8.14.2010 - News

THR: 'The Office' going to China

THR: The Fantastic Water Babes
Bottom Line: A frivolous but endearing romantic fantasy.

The hyper-colloquial dialogue used makes Cheung Chau comes across vividly as a community with its own customs and outlook that sets it apart from materialistic and phony urban life on Hong Kong Island. This is reinforced by some very pleasing panoramic shots of its mountains and beaches. But the inhabitants are drawn like cartoon figures. The way they prop up Gillian's belief in her superpowers or conspire to keep Kwok captive is endearingly balmy.

THR: Driverless

The fates of five couples collide in a road accident in Zhang Yang's "Driverless," which borrows Paul Haggis' concept of making the car a catalyst for intertwined stories in "Crash."

NZ: City Under Siege
If you rarely watch a Hong Kong film and want to see how different they can be, this is a great place to start. It’s far from a perfect film but it’s very entertaining, especially on the big screen.

Stills from High School Musical

The film is reportedly struggling to find an audience at the box office.

(Sina)

Charlene Choi in Chengdu promoting The Jade and The Pearl

Even after six months, the media is still asking about her and Ronald Cheng. Charlene deflected questions and said that she is okay. 'I know many of my friends are concerned about me but my fans do not care about these things.' Asked about what roles she would like to play in the future, Charlene said she would like to try something serious, a bad woman or one with mental illness. She name directors Feng Xiaogang and Zhang Yimou as ones that she would most like to want to work with.

The article also describes Charlene as a micro-blog 'lunatic'. Charlene is always waiting to hear what her friends are up to. After the press conference, Charlene made 4 posts in 15 minutes about the meeting.  (Xinhua) 

[Charlene currently has over 1.38 million followers on her Weibo (sina micro-blog) surpassing Gillian (1.37M followers), who you may recall had to convince Charlene this spring to start one up. As of today, Charlene has made 681 posts compared to. Gillian's paltry 374.]

The devil in Charlene

Charlene on her way to shoot an advert 

Zhang Jingchu in a recent photo shoot

(Sina-slide show)

Edison Chen was in Taiwan for a G-Shock watch exhibition in Taiwan. His new album is slated to be released in October. 

Afterwards, he flew to Las Vegas to catch Lady Gaga

Edison and Lady Gaga (from his blog)

(Xinhua). (Sina)

Faye Wong and Dou Wei in happier days

Dou Wei today

(Xinhua), 2

SG: Faye Wong enjoys life while ex-husband Dou Wei struggles
SG: Ekin Cheng and Yoyo Mung soaking in bliss
SG: Karen Mok denies romance
SG: Sammi Cheng lends her support (to Andy Hui)

7.27.2010 - News

CRI: Zhang Yimou's 'Hawthorn Tree' Due out Sept. 16
Zhang Yimou's new film "The Love of the Hawthorn Tree" will open in Chinese cinemas on September 16, the director's producing partner Zhang Weiping has announced.

CRI: Stills Released for John Woo's 'Reign of Assassins'

The film will premiere at the 67th Venice International Film Festival which will open on September 1. Theatrical release is set for September 28.

CRI: Zhang Ziyi Turns into 3D "Mulan"

On top of playing the main character, Zhang will also serve as the producer of the film. The lead actor has been confirmed as Taiwan pop singer Lee-Hom Wang, who speaks fluent English.

Variety reports that Isaac Julien's Ten Thousand Waves featuring Maggie Cheung and Zhao Tao is short-listed for screening at the Venice International Film Festival. [Maggie Cheung is a Goddess]

2 classics return to former glory
The Hong Kong Film Archive will present restored classics Cold Blade (1970) and The Story of Wong Fei-hung (Part I) (1949) in August and September as part of the Restored Treasures series.

Movie Review: 'Chongqing Blues' (CRI)

FBA: The Fantastic Water Babes (出水芙蓉) (6/10)

Long-shelved Gillian Chung vehicle is an out-there HK "island movie" mixing the tender, silly and fantastical.

Danwei: Feng Xiaogang defends his tearjerker (Aftershock)

Aftershock has brought in 180 million yuan at the box office after 4 days. The original 500 million yuan goal is quite reasonable now. (Sina) Based on Sina comments and reviewers, Aftershock has a 85.9 /100 rating. 85.7 is the average rating, with 70 the lowest since the panel's inception in early 2009. An accompanying chart shows ratings for various films. (Sina)

You can't get these at the San Diego Comic-Con

12" action figure of Donnie Yen

Limited Edition action figures of Donnie Yen will go on sale at the Hong Kong Book Fair to coincide with Donnie Yen's birthday, July 27. Yen himself has ordered 10 sets to give away as gifts. It was announced today (July 27) that Fist of Legend: The Return of Chen Zhen will screen at the Toronto International Film Festival, and for the Venice Film Festival, Shu Qi will take 4 days off from shooting Feng Xiaogang's If You Are the One 2 in order to attend the Venice premiere. A Mainland and Hong Kong release is scheduled Sept. 21 during the Mid-Autumn Festival (Sina)

CRI: Donnie Yen's Action Film to Show at 35th TIFF

CRI: "Baby", the First Track from Karen Mok's Latest Album Released

The music video of the title track "Baby" was just released on July 27.

Jane Zhang publicity photo for concert tour for I Believe CD that begins in Shanghai, Aug. 14

(Xinhua), 2

Zhou Xun - collection of magazine covers over the years (Xinhua)

Zhao Wei - on her way to shoot print adverts in Beijing (Xinhua)

Carina Lau - spotted in late-night outing with mystery man in Beijing (Xinhua), (Sina)

Gigi Lai could earn up to seven figures if she decided to make a comeback and endorse commercial products according to one appliance PR spokeswoman. Faye Wong and Michelle Reis earn roughly that much for their endorsements. However, the wife and new mother is unlikely to return to work. (Xinhua)

SG: A rift between Cecilia Cheung and mother-in-law?

Photos from yesterday show a happy family gathering (Xinhua-gallery)

Lucas and Cecilia Cheung

Quintus and Deborah

Leaving

Jay Chou may retire in four years

Lin Chiling and 'Toilet Bowl Prince' a couple?

Liu Qian, the Miracle Man

The 34-year-old magician became an international celebrity after an exceptional performance at the CCTV New Year's Gala 2009 in China.
ChinaHush: Girl enters model contest to chase pop star Andy Lau

HKStandard: 'Tentacle of lies'
Octopus Cards stands accused of having lied to 1.97 million cardholders.

7.9.2010 - News

ATV hands over treasured films to Hong Kong Film Archive
This valuable collection includes Cantonese, Mandarin and Chaozhou dialect films from the 1940s to the 1990s, with classics such as The Judge Goes to Pieces (1948), A Star of Mischief is Born (1951), How Wong Fei-hung Set Fire to Dashatou (1956), She Married an Overseas Chinese (1957), Three Trials of the Number One Scholars Wife (1958), My Intimate Partners (1960), He is a Rare and Passionate Lover (1962), The Dragon and the Phoenix (1963), The Young Swordsman Lung Kim Fei (1964), The Flag of Death (1965), Dragon Inn (1967) and Incredible Rumour (1968).

HKStandard: Thanks for the memories

The collection includes classic Cantonese films from as early as the 1940s such as The Judge Goes to Pieces (1948), starring the renowned Cantonese opera singer and actor Sun Ma Sze Tsang, and the famous wuxia genre director King Hu's Dragon Inn (1967).

CRI:Ge You's Three Films Anticipate US$150 Million in Revenue
Ge You's three films "Zhao's Orphan," "Let the Bullets Fly" and "If You Are the One 2" will open in China by the end of 2010

Fantastic Water Babes

Mainland audiences are reportedly clamoring for the Cantonese version of the film. Recent Hong Kong films Love in a Puff and Crossing Hennessy were well received in their Cantonese forms. Younger viewers appreciate the nonsense comedy, idioms and slang, and feel it's best reflected in the original. After pre-release screenings, audiences from all 31 provinces including the far northeast and southwest are requesting the Cantonese version. Those seeing the non-Cantonese version have expressed dissatifaction.

(Sina)

Johnnie To's Single Men and Women on a hot summer day

Daniel Wu looking sharp, Brother Sharp, in Central

Johnnie To, Louis Koo

Ukrainian model, Larisa (formerly Larisa Angela)

JJ Jia Xiao-Chen (l)

(Xinhua)

Wang Ziwen - Aftershock

Wang Ziwen debut film was Post-Modern Life of My Aunt

(Sina)

Homecoming queen Gong Li takes charge
No awkward questions, please.

(Xinhua)

CRI: Poster Unveiled for Faye Wong's Concert Comeback
CRI:  Rebellious Taiwan Star Shows Ocean of Creativity - Richie Jen
SG: Cecilia Cheung denies signing no-pregnancy contract
SG: Wu Chun has not dated for 14 years?!

Danwei: Annoying fake accents on Chinese TV
Film and TV critic Meng Jing writes for Xinmin Weekly about actors adopting dodgy accents for regional TV dramas.

CNN: Remaking Hollywood: The strange world of Polish film posters

6.5.2010 - News

Chinese poster for The Karate Kid

(Xinhua)

Jeff Lau's Fantastic Water Babes opens July 22 (21cn)

Gillian Chung and Alex Fong Lik-Sun

Love in Cosmo poster

Love in Cosmo is a romantic comedy starring Yao Chen (Lurk, Go Lala Go!), Zhu Yuchen and Guo Xiaodong. (Sina)

CRI: Interview: Closer Look at Yao Chen

CRI: Opening of "Triple Tap" Postponed to Early July

This decision to postpone the film's opening was in deference to Jet Li's film "Ocean Heaven," which is scheduled to open in cinemas on June 18. To support Li's efforts to call attention to the situation of autistic children, the entire "Triple Tap" cast and crew decided to postpone the film's opening to boost public awareness about autism, which is the theme of "Ocean Heaven."

No action for Jet Li

The film, slated for a summer release in China, revolves around a cancer-stricken man (Li) who devotes himself to taking care of his autistic son and tries to find a sanctuary for him before he succumbs to cancer.
Taiwanese pop idol Jay Chou, whom Li worked with in 2006's "Fearless", has agreed to sing the film's theme song at his behest.
Li also took a pay cut to appear in the film.
"It is a film that has a budget of just seven million yuan, what acting fees can I ask for," said the action star, who usually demands millions for each film appearance.

Petrina Fung Bo-Bo

Arriving at HKFA

Greeting fans

The Magic Cup (1961)

Child star Petrina Fung Bo-Bo made a special appearance at the Hong Kong Film Archives (HKFA) screening of her film The Magic Cup. She flew in from Malaysia where she now lives. Fung revealed that she plans to begin writing her memoirs in October and that she will contact the other Seven Princesses. (Sina)

Gigi Leung is in Mexico filming a segment for the program One Earth.

Besides staying at a Cancun resort, Gigi will visit a Mayan city and see a Mexical wrestling match.

(Sina)

Memorial to Zhang Ziyi

In Chengdu, a grave and tombstone memorial to Zhang Ziyi was discovered in a park. After some investigation, it was thought to be the result of some promotional marketing by an online game company. The tombstone was professionally made of wood with a portrait of Zhang Ziyi above it and the words, 'Tomb of Internationally Dirty Miss Zhang' and set next to a trash can. The grave was littered with paper money. In addition, business cards, posters and laptop bags led to the belief that this was all the work of an online game company that was co-sponsoring a dance competition. A company executive denied it and said the cards were fake. (Xinhua)

Louis Cha lives, newspaper dispels death hoax

Acclaimed novelist Louis Cha Jin Yong has become the latest victim of a series of death hoaxes that have circulated in the entertainment industry lately.

5.20.2010 - News

Variety: Poetry (Sourth Korea) Latest film from Lee Chang-Dong
A woman takes up writing poems as a means of coping with her difficult grandson and the onset of Alzheimer's -- a description that conveys little hint of the subtle intelligence at work in Lee Chang-dong's quietly haunting new picture. Calmer and less shattering than his masterly psychodrama "Secret Sunshine" (2007), "Poetry" is a deceptively gentle tale with a tender ache at its center, as well as a performance from Yun Jung-hee that lingers long in the memory. http://hkmdb.com/news/?p=5496

CRI:Movie Guide: 'Gallants'

Although the story is set in present-day Hong Kong, the film's trailer easily conjures up the Shaw Brothers movies of the 1970s and '80s. The background music is familiar, and text in old-school fonts is deliberately printed from right to left. A cast of '80s stars also adds to the retro feeling.

"Gallants" will open on the Chinese mainland on June 4 without a Mandarin version, unlike most Hong Kong movies, which usually are released in an additional Mandarin version to cater to mainland audiences.

CRI: Chinese Crime Thriller 'Wind Blast' Unveils Trailer, Poster (Previously, Fierce West Wind here)

September 2 release date.

Lam Suet, Huang Yi - Legend is Born

To Yu-Hang - Legend is Born

CRI: 'The Legend Is Born - Ip Man' Set for Release in June

CRI: Jet Li's Father-Son Film Competes in Shanghai

Jet Li's first non-action drama, "Ocean Heaven" [Ocean Paradise], is among the 16 films competing for the top Golden Goblet award at this year's Shanghai International Film Festival, the organizer announced Thursday.

Guei Lun-Mei's pole dance scene was, regrettably, deleted

Wen Zhang, Guei Lun-Mei - Ocean Paradise

(HunanTV)

CRI: Will Smith to Promote 'Karate Kid' in China with Family: Report

(May 18) Jeff Lau's Fantastic Water Babes began its publicity tour in Changsha, Hunan. A July 9 release is planned.

Jeff Lau, Alex Fong Lik-Sun, Gillian Choi, Stephen Fung

Gillian Chung

Jeff Lau

 

Stephen Fung, Alex Fong

(HunanTV)

Jiang Wen is busy in Cannes promoting Let the Bullets Fly

(Xinhua)

CNNGo: Complete guide to the best Hong Kong movie experiences

[I'm guessing the Fanling Theatre is the one that's often seen in the old Connie Chan films.]

THR: Bangkok cinemas burned by rioters
Multiplexes, classic theater destroyed by arsonists
The classic Siam Theater nearby was gutted by fire. The 1,000-seat, single-screen cinema opened in the 1960s, and was considered a Bangkok landmark, especially among film fans.

The fires were sure to slow the boxoffice of Tony Jaa's newest martial arts release, "Ong Bak 3," released May 5.

Wang Xueqi

Wang Xueqi, lead actor in Chongqing Blues, missed the Cannes red carpet due to problems obtaining a visa. He is hoping to join the rest of the cast and crew before the closing ceremony and also get in some sightseeing. In 1998, he won the Special Grand Jury Prize at the Montreal Film Festival for Sun Bird a film that he co-directed. It's also reported that the crew has been asked to stay in Cannes, a hint and usual indicator that the film may collect a prize or two. (HunanTV), 2

Andy On Chi-Kit's birthday

Andy On, Donnie Yen

Cast and crew conspired to surprise Andy On with two large birthday cakes on the set of Felix Chong and Andy Mak's Guan Yun Chang (Lost Bladesman) (Sina)

Sammi Cheng gets a (temporary) tattoo for a cause

July 7 (7.7) is MSF (Doctors Without Borders) 2010 Day

Sammi is donating part of her album royalties as Action Ambassador for MSF

(Sina)

Fan Bingbing, Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele of Chopard

 
Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele is the co-president of luxury watch and jewelry brand Chopard. Chopard redesigned Cannes' highest award the Golden Palm (Palme d'Or) in 1998. (Sina)

Quintus Tse a charm for dad Nicholas