From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (OCTOBER 2 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. Freeze's Chan Lok Yiu who celebrates her birthday on the 5th B. Joyce Koi Ming Fai who celebrates her birthday on the 3rd C. Kelly Chen Wai Lam who wed on the 2th D. Barbie Shui (Tsui Hei Woon) who celebrates her birthday on the 2nd 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (10/8/2008) At an Occasions 20th anniversary celebration yesterday, Guests included Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Flora Cheung Tin Oi, and Peter Lam Kin Ngok. Cheung Tin Oi later will personally produce a movie, which will star her husband Russell Wong and will shoot in the U.S. and Singapore. Lam Kin Ngok will not cut film production budgets despite the financial crisis because they have always been set. * (10/7/2008) The Wu Chen and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin starred film BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) two nights ago held its premiere at the Convention Center. Wu Chen at the event officially "welcomed" Ah Sa as his "bride". Ah Sa entered in a big red floral sedan. Prince Charming Wu Chen held a long sword and uncovered the red sedan certain, then held Ah Sa's hand. The new couple then tossed the bouquet. Aside from the two leads, director Jingle Ma Chor Sing, action director Ching Siu Tung, actors Ti Lung, Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Sin Sik Lai, Terry Fan Siu Wong and others attended. Yumiko Cheng Hei Yi, Ken Hung Cheuk Lap and Mrs. Albert Yeung Sau Sing came to support Ah Sa. After Wu Chen and Ah Sa performed the Chinese style wedding ceremony, director Ma Chor Sing immediately presented a cane to Ah Sa. Wu Chen immediately said, "I am very good, why would you have to beat me!" Ah Sa joked, "Come later, like older sister beat you!" The crowd cracked up. Two nights ago Ah Sa dressed very femininely. Wu Chen praised her. Why did he not carry Ah Sa out of the sedan? Wu Chen said that Ah Sa was wearing a dress. Later he cooperated and posed for photos with his arm around Ah Sa's shoulder. Wu Chen joked that this was his first Chinese wedding. He believed that his future wedding will be like that too. He felt uncovering the curtain to welcome the bride was very romantic. His hometown Brunei's wedding tradition also included groom games and bride welcoming. In the past he has been in a groom's party and even did push ups for the groom. He joked, being a "brother" he had to be "tough" and not be afraid of the sisters. Ah Sa expressed that she originally invited Gillian Chung Yun Tung to the show but she was afraid of the crowd and felt that this was not the time yet. Finally she did not come. Ah Sa said, Ah Gil still has not decided when to return but definitely she will not return this year. She of course would like Twins to return as soon as possible, but they had to find a good direction first. In addition, this time the film's theme song HEARTS BEAT LIKE SONG (SUM TIU YU GOR) originally was a duet with her and Wu Chen. Now Wu Chen only had a monologue. Ah Sa believed that because they belonged to different record companies the arrangement was made. Wu Chen would not be upset. * (10/7/2008) PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) after six days has exceeded 100 million yuan in the Mainland box office. As of October 5, this film's ten day total box office was 143 million. Not only has it created a National Day film release box office record but also its total box office has surpassed THE WARLORDS, THE ASSEMBLY and CJ7. earlier big films THE WARLODS after 12 days had 133 million total Mainland box office; THE ASSEMBLY after 11 days had 130 million; Stephen Chow Sing Chi's CJ7 after 14 days had 120 million total Mainland box office. The film company has already decided on October 8 to hold a grand celebration in Beijing. Director Gordon Chan Ka Seung, actors Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Zhou Xun, Vicki Zhao Wei, Chen Kun, Betty Sun Li and Qi Yuwu would attend. The producer expressed that he was confident the film would break 160 million on the day of the celebration. The next goal will be 200 million. * (10/7/2008) The Emperor film THE BEAST STALKER (JING YUN) will be released next month and will hold its first press conference in the middle of the month to kick off a series of nationwide promotions. Already a father Nicholas Tse Ting Fung in the film will give a breakthrough performance. Not only will he have to perform with a child, but the film also will have the most inner emotional scenes in his career so far. As soon as the film starts, Ting Fung accidentally kills a six year old girl while on pursuit of a crook. Later he has to perform constantly the unbearable guilt and pain. Although Ting Fung has a two year old son at home, the girl in the film is already 9. Thus she has especially many questions to ask. He jokes, "I treat this shoot as a practice. In the future my son at this age would ask a lot of questions too. Now I am learning how to handle it." Aside from acting with a girl, Ting Fung is the happiest about working with good actors like Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Zhang Jingchu and Liu Kai Chi. * (10/6/2008) Wu Chen yesterday promoted BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) with director Jingle Ma Chor Sing in a film costume exhibit. At the event Wu Chen introduced two costumes from the film and even put on the red wedding gown and phoenix crown on a mannequin with Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin's face. Wu Chen was asked whether he was more familiar with helping a girl putting on clothes and taking it off. He said, "Neither, this should be my first time helping a girl putting on clothes. First time it's on a mannequin. Later I may be more familiar. I have only put my jacket on a girl, who would feel very warm. I really want to keep her warm." This year's birthday Wu Chen would have to perform at a Hengzhou concert and could not celebrate. Luckily he had to promote the film in recent days and had the chance to meet many fans from many places. He hoped that several more events would give him birthday cakes and said that he could eat more. As for birthday gift, he said, "No need, they can buy more tickets for their friends." On the 16th the film will be premiered in Brunei. It was his first time back to Brunei. Wu Chen honestly said that he had a little sense of accomplishment. Even though he would only stay for a day he still felt very happy. His parents and siblings would attend to support him. When his sister's children watched him on television they would scream uncle. He joked that this time he would be in costume and they might not be able to recognize him. * (10/6/2008) Paris, France every year has a White Night event with a series of promotional events at more than 10 landmarks around Paris. Each event would invite a world famous artist. The event at the Comedie Francaise would be under the charge of famous Hong Kong director Johnnie To Kei Fung. To Kei Fung would take a Chinese traditional opera to the stage of Paris. Much to his surprise, he has received good reviews for the Chinese tradition. * (10/5/2008) The Louis Koo Tin Lok and Barbie Shui (Tsui Hei Woon) starred CONNECTED after a week in release has already broken the 30 million mark in Mainland and Hong Kong. The film company two nights ago held a celebration. Attendees included Koo Tin Lok, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Chan Ka Lok, Big S even arrived in Hong Kong under a category I typhoon warning. The actors, the boss and executives held an ice breaking ceremony and opened champagne bottles. Big S wished that the film would perform well in Taiwan as well. October 6 will be Big S' birthday. her sister Little S has already rented an entire cinema for a special screening to celebrate. Thus she would return to Taiwan after only one day. She happily said, "Little S rented the cinema for 200 family and friends to enjoy the film, so I have to get back." She said that she was very happy that the film was nominated for the Asia Pacific Film Festival. In the film she no longer played a pretty character. Even her mother praised her performance. "Actually I have already done my best, you should ask the director whether he is satisfied." She would like to work with Benny Chan Muk Sing again. Koo Tin Lok revealed that originally his mother banned him from taking any Chan Muk Sing movie because after watching MOVING TARGETS (NAM YI BOON SIK) the action sequences stunned her. At the time he has already accepted the film so he could only keep it from his mother. He expressed that the film had a lot of action scenes that indeed were very rough. Now the box office has been ideal, the hard work was worth it. His mother learned that he was not injured and was at ease. Yet he witnessed a stunt person's severe injury from the shoot. He was able to see the bone in his arm, which still sent chills to his spine. Now he is working on UM SAT (ASSASSINATION). Later he would rest for a month and go on vacation with his family. Cheung Ka Fai earlier visited the new father Francis Ng Chun YU and his baby. He described Chun Yu's baby resembled his father more. "He looks like a booger, but his toes are very long, maybe like Chun Yu." Chun Yu pointed out that the baby has the best of him and his wife. He said, "His wife I don't know much about, but Chun Yu I still haven't found anything best about him." As for himself if he would good news he definitely would announce it to the world. * (10/5/2008) Jason Wu Jing yesterday attended a health express event. He expressed that the new film LONG NGA (WOLF TOOTH) that he directed and starred originally was scheduled for a mid November Hong Kong release, but it has been moved up. * (10/5/2008) Yesterday a self proclaimed "film inspector" claimed that yesterday he participated in the SHINJUKU INCIDENT inspection and discussed the film and the rating discussion in detail. Emperor Motion Pictures has expressed shock and immediately written to the censors for an understanding. According to the post, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) played a fearful small character who made a living from roasting chestnuts. After breaking his arm his personality changed as he has become arrogant. His costume was very outstanding. Jackie Chan in the film had to toil in a foreign land, did not have much action but more dramatic scenes. Romantically he was between Fan Bingbing and Xu Jinglei. The post also had a lot of negative review and pointed out that that the film's rating between IIB and III was debated. Although SHINJUKU did not have too many action scene, due to a lot of violent and bloody scenes, the category III discussion needed to be in detail. * (10/4/2008) The 1994 Hong Kong wuxia romance release ASHES OF TIME REDUX will be released in North America. Director Wong Kar Wai led lead actress Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) in New York to meet with the international press. She said that she felt very honored to be able to participate in this film before her retirement so she would have no regret; as for whether she would return, she remained tight lipped. Lam Ching Ha after 14 years watched this film about the East Evil, West Poison and a woman's half lifetime of romance in a desert that has "puzzled" many then joked, "I finally get it. It is love." She praised that Wong Kar Wai has made love so "forward", which was not easy. With new film post production technology, after remastering and all new editing ASHES OF TIME REDUX this year has been selected for Cannes, Toronto and New York International Film Festival. On October 10 at New York's Lincoln center, Angelika Film Center and in Los Angeles it will be released, then it will be released U.S. wide. ASHES OF TIME REDUX had an extremely strong cast, including the late Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Lam Ching Ha, Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei, Carina Lau Ka Ling and others. Now very few Chinese films can find such a tremendous ensemble. No wonder when the media asked again when Lam Ching Ha would return, she said that would depend on whether she would have any good team up or pairing. "I have accepted several scripts" but still has not considered them yet. Lam Ching Ha cited ASHES OF TIME as an example. Such top notch actors could not possibly be united again. Cheung Kwok Wing is no longer here. Looking back, "Regret has reduced, honor has increased" as she was honored to have taken part in it. At the same time watching the film now it still does not feel outdated and even has a lot of modern feel. The director's idea is even more forward, advanced, and expresses love deeply. As for whether she would possibly work with Wong Kar Wai again, Lam Ching Ha said that he is a director who is very able to earn others' trust and rebuild an actor's confidence. If he does, she "could consider" but she still joked that it still would not be guaranteed. Having been in the movies since she was 17, Lam Ching Ha's 100th film was ASHES OF TIME. She said, this film was worth watching again. It had a little academic flavor that enabled her after a long time returned to the New York Film Festival. Because ASHES OF TIME REDUX, director Wong Kar Wai's popularity has risen again. As usual he wore his sunglasses at the press conference. He appeared to be very satisfied with this film. Wong Kar Wai had an enormous challenge in how to interpret the characters in the newly packaged old film with new technology and how to enable the old film's "reconstruction" under the new film technology to still be able to maintain the original flavor. "Time" and "shot transition" were key elements, especially when the cinematography style of the time included a lot of fast and slow motion exchanges and stop frame. The film is considered an innovative breakthrough. He looked back at 1992 when he spent six months in Mainland China on the shoot. Despite the sand and the hardship it was a great memory. Cinematographer Christopher Doyle who has received many international cinematography awards for the film also attended and was still very satisfied with handling the film's many water explosion scenes and split shot transition. * (10/4/2008) At the just opened 13th Annual Pusan Film Festival, MIAO MIAO held its global premiere on the 3rd. Viewers packed two screening rooms. The film is about a young girl's romance. Fan Chih Wei led new comers Ke Jia Yan and Sandrine Pinna in the performance. After they appeared at the opening ceremony, the good looking team immediately attracted a lot of media attention. Because the film mainly was about young people seeking friendship and love in their journey to maturity, during the screening many viewers grabbed their tissues for their tears. A first time Pusan Film Festival participant, Fan Chih Wei even attended an Asian actor summit. Although on stage he had a cool expression, when a female viewer asked for his "first smile" he gently flashed his electrifying smile. The crowd was amazed immediately and understood that his charisma has already Korean girls. * (10/4/2008) The Hong Kong International Film Festival Society yesterday officially announced that Soo Wei Shaw (Sir Run Run Shaw's granddaughter) as its executive director. Shaw Soo Wei will actively participate in the planning and promoting Hong Kong International Film Festival Society's three major events: the Hong Kong International Film Festival, the Asian Film Award and the Hong Kong Asian Film Financing Forum. Shaw Soo Wei expressed, she would concentrate on planning and elevating the film festival's international image and position so even more high quality international films would be released in Hong Kong. Raised in Singapore, Shaw Soo Wei graduated from Oxford University as well as Beijing Language University's Chinese Department. She has worked at Warner Bros. Theatrical as a public relations and market promotion supervisor. Later she joined the Singapore government where she worked for four years and was responsible for the Singapore Film Commission and the media development council's film and television industry promotion. * (10/3/2008) Tsui Hark's new film NUI YUN BUT WAI (WOMEN NOT BAD) originally was slated to premiere tomorrow at the 13th Annual Pusan International Film Festival, but the event suddenly announced that the film has been pulled because Mainland still has not issued the foreign film festival approval. * (10/3/2008) The Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Wu Chen starred BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) will be released next Thursday. Both have been very anxious, especial Wu Chen. He hoped that his silver screen debut would be popular with the audience. In the film his deepest impression was from the ending's fight for the corpse. In the scene Ah Sa was forced to wed and took poison for love. When Wu Chen arrived at the funeral he was heart broken, broke down and began a fight for the corpse. Wu Chen said, "In reality I had very little crying experience so I tried to think some tragic events to get into character, but I still couldn't. Finally I thought of my mother's passing and eyes came down on their own." In comparison to Wu Chen's fighting and crying, Ah Sa who lay on the bed looked more comfortable. Yet he said, "Playing dead requires me to hold my breath for the scene. Finally I even had to shed tears for an eerie sense of beauty. It was rather difficult." However Ah Sa thanked Wu Chen's exciting crying that brought her into character. She said, "For someone like him who ordinarily likes to make people laugh, I never would have imagined that he could cry so hard. This film's performance I would give him 95 points." * (10/2/2008) Mainland director Jia Zhangke and Du Haibin yesterday attended a Chinese documentary forum. Both directors have been honored overseas. Jia Zhangke's USELESS received the 64th Annual Venice International Film Festival's Best Documentary Award; Du Haibin's UMBRELLA was in competition at the Venice International Film Festival. Jia Zhangke two nights ago arrived in Hong Kong. Earlier he attended the New York Film Festival, where his new film 24 CITY premiered to decent reaction. He pointed out that this film took a year to shoot in Chengdu. It is about a nation operated factory's transformation after 50 years of policy change and market economy. The lead actress is Joan Chen, who plays a 80s Shanghai woman. Zhao Tao plays a worker. At first he was worried that Americans might not understand these subjects, but from the audience reaction at the premiere they could actually accept them. This film will be released next February in Mainland and Hong Kong. The other film USELESS will be released today in Hong Kong. Jia Zhangke pointed out that this is a fashion designer themed documentary film. He was truly happy about it being able to be released in Hong Kong. Although yesterday was the National Day he still had to work, which he felt was worth the effort. Unfortunately he was not able to enjoy the firework show because he had an interview. * (10/2/2008) The Johnnie To Kei Fung directed SPARROW (MAN JEUK) has been nominated for Best Picture, Director, Cinematography and Actor at the 2nd Annual Asia Pacific Film Award. The CNN co-organized Asia Pacific Film Award will take place at Gold Coast, Australia on November 11. 43 nations from the Asia Pacific region with 180 films. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 8 2008, FILM WORDS CHINESE FILM PANORAMA'S SUDDEN, SNOWSTORM The 5th Annual Hong Kong Asian Film Festival will open in two days. Its full program should be discussed later. Opening next week, Chinese Film Panorama Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of China's Reform and Opening-up is no 30 year review. Ten selected films are mostly new films, only IN THE WILD MOUNTAINS was a famous 80s film. This event has always represented the Mainland official tone. Often it has promoted patriotism and loyalty to the party, at least it would not violate policy. This time the two opening films SUDDEN INCIDENCE and WAY OF THE SNOWSTORM are very "official", but both merge new national love and new reality. They are considerably lively and would not be outdated and old fashioned. The Sun Tie directed SUDDEN INCIDENCE is especially "timely", as mass dispute, natural and man made disasters, evil business fraud, food poisoning, pollution and other problems that are concerns in China and overseas appear. The opening is an angry village mob looking for compensation. The official civilian face off is endangered of blowing up at any second. This film's uniqueness is it does not avoid the growing real Mainland problems and social conflict but stresses the official's complete devotion to provide services to people. Without any power abuse, corruption and official and business connection, everyone are loyal and good officials. The lead town official is the ideal example of Communist China's parent official, giving everything to serve the people and the nation, overcoming all difficulties to resolve any issue, willing to bear any loss, and even sincerely assist the university graduate female assistant so the highly educated young elite to succeed. Actually the film favors the superficial over substance. For every issue Communist Party leaders would handle properly and the people can be at ease. Wu Gang as the town official has a rather outstanding personality acting. At first he is very mean and even resembles a villain. Gradually he is proven to be loyal and honorable, turning the female assistant from displeasure to admiration. The Gao Feng directed WAY OF THE SNOWSTORM is a Chinese style Western about a ragtag band of gold prospector rushes to Xinjiang's Death Valley for gold, opposes the police. Yet the officials still willingly make the sacrifice in the face of a coming snowstorm, risk everything to rescue them, and remain absolutely professional with the bloodthirsty treasure hunters. Is the Chinese police force this perfect? This film of course beautifies everything. Definitely the Xinjiang cop Almujiang Tuersibaike is handsome and cool and looks a little like a young Michael Wong Man Tak. Xinjiang's plains, forests and snow covered mountains are grand and glorious. The story is mysterious, the description of the adventurous gold diggers is not simple either. WAY OF THE SNOWSTORM is a more professional quality Chinese style Western, the avalanche special effect is also decent. The problem is obviously an official promotion and has no real thrill. Ultimately it is no match for Hollywood film's promotion of the American culture, the freer the more effect it is. - SHEK KEI 2. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 8 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS AUDIENCE TASTE'S DRAMATIC CHANGE CPAE NO. 7 in Taiwan already has NT$300 million at the box office and become the highest grossing Taiwan film in history. This is not considered a big production and does not have top stars. Aside from capturing the local nostalgia, it also reflects the Taiwan audience's thirst for its own film. The writer always says that film must have local cultural flavor and should not put export first. Movies without local color just follow international market and repeat others' success are impossible. Many have thought that Taiwan film has died, feeling that the audience would only love Hollywood film. From the past it was 100% true. Yet the creative industry looks forward and not backward. This industry belongs to those who look ahead. Short sighted investors would only in the shrinking market squeeze the final profit. Creative industry needs adventurous spirit, film professionals with long term sights. These people of course are fewer than few. Hollywood film's domination in the world market is an indisputable fact, but the world goes around in circles. What goes around comes around has already been proven in history. Film history has told us, when a place makes movies that capture local color and the audience can relate to strongly, any super Hollywood film has to stand aside. Being able to defeat a several billion dollar Hollywood film definitely is not a big local production. It always is some small to mid scale films that can make the audience laugh from the belly or move to tears. This phenomenon is not limited to China, Hong Kong, Taiwan. In the past Korea, Japan, France, Italy and other areas it has also appeared. Now, even Taiwan viewers who think the least about their local productions have begun to accept Taiwan films or already proven that Hollywood's formula has already become excessive. Hong Kong still has many viewers with bias against Hong Kong film, which is understandable. No one needs to scream at the top of their lungs for everyone to support local films. The audience's taste change usually is dramatically displayed in a certain film. This day will come. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 7 2008, FILM WORDS PAINTED SKIN, CONNECTED'S DECENT BOX OFFICE This year foreign films have held the box office advantage, until recently did Chinese films rebound. At least two Hong Kong directors' bigger productions did decent business -- Benny Chan Muk Sing's thriller CONNECTED (BO CHI TUNG WA) has been a hit in Hong Kong and rather popular in Mainland China; Gordon Chan Ka Seung's costume film PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) opened victoriously, reportedly its Mainland one week revenue has passed 100 million. Seemingly, Hong Kong style production remains popular in the Chinese film market. Both films are recycling old ideas. CONNECTED is an U.S. film remake and not Chan Muk Sing's personal work. I feel the story changes are contrived. Luckily it is popular, cooking up car chase action, melodrama and comedy. This mainstream style commercial entertainment efficiency the Mainland film market still is no match for Hong Kong. Chan Muk Sing after many Jackie Chan films of course has been well honed. Hong Kong in the past has made many ghost romance films. Li Han Hsiang and Ching Siu Tung have made two versions of SIN NUI YAU WON (THE ENCHANTING GHOST and CHINESE GHOST STORY), both of which were famous. King Hu (Wu Kam Chuen)'s classic A TOUCH OF ZEN and final film PAINTED SKIN both were based on the same subject. RAINING IN THE MOUNTAIN and LENGED OF THE MOUNTAIN also had similar flavor. In recent years few films of the genre have been seen. PAINTED SKIN perhaps intrigued the new generation's curiosity. This type of fox demon story in the ghost film banning Mainland film market was especially rare. Why would it be permitted to be made? Perhaps it was based on classic Chinese literature so leniency applied. Actually in recent years so China Hong Kong co-productions and Mainland modern ghost films have already appeared. In the end the explanation was a dream. PAINTED SKIN had a real fox demon as an exception. The new version PAINTED SKIN did not cook up horror, instead mainly is about a multiple sided romance. It has more solid action than supernatural duels, which perhaps is also the reason for Mainland's approval. As discussed in this column, this film's human and demons are both too obsessive. Its magical color is no match for A CHINESE GHOST STORY, but its relationship descriptions are decent. Its overall production is rather serious and full. In the film Chen Kun and wife Zhao Wei, fox demon Zhou Xun's love triangle reminds me of Chan Ka Seung's early film DIARY OF A SMALL MAN (SIU NAM YUN JAU GEI) and BRIEF ENCOUNTER IN SHINJUKU (CHOR JOI SUN SHOOK), both involved the male lead's intra and extra-martial affair disturbance. Actually the original's painted skin female ghost was an evil demon who was pretty outside but ugly inside. Now Zhou Xun's character has become faithfully obsessed. Zhao Wei maintained the original loyal wife type who was willing to suffer to save her husband. The original's little brother and priest have become soldier Yen Chi Tan and demon slaying girl Sun Li, which was an uniquely interesting change and became the film's liveliest pair that brought this tragic story of obsession a sense of humor. - SHEK KEI 4. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 6 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS PERFECT "JADE GIRL CLAN LEADER" Kelly Chen Wai Lam has wed. Although she has not retired from show business, her image has already changed. Chen Wai Lam should be the real "Jade Girl Clan Leader" after Vivian Chow Wai man. Not only did she have all the "Jade Girl" qualifications but she also has always kept her image to the days of her wedding. In terms of "Jade Girl" standard, she is almost perfect. Chow Wai man still has not officially wed and participates in show business events for fun. She raises her cat and paints on her own and has long been the typical "Jade Girl". In the circle maintaining the "Jade Girl" image from the beginning to the end is very hard. In the daily entertainment report, one or two missteps and the "Jade Girl" image has already been polluted. Without any mistake, those with unlikable personality would be the target of some media. In their reports they deliberately pick some ugly photos to ruin their image. Chen Wai Lam is a rare example in the circle. Ever her rumor is near zero. So far, people remember the most about her not paying attention to her boyfriend. They broke up once, later they got back together successfully. In comparison to other female stars of the same class, it was child's play. In the circle many "Jade Girl" type female stars have endless rumors. Some the media have described as not the same person inside, behidn people's backs they absolutely are not the "Jade Girls" on the surface. After Chow Wai Man and Chen Wai Lam, would any more "Jade Girl Clan Leaders" appear? Many artists sighed that today as a "Jade Girl" one would have a very hard time with maintaining the image in such a media ecology. Yet Chen Wai Lam has provided a great demonstration to everyone. "Jade Girls" of course would have certain development limits. In order to protect their image, many characters they cannot play. For something as simple as kiss scenes, they have to pick their co-stars severely. Otherwise they would violate their fans' anticipation. Show business needs different image artists. Some needs to play bad kids, "Jade Girl" has "Jade Girl" market. Everyone has their own piece of Heaven. Most importantly is the selected image does not leave the basic nature too far. - KWOK HIN CHING 5. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 5 2008, FILM WORDS NOT A LEGENDARY ERA (END) Nagisa Oshima -- Nagisa Oshima from the start has been experimenting: different storytelling methods, different event arrangement structure, different editing methods, different film visual style, different performance formats and different cultural clash. I feel VIOLENCE AT NOON (1966) was his friendly response to Yoshishige Yoshida (his revolutionary comrade during the Shochiku days. The film is like Yoshida's work, without a visual camera angle is repeated and no single visual is not deliberately targeted for the widescreen structure ratio design. Even though the result is a little dazzling, but in one word it is "crisp". Kon Ichikawa -- if I say Kon Ichikawa is Japanese new wave's forefather, I do not know if that is correct? Undoubtedly, in his life he was a typical film studio director, but on different levels; especially before the 90s, his film format was no less experimental than the new generation of creators. (He at the studio system's weakest period once at the invitation of the new wave camp's Art Theatre Guild directed THE WANDERERS (1973) for them, proving that he at least was a new wave supporter.) The 1963's AN ACTOR'S REVENGE was his sharpest experiment of widescreen use. The film opened with the Noh play's deep shallow scenery and the extremely wide specialties for the 1:2.35 awakening effect; Several scenes' duel in the dark design played amazingly with stage vs. film space's virtual and real comparison. In 1958's THE TEMPLE OF THE GOLDEN PAVILION was obviously the best example of widescreen screen and Japanese architectural art. Kihachi Okamoto -- how many Japanese amsters are there? Yet even more were underestimated masters (or at least "near masters"). I want to mention an Okamoto film, 1965's SAMURAI ASSASSINS. The film used black and white cinematography, shot two assassinations in the snow in the opening and the closing. Heaven and earth became a white, blurry, endless and indiscernable landscape. The black blood spray everywhere like ink, a thorough joy that was rare on the silver screen. Kenji Misumi -- very possibly the 60s and the 70s most commercial Japanese director, he singlehandedly created two of the biggest hit film series, ZATOICHI and LONE WOLF AND CUB. His other film series included DAIMAJIN, NEMURI KYOSHIRO, DAIBOSATSU TOGE. I have not watched too many ZAITOCHI, but every of the five LONE WOLF AND CUB has had pleasant surprises (the second one BABY CART AT THE RIVER STYX was especially outstanding). Misumi's oustanding work might be the KEN trilogy. I watched the third film KEN KI (SWORD GHOST) had on subtitle, but the visual structure's suspense, action's ferocity were top notch. Truly, if I would have such a chance, I would give all my life to burrow into this treasure; quite a joy that would be! (6, end). - SHU KEI 6. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 5 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS SUSPECTED CENSOR INFORMATION LEAK INCIDENT Reportedly a self proclaimed "film inspection" posted on an online discussion board, discussing Jackie Chan's new film THE SHINKJUKU INCIDENT in detail. THE SHINJUKU INCIDENT has not been released yet. If the online posters told the truth, the film censor authority needs to pay attention. The revealed film content is not necessarily from a film censor leak because before a film release others could see it under many circumstances, like during post production, promotion or overseas sales. Such situations have always existed but rarely has it occurred like this. People who have seen not yet released films due to work have professional code of conduct, thus this type of before release review "boasting" seemingly has never appeared online. Occasionally harmful comments about certain films could immediately be identified as pranks. Film companies in general would know who has seen a movie before the premiere. Because piracy is rampant, the video copies that were sent out should all have records. Reportedly this online poster not only discussed the film story in detail but also the debate of film rating. The film censor authority should be able to investigate that. If so, even if it had no way to prove online poster's presence on site it could be certain about an information leak. The authority should immediately investigate in depth, otherwise the film industry would have a hard time to be at ease. The industry believes that the film inspection process is confidential because a film is inspected on more than one occasion. It may be after the rating edited, after which it must be inspected again. For example. if a film receives a category III rating, the film company and the director after discussion may feel a change to IIB may be even more helpful to the market. They would in accordance to the film inspection standards and guidelines make adjustments that may not necessarily be cutting scenes. Sometimes they would arrange the dialogue again or edit anew. The inspected version may not be the final version. Before its release a movie can be corrected. If reviewed as is, the reviewer is being unfair to the film and lacks the ethics of a film inspector. The writer feels the need to thoroughly investigate the incident and even to take further action. - KWOK HIN CHING 7. TA KUNG PAO, OCTOBER 5 2008 VICKI ZHAO WEI BED SCENE SEEKS BREAKTHROUGH The Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association has selected the film PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) to represent the city in competition for the Oscars Best Foreign film nomination. Since the Hong Kong release has been postponed from mid September to October 2, it has become one of the most eye catching films of the October Golden Week holiday. PAINTED SKIN from its production start to completion has had a lot of news, including director credit and investment ratio disputes and lawsuits. The film's production quality, uniqueness and comparison to several different era PAINTED SKIN casts have been rarely mentioned. PAINTED SKIN leads include Vicki Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun, chen Kun, Donnie Yen Chi Tan and Betty Sun Li. Yen Chi Tan's name is more renowned overseas. The focus has been all on him. In PAINTED SKIN a scholar falls for a demon, becomes obsessed in desires and abandons academia. A priest lends a hand in a battle of good and evil. The traditional spirit of evil cannot triumph over good remains. 2008 PAINTED SKIN's bed scene, especially Chen Kun and Zhao Wei's love scene, is one of its selling points. The initial reaction is response but no good review yet. Whether by timing or luck, Chen Kun received the most support from last year's hit series XI SHI. His handsomeness has won the audience over, but the market had too many choices. If the audience's fickle nature was hard to change, after ten years in the business Zhao Wei in order to change her fate would need to work harder to radiate and break through the packaging and acting abilities. Risen to fame ten years ago with MY FAIR PRINCESS in Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Zhao Wei brought "Little Swallow's" liveliness to life. Fame, fortune, career and love heated up to the point of star chasing flame. That year ATV turned itself around with MY FAIR PRINCESS. Following YONG ZHENG DYNASTY and followed by YOUNG HERO FANG SHI YU, it caught TVB offguard and sent it into crisis mode. Back then just passed 20, Zhao Wei's luck came as offers lined up. She still has not graduated from Beijing Heng Dao Art Academy's certification course then because she was so busy with work that she often skipped class. She turned from a top student to a problem student who almost could not graduate. In 1999 she came to Hong Kong to promote MY FAIR PRINCESS' final chapter and needed ATV executives' guarantee to the school and additional promises for her visa to come to Hong Kong. Zhao Wei had "Little Swallow's" roof leaping abilities. On her several day trip in Hong Kong she in order to take time to shop and in order to meet with Stephen Chow Sing Chi about SHAOLIN SOCCER ditched her security and snuck out through the hotel's back stairway. Once because she was missing, ATV had to cancel her interview last minute. By nightfall she and her manager waltzed back to the hotel full of brand name labels. Zhao Wei's romance was countless, first with her classmate Fan Yulin, Chen Kun, then with a rich heir, co-star Alec Su Yau Peng, Chow Sing Chi, David Ng Dai Wai, Jiang Wen and Wang Yu. Three years ago she was linked to an Olympic Table Tennis Gold Medalist. Lately they have been rumored to be on the brink of a breakup. Zhao Wei was a top actor material. Opportunity came too soon. She did not have much challenge and did not learn to cherish the opportunity. When she rose she did not have ample time to explore her stardom, she did not reject any romantic suitors. Looking back in the past ten years, Zhao Wei was not as popular as when she first appeared on the scene. Because she wore a Japanese flag for a fashion still shoot she was criticized. Her experience has been typical for many sharp new star. To continue the moment of flash for enduring brilliance, one not only needs hard work but also should avoid all the glitter in front of them and charge toward widening the performance art levels in preparation for the future. - CHOW YI 8. TA KUNG PAO, OCTOBER 5 2008 PAINTED SKIN UNTIES ROAMNTIC DESIRE LIA ZHAI ZHI YI's PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) has been adapted to the big screen. If memory serves, three and a half movies have been made. They were PAINTED SKIN (PHOENIX, Bao Fang directed, 1966); THE GHOST STORY (GWAI GAU CHUN, SHAWS, Li Han-Hsiang directed, 1979, only the latter half was called PAINTED SKIN so it could only be considered half); PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI ji YUM YEUNG GAT WONG, Mandarin, Hu King (Wu Kam Chuen) directed, 1993) and the fresh out of the oven PAINTED SKIN. Among these several film, Bao Fang's version basically followed the original story but the due to technical limitation it was not considered too horrifying. At the same time it also could not point out the parable of "scholar's fatal lust"; instead PAINTED SKIN (1993) was the closest to the original spirit. Wu Kam Chuen's final work although was neither a box office nor critical hit, it was able to bring Pu Songling's demon and ghost, eerie and cold world to life. Unique was Joey Wong Cho yin's different costumes: the ordinary white robe, the human skin's absolute beauty and the chill from the skin removal and the true form appearance, all of which still leaves a deep impression; Li Han Hsiang's version merged LADY ON THE BRIDGE (BAN KIU SAM LEUNG JI) with PAINTED SKIN. It not only had a previous incarnation but also erotic scenes. It was considered an erotic film more than a horror film. As for Gordon Chan Ka Seung's 2008 version, obviously it is only loosely based. This film only uses PAINTED SKIN's frame work for a modern four sided romance. Leads Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Vicki Zhao Wei and Donnie Yen Chi Tan linger and traverse between obsession, trust, seduction, choice and sacrifice. As the story develops, human or demon in the end cannot escape the test of love and lust. The difference between love and emotions that it touches on has been a knot in the hearts of modern city people in recent years as well as a subject that Chinese and foreign film professionals have focused on. It is also where the problem lies for this film, which is blaming some people's irresponsibility and the lack of courage to face reality in this problem. Even more worthy of attention is Yen Chi Tan's character, whose unique individualism and lone heroic behavior are very outstanding. The film confuses the era and the story's cause and consequence (This has already become the modern Chinese film habitual method). It only takes the best parts for the story, making this character's lonely, underappreciated and misunderstood personality unable to fit in with the others. Finally he (and the demon slayer) ends this story, which truly is something to consider a little about. - CHUI HIU 9. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 4 2008 NOT A LEGENDARY ERA (5) The 60s Japanese film's greatest achievement, without any surprise, should be the silver screen compression ratio (1:2.35, which is usually called "wide screen") artistic experience. The anamorphic lens and widescreen projecting was developed at the end of the 50s to combat the more and more popular home television film technology. Its attraction was the width of the sides of the screen, especially when it was used to some scenery or city view visuals it could create even grander effect. When it first appeared, people's eyes seemed to have to move left and right to be able to completely capture the visual. When Hollywood first used widescreen, most were Western films because they constantly shot wide open deserts, steep cliffs or endless carriage caravans; or the extremely grand and elegant, everything was about the lines and style musicals. I have never studied it but guessed that Japanese film used widescreen massively (black and white cinematography)'s main reason was to compete with television. Yet coincidentally, Japan's traditional architectural artistic ideas especially the Noh play's extremely wide stage design, matched the widescreen ratio immediately. Yet the artistic experience that I referred to was not limited to linear structure, but the examination of internal visual and continuous extension to space outside the visual. Here, seemingly every (I mean every) new wave master, studio standard pillar, even commercial film enforcer have in different degree tended to and appeared to "show off". Some quick examples: Yoshishige Yoshida -- I feel he is the most powerful and the most persistent film stylist of the period. The severity level has already gone to every film, every visual not letting any exploration of graphic structure and space awareness, yet he has never given any excessive impression. Yoshida came from Shochiku, later he started his own company. Whether studio or actual scene, he was able to come and go at will. Even rarer was that he was a master of the widescreen. He has played the standard square screen (1:1.33) all the way, 1973's COUP D'ETAT was an exception. Seijun Suzuki -- his expertise was passive aggression, the typical rebel. His BRANDED TO KILL (1967)'s first shot was on the very top of the all black visual was three extremely tiny spots of light moved to the left until they were out of the shot. The visual stayed dark for five seconds, then a large jet plane passed in front of the visual, out of the frame of the shot, and completely stunned you (how fortunate have I been to have first witnessed this scene on the big screen!). Similar tricks in Suzuki's films actually were endless, too many to name. - SHU KEI 10. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 4 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS LOCAL COMIC BOOK ADAPTED ANIMATION FILM Taking five years to make, the animation film STORM RIDER: CLASH OF EVILS has been released. Unfortunately it has not brought a lot of noise. STORM RIDERS was the most popular comic book in the last 20 years. The first time it was adapted to a live action film with Dior Cheng Yi Kin and Aaron Kwok Fu Sing as Nip Fung and Bo King Won, its box office was very high. Another live action version has already been completed and is in post production. It will not be released until next year. The animation version is harder to make than the live action version, thus it took as long as five years to finish. In recent years local comic book has gradually declined, the market has shrunk. It had some good work but not enough promotion. In such a difficult period, still local comic book creators have won international awards. Obviously talent is not lacking, but the entire industry has not properly accommodated to the changes of the times. Foreign films based on comic books have been successful. The writer has pointed out more than once here that comic book is the best starting point for cross media investment, mainly because its production is cheaper than other media but it needs creativity the most. Extremely few local comic books can be successfully made into a film, mainly because comic book creators are too in love with the artistic abilities and feel that as long as the drawing is great then a successful comic book can be created. Actually it is not. In Japan for example, both good art and story of course make good work, but some innovative, good stories with average drawing still are classic. The stories sometimes attract readers more than complicated artwork. Comic book creators are like film directors and cinematographers, while at the same time they are also art designers. If they write the stories, they are even screen writers. Another successful Hong Kong comic book is MCDULL, its success almost 100% is creativity based. Animation CLASHES OF EVILS is worth supporting. Hong Kong animation technically is already very reasonable. With the Mainland production line and appropriate creativity it should be able to create good work. - KWOK HIN CHING 11. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 3 2008, FILM WORDS LOST INDULGENCE: CHINA STYLE AWKWARD CONFUSION China's sixth generation director Zhang Yibai two years ago made CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT with Carina Lau Ka Ling, Hu Jun, Song Xiaojia, Fan Liu and others. The film was about a modern Chongqing mansion's romantic murder that involves money, sex and rich and poor relationship. The method was innovative and had solid realism. It also has a rare thrilling mystery mainstream fun. Zhang Yibai also made commercials and music videos and had the attention of many Hong Kong film professionals. His new film LOST INDULGENCE was Tsui Siu Ming, Li Fung Ming produced, Karen Mok Man Wai, Eason Chan Yik Shun, Eric Tsang Chi Wai and Mainland star Jiang Wenli starred. Would it be further appreciated by both the cultured and the common? Anyone with such anticipation would be disappointed because although LOST INDULGENCE is also a "mystery" and has Hong Kong star power, unlike CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT's thrilling yet eye captivating commercial elements, it actually is non mainstream style film. The film is about little people's certain delicate situation. The detail is not ordinary, but the entire film is awkward and confused. The story also takes place in Chongqing. At late night a taxi falls into the river. The driver (Tsang Chi Wai) vanishes in the river. The injured pretty escort passenger (Mok Man Wai) is under the care of the driver's wife (Jiang Wenli) and son. They even takes her home. Are Mainland car accident victims the responsibility of the late driver's family? I am not certain. This film does not clearly explain. The main story is the relationship of the tree in an old home. The adolescent son is attracted to Mok Man Wai's beauty. The always working mother Jiang Wenli develops a relationship with a good hearted Hong Kong man Chan Yik Shun. These relationships originally can truly be touching, but Zhang Yibai has made them dully artistic and unclear. Finally the taxi accident's truth seems to be insurance fraud but still is unclear. Why do so many new Chinese films like to make simple stories hard to understand? They seem to think the harder to understand they are the higher class they are. Actually they are superficial and has no way like Hollywood films to make highly difficult matters clear. Thus although the Chinese market potential is enormous, few productions can attract viewers. CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT is more efficient, but LOST INDULGENCE is missing both high and low. Only certain scenes enabled actors to perform. Mok Man Wai and Jiang Wenli are decent. Chan Yik Shun and Tsang Chi Wai's guest starring is laos decent. The new comer with the most screen time is depressed and has an unclear personality. Currently Chinese film industry's quality is very unstable. Occasionally it is entertaining. Even more are less than maturely conceived and unwilling to properly tell the stories. - SHEK KEI 12. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 3 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS HOW TO PROMOTE CREATIVE INDUSTRY WITHOUT CREATIVITY The government promotes creative industries. Why has it failed for so many years. Even if it is willing to establish film development fund it still is ineffective? One reason is those who promote creative industries do not have creativity. The film development fund for example invests in Hong Kong, which actually is the creative industry's employment opportunity. If all 300 million are truly invested totally in film production, for 100 million each 30 films could be made at the same time. Everyone in the film industry would be working. Unfortunately with all the restrictions, few have applied. At least many criticized the government for spending public fund to support rotten films. Now they have nothing to complain about because fewer film professionals that they have imagined are extending their hands for government money. If the policy does not change for 300 million, the money would be like Tung Chee Hwa's. In the end it is not completely spent and returned to the government. What is the most important in the creative industries? Of course it is creativity. What does creativity need the most? Free creative space and decent creative environment. The dumbest way is to keep talking about creative education. As the industries decline, continuous personnel training is a dumb idea. Training a lot of financial personnel to save the world from the finanical tsunami now is an enormous joke. Yet jokes are truly new everyday, still many people blindly feel that through education the creative industries can be promoted. Some people would believe anything. Treating film, a cultural industry as an export industry cannot be wronger. Just from seeing Hollywood film's ability to sell around the world someone forces the Hong Kong film industry to explore overseas and Mainland market. He is hurting more than helping. Because film is not fashion, wigs, toys, we should first improve the local market. Blindly believing in the so-called high technology and financially assist computer generated special effects is an OEM industry idea. Real creativie industries create more intellectual properties because these assets are truly high value. In other words having THE BATMAN's original right is more valuable than THE BATMAN's production company. Do you understand that? - 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 October 26 2008 at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival Opening March 23 at the Tokyo International Film Festival Site : http://www.tiff-jp.net/en/lineup/works.php?id=4 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Pearl has quietly fallen in love with her boss Tom, who’s married with a family. Without warning, Tom asks Pearl to interview for another job. Wounded, Pearl demands that Tom terminate her. The gauntlet has been thrown down. Screenwriter Ivy Ho (JULY RHAPSODY) makes her directorial debut with CLAUSTROPHOBIA, using eight scenes and multiple characters to explore the complications and the irony of workplace romance and politics. In a space as small, crowded and claustrophobic as the office, love doesn’t grow - it incubates and breeds, like a virus. 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 : 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) 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, Jiang Wenli Rating : IIA Length : 101 mins. 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... CHASER Can : Jui Gik Jeh d. Na Hong-Jin Kim Yoon-Seok, Ha Jeong-Woo, Seo Young-Hee Rating : III Length : 125 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. 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... [ COMING SOON ] BREATH d. Kim Ki-Duk Chang Chen, Zia, Ha Jung-Woo [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] On a cold winter day, after learning her husband has found a new woman, Yeon absent mindedly heads for the prison where Chen is confined. Although she does not know him personally, repeated news of his suicide attempts on TV has subconsciously grown in her mind and now is leading her to seek him. Jin has no visitors and normally would not agree to meet with a complete stranger, but hearing that it is a woman he accepts her meeting request out of curiosity. Their first meeting is as awkward as it can get. Yeon treats Jin like an old friend whereas Jin does not open up so easily. WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE TAIWAN CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Lin Shu Yu Rhydian Vaughan, Chang Chieh, Wang Bo Chieh Length : 113 mins. Opening March 21 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=684 [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The winds of September are the wind of Hsinchu, a strong wind that visits the county and city between September and November. The film takes us back to 1996, during the time of the tragic Taiwan baseball scandal, an event that devastated many teenage boys. The story follows Yen and Tang and their gang through the last year of their high school life. From chasing girls to midnight skinny dipping to rooting for their favorite baseball team, they do everything together. When an accident throws Yen into a coma, their world starts falling apart. A cruel reality has announced itself, can the boys grow up quickly enough to face it? WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE MAINLAND CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Han Yan Tai Junjie, Wu Xiaoliang, Liu Shuhan, Chi Jia Rating : 105 mins. Opening March 21 2008 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=682 [ THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Some time before the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China, a Mainland high school stages a variety show to celebrate the occasion. One of the most brilliant openings among the many recent Chinese high school titles, it introduces the unfolding drama of rival groups of "good" and "bad" students and their "internal contradictions", and serves as a continual mental backdrop for the audience: of youth caught in a society whose founding ideology has become obsolete and absurd. WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE HONG KONG CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Heiward Mak Lam Yiu Sing, Sham Ka Kei, Anjo Leung Hiu Fung, Venus Wong Man Yik Length : 100 mins. Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/programme/show_detail.php?fi_id=683 SNIPER Can : Sun Cheung Sau Lit : Godly Gunslingers d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Edison Chen Koon Hei, Huang Xiaoming Opening November 6 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Ming is renowned as the top shooter in the police force. However things get complicated after the release of his former teammate and superb marksman Ching from prison. With only vengeance on his mind, Ching wants to take on Ming and the police, believing that they are the ones who put him in jail. When a mysterious sniper sabotages a high-security prisoner transfer and a convict escapes, Ming and his team are dispatched to profile the suspect. THE 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. 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 Opening October 16 2008 [ 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 VAMPIRE WHO ADMIRES ME AKA : MY SECRET ADMIRER IS A VAMPIRE Can : Yau Jet Geung Si Um Luen Ngor Lit : A Zombie Has A Crush On Me d. Chin Hon Kong J.J Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Natalie Meng Yao, Anke Bui On Kei, Maggie Lee Man Kwan Roger Kwok Chun On, Sam Lee Chan Sam, Jo Koo (Kuk Cho Lam), Tanya Ng Ka Yun, Winnie Leung Man Yi, Chubby (Siu Fei), Ha Yu, Sammuel Peng King Chi, Cheung Ka Lun, Angel Ho Cheuk Ying Opening October 16 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] On a remote island, the police station only has Uncle Fat, Wai and Man Jai. Because nothing happens ordinarily, everyone has become very lazy. Thus, the headquarter assigns Madame Tsui to adjust order and morale. The trio is very disturbed. New youth fashion label boss King, along with strange director Roman, model agent Sister Kimchi, and a group of pretty young models Macy, little Taiwan diva "sexy pope" Chelsea, Bibi, Apple, Susie and others to the extremely eerie island for a sexy swimwear photo shoot and a party. 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? SWEET RAIN d. Masaya Kakei Takeshi Kaneshiro (Gum Sing Mo), Manami Konishi (Siu Sai Jun Noi Mei), Junko Fuji (Fu Si Shun Ji), Ken Mitsuishi (Guong Shek Yin), Takuya Ishida (Shek Tin Cheuk Ya) Opening October 16 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Based on Kotaro Isaka's novel about a music loving, nicknamed Chiba Grim Reaper. He has been ordered to observe targets in the human world and decide their fate after seven deaths. Their fate can be only of two: "execute=death" and "farewell=life". Each time the Grim Reaper appears, it rains. Thus Grim Reaper Chiba has never seen the blue sky. Chiba has traversed to 1985, 2007, and 2028 for three cases. Each case is a life with a different mood: an ordinary office worker who receives harassing calls; a mob boss under a mob hit; and an aging hairstylist. The three different stories seem to be connected by fate! Chiba who originally does not care much for the human world starts to understand human relationships and a new understanding of "human life". TICKET Can : Cheh Piu d. Jacob Cheung Chi Leung Zuo Xiaoqing, Nicky Wu (Ng Kei Lung), Cecilia Yip Tung, Liu Sitong, Fan Wei, Wu Ma Length : 110 mins. Opening October 23 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A film, three stories. A ticket links three parents' choices for their children's lives and sacricie for love. "Fate" A mother to be Wu Jing suffers a child with a heart problem, which has no successful cure precedence. Wu Jing and her husband have suffered endless pressure from whether to still bring the baby to the world. As the little life hangs in the balance, they make a shocking decision that deeply affects Zheng Yutong, the news anchor who has been following the story. "Separation" Zheng Yutong has been abandoned at a nunnery as a child and was raised by a nun. With extreme hatred for her mother, Yutong receives a ticket from the nun and under the encouragement of good friend Zhixuan she steps on the road of seeking her root and understanding the truth of why her mother abandoned her. She never expects the answer to leave a mark that will remain with her for the rest of her life. "Helpless" Yutong on the road runs into a single parent taxi driver who has an autistic son. He keeps on matchmaking in hopes of being able to find someone who can take care the son who is ten years younger than him. Yet the failed matchmaking makes him worry that in his old age no one would take care of his son. One day, the father accidentally leaves the son on the subway. Watching the leaving train and his son, he suddenly gets an idea...... WUSHU Can : Mo Shook ji Siu Nin Hung Lit : Martial Art : Youth Journey d. Anthony Szeto Wing Wah Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Wang Wenjie, Liu Fengchao, Mak Wai Cheung, Wu Ma [ YAHOO! HONG KONG MOVIES ] 9 year old Li Yi and brother Li Er after their mother's passing followed their father to a no name small town martial art school. Their father is this school's instructor. The children are full of curiosity about their about to start new lives... THE BLACK SWINDLER d. Yasuharu Ishii (Shek Jang Hong Ching) Tomohisa Yamashita (San Ha Ji Gau), Maki Horikita (? But Jung Hei), Naoto Takenaka (Juk Jung Jik Yun), Mao Daichi (Dai Dei Jung Yeung), Naoko Iijima (Fan Doh Jik Ji), Tsutomu Yamazaki (San Kei Lo), Yui Ichikawa (Ji Chuen Yau Yi) Length : 129 mins. Opening October 23 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] In a dog eat dog world, there are three kinds of swindlers: the money swindling white crane, the woman swindling red crane, and the last one who specializes in hunting white and red cranes, the swindler of the most dangerous swindlers -- the black crane. Under the burden of a fraud case, Kurosagi's father kills his entire family and makes him an orphan. For revenge he willingly becomes the black crane swindler. He swindles swindlers as his goal as he swindles their lives. Kurosagi receives information from the behind the scene swindler boss that a swindler king plans to collapse Japan's economy and lead to a financial storm..... A MAN WHO WAS SUPERMAN d. Jung Yoon-cheol Hwang Jung-min, Jeon Ji-hyun Opening October 23 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A documentary film producer who is angry at the world and cares about people interviews a self proclaimed Superman and uncovers a touching story that affects the world for the first time. "One day, I ran into Superman......a strange man." Television station producer Song for the past three years has made social conscience documentary but gradually she has grown tired of deliberately jerking the audience's tears and sympathy. She quits her job to "shoot African lions" and even steals a camera to pay her debt. Unfortunately the camera is stolen and her African journey does not pan out. One day, a man in a Hawaiian shirt brings the camera back to her and claims to be Superman -- but because a villain has implanted a piece of Krytonite in his mind his power has been temporarily subdued. "No way! You can't attract ratings like this! Hurry up and show everyone some super power!" Superman everyday helps others, like catching flashers and finding lost dogs. He even suddenly does a hand stand, claiming to push the earth away from the sun to avoid polar icecap melting! Song decides to make this somewhat crazy but friendly man her next documentary lead. As in the past, she edits the tear jerking parts into a program called SAVE THE EARTH, SUPERMAN! and instantly becomes a hot producer. After a night of celebration, Song carries her hung over head home but does not expect Superman's sudden appearance. He insists on finding out the truth and even brings her to the sewer to see a "monster". Of course, there is no monster but Superman in this smelly, dirty and dark sewer hits his head. Finally Song takes him to the hospital. X-ray shows that something truly is in Superman's head. Song decides to continue to cover his story..... 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. THE MAGIC HOUR d. Koki Mitani (Sam Guk Hung Hei) Satoshi Tsumabuki (Chai Fu Muk Chung), Toshiyuki Nishida (Sai Tin Mun Hung), Haruka Ayase (Ling Lai Yiu), Koichi Sato (Jor Tung Ho Si), Eri Fukatsu (Sum Luk Wui Lei) Opening October 30 2008 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Bingo has stolen away the girlfriend of his crime syndicate boss, and now he faces an ultimatum: find him a legendary assassin named Della Togashi, or die. But time is running out and Della’s whereabouts remain moot. As a desperate measure, Bingo decides to hire a failing actor, Taiki Murata to play the part of the elusive assassin. Believing he’ll be starring in an epic gangster film in the role of his life, Taiki comes to the port town of Sucago, where the film is to be shot. In his attempt to convince his boss that he has found Della Togashi, Bingo inadvertently winds up indenturing Taiki into the service of the town’s crime syndicate just as it prepares for a major gang war. THE BEAST STALKER Can : Jing Yun Lit : Witness d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Zhang Jingchu, Liu Kai Chi, Sherman Chung Shu Man, Miao Pu Opening November 20 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A car accident thoroughly changes their lives. Cop Tong fei while chasing a wanted criminal Cheung Yat Tung has a severe car accident. Later he even accidentally kills a girl. He spends his days in darkness; prosecutor Ko Man witnesses her daughter's death in the hands of Tong Fei and can only give all of her love on her young daughter Ting Ling. Three months after the accident, the comatosed Cheung Yat Tung finally awakes. Ko Man immediately wants him in the court. Criminal Hung Gaing is ordered to kidnap Ting Ling and runs into Tong Fei, who cannot save Ting Ling in time. Ko Man receives a threatening call to recall the charges against Cheung Yat Tung to save her daughter; if she calls the police her daughter is dead. Tong Fei swears to save Ting Ling to make up for his past mistake...... IP MAN d. Wilson Yip Wai Shun Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Lynn Hung Opening December 2008 [ 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 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? --- [ 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 October 7 2008 10 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 9 JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH d. Eric Brevig Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Aniat Briem 8 STORM RIDER CLASH OF THE EVILS Can : Fung Won Kuet Lit : Wind Cloud Duel d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Animation Cantonese Voices : Hins Cheung King Hin, Juno Mak Chun Lung, Raymond Lam Fung 7 YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN d. Dennis Dugan Adam Sandler, John Turturro, Emmanuelle Chriqui 6 THE DUCHESS d. Saul Dibb Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes 5 MAMMA MIA d. Phyllida Lloyd Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep 4 20TH CENTURY BOYS d. Yukihiko Tsutsumi Toshiaki Karasawa, Etsushi Toyokawa, Takako Tokiwa, Hitomi Kuroki 3 EAGLE EYE d. DJ Caruso Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson 2 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 1 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 ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS 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... STORM RIDER - CLASH OF EVILS Rating : IIB Length : 99 mins. Opening September 26 2008 20TH CENTURY BOYS Rating : IIB Length : 143 mins. Opening September 25 2008 Site : http://www.20thboys.com [ 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? CONNECTED Rating : IIB Length : 111 mins. 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... STORM RIDER - CLASH OF EVILS Can : Fung Won Kuet Lit : Wind Cloud Duel d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Animation Cantonese Voices : Hins Cheung King Hin, Juno Mak Chun Lung, Raymond Lam Fung Rating : IIB Length : 99 mins. Opening September 26 2008 PAINTED SKIN Rating : IIB Length : 103 mins. Opening September 25 2008 in Malaysia Site : http://huapi.ent.sina.com.cn/ [ 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. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, OCTOBER 4 2008 15 IMPULSIVE Can : Chung Dung Elva Hsiao (Siu Ah Hin) 14 LITTLE WAIST Can : Siu Man Yiu Vincy Chan (Wing Yi) 13 LIFE SAVER Can : Gau Sun Huen Kit Teo (Cheung Hei Jing) 12 WEDDING INVITATION STREET Can : Hei Tip Gai Kay Tse On Kay 11 NOT YET 18 Can : Mei Moon Sup Bak Shui Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 10 PAINFUL LOVE Can : Tung Oi Jam Hsiao (Siu King Tung) 9 GOOD MORNING BEAUTY OF Morning Can : Jo On Sun Ji Mei Lu Guang Zhong (Lo Guong Jung) 8 BEIJING BEIJING, I LOVE BEIJING Guan Zhe (Kwan Jit) 7 STRANGE FETUS Can : Gwai Toi Ronald Cheng Chung Kei 6 SLEEPING WITH BUTTERFLY Can : Yu Dip Tung Min Joey Yung Cho Yi 5 NO, PERFECT Can : But, Yuen Mei Nicky Lee Gau Jik 4 REMINISCE Can : Si Lim Tanya Chua (Choi Kin Nga) 3 IF ABLE TO BE TOGETHER Can : Yu Gor Nung Joi Yut Hei Jasmine Leong (Leung Sing Yu) 2 RIGHT HAND SIDE Can : Yau Sau Bin Michael Kong Leung 1 NICE PERSON CARD Can : Ho Yun Card Huang Xiaoming, Vicki Zhao Wei ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038