The movie ROK 4 days after screening stands at a staggering 8.2 million. The result is satisfying. In the movie, Andy played the role of a monk, a beggar, a bodybuilder & a male striptease. On the good box office, he quipped,"It proves that it is worth the effort." Chinastar boss said he will held a celebration dinner next week.

At the end of ROK, 2 Andys appeared. Andy said, "Many friends had called to ask, why there are 2 of me. Actually the meaning is that in everybody, the greatest enemy is your own self, the evil in your heart. If u can control yourself, u can get rid of this evil inner self."

Lately there were some suicides among the young, Andy said they had not gotten rid of this evil inner self, the world is far & wide, surely there is a way out.

SOURCE: MING PAO

ROK opened lst Saturday collected 2.9 mil on the first day, setting a record for the opening day box office. Till 30th 4 days later it had collected abt 7.8 mil.

SOURCE: SING PAO
TITLE: WOSDOM OF THE BIG GUY

The original name of The Big Guy is actually Big Guy Monk.

But the word monk is sensitive in China, so it was deleted. Actually the structure of the movie is related to monk, what it tries to convey is also karma in Buddhism.

Andy's muscular built is not as in LOAD fatso, a gimmick. In ROK, the fake body suit of a big guy is used to portray his immerse power & also thro this to convey that the big muscles are just external. So in the deep forest, Andy saw another self, the slim real self.

This is a marvellous movie. The degree of creativity is a rarity of the present day.

From the start, the mysterious man came to HK. It triggers off a series of mysterious cases. Policewoman Cecilia came into pic. There were persons with special skills. The msg is clear, gods & saviors abound on earth.

Talking on karma, the upper half has clearly & successfully conveyed the msg. Later Cecilia went into the forest, wanting to break her own karma. It is again man against karma. It is tolerable but it brings out another problem.

The scriptwriter & the director both have the wild wish as not to explain cause & effect clearly. To break the karma one shd treat oneself first. If one can break own self, it is the final path of a commoner. Able to break through, it means karma is broken. So, Andy again wears back the robe, but he had a cigarette in his mouth. When u think he has entered a realm of the saint, actually he still remembers his true body.

Many audience commented they don't understand the ending.

The author feels that some movies give u a feeling, gives u thoughts, but may not have an answer. One answer, it is only the ans from the script writer. Why not for once, u find it out yourself.

Last week the cast of Infernal Affair, Andy, Tony, Kelly & Edison landed in Tokyo for the promotion work. The Heavenly Kings & Queen fielded questions with poise, except for Edison who behaved like an unleashed monkey, uttering words that were not supposed to. Andy was shocked but Edison successfully stole some lime light !

The press con was last Thurs at 1pm in a Hotel. The cast entered to a barrage of cameras. Abt 200 over media persons were present. Andy who is used to big function, displayed his super star charisma, wore a friendly smile & waved to all frequently.

Edison on the other hand, saw that the cameras were on Andy & Tony all the time, appeared restless, he was either looking up or down throughout the press con. Comparatively Tony was cool & composed. They are contrastingly belonging to diff status !

Edison was not attentive even Andy staring at him he was not aware of it.

At one stage when the host asked if he thinks he has any semblance to Andy ? He gave a most unexpected ans, "I don't feel I look like Andy, I don't know how come they ask me to act ?" The host gaped but still continued to ask, "Then do u have pressure acting the young Andy ?" He gave another unexpected reply, "My role is 40 sec, not even a minute! How to have pressure ?" The house dropped to an uneasy silence, Andy immediately answered, "Not like that, we do have discussions on out past!" Edison still looked at the ceiling, mouth twitched to one side, seemingly not aware he had said something wrong.

But he did everyone laughed when he was serious that he was taught how to walk. The director told him not to walk hunch back & be like a man. Tony & Andy laughed along too !

Andy had just turned 42, in the previous week when he was in Japan, other than busy with promo of IA & shoot one day of Magic Kitchen, the night before he left Japan he took time off to the arcade & paid a fee of 26,000 yen abt HK$2,000 for 2 hrs of fun clipping toys.

He was in a shop named Vortex & the toys he chose were Snoppy & Winnie the Pooh. He wont leave even after 10 over failed trials. Whenever he successfully clip one, he would clapped & jumped like a kid. The asst accompanying him told him to go for dinner but he was still playing. He left with a big bag of toys.

Not able to communicate, they used hand signals to order food.

The shop he patronized was economical stall. He ordered noodle soup, the bill came up to <1000 yen abt HK 700.

ROK hit big screen on 27 Sept. The next day pirated dvd was out for sale in China.

In HK, movie goers came in hordes to see. But the movie took a wrong turn. Towards the ending the moviegoers were horrified by the look of dead Cecilia ! Children cried. No wonder Johnnie To warned before hand it is not a comedy movie.

DATE: 1 OCT 03
SOURCE: WEN WEI PO/SING PAO
TITLE: ANDY TONY & JIA XIN HOT FAVES AT GOLDEN HORSE AWARDS

Yesterday was the last day for submissions of nominations to the 40th Golden Horse Awards. 15 HK movies enter for contests. Without a strong opponent, Infernal looks set to be a hot favorite.

GH has suffered frequent set backs such as lack of fun, lack of entries from the cross straits. It was said Mainland has curb entry of movies that has collaboration with China to enter the contest.

A total of 47 movies were submitted, 28 are melodramas, 11 short movies, 5 documentary & 3 animated movies. Of the 28 melodramas, 8 are from TW, 15 from HK, 2 from SG, 2 from Mainland, one from France. The nos of entries in all categories has decreased probably due to the outbreak of Sars.

Other than IA, the other HK movies entering contest are Turn Left Turn R, Golden Chicks, PTU, Black & White, etc..

IA which harvested many awards in HKFA, enters many categories this time, such as Best Actor, Best Movie, Best Newcomer, Best Director, etc. It is going to be a hot fave.

In Best actor category, Anthony Wong enters contest with movoe Black & White , Tony & Andy with IA, Eric Tseng in Big Husband , Simmon Yim in PTU, Ekin Cheng in Twin Effect, & Francis Ng. Successful nominations will enter the final contest.

The 8 male actors who played cameo roles in Golden Chicks including Andy, Hu Jun, Eric Tseng, Leung Ka Fei, Eason, Chapman To, etc. all enter Best Supporting Actor nomination selection, Also in the category are Eric & Anthony from IA.

SOURCE: MING PAO
TITLE: PETER HO COUNTERS FAYE & ANDY

Peter Ho & Chen Yi Rong challenge Faye & Andy ? Actually they are the spokesperson of a Baleno rival brand in Mainland. Their bill boards were placed facing Andy & Faye.

TVB had adopted a new regulation to give awards only to those who turn up in its 3rd JSG Seasonal Selection recently. Andy was absent because of his bday he chose to stay at home. He even declared that he would be absent in the next Selection due to his work. Though he appears unfazed his fans are v unhappy. They called & faxed to the various media that ICAC shd investigate the accountancy co which counted the votes. They said if the policy continues, they will stop voting, as it will be a waste of their money.

On the complaints, TVB personnel said other than votes from fans, the music dept gave marks too, the policy is fair! They are not afraid of ICAC!

SOURCE: ORIENTAL DAILY
TITLE: AUDIENCE COMPLAINS CECILIAS DEATH TOO HORRIFYING

In ROK, Cecilia's head was chopped off. Her blood-socked head was hung on a tree. It is horrifying. Many movie-goers screamed on seeing it. Some even called in to complain the movie is too scary. Johnnie To quipped after watching one shd asked if one has done anything bad, if not, then there is nothing to be scared ! He added the movie is rated IIB, there is a limit of horror.

Andy said he pitied what the role played by Cecilia had gone thro,"If the audience feels scared, I feel it is One side Heaven one side hell, see how u perceive it."

Last week Kelly went to Japan with Tony, Edison & Andy for the promo of IA. Kelly who was always praised by Japanese media was ridiculed this time. Japanese daily Gendai commented her green gloves were like the green comic monster KACHAPIN. They also commented her bad Japanese language.

On the other hand, they praised popularity of Andy & Tony. There are more male than female reporters in Japan, but that day 70% of the reporters were females! Obviously they came to see handsome guys! It was v hot that day, the room was filled with 'aroma' of female perspiration!

The movie featuring Andy & Cecilia, Running On Karma, had its first run in 60 cinemas 2 days ago. Inclusive of mid night show, box office on the first day stands at 2.9 mil. This is indeed terrific. It breaks the record of first day collection in movies this year. Andy, Cecilia & Johnnie were all v excited with the news.

Cecilia who was in Mainland filming said filming was v tough esp for Andy, she respects him a lot, & hopes the movie has good result in the Mainland.

Andy said the movie carries a msg. If the audience can accept it , it means the audience has some depth, they can accept diff genres of movies. He teased that if the movie collects 3 mil eaxh day, in 6 weeks it will be 600 mil & worth a celebration!

TVB 3 rd JSG Seasonal Selection is over but rumors abound. As a result of ICAC anti-graft strike, the format of awarding is now 'if u come u have award' . Under this rule, many good songs because of the singers absence lost the awards.

Andy's 17 Yr Old is one of the most popular songs, but it had no chance to be nominated. Was it because Andy who was celebrating his bday at home that day & was absent so he was deprived of the award? Does he feel sorry abt it ? Andy insisted he must rest on his bday! Previously he had 3 weeks of holidays now he had only one day, there is no reason for him to go out to work! He quipped 'Nothing one can brings only karma follows one for life'.

Does he feel the new rule has fault? He answered the new rule has just been implemented, TVB has its own problems. He equates it to a school. The teacher has to mark students' attendance before giving out report cards. If a student applied for home leave, & hope the teacher can excuse him but the teacher do not , there is nothing one can do.

Andy explained on Cause & Effect. If because of bday there is a day rest, & he chooses to stay at home with his family, that is Cause, the Effect is he has no Seasonal award. He feels this is not a problem at all. It all depends what one chooses in life. As long as one feels happy.

He added in future he will be filming outstation, next Seasonal Selection he is filming Changs movie & wont be in HK. Now he chooses to rest on bday, TVB feels it is not a reason, then next time when he is really working & cannot make it, he hopes TVB can excuse him !

27th Sept is Andy's 42 bday, but on the 26th he was working. He was at the premiere of Running On Karma. Luckily the movie co knew best, they pushed out a cake to celebrate for him on the spot & presented him a card signed by 100 children who like him, this made him v happy.

Cecilia was absent as she was filming in Mainland. Directors Johnnie To, Wai Ka Fei, Mr & Mrs Heung, & many in the circle turned up to support, including Kuang Mei Yun, Cang Teng Jian et al.

A survey done at HK International Film Festival shows that Andy is voted one of the most popular actors by the movie buyers, second to Jacky Chan. On this, Andy smiled, "Really v terrific!" Andy who always have strong outstation selling value was rumored to have his fee increased to 8 mil. Andy told them his fee was already 8 mil many years ago. Wil he increase his fee ? He said he would rather add it onto the production cost. Though he wont increase, he he will not decrease also, even when he meets a good script. He said he is already v cheap. He is also one of the distributor, he stressed that he wont harm others or put himself at the losing end.

Andy is filming Chang Yimou movie soon. Will he act in Judo Championship ? He admitted he had discussed with Johnnie To ,if it is a new year movie it will be embarrassing as he is already involved in Magic Kitchen, he wotn want to counter Sammi.

Bai Long Wang had said that Andy's luck will be good after his bday. He believes so too. Both his music & acting career have good news. With the song If One Day he is nominated in Best Performance in CASH, & he is also voted one of most popular actors by the movie buyers. He said he will buy 2 bowling balls to encourage himself.

Andy was spotted to have a glittering diamond ring on his finger. He was asked if it was a wedding ring? Andy retorted, "How do u all become reporters? I have wore this for many years. I bought it fromm Cartier after 2001 concert as a gift to myself. I saw Beckham wore it once & look stylish so I bought it, it costs 100,000. If I married, I wont dare to ask for her hand if I don't have a mil dollar ring."

Andy had returned to HK 2 days ago. Yesterday he held a 'Stamp endorsing' session in Mongkok. The activity was scheduled to he held @ the pedestrian mall at 4:30pm, but by 3pm hundreds over fans thronged the street waiting for his arrival. The police was wary that the situation would turn disorderly when Andy arrived, they requested the activity be cancelled. The organizer removed the stage immediately & moved indoor to a karaoke lounge.

Not only a gp of fans who q since early in the day became agitated, when they realized they couldn't see Andy, all became agitated. To pacify the crowd, Andy stood there as he arrived & waved to them as consolation.

When told the activity was called to cancel, he joked, "Is it ? Maybe the police see this Liu Sir (in IA) coming ! " He said there is no worry as there were many securities on the spot. He indicated they had held open activity before, they have experienced similar situation. Though the fans are many, they can manage them well.

Does he go to karaoke nowadays ? Andy said he used to go before, but now he seldom goes. He goes to karaoke in Japan or Taiwan. His asst disclosed that he likes to sing Jay Chou's song. He admires own MV more.

50 lucky fans received mouse pad bearing The Big Guy stamp from Andy personally. A room in the karaoke has The Big Guy as theme.

There was a report commenting on the lax working attitude of Cecilia. This made Andy unhappy. At press con, Andy arrived punctually but Cecilia was late. However, yesterday Andy told the media to be fair to Cecilia, as there was no such thing. Their time of attendance is different, as each has his/her own interview time. He stressed he has no discord with Cecilia. How does he gauge Cecilia performance? Andy said she is good. He said in ROK Cecilia was made to a new image by Johnnie To & the effect is good.

Tony, Andy, Kelly & Edison were in Japan for the promo of Infernal Affairs yesterday. After the press con at a hotel, they went to Forum theatre for the premiere of the movie.

The presence of Andy & Tony attracted 200 over reporters. When asked how they felt being chased after by so many Japanese fans at the airport, Tony admitted he saw only one fan when he came out ! Andy gave a serious answer, "I wish I could communicate with them, but I cant!"

Both of them sent tall hats to one another at the press con. Tony praised that Andy has serious working attitude & is lively. Andy commented Tony is v professional, his eyes are v expressive & have that melancholic appeal!

[Apple Daily] Tony & Andy were each paid 6 mil to film IA last year. After the good box office, their fees have increased. Tony is now paid 10 mil to film IA3, while Andy is paid 8 mil. The boss of Media Asia has interest in movie investment after success of IA. Other than signing up Sammi with 6 mil for 2 movies, he used high sum to rope in Tony to film movies.

Infernal Affairs opens on 11 Oct in more than 150 cinemas in Japan. Andy who is in Japan for the promo is touted as Brad Pitt of the East by the local media. In a day, he accepted 11 media interviews. The media was awed by the warm welcome given to him at the airport by 500 over fans. They have never expected to see a HK artiste having such a draw, Andy even has a 1,500-strong fan club in Japan.

Andy always hope he can take good care of every overseas AWC member. He has promised whenever he is overseas for the promo, no matter how tired he is, if time allowed, he will meet them. It is no exception this time. But there were just too many members , the biggest function room in the hotel where he stays could only accommodate 800 fans. He promised them if possible, he will come again next year, & find a bigger room to meet all of them.

Andy had not met his Japanese for a few yrs, the fans missed him a lot & were v excited. He had brought along tapes on his daily life to show them, & tape on the making of ROK. He was v surprised that the fans could sing his Cantonese songs If One Day & 17 Yr-old , & could even sang him a bday song in Cantonese. He was so touched.

Other than filming Magic Kitchen, from morning to night he received interviews form 8 magazines, 3 radio stns. He was v exhausted in the evening, but a TV stn sent a member of the boy band The Tokyo Shock Boys to interview him. The member admitted he adored Andy a lot, & asked how he can win hearts of so many Japanese girls. Andy said he depends on his present hairstyle. The interviewee quipped,"My hair is more than yours, but I lose to you!" Andy laughed heartily.