[2023.09.27] FOR THE WEEK ENDING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 2023

For Sunday, the weekn ending September 24 2023

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

  9 TALK TO ME
    d. Danny Philippou, Michael Philippou
    Sophie Wilde, Alexandra Jensen, Joe Bird, Otis Dhanji,
      Miranda Otto, Zoe Terakes, Chris Alosio,
      Marcus Johnson, Alexandria Steffensen

  8 STAND UP STORY
  Can : Suet Siu Ji Yun
  Lit : Person who Tells Jokes
    d. Au Cheuk Man
    Ng Siu Hin, Ben Yuen Fu Wa,
      Ng Wing Sze, Franco Yuen Siu Fai, Chan Lai Wun,
      Joman Chiang, Locker Lam Ka Hei
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 104 mins.
  Opening September 14 2023
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/eLID--7Kw8w.

[ CINEMA CITY ]
    From a young age, Mancer had always known that his father Wah is different from other adults; he speaks illogically, he has slow comprehension and he's quite easily deceived. After growing up, Mancer finally understood that Wah is intellectually disabled. After his mother ran away from home, Mancer was forced to become his father's primary caregiver.

    By chance, Mancer joins a stand-up comedy competition for the prize money and becomes instantly hooked. He's addicted to the joy he feels from making people laugh. However, after the competition, Mancer couldn't make people laugh again. While searching for inspiration, Mancer realizes that his best jokes seem to come from his hardships -- the ridicule he received at school, his difficulties at work, his struggles in caring for his father, and even the worldwide pandemic. Perhaps misery can also be the best source of comedy after all.

[ SCREEN DAILY ]
    The film tells the story of a man who gets involved in stand-up comedy, as an emotional outlet after becoming the primary caregiver to his intellectually disabled father

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

  6 IT REMAINS
  Can : Yeung Won
  Lit : Brewing Spirit
    d. Charlie Wong Wing Fung
    Anson Lo Hon Ting, Summer Chan Chi Huen,
      Tommy Chu Pak Hong, Ng Siu Hin,
      Tree Kwok Chui Yi, John Chiang Dai Wai,
      Angela Yuen Lai Lam, Lam Yiu Sing
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 100 mins.
  Opening August 24 2023

[ HONG KONG MOVIE 6 ]
    A group of friends, Finn, Luke, Liam and Cora, heads to a little-known island for a getaway camping trip.

    Upon arrival, the friends are startled to find the island devoid of residents aside from a father and his daughter. When strange paranormal encounters begin to occur, it becomes evident that a supernatural force is at work...

    With the group trapped on this mysterious island shrouded in darkness, will they be able to escape alive?

  5 THE NUN II
    d. Michael Chaves
    Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Storm Reid

  4 NO MORE BETS
    d. Shen Ao
    Zhang Yixing, Gina Gin, Yong Mei, Eric Wang, Darren Wang,
      Zhou Ye, Sun Sun
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 130 mins.
  Opening September 21 2023
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/KZ5AWvv0qTk

[ HONG KONG MOVIE 6 ]
    The film is based on tens of thousands of real fraud cases, and the horrifying inside story of the entire industry chain of overseas cyber fraud. Programmer Pan Sheng and model Anna were attracted by an overseas recruitment ad and went abroad to seek wealth, but they were scammed and ended up working in a factory. In order to leave, the two are going to attack the gambler Ah Tian and his girlfriend Xiao Yu, take their money, and complete their business... Can Pan Sheng and Anna escape from the cruel leaders of the fraud group, Manager Lu and Ah Cai? Facing cross-border investigations and pursuit of the police, where can they escape to?.

  3 EXPENDABLES 4
    d. Scott Waugh
    Jason Statham, Sylvester Stallone, 50 Cent, Megan Fox,
      Dolph Lundgren, Tony Jaa, Iko Uwais, Randy Couture, Andy Garcia

  2 BACK HOME
 Can : Chut Yuet Fan Gwai
 Lit : July Return
    d. Nate Ki (Tse Ka Kei)
    Anson Kong Ip-sang, Bai Ling, Tai Po, Helen Tam Yuk Ying
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 102 mins.
  Opening August 11 2022 (POSTPONED)
  Opening July 25 2023 at the New York Asian Film Festival
  Opening September 14 2023
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/i7xDrL55KdM

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    Heung Wing has been sensitive to paranormal activity and keeps seeing ghosts since he was a kid, which is called having "Yin Yang" eyes. To avoid being bothered by the ghosts, he pretends to be ignorant even though he knew their existence. When he gets older, he escapes from Hong Kong to Canada because of his miserable childhood.

    One day, Heung Wing has been told that his mother is in coma by committing suicide, which forces him to return back to Hong Kong. When he goes back to the old home, everything looks strange and unfamiliar to him. What's more horrifying is, a series of suicide cases happen in his neighbourhood, and ghosts start to appear in front of him again. The situation is deteriorating beyond his imagination...

[ NEW YORK ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL 2023 ]
    A young man who can see ghosts must return to his childhood home where he soon finds himself caught in a waking nightmare between the lands of the living and the dead.

  1 A HAUNTING IN VENICE
    d. Kenneth Branagh
    Kenneth Brangh, Michelle Yeoh (Yeung Chi King), Jamie Dornan,
      Tina Fey, Kelly Reilly

[2023.09.27] FOR THE WEEK STARTING SATURDAY,SEPTEMBER 23 2023

For the week starting Saturday, September 23 2023 (Week 38)

VIUTV CHILL CLUB CHART

  5 TIMELY
  Can : Mei Si
  Alfred Hui Ting Hung

https://youtu.be/idY_vKPJLu4

  4 AFTER EMBRACE SONG
  Can : Yung Po Hau Dik Gor
  Ian Chan Cheuk Yin

https://youtu.be/XC6TFSoHV_w

  3 OUR STORY IS NOT OVER...TO BE CONTINUED
  Can : Ngor Moon Dik Goo Si Mei Yuen...Toi Jook
  per se

https://youtu.be/UaMqVH3cNhY

  2 YES, I KNOW I KNOW
  Can : Sau Doh Sau Dohm
  Jay Fung Won Him

https://youtu.be/2LBdRVZZPiA

  1 MR. E LOVER'S LICENSE
  Can: Mr. E Oi Yun Jup Jiu
  Edan Lui Cheuk On

https://youtu.be/GG7n0NY9jic

[2023.09.27] GORDON LAM BATTLES DA PENG FOR THE BOX OFFICE

Gordon Lam's movie with mainland actors would open in October
courtesy of on.cc

Hong Kong Best Actor Gordon Lam Ka Tung and mainland actors Da Peng, Zhang Songwen, Qi Xi and Sun Yang starred film DUST TO DUST (DAI BAK GOR YIM YI YUN) earlier was a big mainland box office hit with over 400 million RMB. Now it has been scheduled for an October 26th Hong Kong release. The film was based on the biggest armed robbery case in the nation's history. The focus would be on two Best Actors Lam Ka Tung and Da Peng in a battle of good and evil in the film. Da Peng this time set aside from comedic image and held the audience captive with dark and reserve acting in his portrayal as a scheming businessman. Lam Ka Tung's character would spend over 20 years to capture him.

[2023.09.27] KAY TSE'S ON SCREEN MOTHER AND SON RELATIONSHIP TOUCHES HER SOUL

Kay Tse praises Rondi Chan as a world class musical genius
courtesy of on.cc

The Kay Tse On Kay and Teddy Robin Kwan starred family film BAND FOUR (4 PAK 4 GA JOOK) would open on October 19th. Kay admitted that she really liked the family message in the film and believed that the audience would relate to it. In the film her son gave up his education to play drums. A mother of two in real life, Kay understood the mother's inner struggle very well. "When a parent faces someone with such a musical talent who does poorly at school, how would she choose? How would she raise him? Subjects like these are very touchy for me, what is considered a good parent. Do you take the road that everyone takes, or do you take aim at what your child is good at?"

[2023.09.27] NG SIU HIN SINGS FOR HIS IDOL AT AN AUDIENCE APPRECIATION EVENT

Ng Siu Hin (left) gives George Lam a movie pass
courtesy of on.cc

Ng Siu Hin and Ben Yuen Fu Wa starred in the film STAND UP STORY (SUET SIU JI YUN) recently headed toward HK$ 1.4 million at the box office. Director Au Cheuk Man, the actors and the theme song performer Chan Chung Chak have been attending audience appreciation events nonstop. Hin Jai after returning from accepting an award in Chicago with the film has attended over 20 audience appreciation shows in two days. He said, "At first the audience appreciation only had 5 or 6 people, to recently the 80% admission rate I felt very happy about. I know it relies on everyone to spread the word of mouth, indeed I hope the cast and the crew's effort and Yuen Fu Wa's performance could be seen by everyone." In addition, Hin Jai during the audience appreciation period ran into George Lam Chi Chung. He said that he was a fan of Ah Lam. Aside from presenting him a movie pass, he also offered to perform MIRAGE in front of him. However he sang while he left because he was shy.

[2023.09.26] HONG KONG SELECTS A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT FOR THE OSCARS INTERNATIONAL FILM NOMINATION RACE

courtesy of mingpao.com

The Sylvia Chang, Simon Yam Tat Wa, Cecilia Choi Sze Wan and Henick Chou Hon Ning starred, Saville Chan Sum Yiu produced, Anastasia Tsang Hin Ning's directing debut A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT (LAN FOR LAN SHAN) yesterday announced that it would represent Hong Kong in the competition for the Oscar Best International Film nomination. Lead actress Sylvia Chang hoped that this would bring the neon lights back again; Chou Hon Ning was excited and happy to see Hong Kong's beautiful scene making the leap to the international stage; director Tsang Hin Ning was surprised that her directing debut would represent Hong Kong; produce Chan Sum Yiu called for Hong Kong people to continue to support Hong Kong films.

A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT has been invited to participate in international film festivals in Tokyo, Rotterdam, Milan, Udine, Stockholm, Miskolc, Warsaw, New York, Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei and other cities; it even received nominations at the 16th Asian Film award for Best Actress, Malaysia International Film Festival Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematographer and other international awards. This time it received the Federation of Motion Film Producers of Hong Kong board of directors' recommendation in accordance of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' film selection standards for Best International Film to represent Hong Kong at the 96th Oscars Best International Film competition. The Oscars Best International Film Hong Kong selection council made the selection from all Hong Kong films released between November 2022 to October 2023. A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT with the majority of votes was nominated to represent Hong Kong in the 96th Oscars Best International Film competition. The team was very surprised upon receiving the news and had difficulty with hiding their excitement. Director Tsang Hin Ning said about the film representing Hong Kong at the Oscars. "I feel a little surprised to hear the news. Ultimately this year had many excellent Hong Kong films. To be able to represent Hong Kong is my honor. I hope even more Hong Kong films would be seen by international viewers." In his first film, Chou Hon Ning was proud to be a part of it. "When I found out A LIGHT NEVER GOES OUT would compete for the Oscars Best International Film nomination, I was very excited! I am very honored to be able through the performance, through the video documentation, to display the beauty of Hong Kong on the international stage." Hong Kong culture enthusiast Sylvia Chang said, "Let Hong Kong neon lights return!" Producer Chan Sum Yiu said, "I represent the film team in thanking everyone for their love! For Hong Kong film to go to the world, Hong Kong audience is its strongest backing. Please continue your support."

Currently in England, Brother Wa after getting the good news thanked everyone for the encouragement and congratulated the director, the producers, cinematographers and all of the staff for being able to represent Hong Kong at the Oscars. He hoped through the movie even more people would care about friends, events and things around them in Hong Kong, through the film's humanity, interpersonal stories show Hong Kong's unique nostalgia to the entire world and introduce the taste of Hong Kong film. He also welcomes friends around the world to come to make movies at the unique location of Hong Kong.

He also said, "Although the lights have gone out, the spirit of the people remains. I hope the Travel Development Council or the Art Development Council would hold more exhibits about film, photography or water ink art with Chinese color elements, and through them to promote Hong Kong to the entire world so even more people would be able to see the color of the Hong Kong culture. At the same time I hope the Hong Kong film professionals would make even more good movies for everyone to enjoy."

[2023.09.26] DENISE HO FEELS LIKE A ROOKIE AGAIN WITH NEW SONG

Denise Ho after 7 years releases a new song.  Promoting on the radio, she appears to be excited and describes her feeling like an elementary school student on a field trip
courtesy of mingpao.com

Denise Ho Wan Si yesterday released her new song WILLIAM and promoted it on Commercial Radio, for which she got up early for. She joked that like an elementary school student going on a field trip, she felt like she was a rookie all over again. Ah Si admitted that she felt stressed about releasing a new song. She was a singer, but in recent years she has set this identity aside. She kept looking for ways to return to it, while a lot happened in the general climate; she felt that the previous format was no longer viable, in addition during the pandemic she felt lost for awhile. She needed to explore and muster up the courage to write songs again. She said, "The last time I released a song was already in 2016 with the promoted DEAR COLOR BLACK, even the method at that moment isn't right for the me now."

Ah Si revealed that the journey of becoming a singer again has been tough and long. During the pandemic in 2020, she had no motivation to write songs. Life has come to a stop until she took an online course to learn to write songs, from which she fell in love with writing songs again.

Speaking of the inspiration of creating WILLIAM, Ah Si said, "Where did WILLIAM come from? It's somewhat wonderful, I don't want to explain too clearly. The most wonderful part I would give everyone space to experience. Th whole thing is very personal, a very long experience. I can say it's my most naked (the song). The subject and the experience, I hope everyone won't need me to tell everyone."

Ah Si invited good friend Anthony Wong Yiu Ming for their first collaboration. She remembered extending the invitation to him over two years ago. He said, "Let's not." They did not officially begin until after awhile. Wong Yiu Ming, Lee Shui Han and she produced WILLIAM. Ah Si said, "I am working on 3 songs, Ming Jai is the mastermind. I guess I would work with new comers I haven't worked with before, I can say who yet."