Part two of the news links catch-up but first some reader interaction …

In the comments from News Links: July 27th, 2009, Gleen Glenn writes:

What are your thoughts on Kelly Chen babygate?  Did she fake the pregnancy?  It’s someone else’s baby?  Just nasty gossip?

When I first read the rumours about Kelly Chen’s pregnancy being an elaborate cover-up for a pregnancy caused by her brother Victor Chen, my initial reaction was: “What?  Is this the 1950s?  Would someone really bother to concoct such a complex scheme in an age where the term “baby daddy” has become firmly entrenched in the cultural lexicon?  Do families still send their pregnant kids away to “distant relatives”?  Do “rest homes” that cater to unwed single mothers still exist?  Didn’t Richard Li and Isabella Leong just proudly celebrate the birth of an out-of-wedlock child?”

Then, I put aside my Western sensibilities and remembered that we’re talking about the shame-based Chinese culture where “young models” are a source of controversy for the Hong Kong Book Fair so, yeah, maybe someone would go to ridiculous lengths to cover-up a pregnancy.  Like the earlier rumours about Ronald Cheng’s extra-curricular activities involving photos of Charlene Choi, these rumours are so absurd, you can’t possibly have formed them just out of your imagination.  It’s like the Little Vito shower situation in the “Chasing It” episode of THE SOPRANOS, you don’t just dream up scenarios like that without some sort of real-life kernel inspiring it.

So, do I think the rumours are true?  Not really.  Some HK girls are alarmingly thin but otherwise healthy, like my 89-pound cousin Agatha, so it’s not like Kelly Chen’s slight weight gain is out of the norm for HK women.  However, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it turned out, years later, that the rumours were true (see one Bobby Darin).

I can’t believe that I just spent time breaking that down … 

Onto some links …

PRODUCTION NEWS:

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS:

‘Infernal’ Lau joins ‘Bodyguards’

Latest Stills of ‘Bodyguards and Assassins’

After 112 days of shooting, principal photography of BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS wrapped on the weekend.  Among those present was Michelle Reis who has a small part playing a woman who has a “profound effect on Leon Lai’s ‘beggar’ character”.

RELATED LINKS:

• Sina.com article and photos
• Xinhua article

Shaw Bros. returns with trio of films

Sundream joins IHQ and Polybona for Let’s Fall in Love

HK indie filmmakers taking the lead

Production still of Jet Li in THE EXPENDABLES

This film look likes it’ll be dynamite but, with such a star-studded cast, they couldn’t make room for Jean Claude Van Damme?  I can understand not wanting Steven Seagal (since he looks like he weighs 300 pounds and has less mobility than Zhang Fei in DYNASTY WARRIORS 4) but no love for The Muscles From Brussels?

One more comment, a project like this is what Jackie Chan should be doing instead of KUNG FU KID.

Chinese filmmaker Feng Xiaogang begins shooting earthquake movie

COMING SOON:

Message of ‘Overheard’: Don’t Be Greedy

McDull’s Big Success at Box Office

FEATURES:

Lee Byung Hyun (Korean actor who has a role in G.I. JOE: RISE OF THE COBRA):  You can’t see his face on the posters

EASON CHAN:

HK singer Eason Chan’s marriage in trouble?

Eason Chen breaks down in tears during his concert

Photo of Constance Chan and Hilary Tsui at the Beyond concert where Eason Chan was a guest performer

AROUND TOWN:

‘Tracing Shadow’ Premieres

More photos courtesy Xinhua (Gotta love that dress on Pace Wu)

Donnie Yen celebrated his 46th birthday on July 27th with a party at a HK nightclub.  Among the attendees were his real-life wife Cissy Wang, his on-screen wife Lynn Xiong, producer Raymond Wong, Andrew Lin Hoi, Vincent Kuk Tak-Chiu, Cheung Tat-Ming and Leon Lai.

RELATED LINKS:

• Photos courtesy Sina.com
• Photos courtesy Xinhua

Jessica Hsuan, Kate Tsui, Amanda Strang and Ivan Ho Sau-San attended a press conference on Monday for their new TVB documentary series 《活着》 (trans. LIVING). For the series, the artistes will visit Ethiopa, Kenya and Sawarak among other locales.

• Photos courtesy Xinhua
• I wish I was the meat in a Jessica Hsuan, Kate Tsui sandwich — that Ivan Ho is one lucky bastard.
• I almost want to join Facebook just so I could be Jessica Hsuan’s friend.

PHOTO GALLERYS:

Li Bingbing on the cover of the August issue of Harper’s Bazaar

Sina.com slideshow featuring Vicki Zhao Wei

Donnie Yen on the cover of L’Officiel Hommes

BRUCE LEE:

Bruce Lee legend remains strong in Hong Kong 36 years after his death

Hollywood Reporter:

• Bruce Lee museum in design phase 
• Bruce Lee’s family OKs biopics

HK Standard: New Bruce Lee flick to focus on his life and loves

Xinhua: Kungfu star Bruce Lee’s new movie to be shot

Associated Press: Bruce Lee’s siblings authorize Chinese biopics

Variety:  Bruce Lee museum, biopic unveiled

Design competition held for Bruce Lee museum

New York Times: Design Competition for Bruce Lee Museum

BEYOND HK:

Ken Zhu hopes to take nude photos of Kelly Lin

Vic Zhou: I won’t conceal my future relationships

Jolin launches own fashion label in America

CULTURAL NEWS:

Alarm sounded as youth ditch reading for idol worship

Book fair seeks model behavior - or else

Drug war and sexy models spice Ani-Com 

* * * * *

Best wishes to Shing Fui-On who, according to reports in HK papers, has suffered a recurrence of the nasopharyngeal cancer that he battled in 2004.  Incidentally, this is the same kind of cancer for which I received treatment.

BOX OFFICE NEWS:

Johnnie To’s VENGEANCE is indeed hitting the screens in Hong Kong on August 20th.  For more information, you can check out the official English-language website at:

http://www.vengeance-lefilm.com/_en/vengeance.html

In answer to the question by EverSoFine from Coming Soon: Release Dates for Upcoming HK Movies about availability in the United States, it’s impossible to say when foreign films will get a theatrical release in the United States.  Sometimes, they are released within weeks.  Other times, it may take years for a foreign film to reach American shores.  It all depends on distribution deals and so forth.

Most times, the DVD of a Hong Kong film should be easily available to people in North America at a local Chinese video store or an online merchant like YesAsia.  Generally speaking, you can get your hands on the HK DVD of a film within a couple of months of the HK theatrical release.

BOX OFFICE NUMBERS:

Bad word of mouth didn’t stop MURDERER in its tracks because, as of July 16th, it has made HK$7.68 million (33 screens, 9 days in theatres).  WRITTEN BY, the new Wai Ka-Fai/Lau Ching-Wan effort, has taken in HK$2.59 million (20 screens, 9 days).   On its way out, appearing on only a handful of screens, SHORT OF LOVE has earned HK$3.76 million from 21 days in theatres.

As it was everywhere else it was released, HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE was the top-grossing release in HK last week.

A quick clarification on my remarks, from earlier today, about Edison Chen’s comeback:

1.  But first, CNN has updated their website to include video of the interview

2.  I have nothing against Edison Chen making a comeback.  He has a right, like the rest of us, to make a living.  I was just pointing out to the people who are saying Edison Chen is “breaking his word” that there are better, more effective ways to show your disgust with him and his comeback.

3.  When I wrote that “you’d be the foolish one if you took a man of his deeds at his word”, I was not talking specifically about Sexy Photos Gate.  I was trying to say that Edison Chen has been around since 2000 and, in these past nine years, what from the way he carries himself in public suggests that he’s a guy whose word is his bond?  How many celebrities get into fights with people on the street?  How many celebrities express their frustrations by kicking in a taxi?  To me, his public persona comes off more as “creep” than “stand-up guy”.

That said, it’s only his public persona that we see.  We don’t know anything about the way he is in private.  The way Anthony Wong Chau-Sang stands by him and the way he was able to have relations with so many women suggests that he’s a charming guy in private life.

Again, I was just trying to make the point that deriding Edison Chen for “breaking his word” is a waste of time.

4.  It’ll be interesting to see if Edison Chen can make a successful come back.  As I wrote back in Feburary 2008, his entire career path has defied conventional wisdom so you can’t write him off.

5.  I’m interested to see what you guys think of the WestEast magazine photos.  I know that they are designed to look cool.  However, I think they comes across — with the handcuffs and flagellation marks — as a bit pretentious.  Then again, I’m an old man who doesn’t get tattoos and why otherwise beautiful girls would mar their bodies with tramp stamps.  Here’s a quick poll:

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(EDITED TO ADD: Hmmm … the poll doesn’t seem to be working.  If you have an opinion on the photos, please leave a comment.  I’m interested to read what you have to say about them.)

Image credits: WestEast Magazine by way of Sina.com

A reader interaction post today as I respond to some of the comments left on the blog.  But first, some box office numbers:

Like theatres here in North America, theatres in Hong Kong are jammed with the likes of ANGELS & DEMONS, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2 and TERMINATOR: SALVATION leaving little room for Asian films.  Here is the top ten in Hong Kong from this past weekend:

1. NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2
2. TERMINATOR: SALVATION
3. ANGELS & DEMONS
4. ASHES OF TIME REDUX, 26 screens, 4 days, $850,028 to date
   
5. A FROZEN FLOWER
6. CITY OF LIFE AND DEATH, 9 screens, 25 days, HK$3.74 million to date
   
7. 17 AGAIN
8. OUTLANDER
9. NIGHT AND FOG, 1 screen, 18 days, HK$1.15 million to date
   
10. CORALINE

I CORRUPT ALL COPS and TRAIL OF THE PANDA have concluded their theatrical runs.  They finished with takes of HK$5.34 milion and HK$1.42 million respectively.

* * * * *

Before we get to reader comments, a few words about the Edison Chen comeback:

It’s clear with his CNN interview and WestEast magazine cover that Edison Chen is on the comeback trail.  He wasn’t “forced” to come back to HK, he chose to come back.  If you don’t want to see him darken the door of the entertainment circle, don’t attack him for “breaking his word” about retiring.  After all, you’d be the foolish one if you took a man of his deeds at his word.  Look at where taking Edison Chen at his word left Cecilia Cheung and Gillian Chung …

If you want him out of the entertainment circle, here’s what you do:

• Don’t watch his CNN interview.
• Don’t buy any magazines with him on the cover.
• Don’t buy anything from his clothing line.
• Don’t buy his albums.
• Don’t go to his movies.
• Don’t support any projects that has a connection to him.

If enough people did that, you’d be surprised how quickly he disappears from the entertainment circle.  However, if the hits for the SNIPER review here on LoveHKFilm are any indication, there’s still some juice left in EDC so maybe he’ll be with us for a while yet.  By all logic and reason, his career should be dead as a doornail but, as Teddy KGB would say, here he is “hanging around, hang-ing around … can’t get rid of him.”

Related Link: CNN EXCLUSIVE: Edison Chen breaks his silence

More EDC:

• Edison Chen: I am a victim
• ‘I was a victim’
• Hong Kong star says sex photos consensual: report
• Edison Chen breaks silence on sex scandal
• SINA.COM PHOTOS: Edison Chen WestEast Magazine photos

On to your comments …

From the comments on Production News: Sammi vs Miriam Lunar New Year 2010:

glenn writes:  When I first heard this news, I was quite excited. Now I’m wondering if the acting styles of these two ladies may not mesh completely.

Yes, the betting line for the Kozo Entertainment Group’s illegal but high-class Tsimshatsui gambling den pegs this movie as having a 50% chance of sucking and a 50% of being good.  It was set at 80% suck and 20% good but Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai are involved so the odds of it being good have gone up considerably.

I’m with you Glenn, I don’t know what the chemistry is going to be like between the original Mrs. Kozo and Miriam Yeung.  The papers are already filled with stories about how Sammi hates Miriam and Miriam hates Sammi and how Andy is feuding with Leon and Leon is feuding with Andy.  If Johnnie To and Wai Ka-Fai are smart, I think they would run parallel story lines where the two main couples interact only briefly … sort of like the first De Niro-Pacino collaboration HEAT.

I think I’ve seen enough of these highly-anticipated collaborations (THE FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, RIGHTEOUS KILL, ALIEN VS PREDATOR … DEBBIE DOES JENNA …) to know that they never live up to expectations.  I’m going in with an attitude of: “hey, it’s Lunar New Year, all I want from the movie is for it to be light, breezy and fun.  What I don’t want is for it to turn out to be one of those soulless commercial enterprises where everyone is just going through the motions.”

From the comments on News and Notes: May 14th, 2009:

Bunta Sugawara writes:  Any idea when Vengeance is released in HK? (I’m doing some mental arithmetic to work out when I’m likely to get my grubby paws on a DVD release of it - it sounds great).

I haven’t been able to find a definite date.  Articles that popped up last year covering the news conference announcing the project had a Summer 2010 HK release pegged but nothing specific was reported.  Here’s the link to the official English-language website for VENGEANCE, when there’s a fixed date, I’m sure it’ll be listed there:

• VENGEANCE - JOHNNY HALLIDAY - JOHNNIE TO

From the comments on News Links: Memorial Day 2009:

Dave Leong writes:  Did you watch end up watching American Masters last night?

Nope, I haven’t watched AMERICAN MASTERS: HOLLYWOOD CHINESE yet.  I have recorded it though.  I’m a huge sports fan so my nights have been filled with both NBA and NHL playoffs.  Plus, the UEFA Champions League Final was on the same day as the documentary.  I’ll get to it someday because it sounds very interesting.

Will writes:  Why aren’t you on Twitter?

I’m not on Twitter because I sold my soul to the Kozo Entertainment Group and can’t write for any other media.  Me and Charlene Choi, caged birds for our respective media conglomerates …

Just kidding, I’m not on Twitter because it seems like a fad that’s destined to go the way of Cabbage Patch Kids, Tamagotchi … Twins.

Plus, I’m a blowhard so I can’t limit myself to just 140 characters.

… And, as always, I’m a lazy, lazy man.

Audrey writes:  I’m happy Kozo still keeps lovehkfilm going even though he rubs elbows with Nick Cheung and Karena Lam. 

LoveHKFilm may still be going strong but Kozo’s definitely changed now that he’s hanging out with the cool kids.  He’s become insufferable.  He’s affected a Madonna-like faux British accent going on about how I need to use “my loaf” and how he has to go up the “apples and pears” to get away from his new “trouble and strife”.  It’s sickening … sickening I tell ya.

I’m just kidding.  Kozo is one of the sweetest guys you’ll ever have the good fortune to meet.  We kid because we love.  Speaking of which …

From the comments on News Links: May 30th, 2009:

langong writes:  Are you sure it was the photo of S and not “K” you were compiling posts in front of? 

You caught me, you caught me.  I confess that I’m compiling posts in front of a photo of Kozo.  I wish I knew how to quit him … I really wish I knew how to quit him …

BECAUSE I’M NOT ON TWITTER:

- For film fans:  NPR has a two-part podcast about the Cannes Film Festival with critic John Powers.  Interesting stuff if you want to hear about the films that made a splash at Cannes.  In part two, Powers has some kind words for Park Chan-Wook’s THIRST and some not so kind words for Ang Lee and TAKING WOODSTOCK.  Here are the links:

• Part One (17 minutes): On The Ground At Cannes
• Part Two (10 minutes): John Powers, Cannes Report Part 2

- More from NPR: A podcast review of the Oscar-winning Japanese film DEPARTURES (LoveHKFilm review):

• From Japan, Elegant (And Eloquent) ’Departures’ (3 minutes)

- Does Hiroyuki Sanada have it written in his contract that his characters have to die?  I watched another Sanada film over the weekend — won’t mention which one to avoid spoiling anybody –  and, quelle surprise, his character died.  That’s five Sanada films in a row for me in which his character does not make it to the end credits.

Image credit: Miramax Films (Teddy KGB)

A Happy Memorial Day to all the American readers out there.  I know many people have issues with the military and its political masters but many of us rise and sleep under the blanket of freedom that the veterans and troops have provided.  Sometimes, you just got to put all the grievances aside and say “thank you” then go on your way because, as Colonel Jessop said on the stand, most of us probably can’t handle the truth.

BECAUSE I’M NOT ON TWITTER:

- The promo cast pics for BODYGUARDS AND ASSASSINS look cool — especially the ones for Nic Tse and my other cousin Tony.  The only one that looks kind of cheesy, sadly, is Leon Lai as a beggar.  It looks like “Leon Lai is going to a Halloween party as a Rastafarian” more than anything.

- Toss Up: Who looked hotter at the Cannes closing ceremony: Shu Qi or Zhang Ziyi?  Shu Qi.  Hard to resist a girl who shows a little tongue.  It’s also hard to like a girl whose lips eschew the simple pleasure of instant noodles.  (See below for relevant links)

- Why I need surgery to remove the foot from my mouth:

“Sanney, I’d like to introduce you to my friend Sabrina.”

“Ah, Sabrina, like the teenage witch …”

Think it might have gone better if I had said: “Ah, Sabrina, like the chaffeur’s daughter … “

Probably not.

* * * * *

From the comments on News Links: Mother’s Day 2009:

glenn writes: Wow, you have a thing for Karena Lam! Or you are more infatuated with her than previously.

No, no, I don’t have a thing for Karena Lam. It’s just that she’s now the boss’s wife so proper respect must be paid.

laicheukpan writes: Since when did Karena Lam become Mrs. Kozo? 

Kozo recently told everyone that he went to “Italy” for a “film festival” but, c’mon, look at the picture of Kozo with Nick Cheung.  Was that really taken in Italy?  Or was it taken in the lobby of the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel where Nick Cheung was the best man at Kozo’s wedding to his secret girlfriend of twenty years?  Look outside the window behind Kozo’s shoulder, isn’t that one of the Petronas Towers in the background?

Enough nonsense, let’s get to the links …

JOHNNIE TO AND VENGEANCE AT CANNES:

Hollywood Reporter Q&A: Johnnie To

Two Johnnies bid for Cannes glory

Johnnie To leads Asian charge at Cannes

Reviews:

• The Hollywood Reporter
  
• David Phelps for The Auteurs
• Cannes’09 Diary-Day 5: Johnnie To’s Vengeance
  
• Roger Ebert blogs about VENGEANCE (scroll down, appears near the middle of the entry)
  
• Mike D’Angelo for The A.V. Club (scoll down, appears near the bottom)
• Positive blurb from Manohla Dargis of The New York Times (scroll down to paragraph 6)

Johnnie To poses with cast members at the VENGEANCE premiere

• Sina.com photo gallery featuring Michelle Yeoh, Anthony Wong, my cousin Tony, Simon Yam, Michelle Ye and others
• ‘Vengeance’ Photocall At Cannes Film Festival
• Vengeance Premiere - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
  
• Johnnie To Receives Award - 2009 Cannes Film Festival
  

VENGEANCE star Michelle Ye Enjoys Cannes

MORE CANNES:

Asian directors show realism of gangland violence

Asian cinema gains traction as Hollywood takes a tumble

Ang Lee Partnership Gives Him Broad Film Focus

Ang Lee is `Taking Woodstock’

Taking Woodstock scenes really marijuana inspired

Ang Lee’s 10-minute standing ovation

Asia’s dark pics make a splash at Cannes

Cannes’ red carpet is blood-soaked

Cannes wrap-up:

• Lush images, audience walk-outs as Cannes winds up
• Unhappy ending in Cannes, best film hard to call
• Veteran auteurs dominate Cannes
• ‘White Ribbon’ wins Palme d’Or

Sina.com slideshows of Cannes closing ceremony:

• Shu Qi
• Zhang Ziyi

More Shu Qi and Zhang Ziyi:

• Cannes Closing Night
• Bringing Sexy Back 
• Photos and video of Shu Qi

Oops! Be Careful with Your Lipstick, Ziyi!

Chinese media continue to show their love for Zhang Ziyi

INGLORIOUS BASTERDS premiere: Michelle Yeoh, Shu Qi, Zhang Ziyi

IN PRODUCTION:

Decipher Confucius’ Alleged Romance

More Production photos:  Sina.com, Oriental Daily News via Xinhua

John Woo: Fox in Chinese production with ‘Ransom’

‘Sophie’s Revenge’ nabs buyers (Zhang Ziyi’s new romantic comedy)

Photo of Fan Bingbing from SOPHIE’S REVENGE

BODYGUARDS AND ASSASINS:

• Basketball-Playing ‘Bodyguard’
• More promo pics and trailer
• Trailer from CRI English

DETECTIVE DEE promo logo released

Jiang Wen Will “Let the Bullets Fly”

Fortissimo picks up international rights to Yonfan’s Prince of Tears

RELATED: Art house pic ‘Prince of Tears’ finds home

Retired Actress Brigitte Lin Returns to Martial-Arts Film

There’s no new news in the article.  Same old speculation based on Yip Chun’s rambling.  Nothing official yet.

FEATURES:

Simon Yam: Breaking The Boundaries

Malaysia Star feature on Tony Leung Ka-Fai and I CORRUPT ALL COPS

Variety’s Hong Kong Cinema at 100 feature

• China central to Hong Kong’s film future 
• Spotlight: Hong Kong talent (Isabella Leong?  Immense screen potential?  Really?)
  
• Hong Kong cinema timeline 

Vanishing history `robs city of movie magic’

Carina Lau: Nude photos my lowest point

More Carina Lau: Actress Carina Lau ready for motherhood

Surviving a blacklist brought Tsai Chin new found freedom

MOVIE REVIEWS:

HK Magazine reviews NIGHT AND FOG

Taipei Times reviews TRUE WOMAN FOR SALE

GENERAL NEWS:

‘Red Cliff’ to Hit North America

Did Aaron Kwok accidentally expose himself during a concert?

Maggie Cheung Okay with ‘Basterds’ Cut

Director Chu: Lin Chi Ling is more than empty vessel

Charlene Choi: $100,000 for screen kiss

Wedding bells for Miriam Yeung?

Air stewardess complains about Zhang Ziyi’s arrogance

Apparently, Zhang Ziyi does not eat instant noodles.

Faye Wong’s shampoo advertisement exposed

Ad photos courtesy Sina.com

Taipei Times Pop Stop: Jay Chou, Lee-Hom Wang, Stefanie Sun, Faye Wong

Fann Wong marries Christopher Lee

• Straits Times
  
• CRI English

Zhang Yimou’s Turandot Fervor a Riddle for Critics

Zhang Yimou honoured

JACKIE CHAN:

Jackie Chan plays the underdog

RELATED: SHINJUKU INCIDENT review

Jackie Chan takes on media “toughies”

Big Brother Jackie in South Korea:

• Jackie Chan Returns to Korea 
• Jackie Chan to Volunteer in Tongyeong for 3 Days 
• Jackie Chan to bring ‘gift of hope’

OPINION: Jackie Chan, Gao Zhisheng, and the True Meaning of Bravery

PHOTO GALLERIES:

Nic Tse performs in Shanghai

Maggie Cheung, Simon Yam and Qi Qi, Kathy Chow Man-Kei, others

On May 21st, Louis Vuitton opened their “A Passion for Creation” exhibition at the Hong Kong Museum of Art

Fan Bingbing graces Elle Magazine

Lynn Xiong (aka Aaron Kwok’s secret girlfriend, actress who played Ip Man’s wife)

“Guest Editor in Chief” Zhou Xun

RELATED: Photos courtesy Sina.com

Takeshi Kaneshiro wants you to buy Sapporo Beer

Ruby Lin in New Ad

Vivian Chow promotes Elyze Body Rejuvenation Centres

Big S and Little S pose for P Style Image Studio

Karen Mok sells shampoo in Shanghai

• Xinhua
• Sina.com

Louis Koo promotes Pepsi

Fan Bingbing, Tian Shin, others promote Forevermark diamonds

AMERICAN MASTERS HOLLYWOOD CHINESE:

A Chinese Legacy in Tinseltown

Asians still waiting for equality in film roles

Image credits: Kozo Entertainment Group (Kozo/Nick Cheung), Agence France-Presse (Shu Qi)