From: NO TOP TEN CENTRAL Newsgroups: alt.asian-movies,soc.culture.hongkong.entertainment Subject: [TAKE OVER] HKSAR Film No Top 10 Box Office (March 7 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. Vicki Zhao Wei who celebrates her birthday on the 12th B. Chin Kar Lok and Angela Tong Ying Ying who gave birth to a 7 pound 3 ounce baby girl Alyssa on the 10th C. Ronald Cheng Chung Kei who celebrates his birthday on the 9th D. Cecilia Yip Tung who celebrates her birthday on the 8th E. Hilary Tsui Ho Ying who celebrates her birthday on the 7th F. Mimi Choo whose mother passed away on the 8th at the age of 91 2. MISCELLANEOUS * (2013/03/13) Chrissie Chau Sau Na, Chapman To Man Jat yesterday wore Chinese wedding costumes to attend their film MR. AND MRS. PLAYER (LAN GWUN FU DAU LAN GWUN CHAI) production start ceremony and even performed a bed scene. However Sister Na who was tightly wrapped up and thin from romantic wounds lost her spotlight to Iris Chung Choi Hei and Jeanette Leung Ching Kok. Ah Jat and Chau Sau Na in the film played a couple so bed scene and kiss scene were inevitable. Ah Jat said, "I finally made it to today, the biggest dream in my life is to make a movie with Chau Sau Na. Now I can die without any regret!" Facing a goddess, Ah Jat said that of course he deliberately had bad takes. For a simple four word line he would still have over ten bad takes, not to mention the intimate scenes. In the film he and Chau Sau Na were players. Ah Jat admitted that he could not be luckier, working with 10 women on 50 out of 100 scenes that were bed scenes. He said, "I thank Wong Jing very much, even my father isn't this nice to me. Normally I can't screw around, I can only seek relief in the film." Chau Sau Na said that when she took this role she thought it was a romantic film. "When Wong Jing contacted me, I imagined it was a fairy tale like GORGEOUS (BOR LEI JUNG). During the shoot it became me wanting to use a glass bottle to hit Ah Jat with." Was Sister Na focusing on work first? She said, "I definitely have to work, no one is keeping me." She denied that she was thin from romantic wounds, as she had an action film that she had to work on at the same time. Some said that she was unhappy and wrapped herself up. She said, "When I go out of course I have to wear clothes. I am not unhappy, Ah Jat is great and is constantly coaxing me. He also tells me to eat more. With him and Wong Jing around, I have plenty to eat." She also joked that she had a huge appetite. * (2013/03/13) Anthony Wong Chau Sun yesterday appeared on a radio interview. Speaking of Mainland art critic Jia Xuanning's public slam of VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) for leading to China Hong Kong conflict, Chau Sun took a jab at director Pang Ho Cheung and Chapman To Man Jat for cheapening Hong Kongers. He said, "One writes without basis, two answer without basis. The writer isn't from Hong Kong and says that someone has a zit on their nose, the person doesn't even bother with looking at a mirror and treats the zit like a beautiful flower. They even dare to say that 'vulgar' is Hong Konger's nucleus value. It doesn't matter if they are cheap, just don't drag others into it." He admitted that there was no resolution. He even cited "Victoria Park Uncles" as an example. "Why does it have to be handled? Victoria Park uncles are constantly criticizing the government. Does the government have to handle those uncles?" * (2013/03/13) The Andy Lau Tak Wa, Lin Chiling and Zhang Jingchu starred HK$200 million 3D modern action film SWTICH (TIN GEI, FU CHUN SAN GUI TOH) yesterday released its full length 100 second trailer. This film will use 3D effects. Currently it is in post production. It must meet the audience's strict demands, so the trailer was described as intense as a time bomb count down. This time playing an international special agent, Lau Tak Wa in order to protect the national treasure paintings would first dress up with co-star Lin Chiling and unveiled SWITCH; then Wa Jai fended off numerous enemies on his own in order to get back the two paintings. To Lau Tak Wa, he seemingly has played all characters. However he rarely worked on special agent subjects; he thought this subject was fresh and had an international team, they would be able to further Mainland films one step further. * (2013/03/12) Director Stanley Kwan Kam Peng earlier at a Commercial Radio interview said that he really wanted to apologize to Sammi Cheng Sau Man. Because he asked her to make his film EVERLASTING REGRET (CHEUNG HUNG GOR), Sammi ended up with a lot of pressure and an emotional disorder. Kwan Kam Peng said, "She wanted to make this movie to transition. Suddenly she had to switch to play a literary character, at the team everyone on the team was very careful. Perhaps because of that she had added pressure, made her sick and disturbed her emotions." Although the film production made Sammi very ill, later when the film went over budget Sammi was willing to abandon her final salary payment. Kwan Kam Peng praised Sammi as a good actor. * (2013/03/12) The Chapman To Man Jat, Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, and DaDa Chan Jing starred in VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) received 6 nominations at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Award. Earlier they along with director Pang Ho Cheung raised bottles of champagne for a photo shoot to celebrate the film's success in advance. During the shoot, To Man Jat raised champagne bottles and winked. DaDa followed suit. To Man Jat said, "I am a new comer to Best Actor nominees, with one of the top 100 actress with the prettiest face DaDa's Best Supporting Actress nomination I really wish that we will double the good news!" DaDa also expressed support and felt that good movies naturally became everyone's focus. * (2013/03/12) The Stephen Chow Sing Chi directed film JOURNEY TO THE WEST: CONQUERING THE DEMONS (SAI YAU GONG MOR PIN) was released in the Mainland on February 10. Although it has faced many foreign films' strong competition, JOURNEY last week still made 140 million yuan RMB and continued to be the national film box office champion. Its cumulative box office has already broken 1.2 billion yuan RMB, very close to Mainland film LOST IN THAILAND's 1.264 billion yuan box office record. JOURNEY box office originally would leave cinemas in the middle of this month, but now its run has been extended to April 7. With almost a month everyone believed that JOURNEY will definitely exceed LOST's box office. * (2013/03/12) The film SAVING GENERAL YANG (JUNG LIT YEUNG GA JEUNG) will be released on April 4. Li Chen who played the fourth son and Raymond Lam Fung who played the fifth son had a fiery cliff jumping scene. They along with a troop of 70 or 80 people worked for 4 days on the few minute scene. When they hung on wires and jumped off the cliff, a sand storm suddenly struck. A dozen or so people were blowing in the wind helplessly. Li Chen's blade headed toward Lam Fung's chest but luckily Lam Fung wore an armor. A Mainland actor lost an ear to the wire. The entire team halted production to look for it, then froze it for the hospital to stitch back on. Lam Fung and Li Chen were exhausted but still insisted on performing their stunts personally. * (2013/03/11) Famous Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein was very interested in CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON (NGOR FU CHONG LUNG) and bought its sequel rights. The story will basically follow the previous film. Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King) was hesitant to be with Chow Yun Fat because she still missed her dead finance. Finally Chow Yun Fat passed away with regret. Actually her finance only was missing in action on the battlefield. The sequel will feature Donnie Yen Chi Tan as the hero and continue the romance with Yeung. Zhang Ziyi's son will be transformed into a daughter, who most likely will be Fan Bingbing. The sequel star power rivaled the first film. Ang Lee has decided not to return, and BLACK SWAN producer David Thwaites will take over. Currently the film company is trying to persuade Ang Lee to be the film's producer. The film company will even consider the world needs and shoot a Chinese and an English version. With the script being drafted, the film company planned to go into production fully in the middle of the year hopefully in time for next year's Oscars. Recently in Hong Kong for his new film Chi Tan upon signing his contract will received HK$50 million as well as a chance for an Oscar pass. No wonder his American management agency is trying to complete the dial. Chi Tan yesterday admitted that they were already in close contact. "We are amazing, how did you know? Harvey two months ago contacted me. David has already come to Hong Kong twice and plan to meet with me to discuss details. However at the time I was working and was unable to coordinate. He recently told me that he planned to come again and find me. (The salary offer was very high.) Such business secret of course can't be talked about. (What are the chances of you taking it?) Of course I would actively consider it, but two things have left me hesitant. First is my schedule this year is truly very tight, and secondly the first is already a classic and a Oscar winner, I am afraid that I would have stress from not being able to surpass it." Yeung Chi King's assistant said that she has heard about the project. "However not all of the details have been confirmed, even the script isn't complete yet. (Will she take it?) If all goes well she will definitely help out." * (2013/03/11) After over 30 years in the film industry, Best Actor Simon Yam Tat Wa recently made his debut as a director as well as the second assistant photographer on a ghost film. He even called in favors and invited good friends Maggie Siu Mei Kei, Yuen Qiu, and former co-star Lam Suet who was accused of going to the Mainland to work on a series to dodge debts. Brother Wa has been working on the new film for days, earlier he shot at Central. Although it was already early in the morning he still attracted many onlookers. Due to the chill, Brother Wa wore a wool hat and down jacket to stay warm. He explained to the team and the cast, often pointing around and putting his hand on his waist like a director. Brother Wa wanted to shoot a girl who was running bare foot on the street. Before the shoot he prepared the girl mentally and even explained in detail. Brother Wa immediately patted the little girl on the head after she ran once in the cold and coaxed her. Later He even demonstrated to the girl how to run while playing scared. As the father of one daughter it was a piece of cake for him. Lam Suet who played a "gluttonous ghost" in the film was already in make up and waiting. * (2013/03/11) Anthony Wong Chau Sun starred in the film IP MAN THE FINAL FIGHT (IP MAN JUNG GIK YUT JIN) and was also injured from fighting. In particular he was hitting too hard, which left bruises all over his arms from the wooden stump; however, for every stunt to be realistic, Chau Sun insisted on punching hard. He even joked, "I have accidentally broken many stumps." Aside from Chau Sun, former stuntman Eric Tsang Chi Wai also had to battle villain Ken Low Wai Kwong on a palm flower stump that was over ten feet tall. Chi Wai on the stump performed a lion dance battle with Low Wai Kwong while exchanging punches and kicks. Because of the fierce stunt and complicated design, when they fought they had to wear wires. however Chi Wai remained as agile during his lion dance like a new born lion. * (2013/03/11) Lo Hoi Pang and Louie Castro (Ka Si Lok) yesterday attended a cooking contest. Brother Pang revealed that since his diabetes diagnosis in 1987, he was forced to quit sweet, fatty and greasy food for his health. He said, "The more I couldn't have dessert the more I wanted to, but if I didn't quit I would've been dead. Ah Fei (Lydia Shum Din Ha) had diabetes later than me, Bun Jai (Law Kwan Jor) didn't watch his diet." Brother Pang revealed after finishing THE ICEMAN COMETH 3D (3D BING FUNG HUP), he later will head to Thailand for SO DUK (DRUG SWEEP). * (2013/03/11) Irene Wan Bik Ha in 1982 as a 15 year old worked on the film LONELY FIFTEEN (LAN MUI JAI). 31 years later she returned to her claim to fame with former co-star Mak Tak Wo (Cheung Lok Street Peter Jai) in LONELY FIFTEEN 2013 (LAN MUI JAI 2013 ji MEI GAU SIU NUI). Yesterday they held a production start ceremony in a Tsuen Wan secondary school. New comer Hui Nga Ting in the film played Wan Bik Ha's daughter. She praised her elder for how well she maintained herself, they looked more like sisters than mother and daughter. Wan Bik Ha said, "Today when I returned to school I had a lot of memories. Back then being a student was more romantic, I would receive love letters from male classmates. My looks are well maintained actually because despite the numerous life experience my state of mind remained unchanged. I was the happiest about finding a pretty girl to play my daughter." Wan Bik Ha already played a mother in her first film EVERLASTING LOVE (TING BUT LIU DIK OI). At the time she was less than 18, her mother signed the film company contract for her. She even cried as she signed, "Mommy was worried that I would turn bad once I entered show business, the fact was I became good instead." Wan Bik Ha praised co-star Mak Tak Bo for the same personality over the years. He was just as honest and bashful; Mak Tak Wo returned the favor and said that she was getting prettier and prettier. Her figure was fitter than before. Wan Bik Ha said, "At the time I was still less than developed at age 15. The most memorable was the require perm." Sugar Club Kandy's boyfriend Dominic Ho Ho man played Mak Tak Wo's son and a couple with Hui Nga Ting. In the film they had fiery bed scenes. He said, "We still have a bed scene to make, I guess it will be more extreme action wise. I don't mind baring my backside, depending on the need of the film." Hui Nga Ting was very conservative, "My personal bottom line is showing my back, not topless. At first when I learned that I would work with Wan Bik Ha, I worried about the pressure. Later I realized that she was very nice and was willing to teach new comers!" * (2013/03/11) Mainland actor Wu Xiubo and director Xue Xiaolu two nights ago came to Hong Kong to promote their film FINDING MR. RIGHT (BUT GAING YU SEUNG SAI NGA TO). Lead actress Tang Wei was absent but still appeared via video conferencing. She revealed that she was in Samui, Thailand. Tang Wei said that she took the chance to train her body while playing a pregnant woman. She said, "I was able to wear a lot of brand name labels, in addition shooting overseas was very relaxing. It was a dream romantic trip." Speaking of her Mr. Right, Tang Wei felt that every girl no matter what she looked like would dream about romance. She did not think about where she would meet Mr. Right. Because Leanna Li Yanan was working in Australia, Wong Cho Nam joked that she would ask Tiny to play his girlfriend. Tiny said that every time after watching a romance she dreamed about being able to find true love, unfortunately she has not been able to yet. She joked, "Actually I can play pregnant just like Tang Wei!" Wong Cho Nam joked, "It's very hard to tell whether she is already playing pregnant." * (2013/03/10) Anthony Wong Chau Sun for the Guoyi Entertainment and Emperor Motion Picture joint production IP MAN -- THE FINAL FIGHT (IP MAN JUNG GIK YUT JIK) lost weight and trained in Wing Chun. In the film he dueled with Eric Tsang Chi Wai who played the white crane style successor as they battled both in wits and skills. He joked, "Chi Wai this time is great! I never would have guessed that he would be 60 before his action star luck would arrive. From now on whoever wants to make THE MAGNIFICENT BUTCHER he is the only choice, he still has a long time to fight! This time every fight scene is with an expert, Xiong Xinxin, (Ken) Low Wai Kwong, the fights were both pleasant and fun for me. (Are you afraid that viewers would compare you to Donnie Yen Chi Tan's or Tony Leung Chiu Wai's Ip Man?) Would they compare who is more handsome between me and Leung Chiu Wai? The style is complete! I don't know what is left to compare or what can be compared!" Chau Sun also had nothing but praise for Gillian Chung Yun Tung and Timmy Hung Tin Ming. He said, "Ah Gil's personality is very lovable and very willing to share. Her acting isn't selfish as she wants the entire movie to be good; Tin Ming works very hard, after the movie release people will definitely praise him. As the songstress Jenny, Zhou Chuchu is very smart. She captures the soul of the out of province songstress of the era. In addition the screen writers and the director handle the relationship between Ip Man and Jenny very well. The quiet romance is very mild mannered, not as crass as the people who kiss all over the street now!" Director Herman Yau Lai To said, "In comparison to THE LEGEND IS BORN -- IP MAN (IP MAN CHIN JUEN), the ambition this time is even greater. The plum flower stump, lion dance with all the climbing up and down, every scene is very hard to shoot. I have to thank Chau Sun, Chi Wai and the entire team's hard work. Everyone made this film with a lot of passion. I feel Ip Man still has many stories that viewers want to see and are worth making. As for any further sequel, it would depend on Master Sin Kwok Lam and the film company's intentions!" * (2013/03/10) The Taiwan Golden Horse award enters its 50th anniversary this year. The event earlier invited the 6th Best Actor Ivy Ling Po and the 47th Best Actor Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin) to the press conference and to symbolize a passing of the torch. Although their ages were quite far apart, their Huangmeidiao performance was very well paced. Siu Tin even said, "My Ma is so happy that she is almost mad. Seeing an elder this time, two nights ago I did my homework and worked LOVE ETERNE (LEUNG JOOK) again." Speaking of becoming a star with LOVE, Ling Po humbly said, "I don't dare, at the time I was just a new comer who was just lucky enough to have made this film." Remembering some of her co-stars who have already passed, Ling Po inevitably got choked up and showed her true emotions. The event said that if funding would permit, it hoped to invite big shots like Ang Lee, Maggie Cheung Man Yuk and Tony Leung Chiu Wai to attend and make the event even more cheerful. * (2013/03/09) Michelle Wai Si Nga yesterday attended an environmental protection event and revealed that when she worked on a film she was asked to play an adult video goddess on the spot. She asked the director to show her the adult video right away as an example. "Finally we weren't able to load it. I could only listen to the director's description. I didn't expect that after the shoot all the men on the set said that my performance was very convincing and even asked if I have seen it before." She said that the performance only included lip biting, bashful smiles and no sexy performance, since the director asked her to play the adult video opening when the actress introduced herself. Adason Lo (Law Lik Wai) was asked about his adult video goddess. He immediately practiced Tai Chi and said, "I can't tell who is who, recently I am watching Kimura's new series. (Do you usually watch adult videos?) I watch Japanese series and Korean films more." * (2013/03/08) Famous Mainland director Feng Xiaogang earlier participated in the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He even made a proposal. "Everyone can make LOST IN THAILAND and at the same time make subjects like the Cultural Revolution. I feel such a movie can be made as a reflection, we all have experienced an event like this." Feng Xiaogang felt that he should speak up for his own people in order to live up to be a political consultative conference member, and this way Chinese directors would be able to make good subjects to battle Hollywood film directors and safeguard China's film industry. * (2013/03/08) Donnie Yen Chi Tan earlier put on a disguise for his new film THE ICEMAN COMETH 3D (3D BING FUNG HUP), spending three hours to thoroughly transformed into a counterfeit Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho). Chi Tan had no complaint and even said it was no big deal. "THE MONKEY KING (DAI LAU TIN GUNG) was the toughest, spending over four hours on make up and more time to remove it. We worked on it for over three months . Even if they wanted to make sequel, I would have to think about it unless it will be done in ten days!" Since ICEMAN began its production it has been shooting all over Hong Kong. Lord Don stood dangerously on top of a double decker bus. He said that even more major scenes were on the way. "We will take all the safety precaution, I won't work on anything too dangerous and won't let the double work on it either. (Are you heavily insured this time?) You have to ask the film company about that, I have been this way for several decades. I would maintain my usual professionalism, safety comes first." * (2013/03/08) Former Miss Hong Kong candidate Connie Man Hoi Ling stepped foot into the film industry. Earlier she guest starred in the Shaw Lunar New Year film I LOVE HONG KONG 2013 (2013 NGOR OI HK GUNG HEI FAT CHOI) and had scenes with leads Alan Tam Wing Lun and Eric Tsang Chi Wai. She praised the two elders for how easy going they were, they even took the initiative to chat with her and came up a very long and funny dialogue. "They took the initiative and picked my brain to come up with a dialogue, finally the result that we jammed out was great. We were surprised at how great my memory was. Although this part was finally cut out, it was a memorable experience!" In another scene, because an actress did not appear and the team needed an actor, Connie called her sister to help out. Did she want her sister to join the business? She said, "No, I just wanted her to have a little fun! During the Lunar New Year when we went to the movies, the family saw us on camera and thought it was very cute!" * (2013/03/08) Best Actor nominee Nick Cheung Ka Fai earlier received the Hong Kong Federation of Filmmakers' 2012 Outstanding Performance Film Actor. Ka Fai who is working on the film SO DUK (DRUG SWEEP) in Thailand was unable to return to Hong Kong to accept the award in person but still celebrated with friends Lau Ching Wan and Louis Koo Tin Lok, who popped bottles of champagne with him there. Cheung Ka Fai with the film NIGHTFALL (DAI JUI BO) was nominated for next month's 22nd Hong Kong Film Award Best Actor, but he earlier already received the Hong Kong Federation of Filmmakers' 2012 Outstanding Performance Film Actor award and the recognition of filmmakers. Because Ka Fai was working on his new film SO DUK in Thailand, he was unable to return to Hong Kong to accept the award. However, SO director Benny Chan Muk Sing, Ching Wan, Goo Jai, Berg Ng Ting Yip, Ken Low Wai Kwong and others in Thailand opened bottles of champagne to congratulate Ka Fai. He happily said, "Although the team didn't give me time off to return to Hong Kong for the award, the director and the team still had me in their minds. This champagne goes down particularly easy. Our team's cinematographer (Fletcher) Poon Yiu Ming also received Best Cinematography, which is proof that we have a solid team." Was he confident about winning Best Actor again? Ka Fai praised fellow nominee Ching Wan. "Award depends on fate, but I admire how Ching Wan earlier at a public event joked that his chances were not high because this time the competition was strong, with two with the last name Leung and two with the name Ka Fai. This sidestepping is almost the best, he indeed is an expert!" Yesterday Ka Fai returned to Hong Kong for a day to wrap up another film MOR GAING (DEMON COP) then returned to Thailand to continue the shoot. * (2013/03/08) Commercial Radio yesterday aired an Anthony Wong Chau Sun interview. Since Donnie Yen Chi Tan and Tony Leung Chiu Wai have played the character before, why did he still take the role? "I was half asleep when I agreed out of the blue. After 2 or 3 days of consideration I felt very dumb! Because the distance is great, I am playing the real Ip Man and not a 23 year old Ip Man. No one knows how he was. I played Ip Man who came to Hong Kong in 1949, with a lot of his photos and movies. His figure was very different from mine. If I had to drop to 130 pounds, I would have died and be unable to work." * (2013/03/08) The Mainland comedy actor Xu Zheng directed film LOST IN THAILAND yesterday received the 7th Asian Film Award 2012 highest grossing Asian Film Award. The award will be presented on March 18. The Xu Zheng directed and starred film received uniform praise in the Mainland. Its release last year reached 993 million yuan RMB. As of mid February 2013 its cumulative box office broke 1.26 billion yuan RMB. As high tech film productions ran rampant in recent years, it was able to win with a small budget. It was truly a miracle. * (2013/03/08) Irene Wan Bik Ha yesterday appeared on a Metro radio interview. Speaking of LONELY FIFTEEN 2013 (LAN MUI JAI 2013 ji MEI GAU SIU NUI) that will start production next week, she ran into former co-star Mak Tak Wo and was very sentimental. "He has changed a lot but his personality remained the same. A lot of past memories floated in my mind." The record company was interested in Wan Bik Ha to perform the LONELY FIFTEEN theme song FREEDOM IN MY HANDS. She said that she was also interested in remaking other classic songs and considered inviting former co-star Andy Lau Tak Wa and male group C AllStar to perform with her. * (2013/03/08) Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Wong Cho Nam, Rose Chan Ka Wun, Natalie Meng Yao, Kimmy Tong Fei and director Wong Jing worked together on the film PRINCESS AND SEVEN KUNG FU MASTERS (SIU GUNG JUN MO LUM), which held its premiere two nights ago. Chan Ka Wun and Jing Girl Meng Yao had the most attention. Lead actor Ronald appeared alone. Ronald said that his wife Sammie Yu Sze Man was busy with their daughter and was unable to support him. He too wanted to please his daughter and work on more animation voice work. He joked, "Maybe my daughter will think my comedy films aren't funny, but she likes cartoons. I have recommended myself for MADAGASCAR 4 voice work." Ronald also shared that his daughter has entered the cute stage of learning to walk and talk. "When my daughter sees me behind her she would run like I am chasing her. Only when I sing children songs would she quiet down." His daughter recently applied for prestigious kindergartens. Ronald said that he was very nervous and was afraid that no school would accept her. "For my daughter, I had to dig out my student identification from when I went to the school. The interview could not be rescheduled and we couldn't be late to it. It's worse than a job interview." Speaking of Beijing critic Jia Xuanning's slam of VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) for vilifying Mainlanders and her article winning the Art Development Council's first critic award gold prize and HK$500,000 cash prize, Wong Jing supported VULGARIA. "I don't feel it slams Mainlanders. Low quality people have no confidence in themselves so they have an anti-Hong Kong sentiments; high quality people don't feel Hong Kongers are discriminating and won't be affected." He said that 10 years ago he ran into a Mainland university student with similar a review, he thought only conservative people would have such an idea and that the ADC was late to the game. Yesterday an online rumor claimed that PRINCESS might be Wong Jing's retirement film because he could not withstand too much work. Yesterday Wong Jing received many inquiries from friends. Still promoting the film in Guangzhou, he iterated again online that his health was not great but he absolutely would not retire so soon. The film industry was too mesmerizing; he directly denied rumors of his health problem and retirement preparation. Wong Cho Nam due to the TVB series FOOD FOR THE SLAVES (SIK WAI LO) production turned down many Mainland jobs and lost over HK$1 million. As for his girlfriend Leanne Li Yanan's demand for diamond ring, fresh flowers, money and proposal reason before she would be willing to wed, Cho Nam revealed that recently he has been looking hard at properties in preparation for a home. However with work scheduled until next year, in the short run he will not have time to wed. * (2013/03/08) The Stephy Tang Lai Yun and William So Wing Hong starred film BUT OI BUT SAN (NO LOVE NO BREAK UP) yesterday held its production start ceremony in Tsim Sha Tsui. Reportedly when Stephy learned that Shawn Yue Man Lok who once courted her was dating her friend Kary Ng Yu Fei, she tried to talk her out of it and they are now at odds. Stephy joked that the report was overly imaginative and denied any dispute with Kary. Earlier they even planned to have dinner but Kary vanished after the rumor surfaced. Stephy said, "I have been looking for me and asked why she didn't include me in her vacation, but she didn't reply. So I don't know if she is dating." She stressed that Ah Lok has never pursued her and said that he was a very healthy nice guy. So Wing Hong revealed that he ran into Kary earlier in a Macau show and discussed her trip to England and the ensuing media coverage. He thought that Kary should stand still for the media to take photos, Ah Lok handled them before. He said, "Whether they are dating or not, they should be the ones who answer. Ah Lok is an outrageously good guy in show business. I know who has bad habits, since I was one of them." * (2013/03/08) Johnnie To Kei Fung's police film DRUG WAR (DUK JIN) will be released in the Mainland in April. This film will be the 25th anniversary of directing police films since THE BIG HEAT (SING SI DUT GAING) in 1988. DRUG WAR will also be his 50th film as a director. DRUG WAR will be his first film in the North. Earlier videos showed Sun Honglei testing drugs and Louis Koo Tin Lok's lethal injection execution. To Kei Fung said, "Drugs indeed is very poisonous, but in DRUG WAR, some things are 10,000 times more poisonous than it." * (2013/03/08) Gordon Liu (Lau Ka Fai) two years ago became hemiplegic after a stroke. Last year he moved into a nursing home, after treatment his mobility was gradually increased. Originally his female assistant Eva was his guardian, but recently his son Sin Chun Lung revealed that his father's care take has been switched to a female artist. He even said that his father's whereabouts was unknown and thus he contacted the police for help. Actually Lau Ka Fai's new guardian is Fan Yik Man. Yesterday she said, "starting in January this year I became Brother Ka Fai's care taker. His situation is great, he is at a safe place. Many people have seen him, anyone he wants to see would be able to see him. They know where he is and he doesn't want to be disturbed. The change is Brother Ka Fai, his sister and his niece's wish. With a lawyer and a psychiatrist as witnesses, a legal document was signed." As for Sin Chun Lung reporting to the police that his father's whereabouts is unknown, she said, "Someone is wasting police effort, they know that they need to arrange with the lawyer to see their father. They have already contacted the lawyer, but they still contacted the police; I am just a guardian, I don't need to answer to them. I can only say that the law is protecting Brother Ka Fai." Lau Ka Fai's former guardian Eva last night told Cable that she was uncertain about Lau Ka Fai's whereabouts. Someone has kept her from seeing him. She too wanted to return 1 million RMB that Lau Ka Fai left with her for safe keeping. * (2013/03/07) The 46 year old Joey Wang Cho Yin immigrated to Vancouver, Canada in 2004 and turned down many business and film offers for her to make a comeback. She tried to avoid show business people and events and her life in Canada was very simple. She did not even have any connection to China, Hong Kong or Taiwan artists who have already immigrated there as she wanted to return to be a 100% ordinary person. She even returned to school and studied at an international language school. Reportedly she and a local Chinese student fell in love. They often went to parks, attended barbecues or took walks on the beach. Lately she has caught the eyes of jewelry and cosmetic labels. They through Pansy Ho Chiu King's Occasions public relations company invited her to return to Hong Kong and attend the label promotion. The labels were willing to pay 1 million for her to return to Hong Kong and promote in May or June. Reportedly Wang Cho Yin valued this return to Hong Kong as the first wave of trying the water of show business. If the response was ideal, film companies would approach her with suitable scripts. She was interested in returning to the film industry. After 10 years in seclusion, two years ago when she saw the decent box office of her CHINESE GHOST STORY Mainland re-release and fans longing for her, she was moved to film. * (2013/03/07) Louis Koo Tin Lok, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Lau Ching Wan, Ken Low Wai Kwong and Ben Lam Kwok Bun two nights ago worked on the Universe Film SO DUK (DRUG SWEEP) in Thailand. The film company chose a building where several murders took place to shoot Koo Tin Lok running away from Low Wai Kwong and Lam Kwok Bun. Cheung Ka Fai and Lau Ching Wan arrived to save him. The walls of the building have already been demolished. Goo Jai needed wires for his mid air performance. Ka Fai who still had trouble extending his pinkie had to jump on the roof of a car to pull Goo Jai back into the building. Goo Jai suffered a leg injury while working on A CHINESE GHOST STORY (SUN SIN NUI YAU WON) and then an arm injury on INFERNO (TOH CHOOK SUN TIN). Yet he still insisted on personally performing the stunt. His vehicle was forced to the edge of the building. Ten stories above he was hanging in mid air. Finally during one of the shoots his left arm was injured. Luckily the team and the on site medical team treated it in time. Goo Jai said, "Actually this time wasn't the toughest or the most dangerous. When I made CONNECTED (BO CHI TUNG WA) I almost slid downhill inside a car. I almost fell in the baby rescue scene in ROB B HOOD (BO BUI GAI WAT). They were the most dangerous. This time the protective gear was so tight that I had difficulty breathing!" Ka Fai still had to perform a highly difficult stunt despite his misshapen pinkie. He said, "Sigh! Such a mess at such an age! Right now my pinky is still z shaped. I can close it but I can't straighten it. (You still have to save Goo Jai?) I am still OK with my activity ability! I still haven't had time for the operation, after this movie I would have to make time no matter what." Producer Alvin Lam Siu Keung had nothing but praise for Goo Jai and Ka Fai's professionalism and even said that this was one of the reasons that they kept working together. He even revealed that the actors had HK$10 million insurance policy each. The team will stay in Thailand for a month. The only actress Yolanda Yuan Quan got lucky and did not have to shoot any dangerous stunt. Lau Ching Wan only had to draw a gun to force Low Wai Kwong and others to release Goo Jai and had a much easier time than Koo Tin Lok and Cheung Ka Fai who had to be on wires and climb on top of a car. Ching Wan had no complaint despite the long wait for his scene. He even chatted with Berg Ng Ting Yip unlike his usually silent image. He said, "I am mainly responsible for pointing a gun at Low Wai Kwong, it's not easy!" Even Ka Fai thought Ching Wan's personality change was strange, as he repeatedly said, "Why does Ching Wan have so much to say?" Low Wai Kwong was injured in the film and painfully rolled on the ground. Although the environment was dirty, during the shoot he lay down all the same and screamed to the Heavens. He was very professional. * (2013/03/07) Martial art actor Gordon Liu (Lau Ka Fai) two years ago suffered a stroke and became hemiplegic. He was under the care of his female assistant Eva. Some claimed that he refused to see his daughter Sin Chun Lung and Sin Wing San. Last month Sin Chun Lung was shocked to learn that guardianship has been changed from Eva to a female artist who he did not know. His father's whereabouts was unknown! Due to the severity of the issue, Sin Chun Lung yesterday contacted the police for assistance. Eva who was reportedly in charge of Lau Ka Fai's over 1 million RMB finances also lost contact with him, hoped to see him soon so she would be able to return his money to him upon his recovery. After his stroke Lau Ka Fai resided in a Wong Tai Sin senior care center for treatment in August last year, in November last year his long time assistant Eva became his care take. While Ka Fai was hospitalized, his second wife's children Sin Chun Lung and Sin Wing San were unable to see their father. Sin Chun Lung kept contacting the center in hopes of seeing his father. Last month when Sin Chun Lung inquired about seeing his father, he was surprised to learn that under the arrangement of a new guardian he has left the center. Without any way to learn his father's whereabouts he through his lawyer contacted the female artist but still has not received any response. Yesterday he decided to seek help at the Central Police Station! Sin Chun Lung said, "The nursing home nurse told me that Papa has already changed guardianship and told me to ask the lawyer. Only then did I find out that the new guardian was a female artist who I didn't know." He said that his father in December called home and has lost contact since then. "They kept me and my sister from seeing Papa. When Papa called that time he still knew my sister's name, but because he had a little problem with expressing himself my sister couldn't hear him clearly. When he wanted to talk more someone already grabbed the phone and said that Papa didn't want to see us. The entire matter was very strange." * (2013/03/07) Raymond Lam Fung was caught kissing his girlfriend Karena Ng Chin Yu on a flight. Yesterday Lam Fung attended a film premiere in Beijing and did not avoid talking about his love life. Chin Yu BB quoted HOTEL DELUXE (BAK SING JAU DIM) screen writer Anselm Chan Mou Yin, "As long as I am holding Ta's hand tightly, my heartbeat and courage would double. Even with a hail of bullets outside, flashes of swords, they would only add to the brilliant bliss with endless well wishes. Go!" Chin Yu BB posted, "I wanted to spread this photo for a long time, I thought it was particularly meaningful." As for Lam Fung yesterday at the Beijing SAVING GENERAL YANG (JUNG LIT YEUNG GA JEUNG) press conference he was asked about his romance. Although his assistant wanted to stand up and interrupt, he magnanimously said, "No problem, because I don't need to avoid it." Speaking of being caught being intimate with his girlfriend on a flight, he felt that it was not worth being surprised about. They was living like normal people would, but hoped that some of the media would learn respect and not to twist something normal with words that sometimes felt him feeling helpless. * (2013/03/07) The Wu Chun, Dior Cheng Yi Kin and Raymond Lam Fung starred new film SAVING GENERAL YANG (JUNG LIT YEUNG GA JEUNG) will be released next month. The cast has been asked to get bigger, finally Wu Chun had the chance to show off the result of his training. Playing the sixth son, Wu Chun was topless for a scene in which the Adam Cheng Siu Chau played father struck him with a staff and showed off his firm muscles. He attracted the ladies from catering and make up to temporarily stop working and enjoy Wu Chun's healthy figure. Chau Guoon in this scene had to hit Wu Chun with a staff. At first he only pretended to hit and was not realistic enough. Finally he could only truly hit Wu Chun. Luckily everyone was very professional and the shoot went smoothly. The newlywed Ekin was almost injured on a horse riding scene. At the time he had over 300 horses chasing him. Ekin lost his balance, if he fell off the horses would have trampled him. Luckily he gave his all to maintain his balance. * (2013/03/07) Two nights ago Fiona Sit Hoi Kei was invited to design a cosmetics bag for ladies to raise fund for the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation. She said, "I would have scheduled gynecological exams, sometimes I would forget and Mommy would yell at me. I can work with both male and female doctors, as long as they are professional it wouldn't be too awkward." Speaking of good friend Chapman To Man Jat winning Best Actor, Fiona was excited. "I sent a text message to congratulate him and asked him to celebrate with dinner because he still owed me one. I feel that Ah Jat is a very outstanding comedy actor. Although this time he didn't win with a comedy, he still succeeded for the comedy world. (The more people criticize him the more successful he gets?) No, he believes in Buddha. He has no taboo and is invulnerable. (Would you make less China Hong Kong conflict movies to avoid trouble?) When I make a movie it completely depends on the script and the artistic quality, I don't want to make movies too complicated or political." * (2013/03/07) Michael Hui Koon Man earlier appeared on a now TV health program. He said that years ago after he was diagnosed with diabetes he began to pay attention to his diet and exercise. He joked about his secret to lower his blood sugar. "I give all the high blood sugar, high fat food to my wife, lately my wife begins to suspect me for attempting to murder her." Around 10 years ago he was diagnosed with diabetes, but due to his optimistic personality he thought it was a gift from Heaven. "When you look at it from a different angle, I would know that this is a good thing. With diabetes, you would definitely pay attention to your diet and exercise all the time. Your body would be fitter than before." Among the Hui Brothers, Hui Koon Man paid the most attention to health. "They sometimes would say, 'if I get sick I get sick, if I die I die'. They are beyond wrong, but sometimes I can talk until my mouth is dry and they wouldn't listen." After getting sick he felt the love of many for him. When his wife went out she definitely would bring a lot of sugar substitute for his coffee and make suitable dishes for him. * (2013/03/07) Jackie Chan prepared two proposals for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. They mainly aimed at the fight against piracy and food safety. He mentioned a conversation that he had with a producer in Korea. He asked why Korea had no pirated Korean films but had pirated Chinese and foreign films? The producer said that they would not pirate their own movies. In other words, they ensured the survival of the Korean film industry. Jackie Chan also mentioned the issue of food safety. Sometimes when he dined with foreign friends win the Mainland, most would ask the same thing, "Is this edible?" If they ate overseas, even if the food was the same they would say, "You can relax and eat this." Jackie Chan said that he would be very upset when he heard that, thus China should fully promote food safety. Today China is already a major power, but everyone was still joking about its food safety. * (2013/03/07) Anthony Wong Chau Sun in the film IP MAN THE FINAL FIGHT (IP MAN JUNG GIK YUT JIN) played Master Ip Man in his later years with disciples galore. In the film Gillian Chung Yun Tung, Timmy Hung Tin Ming, Jordan Chan Siu Chun were all his disciples. Sometimes behind the camera they would called Chau Sun Sifu and they were as close as a family. Chau Sun was asked whether he would accept disciples like Master Ip Man and teach acting? He humbly said, "I am not qualified. Master Ip Man was a grand master. His Wing Chun was a martial art style of its own. My acting is not particularly good, how can I be qualified to teach others." Ah Gil in the film had many action scenes, she still would insist on performing dangerous stunts herself. The director praised her as being more mature than before. * (2013/03/07) The Pang Ho Cheung directed, Chapman To Man Jat starred film VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) recently was criticized as vulgar culture. As a film investor, Albert Yeung Sau Sing two nights ago admitted that he has not watched this film but supported To Man Jat. "Ah Jat belongs to my company, in the future he will make even more movies. He will plan his own projects, later we will hold a press conference to announce them." Yeung Sau Sing revealed that at first Ah Jat recommended VULGARIA to him, but in the end they were unable to work together. He explained, "At first Ah Jat suggested this film, I only thought that the subject was not suitable for the company (Emperor)'s style. Thus we weren't able to make it. The company has never made category III film or nude scenes. It wouldn't company vulgar subjects like toilet humor. So VULGARIA fell to the hands of another film company to invest. I didn't feel any regret at all. Even though some outside slammed this movie, the fact is this film was both a critical and commercial hit. Some felt that vulgar was unimportant because movies had to entertain everyone." * (2013/03/07) Donnie Yen Chi Tan yesterday was an ambassador for the BMW Hong Kong Derby. Currently busy with THE ICEMAN COMETH 3D (3D BING FUNG HUP), Chi Tan said that he was waiting for Wilson Yip Wai Shun's schedule to open up for IP MAN 3. Speaking of Ip Man's disciple Sin Kwok Lam's claim that Wong Chau Sun was the most convincing Ip Man and that too many Ip Man films have made the subject dull, Chi Tan said, "That's fine, everyone has his own idea. Film should blossom with variety, no one would mind too many good movies. The most important is viewers like them." [ BLAH OF THE WEEK ] Columns, Reviews, Interviews 1. APPLE DAILY, MARCH 10 2013, ELECTRIC FILM ROAD ANTHONY WONG'S HEART BELONGS TO IP MAN With Donnie Yen Chi Tan's IP MAN in 2008, after the legendary kung fu master Wong Fei Hung Ip Man was considered another film character subject with high potential. With Donnie Yen Chi Tan's IP MAN 2 in 2010, an entertaining subject that has been both a critical and commercial success followed up with a second installment! With Dennis To Yu-Hang's THE LEGEND IS BORN -- IP MAN (IP MAN CHIN JUEN) in 2010, the Ip Man film series has a young Ip Man film. With Tony Leung Chiu Wai's THE GRANDMASTERS (YUT DOI JUNG SI) in 2013, the story starts with the lead Ip Man, through the grand masters of the same period and through the aesthetic shots and meaningful dialogues in the film a different film world was displayed. With Anthony Wong Chau Sun's IP MAN -- THE FINAL FIGHT (IP MAN JUNG GIK YUT JIN) on March 28, 2013, a character biography through a realistic way depicts Ip Man in his final years, spreading Wing Chun in Hong Kong and with disciples galore. Through Ip Man's existence during a turbulent era the path to energy that human should have is drawn out. IP MAN -- THE FINAL FIGHT's selling point is Wong Chau Sun. He says, "I feel Ip Man's Ip Man has never been made. This time I play Ip Man's Ip Man, not Wong Chau Sun as Ip Man." Whether you understand or not, it is unimportant. What Wong Chau Sun means is you should see it! - YEUNG KIT MAN The media around the world asked director Wong Kar Wai the same question at the Berlin Film Festival last month -- why did he want to make THE GRANDMASTERS? Because of a view from the back, then...... Earlier at the interview director Herman Yau Lai To was asked the same question, why did he want to make IP MAN -- THE FINAL FIGHT? The director looked surprised then snickered and said, "Because I make movies!" Simply and direct, he then added, "I didn't choose the subject. No everyone can make Ip Man. With a real person around, someone had to grant permission, of course we had someone who granted us permission to make it. Then I could choose to make it or not and they could consider whether they would ask me to make it or not. I am very familiar with Ip Man's life and the events around him. I really wanted to make it, so I agreed without another word!" Accepting Roles Randomly After Drinking Why did Wong Chau Sun want to play Ip Man? Because of a bottle of red wine. Chau Sun said, "I agreed after getting drunk, my mouth was too fast. After getting drunk no one should promise people anything. That day around 4PM at home I already had a bottle of red wine. He (Yau Lai To) called me, without any opening! He said that he was making a movie about Ip man. I said, 'Ip Man again? Who would I play?' He answered, 'Ip Man.' I asked him again, 'I asked you who would I play?' He again said, 'Ip Man!' I asked him again, 'I am not asking about the movie, I am asking who would I play?' He very certainly said, 'Ip Man!' I immediately said, 'Huh! Really?' Then he said that he wanted to tell me the entire story, after hearing it I thought it was good! Great! I even said, 'You have a lot of guts!' He asked again so I said, 'That's good! It's a pretty big challenge!' Then I kept drinking. The next day I got up and remembered that he called me. I remembered that I seemed to have promised him something. Then I kept thinking, no! Let me looking it up in boks, right away I felt no way! How would I play it! Come one!" Yau Lai To snuck in and Wong Chau Sun's word was as good as gold as he made the impossible possible. Chau Sun said, "At the time I had a big belly, Ip Man was as thin as a drug addict, how would I play him? Ka Fai was pretty close, if I had to be thin as Ka Fai I couldn't do it! Come on!" Then, Boss Wong and Tailor Chau possessed Chau Sun as he performed a live stand up comedy routine. In the story Boss Wong went to the tailor shop to ask Tailor Chau to make him clothes. With a country accent Boss Wong said, "Tailor Chau! I want to order a Kangxi era golden silk embroidered Golden Dragon Robe, can you do it? Would it be a challenge?" Tailor Chau excitedly replied, "Yes! Great! Amazing! I have wanted to make one my entire life." Boss Wong followed up and said, "It's a deal! I placed the order!" After calming down Tailor Chau asked Boss Wong, "Where do I buy it? How do I make it?" Big Pressure To Rapidly Lose WEight As the story was thought to be finished, Chau Sun jumped back up and continued to say how would he play Ip Man. "Wow! Big Brother for the money you gave me, do you know how much work I have to do! I really lost out! Everyday at work I just ran around, the transportation cost of wooden stump that Master Sin gave me was enough for me to buy four. We prepared for an entire year, during which I couldn't eat and I worried! The temperature during the shoot was low and I couldn't eat, sigh! I told myself get over these few months first! Then I had to keep it, great! After the winter it was time to lose (weight) again, but I didn't have enough time. I didn't have energy but I had pressure, it was a lot, more than just something as simple as the shape. In INITIAL D (TAU MAN JI D) the drunk guy was just drunk, no one knew how he was outside the manga so it didn't take so much work! For the show the look, the script analysis, the martial art, the self transformation, how to look convincing, they were all too much work!" When Chau Sun lost weight, he was 'shaped' like Ip Man. His 'spiritual' resemblance should not just be the Foshan accent. However, speaking of the Foshan accent, people could not help but be reminded of McDull's headmaster with an accent. The alert Chau Sun sensed the subject was about to change to McDull's headmaster and struck first. "I don't know if Ip Man really talked like that, I definitely know that he had a very heavy Foshan accent. Ultimately I tried to Ip Man's Ip Man as much as I could. I wasn't playing the 18 year old long haired one, or the one who came to Hong Kong and played sports with Ah Cha (Indians), but no one knew about that Ip Man." Returning Value To People Kung fu in THE GRANDMASTERS is one horizontal and one vertical, it was very simple; IP MAN -- THE FINAL FIGHT through kung fu confirmed human nature. Talking about human nature was very complicated. Director Yau said, "At that time that type of interpersonal relationship, how would someone with ability and talent at that turbulent time live and deal with life? Although life was hard in that era, the value of people was a deep belief between people. Today, everyone is digitalized, everything is money. money is important, but not everything is money and can be measured with it." Ip Man's wing Chun was film material with a lot of high potential. With five movies in five years and not counting television series, the amount was neither many nor few but the subject was getting a little dull. Director Yau said, "It doesn't matter, just make it! Someone is willing to invest, someone is willing to watch, someone is willing to make it so make it! Every topic can have a lot, can use different angles to make the cut. If a lot have been made about Ip Man, we could be dead from making it and still we won't be able to catching up to Wong Fei Hung! Quantity isn't the problem. Is it entertaining, does it have a new angle, does it have a new place to start with I feel are the most important." As for Chau Sun who agreed to play Ip Man because he was drunk, now he is in the same boat and has to tough it out to the end. He said, "How many movies do we have? They are just five. I feel no one has ever made Ip Man's Ip Man, so I say I am playing Ip Man's Ip Man, not Wong Chau Sun's Ip Man." Wong Chau Sun repeatedly it twice. Do you understand him yet? Synopsis: Grand Master's Hong Kong Final Years The story is about the Grand Master Ip Man's final years. In 1949 he arrived in Hong Kong alone from Foshan, a group of disciples took him in and took care of him. He started classes on the roof of the Hong Kong Kowloon Hotel Employee Union and taught Wing Chun. Although he lived in turbulent times, he still has not bowed to reality. One of Ip Man's disciples Tang Sing was a police officer who had to suppress a worker strike and was forced to oppose fellow disciples Leung Seung, Lee King, Chan Sei Mui and others. Ip Man's wife Cheung Wing Sing once came to Hong Kong, finally due to the difficult life returned to Foshan and husband and wife thus parted forever. Ip Man after the passing of his wife Cheung Wing Sing had a significant other. At the time all the disciples were upset that their master met someone new. The film also detailed the father and son relationship between Ip Man and Ip Chun, as well as Ip man's views on his disciple Bruce Lee. IP MAN -- THE FINAL FIGHT Release Date: March 28 2. APPLE DAILY, MARCH 10 2013, ENTERTAINMENT 360 GOLDEN PLUM ACTRESS WAR: CHARLIE YEUNG VS. 4 CECILIA CHEUNG Chapman To Man Jat is right, vulgar is the nucleus value of Hong Kong film. Yet please do not treat vulgar as brilliant. This paper's entertainment page organized "Golden Plum Film Poll" has reached its eighth year. The Ms. Jia "recommended" VULGARIA (DAI JOOK HEI KET) of course was not nominated because thoroughly rotten films were more than readily available. With co-production films of recent years becoming more and more neither fish nor fowl, this year the most rotten co-production film category has been added. Hopefully Hong Kong directors with a "little wisdom" and a "big burden" would be able to stop at the edge. As for this year's most rotten actress nominations, All four of Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi's films were nominated. To repeat as a winner she would have to ask COLD WAR (HONG JIN)'s Charlie Yeung Choi Nei first; the most rotten actor nominations not only have the "brothers" William Chan Wai Ting and Avis Chan Wai Sing but also the Independent Commission Against Corruption twins Aarif Rahman (Lee Chi Ting) and Tsui Ka Kit. Bad acting truly could get worse. Starting today everyone could vote online (http://facebook.com/AppleDailyGoldenPlum) for the worst of rotten films, the results will be revealed on the APPLE entertainment page on the eve of the Hong Kong Film Award (April 12). - SO FUN NEI Most Rotten Actress Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi (THE LION ROARS 2) Usual Raised Eyebrow Cheung Pak Chi cannot be more suitable to play the mean old wife character. Her trademark "raised eyebrows" came to great use. She did not need to rely on make up to play mean as she was already very convincing. However Pak Chi's character set up was truly too rotten, as the film never explained why she was for monogamy, or why she out of the blue signed a co-habitation contract with Xiao Shenyang. Pak Chi was then forced to swallow this nomination. Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi (SHADOW OF LOVE) Hard To Tell Between Good And Evil Cheung Pak Chi in the film had to play two characters, an arrogant, cold and petty rich girl and an easy going, understanding poor girl who to impersonate the rich girl. Her acting absolutely could have been at great use. However halfway through the film it went further and further off track. Pak Chi's hostility was so heavy that even the kind girl was portrayed as the petty version, unexpectedly making the story even more complicated and confusing. Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi (SPEED ANGELS) Hell Messenger Although she was just a guest star, Pak Chi's rotten performance almost stole the spotlight from other female leads including Tang Wei and Rene Liu (Lau Yeuk Ying). Her all the same facial expression made viewers frowning tightly. However objectively SPEED ANGELS's every angel seems to be a messenger from Hell. Each actress' acting was rotten on her own. Actually the best performer was Cheng Pei Pei who played Pak Chi's mother. Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi (DANGEROUS LIAISON) Endangering The Director DANGEROUS LIAISON was based a famous French epistolary novel, the most dangerous was not the 30's Shanghai that was under Japanese military rule as depicted in the film but Hur Chin-Ho having enough guts to cast Pak Chi in the role of Mo Jieyu. Pak Chi this time played the Shanghai socialite with a lot of effort. The director also successfully captured her beautiful side. Unfortunately as soon as she was placed next to the dignified Zhang Ziyi she immediately paled in comparison. Charlie Yeung Choi Nei (COLD WAR) Unclear Delivery Without Yeung Choi Nei, Cheung Pak Chi would truly walk away with the Golden Plum with "no competition". However Sister Charlie's acting in COLD WAR was truly chilling. Even her dialogue delivery was unclear, not to mention acting from within. Actually her role in the film was limited. In one scene she had to stir up Tony Leung Ka Fai, finally she was successful -- completely relying on her rotten acting to upset Ka Fai. Most Rotten Actor Aarif Rahman (COLD WAR) Immature Agent If two great Best Actors Leung Ka Fai and Aaron Kwok Fu Sing drove COLD WAR, then Aarif Rahman (Lee Chi Ting) should be the support or according to Mainland slang he came to "strike soy sauce". Playing the ICAC investigator he interrogated Kwok Fu Sing in a room as if it was his first day. His acting was immature it was too brutal to watch, making him hard to be convincing as an investigator. At the end of the film Sing Sing told Lee Chi Ting to change jobs and become a cop, he probably was taking a jab at him. Tsui Ka Kit (COLD WAR) Commonplace Chief Tsui Ka Kit was nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award Best New Performer, which the writer would not object to if skin deep expression was considered acting. As a former ICAC executive deputy commissioner, Tsui Ka Kit in the film played the ICAC executive commissioner. Although undoubtedly he has seen every facet of life, obviously he was not used to looking at cameras as he was not able to grasp several scenes with dialogues accurately. Perhaps this commonplace chief was the actual reality portrait? William Chan Wai TIng (TRIAD) All Looks, No Substance A up and coming Wise Guy should have been a role that was tailored for Chan Wai Ting, but anyone who expected his acting to transform just from a convincing look definitely could not have been more wrong. In one scene in TRIAD Chan Wai Ting was being chased, his buddy Edward Chui Woai Dong died trying to save him. Chan Wai Ting's heart broken look without any tear was truly rotten, the director also smartly raised the music to distract the audience. Avis Chan Wai Sing (LAN KWAI FONG 2) Bed Scene Expert Avis Chan Wai Sing's height could not hide his hesitation when he acts but meets the working class role that he plays. In the story he suffers at the hands of his superior King Kong and has to deliver a scene from within. His so-called rage was completely just for laughs, conceivably the director could just barely accept the take. However he injected all of his emotions into his bed scene with Mia, positioning, postures and expressions were beyond precise. Raymond Lam Fung (LOVE IS PYJAMAS) The Wrong Spark Lam Fung choks onto the silver screen. Playing Lucky Owen who has thousands of fans should not be hard for him at all as the role can be said as tailored for him. Brother Fung in the film was paired with Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam) but they were dubious at best. They did not even have any intimate scene. No matter what they did not have any romantic spark between them. The puzzle was finally resolved recently, as Lam Fung actually clicked with co-star Karena Ng Chin Yu in secret. No wonder he kept his distance from Hung Doi Lam! Most Rotten Director/Film Stephen Fung Tak Lun (TAI CHI HERO) In the film, Tai Chi master Yang Luzen was strangely known as "Strange Ke". Obviously Strange Ke was the nickname that was exclusive to this film, but the story just revolved around how Yang Luzen transformed as Strange Ke became the hero from saving the Chen Clan village. The story was told in three sentences. The director could only keep adding internet game expression methods in an attempt to cover up the holes in the story with fantastic visuals. Finally it ended up neither fish nor fowl. Andrew Lau Wai Keung (THE GUILLOTINES) If one person's head was worth ten taels, viewers who bought tickets should have just found a few heads to cover for them and just sacrifice themselves to the Flying Guillotines to save them from having the pace that took its time boring them to death. Was the film not the ancient version of YOUNG AND DANGEROUS (GOO WAT JAI)? Yet Ethan Juan (Yuen King Tin) had no flavor of Brother Ho Nam, how could he be the boss? The brotherhood that was depicted was superficial and tasteless, instead homosexual overtones were plenty. Joe Ma Wai Ho (THE LION ROARS 2) Sweeping the Mainland Golden Broomsticks, no description could do how rotten THE LION ROARS 2 was justice. Ma Wai Ho probably would not be forgotten with just "I know I was wrong!" The film thoroughly wasted the audience's hard earned money, time, and energy. Viewers could not find any inspiration in this film, which was no a big deal. Yet they could not even find the most basic entertainment value, after watching they seemed to have lost 100 minutes of their lives. Vincent Kok Tak Siu (LOVE IS PYJAMAS) This film was not a Lunar New Year release, otherwise the title should be ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL LOVE IN PYJAMAS. Perhaps to budget restrains, this film only hired three men and three women to follow the Raymond Wong Pak Ming formula that would bore birds out. It was even harder to grasp than a TVB series. The worst was the general idea was an instant duplication of LA BRASSIERE (JUET SAI HO BRA). An over ten year old idea was brought back, the film was seriously environment friendly. Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) (NATURAL BORN LOVERS) Before the film even reached its halfway mark, half the audience conceivably had the question in their minds as the writer did, "Is it over?" All the entire film wanted to say was the word chur, in other words the obsessive behavior that a lover would commit due to loving the other too much. Yet the empty screenplay could only be sustained for half a hour. The leads were already destined to be trouble, which wasted a good looking couple of Julian Cheung Chi Lam and Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau). Most Rotten Co-Production Film THE GREAT MAGICIAN Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ching Wan and Zhou Xun alone were well worth the ticket price, if the film was not too rotten. Unlike past Derek Yee Tung Sing films, THE GREAT MAGICIAN's subject was blurry, its characters superficial, story absurd, the ending was even beyond darn, obviously it was piling on the comedy to please Mainlanders. Wai Jai's character was even more tragic, in the first half he was like IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE's Chow Mo Wan, in the second half he became EAGLE SHOOTING EAGLE's Auyeung Fung. Obviously Yee Tung Sing was the real GREAT MAGICIAN. TAI CHI Since it was a co-production, although the less than strong in star power cast TAI CHI was able to create a big film structure. The easiest to burn money in it was its explosion scenes. Obviously the subject was Tai Chi kung fu, the enemies had a massive force with guns and cannons. Everything was for the sake of burning money. TAI CHI actually had a third installment, seemingly it truly had to drive viewers mad before relenting. THE GUILLOTINES Aside from Shawn Yue Man Lok, no Hong Konger face basically could be found in THE GUILLOTINES. The film was filled with explosion scenes that could be done without, they were completely brilliance that money built and would not endure. Yet this was also the advantage of co-productions, money like the ammunitions of the armed forces in the film were unlimited. Lau Wai Keung repeatedly hinted to viewers that THE GUILLOTINES was the ancient version of YOUNG AND DANGEROUS. When the rebels were killed the FRIENDSHIP AGE score was used, which was beyond darn. THE SILENT WAR Felix Chong Man Keung and Alan Mak Siu Fai in order to please Mainland comrades had to abandon themselves and make propaganda movies. THE SILENT WAR background was the Civil War era. Packaged as a spy film, actually it was a romance that could not be more prehistoric with big stars Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Zhou Xun. Actually this method was not bad, yet was forcing the Kuomintang to be depicted major villains kissing up to Communist China? THE LION ROARS The biggest disaster for a co-production was not a story that was neither fish nor fowl, but the beyond outrageous Cantonese dubbing. In THE LION ROARS 2 Zhao Benshan played Cheung Pak Chi's father who was obviously a senior. Yet his voice actor was a young kid. Finally the voice and the visual did not match at all. The film company probably expected that Hong Kongers would not attend so it outsourced the voice work to others. Most Rotten Scene THE LION ROARS 2 Don't Ask Don't Tell A battle was about to erupt between two camps, their commanders Dongfang Mingliang and Sima Kong curiously met for a bath. They were barely dressed, exchanged ambiguous looks, Xiao Shenyang even gave Victor Huang a rub down and washed his back. The gay overtone was heavy. If the director wanted to attract comrades with their bodies, he was too shameless. Also who wanted to see the naked bodies of Xiao Shenyang and Victor Huang? LOVE IS PYJAMAS Apply Ice To Lower Region In the story Ronald Cheng Chung Kei and Raymond Lam Fung were in the sauna in an attempt to steal his phone contacts, which led to Teresa Mo Shun Kwan donning a fake beard and a male disguise to enter the sauna room. The topless Lam Fung only had a towel, then shoved a bag of ice to his lower region and pretended to reach climax, blatantly a low blow to lure little girls into the movie. The most ridiculous was Lam Fung was going to work with Cheng Chung Kei anyway, all the messing around was a complete waste. TAI CHI HERO Video Game Subtitle Yang Luzen carried an order in order to see Eight Trigram leader Li Qiankun, but he never expected to have to pass eight tests -- in other words more time fillers. Whether eight more fights would have been able to help the story no one would ever know, but the video game subtitles that appeared on the screen like "3 hit combo" and "K.O." were too much. They were there just for the amusement of Fung Tak Lun's video game addiction. THE GUILLOTINES Dragging Out Death Chris Lee Yuchun played the Guillotines rebel. Her execution at the hands of a firing squad was the entire film's climax. Chunchun's female costume was already explosive enough. When her arms were hit she was still able to raise her arms, which might be attributed to her courage. Yet finally after a dozen shots or so she lay down with her limbs wide spread, which completely violates mechanics. Originally that scene was tear jerking, it ended up becoming hilarious and reminded people how Wan Tin Sau kept dragging out his death in KING OF COMEDY. NATURAL BORN LOVERS Trapped Inside An Elevator The director used being trapped inside an elevator to replace the most outdated encounter method, which originally was the only positive part of the film. Yet when Cheung Chi Lam and Lau Sum Yau took turns getting on and off the "lonely elevator", viewers finally realized that this scene was just filling time. When they were trapped inside, the most outdated idea appeared -- Cheung Chi Lam was claustrophobic and needed Lau Sum Yau to coax him back. They also showed incredible restraint, kissing until their lips cracked open was the most reasonable story! 3. MING PAO DAILY, MARCH 10 2013, FILM WORDS PRINCESS AND SEVEN KUNG FU MASTERS DISAPPOINTS Wong Jing's new production PRINCESS AND SEVEN KUNG FU MASTERS (SIU GUNG JUN MO LUM) disappointed me very much, like a Lunar New Year film it has a large contingence of Hong Kong stars fighting and being funny. However it is so exceptionally absurd and stupid that it is not even worth mentioning. (One out of five stars) - SHEK KEI [ In Production Now/Soon ] LONELY FIFTEEN 2013 Can : Lan Mui Jai 2013 ji Mei Gau Siu Nui d. Philip Yung Tsz Kwong Irene Wan Bik Ha, Mak Tak Ho, Dominic Ho Ho Man, Kabby Hui Nga Ting, Heidi Lee Jing Yi, Rainky Wai Yu Yui Can : But Oi But San Lit : No Love No Break Up Stephy Tang Lai Yan, William So Wing Hong, He Jiong, Luo Xinyue, Zhao Rong HARDCORE COMEDY Can : Chong Hau Mei Lit : Heavy Flavor d. Wong Chi Hung, Law Yiu Fai, Chong siu Wing Oscar Leung Lit Wai, Christine Kuo, C Kwan William Chan Wai Ting, Dada Chan Jing, Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu, Paulyn Sun Kai Kwan, Michelle Wai Si Nga, Terence Siufay Can : Mor Gaing Lit : Demon Cop d. Dante Lam Chiu Yin Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Daniel Wu (Ng Yin Cho), Andy Tien (On Chi Kit), Au Kam Tong, Lee Kwok Lun, Ken Wong Hap Hei, Deep Ng Ho Hong, Xie Jieting, Shatina Chen SDU: SEX DUTIES UNIT Can : Fei Fu Jing Ying: Toh Piu Chook Jing Lit : Flying Tiger Elite: Package Expedition d. Luk Yee Sum, Gary Mak Wing Lun Chapman To Man Jat, Shawn Yue Man Lok, Matthew Chow Hoi Kwong, Derek Tsang Kwok Cheung, JJ Jia (Ga Hiu Sun), Hui Siu Hung, Joe Cheng King Kei, DaDa Chan Jing, Celia Kwok Choi Yi 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 : So Duk Lit : Drug Sweep AKA : Bin Yik Lit : Changing Battle d. Benny Chan Muk Sing Lau Ching Wan, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Yolanda Yuan Quan, Lo Hoi Pang, Berg Ng Ting Yip [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] A desperate former narcotic detective leads his team to investigate a murderer case but reveal a serious drug dealing controlled by a secret guy who is suspected to be an ex-comrade of the team... 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 d. Law Wing Cheong 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 FIRESTORM 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 [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] A hardboiled police inspector, hot on the trails of a notorious criminal crew, determines to put an end to this madness, even if it means crossing his moral line. 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 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... TALES FROM THE DARK d. Fruit Chan Gor, Lee Chi Ngai, Lawrence Ah Mon (Lau Ka Cheung) Tony Leung Ka Fai, Kelly Chen Wai Lam [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] 6 twisted tales, 6 acclaimed directors, 6 horrifying ways to mess with your fear. YOUNG DETECTIVE DEE: RISE OF THE SEA DRAGON AKA : 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 [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] The young Dee Renjie arrives in the Imperial Capital, intent to become an officer of the law. Empress Wu, who is at the start of her reign, has sent the fiery-haired Detective Yuchi to investigate a sea monster that stalks the city at night. By chance, both Dee and Yuchi fight off the creature when it attacks a ceremonial procession carrying the beautiful courtesan Yin to be sacrificed at a temple to appease the Gods. Suspicious of the stranger, Yuchi has Dee imprisoned. Dee escapes with the help of visiting doctor Shatuo and together they discover that the upper reaches of society, including the Emperor himself, are addicted to a poisonous tea produced by Yuan's famous teahouse. Yuan, who was romantically attached to Yin, has been missing for months. Dee shadows the courtesan, who is under Yuchun's protection, until the sea monster reappears. Just as the two men are about to kill it, Yin reveals that the monster is her lover, Yuan. Yuan has been poisoned by a foreign Prince whose kingdom was overthrown by the Emperor. As the Prince's army readies itself on a nearby island to attack the capital, a real sea dragon rises from the deep. 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, Chang Chen, 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 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 ] ENGLISH VINGLISH Can : Nau Yeuk Jing Duk Yau d. Gauri Shinde Sridevi, Adil Hussain Rating : I Length : 134 mins. Opening March 14 2013 [ CITYLINE MOVIES HONG KONG ] Money, fame and a knowledge of English. In India, these 3 factors play a huge role in how society judges an individual. English Vinglish is the story of a woman who does not know English and is made to feel insecure by her family and society at large. The film is a light -hearted yet touching and transformational journey of Shashi. Circumstances make her determined to overcome this insecurity, master the language, teach the world a lesson on the way to becoming a self -assured and confident woman. The film is shot mostly in New York and captures the inherent struggle of many people all over the world with the English Language. Hilarious, touching, sensitive, this film marks the comeback of India’s biggest female star Sridevi. SHIP OF THESEUS Can : Ling Won Sam Juen Sun Lit : Soul Three Reincarnations d. Anand Gandhi Aida El-Kashef, Sohum Shah, Neeraj Kabi Rating : IIA Length : 139 mins. Opening March 12 2013 [ ASIAN FILM AWARDS ] Exploring questions of identity, justice, beauty, meaning and death through an experimental photographer, an ailing monk and a young stockbroker. BARFI! Can : Luen Luen Dai Gut Lan d. Anurag Basu Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Haradhan Bannerjee Rating : IIA Length : 151 mins. Opening March 11 2013 [ ASIAN FILM AWARDS ] Three young people learn that love can neither be defined nor contained by society’s norms of normal and abnormal. THE FLOATING CASTLE Can : Piu Fau Sing Bo Lit : Floating City Castle Opening March 10 2013 Rating : IIB Length : 145 mins. [ ASIAN FILM AWARDS ] In 1590, powerful daimyo Toyotomi Hideyoshi can only unify Japan by capturing a floating castle known as Oshi Castle. Narita Nagachika, in charge of defending the castle, must use his army of 500 men to combat Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s army of 20,000. JAPAN IN A DAY Can : Woot Ha Loi Dik 311 Lit : Surviving 311 d. Philip Martin, Gaku Nartia, Adeyto, Hiroaki Aikawa Adeyto, Hiroaki Aikawa, Michael Lovan Rating : I Opening March 9 2013 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] On 11 March 2012, Fuji Television joined forces with renowned filmmaker and producer Ridley Scott and YouTube to record and share a single day in the life of Japan. Inspired by Kevin Macdonald’s Life in a Day, the project, entitled JAPAN IN A DAY, was a unique opportunity for the people of Japan to create the definitive self-portrait of the country today. It is dedicated, with deepest sympathy, to those who lost their lives and those who are suffering as a result of the earthquake and tsunami. Sunday 11 March 2012 marks the first anniversary of the tragic Great East Japan Earthquake, the most powerful earthquake to have ever struck Japan. The earthquake caused immeasurable damage not only to the stricken areas, but also to the nation as a whole. In memory of this unforgettable day, from midnight onwards for 24 hours people began to capture their lives, thoughts, feelings and hopes to be brought together in a feature length film produced by Ridley Scott and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Productions and Fuji TV. More than 15,000 films were shot by contributors and uploaded onto YouTube, generating 300 hours of footage from which the filmmakers would carve Japan in a Day. The resulting film is a powerful and moving snapshot of Japan today, which will premiere in cinemas, and be screened internationally. GANGS OF WASSEYPUR PART 1 and 2 Can : Bor Lei Wood Gau Fu Lit : Bollywood Godfather d. Anurag Kashyap Rating : III Length : 159 mins. Opening March 9 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] A coal mine king kills a train robber's entire family. A loyal servant saves the son. As an adult Sardar returns to his old nest and shaves his head to avenge his father. The fearless Sardar recruits and buys his way to become the mob boss and falls for two women who are just addicted to power... Sardar's spoiled son Faizal is the smartest and is destined to take over. Faizal even enters the political world and aims head on at the family's enemies... MY WAY Can : Kin Dan Lo Lit : Heaven Diva Road d. Cheuk Cheung Tam Wing Lun, Wong Hau Wai Rating : I Length : 72 mins. Opening March 8 2013 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] This is a story about male Dan (male performer playing female lead) in Cantonese Opera; a documentary seven years in the making about a marginalized art form. In Hong Kong, two young men: TAM Wing-lun, and WONG Hau-wai, both have chosen Cantonese Opera as their profession. They want to be the male Dan which is rare in the industry. Without the support of family, the industry or the society, the only thing to keep the two men going is their passion. Ever since they were young, the two have been each other’s confidant and supporter, learning how to interpret the role of women, and motivating each other on and off stage. Even when the parts they played on stage have changed, the friendship between the two, on and off stage, remains constant and strong. The art is not a popular field in Hong Kong. It is impractical and generally not supported. When the road ahead is unclear, how does one continue? How does one reach his final destination? AV IDOL Can : AV Nui Yau Lit : Adult Video Actress d. Hideo Jojo Yui Tatsumi, Yeo Min-Jeong Rating : III Length : 100 mins. Opening March 7 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Adult video starlet Ryoko accepts a "multinational" adult video film as she travels to Korea to stir up Korean men. When she arrives she learns that it is a mosquito sized production. She meets Yoon-Ah who always dreams of becoming an idol singer. Yoon-Ah thinks Ryoko is a big movie star and hopes to enter show business through Ryoko. The creatively lacking director see the new face Yoon-AH hopes to be able to make an adult version of WINTER SONATA...... NAMELESS GANGSTER: RULES OF THE TIME Can : Yu Fan Jui Dik Jin Jung Lit : War On Crime d. Yoon Jong-Bin Choi Min-Sik, Ha Jung-Woo, Jo Jin-Woong, Ma Dong-Seok, Kim Eung-Soo, Kim Hye-Eun, Kwak Do-Won Rating : IIB Length : 133 mins. Opening March 7 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] In 1990, South Korean president Roh Tae-Woo declares a "war on crime". Mobster Choi Ik-Hyun is arrested for kidnapping a businessman, thus begins his legendary story of traveling between both sides of the law...in 1982, Choi Ik-Hyun was already skimming from his customes post. When his superior was reported Choi Ik-Hyun was thrown to the wolves. With a dark future Choi Ik-Hyun bets everything on a drug trade with Japan and meets a fellow Choi clan member, mob boss Choi Hyung-Bae. Proud to be a member of the Choi clna, Choi Ik-Hyun very quickly joins Choi Hyung-Bae. They with their own social connections and violence made their way into the Busan underworld. In 1985, Choi Ik-Hyun took over a night club and dethroned the Busan mob boss Kim Pan-Ho. As the Choi mob rose, Ik-Hyun and Hyung-Bae's relationship began to crack in the chaotic era... WHATCHA WEARIN'? Can : Ngor Oi Fung Sex Lit : I Love Mad Sex d. Byung Sung-Hyun Ji Sung, Kim A-Joong Rating : III Length : 115 mins. Opening February 21 2013 [ ASIAN WIKI ] Yoon-Jung accidentally calls a stranger, instead of her boyfriend, and has phone sex with the unknown man. When Yoon-Jung's relationship with her boyfriend turns sour, Yoon-Jung meets Hyun-Seung, the stranger she had phone sex with. Yoon-Jung falls in love with the man... ONE PIECE THE MOVIE: Z d. Tatsuya Nagamine Japanese animation Rating : IIA Length : 107 mins. 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. [ 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. 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 RHINO SEASON Can : Sai Ngau Dik Gwai Jik d. Bahman Ghobadi Behrouz Vossoughi, Monica Bellucci, Yilmaz Erdogan Rating : IIB Length : 92 mins. Opening March 16 2013 [ ASIAN FILM AWARDS ] Kurdish-Iranian poet Sahel has just been released from a 30-year prison sentence in Iran. Now the one thing keeping him going is the thought of finding his wife, who thinks him is dead for over 20 years. MYSTERY (SPECIAL SCREENING) Can : Fau Sing Mai Si Lit : Floating City Mystery d. Lou Ye Hao Lei, Qin Hao, Qi Xi Rating : IIB Length : 98 mins. Opening March 17 2013 [ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ] Lu Jie has no idea her husband Yongzhao is leading a double life, until the day she sees him entering a hotel with a young woman. Her world crumbles - and it’s just the beginning. A few hours later, the young woman dies beneath the wheels of a car. The police officer in charge of the case refuses to believe her death was accidental... Based on a popular tweet on the internet, Lou Ye’s latest film, MYSTERY, reviews the complicated relationships in modern day China. The film has been selected for Un Certain Regard at the 65th Cannes Film Festival. DRUG WAR Can : Duk Jin d. Johnnie To Kei Fung Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sun Honglei, Crystal Huang Yi Length : 105 mins. Opening March 19 2013 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening April 18 2013 [ THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Gangster-style Johnnie goes Mainland, and the result is one hell of an entry. Louis Koo is Timmy, a Hong Kong drug trafficker, while Mainland police captain Zhang, played by Sun Honglei, is out there to get him. Zhang at times succeeds in capturing Timmy, and at times Timmy slips from Zhang's grasp (or does he?). Cop and robber caught in a classical, ghostly dance; their loyalties are different but their psychologies are the same. Single-minded, brutal and almost cold-blooded, the two men will stop at nothing to destroy each other. The final bloodbath at a primary school sets a new standard for violence. Harrowing, chilling stuff from a master craftsman. BAYSIDE SHAKEDOWN 4: THE FINAL Can : Diu Yeuk Dai Sau Cha Ji Jui Jung Jeung d. Katsuyuki Motohiro Yuji Oda, Toshiro Yanagiba, Eri Fukatsu, Yusuke Santamaria, Yuki Uchida, Atsushi Ito, Miki Mizuno, Shun Oguri Opening March 21 2013 A COMPLICATED STORY Can : Yut Gor Fuk Jap Goo Si d. Kiwi Chow Koon Wai Jacky Cheung Hok Yau, Jacqueline Chu Chih-Ying, Stephanie Che Yuen Yuen, Lo Hoi Pang, Deanie Ip Tak Han, Elaine Jin (Kam Yin LIng), Cherrie Ying Choi Yi, John Shum Kin Fun, Tina Lau Tin Lan Length : 108 mins. Opening March 26 2013 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Site : http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/film/detail/4/37218-a-complicated-story.html [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] College student Liu receives a sizable sum to become a surrogate mother of a rich couple, but when the wife cancels the deal 2 months into pregnancy, Liu wants to keep the baby and goes into hiding. To complicate things, she is pursued by the husband, her ex-boyfriend and the lawyer who arranged the deal. 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 Length : 102 mins. Opening March 17 2013 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening March 28 2013 Site : http://37.hkiff.org.hk/eng/film/detail/37216-ip-man-the-final-fight.html [ THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The industry of inventing and re-inventing the legend of Master Ip Man lives on....This one by Hong Kong's best-loved populist director Herman Yau has both feet firmly on the ground in the fighting sequences, the drama, the story-telling, and sympathies. Anthony Wong plays the Master arriving in Hong Kong in 1950. Penniless and no longer young, he teaches martial arts to working class people for a living and enters into a life-long romantic (or platonic) relationship with a songstress across a canvass of social turmoil, labor strikes, police corruption and high-handed colonial rule. A model of restraint, the Master only shows his true colours when he takes on the tyrant of the Walled City in the final fight. [ 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... 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 March 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. 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 Length : 102 mins. Opening March 28 2013 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening April 4 2013 Site : http://37.hkiff.org.hk/eng/film/detail/37142-saving-general-yang.html [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] The Yang family during the Song Dynasty was the Chinese Empire's greatest military clan. The patriarch is loyal to the emperor. His loving wife has given him seven sons who all love their mother very much. When the patriarch falls prey to the scheme of a villain and is subsequently trapped by the northern barbarians, the six sons set out for the rescue. With battles scenes and single combats galore, and the seven sons played by Chinese-language cinema's hottest males (with their pretty faces and buff bodies), this is almost like The Iliad -- but with special Chinese characteristics. [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] This is an epical tale about the renowned Song Dynasty’s military defense by the clan of Yang’s against the nomadic Northern nation the Liao, sometimes also known as the Khitans in ancient Chinese history account. Headed by a charismatic old veteran general named YangYe, the Yang Clan has been the major military force protecting the Song Empire and its people against their ever invasive neighbor. From YangYe and his wife Madame She, we witness the coming of age of their seven sons namely Ping, Ding, Ang, Hui, De, Zhao and Si throughout the various battlefields in the story. The seven young men possess different temperament and characters united under a single banner and a heart of lion. FINDING MR. RIGHT Can : But Gaing Yu Seung Sai Nga Toh Lit : Beijing Meets Seattle d. Xue Xiaolu Tang Wei, Wu Xiubo, Elaine Jin (Kam Yin Ling) Rating : I Length : 121 mins. Opening March 28 2013 [ THE FILM CATALOGUE ] A spoiled city girl travels from Beijing to Seattle to give birth to her rich, married boyfriend’s, only happens to fall for her driver, who’s the opposite of everything she wanted in a man. TOUCH OF THE LIGHT Can : Yik Guong Fei Cheung Lit : Against the Light Flight d. Chang Rong-ji Huang Yi-Siang, Sandrine Pinna (Cheung Yung Yung) Length : 110 mins. Opening April 4 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] The blind Yi-Siang leaves home for the first time to study up north. Although he plays piano well, he insists against participating in any contest. Because he does not want any sympathy, he only wants to live the life of an ordinary person. At the time, he runs into Siao-Jie, a girl who loves to dance. She is forced to drop out of dance school but has a boyfriend who radiates when he street dances. Warm like sunlight Yu-Sian gradually enters her world and melts Siao-Jie's icy heart. Yu-Sian's courage deeply guides Siao-Jaie; Siao Jei brings Yu-Sian to experience adventures that he has never had before. They make up for strength that the other has lost and together they head toward a dream that is far beyond reach..... LESSON OF THE EVIL Can : Ngok Ji Gau Din d. Takashi Miike Hideaki Ito, Takayuki Yamada, Rating : III Length : 126 mins. Opening April 4 2013 [ YAHOO! MOVIES HONG KONG ] Newly arrived high school English teacher Seiji Hasumi is popular with students and has the trust of the school and parents. Full of ideals and energy he has been making the perfect class. Hasumi faces a variety of severe problems like problem students, bullying, compensated dating and even teacher sexually harassing students, all of which expands his dark side. He also learns that someone is also about to discover his mysterious past... 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 April 11 2013 [ 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... WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW Can : Ming Tin Gei Dut Oi Seung Ngor d. Arvin Chen Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai), Mavis Fan Hiu Huen, Stone, Kimi Hsia, Lawrence Ko, Pei-Zhen, Lan Jun-Tian, Shaohua Zhang Opening March 26 2013 at the Hong Kong International Film Festival Opening April 11 2013 Site: http://www.hkiff.org.hk/eng/film/detail/37182.html [ HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ] Like the perennial favorite tune by the Shirelles, WILL YOU STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW? has plenty of old-fashioned charm. But the film's easygoing humor, which includes references to classics such as MARY POPPINS, turns more serious with a secret that protagonist Weichung has hidden for years. Meanwhile, his wife Feng is also experiencing marital anxiety as she struggles to find fulfillment in her life. AU REVOIR TAIPEI director's sophomore work retains its effervescent sweetness despite the topic of marital breakdown. MR. AND MRS. PLAYER Can : LAN GWUN FU YU LAN GWUN CHAI Lit : Screwing Husband And Screwing Wife d. Wong Jing Chapman To Man Jat, Chrissie Chau Sau Na Opening April 25 2013 in Malaysia [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] Chapman To and Chrissie Chau play two individuals of the opposite sex who are notorious players who are unable to maintain a relationship with one specific person for a long time. When the two cross paths, they end up falling for each other, but considering their disreputable past, they decide to live together to practice being "exclusive" to each other to prove their true love. BLIND DETECTIVE Can : Man Tam d. Johnnie To Kei Fung Andy Lau Tak Wa, Sammi Cheng Sau Man Opening May 2 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. BABY BLUES Can : Ngai Ngan Lit : Ghost Eyes d. Leong Poh Chi Karena Ng Chin Yu, Raymond Lam Fung, Kate Tsui Tsz Shan, Lo Hoi Pang, Janelle Sing Kwan Opening June 13 2013 [ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ] When a young couple moves into a home, they find a mysterious doll that changes their lives forever. IP MAN 3 d. Wilson Yip Wai Shun Donnie Yen Chi Tan Opening December 26 2013 in Malaysia --- [ 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 * ADAM CHENG AND LIZA WANG DATE AND TIME : October 19 2013 VENUE LOCATION: Southern Jubilee 1415 14 Ave. NW, Calgary AB T2N 1M4 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA$180, 90, 65, 40 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: WORLD VISION: 403-889-2200 ONLINE: http://www.cantonproductions.com/ * ADAM CHENG AND LIZA WANG DATE AND TIME : October 14 2013 VENUE LOCATION: Northern Jubilee 11455 87 Ave. NW, Edmonton AB T6G 2T2 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA$180, 125, 90, 65, 40 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: WORLD VISION: 780-761-3883 ONLINE: http://www.cantonproductions.com/ * ADAM CHENG AND LIZA WANG DATE AND TIME : October 11 2013 VENUE LOCATION: Sony Centre 1 Front St. E. Toronto ON M5E 1B2 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA$250, 180, 125, 95, 70, 50 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: WORLD VISION: 905-696-2217 ONLINE: http://www.cantonproductions.com/ * ADAM CHENG AND LIZA WANG DATE AND TIME : October 5 2013 VENUE LOCATION: Queen Elizabeth Theatre 630 Hamilton Street Vancouver TICKET PRICES: CA$250, 180, 125, 95, 70, 50 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: WORLD VISION: 604-295-4800 ONLINE: http://www.cantonproductions.com/ * MICHAEL HUI DATE AND TIME: Sunday, May 26 2013 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Casino Rama 5899 Rama Road Rama ON L0k 1T0 Canada TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER CANADA: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/10004A4CD3936AB3 * AMY WU LIVE IN VANCOUVER DATE AND TIME: Sunday, April 28 2013 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: River Rock Casino Resort 8811 River Rd., Richmond BC V6X 3P8 Canada TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/11004A3EDF6492DD * SANDY LAM LIVE MMXIII DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, April 3 2013 @ 8PM VENUE LOCATION: Casino Rama 5899 Rama Road Rama ON L0k 1T0 Canada TICKET PRICES: CA$310.59, 163.69, 107.19, 84.59 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: TICKET MASTER CANADA: http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100049959D2B9D9F * SANDY LAM LIVE MMXIII DATE AND TIME: Saturday night/Sunday morning, March 31 2013 @ 2AM VENUE LOCATION: MGM Grand Theater Foxwood Resort Casino 350 Trolley Line Boulevard, Mashantucket CT 06338 TICKET PRICES: $128, 88, 68 TICKET OUTLET LOCATIONS: ONLINE: http://www.miconcert.com/ Flushing Jessica Holding 13527 40th Rd. #301 Flushing NY 11354 718-460-2628 P & S Travel Inc 46-11 Kissena Blvd. Flushing NY 11355 718-888-1919 America Asia Travel Center 136-85 Roosevelt Ave. #2000 Flushing NY 11354 718-886-9818 Safeway Tour & Travel Inc. 21 Division St. New York NY 10002 212-966-5751 Tiffany Entertainment Group 5516 8th Ste D, Brooklyn NY 11220 718-686-0740 Trans-Pacici Travel 11 Tyler St. Boston MA 02111 617-451-3478 Anna Travel 626 Dorchester Ave Boston MA 02127 617-268-8888 * RICHIE JEN (YAM YIN CHAI) DATE AND TIME: Saturday night/Sunday morning, March 31 2013 1AM VENUE LOCATION: Circus Maximus Theater Caesars Casino Atlantic City 2100 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City NJ 08401 TICKET PRICES: VIP $138, 88, 68 TICKET OUTLET LOCATION: ONLINE: http://www.iemshowplace.com TICKET HOTLINE: 718-888-3113 International Entertainment Marketing 135-05 40 Road 2/F Flushing NY 11354 718.888.3113 5609 8th Ave. Brooklyn NY 11220 718.437.7717 Bowery Pharmacy Inc. 95 Bowery St. New York NY 212.219.0449 Sampan Travel Service 170 Canal St #201 212.431.3557 Global Travel International Corp. 1681 RT. 27 Suite 3 Edison NJ 732.819.6883 Yang Tze Trading Inc. 933 Arch Street L/L Philadelphia PA 197107 215.922.8700 * 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------- Box office info : What Box Office Info? The usual suspects : Internet Movie Database, Yahoo! Hong Kong Erors : ye olde chaffing editor For Thursday, March 7 2013 10 BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD d. Benh Zeitlin Quvenzhane Wallis, Dwight Henry 9 AMOUR d. Michael Haneke Jean-Louis Trintignant, Emmanuelle Riva, Isabelle Huppert 8 LIFE OF PI d. Ang Lee Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain 7 CHASING MAVERICKS d. Curtis Hanson Jonny Weston, Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue 6 LINCOLN d. Steven Spielberg Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Sapder, Hal Holbrook, Tommy Lee Jones 5 WARM BODIES d. Jonathan Levine Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich, Analeigh Tipton 4 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 3 SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK d. David O. Russell Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver 2 JACK THE GIANT SLAYER d. Bryan Singer Nicholas Hoult, Eleanor Tomlinson, Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, Billy Nighy, Ewan McGregor 1 OZ THE GREAT AND POWERFUL d. Sam Raimi James Franco, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, Mila Kunis ------ Summaries for some of the films above. Some contain SPOILERS PRINCESS AND SEVEN KUNG FU MASTERS Rating : IIA Length : 94 mins. Opening March 7 2013 [ 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... ------ GLOBAL CHINESE SONG CHART For Saturday, March 9 2013 15 NOT THAT DIFFERENT Can : Moot Yau Sup Mor But Tung Qu Wanting http://youtu.be/8xLpNaSYQHg 14 FEELING PRISONER Can : Gum Gok Fan Magic Power http://youtu.be/nObHir-s-44 13 NEXT SECOND Can : Ha Yut Min G.E.M. http://youtu.be/dxkVccdvDvQ 12 LOVE YOU, NO MATTER WHAT Can : Oi Nei Moot Cha Jay Chou (Chow Kit Lun) http://youtu.be/miBGaUagOz8 11 QUEEN RESTAURANT Can : Wong Hau Chan Ting Ivana Wong Yuen Chi http://youtu.be/gT8ZyMxKUs0 10 YOU N ME Can : Yun Nei Yi Joi JJ Lin (Lam Chun Kit) http://youtu.be/BqV7skPEcWo 9 BABY MY TREASURE Can : Bo Bui Ngor Dik Bo A-Niu http://youtu.be/OZk8Buohf08 8 YELLOW JACKET Can : Wong Sik Gap Hak Rachel Liang (Leung Man Yam) http://youtu.be/xKRgRIdb7oo 7 A LOVE SONG Can : Yut Sau Ching Gor Mr. http://youtu.be/VWuviT7gJ3k 6 CATCHER IN THE RYE Can : Muk Tin Bo Sau Bai An (Bak On) http://youtu.be/e8tNF9thAkQ 5 TOGETHER Can : Joi Yut Hei Harlem Yu Ching Hing http://youtu.be/TT-mcoyeA9Q 4 THE BLESSING OF GOOD FRIENDS Can : Ho Pung Yau Dik Juk Fuk A-Lin Huang http://youtu.be/LbDizRI5wrA 3 LET THE BULLETS FLY Can : Yeung Si Dan Fei Jason Chan Pak Yu http://youtu.be/vyd5yMN24UE 2 STEADY BLISS Can : Won Won Dik Hung Fuk Eason Chan Yik Shun http://youtu.be/pUepiT2sJQI 1 DEFINITION OF LOVE Can : Guan Yu Oi Dik Ding Yi Khalil Fong http://youtu.be/-1LqgvBMAhQ ------ [ 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 Two: Micro-Budget Genre Invasion! The Korean Cultural Service has previously offered up plenty of micro-budget cinema and the best in Korea’s genre offerings, but this spring, we’re combining the two – and delivering New York four of the country’s most exciting micro-budgeted action, science fiction, and horror films! It is easier for larger studios to be forced to break away from the directors’ original visions to create projects that focus on mass appeal. But these micro-budget films, financed by brave individuals rather than companies, offer creative, strange, and boundary-pushing movies that no studio in their right mind would create! We’re talking about the wildest, weirdest genre films you can imagine – from Korea’s undisputed kings of micro-budgets! Get ready for an invasion, New York City… because you’re about to go up against crazed criminals, lovelorn time travelers, brain-hungry zombies, and a pair of extraterrestrial beachwear! It doesn’t get much stranger than this! Tuesday, April 30, 2013 @ 7pm THE NEIGHBOR ZOMBIE (2009, U.S. Premiere) Why should Americans have all the fun when it comes to zombie outbreaks? In this tongue-in-cheek 2009 thriller, Seoul is overrun with the walking dead – and the government says it’s time to wipe them out! A six-part comedy/horror anthology from four cutting-edge indie directors, The Neighbor Zombie follows an unbelievable zombie outbreak as it spreads throughout Korea, examining the numerous people it affects in bizarre, wild ways. With an amazing $18,000 budget, it embodies the pinnacle of what a talented group of filmmakers can accomplish if they put their delicious, juicy brains together! Tuesday, April 16, 2013 @ 7pm INVASION OF THE ALIEN BIKINI (2011) Young Gun (Hong Young-Geun) is a virgin vigilante, determined to do the right thing as he wanders through the city streets at night. A self-proclaimed protector of the people (who occasionally picks up a wayward scrap of trash), he risks his life for the good of his oblivious metropolis. One night, after saving a lovely young woman and bringing her back to his apartment, Young Gun’s chastity becomes threatened: it turns out the lovely young woman is not of this Earth, and her one and only mission on this planet is to procreate and save her species! A riotous mix of comedy and science fiction, this raunchy romp from director Oh Young-Doo was shot with an unbelievable budget of $4,500 – employing the assistance of family, friends, and anyone he could find to help bring his hilarious vision to life! Join us for the New York Premiere of this critically acclaimed indie gem, but leave the kids at home – this one’s a bit racy! Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 7pm BLOODY FIGHT IN IRON-ROCK VALLEY (2011) Writer/director Ji Ha-Jean turns the Korean revenge film on its head with this outlandish 2011 spectacle, featuring a wild new take on a tried and true genre. When a nameless man is sprung from prison, he embarks on a bloody, vengeful mission to take down a criminal known only as “Ghostface” – spiraling himself into a series of wild, violent quests that leaves no one unscathed. A fragmented narrative paired with a smooth jazz soundtrack makes Bloody Fight in Iron-Rock Valley one of the most surreal adventures you’ll ever embark upon. A huge hit at last year’s 2012 New York Asian Film Festival, this $35,000 film took the prize for “Best Korean Independent Film” at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival and won the “Best Asian Genre Film of the Year” award from the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation! Tuesday, March 12, 2013 @ 7pm YOUNG GUN IN THE TIME (2012) Director Oh Young-Doo and producer Kaizo Hayashi (president of the jury at Japan’s Yubari Fantastic Film Festival 2011) team up for this intense, dramatic adventure! Young Gun (Hong Young-Geun) is a petty detective drawn to a mysterious woman with a startling personal request. After turning her down, he follows the starlet out of his office, only to see her killed in a violent car accident. Traumatized, he’s soon even more shocked to see the same woman appear before him, begging him to find a way back in time so that he might save her life. Young Gun has only three days to complete his task...but first, he’s going to need to find a time machine! Financed for an amazing low budget of $45,000, more than half of Young Gun in the Time’s funds came from the cash prize from Director Oh winning the Grand Prix at the Yubari Fantastic Film Festival in 2011! --- [ WHAT IS YOUR CHAFFING EDITOR LISTENING TO ] HEART ATTACK Demi Lovato http://youtu.be/hdlEGQk_8TE ---------------------- HK Top Ten Central hktopten@hotmail.com http://hktopten.orgfree.com | http://hktopten.blogspot.com