Here is another gem by Kar-Wai Wong, the master stylist from Hong Kong.
The story or, rather, stories of Chungking Express talks about love– true love, abruptly-ended love, unfinished love, doomed love, happy love, disturbed love… a whole lot of them. It delineates how a relationship is built up and how it is broken. How two persons, all of a sudden, come closer, and then, eventually, drift apart leaving a permanent mark on each other’s memory. How time, our very own individual time, is shaped through our memories– memories of love, affection, relationship.
But the real beauty of the film lies in the extremely rich visuals; the superb camera-work and the typical Wongish blend of music with the striking visuals. These alone hold together the two apparently disconnected stories. Sometimes the scene is blurred except for the main character; sometime there is intentional time lapse between shots; sometimes the...
The story or, rather, stories of Chungking Express talks about love– true love, abruptly-ended love, unfinished love, doomed love, happy love, disturbed love… a whole lot of them. It delineates how a relationship is built up and how it is broken. How two persons, all of a sudden, come closer, and then, eventually, drift apart leaving a permanent mark on each other’s memory. How time, our very own individual time, is shaped through our memories– memories of love, affection, relationship.
But the real beauty of the film lies in the extremely rich visuals; the superb camera-work and the typical Wongish blend of music with the striking visuals. These alone hold together the two apparently disconnected stories. Sometimes the scene is blurred except for the main character; sometime there is intentional time lapse between shots; sometimes the...
- 12/26/2023
- by Prem
- Talking Films
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
Do you ever remember the old conduct of your adventure books that used to be so popular? You know, the ones where you select an option and have to go-to another page to continue the story. Watching “Dr Wai” brings back those memories given the wrap around narrative. Throw in a blatant nod to Indiana Jones and there is a lot of nostalgia at play. Continuing with the reviews of Eureka Entertainment's release of the “Heroes and Villains” Jet Li box set, it's time to dig out the explorer's hat, select follow-this-adventure and see if this feature is a lost treasure or deserves to be lost in the midst of time.
on Terracotta by clicking on the image below
Chow Si-kit (Jet Li) is the writer of the popular Adventure King series (also Jet Li). A messy divorce from his wife Monica Rosamund Kwan) has led to a drink problem,...
on Terracotta by clicking on the image below
Chow Si-kit (Jet Li) is the writer of the popular Adventure King series (also Jet Li). A messy divorce from his wife Monica Rosamund Kwan) has led to a drink problem,...
- 11/23/2023
- by Ben Stykuc
- AsianMoviePulse
Takashi Yamazaki’s first feature, “Juvenile,” while nothing groundbreaking, was a charming directorial debut that teased the potential of the director’s talents moving forward. Sadly, the same cannot be said for his second movie, “Returner,” a visually ugly mess that fails to entertain with its action or engage with its sci-fi storytelling. Much of the production team returns, including visual effects companies Shirogumi and Robot Communications, as do some actors, notably Anne Suzuki, in a more prominent starring role. Starring alongside her is Takeshi Kaneshiro, who cinephiles may best recognize for his collaborations with acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar-wai. While “Returner” would be a box-office hit, it was met with generally negative reception.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
In 2084, a young soldier named Milly travels back in time to try and prevent an alien race known as the “Daggra” from raging war against humanity.
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
In 2084, a young soldier named Milly travels back in time to try and prevent an alien race known as the “Daggra” from raging war against humanity.
- 10/16/2023
- by Sean Barry
- AsianMoviePulse
With his presence in John Wick: Chapter 4, Donnie Yen is finally getting the English-language, international showcase he’s always deserved. Yen is a huge star in his motherland of China and is about to become a very bright draw for international audiences, finding himself new fans every time he’s seen in an American film. With this new one, he should no longer be “oh I know that guy from somewhere” and be quite well known as the badass that he is. To you get to know his work, here are ten of the best Donnie Yen movies (in no particular order):
Dragon (aka Wu Xia) (2011)
A big part of Yen’s career has been filled with period pieces in which martial arts have an important place (the Wuxia genre). Dragon is no different. Here, Yen plays a family man who is hiding a dark past, when this past catches up with him,...
Dragon (aka Wu Xia) (2011)
A big part of Yen’s career has been filled with period pieces in which martial arts have an important place (the Wuxia genre). Dragon is no different. Here, Yen plays a family man who is hiding a dark past, when this past catches up with him,...
- 3/25/2023
- by Emilie Black
- JoBlo.com
by Simon Ramshaw
Few production companies hold the same strength of trademark from its creator than Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone Films. While many of us know the celebrated Hong Kong filmmaker for his sumptuous romantic works like “Chungking Express” and “In the Mood for Love”, his career as a producer for other directors holds some of the same trail-blazing intrigue he brought to Hong Kong cinema since the 1980s. Set up in 1991, Jet Tone Films has been responsible for funding Wong’s oeuvre and has recently expanded overseas to collaborate with Japanese and Thai directors (Sabu and Nattawut Poonpiriya respectively) alike. But in this period of blossoming experimentation in the 1990s, Wong set prolific Hong Kong actor Eric Kot Man-Fai a challenge to direct a project about first love, and thus, the sprawling, affectionate “First Love: Litter on the Breeze” was born.
on Amazon by clicking...
Few production companies hold the same strength of trademark from its creator than Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone Films. While many of us know the celebrated Hong Kong filmmaker for his sumptuous romantic works like “Chungking Express” and “In the Mood for Love”, his career as a producer for other directors holds some of the same trail-blazing intrigue he brought to Hong Kong cinema since the 1980s. Set up in 1991, Jet Tone Films has been responsible for funding Wong’s oeuvre and has recently expanded overseas to collaborate with Japanese and Thai directors (Sabu and Nattawut Poonpiriya respectively) alike. But in this period of blossoming experimentation in the 1990s, Wong set prolific Hong Kong actor Eric Kot Man-Fai a challenge to direct a project about first love, and thus, the sprawling, affectionate “First Love: Litter on the Breeze” was born.
on Amazon by clicking...
- 1/12/2023
- by Guest Writer
- AsianMoviePulse
"At the high point of our intimacy, we were just 0.01 cm from each other. I knew nothing about her. Six hours later, she fell in love with another man."
These lines spoken by Cop 223/He Qiwu (Takeshi Kaneshiro) mark the end of the first vignette in Wong Kar-Wai's intensely lovelorn, melancholic "Chungking Express." Two people who will never interact ever again bump into one another, but this seemingly-serendipitous encounter means nothing in the bigger scheme of things. There's a sense of longing in He Qiwu's words, who is still nursing the cruel sting of heartbreak after the woman he loves unceremoniously dumps him over a phone call. Wong explores these turbulent emotions via vivid, dreamlike sequences in "Chungking Express," a film about the agonies and ecstasies of love in an urban landscape.
The impromptu vibe that permeates "Chungking Express" can be attributed to the fact that Wong made the film in three months.
These lines spoken by Cop 223/He Qiwu (Takeshi Kaneshiro) mark the end of the first vignette in Wong Kar-Wai's intensely lovelorn, melancholic "Chungking Express." Two people who will never interact ever again bump into one another, but this seemingly-serendipitous encounter means nothing in the bigger scheme of things. There's a sense of longing in He Qiwu's words, who is still nursing the cruel sting of heartbreak after the woman he loves unceremoniously dumps him over a phone call. Wong explores these turbulent emotions via vivid, dreamlike sequences in "Chungking Express," a film about the agonies and ecstasies of love in an urban landscape.
The impromptu vibe that permeates "Chungking Express" can be attributed to the fact that Wong made the film in three months.
- 12/25/2022
- by Debopriyaa Dutta
- Slash Film
For those who have watched Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 feature “Chungking Express” his following feature “Fallen Angels” is at times considered something like an addition to the prior story, especially since the director himself has stated he wanted to include it as the third segment in “Chungking Express”. However, Wong Kar-wai decided to go in a different direction, resulting in the decision to make this a stand-alone feature, which, nevertheless, is in many ways, story-wise and aesthetically, connected to “Chungking Express”. In the end, “Fallen Angels” explores some of the same themes as the director’s 1994 feature, for example the image of the city as a maze of obsessions, while also dealing with the darker side of extreme emotions, leading to isolation and rejection, thus adding another layer to his view on the dichotomy of man and metropolis.
“Fallen Angels” is screening at InlanDimensions
The story revolves around three main characters.
“Fallen Angels” is screening at InlanDimensions
The story revolves around three main characters.
- 9/21/2022
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Starring Donnie Yen and Takeshi Kaneshiro as leads, Peter Chan’s wonderful tribute to the Shaw Brothers’ classic “The One-Armed Swordsman” is a combination of great martial arts action and an engrossing detective story. Moreover the amazing and talented supporting cast is just as impressive. The use of stimulating techniques during the film’s crime scene investigation is also refreshing and stands out from most films of this nature. Besides having Kara Hui as one of his skilled enforcers, the casting of Shaw Brothers legend Jimmy Wang Yu as the villain is without doubt a brilliant choice. Topping it off, the film’s gorgeous location certainly makes “Wuxia” a memorable experience.
- 5/29/2022
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Shot in the same year with the original, “Executioners” included the same cast, and Johnny To in the director’s seat, having added though, Sean Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the cast, and Chin Siu Tung as co-director (action director in the previous one), thus boasting an even more impressive collection of names. Furthermore, and although the issues with the narrative continued, the sequel seems to have toned them down significantly, while Michelle Yeoh, this time, definitely rises to the occasion.
“Executioners” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The story takes place in a dystopian future 10 year after the events of the first film, when a nuclear explosion has caused environmental pollution, contaminating the water, and leaving Hong Kong in chaos as the search for drinkable water is the field of battle now. Disfigured genius Mr. Kim is the head of the Clear Water Company, whose efforts of...
“Executioners” is screening at Udine Far East Film Festival
The story takes place in a dystopian future 10 year after the events of the first film, when a nuclear explosion has caused environmental pollution, contaminating the water, and leaving Hong Kong in chaos as the search for drinkable water is the field of battle now. Disfigured genius Mr. Kim is the head of the Clear Water Company, whose efforts of...
- 4/22/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Taiwanese martial-arts film star Jimmy Wang Yu died on April 5 at a hospital in Taipei, his daughter, Linda Wong announced on Instagram.
‘With utmost sorrow, I inform everyone that our beloved father Mr Wang Yu, who battled the demon of disease these last six years, passed away peacefully this morning of April 5 at Taipei Cheng Hsin Hospital. He was 80 years old,” she wrote, according to translator Dylan Cheung. She did not indicate the nature of the disease.
She added, “I believe his [1967 film] One-Armed Swordsman — that image of a dashing great swordsman — will remain forever in the hearts of film history and film fans alike.”
Director Ang Lee told the China News Agency: “It’s with the deepest sorrow that we learned of his passing today. For many fans like me, he represents the vibe of a certain era. His films and his heroic spirit will be deeply missed.”
View this...
‘With utmost sorrow, I inform everyone that our beloved father Mr Wang Yu, who battled the demon of disease these last six years, passed away peacefully this morning of April 5 at Taipei Cheng Hsin Hospital. He was 80 years old,” she wrote, according to translator Dylan Cheung. She did not indicate the nature of the disease.
She added, “I believe his [1967 film] One-Armed Swordsman — that image of a dashing great swordsman — will remain forever in the hearts of film history and film fans alike.”
Director Ang Lee told the China News Agency: “It’s with the deepest sorrow that we learned of his passing today. For many fans like me, he represents the vibe of a certain era. His films and his heroic spirit will be deeply missed.”
View this...
- 4/7/2022
- by Sharon Knolle
- The Wrap
Although the question of which Wong Kar-wai film is the best could last eternally, for this particular writer, there is no doubt that “Chungking Express” stands on a level above the rest, with the recent restorations actually cementing the fact in the most eloquent fashion. Let us check the reasons why.
“Chungking Express” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
Cop 223 has been rejected by his former girlfriend, May, on April Fool’s Day. Since then, he has been buying one can of pineapple every day with an expiration date of May 1, his birthday, and in an utterly baseless assumption, he believes that if she does not call by the time he has bought 30 cans, their love will expire. In this scenario, he will eat all the cans. Eventually, he meets a woman with a blonde wig who tries to solve her own, much more dangerous issues, and the two of them start sharing their solitude.
“Chungking Express” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
Cop 223 has been rejected by his former girlfriend, May, on April Fool’s Day. Since then, he has been buying one can of pineapple every day with an expiration date of May 1, his birthday, and in an utterly baseless assumption, he believes that if she does not call by the time he has bought 30 cans, their love will expire. In this scenario, he will eat all the cans. Eventually, he meets a woman with a blonde wig who tries to solve her own, much more dangerous issues, and the two of them start sharing their solitude.
- 4/6/2022
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
For those who have watched Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 feature “Chungking Express” his following feature “Fallen Angels” is at times considered something like an addition to the prior story, especially since the director himself has stated he wanted to include it as the third segment in “Chungking Express”. However, Wong Kar-wai decided to go in a different direction, resulting in the decision to make this a stand-alone feature, which, nevertheless, is in many ways, story-wise and aesthetically, connected to “Chungking Express”. In the end, “Fallen Angels” explores some of the same themes as the director’s 1994 feature, for example the image of the city as a maze of obsessions, while also dealing with the darker side of extreme emotions, leading to isolation and rejection, thus adding another layer to his view on the dichotomy of man and metropolis.
“Fallen Angels” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
The story revolves around three main characters.
“Fallen Angels” is streaming on Mubi Malaysia
The story revolves around three main characters.
- 4/4/2022
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
For those who have watched Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 feature “Chungking Express” his following feature “Fallen Angels” is at times considered something like an addition to the prior story, especially since the director himself has stated he wanted to include it as the third segment in “Chungking Express”. However, Wong Kar-wai decided to go in a different direction, resulting in the decision to make this a stand-alone feature, which, nevertheless, is in many ways, story-wise and aesthetically, connected to “Chungking Express”. In the end, “Fallen Angels” explores some of the same themes as the director’s 1994 feature, for example the image of the city as a maze of obsessions, while also dealing with the darker side of extreme emotions, leading to isolation and rejection, thus adding another layer to his view on the dichotomy of man and metropolis.
Fallen Angels is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
The story revolves around three main characters.
Fallen Angels is screening at Five Flavours Asian Film Festival
The story revolves around three main characters.
- 11/24/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Shot in the same year with the original, “Executioners” included the same cast, and Johnny To in the director’s seat, having added though, Sean Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the cast, and Chin Siu Tung as co-director (action director in the previous one), thus boasting an even more impressive collection of names. Furthermore, and although the issues with the narrative continued, the sequel seems to have toned them down significantly, while Michelle Yeoh, this time, definitely rises to the occasion.
The story takes place in a dystopian future 10 year after the events of the first film, when a nuclear explosion has caused environmental pollution, contaminating the water, and leaving Hong Kong in chaos as the search for drinkable water is the field of battle now. Disfigured genius Mr. Kim is the head of the Clear Water Company, whose efforts of controlling the country by controlling the water supply are quite cunning,...
The story takes place in a dystopian future 10 year after the events of the first film, when a nuclear explosion has caused environmental pollution, contaminating the water, and leaving Hong Kong in chaos as the search for drinkable water is the field of battle now. Disfigured genius Mr. Kim is the head of the Clear Water Company, whose efforts of controlling the country by controlling the water supply are quite cunning,...
- 2/18/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
For those who have watched Wong Kar-wai’s 1994 feature “Chungking Express” his following feature “Fallen Angels” is at times considered something like an addition to the prior story, especially since the director himself has stated he wanted to include it as the third segment in “Chungking Express”. However, Wong Kar-wai decided to go in a different direction, resulting in the decision to make this a stand-alone feature, which, nevertheless, is in many ways, story-wise and aesthetically, connected to “Chungking Express”. In the end, “Fallen Angels” explores some of the same themes as the director’s 1994 feature, for example the image of the city as a maze of obsessions, while also dealing with the darker side of extreme emotions, leading to isolation and rejection, thus adding another layer to his view on the dichotomy of man and metropolis.
The story revolves around three main characters. The first one...
The story revolves around three main characters. The first one...
- 1/9/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
Peter Chan’s volleyball drama “Leap” has jumped above its competition in China this weekend with a $24.6 million three-day debut, highlighting Chinese audiences’ continued preference for well-crafted local titles, according to data from the Maoyan industry tracker.
The score is higher than the $23 million opening of Disney’s “Mulan” the weekend of Sept. 11, but less than that of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” which opened the first week of the month with $32.3 million. “Leap” benefits, however, from an assist of new government regulations that took effect Friday allowing cinemas to now sell 75% of available tickets rather than only 50%, in a relaxation of previous coronavirus prevention measures.
Both “Mulan” and “Leap” star China-born Singaporean actress Gong Li, who plays a powerful witch character in the former and the hard-driving, real-life head coach of the Chinese women’s national volleyball team Lang Ping in the latter.
Around $1.2 million of earnings for “Leap” came from 663 IMAX screens.
The score is higher than the $23 million opening of Disney’s “Mulan” the weekend of Sept. 11, but less than that of Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” which opened the first week of the month with $32.3 million. “Leap” benefits, however, from an assist of new government regulations that took effect Friday allowing cinemas to now sell 75% of available tickets rather than only 50%, in a relaxation of previous coronavirus prevention measures.
Both “Mulan” and “Leap” star China-born Singaporean actress Gong Li, who plays a powerful witch character in the former and the hard-driving, real-life head coach of the Chinese women’s national volleyball team Lang Ping in the latter.
Around $1.2 million of earnings for “Leap” came from 663 IMAX screens.
- 9/27/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Wong Kar-wai has written a sequel to his 1994 Hong Kong classic “Chungking Express,” but much of the project remains a mystery. A report from Variety states the sequel is titled “Chungking Express 2020” and that the script, written by Wong Kar-wai, was “submitted for government approval in Shanghai in April and approved on Wednesday, Sept. 23, meaning it can now move forward with plans for production.” The project is backed by the Shanghai Fanhuali Development Company, which is also working with Wong on his new project “Blossoms.”
The filing for “Chungking Express 2020” includes this cryptic plot synopsis: ““In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees his life gradually changed by the intrusions of the ‘person of his dreams.’ In 2036, young Xiao Qian and May are unwilling to be held back by genetic partnering,...
The filing for “Chungking Express 2020” includes this cryptic plot synopsis: ““In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees his life gradually changed by the intrusions of the ‘person of his dreams.’ In 2036, young Xiao Qian and May are unwilling to be held back by genetic partnering,...
- 9/25/2020
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Chinese authorities have registered and approved a new project written by Hong Kong-based auteur Wong Kar-wai, listed as “Chungking Express 2020.”
According to an official filing on the National Film Bureau’s website, the script was submitted for government approval in Shanghai in April, and was approved on Wednesday, Sept. 23. This means it can now move forward with plans for production.
The project was listed by Shanghai Fanhuali Development Company, a firm that is also involved in the TV serial “Blossoms,” which credits Wong as creator and producer. The company has previously been involved in just two films: Pema Tseden’s arthouse stunner “Jinpa,” and, incongruously, “Atm,” a slapstick-y 2019 remake of a Thai rom-com.
The filing offers a short, but slightly cryptic, plot summary: “In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees...
According to an official filing on the National Film Bureau’s website, the script was submitted for government approval in Shanghai in April, and was approved on Wednesday, Sept. 23. This means it can now move forward with plans for production.
The project was listed by Shanghai Fanhuali Development Company, a firm that is also involved in the TV serial “Blossoms,” which credits Wong as creator and producer. The company has previously been involved in just two films: Pema Tseden’s arthouse stunner “Jinpa,” and, incongruously, “Atm,” a slapstick-y 2019 remake of a Thai rom-com.
The filing offers a short, but slightly cryptic, plot summary: “In ’90s Hong Kong, broken-hearted Policeman 223 encounters a blonde female assassin, and they spend a short time together overnight. Policeman 663, who also is getting over heartbreak, sees...
- 9/25/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The film by Hou Hsiao Hsien won the Best Director and Best Soundtrack awards from the Cannes Film Festival and swooped up the Taiwanese Golden Horse Awards, winning five, including those for Best Director, Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography. Moreover, the reviews from all over the world were almost exclusively dithyrambic, with the majority stressing that he invigorated the wuxia genre and characterizing it a masterpiece. Is that the case though? And how much of wuxia is “The Assassin” actually? Let us take things from the beginning though.
“The Assassin” screened at
Festival des Cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul
The story takes place in 8th century China, a time of great upheaval that resulted in the dethronement of the Tang dynasty. The central character of the story is Nie Yinniang, who was kidnapped by a nun named Jiaxin, when she was ten years old. Jiaxin trained the girl into becoming a terribly efficient assassin,...
“The Assassin” screened at
Festival des Cinémas d’Asie de Vesoul
The story takes place in 8th century China, a time of great upheaval that resulted in the dethronement of the Tang dynasty. The central character of the story is Nie Yinniang, who was kidnapped by a nun named Jiaxin, when she was ten years old. Jiaxin trained the girl into becoming a terribly efficient assassin,...
- 2/16/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Hong Kong singer / actor / director / prodcer Juno Mak is – allegedly – about to release (after 5 years of writing and 1 year shooting) his sophomore directorial work, “Sons of a Neon Night” after the excellent homage to Hong Kong Jiangshi movies, “Rigor Mortis” of 2013. Mak is well known for his musical career and for acting in movies like “Dream Home” (2010) by Pang Ho-cheung and as the troubled protagonist (and writer) of “Revenge: A Love Story” (2010) by Wong Ching-Po.
The crime thriller “Sons of the Neon Night” – also written and produced by Juno Mak – is set for release in 2020. However, after revealing – at a press conference in 2017 – an intriguing two-minute behind-the-scene featurette, a batch of beautiful photo-stills and a teaser poster, we have lost tracks.
In 2018 production for the film had officially wrapped and the director had announced a 2019 release while promoting it at the Hong Kong Filmart 2018. Apparently, several problems encountered in the...
The crime thriller “Sons of the Neon Night” – also written and produced by Juno Mak – is set for release in 2020. However, after revealing – at a press conference in 2017 – an intriguing two-minute behind-the-scene featurette, a batch of beautiful photo-stills and a teaser poster, we have lost tracks.
In 2018 production for the film had officially wrapped and the director had announced a 2019 release while promoting it at the Hong Kong Filmart 2018. Apparently, several problems encountered in the...
- 11/23/2019
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
Chinese distributor Phoenix Entertainment Group has bought all China rights to the Italian comedic drama “The Sweeties” from Germany-based Media Luna New Films.
The movie is the second feature from director Francesco Ghiaccio and stars Valeria Solarino, Vinicio Marchioni and four young newcomers in their acting debut. It deals with issues of bullying and body-shaming through the story of three overweight girls who decide to become synchronized swimming champions after a video of them in their swimsuits embarrasses them online.
It was written by Marco D’Amore, also known for his turn as an actor in the TV series “Gomorrah.” It is distributed in Italy by VisionDistribution. It premiered at the Giffoni Film Festival earlier this year.
Phoenix Entertainment is one of China’s bigger production and distribution companies, and has jointly produced films such as “Wolf Totem” and “This Is Not What I Expected,” the 2017 romantic comedy starring Takeshi Kaneshiro and Zhou Dongyu.
The movie is the second feature from director Francesco Ghiaccio and stars Valeria Solarino, Vinicio Marchioni and four young newcomers in their acting debut. It deals with issues of bullying and body-shaming through the story of three overweight girls who decide to become synchronized swimming champions after a video of them in their swimsuits embarrasses them online.
It was written by Marco D’Amore, also known for his turn as an actor in the TV series “Gomorrah.” It is distributed in Italy by VisionDistribution. It premiered at the Giffoni Film Festival earlier this year.
Phoenix Entertainment is one of China’s bigger production and distribution companies, and has jointly produced films such as “Wolf Totem” and “This Is Not What I Expected,” the 2017 romantic comedy starring Takeshi Kaneshiro and Zhou Dongyu.
- 11/13/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
By Shikhar Verma
In Ritesh Batra’s 2013 Indian film ‘The Lunchbox,’ romance blossoms between two strangers through food. While being alarmingly charming, ‘The Lunchbox’ was also incredibly honest, grounded and real. Derek Hui’s ‘This Is Not What I Expected’, quite ironic to its title, is not only everything you would expect but is also so timidly clichéd that it never leaves you with enough meat to chew on.
“This Is Not What I Expected!” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Based on Lan Bai Se’s novel ‘Finally, I Get You’, the film opens with Lu Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), a stiff, well-dressed and overly self-conscious multi-millionaire. His job is to visit and acquire hotels, making them a part of his own company. While on inspection he also likes to sit alone and eat the various cuisines that the hotels have to offer. He has made it a...
In Ritesh Batra’s 2013 Indian film ‘The Lunchbox,’ romance blossoms between two strangers through food. While being alarmingly charming, ‘The Lunchbox’ was also incredibly honest, grounded and real. Derek Hui’s ‘This Is Not What I Expected’, quite ironic to its title, is not only everything you would expect but is also so timidly clichéd that it never leaves you with enough meat to chew on.
“This Is Not What I Expected!” screened at the New York Asian Film Festival
Based on Lan Bai Se’s novel ‘Finally, I Get You’, the film opens with Lu Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro), a stiff, well-dressed and overly self-conscious multi-millionaire. His job is to visit and acquire hotels, making them a part of his own company. While on inspection he also likes to sit alone and eat the various cuisines that the hotels have to offer. He has made it a...
- 6/10/2019
- by Rhythm Zaveri
- AsianMoviePulse
China’s Zhou Dongyu may have taken a recent turn as a producer, but the 27-year-old actress plans to focus on honing her craft in front of the camera rather than branching out too much into other roles behind it. She also believes that female roles are increasing in quantity and quality in China, and is hopeful that women are finally being judged on “standards of ability” instead of beauty.
Zhou both acted in and produced one of her latest films, the small arthouse title “On the Balcony,” in which she portrays a mentally disabled girl.
“I was quite anxious about the role, because I’ve never come into contact with a person like that. So I watched a lot of documentaries in order to accurately portray her,” Zhou said at a Kering Women in Motion talk on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival. “That’s one of the...
Zhou both acted in and produced one of her latest films, the small arthouse title “On the Balcony,” in which she portrays a mentally disabled girl.
“I was quite anxious about the role, because I’ve never come into contact with a person like that. So I watched a lot of documentaries in order to accurately portray her,” Zhou said at a Kering Women in Motion talk on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival. “That’s one of the...
- 5/20/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed with We Pictures, the production and distribution company founded by Hong Kong-born director and producer Peter Chan Ho-sun. It aims to boost the company’s footprint both in China and abroad.
Within China, CAA China will help We Pictures to develop new business partnerships and find new sources of investment and financing, as well as improve its branding and promotion, it said in a statement last Friday. Abroad, it will assist with international distribution and “mobilize the resources of the global film industry to connect We Pictures with more top-notch international content.”
Chan, who also has a production deal with Huanxi Media, is a two-time winner of the best director Golden Horse Award, first in 2006 for “Perhaps Love,” the first musical to be shot in China in decades, and again in 2008 later for the battle-filled historical drama “The Warlords,” starring Andy Lau and Jet Li.
Within China, CAA China will help We Pictures to develop new business partnerships and find new sources of investment and financing, as well as improve its branding and promotion, it said in a statement last Friday. Abroad, it will assist with international distribution and “mobilize the resources of the global film industry to connect We Pictures with more top-notch international content.”
Chan, who also has a production deal with Huanxi Media, is a two-time winner of the best director Golden Horse Award, first in 2006 for “Perhaps Love,” the first musical to be shot in China in decades, and again in 2008 later for the battle-filled historical drama “The Warlords,” starring Andy Lau and Jet Li.
- 12/17/2018
- by Becky Davis
- Variety Film + TV
In an astonishing move to swell the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership ranks, a record 928 artists and executives from 59 countries have been invited to join this year. The branches have increasingly actively sought eligible people to become Academy members, but the Board of Governors makes the final call; this year, they did not invite Kobe Bryant although he won an Oscar for animated short “Dear Basketball.”
Clearly, people of color (38 percent) and women (49 percent) are among the many invites, as the Academy continues to address its long-term white-male dominance. As always, actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, but many new members also come from overseas.
In 2017, the Academy invited 744 new members.
Seventeen Oscar winners are among the new invited members (Melissa Etheridge) and 92 Oscar nominees. Nine of the 17 branches invited more women than men. The percentage of women in the Academy has risen from...
Clearly, people of color (38 percent) and women (49 percent) are among the many invites, as the Academy continues to address its long-term white-male dominance. As always, actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, but many new members also come from overseas.
In 2017, the Academy invited 744 new members.
Seventeen Oscar winners are among the new invited members (Melissa Etheridge) and 92 Oscar nominees. Nine of the 17 branches invited more women than men. The percentage of women in the Academy has risen from...
- 6/25/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The Chinese title of this film means “Martial Arts heroes’ but it was changed to ‘Dragon’ in the Us by distributor Weinstein Company. Nevertheless, it’s a beautifully shot martial arts action drama and won Best Cinematography and Best Original Score at the 31st Hong Kong Film Awards 2012.
“Wu Xia” is set in a small, sleepy village in Yunnan province, and tells the story of a humble family man and papermaker, Liu Jinxi. One day, while repairing windows in the local general store, two bandits arrive, consequently leading him into a scuffle in which the bandits end up dead. Liu reluctantly becomes the local hero because of his bravery.
Xu Baijiu, a detective assigned to the case soon discovers that one of the dead bandits is actually on his most wanted list. During the autopsy and since those bandits died in such unusual circumstances, he concludes that...
“Wu Xia” is set in a small, sleepy village in Yunnan province, and tells the story of a humble family man and papermaker, Liu Jinxi. One day, while repairing windows in the local general store, two bandits arrive, consequently leading him into a scuffle in which the bandits end up dead. Liu reluctantly becomes the local hero because of his bravery.
Xu Baijiu, a detective assigned to the case soon discovers that one of the dead bandits is actually on his most wanted list. During the autopsy and since those bandits died in such unusual circumstances, he concludes that...
- 5/6/2018
- by David Chew
- AsianMoviePulse
Craig Lines Dec 6, 2017
Christmas and martial arts movies? They rarely crossover. But amazing fights in the snow? Now we're in business...
I love martial arts movies and I love Christmas so I'm kinda sad that the two have never really come together (Kung Fu Panda Holiday doesn't count). I'd hoped to find at least one good example to write about, as we move into the festive period, but I guess since most martial arts films come from Buddhist countries and Christmas is a Christian holiday, I was destined for disappointment.
I did briefly consider making one up with the aid of Photoshop, but wasn't sure I could get away with it so, alas, The 25th Advent Chamber Of Shaolin is not to be. For what it's worth, I'd got as far as an apprentice monk named Ho, fighting his way through 25 'doors' of a giant temple designed to resemble an advent calendar.
Christmas and martial arts movies? They rarely crossover. But amazing fights in the snow? Now we're in business...
I love martial arts movies and I love Christmas so I'm kinda sad that the two have never really come together (Kung Fu Panda Holiday doesn't count). I'd hoped to find at least one good example to write about, as we move into the festive period, but I guess since most martial arts films come from Buddhist countries and Christmas is a Christian holiday, I was destined for disappointment.
I did briefly consider making one up with the aid of Photoshop, but wasn't sure I could get away with it so, alas, The 25th Advent Chamber Of Shaolin is not to be. For what it's worth, I'd got as far as an apprentice monk named Ho, fighting his way through 25 'doors' of a giant temple designed to resemble an advent calendar.
- 12/5/2017
- Den of Geek
by Nathaniel R
The 54th Annual Golden Horse Awards were held today in Taipei. That's the Taiwanese Oscars if you will. Though a female-led comedy called The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful took the top prizes, the film with the most wins was The Great Buddha+ which took home five. A romantic comedy called See You Tomorrow (the all-star cast includes Tfe favorites Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Angelababy) took home most of the 'eye candy' prizes. The family tragedy Old Beast, about a father in court and at war with his kids, also did well.
Curiously Taiwan's Oscar submission Small Talk was eligible last year at this ceremony but wasn't a major player. You can see the whole 2017 ceremony online here but it's not subtitled so good luck! Toward the end of the ceremony Jessica Chastain even shows up to help Ang Lee present Best Actress...
The 54th Annual Golden Horse Awards were held today in Taipei. That's the Taiwanese Oscars if you will. Though a female-led comedy called The Bold, the Corrupt, and the Beautiful took the top prizes, the film with the most wins was The Great Buddha+ which took home five. A romantic comedy called See You Tomorrow (the all-star cast includes Tfe favorites Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Takeshi Kaneshiro, and Angelababy) took home most of the 'eye candy' prizes. The family tragedy Old Beast, about a father in court and at war with his kids, also did well.
Curiously Taiwan's Oscar submission Small Talk was eligible last year at this ceremony but wasn't a major player. You can see the whole 2017 ceremony online here but it's not subtitled so good luck! Toward the end of the ceremony Jessica Chastain even shows up to help Ang Lee present Best Actress...
- 11/25/2017
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Hong Kong director Derek Hui's romantic comedy This Is Not What I Expected was one of the big winners Sunday night at the second annual Golden Screen Awards, a growing film business occasion which celebrates co-productions between China and movie industries around the world, particularly Hollywood.
This Is Not What I Expected won the event's top best co-production film award, and the best leading actor trophy also went to the film's male lead, Japanese-Taiwanese star Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Held at Club Novo in downtown Los Angeles, this year's Golden Screen Awards were hosted by actor and comedian Kevin Pollak (The Usual...
This Is Not What I Expected won the event's top best co-production film award, and the best leading actor trophy also went to the film's male lead, Japanese-Taiwanese star Takeshi Kaneshiro.
Held at Club Novo in downtown Los Angeles, this year's Golden Screen Awards were hosted by actor and comedian Kevin Pollak (The Usual...
- 10/30/2017
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A cloying Chinese rom-com so full of clichés that it instantly qualifies for a Hollywood remake, Derek Hui’s directorial debut concerns an uptight businessman and free-spirited chef who meet cute, instantly detest each other and, naturally, fall in love. That they bond over a shared love of fine food marks the only distinguishing element of This Is Not What I Expected, whose title belies its overly familiar content. Still, the film has its charms, mostly found in the culinary offerings so gorgeously shot they qualify as food porn.
The lead characters are Lu Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro, The Crossing and...
The lead characters are Lu Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro, The Crossing and...
- 5/8/2017
- by Frank Scheck
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Welcome back to the Weekend Warrior, your weekly look at the new movies hitting theaters this weekend, as well as other cool events and things to check out.
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Kicks Off the Summer With a Sci-Fi Action-Comedy
After three weeks of dominating the box office, Universal’s The Fate of the Furious is going to have to give way to a new movie, and that’s because the first weekend of May means that it’s officially...The Summer Movie Season!!!!
Just like the last couple years, the summer movie season is kicking off with a new movie from Marvel Studios, and their sequel Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol. 2 (Marvel Studios/Disney), reunites Chris Pratt as Starlord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista’s Drax, Michael Rooker’s Yondu with the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper as Groot and Rocket Racoon, for the next...
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 Kicks Off the Summer With a Sci-Fi Action-Comedy
After three weeks of dominating the box office, Universal’s The Fate of the Furious is going to have to give way to a new movie, and that’s because the first weekend of May means that it’s officially...The Summer Movie Season!!!!
Just like the last couple years, the summer movie season is kicking off with a new movie from Marvel Studios, and their sequel Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol. 2 (Marvel Studios/Disney), reunites Chris Pratt as Starlord, Zoe Saldana as Gamora, Dave Bautista’s Drax, Michael Rooker’s Yondu with the voices of Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper as Groot and Rocket Racoon, for the next...
- 5/4/2017
- by Edward Douglas
- LRMonline.com
There is a thrilling selection of Chinese-language titles at Filmart this year. Liz Shackleton picks out some of the most promising.
With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.
After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.
Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.
Previously announced...
With very few Hong Kong or mainland Chinese sellers making the journey to this year’s European Film Market in Berlin, Filmart offers a chance for buyers to catch up with the Chinese-language titles that will be rolled out in the region for the rest of the year.
After serving up the biggest film of the Chinese New Year holiday — Kung Fu Yoga, starring Jackie Chan and directed by Stanley Tong — China’s Sparkle Roll Media has launched a Hong Kong-based sales arm that is selling Ding Sheng’s reboot of the A Better Tomorrow series.
Other high-profile action titles new to market include Distribution Workshop’s Extraordinary Mission, from the creative teams behind the Infernal Affairs and Overheard series, and Huayi Brothers’ crime drama Explosion, starring Duan Yihong.
Previously announced...
- 3/13/2017
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Jackie Chan back on top, Great Wall nears $150m.
Jackie Chan’s Railroad Tigers roared at the last week of 2016’s Chinese box office (Dec 26 – Jan 1, 2017), taking the top crown with $39.43m for $70.62m after 10 days.
The 1940s action comedy, about a railroad worker who leads a team of freedom fighters against the invading Japanese, opened only in third place two weeks ago, after The Great Wall and See You Tomorrow. Director Ding Sheng has collaborated with Chan previously on Little Big Soldier and Police Story 2013.
Zhang Yimou’s action fantasy epic The Great Wall fell to second spot with $27.96m after topping the charts for two weeks. It crossed the RMB1 billion threshold on New Year Day (Jan 1) and earned $148.02m after 17 days, surpassing Kung Fu Panda 3 as the top grossing Sino-us co-production.
New local romantic comedy Some Like It Hot opened in third place with $24.65m from its three-day opening weekend. Starring Yan Ni...
Jackie Chan’s Railroad Tigers roared at the last week of 2016’s Chinese box office (Dec 26 – Jan 1, 2017), taking the top crown with $39.43m for $70.62m after 10 days.
The 1940s action comedy, about a railroad worker who leads a team of freedom fighters against the invading Japanese, opened only in third place two weeks ago, after The Great Wall and See You Tomorrow. Director Ding Sheng has collaborated with Chan previously on Little Big Soldier and Police Story 2013.
Zhang Yimou’s action fantasy epic The Great Wall fell to second spot with $27.96m after topping the charts for two weeks. It crossed the RMB1 billion threshold on New Year Day (Jan 1) and earned $148.02m after 17 days, surpassing Kung Fu Panda 3 as the top grossing Sino-us co-production.
New local romantic comedy Some Like It Hot opened in third place with $24.65m from its three-day opening weekend. Starring Yan Ni...
- 1/3/2017
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
Wong Kar-wai at the Berlin Film Festival 2013/Cc-Attribution 3.0 Unported
Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone Films Ltd. will be honored at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Festival on March 21 to April 4, 2016 and some of the production company’s well-known movies will be screened during the course of the festival in spring.
Although a definitive list is yet to be released, you can look forward to some of these movies on the Hkiff screening.
Days of Being Wild
This 1990 drama stars Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Jackie Cheung. Leslie Cheung plays Yuddy, a consummate playboy who breaks the heart of Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) and Mimi (Carina Lau). The film casts light into the characters’ psychological drama, but has been labelled as frustrating by many audiences because it does not present a clear plot. This project started Wong Kar-wai’s collaboration with premier cinematographer Christopher Doyle...
Wong Kar-wai’s Jet Tone Films Ltd. will be honored at the upcoming Hong Kong Film Festival on March 21 to April 4, 2016 and some of the production company’s well-known movies will be screened during the course of the festival in spring.
Although a definitive list is yet to be released, you can look forward to some of these movies on the Hkiff screening.
Days of Being Wild
This 1990 drama stars Leslie Cheung, Maggie Cheung, Andy Lau, Carina Lau, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, and Jackie Cheung. Leslie Cheung plays Yuddy, a consummate playboy who breaks the heart of Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) and Mimi (Carina Lau). The film casts light into the characters’ psychological drama, but has been labelled as frustrating by many audiences because it does not present a clear plot. This project started Wong Kar-wai’s collaboration with premier cinematographer Christopher Doyle...
- 2/4/2016
- by Kat Meneses
- AsianMoviePulse
House of Flying Daggers (2004) - Andy Lau - Hong Kong Movie ReviewStory88%Cinematography91%Action70%2016-01-2683%Overall ScoreReader Rating: (6 Votes)94%
House Of Flying Daggers
Shi Mian Mai Fu (original title)
Date of release– 2004
Run time : 119 minutes
Cast–
Takeshi Kaneshiro as Jin
Andy Lau as Leo
Ziyi Zhang as Xiao Mei (as Zhang Ziyi)
Dandan Song as Yee
Director Yimou Zhang
Writers Bin Wang, Yimou Zhang, Feng Li
Nominated for an Academy Award- Best Cinematography (Zhao Xiaoding)
At first look…
The title of the movie sounds like one large can of Whoop-Hash. Just the phrase “house of flying daggers” sounds like a Chinese translation for filling a “room full of uppercuts.” However, House of Flying Daggers is not a bar room brawl threat, but the name of a group of people who are waving their middle daggers at the government. The movie goes like this…
The year is 859 and things...
House Of Flying Daggers
Shi Mian Mai Fu (original title)
Date of release– 2004
Run time : 119 minutes
Cast–
Takeshi Kaneshiro as Jin
Andy Lau as Leo
Ziyi Zhang as Xiao Mei (as Zhang Ziyi)
Dandan Song as Yee
Director Yimou Zhang
Writers Bin Wang, Yimou Zhang, Feng Li
Nominated for an Academy Award- Best Cinematography (Zhao Xiaoding)
At first look…
The title of the movie sounds like one large can of Whoop-Hash. Just the phrase “house of flying daggers” sounds like a Chinese translation for filling a “room full of uppercuts.” However, House of Flying Daggers is not a bar room brawl threat, but the name of a group of people who are waving their middle daggers at the government. The movie goes like this…
The year is 859 and things...
- 1/26/2016
- by The0racle
- AsianMoviePulse
Hou Hsiao Hsien's 'The Assassin' Review : Does it live up to the hype?STORY70%ACTING70%DIRECTING80%VISUALS90%POSITIVESTechical prowess in all aspectsArtful directionNEGATIVESScarce action2016-01-1478%Overall ScoreReader Rating: (1 Vote)81%
The film by Hou Hsia Hsen won the Best Director and Best Soundtrack awards from the Cannes Film Festival and swooped up the Taiwanese Golden Horse Awards, winning five, including those for Best Director, Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography. Moreover, the reviews from all over the world were almost exclusively dithyrambic, with the majority stressing that he invigorated the wuxia genre and characterizing it a masterpiece. Is that the case though? And how much of wuxia is “The Assassin” actually? Let us take things from the beginning though.
The story takes place in 8th century China, a time of great upheaval that resulted in the dethronement of the Tang dynasty. The central character of the story is Nie Yinniang,...
The film by Hou Hsia Hsen won the Best Director and Best Soundtrack awards from the Cannes Film Festival and swooped up the Taiwanese Golden Horse Awards, winning five, including those for Best Director, Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography. Moreover, the reviews from all over the world were almost exclusively dithyrambic, with the majority stressing that he invigorated the wuxia genre and characterizing it a masterpiece. Is that the case though? And how much of wuxia is “The Assassin” actually? Let us take things from the beginning though.
The story takes place in 8th century China, a time of great upheaval that resulted in the dethronement of the Tang dynasty. The central character of the story is Nie Yinniang,...
- 1/14/2016
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Rushes collects news, articles, images, videos and more for a weekly roundup of essential items from the world of film.Above: the first trailer for controversial Hungarian Holocaust drama Son of Saul, a prizewinner at Cannes.You may have noticed that the first round of the Toronto International Film Festival's program has been revealed. We're particularly excited about news films by Johnnie To and Terence Davies.The 72nd Venice Film Festival lineup has been unveiled, and includes new films by Martin Scorsese, Marco Bellocchio, Jerzy Skolimowski, Aleksandr Sokurov, Frederick Wiseman, and more. The jury has also been announced: Nuri Bilge Ceylan, Hou Hsaio-hsien, Lynne Ramsay and others, all led by Alfonso Cuarón.Above: A film still from Prelude, a new film by Nathaniel Dorsky that will premiere during the New York Film Festival's retrospective of the director.David Davidson's Toronto Film Review is featuring an epic compendium of "interviews with cinephile directors,...
- 7/29/2015
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Veteran filmmaker John Woo, best known as a master stylist specializing in ultra-violent gangster films and thrillers (Hard Boiled, The Killer) is about to release the second half of his two-part passion project, The Crossing. Billed in local media as the “Chinese Titanic,” the two-part period epic chronicles three couples whose lives are affected by the sinking of the steamer Taiping, which led to the deaths of over 1,500 passengers and crew during the Chinese Civil War.
Anyone who’s seen the first part will tell you that The Crossing has the DNA of several Best Picture Oscar winning films, only shoved into one massive blockbuster. There’s romance, tragedy, war and many reasons for viewers to keep a box of kleenex nearby.
The Crossing 2 opens on July 30th. Watch the trailer below.
Synopsis: During the Chinese Revolution in 1949, three couples flee from China to the island of Taiwan. Gen.
Anyone who’s seen the first part will tell you that The Crossing has the DNA of several Best Picture Oscar winning films, only shoved into one massive blockbuster. There’s romance, tragedy, war and many reasons for viewers to keep a box of kleenex nearby.
The Crossing 2 opens on July 30th. Watch the trailer below.
Synopsis: During the Chinese Revolution in 1949, three couples flee from China to the island of Taiwan. Gen.
- 7/6/2015
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
"Somebody help me..." Second part? But we haven't even seen the first! Indeed, true. Eventually one day it will get a Us release. John Woo has been in China directing a massive two-part epic called The Crossing, billed as the "Chinese Titanic" - you will see why with this trailer. There are some shots right out of James Cameron's Titanic in this. The film is set during the Chinese Civil War in the 1940s, following three couples from different backgrounds whose are affected by the sinking of the steamer Taiping, which was traveling to Taiwan and led to the deaths of over 1,500 people. Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Song Hye-kyo, and Huang Xiaoming star. It looks like Woo went all out, hopefully for the best. I'm curious to check this out. Here's the new official trailer for John Woo's The Crossing, found on Deadline's YouTube: The Crossing is a...
- 7/6/2015
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Like millions of you around the world, i love Kung Fu movies. It is the only real genre that keeps me going back for more and that is why i will always love Kung Fu movies.
I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.
Snuff-Bottle Connection (1977)
Studio: Fortuna Film Co
Director: Lau Lap Lap, Richard Tung Chin Hu
Cast: Hwang jang lee, Yip Fei Yang, John Liu, Philip Ko, Hsu Hsia, Yuen Biao
Action Director(s): Yuen Woo Ping
Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978)
Studio: Gar Bo Motion Picture Company
Director: Karl maka
Cast: Sammo hung, lau Kar Wing,...
I know many of you have probably seen many of the movies i will post about, but this is also for anyone new to the genre of Kung Fu and even Swordplay and looking for other movies to enjoy. I hope you enjoy the movies i have listed and please feel free to comment about any of the movies.
Snuff-Bottle Connection (1977)
Studio: Fortuna Film Co
Director: Lau Lap Lap, Richard Tung Chin Hu
Cast: Hwang jang lee, Yip Fei Yang, John Liu, Philip Ko, Hsu Hsia, Yuen Biao
Action Director(s): Yuen Woo Ping
Dirty Tiger, Crazy Frog (1978)
Studio: Gar Bo Motion Picture Company
Director: Karl maka
Cast: Sammo hung, lau Kar Wing,...
- 12/13/2014
- by kingofkungfu
- AsianMoviePulse
40. Don’t Look Now (1973)
Directed by: Nicholas Roeg
A few films that could be defined as horror appear on this list, mostly because the best ones veer further into a psychological discussion on dealing with fear, death, and loss. Based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier, “Don’t Look Now” is a landmark of British-Italian cinema, thanks to its wonderfully developed characters and realistic depiction of grief. John and Laura Baxter (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) travel to Venice, still reeling after the accidental drowning of their daughter Christine. While there, Laura meets a psychic who claims that Christine is still trying to contact them, which she shares with John, who is skeptical. Slowly, John begins to experience supernatural moments and mysterious sightings, some of which appear to be a young girl in a red coat, similar to the one Christine was wearing when she died. While the...
Directed by: Nicholas Roeg
A few films that could be defined as horror appear on this list, mostly because the best ones veer further into a psychological discussion on dealing with fear, death, and loss. Based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier, “Don’t Look Now” is a landmark of British-Italian cinema, thanks to its wonderfully developed characters and realistic depiction of grief. John and Laura Baxter (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) travel to Venice, still reeling after the accidental drowning of their daughter Christine. While there, Laura meets a psychic who claims that Christine is still trying to contact them, which she shares with John, who is skeptical. Slowly, John begins to experience supernatural moments and mysterious sightings, some of which appear to be a young girl in a red coat, similar to the one Christine was wearing when she died. While the...
- 12/2/2014
- by Joshua Gaul
- SoundOnSight
Two new trailers have been released for John Woo's upcoming 2-part epic war romance film called The Crossing. The film is set against the tragedy of a capsized ferry in 1949, and it's a story of romance, war, and disaster. The movie looks like it has a huge, sweeping epic feel to it.
The feature was written by Melody Wang, who wrote Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and here's the synopsis:
Based on the true story of the the Taiping ferry that capsized on January 27, 1949 in the Baijie Strait (about 71 miles southeast of Shanghai, China), the film revolves around an epic love stories of three couples, played by Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Huang Xiaoming, Tong Dawei, and Masami Nagasawa.
The Crossing Part 1 opens in December 2014 and The Crossing Part 2 opens May 2015 in China. There’s no U.S. release date yet, but I hope it gets one because I want to see this movie!
The feature was written by Melody Wang, who wrote Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and here's the synopsis:
Based on the true story of the the Taiping ferry that capsized on January 27, 1949 in the Baijie Strait (about 71 miles southeast of Shanghai, China), the film revolves around an epic love stories of three couples, played by Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Huang Xiaoming, Tong Dawei, and Masami Nagasawa.
The Crossing Part 1 opens in December 2014 and The Crossing Part 2 opens May 2015 in China. There’s no U.S. release date yet, but I hope it gets one because I want to see this movie!
- 11/20/2014
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
Director John Woo returns in true Titanic fashion with his most ambitious film project since the war epic Red Cliff in 2008. Judging by the first trailer for the two-part period drama The Crossing, it seems he spared no expense to bring his vision to the big screen. Melody Wang, the screenwriter of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Lust, Caution, scripted the story.Based on the true story of the Taiping ferry that capsized on January 27, 1949 in the Baijie Strait (about 71 miles southeast of Shanghai, China), the film revolves around an epic love stories of three couples, played by Zhang Ziyi, Song Hye-kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Huang Xiaoming, Tong Dawei, and Masami Nagasawa.The Crossing: Part 1 is scheduled for theatrical release in China on December 2 while...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
[Read the whole post on twitchfilm.com...]...
- 11/19/2014
- Screen Anarchy
John Woo's The Crossing Part 1 has released its final trailer.
The two-part movie, which stars Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), centres around three couples caught up in the 1949 sinking of the Taiping steamer.
The ship was crammed well over capacity with refugees fleeing China to Taiwan after the Civil War, leading to over 1,500 deaths after it collided with a cargo boat.
Song Hye-kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Huang Xiaoming, Bowie Lam, Tong Dawei and Masami Nagasawa also star in the film.
The Crossing Part 1 will be released in China on December 2, with Part 2 following on Chinese New Year 2015.
Western releases are yet to be announced.
The two-part movie, which stars Zhang Ziyi (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), centres around three couples caught up in the 1949 sinking of the Taiping steamer.
The ship was crammed well over capacity with refugees fleeing China to Taiwan after the Civil War, leading to over 1,500 deaths after it collided with a cargo boat.
Song Hye-kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Huang Xiaoming, Bowie Lam, Tong Dawei and Masami Nagasawa also star in the film.
The Crossing Part 1 will be released in China on December 2, with Part 2 following on Chinese New Year 2015.
Western releases are yet to be announced.
- 11/7/2014
- Digital Spy
After last helming 2009’s Red Cliff II, veteran director John Woo returns to the big screen in December with The Crossing. A passion project for Woo who came to Cannes in May to talk up the Beijing Galloping Horse production, it’s been dubbed by local media as the Chinese Titanic. The two-part epic is set during the Chinese Civil War and revolves around three couples from different backgrounds whose lives are affected by the sinking of the steamer Taiping, which led to the deaths of over 1,500 passengers and crew.
The first installment releases in China on December 2 in what is expected to be a banner month for local movies. Part II has a May 2015 date.
Melody Wang, the screenwriter of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Lust, Caution, penned the story. The lead cast includes Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro (House Of Flying Daggers), Song Hye-kyo (The Grandmaster), Huang Xiao Ming...
The first installment releases in China on December 2 in what is expected to be a banner month for local movies. Part II has a May 2015 date.
Melody Wang, the screenwriter of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Lust, Caution, penned the story. The lead cast includes Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro (House Of Flying Daggers), Song Hye-kyo (The Grandmaster), Huang Xiao Ming...
- 11/6/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
With China‘s National Day holiday week still in swing, the box office got an extra boost this frame thanks to the timely release of Breakup Buddies, a sort of follow-up to 2012’s smash hit Lost In Thailand. Playing on half the screens in the massive market, the film grossed just under $38M in China this weekend, sending its cume since release on September 30 to about $93M. (It also went out in the U.S., Australia and New Zealand at the weekend.) The original film was arguably responsible for a reversal in China’s fortunes in December 2012, when box office share was lagging behind that of U.S. films. That year ended with Hollywood out front but Lost In Thailand made global headlines and bolstered the unofficial practice of blackout periods when no foreign studio movies are released, allowing high-profile local titles to goose box office in the People’s Republic.
- 10/6/2014
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline
John Woo's The Crossing has released a new trailer.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Zhang Ziyi stars in the two-part film.
It centres around three couples caught up in the 1949 sinking of the Taiping steamer.
The ship was crammed well over capacity with refugees fleeing China to Taiwan after the Civil War, leading to over 1,500 deaths after it collided with a cargo boat.
Song Hye-kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Huang Xiaoming, Bowie Lam, Tong Dawei and Masami Nagasawa also star in the film.
The Crossing: Part One will arrive in China in December. It is yet to announce a western release.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon's Zhang Ziyi stars in the two-part film.
It centres around three couples caught up in the 1949 sinking of the Taiping steamer.
The ship was crammed well over capacity with refugees fleeing China to Taiwan after the Civil War, leading to over 1,500 deaths after it collided with a cargo boat.
Song Hye-kyo, Takeshi Kaneshiro, Huang Xiaoming, Bowie Lam, Tong Dawei and Masami Nagasawa also star in the film.
The Crossing: Part One will arrive in China in December. It is yet to announce a western release.
- 9/22/2014
- Digital Spy
If you’ve been wondering what action maestro John Woo has been up to in the five years since his last movie, 2009’s Red Cliff II, here is the answer in the form of the international trailer for The Crossing – perhaps the most ambitious Chinese film of all time. brightcove.createExperiences();Based on the true story of the steamer ship Taiping, which sank between China and Taiwan during the Chinese Revolution of 1949 and claimed the lives of 1,500 passengers and crew, Woo’s latest is already being billed as the Chinese Titanic.Even if that event is only hinted at at the end of this trailer, there’s still plenty here, from epic battle scenes to the seeds of the yearning, intertwining love stories, featuring Zhang Ziyi and Takeshi Kaneshiro, that propel the plot, to suggest that Woo is planning to up the ante established by Red Cliff. And while there’s plenty of slow-motion,...
- 9/22/2014
- EmpireOnline
Beijing Galloping Horse has set the China release date for the first part of John Woo’s upcoming epic drama The Crossing for December 2.
Starring Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Korean actress Song Hye-kyo, the film revolves around three couples on a liner that sinks during its crossing between mainland China and Taiwan.
Woo also confirmed that the movie was delayed in 2012 by his diagnosis of cancer. He first heard the story of the ill-fated Taiping liner from scriptwriter Wang Huiling in 2008 and was moved to make an historical romantic drama that would portray events during a tumultuous time in China’s history.
“While I was receiving treatment in the States, I saw a bad film and I thought to myself, I could not just die like that. I can’t just go away without making a film which I think is perfect,” said Woo.
The Crossing is produced by Beijing Galloping Horse, Le Vision...
Starring Zhang Ziyi, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Korean actress Song Hye-kyo, the film revolves around three couples on a liner that sinks during its crossing between mainland China and Taiwan.
Woo also confirmed that the movie was delayed in 2012 by his diagnosis of cancer. He first heard the story of the ill-fated Taiping liner from scriptwriter Wang Huiling in 2008 and was moved to make an historical romantic drama that would portray events during a tumultuous time in China’s history.
“While I was receiving treatment in the States, I saw a bad film and I thought to myself, I could not just die like that. I can’t just go away without making a film which I think is perfect,” said Woo.
The Crossing is produced by Beijing Galloping Horse, Le Vision...
- 9/10/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.