The Dayo Wong Tze Wa written, directed and starred film
THE GRAND GRANDMASTER (MUK DOI JUNG SI) was seen as the favorite for
this Lunar New Year because how fond the Hong Kong audience is of Tze
Wa God. His 2018 film AGENT MR. CHAN (DUNG DUK DUT GUNG) even made over
HK$ 40 million. However, after half a year of social movement, a boycott
on "red Lunar New Year films" including THE RESCUE, ALL'S WELL ENDS WEL
2020 and ENTER THE FAT DRAGON began online; Wong Tze Wa's THE GRAND
GRANDMASTER was also accused of being a Mainland shot co-production
film and considered for the boycott. Yesterday Wong Tze Wa on facebook
made rare clarification in person, emotionally saying that THE GRAND
GRANDMASTER was not a co-production film. It was Hong Kong movie that
he sold a home and took zero salary to make.
Wong Tze Wah's video was almost 6 minutes long. Reportedly when
he made THE GRAND GRANDMASTER he had a salary of several million,
exploited workers and thus some of the scenes had to be shot in the
Mainland. Tze Wah felt that this film exploited everyone, including the
cast and the crew. Everyone took a pounding on the chest from him as he
asked for cheaper rates because he did not have enough money. As the
writer, director and actor he did not take a single cent. He even sold
a home in order to make this movie.
He did not choose the co-production method because his mentality
was a Hong Kong movie made for Hong Kong people. He wanted to shoot
freely and not require any inspection, a shoot that would be loyal to
his ideas. Tze Wa stressed, "This is a movie that Hong Kong people
invested in and Hong Kong people sold homes only to make for Hong Kong
people to watch. This is not a co-production film."
Tze Wa's box office confidence for THE GRAND GRANDMASTER was
that less losses would be a victory. He never thought about after
selling a home to make a movie, the movie might make him another home.
For this film's production budget, breaking even would be impossible
unless a miracle would happen.
He admitted, "I am afraid that after selling a home to make the
movie, the movie would only make back a room, a bathroom, or even just a
tap. Everything is only about being loyal to myself." He also explained
how he had to shoot in Shenzhen, which also was a money problem. The
money from the home sale was only enough for him to shoot 15 days in
Hong Kong, but GRAND required 50 days to be completed. He only was able
to take that step.
Tze Wa said that untrue rumors had to be clarified. He said,
"This film was only a mad man selling his home. The entire industry
felt that I was a mad man for selling a home to make a movie. With the
current environment the chance of not being able to break even is 99%.
I just want to show some real situation to everyone, whether you watch
or not it is not too important. Thank you everyone."
Francis Ng Chun Yu, Myolie Wu Hung Yi, Eddie Cheung Siu
Fai, Thai Best Actor Pavarit Mongkolpisit (Bank) and others two days ago
went to Shenzhen for the launch ceremony for the Danny Pang Fat directed
new film NEW WORLD (SAI GEI FUNG BO). Chun Yu and Cheung Siu
Fai started with the same training class, but whether on television or
film they rarely had any chance to work together. Thus Cheung Siu Fai
hoped that the director would write a few scenes with Chun Yu for him.
Winning Best Supporting Actor with the film GUILT BY DESIGN (CHUI
MIN CHOR KUET) at the 11th Macau International Movie Festival, Cheung Siu
Fai recently could not be busier. He had to promote the current run of
his hit series OF GREED AND ANTS, two days ago he also went to Shenzhen
for the film SAI GEI FUNG BO's launch ceremony. Brother Fai this time
worked with director Pang Fat for the third time. In order to bring
the audience something fresh, his character would not only a big
breakthrough but Brother Fai also had to accept the huge challenge of
getting swole!
Very righteous in real life, Brother Fai would always be invited
to play super nice guys. Yet this time in the new film he finally was
able to leave his existing frame. Brother Fai revealed, "The director
says that I am too nice, so he wants me to play this character. This
time would be a completely reversal of my past character. I believe it
will be refreshing; (The director has a mission for you?) The director
says that I would have a swimming scene. Because the pool will be
great, he wants me to train a six pack abs to coordinate. As a
professional actor, when the director feels you needs to be rail thin I
have to be thin. When you need to have six pack you give a six pack.
This year I haven't had the time to work out. Lately at most I have
seen is four pack. I really look forward to seeing a six pack again,
only the scheduling is somewhat tight. The production will start after
the Lunar New Year, I am afraid that it won't be enough time."
Started at the same training class, Brother Fai and Chun Yu
would work together this time. However actually whether on television
or film they rarely had any opportunity to work together. Chun Yu said
that he and Brother Fai had quite a history with Macau, because two of
their collaborations took place in Macau. Brother Fai said, "My role is
mainly with Chung Hon Leung and Hung Yi. The script is still changing,
I hope the director will write a few more scenes with Chun Yu."
After her vacation Wu Hung Yi looked refreshed. Director Pang
Fat said when he saw Hung Yi, "When I learned that you agreed to take
this role, I immediately added many action scenes for you!" Hung Yi
responded, "I should thank you for the invitation instead!"
Speaking of working on Pang Fat's new film, Hung Yi said,
"Working with the director for the first time, I really look forward to
how he would direct me; and I want to congratulate Cheung Siu Fai for
winning Best Supporting Actor earlier at the Macau Movie Festival. In
the film I was embedded near Brother Fai with a goal, I would traverse
between him and Chung Hon Leung."
Recently Wuhan's new virus led to its first death. Hung Yi who
constantly had to work in the Mainland also elevated her precaution.
"I would carry hand sanitizer with me, when I get home I would change
and wash my hands before holding my sons! Ultimately they are still
little, I myself have to be more careful!"
The Kenji Tangiaki directed, Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Teresa
Mo Shun Kwan, Niki Chow Lai Kei, Wong Jing starred action comedy ENTER
THE FAT DRAGON (FEI LUNG GOR GONG) will open for the Lunar New Year.
This film's bright spot will not only be on Lord Tan's rotund "Fat
Dragon" look but also Japanese locations that many people would be
familiar with. In the film's latest series of stills, the Kabukicho
set was extremely realistic and showed how serious the production was.
The film would bring the audience to many Japanese landmarks,
including Tokyo's most famous former wholesale seafood market Tsukiji
fish market, Shinjuku district's Kabukicho, and the Tokyo Tower.
Brother Jing said, "We have considered going to Europe and the locations
would also be very pretty, but to the Hong Kong audience they may not be
as familiar. So in the end we decided on Japan as the backdrop, I
believe the audience would be able to relate more."
The production team's 2017 CHASING THE DRAGON Kowloon Walled
City set received a lot of love from viewers. Thus the ENTER THE FAT
DRAGON team also constructed one of the few large scale red light
districts in Japan -- Kabukicho. Lord tan revealed that the team not
only personally went to shoot on location in Japan but also built a
Kabukicho set in the studio. "Most of the Kabukicho stunts were shot
on the set, so when I fought I wouldn't be afraid of breaking anything.
It was a lot of fun." Lord Tan even said that because the production
team put a lot of effort into the construction the set was very
realistic. Sometimes he would not be able to tell whether the shoot was
on the streets of Japan or on the set.
Jessica Hester Hsuan jokingly calls her then hairstyle Monkey Head
A RECIPE FOR THE HEART re-runs receive raves
courtesy of singtao.com
Louis Koo Tin Lok and Jessica Hester Hsuan (Suen Huen)
yesterday attended a skin care product event. Recently TVB has been
re-running their 1997 series A RECIPE FOR THE HEART (MEI MEI TIN WONG).
Goo Jai insisted that he would not watch his past work again and told
everyone to turn off their television on time, because he would look
ahead.
Goo Jai and Suen Huen demonstrated a massage equipment, but Goo
Jai stumbled and gave the female model a massage in the opposite
direction and gave a completely incorrect demonstration. The female
model only gave Goo Jai a score of 90 because she thought tha Goo Jai
was using too much strength.
Goo Jai and Suen Huen recently have been working on the film G
STORM. Goo Jai revealed that the production will wrap up in a few days,
then he would start another new film. He planned to have a week or so
off for the Lunar New Year. He has prepared to stay in Hong Kong
because every year he would pay New Year visits with his parents,
usually he would only get to see his relatives once a year. This was a
decent tradition for him.
Suen Huen said that she would be done in a few days. She
probably would remain in Hong Kong for the Lunar New Year because the
time off would not be enough for a long trip. If she went abroad many
Hong Kong people would be there as well. Instead she wanted to quietly
spend the holiday in Hong Kong.
Since signing with Koo Tin Lok's company, they have already
worked together on three films. She said that she would not be tired of
him and they both said that they would always have chemistry.
Goo Jai said, "We have known each other for over 20 years. We
know each other very well and communication between us would be very
easy." Suen Huen agreed. "He tells it like it is, just like me. I am
very direct as well." Goo Jai said that they have never argued when
they have worked together. In addition the most important part of being
an actor was giving a good performance. They would rarely argue. At
most they would talk about different directions.
TVB recently has been airing their 1997 series A RECIPE FOR THE
HEART again. Goo Jai slammed on the brakes and said that he would not
watch his past work. He jokingly told everyone to remember to turn off
their television on time at midnight. Because he would never watch his
performance, he did not feel anything special. He explained, "During the
production of this series I already saw it many times. It's not that I
would feel awkward from seeing the past me, but I never had the habit to.
I would only look ahead. However my parents would save my past work and
help me with newspaper clippings for posterity."
Suen Huen said that if she would be at home she definitely would
watch it again. It had many memories. She joked that her monkey head
back then would be even funnier.
With the film market depression, would Goo Jai make more movies
for more work for colleagues? He said, "This isn't the decision for me
alone. It would depend on the entire industry. Now the entire
economic climate has been affected. I hope everyone would put in an
effort."
His artist Raymond Lam Fung just announced his marriage. Goo Jai
said that he would give him a present but has not thought of what to
give. Suen Huen said that it would depend of his needs, usually she
would give a gift that would be more practical."
10 RICHARD JEWELL
d. Clint Eastwood
Sam Rockwell, Kathy Bates, Jon Hamm, Olivia Wilde, Paul Walter Hauser
9 KNIVES OUT
d. Rian Johnson
Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis,
Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield,
Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Christopher Plummer
8 CATS
d. Tom Hooper
James Cordon, Judi Dench, Jason DeRulo, Idris Elba, Jennifer Hudson,
Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift, Rebel Wilson, Francesca Hayward
7 DETENTION
Can : Fan Hau
Lit : Back to School
d. John Hsu
Gingle Wang, Fu Meng-Po, Tseng Ching-Hua, Cecilia Cho,
Hsia Ching-Ting, Jessie Chang Pen-yu
Rating : IIB
Length : 103 mins.
Opening December 5 2019
Trailer : https://youtu.be/BFRADvXDgys
[ CINEMA ONLINE MALAYSIA ]
Fang Ray Shin is a high school student who lives in Taiwan in 1962, during the White Terror martial law period. Troubles at school and home cause her to feel like only her counselling teacher, Zhang, understands her and she falls in love with him. She is also part of his secret study group, which includes Miss Yin and an 11th grade male student Wei Chong Tin, and reading the banned books let them feel liberated despite the danger they're putting themselves in. When one day Zhang suddenly disappears and Fang and Wei find themselves trapped in their school at midnight, they must now search for their missing teacher even as their school begins to turn into a realm where ghosts and spirits rampage.
6 A SHAUN THE SHEEP MOVIE FARMAGEDDON
d. Will Becher, Richard Phelan
English Animation
5 FROZEN 2
d. Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Disney Animation
English Voices: Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Idina Menzel
Cantonese: Kandy Wong Shan Yee, Jim Yan Chi Hong
4 JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL
d. Jake Kasdan
Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan,
Nick Jonas, Awkwafina
3 STAR WARS THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
d. J.J. Abrams
Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega,
Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson,
Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong'o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo,
Kelly Marie Tran, Ian McDiarmid, Billy Dee Williams
2 IP MAN 4 THE FINALE
AKA : IP MAN 4
d. Wilson Yip Wai Shun
Donnie Yen Chi Tan, Wu Yue, Vanness Wu (Ng Kin Ho), Scott Adkins,
Kent Cheng Juk Si, Danny Chan Kwok Kwan, Pierre Ngo Ka Nin,
Chris Collins, Vanda Margraf (Lee Yuen Tan),
Rating : IIB
Length : 105 mins.
Opening December 20 2019
Trailer : https://youtu.be/YrtreI7lkys
[ THE FILM CATALOGUE ]
Ip Man has been living a peaceful life teaching Wing Chun. One of Ip’s students, Bruce Lee decides to open a Wing Chun school in the States. The local Kung Fu masters are not happy about it. Ip goes to the States and helps Lee to resolve the problems. Meanwhile, Ip also teaches Lee how to become a real Wing Chun master. Ip gains respect from China town and all across the States. He spreads the theory of Chinese Kung Fu to society and makes it popular in the world...
1 ASHFALL
Can : Bak Tau Shan: Shan For Ho Gip
d. Lee Hae-Jun, Kim Byung-Seo
Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-Woo, Ma Dong-Seok, Jeon Hye-Jin, Bae Suzy
Rating : IIA
Length : 128 mins.
Opening January 1 2020
Trailer : https://youtu.be/nVOCzfVPwoU
[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
An unexpected eruption of Korea's tallest volcano, which straddles the China-North Korea border, leaves the Korean peninsula in shambles. Seismologists warn this is only the preliminary eruption – A devastating super-eruption is still to come. Yoo-kyung is Chief Secretary to the President of South Korea. She meets renowned Korean-American seismologist, Bong-rae. Bong-rae presents a theory that could possibly stop the volcanic explosion. In-chang is only days away from completing his service with the Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit of the South Korean Army. He is called way to his last mission before returning home to his wife, Ji-young. In-chang's team secretly reaches out to a North Korean elite officer, Jun-pyong, who holds the key to the mission to stop the volcanic eruption. However, Jun-pyong keeps acting erratically. With doom looming, everyone must work together to avoid imminent devastation.
Posts
