This year's summer movie season, the first film released in the domestic film market was an anti-epidemic film "You Are My Spring".
If this movie had been released last year, it would probably have done well at the box office.
Even if it is not as good as "Chinese Doctor" and "Hug You Through the Cold Winter", it should not be a problem to get a box office of several hundred million.
Unfortunately, the epidemic has basically passed now, and people's mentality has calmed down. They have already been moved by previous movies, and they are a little uninterested in watching movies of this theme again.
So even with the participation of stars such as Zhou Dongyu, Huang Xiaoming, Song Jia, and Pan Binlong, "You Are My Spring" only got a final box office of 30 million, which can be said to be a terrible flop.
In the second week, the Hong Kong film "Detective Wars" was released, and its box office and popularity were relatively good, which slightly heated up the market.
The movie follows the route of traditional Hong Kong films, and the overall plot is well controlled, but the quality is actually not as good as the "Detective" from many years ago.
Liu Qingyun, who is over 50 years old, looks very old when playing the "detective", and Cai Zhuoyan has lost his youthfulness when playing the policeman.
Judging from the actors, Hong Kong films and even the Hong Kong film and television industry are really declining.
Although there have been occasional excellent works in the past two years, the movies always feature the same familiar faces.
Twenty years ago, the audience watched them, and twenty years later, they are still the same people.
After "The Great Detective", two science fiction comedy films "Mozart from Outer Space" and "Alone on the Moon" were released.
These two films are of similar genres, but their reputation and box office are worlds apart.
After the release of "Mozart from Outer Space", its reputation quickly collapsed and the box office also plummeted.
The film "The Lone Moon", in which Chen Teng and Ma Li co-starred again, triggered a viewing craze with its endless gags and jokes, and completely ignited the movie market in this summer season.
".Do you think that "Mozart from Outer Space" is really as bad as netizens say?"
In a private room of a Japanese restaurant in Beijing, Gu Wei and Liu Yifei were eating while chatting about several recently released movies.
[Go to a Windy Place] This was the first time the two of them had dinner together since returning from filming, mainly because Gu Wei was too busy and couldn't spare the time.
“That’s about right.
Although "Mozart" brings together comedy stars such as Fan Wei and Huang Bo, as well as comedy movie regulars such as Yu Yang, Xu Juncong, Jia Bing, and Wang Ning, there are not many funny moments overall, and it is rather awkward.
This movie is somewhat similar to another movie I saw many years ago."
Liu Yifei raised her head slightly: "Which one?"
"Zhou Xingchi's [CJ7].
As both are science fiction comedies, the plots have many similarities, but Chen Sicheng is far inferior to Stephen Chow in storytelling.
The storyline of CJ7 is simple but sharp and well-told, while the plot of Mozart from Outer Space is rich but poorly told and seems a bit exaggerated.
"Oh, I was planning to go see this movie in the next couple of days."
Gu Wei waved his hand: "Don't watch it, it's a bad movie.
If you’re really curious, you can just watch it at home after the platform goes online in a few days.”
"What about [Lone Moon]?
This movie is incredibly popular right now, with box office revenue exceeding 900 million yuan in the first three days!"
Gu Wei picked up a piece of salmon and put it in his mouth: "[Lone Moon] is not bad.
Chen Teng's comedy films have a very high standard.
At least there can be enough gags and jokes.
Of course, the premise is that he is the lead actor, guest appearances don’t count.”
Liu Yifei nodded and said, "Let's go watch Lone Moon after dinner, shall we?"
Gu Wei thought about it for a moment and said, "Alright, wait for me to make a call and arrange it~"
As he said that, he put down his chopsticks, picked up his phone and made a call.
After a while, he hung up. Liu Yifei beside him asked curiously, "So, which cinema are we going to after dinner?"
Gu Wei smiled and said, "Let's not go to the cinema. I asked someone to get a copy. We can go back to my place and watch it in my private cinema later."
"Rich people like you really never follow the rules!"
"Haha, Xixi, aren't you also a little rich woman~"
"My money is far less than yours."
The two chatted for a while, and Gu Wei asked Liu Yifei about her work arrangements for the second half of the year.
"I don't schedule my time as full as you do.
My idea is that filming one drama a year is enough. In addition to some necessary activities, I can spend the rest of my time traveling, or reading books and watching dramas at home."
Gu Wei nodded: "This is life like yours.
After I finish the projects I’m working on in the next two years, I’ll take a good rest.”
"You are at the peak of your career right now. How could you have such thoughts?"
Liu Yifei has become accustomed to Gu Wei's busyness and understands it very well.
The other party's popularity and status have reached the top level in the domestic entertainment industry, and it is unprecedented. Even if he doesn't think about looking for projects, countless invitations will come to him.
So it is not easy to relax.
"Please, I just want to take a break, I'm not going to quit, what's so surprising about that?
I've been busy for ten years since I entered the industry with the filming of "Blade of the Assassin" in 2012. It's time to take some time off."
"You're right~"
July has passed quickly, and "The Lone Moon" is currently leading the summer movie market.
The total box office exceeded 1.5 billion yuan in two weeks after its release, and the screening rate was as high as 52%.
Following it were "The Great Detective" with a box office of 700 million and "Mozart from Outer Space" with a box office of 200 million.
However, the potential of both has been exhausted, while [Lone Moon] still has a lot of room for improvement.
On August 3, the premiere of "John Wick 4" was held in Beijing.
On that day, the film's director and another leading actor Keanu Reeves also appeared in Beijing. Many celebrities in the circle came to support the premiere ceremony. The star-studded event was as dazzling as some large-scale evening parties in the domestic entertainment industry.
"Wang Baoqiang is here. He hasn't been seen much lately. I wonder what he's been busy with?"
"I heard he's making a movie, he's directing and acting in it himself."
"He's going to direct again. Could it be 'A Chinese Odyssey Part Two'?"
"Who knows? Anyway, I won't watch any movies directed by him. Baoqiang is a good actor but not a good director."
On the red carpet outside the premiere venue, familiar stars walked one after another, the media cameras on the side kept flashing, and the onlookers screamed from time to time.
"Deng Chao brought Sun Li with him. He and Gu Wei really have a good relationship!"
"Huang Xiaoming is here. The person next to him is Li Bingbing, right? Why are these two here together?"
“We have been good friends for a long time.
It’s normal to come together.”
"That's a Guo Fan, right? I heard that The Wandering Earth 2 has already finished filming. I wonder when it will be released?"
“I heard that Gu Wei will not be in the second part and Wu Jing will be the lead actor. It’s a pity.
I still want to see the story of Liu Qi and Han Duoduo when they grow up!"
"Look, it's Yang Mi, I didn't expect she's here too!"
"That's normal. Da Mimi and Gu Wei have always had a good relationship and have collaborated on many films and TV series.
[Eternal Love] is my favorite!
"There are also Xiao Yang, Zhang Tianai, Guli Nazha, and Li Xian. They all seem to be artists under Gu Wei."
Just as the onlookers were counting the stars attending the premiere on their fingers, cheers suddenly came from the crowd.
"Look, Liu Yifei, Liu Yifei, I love you!"
"Liu Yifei is so beautiful!"
“Wife!!”
As soon as Liu Yifei, who was wearing casual clothes, arrived at the place, the fans around her screamed.
The main reason why she is so popular is not only because of her fame, but also because of the hit drama "Dream of Red Mansions" which aired in the past two months.
Even though the TV series has been aired for almost a month and many other popular dramas have been released during this period, the popularity of "Dream of Red Mansions" remains unabated.
It can be said that this TV series reversed Liu Yifei's popularity, which had been declining after filming the movie, and returned to its peak.
Inside the venue, Yang Mi, who arrived earlier and was chatting with Reba, also heard the shouting outside.
"I didn't expect her to come. She rarely attends such occasions."
Of course Reba knew who Sister Mi was talking about.
"Brother Wei and Liu Yifei just finished working together on a TV series. If she has nothing else to do, it's normal for her to come to the premiere to show her support."
Yang Mi nodded: "I know this~
By the way, I haven’t congratulated you yet.
Your character in John Wick 4 should be considered the heroine.
Now that the movie is released, you'll be an international superstar!"
Reba smiled bitterly after hearing what Yang Mi said: "Sister Mi praises me to death.
The role I played was indeed the female character with the most screen time in the movie, but this movie is a purely male drama.
The real protagonists are only Keanu Reeves and David Wai, everyone else is a supporting role.
My so-called heroine is just a cameo role, with only a few scenes and even fewer appearances than the villain."
Yang Mi patted her arm and said, "No matter how big the role is, being able to participate in this kind of project is already a success for you.
If John Wick 4 becomes a global hit, it will be a huge boost to your fame."
Yang Mi now has complicated feelings towards Reba.
She originally wanted to promote Reba. After all, she was the boss. The more famous her artists were, the more money they could make and the more benefits she would get.
However, with the rise of Reba's fame in recent years, the other party is now no less popular than her boss in terms of traffic.
If "John Wick" becomes a hit, Reba's fame may even surpass hers.
The change in their identities and fame also caused some subtle changes in her attitude towards Reba.
However, Yang Mi is a more thoughtful person. Even though she is not as open with Reba as she was at the beginning, there is absolutely no change in her appearance.
"Mijie is exaggerating. I just want to film well and don't think too much about it."
“Whether you like it or not, this is a good thing.
This movie plus "The Wandering Earth 2" in which you participated, these two movies will not only increase your popularity but also help you open the door to the film industry.
The future is limitless!"
Faced with these compliments from her best friend, Reba didn't know how to respond and could only keep smiling.
There are many stars attending the premiere today, most of them are Gu Wei’s friends.
After greeting Deng Chao, Bao Qiang and others, he started chatting with Guo Fan.
"I sent you an invitation, but I didn't expect you to actually come.
Is the post-production of [The Wandering Earth 2] finished?
“No, but soon.
The post-production editing is basically completed, but some special effects and rendering are not yet finished.
I don't have to oversee these tasks from morning to night like I did at the beginning, so I can take a break.
It just so happens that your new movie is coming out, so I came over to join in the fun."
After hearing what Guo Fan said, Gu Wei smiled and patted his shoulder: "Since you are not busy, let's have a drink together tonight.
I called Wen Muye, Rao Xiaozhi, Lu Yang and others to come together.
Let's get together. Director Rao has been complaining to me a lot over the past six months. You throw a project to him and he disappears, like a boss who just walks away without a care in the world!
“Haha, no problem.
I have time today.
That's because I believe in Director Rao's ability. He shot "A Thousand Miles Home" very well.
I believe that the National Day release will definitely achieve good results!"
Gu Wei smiled and said, "Talk to Rao Xiaozhi about this at dinner tonight."
All the guests arrived and the premiere ceremony began soon.
There were no surprises in the process, just simple interview interactions and movie screenings.
Whenever Gu Wei appears in a movie, he is always the focus of media attention.
Even though "John Wick 4" is a Hollywood blockbuster, reporters would only ask him questions like why he took on the role and how it felt to work with a Hollywood team for the first time.
Director Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves feel like two mascots.
"I reiterate that John Wick 4 is, to be exact, a Sino-US co-production, and I have no plans to develop in Hollywood.
This collaboration with the Lionsgate team is indeed a new attempt, but I believe the result will be good.
Because John Wick 4 is a good movie that is worth going to the cinema for!"
The interview and interactive session ended and the movie officially began to be screened.
John Wick 4: Chapter 4 is two hours and 50 minutes long, which is much longer than the average movie, but it will never make the audience feel bored or unbearable, because more than half of the movie is spent on wars, and the various fighting scenes are very smooth and exciting.
In the field of action movies, "John Wick 4" is definitely one of the top ones.
The action scenes in the movie can be roughly divided into three major battles.
The first is the battle of the Osaka Hotel, which is also the first time Gu Wei and Keanu Reeves meet and fight.
The two have different fighting styles, Keanu Reeves is more direct, while Gu Wei's movements are swift and graceful.
The first battle ended with the victory of Gu Wei's character, and Keanu Reeves escaped with injuries.
The second was the Battle of Berlin.
This time, the two of them had a common opponent at this stage. They resolved some conflicts while fighting side by side and decided to join hands to deal with the big boss.
The third Battle of Paris was also the final battle.
With the help of Gu Wei, Keanu Reeves fought from darkness to dawn and finally defeated the cunning and evil Marquis de Gramont.
The villain died and the good camp won, and the movie came to an end. In the last shot, Gu Wei bought flowers and went to watch his sister's violin street talent show. When he was about to approach his sister, he met the daughter of Hiroyuki Sanada, who was accidentally killed by him, who came to seek revenge. She was the Japanese female assassin played by Reba.
Finally, there was a frontal shot of Reba, and then the screen went black. (End of this chapter)
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