Movie Box Review

Top Movie Marathons The SyFy Channel! The Booth Brothers premiere double feature 'The Possessed' and 'Children of the Grave' will air on October 8, 2009 beginning at 9pm EST on SyFy. 'The Possessed' is about a well documented case of possession that happened in Watseka, Illinois. 'Children of the Grave' is a documentary about children during the hard years of the depression, orphaned, unwanted, mistreated and sometimes just our right murdered. Many of the orphanages are still around and some are explored. The part of this film that is the most disturbing is the footage of "Zombie Road". Horrifying, because it's true, caught on tape by identical twin brothers who have an eye for the story and the talent to get in on film. In addition, there will be a showing of the Booth Brothers first major film entitled 'Death Tunnel' which was filmed at Waverly Hills Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Louisville, KY. 'Death Tunnel' is a documentary about Waverly Hills, which is considered one of the scariest places on earth. 'Death Tunne'l will air on October 4th at 1pm EST. http://www.syfy.com/schedule/index.php?date=8-OCT-2009&feed_req=

The SyFy channel (formerly the SCI FI channel) will air its much anticipated 31 Days of Halloween Marathon which will be airing throughout the month of October. SyFy reports that beginning October 1 at 8am EST, this marathon will feature over 250 hours of horror and sci-fi movies, series, miniseries and originals. Highlights include horror favorites The Grudge, Saw, Freddy vs. Jason and Night of the Living Dead. Viewers can tune into daytime marathons of their favorite classic sci-fi series X Files and Haunted, and more, and in primetime can catch new episodes of fright favorites Ghost Hunters and Scare Tactics. The marathon concludes on Halloween night with Ghost Hunters Live, which will take place this year at the historic Fort Delaware in Delaware City, DE.

http://www.syfy.com
http://www.spookedtv.com
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2163115/top_5_movie_marathons.html?cat=40

Dir: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank, Crank: High Voltage)
Cast: Gerard Butler, Amber Valletta, Alison Lohman, Michael C Hall, Logan Lerman, Kyra Sedgwick, Ludicris, John Leguizamo, Zoe Bell
USA, 2009

Seen: September 4, 2009 at Scotiabank

Reason to see: Gaming-centric film with Gerard Butler? I'm exactly that target market.

Wow. I'll give Gamer 2 things and 2 things only. 1) Michael C. Hall was fantastic as the eccentric monopoly megalomania . 2) They totally tricked me! The trailers had no hint at all of a huge section of the film filled with gender crap and gaming/virtual reality scenarios where women are subjected to awful potential or actual scenarios and are literally treated like objects. Have any doubts? Look at the characters names listed for the film, specifically Rick ____.

The side of the film that they do show in the trailer with the prisoners-are-being-played-in-extremely-violent-scenarios is only about half of the film and the action for it was extreme but not bloody (ratings choice?). The world created was reminiscent of something between Starship Troopers and Repo! The Genetic Opera but without singing or aliens. The gaming worlds itself was full of loopholes and rarely provided clear explanation to how or why things happened.

I'm shocked I stayed to watch it in full. I don't think I'll be seeing any more films for me by these directors.

Shannon's Overall View:
I hated it
I will not watch it again
I'd recommend it people who liked Crank, which was a Non-Review

15 minutes of preshow including 5 commercials and 5 previews: The Wolfman (2010), Surrogates, Jennifer's Body, The Fourth Kind and Saw VI

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© Shannon Ridler, 2009

Dir: Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor (Crank, Crank: High Voltage)
Cast: Gerard Butler, Amber Valletta, Alison Lohman, Michael C Hall, Logan Lerman, Kyra Sedgwick, Ludicris, John Leguizamo, Zoe Bell
USA, 2009

Seen: September 4, 2009 at Scotiabank

Reason to see: Gaming-centric film with Gerard Butler? I'm exactly that target market.

Wow. I'll give Gamer 2 things and 2 things only. 1) Michael C. Hall was fantastic as the eccentric monopoly megalomania . 2) They totally tricked me! The trailers had no hint at all of a huge section of the film filled with gender crap and gaming/virtual reality scenarios where women are subjected to awful potential or actual scenarios and are literally treated like objects. Have any doubts? Look at the characters names listed for the film, specifically Rick ____.

The side of the film that they do show in the trailer with the prisoners-are-being-played-in-extremely-violent-scenarios is only about half of the film and the action for it was extreme but not bloody (ratings choice?). The world created was reminiscent of something between Starship Troopers and Repo! The Genetic Opera but without singing or aliens. The gaming worlds itself was full of loopholes and rarely provided clear explanation to how or why things happened.

I'm shocked I stayed to watch it in full. I don't think I'll be seeing any more films for me by these directors.

Shannon's Overall View:
I hated it
I will not watch it again
I'd recommend it people who liked Crank, which was a Non-Review

15 minutes of preshow including 5 commercials and 5 previews: The Wolfman (2010), Surrogates, Jennifer's Body, The Fourth Kind and Saw VI

Return to Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2009

courtesy of takungpao.com

French trendy accessory brand Agatha 35th anniversary tour yesterday stopped in Hong Kong. Guests included Janice Man Wing Shan. Janice revealed that in the middle of the month she will work with Janice Vidal (Wai Lan) on a new film. She would like to be able to get a little fatter and train herself wider up top. She said, "I kept my weight at 100 pound, but lately I lost around five pounds. I hoped to be able to return to my original weight. (Did Lai Ming ask you to gain weight?) No, I just want to look prettier." What role will she play? She only said that no matter the character, the personality and the era she had no contact with at all. As for daring scenes, she said, "What the character does is very daring, but since the company arranged it for me, I believe I can handle it." She said that now she and Wai Lan have begun to go over the script and research their characters. Will she ask Lai Ming for acting advice? She said that she will ask everyone and do her own homework as well. As for Chrissie Chau Sau Na's film industry entry, was she worried about comparison? She said, "Everyone has her own way, more new faces are good. (Would you mind working with her?) I would do whatever the company arranged for me. (Do you have your own idea?) The company and I have an understanding. The company knows my bottom line. As a model I never took swimwear show or swimwear appearance because my family and I are not mentally prepared. The company is very certain about that."

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The espionage film THE MESSAGE two nights ago held its premiere in Kowloon Bay. The cast including Huang Xiaoming, Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Zhang Hanyu and Alec Su Yau Peng along with Taiwan director Chen Kuo-Fu were in attendance. Michelle Wai (Si Nga) and Deep Ng Ho Hong were guests.

Hunks Huang Xiaoming and Su Yau Peng attracted many fans. Huang Xiaoming was the lead in the film and also in the center of the poster. Huang Xiaoming said, "In the entire story I had to handle five people. During the shoot I felt a lot of stress because this time I worked with two Best Actors and two Best Actresses." Huang Xiaoming confidently expressed that he felt he would have a chance to become Best Actor, but now he only hoped to play every character well. He also expressed that he was too busy with work to consider dating.

Reportedly Jaycee Chan (Fong Cho Ming) introduced Zhou Xun to Mainland rich kid Wang Shuo and they quickly moved in together. Lately Zhou Xun was rumored to be pregnant. Zhou Xun responded, "Now the media have their own way as they always write about artists like this. Every woman has anticipation. Anything that you want to ask has already been answered." Earlier Fong Cho Ming at a Beijing charity auction placed a 3.87 million RMB bid for a friend. Zhou Xun admitted that Cho Ming placed the bid for her friend to give to her. As for the friend, Zhou Xun admitted that he was her boyfriend Wong Shuo and even said that currently their relationship has been great.

Zhou Xun and Li Bingbing were rumored to be at odds, but two nights they held hands like sisters to attend the premiere. Bingbing explained that in the film industry men and women had romantic rumors while two women would have dispute rumors. Bingbing said, "Our collaboration was very pleasant. It wasn't just spark but firework. It was a match made in Heaven." When Li Bingbing stepped on the promotional sticker on stage, Zhou Xun got it off for her. They were as close as sisters. With her friend Zhou Xun in love, Bingbing honestly said that she too would like to find a boyfriend. She said, "Love depends on luck, when it comes it comes."

Dir: Mario Bava (Black Sabbath)
Source Material: Short story "The Viy" by Nikolai Gogol
Cast: Barbara Steele, John Richardson, Andrea Checchi, Ivo Garrani, Arturo Dominici, Enrico Olivieri
Italy, 1960

Seen: September 26, 2009

Reason to Review: Vampathon: Vampire Film Marathon *

Gems like Black Sunday are the exact reason I do marathons and to see films lists, because you never know when you are going to uncover a truly fantastic film. I had preconception of the film other than noting it placed high on a vampire film list. In terms of a vampire film I would say that is stretching the definition a little bit as there are elements of vampirism but overall the film is more in a religious good & evil vein. And yes, I still liked it. Loved it in fact.

It's in beautiful black & white, has a creepy undertone and impressive effects for 1960. There were even moments that grossed me out which I wasn't expecting. Barbara Steele is absolutely fantastic in the film bringing complete and total evilness alive on the screen. Her performance is captivating and steals the show every time she appears. Even thought this was the first time seeing the film, I felt nostalgic about it given the extremely straight forward characters and motivations, the classic settings and it also had a strong adventurous spirit to it which we don't always see in horror. A great film to watch on a Sunday afternoon with a big bowl of popcorn and the curtains drawn.

Also called The Mask of Satan

Shannon's Overall View:
I love it
I own it
I'd recommend to fans of classic & horror films

Return to Film Reviews, See all Vampire Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2009

* Vampathon is a 16 week marathon explore vampire films from Nosferatu (1922) up to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Dir: Mario Bava (Black Sabbath)
Source Material: Short story "The Viy" by Nikolai Gogol
Cast: Barbara Steele, John Richardson, Andrea Checchi, Ivo Garrani, Arturo Dominici, Enrico Olivieri
Italy, 1960

Seen: September 26, 2009

Reason to Review: Vampathon: Vampire Film Marathon *

Gems like Black Sunday are the exact reason I do marathons and to see films lists, because you never know when you are going to uncover a truly fantastic film. I had preconception of the film other than noting it placed high on a vampire film list. In terms of a vampire film I would say that is stretching the definition a little bit as there are elements of vampirism but overall the film is more in a religious good & evil vein. And yes, I still liked it. Loved it in fact.

It's in beautiful black & white, has a creepy undertone and impressive effects for 1960. There were even moments that grossed me out which I wasn't expecting. Barbara Steele is absolutely fantastic in the film bringing complete and total evilness alive on the screen. Her performance is captivating and steals the show every time she appears. Even thought this was the first time seeing the film, I felt nostalgic about it given the extremely straight forward characters and motivations, the classic settings and it also had a strong adventurous spirit to it which we don't always see in horror. A great film to watch on a Sunday afternoon with a big bowl of popcorn and the curtains drawn.

Also called The Mask of Satan

Shannon's Overall View:
I love it
I own it
I'd recommend to fans of classic & horror films

Return to Film Reviews, See all Vampire Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2009

* Vampathon is a 16 week marathon explore vampire films from Nosferatu (1922) up to the upcoming release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon

Dir: Dominic Sena (Gone in 60 Seconds)
Cast: Kate Beckinsdale, Tom Skerritt, Gabriel Macht, Columbus Short, Alex O'Loughlin
USA/Canada, 2009

Seen: Sept 24, 2009 at AMC

Reason to see: Action film with Kate Beckinsdale - I'm in.

I'll preface this review by saying that it was the first film I saw after TIFF'09 closed, which means it the deck is pretty much stacked against it. After seeing 39 high calibre films from around the world, a regular blockbuster doesn't stand be best of chances. And I chose watching it over Jennifer's Body regardless even being aware of it's really low rating on Rotten Tomatoes (6% as of Sept 30/09).

All that being said, it was ever so slightly better than I expected. Which doesn't mean it was great by all means but it was mostly entertaining and I love seeing locations filled with snow. I enjoyed Kate Beckinsdale's US Marshall character, although I find it hard to believe Antarctica would have a US Marshall - especially after seeing the documentary Encounters at the End of the World. I also enjoyed seeing Tom Skerritt on screen, even though it's ingrained in my brain to think of him as Dallas (from Alien) and even while taking notes during the film I wrote "Dallas does...", etc.

The film started to lose me when I was picking up how reminiscent it was of other films (The Thing, The Thing From Another World, Real Genius, etc) and kept loosing me when the it swung from mystery vibe to gross horror to drama. But what really threw me off was that the sense of sense of space, distance, different groups of people and locations was not very well defined. Often I was thinking - where are they now? Who are those people? How would someone get there? Some of that could be the mystery angle, but certainly not all. There was definitely and interesting idea in there, but I found it got lost somewhere along with way.

But, because of the beauty of locations, getting to see snow and the fact that I just like a lot of the actors I would watch it again.

Shannon's Overall View:
I didn't love it
I would watch it again
I'd recommend it as light action/thriller fare

16 minutes of preshow including 4 commercials and 5 previews: Fame, Alice in Wonderland (2010), Surrogates, The Fourth Kind and Lovely Bones

Return to Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2009

Dir: Christian Alvart (Case 39, Antibodies)
Cast: Ben Foster, Denis Quaid, Cam Gigandet, Antje Traue, Chun Le, Eddie Rouse
USA/Germany, 2009

Seen: September 25, 2009 at AMC

Reason to see: Sci Fi got me in the door, plus looking forward to see Ben Foster in a more leading role

First off, this is not really a science fiction film but rather a horror film in a science fiction setting. Not really knowing that is what I get for liking to go see films with so little context. As a horror film, has some decent tension, it can make you jump but mostly with jump scares. As for the Sci Fi element it's lacking in a lot of ways. Primarily the story, where there are a few interesting ideas they are often under explored and throw us back to a random action scene. So many things are left unexplained and the amount of inconsistencies, incongruities or the worst was something conveniences 'fixing' a scenario to keep moving forward had me stifling laughter.

It was quite a disappointment, especially given the cast but it doesn't seem like they had much to work with. The performance by Cam Gigandet was quite strong, and I will keep looking forward to more work from Ben Foster but this film wasn't a great showcase for anyone. I will give it the nod that I didn't always know what was going on, but I'm not sure how much of a compliment that is.

Shannon's Overall View:
It has a lot of problems
I would watch it again though, I'm such a sucker for Sci Fi
I'd recommend it if you like SciFi/Horror and don't mind incongruities

16 minutes of preshow including 4 commercials and 5 previews: Alice in Wonderland (2010), The Fourth Kind, Law Abiding Citizen, The Road and Up in the Air

Return to Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2009

Dir: Dominic Sena (Gone in 60 Seconds)
Cast: Kate Beckinsdale, Tom Skerritt, Gabriel Macht, Columbus Short, Alex O'Loughlin
USA/Canada, 2009

Seen: Sept 24, 2009 at AMC

Reason to see: Action film with Kate Beckinsdale - I'm in.

I'll preface this review by saying that it was the first film I saw after TIFF'09 closed, which means it the deck is pretty much stacked against it. After seeing 39 high calibre films from around the world, a regular blockbuster doesn't stand be best of chances. And I chose watching it over Jennifer's Body regardless even being aware of it's really low rating on Rotten Tomatoes (6% as of Sept 30/09).

All that being said, it was ever so slightly better than I expected. Which doesn't mean it was great by all means but it was mostly entertaining and I love seeing locations filled with snow. I enjoyed Kate Beckinsdale's US Marshall character, although I find it hard to believe Antarctica would have a US Marshall - especially after seeing the documentary Encounters at the End of the World. I also enjoyed seeing Tom Skerritt on screen, even though it's ingrained in my brain to think of him as Dallas (from Alien) and even while taking notes during the film I wrote "Dallas does...", etc.

The film started to lose me when I was picking up how reminiscent it was of other films (The Thing, The Thing From Another World, Real Genius, etc) and kept loosing me when the it swung from mystery vibe to gross horror to drama. But what really threw me off was that the sense of sense of space, distance, different groups of people and locations was not very well defined. Often I was thinking - where are they now? Who are those people? How would someone get there? Some of that could be the mystery angle, but certainly not all. There was definitely and interesting idea in there, but I found it got lost somewhere along with way.

But, because of the beauty of locations, getting to see snow and the fact that I just like a lot of the actors I would watch it again.

Shannon's Overall View:
I didn't love it
I would watch it again
I'd recommend it as light action/thriller fare

16 minutes of preshow including 4 commercials and 5 previews: Fame, Alice in Wonderland (2010), Surrogates, The Fourth Kind and Lovely Bones

Return to Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2009

Dir: Christian Alvart (Case 39, Antibodies)
Cast: Ben Foster, Denis Quaid, Cam Gigandet, Antje Traue, Chun Le, Eddie Rouse
USA/Germany, 2009

Seen: September 25, 2009 at AMC

Reason to see: Sci Fi got me in the door, plus looking forward to see Ben Foster in a more leading role

First off, this is not really a science fiction film but rather a horror film in a science fiction setting. Not really knowing that is what I get for liking to go see films with so little context. As a horror film, has some decent tension, it can make you jump but mostly with jump scares. As for the Sci Fi element it's lacking in a lot of ways. Primarily the story, where there are a few interesting ideas they are often under explored and throw us back to a random action scene. So many things are left unexplained and the amount of inconsistencies, incongruities or the worst was something conveniences 'fixing' a scenario to keep moving forward had me stifling laughter.

It was quite a disappointment, especially given the cast but it doesn't seem like they had much to work with. The performance by Cam Gigandet was quite strong, and I will keep looking forward to more work from Ben Foster but this film wasn't a great showcase for anyone. I will give it the nod that I didn't always know what was going on, but I'm not sure how much of a compliment that is.

Shannon's Overall View:
It has a lot of problems
I would watch it again though, I'm such a sucker for Sci Fi
I'd recommend it if you like SciFi/Horror and don't mind incongruities

16 minutes of preshow including 4 commercials and 5 previews: Alice in Wonderland (2010), The Fourth Kind, Law Abiding Citizen, The Road and Up in the Air

Return to Film Reviews

© Shannon Ridler, 2009

Another month, another DIY Entertainment Club! This month was inspired in equal parts of vampires and film festivals.

The Lost Boys
80's classic vampire film with lots of cool boys and a girl named Star. It's also next weeks selection for the Vampathon.

Interview with the Vampire
I think I'm becoming a vampire completist or did I just not want ayone to know I own Queen of the Damned but not Interview with the Vampire? Cat is out of the bag now! Also will be featured as a selection for the Vampathon.

Repo! The Genetic Opera
One of the craziest screenings at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008. I listen to the soundtrack a fair amount and at the time it was on amazon for a steal around $6 so I couldn't say no!

Chrysalis
Great French futuristic SciFi/Action that was one of my faves from TIFF back in 2007, which had a Q&A that led me to see the awesome Eyes Without a Face as it was inspirational to the film. I'm thrilled to now have it as part of my collection.

Titles available on Amazon.ca (Canada):



Titles available on Amazon.com (US):

Another month, another DIY Entertainment Club! This month was inspired in equal parts of vampires and film festivals.

The Lost Boys
80's classic vampire film with lots of cool boys and a girl named Star. It's also next weeks selection for the Vampathon.

Interview with the Vampire
I think I'm becoming a vampire completist or did I just not want ayone to know I own Queen of the Damned but not Interview with the Vampire? Cat is out of the bag now! Also will be featured as a selection for the Vampathon.

Repo! The Genetic Opera
One of the craziest screenings at Toronto After Dark Film Festival 2008. I listen to the soundtrack a fair amount and at the time it was on amazon for a steal around $6 so I couldn't say no!

Chrysalis
Great French futuristic SciFi/Action that was one of my faves from TIFF back in 2007, which had a Q&A that led me to see the awesome Eyes Without a Face as it was inspirational to the film. I'm thrilled to now have it as part of my collection.

Titles available on Amazon.ca (Canada):



Titles available on Amazon.com (US):

Booth Brothers LIVE September 29 10pm/et http://www.gameconradio.com
Moebanshee's Lair Paranormal Talk Radio

Zhou Xun does not look pregnant.

Huang Xiaoming

courtesy of on.cc

Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing

Alec Su Yau Peng, Zhang Hanyu, Huang Xiaoming
courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The Huayi Brothers' near 100 million yuan 60th anniversary National Day Chinese espionage film THE MESSAGE will open in Hong Kong officially on October 15. The cast including Huang Xiaoming, Zhou Xun, Li Bingbing, Zhang Hanyu and Alec Su Yau Peng yesterday along with director Chen Kuo-Fu arrived in Hong Kong for a press conference at the W Hotel. The stars shared the difficulties of the production and gave an advanced toast for box office success. The event scheduled a question and answer segment but the questions were only limited to the film.

The lead actresses yesterday dressed up for the event. Zhou Xun was full of spirit when she discussed her performance. "The performance in the film was rather hard to take. Young people at the time suffered torture and abuse that were very hard to imagine. After the performance I also found the role very hard to leave. I have a lot of respect for these young people. The beautiful life that we live in now is completely due to their effort."

With daring performance in the film, Li Bingbing before the shoot was rumored to be at odds with Zhou Xun. Yet yesterday they attended the press conference like a pair of twins. They often whispered and chatted. They even held hands while posing for photos to demonstrate that their relationship was not as outside described. Zhou Xun's THE MESSAGE performance was extremely daring. Zhou Xun said, "I always suspected whether the events in the film were real. I took the initiative to ask the director for a comprehension of the story background." In one scene Zhou Xun was required to perform in the nude. She said, "At the time Huang Xiaoming removed my clothing and measured every inch of my body. The director never yelled cut until I was yelling with all my might, one with my character and felt the lost of feminine dignity. We mentally already had chemistry. Although we didn't rehearsed but the director let us perform freely. I at the time had concerns but I couldn't think too much. We could only try to do our best."

Huang Xiaoming played a Japanese soldier in the film. He received two pages of Japanese dialogue. In order to play the character well, he spent over a month to translate over 20 pages of lines and did a lot of homework. He said, "I would look at them in the car or on the plane." Huang Xiaoming played a big villain who needed to handle all of the enemies in the film. He said, "The director wanted me to play very strong so my look had to coordinate. I had to cut my hair and shave." Huang Xiaoming expressed that he was not worried that fans would dislike him because he played a villain. He said, "Being a bad man is even better. Now people aren't that silly and know how to differentiate that this is acting."

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Nicholas Tse Ting Fung and Barbie Hsu (Tsui Hei Woon) yesterday worked on the set of the film YIT LAT LAT. They expressed that they knew each other for over ten years and now they finally have a chance to work on the big screen for the first time. Big S expressed that she and Ting Fung played a couple, but they did not have intimate scenes. She also expressed that before the shoot she saw a strong and slim Ting Fung. To avoid looking fatter than him on screen, she did not dare to eat two days before the shoot. In addition with her earlier illness she lost 2 kilograms.

Big S expressed that this time she made a lot of new attempts. Her look had an unprecedented handsomeness. Even people who knew her did not recognize her after three glances. Thus the director asked it to be kept confidential. In addition she also tried to deliver Cantonese lines, but she joked that even with the director's help she still felt they were very difficult. Some words she still could not read them.

Ting Fung only laughed off his wife Cecilia Cheung Pak Chi's rumored second pregnancy. He joked that if she was she would have been pregnant for five years. He immediately denied that she was really pregnant. As for having a baby he laughed, "I don't have the time!" He expressed that because he had a lot of work to do, but his wife did not complain. He expressed that he had the rare chance to perform at the Tiannanmen Square. Originally he wanted to bring his wife and parents to witness history but in the end his request was denied.

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Lau Ching Wan provided his voice to the animated film GARFIELD 3D and attended its charity premiere two nights ago. Lau Ching Wan expressed that he always liked to watch animation and thus particularly liked to do voice work. Yet sometimes when he did voice work for himself he felt strange because he usually thought his performance was poor. Ching Wan revealed that he will provide his voice in another animation. In October he will work on Johnnie To Kei Fung's new film DUET MING GUM (FATAL GOLD).

courtesy of takungpao.com

Aaron Kwok Fu Sing and Gouw Ian Iskander (Ng Kin To)

Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam)
courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Aaron Kwok Fu Sing yesterday with his AFTER THIS OUR EXILE (FU JI) son Gouw Ian Iskandar (Ng Kin Toh) appeared at the Peak's Madame Tussaud's to host the ASTRO BOY wax figure unveiling ceremony. They again provided their voices as father and son in the ASTRO BOY animation, but Ng Kin Toh was already much taller as now he reached Sing Sing's shoulder. Sing Sing said that Ng Kin To was grown but still very handsome. Sing Sing hoped to be able to work with Ng Kin Toh again but in the future they might have to play brothers. He also said that King Toh wanted to learn the moonwalk from him. Would he consider making him his disciple? He said that he would not need to since he already treated him like his son.

On the other hand, Sing Sing's rumored girlfriend Lynn Xiong (Hung Doi Lam) attended a hat exhibit. Earlier Lynn in Shanghai worked on the film IP MAN 2. Reportedly Zhang Ziyi in Tony Leung Chiu Wai's GRAND MASTER (YUT DOI JUNG SI) will play Mrs. Ip man. Lynn expressed that she would like to work with Zhang Ziyi if the opportunity arose since Zhang worked hard and her acting was great. She was not afraid of comparison because each person had a different style.

If you missed it live you can now listen online or download from iTunes The Unnamed Movie Podcast Episode 28. You can listen to Andrew and Douglas of gmanReviews and I chat about film news, new trailers (Fish Tank, The Trosky, Everybody's Fine) and including highlights from the experience that was TIFF'09. The guys also review mumblecore film Nights and Weekends.

If you missed it live you can now listen online or download from iTunes The Unnamed Movie Podcast Episode 28. You can listen to Andrew and Douglas of gmanReviews and I chat about film news, new trailers (Fish Tank, The Trosky, Everybody's Fine) and including highlights from the experience that was TIFF'09. The guys also review mumblecore film Nights and Weekends.

Special Announcement: Paranormal filmmakers The Booth Brothers (Spooked, Children Of The Grave, The Possessed as seen on SyFy/NBC Universal) will appear for two nights only at the haunted Ashmore Estates Poor Farm, October 29th and 30th for autographs and pictures! Explore the twisted hallways if you dare as this halloween Ashmore Estates will become Circus Sanatorium, a true haunted house of horrors. With full body apparitions, black mists and a death filled history, there couldn't be a more perfect place for a paranormal investigation or a Halloween event. Ashmore Estates was built in 1916 and was the Coles County Almshouse (poor farm) and mental holding tank for many poor souls until 1956. During that period, it is said that approximately 100 people died in the building. Paranormal investigators regularly reserve the building for ghost hunting – and they have always found it to be a very active building. Because of it's appearance and activity, Ashmore Estates is often referred to as a mini-Waverly, after the world famous haunted Waverly Hills Sanatorium in Kentucky. Ashmore Estate's reputation for paranormal activity lead the Spooked TV/ Sci Fi Channel's Booth Brothers to its doors. In June of 2008 they filmed the documentary “Soul Catcher” which will be released in 2010. Black masses, shadows crossing in front of the cameras, strange things breaking laser beams, EVP audio of screaming and crying, get ready for the ultimate haunted horror experience this Halloween.Tickets are only $15.00 and are available now online or at the door! For tickets or more info please visit; http://www.hauntedcharleston.net or http://www.ashmoreestates.net

MYSPACE: http://www.myspace.com/ashmoreestateshaunt
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Circus-Sanitorium-Ashmore-Estates/117714906983

You catch the latest Booth Brothers shows this 31 days of Halloween on the SyFy Channel. Please check your local TV listings for channel and show times info.

THE POSSESSED -Television Premiere, October 8th, 9/8c, SyFy
CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE - October 8th, 11/10c, SyFy

TIFF'09-ness
September has sure been a month of TIFF and with the festival wrapped up, so a fair few Mondays this month were spent in various theatres and not collecting TwiNews. But, the good thing is the festival featured various TwiStars and vampire films so all is not lost! In fact, one of the films I was sad to miss was the rock it to ya vampire film Suck, but low and behold it got picked up by Universal Pictures so hopefully it will be heading to a theatre nearby soon. Suck is written & directed by Rob Stefaniuk and stars Rob Stefaniuk, Jessica Paré, Dave Foley and Malcolm McDowell along with musicians Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Moby, Alex Lifeson, Carole Pope and Dimitri Coats. See more on Suck on its IMDb Page. But that wasn't the only vampire film at TIFF, I did get out to the Midnight Madness screening of the Spierig Brothers' Daybreakers starring Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill. The film was a lot of fun, as was the introduction and Q&A with Michael & Peter Spierig, Willem Dafoe & Sam Neill. The moon doesn't set just yet as more works from Twilight cast were on display including football biopic The Damned United (starring Michael Sheen) and the fantastic-but-not-for-the-faint-of-heart horror flick & Midnight Madness Audience Choice Winner The Loved Ones (starring Xavier Samuel) which had a great introduction and Q&A with Sean Byrne. The screening I went to of The Loved Ones didn't have any actors in attendance but they were at the Midnight Madness screening and you can see footage of those shows over at Sheleigh: Before the Screening and Q&A, and over at The Substream.

New Moon Trailer - #3
Amidst all this madness the New Moon trailer was released and I have to say I reacted a little like when I saw the first Twilight trailer which was that it feels like they are showing a heck of a lot of the film in the trailer. Thoughts on the trailer are discussed over at Episode 21 of Before the Dawn.

Stephenie Meyer's The Host Screen Rights Picked Up
Word is out that producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz have picked up the screen rights for Stephenie Meyer's book "The Host" and Gattaca director Andrew Niccol has been attached to the project. I only got through the first chapter of this book, but it looks like I'm going to have to give it another go. I'm down with the Sci Fi angle, but had a feeling it would end up being religious in nature. Should be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Source: Row Three, Variety

Nightmare on Elm Street Trailer
/film has posted a teaser trailer for the upcoming remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Watching the original film recently I had no idea it was so cheesy, but the trailer of the revamp looks pretty scary. Sadly there only seems to be a glimmer of Twilight's Kellan Lutz role shown. Trailer also notes a April 30, 2010 release date shifting the film 2 weeks past previously announced April 16, 2010 release date.
Source: /film

I Want Some More: Vampathon
The Vampathon: Vampire Film Marathon continues with reviews of more vampire films including the hilarious Canadian vampire comedy Blood & Donuts, the upcoming 2010 release of Daybreakers and getting back to classics with the 1932 Vampyr - Der Traum des Allan Grey. Coming up this week for review is Mario Bava's Black Sunday / La maschera del demonio.

Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast - 4 Episodes to Enjoy!
One positive to being off kilter for a while is lots to catch up on - You can listen to Marina & I's discuss a whole lotta Twi-news and views with:
Episode 19 - Vampire Diaries - book series adapted to TV show on the CW
Episode 20 - News to September 4, 2009
Episode 21 - News to September 18, 2009
Episode 22 - Vampire Lore

Did I miss anything glaring in the TwiWorld?

TIFF'09-ness
September has sure been a month of TIFF and with the festival wrapped up, so a fair few Mondays this month were spent in various theatres and not collecting TwiNews. But, the good thing is the festival featured various TwiStars and vampire films so all is not lost! In fact, one of the films I was sad to miss was the rock it to ya vampire film Suck, but low and behold it got picked up by Universal Pictures so hopefully it will be heading to a theatre nearby soon. Suck is written & directed by Rob Stefaniuk and stars Rob Stefaniuk, Jessica Paré, Dave Foley and Malcolm McDowell along with musicians Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Henry Rollins, Moby, Alex Lifeson, Carole Pope and Dimitri Coats. See more on Suck on its IMDb Page. But that wasn't the only vampire film at TIFF, I did get out to the Midnight Madness screening of the Spierig Brothers' Daybreakers starring Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe and Sam Neill. The film was a lot of fun, as was the introduction and Q&A with Michael & Peter Spierig, Willem Dafoe & Sam Neill. The moon doesn't set just yet as more works from Twilight cast were on display including football biopic The Damned United (starring Michael Sheen) and the fantastic-but-not-for-the-faint-of-heart horror flick & Midnight Madness Audience Choice Winner The Loved Ones (starring Xavier Samuel) which had a great introduction and Q&A with Sean Byrne. The screening I went to of The Loved Ones didn't have any actors in attendance but they were at the Midnight Madness screening and you can see footage of those shows over at Sheleigh: Before the Screening and Q&A, and over at The Substream.

New Moon Trailer - #3
Amidst all this madness the New Moon trailer was released and I have to say I reacted a little like when I saw the first Twilight trailer which was that it feels like they are showing a heck of a lot of the film in the trailer. Thoughts on the trailer are discussed over at Episode 21 of Before the Dawn.

Stephenie Meyer's The Host Screen Rights Picked Up
Word is out that producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz have picked up the screen rights for Stephenie Meyer's book "The Host" and Gattaca director Andrew Niccol has been attached to the project. I only got through the first chapter of this book, but it looks like I'm going to have to give it another go. I'm down with the Sci Fi angle, but had a feeling it would end up being religious in nature. Should be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Source: Row Three, Variety

Nightmare on Elm Street Trailer
/film has posted a teaser trailer for the upcoming remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street. Watching the original film recently I had no idea it was so cheesy, but the trailer of the revamp looks pretty scary. Sadly there only seems to be a glimmer of Twilight's Kellan Lutz role shown. Trailer also notes a April 30, 2010 release date shifting the film 2 weeks past previously announced April 16, 2010 release date.
Source: /film

I Want Some More: Vampathon
The Vampathon: Vampire Film Marathon continues with reviews of more vampire films including the hilarious Canadian vampire comedy Blood & Donuts, the upcoming 2010 release of Daybreakers and getting back to classics with the 1932 Vampyr - Der Traum des Allan Grey. Coming up this week for review is Mario Bava's Black Sunday / La maschera del demonio.

Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast - 4 Episodes to Enjoy!
One positive to being off kilter for a while is lots to catch up on - You can listen to Marina & I's discuss a whole lotta Twi-news and views with:
Episode 19 - Vampire Diaries - book series adapted to TV show on the CW
Episode 20 - News to September 4, 2009
Episode 21 - News to September 18, 2009
Episode 22 - Vampire Lore

Did I miss anything glaring in the TwiWorld?

Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast - Episode 22 is up!

Tune in to Before the Dawn to hear Marina & I return with a theme show and the topic this week is all about vampire lore. Trends in vampire films & books from past to present covering themes, lore and insights. Vampalicious!

Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast is a weekly 1/2 hour podcast meeting all your audio Twilight needs!

Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast - Episode 22 is up!

Tune in to Before the Dawn to hear Marina & I return with a theme show and the topic this week is all about vampire lore. Trends in vampire films & books from past to present covering themes, lore and insights. Vampalicious!

Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast is a weekly 1/2 hour podcast meeting all your audio Twilight needs!

courtesy of takungpao.com

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Tony Leung Chiu Wai earlier while training for the upcoming Wong Kar Wai new film production GRAND MASTER (YUT DOI JUNG SI) injured his left hand. After two months his injury has gradually recovered. Earlier he returned to his martial art and physical training. Even Wing Tsun Master Leung Siu Hung who was responsible for training Wai Jing praised Wai Jai's ability to learn is very high. With his agility he will be able to start the production at any time.

He just returned to training, but Wai Jai earlier looked great and was agile when he practiced in front of the master and fellow students. He said, "Although during the injury I had to stop training, but I didn't give up on exercising or relax. I know kung fu can never have enough training, I didn't want to stop due to an injury. At least I maintained suitable amount of exercise. I too wanted to pick it back up sooner. Actually when I first practiced again I had some fear. Now when I practice I wear protective pad on the arm. Although it still hurts a little, the pain is already reduced to its lowest. Ultimately the protection is limited. I was lucky with this injury though because the injured area wasn't a hard to heal spot. I can make GRAND MASTER on time."

Wai Jai described the two month break as a long vacation. Although the doctor urged him to stop extraneous exercises and to rest for at least three months before complete recovery, he did not relax at all. After several weeks of rest he began to do some appropriate exercises to train his arm and leg muscles and agility. He also ran for one to two hours. To avoid contact with the injured area, Wai Jai ran with his arm tied up and fists clinched. A lot of times when Wai Jai ran on the streets, people asked him about his injury and told him to be careful. Everyone's concern and support greatly comforted him.

Zhou Xun

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of takungpao.com

THE MESSAGE team arrived in Hong Kong today. The all star line up included director Chen Kuo-Fu, actors Zhou Xun, Huang Xiaoming, Li Bingbing, Alec Su Yau Peng, Zhang Hanyu appeared at the grand Hong Kong premiere.

Different from other actors, Huang Xiaoming not only played a role in the film but also sang the theme song and published a photo collection that he took. Huang Xiaoming took pictures on the set to relieve stress. He also revealed that most pictures were taken without permission and joked that he too became a paparazzo. He had over 1,000 photos from the set and captured everyone's most undetected expression. To commemorate this film's experience, Huang Xiaoming worked with a magazine to release a book. Because the actors were very close, everyone was rather relaxed with him behind the camera and thoroughly made faces. In the photos Zhou Xun made a variety of expressions for "photographer" Huang Xiaoming. Even Li Bingbing and Zhang Hanyu took the camera and took pictures of Huang Xiaoming, which also brought the pressure filled set extra cheer.

In one scene Zhou Xun bit Huang Xiaoming's ear. "We took two days to shoot that scene. I was bitten many times. Zhou Xun took great care of me and didn't truly apply force, but I didn't imagine that it would still hurt."

Films Discussed
TIFF'09 Coverage now complete!
In Theatres: Whiteout, Pandorum
Vampire Films: Black Sunday
Random Watching: Macbeth (2006 version with Sam Worthington)

TIFF goes bye-bye:


Awesome Selection at the AMC: