From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (August 16 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. Annie Man Chun Han who gave birthday to a daughter on the 20th B. Sammi Cheng Sau Man who celebrates her birthday on the 19th C. Leo Ku Kui Ke who celebrates his birthday on the 18th D. Kevin Cheng Ka Wing who celebrates his birthday on the 15th 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (2012/08/22) The 2012 Miss Hong Kong pageant will take place on the 26th at Television City. Ten candidates yesterday attended the press conference and met with the jury that included Andy Lau Tak Wa and Carina Lau Ka Ling. Speaking of Eric Tsang Chi Wai was interested in asking Andy Lau Tak Wa to return to TVB for a series. Wa Jai joked that he wanted to make an idol series. Ka Ling's eyes widened as she said, "What would he do? He is now my idol now, he is an iron man. However how can he play a teenager?" Ka Ling said that no one asked her to return to TVB for a series. She of course would like to work with Wa Jai, but she could not make an idol series. Perhaps it would be about mature woman's life in the city. Ka Ling asked reporters how is TVB's series pay now and said that actually money was not the first condition. It would depend on the script. Wa Jai and Tong Chun Yip were both TVB's Fiver Tigers, but he has never seen Tong Chun Yip's daughter Tong Lok Man. He said that at the time they were busy and he rarely saw Tong Chung Yip. Will he give some brotherhood points? He said absolutely not. Will Wa Jai permit his daughter to compete for Miss Hong Kong? Wa Jai immediately said, "Boo!" Later he only smiled and did not answer. Speaking of Wong Jing returning to GOD OF GAMBLERS (DOH SUN) with Chow Yun Fat and Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Wa Jai said that he was the "Knight of Gambling". The chance to return to the gambling series would be good too and he hoped to have a chance to work with Ting Fung on a gambling film in the future. * (2012/08/22) The Bai Baihe starred, Aubrey Lam Oi Wa directed, Peter Chan Ho Sun produced comedy THE TRUTH OF BEAUTY yesterday held a promotion in Beijing. Lam Oi Wa spoke about cosmetic surgery and said that it was like changing clothes, beauty was completely at your own hand. Bai Baihe said that she would not discriminate against minor surgery. As a social hot topic cosmetic surgery has never been made into a film in the Mainland. Chan Ho Sun felt that the reason was most people found cosmetic surgery hard to face, like in the film if female lead Bai Baihe was fixed she would not be cute. Lam Oi Wa added, THE TRUTH OF BEAUTY had to find the cutest girl to give her some obstacles in life and make her ugly. The audience would be curious but would still be sympathetic to her. Different from the heavy feeling that cosmetic surgery has given people, Lam Oi Wa admitted that this time she wanted to bring a comedy about a girl. The audience would follow all the emotions of this girl to experience a transforming growth. This girl's inspiration came from the film lead Bai Baihe. Chan Ho Sun praised Bai Baihe on the set was "wild and carefree", her pace could not be better. He said that a type of actor could make acting into the biggest deal in the world, and another type felt that acting was not a big deal at all. Bai Baihe was obviously the latter. Like HE IS A WOMAN SHE IS A MAN (GUM JI YUK YIP)'s Anita Yuen Wing Yi, she had to be carefree to play a comedy. passion * (2012/08/21) The Wong Jing directed, Chow Yun Fat, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Cheung Man, and Joey Wang Cho Yin starred 1989 film GOD OF GAMBLERS (DOH SUN) and its sequel were classic gambling films that led Hong Kong gambling film trend. Later even came the Leon Lai Ming starred GOD OF GAMBLERS 3 - THE EARLY STAGE (DOH SUN 3 ji SIU NIN DOH SUN). 18 years later, Wong Jing again successfully convinced Fat Gor to continue the GOD OF GAMBLERS dream with the 100 million yuan GOD OF GAMBLERS 4 SHUI YU JUNG FUNG (WHO CAN RIVAL). However the originally Lau Tak Wa played Dagger is now Tse Ting Fung, and his female companion the new generation Jing Girl Tong Fei. It will even be an unprecedented co-production that will test the Mainland censorship taboo. Chow Yun Fat and Tse Ting Fung have never worked together, but Fat Gor has always seen this junior's potential. Recently Wong Jing has been interested in teaming them for GOD OF GAMBLERS 4 for another box office hit. In 1989 the Wong Jing directed GOD OF GAMBLERS brought Fat Gor's film career to a second summit. HIs God of Gamblers Ko Chun was memorable and the box office was around 37 million. In 1994 the original team returned for the sequel and the box office reached HK$52.5 million. In 1996 GOD OF GAMBLERS 3 THE EARLY STAGE starred Lai Ming. The film industry thus had a flood of gambling films as well, including ALL FOR THE WINNER (DOH SING) and GOD OF GAMBLERS 2 (DOH HUP). Lau Tak Wa and Stephen Chow Sing Chi followed the God of Gamblers shadow, starred in a series of gambling films and blossomed in the film industry. 16 years after GOD OF GAMBLERS 3, Wong Jing wanted to return to GOD OF GAMBLERS. Of course viewers are looking forward to it. This time Wong Jing is determined for the 4th film to be released in the Mainland and will be a co-production. The total investment will be around HK$100 million. The Mainland investor will be Yu Dong's Bona and the film will start production in November. The lead cast aside from God of Gamblers Fat Gor will be completely different. Reportedly the Dagger character will go from Lau Tak Wa to Tse Ting Fung. The originally Joey Wang character of Dagger's girlfriend will be Tong Fei. The film will shoot on location in Macau, Hong Kong and the Mainland. The Mainland film inspection has been very strict, movies with subjects about sex, drugs, gambling, the supernatural and political sensitivity often cannot escape a ban or editing. Thus gambling films cannot be released in the Mainland. However GOD OF GALMBERS has through different channels like television, the internet and DVD mesmerized the Mainland audience. Thus the Mainland film company has always wanted to make a fourth film. Due to the Mainland censorship difficulties with gambling films, no film company dared to try. How Wong Jing will break through the film bureau restrictions and successfully bring the God of Gamblers film to the Mainland audience will be a very large challenge for him. Reportedly to accommodate the Mainland film censorship standards, the title will be changed to SHUI YU JUNG FUNG. The characters will not be named Ko Chun and Dagger to avoid getting on the Mainland's nerves. In the story Fat Gor and Ting Fung are master and disciple who are friends as well as rivals. The disciple turns on the master. The casino and the games in the film will have delicate arrangement. The story will mainly be about human nature. The ending will warn the world that gambling has not good ending. Wong Jing admitted that he is planning a new film with Fat Gor and Ting Fung. "This is a battle of wit police film. Fat Gor and Ting Fung will have a friend and foe relationship. The film's backdrop will be a Macau casino. The focus will not be on gambling because it won't pass Mainland censorship standards. In the film Tse Ting Fung and Tong Fei will play a couple. This year and next year the company will promote Tong Fei. She is the new comer with the most potential in the past decade or so, so after THE LAST TYCOON (DAI SEUNG HOI) I also made her the big film's lead actress. * (2012/08/21) The Stephen Fung Tak Lun directed TAI CHI 0 and TAI CHI HERO will be released on September 27 and October 25 in the Mainland and Hong Kong. Yesterday the film promotional song TAI CHI VILLAGE GENEALOGY unveiled the characters like Fung Tak Lun's rumored girlfriend Shu Qi as the Greatest Beauty, Kung Fu Pretty Girl Angelababy who is in love with her cousin Eddie Peng Yu-yen, Feng Shaofeng chases the wind instead of going to school, the crazy clan head Tony Leung Ka Fai, the saintly monk Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), the mysterious master Patrick Tse Yin and others. Everyone was skilled but also had a little cynicism. The music video style was new with famous Mainland rapper Little Tiger performing. Fung Tak Lun said that TAI CHI is different from the traditional kung fu films, full of youth, energy, passion and fun elements. As for its score aside from rock he can only think of rap. * (2012/08/21) Mag Lam Yun Tung two nights ago went to Mongkok Broadway cinema to promote the film DIVA and gave away candy. Lam Yun Tung's voice has not recovered yet. Earlier she flew to Nanjing for a 7 day acupuncture treatment, the condition was a little better. Now she could make weak noises. She admitted that she worried about never being able to speak again because she did not know when she would completely recover. After losing her voice her work indeed has been impacted, in particular her record promotion. As for whether she will rest fully, Lam Yun Tung revealed that for now she has halted all jobs to recover. Her condition would determine for how long. * (2012/08/21) Zhang Ziyi in 2009 produced her first city romantic comedy SOPHIE'S REVENGE, which made over 100 million in the Mainland. Three years later Zhang Ziyi struck again with MY LUCKY STAR. This city romance known as SOPHIE'S REVENGE will take an "extremely extravagant" route. Both a producer and a star again Zhang Ziyi said, "Your beloved Sophie is back. This time she wants to bring everyone on an extravagant adventure." Zhang Ziyi was extremely confident and looked very much forward to the new film. She said, "Actually this MY LUCKY STAR is the SOPHIE'S REVENGE 2 that everyone has been looking forward to. The character is a continuation of the previous film. Sophie is finally back!" The lead actor was switched to the hunky Wang Leehom (Wong Lik Won). Zhang Ziyi said that she has always wanted to work with Wang Leehom. "He can sing and act, of course I want to work with him very much. So I invite him to participate in Sophie's another adventure." As for the other characters, Sophie's good friend remains Ruby Lin (Lam Sum Yu) and Yao Chen from the previous film. Yet the romantic rival is still a mystery. The film will shoot on location in Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau. The team has already flown to Singapore and will shoot in the Marina Bay Sands hotel where the highest swimming pool in the world is. * (2012/08/21) The first Media Asia 3D martial art film THE GUILLOTINES (HUET DIK JI) yesterday attended the Beijing trailer press conference. Director Andrew Lau Wai Keung, producer Peter Chan Ho Sun led the cast including Shawn Yue Man Lok, Chris Lee Yuchun, Huang Xiaoming, Jing Boran, Wezei Purba (Pu Bajia) in attendance. Yesterday everyone appeared in black. The director and the producer presented the cast with special 3D glasses. Then everyone with almost 1,000 members of the media and fans watched some of the trailer. Lau Wai Keung said that earlier he did not plan on 3D, but after editing the producer thought that with 3D it would be even better. Thus they spent a lot of time on the 3D post production. The director said, "Although the legend said that December 21 would be the end of the world, we would be fine. Everyone would be welcome to watch the film to celebrate." Lau Wai Keung also pointed out that the actors all suffered because the location took a long time to arrive. In addition their costumes were very heavy. Jing Boran for example everyday yelled at himself to ride better. Yue Man Lok in another riding scene had 50 horses in pursuit. If he fell it would have been very dangerous. Lee Yuchun had it the worst as he personally slapped her. Yue Man Lok pointed out that Hong Kong directors were known for being mean, but Lau Wai Keung had a magic power so he would be gladly scolded. Since they have worked together before they were used to the scolding. Huang Xiaoming also revealed the director's secret, citing that as soon as he saw the director drinking on the set he knew their day would end soon. The director felt that drinking could better actors' performance. Xiaoming said, "The director has two great and two rotten, his personality and directions were great, his liquor tolerance was rotten, his Putonghua was even more rotten." Everyone was holding their belly laughing. The only female fighter in the film Lee Yuchun was exposed as "sleeping god". Xiaoming said that he had proof, every time she slept he would take a photo. She could sleep no matter when or where. Yue Man Lok also said that after Yuchun felt asleep everyone would take photos with her. Now the photos were in their phones. * (2012/08/21) The film LAN KWAI FONG 2 (HEI OI YEH PO 2) two nights ago held its premiere. Director Wilson Chin Kwok Wai led the cast to the event. The actresses all appeared in low cut clothing. Although Angelina Zhang (Cheung Woon Ngai) was already wearing a pushed up bra, Mia was even sexier. She posed for intimate photos with Chrissie Chau Sau Na's girlfriend Avis and successfully stole the spotlight. Mia displayed her "career line". She joked that this was not the "Career line" but the box office line; "The higher the box office goes, the line depth can be adjusted." Mia boasted about stealing the spotlight. "I am the lead, I am a little prettier." * (2012/08/21) August 19 was Sammi Cheng Sau Man's birthday. Just turning 40 she yesterday immediately worked on the Johnnie To Kei Fung directed THE BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM). Reportedly yesterday the film shot a driving scene. Sammi and Andy Lau Tak Wa were working on a highway. Although the shoot was on the side of the road, the crew still prepared a birthday for Sammi. The crew bought a lot of cake to form the word MI for the birthday girl. To Kei Fung, Wa Jai, Yau Nai Hoi and others congratulated her. Sammi was the happiest about the weather permitting them to shoot smoothly. Sammi even posted photos online. "Many strong men celebrates with Mi. With strong men, Mi doesn't turn anyone away." * (2012/08/20) Leo Ku Kui Ke, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung and Stephanie Cheng Yung yesterday attended an event. Si Hing due to his high profile admission of dating Joey Yung Cho Yi attracted a lot of negative news. Thus he was not willing to talk more about his love life. He has been absent from the promotion of his movie with Joey, DIVA. He did not celebrate with his first birthday with Joey. Yesterday Si Hing actually had time to attend the event. Although he looked displeased when asked about his relationship with Joey, he admitted that his love life was happy. As for being absent from the promotion, Si Hing explained that everyday he has been working on his new series SECOND LIFE for 14 hours. He truly had no way of appearing due to the scheduling conflict; yesterday's event was planned long ago so he had time to attend. Was he worried that the focus of the promotion would be on his relationship with Joey? He said, "No, indeed I have been busy. I will have to work until September 15. Then I will go to Vanuatu for a travel special. If I have time I would definitely promote the film." Yesterday DIVA producer Chapman To Man Jat was also present and even stated that he had to question Si Hing why he was absent from the promotion. Si Hing said, "Tell him to question me! Today I am promoting as an actor." He also denied that he was pressured from promoting. His schedule was so tight that he only had a day off for his birthday. Did Joey appear to celebrate? He said, "No, I really was very busy. (Has you not seen Joey since the series began?) No comment. (Did she give you a gift?) No." A magazine caught him looking displeased at a night spot. He explained that was because he gained 20 pounds. "I used to be very fit. It's very hard to get over that. (Does Joey like your strong arm?) I don't like to have a big belly. Hopefully I will get thin again." * (2012/08/20) Peter Chan Ho Sun's new film earlier held a new film title recruitment. Finally MR. CHINA won with 37.6% of the votes. Chan Ho Sun in the early draft of the script already put his mind on the title. Because the screen writing team could not go to an agreement on the title, they just handed the decision to the viewers with an online survey. The title with the most vote would become the official title. On the microblog alone over 3,500 votes were cast. Finally MR. CHINA won, which happened to be Chan Ho Sun's choice as well. Because the film was about the dream of three university friends working together to found an English training school, "Mr." was a respectful title for a teacher. Mr. China's English school, Chan Ho Sun felt, had a delicate humor and irony. Thus this title was his favorite. Yesterday Chan Ho Sun invited the media to visit the Beijing set and interview the three leads Huang Xiaoming, Deng Chao and Tong Dawei. Huang Xiaoming who was in a costume fitting was with multiple Hong Kong Film Award and Golden Horse Award winning costume designer Dora Ng Lei Lo. Earlier the three leads' nostalgic costumes have already been released, yesterday on the setting they looked quite modern. After years of toiling they became "big shots". After they left their luxury vehicles reporters flocked to interview them. Chan Ho Sun revealed that the film after completing its Mainland shoot at the end of August will continue to shoot in New York. The film is expected to finish by the end of September. * (2012/08/19) Joey Yung Cho Yi and Chapman To Man Jat visited 8 cinemas over 2 days for their Emperor Motion Picture DIVA audience appreciation. When Joey saw the sold out shows, she was both touched and grateful for the viewer and fan support. They even made surprise appearances for lucky drawings. A female viewer was so happy that she called To Man Jat "pretty!" The Yung Cho Yi, Hu Ge starred, To Man Jat produced and starred Emperor film DIVA three days ago was released officially in Hong Kong. Joey who has promoted the new film with intensity in order to thank Hong Kong viewers and fans along with producer To Man Jat visited 8 cinemas over 2 days and conducted audience appreciation at 12 shows. Appearing as the female lead, Joey saw the many sold out shows was very emotional. The music diva has accumulated a lot of Hong Kong Coliseum sold out show experience, but she felt even more touched to see viewers fans at the cinema sold out shows. Joey and Ah Jat two nights ago not only made surprise appearances for audience appearance but also held lucky drawings with viewers. They gave also personally autographed posters. Many viewers happily praised them as handsome and pretty, one female viewer saw To Man Jat and praised, "Pretty girl!" Joey joked that why she did not received the same praise. Joey's fans also gave gifts to their idol. During the viewer interaction, Joey asked viewers the best part of the movie. When the audience said "I will take it!" Joey was reminded of the line when she fell into the gutter in the film and responded in kind. Ah Jat at every show also asked the audience to give more applause and encouragement to Joey, because Joey put all her effort and got into the emotions of the film. Ah Jat said that Joey's performance was good. Speaking of the box office, Ah Jat said that the opening box office felt decent and was satisfied as expected. Joey said that as long as the producer was satisfied with the box office she was fine. * (2012/08/19) Today is Sammi Cheng Sau Man's 40th birthday. Although 40 may be a number that stops women dead in their tracks, Sammi looked forward to it very much. She posted online yesterday, "I look forward to the birthday tomorrow very much, because 40 has quite a freshness of life. Heeheehee!" Sammi and Andy Lau Tak Wa's new film THE BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM) due to her inner ear imbalance and Wa Jai's fatherhood halted production for awhile and resumed only days ago. In the film Sammi had many action scenes and recently she has been exercising hard. Yesterday she posted a sweat covered photo after her work out. "Sweat is the best healthy gift for Ms. 8 Kilometers! I look forward to the birthday tomorrow very much, because 40 has quite a freshness of life. Heeheehee! Friends originally wanted to celebrate with me, but the day after the birthday the production will resume. In order to avoid being distracted from pigging out and partying, I can only wait a little and make up for them later." * (2012/08/19) The film LAN KWAI FONG 2 (HEI OI YEH PO 2)'s cast including Shiga Lin Si Nga, Ma Model Mia, Avis Chan Wai Sing, Linah Matsuoka, Sammy Sum Chun Hin and others two nights ago appeared at a Tsim Sha Tsui cinema to give away glow sticks and posters at an advanced screening audience appreciation event. Mia said that this was the first time she watched LAN KWAI FONG 2. Because of her bed scene with Avis, during the shoot she worried that she would be embarrassed and distracted at the viewing. Now she felt a little nervous but hoped that the film would be a big hit. She revealed that she will celebrate the film's box office success by skinny dipping. Mia said, "I want to bring my two kids to a skinny dip on an isolated island. (Don't you have to spend some money for their education?) The photo book earlier sold decently with a six figure salary. The most important is being happy." Shiga revealed that her co-star Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu was working on a series in the Mainland and could not attend. Hopefully he could return for the premiere. Shiga earlier has already watched an advanced screening. When she saw her intimate scene with Kwan Chor Yiu she felt embarrassed. Speaking of Mia's skinny dipping, Shiga joked, "I am afraid that no one wants to see me skinny dip, maybe I will buy dinner. I will think about it later." Speaking of a Taiwan rich kid's female star date rape case, did Shiga feel bad for those female stars? She had no comment because it was unrelated to her, but she read the report and felt that girls whether in the business or not should handle photos with care. She also said, "This news has so many different versions being rumored, who knows which one is real. Those involved haven't responded yet, I have no comment." Shiga also said that when she entertained she definitely would have an assistant by her side. At dinners with not so close friends, she absolutely would not drink anything randomly. * (2012/08/18) Joey Yung Cho Yi, Raymond Lam Fung, William Chan Wai Ting yesterday attended a press conference to announce the September 4 Metro Radio concert. Mag Lam Yun Tung who lost her voice will also appear. At the press conference, Lam Fung and William received a suggestion for them to perform CHOK. Joey and William immediately pretended to be under his spell and Lam Fung did not know whether to laugh or to cry. Joey wanted to dance and sing with Lam Fung. She also wanted to perform the DIVA theme song with Lam Yun Tung because she rarely performed with a female singer. Joey admitted that she did not know how she was doing. The last time at the premiere she realized that she was talking with her breathing and thought it was a throat issue. However this was just one of the issues, adjusting her emotions would be the most important. Joey said, "On a certain level this depended on will power. Luckily I was more optimistic. She is a little more worried and emotional. I recommended a doctor to her, she went to Nanjing to be treated." Speaking of her boyfriend Wilfred Lau Ho Lung's birthday, Joey said that she would not respond to questions about him. Although he was in the film, he has not appeared in any promotion. Joey changed the subject and pretended to be lost but she still could not dodge the question. If the company made arrangements would she mind? She said, "Then you should ask the company. (Has your heart quieted down yet?) It can't be more quiet, now the inaction overcomes the action. (Would you mind promoting together?) I don't answer no matter what." * (2012/08/18) Chen Bo-Lin and Ivy Chen two day ago promoted their film SILENT CODE in Ximending. They attracted almost 1,000 people. Ivy Chen screamed through a bull horn "Come out and face us!" and went to the premiere stage with Chen Bo-Lin, Puff Kuo (Kwok Shuet Fu), Hsiu Chieh-Kai and others. Because female lead Ivy Chen was busy working in the Mainland, she has not been promoting with the team and did not appear until before the film release. At the press conference not only the host but also co-star Chen Bo-Lin kept poking fun at her. Host Mickey Huang said, "The scene in which you argued with Ivy Chen over the phone gave me the goose bumps, you really hate Ivy Chen right?" Chen Bo-Lin said, "Right, she doesn't make any appearance." Ivy Chen could only apologize. Mickey Huang still did not spare her. "Hey Lady, everyone has already been to (Tai) Pei Chung Nan and almost died from heat. They have suffered enough, hurry up and comfort them. Why do you think today you have to sweep the streets?" Ivy Chen said that she has been screaming all along the way and lost her voice. She said, "My voice is like this, I have come to face everyone, what more do you want?" Mickey Huang finally let her go. In addition, Aga Tsai and Chen Bo-Lin's Taiwanese educational films were very popular online. Ivy Chen said, "My Taiwanese is much better than Chen Bo-Lin's, why didn't you ask me?" Chen Bo-Lin joked that if the film will be a hit, the sequel will be in Taiwanese. * (2012/08/18) Sexy goddess Ellen Chan Nga Lun yesterday appeared on the Cable program Ladies' Night and talked about the film industry's hidden secret of "getting close to the director for screen time". Ellen admitted that she knew about this hidden rule and even admitted that she would fight for more screen time with the director. Ellen said, "I would ask the director to dinner and ask, 'Can I have more time in the film?' and communicate how I should play the scenes." Ellen recently in a film played a mob Big Sister Big who specialized in training a group of female assassins who got close to their targets then killed them when they least expected it. Ellen felt that beauty was a female assassin's greatest weapon. "When men see pretty girls they are already dazed, when they are messed up you can take action!" Ellen agreed that pretty girls had an edge because people liked to look at pretty things. She personally appreciated the pretty exterior because looking at what was inside. Ellen even shared her exclusive "electrocution" secret. She said that the highest state of electrocution was being inadvertent. Even when she saw a guy she liked in public she definitely would not take the initiative. She would have ways of making him notice her though. First she would sit somewhere he could see her, then she would inadvertently run her fingers through her hair and use body language to attract him. Very soon he would come over and talk to her. Ellen even revealed that she was very picky, as she has never been "electrocuted" by any man. She thought men who did that made her sick. * (2012/08/18) The Derek Yee Tung Sing produced, Law Chi Leung directed, Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Lau Ching Wan, Mini Yang Mi, Jing Boran, Liu Kai Chi starred THE BULLET VANISHES (SIU SUT DIK JI DAN) will be released on September 16 in Hong Kong. Lau Ching Wan in the film played a hot blooded detective. He not only personally performed in many explosions and gun fights but also was hung and had to feed an ostrich. Ching Wan has rarely performed stunts, but in THE BULLET VANISHES he personally performed a flip. Unfortunately his character was a detective who used his head. Every time he fought he took a beating. In one scene Ting Fung and Ching Wan followed up on the arsenal murder case leads and became targets. Ting Fung risked his life to save his love; but the logic non fighter Ching Wan joined in and finally took a beating. Ching Wan was strangled, held up then slammed back to the ground. He personally performed the stunt the entire way. For the character he did not mind the pain. * (2012/08/18) Simon Yam Tat's first collaboration with Korean actors, THE THIEVES, has already had over 1,000 viewers. The film was the sixth highest grossing film in Korean history and even the champion of this year. Earlier the cast already began audience appreciation events. Yam Tat Wa this time worked with Korean Best Actor Kim Yun-Seok, Lee Jung-Jae and others. He even developed an overseas romance with veteran Korean actress Kim Hae-Suk in the film, as they disguised themselves as a Japanese couple for a theft, ended up falling for each other and going on the run. Director Choi Dong-Hun laughed when he talked about the reason behind casting Yam Tat Wa. "When I watched Hong Kong films when I was little, Yam Tat Wa always played the villain. At the time I didn't like him much. Later as an adult when I watched (Johnnie) To Kei Fung's movies, I finally realized how actors with the passing of time became even more cultured, mature and charming. I feel very honored to be able to work with him." Yam Tat Wa admitted that working with the Korean team was very pleasant and even said that he has always wanted to work with Kim Hae-Suk. This time he got his wish as he had a lot of screen time with her. He even had a kiss scene with her. Because he and Kim Hae-Suk had to play a Japanese couple, he also learned Japanese. * (2012/08/17) The Stephen Fung Tak Lun directed film TAI CHI 0 yesterday officially released its final trailer, which had Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) style kung fu, Jackie Chan style comedy action, and Tony Leung Ka Fai, Angelababy, Eddie Peng Yu-yen, Feng Shaofeng, Shu Qi, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) and others. The film was about a young orphan who knew no martial art after a series of hardship arriving into the "Chen Clan Village", a paradise on Earth. He originally thought that he would be able to learn kung fu and make a name for himself, but everyone in the village told him that the Chen Clan Fist would never be taught to an outsider. Angelababy and Peng Yu-yen even lead a gang to drive him out. Angelababy's mysterious father Leung Ka Fai had a strange temper and demeanor. Feng Shaofeng who appeared with a cloak also wore a strange smile. Every villager was skilled, even the uncle on the roadside Xiong Xinxin and the girl playing on the sreet could kill with every move. * (2012/08/17) After Tony Leung Chiu Wai sacrificed his electrifying eyes and relied on his acting to play a blind person in the film THE SILENT WAR (TING FUNG JEH), another Heavenly King Andy Lau Tak Wa reunited with Sammi Cheng Sau Man with the same difficult challenge. Wa Jai in his new film THE BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN HUP) played the title role and abandoned his Heavenly King identity. Sammi this time would need a lot of energy because she would have many action scenes in the film; however, because earlier Sammi suffered from inner ear imbalance and Wa Jai became a father the film halted production for awhile. After Johnnie To Kei Fung was done being busy with another film and Sammi's recovery, the film finally returned to work two days ago. From the photos online, they looked very lively in the heat. Sammi obviously has returned to form. Wa Jai was full of smiles; viewers would look forward very much to this iron triangle team. * (2012/08/17) Joey Yung Cho Yi and Chapman To Man Jat last night attended a DIVA promotion in Tsim Sha Tsui and an audience appreciation at a Tsim Sha Tsui cinema. Last night a Hong Kong tropical cyclone warning signal 3 was raised. Ah Jat said that the storm would be go for two businesses: movies and restaurants. Hopefully this storm would not be as damaging as last time. He also hoped that it would help the film box office. Joey was this film's female lead. Ah Jat hoped that everyone's acting would be recognized. Ah Jat's other film VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) has already passed 10 million at the box office. Joey already forced Ah Jat to buy her dinner. He said, "If tonight DIVA's opening breaks 1 million, I will force her to buy me dinner back." Joey said that she would not only buy Ah Jat's dinner, she would even personally cook. She said, "We are both vegetarians, maybe I will cook a few vegetables for him." Joey said that this time she already did her best, one more step further than before. She also joked that she could vie for a Best Actor award, thanks to Ah Jat's explanations from the sideline. She said, "In one scene Ah Jat yelled at me with foul language. At the time my response was very real. I really have to thank him for his guidance." * (2012/08/17) The Mark Chao (Chiu Yau Ting) and Huang Bo and AngelaBaby starred BLACK AND WHITE EPISODE I THE DAWN OF ASSAULT will be released in Hong Kong on August 30. The film did not lack action scenes. Director Tsai Yueh-Hsun asked the actors to personally perform all the stunts. The actors all risked their lives in their performance, especially Chiu Yau Ting. He not only had to drive fast to shake a tail, but he also daringly jumped from a bridge to capture a crook and hung from a plane straight toward the Tuntex Sky Tower. Golden Horse Best Actor Huang Bo worked on his first Taiwan film and worked with Chiu Yau Ting for the first time as well. He was scared half to death. Huang Bo recalled, "When I just arrived I wasn't familiar with Chiu Yau Ting, I didn't know how crazy he was." For the first car chase scene, Huang Bo completely did not know that Chiu Yau Ting would be "Hero Wu" possessed as soon as he heard action. Huang Bo sat in the Chiu Yau Ting driven car. He only saw Chiu Yau Ting floored the gas pedal and drove over 200 kilometers per hour to quickly shake off the tail. Huang Bo was stunned. After getting out he said to Director Tsai and Chiu Yau Ting, "That handle needs a little repair, I crushed it. Being young is really great, he isn't afraid to die." This was also Baby's first action film. Playing a mysterious woman, she showed off her skill in the film. She carried a rocket and also dove from 20 floors above. Although she screamed in horror, she still insisted on personally performing professionally. * (2012/08/17) Tsui Hark's previous film DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (DIK YUN KIT ji TUNG TIN DAI GOK) was a commercial and critical hit. Now he and Huayi Brothers teamed up again on the DETECTIVE DEE PREQUEL, the production of which would be even bigger, the style more mysterious, the cast even fresher, and the special effects even more pinnacle. Tsui Hark even for the first time attempted to actualize a 3D shoot underwater and pushed the Chinese film technique toward a new level. As for actors, top actors and actresses from three lands on both sides of the strait included AngelaBaby, Feng Shaofeng, Chiu Yau Ting, the rising star from SCARLET HEART Lin Gengxin, BOYS OVER FLOWERS Korean hunk Kim Beom and others. For her first Tsui Hark film, Baby did her homework. She not only turned down all project for the second half of the year but also studied the Tang Dynasty female fashion culture. She discovred that in the Tang Dynasty only after Yang Guifei was "fat considered beauty". She joked, "Then my shape still passes!" Tsui Hark was Feng Shaofeng's idol. Feng said that he had to "sneak a peek" at what he did to learn; Chiu Yau Ting was attracted to Tsui Hark's fantastic imagination. As for Lin Gengxin and Kim Beom, when asked about why they took this role they acted like fans. "Because of Tsui Hark. I wanted to be in his movies even in my dream." * (2012/08/17) Coming to Hong Kong to promote the new film GIRLFRIEND BOYFRIEND, Taiwan female star Kwai Lun-Mei two nights ago attended a fashion show. As for the recently popular Hong Kong film VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET), Siu Mei said, "I also paid attention to this film, I heard the box office was decent but I didn't catch it in time." Siu Mei yesterday already returned to Taiwan, she hoped to be able to leave Hong Kong before the storm. Did she miss her boyfriend Leon Dai? Siu Mei stressed that work came first for her. "My future job will be mainly making movies." Has she considered marriage? She stressed, "For now I haven't thought about it. Marriage doesn't need to be planned. If suddenly we get the feeling then we would wed. I won't eliminate that we may get married in a flash." Siu Mei also said, "Marriage isn't the most important in a relationship. Being together is the most important. Boyfriend hasn't proposed yet." Recently a Taiwan rich kid was involved in drugging, raping and taking many female stars' photos. Was any woman around her involved? She said, "My friends in the business are only Chen Bo-Lin, (Joseph) Chang Hau Chuen and Fung Siu Ngok (Rhydian Vaughn). All are guys." Would she ask her male friends not to take photos? Siu Mei said, "They probably wouldn't." * (2012/08/16) Opening last Thursday, the film VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET)'s cumulative box office already made HK$10,152,026 as of 6PM yesterday and successfully broke the 10 million mark! Director Pang Ho Cheung and Chapman To Man Jat earlier at the celebration said that if the box office passed 20 million the boss would take them on a holiday. Now the mark has been passed, Pang Ho Cheung two nights ago posted online, "Today's box office came out, under Tuesday's half price discount VULGARIA still was on top of the box office with 1.28 million, the 6 day cumulative box office has reached 9.45 million already! VULGARIA cast and crew, hurry up and pack, wait for my notification!" Krystal Tin Yui Nei immediately replied, "The crew must be rewarded! The holiday is necessary!" To Man Jat thanked the audience online. "I never imagined the memory of my youth in Guangxi with a donkey would perform so well on the silver screen. Some vulgar experience in life seemingly can turn into comedy some day! After six days in release the box office was 9.5 million, tomorrow it will head toward 10 million! Thank you everyone for your support! I love Hong Kong!" * (2012/08/16) The Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred film THE SILENT WAR (TING FUNG JEH) was no match for VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) at the Hong Kong box office but was a big hit in the Mainland. Its first week total box office was almost 150 million RMB. Two days ago Wai Jai and directors Alan Mak Siu Fai and Felix Chong Man Keung attended the Guangzhou celebration. Wai Jai said, "As an actor, basically without the box office I won't have anything. After the movie is made, the boss makes money and we continue to have movies to make. This is very important." Wai Jai in the film played blind and gave up his electrifying eyes to act. He said that it was very hard and he never wanted to play blind again. "I have always been used to act with my eyes, suddenly not using them was very painful." The directors hoped to make OVERHEARD 3 (SIT TING FUNG WON 3) and basically has already written the script. * (2012/08/16) After the film A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH), Andy Lau Tak Wa will invest on another film MEI NAM GEI (PRETTY MAN JOURNAL) with a Post 80 new comer creative team. After the success of CRAZY STONE years ago and last year LOVE IS NOT BLIND's stimulation of the market, Wa Jai again set his sight on low budget films. At the end of last year he began to gather film scripts about love. After reading MEI NAM GEI he immediately decided on investing and even planned to guest star as himself, the female lead's dream lover. Reportedly CRAZY STONE's overnight success director Ning Hao even volunteered to direct, but Wai Jai felt that his style did not fit MEI NAM GEI and declined. Finally he even decided on using a new director and give a film industry new comer with potential a chance. * (2012/08/16) Joey Yung Cho Yi last night attended the DIVA premiere with Chapman To Man Jat, director Heiward Mak Hei Yan and others. Earlier her boyfriend Wilfred Lau Ho Lung (Si Hing) had a birthday. Cho Yi said that she was in the Mainland and was not free to celebrate the first birthday as a couple with her boyfriend. She also said that she would no longer talk about her personal life, resisting connecting her name to love as if she wanted to keep a low profile on it. Yung Cho Yi and To Man Jat last night promoted the new film. Joey was in a great mood and even took the chance to promote the Ah Jat starred VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET). She said that VULGARIA was not vulgar at all, which made everyone laugh. Joey could not help but poke fun at herself, "I rarely speak, everyone is laughing so happily." Later Joey also praised how amazing Ah Jat was and wished that DIVA could continue VULGARIA's momentum. Joey said, "I have been promoting in the Mainland and only returned to Hong Kong two nights ago. I learned that the online advanced sales trend has been decent, I was much more relaxed." Speaking of the the ticket price being slashed in half to promote sales, Joey said that she did not read the report. The most important was the film's response from the first two days. She said, "No matter how many audience appreciation events I will go to it's not a problem. I will put all of my effort into promoting." Speaking of her boyfriend Si Hing's birthday earlier, she reiterated that she would no longer respond. As for whether she cooked or gave a make up gift, she still declined to comment. "I am not talking! Thank you for everyone's concern. I don't want for the news to revolve around this every time." Joey felt that if she responded every time she would agree to keep connecting the names. Thus she chose to be a little more merciless. Did she not want her name to be linked to Si Hing? She said, "I don't want to be connected to love completely because this is my private life. People who know would understand." Has she reached an understanding with her boyfriend? She stressed, "I am not saying it again." Ah Jat wore a "gold Rolex", which he joked that it was the only watch that he did not pawn. He has pawned many before. Was he getting richer lately? He said, "Now I am making a star salary, and spending on assistant expenses." Speaking of his VULGARIA defeating Tony Leung Chiu Wai's THE SILENT WAR (TING FUNG JEH), Ah Jat was not satisfied with herself. He only said, "My achievement of this lifetime cannot be compared to Wai Jai's. Comments like that are unfair. Wai Jai's film made over 100 million in the Mainland. The strongest in Hong Kong, AVATAR, only made around the same." Ah Jat said that Hong Kong's population of 7 million could not compare to the Mainland's 1.3 billion. He only wanted to make domestic productions. He also revealed that Sunday he will pick up plastic pellets at Big Wave Bay and promote VULGARIA. He urged people to volunteer for the pellet collection in exchange for film tickets. * (2012/08/16) Jennifer Tse Ting Ting yesterday modeled the Dorian Ho designed 8.88 million pearl wedding gown. Ting Ting later will go to Malaysia for a movie shoot. Earlier she just auditioned for another movie in the U.S. but so far nothing has been confirmed. At the end of the month she will attend the NAKED WEAPON (JUET SIK MO HEI) premiere. Reportedly Wong Jing wanted to focus the promotion on her and asked other actors like Ellen Chan Nga Lun not to attend the premiere. Ting Ting said, "I have heard about that, I don't know who will go. I only care whether Andy (On Chi Kit) and (Philip) Ng Won Lung would go. Actually everyone had pretty much the same screen time in the movie, no one was really the lead. I didn't ask Brother Jing. Usually when a movie is released it has a lot of speculation and news, but I liked working with Chan Nga Lun very much. I thought she was very pretty." * (2012/08/16) The 2012 Summer International Film Festival opening ceremony took place two nights ago. The event invited the opening film GIRLFRIEND BOYFRIEND leads Joseph Chang Hau Chuen, Rhydian Vaughn (Fung Siu Ngok) and Kwai Lun-Mei and director Yang Ya-Che to attend. Chang Hau Chuen and Fung Siu Ngok had a kiss scene in the film. Chang Hau Chuen pointed out that before the shoot he knew no idea because Siu Ngok and the director came up with it. However this scene was very helpful to the dramatic development. He admitted though he was a little threatened because Siu Ngok suddenly kissed him. He was not embarrassed. In the film Hau Chuen also had to bare his back. He said that Siu Mei played a trick on his character. He thought it was pretty fun. Did he train more before hand? Hau Chuen said that his figure was still good and he still worked the way he did before. Chang Hau Chuen earlier with this film won the Taipei Film Festival Best Actor award. When asked about the confidence of winning other awards, he admitted that he did not think much about it. He only hoped that everyone would like this film, which performed decently in Taiwan. Siu Mei and Fung Siu Ngok played a couple in the film and also had a kiss scene. Speaking of her boyfriend Leon Dai praising her performance as the best out of the three, Siu Mei laughed and said, "Thank you!" In addition, director Yang Ya-Che pointed out that the film had great response after a week in release in Taiwan. Now his pressure has lessen and he hoped the film in Hong Kong would have just as good word of mouth. * (2012/08/16) The film LAN KWAI FONG 2 (HEI OI YEH PO 2) two nights ago held a promotion at a night spot and even invited the cast of the first film to promote. They included Model Ma Mia Chen Jing Yi and Lavina Chung Wai Chi. Shiga Lin Si Nga whose figured were no match for them showed off her back, while Jeana Ho Pui Yu gave up automatically and put away her chest. Linked in rumors with Mia, Chrissie Chau Sau na's boyfriend Avis Chan Wai Sing joked that interpreting the film's "night spot has true love" motto almost "destroyed his family and killed him". Director Wilson Chin Kwok Wai jokingly told Avis to bring his girlfriend Chau Sau Na to the premiere to prove that they were fine. Mia stated that her premiere night fashion choice would be even more outstanding. Because this was her first leading role, she had to go all out. She even said that said from her career line, she might show other lines at the premiere. Speaking of Avis' comment, she pointed out that they only had exchanges in the film to express true love at night spots. During the shoot she even gave him some chap stick. When they shot they shot for several hours, everyone's lips were chapped. Jeana explained that she only came in support, sexy will have to wait until her own movie. Speaking of her dating life with Parkman Cheung, Jeana said that the relationship was stable but for now they had no plan to wed. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. APPLE DAILY, AUGUST 19 2012, ELECTRIC FILM ROAD PARTY ON FIRE Wilson Chin Kwok Wai last year directed for the first time and made SUMMER LOVE (LUEN HA LUEN HA LUEN LUEN HA) and LAN KWAI FONG (HEI OI YEH PO). This year he made LAN KWAI FONG 2, which meant that he had a market and his success ratio was half. This time LAN 2 extended the passion from the previous installment and set off sparks again. In the film Chrissie Chau Sau Na's boyfriend Avis, Ma Model Mia's roles expanded from the film to outside the film, their effort indeed was worth extra points. Mia even revealed that during the shoot she had a biological response, which again was worth another level of elevation; Mainland representative Liu Yuqi tempted Sammy Sum Chun Hin with her busts; Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu returned from rehab, and Shiga Lin Si Nga whose erotic photos were leaked after further consideration went all out with a bathroom intimate scene. All were rather attractive. - CHEUNG CHUN MING, HO WING NING, MAN KWOK CHUN Romantic Team: Heating Up The Director Kwan Chor Yiu and Lin Si Nga lay down their performance in LAN. Kelvin was only wearing a pair of revealing underwear in one scene and his co-star was naked and they shared an intimate shower. Kelvin said, "Everyone was very professional, during the shoot we didn't have to clear the set. Sometimes when I touched Shiga's chest I felt a little awkward, but she told me to relax and act." Kelvin also thanked director Chin Kwok Wai for the arrangement, as they first shot some simple kiss scenes. Kelvin said, "For the first scene he arranged for us to hug and kiss, but I was so nervous and stiff that the director flared up." Kelvin said that during the shoot he indeed had a dating feeling with Shiga, but before the passion scene he still had to drink for courage. Shiga said about the bed scene with Kelvin, "I have known Kelvin for a long time, but we started with the intimate scene and it was still embarrassing. Luckily the director saved the most extreme scene for the end. At the time everyone was already in character." Passion Team: Live Reaction Sexy Ma Model Mia Chen Jing Yi in her first time worked with also first time film actor, Chrissie Chau Sau Na's boyfriend Avis Chan Wai Sing. Their passion scene was full of movement, which filled Avis with complaints. Mia also revealed that she had a biological reaction from the touching. "Every move had to be shot for multiple angels, the most ten times. For the girl above guy below move, I sat for a long time and it was comfortable. So having a reaction was normal." Although Mia has known Avis for years, during the sex scene they were still nervous. She had to drink some Baiju to stir up her mood. Mia also said that during the shoot she fell for Avis. "Only from getting into the character did I have the lover feeling. The feeling was very real, but I was able to leave the character." Release Date: August 23 Acting for the first time, Avis had to handle a lot of bed scenes. "I wanted to communicate better with Mia, so when we had time we would meet to test the marks." In one scene Mia had to sit on Avis. Avis said, "Mia sat on top of me and cut off the blood flow to my lower body, I was all numb down there." Avis also said that he did not have to explain to his girlfriend Chau Sau Na about this film. "Our relationship is very interesting. We don't have to say much. Instead the more we explain the more we feel something is going on." Sneaking Around Team: Third Party Suspicion Claiming to be secretly dating Raymond Lam Fung, the 25 year old Mainland bust goddess Liu Yuqi had many scenes with Sammy Sum Chun Hin. During the shoot, Lam Fung was caught meeting with Karena Ng Chin Yu. Liu Yuqi immediately said that Lam Fung cheated her love. During the shoot did Liu Yuqi recall being with Lam Fung? She said, "Let's not talk about it again. My mood has been normal, without too much fluctuation." Liu Yuqi also was accused of acting for real with Sum Chun Hin and she came between Shum and JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun). Liu Yuqi said, "I am not a third party, I mind being the third party and don't like to promote with the third party." Liu Yuqi and Sum Chun Hin's store front window sex scene led to pedestrians to call the police. Facing the bust goddess, Sum Chun Hin said, "It's just a nickname. She is pretty direct and is a pretty good friend." Sum Chun Hin worked on his first kiss scene this time, then had an even more difficult love scene. He said, "I have communicated with Yuqi, I am very happy that she trusted me." 2. APPLE DAILY, AUGUST 18 2012, ELECTRIC FILM ROAD PANG HO CHEUNG A TO Z Many of Pang Ho Cheung's movies are confessions from the experienced. When he reached the 11th full length feature VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET), with form fitting authenticity he was able to defeat Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Zhou Xun's big movie THE SILENT WAR (TING FUNG JEH) at the Hong Kong box office and with word of mouth. Pang Ho Cheung's advantage was his understanding of Hong Kong people. Earlier at the Book Fair forum, Hong Kong hosts had to speak Putonghua, so it was rare that Director Pang who went to work in the North insisted on "Cantonese speak Cantonese". His creation so far has already had a group of stable crew and cast. Behind the movies were secrets that very few knew. This time the paper would explain Director Pang's A to Z to everyone. - SO FUN NEI AV Director Pang loved the Adult Video subject. YOU SHOOT I SHOOT (MAI HUNG PAK YUN) starred Asuka Higuchi as an adult video actress. For Av he even approached AV queen Amamiya Manami to star. Actually Manami resembled Director Pang's first love. After the shoot they still communicated. BART In YOU BUY I BUY Eric Kot Man Fai played Bart, the name of which came from Director Pang's crew, opening title designer Bart Wong Ying Ho. In BUY Cheung Tat Ming played Ah Chuen, who was editor Lee Tung Chuen. Lee also guest starred in VULGARIA COMMENTARY The DVD of every Director Pang movie had commentary about the production. YOU BUY I BUY was even the first DVD with a director commentary. Only DREAM HOME (WAI DOR LEI AH YUT HO) did not, which was due to Director Pang and Boss and female lead Josie Ho Chiu Yi's confrontation according to rumors. DIRECTOR Big director Feng Xiaogang received Pang's permission to use the "Difference Terminal" from AV in his film IF YOU ARE THE ONE. Director Feng thanked Pang in the ending credit and also guest starred in Pang's TRIVIAL MATTER (BOR SI YI) to return the favor. ENDING Director Pang's film endings are often surprising, as he twists the idea until no one expects it. Anyone who have seen BEYOND OUR KEN (GUNG JU FOOK SAU GEI), MEN SUDDENLY IN BLACK (DAI JEUNG FU) and EXODUS (CHOOK AI CUP GEI) would certainly agree. FOUL LANGUAGE Hong KOng film censor has a zero tolerance policy on foul language as it is all categorized as category III. Directors due to the box office can only give in. Director Pang does not however, as EXODUS, LOVE IN A PUFF (JI MING YU CHU GIU) and VULGARIA all had authentic Cantonese foul language in all its glory. GIRL Man of Director Pang Ho's work starts from a female point of view, so he needs many female screen writers' help like BEYOND OUR KEN's Wong Wing Sze, ISABELLA's Pang Sau Wai and EXODUS's Chuek Wan Chi. HUH!? Huh!? was a 90s Hong Kong independent band. In 98 Director Pang's novel FULL TIME KILLER was adapted for a radio play, the theme song was Huh!?'s BEAUTIFUL NIGHT. TRIVIAL MATTER also used this song in its end credit. ISABELLA Director Pang made two female stars whose names started with the letter I into stars. Isabella Leong Lok Si with ISABELLA won a Best Actress Award in Portugal. Isabel Chan Yat Ning in TRIVIAL MATTER rose due to her giving oral sex to Eason (Chan Yik Shun). Later she also starred in LOVE IN A PUFF. JIM CHIM Chim Shui Man long ago made a name for himself in the theater, but also shone brilliantly in the film industry completely due to Director Pang's sharp eye when he invited him to star in YOU BUY I BUY as Twin Gun Hung and Kwok Wai Bun. KILLER Pang Ho Cheung has a thing for killers. YOU BUY I BUY's Kot Man Fai and TRIVIAL MATTER's Shawn Yue Man Lok are both salutes to LE SAMOURAI's Alain Delon LAU WAI HANG Lau Wai Hang has been Director Pang's friend for years, they have known each other from as early as his Commercial Radio days. Lau Wai Hang often guest starred in Pang's movies like AV, TRIVIAL MATTER and LOVE IN A PUFF. MAINLAND Director Pang sometimes would reflect the Mainland's shortcoming. Co-production film LOVE IN THE BUFF (CHUN GIU YU JI MING) on the surface pleases the Mainland as it made Mini Yang Mi and Xu Zheng into ultimate lovers, yet in the end both became losers. In VULGARIA Ronald Cheng Chung Kei's mobster referred to not being punished for running someone over, an obvious stab at the Mainland judicial standard. NEW BALANCE It is Yue Man Lok's fault. Round frame glasses, gray New Balance sneakers are all typical Jimmy's setup, all of which become popular due to LOVE IN THE BUFF. OFFENCE Playing a little pervert in AV, Chow Hin Fai in real life committed a sexual offense. Earlier he admitted to twice having oral sex, hand jobs and three time anal sex with a 14 year old. Finally he was sentenced to prison for three years and four months POP SONG Hong Kong Pop Songs has quite an influence on the Post 70s Director Pang. Local pop songs constantly appears in his work, like DREAM COMPANION (MUNG BOON) in ISABELLA and DON'T ASK WHO I AM (BIT MUNG NGOR SI SHUI) in LOVE IN THE BUFF. INTELLIGENCE QUOTIENT The genius director did not like to speak when he was little, and often did not known that he wrote words backward. His mother almost sent him to a school for children with mental deficiency. Later he went to a hospital for an IQ test and the result was 135, much higher than the ordinary people. REPETITION Pang Ho Cheung once boasted that even if the film was a hit he absolutely would not make a sequel. For example he did not make MEN SUDDENLY IN BLACK 2. However Director Pang went back on his word, after LOVE IN A PUFF was LOVE IN THE BUFF. He was rumored to be preparing the third film. SHORT FILM Before Director Pang officially began making movies he funded his own short films, among them SUMMER EXERCISE was full of his humorous nature. The film initially was about a child who has not finished his summer exercise being so afraid that he wanted to murder his teacher, but in the end his teacher was troubling over his summer exercise -- dismembering his girlfriend. TSANG KWOK CHEUNG Eric Tsang Chi Wai's son Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung after playing the young Tsang Chi Wai in MEN SUDDENLY IN BLACK became good friends with Pang Ho Cheung. Later he even performed in AV and DREAM HOME. Director Pang even became Tsang Kwok Cheung's new film LACUNA (DUEN LIU PIN)'s producer. UDINESE Udine, Italy was Director Pang's lucky land. Its Far East Film Festival seemed to take special care of him. DREAM HOME was selected as its closing film. This year LOVE IN THE BUFF and VULGARIA also were selected. VCD Almost all of Pang Ho Cheung's movies were released on VCD except one -- DREAM HOME. Perhaps investor Ho Chiu Yi thought VCD was too cheap! WIFE LOVE IN A PUFF and LOVE IN THE BUFF actually were the love story of Director Pang and his wife Leung Kai Yuen. In the film Yue Man Lok put dry ice into the toilet for the smoke effect. Director Pang said that was the most romantic thing that he has done for his wife. X-OVER Pang Ho Cheung loves to make cult films, of course he also loves cross-over. MEN SUDDENLY IN BLACK (DAI JEUN FU) the Tony Leung Ka Fai played Uncle Nine's original form was actually Ka Fai's Yam Yun Ga in another film JIANG HU THE TRIAD ZONE (GONG WU GO GUP). YAM YAM Susan Shaw Yam Yam is Director Pang's favorite. From YOU BUY I BUY to EXODUS and even the most recent VULGARIA, Sister Yam Yam has played important roles. Cheng Chung Kei who is obsessed with Sister Yam Yam in VULGARIA is actually Director Pang. ZZZ ZZZ is sleeping. In the end of VULGARIA, Mak Ling Ling who plays the hypnotist resolves To Man Jat's mystery. After being hypnotized Ah Jat's lower body keeps on shaking, giving viewers belly aches from laughing. 3. MING PAO DAILY, AUGUST 18 2012, FILM WORDS THREE MUSICALS, THREE MANAGERS First a correction. Last week when talking about VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET), Chapman To Man Jat's partner was written mistakenly as Matthew Chow Hoi Kwong but actually is Simon Lui Yu Yeung. In the film he introduces To Man Jat to Guangxi Parvenu film investor (Ronald Cheng Chung Kei). The wild game scene was very absurd, and Lui Yu Yeung's performance was extremely great. Because I watched the film at this year's Hong Kong International Film Festival, five months before the release, I mistook him for Chow Hoi Kwong who often took part in Pang Ho Cheung movies. (This time he played the past his prime director who operated an illegal housewife mahjong parlor and was also wonderful). This was an unforgivable mistake that must be apologized for. I also thank Lam Chiu Wing for informing me to make the correction. MCDULL Chats And Sings Light With Fun Galore VULGARIA already made 10 million in its first week, recently it remains on top of the chart, crushes this week's new films and becomes one of the few Hong Kong hit films. However Hollywood blockbusters have all the upper hand in the film market overall. Foreign films are the big winners of the summer. No wonder Hong Kong film professionals all head north. Because of the Mainland's import quota protection of domestic films, in recent months PAINTED SKIN RESURRECTION (WAT PEI 2) made over 700 million Yuan RMB and broke the highest box office record in Mainland film history. One of the big reasons was fewer Hollywood rivals. Currently Hong Kong film is at a disadvantage but should still remain free and open. Ultimately it has to be self sufficient and cannot set numerous restrictions to protect itself. This week's new films are three musicals, Hong Kong's THE PORK OF MUSIC (MCDULL DONG DONG BOON NGOR SUM) and DIVA as well as the Hollywood star studded ROCK OF AGES. I feel the best and the most entertaining is the Brian Tse Lap Man directed latest McDull animation. The previous film, the Wudang martial art trek MCDULL KUNG FU KINDERGARTEN (MCDULL HEUNG DONG DONG) was a Mainland hit. Now it returns to Hong Kong. Simply and light it still maintains Hong Kong style authenticity and is worth Hong Kong people's support for its nostalgia. The story truly is simple, Chun Tin Fa Fa Kindergarten faces the danger of closing and has to rely on the Fa Fa Choir to save it. Finally like a miracle the more it sings the more popular it becomes. This film is full of intimate childhood innocence and neighborhood feeling, as it chats and sings lightly it has fun galore. Each golden hit with new lyrics bring up our mixed sentiments. With many street scenery, it achieves the Hong Kong nostalgia with tears within laughter. Perhaps McDull animation's surprising fever has already faded, but this one is still cute, simply and interesting. McDull's "animal friend" classmates are interesting, Anthony Wong Chau Sun as the principle who wholeheartedly trains the choir and manages it is particularly touching with both laughter and tears. (Three and a half out of five stars) DIVA's Details Better Than Overall The new era female director Heiward Mak Hei Yan's new film DIVA after EX (CHIN DOH) shoots the currently brilliant music scene. The most outstanding is Chapman To Man Jat (also the producer) as the singer's manager. Smart and generous, sly and scheming, even cold and merciless, this character is full of dimensions that is "higher class" than but holds his own with VULGARIA's dirty producer. Actually this manager is not a villain. He seems to be evil but actually is good. In the end he is surprisingly kind hearted, seemingly beautifying the "leadership" level. Joey Yung Cho Yi as the diva class singer is also decent, displaying the "split personality" of the elegance on the stage and the dullness off it. Her romance with the handsome blind Mainland masseur (Hu Ge) is rather nature and pleasing. Mag Lam Yun Tung as the new female singer after being discovered by a big time manager suffers turbulence with his live in boyfriend Carlos Chan Ka Lok on the sea of love. She is also realistic. Mak Yan Hei is a new talent with lively visual skills. She captures the new era music weird "secrets", her handling of the relationship changes is particularly detailed. Yet her movies often have better details than they are overall, this story also drags on. Weak in its drama, the film curiously does not permit Yung Cho Yi to officially perform. It only has individual concert footage and even deliberately makes her lose her voice on the spot. This type of production is unconventional but fans may be somewhat disappointed. (Three out of five stars) - SHEK KEI [ In Production Now/Soon ] DETECTIVE DEE THE PREQUEL Can : Dik Yun Kit Chin Juen d. Tsui Hark Carina Lau Ka Ling, AngelaBaby, Feng Shaofeng, Mark Chao (Chiu Yau Ting), Lin Gengxin, Kim Beom 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) Can : Oi Ching Dat Yun Anita Yuen Wing Yi, Nelson Cheung Hok Yun, Edward Chui Woai Dong, Qiu Xinzhi, Naomi 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 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 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 September 6 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 ] 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 Rating : IIB Length : 105 mins. Opening August 23 2012 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] One night, a young and wild photographer at a party meets a rich girl with a mind of her own. They click instantly and set off the sparks of passion right away. Although they come from different backgrounds they do not mind at all. The rich girl's former boyfriend causes a rift between them. She even suddenly mentions a break up, which the photographer cannot accept...... NAKED SOLDIER d. Marco Mak Jennifer Tse Ting Ting, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Philip Ng, Ankie Beilke, Andy On Chi Kit Opening August 23 2012 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. WOLF CHILDREN Can : Long Dik Hai Ji Yu Wor Shuet Lit : Children of Wolf Rain and Snow d. Hosoda Mamoru Japanese Animation Length : 120 mins. Opening August 22 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Wolf-Children.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] University student Hana meets a werewolf, risks everything to fall in love, even marries him and has his children. Hana gives birth to a pair of cute siblings Yuki and Ame. One day, the werewolf unfortunately passes away. Hana in order to hide her secret is determined to bring her children to the countryside and live off the land. Yet facing a variety of difficulties, how will the wolf children grow up? GUNS AND ROSES Can : Wong Gum Dai Gip On Lit : Golden Big Robbery d. Ning Hao Lei Jiayin, Tao Hong, Cheng Yuanyuan, Guo Tao Length : 111 mins. Opening August 21 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Guns-and-Roses.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] In Manchuria during the Japanese occupation, Xiao Dongbei has his eyes on the Japanese military's eight tons of gold and teams up with a fake filmmaker and a real revolutionary, which becomes a process of baptism of life. ROBO G Can : Teet Gap Kei Hup G Lit : Iron Armor Senior Hero G d. Shinobu Yaguchi Mickey Curtis, Yuriko Yoshitaka Length : 111 mins. Opening August 19 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Kimura Electronics Research department's three man team develops a new generation "New Sea Breeze" robots as they swear to make a mark for their company at the convention. On the eve of the convention, "New Sea Breeze" accidentally jumps the fence! In the last minute they asks the 73 year old Shigemitsu Suzuki to dress up as a robot. He not only shows off at the Convention but also bravely saves female university student Yoko's life, becoming the talk of the town! Unfortunately, as the entire city is singing the praises of "New Sea Breeze"'s intelligence danger secretly appears! Facing the ordinary glory hound but incredibly lonely Grandpa Suzuki, the three man team has trouble appeasing him; in addition the "robot fan" Yoko begins to investigate the background of "New Sea Breeze". Other developers have also attempted to remove the robot's mysterious veil. The shocking secret of Robo G is about to be exposed! PUNCH Can : Wai Hai Ji Dik Yut Gik Lit : One Blow Of A Bad Boy d. Lee Han Yoo Ah-In, Kim Yun-Seok Length : 110 mins. Opening August 19 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Punch.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Known as a bad boy, Wan-Deuk is quite a fighter. As long as someone picks on his hunchback street performer father, his punch will surely land. He actually is very lonely and depressed inside. His shy smile reminds people of a young Takuya Kimura. His sky is waiting for boxing gloves and first love. "Bad Boy" also has a teacher who does not prefer to fight. Rebelling against his rich but heartless father he comes to this low class community to be Wan-Deuk's neighbor and class teacher. Yet he gossips that Wan-Deuk's biological mother actually is a Filipina maid. Actually they are two of a kind, the friendly teacher and student together create a beautiful community. ARCHITECTURE 101 Can : Chor Luen Jook Jik 101 Lit : First Love Architecture Trace 101 d. Lee Yong-Ju Uhm Tae-Woong, Han Ga-In, Lee Je-Hoon, Bae Suzy Length : 111 mins. Opening August 18 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Seung-Min is a 35 year old architect. One day, he receives a surprising business deal. The female client named Seo-Yeon is his crush during his university days. Seo-Yeon asks Seung-Min to rebuild her ancestral home on Jeju Island. In order to have his first signature work in his life as soon as possible, Seung-Min is determined to take this deal. Yet as soon as he steps into the familiar small home, his memory also returns to the "Architecture 101" classroom at the University when he first saw Seo-Yeon. The 20 year of Seung-Min behind the innocence and the ambiguity has never made his feelings known to the young Seo-Yeon... As time flies, 15 years later the sweet but sad first love memory floods back to the hearts of Seung-Min and Seo-Yeon. The times have changed, but the people and the events have not; can the unfinished first love repeat itself in the modern space and time? IN ANOTHER COUNTRY Can : Ta Heung Dik Nui Yun Lit : Woman Of Another Country d. Hong Sang-Soo Isabelle Huppert, Yu Jun-Sang, Jung Yumi Length : 89 mins. Opening August 18 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-In-Another-Country.php THANK YOU GANGSTERS Can : Bun Fat 39 Tiu Lit : Dumb Law Section 39 d. Kosuke Oshida Masaru Oshida, Kinuo Yamada, Kiyotake Oshida Length : 112 mins. Opening August 18 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Thank-You-Gangsters.php [ HONG KONG SUMMER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Jailbird Hiroshi has a developmentally challenged older brother Kiyotaka. When a con artist alerts Hiroshi to his brother's status as a "Section 39" — meaning he can't go to jail for his crimes under Japanese law — Hiroshi, Kiyotaka and childhood buddy Kazuyo let loose on a crime spree. When the trio realises they've been lied to they pick up a final partner in crime, the senile Kanayama, and dare the law to take them down anyway. BEAUTIFUL 2012 Can : Sing Nui Chook Jo Mau Lit : Thriving Woman Rent-A-Cat d. Kim Tae-Yong, Gu Changwei, Tsai Ming-Liang, Ann Hui On Wa Gong Hyo-Jin, Yan Lianke, Lee Kang-Sheng, Francis Ng Chun Yu Length : 90 mins. Opening August 17 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Beautiful-2012.php [ HONG KONG SUMMER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] What is beautiful? Kim Tae-yong's You Are More than Beautiful turns that mundane thing called money, clouded by unfortunate yet inevitable deceit, into a quest for kindness and beauty. Gu Changwei's characters must face up to reality and play the expectation game in Long Tou. Tsai Ming-Liang's Walker ponders aloud if Hong Kong is beautiful, or strangely beautiful, or beautifully strange. Finally, in Ann Hui's My Way, the pursuit of beauty lies in the risky business of making decisions – big big decisions. KEY OF LIFE Can : Sut Si Sat Sau Lit : Lost Key Killer d. Kenji Uchida Masato Sakai, Ryoko Hirosue, Teruyuki Kagawa Length : 128 mins. Opening August 17 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Rent-a-Cat.php [ HONG KONG SUMMER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Failing actor Sakurai's preparations to end his life end with a bathhouse locker key switch-up, a blow to the head for successful professional killer Kondo and about of amnesia. While impersonating Kondo Sakurai quickly realises the man's life isn't exactly above board and soon finds himself dodging Yakuza and creating a mess that Kondo will have to clean up if he's to start a new life with Kanae, the woman who sets Kondo straight. RENT-A-CAT Can : Sing Nui Chook Jo Mau Lit : Thriving Woman Rent-A-Cat d. Naoko Ogigami Mikako Ichikawa, Reiko Kusamura, Kei Tanaka Length : 110 mins. Opening August 17 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Rent-a-Cat.php [ HONG KONG SUMMER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Sayoko is the Japanese equivalent of the crazy cat lady, except that she's still young and attractive. After accepting that felines seem to have an affinity towards her, she soon begins her new vocation – renting out cats to lonely folks. But deep down, she is no different from those she is renting out her pets to. Unfolding in four vignettes rather than as straightforward narrative, the film reveals Sayoko and her furry friends' antics and ultimately charms us with its gentle humor and sweetness. LACUNA Can : Jui Hau Yut Yeh Lit : One Night After Drinking d. Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung Shawn Yue Man Lok, Zhang Jingchu, Lawrence Chou Rating : IIA Length : 97 mins. Opening August 2 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Early in the morning, Cuddling in sleep Shum Wai and Tung Yun open their eyes and are surprised -- they do not know each other at all! Rushing to leave the awkward scene, they both run for the door. They are both surprised to learn that they are not at home, but an enormous furniture store! After sobering up they go their separate ways, Tung Yun suddenly remembers that last night she had a task that she has not completed for her boss, involving 300,000 in cash and a mediocre actress; Shum Wai loses his company car, cannot reach his best friend and after returning to work he even becomes the target of everyone's gossip -- last night their "party" photos have already spread online as he has become a hot topic. As they fall into confusion, the police station calls and tells them they found their lost pet...... TATSUMI d. Eric Khoo (Yau Kam Hoi) Animation Rating : III Opening August 2 2012 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] TATSUMI celebrates the life and work of Japanese comics artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi. In post-war occupied Japan, young Tatsumi’s passion for comics eventually becomes a means of supporting his poor family. Already published as a teenager, talented Tatsumi finds even greater inspiration after meeting his idol, famous Disneyesque animator Osamu Tezuka. Despite his steady success, Tatsumi begins to question why Japanese comics should cater to children with cute and whimsical tales and drawings. In 1957, Tatsumi coins the term gekiga (dramatic pictures) and redefines the manga landscape by encouraging an alternative genre for adults. Realistic and disquieting, Tatsumi’s work begins to grapple with the darker aspects. [ 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. GF*BF Can : Nui Pung Yau Nam Pung Yau Lit : Girlfriend*Boyfriend d. Yang Ya-Che Kwai Lun-Mei, Joseph Chang Hsiao-Chuan, Rhydian Vaughan (Fung Siu Ngok), Bryan Chang Shu-Hao Rating : IIB Length : 106 mins. Opening August 14 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Opening August 30 2012 Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-GF-BF.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] At 17, Liam and Mabel already cannot be closer. In the eyes of their classmates they are childhood sweethearts. Yet such an intimate relationship begins to deteriorate after Aaron appears! The rebellious and wild Aaron often tries to get close to Mabel through Liam; but Liam has no ill will toward him. They even continue to be like brothers; Mabel is not only surprised but also confused. "When we are 30, neither of us has a lover then we should be together." Liam has not made his feelings about Mei Bo's promise known. The silent rejection instead makes Mei Bo accept Aaron's pursuit, but Liam has not backed out of the triangle. Instead at the university he quietly becomes Aaron's student movement partner, bringing them even closer. As time passes, the trio's beautiful relationship gradually becomes lost, trapped between friendship and love... WILD 7 Can : 7 Gum Gong Lit : 7 Golden Golem d. Eiichiro Hasumi Eita, Kippei Shiina, Ryuhei Maruyama, Tsuyoshi Abe, Takashi Ukaji, Yusuke Hirayama, Minoru Matsumoto, Kyoko Fukada, Kiichi Nakai Length : 109 mins. Opening August 14 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Opening August 30 2012 Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-GF-BF.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A terrorist organization steals a special virus with a fatal strike attempt at the entire nation. Wild 7 is again ordered to take action. The so called Wild 7 is seven elite members that the police has chosen form a group of super criminals. They are responsible for the worst of the worst; their motto is "criminals who the law cannot prosecute must be executed on the spot!" Wild 7 has always been an eye for an eye, keeping law and order out of their minds. In order to protect the innocent, they in the midst of high speed motorcycle chases and bloody gun fights swear to storm the terrorist organization's nest. Yet after a series of investigations Wild 7 discovers the complicated plot behind the stolen virus as the shocking conspiracy is about to erupt... 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 November 29 2012 in Malaysia AFTER SCHOOL MIDNIGHTERS Can : Gwai Dan Hau Yuen ji Yeh Lit : Night of Strange School d. Hitoshi Takekiyo Japanese Animation Opening August 24 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A highly intelligent anatomy model has a partner Bones is a skeletal model. They both are placed in an elementary school science room. During the day they are human models, at night they act up. However the "three girl gang", three super mischievous girls, enters the science room to mess with them... LOVE FICTION Can : "Mo" Fat But Oi Nei Lit : "Hair" Way Not To Love You d. Jeon Kye-Su Ha Jung-Woo, Kong Hyo-Jin, Ji Jin-Hee Length : 121 mins. Opening August 24 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Novelist Joo-Wol has a "mental block" that stalls his new work. By chance he runs into a strange woman Hee-Jin and falls in love at first sight. Always waiting for the perfect dream girl, he decides to pursue Hee-Jin in ways that are different from before. However, this goddess is not so simple! Never mentioning her past, countless exes, and the "sea urchin" thick underarm hair.....the mysterious and strange Hee-Jin piques his curiosity as he hopes to find out everything about her. Claiming to be born and raised in Alaska, a fan of photography and never shaves against traditions, Hee-Jin brings endless surprises in love; a series of overt and covert "background checks" even makes Joo-Wol's creative inspiration rushing out like a spring... THERMAE ROMAE Can : Law Ma Yuk Cheung Lit : Roman Bath House d. Hideki Takeuchi Hiroshi Abe, Aya Ueto Masachikia Ichimura, Kazuki Kitamura Length : 108 mins. Opening August 25 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Opening October 2012 Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Thermae-Romae.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Down and out ancient Roman architect Lucius arrives in the 21st Century Japan with a bath house pool. He not only learns the people based bathing technique but also falls in love with a young woman comic book creator. Commuting between the two places Lucius catches the attention of the bath loving Roman Emperor and falls into a pool of power struggle...... 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 August 30 2012 Site : http://aeghk.com BLACK AND WHITE: THE DAWN OF ASSAULT Can : Pei Ji Ying Hung ji Chuen Min Hoi Jin Lit : Ruffian Hero: Full Scale War Begins d. Tsai Yueh-Hsun Mark Chao (Chiu Yau Ting), Angelababy, Alex To Tak Wai, Huang Bo, Leon Dai Opening August 30 2012 WE NOT NAUGHTY Can : Hai Ji But Wai Lit : Children Not Bad d. Jack Neo Shawn Lee, Joshua Ang, Cherry Hsia, Daniel Chan Hiu Tung, Opening August 30 2012 HELTER SKELTER Can : Jing Yung Tin Hau Lit : Plastic Surgery Queen d. Mika Ninagawa Erika Sawajiri, Shinobu Terajima, Go Ayano Length : 127 mins. Opening August 16 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Opening September 1 2012 Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-Helter-Skelter.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] The fat and ugly Ririko originally works in a night spot for those with a "fat girl fetish"; one day, she accepts an extremely high risk full body plastic surgery and her life has renewed! Ririko after her transformation with her "man made" angelic face and devilish figure rapidly becomes top fashion magazines and international labels' official model, fulfilling her dream. As Ririko enjoys her brilliant moment, due to excessive plastic surgery Ririko's body begins to show severe side effects; with a variety of competition from junior and new comers, the supermodel diva legend gradually vanishes in front of people's eyes! MY WAY Can : Dun Lok Ji Yut Lit : Day Of the Landing d. Kang Je-Gyu Jang Dong-Gun, Jo Odagiri, Fan Bingbing, Kim In-Kwon, Do Ji-Han, Lee Yeon-Hee Opening September 1 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Young Tatsuo who moves to Korea with his father runs into a Korean youth Joon-Sik who likes to run as much as he does. As adults they become a pair of marathon rivals. At the Olympic marathon trials Joon-Sik edges out Tatsuo, but under the Japanese track and field alliance's control Tatsuo wins. As World War II fully erupts, Joon-Sik is drafted into the Japanese army. Tatsuo becomes a new colonel. Since then Joon-Sik serves in the Japanese, the Russian and the German army. Tatsuo also walks through the journey with Joon-Sik. 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... THE THIEVES d. Choi Dong-Hun Kim Yoon-Seok, Kim Hye-Soo, Lee Jung-Jae, Gianna Jun Ji-Hyun, Kim Hae-Suk, Kim Soo-Hyun, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Oh Dal-Su, Angelica Lee Sinjie, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung Opening September 6 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 13 2012 [ 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... COLD STEEL Can : Bin Dei Long Yin Lit : Wolf Smoke All Over d. David Wu Dai Wai Peter Ho Yun Tung, Song Jia, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Wu Feixia, Zhu Lin Length : 98 mins. Opening September 14 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Mu Liangfeng is a small town youth who is originally a hunter, with sharpshooting skills and incredible accuracy. Once in order to save his companion Liu Yan wounds a military officer with a knife. His superb vision catches the general's eyes and thus he is ordered to serve. Japan just invaded China and Mu Liangfeng can only set aside personal feelings to step on the journey to fend off the Japanese; under the officer Mengzi's strict training he becomes the top sniper who puts the fear in the hearts of the Japanese army. As the Japanese army retreats, its commander "Ghost Shadow" is drastically impacted. On the other hand, "Ghost Shadow"'s finance, a military doctor, witnesses her fiance's mad slaughter of innocent Chinese and is determined to break off the engagement. The commander's failure and romantic setback fuels his hatred for Mu Liangfeng as "Ghost Shadow" takes Liu Yan as a hostage to force Mu Liangfeng into a duel alone. Between love and country, how will Mu Liangfeng choose? DUE WEST: OUR SEX JOURNEY Can : Yut Lo Heung Sai Lit : A Road To The West AKA : DUE WE: MY SEX JOURNEY 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, Angelina Zhang (Cheung Woon Nga), Wylie Chiu Shek Chi, Jessica Kizaki, Jeana Ho Pui Yu, Celia Kwok Wing Yi, Lee Muk Ching, Mo Qiwen, Daniella Wang Lidan, Shu Sum Yin, Mao Xuan, Tin Kai Man, Tony Ho Wa Chiu, Ng Lai Chu Opening September 20 2012 THE TASTE OF MONEY d. Im Sang-Soo Kim Kang-Woo, Baek Yun-Shik, Yoo Yeo-Jung Length : 115 mins. Opening September 20 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Everyone member of the richest family in Korea, facing the temptation of money and desire, conducts a series of morality challenging behavior that crosses the line. ATM d. Mez Tharatorn Chatavit Dhanasevi, Preechaya Pongthananikorn Opening September 20 2012 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 Opening September 27 2012 in Malaysia 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. ALL ABOUT MY WIFE Can : Ga Yau Diu Chai Lit : Spoiled Wife At Home d. Min Kyu-Dong Lim Soo-Jung, Lee Sun-Kyun, Ryoo Seung-Ryong Length : 121 mins. Opening September 29 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Jung-In who looks outstanding and cooks great in the eyes of others is a perfectly flawless wife, but to her husband Doo-Hyun she is the worst wife! Jung-In is spoiled and stubborn, often saying the wrong thing in different situations, embarrassing and exhausting Doo-Hyun. On the brink of collapse Doo-Hyun has thought about suggesting divorces on many occasions, yet every time he is about to Jung-In scares him off...he can only asks his new playboy neighbor Sung-Ki for help. With a hefty reward he asks him to seduce Jung-In so this mean wife would automatically suggest divorce! 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. CROSS Can : Dai Lok Gai Lit : The Sixth Commandant 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 Opening September 15 2012 at Star Fest 2012 Opening October 4 2012 UMIZARU 4: BRAVE HEARTS Can : Hoi Yuen: Dung Gaing Wan Hung Lan Lit : Sea Ape: Tokyo Bay Air Disaster d. Hasumi Eiichiro Hideaki Ito, Ryuta Sato, Riisa Naka Length : 116 mins. Opening October 6 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Two years after participating in the super ocean oil drill Regalia's rescue, Captain Daisuke Senzaki and junior Yoshioka are successfully chosen from 13,000 sea marshals to the 36 elite member "Special Disaster Rescue Team". They begin the most front line, the most difficulty coastal rescue jobs. Yet, during their term the largest coastal accident takes place! A jumbo jet suddenly catches fire in its engine and rapidly dives into the deep Tokyo Bay, the status of the passengers and the crew is unknown; Mika, the flight attendant who is just engaged to Yoshioka is trapped inside! Facing numerous sudden dangers like a fuel leak, explosion and passenger injuries and casualties, the special rescue team is on the brink of the most difficult tests in history when every second counts. The rescue mission of 346 lives with a time limit officially begins...! 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 October 18 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A love story that is inspired by a true story has an incredible romantic experience -- "getting the girl is easy but dumping the girl is hard". Popular baker Cheung Tai Lam by chance meets cute nurse Kwong Mei Bo. Lam takes the initiative to pursuit the gentle looking nurse and they immediately fall in love. Lam gradually discovers that Bo is not only full of doubts, jealousy and desire to control but also has a slight violent tendency. Aside from 24 hours a day all around surveillance of Lam's whereabouts, she even secretly gets Lam's computer, microblog, Facebook and mobile phone passwords to enter into this personal world. Lam has a hard time escaping the grasp of Bo the natural born love maniac secretly investigates Bo, but he discovers behind her crazy behavior lies a secret that no one knows... COLD WAR Can : Hong Jin d. Longman Leung Lok Man, Sunny Luk Kim Ching Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Tony Leung Ka Fai, Charlie Yeung Choi Nei Gordon Lam Ka Tung, Chin Kar Lok, Andy Tien (On Chi Kit) Terence Yin (Wan Chi Wai), Aarif Rahman (Lee Chi Ting), Eddie Peng Yu-yen, Andy Lau Tak Wa Opening October 18 2012 [ 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... 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... WHEN A WOLF FALLS IN LOVE WITH A SHEEP Can : Nam Fong Siu Yeung Muk Cheung Lit : Southern Lamb Ranch d. Hou Chi-Jan Ko Chen-Tung, Chien Man-Shu, Kuo Shu-Yao Opening October 20 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A Tung is a young clerk of a Nanyang Street copy store. His normal job is to make copies of all the tutor test papers. One day, a certain tutoring class' test catch his attention because behind it everyday is a comic strip, Southern Lamb Ranch. The comic creator is a female tutor assistant who loves to daydream. She longs to become an illustrator but can only be stuck in her tutoring class job. Thus she puts her dreams on the back of the tests, but the students neither notice nor respond. One day A Tung draws a big wild wolf next to the sheep and writes something absurd that he thinks is funny, leading to students' accidental overwhelming response. The entire tutor street is swept into this big wild wolf and little sheep's romantic chase. Can the encounter of "copy boy" and "tutor girl" resolve their own romantic crisis? 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 October 25 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... I HAVE TO BUY NEW SHOES Can : Ba Lai Luen Oi Seh Jung Lit : Paris Romantic Portrait d. Eriko Kitagawa Osamu Mukai, Miho Nakayama Opening October 27 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Photographer Sen Yagami and his little sister visit France, but after arriving in Paris his sister ditches him for a boyfriend. Sen Yagami is a stranger in a strange land and lost in Paris as he runs into the freelance writer Aoi Teshigahara who lives there. Aoi ruins the passport that Sen Yagami drops on the ground and own her shoes as well. They in the Paris romantic air become attracted to each other. Although they have only been together for a few days, Sen Yagami discovers in the depth of Aoi's heart an inerasable scar that is hidden! Can the momentary flash of a foreign romance break through the obstacle for a happy ending? CHINESE ZODIAC AKA : CZ12 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 * TSAI CHIN: GOLDEN MELODY CONCERT DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, October 10 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/100048E401E0B67F * 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 * TSAI CHIN: GOLDEN MELODY CONCERT DATE AND TIME: Friday, October 5 2012 @ 8PM Saturday, October 6 2012 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: River Rock Casino Resort 8811 River Rd Richmond BC V6X 3P8 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA $399.75, 279.75. 179.75, 109.75 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/110048D79D7C20C2 RIVER ROCK CASINO RESORT http://www.riverrock.com/entertainment/event10051202.aspx * 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 * WU FUNG DATE AND TIME: Sunday, September 16 2012 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: River Rock Casino Resort 8811 River Rd Richmond BC V6X 3P8 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA $119.75, 99.75. 78.75, 58.75 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/110048D9D4FDD69B * 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 * YU YAR AND CHANG DI DATE AND TIME: Sunday, September 2 2012 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Reno Ballroom 401 North Center St. Reno NV 89501 TICKET PRICES: VIP $118, 88, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/170048DAC16F8F5D 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 * 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Thursday, August 16 2012 10 THE CHEF d. Daniel Cohen Jean Reno, Michael Youn 9 ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT d. Steven Martino, Mike Thurmeier Animation English Voices: Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah 8 TOTAL RECALL d. Len Wiseman Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, Jessica Biel, Brian Cranston, John Cho, Bill Nighy 6 STEP UP REVOLUTION d. Scott Speer Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman, Cleopatra Coleman 10 THE PORK OF MUSIC Can : McDull Dong Dong Boon Ngor Sum Lit : McDull Dong Dong Accompanies My Heart d. Brian Tse Lap Man Animation Cantonese Voices: Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, the pancakes, Cheung Ching Chung 9 THE SILENT WAR Can : Ting Fung Jeh Lit : Wind Listener d. Alan Mak Siu Fai, Felix Chong Man Keung Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhou Xun 8 SAMMY'S ADVENTURE 2 d. Ben Stassen Animation English Voices: Pat Carroll, Carlos McCullers II, Chris Andrew Ciulla Cantonese Voices: Lo Hoi Pang, Sammy, Chapman To Man Jat, Lo Mik Shuet 7 PARANORMAN d. Chris Butler, Sam Fell Animation Kodi Smit-McPhee, Tucker Albrizzi Anna Kendrick, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse 6 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 5 BRAVE d. Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman Disney PIXAR Animation English Voices: Kelly Macdonald, Billy Connolly, Emma Thompson Cantonese Voice: Kelly Chen Wai Lam 4 THE DARK KNIGHT RISES d. Christopher Nolan Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Morgan Freeman 3 THE BOURNE LEGACY d. Tony Gilroy Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton 2 MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED d. Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, Conrad Vernon DreamWork Animation English Voices: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, 1 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 ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS VULGARIA 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. DIVA Rating : IIB Length : 102 mins. Opening August 15 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Opening August 16 2012 Opening August 30 2012 in Malaysia Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-DIVA.php 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 THE SILENT WAR AKA : THE WIND SEEKER Rating : IIA Length : 120 mins. Opening August 9 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? THE PORK OF MUSIC Rating : I Length : 79 mins. Opening August 15 2012 at the Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival Opening August 16 2012 Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/en/films-McDull-The-Pork-of-Music.php [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] The Chun Tin Fa Fa Kindergarten is on the brink of closing. The children forms a choir to raise money. McDull runs into children from the kindergarten and they all look like some local thugs. [ HONG KONG SUMMER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Faced with skyrocketing rents, the Chun Tin Fa Fa Kindergarten forms a children's choir to help pay for the expenses. Supported by its Shamshuipo neighbours, the Headmaster takes the kids out to every outlandish occasion, and eventually sing their way into the HK Coliseum! Behind the laughter and the farce, are the bumbling Headmaster's enduring devotion to education. If music be the words of love... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, August 18 2012 15 CONFESSION Can : Go Bak Kary Ng Yu Fei http://youtu.be/wlY0VC-7OMg 14 VALENTINE'S DAY A-Do http://youtu.be/noX8cd4u5HA 13 TAKE A STAND AT THIRTY Can : Sam Sup Yi Lap Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) http://youtu.be/k8DSTAswFMA 12 CAN LOVE NO MORE Can : Luen Mo Hor Luen Leo Ku Kui Kei http://youtu.be/te5d_zG6F3k 11 WE'LL NEVER KNOW William Wei (Wai Lai On) http://youtu.be/LTCU7JM2_AA 10 WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? G.E.M http://youtu.be/bhK9xuWTnfo 9 FOOL'S BLISS Can : Min Keung Hung Fok James Lin (Lam Yau Ga) http://youtu.be/rX31vEbpI0s 8 DO YOU DARE Can : Nei Gum But Gum LaLa Hsu (Tsui Gai Ying) http://youtu.be/HLibG1_lcTk 7 SEVERAL OF YOU Can : Gei Gor Nei Jacky Xue (Sit Ji Him) http://youtu.be/qFjKx6BIKYE 5 YOU EXIST IN MY SONG Can : Ngor Dik Gor Sing Lui Qu Wanting (Kuk Yuen Ting) http://youtu.be/ywJ5bR7g-Vo 6 HEAVY FLAVOR Can : Chung Hau Mei Eason Chan Yik Shun http://youtu.be/Zipi3RR2cJQ 4 MESSING Can : Wu Nau Kenji Wu (Wu Hak Kwun) http://youtu.be/XseHQvZw1vA 3 I HAVE A DATE WITH SPRING Can : Ngor Wui Chau Tin Yau Gor Yuek Wui Hins Cheung King Hin http://youtu.be/aEbSbdzF6bo 2 LOVE REVEALS IN THE LONG RUN Can : Oi Gau Gein Yun Sum Jasmine Leong Jing Yu http://youtu.be/RkQy3NlG1eo 1 BETTER ME Fiona Sit Hoi Kei http://youtu.be/XDyAQVi-sSE ------ [ 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 THE EXPENDABLES 2, 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 Tuesday, AUGUST 28, 2012 @ 7pm UNBOWED (2011) When it opened in late 2011, Unbowed’s uninhabited take on a highly-publicized true story caused such a stir that Korea’s Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court even chimed in, noting its wild inaccuracies. It turns out that sensationalizing the story of university professor who accosts a judge with a crossbow doesn’t go over well with governmental bodies…but thankfully, film fans love it, as this courtroom thriller – buffeted by the media uproar – became one of last year’s biggest Korean hits. AHN Sung-Ke, one of his country’s most respected international actors, delivers a bravado performance as the bow-slinging everyman while R-Point’s Park Won-Sang delivers a one-in-a-lifetime role as the struggling lawyer pushed to save him. ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com http://hktopten.orgfree.com | http://hktopten.blogspot.com