Flight of fantasy
The stuff of dark materials, The Golden Compass, based on author Philip Pullman's bestselling and award-winning novel, tells the first story in Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. It is an exciting fantasy adventure, set in a world where human souls manifest themselves as animals, talking bears fight wars, and Gyptians and witches co-exist. At the center of the story is Lyra (played by Dakota Blue Richards), a 12-year-old girl who starts out trying to rescue a friend who's been kidnapped by a mysterious organization known as the Gobblers, and winds up on an epic quest to save not only her world, but ours as well. The Golden Compass stars a stellar cast that includes Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, Sam Elliott, and Ian McShane. The film is written and directed by Chris Weitz and produced by Deborah Forte and Bill Carraro. The Golden Compass opens this weekend.
PK.COM.CN, China's first movie to follow a script chosen by an online poll, opens in Chinese theaters from March 14. The screenplay is adapted from a popular online novel written by a sophomore student, titled Who says a youngster can't be wrong?. The story was selected by millions of netizens in a poll organized by leading Web portal sina.com. Directed by Xiaojiang, the movie features a youthful cast that includes Hong Kong star Jaycee Chan, Taiwan actor Wilson Chen, and rising mainland stars Niu Mengmeng and Zhang Bo. The story focuses on a boy's struggle between dreams and reality. Raised by a soft father and tough mother, Zhang Wenli (played by Jaycee Chan) is an academically accomplished student. While at medical school, his faithful friend Ji Yinchuan (played by Wilson Chen) encourages him whenever he gets into a depression. After college, Zhang Wenli finds work as a doctor and parts ways with his friend. At an alumni reunion, Zhang Wenli runs into Ji Yinchuan's ex-girlfriend, who conveys the devastaing news of Ji's death. As the movie progresses, viewers discover the true nature of Ji and Zhang.
The film won wide acclaim at its premiere at the 3rd Hollywood China Film Festival in Canada last year. At subsequent previews in Chinese universities, many students saw it as a Chinese edition of the popular American film Fight Club, starring Edward Norton and Brad Pitt.
Other offerings at city cinemas include:
National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
Benjamin Gates and Riley are up to their Indiana Jones-style hijacks once again in this sequel. This time round, Gates must discover the truth behind the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and kidnap the sitting president in order to restore his family name.
10,000 B.C.
A young mammoth hunter named D'Leh from a remote prehistoric mountain tribe leads a journey through dangerous territory to save the love of his life and secure the future of his dying tribe.
Action epic An Empress and the Warriors, the directorial debut of the famous martial arts choreographer Ching Siu-tung, centers on an exiled princess trying to restore her fallen country with the help of a traveling warrior. The film which stars Leon Lai, kungfu star Donnie Yen and singer/actress Kelly Chan, features magnificent scenes from China's Inner Mongolia and pulse-racing action sequences.
Deadly Delicious has mainland actress Yu Nan playing a frustrated wife who discovers her husband's extramarital affair and wants him to pay for it. The male lead is played by Hong Kong actor Francis Ng.
The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep
Angus MacMorrow (Alex Etel) is a young Scottish lad who finds a mysterious egg on the shore of a loch with his sister Kirstie (Priyanka Xi). When the egg hatches, an unusual creature emerges who becomes so big that the only place where it can live is under the water.
(China Daily 03/29/2008 page6)
