From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (OCTOBER 16 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. So Chi Wai and Winnie Lau Siu Wai who celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary on the 20th B. HotCha's Winkie who celebrates her birthday on the 18th C. Kathy Tong Yi who celebrates her birthday on the 17th D. Jimmy Lin (Lam Chin Wing) who celebrates his birthday on the 17th E. Vincy Chan Wing Yi who celebrates her birthday on the 16th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (10/22/2008) The renowned director Chen Kaige directed, Leon Lai Ming and Zhang Ziyi starred epic MEI LANFANG after three years in production yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Beijing Mei Lanfang Grand Theater held the world premiere of the film's music video and attracted over 200 reporters from around the country, the scene was lively. Lai Ming and Zhang Ziyi also personally appeared to talk about the production experience, although Chen Kaige was in Japan and unable to attend, he still met with the media over the wire.. The event not only premiered live the Lai Ming and Zhang Ziyi performed movie theme song music video YOU KNOW MY LOVE, but also for the first time showed MEI LANFANG film clips and the first posters. In order to coordinate with MEI LANFANG's love story, the press conference venue was decorated very romantically; the theme song music video is also shot with the theme of Mr. Mei Lanfang and Meng Xiaodong's romance. Lai Ming directs this music video, which is her first time singing with Zhang Ziyi as well. At the conference the song was declared since FAREWELL MY CONCUBINE the most classic film love theme song of the past 15 years, with Mark Lui Chun Tak composing it. The film cost a lot and was shot on different locations, Lai Ming expressed that the film production almost changed his life. Playing Meng Xiaodong Zhang Ziyi also hoped that after this film would be the Meng Xiaodong biography picture to complete the film continuation of a lifelong dream. The two were very happy yesterday and referred to this music video for the first time was under so many people's review, they were very excited. When they heard a well-known producer called the music video a rare classic song, they felt that all the effort that they have given to make this film was worthy. Chen Kaige is traveling abroad in Japan for the latter part of the film's post production and could not attend the news conference. Yet he was connected and met with the two main characters and the media, Lai Ming and Zhang Ziyi immediately congratulated the director for winning the Tokyo Film Festival's Akira Kurosawa Award. The entire press conference ended in 40 minutes. The movie MEI LANFANG has taken director Chen Kaige three years, leading more than 400 staff in a well-built large production, the film will be released worldwide on December 12. Mei Lanfang is the Beijing opera and cultural symbol, the film was the first to receive the Mei family support to make Mr. Mei Lanfang and Meng Xiaodong's emotional story. Mr. Mei Baojiu gave the exception to Director Chen Kaige to shoot this legendary story based on his full trust in and support of Director Cheng Kaige. Over three years of production, director Chen Kaige led the staff in shoots in Beijing, Shanghai , And Tianjin. * (10/22/2008) Taiwan director Wei Te-Sheng directed CAPE NO. 7 has swept across the Taiwan box office, two nights ago Director Wei came to Hong Kong for a screening and and shared with the audience the production experience. Director Wei said that this was his first time directing a film about sentiments. In Taiwan it has broken the box office record with NT$400 million, which he said frankly he did not know why, not only myself but everyone were surprised why such a miracle would take place. He joked that perhaps the Taiwan people have been bored for too long in life, politics and economics, even in filmmaking, and this time a joyous and touching film just appeared in time. Some viewers asked the director why some of the story did not give any explanation, and whether the director would make a prequel or publish a book? Director Wei joked that now he was eager to make money and actually could but would not shoot it. Later, he explained that he has never thought about a sequel or a prequel, the outcome now was good enough. Sometimes too clear of an account would not leave room for imagination. As for whether he would work with these leads again, he humbly said that he did not know whether he could make suitable characters for them. Finally, Director Wei also emphasized that the film's good performance was somewhat baffling. If it was 50 million he would feel it was normal, over 50 million he thought it was a gift from above. * (10/22/2008) The Patrick Tam Yiu Man and Chan Yat Ning starred, Lau Wai Hung directed independent short film MR. RIGHT two nights ago held its premiere, Hacken Lee Hak Kun and Edmond Leung Hong Man attended. Tam Yiu Man revealed that two months ago he has switched from Emperor to Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) and Terence Chang Ka Chun's Stellar Entertainment. He said that he was happy at Emperor, the biggest gain was over the years his life was very easy. This time he signed with the new company to seek new development. Earl next year he will head to Shanghai for a Chang Ka Chun produced movie. He hoped to work steadily in the future and can provide for their families. As fpr Shu Qi's salary reduction, Hacken joked that perhaps her salary was too high, he has never been expensive. * (10/22/2008) The movie WUSHU two nights ago held a premiere at Causeway Bay JP Cinema, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Zhang Jun and several new actors Wang Wenjie, Liu Fengchao, Wang Fei and executive producer John Shum Kin Fun attended, as well as Monica Chan Fat Yung, Catherine Hung Yun, Isabella Kau Hung Ping and her wife and Choi Yat Chi. Recently, Sammo's son Timmy Hung Tin Ming was rumored to be marrying Chow Ka Wai? Sammo was delighted to hear this, "I too would want that, the best would be having children a little faster, I can volunteer to take care of it and even pay for the milk." Sammo revealed that early next year he would make two movies, one of which he would direct and star in, his return to the helm since the film DON'T GIVE A DAMN (MO MIN BEI). When asked whether financing was difficult due to the current poor economic conditions, he frankly said that it was but it almost has the full funding. As for what type of film it would be? Sammo temporarily could not say but it would be an action drama. The other film would be an action comedy film, which he intended to get his son Hung Tim Ming to perform in, but it still was under conception, he said, "No one has made this type of film in Hong Kong for a long time, coming up with the idea is also difficult. We will see if Tim Ming will be able to perform." Zhang Jun said that in one scene he had to fall from the third floor to the first floor, he did not want a stunt double so her personally performed it. Fortunately the performance went smoothly, he said, "The shooting was before the wedding, I was afraid that if anything happened I couldn't get married." * (10/22/2008) The Sundream movie TICKET will soon be released, Director Jacob Cheung Chh Leung has come from Hong Kong to Beijing to promote. Earlier he attended a Broadway Cinematheque Kubrick bookstore organized singing event. That evening Sundream singer Victoria Cha Ho Yun performed many hits and attracted many in the audience. One of the songs that Victoria performed was TICKET's promotional song FOR MY LOVE, Cheung Chi Leung personally wrote the lyrics. When Victoria performed the song, the director walked on stage for her and clapped along. Cheung Chi Leung also said, "I have a lot of filmmaking experience but less than less lyric writing experience. Actually I was somewhat afraid that my lyrics wouldn't be professional enough, but as long as I wrote from the heart, the audience would be able to sense it." * (10/21/2008) Emperor Motion Pictures' BEAST STALKER (JING YUN) starts with a car accident. In this scene Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and Liu Kai Chi suffered the most because their car was tailored with a "human washing machine". It continuously tumbled several dozen rotations and finally they were bruised and battered. Director Dante Lam Chiu Yin focused on the film's realism and abandoned any and all double during the shoot. The film company purchased an eight figure insurance for Tse Ting Fung. In this scene Ting Fung had to crash around in a confined space and the car had no cushion inside. Ting Fung said that only real Hong Kong people would think of an idea like putting the camera inside the vehicle to roll with them. Even the real scenery outside the car was caught. He said, at the time he felt like he was in a mechanical ride that kept on "rolling". Ting Fung said that this human washing machine operation had some serious thought. He also discussed the director about the production process and was very nervous. The "human washing machine" cost nearly 200,000 and took 20 days to complete. The production team spent 3 hours to stabilize metal frames on the car, then 20 crew members pushed it in order to roll it 360 degrees. During the shoot the car rolled over 30 rotations before completion. During the shoot the sun was out and the actors had to be exposed over an hour. They also had to wear special effect make up, with fiber glass pieces glued to their faces. The heat kept them perspiring. The make up artists had to apply several more layers of glue to stabilize the shrapnel then used a blow dryer to dry the glue. The scene took two days to complete. * (10/21/2008) Sweeping the box office in Taiwan with nearly HK$100 million so far, the film CAPE NO. 7's director Wei Te-Sheng yesterday arrived in Hong Kong to attend an airline and travel council promotion. Wei Te-Sheng expressed that this was his first time as a director. Half of the good performance was considered due to luck. He said, "I have never expected such a performance. It was like getting 100 on my first test. The next film would have a lot of pressure." Director Wei felt no stress about the Hong Kong box office and only hoped that Hong Kong audience would like it. This time the travel council invited him to promote because the film was shot in a Kuo Hsiung town and could promote tourism there. Director Wei pointed out that Taiwan not only had beautiful scenery but also a lot of valuable culture for everyone to explore. CAPE in Hong Kong would be released with a dubbed version. As for concerns that the audience could not understand the background Taiwan culture, the director felt that indeed would be where the difficulty would lie but would respect Hong Kong's decision. He also felt that dubbing would be the most appropriate. The director revealed that now Mainland distribution is under negotiation. Due to CAPE's Taiwan success, the director admitted that he and the cast's worth has been elevated. Yet he stressed that he would not indulge and would work hard on the jobs on hand. * (10/21/2008) Josie Ho Chiu Yi yesterday provided her voice for an animation project. This time Chiu Yi played a villain. Earlier she provided her voice for its English version and only took five hours to complete. She pointed out that this time she did not need to lip sync because after her recording her voice and tone would be used to create. Thus the most difficult was imagining the visuals. With the poor film market recently, Shu Qi expressed that she would take a 30% pay cut. Ho Chiu Yi honestly said that she too has taken a pay cut to the point of just transportation cost. She felt that each artist has a value but mostly importantly everyone should understand that it could be adjusted due to expense. She also revealed that she has financed 852 film company with two partners and would start production next year. * (10/20/2008) Famous director Xie Jun's remains has already been transported back to Shanghai on the 19th. This morning some of his family has arrived in the funeral home. The Xie family has set up altars at home and at his study for relatives, friends and the media to pay their respect. Reportedly a farewell ceremony would be held on October 26. * (10/19/2008) Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin and William Chan Wai Ting yesterday attended a Halloween event. Wu Chen in an earlier interview revealed that he had feelings for her. Ah Sa said that a film production must have feelings. Since she and Wu Chen had to make romantic scenes. She said, "We had feelings but not electricity. The filmmaking world is fictional, I am a real live person. He is very handsome. It's just acting. This business has a lot of good looking guys. If I like every one then I would be in a lot of trouble." Ah Sa stated that she and Wu Chen from the beginning have been good friends. He was a rare nice guy in the business. Ah Sa has just attended BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) premiere in Wu Chen's hometown of Brunei. Has Wu Chen shown her around? She said, "I went around on my own. That night I worked until after 11, the next morning I had to leave. I went to the restaurant downstairs from his gym." Ah Sa said that she kept checking out guys. "Brunei's guys are very big. I asked why, he said that Brunei doesn't have much to do so he trains all the time. I kept looking for good looking guys for the make up artist." * (10/19/2008) Shu Qi two nights attended a Dom Perignon celebration. Reportedly Peter Lam Kin Ngok has suffered from the financial tsunami. Has he cut back on film production budgets? Shu Qi said, "Before the storm he has already asked for budget cuts!" Shu Qi honestly said that in recent years the film market has been poor. Before the storm she has already taken a 30% salary cut but she still has not taken a role yet. When reporters praised her, Shu Qi joked, "I serve film, film serves me!" * (10/19/2008) Famous label Dsquared2 two nights ago held a party at the Shaw's Film City and invited guests including Taiwan hunk Yuen King Tin, Gaile Lok, Tse Ting Fing, Hilary Tsui Ho Ying, Edmond Leung Hon Man, William So Wing Hong, Kary Ng Yu fei and Wyman Wong Wai Man. Siu Tin grew facial hair and had a tan. He explained that he has not shaved due to laziness. As for the tan it came from his new film OI DOH DAI (LOVE TO THE BOTTOM) because in the film he had to play a stunt driver. Was the production dangerous? He honestly said more or less, but the crew's technique was great and the production purchased insurance for him. As for Hong Kong actors, he would like to work with Andy Lau Tak Wa. 977181, 0, 75 * (10/18/2008) Wu Chen and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin most recently has been busy with the new film BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) promotions. Earlier they even went to Wu Chen's hometown Brunei, the first film promotion there. Wu Chen arrived in Brunei before Ah Sa and welcomed her at the airport on her first visit as a host. He even presented her with a small gift for guests. They met with fans at the cinema. Ah Sa originally did not expect any fan for her but fans held up Twins records and gave her a pleasant surprise. At the press conference the film company presented two costumes from the film to Wu Chen. He immediately put them on and Ah Sa attentively adjusted them for him. No wonder they have been linked in rumors. The fans even celebrated Wu Chen's belated birthday. Later they attended a charity event. 500 fans waited outside. The local distributor donated some of the proceeds to a local autistic children charity and hoped that Ah Sa and Wu Chen would make more movies to bring the children joy. * (10/18/2008) CHINESE FILM PANORAMA 2008: COMMEMORATING THE 30th ANNIVERSARY OF CHINA'S REFORM AND OPENING UP two nights ago held its opening ceremony at the Hong Kong Science Museum. Opening films were SUDDEN INCIDENCE and WAY OF THE SNOWSTORM. SUDDEN stars Wu Gang and Fan Zhibo attended. Ng See Yuen, Joe Cheung Tung Cho and other Hong Kong show business representatives attended in support. The event will screen ten different style films that from different angles reflects Mainland's different developments after reform and opening up. Aside from the two opening films, other films included SONG OF TIBET, HEAVENLY GRASSLAND, IN THE WILD MOUNTAINS and the large scale documentary DREAM WEAVERS - BEIJING 2008, which introduced the seven year preparation for the Beijing Olympics. Ng See Yuen expressed, earlier he, Peter Chan Ho Sun, Andrew Lau Wai Keung and others met with Mainland film officials. They felt that Hong Kong and Mainland could have even more co-productions to be released in Mainland because Hong Kong film without Mainland market assistance would have difficulties with continuous operations. Hong Kong films often have been released in Mainland without inspection. Jackie Chan's SHINJUKU INCIDENT earlier was rumored to have failed inspection. Ng See Yuen said that SHINJUKU was not a co-production. Often co-productions would have better chance to be approved. Ng See Yuen also said that film investment financing came from financial funds. The financial tsunami would have certain effect on the film industry, but the depth remained unknown. According to past history, when the economy was down, film business instead would be even better because film was economical spending. * (10/17/2008) Dicky Cheung Wai Kin in CHAMPIONS (DUET BIU) in order to help China's athletes to have ample funding to attend the World Games started a grass root performance fund raiser. Everyone performed their most able talent. He performed a mid air soccer kick. The director Tsui Siu Ming arranged for Cheung Wai Kin and Xie Miu to jump through a 15 centimeter in diameter hoop then they had to jump through a fiery ring. Cheung Wai Kin said, "We both needed to wear turbins for the shoot, but I forgot about the 'strands on my head'. Each time we shot the fire ring I jumped forth and after one time I felt the heat on top of my head. The wig was on fire. For some reason Brother Siu Ming did not yell cut for a long time. At the time I really wanted to scream my head was on fire!" Finally he got Brother Siu Ming's "cut" he immediately ran into the wall and kept sweeping his head on the wall. Everyone was stunned. Later Dicky joked that he was not used to the wig and honestly said that hair was truly trouble treads that he would rather be without! * (10/16/2008) The Hong Kong film and television industry celebrated the People's Republic of China's 59th anniversary two nights ago. Hong Kong film chamber of commerce chair Peter Lam Kin Gok and Hong Kong Film Worker Union chief Ng See Yuen, guests Daneil Lam Siu Ming, Derek Yee Tung Sing, Wong Jing, Zhang Guoli and others attended. Yee Tung Sing earlier registerd marriage with his girlfriend. As for his film SHINJUKU INCIDENT still has not received a Mainland approval. He said that the film company would have to answer that question. After the financial tsunami, many film bosses worried about film productions. He felt that the film industry should not be impacted too much because the film market has already hit bottom before the financial storm. * (10/16/2008) Nicolas Tse Ting Fung in BEAST STALKER (JING YUN) was in a chase scene with Nick Cheung Ka Wai, who grabbed a child and threatened to throw her off the overpass. Ting Fung earlier has stated that this production would not use martial art style, only "street fighting". "I have promised myself not to use any style. I didn't want to focus too much on body language. I know each punch would be an expression of action. This time I remember that I am not a super cop, but someone ordinary who is very human." Although Ting Fung expressed that the action was in the heart, he still could not help but show off his agility. Before the shoot he not only studied the action with action director Stephen Tung Wai but even took the initiative to rehearse with Ka Fai. They practiced their action sequences like head lock and eye gouge for over 20 times. Ting Fung even accidentally poked Ka Fai's eye. With his blue contact lenses Ka Fai immediately leapt back, covered his eye and screamed in pain. For both fathers, they expressed that threatening to throw a child off an overpass was very difficult. Ting Fung was very concerned with the child's safety since they were 10 meters above ground and the team could not close the entire Queen's Road. They could only rely on themselves to hold on to the child tightly. * (10/16/2008) Chow Yun Fat has always supported the film industry's new creations. Yesterday while ailing he still attended the 4th Annual Fresh Wave short film competition press conference with Johnnie To Kei Fung, Alan Mak Siu Fai, Yau Nai Hoi and Dante Lam Chiu Yin. Speaking of Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha)'s return to film, Fat Gor would like to work with her but absolutely would not make LUST, CAUTION with her. He joked that his rear should never been seen again. Fat Gor yesterday looked much thinner. He expressed that he has been ailing. After the event he had to see a doctor. He said that his career has made a mess of his body, but now he has been exercising and practicing Tai Chi in hopes of improving his health. He has lost over ten pounds and joked that he would like to be in Adam Cheng Siu Chau's shape. As for new creation, Fat Gor revealed that he has always thought that China's traditional BUTTERFLY LOVERS (LEUNG JOOK) music could coordinate a short film about Hong Kong from its past to present. As for Ching Ha's return to film, Fat Gor said, "This absolutely was happy news. Although we haven't been in contact, she looked thinner and prettier at the film festival. She truly can make another 100 films. I look forward to working with her." He praised Ching Ha's beauty as they have worked together previously in DREAM LOVERS (MUNG JUNG YUN). Earlier Fat Gor expressed that he would like to make LUST, CAUTION. Reporters suggested that he could make it with Ching Ha. He immediately shook his head and declined as he joked that his skin and muscles were amazingly loose. Although he has been exercising he still joked that his rear was not only viable. * (10/16/2008) The new film THE VAMPIRE WHO ADMIRES ME (YET JET GEUNG SI UM LUEN NEI)'s cast including Natalie Meng Yao, Maggie Lee Man Kwun, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu SuN) and producer Wong Jing two nights ago attended the premiere. Meng Yao expressed, "Because we value the premiere we dress more provocatively. I have taken the full caution though to prevent accidental exposure." Meng Yao and Ga Hiu Sun performed a rap with EO2. Meng Yao expressed that she did not have time to rehearse and only recorded it once. She felt lucky that she did not forget any lyrics. JJ was very nervous about the first rap. She said that she had no talent for it and her reaction was not fast enough. "I feel sexy doesn't have to be revealing. Comfort is the most important. In addition, I don't have their figures." * (10/16/2008) The Wu Chen and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin starred BUTTERFLY LOVERS (MO HUP LEUNG JOOK) has already been released in Hong Kong. Two nights ago his fans supported him with two screenings. Yesterday he headed to Singapore to continue the film's promotion. He also revealed that if the box office would be good the director would make a modern version. Would he like to work with Gillian Chung Yun Tung this time? He expressed that would depend on the character. * (10/16/2008) The film PAINTED SKIN (WAT PEI) after nearly two weeks in release had reached 8.5 million in Hong Kong and 200 million in Mainland. The film company two nights ago held a celebration. Donnie Yen Chi Tan and director Gordon Chan Ka Seung attended. Chan Ka Seung honestly said that the Mainland box office was 200 million was a big surprise. Yen Chi Tan this time played a humorous character, which was a pleasant surprise to him. He revealed that earlier Stephen Chow Sing Chi has praised his comedy abilities in front of Raymond Wong Pak Ming. Would he like to work with Sing Yeh? He joked, "I am afraid that when the audience sees me it would feel I am funnier than him and steal his scene! (Would you continue to make comedy?) My focus is still on action films. Hong Kong has fewer and fewer gong fu films. If I don't make them, we would have one less! (You don't want to challenge Sing Yeh?) Don't joke about that, Sing Yeh's movies are my favorite. He truly is top notch, how can anyone be funnier than him. I have learned a lot from him." Chi Tan also revealed that the boss has promised a sequel. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 22 2008, FILM WORDS ALWAYS -- SUNSET ON THIRD STREET HAS LAUGHTER AND TEARS The currently running 5th annual Hong Kong Asian Film Festival has been very hot, many films have already been sold out in advance. For example I cannot buy tickets for the Taiwan box office miracle CAPE NO. 7, but it will be released. I will watch it then. I have seen several film festival films that are good, during online booking only a few seats are left. ALWAYS -- SUNSET ON THE THIRD STREET is one of them, fortunately I was able to get tickets. The film in 2005 was a critical and commercial success in Japan. In 2006 it participated in the Hong Kong International Film Festival (in the open-air screening at the Tamar, which I did not see), strangely why was this intimate and touching good film with laughter and tears not released in Hong Kong? Maybe because it was very nostalgic, its backdrop was a half century ago 1958 Tokyo, the distributor may feel that it is out of touch with Hong Kong new generations' tastes, right? I relished watching this film, as if I have returned to the old Hong Kong and found that young viewers were also into it. In fact now Hong Kong young guards protected "collective memory", like when they fought to keep the Star Ferry Pier and Queen's Pier. They were more enthusiastic than the older generation that has truly experienced the peak of the Star Ferry. SUNSET ON THIRD STREET was based on Ryohei Saigan's manga about Tokyo Yuhi-cho neighborhood's little people. The film festival introduced it as the Japanese version of HOUSE OF 72 TENANTS, but in fact it resembled more Yoji Yamada's neighborhood comedy TORAJIRO film series. It is wonderfully clever and has a style of its own. That was an era of poverty, neighbors were honest and lovable. An innocent young girl from a rural town worked in the small car repair shop and became a happy nemesis to the stubborn boss, the virtuous boss lady, and a naughty boy. Even more interesting was the literary youth in a candy shop and the bistro beauty's romance, and the little orphan's touching "father and son situation." The story was very simple but rich and vivid, often it had tears within laughter and laughter within tear. Director Takashi Yamasaki was a computer special effect experts, having made the Takeshi Kaneshiro starred RETURNER. THIRD STREET brought back the 50's old streets and old alleys, including the under construction Tokyo Tower, but fortunately it had no artificial computer feel. It was very realistic and detailed, those life details and the daily supplies indeed achieved a "previous life" flavor. Japan has more and more nostalgic works, from TOKYO TOWER: MOM AND ME AND SOMETIMES DAD to Yoji Yamada's new film KABEI: OUR MOTHER to the recent 20TH CENTURY BOYS the movies are filled with nostalgic memories of growing up. THIRD STREET last year made a sequel that has already been screened at this film festival. Who knows if Hong Kong would have the chance to watch it again. - SHEK KEI 2. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 21 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TELEVISION AND MOVIES Television program development benefits film and other entertainment industry, we can see from the past and foreign countries' experience. Why does the situation in Hong Kong worried the writer? Several TVB series in a year often become the talk of the town with high ratings, why not be like the Japanese TV dramas, adapt them into the film version and have high box office at the same time? TV and movies have separated, television series mainly target above middle-aged audience. Although a large number of young viewers supports the housewives drama, they would not place this requirement on the film. Not only today is like this, a long time ago was this too. When THE BUND (SEUNG HOI TAN) was popular, Shaw Brothers cut a version of the film print and released it in cinemas. Its box office was not good. When popular TV shows turn into movies, some have performed but none have been big hit or started some kind of movie trend. The earliest success was the Hui Brothers' TVB gag show. Its success brought the same idea of a comedy to the big screen and the two's stardom since then surely has shone with greater splendor. The most influential on the film front was not a group of onscreen people. With the end of the 1970s TV series success, the most watched series instead did not benefit film. A number of directors who made bold avant-garde single episode TV drama changed the future of the entire movie industry and were the New Wave. They did not make long drama that were the most popular with the housewife audience, but single episode drama that was full of film sense. For example Patrick Tam Ka Ming and other directors' SEVEN WOMEN involved daring subject of sex, in the conservative past it was able to air during the family viewing prime time television broadcast time. At that time many parents should have been embarrassed, but unlike today they did not complain like crazy. Thus, it led to an open society, many young people who were "poisoned" in front of the television screen later joined the film industry and became the backbone of the industry. Only with the talent behind the scenes could stars be manufactured, this was a very simple truth. When stars do not depend on the success of films and TV creation but on the popularity of the media, naturally they become a bubble. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 19 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS YOUTH IDOL HELPS TAIWAN FILM EXPANSION Is Taiwan film on the road to prosperity? Of course the momentum is good. The formation of the trend has an important condition -- everyone's optimism that in turn will be a driving force. Then, it is necessary to look at the basic conditions. For the local film to do well, there must be a certain amount of talent that can support a certain degree of production. Otherwise when the market has been opened, the lack of production cannot become a trend. The writer often says that TV is a pioneer of film. When a local television product succeeds, the film will flourish. The 1980s Hong Kong was like that, South Korea a few years ago was too, Japan was as well. Taiwan idol drama has been the most popular. Although mature viewers may find the content is solely silly and cannot accept it, Teenagers are eating them up. Every time Taiwan idol comes to Hong Kong a buzz would be generated. Taiwan has produced a group of idol and also successfully explored the youth market. They are the most common group of viewers who go to the cinemas. At present Taiwan drama idols have not had any outstanding performance in the movies, some even have become box-office poison. A few years ago the most popular F4 switched from series to film, none has become a box office guarantee. Yet we cannot say that they cannot make a movie, just that they have not run into a right role. They also needs some improvement in terms of talent. Idol drama asks for much less than movies, so when a popular idol gets on the big screen their jig is up and they cannot attract a wider audience. When the film market was optimistic, they will have more room for development. If the Taiwan audience falls in love with Taiwan film blindly (this is possible), the situation will change 180 degrees. The tide is always wrong yesterday and right today. Without any principle, anything can happen. No matter how rational it was before, after a critical point, it is no longer rational. For Taiwan film to expand, at least it has a number of idols that it can use. The Government also has provided strong support. If it only takes the entertainment road, creativity remains the most difficult flap. - KWOK HIN CHING 4. TA KUNG PAO, OCTOBER 19 2008 HWANG JUNG MIN CREATES MIRACLE ON SUPERMAN Between Beauty and Uncle, conceivably everyone would put the former in their line of sight, let alone A MAN WHO WAS SUPERMAN brought fan anticipation for Jun Ji-Hyun's return to South Korea's film industry. The fact is, A MAN WHO WAS SUPERMAN is a "Superman" story, so many touching spots and dramatic flavor would still fall on the Hawaiian shirt wear uncle with a perm Hwang Jung-Min. Our world still needs Superman, even though without power Superman may end up only being a clown, but every good deed can add up to a Earth changing miracle. A MAN WHO WAS SUPERMAN's "team" was very renowned, the director was the MARATHON famed Jeong Yul-Cheol, lead actor Hwang Jung Min was a Korea "Blue Dragon Award" Best Actor, actress Jun Ji-hyun has earlier broken into Hollywood with BLOOD THE LAST VAMPIRE, the appeal was no trivial matter. Jun Ji-hyun in THE MAN WHO WAS SUPERMAN played a frustrated TV producer Song, she was fed up with deliberate tear jerking documentary film about ordinary people and no longer believed that helping other people would make the world a better place; by coincidence , she ran into a self-proclaimed "Superman" strange uncle. She followed him and shot the "Superman" crazy acts of salvation, and once again launched tear jerking clips. She has become a popular producer, but at the same time had a new epiphany for life. As A Representative Like many follow-up documentary, when Song shot "Superman" the former took all the initiative while the latter only passively or unknowingly became the main characters in front of the camera; however, if "Superman's" naive and serious behavior, never lacking confidence and optimism personality could truly move the audience inside and outside the film as well as the creator. Then, who was at the mercy of who and who had the ultimate initiative no one knew. Hwang Jung Min said, "When I first read the script, I already felt that this would be a hard to come by film in my film career. I knew it was my representative, this type of role was unprecedented in South Korean films." He expressed hope that viewers would get the same feeling, as the film's story would make them cry, laugh and touch them. In order to interpret this "unusual Superman" role, he combined a Hawaiian shirt with curly hairstyle to look completely like the typical character that would not be popular, but how could he who has been recognized in South Korea for his great acting, amazing personality, and image variety be limited to just one funny image? No wonder the director too stressed his 100% confidence in Hwang Jung-Min, citing that he and the character were a perfect match and has not considered any other actor. Let us see how he can make people laugh and at the same time earn people's tears. Focus On Jun Ji-hyun Perhaps the film's English title A MAN WHO WAS SUPERMAN has long foretold tragedy, Hwang Jung Min's "past tense Superman" now neither has supernatural power nor fly, but still racked all of his brains and energy to help others. In addition to carrying things for grandmothers, catching flashers, helping dog owners to recover lost dogs, and so on, he also would save the Earth in his own way, even if these ideas seem ridiculous and idiotic to others - - who believe in quietly switching off central air conditioning would curb global warming, and trying a head stand to push the Earth from the sun in order to prevent the melting of the polar icecaps would be normal? In response, Hwang Jung Min said, "In the film 'Superman' is such a friendly person, he has no hero arrogance at all." In fact, this "Superman" is too "nonsensical" and too often "hits a snag". There is no denying that the film's publicity has focused on Jun Ji-hyun because she has been dormant for more than two years, her return to Korean film following DAISY, this time around she even wagered her beautiful image to appear as a messy hair, no make up, foul mouth, never without a cigarette or a drink in hand "sloppy" female producer. She said, "This was the most realistic role in my film career, playing this female producer was very challenging but fun. In fact, in real life I also long for the natural way of life, I have hoped to play this natural performance for a long time." Frankly admitted that since she has not made a Korean film in a long time she had a lot of psychological pressure. Fortunately veteran Hwang Jung Min has encouraged her and told her as long as she focuses on acting and not think about the outcome, she would be able to get into the shoot; she said, she has learned a lot from him and felt that her acting has become even more mature. Regret The Lack of Love Scene When asked how Hwang Jung Min saw his beautiful co-star Jun Ji-Hyun, he without any grievances told the regret of being "Superman", "On this rare collaboration with this beauty, I didn't have the fortune of her other male co-stars. In this film we have no love scene!" Yet he still praised Jun Ji-Hyun's honest character, the occasional innocent and cute expression, and an easy to get along friend, in addition her acting was great, with a new onscreen image she still emits extraordinary sexiness. Without any supernatural power blessing, Superman is often a fine line from a lunatic, is Hwang Jung Min's character a real Superman playing dumb or a definite madman? People who have received help from him and cynics may come to two very different answers, but in any case, he insisted good deeds no matter how insignificant would create a small miracle for the indifferent world and wake up people's true selves from the bottom of their hearts. Just like the director said, as long as there is confidence and love, anyone can become Superman. Hopefully the audience after watching the film would receive the inspirational power from it, and courageously dream Superman dreams. In that case, what Superman dream do the male and female lead have? Jun Ji-hyun said, "I hope to have the ability to elevate my acting." Hwang Jung Min continued to joke, "I hope to really be like Superman or Batman, I can fly and dive into sea and save the public." - SIU O 5. TA KUNG PAO, OCTOBER 19 2008 STREAMLINED CO-PRODUCTION FILM PROCEDURES ARE WITHIN REACH Last Thursday, Hong Kong held "China Film Panorama to Commemorate the 30th Anniversary of China's Reform and Opening-Up", one of the project was "the industry forum" with Zhang Hongsen, deputy director of the Film Bureau exchanging with the Hong Kong film industry the Mainland film industry conditions. Colleagues at the event said that at the forum, Deputy Director Zhang had a frank dialogue with the industry insiders, the content was both specific and had the new messages. Deputy Director Zhang first summed up certain China's domestic film market conditions over the past 30 years. For example, from 1979 to 1997 a period of prosperity came then declined for several years, in 2002 it "broke out" again until last year when total box office reached 3,300,000,000, this year it will easily pass 4,000,000,000. As for the Hong Kong film co-production (Mainland and Hong Kong), Deputy Director Zhang reiterated the Film Bureau's support for Hong Kong films. It will continue to give full protection and strengthen the close cooperation between the two places. He noted that recently the Hong Kong film industry was filled with pessimism because several films have not pass the inspection and received approval, or could not be imported to the Mainland market (The event did not clearly point out which films, but reportedly the Jackie Chan starred SHINJUKU INCIDENT could not be imported Mainland, FANTASTIC WATER BABES and SNIPER have not passed inspection either). The deputy director felt that this was a problem that occurred on the two places' cooperation road, and also a problem of progress and development; it was not the obstacle issue. All collaborations are bound to have problems, deputy director Zhang felt that the best solution was to "cross the bridge when it comes". With equivalent dialogue when the problem occurred, mutual exchanges would address it according to the laws and regulations Deputy director felt that Hong Kong film uniqueness was worthy of maintaining, but some of the bad and not conducive to the broader development things must be encouraged to be abandoned. Unfortunately this point was not discussed further, no one knew which Hong Kong content that deputy director Zhang was referring to. The most popular with the film industry was deputy director Zhang's willingness to simplify the co-production application procedures and negotiate with the co-production companies (a department within the Film Bureau). However, he also asked the Hong Kong film professionals to to comply with and respect for the co-production rules and procedures. The most common phenomenon was that the not yet registered (approved application) project that already has been shooting. The industry participants stated that the reason was that actor schedule was not easy to work with. Actually another reason was the difficulty to grasp the time of the registration. Hopefully after the streamlined procedures it would be more convenient and transparent. Also some non-Film Bureau problems, such as the Customs and Excise Department approval complexity that required to report a month in advance the filming material transportation. Because of CEPA, Hong Kong had zero-tariff preferential treatment, the reasons for "customs clearance" are worth exploring. In general, the forum was very beneficial to future communications. Deputy director Zhang openly pointed out that any movie could be discussed with him, which the sector appreciated very much. - TIN LIK 6. TA KUNG PAO, OCTOBER 19 2008 CHINESE FILM PANORAMA RADIATES This year's Chinese Film Panorama has been very special because to commemorate 30 years of Mainland reform and opening up, the organizers made a total of 10 special selections that reflect all aspects of the social, economic and human development since the opening up. When I saw the film festival's selections, I was pleasantly surprised. First 10 films were very rich in subject matter, including WAY OF THE SNOWSTORM that depicts the police civilian cooperating on life saving rescue, the urban romantic love story THE LONGEST NIGHT IN SHANGHAI, the industry and science and technology driven THE DREAM IS ALIVE that reflects the modern elite and scientists' tireless efforts of the modern port construction; and GOOD MAN explores the impact of modern human relationships, as well as SUDDEN INCIDENCE that describes a new era's foundation leaders and intellectuals image. These films are from different studios with different directors, so that we can see their different styles. For example veteran director Xie Fei's previous works like A GIRL FROM HUNAN has left us with a deep impression. The screening of SONG OF TIBET, a half century love story between a Tibetan girl and the three men. Through Tibet's historical and cultural perspective changes, the film shows more of the magnificent snowy scenery in Tibet. In addition, gathering Mainland, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan actors Vicki Zhao Wei, Masahiro Motoki, Sam Lee Chan Sam and Dylan Kuo (Kwok Bun Chiu), the sixth-generation director Zhang Yibai's works, THE LONGEST NIGHT IN SHANGHAI was a reflection of the current urban male and female view on love. The work that Hong Kong people would be the most familiar with should be the Carina Lau Ka Ling and Hu Jun starred CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT. His new film LOST INDULGANCE's cast included Karen Mok Man Wai, Eason Chan Yik Shun and Eric Tsang Chi Wai and will be released later in Hong Kong. Furthermore, famous for filming grassland films, couple directors Sai Fu and Mai Lisi followed up GENGHIS KHAN with the family story of HEAVENLY GRASSLAND to show the audience Mongolia's unique scenery and the Mongolian ethnic nature. Worth mentioning was that the film festival had a fresh and hot Olympic film, DREAM WEAVER -- BEIJING 2008, China's first large-scale all-documentary film that through an ordinary family, athletes, guards and others told the seven year journey of China's Olympic planning; also a special screening of the fourth-generation director Xue Yanshu's IN THE WILD MOUNTAINS. This was an exploration of a farm village reform representative work, when it was released it had significant repercussions, and at the sixth annual the Golden Rooster Awards won six awards that included "Best Director". - CHUI HIU 7. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 17 2008, FILM WORDS SWEET RAIN BEAUTIFIES GRIM REAPER The Takeshi Kaneshiro starred new Japanese film SWEET RAIN is not the average sweet romance. He played romantic, lovable and not at all terrifying Grim Reaper. Japan seems to be the nation that is the most fascinated with death. Their modern popular cultures are fully covered with death, specters and Grim Reaper, constantly appeared without exhaustion in animation, film and the novel. Fortunately not all of them are dead or scary, some value human life due to unfortunate deaths. The film is a novel adaptation, the original creator is the popular young writer Kotaro Isaka. Completely without any thrills or horror, the film describes the Grim Reaper like Eros. Fun loving and interesting, it is sympathetic and charitable. Directors Masaya Kakei also captures quiet and different atmosphere with a decent story and even some dark humor. Unfortunately, it lacks spirit, pace, liveliness and intensity. Takeshi Kaneshiro plays Grim Reaper Chiba. Melancholy, romantic, innocent, with a love of music, he comes with his partner black dog to the mortal world. When he conducts his mission of death, it inevitably rains. He has never seen a sunny day. The film often shoots the city in the rain, watery shadow, shuttling umbrellas, as well as bridges and gate on the edge of clouds that form a cordial and beautiful scenery. In the prelude Grim Reaper encounters a little girl, which is very delicate. The official story is three of his encounter in 1985, 2007 and 2028, in all three he does not want to "sentence to death" the target. First, a lonely female worker stirs up his sympathy as he becomes er protector. Then a mob kid and boss' friendship touches him and cooks up an interesting mob adventure. Closing is the old lady's hair salon, he fulfills her final wishes that echoed to the two previous parts' causes and effects. SWEET RAIN has an unconventional small budget pattern, unfortunately it drags on and does not have enough drama. Takeshi Kaneshiro's last Japanese film was RETURNER six years ago. This time his performance is decent and has star flavor. This film beautifies the Grim Reaper, the human characters are too monotonous and ordinary. - SHEK KEI 8. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 17 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS TAIWAN SUPPORTS FILM MORE THAN HONG KONG Due to CAPE NO. 7 and several previous Taiwan film successes, reportedly many Hong Kong film companies are interested in developing in Taiwan and has been sent representative to observe. The reasons that attracts Hong Kong financing, apart from CAPE NO. 7's NT$400 million the box office, is Taiwan's film industry support is much more generous than those in Hong Kong. Overlooking whether Hong Kong company cooperation and direct investment in Taiwan are successful, if the Hong Kong Government wants to continue to support the local film industry, it has to work harder. Capital has no nationality, it goes where there are opportunities to make money, Taiwan supports Taiwan films more than Hong Kong supports Hong Kong film. The grant alone has been more generous than the every cent watching 30% Hong Kong film investment film development fund. Taiwan's film grants are given out. They do not need to calculate any share or want any return because they feel making a local film is already a return. Unfortunately previously Taiwan films that received the grant only leaned toward the art film market and made no commercial considerations, which had to do with the then political status. I am afraid that Hong Kong Film Development Fund has already considered the Taiwan grants leading to a lot of art films before making the 30 percent investment and other market factor considerations. Yet focusing only on commercial and neglecting creative encouragement, the Development Fund's current rules of the game lack long term vision. It cannot even achieve the short term production increase function. If Taiwan can attract Hong Kong financing to make movies there, it is not a good thing for Hong Kong. In the future the chance to see Hong Kong films with local characteristics will be even less likely. Hong Kong and Taiwan cooperation is not impossible, we must learn from the lessons of the past. When two places cooperate, as long as the other party has a bigger market than Hong Kong, Hong Kong films are bound to accommodate creatively and in the end lose the Hong Kong market. Taiwanese investment in the 1980s Hong Kong films accounted for a large proportion of investment. The Taiwan market is larger. Revenue is higher than Hong Kong, resulting in a number of Hong Kong films that accommodate the Taiwan tastes. Everyone knows how that turns out. Do a good job in the Hong Kong market is the foundation to foreign cooperation. - KWOK HIN CHING 9. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 16 2008, FILM WORDS OLYMPIC DREAM WEAVING, TAXI ROMANCE China Film Panorama 2008 to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of reform and opening-up starts today, this column last week has first talked about two opening films SUDDEN INCIDENCE and WAY OF THE SNOWSTORM that promote do good officials, military and police officers. Although over the 30 years a lot of changes have taken place, but the Mainland authorities still focuses on the official policy-oriented film. Reportedly this year film inspection is more stringent, not only to coordinate with Beijing Olympics, but also because LUST CAUTION has caused high-level dissatisfaction. In this film festival, I was particularly interested in female director Gu Jun's Beijing Olympic official documentary film DREAM WEAVER -- BEIJING 2008. However this is only a pprelude about the Beijing Olympic seven years of preparations. It does not include this year's torch scandal and opening competition. The real film will have to wait until next year to be completed. DREAM is also an official propaganda, but following several groups of people's experience some details are decent. Woman gymnasts' tough training is worthy of sympathy and truly has blood and tears. The special police security, "Flying Tiger" style training is lively and interesting. The film also shows a lot of skilled construction workers' strict and hard work and made great contributions. The only brand name athlete the film follows is Liu Xiang, but it never expects him to be the one with a broken dream. Among the dramatic films, coincidentally two are taxi drivers comedy. THE LONGEST NIGHT IN SHANGHAI is a China Japan co-production with a strong cast. Masahiro Motoki plays a trendy Japanese designer who has an one night stand with a Shanghai female taxi driver Vicki Zhao Wei. Co-stars also include Japan's Naoto Takenaka, Naomi Nishida, Hong Kong's Sam Lee Chan Sam and Taiwan hunk Dylan Kuo (Kwok Bun Chiu). This is a modern romantic comedy that should be popular entertainment, but director Zhang Yibai has made it bland, seemingly Mainland directors who excels in purely commercial film still remain rare. Zhang Yibai's quality is very unstable, his romantic murder film, CURIOSITY KILLS THE CAT was better. His new film LOST INDULGANCE however is very depressing. Another taxi film GOOD MAN is quite wonderful, the Liu Xin and Lu Da co-directed Yangzhou Jiangsu adventure about a kind male drivers (Xia Yu) who helps a rural young woman (Ma Yili) by taking her and the suddenly ill infant to the city for treatment. In the film the country and the city are filled with good people, all are generous and friendly. Even the doctors and nurses are miraculously kind, China is truly a beautiful paradise! Wonderfully the film captures the difficulty of being good, leading to ironic humor. It is an encouraging fantasy. Also should be mentioned was that the recent Hong Kong Asian Film Festival also has at least two new Mainland taxi films, the Zhou Xun starred THE EQUATION OF LOVE AND DEATH and the Mainland box office hit and Spain award winning male driver film TAXI. - SHEK KEI 10. MING PAO DAILY, OCTOBER 16 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS NUDE PHOTO STORM NEEDS TIME TO BE RESOLVED Edison Chen Koon Hei's nude photo scandal has already gone on for more than six months, Maggie Q returned to Hong Kong and boldly in the face of the media supported him while feeling sorry for the victims. Many still criticize Chen Koon Hei and the female stars for their problems, but anyone with a little sense would know that the photos were accidentally leaked out, not deliberately done by Chen Koon Hei. He could only be blamed for the poor handling. Comments that stars' private nude photos impact their image and set bad examples for children remained nonsensical. Yet some of the ignorant still agreed. When nude photos leaked out, the fact is the stars are the victims. Not only them, people who work with them and their companies are also victims. So far, none of Chen Koon Hei's movies made before the nude photo scandal can be released, aside from his three second performance in THE DARK KNIGHT. His movies cannot be released because they are co-productions. The film companies are not afraid to release them, but they have not passed Mainland inspection. Mainland inspection has not immediately ban these films, it is just dragging its feet. Not only Chen Koon Hei's movies, other victims' may not passed either. The investing film companies can do nothing except patiently waiting. As long as the film is not released, investment has no way to be recovered. Release without approval requires abandoning the Mainland market and face the punishment for violations. Therefore, even if film companies' financing is on hold due to the lack of approval, they dare not violates the rules. As long as the film is still not officially banned, there is still hope. If Mainland truly has to ban nude photo scandal stars, it would have banned these films a long time ago. Delay represents hope, time is diluting all the impact that the scandal has brought. If film companies do not have the patience, they would only sentence these films to death or even lead to official ban decisions. Then they would lose everything. An inadvertent error has widespread consequences. Hopefully time can truly quiet the storm and correct some misconceptions. - 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. 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? 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. CHAMPION Can : Duet Biu d. Tsui Siu Ming Dicky Cheung Wai Kin, Xie Miu, Priscilla Wong Chui Yu, Debbie Goh (Ng Tin Yu), Ronnie Yu Rong Guang, Xu Xiangdong, Li Fai Length : 118 mins. Opening November 13 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] China officially sends a team to participate in the World Games for the first time and announces that wushu will be its performance. Each school and style actively participate in private duels. Central martial art hall chief Zhang Zhijiang decides on a national recruitment for representatives...... 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...... BALLISTIC Can : Dan, Doh d. Lawrence Lau Kwok Cheung Simon Yam Tat Wa, Joseph Chang Hau Chuen, Alice Tzeng Hoi Won, Lam Ka Tung, Liu Kai Chi, Ko Chun Hsiung, Zhang Guozhu [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] The story opens with an election assassination. Each side with its own agenda struggles for power. Siblings like cops originally are about to uncover the fog after danger after danger. Yet instead they fall in further and are swept into the power storm between the mob and those in power. The duo is forces to make a life and death choice between good and evil, ahead of them remains dead ends at every turn...... 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 21 2008 10 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) 9 MAMMA MIA d. Phyllida Lloyd Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierce Brosnan, Meryl Streep 8 AWAKE d. Joby Harold Jessica Alba, Hayden Christensen, Terrence Howard 7 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 6 VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA d. Woody Allen Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall 5 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 4 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 3 THE VAMPIRE WHO ADMIRES ME 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 2 BODY OF DIES d. Ridley Scott Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe 1 MIRRORS d. Alexandre Aja Kiefer Sutherland, Paula Patton, Amy Smart ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS SWEET RAIN 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". 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. THE VAMPIRE WHO ADMIRES ME AKA : MY SECRET ADMIRER IS A VAMPIRE 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. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, OCTOBER 18 2008 15 IF ABLE TO BE TOGETHER Can : Yu Gor Nung Joi Yut Hei Jasmine Leong (Leung Sing Yu) 14 MISS GALAXY Can : Yu Jau Siu Jeh S.H.E. 13 ROLL N' ROCK WHAT Can : Yiu Gwun Jup Mor Liu Wang Leehom (Wong Lik Won) 12 INDECIPHERABLE Can : Chai But Tau Ding Dong 11 NOT YET TO HEARTBREAK PLACE Can : Mei Doh Seung Sum Chu Andy Lau Tak Wa 10 NICE PERSON CARD Can : Ho Yun Card Huang Xiaoming, Vicki Zhao Wei 9 RIGHT HAND SIDE Can : Yau Sau Bin Michael Kong Leung 8 SLEEPING WITH BUTTERFLY Can : Yu Dip Tung Min Joey Yung Cho Yi 7 GOOD MORNING BEAUTY OF Morning Can : Jo On Sun Ji Mei Lu Guang Zhong (Lo Guong Jung) 6 STRANGE FETUS Can : Gwai Toi Ronald Cheng Chung Kei 5 DIG HEART Can : Wa Sum Jane Zhang Liangying 4 NOT YET 18 Can : Mei Moon Sup Bak Shui Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) 3 REMINISCE Can : Si Lim Tanya Chua (Choi Kin Nga) 2 GRAIN FRAGRANCE Can : Doh Heung Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) 1 WEST LAKE OTHER LOVE Can : Sai Wu Bit Luen Wang Zijie (Wong Ji Kit) ------ [ 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. THIS LOOKS LIKE A JOB FOR CAPTAIN CRAZY! Thanks, Homer. Your Chaffing Editor is a total tool. After whining and crying about Baby's departure, now that Baby is back he is whining and crying about Juno because Baby is acting a little off like Juno. Goddess of Mercy, there is no pleasing this @$$hole. Maybe he should just learn a lesson 1 800 THE GEEK at War of the Roses (http://www.ktu.com/podcast/waroftheroses.xml); the size of the set on this genius who uses the radio to stalk is truly amazing. As if all the self delusional drama is not enough, radio payola is not helping at all. Between the DJs' sudden love of Ne-Yo entire catalog, T.I.'s top two hits and Beyonce (Listen, lady, if you were a boy you wouldn't be whining about how bad some of us are. Seriously, you only have yourself to blame as you are the one who seems to gravitate toward the scumbags. Then again, if I was a girl -- wait, according to my music taste, I AM A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL! Besides, I think Katy Perry already wrote that song, see her other overplayed radio hit HOT N COLD.) Your Chaffing Editor is almost ready to run back to Canto-pop, except Canto-Pop and now Chinese pop in general has not fared any better. Save us, Britney! Wuma Wuma Wuma Wuma... Finally, perhaps the West Coast office closing was premature. Case and point: Proposition K. (www.bayswan.org/SFInitiative08/) ChiPpy supports it because it would make his annual recruitment much easier. "I AM THE BABY! I AM THE DRUNK BABY!" - Roger, "AMERICAN DAD" Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] LOVE LOCKDOWN Kanye West www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1593810&vid=272698 I’m not loving you Way I wanted to What I had to do Had to run from you I’m in love with you But the vibe is wrong And that haunted me all the way home So you never know Never, never know Never know enough Til it’s over love Til we lose control System overload Screamin no no no no no I’m not lovin you Way I wanted to See I want to move But can’t escape from you So I keep it low Keep a secret code So everybody else don’t have to know So keep your love locked down Your love locked down Keepin’ your love locked down Your love locked down Now keep your love locked down Your love locked down Now keep your love locked down You lose I’m not lovin’ you Way I wanted to I can’t keep my cool So I keep it true I got something to lose So I gotta move I can’t keep myself And still keep you too So I keep in mind When I’m on my own Somewhere far from home In the danger zone How many times did I tell you ‘fore it finally got through You lose you lose I’m not lovin’ you Way I wanted to See I had to go See I had to move No more wastin’ time You can’t wait for life Were just racin’ time Where’s the finish line Chorus 1X I’m not lovin’ you Way I wanted to I’ve been no one new I got no one new No I said I’m through But got love for you But I’m not lovin’ you Way I wanted to Gotta keep it going Keep the lovin’ going Keep it on a role Only god knows If I’ll be with you Baby I’m confused You choose, you choose I’m not lovin you Way I wanted to Where I want to go I don’t need you I’ve been down this road Too many times before I’m not lovin you Way I wanted to Chorus 1X You lose You lose You lose You lose ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038