4.26.2011 - News

FBA: The Piano in a Factory review (9/10)
A lightly comic gem with an ensemble cast and stylised look in perfect synch.

CF: "Let the Bullets Fly" Premieres in New York

CF: Chinese Filmmakers Encouraged to Work with Foreign Counterparts, Filmmmakers Discuss China-Europe Film Coproduction

FBA: More Panic in China
Zhang Panpan, the director of Lost in Panic Room, will begin shooting a sequel to the hit thriller next month.

The Lion Roars (2002)

Joe Ma is set to begin filming the sequel to The Lion Roars in July with Cecilia Cheung returning. Cecilia had contracted for the sequel years ago. Whether Louis Koo also returns has not been finalized. Filming will take place in Shandong and Ningbo. (Sina)

The Detective 2

The early report from one viewer who saw the media preview of The Detective 2 (B+ Detective) says that the visual impact of the film is worthy but finds that the storytelling aspect is less impressive and an insufficient level of suspense. The film focuses on human nature and the darker side of man rather than ghostly type horrors which the director feels is more terrifying and lasts a lifetime. The film closes with an open ending and the author wonders whether there should be a future promotion to A+ Detective. (Sina) [Update: It seems that the mainland and Hong Kong versions may not be the same?]

Stills from Jacob Cheung's Rest on Your Shoulders. The story is a romance of one man, three women and will be released this summer

Chen Kun

Guei Lun-Mei, Chen Kun

Jiang Yiyan, Chen Kun

Gigi Leung, Chen Kun

Gigi Leung, Chen Kun

(Sina)

Angelababy on poster for an upcoming show in Japan

(Xinhua)

MSN: Barbie Hsu to use body doubles for sexy scenes

MSN: TVB to save Raymond Lam’s career

The broadcast station is said to be promoting the Hong Kong actor through his dramas, songs and new movie role

MSN: Selina Jen’s fiancé wants to file for marriage first

10.28.2010 - News

"Heart" edition of Midnight Beating poster

Finally, an official English title. Of course, my orignal translations Midnight Pulse/Midnight Heartbeat didn't prove out!

Simon Yam, Yang Yuyu

Li Nian, producer Ding Wei-Min, Francis Ng

(HunanTV), 2, 3

THR: Huang Bo Joins 'Black & White: Episode 1'

FBA: Monkey King gets 3-D IMAX treatment

Female leads include Faye Wong, Cecilia Cheung, Kelly Chen and Gigi Leung.
CRI: Angelababy Stars in CPC Anniversary Film
CRI: 'Lost in Panic Room' Photo Stills
The film tells the story of a puzzling series of murders in a mountain villa. Writer Liu Yunfei (Alec Su), who is famed for writing detective stories, is accidentally involved in the case. His detective skills finally help him discover the real murderer.

Movie Guide: 'Wind Blast' (CRI)

Pre-screenings have triggered comments that director Gao Qunshu has copied Hollywood's Western movies. Gao responded in an interview with China Daily, "I am not copying Hollywood. I am learning from it and using it in my own way."

CRI: Trailer of 'Chongqing Blues'

Ship captain Lin Quanhai (Wang Xueqi) abandoned his wife and their son when the boy was only 10. They never saw each other again. One day, Lin is informed that his son has been shot dead by the police for stabbing and taking a hostage in a shopping mall in Chongqing. Lin decides to come to Chongqing to search for the life and memories of his son after he left him.

THR: New Biopic Explores Bruce Lee's Life before Fame (AP)

Newcomer Aarif Lee Plays Young Kung Fu Legend

The production was based on input from Lee's younger brother Robert and his two older sisters. Lee's daughter Shannon Lee and widow Linda Lee Cadwell, however, were not involved and there have been suggestions of interfamily controversy.

FBA: Dream Home finds US niche

IFC will release the film theatrically and on video-on-demand in early 2011.

GlobalTimes: Big Plans for Perfect Wedding

In the tradition of Hong Kong cinematic storytelling, Perfect Wedding recounts how Xin (Miriam Yeung), a wedding planner who despite always arranges amazing wedding for others, is left at the altar by her fiancé. Still heartbroken years later, she continues in wedding planning yet no longer believes in love.

GlobalTimes: The Piano in a Factory

The film stars Wang Qianyuan, who earned a nomination for best actor at TIIF. Born and raised in northeastern China, Wang said he is very familiar with characters like Chen, "Chen is a typical northeasterner, very relaxed and optimistic, he always finds the fun in life," Wang told the Global Times.

Sandra Ng and Tony Leung Ka-Fai, will costar in Eric Tsang's Lunar New Year film I Love Hong Kong. Wong Cho-Nam and Bosco Wong will play younger versions of Eric and Tony in the happier version of the Echoes of the Rainbow-like nostalgic comedy. (Xinhua)

Donnie Yen deleted earlier comments from his weibo complaining that The Legend of the Fist was not very good and had too much of the story deleted. He said that the box office would have been better and matched rival film Detective Dee otherwise. The posts attracted much media attention and Donnie said they were deleted so as not to be misunderstood. (Xinhua), 2

Late Autumn stills (Xinhua-gallery)

CRI: Karen Mok Graces Fashion Magazine, (Xinhua)

Huang Yi, Karen Mok (qq)

Found the MV for the theme song for Derek Chiu's Road Less Travelled sung by Karen Mok. It's an old Lowell Lo hit from 1986. Searching the interwebs, the film looks to have been filmed way back in 2009(!).

It plays fairly smoothly: (Tudou-MV)

MSN: Cecilia Cheung is not invited to Jordan Chan’s wedding
Jordan Chan and Cherrie Ying are not inviting their rumoured exes Cecilia Cheung and Eric Suen to their wedding bash.

MSN: Cecilia Cheung steals Carina Lau’s assistant

Rumour has it that the actress has offered a high remuneration for Carina Lau's assistant, Siqi, as the latter is well-connected and familiar with China's film market.

MSN: 43-year-old Vivian Chow might be pregnant

MSN: Selina’s fiancé vows to marry her next year

icki Zhao: "I am fated to be an actress"

"When I studied at the teaching college in China, my teacher told me 'Zhao Wei, you should change your profession.'

10.27.2010 - News

Mavis Fan and Li Yuchun (Chris Lee) have joined the cast of Tsui Hark's 3D Flying Swords of Dragon Gate.

Li Yuchun

Mavis Fan

(Sina)

CRI: Li Yuchun, Mavis Fan Join Cast of Tsui Hark's 3-D Film

FBA:  Tsui has fun with Catching Monkey

Tsui Hark has secretly made a movie in 3-D, which will be pitched for sale at next month's American Film Market in Santa Monica.

CRI: Horror Movie 'Lost in Panic Room' Set for Halloween Release (previously Hidden Chamber of Secrets, here)

Pace Wu and Yuan Chengjie are reportedly planning on skipping the premiere in anger over the 'assistant gaffer' (lighting assistant) nude scene leakage threats. (Xinhua)

CRI: Ang Lee Gets Male Lead for His First 3-D Work

Seventeen-year-old Indian boy Suraj Sharma has been chosen by director Ang Lee to star in his 3-D film. The movie is an adaptation of Yann Martel's novel "Life of Pi".

FBA: Lee brings Pi to Taiwan and India

CRI: 'Hawthorn Tree' Actor Grabs New Role

"Under the Hawthorn Tree" actor Shawn Dou Xiao will play Qu Qiubai in a biopic to be directed by Huo Jianqi.

Chrissie Chau - Vampire Warriors

With director Dennis Law distributing limited edition vampire dolls in Mongkok

(Xinhua)

Director Alexi Tan

Liu Ye

Yao Chen

Color Me Love launches official website

(Sina)

Hong Kong's Eastweek is reporting that Vivian Chow is 3 months pregnant. 

(Sina)

MSN: Selina Jen had wedding photos taken before accident

MSN: Sammi Cheng and Andy Hui not avoiding close contact

S.H.E. group mates praise Selina Jen's bravery (Xinhua)

HK TV host Amigo Choi arrested for drink driving

10.26.2010 - News

THR: Peaceful ‘Buddha’ Bow
Taiwan-China Co-Prod. Rises Above Politics

The world premiere of director Li Yu’s China-Taiwan co-production Buddha Mountain spooled without a hitch Sunday in competition at the Tokyo International Film Festival, proving that once in a while the culture of filmmaking can trump both sticky cross-Straits politics and past squabbles with China media authorities.

THR: Juliets review

The Bottom Line: Love is not rosy in this romantic omnibus sporting sexy, flowery styles.
Variety: The Intruder (Thailand)
Killer cobras create carnage in "The Intruder," a lively exploiter pitting trapped residents of a Bangkok apartment block against an army of angry asps.

FBA: Black and White has arresting cast and budget

CNNGo: Lover's Discourse' star Kay Tse has a secret crush
The romantic flick focuses on the intersection of six love stories. Tse portrays a shy laundry girl who has a secret crush on one of her customers.
CRI: Cecilia Cheung Is Back at Work on Three Films
CRI: Chen Kun's 'Bullets' Look
Photo stills featuring actor Chen Kun in the upcoming gangster movie "Let the Bullets Fly" have been released.

CRI: More Love Scenes Expected in 'Tale of Magic'

As a result, the public release of the movie will be postponed to next year, probably around Valentine's Day.

CRI:  Chinese Film 'Assembly' Gets 3-D Boost in Germany

Kung Fu Wing Chun poster

Poster for preview of Kung Fu Wing Chun

Joe Cheung Tung-Cho's martial arts story features romance and comedy which opens Nov. 2. The cast includes veterans Collin Chou, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu and Kara Hui besides Bai Jing and Yu Shaoqun in the leads.

(Sina), 2

Lost in Panic Room nee Hidden Chamber of Secrets opens Oct. 29

Alec Su and Pace Wu star in the thriller

(Sina)

Stills from Alan Mak and Felix Wong's Lost Bladesman

Andy On Chi-Kit

(Sina-gallery)

Wind Blast promotion takes Francis Ng to Shanghai

(Sina-gallery)

Fan Bingbing has dropped out of The Founding of a Party due to conflict with the shooting schedule for her South Korean film My Way (Sina)

Follow up on the East Asia All Star Concert in Shanghai: Typhoon Megi was responsible for the wet look on stage, not a production design element of the show. Denise Ho complained about the lack of available umbrellas, dancers slipped on the wet stage, and Edison Chen looked like a drowned rat. Other artists simply muddled through.

Soaked Sammi Cheng

(Xinhua)

CRI: Cherrie Ying, Jordan Chan in Honeymoon

MSN: Aaron Kwok rumoured to have spread STD to Lynn Hung (Xinhua), 2

MSN: Selina Jen braves 5-hour surgery, Hebe’s mother donates skin to Selina

S.H.E's Selina Jen undergoes surgery for severe burns on body

Eyewitnesses said that Jen's clothes were on fire and she was screaming "It burns! It burns!" immediately after the explosion.
Yu on the other hand, appeared to be in shock and had a glazed look in his eyes as the production crew rushed forward to help the still-smouldering pair.

Selina suffered minor burns to face, too

Speculation was rife that the television drama's production company would replace Jen and Yu and resume filming. The rumours riled fans, who took to the Internet slamming the producers for being heartless.
Taiwanese director Chen Ming-chang has come out to address the issue on his microblog, stressing that the crew will wait for the condition of the two actors to improve before checking with them whether they would resume their roles. Only if they decline to return, wrote Chen, would they consider replacing the actors.

MSN: Lin Chi-ling opens on relationship with Jerry Yan for the first time

(Xinhua)

Paul the predicting octopus dies