[2015.02.28] JACKIE CHAN THANKS HIMSELF IN THE MIRROR

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Jackie Chan nowcares more about word of mouth than box office
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Jackie Chan two nights ago appeared in his film DRAGON BLADE's celebration in Beijing. Since its February 29th release the film has made over 500 million nationwide. Jackie Chan and director Daniel Lee Yan Kong attended a celebration with the cast. Famous CCTV host Bai Yansong talked with Jackie Chan, who lamented that he was already 60 and his thinking has drastically changed. Now he would no longer care about the box office. He admitted that in the past he would always make comparison with Sammo Hung Kam Bo and Jet Li (Lee Nin Kit) and would be very anxious about the box office. Yet after several decades he no longer had the pressure, as long as he did his best then he was fine. He too had confidence in himself. He said, "I have been through too many storms. Since I can answer to Heaven, Earth and conscience, I can sleep well everyday. I wouldn't swindle anyone as I am responsible to fans.

Jackie Chan admitted that as he got older his action was not as agile as before. At his peak he could perform five straight kicks, now he has trouble with one. He would focus more on the story, and coordinate the action with some tricks and cameras. Jackie Chan said that his films in recent years all promoted patriotism and peace. As early as 30 years ago his films were already patriotic. He hoped that every film would be able to deliver the message of patriotism. DRAGON was a story about protecting the Silk Road. Bai Yansong asked if it had to do with the national policy of "building the Silk Road Economic Belt". Jackie Chan pointed out that he already wanted to make this film seven years ago. He said, "Although I am not too educated, I still love my nation today. Shouldn't people love their country. Is loving my country a crime? If I get yelled at for loving my country, then let them!"

When the host mentioned that Jackie Chan should thank himself in the mirror for DRAGON BLADE becoming a hit, he suddenly revealed his "secret" and said, "Lately every morning I get up I would face the mirror and say, 'Jackie Chan how lucky are you'." Then he truly said to the mirror, "Jackie Chan thank you, you are truly lucky."

In addition, the location where Jackie Chan was was the same as where his son Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming) earlier held his apology press conference. Jackie Chan yesterday bowed to the media several time to apologize and thanked everyone for their acceptance of his family.

[2015.02.27] (SPOILER) CHARLENE CHOI'S ACTING IMPROVES LEAPS AND BOUNDS IN SARA

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Charlene Choi chooses the Maldives for her vacation

Gillian Chung enjoys the sunshine in the Maldives

Simon Yam and Charlene Choi have an ambiguous relationship in SARA
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Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin was nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress with SARA (CHOR GEI) and challenged Best Actresses Vicki Zhao Wei, Tang Wei, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu and Zhou Xun. Her performance became her acting breakthrough; Ah Sa dropped her idol burden and in the film smoked and cursed, had very daring bed scenes with her step father (Tony Ho Wa Chiu) and Kam Ho Yin (Simon Yam Tat Wa) who put her through school. Ah Sa before the film release went to the Maldive with Gillian Chung Yun Tung to relax and even shared the rare swimsuit selfies.

Choi Cheuk Yin choose the sunshine and the beach of the Maldives to enjoy a quiet vacation with Ah Gil. After Ah Gil's god father Jeff Lau Chun Wai posted his god daughter's swimming photos and was envious of her vacation, Ah Sa's assistant also posted Ah Sa's swimsuit selfies and said that "Leader Choi's" new toy "selfie stick" took them and everything was shared with everyone. Ah Sa's selfies were very pretty, she almost has returned to her early Twins' days.

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As for Ah Sa's line in the SARA trailer, "I let you X me!", people are looking for her performance that broke through her idol baggage. In the film, two men, her step father and Kam Ho Yin who put her through 8 years of school, changed Sara's life. The step father rape scene was realistic and was very hard to take. Sara thus left home and ran into her "Daddy Long Legs" Kam Ho Yin, who again brought hope to Sara's life. They went from an abnormal buying and selling relationship at the beginning to an indecent romance that was difficult to end.

Two scenes contrasted each other. The first time Kam Ho Yin took Sara to a restaurant was very sweet. Years later after they broke up, with terminal liver cancer Kam Ho Yin saw Sara for the last time at the same sport, the sweetness turned into headache and created a strong contrast. Worthy of praise was Ah Sa's acting that has improved greatly. After rises and falls in real life like the secret marriage and divorce, her growth seemed to have sped up. Ah Sa's emotional scenes in the film were grasped accurately, she cried when she had to. The scene in which Kam Ho Yin argued with Sara for release even became the climax; in another scene Ah Sa tearfully yelled at Brother Wa, then let go a series of foul language, took off her underwear, tossed it at Brother Wa, lifted up her dress, spread her legs and screamed, "Do you want to X? XXX! Hurry up!" The result was shocking, completely different that the old Ah Sa.

In the film Ah Sa and Brother Wa had three love scenes that were very daring. In the "car battle" Ah Sa took the initiative and felt up Brother Wa, then put his hand on her chest. In another scene they were making out on a sofa. In white underwear Ah Sa let Brother Wa kissed her chest, finally even took off her underwear and bared her back on the screen. In the third scene they were in bed, Brother Wa removed Ah Sa's underwear. Although the camera stopped where it should, Ah Sa was convincing with her expressions. Ah Sa's wild performance had a lot to do with Brother Wa. His excellent acting drew in a lot of viewers and conceivably put Ah Sa in character more easily. Instead Ah Sa and her on screen boyfriend Ryan Lui Chun Kong's scenes were rather ordinary.

[2015.02.27] ANDY LAU MAKES LOST AND LOVE TO STOP THE SALE OF CHILDREN

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Jing Boran is looking for his parents, being on the search for Andy Lau's son compensates for something in each other.

Andy Lau puts a lot of effort into his character design to be more realistic
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The Andy Lau Tak Wa starred film LOST AND LOVE (SUT GOO) was based of many real cases, sincerely displaying the severe damaging of kidnapping and sale of children on individuals, families and even society. Around 1.2 million children are kidnapped and sold every year around the world. Wa Jai only had one hope when he made this film. "As long as one person in the entire world would think after watching the film, properly protect his children and stop harming children, then it is worth this entire film."

Wa Jai said that earlier already noticed that the sale of children was happening around the world every second and this type of film was needed to bring attention to this global problem to everyone. In the film he played a farmer who lost his son Lei Zekuan. He gave this character an even more human interpretation with hairstyle, skin color, behavior and even gesture. He said, "Many people feel Lau Tak Wa has to be handsome, but I don't feel Lau Tak Wa and Lei Zekuan have distance that can't be overcome. In real life handsome farmers have to exist, the most important is whether the director believed the actor could play this role well. As long as the director believed that, I would be willing to play it well no matter the character."

According to director Peng Sanyuan, Lei Zekuan carried a shoulder bag everywhere with him. The team decided that he would carry it on his back then ride a rundown motorcycle city to city. Later after Wa Jai's character analysis, he carried the bag in front of his chest under his jacket. He even unknowingly protected his bag with his arm. Wa Jai said, "When a farmer has been on the road to find his son for 15 years, inside his bag was all of his son and other children's missing people flyers, identification documents and a little change. Those were everything he had. This person who was constantly outside and on the road subconsciously would protect this bag very well." He also made himself very tan, and still wore his hat when he was in a shoot. "Because this farmer has been on a motorcycle and on the road for 15 years, when I got off and removed my hat my hair was the most realistic." He even found farmers' old clothing and shoes to wear to be even more realistic. In the film he and Jing Boran went on the road of looking for their families together.

LOST AND LOVE also had Sandra Ng Kwan Yu and Tony Leung Ka Fai for guest stars as a child peddler and a police officer who would tug at people's heart strings. Wa Jai personally invited them. Wa Jai put in all his efforts for justice. "If it can bring more attention to the kidnapping and sale of children, I would have to say thank you already." Kwan Yu at first felt that her comedy sense was too strong and worried about destroying the message the film wanted to express, but after her costume fitting and being in the environment, she very naturally got into character.

[2015.02.27] JOHNNIE TO URGES LOUIS KOO AND CHOW YUN FAT TO PROP UP HONG KONG FILM

Sylvia Chang, Johnnie To
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The 39th Hong Kong International Film Festival will take place between March 23 and April 6. Filmmakers from around the world will gather at the event to showcase their latest work. The event yesterday held a press conference and invited this year's film festival opening film MURMUR OF THE HEART (LIM LIM)'s director Sylvia Chang (Cheung Ngai Ga), this year's closing film PORT OF CALL (DAP HUET CHUM MUI)'s new director Philip Yung Chi Kwong and Fresh Wave representative director Johnnie To Kei Fung to attend.

Cheung Ngai Ga came to Hong Kong to promote her new film MURMUR OF THE HEART. She said that lead actress Isabella Leong Lok Si was busy with her children in Canada and will be unable to attend the promotions. She also said that Leong Lok Si had to take care of the children, which was also very difficult. Will she work with Leong Lok Si again? She said that Leong will be busy with her children so for now they may not have the chance.

Speaking of Leong Lok Si's acting, Cheung Ngai Ga said, "In the past she hasn't been in many movies, everyone only remember her as Leong Lok Si. Over the years she has gradually matured. She hoped to become a real film actor." She also pointed out that Leong Lok Si this time played a Taiwan girl. Due to the cultural and background difference and the Putonghua dialogue, Leong Lok Si had to put in an extra effort. Her Putonghua dialogue needed help from the director. Leong Lok Si and Joseph Chang Hau Chuen in the film had intimate scenes. Cheung Ngai Ga said, "If they should have them they did, they weren't deliberately done. She was very professional too, everyone trusted each other."

To Kei Fung said that earlier he began work on THREE ON THE ROAD (SAM YUN HUNG) with Vicki Zhao Wei, Wallace Chung Han Leung and Louis Koo Tin Lok. Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun Wa in the budget report said that the government will invest HK$ 200 million to help the Hong Kong film industry. To Kei Fung said, "We will hold on to 200 million first, getting something is better than nothing." To Sir said that this year he would only make a movie at most. He even urged Louis Koo Tin Lok and Chow Yun Fat to prop up the Hong Kong film market.

[2015.02.27] CHOW YUN FAT CELEBRATES FILM SUCCESS WITH ANOTHER HIKE

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Carina Lau, Chow Yun Fat

Carina Lau, Tony Leung Ka Fai

Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Jacky Cheung
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The god class Best Actor Chow Yun Fat, Carina Lau Ka Ling, Nick Cheung Ka Fai, Shawn Yue Man Lok and child star Angela Wang Shiling starred, Wong Jing directed, Andrew Lau Wai Keung produced Lunar New Year comedy FROM VEGAS TO MACAU 2 (DOH SING FUNG WON II) had great box office and word of mouth. At the Hong Kong box office, from the Lunar 4th to 7th it has been the Chinese film single day box office champion. From the Lunar Year's Day to the Lunar 7th its weekly box office has already exceeded HK$ 19 million, surpassing other Lunar New Year films TRIUMPH IN THE SKIS (CHUNG SEUNG WON SIU), 12 GOLDEN DUCKS (12 GUM NGAP) and AN INSPECTOR CALLS (FAU WA YIN)G to become the Lunar New Year Hong Kong film box office champion.

Meanwhile, FROM 2 performed even better in the Mainland. From the Lunar New Year's Day to the Lunar 6th it made 410 million yuan RMB around HK$ 508 million) in less than a week, far more than last year's Lunar New Year film FROM VEGAS TO MACAU first week box office record of 180 million RMB (around HK$ 223 million). Between China and Hong Kong the film made over HK$ 500 million, its Mainland box office is estimated to pass FROM's 520 million yuan RMB (around HK$644 million) box office! With the momentum, the film company could not wait to move the Hong Kong celebration one day earlier to tomorrow!

Director Wong Jing said, "This is the reward for the cast and the crew's hard work, proving that film quality is very important. A good movie not only has to have actor's effort but also team work, whether make up, catering, all the crew have put in a lot of effort. (How would you repay the entire team?) I will put up money for the lucky drawing at the celebration, I will, and the boss will too. (Will you ask Fat Gor?) That's up to the actors themselves."

In addition, Lau Ka Ling after going on a hike of the "Dragon's Back" with Chow Yun Fat went with him again to Big Wave Bay and took a photo together. She also posted many photos with her husband Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Jacky Cheung Hok Yau and Tony Leung Ka Fai online. Wai Jai even put his arms around the singing Hok Yau.

[2015.02.27] A TEARY EYED ALAN TAM PROMISES TO SING UNTIL 80

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Alan Tam is near eyes a few times 

MayDay enjoys being Alan Tam's concert guests
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Alan Tam gets teary eyed

Alan chases Stone to stuff lai see in his back pocket

Alan with MayDay's Ashin

After the show fans give Alan lai see with a net
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Alan Tam Wing Lun's 13 show Hong Kong Coliseum concert series ended two nights ago. Friends Cally Kwong Mei Wan, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan and her husband, Candy Law Lam, Amy Kwok Oi Ming and others were in the audience. Two nights ago was the Lunar 7th, Alan wished everyone Happy Birthday as soon as the show began. He said, "Today is People Day, everyone's birthday, Happy Birthday, wish you are 25 every year!" Fans presented flowers and strawberry gift boxes. Alan handed the microphone toward a female fan, who said, "Thank you very much for singing good songs for us over the years, silent thank you should be something that we say to you." At this time, Alan was already teary eyed and could not speak. After a few seconds he said, "I will do my best, I will sing as long as I can sing while I am young."

Alan invited Taiwan group Mayday to be his guests and sang LOVE TRAP with them. Mayday lead singer Ashin's Cantonese was less than fluent, Alan took him all over the stage. He shoved all the lai see from fans to Ashin and Guan Ming. Because guitarist Stone was playing and did not have a free hand to accept, Alan directly shoved a big pile of lai see into his back pocket then took the chance to smack him on the rear. Ashin said, "It's the first time that I got red envelops during a performance. I have never done it before, it's a lot of fun." Alan led MayDay in New Year greetings to the audience and said that he got red envelops everyday and lived off them. The crowd cracked up.

Alan later carried a red bag to accept lai see in the audience, "Tiny" Siu Bow gave lai see and a hug. Alan went wow. Alan while performing the last song SILENT THANK YOU said, "I don't know how the future will turn out, I of course hope I can sing until I am 80. Thank you to the audience of the past 13 nights, I will properly remember every moment." Alan again got teary eyed and almost broke down. Finally he blew kisses to end the show.

After the show Alan said that after the 13 shows he will turn to be an ordinary fat guy. As for almost breaking down twice, Alan said, "I didn't know what the fan wanted to say, I never expect what she said made a lot of sense. On a deeper level, everyone interact. When I put into an effort like this, everyone would be able to relate. When we are connected together then it's fine." He called himself amazing for being able to hold back the tears because he was afraid of affecting the performance.

Alan said that starting with the first show he gave away wonton noodles every night. Everyone could redeem their ticket stubs for a bowl of wonton noodle. He almost gave away 100,000 bowls and hoped that viewers would line up and bring business. As for the superstar guests, Alan said, "I will give everyone a boxset, the number will be their birth date. I also ordered some cashmere scarves as little gifts. As for the company, I may make another glass display or something like that." He said that later he will continue the "Left Lun Right Lee" concert tour. His solo concert tour will not begin until late July. Will he perform for his 50th anniversary in the business? Alan said, "I will wait until I am 80."

[2015.02.27] FRANCIS NG IS AFRAID OF BEING CAUGHT IN THE MAINLAND

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Charmaine Sheh Si Man and Francis Ng Chun Yu yesterday attended an audience appreciation event for their film TRIUMPH IN THE SKIES (CHUNG SEUNG WON SIU) at a Tseung Kwan O cinema. They suddenly appeared after the show and the entire audience went into an uproar! They asked the audience questions then gave away film memorabilia. Viewers also fought to take photos with them and ask for autographs. Chun Yu also took out his phone to take selfies with Ah Sheh.

Reportedly TVB will make a film version of LINE WALKER (SI TOH HUNG JEH) this year with two great Best Actors Nick Cheung Ka Fai and Sean Lau Ching Wan to make Ah Sheh into a Best Actress. When asked Ah Sheh said that she has not been notified about the film. If the rumor was true she of course would like to make it because she liked her character very much. Also she has not worked with Ka Fai and Ching Wan. She said, "I really want to work with them because I definitely will learn a lot. (This year will you make more movies?) I leave it up to the company, aside other than film I want to try a play too."

Chun Yu originally was to head to the Mainland for a film yesterday, but suddenly the audience appreciation event came so he postponed his departure. He said, "I come to the audience appreciation like I am paying the audience a New Year visit. I have very few opportunities to be close to the audience. With all the appreciation, I am all appreciated out!" While working in the Mainland, would he get a massage to relax? He admitted that when he used to work in the Mainland, his first choice was a massage. However now he does not dare because he was afraid of being caught and written by. He dared even less to send someone to his room. He could only meditate on his own to relax.