11.23.2010 - News

CRI: Documentary "I Wish I Knew" Wins Kino Pen Award
Director Jia Zhangke's documentary about Shanghai "I Wish I Knew" ("Hai Shang Chuan Qi"), won the Kino Pen Award at the 13th Montreal International Documentary Festival.

Zhao Tao - I Wish I Knew (Sina)

FBA: Wind Blast (西風烈) (5/10)
Dusty, desert-set action movie is drained by a scrappy script and lack of cumulative drama or tension.

Yan Ni and Jiang Chao in the 2011 martial arts comedy My Own Swordsman

Jiang Chao (Sina)

Cecilia Cheung’s management company burgled into

The comeback Hong Kong actress’s imaging shots and personal photos were stolen along with three computers from her management company.

Cecilia Cheung's management office was recently burgled and had three computers stolen. The computers contain Cecilia's publicity photos, private family photos and file including personal information and confidential contract-related files. Ms Chow, Cecilia's agent was travelling with Cecilia while she has been shuttling between Hong Kong and the mainland filming Alls Well Ends Well 2011 and Lady Generals of the Yang Family. The company office and neighboring offices were broken into when investigating police called Ms Chow to ask if she knew of the break in. When Ms Chow returned to the management office to assess the loss, she found that three computers were missing. Cecilia's lawyers have already warned against publication of any materials found in the computers. (Xinhua), (Sina)
Computer with Cecilia Cheung's confidential files stolen

Ethan Ruan - Golden Horse's best leading man almost quit acting
MSN: Selina Jen asks for compensation for filming accident
Selina Jen's music label releases official account of her injuries
Considering that Jen made almost 30 million yuan (S$5.9 million) annually before the accident left her hospitalised indefinitely, and that any compensation would definitely have to factor in her lost income as a result of the accident, Jen's payout is likely to be huge.
MSN: Selina Jen’s fiancé pens a touching note on her recovery state

CNNGo: Sandy Lam and her penchant for jazz
The queen of Cantopop opens up about her journey to becoming the musician she is today
Lin Chi-Ling - She'll pursue her dream man
RTHK: Trial of TVB boss set for June
TVB's General Manager, Stephen Chan, and two other defendants have denied corruption and fraud charges. They will stand trial next summer, when a number of TVB stars are expected to give evidence.

10.25.2010 - News

THR: The Piano in a Factory review
A light though tad melancholy comedy set in a fading factory town in northeastern China.

THR: A Better Tomorrow review
Variety: The Drunkard review
"The Drunkard" reps a sincere if uneven adaptation of Chinese author Liu Yichang's celebrated 1963 novel about a middle-aged writer whose artistic ideals evaporate in a fog of booze and dames.
FBA: All About Love (5/10)
Gender-reversal, "lesbian" comedy is let down by a lack of style and clumsy script.

FBA: The King of Fighters (4/10)
Gordon Chan directs international cast in video game adaptation.

THR: Josie Ho Joins the Cast of 'The Courier'

Hong Konger Ho plays Anna, a woman with a mysterious past who meets the daredevil international delivery man of the film's title (Morgan) during what may be his last drop, to someone who may, or may not, exist.

THR: TIFF Offers Its Own Look at Booming Chinese Film Industry

Chinese film officials heralding a cinema revival not seen since the 1930s.

With Hong Kongers firmly established in the mainland, Hollywood studios are homing in. Where 10 years ago it was Sony Pictures and five years ago it was Warner Bros. leading Hollywood's China charge, now it's Fox and Disney working on their co-production chops.

CRI: 'Wind Blast' Gets Starry Premiere
Guests attending to lend support included Huang Xiaoming, Zhang Yibai, Ma Liwen, Huang Bo, Huo Siyan, Song Jia, Zhang Yang and Zhang Guoqiang.

Charlie Young, Xia Yu

Francis Ng

Ma Su

(Sina-slide show), 2, 3

Jeet Kune Do poster

Jeet Kune Do opens Nov. 16 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Bruce Lee's birthday. The film stars Chen Tian-Sing and includes Wu Ma and Bruce Leung Siu-Lung. Billy Chan Wui-Ngai, frequent action director for many of Bruce Lee's films, is the executive producer.

(Sina) (JKD website)

World's first 3D sex film attracts Chinese tourists to Hong Kong
Producer Stephen Shiu told the newspaper he had already been approached by six travel agents who wanted to arrange private screenings and "meet and greet" sessions with cast members.

CRI: 'Color Me. Love' Postpones Release Date
The original October 28 release date had been pushed ahead to November 5, because of unexpected post-production work.
But it was reported that some film industry insiders suggested the movie failed to pass a review by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television because of a nude scene.

Liu Ye, Yao Chen

(Sina)

A 3D DVD version of Feng Xiaogang's The Assembly (2008) is planned for Europe. A German company in cooperation with Huayi Brothers plans to release it in Europe where the film is still popular. (Sina)

Vivian Hsu celebrates her films at Hawaii fest (Interview)

Jia Zhangke awarded Best Documentary prize for I Wish I Knew at HIFF

With Hollywood producer Chris Lee

(Sina)

CNNGo: S.H.E pop star Selina Jen returns to Taiwan after terrifying accident
CRI: Selina Ren, Yu Haoming Injured during Filming
MSN: Selina Jen requires skin graft for burns
MSN: Taiwan star returns after suffering serious burns in China
MSN: Selina’s dad: I’m willing to suffer in her place
Selina regains consciousness, out of danger
S.H.E.'s Selina Jen flown back to Taiwan

[Many articles are now recalling Anthony Wong's controversial remarks he made in the spring about unprofessional Mainland crews and deadly working conditions. At the time, his costar Tse Kwan-Ho was burned in the face while filming the TV series Secret History of the Yang Family. (Xinhua) ]

MSN: Kenny Bee will not marry girlfriend
CRI: Gong Li Walks the Red Carpet at China Fashion Week (Sina)

Wind Blast - Beijing Premiere Press Conference, Interview Photos

(Oct.23)

Gao Qunshu

Charlie Young

Charlie Young

Francis Ng

Xia Yu

Charlie Young, Xia Yu

4 real cops

Actors and their four prototypes

Francis Ng

Charlie Young

Duan Yihong

Wu Jing

Francis Ng

Ni Dahong

(Sina), 2, 3 (Xinhua),  (Sina-interviews gallery)

Wind Blast - Fashion Weekly

Gao Qunshu

Duan Yihong

Duan Yihong

Ni Dahong

Zhang Li

Xia Yu

Charlie Young

(Sina)

10.21.2010 - News

FBA: Late Autumn (4/10)
Lifeless cross-national romance set in the US is a pointless remake of a South Korean classic.
FBA: Thirteen Assassins (Japan) (9/10)
It's a major shame that a decision was taken to make an "international version" that is 17 minutes shorter.

CRI: 'Buddha Mountain' Poster Released
"Buddha Mountain" revolves around a retired Peking Opera singer, played by Sylvia Chang, and her young tenants, played by Fan Bingbing, Chen Po-Lin and Fei Long.

Francis Ng - Wind Blast

Duan Yihong

Duan Yihong

(Sina), 2

Product placements draw laughs at preview screenings of Wind Blast in Shanghai and Xi'an. Besides prominently featuring a vehicle brand (Jeep?) in the story, the camera lingers over billboards for a medicinal product that is used in a joke later on. The Shanghai screening was cut short when the film caught fire during projection. Talk about a hot film! Some viewers up to that point complained that the story was unclear in the opening ten minutes and that having eight major players was too much. The Hollywood-like 'Chinese western' was both praised and criticized as imitative by the audience.
(Sina), (Xinhua)

FBA: Emperor output deal with Celestial
Celestial Pictures and Emperor Motion Pictures have signed an output deal putting Emperor’s movie slate on the Celestial Movies pay-TV channel in South East Asia.

FBA: Detective Dee beats Wall Street - Box Office Summary

CNNGo: Movies we want to see at the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival (Thanks, to duriandave)
A documentary on Johnnie To, Hong Kong's prolific creator of films across genres, but best known for his action crime thrillers that have earned him a strong cult following internationally. The documentary was shot by French filmmaker, critic and journalist Yves Montmayeur who followed To for three years, capturing his insight on filmmaking.

Law Kar-Ying, Jiang Chao

Bruce Leung Siu-Lung, Jiang Chao

Bruce Leung, Law Kar-Ying, and Jiang Chao have begun filming Shentong Fo Ying based on at true story of the restitution of a stolen Buddha's head to a temple in Shandong. With elements of action and suspense, the film emphasizes the importance of cultural preservation. This marks the third film collaboration between Law Kar-Ying and Jiang Chao. Law Kar-Ying denied rumors that he was joining the cast of Stephen Chow's new Journey to the West. (Sina), 2

MSN: Big time actors to feature in 5 upcoming films on magic, (Xinhua)

Expect to see Tony Leung and Zhou Xun pair up and Jay Chou partnering Andy Lau in this magic fever

Monica Mok (Mo Xiaoqi) plays Harlem Yu's partner in the just begun Mr. and Mrs. Single

(Sina)

(Oct.19) World Premiere of The Star and The Sea (The Musician) at the Hawaii International Film Festival

Directors Xiao Guiyun, Li Qiankuan

"Aloha" from Vivian Hsu

Vivian Hsu meets the Governor of Hawaii, Linda Lingle 

(Sina)

(Oct.18) Vivian Hsu romps on the beach in Hawaii

(Xinhua-gallery)

(Oct.20) Lin Chi-Ling appearing in Shanghai for Godiva

(Xinhua-gallery)

Gao Yuanyuan graces the November cover of Cosmopolitan

(Xinhua)

MSN: Gigi Lai bans parents from visiting her daughters

MSN: Vicki Zhao takes pointers from Faye Wong

MSN: Michelle Reis to undergo C-section