[2014.01.29] FROM VEGAS TO MACAU SPENDS 15 MILLION ON A MANSION SET

Annie Wu plays Fat Gor's assistant

Nicholas Tse as a guest in the mansion sets off a variety of traps

Kimmy Tong has action scenes galore
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"God of Gamblers" Chow Yun Fat extends the classic as he works with Nicholas Tse Ting Fung, Chapman To Man Jat, Hui Siu Hung, Jing Tian, Gao Hu, Kimmy Tong Fei and others on FROM VEGAS TO MACAU (DOH SING FUNG WON), his return to Hong Kong film after many years away. Fat Gor played the "invincible hand" Shek Yat Kin, who with his otaku disciple Show Hand (Tse Ting Fung) battles against the mob. Fat Gor jokes that for his handsomest side he has to lose 30 pounds, just so he would not lose to Ting Fung.

FROM spent a lot of money on set constructions and costumes. Shek Yat Kin's luxurious mansion with traps and such was built inside the Clarence Film Studio and cost over HK$15 million, enough to buy a mansion in Hong Kong. Director Wong Jing was very confident about the film's ability to bring back everyone's collective memory of GOD OF GAMBLERS (DOH SUN). He even added in special effects so viewers would have more fun.

[2014.01.29] DONNIE YEN RELIES ON CHILDLIKE INNOCENCE TO BATTLE BULL DEMON KING

Aaron Kwok turns into a giant Bull Demon King to fight against Chi Tan

Aaron Kwok, Donnie Yen

Donnie Yen returns the Monkey King to his childlike innocence

Joe Chen
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"The Strongest in the Universe" Donnie Yen Chi Tan in THE MONKEY KING played Sun Wukong. He and Bull Demon King Aaron Kwok Fu Sing went from being as close as brothers to enemies. They both performed emotional scenes and a fight scene. With a dance background, Sing Sing looked convincing in his fight against Chi Tan. Later Sing Sing even transformed into a giant Bull Demon King to put Sun Wukong at a disadvantage. They fought until the Heavenly Palace was in ruins.

Chow Yun Fat as the Jade Emperor also amazed many with his agility. In his opening his first fought with Sing Sing, then turned into a flying dragon to stop Chi Tan and Sing Sing. Chi Tan and Jia Zitong's Nine Tailed Fox, as well as Sing Sing and Joe Chen Chiao-En's Princess Iron Fan, had touchingly romantic scenes.

In addition, Chi Tan, Sing Sing and Chen Chiao-En yesterday promoted in Taipei, Chi Tan admitted that THE MONKEY KING was the film that he had the most pressure with. Yet he said, "Breakthrough performance is my motivation!" To bring Sun Wukong to life, Chi Tan said that his greatest inspiration came from his son. "He let me find my own Sun Wukong style, and even returns Sun Wukong to his childlike innocence." He said that when he brought his son to watch the premiere, his son was mesmerized. "When he saw the Nine Tailed Fox scene he screamed 'NO!'" Chi Tan also said that he cherished the chance to work with Sing Sing and Chow Yun Fat very much.

Crowned the "Handsomest Bull Demon King in History", Sing Sing yesterday called himself "Bull K". He said that in the film he never yielded, but in real life he could afford to lose. "Life has wins and losses, now I can completely let go of my baggage." Chen Chiao-En praised Sing Sing. "His eyes can kill, they feel like they have many deep layers."

[2014.01.29] EDDIE PENG ISSUES STATEMENT TO CLEAR HIS NAME

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Eddie Peng Yu-Yen allegedly demanded a private jet for his production, scared off director Derek Yee Tung Sing as his new film DEATH DUEL (SAM SIU YEH DIK GIM) finally cast someone else. Eddie issued a statement through his management company that they have worked together pleasantly for years. DEATH was only in a negotiation stage, nothing has been confirmed yet. Director Yee also quickly clarified online and asked everyone to spare "this kid" (referring to Eddie), obviously their relationship was decent. Both Dante Lam Chiu Yin and Roy Chow Hin Yeung who have worked with Eddie agreed that they trust Eddie.

[2014.01.29] DONNIE YEN PLAYS WITH FIRE

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Donnie Yen Chi Tan in the Lunar New Year film THE MONKEY KING (SAI YAU GEI ji DAI LAU TIN GUNG) played Sun Wukong and defeated Stephen Chow Sing Chi to be crowned "the best Sun Wukong on the Great Chinese Silver Screen". Chi Tan finally was able to wash away his Ip Man image. During the Lunar New Year he still remembered to do charity work, donating his own design brand for charity sales.

This year Hong Kong films finally showed signs of life with 4 Lunar New Year films, THE MONKEY KING, GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS (GUM GAI SSS), HELLO BABIES (LUK FUK HEI SI) and FROM VEGAS TO MACAU (DOH SING FUNG WON). Among them the 600 million investment THE MONKEY KING garnered the most attention, with a strong cast that included Yen Chi Tan, Chow Yun Fat and Aaron Kwok Fu Sing. Its production and post production all took over two years. As GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS and HELLO BABIES were still playing with Ip Man, Yen Chi Tan this time has already successfully become the new generation Sun Wukong.

Chi Tan described working on THE MONKEY KING as "returning to the Tiger Hill", before the shoot he was already mentally prepared for it to be difficult because too many have played the Sun Wukong character. Before the shoot he deliberately watched all related work. Aside from Chow Sing Chi, he watched the Mainland Sun Wukong (Liu Xiao Ling Tong) the most to analyze everyone's performance methods. In order to make the characters more convincing, Chi Tan also watched many monkey, gorilla and orangutan documentaries. He even went to the zoo to observe every move of monkeys made. One day while considering the character at home, his son jumped around in front of him. Chi Tan was suddenly inspired. Actually Sun Wukong was only kind, mischievous and innocent child, as long as he performed in this direction he was fine.

THE MONKEY KING in the Mainland received many film critic praises, Chi Tan even defeated Chow Sing Chi and Liu Xiao Ling Tong for the title of the "Best Sun Wukong on the Great Chinese Silver Screen". They even praised his acting as improved from IP MAN. Chi Tan humbly said, "I don't dare to say who won! Especially Liu Xiao Ling Tong is an elder, I should learn from him. Chow Sing Chi turned the character inside out when he put the focus on love, no comparison could be made. My Sun Wukong returned to a child, with infinite power to change the world. Actually this time feels like 'playing with fire', before hand few were optimistic. First IP MAN was too memorable and secondly I have played too many heroic figures. Many before watching the film would say, 'How can Yen Chi Tan play Sun Wukong?' After watching they would be surprised that I broke through with previous performance methods. As long as no one yells at me, I feel like I pass!"

Finally with a a character that can surpass Ip Man, Chi Tan felt conflicted. He said, "When I hear everyone say that after watching me as Sun Wukong they can forget me as Ip Man, I don't know if it's good or bad. With an image that took so much hard work to establish, I am very afraid that viewers would forget it. Yet this time indeed is a new breakthrough, I am very confident too!" Chi Tan revealed that when his children saw his Sun Wukong costume they were frighten and could not recognize him. When they realized it was Papa, they were very excited. THE MONKEY KING would be the first movie that Chi Tan would take his children to, as his past work has been less than suitable for children. This time the movie was suitable for the entire family, from age 3 to 80. Speaking of 4 Lunar New Year Hong Kong films, Chi Tan said that this year the thriving Hong Kong film industry past has returned. He hoped that all 4 would be hits and everyone would be happy!

When Chi Tan posed for Lunar New Year photos, he wrote the words "Happy New Yeare from Magic Monkey". He will spend the Lunar New Year on vacation with his family. This year he will focus on film work as well, with CROUCHING TIGER HIDDEN DRAGON 2 (NGOR FU CHONG LUNG 2) and KOWLOON WALLED CITY (GAU LUNG SING JAI). His releases will include KUNG FU KILLER (YUT GOR YUNG DIK MO LUM) and ICEMAN 3D (BING FUNG HUP). The long anticipated IP MAN 3 will likely have to wait until next year.

In addition, Chi Tan was also active in charity work. His personally designed "DY Fanatic Gear" charity brand has been officially unveiled, with products like tee shirts, hats, mobile phone cases and sunglasses. The proceeds will be donated to the Heep Hong Society.

[2014.01.29] SANDRA NG WANTS TO INTRODUCE GUYS TO CAROL CHENG

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Sandra Ng (second right) and Matthew Chow (back) promote GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS
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Sandra Ng Kwan Yu yesterday promoted GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS (GUM GAI SSS) on Commercial Radio. She said that after the program ended, host Carol Cheng Yui Ling asked her why did she still work hard on films. She said, "Actually it's not hard work, everyone's interest is different. Do Do enjoys life and traveling. I asked her traveling requires companions, but she didn't reveal anything. I hope she would find a hot property." She joked that she had to see what kind of guys Do Do liked to be able to introduce some to her.

Kwan Yu revealed that originally she had a character for Do Do to guest star in, but Do Do said that her life has already entered another stage. She did not like to work nights and turned it down.

[2014.01.28] CHAPMAN TO WANTS TO TRY NEW THINGS IN THE YEAR OF THE HORSE

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Chapman To Man Jat and his wife Krystal Tin Yui Nei last year was busy with film and television work. Finally they won Best Actor and TVB Best Actress respectively. As for Year of the Horse wishes Ah Jat joked that he only wanted a comfortable Lunar New Year to find money and interest, to be able to do what he liked.

As for the New Year, Ah Jat admitted that the most important was for everyone to be happy. He said, "I wish Hong Kong people would be happy. Because in recent years the social atmosphere hasn't been great, I hope that we would be happier." As for career, he said that in recent years he has been busy with film work. Thus in the Year of the Horse he would try other jobs, like a guest on a travel program. "Earlier I confirmed that I would produce 5 authentic pure Hong Kong films. In March I will work on the Ah Sa (Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin) starred 29+1, which will shoot in Thailand. I will follow the production. In addition in April I will go with (Nicholas) Tse Ting Fung to Europe for a food and travel program. We will cook together. Actually someone asked me about a food program before because I liked to cook. Honestly, making movies everyday can get dull too, I want to do other things to stimulate my mind." He joked that he would make less money to do more nonsensical things. He wished for the Year of the Horse to be a comfortable year to find money and interest, to be able to do what he wanted to do. He said, "Recently I also thought of a comedy play, last year I already performed a talk show. I feel talking by myself for 3 days on the stage is very hard."

[2014.01.28] SANDRA NG BOUNCES AROUND ON THE BEACH

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Sandra Ng

Ivana Wong

Jinny Ng, Monna Lam, Michelle Wai, Sandra Ng, Ivana Wong, Rainky Wai
courtesy of mingpao.com

The Lunar New Year film GOLDEN CHICKEN SSS (GUM GAI SSS) began its advanced screenings last Friday and had an enthusiastic audience response; the film had many hilarious scenes. The "Hainan Rendezvous" scene left viewers in awe. Sandra Ng Kwan Yu's 38G bust was not the only focus as the "little chickens" that she led also gave tasty performance. Kwan Yu again praised Ivana Wong Yuen Chi's all out performance, liberating herself for co-star Tong Chun Yip to put his hand on her chest without any hesitation. Kwan Yu thus loved Wong Yuen Chi to death!

This "Hainan Rendezvous" scene was shot on beach under 10 degree Celsius temperature, with Kwan Yu leading a group of "little chickens" Wong Yuen Chi, Michelle Wai Si Nga, Jinny Ng Yeuk Hei, Rainky Wai Yu Sum and Monna Lam Yi Kei in Greek goddess costumes to welcome the chilly sea breeze for 5 hours in the morning. Kwan Yu ran with a pair of the most convincing 38G fake chest on the beach, bouncing in front of the camera and brought a lot of shock. Kwan Yu's friend were surprised to see it and thought that Kwan Yu's figure was actually so amazing. She said that she never thought this fake chest could actually fool people.

Aside from Kwan Yu's bust, her "little chickens" also held their own to steal the spotlight. Opening Kwan Yu's eyes was Wong Yuen Chi's all out performance. She said that Wong Yuen Chi normally gave everyone the impression of a girl next door, she never expected Wong to drop her singer image bounds as soon as she got into character. She did not mind playing the overbite girl, being made ugly or performing with exaggeration. Playing a rich kid in this scene, Tong Chun Yip put his hand on her chest. She did not hesitate and brought the character to life. After the shoot she even joked that being felt up felt very comfortable. Kwan Yu said that she loved Wong Yuen Chi to death. Other "little chickens" Wai Si Nga and Ng Yeuk He's performance was also cute and seductive. Two nights ago Kwan Yu and director Matthew Chow Hoi Kwong went to the cinema for audience appreciation, the audience response was great as they all asked for photos with Ah Kam.