From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (January 12 2012) Organization: Chaffing Heart Club (TM) The following publication contains material that might be objectionable to some readers. Parental guidance and reader discretion are advised. [FLUFF OF THE WEEK] Courtesy of Ming Pao, Sing Tao Daily, Apple Daily, Oriental Daily, and Ta Kung Pao 1. THIS TOP 10 IS DEDICATED TO A. Wu Fung who celebrates his birthday on the 17th B. Lee Heung Kam who celebrates her birthday on the 13th C. Samantha Ko Hoi Ning who celebrates her birthday on the 13th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (2012/01/18) The 6th Asian Film Award will take place on March 19th. Yesterday the nominations were announced. The Tsui Hark directed FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE (LUNG MOON FEI GAP) received the most nominations with seven. As for Best Actor and Best Actress, A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH)'s multiple Best Actress award winner Deanie Ip Tak Han was the favorite. After her Golden Horse Award, she and YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYES' new generation goddess Michelle Chen will battle for the crown. Andy Lau Tak Wa also with A SIMPLE LIFE will face FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE's Chen Kun and Japan's Koji Yakusho for Best Actress. Ko Chen-Tung only received a Best new Actor nomination. The award ceremony press conference took place yesterday. Attending guests included the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society chair Wong Ying Wai, Hong Kong Film Development Council chair Jack So Zak Kwong, vice chair Peter Lam Kin Ngok and jury chair Eric Khoo (Yau Kam Hoi). FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE received seven nominations including Best Picture, Director, Actor, Supporting Actress, Art Direction, Visual Effects and Costume Designs. Zhang Yimou's FLOWERS OF WAR and Wei Te-Sheng's WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE each received six nominations. The Golden Globe Best Foreign Film Award winner A SEPARATION received five nominations. As for Best Picture, the Golden Globe winner A SEPARATION naturally is the favorite, but competition FLOWERS OF WAR and SEEDIQ BALE both have substance. Best Actress conceivably has to go to A SIMPLE LIFE Ip Tak Han, Michelle Chen could only play along. Instead A SEPARATION's Leila Hatami was seen as the dark horse. The Best Actor competition could be said as strong, FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE's Chen Kun and A SIMPLE LIFE's Lau Tak Wa both had substance. Ko Chen-Tung blew up with YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE but did not receive a Best Actor nomination. He only received the Best New Actor nomination and competed with FLOWERS OF WAR's Ni Ni. Competing for Best Actress again, Ip Tak Han said, "To me being able to participate in a movie isn't easy, the movie receiving an invitation to compete is a bonus." Fellow nominee Lau Tak Wa said, "I am very honored, I know the fellow nominees are very strong. Chen Kun obviously is a good actor who I am more familiar with. In addition, the Iranian actor has already won Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival. His film A SEPARATION also just won the Golden Globe Best Foreign Film. His momentum is very strong. I am already very happy about the nomination. I have even more confidence in Best Actress nominee Sister Deanie winning, and Ann (Director Hui On Wa) will also receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. A SIMPLE LIFE already has award winning representatives, hahaha....." Nominated for Best Supporting Actress with FLYING SWORDS OF DRAGON GATE, Kwai Lun-Mei said that this was her first acting nomination so she would cherish it and be grateful for it. She also thanked everyone. Currently in Taiwan, SEEDIQ BALE director Wei Te-Sheng responded that he was very honored to receive the Asian Film Award jury recognition. He has already shared this good news with all the nominees and will attend with them. * (2012/01/18) Singer Denise Ho Wan Si in recent years tried making movies and performing on the stage, both had good responses. Most recently Ah Si participated in the Lunar New Year film I LOVE HONG KONG 2012 (2012 NGOR OI HK HEI SEUNG GA HEI) and worked with comedy veterans like Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, and Stanley Fung Shui Fan; which made Ah Si feel very happy, Sister Mo even praised her for having comedy potential. Ah Si said that she was very dull, loved rotten gags, homonyms, only her usual cool image misdirected everyone. Ah Si said that usually she looked very cool, so when she played comedy or more exaggerated characters everyone would say actually Ah Si was like this. Actually this was her true nature. She said, "Let me try and change to become comedy singer." In the past Ah Si made the Lunar New Year LOOK FOR A STAR (YAU LUNG HEI FUNG), but that was a romantic comedy. This was a pure comedy. Speaking her lackluster performance at the award shows last year, would she make more movies in the future instead? She said, "Last year's performance was close to my goal, it wasn't bad! However deep inside I like making movies, but people have to ask me to first. However I would be choosy as well. (What movie would you definitely decline?) For the general public's consideration, more naked scenes I won't take. Abusing everyone would be pointless. (Yet this could break through and challenge yourself?) Ha, challenge the general public's patience? If one day I would want to retire or mess with my career, then I would do this." Ah Si said that she took roles based on the director and the script. She would not anything that was too casual and lacked sincerity. Some pointed out that the producer this time Tsang Chi Wai was very "rotten". He often slept on the set. Ah Si defended him, "He was very serious. Although he slept on the set, sleeping didn't mean that he wasn't serious. Once after we finished one or two scenes, he immediately met with everyone to discuss them in hopes of finding even funnier spots. To me, he was a very serious director and producer." This time in the film Ah Si had the most scenes with Bosco Wong Chung Chak. Their kiss scene on Sai Yeung Choi Street made her feel very embarrassed. She said, "That was the first scene on the first day of work. I thought the directors were deranged, the most emotional emotional scene and bed scene were shot on the first day. (Why were you embarrassed?) That was Sunday in the center of the busy city, the whole street was looking. To keep from bad takes, I kissed with all my might like a squid, so Wong Chung Chak joked that my mouth was like a suckling cup. However it was an experience. (Did you discover that his tongue was very short?) We haven't developed to that stage. This time we only used lips. I luckily did not experience his short tongue. (Too short would be hard to experience?) No matter how short it's there! I don't know, it's not up to me to experience. Leave it for Television Queen (Myolie Wu Hung Yi) to experience." * (2012/01/18) Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Chapman To Man Jat earlier promoted their Lunar New Year film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 (BAK SING PO HEI). Co-star Kelly Chen Wai Lam became pregnant during the shoot. With many female artists' good news in the business, would Kwan Yu plan for a Dragon baby? Kwan Yu said that a good friend once recommended her to visit a Chinese medicine practitioner to recover but not for having a child; she joked that Lee Lam Lam would be her target. She said, "I am too old, I have too much pressure, back then I succeeded after trying for four months. During the pregnancy I lost most of Calcium and Ossein, losing the weight took me two years." Does her daughter want a companion? Kwan Yu joked that Peter Chan Ho Sun used to lie to her daughter that she had a little sister. Now Kwan Yu often asked her daughter whether she knew her "little sister" was in the Mainland or Thailand? Kwan Yu said that she thought about a surrogate or adoption, but adoption took a long time and she had limited energy. Would Hung Doi Lam have a child? She said that she still has not made enough money. She thought girls should save more money first. In the future if she did not work she could have more of a say. When asked whether Aaron Kwok Fu Sing was chauvinistic and did not permit her to talk, she said no. They got along like ordinary people. Lynn said that in the future when she will wed she absolutely will not sneak around. She thought that a joyous event should not be hidden and hoped that everyone would wish them well and accept them. She liked children but she already had two dogs at home. Were the dogs' last names Kwok? She joked that for now they were still Xiong. Later it would depend on what the last name of "Papa" will be. Earlier she brought her parents to see Sing Sing in concert, like meeting the parents. Were her parents satisfied with this "son in law"? Lynn immediately awkwardly stated that her parents had a lot of fun but did not have much comment. Lynn and Ah Jat in the film had a kiss scene. She said that it was just a peck, but she could not accept bed scenes. Before her intimate scenes she did not have to report to Sing Sing in advance. * (2012/01/18) The Herman Yau Lai To directed LOVE LIFTING (GO GUI OI) will be released in March. In the film Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam played a weightlifter Li Li who retired due to diabetes and fell in love with a divorcee whose business failed, To Man Jat. In the film Ah Jat tossed aside his usual comedy image and played a good man who gave his all for his wife and made money alone for the family. Kong Yeuk Lam also fell for Ah Jat's good man image. During the shoot she felt very warm and very fortunate. After the shoot she was reluctant to part with this good "hubby". Kong Yeuk Lam in order to bring to life the weightlifter kept eating to gain weight. She also accepted a series of hellish weightlifting training and strengthened her arms. On and off screen she was called "Strong Girl". She said that this was the furthest she went for a movie. She not only cut her beloved long hair short but also gained 20 pounds and muscles all over. Ah Jat instead had to lose weight to match her. He did not mind losing weight, but he lost 30 to 40 pounds. During meals, he and Kong Yeuk Lam's special meals would become strong contrast. He had to eat the diet meal while she had roast goose leg. * (2012/01/18) THE VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN) will soon open in Hong Kong. Director Dante Lam Chiu Yin and Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) earlier went to promote in Malaysia and Singapore. They first went to Malay and met with fans in the afternoon. Fans were very excited to be in close contact with their idol Chow Kit Lun. Then they attended a shopping center promotion. Fans even played games with Chairman Chou. Later fans presented a car shaped cake to Chairman Chou for his birthday on the 18th. The car lover kept walking up to it and said, "This cake is very pretty, I am reluctant to cut it. Let me just sniff it!" Of course he did not forget to make the wish for THE VIRAL FACTOR to be a big hit. Later, Lam Chiu Yin and Chairman Chou flew to Singapore to promote. With the Lunar New Year on the way, they were arranged to be with some seniors and low income people for the tradition of Prosperity Toss. They had a full meal for good luck. Then at the premiere Lam Chiu Yin praised Chairman Chou's courage. "Before he made my movie, he already knew that I was someone who often forced actors but he still took the role. I admire him for that." Chairman Chou said that the hardest to play was the headache, which when performed poorly would become a belly ache. The fans cracked up. * (2012/01/17) Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Chapman To Man Jat, Raymond Wong Pak Ming and others two nights ago went to the film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 (BAK SING PO HEI) premiere. Also on hand were many guest stars like Ronald Cheng Chung Kei. Coincidentally his wife Sammie Yu Sze Man was the host. When everyone was on the stage for a group photo, he did not appear. Kwan Yu pushed up three inches of "career line". She explained that because her character was named "Sung Chau Bo" so she had to coordinate. Did she add pads? Chi Tan praised her and said that she did not need to. Kwan Yu told him to stop pretending to be naive. Chi Tan joked, "I am not (Peter) Chan Ho Sun, how would I know? Today I will call him!" Kwan Yu again said that for this shoot she had to at least add two more pads. She did not understand why she did not have a figure but constantly had to act like she did. Kelly admitted that she did not want to dress too maternity so she wore a fiery red dress and heels. Her belly recently has grown very rapidly. For balance actually she should not wear heels that were too high. Now "Mini Juicy Bun" is already more than six months. Was Goo Jai her guardian? He said of course, he was responsible for helping her up and down as well as what was in Kelly's purse. Kelly took out a pineapple puff, saying that she was prepared in case she was hungry. With the dragon dance and the confetti cannon, was Mini Juicy Bun scared? Kelly said, "The confetti cannon scared me, (Did he kick you?) I can't feel him unless it's very quiet, but he is constantly kicking me like after meals and sleeping. He's even stronger than King Nikochan (Lau Sing)." As for Lynn she said that she did not know her rumored boyfriend Aaron Kwok Fu Sing was about to call his horse CALL OF LOVE, but thought that the song was very classic. Would it be better if it was named after her? Lynn said that it could not, it would be better if it was called Aaron Kwok. Would naming it after her be very sweet? Lynn said she would worry about it when it happened, as it would feel very severe. She too wanted to watch him lead the horse, she would be willing to take photos for him. * (2012/01/17) Eric Tsang Chi Wai and Teresa Mo Shun Kwan yesterday along with many artists worked on a Lunar New Year program. Chi Wai will perform in Las Vegas on the Lunar 29th with daughter Tsang Bo Yi, Michael Miu Kiu Wai and Vivian Hsu (Tsui Yeuk Suen), thus he jokingly asked Mo Mo who would spend the Spring Festival in Hong Kong with her family to keep an eye on the box office and viewer appreciation. He praised himself for making a great film, better than the previous two years. It had both happy and touching scenes and more content. He also remembered to praise his competition Raymond Wong Pak Ming. He said, "I heard his movie would be decent too, I am very happy." Unfortunately two nights ago he had to host the Miss Chinese International pageant and could not attend his premiere. As for his confidence, Chi Wai said that he has already won for two years and it has become habitual. He hoped that they would compete and support Hong Kong films together. Yet he immediately said, "I heard Wong Pak Ming's movie this year is similar to my format two years ago, with an ensemble and more songs." Speaking of the film having to pay US$200,000 royalty for using a Beatles classic and in the last time switched to using Joey Yung Cho Yi's song, Chi Wai was asked why he did not use Raymond Lam Fung's Solid Gold Hit CHOK. Chi Wai joked that he would give it to Wong Pak Ming. * (2012/01/16) Eric Tsang Chi Wai and Teresa Mo Shun Kwan gave their all for their Lunar New Year I LOVE HONG KONG 2012 (2012 NGOR OI HK HEI SEUNG GA HEI). The former stuffed his pants while the latter performed an erotic dance and showed her career line. Chi Wai's performance was cut to keep from being a bad influence on minors. Sister Mo who has never sold being sexy stunned everyone with her swimwear like dance garment. Because the scene was reasonable, she did not mind displaying her figure and dance routine. The Tsang Chi Wai, Mo Shun Kwan, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Susan Shaw Yam Yam, William So Wing Hong and Zhang Xinyu starred Shaw Lunar New Year film I LOVE HONG KONG 2012 will open Friday. Although the film has many comedy masters, most of the attention remained with the pair of Chi Wai and Sister Mo. Sister Mo who has not made a Lunar New Year film in years had a erotic dance scene in the film. She felt fortunate the she has already started studying dance two years ago, thus even if the team arranged for a double for her she still could perform herself. she said, "I was only afraid that I would faint from working all night because I am used to going to bed and getting up early, unlike Chi Wai who doesn't differentiate between night and day. (Would the dance costume be very sexy?) Like a swimsuit, although it's low cut it has a thin veil. At my age if I don't cover up, people would think it's a horror film!" Yet on the day of the shoot she was a little embarrassed because the dance had a lot of twists. She said, "If I wasn't used to it when I learned it, I definitely would be extremely embarrassed. Yet this scene was reasonable so I didn't mind doing that in front of the camera." Because Sister Mo has always rarely made any provocative appearance, the crew including Chi Wai who has seen everything was stunned. She joked, "No one has ever seen me wear so little." Aside from Sister Mo making the sacrifice for the sake of art, her co-star Chi Wai also "stuff" his pants. However to keep from being a bad influence on children, Chi Wai's performance was cut. During the shoot though it brought laughter to everyone so it made certain contribution. Chi Wai admitted that the idea came from YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE. He said, "With such a rare hit, if I don't use it I deserve to die." As for YOU being Hong Kong's highest grossing Chinese language film, Chi Wai boasted that he must make a movie to break its record. This time the film used some classic songs, including the Beatles and Alan Tam Wing Lun, because the Beatles' ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE was very close to the movie's theme. However the royalty reached US$200,000. Chi Wai said, "I always thought it was HK$200,000, but it was in American currency. It really rained on my parade. Thus the most expensive part of this film was the song royalty. Because of those royalties the box office would have to make another 6 million more." Was Sister Mo the highest paid in the cast? Chi Wai said, "If not why would she dance the erotic dance? She is showing her career line for the first time, her dance costume is charged by the inch!" In addition, this film's directors were Chung Shu Kai and Wilson Chin Kwok Wai. They knew each other long ago during their TVB days, so they had even more chemistry when they worked together. Chung Shu Kai also revealed that in the film aside from Sister Mo's erotic dance also had several funny moments, including Denise Ho Wan Si and Wong Chung Chak's cemetery wedding photo session and the kiss between Fung Shui Fan and Shaw Yam Yam as "Shen Chia-Yi". Did the kiss scene have any bad time? He joked, "Brother Gun said no bad take no matter what!" This time the doomsday element was added, as property hegemony used doomsday to make even money. Would people still buy homes on doomsday? He joked, "The Ark has room for sale. When we came up the idea we even discovered that if the property hegemony banned you, you couldn't live." * (2012/01/16) Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Lin Peng, Liu Kai Chi, Elaine Kam Yin Ling, Andy On Chi Kit along with director Dante Lam Chiu Yi two nights ago attended THE VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN) premiere at Sky 100. Also on hand were Deborah Li and her husband Moustache Kong, Patrick Tse Yin and others. The host talked about the venue. Ting Fung joked that he could consider making an action film here, but Chairman Chou joked that he absolutely would not make a sequel because it was too tough. The 18th would be Chairman Chou's birthday and the event arranged for a cake to celebrate with him in advance. Later Ting Fung stated that with the government's permit he would be willing to jump from here for a movie; would he not have to watch himself more as a father? He said, "I trust the safety of Hong Kong film, we are crazy but not stupid." The director said that the boss would like the box office to reach 400 million. Ting Fung admitted that he neither dared nor knew how to estimate, he had confidence though. When asked about his former wife Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi's poor box office performance after her comeback and becoming the box office poison, Ting Fung was very helpless and said, "Oh don't say that, (people made her sound horrible?) You made up this name, I didn't say it. (How do you think she should be described?) Don't ask me, I don't know how to answer. If you ask me again I would giving you a beating, or maybe jumping from here and pulling you down too." Ting Fung said that he will fly back to Shanghai to work for a few days then return to Hong Kong for the Lunar New year. When asked whether he would reunite with Pak Chi? Ting Fung kept saying no and said questions like no chance have already been answered before. Lai Goo said that she has not asked her son. Has she paid attention to any hint? Lai Goo joked, "No, I too am waiting for the notice to coordinate. (Have you contacted Pak Chi?) No, she is hardly ever in Hong Kong. (Are you scared?) Why did you say that? (Because you don't want them to!) Are you answering for me? I can tell everyone, don't put me between them. Heaven's will is hard to go against, if they reunite I wish them well, don't say whether I approve or not." Lai Goo said, she would prepare big laisee for her grandsons. Quintus already knew how to say Grandma and Grandpa. Would she urge her daughter Jennifer Tse Ting Ting to wed? Lai Goo said that she did not want to but could not help but say that the Year of the Dragon will have a lot of joyous events. Chairman Chou was very confident that the box office will reach 400 million; would he truly not make a sequel? He said, "Absolutely not, I have to properly rest. When I directed and starred myself it was both comfortable and award winning, how great was that!" Would he ask rumored girlfriend Hannah Quinlivan (Kwun Ling) as the female lead? Chairman Chou said that he did not want to find someone in the business as he hoped for freshness. Otherwise he would ask Kwai Lun-Mei because they have not worked together for awhile. Did he have a script yet? Chairman Chou would like to shoot at the end of March. Originally he thought about a magic film but THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) has already used the subject first. Would SECRET 2 be made? Chairman Chou said, "It should be the end of the year, but I can't tell what the secret would be." Reporters joked that his girlfriend was something that could not be told, Chairman Chou smiled without answering. Would he like to work with Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha)? He admitted that he asked Andrew Lau Wai Keung to introduce them, but he did not know whether she would be willing. However he still was very happy that she has seen SECRET (BUT NUNG SHUET DIK BEI MUK). Would he truly not work with Hannah Quinlivan? Chairman Chou said, "The best would be asking friends of opposite sex who won't lead to rumors. (But she really is a girlfriend?) We are just friends. (Are you dating?) Dating in the movies." * (2012/01/16) The 2012 Miss Chinese International Pageant took place last night at the Tseung Kwan O Television City. The title went to the Chicago representative, candidate 11 Kelly Cheung Hei Man. The first runner up was the Singapore representative Cheryl Wee (Wong Hing Wai) and the second runner up was the Fala Chen look a like Kuala Lumpur representative Lenna Lim (Lam Ka Bing). She also won "Asia Pacific Modern Glamour Award" and "Miss Cosmopolitan". Hong Kong representative Rebecca Zhu won the "Greater China Classic Elegance Award". Last night Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Astrid Chan Chi Ching and MC Jin were the hosts, the judges were Michael Tse Tin Wa, Myolie Wu Hung Yi, Angela Leong On Ki, Kwok Law Kwai Chun, and Lam Man Kit. The program began with a Raymond Lam Fung music number that led 28 candidates into their self introduction. Then the candidates were divided into the Asia Pacific Region, the Europe America Region and the Greater China Region. Each region had a newly added award. The Asia Pacific Modern Glamor Award went to the Kuala Lumpur representative Lenna Lim, the Europe America Vitality award went to candidate 15 New York representative Jasmine Hayter (Hoi Lei Ling) and the Greater China Classic Elegance Award went to candidate 26 Hong Kong representative Rebecca Zhu. After the swimsuit competition, "Miss Congeniality" went to candidate 17 Toronto representative Ashton Hong (Hung Mei San). Miss Cosmopolitan went to Lenna Lim. Then ten semifinalists were announced. Chi Wai added to the intense and made the candidates announced the last five. Candidate 19 Vancouver representative Erica Chui whose father is Tsui Siu Keung was not in top ten, which included Bianca Lam, Biliya Wiriyapan, Lenna Lim, Aliya Fan, Cheryl Wee, Kelly Cheung, Roro Chen, Jasmine Hayter, Maggie Yu, and Rebecca Zhu. The top ten candidates with advice from guest host Sammy either raised their hands or picked a number to answer a question. Guest performers Hacken Lee Hak Kun after performing with Mag Lam Yun Tung and Alfred Hui Kin Hung announced the top three. First he announced the second runner up, then Kelly Cheung and Cheryl Wee made their final campaign for votes. Both were teary eyed and affected many candidates back stage. Finally the five judges raised signs to indicate the winner. The funniest was Tse Tin Wa who turned into Laughing as he took out a coin to toss. Finally Kelly Cheung won 3-2. * (2012/01/15) Two nights ago Coach celebrated its all new Nathan Road flagship store opening. Stars like Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Wyman Wong Wai Man, Qi Qi, Kathy Chow Man Kei and Alice B. attended. Yam Yin Chai revealed that recently he has been rather busy because he had to prepare for his concert. Was he interested in signing Edmond Leung Hong Man? He said, "We both have thought about it. I think he is very talented, but I have to wait until he resolves his company contract problems first. (Some said 3 million for his release?) Huh! I have to consider it, depending on the company's future development." His film with Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi LEGENDARY AMAZONS (YEUNG MOON NUI JEUNG ji GWUN LING YU SAN) performed poorly at the box office. He said, "Everyone worked very hard on this film. Because the studio was too cold, the team adjustment had some problems. The set was a little chaotic and the shoot was pretty tough. However actually a movie being good or bad has many reasons, not just the artists!" As for outside accusation that Pak Chi was a box office poison? Siu Chai said showed his support, "No one can make that kind of decision, Pak Chi works very hard!" * (2012/01/15) Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Andy On Chi Kit, Lin Peng yesterday promoted their new film THE VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN). Chairman Chou was the most popular as he attracted over 100 fans. Coincidentally Chairman Chou's birthday will be on the 18th. The host asked fans to sing the birthday song, but Chairman Chou said that it was a little embarrassing. Fans ignored him and kept singing. They also played games with the audience. Chairman Chou said that his birthday wish was for THE VIRAL FACTOR to be this year's box office champion, his written and directed film could be second. Why did he not want it to be number one? Chairman Chou joked, "Because this film is the toughest in my history, I wouldn't let myself to suffer too much so being second is enough!" Chairman Chou also revealed that on his birthday he will attend the film premiere in Taiwan and he planned to invite 50 artists to a party. Will he invite his girlfriend? Chairman Chou kept circling and only said that he will invite female artist friends. Will he invite rumored girlfriend Hannah Quinlivan (Kwun Ling)? He admitted that she will be included but she probably would not attend. Earlier he invited her to see THE GREEN HORNET and she was worried about reporter questions if she appeared. Speaking of yesterday's Taiwan election, Chairman Chou said that due to the promote he did not have a chance to vote. As for On Chi Kit he gave Lin Peng the nickname "Gutsy Lin" during the shoot. He explained that Lin Peng personally performed any and all dangerous stunts. Did Lin Peng treated herself like Chairman Chou's girlfriend in the film? She said that although Chairman Chou often rescued and protected her, she did not have any fondness for him. Was she afraid of falling under the spell of Chairman Chou? Lin Peng said, "He indeed would have many girls under his spell. Chairman Chou is very kind, very nice and simple." Lin Peng revealed that the director has said that if the box office was decent a sequel would be possible. Will she be able to kiss Chairman Chou then? Lin Peng said that was not bad, hopefully she will be able to! * (2012/01/15) Charlie Yeung Choi Nei yesterday attended a shopping center New Spring decoration unveiling ceremony. Later she will spend the Lunar New Year with her mother in Taiwan. On this trip back to Hong Kong she also met with her newlywed sister Gigi Leung Wing Kei. This year was Gigi's first year as a married woman and giving away laisee. She joked, "Right, I definitely will ask her for it." Charlie recently has been busy with directing as she planned for her first new film CHRISTMAS ROSE, which Charlie will write and director and invited directors Tsui Hark and Jacob Cheung Chi Leung to produce. She pointed out that directors Tsui Hark and Cheung Chi Leung taught her a lot of filmmaking knowledge and asked their friends to help. She did not know how to repay them. She also said that her new film from script conception to the production start took three years. She felt that it was not a long time since it was her first time and she did not have any experience. She heard that some scripts after 7 to 8 years still have not been made. Seemingly the entire team would charge "friend rates". Who would she like the leads to be? She said that although they have been confirmed she could not announce them yet. Would she invite her good sisters? She asked everyone to wait for the production start date. She hoped to concentrate on the film preparation and would not participate on screen. With the title would the film be a Christmas release? She said that the film had nothing to do with Christmas, it only meant hope. * (2012/01/15) A cable program invited recently Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam) and Raymond Wong Pak Ming to guests on the "Shall we cook?" segment. They personally made Lunar New Year delicacy. Hung Doi Lam said that she did not mind others calling her "Sing Soh" and stated that she hoped to be as fortunate as Kelly Chen Wai Lam. Wong Pak Ming said that ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 (BAK SING PO HEI) was Kelly's first film after marriage. He even boasted, "Working on my stuff has an advantage, as soon as you do something joyous happens." Lynn was asked whether she did. Lynn said, "Not yet, I hope to be as fortunate as Kelly." Donnie Yen Chi tan in ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 was in a band. He due to the story had to be "Eason Chan Yik Shun possessed" as he reprised his music award show behavior. Chi Tan's look and gestures won a lot of applause. He even uploaded the "award photo" online in support of the film company's recent promotion of the message of love and left a message that he really "loved" film. Speaking of being a film industry hot property today, Chi Tan recalled almost being bankrupted. "It's hard to forget before and after the 97 financial storm, I funded BALLISTIC KISS (SAT SAT YUN TIU TIU MO) myself. The production cost was not even US$500,000, but it bombed at the box office and cleared the table with one shot! I have been when I only had 100 in my bank account, at a dead end and had to borrow from a loan shark." Luckily he persisted and was able to succeed. * (2012/01/14) THE VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN) two nights ago held its Beijing premiere. Director Dante Lam Chiu Yin led Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Lin Peng, Bai Bing, and Andy On Chi Kit in attendance. Ting Fung and Chairman Chou looked exactly liked brothers the entire way and even made the Mr and Mrs Smith back to back gun pose on the red carpet. The director and the actors went to several meetings before and after the screening, viewers who just finished watching the film seemed to still be in the film as they called them by their film character names. Chairman Chou joked, "If I knew in advance you might as well save us a few seats so we can watch your reaction. When you should cry you have to cry!" Ting Fung said handsomely, "THE VIRAL FACTOR will definitely bring you incredibly exciting two hours!" Ting Fung also took the chance to "beg for mercy" with the director. "Next time can we plase shoot at a clean location. In THE VIRAL FACTOR every time after work I had to shower three times, even my underwear had mud in it". Kit Lun also joked, "Then don't wear underwear!" The crowd shrieked. * (2012/01/13) The Chow Yun Fat, Liu Yifei, Japanese actor Hiroshi Tamaki, and Alec Su Yau Peng starred film BRONZE SPARROW PAVILION recently has been completed. Two days ago the film issued a photo of Chow Yun Fat in his Cao Cao costume. In the photo his facial hair was actually real, but Fat Gor dyed his gray beard black. Next to him was director Zhao Linshan, the crew including the photography and art directors were mostly from the FLOWERS OF WAR production team. This 130 million RMB costume film currently is busy with the post production rush. The film is slated for the year end golden period release. BRONZE took four months to make and was about the processs of Cao Cao's tomb construction and a love story that few knew about late in his life. * (2012/01/13) The Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Aarif Rahman (Lee Chi Ting) and Zhou Dongyu starred film ALLURE OF TEARS (KING SING JI LUI) had 3 stories. Siu Chai and Gigi performed one of the day. They were a music school's graduates. In order to save their school that was facing bankrupcy they took their last chance to fulfill the dreams of their youth. Siu Chai played Ding Dake, who promised a group of alumni to raise fund for the school with a concert with their former classmate, Gigi played Yang Lin, an internationally renowned violinist who 3 years ago suddenly retired. They never would have guessed that Yang Lin retired because she lost her hearing in an accident. A violinist who could no longer hear and a group of strange middle aged men for their dreams overcame a variety of hardship to complete an impossible mission. In another story, Lee Chi Ting and Zhou Dongyu played a young cancer stricken couple. Zhou Dongyu played the happy Mighty Girl who during treatment ran into fellow cancer patient, the Lee Chi Ting played cynical son of a rich man You Le. * (2012/01/13) Nicholas Tse Ting Fung yesterday attended THE VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN) premiere press conference in Beijing. When asked about rumors of a reunion with Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, he reiterated that he did. He and Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) talked about the scene in which Ting Fung jumped into the sea. Ting Fung said that when Director Dante Lam Chiu Yin told him to jump, he jumped without even thinking about it; looking at the playback, he only saw his shadow and immediately asked the director if he was sure it was him? Chow Kit Lun cut in and said, "Relax, I caught your jump on my phone. If someone doesn't believe you personally performed the stunt, I can be your witness." Ting Fung was asked four questions, "what did he think about good reviews for the film", "what did he thik about the director giving the gun that he performed with", "what belief kept him going on THE VIRAL FACTOR shoot", and "his building jump performance". Ting Fung responded to all of them with a thumbs up. Chow Kit Lun's building jump scene took place at a hospital. He joked that he was a little scared, but with fans there he had to jump. He said that if only his shadow as in the film he definitely would be very angry. He hoped that fans would upload their phone videos online as evidence. Chairman Chou also jokingly complained that working with the director was very tough because the director was merciless. "I very much look forward to tonight's premiere because I can see the result of my hard work. Everything is worth it." * (2012/01/13) Donnie Yen Chi Tan yesterday worked on the upcoming film production 3D THE ICEMAN COMETH (3D GUP DUNG KEI HUP) poster. Producer and investor Stephen Shiu Jr. revealed that the film production cost reached US$20 million because of its many large scale scenes. The production already received an approval for a four hour shoot on the Ching Ma Bridge, and even planned to shoot location at the Government House and the new Government Headquarter for the ending. As for the new Government Headquarter virus, Chi Tan said fearlessly, "We can help them disinfect." Chi Tan said that the rumor of him making 200 million was exaggerated. "I didn't count, I left it all for my wife to handle." He reiterated that he did not feel he made a lot because actors all looked glorious on the surface. In addition the performing art life would not be long, the more he worked the more he got. Was his next target the Best Actor award? He said, "I haven't deliberately thought about becoming the Best Actor, but I hope to try different characters." For example in the comedy ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 (BAK SING PO HEI), he claimed that he performed without holding back and hoped the audience would like it. Speaking of the Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) still has no release date yet, would he make another IP MAN? He said, "I wouldn't make another one after someone else's is released. Actually I am still brewing, when the time arrives I would make it again." * (2012/01/13) A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH) director Ann Hui On Wa would receive the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society's 6th Asian Film Award Lifetime Achievement award. She would be the first female filmmaker to receive the honor. In the 70s and the 80s, Hui On Wa created many Hong Kong films of their time and received numerous awards. Today she still keeps on creating, outside mainstream films she makes work that makes viewers think. Film Festival Society chair Wong Ying Wai said, "Director Hui On Wa's influence on Hong Kong film is far reaching. At the late 70s she was a strong force in the Hong Kong New Wave. She innovated with existing film genres and created all new conventional film categories to express the gradually forming Hong Kong people identities. Yet she has never been complacent and continued to create. From 1979 she almost had a new film every year and every film's quality has been very outstanding. No matter the genre, Hui On Wa has been handy with it -- thriller, drama, comedy, horror, historical wuxia, romance, Hui On Wa has done them all and injected even richer elements. She represented a level that Hong Kong filmmakers dream of. In addition, she actively promoted Hong Kong film culture and film development. From 1993 to 2004 she served as the Hong Kong Film Director Guild executive committee member, from 2004 to 2006 she served as the chair. Early in the founding of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, she served as vice chair and contributed greatly to promoting the society's development and activities. We hereby thank her very much." * (2012/01/13) ROMANCING IN THIN AIR (GO HOI BUT JI LUEN II) earlier held a small media screening. Most female viewers were moved to tears and some viewers had to remain in their seats after the show ended to settle down. Sammi Cheng Sau Man and Louis Koo Tin Lok were very pleased to learn about the great audience response. They liked this film very much as well. Sammi pointed out that Goo Jai has always had quite a sense of comedy. This time he had several scenes in which Sammi had a very hard time with holding back her laughter. In one scene Goo Jai just arrived in Shangri-La. He could not adjust to the climate and had to get an intravenous drip due to a lack of oxygen. With his IV drip in his right hand and wine in his left, he looked very funny already. Even the crew thought Goo Jai looked very funny, but everyone cherished their oxygen and thus held back their laughter. Otherwise they could easily be short of breath. Goo Jai of course replaced the wine with tea. He said, "I was already short of breath and they still wanted me to chug. If the bottle was real I was dead for sure, of course I replaced it with tea! I didn't want to truly become like Michael in the movie and had to breathe with an oxygen tank!" On and off camera everyone's movement and speech were slower. Goo Jai joked that when To Sir (Johnnie To Kei Fung) reached the mountain, he did not even yell at anyone and the world had peace. As for Goo Jai and Sammi's romantic scene, they said that it felt very comfortable. Yet a motorcycle scene reminded everyone of Sammi and Wa Jai (Andy Lau Tak Wa). Sammi said that the motorcycle ride felt very different with Wa Jai than with Goo Jai. She said, "Back then I saw behind Wa Jai, of course it felt great! However this time on the motorcycle with Goo Jai felt more fun, maybe because it was in Shangri-La. The scenery was beautiful and the air was fresher! So this time was very memorable." Goo Jai was very excited to ride the motorcycle and felt very satisfied. He felt how high Sammi was behind him. * (2012/01/13) The Kelly Chen Wai Lam and Louis Koo Tin Lok starred Lunar New Year film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 (BAK SING PO HEI) will be released in the Lunar New Year. They along with boss Raymond Wong Pak Ming were interviewed earlier. Chen Wai Lam was already pregnant while working on ALL'S, was Kelly's husband worried? She said that her husband asked her about it. He knew that the shoot was only two weeks long and it was a comedy without any fight scene, so he did not object. Kelly said that in one scene she had to poke Goo Jai's muscle with a pen and praised how fit Goo Jai was. Normally he would train with weights when he was not in a scene. He was very hard working. How would she grade Goo Jai's figure? Kelly said 100 points and admitted that she liked men with muscles. Did her husband have muscles? She joked, "When we started dating he did, now he is a blob." Has she asked her husband to exercise? Kelly said, "No, my own figure isn't very pretty. However my husband watches himself, he wouldn't be too fat or have a belly." Koo Tin Lok said that this year was his fourth year of making a Lunar New Year film. In the film Goo Jai had a topless scene to show off his masculinity. In the film he was completely naked, but on the set he wore shorts. Was Goo Jai embarrassed? He said, "I wasn't, but I wasn't used to it on the first day." At the time Goo Jai did not have time to work out first, but he has always had abdominal muscles. He just did not have enough time to pump them up. While working in ALL'S, Goo Jai knew that Kelly was already pregnant. Was he worried? He said, "A little, we had to go to a construction site and a forest for location shoots. I was worried that she would fall, instead I saw how relaxed and professional she was." Wong Pak Ming this year again faces Eric Tsang Chi Wai during the Lunar New Year. He hoped that everyone would be happy and said that he was confident this year he would beat Chi Wai. * (2012/01/12) Best Actors Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Mainland stars Zhou Xun and Yan Ni two nights ago promoted the Emperor Motion Picture THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) in Shanghai. The actors were asked if they would save their "lover and mother" first. Ching Wan joked, "I would call the police first!" Zhou Xun said that she would save her mother and believed that her future boyfriend would support her decision. Yan Ni pointed out that "I only have one Mama, I can find another boyfriend." Wai Jai was indifferent to the question and avoided a response. The stars taped a Shanghai Lunar New Year program. Wai Jai said that every year he valued the Lunar New Year's Eve dinner with his family. Although he would not cook he would arrange for the dishes. When asked what his wife Carina Lau Ka Ling was responsible for, Wai Jai said, "She is only in charge of eating!" A magician's performance stunned Wai Jai and scared Zhou Xun silly. She even hoped to learn from him. * (2012/01/12) Rose Chan Ka Wun earlier while working on the film GUONG FAI SHUI YUET in Yunnan was injured. Her on screen father Guo Tao accidentally stabbed her with a sword and left a scratch on her face. If she moved a little more her eyes would have been scratched. The crew was frightened. Rose said, "At the moment I was a little scared, luckily I was fine!" * (2012/01/12) Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Denise Ho Wan Si and Bosco Wong Chung Chak played couples in the Lunar New Year film I LOVE HONG KONG 2012 (2012 NGOR OI HK HEI SEUNG GA HEI). Wong Chung Chak played Lok Yi Nga who thought he got the Ho Wan Si played Jing Jing pregnant and rushed into marriage. His future father in law (Stanley Fung Shui Fan) thought that he was poor and lacked ambition. When Lok Yi Nga realized that Jing Jing was not pregnant, he thought that Jing Jing swindled him into marriage and tricked Jing Jing with wedding gown fittings and wedding photos. Chi Wai played Yao Ming who thought that he learned the ways of the bedroom and picked up his wife Mo Mo in front of everyone. However their relationship due to Mo Mo's suspicion about Chi Wai's relationship with his Mainland foster daughter faced a crisis. * (2012/01/12) Cherie Chung Chor Hung and Anthony Wong Yiu Ming yesterday attended Mont Blanc's first concept store preview in Beijing. Hung Goo even wore the HK$209,600 Princess Grace of Monaco series as a salute to the late Princess Grace Kelly and donated to the Princess Grace Foundation USA in support of cultivating new talent of the arts. Brother Ming wore the HK$226,700 Nicolas Rieussec series. Hung Goo and Brother Ming was very happy to run into each other in Beijing. Hung Goo said, "This time I truly am super happy to see Brother Ming in Beijing. 25 years old we ran into each other once after working on the costume film THE GOLDEN SWALLOW (GUM YIN JI), but we were in a hurry and only greeted each other." She remembered when they made the movie, due to all the scenes they almost had to be ready 24 hours a day. Thus they were so tired that they could fall asleep at anytime. She said, "We took care of each other. Back then Brother Ming was very scared. once when we went to promote in Taiwan, because how grand the situation was he hid behind me. I stood in front of him like I was protecting him." Brother Ming said that he has not seen Hung Goo in years and she was just as beautiful. That friendly smile remained unchanged. * (2012/01/12) The Lunar New Year film ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 (BAK SING PO HEI) two nights ago promoted in Causeway Bay. Chapman To Man Jat, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Raymond Wong Pak Ming and Karena Ng Chin Yu attended and gave away hugs on the streets. Actually this was a prank that targeted Hung Doi Lam, but because the media was not notified chaos ensued. Some thought an accident really took place. Lynn was frightened out of her wits as well. Two nights ago at the embrace session, an "extra" male viewer came to the stage. He went crazy because he could not hug Lynn on the stage and even argued with "extras" in the audience. Later this "extra" male viewer smashed a bottle over Wen Chao's head. Wen Chao "pretended" to collapse. Hung Doi Lam was scared out of her wits and immediately ran off the stage. The male viewer still screamed, "Lynn! I want to hug you! I am your real husband!" Then two "extra" police officers came to stop everything. With the bloodshed, the media panicked. At that time the male viewer suddenly hug Ah Jat with a smile and kissed him, then everyone realized that it was just a prank. Hung Doi Lam later said that she truly was scared and wanted to rush home. Ah Jat as the "accomplice" admitted that he did not want to. He joked that he planned to buy her an Aaron Kwok Fu Sing concert DVD as compensation. Lynn said that she would not tell Sing Sing, who would find out from the papers. She joked, "If they want to play a prank on me, I may strike back. So they are very afraid. Maybe because Ah Jat doesn't know about my tendency toward violence, this time I fell for it." * (2012/01/12) DWELLING IN THE FUCHUN MOUNTAINS earlier held a global press conference in Atlantis the Palm Dubai with over 50 media outlets in attendance. Chinese consul general in Dubai Zhan Jingbao, film director Sun Jianjun, American director Bob Brown along with stars Andy Lau Tak Wa, Zhang Jingchu and Lin Chiling also attended. Director of a Beijing Olympics promotional film Sun Jianjun said, "Dubai like China is often misunderstood as somewhere dirty and messy. China film for the first time display modern methods, techniques and trendy quality to viewers of China and other nations." Zhang Jingchu's fluent English received media compliments. She said, "Actually it feels like a dream. Yesterday I saw the beautiful Persian Gulf outside, I posted online that I could only arrive here on a magic carpet." Due to the temperature difference between Beijing and Dubai, Lin Chiling was not well enough to speak, but her elegant appearance and sweet smile earned consolation from friends in the media. Reporters asked Lau Tak Wa about change of pace at work and in life. Wa Jai said, "My life hasn't changed much because my personal life and work are separate. Work is a very important part of life, so I would put a lot of effort into this area." When asked since this film was an Eastern spy film would it be compared to 007 or MISSION IMPOSSIBLE GHOST PROTOCOL, Wa Jai said, "This film is such a large production, the directors' efforts including our other director' bringing many many new things from the U.S. I don't know whether it can compare to foreigners', but we would make a very, very special spy film with our own specialty." Sun Jianjun added, "In the first 30 years, Mr. Lau was a mix of Tom Cruise and Michael Jackson. Maybe in the last 30 years he will be Sean Connery." Wa Jai said, "I hope even more that I am myself." * (2012/01/12) Yuen Siu Cheung worked on a TVB pay television promotional film and Lunar New Year short film. Full of energy recent rumors have not affected him at all. Cheung Jai even learned that I LOVE HONG KONG (NGOR OI HEUNG GONG HOI SUM MAN SHUI) will premiere on TVB movie channel and was very excited. In the film he and Michelle Lo Mik Shuet played sisters and were very memorable. Cheung Jai revealed before impersonating Michelle he paid attention to her food program. They also have some common friends. After being together they discovered that their personalities were very similar. They were not only happy but also liked to eat. * (2012/01/12) Andy On Chi Kit in the film THE VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN) played a villain. In the film he had many action scenes. In one scene he had to hsoot in a narrow alley and injured both his arms. Did he whine to Jennifer Tse Ting Ting? He said that he did not, but after finding out his girlfriend immediately flew to visit him and of course her brother Nicholas Tse Ting Fung. On Chi Kit did not know how to read Chinese, so reading Chinese script was truly very hard. His interpreter used Cantonese to translate directly so he did not understand it many time. Everyday he would study the script with his assistant at the hotel. While shooting in Malaysia, Ting Fung was handing his divorce. He said that at the time Ting Fung did not say much, maybe he did not want to think about it. Everyday after arriving at the set, he spent every moment on thinking how to make the film. After work he would return to the hotel. Yet he revealed that after shooting in the heat, Ting Fung after work could play video games without showering. He reminded Ting Fung to shower, but he would just appease him without a few words and ignore him. Speaking of the other lead Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), On Chi Kit said that he admired Jay very much. He was not an action actor but a superstar singer. Although he always had many people to protect him, he did not look like he was going to handle the director's action demand as seriously as he did. He truly admired him very much. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, JANUARY 15 2012, FILM WORDS DEREK YEE'S MAGIC TRICKS AND LAST YEAR'S MOVIES The movies that Derek Yee Tung Sing have directed have always been modern subjects and almost all based in Hong Kong -- aside from SHINJUKU INCIDENT (SUN SHOOK SI GEIN) that was about the Mainland mob taking risks in Tokyo, Japan (and could not be released in the Mainland). His new film THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI) is the exception as he heads north to shoot old time China. This Early Republic background mystery big production has numerous stars. Obviously primed for the Mainland market, it has become the blockbuster that welcomes the Year of the Dragon in advance. Plot Like LET THE BULLETS FLY This film's time period and genre are similar to the Jiang Wen hit LET THE BULLETS FLY. Yet the style is different as its biggest specialty is magic. The fact is magic is particularly popular in the current film world, which has some traditional magician biography films. The most entertaining is THE PRESTIGE five years ago from the top writer and director Christopher Nolan. Chinese films have been lacking in this area. Last year's MAGIC TO WIN (HOI SUM MOR FAT) was disappointing and could not even match two year ago in the Su Chao-Bin directed costume wuxia film REIGN OF ASSASSINS (GIM YU)'s Eastern classic fantasy tricks that were only used a gap fillers. THE GREAT MAGICIAN finally features magic. This time Tony Leung Chiu Wai played a great magician who returns from overseas, he has quite a stage presence as he displays his abilities. In the film the magic is a mix of Chinese and foreign. Although they are more small time tricks to big deals, fortunately it makes lively use of digital special effects and thoughtful designs. The results are decent. The most outstanding is the "cold fire". As for the story, Leung Chiu Wai and his beloved Zhou Xun and the great warlord Lau Ching Wan develop a love triangle. With the Japanese invasion of China conspiracy, Manchurian Qing shameful return and the Revolutionaries' plans, inevitably it is outdates. It ultimately has thrills, laughter and strange tricks. Yee Tung Sing also makes fun of early movies as he cooks up a China Japan co-production movie within a movie and salutes elder Lee Han-Hsiang. Obviously it has shades of LEGENDS OF CHEATING (PIN SHOOK KEI TAM) and THE WARLORD (DAI GWUN FUT). Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan and Mainland character actor Wu Gang all put in an effort, with help from Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Alex Fong Chung Shun, Tsui Hark and others. Only female stars Zhou Xun and Yan Ni's performances are ordinary. This film's most attractive parts are its magic scenes, overall it is just average. Perhaps because it has to keep many elements in mind, it has less of the magical spark from Yee Tung Sing's past work and does not dare to be so fearlessly mischievous as LET THE BULLETS FLY. In the film the leads and the warlord turn from enemies into friends, as they unite in harmony to fend off the Japanese. Wonderfully is the climax secret weapon, which is harmless overall. (Three out of five stars) Top Ten Excellent Chinese Film Selection This period has few new films, which is the perfect time for a look back at the 2011 Chinese films. I have chosen ten that I feel are representative, some cold some hot some elegant some conventional, some have only been shown on special screening and not officially released yet. They are in no particular order. LOVER'S DISCOURSE (LUEN YUN SHUI YU) New directors Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung and Jimmy Wan Chi Wan's unconventionally wonderful ensemble film. OVERHEARD 2 (SIT TING FUNG WON 2) Alan Mak Siu Fai and Felix Chong Man Keung's brainy scheme with exciting stock market speculation storm. LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM) Johnnie To Kei Fung's unusual style makes a dark satire of the modern humanity. DATONG: THE GREAT SOCIETY (DAI TUNG: HONG YAU WAI JOI SHUI DIN) Evans Chan Yiu Shing's uncommon semi documentary. A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH) Ann Hui On Wa's sincerity and effort again win over people. YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE Taiwan Giddens Ko breaks Hong Kong film box office record. WARRIORS OF THE RAINBOW: SEEDIQ BALE Wei Te-Sheng gives the native bloodbath a sense of realism with very strong will. LET THE BULLETS FLY This Mainland topical mischief film shows that Mainland films are more and more wily. THE SORCERER AND THE WHITE SNAKE (BAK SEH SUN JUEN ji FAT HOI) Although the special effects are artificial and absurd, actually the adaptation is interesting. ROOMLESS Kingman Choi's category III independent film wonderfully captures the ugly side of Hong Kong people in a lively way. - SHEK KEI 2. TA KUNG PAO, JANUARY 15 2012, LIGHT SHADOW PATH ENTERTAINMENT NEWS MOTIVATES YOUNG PEOPLE Raymond Lam Fung wins a major award at the TVB JADE SOLID GOLD AWARDS and led to passionate "debate" online. Actually no award show is absolutely fair, in particular the organizer has different consideration for its contract employees. Instead online and young people (including university students) pay more and more attention to entertainment news, which is worthy of attention in itself. Last century when TVB has been established for 8 to 10 years, the young intellectuals at the time did not care about local entertainment news. Many were proud of only watching foreign films and not Hong Kong films. Although they were not looking down on people in show business, their idea of drawing a clear line is very obvious. In the 90s when some universities invited Hong Kong singers to perform at their schools, some alumni stated that "the moral degradation of the world is getting worse by the day". Actually people in the ivory tower gradually opening up is not a bad thing, as long as they do not do so in extremes they are fine. Last November a Mainland university philosophy professor posted online in criticism of school groups asking students to take time off and skip classes to protect the visiting Hong Kong film star Tony Leung Chiu Wai and others, and making the "classroom empty" during classes. It was "the first time in many years that he was so angry". The professor even quoted Confucius "the sound of Sang Pu is the sound of subjugation" and hoped that the school would keep from guiding students into "sounds of decadence". Later the school group and student union have apologized to this professor. According to students on hand, the event had no empty seats. Three Hong Kong film stars' appearance brought the live atmosphere to a climax as the entire venue cheered. Obviously current university students are curious and admire show business people, which is no different from the general public. This event naturally took place, in other words, the film company had the intention of promoting the film and the university students had a "need" to catch a glimpse of the stars. Only the arrangement was messed up and led to the professor's severe criticism. This type of film star and university student "exchange forums" are common place. Sometimes it is very hard to differentiate from speculation. Indeed, if stars are invited to be professors the school or the professor's fame can be elevated. Yet if such a method is superficial it is not worth encouraging. Many of university students who do not tread on mortal grounds in the past are still around. Nowadays university students seem to be more "mortal", which overall is a good thing. Yet if they become "star chasers" members or excessively worship fame and fortune and lack the ideas and passions that young people should have, it is an educational failure. The writer is interested in knowing whether the aforementioned "exchange" was a discussion after watching the film or just watching the stars without the film. The difference between them can be miles apart - TIN LIK [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Yuen Hung Lit : Reward Alex Man Chi Leung, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Wen Chao, Sire Man Choi Can : Dai Jook Hei Ket Lit : Vulgar Comedy d. Pang Ho Cheung Chapman To Man Jat, DaDa Chen Jing, Jim Chim Shui Man, Susan Shaw Yam Yam, Hiro Hayama (Yip San Ho), Matt Chow Hoi Kwong PRINCESS AND SEVEN KUNG FU MASTERS Can : Siu Gung Jung Mo Lum Lit : Laughter Kung Fu Rocks Martial Art World d. Wong Jing Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Philip Ng Wan Lung, Dennis To Yu-Hang, Yuen Wah, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Wong Cho Lam, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Natalie Meng Yao, Kimmy Tong Fei, Monica Mok Siu Kei, Jiang Luxia, Rose Chan Ka Wun [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] During the early years of the Republic era, in the North-East region of China, the people are suffering from the power struggle among the local Warlords, bandits, and Japanese invaders. Warlord Lam is not a leader of great vision, but having a patriotic heart, stands firm in his own beliefs, despite the several solicitations and temptations from Japan. The only ‘paradise’ within the region is ‘Lucky Town’, the one place where no one dared to attack. Rumors abound that this place is cursed, for whenever anyone attempted to invade Lucky Town, they would disappear and vanish without a trace. In reality, there are seven kung fu masters who have retreated into the shadows and resided here. They are Manysons Madonna and Madonhung, the owners of a steamed bread shop Nam Mor Bing, the Taoist priest Horny Four, the tailor Little Trumpet, the cosmetic salesman and Mamasan Maggie, the brothel owner. Every one of them is a master in his own right, keeping Lucky Town in peace. Lam’s daughter, Cheryl is very fond of culinary arts, and often does grocery shopping in Lucky Town. She is pretty and lovely and very much favoured by the Seven Masters, especially Horny Four who falls for her at first sight and regards her as his dream lover. The Japanese secret agent, Kiyoko Kurosawa, allied with traitors from the Tiger’s Den: Tiger Hong, Jaguar Hong and Phoenix Hong, to set up a secret outpost to send secret-coded messages back to Japan. Young patriots, Yan Fang who disguised herself as a man, and Howard Luo, infiltrate Tiger’s Den at night, trying to steal the code book. They lose the fight to the Hongs, Howard sacrifices himself to save Yan who was wounded. On the run, Yan is rescued by Cheryl. Mistaking Yan as a man, Cheryl falls for Yan. She then brings Yan to Lucky Town and begs the Seven Masters to cure Yan. On the other hand, Warlord Lam saves a pretty lady and grows fond of her. This lady is actually Kiyoko Kurosawa in disguise. Using Ninjutsu skills, Kiyoko seduces Lam and controls his will. She then organises a wedding for Lam and herself, in the hope of becoming the warlord’s wife so she can control Lam’s army. On the wedding day, Cheryl and the Seven Masters arrive in time to ruin her wedding plans. Lam regains his senses finally and unites together with the Seven Masters, to fight against Kiyoko and the Hongs... LIVES IN FLAMES Can : Hei Sai Yiu Gwun Lit : Rising Rock and Roll Shum Chi Ming, Jeana Ho Pui Yu, Michelle Wai (Si Nga), Mag Lam Yun Tung, Bonnie Xian (Sin Sik Lai), Mr., Eva Lai Yin Shan LOVE IN THE BUFF AKA : LOVE IN A PUFF 2 Can : Chun Giu Yu Ji Ming d. Pang Ho Cheung Miriam Yeung Chin Wa, Shawn Yue Man Lok Official Site : http://www.mediaasia.com [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] When two ex-lovers from Hong Kong cross paths in Beijing, they realize they still have feelings for each other and start orchestrating trysts and assignations behind their partners' back. WU DANG Can : Dai Mo Dong Lit : Big Wudang d. Patrick Leung Pak Kin Vincent Chiu (Zhao Wenzhou), Mini Yang Mi, Louis Fan Siu Wong, Dennis To Yu-Hang Xu Jiao, Paw Hee Ching, Lawrence Wong Hiu [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] In early Republican China, rumors were going around about the treasure in Wudang Mountain. An American conspirator took his well-trained kung fu daughter to Wudang by sponsoring a Taoist martial arts competition, to steal the treasure. Out of expectation, a disciple represented Wudang to compete with other martial arts masters for the championship. During the competition, resentment incurred against different parties, the relationship became complicated, a Korean female Tai Chi descendant fell in love with the American conspirator and the secret of the treasure had been revealed. The treasure is the key of the magnetic field of Wudang, if it’s stolen, Wudang would be devastated. To protect Wudang, a group of young heroes rallied around to defeat grant masters. It’s the time the long-lost Wudang martial arts returned… THE GUILLOTINES Can : Huet Dik Ji Lit : Blood Dropper d. Andrew Lau Wai Keung Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin), Shawn Yue Man Lok, Jing Boran, Chris Lee Yuchun, Huang Xiaoming, Official Site : http://www.mediaasia.com [ MEDIA ASIA ] During the Manchurian-ruled Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yong Zheng established a secret assassination squad known as the Guillotines to eliminate all who opposed him. Once heavily favored by the Emperor, the Guillotines are deemed expendable once Emperor Qian Long ascends to the throne and adopts Western ideas and technology. To consolidate his power under a new regime, the Emperor continues to use the Guillotines to persecute the conquered Han Chinese in a reign of terror and oppression. Led by master fighter Leng, the top ranked guillotine squad consists of five young warriors: Mu, San, Tai, Hutu and Buka. Serving the Qing Court unquestioningly, they have never failed in 348 missions to eliminate their targets. But their success has made them arrogant and complacent. Their next mission is to eliminate Wolf and his Shepherd gang. During the operation, the squad manages to trap Wolf. Just as they are about to execute him, the squad commander orders that he be captured alive. He secretly plans to use Wolf as a pawn in his bid for power. Wolf’s gang of rebels ambushes the Guillotines in their moment of hesitation. Wolf escapes, taking Mu hostage. With reports that Wolf has fled to the outer frontiers, the squad tracks him to a remote village outpost. On the other hand, the Emperor has sent his most trusted agent Du for the same mission and most importantly, to end the era of the Guillotines by replacing cold weapons with firearms. If only they make one false move, they will become the hunted. Facing annihilation, Leng and his Guillotines must outfight and outwit enemies from both sides. [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] An elite squad of young imperial bodyguards, trained to use the deadly guillotines, is the last line of defense to the Emperor’s Court. But little do they realize the conspiracy behind their mission... DIVA d. Heiward Mak Hei Yan Joey Yung Cho Yi, Hu Ge, Chapman To Man Jat, Mag Lam Ka Yan, Bonnie Xian (Sin Sik Lai), Carlos Chan Ka Lok [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Two divas shake off the pain of love to take center stage again SAVING GENERAL YANG Can : Jung Lit Yeung Ga Jeung Lit : Valiant Yang Clan Generals d. Ronny Yu Yun Tai Adam Cheng Siu Chau, Xu Fan, Raymond Lam Fung, Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Wu Chun, Vic Chou Yu Man, Li Chen, Yu Bo, Fu Xinbo, Shao Bing NIGHTFALL Can : Dai Jui Bo Lit : Big Chase d. Roy Chow Hin Yeung Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Michael Wong Man Tak, Janice Man Wing Shan, Kay Tse On Kay Opening March 2012 [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] The brutal murder of a celebrity musician will cause a hardheaded detective to pursue a killer from the past, only to discover that in revenge, there’s a fine line between love and hate. HUNDRED YEARS OF A FLOATING CITY Can : Bak Nin Sau Sing Lit : Hundred Years Floating City d. Yim Ho Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei, Nina Paw Hee Ching SMILE FOR ME Can : Tin Ma Hung Hung d. Daniel Chan Cheung Hung Simon Yam Tat Wa, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Liu Kai Chi, Kenny Wong Tak Bun, Chen Ran, Zhang Ran, Morning Mo Tzu-yi, Tamio, Mimi Kung Chi Yun, Evelyn Choi Wing Yun THE MONKEY KING Can : Dai Lau Tin Gung Lit : Havoc In Heavenly Palace d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Chow Yun Fat, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Peter Ho Yun Tung, Joe Chen Qian-En, Monica Mok Siu Kei, Wang Yuanyuan, Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Xia Zitong, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai, Calvin Cheng Ka Sing, Louis Fan Siu Wong Opening 2012 Can : Yit Oi Doh Lit : Hot Love Island d. Kam Kwok Leung Simon Yam Tat Wa, Joan Chen, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Chang Chen, Xiao Song Jia, Janice Man Wing Shan Site : http://aeghk.com THE GRANDMASTERS AKA : THE GRAND MASTER Can : Yut Doi Jung Si Lit : One Generation Grand Master d. Wong Kar Wai Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Song Hye-Kyo, Zhao Benshan, Wang Xingchang [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] With martial arts getting more popular in the Thirties, more people seek to learn them via the professionals at Foshan in Southern China. Some of the experienced masters like to challenge their counterparts and undergoing battles. To have their whole concentration, it is their practice to lock up the venues and no one is allowed to leave during battles. No food and no rest before reaching any results. Ip Man is a young rich man extremely talented in martial arts, but he chooses to keep a low profile. Yet this doesn't keep him out of these troubles ahead. One day he is trapped in this battleground so he has to use every means in order to get out of there. The masters are amazed by his abilities. Master Kung and his daughter Kung Yi are amongst, and the latter is attracted to this newcomer. A high warlord is assassinated by his own guard Yi Xian Tian. All masters in Foshan vow to take Tian down no matter what... LOVE ACTUALLY...SUCKS Can : OI HUNG......LAN Lit : LOVE IS VERY...ROTTEN d. Scud (Wan Cheung) Osman Hung Chi Kit, Tang Wei, Owen Lee Ho Wai, Ryo van Kooten, Alice Chen Lim Suen, Celia Cheng Hing Won, Winnie Leung Yi Man, Sherry Li Chi Hin, John Tai (Dai Yu Ching), Jackie Chow Tak Bong, Linda So Mui, Christopher Wee (Wong Sung Wai), Haze Leung Cheuk Hei, Lareine Xu (Tsui Shui Lin), Betty Chan Yin Kwan, Calvin Wong Hei Nam, Opening July 9 2011 at the Philadelphia QFest Official Site: http://www.loveactuallysucks.com/ Site : http://www.qfest.com/film-details.cfm?id=9918 [ OFFICIAL SITE ] Love is life, life as it is. Not every love story is a fairy tale. After a dramatic wedding feast, unusual love stories unfold towards unexpected endings: a brother and sister in love caught by the mother, a married painter falls for his young life drawing model of same sex, an intimacy between a dance school teacher and his wealthy but senior student, a lesbian couple of which one has role-play paranoid, a dreadful love triangle ending with the girl being beheaded… "Love Actually…Sucks!" celebrates love that no one care but real, for life is love, love as it is. [ PHILADELPHIA QFEST ] Taking inspiration from six different court cases involving crimes of the heart, Scud examines the intense, often self-destructive sexual longings among several well-to-do young Hong Kong residents – gay, lesbian and straight. The film opens with the most scandalous wedding reception ever put on film: a young couple’s marriage ends (in the most dramatic fashion) before it begins. There is the 30-ish married gym instructor who trolls the active bathroom scene for young flesh; a lesbian couple with roleplay issues; a dance instructor who becomes the object of attraction to his much older student; a married painter who falls for his male model; a brother and sister who take family togetherness a bit too literally; and a young man who becomes increasingly deranged until he takes his love interest problems into his own hands. In Scud’s world, every love story is a fairy tale – but here the stories are sexual and troubling. Overall, a complex, sensual and compelling film. (Cantonese with English subtitles) -- Raymond Murray --- [ NOW SHOWING ] THE VIRAL FACTOR Can : Yik Jin Lit : Reverse War d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun), Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Andy On Chi Kit, Bai Bing, Liu Kai Chi, Crystal Lee Hin Hau Rating : IIB Length : 121 mins. Opening January 19 2012 Site : http://www.emp.hk/title.php?film_id=109 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] Jon, an International Security Affairs agent unites with his elder brother to stop an international blackmail to release a deadly virus. [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] An elite counter terrorist unit based in Hong Kong heads to the Middle East to find a deadly virus. When one of its members betrays the team, the team leader must stop his former comrade before he unleashes the virus. [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] One man on a quest to destroy the world. One man on a mission to stop him. Who will win? ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2012 Can : Bak Sing Po Hei Lit : Eight Stars Carries Joy d. Chan Hing Kai, Janet Chun Siu Chun Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Chapman To Man Jat, Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Sandra Ng kwan Yu, Kelly Chen Wai Lam, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Mini Yang Mi, Lam Jat Kwan, Yu Mo Lin, Maggie Lee Man Kwan, Lok Ho Ming, Lee Seung Ching, Fung Chi Keung, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Tsui Tin Yau, Krystal Tin Yui Nei, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Teresa Caprio (To Lai Sha), Peter Lai Bei Tat, Gong Linna, Lam Shuet, Karena Ng Chin Yu, Jeremy Liu (Lau Chi Chin), Lok Wing, Wen Chao, C Kwan, Tony Wong Yuk Long, Lee Heung Kam, Ha Chun Chau, Maria Cordero, Chui Hoi Tai, Tang Chi Fung, Cherrie Ying Choi Yi, Vincent Kok Tak Siu, Lo Mik Shuet, Mak Ling Ling, Fung Yat Hung, GC Goo Bi, Coco Chiang Yi, Matthew Chow Hoi Kwong, Chan Man Na, Hiro Hayama (Yip Shuet Ho), Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Hung Wing Sing, Wong Gok Yi, Chan Bing Chuen, Ngai Sun Hei, Ciwi Lam Si Man, Ho Seung Him Opening January 19 2012 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] Network tycoon Maximilian established an all weather female support site. Men come to bat and the only remuneration for them is one grateful embrace. On quest in helping the female protagonists, the heroic mission of these four men turns to be a journey discovering their self significance and values. And their embrace resembles the blossom of a beautiful relationship. KOKURIKOZAKA KARA Can : Hung Fa Ban Seung Dik Hoi Lit : Sea on Red Flower Hill d. Goro Miyazaki Rating : I Length : 91 mins. Japanese Animation Opening January 19 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] High school girl Umi Komatsuzaki everyday goes to the hill to raise a signal flag for her father, who is lost at sea. She hopes to bring her father's boat home. On the other hand, her mother due to work is always on the run. Thus at home she is only left with her grandmother, sister and brother. Umi also has to shoulder the responsibility of taking care of her family. At school, Umi is swept into the storm between school newspaper editor Shun Kazama and student council president Shiro Mizunuma. Unknowingly, Umi even begins to develop intricate connections to both... SPEED ANGELS AKA : DYNAMIC ANGEL Can : Gik Chook Tin Si Lit : Extreme Speed Angels Aka : Choi Cheh Lit : Auto Race d. Jingle Ma Chor Sing Tang Wei, Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying) Han Jae-Suk, Chie Tanaka, Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Jimmy Lin (Lam Chi Wing), Jiang Wu, Cheng Pei Pei, Kazuki Kitamura Rating : IIA Length : 111 mins. Opening January 5 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Light Speed racing team's top driver Han Bing and partner You Mei are like sisters. On the racetrack they are invincible, but they both fall for Japanese driver Asano. They turn against each other and even cause an accident that handicaps Han Bing's little sister. Since then Han Bing spends her days drinking and former junior colleague surpasses her racetrack performance...... MY NAME IS KHAN Can : Ah Han Jing Juen Lit : Ah Han Official Biography d. Karan Johar Kajol, Shah Rukh Khan Rating : IIA Length : 162 mins. Opening January 5 2012 [ CITYLINE ] Rizwan Khan, a Muslim from the Borivali section of Mumbai, suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of high-functioning autism that complicates socialization. The adult Rizwan marries a Hindu single mother, Mandira, in San Francisco. After 9/11, Rizwan is detained by authorities at LAX who mistake his disability for suspicious behavior. Following his arrest, he meets Radha, a therapist who helps him deal with his situation and his affliction. Rizwan then begins a journey to meet US President Obama to clear his name by telling him,” My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist.” THE FLOWERS OF WAR Can: Gum Ling Sup Sam Chai Lit : Jinling Thirteen Hairpins d. Zhang Yimou Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Tong Dawei, Dou Xiao, Atsuro Watabe, Han Xue Rating : IIB Length : 146 mins. Opening December 31 2011 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] In 1937 after the fall of Nanjing, the Japanese military began a massacre, with bodies all over and blood formed a river. Only a Catholic Church was not yet under occupation. Church school female students, prostitutes from the Qinhuai River, soldiers and injured troops, and an American John all entered the church. The temporary peace was very quickly broken -- Japanese military stormed into the church and found female students. Soldiers who risked their lives in opposition opened fire at the final moment to save the female students and sacrificed themselves. Later, the Japanese military forced female students to perform at their celebration. Everyone knew that this was a road of no return. Female students were unwilling to be abused at the hands of the Japanese military and prepared to commit mass suicide. Prostitutes led by Yu Mo saved them. Finally, these 13 ladies of the night who ordinarily would be considered low class displayed the fearless Chinese heroism. With the assistance of John they dressed up as female students and got on the vehicles in place of the students for a tragic yet noble date with death...... [ COMING SOON ] FAIRY TALE KILLER Can: Sok Ming Tung Wa Lit: Fatal Fairy Tale AKA: Yuen Mei Tung Wa Lit: Perfect Fairy Tale d. Danny Pang Fat Lau Ching Wan, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Joey Man Yi Man, Wang Baoqiang, Ken Low Wai Kwong, Kelly Fu Ka Lei, Anson Leung Chun Yat, Square's James, Gary [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Fairy Tales turn ugly, twisted and bloody. A fearless cop is appointed to investigate a series of puzzling murders which resemble Fairy Tales. Would there be a happy ending of the abnormality in real world? [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMA ] One day, a medium built stammerer, Jun confesses five murders at the police station, but he fails to illustrate the details. After a long oral examination, the police believe that Jun is mentally ill and the mentioned murder cases are not true. Soon after, a cold-blooded murderer unveils a series of mysterious murders in the district where Detective Han stations in. Each of the victims is executed differently but in an equally brutal way. Han knows that he is dealing with a serial killer. Instinct tells him that it is Jun. His team breaks into Jun's apartment, only to find a pile of old fairy tale books. One night, Han gets inspired when his wife was reading a bedtime story to their daughter, mentioning the way to inflict punishment upon villains in the story. He immediately sets off to examine Jun's fairy tale books page by page and discovers mysterious symbols in the books... HEROIC DETECTIVE Can : Sun Tam Lei Oh Lit : Godly Detective Leo d. Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) Jerry Yan (Yin Sing Yuk), Shawn Yue Man Lok, Jessie Chiang (Gong Yu Sun), Tang Yan, Wilber Pan (Poon Wai Pak), Eric Tsang Chi Wai Site : http://www.timespl.com/en/production/item/197-heroic-detective [ TIMES PRODUCTION LTD ] In the City of Brightness in a new world in the year 2030, the evil power has spread throughout the City. And actually, the City is not bright at all. 'Brilliant Detective' Leo comes to know that the most wicked 'Crazy Gangster Group' are secretly making research into a brain-control device to control the humans. Whilst gathering the criminal evidence to sue the Group, the Group send killers from its subordinate the 'Horrific Tiger Gang' to stop Leo's investigation. In a plenty of fight against the Gang, Leo was framed and put into jail at the critical moment! Finally, with Leo's strong will and determination, Leo has eventually defeated the evil power and conquered the 'Horrific Tiger Gang' to safeguard the peace of the City. Moreover, Leo has also succeeded in ruining the invention plan of the 'Crazy Gangster Group' displaying poetic justice and chivalry to the full extent. I LOVE HONG KONG 2012 Can : Ngor Oi HK 2012 HEI SEUNG GA HEI Lit : I LOVE HK 2012 JOY UPON JOY d. Chung Shu Kai, Wilson Chin Kwok Wai Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Bosco Wong CHung Chak, Denise Ho Wan Si Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Susan Shaw Yam Yam, Mak Cheung Ching, William So Wing Hong, Zhang Xinyu, Lok Wing, King Kong, Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Christine Kuo, Natalie Meng Yao Opening January 21 2012 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS MALAYSIA ] Kuok is famous weather forecast announcer, who dreams to be in the headlines, but failed to do so even when he is about to retire. One day, he finds out that the world is facing a deadly threat and the chance arises to him to become a news sensation. This is when the fun, laughter and havoc come in place. NARUTO MOVIE: BLOOD PRISON Length : 95 mins. Opening January 26 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] An assassination attempt on the Raikage of the Hidden Cloud Village fails, and the suspect accused is actually Naruto! As the top fugitive of the five ninja nations, despite his determination to find the true peace that Master Jiraiya and the Fourth Hokage entrusted in him, Naruto still is imprisoned in the ninja prison "Ghost Lantern Town" that is known as "Blood Prison". The most chilling rumor of the Ghost Lantern Town is the powerful sealing technique "Heavenly Prison" that seals chakra so no one would be able to escape...... ALLURE OF TEARS Can : King Sing Ji Lui Lit : Tears of Fallen City d. Barbara Wong Chun Chun Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Zhou Dongyu, Aarif Rahman (Lee Chi Ting), Joe Chen Qiao-En, Dou Xiao Opening February 2 2012 LOVE LIFTING Can : Go Gui Oi Ching Lit : High Lift Love d. Herman Yau Lai To Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Chapman To Man Jat, Tian Niu, Izz Tsui Chi Hei Opening February 9 2012 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Li, is a weightlifter who quits the industry as she is suffering from diabetes. She decides to go to Hong Kong to start a new life where she meets Yun and they soon fall in love. They then get married live a simple but happy family life. But as the Olympic Games approach, Li recalls her dream of being an Olympic champion, to which Yun supports, and convinces her to take up weightlifting again. Li starts intensively training, only to find out one day that Yun is seriously injured in a traffic accident. Before he dies, Yun tells Yi his last wish. Now, Yi is devoted to make Yun's wish come true. THE WEDDING DIARY d. Adrian Teh Aniu, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung), Marcus Chin, Shaun Chen, Chris Tong Opening February 9 2012 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] The Wedding Diary highlights disparities between the bride's and groom's families, from wealth levels to social differences between Singaporeans and Malaysians with its divergent Hokkien and Cantonese cultures. To please his future in-laws, the groom Daniel agrees to hold an extravagant dinner banquet in Singapore. On the wedding day, Daniel is dismayed the angpow money given by guests which he plans to use to foot the bill goes missing... THE LION ROARS 2 Can : Hor Dung Si Hau II Lit : River East Lion Roars 2 d. Joe Ma Wai Ho Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Xiao Shenyang Opening February 14 2012 Site : http://aeghk.com ROMANCING IN THIN AIR AKA : HIGH ALTITUDE ROMANCE 2 Can : Go Hoi But Ji Luen II Lit : Romance of High Altitude 2 d. Johnnie To Kei Fung Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sammi Cheng Sau Man, Crystal Huang Yi, Gao Yuanyuan, Wang Baoqiang, Li Guangjie, Yeung Yi, Sun Jiayi Opening February 16 2012 in Malaysia Official Site : http://www.mediaasia.com/romancinginthinair [ THE FILM CATALOGUES ] A Hong Kong movie megastar jilted at the altar by his actress bride finds true love in a neurotic fan while licking his wound in high-altitude Yunnan in China. LOVE IS NOT BLIND Can : Sut Luen 33 Tin Lit : Lost Love 33 Days d. Teng Huatao Wen Zhang, Bai Baihe, Zhang Jiayi Opening February 16 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Wedding Planner Huang Xiaoxin has average looks and an average family. Her only experise is her merciless mouth. Originally she and her boyfriend of seven years have reached to the marriage stage, but someone cuts in the last minute and happens to be her best friend of many years! Poor Huang Xiaoxin experiences what is the most painful for a woman. Discouraged she is like a zombie and thus begins a 33 day "post heart break pscyhological recovery course". Unfortunately "perhaps the hits just keeps on coming". After her romantic setback she runs into numerous problems at work. While already heart broken she has to plan other people's wedding; in addition the company has a cool, talkative, effeminate co-worker -- Wang Yiyang who clashes with her...... MARRYING MR. PERFECT AKA : MARRY A PERFECT MAN Can : Ga Gor Yut Bak Fun Nam Yun Lit : Marry an 100% Man d. Wong Jing Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Chapman To Man Jat, Nina Paw Hee Ching, Stanley Fung Shui Fan, Mao Junjie, Ada Liu Yan Opening February 23 2012 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] Winnie, in her late twenties, certified as an old maid when she is dumped by her boyfriend and bullied by her colleagues. Koo is a rich womanizer tycoon ruthless in his business dealings. In his latest take over Koo's action led to death threats by a former employee. For security Koo and his assistant, Ryan to switch identity. Koo as a commoner met Winnie and falls for her as she is the first true person to like him not for his riches. What happens when Winnie release Koo's real identity? A SIMPLE LIFE Can : Toh Jeh Lit : Peach Sister d. Ann Hui On Wa Deanie Ip Tak Han, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Tsui Hark Wang Fuli, Yu Man Si Rating : I Length : 119 mins. Opening March 15 2012 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] Based on real people and events. Ah Tao was born in Taishan, China. She works as a servant for 60 years and has been serving four generations of the Leung family. For the past decade, Ah Tao lived with Roger, the only family member left in Hong Kong. NAKED SOLDIER d. Marco Mak Jennifer Tse Ting Ting, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Philip Ng, Ankie Beilke, Andy On Chi Kit Opeing March 29 2012 in Malaysia Official Site : http://www.nakedsoldier-movie.com [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Interpol agent CK Long busted a billion-dollar drug deal fifteen years ago. The cartel has avenged itself by hiring Madame Rose's organization of assassins to kill CK Long's entire family. In revenge, she kills the entire family of chief investigator CK Long. Long himself survives, and believes his young daughter is still alive. In fact, for these fifteen years, the girl has been kidnapped by Madame Rose, brainwashed and trained into beautiful, sexy killer Phoenix. Phoenix has now become the top-ranked killer in Madame Rose's organization. She is skilled in combat, and always completes her missions. Thanks to her band of killers, Madame Rose has expanded her criminal organization, and now assigns missions in many parts of the world. CK Long has never imagined that he would one day become the target of his own daughter's mission. MR. AND MRS. GAMBLER Can : Lan Doh Fu Dau Lan Doh Chai Lit : Gambling Addict Husband Vs. Gambling Addict Wife d. Wong Jing Chapman To Man Jat, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei Opening April 5 2012 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] Manfred and Flora are degenerate gamblers who can gamble on anything 24 hours a day seven days a week. Though they have come across each other a few times at the casino, they have not left any lasting impression upon each other. On that fateful day, they both suffered heavy losses and held hostage by the loan sharks in Macau. It was then they fell in love with each other. COLD WAR Can : Hong Jin d. Longman Leung, Sunny Luk Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei Aarif Rahman (Lee Chi Ting), Eddie Peng Yu-yen, Chin Kar Lok, Lam Ka Tung Opening May 10 2012 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS MALAYSIA ] In Asia's safest city, the police have long been untouchable. Approaching midnight in Hong Kong, police headquarters receives an anonymous call: a fully-loaded police van carrying the force's, most advance equipment and five highly trained officers has disappeared off the grid. The hijackers possess direct knowledge of police procedures. They're already steps ahead. The police must meet a list of demands to ensure the hostage's release, including the delivery of a large ransom. Any delay will cost lives. The clock has begun to tick... --- [ Entertainment URL ] MEDIA ASIA http://www.mediaasia.com EMPEROR MOTION PICTURES http://www.emp.hk PEGASUS MOTION PICTURES http://www.pegasusmovie.com WE PICTURES http://www.wepictures.com CINEMA POPULAR http://www.cinemapopular.com MEI AH http://www.meiah.com NEW ASIA ENTERTAINMENT GROUP http://www.aeghk.com GOLDEN SCENE http://www.goldenscene.com Commercial Radio http://www.crhk.com.hk Television Broadcast Limited http://www.tvb.com.hk --- [ NORTH AMERICA AREA CONCERTS ] Courtesy of our neighbors at : High Level Entertainment's Concert & Event News Center http://www.levelhigh.com http://www.geocities.com/NapaValley/1721/hlecaen.htm * HACKEN LEE HAK KUN LIVE DATE AND TIME: Sunday, February 26 2012 @ 7PM Monday February 27 2012 @ 8:30 PM VENUE LOCATION: Avalon Theatre Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort 6380 Fallsview Boulevard Niagara Falls ON L2G 7X5 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA$ 162.95, 140.35, 112.10 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: Fallsview Casino Resort Box Office Ticketmaster 1-877-833-3100 http://www.ticketmaster.ca/Hacken-Lee-tickets/artist/1195880 * AMEIZING WORLD TOUR LIVE DATE AND TIME: Saturday night/Sunday morning February 5 2011 @ 1AM, Sunday February 5 2011 @ 2PM VENUE LOCATION: Mark G. Etess Arena Trump Taj Mahal Casino Atlantic City NJ TICKET PRICES: VIP$ 138, 108, 78, 38 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.iemshowplace.com TICKET HOTLINE: 718-888-3113 International Entertainment Marketing 135-05 40 Road 2/F Flushing NY 11354 718.888.3113 5609 8th Ave. Brooklyn NY 11220 718.437.7717 Sampan Travel Service 95 Bowery St. New York NY 212.219.0119 Sampan Travel Service 170 Canal St #201 212.431.3557 Global Travel International Corp. 1681 RT. 27 Suite 3 Edison NJ 732.819.6883 Yang Tze Trading Inc. 933 Arch Street L/L Philadelphia PA 197107 215.922.8700 * EMIL CHAU WA KIN DIVA WORLD TOUR VENUE LOCATION: The Colosseum Caesars Palace 3570 Las Vegas Voulevard South Last Vegas NV 89109 DATE AND TIME: Saturday January 28 2012 @ 8PM Sunday January 29 2012 @ 8PM TICKET PRICES: $188, 128, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: Online: www.jadeticket.com * CHANG DI AND MIMI CHOO IN CONCERT 2012 DATE AND TIME: Saturday January 28 2012 @ 10PM Saturday night/ Sunday morning January 29 2012 @ 1AM VENUE LOCATION: Bally's Grand Ballroom Bally's Atlantic City TICKET PRICES: VIP $98, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.iemshowplace.com TICKET HOTLINE: 718-888-3113 International Entertainment Marketing 135-05 40 Road 2/F Flushing NY 11354 718.888.3113 5609 8th Ave. Brooklyn NY 11220 718.437.7717 Sampan Travel Service 95 Bowery St. New York NY 212.219.0119 Sampan Travel Service 170 Canal St #201 212.431.3557 Global Travel International Corp. 1681 RT. 27 Suite 3 Edison NJ 732.819.6883 Yang Tze Trading Inc. 933 Arch Street L/L Philadelphia PA 197107 215.922.8700 * FANTASY STARS: YEAR OF THE DRAGON CONCERT Will Pan, Alec Su, Aska Yang, Daniel Chan Hiu Tung VENUE LOCATION: MGM Grand Garden Arena MGM Grand 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas NV 89109 DATE AND TIME: Saturday January 28 2012 @ 8PM TICKET PRICES: $178, 128, 88, 58 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.jadeticket.com * SAM LEE SHENGJI AND NANCY LIU 2012 CONCERT DATE AND TIME: Sunday January 22 2012 @ 10PM VENUE LOCATION: Harrah's Chester Casino Events Center Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack 777 Harrah's Blvd. Chester PA 19013 TICKET PRICES: VIP $98, 68 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.iemshowplace.com TICKET HOTLINE: 718-888-3113 International Entertainment Marketing 135-05 40 Road 2/F Flushing NY 11354 718.888.3113 5609 8th Ave. Brooklyn NY 11220 718.437.7717 Sampan Travel Service 170 Canal St #201 212.431.3557 Global Travel International Corp. 1681 RT. 27 Suite 3 Edison NJ 732.819.6883 Yang Tze Trading Inc. 933 Arch Street L/L Philadelphia PA 197107 215.922.8700 * STEVEN MA CHUN WAI with Special Guest Shiny Liu DATE AND TIME: Sunday, January 22 2012 @ 5PM VENUE LOCATION: Pechanga Theater Pechanga Resort & Casino 45000 Pechanga Parkway Temecula CA 92592-5810 TICKET PRICES: $118, 98, 78, 58 TICKET INFO: (626) 786-2008 ONLINE: http://www.jadeticket.com ------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Thursday, January 12 2012 10 WE BOUGHT A ZOO d. Cameron Crowe Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson 9 NEW YEAR'S EVE d. Garry Marshall Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Bovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michelle, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara 8 TURNING POINT 2 Can : Laughing Gor ji Chim Jui Fan Lit : Laughing Brother: Undercover Criminal Francis Ng Chun Yu, Michael Tse Tin Wa, Chapman To Man Jat, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Wai Ying Hung, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Janice Man Wing Shan Liu Kai Chi, Mak Cheung Ching, Wong Chi Yin, MC Jin (Au Yeung Ching), Rebecca Zhu (Chu Sun Lai) 7 THE SKIN I LIVE IN d. Pedro Almodovar Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya 6 THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART I d. Bill Condon Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner 5 SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS d. Guy Ritchie Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris 4 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL d. Brad Bird Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Paula Patton 3 THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO d. David Fincher Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer 2 THE GREAT MAGICIAN Can : Dai Mor Shook Si d. Derek Yee Tung Sing Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan, Zhou Xun, Yan Ni, Paul Chun Pui, Wu Gang, Kenya Sawada 1 THE DARKEST HOUR d. Chris Gorak Emile Hirsch, Olivia Thirlby, Max Minghella ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS THE GREAT MAGICIAN Rating : IIA Length : 128 mins. Opening December 22 2011 in Malaysia Opening January 12 2012 Site : http://www.emp.hk/title.php?film_id=110 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] Set in the early 20th century, the film tells the story of a magician who has to use his talent as a magician to save his childhood sweetheart back from a warlord and also save the country. [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] For love and for country, a magician pulls his biggest trick out of the hat. TURNING POINT 2 AKA : TURING POINT EXTREME Rating : IIB Length : 84 mins. Opening December 29 2011 Official Site: http://www.turningpoint2.com [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Following the series LIVES OF OMISSION's ending, Laughing is found guilty of murdering So Sing and sentenced to life in prison. Laughing in prison meets an university professor who is in prison for drug possession. Professor looks mild mannered and at peace with the world, but with his psychological trap he has the extremely evil prison bully Giant Chuan under his control. Actually Professor is a highly intelligent criminal psychologist who excels in cold reading. Every time he is able to learn the other's secrets and dark side, silently controlling others. During the period, a mysterious woman visits Laughing in prison. This woman works for the even higher ranked than the police force security bureau. Laughing is in prison on an undercover mission. That day, someone else murdered So Sing. The Security Bureau undersecretary suspects the entire matter has something to do with dirty cops and thus forces Laughing into prison to investigate. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, January 14 2012 15 BACK FROM THE DEAD Can : Sei Hui Woot Loi Julian Cheung Chi Lam http://youtu.be/JKq_qsjAKn8 14 WALLPAPER Can : Cheung Ji Joey Yung Cho Yi http://youtu.be/1sdr9cynbPM 13 WE LOVED WE ARE FINE Can : Ngor Moon Oi Gor Jau Ho Jacky Xue, Isabelle Huang Ling http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzA5MDAxMTky.html 12 NOAH'S ARK Can : Lok Ah Fong Jau May Day http://youtu.be/V46K7apDziA 11 SUNFLOWER Can : Heung Yeung Fa Wang Feng http://youtu.be/iQyv_pBSmt4 10 BARE MY FEET Can : Guong Jeuk Ngor Dik Geuk Ah Ji Penny Dai Pui Nei http://youtu.be/egTpqdWIHwg 9 TIMELY TURN Can : Lum Ngai Lap Ma Kay Tse On Kay http://youtu.be/9o9uUM3Zupk 8 EVERYBODY WHO LOVES ME Can : Oi Ngor Dik Mui Gor Yun Selina Jen http://youtu.be/T2Mpt6Na4Ks 7 DON'T BOTHER ME Can : Bit Jau Ngor Ma Fan Tanya Chua (Choi Kin Nga) http://youtu.be/Ua9DKclFKLA 6 MINE MINE Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) http://youtu.be/me7jfhFIZvk 5 10,000 LIGHT YEARS Can : Yat Man Guong Nin Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) http://youtu.be/WgPyKWD7rB4 4 WHAT IS THE TROUBLE ON YOUR MIND Can : Nei Joi Fan No Sup Mor Soda Green http://youtu.be/-3TmzrEDuJ8 3 TALKING ABOUT EMOTIONS Can : Tam Gum Ching Jade Liu Liyang http://youtu.be/J46Bir_DX2g 7 NEVER LEARN Can : Hok But Wui JJ Lin (Lam Chun Kit) http://youtu.be/27R6ZavdzzQ 1 GUILTY Can : Noi Gau Eason Chan Yik Shun http://youtu.be/BQ_ZsRhMB6s ------ [ Yakety Yak ] The views and opinions expressed here are purely those of the writer and in no way reflect those of Hong Kong Film Top 10 Box Office, its contributors and affiliated web sites. While Your Chaffing Editor is waiting in line for NOTHING, below is some upcoming alternatives in New York. Enjoy! Jer Jer Stinks, Your Chaffing Editor Top Ten Central ======== KOREAN MOVIE NIGHT courtesy of the Korean Cultural Service http://www.koreanculture.org/index.php Every other Tuesday @ 7pm Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal Street, one block from the A, C, E and 1 train Canal Street stops) Price? Free. All seating is first-come, first served. Doors open at 6:30pm. UPCOMING MOVIES Series 1: Jang Hun Plus One! Jang Hun started out as an assistant director to Kim Ki-Duk, but with his first film, Rough Cut, he established himself as Korea’s answer to Steven Soderbergh: a director making big budget movies with an independent sensibility. Rough Cut, and Secret Reunion, The Frontline have all become massive box office hits without making an compromises or talking down to their audiences. To round out the trio of movies in this mini-retrospective, we’re including White Night, another crime film that transforms itself into something dark, glittering and truly amazing. Tuesday, February 28, 2012 @ 7pm WHITE NIGHT (2009, 135 minutes, North American Premiere) White Night is a sprawling, evil epic about an unsolved crime that happened 14 years previously that has spilled its poison out over the subsequent years. Based on a best-selling Japanese novel, and featuring a riveting performance by Go Soo, star of The Frontline, director Park Shin-Woo turns this movie into a slick, beautifully realized film about true evil, as a detective refuses to let go of this single case, instead insisting on following its threads for years no matter where they lead. And where they lead is dark and truly shocking. This hit film has been called the best Korean film of 2009 by several critics and once you’ve seen it, it’s hard to forget. Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 7pm SECRET REUNION (2010, 116 minutes) Two of Korea’s best actors face off in this blockbuster action flick that manages to be sly, subversive and really funny while delivering white knuckle thrills. Song Kang-Ho (The Host) is a South Korean secret agent who fumbles a sting operation on a North Korean spy. Pop star Gang Dong-Won (Haunters) is the North Korean assassin who has been embedded in the South. After the botched operation, both men are cut loose by their respective agencies and Song becomes a private eye, while Gang sinks into deep cover, trying to survive long enough to go home. Years later, they cross paths and what audiences are treated to is a buddy movie to end all buddy movies. Tuesday, January 24, 2012 @ 7pm ROUGH CUT (2008, 112 minutes) Kim Ki-Duk wrote this high concept knuckle-buster about a spoiled actor, famous for playing gangsters, who hires a real-life gangster to appear in his new flick. It sounds like nothing but a pile of cliches, but Jang Hun ignores the traditional approach and instead focuses on the volcanic, boiling testosterone that drives the conflict between a man used to getting his way because he’s famous, and a man used to getting his way because he’s violent. The seduction of filmmaking, the appeal of acting and the temptation of a street brawl all exert their siren song on the two studs in suits at the heart of this film: superstar So Ji-Sub, surprisingly, playing the gangster and Kang Ji-Hwan as the actor. Tuesday, January 10, 2012 @ 7pm THE FRONTLINE (2011, 133 minutes, East Coast Premiere) One of the biggest hits of 2011, The Frontline is the simple story of a hill: Aerok Hill, a small rise on the Eastern Front of the Korean War that changed hands 30 times over 18 months of fighting. A military investigator is dispatched to see if allegations that the South Korean soldiers tasked with taking the hill are collaborating with their North Korean enemies to deliver letters to their families. It turns out that they are, and that’s the least of it. A movie about men (and some women) trying to hold onto their humanity in the midst of war, Frontline is Korea’s official submission to the Academy Awards. Tribeca Cinemas: 54 Varick Street, on the corner of Canal Street, one block from the A, C, E and 1 train Canal Street stops. Price? Free. All seating is first-come, first serve basis. Doors open at 6:30 pm. --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com | http://hktopten.freewebhostx.com