From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (JUNE 26 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. Tony Leung Chiu Wai who celebrates his birthday on the 27th B. Fama's Lok Wing who celebrates his birthday on the 27th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (7/2/2008) Director John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) two nights ago with actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen, Hu Jun, Lin Chiling and Song Jia attended a RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) charity premiere for the Tung Wah organization's free medical service and raised over 1.5 million. Soon to bride Carina Lau Ka Ling appeared in tow with Wai Jai and immediately became the venue's focus. After arriving they went backstage to wait for the start of the ceremony. When the cast went onstage for the ceremony Ka Ling originally wanted to watch from backstage but reporters asked her for an interview. Keeping a tight lid on her wedding, she at first appeared reluctant and only responded to reporters' congratulation. "Thank you for your concern. (Would you wed on July 21?) An announcement would be made then. They would have an arrangement. Please give me some space, when the time is right I would speak. (Would you wed first?) No." Wai Jai and Gum Sing Mo reunited since CONFESSION OF PAIN (SEUNG SING), the biggest difference was last time was a modern film and the hottest part was only wearing a leather jacket; this time they had to work in armors under 40 degree Celsius heat. He even praised Ah Mo's Zhuge Liang as very handsome, with both looks and intelligence. Ah Mo was envious that Wai Jai's Zhou Yu had such a pretty wife. Wai Jai joked that he had to beg the director for a long time before getting one and told him to ask the director. Chang Chen felt that although the production was tough, it was a lot of fun. The host asked whether when Wai Jai knelt in front of him was the most fun, he admitted, "That was bonus!" Director Ng Yu Sum this time returned to Chinese film, which felt like a homecoming. Thus he was especially sentimental and excited. He appreciated everyone's support and love and stated that this was a very important film to him. * (7/2/2008) Director Tsui Hark's latest film THE MISSING (SUM HOI CHUM YUN) has been heating up in Mainland. Tsui Hark earlier was a guest on a Mainland talk show expressed that THE MISSING production was very tough and he too has suffered when learning to scuba dive. Because THE MISSING was shot underwater, as the director Tsui Hark must linger underwater. The job was very dangerous and thus in preparation for this film a friend urged Tsui Hark to give up the shoot. "One night after 11PM a director friend asked a diving instructor to visit my home and urged me not to make this film. Because he has studied diving he knew that to someone who has not underwater film production was truly too dangerous." Soon after, another friend also urged Tsui Hark not to. "He said that the location's stream was very rapid. You can't go, it's too dangerous." Despite many friends' urging, Tsui Hark did not give up the production and finally learned to scuba dive ten days before the shoot. Tsui Hark was quite a woman's director as he has worked with Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) and the late Anita Mui Yim Fong. Tsui Hark said at first working with Mui Yim Fong was not very smooth because Mui Yim Fong's temper was hard to control once she drank. Yet when she acted Mui Yim Fong was very soulful. Sometimes she would display something mesmerizing on camera, like dancing was different with Mui Yim Fong and on camera the close up shot was different. However, Tsui Hark disagreed with Mui Yim Fong in a comedy because it felt a little strange. Thus, Tsui Hark has publicly said to Mui Yim Fong to never perform in a comedy again. Even if she did he asked her to only perform in his. * (7/1/2008) Internationally renowned director John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) yesterday led stars of the two shores three lands including Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Lin Chiling, Hu Jung, Zhang Fengyi, Chang Chen and Song Jia at a grand press conference in Hong Kong for the July 10th national release of RED CLIFF (CHET BIK). Wai Jai and Ng Yu Sum exchanged compliments. Wai Jai said, his character Zhou Yu had no flaw and was Ng Yu Sum's perfect hero. In his eyes Ng Yu Sum was Zhou Yu because Zhou Yu's treatment of people and matter and values were like Ng Yu Sum's. Ng Yu Sum pointed out that Wai Jai actually was playing himself because Wai Jai was as loyal and faithful as Zhou Yu and praised Wai Jai for being very helpful and hard working. Ng Yu Sum expressed, back then James Wong Jim recommended this subject to him, but due to financing and technical issues he could not fulfill the dream. After Wong Jim's death, he felt even more necessity to complete this film. He said, "I don't easily complain, but this film was hard on everyone. Shooting from the hottest to the coldest temperature, many were hospitalized for heat stroke. We also ran into rain storms and mudslide that collapsed the sets. Most recently during the special effect shoot people were injured and killed, which made my heart ache and my greatest regret in film. I respect and love the stunt professionals, no matter which nation they are from. I treat them like my own children. Although I didn't want accidents to happen they did, this will always be my pain. I will remember him, from now on I will be even more careful at work and help even more young people, even orphans. Actually I have done charity work before but not enough, especially for children." He also admired the crew and the cast's full effort and believed that everyone could see their effort on the silver screen. This was his greatest comfort, the film that he was the proudest and remembered the most. Earlier many big costume productions have been released, how was this one different? He said, previous costume films were either too serious or too dark, which made people feel history was terrifying and unpleasant. Yet this time he wanted to coordinate with the Olympic spirit to deliver the message of strength and peace. The film could be considered inspirational. As for the film's US$80 million investment, he lightly said about the box office pressure, "To me, 80 million and 800,000 are no different. As long as I have done my best to make the movie good it can make money and be popular. The fact is after the film's Korean premiere, the film company has already added copies." He also said that another reason he made this film was to prove Mainland and Hong Kong's ability, talent and energy to make a big production that rivaled Hollywood. He said, "Hollywood has given me a lot of experience but they have their advantage and we have ours. Everyone should appreciate each other mutually." After making RED, he honestly said that he liked the Mainland crew and cast a lot. Thus in the future he would mainly make Chinese films. However he would also spend time to trade experience with two shore three lands film school students. Although he said that he would mainly make Chinese films he would not give up his job in the U.S. either. Thus MEN OF IRON will continue with Chow Yun Fat. As for Fat Gor's resignation from RED, he said, "Relax, our friendship is everlasting. Earlier his resignation was unforgivable. Hollywood contract negotiations involved many sides so they would not affect our mood to work together again. He definitely will star in IRON." As for his other new film 1949, he expressed that Fat Gor will not perform in it because the film will be about a love triangle. The actors will all be young. So far Song Hye-Kyo and Chang Chen have been confirmed. As for rumors of dispute with Gum Sing Mo, he pointed out that it was purely a misunderstanding because he has never had any dispute with an actor in his career. As long as the opinion and the lines were good he would accept changes. He even praised Ah Mo for being hard working and for reading a lot about THREE KINGDOMS before the shoot. Yesterday at the RED CLIFF press conference Wai Jai responded to all wedding related rumors and questions with "I don't know yet". "I don't know yet. All arrangements are under consideration. Everyone will know then, when I know I will speak up." Two nights ago Wai Jai took the cast to dinner and was rumored to celebrate his wedding. He explained that he was only being a good host. Aside from the director only he was from Hong Kong, so he took them to dinner as a show of appreciation for their effort. As for difference of opinions with Carina Lau Ka Ling over the wedding preparation, he said, "They would happen but we still haven't come to a conclusion. (Would you argue?) No, I have always been at work, where would I find the time. After the job is completed then I would consider the wedding." As for suspending work in mid July to prepare for his wedding, he expressed that today he still have to promote in Beijing, then in Shanghai, Taiwan, and other locations. The final stop, Japan, will be in August. "Then I would prepare for YUT DOI JUNG SI (MASTER OF A GENERATION). (Would you wed in Japan?) I don't know yet, after I finish the promotion then I would consider the plans. (Would you announce your wedding?) It won't be like that, that's not me. I never make any high profile announcement." He again denied that they have already wed. "No, at that time I will tell everyone." However he did not respond to whether they were registered to wed. When asked when he would tell everyone, he said, "I don't know yet, I said that this year I will wed. The issue is I don't know when or how." In RED CLIFF, Wai Jai had bed scenes with Lin Chiling. After the LUST CAUTION (SIK GAI) love scenes with Tang Wei, he joked that this time was minor because Ng Yu Sum was very conservative in this aspect and has never made any bed scene. Finally the shoot was smoothly completed. Lin Chiling was very nervous about her first film. With this bed scene she was lucky to have Wai Jai to bring her into the character as his performance kept her at ease. Did she fall for Wai Jai? She said, "I wouldn't dare? Wai Jai's attraction is spread through the camera. Not just his eyes, even his voice is very gentle." She not only denied rumors of marriage but also hoped that acting would be her lifelong career. Gum Sing Mo during the production was rumored to be full of opinions and at odds with Director Ng Yu Sum, thus missing many promotions. Yesterday he expressed that meeting the director was not awkward and said that everything was just gossip. His relationship with the director was decent. Gum Sing Mo said, "On my first day of work I already had a lot of lines with Chang Chen, but the director let us rehearse first and gave me room to develop to see my opinions. Later this became our communication method." He also said that although in the film he only had dramatic and no action scenes the pure acting pressure was enormous. However when he saw other actors in armors in the heat he thanked the Lord. Chang Chen also said that Gum Sing Mo was an actor with a lot of ideas. The director was very willing to accept actor ideas. He too had communication with the director. Each person's method was different and too many were on the set. The director did not have an easy time with complete control over the set. Their party two nights ago was rumored to celebrate Leung Chiu Wai's wedding. Gum Sing Mo expressed that Wai Jai took everyone for dinner as the host because everyone was too busy during the production. Showing flashes of brilliance in CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT, Mainland actress Song Jai won Ng Yu Sum over and landed the role of RED CLIFF's fictional character Li Ji. She not only thanked the director but also felt like it was a dream. In the film she was not only the youngest but also had the less experience. Yet she had the chance to work on such a big production. As for pressure, she said, "It's OK, I can tolerate pressure. The ancient dance routine in the film was stressful though because of the very slow pace and all the dancers were professional instructors. Even making tea was hard, but I still had to thank Director Ng Yu Sum and this film." In the film she had no scene with Leung Chiu Wai, only in the final scene was everyone together. She hoped that this time they could work together. She had the most scenes with Lin Chiling and Zhang Fengyi. She felt Chiling was not only pretty but also very cute voice, sincere toward people and was a very perfect woman. She rather admired her. Did she give Chiling any advice? She said, "I am not qualified to teach anyone. Acting is a mutual collaboration. This film is about unity and everyone was very united. I was very touched." "The result of the film is beyond an actor's control. I only enjoy the production process. With work in front of me I would work hard to complete it, thus my life is full of pleasant surprises." She would like to work with Hong Kong director Pang Ho Cheung because his ideas were very new. * (7/1/2008) Every year on July 1 when Hong Kong celebrates its reunification, the Special Administrative Region government would announce its honor recipients. This year six in show business received honors. Famous musician Uncle Ray received the bronze Bauhinia star, Alan Tam Wing Lun, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Maria Cordero, Peter Kam Pui Tat and famous Cantonese Opera star Chan Ho Kau received honorary badges. * (7/1/2008) Currently working on STORM RIDERS II (FUNG WON II) in Thailand, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing yesterday was rumored to have fallen off a horse and injured his shoulder. Director Pang Shun confirmed that it was minor. Sing Sing two days ago with Ken Ho Ka King and Tong Yan worked on a horseback farewell scene in the Bangkok countryside. Reportedly the team first shot Dior Cheng Yi Kin and Ho Ka King's horseback departures, but when Sing Sing and Tong Yan's scenes were shot the accident happened. Mainland information claimed that their horses suddenly ran toward the opposite direction and threw both Sing Sing and Tong Yan off their backs. Luckily Sing Sing fell with his shoulder first to lessen the fall, but his shoulder landed on rocks and could not stop bleeding. Sing Sing kept everyone from panicking, "I am fine, I am fine, if Chor Chor (Tong Yan) is fine then that's good." When Tong Yan landed, an extra smartly caught her head. The horse kicked the extra on the kneecap. Pang Shun said, "Because Tong Yan didn't sit firmly she kept pulling on the horseback. Finally she and Sing Sing lost their balance and fell. Sing Sing only was slightly bruised. The progress hasn't been impacted and the film will wrap as scheduled." * (6/30/2008) Stellar Entertainment yesterday held a press conference to welcome Korean star Song Hye-Kyo to its fold. In the future the company will make film arrangements for her. Her first assignment will be the John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) directed 1949, which will start production next year. Song Hye-Kyo yesterday in the company of bosses David Tang and Terence Chang attended. The other boss Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) was in Africa and sent a short welcome video. Chang Ka Chun expressed that Song Hye-Kyo was cast after he watched her television performance and felt that her acting was great. He then arranged for her to meet with Ng Yu Sum, who felt that she was the right choice. Although many film companies have made offers to her, luck and getting along were the most important in collaboration. He did not eliminate the possibility of helping her break into Hollywood. She has studied English for awhile and is studying Chinese. In 1949 her character will not have too many lines and most of the acting will be from within. Song Hye-Kyo honestly said that she has always wanted to make a Chinese film, only that she has not run into suitable intermediary and opportunity. To play this role, she has already found a Chinese tutor in Korea. When asked to say a few words in Putonghua, she joked that she was afraid when they did not understand it would be very tragic. However she still said "thank you", "see you" and "how are you, I am Song Hye-Kyo". She expressed that because she has been studying English for a long time, now she is studying Chinese which she thought was very tough. This time she will play a Chinese person and felt a lot of pressure. Song Hye-Kyo said that years ago she has already started studying English in order to be able to communicate overseas. She said that after over a decade in the business she has mainly made television series. She would like to be able to make more movies after joining this company. She was very pleased to have this chance to work with Ng Yu Sum because she grew up with his films. She even hoped that after this film he would continue to work with her. She would also like to work with Wong Kar Wai and Andrew Lau Wai Keung. The new film lead actor was Chang Chen, earlier when they met at Hong Kong's Asian Film Festival they already wanted to work together. This time their dream has been fulfilled. She would also like to work with Tony Leung Chiu Wai. However, after watching RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) in Korea she would like to work with all the actors in the cast. What made her choose Stellar? She honestly said, "Many think that stars need good offers to select the company, especially in terms of money. Actually actors are ordinary people. We too need family like cooperative partners. If a movie fails, we need people around us to comfort us. If it succeeds then we celebrate with a party. I choose the company along these lines." She revealed that David Tang and Terence Chang really knew how to take care of people. Earlier at the Cannes Film Festival she dined with Yeung Chi King. Although she was a big star she took great care of the junior colleagues. Thus people was the most important in her decision. Of course good people not necessarily do things well, but she believed that their abilities would do very well. Song Hye-Kyo would only stay in Hong Kong for three days. After the conference, when she met with Ng Yu Sum and Chang Chen she learned that Song Seung-hun was working on a series in Hong Kong as well and would invite him to attend and introduce him to everyone. She said that mainly her manager really liked Song Seung-hun and asked him to get together. * (6/30/2008) Ella Koon Yun Na and Sherman Chung Shu Man yesterday were guests at a piano performance contest. Ella revealed that she has just returned from working on Andrew Lau Wai Keung's new film in Shanghai. Ella expressed that in the film she played Shu Qi's good friend and both loved to dance. * (6/29/2008) Peter Lam Kin Ngok two nights ago attended the Zhou Enlai 110th birthday film festival along with Yu Mo Lin and Joe Cheung Tung Cho. Media Asia boss Lam Kin Nogk reportedly has been interested in buying Paco Wong's Gold Label Entertainment. Two nights ago Mr. Lam expressed that it was only a rumor. Mr. Lam honestly said that he and Paco Wong were friends who would only dine and drink and have not been discussed any collaboration or purchase. He joked that someone wanted to buy his company too. He expressed that he would not eliminate anything but at this moment they really have not had any discussion. SNIPER (SUN CHEUNG SAU) still has not received Mainland approval. Mr. Lam expressed that many completed films needed arrangement and now awaited Mainland cinema arrangement. When asked about Universe's company sale, Mr. Lam joked whether Daneil Lam Siu Ming or Mrs. Lam was selling. He did not know anything about that. * (6/28/2008) JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun) yesterday attended a radio event to promote the Olympic games. Later JJ will release a pictorial collection as well as a Wong Jing film, in which she would appear in swimsuit. Co-stars will include Roger Kwok Chun On, Sam Lee Chan Sam, Chubby (Siu Fei), Jo Kuk Cho Lam and Maggie Lee Man Kwan. * (6/28/2008) Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Fan Bingbing, and Korean actor Nam Hyun Joon two nights ago attended a press conference for the film JING MO MOON (EXCEL DANCE GATE). Siu Chun in the film will play a street dancing expert, but when asked whether he would personally perform all the moves he said that the film will add a lot of highly difficult moves. Since he was no stunt professional naturally he left them for doubles. * (6/28/2008) The Korean film industry event, the 45th Annual Daejong (Grand Bell) Award yesterday was unveiled. SEVEN DAYS' Kim Yoo-Jin finally defeated stars like Joen Do-Yeon, Park Jin-Hee and Im Soo-Jung to win Best Actress. With the most nomination of 11, THE CHASER was the big winner with six awards that included Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor and Best Cinematography. With the film Kim Yoon-Seok won Best Actor. Daniel Henny with MY FATHER won Best New Actor. MISS GOLD DIGGER's Han Ye-Seul won Best New Actress and Popularity award. The Song Hye-Koy starred costume film HWANG JIN-YI won Best Costume Design and Best Music. The Cha Tae-Hyun and Ha Ji-Won starred BA:BO won the Korean Popularity Award. Best Film: THE CHASER Best Director: Na Hong Jin, THE CHASER Best Actor: Kim Yoon Seok, THE CHASER Best Actress: Kim Yoon Jin, SEVEN DAYS Best Supporting Actor: Yoo Joon Sang, RETURN Best Supporting Actress: Kim Hae Sook, OPEN CITY Best New Actor: Daniel Henney, MY FATHER Best New Actress: Han Ye Seul, MISS GOLD DIGGER Popularity Award (male): Kim Yoon Seok Popularity Award (female): Han Ye Seul Korean Popularity Award: BA:BO * (6/26/2008) Chow Yun Fat's first personal photography collection MOVING PICTURES yesterday held a press conference at Tsim Sha Tsui's LV specialty store. Even though a category III typhoon warning was in effect, Fat Gor still attracted over 100 LV guests who waited for his autograph. The collection would publish 1,000 copies, each of which would sell for HK$1,288 in the Hong Kong and Paris LV stores. All proceeds would be donated to Hong Kong red Cross to assist the Sichuan earthquake victims. Fat Gor yesterday came with Fat Soh. He expressed that earlier his personal photography exhibit took place and now with the collection release he was even happier. The fund raising for Sichuan victims was Mrs. Chow's idea. He joked that he was only a photographer and had no say. He felt that each person would help friends in Sichuan differently. They might not necessarily go to Sichuan as long as their hearts were with them. Fat Gor believed that the nation had enough ability to handle the natural disaster. He saw many volunteers have already gone to the area for psychological therapy, hair cutting or caring for stray dogs. He felt professionals would be more suitable to go. However, he knew that Jackie Chan, Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) and Andy Lau Tak Wa have all gone and did a lot. He alone could not do much so he thanked them. He also said that at first he did not think about disaster relief when he released the collection and it was only by chance. Fat Gor also said that photography was his hobby but not his income source. Acting was his true profession. Fat Gor also said that he took pictures while on the set as well, and he had special privilege to do so. He loved the truest side the most. When he made CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER with Gong Li, she was used to letting him take pictures. Fat Gor said, "She is the Empress, I am the Emperor. When I want to shoot her, she dares not say no and dares not look at me." He said that he liked photography for its spontaneity and voyeurism. Most recently he and Gong Li worked on the Hollywood film SHANGHAI, which was even more passionate than CURSE. Last time he poisoned her to death, this time he loved her to death. They were very obsessed and gentle. Because the film background was 1940 Shanghai, he had to wear Chinese costumes and gold wireframe glasses to play a Shanghai tycoon. He thought it was very interesting and was happy to be able to work with Ken Watanabe and John Cusack. He also said that 2R in the film played his concubines. Fat Gor joked, "I am very happy, in the film I have girl all around me from age six to sixty. I can't be any happier, it can't be topped." As for his new film RED CIRCLE with Johnnie To Kei Fung, the screenplay has already reached its sixth draft. He joked that Ah To was afraid of the heat and thus delayed the production until December. Fat Soh revealed that this week Fat Gor has been on break. Later he would return to London and Thailand for SHANGHAI until mid August. Fat Gor has already confirmed Ah To's new film. Fat Soh said that the film would be France and U.S. funded and they would charge English currency. Fat Gor said that Tim Roth has already been confirmed for the film. As for Fat Gor's comment about loving Gong Li to death, Fat Soh said, "I don't get to be jealous, it's been so many years. How many times can I be jealous. This is my husband's job. (Were you on the set?) When he made MAN IN THE NET he already let me on the set to watch. Since my husband is in this business I have to accept it. Even if I watch it's nothing, I completely trust him. Everyone is very certain of their boundaries. (You trust him?) I think so! I know him too well." Fat Soh also said that she and Fat Gor often had a psychic bond but joked that her husband was the Emperor, she at most would just be an Empress. Reporters joked that she was also the finance minister. She joked that she was only helping out. However, Fat Soh complained that as soon as Fat Gor acted she did not exist to him. Reporters joked that it was better than finding another woman. Fat Soh aid, "He wouldn't. He is very attentive in everything, fully focused." * (6/26/2008) Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Wong Cho Nam and Maggie Lee Man Kwun two nights ago worked on the film NOI YI SIU NUI (UNDERWEAR GIRL) under the category 8 typhoon warning. Ronald declined any interview but later explained that he was not avoiding the press; he had to talk about his Taiwan concert in October. Stephy two nights ago had to work with Ronald and Wong Cho Nam. She felt that she could train her tolerance for laughter. As for accusation that she bullied new comer co-star Janice man, Stephy stressed that she absolutely would not pick on new comers. "I have been new once. When I don't understand something I would ask. The fact is this time everyone has had a pleasant time working together. Several new comers all had good performance and not too many bad takes." In several scenes models appeared in underwear. Stephy honestly said that at first she felt embarrassed but got used to them later. Maggie also confirmed that Stephy did not pick on new comers and even praised her for being very willing to instruct them. Although Maggie was well endowed, in the film she still had to perform with padding to be twice her size. She did not feel embarrassed at all, but two to three pads were very heavy and tired out her waist. Two days ago was her 20th birthday. Although she had to work she felt very happy and wished for world peace. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, JUNE 30 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS MARKET DECIDES BREAK UP A girl group who has been together for seven years, Twins, has been rumored to face a break up. The reason of course was the nude photo incident. Actually aside from music collaborations, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin and Gillian Chung Yun Tung have made movies on their own long ago. Since the nude photo incident, although Ah Gil bravely came out and worked she received pressure from everywhere and had to switch to work abroad. Hong Kong is just a small market for artists. The biggest development has to be Mainland. If the Mainland market needs some time to cool the negative impact of the incident, the Hong Kong market is not enough to support them. If Twins continues to release records and loses the Mainland market, even if Ah Sa would be willing to forge on alone up north they actually have broken up. The girls have taken different routes in film long ago. Ah Sa's comedy was more popular and is working on her acting. Ah Gil tended to make action films. The writer felt that Emperor in the past was too protective of Ah Gil's image. Ah Sa in movies instead had greater development as she has made kiss and comedic bed scenes. From a singer angle, image protection perhaps was necessary. In film however, too many restrictions would hinder development space. In movies the Twins effect was no longer effective. Their solo performance may be even better. Twins was a miracle in recent years. Their success woke up many industry insiders about overlooking the youth market. Over these seven years, show business has had many clones. No girl group could have Twins' success, which proved that even with the marketing artists still needed individuality to be able to succeed. Twins had its share of turbulence. Several years ago suddenly an anti idol wave started. Substance singers rose and idols were accused of poor performance. The anti idol wave only lasted for a year or so but has already caused damage to local idols. Youth switched to support Taiwan groups. The time has come for local idols to transform. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, JUNE 29 2008 CITY WITHOUT BASEBALL (2 of 2) (Previously in the column: do not believe the biased comment that you have heard about CITY WITHOUT BASEBALL. It is worth seeing more than several grand scale but all over the place costume epics. Although the script's overall structure is loose and messy, all the female characters are written outstandingly and with individuality. In addition it is without any high and mighty moral judgment, which alone is already quite an improvement.) The film at least has two more positive points that you cannot easily find in the past decade of Hong Kong films. More obvious is its young cast -- it used a group of young baseball players to play themselves. This idea may be out of convenience but undoubtedly has tremendously strengthened the story credibility and avoided the most commonly seen superficial flaw in Hong Kong film. Even when certain segments that required performance drama, actors were not severely stiff or immature; when compared to the current crop of so called popular idols who are strange and incomplete in acting, aura or personality they are much better. The other is a more reserved advantage, the film's scenery. CITY whether material or people is based on real life. To the sloppy and lazy producers, production designers and cinematographers, this type of so called "reality film" perhaps is the easiest living to make. Yet thanks to art director Wong Yan Luk and photography direction Cheung Wing, CITY's location, set decoration and camera angles all display a rare (actually should be basic) caution and overall result that not only provides a rich visual joy to the audience but also operates a very modern city feel. Few Hong Kong films know to focus on and demonstrate this type of actually film's most important element. This I feel should provide a place to speak for CITY. Finally back to the film's controversy of "selling the male body", I only want to make two comments. First, the so called "massive" male nude scenes I feel reflect even more actually local media culture's treatment and handling of the two sexes' bodies (imbalance) shape and concept. (if I say fear, I am afraid that it would immediately attract rebound). Ming Pao Weekly's film critic says that the film's "camera wanders on each nude man's body", "whatever you want from a sex film you get", truly "wandering" should be the writer's eyes (aside from a track shot in the locker room, the film has no shot that is close up or wanders on actors' bodies). the concept of sex perhaps was already in the writer's subconscious (nudity = sex). (To me, true sex is the Latin hunk's shower scene in SEX AND THE CITY -- of course that slow extreme close up of that enormous sex organ. Yet when I read SEX's critique, not a single word of protest could be seen.) Secondly, as someone has said, the silver screen only permits one type of nudity -- beautiful body. Anyone who feels the bodies in CITY are dirty and filthy perhaps need to see a doctor. The end. - SHU KEI 3. TA KUNG PAO, JUNE 29 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH FILM INDUSTRY OPERATION DIFFICULTY SILENTLY CHANGES Last week at a seminar in Beijing, one of the subject is cultural industry trend and business opportunity. Professor Chan Siu Fung stated in depth some important aspects, among which the film industry related information and opinions are well worth studying. Here I share them with the readers. Hong Kong has been called a cultural desert. Professor Chan felt that Hong Kong is not a cultural desert, only that Hong Kong's historical culture is slim. The fact is, Hong Kong film culture has been far reaching, Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan's action comedy and police films have become popular around the world. Its creativity and uniqueness influenced the entire world. In the past several years a trend to buy Hong Kong film remake rights has begun. In terms of popular culture, Professor Chan pointed out that the forerunners are all young. For example the hair dye trend started with the young (first in Japan) then to the middle age. Thus young people are the group that creates trend. Unfortunately now most film professionals are not young but middle age, thus leading trend is difficult; which is one of the reasons that Hong Kong film has fallen. The writer has already continuously stressed the issue of Hong Kong film generation gap. The in depth meaning cultural lies here. Professor Chan pointed out that one of the divisions is between the general culture and the elite culture. The general culture in the film industry refers to the general film that the general audience can understand, which are films that are widely accepted in the market. As for the elite culture it refers to movies that require professional training to appreciate, like only a certain circle (like intellectuals) can understand. In terms of film they are minority interest, the market cannot general accept them. These films are limited. The Chinese film market is not too developed. Professor Chan pointed out that due to few movie screens (only around 3,700), in other words a lack of basic facilities, the consumer group is restricted. Viewers in certain areas have to bear a more expensive ticket price (somre Mainland ticket prices are higher than Hong Kong's), which is a rather new economic angle to look at the Chinese film ticket price difference. As for film investment, Professor Chan pointed out that 1.9 billion of last year's 3.3 million box office belonged to Chinese films (including Mainland and Hong Kong co-productions) and had to rely on the overseas market for over half the return. Among them true profit might be less than 10%. Thus in the film industry it would be best not to play the investor role. When the film industry investment itself cannot make money, the best way is to at the same time operate management business and television series or publishing joint entertainment company model. This analysis is indeed very learned. Although film often is the head of the entertainment industry, its operation difficulty is also on top (and can rival the record industry). Now most film companies that only produces have already halted or transformed, even sold. The ones that continue to operate have already developed to other businesses at the same time. The new operation model has already silently formed. - TIN LIK 4. MING PAO DAILY, JUNE 28 2008 CITY WITHOUT BASEBALL (1 of 2) When bias is widely rumored, spread, to in the end accumulating to general agreement or consensus it is very terrifying. Under this situation, the real face of fact would become very blurry or even twisted. I am referring to the Lawrence Lau Kwok Cheung and Scud (Wan Yu) co-directed CITY WITHOUT BASEBALL (MO YEH JI SING). By now, I believe that you have already heard CITY is a gay film that uses baseball as bait to display/sell the male body, (and thus) the performance is poor. The fact is not as such. (If you still care to seek the truth of the matter.) It has plenty of flaws and overall it is not successful; yet in many aspects it is a film that is more serious and has more style and specialty than many current Hong Kong films. It will not win back your confidence in Hong Kong film, but at least it will not make you more disillusioned with Hong Kong film. For example, I would say it is even worth watching more than several earlier grand production but all over the place costume epics. First let's talk about its flaws. The film's subject is baseball. Most critics fault it for not teaching viewers how to play baseball after Watching it. The problem of course does not lie here (This can be considered a critic standard too?). The film keeps saying how rare baseball is in Hong Kong, in the film how rare the baseball players are for their willingness to give up everything for it, but the screenplay does not write about what attracts them to baseball? How much have they given up for baseball? If the film writes actually about these young players' relationships and baseball is only a background, then the issue then is the film has too much baseball and interferes with this part. This is the reason the structure is poor. Secondly, the film from beginning to end has two types of subtitles: one quotes ancient philosophy (Confucius, Mengzi and Laozi) and the other chooses the names of the music performers (Danny Chan Pak Keung, Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing, Wong Ka Kui, all of whom passed before their time)'s birth and death years. Both have nothing to do with the story. They do not even serve any pretentious purpose and actually are a little stupid. Yet although the overall structure is loose and messy, the screenplay has its brilliant parts. All of its female characters (including/especially Heung Chi Chun's mother and sister) although do not have large roles are written outstandingly and with individuality. Among them Ping (Yim Wai Sa) and Meizi (Gig Lin Yuan)'s initiative and free spirit (not necessarily promiscuous) toward male female relationship, and another woman Kim (Monie Tung Man Lei)'s underestimation of life (everything is about mood) I feel are very real reflections of this era's youth. The screenplay's touches do not have a hint of moral judgment. Simply put, it is already quite an improvement for a Hong Kong film. - SHU KEI 5. MING PAO DAILY, JUNE 28 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS LATE NIGHT IS A GOOD BATTLEFIELD TVB's late night re-run of TRIUMPH IN THE SKIES (CHUNG SEUNG WON SIU) created an average seven point rating record. On Friday it even reached nine points. This rating was even higher than ATV's prime time. If you are an advertiser, which station would you put your ad on? ATV viewers are mostly older. Viewers who watch TVB series late at night definitely are not seniors or children, perhaps they are younger to middle age and with stronger consumer spending power. TVB's late night advertisement fee now is not cheap at all. Hong Kong people go to sleep later. Anyone who has not or cannot sleep are either young or normally busy with work. To the working class, the 7PM prime time is too early. With traffic many do not get home until after 9PM. The writer has always felt that late night is a slot that is worthy of exploration. ATV should properly use it. TVB re-run popular series, which many late night viewers have never seen and only knew that this series was popular before. Would ATV have a hard time stealing these viewers? The writer feels no. Late night viewers would not be too loyal to TVB, in other words the habitual rating influence is lower. If TVB has no good series re-run, its rating actually is not high. ATV of course should not fight series with series. Late night exploration requires new ideas. TVB has ample good series on hand and does not need to think any further. ATV's issue is the lack of creativity. Earlier it daringly released the adult flavored Japanese adult video interview program, unfortunately it was packaged poorly. As the writer expected, the subject was right and generated talk but the show had no rating. Creativity is more than just a subject. It requires clear thinking about execution to be able to attract viewers. As long as ATV is willing to put in an effort, late night still is a decent battlefield. - KWOK HIN CHING 6. MING PAO DAILY, JUNE 27 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS INTERNET'S IMPACT ON FILM AND TELEVISION Internet's impact on music, publishing and film so far still has not been properly resolved and established a win win situation. As for its changes on two major general public electronic media of radio and television, the moment of revolution still waits. Commercial Radio most recently released an all new web page and improved its listen online capabilities. The internet has robbed many ads from traditional radio so it had to speed up change. Radio mainly broadcasts sound but internet already has broken this limitation. In addition it provides many interactive capabilities. If we see radio as a primary provider of sound content and not an electronic medium that uses the airwave one directional broadcast, radio still has a lot of room to exist. The impact that television faces may not be so close but may not be so far either. Pay television has already used internet for broadband transmission, digital broadcast can permit television users to interact with television stations over the airwave, and the new generation flat screen LCD television itself is a computer monitor; personal computers will definitely move from the study to the living room. Local radio and television are still under strict licensing restriction, but online radio and television are not restricted and are global too. To target the Hong Kong market, an online radio or television station can be established anywhere overseas, even linked to the publishing web site to bring all tradition media into one and enjoy free broadcast without any restriction. Government licensing standard will soon become a thing of the past. As long as the station is not locally registered it does not fall under any restriction but can still make the local market the primary one with locally produced and uploaded content. Very soon many film and television computers that people of any age would know how to operate like a stereo system or a video player will be released. Whatever they want to watch they get to watch with a flick of the finger. Technologically it already works, only waits for how to unite it into one idea that can be generally used. - KWOK HIN CHING 7. MING PAO DAILY, JUNE 26 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT OF FILM HAS PERSONALITY SPLIT The government supported the film industry earlier with the formation of the contact committee at the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority to plan and assist with film production applications. Both Chief Executives Tung Chee Hwa and Donald Tsang have been supportive of local film. Industry insiders can apply for government venue location shoots. In the past only foreign films can have road blocks but now Hong Kong films can too without any bias. Yet not every film can be accommodated. TELA can only be the middle man. If certain department does not understand the film production, or is afraid of trouble or mistake it can be just as uncooperative. TELA after years of communication with the industry is already considered very understanding. Many film professionals have praised them in the background. Applying for production on Hong Kong government grounds is very economical. On average the cost is only several thousand, much cheaper than Mainland and overseas. Street shoots are completely free, as long as an application has been filed before hand. The police would arrive at the scene to assist if any complaint arises. In the past the police too may not be certain that production on the streets is permitted. The application is only a process issue. Even without it, if the production is not obstructing traffic it can shoot all it wants. Now there is already an understanding. Yet individual departments are not too willing to coordinate with the government's general direction of supporting local film, even if TELA explains they do not cooperate. Different government departments manage different government venues. Some regulation is only suitable for the general public and not for film and television production. Production may not be permitted if the rules are followed exactly. The writer feels, since the government's general direction is supporting the film industry the venue application approval should be more concentrated. Any issue with production content for example can be left for TELA, which is more understanding of the film production to handle. If each department still operates as its own entity, each department would have personality split. Certain departments would be very understanding while certain other ones are harder to apply for then private grounds. To truly help the Hong Kong film industry, not only the policy has to change but the execution has to be uniform as well. - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Um Sat Lit : Assassination d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Louis Koo Tin Lok Can : Jing Yun Lit : Witness Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Zhang Jingchu, Sherman Chung Shu Man 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) [ 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. 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 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 August 14 2008 in Malaysia [ 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... 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 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] In the early 1990s, a tractor mechanic from China nicknamed Steelhead illegally enters Japan to search for his girlfriend. To make ends meet, he joins his friend in Shinjuku in doing menial labor. Steelhead finds out that his girlfriend has married Eguchi, a Japanese Yakuza leader. Steelhead decides to stay in Japan and work for Eguchi as a hitman. Soon, Steelhead gets used to the power and find himself embroiled so deeply in the ways of the underworld that there is no turning back. 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 * ANDY HUI CHI ON AND WILLIAM SO WING HONG LIVE IN CONCERT Special Guest : Eddie Ng Kwok King VENUE LOCATION : Horseshoe Casino 777 Casino Center Drive Hammond IN 46320 www.horseshoe.com 866-711-SHOE DATE AND TIME : Friday night / Saturday morning, August 8 2008 @ 12AM TICKET PRICES: $148, 108, 88 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: Ticket Master 866.448.7849 ONLINE www.thevenue-chicago.com -------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : MOV3.COM, Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Tuesday July 1 2008 10 21 d. Robert Luketic Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth 9 DECEPTION d. Marcel Langenegger Hugh Jackman, Ewan McGregor, Michelle Williams 8 ENSEMBLE, C'EST TOUT d. Claude Berri Audrey Tautou, Guillaume Canet, Laurent Stocker 7 THE INCREDIBLE HULK d. Louis Leterrier Edward Norton, Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, William Hurt 6 SUPERHERO MOVIE d. Craig Mazin Drake Bell, Sara Paxton, Christopher McDonald 5 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, Law Wing Cheung, Cheung Moon Yuen, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan 4 SEX AND THE CITY d. Michael Patrick King Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon 3 THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN d. Andrew Adamson Ben Barnes, Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes 2 WANTED d. Timur Bekmambetov James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie 1 KUNG FU PANDA d. Mark Osborne, John Stevenson Dreamwork Animation English voices: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS THE SPARROW Rating : IIA Length : 87 mins. 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" -- and 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 he is 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. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, June 28 2008 15 TOGETHER WITH YOU Can : Yu Nei Tung Joi Chen Chusheng (Chan Chor Sun) 14 WELCOME TO MY WORLD Gary Cao (Cho Gat) 13 SING WITH ME Can : Pui Ngor Gor Cheung Soda Green 12 THE OLDER THE LONELIER Can : Yuet Jeung Dai Yuet Gu Dan Milk and Coffee 11 LOVE AND HOPE Can : Oi Yu Hei Mong JJ Lin Junjie 10 GROW UP OVERNIGHT Can : Yut Man Jeung Dai Andy Lau Tak Wa 9 EVERY YEAR HAS TODAY Can : Nin Nin Yau Gum Yut Leo Ku Kui Ke 8 ORCHID Can : Yuen Mei Fa Man Wenjun (Moon Man Kwun) 7 I WILL BE THERE Elva Hsiao (Siu Ah Hin) 6 ROAD...HAS ALWAYS BEEN HERE Can : Lo...Yut Jik Doh Joi Eason Chan Yik Shun 5 ON THE TREADMILL Can : Pau Bo Gei Seung Joey Yung Cho Yi 4 FAITH Can : Shun Lim Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 3 MYSTERY GUEST Can : Sun Bei Ga Bun James Lin (Lam Yau Ga) 2 FALLEN FOR BEAUTY Can : Oi Seung Nei Dik Mei Yu Quan 1 LIKING YOU IS VERY TIRING Can : Hei Foon Yut Gor Yun Ho Lui Vinci Chan (Wing Yi) ------ [ Yakety Yak ] The views and opinions expressed here are purely those of the writer and in no way reflect those of Hong Kong Film Top 10 Box Office, its contributors and affiliated web sites. NOT WANTED No sooner than Your Chaffing Editor ended last week's column, some geniuses decided to try even harder to get his favorite video game banned with stunts like this. Not only should it not be an instructional video for driving, the game should not be a suggestion for things to try in real life when you are bored. http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6229595 Speaking of which, one of the few quirks in the game is when you tapped the police car in front of you. Angelina Jolie actually did that in WANTED, then proceeded to pull off some amazing car stunts. Alas, while WANTED's action left Your Chaffing Editor speechless like any summer blockbuster should, the rest of the film simply left Your Chaffing Editor speechless due to a lack of word. Finally he came to an apt description. "Well, I can't say it's good." Some compared it to THE MATRIX (not a positive comparison for Your Chaffing Editor), MINORITY REPORT, and even FIGHT CLUB (hella no!). While elements of the film could explain the comparisons, the film on its own were in no way on those films' levels (OK, maybe THE MATRIX, which received a major reduction in points from Your Chaffing Editor due to the overhype). Some even said that Keanu Reeves could have played the lead. Praise the Lord he did not; he would have been the final nail for Old Chaffy. The finale reminded for some reason Your Chaffing Editor GAME OF DEATH. As its stands the film is entertaining as a summer blockbuster, but the attempt at a theme would leave some summer film watchers dumbfounded. See for yourself, but for Old Chaffy, not even Angelina Jolie could save this movie. Something else that has been troubling Your Chaffing Editor for no obvious reason. A critic has compared Po and Tigress' relationship in KUNG FU PANDA to that of GIANT EAGLE AND ITS COMPANION (SUN DIU HUP NUI)'s Yeung Gor and Dragon Maiden. While you can make the comparsion with WANTED's Angelina Jolie James McAvoy relationship, making the comparison in an animated film seemed somewhat reaching and icky. Granted, when someone Chinese see something that has a Chinese origin he or she may want to make as many connections as possible to it; but citing GIANT EAGLE as a reference seems a little much. (Not to mention the relationship initially seemed suspiciously like something that would have gotten Dragon Maiden a court order to stay fifty feet away from all schools. Wow, Old Chaffy just realized she is a cougar.) Finally, Your Chaffing Editor wonders if anyone else has been dumb or drunk enough to try Takuyaki Russian Roulett. For those of you who have seen Japanese game shows or TVB's THE TRIO DELIGHTS wiht Eric Tsang Chi Wai you probably would have an idea. Anyway, as Your Chaffing Editor predicted when he placed the order one way or another the one with the wasabi inside would be his. Luckily for him, the restaurant did not fill it with wasabi a la TV. Nothing a little plum wine could not fix. KILL ONE MOVIE, SAVE A FEW BUCKS Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] CLOSER Ne-YO (www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUTh3OJjWjM) Closer closer closer closer Turn the lights off in this place And she shines just like a star And I swear I know her face I just don’t know who you are Turn the music up in here I still hear her loud and clear Like she’s right there in my ear Telling me that she wants to own me To control me Come closer Come closer And I just can’t pull myself away Under Her Spell I can't break I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop And I just can’t bring myself away But I don’t want to escape I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I can feel her on my skin I can taste her on my tongue She’s the sweetest taste of sin The more I get the more I want She wants to own me..... Come closer She says "come closer" And I just can’t pull myself away Under Her Spell I can't break I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop And I just can’t bring myself away But I don’t want to escape I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop (Come closer) (Come closer) (Come closer) (Come closer) (Come closer) (Come closer) (Come closer) I just can’t stop nooooo I just can’t stop nooooo I just can’t stop nooooo I just can’t stop nooooo And I just can’t pull myself away Under Her Spell I can't break I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop And I just can’t bring myself away But I don’t want to escape I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop And I just can’t pull myself away Under Her Spell I can't break I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop I just can’t stop ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038