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NEWS ITEMS July 2007
July 29: "Fan from PR" created a wonderful video of Gong Li film clips and pics set to the song "Bette Davis Eyes". ->Watch July 28: "Curse of the Golden Flower" was released in India this week. Excerpts from reviews published online: "The pacing of events is finely handled. Gong Li transforms herself into a living canvas for the many splashes of gray emotions to wash over her." (Gautam Kagalwala, India Times) "Chow Yun Fat shines as the cold, ruthless ruler playing ugly domestic politics with his wife. Gong Li is equally lethal as a royal on the verge of losing her mind. And they both look gorgeous in all those sheets of ornate brocade." (Sukanya Verma, Rediff.com) "With this new film, Zhang Yimou seems to have outdone himself. It's a visual spectacle like you've probably never seen before. As far as action and photography goes, it's an unprecedented achievement. So, in one sentence - go watch it!" (Rajeev Masand, MoneyControl.com) July 26: "The 50 Most Beautiful People" in China 2007 list has been announced today. The list was revealed in a special issue of a newspaper and includes celebrities from arts, fashion and sports. The publisher, photographers, writers and various consultants all determined the final selection. The Top Ten are: Huang Xiaoming, Yu Nan, Gong Li, Zhou Runfa [aka Chow Yun-Fat], Tian Ma, Zhou Jielun [aka Jay Chou], Fan Bingbing, Zhang Manyu [aka Maggie Cheung], Zhang Ziyi, Xie Tingfeng. Thanks to "red surprising" for the link to scans by "Love Jiujiang" of the Cosmo China cover story on Gong Li (best on IE). ->GO July 25: Two photos have been published today on china.com.cn that were taken on May 25 when Gong Li attended the Martell Artists of the Year awards ceremony in Beijing:
One of the only mentions in the Western media of Gong Li's attachment to "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" is found today on actressarchives.com: "According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jim Carrey will start shooting 'Yes Man' in October… [He] is also in pre-production on the long-delayed Ripley's Believe It or Not! with Gong Li." July 24: There is a brief mention of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not!" in Variety today. Michael Fleming reports that Jim Carrey has signed on to a film scheduled to begin production in October, and notes that he also wants to make another film prior to the SAG contract expiration next June. Fleming writes: "'Ripley's Believe It Or Not!'… which still has Tim Burton attached to direct, seems too logistically complex to fit that time schedule and will likely be postponed until the labor union troubles are resolved."
July 10: During the sina.com video report posted online yesterday about last Friday's event, Gong Li can be heard saying that she will begin her new film project in the next month or two. A voice-over recap indicates that she was asked if she will film "Ripley's Believe It Or Not", and she reportedly said that she hasn't decided yet. (Thanks, NewPath) There is another video report (3:07) on sina.com today. -> Watch July 9: Sohu.com has a short (43 sec.) video report on the Friday night event in Hong Kong. -> Watch (best on IE) Sina.com also has a video report (1:21). -> Watch Oh, those pesky paparazzi. Gong Li was photographed this weekend shopping with her manager at Pacific Place in Hong Kong. -> Pics July 8: Several Hong Kong newspapers include reports today on the event Gong Li attended on Friday. They include recaps of her answer to a question about future projects. Reporters claim she said that she will film a Hollywood movie later this year, she is studying the script, and the male lead will be announced later. July 7: CriOnline has a nice two minute video report on Gong Li's appearance last night in Hong Kong. -> Watch (IE required)
An MTV Movies Blogger writes about the rumors of director Michel Gondry being in talks to take on "Ripley's Believe It Or Not": "Reached for comment, Gondry's publicist assured MTV News that the rumors are, to put it bluntly, 'untrue'." Michael Fleming wrote in Variety: "A Carrey priority is 'Ripley's Believe it Or Not!', and Paramount, armed with a Steve Oedekerk rewrite, is trying to find a schedule that will allow Tim Burton to direct, even as he completes post-production on 'Sweeney Todd'." July 5: Brendon of filmick.co.uk includes on his site a mention of the recent rumor that Michel Gondry may be taking the helm of "Ripley's Believe It Or Not": "I was expecting Tom Shadyac to take the reins of the Ripley film after Tim Burton left the project but I'm told today that, actually, Michel Gondry is in talks to direct the film. My source has been 100% accurate on all things Gondry in the past, so I believe it." For folks in the Seattle area: The new 35mm print of the Zhang Yimou/Gong Li masterpiece "Raise The Red Lantern" will be screened at the Northwest Film Forum July 6-12. -> More info/tickets July 4: A Hong Kong newspaper reports that Gong Li will make an appearance on Friday at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong on behalf of a real estate developer. July 2: Gong Li was spotted this past Saturday shopping at the IFC mall in Hong Kong. A reporter noted, "Gong Li looked stunned to see reporters, but still had a friendly attitude."
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