Movie Remakes: 9 Movies You Probably Didn’t Know Were Going To Get Rebooted

If you’ve been following us closely for long enough, you’d notice that we’re big movie buffs. From good B grade ones to not-so-good B grade ones, to horror and even some gore. Yup, we spare no one and nothing when it comes to catching flicks. But imagine our surprise when we heard that some movies that we’ve previously watched have got reboots in the pipeline. Really unexpected ones, at that!

You should already know by now that “Robocop“, “Jurassic Park”, “Annie”, and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” got rebooted. Now check out some other old school flicks that have been rumoured to be getting the same treatment, whether you like it or not:

So, this 80s kids film about bad parenting is getting a reboot. Or at least it has been rumoured to happen for years now. We’re not sure how this is going to happen or if any of the original cast members will return because Rick Moranis (who played Wayne Szalinski aka Dad) officially left the film industry in 1997. Also, actress Marcia Strassman (who played Diane Szalinski aka Mom) passed away in October this year after a long battle with breast cancer.

Our take? This reboot will only be worth watching if it’s going to be released in 3D. Game changer, anyone?

2007 Spanish horror film “The Orphanage” (or “El Orfanato” in Spanish) still gives us the creeps. A debut feature of Spanish filmmaker J. A. Bayona, the plot centres on Laura, who returns to her childhood home, an orphanage. She convinces her husband to buy the place and help her convert it into a home for sick children. One day, her own adopted son, Simón, disappears. Simón is critically ill, and when he is still missing several months later, he is presumed dead. Grief-stricken Laura believes she hears spirits, who may or may not be trying to help her find the boy.

New Line Cinema bought the rights to produce an English-language remake with Guillermo del Toro as producer. In 2011, Guillermo del Toro stated that the remake would reflect his original vision for the film, and that it had been planned even when the first version was in production. It was later reported that American actress Amy Adams was in talks to star as Laura, the main character, who was played by Belén Rueda in the original film. The current incarnation of the remake screenplay had reportedly been written by Larry Fessenden and Sergio G. Sánchez, the sole writer of the original film.

We’ve already mentioned this one in an earlier post. Some of you probably don’t even know that one of the greatest haunted house thrillers of all time is getting the remake treatment. Released in 1982, the now iconic horror movie was directed by Tobe Hooper from an original idea by producer Steven Spielberg. The remake of “Poltergeist” will see legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagining the classic tale about a struggling family whose suburban home was invaded by angry spirits that have abducted their youngest daughter.

You have time until 13th Feb 2015 to prepare to face ’em cray cray ghosts.

This is also something we wrote about recently. Did you grow up hating clowns after watching this 1990 psychological horror/drama? So did we. But it’s time to relive your nightmare (read: Pennywise) all over again because they’re remaking “It”. According to Screen Rant, Warner Bros. has been planning a film adaptation of Stephen King’s 1,138 page novel “It” for the past 3 years. The last substantial report on the project was nearly 2 years ago, with an update from screenwriter David Kajganich (“The Invasion”, “Blood Creek”) about the challenge of fitting Stephen King’s massive literature into a 2-3 hour movie. The planned remake is still in its early stages, thus no casting news is yet to be reported.

Also, while Tim Curry gained praises for his astounding performance as Pennywise, he would most likely not come back to reprise his role for the “IT” movie remake. Fair enough, since Tim Curry is about 68 years old and he also suffered a stroke just last year.

Last we heard, EW has confirmed that Lionsgate has pushed back its remake of “Dirty Dancing”. Original “Dirty Dancing” choreographer Kenny Ortega (responsible for “High School Musical” and Michael Jackson’s “This Is It”) is set to helm this new iteration, and Glee co-creator Brad Falchuk will write the screenplay with Maria Maggenti (of “Monte Carlo” fame). Deadline reported that casting decisions slowed the process and caused a delay but among the stars up for the roles of Baby and Johnny (first played by Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze): “Glee” warbler Lea Michele, Canadian chanteuse Nikki Yanofsky, and “Trespass’” Liana Liberato for Baby, and for Johnny “Nashville Star” vet (and former boyfriend of Miley Cyrus) Justin Gaston, “Brothers & Sisters’” star Luke Grime, and “Dancing With the Stars” Derek Hough — who coincidentally took home DWTS‘s famed Mirror Ball trophy with Grey in 2010.

The movie was originally slated to hit theatres on 26th July 2013, but now won’t open until 2014. Hmm, but 2014 is nearly over so..

In case you missed it, here: In the summer 1996, four high-school seniors accidentally run over a pedestrian and try to dispose of the body. One year later, a hooded killer begins killing the teenagers in an apparent act of revenge. That’s the story of 1997’s “I Know What You Did Last Summer”, which grossed over USD125 million worldwide and spawned 2 sequels — “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer” (which grossed USD84 million) and the direct-to-video “I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer”. And now, the teen horror flick, a cult favourite from the 1990s, is all set for a reboot in 2016. Sony Pictures has tapped Oculus director Mike Flanagan to reboot “I Know What You Did Last Summer”. Sony-based Neil Moritz (who produced the 1997 title starring Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr) is on board to produce the reboot through his Original Artists banner. Flanagan will co-write the script with Jeff Howard.

To put it into perspective, it has been 17 summers after the first movie (18 summers after the “incident”). “I Know What You Did Last Summer” itself was based on a 1973 novel by Lois Duncan – that’s over 40 summers ago. So no, we don’t actually know why.

The “Police Academy” franchise spans 7 films over the course of a decade, beginning with 1984′s smash hit and petering out with 1994′s “Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow”. Many well-known actors appeared in the franchise and lots of not-so-well-known actors became household names because of it. What? You thought that 7 “Police Academy” films were enough to last you a few lifetimes? Think again. In April 2014, Slashfilm reported that the “Police Academy” has just been given new life thanks to Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, best known for their Comedy Central sketch comedy show “Key and Peele”, have just been attached to produce a remake of the goofball 80s franchise about misfits training to become police officers. Director Scott Zabielski was long been attached to the remake, which is set up at New Line, but is no longer. There’s also no word if they’re using the latest draft of the script by writer Jeremy Garelick. Original producer Paul Maslansky is still, however, part of the film.

Stallone fans are going to be pleased to know that the perfectly fine 1993 action flick, “Cliffhanger”, is getting an update, thanks to producer Neal H Moritz. Nevermind that he’s also the same guy who produced “I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”. The original “Cliffhanger” centres on Sylvester Stallone as a mountain climbing rescuer who gets tied up in a heist of a US Treasury plane carrying millions – and that’s apparently in discussions to be “reimagined”, according to Deadline. The report also said that production company StudioCanal has a screenwriter on board to bring the movie back to life, though few details are available.

Also, Sylvester Stallone actually had a hand in the original screenplay, though it seems unlikely he’ll be cast for this unexpected reboot.

No, the “Neverending Story” hasn’t quite ended, it seems. Just in case you’ve forgotten this absolutely heart-wrenching story, the original 1984 film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and the story follows a young boy who reads a fantasy book and ends up getting involved in the story. It spawned a few sequels, and holds a special place in the heart of many filmgoers because – for some – it was one of their earliest exposures to the world of fantasy, especially seen through the eyes of a young protagonist.

And who can forget that particular scene when Atreyu lost his beloved horse Artax to the swamp? That’s not something you forget, bro. Sob.

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#Malaysia: Free Petrol For All Motorcyclists From April Onwards

Good news motorcyclists, soon you’ll be able to enjoy free petrol.

The Federal Territories Barisan Nasional Youth wing chief, Datuk Mohd Razlan Mohammad Rafii, made the announcement yesterday (Wednesday, 22nd February), saying that free fuel will be given to all motorcyclists in the Federal Territories (Wilayah Persekutuan) from April onwards.

According to Mohd Razlan, the objective was to ease the burden of people’s expanses, particularly the motorcyclists. “We will give to all regardless of their background and political standing. We understand that quite a number of motorcyclists are underprivileged and the government is concerned over its people,” he said.

The targeted 117,000 bikers at 13 constituencies are expected to benefit from “Free Petrol Top Up for Motorcycle” programme organised by Federal Territories MyPPP (Malaysia’s People’s Progressive Party) Youth Movement.

Details in regards to the free petrol programme would be announced soon.


Hype’s Movie Review: Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb Is Magically Delightful

Often, when a series gets to a third film to make up a trilogy, it tends to run out of steam. I mean come on, how many trilogies are actually successful? Some don’t even make it pass the second instalment of the series.

Speaking of trilogies, back in 2006, the release of “Night In The Museum” featured a really cool and interesting idea and it was very much loved by moviegoers. Following the success of the first movie, director Shawn Levy released 2 more films: “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” and very recently, “Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb”.

Now, did we really need to see the museum exhibits come to life for a third time? The third instalment of the series answers that question with a definite and highly entertaining, “YES!”

This time round, divorced dad Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) returns with his “old” friends for the third and seemingly last instalment of “Night At The Museum”. Daley, who still holds his job as night watchman at the Museum of Natural History in New York, is now also the director of nighttime events. Under his instructions and directions, the exhibits will perform as “special effects”, with no one knowing that it is actually ancient magic at work. However, something goes wrong and the Egyptian tablet which makes it all possible starts acting up by corroding.

Daley and his son, Nick (Skyler Gisondo) are joined by several exhibits including Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams), Jedediah (Owen Wilson), Akhmerah (Rami Malek) and Attila (Patrick Gallagher) in search of Akh’s father, the only one who knows the secret of the tablet. Unfortunately, that meant travelling to London as Akh’s parents are located at the British Museum. By bringing the tablet to the British Museum, Akh’s father, Merenkahre (Ben Kingsley), will come to life and they can figure out what to do to prevent the tablet from corroding. Of course, that is easier said than done.

The movie goes on to see Daley and his crew facing hilarious obstacles from a Neanderthal who looks like Daley and thinks that Daley is his father, to the arrival of Sir Lancelot (Dan Stevens) and the night guard at the London Museum (Rebel Wilson). Besides the special effects, “Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb” is filled with surprising and gleeful cameos, which I won’t spoil here.

Of course, it was also touching to see the late Robin Williams return as Teddy Roosevelt. Dedicated to 2 movie legends, “Night At The Museum: The Secret Of The Tomb” is the final film to feature Robin Williams and is the final feature film for Mickey Rooney who played Gus, a retired museum guard in the instalment.

With at least 2 acutely sad and tear-jerking moments, “Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb” is nothing short of sheer delight. Big thanks to our friends from Twentieth Century Fox Film (M) S/B for giving us the opportunity to watch this film ahead of its release date.

“Night At The Museum: Secret Of The Tomb” will hit cinemas on December 25th.

For more information, visit its website.


Netflix’s “Midnight Mass” Review: You’ll Want To Pray With The Lights On After This

For us, creator Mike Flanagan has always been a bit of a polarising figure. He strikes us as a man who is constantly experimenting within the horror genre. Sometimes his projects prove to be successes. Films like his mind-bending psychological horror film “Oculus” or his deeply unsettling Netflix miniseries “The Haunting of Hill House” for example. Then, there are the not-so-great ones like his last miniseries “The Haunting of Bly Manor”. A horror show so inconceivably awful we found ourselves straight-up laughing through the entire thing. Throughout Flanagan’s oeuvre, there’s always been a distinct focus on damaged characters and their perspectives.

He goes to great lengths to humanise his characters before subjecting them through utter hell. This is in lieu of creating the whole horror premise before throwing the characters in to be fodder. It’s a risky approach seeing that if your character (*cough* Dani) fails to resonate with the audience, it robs the scares of its momentum. Which is unfortunately why “Bly Manor” failed. Flanagan returns with yet another horror miniseries, “Midnight Mass”. One that explores a rather interesting subject that the director has yet to tackle: religion. Will faithful fans be rewarded with a worthy follow-up to “Hill House”? Or will this church service put you to sleep? Let’s find out!

The plot of “Midnight Mass” follows the lives and times of the residents on Crockett Island. A secluded, melancholic island town with a dwindling church following. That is until a charismatic, young priest arrives out of nowhere to pastor the town. His sudden appearance brings newfound life into the town along with miracles. That being said, some residents are not convinced of the preacher’s good tidings. When former alcoholic Riley Flynn and Sheriff Hassan begin looking into the town’s supernatural occurrences, they uncover a dark secret. One more demonic than divine.

Admittedly, the series is a little slow with its first two episodes “Genesis” and “Psalms”. It’s constantly switching back and forth between the humdrum lives of its troubled residents; done in an effort to ensure that the audience is well aware of its key dramatis personae. There are a few creepy signs here and there but they’re mostly used for setting up the stage. Things get really going in the third episode “Proverbs”. From there on out, the town descends into chaos. By then, you’re more or less aware of the horrifying situation at hand.

While Flanagan’s miniseries does touch on the subject of religion, it never feels preachy. Rather, the creator uses the many questions people have about God and tries to fill in the gaps with his own disturbing narrative. He manages to explore the subject through many angles while still keeping the main focus on the evil creeping into Crockett Island. We especially enjoyed the story of Sheriff Hassan played by actor Rahul Kohli. It’s rare for us to see how a devout Muslim navigates through supernatural forces in western media. So it was refreshing to see Hassan’s struggle to balance his love for his town with his faith.

As for the actual threat, let’s just say than it’s a lot more complicated than an evil priest coming to lead people astray. There are a handful of great twists that we didn’t see coming. Which is honestly great seeing that so many of horror films and TV series with religious undertones quickly devolve into this bland singular quest to expel the demon. We love the “The Conjuring” as much as the next guy but it was getting a little repetitive.

The source of Flanagan’s horror here comes from a sense of violation he imposes on the audience. He takes aspects of Christian culture and subverts them to create some rather unsettling imagery. So, things that people associate with holy and safe become profane and grostesque. It plays off the shock and emotional terror that weighs on the audience’s psyche. A tactic that filmmaker Ari Aster often uses in films like “Hereditary” and “Midsommar”.

That being said, there are a few cheap jumpscares that rely on the usual manipulation of negative space. They’re mostly forgivable with most of the scares leaving legitimately frightening imagery in their wake. “Midnight Mass” score makes full use of its religious setting to create an aura of dread throughout the series. From organs rising out of the depths of hell to chilling choir melodies playing in the background.

None of this of course would be made possible without the work of its stellar cast. No doubt many will point to Hamish Linklater’s performance as Father Paul Hill as the key to the show’s success. Linklater balances out warm genuine humanity with his character’s darker instincts beneath the surface. It’s easy to look at his kind, friendly face and be lulled into this false sense of security. Samantha Sloyan does the most amazing job as the ever hateable Bev Keane. The caretaker of St. Patrick Church and a professional Karen who makes our blood boil every time she opens her mouth.

However, we also want to recognise actor Rahul Kohli’s role as Hassan. His minor role in “Bly Manor” was the one silver lining in that trainwreck. Here, we really get to see him come into his own as a father and sheriff looking to uncover the truth behind Hill’s plan. Hassan’s also a very well written character with his Islamic faith being so strongly tied to his grief and pain. We sincerely hope Flanagan will continue to bring Kohli back for more roles.

Mike Flanagan’s “Midnight Mass” is made for late-night binge-watching. The series delivers a terrifying tale of faith gone wrong by subverting familiar religious elements to give us something uniquely spooky. Strong writing and performances from the overall cast aid in anchoring its otherworldly plot. Striking a fine line between thought-provoking commentary and spine-chilling scares. Won’t lie, we initially had doubts walking in but after this insane seven hour ride, Flanagan has made us believers again!

You can now catch “Midnight Mass” on Netflix today! Here’s the trailer:

So what did you think of Mike Flanagan’s “Midnight Mass”? Did you love it? Did you hate it? Be sure to leave your reactions down below!

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Mike Flanagan's "Midnight Mass" is made for late-night binge-watching. The series delivers a terrifying tale of faith gone wrong by subverting familiar religious elements to give us something uniquely spooky. Strong writing and performances from the overall cast aid in anchoring its otherworldly plot. Striking a fine line between thought-provoking commentary and spine-chilling scares.


Douglas Lim Thinks “Rasa Sayang” Should Be Banned In Malaysia For Sexual Content

Following the recent ban of Spanish smash hit, “Despacito”, for its “sexually explicit” lyrics, Douglas Lim is calling for more songs to be banned in Malaysia.

Don’t believe us? The Malaysian comedian has even come up with a list of popular songs that should be pulled from local media. While most the tracks make sense, 1 in particular has got us scratching our heads.

“Okay, “Despacito” has been banned because it contains sexual elements. That is good. Here’s a list of other songs that need to be banned also,” said Douglas. At the top of the list is Ed Sheeran’s “Shape Of You” where the ginger singer recalls his sexual encounter with a lover on his bed. The lyrics reads: “Last night you were in my room/ And now my bedsheets smell like you“.

Meanwhile, he points out that Fifth Harmony’s “Work From Home” has nothing to do with hard labour. When the ladies are singing, “Let my body do the work“, it’s basically the woman seducing her man with her sexual appeal. Similarly, when Ariana Grande can’t even walk straight in “Side To Side” it’s because she had some pretty wild sex the night before.

Don’t be fooled kids, when Charlie Puth sings about “Let’s Marvin Gaye and get it on“, he’s not referring to the iconic musician. In fact, the verse “It’s kama sutra show and tell” should give you a clear idea about Puth’s favourite position in bed. The stand-up comedian also added that there’s a “gay” word in “Marvin Gaye”. Lol!

Last but not least, the 5th track on his list is none other than our childhood song, “Rasa Sayang”. Apparently the word “jolokkan” in the lyric is suggestive. Wait what?! While Douglas is probably joking on that last bit, his video does shed light on the types of suggestive music that has been trending on the airwaves.

So what your thoughts? Can you think of any other songs that should be banned?


Satisfy Your Nasi Lemak Burger Cravings At These 5 Eateries In The Klang Valley

The Nasi Lemak Burger craze is currently at an all time high. Ever since Singapore’s McDonald’s first introduced locally-inspired “Nasi Lemak” burger, many other franchises have been jumping unto the bandwagon.

Discussions about who has the better Nasi Lemak Burger have been trending on the internet. So we thought we’d round up 5 eateries in the Klang Valley that offer Nasi Lemak Burger. Feel free to check ’em out and let us know which one is your favourite.

myBurgerLab will debut their highly-anticipated Nasi Lemak Ayam Rendang Burger this Friday (4th August). The juicy fried chicken is sandwiched between pickled Japanese cucumber and runny egg together with ikan bilis. The 4 myBurgerLab outlets are located at OUG, Seapark, Sunway, and Cyberjaya.

New York-inspired eatery, Bowery, is known to fuse Malaysian and American flavours in their food. Their latest hybrid is their own version of Nasi Lemak Burger. The choice of meat is a juicy piece of chicken thigh paired with a sweet yet spicy sambal sauce and topped with a perfect fried egg with shoestring fries on the side. You can find them at TTDI, Publika, or Menara Hap Seng.

Fullhouse’s version of Nasi Lemak Burger is a mix of special grain moulded into a burger bun shape. In between the pan-seared rice buns is a crisp piece of ayam goreng berempah with telur mata kerbau, ikan bills, kacang, cucumber and homemade sambal belacan. Visit them at Sunway Pyramid.

In the words of Define Food, their Lemak Burger is inspired by the original gangster Nasi Lemak auntie but with a classic DF twist. Similar to Fullhouse, the DF Lemak Burger also has ayam goreng berempah, with sambal sauce, cucumber slices, and right off the pan telur mata on top. Stop by their restaurant when you’re shopping at Mid Valley.

Everyday is sushi day at Sanoook! Why settle for just Nasi Lemak Burger when you can also have Nasi Lemak Sushi Burger? The Japanese-Thai franchise’s latest invention is definitely intriguing, to say the least. That green colour you see there is actually pandan flavoured rice wrapped in seaweed, layered with the usual ingredients. Sanoook is situated at Sunway Pyramid.


Hype’s Now Playing: One Direction – History

This is it Directioners – One Direction’s final music video. For now.

In their last single from the “Made In the A.M.” album, “History”, One Direction takes us on a trip down memory lane. Fans can expect there to be lots of tears, laughter, screaming girls, group hugs, flashbacks etc.

The “History” music video is basically a documentary of 1D’s rise to fame – from the moment Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson,  and Zayn Malik got put together on the “X Factor UK” by Simon Cowell to the boys as a foursome now.

There are plenty of nostalgic moments to relish on: their old music video clips, goofy never-before-seen footage, and fast forward to the current day where the quartet are dancing awkwardly in some sort of empty warehouse in front of a brick wall.

“History” was co-written by Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson. Payne revealed that it was his idea to include some of the 1D fans as backing vocals for the chorus. “It’s really great because obviously that song is mainly about the fans and what they’ve done; I think it was important that they were a part of it, to close the album,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

For the uninitiated, consider this music video as a 1D: 101.

This is indeed a cute farewell for band. Now do you need extra tissue before you hit the replay button?

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Singapore-Malaysia High-Speed Rail Project Announced!

Just today, Singapore’s Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced a piece of news that will change the way we travel to and fro Malaysia and Singapore. In a new conference, it was confirmed that the two countries have agreed to build a high-speed rail link between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Targeted to be completed by 2020, the new link will allow travelers to cut short their travel time by leaps and bounds as it will take about only 90 minutes to get from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and vice versa.

Both Prime Ministers described the high-speed rail system as a strategic development in the bilateral relations, saying that it will dramatically improve the connectivity between Malaysia and Singapore. To the working crowd who often travel between the two, it serves as a major accessibility plus on top of the currently available modes of transportation such as flights and car/bus/train rides.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also added that it will usher in a new era of strong groth, prosperity, and opportunities for both countries. The link, a “game changer”, will also facilitate seamless travel between KL and Singapore, enhance business links, and bring peoples of Singapore and Malaysia closer together.

The leaders added that ultimately the project will give both countries greater stakes in each other’s prosperity and success.

However, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, it’s too early to reveal the costs of the project, which will be a public-private partnership with “very strong government participation” in which Malaysia will provide infrastructure support.


Brian McFadden On The Possibility Of Rejoining Westlife

It’s been 15 years since Brian McFadden quit Westlife yet he hasn’t been able to completely shake off the boyband.

In speaking with Manchester Evening News, the 39-year-old Irish singer discussed if he regretted leaving Westlife and if he would consider joining them on their comeback tour.

While McFadden is probably sick of people bringing up Westlife time and time again, he understands their curiosity. Regardless whether he’s performing as a solo artist or as a duo with Boyzone’s Keith Duffy, his concert setlist usually consists of Wesltlife’s early repertoire in addition to his own material.

In spite of the nostalgia, the singer explained that it’ll be weird to appear on stage together with former bandmates Shane Filan, Markus Feehily, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne. “Singing Westlife songs does bring back memories. I’ve been singing the songs for over 20 years now. But I have never regretted leaving,” he said.

He continued, “Westlife are a different band now than when I was there, they’ve reinvented themselves. When they went on tour recently everyone was asking why I wasn’t going back for it, but I left back in 2004, so they’ve been without me for 15 years. If I went back, I’d need to learn 20 plus songs for the show, plus it would be weird for this guy who hasn’t been involved for so long to just turn up on stage and sing.”

A few years back, McFadden even claimed that he “saved” the band by leaving in 2004. Apparently the quartet wouldn’t have stayed together much longer had he not made the decision to move on.

A post shared by brianmcfadden (@brianmcfadden123) on Jun 22, 2019 at 4:00am PDT

Regardless, we’re glad that Westlife is still killing it while McFadden is happy doing his own thing.


James Gunn Hired To Write & Possibly Direct Suicide Squad 2

One man’s loss is another man’s gain. After being dumped by Disney/Marvel back in July, “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn has found a rebound Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment.

GameSpot has confirmed that the 52-year-old filmmaker is officially onboard to write the script for “Suicide Squad 2”. There’s also a possibility that he may direct the project. How the tables have turn with Gunn working with Marvel’s direct rival…

Whether Gunn takes on the director role or not, having him onboard is still a big win for DC and its parent company, Warner Bros. Many felt that “Suicide Squad” had a ton of potential but fell flat due to a troubled production and editing process. Gavin O’Connor was originally hired to direct the 2nd instalment, but he quietly left the project recently.

It is believed that Gunn is taking a new approach to the project, so it won’t be a direct sequel to David Ayer’s “Suicide Squad” per se. What exactly does it mean? We don’t know yet. We’ll probably see the filmmaker bringing his own style, tone, and cast to the film. If Gunn ends up directing it, there’s no doubt that “Suicide Squad 2” is going to be one of the most highly anticipated DC superhero movies.

So what does former “Suicide Squad” director thinks of Gunn’s hiring? Instead of being upset with Warner Bros., Ayer feels that Gunn is an excellent choice for DC. “I think it’s an incredibly brave and smart move by the studio. James is the right man for the job!” he wrote.

Unsurprisingly, another strong advocate of Gunn, Dave Bautista, has also expressed his interest in starring in Gunn’s version of “Suicide Squad 2”. The actor, who plays Drax in “Guardians of the Galaxy”, tweeted, “Where do I sign up!” Would you be keen to see Bautista hop over to the DC movie universe in the future?

I think it’s an incredibly brave and smart move by the studio. James is the right man for the job! https://t.co/KaVD3dQosR

— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) October 9, 2018

Where do I sign up! James Gunn Boards ‘Suicide Squad 2’ To Write And Possibly Direct – Deadline https://t.co/OwdDbAm1Ks

— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) October 9, 2018

With Gunn joining “Suicide Squad 2”, DC’s villains could be in good hands in the coming years.

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#PLKN: National Service Training Programme Expected To Return In January 2016

Earlier in January this year, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak announced that the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) aka NS was among the expenditures to be cut for the country’s Budget 2015 as it will save the government RM400 million.

Today, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein announced that the training programme is expected to resume next January with new modules. The programme, which was named “Transformation 2.0”, is said to be “promising based on market needs”.

During the question time at the Senate, Hishammuddin said that the new modules will serve to “prepare youths into the workforce” as students and dropouts will be given another chance to study at higher institutions, private or public institutions. He added, “They will be able to choose a higher institution of their choice to take 4 to 24 month certificates courses“.

He also stated that the programme will now focus on soft skills, granting students “a 2nd netting security”, especially for those who feel lost and aimless after graduation. When asked by Senator Zali Mat Yasin on whether or not the NS programme is really beneficial to the younger generation or if there were plans to continue the programme, he said the relaunch of the programme will help “kickstart the future of these youths”.

According to the Defence Minister, the new module will be divided into 2 phases. The 1st phase will focus on soft skills modules such as:

The 2nd phase will, instead, allow students to study on their chosen certificates.

Students will also be exposed to elements of the world threat faced today like militancy, division of race, and religion through social media that can be exploited. Many countries are battling with unity, volunteerism, and patriotism. The programme will be one of the channels to expose students to these threats.

He further revealed that there could be 3 to 4 intakes per year, but they are currently waiting for Cabinet’s decision and approval on 8th July. The Defence Minister also hopes parents will send their children voluntarily by 2019. He added, “No compulsion. We are hoping to get the support from the public. That is what we are aiming at. It is major change and transformation from the 1.0 module”.

According to Hishammuddin, unlike the first NS programme 10 years ago, the new module is a transformation as it is “a collection of feedback from a Lab Series held with different government agencies including from the Sports Ministry, Pemandu, Human Resource, Ministry of International Trade and Industries, Rural and Regional Development, coaches, parents, various Non-Governmental Organisations, industry experts, and others”.

Source: NST / Image source: khidmatnegara.gov.my


2 Major Problems That Prevent Justice League From Being Great [Spoilers]

This article has spoilers. Tread carefully.

Justice League is a fun movie. It is one of the best roller coaster rides of the year. But it is just that. A roller coaster ride in which the seats come with a complimentary automatic massager that does a damn good job of stroking the nether regions of DC fans, like myself – I squealed when Green Lantern made an appearance, got a heart attack when Superman’s classic theme played and literally died when I saw Deathstroke.

This is a good movie that should have been great! It should have been more than just popcorn fun. Here are two BIGGEST issues that prevented “Justice League” from being one of the better superhero movies of all time.

In his book titled, Story, Robert McKee wrote, “A protagonist and his (or her) story can only be as intellectually fascinating and emotionally compelling as the forces of antagonism make them.”

This is why “The Dark Knight” is constantly referred to as the “Citizen Kane” of comic book movies. Christian Bale’s Batman is excellent, but it is because of Heath Ledger’s Joker that the movie really works. And I’m not just talking about his phenomenal Oscar-winning performance, but rather the way the character is written. The Joker’s motivation in “The Dark Knight” is clear, and, he’s extremely powerful. But by Powerful, I do not mean he can open a giant beam in the sky and destroy buildings. Powerful in this context refers to the antagonist recognising the protagonist’s weaknesses and is swift at attacking those weaknesses.

Now compare that to Steppenwolf in “Justice League”. Besides his name, what do we know about him and his motivations? He wants the Mother Boxes to destroy the planet… or something. We learn this in the opening few moments of the movie in the form of expository dialogue and an action-heavy flashback. After that, we don’t learn anything. Steppenwolf doesn’t do anything interesting either. He’s collecting BOXES for crying out loud. Because of this, “Justice League” doesn’t feel personal.

Even when we watch “The Dark Knight” we know for a fact that Batman isn’t going to die and The Joker will most likely be defeated by our caped crusader. But what Nolan does exceptionally well is convince us that The Joker is going to win by constantly having him break Batman psychologically. This is something Snyder/Whedon do not accomplish in “Justice League”. Steppenwolf may say shit like “you will love me”. He can swing his giant glowing axe repeatedly. He can combine the Mother Boxes and tell us that the world will go BOOM. But not for one moment do you actually believe that our heroes are in any danger.

Also, what do we know about the Mother Boxes besides the fact that they’re square? I know what they are in the comics. But what are they in the MOVIES?

Patty Jenkin’s “Wonder Woman” gets it right. Sure, “Wonder Woman” may not have a villain note-perfect as The Joker from “The Dark Knight”, but there are interesting layers to it. The main villain in “Wonder Woman” isn’t necessarily Ares or General Ludendorff or Doctor Poison. They’re all parts of a bigger idea and the bigger villain – war. “Wonder Woman” thought her purpose was to defeat Ares. She believed that triumphing over Ares would rid the world of all evil but later learns Ares merely whispered ideas into the ears of humans. It is flawed human beings who decided to take his ideas and roll with it, kick-starting World War 1 in the process.

Steppenwolf in “Justice League” is nothing but a CGI prop for our heroes to defeat. He doesn’t represent an idea. He doesn’t symbolize anything. Calling someone Steppenwolf doesn’t make the individual STEPPENWOLF.

The problem with “Justice League” is that it lacks a second act, or at least one that actually matters. “Justice League” is a fun ride that’s always in 5th gear and before you know it, it’s over. In that sense, it’s great. There isn’t a single moment in the film that’s boring. You’re always smiling. The moment the ride’s over, I couldn’t wait to jump on it again.

However, for a movie to be truly impactful, you need an emotional hook. Let’s take a look at two brilliant comic book team-up movies, “The Avengers” and “Captain America: Civil War”. “The Avengers” is fun. But it also takes its time, slow down and NOT be fun. The turning point in “The Avengers” comes when Loki murders Phil Coulson. It’s the moment in the movie where you don’t have a smile on your face. It’s the moment when the characters in the movie and the people in the audience are in a state of shock. Omg, did that actually just happen? It is also the moment where Loki’s master plan comes to fruition. Hulk – the wildcard on the good guy’s team – loses control of himself, causes the entire team to be in a state of disarray and then falls from the SHIELD Helicarrier. The movie slows down even more, after that. The characters felt hopeless. And because of that, we felt hopeless too. It is because of THIS moment, that we fist pumped the air and screamed f**k yeah! When our characters eventually put their differences aside and decided to team up.

“Captain America: Civil War”, has plenty of moments like that, too. Tony realising that Zemo has been playing them all along is one such moment. But the most intriguing moment comes when Tony discovers how his parents were killed. It is at that moment where Tony stopped being rationale. He doesn’t care that Bucky was under the control of Hydra. Overwhelmed by emotions, Tony wanted nothing but to end the life of the person who took his parents away from him.

Moments like these are almost non-existent in “Justice League”. Superman being evil almost accomplishes it. It is the only moment in the film where you actually feel that our characters are in danger. Lois Lane hugging Clark and saying, “Let’s go.. Let’s go,” is a moment of brilliance, both in writing and in terms of performances. Unfortunately, the moment doesn’t last. We should have gotten more from Clark, Lois, and Martha Kent. We should have gotten a scene in which the rest of our heroes felt like they tried everything they could, but failed. We get hints of that, with verbal jabs between Aquaman and Cyborg, but again, it’s just brushed over.  What follows is a comedic moment in which Aquaman delivers a monologue. It’s a hilarious scene, sure. But a scene that once again makes the entire situation feel light.

Here’s a bunch of other stuff I wrote about “Justice League”.

Spoiler-free review here: https://hype.my/2017/148596-justice-league-review/
Rotten Tomatoes and Critics: https://hype.my/2017/148790-peoples-obsession-rotten-tomatoes-ruining-film-criticism/
Why did underperform at the box office: https://hype.my/2017/148872-justice-league-box-office-failure-reason/

Hey you! Yes you, hot stuff. Like this article? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Also, don’t forget to share it with your buds.

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7 Family K-dramas You Can Enjoy Over Lunar New Year!

In about two more weeks, we’ll be waking up to a brand new Lunar New Year :) Although this year’s celebration will be a lot quieter and different, we hope the sights of red decor, sounds of New Year songs playing in the background and smells of the amazing food you’ll be having will cheer you up.

Whether you’re spending time with your family or celebrating it alone, there are some great family K-dramas you can enjoy. Since family dramas depict characters of various ages and circumstances, the stories are definitely relatable and engaging. Check out some shows you can enjoy with the whole family below.

“Once Again” centres around a family with all four siblings going through divorce. Each of their circumstances are different, from having a cheating spouse to annulling their marriage right after their wedding, but they all end up returning to their parents’ home and living together once again. They each end up taking another shot at love and their dreams. While divorce isn’t a pleasant experience, “Once Again” tells a warm story of family love and new beginnings.

“My Father Is Strange” also centres around a family of four siblings, but they aren’t married. Patriarch Byun Han-soo (Kim Young-cheol) is a devoted husband and father, so everyone is shocked when idol singer turned actor An Jung-hui (Lee Joon) claims to be Han-soo’s son. It sounds like a lot of drama, but it’s actually a funny and heartwarming series. Also, family weekend dramas often help rising actors become more popular. You can spot Abyss and “Dr. Romantic S2” star Ahn Hyo-seop in “My Father Is Strange” as well.

“My Contracted Husband” Mr. Oh also features U-ie in a contract marriage, but with very different circumstances. Han Seung-ju (U-ie) is perfectly happy being single at 35 and married to her job as a producer. However, a traumatic event makes her reevaluate her marital status and she ends up in a contract marriage with Oh Jak-doo (Kim Kang-woo) so they can help each other out. This drama also highlights the differences between city life and life in the countryside, of which the latter tends to be underrepresented in dramas.

If you haven’t noticed by now, U-ie has acted in many popular family dramas. In her most recent one, “My Only One”, U-ie portrays Kim Do-ran whose life turns upside down when her biological father (Choi Su-jong) appears after 28 years. The characters go through a lot of difficult circumstances, but the family-oriented drama relays a message of rediscovering hope in life and having assurance that you have someone on your side. The theme of people making sacrifices for their beloved family members is also very relatable and heartwarming.

“What Happens to My Family” centres around a sacrificial single father (Yoo Dong-kun) who is fed up with his selfish children and sues them in order to teach them a lesson on how they can be a true family. As the three siblings work on fulfilling their father’s conditions, they learn how to appreciate their father and their family. There’s also a lot of cuteness to enjoy with young actors Yoon Bak, Park Hyung-sik, Nam Ji-hyun, and Seo Kang-jun.

“My Golden Life” shows the consequences of a mother’s misguided love for her daughter (Shin Hye-sun) as she seizes an opportunity for her daughter to experience a golden life amongst the upper class. The heroine, believing herself to be Haesong Group family’s long-lost daughter, gets to live a glamorous life. However, the families have to deal with the fallout once the truth is revealed. While birth secrets are a common trope, “My Golden Life” avoids being cliche by highlighting relevant social issues and focusing on personal happiness.

“Marriage Contract” focuses on a poor, widowed young mother (U-ie) who desperately needs to take care of her 7-year-old daughter and repay loan sharks. She meets a wealthy business executive (Lee Seo-jin) with a sick mother who needs a liver transplant. The pair decide to sign a marriage contract so that his mother can get a liver transplant and she can have her substantial debt paid off. While they carry out their fake marriage, they fall in love. “Marriage Contract” is a good watch if you’re looking for a family drama with fewer episodes!

These K-dramas are available on Netflix.


#SONAMOO: TS Entertainment To Debut New Girl Group

TS Entertainment, the agency that recently found itself embroiled in a lawsuit drama with one of its K-Pop idol groups, B.A.P, is being kept real busy. In fact, they’ve recently unveiled members for its upcoming girl group, “SONAMOO”. SONAMOO means “pine tree” in Korean and it symbolises the meaning of “creating music so full of life like a pine tree” and to send “the rightful message through music”.

The group is also known as Secret’s “sister group”.

On 16th October, the agency introduced 3 SONAMOO members named Na Hyun, New Sun, and Eui Jin. Na Hyun, who was introduced as someone who’s extremely well-versed in not only her vocals but in rapping and acting as well, received great praises for her model-like figure and her height of 172cm. Eui Jin, on the other hand, is a 19-year-old girl standing at 168cm tall, and she is said to be a highly anticipated artiste who’s also currently at the School of Performing Arts for broadcasting and entertainment.

Prior to being handpicked to be a part of SONAMOO, Eui Jin appeared in hip hop group Untouchable’s performance for their track, “Take Out”. She quickly gained recognition for her remarkable dancing skills:

Earlier, the agency rallied for the public’s opinion on a stage name for the fourth member. After which, it was decided that the fourth member’s name would be D.ana.

On 1st December, TS Entertainment announced via SONAMOO’s official Facebook page that the girls’ debut album will be titled, “Green Moon”, in line with the green imagery of the group. The agency stated, “These girls have more hidden talents yet to be unveiled. Our agency is providing these girls with passionate support. You won’t regret to expect much from this new girl group.”

It was also revealed via a teaser image that there will be 3 more (yet to be identified) members, on top of the 4 members that have already been previously revealed.

We wonder what their concept will be like when they debut though. Who’s looking forward to SONAMOO’s debut? What do you think of the members that have already been revealed?

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#Baywatch: Dwayne Johnson Says Reboot Will Feature A Lot Of Nudity

For anyone wondering whether there will be a lot of skin shown in the upcoming “Baywatch” reboot, The Rock has got you covered.

Thanks to the super attractive cast and R-rating, the “Baywatch” film is guaranteeing 2 things: slow motion running and beautiful people showing off their hot bods. Yes, there is going to be a lot of nudity.

During a recent press tour for “The Fate of the Furious”, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson teased that the reboot will be much more raunchier than the original “Baywatch” TV hit. Here’s what he had to say:

“We are far dirtier than the show ever was, obviously the show was a family show on at family time of day, but in the movie we could have been dirtier. I think people are going to be shocked that ‘Baywatch’ has got dirty, but there are a lot of laughs. We worked hard to make sure the flesh quota was high, there’s more gratuitous boobs, bums, abs, whatever per minute than you can imagine. Plot was important, don’t get me wrong, but so was sorting out our slow motion runs.”

The 44-year-old hunky actor also joked that although Zac Efron impressed his female co-stars with his washboard abs, he was more impressed by his work ethic.

“There’s less chest hair though but I like to think I have done the TV show justice in other ways. We have The Hoff on board keeping that vibe going. The ladies were too impressed for my liking with Zac’s body when he was filming. They thought he’d sprayed on his abs. I’d like to say that’s true but I have to give him credit, he worked hard. We all wanted to keep the airbrushing budget low,” Johnson said.

“Baywatch” is slated for release on 25th May 2017.


Yoodo’s New Promo Let’s You Roam In 53 Countries

Yoodo first made headlines earlier this year by being the first telco in the country to allow customers to customise their mobile plan. With this, users can just pay for the data, voice and SMS that is needed (via credit card, debit card, or paypal; online banking will be available in the near future).

What more, they’ve just come up with some new exciting offers. Malaysia’s new mobile brand has now extended its Roam Like Home service up to 53 countries worldwide! This concept is the first ever in Malaysia where you get to use existing local plan overseas instead of buying a foreign SIM or another roaming subscription plan.

In case you didn’t know, Yoodo users were previously allowed to roam in 12 selected countries in Asia at RM10/day. The telco has since added 41 new countries – such as the United States of America, the United Kingdom, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and even South Africa – for RM20/day.

Do note that you’ll need to activate the pass from Yoodo app and it’ll be valid for 24 hours. Once the pass expires, it’ll suspend the roaming access to avoid any unnecessary expenditure. Users can then use the Roam like Home plan to make local calls (in the country) and back to Malaysia.

Forget foreign SIMs! Roam Like Home lets you use your local Yoodo plans in 53 different countries! Even better, it comes at a flat, daily rate! #youdoitbetter

Find out more: https://t.co/AsrF6LJXyM pic.twitter.com/EZuMXZFKlx

You ask and we give! Enjoy 20GB for only RM20 until the end of the year! That’s right, all the way up to 31 Dec 2018! #youdoitbetter

More info here: https://t.co/wAuFP07tyx pic.twitter.com/InAAlrJYg6

If you haven’t sign up with Yoodo, new users will also get to enjoy 20GB for free (equivalent to RM20 credit) for the first activation. As for other users, you can purchase a 20GB booster for just RM20! The promo is only valid till the end of the year.

Psst, did you know that you’ll also get a RM20 cash reward when you sign up for a CIMB LAZADA Prepaid Mastercard. You may apply online via the link here.

For more information on everything Yoodo, check out their official website or hit them up on Facebook.

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New Line Announces Release Date for “The Conjuring” Spin-off

Remember Annabelle, the creepy-looking haunted doll from the horror film “The Conjuring”? Well, be prepared because the doll will be returning to the big screen soon! Warner Bros and New Line have announced that the film is set to be released worldwide on October 3 2014.

Titled “Annabelle’, the spin-off of “The Conjuring” is based on the real-life Raggedy Ann doll that has been haunting its previous owners before the Warrens. Oh, you remember the one, the one that the paranormal investigators took possession of as part of their demonic objects collection.

Directed by John R. Leonetti, the film is written by Gary Dauberman and produced by Peter Safran and “The Conjuring” director James Wan. John R. Leonetti was previously the cinematographer for “The Conjuring” as well. It is reported the film is neither a prequel nor sequel and it only centres on Annabelle the haunted doll.

The stars who portrayed Ed and Lorraine Warren will not be returning to the screen as Annabelle Wallis and Ward Horton have been cast as the leads of the film. Alfre Woodard has been cast for the film as well but her role is not known yet.

The film will open against the mystery thriller film “Gone Girl” (starring Ben Affleck) and Warner’s refugee drama “The Good Lie”. Are you ready to get spooked all over again? Because this is definitely not for the weak hearted!


This K-pop Fan Shows Her Excellent Exam Results After Being Labeled As “Stupid”

One particular K-pop fan is pissed by a tweet which read “Only stupid people go to K-pop concerts”.

The fan known as Wani on Twitter has decided to whip out her straight A’s PMR result and equally excellent SPM result to prove that not all K-pop fans are stupid.

However, Wani ends up getting ridiculed even more after proudly showing her results from lower and higher secondary schools.

Many people condemned her for using the exam results to measure one’s intelligence, while others said that her action shows that she is too arrogant and boastful.

Her action literally define what @ilaniyuliq said. Poor girl https://t.co/UpizpXFl1O

— ZAIRIL (@zairilashriq) January 8, 2019

Wani who is a high fan os Twice told mStar that every individual has their own interest and people shouldn’t look down or make fun of it.

“It doesn’t mean that only the people who go to concerts are stupid. There also stupid people who don’t go to concerts,” she said.

“I am truly triggered by the statement because I’ve been to (K-pop) concerts, and I feel sorry for the innocent fans who were insulted and labelled as such.”

“Most of the people who supported the statement and criticised me are Malays. I am angry and sadden by the argument,” she added.

Wani also mentioned that she is sad that K-pop fans always become the target of criticism, when other fans outside of K-pop music are also willing to spend a lot of money for their favourite idols.

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Hype’s Exclusive: DJ Bunga Of Twilight Actiongirl Talks About His Career As A DJ

Get ready to dance and drink jugs of Long Island Tea!

Kuala Lumpur’s indie pioneers, Twilight Actiongirl fondly known as TAG are turning ten this year — making them the longest running club night in Malaysia. TAG single handedly brought a whole new world to the club scene which then saw a new breed of its kind. Having held the residency every Friday night at Barsonic, Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur for the past 10 years, TAG celebrates their 10th anniversary on November 29th, 2013 and will be moving the party to a much bigger venue.

In celebration of their decade long milestone with a party titled TAG Took My Baby Away — 10 Tahun: Rakan Joget Anda will be taking place at Zouk’s Main Room instead of Barsonic making it their biggest party ever. Hype.My gets caught up with DJ Bunga in an exclusive interview.

It started as a laugh, Daryl and Kelvin (two other members of TAG) started off by playing at a Sunday chill out.

What do you think about the current local music scene?

I think it’s great. 10 years ago the only thing you hear in clubs were commercial top  40 music but now there are so many independent nights of all kinds of genres from indie to nu-disco to dubstep to house. It gives local DJs a chance to play the kind of music they love instead of having to play ‘cari makan’ music all the time.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to TAG at an event?

At that time, it was not funny at all but one of the TAG guys got so drunk and unruly at this big indoor festival a few years ago that I had to chase him around the whole night  because he was causing trouble everywhere he goes. The promoter even threatened to throw us out. Haha! Really wasn’t funny at all when it happened but it’s definitely something we laugh at whenever we look back or think about it.

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about music?

The joy of discovering a new song that you love and then sharing your discovery with friends and people that you love. That to me is still the best thing about music: sharing a mutual, deep love.

If you could meet anyone in the world, dead or alive, who would it be and what would you say to them?

Daft Punk. “I’d like you to teach me to be anonymous and stinking rich”

If you were a biscuit, what song would best represent you?

I’d much rather be a cookie. “Sweet Like Chocolate” – Shanks & Bigfoot.

What kind of equipment on do you work with?

Pioneer CDJs 2000 and DJM900 mixer, pretty basic set-up. I need to get started on using Serato though. Lugging 300 CDs for a gig overseas is no joke!

Other than TAG every Friday night at Barsonic, Zouk KL, I also do a ‘90s throwback night called Electric Playground at Providence KL every Wednesday night with Robotron 5000 (one half of DANGERDISKO) and Wing. On top of that, I also have a nu-disco / indie / EDM night with Mr. Backsounds at Pisco Bar every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month and finally a monthly a retro hip-hop and R’n’B night called Throwback KL every last Saturday of the month at Barsonic, Zouk KL with DJ Nesh and a rotating line-up of DJs and emcees that includes folks like Mr. Dan and Jin Hackman (Raising The Bar), DJ Cza etc. Phew!

I’ve always admire DJs that are open-minded and are able to mix all sorts of genre together without. Folks like Soulwax, Erol Alkan, Alex Metric, RAC, Gilles Peterson, Gigamesh etc.

Thanks Bunga! See you at TAG’s Anniversary Party!

Want to be part of the party? Here are the details for it:

Date: November 29th, 2013 (Friday)
Time: 10pm – 4am
Venue: Main Room, ZOUK, Kuala Lumpur

Or check their Facebook event page for more details!

Twilight Actiongirl: TAG Took My Baby Away — 10 Tahun: Rakan Joget Anda

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#ZoukOut2014: The Essentials

We’re only a couple of days away from the biggest annual beach party in Singapore, which will see performances of various genres from the likes of some of the world’s top 100 DJs/producers such as Steve Angello, Skrillex, W&W, Martin Garrix, DANNIC, Showtek, Nicky Romero, Above & Beyond, and more. It’s safe to say that dance music lovers like ourselves have been looking forward to this day for months on end now.

But here’s the thing though – preparing for a beach party (from a partygoer’s standpoint) is different from preparing for your average festival. What more for one that’s away from home!

So, while we were packing for our trip to Singapore just this morning, we thought we’d throw together a list of things we’re throwing into our luggage for ZoukOut 2014.

You could call this our “ZoukOut 2014 Essentials” ;)

Your favourite pair of shoes belong at home because it has no place at a beach party. Yes, we’re talking about that really expensive pair of Onitsuka Tiger that you bought recently. Furthermore, ZoukOut is an all-night affair which will stretch on till sunrise the next day. Unless if you’re into collecting sand in your shoes or unless if you’ve lost interest in good foot care, then go ahead and bring ’em pumped up kicks. Otherwise, you’re better off with a comfy pair of sandals or slippers. Don’t worry, no one will judge you :)

It really is going to be a long night and you’ll be partying it up like there’s no tomorrow at ZoukOut so remember to load up on wet wipes and tissues. Trust us, it’s going to come in handy when things get a little messy, what with it being at the beach and all. Wet wipes will also help you freshen up without you having to run to the washroom to douse water on your face. And we daren’t even suggest you dashing off to the washroom that often unless if it’s absolutely necessary because with tens of thousands of people in attendance, can you imagine the queues? Exactly.

Time to break out your favourite pair of bikini and for guys, time to lug out that pair of board shorts! It’s important that you are comfortable in what you wear throughout the entirety of ZoukOut 2014 because of the long hours. And by that, we mean decking out in beach gear that you’re not afraid to ruin, get wet in, or sweat in. Leave the designer dresses and street wear in your wardrobe this time around please!

Let’s face it – who likes carrying a large purse/handbag/wallet around when you need to be as uninhibited as possible, arms in the air and all? You also wouldn’t want to burden yourself or your friends with finding “the right place” to dump your bag just so that you can really enjoy the party. As such, maybe you should invest in a small coin purse or a money clip. Just ensure that it won’t fall out while you’re jumping around and rocking out at ZoukOut 2014. Ah, the perks of traveling light!

Yes, as in the first-aid kind, because you don’t know when you might need it. What if you accidentally fall (in all your drunken stupor) and graze your knee against the sandy beach? What if you accidentally step on something and cut yourself? Believe us when we say that you don’t want to be rushing to the medic tent in the middle of say, Above & Beyond’s set. Plus, plasters are small enough to tuck away in your coin purse or into a money clip. Also, here’s where the wet wipes (refer to #2) will come in handy before you apply a plaster to the cut/wound. We know, right?

This is quite a no-brainer but if you have a smartphone, bring it along with you because you might need to contact people in case of emergencies. If you have a smartphone with an awesome camera, even better! Leave your compact camera at home and just have your smartphone (with an awesome camera) with you throughout the entire time. Remember, it’s necessary to lose the extra weight on you by carrying less things. How else will you be able to experience the full effect of ZoukOut 2014 otherwise?

Other things you should’t forget (some you can pack and some you can’t) include:

And last but not least, don’t forget to have fun! See you at ZoukOut 2014 ;)

For more information, visit ZoukOut’s Facebook page.


#DisneyGator: 2-Year-Old Boy Snatched By An Alligator At Disney World Found Dead

An alligator attack at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida has led to the death of 2-year-old Lane Graves.

On Tuesday (14th June), the boy was playing on the beach of Walt Disney World’s Seven Seas Lagoon at about 9:20pm when he was snatched by the gator. The man-made Seven Seas Lagoon is surrounded by a beach and several outdoor pools and bars, and a number of families were outside enjoying “Movie Night” when the incident happened.

His father, Matt, tried to fight the scaly animal to free him while his mother, Melissa, screamed for a lifeguard to help but they failed to rescue the boy.

Deepest condolences to the Graves family. Thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/nXaRrgjLhl

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 16, 2016

The Nebraska couple were on vacation at Walt Disney World with Lane and their 4-year-old daughter. Sadly, it would be their last as a complete family.

A search party was deployed immediately and for 16 hours, helicopter, boats, and divers combed the area for Lane. During he search, investigators pulled and euthanised 5 gators from the area but have not determined the culprit. The responsible gator is believed to be about 4-to-7-feet long.

The dive team later recovered his body, intact, in 6 feet of murky water perhaps 10 to 15 yards from where the attack happened.

OCSO and FWC continue to conduct search efforts for child. pic.twitter.com/ybxCS1rsGQ

— Orange County Sheriff's Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) June 15, 2016

According to Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings, Lane appears to have drowned in the roughly 172-acre lake after the gator pulled him underwater. “Of course, the autopsy has to confirm that, but there is likely no question in my mind that the child was drowned by the alligator,” Demings said.

Demings added that the boy’s parents were distraught yet relieved that this was not a protracted search. He said he brought a priest with him when breaking the news to the parents, who are Catholic.

The Graves family appreciate the support they have received and have asked for privacy as they grieve the loss of their son.

Walt Disney World, formally called Walt Disney World Resort and also known as Disney World is an entertainment complex in Bay Lake, Florida near Orlando. The resort is the flagship destination of Disney’s worldwide corporate enterprise and the most visited vacation resort in the world, with an attendance of over 52 million people annually.

The resort covers 27,258 acres, housing 27 themed resort hotels, 9 non–Disney hotels, 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, several golf courses, a camping resort, and other entertainment venues.

Walt Disney World vice president Jacquee Wahler has since released an official statement to say that they were devastated by the tragic accident. “Our thoughts are with the family. We are helping the family and doing everything we can to assist law enforcement,” the statement said.

Lane’s death marks the first alligator attack on the park’s property since a predator bit the legs of an 8-year-old boy, who survived, on Disney’s Fort Wilderness campground in 1986.

The accident brings more grief to Orange County after the worst mass shooting in US history on Sunday at Pulse Club and the murder of YouTube sensation Christina Grimmie following a Friday concert.

Sources: CNN, Orange Country Sheriff Office, CBS News / Featured image: Wikimedia.

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#MyBalloonFiesta: Festival Returns To Putrajaya For The 10th Year!

Who’s excited for the 10th Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2019?

It originally supposed to take place last year but was postponed to this year. Great things take time and the organisers of MyBalloonFiesta aims to deliver. The launched today (Monday, 25th February) unveiled 20 balloons from 14 countries.

The aforementioned countries include Spain, Slovakia, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Belgium, USA, United Kingdom, South Korea and many others. Visitors can look forward to 7 special shape balloons making an appearance this year.

Look out for these balloons: Robot Woozi by Ricardo Almeida, Pink Gnome by Jordi Diaz, Bruno the Clown by Lubor Lelovits, Pink Elephant by Peter Van Overwalle, Tako the Octopus by Koji Ota, Happy Chan by Mamoru Endo, and the Black Bear by Chiu Da Hi.

This year’s highlight is expected to be the balloon igloo. Spanish artist Jordi Enrique, who recycles old hot air balloons into an igloo like structure, will be showcasing a light and motion show during the weekend, at the pink zone during the weekend from 7pm – 10pm.

During the 4-day event, visitors will get to watch balloonists compete in ballooning competition, enjoy hot air balloon rides, fun activities, an F&B bazaar and the Night Glow event.

There will also be a corporate zone from the Fiesta’s sponsors, such as Oppo Malaysia, Gamuda Land Sdn Bhd, Dorsett Putrajaya Hotel, D’Tandoor Food Ind. Sdn Bhd, Doof The World Sdn Bhd, Rakita, Aforadio Marketing Sdn Bhd, Ripple, Love Food Festival, Biji Biji Design Sdn Bhd and Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd.

The details to the 10th edition of MyBalloonFiesta are as follows:

To find out more, head on over to their official website. For those interested, tickets can be purchased here.


Food Review: Bangsar’s Gajaa At 8 Is A Majestic Adventure Into Fine Indian Cuisine!

Craving Indian food? Before you make a beeline for your usual gastronomic hangout, we’ve got one spot we think you should definitely check out! But before we explore its fare, let’s trace the background and history of Gajaa at 8.

The restaurant’s name is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning “elephant”. In Indian culture, the elephant personifies a number of positive attributes, including abundance and richness, boldness and strength, wisdom and royalty – which sums up everything that Gajaa at 8 aims to showcase. Visually, Gajaa at 8’s facade may be among the classiest Indian eateries in this part of town. It is situated in Lorong Maarof, Bangsar directly across from Gravy Baby.

The unique feature of Gajaa at 8 is that it offers two distinct ambiances under one roof. Surrounded by a meditative landscape, the restaurant anticipates sating the senses of its patrons with its warm, regal and luxurious environment. Housed in a roomy bungalow, the entire space has a colourful, calming interior, designed with seating that is sufficiently spaced apart to keep you feeling comfortable during your visit.

The most surprising part to the layout is that there’s a secret entrance to a speakeasy in a nearby room. Just push the portrait and you’ll be transported to this cool and vibrant bar area. Our favourite part of the bar is the ceiling, which is covered with cloud-like cotton balls and LED lights.

Once inside, we were shown to our seats and served welcome drinks – shots of lime and mint juice topped with some pepper. It was really good as well as refreshing, given that we had to deal with the heat outside. By the time we were done with our welcome drinks, the food was being served. Here’s what we had:

Butter Chicken is an Indian dish originating in New Delhi. The best thing about this dish is it’s perfect for those who have a low tolerance for spiciness, but love Indian food. The butter chicken here is made from spiced tomato and butter (makhan) sauce. It’s served in a cute bucket (very Indian indeed) and the chicken chunks were cooked perfectly and were super tender. The gravy was sweet, creamy, but not too overwhelming. You should eat it while it’s hot to get the best taste.

The layers are to die for! Soft, refined flour dough is beaten to a thin sheet and folded to form layered bread. What we loved about this paratha is that it was warm, soft and flaky. You can have it as is, or pair it with any side dishes they have. In our case, we paired it with the butter chicken. Simply delicious!

The best part of Indian cuisine is definitely the rice. Really good rice usually goes by the name of Basmathi. But how to know you’re actually eating Basmathi rice? Simple. Basmathi rice is a long-grained rice type. After cooking, they become very long, slender, and needle-shaped. The Zafrani Pulao is long grained basmathi rice cooked with fresh Iranian saffron milk, sprinkled with almond, cashews and locally-sourced dried fruits. The rice itself has a hint of flavour and aroma.

This basically looks and tastes like the Indian version of roast chicken. To prepare this dish, they soak cashew nuts overnight and infused with hang yogurt and spices. They coat the chicken with the batter and slow cook it in a tandoor. Often, when we eat tandoori chicken, it seems dry – but this dish is so different. There’s a strong flavour of tandoori, along with other spices, but the chicken is super moist, making it easy for us to eat it. We definitely loved this dish.

Just broccoli – but with extra flavours and ingredients. The broccoli is friend with Gajaa’s secret spices and cooked with creamy spicy coconut milk based with Gajaa’s secret sauce. Two secret ingredients in one dish! In one bite, you can taste the crunchiness from the broccoli and creaminess from the sauce. But as you chew, you’ll eventually taste a hint of spiciness. So, for those who have a low heat threshold, just have a cup of water on standby mode.

Amritsari Kulcha is a crisp and soft leavened bread filled with mashed and boiled potatoes and spices. This bread resembles naan, except it’s a little bit thinner.

Gajaa at 8 offers a wide range of beverages, ranging from alcoholic to non-alcoholic. We ordered three different drinks. First we tried the Banana Lassi. Lassi is an Indian yogurt–based beverage with a smoothie-like consistency. It’s known to be the most popular and traditional yogurt-based drink in the Indian food industry. Lassi comes in different flavours and we were trying a banana-flavoured one for the very first time. It’s not all that bad though. What we liked about this lassi was the sweetness, which originated from the banana itself. There was no extra sugar and the yogurt flavour was strong. The lassi is suitable to have during hot weather, such as we’re experiencing now.

We also tried the Chocolate Milkshake. Typical milkshake – but super rich! It had a bittersweet taste, but good enough to fill our tummies and satisfy the cravings of chocolate lovers. Generally, we enjoy rich chocolate milkshakes. Besides lassi, the best way to end a good Indian meal is with a hot cup of milk tea. The milk tea at Gajaa at 8 came in a small and cute silver tumbler. The tea was super good and heart-warming.

Now we can’t go home without dessert! Kulfi is a traditional Indian ice cream made with boiled milk, sugar, saffron, pistachio and cardamom. Available in many flavours, we chose the almond kulfi. Kulfi is a hit or miss dessert if you ask us. That’s because certain restaurants’ kulfi have an overwhelming taste of cardamom, which eventually overpowers the entire ice cream flavour. At Gajaa at 8, the kulfi was milky, nutty and with only a hint of cardamom.

Gajaa at 8 was nice to surprise us with their chocolate cake topped with strawberries. The cake was super, super rich, but tasted so good. We liked how the fresh strawberries complimented the entire dessert and wished they had added more!

Overall, we had an amazing time at Gajaa at 8. The ambience was very calm and cooling, the food was great and there were lots of beverages to choose from. The restaurant offers 8 slots of complimentary parking for customers. However, if you’re coming during peak hours, we’d recommend taking a Grab here. Nonetheless, Gajaa at 8 is a good spot to check out if you’re craving Indian food.

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(UPDATE) #FMFA15: Date Change + First Wave Lineup Officially Announced!

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) 2015 will be moving out of Malaysia. This is largely due to the unfortunate events that occurred during FMFA 2014, which led it to being abruptly cancelled, which ultimately had our local authorities clamp down on all outdoor music festivals.

As such, organiser Livescape Asia had no choice but to buckle up and search for a new FMFA home.

It was then announced that yes, FMFA 2015 is indeed still happening and the festival is all set to rock Singapore come 14th and 15th March 2015! As we speak, early bird tickets are continuing to “fly off the shelves” for the upcoming festival, when the lineup hasn’t even been announced yet. Maybe it’s because unlike other festivals in the region, FMFA maintains its position as a cross-genre music festival with its past editions having featured not just electronic dance music (EDM) acts but also some of the biggest names in pop, hip hop, indie, and rock.

As such, we’re now super excited to announce the first wave of FMFA 2015 lineup, as officially revealed by our friends at Livescape Asia!

Tickets to FMFA 2015 are available for purchase from 5pm onwards on 3rd December 2014 onwards here and are available in three categories:

Tickets are also available for walk-in purchase at all SISTIC outlets in Singapore. Future Music Festival Asia 2015 is opened to guests aged 18-years and older only. ID verifications will be carried out at the door.

*Ticket prices listed above also exclude the ticket agent’s booking and credit card processing fees.

Remember “Sandstorm”, the 1999 trance techno song produced the Finnish electronic music producer, Darude? The song was such a massive hit that it took over the world by “storm” and turned Darude into an iconic Finish sensation.

Now, armed with his hit single, Darude is going to sand-storm his way to Singapore for Future Music Festival Asia!

For more information, visit their website or their Facebook page. Alternatively, you can also follow FMFA on Twitter or Instagram.


“Dora the Explorer” Brings Her Adventures To Malaysia For The First Time!

As we await for the live-action “Dora the Explorer” film to hit the big screen next year, Nickelodeon’s hit production “Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys” will be coming to Malaysian shore for the first time next month!

Brought to you by Life Like Touring and Nickelodeon, 7-year-old Dora Márquez AKA Dora the Explorer will now take her adventures to the stage of Resorts World Genting in Malaysia from 24th November 2018 to 1st January 2019.

The synopsis of the stage show is as follow:-

“Dora has lost her teddy bear Osito and she needs help to find him. Sweeping through elaborate sets and rousing musical numbers, Dora must venture through a jungle of obstacles with nothing more than a map, Boots, Backpack, Diego and her other courageous friends to retrieve Osito. It will not be easy, however, as the sneaky fox Swiper plans to foil her quest at all turns. Engaging the audience through song, dance and problem solving, there is no doubt that Dora will eventually succeed, so she can sing out her catchphrase at the end – We Did It!”

The 90-minute stage production first premiered in Melbourne, Australia in 2010 and has gone on to tour more than 15 countries since, entertaining over 2 million people across the world. Familiar songs from the television series will be intermingled with original songs written specifically for the live stage show.

Syahrizan Mansor, Vice President of Nickelodeon Brand Asia proudly shared on Dora as a character to look up to saying, “At Nickelodeon, we put kids first in everything we do. We’re proud to say that Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys has already been seen by 2 million fans globally. Kids stand to learn a lot from Dora who is an inspiring character: she celebrates girl power, she’s bilingual and she instils important values on being a leader.”

“This is a great show that provides learning and entertainment in a fun way through crowd engagement that will see the kids interacting with the characters. Continuing our fine tradition of providing the greatest entertainment for the whole family, Dora the Explorer arrives for the first time in Malaysia to transport audiences into one of the intrepid adventurer’s thrilling adventures, brought to life through the magic of song and dance,” Kevin Tann, Vice President of Promotions & Entertainment at Resorts World Genting added.

Tickets for “Dora the Explorer LIVE! Search for the City of Lost Toys” are now on sale at rwgenting.com. Tickets are priced at RM186 (VIP), RM143 (PS1) and RM101 (PS2). An additional processing fee of RM4.00 applies. GRC (Genting Rewards Card) members enjoy a standard 10% discount via cash, credit card or Genting Points redemption.

Resorts World Genting is also offering special Dora the Explorer room packages, including tickets to the show. For First World Hotel, the package for a Standard Room is priced at RM330 per room on weekdays and RM359 on weekends, including 2xPS1 tickets for the show. For Theme Park hotel, the package is priced at RM529 for a King room (including 2xPS1 tickets), RM847 for a Quad room (including 4xPS1 tickets) and RM1,105 for a Sixers room (including 6xPS1 tickets).

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Wild Digital Is Back & Better Than Ever

The leading digital conference in Southeast Asia, Wild Digital, steps it up in its eighth homecoming with the Malaysian Prime Minister serving as the event’s master of ceremonies. The eighth flagship conference of Wild Digital, powered by Catcha Group, will take place in Southeast Asia.

The two-day exclusive tech conference, which had previously only been available electronically, will once again take place in person on the 6th and 7th of September at the Le Meridien Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

One of Southeast Asia’s oldest internet groups, Catcha Group was founded in 1999. The Group’s mission is to put entrepreneurs first, and for more than 20 years, they have built and invested in revolutionary technology firms all over the world, with an emphasis on Southeast Asia and Australia.

Since 2015, Wild Digital has been advancing Catcha Group’s goal of assisting entrepreneurs by providing them with a platform at the biggest tech conference in Southeast Asia. The vast network of chief executives, investors, and leaders at Wild Digital gives guests the chance to hear from the BEST of the BEST in one location on the future of technology and digital creativity.

“Restrictions on physical interactions during the Covid 19 pandemic have seen growing demands by consumers for new digital and online-based solutions. Amid the crisis, we have seen the acceleration of e-commerce, fintech and logistics industries.” said Patrick Grove, Co-Founder and Group CEO of Catcha Group.

“When trouble rises, entrepreneurs strive to find ways to overcome the obstacles. Although the reason for the recession is completely different now, it’s a good opportunity to create something that solves problems generated by the shift to the online world. We believe that Wild Digital is a platform that offers valuable insights into the future of Southeast Asia’s tech industry,” he continued.

Wild Digital’s Southeast Asia conference, with the theme Unlocking Asia’s Evolving Tech Future, will bring together over 1,000 guests and more than 70 presenters, including the top tech players, disruptors, and pundits in the region.

It leads to the question, “How will Southeast Asia’s tech darlings and its thriving tech landscape, which saw record-breaking growth over the last two years, brace for the tougher times ahead?” as word of huge tech layoffs has spread throughout the world in recent months. Attendees can anticipate hearing from international and local powerhouses like Nium, Snowflake, Boost, Meta, Gobi Partners, Golden Gate Ventures, and others as they canvass the hottest tech verticals.

The speakers will discuss their views and thoughts over the numerous fireside chats and rapid-fire sessions as the ecosystem prepares for another season of upheaval.

As for the full line-up, click here to find out.

There are various ongoing ticket deals, including Startup Pass, Women in Tech, and Early Bird. For businesses or organisations, there is also enterprise pricing available. For additional details, please send an email to hello@wilddigital.com.

Those interested in the early bird deal can click here to purchase.

Visit their website to learn how to take part in the most exciting local tech conference ever this year. Similarly, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up to speed on any developments or announcements.


Hype’s Exclusive: Never A Dull Moment With #KimKat

Kimberly Lee and Katerina Nova, collectively known as DJ KimKat are undeniably one of the hottest musical duos right now, KimKat are known to have a knack for recognising interesting melodies and have been captivating crowds across the globe since stepping out in the scene in 2007.

KimKat were in town over the weekend to give their adoring fans a highly energetic and fun-filled Easter eve at Play Club Kuala Lumpur. Thanks to our buddies at The Roof, we managed to squeeze in a quick catch up with KimKat before they turned things up at Play Club.

Kim: Hey! We’re good, really tired but good.

Let’s talk a little about your background – what made you decide to become DJs?

Kim: How did we start? That’s a good question.

Kat: We actually randomly decided to become DJs, so we went to DJ school and completed it. We both play the piano, we both like music, so we decided to take it seriously and it all started from there.

Cool. What’s the one thing do you love most about working with one another?

Kim: Oh I can’t even stand her (laughs). I’m just kidding. I gotta say, she’s really fun to be on tour with. She’s crazy and I’m the more technical one so when we’re performing, I tend to zone out and the next thing I know, she’s crowd surfing.

Kim: It’s a good balance, I think. Because 2 crazy people together won’t work so yeah, she’s a lot of fun to be with.

Kat: Kim’s like my mother (laughs). She looks after me and she’s really creative, so she inspires me musically because she’s always introducing new stuff to me.

That’s really cute! What is in the pipeline KimKat this 2015?

Kim: We’re focusing on productional stuff a lot more. We’ve gained a lot of experience from touring over the past few years so this year we’re going to be focusing on a lot more new music. We’ll probably take a month off and just focus on production.

Speaking of new music, are there any collaborations we can expect and is there an album in the works?

Kim: Definitely working on a couple of collaborations but we can’t tell you anything right now. It’ll be a surprise. As for an album, yes. We’re looking at releasing it towards the end of the year.

Cool, will be sure to keep a lookout for it! What do you think of the current dance music scene?

Kat: It’s different in Asia and in America. In Asia, the EDM scene is still blooming, in America it’s club house, and in Europe it’s house. It’s always changing, always growing.

Kim: Yeah, music has definitely changed around the world.

Kat: We have to adapt to change. Every country is different, so we have to adapt to what suits and what works. We can’t play the same thing everywhere we go.

Kim: It’s like a challenge for us. I like it because it helps us stay original and inspires us to come with new stuff from different genres.

Lastly, what do you think the dance music scene will be like in 5 years?

Kat: 5 years? Oh man…who knows what’s going to happen in 5 years (laughs).

Kim: I was going to say that it’s going to be like grunge house or something. It’s always changing so it’s quite scary to think of what the future is going to be like. I think it’s best to just go with the flow (laughs).

Kat: You never know, country house could be the big thing in 5 years (laughs).

Country house, eh? Thanks so much girls.

Kat: Thank you! It was really nice talking to you.

We leave you today with KimKat’s latest single featuring Kyroman – “Riddim Bass”.

Keep up with KimKat via these platforms: Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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(UPDATE) #China: Father Digs Grave For Daughter To “Prepare Her For Death”

Everyday a Chinese farmer named Zhang Liyong will bring his baby girl to her grave he dug up for her. The reason being? It’s essentially to prepare the infant for her death.

According to the 24-year-old father, he fears that his daughter’s days are numbered due to her critical illness. He reasons that he’s now “familiarising” the child with her future burial space.

Since birth, little Zhang Xinlei has been diagnosed with thalassemia. The illness is an inherited blood disorder that cause the person to produce little to no haemoglobin. As a result, there aren’t enough red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.

For those that don’t know, patients with thalassemia will require life-long treatment by blood transfusions or Chelation therapy. Having spent approximately 100,000 yuan (RM63200), the family from Sichuan, China, could no longer afford to fund the cost of her medical treatment.

“We borrowed money from many, but they are no longer willing to lend us more,” said Zhang Liyong. He added, “I could only come up with this idea – bringing her to play at this place. This is where she will rest in peace. All I can do is accompanying her every day“.

Zhang Liyong and his wife, Deng Min, are currently expecting their 2nd child. The young parents initially thought having another child will provide their eldest daughter with an umbilical cord blood to save her life. However, the added cost of another pregnancy was just too much to bear.

Hopefully now that the family has gotten the attention of the media, financial help will soon follow suit.

Since the documentary about Zhang Liyong and his daughter Zhang Xinlei was released by Pear Video, the clip has garnered over 16 million views. Asia One reported that a Chinese fundraising website has managed to raise approximately RM62000 as at time of writing.

Sources: Oriental Daily, Daily Mail, Asia One.


#MH370: Suspected Cabin Fragment Found In Mauritius

Suspected debris from MH370 has been found on an island in Mauritius, east of Africa.

The fragment was reportedly found by a couple holidaying on Rodrigues Island as they were walking along the beach on Thursday (31st May). Rodrigues Island is a small volcanic island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mauritius.

MH370 Independent Group (IG) expert Don Thompson told news.com.au. that it appeared to match the bulkhead of a MAS Boeing 777 business class cabin. He said it was not, however, limited to that section of a Boeing 777 and could also have come from economy class.

It was reported that the group had passed the information to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB). Australia says the piece of debris will be examined to see if it is part of MH370. If confirmed to be from MH370, the fragment would be the first possible internal part to have been found.

Last year, a flaperon was found in Reunion Island. More recently, another suspected piece of plane debris had been found in Mozambique.

Malaysia Airlines’ Flight MH370 disappeared en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing on 8th March 2014, with 239 passengers and crew on board. Its journey is believed to have ended in the southern Indian Ocean.

More than 95,000 sq km of a 120,000 sq km area has now been examined in the search. The unprecedented Australian-led hunt for wreckage from the flight is expected to finish its high-tech scanning of a designated swathe of seafloor in the remote Indian Ocean by July.

Sources: BBC, NST, The Star, news.com.au / Featured image from news.com.au.

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The “Glee” Cast Members’ Pasts Revealed

In 2009, American musical comedy-drama television series Glee was introduced to a-song-and-a-dance loving fans around the world. By 2010, Glee as a TV series and Glee’s cast members went on an “award show clean sweep” when they bagged numerous prestigious awards such as the “Teen Choice Awards”, the “People’s Choice Awards”, the “Primetime Emmy Awards”, and even the “Golden Globe Awards”.

Let’s not forget the crazy amount of other award shows that they were nominated for – for many consecutive years in a row.

On the hindsight, have you ever wondered where these “Gleeks” were before Glee’s success? Are you ready to find out? Correction – do you want to find out?

This month, BIO will be airing a special programme titled, “Glee: Keep on Believin‘”. The hour-long programme will give you insight on Glee and its cast members before its “superstardom”:

[youtube id=”qVHveJiISGs” width=”600″ height=”350″]

You might be surprised to find out what the stars of Glee did for their auditions. And yes, a few of them came from Broadway but many had no professional experience at all; one had never sung in front of an audience before taking the lead in Glee’s first big number.

And how did the Glee creators ever come up with the idea for this groundbreaking pop-culture phenomenon show? How did they manage to resuscitate a totally dead genre; the television musical?

Find out when “Glee: Keep on Believin'” airs on BIO (Astro Channel 731) on 15th September 2012 (Saturday) at 9pm.


Egyptian Wonders Return To Zouk

,,are just some of the effects described by their fans when listening to Egyptian World Top 20 duo Aly & Fila in full flow on the dance floor.

In 2011, the leading pioneers in trance entered the DJ Mag Top 100 charts, cinching the #22 position. It was the same year that their hit track, “We Control The Sunlight” (featuring syrupy-voiced Jwaydan) was voted “#1 Track of 2011” on Armin van Buuren‘s “A State of Trance” radio show.

Clearly landing right smack in the radar of a rank of DJs as well as electronic dance music (EDM) lovers, they were then personally handpicked to play Armin van Buuren’s epic ASOT 550 event for the sixth year in a row (they played at ASOT 300, ASOT 350, ASOT 400, and ASOT 450 previously). They were the only DJs besides Armin van Buuren himself and Markuz Schulz to play all six years, back to back.

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Many can be said to describe their music but we’re afraid words will never be able to do these Egyptian wonders any justice. The fact that they’ve recently won the “Egypt Dance Nation of the Year” accolade at the Ibiza DJ Awards alongside Armin van Buuren, deadmau5, and Swedish House Mafia  is just another entry in their already impressive curriculum vitae.

Their record label, “Future Sound of Egypt” was also recently inducted as a vital part of the huge EDM juggernaut Armada Music, pushing their label to greater heights.

But why let us ramble on about their achievements when they can show you what they’ve got this July?

Yup! Aly & Fila are returning to Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur for GLOBAL pres Aly & Fila (supported by Terence C) in a month to make sure that you never leave the dance floor while they churn out tune after tune of good ol’ trance. Well, at least not without your hands in the air, that’s for sure. The question is, are you ready to see them?

Please call 03-2171 2075 (12pm – 6pm) or 0163323191 (after 6pm) or email rsvn@zoukclub.com.my. Kindly note that Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur’s door policy applies.

For more information, visit Zouk Club Kuala Lumpur’s website or hit up their Facebook page. For more of Aly & Fila, swing by their Facebook page. Remember to LIKE them!

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(Video) K-pop Singer BIBI Almost Had A Nip Slip During “Waterbomb 2022” Performance

Over the weekend, Seoul’s annual “Waterbomb Festival” made its spectacular return for the first time in over two years. As the name suggests, the festival includes splashing water on artists and audience using water guns and canons. Performers and also concert-goers took the opportunity to show off their bold styles and outfits – some were even seen in their swimwear and bathing suits at the music festival!

K-pop soloist BIBI (비비) was a part of the star-studded lineup during the second day of the event, joining the likes of Jay Park, Jessi, Gray, and also Chung Ha. The rising singer became a hot topic on social media recently for her professionalism in handling a wardrobe mishap while performing on stage.

During the event, BIBI first appeared on stage wearing a white T-shirt and a pair of denim shorts. The crowd went nuts when the 23-year-old removed her soaked top right after she finished performing her song “Cigarette and Condom”. After taking off her T-shirt, BIBI quickly realised that the string of her bikini was loosened. She quickly held on to her top, before making her way to the side of the stage.

BIBI then immediately approached one of her dancers for help, while continuing her live performance. Thankfully, a staff member also came to the rescue, as he went up to the stage and helped tie the loosened bikini string for her. Soon after everything was fixed, the “Bad Sad and Mad” songstress resumed her performance like nothing happened. Needless to say, she’s a true professional!

The footage capturing the incident has since gone viral online, and was met with tons of reactions from fans. Most of them praised BIBI (real name Kim Hyung Seo) for handling the mishap like a pro. To quote a few of the commentators, “There should be more singers like BIBI. She’s good at singing, and she’s also cool (on stage).”

You can watch the full video here (and fast forward to 2:25):


Hara & Junhyung Have Split, Agencies Confirm

Less than a month after K-Pop idols Hara and Junhyung unfollowed each other on Twitter, their agencies are now confirming that they have indeed broken up. Hara is from the popular K-Pop idol girl group KARA and Junhyung is from the popular K-Pop idol boy group BEAST aka B2ST.

Late yesterday, their entertainment agencies Cube Entertainment (for B2ST) and DSP Media (for KARA) offered their comments on the matter. Cube Entertainment said, “Junhyung and Hara have recently ended their relationship. The two will continue to remain good friends”.

DSP Media, on the other hand, released a statement which read:

Hara and Junhyung have ended their relationship, which they’ve maintained since June of 2011, and have decided to remain as good “sunbae-hoobae” in the music industry, and “oppa-dongseng”. The two continued their relationship under the interest of many fans and the public as the music industry’s “official couple”. However, with their meetings becoming less and less as they each carried out their own activities and handled many domestic and international promotions, the two naturally drifted apart.

On the 15th, when the news of the two unfollowing each other broke, they were at a state in which they had not yet finished sorting out their relationship matter. After this day, having decided to go their separate ways after much thought, the two even exchanged text messages with one another even after breaking up to ask how each other was doing, and currently have a good “sunbae” and “hoobae” relationship. Please give the two your encouragement and words of support.

Aww. We’re so sad! Anyone else feeling completely torn up about this? They were so cute together though!


#Penang: Photos Of Man Found Hanging In Flat Go Viral; Mixed Reactions From Netizens

Photos of a man found hanging in the stairwell of a flat in Penang have gone viral. The shocking incident allegedly happened yesterday (Thursday, 1st December) and it took place in Lily Flat, Bukit Penara Balik Pulau.

According to Facebook page Penang Kini, the man was suffering from depression. Though the man’s identity was not revealed, residents who knew him have commented on the post. Apparently, he works for the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and is a kind-hearted man.

Facebook user Vicky wrote, “R. I . P . He was very kind to everyone and every kid when I was little. We will never forget him. I’m so regretful and sorry we can’t help anything and I was too far away.”

The photos have received a mixed response from netizens. While a majority of them expressed their sympathy towards the deceased, some criticised his actions, saying that he’s setting a bad example for other people. Some even put the blame on DAP and Penang’s high cost of living.

Recently, a man ended his life by jumping off the 2nd Penang bridge. In a suicide note, the man said that he did not want to go to jail and let his children be called “a convict’s children”. It was reported that he was charged for selling illegal cigarettes that are worth below RM160 in 2012.

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