[2023.08.26] IT REMAINS OPENING PASSES HK$ 1 MILLLION

Anson Lo hopes that viewers would be able to a different Anson Lo while watching IT REMAINS

Anson Lo, Summer Chan and Chu Pak Hong all have had supernatural encounters

Anson Lo has many emotional scenes in the film
courtesy of mingpao.com

MIRROR member Anson Lo Hon Ting's second film IT REMAINS (YEUNG WON) two days ago opened, with previews its box office has exceeded HK$ 1.1 million to become the fastest Hong Kong film to pass the 1 million mark this summer. Anson Lo has not dared to predict IT REMAINS' box office. If the audience would sense how well his emotional performance was then he would already be very happy. He agreed with elder Chu Pak Hong, for an actor making a movie is a gain. Accumulating experience from the performance, he would not put too much emphasis on success or failure. In the film Anson Lo became possessed by a ghost, in real life he too has had supernatural encounters. In the past he was constantly "crushed by a ghost", but he felt that since he has not done anything bad or hurt people he was not afraid anymore. In the past few years he has had any.

Anson Lo, Tommy Chu Pak Hong and Summer Chan Chi Huen starred in IT REMAINS. Speaking of their box office expectation, Chu Pak Hong said, "When the shoot is finished I am done, let it to Heaven." Anson Lo's first movie SHOWBIZ SPY (GA MO NUI TUEN)'s box office was HK$ 7.95 million, the performance was less than ideal. Would he look forward to IT REMAINS performing well? He said that he did not know how much the box office should be to be considered good. "SHOWBIZ SPY was released when cinemas opened up again during the pandemic. With this box office number, I as a new comer would already consider it good. I didn't feel it was bad at all. (Would you feel that the pandemic release made the movie a sacrifice?) It wasn't a sacrifice at all, it was Heaven's arrangement. As for IT REMAINS' box office, I haven't thought much about it."

Would he attend audience appreciation shows like mad to pump up the box office? Anson Lo said that for now he still has yet to receive any audience appreciation notice. He hoped that viewers after watching would sense the ideas in the film and like the film, which would already be great. "If everyone focuses on Anson Lo, I hope that they would be able to see a different Anson Lo. It would be an extra reward, my gain." How much would he predict IT REMAINS' box office to be? He said, "I really don't know, the box office nowadays, I don't know what is great and what isn't. I really don't know." He looked to Chu Pak Hong for help. The latter felt that Anson Lo was still young, even if he loses he would be able to afford it. "Many big stars, actors and Best Actors have made a lot of movies that lost money. There is no need to mind that. If you have to count everything it would be very tiring, very tough." Anson Lo agreed, "Big brother has said what I wanted to say, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on success or failure, I hope everyone would be able to see my emotional performance in IT REMAINS. I would already be very happy."

Anson Lo in the film had many emotional scenes. Facing the sudden loss of his girlfriend, he blamed himself and drank all day to numb himself. When he ran into supernatural incidents fear would arise. Has he run into any difficulty with the performance? He said, "The character is more depressed or suppressed. Because of his girlfriend's passing, a lot of what he sees or runs into would remind him of her. I have to use my eyes to express that, and in a short period of time too. So it was quite a challenge. Luckily we had meetings and table reads early on, everyone created together and gave me a lot of suggestions. During the shoot I had Mr. Chu Pak Hong's leadership and assistance from the sideline." Chu Pak Hong denied leading them, as he only shared his own views and experience. As the film neared its ending, Anson Lo became possessed by a ghost. He had to play two characters by himself, which he said was a lot of fun but also very tiring. "While possessed I am calmer, but also struggle to free myself. It is like finishing a work out, I am very tired!" Chu Pak Hong remembered that during the shoot the temperature was in single digits, but he still had to float to the surface in dark water.

Speaking of supernatural incidents, Anson Lo revealed that he used to be "crushed by a ghost" constantly. At the same time he has heard people speaking, once a male voice yelled at him for several minutes. "Many people say I am supernatural sensitive, sensing these things very easily. Several years ago I was still 'crushed by a ghost', as frequently as once every other day. I was no longer afraid of getting 'crushed' because I felt I haven't done anything bad, or hurt anything, I was pretty filial so nothing would happen probably. Over the past few years it hasn't happened again."

In the film each person had their own secret. Chu Pak Hong said that in real life since he has already spent over half a year he has completely let go of everything. Now he tried to be as happy as possible, let everything up to fate. Only then would he be able to live happily. Anson Lo pointed out that his latest trouble came from not being able to please his family. "My family feels that I haven't taken the time to be with them, unable to go on vacation together. However I am really too busy with my jobs, I don't want to postpone them for personal reasons. (Have you reflected that to the company?) The company is willing to help me resolve it, but I don't want to manufacture trouble. I would try to think of ways to achieve the balance. (Have you had any knot in your heart before/) No, I haven't regretted anything I have done." He admitted that now is his career surge period. Was he worried that his body would not be able to handle it? He said that that happened early in the year. "Earlier I had stomach ache and headache twice, because rest and diet were off balance. Before a show I didn't eat. Now I wouldn't, I would try to eat something, drink less black coffee and more water. My body is much healthier than before."

Chu Pak Hong and Chan Chi Huen were also sensitive to spirits. The former remembers that once at a theater rehearsal, he left the actors break room early in the morning. Suddenly he heard someone screamed by his ear. "At first I thought I was being pranked, I ran out to yell at someone; but when I saw that they have already gone very far, it would have been impossible to prank me." Chan Chi Huen played soccer with her cousin when she was little and hit a "lord of the land". At the time she immediately apologized. When she got home and bathed, a voice said to her "thank you". She got goose bumps and immediately ran to look for Mommy.

[2023.08.23] AMY YIP ADMITS TO HAVING THE ACTING BUG AND MAY RETURN AT ANYTIME

Amy Yip says that she is 90 pounds and her waist is 21 inches.  She can wear her old clothes

Raymond Wong and Michael Hui
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Movie Producers and Distributors Association of Hong Kong's 44th anniversary dinner took place last night. Guests included the (MPDA) chief director Raymond Wong Pak Ming, Michael Hui Koon Man, Melvin Wong Kam Sun, Amy Yip Chi Mei, Philip Chan Yan Kin, Emme Wong Yi Man and husband Chan Kwok Kwan.

Wong Pak Ming repeated as the chief director. Later Wong Pak Ming revealed that he has repeated the post many times,from the first in 1997 and helping the Trade Development Council with the Entertainment Expo, to recent years especially during the pandemic when no movie were made. He was able to spend more time to think about how to make the Association have even more projects. Thus he invited Kenneth Fok Kai Kong to be the consultant and set up the "2022 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area International Film Marketing Certificate Program", the goal of which was to cultivate a new generation of filmmakers to face the nation, understand the mainland film market, and for the students through the courses to be able to completely understand different film production and distribution knowledge. Wong Pak Ming said, "Plenty of people are starting director and screenwriter classes, but none in distribution. You have to know how to sell to overseas markets, what kind of movie to make for the audience. For example (Donnie) Yen Chi Tan once in the classroom shared with the students that he has made a movie for himself, which lost so much money that he only had 100 bucks left in his bank account. He questioned whether he got into the wrong business. In addition (Eric) Tsang Chi Wai, (Clifton) Ko Chi Sum and others all spoke in person and shared their experience."

Wong Pak Ming also revealed that in May, the MPDA once brought students and industry insiders to mainland cities in the Greater Bay Area for a visit. This exchange tour went to Guangzhou, Foshan, Zhongshan, Nansha and Qianhai and were treated to an understanding of local policies and facilities. "The students before going to the mainland thought that it would be very behind the times, after going they realized that they were the ones who were behind. Thus they wanted to go more to communicate." In September he would take another team to visit Guangxi for 4 days and 3 nights.

Yip Chi Mei who has not appeared in public for a long time attended the banquet. She said that Wong Pak Ming invited her to attend. She admitted that after marrying her doctor husband she hid herself for 30 years. At the time she did not feel bored, cooking and exercising everyday were still very fun for me. However her husband passed away 4 years ago and her friends all told her to come out more. Seeing Hui Koon Man, Chan Yan Kin again, she felt like she has returned to the 90s. Would she return to the film industry and make movies? Yip Chi Mei said that she had an acting bug and would not resist against coming back. Would she only work on movies and not television because how tough the latter would be? She said that she could not say that, as long as the script would be good she would be willing. However generations of new comers have appeared now, she has already been overtaken. Ultimately as long as she was happy she had no pressure. Despite being known for her figure in the past, Yip Chi Mei has "shrunken" in size. She revealed that she has been busy with stretching exercises and running, indeed she has slimmed down from before. She weighed 90 pounds and her waist stayed at 21 inches. Would she still consider a photo book now? She said that she would not. What about sexy performance? She said, "I want to focus on acting mainly, I am very tired. I did too many before, now the most important would be happiness."

[2023.08.23] ANSON LO REVEALS THAT HE IS AFRAID OF FISH

Anson Lo reveals his "ghost encounter" experience while promoting his new film

Summer Chan, John Chiang, Anson Lo, Chu Pak Hong
courtesy of on.cc

Anson Lo Hon Ting with Chu Pak Hong, John Chiang Dai Wai and Summer Chan Chi Huen starred in the horror film IT REMAINS (YEUNG WON), which would open soon. Speaking of the hardest scene to play, Anson Lo revealed that he not only had to play being possessed by a ghost but also had to change his emotions in a brief period of time. "In that scene after hearing the news of my girlfriend passing away over the phone, I had to react instantly. I had to be very guilt ridden and cry. (Do you cry easily?) Why do people feel I cry all the time? I am not someone who cries at home everyday, I only cried when I am moved." Chu Pak Hong said that the entire production process was unforgettable, because they constantly had to shoot in eerie places that left him uneasy. "Everyday I kept praying to not run into any ghost, and I was afraid that while playing possessed by a ghost I would really be possessed." As for Chiang Dai Wai, although he has been in film for years he said that he has never made this type of film. His character had to

In the film Anson Lo had a supernatural ability, but in reality he had zero sense for the spiritual world. He said that once he was told that a spirit has been with him for half a year but he did not realize at all. "Many masters have said that my look was very attractive for ghosts to become friends. After making THE HAUNTED ROOMS 4, a Japanese child's ghost followed me back to Hong Kong and was with me for half a year. However I didn't feel anything at all. During the period many masters through different channels to tell me that they saw a child holding my left hand. Later I asked someone to resolve it for me." Speaking of the film's story revolving the inner demons of people, Anson Lo revealed that he was the most afraid of fish. "IT REMAINS was shot under a terrible environment. I don't like being dirty, but once in character you wouldn't mind. Someone asked if the film wanted me to eat a live fish, or kiss a fish would I do it. At this moment I would say I wouldn't, but maybe once in character I would." Chiang Dai Wai joked, "Then the next movie should be called 'stuffed fish'."

Chu Pak Hong joked his inner demon was not having money, later he seriously said, "At my present age I don't think I have anything, I don't have as much of an ego as I used to. Maybe I have learned to face it." Chan Chi Huen admitted that he was too stubborn, giving herself too much pressure and frustration.

[2023.08.23] FOR THE WEEK ENDING SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 2023

For the week ending Sunday, August 20 2023

10 YUM INVESTIGATION
  Can : YUM MUK JING SHUN
  Lit : DARK EYE DETECTIVE LETTER
    d. Dicky Leung Kwok Fai
    Leung Yip (Fatboy), Dee Ho Kai Wa,
      193 (Denis Kwok Ka Chun), Poki Ng,
      Catherine Chau Ka Yi, Mandy Tam Man Suen, Suey Kwok Sze,
      Sammy Sum Chun Hin, Tai Bo, Eric Kot Man Fai,
      Law Wing Cheong, Max Cheung Tat Lun
  Opening August 10 2023
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/UOFQu94VqnE

[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
      YUM Investigation is a detective agency that specializes in the supernatural. With their new member Kojiro, the agency investigates a developer who dispatches evil spirits to scare away the residents of an old building. When they discover that the spirits were created by a sinister "spirit refiner", the investigators must use every trick up their sleeves to crack the case.

[ SCREEN DAILY FILMART 2023 ]
      Based on a popular web novel, the story revolves around detective agency Yum Investigation, which specialises in supernatural cases run by a trio who all possess different special powers.

  9 DEATH NOTICE
  Can : Um Sat Fung Bo
  Lit : Assassination Storm
  AKA : DEATH NOTIFY
  AKA : Sei Mong Tung Ji Dan: Um Hak Jeh
    d. Herman Yau Lai To
    Louis Koo Tin Lok, Julian Cheung Chi Lam, Francis Ng Chun Yu,
      Myolie Wu Hung Yi, Chrissie Chau Sau Na,
      Ray Lui Leung Wai, Philip Keung Ho Man,
      Danny Chan Kwok Kwan, Timmy Hung Tin Ming,
      Pakho Chau, Babyjohn Choi Hong Yik
      6 Wing (Lok Wing), Justin Cheung Kin Sing,
  Rating : IIB mins.
  Length : 100 mins.
    Opening December 2019 (POSTPONED)
    Opening December 9 2021 (POSTPONED)
    Opening March 31 2022 (POSTPONED)
    Opening July 28 2022 (POSTPONED)
    Opening August 18 2023
    Trailer : https://youtu.be/e7xLBXR0gjs

[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
    A killer called "E" has been leaving a death notification card after killing scumbags who evaded the law. Police reacted by forming a task force with the elite personnels from each field to capture the vigilante. But in reality, what each department did was dumping their best but most eccentric members to the task force.

    There is the high IQ but low EQ criminalist Luo Fei, the ill-mannered profiler Mu Jian Yun, the inflexible captain Han Hao, the cowardly crime lab specialist Yin Jian, the gothic loving forensic pathologist Liang Yin, the hacker Zeng Ri Hua, and the volatile combat specialist Xiong Yuan. With each murder, the task force uncovers the crimes the victims had committed, at the same time, gets closer to finding the mysterious vigilante.

  8 CONCRETE UTOPIA
    d. Um Tae-hwa
    Kim Sun-young, Park Ji-Hu, Park Bo Young, Kim Do-yoon,
      Park Seo Jun, Lee Byung-hun
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 130 mins.
  Opening August 17 2023

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    The world has been reduced to rubble by a massive earthquake. While no one knows for sure how far the ruins stretch, or what the cause of the earthquake may be, in the heart of Seoul there is only one apartment building left standing. It is called Hwang Gung Apartments. As time passes, outsiders start coming in to Hwang Gung Apartments trying to escape the extreme cold. Before long, the apartment residents are unable to cope with the increasing numbers. Feeling a threat to their very survival, the residents enact a special measure.

  7 THE MEG 2: THE TRENCH
    d. Ben Wheatley
    Jason Statham, Wu Jing, Cliff Curtis, Sienna Guillory,
      Sophia Cai Shuya, Page Kennedy,
      Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Skyler Samuels

  6 BLUE BEETLE
    d. Angel Manuel Soto
    Xolo Mariduena, Bruna Marquezine, Becky G,
      Damian Alcazar, George Lopez, Adriana Barraza

  5 DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA'S SKY UTOPIA
    d. Takumi Doyama
    Japanese Animation
  Rating : I
  Length : 108 mins.
  Opening August 3 2023
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/7sD2P8ETVdY

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    This time, the Doraemon and Nobita's adventure takes them to the skies when Doraemon's new airship gadget brings them to Paradapia, the titular Sky Utopia, a world in the clouds where different lands exists alongside one another. They meet a perfect robot called Sonya and become friends with him. However, there is a secret about Paradapia...

  4 NEW DIMENSION! CRAYON SHIN-CHEN THE MOVIE: BATTLE OF SUPERNATURAL POWERS ~FLYING SUSHI~
    d. Hitoshi Ohne
    Japanese Animation
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 94 mins.
  Opening August 10 2023
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/--Yx0w5FvQg

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    40-years ago, there was a prophecy claiming that in the year of "20" and "23", two emitting lights would come to the Earth from outer space. And the dark light with strong power will bring out a huge disaster. In the summer of 2023, as predicted, two mysterious lights approach Japan and descend on Kasukabe. The white light hits Shin-chan, which makes him get a superpower. Meanwhile, a man called Mitsuru Hiriya, has been bathed in dark light and has acquired psychic powers begins to run amok.

    A man who wants the destruction of the world, Hiriya VS A happy-go-lucky kindergarten child, Shinnosuke. A superpower battle is going to begin!

  3 GRAN TURISMO
    d. Neill Blomkamp
    David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe

  2 BARBIE
    d. Gerta Gerwig
    Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrera,
      Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt,

  1 OPPENHEIMER
    d. Christopher Nolan
    Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr.,
      Matt Damon, Florence Pugh,

[2023.08.23] FOR THE WEEK STARTING SATURDAY, AUGUST 18 2023

For the week starting Saturday, August 18 2023 (Week 33)

VIUTV CHILL CLUB CHART

  5 ANTICIPATED NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW
  Can : Ling Yun Kei Doi Dik Ha Jap Yu Go
  Jason Chan Pak Yu

https://youtu.be/oaDh88MoDA8

  4 ATTENTION
  Can : Kei Ho
  Gin Lee (Lee Hung Ngai)

https://youtu.be/_D_JFTnjB6Q

  3 SHEESH
  MIRROR

https://youtu.be/LHOYqoFeIDE

  2 THE ROAD IS STILL LONG
  Can : Lo Ying Cheung
  The Absent Brother (Lui Tung Yi Yau)

https://youtu.be/NgHuN9ovx60

  1 SECONDARY PERSONALITY
  Can : Dai Yu Yun Gat
  MC Cheung Tin Fu

https://youtu.be/bYc3V4W6m3w

[2023.08.22] CATHERINE CHAU CRAMS IN PIANO LESSONS FOR HER FILM

courtesy of on.cc

193 explains the "audience appreciation is not voluntary" comment, claiming that it is reverse promotion.  When people yell at him it could stmulate the box office.

193 and Dee appear at 8 audience appreciation shows, at one of which MIRROR's Lokman Yeung and Alton Wong show their support
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Emperor Motion Picture YUM INVESTIGATION (YUM MUK JING SHUN) is currently in release. Catherine Chau Ka Yi in the film showed off her piano playing skills. Actually on the day of the shoot, she performed an almost a minute long piano solo live. Lately her piano solo video has been released. She said, "When I was little I studied piano playing, I can read music but I haven't played in a very long time. When I learned that I had this scene I immediately looked for an instructor to catch up. The instructor used many ways to teach me, like while playing recording right and left hands separately and played them back for me listen and practice with. The instructor praised me for having natural talent and kept encouraging me!" She also practiced diligently for this film. On the day before the shoot she again asked the instructor for another lesson. Everyday she practiced 8 hours. She was very grateful to the audience for their good reviews.

Meanwhile the film after over a week closed in on HK$ 3 million at the box office, a less than ideal performance. ERROR has been promoting their first flm hard. Earlier making his "no audience appreciation declaration", Denis Kwok Ka Chun (193) two days ago with group mate Dee Ho Kai Wa appeared at all 8 audience appreciation shows of the day. 193 said that the comment was misread and led to the misunderstanding. Audience appreciation must be attended so he would be able to have exchanges with the audience. He would pretend this time was reverse promotion, that getting yelled at would be able to stimulate the box office. He revealed that because of his busy work schedule his health has deteriorated. He has even coughed up blood, after seeing the doctor 3 times he still has not recovered.

Two days ago he and Dee attended 8 shows from morning to night. In the afternoon at the Times Square audience appreciation show they received support from MIRROR captain Lokman Yeung and Alton Wong Chi Tak. Lokman praised the film as pretty entertaining, very smooth, Dee performed very well but 193 was a little off. Dee gave himself a score of 65, saying that if he felt the score was very high his performance art life would be over very soon. 193 gave himself 55 points. "My first movie performance had a lot of slip ups, a lot of flaws." Lokman said, "You passed, I did laugh!" Dee revealed that YUM had box office improvement, which proved that not giving up was correct. Thus they would not quit. Yesterday he continued to attend many audience appreciation shows, examining, exchanging and sharing with the audience.

[2023.08.21] ANSON LO ADMITS HIS NEW FILM IS NOT MAINSTREAM

Anson Lo hopes that the company would make more room on his schedule for audience appreciation
courtesy of singtao.com

Anson Lo says that the role is a big breakthrough.  For the role he has put in a lot of effort and done the homework.  He hopes more people would be able to enjoy it.

Summer Chan reveals that "Old Man" John Chiang often tells dad jokes to cheer everyone up

Anson Lo Hon Ting, John Chiang Dai Wai, Summer Chan Chi Huen, Chu Pak Hong and others yesterday attended their film IT REMAINS (YEUNG WON)'s premiere. Several hundred "disciples" (AL fan nickname) showed their support and welcomed him with their screams. AL waved to everyone and stood still for the disciples to take photos.

AL said that he felt the pressure from his second lead role, especially when working with an elder the caliber of John Gor. He admitted that when they first met he was so stressed that his hands were shaking. He did not dare to chat with him. Later he discovered that the elder was very friendly, shared the hardship that he experienced as a newcomer. Then he realized that when he worked for over 70 hours straight was only child's play. ERROR's new film has not performed ideally at the box office, would he have any box office pressure? AL said that he has not noticed their actual number, nor has he thought about IT REMAINS' box office. He said that many people said that this was not a mainstream film, it might not be suitable for the whole family. However this time his character would have a breakthrough. He has done a lot of preparation before hand and hoped that he would be able to attend more audience appreciation events. He was waiting for the company to schedule them. He also said that his group mate Anson Kong Yip Sang's new film would be of a different genre, so he was not afraid of the competition.

In addition, STARS ACADEMY's Yumi Chung earlier said on her live stream that she watched AL's concert and even praised how great it was. AL thanked her for her praises and said that he would be very happy and very touched when anyone felt it was entertaining. Would he like to work with Yumi on music or dance? AL said that he was a very obedient artist, he would follow the company's arrangement on everything. As for TVB and a mainland team's collaboration on a reality program ASIA SUPER YOUNG, AL said that he has not noticed but hoped that every program would be successful. He was not worried that more and more guy groups would become threats to MIRROR. Instead he would feel excited and said that the more people dance and sing, they would be even more able to encourage each other.

John Gor in the film had many action scenes. He said that he and Chu Pak Hong had more fight scenes and stated that he was not rusty yet. In addition everyone have treated him very well, often they said that he could use a stunt double. However when he was able to personal perform the stunt he would. John Gor was still under contract with TVB. Would working with AL this time require him to report to TVB? He said that everyone were filmmakers, filmmaking had no television station differentiation.