From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (June 28 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. Beyond's Yip Sai Wing whose wife gave birth to a baby girl on the 29th B. Jacqueline Law Wai Guen who passed away on the 29th at age 45 in her Singapore home due to pancreatic cancer C. Shiga Lin Si Nga who celebrates her birthday on the 29th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (2012/07/04) In the first half of the year Hong Kong film made a mad dash, LOVE IN THE BUFF (CHUN GIU YU JI MING), A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH) and VIRAL FACTOR (YIK JIN) all made over 20 million at the box office. LOVE IN THE BUFF and A SIMPLE LIFE were head to head at the box office. Finally LOVE IN THE BUFF with HK$27,974,902 edged out A SIMPLE LIFE's HK$27,776,345 with a difference of only 200,000. LOVE IN THE BUFF became the first half of the year Hong Kong film box office champion and A SIMPLE LIFE came in second. The Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) starred VIRAL FACTOR came in third with HK$22,212,450. The Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association even announced the top ten foreign film box office in the first half of the year. MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS made HK$96,584,951 since its April 26 release, leaving the second place MEN IN BLACK 3' HK$44,113,103 and the third place JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND's HK$35,217,217 far behind. In the first half of the year the overall Hong Kong film market condition, the total box office reached HK$753,967,014, an increase of 19.08% from last year's HK$633,185,027 in the same period. * (2012/07/03) Zhang Ziyi earlier attended an event in Hengzhou. Speaking of her dream, Zhang Ziyi joked that her short term dream was to complete THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) while her long term dream was to own a home. * (2012/07/03) The Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Zhou Xun starred summer suspense THE SILENT WAR (TING FUNG JEH) was based on the May Jia's original novel. Directors Alan Mak Siu Fai and Felix Chong Man Keung added the Zhou Xun played Zhang Xuening, the female superior office to the Tony Leung Chiu Wai played special agent He Bing, to create an intricate relationship. Leung Chiu Wai already took THE SILENT WAR before making THE GREAT MAGICIAN (DAI MOR SHOOK SI), which had a lot to do with his admiration for Zhou Xun. Wai Jai said, "I never thought that later we would work together again, we really are connected." Mak Siu Fai and Chong Man Keung in the past rarely made women films. This time they chose Zhou Xun they absolutely would not let her be a flower vase. "We have always wanted to find a chance to work with Zhou Xun. We feel that she has a lot similarities to us. Her thinking, her acting ideas, they all have a lot feeling. Actually we can see He Bing and Zhang Xuening as two men, only with Zhou Xun we have a lot of feeling and emotions that we didn't have before." * (2012/07/02) The Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam starred film THE WEDDING DIARY was a big hit in Singapore and Malaysia. The film company invited the original team including A Niu and Wai Ying Hung back for the sequel AFTER THE WEDDING DIARY. Earlier Elanne and the cast attended a worship ceremony. The bond between her and A Niu grew since working on the film. When A Niu's hair was messy, she would fix his hair and they were called a loving couple. They had a bed scene in THE WEDDING DIARY, would she have even more passionate love scenes in the sequel? Elanne said that in the sequel she will have a child with A Niu. Since they would be parents they probably would not have anything too passionate. This time her co-star also included a baby. She said that the baby's mood was hard to control. He is the real star of this film. She hoped the shoot will go smoothly. * (2012/06/30) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government today announced its 2012 honorees. Six out of 295 honorees came from show business, including the four time Hong Kong Film Award winning Best Director Ann Hui On Wa; her achievement of excellent in film and promotion of film industry development over the years earned her the Bronze Bauhinia Star. In Cantonese Opera, Law Kar Ying and Wan Fei Yin also received "honorary badges" in honor of their promotion of Cantonese Opera development over the years. Hui On Wa said that she received the notice over a week ago. She felt that she did not contribute to the society and felt very ashamed. Speaking of her countless film awards and overseas glory, she humbly said that she was only doing her part. In the future she will work even harder to give back to the community. * (2012/06/29) Best Actor Tony Leung Chiu Wai turned 50 and stars came to celebrate, even the rarely seen May Lo (Law Mei Mei) came in support! Wai Jai in order to thank his friends performed to entertain his guests with many humorous gestures. Jacky Cheung Hok Yau who is just as funny makes a perfect pair with him. No wonder Shi Nansun wants to put them together in another comedy! Leung Chiu Wai's wife Carina Lau Ka Ling and his friends celebrated at Wai Jai's home. Because Wai Jai has been working on the film THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) in Guangzhou, Shi Nansun, Derek Yee Tung Sing originally planned to bring the party to the Mainland. Director Wong Kar Wai who has always loved Wai Jai finally gave him time off to celebrate in Hong Kong. Although the party was decided to be held in Hong Kong at the last minute, stars like Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha), Cheung Hok Yau, Lui Fong, Kenny Bee (Chung Chun To), Cecilia Yip Tung and her husband, even a rare guest Hok Yau's wife Law Mei Mei attended. Ka Ling sent her assistant to bring chocolate to reporters. Wai Jai of course was very happy. At the party he performed to entertain his guest and had a perfect comedy partner in Cheung Hok Yau. Thus someone suggested for them to reunite for a comedy and bring back the classic DAYS OF BEING DUMB (AH FEI YU AH GEI)! Guest and film company executive Shi Nansun admitted that she was very interested in the pair. "Of course I am interested, both have such genes for comedy and are so well kept after all these years! (Would you ask Yee Tung Sing to direct?) Good suggestion, I would properly consider it." Because "Gor Gor" Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing would also celebrate Wai Jai's birthday in the past, two nights ago Hok Yau, Alex To Tak Wai, Lui Fong and Chung Chun To sang Gor Gor's songs for Wai Jai. Yee Tung Sing did not attend due to illness but sent his wife to represent him. Eric Tsang Chi Wai who was overseas also called to congratulate him. Ka Ling not only shared many of the party photos but also said, "Thank you management comany Jet Tone and director Wong Kar Wai. (What did you give Wai Jai?) It's practical, something that he can use." * (2012/06/29) Tang Wei last night attended her new film LATE AUTUMN's charity premiere in Hong Kong. With this film she has won numerous Best Actress awards, including the 47th PaekSang Arts Awards. In the film Tang Wei and Korean hunk Hyun Bin had passionate kiss scenes, but she said, "In the film Hyun Bin's character is very attractive, but outside the film we aren't too close. He and director Kim Tae-Yong are very nice but also very shy. I talk more with other actresses in the film than with Hyun Bin. This is my first Korean film. We mostly communicate in English so language is not a problem." * (2012/06/29) Jackie Chan earlier while promoting at the Cannes Film Festival announced a reduction in his large scale action film production. Now reportedly he will produce and star in an English action comedy that he conceived. He will play a detective who is assigned to Macau in pursuit of an American gambler with a debt. The film will shoot in Hong Kong, Macau, China, and Eastern Europe. New screenwriter Jay Longino will write the script. * (2012/06/29) Two nights ago the film MOTORWAY (CHEH SAU) held a celebration. Boss Peter Lam Kin Ngok led Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Josie Ho Chiu Yi, Gordon Lam Ka Tung, Chin Kar Lok, Johnnie To Kei Fung and Soi Cheang Bo Shui in a champagne celebration. Director Cheang Bo Shui revealed that the company will make a sequel and he was interested in asking Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Dior Cheng Yi Kin to take part. He would even think of a way to bring back Wong Chau Sun, no matter what it took. * (2012/06/29) Jennifer Tse Ting Ting and Andy Tien (On Chi Kit) promoted their film NAKED WEAPON (JUET SIK MO HEI) in Beijing. Ting Ting played the action lead. She said that the action role was very stressful. In the past her brother Nicholas Tse Ting Fung would let her make up her own mind, but this time after learning that she will work on an action film he became very active and practiced martial art with her. They went through the kung fu basics; Ting Ting also coyly said to him that she would only practice with him. She did not expect that this movie would bring the siblings even closer. Ting Ting remembered that when she was little she fought with her brother. When she looked back at her father's videos, every time they fought her brother would pretend to hit hard but in the end would let her win. In the film Ting Ting worked with On Chi Kit, who said that he really liked working with his girlfriend. She played a detective who fell in love with Ting Ting at first sight and had no fight scene with her. He joked that he would rather die than raising a hand against his girlfriend. He would rather fight with the double. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. MING PAO DAILY, JULY 1 2012, FILM WORDS POSTCARD IS ALERT This week almost completely belongs to THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, without any other hit new films. The only other release is an alternative selection that is shown on a few screens, the final work of Japan's most experienced screen writer Kaneto Shindo, POSTCARD. Pointing Out of The Horror And The Absurdity Of An Invasion War Kaneto Shindo (1912-2012) several weeks ago passed away at the age of 100. POST CARD was his farewell to the film industry work at age 98. It won many awards in Japan, including the top spot of Kinema Junpo's top ten. He was called to serve in the military late in World War II, among his 100 colleagues only he and a few survived. This film captures the tragic and painful war experience that he would never forget in his lifetime, but without any explosive and bloody battlefield scenes. It is full of absurd satire and touching relationships. Female lead Shinobu Otake plays a poor farm village widow, the brothers whom she wed respectively both became the Imperial Army's cannon fodder. Her old and weak parents in law had no way to make a living either. The film simply displayed the cheerful troop send off and military funeral ceremonies, which like a comic book pointed out the horror and the absurdity of invasion war. Lead actor Etsushi Toyokawa after the war returned home and discovered that his wife has run off with his father! He was disillusioned and wanted to immigrate to Brazil, before leaving he had to fulfill his battlefield buddy's dying wish and bring a postcard to that farm village widow. Thus a raging wildfire relationship of sympathy was ignited. Like many Japanese post war scar films, this film stressed how tough the women were, their persevering will to live and to love even in the insect like mate eating instinct. The female lead was the typical "strong female insect". Although the male lead was a "weak male insect" had honorable and loyal principles. He forgave his unfaithful wife and father. After he ran into the widow he even turned sorrow into joy and built a new home. This anti war film then became a very unique comedy. Kaneto Shindo directed 49 films (He was even more productive as a screen writer for other directors". His renowned work included CHILDREN OF HIROSHIMA, THE NAKED ISLAND, ONIBABA, KENJI MIZOGUCHI: THE LIFE OF A FILM DIRECTOR, HOKUSAI MANGA, A LAST NOTE and others. This final work was not suitable for popular taste but maintained his unique writing and wonderful structure. It was a good chapter of a master that should not be overlooked and should be remembered. (four out of five stars)- SHEK KEI 2. APPLE DAILY, JUNE 30 2012, ELECTRIC FILM ROAD MINI YANG DARES TO LOVE The 25 year old Mainland female star Mini Yang Mi is obviously more mature than Hong Kong girls of the same age. She started at age 4 with television series, naturally she has seen more of the world. About her romance with Harwick Lau Hoi Wai she leaves no stone unturned, without any sense of feminine superiority. She has no qualm about meeting her boyfriend's parents. She is even more protective of her future father and mother in law. "They are great, every time I come I would call them." Hong Kong artists cannot learn this courtesy fast enough, when their romance is blatantly exposed they still have to create excessive fake out. It is just dating not the Euro Cup. - HO WING NING Yang Mi started in television and had a connection to Hong Kong. When she worked on television, many of the crew and directors were the first group of pioneers who went from Hong Kong to work in the Mainland. Over the years she learned to understand Cantonese. After she made the jump to film, she made mostly Hong Kong films. Among the Hong Kong directors who have worked with her are Chung Kai Cheung, Jeff Lau Chun Wai, Chan Hing Ka, and the most recently Pang Ho Cheung in LOVE IN THE BUFF (CHUN GIU YU JI MING). Speaking of her flight attendant role in BUFF, it was promised long ago. Yang Mi said, "At the time I met Pang Ho Cheung over microblog. Back then I didn't even start making movies. He in the microblog private message told me that he had a role that was very suitable for me. I said great. So this character was promised two years ago." Hong Kong Release Date: July 5 Feminine Superiority Does Not Hinder Development Already one of the four little divas, Yang Mi is absolutely no stranger to the Hong Kong style operation. She says, "Hong Kong's production method is very fast paced, very direct. Hong Kong workers are all laughs, but as soon as work starts they are very serious. I prefer to make movies more. It can be produced in a lot of details and able to force out actors' potentials." Fate extends from work to romance as she falls for Hong Kong's Lau Hoi Wai. Their relationship goes from underground to above ground. She says, "The company knows all along that we are dating, later since someone caught us holding hands we might as well publicize it. It wasn't anything that should be hidden anyway." Later fan responses have been very positively, which put this little couple at ease. With her new film PAINTED SKIN: RESURRECTION (WAT PEI II) opening next week in Hong Kong, Yang Mi says, "After the announcement it's been great, everything is in the open. We can hold hands outside. Promoting the film PAINTED SKIN: RESURRECTION in Cannes was pretty interesting because we went out together, walked the red carpet together, and even went to the movies together. In the past we were watching videos at home, we never went to the movies. It felt great and happy." Yang Mi also has another reason to admit the romance. "Instead of letting other people make up stuff I might as well tell myself. At this age there is no secret, it's not like it's shameful. Ah Wai is a great guy. I have met his parents. He is a great person. Every time I come and I call him." In terms of fame hers is greater than his. Yang Mi is the Mainland's new four little diva. Her costume look is perfect. In the Mainland she is known as a costume professional. Her boyfriend's development is still limited to television. She says, "I haven't thought about that, everyone is hard at work and we make no comparison. We are very independent people. When we are dating we don't want to think about work. I used to have 100% at work, I had to keep working to feel secure because I was afraid that I would starve to death without work. Now I am in love, I have to properly make time." Catching Up To Zhou Xun, Mad Praises For Vicki Zhao In addition, Yang Mi's sophistication is able to hide evil and promote kindness. In PAINTED SKIN: RESURRECTION she worked with two of the four great divas Vicki Zhao Wei and Zhou Xun. They were at odds due to this film and even had a chair kicking incident in the break room. On the set aside from working together, Zhou Xun and Zhao Wei not only had zero exchange but Zhou Xun also asked her double to play some of the dramatic and nude scenes. Yang Mi says that she has not heard about this open secret in the Mainland. She keeps on praising Zhou Xun with whom she has the most scenes with as her own goal, and Zhao Wei who she does not have any scene with as very bold, direct and caring for her juniors. She says, "I have more scenes with Sister Zhou Xun. Her acting is very professional and she can act so well. As for Sister Zhao Wei we almost have no scene together, but she came over to ask if I wanted anything to eat or drink. She really knew how to take care of people." However Yang Mi finally adds, "It can't be true! Even elementary school and secondary school students wouldn't do that, it's impossible to happen to them." Heavily Handed Special Effect Make Up PAINTED SKIN: RESURRECTION's biggest difference from PAINTED SKIN aside from the director change from Gordon Chan Ka Seung to THE BUTCHER, THE CHEF AND THE SWORDSMAN's Wuershan still stars Zhou Xun, Zhao Wei and Chen Kun in the leads. However in order to be different from the previous film and have the big production format, this time a lot of special effects and computer generated scenes are used. The Skin Transformation Is The Most Shocking In one scene Zhou Xun and Zhao Wei switch skins. Although it is only three minutes long the screen, it took over 35 shoots to complete. The fox fairy make up alone took Zhou Xun five hours everyday to put on and two hours to remove, as she became the actress who arrived the earlier and left the latest. Aside from the skin transformation, the fight with a giant bear and sealing the fox fairy in ice also used a lot of special effects. Playing a bird fairy in the film, Yang Mi jokes that she is one of the more comfortable ones in the film. She says, "The director in order for me to play the characters well deliberately gave me two videos about birds and asked me to imitate them." Every time Yang Mi appeared with Feng Shaofeng, she would spread her arms like a pair of wings. Synopsis: Princess Goes Too Far with Face Switches PAINTED SKIN: RESURRECTION is about a beautiful princess who is disfigured during a bear hunt and requires a golden mask to hide her scar. Her guard who is in love with her at the time blames himself and exiles himself willingly to the remote Western territory. The innocent fairy Birdy is attracted to the icy lake's blue light and pecks through the icy surface to free the Fox Demon who is trapped in the bottom of the lake for 500 years. Back then she broke the rule of the demon world and used her power to save a human thus she was punished. Eating A Living Heart To Revive Her Beauty The fairies become good friends and look for someone who would willingly give a heart to the Fox Demon in order to break her ice spell and turn her into a mortal of flesh and blood. They happen to run into the princess who wants to revive her beauty to hold on to her guard. They agree to an equivalent exchange. Yet the Princess does not know that in order to keep her beauty she must eat the heart of a living human daily. After the first time she is on the road to evil with no return. 3. SING TAO DAILY, JUNE 28 2012 FIONA SIT X FUNG CHI CHIANG: MEETING OF THE PARALLEL Overnight success is something that most in show business dream about. Fiona released her first record as a new comer in 2004. In it KEANU REEVES' REPLY alone already topped all four Hong Kong stations' charts. With a hit in her first year, she was an overnight success. Fung Chi Chiang after graduating from the Baptist University Communicate Department became a TVB screen writer. After an introduction he had a chance to become a film screen writer. His first movie was the Stephen Chow Sing Chi film SHAOLIN SOCCER. He was an overnight success. Two people who originally did not know each other due to THE BOUNTY (YUEN HUNG) meet by chance on parallel lines. Then they discover that they actually have similar situation, a situation that can only happen by chance. Timing First let's talk about how they got into the business. Fung Chi Chiang was a TVB screen writer for years. After working on series like AT THE THRESHOLD OF AN ERA (CHONG SAI GEI), when he learned that his superior Shaw Lai King worked with Stephen Chow Sing Chi on JUSTICE MY FOOT (SUM SEI GUOON) he daringly asked for a chance to meet in an attempt to sell his own script. Finally he truly got the chance. "It's pretty interesting. At the time I took the script to Mr. Chow's company. Although in the end it wasn't successful, he asked me if I was interested in playing soccer then asked me to work on SHAOLIN SOCCER." With this chance he started to make a name for himself in the screen writing world, until last year when he finally became a director. "Actually since the 2008 Beijing Olympics I have already been talking to producers about THE BOUNTY (YUEN HUNG) script. Luckily before the 2012 London Olympics it is finally released. After years of planning, basically I already made it in my head many times over. Thus this time I completely enjoyed the process more than anything. The successful completion was already considered decent." Running into Sing Yeh at his start was good. Fiona was no slouch either. When she started she ran into Wyman (Wong Wai Man), who wrote KEANU REEVES' REPLY. She became famous over this 3 minute melody. "With 8 years in the business, I discover that everything has its own timing. All the timing is right. Even if something bad happens, I can use this experience to improve yourself, to turn something bad into something good. Thus a hit appearing in the first year was great timing, it also didn't bring me any pressure. I continue to enjoy my own job." Good Encounter The description of them as lucky seems very superficial. The explanation of good encounter Fiona wholeheartedly agrees with. "I agree with describing it as good encounter more than lucky, because encounter is a chance, I would thank Heaven. Something happens at a moment's notice, after that you have to put in the hard work. If you aren't ready, even if you have a chance to be lucky a second time it would only be wasted. I am very grateful that the people I have run into all love me. After 8 years in the business, everyone would know whether you are someone who is demanding or not and thus would attract similar people to work with you. I am fortunate to have run into people and things with passion, which is more important than making money." Fung Chi Chiang's encounters have been rather smooth, Chow Sing Chi's appreciation, Michael Hui Koon Man's praise, Paco Wong's admiration. In comparison, THE BOUNTY script's encounter is much more troubled. "An elder told me, for a new director to make a movie there are three possibilities. The first is making it with your own money; the second is having a group of big star friends who are willing to perform for you for a low price, when investors feel it is a good deal they will invest; the third is a good script. I don't have the first two, the script is my strongest and only weapon. However how many investors in Hong Kong are willing to read the script first? Most would ask who is in it? So I once sold this script to a film company, later when I had the chance to direct I thought of this story right away. So I spent money to buy it back from the film company. After all the twists and turns I came back to my hands." Drama King People are looking forward even more to the performance of Alex Man Chi Leung, who has not appeared in a long time. Although earlier he guest starred in THE EMERALD AND THE PEARL (FEI CHUI MING JU), but the actual return would probably be THE BOUNTY. Even Fiona who has not officially watched Man Ji's series was deeply moved by this drama king. "I know he is a drama king and from so what, haha......I never thought that I would be able to work with him. He opened up my eyes. He loves acting. Even though he is blatantly not the lead in a scene, he would try his best to steal your thunder. Even when the ending wasn't focused on him, he could with a line or a look take the ending from you. He's a lot of fun." To the director, Man Chi Leung is one of his idols. He asked him to perform out of personal preference, in the end he was just amazed. "If my memory serves Man Ji has never officially played a father, and he has to play a timid Papa, a timid Man Ji! As soon as you hear it you already really want to see it. Since I have Man Ji, some explosive spots have to be written into the script. Thus the audience would wait for how this timid people explode. Finally the argument with Ah Jat has the feeling of Man Ji's return for a second. It's very explosive!" The director designs Ah Jat into an action hero, which actually is already a big source for laughter. "Someone questioned me about that, but I feel Matt Dam can fight, why not Ah Jat." Fiona says, "But Ah Jat actually thinks of himself as (Donnie) Yen Chi Tan. During the shoot he even deliberately lost weight. He didn't even have rice and was very determined." Fiona admired how serious the team was during the production. "Does a comedy need to use film to shoot? Yet this film was shot with film. Comedy location doesn't have to be to serious, everyone who goes is looking for gags. Yet the entire set is very seriously decorated. Even the old style phone can be used. I am very happy to work with this type of production." Drama King truly lives up to his name. As soon as he appears the focus is on him. He plays the father and daughter relationship scenes with tears within the laughter. - PATRICK [ In Production Now/Soon ] MY SASSY HUBBY Can : Ngor Lo Por Ng Gau Ching 2 Ngor Lo Gung Ng Sun Sing Lit : My Old Lady Is Under Weight 2: My Hubby Is Out Of His Nature Dior Cheng Yi Kin, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Joyce Cheng Yun Yi, Wylie Chiu Shek Chi, Izz Xu (Tsui Ching Hei) LACUNA Can : Jui Hau Yut Yeh Lit : One Night After Drinking d. Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung Shawn Yue Man Lok, Zhang Jingchu, Lawrence Chou Can : Oi Ching Dat Yun Anita Yuen Wing Yi, Nelson Cheung Hok Yun, Edward Chui Woai Dong, Qiu Xinzhi, Naomi Can : Yut Lo Heung Sai Lit : A Road To The West AKA : DONGGUAN FOREST Lit : Dongguan Dik Shu Lum d. Mark Wu Yiu Fai Justin Cheung Kin Sing, Gregory Wong Chung Hiu, Mark Wu Yiu Fai, Lee Muk Ching, Jeana Ho Pui Yu, Wylie Chiu Shek Chi, Shu Sum Yin, Celia Kwok Wing Yi, Angelina Zhang (Cheung Woon Nga), Mao Xuan, Tin Kai Man, Tony Ho Wa Chiu, Ng Lai Chu LOVE IS......PAJAMAS AKA : LOVE IS......PYJAMAS Can : Nam Yun Yu Yi Fok Lit : Men Are Like Clothes d. Vincent Kok Tak Siu Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Raymond Lam Fung, Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Karena Ng Chin Yu, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Hai Qing CHRISTMAS ROSE Can : Sing Dan Mui Gwai d. Charlie Yeung Choi Nei Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Kwai Lun-Mei, Xia Yu, Liu Kai Chi, Qin Hailu, Regina Wan Qian LAN KWAI FONG 2 Can : Hei Oi Yeh Po 2 Lit : Like To Hang Out Late 2 d. Wilson Chin Kwok Wai Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu, Shiga Lin Si Nga, Mia Chen Jing Yi, Avis Chan Wai Sing, Linah Matsuoka, Dominic Ho Ho Man, Liu Yuqi, Sita Chan Hei Yi Sammy Sum Chun Hin, Jaime Fong Ka Yau Benji Chiang Man Kit, Deal Chong Tung Yan Opening August 2012 TOGETHER Can : Joi Yut Hei d. Clarence Ford (Fok Yiu Leung) Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Michelle Chen, Angelababy, Ko Chen-Tung, Bosco Wong Chung Chak TRIAD Can : Jat Jik Lit : Promotion d. Lloyd Chan Yi Hung Irene Wan Bik Han, William Chan Wai Ting, Michelle Wai (Si Nga), Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, Edward Chui Woai Dong, Patrick Tam Yiu Man, Shirley Yim (Shuet Lei) [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] College-educated Harvard decides to become a gangster. He is promoted through the ranks, then heads his own team. As Hong Kong prepares for its 1997 handover, Harvard works with the police to ensure survival of his gang. His former boss BJ helps him out and they swear friendship. Harvard is able to move along with the times, cashing in on trends just ahead of the authorities. He gets into businesses beyond their jurisdiction, particularly internet porn. Harvard goes legitimate, getting rid of the violent aspects of gangsterhood, alienating the fighters and those who cannot adapt. Harvard decides to resolve a gangland power struggle by himself – but discovers that the person betraying him is... Can : Dut Shu Sun Fun Lit : Special Identity d. Clarence Ford (Fok Yiu Leung) Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Jing Tian, Zhang Hanyu, Andy Tien (On Chi Kit), Paw Ching Hee 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 Opening December 2012 CROSS AKA : SMILE FOR ME Can : Tin Ma Hung Hung d. Daniel Chan Yi 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 PASSION ISLAND 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 Opening July 2012 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 Opening December 2012 [ 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... --- [ NOW SHOWING ] THE FOUR Can : Sei Dai Ming Bo Lit : Four Great Marshals d. Gordon Chan Ka Seung Collin Chou, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Crystal Liu Yifei, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Deng Chao Length : 118 mins. Opening July 12 2012 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] An undercover agent is assigned by his corrupt chief to infiltrate a rival department and sabotage their investigation of counterfeit currency. What he discovers is the counterfeiter's real plan. To overthrow the capital. Not by flooding it with funny money, but with an army of undead. [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Adapted from a famous Wu-Xia series, "THE GREAT FOUR DETECTIVES", the movie is a fresh spin to the tale of four detectives skilled in martial arts that are hired by the Emperor to solve various mysteries. The four detectives, Liu Yifei as Heartless, Collin Chou as Metal Hand, Ronald Cheng as Life Chase and Deng Chao as Cold Blooded have individual special powers. They are strict and impartial, seeking justice on behalf of the citizens and even discovered the secret plot of evil minister planning to take over the throne. PAINTED SKIN: THE RESURRECTION AKA : PAINTED SKIN 2 d. Wuershan Zhou Xun, Vicki Zhao Wei, Chen Kun, Feng Shaofeng, Mini Yang Mi Rating : IIB Length : 131 mins. Opening July 5 2012 [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] According to demon lore, it takes hundreds of years to attain human form. Even then, lacking a human heart, a demon cannot experience the true pains and passions of existence. However, there is a legend that if a pure human heart is freely offered to a demon, it can become a mortal and experience true life. HOTARU THE MOVIE: IT'S ONLY A LITTLE LIGHT IN MY LIFE Can : Ying Ji Guong: Law Ma Ga Kei Lit : Light of Firefly: Roman Wedding Date Haruka Ayase, Naohito Fujiki, Yasuko Matsuyuki, Yuya Tegoshi Rating : I Length : 109 mins. Opening July 5 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Hotaru Amemiya, the female lead in the manga, is a beer loving, romance neglecting work-aholic "dry woman". One day, by the chance she begins a life of cohabitation with her boss Seichi Takano. Thus a small light has been lit in Hotaru's romantic world. Hotaru and Seichi Takano marries, after which she learns that the boss' dream is to spend a "Roman Holiday" with her love and decides to go to Italy with him. Yu Saeki is looking for her sister who left Japan gets along famous with Hotaru who sits next to him on the flight to Italy. He gradually grows fond of Hotaru. By chance, they run into Yu's sister Rio Saeki. Rio loses something important, becomes very negative "dry woman" who is disinterested in everything, and runs away to live in Italy. Later, Rio introduces Boss Takano to her brother as her fiance. Will Hotaru and the boss' relationship change due to Rio's appearance? LATE AUTUMN Can : Man Chau d. Kim Tae-Yong Tang Wei, Hyun Bin, James C. Burns, Kim Jun-Seong Rating : IIA Length : 114 mins. Opening July 5 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Sentenced to prison for murder, a female prisoner receives a chance to leave the prison due to good behavior. On the way she runs into a sweet talking drifter who deliberately gets close to her. They gradually become fond of each other... POSTCARD Can : Jin Cheung Seung Dik Ming Shun Pin Lit : Postcard On The Battlefield d. Kaneto Shindo Etsushi Toyokawa, Shinobu Ohtake Rating : IIB Length : 114 mins. Opening June 28 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] At the end of World War II, countless Japanese people were sent to overseas battlefields to their deaths. Selected to fight in the Philippines, Morikawa knew his chances were slim and handed the postcard from his wife to fellow soldier Matsuyama. He asked him to tell his wife when he returned home...... DIN TAO: LEADER OF THE PARADE Can : Jun Tau d. Fung Kai Alien Huang, Crystal Lin, Alan Ko, Rating : IIA Length : 123 mins. Opening June 21 2012 [ CITYLINE MOVIES HONG KONG ] A-tai is a young man who dreams about becoming a rocker in the US. He quits school in Taipei and returns to his Taichung hometown before following his heart’s desire. A-tai has never been on good terms with his father, Uncle Da, who runs a dintao troupe. The father and son never make an effort to understand one another, and quarrel each time they meet. But Uncle Da has other things to worry about. While his company struggles to make ends meet, long-standing rival Wu Cheng and his troupe meet with success and popularity. Irked by Wu’s arrogance, A-tai decides to take the troupe’s demoralized members on a countrywide walk in search of inspiration to revamp the traditional folk art form. SHADOWS OF LOVE AKA : REPEAT, I LOVE YOU Can : Ying Ji Oi Yun Lit : Shadow Lover d. Calvin Poon Yuen Leung Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi, Kwon Sang-Woo, Angela Chang (Cheung Siu Hom), Jing Boran, Sally Jing Tian, Sphinx Ting Chun Cheng Rating : I Length : 87 mins. Opening May 11 2012 in Malaysia Opening June 21 2012 Site : http://www.goldenscene.com/sol/sol-syn.html [ GOLDEN SCENE ] Flower girl Qin Xin is suddenly dragged into a power struggle for the inheritance of the big corporation, KNC, as well as for the love of her life, as she looks exactly like Paris - the missing daughter of the company’s boss. After Paris has gone missing during a skiing trip, the company’s CEO Quan accidentally runs into Qin Xin, who looks identical to Paris. Quan offers her a large fortune just to buy her time to disguise as Paris, which is the only choice he has to keep the company from falling into someone else’s hands before he finds the real Paris back. Qin takes the offer, and Quan thinks she is just a material girl who would do anything just for the money. Qin assumes the false identity and everyone in the company mistakes her to be Paris. As time goes by, Qin and Quan eventually fall in love with each other. But Qin is confused whether Quan is in love with her or with Paris. In fact, sometimes she gets lost in her role too. Just when Qin has become emotionally involved with Quan and has grown attached to her new life under the false identity, the real Paris mysteriously appears and wants to get back everything that belongs to her, including Quan. Faced with two women with identical appearances but entirely different personalities, Quan has to make a choice. THE WINGS OF THE KIRIN Can : Sun Tam Ga Hor Kei Lun ji Yik Lit : Master Detective Kaga the Wings of the Kirin d. Nobuhiro Doi Hiroshi Abe, Yui Aragaki, Rena Tanaka, Kiichi Nakai Rating : IIA Length : 129 mins. Opening June 21 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Under the kirin statue in the Nihombashi district of Tokyo, a male stabbing victim's body was found. Kyoichiro Kaga feels suspicious about the victim's behavior before his death: why would he not contact the police right after he was stabbed and walked for 8 minutes to the kirin statue instead? What secret did the suspect who is in a coma Yashima tell his girlfriend Kaori Nakahara? Kyoichiro Kaga begins a journey to solve all these mysteries... DOUBLE TROUBLE Can : Bo Doh Seung Hung Lit : Treasure Island Heroic Duo d. David Chang Hsun-Wei Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming), Xia Yu, Jessica C., Deng Jiajia, Chen Han-Tien, Chang Fei Rating : IIA Length : 89 mins. Opening June 14 2012 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Two security guards - one from Beijing, one from Taipei - are forced to work together to track down a legendary Chinese painting that has been stolen by international art thieves. COWEB Can : Jin Mo Seung Lit : War No Double d. Xiong Xinxin Jiang Luxia, Sam Lee Chan Sam, Eddie Cheung Siu Fai Kane Kosugi, Mike Moller, Rating : IIA Length : 88 mins. Opening June 14 2012 Opening July 30 2009 in Malaysia [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] Mandy slaves away at two jobs struggling to support her family, while dreaming about resurrecting her father's martial arts academy. When Mandy rescues wealthy businessman, Ho Kwan from muggers, he offers her a job as his bodyguard, support her family and restore her father's academy. Before long, kidnappers appear and despite Mandy's efforts to protect Ho Kwan, he is abducted. However, he manages to slip Mandy a box containing a key to a mainframe that controls online betting on fights to the death. Upon investigating, Mandy learns that Ho Kwan was kidnapped by a ruthless gambling impresario, Sung. In order to reach Ho Kwan, Mandy will have to join the tournament and gamble with her life. [ COMING SOON ] 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. 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 Site : http://aeghk.com NAKED SOLDIER d. Marco Mak Jennifer Tse Ting Ting, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Philip Ng, Ankie Beilke, Andy On Chi Kit Opening July 26 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. WU DANG Can : Dai Mo Dong ji Tin Dei Muk Ma Lit : Big Wudang: Earth Heaven Secret Code d. Patrick Leung Pak Kin Vincent Chiu (Zhao Wenzhuo), Mini Yang Mi, Louis Fan Siu Wong, Dennis To Yu-Hang Xu Jiao, Paw Hee Ching, Lawrence Wong Hiu Length : 100 mins. Opening July 26 2012 [ 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… DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA AND THE LAST HAVEN - ANIMAL ADVENTURE Can : Dor La A Mung -- Dai Hung Yu Kei Jik Ji Doh Lit : Doraemon -- Nobita and the Island of Miracles d. Kozo Kusuba Japanese animation Length : 99 mins. Opening July 26 2012 [ ASIAN WIKI ] Nobita and Doraemon use time tree Mochi and catches a big bird Moa, which has been extinct for 500 years ago. To protect extinct the animal, Nobita and Doramon go to Beremon Island which is protected by a golden beetle named Herakles. They meet a girl from the Rokkoro tribe and a boy who looks exactly like Nobita on Beremon Island... ONE PIECE 3D: STRAW HAT CHASE X TORIKO 3D KAIMAKU GOURMENT ADVENTURE!! d. Hiroyuki Sato (ONE PIECE 3D), Junji Shimizu (TORIKO 3D) Japanese animation Length : 70 mins. Opening July 26 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Luffy is in trouble! His straw hat has disappeared! Luffy's idol, pirate Red-Haired Shanks, gave it to him when he was little when he set his goal in life with him! To Luffy, the straw hat is more important than his own life. So no matter what trouble he runs into and what danger he is in he would absolutely never give it up. Luffy looks like any trace of the straw hat like mad, finally he discovers that a seagull has carried it away. At the same time, while looking for the hat Chopper and Usopp run into a ship in trouble and they rescue an old pirate Schneider. Schneider tells them a shocking story about the straw hat. The Thousand Sunny chases the soaring seagull into a danger filled Grand Line area. A marine base appears in front of them. Will the Straw hat Pirates be able to retrieve the symbolic Straw Hat?! Peck is looking for a gourmet hunter. The so-called gourmet hunter is someone who travels the world in search of undiscovered flavor and unknown ingredients. Peck is looking for the best among the gourmet hungers, Toriko. With a distributor's direction Peck goes to a small island, during a red haired boar's attack he finally runs into Toriko and immediately asks him for help to capture a strange bird, Gerold. Peck's village is on the brink as it is under the Gerold's attack. The bird's capture rating (International Gourmet Organization's rating of capture difficulty) is at least six, far surpassing level one in which 10 professional hunters are needed for capture...!? TATSUMI d. Eric Khoo (Yau Kam Hoi) Animation Rating : III Opening August 2 2012 VULGARIA 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 Rating : III Length : 90 mins. Opening August 9 2012 Opening March 27 2012 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org/eng/film/detail/22/36147-vulgaria.html [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Pang Ho-cheung brings his many years of experience as director and producer to craft this ode to today's Hong Kong film industry. Like Pang, producer To Wai-cheung, our protagonist, must go north to find his funding, even if it means getting involved with a Guangxi triad head named Tyrannosaurus and experiencing "the ultimate sex". Another investment precondition: convincing 197s star Susan Shaw to act in a classic porno remake named DARING, I WANT IT TOO. Despite all the hardships, To is determined to make his film. With the uproarious, taboo-breaking Vulgaria, Pang gleefully exorcises all the restraints he has been bottling up with his bona fide, censorship-free Hong Kong movie. THE SILENT WAR AKA : THE WIND SEEKER Can : Ting Fung Jeh Lit : Wind Listener d. Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Man Keung Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhou Xun Opening August 10 2012 [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Things don’t always go as your eyes see while truth’s always hidden underneath. In 1950s, the China Republic Government is newly established. Revolutionists in different parts of China seek chances to revolt. Everywhere is restless and chaotic. 701 Headquarter, consists of Inspection, Interpretation and Operation, is set up to spy conspiracy through telegraph. But one day in October, all of a sudden, the enemy shut down 126 military channels for 30 hours. After these long hours, when they tune back the channels, only daily news is being broadcasted. Without concrete information, operators at the frontline are at risk. Chang Xue-ning is of Operation’s. She is sent back to the Headquarter as her identity has been disclosed in Hong Kong. Reporting in 701, she is astonished by her supervisor, Guo Zhong-xing, who used to woo her. Their relation is still a mystery. Xue-ning’s new mission is to seek for worthy who gets superb aural comprehension. She targets Luo San-er, the piano tuner of Song Qing Ling but it turns out she brings Luo’s personal assistant, He Bing to report duty. Bing is uncivilized and blind but his hearing is splendid - can even hear the wind. Is he strong enough to be the saviour in this silent war? DIVA Can : Wa Lai Ji Hau Lit : Behind The Elegance d. Heiward Mak Hei Yan Joey Yung Cho Yi, Hu Ge, Chapman To Man Jat, Mag Lam Ka Yan, Wai Ying Hung, Bonnie Xian (Sin Sik Lai), Carlos Chan Ka Lok Opening August 16 2012 Opening August 30 2012 in Malaysia Site : http://www.emp.hk/title.php?film_id=108 [ EMPEROR MOTION PICTURE ] When an accident temporarily robs her of her voice, Diva J flees to a small deserted village to heal both her mental and physical wounds. Her life changes when she meets and falls in love with the blind Hu Ming, who inspires her to make a comeback. But, in her absence, a new diva has risen. R has become an overnight sensation that everyone sees as the main contender for J’s crown. Yet, their successes have come at a high price. J is secretly pining for a forbidden love that seems destined to wither, and R has found that the road to stardom is littered with estranged friends and painful break-ups. But in the midst of this, both divas rise to find their own voice. [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Two divas shake off the pain of love to take center stage again 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 August 23 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... BUDDY COPS Can : Sun Sau Ba Da Lit : Holy Beast "Brother" AKA : Sun Sau Ying Gaing Lit : Holy Beast Cops d. Peter Chik Michael Tse Tin Wa, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, King Kong, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Vincent Lam Wai, Lisa Cheng Opening August 23 2012 in Malaysia 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 Opening August 27 2012 in Malaysia [ 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... NATURAL BORN LOVERS Can : Tin Sun Oi Ching Kong Lit : Natural Born Love Maniac d. Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau) Mandy Wong Chi Man, Oscar Leung Lit Wai, Ava Yu Kiu, Jason Chan Pak Yu Jinny Ng Yeuk Hei, Ciwi Lam Sze Man Elva Ni Chenxi, Christine Kuo, Anna Kay, Linah Matsuoka Opening September 6 2012 THE WEDDING DIARY d. Adrian Teh (Cheng Kin Kwok) Aniu, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam, Kara Hui (Wai Ying Hung), Marcus Chin, Shaun Chen, Chris Tong Opening September 6 2012 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... HELTER SKELTER Can : Jing Yung Tin Hau Lit : Plastic Surgery Queen d. Mika Ninagawa Erika Sawajiri, Shinobu Terajima, Go Ayano Opening September 20 2012 THE BULLETS VANISHES Can : Siu Sut Dik Ji Dan d. Law Chi Leung Lau Ching Wan, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Liu Kai Chi, Mini Yang Mi Site : http://www.emp.hk/title.php?film_id=126&category=1 Opening September 27 2012 in Malaysia [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] In an arsenal during the warlord era in China, a girl, accused of stealing bullets, is shot to death by the Boss. Six months later, a series of murders occur. Policemen Bao and Guo investigate the case. But all the clues point to the dead girl! They then discover that “stealing bullets” is a cover-up for a conspiracy between the Boss and the Police Chief. The latter tries to have Bao and Guo killed, but that increases their determination to solve the mystery. Finally, they find the real murderer... TAICHI 0 d. Stephen Fung Tak Lun Eddie Peng Yu-Yen, Feng Shaofeng, Angelababy, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Shu Qi, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) Opening September 27 2012 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS ] A gifted child with a fleshy growth on his forehead travels far to learn Tai Chi and eventually becomes a master. He then faces an army of steampunk invaders and must protect the villagers. SWITCH Can : Gok Ga Yum Mo ji Fu Chun San Gui Toh Lit : National Mission: Dwelling In the Fuchun Mountains d. Jay Sun Andy Lau Tak Wa, Zhang Jingchu, Lin Chiling, Tong Dawei Opening October 4 2012 in Malaysia Official Site : http://www.mediaasia.com [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] SWITCH revolves around the famous Chinese landscape painting "Dwelling In The Fuchun Mountains" by Huang Gongwang, which was split into two 300 years ago and exhibited separately in China and Taiwan. The film envisages that the painting is finally going to be put back together again, where a gang of thieves are scrambling to steal it. Special agent Xiao Jinhan and insurance company employee Lin Yuyan are on a mission to protect the world-famous drawing "Fu Chun Shan Ju Tu", which is the target of a Japanese gangster. CONSPIRATORS Can : A+ Jing Tam Lit : A+ Detective d. Oxide Pang Shun Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Jiang Yiyan Opening October 18 2012 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Chen Tan, a private detective in Thailand, travelled to Malaysia following the clues in a photo in order to reveal the truth behind the murder of his parents 30 years ago. There he finds a man called Chai, who directs him to Zheng, a Malaysian detective born in China. The two eventually stumble upon Chai's daughter, Zhi Wei and realise that she may hold the key to the mystery... CHINESE ZODIAC Can : Sup Yi Sun Chiu Lit : 12 Chinese Zodiac Jackie Chan, Kwon Sang-Woo Opening December 13 2012 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Chinese hero Asian Hawk is not unlike Indiana Jones. This time he has to bring back the bronze head statues of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, which were sacked by the French and British armies from the imperial Summer Palace in Beijing in 1860. THE GUILLOTINES Can : Huet Dik Ji Lit : Blood Dropper d. Andrew Lau Wai Keung Huang Xiaoming, Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin), Shawn Yue Man Lok, Chris Lee Yuchun, Jing Boran, Opening December 20 2012 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... BLIND DETECTIVE Can : Man Tam d. Johnnie To Kei Fung Andy Lau Tak Wa, Sammi Cheng Sau Man Opening February 7 2013 Official Site : http://www.mediaasia.com [ CINEMA ONLINE MALYASIA ] a former detective, forced to leave the service after turning blind, tries to make a living solving cold cases for the police. --- [ 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 * ALAN TAM SHINE A LIGHT CHARITY CONCERT CANADA TOUR 2012 DATE AND TIME: October 13 2012 VENUE LOCATION: Queen Elizabeth Theatre 649 Cambie Street Vancouver BC TICKET PRICES: VIP CA$250, 180, 110, 90, 70, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.cantonproductions.com/canton/entertainment/alan_tam.html 604-295-4800 MAL Audio Ltd Union Square 1033-8300 Capstan Way, Richmond AM-Call Wireless Crystal Mall 1211-4500 Kingsway, Burnaby Fotodigio Studio Ltd Union square Suite 1261, 8338 Capstan Way, Richmond World Vision 2218-13353 Commerce Parkway, Richmond * ALAN TAM SHINE A LIGHT CHARITY CONCERT CANADA TOUR 2012 DATE AND TIME: October 7 2012 VENUE LOCATION: Southern Jubilee 1415 14 Avenue Northwest Calgary AB Canada TICKET PRICES: VIP CA$150, 100, 80, 60, 40 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.cantonproductions.com/canton/entertainment/alan_tam.html 403-889-2200 Wah Loong Chinese Herbs Ltd Unit 9, 1003-9650 Harvest Hills Blvd., N.E. Calgary AB T3K 0B3 Canada Wah Hing Chinese Herbs Ltd Unit 800G-999 36th Street, N.E. Calgary AB T2A 7X6 Canada Wah Pek Chinese Herbs Co 308A Centre Street, S.E. Calgary AB T2G 2B8 Canada Jenny's Optical Company Ltd. #119, 1518 center Street, NE * ALAN TAM SHINE A LIGHT CHARITY CONCERT CANADA TOUR 2012 DATE AND TIME: October 5 2012 VENUE LOCATION: Sony Centre for the Performing Arts 1 Front Street East Toronto ON M2E 1B2 Canada TICKET PRICES: VIP CA$250, 180, 110, 90, 70. 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.cantonproductions.com/canton/entertainment/alan_tam.html 905-696-2217 TICKET MASTER CANADA: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100048A2EAD1A815 Home Comfort Centre Unit E53, Pacific Mall, Markham Hague Quality Water Unit 5-9033 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill Elma Water Technologies Inc Unit 85, First Markham Place City Hollywood Cafe 4372 Steeles Avenue East, Markham World Vision Canada 1 World Drive, Mississauga * Mimi Choo and Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung DATE AND TIME: Tuesday, September 18 2012 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Casino Rama Entertainment Centre Casino Rama 5899 Rama Road Rama ON L0k 1T0 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA $307.84, 160.94, 104.44, 81.84, 59.24 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/100048C6034CB695 * GEORGE LAM CHI CHEUNG DATE AND TIME: Sunday, September 2 2012 7PM Monday, September 3 2012 8:30PM VENUE LOCATION: Avalon Theatre Theatre Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort 6380 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara ON L2G 7X5 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA $149.39, 104.19 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKET MASTER CANADA http://www.ticketmaster.ca/GEORGE-LAM-tickets/artist/1740067 * HONG KONG TVB LIVE 2012 Michael Tse Tin Wa, Fala Chen, Pierre Kanin Ngo, Grace Wong Kwan Hing DATE AND TIME: Sunday, August 26 2012 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Casino Rama Entertainment Centre Casino Rama 5899 Rama Road Rama ON L0k 1T0 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA $307.84, 160.94, 104.44, 81.84, 59.24 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100048B9DE81B6FC * TERESE CHEUNG TAK LAN LIVE 2012 Special Guest: William Wu Wai Hong DATE AND TIME: Sunday, July 15 2012 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Casino Rama Entertainment Centre Casino Rama 5899 Rama Road Rama ON L0k 1T0 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA $307.84, 160.94, 104.44, 81.84, 59.24 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100048AAEA639EF0 * SUSAN TSE SUM SHUET AND ELLA KOON YUN NA DATE AND TIME: Saturday, July 14 2012 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Reno Ballroom 401 North Center St. Reno NV 89501 TICKET PRICES: VIP $118, 98, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/170048C1C9BB5734 US ASIA TOUR http://www.usasiatour.com SAN FRANCISCO, CA (415) 989-1688 BURLINGAME, CA (650) 697-9086 OAKLAND, CA (510) 835-8588 MONTEREY PARK, CA (626) 282-1880 Win On Travel SAN FRANCISCO, CA (415) 834-1628 Susan Video & Gift Shop CUPERTINO, CA (408) 253-3100 A World Travel SAN JOSE, CA (408) 441-8448 Oscar Tour FREMONT, CA (510) 226-9992 Unique Travel SACRAMENTO, CA (916) 557-2888 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Thursday, June 28 2012 10 WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING d. Kirk Jones Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro 9 SILENCED Can : Mo Sing Lap Hom Lit : Silence Cry d. Hwang Dong-Hyuk Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-Mi 8 SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN d. Rupert Sanders Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron 7 THE RAVEN d. James McTeigue John Cusack, Alice Eve, Luke Evans 6 MEN IN BLACK III d. Barry Sonnenfeld Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin 5 SADAKO 3D Can : Jing Ji 3D d. Tsutomu Hanabusa Satomi Ishihara, Koji Seto, Yusuke Yamamoto 4 THE DICTATOR d. Larry Charles Sacha Baron Cohen, Anna Faris, Ben Kingsley 3 THE BOUNTY Can : Yuen Hung Lit : Reward d. Fung Chih Chiang Chapman To Man Jat, Alex Man Chi Leung, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Wen Chao, Sire Man Choi 2 PROMETHEUS d. Ridley Scott Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, 1 MOTORWAY Can : Choi Cheh Lit : Driver d. Soi Cheang Po Shui Shawn Yue Man Lok, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Gordon Lam Ka Tung, Michelle Ye (Yip Shuen), Guo Xiaodong, Barbie Hsu (Tsui Hei Woon), Josie Ho Chiu Yi, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS MOTORWAY Rating : IIB Length : 89 mins. Opening June 21 2012 Opening June 28 2012 in Malaysia Official Site : http://www.mediaasia.com [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Sean is an overconfident rookie in the Stealth Riders, a secret police unit consisting of the best drivers in the force that targets underworld racing and fugitives on the run. Jensen is a legendary getaway driver, who's never been caught before his retirement 15 years ago. When Sean chances upon Jensen one day, he thinks his day has finally come. SADAKO 3D Rating : IIB Length : 96 mins. Opening June 14 2012 [ CITYLINE HONG KONG ] At a high school where Akana Aikawa works as a teacher, a rumor exists of a video. The video is purported to show someone committing suicide. Then Akane Aikawa’s student Noriko kills herself. During that time, more suspicious deaths occur one after another. The police concludes that the deaths are suicides. What the police miss is that a key element exists in all of the students’ deaths. All of them watched a video before they died. Akane Aikawa now holds the key to the revival of Sadako and must defeat her once and for all... THE BOUNTY Rating : IIA Length : 104 mins. Opening June 21 2012 Opening April 27 2012 at the Udine Far East Film Festival 14 Site : http://www.fareastfilm.com/EasyNe2/LYT.aspx?Code=FEFJ&IDLYT=7505&ST=SQL&SQL=ID_Documento=3519 [ UDINE FAR EAST FILM FESTIVAL 14 ] For Cho, a bounty hunter for whom no job is too small, his line of work is one that puts him in touch with all manner of strange people, and that's very much in evidence in his newest case. When a reward is placed for the capture of fugitive Lee Kin-fai, who's said to be hiding on an island off Hong Kong, Cho heads to the quiet locale and takes a room at a small hotel, the Lazy Inn, run by housekeeper and astrology columnist Linda and an intensely meddlesome manager. Obstructing Cho's attempts at finding his target is the general weirdness of the locals. The lodge's manager and Linda appear to be father and daughter, though the man's denials cloud the situation; word gets out that Lee, wherever he is, has fallen for Linda; and the small-time hoodlums of the local Biting Sugar Cane Gang are making things difficult with their triad-style theatrics. Soon enough, it seems Cho doesn't just need to catch his man, but also has to clear up family woes and tackle island crime as well. - Tim Youngs SILENCED Rating : III Length : 125 mins. Opening June 21 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] This is a true story that happened in a South Korean school for the deaf. Since 2000, the principle and several teachers cruelly abused and sexually violated the handicapped students aged between 7 to 22 in the school and were not discovered until five years later. Yet due to the South Korean justice system loophole they avoid the penalties that they deserve with unreasonably light sentences. The media widely reported the matter to the shock of the nation and the case is retried recently. The fact that angers people: the teacher who sexually violated students are still teaching in that school. ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, June 30 2012 15 LET ME LOVE YOU Can : Yeung Ngor Oi Nei Hu Xia http://youtu.be/lhyhuYpLjHc 14 LOVE AIMLESSLY Can : Moot Yau Muk Dik Dei Oi Liu Miriam Yeung Chin Wa http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBe-Qlhk28Y 13 R U KIDDING ME? Da Mouth http://youtu.be/JWs8gPYzFv8 12 NOT SO EASY Can : Ho But Yung Yi Jane Zhang Liangying http://youtu.be/_QrmES5Ri7o 11 OPEN YOUR EYES Can : Jung Oi Ngan RubberBand http://youtu.be/TtgyVR8vY98 10 DISTANT SONG Can : Yuen Gor Huang Ying, Denis Ng Tung http://youtu.be/Q5XBljNNEow 9 ALL YOU NEED IS ME Fiona Sit Hoi Kei http://youtu.be/CteSTqRU5I4 8 LOVE YOU Can : Oi Nei Kimberley Chen Fong Yu http://youtu.be/KGrulNiJ6Uc 7 IN MY ARMS Can : Joi Ngor Wai Lui Abin Fang (Fong Gwing Bun) http://youtu.be/E9OTbwlLVU4 6 VERY HARD TO COME BY Can : Ho Lan Dut Della Ding Dong http://youtu.be/8yvWJ6nq_HE 5 MING MING Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin http://youtu.be/GoRiq4zFxHI 4 SEDUCTION Can : Yau James Lin (Lam Yau Ga) http://youtu.be/1uIE_ivcj1g 3 DO YOU DARE Can : Nei Gum But Gum LaLa Hsu (Tsui Gai Ying) http://youtu.be/HLibG1_lcTk 2 IF IT WERE U Can : Hor Sik But Si Nei Shane Cao (Cho Hin Bun) http://youtu.be/YsS3ZHO3KTw 1 YOU EXIST IN MY SONG Can : Ngor Dik Gor Sing Lui Qu Wanting (Kuk Yuen Ting) http://youtu.be/ywJ5bR7g-Vo ------ [ 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 ======== 2012 NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL courtesy of Subway Cinema http://www.subwaycinema.com/nyaff12/ --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] HEAVY FLAVOR Eason Chan http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XNDA1MTc3MTcy.html ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com http://hktopten.orgfree.com | http://hktopten.blogspot.com