every one of her boyfriends has been more than caring. As for her ideal mate, she said, "I would pick (Jacky Cheung) Hok Yau because I feel he is very wise. He not only can protect his family but also has his own career." * (4/17/2008) The film LOVE IS ELSEWHERE (OI CHING MAN SHUI) yesterday held a promotion. Actors Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Ken Hung Cheuk Lap, Chan Pak Yu, Chow Pak HO and Tong So Kei attended to pray for the film's box office. Yumiko even got a double positive romantic fortune, but Hung Cheuk Lap got a double negative career fortune. Yumiko expressed that actually she did not know what the fortune said and only knew that this year she would run into the right guy. When reported asked why she would ask about romance when she had one. She played dumb and claimed that her new romance was Hung Cheuk Lap. She said that normally she would ask about herself, but because this film was a romance so she asked about romance as a promotion. She admitted that love used to come first but now career is more important. Even though Hung Cheuk Lap reached a double negative fortune the fortune teller comforted him and said that this actually was a neutral fortune. Chan Pak Yu received a neutral fortune for the film's box office and he was very nervous. Chung Shu Man did not get a fortune because she has been a Christian since childhood and would be baptized later. She did not know how much would be good box office. Of course she would like it to be more than 10 million. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 23 2008, FILM WORDS AND THE SPRING COMES, NIGHT TRAIN, IN LOVE WE TRUST Mainland China films have frequently won international film festival awards. Often due to their lack of commercial market they are rarely released in Hong Kong, but they are still worthy of discussion. In addition they can been seen on videos. I have seen several Mainland films at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival. This column has briefly mentioned IN LOVE WE TRUST. Today let's talk about AND THE SRPING COMES and NIGHT TRAIN. AND THE SPRING COMES is famous cinematographer turned director Gu Changwei's new film. Four years ago his debut PEACOCK won the Berlin Film Festival Silver Bear Prize and made lead actress Zhang Jingchu her rise. The new film made Chiang Wenli the Rome Film Festival Best Actress award. Chiang Wenli plays an ugly middle age woman with musical talent. She instructs herself in opera and performs outstandingly but has no way to enroll in Beijing schools. She can only be buried in a small town. AND THE SPRING COMES describes her series of musical and romantic obstacles. She even runs into other talented but underutilized people like a laborer painter, a gay dancer and a girl who pretends to be terminally ill for a chance to compete. This film shows that today Mainland has many talented and hard training people but few opportunity to stand out. The general public does not appreciate art, which is very painful for them. Actually AND THE SPRING COMES main driving force is not the director or the actors, but screen writer Li Qiang, who has written both PEACOCK and Ann Hui On Wa's POSTMODERN LIFE OF MY AUNT. They both describes the strange phenomenon of the little people on the fringe of the new China society. I feel PEACOCK describes the 70s and 80s early opening of Mainland situation very delicately and wonderfully, the two films after though piled on too many strange people and events. Even though AND THE SPRING COMES' Chiang Wenli stood out and AUNT's Siqin Gaowa won this year's Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress, both film's style was uneven and I didn't like them. John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s short film SONG SONG AND LITTLE CAT was also Li Qiang written and a part of seven part international children film ALL THE INVISIBLE CHILDREN. The Diao Yinan written and directed NIGHT TRAIN is rather unique. The lead is a female court officer who has to conduct executions. She often pays lonely visits to matchmaking services and develops a possibly fatal romance with a female deathrow inmate's laborer husband. NIGHT TRAIN achieves intricate and solid style but still has not fully demonstrated its mystery and suspense. The Wang Xiaoshuai IN LOVE WE TRUST story also leads to a very special bed relationships in new era reality but in the same manner runs out of drama in the end. Currently Mainland films still have difficulty with both entertainment and artistic appreciation. The film inspection issue is especially troubleshome, but undoubtedly more and more talent has risen and the subject and style are more colorful. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkkeiluklei) 2. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 22 2008, FILM WORDS THREE KINGDOMS MOVIES AND RECENT BOX OFFICE Recently the Chinese film with the best box office has been THREE KINGDOMS RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON (SAM GOK ji GEIN LUNG SEH GAP), which currenlty has made nearly 17 million in Hong Kong. Although it was not considered a big hit, eight years ago CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON's total Hong Kong revenue was only 14 million. Ang Lee's film completely relied on the U.S. box office of over US$100 million and the revenue of other locations to be the highest grossing Chinese film in the history. RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON's primary market was Mainland China, which was several times higher than Hong Kong's. Reportedly the film also had decent openings in Taiwan and South Korea but the momentum would remain to be seen. Daniel Lee Yan Kong directed this Zhao Zilong film, which this column has already discussed. The film seemed to be but was not and had no way to satisfy. However Andy Lau Tak Wa in the lead still had draw, THREE KINGDOMS costume war subjects have also attracted attention. If memory serves, aside from several decades ago's opera films, Three Kingdoms stories rarely made the big screen officially. Obviously because the past Chinese film industry production was simple and had a hard time with making the big battlefield realistic. Now the production conditions were better, but the trend was to transform classic stories, turn them upside down and often into nothing like the original. Adaptations could be independently creative, but THE ROMANCE OF THREE KINGDOSM and JOURNEY TO THE WEST were colorful on their own. However they have not had any film version that is faithful and ideal, unlike the traditional Three Kingdoms and Journey To The West operas that left many excellent examples. Actually if made into epic films, no big scale television series could replace them. Would John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s Three Kingdoms giant RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) be ideally made? Later we would be able to. No matter the result, many more Three Kingdoms subjects are worthy of production. Hopefully they would get better and better from now on. The new foreign film THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM has the Monkey King but only borrowed it for a childish fantasy. Jeff Lau Chun Wai's several CHINESE ODYSSEY films of course took the opportunity to create and have not officially use the latest film technique to make real JOURNEY TO THE WEST. If loyal to JOURNEY TO THE WEST and THE CREATION OF THE GODS (FUNG SUN BONG) the films should be very magical and full of fantastic fun. New Thai film CHOCOLATE won with action and opened with a lead. The Israeli film THE BAND'S VISIT is very alternative but worthy of recommending. This film made an Egyptian band's one day and night encounter in a Israeli small town realistic, humorous and fun galore. It is also full of warmth and good intention, a surprisingly little comedy. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkkeiluklei) 3. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 22 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS REASON THAT HONG KONG FEMALE STAR LOST BEST ACTRESS Four years of the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress have landed in the hands of Mainland female stars. Hong Kong female stars should work harder. Challenging Mainland famele stars is rather difficult. They are either middle age female stars who are full of experience or actresses who have had professional drama training. They definitely have advantages over local female stars. That is not to say that no one can rival them locally, but one must understand the production considerations. If a more sizable scale film is made, in other words the budget is not light; then it must be a Mainland co-production to make back the cost, right? A co-production must have certain Hong Kong China actor ratio. If you have the director or the producer and half the leads have to be from China and half from Hong Kong, how would you make the arrangement? Mainland has many excellent male stars, but co-productions must at the same time consider Hong Kong and the traditional markets. In this area, Hong Kong stars would be more stable, right? Mainland actors have good acting abilities but not much box office guarantee. Even big Mainland films use Hong Kong stars in the leads. Thus, mostly the lead actress would be a Mainland female star. When Hong Kong female stars are in the lead, most are Hong Kong films with heavier local feel and mainly light comedy. Female stars with more box office guarantee locally are younger and sell resonance with the young audience. During the Hong Kong Film Award voting, this type of movies and roles are at huge disadvantages. A group of female Hong Kong stars who can challenge Mainland female stars with superb acting abilities due to the co-production standards has difficulty landing roles. They do not have a group of young viewer that supports them in movies that focus on the lcoal market. They have difficulties in the lead. One of the key problems of the local film market is few middle age viewers. Most tend to watch foreign films. Without middle age viewer supporting, middle age female stars with superb acting abilities naturally have less performance opportunities and naturally have difficulties with Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress nominations. Although Mainland female star's acting is good, for now they have hard time with performing several films well like city comedies. Unfortunately not everyone would appreciate acting that is played but might as well not be. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 21 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS IDOL ARTISTS SHOULD BE A LITTLE BAD After the nude photo incident, many criticized idol artists' image. All of them were industry outsiders. Idol artist image actually should not be too healthy, a little bad would be the best. Do not mix the conditions for political idol and artist idol into one -- although this is frequently seen. Political figures who are on stage would have to bow out with any image flaw. Honestly, artist idols who are on top with countless "vermicelli" have once been bad. Many years ago a very famous director has said, a successful artist has to continously fall and save themselves. Losers would only fall and could not save themselves. Young people are rebellious inside. Idols who they like are not artists who want to grow up nice because they cannot relate to these artists' words and behavior. Their only positive point may be their pretty looks. Artists who are too straight laced and constantly preach positive ideas bore people to death. What kind of artist is the easiest to be worshipped? Look is not the most important -- but look cannot be too bad. Today idol artist must have certain talent to rise and be on top, both for men and women. The ones who only sell looks would decline after two to three years because every year many artists of this type would come up. With a little bit bad or once bad, the attribute truly would help with the performance. How can anyone over 20 without any experience act well? Even with talent, the roles that they can play are limited. With good singing voice emotional expression does not have enough layer. Young artists who grew up in a single parent family are better than ones from a happy family, the reasons of which are also the same. You can take a look for yourself. Anyone who is afraid of media digging up the past should not be good from childhood to adulthood, but to cover it with their own talent. - KWOK HIN CHING 5. TA KUNG PAO, APRIL 20 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH EVERY ASPECT OF THE HONG KONG FILM AWARDS This year's Hong Kong Film Award has come to an end. THE WARLORDS (TAU MING JONG) won eight awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. In the end the lack of "suspense", the program had no "pleasant surprise" were the general reaction. Every year most of Hong Kong Film Award's technical awards (cinematography, costume, sound effects ,etc) all went to high budget films because only these films had enough financial power to hire high quality talent and let them shine; thus someone has said online that THE WARLORDS' awards were built on money. Hit films had more advantage with Best Picture, in other words it was a battle between THE WARLORDS and PROTEGE (MOON TOH) (Their revenue was far better than the other three films). Favorites won Best Actor and Best Actress. The results were very "mainstream". Back then A BETTER TOMORROW (YING HUNG BOON SIK) and INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MO GAN DOH) both won big, the results had no suspense either but the audience had fun and felt they deserved them. The reason was the film quality was high but the production budget was not. Not every year had a movie that had the entire Hong Kong in an uproar. Thus most Hong Kong Film Award did not receive attention and praise. One of the reasons that award shows were criticized as calm and even dull is this year's lack of unnecessary show stealing hosts. Three female hosts were gracious, the program atmosphere was solid. As for during the show Eric Tsang Chi Wai's out of place comment, "So many people die I don't see you die." although was effective it was also unnecessary. Many years' Oscars took place quietly. Last year it even mistook INFERNAL AFFAIRS as a Japanese film so its production was not considered strict. One of the major reason that the Oscars took place every year was it has been a very profitable program. The entire world's broadcast fee was enough to cover the production cost and profit (which was US$30 million last year). On the other hand the Hong Kong Film Award every year needed the government to cover half the cost, then it labored to look for sponsorship funding everywhere. It was a very tough operation. The film industry insisted that this was the annual industry report card and must continue on. In other words, on certain level this award show was not commercial or audience pleasing. This award show's similarity with the Asian Film Award is non commercial event. Thus it could not keep benefit in mind. This is where Hong Kong Film Award and the Oscars differ. In the commercial society, this type of program without government or organization's full support would be very difficult to keep going. The Hong Kong Film Award's history and recognition have been the champion of the three lands on two shores. If it could transform into a Chinese film award, it might be a great business. The focus would not be the business but to be able to continue on. Hong Kong film professional's annual report card seemed to have already fallen behind the times. It not only eliminates films like LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) but also enables THE WARLORDS to win many awards. The competition atmosphere and overall film quality have lost color and not deserving. - TIN LIK 6. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 19 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FUND OPERATION DIFFERS FROM THE USUAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS The Film Development Fund to invest at most 30% in small to mid scale Hong Kong film project has many inquiries but not overwhelming applications for a reason. The biggest problem is the overportection of public fund. Protection of public fund originally is great. The money belongs to all Hong Kong and cannot be wasted. Yet the current situation not only would not waste it, it would even take some of the films' profit and send it to the treasury. Because the inspection standard uses the most conservative estimates and profit as its basis. On the other hand film companies that still invest in filmmaking now are even more progress and risk taking. The current way does not consider screenplay content. As long as distribution feels it can sell for money to at least break even and profit the project would be approved. Even if the production quantity of Hong Kong film is increase, this way does not help quality elevation at all. Films that are so calculating that they would not lose money do not need government investment. If they are certain profit who would be willing to share 30% of it? The reason for few applicants is also the difference between the standard and the industry operation. On average, before film production begins it would first borrow a little money from cinema circuits and use the money to reduce actual investment. Film companies big and small would do so. The difference is small companies can only take half or one film's down payment, big companies can take a big sum all at once and make many movies at the same time. How much cinema circuits lend is an estimate of the least box office after circuit proceeds. In other words when they lend money to film companies they do not have to be afraid of lacking payment because they can take from the box office. Film development fund creates a return and an expense account. The expense is the film budget that must be used fully to make the movie, the government's 30% and the film companies' 70%. The return is another account, which a third party that has no benefit charges then split with both parties. Thus, down payment and cinema circuit loans cannot be used. In other words both parites have to pay off the cost first. Having income that cannot be used is a very stupid way to operate. It should have even smarter way that is similar to industry operation. - KWOK HIN CHING 7. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 18 2008, FILM WORDS LOVE IS ELSEWHERE : FUN AT THE PREMIERE More than two weeks ago, I at the Hong Kong International Film Festival saw the new Hong Kong film LOVE IS ELSEWHERE (OI CHING MAN SHUI). Actually I accidentally stumbled into the wrong show and watch the wrong film, but it was still fun. That night program originally was A DECADE OF LOVE with ten Hong Kong directors Wong Ching Po, Lam Wa Chuen, Cheung Wai Hung, Yuen Kin Toh, Aubrey Lam Oi Wa, Mak Chi Sin, Chan Wing Chiu, Yeung Yat Tak, Chung Kai Cheung, Lee Kung Lok each shooting a part in a very rare occasion. After arriving I learned that the film has been cancelled and changed to the LOVE IS ELSEWHERE premiere as the ensemble of young actors and actresses appeared on stage. I was very out of touch with the new generation and new trend and did not recognize who they were. Wonderfully many female vermicelli screamed and the atmosphere was very cheerful. When the film screened, they still continued to comment on the new stars especially the film's innocent pretty boy Ken Hung Cheuk Lap. This youth romantic comedy was only ordinary but the fan passion added to the live fun. I noticed that many foreign viewers have curiously watched until the end. Looking back at when Hong Kong film was at its peak, even rotten films were sold out. Whether they laughed or scolded they were excited and passionated. The late show's applause and jeer were especially fun (they also gave makers sudden heart attacks). In the past Hong Kong film miraculously rose, which relied heavily on the audience's passionate reaction. On and off screen were one close family, they had fun in praising and intense in scolding. In the recent decade or so Hong Kong film has had difficulty in attracting wide recognition and become cold and depressed. Now LOVE IS ELSEWHERE has opened, would it be as cheerful as the premiere? LOVE IS ELSEWHERE is independent director Vincent Chui Won Shun's first new generation small budget film. Six young singers star in a story that revolves around a Sheung Wan Soho "Love Mental Therapy" coffee shop and mixes several relationships. The most attractive is shy guy Hung Cheuk Lap as the Lotus Tea House delivery boy who has a crush on the older art gallery lady Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, which is rather wonderful. The film also has the coffee shop couple partner Sherman Chung Shu Man and Chan Pak Yu's breakup crisis, and the romantic doctor in training Chow Pak Ho and Tong So Kei's love game of lies. Chui Won Shun has made LEAVING IN SORROW (YAU YAU SAU SAU DIK JAU LIU) about June 4 and 97 (Yip Lim Sum co-wrote) and the Tony Leung Ka Fai as a paparazzo in FEAR OF INTIMACY (JUI JUNG NGAN CHIN YUN). In recent years Yip Lim Sum has written and directed new star hit romance. This Chui Won Shun film is similar but warmer and more reserved. The Lotus Tea House is especially flavorful. Other parts are ordinary. This film has no brilliance but the new comer flood is good. In addition young romantic comedy should be developed hard. It is better than just horror or pranks. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkkeiluklei) 8. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 18 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS DAMAGES THAT INSPECTION DELAY BRINGS With the issues of LUST, CAUTION (SIK, GAI) and LOST IN BEIJING, plus the erotic photo gate incident, many already made and preparing for release co-productions are still waiting for final inspection. Boldly abandoning the Mainland market and release outside on its own is possible but has a lot of damage to bear. As far as the writer knows, some have already been notified unofficially that approval was not possible. The real reason was kept to those involved. If anyone forces an appeal, the film would definitely have other reasons not to be approved. Facing such a hardship, film companies can only accept the reality and bear the damage. Others that are on hold are screenplays that have been sent for inspection. Without approval the screeplays cannot be made. Actor schedules are the biggest headaches because they have been booked already. The screenplay's approval delay misses the schedule and may lead to cast changes. Cast change leads to market calculation difference. The line up change may not have the original chemical reaction. One way is "false start". Knowing that the screenplay does not have any taboo and approval is only a matter of time, the film would secretly start production first. In case the screenplay would have to change, re-shoot would take place. As long as the result does not violate any rule, "false start" rarely has any problem. This way reduces the risk of missing actor schedule due to inspection delay. With earlier film sex problems, the upcoming Olympics and Tibet unrest, film inspection would be very strict these days and even have no progress at all. Hong Kong film market has been impacted, Mainland even more so. Screenplay, production, release now have all been on hold, the production rate naturally has been reduced. In recent years the Mainland box office has grown every year, this year who knows how it would make up for the inspection delay figures. At the box office, Mainland is much better than Hong Kong. Only most revenue has gone to big films. Big film box office has 70 to 200 million. Yet the investment is big as well. The Mainland market alone cannot possibly make back the cost. As discussed early small to mid scale film development would be positive to both China and Hong Kong markets, but so far it is stuck in discussion stages. - KWOK HIN CHING 9. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 17 2008, FILM WORDS CHOCOLATE: AGILE THAI GIRL Several years ago, the Tony Jaa starred Thai action films made him a household name. Another Thai film has been based on a male fighter's real story of sex change to a woman. Now it is the outstandingly agile little Thai girl's turn and the action is also great to watch. CHOCOLATE's director Prachya Pinkaew has made Tony Jaa's star vehicles ONGBAK and TOM YUM GOONG. This time he has made a new girl a rising star and even invited Japanese hunk Hiroshi Abe to help. The story does not flow as smoonthly as the last two films, fortunately lead actress JiJa Yanin is small and naive and the action is very sharp. This film's story is more complex and involves Thai and Japanese mobs. Different nations' mobsters give birth to a mixed heritage daughter and the mother becomes terminally ill. Actually it is contrived and unclear as the film just keeps on cooking up melodrama and fighting. What is special is this daughter is an autistic "dumb girl". Since childhood her limb response has been very agile. Her childhood friend brings her to perform on the streets, which is rather interesting. Later she in order to raise money to treat her mother keeps on fighting with city bullies and mob thugs. The story is totally made up and completely relies on the entertaining action. Star JiJa Yanin has quite a knack for acrobatics with her agility and quickness. As for powerful and varying solid battle feel, she cannot compare to Tony Jaa's fierce explosiveness. Actually female action stars often cannot avoid feminine fighting. This Thai new comer looks innocent and simple. She does not play the big heroine and performs the poor dumb girl very naturally. The action design has a lot of Hong Kong film influence, its gun fight, Japanese sword fight and street battles are very exaggerated. Better in the film are not the hard fighting but the female lead's jump, kick, flight and dodge, as well as catching any projectile weapons. She and the stunt professionals crawl and fight under a low stage, which is rather difficult because they cannot make big moves and have to decide life and death within inches. Supposedly Chinese martial arts like Di Tang and Wing Chung are perfect for close quarters. This film's climax is the chase between catwalks, buildings and signs as well as using narrow space for dangerous stunts. Numerous falls from great heights are rather exciting. Of course, these are all Jackie Chan films' trademark moves long ago. Its end title also imitates Jackie Chan with outtakes and injury scenes, and as usual viewers are reluctant to leave their seats as they stay and watch. CHOCOLATE's action is decent but the story is messy. The ill fated mother originally has a legendary background and the execution is rather unrealistic. As for Tony Jaa, this year he will direct and star in ONGBAK 2. Who knows how it will turn out. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkkeiluklei) 10. MING PAO DAILY, APRIL 17 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS TVB CANNOT LOSE FROM AIRING 2046 Having just said that airing movies does not benefit TVB much, TVB last week aired 2046 and lost to ATV's James Bond. 2046 had an average 10 point rating, 8 point bottom. James Bond had an average 11 point rating and 13 point peak. Perhaps some thought that TVB scheduled the wrong film, which was very unlikely. 2046 was aired not only due to the television right purchase early on but also because Sunday's Hong Kong Film Award broadcast. Would TVB's programming department not know that a Wong Kar Wai art film on a general masses television series would not receive high rating? It must know but it still took the risk. If it did not know, it could only say that it would know the rating would be lower than ATV. When you are scheduling, you have 2046 and they have an old James Bond film. Usually you would guess that you would win a little no matter what. At worst it would be a tie and not a loss. The fact was defeat. On the eve of the Hong Kong Film Award, a group of film lovers should be attracted to support 2046. They were, but only with an average 10 point rating. If it was on ATV who would know how low the rating would be. 2046 free television broadcast fee would not be very low because the director was famous and the cast was full of big names. When television stations buy with high prices they would not randomly put them on non prime time. Rating was important not not too important. Advertisers would not have a problem with Wong Kar Wai's film due to low rating. The brand names instead liked it even more. Why? This 10 point rating is exactly the brand name's target audience. This type of viewers are not numerous but normal programs rarely can attract them. Some high class magazines do not have high sales but are full of brand name ads. Some vulgar entertainment weekly may not be able to attract so many brand name ads. TVB can afford one or two rating defeats. Revenue is not hurt. It only lost a little face. ATV this time edged out and perhaps might be the only time. However the writer has said earlier, Saturday rating stability has been strengthen. Actually neither station lost. The loss went to the over 1 million viewers who were looking for general entertainment. They were a little lost. - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Chun Oi Dik Lit : Dear Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Andy On Chi Kit, Kwan Chor Yiu, Alice Tsang Hoi Won, Hotcha STORM RIDERS II Can : Fung Won II Lit : Wind Cloud II d. Pang Brothers Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, BUTTERFLY LOVERS Can : Mo Hup Leung Jook Lit : Martial Art Heroes Leung Jook d. Jingle Ma Chor Sing Wu Chun, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Hu Ge, Harlem Yu Ching Hing, Ti Lung Can : Nui Yun But Wai Lit : Women Not Bad d. Tsui Hark Zhou Xun, Kuei Lun-Mei, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Alex Fong Chung Shun 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 MOSS Can : Ching Toi 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 : 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 Can : Giu, Won Lit : Call, Soul Grace Ip Pui Man, Carl Ng Ka Lung, Jolie Chan Yuen Kei, Raymond Wong Ho Yin, Chucky Wood Gei Lan, Kwok Hoi San Can : Ang Hong Lit : Tough Guy Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Ellen Chan Nga Lun, Liu Ye, Sun Honglei FANTASTIC WATER BABES Can : Chook Shui Fu Yung Lit : Out of Water Hibiscus d. Jeff Lau Chun Wai Gillian Chung Yun Tung, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Stephen Fung Tak Lun, Tian Liang, Eva Huang Shengyi, 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 : 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), Internet Movie DataBase (http://www.imdb.com) LOVE IS ELSEWHERE Can : Oi Ching Man Shui Lit : Love Hail d. Vincent Chui Won Shun Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Jason Chan Pak Yu, Ken Hung Cheuk Lap, Yan Ng Yat Yin, Chow Pak Ho, Rating : IIB Length : 94 mins. Opening April 17 2008 Opening March 31 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=671 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The story takes place in the posh Soho, the city's favorite haunt for the fashionable minded. The film begins with a young couple running a cafe and throwing in free counseling (their real dream is to save up for schooling in Beijing), and draws into this circle a playboy houseman, his object of desire, a gallery owner, her young delivery boy admirer who wants to be a singer, and an assortment of beautiful creatures. As days turn into nights and nights into days, friends and lovers come and go; they dream of a love that ends all love. CHOCOLATE Can : Nui Kuen Ba Lit : Female Fist Tyrant d. Prachya Pinkaew JiJa Yanin (Yanin Vismitananda), Ammara Siripong, Hiroshi Abe Rating : IIB Length : 93 mins. Opening April 17 2008 Official Site : http://www.chocolate-movie.com [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Martial artist prodigy Zen has been living with her mother Sin since childhood. Sin is quiet and kind, thus making her the target of extortionists. Zen has always been kept in the dark. When Sin has cancer and needs a large sum for treatment, Len then discovers her family fortune has fallen into the hands of extortionists. To keep her mother alive, Len and her good friend Spider go on the road to get back her mother's money with her fists... MASKED RIDER THE NEXT d. Ryuta Tazaki Masaya Kikawada, Kazuki Kato Opening April 17 2008 THE MOST DISTANCE COURSE Can : Jui Yiu Yuen Dik Kui Lei Lit : The Farthest Distance d. Lin Jing-Jie Kwai Lun Mei, Mo Zi Yi Opening March 17 2008 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. 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 Rating : IIA 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 Rating : IIB Length : 120 mins. 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 never 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. [ 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. WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE TAIWAN CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Lin Shu Yu Rhydian Vaughan, Chang Chieh, Wang Bo Chieh Length : 113 mins. Opening March 21 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=684 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The winds of September are the wind of Hsinchu, a strong wind that visits the county and city between September and November. The film takes us back to 1996, during the time of the tragic Taiwan baseball scandal, an event that devastated many teenage boys. The story follows Yen and Tang and their gang through the last year of their high school life. From chasing girls to midnight skinny dipping to rooting for their favorite baseball team, they do everything together. When an accident throws Yen into a coma, their world starts falling apart. A cruel reality has announced itself, can the boys grow up quickly enough to face it? WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE MAINLAND CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Han Yan Tai Junjie, Wu Xiaoliang, Liu Shuhan, Chi Jia Rating : 105 mins. Opening March 21 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=682 [ THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Some time before the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China, a Mainland high school stages a variety show to celebrate the occasion. One of the most brilliant openings among the many recent Chinese high school titles, it introduces the unfolding drama of rival groups of "good" and "bad" students and their "internal contradictions", and serves as a continual mental backdrop for the audience: of youth caught in a society whose founding ideology has become obsolete and absurd. HIGH NOON AKA : WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE HONG KONG CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Heiward Mak Lam Yiu Sing, Sham Ka Kei, Anjo Leung Hiu Fung, Venus Wong Man Yik Length : 100 mins. Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=683 CITY WITHOUT BASEBALL Can : Mo Yeh ji Sing Lit : City Without Wildness d. Lawrence Ah Mon (Lau Kwok Cheung), Scud (Wan Yu) Leung Yu Chung, Ron Heung Chi Chun, Gia Lin Yuan, Monie Tung Man Lei Length : 100 mins. Opening March 22 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=441 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTVIAL ] Resigned to playing at a remote facility without even a spectator's stand, a local baseball team faces challenges on and off the field before the international championships. 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. THE WAY WE ARE Can : Tin Shui Wai Dik Yut Yu Yeh Lit : Tin Shui Wai's Day and Night d. Ann Hui On Wa Paw Hee Ching, Chan Lai Wun, Leung Chun Lung, Idy Chan Length : 90 mins. Opening March 27 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=638 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] A widowed mother and her teenage son live in a Tin Shui Wai estate. She works in a supermarket and helps a colleague breaks into her new job. The boy, average in each and every way, grows into adolescence hesitantly. In passing, we find out that the mother has made big sacrifices to her family. The way we are, the way we live; an ode to the salt of the earth. THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM AKA : THE J AND J PROJECT Can : Gong Fu ji Wong Lit : King of Gong Fu d. Rob Minkoff Jackie Chan, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), Li Bingbing, Crystal Liu Yifei, Collin Chou Siu Lung, Michael Angarano Opening April 24 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] U.S. youth Jason is a super Chinese gong fu fan. On an occasion, he discovers a mysterious golden staff in a certain Chinatown store and is taken through time and space and the "door without door" to ancient China! Jason receives a shocking prediction that wants him to return this weapon to its owner and thus resolving the Monkey King who has been trapped for 500 years under a boulder. On his difficult search, Jason meets figures from the martial art hero world and ancient legends -- One of the "Eight Fairies", "Drunken Fist Master" and wandering poet Lu Yan, the mysterious and silent monk and, the vengeful heroine Golden Sparrow. The four travel over the mountains and through the rivers and discovers where the evil Jade Warlord has imprisoned the Monkey King. The Jade Warlord sends his top assassin -- the cold blooded, white haired demon Ni Chang to lead an army of over 10,000 in pursuit of the four..... HAPPY FUNERAL Can : Lok Lau Hau Jor 2 Ga Suk Jeh Lai Lit : Sixth Floor Rear Flat 2 Family Appreciation Ceremony d. Barbara Wong Chun Chun Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Fama, I Love You Boyz, Tian Yuan, Law Chung Him, Stephanie Cheng Yung, Lollipop, Eric Tsang Chi Wai Opening April 24 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Landlady Susie after years as the landlady has run into countless young people. She still misses the former rear flat residents the most. This year, as she increases rent another group of new young people has rented this residence. Because her grandson will return to Hong Kong from the U.S., Susie takes the chance to find his grandson a wife. Thus this time her strict rental questions basically revolve around strange questions like blood type and Chinese and Western astrology. Some young people have great backgrounds, some are wooden and stiff. As soon as she sees Kay and Chi Susie is already pleased with herself... BESIEGED CITY Can : Wai Sing Lit : Surrounded City d. Lawrence Ah Mon (Lau Kwok Cheung) Tang Tak Po, Wong Hau Yan, Wong Yat Ho, Tze Lock Chiang Cho Man Rating : III Length : 96 mins. Opening May 1 2008 Opening March 22 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=425 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] A young man in coma is under arrest for murder; as his older brother delves into the past year of his brother's life, he discovers that numbness and cowardice can have murderous consequences. MY WIFE IS A GAMBLING MAESTRO Can : Ngor Lo Por Hai Doh Sing Lit : My Old Lady Is Gambling Saint d. Wong Jing Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Natalie Meng Yao, Cheung Tat Ming, Wong Jing, Winnie Leung Opening May 1 2008 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Gerard is a softhearted young man who is often taken advantage of by women who only want his money. One night, he saves a young girl named Ying Ying who helps him avoid these women, and soon Gerard realizes that she is a gambling genius - not only in mahjong but for football and horse betting, too. Only problem is she appears to be suffering from amnesia, but that does not stop them from falling in love. However, Ying Ying disappears the night before their wedding. A distraught Gerard searches high and low, only to find her contending in the Asian God of Gamblers' Competition, accompanied by her fiancé, Henry. A TALE OF MARI AND THREE PUPPIES d. Ryuichi Inomata Eiichiro Funakoshi, Akiko Matsumoto Opening May 1 2008 THE LUCKIEST MAN Can : Dai Sei Hei Lit : Big Four Joy d. Lam Tsz Chung Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Yuen Qiu, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Lam Tsz Chung, Monica Chan Fat Yung, Chan Kwok Kwun, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Pinky Cheung Man Chi Opening May 29 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Ho Bit Fat is the self made mahjong parlor owner in the 50s. With his superb mahjong abilities and smart management he now owns all 60 Hong Kong mahjong parlors and has the industry by its ear. The industry calls him "gambling king" out of respect. He has three wives, Sophie, Sister Ling and Manna, two sons and a daughter. Sophia's son Kei is a failure who makes trouble with his father's reputation. Ling's son Kin is an overgrown child who has liked music since childhood and thinks he is a singer. Ling's daughter Sisi is pretty and ambitious, makes a living on her own without any dependence on her father. In others' eyes Ho Bit Fat's three wives get along harmonious, serve the gambling king and are absolutely the envy of everyone. No one knows about for his inheritance two wives and two sons' continuous internal struggle. They not only bribed the gambling king's butler to observer his every move but every meal has become their weapon as they play pranks on each other. Because the two wives know martial art they keep battling in the living room and leaves nothing intact. As they fight to the death, the gambling kig brings home his former girlfriend's son Fai and makes the situation even more complicated. Fai is filial and respectful to everyone so he is the gambling king's favorite. The wives and sons team up for their own benefit and keep playing pranks on Fai. Meanwhile the gambling king suggests for his three sons to each take over a mahjong parlor with the best performer becoming the successor. CYBORG SHE Can : Ngor Dik Gei Hai Yun Nui Yau Lit : My Robot Girlfriend d. Kwak Jae-Yong Opening June 12 2008 Official Site : cyborg.gyao.jp [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A straight laced young man runs into a robot from the future and becomes deeply attracted to this pretty, cute and unique robot girl. They gradually fall for each other but an earthquake disaster strikes. He is trapped and his robot girlfriend risks her life to rescue her most beloved...... 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 10 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. KERORO THE MOVIE 3 Japanese Animation Opening August 14 2008 THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT Can : Sun Juk Goo Si Lit : Shinjuku Story d. Derek Yee Tung Sing Jackie Chan, Ken Watanabe, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) Opening September 25 2008 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 * SHOWBOAT THE MARDI GRAS CASINO PRESENTS TSAI CHIN (CHOI KUM) ENDLESS LOVE DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday, May 11 2008 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION : House of Blues Showboat Casino Atlantic City NJ * GOLD LION ENTERTAINMENT AND TRUMP MARINA PRESENT SO YUI LIVE with Mystery Guest Joe DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday, May 11 2008 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION : Grand Cayman Ballroom Trump Marina and Hotel Atlantic City NJ TICKET PRICES: VIP $88, 58, 38 EXCLUSIVE TICKET CENTER: P & M Music Inc. 2 Elizabeth Street New York NY 10013 212.732.3828 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 April 15 2008 10 THE BAND'S VISIT d. Eran Kolirin Sasson Gabai, Ronit Elkabetz, Saleh Bakri, Khalifa Natour 9 EVANGELION 1.0 YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE d. Masayuki, Kazuya Tsurumaki Japanese animation 7 ESCAPE FROM HUANGSHI d. Roger Spottiswoode Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Radha Mitchell, Chow Yun Fat, Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) 5 SCARED 2 DIE Can : Hat Sei Nei Lit : Scare You To Death d. Chin Kong Hong Sam Lee Chan Sam, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Tommy Yuen Man On, Lawrence Chou Chun Wai, Tsang Kwok Cheung, Raymond Wong Ho Yin 10 WE OWN THE NIGHT d. 9 ONCE d. John Carney Glen Hansard, Marketa Irglova 8 RUN FAT BOY RUN d. David Schwimmer Simon Pegg, Thandie Newton 7 STEP UP 2 THE STREETS d. Jon Chu Briana Evigan, Robert Hoffman, Adam G. Sevani 6 JOHN RAMBO d. Sylvester Stallone Sylvester Stallone, Julie Benz 5 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 4 WE OWN THE NIGHT 3 RUN PAPA RUN Can : Yut Gor Ho Ba Ba Lit : One Good Papa d. Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga) Louis Koo Tin Lok, Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) 2 LOVE IS ELSEWHERE 1 CHOCOLATE ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS THREE KINGDOMS : RESURRECTION OF THE DRAGON Rating : IIB Length : 102 mins. 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. RUN PAPA RUN AKA : Hak Ba Ba Lit : Black Papa Rating : IIB Length : 115 mins. 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. SCARED 2 DIE Rating : IIB Length : 85 mins. Opening April 3 2008 EVANGELION: 1.0 - YOU ARE (NOT) ALONE Rating : IIB Length : 98 mins. Opening April 3 2008 Official Site : http://www.evangelion.co.jp [ CITYLINE HONG KONG ] Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone is the first installment in a film series known as the Rebuild of Evangelion that reinterprets the story first told in the critically acclaimed anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion. Covering the material from the first six episodes of the series, this film sets the stage when 14 year old Shinji Ikari arrives in Tokyo-3. His mother dead and his father painfully distant, Shinji is lonely, quiet, and wracked with torturous self-doubt. But Shinji's arrival in the city signifies his chance to prove himself as one of three teenagers chosen to pilot a series of technologically unprecedented robots called Evas, mysterious hybrids of man, spirit, and machine created to fight the unrelenting monsters known as Angels that continue to attack earth, one at a time. Thrown into battle before he's had so much as a day of training, Shinji's desperate need for his father's approval isn't helped by the pressure of the world's survival on his shoulders, or the difficult time he has living amongst the other pilots, who very strangely, have suffered the same losses that he has. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, April 19 2008 15 READY AT ANY MOMENT Can : Si Hak Jung Bei Jeuk Bobo 14 GEMINI Can : Seung Ji Sing Michael Kong Leung 13 LOOKING FORWARD TO LOVE Can : Kei Doi Oi JJ Lin Junjie (Lam Chun Kit), Jin Sha (Gum Sa) 12 SIMPLE IS THE MOST ROMANTIC Can : Gan Dan Jui Long Man Fang Datong 11 PREFERENCE FOR FRESHNESS Can : Tam Sun Sin Joey Yung Cho Yi 10 FALLEN INTO LOVE Can : Hum Yup Oi Noi Min (Yu Ho Ming, Gan Mei Yin) 9 ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY Can : Yut Jau Nin Bibi Zhou Bichang 8 HOLD HOLD HOLD HAND Can : Hin Hin Hin Sau Wu Kequn 7 PASS BY THE SHOULDER Can : Chat Gein Yi Gor Sam Lee (Lee Sing Kit) 6 WOMEN'S COFFEE Can : Nui Yun Moon Dik Ga Feh Joi Tsai (Choi Shun Gai), Jin Haixin 5 EMBRACE DREAM OF LOVE Can : Yung Po Oi Dik Mung Seung Andrea Bocelli, Jane Zhang Liangying 4 I AM NO GREAT PERSON Can : Ngor But Si Wai Yun Jordan Chan Siu Chun 3 THE JOY WITH YOU Can : Yau Nei Dik Fei Lok Joanna Wang (Wong Yeuk Lam) 2 HIS STORY Can : Ta Dik Goo Si Hins Cheung King Hin 1 RED ALL OVER THE WORLD Can : Hung Pin Chuen Kau Jacky Cheung Hok Yau ------ [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] LOVE IS GONE Davi Guetta ft. Chris WIllis www.youtube.com/watch?v=beGjncfEPt8 What are we suppose to do After all that we’ve been through When everything that felt so right is wrong Now that the love is gone There is nothing left to prove No use to deny this simple truth Can’t find the reason to keep holding on Now that the love is gone (Love is gone) Love is gone Love is gone Love is gone It's a hard time Love is gone It's a hard time Got to find the reason What are we supposed to do After all that we’ve been through When everything that felt so right is wrong Now that the love is gone There is nothing left to prove No use to deny this simple truth Can’t find the reason to keep holding on Now that the love is gone (Love is gone) What are we supposed to do After all that we’ve been through When everything that felt so right is wrong Now that the love (now that the love) is gone There is nothing left to prove No use deny this simple truth Can’t find the reason to keep holding on Now that the love is gone (now that the love) (Love is gone) Love is gone Love is gone Got to find a reason Got to find a reason Got to find a reason Got to find a reason Got to find a reason Got to find a reason Got to find a reason to hold on ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038