Oblivion - 遺落戰境

Oblivion (遺落戰境) is an 2013 film. The movie stars Tom Cruise, Olga Kurylenko, and Andrea Riseborough. The supporting cast include Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Melissa Leo, and Morgan Freeman. The movie is based on a comic graphic novel by this movies' director, Joseph Kosinski.

In 2077, the earth had a war with an alien race called the scavs when they invaded. The nukes were used and the world was in ruins. The population of the earth was moved to a space station outside of Titan, a moon off Saturn. Cruise plays Jack Harper, a maintenance and repair man for drones that patrol the bases. The bases are collecting water and other resources from the earth to build new colonies. Along the way, other humans show up and tell Jack Harper that everything isn't what it seems.

This film was awesome. It was slow most of the time, but it was focused on the characters in their post-nuke days. Jack Harper and his wife have a mysterious background. If you didn't understand it, the twist(s) at the end would not make sense.

Easily one of my favorite science fiction films of all time now. Definately in the top 50. I am definitely considering buying the Blu-ray for it.

Hong Kong Box Office - August 25, 2013 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: August 25, 2013

Weekend of August 25, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	激戰 (Unbeatable/Ji Zhan)
2	The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (魔都獵人:骸骨之城)
3	White House Down (白宮末日)
4	Planes (飛機總動員)
5	Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (波西傑克森:妖魔之海)
6	狂舞派 (The Way We Dance)
7	Kick-Ass 2 (勁揪俠 2)
8	超級巨猩 (Mr. Go)
9	Monsters University (怪獸大學)
10	龍珠Z 劇場版:神與神 (Dragon Ball Z)
...	...
18	奇幻夜 (Tales from the Dark Part 2)
...	...
20	飛虎出征 (SDU: Sex Duties Unit)
...	...
32	盲探 (Blind Detective)

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved August 28, 2013

Lost in Time - 忘不了

Lost in Time (忘不了) is an 2003 film out of Hong Kong. The film stars Cecilia Cheung, Sean Lau, and Louis Koo.

Cheung waits at a light bus station for her fiance to return. On the way, Koo is hit by a construction truck and dies at the hospital. Cheung decides to raise Koo's son and drive his bus. After many months, she barely makes enough for rent and living expenses. Lau takes sympathy and helps her out with the business and becomes very attached to the child. The two fall in love. However, we're left with a simi-cliffhanger story. Will their love continue on?

I remember watching this back in 2003. It was totally awesome than and it was totally awesome recently as I got it via Netflix. Cheung was young and in her prime. You could call some of it a little overacting, but it seemed natural too. Lau does his smooth operator thing and emotes when needed and moves the story along. Fine acting for both Lau and Cheung. Koo's addition was just to have a pretty face around.

This was also a nice slice of life for regular Hong Kongers. With the feel of modern movie making, but with a look back at why Hong Kong films were once so great. A reminder of a film in the transition period of HK cinema. A must watch in my opinion.

Zhong Guo Box Office - August 25, 2013 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: August 25, 2013

Weekend of August 25, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	Jurassic Park 3D (侏罗纪公园3D)
2	Monsters University (怪兽大学)
3	激战 (Unbeatable)
4	Pacific Rim (环太平洋)
5	摩登年代 (Fake Fiction)
6	一夜惊喜 (One Night Surprise)
7	小时代2:青木时代 (Tiny Times 2)
8	宫锁沉香 (The Palace)
9	回到爱开始的地方 (A Moment Of Love)
10	Fast And Furious 6 (速度与激情6)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved August 28, 2013

The Last Supper - 王的盛宴

The Last Supper (王的盛宴) is an 2012 film out of Zhong Guo. The movie stars Liu Ye, Chang Chen, and Daniel Wu. The supporting cast include Qin Lan and Huo Siyan. The movie is based on Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty in Zhong Guo. The story takes place from when Liu is 48 years old to his death at 61 years old.



Liu Ye plays Liu Bang as the movie opens when he is 61 years old. Haunted by memories of two of his greatest enemies, Lord Xiang Yu and General Han Xin. The movie goes into episodic flashbacks of his struggle from common man to emperor. Liu seeks the help of Lord Yu to reclaim his wife and family. The set out to overthrow the Qin government, the fall of Qin, and the fall of Lord Yu. Along the way, Liu's army is partially lead by General Han Xin. But Liu's paranoia prevents him from trusting those close to him and those that helped him establish hit empire. The movie closes out with with the death of both General Han Xin and Emperor Liu Bang.



This was an artsy fartsy movie at its core. Told in episodic flashbacks and full of deep thoughts, it tells a story of commoner to emperor to paranoia. How much of this is based on history is beyond me. I only know a little of the Qin and Han dynasty from wuxia series and films, like The Myth. And an wiki article here and there. Nothing to make me understand that era.



I do recommend it because the acting is pretty awesome. Liu Ye, Chang Chen, Daniel Wu, and Qin Lan age with the screen and it's very believable. Some of the best acting in a ancient Zhong Guo film in recent memory. The language wasn't super formal and very modern so I didn't have to turn on the subtitles.

Taiwan Box Office - August 25, 2013 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of August 25, 2013

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	總舖師 (Zone Pro Site)	2
2	Kick-Ass 2 (特攻聯盟2)	1
3	Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters (波西傑克森:妖魔之海)	2
4	Elysium (極樂世界)	3
5	The Conjuring (厲陰宅)	4
6	The Smurfs 2 (藍色小精靈2)	1
7	銀魂完結篇:永遠的萬事屋 (Gintama: The Movie: The Final Chapter: Be Forever Yorozuya)	2
8	The Purge (國定殺戮日)	2
9	Planes (飛機總動員)	2
10	Pacific Rim (環太平洋)	7
11	俺俺:33個我 (It’s Me, It’s Me)	1
12	R.I.P.D (降魔戰警)	4
13	Despicable Me 2 (神偷奶爸2)	8
14	Turbo (渦輪方程式)	4
15	舞力四射 (Shining Dancing)	1
16	海闊天空 (American Dreams In China)	4
17	蠟筆小新劇場版-超級美味!B級美食大逃亡! (Crayon Shin-chan：Very Tasty! B-class Gourmet Survival)	1
18	Before Midnight (愛在午夜希臘時)	6
19	The Wolverine (金鋼狼:武士之戰)	5
20	Spring Breakers (放浪青春)	1

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved August 26, 2013

舞力四射 - Shining Dancing - Upcoming

舞力四射 (Shining Dancing) was released in Taipei this weekend. Dancing dancing dancing! The movie seems to promote that dancing is ok in Taiwan. Do it and have fun with it. Show the world (Paris in this case) that the Taiwanese can move it!

Looks like it'll be super cheezy, but I like that stuff. Bring it, I am ready to watch!

Unbeatable - 激戰:勇者不敗 - Upcoming

Unbeatable (激戰:勇者不敗) was relased in Hong Kong and Zhong Guo last weekend. It did very well at the box office, topping the HK box office like it should and number 4 at the Zhong Guo one. The movie shows how buff two dudes can get. Eddie Peng and Nick Cheung show two generations how its done. Seems the buffed out males of the HK and Zhong Guo big screen are getting buff again.

I also love MMA. I follow it pretty much daily via Yahoo and BJPenn.com. With all the other stuff I follow, that's about as much as I can take. But a HK movie on it? The sleeping dragon of MMA may take shape in the next couple of decades. With so many wushu practitioners in Zhong Guo, maybe one will take the international stage in a big way.

I for one, can't wait to watch this when it comes to the US of A shores.

Hong Kong Box Office - August 18, 2013 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: August 18, 2013

Weekend of August 18, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	激戰 (Unbeatable)
2	Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (波西傑克森:妖魔之海)
3	Kick-Ass 2 (勁揪俠 2)
4	The Lone Ranger (獨行俠)
5	狂舞派 (The Way We Dance)
6	The Heat (熱爆MADAM)
7	Monsters University (怪獸大學)
8	龍珠Z 劇場版:神與神 (Dragon Ball Z)
9	The Smurfs 2 (藍精靈2)
10	Planes (飛機總動員)
...	...
11	奇幻夜 (Tales from the Dark Part 2)
...	...
14	飛虎出征 (SDU: Sex Duties Unit)
...	...
26	盲探 (Blind Detective)
...	...
30	小時代 (Tiny Times)

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved August 21, 2013

Tiny Times 2 - 小時代:青木時代 - Upcoming

Tiny Times 2 (小時代2/小時代:青木時代) was released over the weekend in Zhong Guo, but it could not beat Pacific Rim. The follow up to the first Tiny Times, it continues their story into their careers.



The Los Angeles Times got into the act and had a review for it last week while it was also released in the Los Angeles area. I didn't catch the first one last month. I am a fan of Amber Kuo and Yang Mi. But I was not able to get out.

Zhong Guo Box Office - August 18, 2013 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: August 18, 2013

Weekend of August 18, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	Pacific Rim (环太平洋)
2	小时代2:青木时代 (Tiny Times 2)
3	一夜惊喜 (One Night Surprise)
4	激战 (Unbeatable)
5	宫锁沉香 (The Palace)
6	Fast And Furious 6 (速度与激情6)
7	一场风花雪月的事 (Crimes of Passion)
8	我爱灰太狼2 (I Love Wolffy 2)
9	White House Down (惊天危机)
10	昆塔-盒子总动员 (Kunta)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved August 20, 2013

Star Trek Into Darkness - 闇黑無界:星際爭霸戰 - 星空奇遇記:黑域時空 - 星際迷航:暗黑無界

Star Trek Into Darkness (闇黑無界：星際爭霸戰) is an 2013 film. The movie stars Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, and Benedict Cumberbatch. The supporting cast include John Cho, Zoe Saldana, Karl Urban, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller, and Alice Eve. Leonard Nimoy makes a cameo as Spock Prime. This is the second installment of the current Star Trek film franchise and the last to be directed by J. J. Abrams. Abrams will be moving on to the Star Wars franchise.

James and Doc run through the woods of an planet the Enterprise is exploring. While Spock, Sulu, and Uhara are trying to neutralize an exploding volcano. Instead they reveal themselves to a primitive race. As such, the Enterprise is taken away from Kirk and he's made the 1st captain of Enterprise when its given back to Pike. In the meantime, a certain individual has bombed an library and than attacked senior star fleet officers killing Pike. Kirk has his ship back and they head out to kill this madman. Just one thing though, its in Klingon territory.

This movie was quite awesome. That little summary does it no justice, but I can't give away the main plot points. You need to watch it. On the big screen if you can. The space they travel is quite majestic and the space ships really look like they are from the future. A last hurrah for the bad robot crew as they shift their attention to Star Wars.

Taiwan Box Office - August 18, 2013 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of August 18, 2013

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters (波西傑克森:妖魔之海)	1
2	總舖師 (Zone Pro Site)	1
3	Elysium (極樂世界)	2
4	The Conjuring (厲陰宅)	2
5	The Purge (國定殺戮日)	1
6	R.I.P.D (降魔戰警)	3
7	Planes (飛機總動員)	1
8	Pacific Rim (環太平洋)	6
9	Turbo (渦輪方程式)	3
10	Despicable Me 2 (神偷奶爸2)	7
11	The Wolverine (金鋼狼:武士之戰)	4
12	神速的蓋諾賽克特超夢覺醒	1
13	推理要在晚餐後 (The After-Dinner Mysteries)	2
14	瑪德2號 (Saving Mother Robot)	2
15	Before Midnight (愛在午夜希臘時)	5
16	哆啦A夢：大雄的祕密道具博物館 (Doraemon　the Movie: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum)	3
17	海闊天空 (American Dreams In China)	3
18	王牌巨猩 (Mr. Go)	2
19	Monsters University (怪獸大學)	8
20	Red 2 (超危險特工2)	5

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved August 19, 2013

A Good Day To Die Hard - 終極警探:跨國救援 - 虎膽龍威:擇日開戰 - 虎膽龍威5 - Die Hard 5

A Good Day to Die Hard (終極警探:跨國救援) is an 2013 film. The movie stars Bruce Willis and Jai Courtney. This is the fifth installment of the Die Hard film series. Could this be the last?!

Bruce is John McClane. John had a falling out with his son Jack (John Jr.) a few years back. Since that time, they haven't spoken. A friend from the NYPD tracks Jack to Moscow. John heads there to get in touch and try to get his son out of trouble. Instead, he blows Jack's secret CIA mission and they miss the extraction. On the run and trying to get a evidence to bring down a bad man, they cruise throw Moscow and than Chernobyl, Ukraine. Wrecking havoc and leaving a trail of destruction in their path.

At ~90 minutes, you need to expect a action packed movie with absurd stunts and wrecks. Put your thinking cap away as the whole son and father relationship thing is only to allow the destruction to continue. Bruce throws in all the yippy cliche terms from Die Hard 1 and 2. Nothing original in this film.

總舖師 - Zone Pro Site - Upcoming

總舖師 (Zone Pro Site) is being released this weekend in Taipei. The movie stars a who's who of the Taiwan entertainment industry. Just look at the movie poster! The movie is a dive into comedy side of how banquets are run in the beautiful island of Taiwan. Prepare to laugh and be hungry. I will!

I have no idea how the english name relates to the Chinese name. The Chinese name is master of the shop and the movie is about ban zhou. Maybe its a play on professional zone of the site banquets? Just guessing.

Hong Kong Box Office - August 11, 2013 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: August 11, 2013

Weekend of August 11, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	The Lone Ranger (獨行俠)
2	The Heat (熱爆MADAM)
3	The Wolverine (狼人:武士激戰)
4	The Smurfs 2 (藍精靈2)
5	奇幻夜 (Tales from the Dark Part 2)
6	Monsters University (怪獸大學)
7	狂舞派 (The Way We Dance)
8	飛虎出征 (SDU: Sex Duties Unit)
9	Pacific Rim (悍戰太平洋)
10	R.I.P.D. (衰鬼刑警)
...	...
16	天台 (The Rooftop)
...	...
17	盲探 (Blind Detective)
...	...
20	小時代 (Tiny Times)
...	...
23	浮城謎事 (Mystery (2012))

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved August 14, 2013

瑪德2號 - Saving Mother Robot - Upcoming

瑪德2號 (Saving Mother Robot) was released in Taipei this past weekend. It didn't do so hot the box office and placed 13th. So far, this summer has been brutal for Taiwan's very own. However, I can see why locals would assume it was just another film from the mainland. Starring the mainland's current go to leading man in Huang Xiao Ming. That guys IS in everything it seems.

The movie combines fantasy and the real world in the minds of a child and the creative nature of a photographer. The trailer is super confusing and I really don't have a need to watch this. But I will someday, it stars Vivian Hsu, one of my favorite actresses, still.

Zhong Guo Box Office - August 11, 2013 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: August 11, 2013

Weekend of August 11, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	Pacific Rim (环太平洋)
2	小时代2:青木时代 (Tiny Times 2)
3	Fast And Furious 6 (速度与激情6)
4	一夜惊喜 (One Night Surprise)
5	我爱灰太狼2 (I Love Wolffy 2)
6	一场风花雪月的事 (Crimes of Passion)
7	青春派 (Young Style)
8	White House Down (惊天危机)
9	昆塔-盒子总动员 (Kunta)
10	笔仙Ⅱ (Bunshinsaba 2)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved August 13, 2013

Lifeline - 十萬火急

Lifeline (十萬火急) is an 1997 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Sean Lau, Alex Fong, and Carmen Lee. The movie is directed by acclaimed HK staple, Johnny To.

Sean Lau is part of a troupe of firefighters. They had bad luck in the past and now face pressure from above and their peers. Whatever the case, they seek to stop fires. Sean character comes into contact with Carmen Lee's as she is a doctor in a nearby hospital. The group is faced with multiple life threatening events, but they seem to make it out just in the nick of time. When a massive fire engulfs a factory, all nearby firefighting troupes are called together. They make their way through to save many. When a man is left behind, Sean decides to stay behind. Will there be a lifeline for these two?

The movie was typical HK of that era. With the turnover at hand, what were HKers to think and feel. The movie touches on some of it. But the main story is that of the lives of the firefighters. How they live, interact with each other, and ultimately sacrifice for society in general, risking their lives in the line of duty.

I had watched this back in either 1997 or 1998 as Carmen Lee was a favorite in the 1990s. Its too bad she's moved back to TV dramas and eventually completely out of the spotlight. Sean was and will always be one of my favorites.

Taiwan Box Office - August 11, 2013 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of August 11, 2013

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	Elysium (極樂世界)	1
2	The Conjuring (厲陰宅)	2
3	R.I.P.D (降魔戰警)	2
4	The Wolverine (金鋼狼:武士之戰)	3
5	Turbo (渦輪方程式)	2
6	Pacific Rim (環太平洋)	5
7	Despicable Me 2 (神偷奶爸2)	6
8	推理要在晚餐後 (The After-Dinner Mysteries)	1
9	Monsters University (怪獸大學)	7
10	王牌巨猩 (Mr. Go)	1
11	哆啦A夢：大雄的祕密道具博物館 (Doraemon　the Movie: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum)	2
12	Red 2 (超危險特工2)	4
13	瑪德2號 (Saving Mother Robot)	1
14	海闊天空 (American Dreams In China)	2
15	Before Midnight (愛在午夜希臘時)	4
16	盲探 (Blind Detective)	3
17	At Any Price (玩命代價)	1
18	第七日的奇蹟 (7 Days of Himawari And Her Puppie)	1
19	A Monkey on my Shoulder (愛,上癮)	1
20	吉貓出租 (Rent A Cat)	1

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved August 12, 2013

Saviour of the Soul - 九一神鵰俠侶

Saviour of the Soul (九一神鵰俠侶) is an 1991 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Andy Lau and Anita Mui. The supporting cast include Aaron Kwok, Gloria Yip, Kenny Bee, and Carina Lau. The title of the film is translated to 91 The Return of the Condor Heroes.

Silver Fox breaks his master out of prison. But there clan doesn't accept failure. Thus Silver Fox is forced to kill his master. In order to take revenge, he seeks the person that prevented his master from succeeding, May. May is a bounty hunter in a group. Ching is May's partner from their younger years. Siu Chuen is a recent addition to the group. Siu sacrifices himself to save May during a brutal attack from Silver Fox. May wants to protect her loves one and goes into seclusion. However, Silver Fox and Ching both wait a year before they see May again.

This movie was early 1990s goodness all rolled up into one. Cheezy acting and style, a la the crazy trench coats. The crazy kung fu magic of the clans. The modern take on The Return of the Condor Heroes. I love it. But I am from that era and learned to love HK film during that time. The craziness of HK films was so different than the American films of that era.

The story itself is based on one of the more famous story arcs of The Return of the Condor Heroes. GuGu and Yang Guo are separated for ten years and crazy things happen to them both. Although some elements were swapped, it was in essential the story arc made into a film, with a modern spin.

I recently rented this via Netflix.

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 - 暮光之城:破曉2

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 (暮光之城:破曉2) is an 2012 film. The movie stars Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner. The supporting cast include too many to name. The movie is the conclusion to the current film series, The Twilight Saga. This film is the fifth and final film in the series.

Bella is now a vampire! Bella starts to learn her new powers and Renesmee continues to grow each day. As a Dhampir, Renesmee has the best of both sides. Jacob imprints on her and his pack are now bound to stay away and not attack. When Irina sees Renesmee, she thinks its an immortal child and informs the Volturi. The Volturi sees this as a chance to gain new players and to exert their powers. The rest of the film is the Cullen family seeking witnesses and the Volturi gathering up strength. They climax on the battlefield to decide the fate of vampire kind.

Very sad that another good series ends. In this case, the Twilight saga. Although there will be haters of this tween and teen genre take on vampires and werewolves, it was well made and pretty fun to watch. This fifth film really needed the other 4 films. Because you wouldn't understand the back story as they spend almost no time on it. I had to look up some things while I was watching to catch up.

In all, this five film series was a good watch. Don't hate it on reputation, hate it if you thought the films sucked. I for one didn't think they sucked and I do believe it adds to the endless vampire mythos out there.

Hong Kong Box Office - August 4, 2013 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: August 4, 2013

Weekend of August 4, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	The Wolverine (狼人:武士激戰)
2	The Smurfs 2 (藍精靈2)
3	Monsters University (怪獸大學)
4	R.I.P.D. (衰鬼刑警)
5	飛虎出征 (SDU: Sex Duties Unit)
6	Pacific Rim (悍戰太平洋)
7	Despicable Me 2 (壞蛋獎門人2)
8	電影多啦A夢-大雄的秘密道具博物館 (Doraemon Himitsu No Dogu Museum/Doraemon The Movie: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum)
9	天台 (The Rooftop)
10	3個特攻美少年 (Secretly Greatly)
...	...
11	盲探 (Blind Detective)
...	...
15	浮城謎事 (Mystery (2012))
...	...
16	小時代 (Tiny Times)

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved August 6, 2013

- - - - - - -

This weeks report by Box Office Mojo seems off again. The inclusion of Mystery (浮城謎事), which was released in March and no longer on WMOOV's releases continues. This week, the exclusion of a recent HK release Tales from the Dark 1 (迷離夜) seems odd too. So again, I include the week totals from Ent Group for the HK box office. I still continue to wonder where Box Office Mojo is getting their stats.

Weekend of August 4, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	The Wolverine 2 (金刚狼2)
2	Monsters University (怪獸大學/怪兽大学)
3	飛虎出征 (SDU: Sex Duties Unit)
4	Pacific Rim (悍戰太平洋)
5	The Smurfs 2 (蓝精灵2)
6	R.I.P.D. (冥界警局)
7	Despicable Me 2 (壞蛋獎門人2)
8	哆啦A梦:大雄的秘密道具博物馆 (Doraemon Himitsu No Dogu Museum)
9	天台爱情 (The Rooftop)
10	Turbo (極速TURBO)

Source: Ent Group and WMOOV - retrieved August 6, 2013

2013 August Offbeat Movie Guide

August's Blockbusters may get all the attention, but there also are those that dare to walk the path less traveled. You might be one of them. Here's a few "offbeat" movies for you to chew on. This list is based on USA release dates.

一代宗師 (The Grandmaster) - Asia Release in January 2013 - USA release August 23, 2013




Europa Report



The Spectacular Now



I Give It A Year (一年之癢)



The Butler



Ain't Them Bodies Saints


Prince Avalanche



The World's End



Drinking Buddies



Closed Circuit



The Frozen Ground (驚天凍地)



Getaway



The Lifeguard



Passion (激情) - 2012 film - USA release August 30, 2013

Zhong Guo Box Office - August 4, 2013 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: August 4, 2013

Weekend of August 4, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	Pacific Rim (环太平洋)
2	Fast And Furious 6 (速度与激情6)
3	我爱灰太狼2 (I Love Wolffy 2)
4	White House Down (惊天危机)
5	青春派 (Young Style)
6	大明猩 (Mr.GO)
7	昆塔-盒子总动员 (Kunta)
8	笔仙Ⅱ (Bunshinsaba 2)
9	赛尔号大电影3之战神联盟 (Seer III)
10	After Earth (重返地球)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved August 5, 2013

Limitless - 藥命效應 - 逆天潛能 - 永無止盡

Limitless (藥命效應/逆天潛能/永無止盡) is an 2011 film. The movie stars Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, and Robert De Niro.



Bradley Cooper plays Eddie, a writer with writers block in NYC. Eddie discovers a drug called NZT-48. The drug helps him learn faster, recall all sorts of memories, and even a better fighter. When he uses his new found powers to earn money on the stock market, he becomes a big player. When an even bigger player comes knocking on his door for a really big 40 million deal, Eddie jumps on it. However, his pass and NZT-48 catch up to him. The side effects include black outs and an extreme addiction to it. How will Eddie earn this 40 million and stay ahead of his chasers.

The movie was really hard to follow. There are a lot of characters and lots of loops to remember. I had to rewind a few times to catch up. The movie was good overall and a fun watch. But its a single watch movie. Great acting in Cooper and De Niro, but the story is only a little interesting.

Taiwan Box Office - August 4, 2013 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of August 4, 2013

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	R.I.P.D (降魔戰警)	1
2	The Conjuring (厲陰宅)	1
3	The Wolverine (金鋼狼:武士之戰)	2
4	Pacific Rim (環太平洋)	4
5	渦輪方程式 (Turbo)	1
6	Despicable Me 2 (神偷奶爸2)	5
7	Red 2 (超危險特工2)	3
8	Monsters University (怪獸大學)	6
9	盲探 (Blind Detective)	2
10	海闊天空 (American Dreams In China)	1
11	哆啦A夢：大雄的祕密道具博物館 (Doraemon　the Movie: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum)	1
12	Before Midnight (愛在午夜希臘時)	3
13	The Lone Ranger (獨行俠)	3
14	小時代 (Tiny Times)	3
15	偉大的隱藏者 (Secretly Greatly)	2
16	淒厲人妻 (Pee Mak Phrakanong)	6
17	Berthe Morisot (馬內的繆思)	1
18	Oslo, August 31st (八月三十一日，我在奧斯陸)	2
19	殺人草莓夜 (Strawberry Night)	2
20	名偵探柯南：絕海的偵探 (Detective Conan : Private Eye In The Distant Sea)	5

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved August 5, 2013

All for the Winner - 賭聖

All for the Winner (賭聖) is 1990 film out of Hong Kong. The movie stars Stephen Chow, Sharla Cheung, Ng Man-tat, and Sandra Ng. The movie was a parady of Chow Yun-fat's highly successful movie, God Of Gamblers (1989). Although Chow appears in numerous films in 1990, include God Of Gamblers II, many believe this was the movie to push him to stardom.

Chow plays Sing, a country bumpkin visiting his uncle Blackie in Hong Kong. Blackie is a addicted to gambling. Sing has special powers that allow him to see through things and to change cards. Blackie uses this to his advantage. Sing eventually falls for femme fatel, Mong played by Sharla. When Sharla is in trouble, Sing is forced to join a gambling competition to save her and his uncle Blackie.

Very hard to give a short synopsis of this film without giving spoilers. However, it was a very funny film. This was one of films I did watch back in the 90s while visiting my late grandparents in Monterey Park. I recently rented this via Netflix in DVD form. Although the comedy was very 90s and early Chow, it was still very funny. Films like that just can't be made today. I think this generations of HK writers have lost it. The absurd comedy of Chow wasn't unique to that era. Yet, nothing would compare to it in 2013 or even since 1997.

Sharla was among my favorite actresses and she shows why in this film. Beautiful still in her 80s style HK makeup, we believe we would do the same if in Sing's shoes.

The Last Stand - 重擊防線

The Last Stand (重擊防線) is an 2013 film. The movie stars Arnold Schwarzenegger. Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro, Luis Guzmán, Eduardo Noriega, and Jaimie Alexander round the supporting cast members. This is also the debut of Kim Ji-woon in Hollywood. Kim Ji-woon is known for directing Korean classic such as "I Saw the Devil", "The Good, the Bad, the Weird", and "A Bittersweet Life", all of which I've seen and reviewed.

In a sleepy town that is very close the border between the USA and Mexico, lives Arnold as Sheriff Ray Owens. Owens is a former narcotics cop from the LAPD whom longs for the peaceful life in Sommerton Junction, Arizona. A mexican drug cartel leader, Gabriel Cortez, is sprung from a FBI envoy and headed for the border. Sommerton has a narrow valley where a military style bridge can be erected. Cortez has a mercenary group sent to Sommerton to set things up. Owens gets wind of this and starts to take down the hire goons. All heck breaks loose as Cortez races to Sommerton and Owens tries to stop them.

This movie was interesting in that it was the return of Arnold to marquee. Arnold's films have been pretty hit and miss since his 1980s heyday. This turn out to be a miss at the box office. How did it fare in my blu-ray player? Pretty good. I enjoyed the movie partly because I though it would suck. But Kim as director was too intriguing to pass up.

Be prepare for a lot of mindless action. Don't think too much, just enjoy the madness of action!

Hong Kong Box Office - July 28, 2013 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: July 28, 2013

Weekend of July 28, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	The Wolverine (狼人:武士激戰)
2	Monsters University (怪獸大學)
3	Pacific Rim (悍戰太平洋)
4	飛虎出征 (SDU: Sex Duties Unit)
5	Despicable Me 2 (壞蛋獎門人2)
6	電影多啦A夢-大雄的秘密道具博物館 (Doraemon Himitsu No Dogu Museum/Doraemon The Movie: Nobita's Secret Gadget Museum)
7	Turbo (極速TURBO)
8	浮城謎事 (Mystery (2012))
9	變態超人 (HK: Hentai Kamen)
10	盲探 (Blind Detective)
...	...
11	小時代 (Tiny Times)

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved July 31, 2013

- - - - - - -

This weeks report by Box Office Mojo again seems off. The inclusion of Mystery (浮城謎事), which was released in March and no longer on WMOOV's releases still perplexes me. This week, the exclusion of a recent HK release Tales from the Dark 1 (迷離夜) seems odd too. So again, I include the week totals from Ent Group for the HK box office. I still continue to wonder where Box Office Mojo is getting their stats.

Weekend of July 28, 2013

Rank	Film Title
1	Monsters University (怪獸大學/怪兽大学)
2	Pacific Rim (悍戰太平洋)
3	The Wolverine 2 (金刚狼2)
4	飛虎出征 (SDU: Sex Duties Unit)
5	Despicable Me 2 (壞蛋獎門人2)
6	Turbo (極速TURBO)
7	哆啦A梦:大雄的秘密道具博物馆 (Doraemon Himitsu No Dogu Museum)
8	迷離夜/迷离夜 (Tales From The Dark 1)
9	盲探 (Blind Detective)
10	小时代 (Tiny Times)

Source: Ent Group and WMOOV - retrieved July 30, 2013

2013 August Blockbuster Movie Guide

Here's the August edition of movies to look out for this month.

Unbeatable (激戰:勇者不敗)




2 Guns (2槍斃命)



Elysium (極樂世界)



We're the Millers (全家就是米家)



Jobs (賈伯斯)



Kick-Ass 2 (特攻聯盟2)



Paranoia (決勝機密)



The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (天使聖物:骸骨之城)