From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (SEPTEMBER 18 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. Cheung Sung Tak and Lau Mei Guen who gave birth to a baby girl on the 23rd B. Theresa Fu Wing who celebrates her birthday on the 22nd 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (9/24/2008) Carina Lau Ka Ling yesterday attended a specialty store opening. Tony Leung Chiu Wai recently has been training for WING CHUN. Ka Ling pointed out that Wai Jai this time has been very serious, first gaining weight then training for muscles. As for his abs, she said that it would be a pleasant surprise for everyone. She joked, "I have seen everything! For the movie or his own health it is good." Recently rumors surfaced that Wai Jai and Wong Kar Wai have been at odds and would leave Jet Tone to join Peter Lam Kin Ngok's banner. Ka Ling said, "I don't know why such rumors would exist. We professionally and personally are companions and partners with Wong Kar Wai. Over 20 years we have gotten along. We have signed contracts with Jet Tone, but we have already exceeded the average manager and actor relationships. We have mutual goal and ideals. We are intimate comrades who mutually admire and respect each other." Ka Ling pointed out that Wai Jai has always worked with Mr. Lam. She believed that such rumors only appeared because Wai Jai has thought about forming his own production company. She pointed out that Wai Jai, Wong Kar Wai and William Chang Suk Ping were an iron triangle. In the past they have created many very pretty light shadows and in the future will continue to. * (9/24/2008) PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) is Zhou Xun and Chen Kun's fourth big screen collaboration. To the duo who is used to playing a couple, intimate scenes could not be more casual. Yet in one scene Zhou Xun in a dream seduces Chen Kun and leads him into intimacy in the water, they suffer. Because the temperature is too cold, the production team uses a water heater to continuously heat the "hot spring" for four hours. Due to the excessive water body, the temperature remains around 30 degrees Celsius. With the winter weather and the low outdoor temperature, the heat dissipates very rapidly. The spring water cools in less than 20 minutes. Because the water temperature continues to drop and Zhou Xun's "demon out of the water" scene takes numerous takes, Zhou Xun has been in and out of the "hot spring" over ten times before completing the shoot. The water passion scene takes over six hours to shoot. In addition, director Gordon Chan Ka Seung explains Zhou Xun's body double. He feels that Zhou has too much pressure with a nude performance. "Perhaps some feels she is making a sacrifice for art, but definitely some feels that she is fighting to stand out. When we make action scenes we also constantly use doubles, which is very normal." * (9/23/2008) Vicki Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Betty Sun Li attended a Shanghai PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) press conference. In the film Zhao Wei plays a faithful wife who even after learning that her husband has emotionally cheated still willingly makes the sacrifice for him and drinks the poisoned wine. * (9/23/2008) Zhang Yimou is the director of the China Travel Impression film. Earlier he has already arrived in Chengdu for the shoot. At the same time he will visit the earthquake disaster area to visit the victims. This time Zhang Yimou directs the Sichuan chapter, which is completely different in style from his earlier Chengdu Impression films. The film's theme is "Sichuan remains beautiful", completely embodying Sichuan's beautiful scenery and kind and strong people. Zhang Yimou's assistant, executive director Ding Hai, earlier has already led the pre production team and arrived in Chengdu in secret. As soon as the Ding Hai led team followed Zhang Yimou's plan as soon as they got off the plane. The team went three ways and began the intense tasks of secret casting in Chengdu, checking out locations and shooting on the Emei Mountain. Several dozen actors were cast in an afternoon, finally a six year old cute, lovable and bright eyed child was cast as an Emei Mountain monk. * (9/22/2008) At a Cable 15th Anniversary event yesterday. Cable CEO TSui Siu Ming, Donnie Yen Chi tan, Debbie Goh (Ng Tin Yu), Priscilla Wong Chui Yu and Zhou Jipei attended. Reportedly Yen Chi Tan's SPL (SAT POR LONG) has caught a Hollywood company's eyes as Paco Wong bought the rights to sell to it. Chi Tan expressed that he was not certain about the rights. He said that the title came from him and director Wilson Yip Wai Shun. Paco Wong was the producer. He said that the Hollywood boss was his good friend who he introduced to Paco Wong. He said, "I only want the result to be good. Now the Hollywood version title seems to be KILL ZONE." Would Chi Tan star in the Hollywood version? He expressed that he has been offered but would wait until it was confirmed. If Yip Wai Shun would director he definitely would. As for financing a film, Chi Tan honestly said that he has lost a lot with his company previously. Because all of his time would be focused on the company he could not make other films. That time he lost 10 million. * (9/22/2008) Louis Koo Tin Lok, Barbie Shui (Tsui Hei Woon), Terry Fan Siu Wong and Chan Ka Lok yesterday attended a CONNECTED (BO CHI TUNG WA) event. Goo Jai and Big S will promote on a Southeast Asian tour, during which they would fly every eight hours. Goo Jai expressed that he knew that it would be very tiring. Sometimes when he flew to too many placed he would have no idea where he was. He only hoped that he would not get sick. * (9/21/2008) Emperor film CONNECTED (BO CHI TUNG WA) two nights ago held its premiere at Causeway Bay Times Square. Louis Koo Tin Lok, Barbie Shui (Tsui Hei Woon), director Benny Chan Muk Sing, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Ken Hung Cheuk Lap attended. Guests included Sherman Chung Shu man, Deep Ng Ho Hong, Tong Yi, Freeze, Albert Yeung Sau Sing, Mani Fok Man Hei and Cheung Tat Ming. Koo Tin Lok expressed that he will soon head to promote in Singapore, Malaysia, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. Goo Jai has already seen the film's advanced screening and the reaction from film critics and the audience was great. He never expected female viewers to like this film. He said that earlier he has seen the film twice with the director. Has he given the director any script changing suggestion? He joked that he did not since the director ended up with the current version after a lot of hardship, telling him to edit again he might as well kill him. Goo Jai said about working with the director again, "Right now we have two or three stories in mind, some are action." Hung Cheuk Lap in the film gave a 30 second cameo. The director shot two versions and after the shoot he received lai see. He expressed that he wanted to get into better shape so he could work on different film genres. * (9/21/2008) Stephen Chow Sing Chi is a famous Bruce Lee fan as everyone knows, but over the years he has rarely seriously played his idol. Sing Yeh has explained that because he feels Bruce Lee was a classical figure who was very difficult to portray convincingly so he has just avoided it. Yet there always is an exception. Yesterday Columbia announced Chow Sing Chi has already agreed to work on the Hollywood film THE GREEN HORNET as the director and star in the role of Kato. Actually early this year Chow Sing Chi has already been rumored but at the time Sing Yeh denied it and said that he has not received any invitation. Chow Sing Chi was very excited to reprise his idol Bruce Lee's classic role. "Since childhood I have been a Green Hornet fan. Being able to direct this U.S. film is a dream come true. I am also very happy about my friends at Sony's support of me over the years. I look forward to work with the producers and the Sony team." Chow Sing Chi has always been seeking a breakthrough on his film journey. From SHAOLIN SOCCER to KUNG FU HUSTLE to the most recent CJ7, he has been transforming. This remake of THE GREEN HORNET conceivably has become the anticipation fo many Sing fans, but the soonest it will be released will be two years from now on June 25 2010. * (9/20/2008) Yesterday Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Ella Koon Yun Na, Fama and Lo Koon Ting attended a radio event. Earlier Tokyo International Film Festival announced its competition nominations. CLAUSTROPHOBIA (CHUN MUK)'s Ekin and Karena Lam Ka Yun were nominated. Was Ekin confident to win again after RULE NUMBER 1 THERE ARE NO GHOSTS (DAI YUT GAI)? "The film is an art film with only five screens. Each day it only has one show and it doesn't have any promote. (Shawn) Yue Man Lok and I chatted and we both felt that we profited. In addition the film's word of mouth has been decent." * (9/19/2008) The film CONNECTED (BO CHI TUNG WA) yesterday held a press conference in Beijing for its National Day release on the 28th. Director Benny Chan Muk Sing, leads Louis Koo Tin Lok, Liu Ye and Nick Cheung Ka Fai attended. Although lead actress Barbie Shui (TSui Hei Woon) could not attend, the trio discussed their experience of working with Big S a lot. Goo Jai sighed, "Big S and I had too few scenes together. Basically we were acting solo. Luckily in the final scene we still had a hug." Liu Ye in the film plays an undiscounted big villain who wants to kill the female lead's entire family, but yesterday at the event he often joked away and made the atmosphere lively. As soon as he made his appearance he imitated the host and greeted the media, "Hi everyone, I am famous film star Golden Horse Best Actor Liu Ye." As for working with Big S, Liu Ye boasted that he frequently played pranks on her. For example when she was at her most emotional in a scene he would make a face. Luckily she was professional and was unaffected. After the director yelled cut, Big S angrily said to him, "Liu Ye, I am calling the police on you. You are bad, you are too bad." Chan Muk Sing has been praised as Asia's top police action film director. In this film his favorite was the scene in which Goo Jai robbed a mobile phone charger because the humor had many Hong Kong comedy film shades. He described the film as "like a person. Although it wore Hollywood clothes it still had a Hong Kong film badge. This badge made the clothes even more meaningful." * (9/19/2008) The often honored gold label screen writer Ivy Ho (Ong Sai)'s directorial debut CLAUSTROPHOBIA (CHUN MUK) qualified for the Tokyo International Film Festival competition. She was extremely encouraged. Karena Lam Ka Yun and Dior Cheng Yi Kin both congratulated Ong Sai. Currently working in Mainland Ka Yun said, "Congratulations Director, thank you for letting me play this third party office lady, the girl next door around us who seems to be easy (to play) but actually aren't. She has a lot of inner turmoil that is not easy to grasp." Ekin was happy for Ong Sai. "Congratulations Director!" Both hoped to be able to attend the Tokyo International Film Festival with the director and have been fighting for time with the film company. Also Hong Kong Asian Film Festival 2008's opening and closing films have been announced yesterday. The two opening films will be the Stanley Kwan Kam Pang film MIAO MIAO and the Prudence Lau Mei Kwan starred TRUE WOMAN FOR SALE (NGOR BUT MAI SUN NGOR MAI JI GUNG). The two closing films will be Ong Sai's CLAUSTROPHOBIA and the Zhang Yuan directed DADA'S DANCE. * (9/18/2008) Based on a Hollywood action film CONNECTED's leads Louis Koo Tin Lok, Nick Cheung Ka Fai and Barbie Shui (Tsui Hei Woon) worked on the final scene at the airport. In it Big S risked her life to save her daughter and injured all of her fingers. Under the blazing sun she ran with her mouth taped. Finally she was able to escape and came into a final embrace with Goo Jai. Big S honestly said that the most painful scene for her in the entire film was her daughter's rescue. She had to pull off a nearly 40 pound tarp over a 3 meter deep big metal cage. Because the tarp was too heavy and rough, she had to take several takes and finally all of her fingers were injured. The wounds under her nails took two weeks to fade. She who has always avoided the sun had to run 400 meters with her on screen daughter on the scorching sun. Because the passing rain left the ground wet, she fell five times before a good take. In addition her mouth was taped. "When I ran I couldn't breathe with my mouth. I couldn't even pant and added to the load on the heart and the lungs. At the moment of the tape removal I had tears from the pain. My cheek was very red and hurt!" Goo Jai was under Terry Fan Siu Wong's captive. Luckily Ka Fai saved him. Ka Fai said that this scene was like playing tug of war as the group all became one pile. Goo Jai even bruised his kneecap. Aside from being held captive, Goo Jai also had inner emotional scenes. He said, "For my first collaboration with Big S, we had to have a sentimental embrace before we were considered familiar. We couldn't do it without a little acting." Because this film will be released simultaneously in Mainland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, starting today Big S, Goo Jai, and director Benny Chan Muk Sing will start a ten day whirlwind Asian promotional tour. * (9/18/2008) From the film A DECADE OF LOVE to Hong Kong short film production market strategy forum yesterday took place at the Baptist College. Lam Chiu Wing, Lam Wah Chuen, Cheung Wai Hung, Yeung Yat Tak and Joe Cheung Tung Cho attended. Actors Steven Cheung Chi Hung and Ho Cheuk Ying appeared. A DECADE OF LOVE later will participate in the 13th Annual Pusan International Film Festival and the 21st Annual Tokyo International Film Festival. Cheung Chi Hung would represent and attend the Pusan International Film Festival. He honestly said that he was nervous and happy about his first international film festival. Earlier Steven won the Best New Actor award at the Golden Rooster Hundred Flower Award for THE KNOT. Due to work he could not attend, which was already quite a regret. As for Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) not winning the Best Actress, he said that the Best Actress went to co-star Li Bingbing so it was no big deal. New comer Angel Ho Cheuk Ying played an agoraphobic girl in ROCK LION ROCK. This time she had a chance to work with Belinda Hamnett (Hong Kwan Ting), who taught her a lot. Kwan Ting once suffered from depression, which was similar to agoraphobia. Kwan Ting at her worst weighed only 80 some pounds and was emotionally unstable. Her thought conflicted a lot too. Yet when she made this film Kwan Ting was already recovered and pretty. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 24 2008, FIL MAND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS THE REASON OF THE RARITY OF HONG KONG SEX FILMS In the past two genres could save the market, one was ghost film and the other was category III sex film. Ghost film due to the inability to be co-produced with Mainland has become fewer without the Mainland income. Yet occasionally a 3 million budget one would appear. With higher audience quality demand, their demand for ghost film has differed from the past. Well made ghost film could not be too roughly produced and also depends very heavily on the director's abilities. Ghost film that is scared enough has a harder time at big return with small investment. Category III sex film is even rarer than ghost film. Without the need to go on, sex film also could not co-produced and could rely only on markets outside Mainland for return. Sex film like ghost film has always had market. Then why would recent Hong Kong film rarely be of this genre? In terms of overseas sales, costume sex films are better than modern ones. Mak Dong Hung's 1991 SEX AND ZEN was very popular in the West. Over the years, the market has always had a demand for costume sex film. SEX AND ZEN might not have big names but it was not small budget at all. It was no 3 million low budget film. However, budget is not the reason behind the difficulty of making this genre. According to industry insiders, the hardest part was finding local actresses who could make the sacrifice for art. In the 80s more actresses who were willing to perform nude than today. The social sexual views might be more open than before, but actresses' performance limits have become more conservative than then. The media's judging attitude of course had something to do with that. In the just released THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND OF SEX AND CHOPSTICKS, the nude scenes are Japanese adult video actresses' responsibilities. The casting of Japanese adult video stars instead of local female stars has very large differences in market attraction because Japanese adult video ultimately is another slot's product. The overseas market price difference is also farther apart. Still many people look at category III sex film with bias. Film and adult video are different. Well made sex film can be art. The subject of sex in every year's major film festivlas occupies a very large ratio. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 23 2008, FILM WORDS THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND OF SEX AND CHOPSTICKS' FUNNY SEX TRAINING In the recent ten years, very few Hong Kong category III sex films have been released in mainstream cinema circuits, but Zhang Yimou's CURSE OF THE GOLDEN FLOWER cooked up palace promiscuity and low cut palace girl costumes; Ang Lee's LUST CAUTION even had erotic and daring bed scenes; both have become Greater China box office controversial films. Now Hong Kong's THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND OF SEX AND CHOPSTICKS had no way to compare to the two aforementioned famous directors and big stars big productions, but it still attracts erotic fan viewers. THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND OF SEX AND CHOPSTICKS is an official dirty flesh film. It does not pretend to be literary and just sticks with sex. As a sex film it is considered suitable, from the beginning to the end it sells naked bodies and bedroom tricks. It also has action and comedy, the story is not monotonous or dull. Director Chin Man Kei and the cast have done their jobs fully without cutting corners. I like many people have heard about the Chinese classic novel THE PLUM IN THE GOLDEN VASE for a long time but have never read the book. Reportedly this film takes a lot of liberty and is not faithful to the original. The story starts with Simon Hing's childhood. In adulthood Lam Wai Kin plays the character. Since childhood he has been under his father (Tsui Siu Keung)'s training in the "ways of Yin and Yang", training sexual potency like training gong fu. This film sells Chinese style "sex study" training. Wonderfully it is half wuxia half comedy, about Ximen Qing and many sexy women's encounters. These women are mainly Japanese adult video stars. The little bald nun Hikaru Wakana is rather innocent and cute. Kaera Uehara as Simon Hing's "instructor" is also attractive. The wild fortress owner has the most sex heroine feel, cooking up a very exaggerated, comic book style sex duel! As for Pan Jin-Lian, in the original she is very important. In the film the actress lacks luster, her small feet display is obviously not tied feet. More interesting is when she and Ximen Qing cheat, Wu Da Lang is sleep walking next to them in an ironic and humorous way. Actually this film is the first installment. Who knows whether Wu Song would appear in the second installment? Many Hong Kong films have already been based on THE PLUM IN THE GOLDEN VASE, including Lee Han Hsiang's two GOLDEN LOTUS. I have also seen the Japanese version, as well as THE REINCARNATION OF GOLDEN LOTUS. Dan Lap Man has played Ximen Qing several times. Director Chin Man Kei was Ho Poon's assistant director early on, no wonder this film has a little Ho Poon style. Ho Poon has immigrated to the U.S. for over a decade. Several months ago I have received a letter from him, which said that an U.S. company offered him a category III foreign film but his family opposed it strongly. Thus he has been good and returned to photography. In the U.S. he had 11 exhibits and published two collections. Hong Kong's new generation may very unlikely have no idea that Ho Poon actually is a famous photographer. - SHEK KEI 3. TA KUNG PAO, SEPTEMBER 21 2008 PATRICK KONG'S FILM OBSESSION Film watching has always been very personal preference wise, without any sure fire formula. Directors either meet the audience demand, shape their own form, accumulate word of worth; or go their own way, dare to try something new, to hone themselves. Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) has made big hits like 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) trilogy, without warning he came with a horror film FORGIVE AND FORGET (CHUN OI DIK). From here on, where would Director Yip go? For now we only know that his new film JUET DOI SEUNG GIU will be a madcap comedy, any further he jokes that he has to keep it mysterious so the audience would look forward to it. Continuous attempt of new genre has made him an unpredictable director. 08 to Yip Lim Sum was a very important year because he has been especially productive in this year. In the first three seasons alone he has already made L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES, FORGIVE AND FORGET and JUET DOI SEUNG GIU, whether he would make a fourth film remains unknown; he does not want to compete with anyone in production rate, but he seems to be challenging himself. Romantic Dream Vanishes "I used to make one movie a year. This year I have been determined to work a little harder. The challenge of making three movies to me is whether I can achieve something different. After the trilogy if I continue to make a fourth and fifth movie it would be no big deal but it wouldn't be challenging at all. Now the three movies that I made are different genres. I have chosen to turn FORGIVE AND FORGET into a horror romance and JUET DOI SEUNG GIU into a happy comedy. At least the audience this year would see three different feeling movies of mine and not a director making three of the same thing." No matter whether the audience would accept Yip Lim Sum's FORGIVE AND FORGET transformation, his hidden calculation is to start a new chapter at the end of the trilogy. Finally, he viciously makes a big turnaround with even the cast and crew, finds top cinematography and music masters only in order to bring a freshness that differs from his past work. "Creativity fears self repetition the most, so it must be innovative. The feeling from making three movies this year is, with modern romance, horror and comedy, genre wise I already feel rather satisfied." He says, he would never due to making more of a certain type of film think about making another type. The genre would only be determined when he would come with the story itself. "I would first ask myself, what kind of movie would this story be; like JUET DOI SEUNG GIU the movie would be very crazy and very funny. I hope viewers after watching would feel happy and satisfied. When I made the trilogy the market had a demand. The improving box office from one film to another told that young viewers like to watch this type of subjects, which to me was also a kind of excitement that made me even more certain that my creative direction was correct." Yip Lim Sum's love trilogy has one commonality, which is breaking through the traditionally beautiful fantasy of love. The endings are more tragic as they all want people to see the cruel side behind love. The director laughs and says, many feels that he himself is such a person, but actually he has a lot of illusion about love and is absolutely not pessimistic. "The trilogy also has everlasting love, but only the leads don't get it. These three movies can lead to so much talk because I was the rare and daring person who told everyone that love also had bad things. Love may also have third party or lies, not necessarily happiness. This fact exists, only everyone pretends not to see it. My movies are more realistic." Hope To Become Hit Director As for the problem of position, he honestly says that his idea is very practical. He would like to become a hit director. Because the Hong Kong film market is difficult, productions are not easy. Director cannot disappoint investors so they have to control budget while making new attempts that viewers hopefully would like. "Only with box office can my next movie's production be sped up. Only with more production can my directing abilities be honed, which is very important to new directors. I have been very lucky, the success of the trilogy has established the box office. I can shorten my production period and try even more new things." He continues, "After the trilogy, many viewers feel romance is my style. Then why shouldn't I try something else? Like when a restaurant's wonton noodle tastes great, it starts to think about other new dishes. Yet wonton noodle ultimately will still be its 'heart'." FORGIVE AND FORGET before its release has been kept fully under wraps and successfully created a buzz. The director says, he hopes that every one of his films is talked about and each time viewers would look forward to it. "When I made LOVE IS NOT ALL AROUND it was also like that. The actors during production had no idea how it would end. I felt first I had to make the cast and the crew look forward to it to be able to have even better work efficiency and team spirit, and the atmosphere would be even more fun. The production atmosphere is very important. I don't want everyone to come to the studio like going to and leaving work, waiting for 'quitting time'. Yet of course, I would differentiate very clearly, the story has to be suitable for this production method. For a comedy like JUET DOI SEUNG GIU, I definitely have to communicate with everyone because everyone have to design the characters and comedy together." Casting Through Instinct Since it is under the official banner of youth film, new actors naturally are every Yip Lim Sum's film backbone; when the director and the actors' age is close, the interaction between them may be able to set off different sparks. "I take care of my actors a lot, I wouldn't let them get too tired and often buy them stuff to eat. Everyone is very relaxed and comfortable; some directors don't converse with the actors, but I feel I need to properly communicate with them." He says, working with new actors completely rely on instinct. "My casting relies on instinct. For example after watching THE MAD DETECTIVE and INVISIBLE TARGET I thought On Chi Kit's dramatic performance was great. When I watched SECRET I thought (Alice) Tzeng Hoi Won was very pretty. So I wanted to work with them; LOVE IS NOT ALL AROUND cast (Linda) Chung Ka Yun because I like her television performance. My instinct is very hard for me to describe, it is like love. When you see certain someone you seem to have a lot of feeling and hope to have a chance to work together. So far my instinct is still rather accurate." "My movies often would use a lot of people again. Siu Fong (Alex Fong Lik Sun) needs no mention, I have worked with Miki (Yeung Oi Kun) on many movies too. Tzeng Hoi Won after L FOR LOVE L FOR LIES performed in FORGIVE AND FORGET. Also, Sammy can often be seen in my movies. I really like the teams that are formed during production, like Kelvin (Kwan Chor Yiu) after FORGIVE AND FORGET is cast in JUET DOI SEUNG GIU, Hotcha and Siu Fei (Chubby) too. Actors and the director have to have chemistry. During production we built a friendship, a trust, so next time the chemistry would be even better. I like to have the so called return and reunion for every movie. Maybe in the future I will get Andy (On Chi Kit) back to play together again. I like that atmosphere." He says. Although new actors may not have enough experience, but Yip Lim Sum feels actors' poor performance may not be related to the actors but the director has to take a lot of the responsibility. "The director has to make decisions and determinations, so there is no poor actor, just poor director. If the director provides a good guideline, the actors are good. Many actors are like that. When they run into a good director they can completely transform. On the other hand, even better actors with a bad director would lose luster and stumble big time in their performance." - SIU () 4. TA KUNG PAO, SEPTEMBER 21 2008, LIGHT SHADOW PATH HUAYI BROTHERS SUCCESSFUL FORMULA THE ASSEMBLY in last week's Mainland Golden Rooster Hundred Flower Award as the big favorite won Best Picture, Best Director (Feng Xiaogang), Best Actor (Zhang Hanyu) and Best Supporting Actor (Deng Chao) and became the focus of this year's award. THE ASSEMBLY's investment came from Huayi Brothers and Media Asia. The latter is a film company that Hong Kong is familiar with, Huayi Brothers is Mainland's most sizable private media group, its business ranges from film production, television production, management, music to advertising and other areas. Huayi Brothers even at this year's Gold Eagle Festival television award with SOLDIERS SORTIE won Best Director (Lei Kanghong) and the Most Popular Acotr (Wang Baoqiang). As for artist management, Huayi represents popular idol Huang Xiaoming and top actress Zhou Xun. In addition it has worked with director Feng Xiaogang for a long time. The film can truly live up to the title of the strongest civilian run entertainment unit. Once in an interview Huangyi Brothers chair Wang Zhongjun has said that he entered show business accidentally, which the writer felt was his modesty. Overall the company's development was not coincidental. Huayi over the years has invited director Feng Xiaogang to its board, which was a very smart move. A commercial talent with a Midas' touch like Director Feng would definitely be very popular with investors. Managing such a super creator would not something that any ordinary person could accomplish. As for outside partners, Huayi has also been strict with its selection. Their closest partner is Hong Kong Media Asia film company, with which it has produced films like A WORLD WITHOUT THIEVES, THE BANQUET, THE ASSEMBLY and the year end release LOOKING FOR A STAR (SING MUNG KEI YUEN). The releases have already received decent performance. Another partner has been ROB B HOOD's Hong Kong investor Emperor Motion Pictures. Obviously Huayi's commercial senses are very sharp. Last year the total Mainland box office was 3.3 billion yuan. The first half of this year has already exceeded last year's same period by half. Thus 2008 box office revenue will be even more shocking. If THE ASSEMBLY's return is included in this year's box office calculation (It was released last December), Huayi Brothers' 2008 box office would be as strong as 500 million (THE ASSEMBLY made 360 million, THE FORBIDDEN KINGODM made 180 million, Feng Xiaogang's latest will be released in the New Year). A media company with such a brilliant track record not only has sharp senses but also smart financing abilities. Reportedly bank loans have funded most of Huayi film projects. In recent years it has also conducted a lot of finance collection activities. Aside from the brothers Wang Zhongjun and Wang Zhonglei's half of the company's shares, Hong Kong's Tom Group, Mass Media and Yahoo! China all once had a stake in Huayi. Reportedly the film will go public at the end of the year in Mainland. Although the current stock market situation is poor and may lead to changes in the plans, Huayi's Mainland market success is truly the envy of Hong Kong media companies. - TIN LIK 5. TA KUNG PAO, SEPTEMBER 21 2008 10 PROMISES WITH MY DOG IS SENTIMENTAL AND TOUCHING Japanese director indeed has a way with handling animal films. At first when I received information about 10 PROMISES WITH MY DOG, I thought this film would be like QUILL -- another tear jerking heart warming film. Thus I did not have too much expectation. Yet after watching it, the film's unexpected message deeply touched me. The 10 promises that the film mentioned were about the easiest to overlook areas for an average person in raising a dog as a pet, especially those whose hearts were never into raising dogs and only due to certain reasons (like the film's loneliness). Yet when the terminally ill mother told her daughter, I felt that these promises on the surface were about the dog but actually were also about people, especially with the older or ailing seniors. When the story developed to the gradual aging of the father, the daughter had a life of her own and left her father with the retriever Socks, while the silver screen showed an old man and a dog side by side on the beach, "10 promises" flowed into my mind. The most obvious was when Socks passed away and the father reminded anew her daughter about "10 promises", the sense of gratitude flooded in and provided a momentary sharp pain like from wanting to cry but no tear came. At this moment, I am reminded of Shohei Imamura's BALLAD OF NARAYAMA. Although the films were made 25 years apart, actually they had the same message: seniors in the city often are abandoned or forgotten, whether in terms of spirit or material; especially when the current society is aging, this situation is even more severe. The film has another interesting yet easily overlooked area, the different attitude of leads' parents in their next generations' education and future arrangement brought different results. The film did not add any analysis or criticism, only expressed it with narrative. The father did not give the daughter any pressure and instead made a career change for his daughter. He showed his noble fatherly love and had dramatic effect. The most special was, the male lead's parents later had categorized lines that seemed to be an examination. They thought that they had paved a golden road for their son but in the end made matters worse and even ruined their son's life, which was worth modern parents' consideration the most. - CHUI HIU 6. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 20 2008 NOT A LEGENDARY ERA (2) The writer last week used the terms "soldiers" and "defenders" to describe Chor Yuen and Lung Kong's roles in the final days of Cantonese film. After further consideration, among the two ideas, "defenders" should be more suitable for Chor Yuen a little. Calling Lung Kong as "soldier" is also more accurate because he directly inherited the old school Cantonese film tradition. Later although he was under modern Western art and film influence he still due to his background and environmental restriction could only be a reformist of Cantonese films (not even revisionist) and not a revolutionary. Earlier Cantonese film workers (especially in the 60s since World War II) seem to face national and society ills for a long time. Creation is tightly connected to everyday life, with strong realistic color and work with blood and tears; but as society grew stable and developed, the old realistic style gradually lost touch with reality (of course that also had to do with creators' growing age and slowly becoming conservative). Chor Yuen came from this source. Stuck between new and old, his work often reflected such conflict. Thus, he felt the most satisfied (meaning the most "personal") films mostly described a young artist (painter, writer, dancer, song writer) who lingers between personal dream and real world (read: market consideration, commercial pressure), the conflict between being loved and giving up love, in sorrow and boredom (ironically, such work in "real environment" often did not sell). This perhaps explained why he in the middle and late stages at the Shaw Studio coincidentally or half consciously submerged himself in a Gu Long type virtual ancient romantic world that was dimly discernable and sentimental (the representative work was INTIMATE CONFESSIONS OF A CHINESE COURTESAN), most officially bidding farewell to reality. Lung Kong Chor Yuen Momentary Brilliance In comparison, (early) Lung Kong seemed to be Chor Yuen's antithesis. The latter avoided the world, hid from the world, the former joined it as each film's subject was fresh and hot social subjects (PRINCE OF BROADCASTERS' politics and hypocrisy, THE STORY OF A DISCHARGED PRISONER's prison release issue, TEDDY GIRLS' juvenile crime issue, THE CALL GIRLS' prostitute issue, HIROSHIMA 28's war issue, to YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW's hints at the 67 riot). His characters were either hot blooded action/reformer or angry at the world rebel. The most passive was at least a religious idealist. They actually both like to preach, but Chor Yuen was sad (and nagging), self pitying, contrite and reforming himself; Lung Kong shouted at the top of his voice, every word convincing (though he could nag just as much). Chor Yuen on average liked the gentle and slow burn, as he excelled in the scene adjustment of standing and walking; Lung Kong excelled the most with handshake shots, short range shots, balanced editing, flash back/forward narrative. They truly were momentarily brilliant. - SHU KEI 7. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 20 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS HONG KONG HAS DIFFICULTY WITH NEW IDOL MAKING Taiwan young idols often invade Hong Kong, reports describe them as coming to Hong Kong to dig gold. Actually how much gold can they dig? These idols who rely on Taiwan youth series to win Hong Kong young fan support number in the few. None of them has been as popular as F4 years ago, but F4 members in film have not performed well at the box office. Idols who became popular due to youth series only target a very small scale market. Taiwan idols come to Hong Kong because Hong Kong is still an useful market. Although the entertainment industry has been poor, among the three lands on two shores Hong Kong still is more influential. One should say it is a "trendier" city. Anyone who can rise in Hong Kong would have a more powerful impression. In the past 20 years, Hong Kong truly led Chinese entertainment trend. Remaining Advantage Soon Vanishes The writer feels that Hong Kong cannot make a new generation of young idols, which truly is a shame. Now it still has a little advantage, which soon may vanish. In recent years Hong Kong has had many new singers who have had no way to become new generation idols. Most of their names cannot even be recalled. Why? Taiwan idols' singing and acting are not outstanding, but they still are able to attract the younger generation. Obviously they do not care about their idols' performance talent. Local idols suffer from different pressure. The media criticizes them as soon as they come out, saying that they sing off key, act poorly. In addition television stations do not have long term youth series production. With only one or two record release every year or one or two movies, they naturally have more difficulty to rise. Hong Kong "Star Making" ways Antiquated With media criticism burden, local new singers have certain demand in singing. Their external packaging has already been ordinary in comparison and more difficult to become the youth's hot idol. Even more unfortunate is to become a young idol in Hong Kong, almost everyone takes the singer route. This is the old way that does not keep up with the times. Young models are more popular with young people than new singers, which reflects the era has already changed. How to make new idols is a subject that is worthy of studying. - KWOK HIN CHING 8. MING PAO DAILY, SEPTEMBER 18 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS WORD OF MOUTH DOES NOT HELP HONG KONG FILM AT ALL Taiwan film CAPE NO. & has broken Taiwan film's ten year record because its box office improved week after week. During the Mid Autumn Festival a typhoon lingered over Taipei and the box office rose 50%. Hong Kong has difficulty to achieve improving box office. Old school film promotion often used the slogan "the longer the run the better the box office". That era cinemas were restricted to five shows daily. Times did not change. Weekends and holidays had seven shows. When all conditions remained unchanged, as soon as a movie had word of mouth naturally more and more would go to the movies. The box office could be higher than its opening. This year strong summer film THE DARK KNIGHT had box office only due to its endurance. It did not have improving box office. Because of the set screen numbers, similar figures could only be reached no matter how popular the film was. If a movie does not have a favorable start, the first box office is lacking. Almost by the second day show numbers have already been cut. Even if word of mouth slowly spreads, the film is already beyond any help. Thus, some film companies pump up the first several days' box office, give out coupons that are only valid for the first three opening days. Yet this trick has been used excessive and gradually lost its effect. Everyone can see the cinema online advanced sale, which should have three days in advance. Yet sometimes the shows are announced very late, reflecting how agile the cinema owners' scheduling is. When a movie enters its second week it is already very rare not to lose any screen and show. How can it possibly exceed the first week? The formula is the first week is half of the total box office, the second week 25% and so on. Yet this formula does not hold up because cinema show reduction is beyond any control. Now cinema owners are not afraid of a movie that does not make money, they only want to provide even more choices to the audience. Thus the film owners are sacrificed. In terms of business, cinemas should save themselves first. Without any long term sight and only have eyes on the profit right now, the future will not be too good. The writer feels making local films well is even more advantageous to cinema owners. When Hong Kong films were at their peak, cinema revenue could not be more and it was all cash. No matter how much big Hollywood films make, they could not compare to how good Hong Kong films made the cinema owners' wallet swell. Film development council should call cinema owners to assist Hong Kong films with a plan and provide more advantage during their release. - KWOK HIN CHING [ In Production Now/Soon ] CLAUSTROPHOBIA Can : Chun Muk Lit : Intimate d. Ivy Ho Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Karen Lam Ka Yun, Andy Hui Chi On Length : 100 mins. Opening march 23 at the Tokyo International Film Festival Site : http://www.tiff-jp.net/en/lineup/works.php?id=4 [ TOKYO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] A love story about an office love affair in a mellow atmosphere. LOOKING FOR A STAR 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 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) 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 September 25 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? 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 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A diver who has dreamt of becoming a diving master after years of hard work finally successfully joins the diving team and sees the coach's son and three time champion teammate as his target. however, the diving team faces financial trouble and is about to disband. The new coach must train a national diving representative to be able to turn the crisis around. She thus tries her best to invite a rebellious diving elite to join the team and trigger competitiveness among the team. To focus on his training, the diver ignores his girlfriend who has a change of heart. The rebel leaves home and his live in girlfriend behind and the champion time and again struggles with his coach father. As the national competition edges closer, each of three young divers faces his own troubles and fear. The competition grows more and more fierce because only one can qualify... 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. 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… 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) 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) [ 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. 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. LOST INDULGENCE Can : Bei Ong Lit : Secret Coast d. Zhang Yibai Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Karen Mok Man Wai, Eason Chan Yik Shun, Chiang Man Lai Opening October 2 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] The story starts with a car accident that shatters the silence lives of family of three. Husband Ng To's taxi falls into the river. He is missing, leaving an injured female passenger -- barmaid So Dan. Wife Fan Lai faces a hefty compensation. With a family in trouble she can only first take So Dan home to recover. At home her son Siu Chuan has just finished his examination and faces his own love and father's passing, all of which has him feeling alone and lost. The entrance of So Dan into his home stirs up changes in his life, as So Dan's beauty seems to lead his growth from a boy into a man. While treating her injury he seems to have fallen for her legs. Siu Chuan panics in the face of desire. Mother Fan Lai under So Dan's silent influence seems to have found a strain of youth. She runs into a Hong Kong businessman Siu Yi with a type of awkwardness. Finally So Dan after recovering leaves them. Two years later, Siu Chuan finds So Dan and learns the cruel but sad truth of the accident... KUNG FU CHEF Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho), Cherrie Ying Choi Yi, Lam Tze Chung Opening October 16 2008 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ONLINE ] Jo had kept hatred in his heart for a very long time and did what he could to oust his uncle Wong Bing-Yi (Sammo Hung) from the village and to claim the rights to the “Dragon-Head Cleaver”, a symbol of power to the clan. As Wong Bing-Yi was forced out of the village, he encountered Shen Qing by chance and is determined to help her during the troubled times at her restaurant “Four Seas”. Here, he discovered a young cooking wonder, Lung Kin-Yat. To bring “Four Seas” back to the top, Lung ends up representing “Four Seas” to the competition against Chef Tin, two times “Top Chef” winner and the head chef at “Imperial Palace”, the restaurant owned by Jo. At the day of the finals, Wong Bing-Yi and Jo met privately to try to resolve their problems. Lung shined by overcoming many obstacles and preparing a dish called “Fresh Water Bak-Choy” just as his master, Wong Bing-Yi had taught him. However, the head judge has been bribed by “Imperial Palace” and he is also the master of Chef Tin. Who will finally win the title of “Top Chef”? Can the “Kung Fu Chefs” finally win over the hearts of many? DETROIT METAL CITY d. Toshio Lee Kenichi Matsuyama, Yoshihiko Hosoda, Ryuji Akiyama Opening October 30 2008 Site : http://www.tiff08.ca/filmsandschedules/films/detroitmetalcity [ TORONTO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2008 ] Souichi is a timid, sensitive and innately polite music geek who moves from the Japanese countryside to Tokyo with big dreams: he aspires to sing sugary love ballads and become a chart-topping sensation. But life does not turn out the way Souichi had hoped, and the only gig he can get is that of front man for the notorious band Detroit Metal City (DMC). Wearing a cape, tights and ghostly demon makeup, Souichi storms the stage each night as Johannes Klauser II, smashing guitars and spewing verbal filth in songs about murder and rape. The band's crazy getups and destructive performances have earned them a legion of devoted, maniacal fans, who believe that Klauser is a drug-gobbling demon from hell. To make matters worse, this reluctant rocker runs into his college crush, the demure and adorable Ms. Aikawa, who is now a magazine pop critic. Soon he is struggling to keep his wild metal stardom a secret. After defeating rival bands and winning recognition as one of Japan's top acts, DMC is challenged to a duel by death-metal icon Jack IL Dark. Souichi finds himself locked in a battle of satanic guitar riffs for the title of ultimate death-metal king, all while keeping Ms. Aikawa sweetly ignorant of his alter ego. 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 * Jolin Tsai live in San Jose,CA Nov 30,2008 Date & Time: Sunday night, November 30,2008 @ 7:00pm Venue Location: San Jose State University Event Center 290 S. 7th Street San Jose, CA 95192 Ticket Prices: $58, $78, $98, $138, $188 (VIP) Info & online ticket: http://www.usastarimage.com http://www.usastarimage.com/EventDetail.aspx?id=29 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=29 concert info hotline: 510-651-6888 * RAYMOND MIU PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND TRUMP TAJ MAHAL PRESENT ADAM CHEN LIVE IN CONCERT 2008 Special Guest : Fala Chen DATE AND TIME : Wednesday night / Thurday morning, November 27 2008 @ 1AM Thursday, November 27 2008 @ 2 PM VENUE LOCATION : Mark G Etess Arena Trump Tah Mahal Casino Resort Atlantic City NJ PRICE : $98, 68, 38 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: Raymond Miu Productions 195 Canal Street, Suite 201 New York NY 10013 212.966.0800 www.rmpny.com * Sam Hui live in Reno,NV Nov 27,2008 more details coming soon! Tickets On Sale Saturday, September 13th @ 10 AM Contact InfoContact: Ticketmaster Phone: (775) 787-8497 http://ticketsus.at/ticketstudent?CTY=3&CID=874 http://www.visitrenotahoe.com/reno-tahoe/what-to-do/events/11-27-2008/sam-hui * 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 * ERIC MOO LIVE 2008 Special Guest : Hu Yanglin DATE & TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, October 5 2008 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION : Grand Ballroom Bally's Atlantic City Atlantic City NJ * 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 23 2008 10 THE DARK KNIGHT d. Christopher Nolan Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Heath Ledger, Gary Oldman, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Morgan Freeman 9 BOTTLE SHOCK d. Randall Miller Chris Pine, Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman 8 BANGKOK DANGEROUS d. Oxide Pang Shun, Danny Pang Fat Nicolase Cage, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei 7 CYBORG SHE Can : Ngor Dik Gei Hai Yun Nui Yau Lit : My Robot Girlfriend d. Kwak Jae-Yong Haruka Ayase, Keisuke Koide 6 JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH d. Eric Brevig Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Aniat Briem 5 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 4 4BIA d. Yongyoot Thongkongtoon, Paween Purijitpanya, Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom, 3 THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND OF SEX AND CHOPSTICKS Can : Gum Jung Mui Lit : Golden Bottle Plum d. Chin Man Kei Kaera Uehara, Hikaru Wakana, Serina Hayakawa Lam Wai Kin, Tsui Siu Keung, Ng Chi Hung 2 MAMMA MIA d. Phyllida Lloyd Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep 1 YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN d. Dennis Dugan Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS 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...... 10 PROMISES WITH MY DOG Rating : I Length : 117 mins. 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 Rating : IIB Length : 118 mins. Opening September 11 2008 THE FORBIDDEN LEGEND SEX & CHOPSTICKS Rating : III Length : 94 mins. Opening September 18 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] In the Song Dynasty, wealthy son Simon Hing is a handsome genius who inherits his father's medical knowledge with specialty in male potency. As he matures, his father hires a courtesan in the disguise of a family friend to stay at the Simon home. Actually she is the beauty that his father has arranged for him, to instruct Simon Hing in the art of the bedroom and woman taming, for him to experience that the joy of sex must not involve love and thus decides Simon Hing's philandering life... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, SEPTEMBER 20 2008 15 BEIJING BEIJING, I LOVE BEIJING Guan ? (Kwan Jit) 14 NOT YET LOST Can : Mei Shu Justin Lo (Juk Tin) 13 CALL SISTER Can : Giu Jeh Jeh Black Girl 12 BITTER SKY Can : Chong Tin Nicky Lee Gau Jik 11 TOMORROW SEE YOU Can : Ming Yut Joi Wui Miriam Yeung Chin Wa 10 NEVER LEFT Can : Chung Moot Lei Hoi Emme Wong Yee Man 9 HATE THAT I LOVE YOU Rhianna, Hins Cheung King Hin 8 LIVE FOR YOU Can : Wai Nei Yu Woot (Sun Muk Yu Tung) 7 CRUEL MOONLIGHT Can : Chan Ho Yuet Guong James Lin (Lam Yau Ga) 6 7 Can : Chut Eason Chan Yik Shun 5 YOU ARE MY HERO Yu Quan 4 NOT YET 18 Can : Mei Moon Sup Bak Shui Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 3 PAINFUL LOVE Can : Tung Oi Jam Hsiao (Siu King Tung) 2 LITTLE WAIST Can : Siu Man Yiu Vincy Chan (Wing Yi) 1 IF ABLE TO BE TOGETHER Can : Yu Gor Nung Joi Yut Hei Jasmine Leong (Leung Sing Yu) ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038