Movie Box Review

LIVE INTERVIEW: Philip and Christopher Booth as seen on SyFy.

9:18 PM |

Call-in Number: (646) 595-3027Upcoming Show: 3/1/2010 7:00PM/EST Host Name: Gutwrench Show Name: The Gut & Bone Show --- Philip and Christopher Booth Length: 1 hr THE BOOTH BROTHERS: Philip and Christopher Booth as seen on SyFy.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gutwrench/blog/2010/02/24/christopher-and-philip-booth

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[2010.03.01] ANDY LAU TEACHES SHAOLIN MONKS TO DANCE

6:29 PM |

Jackie Chan
Albert Yeung Sau Sing

courtesy of on.cc

Andy Lau Tak Wa, Jackie Chan

courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

Jackie Chan, Andy Lau Tak Wa, Bai Bing, Jason Wu Jing, Yu Shaoqun earlier continued to work on SHAOLIN (SUN SIU LUM JI). The team spent 10 million on a 1:1 scale "New Shaolin Temple", which was opened for a press visit for the first time. Jackie Chan praised the set for its realism; Wa Jai spent his free time on teaching little martial art monks to dance and instead they stole his thunder.

Wa Jai in order to play a monk character shaved his head. Jackie Chan also thought about shaving his head. He said, "In the end I was afraid that I would lose continuity in the other movie so I changed my mind." Big Brother immediately pulled up his hat and joked, "Actually I shaved halfway, but the team yelled at me to stop. Now my head is very yeah." Speaking of Nicholas Tse Ting Fung's risk taking, he said, "He gives his all in everything he does, I admire him alot. (Does he have shades of your past?) Whether his birth or his environment he has been much more comfortable than me. When he makes movies he has many people around him. In the past we counted to three and just started." In addition, about Tang Wei's ban lift Jackie Chan said, "I don't know, I didn't read it. At this age I don't think or see, I would only care about people and the Earth. (Would you like to work with her?) So far I haven't thought about it."

A group of little martial art monks danced on the set like Wa Jai and stole a lot of his thunder. Wa Jai said, "Earlier when they watched KUNG FU HUSTLE they learned to dance the 'Ax Gang' dance and got sick of it, so they asked me to teach them a new routine. They are very hard working. At home they would practice." Wa Jai had many action scenes and the back of his hand was injured. Wa Jai said, "It's minor, nothing special." In addition, lately a magazine claimed that Wa Jai's new film FUTURE X-COPS (MEI LOI GAING CHAT) due to its boss (Tsai Chung Lin)'s exit could not be finished. Also due to a lack of money its special effects were disappointing. Wa Jai said, "I didn't notice, but I asked Brother Jing why it doesn't have any release date. He said he wanted CG to be done better." The report claimed that CG results were poor, Wa Jai said, "I have seen the CG effects, I thought they pass."

In the film Bai Bing had relationships with Wu Jing and Yu Shaoqun. She said, "In the film I don't know kung fu, but I have to sing Henan opera. I studied it for a month before hand." With the airing of THE MYTH television series, Bai Bing has been called "counterfeit Kim Hee-Sun". She asked, "What do you think? I feel certain characters only have resemblance after make up. (Do you mind the comparison?) I don't mind." Wu Jing for the film went to Shaolin Temple and trained for seven days before hand. He said, "I was very happy about going for seven days. I felt very peaceful inside and my view on life changed." Wu Jing and Lau Tak Wa worked on a few scenes together and afterward praised how great he was. In terms of shape and strength Lau Tak Wa seemed to have had some previous kung fu experience.

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[2010.03.01] SANDRA NG'S HONG KONG FILM AWARD NOMINATION HAS NO CONFLICT WITH PETER CHAN

6:25 PM |

Maggie Lee Man Kwan

Simon Yam Tat Wa, Mabel Cheung Yuen Ting, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Alex Law Kai Yui

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of takungpao.com

Winning the 60th Annual Berlin Film Festival Generation kplus Best Picture Crystal Bear Prize, the Alex Law Kai Yui directed, Mabel Cheung Yuen Ting produced film ECHOES OF THE RAINBOW (SHUI YUET SUN TAU) two nights ago held its premiere. Actors Simon Yam Tat Wa, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu, Araif Lee Chi Ting, Evelyn Choi Wing Yan and child star Chung Siu To attended.

Ng Kwan Yu and Yam Tat Wa received Hong Kong Film Award nominations with ECHOES, were they confident? Kwan Yu expressed that she never thought about it. She hoped its box office would be good. The box office came first, award came second. Ultimately this film production did not have an easy start. Brother Wa left it up to Heaven. Kwan Yu said that he was one of this year's 50 professional reviewers for Hong Kong Film Award, thus she could not vote for herself. She hoped that everyone would vote for ECHOES and not split votes.

As for her husband Peter Chan Ho Sun's BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (SUP YUET WAI SING) and its 18 nominations, was she competing with Chan Ho Sun? Kwan Yu said, "We don't need to compete, his movie has no female lead. In its 18 nominations it doesn't have Best Actress, so our relationship wouldn't be hurt." Kwan Yu expressed that she has not watched her opponents so she would not at liberty to discuss other actresses. Was she afraid that ECHOES would become an imaginary enemy? Kwan Yu expressed that she did not mind. She was very happy about the Berlin Film Festival prize but still did not have time to celebrate with the director. Perhaps they would wait after the film release. Yam Tat Wa's brother, Deputy Police Commissioner Yam Tat Wing, recently announced his official retirement. Has Yam Tat Wa thought about retirement? He said, "I haven't, I really like acting." Ng Kwan Yu said that his brother could act after retirement. After a lifetime as a cop he could try playing a crook while Yam Tat Wa played a cop.

Cheung Yuen Ting expressed that she was so dizzy a week after returning to Hong Kong. This time was a pleasant surprise and she felt flattered. Was she confident about the box office? She said, "I don't know, originally I was thinking about how to promote. I didn't expect the response in Hong Kong would be so overwhelming." Would good box office make up for the actor salary difference? She said, "I don't know yet, for now we haven't planned on a sequel either." She said that she hoped that the family of four in the film would be able to win at the Hong Kong Film Award together.

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[2010.03.01] 72 TENANTS OF PROSPERITY HEADS TOWARD 30 MILLION

6:22 PM |

courtesy of mingpao.com

courtesy of takungpao.com

The Lunar New Year film 72 TENANTS OF PROSPERITY (72 GA JO HAT) performed well at the box office and became the Lunar New Year champion. Actors including Bosco Wong Chung Chak, Jeanette Leung Ching Kok, Samantha Ko Hoi Ning and Matthew Ko Kwan Yin yesterday visited several cinemas to thank the audience. Wong Chung Chak yesterday announced that director Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) told him the film's box office has already exceeded 30 million.

Wong Chung Chak expressed that the initial box office was 20 million, he never expected that in less than a month in release it has already 30 million box office. However, after 30 million the box office started to have stress, but now everyday's average box office was 1 million. He hoped to have even better performance.

Leung Ching Kok and Ko Hoi Ning in the film had a scene in which their chests were blasted with water. Leung Ching Kok reportedly was upset at the scene and claimed to be like a "young model" afterward. Later she reportedly was upset that while working on Wong Jing's BEAUTY ON DUTY (MEI LAI MUK LING) she had to squeeze Charlene Choi Chuek Yin's head with her chest. She expressed that she did not degrade "young models" and everything were magazine speculations. She stressed that she did not blame Wong Jing and was afraid that Brother Jing would mistake her for being arrogant. She called Brother Jing to explain. Luckily Brother Jing

understood and told her not to be silly because he could not believe the reports.

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[2010.02.28] NICHOLAS TSE PROMOTES EYEWEAR

6:12 PM |

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of singtao.com

Nicholas Tse Ting Fung two days ago attended an eyewear event in Shanghai. Ting Fung revealed that he is busy with his new film SHAOLIN (SUN SIU LUM JI), in which he would have many fight scenes with Andy Lau Tak Wa. Ting Fung was nominated for Best Supporting Actor with BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS (SUP YUET WAI SING). He said, "I really don't want to think too much because I am not making movies to win awards." He felt that he still had room for improvement in acting, while he had no plan for music. "I can only say I seem to be unsuitable for this music scene." Ting Fung said that after ten years without being able to spend

the Lunar New Year at home, this year he finally was able to with his family.

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Lord of the Ring Readalong & Feb 2010 Book Check In

6:05 PM | Labels: Book to Film Challenge, Books, Lord of the Rings

Last day of the month always feels like a time to 'check in'. Considering I'm playing along with the The Lord of the Rings readalong where February is the Fellowship of the Ring month, I'm feeling like it should be reading check in time considering I've set myself some lofty goals for 2010 with the Book to Film Challenge. I'll get to other books I've read this month but first up, let's see how The Fellowship went.

Thankfully, the Literary Omnivore who is hosting fellowship month has provided us yet again with questions to ponder and explore regarding the book.

As opposed to my spoiler-free film reviews, this post will discuss content of the book The Fellowship of the Ring. Please read only if you've read the book!

1. Since we’re dealing with a third of a novel, instead of the first novel in a series, do you find anything different?

I actually didn't know that. Learning happens all the time.

2. Do Books One and Two have significant differences to you?

Not really, I had to go look up and see what the transition was between the two books. Both start with meetings and end at water, for some random comparisons.

3. Who’s your favourite character so far into the novel?

Oh, naming names feels so wrong! With the fellowship, I found it very hard to separate the book from the film. I see the actors and hear their voices, especially with Gandalf, Galadriel and Boromir. I don't think I have one favourite character yet, although it might shape up to be Merry in the long run out of the people we've been introduced to so far. But, for this book I really enjoyed Boromir way more than expected. I love Boromir's stubbornness and strong belief and expression of what he thinks they should do - especially when everyone else is being so freaking indecisive. One of my biggest realizations was finding out that I'm not a big fan of (hides) Aragon. But! This is a *huge* relief, because I didn't love him in the film either - and now I can see it's really the character I don't love, as opposed to the casting or performance.

4. What surprised you the most?

What a challenge it was to get through the book. Holy crap, this sucker is denser than .. something dense. I was really glad I planned out my reading strategy and stuck to my schedule of a chapter a day at least 5 times a week. Without my schedule, I'd not have made it through. I was also surprized at how close it is to the film, not only with what happens but in spirit. I see the film when I'm reading it. I was also surprized that some chapters felt like almost nothing happened. With the chapter titles being so descriptive and often relate to the biggest thing that happens in the chapter, this really killed the anticipation of what would happen. For this one it doesn't matter - I remember it pretty well, but for later I might have to avoid them a little. I very much prefer straight up numbered chapters.

5. What was your favourite scene?

Tie between the Hobbits meeting Strider in Bree and the Frodo/Boromir showdown.

Bonus Question - Favourite Quote

"Where there are many, all speeches become debate without end. But two together may perhaps find wisdom" - p.523, Boromir to Frodo

Overall, I'm thrilled I got through it and am looking forward to watching the film later tonight with a new eye. It looks like several challenge peeps are going to wait and do a rewatch of all the films in May. I can't wait though! I might watch all the extended versions in May, if I have a whole weekend free. With The Fellowship, even though it took me the whole month to get through it, I do feel like I raced though a bit, but I can also tell this is a book you can (and people do) read over and over again to continue to get more and more depth. Again, a big thank you to Literary Omnivore for hosting this month's section of the Readalong!

I'm really looking forward to reading The Two Towers because I know the story a lot less and if I remember right it's a bit less of a literal book to film translation. I also know there are some awesome character coming up and really looking forward to seeing them. Thank goodness March not only has 3 more days to it, but that the book is a little shorter! I need some breathing room! The Two Towers section of the readalong will be hosted by Shelf Love.

2010 Book to Film Challenge Update

Along with finishing The Fellowship of the Ring, I also knocked off 1 more book on my 2010 Book to Film Challenge list: Saving the World & Other Extreme Sports by James Patterson. It's the third in the Maximum Ride series and was another great, fun, fast read. This series is like my breather series, when I need something a bit lighter it's my go to. The chapters are super short and it's jammed backed with action. This puts me at 2/20 for books read for the challenge which is right on track. Woohoo!

Random Reading
Since we are on the bookshelf here, I thought I'd share what else I read this month with spoiler-free impressions.

Beggars and Choosers by Nancy Kress
I loved the first book in this trilogy called Beggars in Spain, and with Beggars and Choosers I gladly returned to the near future world created and visiting the characters and seeing how life as progressed. What I love about the series is that it's SciFi, and is totally drenched in the science but it's still completely accessible for those that aren't science minded. I highly recommended checking out Beggars in Spain for folks that like SciFi and if you like it keep going with the series. My tagline for it was "I've not read a book that intently since Ender's Game", which is saying a lot.

Midnight Sun (Draft) by Stephenie Meyers
I read this purely so it could be discussed with Marina over at Before the Dawn: A Twilight Podcast. Midnight Sun is a draft version of part of the book Twilight from Edward's perspective. I'm not and Edward fan, but after reading it I can say that after reading it I do 'understand' him more. I don't like him more, but I do understand him more. If you want to hear more on this, check out the Midnight Sun episode of the podcast here. It's pretty interesting because we are on different ends of the Edward spectrum. If you haven't read Midnight Sun, you can! It's available online here at Stephenie Meyer's site.

The Gryphon Project by Carrie Mac
This one was pretty interesting, and it was a bit of a relief to read what is (at least currently) a stand alone book. It treads the dystopic/utopic lines and kind of reminds me of what would happen is you followed a story about teenagers form a world like Fahrenheit 451. I did have a beef with it, as it's from the perspective of a girl but the focus is primarily on another character. This bugged me in terms of certain dynamics as well as personal identity and expression - even in a fiction, dystopic world. I do recognize it was likely used as a storytelling style, but I couldn't stop thinking about it.

If you are a fellow book lovers, I'm hooked up on GoodReads now and loving it. Feel free to add me as a friend!