SocialCalories: Think Twice Before You Eat Anything With This Instagram Account!

“A moment on your lips, forever on your hips!”

What better way to keep track of your calories than to have an Instagram account guide you through it? Especially if you’re already working out to keep those calories off! Because one Canadian-based Instagram account will make you think twice, maybe thrice, before you misbehave and wolf down an entire beef burger for lunch. Because according to their post, you’d need to run oh, only about 3.93km to burn off that beef burger.

And that’s just the beef burger alone, by the way. Let’s not even talk about the addition of a large fries and a Coke.

A big thank you to our followers! We think you’re all delicious. #weloveyouasmuchaswelovepretzels

A video posted by @social_calories on Mar 7, 2015 at 9:38pm PST

The account, named “Social Calories”, was started by a creative team in an advertising agency in Toronto. As stated on their Tumblr, they promised to be, “Your colouful guide to running off the foods you love.”

But they also warn to use it only for inspiration to stay fit as we all burn calories as a different rate.

To date, they’ve posted up just about all kinds of food types such as macarons, pretzels, mini spring rolls, nuggets, an apple, a piece of toast, cherry tomatoes, and even a Portugese egg tart. We didn’t even know that it was possible for them to find it in Toronto!

If you tart you must finish. #keeprunning #portuguesecustardtart A photo posted by @social_calories on Nov 27, 2014 at 12:25pm PST

Btw, as seen in the picture above, it takes about the distance of 1.53km to “run off” the calories in a Portugese egg tart. Don’t say we didn’t share!

According to Vulcan Post, “Social Calories” team consists of 3 people: Nimo the writer, Gus the designer/photographer, and Pepe the art director. They’re professionals who have backgrounds in the creative industries who have decided to take this on in their spart time without collaborating with any companies.

In fact, all 3 of them shoot, write, and animate most of the stuff on “Social Calories”.

Pepe said that “Social Calories” serves as a response campaign to the ever mushrooming number of running posts that we are see all over social media platforms, such as Twitter and Instagram. “People are pretty well informed about the number of calories in the food they eat, but don’t necessarily know how much they need to run to burn off said calories,” Pepe told Vulcan Post.

As for how accurate the running distance in the food post is, Pepe explained that the distance required to run is relative, based on burning off roughly 450 calories in a 5 km run. For instance, some people may burn off 300 calories while others able to burn 600 calories.

It all depends on gender, age, weight, and running pace.

I’ve been runnin’, I’ve been runnin’. #watermelon #beyonce #drunkinlovewithrunning

A photo posted by @social_calories on Dec 10, 2014 at 3:35pm PST

Welp, we love it. How else would we have known that even consuming a slice of watermelon would take us about 0.37km to burn off?

Follow the Instagram account here and may you find the inspiration you need to work out harder/better ;)

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CN Blue “Blue Moon World Tour” In Malaysia

Wow. The floodgates for K-Pop have truly opened and this year will see the live concert of one more popular group. We last saw these boys at the “Samsung GALAXY  The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur” – we didn’t think that there was a chance that we’d be seeing them again so soon!

Just today, it was announced that CN Blue has made Malaysia part of their “Blue World Moon Tour“.

Earlier this year, they announced that they’ll be embarking on their first ever world tour, with FNC Entertainment confirmed some concert dates and venues in four Asian countries. CN Blue will be taking on the Taipei Arena in Taiwan, Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore, Impact Arena in Thailand, and Asia World Arena in Hong Kong. Last we heard, the group was still currently fixing additional concert schedules in other major cities around the world.

But at least Malaysia is now part of their “Blue Moon World Tour”! Deets are as follows:


Robert Downey Jr Sings With Sting & Kills It!

He isn’t just Iron Man, he’s also one hell of a singer.

Robert Downey Jr. got everyone falling even more in love with him with his Sting imitation. The actor sang The Police’s Driven to Tears at Sting’s 60th birthday party a couple of years ago, and we are reposting this video because it’s a Monday everybody could use a good start to the week and we are invested in your happiness!


Paramore Announces “Paramore”

We must admit, it has been a long while since we last heard from this Grammy-nominated band. Thankfully, their recording group “Fueled By Ramen” just announced the best news yet. Yes! Paramore is slated to release their hugely anticipated, self-titled new album in April 2013.

The album, “Paramore” is what would be the band’s first all-new release in more than three years. With the help of Grammy-nominated producer Justin Meldal-Johnson (Beck, Nine Inch Nails, Tegan and Sara), the release will feature materials that were inspired by “the freedom to explore new territory artistically”.

Hayley Williams (lead singer) also commented that, “The whole making of this album was a rediscovering of ourselves as a band and as friends. Sincerely, we feel that the best way to give it a name is just to call it what it is. The album is us.”

To kick off the release, “Paramore” will be championed by its first single entitled, “Now”. Following which, the band will herald the release of the album with a much-anticipated Southeast Asian/Australian tour. The trek include dates in Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines, as well as a prominent role on Australia’s annual Soundwave festival tour.

[youtube id=”PoTEnaAI9Fo” width=”600″ height=”350″]

For more information, hit up Paramore’s official website or Warner Music Malaysia’s Facebook page.


#MoBounce: Is Iggy Azalea Teasing Her New Single With Sexy Instagram Pics?

Last week, Iggy Azalea announced that she will be releasing her long-delayed sophomore album, titled “Digital Distortion”, very soon.

And just a couple of hours ago, the Aussie rapper took to Instagram to share a series of sexy new photos with the caption “#MoBounce”.

In 2 of the photos, Iggy is seen showing off her underboob in a body-hugging Supreme leotard. On the other hand, her other pictures, which are less revealing, places focus on her fashionista side.

The photos come just few days after she released “Can’t Lose” with hip hop artiste Lil Uzi Vert, off Def Jam’s “Direct Deposit Vol. 2” mixtape. “I have decided to include one of the songs from my upcoming album Digital Distortion on the new Def Jam #DirectDeposit tape,” she said.

While it is unclear what #MoBounce means, many fans are speculating that it could be the name of her new single. In a string of tweets, the 26-year-old star mentioned that she will be releasing new materials throughout March.

“I hope my fans understand my life has been filled with so many personal changes. I felt it was important I made some creative changes too — I needed my album to reflect where my head’s at in 2017. I really appreciate the patience & I’m so excited for all the new music, new visuals, album preorder dates etc. I’ll be releasing throughout the month of March. Thanks for your support,” she wrote.

“Digital Distortion” was originally scheduled to release in July of 2016. It was delayed after she broke off her engagement with NBA player Nick Young due to “trust issues”. Apparently, he cheated on her with ex-girlfriend Keonna Green, who is pregnant with his 2nd child.

Stay strong, Iggy! We look forward to hear your new song :)

Sources: Idolator, The Corner News, Iggy Azalea’s Instagram, Iggy Azalea’s Twitter, Hot New Hip Hop.

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#Firefly: Budget Airlines Apologise For Sexists Ads

After receiving a ton of backlash from the public for using photos of women’s buttocks to promote discounted flights, Firefly Airlines issued an apology for its sexist ads.

The airline was heavily criticised after posting 2 related advertisements – one on 7th March, the other on 11th March – on its Facebook page. The ads featured the bottom half of women in pencil skirts. Both images have since been removed from all social media platforms.

“We at Firefly have no intention to be sexist in how we conduct our business and we have the utmost respect for everyone. We regret that our recent advertisement visuals caused discomfort in certain quarters and for that, we apologise,” said Firefly in a statement.

The first image showed a woman in the airline’s corporate orange colour skirt, standing next to a bench that said “50% off” on the seat with the warning “Caution wet paint”. The woman’s skirt had the same “50% off” imprinted on it, implying the fact that the wet paint had rubbed off on her behind. Appearing beside the advertisement were the words in bold: “Firefly sticks to you”.

On the second advertisement, the low cost airline said it was increasing its discount to 60%, with the figures 50% + 10%  imprinted on the women’s bottoms. Beside the graphic was the phrase, “Oooppss.. We Did It Again”.

Facebook user Heather Smeaton criticised the ad by stating, “This ad is incredibly sexist and is, I think, disrespectful to women. To offer discounts, which are printed on flight attendants’ bottoms (are their ‘services’ for sale?) gives a terrible impression about how you view your female staff and women in general. I think you should come up with a new ad.”

DAP Wanita assistant publicity secretary Syerleena Abdul Rashid described the ads as “mind boggling” and it “was a huge mistake” on Firefly’s part. “The series of offensive advertisements sanctioned by the company have single handedly destroyed women’s rights advocacy by ‘dismembering’ us in an atrocious manner, solidifying the idea that women are just the sum of our bodies,” she said.

Rantau Panjang MP Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff has also requested to ban the use of women’s bodies for future promo materials. “We hope the ministry stops all these, restricts and bans all forms of advertisements which exploits women in any way, regardless even if the ad features a women’s legs, or faces which makes us feel as if women are trade tool in our country,” she told Malay Mail.

Sources: The Star Online, Malay Mail Online, Free Malaysia Today.


Tun Mahathir Says Syed Saddiq’s Party Won’t Be Successful & Here’s Why

The youth-centric party led by Syed Saddiq will not be successful, said former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

The Langkawi MP came up with the statement during a press conference in Putrajaya, which was also broadcasted live on his Facebook page.

According to Tun M, every political party should have a combination of older and younger generations. “Although the votes of the youths take up a big percentage, it is still not enough for them to win an election of an area,” Tun M was quoted as saying.

He continued, “If Syed Saddiq only targets the young people, it is quite difficult for him to succeed. But still, this is a free country, he can do whatever he wants to. He was a strong supporter of Pakatan Harapan (PH), and now he feels the need to move away from us.”

Instead of staying silent, the Muar MP took to his social media to give his response to his former mentor’s statement regarding his decision to form a brand new party which focuses on local youths. He was seen quoting a tweet posted by MalaysiaKini about the matter.

Syed Saddiq tweeted, “Thank you Tun. We accept criticism with an open heart. This is a party that is led by Youths for FOR ALL MALAYSIANS. The majority of the people who will be leading are technocrats, professionals, entrepreneurs, modern farmers, civil society leaders and so on. We may be young, but we love Malaysia!”

Kami terima kritikan dengan hati yang terbuka.

This is a party led by Youths FOR ALL MALAYSIANS.

Majoriti yang akan memimpin adalah golongan teknokrat, profesional, usahawan, Petani moden, civil society leaders dll

We may be Young, but we love Malaysia 🇲🇾💪🏻 https://t.co/YnDljlVAtU

— Syed Saddiq (@SyedSaddiq) September 3, 2020

Previously, the political figure confirmed that he will not be joining Tun M’s Party Of Homeland’s Fighters (PEJUANG) and opted to spearhead a new political party instead, which will consist of young people with different cultural backgrounds and races.

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#GreenNocturne: #Nell Releases MV For New Winter Single

The Korean music scene isn’t just about idol pop or hip-hop. Korean indie rock band Nell is a perfect representation for some of the music communities in Korea as the band is popular for their gloomy and psychedelic sound.

After a short hiatus, the band made their comeback through their 6th studio album “Newton’s Apple” earlier this year. As the year is coming to an end soon, Woollim Entertainment has decided to surprise Nell’s fans by announcing that the band will release a winter single soon.

Woollim Entertainment (home to INFINITE & Lovelyz) announced that Nell will be releasing a new winter single through a teaser image of the band’s upcoming single on their Facebook page. As seen in the teaser photo, the band is set to make a comeback on December 15th. Titled “Green Nocturne”, the song is Nell’s latest release since “Newton Apple”.

On December 12th, the company released a a follow-up to the teaser image by revealing the teaser for its music video.

Today, the band has finally released the full music video for the song. The band has once again amazed us with its music video as the “Green Nocturne” featured beautiful cinematography.

The band is expected to perform the song during their upcoming annual Christmas concert on December 24th.

What do you think of the song? Do you like it? Share your thoughts in the comments box below!


[Video] Vin Diesel Say “I Am Groot” In Multiple Languages

Voice actors that help bring buzz to animated films are generally dubbed over for international releases, but sentient tree in Guardians of the Galaxy, will be voiced by non other than Vin Diesel in many of the overseas cut.

After all, Diesel only has to say three words, so there’s not a lot of dialogue to re-record. According to director James Gunn, Diesel worked for days in the studio to record the line “I am Groot” thousands of times.

“Vin is somebody who would go in there and he would keep going and going and going, and it would take me a long time, but I would eventually be like, ‘I’m happy with that Vin, OK, we can go to the next,’” Gunn recalled, laughing, “and Vin would be going, ‘One more, one more, one more, one more.’”

Check out Vin Diesel saying “I am Groot” in various languages below


#Vape: Health Ministry To Ban Vaping If There’s Enough Demand From Public

There’s no denying that vaping has recently become the main concern in our country as it may cause health concerns.

In a report by The Star, Health Ministry deputy director-general Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said that vaping could be banned nationwide if there is enough people demanding for a ban on the electronic cigarettes.

During the press conference at Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Hakim told reporters:

If there is demand from the public to ban the activity once and for all, it may happen but ultimately the decision is up to Cabinet.

He also said that the Cabinet would order investigations into the matter to be sped up and probably approve the ban if the citizens collectively voiced out their concerns towards vaping.

Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has recently called for a ban on vaping in Johor and asked the vape traders to close down their outlets by next January. Regarding his decision, Johor Health Department director Datuk Dr Mohd Khairi Yakub said that the Ruler of Johor had a solid basis for the ban.

He also mentioned that the Sultan had look through the World Health Organisation (WHO) studies before making a huge decision of officially banning vaping in the state.

Dr. Mohd Khairi said that vaping was considered as a getaway to drug addiction as 7.6% of the population in the US are ganja users. He also said that vaping devices are used by ganja users including teenagers and students to inhale the illegal substance.

“There is no denying that this could also happen here based on the news reports over the drug substances infused in vape liquids,” he added.

Earlier in October, the Health Ministry announced that they were considering a ban on vaping under legal laws. The ministry then announced that they were looking to implement an excise tax on e-cigarettes and vapes.

Shortly after the announcement, the ministry conducted raids on vape outlets nationwide.

So, what do you think of the vaping trend? Will you be one of the citizens to voice out your concerns towards vaping? Leave your thoughts in the comment box below.

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#Furious7: Vin Diesel Shares Heartbreaking Story About The Last Time He Saw Paul

In just a couple of days, the 7th instalment of the high octane “Fast & Furious” franchise aka “Furious 7” will finally be released to the world. For those of us who have been following the film series closely, there’s no denying that watching it will evoke tears as “Furious 7” will mark the late Paul Walker’s final movie – ever.

Now, for what it’s worth, Paul Walker’s “Fast & Furious” co-star and “brother from another mother”, Vin Diesel shared yet another bittersweet story about the last time he saw Paul – a man he lovingly used to call, “brother Pablo”. Unlike many of the other anecdotes about the best friends, which are often funny or touching, this story is so much more haunting.

The poignant story, first written by moviepilot, takes us back to a time in November 2013. Vin Diesel was filming a dangerous stunt for “Furious 7” which called for his character, Dom Toretto, to drive into danger headfirst, in an almost sacrificial manner, in order to save his “Fast & Furious” family.

In the film, the stunt leaves Toretto lifeless, with Brian O’Connor (played by Paul Walker) rushing to revive him. While filming the scene Vin said he suddenly started imagining his own death, saying:

I started to think, “What would happen to Paul Walker if I died?”

The stunt had such a lasting impact in his mind that when Vin Diesel met up with Paul after the shoot he told him, “If I do die, let them know what kind of brother I’ve been to you.”

They embraced, and soon after parted ways. Little did Vin Diesel know, in a cruel twist it wasn’t Vin who was tragically killed just 2 weeks later, but Paul. What makes it all the more tragic is that their meeting following that dangerous stunt scene was the last time Vin would ever see his friend.

Following Paul’s death, filming stopped for 4 weeks in order for the script to be rewritten to write out Paul Walker’s character, Brian O’Conner, in a respectful way, though Vin said he wasn’t even sure if he could come back to continue working on the film. Finally he relented, but only because he was sure that it was what Paul would have wanted.

Though it was hard enough for the remaining cast of the film to come back and complete the project without their friend and co-star, it was also a technically difficult task because Paul hadn’t completed filming on all of his scenes. Fortunately though, his brothers, Caleb and Cody, as well as actor John Brotherton were able to be used as body doubles and, in combination with Weta Studios, CGI was used to make it look as though Paul had acted through the entire movie.

Until today, Paul’s family is still trying to come to terms with his death. Vin Diesel is no exception too, as he would also later go on to name his daughter Pauline, in memory of his buddy Paul Walker.

“Furious 7” is set to be released in a cinema near you on 3rd April.

For more information, visit the movie’s website or Facebook page.


Hype’s Now Playing: AOA Cream – 질투 나요 BABY (I’m Jelly BABY)

AOA Cream, a sub-unit trio of K-Pop idol girl group AOA members Chanmi, Yuna, and Hyejeong, have finally released their debut music video.

And it’s as cute as the teasers promised, but with a fun twist.

The music video starts off with the girls meeting up in a cafe, and AOA’s “심쿵해” (Heart Attack) can be heard playing in the background. All is well until Hyejeong sees her boyfriend walk by with another girl. The girls then transform into wand/staff-wielding magical girls and decides to teach him a lesson or two.

Enter the mayhem that is AOA Cream as they freeze time and mess with him, kick him, and spook him out by magically messing with his surroundings and things. In tune with the sweet, pop-ish song that they’re singing and dancing along to, it’s not enough to actually hurt the dude but is adorably hilarious.

Watch the music video for “질투 나요 BABY” (I’m Jelly BABY) below:

For more information on AOA Cream, hit up the group’s microsite.

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Nigahiga aka Ryan Live In KL?

Remember that random Hawaiian dude we raved and raved aboutnot too long ago? Until today, he’s still one of the most subscribed to YouTubers in the history of YouTube. And as of August 2012, his videos have been viewed over 1.26 billion times.

If we haven’t gotten you completely hooked on his YouTube channel videos yet, here’s a piece of awesome news! Ryan Higa himself just tweeted minutes ago that he might be making his way over to this side of the world. Yes, the Asian region. That includes us!:

Gosh! Best news all day/week? We think so! Ryan also posted up the same announcement on his Facebook page but he hasn’t released any more details.

What? Some Ryan Higa/Nigahiga comedy live and in real life? What took him so long? Oh, right. He was probably busy making videos that contributes to our un-productivity at work:

[youtube id=”0GmfIsOLJ6k” width=”600″ height=”350″]

We’ll update this as we go along (read: when we get more super juicy details about his first ever trip to Malaysia). Can’t wait to see him in Kuala Lumpar Kuala Lumpur!

Quick question though: Any chance he’ll be bringing his friend, Kevin Wu aka KevJumba with him? Just asking!

As promised, here are the details for Ryan Higa’s first ever Kuala Lumpur show, courtesy of the good people from Soulmanna Live. Have burning questions you want to ask Ryan? Dying to have your picture taken with him?

Venue: Bentley Auditorium, 4th floor, Wisma Bentley Music, Mutiara Damansara (between IKEA and LEXUS)

Tickets: Standard Ticket RM75 + M&G Ticket RM100

Tickets are available here! Grab ’em before they’re all gone.

For more information (and more laughs), subscribe to Ryan Higa’s YouTube channel. Tee hee.


#CNBLUE: Frontman Yonghwa Is Finally On Instagram!

After actor Lee Min Ho and BIGBANG rapper T.O.P. joined Instagram, the latest Korean celebrity to do so is CNBLUE’s frontman, Jung Yonghwa.

Yesterday, the singer caught fans unaware when he updated his Twitter with a photo of the Han River, confirming that he has created an Instagram account.

The photo came with the caption, “Instagram start #justpostedaphoto #trembling“.

인스타그램 시작~~~ #방금사진게시 #덜덜

A photo posted by JYH (@jyheffect0622) on Apr 27, 2015 at 9:31pm PDT

Several selfies and videos documenting his daily life have also been uploaded to his account.

Yonghwa is the last CNBLUE member to create an Instagram account as his bandmates Jonghyun, Minhyuk, and Jungshin already joined the social media platform in 2014.

He has amassed around 138k followers on Instagram and is currently following 16 people, including his band members and several other celebrities such as FT Island member Jonghoon and Hongki, as well as Taiwanese crooner JJ Lin.

어렵지만 노력!!! #용스타그램 #68키로그램

A photo posted by JYH (@jyheffect0622) on Apr 27, 2015 at 9:48pm PDT

He seems to have become an avid Instagram user, as he has posted 5 photos within a few hours of starting the account. Here’s to hoping that he will keep his account active!

The lead vocalist of the band recently released his solo album titled “One Fine Day” and is currently travelling across Asia for his solo tour.

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Fun Facts: BTS Of #TheBoxtrolls, Not A Hair Out Of Place

If you’ve seen stop-motion animation films such a “Coraline” and “ParaNorman“, you won’t want to miss out on “The Boxtrolls”. Yes, it’s done by the same people aka the peeps over at Laika.

“The Boxtrolls” is Laika’s latest venture into the stop-animation film category. The film is adapted from Alan Snow’s book, “Here Be Monsters!” and has a family-friendly coming-of-age story about fathers and sons. But aside from the appealing storyline, what’s more amazing is the effort and technology that goes into making “Here Be Monsters!” come to life. To really understand it, you need to know about the team and what they do behind-the-scenes.

Thanks to Collider, that information is now yours. We’ve narrowed it down to these super interesting fun facts. Enjoy:

“The Boxtrolls” will be released in a cinema near you on 11th September.

For more information, visit the movie’s official website.


#SisterAct: Disney To Remake ’90s Classic With “Legally Blonde” Writers

Yup, you read that right. Another remake is currently in the works. This time, it’s the 1992 musical comedy film, “Sister Act”.

Disney has decided to pull the classic out of their storage in order to reinvent the storyline from this hugely successful comedy gold. Fans need not be afraid that the remake will appear disappointing and terrible as Kristen “Kiwi” Smith and Karen McCullah Lutz have signed on to rewrite the script.

“Cinderella” producer, Allison Shearmur, will be overseeing the production. However, it is unclear if Whoopi Goldberg, star of the movie franchise, would be making an appearance in the remake as no plot details has been released as of yet.

Smith and Lutz are often credited as “2 of the most reliable writers in the female protagonist comedy space”, with a slew of box office successes under their names. They worked together in “10 Things I Hate About You“, “Legally Blonde”, “Ella Enchanted”, “She’s The Man”, “The House Bunny”, “The Ugly Truth”, and “One for the Money”.

The original “Sister Act” movie revolves around Deloris Van Cartier, a lounge singer who is suddenly put on a hit list by a mob boss. In an attempt to protect herself, she is forced to take up the identity of Sister Mary Clarence in the San Francisco Convent 0f Poor Clares.

The movie was such a big hit with audience that it spawned a sequel in 1993, “Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit”, and inspired a musical of the same name in 2006.

What do you think of the remake? Yay or nay? Leave your thoughts in the comments box below!


#SuicideSquad: Jared Leto Shares His New Joker Look On Snapchat

A little tease here and there makes life interesting. This is exactly what we’re getting from Jared Leto, who constantly teases his fans about his upcoming role in David Ayer’s upcoming DC Comics film, “Suicide Squad“.

Earlier in March, the “Thirty Seconds to Mars” frontman cut off his long locks and shaved his shaggy beard for his role as Batman’s archenemy, The Joker, in the movie.

Of course, this wasn’t the first time he had gone through a dynamic hair evolution as he previously bleached and coloured his hair, as well as shaved his head to play a bald killer in the 2006’s “Lonely Hearts”.

A week ago, Ayer briefly teased Leto’s new look by releasing a photo that displayed his “The Joker” transformation. Today, the actor himself took to his official Snapchat account to show us a much closer and clearer look of himself as the Clown Prince of Crime. He can be seen sporting the villain’s trademark green hair and red lip.

It doesn’t seem like this is how Leto will officially look like in the movie, but it helps that his green hair is similar to the one in the original comic books Perhaps he will offer us another look at his full costume and make-up in the near future, but that is only if Warner Bros. or the director allow him to do so.

“Suicide Squad” is produced by Charles Roven and Richard Suckle and executive produced by Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson, and Geoff Johns. Ayer is attached to direct the film, based on Justin Marks’ screenplay.

The film is based on the original DC Comic of the same name, where a group of supervillains find themselves going on a most unlikely mission for a shot at redemption. However, the mission will probably kill them all. The Joker isn’t a member of the squad, but he is the frequent accomplice and boyfriend of Harley Quinn.

His character was previously portrayed by Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson, and the late Heath Ledger.

Will Smith is starring in the film as Deadshot, alongside Margot Robbie‘s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney‘s Captain Boomerang, Joel Kinnaman‘s Rick Flag, Cara Delevingne‘s Enchantress, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s Killer Croc. Jay Hernandez, Scott Eastwood, and Viola Davis are also set to appear for the undisclosed roles.

Ed Harris and Jackie Earle Haley are rumoured to appear in the film as well, but Warner Bros. has yet to make the official casting announcement. Latino Review reported that Jim Parrack will play Deathstroke because the studio “decided to go younger with the character”. Ike Barinholtz is said to be portraying Dr. Hugo Strange while Adam Beach is rumoured to be playing Ravan.

“Suicide Squad” is slated for release on 5th August 2016.

So, what do you think of Leto’s new look? Do you think he could portray The Joker well? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

(Source: TheWrap / Image source: deviantart.com)

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#Diphtheria: Outbreak In Kuala Muda Kills 2-Year Old; 7 Family Members Warded

Malaysians, beware. Your fever might not be a normal one.

A diphtheria outbreak has affected a family in Kuala Muda, which resulted in the death of a 2-year-old. 6 other siblings of the boy were warded at hospitals in Kedah, with 5 of them in stable conditions and the youngest intubated.

The deceased 2-year-old child was originally warded in Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim, but unfortunately, died yesterday (Tuesday, 22nd June) at around 1am after being transferred to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

The siblings who are not facing any immediate threat are still placed at Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim while their 10-month-old sibling was transferred from the aforementioned hospital to Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital.

Only 3 of the siblings were found to have taken the diphtheria vaccination, while the deceased, the 10-month-old sibling, 3-year-old sibling, and 4-year-old sibling did not take their vaccinations.

40 citizens of Malacca also faced a scare after 7-year-old K. Durgasini succumbed to the disease on 18th June (Saturday).

Diphtheria is a medical condition in which the bacteria attack the body, resulting in sore throat and fever. In severe cases, a huge grey or white patch would develop in the throat, causing the airway to be blocked. Enlarged lymph nodes could also cause the neck to swell up.

As such, patients with a temperature of 37.5°C or above, facing difficulties in breathing and swallowing, as well as having a sore throat are advised to visit a clinic or hospital.

Although diphtheria could be cured easily with antibiotics, it is still a fast-spreading disease, as the germs could release toxins that will attack the nerve, heart, and kidney systems in a short period of time.

Parents are also encouraged to send their toddlers for a Diphtheria immunisation program. The vaccines will be given to the child 4 times, once each when they are 2, 3, 5 and 18 months old.

Source: Dr Zubaidi Hj Ahmad via Facebook.


Hype’s Exclusive: DJ Shogun All Ready To Set Fire To Clubs & Airwaves With “Dragon”

We reached out to American born Taiwanese DJ/producer Andrew Chen otherwise better known at DJ Shogun recently when we heard the first track, “Dragon“, off his debut album. You can imagine that we had, oh, only about a million and one questions because this album is, after all, 4 years in the making! So we needed to find out what took him so long before he could finally release it, which songs were his favourite and if there were any that had sentimental values, and of course we also threw fun questions ;)

Hi Andrew! Thanks for taking time off your schedule to speak to us. Where are you right now and what are you currently up to?

I’m back home in Orange County right now, just going through some new promos and getting ready for my Australia and Asia Tour coming up.

You’ve played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia several times before and we’ve seen you rock out at Zouk Club KL. What has been some of your greatest memories from your gigs here?

Playing at Zouk KL, Sepang Raceway, and New Year’s were all unforgettable.

We’ve just heard “Dragon” and we think it’s amazing! It could possibly do as well as “Skyfire”, if not better. What was the production process like for “Dragon”, from writing to choosing the vocalist?

Thanks, “Dragon” is a really special track and my favourite song on my album. I started by writing out the instrumental because my idea was to go for a very uplifting feel good vibe. I sent it over to Adara and she recorded the vocals, went back and forth a few times, and I knew it was perfect. When I heard Adara’s vocals on it, I knew she was the perfect one.

Your upcoming album of the same name, “Dragon“, is 4 years in the making. Why did it take that long to put out your debut album?

I didn’t want to rush my album. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to producing songs and every little detail is important to me. My album is my baby and I wanted to make sure every song was as good as possible and that everything I envisioned for it came out right. It took a while, but I’m really happy with the end product and it was all worth it, to present an album that people could connect to on a personal level it takes time. I don’t believe in just rushing out something, the quality has to be there. That’s the most important.

Pray tell, which ones were your favourite tracks to make and why? Do you have any sentimental attachments to any of those tracks?

All of my tracks on the album are very personal. Each song represent a chapter in my life and that’s what makes it so special. My favourite songs are “Dragon”, “Laputa”, and “Erhu”.

It’s the era of the electronic dance music (EDM) gold rush and the dance music spectrum has evolved if not changed drastically. How have you as a DJ/producer adapted to that change?

Yea, you have to adopt to it. Exposure is a good thing. People need to hear what electronic music is about, wether it’s trance or electro house. This is how music evolves and with that the artistes evolve too for the better.

So the dance music trend has gone from the good old house-y days to the euphoric trance years and now the trend of “the drop”. Do you personally think that people have had enough of that? Where do you think dance music is heading off to next?

I’d like to see trance being played on mainstream radio. At the same time, I don’t see the “drop” trend disappearing because that’s what people want at big festivals. People go crazy when the drop is hard, but a song shouldn’t be all about that. I think eventually it will be more of a balance between trance and “drop” tracks, like a hybrid of emotional elements with the heavy beats.

You’ve been globe-trotting heaps in the recent years. Share with us your travel gear! What are some of your absolute must-haves be it because you need those items for your gigs or because you just simply can’t leave home without them.

Right now I keep it pretty simple, just my headphones and USB sticks. I always need gum, some sour patch kids, and I’m set.

After every high-energy set you play, how would you usually wind down and ride out the adrenaline rush?

I listen to chill out music to wind down. Chill out and lounge music are my go-to’s.

What’s in store for Shogun after the release of “Dragon”? Will there be an album tour or future surprises/collaborations that you can talk about, that we should be looking out for?

There will be a Dragon World Tour, and definitely some new songs in the future. I just finished the album so just enjoying it at the moment and relaxing from the studio a bit.

Are there any collaborations with your personal favourite DJs/producers that you’ve never done before, that you’d like to work on?

I’d like to work with Daft Punk, would be something interesting and different.

What would you say are some of your “guilty music listening pleasures”? Music your fans would be shocked to find out that you actually listen to!

Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift. I’ll rock these songs in the car, then turn them down when someone pulls up beside me.

Last but not least, leave a shoutout for your Malaysian fans.

Yo Malaysia, I love you guys. Thanks for all the love and support, will see you again soon!

You hear that? So don’t stop showing your support for him! Shogun’s album is slated for a 12th December release. The full tracklist for Shogun’s debut album, “Dragon”, is as follows:

We’ll leave you now with Shogun’s lead single off his debut album of the same name, “Dragon”:

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Don’t forget, you may pre-order it from iTunes here.

For more information, visit Shogun’s Facebook page. He’s also on Twitter and Instagram, so hit him up!

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Lorde Slams Diplo For Taylor Swift Diss, Hits Him Where It “Hurts” Most

Sure, Diplo‘s (real name Wesley Pentz) Twitter offers the most unlikely daily dosage of comedic relief, but his most recent posts have royally (pun intended) pissed some people off. As much as some random nonsense he spouts off and on again make us laugh at times, people weren’t very amused when he tried to start a crowd-sourcing campaign to get Taylor Swift a “booty”.

In fact, after tweeting out the suggestion that somebody should start a crowd source to get the pop superstar a butt, he continued to go on a strange rampage by retweeting and supporting the Fundly site link.

Someone should make a kickstarter to get taylor swift a booty

Get Taylor Swift A Booty https://t.co/RpkB8JExSV — BABY DADDY (@diplo) November 12, 2014

As you can imagine, this caused media outlets, fans, non-fans, and artistes alike to go crazy slamming him for the objectification of the female body and for women-flaming. Oh, yes, it also helps to remember that one should never piss off the Swifties (as Taylor Swift’s fans are loving called), the same way one should never piss off the Beliebers (as Justin Bieber’s fans are lovingly called).

More importantly, one should also never piss off Lorde aka Taylor Swift’s BFF, who happens to be one of the many Diplo followers on Twitter. Although Lorde and Diplo have worked on the track “Tennis Court” together, it certainly didn’t mean that she was going to let him off easy. She took to Twitter to slam him back for his Taylor Swift rant, right where “the sun don’t shine”:

@diplo should we do something about your tiny penis while we’re at it hm

Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s “1989” seems to be doing swimming well while Lorde herself hasn’t been too shabby what with being recently given the task to curate the soundtrack for the upcoming blockbuster novel-turned-film “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1“.

Diplo, on the other hand, as brilliant of a DJ/producer as he may be, would probably need to think about/concentrate on spending more time on playing Daddy once again and leave the trolling to deadmau5.


Malaysian Man Gets Slammed For Openly Promoting Sex Supplement

A Malaysian entrepreneur has came under fire over his inappropriate approach in encouraging people to buy the product he’s selling.

In the post shared by Twitter user @iyesayaye, the man could be seen promoting his sex supplement for men, in addition to revealing that he travelled all the way from KL to Penang to meet a “girlfriend”.

“Promoting zina (illicit sexual relationships) is so normal now. Anything is halal as long as the item sells well. What the hell is this? Some people are so open in embarrassing their religion. For what reason do you need to consume the product? Hard for what? He’s an MA (medical assistant) right? What’s this?” the netizen questioned, along with a series of face palm emojis.

Scrolling through the replies space, many netizens slammed the entrepreneur for his unethical manner in conducting his business. Not only that, others even argued that the man could be prosecuted for various legal offences.

Twitterverse member @fe307_ commented, “Based on your claims; S53 Act 559: Promoting immorality, S7 Act 559: Insulting, or causing Islam to be looked down upon, etc, S4 (2a) PUA 395: Code of Conduct. If you feel it’s appropriate, then you can proceed with your report. If I’m wrong, please correct me.”

Apart from that, the man was also called out for allegedly violating the cross-country ban during the current MCO 2.0 situation. For those interested, feel free to read some thoughts shared by netizens:

Do you guys also think this fella here just crossed the line with his overly-exaggerated promotional stunt?

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Hype’s Now Playing: Alesso – If It Wasn’t For You

Fresh off his back-to-back performances at Coachella, “Cool” guy Alesso keeps his streak going by releasing another new track from his debut album “Forever“, which is slated for a 22nd May release.

The Swedish DJ/producer revealed his latest single “If I Wasn’t For You”, which coincides with the unveiling of his new 212 Limited Edition Club fragrances with fashion designer Carolina Herrera. Featuring his significant melodic and progressive style, “If I Wasn’t For You” also features an emotional male vocals layered over gorgeous anthemic melodies that is bound to leave fans feeling euphoric when they listen to the track.

“If I Wasn’t For You” will be released as an instant download on 4th May for those who pre-order the album on iTunes.

Check out the new single below, as we countdown the days until the release of his debut album:

Stay updated with Alesso via these platforms : Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


Fattah Amin Is Seriously Pursuing His Singing Career

Can y’all believe that besides dabbling in acting, Fattah Amin is also branching out in the music industry?

For the uninitiated, he had released numerous singles as a special gift for his fans such as “Wanita Terakhir” and also “Wanita Terindah”, just to name a few. Not only that, he also collaborated with wifey Nur Fazura for the song “Cinderella” back in 2016.

When asked about his stint in singing, he responded by saying, “I’m serious (as a singer). Who says I’m playing around? It’s just that singing is not the same as acting. While acting might consume a lot of time, singing on the other hand, you can record the song and the product will be done in a week’s time,” he told BH Online.

He continued, “Fans are familiar with me as an actor. But honestly, I’m very serious in singing. I even had a band back during my college days,” he was quoted as saying. However, his career is more prominent in acting ever since he became active in the scene back in 2013.

“I recorded my first single just to release my longing for singing. I didn’t expect it to be a massive hit. I will continue as long as there’s request and fans want to hear me belt out my voice. Thankfully, I’ve been receiving tons of invitation to perform on stage,” the “Hero Untukmu” hit maker added.

Fattah also shared that he had to reject a few offers due to scheduling constraints. “It’s not that I’m taking things lightly, but most often than not the invitation overlaps with my schedule. If there’s an opportunity, why would I let go of it? Trust me, my top priorities are both singing and acting,” he concluded the session.

In another update, Fattah will be releasing a new music video for his song titled “Bebas”. According to the 30-year-old, the single is different from his previous songs, as the song serves as an inspiration for listeners. He also shared that he got a lot of inspirations from his beloved life partner.

We sincerely can’t wait for Fattah’s return to the music scene. All the best for him! :)


Hype’s Movie Review: #AvengersAgeOfUltron Is Almost Too Much Fun

When Marvel released the first “Avengers” film, it garnered generally positive reviews from the public, including the movie critics and die-hard comic books fans. Thus, it came as no surprise that its sequel,”Avengers: Age of Ultron” became a highly anticipated movie because there were so many things to look forward to.

But perhaps there was too much hype surrounding the sequel, it came out slightly less than impressive.

Now, don’t get us wrong. We can fully agree with most of you that it is a fun film packed with tonnes of superhero puns and shocking twists. The action scenes were ridiculous, but they were very well-shot too. Writer-director Joss Whedon should be given a round of applause for dropping us all these unexpected twists and one liner jokes in the film.

However, there were way, way too many sub-plots featured in a 142-minute long movie. We will just go ahead and assume that it is supposed to be served as a launch pad for the studio’s upcoming superhero films including “Captain America: Civil War“, “Black Panther“, and so on. Though we enjoyed seeing some new characters popping up, it seemed like they were introduced in a rush and some stories seemed forced.

The film opens with an epic action scene, where the Avengers fight against an army of baddies to retrieve Loki’s sceptre from Hydra member Baron von Strucker (played by Thomas Kretschmann). We were then introduced to twins Wanda (played by Elizabeth Olsen) and Pietro Maximoff (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson), who were genetically enhanced by Strucker. They are the same twins that were shown in the first mid-credits scene of “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and technically, they are mutants.

But as some of you may already know, anyone with mutant power cannot be referred as a mutant in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Thus, the twins were probably injected with a serum similar to the one that made Steve Rogers into Captain America and Bucky Barnes into The Winter Soldier. Their powers were summed up by Agent Maria Hill (played by Colbie Smulders) as, “He’s fast, and she’s weird“.

The Maximoff twins bring a certain impact to the Avengers team as a feud suddenly occurs between the team members. Amidst their feud, Ultron (played by James Spader), an artificial intelligence that is created by Tony Stark/Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.) and Bruce Banner/Hulk (played by Mark Ruffalo), emerges out of nowhere and further tears them apart.

Spader did a fairly amazing job portraying the role, which is both witty and menacing. He has a unique mind set that makes him think that keeping Earth safe from the invaders requires him to eliminate the existing threats, including the Avengers who have already damaged some cities while trying to save the world.

The sequel seems a lot more crammed than the first film as it ensembles some new cast members and the recurring cast from “Captain America”, “Iron Man”, and “Thor”. Fortunately, the director made sure that Jeremy Renner got to enjoy more screen time by featuring his character’s backstory in the movie too.

Having previously mind controlled by Loki, Clint Barton/Hawkeye is finally able to deliver his hilarious personality that most movie-goers did not expect to see. He shares some very amusing and emotional moments with the Maximoff twins as well.

There were a few winks and nods to the Marvel Universe too, including Wanda Maximoff’s relationship with a new character called the Vision (played by Paul Bettany). Both characters were once married in the original comic books, so it will be interesting to see how their relationship will be developed in the future films.

Not to mention, the Vision will probably emerge as one of your favourite characters from the movie. Though it’s a little tacky, Banner and Natasha Romanov/Black Widow (played by Scarlett Johansson) were finally given some proper arc. Die-hard comics fans will be excited to find out what they have in store for the 2 characters as well.

The expectations we held up for this movie have definitely left us a tad disappointed, especially with its repetitive jokes. However, we must say we had a blast watching it and there’s a giddy excitement to its upcoming 2-part sequel after the mid-credit scene was shown.

Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” was released in Malaysia on 23rd April 2015.

For more information, visit the movie’s official website or Facebook page.

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12 Things We Know About Taylor Swift’s #Reputation Album & Magazines

It all started when Taylor Swift wiped her social media platforms clean 3 months ago. Swifties were confused, shocked, and excited at the prospect of a new album. They were right.

After teasing several cryptic snippets of a snake, the mega superstar unveiled the cover art of her 6th studio album, “Reputation”.  Fans didn’t have to wait long before the official music video to “Look What You Made Me Do” debuted. In addition to a physical CD, fans can also purchase 2 exclusive magazines in the special editions.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t listen to the entirety of  “Reputation”. We’ve decided to compile a list of interesting fun facts about what you may not know about the songs in her latest album and the magazine copies that come along with it.

1.  Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Swift’s magazines contain the “Reputation” CD. They both feature personal Polaroids and professional shots. Psst, there are even full-page photos of her famous cats, Meredith and Olivia.

2. Although the introductory note (where she reflects on her reputation and life’s circumstances) on both volumes are the same, the poem on the back flap is different.

3. The poem in Volume 1 is called “Why She Disappeared”. In it, the singer seems to be talking about her “fall” from grace. “When she turned to go home/She heard the echoes of new words/’May your heart remain breakable/But never by the same hand twice.” reads one of the lines.

4. Volume 2’s poem is titled “If You’re Anything Like Me”. The line “And no amount of friends at 25/Will fill the empty seats/At the lunch tables of your past/The teams that picked you last… /But Darling you keep trying” basically talks about Swift facing her past and learning to grow from there.

5. Swift confirms on the page that the child who speaks on “Gorgeous” is Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s eldest daughter, James.

6. It is highly speculated that the inspiration behind “Gorgeous” is her current British boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. The suitor is apparently so cool that it irritates the pop star.

7. Swift on “King Of My Heart”: “I think it’s really interesting when people talk about their love stories. There seem to be these definitive phases. And it doesn’t matter how long that phase lasts. There seems to be a moment when you knew it transitioned to the next phase. Everybody has a different story with how they connect with someone else, and what I find interesting are the moments where it switches because you always hope that that switch is going to move you forward and not backward.”

8. According to E! News, the singing sensation references Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston. She makes it clear that Alwyn is the king of her heart “cause all the boys and their expensive cars, with their Range Rovers and their Jaguars, never took me quite where you do“. Harris owns a Range Rover while Hiddleston drives a Jaguar.

9. Now that the old Taylor is dead, the 27-year-old reveals that she’s now more open to romance and sexuality as she sings about buying a new outfit just so her man can take off her “Dress”. “Almost every line is something I came up with a year before and then when I was writing the song I just cherry picked. I was really proud of the hook because it sounds like a pick-up line, and yet it is a love song about deep and tender feelings,” she said.

10. Swift on “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”: “This is about when people take nice things for granted like friendship or trusting people or being open. Letting people in on your life, trusting people, and respect are all really nice things.”

11. On “Call It What You Want”: “I feel like the album starts with getting out any rebellion or anger or angst and then falling in love and realising that you settle in to what your priorities are and your life changes, but you welcome it because it’s something that matters to you. This last part of the album feels like settling in to where I am now. So it kind of started with where I was when I started making the album and ends with my emotional state now. And this song reflects that probably the best on the album.”

12. On “New Year’s Day”: “There’s something even more romantic about who is going to deal with you on New Year’s Day, who is willing to give you Advil and help you clean up the house. I think that states more of a permanence. And so I was thinking about that and wrote this song. There are 2 lines in this song that I’d been saving for a really long time for the right moment. The 1st is ‘please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognise anywhere’ and the other is ‘hold on to the memories they will hold on to you’.”

What are your favourite tracks from “Reputation”? Share them with us in the comments section below.

Sources: Oh No They Didn’t, Entertainment Weekly, E! News / Featured image: Facebook.

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Petrol & Diesel Prices Malaysia For 21st – 27th December 2017

It’s Wednesday again. You know the drill – new week, new fuel prices.

As per our source, prices for petrol and diesel will go up starting from tomorrow (Thursday midnight, 21st December) onwards.

The expected prices for petrol and diesel for 21st – 27th December 2017 are:

The current prices for 14th – 20th December 2017 are:

We will update the fuel prices should the official announcement differs from aforementioned prices.


Msekin Wonderland: Sekinchan Has Finally Opened Its First Water Park

Looking for what to do for a day trip in Selangor? Or are you just bored with the usual recreational parks in Selangor?

What if we said, you could now go to Sekinchan? “What? Sekinchan? And do what, visit the paddy fields?” Allow us to break the news to you, Sekinchan is more than just Redang Beach and the paddy fields; it has opened its first water park!

If you don’t feel like soaking in the sea salt water of Redang Beach anymore, or if you feel like cooling off after putting your wishes up the wishing tree of Sekinchan, you could always head over to Msekin Wonderland. Although the waterpark’s opening was postponed under the current circumstances, it finally opened a couple of months ago to the public. Now with just RM20 for children and RM25 for adults (note that there’s a slight entrance fee difference for non-MyKad holders), you could have all the fun you want in Sekinchan’s first ever waterpark.

Msekin Wonderland might be quite small compared to the other large and impressive waterparks you have been to before, but, it is no less fun. it has 10 different pools, each with different slides, fountains and many more other fun activities for you and your family to enjoy. If you don’t feel like getting wet, then you could always go jump on the trampolines or take a ride on their electric bicycles. Maybe if you feel more adventurous, go for the ATV!

For those who don’t find the aforementioned too kid-friendly, you might be wondering – what about the families with small children? Don’t you worry, because your children can go jump in the ball pits, or rather, slide their way into the ball pits! Are they more on the adventurous side? There’s even a small obstacle course to keep them occupied from day to night. Oh, speaking about day to night, Msekin Wonderland opens from 8 in the morning until 10 at night!

If you’re too tired for a day trip, you could always rent a hotel room for a good night’s rest. But, if you still haven’t had enough of the adventure for the day, then you can always opt for the tent. The room rent starts from RM198 for peak season, but you will be given 2 free tickets for Msekin Wonderland. Meanwhile, the tents would cost you around RM100. The accommodation also includes breakfast, and there are other restaurants along with stalls in the vicinity as well.

Although their price rate are as we have stated above, they do have cheaper packages. The Family Package that consists of 5 persons, will costs MyKad holders RM100 in total, while as for non-MyKad holders, RM125. You can book your tickets here.

So, the next time you have no idea where to go for an adventurous day trip, try paying Msekin Wonderland a visit!


13 Asian Horror Titles We Dare You To Watch This Hungry Ghost Month

Asia has gained a reputation for our bone-shivering horror films, both because of our love for all things horror, but also inspired by our storied culture. With Hungry Ghost Month creeping up on us as we type this sentence out, we’ve curated a list of familiar and unexplored horror titles rooted in folklore, myths, and urban legends unique to this region.

Experience these legends and stories that make up our Asian culture – all from the comfort of your homes. If you need some help deciding what to watch, here’s a list of spooky cookie titles that are available on Netflix to get you oriented…

“Incantation” has clocked in some serious ratings, having maintained its place in Netflix’s Global Top 10 list for non-English films for five consecutive weeks. Incantation’s immense popularity is for good reason, and missing out on it this month would be the true horror.

Combining the elements of mysterious esoteric religions and unsettling rituals of Taiwanese folklore, the movie adopts a found footage, mockumentary format that immerses the audience as it explores the complexities of taboos and curses.

Directed by seasoned Thai directors, “School Tales The Series” brings eight horrifying stories, based on comics, to life. This anthology is built around the theme of school-bound horrors, passed down from class to class, bringing back chilling memories of local schoolyard stories and legends.

What would you do if you noticed a hole in your living room wall but those around you insist that you are lying? In “The Whole Truth”, two siblings stumble on a strange hole in the wall of their grandparents’ house, and horrifying incidents that follow reveal sinister secrets about their family. Their attempts to find the answer could lead to the truth no one wants to know.

In recent years, Indonesia has become the go-to for horror fans, producing a number of popular movies bound to shock and terrify – all while providing a unique Indonesian perspective.

Expect lots of blood, gore and brutal horror in “May The Devil Take You”, as the movie uncovers the consequences of satanic rituals and selling one’s soul to the devil in exchange for riches. Catch May The Devil Take You on Netflix if you are in for a wild, gruesome ride.

“Vietnamese Horror Story” interweaves three stories inspired by local folklore and urban legends – for instance, a 3 souls and 7 spirits (3 hồn 7 vía) Buddhist concept in the third story – following an actress seeking everlasting beauty; a magician who makes a deal with the devil; and a psychic seeking the remains of a deceased girl. Witness the integration of traditional cultures and beliefs with the element of horror this August to fully immerse in Ghost Month.

A revenge horror thriller that explores the darkness of the entertainment industry, “The Guardian” follows a backup singer who enlists the help of occult forces, black magic and a Kumanthong doll (a divine child spirit in a doll that is believed to bring luck and fortune to the owner) to achieve popularity.

Take a peek into Malay culture’s most popular malevolent supernatural entity, the Pontianak, as it makes an appearance in “Dendam Pontianak” on Netflix this August. In Southeast Asian mythology, the pontianak refers to a vicious, long-haired female vampire who is normally out to seek revenge. The movie is a modern retelling of this popular mythology complete with forbidden love, betrayal, witchcraft and murder.

Beginning with a Quran passage about Satan, “Roh” is a disquieting rural Malaysian horror tale rooted in folklore and superstitions that explores the role of the devil in the context of a religious and spiritual society. The movie follows an isolated family living in a barren hut deep in the jungle who meet with a series of frightening supernatural incidents after taking in a little girl lost in the forest. Remain at the edge of your seats with this slow-burn plot.

Centering around a religious medical practitioner turned healer who struggles to come to terms with his wife’s untimely death, “Munafik” and “Munafik 2” are films that grapple with issues of faith and religion. Guaranteed to spook all horror junkies, these films are worth the watch this August, especially with “Munafik 2” being the highest grossing Malaysian film in 2019.

When a student’s suicide rattles an all-girls Catholic school, a clairvoyant guidance counselor embarks on solving this mysterious death, and in turn uncovers the convent’s abusive past. A film on how modern beliefs and faith can clash, “Eerie” brings to the screen thought-provoking issues while incorporating the element of horror.

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Hype’s Movie Review: Enter The #BookOfLife’s Fantastical World Of Dead

Death is part of an endless circle deemed as the scariest part of life. However, death isn’t as horrible as it seems if we were to view it in a positive light. In Mexico, family and friends of the deceased member would gather around the cemeteries to celebrate the Day of the Dead as the spirits will return to receive gifts and spend a brief moment with the living.

It’s hard to imagine the way they celebrate it but director Jorge R. Gutierrez gave us a glimpse into the fantastical world of dead through his latest animated film, “The Book of Life“.

Set in the present day, the film begins with a group of problematic schoolchildren arriving at a museum for a field trip. As expected, these kids are not interested in the trip at all but instead, the secret entrance into the museum piqued their interests, especially under the lead of the beautiful, smart, and sassy tour guide Mary Beth (voiced by Christina Applegate). Entering the secret museum may seem like an exciting field trip for the kids but the greatest story begins the moment Beth opens the “Book of Life”.

Through Beth’s storytelling, the wooden figurines of the characters in the book come alive and we are introduced to the gods of the dead, La Muerta (voiced by Kate del Castilo) and Xibalba (voiced by Ron Pearlman). La Muerta is the beautiful queen of the Land of the Remembered, who has a love-hate relationship with her lover Xibalba, the miserable lord of the Land of the Forgotten. Sick and tired of his cold, miserable life in the Land of the Forgotten, Xibalba begged La Muerta to swap her throne so that he can rule the happier, livelier Land of the Remembered.

As a result, the 2 meddle with the Land of the Living as they place their bets on 2 boys, Joaquin (voiced by Channing Tatum) and Manolo (voiced by Diego Luna) to predict which one of them can win the heart of another childhood friend of theirs, Maria (voiced by Zoe Saldana). La Muerta places her bet on Manolo, the music-obsessed son of the well-known bullfighter Carlos Sanchez (voiced by Hector Elizondo) while Xibalba places his bet on Joaquin, a tough soldier’s son.

However, the young Maria is forced to separate from the boys after causing a chaos in the town of San Angel. Just as she’s about to leave Mexico aka “the centre of the universe”, it became obvious that Manolo will win Maria’s heart but Xibalba is convinced that the little trick he put on Joaquin earlier might just help him win the bet instead. What’s the trick he put on Joaquin, you ask? All we can say is that it has to do with the ways in which he becomes the new hero for protecting the town without being harmed by the enemies.

While Maria is away, Manolo stays true to his passion for music and continues to play the guitar given by Maria. However, he was forced to live up to his father’s expectation as his father thinks that he has the potential to become the best bullfighter in the Sanchez family. Although he failed to put up a great bullfighting show for the town, his act of kindness once again soften Maria’s heart, which forces Xibalba to put on a deadly trick on Manolo.

And so Manolo’s fantastical journey into the Land of the Remembered begins. Since it’s the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday, the Land of Remembered became overflowed with vibrant colours and joyful vibes that almost made us want to step into the magical underworld too. Manolo even “reunites” with his late mother and other dead ancestors in the Land of Remembered before he discovers that he was tricked into underworld by Xibalba.

Together with his mother and his grandfather, Manolo set to venture into Land of Forgotten and search for La Muerta so that he can return to the human world. But before he can even make it to the human world, the town is threatened by the most wanted, notorious criminal Chakal and his band of thieves. Will Manolo make it out of the underworld to save Maria and the town? After his power is stripped off by Chakal, will Joaquin sacrifice himself to save the town?

More importantly, between a hero and a musician, who will Maria pick? That’s for you to find out in the film!

From the hilarious dialogues to the unique animated style to the pop-music references, “The Book of Life” is arguably the best animated film we’ve seen in 2014. The portrayal of the Land of the Remembered is so surreal yet breathtakingly beautiful and the song choices are surprisingly fitting for some of the scenes in the film. There are just so many funny characters that even Manolo’s grandmother (which bears a striking resemblance to Madame Foster in “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends”) as well as Maria’s pet pig can make the audience burst out laughing!

While the film focuses on the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday, there are some important life lessons and advices that director Jorge R. Gutierrez has put into the film as well. It encourages people to overcome their greatest fears and to never give up on their dreams so that there are no regrets later in their lives. More importantly, the film helps the audience to understand the losing the loved ones can be painful but as long as you remember them and pray for them, they’re still with you because they live inside your heart.

Just like Tim Burton’s “Nightmare Before Christmas”, the characters of the film will certainly become some of our favourite animated characters of all time. Whenever we think of Mexican Day of the Dead holiday, we think of the magical underworld in “The Book of Life”.

Directed by Jorge R. Gutierrez and produced by Guillermo del Toro, “The Book of Life” hits Malaysian cinemas on October 16, 2014.

For more information, visit the movie’s official website and Facebook page.


#voteZKL2016: Love Zouk Kuala Lumpur? Let’s Get The Superclub To The Top

It’s that time of the year again (for clubs) and Zouk Kuala Lumpur is in it to win it!

Zouk Kuala Lumpur has been pushing the boundaries since it first opened its doors in 2004, an even more so this year when it moved to a new location.

The parties returned bigger and better than ever at the new Zouk Kuala Lumpur in August, as its new home boasts 11 spectacular rooms, making it Asia’s largest superclub. Also further cementing the Zouk brand name as one of the world’s best clubbing destinations.

The pride of clubland Kuala Lumpur, the 11-year-old Zouk Kuala Lumpur first entered the polls in 2011 at #65, and in 4 years, it spectacularly made it to be among the top 40 clubs in the world.

And now, Zouk Kuala Lumpur is gearing up for one of its biggest campaigns in 2015/2016 in its bid to gain a spot in the Top 20 positions next year.

The 3-month voting period will see Zouk Kuala Lumpur, now at #38, embark on a national outreach programme. One that has both club-based events/activities and collaborations. For the first time, Zouk Kuala Lumpur will be embarking on an interstate tour at Malacca’s Mixx club on 12th December and Penang’s Cuvee club on 19th December, during the polling season.

The voting started on 10th December and it ends on 19th February. So if you love Zouk Kuala Lumpur, if you’ve rocked out to all the DJs that they’ve brought to KL, and if Zouk Kuala Lumpur is your “second home”, go here to vote!

Results will be announced in March 2016.

For more information, visit Zouk Kuala Lumpur’s Facebook page.

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#Bangkok: Govt Bans Street Food Vendors In Thai Capital; No More By End 2017

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is making darn well sure that street food vendors will “disappear” from Bangkok before the year ends, a move that will impact all 50 districts in Thailand’s bustling capital.

In fact, the ban was initially slated to go into effect yesterday (17th April, Monday) in 3 popular residential and commercial districts – Thong Lor, Ekkamai, and Phra Khanong- but since street food vendors are typically not allowed to operate on Mondays, the ban will go into effect today (18th April, Tuesday).

This is, of course, coming as a shock to tourists who often flock the city for its delectable, mouth-watering array of street noms. Us, including :( On top of that, the Thai city was just named the finest street food destination by CNN last month – a title that has been bestowed upon them for the 2nd year running.

To quote CNN, “It is impossible to avoid street food in Bangkok, where sidewalk vendors in different parts of the city operate on a fixed rotation. It said that some take care of the breakfast crowd with sweet soymilk and bean curd, others dish up fragrant rice and poached chicken for lunch. The late-night crowd offers everything from phad thai noodles to grilled satay.”

So, why the ban, you ask? For cleanliness, safety, and order, according to Wanlop Suwandee, chief adviser to Bangkok’s governor.

With the implementation, the BMA hopes to return the pavements to the pedestrians and clear out illegal vendors. “The street vendors have seized the pavement space for too long and we already provide them with space to sell food and other products legally in the market, so there will be no let-up in this operation,” Wanlop said, adding that Chinatown and the popular backpacker district Khao San Road will be the government’s next targets.

Anyone else as bummed out as we are? Group hug!

Sources: The Nation, CNN / Featured image: tastythailand.com.


Adidas Represents With “Breathe And Stop”

Presented by adidas Originals, the “Breathe and Stop” tour, which kicked off in Bangkok on August 4th, will follow in five of SEA’s most iconic cities. The cities that they’ll be invading are none other than Saigon (11th), Singapore (16th), and Manila (18th).

Oh, but there is one more stop. And it’s none other than our very own home ground, Kuala Lumpur!

Happening on 10th August (Friday), the crux of the Breath and Stop shows is to bring together the DJs, the dancers, and the audience under one groove, united in their quest for the perfect beat and to showcase the “all originals represent” anthem.

Kuala Lumpur represents with three of hip hop’s most influential DJs, DJ Ali Shaheed Muhammas (A Tribe Called Quest/Lucy Pearl), DJ Maseo (De La Soul), and DJ Shortkut (Beat Junkies/I.S.P/Triple Threat) and the country’s best dance crews! And they’re all set to rock your socks off at Stage Club Kuala Lumpur, dropping them beats and shaking up the dance floor.

Lucky fans that are selected through retail mechanics held across all adidas Originals Concept Stores within the Klang Valley will also be treated to an exclusive meet and greet with the DJs at the adidas Originals Concept Store in KLCC.

Whoa! When they say, “lucky”, they mean business!

Breathe and Stop Malaysia 2012 is proudly sponsored by adidas, Pioneer DJ, Steez, Carlsberg, BEST WESTERN PREMIER Dua Sentral and Brightbox.

For more information, hit up their Facebook page.

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CONTEST: Music Conference Asia 2012

Are you still recovering from the weekend of partying? Fighting the Monday blues, some sleepiness, and needing a pick-me-up (that doesn’t involve overdosing on coffee)?

How about a tickets giveaway for Music Conference Asia 2012?

Happening at the end of this month, Music Conference Asia 2012 will be featuring some of the biggest names in the EDM scene. We know, we know, a lot of you are excited to see Dash Berlin perform outdoors in Malaysia for the very first time. We are too:

[youtube id=”F4JTEwKTnLY” width=”600″ height=”350″]

If haven’t read all about it yet, go here.

Global Sound Masters (promoter and organizer of Music Conference Asia 2012) are so super stoked that this is finally happening. Might we add, that they are working hard to ensure that everyone will come out and just have a chock-full of fun. So much so that they’re graciously rewarding our winners with FIVE pairs of tickets to Music Conference Asia 2012!

Yes, that would be you. And yes, that would be TEN tickets in total, one pair per winner.

But here’s the catch; you have to take part in a pretty easy breezy competition to snag yourself a pair. And here’s how it works:

The two steps above are crucial because next, you would have to:

1) Share this post on your Facebook wall.

2) Tweet the following phrase, “There’s a mad #Hype about @HypeMY giving away @globalsound_’s #MCASIA2012 tickets & I think I deserve to win it! I do!”

Well? Pretty easy, isn’t it? If you win, you could be well on your way to the next big party happening in Sepang, Malaysia on the 28th of April 2012!

Contest is open to those residing in Selangor only and it ends on the 16th of April 2012 (Monday). You have exactly a week.

For more information, visit their MC Asia 2012’s Facebook page.


Rootz Club KL: Same Name, New Game

The newly revamped and remodelled Rootz Club KL is set to redefine the art of party perfection at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Known for bringing Malaysia one of the most anticipated clubs in the recent era, Providence, the same team returns and have created the look and experience and will present clubbers with their first foray into the Malaysia ‘big room’ club space.

The new look of Rootz club highlights high energy and social partying with a focus on premium bottle service to enhance exclusive VIP experiences, while at the same time catering to music lovers, the party masses, and the unpretentious. Decked with a state of the art sound system, Rootz’ prime location, wold class service, and cutting edge music and programming will continue to attract the sexiest and sassiest ravellers with its latest club night offerings from Wednesday to Saturday nights on a weekly basis.

Focusing on a more contemporary yet classy outlook, Rootz Club KL offers some of the finest tunes played by some of the most popular names in the scene and one of the largest selections of champagne KL has to offer, the new Rootz Club KL has quickly become one of the most essential venues in Kuala Lumpur for an over the top evening of unforgettable experiences.

More deets as to how you can be part of the Rootz Club KL Grand Launch: All Gold Everything available here.

For more on Rootz Club KL, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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Contest: Win Passes To Watch The Sam Willows’ Kuala Lumpur Showcase

Since starting out as an indie-pop band 6 years ago, The Sam Willows has continued to grow from strength to strength, establishing themselves as a serious music contender.

You may have heard that the pop quartet from Singapore will be dropping by Kuala Lumpur for a one-night only showcase next week. Thanks to the good people from Sony Music Malaysia, we’re giving out 5 pairs (10 passes) of tickets to watch them live! Interested?

Following the success of their debut album “Take Heart”, fans can expect the multi-talented musicians to perform singles from their latest sophomore album – “I Know, But Where!” – including “Keep Me Jealous”, “Save Myself”, “Papa Money” and “Robot”.

The details to The Sam Willows’ showcase in KL are as follows:

Wanna say hi to Narelle and Benjamin Kheng, Sandra Riley Tang, and Jonathan Chua in person? Just follow the instructions below.

A post shared by thesamwillows (@thesamwillows)


(Update) “Cats The Musical” Includes Malaysia In Its International Tour

While “The Phantom Of The Opera” is currently having its run in Malaysia, another famous musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber will be making its way to our shores next year!

“Cats The Musical” is set to delight Malaysian theatre fans in Istana Budaya, from 16th to 2nd February 2020. Malaysia is part of the musical’s Asia leg which includes Manila, Singapore and several locations in China.

Apparently, this is not the first time “Cats” arrived Malaysia. In 2002, Kuala Lumpur was included in the musical’s Asia tour. Tickets to the Malaysian show is already available on TicketCharge with prices ranging from RM254 to RM684.

“Cats” is the 4h-longest-running show in Broadway history, and was the longest running Broadway show in history from 1997 to 2006 until it was surpassed by “The Phantom of the Opera.”

A film adaptation of the musical will be hitting cinemas this year starring Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden, Rebel Wilson, Jason Derulo, Idris Elba, Ray Winstone, Ian McKellen, and Judi Dench.

The musical tells the story of a tribe of cats known as the Jellicles and the night they make what is known as “the Jellicle choice” where they decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer (a metaphor for Heaven) and come back to a new life.

Due to touring schedule, “Cats The Musical” in Malaysia (originally schedule to kick off at the Istana Budaya from 16th January 2020) has been cancelled. Customers who have purchased tickets may get the full ticket refund via TicketCharge.


#GreyhoundCafe: First Southeast Asian Outlet Outside Bangkok Opens In KL

With 18 years experience in the F&B industry, Greyhound Cafe in Thailand has transformed the way foodies enjoy their meals.

Having cemented its reputation as Thailand’s first fashion cafe, Greyhound has transformed to more than that of just a simple restaurant and has become a favourite for Thais as well as international visitors.

Its clear creative concept and an emphasis on the “total dining experience” means that the restaurant places extraordinary importance on wide menu offering, distinct taste of food, dining atmosphere, quality of service, music, and right down to staff uniform.

And now, Greyhound Cafe has finally arrived on our shores :)

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

We were invited to the grand opening yesterday (Tuesday, 1st March), where we got the opportunity to have our first look at the cafe. We adore its industrial modern minimal style which features decorations that reflect the simple and stylish identity of the brand.

And the use of basic materials such as zinc sheets and graphic printed tiles? It was love at first sight.

The menu has many intriguing origins, some from late night hunger pangs that transformed available offerings into unique dishes, and some from various travels that introduced the team to some delightful flavours that have been twisted into the cafe’s own.

It has a generous section of mostly Thai-Asian cuisine, which is easy on the Asian palate.

All of Greyhound Cafe’s dishes are full of many wonderful stories.

The cafe covers all indulgences such as the “Spicy Spaghetti Thai Style” (RM29) to comfort food such as the “Sandwich in a Bowl” (RM25). Adventurous foodies will love the “Complicated Noodle”, which is basically a deconstructed noodle that allows you to play with your food, sorta.

Food lovers with a sweet tooth aren’t forgotten, of course.

There’s also an array of delectable desserts to choose from ranging from the more traditional Thai-style “Tum Tim Krob” (RM16), otherwise known as the “Red Ruby”. But the real stars of the show are the “Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Cake” (RM22) and our personal favourite, the “Fresh Coconut Crepe Cake” (RM22).

The “Fresh Coconut Crepe Cake” is made from light and thin crepes, layered with fresh cream and fresh coconut meat. It’s really quite hard to stop digging your fork into it once you start, and the perfect ending note to great food. Take it from us!

Of course, our pictures alone aren’t enough to do it any justice. You need to be there to indulge in the amazing total dining experience yourself. Hey, Greyhound Cafe isn’t “The hottest seats in Bangkok” for nothing ;)

Greyhound Cafe is located at Ground Floor, Ansa Kuala Lumpur, 101 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

For more information, visit Greyhound Cafe Malaysia’s Facebook page or Instagram.

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Brie Larson & Fellow Cast Will Be In Singapore This February To Promote Captain Marvel

Wanna see Brie Larson in person next month? The cast and directors of “Captain Marvel” will be stopping by Singapore to promote their upcoming Marvel movie.

Larson will be joined by Samuel L. Jackson and Gemma Chan, as well as filmmakers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Mark your calendars peeps, the special fan event will take place at Marina Bay Sands on Thursday, 14th February 2019.

This comes after Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” had its fan event at the same venue in April 2018. Just like last year, the upcoming “Captain Marvel” fan event is free-to-public. However, due to venue capacity limitations, all attendees are required to pre-register and collect their ticket in person on Sunday, 10th February, at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Level B2, Hall F.

“Registration will commence at 10am on Sunday, 10th February, and will run until tickets are fully redeemed. Fans must have a valid Marina Bay Sands or SISTIC ticketing account and will need to provide their account details in order to register for the event in person. If they do not have an existing Marina Bay Sands or SISTIC ticketing account, it is highly recommended that they sign up for one prior to registration day on Sunday, 10th February. You may sign up for an account here.”

Important points to remember for registration and ticket collection:

A post shared by Marina Bay Sands (@marinabaysands)

Singapore will be the only Asian stop for the film’s publicity tour. For more information, go here.


Get Your Groove On With Silent Discotek!

Silent Discotek – a unique entertainment concept that features two DJs perform different styles of music concurrently in silence to a large audience wearing Silent Discotek headsets now returns with a whole new Club Series Tour! The Silent Discotek concept was featured at major events such as Good Vibes and Sundown as well as other exclusive events and was very well received by revellers!

Creating a whole new event, Silent Discotek is launching its New Club Series Tour at the Nagaba Bar & Rooftop, Kuala Lumpur on November 27th, 2013 (Wednesday).

“Party people can choose to listen to whichever music that suits their mood. Rather than having to scream over blasting music to chat to friends, our guests enjoy complete control over their party experience. Silent Discotek can convert any outdoor space, room or venue into a Silent Disco Party Arena. Each headphone has a receiving range of 100 meters, which allows us to bring a Silent Disco to you in just about any location.” says Dean Richards, founder and director of Silent Discotek.

“We can essentially add layers of music over any outdoor space, room, or venue. Whether you’re 16 or 60, anybody can enjoy Silent Discotek” says Reuben Samuel, director of Mile High Sounds.

“When it comes to event innovations, there is no limit to what Silent Discotek can do. We have many ideas in the making and are excited to show Malaysia what we have to offer. Our ultimate goal is to put Malaysia at the forefront for Silent Discos in & around Asia”, says Nathan, operations manager of Silent Discotek.

The Silent Discotek New Club Series Tour features Two Series of events. Details are as follows:

Address: Cnr Jalan Nagasari & Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang (next to Lust & Park Royal) aka the former

Admission: RM25.00 which includes headphones hire and one drink

Address: 4 Lorong Yap Kwan Seng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur

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#FiftyShadesDarker: Your New Favourite Sexy Movie Playlist

What do Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, John Legend, Sia, Halsey, Zayn Malik, and Nick Jonas all have in common? Besides being some of the music industry’s biggest stars, these pop artistes are also featured in the “Fifty Shades Darker” soundtrack.

Based on E. L. James’ best-selling adult fiction trilogy, “Fifty Shades Darker” continues where “Fifty Shades of Grey” left off. This time, Christian Grey (played by Jamie Dornan) is on a mission to win back Anastasia Steele (played by Dakota Johnson) after falling out with each other.

Fans of the erotic “Fifty Shades” franchise may be disappointed that “Fifty Shades Darker” has been banned in Malaysia because of its graphic nudity and sexual content, but we’ve got the next best thing for you guys: the original motion picture soundtrack.

“We wanted to find classic, quality, and timeless songs. In the story, Christian and Ana have a complicated relationship so the soundtrack organically reflects that,” said the film’s music supervisor Dana Sano.

Staying true to the film’s theme, the different genre of songs found on this record are dark and sensuous. If you’re a pop music lover, prepare yourself for an incredible eargasmic experience:

1. Zayn & Taylor Swift – “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”

What better way to set the mood than with Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift’s sizzling duet. Shot at the historic St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, the music video begins with the former One Direction member looking suave in a black sports jacket and dress shirt as he enters the lavish hotel.

The quintessential mood is reflected in the push and pull meets passion and pain setting where the singers are smashing lamps against walls and tearing up hotel pillows. Malik’s brooding falsetto and Swift’s breathy vocals perfectly mirrors the relationship between the film’s lead characters.

Don’t expect Halsey’s new song, “Not Afraid Anymore” (which is also the 2nd single off the soundtrack), to sound anything like her previous singles – “Castle” (from last year’s “The Huntsman: Winter’s War” soundtrack) and “Closer” (her mainstream hit with The Chainsmokers).

“Not Afraid Anymore” is all about confidence as well as coming into one’s own sexuality and owning it as Halsey (real name Ashley Nicolette Frangipane) sings, “I am not ashamed anymore/I want something so impure/ You better invest now/Watching my dress now/ Fall to the floor.”

Tove Lo is not new to the “Fifty Shades” franchise. Some of you may remember that the Swedish star contributed writing credits for Ellie Goulding’s international pop mega-hit “Love Me Like You Do” on the “Fifty Shades of Grey” soundtrack. This time around, she returns with “Lies in The Dark”. Although it’s a decent song with catchy beats, the track is too mediocre to stand out.

Now that John Legend is done messing with other women, he promises to be a “One Woman Man” after finding the woman of his dreams. In this full-chested soul song, the 38-year-old crooner belts out about being fully committed to having a monogamous relationship. “You made me believe that love was forever/ And love could sustain us through every fight/ I’ll let go of all of the other pretenders/ They were wasting my time,” he sings.

The-Dream (real name Terius Nash) is feeling blue. While we wait for his upcoming album, “Love Affair”, to be released, fans can check out his new slow jam titled, “Code Blue”. Over the sultry electric guitar laced track, the North Carolina native takes listeners on an emotional ride as he sings about the difficult lessons that follow any meaningful romantic relationship.

6. Nick Jonas & Nicki Minaj – “Bom Bidi Bom”

What happens when you have Nick Jonas and Nicki Minaj on the same track? Well, one fantast-nick tune of course. The pair’s sultry collaboration is reportedly featured during an explosive sex scene in the movie. “Bom Bidi Bom” is full of sex appeal as Jonas brags about his skills in the bedroom.

Minaj, in return, amps up the raunchiness with her aphrodisiac. “He said, if he can’t hit my bullseye, he’d rather die/ He put it on me better than any other guy,” she raps. “Uh, assume the position when you see a bad one/ The D so good, he just got a And 1/ I’m about to blow, and I ain’t talking Samsung/ I’m about to show him what I do with that tongue.”

This song seriously needs a music video treatment ASAP!

One of the more emotional moments comes in the form of Sia’s gorgeous piano ballad, “Helium”. Her vocals are always on point and this track is no different as she sings about being vulnerable. The hit-maker’s voice soars as she belts around a familiar visual metaphor (“Your love lifts me up like helium/ And if you let go, I float towards the sun”). Yeah, she may be a strong independent woman, but even superwoman needs her superman sometimes.

8. Corinne Bailey Rae – “The Scientist” (Coldplay cover)

As suspected, Corinne Bailey Rae’s “The Scientist” is not an original song but a cover of Coldplay. On this cover, the 37-year-old singer-songwriter provides an even darker interpretation of the British band’s 2002 single. Her timid vocals here blends nicely with the piano and cello instruments as she sings, “Nobody said it was easy/ It’s such a shame for us to part“.

Other tracks that are included in the album include:

9. Zayn – “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” (Acoustic)

Ever since Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift’s “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” collaborative effort debuted, there has been plenty of cover versions. However, we have to hand it to Malik for delivering the best cover in the form of a solo acoustic version. It sounds better slowed down and without Swift. Plus, the black-and-white video offers fans a newfound intimacy.

Despite some hits and misses, there were some pleasant surprises that gave this “Fifty Shades Darker” soundtrack the edge it needed. Standout tracks include “Bom Bidi Bom” and the acoustic version of “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever”. What about you? Did any of these songs made it into your favourite playlist?

Sources: Today’s 96.5, Teen Vogue, The Fader, Vibe.

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#MTVMovieAwards2015: The #Avengers Kneel Before Iron Man; New Clip Debuts

Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron” will be released in Malaysia in less than 2 weeks and we can’t hold back our excitement anymore!

At this year’s MTV Movie Awards, “Iron Man” star Robery Downey Jr. was honoured with the Generation Award, which was presented by his fellow “Avengers” co-stars Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Jeremy Renner.

The “Avengers” cast members took the stage to present the prestigious award to Downey Jr., noting “he can be charming, passionate, intensely funny, and seriously intense”. When the actor joined them onstage, they playfully knelt at his feet while he was giving his speech.

The 50-year-old actor delivered an emotional and inspiring acceptance speech as he talked about failing and succeeding in the film industry.

“I’ve grown up, struggled, failed, succeeded, partied way too much, repented, begged for second chances and literally clawed my way to the top,” he said.

And as promised, an all-new “Avengers” clip made its debut at the award ceremony after Downey Jr. accepted the Generation Award from his co-stars.

On behalf of my fellow Avengers, I invite you to work hard, dream big, keep your nose clean, be of service and — yes, because you can — define your generation.

Written and directed by Joss Whedon and produced by Kevin Feige, “Avengers: Age of Ultron” is scheduled for release in Malaysia on 23rd April 2015.

The official synopsis of the film is as follows:

Marvel Studios presents “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

What do you think of the new “Avengers: Age of Ultron” trailer? Are you excited to watch the film? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.


#JackieChan: HK Action Star Talks About Son Jaycee Chan, Shows Softer Side

During this Chinese New Year, all Dato’ Jackie Chan wants is for his son to be a better person. The 60-year-old Hong Kong action star was in Singapore (before making a stop in Malaysia) recently with cast members Adrien Brody, John Cusack, as well as K-Pop idol Super Junior’s Siwon Choi to promote “Dragon Blade”.

The veteran actor, whose actor-singer son Jaycee will be released from prison today, told M in an interview in Mandarin:

I feel reassured… I believe he is a brand new person now. Every young person makes mistakes, who doesn’t? I also made mistakes when I was younger. If a young person makes a mistake and is willing to change, it’s fine. If he does not want to repent, then there is no hope for him.

In case you didn’t hear, Dato’ Jackie Chan’s 32-year-old son, Jaycee Chan, was arrested and held in police custody after he was found to possess more than 110g of marijuana in his home in Beijing. He was tested positive for drug use, and found guilty of accommodating drug users at his home.

It was just last month that he was given a 6-month jail term by a Beijing court and fined 2,000 yuan (S$435).

Dato’ Jackie Chan is famed for his tough talk whenever his son is mentioned, and his tense relationship with Jaycee has been widely publicised in the media over the decades. But he showed a softer side and looked genuinely concerned when asked about his hopes for his only son in 2015.

Since he was working on his new album with Jaycee before the drug bust, he wants to resume work on it after Jaycee’s release. The pair recorded 7 songs in 2013, and will continue with the remaining 5 tracks.

He mentioned that he might include the “Dragon Blade” soundtrack on it. Dato’ Jackie Chan also said, “At least give him a job first. I will let him have some time to get over this and adjust back to normal life. I believe he will grow to be more mature and be a better person.”

On another note, although “Dragon Blade” is meant to be a Chinese New Year movie release, Dato’ Jackie Chan will not be spending Chinese New Year with his family. This is because he’ll be busy promoting the movie across China.

Promoting my movie is more important than my family. My family will always be there, but I have only this one chance to promote my movie. After my movie promotions, I will eventually see my wife and my son. I am in no rush to spend Chinese New Year with them.

The US$65 million (S$88 million) “Dragon Blade” tells the historical story of the war on the Silk Road during the Han Dynasty. In it, Dato’ Jackie Chan portrays Huo An, the Commander of the Silk Road Protection Squad who, along with trusty subordinate Yin Po (played by Siwon Choi), befriends Roman General Lucius (played by John Cusack). Huo and Lucius try to win a war against evil Roman General Tiberius (played by Adrien Brody), which results in epic bloodshed.

Let’s not forget that we were also at the “Dragon Blade” press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 11th Feb (Wednesday). Check out the pictures here.

“Dragon Blade” is set for release in IMAX 3D on 19th Feb 2015, the first day Chinese New Year holiday period.

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