From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (OCTOBER 9 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. Stephanie Cheng Yung who celebrates her birthday on the 10th B. Fahrenheit's Wu Chen wo celebrates his birthday on the 10th C. Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam) who celebrates her birthday on the 10th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (10/15/2008) Maggie Q yesterday attended a racing video game's Asia media press conference. Maggie Q revealed that she has been busy with NEW YORK I LOVE YOU, in which she played a prostitute and was quite a challenge to her. In addition, she has also participated in Tian Zhuangzhuang's new film. Each location shoot has been very tough as they had to go over a lot of obstacles to reach the destination. Yet when they saw the beautiful environment their mood immediately calmed down. Maggie Q realized that she had a bruise on the back of her hand during the shoot. She joked, "That was from the bed scene, not the action scene!" * (10/15/2008) Jacob Cheung Chi Leung's new film TICKET will open next Thursday. Although its star Zuo Xiaoqing has always made television series, this was her first film. Thus she was so nervous that she had repeated bad takes. Luckily co-star and veteran Cecilia Yip Tung gave her hints and guidance so she has improved a lot. They also have become good friends. Xiaoqing praised Yip Tung not only as friendly but also patient when she listened to her difficulty. She even shared her past performance experience and benefited her a lot. She felt fortunate to have met Yip Tung. Yip Tung humbly said, "I even worried that they would consider me nagging!" Xiaoqing reminded Yip Tung of her own difficulties as a new comer. Unfortunately at the time she was unable to run into a veteran who was willing to teach and she could only learn from mistakes. After BEYOND THE SUNSET (FEI YUET WONG FUN) over 20 years ago, Yip Tung was very excited about the chance to work with Director Cheung again. Their chemistry remained and they could communicate with one look. They could be considered a good team. * (10/15/2008) THe JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Natalie Meng Yao, Maggie Lee Man Kwun starred THE VAMPIRE WHO ADMIRES ME (YAU JET GEUNG SI UM LUEN NEI) will open this Thursday. Although the film is about vampires, it still has plenty of bikini clad sexy scenes. One of the most eye catching is the more and more conservative JJ, who in the film plays a girl who can see ghosts. In it she, Meng Yao and Maggie work on a bikini commercial, but because they dress provocatively they attract a group of vampires' attack. Luckily JJ has her gift and is able to escape. JJ honestly says that the bikini is already her sexy limit and humbly claims that her figure is no match for Meng Yao and Maggie's. She even recommends the scene in which Meng Yao and Maggie bumped chests. She says, "The idea of this scene is very funny, only Yao Yao and Maggie's figures can achieve the sexy effect that the director wants!" * (10/13/2008) After a month and a half in production, director Zhang Jiarui's new film new film YUEN LUI (FAR THUNDER) will soon wrap in Chongqing. Lead actress Huo Siyan received Zhang Jiarui's extremely high praise of "half tenderness, half power". The film is planning to participate in next year's Berlin Film Festival. In comparison Zhang Jiarui's last film RED RIVER, which was concerned with the society's bottom rung survival conditions and little people's inner emotions, YUEN LUI is even more in depth as a suspense thriller. In its question of reality and humanity its expression is even direct, cold and cruel. Unchanged is its concern for the weaker groups in society. Huo Siyan in the iflm plays a shampoo girl in the bottom rung of society. This is also Huo Siyan's first collaboration with director Zhang Jiarui. As the film wrapped Zhang Jiarui finally relaxed and did not hold back his praise for Huo Siyan. "Huo Siyan's acting has quite a range, from quiet to action. On many occasions her performance even exceeded my expectation. I never thought that she would have such explosiveness inside. She is half tenderness, half power. Her outstanding performance absolutely is the sharpest color in YUEN LUI. The resulting film is worthy of everyone's anticipation. With THE ROAD's international film festival performance, Zhang Jiarui's YUEN LUI whether the screenplay or the production style was very suitable for the international film festival's "appetite". Zhang Jiarui revealed at the press conference that it would participate in next year's Berlin Film Festival. YUEN LUI came from ROUGE screen writer Yau Kong Kin and HOLLYWOOD HONG KONG cinematographer Ko Sing Pui, which would meet the upcoming Hong Kong Film Award qualification. * (10/13/2008) The Alex Fong Lik Sun and Gillian Chung Yun Tung starred FANTASTIC WATER BABES (CHOOK SHUI FU YUNG) earlier released its trailer online and reportedly had hopes of release. Siu Fong expressed that he was uncertain because he has not received any notice. "Director (Jeff) Lau Chun Wai would sometimes contact me but he hasn't said anything to me. I only know that now post production has been completed. I too want the movie to be released sooner because Ah Gil and I had a duet that we hope to be able to be released at the same time." Siu Fong expressed that he did not know whether the movie would wait until Ah Gil's return to be released and that the online trailer was not the final version. * (10/13/2008) The Tsui Hark directed, Zhou Xun, Kuei Lun-Mei, Kitty Zhang Yuqi starred romantic comedy ALL ABOUT WOMEN (NUI YUN BUT WAI) yesterday held a press conference in Beijing to announce its official site launch and unveil the trio's solo poster for the first time. Tsui Hark expressed, this film absolutely had to be a comedy because it discussed women's romantic choices. If it was a drama it would be too painful. The film would be released simultaneously in early December on all three lands on both shores, with unique humor, overwhelming acting, and modern visuals it would officially open this year's holiday period. This group of posters had "women's little bad deeds" as design subjects. In the fashion store Zhou Xun steals handbags, in the restroom Zhang Yuqi polishes her shoes with someone else's dress, and on stage Kuei Lun-Mei drinks while singing in the rain. All are in coordination with the film titles. 974207, 5, 197 * (10/12/2008) Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) earlier attended a Malaysia concert press conference and expressed interest in getting his SUMMER HOLIDAY (HA HA MOR MOR CHA) co-stars Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Michael Kong Leung and Ah Ngau to return to the island for an unplug concert. He joked that this time he needed the Malay travel board's coordination. Siu Chai said that lately he has been busy with the film UM SAT (ASSASSINATION). The film has been in production for a year but still has not bee completed. Shooting from the winter to the summer, even Louis Koo Tin Lok got sick from the heat. Siu Chai also had to change his look 3 times due to how demanding director Johnnie To Kei Fung has been. He was nearly on the brink. * (10/11/2008) Sammo Hung Kam Bo yesterday promoted WUSHU (MO SHOOK ji SIU NIN HUNG) with three young martial art actors Wang Fei, Wang Wenjie and Liu Fengchao. The trio demonstrated gong fu on stage and won passionate applause from the audience. The trio was asked whether working with Hung Kam Bo was very stressful. Wang Wenjie and Liu Fengchao both said that at first they were a little afraid, but actually he was very friendly. Wang Fei said that the character was very gentle and lovable, just like her in real life. She said that working with Big Brother Sammo was not stressful at all. Hung Kam Bo joked that she had no respect for him. Wang Fei said that Big Brother Sammo was like a king, cute, gentle and cool, especially when he was fighting he was very cool. Sammo sighed that now Hong Kong lacks martial art stars. These three actors had a lot of potential and they have been very obedient. When asked why he did not make his three sons into gong fu stars, he joked that the business was too tough. Of course being a banker was the best, but in the end they still got into the business. He said that he has just completed his son Tin Cheung's new film. He only guest starred. He said that not only was he not paid but also "lost money". He said that during the shoot he would give his son suggestions but of course would listen to the director. He said that when they worked together they did not argue as the director definitely was "in charge". * (10/10/2008) Stephen Fung Tak Lun attended a French chocolate event. He has been busy with his new film. When asked whether he would approach Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) he said that the character would have to be suitable for him to be able to. Of course she was a good actor as well and he would be very happy about a chance to work together. As for Karen Mok Man Wai, he said that if the role was right and she agreed of course it would be good. Who would be make the first and second lead? He said that would again depend. As for romantic scene, he said that he would be the director so he would have non. He would arrange for a great lead actor to perform it. Edison Chen Koon Hei's role in TIU CHOOK HUI (DANCE OUT) reportedly would be cut. He said that it has never been cut and has been waiting for Mainland inspection. Has he thought about having Chen Koon Hei return to promote in Hong Kong? He said, "Any worthy promotion would be done, but if he returns and the focus goes somewhere else the promotion would be buried and useless." * (10/10/2008) Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau) yesterday attended a sushi restaurant opening. Lately she has been working on a series in Taiwan and today she would start work on the Taiwan film OI DOH DAI (LOVE TO THE END) with Or Yau Lun. * (10/10/2008) The film BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) continues with its Mainland promotion. Yesterday Wu Chen and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin arrived in Chengdu. Due to the passionate fans, a Hong Kong worker fainted. Director Jingle Ma Chor Sing immediately grabbed the microphone and asked the crowd to back off so more fresh air could flow through. Luckily the worker very quickly regained consciousness. At the promtion the fans sang along with the theme song. The event in coordination with the story gave Ah Sa and Wu Chen a pleasant "surprise". When they opened up the gift boxes, several dozen butterflies flew out. Because they had no idea what were in the boxes they were instantly frightened. * (10/9/2008) The Wilson Yip Wai Shun directed Mandarin film IP MAN yesterday held a press conference in Beijing. Actors Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam) and director Yip Wai Shun, boss Raymond Wong Pak Ming attended. Because Wong Kar Wai has approached Tony Leung Chiu Wai about playing Ip Man in his project, Yen Chi Tan was asked about what he expected from Wai Jai's performance. Chi Tan expressed that he did not want to comment. Wai Jai was a great actor and since Ip Man was very family oriented Wai Jai was very appropriate. Wong Pak Ming expressed that this film after the dispute was titled IP MAN. Actually he wanted to avoid any unnecessarily argument. He said that Ip Chun after watching IP MAN had good praises and pointed out that he once worried about how Wong Kar Wai would make the film. Wong Pak Ming said, "I am not trying to demoralize anyone, but I believe Wong Kar Wai would be ven more stylish. We will have positive competition." Chi Tan expressed that making this film was rather difficult and not anyone could do so. He said that at first when Yip Wai Shun approached him he was worried that he was not qualified because Ip Man was a master of a generation. He himself was a martial fan fan but knew nothing about Wing Chun. Thus before hand he approached Ip Chun for an understanding of Ip Man's life. He said, "Before the shoot I have worn the long costume to get into character and spent a time in preparation and consultation with Ip Chun. For this character I also had to slim down." Yip Wai Shun expressed that he cast Hung Doi Lam because he wanted to get some new actors and the character was a very pretty woman, which was very suitable for Hung Doi Lam. Yen Chi Tan said, "I initially questioned why he would cast Hung Doi Lam, but after working together I realized that she was a natural born actor." Hung Doi Lam last night returned to Hong Kong to celebrate her birthday. She said that her birthday wish was for this film to be a big hit. Hung Doi Lam was asked about how she got into character. "I have a motherly instinct so I don't need to ask my mother." She said that before the shoot she learned a few Wing Chun tricks from Ip Chun. * (10/9/2008) Filmko's first Taiwan film investment OI DOH DAI (LOVE TO THE BOTTOM) features four new directors. The first story is a Chen Yik Sin directed romance with Ethan Yuen King Tin, Alice Tzeng Won Hoi, and Yeh An Tin (Yip On Ting). In the film Yuen King Tin has plenty of luck with the ladies. This film yesterday shot at the Taiwan airport. Yuen King Tin angered his girlfriend Tzeng Hoi Won and deliberately went to pick her up at the airport to cheer her up. They had plenty of kiss and hug scenes. When asked whether kissing in front of so many people was awkward, the director unveiled that as early as the first day of the kiss he has already asked the mto kiss. Tzeng Hoi Won said, "On the first day we only had a few rehearsals and weren't too familiar. So kissing was truly a little embarrassing. After several days of communication today hasn't been awkward!" Yuen King Tin not only praised Tzeng Hoi Won's beauty but also felt that their communication was decent. "From the first day to today the third day of collaboration I feel like we have known each other for a very long time. The kiss scene is already not too awkward. Yet I joke with Tzeng Hoi Won that her cousin seems to have sold her out as she keeps on having to kiss me. If she is my cousin, I definitely would be mad." Yuen King Tin even revealed that in real life he is just like the male lead. He has waited outsider his girlfriend's home to wait for her forgiveness from dusk to midnight. "Because in my heart love and family are the most important, in order to gain the person I love's forgiveness I don't mind dropping dignity, lowering my head or even begging for forgiveness on my knees in public to do anything that would move her. This is considered the spirit of loving to the bottom." Tzeng Hoi Won was asked how different kissing Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) in SECRET was from this time, she awkwardly said that the feeling was very different because Chairman Chou was more superficial while King Tin was more in depth. * (10/9/2008) Tai Chi master Li Fai in Sundream's CHAMPIONS (DUET BIU) guest starred. Lead actress Debbie Goh (Ng Tin Yu) admired her a lot and through the director Tsui Siu Ming's arrangement she studied Tai Chi with Li Fai. As soon as Debbie saw the master for the first time she could not help but scream how great the master looked. "I am very impatient, studying Tai Chi can improve this flaw of mine. However, most importantly it can help with slimming. At least more practice can make my figure more even. At the CHAMPIONS premiere I can dress even sexier." Rarely exercising regularly she after less than three minutes in the lesson was already covered in sweat and felt like she was on fire. Master Li Fai praised this Tai Chi beginner's potential. Tsui Siu Ming said that Debbie has learned well. "When she posed for that Tai Chi promotional poster it was Debbie's prettiest picture. I will turn this picture into a seven foot tall banner. I hope the men would be attracted to the beauty who is very cooly practicing Tai Chi." * (10/9/2008) Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin and Wu Chen yesterday promoted BUTTERFLY LOVERS in Guangzhou. The event arranged for three fans to appear in male costumes and claimed that two were women. Ah Sa and Wu Chen had to identify them. Wu Chen said that Ah Sa excelled in cross dressing so she definitely would tell right away. Ah Sa looked at them for a long time and still could not find the answer. Actually all three were female. The event tricked the stars. A viewer asked Ah Sa about how the final kiss with Wu Chen felt. Ah Sa said, "Now I will share the feeling of kissing Wu Chen's lips with Wu Chen's fans. His lips are very soft, warm......" The crowd roared. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 15 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS WOULD CAPE NO. 7 BE A BIG HIT IN HONG KONG? CAPE NO. 7 was a huge success in Taiwan, breaking all records. Of course some Hong Kong viewers may be interested in what kind of movie it is. Reportedly CAPE will open next month in HOng Kong and many Hong Kong films are dodging it, which is somewhat exaggerated. Its proud Taiwan performance is due to this Taiwan film's local nostalgia. Not only young viewers, even middle age and senior viewers have gone to the movies. Would Taiwan's local nostalgia touch most Hong Kong viewers in the same way? That waits to be proven. Hit films can at least be divided into two kinds, super production with strong entertainment value and succeeds everywhere like Hollywood films. The other is regional film with subject that locals can relate to. Because it is regional, the production on average is not too big. If it succeeds it can make big money with a small bet and even defeat super big films. Film investors who want to make money of course would like to make the latter. Yet when the film market is lacking and few are optimistic, miracles are very hard to create. The success of CAPE NO. 7 is a sign that Taiwan film has finally risen in its own place. Over the years, Taiwan viewers have looked down upon Taiwan films aside from the extremely few art film supporters. Everyone have said that Taiwan film is already dead. The fact is that as long as filmmakers have their hearts set on making their movies well, with investors and cinema circuits support it is possible. In the eyes of opportunists, CAPE NO. 7's phenomenon is a business opportunity. Taiwan film can rise in Taiwan so everyone would flock to invest and negotiate collaboration. Yet they have not clearly seen why several Taiwan films have succeeded. If achieving local taste that viewers can relate to is its key to success, then Hong Kong filmmakers and investors should properly create movies that can touch Hong Kong viewers and stop throwing China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Japanese stars into the same dish to make whatever Asian film or Greater Chinese big films. Hong Kong and Taiwan collaboration is possible, the writer has already said; but not to make local nostalgia films like CAPE NO. 7. - KWOK HIN CHING 2. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 13 2008, FILM WORDS BUTTERFLY LOVERS: MORE FUN THAN EXPECTED In an era when everything is changed and made up, the martial art version of the Chinese classic love story BUTTERFLY LOVERS (LEUNG JOOK) is not surprising; but of course optimism would be difficult as it could only be treated as a joke. A little more surprising is that even though this new film is childish it is more fun than I expected. Among the new Chinese youth films it is not considered poor. Hong Kong director Jingle Ma Chor Sing's BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) does not give Leung San Bak and Jook Ying Toi a complete overhaul. It only borrows the title for another costume couple with the same last names. They head to the mountains to study martial art and develop the smae "butterfly romance" as the official Leung Jook that turns into an even more intriguing life and death parting. The transformation of the school on the hill to a martial art holy land actually is a lot of fun. The first half of this film is rather cute. Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin plays the Jook family's daughter Jook Yin Ji who disguises herself as a man to study martial arts in the mountains, which is explained reasonably. She is humorous and cute, among the guys she of course cooks up a lot of laughs. Wu Chen as the eldest brethren Leung Chung San is handsome and kind. After discovering that this little brethren is a woman, the film even has a romantic comedy feel. The casting is decent. Hong Kong's Ah Sa is lively, energetic, and full of love. Taiwan idol Wu Chen is very handsome and righteous. They become a sharp looking young couple. This couple is destined to be together, falling in love among the beautiful scenery and the dream like Butterfly Valley. It can be considered rather commonly romantic. Xiong Xin Xin (Hung Yun Yun) as the bald elder is also rather fun. Taiwan singer Harlem Yu Ching Hin as the herbal elder is even more wonderful. He actually is a comedy master. The funniest is his "rap" style Cantonese (perhaps it is dubbed, who knows what the Mandarin version is like). The herbal elder's magic pill and herb are also wonderfully used and become very important to the story. The romantic rival Hu Ge is a Mainland hunk who is almost better looking than Wu Chen. He also is faithful throughout to the female lead. This film's martial art transformation is mostly acceptable, but turning the faithful rival into a vicious villain is truly pushing it. The action is exaggerated and unrealistic. The male lead after arrow and sword wounds still runs around and talks, which make people laugh. Later aside from the action the film also cooks up eerie tragedy. With the ROMEO AND JULIET fake death set up the film adds suspense. Originally it can turn tragedy into joy, but the ending disappoints me. I have seen many LEUNG JOOK versions, including Yue and Cantonese Opera, Li Han-Hsiang's Huangmeidiao and Tsui Hark's, as well as the animated and the homosexual stage version. The one that has left the deepest impression is the old Yue Opera film, but to each its own. I do not reject this martial art version, only thinks that the more it goes on the more flawed it comes. It also wastes the resurrection herb. - SHEK KEI 3. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 12 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS HONG KONG VIEWERS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED Chinese film return calculation is different from in the past. Hong Kong viewers look down on Hong Kong film and even Chinese film. Perhaps they would never dreamt that investors would be the earliest ones to abandon them. If someone wants to make a Hong Kong market driven film, the difficulty would be much higher than a Mainland market drive production. Investors would tell film creators not to consider Hong Kong or Taiwan anymore. As long as they concentrate on the Mainland market they are fine. In other words even when a movie is a big hit in Hong Kong, Taiwan but Mainland viewers do not like it, it is still a failure to investors. Thus pure Hong Kong films can only have smaller investments. When creators want to ask for a little more they have to abandoned Hong Kong. This is the definite result of a 1.3 billion people market against a 7 million market. From another angle, when Hong Kong viewers look down on Hong Kong Chinese films, investors look down on Hong Kong viewers. Hong Kong film professionals' devotion in making local Hong Kong films pleases no one. Hong Kong on and off screen talent is still popular. Mainland viewers still love to watch Hong Kong stars but the situation is worse than a few years ago. Some Mainland stars have already caught up. Movies without Hong Kong stars do not definitely fail. Hong Kong star's tomorrow is worthy of concern. Like the stock market, the first to fall are the second or third rated ones. Off screen talent instead can endure a little longer, at least Mainland film professionals are still not familiar with how to make entertainment films. Taiwan stars currently have gradually replaced Hong Kong stars, first starting with the young idols. Although currently no one Taiwan idol's film has become a big Mainland hit, as long as this trend continues one will finally succeed. Hong Kong film professionals who have developed in Mainland early on have already changed to a Mainland mindset. Our market has been marginalized, viewers unknowingly have already been abandoned. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 11 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS POOR ECONOMY NEEDS ENTERTAINMENT EVEN MORE The financial tsunami has made everyone's net worth shrink. Lately many entertainment reports have mentioned artists' failed investments. Would it affect the entertainment business? The average person would think, with the stock market's big drop definitely fewer people will be willing to invest in filmmaking. In recent years, Mainland's economy took off. Many in the real estate stock market rept enormous benefits. Even industrialists are interested in getting involved in film and television production. Industry insiders in Mainland definitely would run into rich people who would say losing money would be no big deal as they want to try film. The financial tsunami would unfortunately drown this type of investors. However, whether happy or sad, people ultimately need entertainment. When they are happy they want to be happier, when they are sad, they hope through entertainment to make themselves happier again. Television is the cheapest form of entertainment. Being free, its rating should not due to poor economy decline, but advertising revenue may be reduced and in turn production budget would shrink. In recent years due to the poor economy, television stations have drastically cut spending. From past experience, film no matter how the economy is would still be made. Industry outsiders see film as a short time bet style investment, which is wrong. It is just the opposite. Film is a business that only makes money as a long term investment. In the end making money is the film company's library. Stock and real estate investments are full of risks. Film originally is considered a high risk business but now in comparison it is reasonable. Big film investment would be impacted as hundred million dollar giant productions would be reduced. Mid scale films would perhaps thus benefit. High salary stars actually has made less in recent years. Anyone who is firm with the price may go a year without working. Anyone can see that. The imbalance between salary and box office would further adjust to reasonable quality. When people's mood is poor, highly entertaining films would have the advantage. Horror films are not enjoyable. What is more horrifying that the stock market's daily landslide that turns all the savings into garbage paper? - KWOK HIN CHING 5. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 10 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS VICIOUS CYCLE ACCELERATED When the Korean tide was flooding, this column has mentioned that the vicious cycle that took Hong Kong film 20 years to reach would already be seen in Korean films in recent years. In a few short years, Korean films have inflated from over 100 films annually then dropped back down to Hong Kong film production rate. The performance in turn has slipped as well. Although Mainland had the inspection obstacle, some vicious situation has already appeared. For example the out of proportional cost increase is a time bomb. Luckily the market has not shown any sign of fullness. Korea's piracy is not as bad as Hong Kong's and Mainland's, but it still has the online copyright violation issue. Creative industry's biggest advantage and also one of its flaws is high value increase. As long as big money is found, it would definitely attract a lot of investment. When personnel has not increased in turn, what would happen? On and off screen salary would be raised but film quality due to production rate increase declines. Because Korean film has become popular, its market has expanded and can withstand inflated cost. If investors celebrate and keep adding to the wager, the bet would grow larger and larger. In recent years such situations have appeared. As one after another unprecedented large productions are released, sooner or later one would boil over. Mainland's situation is the same, only with the protectionism policy some large productions can monopolize the market for a certain time and avert the danger. Yet some big productions that perform worse than expected have already appeared and even lost big money. Although the Mainland market has not been completed developed and still has a lot of room to grown. If cinema numbers increase, the box office still has room to increase. Yet with the poor global economy, whether viewers would continue to spend the money to go to the movies remains a problem. Korean film market's rapid shrinkage is related to creativity's inability to coordinate with production rate. Creators can approve salary raise to resolve the issue, but creativity may not be able to be bought with money. With massive production rate, subject repetition is inevitable. Hong Kong film from rise to fall took 20 years, during which it cultivated more creative talent and had a deeper background. - KWOK HIN CHING 6. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 9 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS FILM'S IN FLIGHT COPYRIGHT A small portion of film revenue comes form airline companies. While in flight, whether in first class or economy class, in flight entertainment is provided. It includes films. In the past first class has more selections, now the economy class too has on demand programs. The first choice of in flight programs is film, because the films are newer. Some have just left the cinemas and could be seen on the plane sooner than on video. Speed of course has its price, which is royalty. In the past, this revenue has not been much because each airline is responsible for its own purchase. When a movie can be seen on this airline, it cannot be seen on another. Now companies specialize in providing entertainment to each airline and purchasing films. Due to increased airline demand royalty naturally increases. Airline exclusive broadcast actually is unnecessary. No passenger would select a flight solely due to an exclusive film. More choices instead are more important. To film companies, the more flights watch their films the higher their revenue goes. Films that airlines select tend to be more entertaining, family films are the best. They absolutely cannot be category IV. Some of the more daring and violent scenes would be cut. Although planes in international air space are not under any nation's indecency regulation, big companies value reputation more and are more careful with standards. Different nations' airlines naturally would have different standards. In flight, fewer would choose to watch the hard to understand art films. Horror and plane disaster films should not be available. Big productions and light comedies are almost must haves. For suitable in flight broadcast, some wide screen films would be formatted to television screen ratio. The small screens would discount big productions. - 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, ALL ABOUT WOMEN 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) 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". 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... 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 Can : Wat Pei d. Gordon Chan Ka Seung Donnie Yen Chi tan, Vicki Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun, Chen Kun, Qi Yuwu, Betty Sun Li 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. 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. 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 * INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING AND MOHEGAN SUN PRESENT RICHIE JEN "LOVE & BELOVED" CONCERT with Special Guest Huang Pin Yuan DATE AND TIME : Wednesday night / Thursday morning, November 27 2008 @ 2PM Thursday, November 27 2008 @ 2 PM VENUE LOCATION: Mohegan Sun Arena Mohengan Sun Uncasville CT TICKET PRICES : $ 138, 108, 78, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE : www.iemshowplace.com/html/richie_jen.html CHINATOWN : 89 Bowery 212.925.1898 FLUSHING International Entertainment Marketing 135-05 40th Rd., 2nd Floor Flushing NY 11354 718-888-3113 BROOKLYN International Entertainment Marketing 5609 8th Ave., 2nd Floor Brooklyn NY 11220 718-437-7717 ELMHURST 85-08 Queens Blvd. 2/F 718.803.3326 EDISON, NEW JERSEY: 1681 Rt.27 Suite 3 732.819.8883 BOSTON : 12A Tyler Street 612.695.1989 * 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : MOV3.COM, Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Monday October 13 2008 10 EAGLE EYE d. DJ Caruso Shia LaBeouf, Michelle Monaghan, Rosario Dawson 9 THE DUCHESS d. Saul Dibb Keira Knightley, Ralph Fiennes 8 20TH CENTURY BOYS d. Yukihiko Tsutsumi Toshiaki Karasawa, Etsushi Toyokawa, Takako Tokiwa, Hitomi Kuroki 7 MAMMA MIA d. Phyllida Lloyd Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep 6 MY BEST FRIEND'S GIRL d. Howard Deutch Kate Hudson, Dane Cook, Jason Biggs 5 VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA d. Woody Allen Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall 4 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 3 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 2 BODY OF DIES d. Ridley Scott Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe 1 BUTTERFLY LOVERS 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 ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS 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... 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. BUTTERFLY LOVERS AKA : Dip Gim Lit : Butterfly Sword 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. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, OCTOBER 11 2008 15 WEDDING INVITATION STREET Can : Hei Tip Gai Kay Tse On Kay 14 NOT YET 18 Can : Mei Moon Sup Bak Shui Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 13 NO, PERFECT Can : But, Yuen Mei Nicky Lee Gau Jik 12 DIG HEART Can : Wa Sum Jane Zhang Liangying 11 GRAIN FRAGRANCE Can : Doh Heung Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) 10 WEST LAKE OTHER LOVE Can : Sai Wu Bit Luen Wang Zijie (Wong Ji Kit) 9 ROLL N' ROCK WHAT Can : Yiu Gwun Jup Mor Liu Wang Leehom (Wong Lik Won) 8 REMINISCE Can : Si Lim Tanya Chua (Choi Kin Nga) 7 IF ABLE TO BE TOGETHER Can : Yu Gor Nung Joi Yut Hei Jasmine Leong (Leung Sing Yu) 6 STRANGE FETUS Can : Gwai Toi Ronald Cheng Chung Kei 5 SLEEPING WITH BUTTERFLY Can : Yu Dip Tung Min Joey Yung Cho Yi 4 MISS GALAXY Can : Yu Jau Siu Jeh S.H.E. 3 NICE PERSON CARD Can : Ho Yun Card Huang Xiaoming, Vicki Zhao Wei 2 RIGHT HAND SIDE Can : Yau Sau Bin Michael Kong Leung 1 GOOD MORNING BEAUTY OF Morning Can : Jo On Sun Ji Mei Lu Guang Zhong (Lo Guong Jung) ------ [ Yakety Yak ] The views and opinions expressed here are purely those of the writer and in no way reflect those of Hong Kong Film Top 10 Box Office, its contributors and affiliated web sites. SO I DREW A NEW FACE AND LAUGHED If you believe in everything that the media tell you, then you are more naive than you think you are. This week the media's focus has been on the economy. The media will have you believe that you are going to work the rest of your life because the money that you have slaved for has gone to the toilet. Your Chaffing Editor, a fellow idiot, has one word of advice for all. CHILL. We often hear that history repeats itself, yet at times like these suddenly everyone thinks this is the first time that this has happened. For crying out loud, if anyone bothers to look at history we are not even close to the worst yet. Months ago people got crucified for uttering the R word and now no one is even thinking the D word. The last time we were at the Great D we needed a World War to bail us out. Somehow Your Chaffing Editor does not believe that any of us would survive another World War. Just in case we do, Your Chaffing Editor is voting the crazy guy who will lead us into WWIII. Speaking of which, have you noticed that all of a sudden the hot button issue of the election has gone from getting us the f out of Iraq to giving us our money back, b!*(h. Apparently no one really cares about the neighbors' kids buying it thousands of miles away when their own homes are being seized. Like media believers, the candidates must be the most clueless people on Earth. No wonder they are often accused of being out of touch. From day one Your Chaffing Editor has been screaming at the top of his lungs, "IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID." Hey dum@$$es, stop pointing fingers and asking us to beg for change. Whatever happened to laissez fare? The free market has worked thousands of years on greed alone, what makes you think that "protecting us from greed" would make it work better? In other words, how is the government or for that matter anyone going to protect us from ourselves? Your Chaffing Editor obviously should not be talking. He has for months come to the realization that he should not be pursuing someone who is absolutely incompatible with him and has less than zero interest. While that may be an attractive quality for a credit card offer, it is probably not the best idea when looking for companionship. After two years with the Flushing Mets you would think that he would know better to delude himself further. Things have gotten so confusing that he has gone to Bonchon twice in a week and almost fallen off the wagon yet again. He even had the urge to get suckered into watching A$$ES OF MINE REFLUX. Even worse, Your Chaffing Editor with his wandering eyes even turned the Breast Cancer Awareness month into simply Breast Awareness month. Perhaps the time has come to crack that old chestnut. "Sorry, I have cooties." Finally, pancreatic cancer is among the deadliest form of cancer today. Please visit curePC.org for more information. DOES IT MAKE YOU HAPPY YOU'RE SO STRANGE? (www.youtube.com/watch?v=GV_XMQ7uXHA) Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] I'M YOURS Jason Mraz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkHTsc9PU2A Well you done done me and you bet I felt it I tried to be chill but you're so hot that I melted I fell right through the cracks And now I'm trying to get back Before the cool done run out I'll be giving it my bestest Nothing's going to stop me but divine intervention I reckon it's again my turn to win some or learn some I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait, I'm yours Well open up your mind and see like me Open up your plans and damn you're free Look into your heart and you'll find love love love Listen to the music of the moment people dance and sing We're just one big family It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love loved love loved So I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait I'm sure There's no need to complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours I've been spending way too long checking my tongue in the mirror And bending over backwards just to try to see it clearer My breath fogged up the glass And so I drew a new face and laughed I guess what i'ma saying is there ain't no better reason To rid yourself of vanity and just go with the seasons It's what we aim to do Our name is our virtue I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait I'm sure There's no need to complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours Well no no, well open up your mind and see like me Open up your plans and damn you're free Look into your heart and you'll find the sky is yours Listen to the music of the moment come and dance with me A big family (2nd time: A happy family; 3rd time: A peaceful melody) It's your God-forsaken right to be loved love love love I won't hesitate no more, no more It cannot wait, I'm sure There's no need to complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours No please, don't complicate Our time is short This is our fate, I'm yours No please, don't hesitate No more, no more It cannot wait The sky is yours! ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038