Who's in
Is Nicolas Cage's career going down in flames?
Ghost Rider, Hollywood A-Lister Nicolas Cage's latest offering, premiered in China on June 3.
In the story, stunt cyclist Johnny (Cage) gives up his soul to Mephistopheles in exchange for his father's recovery from cancer. To get back his soul, Johnny, who serves as a ghost rider for the devil, has to defeat Blackheart, Mephistopheles' son who wants to replace his father and build an even more terrible hell.
The film features lavish special effects, such as shots of Cage riding on a flaming motorcycle, however such visuals have failed to impress many critics who have slammed Ghost Rider as being yet another Hollywood blockbuster that offers little in the way of plausible narrative.
Financial direction for young directors
Five young directors will shoot their next films with financial aid from organizers of the first Qujiang New Directors and New Works Film Festival, initiated by veteran director Wu Tianming.
The aim of the competition, supported by Qujiang Film and TV Investment Group run by the government of Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, is to find the best of China's upcoming young filmmakers.
Most of the award-winning films focus on the contemporary life of ordinary Chinese people. All the competing films were screened over the past three months in major cities and some national film festivals. Among them Teeth of Love (Aiqing De Yachi), featuring a woman's thoughts on love and marriage, won high praise among the judges.
Coinciding with the festival was a Chinese film industry forum. Writers, directors, distributors and scholars all agreed upon the urgency to find new talent.
The festival, which began in March, saw 19 directors aged under 35 taking part in the competition.
Pirates set to plunder Chinese box office
The pirates are back again! Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End will hit China's screen on June 12, 17 days after its American premiere.
Highlights include scenes between Hong Kong superstar Chow Yun-Fat as Asian pirate Captain Sao Feng and Keira Knightley as Elizabeth.
Another pleasant surprise comes from Keith Richards, guitarist of the Rolling Stones, who agreed to appear as father of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and the keeper of the pirate code. Depp has told all that his drunken acting style was inspired by Richards.
The unanswered questions from the previous two instalments, such as whether Elizabeth falls in love with Jack and the real identity of Tia Dalma are all resolved in this chapter.
It was said the World's End would be the final installment of the series, but at the end of the film, Jack seems to have another destination. Maybe Pirates 4 is not out of the question.
China Daily-Agencies
(China Daily 06/08/2007 page18)
