C I N E M A S
HONG KONG
Films currently playing in Hong Kong cinemas are listed on the home page. More information about current releases, and detailed news items about upcoming releases, can be found at Sanney Leung's incredibly useful Hong Kong Entertainment News in Review. The other primary source for this information is the indispensable Screen Daily, the online supplement to the printed trade journal Screen International.
September 2003 (tentative)
Ho Qing (AKA Bold Love)October 2003 (tentative)
Louis Koo, Eason Chan, Niki Chow, Cherrie Ying; erotic film directed by Chan Hing-Ka and produced by Koo; Koo and Chan turn to the porn industry when they can't find jobs
The Floating Landscape
Carol Lai (Glass Tears) directs Karena Lam, Ekin Cheng, and Liu Ye in a romantic drama
Hit Team 2
Action sequel; directed by Dante Lam; starring Aaron Kwok
Running on Karma (AKA Mr. Fitness)November 2003 (tentative)
Johnny To comedy; with Andy Lau and Cecilia Cheung
Hidden TrackDecember 2003 (tentative)
Directed by Aubrey Lam; romantic drama stars Mainland newcomer Popo, Shawn Yue, Daniel Wu, and Eason Chan; produced by Teddy Chen's Jin Chuan Pictures
2046
Wong Kar-Wai's long-anticipated next film
Pineapple Bun PrinceIn production
Animated; the continuing adventures of McDull, the optimistic pig
20, 30, 40
Sylvia Chang's romantic drama also stars Angelica Lee and Rene Liu; cameos by Anthony Wong, Tony Leung Ka-Fai, and Richie Ren
Anna and Shaolin
Miriam Yeung stars with Ekin Cheng; produced by Chan Hing-Ka and directed by Raymond Yip
Dragon Blade
3D computer animated martial arts fantasy from DCDC Productions
Empereror Without a Crown
Tiffany Cheung and Winnie Lau are featured in a film about a reporter
The Enchanter
Comedy drama from director Wilson Yip; produced by Teddy Chen's Jin Chuan Pictures
Flowers Bloom in Dream
Jacklyn Wu stars in this Taiwanese film
Jade Goddess
Ann Hui directs Vicky Zhao Wei and Nicholas Tse in a romantic drama
Kung Fu Hustle
Stephen Chow's comedy about an aspiring gangster in the 1940's
Lost Horizons
Derek Chiu directs Francis Ng and Anita Yuen in a romantic drama
The Magic Brush
Animated; from famed effects house Centro Digital Pictures
Masked Crusader
Jingle Ma directs Michelle Yeoh; with Luke Goss, Michael Jai White, Brandon Chung
Masked Lady Hero
Sharla Cheung Man; directed by Leung Kar-Yan
Miss To
Mainland-set costume comedy starring Michelle Reis and Daniel Wu; directed by Raymond To
New Female Cop Recruits
Lam Wah-Chuen (Runaway Pistol) directs Teresa Mak, Pinky Cheung, and Natalie Ng in an action movie
The Park
Andrew Lau directs Bobo Chan, Tiffany Lee, and Edwin Siu in a horror flick lensed in Thailand
Prenuptial Experiment
Mainland comedy; three short films by different directors; produced by Teddy Chen's Jin Chuan Pictures
Seven Year Itch
Lau Ching-Wan is a married man led astray by Cherrie Ying
Star Runner
Action romance; boy band singer Vanness Wu and Korean actress Kim Hyun Ju in a story about a man trying to win a free-fighting championship; directed by Daniel Lee (A Fighter's Blues)
Turn Left, Turn RightIn development
Romance; directed by Johnnie To
Dark October
Teddy Chen's action drama about Sun Yat-Sen, founder of Modern China; set to star Tony Leung Ka-Fai, Chang Chen, and Ekin Cheng
The Eye II
Shooting to take place in Hong Kong and Thailand
Infernal Affairs prequel (no title yet)
Edison Chen, Shawn Yu, Anthony Wong, Eric Tsang, Francis Ng
Perfect Harmony (working title)
Young people come up with a novel way of beating the recession in Hong Kong; to be directed by Kwok Man-Fai
The Sword Searchers
Jackie Chan and Nicholas Tse are scheduled to star in this action adventure to be directed by Tony Ching Siu-Tung; based on a popular Hong Kong weekly comic book, Magic Weapons
Tunnelling
To be directed by Su Chao-Pin (writer of Double Vision, Three - Going Home); science fiction thriller
Details are included for all Asian films -- or those featuring an Asian star or director -- scheduled for release. More information about upcoming U.S. releases can be found at the very helpful Greg's Previews of Upcoming Movies.
August 8 :
The Princess BladeAugust 15 :
Japan; dark swordplay film with action choregraphy by Donnie Yen
(limited release)
Shaolin SoccerAugust 15 :
Hong Kong; Stephen Chow's comedy, cut and dubbed into English
(wide release)
Freddy Vs. JasonAugust 22 :
U.S.; horror sequel directed by Ronny Yu
(wide release)
The MedallionSeptember :
Hong Kong/U.S.; Jackie Chan; action choreography by Sammo Hung; directed by Gordon Chan
(wide release)
Bollywood / HollywoodSeptember 12 :
Canada; comedic Canadian version of a Bollywood musical
(limited release)
So CloseOctober 10 :
Hong Kong; great fun "girls with guns" action flick; directed by Corey Yuen
(limited release)
Kill Bill Volume 1November :
U.S.; featuring Sonny Chiba and action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping
(wide release)
HeroDecember 25 :
China; Jet Li, Maggie Cheung, et. all; directed by Zhang Yimou
(probably limited release, then expanding)
PaycheckFirst Quarter 2004 :
U.S.; directed by John Woo
(wide release)
The TouchNo firm date :
Hong Kong; Michelle Yeoh; directed by Peter Pau
Around the World in 80 DaysNo firm date :
Jackie Chan; directed by Frank Coraci
(possibly fall; probable wide release)
Ju-On: The Grudge
Japanese horror film
Copyright 2000-2003 by Peter A. Martin. All rights reserved.
No part of this review may be reproduced without express permission by the copyright owner.