Wednesday, September 3, 2025

[2025.09.04] LING MAN LUNG FEELS GUILTY ABOUT DRAGGING PHILIP KEUNG INTO HIS BAD TAKES

Philip Keung, Fish Liew and Ling Man Lung star in THE REMNANT and have a pleasant collaboration

Philip Keung and Fish Liew have many scenes with the child actor in the film
courtesy of mingpao.com

The project selected from the first season of the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers' Keep Rolling scheme, THE REMNANT (NGOK YUN DONG DOH) has been scheduled for release on September 11th. New director Mandrew Kwan Man Hin directed and wrote the film that starred Philip Keung Ho Man, Fish Liew Chi Yu, Cecilia Yip Tung, and Ling Man Lung.

Keung Ho Man played the role of "Brother Tie", a retired mob boss who ran a laundromat in the old district and lived an ordinary life. Yet when he encountered gangsters who bullied the residents of an old building, he found it difficult to simply stand by. In an interview with the media, Keung Ho Man said that actually this time he played an old neighbor who was no longer hostile, but he still had a series of fights to seek justice. In a red paint spilling scene, the shoot had a slippery floor and a lot of physicality. When he fought he had to give the impression of being less than agile due to age. In the end he had some scrapes and bruises, but he had a lot of fun from the fight. Ling Man Lung laughed and pointed out that since he performed in TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY (WONG GUM FA), he often "killed" people. This time the director also took a fancy to his kind appearance and asked him to show a rich second generation who embarked on a path of evil as he resisted his father's oppression. Although he has often played villains in recent years, he was still happy to have different roles for him to try. He thanked the directors for giving them the opportunity. Man Lung also mentioned that he was very happy to work with Keung Ho Man this time, and the two were opposing each other in good and evil. Yet when filming a scene where they cut each other, he felt guilty about dragging Keung Ho Man into bad takes many times. Man Lung pointed out that he came from a stage play background, was and usually used to stage fighting for action scenes. "Every time I got into a performance, I was used to stabbing the knife to the side instead of the middle; but on the movie set the camera would turn. Finally the trick was ruined and the scene had to be reshot. After several takes I still couldn't change my habit. Even I slapped myself and scolded, 'Bad hand!'. Because even using a fake knife was still hard and forceful, I even made Brother Hak say, 'Just stab me! I can take it!'."

Playing a single mother in the film, Liew Chi Yu only had dramatic scenes but still got hurt. She smiled bitterly and said, "In one scene Kumer (So Wai Chuen) violated her. Actually there wasn't much physicality, but after I sat straight down too hard I had to see a doctor about the tailbone. Then the team had to file a claim with the insurance company. The team was very thoughtful, as it had insurance and a stunt team to guide me; but I was too clumsy. Now I also have some side effects, I still have some problems with bending over!" She also had man smoking scenes in the film. "When we made TABLE FOR SIX (FAN HEI GUNG SUM), (Dayo) Wong Tze Wah once criticized my smoking as unconvincing. Later I learned to smoke, I realized that after learning a new skill I kept having these opportunities. However I would only smoke when the role required me to."

Speaking of working with child stars in the film, Liew Chi Yu praised her on screen son So Tin Lok for being well-behaved and professional. He was 9 years old at the time of filming, and he is now in secondary school. She remembered that when they collaborated, he often hugged her and was very "automatically familiar". While brewing emotions before filming, he would not disturb her. He would play with them at the right time, and was really well-behaved. Keung Ho Man also said that So Tin Lok was very thoughtful and sent cards to everyone after filming. He pointed out that many children actually liked to play with him and were not intimidated by his serious appearance. Keung Ho Man had many scenes with Vincent Wan Yeung Ming, Deon Cheung Chung Chi and Yip Tung and said that he was also happy to work with Yip Tung. Although she had an aura, it was not the intimidating kinds but that they could happily complete a scene together. Everyone has talked, laughed and had a few drinks after work. He laughed and pointed out that Yip Tung's character in the film was often drunk, but he did not know if she also drank for real during filming. "I am very happy. I haven't seen them in a very long time, especially Wan Yeung Ming. We didn't work together much before, but he still treats the younger generations very well; giving a lot of advice and analyzing how to perform."

Keung Ho Man admitted that he preferred to work with new directors, because they did not know what type of actor he was and would be able to give him an new ideas. "I like to be tuned by the director on the set. Ultimately it's the director's work, as long as the director says it's OK it's OK."

Liew Chi Yu has been working with Keung Ho Man since the film SISTERHOOD (GWUT MUI), and has had many opportunities to act together in the past 8 years. She felt that while he remained cool, she was no longer a young girl and had to accept that the fact that she has become a "woman". Keung Ho Man joked, "She is a woman, but I have turned into a grandpa!" She even said that she liked to work with Keung Ho Man, "Because I love to be funny, but no one pays attention to me; only Brother Hak would laugh. I think he is nice, this team has created a lot of chemical reaction. I am very happy when I do something right." She laughed at herself for being funny but the rhythm was wrong, "It made me into a joke, but I want people to laugh at the joke instead of laughing at me!"

[2025.09.03] JENNIFER YU SWITCHES LOCATION TO CHASE HER DREAM AS THE HONG KONG LUNAR NEW YEAR FILM MARKET REMAINS QUIET

Jennifer Yu has always longed to make a Lunar New Year film; now that her dream would be fulfilled in Taiwan, which is better than "waiting for luck to arrive" in Hong Kong

Jennifer Yu in the film gets married twice in one day and cannot be more awkward

Bob Lam, Oscar Leung and Joel Chan chip in to make a Lunar New Year film and invites Christine Ng to "leave the mountain" and take part
courtesy of on.cc

The Hong Kong film industry has entered an ice age. So far only two Hong Kong-produced Lunar New Year films next year have been announced. Even the leader in making Lunar New Year films last year, Koo Tin Lok's One Cool Film has not yet had any production start news. Many artists including Best Actress Jennifer Yu Heung Ying and television Best Actor Joel Chan Shan Chung have all looked for their way out with overseas Lunar New Year film markets, in hopes of surviving the crisis!

Actually last year Hong Kong film companies were not interested in investing in New Year films for the Year of the Snake, but fortunately, Louis Koo Tin Lok (Goo Jai) finally took the lead in investing in the filming of HIT N FUN (LUM SI KUET DAU), followed by filmmakers such as Wong Jing and Patick Kong (Yip Lim Sum). Unfortunately the final box office was unsatisfactory. Aside from Goo Jai personally performing in HIT, it also had female stars like Chrissie Chau Sau Na and Louise Wong Dan Nei. However its Hong Kong box office was only HK$ 12.47 million; the Yip Lim Sum directed QUEEN OF MAHJONG (MA JEUK NUI WONG JUI NAM JAI) with a large number of top stars grossed only HK$ 2.57 million and made filmmakers take a further wait-and-see attitude towards investing in the film. As of August, only 24 Chinese films have been released this year and could only go lower!

Reportedly next year the Lunar New Year period would only have two Hong Kong films available; among which the Philip Yung Tsz Kwong directed one has not yet started production, which has made many industry insiders anxious. Without any job, actors could only take their fight elsewhere. Once determined to make a Lunar New Year film, Yu Heung Ying finally realized her dream and partnered with Taiwanese actors Liu Kuan Ting, Yang Gui Mei and Tou Chung Hua to shoot the movie DOUBLE HAPPINESS , which will be released for the Lunar New Year next year. The movie would tell the story of Liu Kuan Ting and Yu Heung Ying's happy day, facing his father Tou Chung Hua and mother Yang Gui Mei who have not been in contact for many years but rushing to host the wedding. Unwilling to cross his parents, Liu Kuan Ting along with father in law Tin Kai Man, the wedding consultant and the wedding party to attempt to lie his way with two weddings in one day and in turn making Yu Heung Ying "get married twice in one day".

Yu Heung Ying bluntly said that during the filming, she recalled the details of her wedding a few years ago, and "revealed", "Thinking of the exhaustion of dealing with interpersonal relationships, such as who can't be seated with whom, who has to sit next to each other; but my husband and I worked together to overcome all the problems, and the whole thing was sweet!" Liu Kuan Ting said that after making this film, he sincerely admired the newlyweds who planned the wedding. "I watched all the things in the film like I was learning while working, and I really felt that it was not easy to hold a wedding." After years without taking on a role, Tin Kai Man humorously responded to this "comeback". "When I received the producer's invitation I thought it was a phone scam, but after reading the movie presentation and script I accepted it without saying a word without negotiating the price. As the production the trip hasn't been a waste."

On the other hand, Joel Chan Shan Chung, Bob Lam Sing Bun and Oscar Leung King Fai moved the battle to Malaysia and started filming the Lunar New Year film MAMA NOT AGAIN (MA DIK YAU YIU GA). Shan Chung and Bob played brothers with drastically different personalities who had to begin a "wedding interference war". The film would be a story of family and reconciliation, with tears without laughter. At the production start ceremony, Shan Chung said that he would contribute his salary as an investment, while Leung King Fai joked that he sold his property for production expenses. Actually the local government has been very supportive of the development of films, and local filmmakers have relevant subsidies for their productions that would almost be equivalent to prevent any loss. Thus the Malaysian film industry has been quite prosperous in recent years, like the Hong Kong film market scene in the 80s.

[2025.09.03] AARON KWOK AND NATALIE HSU DRUM UP BUSINESS AT THE MOVIES

Natalie Hsu and Aaron Kwok attend audience appreciation events everywhere, attracting clients with their hearts and effort
courtesy of on.cc

Recently few many Hong Kong films have been released in Hong Kong, among them the Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Natalie Hsu (Hui Yan Yi) starred MY FIRST OF MAY (MO MING JI) has been more popular with a box office of HK$ 3.09 million after 11 days in release. The two earlier appeared at audience appreciation screenings on their own. Sing Sing even showed his humorous nature and said that when he first received the script, he immediately thought of the character in his film THE STORM RIDERS (FUNG WON) and thus once thought it was a martial art fantasy film. Finally he took the role because of the attractive story. As for Hui Yan Yi, she recently shared behind-the-scenes photos on social networks. One of them was Sing Sing writing in chalk, and the font was very distinctive.

Currently in release as well, the Eddie Cheung Siu Fai and Venus Wong Man Yik starred Hong Kong film RE BORN (HUNG SUM YUN) has won Wong Man Yik's performance won a lot of praise. Unfortunately the film after 19 days in release only had the box office of HK$ 330,000.

[2025.09.03] CINEMAS TRY TO SAVE THEMSELVES WITH CLASSIC RE-RELEASES

INITIAL D remains a representative racing film
courtesy of on.cc

Hong Kong cinemas have experienced a wave of closing, now with only around 52 left. In order to attract audiences, a number of classic Chinese and foreign films have been re-released recently, including the 20th anniversary 4K restoration of the racing movie INITIAL D (TAU MAN JI D) that starred Jay Chou (Chow Man Kit), Edison Chen Koon Hei and Shawn Yue Man Lok, the 4K restored version of the classic Hong Kong film PTU, and the 30th anniversary 4K restored version of Wong Kar 
Wai's FALLEN ANGELS (DOR LOR TIN SI). Actually in recent years, the mainland has also released restored versions of classic Hong Kong films, including Stephen Chow Sing Chi's GOD OF COOKERY (SIK SUN), and Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Maggie Cheung Man Yuk's IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE (FA YEUNG NIN WA), etc. for the audience to reminisce again and again.

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

[2025.09.03] FOR THE WEEK ENDING SUNDAY, AUGUST 31 2025

For Sunday, August 31 2025
Photos courtesy of Yahoo! Movies Hong Kong


EXIT 8 MOVIE POSTER

10 EXIT 8
    d. GENKI KAWAMURA
    KAZUNARI NINOMIYA, YAMATO KOCHI,
      NARU ASANUMA, KOTONE HANASE, NANA KOMATSU
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 95 mins.
  Opening September 4 2025
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/woKzdYfmXSg

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    Based on the global hit eponymous video game created by KOTAKE CREATE. A man trapped in an endless sterile subway passageway sets out to find Exit 8. The rules of his quest are simple: do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don't, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. But even a single oversight will send him back to the beginning. Will he ever reach his goal and escape this infinite corridor?

THE LYCHEE ROAD MOVIE POSTER

  9 THE LYCHEE ROAD
  Can : Cheung On Dik Lai Ji
    d. Da Peng
    Da Peng, Bai Ke, Zhuang Dafei, Yang Mi, Chang Yuan,
      Terrance Lau Chun Him, Andy Lau Tak Wah, Lam Suet
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 123 mins.
  Opening August 7 2025
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/AJyFZnMaaC8

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    The film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Ma Boyong. Set during the Tang Dynasty's Tianbao era, it follows Li Shande, a middle-aged man who grumbles his way through countless tasks and pinches every penny, only to remain an insignificant low-ranking official. However, things seem to take a turn when he's suddenly summoned—someone has arranged for him to take on the lucrative role of "Litchi Envoy." If he succeeds, glory and wealth await, a chance to turn his life around. But if he fails...

CRAYON SHIN-CHAN THE MOVIE: SUPER HOT!  THE SPICY KASUBKABE DANCERS MOVIE POSTER

  8 CRAYON SHIN-CHAN THE MOVIE: SUPER HOT! THE SPICY KASUBKABE DANCERS
    d. Masakazu Hashimoto
    Japanese Animation
    Cantonese Voices: Cloud Wan Ho Ying, Phoebus Ng Kai Yeung,
      Kimmy Wong Wai Chu, Rebecca Tam Suk Ying, Benny Wong Chi Ming,
      Rainbow Cheung Choi Hung, Pheobe Chow Yan Yan,
      Chan Chi Ying, Keung Lai Yee
  Rating : I
  Length : 106 mins.
  Opening August 8 2025

[ CINEMA CITY ]
    To commemorate the sister city relationship between Kasukabe and Mushibai Hagashimiru in India, the "Kasukabe Children's Entertainment Festival" was held. It was announced that whoever won the dance competition would be invited to India to perform on stage. Shinnosuke and a group of five from the Kasukabe Defense Force worked together to win the competition and set off for India. "I want to eat curry with beautiful Indian sisters!" While enjoying sightseeing in India, Shinnosuke and Bo-Chan entered a suspicious grocery store, where they discovered and purchased a backpack shaped like a nose. However, this backpack concealed a terrifying secret. Bo-Chan accidentally shoved a piece of paper from the backpack up his nose, and under the influence of an evil force, he transformed into a "Tyrant" and went on a rampage! With Bo-Chan's personality drastically changed and now possessing power capable of threatening the world, can Shinnosuke and the others stop the "Tyrant" Bo-Chan?

DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA'S ART WORLD TALES MOVIE POSTER

  7 DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA'S ART WORLD TALES
    d. Yukiyo Teramoto
    Japanese Animation
  Rating : I
  Opening July 24 2025
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/YhJQszTQNh4

[ GOLDEN HARVEST CINEMA ]
   Set in the magnificent world of medieval Europe depicted in paintings. Doraemon and his friends jump into the "world of the painting" joined by Claire and her friends Milo and Chai as they emabark on a great adventure!

MY DAUGHTER IS A ZOMBIE MOVIE POSTER

  6 MY DAUGHTER IS A ZOMBIE
    d. Pil Gam-sung
    Cho Jung-seok, Lee Jung-eun, Cho Yeo-jeong,
      Yoon Kyung-ho, Choi Yu-ri
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 114 mins.
  Opening August 21 2025
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/ESsvxHtLWJA

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    Jung-hwan, a professional wild animal trainer, spends his days bickering and playing with his teenage daughter, Soo-ah, who is passionate about dancing. Then one day, Soo-ah gets infected by a zombie virus that sweeps across the world. To protect her, Jung-hwan takes Soo-ah to Eunbong-ri, a seaside village where his mother, Bam- soon, lives.

    In a society determined to root out the infected, Jung-hwan notices that Soo-ah still seems to understand words, responds to her favorite songs and dances, and even flinches when scolded by Grandma Bam-soon's back scratching stick. Refusing to give up on his daughter, Jung-hwan calls on his years of animal training experience and begins the top- secret mission of training his zombie daughter...

MATERIALISTS MOVIE POSTER

  5 MATERIALISTS
    d. Celine Song
    Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, Pedro Pascal

DONGJI RESCUE MOVIE POSTER

  4 DONGJI RESCUE
    d. Guan Hu, Fei Zhenxiang
    Zhu Yilong, Wu Lei, Ni Ni, Yang Haoyu, Chen Minghao, Ni Dahong,
    William Franklyn-Miller, Li Jiuxiao, Wang Yiquan
  Rating : IIB
  Length : 134 mins.
  Opening August 28 2025
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/uk9xMEuFLUM

[ HONG KONG MOVIE 6 ]
    DONG JI ISLAND follows the tragic tale of a Japanese warship secretly transporting British prisoners of war and mistakenly attacked near the easternmost waters of China. To rescue the desperately trapped prisoners, a group of courageous islanders embark on a perilous journey against all odds to the sinking ship, facing relentless Japanese soldiers and the harsh, unforgiving seas...

[ CINEMA CITY ]
    To commemorate the sister city relationship between Kasukabe and Mushibai Hagashimiru in India, the "Kasukabe Children's Entertainment Festival" was held. It was announced that whoever won the dance competition would be invited to India to perform on stage. Shinnosuke and a group of five from the Kasukabe Defense Force worked together to win the competition and set off for India. "I want to eat curry with beautiful Indian sisters!" While enjoying sightseeing in India, Shinnosuke and Bo-Chan entered a suspicious grocery store, where they discovered and purchased a backpack shaped like a nose. However, this backpack concealed a terrifying secret. Bo-Chan accidentally shoved a piece of paper from the backpack up his nose, and under the influence of an evil force, he transformed into a "Tyrant" and went on a rampage! With Bo-Chan's personality drastically changed and now possessing power capable of threatening the world, can Shinnosuke and the others stop the "Tyrant" Bo-Chan?

F1 THE MOVIE MOVIE POSTER

  3 F1 THE MOVIE
    d. Joseph Kosinski
    Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Javier Bardem

MY FIRST OF MAY MOVIE POSTER

  2 MY FIRST OF MAY
  Can : MO MING JI
  Lit : no name finger (ring finger)
    d. James Hung Ling Ching
    Aaron Kwok Fu Sing, Natalie Hsu (Hui Yun Yi),
      Nina Paw Hee Ching, Gigi Leung Wing Kei, Patrick Tam Yiu Man,
      Lawrence Cheng Tan Shui, Kenji Fan Lun Chi
  Rating : I
  Length : 91 mins.
  Opening August 2 2025 (Preview)
  Opening August 22 2025
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/wXLUqUcvuK8

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
   My First of May follows TANG Suk Yin and his daughter TANG Chi, whose lives are turned upside down when Chi is diagnosed with a serious illness, given little chance to survive past two. Faced with this heart-wrenching reality, Suk Yin and his wife, Elaine YEUNG, promise to cherish every moment with Chi.

   Miraculously, Chi survives beyond two, but this brings significant changes. The couple sacrifices their dreams to care for her—Suk Yin gives up his squash career, while Elaine, overwhelmed by pressure, abandons the family. In despair, Suk Yin withdraws and becomes a recluse.

   Without parental support, Chi relies on her grandmother, SUEN Yau Mui. When her grandmother's health deteriorates, Suk Yin can no longer ignore his responsibilities and returns home. After years apart, how will they mend their strained relationships? Unexpectedly, a small understanding from the past helps them reconnect. With Suk Yin's support, Chi gains movement in her ring finger, rekindling love in the family. Suk Yin realizes the profound impact they have on each other and cherishes their fleeting happiness together.

[ SCREEN DAILY FILMART 2023 ]
  Heartfelt family drama about a father who gives up his squash career to take care of his terminally ill daughter when his wife cannot handle the responsibility and walks out of their lives.




DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA -- THE MOVIE: INFINITY CASTLE MOVIE POSTER

  1 DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA -- THE MOVIE: INFINITY CASTLE
    d. Haruo Sotozaki
    Japanese Animation
  Rating : IIA
  Length : 155 mins.
  Opening August 14 2025
  Trailer : https://youtu.be/VLJBajBomL0

[ BROADWAY CIRCUIT ]
    Tanjiro Kamado – a boy who joined an organization dedicated to hunting down demons called the Demon Slayer Corps after his younger sister Nezuko was turned into a demon.

    While growing stronger and deepening his friendships and bonds with fellow corps members, Tanjiro has battled many demons with his comrades – Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira. Along the way, his journey has led him to fight alongside the Demon Slayer Corps' highest-ranking swordsmen, the Hashira, including Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku aboard the Mugen Train, Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui within the Entertainment District, as well as Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji at the Swordsmith Village.

    As the Demon Slayer Corps members and Hashira engaged in a group strength training program, the Hashira Training, in preparation for the forthcoming battle against the demons, Muzan Kibutsuji appears at the Ubuyashiki Mansion. With the head of the Demon Corps in danger, Tanjiro and the Hashira rush to the headquarters but are plunged into a deep descent to a mysterious space by the hands of Muzan Kibutsuji.

    The destination of where Tanjiro and Demon Slayer Corps have fallen is the demons' stronghold – the Infinity Castle. And so, the battleground is set as the final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons ignites.

[2025.09.03] FOR THE WEEK STARTING SATURDAY, AUGUST 30 2025

For the week starting Saturday, August 30 2025 (Week 35)

VIUTV CHILL CLUB CHART


  5 RESOLUTION
  Can : Lap Duen
  Stephy Tang Lai Yan

  4 NEVERLAND
  Can : Wing Yuen Dik Bei Dut Poon
  Kenny Kwan Chi Bun

  3 GHIBLI
  Can : Gut Bok Lik
  Jay Fung Wan Him

  2 THE FUTURE I SAW
  Can : Ngor Sor Hong Gein Dik Mei Loi
  Jason Chan Pak Yu


  1 YOUNG NOVELIST
  Can : Nin Ying Siu Suet Ga
  Pandora

Monday, September 1, 2025

[2025.09.02] DEMON SLAYER BEATS F1 THE MOVIE TO THE TOP OF THE HONG KONG SUMMER BOX OFFICE

DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA INFINITY CASTLE beats out Brad Pitt's F1 THE MOVIE to top the summer box office
courtesy of mingpao.com

As the 2025 summer vacation period came to an end, the Hong Kong Box Office Co. Limited yesterday announced the box office between July 1st and August 31st. The box office showed the film market remained primarily foreign films'. The period had 90 first run film releases, only 19 were Hong Kong films and 71 were foreign films. No Hong Kong film is among the Top Ten Highest Grossing Box Office. The entire summer vacation slot Hong Kong and Macau film box office total revenue was HK$ 294,399,488, a slight drop around 0.43% from the same period last year of HK$ 295,675,639. In first place was the Japanese animated film DEMON SLAYER: KIMETSU NO YAIBA INFINTIY CASTLE with HK$ 73,676,953. The Brad Pitt starred F1 THE MOVIE ranked second at the box office with a box office of HK$ 56,710,278, and the third place was JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH. Following in order were FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS, DORAEMON THE MOVIE: NOBITA'S ART WORLD TALES, SUPERMAN, OMNISCIENT READER: THE PROPHECY, ELIO, DREAM ANIMAL, and CRAYON SHINCHAN THE MOVIE: SUPER-HOT! THE SPICY KASUKABE DANCERS.