[2020.02.19] FOR THE WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 9 2020

For the week ending Sunday February 9 2020

Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Movies Hong Kong

10 A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
    d. Marielle Heller
    Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Chris Cooper

  9 ENTER THE FAT DRAGON
  Can : Fei Lung Gor Gong
  Lit : Fat Dragon Crosses the River
    d. Kenji Tangiaki
    Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Teresa Mo Shun Kwan, Niki Chow Lai Kei,
      Wong Jing, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Jessica Jann Kei Ching,
      Naoto Takenaka, Joe Tee, Tetsu Watanabe, Chaney Lin (Lam Chau Nam),
      Wong Cho Lam, Lawrence Chou Chun Wai, Jerry Lamb Hiu Fung, Yan Hua,
      Hiro Hayama (Yip Shan Ho), Jim Chim Shui Man, Anthony Chan Yau,
      Bob Lam Sing Bun, Tyson Chak,
      Philip Ng Won Lung, Wong Jing
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 96 mins.
  Opening January 23 2020
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/rDpmvM7K2OI

[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
    The 300-pound special agent Chu loses his convict in custody in Japan. Deeper trouble befalls when he finds himself pursued by both triads and police...

  8 SPIES IN DISGUISE
    d. Nick Bruno, Troy Quane
    Blue Sky Studio Animation
    English Voice: Will Smith, Tom Holland

  7 1917
    d. Sam Mendes
    George MacKay, Dean-Charles Chapman,

  6 JOJO RABBIT
    d. Taika Waititi
    Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Taiki Waititi, Rebel Wilson,
      Stephen Merchant, Alfie Allen, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson

  5 YOU ARE THE ONE
  Can : Ngor Dik Shun Poon Nam Yau
  Lit : My Hot Property Boyfriend
    d. Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum)
    Carlos Chan Ka Lok, Gladys Li Ching Kwan,
      Bob Lam Sing Bun, Ashina Kwok Yik Sum, Elva Ni, Kandy Wong Shan Yee,
      Erin Wang Zhuoqi, Snow Suen Wai Suet, Justin Cheung Kin Sing,
      Kaki Sham, Mak Ling Ling, Carrie Ng Ka Lai
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 94 mins.
  January 25 2020
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/1i32VPQi13w
  Site: https://www.emp.hk/en/production/current/you-are-the-one

[ EMPEROR MOTION PICTURES ]
    Young, talented rogue trader Finn Ma lives a mysterious, low-key life. The word "failure" doesn't exist in his vocabulary, and he's never seen a deal he can't make. However, his life experiences a 180-degree change when he encounters Bo.

    All her life, Bo has never believed that good things will happen to her. Having lost her parents at an early age, she sees dreams as unreachable things. To make ends meet, she works multiple jobs, including one as a promoter in a Karaoke joint.

    One night, Finn hold a secret meeting in a nightclub with his employees. On his way out, he tosses out cash to get rid of two gold-digging girls hitting on him. Bo sees this and mistakes him as the vanished swindler who caused her friend, Pauline, to attempt suicide. Bo confronts Finn and drags him away.

    The two go to the hospital where Pauline still lies in a coma after her suicide attempt. Pauline's older brother, Wing, and her other friends all believe that Finn is the bad boyfriend responsible for Pauline's suicide, forcing Finn to take responsibility. Wing believes that Finn is the only one who can wake Pauline up, so he drags Finn to his home to prevent Finn from running away.

    During their short time together, Finn starts to grow fond of Bo. He learns of her sad background and her passive attitude towards life's hardships. Finn, who believes that people must take control of their own fate, uses the Law of Attraction to convince Bo to change her own destiny.

    In the end, Wing and the others realize that Finn is really not Pauline's boyfriend and lets him go. When he leaves, Finn promises to see Bo again.

    A month later, Bo finds a luxury sedan parked in front of her workplace, and the owner is Finn. She finally learns that Finn is actually the ideal boyfriend that every girl dreams of: Rich, handsome and a perfect gentleman. However, this Cinderella's adventure has just begun!

  4 DOLITTLE
    d. Stephen Gaghan
    Robert Downey Jr.

  3 THE GRAND GRANDMASTER
  Can : Muk Doi Jung Si
  Lit : Whatever Generation Grandmaster
    d. Dayo Wong Tze Wah
    Dayo Wong Tze Wah, Annie Liu (Lau Sum Yau),
      Benz Hui Siu Hung, Harriet Yeung Sze Man, Dickson Yuen Man Tai,
      Catherine Chau Ka Yi, Chen Jiajia, Eddie Law Tin Chi,
      C Kwan (Stephen Cheng Sze Kwan), Eric Tang Chi Kin,
      Ivana Wong Yuen Chi, 6 Wing (Billy Luk Wing Kuen), Tyson Chak Hoi Tai
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 117 mins.
  Opening January 23 2020 (Preview)
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/tTcHMiVobUY

[ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ]
    Following Grandmaster Fei Lung's defeat to his rival, Chun, he challenges her to a final fight in order to restore his reputation. His plan to win the fight is derailed when he unexpectedly develops romantic feelings towards her. He will have to figure out a way to win both the fight and Chun's affection.

  2 ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020
  Can : Ga Yau Hei Si 2020
    d. Raymond Wong Pak Ming
    Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Louis Cheung Kai Chung, Raymond Wong Pak Ming,
      Chrissie Chau Sau Na, DaDa Chan Jing, Patrick Tam Yiu Man,
      Adam Pak Tin Nam, Sheila Chan Suk Lan,
      Law Kar Ying, Cheung Tat Ming, Liu Kai Chi, Helena Law Lan,
      Jim Chim Tsui Man, Andrew Lam Man Chung, Kingdom Yuen King Tan,
      Richard Ng Yiu Hon, Wong Yat Shan, Karena Ng Chin Yu,
      Justin Cheung Kin Sing, Wilfred Lau Ho Lung, Toby Chan Ting Yan,
      Stephen Huynh (Wong Hing Cheung), Mak Cheung Ching, Bob Chang Yin Bok,
      Yu Mo Lin, Chen Jiajia, Kendy Cheung King Yan, Aliya Fan Man Nga,
      Lisa Ch'ng Si Ming, Six Cents (Luk Chi Ho), Maggie Yu Miao,
      Terry Zou Man Ching, Shirley Shen Din Yi, Chow Chi Hing,
      Jiro Lee Sheung Ching,
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 98 mins.
  Opening January 25 2020
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/C_wQQDVMePk

[ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ]
    All three Yau brothers are con artists who use their notorious talents to punish bad people. They meet fellow con artists, the Lui sisters, through a misunderstanding and both sets of siblings decide to team up. Their target is an infamous mob boss, who they plan to scam using various tricks and disguises.

  1 BIRDS OF PREY AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN
    d. Cathy Yan
    Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell,
      Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor

[2020.02.19] RAYMOND WONG KEEPS HIS PROMISE TO CELEBRATE MALAYSIA BOX OFFICE SUCCESS

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

IP MAN 4 THE FINALE and ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020 in Malaysia passed the 37 million RM Chinese language box office record and 6.2million RM respectively. ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020 producer and star Raymond Wong Pak Ming in order to fulfill his promise yesterday attended the film's appreciation banquet with Dada Chan Jing and Adam Pak Tin Nam as they celebrated with the cinema representatives and workers there.

At the banquet, when the host asked why the trio still chose to come amid the tension of the outbreak, producer Wong Pak Ming said that this time was to keep their promise. Actually in mid December last year when he promoted IP MAN 4 THE FINALE in Malaysia he already promised to celebrate in Malaysia if it broke the box office record there. Now that the film has performed so well, he truly had to personally thank everyone for their support! Actually Wong Pak Ming and the organizers have already discussed this trip many times. Everyone was worried about the novel coronavirus outbreak. In the end the event was scaled down. Since he has already promised to attend audience appreciation there, Wong Pak Ming believed that as long as properly precautions were taken they should have no problem.

The fact was that no one knew how long the outbreak would last, but life still had to go on. During this period everyone should cautiously prevent the outbreak and live normally. Otherwise problems would very easily arise.

Chan Jing and Pak Tin Nam made their first appearance in Malaysia. Chan Jing even said that she only had eyes for the durian there. "Yesterday I tried the Musang King durian and thought it was very delicious. I hope to have a chance to bring my family to visit!" Although Pak Tin Nam has been to Malaysia before, he has not publicly come in contact with the Malaysian audience. "This time I am very happy to be able to come to Malaysia and meet with the media friends and audience, thank you very much everyone for your support!" When asked about their work, they both stated that due to the outbreak their jobs have been canceled and postponed. Despite all that, everyone's health would b the most important.

As the banquet neared its end, Wong Pak Ming, Chan Jing and Pak Tin Nam took part in an ice breaking and toast ceremony. In the end they also took place in the lucky drawing.

[2020.02.18] TAI BO'S WIFE SUPPORTS HIS BROKEBACK PERFORMANCE

courtesy of singtao.com

After years in film and television, veteran actor Tai Bo (Cheung Ka Nin) recently won the Hong Kong Film Critic Society Best Actor. Actually in the past he has performed in countless film and television series and his acting has been recognized.

Tai Bo most recently in the film SUK SUK played a gay man and won Best Actor at the 26th Hong Kong Film Critic Society Awards along with BEYOND THE DREAM (WAN OI)'s Lau Chun Him. However Tai Bo said that when he took the role he suspected whether he would be able to master the role. Director Ray Yeung even went to Taiwan three times to persuade him to perform.

"This film is a role that I have never played before, as a professional actor I feel it's still fine. However I considered this character to be a 60 something homosexual, would I be able to play this character? I struggled. The director after watching my performance in GLAMOROUS YOUTH flew to Taiwan three times for me. First when I read the script I took 3 months. After reading it I discussed it with my family and my wife. My wife said, 'This script is good, you take it!' So I took the role. I asked the director how far would the film go, but the director said that the relationship would be very light.

Playing a twilight homosexual relationship with Yuen Fu Wa in the film, Tai Bo stated that they did not know each other before hand. Although before the performance they did not study how to perform, after they took their marks they very naturally performed according to the script.

"I understand the character I play this time, Pak. Often people have expiration dates, but what are in their hearts are forever. This relationship can't be too wild, too revealing; so it is secretive and hidden, something that they want but can't have. When he runs into this romance, this very short term relationship explodes out of the 60 something."

Playing a brokeback relationship, Tai Bo admitted that he was very pleased to be able to perform from within. He even joked that the reason the director asked him was perhaps his potential. Every take has been a good one and few changes were made. "I performed with the method that I came up with, so I really was like the character Pak. This type of character truly doesn't come long even when you ask for it! We were able to have the recognition of those who have seen the film. While at the Busan Film Festival, although the people there didn't understand Chinese they were moved to tears during the screening. This movie isn't about sex, just family and friendship. During decades of acting, I mostly performed in commercial films in the past. I have also made dramatic films, but this performance left a very deep impression."

After winning the Film Critic Society Best Actor award, was he confident that he would win the Hong Kong Film Award? He said, "In this business I have never deliberately made a movie in order to win an award. I go with the flow! If it comes, I will accept it. I am already very happy to have professional praises and recognition."

[2020.02.18] LOUIS CHEUNG WENT SUPER CRAZY WHILE DRIVING HIS WIFE TO GIVE BIRTH

courtesy of singtao.com

Louis Cheung Kai Chung and Candy Yu On On worked together for the first time in the film THE SECRET DIARY OF A MOM-TO-BE (BABY FOOK SAU GEI). Playing a maturity helper internet star, Cheung Kai Chung was paid handsomely to supervise her daughter in law Dada Chan Jing's diet and rest.

As an internet star maturity helper, Cheung Kai Chung said that after taking the role he shared his view on maturity helpers with the director. When his daughter daughter was born they hired a maturity helper, from which he had quite a deep impression. He felt how noble it was to be a maturity helper!

"I feel maturity helpers are almost in the same class as doctors in my heart, because they save a family. After I talked with the director, she added a lot into the script."

In the film when Cheung Kai Chung often gave advice to the soon to be father Kevin Chu Kam Yin to prepare for the soon to arrive baby. Cheung Kai Chung said that his performance reminded him of himself back then. "Back then when my wife was carrying the older son and her water broke, I was the one who drove to the hospital. I still remember that after finishing work at the studio it was already early morning. When I got home I was still very hungry! I was planning to make ramen when the Old Lady said her water broke. So I carried her downstairs to drive her, but all the cars were in the way! I wanted to ram other people's cars out of the way, like I really was crazy!"

With two daughters, Yu On On said that in the past most mostly only wealthy clans would hire maturity helper. Thus during pregnancy she would ask her mother for advice and take care of herself. On On also said that back then when she had her older daughter she was not too stable. The doctor asked her to be on bed rest for three months. "At the time I only lay in bed. I did everything in bed aside from going to the bathroom. Even when I urinated I didn't dare to do it too hard. Now I can laugh about it, but back then it was very worrying! After three months the doctor said that the condition was more stable. However I didn't dare to walk around freely until the sixth month. The younger daughter was born on the Lunar 3rd, a premature birth baby. On the Lunar 2nd I was at home and ate like crazy. Mama told me not to keep eating, otherwise I would give birth from all the eating. Finally that night the birth really started!"

Although On On is already a grandmother, she said that she was open minded and would not be longing for a grandchild like her character. She said that her older daughter and son in law both really like children, but her son in law was more in a hurry to become a father. She felt that the most important was for them to be prepared mentally to be parents. "I would share a lot about what they would face in the future, but after making this film I felt great because the result could show the trouble and the concern a couple would run into when having children. So I definitely would ask my daughters to watch."

[2020.02.17] POLICE COMPLAINTS ABOUT RTHK PROGRAM

The Police feels HEADLINE discredits the work it has done during the outbreak

Wong Hei introduces hot jobs at the "scared force"

Gregory Wong also guest stars as Black Jack
courtesy of mingpao.com

Radio and Television Hong Kong's HEADLINER last Friday (February 14th) invited Wong Hei and Gregory Wong Chung Hiu to perform. Wong Hei host the "Shocking Information" segment, while Wong Chung Hiu appeared as "Black Jack" and "Gong Tong Gan" with hosts Tsang Chi Ho, Ng Ch Sum and Law Kai Sun in a comedy skit. The program originally was scheduled to air at 6PM on TVB Jade, but due to the live broadcast of Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet Ngor's press conference it was postponed until last night. However the program still caught attention. Yesterday RTHK Broadcasting Authority chief Leung Ka Wing received complaint that HEADLINER's "Shocking Information" segment discredited the police's performance during the outbreak and expressed extreme regret. RTHK's Amen Ng Man Yee stressed that they had no intention to discredit or ridicule. The program only used a parody format to reflect social phenomenon and different voices.

Wong Hei in the HEADLINER's "Shocking Information" segment plays the host "Chung Yung Ngai" and introduces the "scared" job posting, expressing the police's performance during the outbreak and their equipment that became viral online in a satirical format. The over 3 minute long segment was lively and earned a laugh from the audience. However, the Broadcasting Authority chief Leung Ka Wing yesterday received a letter of complaint from the Police Commissioner (care of Kwok Ka Chuen), citing that the "Shocking Information" segment on numerous occasionally discredited the police force's job during the outbreak and expressed extreme regret; it also rebutted that the massive outbreak prevention equipment stockpile at the police that the program alluded to was untrue; it also claimed that the program completely neglected the police's work and effort in fighting the outbreak and demanded the Broadcasting Authority chief to follow up.

RTHK's organization communication and program standard division director Amen Ng Man Yee admitted that they have received the complaint. "We understand that the police has done a lot on outbreak prevention, other government departments like medical and healthcare and others have also done a lot. The program only reflects social phenomenon, has different voices and appears in a parody format for the viewers." She also stressed that they had no intention to discredit and ridicule. At the end of "Shocking Information", Wong Hei waved to the camera and said, "See you next episode!" When asked if "Shocking Information" would be a regular part of the program, she said that HEADLINER segments have variety. As for whether it will be a regular part, she would have to get an understanding from the production team.

Wong Hei revealed that "Shocking Information" will be biweekly. "Today is Sunday, I haven't received any new program related guidance." Conceivably the outside would be concerned about whether the segment would remain.

How did Wong Hei feel about the police complaint to RTHK? He said, "The letter issuer only has a three Chinese characters, no official title, no assigned number, no identification card number. Who knows if it is whoever writing a chain letter. I have no comment." According to information, Kwok Ka Chuen is the police public relations bureau chief superintendent.

Due to the police complaint to RTHK, HEADLINER's "Shocking Information segment has gone viral online. Its social media platform hit rate has drastically increased, with messages like "Thank you police for helping with HEADLINER's promotion, I am watching right now!"

"Seeing Wong Hei and Wong Hung Chung, truly it is both yellow (Wong) and joyous (Hei)".

"Radio and Television Hong Kong program staff union" on facebook yesterday posted the RTHK union response. "Faced with this 'outbreak border war' the government's prevention policy has been criticized. Now medical and healthcare prevention equipment has a shortage and the police force receives a large amount of protective material, citizens' expectation of the police is naturally elevated. HEADLINER has always taken a parody style for modern satire. This union hopes that the police would pay attention to the public criticism and dedicate itself to servicing the general public, doing what it promises and utilizing the beliefs of loyalty, sincerity, courage and dedication on helping to fight the outbreak and connect with the community. This union notices that the police force has targeted this station more than once. Now it again attempts suppression with speech. This union strongly demand the police force to respect RTHK's professionalism and the editor's independence, focusing on protecting the public as it should."

[2020.02.17] BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS NOMINEES CHARLENE CHOI AND NINA PAW CELEBRATE TOGETHER

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Charlee Choi Cheuk Yin's film industry development has been decent. Recognized for her acting, last year she competed for the Hong Kong Film Award Best Actress with THE LADY IMPROPER (FEI FUN SHOOK NUI). This year with the film FATAL VISIT (SING HOR SAI MAU SAK ONG) she received her first Best Supporting Actress nomination. Ah Sa said that she was very grateful. "I am very happy to be able to run into a great director, two great co-stars and a great team."

Currently working on a web drama overseas, Ah Sa's series co-star Nina Paw Hee Ching was also nominated for the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress with MY PRINCE EDWARD (GUM DOH). Cinematographer Tse Chung To was nominated for Best Cinematography with the film A WITNESS OUT OF THE BLUE (FAN JUI YIN CHEUNG). The series team earlier held a surprise celebration for them. That day after finishing the shoot, the team suddenly brought of champagne and Ah Sa was very surprised. She said, "While at work we received the nomination news. Everyone were very happy, congratulating and cheering each other on. However I never thought that after the shoot they would have more surprises. I really am very appreciative for everyone."

[2020.02.17] RAYMOND WONG SUPPORTS CINEMA OPERATION SUSPENSION

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Film company boss Raymond Wong Pak Ming with Dada Chan Jing and Adam Pak Tin Nam yesterday appeared at the airport. They were heading to Malaysia for a film company appreciation banquet. With the novel coronavirus outbreak, Wong Pak Ming not only strengthened the prevention measures at cinemas under his banner but also gave medical masks to viewers. He also supported a temporarily suspension of operations at cinemas to "avoid the outbreak" and put safety first!

Wong Pak Ming, Dada, Pak Tin Nam all wore medical masks and glasses for their appearance. Wong Pak Ming said that he also had air purifiers and hand sanitizer and would take the full prevention measure. "This trip is because of an Indian distribution company that we have worked with for 10 years since ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL in 2010. After the film IP MAN 3's 30 million RM box office, this time IP MAN 4 also made 36 million RM. Twice we have broken the Chinese box office record there. In the Lunar New Year ALL'S WELL ENDS WELL 2020 also headed toward 7 million RMB, a decent performance. Under the outbreak, we can use all the help we can get. Actually films would have different performance in different places. IP MAN 4 in the Mainland made 1.2 billion RMB. (Did it make any profit?) If no profit can be made from 1.2 billion, how can any profit be made! This performance has already reached the target because the four films' box office went from 100, 200, 800 million to 1.2 billion. In addition it was released on Christmas, we were very lucky that it was not affected."

Speaking of many films having to halt production, Wong Pak Ming said, "G STORM (G FUNG BO) originally would resume work after the Lunar New Year. Now we would make the decision based on the situation. We are in no hurry to start work. Workers would be arranged to work from home. We haven't asked them to take unpaid time off." Speaking of the government's suggestion for all entertainment venues to temporarily suspend operation, Wong Pak Ming said, "The government has sent people to discuss with the Theater Association. So far we have not reached any agreement. Cinemas under my banner will strengthen disinfection, take viewer temperature and give away free medical masks so attendees would rest easy." He also supported cinema operation suspension. "It should stop and reopen after the outbreak. Actually the current admission rate is declining, family audience has been the most affected." The Hong Kong Film Awards canceled its physical award show. He said that it was the choice to make under the outbreak, and nothing could be done about the award climate decline.

Dada and Pak Tin Nam both had enough material and did not need to fight. Dada pointed out that during the Lunar New Year she rarely went out but she got fat from eating. No one noticed because she was hiding behind the mask, but she would wait and see with optimism. Yesterday she was able to go out and she was happier. Pak Tin Nam stayed at home and exercised more, took vitamins to strengthen immunity, which were all good ways to prevent the outbreak.