How Not to Get Buzzed

It’s about this time of the year when I don’t touch anything. I have my phone in my hands at all times, tapping it on door handles, taxis, my television, all in the hope that it will magically remove that static electrical charge that I hate so much.

Well apparently there are a few more practical things that you can do to avoid that annoying little buzz. We had a look around the web to find some of the best ideas for you to try:

• Because the air is so dry in the winter, running a humidifier in your home will eliminate some the pesky shocks
• Wear natural fibers. Synthetic fabrics are knows to generate more shocks, so make your kids wear cotton and wool clothing
• Moisturize! Dry hands make for more shocks, so be sure to have a tube with you during those cold winter mornings
• There’s a company in Hong Kong that sells a spray for clothing that “irons,” removes germs and prevents static buildup from clothing

If you’re like me, you’ll be stocking up on woolen clothing, humidifiers and moisturizer for those long winter days.

FreeRice.com

The poverty stricken regions of the world need food. Students studying for exams, be it SAT, IB or GCSE, need to boost their vocabulary skills. FreeRice.com is the very definition of a win-win situation.

Every time you visit FreeRice.com, you have the chance to play a word game. For every word that you correctly identify the synonym for, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) will distribute 10 grains of rice to impoverished regions around the world. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but already the site has donated 1,194,402,960 grains of rice. The site works by exposing you to advertising banners along the bottom of the screen while you play.

The best thing is that the program adjusts to your language ability, and selects from the thousands of words in the database that are best suited for your level. The longer you play, the more you learn.

Currently I’m hovering around 38 points, and have donated 1200 grains of rice – beat that!

Tuesday Film Roundup for Nov 6

by Simon Fowler and Paul Pennay

What got cut from Lust, Caution?
Lust, Caution opened at Beijing Cinemas last week and today (see screening times below) is your chance to catch the long-awaited Ang Lee film (yes – it has English subtitles) at half price. For those who are wondering just what got cut from the shorter 143 min version being screened at Beijing's cinemas (and no, it’s not just the sex scenes), Roland Soong over at ESWN has provided a partial translation of a recent article on the subject in the Southern Metropolis Daily.

New Cinema for CBD
Last Week the HK Cinema group UME announced that they’ve begun construction of a new five star cinema complex in the CBD area. Set to open in mid 2008, the Cinema will be the second UME complex in Beijing and, by the sounds of it, will be even more modern than the current complex located on North Third Ring Road by Renmin Daxue. At the press conference to announce the new project last Friday, UME revealed that the new cinema will be located in Fuli Guangchang (just south of Zhaolong Fandian on East Third Ring Road) and will host premieres for major films along with other movie-related events.

Holy Toxic Water Batman!
Christian Bale has been busy down in Hong Kong filming The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan’s sequel to the critically acclaimed Batman Begins. It seems that even his utility belt and patent leather costume were no match for the dastardly inhabitants of the sea between Hong Kong harbor and Kowloon.

The South China Morning Post quoted a member of the crew saying, “The plan was for Batman to be seen jumping into the water and then climbing up some bamboo, or something similar, on to a pier. But when they checked a water sample, they found all sorts of things, salmonella and tuberculosis, so it was canceled. Now the action will cut to inside a building,"

Is it just me, or did superheroes used to be made of sterner stuff?

Upcoming Films:

Nov 9
Live Free or Die Hard
Also known as Die Hard 4. A criminal plans to take down the computer system that supports the world economy. Only detective John McClane can foil the evil plan, assisted by a young hacker.

Nov 15
The Bourne Ultimatum
The third installment of the most profitable movie franchise of all time comes to China this week with the release of the Bourne Ultimatum. The high-octane spy movie sees Mat Damon playing Jason Bourne, the CIA spook in search of his true identity and those responsible for his apparent amnesia. Full of well choreographed action sequences and moments of gripping suspense, The Bourne Ultimatum is worth checking out.

Screening Times for English Language Films in Beijing – Tuesday Nov 6

(All times and prices have been taken from today’s Beijing News or this website – it would be a good idea to call and confirm details)

Haidian
UME International Cineplex

Lust, Caution
10:20 15:40 21:00
Digital Screening: 15:00 16:30 17:10 17:40 19:10 19:50 20:20 20:50 21:50 23:00 23:30

Ratatouille
15:05

Transformers (IMAX)
13:00 18:20
RMB 50

CBD
Wanda International Cinema

Lust, Caution
9:50 10:40 11:10 11:40 12:40 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:20
Digital Screening: 16:50 17:20 18:20 19:10 19:40 20:10 20:40 21:45 22:00 22:30

Ratatouille
18:20　

Art Gallery
Changhong Cinema

Lust, Caution
10:45 13:50 16:40 19:30 12:50 15:40 18:30 21:20
Digital Screening: 12:00 14:50 17:40 20:30 20:00

Ratatouille
13:05 17:05 21:00

Dongsishitiao
East Gate Cinema

Lust, Caution
10:00 11:00 11:40 12:20 13:40 14:20 15:00 15:40 16:20 17:00 17:40 18:20 19:00 19:40 20:20 21:00 21:40 22:20 23:00

Ratatouille
10:20

Wangfujing
Xindong'an Cinema

Lust, Caution
09:50 10:30 11:10 11:50 12:40 13:20 14:00 14:40 15:30 16:10 16:50 17:30 18:10 19:00 19:40 20:20 21:00

Ratatouille
16:50 18:50 20:50

Star City

Lust, Caution
9:50 10:30 11:10 11:50 12:40 13:20 14:00 14:50 15:30 16:10 16:50 17:40 18:25 19:00 19:45 20:30 21:15 21:50 22:30

Ratatouille
12:30 16:40

East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema

Lust, Caution
9:40 11:00 12:25 13:50 15:10 15:40 16:40 17:50 18:20 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:40 22:00

Ratatouille
11:20 13:30 15:40 17:50

Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex

Ratatouille
10:45 14:40 18:30

Lust, Caution
10:30 11:15 11:50 13:15 14:00 14:30 16:00 16:45 17:15 18:45 19:30 20:00 21:30 22:15 22:45
Digital Screening: 10:00 12:45 15:20 18:00 20:45 23:30
(Screenings also available with Korean subtitles – call for more info)

Xidan
Shoudu Shidai Cinema

Lust, Caution
10:00 11:00 12:40 13:40 15:20 16:20 18:00 19:00 20:40 21:40

Ratatouille
12:45 14:50 16:55

Links and Sources:
ESWN: Lust, Caution: The Mainland Version – scroll down to the bit below the tiger
CNN: 'Batman' no match for Hong Kong's pollution
Tom.com: 华星影城明年CBD将开分店吴思远出席签约仪式
UME Official Site

Tuesday's Film Roundup

by Simon Fowler and Paul Pennay

I have a recurring nightmare about being chased around Beijing by Megatron, leader of the Decepticons. He chases me around Nanluogu Xiang, forcing me to duck and weave my way through the hutongs. If only Optimus Prime would come and rescue me … Well, the imaginings that inhabit the dark recesses of my subconscious are soon to become a reality, as Obiwan will be screening a series of short Chinese transformer-style animated films in November as part of the Beijing Film Festival. Of course, the films have nothing to do with the Michael Bay-helmed blockbuster, but it’s still cool to see robots kicking the heck out of each other in a hutong.

The fighting robot film is just one of many films showing at the Beijing Film Festival. Showcasing new and independent talent from China and abroad, the festival will be held at some of the most versatile “cinemas” in Beijing including venues like D-22 and MAO Livehouse. Films already confirmed to be screened over the next couple of months include The Naked Life of Qin Yongjian, which depicts the life of a nude male model, a series of short zombie animations, and Lost in Wu Song, which is described as being similar to Terry Gilliam’s Lost in La Mancha. For more details and a schedule check out the organizer’s website as it’s updated.

It’s been a year of Chinese movies making waves at foreign film festivals, and the latest to garner attention is The Western Trunk Line (西干道 Xi Gan Dao), which won the Special Jury Prize at the 20th Tokyo International Film Festival on October 28. Li Jixian’s movie is set in a remote Chinese town at the end of 1970s and has taken the director over ten years to get it on to the big screen. Franco-Israeli film The Band's Visit (Bikur Ha-Tizmoret) took top honors at the festival, another trophy to add to the this film's growing collection – it won Un Certain Regard honors at Cannes earlier this year.

Finally, Lust Caution (Se, Jie 色, 戒), or at least a trimmed down version of it - though we're not sure if it will be "about nine" or 30 minutes shorter than the 2 hour 36 minute version that they're watching in other countries – will finally open at Beijing cinemas this Thursday. The film's release date has already been pushed back twice, but it looks like it's really going to happen this time. According to local media reports, some cinemas will be holding midnight screenings on Wednesday, Oct 31. It seems only fair that Shanghai host the star-studded Chinese premiere – Ang Lee, Tony Leung and Tang Wei will all be there – tomorrow night at 7pm, as the film is after all set down there.

The film has received a few bad reviews: the New York Times was less than positive: "a sleepy, musty period drama about wartime maneuvers and bedroom calisthenics," however, reader's comments on the review have defended the film's reputation. For a broader perspective you can check out some more reviews here.

A good quality trailer of Lust Caution is available at this site.

NetEase is offering free tickets to a 9.50am screening of the film on Thu Nov 1 at the Star City cinema. All you need to do is send an email about your understanding of the relationship between lust and caution to this address: 163xunbao@163.com. We guess that they're expecting responses in Chinese, but who knows, maybe a response in English will qualify as one of their best 20 answers. Don't forget to include your name and a contact number. Sina has also organized a similar competition but we had a bit of difficulty getting our heads around the rules - you can have a look for yourself here.

Screening Times for English Language Films in Beijing – Tuesday Oct 30

(All times and prices have been taken from today’s Beijing News or this website – it would be a good idea to call and confirm details)

Haidian
UME International Cineplex

Ratatouille
20:05 21:35　

Transformers (IMAX)
16:50 19:40 22:30
RMB 50

CBD
Wanda International Cinema

Ratatouille
15:00 17:20 18:50 19:40 21:10 22:00

The Sun Also Rises
21:30

Landao
Ziguang Cinema

Ratatouille
16:10 18:20 20:30
RMB 50

Art Gallery
Changhong Cinema

Ratatouille
16:10 18:30 20:30

Dongsishitiao
East Gate Cinema

Ratatouille
15:00 17:00 19:00 21:00

Wangfujing
Xindong'an Cinema

Ratatouille
16:50 18:50 20:50

Star City

Ratatouille
12:50 14:50 16:50 18:50 20:50

Links and Sources:
New York Times: Lust, Caution (2007)
npr: When 'Lust' Meets Caution, Is It Still Art?
Xinhua:Cutting of "Lust, Caution" renews calling for film rating system in China

11/13/2007 Tuesday's Film Roundup

Lost in Beijing finally turns up.

It's half-price movie day in Beijing and along with our regular handy roundup of what English language films are showing around town, we also offer some snippets of news about what's going on in the world of Chinese cinema.

Hungarian Film Festival
With a culture and history as rich as Hungary’s, it’s odd that most people would be hard pushed to identify any real classics of Hungarian cinema. Well fear not, as the Hungarian Embassy in Beijing will screen some of the best Hungarian films from recent years at Cherry Lane Movies from November 14-18.

Not to be missed is tomorrow's (Nov 14) screening of Mephisto. The film took the prize for best foreign language feature at the 1982 Oscars, and the screening will be preceded by the film’s director István Szabó addressing the audience. The story focuses on a left-wing actor in pre-war Germany, who allows himself to be supported, and then used, by the Nazis in return for fame. This Faustian tale is well worth a watch. Other films to be screened will be Paths of Light, Fresh Air, Just Sex and Nothing Else, Hukkle, Bedlam and The Miraculous Mandarin. See the Cherry Lane website for more information.

Sequel Hungry
It’s weeks like these that make me think this Onion article isn’t so far from the truth. This Thursday Bruce Willis' John McClane in his dirty wife-beater goes head to head with Matt Damon's more cerebral Jason Bourne in a battle of Hollywood sequels. The showdown of the yin and yang of American action heroes was brought about by the postponement of the release of the fourth installment of Die Hard (Live Free or Die Hard) which was originally scheduled to be released on Nov 6 and then later Nov 9 before finally being pushed back to this coming Thursday Nov 15. Chinese media have reported that officials in the Chinese Film Administration delayed release of Die Hard 4 in order to give Lust, Caution a chance to make some money at the box office.

Matt Damon plays amnesiac CIA operative Jason Bourne in search of answers about the training program that cost him his memory and gave him his high-level espionage skills. Julia Styles plays Bourne’s confident and ally within the agency, who tries to help him in his quest for truth. With the film franchise recently being dubbed the most profitable set of movies ever, it’s hard not to think of Bourne being as the American James Bond, but hopefully that wont mean another 18 films rehashing the same plot for the next 40 years. Expect fight scenes, explosions and tense drama in this intelligent action thriller. Take a look at a trailer here and if you're still interested, see below for details of showing times.

Lost In Beijing Gets a Release Date
[insert name of Chinese film] wins prize / critical acclaim at [insert name of prestigious European film festival] only to find that Chinese government [demand cuts to the original feature / delay release of movie].

It seems a week doesn’t pass without some form of the above story making its way into the news. This weeks contender is Lost in Beijing (aka Pingguo), which has finally been given the release date of November 30, nine months after it premiered on the festival circuit.

The film, like so many other Chinese features this past year, made waves at the Berlin film festival, but some reports suggested that Chinese censors, unhappy at the film’s subject matter, had demanded 15 edits to be made or they would block the publics showing of the film. The producers managed screen the film in Berlin, under the agreement that the changes would subsequently be made, but with nine months having passed it looked unlikely that the film would make it to screens in Beijing. What form the film will take when it arrives has yet to be seen. Reports that a 3-second shot of Tony Leung’s backside has been removed are, as of the moment, unconfirmed.

Those who can't wait until Nov 30 can catch the film at Cherry Lane on Nov 23 and 24.

Screening Times for English Language Films in Beijing – Tuesday Nov 6

(All times and prices have been taken from today’s Beijing News or this website – it would be a good idea to call and confirm details)

Haidian
UME International Cineplex
Lust, Caution
10:20 15:40 21:00
Digital Screening: 09:40 11:10 12:20 13:50 15:00 16:30 17:10 17:40 19:10 19:50 20:20 20:50 21:50 23:00 23:30

Transformers (IMAX)
13:00 18:20
RMB 50

CBD
Wanda International Cinema
Lust, Caution
9:50 10:40 11:10 11:40 12:40 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:30 16:20 16:50 17:20 18:20 19:10 19:40 20:10 20：40 21:45 22:00 22:30

Ratatouille
18:20

Art Gallery
Changhong Cinema
Lust, Caution
10:45 13:50 16:40 19:30 12:50 15:40 18:30 21:20
Digital Screening: 12:00 14:50 17:40 20:30 20:00

Ratatouille
13:05 17:05 21:00

Dongsishitiao
East Gate Cinema
Lust, Caution
10:00 11:00 11:40 12:20 13:40 14:20 15:00 15:40 16:20 17:00 17:40 18:20 19:00 19:40 20:20 21:00 21:40 22:20 23:00

Wangfujing
Xindong'an Cinema
Lust, Caution
09:50 10:30 11:10 11:50 12:40 13:20 14:00 14:40 15:30 16:10 16:50 17:30 18:10 19:00 19:40 20:20 21:00

Star City
Lust, Caution
9:50 10:30 11:10 11:50 12:40 13:20 14:00 14:50 15:30 16:10 16:50 17:40 18:25 19:00 19:45 20:30 21:15 21:50 22:30

Ratatouille
12:30 16:40

East Fourth Ring Road
Espace France Cinema
Lust, Caution
9:40 11:00 12:25 13:50 15:10 15:40 16:40 17:50 18:20 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:40 22:00

Ratatouille
11:20 13:30 15:40 17:50

Wangjing
Stellar International Cineplex

Lust, Caution
10:30 11:15 11:50 13:15 14:00 14:30 16:00 16:45 17:15 18:45 19:30 20:00 21:30 22:15 22:45
Digital Screening 10:00 12:45 15:20 18:00 20:45 23:30
(Screenings also available with Korean subtitles – call for more info)

Xidan
Shoudu Shidai Cinema
Lust, Caution
10:00 11:00 12:40 13:40 15:20 16:20 18:00 19:00 20:40 21:40

Ratatouille
12:45 14:50 16:55

Links and Sources:
that's Beijing: Cinefile: Lost to Lust
that's Beijing: No Labels, Please - Lost in Beijing director Li Yu breaks down the barriers
Sina.com: 英雄同日撞车 《谍影重重3》遭遇《虎胆龙威4》

Beijing London and never the twain shall meet

The pace of change in Beijing is often quite dizzying, but I was still surprised to see that the noodle restaurant I passed on the way to work had been converted into the Beijing London Pub Restaurant by the time I left for the day. It's not open yet, but fear not I will make my way inside as soon as it is to get my hands on some of that free Internat.

Kid Olympics

Attending marketing events for the magazine is part of my job, but seeing as the tbjkids Kid Olympics was taking place an hour outside of Beijing and following on the heels of a rather late night, it was a little bit tiring.

Above see Michael Wester (True Run Media's head honcho) timing a girl to see how many times she can dunk balls into her hat. I manned the skipping rope stand and was surprised to see how many of today's young people don't know how to do it.