From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (AUGUST 7 2008) Organization: Chaffing Heart Club (TM) The following publication contains material that might be objectionable to some readers. Parental guidance and reader discretion are advised. [FLUFF OF THE WEEK] Courtesy of Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily, Apple Daily, Oriental Daily, and Ta Kung Pao 1. THIS TOP 10 IS DEDICATED TO A. Wilfred Lau Ho Lung who celebrates his birthday on the 13th B. Law Wai Guen who wed on the 12th C. Fiona Sit Hoi Kei who celebrates her birthday on the 11th D. Faye Wong who celebrates her birthday on the 8th E. Shirley Yeung Szeki who celebrates her birthday on the 7th F. Peter Lam Kin Ngok who celebrates his birthday on the 7th G. Marianne Chan Miu Ying who celebrates her birthday on the 1st * (8/13/2008) The Summer International Film Festival opening ceremony and the opening film OCEAN FLAME premiere took place two nights ago. Producer Simon Yam Tat Wa led actors Monica Mok Siu Kei, Hai Yitian and Law Chung HIm attended. Although the film received a category III rating, leads Liao Fan and Mok Siu Kei's backside revealing poster was not approved and was required to cover the rear. Mok Siu Kei not only had sexy performance in the film but also had scene in which Liao Fan beat her for over two minutes. The director for realism asked for a real beating, did not notify her before hand and deliberately isolated her. As soon as she got to her mark Liao Fan pulled her by her limps and her hairs and beat her until her eyes and nose were bleeding. At the time she did not know whether she was crying tears or blood, finally she was hospitalized. On the way the director asked her to return for an injured scene. Mok Siu Kei although did not need to be hospitalized she was worried about her face because after a week her face has not recovered and she constantly had to ice it. Mok Siu Kei did not think about charging the director and instead thanked the director for providing her with such a emotional performance. Yam Tat Wa expressed that the director was like Ringo Lam Lan Tung 20 years ago, but he was not on the set during the shoot. Otherwise he would have stopped it. Brother Wa said, "Ultimately it's filmmaking, even real beating might not necessarily feel real. The director chose Mok Siu Kei correctly though." He said, the film was rated category III for some violence and sex, but the theme remained mainly human nature. It was also fortunate enough to participate in the Cannes Film Festival and the Toronto Film Festival. As a first time producer he said that the job felt too tough. In the future he did not want to produce again. Even directing might have to wait until next year. The usually fit Brother Wa in Thailand was caught with a big belly. He pointed out that he had to gain weight for a film. Now he has already lose 8 pounds. * (8/13/2008) Sundream's new film PLASTIC CITY after qualifying for the Venice Film Festival also qualified for the Toronto film festival. Female lead Huang Yi was very happy about the international film festival selections. The film's backdrop was in Brazil. Portuguese has always been a challenge to actors as the voice work was very difficult. Huang Yi said, "Speaking Portuguese was truly very hard, sometimes I could only use memory and imagination." Anthony Wong Chau Sun also honestly admitted the difficult, "Portuguese was truly very tough, very hard to pronounce. During voice work getting into the mood for hard." In this multiple nation performance both had a lot of stories and working with Joe Odagiri has triggered a lot of sparks. Huang Yi found her super sexy costume the most unforgettable. "This time I played a night club boss lady, the costumes were very sexy. Some I felt did not look good but the Brazilian crew said they looked great." As for Joe Odagiri, Huang Yi recalled, "Joe Odagiri and I were not a couple in the film, but in one scene they were very impulsive. At the time we weren't familiar but had to dance. We didn't know how and had to dance with power, so we could only drink to warm up. Finally the result was great. Chau Sun also provided a lot of help and gave me advice like a teacher. He was very friendly." Chau Sun said, "Many said that Joe Odagiri was the Japanese Tony Leung Chiu Wai. After working with him I too discovered he had a Leung Chiu Wai feel, a rare natural born actor. During the shoot he has given a lot of opinions that helped with everyone's performance." * (8/13/2008) The film LA LINGERIE (NOI YI SIU NUI) in three days made 3.11 million. The film company two nights ago celebrated with the team. Stephy Tang Lai Yun and Janice Man Wing San who were rumored to be at odds during the shoot two nights ago graciously posed with each other. Man Wing San even said that they were not at odds and believed that it was just a promotion. Stephy said that this should be the best grossing comedy in her career. When asked whether the film was popular due to lingerie, she said that a survey should be a conducted. Yet fans and friends all thought she would be very sexy but actually her lingerie shots were only from the back. She also said that another group of fans was conservative and did not want her to dress too provocatively. Tong Yi said that although she wore swimwear in the film, her mother did not ask. As an actor even intimate scenes would be normal. She said that at the premiere her company thought she looked too fat on camera and asked her to lose weight. Thus she would take advantage of the summer and swim. Tong Yi said that she still had no on screen kiss. As for who she would like to give it to, she laughed, "The best would be (Tony) Leung Chiu Wai, (Daniel Wu) Ng Yin Cho!" Fama expressed that in the film Stephy was not uptight at all and pointed out that Stephy was the pure, sweet and innocent type. Fama pointed out that Stephy's moves in the film were already very daring and joked that this film was not category III and no one should be greedy. Andy On Chi Kit denied dating 2R. "We are just friends. We are not dating. Now career comes first." * (8/13/2008) Zhang Ziyi expressed earlier in a Mainland magazine BAZAAR interview that she would always be Chinese and has never thought about becoming an American. Zhang Ziyi expressed that even after she is married she would not give up film because film was still her most beloved. In the Chen Kaige directed MEI LANFANG, she in order to play Mei Lanfang's friend Meng Xiaodong had to study hard to play a Beijing Opera veteran, which was an enormous challenge to her. More than two months before the production she almost repeatedly practiced in front of the mirror over a thousand times and even dined with the instructor to observe the gesutres, movements and speech demeanor in order to capture Meng Xiaodong's spirit. * (8/11/2008) Bowie Lam BO Yi yesterday was a guest at the tire contest. Bowie in the middle of the month will work on the film GUM CHIN DAI GOK (MONEY EMPIRE) with Eason Chan Yik Shun, Tony Leung Ka Fai and Anthony Wong Chau Sun. He will play a righteous Independent Commission Against Corruption officer. * (8/8/2008) The Feng Xiaogang directed, Ge You starred Lunar New Year comedy FEI SING MUK YAU (DISHONEST DO NOT DISTURB) on the 6th officially started its second stage of production in Hengzhou. Even though lead actress Shu Qi could not participate, Ge You still had a "beauty" by his side -- an agent who was trying to sell him a luxury mansion. Because the film has been kept vyer confidential, it finally found a place in a Hengzhou national wetland park. Feng Xiaogang "hid" on a boat and talked about the shoot with Ge You. Around noon, the boat finally docked. Ge You wore green and had a fan in his hand as he comfortably sat on the boat. Across from him was a beauty in a blue dress, smiling and having tea with Master Ge. However she was not the film's lead actress Shu Qi. She played a sales agent who was using a variety of ways to sell houses around the area to Ge You, who mistook her for a blind date. The shoot appeared to be relatively simple but under Director Feng's strict demand this shot took four takes. * (8/8/2008) The Fukuoka Asian Culture Priz committee held the 19th annual Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize certificate presentation yesterday and announced veteran Hong Kong director Ann Hui On Wa received the prize, the first Hong Kong film director to receive this prize. Previous winners included Hou Hsiao-Hsien (10th) and Zhang Yimou (13th). The Japanese consulate in Hong Kong and Karena Lam Ka Yun personally came to congratulate her. Ann expressed appreciation to the city of Fukuoka and her parents. Even though they were poor when she was little, they still sent her to a very good school. She also had to thank her teachers from elementary school to university. Ann expressed that she appreciated director King Hu (Wu Kam Chuen)'s help with joining the film and television world, and workers, photographers and editors who have provided a very pleasant atmosphere for her to learn in. This atmosphere has endured for 32 years already. Ann also said that she used to learn from elders, but now she instead had to learn from juniors as she hoped that the tides would not wash her away and she could work for a few more years. She did not dare to call herself an artist, only someone who made movies. Being able to receive the recognition she thanked Hong Kong. * (8/7/2008) 2R earlier headed to London for an audition for the film SHANGHAI. They were very excited about the chance to work with their idol Chow Yun Fat. Rosanne expressed that she took a picture with Fat Gor and later would enlarge it for her parents, who are also Fat Gor's fans. Rosanne expressed that after the audition she stayed in London for a few days. When she had time she visited the set. She said that when she saw Fat Gor her heart beat faster and more intensely because she has never thought to be able to see this international superstar this close. She praised Fat Gor for not having an ounce of arrogance at all and was very friendly and easygoing with everyone. Rosanne looked forward to working with Fat Gor. "The most surprising was when Fat Gor saw me and my sister he actually asked whether we were 2R. When such an amazing elder knew our name, it was like winning a prize." Rosanne also took the chance to take pictures with Japanese actor Ken Watanabe. * (8/7/2008) The film OI HEI DUT's cast, including Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Chen Bo-Lin, Shao Bing, Shaun Tam Chun Yin and Tang Yu Yu, under the leadership of director Joe Ma Wai Ho attended the film's wrap press conference. Leung Wing Kei said that since she has already worked with Director Ma Wai Ho before they had chemistry. This film shot at many locations. Due to the humid climate, many actors have lost weight. Leung Wing Kei and Chen Bo-Lin have lost the most. Even the director was afraid that the scenes would not have continuity. * (8/7/2008) 1/2008 charity short film project earlier held a premiere in Shanghai. The event invited Chen Kaige, Xie Jun, Wang Xiaoshuai and other directors to take a three minute short film. Bowie Lam Bo Yi participated in the Stanley Kwan Kam Peng directed short film with Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Xu Jiao. Lam Bo Yi played a OB/GYN who delivered for a pregnant woman amid the danger of the earthquake. The director hoped to salute the Sichuan medical staff. Because the director earlier has seen HEALING HANDS (MIU SAU YUN SUM) he invited Bowie to perform. Bowie admired the director and since the event was so meaningful he immediately agreed and brought his TVB junior colleagues Yuen Wai Ho, Yiu Chi Ling, Chow Ka Wai and Sung Hei Nin. Although the 4 young actors did not have large parts they were very serious. The director asked nurse Yiu Chi Ling to be teary eyed after the successful birth and Chi Ling was able to do it. Bowie was the happiest about the chance to meet his idol Xu Jiao because he liked the film CJ7 (CHEUNG GONG CHUT HO) a lot. He said after two days with Xu Jiao she discovered that she was very a cute, smart and polite girl with a lot of potential. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 12 2008, FILM WORDS BEIJING OLYMPICS: WUXIA FILM STYLE TAKEOFF Was the Beijing Olympic opening ceremony "show" that spared no expense exciting? Or was it too eager to impress, waste of manpower and money, with too much dizzying gimmicks? Of course each is entitled to his or her own opinion. Certainly it did not slip or lose control, very precise and very magnificent. It would not disappoint any compatriot and have also won overall international praise. In this super performance, aside of mountains and seas of people, the most special was its full of fire and brimstone "film feel" -- especially the full of wuxia film style dance in flight. The final Li Ning's torch ignition in flight wire design formed a flying hero climax effect that made the Hong Kong film industry proud. Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was under famous film director Zhang Yimou's command. He even hired the Hong Kong wuxia film expert who excels in wire Ching Siu Tung to assist with special effect stunts. No wonder the event tried to showcase all the tricks of a wonderful martial art hero. I could not help but be reminded of the 60s and 70s when Hong Kong and Taiwan chanted film "takeoff" slogans, which were fulfilled in practice by action films that learn from European, American and Japanese action productions including the use of trampoline, wire and cardboard box padding, as well as slow motion, editing, sound. All strengthened Chinese gong fu's film sense of motion drastically and gradually rose to fame around the world. King Hu (Wu Kam Chuen), Chang Cheh and Bruce Lee are the three main drivers of the Chinese gong fu film takeoff. Wu Kam Chuen's dance in flight sense was the best, however A TOUCH OF ZEN (HUP NUI)'s forest fight in flight and zen monk's drift in air mainly descended but not ascended; Chang Cheh film was mainly hardcore fighting; Bruce Lee won with realism and wit, "three kicks" did not fly too high. The office takeover was between the 70s and 80s, led by Tsui Hark. Tsui Hark's first film BUTTERFLY MURDER (DIP BIN) daringly created an epic scroll style and displayed compass, paper making, printing, firework, and other ancient Chinese discoveries as well as massive use of pulleys, armors and traps. His ZU: WARRIORS FROM THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN (SHOOK SAN) captured sword fairy fantasy that used wire liberally and enabled Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) perform a Dunhuang mural fairy in flight style effect. I felt many of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony designs had a lot of inspiration from Tsui Hark's work, which should not be overlooked. As for Ching Siu Tung's brilliant dance in flight, it has already become a style of its own long ago; but undoubtedly in the Tsui Hark produced A CHINESE GHOST STORY (SIN NUI YAU WON) and SWORDSMAN (SIU NGO GONG WU) it was the most excellently and fiercely used. Also must be mentioned was the 1989 Ching Siu Tung directed, Li Pik Wah written A TERRA COTTA WARRIOR (CHUN YUNG), in which Zhang Yimou and Gong Li starred in three lifetimes of romance from the Qin Dynasty to now. Then Zhang Yimou directed wuxia epic HERO, CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER and the Olympic show, all of which he hired Ching Siu Tung to work with. A TERRA COTTA WARRIOR even affected the new foreign film THE MUMMY TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR, which proved the importance of that old film. - SHEK KEI 2. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 12 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS A FILM STYLE OPENING CEREMONY If you abandon certain bias of the Beijing Olympics, you would admit that this was a good show. Some criticized that it was too much of a show, it was a show! Would you say a human is too human? Unless you had prejudice that this human should not be a human. China wanted to face the world with the Beijing Olympics. If you thought the Chinese government would find several old scholars to promote culture, or perhaps an opening ceremony that would be as light as a vegetarian meal, that you were too naive. With Zhang Yimou as the director, everyone should have been prepared. Even if you have not seen his large scale plays, you should have seen his international market epics. He was hired to be the main brain of the Olympic opening ceremony for what was in his mind. Thus, in critiquing the opening ceremony, you could not erase the aforementioned segments. The writer was very certain that we would see a Zhang Yimou style opening ceremony, not Chen Kaige's or Feng Xiaogang's. Zhang Yimou's style when used in this opening ceremony indeed was very outstanding. We could imagine how surprised foreign viewers in the audience or in any corners around the world were when they saw mountains and seas of people and the technological shocking scenes. Although Hollywood films can achieve any special effect, we have seen everything. Yet the shock of a live action performance was something else. Perhaps China should be lucky that the last decade or more had room for Chinese films to become entertaining. If it was still stuck in the lecturing art film era, how would the Olympic opening ceremony be with those directors? Off screen film talent was even more important than on screen at this opening ceremony. When the big stars and singers performed they were only closing the show. Hong Kong had several off screen personnel participating in the opening ceremony. Ching Siu Tung took part in designing Li Ning's torch lighting ceremony. Film workers do not just contribute in film. - KWOK CHING HIN 3. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 11 2008, FILM WORDS LA LINGERIE FUN AND MULTIDIMENSIONAL Finally a local film is released this summer. Even with the Beijing Olympics opening it still is able to have a good opening and attract young women and men as its main audience. This new century romantic ensemble film is rather cute. The long silent Hong Kong film still has the ability to transform and vary, as well as displaying the trademark comedy feel anew. Chan Hing Ka earlier has cooked up the hit comedy LA BRASSIERE (JUET SAI HO BRA) with women's lingerie, erotic yet not dirty, tempting and funny it had the support of female viewers. This time hand Janet Chun Siu Chun co-directed LA LINGERIE (NOI YI SIU NUI) is younger and more feminine. Although it is about love and sex, it maintains balance between open and conservative. Not a filthy flesh flick, it is a lively, funny, beautifully packaged modern city romance with multiple dimensions. This film can be said as the U.S. SEX AND THE CITY Hong Kong young girl version and also obviously under recent local hit films like Yip Lim Sum's MARRIAGE TO A FOOL (DUK GA SI OI) and L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES (NGOR DIK JUI OI)'s influence. The lead actress is still Stephy Tang Lai Yun, with a series of minor characters and stories. The film has its indecent silly moments, but overall it has love and fun. Smartly it is not vulgar. Tang Lai Yun plays an innocent girl in the age of openness. She becomes a high class lingerie company's new employees and crosses path with several "dangerous" men. Can she maintain her innocence? Among them "girl killer" Ronald Cheng Chung Kei is very cute; "genius" Lok Wing makes up of a famous writer and is also wonderful; "prince" Wong Cho Nam is the most cartoonish and eccentric; "elite" Mr. C has a surprisingly low key sense of humor. This ensemble has several relationships; Tong Yi the flight attendant who wants to marry rich and develops a rivalry with Tsui Tin Yau, an auxiliary police officer who enjoys house chores. Famous dance escort JJ Jia (Ga Hiu SuN) has a basketball romance with Andy On Chi Kit. Both have laughter and tears. Wild child Janice Man Wing San cooks up a love triangle with a father and a son. Although the entire film is cooked up like a comic book, wonderfully its detail is decent. The actors all have entertaining performance. With support from Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Clifton Ko Chi Sum, Lo Mik Shuet, Chan Hung Fai and Wong Yau Nam, each does not have much screen time but all are wonderful on their own. The film thus has many branches and leaves without any downtime. Undoubtedly, LA LINGERIE is quite a gimmick. Without any taboo it keeps on talking about "losing virginity" and "sexual deviance". Difficult to avoid the vulgar, it is not appropriate for serious film viewers. Luckily it still has a lot of positive parts, shot with agility and spring in its step. It has a new era feel, achieves silly but not stupid, details among the rough. No matter what, Hong Kong film still has signs of life. As new talent performers flood in, veterans also have chances to transform. Most important is facing the market anew and reviving the ability to make people laugh. - SHEK KEI 4. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 10 2008 ABOUT WOO (5) But I digressed. The controversy around RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) currently seems to all focus on whether film is historical accurate and how John Woo (Ng Yu Sum) interpret the numerous Three Kingdoms characters; then it is about Woo's directing style and dramatic handling methods. To me, the former is not much that bothers me too much. History to Chinese people always seems to be a burden that they cannot get rid of. Yet film is creative and permits actually a lot of room for creator interpretation, the key lies with whether it can be justified and convincing. Woo has made Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu into mutually an admiring "Woo style heroic duo", which is not a problem. I feel this time the problem lies with Woo has made his former expertise of male bonding too excessive, which here refers to a kind of earnestness and intensity -- originally it is Woo (and many Hong Kong film)'s specialty. When it is too excessive, it goes overboard and too much is just as bad as too little. Some critics often claims that male bonding under Woo's cameras is full of homoerticism (which some even claims is directly inherited from Chang Cheh's films). I feel this is a beautiful (or not) misunderstanding. Homosexuality has a very unique sensitivity and sensibility of its own, with an extra refined delicacy in addition. Let me say that these elements have never been Woo's strong suits. (As for Chang Cheh, that is another matter. That actually is a type of explosive release from extreme repression, not eroticism (because it is not seducing). Instead it is almost pornography; it is not desire out of love but lust.) Woo's male bonding, as far as I can understand and experience, is a type of narcissism more than homosexuality (Although you can say that homosexuality often contains very strong narcissism). The so-called "mutual admiration" is just seeing their own shadows in the other person (In FACE/OFF, John Travolta and Nicolas Cage's face off in the house of mirrors is the definitive moment of Woo's obsession of this theme). The greatest danger that a critic may create for a creator is mistakenly turn a forced interpretation into some kind of truth or revelation. When I refer to Woo's RED CLIFF as too much is as bad as too little, this is what I mean. (Another example is the symbol of the white dove, which has been elevated from a symbol to the main subject, then continuously become each film's designated action trademark.) Thus Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu's "exchange of glances" would become so twisted (because it is excessive), wht the addition of the excessively feminine Lin Chiling it is even more prominent. Secondly, Woo also has made Zhuge Liang too "promiscuous" -- not only to Zhou Yu, but also to Sun Quan and Liu Bei. The always reliable Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo) somehow has portrayed the character as eccentric. One mistake although has not cost everything has already ruined the entire game. - SHU KEI 5. TA KUNG PAO, AUGUST 10 2008 LA LINGERIE'S HIDDEN FEELING IS THE MOST TOUCHING "If the general public can relate to something, it must be able to reflect a certain mentality of the period's society or the masses." One of LA LINGERIE (NOI YI SIU NUI)'s director is Chan Hing Ka, who has always specialized in city dweller mentality. He says, many young people actually want to see movies that are about problems that they can relate to and have a laugh. LA LINGERIE hopefully can reflect their real behavior and mentality, so after watching they would feel it is funny and touching, and have a "that's us" recognition. Whether the just released LA LINGERIE's performance can surpass the also from the hands of Chan Hing Ka LA BRASSIERE (JUET SAI HO BRA) it is not yet known. An experienced screenwriter he says that nothing is better than hearing everyone's hearty laugh in the cinemas, which is the greatest return. The box office is just a number. "When I see viewers who are very happy or hold their girlfriends very tightly when they leave, I am the happiest. Film professionals should experience this condition." Even though in recent years the Chinese film market has moved toward big stars and big productions, he has gotten some young people's opinions and realized that these big productions to young people sometimes are too far and too "heavy". They would feel that they have nothing to do with them and instead want to watch something that they can relate to more. "Hong Kong has very few local entertainment films and comedies. I feel Hong Kong needs some simply and mainly local films." Reflecting Human Nature Directing LA LINGERIE, aside from Chan Hing Ka is Janet Chun Siu Chun. They were also the main driving force behind LA BRASSIERE. Since 01, the idea of a sequel has always been brewing. Back then the Janet conducted research raised a lot of information from the woman point of view but was not used in LA BRASSIERE. Chun Siu Chun says, "During that time, Director Ka and producer (Chin Siu Wai) have already through many people who they have contacted understood their views about career, love and even sex. At the time Director Ka has already suggested opening a young line, making some younger subjects. So this time they would mainly write about people, concentrate on young people's views on love and sex and merge some fresh ideas that we have learned over these years from young people of different layers into it." Since it is about human nature, why does it have to be "lingerie" and why is it "girl" driven? Chan Hing Ka says, "LA BRASSIERE is about lingerie's technical issue, but in our research we also conclude that many modern women's opinions have one source; lingerie is woman's closest secret. Sometimes it is partial hidden and partial visible, but it doesn't want to be seen completely. This is our main idea." He continues, "Throughout the entire research, conception and production process, we also realize that the distance between young and old actually isn't far. Actually certain parts of human nature remain very similar. Young people only appear and behave differently from us, but our demand for love is based on human nature. I would say, as long as there is love we are all very young; whether you are 80 or 90, when you are in love, you are no different from teenagers." Light Romance "As for why "girls", the reason is we are responding to the entire society, market and film industry. Everyone always say the film industry has no successor. Our generation has been in the business for over 20 years and would like to see the arrival of new directors and new actors. If this time we again use LA BRASSIERE's most middle class or well established actors, of course it would be much more 'stable'; but currently the market needs new talent on and off screen. The audience has also become younger. So you would see many younger or simpler productions that would have good box office. The reaction sometimes may be better than experienced director or actor's work. The society is changing, I feel we too should be younger. This time, we really want to tell young people how we observe them, perhaps even they don't observe that they are this way." He also hopes that everyone would feel that this film is refreshing and notice actors who perform decently in an ensemble. "Stop constantly yelling at new actors for not knowing how to act. I feel they deserve everyone to give them more chances. If after making this film they would have more opportunities I would feel very happy." Janet also agrees with the film's lingerie symbol and meaning. "As a womn, in love, I too hope when I find someone I like I can let him understand me more. I have to first throw out the lure then hope that he would take the initiative to understand my feeling inside. In that type of mutual attraction, lingerie no longer serves the early stage purpose of correction and protection but a part of fashion that can increase my own attraction. I has asked a guy, on the night when the relationship with his lover becomes the most intimate, what he feels when he sees his girlfriend's lingerie. He feels that removing her lingerie is like opening a very pretty gift. That feeling is both biological and psychological. Girl's love and secret seem to be mutually connected." She says, hopefully both young men and women after watching this film would have an experience. Girls would see the conflict of love and their own demands. "I feel in recent years Hong Kong has less light romantic comedy elements. I myself as a viewer would like to see this genre. I look forward to LA LINGERIE to be able to motivate this type of films again." The Feeling of Sexiness Chan Hing Ka stresses, LA LINGERIE is a sexy romantic comedy. If the audience has any unnecessary fantasy going in they would be very disappointment. Because sexiness can be a feeling, this time they through the language of cameras express that type of sexiness. He jokes, actually having a female director next to him is great. Male directors sometimes are too conservative instead and avoid some scenes or more daring shots. This time during sexy scenes he would choose to go a little farther away and leave them to Chun Siu Chun. "When I made LA BRASSIERE, both my partner (Patrick) Leung Pak Kin and I were men. We would awkwardly put the cameras too close to actresses' chests or tell the cinematographers' shots to be more on top, but actually when everyone are female they would feel no problem. Janet has more on set experience than I do, especially with communication with actresses. Now the result is much more daring than we have imagined because after everyone have established a trust would feel that they could try more experimentation." Janet says, the goals of the film are mainly character and story development, and with consideration from art strengthen actors' expression of beauty with fashion. "Sexiness differs with people. Even when actresses are wearing not too revealing dresses, their glances can interpret the feeling. I too would feel that scene is very sexy. That is the feeling that Director Ka and I are after." - SIU () 6. TA KUNG PAO, AUGUST 10 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH RED CLIFF SUCCESS TOO EARLY TO TELL RED CLIFF (CHET BIK)'s discussions have continued for a few weeks, seemingly the later the critiques the more mean and cruel they are. Whether they would have as fast with the decision as the writer expects would depend on whether the second installment would be able to be released as scheduled in the Lunar New Year. Most experienced film critics felt that John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s new film was decent. Their articles not only showed their fondness for Woo but also let a little respect to flow. The stronger criticism came from the young generation or the more daring speakers. However, most critiques overlooked the change of a Three Kingdoms character. Director Woo made Cao Cao begin the Battle of Red Cliff over the beauty Xiaoqiao. The conqueror's "romance" has upset some, but others have defeated that and felt that Ng Yu Sum had other intention. The transformation of Cao Cao is to simplify the character and to make foreign audience understand this villain easier, which were some speakers' opinions. Whether the argument holds up can be seen from different angles. First, Cao Cao's rise to power in order to conquer the nation has already been clearly and aptly described in the opening. In addition the times of war everyone fought to be king. Conceivably the entire world could understand that. The battle over "woman" is unnecessary as motivation to send the world into a turmoil. The world's globalization is an indisputable fact. When one film's investment exceeded a certain amount, the global market victory cannot be achieved with just a certain character's simplification. For foreign viewers to understand film content and character design is just a basic demand but not an ample demand, in addition such "simplification" is unnecessary. Most important is whether the film is well made. Two years ago THE BANQUET was based on HAMLET. In the West few do not know about the Shakespeare classic, but the film in the U.S. market is not outstanding. Instead CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON broke into the Oscar and achieved both fame and fortune, yet its content was difficult to explain to foreigners. Although CROUCHING added items that would not appear in Chinese martial art films like kiss scenes and "I love you" previously, but attractive to foreign viewers instead was Chow Yun Fat's difficult to understand zen flavored dialogue and eye catching martial art in flight action. RED CLIFF has not been released in the U.S. so its success and failure would be too early to tell. The over 270 million Mainland box office has already answered for the film. Yet for the US$70 to 80 million epic markets like Europe, America, Japan and Korea are very important. This film's second week in release in Korea has dropped 3/4 at the box office, which is not considered ideal. The success in Asia will depend on Japan (Japan's investment is over 30 million). Europe and America reportedly only paid one film's price (not division into two installments). The content is more compact and should be even more entertaining. - TIN LIK 7. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 9 2008 ABOUT WOO (4) As a film critic, I have no way of predicting how much practical effect of WINDTALKER's box office (and critical) failure has had on John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s power and position in Hollywood, but I suspect that one of them may have been his (rash) decision to make his next film PAYCHECK (If my memory serves, PAYCHECK has never appeared in any of Woo's publicly announced new project of that time). On paper (Philip K Dick original, science fiction action, Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman, DreamWorks' label) the film seemed to have a likely chance to succeed, but in the end it was the most typical Hollywood film that finally resulted in something that was more average than average. (Luck perhaps also played a deciding factor -- before PAYCHECK's release, lead actor Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez were entangled in negative press as the critically panned Gigli has already sunk him to the abyss; lead actress Uma Thurman was also in the midst of a divorce and KILL BILL disappointed; their lackluster performance as their popularity declined, along with the not much luckier Woo at least was already quite a setback). Although it was a by the number work (looking back now, the film's title is rather ironic) Woo still showed ample professionalism. Although not much personal interjection could be found in the subject, the style remained something else -- I would think that PAYCHECK was Woo's NORTH BY NORTHWEST, or at the very least a salute to Hitchcock. The problem was Woo was the first to salute Hitchcock and was not the most outstanding one (Was Brian de Palma's MISSION IMPOSSIBLE not another NORTH BY NORTHWEST? Yet the performance was much more colorful). PAYCHECK's vanishing into the various similar Hollywood genre seemed to be destined early on. To the victor goes the spoils has always been the principle of capitalism, in which competition is the highest. (Silly me still suspects somewhat that although Hollywood/the U.S. promotes democracy, in the end it could not abandon racist elements.) This is why at the beginning I said Woo's RED CLIFF (CHET BIK) was a return as well as a (temporary) retreat. Woo has turned RED CLIFF into the largest epic in Chinese film history not only because he wanted to use his Hollywood experience on his homeland's history but also due to a refuse to submit. What I want to point out though is without Hollywood assistance (In IMDb I cannot find any U.S. company that will distribute the film; in other words, the film seems to be unable to sell in the biggest market, the U.S.). Woo (and the Terence Chang led) production team can in a not very long time raise such an enormous sum to make the film, which in itself is already quite a formidable achievement. - SHU KEI [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Sing Mung Kei Yuen Lit : Star Dream Fantasy Destiny d. Andrew Lau Wai Keung Andy Lau Tak Wa, Shu Qi, Denise Ho Wan Si, Zhang Han (Cheung Hom), Ella Koon Yun Na, Elle (Siu Shuet), Pei Wei Ying, Pu Pu, Lam Ka Wa Can : Juet Doi Seung Giu d. Yip Lim Sum Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Kary Ng Yu Fei, Sammy, Hotcha Can : Oi Dut Hei d. Joe Ma Wai Ho Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Chen Bo-Lin (Chan Pak Lam), Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Terry Fan Siu Wong, HotCha Can : Yau Jet Geung Si Um Luen Nei Lit : A Zombie Has a Crush On You Roger Kwok Chun On, Natalie Meng Yao, Jo Kuk Cho Lam, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Maggie Lee Man Kwan, Tanya Wu (Ng Ka Yun), Anke Bei, Angel Ho Cheuk Ying Can : Um Sat Lit : Assassination d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Louis Koo Tin Lok, Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) 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 Opening January 2009 in Malaysia 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 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, 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 : 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, Opening October 23 2008 in Malaysia 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) 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 Yuk Lin, Clifton Ko Chi Sum Length : 90 mins. Opening August 15 2008 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. OCEAN FLAME Can : Yut Boon Hoi Shui, Yut Boon For Yim Lit : Half Sea Water, Half Flame d. Liu Fendou Liao Fan, Monica Wang (Mok Siu Kei), Hai Yitian, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Lam Suet Opening August 8 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Wang Yao once was a heartless john and con artist, then one day he ran into waitress Li Chuan. Wang Yao originally thought Li Chuan was like all the other girls and be on his beckon call, but Li Chuan's stubbornness far surpassed his imagination. Amid the mutual torture, they gradually lost themselves. He lost his freedom and she lost her life. After an eight year sentence, Wang Yao walked out of the prison gates. He entered the home of Li Chuan's mother with a gun and wanted to fulfill his wish...... THE PRETTY WOMEN Can : Nui Yun Ngor Jui Dai Lit : WOMEN I AM THE BIGGEST d. Hou Hin Ngok Cecilia Yip Tung, Ray Lui Leung Wai, Cheung Ka Wai, Chow Lui, Ng Ting Yun Opening July 31 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Three Hong Kong women in Shanghai learn how to pursue the love that they want and finally understand relationship. Mary Yip is smart, strong and ambitious, but she has always harbored a crush on the company chief. However she denies her feeling. On the surface she is unreasonable. CHow Yin Yin is pretty and naive, the dream girl of every man; Jin Fei likes to sing and dreams of stardom. She overlooks a hunk's crush. They have experienced the joy of being loved; they are on top of their careers, but in love they due to a variety of reason miss out on true love...... [ 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 Opening November 6 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Ming is renowned as the top shooter in the police force. However things get complicated after the release of his former teammate and superb marksman Ching from prison. With only vengeance on his mind, Ching wants to take on Ming and the police, believing that they are the ones who put him in jail. When a mysterious sniper sabotages a high-security prisoner transfer and a convict escapes, Ming and his team are dispatched to profile the suspect. THE ONE MAN OLYMPICS d. Hou Yong Li Zhaolin, Hu Jun, Rating : I Length : 109 mins. Opening August 14 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] 76 years ago a short distance runner named Liu Changchun declined to represent the Japanese backed Manchuria to participate in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games. After a tearful farewell with his wife and child he escaped Beijing, found the Dongbei University dean General Zhang to sponsor his boat ride as he headed alone to attend the games. 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... CRAYON SHINCHAN MOVIE d. Yoshita Usui Japanese animation Rating : IIA Length : 88 mins. Opening August 14 2008 CYBORG SHE Can : Ngor Dik Gei Hai Yun Nui Yau Lit : My Robot Girlfriend d. Kwak Jae-Yong Haruka Ayase, Keisuke Koide Opening August 21 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...... FORGIVE AND FORGET 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 Opening August 28 2008 HANADA Can : Fa Yeung Nam Ji Final Lit : Flower Like Men Final d. Yasuharu Ishii (Shek Jang Hong Ching) Mao Inoue (Jang Seung Jung Yeung), Jun Matsumoto (Chung Boon Yun), Shun Oguri (Siu Suk Din), Shota Matsuda (Chung Tin Cheung Tai), Abe Tsuyoshi (Ah Bo Lik) Opening August 28 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Doumyouji and Makino announced the wedding, but on the day of their engagement their engagement item, the 1 billion yen Doumyouji family jewel crown Smile of Venus is stolen! The couple goes from Japan, to Hong Kong to Las Vegas in search of the crown, but in the process their relationship is tested again. Can Doumyouji make Makino determine to marry him? RULE #!: THERE ARE NO GHOSTS Can : Dai Yut Gai Lit : First Commandment d. Tong Wing Kin Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Stephanie Che Yuen Yuen Opening September 4 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Everyday, the police receives around 185 calls for help, 180 of which are related to assault, rape, murder, robbery, kidnapping, the remaining 5 are those "there is something out of the ordinary with my home" types of calls. "Miscellaneous Department" has the responsibility to investigate these out of the ordinary cases. Rookie cop Lee Kwok Keung while on patrol shoots and kills a serial killer who has been wanted for years. Then he is involuntarily assigned to another department -- "Miscellaneous" and starts his journey on a series of supernatural investigations. Differ from the police's serve and protect heroics, "Miscellaneous" takes care of the out of the ordinary cases in some extraordinary manner. Another "Miscellaneous" key member is Officer Wong, the department heads who is a little strange and loves drinking as much as his life. He and Officer Lee team up to resolve every call for help at the "Miscellaneous Department" and eliminate each caller's fear. While on assignment, Officer Wong deliberately states to Office Lee the first rule of the "Miscellaneous Department": there are no ghosts! The fact is this first rule is only a lie. The "Miscellaneous Department" first task is to do whatever it takes to hide supernatural events from the world and lower community fear. To Officer Lee who is full of passion and ambition for the police work, the true mission of the "Miscellaneous Department" violates ethics. For a stable society, should the police hide the truth? Would it be real justice? While Office Lee is struggling in his mind, the "Miscellaneous Department" faces an extremely threatening serial possession case, as a particularly vicious ghost forces the duo to the edge of death. Finally, the hunter becomes the hunted. DIVE Can: Fa Yeung Tiu Shui Siu Nin Lit: Trick Diving Youth d. Naoto Kumazawa Iori Ashihara, Toru Emori, Yuya Fukuda Opening September 18 2008 HELP ME EROS Can : Gau Gau Ngor Oi Sun d. Lee Kang-Sheng Rating : III Length : 104 mins. [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Ah Jie has lost everything on the stock market due to a severe economic crisis. He spends his days in his sealed apartment, looking after the marijuana plants that he secretly grows in a wardrobe and smoking marijuana joints. In his desolation, he calls a helpline and gets to know Chyi, whose sweet and gentle voice causes him to fall in love with his fantasized image of her. He tries to ask her out but is repeatedly rejected. He begins projecting his fantasy of Chyi on Shin, the new girl working at the betel nut stall downstairs who is always sexily dressed to lure male customers. He becomes closer to Shin and the two of them sink deeply into a world of erotic and psychedelic pleasures… At the time same, Ah Jie begins to stalk Chyi… 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 25 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... BUTTERFLY LOVERS AKA : Dip Gim Lit : Butterfly Sword Can : Mo Hup Leung Jook Lit : Martial Art Heroes Leung Jook d. Jingle Ma Chor Sing Wu Chun, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Hu Ge, Harlem Yu Ching Hing, Ti Lung Opening September 11 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] From the richest wine making family, Jook Yin Ji is energetic and happy. She likes to disguise herself as a man and wanders the town with her servant Ngan Sum. By chance she runs into Leung Chung San, a young hero who helps the constable in the capture of a major robber and has a good impression of him. Jook Yin Ji's father has a past business rivalry with Chin Wing Wai. Today as a high ranking official Chin claims that the Jook family is selling counterfeit wine in an attempt to take over the Jook family business and even wants the pretty Yin Ji as a concubine. Luckily the new rising star of the court Ma Sing Yun who has fallen for Yin Ji wisely backs him off. Sing Yun seeks help in the palace and leaves the help of his assistant Cho Fong. Father Jook asks old friend a herbal medicine maker to take care of Yin Ji in disguise and to teach her martial arts. 10 PROMISES WITH MY DOG Can : Ngor Wor Chum Wui Huen Dik 10 Gor Yeuk Ding Lit : My 10 Promises With My Retriever Mayuko Fukada, Etsushi Toyokawa, Reiko Takashima Opening September 11 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Akari Saito is a 14-year-old girl living in the city of Hakodate in Japan’s northern prefectural island of Hokkaido. Secure in gentle and compassionate love of her father Yuichi, and mother Fumiko, Akari is leading a carefree childhood free of want. The only seed of dissatisfaction comes from having to watch her father, a promising surgeon at a university hospital, grow busier and busier at the cost of time spent with her. And then one fateful day, Akari’s ever cheerful and energetic mother falls ill and is hospitalized. Just as worry and loneliness begin to take their toll on her, a stray puppy wanders into her yard. Taking the puppy with her on a visit to her mother in the hospital, she receives approval to keep it. It is a female Golden Retriever with white markings on its paws. They name him “Socks.” Before Akari leaves, her mother sits her down and carefully explains – by pretending to use the voice of Socks - the “10 Promises” Akari must keep to her new dog as her master. LADY COP AND PAPA CROOK Can : Cha Ji Nui Lit : Woman of Investigation d. Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Eason Chan Yik Shun, Zhang Guoli, Chapman To Man Chat, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Michelle Ye (Yip Shuet), Liu Kai Chi, Lok Ying Kwun, Lo Mik Shuet, Chan Bo Yuen Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) Opening September 11 2008 in Malaysia Official Site : www.mediaasia.com/lcpc [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] When an oil tanker explodes, John Fok becomes the focus of investigation by the Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese police and is forced to put on hold his business to settle things out. Just as John is planning on a comeback, his son is kidnapped. Doomed in love, Senior Inspector Molline Szeto is fed up with her 10-year relationship with her boyfriend. With no prospect of an imminent wedding, she ends the relationship. Excited with her new crossroads in life, she is thrilled to be assigned to investigate the case of John's kidnapped son. 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. PAINTED SKIN Can : Wat Pei d. Gordon Chan Ka Seung Donnie Yen Chi tan, Vicki Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Qi Yuwu, Betty Sun Li Opening September 25 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Chong Wu, an amorously inclined young man, came across an attractive young woman needing his help and he immediately rushed to her aid. The meeting brewed wild imaginations to have her in his arms for himself. Though he is married, he continues having strong desires and urges to bed any pretty woman that he meets. To his shock, the woman that he sexually desires is actually a ghost. 20TH CENTURY BOYS d. Yukihiko Tsutsumi Toshiaki Karasawa, Etsushi Toyokawa, Takako Tokiwa, Hitomi Kuroki Opening October 2 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] The story takes place between 1960 and 2010, around lead Kenji and a group of classmates. During childhood they fantasize about opposing an evil organization and write a prediction to save the world. 30 years later, a self proclaimed "friend" mystery person forms a friendly gang to save the world as predicted. If someoone betrays "friend" then the friendship ends and is immediately killed. The symbol that "freind" uses is the same as Kenji and his friends. What is the true identity of "friend"? Is "friend"'s prediction book exactly the same as Kenji's? KUNG FU CHEF Opening October 9 2008 in Malaysia IP MAN d. Wilson Yip Wai Shun Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Lynn Hung [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Adapted from the life story of Ip Man - the grand master of the Wing Chun style of kung fu and sifu of legendary kung fu superstar Bruce Lee. This movie will be the first important record of the master's life. Ip's persistent devotion to Wing Chun is a classic example of the love and respect shown to wushu and the freedom and spirit it represents. Ip Man is a concept, a spirit, a way of thinking - and it exemplifies a new peak in Hong Kong's wushu movies. 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 * STARLIGHT JOEY YUNG CHO YI RENO CONCERT 2008 Date & Time: Saturday night, October 11,2008 @ 7:30pm Venue Location: Peppermill Tuscany Events Center 2707 South Virginia Street Reno, NV 89502 Toll Free: (866) 821-9996 http://www.peppermillreno.com/entertainment/new_peppermill_headliners/joey_yung_starlight Ticket Prices: VIP $168, $128, $98, $68 bus & hotel packages available call 415-731-3223 for details Ticket Outlet Locations: Concert Info Hotline: 415-731-3223 Concert Info Email: ktv@newfacektv.com website: www.NewFaceKTV.com http://store.edstyle.com/concerttickets.html New Face K-Box 870 Taraval Street San Francisco, CA 94116 tel: 415-731-3223 Quickly 6901 Geary Blvd (cross street: 33rd Ave) San Francisco, CA 94121 tel: 415-867-3412 Premiere Mobile Sunset District: 415-664-9928 SF Chinatown: 415-398-99385 Oakland: 510-331-7288 Usasia Inc Toll Free Hotline 1-800-822-4885 San Francisco Chinatown 415-989-1688 Oakland Chinatown: 510-835-8588 Concert Info Hotline: 415-731-3223 Concert Info Email: ktv@newfacektv.com website: www.NewFaceKTV.com http://store.edstyle.com/concerttickets.html * STARLIGHT JOEY YUNG CHO YI ATLANTIC CITY CONCERT 2008 VENUE LOCATION : Mark G. Etess Arena Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort Atlantic City NJ DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday Monring, September 28 2008 @ 1AM Sunday, September 28 2008 @ 2PM TICKET PRICES: $128, 88, 58 EXCLUSIVE TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: Raymond Miu Productions www.rmpny.com 195 Canal Road Room 201 212.966-0800 * SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT CONCEPTS, INC and RESORTS ATLANTIC CITY PRESENT HINS CHEUNG KING HIN LIVE Special Guest : Theresa Fu WIng VENUE LOCATION: Superstar Theatre Resorts Atlantic City Atlantic City NJ DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, August 17 2008 @ 1AM TICKET PRICES : $108, 78, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: CHINATOWN P & M Music 2 Elizabeth Street New York NY 10013 212.732.3828 FLUSHING Dannys Musical Store 41-46 Main Street, Flushing NY 11355 718.358.5678 BROOKLYN Apple Travel Service Inc. 774 60th Street, 2/F Brooklyn NY 11220 718.680.6666 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 August 12 2008 10 X-FILES I WANT TO BELIEVE d. Chris Carter David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet 9 KUNG FU PANDA d. Mark Osborne, John Stevenson Dreamwork Animation English voices: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan Cantonese voices: Josie Ho Chiu Yi, Denise Ho Wan Si, Eason Chan Yik Shun, Jackie Chan 8 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 7 THE FOX AND THE CHILD d. Luc Jacquet Bertille Noel-Bruneau, Isabelle Carre 6 WALL*E d. Andrew Stanton Disney Pixar Animation Fred Willard English Voice: Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, MacInTalk John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, Sigourney Weaver 5 DOREAMON - NEW NOBITA'S GREAT ADVENTURE INTO THE UNDERWORLD d. Teramoto Yukiyo Japanese Animation 4 THE DARK KNIGHT d. Christopher Nolan Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman 3 LA LINGERIE Can : Noi Yi Siu Nui Lit : Underwear Girl d. Chan Hing Ka, Chun Siu Chun Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Lo Mik Shuet, Wong Cho Nam, Fama, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Janice Man Wing San, Kathy Tong Yi, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun) 2 GET SMART d. Peter Segal Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson 1 THE MUMMY TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR d. Rob Cohen Brendan Fraser, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit), ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS RED CLIFF PART I AKA : BATTLE OF RED CLIFF Rating : IIB Length : 140 mins. Opening July 10 2008 Official Site: http://th.foxmovies.com.tw/redcliff [ 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. DORAEMON - NEW NOBITA'S GREAT ADVENTURE INTO THE UNDERWORLD Opening August 7 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] This is a great adventure in the magical world with seven brave world rescuers! What strange idea does Nobita come up with now? If he can use magic, everything would become very convenient. One day, Nobita and Doraemon use the "If phone booth" to turn the real world into a magical world. This world is the same as the original world but everyone except Nobita use magic......in this world, magic is the main source of power in human survival and development. LA LINGERIE Rating : IIA Length : 119 mins. Opening August 8 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] This story is about four young women. Their lives and their loves tied together by a common thread --- lingerie. Miu, Donut, Celine and CC come from four different walks of life. Yet they always seem to hang out at the same place, a sexy lingerie shop where Donut works. Miu works for the Research and Development division of a Lingerie company. She's been an over achiever all her life academically and career-wise, yet possessing a failing grade in romance. She recently moves into the house of her deceased, unmarried old maid of an aunt. In her room she sees glimpses of what could become her future, that of a successful career woman who dies a virgin. Just like her aunt's drawer full of fabulous lingerie and underwear, never to grace the sights of a man to share her life with. This epiphany of hers brings about a resolve to finally find someone to fall in love with for the first time. And with it comes droves of suitors of all shapes and sizes, from a rich playboy, a nerdy genius, a bank manager to a self proclaimed "love expert" Lucas who seems to have ulterior motives behind his pursuit of Miu. She needs to rely on her three close and romantically experienced friends to find her way out of this labyrinth. Yet these three "consultants of love" seem to have hit rough patches of their own. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, August 9 2008 15 TASTE OF SUMMER Can : Ha Tin Dik Mei Doh Xu Fei 14 LIGHT A TORCH Can : Dim Yut Ba For Gui JJ Lin Junjie 13 ON EVERY LINE Jason Chan Pak Yu, Daniel Lee Gut Hong, Danny Wan Lik Ming 12 ONE FINAL SECOND Can : Jui Hau Yut Miu Jung Kary Ng Yu Fei 11 IF YOU ARE ME Can : Yu Gor Nei Si Ngor Fan Wei Qi (Fan Wai Kei), Emil Chau Wa Kin 10 LAYOVER Can : Chuen Gei Will Pan (Poon Wai Pak) 9 I AM STILL YOURS Can : Ngor Wan Si Nei Dik Leo Ku Kui Ke 8 UNDER THE CHERRY BLOSSOM Can : Ying Fa Shu Ha Hins Cheung King Hin 7 LEGEND Can : Chuen Shuet Jacky Xie (Sit Ji Him) 6 THE ROAD HOME Can : Wui Ga Dik Lo Karen Mok Man Wai 5 ON THE TREADMILL Can : Pau Bo Gei Seung Joey Yung Cho Yi 4 Can : Jau For Yup Mor Ding Dong, Ah Shun 3 TEARS LAUGH Can : Ngan Lui Siu Liu Liu Liyang (Lau Lik Yeung) 2 YET I FALL FOR YOU Can : Pin Pin Oi Seung Nei Wu Jianfei (Ng Kin Fei) 1 UNWILLING TO SPEAK Can : But Yuen Shuet Wa Eason Chan Yik Shun ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038