[2025.01.18] LOUIS KOO PREDICTS HONG KONG FILM PRODUCTIONS WOULD DROP TO A HORRIFYING POINT

Louis Koo, Chrissie Chau and German Cheung are guests on THE POPCORN SHOW
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Louis Koo Tin Lok (Goo Jai), together with his Lunar New Year film HIT N FUN (LUM SI KUET DAU)'s director Albert Mak Kai Kwong, actors Chrissie Chau Sau Na, Louise Wong Dan Nei, German Cheung Man Kit and Tony Wu Tsz Tung, served as guests of Vincent Kok Tak Chiu's ViuTV program THE POPCORN SHOW and shared unforgettable stories from the production.

Goo Jai was famous for being Mr. Cool and not make a lot of noise. Kok Tak Chiu asked everyone how they got along with Goo Jai? Chau Sau Na was speechless for a while, then said that this time they had fewer scenes together. Because she had to keep fighting, she was very tired after every shoot. Cheung Man Kit said that he was not afraid of Goo Jai at all, because Goo Jai took good care of and protected each actor. If he lost his balance during the fight, Mr. Koo would catch him.

Goo Jai talked about the problem of comedy in Hong Kong, and believed that now comedy could no longer be made like before; it could not be "made" but "performed". There must be a solid story. The most important thing was to be close to everyday life, so people would be able to relate after watching it and laugh from the heart; absurd yet would really happen in reality, that would be the best. He said that he should stop deliberately writing about a situation, playing misunderstandings and dress-up, which were no longer feasible. He said that in the past three years, the world have not been many comedies. He was wondering if people all over the world have agreed not to make comedies. He believed that it is not easy for comedy to break geographical boundaries, because there must be a language barrier if it is close to one's own lives. If the film had less dialogue and more body language, it would be very difficult. Maybe the information is too developed now, and making the audience laugh would already be very hard.

As a filmmaker, Goo Jai felt that it would not be appropriate to invest heavily in these few years, but small investment would kill some excellent productions. It would be the best to adopt the golden mean. Goo Jai feels that the 2025 film productions would indeed be reduced, even to the point of horror. In addition there would be a chance that the film would require government assistance before it could start production.

[2025.01.18] AARON KWOK, ALBERT MAK ANNOUNCE ROB N ROLL FILM SERIES

Aaron Kwok personally appears at the cinema to thank the audience
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Aaron Kwok is very touched to see the audience still emotional

Director and writer Albert Mak announces a film series for ROB N ROLL

Aaron Kwok attends the ROB N ROLL anniversary special screening to thank the audience and congratulate the director on his Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Screenplay

Gordon Lam, Aaron Kwok and Richie Jen in ROB N ROLL
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Just completed his overseas tour, Aaron Kwok Fu Sing attended the anniversary special screening of ROB N ROLL (LUM SI GIP ONG) as soon as he returned to Hong Kong, thanking the audience for their support for the film. At the event ROB N ROLL's director Albert Mak Kai Kwong even announced the ROB N ROLL film series would go into production.

Kwok Fu Sing's "Mui Lam Tin" in the movie ROB N ROLL was very unusual, the strange buckteeth, fuse tripping, strict with rules and robber character was really deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. His brotherhood of temporary robbery alliance with Gordon Lam Ka Tung and Richie Jen (Yam Yin Chai) had laughter and tears, which made many viewers share joy and sorrow like it was just yesterday. Kwok Fu Sing said, "I would like to thank the director and screenwriter for giving me an interesting role with flesh and blood, and I enjoyed playing it very much. Sometimes I would miss 'Mui Lam Tin'."

Just one year after the release of ROB N ROLL, directors Mak Kai Kwong, Kwok Fu Sing, Wong Chung Yan and screenwriters Ryker Chan Wai Bun and Man Yuen Ching recently attended the anniversary celebration of ROB N ROLL. Kwok Fu Sing said that he was very touched to see that the enthusiasm of the audience was still high a year later, thanked the director and screenwriter again and congratulated them on their Film Critics Society Best Screenplay Award. "Thank you so much to the audience for liking ROB N ROLL. Thanks to the leadership of the director and screenwriter, the 'Mui Lam Tin' presented in the movie even went beyond my imagination from when I read the script. This anniversary special screening was very interesting, and it was a pleasure to have a few more shows to relive with the audience." As for screenwriter Chan Wai Bun, he thanked Kwok Fu Sing for his participation. He described him as a very creative actor. Chan Wai Bun said, "Every time 'Mui Lam Tin' appears, it is to advance the plot; but I remember that on the first day of filming on Temple Street, Kwok Fu Sing sat on the school bus and ate "Flower Tower" biscuits. I secretly told the director that he was 'Mui Lam Tin'! Thank you so much Kwok FU Sing for creating 'Mui Lam Tin' with false teeth. He is not only called Kwok Fu Sing, but also called 'Amaz Sing'." Kwok Fu Sing immediately said "thank you" when he heard this, and at the same time hoped to thank Ka Tung and Siu Chai through the applause of the audience. Kwok Fu Sing said, "They are great actors, everyone's sparks were able to coordinate with the rhythm of 'Mui Lam Tin'. It is like a ball game, with good opponents the whole thing has a chemical effect, thank you Ka Tung and Siu Chai!"

With good word of mouth, would ROB N ROLL consider more films? Mak Kai Kwong said, "Yes! Because the character of 'Mui Lan Tin' should be continued, whether it is a prequel or a continuation. There are still many possibilities that are worth starting from this character." The audience immediately responded with warm and expectant applause, while Kwok Fu Sing played surprised and said, "'Mui Lam Tin' is still alive?" Chan Wai Bun added, "Then it might be a prequel! How a robber was made." Finally Kwok Fu Sing wished everyone for an early Happy New Year, and wished director Mak Kai Kwong's Lunar New Year movie HIT N FUN (LUM SI KUET DAU) would be a big hit. He hoped that the audience would have a Happy Year of the Snake!

[2025.01.18] THE LAST DANCE EXTENDS ITS MAINLAND RUN

Michelle Wai jokes that her figure shocks even herself
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Michelle Wai is happy that the mainland run of THE LAST DANCE has been extended
courtesy of singtao.com

courtesy of mingpao.com

THE LAST DANCE (POR. DEI YUK)'s lead actress Michelle Wai Sze Nga yesterday attended the opening of the home appliance brand as a guest. THE LAST DANCE was released in Hong Kong on November 19th last year, breaking many records in Hong Kong repeatedly and even becoming the highest-grossing Chinese film in Hong Kong film history. Released nearly two months ago, its popularity remained as its Hong Kong box office has exceeded HK$ 158 million. There are still many shows for the audience to enjoy. As for the mainland box office it also broke through 200 million yuan RMB and would extend its screening period across the Lunar New Year. Wai Sze Nga also said that she was very happy to hear the good news; as for the outside talk that THE LAST DANCE laying "a goose egg" at the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards, Wai Sze Nga thought that it's a good thing for the movie to be discussed.

The Hong Kong Film Critics Society recently announced the winners, and founding member Manfred Wong (Man Jun) was upset for Wai Sze Nga. He felt that she deserved to win the Best Actress for THE LAST DANCE. Wai Sze Nga said that she has been too busy to watch the news more recently. "Actually it is a good thing that every movie has a degree of discussion." Man Jun pointed out that THE LAST DANCE was very popular with the audience but did not win the award, and was not even included in the discussion of the final five best films. The Society was really hostile to the audience, she said, "Everyone's preferences are different." However the Hong Kong Film Critics Society was accused of being a clique activity? She said, "I respect the decision of each award. Of course I would be happy to receive praises and awards, because I have done my best." Was she moved that Man Jun felt she deserved the award? She stated that she would be moved with every praise. Seeing everyone working hard for the film industry, and every actor is also working hard.

In addition, the Hong Kong box office of THE LAST DANCE has exceeded HK$ 158 million, and the mainland box office has also exceeded 200 million yuan RMB. The mainland will also extend the screening period to span the Lunar New Year. Wai Sze Nga heard the good news and expressed that she was very happy, and hoped that in the future even more viewers would be able to see THE LAST DANCE. If the box office would climb further then they would celebrate with more dinners. Regarding THE LAST DANCE being expected to be the "Best Film" at the Hong Kong Film Awards, she said that she would still look at all the awards with a normal state of mind. "Now I have to properly enjoy each and every process." She has also been canvassing for votes. Every time she met new friends, she would ask if everyone have watched THE LAST DANCE in hopes of having even more audiences to go and enjoy the movie.

As for THE LAST DANCE failing to win the Critics Society Awards and was only included in the list of ten recommended films, it caused controversy and criticism that the results were unfair and the event was clique-ish. However, professionals in the film industry did not seem to respect this award. The reporter called Hong Kong veteran directors Wong Jing and Clifton Ko Chi Sum in hopes of hearing their professional evaluation, but they did not think it was worth mentioning. Wong Jing replied, "No comment, everyone has the right to expression." Ko Chi Sum also replied, "I don't participated in these activities and topics."

[2025.01.18] LOUIS CHEUNG CLAIMS TO BE CHARLENE CHOI'S EX

Louis Cheung has a connection with Charlene Choi in movies long ago
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Louis Cheung Kai Chung (Ah Chung) and Charlene Choi Cheuk Yin (Ah Sa) recently accepted a TV interview to promote their Lunar New Year film. Ah Chung said that the fate of working with Ah Sa could be traced back to the movie GOOD TIMES, BED TIMES (LUEN SEUNG NEI DIK CHONG). He said, "At that time I was an extra, but I gave myself an identity; I was Ah Sa's ex! Even Ah Sa didn't know, while I was really in character.."

The Lunar New Year film is about gambling, but Ah Chung stated that he did not like to gamble. "Maybe because when I was younger I played with my friends a little, but I didn't expect to lose all my allowance. So I never gambled again." Ah Sa also did not feel that she had any gambling luck. "I think that I won with my skills!"

[2025.01.17] CARLOS CHAN REPRISES ALEX MAN'S CLASSIC PERFORMANCE

Carlos Chan screams until his voice is hoarse in order to interpret the charm of Alex Man
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Carlos Chan Ka Lok in the Patrick Kong (Yip Lim Sum) directed Lunar New Year film QUEEN OF MAHJONG (MA JEUK NUI WONG JUI NAM JAI) played the Best Actor "Brother Chin Hung". With the recent release of the trailer, Ka Lok's exaggerated interpretation and styling were reminiscent of Alex Man Chi Leung. One of the "foul language funny scenes" was derived from Man Chi Leung's performance in the movie THE CONMEN IN VEGAS (DOH HUP DAI JIN LA SI WAI GA SI) more than 20 years ago. In just a few shots, Ka Lok has successfully gotten rid of the previous mild mannered image and changed to the ruffian route to bring freshness to the audience.

In order to "be in sync" with Man Chi Leung, Ka Lok said, "Actually, I watched this scene when I was younger, but Man Chi Leung's performance was so emotional that it was highly difficult for me. I watched it (his performance) again and again before filming, and even kept trying it in front of the mirror or the director." He joked that his voice was relatively weak, so in the later stage of filming his "voice was hoarse from yelling".

[2025.01.16] MICHELLE WAI IS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE HONG KONG FILM CRITICS SOCIETY AWARDS

Getting married next month, Michelle Wai wore red to attend the Lunar New Year activity

Hedwig Tam with MONTAGES OF A MODERN MOTHERHOOD became the surprise Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards

Chung Suet Ying won Best Actress with THE WAY WE TALK last year, but only had a minor role in THE LAST DANCE
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Michelle Wai admitted disappointment at not winning the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Actress
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Michelle Wai felt disappointed that THE LAST DANCE got a "goose egg" at the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards

Michelle Wai reveals that THE LAST DANCE extended version will be released in April

Michelle Wai reveals that her fiancee performed the betrothal gift ceremony, which was a lot of fun and fruitful

Hong Kong Film Critics Society member Manfred Wong comments on this year's awards results and feels THE LAST DANCE received the cold shoulder
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The bride-to-be Michelle Wai Sze Nga would marry her outside the industry handsome medical boyfriend Chau Chee On an in February after more than two years of dating. Michelle wore a red dress to Kwun Tong yesterday to attend the shopping center event, and she recently shared photos of the gift on social networks when she would wed next month, with a lot of gold and dried seafood in a strong showing. Michelle said that the gift ceremony was very fun. "There are a lot of gold objects, there are three pairs of dragon and phoenix bracelets, and there are gold chains and meteor hammers. There are so many gifts that they couldn't fit in one car. The boss (Dr. Albert Yeung Sau Sing) gives gifts and cash." When Gillian Chung Yan Tung got married, boss Yeung Sau Sing gave her a luxury home as dowry. Has Michelle received a building as dowry? She smiled and said no. "However the Boss has given a cash gift, which is a happy price."

Michelle may have to spend her Lunar New Year at work, going to Rotterdam for the film festival on the second day of the Lunar New Year and then rushing back to Hong Kong for work. Speaking of the extended version of THE LAST DANCE, she said that as far as she knew it would be released in April. Because many Lunar New Year films would be released, THE LAST DANCE's post-production has to wait in line. The director might Extend her ambulance crying scene, but she was not sure because she did not participate in the editing of the extended version of the film. She has watched every cut so far though. Was the subject not suitable to be screened in the Lunar New Year schedule? She laughed and said, "No! It's better to be out with the old and in with the new."

A few days ago, the "Hong Kong Film Critics Society" announced its award winners, but the Hong Kong film box office record breaking THE LAST DANCE did not win any award and was only one of the top ten recommended films. The "Best Actress" went to Hedwig Tam Sin Yin for MONTAGES OF A MODERN MOTHERHOOD (FU DUK BUT). Michelle admitted that she felt disappointed after not winning the Best Actress award. "Nothing I can do, everyone's preferences and evaluation are different. I can't win every time, but I am very happy for the winners. (Do you feel you shouldn't lose to Tam Sin Yin?) Absolutely not, everybody has worked very hard." Speaking of an accusation that the "Hong Kong Film Critics Society" was forming cliques, she said that she did not know, nor did she know about the voting process. Thus she could not say so. She was disappointed for THE LAST DANCE film team, because they did not win a single award. As for her co-stars Michael Hui Koon Man and Tommy Chu Pak Hong's Asian Film Awards Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor nominations, Michelle expressed that her disappointment at the lack of nomination there as well but she was very happy that someone from Hong Kong was nominated. "All Asian films can participate in the Asian Film Awards, so when I see Hong Kong people nominated I am very happy. They have won glory for Hong Kong!" Has it dampened her confidence in winning the Hong Kong Film Awards? Michelle says it did because the opponents has been strong every year, but she would try her best.

Winning Taiwan's Golden Horse Awards Best Actress last year, Chung Suet Ying fought for the Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Actress with the movie THE WAY WE TALK (HONG NGOR GUM TIN JUM MOR SUET) against Tam Sin Yin and finally lost by one vote. She also appeared in the film THE LAST DANCE, unfortunately due to the length of the film, two of her scenes were deleted so she became a supporting role among the supporting roles. Director Anselm Chan Mou Yin felt that she has been mistreated, but Chung Suet Ying did not mind. She even pointed out that roles have never been differentiated between big or small.

Chung Suet Ying has a very good relationship with THE LAST DANCE film team. Whe she shared food photos on social networks last month, one of which was beautiful chicken feet. Wai Sze Nga commented, "I know how to cook chicken foot soup, are you interested?"

Hong Kong Film Critics Society founding member and veteran filmmaker Manfred Wong (Man Jun) spoke about this year's Critics Society Awards results on his online program, as he felt very bad for THE LAST DANCE. He questioned whether the results were planned to generate talk. What led to their neglect and kept THE LAST DANCE from the Society Awards' Best Film final five discussion? He thought that giving such a cold shoulder to a movie that was beloved by the Hong Kong audience and made HK$ 150 million at the box office equated to making all ticket buying Hong Kong audience the enemy.

Man Jun felt that the Critics Society's style was fewer mention of commercial films. He questioned that since TWILIGHT OF THE WARRIORS: WALLED IN (GAU LUNG SING JAI JI WAI SING) due to box office and audience support was able to win this year's Society Awards Best Film, why THE LAST DANCE with HK$ 150 million box office and audience support was not included in the final five discussions for "Best Film"? He felt that the Society intended through the results to influence Hong Kong Film Awards members' consideration. He suggested that the Society has gone extreme for more than 10 years. For example, the Fruit Chan Gor directed THREE HUSBAND (SAM FU) had Society support and the Hong Kong Film Awards Best Actress went to Chloe Maayan. He thus felt that Some of the Society's member calculated, guessed and gauged which films would be able to generate talk this year, and scoffed at the city wide hit THE LAST DANCE. Man Jun bluntly said, "If you really have calculations, I think you have made the enemy out of all Hong Kong viewers who bought tickets!"

Man Jun also felt Wai Sze Nga deserved to be the final two of the Society Awards Best Actress, citing that she definitely had the substance, and questioned whether the Society minded that she was not a new actor or an actor under the Emperor banner? Man Jun said that he could not speculate with conspiracy theories. Although he liked the winner Hedwig Tam Sin Yin too, he felt Wai Sze Nga deserved the consideration. He said that Tam Sin Yin's victory with the film MONTAGES OF A MODERN MOTHERHOOD was a surprise. The film has not yet been released, so many have not yet seen it. As for THE LAST DANCE's director Anselm Chan Mou Yin is ineligible to be included in the director award discussion, Man Jun also questioned whether Chan Mou Yin was too new and was looked down upon?

[2025.01.16] STANLEY YAU IS GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO GET "INTIMATE" WITH KAYAN NG

Stanley Yau (right) and Tommy Chu (left) fight for the heart of Kayan Ng
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Tommy Chu, Kayan Ng and Stanley Yau look forward to being able to see everyone at the audience appreciation events after the film release
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Both Tommy Chu (left) and Stanley Yau (right) pursue Kayan Ng (center) in their new film
courtesy of mingpao.com

Stanley Yau Si Chun, Kayan Ng and Tommy Chu Pak Hong (Chu Hong) starred in the Lunar New Year film MY BEST BET (CHEUNG DOH BIT YANG) would soon be released, and the three of them played two men chasing the same woman in the film. Pursued by "Explosive Muscle Man" Stanley and "Chinese-Korean mix" Chu Hong at the same time, Kayan admitted that she was "not a good woman". Because the character was the favorite child of the family, she was lazy. Her main job was to sleep at home and shop on the street, she joked that she was "playing her true colors". Next to her, Stanley also immediately chimed in, said that he has witnessed Kayan's gluttonous nature and seen her kept eating snacks. In addition she kept eating without getting fat. Kayan Ng said that she would have to thank Mommy. Stanley also joked that he had a lot of intimate scenes with Kayan in the film and had to thank the gods, because he has to "hold her once"; then he revealed the "romantic rival" Chu Hong's luck was boundless as he was constantly surrounded by women in the film. Chu Hong said, "I haven't played a 'neat' character in a very long time, I always been 'neat' on the stage, but I didn't expect to grab a 'scumbag professional' after I joined the film and television industry. This time I finally met a handsome role that made me feel powerful, and I am very grateful." He had to speak Korean in the film, so he went to take lessons. "The audience has more tolerance for Lunar New Year movie, even if I don't speak it well it doesn't matter."

Speaking of the film using comedy and gambling as its main axis, Kayan and Stanley both said that they would only gamble for fun with friends. Kayan admitted that she played mahjong and the Big Deuce, she also had the game of skills Rummikub. Chu Pak Hong misheard her and said, "You dare to play (Liza) Wang Ming Chuen?!" Stanley said that he lacked both gambling luck and skill. Aside from friendly mahjong, Big Deuce, Baccarat, he excelled at none. He would only host the Hoo Hey How (Fish Prawn Crab) game during the Lunar New Year, and his mahjong mates would mainly be his MIRROR teammates and manager. Who was the "Mahjong King" among the 12 members? He said that harmless looking Jeremy Lee Chun Kit, but then he also said, "I have beaten him before. (What is the sucker?) I won't say who, it's still Jer (Lau Ying Ting) and Anson Lo. Anson Lo is very distracted while playing. He plays just to be a part of the game, winning or losing doesn't matter." Who has won the most? He said they were rather close. "We takes turns winning. Jer once won ten times in a row. Because that day was his birthday, he probably used all of his good luck. Everyone has good mahjong manner, we are all cultured."

Chu Hong joked again, "I don't gamble at all, I even have to learn to gamble for this movie. (What's your usual pastime?) The work of an actor is already very "brain-burning", so I spend my free time at home in a daze, doing nothing, or reading books and watching movies. Actually, I have tried calligraphy, and I wanted to hike and rock climb; but in the end, I still felt that the bed at home was the most comfortable, haha." After that, the three of them picked up fai chun together and wish everyone an early Happy New Year.