Tuesday's Film Roundup
Return of the Dragon
In order to mark the 35th anniversary of Bruce Lee's death, Beijing's implausibly named Kingdom Garden Movie Station is hosting screenings of some of the cult star's best known films. The films are showing at 2pm every day, and it'll cost you 20 kuai to get in. They showed Fist of Fury (精武门 Jingwumen) earlier today, Way of the Dragon 猛龙过江 Menglong Guojiang) will screen tomorrow, on Thursday you can watch Lee take on a Thai drug boss in The Big Boss (唐山大兄 Tangshan Daxiong) before the series of films wraps up on Friday with Game of Death II (死亡塔 Siwang Ta) which was released years after the actor's death in 1973 and feature unused footage from earlier films.
Kindom Garden Movie Station
9 Huiyuan Beilu, head west from the China Film Archive and turn north at the first set of lights, Haidian District (6221 8877 ext 521)
今典花园放电影院, 海淀区文慧园北路9号
Still no dates on a mainland China release for Batman: The Dark Knight (view trailer above), however, a report in today's Beijing Time's quotes a representative from Warner Bros. as saying that they hope to release the film in China later this year, but that until now, they still haven't provided the Chinese censors with a copy. Another article suggests that the sensitivity of the film might have something to do with an appearance from Edison Chen. Given that Batman Begins made it onto Beijing's screens back in 2005, there is still a chance that the film will make it to China. The film has been breaking box office records and winning rave reviews elsewhere. There's also no confirmed reports on whether Wall-E will be appearing on Beijing's cinema screens anytime soon, although the film is unlikely to raise any problems in terms of content, perhaps the popularity of the film will eat into the profits of locally produced films. Wobbly versions of Wall-E can be viewed here. Following on from last week's report of problems with the Chinese release of Mummy 3, reports in the Chinese media now say that the film did not have any problems with the censors, but rather, in order to "make room for the Olympics" SARFT decided to delay the release date of the film till late August.
Tony Leung and Carolina Lau Marry
Just two weeks after the release of a film in which he plays the young and happily married Zhou Yu, Tony Leung (Liang Chaowei)has tied the knot with long time partner, and well-regarded actress in her own right, Carina Lau (Liu Jialing). The two flew 80 of their best friends to Bhutan to join them for the celebration. Celebrity attendees included Wang Fei, Wong Kar Wai and Stanley Kwan. You can view more photos from the wedding here.
New Miyazaki Film
Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki has just released his first film in over four years. Ponyo on the Cliff is both written and directed by the reclusive director who has also made animated classics such as Castle in the Sky, Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away. The film was produced at the legendary Studio Ghibli and was released in Japan this past weekend, but, as yet, there is no news of a China release. You can read more about the film here, take a look at an early review here and the trailer here.
Keep reading below for a comprehensive list of all the films showing around town this half-price Tuesday.
Films Around Town
Screening Times for Films in Beijing – Tuesday July 22
(All times and prices have been taken from today’s Beijing News or this website – it would be a good idea to call and confirm details)
» Red Cliff
Red Cliff (赤壁 Chibi), alternatively known as The Battle of Red Cliff, recreates the story surrounding the legendary Battle of Red Cliff that took place immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period. Red Cliff is to be released in two parts throughout Asia, with the first part premiering last Thursday and the second part in January 2009. Outside of Asia, a single 2½-hour film will be released in January 2009. With an estimated budget of USD 80 million, The Battle of Red Cliff is the most expensive Chinese film to date. Trailer (with English subtitles) available here.
CBD
Wanda International Cinema
10:40 13:30 16:20 19:10 22:00 11:30 14:20 17:10 20:00
22:50 9:30 12:20 15:10 18:00 20:50 12:45 15:35 18:25
21:15 18:50 21:40 11:55 14:45 17:35 20:25 23:15 11:05
13:55 16:45 19:35 22:25
Xidan
New Capital Cinema
10:15 10:35 11:05 11:25 11:45 12:05 12:25 12:45 13:05 13:05
13:25 13:55 14:15 14:35 14:55 15:15 15:35 15:55 15:55 16:15
16:45 17:05 17:25 17:45 18:05 18:25 18:45 18:45 19:05 19:30
19:55 20:15 20:35 20:55 21:20 21:35 21:35 21:55
Haidian
UME International Cineplex
Digital 09:00 09:40 10:30 11:00 11:40 12:20 13:10
14:20 15:00 15:50 17:00 17:40 18:00 18:20 19:00 19:40 20:20
20:40 21:00 21:40 22:20 23:00 23:20
Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex
Digital 09:20 12:10 13:40 15:00 16:30 17:50 19:20 20:40 22:20
Wangfujing
Star City
09:40 10:50 11:20 11:50 12:30 13:00 13:40 14:10 14:40 15:20 15:50
Xindong'an Cinema
Theater 2 11:40 14:30 17:20 20:10 Theater 3 11:10 14:00 16:50 19:40 22:30
Theater 5 10:40 13:30 16:20 19:10 22:00 Theater 6 12:10 15:00 17:50 20:40
Theater 7 10:10 13:10 16:00 18:50 21:40 Theater 8 09:40 12:40 15:30 18:20 21:10
Zhongguancun
Jinyi International Cinemas
10:20 10:50 11:20 11:50 12:20 13:00 13;30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:40
16:10 16:40 17:10 17:40 18;20 18:50 19:20 19:50 20:20 21:00 21:30
22:00 22:30 23:00
Xinjiekou
Show Max Cinema
09:45 10:30 11:05 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:45 15:30 16:00 16:30
18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:35 21:00 21:30 22:00 22:25 23:30
Haidian
Guo’an Theater
9:30 10:00 12:40 14:20 15:20 17:00 18:00 19:40 20:40 21:40 22:20
Yayuncun
Sun Cinema
Digital 09:40 10:20 12:20 13:00 15:00 15:40 17:40 18:20 20:20 21:00
East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema
10:00 10:40 11:15 12:10 12:45 13:15 13:50 14:20 14:45 15:20 15:50
16:25 16:55 17:25 17:55 18:25 19:00 19:30 20:00 21:00 20:30 21:35
22:05 22:35
Hancock
After the Pursuit of Happyness and I am Legend, this film marks Will Smith's third appearance on China's big screens in 2008. This time he's playing a down and out superhero who gets little in the way of moral support from his wife, played by Charlize Theron. Reviews tend to go either way, this write-up in last week's Sydney Morning Herald being a good example of a more positive review and this recent review on Slate an example of a less than glowing recommendation. Synopsis available here and trailer here.
CBD
Wanda International Cinema
9:50 11:50 15:50 19:50 21:50
Xidan
New Capital Cinema
13:10 14:00 15:05 16:05 17:00 18:00 18:55 20:00 20:50
Haidian
UME International Cineplex
09:20 11:05 12:50 14:35 16:20 18:05 22:40
Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex
16:00 19:50
Wangfujing
Star City
09:50 11:35 15:05 18:30 20:10 21:55
Xindong'an Cinema
09:50 12:45 16:25 21:40
Zhongguancun
Jinyi International Cinemas
10:30 12:15 14:05 15:50 17:35 19:25 21:10 22:55
Xinjiekou
Show Max Cinema
10:15 16:55
Haidian
Guo’an Theater
12:30 13:20 16:40 20:00
Yayuncun
Sun Cinema
11:20 13:10 16:30 20:00 21:50
East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema
09:40 11:20 13:00 14:40 16:20 19:40 21:20 23:05
Kungfu Panda
Despite what appear to be rather self-serving attempts by Zhao Bandi to persuade Chinese people to boycott the film, it's still proved very popular, becoming the first animated film to take over RMB 100 million at the Chinese box office. Reviews have also been good - most settling for the "it's all good fun" kind of appraisal. Aficionados of Chinese traditional painting have also enjoyed some of the in jokes and one review in a Beijing newspaper compared the films melding of East and West to one of KFC's "Lao Beijing" Chicken wraps. You can view the trailer here and visit the official site here (Chinese version here). The complete copy of the film is available here. The Beijing correspondent of the Guardian has also produced this audio report on the popularity of the film in Beijing.
CBD
Wanda International Cinema
12:00 14:00 16:00 20:00 22:10
Xidan
New Capital Cinema
10:55 13:00 14:05 15:00 16:00 16:55 17:55 18:50
19:50 20:40 21:45
Haidian
UME International Cineplex
09:15 11:15 13:00 14:45 16:30 18:30 20:15 22:00
Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex
10:30 12:20 17:00 20:50
Wangfujing
Star City
13:20 16:50
Xindong'an Cinema
10:00 11:45 13:30 15:15 17:00 18:45 20:30 22:15
Zhongguancun
Jinyi International Cinemas
12:30 16:20 20:00 21:50
Xinjiekou
Show Max Cinema
09:20 12:55 18:45
Haidian
Guo’an Theater
15:00 18:20
Yayuncun
Sun Cinema
10:00 14:50 18:10
East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema
10:25 12:35 14:15 15:55 17:35 19:15 20:55 22:35
Storm Riders: Clash of the Evils
Storm Riders (风云决 Fengyun Jue) is based on the comics of top selling Hong Kong animator Ma Wing Shing (more details about his work available here). The animated film is voiced by heartthrob Nicholas Tse (Xie Tingfeng) and Richie Ren of Duimian de Nühaizi fame. Expect a martial arts meets fantasy storyline. Click here to view trailer.
CBD
Wanda International Cinema
10:00 12:00 14:00 16:00 18:00 20:00 22:00
Xidan
New Capital Cinema
13:05 15:50 17:00 19:00
Haidian
UME International Cineplex
13:45 15:20
Stellar International Cineplex
12:05 14:25 16:25 18:25 20:25 22:25
Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex
09:50 11:40 13:30 15:30 17:30 19:20 21:10
Wangfujing
Star City
10:30 14:35
Xindong'an Cinema
11:00 12:45 14:25
Dongsishitiao
Zhongguancun
Mega Box
10:20 13:50
Jinyi International Cinemas
10:35 12:10 14:20
Xinjiekou
Show Max Cinema
10:20 13:10
Haidian
China Cinema
11:15 14:55 16:50
East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema
12:45 14:30 16:15 18:00
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
The children return to Narnia in this sequel to The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. But it's a very different country this time. Starring the voice of Eddie Izzard as Reepicheep, and the voice of Liam Neeson as Aslan. See reviews here and trailer here.
CBD
Wanda International Cinema
09:55
Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex
14:50 20:15
East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema
10:00
Upcoming Films
Late August
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor
Jet Li stars as Mummy Qin Shihuang, alongside Michelle Yeoh and Brendan Fraser in this third installment of the popular franchise. No reviews yet - not released elsewhere until July 24 but you can read more about the making of the film here. Trailer here.
Aug 10
Speed Racer
The latest project from the Wachowski brothers is a live-action version of Japanese anime series Speed Racer. The result is reportedly heavy on action and visuals, and weak on storytelling. Read some rather disappointing reviews here and take a look at the trailer here. Despite the poor reviews the film's Chinese box office takings might be helped by the presence of Korean heartthrob Rain's presence in the cast.
Aug 20
The Incredible Hulk
Unlike Speed Racer, The Hulk has been getting some pretty good reviews. You can take a look at the trailer here.