City Chinatown Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Fifth Season owner CJ ENM has a new scripted chief in the U.S.

Valerie Wu editor Elsie Choi, a film and TV development veteran who has worked for such producers as Dan Lin and Bruce Willis, has joined Los Angeles-based CJ ENM America as executive VP and head of scripted TV. CJ ENM is a South Korean entertainment company that has produced content such as Oscar-winning film “Parasite” and popular Korean fantasy drama series “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.” Among the company’s recent productions are the romantic drama “Past Lives” with A24. It’s also the company behind the annual KCON Korean pop culture conference and concerts held in downtown Los Angeles in August.

King of the Yees (★★★☆☆), making its D.C. premiere with Jennifer Chang’s lively production at Signature.By, about, and chock full of Yees, real and fictional, and set partly inside a Chinatown social club dedicated to bringing Yees together, King of the Yees digs deep at one family’s roots to harvest a universal tale of daughter-father love and admiration.

Travel blog by Travels of Adam (Hipster Blog) – Travels of Adam (Hipster Blog) - Travel & Lifestyle Hipster Blog Toronto was one of those cities that amazed me from the very beginning. I wasn’t expecting such a dramatic skyline when I arrived, but the CN Tower stood out like a beacon. From my very first foray into Toronto nightlife during the annual film festival, I was surprised to find the city full of energy.

A well-known Manchester engraver is celebrating 45 years in the industry - and it just happens to coincide with a move to brand new premises too.

Katy Perry has broken her silence on social media for the first time since allegations emerged accusing her ex-husband Russell Brand of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse.The Hollywood actor has vehemently denied all allegations, which were made by four women and broke in the news following the release of The Times investigation and Channel 4's Dispatches documentary Russell Brand: In Plain Sight on Sunday, 17 September. Russell, 48, who told fans he couldn't speak about the allegations at his live comedy show, also said in a video statement on his Instagram page that all sexual relationships he has had have always been completely "consensual".

Gregg Goldstein Oscar- and Emmy-winning actress Patricia Arquette was cast in her latest, most challenging role by an unlikely group: her colleagues. “For many years, the crews I worked with were always saying, ‘You should direct,’” Arquette says of helming her first feature, the Toronto world premiere “Gonzo Girl.” “Or actors in a scene would say, ‘Was that good? Should I ask for another take? Do you think there’s anything I should try?’ You get to a point where you’ve learned a lot about the nuts and bolts of how filmmaking works, and a lot of directors just aren’t as familiar with the process of acting as an actor is.” The star, who’ll be feted with TIFF’s Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award on Sept.

Sam Smith is a big fan of Vancouver — and Canada in general.

Jack Antonoff has announced an extensive new partnership with Dirty Hit, as well as a new venture with its founder and The 1975 manager, Jamie Oborne.The news of the new collaboration and partnership was shared by Variety earlier today (August 21), which also announced Antonoff’s new agreement with Universal Music Publishing Group.According to the outlet, the multifaceted deal will see the Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer and his band Bleachers, now managed by Oborne, signed to the latter’s independent label Dirty Hit. The label is also home to The 1975, Rina Sawayama, Wolf Alice, Beabadoobee and moreFollowing the new partnership, Bleachers have announced that they will be sharing a new live album later this week – which will be their first release on Dirty Hit.Titled “Live At Radio City Music Hall,” the LP will be available this Friday (August 25) and can be pre-ordered here.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer Jack Antonoff has announced an extensive new partnership with Dirty Hit Records founder Jamie Oborne, alongside a new exclusive agreement with leading global publisher Universal Music Publishing Group. The multifaceted deal will see Antonoff (pictured above, top) and his band Bleachers being managed by Oborne, with Antonoff and Oborne also launching a new joint venture; in addition, Antonoff’s band Bleachers have signed with Dirty Hit, Oborne’s independent label, which is also home to the 1975, Rina Sawayama, Wolf Alice, Beabadoobee and others.

Addie Morfoot Contributor Ten documentary projects from eight countries have been selected as grantees of Project: Hatched, a Chicken & Egg Pictures program designed to support directors as they develop and launch strategic impact campaigns. Many of the selected projects had prestigious premieres at film festivals, including Sundance and IDFA.

Dalian Wanda Group is selling a 49% stake in its investment arm to local film and TV producer China Ruyi Holdings in an on-going effort to reduce debt. 

Nick Clement Every year, the Just for Laughs Montréal Festival hosts an awards show that honors some of the most prominent names in comedy. This year’s awards show will be held on July 28 at the festival. Quinta Brunson Comedy Person of the Year The Philadelphia native, who got her start making Instagram memes, was selected for the Just for Laughs New Faces: Creators Award in 2017. Six years later, Brunson is an Emmy award-winning actor, producer, writer and creator, thanks to ABC’s “Abbott Elementary.” Last year, Brunson became the first Black woman to receive three Emmy nominations, going on to win a writing trophy for her work. The show’s second season was just nominated for eight more Emmy statuettes; Brunson was recognized for her performance on the series and as host on “Saturday Night Live.” 

On-location television production in Los Angeles declined 36.4% year over year during the second quarter of 2023 as the Writers Guild of America put pencils down and went on strike after contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers fell apart. Television production had an aggregate total of 2,630 shoot days, according to FilmLA, a partner film office for the city and county and other local jurisdictions.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief China’s box office weekend was marked more by the tussle for top spot between “Never Say Never” and “Chang An” than the entry of “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.” The Tom Cruise-starring U.S. blockbuster was the highest new release title, but landed in third place with an opening score of $25.9 million. The weekend’s top-ranked film was “Never Say Never,” a holdover title that scored $46.1 million. Lightchaser Animation-produced “Chang An San Wan Li” (aka “Chang An 30,000 Miles”) earned a shade less, at $43.9 million, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. After 11 days of official release (plus substantial previews), “Never Say Never,” written and directed by actor Wang Baoqiang (“Lost in Thailand,” “Detective Chinatown”) has already become one of the biggest hits of the year. Its cumulative stands at $212 million. “Chang An” has accumulated $96.1 million in nine days.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Specialty distributor, Trinity CineAsia is releasing China’s summer blockbuster “Lost in the Stars” in the U.K and Ireland on some 30 screens from Friday. “I was fortunate to watch the film when it opened in China and once I saw it I just knew we had to have it,” said Cedric Behrel “‘Lost In The Stars’ is a very clever, uncanny thrill of a ride that harks back to classic Hitchcock and any noteworthy thriller since – the master himself had in fact once optioned the rights to the same story. We organized the fastest turnaround premiere known to man and we’ve been delighted by the reactions to the early previews. It epitomizes the best of what new Chinese cinema can bring to audiences.”

Sophia Sun Intern Actor, director and screenwriter Chen Sicheng is one of the giants of contemporary Chinese cinema. His three “Detective Chinatown” films have earned more than $1.2 billion of box office revenue, and Chen is the producing force behind another major franchise, “Sheep Without a Shepherd,” adapted from the Indian “Drishyam” films. “Lost in the Stars,” Chen’s latest effort, this time as producer and screenwriter, is another megahit. Co-directed by Cui Rui and Liu Xiang, “Lost in the Stars” has grossed $430 million (RMB3.08 billion) in China – enough to make it the seventh-biggest film worldwide this year and the 14th biggest film of all time in China – all in the span of just 17 days.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Local titles dominated at the mainland Chinese cinema box office over the latest weekend. “Never Say Never” overtook the previous sensation “Lost in the Stars” to lead another strong summer session. “Never Say Never” (aka “Octagonal”) released officially on Thursday, ahead of China’s more normal Friday system. It earned $55.3 million (RMB384 million) between Friday and Sunday, according to verified data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. To that can be added some $9.6 million from Thursday and over $60 million previews and the film finished Sunday with a cumulative of $121 million. Co-written and directed by actor Wang Baoqiang (“Lost in Thailand,” “Detective Chinatown”), the film tells a tale of a man who tries to teach orphans about martial arts. But he is publicly shamed after his efforts are misinterpreted.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Chinese mystery drama “Lost in the Stars” expanded in its second week on release and gave China its third biggest box office weekend of the year. The film earned $117 million, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was significantly up from its opening weekend of $70.7 million (RMB502 million) a week earlier and enough to make it the second biggest film on the planet, behind “Indiana Jones,” according to Comscore. After two weekends on release, it has accumulated $320 million. “Lost in the Stars” is a Chinese adaptation of a 1990 Russian movie “A Trap for the Lonely Man,” which itself was adapted from a Robert Thomas stage play. It sees a woman disappear while on an overseas trip with her husband. Just as mysteriously, she reappears at the moment that the search for her is running out of steam. But the man refuses to accept that she is the same woman and believes that she is an imposter.

Kristoffer Polaha took the stage at Oaks Christian School earlier this month not just as a proud dad to son Caleb, but also as the school’s keynote speaker.

Jonathan Majors is filing a domestic violence complaint.

The Truman Show has revealed how the story would continue if it had a  television series sequel.In the original 1998 film, actor Jim Carey played Truman Burbank, a man who eventually realises he was raised on a television set populated with actors. Carrey won his first Golden Globe for his performance for the movie.Speaking to Screen Rant as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the show, writer Andrew Niccol opened up about his pitch for a continuation of the story into television form.“There has been talk of doing a musical – believe it or not – or a series,” he explained.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Chinese mystery drama “Lost in the Stars” was the top-grossing film on the planet over the latest weekend – despite playing only a single territory. The film earned $70.7 million (RMB502 million) between Friday and Sunday in mainland China, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That put it far and away ahead of other Chinese new releases and Hollywood’s holdovers “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” and “The Flash.” With the Dragon Boat Festival holiday occurring on Thursday, the film was given an unusual one-day advance on the normal releasing pattern in China. Including Thursday takings, the film made a total of $98.3 million (RMB968 million).

Jazz Tangcay Artisans Editor Composer Sherri Chung admits she was late to the “Gremlins” party — only because she was too young and found it too scary. But when she grew older and was reintroduced to the movie, she thought “it was the greatest thing ever.” The 1984 film, as well as Jerry Goldsmith’s score, became a key inspiration for her. So when she got the opportunity to score Max’s new animated series “Gremlins: Secret of the Mogwai,” directed by Tze Chun, she decided to “lean into the scary and the fear, but also the emotion” with her music. The series is an origin story that gives a partial explanation as to how Gizmo ends up in a Chinatown antique store at the beginning of 1984’s “Gremlins.” To add a Chinese element to the score, Chung used bamboo flutes, but the meat of the score came from the erhu, a two-stringed bowed musical instrument sometimes referred to as the “Chinese violin.”

The FBI tried to… pic.twitter.com/1EOPB7DMyt“I said mom, all you ever do is read the New York Times,” Watters said. “Imagine reading the newspaper every day, and not knowing what the news is. … She didn’t know Biden had documents scattered all over Chinatown, or in the garage with the Corvette with the door open.

Pride Bar Crawl DC (www.crawlwith.us/washingtondc/pride), a 6th annual self-guided bar-hop to five centrally located, primarily non-LGBTQ venues, organized by Crawl With Us, which pledges that 20 percent of this year’s event proceeds will go to the Capital Pride Alliance.From 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, bar crawlers will enjoy exclusive drink specials, plus one or two complimentary drinks, and select food specials as they go, at their own pace and in whatever order they choose among participating venues including Chinatown’s Howl at the Moon and Tom’s Watch Bar-Capital One, Dupont Circle’s Ghost Dupont Diner and Phantom Lounge, plus a fifth venue TBA.

“AI ain’t gonna write Succession, or Chinatown or The Godfather,” says Jeremy Strong of what’s at stake with the writers’ strike. “It’s just not going to,” the actor who brought Jesse Armstrong’s words for Kendall Roy to life bluntly adds.

More than six million people across the country are set to get a one-off payment worth £150 from June.

Anthony Chen’s well-regarded Mainland China-set “The Breaking Ice” has found favor with multiple European and Asian buyers in the few days since its Sunday premiere as part of the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard. The film narrates a love triangle story among China’s lost youth generation and is set in the middle of winter in Yanji, a town that is heavily populated by ethnic Koreans. It is headlined by a star-studded Chinese cast of Zhou Dongyu (“Better Days”), Liu Haoran (“Detective Chinatown” franchise) and Qu Chuxiao (“The Wandering Earth”). “The Breaking Ice” has been newly licensed to Challan for release in South Korea, Trigon-Film for Switzerland, One From the Heart for Greece, Tucker Film for Italy and Edko Films for Hong Kong.Rights sales are handled by Rediance, Mainland China’s leading indie sales company, which reports that addition territory deals are currently being negotiated.

Police have closed Whitehall after a car crashed into the gates of Downing Street. Police have arrested a man following the collision at 4.20pm this afternoon (May 25).

China’s film market is recovering, now the country’s cinemas and borders are open, and more films are being released, but producers and investors are playing it safe with a limited range of movies, said speakers at Bridging The Dragon’s annual Cannes Marche panel. 

Final Jeopardy!” segment, Holzhauer was in the lead and the clue read: “Opened in 1909 & less famous than an older neighbor, it connects Brooklyn & Chinatown.”Once the first two contestants scribed their responses, Jennings stated that Holzhauer had already begun to write down his answer while the former was still reading the hint.“What bridge did he think of?” Jennings wondered.Holzhauer didn’t write down his reply to the question, however, he did pen the statement: “Stop ducking a rematch, Ken.”The trivia show emcee couldn’t help but burst into laughter and shot back: “You know how much work I had to go to to get all the way over here at this lectern and avoid having to play you again, James?”Holzhauer then referenced the “ducking” bit of his remark, noting: “This is autocorrected, by the way.”Holzhauer and the Washington native are both big champs of the long-running game show, having gone head-to-head in the ABC series’ “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time” tournament back in January 2020. Jennings had emerged victorious by winning three games, with Holzhauer scoring one match.

Holly Jones “Chinas,” the third feature from Spanish writer-director Arantxa Echevarria, who won the Goya for best new director in 2018 for her Debut, “Carmen & Lola,” has been acquired for international sales by Latido Films (“Cinco Lobitos”). Filmed in Madrid’s Chinatown, the narrative follows two disparate families with ties to China, navigating the weighty segregation of a city that for better or worse, they call home. “These neighborhoods allow immigrants to weave networks of solidarity and community. They cling to them as part of their own identity away from home, but they also become spaces that distance them from the true reality of where they live” Echevarria told Variety. 

EXCLUSIVE: The HBO Max original series Warrior will premiere its third season with two new episodes on Thursday, June 29. Deadline has your exclusive first look at the teaser trailer above.

New Music Friday! The weekend is here, which means more streaming, new playlists and the best that music has to offer. ET has you covered for everything in between.Ed Sheeran leads this week's releases with his new single, «Boat,» the second single from his upcoming album, (his first, «Eyes Closed,» came out last month).

It was the 50 seconds of 'intense violence' that saw a bloody gang feud between rival factions of 'Triads' explode on the streets of Manchester's Chinatown. When the dust had settled six men were seriously injured, with two left fighting for their lives in intensive care.