7.31.2012 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

FBA: Vulgaria review
Rough-and-ready satire of low-end Hong Kong filmmaking is what it is, and no more.

FBA: Fairy Tale Killer review

Scrappy serial-killer tale that fails to make a case for Danny Pang as a solo director. 

Review：Not So Awesome Foursome

The Four has so far raked in 150 million yuan ($23.5 million), leapfrogging domestic blockbuster Painted Skin: The Resurrection for top spot last week. But not all viewers of the film have given it the thumbs up, hinting at growing fatigue among Chinese audiences for kung fu productions.

GuardianUK: Why Painted Skin 2 has taken China by storm

  GlobalTimes: China's 1st Microfilm Competition launches alongside film festival

GlobalTimes: "Human flesh search" film renews discussion of Internet vigilantism
Chen Kaige's latest film "Caught in the Web" has drawn fresh attention to issues regarding privacy infringement and Internet-based vigilantism.

FBA: Kirk Wong rolls a Six
Hong Kong's Kirk WONG will shoot his first film in more than a decade when his upcoming Six cranks up in November in China and Louisiana, US.

SGYahoo: Lee Lik-Chi to film "Hua Xiao Hero"Hong Kong comedy director Lee Lik-Chi has confirmed that he will be making a Malaysian film titled "Hua Xiao Hero" soon, with local veteran artist Auguste Kwan to star as the male lead in the film

CF: "The Silent War" Premiers in Beijing
The production company of "The Silent War" announced at the ceremony that the release date of the film was moved up to August 7, three days earlier than the previously scheduled screening time.

Poster for "Dangerous Liaisons, to be released Sept. 27

(Sina)

CF: Kimi Qiao and Shi Yanfei "Kiss" at "Good-For-Nothing Heroes" Premiere Ceremony
Director Fu Yong, accompanied by actors Suet Lam, Kimi Qiao, Kent Cheng, Christy Chung, Terri Kwan, Shi Yanfei and Leni Yan, attended a premiere ceremony for the romance comedy "Good-For-Nothing Heroes" yesterday in Beijing.

"Justin" Lam Suet

Kent Cheng

Lam Suet, Christy Chung 

Leni Lan/Lan Yan (Sina-gallery)

CF: A Serious Chow Yun-Fat in the First Trailer of "The Last Tycoon"

Chow Yun-Fat

Huang Xiaoming (Sina)

CF: Zhou Xun's 20 Years from an Actress to a BO Revenue Guarantee

Zhou Xun in 1999 TV series

CF: Chinese Films to Enter American Homes
M1905.com, the China Movie Channel website, and Jiaflix, an American based enterprise, have teamed together to stream Chinese movies through set-top boxes. It will bring thousands of Chinese flicks into North American families' homes.

SGYahoo: Comedian Ng Mang Tat also sings?
Plays a karaoke champion in "Kara King"

SGYaoo: Chapman To joins "Wedding Diary 2"

Four years after 'singing' in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Lin Miaoke co-stars in the thriller "Insistence"

Lin Miaoke, Ken Lok

"Insistence" poster (Sina)

A1: Zhang Ziyi ends her scandals with a ring
Zhang Ziyi's romance with CCTV host Sa Beining has been blown wide open with loads of consequences-China's news hounds are filling pages with wedding talk, Internet bloggers are chatting about Ziyi's motives, and businessmen are baiting fashion watchers with copies of the lovers' sandals!

A1: Crystal Liu Yifei can be emotionless

In Hong Kong director Gordon Chan's latest wuxia flick The Four, she plays a woman named Emotionless, who has telepathic and telekinetic powers.
MSN: Eason Chan’s wife slammed for “ill-mannered Chinese” comment

SGYahoo: Mad dash for In-N-Out burgers at Circular Road
Tuesday's pop-up store was a test case for In-N-Out -- a family-run chain famous in the US West Coast -- to see if it's worth setting up a permanent store in Singapore.

Zhang Ziyi - Dangerous Liaisons [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

Newly released stills of Zhang Ziyi in Hur Jin-Ho's "Dangerous Liaisons" co-starring Jang Dong-gun and Cecilia Cheung.

(Sina)

5.30.2012 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

CF/THR: Dangerous Liaisons: Cannes Review
An interesting twist on a classic plot, Dangerous Liaisons is essentially a deluxe soap opera. But with its beautiful cast and gorgeous production design, it is still a highly enjoyable way to waste two hours.
CF: China Lion Eyes U.S. Market With Cannes Pickups
... it has a deal with AMC Entertainment to screen up to 15 titles a year, include the raunchy Hong Kong comedy Vulgaria, Taiwanese romantic comedies Girlfriend Boyfriend and When A Wolf Falls In Love With A Sheep, warlord actioner The Bullet Vanishes and Thai martial arts pic Rebirth.

CF: Release Date for "Nightmare" Announced

The production company for the upcoming thriller "Nightmare", which is directed by Herman Yau and starring Fiona Sit, Huang Xuan and Zhou Chuchu, announced its July 6th mainland release date yesterday.

CF: Character Posters of "Caught in the Web" Released

Chen Kaige, known for his top award-winning film at Cannes "Farewell to My Concubine," has turned his focus to ordinary people and hot topics in modern times in his latest film.
The film revolves around the problems caused by internet violence and "flesh searches" in modern society.

A few of the character posters for "Caught in the Web"

Yao Chen

Gao Yuanyuan

Wang Xueqi

Wang Luodan (Sina)

CF: Lu Chuan's First Micro Film Releases Poster

Director Lu Chuan's first micro film "The Way of the Heart" releases its poster.

In more micro film news, actress Huang Yi is directing her first micro film, "Exchange", based on a true incident in which a female university student inspired by the 'paperclip for a villa' (see links below) exchanged two rings and in four months after three more exchanges built a classroom building. Huang Yi developed an interest in micro films when she was invited to act in another micro film earlier. This time, she was invited by the Shanghai International Film Festival's director of micro film projects to direct and Huang readily accepted. 

Huang Yi

Huang Yi and young actors (Sina)

Student barters rings to build school in Guizhou
From paper-clip to house, in 14 trades

CF: Filming for "To Our Past Youth" Heating up in Huangguoshu Waterfall

Vicki Zhao's directorial debut "To Our Past Youth" finished shooting in Nanjing and Shanghai, and the cast and crew are in the midst of their shoot at the Huangguoshu Waterfall, a famous scenic spot in Guizhou Province.

Another June edition of L'Officiel, with Huang Yi on the cover this time.

(Sina)

MSN: Nicholas Tse a changed man after divorce

The Hong Kong actor is said to have become more caring and cheerful after officially ending his marriage recently

MSN: Zhang Ziyi denies sex scandal allegations

Zhang Ziyi, as ambassador of the event, was all smiles at the 12th Chinese Film Media Awards last night

(Sina), 2

5.25.2012 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

CF: Cast Members Promote Wuxia Drama "The Four"
At the news conference, Gordon Chan revealed that the second and the third installments are set to kick off shooting soon, a move to complete the trilogy. The cast and crew of the coming films have already arrived at the Hengdian Film Base located in Zhejing Province, prepared for the new projects.

CF: Zhang Ziyi, Cecilia Cheung Vie for One Man in "Dangerous Liaisons"
The movie "Dangerous Liaisons" Released its first trailer at Cannes International Film Festival. Two new posters were also unveiled. It is slated for release on September.

(Sina)

CRI: 'Dangerous Liaisons' Well Received in Cannes

In the following interactive sessions with the audience and the press, producer Chen said he was surprised and yet honored by the full attendance and positive response, adding that the film was still in post production and the version for Cannes had been edited in a hurry.

Shanghai-set 'Dangerous Liaisons' seduces Cannes

Cecilia Cheung (Sina)

CF: Mainland Box Office Chart for Week 20, 2012

"The Avengers" reigned supreme in mainland theaters for the third week in a row

On the local films side, renowned director Ning Hao's new entry "Guns N' Roses" surged past the $23.85million mark over four weeks of release, maintaining its domination over all other domestic titles.

Wong Kar-Wai unveiled a 5 minute trailer for "The Grandmasers" at Cannes yesterday

 Zhang Ziyi in a snowy scene

(Sina), 2

Stills of Lin Chi-Ling in various guises and fashions for "Switch" (aka "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains")

Flight attendant

Fashionable lady

In the bathtub

Pregnant

Wild child

Wearing a sexy evening gown

(Sina)

Zhang Jingchu in the June issue of L'Officiel

(Sina-slideshow)

And Zhang Jingchu dining in Rome (via Weibo)

CNA: Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung officially divorced, says Cheung's manager

Cheung's manager confirmed that Cheung had on Sunday received legal documents finalising her divorce from Tse,

MSN: Cecilia Cheung celebrates 32nd birthday with her sons

In other related news, it is rumoured that the actress, who was scheduled to present an award at the film festival might not be able to do so as the role will be taken over by Gong Li.

MSN: Wedding bells ringing for Sammi Cheng and Andy Hui soon?

CNA: Him Law comes clean about photo scandal

Hong Kong actor Him Law recently admitted that he knew wealthy Hong Kong businessman Lau Ding Sing and had posed for some photos for Lau

5.18.2012 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

FBA: Blood Stained Shoes review
So-so village ghost story with an interesting cast and curious structure.

ScreenDaily: Mystery review
Lou Ye’s return to sanctioned film-making in China is anything but an artistic or thematic compromise... It’s rare to see an official Chinese movie that takes such a stark look at life today. Set in the rain-drenched city of Wuhan, Lou shows us an urban world of web and text-obsessed people, fast cars, designer fashions and Starbucks that could be any western city.

(Sina)

CF: Photocall for "Mystery" at Cannes Film Festival
CRI: Chinese Film 'Mystery' Premieres in Cannes

Qi Xi (Sina)

CF: Hong Kong's Pegasus to produce Ip Man 3D
Yip will be travelling to the US and Europe to scout for 3D technicians and expertise to shoot the film, as well as exploring Asia where 3D production standards are rising. He hopes to start production in December for release at the end of 2013.
Variety: Bruno Wu backs John Woo's 'Killer'
Producer talks up his new Chinawood facility
CRI: John Woo to Remake "The Killer" in English

CRI: Andy Lau to Star in "Iron Man 3"
Fan Bingbing and Yang Mi are said to have been signed but DMG CEO Dan Mintz denied the reports but acknowledged having been in contact with Fan Bingbing, Yao Chen and Liu Ye.  (Sina), 2
CF: We Distribution Reveals Lam's Beauty, THR
We Distribution is unveiling romantic comedy, The Truth Of Beauty, produced by Peter Ho-sun Chan and directed by Aubrey Lam.

FBA: Sexploitation receives extra dimension
China 3D Digital Distribution Ltd has unveiled details of Sex And Zen II: 4D Sexecution , its follow-up to last year's innovative hit 3D Sex and Zen: Extreme Ecstasy.

CRI: Koo, Lau, Cheung Join Universe's Cartel War
Hong Kong's Universe Films has unveiled the cast for Benny Chan's upcoming action film The Cartel War, which will star Louis Koo, Lau Ching Wan and Nick Cheung.
CF: Still and Behind-the-Scene Shots from "Lacuna"
CF: Liu Xiaoqing and Charlie Young's Movie "37" Hits Cinemas June 1
CF: "Million Dollar Crocodile" Set for Release in June
The film tells the story of a crocodile on the rampage in Beijing. Barbie Hsu and Guo Tao portray the film's leading roles while Lin Lisheng, who previously shot "A Disappearing Village", took the helm as the project's director.
CF: Monkey King's Next Jump
Recently, it was reported that Liu Xiao Ling Tong would star in a film adaptation of Journey to the West, potentially cooperating with well-know directors James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and others. Liu Xiao Ling Tong has confirmed this on his microblog.

CF: Mainland Box Office Chart for Week 18

Local films faced tough challenges in a market strewn with Hollywood titles that certainly threaten their survival. "Guns N' Roses"was the only release that earned a decent return of $9.6million this week, bringing its gross over 14-days in release to $20.07million. The remaining local titles suffered relatively meager box office.

CF: Character Posters of "Let it Be" Released

The producers behind the absurd romantic comedy "Let it Be" have released three character posters featuring three lead actors Joan Chen, Van Fan and Song Jinxiao. The film is expected to release during the summer holiday slot.

CRI: Cannes Film Festival Kicks off
CF: Chinese Stars Grace the Red Carpet of Cannes Int'l Film Fest
CF: Jackie Chan Takes his "CZ 12" Cast to Cannes

Boarding Air Jackie to Cannes

Li Bingbing among the passengers (Sina-gallery)

CF: Poster of Jackie Chan's Film "CZ12" Released in Cannes

CF: Cast and Crew Promote "Painted Skin 2" in Cannes

Cannes poster for "Switch" (aka "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains")

Starring Andy Lau, Lin Chi-ling, Zhang Jingchu

FBA: Sun on the Chinese cinema landscape

Film Business Asia talked to Jay Sun who is making his directorial debut with Switch

CF: "Switch" Releases International Trailer at Cannes

"Switch" trailer

(Sina)

Newly released stills of Cecilia Cheung and Jang Dong-gun in "Dangerous Liaisons"

(Sina)

TaipeiTimes: Pop Stop
SGYahoo: Cecilia Cheung to star in Hollywood movie, Sina
Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung could be the next Chinese star who would be appearing in a Hollywood blockbuster soon.
MSN: Shu Qi no longer with Lee Hom?
The actress was seen shopping happily with a mysterious man earlier this month

MSN: Did Aaron Kwok propose to Lynn Hung?

The actress admitted to receiving a ring from her beau but denied rumours that they are getting married
MSN: Zhang Yimou’s family photo revealed online
A1: Gong Li's Singaporean husband confirms divorce rumours, CNA
Singaporean businessman Ooi Hoe Seong has personally come out to say that he and Gong Li have been divorced for three years.

MSN: Gong Li splits with Singaporean husband

In other related news, according to a netizen's tip-off, Gong Li was seen consciously hiding her tummy at the 2nd China-France Film Festival on May 14 and looked visibly tired. The actress, who is dating and living with a French photographer, 13 years her junior, for the past six years, is speculated to be pregnant.

 

CNA: Edison Chen to hold photography exhibition in Taiwan

No, it isn't an exhibition of those kind of photos.

CNA: K music producer Lee Ming Ho investigated for rape of TVB actress

Lok's revelation has inadvertently put every single TVB actress aged around 23 under suspicion and sparked renewed speculation over the identity of the alleged victim.

CNA: Him Law not involved in photo scandal, says management agency

The scandal revolves around wealthy 62-year-old Hong Kong businessman Lau Ding Sing, who is currently on trial for acquiring about 60,000 photos (some of them through intimidation) of a number of men - including a few actors and models - in various states of undress, and allegedly using these photos to blackmail some of these men into submitting to his will.