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Star Wars: The Force Awakens
JAN 9
The ground-breaking galactic caper returns for Episode Seven. Set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, original cast members Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher return to reprise their iconic roles. However, newcomer Daisy Ridley, Attack the Block’s John Boyega and A Most Violent Year’s Oscar Isaac star as this trilogy’s catalysts Rey, Finn and Poe. Director J. J. Abrams has already proven capable of rebooting a beloved series with the recent Star Trek films. Fans aren’t expecting A New Hope, but they won’t tolerate another clunker like The Phantom Menace.
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Dave Fulton Punchline Comedy rings in 2016 with a stacked triple bill featuring Brit Andre Vincent, Aussie Wayne Deakin and Yankee Dave Fulton. Described as an “angry young man growing up,” Fulton shows us he still hasn't mellowed. How would you describe your comedy style? I do comedy about stuff that concerns me and if I’m lucky others will relate. If I’m lucky...
Did you have a eureka moment when you realized you had to become a comedian? My ‘eureka’ moment involved a woman, oral sex and Steven Wright’s first HBO special. You asked. Besides stand-up, are there any other projects that you’re working on?
I sold a script for a film that will be shot in northern Canada. So I expect by April, you’ll be able buy to a pirate copy of it on the streets of China, so look out for Bear Clan Station. Any advice to aspiring comics? Stop. Stick with your day job unless something inside of you can’t imagine ever getting a real job again then good luck. Also don’t steal material. > Jan 28, 8pm, rmb290. Zapata’s, 5 hengshan lu, by ongping lu 衡山路5号, 近东平路 (5456 2471, 247tickets.cn)
> Jan 29, 8pm, rmb290. the exchange, b/1, river wing, Pudong Shangri-la, 33 Fucheng lu, by lujiazui Xi lu 富城路33号, 近陆 家嘴西路 (5456 2471, 247tickets.cn) > Jan 30, 8pm, rmb290. blossoms, 2/F, the Kerry hotel, 1378 huamu lu, by Fangdian lu 花木路1378号, 近芳甸路 (5456 2471, 247tickets.cn)
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Kung Fu Panda 3
JAN 29
Jack Black returns to voice Po in the planned six-part animated comedy series. Once again, he finds himself as an outcast while reuniting with his biological father at a secret panda sanctuary. Making matters worse is an evil ancient spirit called Kai who steals the powers of kung fu masters he defeated across China. Can the original Kung Fu Panda teach a village of clumsy, fun loving pandas to follow in his fighting ways? The film is the first co-created by Shanghai based Oriental DreamWorks and features a star-studded cast that includes Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen and Bryan Cranston.
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Bu Hao
At last month’s Golden Horse Awards in Taiwan, renowned Mainland director Feng Xiaogang scored a surprising win as Best Actor for Mr. Six. How much of a surprise? So much so that he wasn’t actually at the award show in Taipei to pick up the prize. Feng beat out luminaries like Mainland star Deng Chao and Hong Kong heartthrob Aaron Kwok for the honors.
The US and UK have long been forced to swallow the scourge of ‘scripted reality’ shows from Jersey Shore to The Only Way Is Essex. Now it’s China’s turn to enjoy staged scenarios and vacuous conversation, thanks to Sanlitun De Pengyou Quan. The cast comprises a usual mix of clichés, including a pop star and someone living off the proceeds of a Taobao store.