From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (January 3 2013) 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. Wong Cho Nam who celebrates his birthday on the 9th B. Grasshoppers' Calvin Choy Yat Chi who celebrates his birthday on the 3rd C. Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam) whose father passed away due to cancer. 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (2013/01/09) THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) after director Wong Kar Wai's 14 years of production finally was released yesterday in the Mainland. Ticket sales have been decent as many booked in advance, obviously Wong Kar Wai fans have been starving for a long time. Tony Leung Chiu Wai's martial art scenes have always been the focus. In the film he fought ferociously, completely relying on editing methods to assist and adjust. As for memorable scenes, they seemed to be Wong Kar Wai's salute to his own classic films IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA) and FALLEN ANGELS (DOR LOK TIN SI). THE GRANDMASTERS since its preparation has flown the martial art action banner. The film is about the life of Wing Chun master Ip Man, but the story actually could not leave "love" as packaging. Wong Kar Wai continued his romantic classic as he depicted the Leung Chiu Wai and Zhang Ziyi's ambiguous relationship in particular detail. Their duel, spinning in the air and exchanging looks nose to nose was the most classic; then their through letter exchanges and clothes buttoning to express their feelings, which were already full of poetic artistry. The martial art fight scenes were the movie's focus. Wai Jai for the film studied Wing Chun. In the first half his six fight scenes were very convincing without any use of double. Of course he also relied on camera work and editing methods to assist and adjust, making the film even more intense and brilliant. Zhang Ziyi and Ada Choi Siu Fun's husband Max Zhang Jun's sibling fight at the train station looked the part and fought excitingly. Zhang Jun's action was also a pleasant surprise. Actually with a martial art background Chang Chen fought decently as well but his role was cut. he and Zhang Ziyi's emotional scene was also broken up, weakening his character and made him less attraction than Zhang Jun. Korean star Song Hye-Kyo as Mrs. Ip Man was pretty and sexy enough, but the role was too light. With only two lines she did not have much chance to perform, but she made up for it with her eyes and expressions; however she and Wai Jai had intimate scenes. She wiped the unbuttoned Wai Jai and showed off her legs as Wai Jai bathed her feet. The film also had many familiar scenes like reflections of Wong Kar Wai's past work and salutes to them. Wai Jai and Zhang Ziyi locking eyes was like FALLEN ANGELS' Leon Lai Ming and Michelle Reis (Lee Ka Yun)'s love at first sight; Zhang Ziyi's heart to heart with a hole in the wall reminded people of IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE's Wai Jai secret telling at a hole in a tree. Wai Jai washing Song Hye-Kyo's feet was just like his massage for Maggie Cheung Man Yuk in IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. As for Ip Man changing into a suit and applying gel to his hair reminded people of IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. Wong Kar Wai as usual invited different guest stars, this time was no exception with Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Berg Ng Ting Yip, Lo Hoi Pang, Xiao Shenyang, action director Yuen Woo-Ping, Zhao Benshan, Tsui Kam Kong, Lo Mang (Law Mong). Tsui Kam Kong only passed through in one shot and had no line; Cheung Chi Lam had no line but portrayed a Chinese Opera star. Appearing in Donnie Yen Chi Tan's IP MAN 2, Lo Mang was the only actor who was able to take part in THE GRANDMASTERS. Who knew if he confused the audience? The challenging master Lo Mang and thug Xiao Shenyang added humor to balance the film's tension. Veteran actor Lo Hoi Pang's role was not large but his every move was dramatic. * (2013/01/09) Wong Kar Wai last night led Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, Max Zhang Jun and others to THE GRNADMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) Hong Kong premiere. Wai Jai and Zhang Jun both had their wives Carina Lau Ka Ling and Ada Choi Siu Fun in tow. Wong Kar Wai who has always appeared with sunglasses during the drum ceremony rarely removed them perhaps due to confetti and revealed his eyes. THE GRANDMASTERS was accused of resembling IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA). Wong Kar Wai explained that he already had the idea for the film as early as 1989, even earlier than MOOD. "The preparation took years because I had to visit seven or eight provinces for martial art masters." Zhang Ziyi did not conduct any interview. Song Hye-Kyo was in Korea but sent a video. Wai Jai broke his arm twice for this film. A magazine reported that he donated 400,000 yuan RMB to construct a 12 meter tall Goddess of Mercy statue in Jiangsu. He said, "Ka Ling has always donated to Buddhist statue constructions. Charity should follow the heart and not announced, but it has nothing to do with praying for his safety. I have been injured more from skiing than from movie shoots." Ka Ling reportedly donated a romance tree with their names on it in Suzhou. Wai Jai said, "That's interesting, I don't know too much about it." Wai Jai did not believe that Song Hye-Kyo was upset that her role was reduced. "Wong Kar Wai wouldn't be at odds with anyone, I too had my scenes cut." He described after three years in production the final half a month exhausted him thoroughly, as hard as the last 10 minutes of a marathon. As for Donnie Yen Chi Tan stating that he would watch THE GRANDMASTERS, Wai Jai said, "I am not afraid of comparison, I have my own interpretation angle." The 5 month pregnant Choi Siu Fun wore 4 inch high heels to support her husband. Earlier she also had a miscarriage. Zhang Jun said, "Now it's fine, she can jump. She is too energetic." In the film his fight scene with Zhang Ziyi was praised. Zhang Jun said that when he watched it he too was very pleasantly surprised. * (2013/01/09) Director, writer and producer Stephen Chow Sing Chi yesterday with Shu Qi and Show Luo (Law Chi Leung) attended the Lunar New Year film JOURNEY TO THE WEST (SAI YAU GONG MOR PIN) press conference. Sing Yeh's KUNG FU HUSTLE was once the Hong Kong box office champion but earlier Taiwan film YOU ARE THE APPLE OF MY EYE toppled it. Was he confident about regaining the title this time? Sing Yeh said, "Of course I would like to perform well, how much do I want to make in Hong Kong? We don't have to be so literal." Did he have any pressure from Eric Tsang Chi Wai and Raymond Wong Pak Ming's Lunar New Year films? He said, "No, I am already greeting the Lunar New Year, only less in recent years." Wong Jing publicly criticized him and said that now Sing Yeh liked money more than movies. Shu Qi cracked up and said that the media often asked about gossip instead of the matter at hand. Sing Yeh asked when Wong Jing said that then took a jab at Wong Jing. "I like money, but I feel movies have to be well made in order to make money. You can't randomly make a movie and make money." Wong Jing meant that he has lost his passion for film. Sing Yeh said, "I am not too familiar with him, it's not convenient for me to comment too much." Did he mean that Wong Jing was nosy and should not have said what he said? He said, "I am not commenting, he and I are not too familiar." Wong Jing even said that the chance of them working together again was very slim. Sing Yeh smiled at the reporter who asked the question and said, "since you are so interesting he knowing, let me answer for you, I am not interested." Did his former girlfriend Alice Yu Man Fung ask him for 70 million in commission only because they broke up? Shu Qi cracked up again, Sing Yeh kept shaking his head and said "No, no, no." Did Yu Man Fung ask for commission? Sing Yeh said, "I won't talk about this here." How was his relationship with Yu Man Fung now? He had no comment. Would they settle out of court? Did asking for money after the break up hurt? Sing Yeh said, "I won't talk about this here, I won't tell you." Would he leave it to the judge? He said yes. Was his mood to promote the film affected? He said, "No, (Would the lawsuit divert your attention?) This is very minor." Did he and Yu Man Fung break up over money? Shu Qi cracked up yet again. Sing Yeh said, "I already said don't ask, you still ask." As for his current love life, was he dating? He nodded. So he was dating? He looked at Shu Qi and wanted to use her as a shield. The media pointed out that Shu Qi already had someone with the same English name as his. Sing Yeh pretended that he did not know and asked Shu Qi, "Really? You are already with someone?" Shu Qi smiled but did not answer. Many of Sing Yeh's female co-stars ended up at odds with him, was Shu Qi worried? She did not understand and asked why? Sing Yeh said that they were not at odds. "No, we are great." Did she privately dine with Sing Yeh? Was Sing Yeh who was madly praising her after her? Shu Qi quoted Sing Yeh, "I won't talk about this here, I am not telling you." At the press conference the Shu Qi performed theme song music video was shown and video of Sing Yeh providing back up vocal for Shu Qi. They both covered their faces in embarrassment. Sing Yeh revealed that Shu Qi wanted to work with him and everyday kept encouraging him to perform. Shu Qi once brought back his self confidence, but later he saw Piggy's performance and was sunk to the bottom of the sea again. He also pointed out that his impression of Shu Qi was pretty and sexy with a lot of potential; Shu Qi smiled but did not speak. Sing Yeh again praised Shu Qi, "She is very cultured, she won't say such arrogant words. You are all witnesses!" * (2013/01/09) Michelle Chen yesterday attended a Cartier diamond jewelry event. "In real life, I have received a diamond ring once. My boyfriend at the time gave it to me, but it wasn't a marriage proposal." Sandra Ng Kwan Yu on a Taiwan program said that she played matchmaker and set up Michelle Chen and Louis Koo Tin Lok for dinner three times. Michelle Chen said, "She was just joking. I would ask Kwan Yu to dinner, if she asks Koo Tin Lok, I won't resist; he is an actor who I admire, I hope to have a chance to work with him." Michelle Chen felt love had no distance, skin color or nationality difference, she was not afraid about being classified as left over. She would work hard first and wait for the real deal to appear. Some online felt that her movie RIPPLES OF DESIRE (FA YEUNG)'s costumes were less than pleasing and thus the film performed poorly at the box office. Michelle Chen said, "I would accept everyone's opinions, we were trying something different. Every movie would have its lacking spots, everyone would improve. This was a costume film in Taiwan after over 10 years, I hope to make even better ones in the future." She was not worried that she would become a box office poison and hoped to make even better films. * (2013/01/08) Wong Cho Nam yesterday worked on his new film BLACK COMEDY (HAK SIK HEI KET) and was paired with the wet and pushed up Tong Fei. In the story in order to kiss up to the police officer Cho Nam dressed provocatively and snuck into the police station to wash a police car. During the shoot she was hosed down, Fei Fei was wet from head to toe. Director Wilson Chin Kwok Wai had no mercy as Fei Fei tried at least 20 takes before he accepted one. Every time Director Chin yelled cut, her teeth would be chattering as she sat on the hood. However she had no complaint, wiped her face and tried again. Her professionalism was worth commending. After "abusing" Chapman To Man Jat with street bathing and a "repeat performance" this time with Fei Fei, Director Chin was jokingly called the "inhuman director". He arrogantly answered, "What can I do, stuff like this normally wouldn't happen to me. I can only tell the actors to perform it." Fei Fei after completing the scene wrapped herself in a towel and said that she never thought about how sexy she could get. "Actually being sexy can be very elegant, as long as it's not crass I should be able to accept it. (Have you done something silly like this for your boyfriend before?) I have been to Hong Kong for work for two years, I know what I want. Love can wait until 40s and 50s, but movies can't." Her goals are indeed clear, no wonder she has won Wong Jing over. Cho Nam was called lucky. He said, "Yet every time I can't get close, maybe no one wants to see me in a love scene. (How do you feel about Fei Fei?) This girl is very professional, she picks stuff up very quickly. After this film she has to prepare for her Master's thesis. Her fluent English is amazing." Cho Nam earlier at work celebrated his birthday tomorrow in advanced with co-stars Jerry Koo Ming Wa, Alvina Kong Yan Yin, pseudo model Connie Man Hoi Ling and others with a simple pajamas party. Cho Nam was found with lipstick marks all over his face. Director Chin posted the photos from that night and conceivably Cho Nam could not be happier on this birthday. * (2013/01/08) Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen and Max Zhang Jun yesterday continued to promote the film THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) in Beijing. Today the team will return to Hong Kong for the premiere. Zhang Yimou who was in Beijing also showed his support for THE GRANDMASTERS and met with Wong Kar Wai, Zhang Ziyi, and Chen Daoming after the premiere for a brief chat and photos. Wai Jai yesterday revealed after the premiere that his heart ached the most over many "missing" scenes. Yesterday Wai Jai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen and Zhang Jun all wore sunglasses for their interview. They said that they wanted to salute the director. Wong Kar Wai revealed that the film's complete version was 4 hours, finally he cut it down to a 130 minute version. For the completeness of the story he had to make choices and cut many actors' scenes. Wai Jai had the most screen time but also had the most scenes removed. Suffering the most "wounds" from editing, he said that every time after watching Wong Kar Wai's movies he felt the same way as he questioned where did his scenes go? Every time he had to watch the film two or three more times before he was able to get into it. Then he would think where did Zhang Ziyi and Xiao Shenyang's scenes went? Why would scenes that had finished voice work were go missing? Wai Jai admitted that he would remember these few years for a lifetime, aside from learning something new he also created a new character. In addition he has been a kung fu fans since childhood, he never imagined that he would study kung fu in his 40s. However he still enjoyed it and thought it was a lot of fun. He said that he has never been so positive and optimistic in a Wong Kar Wai movie, as he was full of positive energy. In the same manner, Zhang Ziyi said that she thought a scene in which she expressed her inner loneliness was very sad but very powerful would be kept. Her hope finally died when the end credit came out, as it was truly removed; however, she understood that with only 2 hours and 10 minutes, Wong Kar Wai indeed had a hard time with the decision. As an actor she like the audience had no idea how Wong Kar Wai's ending would be until the end. Zhang Ziyi also appeared on a Mainland television program. She demonstrated her well practiced Eight Diagram palm and won thunderous applause from the audience. She recalled that she had no complaint despite the trainer's hellish training. Everyone was concerned with her marriage, Zhang Ziyi admitted that she will definitely wed and even revealed that her best dish was egg and tomato. * (2013/01/08) Andy Lau Tak Wa two days ago continued to work on the FUNG BO (STORM) shoot. The team shot near the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens; Wa Jai was the only visible actor as they mainly shot a dramatic scene. He wore a bulletproof vast in acted alone inside a vehicle. Wa Jai's fans caught wind early and a dozen or so visited the set. Perhaps because the shoot was more relaxed, when Wa Jai was not working he would put on his down jacket, get out of the car and chat with fans. In 2013, Wa Jai got a new hair cut and looked very cool. Wa Jai after becoming a father often showed his fatherly love. A fan brought a child to visit the idol and Wa Jai happily played with the child. He even lightly patted the child's hair. The child did not recognize Heavenly King Lau and pouted cutely. Wa Jai's vehicle scene took over a hour before wrapping up. When he left almost 20 fans accompanied him. Someone delivered a bag of gifts to Wa Jai and he personally accepted it. Actually the gifts were not for Wa Jai, but for his baby girl. Wa Jai caught reporters taking photos from afar and smiled toward the cameras. * (2013/01/08) Ko Chen-Tung and Michelle Chen two days ago attended the TOGETHER (JOI YUT HEI) Beijing press conference. This romance will be released on Valentine's day, but this time the former on screen couple will have different lovers. Ko Chen-Tung at the press conference was asked about his relationship with Elva Hsiao (Siu Ah Hin). Has he been rushed to wed? Ko Chen-Tung said, "Currently career comes first, everyone have things that they have to do. So I don't have any pressure to wed." He said that on Valentine's Day they both had to work so he would not have time to meet with Siu Ah Hin. Michelle Chen's romantic life was much more peaceful than Ko Chen-Tung's. She admitted that she liked a man who is just as mature and steady as and love his family and wife like Donnie Yen Chi Tan. * (2013/01/07) The Hong Kong Cinematography and Television Lighting and Mechanics Association on January 1 began to adjust salary with a 50% increase. Many film companies decided that the increase was excessive and halted production in protest. After days of negotiations between the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers and the two groups, the increase was reduced to 25% and will take effect on February 15. Due to the resolution, halted productions like THE ICEMAN COMETH 3D (BING FUNG HUP) and FUNG BO (STORM) will resume production. The Benny Chan Muk Sing directed, Lau Ching Wan and Louis Koo Tin Lok starred new film THE CARTEL WAR (BIN YIK) yesterday successfully started production in Gallant Garden, Fanling. The investor Universe's boss Daneil Lam Siu Ming yesterday said, "Employers and employees communicated, now Lighting and Mechanics are willing to reduce the increase to 25%, from HK$840 to 1,050. The employers can accept this increase, which will take effect on February 15. All the productions that have started will maintain the old rate. The matter has been successfully resolved and THE CARTEL WAR doesn't have to postpone its production start!" Yesterday CARTEL began production in the Gallant Garden cemetery in Fanling. In the scene police funerals were held, in black suits Lau Ching Wan, Koo Tin Lok and others could not help but cry when they paid their respect. Before they took their places they cultivated their emotions on their own. Ching Wan walked around alone. Goo Jai did not chat with anyone as he was very focused on getting into character. Finally they took their marks and got the shot in one take. * (2013/01/07) The 58 year old Jackie Chan earlier conducted a Mainland magazine interview to promote CZ12 (SUP YI SUN CHIU) and openly talked about the absurdity of his youth. He said over 30 years ago he would carry 50,000 to 60,000 in cash on him and wanted whatever he saw. One day he bought 7 diamond watches. Jackie Chan admitted that at first he made movies for money, but now he made them with his conscience. He said, "My movies can be shown to my son, my daughter, the entire world." For his daughter? When did Jackie Chan recognize his daughter's identity? * (2013/01/07) The god class actor Stephen Chow Sing Chi even has a temper that exceeds others! Rumors of partnerships that ended in unpleasantness are frequent. Recently another one is added -- his new film JOURNEY TO THE WEST (SAI YAU GONG MOR PIN) director Derek Kwok Chi Kin. Reportedly they due to camera placement issue had some friction, finally Sing Yeh wrapped up the film himself and carried the recent promotion as well. After Ng Man Tat, Wong Jing, Wong Yat Fei, and Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Chow Sing Chi recently has been rumored to be at odds with another partner! Earlier he and Kwok Chi Kin directed JOURENY TO THE WEST, Sing Yeh was the writer and the director. However with his unique ideas, during the shoot he and Kwok Chi Sin had a difference of opinion. Reportedly they constantly due to camera placement issues created friction and were unable to come to an understanding. Thus Kwok Chi Kin left the front line during the production while Sing Yeh kept working hard. On recent promotional posters, the film was only introduced as Stephen Chow film without any show of Kwok Chi Kin. Even for the Mainland promotional tour, production meeting and the Hong Kong press conference tomorrow, Kwok Chi Kin would not be expected. Instead Shu Qi and Wen Zhang were listed. To find Kwok Chi Kin's name, one would have to look on the film's official microblog credits. However because he was not expected at the promotion, Kwok Chi Kin was free and clear to direct Nicholas Tse Ting Fung's new film wholeheartedly. Kwok Chi Kin earlier was hospitalized due to a kidney stone. Recently he has already recovered and continued to work on his new film. When asked about the difference of opinion with Sing Yeh, he said with hesitation, "Nothing like that, it's just a rumor." As for other collaboration plan, Kwok Chi Kin did not directly respond. During the shoot JOURNEY kept its characters confidential. With the recent promotional tour the veil of mystery has been lifted. Mainland actor Huang Bo played the Monkey King, Shu Qi played Miss Duen. Taiwan star Show Luo (Law Chi Cheung) played a lonely gentleman." * (2013/01/07) The Wong Kar Wai directed, Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) after 14 years from planning to production finally announced its completion as it will be released tomorrow. A much more relaxed Wai Jai yesterday attended a Beijing press conference. The 3 year production period made him thoroughly suffer, no wonder he was somewhat in disbelief that it has already been completed. Zhang Ziyi even described the production process as "getting on a pirate ship", as she decided to never make another kung fu film. Film critics had more praises than criticism, some even described THE GRANDMASTERS as along the same vein as ASHES OF TIME (DUNG CHE SAI DUK). When Ip Man moved his Chinese suit to change into a suit, he was IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA)'s Chow Mo Wan possessed. THE GRANDMASTERS will be released in the Mainland tomorrow. Wong Kar Wai yesterday led Leung Chiu Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen and others to the Beijing press conference. Song Hye-Kyo who was rumored to be upset at Wong Kar Wai's schedule was absent. Some film critics after watching the film wrote aside from the perfect visuals, the poetic expression of the story was along the same vein as ASHES OF TIME. When Ip Man removed his Chinese suit to put on another suit, he was actually "Chow Mo Wan possessed". The 50 year old Wai Jai talked about the 3 year long production. "Ultimately I didn't start practicing kung fu until I was 47. I broke my arm twice, each time I needed several months to recover and wasted the fruits of my previous training. Wasn't that very painful?" The earliest released rainy night fight scene was shocking visually, behind it Wai Jai actually suffered. "After 30 over night shoots, I told Wong Kar Wai director I am done, I can't take anymore; the director said fine fine fine, just like that. Finally we shot for another week, after which I thought I had pneumonia. I actually had bronchitis and lay in bed for 5 days. For half a year I worked at night for a long time. After the wrap I needed to adjust. I went to bed at midnight and got up at 4 or 5AM. I went running before the sun came out. (Carina) Lau Ka Ling asked where I was going, during that period my body was truly very tired." Wai Jai admitted that at first he was somewhat in disbelief that the film has wrapped. "On the day of the wrap I thought I would be especially excited, when the director said 'Leung Chiu Wai's final shot'. After the shoot I wasn't too happy, maybe I felt that later I still had work like voice work and promotions. I was somewhat in disbelief still. In my experience, we could have had two wrap banquets and still go back to shoot. 3 days later I could receive a call, 'A scene could actually be even better, come back and fix it', the possibility still exists." He said that after returning to Hong Kong and settling for four or five days, he was much more relaxed. "Actually the pressure was tremendous all along, I was very tensed. Wong Kar Wai on the set was very relaxed, he was never in a hurry. We were the ones who were." Donnie Yen Chi Tan's IP MAN will soon make its third installment. THE GRANDMASTERS was often made fun of as taking too long to make. Wai Jai said, "When you have fried chicken you still have to wait! The two movies are different. We shot for so long because we needed such a long time to be able to achieve it, so I don't have anything to say." He said that he needed to rest and would not make a movie for now. Zhang Ziyi played the Eight Diagram palm master, she said that two nights ago after watching the film in its completed form for the first time and did not sleep all night. "Due to health and character consideration, I decided from now on I would not make another kung fu film. I am older, during training this time I realized I had many old wounds. My body was in a state of overload." Zhang Ziyi joked that the production process was like "getting on a pirate ship". "After 3 years of training and being with the character, I sensed the character's troubled fate". Wong Kar Wai was often asked why it took so long. He said, "With such good actors supporting me, if I have the time I am willing to keep shooting. Although I was reluctant to part with it, everyone has to see it. THE GRANDMASTERS displays the beauty of the Chinese people." Max Zhang Jun had a train station fight scene with Zhang Ziyi. Viewers of test screenings praised it as the bright spot of the entire film and a display of power. Zhang Jun said, "The pressure was enormous on this film, the fighting was real unlike before. Every school and every style were very clear cut." Wong Kar Wai was known for taking his time to be concise. Back then when he spent 5 years to complete 2046 it was already classic, no one expected that THE GRANDMASTERS from planning to official release would take 14 years. At first Wong Kar Wai and Jeff Lau Chun Wai discussed THE GRANDMASTERS story, in 2001 the script was officially registered, in 2003 the film announced its official production. For ten years most of the time only the buzz of the production could be heard. In 2008 Raymond Wong Pak Ming made IP MAN with Donnie Yen Chi Tan, leading to a "twin incident". IP Man was released and became a hit, even followed the momentum with a sequel. However Wong Kar Wai insisted on completing his research before beginning production and asked Leung Chiu Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen to study martial art. In July 2009, Wai Jai while sparring suffered a bone crack, during the shoot he even had a fracture. The film 3 years ago began to heat up in its production, but the rainy night fight scene in the trailer alone took 30 nights, gave Wai Jai bronchitis and made him sick for 5 days after the shoot. The film even had two wrap banquets, in the end Wai Jai, Zhang Ziyi and others were called back to continue additional shoots. Thus before the film is released, Wai Jai still does not believe it truly has wrapped up production. Playing Leung Chiu Wai's wife, Korean star Song Hye-Kyo is working on a Korean television series in Korea and thus was absent. However she still sent a video for the premiere. In the video she apologized for being unable to attend the premiere and revealed that she was a fan of Director Wong. She said, "Spending 3 years to work on THE GRANDMASTERS with Director Wong Kar Wai, it has been a very happy period of time for me. It includes working with excellent actors, I have learned a lot, gained valuable experience. I have always been the director's fan. Although my character this time isn't very key, being able to participate in the director's film is already a honor for me." Meanwhile, the Wong Jing and Manfred Wong (Man Jun) produced, Daniel Chan Yee Heng directed YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED (GOO WAT JAI: GONG WU SUN DIT JUI) will be released on the same day as THE GRANDMASTERS. Yesterday Wong Jing took a jab online at Wong Kar Wai for spending 7 years to finally complete this film. "Congratulations Brother Wong Kar Wai for finally finishing this film that I too really want to see. The big film that the Cannes Best Director spent 7 years, over 400 units and 300 million on! However for its Hong Kong promotion, does it need to compare itself to a film that new director Chan Yee Heng spent a month and a half, 20 some units and several millions to make? Yee Heng has the chance to compete with Wong Kar Wai in the slot, it is his honor! However nothing is certain at the box office, we shall wait and see!" * (2013/01/07) The Lunar New Year film I LOVE HONG KONG 2013 (2013 NGOR OI HK GUNG HEI FAT CHOI) will be released on February 7. The story begins in the 70s, as Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Michael Tse Tin Wa and Kate Tsui Tsz Shan played Alan Tam Wing Lun, Nat Chan Pak Cheung and Veronica Yip Yuk Hing's younger versions. Straight laced Bosco and long haired Tin Wa were tea house employees who both fell for the owner's daughter Tsui Tsz Shan. Their 70s costumes were unique on their won. Joyce Cheng Yun Yi in the film played Tsui Tsz Shan's good friend. Yun Yi's nostalgic wig and exaggerated glasses look had shades of her mother Lydia Shum Din ha in her Cantonese film days. Yun Yi made a huge sacrifice for the film. In the film she was unreasonable and only loved pretty boy Tin Wa. In one scene Tin Wa wanted to "break the drawer bottom" (embezzle) and received a Black Widow spider bite, as his lips were swollen like two sausages and he was foaming at the mouth. Yun Yi had to suck out the poison from his toe. * (2013/01/07) Chrissie Chau Sau Na, Rose Chan Ka Wun and Michelle Wai Si Nga two nights ago attended the MEMORIES (DAU SAU WUI YIK) premiere. They all appeared in white dresses. Speaking of her interest in music, Chan Ka Wun explained that she would like to have more opportunities to perform abroad. Sister Na joked that she showed off her abdominal "career line". Chan Ka Wun stole her thunder. She said, "Great! It's something to be happy about." She praised co-star Chiu King Ho's bashful smile as having dimples. Did she feel her boyfriend Avis Chan Wai Sing was not bashful enough? She said, "You can try different things in movies." She will work with Chapman To Man Jat on a new film. Sister Na said that she already had a preemptive dinner with Krystal Tin Yui Nei. "I have to learn from Ah Jat. His movies have tens of millions at the box office, I can't disappoint him. (When DaDa Chen Jing worked with Ah Jat she had to be sexy?) This time will mainly be a comedy for me. I am working out. Ah Jat is working hard, I have to too. (Did you visit duck (gigolo) shops for the role?) It's cold, I am not comfortable if it's not boiling!" Si Nga announced that from now on she would return to her original name Wai Si Nga. "I like my last name very much, and I don't want to be confused for someone else." Seemingly she was afraid that the outside would confuse her with Shiga Lin Si Nga. * (2013/01/07) Paul Wong Koon Chung two nights ago worked on the film MOOT YUT PAI DUI (DOOMSDAY PARTY) with Kay Tse On Kay, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu and producer Teddy Robin Kwan. Speaking of G.E.M. blasting the Commercial Radio, Wong Koon Chung said, "The music scene needs fire, people who dare to speak up. Everyone have times when they are right or wrong, if she is wrong, I would correct her too." Although he was very busy, he would sleep less to be with his wife Athena Chu Yun and their daughter. Kay Tse On Kay in the scene realized that her boyfriend Wilfred Lau Ho Lung cheated and thus angrily slapped him. Did she imagine him to be her husband Louis Cheung Kai Chung and slash out? She said, "He never treated me like this. We have been married for 5 years, we have never even argued. Whenever we had a difference of opinion, he would go out. When he came home he would be all smiles again. Hubby used to be a Rocker, very emotional. Now he can't even be ignited!" She said that if she realized her husband was cheating, she would calmly return home and handle it civilly. "Hubby's opposite sex friends are all my friends. Instead he has many same sex friends, every night they keep sending texts. I trust him though, I never check on him." In addition, Kwan Chor Yiu said that it was his first collaboration with his uncle Teddy Robin. He admitted that after work he would call his uncle for advice. His uncle has even disciplined him before. * (2013/01/06) Stephen Chow Sing Chi two days ago spoke about his dreams with Alibaba group chief Jack Ma Yun at the Beijing China Media University. They appreciated each other and practiced Tai Chi. Sing Yeh said that he would like Ma Yun to play the Monkey King; the audience saw how great they got along and screamed, "Get together!" Sing Yeh was asked about marriage and he continued to practice "Tai Chi". "Now no one wants me." Sing Yeh responded to the question of when he would wed. "I don't know either!" He then turned around and Wang Zhonglei, "At my age now I probably won't have the chance! I am so old, now definitely no one wants me." When a viewer asked him about his favorite actress, he said that recently he felt Shu Qi was decent since she was the JOURNEY TO THE WEST (SAI YAU GONG MOR PIN) lead actress. Someone screamed his former rumored girlfriend Athena Chu Yan's CHINESE ODYSSEY character name. He remained serious and did not respond. In recent years Sing Yeh focused on behind the scene work, which was regrettable to many film viewers. Sing Yeh said, "Actually I still can be an action director. I have practiced kung fu since I was little, I am interested in martial arts. In all of my movies I would participate in action director work." Ma Yun immediately grabbed him to practice Tai Chi. Ma Yun praised Sing Yeh, "Chinese people have two things that they have to watch, one is Chow Sing Chi movies, the other is Jin Yong (Louis Cha) novels. The rest can all be passing clouds." 2,000 viewers applauded and cheered. Sing Yeh said that he thought about asking Ma Yun to play the Monkey King. "I want to ask Ma Yun to make a movie, he could play whatever he wants. Whichever actress he would like to work with I would try to get. I feel JOURNEY TO THE WEST is the perfect movie, the only regret is Ma Yun didn't play the Monkey King." In JOURNEY OF THE WEST, the original "10000 year limit" has now become "10000 years are too long, just fight for the moment". Sing Yeh lamented particularly, "I don't have much time, I need to fulfill many dreams in the fastest speed." Ma Yun agreed, "Dream realization now not only needs the best creativity, but also excellent teams and persisting hard work. However it can only be just talks and empty dreams." * (2013/01/06) Taiwan film and television tycoon Yang Deng-Kui passed away on December 31. Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Wong Jing, and Andrew Lau Wai Keung yesterday went to Taiwan to pay their respect. Hok Yau and Yang Deng-Kui have known each other for over a decade. Yang Deng-Kui said, "Cheung Hok Yau's biggest flaw is he doesn't look like an artist, but it is also his most lovable quality." Hok Yau said, "Boss Yang didn't speak much. He was bold and loyal, I respected him very much." Hok Yau remembered 11 years ago Boss Yang asked him to work on a liquor ad. At the time he already quit drinking. Boss Yang took great care of him. The first 3 glasses were real liquor, the rest were all tea. He revealed taht he was working on his schedule to attend the memorial concert on the 28th. Wong Jing praised Yang Deng-Kui as "a real man who values promises. He supported their film productions very much and loved film and television." Lau Wai Keung said, "He took care of the younger generation like a father." Ariel Lin yesterday tearfully said, "I would properly promote, I hope he would be able to see it there." She and Yang Deng-Kui were like grandfather and grandchild. Most of her work was with Gala Television Corporation. Every time she finished one, Yang Deng-Kui would always take her hand and said, "Thank you for making another good show for the company." He made her felt all warm inside. Dicky Cheung Wai Kin yesterday arrived from Shanghai and stayed less than 3 hours. Kin Jai once had a film contract with Yang Deng-Kui, who gave him a down payment first. However before the movie went into production he already spent it all. Then he ran into Ken Yang and asked him to tell Yang Deng-Kui that he would not take a down payment for nothing. In the future if he was needed he would be there. Yang Deng-Kui replied, "You just keep the down payment first!" He finally understood the reasoning behind "you respect me and I return it ten folds" and behaved with the spirit. * (2013/01/05) The Stephen Chow Sing Chi directed fantasy comedy JOURNEY TO THE WEST (SAI YAU GONG MOR PIN) earlier unveiled its theme song music video LOVE OF A LIFETIME (YUT SUN SOR OI) that lead actress Shu Qi performed. In the music video Shu Qi transformed into the Moonlight Goddess to sing the theme song. It even had her and lead actor Wen Zhang's funny scenes from the film. Reportedly Sing Yeh this time wrote new lyrics for the song and Shu Qi performed it at his invitation. On the day of the recording, Sing Yeh personally supervised at the studio. Sing Yeh said that he has always been very interested in JOURNEY TO THE WEST because it had many stories that could be made into movies. In the past Sing Yeh's movies liked to use new comers for lead actresses, this time however he invited Shu Qi. He said, "She is a comedy fighte r jet, I asked her to perform because I was in luck. A long time ago I already liked her very much." * (2013/01/05) The Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers president Ng See Yuen yesterday along with the ten affiliated organization representatives Andrew Lau Wai Keung, Joe Cheung Tung Cho and Tin Kai Man met in Kwun Tong to discuss the Hong Kong Cinematography and Television Lighting and Mechanics workers' 50% salary increase from the daily rate of HK$840 to 1250. Some film companies felt that the increase was too high and decided to halt production in protest. Ng See Yuen revealed that the meeting went smoothly as both sides were sincere about resolving the problem. He said, "The salary must be adjusted, but everyone felt that they should take their time discussing how much. Hopefully we will have a conclusion in a day and resolve the problem in two to three days." Lau Wai Keung said, "Some movies that began production last year hoped the lighting and the mechanics would work at the old rate. As far as I know many productions have halted. At this meeting everyone very positively resolved the problem." * (2013/01/05) Reportedly due to Oscar Leung Lit Wai's outstanding performance in his new film YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED (GOO WAT JAI: GONG WU SUN DIT JUI), which caught Wong Jing's eyes, the director wanted to sign him to a 10 film contract for salary as high as 7 figures. Wong Jing yesterday admitted, "I can see his potential, whether in a lead or support role, serious or comedy he is capable. He has the potential of (Stephen) Chow Sing Chi or (Nick) Cheung Ka Fai in the past." Wong Jing said that after the Lunar New Year he will work on a big film that has over 100 million in investment and star Chow Yun Fat and Nicholas Tse Ting Fung. He originally wanted Wai Wai to participate but now he has to check out the situation before making a decision. "I worried that his emotional issue (Kenny Wee slander lawsuit) won't be resolved so I set aside the 10 film contract plan for now. I will still sign him film by film. Hopefully this matter will be resolved soon, then I will be able to discuss the 10 film plan with him." * (2013/01/05) Last year Chapman To Man Jat paired with Fiona Sit Hoi Kei on MR. AND MRS. GAMBLER (LAN DOH FU DAU LAN DOH CHAI), which with a small budget won 6 million at the box office. Wong Jing decided on a sequel before the Lunar New Year but dumped Sit Hoi Kei for "new favorite" Chrissie Chau Sau Na. Reportedly in the story fellow players Ah Jat and Sister Na fall in love. They decide to live together and be "exclusive" to prove their true love, resulting into jokes galore. Ah Jat has always seen Sister Na as a goddess. While Wong Jing was still drafting the script he suggested the addition of Sister Na "seducing" him. The result had to rival Chingmy Yau Suk Ching's hit I'M YOUR BIRTHDAY CAKE (BUT DOH DUT DIK LAI MUK), blatantly he was using "work for personal gain"! Ah Jat last year due to his medication gained 30 pounds. To match with the "goddess" recently he has been rapidly slimming down. Ah Jat said, "I am looking forward to working with Sister Na for the first time very much. (Are you afraid that your wife would be jealous?) She really like to make friends with women I like. Since I wasn't in Hong Kong they already met for dinner, this is what people call a preemptive strike." Sister Na and friends co-funded a film company. When asked about replacing Sit Hoi Kei, she answered, "Don't say that, it's because I am not a gambling addict, I just mess around. (Would you add your boyfriend's messing around into the film?) I don't mind Ah Jat asking him for advice." * (2013/01/05) Two major hunks Shawn Yue Man Lok and Nicholas Tse Ting Fung have worked together on films DRAGON TIGER GATE (LUNG FU MOON) and INVISIBLE TARGET (NAM YI BOON SIK). Since then they have been busy on their own and have not run into each other on the big screen for many years. Recently Emperor Motion Picture started work on the Derek Kwok Chi Kin directed new film about fire fighters SPECIAL RESCUE HEROES (DUT JUNG GAU WOON YING HUNG), Ting Fung and Lok Jai reunited. Over the months Lok Jai and Ting Fung have been working intensely on the film. Yesterday Lok Jai shared a photo from work with Ting Fung. Seemingly he looked forward to it. "After 5 to 6 years without working together, we are back again in 2013!" Meanwhile, the film due to director Kwok Chi Kin's kidney stone emergency operation still has no decisive date to resume production. * (2013/01/05) The Andy Lau Tak Wa starred film FUNG BO (STORM) has been in production for almost two months, its dangerous action scenes have become more and more explosive. After the Lau Tak Wa car flip scene at North Point, two days ago the robbery gang "blew up" Sheung Wan as bullets rained down and fires raged like a battlefield. Even though passersby realized it was a film production, they still covered their ears and ran for cover. Two days ago around 4PM, FUNG BO shot on Bridges Street in Sheung Wan. In the scene the bearded robber Ray Lui Leung Wai engaged in a gun battle with the Special Duties Unit. Ah Lui and his gang wore masks and exited their vehicles to fight in close combat with the SDU. The location was filled with smoked as bullets rained down. Even the action director Chin Kar Lok thought the guns were too loud and asked for them to reduce the volume. After a round of gun fire explosions ensued, one of the vehicles exploded loudly as everyone nearby covered their ears. A nearby kindergarten just let out and the children were frightened. Parents quickly covered their children's ears and noses and took off. Luckily the shoot was successful after the explosion scene was shot. Ah Lui said, "This gun fight and explosion scene are certainly dangerous. Because Hong Kong police films are known for their explosions, without power they don't look good. This scene was shot on a busy street with so many workers and near residences, I was pretty scared. Luckily action director Chin Kar Lok was very professional and calculated very accurately. These explosion scenes only got one take. Before the shoot we rehearsed our marks and had to be precise. However it would be very dangerous." He revealed that in the morning they already began rehearsal and they rehearsed for 4 to 5 hours. In the afternoon they began the shoot. Ah Lui also said that two days ago the production had road blocks and no pedestrian, otherwise it would be very dangerous. This scene took two days to shoot. "My role will last until early February, then we still will have many street explosions, gun fights and police and robber encounters. The film company bought insurance, and I have always bought insurance as well." Will he spend the Lunar New Year with his wife and son abroad? Ah Lui said that during the Lunar new Year he will bring his family to Malaysia for a concert to raise fund of 3,000 African orphans. Two days ago Ah Lui's wife Yang Xiaojun visited the set with their son. Ah Lui said that his son loved guns as much as life itself, when he had the prop gun he was happier than going to the amusement park; his son looked great with a gun when he posed for photos. Although his son stole his thunder, Ah Lui was still happy. * (2013/01/05) The Chow Yun Fat and Huang Xiaoming starred film THE LAST TYCOON (DAI SEUNG HOI) and the Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Chang Chen and Liu Ye starred THE LAST SUPPER (WONG DIK SING YIN) two days ago were released on the same day in Hong Kong. Fat Gor in the end is still Fat Gor and has certain charm. Two days ago the single day box office was HK$430,000, along with the earlier advanced screenings the film opened with 620,000; however, THE LAST SUPPER opened with just 38,000. Both films have been released in the Mainland and only gave average performances. Their cumulative box offices were both 73 million RMB, but SUPPER was released earlier than TYCOON. On the other hand Jackie Chan's CZ12 (SUP YI SUN CHIU) already reached 480 million RMB at the Mainland box office. During its Hong Kong release it faced strong foreign films THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2, WRECK-IT RALPH, LES MISERABLES and THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY. On the 15th its cumulative box office was HK$9.89 million, a decent performance already. * (2013/01/04) The Wong Kar Wai directed film THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) from conception to completion took 17 years. THE GRANDMASTERS will finally be sent to Beijing and Hong Kong for inspections tomorrow for the Beijing screening and the Hong Kong release next Thursday. Due to the director's principle of slow work yields detailed product, the film today is still rushing through post production in Thailand. The Wong Kar Wai directed, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-Kyo and Chang Chen starred film THE GRANDMASTERS originally was scheduled for a December 18 release, but because the film was still in production its Hong Kong date was postponed to next Thursday. However the film's post production is still not done yet. Wong Kar Wai and post production chief commander William Chang Suk Ping today are still in Thailand to rush through the post production, because the film has a media screening tomorrow in Beijing, a press conference and a premiere two days later. Leung Chiu Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen and Max Zhang Jun will all attend the promotion. Next Tuesday the film will officially open in the Mainland and its Hong Kong premiere will take place on the same day. On Thursday it will be released in Hong Kong. Although the release dates and promotional advertisements have already been released, the film's post production still has not been completed. Investors and distributors are all shaking in their boots, as they worry that the film will again miss its release date. Reportedly THE GRANDMASTERS before noon tomorrow will be sent to Beijing and Hong Kong for inspections. After the inspection it will be produced into digital video disks. Because the disks will have to be delivered to all the major Mainland cities before the Tuesday release, Sil-Metropole has already had 300 people on call in order to deliver the videos to the cinemas before Tuesday. Tomorrow a media screening will take place in Beijing. Mainland media worried that this film will not complete its post production and the screening will go up in smoke. Before the film is still being worked on in Thailand, outsiders worried whether the film will be released as scheduled. Sil-Metropole yesterday said, "The film release advertisements have all been published, of course it will be able to be released on time. It absolutely won't be a problem." Jet Tone's Ms. Leung said, "Sil-Metropole is absolutely right, no one should have any reason not to believe what the distributors say." THE GRANDMASTERS' Hong Kong release only has competition from the Wong Jing produced YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED (GOO WAT JAI: GONG WU SUN DIT JUI). Because of their different genres, the latter's audience base will mainly be young people. Conceivably it will not be a threat to THE GRANDMASTERS. In addition after 17 years THE GRANDMASTERS piqued the audience's curiosity about how the non martial art actor Leung Chiu Wai would interpret the Wing Chun master of a generation Ip man. Mainland cinema circuits are also full of expectations for this film, predicting that it will make 250 million to 300 million RMB. After completing THE GRANDMASTERS, Wong Kar Wai has not confirmed his next film subject. However he would extremely likely work on the Taiwan writer Pai Hsien-Yung's THE ETERNAL YIN XUEYAN. As early as 2009 he met with Pai Hsien-Yung in Taipei. Reportedly he would like to Brigitte Lin (Lam Ching Ha) who has retired from film for 18 years to play the lead. ETERNAL revolves around the 50s and 60s Taiwan upper class and the life of an Old Shanghai socialite Yin Xueyan who has everyone at her feet. Witnessing Four Eras Without having to wait until 2046, Wong Kar Wai's THE GRANDMASTERS will finally be released. This film was conceived before the Hong Kong Hand Over. In other words it experienced the last Hong Kong governor Patten, former Chief Executives Tung Chee-Hwa, Donald Tsang Yam Kuen, and Chief Executive C.Y. Leung, witnessing four eras and over a decade of Hong Kong rises and falls before and after the Hand Over. 1996: Wong Kar Wai while working on HAPPY TOGETHER (CHUN GUONG JA SIT) in Argentina saw a magazine with Bruce Lee on the cover and had the idea to create THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI). July 1 1997: Hong Kong officially handed over back to China, as the last governor Patten left Hong Kong in the Royal yacht. 1997: Asia financial storm erupted. 1998: Stephen Chow Sing Chi planned to make BRUCE LEE AND ME, with Jeff Lau Chun Wai as the director. Later the project was scrapped. May 8 2002: Wong Kar Wai decided to make THE GRANDMASTERS, Ip Man's older son Ip Chun host the production start ceremony for Tony Leung Chiu Wai. February 2003: The virus of the century SARS invaded Hong Kong, the entire city was enveloped in a cloud of worries. July 1 2003: July 1 protest march had 500,000 Hong Kongers on the street to protest against Article 23 and demand the resignation of Tung Chee-Hwa. March 10 2005: Tung Chee-Hwa suddenly resigned due to leg pain as Tsang Yam Kuen temporarily took the post. March 25 2007: Tsang Yam Kuen with the support of the Central government was elected the Chief Executive to the surprise of none. October 2007: Wong Kar Wai's Ip Man copyright came to term, Raymond Wong Pak Ming immediately purchased it. September 2008: the financial tsunami erupted, as the globla economy entered recession. December 19 2008: Wilson Yip Wai Shun and Donnie Yen Chi Tan's version IP MAN was released and made a mad 150 million in Hong Kong and China. 2009: Yip Wai Shun followed up with IP MAN 2, its release next year made HK$40 million in Hong Kong. Ip Man's son Ip Siu Wai thought that his step brother Ip Chun received a sizable royalty, went to demand a share but was declined. He was so upset that he said that he would jump off a building to his death. Wai Jai during the shoot was injured. His left forearm was fractured and THE GRANDMASTERS was again delayed. 2010: The disciple of Ip Man's disciple Sin Kwok Lam produced the film THE LEGEND IS BORN -- IP MAN, with his disciples Rose Chan Ka Wun and Dennis To Yu-Hang as leads. July 1 2012: C.Y. Leung is sworn in officially as the Hong Kong Special Administrative region Chief Executive. July 2012: THE GRANDMASTERS trailer is unveiled. January 1 2013: 130,000 Hong Kongers marched on the streets to demand the resignation of C.Y. Leung. January 10 2013: THE GRANDMASTERS is scheduled for release. * (2013/01/04) The sharp tongued beauty pageant addict nicknamed foul mouth Barbie, Barbie Liu recently changed her name to Ha Wai Yu to try her luck in show business again. Two nights ago she appeared in a fire red bikini and bathed Chapman To Man Jat on the street for the film BLACK COMEDY (HAK SIK HEI KET). Her friends Calinda Chan Yuen Wai and Tina Shek Tin Yan came to support her. The Wilson Chin Kwok Wai directed BLACK COMEDY two nights ago shot at the extremely busy Mongkok pedestrian zone. The team decorated the location into a small sized bathroom with a bathtub and a shower on the pedestrian zone. In the story Wong Cho Nam and To Man Jat who played the devil had a deal. Cho Nam asked Ah Jat to appear, but Ah Jat was enjoying a bath with two sexy servants. Because of all the onlookers, the police stopped by to investigate. After 10PM because the pedestrian zone was unblocked, the police finally used police vehicles to urge the production team to leave. Ah Jat, Foul Mouth Barbie and others with the crew entered a building. Actually two days ago Wong Cho Nam and Ah Jat worked on the Causeway Bay pedestrian zone and attracted many onlookers as well. After the rapid shoot, Cho Nam said that he had to rush to the film MY SASSY HUBBY (NGOR LO GUNG NG SUN SING)'s celebration. * (2013/01/04) The Andy Lau Tak Wa starred film FUNG BO (STORM) two days ago shot at Central. Although Wa Jai did not take part, many actors like Ray Lui Leung Wai, Terence Yin (Wan Chi Wai), Michael Tong Man Lung, and Gordon Lam Ka Tung appeared. Two days ago these actors who played robbers had to wear masks and hijack a car. Before the shoot action director Chin Kar Lok intensely kept directing actors to take their marks. During the official shoot after a round of gun fire the street was filled with smoke. Passersby had to cover their noses. The shoot went on until the sun went away. Reportedly because the lighting and the mechanics teams were being paid the new rate, the director was very tense about completing all the scenes. * (2013/01/04) Hong Kong Cinematography & Television Lighting and Mechanics Associations has already adjusted salaries since Tuesday with a 50% increase from the daily rate of HK$840 to 1250. Many film companies felt the increase was too much and decided to halt productions in protest. The Hong Kong Chamber of Film president Peter Lam Kin Ngok who represented the employers has already intervened, preparing to discuss with the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers to find a resolution. Hong Kong Society of Cinematographers president Andrew Lau Wai Keung also expressed deep concerns over such a drastic increase. He said yesterday, "Today I meet with the lighting and mechanics representatives in hopes of resolving this matter. I too feel the increase is too much. Right now film operations is very tough, I of course don't want to see bosses due to excessively high Hong Kong production cost take their productions out of Hong Kong. Then Hong Kong workers won't even have a chance to work." * (2013/01/04) Artist Gregory Wong Chung Hiu recently signed with 3D Digital, but even he had no idea for how many years. He said, "Because I trust the company very much, when I am at the company I feel like I joined a big family." After signing a new contract, Wong Chung Hiu immediately took a few film roles including THE ICEMAN COMETH 3D (BING FUNG HUP), BLACK COMEDY (HAK SIK HEI KET) and a Mainland film, the Tang Tat Hei directed thriller TOMORROW WHEN THE WORLD WILL END (MING YUT SAI GAI JUNG GIT SI). In it Wong Chung Hiu will even be the lead actor. Wong Chung Hiu has worked on LAN KWAI FONG (HEI OI YEH PO) and DUE WEST: OUR SEX JOURNEY (YUT LO HEUNG SAI), during which he was linked to DaDa Chen Jing and Carol Yeung Chi Yiu in gossip. He said, "Actors are more passive, but all the rumors are real. At the time I was dating them, but with DaDa the break up was amicable. We felt like we were right for each other, at the time it was publicized. With Carol it was half publicized, she seemed to be hesitant about the relationship. Sometimes she wanted to publicize it and sometimes she didn't. I am already 29, dating is very normal. I don't want to have to sneak around on dates." * (2013/01/04) Jazz Lam Chi Sin and Bro5 member Dominic Ho Ho Man recently have been working on a new film. They personally performed their stunts and got wounded all over. Chi Sin declined to use protective padding when he worked on a spine slamming against a pole scene. "For several decades I have never fainted from fighting! Because I was wearing shorts I couldn't wear pads, whenever I fought my entire legs would be all bruised. In one scene I knelt while I beat someone in a coffee shop. My knees kept grinding against the floor, so when I saw bread all over the floor I used it for padding." Dominic saw blood due to his work out. "One day I was doing push up on a truck, but the ground had metal scraps. I didn't notice them at the time, later I only found out when my legs hurt and were all bloodied." Speaking of their film YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED (GOO WAT JAI: GONG WU SUN DIT JUI) receiving online criticism even before its release, Chi Sin hoped that viewers would give opinions after watching it. "Art is very abstract, some feel it's good, some feel it's not. Success depends on more or less people liking it." * (2013/01/04) Two days ago around 6PM, Chapman To Man Jat worked on the film BLACK COMEDY (HAK SIK HEI KET) in Causeway Bay and attracted many onlookers. Director Wilson Chin Kwok Wai and the team were ready when To Man Jat appeared in a red devil look. With a skull scepter he sat on the street barricade and had ice cream. Perhaps because they did not apply for the shoot in advance, the team packed up and left after shooting for less than 10 minutes. * (2013/01/04) The Dior Cheng Yi Kin and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin starred film MY SASSY HUBBY (NGOR LO GUNG NG SUN SING) broke the 10 million mark at the Hong Kong and Macau box office. Two nights ago they celebrated in Tsim Sha Tsui. Boss Daneil Lam Siu Ming and director James Yuen Sai Sun had intentions to make a sequel and a television series. With the flu Ah Sa and Ekin were both interested in the sequel but would like to make it ten years later. As for the television series, Ekin wanted to make it but Ah Sa thought it would take too much time. Ekin said that he performed a concert and was a part of the music scene. When his buddy Leo Ku Kui Ke took time off and was absent from the Commercial Radio Ultimate Song Chart Awards, Ekin should have accepted the award on his behalf and stolen the spotlight. He lamented, "The music scene and radio stations are on their own, they are all scattered. They should be united like in Korea." Speaking of his wedding date with Yoyo Mung Ka Wai, Ekin immediately practiced Tai Chi. "It has been in preparation for a long time, after talking about it for a year I am already very bored. I am not talking about it in 2013." Ah Sa wanted to mainly make movies in the new year, but when she thought about her 3D film with Alec Su (So Yau Peng) after the Lunar New Year and having to stay in Hengdian for several months for it she felt very sad. Would she ask her boyfriend William Chan Wai Ting to visit? She said, "That would be very hard, he too will be busy with several movies. I heard that Hengdian is a little better than before." Wylie Chiu Shek Chi's contract just ended with Big Honor Entertainment, she admitted that since boss Lam Kin Ming gave her her start and treated her like his own daughter she would consider his company first. However his boss' business focus was on records and concerts, she felt isolated as it differed from her movie and television intentions. Thus she is seeking a collaboration format. Lately she could only concentrate on preparing for her fashion business. * (2013/01/04) The film SAVING GENERAL YANG (JUNG LIT YEUNG GA JEUNG)'s theme song I SUPPORT YOU (NGOR TING NEI) will have popular Korean group Super Junior-M as its performers. The song theme is brotherly love, in coordination with the Korean storm beats it injects a period feel. The singers in the cast reportedly will perform the Korean version. SJ-M will perform I SUPPORT YOU in Putonghua. This song will also be recorded in their new record. On January 7 they will have a new record press conference in Beijing. * (2013/01/03) Stepping into 2013, the nine major Hong Kong film affiliated organizations continued to increase salary. Starting January 1, lighting and mechanics would receive a 50% increase from HK$840 to 1250 daily. Honestly the Hong Kong film industry has been in a depression for such a long time, reportedly the move hast upset many film company boss. The Stephen Shiu Jr. invested THE ICEMAN COMETH 3D (BING FUNG HUP), the Emperor and Media Asia invested SPECIAL RESCUE HEROES (DUT JUNG GAU WOON YING HUNG), and Benny Chan Muk Sing's THE CARTEL WAR (SO DUK) have decided to temporarily halt production and refuse to give in. As for the Edko invested, Yuen Kam Lun directed, Andy Lau Tak Wa starred FUNG BO (STORM) due to its road block application yesterday had to start production and accept the new rate, then would halt production as well. Yesterday Gordon Lam Ka Tung and Ray Lui Leung Wai worked on the scene at Central. Chin Kar Lok was the action director. Lau Tak Wa was not at work. The Hong Kong Chamber of Films president Peter Lam Kin Ngok yesterday said, "I understand that life is tough for everyone, but film investment is just as tough for bosses. Let's find a mutually acceptable resolution. I will communicate with the labor side as soon as possible." Johnnie To Kei Fung who is the most supportive of Hong Kong film productions reacted drastically. "You can increase the rate but it has to be reasonable. The increase by half in one shot indeed is an unhealthy and forward decision. Do you really want to kill the film industry?" Universe boss Daneil Lam Siu Ming yesterday said that the increase was hard to accept. He said, "Chan Muk Sing's movie will be shot in Hong Kong, but if the lighting and mechanical numbers aren't right I would rather suspend production then consider shooting it abroad." * (2013/01/03) International superstar Chow Yun Fat in his new film THE LAST TYCOON (DAI SEUNG HOI) worked with Mainland film stars Yolanda Yuan Quan and Monica Mok Siu Kei for the first time. Before the shoot Fat Gor said to director Wong Jing that he worried he and Yuan Quan did not have enough chemistry. Wong Jing on the other hand was full of confidence in Yuan Quan. After several warm up scenes, Fat Gor and Yuan Quan's emotional scenes were full of chemistry. Fat Gor had nothing but praise for her. As for Mok Siu Kei's scene in Fat Gor's arms, they both displayed real emotions. Fat Gor even shed tears. Later Yuan Quan said, "Fat Gor brought a lot of joy when he was on the set, but as soon as the cameras rolled he was serious. He very quickly brought me into the character, I learned a lot from him." * (2013/01/03) The two show Shine Passion Live Hong Kong Coliseum concert series ended. Viewers asked for three encores. The guys took off their jackets and tossed them into the audience before the audience was willing to leave. Shine has already received Director Fruit Chan Gor's Golden internet novel LOST ON A RED MINIBUS TO TAIPO (NA YEH LING SUN, NGOR JOR SEUNG LIU WONG GOK OI WONG DAI BO DIK HUNG VAN) script. The director contacted Isabella Leong Lok Si about the female lead but she still has not yet responded. "Leong Lok Si's acting is good, we want to work with her to see what kind of spark we can set off." Tsui Tin Yau was interested in adapting his own novel for the big screen but would not give up his music career. * (2013/01/03) Hong Kong film industry is growing in strength as its production quantity and overall box office continue to climb. According to the Hong Kong Motion Picture Industry Association's 2012 Hong Kong film market summation, the 2012 total box office exceeded HK$1.55 billion, a rise of 11.75% from 2011's 1.39 billion. The year's total film release quantity rose 8.7% from 2011 as well. 2012 had 300 first run releases, 50 were Hong Kong films. In 2012 the total box office was HK$1,555,691,013, an obvious rise from 2011's 1,392,170,518. The Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Tony Leung Ka Fai starred COLD WAR (HONG JIN) with 42.68 million was last year's highest grossing Hong Kong film. The film is still in release. In second and third were VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) with 30.06 million and LOVE IN THE BUFF (CHUN GIU YU JI MING) with 27.97 million; A SIMPLE LIFE (TOH JEH), which brought overseas honors and seven Best Actress awards to Deanie Ip Tak Han, came in fourth with 27.87 million. Topping the foreign film box office was MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS with 96.7 million, making it the 2012 box office champion. In second was THE DARK KNIGHT RISES with 80.26 million, in third was THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN with 61.98 million. Although Hong Kong film box office was no match for foreign film's, COLD WAR won back some dignity for local films as it landed 5th in the total box office. It even bested Ang Li's LIFE OF PI and the James Bond film series SKYFALL. It was also the only Hong Kong film to break into the top 10. 2012 HONG KONG TOP TEN FILM BOX OFFICE 1. MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS - HK$96,706,670 2. THE DARK KNIGHT RISES - HK$80,269,966 3. THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN - HK$61,983,852 4. MEN IN BLACK 3 - HK$44,752,201 5. COLD WAR - HK$42,686,613 (in release) 6. LIFE OF PI - HK$41,950,258 (in release) 7. ICE AGE: CONTINENTAL DRIFT - HK$38,236,658 8. SKYFALL - HK$37,646,462 9. JOURNEY 2: MYSTERIOUS ISLAND - HK$35,217,217 10. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY - HK$34,293,977 (in release) From January 1 to December 31 2012 * (2013/01/03) With the New Year holiday coming to an end, foreign film and animation defeated Chinese films. The New Year's Day single day box office top three were LES MISERABLES with HK$1.93 million, WRECK-IT RALPH with 1.35 million and THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY with 920,000. Jackie Chan's CZ12 (SUP YI SUN CHIU) came in 4th with 660,000. The Huang Xiaoming, Shawn Yue Man Lok and Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin) starred THE GUILLOTINES (HUET DIK JI) gave an only average performance with 270,000. The film as of January 1 after 6 days in release accumulated only 2 million at the box office. CZ12 as of January 1 after 13 days in release had almost 10 million at the cumulative box office. Released on the same day, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2 and WRECK-IT RALPH had 17.93 million and 16.75 million respectively. The Chow Yun Fat and Huang Xiaoming starred THE LAST TYCOON (DAI SEUNG HO) today joins the fray, who knows how much Fat Gor's charm will bring into the box office. The Tony Leung Chiu Wai starred, 10 years in production Wong Kar Wai film THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) has been scheduled for a January 10 Hong Kong release and a January 8 Mainland release. Wai Jai will appeared with Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen and other actors on January 8 at the Tsim Sha Tsui iSquare cinema for the premiere. The film will be 130 minutes long. * (2013/01/03) Jackie Chan yesterday with the Outdoor Shop donated 500 down jackets to the Yau Ma Tei Salvation Army headquarters for those in need. He also gave away film tickets to seniors. Today he will donate another 10,000 down jackets to the Hebei province for charity. After Jackie Chan made anti-democracy comments earlier, former student movement leader Wang Dan called for a boycott of his film CZ12 (SUP YI SUN CHIU) and began a war of words with Jackie Chan fans. Jackie Chan said, "Please don't be this way, everyone has the freedom of speech. Everyone can disagree with my opinion, and I would respect other people's opinions." He was not worried about CZ12's box office and even boasted, "My movie made 600 million in the Mainland, just yesterday it made 53 million. It is also the Southeast Asia box office champion, which anyone should be able to look up. I don't know how much it made in Hong Kong. Everyone has the right to watch me or not watch me, I don't care." On New Year's Day Hong Kong continued to have protest march. Jackie Chan declined to comment. "What about you? What do you think? Don't magnify one line to attract people's eyeballs." He revealed that he will make the film POLICE STORY 2013 (GAING CHAT GOO SI 2013) with a yet to be determined cast. Will he ask the recently single Maggie Cheung Man Yuk to guest star? Jackie Chan said, "She is broken up again? I haven't seen her in a long time. I want to take her to dinner. Great, I will ask her about the collaboration." * (2013/01/03) The Mainland film LOST IN THAILAND broke the 1 billion yuan RMB mark on New Year's Day and created the Chinese film box office record; stars Xu Zheng and Wang Baoqiang happily celebrated online. Reportedly the highest grossing film box office record in China was AVATAR with 1.38 million yuan. LOST IN THAILAND accomplished the over 1 billion yuan RMB box office mission for a Chinese film. After 21 days in release, over 30 million people have seen the film. Wang Baoqiang online said that it was good news on the first day of 2013. "I really am 'Thai' happy, thank you everyone for supporting national films! As the first Chinese film to break the mark, good omen has started with more to come." Xu Zheng also posted, "Despite being always calm, I actually still have a strand of joy. On the first day of this year, I hope everyone would share this joy with me. The real miracle belongs to China film viewers." LOST IN THAILAND is Xu Zheng directed and starred, the production cost was around 30 million RMB. The success was quite a pleasant surprise for investors; with the current momentum, its box office will conceivably reach new heights. Xu Zheng was asked about his income. He said, "I only got salary for the film. At first when I discussed the contract with investors I would be a bonus for a certain box office mark but not profit sharing. Thus how much I get would depend on how much the investing bosses get; Wang Baoqiang and Huang Bo's rewards also await the bosses' red pockets." He revealed that he might discuss box office profit sharing with the investors for the next film. Huang Bo joked that he felt regret when he saw the box office kept on rising. He was too kind at the start and did not ask for much. The Mainland fight again piracy probably helped the box office. According to Mainland media reports, Beijing law enforcement after seizing holiday film counterfeit videos on December 21, on the 27th it again received tips and seized more pirated disks that included LOST IN THAILAND and 1942. [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. APPLE DAILY, JANUARY 9 2013, BIG PLAN THE GRANDMASTERS' ROMANTIC KNOT (SPOILER) After brewing for 17 years and several edits the Wong Kar Wai directed film THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) will finally be released tomorrow in Hong Kong. However the Mandarin version has already jumped the gun and was released in the Mainland yesterday. Apple Daily reporters yesterday went to the early IMAX showing of the film in Shenzhen. From the cinema's ticket sale trend, some of the shows have already been 30% sold. Many viewers wanted to know, with Donnie Yen Chi Tan's version already how Tony Leung Chiu Wai's Ip Man would turn out. Actually Wong Kar Wai not only put his effort into the martial art fight scenes but also wanted to explain the deep meaning of martial art traditions and respect for the master and ethics. His expertise of love was inevitable. After twists and turns Zhang Ziyi and Leung Chiu Wai fell for each other, grieving deeply that they were unable to end up together. The current story was unable to fully depict the characters, thus in the future there will be an ultimate edition as Chang Chen and Song Hye-Kyo's roles will have even more additional explanations. - HO WING NING, MAN KWOK CHUN Five Major Scenes Power In The Rain Three major fight scenes in THE GRANDMASTERS take place in the rain and the snow, to avoid missing them no one should be late. In the first fight Wai Jai fights against ten people. In the rain strength and power expressions can be seen, as Wong Kar Wai smartly visualizes them. Another scene also takes place in the rain, Chang Chen with Eight Diagram palms fends off a gang attack. After three years of training his three minute long fight is well praised. Finally Zhang Ziyi avenges her father in the snow against Max Zhang Jun, the martial art conceptual and visual expressions are drastically different from the Donnie Yen Chi Tan style martial art action. Nose To Nose Electricity Zhang Ziyi's character is upset over his father's defeat at the hands of Tony Leung Chiu Wai and sets up a challenge banquet at the Golden House to win back dignity. During their duel they admire each other. In a classic scene they fall from above, nose to nose they thus fall for each other. Finally after Zhang Ziyi returns to the Northeast, she invites Wai Jai to visit twice. As he buys a fur coat in preparation for the trip, Wai Jai's family falls hard and he has to sell the fur. However he deliberately saves a button from the coat to remember Zhang Ziyi, which is full of Wong Kar Wai style symbolism. Neglecting Song Hye-Kyo Korean star Song Hye-Kyo in the film plays Leung Chiu Wai's wife, with only around five scenes and few appearances. When Song Hye-Kyo makes her first appearance Wai Jai's narration says, "My wife doesn't speak much because speaking can hurt people". Wonderfully she can have less lines and avoid embarrassment. Although her role has little screen time, Song Hye-Kyo is the only actress in the film with any skin to skin contact with Wai Jai. In one scene she wipes Wai Jai's chest with a towel. Later Wai Jai washes Song Hye-Kyo's legs and feet. Loving Zhang Ziyi Although THE GRANDMASTERS is a movie with Wai Jai as Ip Man, in terms of screen time the lead has to be Zhang Ziyi without any doubt. Her performance is spot on and surprisingly pleasant. In particular near the end Zhang Ziyi knows that due to old injuries she is not long for this world, she asks Ip Man to meet and makes her feelings known. The unpretentious expression of "you were once in my heart, running into you at my best is my fortune" is gut wrenching for viewers. More or less it is a continuation of the 2046 love story between Chow Mo wan and Pak Ling. Disciple Little Bruce Zhang Ziyi and Leung Chiu Wai fall in love over martial arts, they admire each other but because of vengeance for her father they cannot love each other. In her final days Zhang Ziyi expresses her feelings to Wai Jai and cuts some of her hair to give to Wai Jai to express her longing and helpless love for Wai Jai. Wai Jai finally settles in Hong Kong and takes in disciples. In the film a teenager has shades of Bruce Lee. Ip Man's wife Song Hye-Kyo finally passes away from illness. The Eight Diagram Fist disciple Chang Chen opens a barber shop in Hong Kong. Reaction: Golden Lines Are The Soul If actors are the flesh of Wong Kar Wai movies, their lines are the soul of Wong Kar Wai movies. THE GRANDMASTERS of course is no exception. - All encounters in life are long awaited reunions. - At the best time running into you is my luck, unfortunately I don't have any more time. - To say life is without regret is being rash, if it truly is without regret, how uninteresting it is. - Advance with a thought, never stop on a thought. - Life is like chess every move is without regret. We originally have no grudge, when we do it is fate. - Kung Fu, two words, one horizontal the other vertical. The wrong one falls; the right one stands. - In life, some become outside and some become inside. It just turns out that way. - A belt a breath - I grew up looking down on my dad's opponents. From my dad, I am not watching moves, but intentions. - If life has four seasons, before 40 mine was all spring. Special: Reunion with Chow Mo Wan All of life's encounters are long awaited reunions. Viewers waited for over a decade finally encounters THE GRANDMASTERS, which can be said a reunion with Wong Kar Wai movies. Although the film uses Ip Man's story as its blue print with martial art scenes in between, but the story brings out not the individual worship of a master of generation like IP MAN but through the entire martial art story examines the complexities of human nature, so viewers from the kung fu fist exchanges think and savor life. The exciting fight scenes are just decorations, the detailed dialogues are where the spirits truly lie. Previous Life, Present Life In other words, THE GRANDMASTERS is actually in the same vein as Wong Kar Wai's previous work DAYS OF BEING WILD (AH FEI JING JUEN), IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA) and 2046. Leung Chiu Wai as Ip Man is thoroughly a sharp dressed knight but has a dark side. His looks, costumes and even how he smokes actually is IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE's Chow Mo Wan. Ip Man cherishes his wife and falls for another is the portrait of Chow Mo Wan who traverses between women. In THE GRANDMASTERS, Ip Man can be seen as Chow Mo Wan's reincarnation. "A director only makes one film in his life." Wong Kar Wai has done it because his film characters would continuously be "reincarnated" in his work. For example Wai Jai who appears at the end of DAYS OF BEING WILD (AH FEI JING JUEN) actually is IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE and 2046's Chow Mo Wan; Maggie Cheung Man Yuk's So Lai Chun appears in DAYS OF BEING WILD, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE and 2046; Carina Lau Ka Ling plays Mimi in DAYS OF BEING WILD and also appears in 2046. - LEE CHUEN Highlight: 4 Hour Ultimate Version Zhang Ziyi connects the entire film, Leung Chiu Wai's role obviously pales. The bright spot is the surprisingly good performance from Add Choi Siu Fun's husband Max Zhang Jun. His dramatic and action scenes are exceptionally outstanding, his role only slightly less than Wai Jai's. Reportedly, later the film will have a 4 hour long ultimate version that will have more Chang Chen scenes. Advanced Viewing Up North Yesterday THE GRANDMASTERS performed well with its Mainland release, as Wong Kar Wai's charm and 17 years of anticipation are thrown into one. Although the Mainland version Wai Jai has Mandarin dubbing, many Hong Kong film critics are willing to head north for the movie. Guest Star Comedy Spots This time conceivably is the movie that Wong Kar Wai has the most guest stars, rarely their scenes all have a chance to appear. They include Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Tsui Kam Kong, Lo Hoi Pang, Lo Mang (Law Mong), Lau Ka Leung, Lau Shun and Berg Ng Ting Yip. Xiao Shenyang who appears in the end and interacts with Chang Chen has a rare comedy spot in a Wong Kar Wai film. Love Forever With A Button "Bird without legs", "Remember This Minute", "In the distance of 0.01 centimeters, I decide to fall for him" are all Wong Kar Wai film's classic lines. However this time THE GRANDMASTERS expands on that even more, first Wai jai describes life with four seasons, then through a button Wai Jai and Zhang Ziyi's romance continues. 2. MING PAO DAILY, JANUARY 6 2013, FILM WORDS OLD WAVE SHANGHAI FEUD, THE LAST SUPPER LOSES LUSTER If you do not mind the old wave, Wong Jing's new film THE LAST TYCOON (DAI SEUNG HOI) has many stars, sizable production, intriguing and colorful story and decent performance. Only new ideas and wonderful tricks are hard to expect. Ultimately, since 1972 when Shaw's Chang Chieh film THE BOXER FROM SHANTUNG (MA WING JING) became a hit, old Shanghai rivalries have often been Hong Kong film and television subjects. The television series THE BUND (SEUNG HOI TAN) was especially famous. Mak Tong Hung's team has also worked on LORD OF EAST CHINA SEA (SEUNG HOI WONG DAI), and several foreign films have used the before and after the War Against Japanese Aggression Shanghai, "Adventurer's Paradise", as subjects. Now, new Shanghai garners more attention from Chinese and others than old Shanghai. THE LAST TYCOON Does Not Cool Down Chow Yun Fat who rose to famous with THE BUND now stars in THE LAST TYCOON. Reportedly it is based on old Shanghai celebrity Du Yueshang, who was known for both the law and the underworld (died in Hong Kong in 1951), and his legendary life. Yet in compliance with the Mainland censors, this film's lead was named "Cheng Daye". His background partially resembles Du Yueshang's yet is completely different. The film stresses his goodness, refusing to deal drugs and in gambling. He has relationships with several women and even helps possibly Left Wing undergorund workers. He even makes sacrifices against the Japanese invasion and becomes a patriotic hero who started as a trump. As a very dramatic mob hero film, THE LAST TYCOON resembles a big screen television series. Its story is ample, full of dramatic and physical rivalries and never cools down. The production is average. Chow Yun Fat's acting is steady, Huang Xiaoming as his young version is also cool (recently his performance as the Jesus Christ style rebel leader in THE GUILLOTINES (HUET DIK JI) is also very outstanding). In addition they do not look too different, better than INFERNAL AFFAIRS (MO GAN DOH)'s Shawn Yue Man Lok and Edison Chen Koon Hei who look nothing like young Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Andy Lau Tak Wa. This film has a panoramic shot that is the best, displaying the lead turning from youth to middle age convincingly. Better in the story is the lead's rescue of mentor Sammo Hung Kam Bo and his wife Yuan Li. He also cannot forget his Beijing Opera old flame Yolanda Yuan Quan. The Japanese army invasion of Shanghai is an enormous battlefield scene. The climatic finale mixes a theater play and a prison break and assassination, which achieves mystery and explosiveness. In addition, the support slasher is "bad" yet cold, Francis Ng Chun Yu as the sly military officer is dramatic as usual. (two and a half out of five stars) THE LAST SUPPER Changes History Randomly As for the Lu Chuan written and directed costume film THE LAST SUPPER (WONG JI SING YIN), it attempts something new but randomly changes history. Dull and dark, the film disappoints me very much. The feast in the film is the Hong Gate Feast, which becomes the turning point for Liu Bang (Liu Ye) and Xiang Yu (Daniel Wu)'s rivalry after overthrowing the Qin Dynasty. The film also describes the Han Dynasty founder Liu Bang permitting Empress Lu (Qin Lan) to kill the hero Han Xin (Chang Chen). This time Lu Chuan cooks up literary style to depict the cruel conspiracy of the political conflict. From the beginning to the end Liu Bang is often seen as looking back at his life in his final moments. Some felt that it was a reflection of Mao Zedong before his death. Jiang Qing was like Empress Lu, Lin Biao's fate was the same as Han Xin's. Yet whether or not this film has such metaphors, its overall performance is truly a failure. In recent years Chinese costume films have a tendency to "change" history or classic work and keep delivering new literary tone dialogue, which truly is a negative phenomenon. THE LAST SUPPER is no exception, making Han Xin to be Liu Bang's mysterious savior at the Hong Gate Feast. Other unreal and untrue spots are numerous. This film praises Xiang yu as elegant and kind, but Liu Bang is a petty, timid and lewd. Whenever he runs into danger he tugs his head in like a turtle. Such a handling is very absurd because historically Liu Bang had the support of many famous officials and warriors to become a founding emperor. he must had the charm of a leader, how could he be such a mess? In the film Liu ye completely loses luster, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho) and Chang Chen also have confusing images and unclear depictions. They have no way to perform outstandingly. (one and a half out of five stars) The Han Xin Tragedy Is Worthy of Detailed Depiction Speaking of which, Stephen Shin already made THE GREAT CONQUEROR'S CONCUBINE (SAI CHOR BA WONG). In 2011 Daniel Lee Yan Kong beat Lu Chuan to the punch and made WHITE VENGEANCE (HUNG MOON YIN), which also took liberty with history and put Liu Bang (Leon Lai Ming), Xiang Yu (Feng Shaofeng) and Consort Yu (Liu Yifei) in something of a love triangle. It also turned the Hong Gate Feast into a super "chess game", the strategists of both sides Fan Zeng (Anthony Wong Chau Sun) and Zhang Liang (Zhang Hanyu) were the behind the scene scheme masters. In comparison, WHITE VENGEANCE was still better than THE LAST SUPPER, with more wonderful schemes and intriguing plots. Feng Shaofeng had a dominating presence and Wong Chau Sun acted outstandingly. Actually the invincible general Han Xin's tragedy is the typical "sly rabbits die, stooges get cooked", very worthy of detailed depiction. This was the subject of Utopia's new style Cantonese Opera ARENA (DAI JEUNG TOI). Although it was less than perfect, it was still unique. In THE LAST SUPPER Han Xin's military talent was completely unseen. Mainland director Lu Chuan rose to fame with the Jiang Wen starred modern mystery THE MISSING GUN. His best work was the realistic and touching yet wild and rough KEKEXILI. When he arrived at CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH to make the Nanjing Massacre movie he was melodramatic and superfluous. This time he was even less accurate. Hopefully he will have more good work in the future. - SHEK KEI 3. APPLE DAILY, JANUARY 5 2013, ELECTRIC FILM ROAD 3LAW CHUNG HIM: CALL ME HO NAM! As long as left over rice is fried fragrantly it is just as delicious. The faces of Yeung Gor and Goo Goo have changed countless times. 16 years ago Dior Cheng Yi Kin played Chan Ho Nam in YOUNG AND DANGEROUS (GOO WAT JAI), today Law Chung Him takes his place as Wong Jing returned and made the film YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED (GOO WAT JAI: GONG WU SUN DIT JUI). The film has just as much a chance to break out a new bloody path. Back then Michael Tse Tin wa and Jordan Chan Siu Chun were relatively unknowns. Him Jai said, "I want to go out one day and have people call me Ho Nam, not just Law Chung Him!" - LO PING YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED Release Date: January 10 How many classic movies have been remade and remade again? The story can be old, the key is with the packaging. Wong Jing this time worked with Manfred Wong (Man Jun) to produce together the film YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED with film industry new comers like Law Chung Him, Oscar Leung Lit Wai, Sammy Sum Chun Hin and others. He is still full of confidence. Wong Jing said, "Film is a hard road to travel, but it always needs to shatter the old to make room for the new. Packaging has t obe new. How many Hollywood movies have been remade repeatedly? Every one of them performed very well. This time I am loyal to the original and closer to the comic book story, which is very different from the Ekin Cheng version. If it is about the same old thing, no one would be interested. Thus my only demand is for Him Jai to play a different Chan Ho Nam." Wong Jing: Two Versions For The Cinemas Mob films contains violence, sex and foul language as basic ingredients. If it has to be convincing it has to receive a category III rating. Wong Jing has decided to return both a category IIB and a III version. He says, "Cinemas can show the regular and the 3D version, why can't I have two versions for the cinemas? Viewers always like to have more choices, the one with more foul language, people chopping and bottle breaking violence, and very realistic bed scenes has to be category III." Wong Jing has already planned for the second and third films. Can Law Chung Him rise to success like Ekin Cheng did in the past? Him Jai says, "I hope the audience would give us kids some space. To be able to continue the classic, I indeed am full of anticipation. A sequel has already been rushed. I want to go out one day and people call me Ho Nam, not Law Chung Him. Then I have succeeded. The best would be to absorb fans of all ages." Him Jai in the film played the parking valet Chan Ho Nam. Aside from the character's personality, the looks also drastically differed. Him Jai joked that everyone has become trendy. "Our costumes are very modern, but I want in the sequel to be able to wear a leather jacket like Ekin Cheng." Him Jai: Pressure From Comparison With Ekin Him Jai continues, "Personality wise it is very different from the previous version. I grew up watching the Ekin Cheng version. Luckily I play the kid before his rise. They feel very different, but the outside would compare Ekin and me just the same. I would have a little pressure." In addition, Philip Ng Won Lung plays Big Head and serves as the action director. Him Jai often grabs him to come up with stunts. Him Jai says, "I asked him not to come up with any style here, thug fights have no style. However actually thug fight had to be designed. When Wise Guys fight they would definitely use folding chairs. Thus I asked Ng Won Lung while coming up with the stunts to give me this best of the top ten weapons." The Jacqueline Chong Si Man played preacher's daughter is different from Karen Mok Man Wai's version. Aside from being paired with the Leung Lit Wai played Chicken she is also bisexual. In one scene she and a woman kiss on the street, but the audience may not get to see it. Chong Si Man says, "During voice work I didn't see this scene, it was probably cut. Sealing my first silver screen kiss is good too, during the shoot the street was filled with people. I only worried about them affecting the progress, I didn't have time to think about other questions. However there are advantages to kissing a girl, I wouldn't think whether the co-star was trying to cop a feel. There was less reservation." Studying Hands Free bottle Breaking The new preacher's daughter is much taller than Chicken Leung Lit Wai, the whole thing looks awkward and out of place. Luckily the group scene makes up for it. Basically the movie is gang violence and sex, personal relationship is just for show. Leung Lit Wai even studies how to break a bottle. He says, "After a bottle breaking scene I would think that another bottle breaking in the next scene would get dull, so I would design what to do with Ng Won Lung. Finally we came up with the hands free bottle breaking." Several YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED leads worked on the poster, Law Chung Him, Paul Wong Koon Chung, Leung Lit Wai, Dominic Ho Ho Man, only Jazz Lam Chi Sin did not show off muscles or tattoo. In terms of looks and figure, he lost by several blocks. When a 30 year old play a 20 year old Wise Guy "Pou Pei", how would Chi Sin stand out? He said, "(Jerry) Lam Hiu Fung has played this character Pou Pei before. I would think about how to add new elements. Pou Pei is very afraid of getting involved, but I am able to achieve that while being the first one to rush out when there is trouble to give the audience a different feel. The other people are so big, I am no comparison to them." Due to the success of YOUNG AND DANGEROUS back then, the cast worked on a series of movies. Chi Sin also has the same hope. "Actors want to play different characters and perform even better. The ost primary is to be able to make more money." In the old version Tse Tin Wa played Dai Tin Yee, this time Ho Ho Man takes his place. He in order to shake off Tin Wa's shadow transforms the character completely. He says, "The previous Dai Tin yee didn't say much, this time I would be a little evil and a little righteous. Tin Wa chewed on a tooth pick, I quit smoking, a Wise Guy who quits smoking!" The Francis Ng Chun Yu played Ugly Kwan was very memorable. Sammy Sum Chun Hin fortunately has not seen Ng Chun Yu's version. He says, "After the film wrapped I watched the old version. Fortunately I didn't watch it before, he could very easily have affected me after watching. Ugly Kwan is only a small character, taking pills and drugs. His mental state is very mad, I want to use a different way to play this character." Even if Sum Chun Hin uses a very roundabout and very new style to play Ugly Kwan, everyone's focus would fall on his super extreme bed scene with Winnie Leung Man Yi. Playing the preacher's daughter, Chong Si Man describes it. "It's not much different from doing it for real!" Leung Man Yi plays the Dragon Head Big Boss' wife, Ugly Kwan kills the boss and hooks up with his wife. In addition both their characters are mad and maniacal, so they perform a crazy daring extreme bed scene. Leung Man Yi says, "I would be embarrassed usually with a sexy scene, not to mention it is so extreme. However this time the collaboration has been very pleasant. He was very professional, during the shoot I trusted him very much." Sum Chun Hin says, "Completely because she trusted me, the result was very satisfactory." [ In Production Now/Soon ] Can : Moot Yut Pai Dui Lit : Doomsday Party Paul Wong Koon Chung, Kay Tse On Kay, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu, THE CARTEL WAR Can : Bin Yik Lit : Changing Battle d. Benny Chan Muk Sing Lau Ching Wan, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Lo Hoi Pang, Berg Ng Ting Yip BLACK COMEDY Can : Hak Sik Hei Ket d. Wilson Chin Kwok Wai Chapman To Man Jat, Wong Cho Nam, Jacqueline Chong, Tong Fei, Jim Chim Shui Man, Jerry Koo Ming Wa, Alvina Kong Yan Yin, Barbie Liu (Ha Wai Yu), Connie Man Hoi Ling THE ICEMAN COMETH 3D Can : Bing Fung Hup Lit : Frozen Hero Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Eva Huang Shengyi, Wang Baoqiang Can : Dut Jung Gau Woon Ying Hung Lit : Special Rescue Heroes AKA : Special Rescue Squad d. Derek Kwok Chi Kin Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Hu Jun, William Chan Wai Ting, Deep Ng Ho Hong, Michelle Wai (Si Nga), Liu Kai Chi, Bai Bing, Bonnie Xian (Sin Sik Lai), Patrick Tam Yiu Man Can : Fung Bo Lit : Storm d. Alan Yuen Kam Lun Andy Lau Tak Wa, Hu Jun, Yao Chen, Gordon Lam Ka Tung, Ray Lui Leung Wai, Chin Kar Lok, Michael Tong Man Lun, Kenny Wong Tak Bun, Vinz Sze Cho Nam Can : Gik Jin Lit : Extreme War d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Andy Tien (On Chi Kit), Eddie Peng Yu-Yen, Can : Chiu Cup Gaing Lei Yun Lit : Super Manager Chapman To Man Jat, Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, Gao Yunxiang, Jenny Lau Wai Huen IP MAN THE FINAL FIGHT Can : Ip Man Jung Gik Yut Jin d. Herman Yau Lai To Anthony Wong Chau Sun, Anita Yuen Wing Yi, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Jordan Chan Siu Chun, Gillian Chung Yun Tung, Chow Ting Yu, Jonathan Wong Chee Hynn, Timmy Hung Tin Ming [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] In postwar Hong Kong, legendary Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man is reluctantly called into action once more, when what begin as simple challenges from rival kung fu styles soon draw him into the dark and dangerous underworld of the Triads. Now, to defend life and honor, he has no choice but to fight one last time... INFERNO Can : Toh Chook Sun Tin Lit : Escape To Living Daylight d. Danny Pang Shun, Oxide Pang Fat Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Angelica Lee Sinjie [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] On the hottest day in 50 years, a serious fire incident happened to a busy commercial tower, a gaggle of firefighters with an indestructible enthusiasm are going to save lives... 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 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 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 2013 --- [ NOW SHOWING ] 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, Zhao Benshan, Xiao Shenyang, Wang Xingchang Max Zhang Jun, Song Hye-Kyo, Julian Cheung Chi Lam Rating : IIB Length : 130 mins. Opening January 10 2013 [ 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... YOUNG AND DANGEROUS RELOADED Can : Goo Wat Jai: Gong Wu Sun Dit Jui Lit : Wise Guys: Mob New Order d. Daniel Chan Yee-Heng Law Chung Him, Philip Ng Won Lung, Oscar Leung Lit Wai, Dominic Ho Ho Man, Sammy Sum Chun Hin, Jacquline Chong Si Man, Michelle Hu Ran, Jazz Lam Chi Sin, Paul Wong Koon Chung, Alex Man Chi Leung, Denise Ho Wan Si, Jim Chim Shui Man, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Simon Loui Yu Yueng, Pal Sinn Lap Man, Winnie Leung Wing Yi Rating : IIB, III Length : 106 mins. Opening January 10 2013 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] On a dark Mongkok night, May, the cousin of Dai Tin-Yee, was gang-raped to death by Med King and his men The furious Tin-Yee, together with his buddies, Ho-Nam, Chicken, Pou-Pan tracked down Med King to avenge May’s death. As Med King was under the wing of Ugly Kwan, a leader of the Hung Hing triad, Kwan gave orders to get rid of Ho-Nam by all means. LOVE STAIRS Can : Tin Tai Lit : Heavenly Stairway d. Ching Long C AllStar Rating : I Length : 92 mins. Opening January 4 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Director Ching Long along with the production team and music group C AllStar head to the mountains of Chongqing to find Ms. XU Zhaoqing, who personally recounts this half a century long love story that constructed a 6000 step stairway. THE LAST SUPPER Can : Wong Dik Sing Yin Lit : King's Banquet d. Lu Chuan Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Chang Chen, Liu Ye Rating : IIB Length : 116 mins. Opening January 3 2013 [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] The early history of a nation unfolds through the actions of three heroes – Liu Bang, Xiang Yu and Han Xin – who chased their dreams of uniting a warring nation and fought through major milestones of the Chu-Han Contention years in the third century. From the Julu War to the Hongmen Banquet, the Gaixia War to the death of HanXin, the narration of Liu Bang – who would be the founding emperor of the new Han Dynasty – sets the stage for a tale of betrayal and brothers at war, where the last man standing inherits a nation. PENANCE (PART II) Can : Shook Jui d. Kiyoshi Kurosawa Kyoko Koizumi, Yu Aoi, Mirai Moriyama, Eiko Koike, Sakura Ando, Chizuru Ikewaki Rating : IIB Length : 124 mins. Opening December 20 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Chapter 4 and the final chapter "God may forgive you, but I never will!" A mysterious man kidnaps and kills an elementary school girl, but the four classmates who was with her insist that they have no recollection of the killer. The victim's mother is heartbroken and instantly becomes a terrifying avenger. She threatens the four elementary school classmates, "If you can't find the culprit, you will be paying penance for life!" Because of those terrifying words, the four are pushed into the penance abyss. They are destined to never be happy. As adults they each run into tragedy in order to atone for the crime, they live in more painful ways than death....... BUNNY DROP Can : Bak Toh Tong Nui Hai Lit : White Rabbit Candy Girl d. SABU Kenichi Matsuyama, Mana Ashida, Karina, Mirei Kiritani Rating : I Length : 109 mins. Opening December 20 2012 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] 27-year-old Daikichi is a single young man who is without a care in the world and only knows to take care of himself. One day Daikichi returns home to attend his grandfather's funeral and runs into a six year old girl Rin with any interesting background -- she actually is his grandfather's illegitimate daughter. Yet after his grandfather's passing, none of his friends or relatives is willing to take in this little girl. In order to prevent the girl from being sent to the social welfare organization and becoming an orphan, Daikichi bravely announces that he would raise Rin. Since then, the stumbling bachelor and the tough girl begin to live together without interference. Without any child raising experience Daikichi is completely helpless with the little girl...... 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 December 13 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! [ 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. PRINCESS AND SEVEN KUNG FU MASTERS Can : Siu Gung Jung Mo Lum Lit : Laughter Kung Fu Rocks Martial Art World d. Wong Jing, Keung Kwok Man Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Philip Ng Wan Lung, Dennis To Yu-Hang, Yuen Wah, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Wong Cho Lam, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Natalie Meng Yao, Kimmy Tong Fei, Monica Mok Siu Kei, Jiang Luxia, Rose Chan Ka Wun [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] During the early years of the Republic era, in the North-East region of China, the people are suffering from the power struggle among the local Warlords, bandits, and Japanese invaders. Warlord Lam is not a leader of great vision, but having a patriotic heart, stands firm in his own beliefs, despite the several solicitations and temptations from Japan. The only ‘paradise’ within the region is ‘Lucky Town’, the one place where no one dared to attack. Rumors abound that this place is cursed, for whenever anyone attempted to invade Lucky Town, they would disappear and vanish without a trace. In reality, there are seven kung fu masters who have retreated into the shadows and resided here. They are Manysons Madonna and Madonhung, the owners of a steamed bread shop Nam Mor Bing, the Taoist priest Horny Four, the tailor Little Trumpet, the cosmetic salesman and Mamasan Maggie, the brothel owner. Every one of them is a master in his own right, keeping Lucky Town in peace. Lam’s daughter, Cheryl is very fond of culinary arts, and often does grocery shopping in Lucky Town. She is pretty and lovely and very much favoured by the Seven Masters, especially Horny Four who falls for her at first sight and regards her as his dream lover. The Japanese secret agent, Kiyoko Kurosawa, allied with traitors from the Tiger’s Den: Tiger Hong, Jaguar Hong and Phoenix Hong, to set up a secret outpost to send secret-coded messages back to Japan. Young patriots, Yan Fang who disguised herself as a man, and Howard Luo, infiltrate Tiger’s Den at night, trying to steal the code book. They lose the fight to the Hongs, Howard sacrifices himself to save Yan who was wounded. On the run, Yan is rescued by Cheryl. Mistaking Yan as a man, Cheryl falls for Yan. She then brings Yan to Lucky Town and begs the Seven Masters to cure Yan. On the other hand, Warlord Lam saves a pretty lady and grows fond of her. This lady is actually Kiyoko Kurosawa in disguise. Using Ninjutsu skills, Kiyoko seduces Lam and controls his will. She then organises a wedding for Lam and herself, in the hope of becoming the warlord’s wife so she can control Lam’s army. On the wedding day, Cheryl and the Seven Masters arrive in time to ruin her wedding plans. Lam regains his senses finally and unites together with the Seven Masters, to fight against Kiyoko and the Hongs... BUDDY COPS Can : Sun Sau Ba Da Lit : Holy Beast "Brother" AKA : Sun Sau Ying Gaing Lit : Holy Beast Cops d. Peter Chik Ka Kei Michael Tse Tin Wa, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, King Kong, Alice Chan Wai, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Vincent Lam Wai, Lisa Cheng ONE TREE THREE LIVES Can : Sam Sun Sam Sai Nip Wa Ling Lit : Three Lifetimes: Nieh Hualing d. Angie Chan On Kei Hualing Nieh Engle, Mo Yan, Pai Hsien-yung Rating : I Length : 98 mins. Opening January 12 2013 (Special Screening) [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT HONG KONG ] An intimate documentary on the novelist Hualing Nieh Engle, who has been a major influence on generations of writers in the Chinese diaspora, and beyond. At times sad, at times funny, the film interviews 26 writers, revealing a woman of unusual charisma, integrity and determination, and a person in continual exile. Born and raised in wartime China, Nieh left China in 1949 for peace in Taipei, and then left for love in 1964 to the U.S. In 1967, she founded the prestigious International Writing Program (IWP) with her late husband, the American poet Paul Engle, in Iowa. Nine years later, they were nominated by more than 300 writers for the Nobel Peace Prize. IWP has nurtured over 1,400 writers from over 140 countries, including Nobel Literature Prize winners Orhan Pamuk (My Name is Red, Snow), and Mo Yan (Red Sorghum), and other noted writers including Yu Hua (To Live, Brothers), and Lin Hwa-min (author, and artistic director, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre). Director Angie Chen has absorbingly captured a remarkable figure in modern Chinese literature. PAPER MOON d. Stanley Law Gordon Lam Ka Tung, Chrissie Chau Sau Na Opening January 17 2013 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] a poor kite maker, Chen Tian Song, falls in love with Gao Shi Qin, the daughter of a wealthy family who is in line to inherit the family business. Their innocent and young love eventually evolves into infinite regret and a poignant love story. Many years later, suppressing his feelings of guilt, Tian Song expresses his painful longing for Shi Qin through the making of (WAU) kites, until that fateful meeting with Gao Man Hua.... In search of Gao Shi Qin's first love, Gao Man Hua travels all the way to Kelantan to learn about the man who has wounded her mother. The appearance of Man Hua evokes apprehension in the quiet and reserved Tian Song, bringing back yesterday's memories. Tian Song is uneasy about Man Hua's constant clinging, but at the same time, he finds himself attracted to her because of her uncanny resemblance to her mother. What consequences would Chen Tian Song's encounter with Gao Man Hua bring? Why is she so desperate to search for him? PIETA Can : Sing Seung d. Kim Duk-Ki Lee Jung-Jin, Cho Min-Soo, Kwon Se-In, Kang Eunjing, Kim Jae-Rok Rating : III Length : 104 mins. Opening January 17 2013 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT HONG KONG ] Hired by moneylenders, a man lives as a loan shark brutally threatening people for paybacks. This man, without any family therefore with nothing to lose, continues his merciless way of life regardless of all the pain he has caused to a countless number of people. One day, a woman appears in front of him claiming to be his mother. He coldly rejects her at first, but gradually accepts her in his life. He decides to quit his cruel job and to live a decent life. Then suddenly the mother is kidnapped. Assuming that it would be by someone he had hurt in the past, he starts to track down all the people he had harassed. The man finally finds the one, only to discover most horrifying dark secrets better left unrevealed. BEIJING BLUES Can : Sun Tam Hung Dut Jeung d. Gao Qunshu Xu Wen, Zhou Yunpeng, Zhang Lixian Rating : IIA Length : 118 mins. Opening January 27 2013 [ CITYLINE MOVIES HONG KONG ] his is a movie without professional actors, a “secretly taped” movie that is so realistic it feels as if it's happening right beside you. It will make you think of all the times you've been taken advantage of. The next time you see a scam artist con a well-intentioned old woman out of her savings, you'll hate him so much you'll want to slap him. When you see a pickpocket take the money someone was taking home to feed their family, you'll want to beat him into the ground. And just when you hate these people so much that you're ready to buy a gun and start dishing out vigilante justice, Beijing Blues opens your eyes to the story behind these despicable people, where you'll see the frustration that drove them to their dark choices and you won't be sure whether what you feel for them is hatred or pity. Police officer Zhang Huiling, who patrols Haidian District's Shuangyushu neighborhood in Beijing, has a job to do. Every day, he patrols the streets with his cohort of security guards - who speak a bewildering array of accents from all over China - and track down and arrest thieves, hucksters, and con artists. And he's good at it; after more than 10 years on the force, Zhang Huiling has an uncanny ability to sniff out criminals from within the throngs of people passing through his district. But Zhang can't help feeling that it's partly his fault that he's failing, somehow, because the crime and misery doesn't stop. In the depths of his spirit, the positive and negative forces in his life grapple, every day, every crime, every arrest, every bit of mercy and understanding renewing the endless battle for his soul. THE TOWER Can : For Hoi 108 Lit : Fire Sea 108 d. Kim Ji-Hun Sol Kyung-Gu, Son Ye-Jin, Kim Sang-Kyung, Ahn Sung-Ki Length : 122 mins. Opening January 24 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] On Christmas Eve, a 108 story skyscrapper suddenly is engulfed in flames...at the happiest moment it turns into the most fatal hell on Earth! The Tower Sky is the most luxurious apartment in Korea. As the apartment's facilities manager, single father Dae-Ho plans to finish all the jobs on his list then spend Christmas Eve with his daughter Ha-Na...as Dae-Ho cannot be busier, in another corner of the building restaurant manager Yun-Hee offers to take care of Ha-Na and watch the snowy scene together...the fire chief is off on this night as he spends Christmas Eve with his new wife...as everyone is enjoying their happiest moment, an unexpected fire shatters all their dreams! 1,312 feet in the air, 30,000 people are trapped in a sea of fire that reaches 1,000 degrees without any hope for survival! Only those with the strongest will can survive! DEAREST Can : Cup Chun Oi Dik Nei Lit : For the Dearest you d. Yasuo Furuhata Ken Takakura, Yuko Tanaka Rating : I Length : 111 mins. Opening January 24 2013 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT HONG KONG ] A widower’s journey to the hometown of his late wife. He encounters strangers and their stories, guided by his wife’s true wishes. One day, a widower Eiji Kurashima receives a letter from his late wife, Yoko. The letter contains a picture of a sparrow and her wish for him to “take her ashes to her hometown and bury her in the sea”. Just before turning 50, he had married Yoko who had visited Eiji’s workplace, a prison facility, as a singer for the inmates. Their late marriage did not include any children of their own but they had led a peaceful and happy married life. Thus, the letter comes as a surprise to Eiji who had thought the 15 years of living together had brought complete understanding of each other. Why had she not told him of her wishes when she was alive? I LOVE HONG KONG 2013 Can : Ngor Oi HK Gung Hei Fat Choi Lit : I Love HK Congratulation Great Wealth d. Chung Shu Kai Alan Tam Wing Lun, Veronica Yip Yuk Hing, Eric Tsang Chi Wai, Nat Chan Pak Cheung, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan Opening February 7 2013 in Malaysia HOTEL DELUXE AKA: HOTEL OF CELEBRITIES Can : Bak Sing Jau Dim Lit : Hundred Star Hotel d. Vincent Kok Tak Siu Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Chapman To Man Jat, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Fiona Sit Hoi Kei, Eric Kot Man Fai, Jim Chim Shui Man, Janelle Sing Kwan, Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam), Karena Ng Chin Yu, Yu Bo Opening February 7 2013 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] The brand new "Hundred Stars Hotel" is a well-equipped five-star hotel located at Qiandao Lake, Hangzhou. However, this hotel is run by a group of incompetent staff including the Assistant Manager OK, the Chief Bartender Pacino, the Head of Housekeeping Peach and the Receptionist Sammy. Rumor has it that a mysterious hotel detective will arrive soon to define the rating of "Hundred Stars Hotel". In order to match the five-star standard, harsh Cruella has been appointed as the Hotel Manager to restructure the hotel. Cruella takes the chance to develop "Hundred Stars Hotel" as the shooting location for a big budget movie, but chaos ensues when the two leading actresses Marilyn and Audrey stay in the hotel and they are arrogant and too hot to handle. JOURNEY TO THE WEST Can : Sai Yau Gong Mor Pin Lit : Journey to the West: Taming Demon Chapter d. Stephen Chow Sing Chi Shu Qi, Huang Bo, Wen Zhang, Show Luo (Law Chi Cheung), Chrissie Chau Sau Na Opening February 7 2013 THE WEDDING DIARY II d. Adrian Teh A Niu, Elanne Kong Yeuk Lam Opening Februyar 7 2013 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] The sequel to the hit Malaysian-Singaporean comedy "The Wedding Diary" follows the journey of husband and wife Daniel, an engineer from a humble Malaysian Hokkien family, and Tina, a beauty from a wealthy Singaporean Cantonese family, after their wedding in the original. The cultural and social problems are still there, resulting in a lot of chaos and hilarity in the family. ONE PIECE THE MOVIE: Z d. Tatsuya Nagamine Japanese animation Opening February 14 2013 [ ASIAN WIKI ] Set in the New World which is facing extinction. A fierce battle ensues between legendary ex-Navy admiral Zetto, who leads a group attempting to kill all pirates, and a Monkey D. Luffy and his Straw Hat crew. TOGETHER Can : Joi Yut Hei d. Clarence Ford (Fok Yiu Leung) Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Michelle Chen, Angelababy, Ko Chen-Tung, Eric Kot Man Fai, Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Chrissie Chau Sau Na Opening February 21 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Traffic cop Chan Kwok Wa suffers from a loss of facial expression and since then does not know how to laugh, thus he is known as Cool Sir. Once he stops Ah Kiu, a driver in a wedding gown, for speeding. Actually Ah Kiu after a traffic accident two years ago has lost her memory and only remembers bits of her past. Ah Kiu only remembers that she has to find her fiance Tom, thus she constantly leaves home out of the blue. Ah Jai is a member of the surveillance team. Because of work he is constantly eavesdropping, he becomes introverted and a super otaku. Ah Jai during an airport operation rescues Sing Nam, a pretty Beijing girl who blindly pursues brand name labels. Yet at the same time he ruins her label luggage. Later, they through a social app run into each other. Two bored people thus set up dates for seven days for "seven days of romance". SWITCH Can : Tin Gei ji Fu Chun San Gui Toh Lit : Heavenly Opportunity: Dwelling In the Fuchun Mountains AKA : 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 February 28 2013 in Malaysia Official Site : http://www.mediaasia.com [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] SWITCH revolves around the famous Chinese landscape painting "Dwelling In The Fuchun Mountains" by Huang Gongwang, which was split into two 300 years ago and exhibited separately in China and Taiwan. The film envisages that the painting is finally going to be put back together again, where a gang of thieves are scrambling to steal it. Special agent Xiao Jinhan and insurance company employee Lin Yuyan are on a mission to protect the world-famous drawing "Fu Chun Shan Ju Tu", which is the target of a Japanese gangster. CONSPIRATORS Can : Tung Mau AKA : A+ Jing Tam Lit : A+ Detective d. Oxide Pang Shun Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Jiang Yiyan Opening January 17 2013 Opening March 7 2013 in Malaysia [ 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... [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Private detective Tam follows the hints to restart the investigation of a drug trafficking in Malaysia with the help of an undercover agent, hoping to find out the truth behind the murder of his parents thirty years ago... BLIND DETECTIVE Can : Man Tam d. Johnnie To Kei Fung Andy Lau Tak Wa, Sammi Cheng Sau Man Opening March 21 2013 in Malaysia 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. [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] Forced to leave service after turning blind, a former detective ekes out his living by solving cold cases for police rewards. When an attractive hit team inspector enlists his help in a personal case, he decides to take a stab. --- [ 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 * RICHIE JEN (YAM YIN CHAI) DATE AND TIME: Sunday, March 24 2013 7PM Monday, March 25 2013 8:30PM VENUE LOCATION: Avalon Theatre Theatre Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort 6380 Fallsview Boulevard, Niagara ON L2G 7X5 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA $162.95, 140.35, 112.10 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: TICKET MASTER CANADA http://www.ticketmaster.ca/JEN-HSIEN-CHI-tickets/artist/1804682 * CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION 2013 with MARIA CORDERO and Charlie Chin (Chun Cheung Lam) DATE AND TIME: February 24 2013 @ 1PM, 4PM VENUE LOCATION: Cache Creek Casino - Club 88 Cache Creek Casino Resort TICKET PRICE: $108, 78, 58 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: ONLINE: https://www.facebook.com/JadeEntertainment * SALLY YEH INTIMATELY YOURS 2013 CHINESE NEW YEAR CONCERT DATE AND TIME: Saturday, February 16 2013 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: MGM Grand Garden Arena Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 TICKET PRICES: $188, 128, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: JADE ENTERTAINMENT: http://www.jadeentertain.com/blog/?p=164 * SANDY LAM LIVE IN LAS VEGAS DATE AND TIME: Saturday, February 16 2013 @ 8PM Sunday, February 17 2013 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: The Colosseum at Caesars Palace 3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, Nevada 89109 TICKET PRICES: $188, 128, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: JADE ENTERTAINMENT: http://www.jadeentertain.com/blog/?p=160 626.964.4747 TICKETMASTER http://www.ticketmaster.com/Sandy-Lam-tickets/artist/1657486 800.745.3000 * DAYO WONG TZE WAH STAND UP COMEDY SHOW 2013 DATE AND TIME: Saturday, January 26 2013 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Sony Centre For The Performing Arts 1 Front St. E., Toronto ON M5E 1B2 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA$ 188.75. 72, 52 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER CANADA http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10004933D91DCC45?artistid=1353614 * HAPPY NEW YEAR CONCERT Nancy Sit Hoi Kei DATE AND TIME: Saturday, January 19 2013 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Harrah's Reno Convention Center 219 N center St., Reno NV TICKET PRICES: $98, 68, 48 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: ONLINE: http://www.bayareaticket.com/concertsandevents/3420323478291412603224180284362180926371.html PHONE: 650-522-0045 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Thursday, January 3 2013 10 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, 9 LIFE OF PI d. Ang Lee Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain 8 JACK REACHER d. Christopher McQuarrie Tom Cruise, Rosamund Pike, Richard Jenkins, Werner Herzog 7 3AM Can : Au Won Sam Dim Jung Lit : Hook Soul 3AM End d. Issara Nadee, Patchanon Thumjira, Kirati Nakintano Apinya Sakuljaroensuk, Peter Knight, Ray Macdonald 6 CZ12 Can : Sup Yi Sun Chiu Lit : 12 Chinese Zodiac d. Jackie Chan Jackie Chan, Kwon Sang-Woo, Laura Weissbecker, Yao Xingtong, Liao Fan, Zhang Lanxin, Steve Yoo Seung-Jun 5 THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN PART 2 d. Bill Condon Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner 4 WRECK-IT RALPH d. Rich Moore Disney Animation English Voices: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch Cantonese Voices: Anthony Wong Chau Sun, G.E.M. 3 THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY d. Peter Jackson Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage 2 THE LAST TYCOON Can : Dai Seung Hoi Lit : Grand Shanghai d. Wong Jing Chow Yun Fat, Huang Xiaoming, Sammo Hung Kam Bo, Francis Ng Chun Yu, Yolanda Yuan Quan, Yuan Li, Monica Mok Siu Kei, Tong Fei 1 LES MISERABLES d. Tom Hooper Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS THE LAST TYCOON Rating : IIB Length : 118 mins. Opening January 3 2013 [ GOLDEN SCREEN CINEMAS MALAYSIA ] In 1917, Cheng was an innocent man worked in a grocery store. But a fateful night had changed Cheng's life forever, as he literally walked right in the affair between his lady boss and the chief of police. To hide this secret, the chief decided to throw Cheng into prison. Desolated, Cheng met a cellmate Mao, who happened to have an escape plan. The duo broke out. Cheng found a job as a bouncer in the casino owned by powerful inspector Jin. As Jin indulged himself in debauchery all day long, Cheng began to climb up the underworld ladder step by step. As Cheng became one of most powerful mob bosses in Shanghai in late 1930s, fame took its toll when he found himself stuck between the looming Japanese army and the scheming local secret service. CZ12 AKA : CHINESE ZODIAC Rating : IIA Length : 123 mins. Opening December 20 2012 Site: http://jackiechan.com/films/869750--CZ12 [ 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. 3AM Rating : IIB Length : 94 mins. Opening January 3 2013 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT HONG KONG ] One day hte darkest moment is 3AM. At 1AM dark wind rises, at 2AM dogs bark like mad, at 3AM ghosts appear. 3AM is also the moment for the highest death rate at the hospital. Three directors shoots 3 stories and adds 3D special effects for viewers to experience the 3AM haunting. Three stories take place in a wig shop, at a funeral and a company. In THE WIG two sisters May and Min buy real hair to make wigs from, late at night the owner of the real hair appears; in CORPSE BRIDE male nurse Tos stands guard over the coffins of the dead bride and groom. Tos everyday brings them meals and washes their corpse. After awhile Tos falls for the bride in the coffin; in O.T. Karan and Tee often scare company employees as ghosts. They again arrange for a series of scares but even more mysterious events take time. They cannot tell whether they are real or not until 3AM. THE GUILLOTINES Rating : IIB Length : 113 mins. Opening December 27 2013 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... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, January 5 2013 15 CHANGE ROOM Can : Woon Fong Gan Jeff Chang (Cheung Shun Jit), Ricky Xiao (Siu Wong Kei) http://youtu.be/aStkbNeS4Js 14 IT'S ALL ABOUT LOVE Can : Yi Oi Ji Ming Jam Hsiao (Siu King Tung) http://youtu.be/96n7SOPsbBo 13 END Can : Yuen Eason Chan Yik Shun http://youtu.be/_Ucpmk6Vj4E 12 THE HEART IS STILL HOT Can : Sum Wan Si Yit Dik S.H.E. http://youtu.be/Jj4VtfhSlR0 11 HOW ARE YOU RECENTLY? Can : Jui Gung Ho Ma? Angela Chang (Cheung Siu Hom) http://youtu.be/P-EXaG03qU0 10 BUBBLE Can : Po Muk G.E.M. http://youtu.be/mGeiABBB5f8 9 TOGETHER Can : Joi Yut Hei Anson Hu (Wu Yin Bun) http://youtu.be/08yCkwCA-G4 8 BECOME STRANGERS Can : Bin Sing Muk Sun Yun Cyndi Wang (Wong Sum Ling) http://youtu.be/3B4fyi-xXzo 7 GEMINI LOVE SONG Can : Seung Ji Ching Gor Adason Lo (Law Lik Wai), Joey Yung Cho Yi http://youtu.be/ExpRX5d_2uU 6 WHO WILL SING THIS SONG THROUGH WITH ME Can : Shui Loi Pui Ngor Cheung Yuen Jeh Sau Gor Gary Chaw (Cho Gat) http://youtu.be/Se-w8crlkVs 5 LONE HEROIC COUPLE Can : Duk Hung Hup Nui William So Wing Hong, Kay Tse On Kay http://youtu.be/6nOE5oYkbe8 4 OUR STORY Can : Ngor Moon Dik Goo Si Michael Wong (Kong Leung) http://youtu.be/6FGQR2mvVzE 3 COLD JOKE Can : Lan Siu Wa Fiona Sit Hoi Kei http://youtu.be/e_Z-mFVlh88 2 LOVE INSTANTLY Can : Oi Lap Hak Khalil Fong Datong http://youtu.be/B0B0oLCTbg0 1 RED DUST INN Can : Hung Chun Hat Jang Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) http://youtu.be/L6joGUdc6y4 ------ [ 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. Top Ten Central pleas with all its readers for disaster relief support for victims of Hurricane Sandy. For more information please visit the American Red Cross site : http://www.redcross.org/ 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 Korean Movie Night 2013 Series One: Drawn Into Film: Korean Animation! It’s a brand new year, and The Korean Cultural Service is ready to draw you back into their Free Movie Nights by offering up four of the greatest animated films to ever come out Korea! While animation has flourished in America, Europe, and Japan for over a century, Korean artists have only recently stepped up and begun delivering product of their own - and the results have changed the industry worldwide. With top American television programs like The Simpsons and Futurama now being animated in Korea, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the talented Korean wiz kids who are drawing us all back into animation – and reminding us that this beautiful storytelling medium is anything but child’s play! With a whole new year of exciting films, unexpected guests, and a few surprises that you certainly won’t see coming – the Korean Cultural Service welcomes you to the first Free Movie Night series of 2013. Now let’s get animated! Tuesday, February 26, 2013 @ 7pm THE WINDOW (2012, ACCOMPANIED BY SHORT FILMS) From the director of The King of Pigs comes The Window, Yuen Sang-ho’s rarely-seen first short feature. Private Jung is proud to be a member of a leading military division; but after Private Hong joins, everyone starts to get disrupted. Jung tries to train Hong, who is indifferent to everything, but he only ends up causing even more trouble. After an altercation, troubles become even more intense, leading to a shocking, powerful conclusion. This special short feature, which is rarely screened outside of Korea, will be accompanied by additional short films. The evening’s program will have a two-hour running time. Tuesday, February 12, 2013 @ 7pm THE HOUSE (2012) The House, which echoes of the wildly surreal worlds seen in Spirited Away, focuses on Ga-young, a young woman who moves to an old town where she meets Zipsin, the spirit of a house that is soon to be demolished. Whisked away on an enchanted adventure, Ga-young and Zipsin seek out a new spirit who may be able to help them – and together, they hatch a scheme to save the house from those who don’t believe in its magic. Tuesday, January 29, 2013 @ 7pm PADAK (2012) In Korea’s surprisingly powerful take on Pixar’s Finding Nemo, a mackerel from the sea named Flappy ends up caught in a net and dumped carelessly into a restaurant tank. A pessimistic old flatfish, who has somehow avoided death for ages inside the tank, becomes her confidant and mentor...even if his means for survival border on cowardice. Very quickly, Flappy refuses her fate and becomes determined to make it out of the tank and back to the ocean – even if that means going against the old flatfish and shattering the hierarchy of the tank. A feel-good adventure for the whole family, Padak combines computer animation with traditional hand-drawn art, delivering a funny, lovable film that’s also packed with social drama and subtext. Tuesday, January 15, 2013 @ 7pm THE KING OF PIGS (2011) The first animated Korean film to screen at Cannes, the award-winning The King of Pigs is near-perfect cinema visualized through jaw-dropping animation. Kyung-Min’s business is failing and he’s just murdered his wife. On top of that, he can’t stop thinking about his middle school days, back when he was one of the lowly, bullied “pigs.” His old school friend, Jong-Suk, agrees to meet, and each man tells the other polite lies about their wrecked lives. But both of them have one thing on their minds: their old class comrade Chul-Yi, the quiet, deadly boy in the hoodie who fought back against their aggressors and became, for one blazing moment in time, The King of Pigs. An intensely brutal, not-to-be-missed masterpiece. --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] IT'S TIME Imagine Dragons http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENM2wA_FTg ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com http://hktopten.orgfree.com | http://hktopten.blogspot.com