Zhong Guo Box Office - November 23, 2014 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: November 23, 2014

Weekend of November 23, 2014

Rank	Film Title
1	Interstellar (星际穿越)
2	Penguins Of Madagascar (马达加斯加的企鹅)
3	黄飞鸿之英雄有梦（Rise Of The Legend)
4	Fury (狂怒)
5	单身男女2 (Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2)
6	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (忍者神龟:变种时代)
7	怨灵 (Haunted Road)
8	夜莺 (The Nightingale)
9	天河（The Galaxy On The Earth)
10	露水红颜 (For Love Or Money)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved November 24, 2014

Taiwan Box Office - November 23, 2014 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of November 23, 2014

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (飢餓遊戲:自由幻夢I)	1
2	Interstellar (星際效應)	3
3	Fury (怒火特攻隊)	2
4	Let's Be Cops (冒牌條子)	2
5	Gone Girl (控制)	7
6	深夜前的五分鐘 (Five Minutes To Tomorrow)	2
7	The Judge (大法官)	6
8	逆轉勝 (Second Chance)	3
9	Nightcrawler (獨家腥聞)	2
10	The Way He Looks (愛情的模樣)	1
11	Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (亞歷山大衰到家)	2
12	The Drop (錢藏凶機)	1
13	千王新世紀 (Tazza: The Hidden Card)	1
14	Boyhood (年少時代)	2
15	KANO	28
16	The Hypnotist (催眠)	2
17	Life After Beth (殭屍哪有這麼正)	1
18	時下暴力 (Conspiracy)	1
19	John Wick (捍衛任務)	4
20	Magic In The Moonlight (魔幻月光)	4

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved November 24, 2014

Hong Kong Box Office - November 16, 2014 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: November 16, 2014

Weekend of November 16, 2014

Rank	Film Title
1	Interstellar (星際啟示錄)
2	單身男女2 (Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2)
3	Before I Go To Sleep (別相信任何人)
4	一個人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle/Yat Ku Chan Dik Mou Lam)
5	Gone Girl (失蹤罪)
6	大茶飯 (Dai Cha Fan/Gangster Pay Day/Gangster Payday)
7	The Drop (落格風暴)
8	Fury (戰逆豪情)
9	爭氣 (My Voice My Life)
10	John Wick (殺神John Wick)
...	...
18	冥婚啟示 (Grey Met Shrek)
...	...
19	點對點 (Dot 2 Dot)
...	...
20	第七謊言 (The Seventh Lie)
...	...
21	痞子英雄:黎明再起 (Black and White: The Dawn of Justice)
...	...
31	心花路放 (Breakup Buddies)

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved November 18, 2014

Zhong Guo Box Office - November 16, 2014 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: November 16, 2014

Weekend of November 16, 2014

Rank	Film Title
1	Interstellar (星际穿越)
2	单身男女2 (Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2)
3	Penguins Of Madagascar (马达加斯加的企鹅)
4	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (忍者神龟:变种时代)
5	露水红颜 (For Love Or Money)
6	The Maze Runner (移动迷宫)
7	一个人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle)
8	Lucy (超体)
9	怨灵 (Haunted Road)
10	全城通缉 (The Boundary)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved November 18, 2014

Selfie Cancelled

Bad news. Selfie has been cancelled. I've seen six of the seven episodes out there. I have yet to finish the seventh, only watched half. I tried to watch during its regular broadcast time and I've had it on VOD as well.



The dimise of the only current US primetime show with a Asian-American lead is sad. Even though Fresh Off The Boat will remedy that, John Cho's role was breaking barriers to a certain extent.



As many media outlets have mentioned, the first pilot episode was fine with the foundations of growth. As the show went on, the two leads developed chemistry and the supporting cast showing some teeth for further character exploration. Could there be a chance for it to make a comeback? With such low ratings, it's unlikely, but we can all pray for a miracle here.

Taiwan Box Office - November 16, 2014 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of November 16, 2014

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	Interstellar (星際效應)	2
2	Fury (怒火特攻隊)	1
3	Let's Be Cops (冒牌條子)	1
4	Gone Girl (控制)	6
5	The Judge (大法官)	5
6	逆轉勝 (Second Chance)	2
7	Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (亞歷山大衰到家)	1
8	Nightcrawler (獨家腥聞)	1
9	John Wick (捍衛任務)	3
10	KANO	27
11	Boyhood (年少時代)	1
12	Ouija (碟仙)	4
13	Jessabelle (母難日)	2
14	Magic In The Moonlight (魔幻月光)	3
15	一個人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle)	3
16	神的病歷簿2 (In His Chart 2)	1
17	鬼地方 (My House)	2
18	深夜前的五分鐘 (Five Minutes To Tomorrow)	1
19	The Equalizer (私刑教育)	4
20	想飛 (Dream Flight)	5

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved November 17, 2014

2014 United States Of America Box Office Report - Top 10 Grossing Films Of 2014

2014 United States Box Office Top 10

* Still Showing

Rank
1*		Guardians Of The Galaxy (星際異攻隊/銀河守護隊) US - ~$330 Million Worldwide - ~$768 Million
2		Captain America: The Winter Soldier - 美國隊長2:酷寒戰士 - 美國隊長2 - 美國隊長2:冬日戰士 US - ~$260 Million Worldwide - ~$714 Million
3		The Lego Movie (樂高玩電影) US - ~$258 Million Worldwide - ~$468 Million
4		Transformers: Age Of Extinction (變形金剛4:絕跡重生) US - ~$245 Million Worldwide - ~$1,087 Million
5*		Maleficent (黑魔女:沉睡魔咒) US - ~$241 Million Worldwide - ~$758 Million
6		X-Men: Days Of Future Past (X戰警:未來昔日) US - ~$234 Million Worldwide - ~$746 Million
7*		Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (猩球崛起:黎明的進擊) US - ~$209 Million Worldwide - ~$708 Million
8		The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (蜘蛛人驚奇再起2:電光之戰) US - ~$203 Million Worldwide - ~$709 Million
9		Godzilla (哥吉拉) US - ~$201 Million Worldwide - ~$525 Million
10*		22 Jump Street (龍虎少年隊:童顏巨捕) US - ~$192 Million Worldwide - ~$331 Million
2014 Final		2014 Final

The 2014 movie season is down dollar-wise versus 2013. The two movies sitting pretty atop the heap are Marvel films. I love comics and grew up on them. Iron Man being my favorite all time. The last fifteen years in comics has been pretty rough for Iron Man. But that's for another time. The current #8 is Spider-Man, another Marvel creation. A bit further up at #6 are the X-Men, another staple of Marveldom. The success of Marvel's properties in movies is undeniable that they announced 9 more films until 2019. Upping the total Marvel films to 3 per year in 2017 and 2018. Looking at the top ten, none are surprises outside of Guardians and maybe the Lego Movie. I wish BOM had a projected vs actual chart.

The rest of 2014 will shake out like expected. The next installment of The Hunger Games will most likely take the #1 spot by years end. Interstellar and the last Hobbit film will make a run into the $200+ million range. I think the Big Hero 6 might gain some traction and end close to $300 million. I've already taken my kids and the theatre I was at was popping. Most likely resulting in good word of mouth.

Another possible breakout are Exodus. The trailer might be tempting to those that grew up watching Charlton Heston and Yul Brynner go at it every Easter.

Source: Box Office Mojo - retrieved November 12, 2014

What’s Eating Steven Yeun?

Steven Yeun leaves behind his life and love (Sandara Park) in LA to make his mark in his parent's home country of South Korea. Once there, he connects with a manager who steers him away from acting and insists he make his mark by diving into Korea's most viral craze, 'Mokbang' aka 'Broadcast Eating'.

What’s Eating Steven Yeun? (EP.1) or Funny Or Die

Pretty funny. Steven Yeun's mockumentary on Mokbang is telling and gives a look into the absurdness of it all.

Hong Kong Box Office - November 9, 2014 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: November 9, 2014

Weekend of November 9, 2014

Rank	Film Title
1	Interstellar (星際啟示錄)
2	一個人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle/Yat Ku Chan Dik Mou Lam)
3	大茶飯 (Dai Cha Fan/Gangster Pay Day/Gangster Payday)
4	Fury (戰逆豪情)
5	Gone Girl (失蹤罪)
6	John Wick (殺神John Wick)
7	渴罪 (Kawaki/The World Of Kanako)
8	爭氣 (My Voice My Life)
9	Let's Be Cops (我要做差佬)
10	The Judge (辯父律師)
...	...
11	冥婚啟示 (Grey Met Shrek)
...	...
15	第七謊言 (The Seventh Lie)
...	...
18	點對點 (Dot 2 Dot)
...	...
24	黃金時代 (The Golden Era/Huang Jin Shi Dai)
...	...
30	麥兜-我和我媽媽 (McDull: Me and My Mum)
...	...
31	心花路放 (Breakup Buddies)
...	...
33	軍中樂園 (Jun Zhong Le Yuan/Paradise In Service)

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved November 12, 2014

2014 November Hong Kong Movie Guide

Check out the new release for the Hong Kong region for the rest of November 2014.

Don't forget to check out my November's Blockbusters guide for the USA.

奇緣灰姑娘 (Grey Met Shrek)



大茶飯 (Gangster Pay Day/Gangster Payday)



冥婚啟示 (Revelation Of Ghost Marriage)



痞子英雄:黎明升起 (Black And White: The Dawn of Justice)



親愛的 (Dearest)



單身男女2 (Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2)



黃飛鴻之英雄有夢 (Rise Of The Legend)



行動代號:孫中山 (Meeting Dr. Sun)



販賣愛 (I Sell Love)



Source: Wmoov Upcoming
Source: Yahoo! Movies Hong Kong

Zhong Guo Box Office - November 9, 2014 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: November 9, 2014

Weekend of November 9, 2014

Rank	Film Title
1	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (忍者神龟:变种时代)
2	一个人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle)
3	The Maze Runner (移动迷宫)
4	Lucy (超体)
5	露水红颜 (For Love Or Money)
6	全城通缉 (The Boundary)
7	Guardians of the Galaxy (银河护卫队)
8	African Safari (狂野非洲)
9	夜莺 (The Nightingale)
10	恐怖电影院 (The Haunted Cinema)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved November 10, 2014

Lakers Get First Win Behind Jeremy Lin

The Los Angeles Lakers finally got their first win of the season. They are not going 0-82 now. It's probable to got 1-81 now. Can they beat the 2012 Charlette Bobcats 7-59 or the 2010 New Jersey Net's 12-70 mark. Time will tell.



As the graphic above puts it so aptly, Jeremy Lin has his best statistically awesome game of his young Lakers career. A very nice 2nd half after faltering a little down the stretch in the 1st half. 12 points in the 3rd to get the Lakers a lead and long 3 towards the end of the 4th that could have been the dagger.

Kobe slowed down to shoot 20 shots and making 7 in 34 minutes of play. Four starters including Jordan Hill and Carlos Boozer also ended the game with double figure scoring. The old adage in basketball is "score more than the opponents to win". The Lakers finally did it this game.

The defense of the Lakers was the star. The Hornets were not good from the outside and it showed. The Lakers did what all the others teams have done for them, pack the paint and wait. Load up and eventually the offense will come to a halt. The Hornets attacked and attacked and in the 2nd half, they were not as successful and the Lakers took a double digit lead for good.

Jeremy Lin's post game and after practice interview is pretty telling. Jeremy Lin is saying he's playing the same. If you want to break things down, the Lakers are scoring and the defense has been the problem. In games against the Warriors and Suns recently, the defense was unable to hold opponents down. The Lakers have faced 4 of the top offenses in the league.

They head to Memphis, a team that wants to hold you to 88-89 points and score 93-94 points. Let's see if their offense is good enough to muster that or if their defense can keep Memphis from breaking out.

Taiwan Box Office - November 9, 2014 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of November 9, 2014

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	Interstellar (星際效應)	1
2	Gone Girl (控制)	5
3	The Judge (大法官)	4
4	John Wick (捍衛任務)	2
5	逆轉勝 (Second Chance)	1
6	Ouija (碟仙)	3
7	Jessabelle (母難日)	1
8	一個人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle)	2
9	The Equalizer (私刑教育)	3
10	Magic In The Moonlight (魔幻月光)	2
11	Sex Appeal (寒蟬效應)	3
12	鬼地方 (My House)	1
13	車拼 (It Takes Two To Tango)	1
14	美味不設限 (The Hundred-Foot Journey)	3
15	Dracula Untold (德古拉:永咒傳奇)	5
16	Locke (失控)	1
17	神劍闖江湖3:傳說的最終篇 (Rurouni Kenshin - The Legend Ends)	3
18	KANO	26
19	The Face Of Love (聽說愛情回來過)	1
20	Kill The Messenger (告密者)	2

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved November 10, 2014

Hong Kong Box Office - November 2, 2014 - 香港票房榜

Hong Kong Box Office - Week Ending: November 2, 2014

Weekend of November 2, 2014

Rank	Film Title
1	一個人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle/Yat Ku Chan Dik Mou Lam)
2	Fury (戰逆豪情)
3	John Wick (殺神John Wick)
4	Gone Girl (失蹤罪)
5	Let's Be Cops (我要做差佬)
6	Ouija (死亡占卜)
7	Horns (魔角)
8	Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (一起黑爆的日子)
9	The Judge (辯父律師)
10	爭氣 (My Voice My Life)
...	...
11	第七謊言 (The Seventh Lie)
...	...
13	點對點 (Dot 2 Dot)
...	...
15	屍城 (Zombie Fight Club)
...	...
18	黃金時代 (The Golden Era/Huang Jin Shi Dai)
...	...
19	麥兜-我和我媽媽 (McDull: Me and My Mum)
...	...
21	心花路放 (Breakup Buddies)
...	...
28	軍中樂園 (Jun Zhong Le Yuan/Paradise In Service)
...	...
30	??? (Zombie TV)
...	...
33	後會無期 (The Continent)

Source: Box Office Mojo and WMOOV - retrieved November 4, 2014

John Wick - 捍衛任務

John Wick (捍衛任務) is an 2014 film. The movie stars Keanu Reeves. The film is an revenge movie from the trailers. You just don't mess with a man's car. After you watch the film, you'll know its more than just the car.



John Wick's wife Helen collapses with New York in the backdrop. Eventually succumbing to the illness. With ominous music, we see John pull the plug on Helen at the hospital, have the funeral, and the repast reception at his house. As he's cleaning up, a package is delivered. The package is of a dog named Daisy. A note from his late wife tells him to love not only his car, but the dog to move on with life. John and Daisy get along and move on with life. When John takes his car for a spin, he's at an gas station and bumps into some hip hop thumping Russian thugs. One of them ask about his 1969 mustang and how much. John politely tells him in both English and Russian the car is not for sale. Later that night, the three thugs at the gas station show up and steal his car and does something else unthinkable. All these terrible acts together break John. John wants revenge. As the story unfolds, we find out that John Wick walked away from a super successful career as the ultimate bad @$$ hitman. So awesome that even criminals tremble at his name. The revenge of John Wick against those punks begins.

This movie was actually pretty awesome. I only knew that it was going to be an revenge epic. I walked into the movie theater with absolutely no expectations. But I was treated to so much more. The "hitman" world painted in the film was quite impressive. The hitmen society have a code that they live by and they aim to do that. John Wick travels within this circle and the movie slowly unlocks this secret world.

But the main star of this film is Keanu Reeves at his action best. Is it Donnie Yen action best? Not by a long shot! We are talking about an US production here. But what the film provides in terms of action takes what HK/Thai action films have done well and apply close quarter gunplay. Instead of fist or knifes in close quarter combat, we're treated to a gun rendition that is both brutal and balletic. I will go out on a limb and say that this film had some influence from Equilibrium and its influence on future action films will be felt for years to come.

The trailer does a good job of not giving away the film too much. Surprises in the story are around every corner. The movie ends with John Wick walking into the New York skyline. I hope a John Wick sequel comes soon. Please make a sequel.

Zhong Guo Box Office - November 2, 2014 - 中国票房榜

Zhong Guo Box Office - Week Ending: November 2, 2014

Weekend of November 2, 2014

Rank	Film Title
1	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (忍者神龟:变种时代)
2	Lucy (超体)
3	The Maze Runner (移动迷宫)
4	一个人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle)
5	Guardians of the Galaxy (银河护卫队)
6	心花路放 (Breakup Buddies)
7	Hercules: The Thracian Wars (宙斯之子:赫拉克勒斯)
8	恐怖电影院 (The Haunted Cinema)
9	大话西游之大圣娶亲 (A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella)
10	不能说的夏天 (Sex Appeal)

Source: Ent Group - retrieved November 4, 2014

3 Days To Kill - 特務殺很大

3 Days To Kill (特務殺很大) is an 2014 film. The film stars Kevin Costner, Amber Heard, Hailee Steinfeld, and Connie Nielsen. The movie primarily takes place in France.

Kevin Costner is a life long CIA operative, Ethan Renner. So much so that he's alienated his wife and daughter whom live in France. After a assignment that leaves him unconscious, Ethan is diagnosed with a terminal brain cancer which has spread to his lungs. Ethan is told that he's got only a few months to live and "retired" from the CIA. Back in the real world, Ethan goes back to France to try to make things "right" with his wife and daughter. But his past catches up to him and he has to fight to keep his family alive.

This movie was pretty fun to watch. I originally thought the title meant that he could kill anyone in 3 days. But it was in reference to the three days his wife goes on a business trip and leaves him with the daughter.

Seems like a Liam career move here, going for the hard hitting action as a father figure. I like it, but the public didn't. Costner is trying hard to stay relevant. I thought this movie had endearing parts worth watching.

Taiwan Box Office - November 2, 2014 - 台灣票房榜

Weekend of November 2, 2014

Rank	Film Title	Weeks
1	Gone Girl (控制)	4
2	John Wick (捍衛任務)	1
3	The Judge (大法官)	3
4	一個人的武林 (Kung Fu Jungle)	1
5	Ouija (碟仙)	2
6	The Equalizer (私刑教育)	2
7	Magic In The Moonlight (魔幻月光)	1
8	Dracula Untold (德古拉:永咒傳奇)	4
9	美味不設限 (The Hundred-Foot Journey)	2
10	想飛 (Dream Flight)	3
11	神劍闖江湖3:傳說的最終篇 (Rurouni Kenshin - The Legend Ends)	2
12	Sex Appeal (寒蟬效應)	2
13	Kill The Messenger (告密者)	1
14	A Walk Among the Tombstones (鐵血神探)	3
15	The Best Of Me (有你,生命最完整)	3
16	Horns (魔角)	1
17	萬能鑑定士Q蒙娜麗莎之瞳 (All-Round Appraiser Q - The Eyes of Mona Lisa)	1
18	Earth To Echo (雙面危敵)	1
19	Enemy (雙面危敵)	1
20	KANO	25

Source: Yahoo! Movies Taiwan - retrieved November 3, 2014

Loses On Back To Back Games For Jeremy Lin

The Los Angeles are now 0-4 for the 2014-2015 season. Looking like 0-82 is likely.

Jeremy Lin played well enough for the Halloween Friday game against their staple-mates, the Los Angeles Clippers. Jeremy Lin finished the game with 17 points and 9 assets. Before the game, most people thought CP3 was going to demolish them and embarrass them. Instead, CP3 was held in check down the stretch, but Blake Griffin had a mvp type monster game. Single handily keeping them in the game. The Lakers had a break out game from Jordan Hill to match the intensity of Griffin. If everyone is going to leave you open and go shadow on Jeremy Lin and Kobe, you better make shots. The shots Hill missed in previous two games dropped. Dropped to the tune of 23 points on 10-15 shooting. However, the putrid defense of the both the Lakers and Clipper let both teams stay in the game. For a good stretch, the scoring was back and forth. Down the stretch, the refs shallowed their whistles when it came to the Lakers and blew it for the Clippers. None was more apparent than the body check non call when Jeremy Lin drove the lane on DeAndre Jordan who had 5 fouls. If the call had been made, there would have been a very good chance the Lakers pull it out. Its hard to say because of Kobe's horrendous shooting down the stretch. However, the game was tied at that point, DJ would have fouled out and the opposite court foul call on Jamal would not have been called. But there were so many other plays in the favor of the Clippers that its really hard say.




Jeremy Lin's 17 came on a little more aggressive play on his end. But many of those plays seemed like broken plays too. The offensive is still so bad. Just when Jeremy Lin fans thought it was a godsend to get out of Houston and McHail's system, you have maybe an even worst system in Byron Scott "system". I put it in quotes because I would rather label it the shoot clock killer offense. I don't have the time to count. But it seemed most of their half court offensive sets don't get the offense started until the 10 second mark. If the offense falters at any point, there's no time to reset and work for another good shot. You only get one chance. OMG, so frustrating watching that offense when CP3 runs around the court and rules the world. Byron Scott does his best to minimize the PG and the effectiveness of that position for this Lakers team. Please run some normal NBA PG sets. Wesley Johnson's three's are so wide open, he's gonna make some. The defense is so honed into stop Linsanity 2.0, other Lakers will be open, OPEN. But that's only happened on broken plays without Kobe. We just had three games where the opposing PGs ruled their offense and it was awesome. But the Lakers have a good PG and they don't even want to use him. WTH?!!

I remember in the off season as they were looking for a coach, I was hoping for a new coach or Lionel Hollins. So sad they brought in Byron Scott. I was excited to see the old showtime Lakers come support him, but that's about it. Until they look at their roster and work to that strength, whatever system he believes in is garbage. Giving up 109, 119, 118, and 127 is ridiculously bad defensive coaching.

On Saturday, Jeremy Lin traveled up to the team that he started in the NBA with, the Golden State Warriors. Jeremy Lin played a bad 2nd half. He made some mistakes, mostly in the 2nd half. But I was frustrated watching the offense run. It seemed whenever they had to run whatever awful play that burns 10 seconds the clock, I was frustrated. Klay thompson got 41 points and wasn't even the first option on offense. If Kobe is sooooo good, he can be that 41 points off the defense collapsing off the first offensive point, Jeremy Lin.

At this point, if the offense still runs this way, the horrendous defense isn't coming. The Lakers are going 0-82.

2014 November Blockbuster Movie Guide

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

Interstellar (星際效應)



Big Hero 6 (大英雄天團)



Foxcatcher (暗黑冠軍路)



Dumb And Dumber To (阿呆與阿瓜:賤招拆招)



The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (飢餓遊戲:自由幻夢I)



Horrible Bosses 2 (老闆不是人2)



Sources:
IMDB Coming Soon
Comingsoon.net
Box Office Mojo
Wikipedia.org
Taiwan Yahoo! Movies
WMoov Hong Kong