HKMDB Daily News

November 16, 2009

November 16, 2009

Stool Pigeon - On location with Nic Tse and Kwai Lun-Mei

Nic Tse

Kwai Lun-Mei

(12) (HunanTV)

To Live and Die in Mongkok - Nick Cheung and Monica Mok

Nick Cheung’s hot scene with Monica Mok. Film opens Thursday in Hong Kong. (HunanTV)

CRI: Jackie Chan Reunites with ‘Little Fortunes’

THR: Chan marks Peking Opera school anniversary

Chan, Hung, Yuen celebrate half-century of institute

CRI: Fan Bingbing Promotes “The Last Night of Madame Chin”

CRI: Jiang Wen Reveals Details about New Film

Actor turned director Jiang Wen’s upcoming film Let the Bullets Fly is still in production, but Jiang and his cast discussed the film recently with reporters in Beijing.

Carina Lau skipping Golden Horse awards because of Maggie Cheung?

Hong Kong actress Carina Lau is reportedly skipping this year’s Golden Horse Film Awards in Taiwan because of rumoured love rival Maggie Cheung.

Five-time Golden Horse award winning actress Cheung has agreed to be a presenter at the November 28 award show, her first appearance in nine years. The awards is seen as the Chinese-language “Oscars”.

Shortly after the news made headlines, Lau who was invited to represent husband, actor Tony Leung, at the film festival’s executive committee meeting, declined the invitation, citing work commitments as an excuse.

Leung, 47, is unable to attend the prestigious event as he is busy filming martial arts movie “The Grand Master”, which is scheduled to be released next year, while Lau, 43, is involved in Chinese film “Let The Bullets Fly”.

Lau’s manager has played down the matter, saying, “Things are fine between Carina and Maggie. Carina would very much like to attend the meeting but the crew refuse to let her go. She is still trying to fight for it.”

The long-running feud between love rivals Lau and Cheung, 45, over Leung is no secret and a rendezvous between Leung and Cheung in August this year has reignited rumours of the love triangle.

Exposed: The Real deal on Miriam Yeung’s hubby

Lin Chiling faces resistance on her return as a TV host

Memoirs of a travel host - Zhang Ziyi Travel Series

Joey Yung diagnosed with degenerative knee condition

Andy Lau and wife make pact to thwart media

Lau and Choo in ‘theatre of dreams’

Vivian Chow

(Sina)

Gong Mi (Little Cecilia Cheung) endorsing a Shenyang mall (Sina)

November 10, 2009

November 10, 2009

Treasure Hunter posters

Lin Chi-Ling

Chen Daoming

Eric Tsang

(Sina)

CRI: Jia Zhangke to Finance ‘Mr. Tree’

CRI: Stills from ‘Once Upon a Time in Tibet’

Variety: The Sword With No Name (South Korea)

THR: Yen enjoyed playing villain

Yen explored transformation in ‘14 Blades’

Action star Donnie Yen says he signed on to play an ancient Chinese secret service agent in his new film — even though it was another kung fu epic — because he wanted to tackle the role of a villain who discovers his humanity.

THR: ‘Bullets’ women still secret

Jiang film’s full male cast revealed, but female leads unknown [?][Well, readers here know that Carina Lau is in it! Puzzling.]

Chow Yun-fat hospitalised

BEIJING - CHOW Yun-fat says he had to check himself into a Beijing hospital earlier this week after catching a cold while shooting an US$18 million (S$24 million) Chinese frontier film.

The Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon star told reporters at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday that he took a two-day break from filming Chinese director Jiang Wen’s upcoming movie Let the Bullets Fly for treatment.

In a self-deprecating joke about his age, the 54-year-old Chow said he had to receive medical treatment after filming scenes with younger male Chinese actors.

‘I couldn’t take it any more,’ Chow said, adding the younger actors were ’simply too brilliant.’ Hong Kong’s Emperor Motion Pictures publicist Yip Kin-ping later said Chow was put on an intravenous drip after catching a cold from shooting in and near Beijing.

In the film, Jiang plays a bandit chief who tries to take over a remote provincial town in 1920s China, only to meet resistance from a tyrannical local businessman played by Chow.

Chow made his name with stylish Hong Kong gangster thrillers like A Better Tomorrow before making his Hollywood debut with the 1998 action movie The Replacement Killers. His other American credits include Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Dragonball Evolution. — AP

China’s recently-listed film conglomerate Huayi Brothers has come on board Dante Lam’s now in-production crime thriller “Stool Pigeon.”

November 5, 2009

November 5, 2009

Treasure Hunter

Treasure Hunter - Lin Chi-Ling, Jay Chou

(HunanTV) (2)

14 Blades

Donnie Yen and Zhao Wei

A first rough cut of 14 Blades, prior to post production special effects and music, was screened in Hong Kong to industry insiders and it has garnered applause and predictions of a big box office. With a goal of HK$200M it is expected to earn HK$300M. The film reportedly has a mix of romance for the women and action for the men. Zhao Wei’s performance is said to be ‘beyond all previous works’. In the past, Zhao Wei was considered box office poison, now with Red Cliff, Painted Skin and 14 Blades, she will become China’s first actress to make 3 films with over $200M earnings and make her the Queen of Costumes. (Sina) (2)

Vivan Chow and Sandra Ng on set of Ann Hui’s latest film. (Sina)

Jane Zhang Liangying will sing the main theme song Mulan Star in Mulan. Previously, it was reported that Stefanie Sun would sing the theme song for the Mulan MV.  (cri)

Jane also sings the theme song for Panda Express (Nov.20 release). (Sina)

Xie Na

Listen to the catchy song Earth Welcomes You from the Lunar New Year sci-fi comedy Mars is OK (?)(originally Mars Baby) sung by actress Xie Na (Tracing Shadow). [Audio caution] (Sina)


Andrew Lau plans next year to shoot a Storm Warriors style film based on a popular manga series Abi Sword. He plans to invite Shu Qi, Jay Chou and Wu Zun in the leading roles. (Sina) (Teaser)

THR: Zhang Ziyi on board for ‘Flower’

To star in and co-produce English-language drama “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan”

CRI: Zhang Ziyi to Produce Second Film

Next decade could be ‘glorious,’ Zhang Yimou says of Chinese films

Zhang said his new film has shades of Chow’s signature nonsensical humor, but doesn’t go as far as the Hong Kong comedian known for “Shaolin Soccer” and “Kung Fu Hustle.”

“There are some parts where we go crazy like Stephen Chow, but we don’t go as crazy,” he said.

Shooting in digital format for the first time, Zhang said he was more prone to letting his actors experiment because he didn’t have to conserve film.


Taiwan Golden Horse Film Festival opens with 2 Asian films

Taiwanese director Cheng Wen-tang’s “Tears” and Chinese director Tian Zhuangzhuang’s “The Wolf and the Warrior” opened the Golden Horse Film Festival Thursday.

Media Asia at 15

October 22, 2009

October 22, 2009

Stills from Treasure Hunter

Lin Chi-Ling, Jay Chou

Chen Daoming, Eric Tsang

(Sina.com)

Nic Tse, Fan Bingbing, Wu Jing, Andy Lau

Photo gallery (Sina.com)

CRI: Jackie Chan to Show Shaolin Kung-Fu

Jackie Chan and Andy Lau were in the Shaolin Temple on Thursday to kick off the filming of “New Shaolin Temple”.

Screen Daily: Chan teams with monks on $30m action epic Shaolin

Unlike the 1982 film which is set in Tang Dynasty, Shaolinis set in the early 20th century when China was at war. Nicholas Tse will play a wealthy young man who finds refuge in the temple after a tragic incident in his family. He meets his kung fu master, played by Jackie Chan, in the temple as well as future enemies.

THR: Chan, Lau to star in ‘Shaolin’ remake

Variety: Ninja Assassin review

Seemingly made to capitalize on a dubious CG innovation — namely, the slicing of bodies in half by whizzing five-pointed stars — “Ninja Assassin” has little else to recommend it, not even laughs.

The story of a poor, terminally ill factory worker in mainland China develops in unexpected ways inWeaving Girl, a touching, small-scale drama featuring a strong performance from the actress Yu Nan.

CRI: Donnie Yen with ‘14 Blades’ (trailer)

(ifeng.com)

Prince of Tears, Taiwan slide show

Screen Daily: Matrix stuntman to head cast of China Film’s Kung Fu Man (previously, Kung Fu Hero with Keanu Reeves)

Scheduled to start shooting on Oct 28, Kung Fu Man will tell a contemporary story about a martial arts practitioner, who accidentally rescues a Caucasian boy from a foreign kidnapping group, and changes the boy’s world perspective and values. Branch and Chyna McCoy (G.I. Joe) will play the villains.

Michelle Yeoh wants to help develop new talents for entertainment industry

“If our market is strong enough, there might come a day where foreigners will want to shoot more movies over here. Most the movies done now are all about their stories. We have a lot of our own stories. Being in Southeast Asia, in Singapore or Malaysia, we have a lot of our own stories and we can film these movies well.”

“There was a scene where (Tse) was beaten up by Hu Jun for protecting Sun Yat-San and he requested for a real fighting scene,” he said. “In the end, I got his close friend (a martial arts instructor) to punch him. The friend kept punching his face for more than 10 times till his face was swollen and I decided that was enough.”

Peter refuted speculations about Donnie and Leon’s disharmony when both actors avoided each other during the promotional events for Bodyguards and Assassins. “There is no such problem at all! Do not believe those reports! On the contrary, those with problems are not being reported!”

Exhibit chronicles the contributions of Chinese Americans in Hollywood since 1916

Comedy Western to be directed by Jiang Wen

September 18, 2009

September 18, 2009

New poster of The Warrior and the Wolf reveals Maggie Q (Sina.com)

The Warrior and the Wolf Debuts at Toronto Film Festival

FFWD: Short take

The Warrior and the Wolf (dir. Tian Zhuang Zhuang)A disclaimer on this one: mid-TIFF exhaustion was setting in, and I was drifting a bit, but I also know for a fact that I wasn’t the only one who thought this Chinese period piece was tough to follow. The attrition rate was far higher than any other movie I’ve seen at TIFF, and even interstitial title cards couldn’t spell out exactly what was going on. A great warrior (maybe) is reluctant to kill people in battle, leading to his army’s defeat (I think). He hides out in a desert for a bit, sleeping with a female outcast he meets, and after a really strange sandstorm, they both turn into wolves. For some reason. It’s well shot, but that’s about all I can really say for it.

Lin Chi-Ling (!)

Treasure Hunter poster was released yesterday. The Jay Chou, Lin Chi-Ling movie is set to be released in December. (Sina.com)

‘Treasure Hunter’ Gears up for Release

The official poster and the first trailer for “The Treasure Hunter”, starring Jay Chou and Lin Chi-Ling, were released Thursday.

Spy vs Spy

This autumn, “The Message” (”Feng Sheng”) will join the growing list of flicks about the shadowy lives of secret agents.

The Message stills

Danwei: What do stars having a meeting look like? On Founding of a Republic and Ye Daying’s Tian’anmen

Tian’anmen tries to face the behemoth of The Founding of a Republic

All-star Epic Presents a New Face for China

All-Star Movie Gives Nation’s History

Screen Daily: Founding Of A Republic has record-breaking opening day

The film was originally scheduled to open on Sept 17, but was pushed ahead to 2pm on Sept 16. Its nationwide gross reached $1.9m (RMB14m) up until midnight of Sep 16, which is the best half-day sales record in Chinese film history.

Hollywood Reporter

Jackie Chan, journalist

Telegraph: Epic film The Founding of a Republic marks 60 years of Chinese Communism

Screen Daily: Media Asia scores deals on Venice title Accident

Hollywood Reporter: Tian’s ‘Warrior’ to open HKAFF

Two-week event highlights Asian directors for HK audience

The latest work from upcoming directors, including Singaporean Ho Tzu-nyen’s “Here,” Indian Laxmikant Shetgaonkar’s “The Man Beyond the Bridge,” Hong Kong director Risky Liu’s “Pastry” and Hong Kong film critic turned indie filmmaker Bono Lee’s “Beijing is Coming,” which is making its world premiere at the festival, will compete for this year’s New Talent Awards, which commend newcomers making their debut or sophomore efforts.

Yakkity Yek: Blood Ties a good start

Blood Ties features Cheng Pei Pei and Kenneth Tsang in Singapore film

It has that under-lit urban mystery look, especially in scenes featuring cops in a tense station, which seem as though they could have come from Infernal Affairs or a Johnnie To expose into a seedy underbelly of some kind.

Time Out: Film about illegal Chinese immigrant claustrophobic, in a good way

In Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou’s film, “Take Out,” the audience follows an illegal Chinese immigrant, Ming Ding (Charles Jang). He has one day to pay back a debt or the debt doubles.

A kind of road movie to nowhere that literally goes around in circles and plays out in the course of a single day…

Taipei Times: 02′20″ review

With its sports theme and a physically challenged character in a pivotal role, this melodrama seems ready to capitalize on the Taipei Deaflympics and the Kaohsiung World Games. But it deserves no medal — if anything, the script should have been disqualified

They could be Heroes

Chinese ‘Hero’ for NBC’s Hit Drama: Report

NBC is currently approaching Hong Kong-based stars Daniel Wu, Allen Ting and Stephen Fung for the role, according to the report. Daniel Wu and Stephen Fung share an American upbringing.


Anna May Wong documentary featured at weekend film festival

The first annual festival, sponsored by the San Francisco Chinatown Merchants Association, will screen Elaine Mae Woo’s acclaimed 2007 documentary on Anna May Wong along with two highly regarded documentaries by Jeff Adachi, The Slanted Screen from 2006, and the recently released You Don’t Know Jack: The Jack Soo Story.


Taipei Times: Pop Stop

August 27, 2009

August 27, 2009

John Woo and daughter
John Woo and Terence Chang to produce martial arts film costarring Woo’s daughter Angeles Fei-Shai Woo as a female killer

Shooting starts in Shanghai in October. Cast includes Jung Woo-sung, Michelle Yeoh, Barbie Hsu, Shawn Yue, Kelly Lin. Su Zhao-Bin will direct the film, literally ‘River and Lakes Swordwomen’. 30 year-old Angeles has studied martial arts in the US.






Ocean Paradise press conference with Jet Li, Kwai Lun-Mei, director/screenwriter Xue Xiaolu

Jet Li plays the father of an autistic child, due for a 2010 Spring Festival release



More Ocean Paradise cast photos


Wang Jing’s Invisible Killer opens August 28

Film about internet human flesh searches




Eternal Beloved opens September 3



Law Kar-Ying’s scenes in Kung Fu Cyborg mostly deleted

Edited for out pacing, Law quipped that if you yawn you’ll miss me.


Actress Tao Hong attends party for new movie “Death Dowry”

Ethan Ruan gets bashed up for his latest movie, Monga
Monga, depicts Taiwan in the 1980s when it was encroached with mafia and triad gangs.


Cast presents at premiere ceremony of new film “Gasp”

Comic Ge You goes serious for Gasp

Shanzhai! Stop me if you’ve seen this movie before…

Donnie Yen to retire from the big screen in 2013



Karena Lam and Ekin Cheng promote Claustrophobia in South Korea


Airport sighting of Andy and Carol all the rage

More celebs embroiled in Eason Chan marriage drama


Simon Yam
Simon Yam at Hong Kong Disneyland press conference for new Halloween show ‘The Deep Cold Universe’




Shu Qi in Beijing endorsing a watch brand



New Lin Chi-Ling fashion photos

August 21, 2009

August 21, 2009

Dada's DanceZhang Yuan
“Dada” Will Dance Across China in September


Lau Ching-Wan appears at the Asian Poker Tour in Macau where he is filming Poker King with Louis Koo

Taipei Times: Pop Stop

Huayi Bros Threw a Star-Studded Party
Li Bingbing
More photos


Zhang Ziyi Nanjing press conference for Sophie’s Revenge



Zhang Ziyi lost her composure during Nanjing press conference

Falsely blamed by newspapers for travel delays (?)

Vivian Hsu, Pace Wu
Stars raise funds for diaster relief

Andy Lau
Speculation over whether Andy Lau will attend father of Carol Chu’s funeral

Chu’s father passed away of a cerebral hemorrhage on the 18th. Chu’s is the long-rumored secret wife of Andy.
Andy Lau attends funeral of rumoured girlfriend’s father

Taiwanese supermodel Lin Chiling on cover of porn disc

August 20, 2009

August 20, 2009

bc Magazine: When Johnnie Meets Johnny
‘Vengeance’ mixed effort to take Johnnie To global

bc Magazine: Hear Ye, Hear Ye (Michelle Ye)
The female star of Vengeance reveals what it is like in Johnnie To’s boys’ brigade

bc Magazine: Genius in the Madhouse
Jeffrey Lau Chun Wai gets slippery about being typecast

bc Magazine: Vengeance
HK Magazine: Vengeance

bc Magazine: On His Majesty’s Secret Service

bc Magazine: Turning Point

Overheard: Cops cross the line in taut Hong Kong thriller
Hollywood Reporter: Overheard
Bottom Line: A riveting thriller of commercial crime with dark, Faustian overtones.
Korea Times: ‘Sophie’s Revenge’ Satisfies to a Point

Guo Xiaolu doc booked for Toronto
‘Once Upon a Time Proletarian’ will have N. American bow


Film celebrates founding of new China

“The Great Cause of New China’s Foundation” is scheduled for nation-wide release on September 17th
Forty Films Will Commemorate China’s 60th Anniversary

Jet Tone, Fortissimo appeal GIO ruling
Jet Tone Films and Fortissimo Films – the production company and sales agent behind Cheng Hsiao-tse’s Miao Miao, is at the centre of a funding row

Donnie Yen
NY Times: An Action Star Moves to the Lead
Bey Logan: Now and Yen

Taiwanese filmmaker Chung Mong-hong, whose feature debut Parking screened in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard last year, returns with sophomore effort The Fourth Portrait. Hong Kong writer-director Pang Ho-cheung serves as producer on Hong Kong Film Award nominee Heiward Mak’s The Love That Dare Not Speak Its Name.
Screen Daily


Eric Tsang and stunt man

Sun Li
Sun Li

Jeff Lau’s Light-Transcending Pandora’s Box
Yuen Biao
More photos

Zhou Xun
Zhou Xun has a new single, a theme for an online game

Lin Chi-Ling
Lin Chi-Ling promoting film on life of Coco Chanel

Miriam Yeung
Miriam Yeung ambassador for eye care

Hong Kong Singers Gather for Fundraising Event
Jet Li: Visiting the Kaoshiung Disaster Area

A*mei joins line-up of F1 Rocks

HK Magazine: Lo Hoi-Pang interview
HKMDB entry

Original advert,  Lo Hoi-Pang send-up
[Credit to Fan for originally bringing the videos to my attention]

Duen Kee Chinese Restaurant
There are some who visit the place solely because it was the location for the shooting of the Anthony Wong horror classic “The Untold Story.”

August 5, 2009

August 5, 2009

Jay Chou to play Stephen Chow’s role in ‘Green Hornet’?

“Empire of Silver” Generates Its Own Fortune in Taiwan

Success of Overheard has producer, directors considering sequel
Story would center around Lau Ching-Wan, but they hope to sign up Andy Lau and Donnie Yen. Meanwhile, Derek Yee will start filming ‘Double Tap King’ with Louis Koo and Daniel Wu in August.


Gillian Chung in costume for a guest appearance in Jeff Lau’s multi-star Light Transcending Pandora’s Box a sendup of Red Cliff

Cast includes Ronald Cheng, Eric Tsang
More on the film here and here
Ronald Cheng and Sun Li are playing the lead roles in Light-transcending Pandora’s Box and they are joined by various Chinese and Hong Kong celebrities including veteran artistes Eric Tsang, Sandra Ng, Kenny Bee, Bruce Liang, Yuen Biao, Yuen Wah, Yuen Qiu; a number of indispensable comedian extras Johnny Kong Yeuk Sing, Tin Kai Man, Lam Tze Chung, Lee Kin Yan; from Mainland are Guo De Gang, Yu Rong Guang, Huang Bo, Guo Tao, Wang Xue Bing, Sha Yi; from Hong Kong arrives Alex Fong, Fan Siu Wong, Danny Chan Kwok Kwan, Marco Ngai, Patrick Tam, Edmond Leung; and it’s being complemented and adorned by female artistes Athena Chu, Gigi Leung, Betty Huang Yi, Ada Choi, Xu Jiao…

Rumor: Jet Li has been invited to star in New Shaolin Temple an update of Shaolin Temple
He would not play a main character but a senior temple official. Andy Lau is also under discussion for a part, reuniting The Warlords duo.

Chow Yun-Fat confirmed for Jiang Wen’s Let the Bullets Fly
Gong Li is still tentatively cast

Watch for Lin Chi-Ling

Sexy Siren Fan Bingbing Graces ‘Esquire’
http://ent.sina.com.cn/s/m/p/2009-08-05/02272638541.shtml

Gao Yuanyuan: Follow Me in South Korea


Zhao Wei - new fashion photo gallery

Taiwanese singer-actor Nicky Wu and wife divorce

Shing Fui-On in stable condition switches hospital according to good pal Ken Lo

Stanley Ho’s condition deteriorates
Family gathers at hospital

Cowherd, looking for Weaver Girl
Romances in the Show Business

Minibond celebrities tagged as `professional’

July 20, 2009

July 20, 2009

Kent Cheng
Hong Kong celebrity charity bowling tournament - Kent Cheng


Exhibition in Hong Kong commemorates 36th anniversary of Bruce Lee’s death

Movies 101: Who are the top young Asian American leading men in Hollywood?

APA Magazine: Park Chan-wook’s Insatiable Thirst

Jang Back to Silver Screen in 4 Years
Jang Dong-gun returns to the silver screen for the first time in four years, in a comedy featuring him as a handsome president.


Fan Bingbing - The Message

Leon Jay Williams aka William
Stephen Fung, Kitty Zhang Yuqi, Edison Chen
Stephen Fung’s Jump -reshot with Leon Jay Williams in one week

SARFT approves Jump for exhibition.
Fantastic Water Babies with Gillian Chung still unreleased

Li Xiaolu
One Night in Supermarket premieres in Shenzhen

Variety review

Chinese movies struggle to make ends meet despite pretty box office

China backs Mandarin in film, TV
Historical dramas, kids’ fare must avoid dialects


Lin Chi-Ling’s image used without authorization to advertise abortions at gynocology clinic

The ad promises two minute painless abortions for 400 yuan.

Cecilia Cheung at Swing concert
Cecilia Cheung denies pregnancy

Cecilia Cheung/concert photos

Angie Chiu
Angie Chiu in Beijing promoting beauty care product in Beijing


With Ti Lung's wife
Oddest piece of news out Hong Kong: Brigitte Lin pregnant?

Hong Kong’s 3 Weekly wonders. After seeming to be preparing for a comeback working with a fitness coach her enthusiasm has recently cooled. So the magazine raises the question after spotting Brigitte visiting a medical building in Central earlier this month.

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