Gala Premiere and RETURN OF THE CUCKOO 十月初五的月光 Movie Review (Video)

It was a night of stars shining brightly at the Singapore Resort World Theatre. Although, there were only three of them, but audience gave a resounding applause. Thanks to Clover Films Singapore, I get to see them in person before we watch the movie. 

After 15 years, the movie is a continuation of the popular HK drama series in year 2000 of the same name as the movie, Return of the Cuckoo. If you have watched the drama series, you would have rekindled your thoughts and memories. Will this couple, Julian Cheung ( Man-Cho ) and Charmaine Sheh (Kwan-Ho) be together again ?

The movie focus on the closeness of family and friends. There is also a three parties love triangle ( one man, two ladies ) which would have cause the life of one of them out of jealousy and possessive nature of another one. It is also tear jerking movie. Be prepared to have a packet of tissue with you. Although the movie is a bit slow but it is necessary as it shows how much the main actor. Man-Cho show his love and care for Kwan-Ho. Nancy SIT as Aunty Q, played a supporting role as Kwan-Ho mother which add weight into this movie. Joe CHEN as Kiki played the jealous third party in the love triangle mentioned earlier. 

The message from the movie is clear. If you love someone, take the first step to express your love for the person even though there may be negative opinions from the surrounding people toward the relationship.

The writer and director, Patrick Kong has always been fascinated by the love attitude of the young generation, and he uses his films to share his thoughts on the subject. 

The movie will be out in the cinema on 12 Nov 2015.
A worthwhile movie to watch especially if you have previously watched the drama series in the year 2000. My rating for this movie is 3.5/5

Singapore Gala Premiere Video

SYNOPSIS

On the day of Macau’s handover in 1999, Man-Cho (Chi Lam Cheung), Kiki (Joe Chen) and their neighbors were celebrating Aunty Q ‘s birthday (Nancy Sit). Kwan-Ho migrated to the US for some years and she made a surprise appearance at the birthday party. Despite the jovial ambience, Man-Cho noticed that Kwan-ho is strangely quiet and seems troubled.

At the same night, Man-Cho receives news that Lai-Sun has died in a car accident, Man-Cho was worried and followed Kwan-ho to the hotel, he eventually saves her from her suicide attempt.   After Kwan-ho got discharged from hospital, she is still sad and often deep in thoughts. Man-Cho, Aunty Q and Kiki tried their best to cheer Kwan–ho up by showering her with care and concern.

Through the years, Man-Cho,Kwan-Ho, Kam-Sing and Aunty Q have experienced the joys and sorrows of life. While things seem to be going fine, bad news strikes: Man-Cho learns that he has cancer and has less than half a year to live…

Trailer

Interview by the media

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Gala Premiere, Red Carpet and Movie Review : Triumph In The Skies

Red Carpet and Gala Premiere

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Julian Cheung and Charmaine Sheh came for the red carpet. As they walked down the glamourous red carpet, for a moment, I felt like I was photographing a wedding couple walking down the aisle. They really look charming and beautiful.

 93.3 radio station DJ, 谢家发 Xie Jiafa (Seah Kar Huat) was the compere. Just before the stars arrive,  Radio DJ holds a quiz with the fans. The rewards were the movie posters.

Here are more photos taken during the red carpet event.

More Photos can be found at : More Red Carpet Photos

Movie Review

Movie Synopsis :

Young pilot Branson (Louis KOO) recently takes over Skylette, his father’s aviation empire, only to realize his old flames Cassie (Charmaine SHEH) is a flight attendant there. Several years ago, he was forced to break up with her and move to New York to take care of his father's business. To this day, the two continue to harbour feelings for each other but decide to keep them bottled up. In an effort to rebrand the airline,Branson invites rock idol TM to star in an upcoming commercial and appoints Sam (Francis NG) as her flying consultant. Incongruent in both tastes and experience, this odd couple gets off on the wrong foot. As the shoot progresses, however, they slowly discover each other's merits, developing a strong mutual attraction.

Jayden (Julien CHEUNG) has left Skylette Airline to become a pilot for private jets. He meets the young and vivacious Kika (KUO Tsai Chieh) during a flight and assumes her to be wayward and shallow. But they turn out to have a lot in common and start falling madly in love. At the height of their romance, Jayden realizes almost too late the secret behind her recalcitrance…

Each of the three relationships comes with its own setbacks. As long as one can accept the imperfection of things, finding happiness—however fleetingly—is a blessing in itself.

Starring: Louis Koo, Sammi Cheng, Francis Ng, Julian Cheung, Charmaine Sheh, Kuo Tsai Chieh,   Oceane Zhu, Liu Jun Xiao

Co-starring: Kenneth Ma, Kong May Yee Elena, Remotigue Joventino Couto, Mark Ma, Liao Jingsheng

Directed by Wilson Yip,  Matt Chow

Distributed by Media Asia Film Distribution

Teaser Trailer : 

Official Trailer : 

Review / Ratings

I have been a fan of this Hong Kong drama television drama, Triumph In The Skies (2003) and II (2013) and naturally I am curious and excited when this new movie came along. Curious as to how the story goes for a movie as compared to the fame television drama.

According to the directors, by adapting a television drama with a 10 years of history, the biggest headache is how can the story move forward while bringing something new to the audience. Both directors took this challenging task together. As they have collaborated in the past, they agree to give this movie a romantic boost and hope to make the movie the year’s biggest romance hit.

In my opinion, it is much easier to understand the background and characteristics of Captain Cool (Julian Cheung) and Captain Sam Tong (Francis Ng) if you have watched the television drama.

It is like a continuation from television drama. The beautiful scenery settings from UK were the winning ingredient for a romantic movie. Just like in the drama I and II, where they were filmed in Rome, Sapporo, UK, France, Hainan, Kaohsiung, Kenting etc.  With the addition of Captain Branson (Louis KOO) and Cassie (Charmaine SHEH) love story, there were three separate romantic couple. Love thus conquers all obstacles. As movie goers, we just love happy endings. In fact, to be more precise, there are actually five love stories. One of them is between Kenneth Ma and Elena Kong. Only those who have watch the television drama 2, will be able to recall their relationship.

In conclusion, there was not much storyline in this movie. Romantic couples simply having a fun time together. One of memorable moment was when Captain Sam Tong and TM (Sammi Cheng) having a laughable time shooting a Skylette airlines commercial. I shall give this movie a rating of 3/5.

The movie will be showing in the cinema on the 19 February 2015.