From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (MAY 15 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. Lai Yin San who celebrates her birthday on the 20th B. Lee Wing Ho who celebrates his birthday on the 18th C. Rabee'a Yeung Lok Ting who celebrates her birthday on the 16th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (5/21/2008) The 9 Hong Kong film professional organizations have met continuously to discuss disaster relief effort. Yesterday 2PM many film professionals and Performing Artist Guild representatives like Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Gordon Chan Ka Seung, Tsang Kwok Cheung, Astrid Chan Chi Ching, Tina Lau Tin Lan, Hung Cho Sing and Joe Cheung Tung Cho arrived at the Ho Man Tin Director's Guild address. Eric Tsang Chi Wai arrived around 6:30PM and left after a hour. He expressed that he had to attend meetings with the Trade Development Council to discuss the fund raiser event on the 25th. The Performing Artist Guild has already confirmed that a disaster relief concert will be held at June 1 at the soonest in West Kowloon. As for a disaster relief film, Chi Wai expressed that he put it in the hands of Lau Wai Keung. * (5/21/2008) Yesterday Shawn Yue Man Lok attended a camera promotion. His film THE MOSS (CHING TOI) originally moved up its premiere to last night for disaster relief but was cancelled at the last minute in order to mourn the victims. He revealed that the film's slogans would give people impression that it was a dirty movie about a cop and a hooker, which he would discuss with the film company. He stressed, "It's not like I am not promoting, I don't have to threaten anyone either. Actors should coordinate with the promotion, but knowing it is wrong and still promote is even more wrong." * (5/21/2008) Jackie Chan appeared at the Cannes Film Festival on the 19th to promote his production WUSHU. He and the film's two young actors Wang Wenjie and Liu Fengchao demonstrated their abilities and stunned the media. Yet while Jackie Chan may physically at Cannes, his heart was with disaster relief. Eight out of ten of his media responses talked about disaster relief. Lam Fung Giu who originally planned to visit Cannes with him cancelled at the last minute. After promoting in Cannes he has already returned to Hong Kong yesterday to prepare for the June 1 disaster relief performance as he hoped to quickly assist victims in school and family rebuilding. He expressed, monetary donation was not the most important; comforting the souls of children who have lost their families was. Jackie Chan also said that he would conduct a long term event for a large scale disaster relief show every year. The Jackie Chan produced new film WUSHU was John Shum Kin Fun presented, Golden Horse Award for Best Animation nominee Szeto Wing Wa directed. The story was mainly about wushu school students later experience in the world. Two Mainland wushu school graduates and wushu champion Wang Wenjie and Liu Fengchao starred. Shum Kin Yin sighed that now martial art talent could only be found in Mainland. Jackie Chan encouraged the two new actors to learn the professionalism of "still not tardy after 30 years". Wang Wenjie expressed, Jackie Chan taught them to first learn honor in studying martial art, which left him with a deep impression. Earlier Jackie Chan attended the RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) Cannes event. As the evening started, producer Terence Chang Ka Chun announced that the film will hold a charity performance in Beijing with all of the proceeds going to Sichuan Earthquake rebuilding. Jackie Chan raised a glass and gave a toast to John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) and stressed again "Next film, we have to work together." Because Ng Yu Sum was exhausted from working on RED CLIFF he was under Chinese medicine treatment and could not drink, Jackie Chan left one drop of red wine in his glass and then presented it to Ng Yu Sum to finish the toast. * (5/21/2008) Sundream's new film PLASTIC CITY has already started production. The film is the first Mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan and Brazil US$4 million co-production. One of the producers is the Gold Lion prize winning director Jia Zhangkei. The director is his cinematographer Yu Lik Wai. His first film LOVE WILL TEAR US APART (TIN SEUNG YUN GAN) competed in the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. PLASTIC CITY is a mob story that takes place in Sao Paolo, Brazil, where the entire film will be shot. The film stars Japanese star Jo Odagiri, who is participating in his first Hong Kong invested film. Anthony Wong Chau Sun plays a mob boss and Jo Odagiri's adopted father and they have many scenes together. Female lead is Mainland actress Huang Yi who plays a mamasan in the film. She is stuck between Wong Chau Sun and Jo Odagiri. Sundream's assistant chief Cheung Ka Lung will meet with several investing company representatives, producer Jia Zhangke and director Yu Lik Wai at this year's Cannes Film Festival to discuss the production and distribution of the film. The film company looks forward to the film being able to participate to many international film festivals next year, one of which will be Cannes. * (5/20/2008) Currently in production in Hengdian, Sundream's DUET BIU (CHAMPIONSHIP) yesterday halted production at 2:28 PM to pray for the people of Sichuan in Heaven. Also, director Tsui Siu Ming, actors Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, Wong Chui Yu, Debbie Goh (Ng Tin Yu) and Li Runting immediately recorded messages in hopes of continuing the relief effort message to people of Hong Kong and Mainland. * (5/20/2008) Yesterday ASHES OF TIME REDUX premiered at Cannes. After the film ended, director Wong Kar Wai and cinematographer Christopher Doyle (To Ho Fung), actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Carina Lau Ka Ling, and Charlie Yeung Choi Nei went on stage twice to accept a nearly ten minute long applause. Chang Chen also attended. Before the show, Wong Kar Wai asked the audience and the festival crew for a moment of silence for the Sichuan Earthquake. After the show, a female viewer from Sichuan approached Leung Chiu Wai and expressed that the opening's moment of silence touched her. Director Wong first spoke in Chinese then in English. "The Sichuan Earthquake has saddened us. In this disaster, we have seen life and death and witnessed the glory of humanity. Please let us stand for a minute, give a moment of silence to all of the victims and at the same time express infinite comfort and salute to those who never give up in the face of difficult times." * (5/20/2008) Fama yesterday promoted their new film on Commercial Radio. Earlier they guest starred in the new film NOI YI SIU NUI (UNDERWEAR GIRL). A magazine claimed that the film's lead actress Stephy Tang Lai Yun made co-star Janice Man cry. Fama said that they had no idea and was unfamiliar with Janice Man. Yet they felt Stephy was very friendly and easy going. Normally she rarely made a sound. Fama joked, "Silence is golden for her! Perhaps she sees how talented we are she gets shy." * (5/20/2008) The Johnnie To Kei Fung directed THE SPARROW (MAN JEUK) has already been scheduled for June 19 Hong Kong release. The film earlier participated in the Berlin Film Festival and received good reviews. Simon Yam Tat Wa and Kelly Lin (Lam Hei Lui)'s characters are refreshing and foreign viewers feel that it is different from To Kei Fung's past work. THE SPARROW due to cast scheduling took three years to shoot. Because the progress had no limit the cast had fun. During the finale, even Chow Yun Fat came to visit the set and rehearsed with the cast. Fat Gor who has always been a buddy of To Kei Fung in recent years has fallen for photography. Since Director To was taking a half time break, he took over as the temporary director and very seriously tested the shoot angles and positions. He also rehearsed with Yam Tat Wa. Even though Fat Gor has not appeared in Hong Kong film for awhile, he still had a familiarity with Hong Kong film. Fat Gor even said, "Making Hong Kong film is much more fun than making Hollywood film. Sometimes when you think of a new idea you can shoot it, but in Hollywood you can't. Everything has to follow procedure." Will Fat Gor make Hong Kong film again? He joked, "If Mr. To asks I of course would seriously consider." * (5/19/2008) Originally titled MO HUP LEUNG JOOK (MARTIAL ART HEROES LEUNG JOOK), the wuxia film has now changed its title to GIM DIP (SWORD BUTTERFLY). Leads Wu Chen and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin are still working on the film in China. Although Ah Sa is the lead actress, the one always with the mirror is Wu Chen. Instead, Ah Sa is working on two films at once after taking over for Gillian Chung Yun Tung and looks thinner and weaker. During the shoot Wu Chen would constantly have a mirror in one hand and also crackers on the other, which has already become his symbols. Because Wu Chen after digesting the director's requests is able to accomplish them, he is left with the mirror most of the time and digesting the crackers in his hand. Whenever the director talks about the movie, Wu Chen would take the chance to eat crackers. Perhaps because the location is too far from the city, he can only spend his time on eating and looking at the mirror. Ah Sa originally is very energetic. This time she is working in place of Ah Gil and has been busy from morning to night. Even after work she would be studying the script in hopes of being able to play the character's special quality. The team admires Ah Sa's professionalism. However, Ah Sa at the time has to work on STORM RIDERS (FUNG WON) in Thailand and is getting thinner gradually. * (5/18/2008) Raymond Wong Pak Ming's Mandarin Film production YUT DOI JUNG SI YIP MUN and Wong Kar Wai's project YUT DOI JUNG SI are under suspicion of using the same title. Earlier film distribution association's Mr. Sit publicly supported Wong Pak Ming's use of the title because the title was not Jet Tone's exclusive and Jet Tone's previous film DAYS OF BEING WILD (AH FEI JING JUEN) shared the same title as another Cantonese film. Jet Tone expressed then that DAYS was a salute to the previous film so it felt that the reason was insufficient and uncertain. The company even said, ""If because Mr. Wong is on the association board the comments were made, obviously the association lacks credibility. We have only met with Master Yip Juen and his students. We dragged the production on for so long because we value this film. We had a lot of research to do. I believe that what has been decided wouldn't change." Director Wong Kar Wai two nights ago headed to cannes and said at the airport, "For the last time, I feel Mr. Wong is not being reasonable. I am not talking about the title's legality. We have announced the project a long time ago, the entire world's media knew about it. Why would he still use the same name? Is it for promotion, confusion, or lack of good title, what does he want to achieve? I again clearly tell everyone that working with the same subject isn't a problem. The character of Yip Mun has a lot of specialty." What asked whether Director Wong would continue as planned, he said, "Of course, Master Yip Mun is a master of a generation, with not only martial art but honor. I think Mandarin company should properly learn from that." Veteran film professional Ng See Yuen expressed that the film industry could avoid such similar incident by registering the title with the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers. Jet Tone however reportedly registerd with the Taiwan authority and thus became ineffective in Hong Kong. Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Carina Lau Ka Ling, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei two nights ago flew to Cannes. Wai Jai and Ka Ling arrived together. The Performing Artist Guild was interested in making a film to raise fund for the Sichuan disaster relief, Wai Jai said, "If I can help I have no problem. In comparison to the local medical staff, Liberation Army, we truly are miniscual." Wai Jai and Ka Ling were rumored to announce their wedding in Cannes, he said, "Do you think it's a movie? The wedding is still under preparation. We are trying to have it this year." As for the dispute between Takeshi Kaneshiro and the team on the set of RED CLIFF (CHET BIK), he said, "I believe it definitely isn't like this. During the shoot everyone was very pleasant. Maybe he truly is so busy that he doesn't have time to promote." Wong Kar Wai and Wong Pak Ming have exchanged verbal jabs over YIP MUN JUEN. Wai Jai said, "Different people would achieve different results. The subject isn't just made with one person. I am just an actor and not a director. I don't know whether it would continue on." * (5/17/2008) Shawn Yue Man Lok yesterday attended an electronic pet auction for World Vision's earthquake relief. Currently busy with the film TUNG MOON (COLLEAGUE), Lok Jai this year has already four film contracts on hand. Thus he would mainly focus on film. He felt that he was very lucky. Although some actors wanted to be selective with the screenplay he knew that if he did not accept roles many would not work. Thus he would help when he could. Lok Jai's film THE MOSS (CHING TOI) next Tuesday would hold a charity premiere for the earthquake victims. Boss Lee Kwok Hing has already agreed to donate HK$100,000. * (5/16/2008) Director Ching Siu Tung last night confirmed that former action star Wong Yu yesterday passed away due to acute pneumonia. Performing Artist Guild chief Eric Tsang Chi Wai expressed that he has not received the news but the media have asked him. Chi Wai expressed that Wong has not returned to Hong Kong in recent years so he has not been in contact with him. If the news was true and his family required assistance the Guild would definitely provide its full support. Susan Shaw Yam Yam has seen Wong Yu at this year's Shaw's spring banquet and at the time felt that he was thin and withered. Reportedly he has had two heart operations but privately they no longer had contact. She also said that he had a wife and a daughter, but at the spring banquet he was with a foreign woman. As for friends, she sighed and said that everyone was afraid of him. * (5/15/2008) AHSES OF TIME REDUX has received an overwhelming response since its Cannes premiere announcement. Currently Wong Kar Wai, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Carina Lau Ka Ling and Charlie Yeung Choi Nei will attend the event and promote. The all new Cannes poster has officially been unveiled as well. The 15 year old classic's return is extraordinarily meaningful. Jet Tone has spent over 10 million and nearly 3 years to remaster ASHES OF TIME REDUX, which has been invited to the 61st Cannes Film Festival for a special screening. From its scale and renew angle, the film can be seen as completely new. Wong Kar Wai has personally edited the content and also made all new special effect designs for the film. Wong Kar Wai also asked Yo Yo Ma to help with the film's score. Wong Kar Wai expressed that by coincidence he attended a Yo Yo Ma performance in Hong Kong, after which they met backstage and talked about this project. Yo Yo Ma immediately agreed. * (5/15/2008) Aaron Kwok Fu Sing yesterday attended a watch specialty store opening. Recently Sing Sing has been busy with the STORM RIDERS II (FUNG WON II) production. He expressed that earlier Ekin busted his head opened, which now has recovered. However he was again injured in a fight scene with a stunt coordinator and left a scar on his right arm. He said that everyday at work there has been blood and superficial wound. Meanwhile his co-star Dior Cheng Yi Kin yesterdya attended a mobile phone event. Ekin last night had to fly back to Thailand to continue work and the production is estimated to complete in July. Reportedly Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin cried from all the stress of taking over Gillian Chung Yun Tung's jobs as well. Ekin said that she would not if she saw him because he was her "brother". He understood that sometimes being an artist was tough but it was better than nothing. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, MAY 19 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FILM TITLE REGISTRATION STANDARD Wong Kar Wai before heading to Cannes clarified his and Raymond Wong Pak Ming's YUT DOI JUNG SI controversy and did not target the title. Hong Kong did not have film title registration standard before. Due to overseas sales to Taiwan, films would register there and the registration would only be effective in Taiwan. Registered film titles would be sent to film companies every month. Industry insiders have been very orderly. When they would see titles that someone else has registered they would not use them. The Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers has only been established in recent years. Because the film development fund's Hong Kong film investment requires a more complete system, the group has already started registering film titles and screeplays. With official registrations, future disputes can be reduced. Film title registrations are on a first come first serve basis. The most assurance is not just registering the film title but also the screenplay as well. Even if the screenplay is incomplete, the story summary or scene breakdown can be registered. Would screenplay registration lead to stolen ideas? Actually the registration process seals the story or screenplay in an envelope, stores at the Federation, and does not need to be publicized. With clear dating, in any future dispute which screenplay is registered first can be differentiated. The Federation should not make any determination on any copyright dispute and would only provide evidences for legal action. Titles that were registered previously in Taiwan would be listed in City Megazine. Now the publication has stopped printing but the newly founded Hong Kong Film would publish the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers title registrations every issue. Industry insiders and outsiders can read them. Although the Hong Kong film industry has developed decently and has had past success, it still has not have a complete system. In the past the film industry did not resolve issues with standards but with agreements, traditions, or a set of rules that worked before. As the film industry became international, old rules were no longer suitable. Foreign film companies demanded a clear standard and Hong Kong had to follow. Can a system resolve all problems? Not necessarily, but at least there are evidences to rely on. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, MAY 18 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS TELEVISION WOULD BE EASIER THAN FILM? TVB earlier suspended trading because a financial group is negotiating the purchase of its parent company Shaw Brothers. Sir Run Run Shaw (Siu Yat Fu) controls TVB via Shaw Brothers. If this parent company has ownership changes, TVB may switch ownership. If any buyer buys Shaw it definitely wants to own TVB. Shaw mainly made movies early on. In the 70s it started to reduce production and focused on television industry development. Siu Yat Fu is a film tycoon and he personally also likes film a lot. Since Shaw's reduced produciton, many were curious why he would give up the film industry that he has worked in for so many years. According to those in the know, Siu Yat Fu has foresight and felt in the 70s and the 80s television development would be greater than film. He has been proven to be correct. Although the 80s was the Hong Kong film peak, the era's film companies have already quieted down today. Many have already sold its film archive. They either have shrank or changed ownership. TVB on the others after several decades remains the local television tyrant that makes money every year and has higher and higher market value. From a business angle, television is indeed more advantageous than film. However, only TVB is this way. ATV is another story. When eSun owned ATV, it left with bruises all over. One year it lost over 300 million, an average daily loss of 1 million. Peter Lam Kin Ngok has joked that everyday he woke up and lost 1 million. He switched to film and instead very quickly became the market leader. In the past he invested heavily on ATV and still had a hard time with top stars. He never imagined that with less investment he would have the hottest stars in Hong Kong in his hand. Obviously business requires individual format and independent thinking and cannot follow blindly. Otherwise becoming market leader would be hard. The market has long rumored that Siu Yat Fu has been interested in selling TVB without any success due to pricing. If TVB changes ownership, personnel change is inevitable. - KWOK HIN CHING . TA KUNG PAO, MAY 18 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH CO-PRODUCTION IS SUITABLE FOR EXPANSION Recently Mainland and Hong Kong co-production film inspection and regulation issue have caught attention. Although many accumulated films have already received clear results, but some still remain uncertain. Two years ago the state adminstration of radio, television and film assistant minister visited Hong Kong and met with film professionals and some colleagues questioned the inspection limits and the minister pointed out that the longest would not exceed two weeks. Everyone was very satisfied with this period. Unfortunately in recent months, the inspection period dragged on without result and caught film companies off guard. Film is a product and film production is a commercial behavior. If release date cannot be estimated, the film investment plan is messed up. Thus inspection should have time limit for results. The endless wait would disillusion film companies and impact their confidence in film investment. Since 2003's Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, the nation has provided Hong Kong film with special treatment. As long as it has 1/3 of the key cast and their characters are related to Mainland the film can apply to become a co-production. This measure is looser than co-production requirement for other foreign films and is pouplar with film professionals. Over the years, the film authorities is very flexible with CEPA enforcement. Some film content and actors almost have nothing to do with Mainland but are still approved. When a film that is considered less than qualified for co-production, some film professionals would compare it with past films and felt it was unfair. Actually if strictly enforced, most films like THE WARLORDS (TAU MING JONG) would not qualify (the leads are not Mainland actors. Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) is an U.S. citizen). Thus comparison with the past is meaningless. The writer's view is everyone should try to achieve the official requirement and welcome looser and more flexible inspection standards. Some film professionals have suggested, why China's film inspection is not the same as Hong Kong and other nations with inspection only for completed films. One inspection indeed saves a lot of trouble, but this way has a prerequisite that once inspected most movies can be approved for release. Not every place can achieve that because it at least have to have a film rating standard to guarantee most film release. Unfortunately China has no film rating standard yet, which is how the situation differs. Overall, Hong Kong film professionals repsect the film authority leadership. In addition they have personally experienced their assistance to the Hong Kong film industry, which is almost a feeling of sincerity. As for co-production requirement and inspection process (and order), although opinions vary and differ at different venues, the atmosphere is very harmonious. The only thing is if the inspection time limit still has no standard, film professionals will have no boundry to follow. Hopefully the authority can pay attention. - TIN LIK 3. MING PAO DAILY, MAY 17 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS ARTISTS DO NOT NEED TO BE PERSONALLY VISIT THE DISASTER AREA Show business is a definite part of the Sichuan Earthquake disaster relief fundraiser. Ordinarily artists are as loose as sand, but whenever something big happens and requires group action, show business' reaction is rather rapid. If necessary, an all Hong Kong artist disaster relief show from approval to performance would take place in three days or so. Such speed may not be achievable in other areas. Another Hong Kong performer speciality is multiple careers in film music and television. Most artists have show experience, so an emergency show has little to no difficulty. Most importantly is the electronic media negotiations. Joint broadcast of multiple television and radio stations would be the most troublesome. Each station has its own stance and may even have its own disaster relief projects. Most of the time is frequently spent in this area, who provide what type of resource also needs detailed consideration. Show business started disaster relief shows often have the biggest stars, more so than one electronic medium's. Hong Kong show business is able to unite mainly due to several powerful show business big brothers. As soon as they call most artists would respond. Artists are the most effective in moving the average person's generosity, which past experience has already confirmed. The writer has seen some artists who volunteered for visits to the most impacted areas, which actually is unnecessary. The disaster areas right now need rescue personnel with high technolog and professional training the most. Unless artists have had training in the area and can participate in the rescue they should not put themselves in danger. At worst they create even more chaos and give people the impression of a deliberate show. Disaster relief is already effective thousands of miles away. For the latest disaster conditions, viewers can rely on reporters. The disaster area is not a safe place and epidemic can erupt at any moment. Artists put their own safety in question when they visit. When others are fighting for every second to save people's lives, artist visits no matter what require arrangement and care. They are better off not doing so. If they want to go, post disaster rebuilding may be more suitable. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. MING PAO DAILY, MAY 16 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FIX THE FILM MARKET FIRST! Wong Kar Wai's ASHES OF TIME REDUX has a special screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival and wins back some glory for Hong Kong film. Although many Hong Kong film companies are promoting at Cannes, seemingly none are in competition or screening. Mainland films have more advantages than Hong Kong films, which is a reality in recent film festivals. Hong Kong film's performance at international film festivals still relies on a group of more famous directors. The lack of succession phenomenon has already appeared long ago. New generation of directors has no way to rise, which is related to the film companies' unwillingness to invest. When the market is poor, even entertainment films may not necessarily have profit. Which investor would have the money to make art films that target film festivals? Even if they are willing they would not provide too many resources and if they would they would not provide them to new directors. New directors are being cultivated but at top would only receive 1 million in budget. The sum is not even enough to spend on film production and only high definition video can be used. If the result is good then it would be transferred to film for big screen release. Hong Kong's new generation of directors also has environmental restrictions in terms of creativity, unlike the Mainland society that stuck between open and close. Many foreign viewers are interested in more controversial subjects. Hong Kong is a good place to create, as the entire society lacks creativity. Young people who grow up under this environment are under the influence of profit minded media. Their thinking is narrow and their subjects are either dull or familiar as they lack new angles. The writer feels that first the commercial ones have to be fixed so investors can benefit from films and even more viewers return to the movies to be able to have enough space to develop an art market. Wong Kar Wai only rose at the peak of Hong Kong film, without such an environment a film genious could not possibly have any room to stand. Let us first fix the film market! - KWOK HIN CHING 5. MING PAO DAILY, MAY 15 2008, FILM WORDS HONG KONG FILM'S HOUSING SUBJECT In the Zhu Shilin film retrospective, the most Hong Kong nostalgic is the frequently made housing problem of half a century ago. Housing once was a very important Hong Kong film subject, now it is rarely made but occasionally would have successors. TRUTH OR DARE SIXTH FLOOR REAR FLAT (LOK LAU HAU JOR) is a new era variation. Actually 30's famous Shanghai film STREET ANGEL (MA LU TIAN SHI) and CROSSROAD (SHI JI JIE TOU) already gave lively descriptions of little people's crowded housing phenomenon in the big city. HOUSE oF 72 TENANTS originally was an old Shanghai comedy. Zhu Shilin's old Shanghai films have already been about the wealth gap's living environment difference. In 1941 director Tang xiaodan in Hong Kong made the Cantonese film ROAR OF THE PEOPLE promoted Japanese aggression resistance but also was a good comedy about people sharing a wooden house. After Zhu Shilin came to Hong Kong, in the 50s he made Mandarin films like SHOULD THEY MARRY? (co-directed with Bai Chen), THE DIVIDING WALL, HOUSE REMOVAL GREETING, and BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER. All of them further became the typical Hong Kong housing problem films. SHOULD THEY MARRY? was especially outstanding as a poor couple looked for housing due to marriage. The film was full of real trouble and lively comedy. In addition it was a year earlier than the Lee Tit's famous Cantonese film IN THE FACE OF DEMOLITION. Since then many Hong Kong films have been made about house sharing buddies, dividing wall room romance, a family of eight in one bed, using the public tap downstairs, wooden house area and rooftop home, all of which were survivial environment for several generations of Hong Kong. In the 70s Hu Xiaofeng wrote and directed THE HUT ON HILLTOP (OAK), which criticized the British Hong Kong housing policy from a left wing angle. Chor Yuen's HOUSE OF 72 TENANTS created a box office miracle and revived Cantonese film. In the 80s Allen Fong Yuk Ping's FATHER AND SON (FU JI CHING) looked back from the transition of growing up in the wooden hut area to temporary housing ara to low rent housing project. Since then Hong Kong films often shot public housing, old building, Temple Street and the old Kennedy Town district. LONG ARM OF THE LAW (SAN GONG KEI BING) was especially outstanding with the old Kowloon City. Of course, Hong Kong housing situation has already drastically changed long ago. Yet among many of today's famous Hong KOng directors Wong Kar Wai has always loved old building romance, Derek Yee Tung Sing too. Johnnie To Kei Fung's mob films also like old buildings and streets. Jacob Cheung Chi Leung once made CAGEMAN, as the Hong Kong specialty cage home actually has not vanished! Stephen Chow Sing Chi comedy also has to be mentioned as it keeps Temple Street, old district and street eatery grass root. KUNG FU HUSTLE (GONG FU) brought back the HOUSE OF 72 TENTANTS' old Shanghai and old Hong Kong memories; CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG 7 HO) put the poor laborer of today's new Mainland buildings in a crumbling home with his son, a reflection of the modern China. Actually the housing porblem is always important, Hong Kong's negative asset class not so long ago, the recent U.S. mortgage storm, and fatal natural disasters everywhere. All of them are related to housing. - SHEK KEI (http://www.cultureshot.net/sekkkeiluklei) 6. MING PAO DAILY, MAY 15 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS DIFFERENT DIRECTORS' DIFFERENT MEANS OF COMMUNICATION Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo)'s management company clarified reports that he was displease with the RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) screenplay to be inaccurate. He had no problem in the collaboration with John Woo (Ng Yu Sum). He was only absent from the Cannes Film Festival promotion because of scheduling conflict. Actors most importantly have to communicate with directors and trusth them, but different directors have completely different means of communication. Some directors have bvery strong language expression abilities, very extroverted and smooth. They have no problem communicating with actors. Some are more easygoing and are willing to accept any opinion. Artistic directors are more stubborn and speak very little. Some even dislike people who talk too much. At most they would only say a few words, or say a lot that no one would understand. Stubbornness has its advantage because directors who are too easy going and are willing to accommodate with anything often lack personality. If anyone can change his or her mind, nothing has permanenace. The bigger the director is the stronger the ego is, this is human nature. Actors are the same. When big stars run into big directors they are in a tug of war. Both have big egos and their own ideas. Very easily a stiff situation would arise. A famouse director and a big star's collaboration negotiation conversation has been rumored in the industry. Both originally admire each other but have also heard many rumors about the other. Before they work together they get together for a drink as unofficial communication. The famous director purposes that if they each have their own idea during the shoot, who should listen to who? The big star lightly answers, "Of course whoever sells for more money is in charge!" The famous director responds, "Both we both sell!" They still have not worked together yet today. - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009 Can : Ga Yau Hei Si 2009 Lit : Family Has Joyous Event 2009 d. Vincent Kuk Tak Siu Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei Can : Tung Moon Lit : Classmate d. Herman Yau Lai To Shawn Yue Man Lok, Ada Choi Siu Fun, Ella Koon Yun Na, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Chapman To Man Jat, Jun Kung Shek Leung Can : Chun Oi Dik Lit : Dear Andy On Chi Kit, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Kwan Chor Yiu, Alice Tsang Hoi Won, Chubby (Siu Fei), Vivian Yeo (Yeung Sau Wai), 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 : Dip Gim Lit : Butterfly Sword AKA : 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 : 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), Hong Kong Entertainment News In Review (http://www.hkentreview.com), Internet Movie DataBase (http://www.imdb.com) GHOST OF MAE NAK Can : Gwai Sat Lit : Ghost Kill d. Mark Duffield Pataratida Pacharawirapong, Siwat Chotchaicharin, Pomthip Papanai, Jaran Ngam-dee Opening May 15 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Newlywed couple Mak and Nak buys an old house in the Bangkok suburb to form a new family, yet this old house is where the legendary ghost Nang Nak lived 100 years old. Mak constantly has nightmares and later falls into a coma after a car accident. Everything is Nang Nak's doing because she is very envious of Mak and Nak's love and at the same time has fallen for Mak. Thus she uses Nak's love for Mak to find where she is buried and receive her soul from the seal in order to wake Mak. Nak can only follow and saves Mak in the last minute. Mak finally wakes up and returns to Nak's side. They plans to give Nang Nak's remains a proper burial. Yet when they think everything has passed and can live peacefully, Mak realizes that his wife seems to no longer be Nak... THIS DARLING LIFE Can : Oi Yu Gau Tung Hung Lit : Dog Walking With Love d. Angie Chan On Kei Documentary Paul Wong Koon Chung Opening May 8 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Everything starts with a dog. After 16 years with the director, dog Baby is ailing and slowly approaches death......this pain process of parting with the beloved brings the director in a stream of memories and considerations of family relationship anew. Also with the dog as the guide, the director opens up the heart and listen to other dog owners' exciting stories. Behind these stories of human and canine, we explore the enduring problems of humanity: life, death and love. Through the brilliant visuals, we see in our short but cute lives what is the most important. MASKED RIDER THE NEXT d. Ryuta Tazaki Masaya Kikawada, Kazuki Kato Opening April 17 2008 [ COMING SOON ] BREATH d. Kim Ki-Duk Chang Chen, Zia, Ha Jung-Woo [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] On a cold winter day, after learning her husband has found a new woman, Yeon absent mindedly heads for the prison where Chen is confined. Although she does not know him personally, repeated news of his suicide attempts on TV has subconsciously grown in her mind and now is leading her to seek him. Jin has no visitors and normally would not agree to meet with a complete stranger, but hearing that it is a woman he accepts her meeting request out of curiosity. Their first meeting is as awkward as it can get. Yeon treats Jin like an old friend whereas Jin does not open up so easily. WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE 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. 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 SNIPER Can : Sun Cheung Sau Lit : Godly Gunslingers d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Edison Chen Koon Hei, Huang Xiaoming [ 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 LUCKIEST MAN Can : Dai Sei Hei Lit : Great Four Joys 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 founded a mahjong parlor in the 50s. With his superb mahjong skills and wise management he now has all 60 mahjong parlors in Hong Kong and has the Hong Kong mahjong 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. Sophie's son Kei has no accomplishment and uses gambling king's reputation to start trouble all over. Sister Ling's son has never grown up. Having liked music since childhood he considers himself a singer. Ling's daughter Sisi is pretty and ambitious. She makes her own living and never relies on her father. In others' eyes Ho Bit Fat's wives get along well and serve gambling king together. Many are envious but no one knows that the wives and the sons have been fighting continously over the gambling king's inheritance. They not only get the gambling king's butler to watch his every move, but also turn food into hteir weapon as they constantly play pranks on each other. The wives constantly duel in the living room, where nothing is left unturned. As they battle to life and death, the gambling king brings home his illegitimate son Fai and makes the situation even more complicated. Fai is filial and respectful to everyone, thus has the gambling king's favor. The wives and the sons for their own benefit team up and often play pranks on Fai. On the other hand the gambling king wants to retire and in order to keep his business legacy going suggests for his three sons to each take care of a mahjong parlor, with the best performer becoming the successor. Kei and Kin in order to prevent Fai's victory not only hire monks and beggars to create disturbance outside the store but also three great swindlers to cheat at Fai's store. Because Fai has no knowledge of gambling finally he has nothing left. The gambling king orders his butler to take Fai and visit three mahjong experts of the 50s. Because the trio is already aging, they can only teach mahjong techniques via lecture. Fai's extraordinary smart enables his mahjong abilities to improve suddenly with the three experts' guidance. Finally a mahjong war is about to erupt... SHAOLIN GIRL Can : Siu Lum Siu Nui d. Katsuyuki Motohiro Kou Shibasaki, Yosuke Eguchi, Toru Nakamura, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Lam Tsz Chung, Tin Kai Man Opening May 29 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Rin Sakurazara is a girl who is full of martial art potential. Since childhood she has been sent to China's Shaolin Temple to study Shaolin fist and swears to return to Japan to spread the glory of Shaolin. When she returns to Japan, Rin sees her grandfather's dojo in ruins and all the students are shattered everywhere. The sensei has even switched jobs to become a Chinese restaurant chef and told Rin to give up Shaolin Fist. Rin is discouraged but refuses to give up. She is determined to rebuild the dojo while finding opportunity to recruit students. Man Man works at the sensei's Chinese restaurant. She is curious about Rin and seeing her passion for Shaolin fist she takes Rin to join the international star university lacrosse team in hopes of her abilities can elevate the team's potential. Rin thus enrolls into the school. From the start Rin has the ability but overlooks the importance of teamwork, the team loses due to her excessive focus on personal ability. Luckily through the sensei and Man Man's reminders and encouragement, Rin finally understands the importance of teamwork and understands that spreading the glory of Shaolin fist is not just asking people to study it, but to merge Shaolin fist spirit into life. From there others' interest in the martial arts will be peted. The rejuvenated Rin joins the team again and at the same time influences other team members to practice Shaolin fist together. Each's ability thus takes a great leap! When everything seems to go smoothly, the dojo and the restaurant is suddenly attacked. The sensei is severely injured and Man Man is kidnapped! Rin discovers that the university's dean is behind the series of assaults and ruining the dojo over ten years ago! In order to save Man Man and rescue the dojo and Shaolin Fist's dignity, Rin decides to challenge the dean with her Shaolin gong fu and even triggers the potential that she has never realized...... THE MOSS Can : Ching Toi d. Kwok Chi Kin Shawn Yue Man Lok, Bonnie Sin Sik Lai, Terry Fan Siu Wong, Susan Shaw Yam Yam Liu Kai Chi, Kiu Bo Bo, Jan Lam Kam Lin, Matthew Chow Hoi Kwong, Si Suet Yi Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Opening June 19 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Moss is the lowest form of plant life but also has the strongest will to live. Prostitution, robbery, and murder happen in Sham Shui Po everyday. Full of Wise Guys, police, prostitutes, the homeless and IndoPak laborers, here is like the new Kowloon Walled City, a strange land within the city, a moss overrun hell. Jeung is a special mission unit officer who is stationed in Sham Shui Po. He has his way of survival in this violent and bloody world, with mobsters and prostitutes as constant companions, his life does not have much goal. To other police officers he actually resembles a Wise Guy more. Among the numerous prostitutes he only favors Lulu. It is not love or even pity, only when he faces Lulu he can sleep at peace. On this day, mob boss Ma Chop's son Kei disappears in rival Four Eyed Tong's turf. Even the rare emerald that Kei has smuggled into the border has vanished. Ma Chop knows Jeung has connection to Four Eyed Tong and forces him to face Tong on her behalf. Yet Tong vehemently denies that he has taken Kei. Both sides refuse to yield and Ma Chop even swears to have Tong Killed as Jeung is stuck in the middle. A killer who resembles a homeless person suddenly attacks Four Eyed Tong. Jeung in order to protect him severely injures the killer but accidentally kills Four Eyed Tong! The killer has become the only witness. Jeung worries that after the police has the killer he would provide the truth. For his own safety Jeung tries everything to get to the killer before the police. During his chase from Jeung, the killer runs into Lulu and knocks her out. He even holds Lulu's cousin Fa hostage. Jeung watches as the unconscious Lulu is sent to the Intensive Care Unit and discovers that his feeling for Lulu is deeper than he has imagined. The rage between self perservation and vengeance burns beyond control. Amid the pressure between the police and the mob, several low life people officially declare a dark war in Sham Shui Po; whoever has the strongest will to live is the final victor. 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 June 19 2008 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. 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 June 19 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=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. 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 MALAYSIA ] 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 July 10 2008 CYBORG SHE Can : Ngor Dik Gei Hai Yun Nui Yau Lit : My Robot Girlfriend d. Kwak Jae-Yong Opening September 4 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...... CONNECTED 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 Opening September 11 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Based on the Hollywood film CELLULAR, single mother Grace as usual takes her daughter Yu Ting to school but on the way robber Yi Fok crashes into her. Half conscious and powerless, she witnesses Yi Fook ransacking her home and brutally kills her maid! Later he takes Grace into a cargo. Yi Fok forces Grace to hand over his criminal evidence or he would kill her entire family. Frightened, Grace takes out a heavily damaged mobile phone, builds it while no one is watching and miraculously makes a call for help. The call accidentally goes to a financial company loan department employee Bong. Bong's son will be studying abroad and is waiting for him at the airport with his sister Jeanie. He remains suspicious on Grace's call for help and hands the phone to traffic cop Fai. Unfortunately due to network problems Fai cannot clearly hear what Grace says and warns Bong about playing prank on the police. At this time Yi Fok suddenly rushes into the cargo and luckily Grace can hide the phone in time. When Bong picks up the phone and clearly hears a gunshot he realizes the severity of the call and decides to rescue Grace! The task at hand though is to prevent the robber from hurting his next target -- Grace's daughter. Bong must keep her daughter from falling into the robber's hand. With danger ahead of him, at anytime he may have to give up his valuable life to save someone... 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 * GEORGE LAM CHI CHEUNG LIVE VENUE LOCATION : MGM Grand Theatre Foxwoods Resort Casino DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, June 22 2008 @ 2AM Sunday afternoon, June 22 2008 @ 2PM TICKET PRICES: $ 98, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: P & M Music 2 Elizabeth St. 212.732.3828 Jessica Holdings 135-27 40th Rd. Suite 301 Flushing NY 718.460.2628 Trans-Pacific Travel 11 Tyler St. Boston MA 617.451.3478 * AH NGAU (CHAN HING CHEUNG) LIVE 2008 With Special Guest Sin To Lai VENUE LOCATION: The Theatre Trump Plaza Casino and Hotel Atlantic City NJ DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, June 15 2008 @ 1AM TICKET PRICES: VIP$88, 58, 38 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: P & M Music Inc. 2 Elizabeth Street New York NY 10013 212.732.3828 * MANDALAY BAY PRESENTS MIRIAM YEUNG CHIN WA ALL ABOUT LOVE WORLD TOUR 2008 VENUE LOCATION: Mandalay Bay Resort 3950 Las Begas Blvd. South Las Vegas NV 89119 DATE AND TIME : Sunday, May 25 2008 @ 8 PM TICKET PRICES : $138, 108, 78, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS : TICKETMASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A00407494C36035?artistid=1207420&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 San Gabriel Five Star Laser 626.281.7676 Fire Link Video 626.284.8680 Arcadia Life Plaza 626.447.8816 Rowland Heights Life Plaza 626.839.8811 San Francisco / Oakland Fire Link Video 510.268.3588 * TAI PAN TOURS AND CASINO RAMA PRESENT MIRIAM YEUNG CHIN WA ALL ABOUT LOVE WORLD TOUR 2008 VENUE LOCATION: Casino Rama R.R. #6 Rama Rd., Orillia ON L0K 1T0 Canada DATE AND TIME : Tuesday, May 20 2008 @ 8PM TICKET PRICES : VIP CA$88, 68, 48, 28 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS : ONLINE www.taipantours.com 416.646.8838 TICKETMASTER CANADA http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/10004088E72B9FFB?artistid=1215062&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 Richmond Hill - Golden Plaza: 328 Highway 7 East, Unit 5 Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 3P7 905-881-8838 Markham - Pacific Mall: 4300 Steeles Ave. East, Unit B50 Markham, Ontario L3R 0Y5 905-948-8838 Markham - First Markham Place: 3255 Highway 7 East, Unit 68 Markham, Ontario L3R 3P9 905-946-8838 Downtown - Chinatown Centre: 222 Spadina Ave., Unit 139 Toronto, Ontario M5T 3A2 416-593-8838 Toronto - Rio - Can Marketplace: 2215 Steeles Ave. West, Unit C5 Toronto, Ontario M3J 3N2 416-736-8838 Scarborough - Oriental Centre : 4438 Sheppard Ave. East Unit 103 Scarborough, Ontario M1S 1V2 416-293-7838 Tai Pan Centre (Weston Branch): 3668 Weston Road Toronto, Ontario M9L 1W2 416-749-8838 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 May 20 2008 10 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 9 THIS DARLING LIFE d. Angie Chan On Kei Documentary 8 THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL d. Justin Chadwick Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Eric Bana 7 SPEED RACER d. Andy and Larry Wachowski Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox 6 TEETH d. Mitchell Lichtenstein Jessica Weixler, John Hensley, Josh Pais 5 A TALE OF MARI AND THREE PUPPIES d. Ryuichi Inomata Eiichiro Funakoshi, Akiko Matsumoto Cantonese voices: Tony Leung Ka Fai, Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Eric Suen Yiu Wai, Wu Fung, Jacky 4 BE KIND REWIND d. Michel Gondry Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover 3 DOOMSDAY d. Neil Marshall Rhona Mitra 2 WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS... d. Tom Vaughan Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Rob Corddry, Lake Bell 1 IRON MAN d. Jon Favreau Robert Downey Jr., Gwenyth Paltrow, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS HAPPY FUNERAL Rating : IIB Length : 101 mins. 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... A TALE OF MARI AND THREE PUPPIES Rating : IIA Length : 125 mins. Opening May 8 2008 [ YAHOO! HONG KONG MOVIES ] Based on a true story, on October 23 2004 at 5:56PM, a 6.8 earthquake took place in Japan. A grandfather and a child were heavily injured and trapped under the debris. At this moment they heard their dog. It risked its life, while taking care of its puppies Rock, Scissor, and Paper it kept on calling for their courage to survive. Finally the Self Defense Force arrived and rescued all of the residents but left Mari and its three puppies in the disaster area! Without any food, Mari still tried to protect its three puppies. At the shelter the child and his brother learned that a storm was approaching and decided to start their own rescue! ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, May 17 2008 15 DO NOT SING REALLY WELL Can : Moot Yau Hung Wui Cheung Xiao Yu 14 ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM Wang Leehom (Wong Lik Won) 13 HIS STORY Can : Ta Dik Goo Si Hins Cheung King Hin 12 ESCAPE LIFE Can : Toh Sun Jeff Chang Shun Jit 11 PREPARING AT ANY MOMENT Can : Si Hak Jung Bei Jeuk Bobo 10 SING WITH ME Can : Pui Ngor Gor Cheung Soda Green 9 LITTLE SUN Can : Siu Tai Yeung May Day 8 FAITH Can : Shun Lim Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 7 HOLD HOLD HOLD HAND Can : Hin Hin Hin Sau Wu Kequn 6 WE ARE ALL FLOWER Can : Ngor Moon Doh Si Yut Dor Fa Kong Mei Kei 5 REVIVING MEMORY Can : Fook Hak Wui Yik Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Fang Datong 4 LIGHT SONG Can : Dam Dam Dik Gor Xu Fei (Hui Fei) 3 SHE AND I SHE AND HE Can : NGOR WOR TA TA WOR TA Emil Chau Wa Kin, Lee Chi Ching 2 THOSE THINGS THAT GIRL TAUGHT ME Can : Na Seh Nui Hai Gau Ngor Dik Si Victor Wong (Bun Guoon) 1 BEIJING WELCOMES YOU Can : But Gaing Foon Ying Nei Various Stars ------ [ 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. Korean fried chicken is a strange bird in the U.S. as people have different favorites. Girls tend to like Bon Chon and the ambience (the location I visited looked like a place that would have tossed Your Chaffing Editor on his fat @$$ for jumping the velvet rope). Guys tend to like the quick and dirty in and out fast food style of Boom Boom. Your Chaffing Editor however was drawn to a colorful sign that read "BEER & CHICKEN" a la BBQ Chicken. "What is this? Beer? Chicken? BEER?" Strangely, Your Chaffing Editor has never ordered beer there yet. Sometimes when you have too much to drink your mouth goes numb, which somehow makes certain types of food much more flavorful. Alas, Your Chaffing Editor finally has succumbed to the temptation and visited Bon Chon after realizing that he has spent way too much time and money and stumbling out of the local pub. Like many victims before him, the moment of weakness has led to delusions and declaration of false love. Bon Chon Soy and Garlic chicken is the sh!*. Apologies to fellow riders of the bus on the way home though. The take out box did not close properly and the aroma from it might have been a little too pungant for some, especially from the pickled sides. Sorry, dudes. Also sorry for the Harold and Kumar White Castle moment. Back to business, Your Chaffing Editor lately has been listening to a few songs, Britney's BREAK THE ICE (JASON NEVIN ROCK MIX), Nicholas Teo (Cheung Tung Leung)'s NEW SONG TO TRY (SUN GOR SI CHEUNG) and Wilfred Lau Ho Lung's O LORD! PLEASE LET ME SLEEP (SUN OR! CHAN NEI YEUNG NGOR SHUI). The Britney song has a catchy beat to begin with (unlike a certain UK Idol's tired whine that now requires a dance beat to keep Old Chaffy from going all Temple of Doom on the audio system) but with the rock mix it totally kicks, not to mention Your Chaffing Editor finally caught on to the anime looking video on YouTube just now (eons after the rest of the world). (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CezKUbtYMyA) Curiously though, the anime Britney is still somewhat close to her actual size. You would think that of all the places that you can make yourself look better it would be the anime world. Then again, Your Chaffing Editor's Mii actually bears some resemblence (to him, not Britney) as well. As for Nicholas Teo's song, he rarely makes any fast song and Your Chaffing Editor likes the change in direction. Before the girls start with the hate mail again, Old Chaffy has enjoyed his music since before all the idol series so *raspberry*. (http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/N1C_ABsCa5s) Finally, Your Chaffing Editor could have used Lau Ho Lung's song three to six months ago but now like how he usually patronizes people who just broke up, "Someday you will look back at this and laugh." It is comforting to know that while some days are still worse than others, at least it is not all the time now. Don't break your arm from patting yourself on the back there, genius. Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038