8.23.2011 - News

[Shaken, but not stirred.]

FBA: Mr. Tree review
Interesting, if familiar, village black comedy, with Wang Baoqiang good as an idiot-savant.
ScreenDaily: Chinese remake planned for Korean hit My Wife Is A Gangster

THR: '33 Postcards' Set for 8,000 Screens in China

CF: Chen Kaige's New Film Cast Confirmed

CF: Kiss Kiss in 'Love in Space'
Romance film 'Love In Space,' the sequel to 2010 smash 'Hot Summer Days,' unveiled its trailer in Beijing Sunday at a press conference featuring director Wing Shya and several cast members.

CF: Trailer of "Starry Starry Night" Released

Film stars Rene Liu, Harlem Yu and Xiao Ju

Speaking at a press conference last night, Jia Zhangke is getting ready to shoot his first commercial film, In the Qing Dynasty, at the end of the year. He also revealed that his next film will recreate 1949 Hong Kong, including Kai Tak Airport. The script has been in development for a few years and investment funds are ready. Jia hopes to engage Maggie Cheung, whom he's been in talks with, for the lead. (Sina)

First look at Louis Koo in Wilson Yip's Lunar New Year film, produced by Raymond Wong (literally, Happy Magic). Louis plays a melancholic magician who drinks alcohol to help him forget a lot of sorrow.

(Sina)

Publicity stills from Wong Jing's Marry a Perfect Man show Gigi Leung and Ronald Cheng riding a bus

(Sina)

Richie Jen, Gigi Leung and Gigi's violin tutor, famed musician Yao Jue

Barbara Wong's Tears in a Fallen City has finished filming and is now in post-production. (Sina)

Sammi Cheng celebrated her 39th birthday on Aug. 19

And again, with fans two nights later

MSN: Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung end 5-year marriage
CF: Nicolas Tse and Cecilia Cheung Announce Break-up, (A1)

MSN: Sammi Cheng and Andy Hui to move in together
MSN: Edison Chen’s intimate photo with Carina Lau revealed, (Yahoo)
Netizens mocked the Hong Kong singer, saying “There he goes again”

6.24.2011 - News

Donnie Yen: The Last Action Hero (WSJ)

WSJ: Zhang Ziyi’s Favorite Films

FBA: Rest on Your Shoulder review
Magical romantic fantasy is better suited for ingenuous youngsters than picky adults.

Variety: Mr. Tree review
A character study masquerades as social commentary without succeeding as either in Han Jie's "Mr. Tree."

Variety: Beginning of the Great Revival review
A Chinese propaganda film without the heavy dogma and dour treatment that would have been expected a generation ago, "Beginning of the Great Revival" is a slick and lavish historical epic charting the 1921 formation of the Chinese Communist Party.

THR: Beginning of the Great Revival review

A worthy history lesson on the founding of the Chinese Communist Party with only partially entertaining aspects.

EpochTimes: Propaganda Film Inspires China’s Youth to ‘Overthrow Dictatorship’

Epoch Times is pro-Falun Gong publication

ChinaPost: Make Up review (TW)

Three lives clash in the Taiwanese crime thriller “Make Up”when a closeted music teacher takes her life, leaving a trail of unanswered questions for a make-up artist, a psychiatrist and a detective to follow.

The Pretending Lovers opens today (Sina)

Veteran actor Chen Kuan-Tai is working on a new martial arts film (lit. Assassin) now under production. The film is being described by director, Miao Shu, as a Warring States version of Infernal Affairs. Ricky Lau Koon-Wai is producing. The story involves rival kings sending assassins to each other.

Ricky Lau

Miao Shu, opening lens ceremony

Chen Kuan-Tai

Chen Kuan-Tai and director Miao Shu

Zhou Yichen

Jiang Chao

Jiang Chao

Leung Kar-Yan

Zhou Yichen, Dong Zhihua

(Sina), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

TaipeiTimes: Pop Stop

MSN: Cecilia Cheung speaks up on her marital woes

The actress, who is currently working in Germany, claimed that Nicholas is a frequent liar. She added that he was the person behind the attacks on her, in order not to transfer any properties to her.Cecilia Cheung breaks silence over marital woes
Cecilia Cheung has broken her silence on her marital woes, and in an explosive interview with Oriental Daily News, told her husband Nicholas Tse to stop pretending to be a good man, good husband and good father.

A1: Cecilia Cheung responds to divorce rumours

"Even up until yesterday, right before I got on the plane, he was still secretly 'releasing' information to the public. I truly couldn't stand it anymore and felt that I needed to come out and say something."

I’ve been married to him for 5 years and have known him since I was 18 years old – of course I know what type of person he is! All this time, he has always projected the image of being ‘cool’ and ‘suave’, wearing his sunglasses all the time and such. I once asked him why he always wears sunglasses, to which he replied that with the sunglasses on, people can’t tell whether he is lying or telling the truth! So him getting ‘Best Actor’ is truly ‘deserving’ then! (Q and A with Cecilia, translated)

Airport security guards for Ceci's departure (Xinhua)

MSN: Cecilia Cheung seen leaving Hong Kong
Nicholas Tse's statement hint on separating with Cheung
He sent out a statement on Friday, hinting at separation. He said he had, after careful consideration, decided to 'proceed with family matters'.

CNA: Nicholas Tse vows to handle family affairs, Cecilia Cheung speaks out

Jacky Cheung, ex-alcoholic gambler

MSN: Selina Jen’s father confirms her marriage date

6.15.2011 - News

THR: Hello Mr. Tree review
The Bottom Line
A satire that bridges the personal and political with fantasy and black humor.

FBA: Beginning of the Great Revival review
Cameo-studded blockbuster is a notch down on Republic but still a savvy big-screen experience.

FBA: China's Revival gets IMAX boost

Directed by Han Sanping and Huang Jianxin, the film was made conventionally and converted into IMAX, where it now plays on 20 of the 24 commercial screens in China.

Historical epic film eyes box-office record

Tang Wei reportedly can be spotted very briefly in a crowd scene as Mao gives a speech. (Xinhua), 2

CRI: Cast and Crew Promote "Piano in a Factory" in Shanghai
Despite the sizzling public anticipation, it has not yet been settled as to when "Piano in a Factory" will hit cinemas. The release date was initially planned for early July.
CRI: "Coming Back" to Meet Audience on July 15
Producers of the treasure-hunting comedy, "Coming Back," held a press conference during the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival on Tuesday.

CRI:  'Rest on Your Shoulder' Is about Love in a Broader Sense

The story is set on a wonderland-like isle, and features talking insects. Director Jacob Cheung has filled more than half of the film with computer-generated scenes.

Gigi Leung, Guei Lun-Mei, Jiang Yiyan

Guei Lun-Mei

Jiang Yiyan

Gigi Leung (Sina), 2, 3

Gigi Leung is wearing a dress by Ralph Lauren

And 5-inch heels

CF: Huang Shengyi "Splits up" with Yang Zi

Yang Zi and Huang Shengyi attended a yacht party for the movie "White Snake" on Monday in Shanghai, during the ongoing Shanghai International Film Festival.

CF: Chen Kun, Zhang Yuqi Promote 'Qian Xuesen'

Do not think this guy is a tennis master, he is the one that 'Eagle Shooting Heroes 2011' production crew can not live without ~ ~ mosquito Ambassador! Karen Mok posted this photo of Jaycee Chan wielding a bug zapper.

Michelle Ye and Huang Yi at Bona Night earlier this week in Shanghai

Huang Yi was seen practicing at a dance studio after midnight in Guangzhou where she is filming Jeff Lau's Eagle Shooting Heroes 2011. Working with her dance teacher, Huang Yi reportedly did not leave until 3a.m. She frequently blogs after midnight causing her fans to be concerned for her health. Besides Overheard 2, and Treasure Inn, Huang Yi has two other films on her schedule to promote this year, the NBA-related Amazing, and Qiu Jin.

Huang Yi

(Sina)

MSN: Nicholas Tse to fight for custody of kids

MSN: Richard Chang begged doctors to save Selina Jen

6.14.2011 - News

Fei Mu's Confucius Restored for Posterity

CRI: Jia Zhangke Produces Surreal "Mr. Tree"
Director Han Jie inspired by Brother Sharp

CRI: Expectant Father Deng Chao Promotes "Perfect Baby"
In this lighthearted Sino-French urban romance co-production, Deng plays a Chinese student in Paris who gets himself involved in a love quadrangle when he unexpectedly becomes a dad after sperm donation.

(Sina-gallery)

CF: Bond Girl to Join Huang Bo in RomCom

Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta will play opposite Chinese actor Huang Bo in a Sino-Italian co-produced romantic comedy "Shi Chu You Yin,"

The film will center on a romantic story between a homely Chinese chef and a beautiful Italian restaurateur. It will be shot on the Italian isle of Sicily and in China's Chengdu. 

CF: "Love for Life" Premieres in HK

  THR: Sunny Sky Media Unveils 'Coming Back' as First Project, Starring Simon Yam
In Coming Back, which was shot in Mandarin, Yam plays a painter who restores art to increase its value. He’s also a father of an estranged daughter struggling with two personalities, one dark and one light, reflected, Yam said, in the alternately black and pink socks he brought to his screen costumes.

Li Yuan, Annie Yi, Simon Yam

Cheng Pei-Pei

(Sina), 2

A1: Nicholas Tse divorces Cecilia Cheung

MSN: Nicholas Tse has filed for divorce

The actor has reportedly agreed on divorce, and a lawyer’s letter was sent to Cecilia Cheung

Recently, netizens dug up yet another rumour that circulated in 2008 when Cecilia was embroiled in the photo scandal with Edison Chen. It was said that the Tse family then suspected that Lucas, the couple's elder son, may not be Nicholas's biological son and they had even sent him for a DNA test to verify who his father is.

Lucas, who is your father?

Lucas (left), Nicholas (right)

Young Edison

Lucas

(Sina), 2

CRI: Barbie Hsu Announces Career Break to Have a Baby

MSN: Barbie Hsu announces her departure from showbiz

MSN: Sammi Cheng and Andy Hui went on an early honeymoon in Tokyo

The Hong Kong media too speculated that the couple was busy making babies as they stayed in the hotel for four consecutive days without leaving the premise.

Chinese Spying Devices Installed on Hong Kong Cars
Real life Overheard
Smugglers were the first to note something strange about the devices. A source told Apple Daily that after the cards were installed mainland authorities had no trouble picking off the cars carrying illicit goods.

11.10.2009 - Movie News

CRI: Jia Zhangke to Finance 'Mr. Tree'

CRI: Stills from 'Once Upon a Time in Tibet'

Variety: The Sword With No Name (South Korea)

THR: Yen enjoyed playing villain
Yen explored transformation in '14 Blades'

Action star Donnie Yen says he signed on to play an ancient Chinese secret service agent in his new film — even though it was another kung fu epic — because he wanted to tackle the role of a villain who discovers his humanity.

THR: 'Bullets' women still secret

Jiang film's full male cast revealed, but female leads unknown [?][Well, readers here know that Carina Lau is in it! Puzzling.]

Chow Yun-fat hospitalised

BEIJING - CHOW Yun-fat says he had to check himself into a Beijing hospital earlier this week after catching a cold while shooting an US$18 million (S$24 million) Chinese frontier film.

The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star told reporters at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday that he took a two-day break from filming Chinese director Jiang Wen's upcoming movie Let the Bullets Fly for treatment.
In a self-deprecating joke about his age, the 54-year-old Chow said he had to receive medical treatment after filming scenes with younger male Chinese actors.
'I couldn't take it any more,' Chow said, adding the younger actors were 'simply too brilliant.' Hong Kong's Emperor Motion Pictures publicist Yip Kin-ping later said Chow was put on an intravenous drip after catching a cold from shooting in and near Beijing.
In the film, Jiang plays a bandit chief who tries to take over a remote provincial town in 1920s China, only to meet resistance from a tyrannical local businessman played by Chow.
Chow made his name with stylish Hong Kong gangster thrillers like A Better Tomorrow before making his Hollywood debut with the 1998 action movie The Replacement Killers. His other American credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and Dragonball Evolution. -- AP

THR: Huayi is game for 'Pigeon'

China's recently-listed film conglomerate Huayi Brothers has come on board Dante Lam's now in-production crime thriller "Stool Pigeon."

11.09.2009 - Movie News

New Midnight Taxi poster released

(HunanTV)

Mulan's world premiere has been announced in Beijing for Nov.16. at the Worker's Stadium.

Zhejiang Satellite TV has acquired the hotly contested live broadcast rights to the event. Beginning on the 7th Zhejiang will begin a massive publicity campaign. (Xinhua) (HunanTV)

CRI: Mulan's Release Date Set for November 27 (Sina)

[Update]

(cri.cn)

Huang Yi, To Yuhang - Ip Man Prequel

To Yuhang, Huang Yi

Cast for Herman Yau's Ip Man Prequel at Hong Kong press conference. The prequel covers Ip Man's adolescence and studies in Hong Kong, his return to Foshan and how he met his wife played by Huang Yi. To Yuhang will play the lead. It's scheduled for a May release ahead of Wilson Yip's Ip Man 2.

(Sina)

Xu Jiao will play Ip Man's younger sister (ifeng)

(Sina)

CRI: First Look at Sun Honglei in Treasure Hunt Movie [Welcome to Shamatown]

Another treasure hunt comedy starring popular actors Sun Honglei and Lin Chi-ling is now filming in the vast desert of northwestern China's Gansu province.
"My Fair Gentleman" star Son Honglei goes cowboy style for the new film "Jue Zhan Cha Ma Zhen," or literally, "Fight in Chama Town," leading a protection contingent to fight a group of international gangsters who are pursuing treasures in the remote western Chinese town.  (HD version - Sina)

Tony Leung Chiu-Wai Sleeper?

Sun Honglei (Sina)

Lurk/Sleeper (Sina)

Yao Chen

Yao Chen, Shen Aojun

Tony Leung Chiu-Wai and Shu Qi are reportedly interested and in the running for the movie remake of a recent popular TV series 'Sleeper'. Sun Honglei and Yao Chen played the originals in the story of a Communist sleeper agent in the KMT's top intelligence agency after Japan surrendered in 1945. While his wife joins the Communist Party, he takes on a temporary wife. Sun Honglei is also open to the possibility of returning to reprise his role. (HunanTV)

Wang Baoqiang

Jia Zhangke

Wang Baoqiang will star in a Jia Zhangke produced film, 'Hello, Mr Tree' to be directed by Han Jie. (Sina)