“Mulan” Received Well at the Box Office But Not Critically

No matter how their projects turn out, this pair always has such nice chemistry off-screen as decade-old friends. Behind the Story vids below.

This movie has been hyped. Hyped because of the theme songs (Stefanie Sun trumps all in terms of popularity in China), hyped because it was Mulan, one of the most famous heroines in Chinese culture, and hyped because it was Vicky Zhao Wei, who is just loved and unlike most Chinese celebs, not just within China’s boundaries.

And the sales reflected that. In six days the movie earned 50 million yuan its first six days, not the highest China’s seen, but  a solid success and the Chen Kun-Zhao Wei pairing was proclaimed a box office guarantee since their first on-screen pairing  Painted Skin, also was a hit. But all those factors doesn’t mean good movie. Basically, this is a post for everyone looking forward to this movie to go in with low expectations.  Because while this movie has drummed up more overseas interest than other Chinese films this year, simply because of the name “Mulan” (thanks Disney!) this is not even close to being one of the better Chinese films of this year, or even of the holiday season. Expectations should have been low from the start since the director is Jingle Ma.

eeMedia Family Winter MV pictures Part 2

Li Yuanxi, Liu Xijun, and Zheng Shuang are the second group to film for the eeMedia family MV

So apparently the “Winter/New Years” MV  will actually have most of the eeMedia family but they’re being filmed separately, because it’s easier to coordinate. And eeMedia is really impressing me with how well-coordinated it’s become. Last year was a lot of firsts for the company and it showed. The previous MV was cute, but with stock outfits and everyone looked more tired than happy. The New Years concert also turned out messy. But this year everything  in Long Danni’s plan for the company  seems to have just about fallen into place and hopefully this year the New Years concert will be better too.

Continuing the  tradition from the last post, have a bit of Top Combine: new individual pics. Their album release date is confirmed as Dec. 13th, which is also coincidentally, Kimi Qiao Renliang‘s album release date. He also released new album pics. The boys aren’t trying to spread out at all are they?

New eeMedia Family Winter MV being made

Like last year, eeMedia’s filming a year-end MV although this time it’s only with Yu Haoming, Wang Yuexin(!), Top Combine and Pan Chen and Pan Hongyue. But that doesn’t mean the behind the scenes pictures are any less fun to look at. I think I gained like five new ships. They even have me shipping Wang Yuexin/Pan Chen now. Madness. Sorry for the lack of Jin Ensheng and Zhang Yuan, hopefully other pictures will come out soon.

And slightly related if you want to watch:  Top Combine MV Teaser came out.

B&W Fann Wong Stills From “The Last Night of Madame Chin”

I haven’t been paying attention to dramas entirely but these stills from The Last Night of Madame Chin caught my attention – Fann Wong, top Singaporean actress, looks so beautiful. Almost like Shirley McLaine circa the Apartment, but more regal. Past stills from the series here.

Has anyone seen The Last Night of Madame Chin? How is it? It seems to be doing well in China in ratings.   Either way it seems markedly improved in production quality from the last Studio Fan Bingbing series, and upward trends are always nice.