From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (DECEMBER 4 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. Prudence Liew (Lau Mei Kwan) who celebrates her birthday on the 10th B. Shino Lin (Lam Hiu Pui) who celebrates her birthday on the 9th C. Wong Cho Nam who celebrates his birthday on the 9th D. Raymond Lam Fung who celebrates his birthday on the 8th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (12/10/2008) The "Most Dynamic Woman Award 2008" recipient Josephine Siao Fong Fong yesterday attended the award presentation with a cane. Fong Fong insisted on attending to accept the award because the organizers would donate close to 1,000,000 to her charity End Child Sexual Abuse Foundation. Fong Fong recently was approached with a new movie, but the content and details would be kept confidential. As for her comeback film, she said with a laugh, "My eyes are blurry and ears are deaf, I haven't ran into a role and a script that I like. I hope that I can recover from the foot injury as soon as possible. The film company has promised me two hour work day, but I am afraid that the film would take over a decade to finish." * (12/10/2008) The movie ALL ABOUT WOMEN (NUI YUN BUT WAI) two night ago held its premiere, director Tsui Hark led leads Zhou Xun, Guei Lun-Mei, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Stephen Fung Tak Lun and Peng Yuyan in attendance. The always petite Zhou Xun two nights ago Wore high-heels but other female leads still dwarfed her. Zhou Xun said that did not matter. She admitted that she was the shortest one. After finishing the film, she and other female leads have become friends. Her boyfriend has seen the film but did not give her an opinion. Recently, she was busy filming new movie SO HAK YI (BEGGAR SO). Not so tall, Lun-Mei due to five inch high heels instantly became as tall Zhang Yuqi. A few days ago her white evening gown at the Golden Horse Awards revealed chest pads. She clarified that was not a wardrobe malfunction but a part of the clothing. Her boyfriend Leon Dai (Dai Lap Yun) lost the Best Supporting Actor award. She has not call to comfort him. She claimed that winning an award was recognition, but if the audience liked him, the recognition would be even greater. Zhang Yuqi looked to be in better condition and prettier too. She explained that recently she had a lot of rib soup. As for her love life, she acknowledged that she had suitors but due to work she had no time to date. If this film became a hit, she would consider a holiday. Her movie TIU CHOOK HUI (DANCE OUT)'s lead actor Edison Chen Koon Hei had all of his scenes deleted and she must shoot the scenes over. She said that would be rather fun; because experience brought change, returning to the emotions at the time would be difficult. Although she would not get paid, she was happy to be able to take part. In addition, ALL ABOUT WOMEN would launch its original soundtrack, a collection of songs from film with performers like Guei Lun-Mei, Zhou Xun and Fung Tak Lun. This was Guei Lun-Mei's first time singing, when she etnered the studio she was scared half to death because she was afraid of being off key. Fortunately, Many veteran musicians were on hand to train her and she has greatly improved. Zhou Xun was very much at home with singing. Fung Tak Lun joked that he has not sung for a long time, so he had feelings of when he first formed a band. Zhang Yuqi this time did not sing but did play a musical instrument, the erhu, which she looked convincing playing but actually she only studied it for two days. * (12/9/2008) Prudence Liew (Lau Mei Kwan) with TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE (NGOR BUT MAI SUN NGOR MAI JI GUNG) became the fresh out of the oven Golden Horse Best Actress. Two days ago at noon she returned to Hong Kong from Taiwan. At night the film company held a celebration for her at night. The film's director Herman Yau Lai To and co-star Race Wong Yuen Ling came to congratulate her. Prudence two nights ago was in a very good mood. When she reached the restaurant, she was the happiest to see roast pork. She said from winning the award to the present, in addition to non-stop media interviews she just kept on shedding tears of excitements. Thus she has not eaten in 24 hours and was very hungry. Now she was not as excited. After the night's "high" now she was no longer "high", the next day she had to return to normal life. Lau Mei Kwan said that she has already informed her family and children the good news, she later will travel abroad, and then the United States. Many friends have sent her text messages to congratulate her. Although she has become a Best Actress, with the financial tsunami would getting a raise be very hard? She joked that before she was charging a friendship price, now she would return to the normal price and would only work when she found the right script. The film company also announced two nights ago that it would register for next year Hong Kong Film Awards for Lau Mei Kwan. * (12/9/2008) Donnie Yen Chi Tan in IP MAN had a duel with Japanese hunk Hiroyuki Ikeuchi. Although Ikeuchi was a judo master, in the battle with the gong fu expert Yen Chi Tan he still had some distance. As action director Sammo Hung Kam Bo arranged for training for Ikeuchi in order to elevate his combat effectiveness in a short time. During the shoot, the staff has already prepared padding for Ikeuchi; but in less than 15 minutes Ikeuchi already asked to stop. He said, "In the film I had to use judo against Wing Chun. A lot of action required short distance fighting and arm and leg combat. In addition Chi Tan was too strong an opponent. After blocking a few punches my elbow was already in a lot of pain. His arms were as hard as iron when he used force, the staff had to apply medicine on me to stop the pain first before we could continue." Chi Tan also said, "I have spent almost nine months to study Wing Chun. The worst part was before the film was half completed I was already aggravated an old injury, I could not completely lift my arm or use force. I had to have a massage therapist on stand by on the set. Later after discussions with Big Brother Hung Kam Bo, I decided to use the left arm for all the moves. Fortunately I had a decent martial art background, only with which I was able to complete the shoot successfully." * (12/9/2008) Director Lam Wa Chuen and other directors directed a 100% Hong Kong production DECADE OF LOVE (SUP FUN JUNG CHING), which at this year Singapore's international film festival, Asian Festival of 1st Film 08, won Best Picture and Best Producer. In addition, Lam Wa Chuen has become the chief director of China's first three-dimensional musical film LOK FOR NAM HAI (JOY FIRE BOY). After more than two months of hard work last weekend it has been completed, with assistance from Jackie Chan's new Beijing THE DISCIPLINE training class. Jackie Chan even sent originally Jackie Chan Stuntman Association's Tony Ho Wa Chiu to serve as action director and choreographer. Lam Wa Chiu revealed that with the international award and a new film completion, 08 ended with good news and broke through all the darkness of the market depression to signify a better start in 09. * (12/9/2008) The Feng Xiaogang directed IF YOU ARE THE ONE yesterday held a press conference in Hong Kong, Shu Qi and boss Peter Lam Kin Ngok attended. The film was about a matchmaking story. Shu Qi honestly said that when she was 18 her mother set up a match. She said, "He was a pilot, but I didn't go through with it. Actually friends have arranged dates for me; each time I missed them due to work, which made me feel that a lot of things were up to fate." Was Shu Qi afraid of never marrying? She said that she did not know but very confident said, "I believe if I am willing, someone will surely marry me. I never thought that I would never be married." Soon after that, Shu Qi corrected herself, "Nevermind, I am afraid of unable to get married at any minute." When asked what Shu Qi would look for in a spouse, she said frankly that when she was little she would look at appearance but after growing up she felt inner culture was very important. Of course, if he was handsome and kind hearted he would be more perfect. She also said that she was envious of Michelle Reis (Lee Ka Yun), Carina Lau Ka Ling and Kelly Chen Wai Lam for marrying well, but she for now did not want children yet. Would she be someone who never married? She said, "Nothing is absolute in this area. When two people are together, they can be together for life or divorce, I see a lot of separation in the newspapers." Shu Qi said that if she would wed, she would carefully consider it. She said that a friend said that she did not like bald or chubby guys but in the end she married the type. Shu Qi praised director Feng Xiaogang and actor Ge You as nice guys who loved their wives very much. Feng Xiaogang heard this, appreciated Shu Qi's serious and lovely character, and praised her as a good actor. After they finished the film they were reluctant to part, even Ge You who rarely talked about others praised Shu Qi's acting as good. Taiwan's local film CAPE NO. 7 was unable to win the Golden Horse Best Feature Film and Best Director awards. Director Feng said, "CAPE NO. 7 was very meaningful to Taiwan, although Wei Te-Sheng was a new director he was great. This time it won several awards so it could not be considered a loss. Slow down." He believed that Wei Te-Sheng would win a grand prize in the future, and he insisted that the Golden Horse Awards was very fair. * (12/8/2008) Prudence Liew (Lau Mei Kwan) with the film TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE (NGOR BUT MAI SUN, NGOR MAI JI GUNG) won her first Taiwan Golden Horse Best Actress award. Yesterday around noon the fresh out of the oven Best Actress returned to Hong Kong. Raising a gesture of victory, she immediately took out the Golden Horse prize for pictures. Lau Mei Kwan received flowers from more than a dozen fans and she was very excited as she posed for pictures and chatted with fans. Has she calmed down? She said, "I have, but returning to Hong Kong I got excited again. My heartbeats pick up again." Last night she did not celebrate much, she did not know what she was doing all night, only chatted non-stop with reporters and received blessings. She was very grateful for them. Has Lau Mei Kwan shared the awards with three children? She said that the youngest one would not understand yet. She would like to thank her mother and two children for supporting her to return to work in Hong Kong, especially her eldest son. He said that Mother had to accompany them for many years, not singing was a waste. Did she receive her son's congratulatory call? She said, "My phone's SIM card broke, two days ago on stage the phone broke for no reason at all as if there is a sign. After the celebration when I opened the closet at the hotel, the hangers fell and hit me on the head. I don't know what kind of omen it was. I was the most upset about the SIM card breaking at the wrong time, my friends and kids couldn't find me." She said the film company would handle the celebration. Everyone has given a lot of encouragement. Sandy Lam Yik Lin who was in Taiwan also left her a message. As for claims that this time was improbable, Lau Mei Kwan said that the did not matter. She was already happy about being able to participation. This time was about sportsmanship and she has never thought about winning or not. Would she make movies again or ask for a raise? She says with a laugh, "I am not that bad, maybe add a little. I have always liked it to work, otherwise I wouldn't work no matter so much money was on the table." She honestly said that she has already given up winning the female singer award. Now with so many new comers, when the record company asked her whether she wanted awards, she said, "Don't bother." In addition, a number of Golden Horse attendees returned to Hong Kong yesterday like Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Carol Cheng Yui Ling, Diana Peng Dan, Denise Ho Wan Si and CoCo Lee Man. Cheng Yui Ling gave a friendly wave out of a gate. How did she feel about her performance? She said, "I am pretty happy, I haven't worked in Taiwan for awhile. Taiwan knew my Mandarin was OK but not particularly good." As for reports comparing her body and looks with Lin Chiling, she only said that she did not know and she needed not to be told as she had no comment. Yeung Chi King said that she was disappointed in Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) losing the Best Actor award but she was happy for Lau Mei Kwan. She said that she did not need to comfort Lee Nin Kit, who was busy with the One Foundation work. Nick Cheung Ka Fai also congratulated Lau Mei Kwan, who was able to achieve such a performance when no boss could be found. He was truly moved and he felt that the result was fair. * (12/8/2008) Taiwan film CAPE NO. 7 two nights ago won six Golden Horse Awards. Lead actor and Best Original Film Song performer Van (Fan Yat Sun) yesterday came to Hong Kong for an event. Originally planned for 3PM, Fan Yat Sun's flight was delayed along with his arrogance after winning an award made him late for half a hour before appearing. Arriving at the scene he claimed that he has already done his best, but he did not apologize to the waiting media or fans. Fan Yat Sun expressed that two nights ago he attended the Golden Horse Awards celebration. Because CAPE NO. 7 won six awards, he went to several celebrations until 4AM. He did not make it home and took the earliest flight to Hong Kong with the prize, but the flight was delayed. As for the waiting media and fans, he said, "Really? I have already tried my best to rush over." Fan Yat Sun said that at this Golden Horse Award his acting was not nominated so he was very happy about the song nomination and being able to own a Golden Horse. Turning to the director's Best Director and Best Featured Film disappointment, he felt sorry but the director had plenty of chances. Would he consider a film salary raise? He honestly said that he would add a little but definitely would not take a pay cut because he was already very cheap. * (12/8/2008) When Sammi Cheng Sau Man made EVERLASTING REGRET (CHEUNG HUNG GOR), she suffered from depression. most recently she accepted a radio program interview and mentioned her previous conditions and her life now with religion. Sammi honestly thanked EVERLASTING REGRET because this film was like a drug addiction. After making this film she was already exhausted and the process was very hard. Yet she has no regret and thankful for the experience in her life because life must have a low point and her life has been too smooth. She says with a laugh, "My third sister told me that she was very happy that I had this setback, that was amazing." She then said that time she had to enhance her Putonghua, which she described a lot of pressure. she said that for now she would not consider Putonghua dialogue films because they were too challenge. However, she was happy after her illness she was able to return to do concerts and encourage people with the same disease. She was very proud of that. She honestly said that when she was ill because of the medication she was very fat. She has saved some photos from then. She said, "That truly was horrifying, I thought I was working on LOVE ON A DIET (SAU SUN NAM NUI). I was afraid of the scale. Yet looking back at the bony concert photos I thought they were too wonderful. My will power was very sharp." Sammi pointed out that when she was sick she seemed to be powerless. The illness lasted 3 years or so. Her co-workers all knew something was wrong with her. During the period Andy Hui Chi On called and consoled her. He believed in her ability to handle it and she thanked him for caring. Was she confident about love again? She said that if she could she would, all in accordance wit the Lord's plan. * (12/8/2008) STORM RIDERS II (FUNG WON II) yesterday in Beijing held a global trailer premiere and the first poster set unveiling. 3 posters appeared for the first time at the event. Universe chief Daneil Lam Siu Ming also announced the premiere dates in Asia was expected to be the end of 2009. The press conference was STORM RIDERS II's first Mainland large scale promotional campaign. Directors the Pang Brothers, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Dior Cheng Yi Kin made a special trip from Hong Kong to Beijing, and Tang Yan also dressed up for the occasion. The event unveiled for the first STORM RIDERS II's three posters. At the event start, the Pang Brothers led each actor in a simple and solemn unveiling ceremony for the posters. One poster with the weapons as the backdrop had quite a shocking effect. Another was a side pose of Kwok Fu Sing as Cloud that had a strong comic book feel. The last one was half the face of Cheng Yi Kin as Wind. On the poster Wind's eye was red and he had a blatant scar of his forehead. Reportedly this scar would play a crucial role in the plot. * (12/7/2008) The 45th Annual Taiwan Golden Horse Award was held last night. As expected, Taiwan hit movie CAPE NO. 7 was the big winner, seizing a total of nine nominations for five awards, director Wei Te-Sheng even won the Taiwan Outstanding Filmmaker of the Year. As for Best Actor Zhang Hanyu won with ASSEMBLY and became the first Mainland actor to win the category; Best Actress went to Prudence Liew (Lau Mei Kwan) for TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE (NGOR BUT MAI SUN, NGOR MAI JI GUNG). Although out of 12 nominations THE WARLORDS only won three awards, its Best Director and Best Feature Film awards are top prizes so it performance was still enviable. When Peter Chan Ho Sun won best director, he instantly embraced and kissed his wife Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, then when he accepted his prize on stage he said that this was hard-won prize; in addition to thanking the staff, he also thanked Kwan Yu and their daughter. Soon after that, with boss Peter Lam Kin Ngok and others he again accepted the Best Feature Film Award. Lam Kin Ngok hoped that filmmakers of three lands on two shores would have even closer cooperation. Chan Ho Sun thanked the Golden Horse jury and the Taiwan audience. When the husband and wife team presented the Best Actress Award, they even created atmosphere with a question-and-answer session. Kwan Yu asked Chan Ho Sun among the actresses who he has worked with was her figure the best? He replied, "Yes, should I have said (Carina) Lau Ka Ling?" Kwan Yu again asked among the actresses who he has worked with was she the most beautiful? He replied, "Yes, I can't say it's (Anita) Yuen Wing Yi." She asked among the actresses who he has worked was her acting the best? He replied, "Absolutely! How can I possibly say Maggie Cheung?" Kwan Yu continued to hassle him among the actresses who he has worked with was she the only one who had a relationship with him? He answered absolutely but Kwan Yu mercilessly said, "You are really fake! I have to say you are a very good director but a really stupid person." Lau Mei Kwan was obviously very pleasantly surprised because she did not imagine that she would win. She said, "I would like to thank my mother, my three children are all very beautiful, the director, my good friend (Tony) Leung Ka Fai, (Anthony) Wong Chau Sun as well, he has helped me a lot on the set, all of them......I am too nervous, I don't know how to talk......I don't know what to say, I am very happy, I would like to thank the jury, thank you all. " As for Best Actor Zhang Hanyu, he too was very surprised. He not only thanked all of the jury but also director Feng Xiaogang for giving him this opportunity, he would continue his hard work. With the movie ORZBOYZ's Grandma role Mei Fang won the Best Supporting Actress prize. She was so excited that on stage she kissed the award. After 45 years in film she won with her first time Golden Horse award nomination, thus she felt Very nervous and excited. Ma Ju-Lung won the first award for CAPE NO. 7 with the Golden Horse Best Supporting Actor, he shared the honor with his wife Pei Siao-Lan and moved her to tears, Ma Ju-Lung happily said, "I thank the gods." The couple even honored the press requests and hug and kissed. In addition, Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho) and Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming) presented the Best Action Choreography category. As soon as they appeared Ng Kin Ho immediately asked Cho Ming why he attended the Golden Horse Awards alone? Cho Ming joked that because father Jackie Chan knew that the Golden Horse Award would take place in December, he deliberately filled his schedule with work so he could not attend; as for his mother Lin Feng-Jiao, he said that because his mother felt neither the father nor the son hd any nomination, she was too ashamed to come. Ng Kin Ho joked that F4 just finished their concert, the other three were busy with their careers and only he had time to attend. Then both quipped that if LUST CAUTION made a sequel they both could be competent to perform. Lin Chiling asked the jury on the spot about her lack of Best New Performer nomination, one of them said that her question was very awkward and did not know whether to tell the truth or lie? Then he said that he was very angry when he saw her scene with Tony Leung Chiu Wai because he should play Wai Jai's role. Chiling said that although she was not nominated this year she was the never discouraged Chiling. After years of retirement Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) together with Ang Lee presented the Outstanding Taiwan Filmmaker and Outstanding Taiwan Film Awards. Ching Ha said that regardless where she was around the world she was just as concerned about this land of Taiwan. Ang Lee joked that he "finally made it" to be able to present the award with Ching Ha because she was the "Star of Stars". He also encouraged Wei Te-Sheng to continue his efforts, in the future he would be able to stand next to Ching Ha. THE 45TH GOLDEN HORSE AWARD WINNERS http://www.goldenhorse.org.tw/gh_tc/gh/gh-e-5.aspx BEST FEATURE FILM: THE WARLORDS BEST SHORT FILM : HOPSCOTCH BEST DOCUMENTARY: UP THE YANGTZE BEST DIRECTOR: Peter Chan Ho Sun (THE WARLORDS) BEST LEADING ACTOR: Zhang Hanyu (ASSEMBLY) BEST LEADING ACTRESS: Prudence Liew (Lau Mei Kwan) (TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE) BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Ma Ju-Lung (CAPE NO. 7) BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Mei Fang (ORZBOYZ) BEST NEW PERFORMER: Suming Chiang (HOPSCOTCH) BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Tsai Tsung-Han, Tom Shu Yu-Lin (WINDS OF SEPTEMBER) BEST SCREENPLAY ADAPTATION: Liu Heng (ASSEMBLY) BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Cheng Siu Keung (SPARROW) BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: Ng Yuen Fai, Chau Chi Shing, Tracy Kok Wai Ling (THE WARLORDS) BEST ART DIRECTION: Chao Shih-Hao (PARKING) BEST MAKEUP & COSTUEM DESIGN: Luke Huang (Wong Yu Nam), Sai Com (Hong Chun Wai) (CANDY RAIN) BEST ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY: Li Chung Chi (CONNECTED) BEST ORIGINAL FILM SCORE: Fred Lu (Lui Sing Fei), Lo Chi-Yi (CAPE NO.7) BEST ORIGINAL FILM SONG: SOUTH OF THE NATION (GOK GAING JI NAM) (CAPE NO. 7) Lyrics: Matthew Yen (Yim Won Nung) Composer: Tzeng Chih-Ho Performer: Van (Fan Yat Sun) BEST FILM EDITING: Yau Chi Wai (CONNECTED) BEST SOUND EFFECT: Steve Burgess (MISSING) THE OUTSTANDING TAIWANESE FILM OF THE YEAR: CAPE NO. 7 FIPRESCI AWARD: PARKING THE OUTSTANDING TAIWANESE FILMMAKER OF THE YEAR: Wei Te-Sheng Lee Long-Yu LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Chang Feng SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION AWARD: Huang Ren * (12/7/2008) The 45th Golden Horse Awards took place last night at Taichung Chung Shan Hall. Attendees included representative artists from Mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, including Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha), Lin Chiling, Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Shu Qi, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau), Pace Wu (Ng Pui Chi), Kelly Lin (Lam Hei Lui), Karen Mok Man Wai, Prudence Liew (Lau Mei Kwan), Vicki Zhao Wei, Zhou Xun, Kuei Lun-Mei, Eric Tsang Chi Wai and daughter Tsang Bo Yi, Peter Chan Ho Sun and his wife Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Ang Lee, Wu Chen, Ethan Ruan (Yuen King Tin), Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming), Eason Chan Yik Shun, Feng Xiaogang, Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Chang Chen and so on. During the ceremony prior to the Walk of Fame, female stars would definitely fight for the spotlight. Two nights ago many actress appeared with low cut dresses, including Lin Chiling, Ng Pui Chi, Lam Hei Lui, Zhou Xun and the master of ceremonies Carol Cheng Yui Ling, but Lin Chiling and Lam Hei Lui were the sexiest. "Golden Horse Ambassador" Lin Chiling also served as the opening guest performer. Stephen Fung Tak Lun's "new and old flames" Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen) and Mok Mai Wai were at the same venue but did not appear together. Father and daughter Tseng Chi Wai and Tseng Bo Yi entered together. although Bo Yi and Mickey Huang (Wong Chi Gau) were former lovers but were not embarrassing on the same stage. She even generously accepted his interview. When the handsome Wu Chen approached, he waved to the crowd and made the onlookers next to the red carpet immediately screamed. Presenter Wu Chen frankly stated that he was both happy and nervous about attending the Golden Horse Awards for the first time. A bearded Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho) entered with Janine Chang (Chang Junning). The former looked cool while the latter was full of smiles as they made an interesting comparison. Baring her back only, Shu Qi came with director Ang Lee. Ang Lee would present along with Lam Ching Ha the Outstanding Taiwan Film of the Year and Outstanding Taiwan Filmmaker. Ng Kwan Yu and Chan Ho Sun would present the Best Actress Award. Kwan Yu even said that she was very nervous because Chan Ho Sun was afraid of her playing a trick on him. In addition, Lollipop's model seven handsomely entered. Magician Marco Tempest also performed a little magic on the spot. * (12/6/2008) Japanese singer Atari Kosuke who participated in CAPE NO 7 two nights ago attended an event in Hong Kong. He in CAPE played two roles of a teacher and a singer. Playing a singer was not hard for him at all because he could be himself, but playing the teacher was rather tough because he had few lines and had to express sadness. Tonight he would attend the Golden Horse Awards. The film had a lot of buzz and he was very happy that everyone liked this film. * (12/6/2008) Wong Kar Wai recently has received the "Swedish Oscar" Stockholm International Film Festival's Visionary Award, the first Asian filmmaker to receive this honor. Wong Kar Wai attended the ceremony, but later rushed to the Golden Horse Award to cheer on nominees Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung) and Julian Cheung Chi Lam on. Cheung Yung Yung with the Jet Tone production MIAO MIAO received the Golden Horse Best Actress Award nomination, while Cheung Chi Lam who performed the film's theme song GET TOGETHER was also nominated for Best Film Song. Although Wong Kar Wai was very busy, as the Jet Tone "patriarch" he wanted to encourage both in person and play cheerleader. Cheung Yung Yung just joined Jet Tone and was Taiwan's rookie of the year. Not only was she nominated for Best Actress, her short film THE END OF THE TUNNEL was also nominated for Best Short Film. Her CANDY RAIN performance was rather stunning performance, she also participated in another short film ANONYOUS GAME as the villain. Wong Kar Wai felt that Cheung Yung Yung had a very wide performance range and could be both dynamic and static. A victory for her would not be impossible. Preparing to return to music, Cheung Chi Lam's nomination was a huge encouragement to him. Many friends were falling over each other to cheer him on in Taiwan. Actually Wong Kar Wai has not attended the Golden Horse Awards in years, this time he would like the best for the good luck from the recent Sweden prize to rub off on Yung Yung and Chi Lam so they both could win as well. * (12/6/2008) Golden Scene's 10th anniversary film retrospective opening party two nights ago took place with many artists in attendance, like Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Stephen Fung Tak Lun, Wong Jing, Karena Lam Ka Yun, Peter Chan Ho Sun, Rain Li Choi Wa, Chiu Shuet Ying, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Heung Wa Keung and Janice Man. Edison Chen Koon Hei's scenes in the new film TIU CHOOK HUI (DANCE OUT) has been completed removed. His scenes would have to be shot again. Director Fung Tak Lun said that it was a great pity, but he could do nothing since this was two investing companies' commercial decision. In the future he not only had to shoot the male lead's scenes again but also the dance scenes, this time the shoot cost one million. Currently no male lead has been selected for the new shoot but he definitely would not be it. Fung Tak Lun said that he did not want the film to have too much change. Was it because of Edison's scandal the film failed to receive Mainland inspection approval? He believed that the film has not yet been sent to the Mainland for approval, mainly it was the investing companies' commercial decision. Did one of the bosses Stephen Chow Sing Chi asked to retain Chen Koon Hei's scenes? Fung Tak Lun said that asking him in person would be better. He has not deliberately called Chen Koon Hei but believed that the company would. Would he send Chen's scenes to him? He expressed that he could not randomly take away company resources and the company would have to decide. Lam Ka Yun with CANDY RAIN was nominated for a Best Actress Golden Horse Award. She honestly would like to win, together with the film's good script she considered it a representative work of her 8 year career. Alice Chan Wai has already been secretly married to a wealthy Taiwan businessmen for nearly a year. Did Wong Jing know about it? He said that if they were together as rumored she would not decline to renew the contract. He knew that she has been dating for a long time and that she has had several boyfriends. However, Wong Jing clarified that they were not actually familiar because Siu Ting Yat signed her. Since she was signed naturally she was utilized. A Mainland company has accused Wong Jing's company of jumping the gun with VCD releases and filed its application for liquidation. Wong Jing said that actually was very minor now he was at present in reconciliation. * (12/6/2008) The Herman Yau Lai To directed film TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE (NGOR BUT MAI SUN, NGOR MAI JI GUNG) two nights ago held its premiere at apm. Actors Prudence Lau Mei Kwan, Race Wong Yuen Ling, Sammy, Chow Pak Ho, Auyeung Ching, Maggie Lee Man Kwan and Toby Leung Ching Kei attended. Wu Fung also personally came in support of his god daughter Lau Mei Kwan. Lau Mei Kwan with this film received her first Golden Horse Best Actress nomination, she honestly said that she was already very happy about the nomination and felt very honored. She said, "I more than made it." However, she said friends and the cast and crew, even the boss have given her a lot of pressure. Wong Yuen Ling two nights ago arrived in a pregnant woman look. She expressed in the film she played a Mainland woman who came to Hong Kong to marry a much older man. In order to qualify for Hong Kong residence and receive assistance she became a surrogate mother. She joked that being pregnant had a lot of benefits. Two nights ago she and her family on the way to the cinema even the restaurant attendant gave her a pillow, Mommy did not understand why seniors do not get it. * (12/5/2008) Leo Ku Kui Ke, Linda Chung Ka Yun, Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Juno Mak Chun Lung and so on attended two nights ago a JADE SOLID GOLD taping. Stephy disclosed that she was busy making the new movie BO CHI OI NEI (KEEP LOVING YOU) with Justin Lo (Juk Tin). She said that playing a couple iwth Juk Tin felt very strange because Juk Tin usually was very cool; but in the film he had to look at Stephy with deep feeling, which she thought was very funny. Reporters suggested for her to treat him like Alex Fong Lik Sun, she said with difficulty, "That's hard, we shouldn't have any gossip. I am at ease. (Because you have a height difference?) Not really, during the shoot I wore flats. Love had no height difference!" * (12/5/2008) Mei Lanfang once rated Shanghai as such, "Although I was born in Beijing, Shanghai is my favorite place." Yesterday, the movie FOREVER ENTHRALLED (MUI LAN FONG)'s production team headed to Shanghai for a grand promotion in Master Mei's second home. The thousand occupancy cinema had no empty seat. Almost no one left early from the three hour premiere ceremony that ended near midnight. Hong Kong actor Leon Lai Ming ultimately is the hot spot that the film could not leave. The Chen Kaige directed, three year long attempt for "revenge", film featured idol Lai Ming whose acting has never been recognized in its lead. Obviously the popular Mei Lanfang or Chen Kaige fans had their doubts. However, when asked if Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing was alive would he be even more suitable to play Mei Lanfang, Director Chen said, "What Mr. Mei Baojiu has said was very appropriate, Lai Ming as Mei Lanfang was even more gracious." Mei's son and one of the film's planners Mei Baojiu was at the scene to give Chen Kaige and Lai Ming reassurance, "After watching this film I felt Lai Ming's performance was very suitable. He was very beautiful on stage and very manly off it. Director Chen Kaige gave thorough descriptions to all of the film's characters. I am very satisfied." Mei Baojiu candidly said at the same time that actually Lai Ming's interpretation of the adult Mei Lanfang was accurate because the adult Mei Lanfang was someone without much facial expression. I at first had my doubts about Lai Ming, but after meeting him I started to have confidence in him. Lai Ming's low profile and calm demeanor resembled his father too much. Zhang Ziyi in the film had little Beijing opera flavor, but Zhang Ziyi said, "This performance was already very fun, through studying the role of Meng Xiaodong I knew her, understood her, and fell in love with her. When the actor and the role mixed together, I found this experience to be very wonderful experience. I missed it and am very grateful to be able to keep this beauty on the screen." Even though Zhang Ziyi's role was not role, viewers who enjoyed the entire film last night generally liked Zhang Ziyi's performance. Every viewers who came from Hong Kong even graded Zhang Ziyi's successful performance with terms like clean, straightforward, and comfortable. Throughout the entire film, Gillian Chung Yun Tung who participated in the film had all of her scenes cut out. In the final version, her character Fu Chifang only appeared in the wedding scene with Mei Lanfang. she was covered in a red head dress and wore a red dress. When Mei started to lift the red veil, the scene gradually faded into darkness. That figure was indeed Ah Gil, her appearance was less than a second. One of the producers Chen Hong said, the film's only regret was the complete removal of Ah Gil's scenes. "We did not take the initiative to call her, we were embarrassed to. As for whether Chen Kaige has thought about making it up to her afterward, I think that was his consideration. Later with an appropriate opportunity, we may approach her again." * (12/5/2008) Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Mikki Yao Shu-Yi, Angelababy and Wang Yuan Yuan two night ago attended the "Let's Dance 'Style calendar charity sale and exhibition," Yao Shu-Yi has criticized Lynn's high profile, but when the two met they did not have any chip on their shoulders at all. They even posed for pictures together. Lynn said that recently she has been very busy because she had to promote the film IP MAN. Later the film will hold a premiere at the Great Hall of the People, which made her very nervous. Reportedly IP MAN 2 will drop her, but Donnie Yen Chi Tan praised her potential and hoped to be able to work with her again. She said that she was not know how to act at all, so she was already very happy that the director and other actors did not scold her. She even felt that she was already very fortunate and very touched to be able to work on the first installment. She was grateful even if she did not have a part in the second film. Would she ask Sing Sing to support her? She said, "He seems to have concerts, but I will ask friends for support. (Reportedly he has seen the raw footage?) I have not seen it myself! (Would you ask Sing Sing for his opinion?) I was afraid of comparison to his professional standards, which I would fail." * (12/5/2008) With three versions in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Mainland, WIND OF SEPTEMBER's Taiwan version two nights ago held its Hong Kong premiere. Aside from director Tom Lin Shu-Yu and actor Modi Chiu Yi Cheng, Chi Pei Hui and Chang Chieh, producer Eric Tsang Chi Wai attended in support with daughter Tsang Bo Yi. At the event Lin Shu Yu handed off the baton to the Hong Kong version director Mak Hei Yun. However, among the guests new comer Modi had the most fans and the strongest momentum. When fans saw Chi Wai they also screamed. When accused of stealing Modi's spotlight, Chi Wai joked, "That's crazy!" When asked whether he was worried about the box office, he expressed that he would not be as Modi fans would at least watch it eight to ten times. The film was nominated for three Golden Horse Awards, all of which Chi Wai was confident in but felt that competition CAPE NO. 7's story was more complete. Chi Wai's son Tsang Kwok Cheung could not attend due to a South Pole travel special. Tsang Bo Yi joked that the Tseng family already felt the glory of one of its own in the South Pole. In addition her brother has seen the film earlier at the film festival. Would Bo Yi like her father to make a movie for her? She joked, "Wait until he makes more money first!' Modi was a Lollipop member. Originally he was worried that the Hong Kong audience might not watch this film, but now with the fan support he has regained his confidence. In the film he had skinny dipping scene and he was the thinnest one. He joked that next time if he had to bare all again he definitely would train more. He hoped to have a chance to work with Jackie Chan later. * (12/5/2008) The Hong Kong Film Development Council launched a "Hong Kong Film NEW ACTION" large-scale promotion campaign, two night ago at the Admiralty Marriott Hotel a plan launch ceremony and a Christmas party took place. Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun Wa, Fok Chun Ting and artists Alan Tam Wing Lun, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Eason Chan Yik Shun, Andy Hui Chi On, Gigi Leung Leung Wing Kei, Johnnie To Kei Fung, Peter Lam Kin Ngok, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Josie Ho Chiu Yi and her husband Chan Tsz Chung as well as a number of directors attended. The Hong Kong Film Development Fund starting October 2007 has received 15 applications for grants, recently 8 films received assistance, including the Hui Chi On starred film CLAUSTROPHOBIA (CHUN MUK), the Eason Chan starred film SHOOK MING (LIFE RANSOM), the Tsang Kwok Cheung directed LUEN YUN SHUI YU (LOVE COMMENT) and OI DOH DAI (LOVE IN THE END). Hui Chi On expressed that he had a part in CLAUSTROPHOBIA so he came in deliberate support. He said that recently he has become a director, his first attempt. How much did he invest? He said, "The company gave me a 300,000 budget. I will make a film that will be similar to experimental, about 30 minutes and it will be placed in the record. Production will start in about two weeks." He said that he was the most nervous about controlling budget so he had a lot of pressure and tension, but the company and friends all have expressed their support. He joked that he has called in all of his favors and would have to take friends to dinner. When asked whether On Jai has approached Sammi Cheng Sau Man to work on his first film and called in a favor? He said, "Wait until I truly become a director first, I won't easily call in this favor. Sammi's salary is several million, this time my movie is only several hundred thousand, I would make out like a bandit. If I ask I believe she would help me, she still values friendship a lot. (Have you called Sammi to console her?) She should be consoling me. She is rich, I am not." On the 18th of this month his old buddy Edmond Leung Hong Man will wed. On Jai joked that earlier when he played soccer he ran into Leung Bing in the bathroom, where he actually got his wedding invitation. It was also the first time he received a wedding invitation at the bathroom door, which was very unforgettable to him. * (12/4/2008) FOREVER ENTHRALLED (MUI LAN FONG) two nights ago held its premiere in Beijing, actors including Leon Lai Ming, Zhang Ziyi, Chen Hong, Sun Honglei, Yu Shaoqun, Wang Xueqi, director Chen Kaige and others, walked the red carpet in the cold seven degrees below zero. The event even built a 3 million yuan stage and launched a 20 minutes long firework show in order to reach a grand effect. At the premiere, the moderator asked Lai Ming to make the orchid hand gestures as in the film. At first Lai Ming still politely declined and expressed hope for the audience to enjoy it at the movies. Ultimately he could not turn down the sincere request and simply did the orchid hand movements very cooperatively. On such a grand occasion, Lai Ming even performed at the event and heated up the venue. As for casting, Chen Kaige said that he was attracted to Zhang Ziyi's smile. No matter what difficulties she has encountered she would face them with a smile. Zhang Ziyi could not help but cried after hearing that. The director also said that Lai Ming at first played the role of Mei Lanfang under pressure. Fortunately, Lai Ming strongly faced it and said, "The pressure came from myself and must be overcome on myself." The director admired how he dealt with the matter. As Chen Kaige's wife and the adult Fu Chifang in the film, Chen Hong was not from Beijing and the Beijing accest was her greatest challenge. She even practiced day and night until her voice was hoarse and even broke down into tears once. The evening's program was exuberant, with Super Girl Voice representative Li Yuchun and the band Xin as guests. The event even arranged for Yu Shaoqun who played the young Mei Lanfang to personally demonstrate his Beijing Opera costume to perform PHANTOM (MEI YING). * (12/4/2008) Taiwan film 9 WIND's director Tom Lin Shu-yu yesterday with actors Modi Chiu Yi Cheng, Chang Chieh and Chi Pei Hui attended the press conference, this film made more than NT$10 million in Taiwan -- a decent box office performance, one of this year's top 10 box office hits and nominee of three Golden Horse awards as it competes with CAPE NO. 7 and PARKING as the year's most outstanding film. Lin Shu Yu said that he and CAPE NO. 7 director Wei Te Sheng have toiled behind the scene for years but have never worked together. He pointed out that despite the financial tsunami, Taiwan had a number of hit movies. This was Model Lollipop member Chiu Yi Cheng's first film. He honestly said that he was very nervous. In the film he took off his clothes in front of the camera but he was also the thinnest one. This film's subject was baseball, a sport that was not too popular in Hong Kong. Was he afraid that the audience would not know about it? Chiu Yi Cheng hoped that the audience would accept it. He recently also took part in the film OI DOH DAI (LOVE IN THE END). Yesterday many fans supported him, some were still wearing school uniforms. He hoped that students would put education first. * (12/4/2008) The Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Man Keung directed, Sammi Cheng Sau Man and Eason Chan Yik Shun starred LADY COP AND PAPA CROOK will finally be released on the 24th. Yesterday Mak Siu fai, Chong Man Keung and Cheng Sau Man attended the Mainland press conference. This film was Cheng Sau Man's comeback, in it she wore a wig to make herself look more outdated. She was very satisfied with her image. This role did not have to be too beautiful, so she received a very strange wig. She felt the wig helped a lot as she immediately changed into a more outdated person. She also pointed out that the role was a little neurotic and nervous, and she had to abandon the burden of beauty. Sammi also talked about the pregnancy test in the bathroom scene. They shot it once and then shot it again. She felt that her performance was not too great. Perhaps due to three years without acting, in the first few days she still has not capture the emotions. The director gave her a few times to go home and look for this role from within. Then when she returned to the set, her soul seemed to have returned and broke through her fear. Cheng Sau Man this film worked with six male co-star, including Chan Tsz Chung, Chan Yik Shun, Zhang Guoli, Dong Yong, Patrick Tam Yiu Man and Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai). She joked that Chan Tsz Chung was like first love because he was younger. Chan Yik Shun was like a husband because she saw him giving a lot of money to his wife for clothes shopping. She would like her future husband to give her a lot of money to spend. Zhang Guoli was like a father, Dong Yong a teacher, and Tam Yiu Man an older brother, while Yam Yin Chai and Chapman To Man Jat were like bosses. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, DECEMBER 9 2008, FILM WORDS WHISPERS AND MOANS 2'S LIVELY PERFORMANCE Herman Yau Lai To last year's WHISPERS AND MOANS (SING GUNG JOK JEH SUP YUT TAM) enabled many old and new artists to perform outstandingly, especially playing dance escorts Candy Yu On On, Athena Chu Yun and Monie Tung Man Lei. It was lively and vivid in an unprecedented manner. This year's new film TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE (SING GUNG JOK JEH 2: NGOR BUT MAI SUN, NGOR MAI JI GUNG) became transformed the actors' image, an ensemble drama that featured acting and even made Prudence Liew (Lau Mei Kwan) the fresh out of the oven Golden Horse Best Actress. Yet both films have only been released in a few cinemas, perhaps because of its low budget and not being the special package GOLDEN CHICKEN (GUM GAI) people thought it was "rotten". In addition the golden era of the local sex business has long passed and has difficulty attracting the new generation of middle class movie watchers. The new film's title was particularly awkward, would its box office increase after winning an award? Actually both films recalled the changes after Hong Kong 97. The last film was about ten years ago, due to the thriving Mainland "prostitution trade" Hong Kong ballrooms had to fold up and close down; the new one was 2000 when past her prime dance escort has been reduced to a Sham Shui Po street walker who was also facing competition from the Northern girls and had to go legitimate. After a long time away from film, singer Lau Mei Kwan as early as in 1981 has worked with Andy Lau Tak Wa, Chan On Ying, and Lau Siu Kwan on the Radio Television Hong Kong single episode drama (Dan Wai Chu directed, Lee Bik Wa written), which has become a classic. This time she played the street walker with tooth decay who keeps chicken, loves chicken and worship chicken god. Screwy yet loyal, she wonderfully exhausts all possible means to repair her front teeth. Finally a happy ending arrives. Her performance indeed was outstanding. Please do not misunderstand this film as just "being and ordering chicken". In practice it had no category III nudity and was an intimate and vivid old district neighborhood comedy. Among its many characters were construction workers, insurance brokers, young photographers, the government, the Church and Society Workers, as well as a young wife who married a old Hong Kong man and came to give birth in Hong Kong, they created a living portrait of the society's little guys. The film also brought up again the storm and the fight of Hong Kong people's Mainland children for residence. In addition to Lau Mei Kwan, Race Wong Yuen Ling brought life to a young daughter dragging, twin carrying Mainland woman who came to Hong Kong with liveliness and fun. Lead actor Anthony Wong Chau Sun as usual was a great actor. This broker was very thick skin but had a good conscience, a good man in the mortal world. Participating actors Sammy, Chapman To Man Jat and Tung Man Lei were also interesting. The most interesting was the old neighbor Fung Hak On who developed a relationship with Lau Mei Kwan. Undoubtedly, this was the old wave grass-root film. Not fresh enough, it fortunately was full of little people fun. Unfortunately Ap Liu Street and the computer industry and international people were nowhere to be seen. It has not yet achieved Sham Shui Po's actual new among old, foreign among Chinese colorful characteristics. - SHEK KEI 2. MING PAO DAILY, DECEMBER 9 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION OBSERVATIONS THE REASON THAT CAPE NO. 7 WAS NO MATCH FOR THE WARLORDS CAPE NO. 7 did not get the Golden Horse Awards big prizes, which caught many people off guard. The Golden Horse Award took the jury system, in other words the jury decided all the awards. Differnt from the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Oscars' one person, one vote system, many foreign film festivals also used the jury system. The writer felt that if the Golden Horse took the one person, one vote approach, CAPE NO. 7 definitely would win the big prize in Taiwan. The jury chief felt that CAPE NO. 7 had differences between the film and the script, actors and scenery were flawed, so it could not get the Best Feature Film and director awards. The writer felt that the different between the script and the film should not create any issue. The film was the film, the script was the script, the movie itself was in competition and good or not should be watched from the film itself. Yet the writer agreed with CAPE's lacking points. The film's back story might be more exciting than the film. No match for THE WARLORDS were not only limited to the two aforementioned reasons. Of course, CAPE and THE WARLORDS on the production could not be mentioned in the same breath, but the themes and the vision, THE WARLORDS was better than CAPE. When film co-production was subject to numerous restrictions, THE WARLORDS had the courage and made a rare challenge. In addition it was not a sex scene challenge, but those in Government's ideas, even alluding to the city massacre and town repression. Brothers of the film casting had a lot of thought. Lee Nin Kit made people think of Mainland. Lau Tak Wa was the typical Hong Kong style and Takeshi Kaneshiro of a Taiwan and Japanese heritage. If he did not represent Taiwan what would he represent? A symbol of Hong Kong, Lau Tak Wa in the film has been eliminated long ago, leaving the conflict between China and Taiwan. The Golden Horse has always been a little political color, if example Tam Wing Lun with IF I WAS REAL (YU GOR NGOR SI JUNG DIK) and successfully became the Best Actor. The Golden Horse award has always brought some politic color, in the end it would be a conflict between China and Taiwan. Mainland's ASSEMBLY participated on a rare occasion, how could it return home empty handed? The Best Actor Award of course was a big gift. To improve the relationship between China and Taiwan, they should be reflected from both side's film. If you do not believe it, keep an eye out. - KWOK HIN CHING 3. MING PAO DAILY, DECEMBER 8 2008, FILM WORDS LEGENDARY ASSASSINS HAS GOOD FIGHTING AND FUN Viewers who like martial arts films fans would not be disappointed with LEGENDARY ASSASSINS (LONG NGA) because Jason Wu Jing flexes his muscles and fights stylishly and powerfully. Although the circumstances are simple, but they achieve with fun a lone assassin's romantic heroism. The Beijing based martial art star Wu Jing in the past decade has done a lot of film and television work. On the silver screen the most outstanding was SPL (SAT POR LONG)'s ferocious blond villain killer with a a very exciting contest with Donnie Yen Chi Tan. Since then, he has performed in films like FATAL CONTACT (HAK KUEN), TWIMS MISSION (SEUNG JI SUN TAU), and FATAL MOVE (DUET SHUI). However as the hero he was not lively enough and lacked star power. This new film was "tailor-made" to enhance his appeal. The See Yuen production LEGENDARY ASSASSINS was a joint direction of Lee Chung Chi and Wu Jing. Playing right up Wu Jing's alley as he was cast to play a heroic assassin with an unknown origin and no much to say, relentless and merciless with villains and loyal to end with good people. This film wonderfully had Hong Kong outlying islands' characteristics, the main background was the water town Tai O, which had no transportation due to a hurricane. Although it did not achieve this year's Tai O disaster condition, its little bridge and alley flavor was decent. The lone killer after the bloodshed was stuck there wit his victim's head and developed an interesting relationship with a female cop. Playing the female cop was the mixed heritage new star Celina Jade, who looked a bit like Josie Ho Chiu Yi. Very lively and lovely, she could act and fight. Clean and refreshing while also having a sense of humor, she brought feminine color to this vicious fight film. Hui Siu Hung, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Sammy and others played Outlying Islands police station colleagues, all in the family around vindictive fun. Wu the uninvited guest dined with them, celebrated a birthday with them. Wu Jing even cooked and washed dishes. Such kind of home style scenes were very entertaining. Ronald Cheng Chung Kei also help out as a funny Outlying Island noodle shop owner. Wai Ying Hung played a city restaurant owner. The daily cooking and eating constituted LEGENDARY ASSASSINS' connections. Wu Jing still had limited expressions, fortunately this image design was decent and gave him some human touch among his toughness. Even the fights were fierce. The finale climax took place on a rainy night with one against one hundred, which was in particular brutal and tragic. However, he was invincible with empty hands. Obviously exaggerated. The least sensible part was an international criminal group actually had no firearms. Wu Jing without any modern weapons tests was no match for Jackie Chan, Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) and Tony Jaa. The film also had a lot of farfetched parts. The police search of the lead's bag would be too negligent, the writers and the director continued to underestimate the audience's intelligence. However with recent kung fu fantasy films, this one fortunately was simple and could fight, as well as having a small token flavor that was better the larger but difficult to please CHAMPIONS (DUET BIU). - SHEK KEI 4. TA KUNG PAO, DECEMBER 7 2008, FILM AND TELEVISION TRAVERSE TSUNAMI EFFECT SHOULD HAVE WIDE IMPACT The two beautiful Miss Hong Kongs Chu Ling Ling and Michelle Reis (Lee Ka Yun) recently had their wedding ceremonies, the former was in a low-key eight year romance that finally came to fruition; the latter had many fantastic but unpleasant rumors, finally was able to unite and again achieve the legendary story of Miss Hong Kong marrying rich. In comparison under the recent financial tsunami, Hong Kong businesses had layoffs, pay cuts or just closing. The community thus was under a depression; these two weddings along with Cathy Tsui chi Kei's second pregnancy were great news that brought some warmth to this cold weather. However everyone should be prepared, the impact of the financial tsunami in Hong Kong is expanding and deepening, it is estimated that between now and before and after the Lunar New Year, many companies will conduct layoffs, pay cuts or closing. By next year, many "post tsunami effects" will one after another surface, such as print media advertising businesses and products due to budget cuts will be affected. Everyone will have to devise ingenious schemes to face adversity; some financial publications have already been transformed into Comprehensive publications in order to survive; some lifestyle publications, in addition to stringent control over the number of pages, also through the active sponsorship or cooperation projects to open up resources; and some publications will increase hiring of foreign aid (and even outsourcing) and tightening full-time staff. Film and television are also not optimistic, not to mention Hong Kong's two free television stations are cutting jobs (TVB disappoints me the most, a listed company with huge surpluses obviously due to the management of short-sighted mistakes and lack of long-term planning has led to business imbalance, but it sacrifices its employees to withstand the entire business pay television investment loss burden); the already shrinking film and music industries, because of the parent company or investor assets reduction coupled with difficult financing, have worsened the prospects for the future . Hollywood's film and television companies are also facing a similar situation and announced production cuts and downsizing. Such a phenomenon will involve on and off the scene related industries including video and recording industries and create a vicious circle. In addition, with intense commercial sponsorship stage, music and dance performances, film festival and music award shows, and even charity fund-raising activities will be affected, the level of which can be expected. The entire world order will as a result of this financial tsunami restructure, each one of us will all be affected to a certain extent without any exception. - CHUI HIU 5. MING PAO DAILY, DECEMBER 5 2008, FILM WORDS THREE NARROW GATES AND THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX "Three narrow" and "Wei Yangge" The Ying E Chi organized 2008 Hong Kong Asia Independent Film Festival has ended, I have seen the closing film THREE NARROW GATES (SAM TIU JAT LO). Differing from director Vincent Chui Won Shun's previous common youth ensemble LOVE IS ELSEWHERE (OI CHING MAN SHUI), this film restores the independent character but actually has many "mainstream" elements. THREE NARROW GATES has a former undercover cop with tattoos, Northerner prostitutes, and a young female gossip magazine photographer, as well as a famous political radio phone-in program host (Wong Yuk-man) and a minister (Liu Kai Chi), all coincidentally are swept into a murder mystery and dangerously investigate a wealthy and powerful institution Mainland factories' toxic contamination complex scandal. The thriller subject that involves political, officials, businessmen and the church "conspiracy" is often made into mainstream films in the West to Japan and South Korea. After the handover Hong Kong is free to speak, but because it is rude to the "pro-China" clan and also referred to June 4 and July 1, can it be released in mainstream cinemas? Chui Won Shun's independent old work LEAVING IN SORROW (YAU YAU SAU SAU DIK JAU LIU) also touched on June 4 and 97, Beijing and Hong Kong, and the church, FEAR OF INTIMACY (JUI JUNG NGOR CHIN YUN) was about a paparazzi investigation of a murder mystery. The new film has mixed the two and the interconnected multiple plots are richer and the skills more well honed. This film's most vivid is the romance between the young former police officers (Wong Yik Nam) and a one-woman brothel prostitute (I do not know who this actress is but her performance is very well). This pair of thug and slut's relationship is rather natural and witty, as well sa sincere emotions in the mortal world. Liu Kai Chi as a minister who is threatened for being outspoken is also great, Joman Chiang as the female photographer is young and pretty, but more representative is the opportunistic editor; the performance is so vivid that it has brought the character to life and resembled nothing like acting. Chui Won Shun's directing has obviously improved but still not good enough to control plot twists and turns, the film's murder and scandal are unclear and not bold enough. Actually a few years ago the mainstream Hong Kong films A-1 HEADLINE and ELECTION II are even more aggressive and acute, the latter even targets the Mainland official and full of political insinuation. I also saw the Kwong Po Wai and Thomas Lam Hong Ming co-directed THE AUTUMNAL EQUINOX (MEI YEUNG GOR) about the nearly extinct Blind Man Nanying that leads to a young couple's romantic affair. The film pays attention to the Blind Man Nanyin but not smooth enough with its dealing of love. Lead actress Ma Yi Wei has lively expressions, Ong Yi Hing (Wong Yi Hing) as a fragile spirit lead actor is also competent. Unfortunately due to budget constraints, the techniques are not yet professional. As a whole it can only be a sincere attempt, but many scenes in the film and the ending in particular have already achieved atmosphere and flavor. - SHEK KEI 6. MING PAO DAILY, DECEMBER 4 2008, FILM WORDS SACRIFICE FOR THE NATION: IKAGAMI Death comes again, the Japanese pop culture is too obsessed with death. However, this new film is rather special. It differs from the fantasy and battles of wits in DEATH NOTE with some Orwell type warning, as it makes controversial "prophecy" against the government manipulation of people's life and death and promotion of sacrifice for the nation. IKAGAMI is based on Motoro Mase's manga and Tomoyuki Takimoto directed. In the future the government's "national prosperity maintenance law" provided vaccines for every elementary school students. Between the ages of 18 to 24, 1 out of 1000 would have the chance to become "martyrs" due to drug induced death. This is done to arouse a sense of crisis so the people would cherish life, after the implementation suicide and crime indeed was drastically reduced and national prosperity and stability were promoted. Each of the selected young people on the day before death has received the "death letter" -- advanced death certificate. The original Japanese title IKIGAMI was the "death letter". The idea of course is very farfetched, even totalitarian states may not make such a blatant law. However, in comparison to Kinji Fukasaku's later year production of the Government's drive to force children to fight against each other, BATTLE ROYALE, this film is more meaningful. Because Japan once has stressed that making sacrifices for the benefit of the country, the country was led to militarism and war. Today, are government manipulation and patriotism in the end good or bad? Around the world the topic is still often controversial. The national issues that were involved in the film were complicated, the story was quite plain. Shota Matsuda (Yusaku Matsuda's second son) played the national prosperity bureau's death letter delivery person, an equivalent of the Grim Reaper who painfully watched several sacrifice victim's final 24 hour journeys. In the interwoven stories of the death of youth, some went mad for revenge before they died, even more lived properly before death, found themselves and with the last of their lives spread good will of love. The part with the singer (Yuta Kanai) was so melodramatic it was mediocre, shut in rich kid (Kazuma Sano) and his council member mother were rather ironic. The most touching is a debt collecting Wise Guy (Takayuki Yamada) and his blind sister (Riko Naruimo)'s family relationship. While deliberately tear jerking, the good news was that the siblings were likable, their performance real and moving. It even had beautiful cherry blossom scenery. Shota Matsuda's look and expression were decent. This delivery person was sympathetic but had to play Grim Reaper. He wanted to rebel against the inhuman "nation prosperity maintenance law" but the law also seems to be somewhat effective and he was caught in contradictions. The film hinted that others planned to oppose this law, how will it develop? A sequel appears to be on the way. This one was not perfect but still worthy of attention. - SHEK KEI [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Sit Ting Fung Won Lit : Eavesdropping Situation d. Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Man Keung Louis Koo Tin Lok, Lau Ching Wan, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Alex Fong Chung Shun, Zhang Jingchu, Lok Sze Wan, William Chan Ting Wai Can : Wan Dai Jor Lit : Play Too Big d. Pang Fat Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Stephanie Cheng Yung, Chow Pak Ho, William Chan Wai Ting, Wiley Chiu Shek Chi, Kung Yun Chi LOOKING FOR A STAR Can : Yau Lung Hei Fung Lit : Swimming Dragon Acting Phoenix AKA : 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 : Oi Dut Hei d. Joe Ma Wai Ho Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Chen Bo-Lin (Chan Pak Lam), Shaun Tam Chun Yin, Terry Fan Siu Wong, HotCha Can : Yau Jet Geung Si Um Luen Nei Lit : A Zombie Has a Crush On You Roger Kwok Chun On, Natalie Meng Yao, Jo Kuk Cho Lam, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Maggie Lee Man Kwan, Tanya Wu (Ng Ka Yun), Anke Bei, Angel Ho Cheuk Ying Can : Um Sat Lit : Assassination d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Louis Koo Tin Lok, Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) Can : Tung Moon Lit : Classmate d. Herman Yau Lai To Shawn Yue Man Lok, Ada Choi Siu Fun, Ella Koon Yun Na, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Chapman To Man Jat, Jun Kung Shek Leung STORM RIDERS II Can : Fung Won II Lit : Wind Cloud II d. Pang Brothers Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Can : 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) IP MAN d. Wilson Yip Wai Shun Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Li Ja, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Terry Fan Siu Wong, Lam Ka Tung, Hiroyuki Ikeuchi Opening December 19 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. 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 Opening December 11 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A drop of love panacea "pheromone" connects the love lives of three women under the same city sky; three appeared to be fruitless romances weave a series of bursting love chronicles? Fanfan is a medical center examiner who looks not only ordinary but also a big short-sighted. Her human physical examination skills are ten thousand times better than her romance with men. She is insulated from the men of the city. Longing for love, she uses the professional convenience and her understanding human physical structure, coupled with the spirit of scientific experiments, finally invents a series of pheromone patches and uses them to successfully capture a band guitarist Xiao-gang's heart. Carried away with "love" Xiao-gang is busy all day with accompanying Fanfan that he has missed a series of performances. Band mate Rail Link becomes upset. Rail Link is the lead vocalist and a boxer. Her tough and tender unique personality deeply attracts Mok Kai Yan. However, Rail Link had a strange view on love, she would prefer to invest in with the feelings of the superstars X fantasy love than take a glimpse at another... TOKYO! Can : Tung King Bo Lok Lit : Tokyo Tribe d. Michel Gondry, Leos Carax, Bong Joon-Ho Ayako Fujitani, Ryo Kase, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Yu Aoi, Teruyuki Kagawa Length: 112 mins. Opening December 18 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A young couple decided to start a new life in Tokyo, his goal was clear, hers was not as decisive. In this colorful city filled with people, their hearts start to part until one day, her loneliness has begun to change her body to an unknown and crazy condition...... a mysterious and madman like organism appears in Tokyo, "his" series of odd behaviors has brought panic and disaster to this city. "His" emergence slowly divided the entire city. As the city of Tokyo gradually collapsed into chaos, this organism was arrested. At this time, people of the whole city held their breath for his final sentence ...... He is a typical "Otaku", in the past 10 years he has locked himself in his Tokyo home and reduced the chance of outside contact to its lowest. A day, a delivery girl appears in front of his house amid an earthquake and something that he has never imagined happened -- falling in love. Not long after he learned that the girl like him was an "Otaku". In order to see the girl again, he decided to summon up the courage of his life and took his first step out the door...... 9 WINDS AKA WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE TAIWAN CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Tom Lin Shu Yu Rhydian Vaughan, Chang Chieh, Sheng Wei Nian, Wang Bo Chieh Length : 113 mins. Opening December 4 2008 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? 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 November 27 2008 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. 1ST 7 DAY Can : Tau Chut d. Herman Yau Lai To Michelle Ye (Yip Shuen), Lam Ka Tung, Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Fung Hak On, Tony Ho Wa Chiu, Chiu Yu Nung Opening November 20 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A depressed driver, a mysterious passenger, a poor woman, a touching past and an unknown forbidden land......like one piece after another of a lost puzzle, together it creates a suspenseful and touching story that is full of twists and turns. Taxi drive map King accepts an order that no one is willing to take. The destination is a Spring Thunder Hotel that has been abandoned for 33 years. Mysterious passenger Siu Ma drives his light truck and asks Map Wong to be his guide with a high offer. When they successfully arrive at the destination he would pay Map King even higher salary. Siu Ma is surprised that Map King is rather familiar with the direction of Spring Thunder Hotel. On the way Map King and the just as strange Siu Ma have too much knowledge of what happened then at the Spring Thunder Hotel. Yet they are unwilling to talk about it freely. After arriving Siu Ma says that the mission has been completed and gives the goods on the truck to Map King. When Map King opens the merchandise...... HIGH NOON Can : Lit Yut Dong Hung AKA : WINDS OF SEPTEMBER - THE HONG KONG CHAPTER Can : Gau Gong Fung d. Heiward Mak Hei Yun 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 Opening November 6 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] In 2007, as the world was busy to welcome 08 Olympic events, Hong Kong students' most important battle, the HKCEE, was around the corner. Nine male and female adolescents are at a loss between adulthood and childhood, caught in a dilemma between the internet, SMS, the materialistic and virtual world and the cruel reality; their restless and fragile souls cherished each other, under the scorching sun they found love and freedom that was exclusive to youth. While nothing new was under the sun, time after time an absurd little story has quietly occurred in balance. Starting with phone video, everyone turned from relying on each other to having a chip on their shoulders, from protecting each other to mutually suspicious of each other; the gradual disintegration of the friendship, fragile love, family fetters, death and life impacts...... [ 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 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. 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) Opening APRIL 2 2009 [ 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. IF YOU ARE THE ONE Can : Fei Sing Muk Yau Lit : Not Sincere Do Not Disturb d. Feng Xiaogang Ge You, Shu Qi Opening December 24 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Overseas Chinese entrepreneur Qin Fen has truly lived up to the term "return from the sea", only returning from the United Stated to Beijing to visit his aging mother after his father's passing. He was 40 something and still single. Home again he got the idea to wed and published a lengthy marriage recruitment ad in the newspaper. This ad that ends with 'if insincere do not disturb' attracts many women with different state of mind for encounters, including a woman who talks to her pet about her feelings, a cemetery salesman, a frigid young woman and a pregnant young girl who is looking for a father for her child. The more Qin Fen goes on the more fun he has. Among the dates, Qin Fen finally meets Siu Siu, a woman who truly touches his heart but also is a flight attendant who is involved in an extra-marital affair. They do not fall in love at first sight, not to mention get along; but like a pair of nemesis, surprisingly they always run into each other from time to time, Siu Siu on a rare occasion can use his shoulder to lend on. Qin Fen finds her naughty smile very acceptable. As both have needs to fulfill, they unknowingly spark off a delicate relationship. However, no matter what, Siu Siu and that man have a hard time with breaking off ties while Qin Fe always seems to be waiting by her side. Finally, Siu Siu is determined to go with Qin Fen on a trip to Hokkaido, and agrees if she can resolve her heart's shackles, they would marry immediately. When the two arrive in Hokkaido, Qin Fen at first does not understand why Siu Siu would insist on coming to this cold town, only to find out that the location is where Siu Siu's love story started. Two months later, Qin Fen has spent over 60 days with Siu Siu's "recovery", she has already gone from a lost person back to a cheerful woman. Qin Fen in these days truly get to know this wonderful woman and loves her even more. They already are no longer two lonely people who meet over a marriage ad, but a true hearted couple who has suffered and shared joy and sorrow together. POKEMON MOVIE 10 - THE RISE OF DARKRAI d. Kunihiko Yuyama Japanese Animation SUSPECT X Can : Sun tam Ga Lei Lok Lit : Detective Galileo d. Masaharu Fukuyama, Kou Shibaski, Kazuki Kitamura, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Shinichi Tsutsumi OPening December 24 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A male corpse without a face or fingerprint was discovered. When a cop is assigned the cast and cannot find the deceased' identity, she can only turn to Yukawa, an univeristy physics professor for help. While investigating the case, Yukawa discovers that the neighbor of the deceased's former wife happens to be Tetsuya the mathematical genius of the century during Yukawa's university days. Tetsuya is now a unremarkable high school math teacher who has multiple connections to the case. This time in the battle of the century about the physics genius and the math genius, what tricks can Yukawa pull to resolve this perfect crime? 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 January 23 2008 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 January 1 2009 [ 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. FOREVER ENTHRALLED Can : MEI LANFANG d. Chen Kaige Leon Lai Ming, Zhang Ziyi, Sun Hongeli, Chen Hong, Wang Xueqi, Yang Da,Masanobu Ando Opening January 1 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] The story surroundes the Beijing Opera master of a generation Mei Lanfang's legendary love life -- two women and three men who were the most important in his life. Beautiful on the stage and handsome off the stage, Mei Lanfang early in his career defeated veteran Yan Thirteen and rose to fame. He even set off a romantic spark with the heroic actress Meng Xiaodong. The smart Mei Meng Xiaodong made Mei Lanfang's heart no longer lonely but also broke the heart of Mei's wife Fu Chifang, who even forced Mei's friend Yau Yubai to run interference. Because when Mei's loneliness was driven away, his stage career would be ruined... PARKING Can : Ting Che d. (Chung Man Won) Guei Lun-Mei, Chang Chen Opening January 8 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A couple on a night on which they cannot return home faces a decision before their divorce. PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA d. Hayao Miyazaki Japanese Animation Opening January 17 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] The story takes place in a world that still longs for magic and miracles still happen in the world, the scene is located at the seaside town and a house on the cliff. A fish Ponyo by chance runs into a boy and they become good friends. In order to live with his friend, Ponyo takes the chance, leaves the familiar sea, in hopes of becoming human. The boy also keeps his promise for his good friend. 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? NARUTO SHIPPUDEN 2: BONDS d. Hajime Kamegaki Japanese Animation Opening January 29 2009 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A mysterious group of shinobi attacks the Leaf Village! Actually they are Land of the Sky's Sky Ninjas, whose nation the Leaf Village has vanquished previously. Their use of modern weapons bombards the Leaf Village and nearly brings it to the edge of destruction. Master healer Shinno and his apprentice Amaru arrive in the Leaf Village in hopes of the Leaf hokage would assign a squad to rescue the people of Amaru's hometown. The Sky Shinobi has also attacked Amaru's hometown to find the Sky Shinobi's former headquarter address. The Leaf hokage has ordered an counter attack on the Sky Shinboi while Naruto, Hinata and Sakura follow Shinno to Amaru's hometown. They discover the Sky Shinobi's former headquarter but Sky shinobis have killed Shinno. On the other, Leaf traitor Sasuke under Orochimaru's order heads to Amaru's hometown as 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 * TAI PAN TOURS AND CASINO RAMA PRESENT PRISCILLA CHAN WAI HAN WORLD TOUR 2009 Special Guest: Don Li Yat Long DATE AND TIME : Sunday, January 18 2009 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION : Casino Rama Entertainment Centre Casino Rama R.R. #6 Rama Rd., Orillia ON L0K 1T0 Canada TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: www.taipantours.com 416.646.8838 Thornhill - Commerce Gate 505 Highway 7 East, Unit 8 Thornhill, Ontario L3T 7T1 905-881-8838 Markham - Pacific Mall: 4300 Steeles Ave. East, Unit B50 Markham, Ontario L3R 0Y5 905-948-8838 Markham - First Markham Place: 3255 Highway 7 East, Unit 68 Markham, Ontario L3R 3P9 905-946-8838 Scarborough - Oriental Centre : 4438 Sheppard Ave. East Unit 103 Scarborough, Ontario M1S 1V2 416-293-7838 Tai Pan Centre (Weston Branch): 3668 Weston Road Toronto, Ontario M9L 1W2 416-747-8877 Casino Rama 705-329-5288 Toronto - Rio - Can Marketplace: 2215 Steeles Ave. West, Unit C5 Toronto, Ontario M3J 3N2 416-736-8838 * SUPERKEY PRODUCTIONS AND TROPICANA ATLANTIC CITY PRESENT CHEUNG CHI LAM AND KAREN TONG LIVE DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, December 28 2008 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION: Tropicana Atlantic City Atlantic City NJ TICKET PRICES : $108, 78, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: www.SuperkeyPro.com P & M Music 2 Elizabeth Street 212.732.3828 Brooklyn Paradise Vacations 778 60th Street 718.238.1228 * INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT MARKETING AND MOHEGAN SUN PRESENT JAY CHOU WORLD TOUR 2008 CHRISTMAS CONCERT DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, December 21 2008 @ 2PM Sunday, December 21 2008 @ 2 PM VENUE LOCATION: Mohegan Sun Arena Mohengan Sun Uncasville CT TICKET PRICES : $ 268 VIP, 188, 138, 88, 68 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE : www.iemshowplace.com/html/jaychou.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 * JAY CHOU WORLD TOUR 2008 TORONTO DATE AND TIME : Thursday, December 18 2008 @ 2 PM VENUE LOCATION: Air Canada Centre 40 Bay Street, Toronto ON M5J 2X2 Canada TICKET PRICES : CA$ 288, 188, 138, 98, 78, 58 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE : TICKETMASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/100041388704539B?artistid=1260229&majorcatid=10001&minorcatid=5 * RAYMOND MIU PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND TRUMP TAJ MAHAL PRESENT MOONLIGHT RESONANCE CONCERT 2008 with Linda Chung Ka Yun, Raymond Lam Fung, Lee Sze Kei, Ha Yu DATE AND TIME : Saturday night / Sunday morning, December 20 2008 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION : Mark G Etess Arena Trump Tah Mahal Casino Resort Atlantic City NJ PRICE : $118, 88, 68, 48 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 Tuesday December 9 2008 10 BURN AFTER READING d. Joel and Ethan Coen George Clooney, Frances McDormand, Brad Pitt, John Malkovich, Tilda Swinton 9 BRIDESHEAD REVISITED d. Julian Jarrold Matthew Goode, Thomas Morrison, Anna Madeley 8 QUANTUM OF SOLACE d. Marc Forster Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric 7 IKIGAMI: THE ULTIMATE LIMIT d. Tomoyuki Takimoto (Lung Boon Ji Hung) Shota Matsuda (Chung TIn Cheung Tai), (Sing Mei Lei Ji), Takayuki Yamada (Tin San Hau Ji), Koji Tsukamoto (Chung Boon Go Si) 6 WHAT JUST HAPPENED d. Barry Levinson Robert DeNiro, Sean Penn, Bruce Willis, Catherine Keener 5 TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE Can : Sing Gung Jok Jeh 2: Ngor But Mai Sun, Ngor Mai Ji Gung Lit : Sex Worker 2 : I Don't Sell Body, I Sell Uterus d. Herman Yau Lai To Sammy Leung, Prudence Liew Mei Kwan, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Race Wong Yuen Ling 4 NOBODY'S PERFECT Can : Juet Doi Seung Giu d. Yip Lim Sum Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Kary Ng Yu Fei, Chubby (Siu Fei), Sammy, Tong So Kei, Hotcha, 3 LEGENDARY ASSASSIN Can : Long Nga Lit : Wolf Fangs d. Nicky Lee Chung Chi, Jacky Wu Jing Celina Jade, Jacky Wu Jing, Alex Fong Lik Sun, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Ken Lo Wai Kwong 2 CAPE NO. 7 d. Wei Te-Sheng Van Fan (Fan Yat Sun), Chie Tanaka 1 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 ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS IKIGAMI: THE ULTIMATE LIMIT Rating : IIB Length : 133 mins. Opening December 4 2008 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A place with similar history and environment as Japan has a law called "national vibrancy maintenance law". Its goal is to created a reduced national crime rate, highly productive utopia. As each new student enrolls in an elementary school, he or she would receive an immunization shot. One among a thousand would be injected with any extremely small pouch that would stick to the heart. Between the ages of 18 to 24 the poison would be released and killed the person. The government can accurately calculate the poison release time so the 1/1000 person who is selected to die can be assigned a death notice 24 hours before so he or she can make preparations...... TRUE WOMEN FOR SALE Rating : IIB Length : 90 mins. Opening December 4 2008 [ CITYLINE ] With a Chinese title that translates to “I don’t sell my body, I sell my uterus,” Herman Yau’s latest work courts as much attention and discussion as his acclaimed 2007 prostitute drama WHISPERS AND MOANS. A story that belongs uniquely to Hong Kong, the film frankly and sensitively portrays the lives of two women who chose to sell themselves - a drug-addicted madam who works the streets and a young pregnant woman from China who married an older man for the sake of Hong Kong residency. NOBODY'S PERFECT Rating : IIB Length : 100 mins. Opening November 27 2008 Site : http://hk.promo.yahoo.com/movie/nobodys_perfect [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Lam Fung Giu and Tsui Giu have been rivals since childhood. As adults, Lam Fung Giu has become a famous fasthion columnist. Vicious, she loves criticizing city celebrities' clothing the most. Yet due to some outstanding comments she has the love of the readers and remains popular; On the other hand Tsui Giu does not have too much career ambition. She and her family operates a traditional dress store in the old district. Although her life is simple, she is optimistic and has no worry...... LEGENDARY ASSASSIN Rating : IIB Length : 88 MINS. Opening December 4 2008 Opening November 20 2008 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] When Bruce helps capture four runaway convicts hiding in an island, cop Holly believes that Bruce is one of the good guys. When a body of a decapitated ruthless criminal was found, Bruce disappears without a trace. His departures makes him the apparent killer. The arrival of the mobsters forced Bruce to come out of hiding when Holly is taken hostage. As the smoke clears, Holly is faced with dilemma; her feelings toward Bruce and her duty as a cop. CAPE NO. 7 Rating : IIA Length : 130 mins. Official Site : http://cape7.pixnet.net/blog THE BEAST STALKER Rating : IIB Length : 110 mins. Opening November 27 2008 Official Site : http://thebeaststalker.emp.hk [ 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...... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, December 6 2008 15 LOVE Can : Oi Xu Yi (Hui Ngai) 14 ABSENT Can : Kuet Jik Jing Huang (Wong Jing Lun) 13 FOREVER BY YOUR SIDE Can : Wing Yuen Joi Sun Bin Big Mouth 12 AT PEACE Can : On Jing Liu S.H.E. 11 WEDDING INVITATION STREET Can : Hei Tip Gai Kay Tse On Kay 10 PERSON WHO CATCHES THE MOON Can : Lau Yuet Leung Dik Yun Miriam Yeung Chin Wa 9 IF CONTACTED YOUR FACE Can : Yu Gor Pung Doh Nei Dik Lim Vincy Chan (Wing Yi) 8 NOT TRENDY DOES NOT COST MONEY Can : But Chui But Yung Fat Chin JJ Lin Junjie 7 TAKE ME AWAY Can : Dai Ngor Jau Rainie Yang (Yeung Sing Lam) 6 DEEPLY LOVED YOU Can : Sum Sum Oi Gor Nei Jacky Xie (Sit Ji Him) 5 YOU UNDERSTAND MY LOVE Can : Nei Dung Ngor Dik Oi Leon Lai Ming, Zhang Ziyi 4 PROMISED FORTUNE Can : Shuet Ho Dik Yun Fok Neh Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) 3 BEAUTIFUL MOMENT Can : Mei Ho Si Guong Michael Kong Leung, (Ah Muk Lung) 2 RAIN REMINSCENCE Can : Yu Lim Liu Liyang (Lau Lik Yeung) 1 YOU ARE NOT TRUE HAPPINESS Can : Nei But Si Jun Jing Dik Fai Lok May Day --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] HEARTLESS Kanye West http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWzlD7Lc6w8 [Chorus] In the night, I hear 'em talk, the coldest story ever told Somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul to a woman so heartless.. How could you be so heartless? Oh.. How could you be so heartless? [Verse 1] How could you be so, cold as the winter wind when it breeze, yo Just remember that you talkin' to me though You need to watch the way you talkin' to me, yo I mean after all the things that we've been through I mean after all the things we got into Hey yo, I know of some things that you ain't told me Hey yo, I did some things but that's the old me And now you wanna get me back and you gon' show me So you walk around like you don't know me You got a new friend, well I got homies But in the end it's still so lonely [Chorus] In the night, I hear 'em talk, the coldest story ever told Somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul to a woman so heartless.. How could you be so heartless? Oh.. How could you be so heartless? [Verse 2] How could be so Dr. Evil, you bringin' out a side of me that I dont know.. I decided we weren't gon' speak so Why we up 3 A.M. on the phone Why does she be so mad at me fo' Homie I dont know, she's hot and cold I won't stop, I won't mess my groove up 'Cause I already know how this thing go You run and tell your friends that you're leaving me They say that they don't see what you see in me You wait a couple months then you gon' see You'll never find nobody better than me [Chorus] In the night, I hear 'em talk, the coldest story ever told Somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul to a woman so heartless.. How could you be so heartless? Oh.. How could you be so heartless? [Verse 3] Talkin', talkin', talkin', talk Baby let's just knock it off They don't know what we been through They don't know 'bout me and you So I got something new to see And you just gon' keep hatin' me And we just gon' be enemies I know you can't believe I could just leave it wrong And you can't make it right I'm gon' take off tonight Into the night... [Chorus] In the night, I hear 'em talk, the coldest story ever told Somewhere far along this road, he lost his soul to a woman so heartless.. How could you be so heartless? Oh.. How could you be so heartless? ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/2038