3.19.2012 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

Deanie Ip - Best Actress ("A Simple Life"), again

Asian Film Awards (Sina), 2

Best New Artist - Ni Ni ("The Flowers of War")

Ni Ni (Sina), 2, 3

Ann Hui and Lifetime Achievement Award (Sina)

Zhang Jingchu was one of the presenters Monday night

(Sina), 2

SCMP: HK-mainland co-productions take five film awards

Hong Kong-mainland production Wu Xia, a martial-arts thriller directed by renowned Hong Kong filmmaker Peter Chan Ho-sun, won the best cinematographer, best production designer and best composer honours. Another martial-arts epic and the world's first such 3-D flick, The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate by Tsui Hark, won the best visual effects and best costume designer awards.

THR: Song of Silence review
A quietly moving if not cutting-edge family drama a welcome narrative change from China.
ScreenDaily: Love in the Buff review
Love In The Buff is still a relentlessly entertaining romancer that should please more than a few viewers from any culture.

FBA: Harpoon review

A well-directed low-budget slasher that's light on real thrills.

FBA: The Floating Shadow review

Impressively acted psychodrama centred on two women, a female prisoner and a police officer.
 

FBA: Dr. Qian Xuesen review

Above-average biopic of the father of China's missile programme.
 
Hong Kong Filmart: Emperor Readies Firefighter Drama (THR)
Emperor Motion Pictures will back an as-yet-untitled firefighter drama to be directed by award-winning helmer Derek Kwok and starring Nicholas Tse.

FilmMart 2012: Pang Brothers to Unleash ‘Inferno’ (THR)
Scheduled to begin filming in mid 2012 for release at the end of 2013, the producers describe Inferno as the first of its kind. “There is yet to be a fire disaster film in 3D made anywhere in the world, we have the courage to try,” said producer and Universe COO Alvin Lam

FilmMart 2012: Powerful Asian Alliance to Fund ‘Micro Movies’ (THR)
Micro movies refers to the small budget of the productions, targeted to average at around $1 million for each film.

Hong Kong Filmart: Showbox’s ‘Thieves’ Gets Pan-Asian Bow (THR)

The film will feature a who’s who of Korean and Hong Kong stars, including Kim Yun-seok (Punch), Kim Hye-soo (Tazza: The High Rollers), Lee Jung-jae (The Housemaid), Gianna Jun (My Sassy Girl), Simon Yam (Ip Man), Derek Tsang (Dream Home) as well as Hong Kong-based Malaysian Angelica Lee (The Eye).

CF:"The Unfortunate Car" Hits Cinemas on April 1
[T]he film documents the hilarious story of four strangers who meet one another when buying a car. The film touches upon a number of hot issues within modern society, including the license plate lottery, car-sharing, the odd/even license plate restriction plan and online shopping.

CF: Famous Photographer Works on "Guns N' Roses" Poster

Guei Lun-Mei arriving for the Asian Film Awards (Mar.19)

(Sina-gallery)

CNA: Hong Kong director Ann Hui honoured for life's work

CNA: Donnie Yen, Vincent Chiu clash over "Special Identity"

MSN: Donnie Yen meets Keanu Reeves in Hong Kong
MSN: Andy Lau names soon-to-born daughter

THR: Jeremy Lin Linsanity Prompts Canada's First All-Mandarin NBA Telecast
Canadian broadcaster Omni Television has hired former Chinese national basketball team player and basketball commentatorWeiping Zhang to call its first-ever NBA game in the Mandarin language whenJeremy Lin and the New York Knicks play the Toronto Raptors on Friday night.

  Artist admits to shortcuts in show about Apple, (AP)

 

1.18.2012 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

TimeOutHK: The Flowers of War review

THR: Tsui Hark's 'Flying Swords of Dragon Gate' Leads Asian Film Awards Nominations
CF: "All's Well End's Well" Premieres in Shanghai

CF: Actor Fan Wei in "Crazy Dinner"
Directed by Shang Jing, the comedy film "Crazy Dinner" will hit cinemas nationwide on January 23, 2012. The production company has released a host of still photos featuring the comedian Fan Wei.

CF: Media Reception Meeting for 'The Great Magician' Held

Diversion Pictures (Fung and Wu's film company) is going to collaborate with Derek Yee to make a film about car racing.
"The preparation stage will last one year. The title of the film will be revealed in March," director Yee said. "Daniel Wu and Stephen Fung will be producers as well as leading roles in the film. And the leading actress is still being selected."
CF: Feng Xiaogang's Reel Music Concert
Feng is acclaimed for his work in the genre called hesuipian, or New Year's celebration films, that were popular in the late 1990s. He is celebrated as one of the most successful Chinese filmmakers, whose films consistently do well at the box office.

New "Harpoon" posters features a body hanging in a fishnet

Bloody opening on Jan. 24  (Sina), 2

CF: "Love" Stars on BAZAAR Magazine
Stars of director Doze Niu's urban romance "Love" got on the Bazaar Magazine February. Ethan Ruan, Eddie Peng, Amber Guo and Chen Yihan recently posed for a new photo shoot for the magazine in the run up of its release on this year's Valentine's Day

CRI: Happy Chinese New Year from Wang Luodan
Wang Luodan poses for a series of photos with the theme of celebrating the upcoming Chinese New Year. The 2012 Chinese New Year's Day falls on January 23. The "Driverless" actress has been invited to perform at China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala this year.

MSN: Jay Chou unhappy that Hannah Quinlivan spoke on their relationship
The young model’s constant mention of the pair’s relationship in recent interviews has apparently enraged the singerNicholas Tse: No reunion, no Lunar New Year with Cecilia Cheung
"If you guys keep asking me about this, I'll have no choice but to jump off a building," Tse joked.

CNA: Steven Ma ends 18-year relationship with TVB

1.17.2012 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

This post was produced by Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver: http://yellowcranestower.blogspot.com

ChinaPost: 'Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault' review
From the opening moment when a bomb explodes and annihilates everything in sight, “Black & White Episode I: The Dawn of Assault” makes clear its intention to claim all the tropes of Hollywood action films.
FBA: Black & White loses during elections

CRI: 'You Are the Apple of My Eye' review
CF: Apple Tastes Sweet

CF: "The Viral Factor" Premieres in Hong Kong
The action-packed film "The Viral Factor" premiered in Hong Kong, on January 15, 2012. Director Dante Lam, along with Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse, Lin Peng attended the ceremony.

Patrick Tse and Albert Yeung at the Hong Kong premiere of "Viral Factor" Sunday

Lin Peng

Jay Chou, Nicholas Tse 

Nic with parents Deborah Li, Patrick Tse 

Two shady Tses, ngar, ngar

(Sina), 2, 3, 4

CF: Chilling Ruby Lin in "Blood Stained Shoes"
The film is scheduled for release in March, 2012.

CRI: 'Flowers of War' Stars at Golden Globes
Surely, you saw them on the broadcast. No? (Sina-slideshow)
CF: China's 'Flowers of War' Stuck in Trenches
Chen Shan, professor at the Beijing Film Academy, added that "Zhang is good at blending sights and sounds with a forceful impact, but often fails to express a film's inner meaning."

FBA: The Flowers of War review

Good-looking but dramatically weak Nanjing Massacre drama, with a miscast Christian Bale.

Mainland edition of poster for Johnnie To's "Life Without Principle"

(Sina)

Latest poster for "Harpoon". The Lunar New Year sado-masochistic thriller stars Hu Bing, Monica Mok (Mo Xiaoqi) and Zhao Ming. It's being promoted as "Saw" with Chinese characteristics.

(Sina)

Daniel Wu makes a guest appearance in Derek Yee's "The Great Magician". Other guest stars include directors Tsui Hark and Vincent Kok and funny man Jung Hsiang (Rong Xiang).

Daniel Wu (Sina)

Daniel Wu, Derek Yee and Yan Ni attend a media appreciation event to mark RMB$100M box-office since opening Jan.12 (Sina)

Stills from Valentine's Day zombie thriller, "Night Club Suspense Tale", featuring Chrissie Chau and other youth idols.

Zhang Yingjun in a "Thriller" spoof

Chrissie Chau

No longer just a "flower vase"

(Sina), 2

Yao Di and Jimmy Lin Zhi-Ying in a scene from the romantic comedy  "If I Were You", by way of "Ghost"

Li Qi's film opens Jan. 26 Sina)

Chu Yen-ping's "Perfect Two" Shanghai premiere press conference.

Vivian Hsu, Chu Yen-ping, Ella Chen, Vic Chou and Little Bin

Vic Chou, Little Bin

Vivian Hsu, Ella Chen

Vivian Hsu (Sina)

Sunday in Beijing

Yang Mi, Vivian Hsu 

Yang Mi and Little Bin (Sina), 2

CF: Zhang Ziyi on "Marie Claire" Cover
CF: Wax Statue of Yao Chen Unveiled in Shanghai

SGYahoo: Bosco Wong defends girlfriend's honour
Assertions that clearly hints at TVB beauty, Myolie Wu were made that the actress has dabbled in prostitution involving rich Hong Kong business tycoons for money.

MSN: Miriam Yeung is not pregnant with twins
It is believed that Real did not want his wife to drink at the banquet, and wanted her to leave early. Miriam decided to take her leave, so as to avoid her husband's incessant nagging.
Ever since the 37-year-old singer got pregnant, her husband had been very strict with her eating habits and health. He also made sure his wife abided to every pregnancy taboo.

MSN: Nicholas Tse will not spend the Lunar New Year with Cecilia Cheung

CNA: Ethan Ruan looks forward to February enlistment, calls Shu Qi his "goddess"

"To people of my age, Shu Qi is our goddess, so I was really nervous working with her on 'LOVE'," said Ruan.
"Sometimes, I'd even forget to breathe."
Shu Qi may be his "goddess", but Ruan had recently declared in a post on his micro blog that Taiwan model Tiffany Hsu is his true love.

12.15.2011 - News [Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver] (飲水思源)

This post was produced by Roast Pork Sliced From A Rusty Cleaver: http://yellowcranestower.blogspot.com

FBA: Universal boards Reeves' Man of Tai Chi
The contemporary, Beijing-set story is the "spiritual journey of a young martial artist (Tiger Chen), whose fighting skills brings him to a realm opportunities and painful choices."

CRI: Zhang Yimou's Latest Epic Lauds Humanity in Wartime

A review of Beijing-based Jinghua Times described the film as "having both strong sound and visual effects as well as humanistic power," calling it "very Oscarish."

However, renowned critic Zhu Dake didn't approve filmmakers to take advantage of a serious historical event to fulfil box office ambitions.

CF: Film Adds Depth to Wuxia

Although "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" is based on the iconic "New Dragon Gate Inn", Tsui wanted to ensure originality in the new story while presenting the same characteristic morality and code of honor of those chivalrous men and women from the world of jianghu.

Although Monday's premiere has drawn generous approval, the critics are not unanimous. Some have pointed out flaws in the movie's 3D effects. In answer to this, Tsui Hark said the new movie is merely a knock on the door of innovation, a door that will lead China to new arenas in the film industry. 

CF: Chen Kaige Surprises His Wife on set of his New Movie

Based on the popular online novel, "Please Forgive Me," his new movie "Search" revolves around the problems caused by searching for human flesh on the Internet. It will finish its shooting schedule within three months in Ningbo and is slated for release in 2012.
CF: "The Allure of Tears" Premieres in Hangzhou
Zhou Dongyu will likely skip most promotional activities due to year end college academic requirements. She had previously missed classes for her other recent film events already. (Sina-gallery), 2

FBA: China seeks BO controls, limit on cinema ads

CF: China to Enact Law to Promote Film Industry

The draft contains 13 articles on forbidden content in movies made in China. [13 Noes]

CF: First Promotional Trailer of "Romancing in Thin Air" out

Horror film "Harpoon"'s release has been delayed even though post-production is completed and it has finally received the necessary state approvals. A Spring Festival release is now expected. The setting for the film is a desert island survival tale and has drawn much attention and expectations. (Sina)

"Harpoon"

Mo Xiaoqi, Hu Bing (Sina)

Return of the zombie movie? In "Crescent Moon Phantom"(lit.), a town is plagued by murders, rumors of zombie killings spread like wildfire. A female detective does not believe in zombies and tries to crack the mystery. Directed by Johnny Chen (Chen Long) and features young Mainland actors. 

(Sina), 2

All of Ivy Chen's scenes have been reportedly cut from Tsai Yueh-Hsun's "Black & White, Episode 1: The Dawn of Assault". In addition, Angelababy's scenes have been resurrected. Her role as heroine was downgraded to supporting actress and practically invisible.. In a dramatic turnaround, Angelababy was revived but that meant Ivy Chen's scenes had to go due to excessive length. Director Tsai said that it was not personal and had nothing to do with her terminating an agency contract with him. Other actors' scenes, such as Paul Chun, Matt Wu and Ken Lin, were also trimmed to reduce the running time.

Ivy Chen, scenes deleted

A few days ago while doing publicity for Doze Niu's "Love", Chen sighed and said, "this is life, the director said the film is too long." When she first heard the news, she broke down in tears but then distracted herself by throwing herself into her work on "Love" and accepted the reality. However, the cuts left a mark on Chen as she became worried about her scenes in "Love" being cut out and she often asked Doze Niu to see the editing.

Angelababy, scenes restored

Director Tsai Yueh-Hsun, the Decider

(Sina), 2

More on Black & White:
In movie news, the film Black and White, scheduled for release next month, is having woman trouble. The flick, based on the hugely successful police drama of the same name that hit TV screens in 2005, is clearly intended as the big release for the Lunar New Year season, and the production company has been pulling out all the stops in marketing the film.

Unfortunately for the film’s producers, two of its leading female stars are being uncooperative. Taiwanese actress Ivy Chen was incensed to discover that all the scenes in which she appeared had been left on the cutting-room floor, though she was given an acting credit. In response, she refused to participate in any of the marketing activities.

Meanwhile, Chinese actress Angelababy made exorbitant demands as a condition of coming to Taiwan to promote the film, including five-star accommodation and expensive spa treatments, but ultimately attended only a single press conference. TaipeiTimes: Pop Stop

Stills from trailer for Jingle Ma's "Speed Angels", opening Jan. 5

Cecilia Cheung, Rene Liu

Han Jae-suk, Tang Wei 

Rene Liu and Cecilia Cheung come to blows

(Sina), 2, 3

Racing edition of trailer

Lam Chi-Chung (as poet Li Bai), Wallace Huo

Lam Chi-Chung directs and acts in the upcoming time-travelling comedy "Super Reinforcement" (lit.) which opens January 13. Dylan Kuo, Lam Suet, Jing Tian and Cheung Tat-Ming co-star.(Sina)

Louis Koo and Sun Honglei will star in Johnnie To-Wai Ka-Fai "Drug War". Filming will mainly take place in Tianjin. This is Sun's first time working with Johnnie To. Specific roles have not been revealed but netizens polled said that expected Sun Honglei to play a villain.

Louis Koo, Sun Honglei

Sun Honglei

Sun Honglei (Lurk, TV series)  (Sina), 2

A1: Karen Mok is in love with married life

A1: Outlaw who turned to acting gets caught

He has as appeared in a supporting role in a slew of TV dramas, with the most famous being the Lurk (Qian Fu) in 2008 where he played a secret service official.

SGYahoo: Koni Lui and Dickson Wong are married

MSN: Jolin Tsai to make silver screen debut?

MSN:  Photo of Selina Jen in a pressure head gear leaked

Yahoo: China's abandoned "Wonderland"

Once billed as the largest amusement park in Asia, the unfinished "Wonderland" park now stands derelict, a worrying sign of China's property market.
CDT: The Fake Disneyland that Never Was [Updated]
he late 90s saw a lot of tourist projects in China. Many never made it to completion. Wonderland ended up in its ghost park state due to a lack of investors and some regulatory problems with the local government. Farmers in the surrounding area did not want this to be built and they were able to stop the project.