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NEWS ITEMS July 2006
July 31: "Miami Vice" box office update - The weekend (Friday-Sunday) "actuals" came in a little higher than the estimates announced yesterday. The film earned $25,723,815 on 3,021 screens for a very nice per screen average of $8,515, according to Box Office Mojo. "Miami Vice" star Colin Farrell explains his character's relationship with Isabella, the character played by Li: "Crockett's someone that would've had one night stands over the years, prolifically, and never been emotionally attached to anyone, whether there'd be different reasons for that, and one of the primary reasons would be the work that he involves himself in. But he finds with this woman someone that seems to make complete sense, perfect sense, and so our scene, doing it together, was just kind of a bad emotional investment, our emotional realization in seeing some of yourself, maybe the best of yourself, and none of the worst, in the other person, puts something quite kind of tragic to it as well, I suppose." July 30: "Miami Vice" is Number One at the box office in its first weekend in release with an estimated $25.2 million in receipts Friday through Sunday. The Sunday Morning Post (Hong Kong) includes remarks from a recent interview with Li. She said that "Miami Vice" co-star Colin Farrell "treats everybody well and takes great interest in everyone around him - not just me, but the crew as well. As a result, it's easy to feel relaxed around him." Li said that she introduced Colin to the Cuban drink mojito, and he taught her how to drink beer. She also spoke about researching the Chinese community in Cuba during a trip to that country: "Cubans are always very happy, even if they don't have too much money and their houses are worn down. Still, they are joyous people." July 29: Li attended a photo call for "Miami Vice" at the Adlon Hotel in Berlin this morning, along with Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx and Michael Mann. Photos are posted in our Gallery. "Miami Vice" box office figures for Friday: The film earned $8,666,700 on 3,021 screens (source: ShowBizData.com). July 28: According to the folks at BoxOfficeMojo.com, "Miami Vice" is being released on 3,021 screens today. Weekend box office estimates range all the way from low-$20's (Hollywood Reporter) to $38 million (Box Office Guru). The pundits are not together on predicting movie goers' response to MV. More kudos for Li's performance -- Joe Morgenstern of the Wall Street Journal: "Isabella is played by Gong Li, who has been equally alluring in her Chinese films, but never as animated, or exciting." Michael Sragow of the Baltimore Sun: "No TV woman of mystery ever had the allure or the range of Gong Li in the Miami Vice movie. As Isabella, a businesswoman managing Montoya's money, Gong Li's got a special sleekness: You can feel the will and energy beneath her smooth super-competence." July 27: The UK premiere of "Miami Vice" was held this evening at the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square. Li attended with co-stars Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx and Naomie Harris. Several great photos are posted in our gallery. More great words for Li's performance as Isabella in "Miami Vice"; from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Isabella "is played by the great Chinese actress Gong Li, who, as usual, gives a magnetic performance. It's almost as if she is in a different, better movie, and she gives Miami Vice more believability than perhaps it deserves or needs. When Gong Li is not on screen, Miami Vice barely pretends to be anything other than what it is: an exciting summer action flick." From a review in Fort Worth Weekly: Foxx and Farrell are "both upstaged by Gong Li as a Spanish-speaking Chinese-Cuban businesswoman at the heart of the smuggling ring who falls for Crockett with disastrous results. This great Chinese leading lady not only lends her considerable star power to this movie but also creates the most fully realized character here - a shark-like new-breed capitalist who's ambushed by her romantic weaknesses. Human touches like this keep Miami Vice from degenerating into hack work and make it superior popcorn cinema." From a LatinoReview.com appraisal of "Miami Vice": "Rather than portray her character as 'the girl', Gong initially appears as an opportunistic businesswoman who finds something in Crockett she didn't know she was looking for. It happens rather quickly, but Gong's talent as an actress enables us to actually witness the moment in her eyes when she falls for Crockett." July 26: More reviews of "Miami Vice" have been published over the past 24 hours (read them on our forum), and Li continues to receive praise for her work… The Hollywood Reporter's Anne Thompson writes on her blog, "Thank God for Gong Li… The movie doesn't engage until tough badwoman Gong takes undercover cop Farrell to Cuba for a mojito; their lovemaking is so good that she cries." From a review on Urban Network: "Isabella [is] brilliantly played by Gong Li... [She] seductively and skillfully engages Crockett on screen. Language was not a barrier in their performance. Their chemistry was intoxicating." The Miami premiere was held last night at the Lincoln Theatre. Director Michael Mann and cast members John Ortiz and Elizabeth Rodriguez represented the film at the event. July 25: An interview that Li had with an Associated Press reporter was published yesterday, and has been picked up by several papers. She was asked if Asian actors have more opportunities in Hollywood now. Li replied: "I don't think I would go so far as to say it's a trend. I hope it's not just kind of passing fashion for a new kind of face, like Asian faces. What's important is for this kind of interaction as artists. It doesn't really matter who you are, what your racial or ethnic background is. Everybody around the world can communicate in this way. So what I hope for is longer-term cooperation in working together." --> Read the complete interview. July 24: Li spoke about working with "Miami Vice" director Michael Mann: "You're saying, 'I can't do this, maybe tomorrow. He'll say, 'I know you can do it and you have to do it right now,' and he walks away. So Michael has this ability to negotiate the way my character negotiates or the way (the movie's drug kingpin) Montoya negotiates. It's hard, but he's a good psychologist. Michael knows how hard to push." About the love scenes with Colin Farrell, Li says, "The lovemaking scenes were scheduled late in the production. Michael let us get into character and get comfortable, otherwise it would have been awkward. When it came time to do them, it was very natural. I almost forgot there were other people there." Richard Schickel reviews "Miami Vice" for Time magazine. He says many sequences "permit us to spend plenty of time with Li, who plays the criminal gang's enigmatic financial whiz, and that time is scarcely wasted. Mann never explains why she has fallen into bad company instead of rising to the top on Wall Street, and that makes her more attractive to Farrell - and to us." He feels that Mann "more than rewards our patience when he finally flings himself into action. There is a very firm sense of screen geography when the guns start flashing, no careless frenzy in his staging, only a sort of deadly logic. It's a quality that's always in short supply when crime movies commence winding down. And it's worth waiting for in Miami Vice." David Denby of The Yorker writes, "It's about guns and sex and fast boats, and, baffling as it is at times, it's still the kind of brutal fantasy that many of us relish a great deal more than yet another aerated digital dream… The honesty of this kind of movie can be measured by how juicy its sense of licentious pleasure is. Despite its generally saturnine mood, this one passes the test." David Edelstein writes in NewYork magazine: "I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. It's a sensational trip - gorgeous, gaga… It's the big cheese's mistress (Gong Li), with her leggy ice-queen affect, who inevitably mesmerizes Crockett. He catches a glimmer of vulnerability under her ultra-competent pose and knows she's squishy - like him. The movie is so money: Crockett asks her out for mojitos and off they speed toward Havana in a boat that would make Batman squeal in awe." [Complete reviews are posted on our forum.] July 23: Reviews of "Miami Vice" appear this weekend in a couple of major publications. The Hollywood Reporter critic feels it is more style over substance. Variety's Brian Lowry feels that Mann's "mastery of brooding atmosphere buoys what would otherwise be an utterly by-the-numbers crime drama." He says of Li: "despite appearing to struggle with some of her dialogue, [she] brings welcome vulnerability to the role of Isabella." Newsweek's David Ansen is much more positive about the film, and feels that "Mann locates the lusty vulnerability under [Li's] snarl. There's enough real passion between Farrell and Gong for the movie to get some emotional traction." MV co-star Colin Farrell spoke about working with Li during an interview for a Chinese TV show: "Gorgeous! I had an amazing time working with Gong Li. Yeah, it was an absolute honor and a pleasure to be around her on the set. It was just wonderful to spend time with her. She's such a beautiful human being, so smart and so talented, and I had a blast." July 22: "Miami Vice" is the cover story for the July 28 issue of Entertainment Weekly magazine. The article is posted on our forum (Miami Vice - Misc. Articles III). Li says about the end of the six month shoot: "It was a very strange end. We just sort of walked away. A lot of people didn't really say goodbye to each other. They just left quietly. It was finished, and then it was over." July 21: The "Miami Vice" world premiere was held last night in Los Angeles. Li walked the red carpet and attended the screening with her co-stars. View 100+ great photos from the event in our gallery. July 20: "Movieman" rates "Miami Vice" 4 ˝ out of 5 stars: "The film grabs you with the opening scene... Miami Vice [is] one of the most hypnotizing visual films I've seen since well, Collateral. It is almost impossible to take your eyes off of the film... All the performances in the film are very good... My main gripe with the film would be that I would have liked to have seen more development between all the characters in terms of relationships." The complete review is posted on our forum. July 19: More updates on the official "Miami Vice" site (www.miamivice.com) in the Film Info - Media section: several film clips and a very amusing clip of Li and Michael Mann on the set. Film clips are also up at movies.go.com. July 18: I uploaded three video clips last night from the "Miami Vice: First Look" special; the links are posted in our forum. July 17: Li is featured in two magazines currently on newsstands: the August issue of Empire (UK) and the July 21 issue of Entertainment Weekly. Reminder - The "Miami Vice: HBO First Look" special begins airing tonight. Also, interviews with Farrell and Foxx will be included on "Entertainment Tonight" and "Extra" today. July 16: An interview with Li is included in the UK Sunday Times Culture magazine. On "Miami Vice" director Michael Mann: "He is hard on his actors, but I think that's a good thing. He's like a teacher you really hate but afterwards you realize he was great. I feel now I can work with any director, no problem." On co-star Colin Farrell: "I really liked him. I don't think anything that's written about him is true. Everyone on the set loved him. He didn't have to be nice to everyone, but he was." On reaction to their love scenes in the film: "I don't care what anyone thinks. I make my decisions for me and no one else." --> Read the article. July 15: Yesterday afternoon, Li attended a press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in L.A. to promote "Miami Vice". Director Michael Mann and co-stars Colin Farrell, Jamie Foxx and Naomie Harris were also on hand to meet with reporters. Columnist Jeffrey Wells was disappointed that the questions asked by the press were mostly "cotton ball". "The softballers asked questions about the '80s TV series, about why didn't Mann used the TV theme song, how did Foxx and Harris handle their sex scenes and how did Farrell and Gong Li handle their sex scenes? And then more questions about comparisons to the film and the '80s TV series, and how come the movie was so dark?" A couple of pics from the conference are posted on our forum. July 14: The "Miami Vice" international trailer: www.uip.nl/miamivice.html (thanks, "minorityfreak"). It includes content very different from the U.S. trailer, and lots of Li. Critic Emmanuel Levy grades the film B-plus, and writes (thanks, NewPath): "Miami Vice is a visceral cinematic experience of the highest kind... The most intriguing and conflicted character is Gong Li's. As written and played, Li is perfectly cast as the noirish piece's femme fatale, combining effortless sexuality with business-like toughness." July 13: "Moriarty" of AintItCool.com reviews "Miami Vice" - excerpt: "As good as Foxx and Harris are together, Farrell and Li are exquisite. I've always thought Gong Li was a stunning woman, but there's something really striking about the way she looks in HD, every freckle and imperfection visible. It makes her more real. When she cries during sex, seemingly from joy, it's a surprising character touch, and it seems like we're peeking in on something real. She's never been this good in a western film before, and she forces Farrell to raise his game in return. The love stories between these two couples form what spine there is for the film. Everything else just provides the forces that conspire to destroy what these couples are building with each other." July 12: "Miami Vice" updates -- One of the attendees at the press screening on Monday says, "I asked about the running time, and they told us that with credits it's 2:11." Talk show appearances, according to Interbridge.com - Colin Farrell is scheduled for: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on July 20, the Late Show with David Letterman on July 24, Live with Regis and Kelly on July 25. Jamie Foxx is scheduled to appear on Live with Regis and Kelly on July 26. Feature articles on the film are included in two movie magazines: July issue of Ciak (Italy) and August issue of Empire (England). Scans from Ciak, along with translation, are posted on our forum. July 11: Jeff Wells of Hollywood-Elsewhere.com saw the "Miami Vice" screening last night - excerpts from his review: "The highlight of the set-up, exposition, planning, and planting-the-seeds portion, which is something like 65 to 70 percent, is the romantic white-water ride taken by Farrell and Gong... The sex scenes (Farrell/Gong's in particular) have deep-down currents of feeling and longing that other directors wish for before they're about to shoot their own... Please, please see this film for Gong Li... This is one of the sexiest and most soulful performances by an actress in any medium in a very long time." David Poland, MovieCityNews.com editor, also reviews "Miami Vice" - excerpts: "The biggest joys were, first, Gong Li, in what is easily her best, most raw performance yet in English. Mann didn't just want a beautiful woman, but he wanted a performance that stripped her to her freckles. And he gets it. It starts a little chilly and accent distracting. But as the movie progresses, this turns into a really lovely and intimate piece of work from this actress... This, to me, is a much more interesting, challenging, better movie. I kind of expect it to split critics and audiences. But I also expect it to age really well over time. And that is the price that Michael Mann so often pays for being Michael Mann. Thank goodness he is willing to do it for all of us." July 10: Universal exec says "Miami Vice" is a "brilliant movie". Chairman Marc Shmuger told Lloyd Grove of the New York Daily News: "All of us agree this is a brilliant movie from the first frame to the last - a great Michael Mann movie. It's definitely opening on time, and we'll be screening the final version all next week. Michael Mann's process is exhausting, it is intense, and some people are not up to the challenge. Either they keep up with him or they fall by the wayside. It creates some raw feelings along the way." July 9: Thanks to stitchphil of Jay-Chou.net for translation of a recent article about "Curse of the Golden Flower"; excerpts: "Gong Li, currently taking advanced English lessons, plays the role of Chou's mother... There was a scene between the pair where both were so moved by the level of realism in their acting that they really shed tears in that shot. Gong Li feels that Chou has totally immersed himself into his role perfectly. Jay's mom also visited him on the set regularly throughout the filming process. Gong Li felt that Jay is very filial to his mom, a trend which is becoming increasingly rare in the younger generation today, and has an ever good impression of Jay. Both of them treasured the short period of time when they were working together on set and exchanged small tokens before parting ways." July 8: The BoxOfficeProphets.com July forecast is up, and David Mumpower expects "a Collateral-sized opening" for "Miami Vice". He writes, "In my opinion, Michael Mann is the best director in Hollywood today... I refuse to believe a director this talented would screw up a project that is this personal." July 7: The official "Miami Vice" site was re-launched this afternoon, and includes film clips, new production stills, desktop images. I posted on our forum new images and captures from clips featuring Li. www.miamivice.com "Curse of the Golden Flower" on U.S. screens December 21? According to a National Capital Times report carried by Sina.com today, producer Zhang Weiping says the latest Zhang Yimou-Gong Li collaboration will screen in Beijing at the end of September and "in global synchronization" on December 21 in order to qualify for Academy Award consideration. July 6: "Miami Vice" will open the Locarno International Film Festival on August 2 with a gala screening on the Piazza Grande. Artistic Director Frederic Maire said, "I am delighted to be able to open this edition of the festival with such a fast-moving, packed and spectacular film." The complete festival line-up will be announced on July 12. Source: Screen Daily "Curse of the Golden Flower" news - Four official production stills have been released today; they are posted on our forum. Co-star Liu Ye, who plays the oldest prince, spoke about working on the film: "There hasn't been much pressure because I just consider myself a young actor. It's not in the least bit strange that a young actor isn't as good as very accomplished ones like Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li. Zhang Yimou is like a father to me. He actually cares for every member of the production team." Producer Zhang Weiping said, "The Oscar applicants should not only represent the country's filming quality but also be promoted by leading U.S. distributors. We had sold the film copyright for North America to Sony Pictures and the film is expected to open worldwide in December." July 5: Principal photography of "Curse of the Golden Flower" has ended, according to reports in the Chinese media. From a report on Sohu.com: "The dramatic team has filmed the last major war drama [sequence] in Hebei province." From a BeijingNews.com report: "Producer Zhang Weiping disclosed that because Gong Li, Zhou Runfa (aka Chow Yun-Fat), Zhou Jielun, and so on, already left the group, the dramatic team only held a simple closing ceremony yesterday. Now, Zhang Yimou's complete energy will be concentrated on post-production... will also be completed in the U.S. and Australia." Post-production work should be complete by the end of September, so the film can be submitted for Academy Award Foreign Language Film consideration. July 4: "Curse of the Golden Flower" co-star Zhou Jielun (aka Jay Chow) spoke about his movie character and the plot during an interview. He said that the young prince's disposition is rebellious, but he remains loyal to the queen mother and is willing to do anything for her. Zhou remarked that Li is the "most beautiful Chinese woman" and he is very honored to play her son. He also stated that Zhang Yimou is patient and able to control his temperament, and commented on Chow Yun-Fat's great sense of humor. July 3: Thanks to NewPath for this update: "Per today's China press, Curse of the Golden Flower will be released simultaneously in the U.S. and in mainland China in December. This will be the first time for a Chinese film to be released simultaneously worldwide. It was reported that this was included in the contract with Sony. In addition, the film may attend this coming Oscars, which means they have to complete post-production and have a limited screening in September (Zhang Weiping indicated that this should not be a problem). Zhang Weiping said 80 percent of the editing is already done." July 2: "Miami Vice: Undercover" - From the NBC.com site: "Colin Farrell and Jamie Foxx host a three-hour Miami Vice event that takes you back in time with the original 2-hour Miami Vice [TV series] pilot - now in HD! - and up to the present with an original featurette on acclaimed director Michael Mann's new take on his own '80's classic. Don't miss a car chase, explosion, Don Johnson's infamous wardrobe, or a special sneak peek at this summer's hottest blockbuster... Miami Vice!" The special airs at 8pm on July 22. Thanks to "legobon" for the tip. July 1: Jose Lambiet, Palm Beach Post columnist, reported earlier this week that the East Coast premiere of "Miami Vice" will be held at the Lincoln Theatre in Miami Beach on July 25. He writes, "director Michael Mann and stars Jamie Foxx and Li Gong are announced" as attendees.
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