Movie Box Review

courtesy of singtao.com

Sandra Ng said working with husband Peter Chan Ho Sun was very confusing and very tiring.

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courtesy of singtao.com

Ronald Cheng

Margie Tsang Wa Sin, Louis Koo Tin Lok, Sandra Ng

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Ronald Cheng Chung Kei, Sandra Ng Kwan Yu

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The Louis Koo Tin Lok and Sandra Ng Kwan Yu starred Lunar New Year film MR. AND MRS. INCREDIBLE (SUN KEI HUP NUI) two nights ago held a charity premiere to raise fund for the Hong Kong Early Psychosis Intervention Society. Aside from the leads, producer Peter Chan Ho Sun, director Vincent Kok Tak Siu also attended. Kwan Yu ignored husband Chan Ho Sun and dressed up for the event. Even her friends Sheung Tin Ngor and Margie Tsang Wa Sin could not help but attack her chest.

Kwan Yu stole the show with her sexiness, but she said that she did so to support her husband. This year he had two Lunar New Year film releases but she was very confident in herself. Despite the flu two nights ago she still brought out the "chest" that she has hidden for a long time and joked that this time she risked her life. Kwan Yu also joked that if the box office did well, Goo Jai should take out money to give away. They even agreed to give away big laisee at the celebration, as they feared that people would call them cheap.

Earlier Kok Tak Siu revealed that Kwan Yu and Goo Jai had a bed scene when Chan Ho Sun supervised. Kwan Yu joked that he had no real separation between personal and professional. She pointed out that Chan Ho Sun was especially demanding of her, like always saying at home they lacked promotion. She was afraid that she knew too much and "threatened her own life". She also pointed out that Chan Ho Sun came to the set that day and she was not embarrassed. Instead she joked that her husband was so old and gray that he should have returned home after the ceremony, but he was unwilling to leave. Goo Jai was not embarrassed either because the producer supported him in playing this character well.

Kwan Yu's friend Tsang Wa Sin came in support two nights ago and attacked Kwan Yu's chest on the spot. During a photo shoot she also took the chance to touch Goo Jai's chest. Kwan Yu said, "They are both single, Goo Jai is so 'big' in everything." Goo Jai immediately clarified that she meant his home. Wa Sin joked that she was not interested in younger man, but seeing Goo Jai she would consider him. She joked, "You have great qualities, especially since you are a little bashful!" Kwan Yu joked that many friends were lining up but Goo Jai did not have time as

career came first for him. Goo Jai joked, "Thank you, thank you very much, I am very busy now. We will talk when I am free!" Then he took the chance to skip out.

Ronald Cheng Chung Kei two nights ago appeared at the premiere and became the focus. He looked fatter. He honestly said that recently he has been working on Wong Jing's new film MO GA JI BO (PRICELESS TREASURE) and often had Peking Duck on the set. In addition his character was a martial art superstar so he deliberately trained to look stronger. Speaking of his divorce with Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin, was he unable to appear in court because he was working in the Mainland? At first he was unwilling to talk then said, "This is a part of the process, I don't have to go to court. Actually all the procedures have already been done. (The court now issued a temporary divorce to you.) That's the way it is!" However a hearing has been rumored due to financial issues of both parties. Was Ah Sa asking for support? He said, "No, not at all!" He said that they did not have any debt issue. Were they still in contact? He hesitated and said, "Not constant contact, only when contact is needed. (Do you need to see Ah Sa again to discuss the divorce?) Basically I don't need to, but in the future we may need to at work."

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Eric Tsang Chi Wai's father Tsang Kai Wing earlier passed away. Two nights ago Chi Wai held a cremation ceremony in Taiwan for his father. Chi Wai after handling his father's affair immediately returned to Hong Kong to promote the Lunar New Year film. Originally Chi Wai

planned to transport his father's ashes back to Hong Kong, but now with more family in Taiwan he decided to place it in Taiwan.

Chi Wai yesterday appeared on a Commercial Radio interview and was still dressed in black. He thanked everyone and he was better than he imagined. His father departed very well, in the entire process he was very appreciative. His family has returned to Taiwan and his father left very comfortably. He gave special thanks to Master Hsing Yun for loaning a place for him to hold his father's farewell event. His father's ashes will be placed in Taiwan. Was this his father's wish? He pointed out that his father causally left it to them. At first he thought about shipping it back to Hong Kong, but he thought of how more family was in Taiwan and they liked to go to the temple, he decided to leave it there. After the Lunar New year, about February 26 he will hold a farewell event for his father. How was his daughter Bo Yi? He pointed out that his father was old and it did not happen suddenly. His father's health gradually deteriorated so they were mentally prepared. Yet this was a rare chance for the family to get together, so they decided to have an annual reunion. He believed that his father wished that for them. Now he is busy with the Lunar New Year film I LOVE HONG KONG (NGOR OI HK HOI SUM MAN SHUI) promotion.

Speaking of "Shell King" Chan Kwok Keung becoming TVB's new boss and Chi Wai was a friend of his, would he have more advantages now with the Lunar New Year film promotion? He said that it was the same. He pointed out that Chan Kwok Keung was not a rookie and was a shareholder of TVB pay television. He had the intention to work in entertainment and with the Star East experience, he was not as simple as a investor. Chi Wai said that he had no idea before hand. Fifteen minutes before the press release Chan Kwok Keung called to tell him. He thought it was a good thing. Would he be interested in TVB administrative work? Chi Wai honestly said that he was not but he would give opinions in the area of film. He also pointed out that Chan and Mona Fong Yat Wa worked together before. During pay television days he was in contact with Ms. Fong and they already had chemistry. He believed that the addition to TVB would not cause too much change.

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday January 28, 2011! You know what time of year it is? Countdown to Oscar's time! The nominations were announced this past Tuesday and as per tradition I have my three lists up of full nominations, as well as film list with nominations detailed and straight-up films list, and it's very exciting to see the Canadian film Incendies nominated for best foreign language film of the year. This year I've actually done pretty well in preparation as I've seen 21 of the 41 feature films nominated, and only think I can/will/need to see an additional 2-3 films before the show on Feb 27, 2011. How did you do this year?

In limited release we have three films hitting the theatres including some theatre and Oscar competition to Incendies with the highly acclaimed and Oscar nominated Dogtooth / Kynodontas which is up for Best foreign language film of the year for Greece (in a real first, Dogtooth / Kynodontas actually hit DVD release earlier this week before it's theatrical debut here in Toronto). We also have our second Canadian release of the year, Casino Jack which is a crime/comedy inspired by true events starring Kevin Spacey as a Washington DC Lobbyist. Last up for limited release is the Thursday January 27, 2011 release of the documentary The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector.

In wide release this week we have two biggies going head to head with the heist/action flick The Mechanic starring Jason Statham (The Expendables), Ben Foster (Pandorum, 3:10 to Yuma (2007)) and Donald Sutherland and the supernatural horror film The Rite starring Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins and Ciarán Hinds and reminds me of a cross between themes in Stigmata & The Last Exorcism which means I have to see it. To be honest, I strongly want to see both of them! Rounding out the wide releases is the Bollywood comedy Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, which recently received an rating from the film board in India which limits the film to adults after the director refused to cut certain scenes, and now this film has got me curious too! Another week with a great selection of films!

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

The 8 Fest Small-Gauge Film Festival
A festival focusing on small-gauge film including 8mm, Super 8, 9.5mm, loops and zoetropes
January 28 - 30, 2011 at Trash Palace in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Special Screenings

Canada's Top Ten 2010
Continues until February 1, 2011 at TIFF Lightbox, see here for more information

Thunder Soul
This month's selection for the monthly Doc Soup screening by Hot Docs is the funk music documentary focus directed by Mark Landsman. Thunder Soul screens Wednesday February 2, 2011 at 6:30 and 9:15PM at The Bloor, more info on the screening here.

Advance Screening

The sport documentary Chasing Legends has advance screenings around town on Wednesday Feb 2, 2011 at Varsity, Eglinton Town Center and other locations - check local listings for more details. This one feels really super advances, as there is no official film site or IMDb page!

Thursday January 27, 2011 Releases

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector
Dir: Vikram Jayanti (Snowblind)
Documentary
USA/UK
Limited Release
No Official Film Site Found, IMDb Page, Trailer

Friday January 28, 2011 Releases

Casino Jack
Dir: George Hickenlooper (Factory Girl, Hearts of Darkness)
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Rachelle Lefevre
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
Dir: Madhur Bhandarkar (Traffic Signal, Chandni Bar)
Cast: Tisca Chopra, Shradha Das, G.K. Desai, Ajay Devgan
India
No Official Film Site Found, Wikipedia Page, IMDb Page, Trailer

Dogtooth / Kynodontas
Dir: Giorgos Lanthimos (Kinetta, My Best Friend)
Cast: Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, Aggeliki Papoulia, Mary Tsoni, Hristos Passalis, Anna Kalaitzidou
Greece
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Mechanic
Dir: Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Con Air)
Cast: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland, Tony Goldwyn, Jeff Chase, Mini Anden
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Rite
Dir: Mikael Håfström (1408, Derailed)
Cast: Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins, Ciarán Hinds, Alice Braga, Toby Jones, Rutger Hauer
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of January 28, 2011**

Hello Film Fans and Fanatics!

Welcome to Film Fan Fridays for Friday January 28, 2011! You know what time of year it is? Countdown to Oscar's time! The nominations were announced this past Tuesday and as per tradition I have my three lists up of full nominations, as well as film list with nominations detailed and straight-up films list, and it's very exciting to see the Canadian film Incendies nominated for best foreign language film of the year. This year I've actually done pretty well in preparation as I've seen 21 of the 41 feature films nominated, and only think I can/will/need to see an additional 2-3 films before the show on Feb 27, 2011. How did you do this year?

In limited release we have three films hitting the theatres including some theatre and Oscar competition to Incendies with the highly acclaimed and Oscar nominated Dogtooth / Kynodontas which is up for Best foreign language film of the year for Greece (in a real first, Dogtooth / Kynodontas actually hit DVD release earlier this week before it's theatrical debut here in Toronto). We also have our second Canadian release of the year, Casino Jack which is a crime/comedy inspired by true events starring Kevin Spacey as a Washington DC Lobbyist. Last up for limited release is the Thursday January 27, 2011 release of the documentary The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector.

In wide release this week we have two biggies going head to head with the heist/action flick The Mechanic starring Jason Statham (The Expendables), Ben Foster (Pandorum, 3:10 to Yuma (2007)) and Donald Sutherland and the supernatural horror film The Rite starring Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins and Ciarán Hinds and reminds me of a cross between themes in Stigmata & The Last Exorcism which means I have to see it. To be honest, I strongly want to see both of them! Rounding out the wide releases is the Bollywood comedy Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji, which recently received an rating from the film board in India which limits the film to adults after the director refused to cut certain scenes, and now this film has got me curious too! Another week with a great selection of films!

Have a great weekend!

Shannon

Festival Watch

The 8 Fest Small-Gauge Film Festival
A festival focusing on small-gauge film including 8mm, Super 8, 9.5mm, loops and zoetropes
January 28 - 30, 2011 at Trash Palace in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Special Screenings

Canada's Top Ten 2010
Continues until February 1, 2011 at TIFF Lightbox, see here for more information

Thunder Soul
This month's selection for the monthly Doc Soup screening by Hot Docs is the funk music documentary focus directed by Mark Landsman. Thunder Soul screens Wednesday February 2, 2011 at 6:30 and 9:15PM at The Bloor, more info on the screening here.

Advance Screening

The sport documentary Chasing Legends has advance screenings around town on Wednesday Feb 2, 2011 at Varsity, Eglinton Town Center and other locations - check local listings for more details. This one feels really super advances, as there is no official film site or IMDb page!

Thursday January 27, 2011 Releases

The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector
Dir: Vikram Jayanti (Snowblind)
Documentary
USA/UK
Limited Release
No Official Film Site Found, IMDb Page, Trailer

Friday January 28, 2011 Releases

Casino Jack
Dir: George Hickenlooper (Factory Girl, Hearts of Darkness)
Cast: Kevin Spacey, Barry Pepper, Kelly Preston, Jon Lovitz, Rachelle Lefevre
Canada
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
Dir: Madhur Bhandarkar (Traffic Signal, Chandni Bar)
Cast: Tisca Chopra, Shradha Das, G.K. Desai, Ajay Devgan
India
No Official Film Site Found, Wikipedia Page, IMDb Page, Trailer

Dogtooth / Kynodontas
Dir: Giorgos Lanthimos (Kinetta, My Best Friend)
Cast: Christos Stergioglou, Michele Valley, Aggeliki Papoulia, Mary Tsoni, Hristos Passalis, Anna Kalaitzidou
Greece
Limited Release
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Mechanic
Dir: Simon West (Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Con Air)
Cast: Jason Statham, Ben Foster, Donald Sutherland, Tony Goldwyn, Jeff Chase, Mini Anden
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

The Rite
Dir: Mikael Håfström (1408, Derailed)
Cast: Colin O'Donoghue, Anthony Hopkins, Ciarán Hinds, Alice Braga, Toby Jones, Rutger Hauer
USA
Official Film Site, IMDb Page, Trailer

**please note this list of releases reflects first run film released in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as of January 28, 2011**

courtesy of on.cc

courtesy of mingpao.com

Timmy Hung Tin Ming and Janet Chow Ka Wai yesterday promoted a travel program in Television City. After TVB sale, Tin Ming revealed that he knew Chan Kwok Keung and hoped once he became the boss everyone would have more and more jobs and opportunities. Did he feel he would like become an entertainment tycoon? Tin Ming said, "I feel aside from Hong Kong television, actually the Hong Kong film industry also required jobs too. This year only one Hong Kong film was completely Hong Kong funded. Hopefully after Chan Kwok Keung takes over, he would also help the Hong Kong film industry."

courtesy of takungpao.com