Wong Kar-Wai\u2019s \u201cThe Grandmaster\u201d topped the charts for another week with $13.7M, upping its total to a spectacular $39.5M after two weeks. It\u2019s now the top earning Ip Man film in China, beating the $32M gross of the Donnie Yen-starring \u201cIp Man 2.\u201d That\u2019s pretty impressive, considering Yen\u2019s films were the ones that popularized the martial arts master who taught Bruce Lee.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Grandmaster\u201d has surpassed \u201cHero\u201d ($30M) to become Zhang Ziyi\u2019s best performer in China (excluding her cameo in \u201cThe Founding of a Republic\u201d), and Tony Leung Chui-Wai\u2019s second best behind John Woo\u2019s \u201cRed Cliff\u201d ($46.7M). It\u2019s very likely that it will pass \u201cRed Cliff\u201d in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n
Now the question is will the success of \u201cThe Grandmaster\u201d spawn sequels? Wong did spend more than a decade developing it; I\u2019m sure he had lots of ideas that didn\u2019t make it to the film. It would be interesting if we get two franchises based on the life of Ip Man: an artsy, pensive version from Wong, and a low-key, kick-ass version from Wilson Yip.<\/p>\n
In second place this week with $13.4M is a surprise hit that almost topped the charts: \u201cBring Happiness Home,\u201d a low-budget comedy about a dog that got separated from its rich owner. Yeah, I don\u2019t think any of you care either. Either way, it\u2019s good to see a chart-topper that\u2019s not a huge, expensive production headlined by big stars.<\/p>\n
Third and fourth place went to \u201cChinese Zodiac\u201d and \u201cLost in Thailand,\u201d with $8M and $4.9M, respectively. In total, \u201cChinese Zodiac\u201d has collected $135M. \u201cLost in Thailand\u201d is at $196M. I\u2019m not sure it can still beat \u201cAvatar\u201d ($204M). It\u2019ll get close.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Last Tycoon,\u201d starring Chow Yun Fat and Sammo Hung, is currently at $23M, a solid performance. You just can\u2019t compare it to \u201cChinese Zodiac\u201d or \u201cLost in Thailand\u201d; it\u2019ll distort your perspective. Movies don\u2019t make $100M in China often. Last year was a special year, in which three Chinese films passed that barrier.<\/p>\n