1.26.2011 - News

PR: China Lion Knows 'What Women Want' February 3rd
China Lion Film Distribution will open the Mandarin-language remake of 'What Women Want' (Wo Zhi Nu Ren Xin), starring Andy Lau and Gong Li, on the first day of the Lunar New Year, February 3rd, at select theaters throughout North America, as well as day-and-date in China and releasing in Australia and New Zealand. The film will be the first China Lion release for 2011...

(Sina)

Hong Kong gives tepid reception to remake of John Woo gangster classic 'A Better Tomorrow'

All's Well Ends Well 2011 posters

(Sina)

New stills featuring Daniel Wu in Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai's Don't Go Breaking My Heart hint that his character transforms from frog to prince.

Daniel Wu

Frog

Prince

(Sina)

Stills from Gao Xiaosong's My Kingdom. Action director Sammo Hung recreates the era of the Seven Little Fortunes .

Yuen Biao

Yu Rongguang

(Sina)

CNNGo: Can a kung fu movie about Peking opera save Chinese souls?

Celestial Pictures press release

Sammo Hung recently celebrated his 59th birthday (Jan. 7)

Unfortunately, Sammo was also in the tabloid news after being photographed hand-in-hand with a young woman. When shown the photograph, his wife (Joyce Godenzi/Gao LiHong, 2nd right, above) said that she did not recognize her but she didn't know all of Sammo's friends. (Sina)

WSJ: Wives, Kids and a Pop Star: A Who's Who of Stanley Ho's Family 

MSN: Kelly Chen rumoured to have taken 30 injections to help ovulation

MSN: First look at Vicki Zhao’s daughter

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)

9.9.2010 - News

FBA: A Better Tomorrow (무적자) (South Korea) (5/10)

Okay but over-long South Korean remake of John Woo's 1986 crime classic is darker and more emotionally intense.

CRI: 'Hawthorn Tree' Lovebirds Pose for Photo Shoot

Zhou Dongyu, Dou Xiao (Xinhua)

CRI: "Under the Hawthorn Tree" Previewed in Shanghai

And let's pause a moment to remember Jiang Ruijia,, the original girl picked to play Quiet Autumn but then lost the role for talking to the press. [4.21.2010]

THR: Tsui Hark returns with 'Detective Dee'

Simon Yam sporting new soul patch, with wife Qi Qi

Karen Mok's new Hong Kong version of CD will feature two MVs including her 'bathing' performance, a signature of her concert shows.

(Sina) (Sina-slide show)

Anthony Wong

Anthony Wong was spotted out and about with a new young woman recently. Wong who is married with two sons has frequently been linked romantically to many women (Jessey Meng, Fan Bingbing, model Jessie Cheung) leading to divorce rumors over the years. In fact, this particular woman is Wong's new assistant. Psych! So, really, this is a non-story, but just an excuse to dish on Anthony Wong's wandering ways. (Sina)

Rosemary

Mug shot (msnbc)

Supermodel, actress Rosemary (Rosemary Vandenbroucke) was reportedly arrested in Nevada for drug possession and hit-and-run after attending the Burning Man Festival. She was released on $15,000 bail and scheduled to appear in court Oct.19. (Sina), (USAToday)

No luck with Jo Luck

Zhao Wei's investment in a Beijing restaurant has soured and found to be recently shuttered. Opened in November, Zhao Wei and celebrities like Faye Wong often seen dining there. (Xinhua-slide show)

October Marie Claire cover featuring Michelle Reis (Xinhua)

SG: Maggie Cheung wants to adopt

SG:  HK model Angelababy proves she is no 'artificial beauty'

(Xinhua-gallery)

The new and improved Maggie Q

8.24.2010 - News

THR: Korean 'Tomorrow' gets Venice screening

Remake of John Woo classic invited to honor director

CRI: Latest Stills of Chinese Horror Film 'The Island

Chinese horror film "The Island" ("Jue Ming Dao"), in which a billionaire sets up a deadly game on a Southeast Asian island in attempt to save his son who needs a heart transplant, has released several stills.

FBA: Colette Koo has passed away

From My Name Ain't Suzie, 1985

(Aug.21) Tang Wei's appearance at Tengchong airport drew screams of recognition whereby the actress had to hastily don  her sunglasses.

Tang Wei will reportedly play Donnie Yen's wife in Peter Chan's adaptation of the One-Armed Swordsman film, Wu Xia. The leads arrived early in Tengchong County to acclimate themselves to highlands high altitude atmosphere which is 3000m above sea level. Peter Chan selected Tengchong as a location because of the beautiful scenery; there are terraces, ancient villages, waterfalls consistent with the 'retreat' concept of the film.  Despite the rainy season not quite at an end, filming is to begin in September because Donnie Yen's schedule is full with Monkey King scheduled to begin shooting in December. During an interview at the Hong Kong Film Awards, Peter Chan said Wu Xia is about a sword master, played by Donnie Yen, in seclusion for years. Detective Takeshi Kaneshiro is curious and his scepticism leads to trouble. Chan said Wu Xia will combine action, science, medicine and special effects. Tang Wei reportedly beat out Gong Li, Zhao Wei, Li Xiaoran for her role. (Xinhua), 2

Stills of Barbie Hsu and Wang Xueqi in a passionate scene from Reign of Assassins

(Sina-slide show)

Stephen Chow has been confirmed as among the cast of The Founding of a Party. Besides Hong Kong artists John Woo, Chow Yun-Fat, Daniel Wu, and Andy Lau, mainland artists Liu Ye, Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, Zhang Hangyu, Zhang Guoli and Dong Jie are among the reported cast members confirmed so far. Zhao Benshan is also said to have agreed to join. (Sina)

Vivian Chow and Sandra Ng wear Max Mara in an upcoming Jessica Code magazine feature

(Xinhua)

Sending this one out to loyal reader, Glenn 

Cecilia Cheung flacking Stool Pigeon featuring hubby Nicholas Tse and Nick Cheung.

(Sina)

SG: Cecilia Cheung's Facebook shout-out

Charlene Choi in an Adidas shoot

(Xinhua)

Vivian Hsu

Vivian Hsu posted this funny picture of herself on her Weibo. Her caption said that she ate too much in Japan and now had to diet. No explanation on how she created the effect. (Xinhua)

Sammi Cheng's Guangzhou concert

(Sina-slide show)

CRI: Fan Bingbing Helps Children Fight Heart Defects

SG: Aaron Kwok and Lynn Hung cohabiting?

SG: Andy Hui and Sammi Cheng can hide no more

SG: Michelle Reis expecting baby boy

SG: Sandra Ng expecting her second child

When reporters asked Sandra about the rumours of her late pregnancy, Sandra stuttered and mumbled her way out of the situation, neither confirming nor denying the rumours.