Rockets beat Wizards 100-93 for 5th straight win

12-29-2010 09:48 BJT

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We start with NBA, in a supposed Chinese derby without a Chinese athlete taking to court. The Rockets won their fifth straight game, beating the Wizards in Houston.

The game began with attentions temporarily moving away from both Chinese international Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian who are still on their way to recovery. Kevin Martin's lay up in the 1st leveled it at 11-all.

The tie was 45-45 before Kirk Hinrich nailed this jumper late in the second for Washington.

Martin then netted a three at the halftime bumper but it wasn't counted. He would score 20 for the Rockets.

Rockets beat Wizards 100-93 for 5th straight win

Mid in the third, Chuck Hayes drove to the basket before an easy and witted pass to Luis Scola for two. Scola took 14 points overall. The Rockets trailed 5 into the 4th and Nick Young's three early in the 4th put the Wizards ahead by ten. But the Rockets carried out a 15-4 run right after. Aaron Brooks found his form by all means - assisting to an air connection... breaking through in front of four men... and shooting for three. Houston finally sealed it 100-93.

Year-end market for dramas heating up

12-29-2010 08:55 BJT

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With the new year just around the corner, the year-end market for dramas is heating up with a wide selection of shows. Comedies, experimental dramas, and a lot more are joining the seasonal frenzy, all vying for their fair share of the market...

Tired of your routine existence and looking for something for fun? Then watching the latest installment of the "Happy Fried Dough Twist" series at Beijing Haidian Theater might be a good choice. The new sequel continues the screwball style of its predecessors. This time around our protagonist in the show is coincidentally involved in a series of unexpected events after inheriting a large amount of money.

Another drama of the same hilarious style, "My Wife Loves Me", attempts to discuss the perplexities of marriage.

Watching the latest installment of the "Happy Fried Dough Twist" series at Beijing Haidian Theater might be a good choice.(File photo)

Meanwhile, established director Lin Zhaohua is presenting his latest drama production "Five Acts of Life" at the National Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Beijing. The show is inspired by five well known short stories of late Chinese writer Lao She, and reflects the social changes of old Beijing.

Still can't make up your mind? Well, "Crazy TV Station" under the artistic supervision of Taiwan director Stan Lai may offer you some different laughs. And don't forget Meng Jinghui's "The Life Opinion of Two Dogs", which has been touring extensively around the country over the past year.

Chinese Culture Week kicks off in Saudi Arabia

12-29-2010 08:55 BJT

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This year marks the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Saudi Arabia. A key part of the event, "China Culture Week", kicked off in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia.

The three-day event, sponsored by the kingdom's Culture and Information Ministry in tandem with the Chinese Culture Ministry, is being organized at Riyadh's huge King Fahd Culture Center.

It features a flurry of activities, including exhibitions and stage performances.

Local residents in Riyadh are offered a close-up chance to see traditional folk art inscribed as China's national intangible heritage, such as embroidery.

Chinese musician Guo Zhongyu plays Yangqin, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, at the opening ceremony of the Chinese Culture Week in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, Dec. 25, 2010. The Chinese Culture Week was kicked off here on Saturday to mark the 20th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between China and Saudi Arabia. (Xinhua/Li Xiaolin)

A folk music group from north China's Heilongjiang province bridged the two countries with music. The artists not only played traditional Chinese music, but also improvised renditions of Arabian music.

Lao She's play "Four Generations Under One Roof" tours nationwide

12-29-2010 08:55 BJT

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Lao She is one of the most significant figures of 20th-century Chinese literature. His works have been translated into different languages and adapted for both the big and small screens.

Now, a drama based on one of Lao She's well-known works, "Four Generations Under One Roof," has toured around the country playing to critical acclaim. The production is helping to promote local Beijing culture, including the Beijing dialect, to the entire nation.

"Four Generations Under One Roof" premiered in Taipei two months ago. At first, cast and crew were worried the Taiwan audience might find it difficult to understand Lao She's script. The lines are delivered in Beijing dialect and packed with social innuendos. But their anxiety was totally relieved by the enthusiastic response from the local viewers.

Now, a drama based on one of Lao She's well-known works, "Four Generations Under One Roof," has toured around the country playing to critical acclaim. (File photo)

Taiwan Audience Member, said, "I think all the performers did a wonderful job."

Traditional magic meets new challenges

12-29-2010 08:55 BJT

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Here's another form of traditional entertainment that goes back even farther... China is one of the birth places of acrobatic shows, which centuries ago also contained performances of magic. Though with a history of over two thousand years, both art forms are facing new challenges in today's China. The 8th China's National Acrobatic and Magic Competition is an effort to promote the traditional art genres from the Ministry of Culture.

No more than three magicians can do this in China now. It's one of the country's oldest magic tricks: on and on, a magician can always pull out something hard to hide.

It was how a magician in ancient China made a living, so it's no wonder that the secret of the magic was kept confidential, and passed only to his son. The influence of this tradition has impact even today.

It's one of the country's oldest magic tricks: on and on, a magician can always pull out something hard to hide.

Li Yannian, Expert of Acrobatics, Magic & Puppet, said, ""You can tell from tonight's performance that a lot of the tricks are ones performed using only the hands, which relies on practice. That's just how magicians worked in ancient China, whether alone or working with a family. In China now there are about 500 professional magicians who make a living on magic, but most of them work on their own, lacking money and high-tech effects."

"Bullet" flying high at box offices

12-29-2010 08:52 BJT

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The latest Chinese hit movie, "Let The Bullet Fly," is on track to shoot down Avatar's box office position as the country's biggest cinematic sensation of 2010. Receipts have hit 400 million yuan in just 10 days, and the film's popularity continues to grow.

Like 2006 Oscar Award winner "The Departed," which was based on an earlier Hong Kong blockbuster, Hollywood is also taking notice of this big screen thriller.

"Let the bullet fly for a while" has become a popular catch phrase among Chinese cinema buffs, thanks to the hottest movie of year.

12 days after pulling the trigger at theaters across the country, the film shot by Jiang Wen remains the number one choice among nationwide audiences. On one of China's most renowned big screen websites, fans opinion has awarded a rating of 9.1, higher than reigning box office champion "Avatar."

An audience member said, "I think the plot of the movie is very good. The acting is good as well, far beyond my expectations."

Another audience member said, "The director tells a very good story, and the actors are the best in China. It deserves my applause."

"Let the bullet fly for a while" has become a popular catch phrase among Chinese cinema buffs, thanks to the hottest movie of year.

The movie is also winning the admiration of professionals.

China's new year box-office to break record

12-29-2010 09:27 BJT

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China's new year box-office results are expected to break the record of 1 billion yuan. Spurring the rising ticket sales are four homegrown movies.

The biggest winner is actor-turned director Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly". The film took in over 30 million on its first day December 16th. And the bullets did fly fast, exceeding 100 million yuan in three days. That's the fastest of any Chinese film. It's expected to reach 300 million by the end of this week.

The biggest winner is actor-turned director Jiang Wen's "Let the Bullets Fly".

The comedy "Just Call Me Nobody" has exceeded 150 million yuan at the box office since its debut. Director Chen Kaige's "Sacrifice", has broken the 200 million yuan mark. And the romantic sequel comedy "If You Are the One" was watched by over 920 thousand viewers on the day of its release.

The comedy "Just Call Me Nobody" has exceeded 150 million yuan at the box office since its debut.