Friday, December 25, 2015

[2015.12.26] STEPHEN CHOW'S MERMAID ROCKS FIVE CONTINENTS

Stephen Chow has put a lot of thought into MERMAID
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The Lunar New Year film MERMAID releases a new poster
Director Stephen Chow puts in quite an effort on the set
Stephen Chow gets down and dirty for a demonstration
Stephen Chow intensely discuss the character design
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Stephen Chow Sing Chi's new film MERMAID (MEI YUN YU) will be released in both 2D and 3D formats on the Lunar New Year's Day. After releasing its first poster and trailer, the film company also announced its "five continent shaking" poster as well as on set photos of director Sing Yeh at work.

This poster concept featured the giant fish tail in the first trailer, as it invincibly held off the rising tides; the fish tail made the upper body of the beauty even more petite and frail, making people curious whether she was human or fish? Was the giant fish tail hers or did it come toward her? Also unveiled was photos of Sing Yeh at work, but he was either in deep thought or personally rehearsing. His effort was serious. The cast's costumes remained a mystery to keep audience anticipation high.

[2015.12.26] DONNIE YEN HAS THE STRONGEST HONG KONG FILM OPENING THIS YEAR

courtesy of singtao.com
courtesy of mingpao.com
Donnie Yen's IP MAN 3 has the highest Hong Kong film opening box office record this year
A fan creates a duel with Darth Vader for Donnie Yen
Mike Tyson takes on storm troopers 
Online celebrity Szeto Gap Dai studies Wing Chun with Donnie Yen
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The film IP MAN 3 two nights ago opened and made HK$ 7,872,622 including advanced screenings at the box office, 2 million more than the STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS opening day and advanced screening box office of HK$ 5,823,903. IP MAN 3's opening day box office even reached HK$ 3,903,779 to become the 2015 Hong Kong film opening box office champion.

Two days ago among the opening day box office, IP MAN 3 at 39 cinemas had 357 shows, each show had an average admission of 135 people. In comparison STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS was showing at 41 cinemas and 503 shows, each show had an average admission of 83 people; THE LITTLE PRINCE at 33 cinemas had 190 shows, the average show admission was 75 people; SNOOPY: THE PEANUTS MOVIE at 37 cinemas had 202 shows, each show had an average admission of 66 people; YO-KAI WATCH THE MOVIE at 27 cinemas had 107 shows, each show had an average admission of 55 people; IP MAN 3 successfully pulled away from fellow Christmas blockbusters to top the period.

[2015.12.26] CANTONESE FILM ERA STAR TSI LAW LIN PASSED AWAY

Tsi Law Lin (1924-2015) 

Tsi Law Lin cemented her place on the Avenue of Stars ten years ago
Lee Heung Kam and Tsi Law Lin attended the Hong Kong Art Development Award in May 2012
Tsi Law Lin worked with Cheung Wood Yau on many occasions
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Lee Heung Kam and Tsi Law Lin at an event earlier
Leung Sing Bo and Tsi Law Lin in THE DUNCE ATTENDS A BIRTHDAY PARTY
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Cantonese film era star Tsi Law Lin passed away two nights ago at age 91. Tsi Law Chi was originally named Chow Kit Lin. Born in 1924, at age 13 she began to study Cantonese Opera. At 14 she made the leap to the silver screen. Her first lead role was BRIDGE OF JEALOUSY (CHO YIM LAN KIU). She has made over 100 films, including THE DUNCE ATTENDS A BIRTHDAY PARTY with Leung Sing Bo, A MYRIAD HOMES (CHIN MAN YUN GA) with Ng Cho Fan and Lo Tun, IN THE FACE OF DEMOLITION (NGAI LAU CHUN HIU), THE PRECIOUS LOTUS LAMP (BO LIN TUNG), THE SPLENDOR OF YOUTH (DOI LOK NIN WA), FAMILY (GA), SORROW OF THE GENTRY (CHU MOO YUEN) and others. Tsi Law Lin played mostly young girl, gentle wife and kind mother characters.

Tsi Law Lin with Ng Cho Fan, Pak Yin and others founded the Union Film Enterprises Ltd. Films included the Tsi Law Lan written, directed and starred LOVE IN MALAYA (MA LOI AH JI LUEN). Later she also founded the Tsi Law Lin Film Company. Her final film was the 1964 UNREWARDING LOVE (HUNG HOI CHING TIN). Tsi Law Lin became a Christian, after her retirement the Best Actress focused on spreading the gospel and volunteering. Her final public appearance was in November 2015 when she attended a Cantonese Opera event at the Yau Ma Lei Theater.

Also started in Cantonese films, Nancy Sit Ka Yin was saddened to hear about Tsi Law Lin's passing and would miss her. Although they never had a chance to work together, when they met they would chat. In her impression Tsi Law Lin was a friendly, loving elder who loved children. The last time Sit Ka Yin saw her was at an event last year, at the time Tsi Law Lin was still very lively.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

[2015.12.25] JACKIE CHAN STUNTMAN ASSOCIATION'S HAN CHUN PASSED AWAY

courtesy of mingpao.com

Jackie Chan two nights ago said that while working on a film he suddenly received the news of Jackie Chan Stuntman Association member Han Chun's passing. "This brother of me was nicknamed 'blade duller'. He has contributed a lot to the Jackie Chan Stuntman Association." Han Chun's junior colleague Ken Low Wai Kwong yesterday said, Han Chun two years ago was suffering from muscular dystrophy. The doctor finally said that he could "no longer be treated". Earlier he passed away at age 53. Han Chun's funeral will take place on the 16th at the International Funeral Parlor.

[2015.12.25] STEPHY TANG RECEIVES PRAISES FROM FUTURE FATHER IN LAW

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Patrick Kong, Alex Fong Lik Sun and Stephy Tang
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The Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) directed film ANNIVERSARY (GEI LIM YUT) two nights ago promoted. He along with actors Alex Fong Lik Sun and Stephy Tang Lai Yun attended. Siu Fong and Stephy have been together for awhile but they still exchanged gifts for Christmas. Stephy pointed out that Siu Fong made a rare gesture with flowers and card. Siu Fong revealed that his father after watching the film praised "future daughter in law" Stephy's great acting.

Siu Fong and Stephy arrived separately two nights ago. Stephy was a little late due to a traffic jam. They said that in the future they will promote in the Mainland and return to Hong Kong after Christmas. Did they buy gifts for each other? Stephy said that she already got it and was very surprised, because it actually had flowers, a card and a bag. She said, "It's very rare for him to give a card and flowers. After giving me flowers during the first year he never did again. This was the second time I received flowers." Siu Fong added that she said that she did not like flowers too much. Later he read in an interview that actually she liked to get flowers from her boyfriend. Thus this time he chose to give her roses. Did Stephy like them very much? She sweetly said, "I do, I selectively like them!" She still have not given Siu Fong a gift yet and hoped that she would be able to surprise him.

Siu Fong said that he received the support of many friends at the premiere. Stephy also received a lot of text messages from friends to say that after watching the film their eyes were swollen from crying. She was very happy that the film was be able to affect others. Thus at the celebration she was so happy that she got drunk. Siu Fong said that his father after watching the premiere, he sent a text message to praise how well Stephy performed. "Siu Tang performed very well, a character female star with looks. In the entire film her emotions were very rich in her performance, it was the best for Siu Tang."

Was Stephy very happy to receive her future father in law's praise. Siu Fong immediately chimed in, "They are very close, it's got nothing to do with who they are. Of course she is happy about getting praises." Stephy admitted that she was very happy. Actually Papa Fong also praised siu Fong. Siu Fong said that he complained to the director about why he made Stephy look very pretty but him not as handsome. Yip Lim Sum joked that he should not ask because he should have a mirror at home.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

[2015.12.24] DONNIE YEN PROMOTES HIS NEW FILM WITH HIS FAMILY IN TAIWAN

Donnie Yen reveals that while his wife had stretch marks from childbirth, he went to get a tattoo of her name on his belly
courtesy of singtao.com
courtesy of mingpao.com
Donnie Yen Chi Tan earlier brought his wife Cissy Wang and their children to Taiwan to promote his film IP MAN 3. He said that he just finished STAR WARS ROGUE ONE and immediately began to promote IP MAN 3. Both had him flying all over the world. "I still can't guarantee that I can take time off to be with my family for Christmas, so this trip is killing two birds with one stone. Because I constantly flew elsewhere to make movies, I came home once after a long while. Each time I realized that the children suddenly weren't the same anymore. They have grown. I truly feel guilty and I miss them."

[2015.12.24] ALEX FONG LIK SUN HAS NO BOX OFFICE PRESSURE

Rachel Lee and David Siu reunite after GREED OF MAN
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Stephy Tang and Alex Fong Lik Sun have been together for five years, but Siu Fong says that marriage will have to wait five more!
Stephy Tang receives support from fellow Cookies Miki Yeung and Angela Au
David Siu and Rachel Lee
Patrick Kong, Stephy Tang and Rache Lee enjoy their tang yuan
courtesy of on.cc

The film ANNIVERSARY (GEI LIM YUT) two nights ago held its premiere in Tsim Sha Tsui. Actors Alex Fong Lik Sun and girlfriend Stephy Tang Lai Yun, Rachel Lee Lai Chun, David Siu Chung Hung, Shek Sau, Louis Cheung Kai Chung and director Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) attended. Due to the Winter Solstice, everyone had a bowl of tang yuan for the occasion. Stephy said that she went all out for her appearance. Siu Fong said that they were busy with the film's Mainland promotion, as they just returned to Hong Kong early morning two days ago. They did not celebrate the Winter Solstice and he said that the celebration for film was also for the holiday for him. Stephy already celebrated early with her family.

With films like STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS and IP MAN 3 in cinemas now, did Siu Fong have any box office pressure? He said, "No, but I hope for good box office. I believe it will be because this series has already reached its fourth film, it has already accumulated certain amount of viewers. The Mainland reaction was also decent. (Strong competition?) I wish everyone well. We don't have to beat them, just reaching the goal would be enough. We are also the only romance in this period, so I hope the box office will pass HK$ 10 million!" He also said that it was already the final time for this series. Because the story already reached years after their marriage, any further topic would be very hard to come up with. Even if they work together again they would not make a city comedy. He joked that they might make movies like GHOST or TEMPTATION OF A MONK! As for the production turning into a real fight with his girlfriend, Siu Fong said that they already have an understanding. They said beforehand they definitely would fight for the "foundation". Stephy also said, "I expected the worst so it wouldn't be so bad."

Siu Chung Hung and Sister Chun played Stephy's parents in the film as they "continued their relationship" from their TVB series GREED OF MAN (DAI SI DOI). Sister Chun said that Siu Chung Hung changed a lot. "He used to be very quiet, he would hide in the corner to think. At the time aside from acting I haven't said a word to him, but now he is very talkative." Siu Chung Hung explained, "Her acting surprised me back then, so I had to do my homework. This time I appreciated her, working with her was a pleasure." He also said that Sister Chun back then was very easy going, now she is very efficient. Two nights ago he went to pick her up, when his car arrived she already raced downstairs. sister Chun said that Siu Chung Hun was happy after having two sons so he became talkative. Siu Chung Hung admitted that he was happy and wanted to have a few more. He told Sister Chun to consider having more. Sister Chun immediately laughed and shook her head. She revealed that her daughter has already returned to Hong Kong for Christmas. Before the premiere she even had a quick Winter Solstice dinner with her daughter and her classmate.

Sun Entertainment Culture executive Paco Wong also attended two nights ago and was full of confidence in this film. Reportedly boss Alvin Chau Cheok Wa was headed to divorce. Paco was asked if his boss went to Japan. He immediately shook his head and said, "I don't know how to respond."