Entertainment News For Week Of Novv 19 - 25

Movies To Be Made Available On Net In China & Free Movie Downloads

Several movie studios, including 6 Hollywood studios have signed an agreement with BestTV (a unit of Shanghai Media Group) to distribute movies through the Internet in China. This will allow Hollywood to boost distributions of their popular movies (which is currently limited). BestTV will charge users a fee and studios will make some money from this fee as well as on royalties and advertisements embedded in the movies.

In related news, a new Chinese website quacor.com is allowing free movie downloads of movies - including movies that were released only a few weeks ago. Some titles include "Still Life" and "This After Our Exile". The website's revenue will come from advertising on their site and those embedded in the movie.

Story courtesy:
CriEnglish: Studios Cast Net In China
CriEnglish: 1st Legal Website For Legal Downloads

Zhang Ziyi Named In Top 10 Women In Business By Wall Street Journal

The Wall Street Journal recently released it's "Top 50 Remarkable Women In Asian Business Circles" and Zhang Ziyi came out in the top 10. Others in the top 10 include: Zhou Kaixuan (from Li Ka-shing Foundation), Hu Shuli (editor-in-chief at Caijing (财经) Magazine), and Li Yifei (chief representative at Viacom China).

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CriEnglish: Zhang Ziyi Ranked Top 10 By Wall Street Journal

HK Director Wong Kar-wai Going To Hollywood

The director of "In The Mood For Love", "The Chungking Express" and "2046" is wrapping up his first English language film called "My Blueberry Nights". Wong Kar-wai (王家衛) had his English language directorial debut on the film starring Jude Law and Norah Jones. The movie will be released sometime in 2007.

Story courtesy:
CriEnglish: The Master of Time: Wong Kar-wai In America

Jackie Chan To Start Cosmetics Line

Jackie Chan has teamed up with Maggie Chu, a business woman, to launch The Jackie Chan Organic Skin Care Line. Jackie adds this to his diverse businesses including restaurants, cookies, fitness clubs, and clothing lines. The products will be made in Hungary and will use all natural ingredients with the packaging being made of recycled material.

Story courtesy:
The Daily Dumpling: Jackie Chan Inc - Fight Like A Master; Look Like A Supermodel

Annual Golden Horse Award Results

On Saturday the 43rd Annual Golden Horse Awards were held in Taiwan. Best Film went to "This After Our Exile", Best Director went to Peter Chan Ho Sun for the film "Perhaps Love", Best Actor went to Aaron Kwok in "This After Our Exile" and Best Actress went to Zhou Xun in "Perhaps Love". For list of all other award winners, please visit the link below.

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Jayne Stars: Aaron Kwok & Zhou Xun Winners At 43rd Annual Golden Horse Awards

Sammi Cheng's Year Of Absence

Since filming "Everlasting Regret" over a year ago, Sammi Cheng seemingly disappeared from the entertainment scene. Sammi recently answered questions surrounding her absence. There were many rumors of her "disappearance" - everything from illness to fading popularity. But when answering media questions, she simply stated that she needed extra time to recharge - reading books, vacationing, and watching movies. She also stated that she's back into full working mode and will be in the recording studio soon.

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AsianFanatics: Sammi Responds To Media's Queries About Her Negative News

Ella Koon Denies Rumors About Ron Ng

For the past two years it has been rumored that Ella Koon and Ron Ng were a couple. Lots of evidence seemed to point to this including Ella staying over at Ron's apartment and many photographic evidence. But when asked again, she still denies these rumors, saying instead they are good friends and that she was collecting a few things from Ron's apartment.

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AsianFanatics: Ella Koon Still Denies Rumors With Ron Ng

Anthony Wong Making US Debut

Anthony Wong will be making his US debut in the film "The Painted Veil", which will also star Naomi Watts, Ed Norton, and Liev Schreiber. The film is about a dissatisfied young English couple who, out of frustration, moves to Shanghai. The film has a $35 million USD budget and will be released on December 15, 2006 by Warner Independent Pictures.

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CriEnglish: Anthony Wong Goes To The US