Director Nao Hing and Hong Kong mega-star Andy Lau Tak-wah reunite after 18 years (when Lau produced Hing's “Crazy Stone”) to bring to life a rather funny Hong Kong (and not only) film industry satire, with “The Movie Emperor”. Inappropriately labelled as a Chinese New Year movie and following its triumphant premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September and the Pingyao International Film Festival in October 2023, the film's theatrical release during Chinese New Year 2024 proved unexpectedly disappointing, grossing just 83 million yuan, probably obscured by more classical and joke-filled comedies, as expected in those festivities.
The Movie Emperor was screened at Udine Far East Film Festival
Dany Lau (Andy Lau) is a veteran megastar with a large fan base, who has been around long enough to start thinking he needs and/or deserves a lifetime achievement award, something like an Oscar. Shortlisted for the Best Actor prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards,...
The Movie Emperor was screened at Udine Far East Film Festival
Dany Lau (Andy Lau) is a veteran megastar with a large fan base, who has been around long enough to start thinking he needs and/or deserves a lifetime achievement award, something like an Oscar. Shortlisted for the Best Actor prize at the Hong Kong Film Awards,...
- 5/5/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Clockwise from left: Atlas (Netflix), My Oni Girl (Netflix), Unfrosted (Netflix)Image: The A.V. Club
Netflix offers a few high-profile originals this May as the summer movie season gets ready to kick off in theaters. Jerry Seinfeld makes his feature directorial debut and acts in Unfrosted, a comedy about the...
Netflix offers a few high-profile originals this May as the summer movie season gets ready to kick off in theaters. Jerry Seinfeld makes his feature directorial debut and acts in Unfrosted, a comedy about the...
- 5/3/2024
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In, the Hong Kong period action drama that will screen at Cannes next month, in a deal with Media Asia.
Directed by Soi Cheang, the highly anticipated feature is set to be released in Hong Kong and China on May 1 before it plays in the Midnight Screenings section of Cannes. An opening date in the UK and Ireland has yet to be announced but Trinity CineAsia said it is “scheduled for release across cinemas nationwide soon after” the festival, which runs May 14-25.
Distribution deals were...
Directed by Soi Cheang, the highly anticipated feature is set to be released in Hong Kong and China on May 1 before it plays in the Midnight Screenings section of Cannes. An opening date in the UK and Ireland has yet to be announced but Trinity CineAsia said it is “scheduled for release across cinemas nationwide soon after” the festival, which runs May 14-25.
Distribution deals were...
- 4/29/2024
- ScreenDaily
One of the most expensive Hong Kong movies ever made (Hk$350 million or 41 million euros), “The Goldfinger” also brings together Felix Chong, Tony Leung and Andy Lau after “Infernal Affairs”, where the first co-wrote. Set in the 80s, the script is based on the story of Carrian Group, a Hong Kong corporation which rose rapidly before collapsing shortly afterwards due to a corruption scandal.
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The movie actually starts with Henry Ching's arrest, who is based on Carrian Group founder George Tan, Lau Kai-yuen, principal investigator of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac). A bit later, the timeline changes to the mid-70s, with Henry Ching arriving in Hong Kong and trying to get a job as an engineer. Considering the place is filled with people of the particular profession, he has no luck. Although so it seems, since he is eventually employed by K.
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The movie actually starts with Henry Ching's arrest, who is based on Carrian Group founder George Tan, Lau Kai-yuen, principal investigator of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (Icac). A bit later, the timeline changes to the mid-70s, with Henry Ching arriving in Hong Kong and trying to get a job as an engineer. Considering the place is filled with people of the particular profession, he has no luck. Although so it seems, since he is eventually employed by K.
- 4/28/2024
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Incredibly prolific director Herman Yau presents his fourth film of the 2023, “Moscow Mission”, after “The White Storm 3: Heaven or Hell”, “Death Notice” and “Raid on the Lethal Zone”. Yau has turned into a bona fide master of action and this last effort is a bombastic take on the true story of a series of violent robberies in 1993 on the Beijing-Moscow train and the Chinese mission to eradicate them and capture the robbers. It's not the first film dealing with these particular incidents; Michael Mak had directed “The Train Robbers” in 1995, and there is also a more recent 31-episode online drama, directed by Zhang Rui. Chen Daming has curated the screenplay, incorporating as much action set pieces as possible, although, maybe at the expense of the script's fluidity.
Moscow Mission is screening at UdineFar East Film Festival 2024
It's 1993 and the economy situation in China and Russia is in a state of great confusion.
Moscow Mission is screening at UdineFar East Film Festival 2024
It's 1993 and the economy situation in China and Russia is in a state of great confusion.
- 4/26/2024
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
“Kung Fu Panda 4” took top spot at the South Korean box office becoming the film that finally pushed aside local champion “Exhuma,” which had dominated for seven consecutive weeks.
But it was an understated victory, rather than a triumphant one, and the exhibition industry’s $5.6 million nationwide haul was among the lowest scoring weekends this year.
“Kung Fu Panda 4” earned $2.81 million between Friday and Sunday with a 50.1% market share. Over its full five day run since a Wednesday opening, it enjoyed a $5.96 million total.
“Exhuma” slipped to second place in its eight weekend of release. It earned $938,000 for a cumulative of $81.2 million since releasing on Feb. 22. Its cumulative total is more than three times the score of the next highest ranked film “Wonka,” with $24.5 million.
“The Last 10 Years,” a Japanese romance film which first played in Korea in May 2023, climbed to third place on its second weekend...
But it was an understated victory, rather than a triumphant one, and the exhibition industry’s $5.6 million nationwide haul was among the lowest scoring weekends this year.
“Kung Fu Panda 4” earned $2.81 million between Friday and Sunday with a 50.1% market share. Over its full five day run since a Wednesday opening, it enjoyed a $5.96 million total.
“Exhuma” slipped to second place in its eight weekend of release. It earned $938,000 for a cumulative of $81.2 million since releasing on Feb. 22. Its cumulative total is more than three times the score of the next highest ranked film “Wonka,” with $24.5 million.
“The Last 10 Years,” a Japanese romance film which first played in Korea in May 2023, climbed to third place on its second weekend...
- 4/15/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Three-hour sci-fi action epic The Wandering Earth II (2023) was the ninth-highest grossing film worldwide last year, starring Andy Lau, and Wu Jing (Meg 2). A thrilling ride that must be seen to be believed.
Hero (2002) is arriving in a 2-Disc Limited Edition Hardbox featuring both cuts, a modern wuxia classic starring Jet Li from legendary director Zhang Yimou. Packed with extensive special features, this is a visual spectacular not to be missed.
Our final title to announce for June is Zu Warriors (2001), a remake of the 1983 film filled with incredible action sequences from Tsui Hark.
Check out their homepage to check out the special features and pre-order your copy today. ...
Hero (2002) is arriving in a 2-Disc Limited Edition Hardbox featuring both cuts, a modern wuxia classic starring Jet Li from legendary director Zhang Yimou. Packed with extensive special features, this is a visual spectacular not to be missed.
Our final title to announce for June is Zu Warriors (2001), a remake of the 1983 film filled with incredible action sequences from Tsui Hark.
Check out their homepage to check out the special features and pre-order your copy today. ...
- 3/31/2024
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Acclaimed Chinese film director Chen Daming is expected to direct “The Peking Express,” a book-to-film adaptation of the story of an infamous train robbery that took place 100 years ago.
The non-fiction book was written Beijing-based writer and lawyer James Zimmerman and was an ‘Editor’s Choice’ selection by the New York Times. It describes the raid on a luxury express train by Chinese bandits in Shandong Province in 1923 and the ensuing six-week hostage standoff that captivated the world. So extraordinary are the events recounted in The Peking Express that it reads like fantasy…yielding a captivating story of robbery, murder, hostages and intrigue…,” said the paper in a review of the book.
A screenplay is currently being drafted and it is envisaged that the film will be structured as a China-international co-production.
The package is being put together by Chen and veteran producer Chris Lee, who was previously president of...
The non-fiction book was written Beijing-based writer and lawyer James Zimmerman and was an ‘Editor’s Choice’ selection by the New York Times. It describes the raid on a luxury express train by Chinese bandits in Shandong Province in 1923 and the ensuing six-week hostage standoff that captivated the world. So extraordinary are the events recounted in The Peking Express that it reads like fantasy…yielding a captivating story of robbery, murder, hostages and intrigue…,” said the paper in a review of the book.
A screenplay is currently being drafted and it is envisaged that the film will be structured as a China-international co-production.
The package is being put together by Chen and veteran producer Chris Lee, who was previously president of...
- 3/25/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK and Ireland rights to We 12, the upcoming action comedy starring all 12 members of Cantopop boy band Mirror, in a deal with Hong Kong’s Makerville.
The film will open in UK and Ireland cinemas on March 29, the day after its release in Hong Kong through Edko Films, and coincides with the Easter holiday weekend.
Directed by Berry Ho and written by Lai Sze Cheung, the story follows 12 members of an underground organisation who secretly maintain peace in the world using a range of extraordinary skills. After long being separated, they must reunite to steal an...
The film will open in UK and Ireland cinemas on March 29, the day after its release in Hong Kong through Edko Films, and coincides with the Easter holiday weekend.
Directed by Berry Ho and written by Lai Sze Cheung, the story follows 12 members of an underground organisation who secretly maintain peace in the world using a range of extraordinary skills. After long being separated, they must reunite to steal an...
- 3/13/2024
- ScreenDaily
The China Pavilion has set up shop in the middle of this year’s Hong Kong Filmart for the third year running as it aims to share the story of the evolution of the country’s film industry.
Organizers the China Film Co-production Corporation (Cfcc) have brought data with them, they say reflects that there are more international hits coming out of China, while the demographics back home continue to expand in terms of content and of audience.
“We hope to fully present the latest performance of the Chinese film industry through the China Film Pavilion and promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film industries,” a Cfcc spokesperson said.
The past 12 months has seen several Chinese films go on wide international release, led by The Wandering Earth II, the sci-fi epic drawn from the world of acclaimed writer Liu Cixin. The Frant Gwo-directed film was released simultaneously in eight countries — the U.
Organizers the China Film Co-production Corporation (Cfcc) have brought data with them, they say reflects that there are more international hits coming out of China, while the demographics back home continue to expand in terms of content and of audience.
“We hope to fully present the latest performance of the Chinese film industry through the China Film Pavilion and promote exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and foreign film industries,” a Cfcc spokesperson said.
The past 12 months has seen several Chinese films go on wide international release, led by The Wandering Earth II, the sci-fi epic drawn from the world of acclaimed writer Liu Cixin. The Frant Gwo-directed film was released simultaneously in eight countries — the U.
- 3/12/2024
- by Mathew Scott
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As Filmart gets underway, Hong Kong’s major production companies, including Edko Films, Emperor Motion Pictures (Emp), Media Asia, One Cool Group and Universe Entertainment, will be unveiling their new titles in enormous booths at the front of the trade show floor, some of which will be as elaborate as film sets.
Many of the films they are launching are big-budget Hong Kong-China co-productions, featuring top Hong Kong stars and directors, and aimed at audiences in both China and Hong Kong. Emp has Derek Kwok’s Raging Havoc, starring Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse; Mandarin Motion Pictures has The Prosecutor, starring and directed by Donnie Yen; and Media Asia is launching four new titles headed by Behind The Scene, produced by Infernal Affairs director Andrew Lau. One Cool’s slate includes a trio of action films starring Louis Koo and produced by Soi Cheang.
But behind all the glamour, stars and action,...
Many of the films they are launching are big-budget Hong Kong-China co-productions, featuring top Hong Kong stars and directors, and aimed at audiences in both China and Hong Kong. Emp has Derek Kwok’s Raging Havoc, starring Andy Lau and Nicholas Tse; Mandarin Motion Pictures has The Prosecutor, starring and directed by Donnie Yen; and Media Asia is launching four new titles headed by Behind The Scene, produced by Infernal Affairs director Andrew Lau. One Cool’s slate includes a trio of action films starring Louis Koo and produced by Soi Cheang.
But behind all the glamour, stars and action,...
- 3/11/2024
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UK distributor Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK rights to Norris Wong’s The Lyricist Wannabe from Hong Kong’s Edko Films and is planning a theatrical release on March 15.
Wong’s second feature following her award-winning debut My Prince Edward (2019) follows a high-school student who is determined to become a successful Cantopop lyricist. But while she works hard to hone her craft, handle rejection and draw inspiration from her personal experiences, nothing seems to go her way.
Chung Suet-ying, an up-and-coming actress who is also a real-life Cantopop lyricist, stars in the film, which features a soundtrack with lyrics composed by Norris Wong. Produced by Wong Hoi (Let It Ghost), the film also stars Ansonbean (Rob N Roll), Tang Lai Ying (Mama’s Affair), Sabrina Ng (Say I Do To Me) and Chu Pak Hong (My Prince Edward).
The UK release will come just one week after the film,...
Wong’s second feature following her award-winning debut My Prince Edward (2019) follows a high-school student who is determined to become a successful Cantopop lyricist. But while she works hard to hone her craft, handle rejection and draw inspiration from her personal experiences, nothing seems to go her way.
Chung Suet-ying, an up-and-coming actress who is also a real-life Cantopop lyricist, stars in the film, which features a soundtrack with lyrics composed by Norris Wong. Produced by Wong Hoi (Let It Ghost), the film also stars Ansonbean (Rob N Roll), Tang Lai Ying (Mama’s Affair), Sabrina Ng (Say I Do To Me) and Chu Pak Hong (My Prince Edward).
The UK release will come just one week after the film,...
- 3/5/2024
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Andy Lau starrer The Movie Emperor and romantic drama Viva La Vida have had their releases cut short in China amid stiff competition, while Yolo and Pegasus 2 are among four local breakout hits that contributed to a record-breaking $1.1bn box office over Chinese New Year.
Satirical comedy The Movie Emperor earned just $11.1m (RMB80m) after one week following its release on the first day of Chinese New Year (February 10), which also saw the opening of a string of hot local titles.
Chinese producer Huanxi Media issued a statement on social media to say it would be pulled from...
Satirical comedy The Movie Emperor earned just $11.1m (RMB80m) after one week following its release on the first day of Chinese New Year (February 10), which also saw the opening of a string of hot local titles.
Chinese producer Huanxi Media issued a statement on social media to say it would be pulled from...
- 2/21/2024
- ScreenDaily
“Railway Heroes” is a historical action spy thriller produced by the Huayi Brothers and set during the 1939 Sino-Japanese War in China in which a group of brave railway workers and resistance groups take on the Japanese to make life difficult for the foreign invaders. They are fronted by railway foreman Lao Hung who, together with his followers, are willing to risk their lives to fight for their freedom.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
First time director Yang has a great eye for details and it shows in his film. The harsh winter landscapes he portrays are amazing and beautiful to behold. But underneath, there is hostility, danger and death hidden in the shadows ready to strike. In addition, the way in which he pays great attention to the trains, their close-up shots of the wheels plus his creative use of steam and slow motion,...
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
First time director Yang has a great eye for details and it shows in his film. The harsh winter landscapes he portrays are amazing and beautiful to behold. But underneath, there is hostility, danger and death hidden in the shadows ready to strike. In addition, the way in which he pays great attention to the trains, their close-up shots of the wheels plus his creative use of steam and slow motion,...
- 2/21/2024
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Four Chinese films dominated the mainland China and global box office charts over the latest weekend. “Yolo,” a comedy drama about weight loss and self-discovery, was crowned as the top earning film worldwide for a second weekend running.
“Yolo” took $86.5 million (RMB614 million) between Friday and Sunday, giving it a 9-day cumulative total of $402 million (RMB2.85 million), according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway.
The second film by Jia Ling, who previously directed 2021 Lunar New Year smash hit “Hi, Mom”, “Yolo” released on Saturday, Feb. 10 and has retained the number one position since the second day of the Chinese New Year holidays, staying narrowly ahead of racing comedy “Pegasus 2.”
Over the latest weekend “Pegasus 2” earned $80.6 million, giving it a running total of $356 million.
“Article 20,” the Zhang Yimou-directed legal comedy, improved significantly. It climbed up one place to third in the Chinese and global weekend charts and earned $70.2 million over the weekend.
“Yolo” took $86.5 million (RMB614 million) between Friday and Sunday, giving it a 9-day cumulative total of $402 million (RMB2.85 million), according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway.
The second film by Jia Ling, who previously directed 2021 Lunar New Year smash hit “Hi, Mom”, “Yolo” released on Saturday, Feb. 10 and has retained the number one position since the second day of the Chinese New Year holidays, staying narrowly ahead of racing comedy “Pegasus 2.”
Over the latest weekend “Pegasus 2” earned $80.6 million, giving it a running total of $356 million.
“Article 20,” the Zhang Yimou-directed legal comedy, improved significantly. It climbed up one place to third in the Chinese and global weekend charts and earned $70.2 million over the weekend.
- 2/19/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Worldwide box office February 2-4 Rank Film (distributor) 3-day (world) Cume (world) 3-day (int’l) Cume (int’l) Territories 1. Yolo (various) $110.4m $110.4m $110.4m $110.4m 1 2. Pegasus 2 (various) $104.6m $104.6m $104.6m $104.6m 3 3. Boonie Bears: Time Twist (various) $60.8m $60.8m $60.8m $60.8m 1 4. Article 20 (various)
$46.6m $46.6m $46.6m $46.6m 1 5. Argylle (Universal) $15.9m $60.1m $9.4m $31.3m 82 6. Anyone But You (Sony) $12.4m $170.1m $9.7m $90m 51 7. Wonka (Warner Bros) 11.6m $587.5m $8.5m $382.3m 75 8. Migration (Universal) $9.7m $235.2m $6.7m $125.0m 80 9. The Movie Emperor (various) $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m 6 10. Poor Things (Disney) $7.7m $81.2m $6.6m $50.9m 44
Credit: Comscore. All figures are estimates.
China wins top four spots in...
$46.6m $46.6m $46.6m $46.6m 1 5. Argylle (Universal) $15.9m $60.1m $9.4m $31.3m 82 6. Anyone But You (Sony) $12.4m $170.1m $9.7m $90m 51 7. Wonka (Warner Bros) 11.6m $587.5m $8.5m $382.3m 75 8. Migration (Universal) $9.7m $235.2m $6.7m $125.0m 80 9. The Movie Emperor (various) $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m $7.9m 6 10. Poor Things (Disney) $7.7m $81.2m $6.6m $50.9m 44
Credit: Comscore. All figures are estimates.
China wins top four spots in...
- 2/12/2024
- ScreenDaily
Four Chinese films dominated the global box office charts over the weekend, with combined takings of $350 million earned over just two days.
And, as North America watched the Super Bowl instead, the weekend’s top Hollywood title, “Argylle” earned just $15.9 million worldwide.
Chinese titles eschewed their usual Friday release pattern and opened on Saturday, the first official day of the Lunar New Year holiday period in China and much of Asia.
Female-directed comedy drama “Yolo,” earned $113 million (RMB802 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was narrowly ahead of car-racing comedy “Pegasus 2,” which earned RMB758 million or $107 million and was the bigger title on Saturday. “Yolo” is poised to release in international markets in the future, having recently been acquired by Sony.
In third place, both in China and worldwide, Chinese animation film “Boonie Bears: Time Twist” earned a stunning RMB443 million or $62.4 million. “Article 20,” a Zhang Yimou...
And, as North America watched the Super Bowl instead, the weekend’s top Hollywood title, “Argylle” earned just $15.9 million worldwide.
Chinese titles eschewed their usual Friday release pattern and opened on Saturday, the first official day of the Lunar New Year holiday period in China and much of Asia.
Female-directed comedy drama “Yolo,” earned $113 million (RMB802 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was narrowly ahead of car-racing comedy “Pegasus 2,” which earned RMB758 million or $107 million and was the bigger title on Saturday. “Yolo” is poised to release in international markets in the future, having recently been acquired by Sony.
In third place, both in China and worldwide, Chinese animation film “Boonie Bears: Time Twist” earned a stunning RMB443 million or $62.4 million. “Article 20,” a Zhang Yimou...
- 2/12/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Eight Chinese-language films release simultaneously this weekend in mainland China and will vie for a slice of the Lunar New Year holiday box office business.
The week-long nationwide holiday period has in recent years become the most lucrative season for cinemas, and key films stake out their slot in the release calendar months or years in advance.
The new Chinese films all debut on Saturday (Friday is the normal day for releases in China) and should have an unchallenged two weeks on screen. But if the new Chinese films don’t perform well, there is already a string of new Hollywood releases queuing up for screen time, starting with “Argylle” on Feb. 23.
The week-long holiday this year officially runs Feb. 10-17, but employers are encouraged to give workers time off on Friday, Feb. 9 as well, ostensibly giving city dwellers time to return to their native villages and family seats in...
The week-long nationwide holiday period has in recent years become the most lucrative season for cinemas, and key films stake out their slot in the release calendar months or years in advance.
The new Chinese films all debut on Saturday (Friday is the normal day for releases in China) and should have an unchallenged two weeks on screen. But if the new Chinese films don’t perform well, there is already a string of new Hollywood releases queuing up for screen time, starting with “Argylle” on Feb. 23.
The week-long holiday this year officially runs Feb. 10-17, but employers are encouraged to give workers time off on Friday, Feb. 9 as well, ostensibly giving city dwellers time to return to their native villages and family seats in...
- 2/7/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Lau Wai-Chi (Andy Lau) is a Hong Kong movie star with legions of devoted fans and a constant eye on his competition. His fame has drawn him inside an ever-tighter circle, where all he can do is keep his body perfect and worry what other star is snagging an award or a big role that should be his. Vulnerable and sensing the need for a new image, Lau is persuaded to take the starring role in a humble indie drama where the protagonist is a village pig farmer. Lau and the director – played by Ning Hao himself – agree this foray into miserabilist cinema will be just what foreign film festivals crave. [Source: 2023 Toronto International Film Festival]
Andy Lau continues his streak as a box-office drawcard with his third consecutive movie release since December 2023 – this time a Ning Hao industry comedy satire, “The Movie Emperor”, set for an exclusive Chinese New Year release in China on...
Andy Lau continues his streak as a box-office drawcard with his third consecutive movie release since December 2023 – this time a Ning Hao industry comedy satire, “The Movie Emperor”, set for an exclusive Chinese New Year release in China on...
- 1/30/2024
- by Suzie Cho
- AsianMoviePulse
Trinity CineAsia has acquired UK and Ireland rights to Table For Six 2, sequel to the smash hit Hong Kong comedy, in deal with Edko Films.
The ensemble comedy is again written and directed by Sunny Chan, whose 2022 film Table For Six centred on an awkward family reunion and became the third highest-grossing Chinese-language in Hong Kong on release in 2022 with takings of $9.85m ($77.1m).
The sequel revolves around three weddings and how a family of aunts, uncles and cousins all get involved with the nuptials. Original cast returning for the follow-up includes Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Lin Min Chen...
The ensemble comedy is again written and directed by Sunny Chan, whose 2022 film Table For Six centred on an awkward family reunion and became the third highest-grossing Chinese-language in Hong Kong on release in 2022 with takings of $9.85m ($77.1m).
The sequel revolves around three weddings and how a family of aunts, uncles and cousins all get involved with the nuptials. Original cast returning for the follow-up includes Stephy Tang, Louis Cheung, Ivana Wong, Lin Min Chen...
- 1/17/2024
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Fish out of water comedy film “Jonny Keep Walking” kept its place at the top of the mainland China box office in its third week of release. Two newcomers broke into the top five, comedy “Follow Bear for Action” and imported action title “The Beekeeper.”
“Jonny,” in which a man from the countryside struggles to hold down a corporate job in a big city, earned $19.7 million (140 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was another strong hold after an opening weekend of $26.1 million (on Dec. 29) and $22.4 million in its second frame. Its cumulative is now $109 million (RMB771 million).
Hong Kong-made crime action film “The Goldfinger,” also held well. It earned $6.1 million, down from $8.5 million the previous weekend. As with “Jonny,” the Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai-starring picture ranks higher than on its opening weekend. Since opening on Dec. 30, “The Goldfinger” now has a cumulative of $57 million.
“Jonny,” in which a man from the countryside struggles to hold down a corporate job in a big city, earned $19.7 million (140 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was another strong hold after an opening weekend of $26.1 million (on Dec. 29) and $22.4 million in its second frame. Its cumulative is now $109 million (RMB771 million).
Hong Kong-made crime action film “The Goldfinger,” also held well. It earned $6.1 million, down from $8.5 million the previous weekend. As with “Jonny,” the Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai-starring picture ranks higher than on its opening weekend. Since opening on Dec. 30, “The Goldfinger” now has a cumulative of $57 million.
- 1/15/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
A big online drug auction, the first of that scale in Asia, is about to take place on the Dark Web Market and the Hong Kong Cyber Investigation Unit and its Senior Superintendant Eddie Fong Hing (Eddie Peng) are ready to fight against a man known as “boss” whose identity no one is completely certain about. It is believed that the drug baron is Chan Chin Sang (Philip Keung) who is on his way to Hong Kong, and Fong Hing wants to take the opportunity to seize both him and a large drug cargo that is supposed to arrive the same night. Five day before the announced big event, the department is in problem due to Chan's army of hackers and corrupted public servants working as his informants. The attempt to find the drugs fails due to heavy technical problems caused by them. “We have to nip it in the...
- 1/12/2024
- by Marina D. Richter
- AsianMoviePulse
The financial crime drama reunites Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Andy Lau for the first time since ‘Infernal Affairs 3’.
Felix Chong’s The Goldfinger has made an impressive $3.2m (Hk$25m) in its home market of Hong Kong, reinvigorating the declining box office for local films.
The financial crime drama, which reunites superstars Tony Leung Chiu-wai with Andy Lau for the first time since closing out the hit Infernal Affairs trilogy two decades ago, has topped the Hong Kong box office since opening on December 30.
Released by Emperor Motion Pictures, it crossed $3.2m (Hk$25m) after just nine days (as...
Felix Chong’s The Goldfinger has made an impressive $3.2m (Hk$25m) in its home market of Hong Kong, reinvigorating the declining box office for local films.
The financial crime drama, which reunites superstars Tony Leung Chiu-wai with Andy Lau for the first time since closing out the hit Infernal Affairs trilogy two decades ago, has topped the Hong Kong box office since opening on December 30.
Released by Emperor Motion Pictures, it crossed $3.2m (Hk$25m) after just nine days (as...
- 1/9/2024
- by Silvia Wong
- ScreenDaily
Fish out of water comedy film “Jonny Keep Walking” climbed to the top of the mainland China box office in its second weekend on release. Previous winner, “Shining for One Thing” dimmed quickly and tumbled to fifth place.
The first weekend of the new year and following a welter of Christmas-New Year releases, the latest weekend represented a reordering of holdover titles, rather than a session with an injection of significant fresh movies.
“Jonny,” in which a man from the countryside struggles to hold down a corporate job in a big city, earned $22.4 million (RMB159 million) from Friday to Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was a modest fall from the film’s $26.1 million opening frame and elevated its cumulative total to $77.5 million since debuting on Dec. 29.
The film is directed by Peng Da, aka Dong Pengcheng, the prolific actor-writer-director who released two other films in 2023:...
The first weekend of the new year and following a welter of Christmas-New Year releases, the latest weekend represented a reordering of holdover titles, rather than a session with an injection of significant fresh movies.
“Jonny,” in which a man from the countryside struggles to hold down a corporate job in a big city, earned $22.4 million (RMB159 million) from Friday to Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was a modest fall from the film’s $26.1 million opening frame and elevated its cumulative total to $77.5 million since debuting on Dec. 29.
The film is directed by Peng Da, aka Dong Pengcheng, the prolific actor-writer-director who released two other films in 2023:...
- 1/8/2024
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Despite its Bond-adjacent title, The Goldfinger acts as something of a reunion from a different franchise. Re-teaming Andy Lau, Tony Leung, and writer (now writer-director) Felix Chong from the Infernal Affairs series, their newest film charts the rise and fall of a corrupt real-estate tycoon. Spanning decades, and inspired by the Carrian Group––a Hong Kong conglomerate that collapsed in the 1980s––The Goldfinger pits Lau and Leung on opposing sides, with the former playing Lau Kai-yeun, an investigator for the Icac (Independent Commision Against Corruption) and the latter as Henry Ching, an engineer who works his way through a series of shady deals to run a multi-billion dollar business.
Principally about the investigation into Ching’s company and the house of cards he built over decades, The Goldfinger is compelling in individual moments. It features two noteworthy performances by Leung and Lau. Such rich set-up notwithstanding, Chong never finds...
Principally about the investigation into Ching’s company and the house of cards he built over decades, The Goldfinger is compelling in individual moments. It features two noteworthy performances by Leung and Lau. Such rich set-up notwithstanding, Chong never finds...
- 1/5/2024
- by Christian Gallichio
- The Film Stage
Universal has Blumhouse horror ‘Night Swim’; BFI has ‘Scala!!!’.
James Hawes’ Nicholas Winton biopic One Life and Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla Presley story Priscilla lead the new films on the first weekend of 2024 at the UK-Ireland box office.
Distributed by Warner Bros and opening in a sizeable 699 sites, One Life tells the story of Nicholas Winton, a London broker who rescued 669 children – predominantly Jewish – from the Nazis leading up to the Second World War. The film has £1.6m already, having opened for previews on Monday, January 1.
Johnny Flynn, a 2005 Screen Star of Tomorrow, plays the younger Winton; with Anthony Hopkins playing him in the 1980s,...
James Hawes’ Nicholas Winton biopic One Life and Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla Presley story Priscilla lead the new films on the first weekend of 2024 at the UK-Ireland box office.
Distributed by Warner Bros and opening in a sizeable 699 sites, One Life tells the story of Nicholas Winton, a London broker who rescued 669 children – predominantly Jewish – from the Nazis leading up to the Second World War. The film has £1.6m already, having opened for previews on Monday, January 1.
Johnny Flynn, a 2005 Screen Star of Tomorrow, plays the younger Winton; with Anthony Hopkins playing him in the 1980s,...
- 1/5/2024
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The late Benny Chan directed “The White Storm” back in 2013 starring Lau Ching Wan, Louis Koo and Nick Cheung. In “The White Storm 2: Drug Lords” (2019) which starred Andy Lau and Louis Koo, Herman Yau took over as director. Now in 2023, Yau is back in this in-title-only third installment again featuring Koo, Lau Ching Wan and Aaran Kwok, the newcomer to the series. All these actors play different characters altogether but the themes of war against drugs, royalty and brotherhood are still there but told in a new storyline.
Check also this article The 20 Best Asian Action/Martial Arts Movies of 2023
The year is 2021 and Kang Su Chat, a Thai-Chinese drug lord who runs his operation in Hong Kong has his men fish up a few barrels containing heroin off the coast. As they leave the docks after unloading their precious cargo, the police show up which results in an intense firefight.
Check also this article The 20 Best Asian Action/Martial Arts Movies of 2023
The year is 2021 and Kang Su Chat, a Thai-Chinese drug lord who runs his operation in Hong Kong has his men fish up a few barrels containing heroin off the coast. As they leave the docks after unloading their precious cargo, the police show up which results in an intense firefight.
- 1/4/2024
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” continued its golden run at the U.K. and Ireland box office with £6.6 million ($8.4 million) over the Dec. 29 weekend.
The Timothée Chalamet starrer now has a total of £43.8 million in the territory after four weekends on release.
Black Bear’s “Ferrari,” directed by Michael Mann and starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz, raced to a £1.9 million debut in second place. In third position, in its second weekend, Warner Bros.’ “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” collected £1.7 million for a total of £5.9 million.
Elysian’s “The Boy And The Heron,” directed by Miyazaki Hayao, bowed with £1.6 million in fourth place. Rounding off the top five was another debut, Sony’s “Anyone But You,” with £1.2 million.
The only other debut in the Top 10 was Disney’s “Next Goal Wins” with £844,604.
Mubi’s “Priscilla,” starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, and Warner Bros.’ “One Life,” starring Anthony Hopkins, both released wide across more than 300 sites each,...
The Timothée Chalamet starrer now has a total of £43.8 million in the territory after four weekends on release.
Black Bear’s “Ferrari,” directed by Michael Mann and starring Adam Driver and Penelope Cruz, raced to a £1.9 million debut in second place. In third position, in its second weekend, Warner Bros.’ “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” collected £1.7 million for a total of £5.9 million.
Elysian’s “The Boy And The Heron,” directed by Miyazaki Hayao, bowed with £1.6 million in fourth place. Rounding off the top five was another debut, Sony’s “Anyone But You,” with £1.2 million.
The only other debut in the Top 10 was Disney’s “Next Goal Wins” with £844,604.
Mubi’s “Priscilla,” starring Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi, and Warner Bros.’ “One Life,” starring Anthony Hopkins, both released wide across more than 300 sites each,...
- 1/2/2024
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
"The cops may be able to trace us." "So what." Well Go USA has debuted another new official trailer for a Hong Kong action thriller film called I Did It May Way. That title seems to be an obvious reference to Frank Sinatra's classic song "My Way", though it isn't heard in the trailer or mentioned anywhere else, but it seems to connect with the bad guy's plot anyway. The film revolves around an undercover officer who goes up against the high-tech drug underworld of Hong Kong. Ho Sau, an undercover agent, has been working with Yau, a drug lord, for years, but his job and family are in trouble. The intense action thriller stars Andy Lau, Gordon Lam, Cya Liu, Eddie Peng, Kent Cheng, Philip Keung, with a special guest appearance by Simon Yam. This is an extraordinary violent trailer for what looks like an insanely violent Hk film - my goodness.
- 12/29/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Tony Leung Chiu-wai pursued justice undercover in the first film. Now he’s a shiny gang boss cashing in before Hong Kong goes back to China
Sweaty-palmed Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs was one of the best films of the early 00s; in it, Tony Leung Chiu-wai played a cop undercover in a triad gang, alongside Andy Lau as a mole in the police force. The movie was remade by Martin Scorsese into The Departed with Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Twenty years later the Leung/Lau dream team is back for another cat-and-mouse cop thriller written and directed by the original film’s co-writer Felix Chong. Though actually this new movie shares more DNA with a couple of Scorseses: The Wolf of Wall Street and Goodfellas. Not that it fully comes up on a rollicking Scorsese cocaine high.
The Goldfinger is a slick, stylish and slightly shallow crime’n...
Sweaty-palmed Hong Kong thriller Infernal Affairs was one of the best films of the early 00s; in it, Tony Leung Chiu-wai played a cop undercover in a triad gang, alongside Andy Lau as a mole in the police force. The movie was remade by Martin Scorsese into The Departed with Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon. Twenty years later the Leung/Lau dream team is back for another cat-and-mouse cop thriller written and directed by the original film’s co-writer Felix Chong. Though actually this new movie shares more DNA with a couple of Scorseses: The Wolf of Wall Street and Goodfellas. Not that it fully comes up on a rollicking Scorsese cocaine high.
The Goldfinger is a slick, stylish and slightly shallow crime’n...
- 12/27/2023
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
“If you really missed not seeing us on screen together, then ‘The Goldfinger’ is your opportunity to do so,” says Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau of his new crime movie where he is again paired with Tony Leung Chiu-wai (“In the Mood for Love”).
The film releases at the end of the month in different parts of Asia and North America (from Dec. 30). Pre-release marketing and promotional efforts make much of the Lau-Leung repairing some twenty years after the “Infernal Affairs” trio of hit movies. The movies were both critical and commercial hits and contained an iconic rooftop scene in Hong Kong’s Wanchai district with the police undercover agent and the mobster’s mole facing off guns drawn.
The pair clearly rate each other highly for their acting skills and for the kind of professionalism that has kept them both a the top of the game for more than two decades.
The film releases at the end of the month in different parts of Asia and North America (from Dec. 30). Pre-release marketing and promotional efforts make much of the Lau-Leung repairing some twenty years after the “Infernal Affairs” trio of hit movies. The movies were both critical and commercial hits and contained an iconic rooftop scene in Hong Kong’s Wanchai district with the police undercover agent and the mobster’s mole facing off guns drawn.
The pair clearly rate each other highly for their acting skills and for the kind of professionalism that has kept them both a the top of the game for more than two decades.
- 12/24/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
In 2019, Chinese filmmaker Frant Guo gave his country its very first science fiction blockbuster, The Wandering Earth, a high-concept adventure film set in 2058 with planet Earth threatened by the imminent explosion of the sun. This year, Guo extended his vision with a prequel, The Wandering Earth 2, told years before the story of the first film. Collectively, the two movies have earned a whopping $1.36 billion ($700 million for the first and $564 million for the follow-up), amounting to China’s very first sci-fi franchise that can legitimately rival Hollywood in both scale and production values. A third installment has been announced for release in 2027.
In recognition of The Wandering Earth 2′s achievements — the prequel has an average critics’ score of 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, signifying considerable praise beyond China’s borders — Beijing’s Film Bureau selected it as the country’s official entry for the Oscar’s best international film category race.
In recognition of The Wandering Earth 2′s achievements — the prequel has an average critics’ score of 82 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, signifying considerable praise beyond China’s borders — Beijing’s Film Bureau selected it as the country’s official entry for the Oscar’s best international film category race.
- 12/23/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Chinese-made crime drama, “Endless Journey” opened on top of the mainland China box office on a weekend with three new releases in the top five.
The Wanda Pictures and Alibaba title earned $20.5 million (RMB146 million) between Friday and Sunday, its official opening weekend, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. Together with previews from the week earlier, it ended the weekend with a cumulative total of $34.5 million (RMB245 million).
Despite being released only in one territory, “Endless Journey” was the world’s second highest performing film over the weekend, according to calculations by another box office tracking firm ComScore. “Wonka,” which has already fallen out of the top ranks in China, was the global number one with an estimated $53.6 million in international territories and a $39 million debut weekend in North America.
Adapted from a book “Please Tell the Director, the Mission of the Third Brigade Has Been Completed” by Shenlan,...
The Wanda Pictures and Alibaba title earned $20.5 million (RMB146 million) between Friday and Sunday, its official opening weekend, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. Together with previews from the week earlier, it ended the weekend with a cumulative total of $34.5 million (RMB245 million).
Despite being released only in one territory, “Endless Journey” was the world’s second highest performing film over the weekend, according to calculations by another box office tracking firm ComScore. “Wonka,” which has already fallen out of the top ranks in China, was the global number one with an estimated $53.6 million in international territories and a $39 million debut weekend in North America.
Adapted from a book “Please Tell the Director, the Mission of the Third Brigade Has Been Completed” by Shenlan,...
- 12/18/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Clockwise from top left: It Lives Inside (Neon), Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (Sony Pictures Releasing), The Matrix Resurrections (Warner Bros. Pictures)Image: The A.V. Club
For the holiday season, Hulu is adding some genre favorites and promising new movies to its library. The streaming platform in December welcomes...
For the holiday season, Hulu is adding some genre favorites and promising new movies to its library. The streaming platform in December welcomes...
- 11/30/2023
- by Robert DeSalvo
- avclub.com
Herman Yao’s latest film, Moscow Mission, chronicled a group of brave detectives who were sent to Moscow to eradicate a group of dangerous train robbers who had been terrorizing the trans-Siberian railway. The eyewitnesses claimed that the robbers often boarded the train disguised as regular passengers, sometimes individually or in groups. Once the train left the station, they donned their signature ski masks and robbed the entire train at gunpoint. Those who cooperated were left to see another day, while others became victims of their wrath. Once they were done, they pulled the chain and made their exit.
Spoilers Ahead
How does Cui Zhenhai plan to catch the robbers?
The latest robbery jeopardized the trade between Russia and China and even tarnished the latter’s reputation on a global scale. Since the robbers were a grave threat to both domestic and international travelers, the Chinese government brought in the big guns.
Spoilers Ahead
How does Cui Zhenhai plan to catch the robbers?
The latest robbery jeopardized the trade between Russia and China and even tarnished the latter’s reputation on a global scale. Since the robbers were a grave threat to both domestic and international travelers, the Chinese government brought in the big guns.
- 11/28/2023
- by Rishabh Shandilya
- Film Fugitives
"Where did the money come from?" Another official trailer has arrived for the Hong Kong film called The Goldfinger, which is exactly what is listed (in English) in the title card of this trailer. The film is also going under the title Once Upon a Time in Hong-Kong, written and directed by the filmmaker Felix Chong. Set in the 1980s, the film is based on the story of Carrian Group, a Hong Kong corporation which rose rapidly before collapsing shortly afterwards due to a corruption scandal. Acclaimed actors Tony Leung & Andy Lau reunite after the seminal Infernal Affairs years ago. When a stock market crash causes the sudden collapse of a multi-billion-dollar company, an Icac investigator (Lau) uncovers a criminal conspiracy involving the company’s founder (Leung) and becomes entangled in a long-running investigation. The film's cast also includes Simon Yam, Charlene Choi, Tai-Bo, Alex Fong, Philip Keung, Kar Lok Chin,...
- 11/27/2023
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
It’s been a long wait for The Goldfinger, which reunites Infernal Affairs stars Tony Leung and Andy Lau with writer-director Felix Chong: production began in February of 2021, our first look arrived spring 2022, and for some time it was all quiet on the eastern front. But a trailer this summer confirmed it’ll hit Hong Kong on December 30, and with only a month to go there’s a new, English-subbed preview that suggests the film will, at least for extravagance, have been worth the wait.
The thriller also stars Simon Yam, Philip Keung, Alex Fong Chung-sun, Charlene Choi, Chin Ka-lok, and Carlos Chan, and is inspired by the story of the Hong Kong conglomerate Carrian Group, which was embroiled in a scandal.
Set in the 1980s, the film depicts cut-throat machinations between Hong Kong’s jostling business elites amidst the backdrop of the tail end of British colonial rule.
The thriller also stars Simon Yam, Philip Keung, Alex Fong Chung-sun, Charlene Choi, Chin Ka-lok, and Carlos Chan, and is inspired by the story of the Hong Kong conglomerate Carrian Group, which was embroiled in a scandal.
Set in the 1980s, the film depicts cut-throat machinations between Hong Kong’s jostling business elites amidst the backdrop of the tail end of British colonial rule.
- 11/27/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Why do we not talk about “The Adventurers?” To be fair, this could be asked about many of Ringo Lam's films. For a filmmaker widely considered to be one of the “Big Three” of Hong Kong action along with Tsui Hark and John Woo, only a few of Lam's films are discussed frequently outside of cinephile circles. His work tended to be jagged, foregoing Woo's elegance and Hark's epic scope in favor of open-wound intensity. A film like “School on Fire,” for example, functions more as social issue drama than action flick. This nervy, uncompromising style perhaps lacked the slick commercial appeal of his contemporaries, which would explain why some of his relatively minor B-Sides tend to be left out of the conversation. This is a shame, because “The Adventurers” is an admirably over-the-top revenge thriller that deserves to be seen.
On paper, the film sounds like...
On paper, the film sounds like...
- 11/27/2023
- by Henry McKeand
- AsianMoviePulse
Ringing Korea’S Grand Bell
“Concrete Utopia,” South Korea’s Oscar contender, was Wednesday named best film at the country’s annual Grand Bell Awards. It also won prizes for best actor, best supporting actress, art direction, sound mixing and visual effects. A disaster movie set in a devastated Seoul, it makes an unusual Academy Awards selection, but has gained high praise from reviewers. Variety this week said the film felt like “’Earthquake’ crossed with ‘Lord of the Flies’.”
The Grand Bell’s best director award nevertheless went to Ryoo Seung-wan for “Smugglers,” while Ahn Tae-jin took the best new director award for “The Night Owl.”
In the other half of the event, Disney+’s “Moving” was named best series, earning Han Hyo-joo the best series actress award to boot.
The Grand Bell Awards, aka Daejong Film Awards, are organized by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea.
Cineasia Honors
The...
“Concrete Utopia,” South Korea’s Oscar contender, was Wednesday named best film at the country’s annual Grand Bell Awards. It also won prizes for best actor, best supporting actress, art direction, sound mixing and visual effects. A disaster movie set in a devastated Seoul, it makes an unusual Academy Awards selection, but has gained high praise from reviewers. Variety this week said the film felt like “’Earthquake’ crossed with ‘Lord of the Flies’.”
The Grand Bell’s best director award nevertheless went to Ryoo Seung-wan for “Smugglers,” while Ahn Tae-jin took the best new director award for “The Night Owl.”
In the other half of the event, Disney+’s “Moving” was named best series, earning Han Hyo-joo the best series actress award to boot.
The Grand Bell Awards, aka Daejong Film Awards, are organized by The Motion Pictures Association of Korea.
Cineasia Honors
The...
- 11/16/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Tony Leung and Andy Lau reunite in The Goldfinger, after many years apart. Here’s the trailer for the film, that arrives in the UK in December.
2002’s Infernal Affairs is one of the most iconic Hong Kong films of the early 2000s. The story of a cop who infiltrates the Triads and another officer who is secretly a spy for the same group was so popular that Martin Scorsese remade it in 2006 as The Departed. It also was followed by a couple of sequels, none of which were remade by Martin Scorsese.
Stars Tony Leung, Andy Lau and writer Felix Chong have reunited over 20 years later to make The Goldfinger, that Cine Asia has picked up for distribution in the UK.
The synopsis for The Goldfingerreads as follows:
Set in the 1980s, the film depicts cut-throat machinations between Hong Kong’s jostling business elites amidst the backdrop of the...
2002’s Infernal Affairs is one of the most iconic Hong Kong films of the early 2000s. The story of a cop who infiltrates the Triads and another officer who is secretly a spy for the same group was so popular that Martin Scorsese remade it in 2006 as The Departed. It also was followed by a couple of sequels, none of which were remade by Martin Scorsese.
Stars Tony Leung, Andy Lau and writer Felix Chong have reunited over 20 years later to make The Goldfinger, that Cine Asia has picked up for distribution in the UK.
The synopsis for The Goldfingerreads as follows:
Set in the 1980s, the film depicts cut-throat machinations between Hong Kong’s jostling business elites amidst the backdrop of the...
- 11/16/2023
- by Jake Godfrey
- Film Stories
“Jaw-droppingly epic” Digital Spy
“The mother of all blockbusters” Filmhounds Magazine
“A stunning sci-fi epic” Eastern Film Fans
“Hugely entertaining” Invincible Asia
“A nail-biting and thrilling ride” Morning Star
Boasting incredible and epic visuals, this stunning interstellar blockbuster is a fresh prequel to one of the highest grossing films of all time, a $700m box office success, and Netflix global smash hit. Based on the popular novella by science fiction author Liu Cixin, The Wandering Earth II is a true sci-fi blockbuster, directed by Frant Gwo (The Sacrifice) and starring Andy Lau and Wu Jing.
In the near future, the sun is rapidly expanding and will engulf the earth within 100 years. To ensure the survival of humankind, nations join hands to form an unprecedented, ambitious global project to build powerful engines on the earth’s surface and propel the planet away from impending doom. Meanwhile, protests have broken out to...
“The mother of all blockbusters” Filmhounds Magazine
“A stunning sci-fi epic” Eastern Film Fans
“Hugely entertaining” Invincible Asia
“A nail-biting and thrilling ride” Morning Star
Boasting incredible and epic visuals, this stunning interstellar blockbuster is a fresh prequel to one of the highest grossing films of all time, a $700m box office success, and Netflix global smash hit. Based on the popular novella by science fiction author Liu Cixin, The Wandering Earth II is a true sci-fi blockbuster, directed by Frant Gwo (The Sacrifice) and starring Andy Lau and Wu Jing.
In the near future, the sun is rapidly expanding and will engulf the earth within 100 years. To ensure the survival of humankind, nations join hands to form an unprecedented, ambitious global project to build powerful engines on the earth’s surface and propel the planet away from impending doom. Meanwhile, protests have broken out to...
- 11/7/2023
- by Peter 'Witchfinder' Hopkins
- Horror Asylum
Via Vision Entertainment is excited to announce its newest media distribution expansion with the launch of Imprint Asia.
Imprint Asia will deliver ongoing releases of contemporary & classic Asian cinema across film festival, multi digital platforms, and physical media including 4K & Blu-ray for Australia and New Zealand.
Already working with some of the biggest Asian licencing partners in the market, the new brand will be launching with a host of key properties including Rui Cui's 2023 box office megahit ‘Lost In The Stars', Larry Yang's 2023 action comedy ‘Ride On' starring Jackie Chan and the 2023 Sci-Fi epic ‘The Wandering Earth II‘ starring Andy Lau.
In addition to the new release slate there will be ongoing classic releases with new restorations and extras produced for physical media collectors including Chen Kaige's ‘The Emperor and The Assassin' (1998) & ‘Farewell My Concubine' (1992), Tsui Hark's ‘The Legend of Zu' (2001), Kei Kumai...
Imprint Asia will deliver ongoing releases of contemporary & classic Asian cinema across film festival, multi digital platforms, and physical media including 4K & Blu-ray for Australia and New Zealand.
Already working with some of the biggest Asian licencing partners in the market, the new brand will be launching with a host of key properties including Rui Cui's 2023 box office megahit ‘Lost In The Stars', Larry Yang's 2023 action comedy ‘Ride On' starring Jackie Chan and the 2023 Sci-Fi epic ‘The Wandering Earth II‘ starring Andy Lau.
In addition to the new release slate there will be ongoing classic releases with new restorations and extras produced for physical media collectors including Chen Kaige's ‘The Emperor and The Assassin' (1998) & ‘Farewell My Concubine' (1992), Tsui Hark's ‘The Legend of Zu' (2001), Kei Kumai...
- 11/1/2023
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
The latest take on the classic monster franchise will open across Europe on December 1.
Amsterdam-based Piece Of Magic Entertainment (Pom) has secured European distribution rights to monster feature Godzilla Minus One from Japanese studio Toho and will release theatrically from December 1.
Pom have acquired rights to the film in 38 territories including France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, the Nordics, and Poland. It will be exhibited in Imax and 4Dx in select territories. The deal does not include the UK and Ireland, where distribution will be handled by Anime Ltd, or German-speaking territories.
The latest in Toho Studios’ iconic monster franchise received its...
Amsterdam-based Piece Of Magic Entertainment (Pom) has secured European distribution rights to monster feature Godzilla Minus One from Japanese studio Toho and will release theatrically from December 1.
Pom have acquired rights to the film in 38 territories including France, Italy, Spain, Benelux, the Nordics, and Poland. It will be exhibited in Imax and 4Dx in select territories. The deal does not include the UK and Ireland, where distribution will be handled by Anime Ltd, or German-speaking territories.
The latest in Toho Studios’ iconic monster franchise received its...
- 10/31/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
The crime drama will be released on December 30.
Trinity CineAsia has acquired Hong Kong tentpole The Goldfinger for the UK and Ireland after striking a deal with Emperor Motion Pictures.
The crime drama will reunite Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau and Tony Leung with writer/director Felix Chong for the first time since 2002’s Infernal Affairs. That film, co-written by Chong and directed by Lau and Alan Mak, spawned a trilogy of films and inspired Martin Scorsese’s 2006 Oscar-winning crime thriller The Departed.
UK-based Trinity CineAsia will theatrically release The Goldfinger in UK and Irish cinemas on December 30, co-ordinated with...
Trinity CineAsia has acquired Hong Kong tentpole The Goldfinger for the UK and Ireland after striking a deal with Emperor Motion Pictures.
The crime drama will reunite Hong Kong superstars Andy Lau and Tony Leung with writer/director Felix Chong for the first time since 2002’s Infernal Affairs. That film, co-written by Chong and directed by Lau and Alan Mak, spawned a trilogy of films and inspired Martin Scorsese’s 2006 Oscar-winning crime thriller The Departed.
UK-based Trinity CineAsia will theatrically release The Goldfinger in UK and Irish cinemas on December 30, co-ordinated with...
- 10/31/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.
The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...
- 10/30/2023
- by Screen staff
- ScreenDaily
‘The Movie Emperor’ Review: Andy Lau Plays Vain Version of Himself in Hong Kong Megastar Meta-Satire
In America, doing what Andy Lau does in Hong Kong film industry satire “The Movie Emperor” would likely net him an Oscar nomination. Or at least an MTV Movie Award. Or maybe just the admiration of his peers, considering how few stars are willing to poke fun at their own image, much less entertain the question of what might happen if their fans were to turn on them tomorrow.
Reteaming with “Crazy Stone” director Ning Hao for an ultra-polished, good-sport parody of A-list vanity, Lau plays Dany Lau — not quite himself, but a megastar of roughly his own stature. The movie is loaded with inside jokes, but like French series “Call My Agent,” it should have no trouble translating around the globe. Between Lau’s international standing — bolstered by roles in everything from “Infernal Affairs” to “A Simple Life,” plus a Cantopop singing career — and the script’s deft way...
Reteaming with “Crazy Stone” director Ning Hao for an ultra-polished, good-sport parody of A-list vanity, Lau plays Dany Lau — not quite himself, but a megastar of roughly his own stature. The movie is loaded with inside jokes, but like French series “Call My Agent,” it should have no trouble translating around the globe. Between Lau’s international standing — bolstered by roles in everything from “Infernal Affairs” to “A Simple Life,” plus a Cantopop singing career — and the script’s deft way...
- 10/21/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Presenting a total of 269 films, including 80 world premieres, the 28th edition of the Busan International Film Festival concluded earlier this month, closing out with Andy Lau’s comedy The Movie Emperor. In addition to screenings, the festival hosted talks and master classes, with over 250 guests participating, notably Chow Yun Fat, Luc Besson, Fan Bingbing, Hirokazu Kore-eda, and Ryusuke Hamaguchi. Over 40 countries and more than 900 companies took part in the festival’s adjoining Asian Contents & Film Market section, while special programs addressed the Korean Diaspora and the Renaissance of Indonesian Cinema.
Along with international favorites like Poor Things, The Beast, and Anatomy of a Fall, Biff offered films from Korea, mainland China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, spotlighting emerging filmmakers like Iqbal H. Chowdhury, Chia Chee Sum (Oasis of Now), and Mirlan Abdykalykov (Jiseok award-winner Bride Kidnapping).
Here are five standouts from the crowded schedule:
Work to Do (Park Hong-jun)
With Work to Do,...
Along with international favorites like Poor Things, The Beast, and Anatomy of a Fall, Biff offered films from Korea, mainland China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, spotlighting emerging filmmakers like Iqbal H. Chowdhury, Chia Chee Sum (Oasis of Now), and Mirlan Abdykalykov (Jiseok award-winner Bride Kidnapping).
Here are five standouts from the crowded schedule:
Work to Do (Park Hong-jun)
With Work to Do,...
- 10/20/2023
- by Daniel Eagan
- The Film Stage
As meta as it gets, The Movie Emperor (Hong Tan Xian Sheng) stars Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau as superstar Dany Lau, a box-office hero desperate to validate his career with critics. When “Jackie Chen” wins a Hong Kong film award for portraying a peasant farmer, Lau decides to put together his own epic about rural poverty and “fatherly love” as his ticket to film-festival success. Yes, Lau is essentially playing himself in this complex comedy, the closing title at this year’s Busan International Film Festival. What’s more, Lin Hao, the director of the project, is played by the actual Movie Emperor director Ning Hao, whose Crazy Stone helped set a new direction for mainland Chinese comedies back in 2006.
Real-life celebrities (e.g. Tony Leung Ka-fai and Wong Jing) are sprinkled throughout. It’s one of the ways Ning Hao erases boundaries between the real and fake Lau.
Real-life celebrities (e.g. Tony Leung Ka-fai and Wong Jing) are sprinkled throughout. It’s one of the ways Ning Hao erases boundaries between the real and fake Lau.
- 10/18/2023
- by Daniel Eagan
- The Film Stage
Chinese director Ning Hao has flown directly from Busan film festival in South Korea to China’s Pingyao International Film Festival (Pyiff) with his latest film, The Movie Emperor, starring Andy Lau.
After premiering in Toronto, the satirical comedy played as the closing film in Busan; one of two ‘Pingyao Surprise’ films at Pyiff, and will next screen at Tokyo International Film Festival. It will receive a wide theatrical release in China and international territories, including North America, on November 17.
In a thinly veiled satire of China’s film industry, Lau plays an old school movie star trying to regain relevance in the TikTok era by playing a pig farmer in a ‘serious’ Chinese drama aiming for film festival exposure. In order to get into character, he immerses himself in rural life, while still madly schmoozing to bring in investment, and insists on doing all his own stunts. Ning also...
After premiering in Toronto, the satirical comedy played as the closing film in Busan; one of two ‘Pingyao Surprise’ films at Pyiff, and will next screen at Tokyo International Film Festival. It will receive a wide theatrical release in China and international territories, including North America, on November 17.
In a thinly veiled satire of China’s film industry, Lau plays an old school movie star trying to regain relevance in the TikTok era by playing a pig farmer in a ‘serious’ Chinese drama aiming for film festival exposure. In order to get into character, he immerses himself in rural life, while still madly schmoozing to bring in investment, and insists on doing all his own stunts. Ning also...
- 10/18/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
The Wrestler, directed by Bangladeshi-Canadian filmmaker Iqbal H. Chowdhury, and September 1923, from Japan’s Tatsuya Mori, picked up the New Currents Awards as Busan International Film Festival wrapped a busy 28th edition on October 13.
Chowdhury’s film tells the story of an eccentric fisherman who learns a traditional form of wrestling to take on the village champion, while September 1923, the debut fiction film of documentary filmmaker Mori, revolves around the massacre that took place after the Great Kanto earthquake 100 years ago.
The Kim Jiseok Award, presented to films in Busan’s Jiseok section, went to Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise, about an Indian couple facing problems in their marriage during a trip to Sri Lanka, and Mirlan Abdykalykov’s Bride Kidnapping, about the widespread practice of forcing women into marriage in Kyrgyzstan.
Busan also launched two new awards, the LG Oled New Currents & Vision Awards, presented to films...
Chowdhury’s film tells the story of an eccentric fisherman who learns a traditional form of wrestling to take on the village champion, while September 1923, the debut fiction film of documentary filmmaker Mori, revolves around the massacre that took place after the Great Kanto earthquake 100 years ago.
The Kim Jiseok Award, presented to films in Busan’s Jiseok section, went to Sri Lankan director Prasanna Vithanage’s Paradise, about an Indian couple facing problems in their marriage during a trip to Sri Lanka, and Mirlan Abdykalykov’s Bride Kidnapping, about the widespread practice of forcing women into marriage in Kyrgyzstan.
Busan also launched two new awards, the LG Oled New Currents & Vision Awards, presented to films...
- 10/14/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
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