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June 2001
- Dragon Boat Festival -
Wu Jing wishes everyone a happy Dragon Boat Festival, which commemorates the lost of a patriotic Chinese official many centuries ago.
- The Tuxedo -
Jackie Chan shall be teaming up with Steven Spielberg on The Tuxedo, a hi-tech coat invented by the government which grants immense power and strength to whosoever donning it.
- Kiss of the Dragon -
The trailer to Jet Li's third Hollywood film, Kiss of the Dragon, is available for download at http://www.kissofthedragon.com/. Looks promising and utterly cool. To hit the screens in July, where it is likely to face stiff competition from Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, with its breathtakingly realistic computer generated, motion captured animation.
- TCS / Mediaworks Programme Highlight(s) of the Month -
Catch Zhao Wen-Zhuo in action on Sunday, 8 p.m, 3rd June, as he took on the role of Huang Fei Hong in Once Upon a Time in China IV. A mite too young and not quite suitable for the role, perhaps. The plot lacks originality too, unlike the first two. [Channel U] New Shaolin Temple TV Series. Every Sunday, 2 pm.
May 2001
- The Challenge -
TCS is (or is going to be) in production of The Challenge (Sui2 Yi3 Zheng1 Feng1), a martial arts based drama serial set in modern era. With Weng Qing-Hai in the lead role, it's aimed to be one of the biggest hits of the year, with the hope of reviving the interest in local martial arts TV series among the local community. However, given the under-utilisation of both Zhao Wen-Zhuo's and Weng Qing-Hai's martial arts abilities in Fang Shiyu, as well as its weak plot, I am to remain skeptical of the newer series, until proven otherwise. Filming takes place partially in Mt Song of China, where Shaolin Temple is located.
- Legend of Mt Zu -
Release date for Legend of Mt Zu is now confirmed to be on August 2001.
- The Bigwig -
The Bigwig has finally made it to the
stores in Singapore. Released under the title, Lovebirds ·
Butterfly · Dreams (
April 2001
- Emperor Qianlong, Fang De and Miao Cui Hua -
Wu Jing is in preparation for the Emperor Qianlong, Fang De and Miao Cui Hua after 10 days of guest appearance in The Great Official - Empyreal Eagle of the Imperial City where he appears in the series for only four of the episodes. In the new show, he is playing Emperor Qianlong, who travels around the country incognito to better understand the lives of the people.
- The Great Official: The Empyreal Eagle of Imperial City -
Yuen Bun, the martial arts director of The Great Official: The Empyreal Eagle of Imperial City, promises that it will be top-notch production, with incredible action. Some of the stars include Wu Jing, Ning Jing, Han Xiao and Zheng Xuang.
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon TV Series -
While Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon movie must be credited for generating interest among the audience from the West in martial arts movies, for winning a number of Oscar awards, and perhaps reviving the genre in the East too, it pales slightly when compared with Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon TV Series, which was released recently. The plot in the TV series is deeper and more meaningful, and it allows for the development of the various characters. It explains clearly what happens between Li Mu-Bai and Yu Xiu-Lian and Yu Jiao-Long's relationship with them is more sound. It can also be viewed as a better version of Jin Yong's Romance of the Book and Sword novel. The action of the TV series is pretty well-done, fairly consistent, even if it is not as good as the best fight scenes of the movie.
What makes this series so distinctive is that it touches on the cultivation of oneself through the perspective of Li Mu-Bai (played by Qiu Xin-Zhi, a superlative newcomer, by the way.) Li Mu-Bai, a staunch member of Wu-Dang Sect, who was brought up in Wu-Dang Sect and seldom goes out, is being assigned the task of delivering a precious sword to Prince Tie. The head of Wu-Dang and his master wish to put Li Mu-Bai, who is very wise but somewhat ignorant about the world outside, through a series of trials before accepting him into priesthood. Li Mu-Bai is a jovial, straight-forward, ingenuous, idealistic, unscheming and care-free person until he sets his foot into the martial arts world. There, he experiences the dark-side of human nature.
Under the advice of Yu Jiao-Long's mentor, who also guides Li Mu-Bai in his cultivation, he sees through the nefarious scheme of the cunning Prince Tie. At the same time, many of his friends' lives are sacrificed in an attempt to overthrow the Qing government as well as to oust the dictatorial Prince Tie from power. Li Mu-Bai becomes grief-stricken, desolate and withdrawn, and thinks of returning to Wu-Dang Sect, to escape from reality. He then receives encouragement and an enlightening discourse from Yu Jiao-Long's mentor. Can Li Mu-Bai pull himself together, and face the music instead of becoming an escapist? Can he seek peace amidst unrest? Can he become a true practitioner of the Tao?
- In Conversation With Wu Jing -
A new column to has been to this site. Find out about the ups and downs of being an actor, Wu Jing's ambitions and his perception on his career and the entertainment industry. To be updated regularly.
- TCS Programme Highlights of the Month -
Jet Li's Once Upon A Time in China 3 - 1 April 2001, 8.00 p.m, Sunday. Slam Dunk - 1.00 p.m, Every Saturday. Hanamichi Sakuragi is proud, arrogant and usually blunders when playing basketball, especially when he tries to call for unwarranted attention and sometimes loses himself in a train of thoughts, of self-appraisals. However, he has a simple mind, a very strong will-power, and once he snaps out of the trance and becomes completely focused and mindful of what he his doing - basketball - he usually stuns everyone - the opposing team, the audience and even his team mates - with his unusual, unexpected, impossible moves, thereby scoring for his team, or preventing his opponents from scoring. The mightier his opposing team is, the stronger his fighting spirit and determination is to defeat them.
- Birthday Wishes -
It's April, a very special month. On 3 April is Wu Jing's birthday, Jet Li's on 26 April, and on 29 April. Wishing them a happy birthday.
March 2001
- Jet and Matrix Sequels -
According to Coming Attractions, Jet Li opted out of Matrix sequels because he felt that, "[Matrix] part 1 was already very successful. Part 2 and Part 3 WILL [be] successful - I guarantee they will be very successful. But, part 1 didn't star Jet Li and it was successful. In part 2 and part 3, I don’t think they really need me and they can still be successful. I don't want to do something where they put all the action actors in one movie - the audiences will only have a chance to see one movie where they have Jackie Chan, or Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li, and everybody in one movie. In the whole year people see one [big] movie and won’t have a chance to see another. Why not give the audience more opportunities to see different kinds of action movies?"
- Wu Jing's Birthday -
Wu Jing's birthday is approaching and you may express any birthday wishes for him on the message board or send them to us, preferrably by the end of March.
- TCS Programme Highlights of the Month -
Stephen Chow's King of Beggars - 4 March 2001, Sunday, 8.00 p.m. One of the best comedic martial arts movies of all time. The standard of the martial arts in the movie may not be of the level of that of Fan Siu Wong, Jet Li, Wu Jing, etc. but still a very good show. Jackie Chan's Snake In The Eagle's Shadow - 4 (or rather 5) March 2001, around 12.15 a.m, after midnight. Directed by Yuen Wo Ping. Justice Sung - Starting from 18 March 2001, Every Sunday, 10:30 p.m. Fans of Steven Chow should not miss this TVB series. A quick-witted, silver-tongued shyster, Song Shi-Jie, uses extraordinary means to handle ordinary cases. He is mean, unscrupulous and avaricious initially. However, on realising "That whatever a (wo)man sows (s)he shall also reap," he becomes an altruistic lawyer who fights on the side of justice and is never daunted by the corrupt, tyrannical aristocrats of absolute imperial authority. With his keenly razor-sharp tongue as the most potent and mortal weapon to be found on earth, can he easily slice through any opposition with his outlandish eloquence? Samurai X - Every Sunday, 12.30 p.m, Central. Lo and behold, yet another martial arts cartoon? A martial arts cartoon, it certainly is, but it has a well-written plot and a flowing storyline innundated with Zen meanings.
========================== - Wu Jing Returning to Beijing Wushu Academy -
Wu Jing feels that after being in the showbiz for years, he has little time to concentrate on martial arts practice. Recently, after having finished filming Metamorphosis of Heavenly Silkworm, he decided to return to Beijing Wushu Team to train in martial arts, right from the very basics. When interviewed, the wushu champion humbly indicated, "I am afraid that my martial arts may eventually turn into 'flowery fists, sewing kicks.' (Weak punches and kicks.) As such, I have to go back to the academy."
As a fellow junior brother of Jet Li, there are virtually no movies or TV series which does not exploit Wu Jing's martial arts skill since his induction into the entertainment circle. Be it his earlier shows, such as Master of Taichi, or the more recent ones, such as Legend of Mt Zu, and no matter how difficult the action could be, Wu Jing is disinclined to use any doubles.
Wu Jing, who has a deep passion for martial arts, said emphatically that he was rather rueful about what happened during shooting of Transformation of Heavenly Silk: As an actress knew next to nothing about martial arts, he ended up not being able to make full use of his ability, having to make do with arbitrary fights during an action scene.
Wu Jing remarked that after a painful rumination, he came to the conclusion that being involved in filming every day and night usually leads to the neglect of martial arts practice; A TV series or movie needs the co-ordination and co-operation of the script writers, directors and actors and actresses to be successful; Wu Jing had not only made up his mind to return to Beijing Wushu Academy, but also has the intention of setting up a filming company, putting himself under the challenge of being a director.
Source: United Daily, Reported by Liu Zi-Feng, 10 March 2001 Information: Courtesy of Gillian ==========================
- Legend of Mt Zu's Release Date -
Legend of Mt Zu is going to be shown in theatres in June 2001.
- King Qin-Shi and Highbinders -
In Highbinders, Jackie Chan, who has always been the invincible hero in his movies will have his first taste of on-screen death. Jackie is portraying a cop who meets with mishap while carrying out his duties. On the other hand, he gains super-natural abilities as a result of his untimely demise and is thus able to continue ridding the world of evils. Scheduled Production Date : July to end of the year.
Besides Highbinders, news abounds that Jackie Chan might be joining Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung in a new film by Zhang Yi-Mou. Jackie Chan is to act as King Qin-Shi and his spokeperson admitted to Jackie's interest in working with Zhang Yi-Mou. However, the spokesperson didn't confirm if the plan will be actualised. This could be a major breakthrough for Jackie who seldom appears in period movies.
========================== - Chen Style Taichi TV Series -
Chen Style Taichi TV Series, which is produced in China, shall begin production sometime in March (if I am not mistaken about this part). The Chen Village was the hometown of Taichi; Chen Wang-Ting founded Taichi more than 400 years ago. Author Wen Bao-Chen, who had been conducting interviews with the descendants of the Chen Village, collating information on the Chen Style Taichi, wrote the script for Chen Style Taichi TV Series.
The series, which comes with actual histories and colourful events, traces the lives of the eleven martial arts maestros such as Chen Wang-Ting, Chen You-Le, Chen Xun-Ru, Chen Shen-Ru, Chen Chang-Xing, Chen You-Ben, etc and how they glorify Taichi.
In order to make this a successful production, the series is featuring a very strong working team and cast. The director of Justice Bao, Wang Chong-Guang, will be directing the series. The tentative cast includes Jet Li, Wu Jing, Wang Chun (The fellow senior brother of Jet Li, who was supposed to star in Shaolin Temple but due to his injuries, had to give up the role to Jet instead.), Jiao En-Jun, Fan Bin-Bin and Jian Wen-Li. The 40-episode series shall be promoted actively in June.
Source : Beijing Wushu Web, Kung-Fu Centre. Information : Courtesy of Noray. ========================== |
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This version comes with Malay subtitles.