Guan Hu’s (Mr. Six, Candle in the Tomb) The Eight Hundred 八佰 focuses on the eight hundred Chinese soldiers who hold Shanghai’s defenses for four days against three hundred thousand Japanese troops. Starring Zhang Yi, Jiang Wu, Huang Zhizhong, Ou Hao, Wang Qianyuan and Du Chun, the film will be released on August 21st.
Probably the most creative fashion event photoshoot of the year, Sina Fashion Awards gave everyone a shadow from an alternate universe.
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Out of all the subplots in The Advisors Alliance 2, I’m probably most excited about the showdown between Zhuge Liang (Wang Luoyong) and Sima Yi (Wu Xiubo), as well as the Sima family’s descent into darkness and coup against Cao Wei (that just made me sound sadistic).Growling Tiger, Roaring Dragon will begin airing tonight on Youku.
Character Teasers (playlist):
National Treasure 国家宝藏 will showcase 27 historical artifacts from 29 different museums across the country with the help of “protectors” (listed below), who will then present the story behind each piece in a short stage performance.
Actors / hosts featured: Zhang Guoli, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Wang Kai, Liu Tao, Li Chen, Duan Yihong, Wang Gang, He Jiong, Ma Su, Qin Hailu, Chen Xiao, Jackson Yi Yangqianxi, Liu Yijun, Guo Tao, Lei Jiayin, Guan Xiaotong, Sa Beining, Cai Guoqing, Ren Zhong, Ning Jing
Theme song: A Thousand Years in One Glance 一眼千年 – Na Ying
Cao Pi: Here’s your sword back.
Guo Zhao: This isn’t mine.
Cao Pi: It was mine. Now it’s yours. #HowToGift101
Episode 3, scene X: Yang Xiu , the ambitious antagonist in the first few episodes, had just kicked off a dying Sima Yi into the river. He is relieved, proud of what he has accomplished.
When he is left alone , he turns to see his hands in the dimming night. There’s blood on his hands. He realizes what he has done, betraying his father’s trust and hope for a Han alliance, murdering at least two men. He screams into the night.
The scene is representative of how The Advisors Alliance 军师联盟 has so far treated its characters – as complex and contradicting human beings.
With a rich set of characters, a fast-paced plot, thoughtful but colloquial dialogue, and just the right amount of romance and humor mixed in, The Advisors Alliance is probably the best scripted ancient drama in the past couple of years. Continue reading
The Advisors Alliance takes viewers to the ever-popular Three Kingdoms era, and this time the entire story will be told from Sima Yi’s (Wu Xiubo) perspective. Liu Tao (Ode to Joy 2) plays his fierce wife Zhang Chunhua while Janine Chang (Midnight Diner) plays Bai Lingyun, a spy from the Cao faction and Sima Yi’s concubine. Xiao Shunyao and Tan Jianci from M.I.C. costar as sons Sima Shi and Sima Zhao.
On the other side we have the Cao household, led by Yu Hewei (I Am Not Madame Bovary) as warlord Cao Cao and Li Chen (variety show Keep Running) as Cao Pi. Tang Yixin (Psychologist) and Zhang Zhixi (Three Heroes and Five Gallants) star as the latter’s consorts.
After seeing stills like these, I come to appreciate the sheer variety of costuming styles that exist in China and how they grow side by side.
The Advisor’s Alliance 军师联盟 has released stills. Starring Wu Xiubo, Li Chen, Liu Tao, Janine Chang, Tang Yixin, Zhang Zhixi, Zhai Tianlin, Yu Hewei, and Zhang He, I will admit I’m getting a bit impatient for a more official release date.
More stills below the cut.
Didn’t really like Liu Tao’s character in The Legend of Miyue. Hope she fares better in this one.
The Advisor’s Alliance 军师联盟 has released more stills, giving us a look at the various settings the drama will take place in. Starring Wu Xiubo, Li Chen, Liu Tao, Janine Chang, Tang Yixin, Zhang Zhixi, Zhai Tianlin, Yu Hewei, and Zhang He, this is definitely on list of dramas that need to be put on the fast-track for release.
More stills below the cut.
I need an official glimpse of Sima Yi’s adversary Zhuge Liang. The feather fan in the trailer is not enough…
The Advisors Alliance stars Wu Xiubo as Sima Yi, a politician and strategist of Cao Wei in the Three Kingdoms period. Sima Yi served as a strategist to three rulers, including warlord Cao Cao (Yu Hewei) and Kings Cao Pi (Li Chen) and Cao Rui (Liu Huan).
I think this is the more realistic period-pretty we all want a dose of time to time.
The Advisor’s Alliance 军师联盟 has released more stills shortly after the last release. Starring Wu Xiubo, Li Chen, Liu Tao, Janine Chang, Tang Yixin, Zhang Zhixi, Zhai Tianlin, Yu Hewei, and Zhang He, I think it’s amazing how much these costumes seem to transform the actors into their respective roles.
More stills below the cut.