From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (AUGUST 28 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. Michael Kong Leung who celebrates his birthday on the 31st B. Niki Chow Lai Kei who celebrates her birthday on the 30th C. Tavia Yeung Yi who celebrates her birthday on the 30th D. Liza Wong Ming Chuen who celebrates her birthday on the 28th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (9/3/2008) Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, and Ronald Cheng Chung Kei yesterday worked on location in Hengzhou on the Lunar New Year film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009 (GA YAU HEI SI 2009). In the story the travel journalist Goo Jai visited the Thousand Island Lake under the guidance of Shum Lai Kwan. Kwan Yu suspected Goo Jai of cheating and followed him to the pier. The director arranged for many ladies in bikini to pay attention to Goo Jai. These ladies were more than passionate toward Goo Jai and asked him for photos. However Goo Jai kept his eyes to himself. Goo Jai also showed off on the wave rider. He honestly said that because he has tried it years ago so he still remembered how. He explained, "Because the locals were very passionate and constantly approached me for photos, the director and the crew often scolded them for hindering the shoot. To avoid any further scolding, during the shoot I would ignore them." After the shoot, Goo Jai did not turn anyone down and made them very happy. He expressed that at most they only asked him for autographs and photos. Goo Jai also said that the location shoot would take over ten days. Due to the lack of entertainment he treated the shoot as rest. Although previous ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL had good box office performance, but due to the different team Goo Jai did not have any pressure this time. When asked whether she would normally follow Peter Chan Ho Sun, Kwan Yu said, "I have so many ears and eyes, I don't need to do anything personally. If I have to it would already be too late. However occasionally I would go to Beijing to see what he is doing. (It's so hot, why don't you wear swimwear?) I have never performed in swimwear in my career, at most I have sworn diving suit. If back then I wore swimwear I might not have to play ugly and could be pretty." She revealed that earlier in the Hong Kong shoot she has tried a diving suit. Yet due to the hot weather after half a day she nearly had a heat stroke. Cheng Chung Kei and Yiu Sun worked on a a water bike scene and were exposed to the sun for two hours. He joked, "When I was in school I was on the swim team, only I was no match to (Alex) Fong Lik Sun and lose by a nose." In the film he played someone who was afraid of everything, even bees. He said, "I don't know why my roles are getting weaker and weaker. Real life is completely different from them, of course I can protect people." * (9/3/2008) Emme Wong Yee Man yesterday attended a radio interview. She expressed that earlier in Beijing, Chengdu and Changchun she promoted her film A CHINESE FAIRY TALE (YUN YUET TUNG WA) and attended screenings there. The audience response was decent. Because this film was based on a true story, many viewers were teary eyed. She after two screenings still wanted to cry. However, when the film was released nationwide on August 26, the person who the female lead was based on passed away. The entire team was very sad. Emme two years before the film shoot visited her and felt that she was a strong girl. Although her daughter has just passed away, her father still personally attended the Changchun premiere in support. She asked him to send her regards to her mother. Emme said, this film later may be released in Hong Kong. She hoped that the Education Department could arrange for student screenings because of its positive message and enable Hong Kong students to understand what is patriotism. * (9/3/2008) Famous director Andrew Lau Wai Keung yesterday was a guest on BE MY GUEST (CHI WAN FAN GUK) and received a limited edition camera. Host Chan Chi Wan honestly said that he wanted to know whether Jacky Cheung Hok Yau paid for the director's wedding and banquet? Famous for his temper and scolding has he driven any superstar away? Did he slap Edison Chen Koon Hei? Whether Aaron Kwok Fu Sing was upset with STORM RIDER II (FUNG WON II) costume and turned down the sequel? Lau Wai Keung expressed that he would answer all the questions but would try not to name names because he still would like to work with them. He also revealed that two days ago he found his HKCEE documentation and was at the bottom of the ladder. He even missed two examinations. Thus Chan Chi Wan would like to through the director's experience make everyone understand that education was not the only way to success. Claiming to have spoiled Edison, the director honestly said that at the right time and opportunity he would approach Edison again. He not only has talked with him on the phone but also met with him in the U.S. "Edison not only has kept studying there but also attended casting. (Has the sex photo scandal affect your impression of him?) No, that was very personal. He too was a victim who was stolen from. As for the photos to each its own. I feel you can take them but you have to be careful. He used to be a sharp knife but now he has been put away, matured. Although I don't know whether he is a good guy, he definitely is a smart guy who is very talented. Time can ease everything, when the time is right then we can make a movie. The sooner the better, hopefully after two years!" He aslo said that Edison also wanted to return to Hong Kong. Because the Hollywood culture was different, developing there was not easy. * (9/2/2008) The film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009 (GA YAU HEI SI 2009) would shoot on location in Hengzhou. Yesterday a press conference was held. Boss Raymond Wong Pak Ming, director Vincent Kuk Tak Siu and actors Louis Koo Tin Lok, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Mainland actors Yiu Sun and Shum Lai Kwan attended. Goo Jai revealed that he would appear in swimwear, but Fat Kuk joked that he could not find swimwear in small for Cheng Chung Kei so he did not need him to appear in one. Goo Jai was asked why he would not appear in a Speedo. Goo Jai felt that looking good was the most important and the film company arranged for trunks. He also said that earlier they shot the scene in which Kwan Yu snuck a kiss on him and went without any hitch. Ng Kwan Yu honestly said that she did not feel anything from the scene but Goo Jai's face turned red. She even joked, "Goo Jai's lips were very soft and weren't chapped. He should be using chap stick." Would Peter Chan Ho Sun mind that she had an intimate scene with a handsome guy? Kwan Yu said of course not. Chan Ho Sun was very open minded and once asked her to take off her clothes to play a "Cougar". Yet she could not accept it and due to financial issue the project was stalled. Cheng Chung Kei responded to Fat Kuk's jest with three loud chuckles. Was he afraid of showing his love tattoo? He said no, that he was very bony and would not look good. He said that earlier he has tried to gain weight but only gotten fat on his face. Earlier due to how busy he has been he had an infection. Reportedly Emperor wanted to end his relationship with Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin and thus they have never been publicized. He denied and only said, "I would admit anything that I could, say what I could say. Young people now don't mind their idols dating, unlike before when artists were afraid that if they publicized their relationship fans would commit suicide. Would they publicly hold hands? "No! I haven't thought about it, I am trying to make more money first. I have such a big appetite, I don't want to starve the other person." * (8/30/2008) Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam yesterday appeared on a radio interview and revealed that lately she has been busy with the film SAM GOK CHOR (TRIANGLE MISTAKE), in which she played a mental patient. Because her co-star Janice Man was very thin she had to lose weight -- like Fenny Yuen Kit Ying would be the best. She weighed 102 pounds and hoped to be able to lose another 10. Everyday she only had salad and no snack. Now with diet and exercise she has only been able to lose 2 pounds. Earlier when she worked on a new music video, after a 360 degree turn she felt dizzy and sick. She was afraid that she could not lose eight more pounds. * (8/30/2008) The Sundream Pictures invested, Mainland director Cao Baoping directed, Zhou Xun and THE ASSEMBLY's three Mainland film stars Deng Chao, Zhang Hanyu and Wang Baoqiang starred THE EQUATION OF LOVE AND DEATH (LEE MAI DIK CHAI SEUNG) received a New Director award nomination at the 56th Annual San Sebastian International Film Festival, which will take place between September 18 and 27. Nominee Cao Boaping is the assistant professor at the Beijing Film Academy. In THE EQUATION OF LOVE AND DEATH Zhou Xun plays Li Mi, whose boyfriend suddenly disappears for four years as she risks everything to find her love again. Sundream Pictures' chief Tsui Siu Ming was very happy that this film again performed at an international film festival, which truly was an encouragement. Cao Ping felt that this nomination was a certain recognition for him and has increased her confidence. * (8/29/2008) Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu and Shum Lai Kwan yesterday worked on the Lunar New Year film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2009 (GA YAU HEI SI 2009). Goo Jai in the film played a therapist for those who could not find love. Finally he would date Kwan Yu. Yesterday Goo Jai and Shum Lai Kwan went to pray for romance as Kwan Yu and Raymond Wong Pak Ming followed them. Has Goo Jai prayed to the relationship rock? Goo Jai expressed that he has not in Hong Kong and did not have time abroad. Goo Jai honestly said that he nearly had heat strokes on the location shoots, but in his previous films he had to wear leather jackets so this time was already much more comfortable. Goo Jai in days would head to Hengzhou for two weeks on location. He would prepare soup making material and photography equipment for scenery shots. Goo Jai pointed out that this production has been very pleasant as everyone would improvise on the set, but boss Wong Pak Ming was the most outstanding. Earlier in a wedding scene everyone had to send the ending theme song, but only Lee Heung Kam and the boss knew how to sing it. Yet they had to lip sync while the ones who had no idea how to sing the song had to sing aloud. Kwan Yu expressed that Sister Kam in the film had to perform Cantonese Opera, which she claimed that she has not perform in ten years and thus often could not hit the key. Finally she had the most bad takes. This time she and Goo Jai would have relationship scenes. Kwan Yu claimed that Goo Jai was too handsome and often fell under his spell. They would even had a peck scene. When asked why she did not ask director Vincent Kuk Tak Siu for a passionate kiss scene, Kwan Yu joked that she was afraid the audience would vomit and get mad. Wong Pak Ming in the film had many costumes, like yesterday's Detective Conan look and the equestrian look. However he said that no matter how many costumes he had he could not compare to Goo Jai. Kwan Yu joked that the boss should live this life better so next life he would be handsome. Kwan Yu also revealed that the boss in the film played a "mysterious Mr. L", a rich man. Yet she stressed that the character was fictional. * (8/29/2008) Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin and Sin Sik Lai yesterday attended a BUTTERFLY LOVER (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) music video premiere in Guangzhou. The event arranged for a group of lively children to imitate the martial art school students in the film and they made Ah Sa and Sin Sik Lai very happy. The music video contained the film's best and most romantic scenes that made Ah Sa and Wu Chen's fans screamed. The event even arranged for Ah Sa's fans to sing the theme song in a contest. Although the theme song has not been officially released, the contestants already knew the lyrics by heart. Ah Sa was surprised. "The fans' passion has always been my greatest encouragement. Some of them even came from Hong Kong to support me, I am very touched." Wu Chen although could not attend in person sent a video to cheer on Ah Sa. * (8/29/2008) Stephy Tang Lai Yun two nights ago attended a jewelry event. Reportedly she whined to director Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) to keep Theresa Fu Wing out of her new film and switch to Kary Ng Yu Fei. Stephy expressed that at first when she learned about the film she already knew about her co-star would be Kary. She has not heard about anyone else. Her mild mannered demeanor could be a huge contrast to Kary's rougher exterior. She expected the gossip. This film did not have any lead actor, so if not relationship rumors then they were dispute rumors. She did not mind and treated it as advanced promotion. * (8/29/2008) Dior Cheng Yi Kin and Niki Chow Lai Kei yesterday attended the Salvation Army's annual fund raising event, his second year as the event ambassador. Ekin with RULE #1 THERE ARE NO GHOSTS won the Puchon Film Festival Best Actor. He expressed that when he won he was working in Japan. Of course he was happy when he received the news. After returning to Hong Kong he did not feel much. A victory overseas felt happier than in Hong Kong, as it proved that people still watched Hong Kong film overseas. Ekin also said that this year he was the happiest not about winning Best actor but about making STORM RIDERS II (FUNG WON II) after ten years of waiting. Ultimately it was a job that he liked. He also realized that many paid attention to his return to the film. * (8/28/2008) The film RULE #1: THERE ARE NO GHOSTS (DAI YUT GAI) two nights ago held its premiere. Lead actors Dior Cheng Yi Kin and Shawn Yue Man Lok earlier won the Best Actor awards at the Puchon Film festival. The film company presented the awards to them at the premiere. First time Best Actors Ekin and Lok Jai were all smiles. Cheng Yi Kin expressed that he would arrange a place for this prize. Although he has won Best Actor he had no intention to raise his salary. Ultimately the market remained poor and he would see the award as an encouragement. Instead this year he was the happiest about making STORM RIDERS 2 (FUNG WON 2), which he had a lot of confidence in as he and Aaron Kwok Fu Sing have already done their all. Ekin most recently has been busy with the film NINJA in Japan. The Japanese director praised Hong Kong actors' professionalism. Although they had communication issue, Ekin could sense the director's meaning. Yue Man Lok joked that the award felt like a flower vase. He said that this film originally was not scheduled for this slot but because they won awards they provided a chance to promote. He would not be worried about the box office and hoped for word of mouth. Only the procedure felt a little strange. Would he be happier if the award was the Golden Horse Award or Hong Kong Film Award? Lok Jai pointed out that these two awards were closer and everyone were more familiar with them, but this time was a good start. He dared not value it too heavily because he was afraid that he would be too obsessed; but he would rather have cash prize. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 3 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS IS HONG KONG FILM STILL VIABLE? Whether Hong Kong film is still viable is a subject that is well worth discussing. If Hong Kong film is no longer viable, that does not mean that Mainland film can replace it. As discussed countless times before, big, multimillion dollar Chinese films sometimes only look glorious on the surface. Internally they are severe losses. The money that a big film loses may already be enough to make ten small to mid scale films. Due to the Mainland inspection system restrictions, the most sure fire Hong Kong films of sex, gambling, drugs, comedy, killer films almost all have problems. Like a child who has been praised as lively and energetic suddenly gets serious and preaches, if they are not boring then something is strange. Can the Mainland market not be the first consideration? Yes, because not considering it would be like discounting the revenue from it from the return first and planning for the worst. If in the future it can be imported, it can only be extra revenue. Overseas sales in Europe and the Americans are all unstable revenue. All are excessive. It they can sell then they sell, if they cannot then so be it. Thus, in a return to the basic, whether a film can make money depends on Hong Kong box office. Currently the fact is local viewers look down on Hong Kong films, which are at a disadvantage against foreign films in scheduling. In big slots they have a very hard time to achieve good performance. In the face of big Hollywood films, they have 80 to 90 screens and you only have 30 some. In addition not every screen just shows your movie. The return naturally is much worse. Yet other times are another matter entirely. Without any big Hollywood film or any controversial film in competition, Hong Kong films in these slots still have a chance to break out. The past few years have quite a few examples, all were local taste driven. These Hong Kong films are not any big production. The subjects meet young people's taste and attract viewers with creativity. Big companies rarely invest in these films because even if they make money the profit would not be high. Adding utilities, management and labor into the equation, profit may turn to loss at any moment. Being able to earn small profit are independent companies, but they must be extremely careful. Revolutions can be two types, one is loud and noisy, the other toils away in silence. Hong Kong film's revolution would unlike be the first, seemingly it has to be conducted in silence. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 2 2008, FILM WORDS FORGET AND FORGIVE: HONG KONG FILM'S LIFE AND DEATH DANGER The beloved Hong Kong films has already been depressed for a long time. This year it even resembles a line from MARCH OF THE VOLUNTEERS: at the most critical time! Yet it is without any volunteer to face the enemy's fire and no roar of "Arise" and "March ON" can be heard. This summer film market in Hong Kong has been very busy, with as many as nine hits with over 20 million box office. However eight were Hollywood films with the top film THE DARK KNIGHT leading far ahead with over 50 million. Hong Kong has a part only in John Woo (Ng Yu Sum)'s big production RED CLIFF (CHET BIK), with 24 million in sixth place. Yet this was a Greater East Asia financed Greater Chinese epic and could not be considered a Hong Kong film. Only three truly Hong Kong produced films were released in the summer, but THE WAY WE ARE (TIN SHUI WAI DIK YUT YU YEH) did not have many screening; LA LINGERIE (NOI YI SIU NUI)'s 8 million box office was considered passable; the end of summer FORGIVE AND FORGET (CHUN OI DIK) was a poor performer. FORGIVE AND FORGET's writer/director Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) in recent years has made the Alex Fong Lik Sun and Stephy Tang Lai Yun starred romantic feud comedies MARRIAGE TO A FOOL (DUK GA SI OI), LOVE IS NOT ALL AROUND (SUP FUN OI) and L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES (NGOR DIK JUI OI), which were all hits. Yet this time the Alice Tsang Hoi Won and Andy On Chi Kit starred "ghost" film was heavy in the air of death, a speedy and sloppy production. How could it save the market? This film was covered in the shadow of death as it opened in a funeral home. In the story the Taiwan female lead returned to Hong Kong to mourn her late boyfriend, only that she often ran into "ghost" alone in a home. She also had amnesia. Ultimately the story was a contrived and farfetched mystery of real or fake ghost. Unfortunately the set up was not serious, the production antiquated, as viewers again lost confidence in Hong Kong film. Tsang Hoi Won is a Taiwan beauty who caught people's attention in SECRET (BUT NUNG SHUET DIK BEI MUK) and was rather lively in L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES. This time in the lead she could only be a flower vase. On Chi Kit's expression remained stiff. Only Miki Yeung Oi Kun remained humorous. More than half of this year is gone. Hong Kong film's local film market ratio drops lower and lower, often without a trace. Time magazine has also talked about Hong Kong film today is no match for its past and remained in a difficult situation. Actually summer Hollywood hits KUNG FU PANDA and THE MUMMY 3 CURSE OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR were full of Hong Kong elements. THE DARK KNIGHT also shot in Hong Kong. Even the Beijing Olympics torch lighting used Hong Kong martial art hero films' gimmick. Yet when would Hong Kong film itself show a sign of life? Reportedly Yip LIm Sum is working on his new film JUET DOI SEUNG GIU, please cheer up the audience and not disappoint. - SHEK KEI 3. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 2 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS CREATIVE INDUSTRY SHOULD DEVELOP TOWARD CROSS MEDIA FEEL 100% comic book has won an international award in Japan, which is somewhat ironic that this type of local creation has no successor. 15 years ago a comic book started, has been adapted into film and even television series, proving that Hong Kong can be like the U.S. and Japan in the development of cross media creativity. Ma Wing Sing's famous comic book STORM RIDERS (FUNG WON) has made two live action films, the first made over 40 million and the second will be released next year. STORM RIDERS has an animated version that has not been released in Hong KOng yet. In Mainland it has already been released before the Olympic Games, reportedly it sold decently. DRAGON TIGER GATE (LUNG FU MOON) reportedly will release a television series and A MAN CALLED HERO (JUNG WA YING HUNG) also has film companies in negotiation. All are some old comic books. None of the new ones can cross media. The writer has said that the comic book is one of the least expensive and the most worthy of development creative industry in mass media, but in recent years Hong Kong comic books have had lower production rate than Hong Kong films. Originally created comic book reduction only has one reason, Hong Kong comic book like film has never valued creativity. Lead artist cultivation concentrates on art. Japanese comic book values creativity more. Many famous comic book artists do not draw very well, but their stories are creative and storytelling abilities are also very strong. Both are very rarely seen in Hong Kong. Aside from its peak when it was willing to pay for writers, Hong Kong comics have been reluctant to spend too much resource on creativity. They feel that as long as the art is drawn well, they can attract readers. This idea perhaps makes sense in the medium of comic books, but when it has to cross media like film or television adaptation, character creation and story ideas in turn become even more important. Hong Kong wants to develop creative industry, first it has to cultivate even more creative talent and not train a group of technical specialists. Many super sized U.S. films are based on comic books. Overseas a lot of financing has been willingly investing on the "assembly line" multimedia productions, but too bad we have no way to obtain such funding. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 1 2008, FILM WORDS JAPANESE NEW AND OLD WAVES AND HONG KONG The Japanese New Wave Cinema 1960s film retrospective, which will start Friday. of course is already old wave now. Yet it still leads me to some nostalgic memories. The opening youth rebellion film CRAZED FRUIT, Ko Nakahira directed, Yujiro Ishihara starred. Made in 1956, it was even earlier than the French new wave and once received praise from Truffaut. Between 1966-67, Ko Nakahira came to Hong Kong and made several films for Shaw's under the name Yeung Shu Hei. One night he brought two big bottles of Japanese sake and with translator Dai Chun He came to Prince Edward Road for an interview. Attendees included Law Kar, Yau Kong Kin, Sai Sai, Lam Nin Tung, Lok Lei, Dai Tin and I. We drank and chatted. The record was published in Hong Kong's China Student Weekly and Taiwan's Stage. At that time Ko Nakahira has not achieved as much as he would like to in Japan and was not used to Hong Kong. That night he was very glad to talk about movies with us. When mentioned that both Truffaut and Alain Resnais felt that CRAZED FRUIT was the new wave forefather. His KUROI TOBAKUSHI has also been released. It was years earlier than Hong Kong gambling films. Back then Shaw's hired several Japanese directors but often to remake their Japanese films. Only musical director of HONG KONG NOCTURNE Umetsugu Inoue was more popular. Shaw's had to rely on its own King Hu (Wu Kam Chuen), Chang Cheh and Hsu Cheng-hung to create a martial art hero fever and promote Hong Kong film revolutionary transformation. South Korean director Jung Chang-Hwa also joined Shaws and made hit martial art films. Ko Nakahira was the Japanese new wave's trailblazer but not the main driving force. This time most of the selections have been Yasuzo Masumura (1924-1986)'s erotic work. Hong Kong long has released some of his films but my impression of them remains unclear. Personally I feel the best of the program is Masahiro Shinoda's DOUBLE SUICIDE, Shohei Imamura's THE INSECT WOMAN and Hiroshi Teshigahara's WOMAN IN THE DUNES are also very important. As for Nagisa Oshima, this time two of his earlier works were selected. Neither was his mature work. Japanese new wave man child is Seijun Suzuki (1923-), even older was the productive screenwriter Kaneto Shindo (1912-). Around the age of 50 he wrote and directed the internationally renowned THE NAKED ISLAND and DEVIL WOMAN. Now 96 he still has made good films in recent years and been one of the Japanese directors with the longest longevity. NAKED ISLAND shoots a small island's poor farmers in a documentary style and is a very difficultly simple touching film. DEMON WOMAN has sex and violence amid the bitter and poverty stricken war. Over 40 years ago it was released in Hong Kong. - SHEK KEI 5. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 1 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS MUST PROMOTE SALES When singers release records or books, sales to be proud of would be announced very soon. Quite a difference from the current entertainment business condition, many friends asked the writer why he is always making the industry sound down. Publishing sales for now do not have accounting organizations, the figures are whatever the publishers or writers say. Newspaper sales are different. Because advertising client benefits are involved, they have an official organization to account for them. If anything is false, legal repercussion may ensue. Book sales can be reflected through the sales chart of major bookstore chains. The record industry has IFPI's sales calculation. After a certain amount it would issue gold and platinum record prizes. In recent years the record industry has been poor and the gold and platinum targets have been asked to be reduced to reflect reality. Some companies announce distribution rate as sales. Whether they sell or not, how many copies are distributed are the numbers that are announced. The most certain about true sales are distributors and record stores. The sales chart information also comes from them. Years ago, industry rumors said that if a record company wanted to push a new singer it would immediately get someone to go to each record store and buy all the first print copies. Then the singer would immediately change a high selling singer. The records were distributed again as new. The record company lost the difference between wholesale and retail prices, which would involved over 100 million. Yet if 1 million was spent on record promotion, several tens of thousands in sales would not be guaranteed. If any new comers could sell over 10,000, this industry would not be full of frowns, say business was tough and international companies would not shrink or even retreat from the Greater Chinese market. The writer understands the consumer flock mentality, which especially is reflected on entertainment products. The more you say something is selling, the better the later market gets. Creatively people would follow trends, consumers would follow trends too. - KWOK HIN CHING 6. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 31 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS WHAT KIND OF MOVIES DOES THE MAINLAND MARKET WANT Not only Hong Kong films want to enter the Mainland market, films from Hollywood, Japan, Korea and other places want to too. The Chinese market with a population of 1.3 billion if completely opened and with on track distribution would bring in a lot of revenue, conceivably. In big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, movie tickets are not cheap at all. They are even more expensive than Hong Kong, and they are constantly sold out. A several dollar pirated video would not affect cinema admission. They indeed used to watch pirated films. Now they still would, but they also extremely enjoy the big screen's audio and visual enjoyment. Which movies are profitable in Mainland? Simply put, big films. Big Hollywood films of course are hits. Chinese films with big stars and big productions even with poor word of mouth would not miss either. A friend in Shanghai has said, a certain big film's viewers after viewing all cried how bad it was. Some even urged people not to go at the box office. Yet its box office remained unaffected. Mainland's flock mentality is even stronger than Hong Kong's. Aside from big films, Mainland viewers still like to watch Hong Kong stars. So mid scale films no matter what have to have Hong Kong stars. Costume action films due to the big star ensemble and big production would not have too poor of a box office. Others would have huge difference. Mainland's annual box office mostly comes from several Chinese films and big Hollywood films. The remaining small portion is split among other films. "The wealth gap" is enormous, obviously it is an unhealthy market. This phenomenon is due to Chinese film box office protectionism against foreign films. Big Hollywood films in recent years have been great performers, only policy can protect big Chinese films. On their releases all obstacles are cleared for them. They are the only choice in the best slot and thus would have very high box office. Few are modern films because Mainland has more severe restrictions in subjects. For example, costume film's constable can capture the murderer in eight to ten years. Modern police has to very quickly catch the criminal in the film. With subjects of man and woman, extra-martial affairs are mostly turned away. Too complicated relationships may also be problematic. Yet the new generation viewers very much look forward to modern comedies. - KWOK HIN CHING 7. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 30 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS TELEVISION WITH INTERNET CAPABILITY Korea's Samsung is working with Yahoo to create television sets with internet capability. The television and computer merger has been lurking and waiting for the right time and chance. LCD television replaces traditional television. It in itself is a personal computer monitor. Previously due to technical issues, mass production of large screen monitors was difficult. Thus they could only remain around 10 to 20 inch and not suitable for living room placement as a television set. Now LCD television can be over 100 inch. The most suitable for the average family is the 37 to 52 inch ones, larger and wider than past television screens. Digital broadcasting motivates television change fever, as each television manufacturer at the same time drastically cut prices to promote sales. The 20 some LCD screen has dropped to HK$2,000 to 3,000. With the set top box or computer with USB receiver, digital television can be enjoyed. That digital set top box actually already has computer functionality. Thus most can be connected to an external recorder or play photos, videos and music on a memory chip. Now LCD television can be connected to the computer already. Computers that serve primarily as a home entertainment system are already available. They can take up less space that the set top box, even smaller than a moon cake box. In this tiny computer already is a DVD device that can record and play as well as serve as a stereo system. With 7.1 speaker set and the USB receiver, you can even skip the set top box to be able to watch high definition television as well as going online. Currently few viewers are watching television while going online, but in the future definitely more and more would. For a computer to be placed inside a LCD television would not be hard. As computers become smaller and smaller, placing them into a big television would not be a problem at all. The internet is not just for text and photos either. As video compression improves, YouTube footage would soon improve from the very loose or pixilated visuals on the big screen. New streaming technology only requires very little bandwidth to be able to transmit DVD quality films, and television programs soon will become global. - KWOK HIN CHING 8. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 28 2008, FILM WORDS HANADA FINAL: ELEGANT ROMANCE Makoto Isshiki's manga HANADA and its television series have been popular. Now it has a luxurious film edition final chapter that was a hit in Japan. Would it be hot in Hong Kong? I am not a manga or television fan. Very out of touch with youth trends, I have only seen the Hong Kong nostalgic Wong Kar Wai film IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA). After reading the introduction I realized that HANADA was a big deal. Even the Taiwan television series METEOR GARDEN was based on this manga. it made Taiwan's F4 into young idols. F4 originally was the four rich playboys in the Japanese original. Obviously, I absolutely am not suitable to discuss HANADA and even less certain about whether fans are satisfied. Only out of curiosity did I see the advanced screening. Among recent Japanese youth trend films, I like KAMIKAZE GIRLS and DEATH NOTE. Most recent Kwak Jae-Yong's Japanese science fiction romance CYBORG SHE was also interesting. As for HANADA, to me it has severe generation gap and not right for my taste. The senses change back and forth in the trend, the new would also appear in the old. This film mainly was the old fairy tale of Cinderella and prince Charming, obviously in any generation many girls want to marry rich. Yet they worry the pressure to marry rich is too great, thus they cook up a lot of turbulence to test true love. In the story the super financial group heir Doumyouji (Jun Matsumoto) announces to the world that he will wed the ordinary girl Makino (Mao Inoue), but their engagement family jewel diamond crown is mysteriously stolen. The leads thus run all over the world in search for it and face four great adventures and challenges in Las Vegas, Hong Kong, a South Sea remote island, and Kyoto. This film has the television series' original director Yasuharu Ishii, sells luxurious setting and scenery around the world, with action, comedy, mystery and conspiracy. The story is very childish and is completely contrived. in the film Hong Kong is considered pretty and has the street eatery flavor; Las Vegas is like a postcard; the island scenery is rather tempting yet not thrilling at all; Japan's scenery is the grandest and most elegant, the envy of ordinary people. Lead actress Mao Inoue in the typical girl next door image adds the sassy girl's comedy feel and is considered lively. Hunk Jun Matsumoto and other Hanada Shun Oguri, Shota Matsuda, and Abe Tsuyoshi resemble singers more than rich kids. Do they have any mesmerizing star feel? You have to ask the young girl viewers. Ultimately, marrying rich is the entire film's true theme. All the test of love is superficial. - SHEK KEI 9. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 28 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS THE YEAR OF ARTIST LOSS This year may be the year that many artists' loss. The reason has a little to do with the Olympics. Due to the Olympics, many Mainland economic activities have been postponed. Many originally scheduled co-production films have been delayed time and after. Some do not even have any release date, which can be seen on the surface. Few knows that the inspection of the not yet made has been delayed as well. Many artists thus are waiting for work to start, which is already very different from several years earlier when their schedules were accommodated. Some worry that this year Hong Kong film production rate would reduce further, but it already cannot be any lower. With the cinema circuit demand, even with co-production issues film companies would still make non co-production films. Without the Mainland market, the budget naturally would be further reduced. In recent years artist revenue has already made more "people", Mainland revenue occupies a rather large percentage. The Olympic effect at least has cost them several months of Mainland gold digging chances. Friends in the Mainland entertainment business complain that they cannot do anything during the period. Since they are free, many have gone on holiday. Artists make money the fastest through television series. The Hong Kong television station ones do not make much. The Mainland ones make real money. Mainland's series production method is very tough for artists. Most are actual location single camera shoots, very different from television station studio multiple camera shoots. Single camera shoots with ample time and setting coordination of course are better than studio shoots, but in order to cut cost, Mainland series would complete one episode in two to three days. Single camera shoots position transfers take more time than multiple camera shoots. Everyone can imagine how hectic live sets can be, and artists have even more difficulties. Some Hong Kong stars who originally keep making series in Mainland to make money has returned this year to make series for local television stations. Some have returned without too much to do. Mainland series production this year may have a some adjustment. The entertainment pages tell which artists' workload has been reduced. They would attend public and charity events more actively than before to maintain their popularity during their free period. - KWOK HIN CHING [ 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, Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Lee Heung Kam, Ha Chun Opening January 22 2009 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCENE CINEMAS ONLINE ] Kei's eldest sister Sandra is a hot-tempered magazine editor and her temperament has left her single all this while. They have a traditional family and one of the rules is that none of the siblings could get married before their eldest sister. In view of this, Kei sort help from the famous “Casanova”, Koo Chai (Louis Koo), who is the new journalist in Sandra’s firm to pretend to court his eldest sister and lure her into the mood of love. With Sandra falling in love with Koo Chai, she decides to introduce him to her parents (Lee Heung Kam, Ha Chun Chou). However, Koo Chai fell in love with another girl, Mun during an assignment and this broke Sandra’s heart. To avoid the disappointment of her parents, Sandra asks Mr. Wong a private investigator to pretend as her boyfriend. With Sandra love life going nowhere and her career plunging low, will she get what she wants? Will Kei find his true love and marries her sister off? Who will Koo Chai choose? Will all’s well end’s well? 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 kidnap 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) RULE #1: 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 Rating : IIB Length : 93 mins. 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 Affairs 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. CATCH A WAVE Can : 3 Gor Chung Long ji Siu Nin Lit : 3 Wave Crashing Youth d. Nobuyuki Takahashi Haruma Miura, Gaku Hamada, Rosa Kato, Ryo Kimura, Naoto Takenaka Opening August 28 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Taiyo is a 16 year old high school students. He and his two best friends decides to spend the summer together. They leave their parents' control far behind and goes to one of the homes that is hours away from Tokyo, a beach house in the south. When they arrive, they immediately fall under the spell of the endless sea and surfers on the towering waves. 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 Rating : IIA Length : 88 mins. 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 continuously 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 their 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... [ 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. 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… 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. 4BIA d. Paween Purijitpanya, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom, Yongyoot Thongkongtoon 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 FORBIDDEN LEGEND SEX & CHOPSTICKS Can : Gum Jung Mui Lit : Golden Bottle Plum d. Chin Man Kei Kaera Uehara, Hikaru Wakana Opening September 18 2008 THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT Can : Sun Juk Goo Si Lit : Shinjuku Story d. Derek Yee Tung Sing Jackie Chan, Ken Watanabe, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) Opening September 25 2008 [ 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. 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... CHASER Can : Jui Gik Jeh d. Na Hong-Jin Kim Yun-Seok, Ha Jung-Woo, Seo Yeong-Hie Length : 123 mins. Opeing September 25 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Once a cop, Joong-Ho has always become a pimp. Yet lately trouble has increased as his call girls vanish without clearing their debts. He receives a call from a client and sends Mi-Jin, even though she has a bad cold. Mi-Jin goes as Joong-Ho realizes that this client's number is the same as the previous ones with the vanished call girls. He realizes something is wrong and immediately goes after Mi-Jin. On the way, Joong-Ho crashes into another car in an alley. That driver Young-Min does not ask for compensation. Joong-Ho sees the blood stain on his shirt and suspects that he is behind the missing call girls. After a chase, Joong-Ho finally catches up with Young-Min. Yet because Joong-Ho impersonates a police officer, both are brought to the police station. Inside the police station, Young-Min admits that he has killed the missing call girls but Mi-Jin is still alive. Although he confesses the police has no evidence to charge him, so everyone is frantically looking for bodies. Only Joong-Ho believes that Mi-Jin is still alive. As the 12 hour holding period fades, he must find the missing Mi-Jin in a hurry. 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 someone betrays "friend" then the friendship ends and is immediately killed. The symbol that "friend" 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? 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 October 9 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. KUNG FU CHEF Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho) 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 * Fei Yu Chin live in San Jose,CA Oct 4,2008 Date & Time: Saturday night, October 4,2008 @ 7:00pm Venue Location: San Jose State University Event Center 290 S. 7th Street San Jose, CA 95192 Ticket Prices: $58, $78, $98, $108, $138, $168 Info & online ticket: http://www.usastarimage.com http://www.usastarimage.com/EventDetail.aspx?id=28 concert info hotline: 510-651-6888 concert info email: concert@usastarimage.com ticket outlet locations: Ng Hing Kee: San Francisco: 415-781-8330 Sunset SF: 415-759-1999 Millbrae: 650-692-8922 Mountain view: 650-969-2034 Oakland: 510-272-0822 Milpitas: 408-433-5188 World Journal Bookstore (San Francisco) 415-397-8473 Evergreen Books (Milpitas) 408-383-9798 Mo Mo Bookstore (Cupertino) 408-863-1288 Tara Books (Newark) 510-818-9666 Nan Hwa Group (San Jose) 408-453-3330 free roundtrip bus for concert ticket holders in: san francisco chinatown (contact ng hing kee sf & world books), san mateo & millbrae marina food call 650-212-3988 & 650-692-8922 for details http://www.usastarimage.com http://www.usastarimage.com/EventDetail.aspx?id=28 concert info hotline: 510-651-6888 * 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 September 2 2008 10 GET SMART d. Peter Segal Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson 9 HELLBOY 2 THE GOLDEN ARMY d. Guillermo Del Toro Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones 8 EDGE OF LOVE d. JOhn Maybury Keira Knightley, Sienna Miller, Cillian Murphy, Matthew Rhys 7 THE DARK KNIGHT d. Christopher Nolan Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman 6 HANADA FINAL 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) 5 FORGIVE AND FORGET Can : Chun Oi Dik Lit : Dear d. Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) Andy On Chi Kit, Miki Yeung Oi Kun, Kwan Chor Yiu, Alice Tsang Hoi Won, Chubby (Siu Fei), Vivian Yeo (Yeung Sau Wai), HotCha 4 CYBORG SHE Can : Ngor Dik Gei Hai Yun Nui Yau Lit : My Robot Girlfriend d. Kwak Jae-Yong Haruka Ayase, Keisuke Koide 3 MADE OF HONOR d. Paul Weiland Patrick Dempsey, Michelle Monaghan, Kevin McKidd 2 REC d. Jaume Balaguero, Paco Plaza Manuela Velasco 1 JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH d. Eric Brevig Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Aniat Briem ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS HANADA 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? FORGIVE AND FORGET Rating : IIB Length : 88 mins. Opening August 28 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] ALICE returns to Hong Kong from Taiwan with great sadness. Two weeks ago, Alice’s boyfriend ANDY passed away in an automobile accident. A month before the accident, Alice found out Andy has been cheating and decided to break off their relationship. Alice never thought the day they broke up would also be the last time she saw him. Alice is back in Hong Kong after receiving an invitation for a memorial service that Andy’s friends are holding in his memory. During her stay, she moves into Andy’s home, their home. Alice is familiar with every table, every chair, every cranny and nook, but now, it’s no longer theirs or Andy’s, she spends her day retracing their past in pain. CYBORG SHE Rating : IIA Length : 121 mins. 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...... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, August 30 2008 15 ON EVERY LINE Jason Chan Pak Yu, Daniel Lee Gut Hong, Danny Wan Lik Ming 14 LAYOVER Can : Chuen Gei Will Pan (Poon Wai Pak) 13 THE ROAD HOME Can : Wui Ga Dik Lo Karen Mok Man Wai 12 IF Can : Ga Yu Bobo 11 TEARS LAUGH Can : Ngan Lui Siu Liu Liu Liyang (Lau Lik Yeung) 10 THE PRINCE'S NEW CLOTHES Can : Wong Ji Dik Sun Yi Jam Hsiao (Siu King Tung) 9 SING LOUD OLYMPICS Can : Cheung Heung Oh Won (Wong Ji Kin) 8 LEGEND Can : Chuen Shuet Jacky Xie (Sit Ji Him) 7 Can : Jau For Yup Mor Ding Dong, Ah Shun 6 LIGHT A TORCH Can : Dim Yut Ba For Gui JJ Lin Junjie 5 RAINY DAY Can : Ha Yu Tin South Fist Mama 4 ONE FINAL SECOND Can : Jui Hau Yut Miu Jung Kary Ng Yu Fei 3 IF YOU ARE ME Can : Yu Gor Nei Si Ngor Fan Wei Qi (Fan Wai Kei), Emil Chau Wa Kin 2 YET I FALL FOR YOU Can : Pin Pin Oi Seung Nei Wu Jianfei (Ng Kin Fei) 1 7 Can : Chut Eason Chan Yik Shun ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038