[kkandy4mee]

Jay Chou's directorial debut, "Secret", opens in Malaysia on 16 August

Source: Cinema Online
Credit: noreen (www.jay-chou.net)

Jay Chou's "Secret" will be revealed to Malaysians on 16 August. The singer-actor's much anticipated directorial debut will hit Singapore cinemas on 8 August, before opening in Malaysia about a week later.

Cathay-Keris Films Singapore told Cinema Online that after a promotional tour in Hong Kong, the Taiwanese star will head to Singapore to grace the film's gala premiere at The Cathay, 2 Handy Road, on 30 July, 2007.

"Secret", an original story written by Chou, deals with the memory of first love through high school lovers, Lun (Chou) and Yu (Kwai Lun-Mei). Music is a key element of the romantic drama in which Chou composed and sang the eponymous theme song, "Secret".

Want to know a little about the plot? The first day Lun (Chou) enters Tamkang Secondary School, he meets Yu (Kwai Lun-Mei) in the music room. She is playing a mysterious piano solo. The two become intimate friends and spend a lot of time together. He often asks her "What's the melody you played the first day we met?" but Yu unfailingly replies: "That's my secret."

One day, Lun asks Yu to meet him in the music room but Yu never showed up. Lun cannot find her. Later, Lun sees Yu in an old photograph and what surprises him is that Yu is standing next to his father, Chiu (Anthony Wong) in the photo!

The enigma behind Yu and the mysterious melody will be unveiled when "Secret" opens in Singapore on 8 August, and on 16 August in Malaysia.

YAY finally something about the plot

with that said....i wonder if it could be that Yu is actually jay's half-sister or something @__@ or goddaughter? who knooooows

oh btw, it doesn't open July 27th anymore...haha it opens...on July 31th in Chinese theaters...the other places are in the article....

i am so buying the dvd when it comes out.....aaaah if only it played in america ><

[dearskye.]

It opens August 2nd in HK.
Stupid HK always opens their movies on Thursday.
whyyy...

[501stExile]

http://www.sonypictures.com.tw/movie/secret

that's the link for the movie's site....

[501stExile]

has any of you guys watch it already?

i'm really curious about the movie....

[Starylosophy]

Pictures I took at the red carpet event in Singapore:





















I didn't go for the gala premier because I had no tickets and it's expensive. But from the host, she said that even strict reviewers said that the movie is pretty good so I think you all should go catch it.

[talksound]

gah. O_O i'm really looking forward to this! (:

[tengteng]

^^
I went there too!!!
It's so squeezy; I almost die in there.
But Jay was so cute, and the fan got his ring...=( So envy.

[dionne_wu]

I'm dying to know the "secret" behind the story.
LOL it better be good.

[nerouge]

I'm hoping the movie will be a success, because i think i read somewhere about Jay saying that he'll probably go back to just directing MVs if the movie doesn't do well. :/
Can't wait till i can get to watch it. Though i'm mostly just watching out of curiosity, the plot actually seems rather interesting, since piano-playing(?) is apparently going to be quite a significant part of the movie. Anyway, Jay+piano = <3!

[innocia]

piano playing!

8 August.. *sigh*. still a long longgg way to go.

[TrainDriver]

so any1 seen it yet? its out already in asian countries right?

[dearskye.]

Please don't take this anywhere else, it's for my school magazine.
This is the unedited version - I'm probably going to go watch this movie again.

The Sentimental Debut
Secret by Jay Chou


Many skeptics of multitalented Jay Chou call Secret a promotional conspiracy created to poignantly portray his childhood on film. Thus acclaimed movie critics have labeled this film a vanity project for our Taiwanese singer. It has been proven throughout the entertainment business that singers cannot necessarily act and actors cannot always sing – so since when did directing fit into this sequence? As a fan that has followed Jay Chou from composition to script, I've come to admit that the name Jay Chou sells better than the product endorsed. Perhaps this is why I entered the theatre expecting, honestly, fan service – and instead, received a beautiful story enough to have me shaking for support.

Fans of Jay Chou will admit that from his previous movies acting is not a talent our composing genius carries; however, the cast of Secret is so brilliantly chosen that it even brings Jay Chou to vivacious life. And for this alone, I must praise our female lead, Guey Lun-mei because she highlighted Jay’s performance, allowing me to see that this singer can indeed act. Some may say that he hardly needs to even pretend for this role, but when you see that smile on the stoic face of Jay Chou, you’ll understand how genuine emotions can be. Although the lines were not full of depth, and the relationship growth was a little shallow, the acting and loveable characters substitutes for the irregularly paced dialogue as the awkward lines contribute to the enigmatic development of the characters and plot.

There is a beautiful, almost virgin aspect in this film. An innocent tale of high school love with undertones of a secret that cannot be told, this movie will make you laugh, reminisce and tug at your heartstrings. Fantastical, musical, and absolutely creative Jay Chou has proven that not only does his name sell, but brings quality as well. Let me remind you (girls) to cry when you can, less you leave the theatre as I did, shaking from the bittersweet scenes and the forever pounding of a heart’s rapid beat. A plot that drove me from one world to another, I will be surprised if Jay Chou tops this debut with another movie.

Secret is an astonishingly amazing debut, and the trailers do not do this film any justice. Jay Chou has masterfully created a secret not only for you to enjoy, but also for you to tuck away and uncover many years later. A friend of mine cried, “Epic!” at the end of the movie, and as a fan, I agree but as a reviewer, I can only smile. I believe the right word for this movie is “classic,” for after many years I can see myself retrieving this movie, shaking off the dust, to relive this secret. This is a movie to watch in theatres but remember after you leave to keep your lips sealed. And if you do…this secret just may last long enough to convince skeptical friends of the movie’s brilliance.

Rating: 4/5
- Christal



---

In Tony An's words of Melody - "Pretty Damn Good"

What I neglected to mention was that the soundtrack was amazing (I'll add that later) - Jay Chou definitely has the best of all worlds in the aspect of entertainment. Coming from a man whom his own mother believed that he was slightly retarded, this movie is (again) "really damn good, pretty damn good." I must say, Guey Lun-Mei is amazing, and I believe this movie will only make her own of the best actresses in China. She really brought the cast to life, especially Jay Chou who seemed to actually love what he was doing. Now I must admit, this man knows how to make you cry. The background music (all Jay Chou composed by the way) was perfect. There's a scene where Jay Chou plays a sad song, and you want to cry, and Anthony Wong pops in and says exactly what you're feeling. "Stop playing the song, I want to cry already." Let's just say, this movie didn't cut short on anything. Although I admit it felt draggy in some places, it was necessary because the audience needed to digest the "secret."

With Transformers, Ratatouille, Secret definitely is the cherry ontop of this wonderful movie-filled summer.
(Dude, I watched with two guys, and they loved it - )

Jay Chou has proved that he can direct.
Acting? I don't know - it's still debateable,
but I believe Guey Lun-Mei taught Jay a few things.

[dionne_wu]

I heard even difficult reviewers had good things to say about this directorial debut.
I think if Secret is well received, it will yet be another breakthrough for Jay - a creative genius indeed.

[viet13aby90]

Thanks Christal for that very detailed review.
I want to buy this on DVD alreadyyyyy. >.<
Does anyone know when it'll be available on DVD?

• • • Yvonne

[Luly]

i juz watched the movie tonite with my mum. LOL

did anyone else think Jay Chou died in the end too and they kinda reunited in another world??

it seems like i'm the only one thought so.

[xserene]

i think its funny that he plays the main character of the movie he is directing

[dearskye.]

i juz watched the movie tonite with my mum. LOLdid anyone else think Jay Chou died in the end too and they kinda reunited in another world??it seems like i'm the only one thought so.

No, cause they have the photograph at the end to prove it.

i think its funny that he plays the main character of the movie he is directing

Yeah, but somehow, it just adds to the feel. =]

Thanks Christal for that very detailed review.I want to buy this on DVD alreadyyyyy. >.<Does anyone know when it'll be available on DVD?• • • Yvonne

Ah, end of August.

[Starylosophy]

I just watched it today, I didn't find it very exceptional, but it was good for a first timer. Needless to say, the pieces and music used was really good.

The twist suprised me, but there are loopholes. Like how did Rain go back to the 1970s?

The dialogue was pretty weak, well this is perhaps because Jay himself doesn't really expresses himself well which results in the weak dialogue. The cinematography is beautiful! I love the set, the old piano, the interior decor of the houses.

And he finally did a better kiss this time round!

Hmm no one commented on the uniforms? I totally love them! It's so pretty! How I wish my country has such designs of school uniforms (but we will be perspiring every minute haha!). My cousin who watched with me didn't like the computer effects at the end (where everything was crumbling down) does anyone feel the same?

[Luly]

No, cause they have the photograph at the end to prove it.Yeah, but somehow, it just adds to the feel. =]Ah, end of August.

i thought of this too... but in this case the dad's part won't make any sense already. he's been the teacher of the sch since the 70s then he should have realised sth. it's like... he's his son.

The twist suprised me, but there are loopholes. Like how did Rain go back to the 1970s?

play the piece of music in faster tempo. it's writen in the score and in a flashback scene.

[dearskye.]

The twist suprised me, but there are loopholes. Like how did Rain go back to the 1970s?

She says it in the movie. "This is how fast I play to go home." And the writing in the composition says so as well. "Return lies within hasty keys."

The dialogue was pretty weak, well this is perhaps because Jay himself doesn't really expresses himself well which results in the weak dialogue.

I must say that it wasn't Jay's fault. He didn't write the script - he created the story. I didn't really expect anything profound either - even my friend agreed - the script was very "high school" (we're less "mature" in local Chinese high schools). However, I must agree that the uniforms ROCKED! I heard in Taiwan, fans went to the screening dressed in uniforms as tribute.
As for the special effects - I'm not too bugged with that because China isn't know for their amazing graphics. In short, HK/China/Taiwan - we're really bad with special effects. And if you sat through the credits, you'll notice that the amount of people on the "graphics" section is about half the size of the people who were listed under "carpentry." It's quite obvious that Jay is more interest in antique. Hahaha.

i thought of this too... but in this case the dad's part won't make any sense already. he's been the teacher of the sch since the 70s then he should have realised sth. it's like... he's his son.

Actually, his son wasn't born until a year after Rain graduated.
1999 - his son graduates, he's 18 years old. (Remember, the football player says that his captain is the oldest - assuming schoolwise as well.)
1979 - Rain graduates, Jay isn't born yet. Thus, Jay graduates with Rain, and perhaps Jay's dad names his son after Jay.

Pst, I don't know if you guys know. But Jay actually specifically said in interviews that if you watch the movie, please don't tell the secret.