9 Romantic Staycation Spots In The Klang Valley For The Dopest V-Day Vacay!

We’re almost half-way through February, and that means it’s time to prep for Valentine’s Day. Generally, for V-day, everyone is more about expensive gifts, huge bouquets and fine dining, which is not a bad thing. But have you ever thought about escaping reality for a bit and spending some intimate and quality time with your loved ones?

While planning a journey to a tropical island sounds like THE Valentine’s Day experience, why not plan a city staycation instead? After all, Valentine’s Day falls on a weekday, and it doesn’t really matter where you celebrate, as long as you’re celebrating love with your significant other, family member, close friend, or even on your own. Whether you’re looking for something romantic or just want a quick escape from reality, we’ve got nine hotels that will make the ideal hosts for your Valentine’s Day stay.

A post shared by Villa Samadhi Kuala Lumpur (@villasamadhikl)

A tropical home just ten minutes’ walk from the city? Say no more! In the centre of Kuala Lumpur, Villa Samadhi is a luxurious getaway that was created especially for couples. The villa has 5 different sorts of nests to retreat to, including the Crib, Luxe Crib, Sarang, Luxe Sarang, and the Loft – all outfitted with extravagance that offers an unparalleled stay. The teak walls and floors give each “crib” and “sarang” a particularly Malaysian feel, and each is different in size and personality. With its private plunge pool and views of the Petronas Towers, the loft on the top floor is especially noteworthy.

The façade of this Kuala Lumpur mansion features Malay architecture. This contrasts beautifully with the interior, which features a range of Asian-style furnishings. Although located in the city, the minute you set foot in this place, you won’t feel you’re in KL anymore! The best way to fully experience and enjoy Villa Samadhi is to simply relax and unwind.

A post shared by Amira Hussain (@amirahssn_)

Despite not being a hotel in the traditional sense, Sekeping Tenggiri in Bangsar is an escape from the city that doesn’t force you to go very far. This outdoor hideaway has a pool and 7 different types of bedrooms. Bangsar Village Shopping Center is only a 15-minute walk away. Each bedroom has a unique perspective of the property: the Poolview Room has pool views, the Glass Room has a balcony and is encircled by big windows, and the Courtyard Room has an outdoor patio.

The best part is, you don’t need to carry food to the retreat because there are plenty of eateries and cafes nearby, all within a minute’s walk. Sekeping Tenggiri is also praised as one of KL’s best-kept secrets. It’s simple to understand why, as every square inch exudes a cozy atmosphere that envelops everyone who stays here.

A post shared by MoMo's Kuala Lumpur (@stayatmomos)

The cool, social media-savvy MoMo’s Kuala Lumpur in the Chow Kit neighbourhood is building a name for itself. The tiny micro-rooms have everything a guest might want thanks to interior design by Sydney-based Akin Atelier. Their 99 sparsely furnished rooms contain just what you require. All of the rooms have custom toiletries from Jeanie Botanicals, 43″ smart TVs with gadget casting, incredibly comfortable beds, warm ambient lighting, and complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout the building.

Along with the reasonably priced rooms, MoMo’s KL offers a “social area” where visitors and locals can interact, with the hotel inviting everyone to “live, play, and stay.” Keep hydrated and loosen up at The Playground, a hub for events, exhibitions, and networking while enjoying Momo’s KL’s all-day happy hour where you can sip (or gulp) a delectable assortment of beverages, including the MoMojito, Caipirinha, and Pisco Sour! Not a drinker? Get jazzy instead with their delectable milkshakes and mocktails.

A post shared by KLoé Hotel (@kloehotel)

KLoe Hotel, which is only a 4-minute stroll from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, is the newest hotspot for travellers seeking ideal accommodations. It’s hidden away among the buildings in the centre of the Golden Triangle, giving it the appearance of being virtually elusive. In actuality, you must enter the hotel through a narrow passageway next to the Shell gas station on the main street. Most likely, this aspect is what makes it a tranquil area.

It’s easy to fall in love with KLoe’s aesthetics, thanks to the semi-industrial accents, gorgeous parquet floors, and lounge furniture. Eighty basic and luxury rooms make up KLoe, which is divided into City Rooms (with a view of the city) and Courtyard Rooms (with a view of the pool and the courtyard). KLoe boasts 5 Artist Lofts, each focusing on a creative theme: the Room to Listen, Room to Read, Room to Draw, Room to Grow, and the Room to Taste.

KLoe Hotel has two restaurants: Lucky Coffee Bar and Monroe. Both are respectable dining establishments in their own right and draw large numbers of people who are not necessarily hotel guests. Lucky Coffee Bar, a speciality coffee and pastry shop, is situated in the lobby area. Monroe, a bistro-style restaurant, offers a small but flavorful menu of hearty Western meals and inventive takes on regional specialties.

A post shared by The RuMa Hotel and Residences (@therumahotel)

The Ruma, which is no stranger to all things swoon-worthy, makes sense for city folks seeking a quick getaway. It has a fantastic location, 5-star service, a stylish décor, and—most importantly—a spa that offers a tranquil haven from the city’s bustle. This hotel is ideal for a romantic break on Valentine’s Day, whether you’re travelling in a pair or on your own. The hotel has lavishly furnished rooms and suites, many of which have views of the skyline of KL. Additionally, each room has a deep soaking bathtub where you may unwind after a hard day.

But whatever you choose to do, make sure to reserve a spot at the UR Spa, which is located on the sixth floor of the hotel and offers customized treatments. It’s completely acceptable if spas aren’t your thing. Relax and unwind at the Santai Pool Bar while enjoying delectable beverages and food. For dinner, check out ATAS for some delicious Asian and European dishes prepared with ingredients acquired locally.

Else Retreats is the newest kid on the block that all the cool people are raving about. It’s situated in the cultural district of Downtown KL. The 49-room, 50,000-square-foot hotel, which is tucked inside the former Lee Rubber factory, is ideal for city dwellers seeking a contemplative retreat.

The Else hotel has four different room types: Mantra (Standard), Urban Room (Deluxe; with seating area), Sanctuary (on the upper levels with a private balcony), and Sutera (suite with a private living area). The Else Suite is the largest room and offers views of the city skyline with a separate terrace that extends from the living area to the bedroom if you’re looking for something more opulent.

There are two floating pods in the hotel gym, among the many wellness amenities the hotel offers for some serious rest. Additionally, there are sunbeds strewn along the infinity pool where people can park themselves to read or catch up on their tan. Never one to skip a workout, even even on vacation? Enjoy the calisthenics and free weights facilities. Of course, there are food options available as well. There are two culinary ideas in Else. The Raw Kitchen Hall and The Yellow Fin Horse are two all-day eating options that specialize on seafood dishes with a fusion of Malaysian and international flavours.

KL Journal Hotel is a chic boutique hotel with a welcoming yet laid-back atmosphere that is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The pink outer walls, blue pool, and white awning of this hotel give off a nostalgic vibe. But the interiors of the rooms combine vintage and contemporary styles. It’s conveniently reachable by public transportation because of its location inside the golden triangle (Bukit Bintang-Pavilion Kuala Lumpur area).

Although in a busy area, KL Journal Hotel is known to be relatively peaceful at night. With its sleek, contemporary structure, the hotel is quite easy to find. The rooftop pool is a major selling point! It overlooks KL’s cityscape, and throughout the day, sunlight reflects on the pool, giving it a warm-looking appearance. Retro neon lights are used at night to illuminate the pool area.

A post shared by Arte at Level 66 Mont Kiara KL (@artebythomaschan)

You can anticipate the pinnacle of what you might refer to as “a romantic and opulent French retreat” at Arte Mont Kiara. It appears to be a futuristic creative structure from the outside, but upon closer inspection, the interior is a fusion of Baroque art and contemporary architecture. The visually-stunning facilities at Arte have always been one of the hotel’s main selling features and beg to become your next Instagram playground.

It’s a must to check out the building’s wonderful amenities, which are absolutely out of this world. Although being in the city, it has some nature elements. There is a clubhouse, a sky lounge, and a green garden, a well constructed swimming pool resembling the Italian sculptured fountains, and a few other spots.

A post shared by The Majestic Hotel KL (@themajestickl)

With its all-white décor, colonial splendor, and, of course, its gorgeous orchid conservatory, what’s not to love about this place? The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur is a popular option for any special occasion, and is renowned for its history and antique charm. Everything is close by because of the great position between KL’s downtown and the bustling Bangsar district. However, staying in the hotel is also an option, particularly while on a staycation, as everything is offered there.

Highlights include a modern restaurant with an open dining concept and a wide variety of cuisines, including Japanese, Thai, Italian favourites, and local specialties. Dine in at The Smoke House, a private dining room with your own personal chef, to add even more personalised touches to your staycation. Let’s not forget The Orchid Conservatory, where you can enjoy a romantic meal or cup of tea while admiring the magnificent orchids on display.

For some luxurious pampering, visit The Majestic Spa. You can have the ideal and most restful staycation you deserve by choosing from a la carte services like the Malaya massage to hallmark rituals like the Malaya Golden Chersonese.

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Jessie J Wins China’s Version of “X-Factor”!

English singer-songwriter Jessie J may have all the fame that she needed, but that didn’t stop her from going back to the basic by joining – and ultimately winning – a talent competition in China!

Yep, you heard that right, the former judge of “The Voice UK”, has competed and won in Hunan Television’s popular singing contest, “Singer 2018”, one of China’s most famous singing competition that is said to be the equivalent of “X Factor”.

The Chinese show pits the most talented and established artistes from across Asia against each other, and Jessie J became the first international contestant to win the show.

According to reports, the finals of the singing competition has around one billion viewers, so this means that Jessie J has gotten herself a whole lot of new fans in China as well as other parts of Asian region.

Jessie took to Instagram to express her gratitude and appreciation, she shared; “Last year, I was asked to compete in a singing competition in China. Performing alongside the biggest established singers / artists across Asia. I was the first international artist to ever be asked / compete.”

“An honour alone. I know a lot of people were shocked when they found out. Like why would I compete in a singing competition… I’m probably the least competitive person I know. I said yes because I LOVE to do the unexpected and I LOVE to represent the UK and singing everywhere I go. I LOVE to sing. But also it was an opportunity to bridge a gap between two cultures,” she said.

She then continued; “I won the show last night. But what we all won was the beginning of something really magical. I am so happy I got to play a part. Here is to me being the first but not the last international artist to be on SINGER. And for the boundaries to continue to be broken. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!”

During the finale, the 30-year-old singer performed some of her famous hits like “Bang Bang” and “Domino”, as well as cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You”.


Mother Gang-Raped In front Of Children Triggers Public Outcry

A mother was allegedly gang-raped at gunpoint in front of her two children which has triggered a public outcry in Pakistan.

The incident happened after the victim and her children ran out of fuel while driving on Lahore-Sialkot Highway around 1:30am.

The family was en route from Lahore to Gujranwala along M-11, which is reportedly unsafe for travelling. The highway got it’s status due to not having any patrolling cars, gas stations and service areas. Moreover, it has no speed limit which make drivers go as fast as they want.

Channel News Asia (CNA) reported that the victim had called a relative and the highway police helpline while stranded. As she was waiting, two men approached, broke the car’s windows, and dragged the mother and her children (under eight years old) to an empty field before gang-raping her.

The two men then managed to steal her belongings which included cash, jewellery and ATM cards before fleeing the scene. This incident had caused Pakistanis to blame the government.

The situation got worse when lead investigator, Lahore’s City Chief Police Officer, Umar Sheikh, released a controversial statement blaming the victim for the incident. He said in a TV news programme that the victim should have taken the Grand Trunk Highway (a safer road) and should have made sure she had enough fuel.

Since the gang-rape news came, Pakistani people have already outpoured their attention and sympathy for the victim and her traumatised kids who had to sit through the terrifying nightmare. When Chief Sheikh came out with the controversial remarks, it caused the public to condemn the lead investigator.

How many times CCPO Lahore will victim blame the survivor of gang rape? We demand his removal immediately! If this is the mindset sitting at the higher position, how we can expect anything better from police dept under his leadership? @ShireenMazari1 #motorwayincident pic.twitter.com/48F6jocrA7

— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) September 11, 2020

وزیر اعظم عمران خان کا معصوم بچی اور خاتون سے زیادتی کے مختلف واقعات کا سخت نوٹس

خواتین کا تحفظ حکومت کی اولین ترجیح اور ذمہ داری ہے۔ کسی مہذب معاشرے میں ایسی درندگی اور حیوانیت کی اجازت نہیں دی جا سکتی۔ ایسے واقعات ہماری سماجی اقدار کے منافی اور سوسائٹی پر بدنما داغ ہیں۔

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) September 10, 2020

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had also commented on this issue on Twitter stating, “such brutality and bestiality cannot be allowed in any civilised society. Such incidents are a violation of our social values and a disgrace to society.”

He then continued on to say he has been following the case and demands investigators for the “arrest and sentencing of those involved in the incident as soon as possible”. As of now, 12 men who are suspects have been arrested by the local police.

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#AwesomeHaeun: Haeun’s (하은) SISTAR Dance Cover Wins Hearts Of K-Pop Fans

If you haven’t heard of Awesome Haeun, make this your first time – and a damn memorable one!

Awesome Haeun (real name Na Ha Eun) is already pretty popular in Korea as she has previously been featured in various audition/variety shows including “Star King Kid” and in SBS’ “K-Pop Star 4”. In fact, she was known to have stolen the hearts of judges and the audience with her skills and her “aegyo” smile in “K-Pop Star 4”.

Here the thing though, she’s only 6 years old, going on 7.

Haeun can sing, dance, and she most certainly is poised to be the next biggest K-Pop idol in Korea if she keeps at it ;)

Previously, she shimmied to 4Minute member HyunA’s “Bubble Pop” and “Change”, earning her the title as the “4-year-old HyunA”. She also has various dance cover videos on her YouTube channel, which has over 67,000 subscribers. Her most recent dance cover, uploaded on 2nd July has captured the attention of K-Pop fans, garnering more than a million views in just a few weeks.

And it’s of none other than sexy K-Pop idol girl group SISTAR‘s hit single, “Shake It”.

Personally, we’ve watched it a few times and we can’t get over how cute Haeun is! She even got all the dance moves down pat and that smile, oh that smile. It’s no wonder that she’s Korea’s little sweetheart.

So cute, right? We know! Be right back, watching it again.


Hype’s Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to die? How about what it’s like to die over and over again? And continue to die over and over again until you find the source of the “reset” and kill it before you..die, again?

In “Edge of Tomorrow”, that’s Tom Cruise’s struggle.

See, our planet is being invaded by Mimics (read: aliens) and only Major William Cage (played by Tom Cruise) stands between us and the end of the world. He dies in combat but (lo and behold) finds himself waking up the day before the battle and has to relive his last 24 hours. Over and over, he’s on a perpetual reset. Until he finds a way to make it stop. And it’s a mammoth task for a middle-aged major with no combat experience and is really no more than just a spokesman for the military’s public relations department.

Cage’s survival skills increases with each reset but it’s certainly not enough to single-handedly save the world. Luckily, he meets Sergeant Rita Vrataski (played by Emily Blunt), a victorious heroine of the United Defense Force’s (UDF) previous battle. She trains Cage and becomes his battle sidekick.

And they’re both assisted by a discredited physicist, Dr. Carter (played by Noah Taylor) who, surprise surprise, has all the tools for their quest and is the only person who believes them/shares their “visions”. Sure, no problem then. All they have to do is get through the bloodbath before Cage dies and they’re sent back into the temporal loop and hopefully Cage and Rita’s relationship doesn’t blossom into a love story of sorts and complicate things further, right?

On a larger scale sans spoilers, “Edge of Tomorrow” has got a sneaky way of looping the audience in with the gimmicks of repetition without an ending in sight. And believe us, you will get sucked into the momentum of the somewhat time travel concept. If you’re expecting a super serious action movie, you’d be surprised. Director Doug Liman might be known for his action flicks e.g. “Mr. and Mrs. Smith”, “The Bourne Identity”, but he did start out with comedies e.g. “Swingers”, “Go”. So, expect to laugh just a little at a quirky character or two in “Edge of Tomorrow”.

In a sentence, we’d call it mindless sci-fi. The good, fun kind. The “Let’s walk into an action-time-travel movie and come out of it entertained sans a random mindf*ck!” kind, if you know what we mean. Plus, there’s Tom Cruise in it. Worth it!

“Edge of Tomorrow” is now showing in cinemas nationwide. Tickets are available via GSC or TGV.

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

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Sum 41 To Rock KL Live, Finally!

The rumours everyone’s been hearing is true as punk rockers Sum 41 will be heading to our Malaysian shores this coming April! Livescape presents another Special Rockawayfest Showcase featuring Sum 41 on 14th of April at KL Live.

Following the cancellation of their debut performance at last year’s Rockaway Festival, Sum 41 is set to please their fans with their upcoming show here. Due to an unfortunate injury sustained by frontman, Deryck Whibley at one of their shows late last year, Sum 41 had to cancel the rest of their tour for the remaining of 2011.

“We are very happy to finally bring Sum 41 to Malaysia. We were all disappointed when they couldn’t make it last year but from what I hear, they have re-vamped their show for this upcoming tour and fans can expect nothing short of intensity from them. Sum 41 is also ending their Screaming Bloody Murder world tour in KL and we hope all their fans come out to support them at this special Rockawayfest Showcase”, said Livescape’s director of LIVE events, Rahul Kukreja.

Fans can rejoice as an injury-free Sum 41 will be making their way to the country this coming mid-April. The punk rockers are nothing short of being one of the most iconic bands in the music scene since their inception in 1996. Sum 41 currently consists of members Deryck Whibley (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Tom Thacker (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jason McCaslin (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Steve Jocz (drums).

Catch these iconic punk rockers in the flesh at KL Live with supporting acts, Bunkface and OBS!

Ticketing: RM108 pre-sales (limited), RM138 normal and RM158 at the door, VIP RM238 (F&B provided, upper tier).

Tickets will be made available at any Victoria Music, The Guitar Store, and Rock Corner outlets. Alternatively, you can also purchase your tickets online here.

For more information, visit Livescape Asia’s website or Sum 41’s website.


#Penang: George Town Festival Is Back With More Than 100 Events!

Are you into theatre, dance, film, photography, design, music, food, fashion, and crafts? If you said yes to all of the aforementioned, then you best clear your calendar and start making plans for the George Town Festival 2016 (#GTF2016).

For the 7th consecutive year, Penang’s annual event is back to wow audiences with over 100 free and ticketed events of exciting activities, educational talks, and performing showcases featuring both international and local content during this month-long arts and culture festival.

With a myriad of acts and events already lined-up, here are 3 early favourites from #GTF2016:

Of course, there’s also the A+SEAN Showcase held at the Penang Esplanade (aka Padang Kota Lama) featuring a fun mix of music, fashion, and culture from the best of Australian and Southeast Asian talents.

The highlight of the 2-day event (30th and 31st July) would be a music concert featuring popular acts from ASEAN countries including Indonesian band Nidji, Malaysian “Queen of Jazz” Sheila Majid, rising YouTube star Raisa Adriana, hip-hop artistes Joe Flizzow and SonaOne, rock bands Bittersweet, OAG and Ocean of Fire, as well as female song birds Dasha Logan and Bihzhu.

The experience will be further elevated by the giant Snuff Puppets from Australia and Dutch scientist Theo Jansen’s Strandbeest kinetic installations – the outrageous PVC pipes and plastic bottles sculpture that is able to “walk” like mammals with the help of the wind.

Still sitting on the fence undecided? Maybe this videoclip will do the trick ;)

For more information on #GTF2016’s festivities and ticketing details, check out their official website or visit their Facebook page.

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KRU Releases Ticketing Details & (Aptly Labeled) Seating Plan For 25th Anniversary Concert

Malaysian pop boy band KRU has released the ticketing details and seating plan for their 25th anniversary concert aka KRU25!

In an official statement posted up on the KRU Music Facebook page, KRU wrote, “It has been a longtime dream of KRU’s to hold a concert at the Istana Budaya thus we’ve been waiting for the right time to stage a concert that will allow us to share our journey.”

Comprising of 3 brothers – Datuk Norman Abdul Halim, Yusry Abdul Halim, and Edry Abdul Halim – KRU revolutionised the Malaysian music scene with their unique blend of pop, R&B and hip hop. Not only are they a household name in the Malaysian music landscape, they’ve also successfully established their own entertainment company, KRU Studios, specialising in the entertainment and media industry.

The KRU25 celebration began in August 2016 when KRU performed at a concert in Esplanade, Singapore, whereby the tickets were sold out. KRU is also currently filming their “Rockumentary”, which will feature their journey in the entertainment scene since 1992.

Note: Can we just say how apt it was to label the seating plan according to their hit songs e.g. “Awas”, “Ooh La La”, “The Way We Jam”, “Fanatik” etc? :D

Ticket prices start from RM158 (not including GST) and bookings can be made via the hotline 03-22760038 or via kru25@krustudios.com from today onwards.

Source: KRU Music / Featured image: KRU Music.


#Malaysia: Al Jazeera Exposes Truth Behind Baby-Selling Industry; IGP Responds

A 101 East (an Al Jazeera programme) documentary, titled “Malaysia: Babies For Sale”, has left many Malaysians speechless after its release on Thursday (24th November).

Not only did the 25-minute-long video, which was filmed over a total of 4 months, revealed the shocking truth behind Malaysia’s baby-selling industry, but also the professional personnels (such as doctors, police, and government officials) involved in the underground market.

The video opens with a voiceover, saying, “This lucrative illegal trade is openly advertised on Malaysian social media. Potential buyers can pick from a catalogue of pregnant women.”

In the interview section of the clip, local child’s right activist Hartini Zainudin shared her story on how she accidentally got involved in the heinous business. 8 years ago, she received a call from traffickers in Klang after they had failed to sell a baby to a Malaysian couple because the infant’s skin was “too dark”. The syndicate also informed her that they would take the baby to Thailand for the purpose of begging if she doesn’t buy her for USD3,000. After taking the baby back to Kuala Lumpur, Zainudin reported the crime to the authorities but unfortunately, the traffickers escaped arrest.

Zainudin adopted the baby and named her Zara. She also added that the adoption process in Malaysia is “long, expensive, and emotionally draining”. Though she became Zara’s legal parent after 5 years of waiting, Zara is still not a Malaysian citizenship.

101 East also highlighted that the price of a baby, ranging from RM7,000 to RM10,000, can be determined by 3 aspects:

The investigative then met up with an “agent” known as Bonda (which means mother in Bahasa Malaysia). Using hidden cameras and microphone, the meeting process was recorded and shown in the documentary. According to Bonda, she has dealt with 1,000 pregnant Indonesian women, claiming that she currently houses 78 pregnant women.

The documentary also features video evidences of doctors offering other services such as connecting potential parents to pregnant Malaysians and foreigners, obtaining birth documents from the National Registration Department (JPN), and the delivery of the baby.

“You don’t have to be nervous because we do this on a very regular basis,” said a doctor from Klinik Bersalin Lam under Ghama Medic.

Many netizens claimed that the root of the problem is Malaysia’s complicated adoption process while others blamed illegal immigrants and the lack of law enforcement. In response to the documentary, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar denied that Malaysia is a “hub” for selling babies.

“We do not deny that there are cases of babies for sale in the country, but it was not as simple as portrayed in the documentary and we are constantly monitoring these illicit activities,” he said, adding that the police will take follow up actions based on allegations made in the video.

For more info on the issue, visit 101 East’s Facebook page and Al Jazeera’s website.

Sources: 101 East’s Facebook page, The Star, Asia One.

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#SingaporeGP: First Wave Of Entertainment Lineup Announced For #F1NightRace

Race promoter Singapore GP Pte Ltd announced today the 1st phase of the entertainment lineup for the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix held from 16th to 18th September.

Adding to the festive atmosphere at the Marina Bay Street Circuit are Queen + Adam Lambert, Kylie Minogue, Bastille, Pentatonix, and KC and the Sunshine Band.

Since first sharing the stage for the final of American Idol in May 2009, Queen + Adam Lambert have been confirmed worldwide as a successful partnership with over 70 sold out shows in every part of the world and a concert audience to date of well over a million people. The band has confirmed their biggest show production to date with a headline show at the Formula 1 night race in Singapore. These past few weeks have seen the band headline Rock in Rio Lisbon playing to 74,000 people sell out Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi Olympic arena and headline numerous sold out festivals. Queen + Adam Lambert will perform at the Padang Stage (Zone 4) on Saturday, 17th September after the last track activity.

Topped the UK charts with “I Should Be So Lucky”, Kylie Minogue has achieved massive commercial success and critical acclaim in the entertainment industry. She has released 13 studio albums, 6 live albums, 8 concert DVDs, her Greatest Hits and The Ultimate Kylie double albums, and multiple video packages. This is in addition to 69 international singles. Her 2001 album, “Fever”, featuring “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” went multi-platinum. Fans can look forward to a headline concert at the Padang Stage (Zone 4) on Friday, 16th September after the last track activity.

Hailing from South London, Bastille made a mark with their debut studio album, “Bad Blood”, which sold over 4 million records worldwide. The album went straight to #1 in Britain and charted the highest entry by any new British artiste in America on the year of release in2013. Known for their clever combination of polished synth pop and arena-friendly choruses, their smash single “Pompeii” spent a record 92 consecutive weeks in theUK Top 100, sold more than 11 million copies worldwide and was UK’s most streamed song for more than a year. Bastille will perform at the Padang Stage (Zone 4) on Saturday, 17th September before the Formula 1 Qualifying session.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2011, multi-platinum selling recording artistes Pentatonix have sold more than 3.2 million albums in the US alone, won 2 Grammy Awards, sold out venues worldwide, have amassed over 1.5 billion views on their YouTube channel with over 10.5 million subscribers and appeared in the feature film, “Pitch Perfect 2”. Their latest release, Pentatonix debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 and Current Albums Chart and is certified gold by the RIAA. The first single, “Can’t Sleep Love” has over 18 million views on YouTube. Pentatonix will perform at the Village Stage (Zone 1) on Saturday, 17th September before the Formula 1 Qualifying session the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (Zone 4) on Sunday, 18th September before the Formula 1 Race.

Founded in Florida in 1973 by Harry Wayne Casey, the group KC and The Sunshine Band has since sold 100 million records worldwide with four of their albums gone Platinum or higher and became the first group to have four #1 records in a single year (1975) since the Beatles. Best known for dance and funk rhythms with multilayered vocals, the multi-platinum selling band has won 3 Grammy Awards, an American Music Award and NARAS Governor’s Award. In 2002, the band received a coveted Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. KC and The Sunshine Band will perform at the Village Stage (Zone 1) on Friday, 16th September before Formula 1 Practice 2 session and the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre (Zone 4) on Saturday, 17th September before Formula 1 Qualifying session.

The Padang Stage, which will host Kylie, Bastille, Queen + Adam Lambert and a yet-to-be announced Sunday headliner, will be resited this year. Singapore’s largest outdoor stage will be situated between Padang Grandstand A and Padang Grandstand B, facing Connaught Drive and Esplande Park to deliver a more up-close concert experience for all ticketholders.

First wave of #SingaporeGP concerts – check out when and where here. Get your tickets at https://t.co/kz9WqEBZPO. pic.twitter.com/Bdu1LJEx0Q

— SingaporeGP (@F1NightRace) June 6, 2016

Fans can catch the Padang Stage performances with any 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix tickets priced from S$78 (Friday Zone 4 Walkabout Ticket) or S$268 (3-Day Zone 4 Walkabout Ticket).

Get your tickets to the 2016 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Grand Prix here.

For more information, hit up the Singapore GP Facebook page.


#Uber: Ride-Hailing App Company Aims To Add 100,000 New Drivers In Malaysia

Despite the rising tension between Malaysia’s taxi companies and Uber, the app-based ride-hailing app company is aiming to add 100, 000 new drivers this year.

In a report by The Star Online, Uber (Malaysia) general manager Leon Foong said this would help many to increase their incomes and decrease their reliance on their own cars in the face of a challenging economy.

60,000 people had been activated as Uber driver partners so far, though not all of the are active.

When contacted by The Star Online, Foong said:

These part-time opportunities just make a lot of sense in terms of increasing incomes while serving people who need rides.

“We plan to create 100,000 new flexible economic opportunities in Malaysia to meet the economic challenges that Malaysians face,” he said. “There are 7 million people living in the Klang Valley, so we’re just getting started,” he added.

Foong also said that the company planned to launch new products this year to “maximise time and seat efficiency”.

Uber was first introduced in Malaysia 2 years ago, but many taxi drivers protested against the service as they claimed that it severely affected their livelihood. This is also because ride-sharing services usually offer lower rates than taxis.

Its legality was also questioned by governments and taxi companies as the company does not pay taxes or licensing fees. Those who oppose Uber also argued that its drivers are unlicensed and may endanger passengers.

However, a Land and Public Transport Commission (SPAD) survey showed that 76.4% of 9,026 respondents preferred Uber and GrabCar over regular taxis in the country.

In order to “prevent” the government’s alleged plans to legalise Uber and GrabCar services, the Klang Valley Taxi Drivers Action Committee filed an application for a court injunction last month at the High Court in Kuala Lumpur.

Its chairman Zailani Isa Usuluddin explained that his members suffered a 60% drop in business ever since Uber and GrabCar were introduced. He warned that regular taxi drivers may eventually be driven out of business if the government fails to intervene.

According to Malaysian Taxi Drivers Transformation Association (Pers1m) deputy chairman Kamarudin Mohd Husain, the committee will file “5 or 6 more in stages”. He said that it wouldn’t be just about Uber and GrabCar, but also about various problems in the taxi industry.

He added that the committee may stage a strike or even block Kuala Lumpur’s streets if the government legalise Uber and GrabCar. Though the government had given SPAD a mandate to improve the taxi industry, they felt that the commission was not doing its job well enough. “From strikes to the court, we have only one purpose, to embrace the Government’s call (for taxis),” he explained.

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Application Taxi Drivers Association secretary Apriman Darlis also said that it was taxi drivers’ top agenda to fight against ride-sharing services.

We want to clear all these taxi problems. We’re asking SPAD to settle Uber and GrabCar.

SPAD officials could not be reached for comment.

Source: The Star Online via Free Malaysia Today.

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Major Lazer Reveals Album Name, Release Date & Tracklist

Diplo, Walshy Fire and Jillionaire release album details!

Diplo‘s dancehall trio Major Lazer announced on Monday the release of their third album, “Peace is the Mission”, revealing its star-studded track list and a new video for lead single “Lean On” featuring DJ Snake and MØ.

The album entitled “Peace is the Mission” is slated for release on June 1st (Monday), will be the first in a series of albums to come from Major Lazer over the next year. “Peace is the Mission” holds a strong marquee of collaborators including Ellie Goulding, Ariana Grande, 2 Chainz and Pusha T.

Unfortunately, we noticed that the tracklist doesn’t include the collaboration with Gwen Stefani.

Major Lazer also announced that FX Networks would debut their cartoon series on April 16th (Thursday) for its Animation Domination programming featuring guests appearances from the likes of Tiësto, Andy Samberg, RiFF RAFF, Charli XCX and more.

Peace is the Mission will be available on June 1st through Mad Decent, and can be pre-ordered via iTunes. Fans who pre-order the LP will immediately receive “Lean On” and “Roll the Bass” as downloads.

1. Be Together ft. Wild Belle
2. Too Original ft. Elliphant & Jovi Rockwell
3. Blaze Up The Fire ft. Chronixx
4. Lean On ft. MØ & DJ Snake
5. Powerful ft. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley
6. Light It Up ft. Nyla
7. Roll the Bass
8. Night Riders ft. Travi$ Scott, 2 Chainz, Pusha T & Mad Cobra
9. All My Love ft. Ariana Grande & Machel Montano (Remix)

We leave you today with “Lean On” by Major Lazer featuring DJ Snake and MØ.

For more on Major Lazer, stalk them via these platforms: Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.


#LINEWebtoon: New #StarWars Comic Series Now Available On Digital Comics Platform

If you have yet to find any reason to download LINE Webtoon, we’ve just found one for you, especially if you’re a fan of “Star Wars”.

Get ready to be transported back to a galaxy far, far away through a new “Star Wars” digital comic series on the popular digital comic service. Through the app, fans can read the original space opera trilogy that is presented from a different perspective.

There are a couple of reasons why this digital comic series “is presented in a different perspective”.

First of all, this is a digital comic series that is authored by Hong Jacga, a renowned Korean comic artist who has received huge accolades for his work on “Hwa Ja”, “Dorothy Band”, and “The Cat Funeral“. The latter 2 comic series were adapted into a musical and a movie respectively.

As a “Star Wars” fan himself, Hong Jacga aims to effectively deliver the original “Star Wars” story by reconstructing events from the films while adding his uniquely realistic and exquisite art style. The main characters, backgrounds and locations are consistent with the “Star Wars” universe as well.

What makes this digital comic series so different from the original trilogy is also because the story is being told from the point-of-view of a young Luke Skywalker. It centres on how Luke grows up on Tatooine, before the events in “Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope”.

Jacga’s passion for the original material permeates every page of the series and there will be much to look forward to with new interesting content available exclusively through the “Star Wars” digital comic. It is sure to appeal to both long time enthusiasts of “Star Wars” and new fans alike who will enjoy learning more about the epic space opera.

In a press statement, JunKoo Kim, Founder and Head of LINE Webtoon, said:

Our fans are in for something special as they now have a chance to dive into the epic “Star Wars” story in a totally new way, only on LINE Webtoon.

“This immersive digital comic experience offers a brand new experience for Star Wars fans and perfectly showcases the appeal of our digital storytelling format,” he added.

Pioneering the distribution and consumption of comics worldwide, LINE Webtoon presents the beautifully designed “Star Wars” digital comic series in a unique, easy to read scroll-based storytelling style.

In addition to the series, LINE Malaysia is currently holding an exciting quiz contest for Malaysian Webtoon readers from 16th (Monday) to 18th November (Wednesday) 2015. Fans only need to participate by downloading the official LINE Webtoon app through the App Store and Google Play, add the LINE Fun Official Account on their LINE app (LINE ID: LINEFunMY), and answer quizzes based on the comic. Participants can stand a chance to win 15 Grand Prizes of “Star Wars” Lego, cool LINE merchandise, or RM10 cash vouchers.

To read the comic series, visit the LINE Webtoon website or download the official LINE Webtoon app through the Apple App Store and Google Play.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Axwell Λ Ingrosso – Something New

Former Swedish House Mafia members Axwell and Sebastian Ingrosso − rebranded as Axwell Λ Ingrosso have built quite a big of hype and momentum for themselves heading into the new year. Axwell Λ Ingrosso’s debut album is set to be released in the next couple of months and we’ve been ever so lucky to get a taste of what we can expect.

The duo partnered up with Beats by Dre to debut “Something New”, the first single off their upcoming album. The debut of the single which was mainly a #SoloSelfie commercial featuring a list of celebrities including Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Usher, Nicki Minaj and more, now has its very own official lyric video.

Yes, lyric videos are seldom deemed creative, but Axwell Λ Ingrosso have taken it to new heights and set a whole new standard for lyric videos. Their video for “Something New” reveals a deeper meaning to their house anthem. The lyric video starts off with a slow rotation of geometric shapes and waves set on a black background, representing change, moving forward and well, creating “Something New”.

Between the versus, ambiguous shapes and waves starts forming a three dimensional human body, eventually transitioning to form the faces of Axwell and Ingrosso. Personally, we believe that “Something New” is destined for success and if their album is half as good as their new single, then Axwell Λ Ingrosso are in for an amazing 2015.


#DBKL: City Hall To Offer Discounts On Summons In August

For those who have unpaid summons, you’re in luck!

Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) is offering discounts for their traffic compounds (or better known as “samans”) from 6th August onwards. The rebate is being offered as part of the “Settle DBKL Arrears” campaign, which will run for 2 weeks until 20th August.

For motorcyclists who ran afoul of the law, they only have to pay RM20; while owners of smaller vehicles (such as cars, MPVs, pick-ups, SUVs, vans, and small lorries) have to pay RM30; and drivers of heavy vehicles need to fork out RM100 for their summons.

“The special rates are to give traffic offenders a chance to settle their outstanding compounds. Last year, there were 1.2 million outstanding compounds valued at RM1.4 million owed by traffic offenders, and DBKL hopes the special rates will ease the process of settling their debts,” said KL Mayor Datuk Seri Mohd Amin Nordin Abdul Aziz regarding the problem.

Back in January, DBKL also ran a similar activity in conjunction with Federal Territory Day, where traffic offenders only had to pay RM30 to RM50, depending on their offences, throughout the month of February.

For a full list of where to pay your summons, click here. Alternately, you can also pay through online banking or call 1800-88-3255 for any inquiries.

For more info, visit DBKL’s official website and Facebook page.


Bill Clinton Joins Twitter!

Former President of the United States Bill Clinton has finally joined Twitter. No, for real. He only about a day ago and already, his account has been verified. He also has a header, theme, and background. All well prepared! Let’s not forget how he almost immediately gained 300,000 followers (and counting).

This was, of course, not his first introduction to the micro-blogging platform. Earlier this month, Comedy Central’s Stephen Colbert initiated the startup when he helped Bill Clinton set up a Twitter account on his show. With a funny handle (@PrezBillyJeff), no less.

On the show, Bill Clinton said, “I think I’m sort of insecure. What if you tweet, and nobody tweets back? There’s nothing worse than a friendless tweeter, right? You’re just wandering around in cyberspace”.

Also, Bill Clinton’s daughter Chelsea Clinton (@ChelseaClinton) is quite a seasoned Twitter user so we’re pretty sure he knows she’s on it. In fact, one of his first few tweets were directed to her:

It received over 3,000 retweets and over 2,000 favourites! To which Chelsea replied, “Welcome to Twitter, Dad!”

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Hype Picks: The Top 10 Films of 2021

Films are officially back in business! After a year that seemed relatively scarce, the film reels are rolling like crazy. While 2021 would not be quoted as the proper comeback, at least financially, the quality of content this year alone is something to reckon.

As with every year, there are fair shares of sparky duds and fiery successes. There are neon-paletted delights. We have exquisite character work as with Nicolas Cage’s “Pig” along with James McAvoy’s “My Son”. Local features like “Prebet Sapu”, which was brilliant, brought about themes of existentialism all while telling a grounded story of a familiar location in monochrome fashion.

No doubt, there are also weird cash-grab features that stink and some that deserve to be deleted from the studios’ catalogue. There are franchises that refuse to die, but we still have this love-hate relationship with them because they inspire tons of memes and are all about family.

Besides, there is nothing quite like experiencing the thrills of a film with generations of fans. “Spider-Man: No Way Home” is a testament to that very cinematic joy. We have certainly missed the notion of people cheering with an unbounded ecstasy within the four walls of the cinema.

Nonetheless, it is time. We bring out the golden horns, the sacred jewels, and roll out a feast to celebrate the best of the best. There will be no mention of the box office. The popular fandom will be a non-factor. Using our objective eyes and ears, this is an appreciation of what cinema has laboured this year.

So, here are the films — in no particular order — we thought brought out the best laughs, tears, smiles, and cheers all the way through 2021.

Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune” is the first true cinematic experience we’ve had since the lockdown began. A film that reminds us all that in the midst of a global pandemic and the endless tide of films and TV shows on streaming services, there is a power and majesty to cinema that cannot be rivalled. For the longest time, the film was considered impossible to adapt and yet against all odds, Villeneuve has done it!

Through breathtaking visuals and incandescent performances from a star-studded cast of actors, “Dune” has solidified itself in the annals of cinematic history. A marriage of blockbuster cinema and arthouse filmmaking, Villeneuve has created a terrifying coming-of-age story wrapped up in a sweeping sci-fi political thriller. It is most definitely a worthy contender, if not the best film of 2021!

We’ve said this before and we’ll say it again, this movie is a religion of its own, a life-changing experience. Once you traverse the dusty dunes of Arrakis, there is no escaping this immersive sci-fi universe first conceived by Frank Herbert!

There is a reason why “Titane” is the winner of the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Spouting from the raw but powerful mind of French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, this body horror film is meant to bewilder and unnerve you. There is no doubt that “Titane” would make you grit your teeth, mystify your eyes with a fiery glaze, and breathe down your nasal cavities with a hounding presence. That might sound utterly torturous but trust us, it’s a great thing (and no, we’re not closet masochists).

“Titane” consistently prowls around provocative territories, shocking audiences with its crude depictions of sex, murder, and identity theft. Trust us, our mouths were left gaping with our eyes wide and glued to the screen. It is gory, slinky, and chilling to the bone, and somehow it does all this with exquisite tracking of the film’s lead actress, Agathe Rousselle. Indeed, she expertly navigates the emotions of her blood-curdling creature to an eerie profundity, clawing and gnarling with a mask of innocence.

Truly, Ducournau is quickly cementing herself as a wonderful artist. With this only being her second film, we’ll be sure that we’ll see her name in lists to come.

Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” is not an easy film to watch. Many a time, you would want to look away but we pray that you do not. It is a deconstruction of masculinity in Westerns, one that accounts for the psychological trauma and hateful expectations that come with the territory. If you ever want to know what it’s like to sit on a chair full of pins amidst agonising family arguments, then this is the film for you.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Phil masterfully embodies the restless rage and anxiety of the last cowboy in a world that has outgrown the need for him. The English thespian continues to prove himself as one of the most versatile actors in the industry today!

It is easy to dismiss the DCEU flick as merely an improvement over its dud of a predecessor. Nevertheless, you never write off a creative and insane (but mostly creative) genius mind like James Gunn. With this fresh take on Task Force X breathing new life into familiar faces and bringing more C-list DC characters to the forefront, it is more than a deletion of cringeworthy belly dancing and clown grills from recent memory.

This was a monumental challenge taken on by Gunn as he dug deep into his roots to bring a special romp for viewers to enjoy. Indeed, with the infusion of heart and character into these cold on-screen criminals, audiences immediately connected to them in many ways. Gunn intelligently capitalises on this tether, utilising the premise’s unpredictability to his advantage to create stakes like never before. We have gotta say, “The Suicide Squad” is the best thing to come out of the DCEU!

“Bombay Rose” is an unflinching and unapologetic view of Indian society. Indeed, this is one that explores themes of womanhood, poverty and family through gorgeous animation. Gitanjali Rao and her talented team of animators a myriad of colour palettes and art styles to contrast the realities of life of sisters Kamala and Tara.

Kamala, being the sole-breadwinner, can only dream of a life where a fair prince comes to whisk her away like the stories of old. While young Tara, embodying the boundless potential of an educated mind, navigates through a world of culture and complexity. All the while, earthen colours remind us of the stark reality of survival in the hustle and bustle of Bombay. “Bombay Rose” will break and mend your heart over and over again till its credits roll. For a tour de force of Indian cinema.

Actor Jake Gyllenhaal delivers one of his most captivating performances since 2014’s “Nightcrawler” as 9-1-1 dispatcher Joe Baylor. A man racing against time to save a young woman’s life and piece together a puzzle of domestic violence and horror.

Through chilling voice acting on the part of Riley Keough, the film paints the auditory crime scene before our very eyes. One that gets disturbingly more complicated and nuanced as time goes on. In a genre that’s often populated with high-octane car chases and shoot-outs, it’s rare to find a film that’s able to capture the excitement of those things in such a limited but novel premise. “The Guilty” is a breath of fresh air and sharp panic attack all wrapped up in a ticking-time-bomb thriller.

Tick… Tock… TIck… Tock… While we’re on the topic of time bombs, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s resume has been exploding all year long with features such as “Encanto” and “In The Heights”. But none of them has had the same impact or captivating factor as “Tick, Tick… Boom”.

For a debut piece, Lin-Manuel Miranda struts his stuff with confidence unlike any other. Thematically similar to Bo Burnham’s ironically depressing Netflix musical albeit sans pandemic conundrums, Miranda masterfully nails a euphonious about existentialism all while telling a compelling tale about pursuing one’s dreams.

All this is further bolstered by Andrew Garfield’s sweet and spirited performance as playwright Jonathan Larson. With catchy musical numbers and bittersweet irony, the film moves forward with a steady crescendo, ultimately leading to an all-out satisfying BOOM!!

At the surface, “CODA” is about a girl who is pursuing her passion of becoming a singer but is prevented from doing so due to familial circumstances. It’s that drama about families not wanting to break the mould set for generations. We’ve seen this story so many times before. So, what makes the film so special till it actually leaps right into our top ten list?

That has very much to do with the entire premise. Adapted from the French film, “La Famille Bélier”, this American retelling places its lens on a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), Ruby, who is the only person who can hear in her family of four. “Locke and Key’s” Emilia Jones turns in a gripping performance throughout, navigating both worlds with fluency unlike any other.

Designed with a touch of technical brilliance, this layered film has so much to offer audiences all the way to an emotional coda. Well, what can we say? It’s the ultimate feel-good tearjerker of the year!

When you have the minds behind “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” at the wheel, you gotta pay attention. Yes, “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” is one of the most frantic adventures you could ever imagine as a dysfunctional family becomes humanity’s last hope from the robo-calypse! Its zippity-zap pace and eye-popping visuals make for some surreal entertainment. It’s like having a teaspoon of “Terminator” with a pinch of “RV”. Nevertheless, that is not the reason why we love it.

Without a doubt, it is the film’s themes and beautiful representation of the underdog that gets to us. indeed, the movie’s underlying message is absolutely inspirational. Although gags and a motherlode of hilarity ensue for the Mitchell family, it is the positivity of showing audiences that our distinct quirks make us who we are and constitute our strengths. Bold and strong is what this film is.

Cary Joji Fukunaga’s “No Time to Die” proves a fitting coda to Daniel Craig’s tenure as the legendary Mi6 agent, 007. The film incorporates the best elements of films like “Skyfall” and “Casino Royale”, proving Craig’s Bond to be the most human one yet. He’s a man looking for peace after years of being shaped as an efficient tool for violence.

With no shortage of apocalyptic stakes, Fukunaga manages to ground the narrative in a surprisingly familial context that further endears the character to longtime fans and newcomers alike. Even as a swan song, “No Time to Die” continues to innovate and push the boundaries of one of cinema’s most iconic characters.

Do you agree with our list? What were your favourite films of 2021? Leave your own top 10 list in the comments!

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#FiftyShadesOfGrey: E. L. James’ Husband To Pen Sequel

The author of “Fifty Shades of Grey“, E. L. James, has reportedly recruited her husband to pen the movie’s sequel, “Fifty Shades Darker“.

Her husband, Niall Leonard, is a well-known author and scriptwriter, with multiple works under his belt. Leonard was the scriptwriter for several British TV shows such as “Air Force One is Down”, “Silent Witness”, “Sea of Souls”, and “Wire in the Blood”. In addition, he is the author of the “Crusher” book series. He also worked on the script of the first “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie, even though he was uncredited.

The announcement came after the announcement that Sam Taylor-Johnson and Kelly Marcel, the director and the scriptwriter of the previous film, would not be coming back for the sequel.

Michael De Luca, producer of the series, has expressed his support for the move. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, he said:

Niall is an outstanding writer in his own right, with multiple established credits, and we are lucky to have him join Team Fifty.

James, who has earned a reputation for demanding total creative control when it comes to the adaptations of her books, reportedly wanted to write the screenplay for the sequel. During shooting of the first film, she frequently clashed with the director regarding various aspects of the film. James and Taylor-Johnson have also admitted that it was hard to work with each other.

Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan will be reprising their roles as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey in the sequel. The director of the upcoming film has not been named.

The movie is scheduled for a 2017 release, however, no exact date has been announced.


Get A-Head With 2023’s Top Hairstyles & Head Gear, Whatever Your Gender

We’re only 18 days into the new year – and that means we still have time to make fashion updates for 2023!

While the start of a new year offers many opportunities to improve life through resolutions, it also brings a delightful new set of rules for your closet. Every year, exciting new trends emerge that you can try out (and eventually disregard). The year 2023 is no different, as it brings with it tons of exciting new fashion trends you can consider adopting.

There are always new outfit and makeup styles every year – but what about hairstyles and head gear? If you’re looking to re-create a hairstyle or get a trending head gear item, now’s your chance, because we’ve got all the tips you need, whatever your gender!

There are probably not many “retro” hair accessories that could work with modern hairdos. However, there is one hairpiece that is making a comeback that we believe you’d approve of: the banana clip. A banana clip is an accessory that has a concave U-shape and two plastic sides that join in the centre with elastic teeth to hold hair in place. To use it, simply unhinge one end of the clip, fasten it around your hair, and secure the clip with the pointed side facing down for a ponytail. However, styling doesn’t stop there. With this incredible hair accessory, we’ve got 4 simple hairstyles you can try:

Can’t believe it took me so long to try these! Makes your hair look longer up 😳 #bananaclip #hairaccessory #clawcliphack #hairtietrick #ponytailhacks

♬ gee – ‘•.¸♡♡¸.•’

It might get really monotonous to sport the same ponytail style all the time. So here’s the perfect fix: a banana clip. A banana hair clip can be used to hold your ponytail in place and instantly alter your appearance. Instead of using heating tools, start off with some heat protectant before blow-drying or curling your hair. Next, give your hair a quick blow-dry. Use a round brush as it gives you more volume and ensures your hair doesn’t fall flat. Now, gather your hair into a ponytail. You can use a comb, but using your fingers gives it a more natural look. Lastly, split a banana clip in half, then position the hinge at the base of your ponytail with the combs on either side. And you’re done. For more volume, pull the top parts of your hair looser.

This is sich an easy and elegant look! #hairstyles #happyheadbands #updo

Remember sock buns? Even if you have thin or fine hair, these sock buns will help you make the biggest, fullest bun ever. Banana clips, on the other hand, were used to make voluminous buns long before there were sock buns. There is no better moment to fully utilize banana clips’ bun-hacking capabilities than now, since they’re making a comeback. So, grab a banana clip and some bobby pins.

Start off with hair cream. You’ll want to form a flawless and clean bun, and hair cream does just the trick. Since this style is quite similar to how you made a banana clipped-pony in the last instruction, you won’t need to go into great detail with it. The only significant distinction is that you should tie your ponytail higher on top of your head. Now, to turn the ponytail into a bun, wrap the ends of your ponytail around the banana clip and pin bobby pins as you go. You’ll have a much larger bun than usual because the banana hair clip’s length is longer than the typical ponytail’s foundation. To finish, use setting spray to keep your bun in place.

Banana clip hairstyles go beyond just ponytails and buns, where they remain hidden. You can elevate your look by showing off your banana clip as a decorative item. One way to do this is with the French twist.

Gather your hair into a ponytail. For the twist part, twist your ponytail as you pull it upward so that the ends are pointed upward. Once twisted, fold the pony in half so that the ends are once more pointing downward. Then, push the twist over until the ends are completely hidden, tucking any loose ends inside the twist. Grab your banana clip and secure it completely around your French twist. If you’re worried that your French twist might sag, use some bobby pins for security.

Banana clip pigtails….. 🤨 #curlyhair #bananaclips #hairstyletutorial

If you have really curly and bushy hair, you should definitely try this style. This time, you’ll need two banana clips. Divide your hair into two equal parts by parting from the centre and all the way down. Next, secure each side with a hair tie first. Doing so makes it easier for you to clip on the banana clips. Grab your banana clips and fasten them slightly above the hair ties. Once you feel them tightly secure, slowly remove the hair ties on both sides. You can use hair setting spray or bobby pins to keep them in place.

Aesthetic, social, occupational and practical. These are a few of the reasons for men’s historical use of hats. Hats were originally worn by men only as functional headgear to shield them from the sun, rain, wind, and snow. But now, things have changed. Not only are hats worn for safety, they’re also used as fashion accessories. Speaking of hats, there are lots and lots of different types of hats to choose from. But we’ve shortlisted 6 trending head gear for men in 2023.

Brown baseball cap, when shall i drop it? #mensweardesigner #fashiontiktok #baseballcap #headwearstyle

The traditional baseball cap will never be replaced. You might be wearing one to show support for your favourite sports team or you might have purchased one as a vacation keepsake. Regardless, everybody has their go-to baseball cap. Additionally, they quickly wear out and become saturated with sweat because they are so necessary and frequently worn for outdoor activities. Choose something understated for a significant fashion boost and wardrobe update. Pick anything with a logo that can be embroidered and a neutral colour. It’ll go with anything.

“OUTFIT FEDORA HAT”😎#fyp #fypシ #fashion #outfit #menoutfit #fedorahat #black #tiktokmalaysia

The fedora hat for men was one of the most well-liked headwear of the 20th century. Although it was originally used as a more relaxed alternative to rigid types like top hats, it is now recognized as a look that may add a sense of formality to an ensemble. Typically constructed of animal-derived felt, the men’s fedora hat style can also be made of straw, cotton, linen, or leather to emphasize its distinctive design. Some types have ribbons wrapped around the crown’s base. Whatever colour you choose, a fedora hat is never out of style.

#buckethat #ootd #outfitideas #ReTokforNature #mensfashion #styleinspo

♬ Around the World La La La x Knife Talk – lostboyjay

This is the most in-trend hat of 2023. Bucket hats were once only worn during holidays or adventures; they were inspired by the hats sported by fishermen who needed relief from the sun. In addition to shielding your face from the sun and wind, bucket hats give any ensemble tonnes of personality, depth, and, let’s face it, just plain ol’ fun. Available in a variety of designs – from patchwork knits to hallucinogenic hues – bucket hats have become fashion must-haves.

This is a joke but also true 😂 ignore my face IC: @parkeryorksmith #style #outfit #carhartt #beanie

Popularised by skiers and later, rap stars, beanies are a simple – but powerful – accessory. Choose a traditional wool, ribbed knit beanie if you’re looking for something robust. Go for crimson, burgundy, or black as your primary colours. They have the knack for refining your total lewk.

Styling a vintage knit polo 😎#summervibes #summerinspo #menswear #mensfashion #tiktokfashion #panamahat #fashiontiktok #vintagevibes #vintageclothes

Panama hats are a traditional headwear item made in Ecuador from the toquilla palm’s straw. Genuine Ecuadorian Panama hats are in demand as beachwear and vacation accessories because they offer stylish, light-weight sun protection. But you don’t necessarily need a beach to wear this hat. You can still don a Panama hat while roaming the city or when on a date. Anytime and anywhere, formal or informal, a Panama hat always comes in handy when you need to elevate your look.

ハンチング集　リクエストください！　 @nnnnnm07 さんへの返信 #fashion #flatcap #ファッション #fyp

♬ mood swing x nick vyner – what’s ur sign?

The flat cap was once known as a bonnet. It has a rounded crown and a front peak that is short and rigid. The working class wore the flat cap every day until the early 20th century. Boys also wore it, both casually and as part of their school uniform, alongside men. Now, it’s a favourite of some of the world’s biggest fashion designers, and often sported by celebrities.

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#TheBattleshipIsland: The Cast Of The Korean Historical Action Flick Is Coming To Malaysia

Pinch yourself all you want but you’re definitely not dreaming. Not today ;)

According to the GSC Cinemas Facebook page, the cast of “The Battleship Island” (군함도) is coming to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, presumably for a promotional tour of the movie, which is slated to be released here on 17th August 2017. GSC Cinemas posted up the announcement about half an hour ago today (Monday, 24th July 2017). Although they did not elaborate further on which cast members will be coming, Sin Chew reported that all 3 main leads – Hwang Jung Min, Song Joong Ki, and So Ji Sub – will be in attendance on 9th August 2017 (Wednesday).

“The Battleship Island” is a historical action flick centres on the Japanese colonial era, when roughly 400 Korean people, who were forced onto Battleship Island (“Hashima Island”) to mine for coal, attempt to escape. Song Joong Ki plays Park Moo Young, a member of the Korean independence movement who infiltrates the island in order to rescue a fellow independence fighter being held captive there.

Directed by Ryoo Seung Wan (of “Veteran” and “The Berlin File” fame), “The Battleship Island” stars Song Joong Ki, Hwang Jung Min, So Ji Sub, and Lee Jung Hyun.

Sources: GSC Cinemas, Sin Chew / Featured image: GSC Cinemas.


#Himpun16: Taylor’s Uni Not Part Of Red Shirt Rally; Bus Used Without Authorisation

A photo of a Taylor’s University bus being used to ferry red shirt protestors to today’s “Himpunan Kebangkitan Rakyat” or “Himpunan Maruah Melayu” aka #Himpun16 rally in Kuala Lumpur has been circulating on the interwebs.

Needless to say, it drew flak from netizens as it implied that Taylor’s University students were involved in the rally. It also insinuated Taylor’s University’s association with/stand on #Himpun16.

As soon as the picture went viral, Taylor’s University released an official statement to clarify that the use of the bus was not authorised for such a purpose as it was contracted to a third party, Wawasan Sutera.

Taylor’s added that immediate action has been made to withdraw the use of the bus with its logo.

The an official statement via their Facebook page read:

Bus service provider company Wawasan Sutera has also released a statement following Taylor’s University’s in clarification of the above issue.

The official statement via their Facebook page read:

#Himpun16 is organised by Malay NGOs led by Sg Besar Umno chief Datuk Jamal Yunos to counter the Bersih 4 rally on 19th August.

The meeting points will be the Federal Territory Mosque, the National Mosque, Putra World Trade Centre, and Wisma Kraftangan, before the groups converge at Padang Merbok.

In light of the above situation, Taylor’s University has decided to terminate the services of Wawasan Sutera. The university’s management released an official statement via their Facebook page yesterday (Thursday, 17th September) to reiterate that they had nothing to do with the recent rally, adding that the contract termination has taken effect as at time of posting.

Sources: Taylor’s University’s Facebook page, Wawasan Sutera’s Facebook page.

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#UnderworldBloodWars: Kate Beckinsale Teases A Different Side To Selene; New Movie Stills Released

Fans of the “Underworld” franchise are stoked to see Kate Beckinsale returning to the big screen as fan-favourite protagonist vampire Selene, but according to the actress, her character isn’t too happy to be in the spotlight.

Following the events of 2012’s “Underworld: Awakening”, “Underworld: Blood Wars” will see Selene smacked right in the middle of the ongoing war between vampires and werewolves. In a recent interview, Beckinsale shared that Selene hasn’t had the easiest of times and her fatigue does come through in the upcoming action movie.

“She’s always been really passionate, but now, in a way, she doesn’t really give a shit. In ‘Blood Wars’, Selene is at a really low ebb. You see a different side to her. [Her one-time mentor] Viktor has emerged as a traitor. [Her lover] Michael has disappeared. She’s had a baby that she didn’t know about,” Beckinsale told Empire.

Seeing as how Selene no longer cares about what goes on around her, director Anna Foerster hopes to maintain the foundation of the franchise while simultaneously injecting some new elements to the story plot.

“With Underworld you have rules that are very specific to the franchise, but you can veer off from that. What I bring to this movie is a defined visual concept and some cool surprises. I think fans will see a new side to Selene,” said Foerster.

Will this “different side” of Selene resonate well with fans? We’ll find out for sure when “Underworld: Blood Wars” opens in cinemas this coming Thursday (1st December 2016).


James Gunn’s “Superman: Legacy” – Why This Version of Superman Is Unlike Anyone Ever Seen Before

While we’re sad to see Henry Cavill leave the stage as this generation’s Superman, the show must go on in the DC Universe (DCU). With “The Flash” set to reboot the entire DCU, Gunn has some major plans for the future of the franchise and it all starts with Superman! In his video announcement, the first film of his new lineup will be “Superman: Legacy”, a film that promises to explore a side of Superman we’ve never seen in cinema before.

We’ve seen the classic large-than-life, goodie-two-shoe version of the character in films like Christopher Reeves’ “Superman” and Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns”. Zack Snyder explored a far grimmer and more complicated version of the character as a reluctant messiah who must take on the weight of the world. Then that all changed when 2017’s “Justice League” gave him a sunnier disposition.

With so much cinematic history behind the character, what brave, new direction will Gunn go to make his Superman one fans can root for? With the production of the film already in motion, let’s dive deep and explore how Gunn’s Man of Tomorrow will look in 2025!

The first major departure from the traditional live-action cinematic representation of Supes is the fact that his film will be centred around a much younger, inexperienced version of the character. That being said, he’s made it very clear that it isn’t going to be an origin story that follows him from his youth. We’ve already gotten that with CW’s “Smallville”. Rather, it will follow him in an “earlier” part of his life as the Man of Steel. This was a rather similar approach to how Matt Reeves approached “The Batman” and it turned out to be absolutely superb! He managed to flesh out Bruce Wayne’s history without ever resorting to flashbacks or lengthy exposition. Rather, the lore behind the Wayne family fed into the conflict and character development of Batman.

One of the biggest gripes we had with Zack Snyder’s handling of the character was his approach to conflict. Superman is meant to represent the peak of power in the DCU, the closest thing to a god walking among mortals. We wanted an exploration of what his powers meant to him and the world around him along with the effects they have on his being, which admittedly the first half of “Man of Steel” attempted to do but it all felt too rushed. Superman is at his dullest when you put him in a punching contest against some big robot, supervillain or alien, which was mostly what we got in Snyder’s films. The whole gimmick of “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” was Superman’s brawn against Batman’s intelligence. It was so crass and demeaning!

Superman is at his most interesting when he’s confronted with moral dilemmas in a world trying to force him to compromise on his principles. The reason why Superman is so iconic is that for all of his powers and abilities, his greatest strength is his heart. Yes, it’s cheesy but it’s what makes him special! If you’re looking for a great example of a classic big-hearted Superman, you should totally check out the animated film “Superman vs. The Elite”. Anyways, it seems that Gunn’s film will be moving in this positive direction based on comments made by co-CEO Peter Safran stating: “It’s not an origins story, it focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He’s the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, he’s kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned”.

We’re not getting a sombre and dour Superman but rather the uncompromising gentle giant who will do everything in his power to save the day. So based on this little detail, we can deduce that the plot of the film will see Superman go to battle against an enemy who will test his resolve to be kind to others. Perhaps, this foe won’t pose so much of a physical challenge to the Man of Steel but more of a moral and mental one. Someone who is the cold and cynical ice to his bright, hopeful fire. Someone like Lex Luthor or Brainiac. Seeing that James Gunn claims to be taking inspiration from the “All-Star Superman” comic series in which Lex Luthor plays the main villain, we’re fairly certain Luthor will show up in the film. One character we know for sure is showing up is Superman’s biggest fan, Jimmy Olsen. This probably means we’ll also be seeing Superman interact more with the Daily Planet and Lois Lane as well.

While James Gunn has clearly expressed a love for the character and all he stands for, this is still a James Gunn film. This probably means that “Superman: Legacy” won’t necessarily be played completely straight and serious like with Snyder’s “Man of Steel”. Gunn has a pension of using absurdity and self-aware humour to poke fun at the medium his story is set in. In his “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, he presents a dysfunctional, morally dubious version of the Avengers.  In “The Suicide Squad”, he pokes fun at the bloated rosters in ensemble superhero films by having a ton of his characters killed in the first 15 minutes. Then we have “Peacemaker” which was essentially his take on what if Captain America was a violent, damaged jackass.

That being said, he’s also shown that he’s able to write quirky and complicated characters really well with “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” being a poignant exploration of childhood trauma and family. Understanding his style is key to understanding how “Superman: Legacy” will turn out because the man is both producing, writing and directing the film. It is his cinematic baby! With the film being heavily inspired by Grant Morrison’s “All-Star Superman”, we can expect that the writing and comedy of the film will be less vulgar and edgy, and a lot more cutesy and warm. Superman’s naivete and general sweetness will probably be a recurring joke while also serving as the core of his character. We’ve never seen any meta or self-aware humour in a Superman film before so we’re curious to see how Gunn tailors his style to fit a character so pure.

“Superman: Legacy” is well underway with the script all finished and filming set to begin sometime in 2024. Come 2025, the world will welcome a brand-new Superman into the DCU!

I’m honored to be a part of the legacy. And what better day than #SupermanAnniversary Day to dive fully into early pre-production on #SupermanLegacy? Costumes, production design, and more now up and running. pic.twitter.com/TJYpCRmdsf

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) April 18, 2023

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Namewee Releases New MV “Be Like Him” & Reacts To The Golden Melody Awards Nominations

Local artiste Namewee (黄明志) had recently released a new single “Be Like Him (像他一样)” with an accompanying music video that starred professional footballer and coach Thierry Henry. In the video, Thierry is an inspiration to a young boy who strives to be like him in the sport as well.

The single also features Kuching-born artiste, Pricilla Abby (蔡恩雨). Her strong vocals add versatility to the song, motivating listeners not to give up their dreams and be like their role models.

According to Namewee, the music video was shot in Malaysia and the United Kingdom. He had personally invited Henry to be part of the music video before this year’s World Cup tournament and was stoked to have him be a part of the music video. For those that don’t know, the rapper is a big fan of the World Cup football tournaments.

By looking up to the King of Pop Michael Jackson since young, Namewee notes, “He always challenged himself to do better, challenging societal norms and wrote his own music and style to challenge the music industry then.” He continued, “Even though he was rebellious, it was due to that rebellious nature he was able to create music that could influence many. In real life. he was still concerned about social justice and the voices of the world.” Namewee firmly believes that a successful artist should be brave and willing to stand for what’s right.

In other news, his hit song “Fragile Heart (玻璃心)” which features Australian-born Malaysian singer Kimberly Chen (陈芳语) had been nominated for ‘Song of The Year’ in the 33rd Golden Melody Awards. His latest album “Ghostician 鬼才做音乐” had also been nominated for the ‘Best Album Design award in the same award show!

“This is my 7th year of being nominated for the Golden Melody Awards. And, 7 is a lucky number and I do believe it would bring me good luck and win my nominations.” Namewee said, expressing his joy at being nominated for the two awards. Namewee certainly has a lot to celebrate and we couldn’t be prouder of him ;)


Unity “Pops Up” in KL!

Established in 2004 by Sam Lee (DJ Becareful), Frankie, and Kobe, the name “SUBCREW” drives from a play of the “SUBMARINE & CREW” words, representing the relentless struggles of a submarine crew that is holding their position in a time of turbulence, united and fighting for survival in the open sea.

In today’s fast paced and multi faced fashion industry, the brand does not conform under pressure but stands their ground and maintains a sense individuality and originality. SUBCREW embodies the spirit of unity, which resonates well within the brand thus paving the way for “UNITY”, SUBCREW’s specialty store.

This undying spirit to be on the forefront has grown the brand from strength to strength and in a span of a few short years. SUBCREW embodies the spirit of unity, which resonates well within the brand thus paving the way for UNITY, SUBCREW’s specialty store. SUBCREW via its specialty stores has expanded to Greater China, Taiwan, Macau and finally – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“UNITY Store KL” is a “pop up” store that will occupy its current location for a 12-month duration after which it will be relocated to a yet undetermined location. The store is currently occupying the space previously known as “Zinc Artspace” along Jalan Maarof. UNITY Store KL will feature a special collaborative collection entitled SUBCREWMADE™ by Jahan (more details to come & official release date on 6th August 2012).

Aside from SUBCREW & SUBCREWMADE™, the good folks at UNITY Store KL will also host a select range of STAPLE (NYC, yes the pigeon has finally landed in Kuala Lumpur) and the finest selection of Dr Martens footwear.

For more information, visit their Facebook page. Don’t forget to LIKE ’em!


Are You Ready To Be One Of Them?

“Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining ‘wild’ humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading ‘soul’ who has been given Melanie’s body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn’t expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

Wanderer probes Melanie’s thoughts, hoping to discover the whereabouts of the remaining human resistance. Instead, Melanie fills Wanderer’s mind with visions of the man Melanie loves—Jared, a human who still lives in hiding. Unable to separate herself from her body’s desires, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she has been tasked with exposing. When outside forces make Wanderer and Melanie unwilling allies, they set off on a dangerous and uncertain search for the man they both love.”

It’s an except from “Twilight” saga author Stephenie Meyer‘s latest yet-another-book-turned-movie, “The Host”. The heroine in the sci-fi tale, Melanie, is played by Oscar-nominated Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) and Max Irons will play Jared, one of Melanie’s suitors.

Apparently, the novel spent an impressive half a year on the NYTimes bestseller list. All of 26 weeks, to be exact.

When asked, Jason Cassidy (President of Marketing for Open Road Films) said, “Ever since it was announced that Saoirse Ronan and director Andrew Niccol were going to be a part of the movie, Stephenie Meyer fans have been eagerly awaiting their fits look at the big screen adaptation of ‘The Host’. The incredible response from the fans has been very exciting and has even exceeded our expectations.”

Watch the first official teaser trailer here:

[youtube id=”6GJo0cxuyxs)” width=”600″ height=”350″]

No doubt, Stephenie Meyer has already made millions worldwide from her “Twilight” success. However, the transition from a vampire plus werewolf plus mere mortal love triangle love story to an alien love story? We wonder if the twi-hards are ready to convert just yet. We’ll just have to wait and see!

The film, which has not yet completed shooting, is set for a release in March 2013.

For more information, visit this website.

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How Malaysian Influencers Are Affecting The Future of E-Commerce

Shopee Malaysia recently hosted the Future of E-Commerce with Malaysian Influencers, a virtual forum discussing the relatability of influencer community online. The panel featured four keynote speakers: Hanita Sayuti (Shopee Bintang Seller), Nikki Wong (Shopee Livestream Influencer), Syazwani Md Saad (Shopee Affiliate), and Mr Kenneth Soh (Head of Marketing Campaigns at Shopee Malaysia).

Emphasising the power of livestreaming to build more engaging and personalised relationships online, Kenneth Soh said: “On Shopee, we have an ecosystem of trusted influencers — they are fellow users and sellers themselves who provide authentic experiences during Big Campaigns. While thousands of buyers watch Shopee Live daily, not everyone watches solely for shopping purposes. In fact, 27% of our surveyed buyers watch Shopee Live for entertainment and educational content. For example, in Shopee Live’s “Mum’s Club Show” programme, communities of mom influencers speak about health topics related to other moms, kids, and even kids with special needs.”

“This is an increasingly important channel for sellers to drive conversion on the marketplace. Our data shows that 75% of surveyed customers follow influencers’ tutorial videos in order to solve problems and expand their product knowledge.”

Hanita Sayuti, Shopee Bintang Seller who also runs a fragrance business called Zheo Lab said, “Influencer marketing is important for business owners as a touchpoint for audiences. There are no brand or product limitations. Personally I’ll be engaging with local celebrity, Dato Rosyam Nor as the ambassador of my Cat Perfume, one of my best selling products on Shopee. Our promotion video has already gone live and we look forward to collaborating with more influencers in the future.”

Speaking on the future of e-commerce, influencers Nikki Wong (shop owner of Bitcraft) and Syazwani Md Saad (a reviewer on home and living products) both agree that listening with empathy and developing personalised content are important for building long-term customer loyalty.

Nikki shared, “Consistency breeds familiarity, familiarity breeds confidence, and confidence breeds sales. I don’t have the intention of going live just to get sales, but to share something good with my followers as I would to a friend.” Nikki is part of Shopee Live’s All Stars community, an active and supportive group of influencers who frequently share product reviews, DIY tips, and even feedback on each other’s livestream feeds.

Swazwani added, “I practise transparency and consistency as I attract people who share my values. I make sure to greet my followers every morning and share about my day with them. The process takes time. We should not be afraid to enquire and collaborate with businesses and brands to increase our experience and exposure.”

In the “Future of E-Commerce with Malaysian Influencers” survey of 2,459 buyers, 75% of Malaysian shoppers indicated that they wanted to feel more connected through bonding and interacting with followers, fostering strong brand relationships, and staying relevant. In other words, to future proof themselves and stand out in a crowd, Shopee encourages influencers to continue building loyalty by being authentically human in their content and engagements.


Netflix’s “Moxie” Review: A Powerful Statement Against Sexism Hidden In A Poorly-Made Film

Now more than ever is female representation in cinema flourishing. Sometimes, the lines between feminism as a political ideology and a genre in cinema can be blurred for viewers. A clear distinction should be made that films with a female protagonist don’t necessarily equate as a “feminist film”. While there can be feminist undertones in a film or strong female characters, we struggle to fully brand them as such. On the subject of comedian Amy Poehler’s high school dram-comedy “Moxie”, though, there is zero ambiguity here.

The film is 100% geared as a progressive feminist critique of rape culture and systemic sexism within schools and it is not afraid to scream out its message. One that steadily rides the waves of the #MeToo cultural movement. While the film’s convictions are clear, we are here ask one important question: Is “Moxie” a good film? For that we’re going to need to take a deeper look.

The story of “Moxie” follows Vivian Carter. A wallflower in high school who lives with her single, liberal mother. In East Rockport High School, boys create lists of attractive female students and female sexual harassment is largely ignored if not played off with levity. A place where the “boys will be boys” mentality is so rampant, the girls of the school have grown accustomed to it. That is until Vivian, with some inspiration from her new friend Lucy, decide to take up the moniker of Moxie. Through the power of mass media and pamphlets, she awakens the female population of Rockport to their oppression. It’s time for the revolution to begin!

The plot of the film isn’t terribly original but we will admit that there is a ton of heart here. The film does address serious issues about objectification, double standards for different genders and even racial intersectionality. The only problem is it’s all delivered in such a painfully obvious manner. There is no subtlety or nuance in the way the film explains its ideology. It’s less of a film with living, breathing characters and experiences revolving around gender issues than it is a propaganda piece with a story. Beyond Vivian, there is little to no characterization to the other cast members here. It seems like everyone in “Moxie” lives to be a totems for specific social archetypes or to be part of a mob.

Characters like Vivian’s Black and Chinese friends Lucy and Claudia serve to be analogs for the idea of intersectionality. The concept that women of colour live far more difficult lives than their Caucasian sisters. Due to the fact they have to face gender discrimination and racial inequality at the same time. Which is perfectly fine…until the film decides to send the plot into a screeching halt just to make that point! The film also comments about how systems protect and enable rape culture through the film’s main antagonist Mitchell Wilson and Principal Marlene Shelly.

Mitchell serves as the irredeemable sexist, male-chauvinist jock and Marlene as the craven, materialist enabler. The film refuses to afford these reprehensible individuals any screen-time that isn’t showing them as complete monsters. Don’t get us wrong, these people probably do exist in real life but  Poehler and company do no favours for themselves by turning them into caricatures. Arguably, it hurts the film’s case.

That being said, we’re not immune to the film’s charms when it decides to launch into one of its impassioned diatribes against the patriarchy and gender discrimination. It’s clear that the filmmakers a passionate about their subject matter, it’s just such a shame that it views human agency as a hindrance rather than a help to its storytelling.

The one thing that the film does manage to capture very well is the anxiety women feel in the face sexual harassment. There were moments in which we had genuine panic attacks! The way it slowly ratchets up from catcalls to non-consensual touching to straight assault poignantly captures the silent terror women encounter in their day-to-day lives.

So as far as dramatic weight goes, it’s a mixed bag with the film valuing its principles over its story. How does it fare as a comedy? Yeah…it’s not very funny at all. A lot of the humour in the film relies on Vivian’s mother Lisa Carter, played by director Amy Poehler. She plays the fun, liberal, mother who has adorkable bits and conversations with her daughter. It’s not grating per se but neither is it very amusing. Poehler, alongside Tina Fey and Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is one of the funniest women in comedy. Which is precisely why it’s so frustrating to see her flounder here.

Still at the very least, she’s memorable. Everyone else unfortunately delivers an utterly forgettable performance. Even the film’s star Hadley Robinson fails to win us over as Vivian. Her character’s transformation from quiet, shy teen to empowered leader feels far too rushed and unearned. Oh and much like another Netflix high school film, “To All The Boys: Always and Forever“, it relies on musical montages to convey character growth.

Please, stop doing that! Don’t be lazy and write actual situations. Actor Patrick Schwarzenegger as Mitchell does an excellent job of making his character feel smug and punchable. If only he had better material to back up his role in the film. The real breakout star here is actress Lauren Tsai as Vivian’s friend Claudia. This lady has a future in playing manic-pixie dream girls in high school films and YA novel adaptations.

Amy Poehler’s “Moxie” delivers an important message in one of the clumsiest and most ham-fisted ways possible. It’ll definitely get uproarious cheer from the choir but as provocative cinema, it won’t win anyone over with its barebones plot, unremarkable moral puppets or its uninspired dialogue. Roll this out as an after-school special for teenagers and nothing else. If you are curious to check out “Moxie”, you can it catch on Netflix streaming services right now.

So what did you think of “Moxie”? Do you agree with the film’s message of female empowerment? Or did you find it to be a load of SJW propaganda nonsense? In any case, be sure to let us know in the comments down below.

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Amy Poehler's "Moxie" delivers an important message in one of the clumsiest and most ham-fisted ways possible. It'll definitely get uproarious cheer from the choir but as provocative cinema, it won't win anyone over with its barebones plot, unremarkable moral puppets or its uninspired dialogue. Roll this out as an after-school special for teenagers and nothing else.


How “Hello. Cannot” Became GSC’s Iconic Tagline

The next time someone asks you an annoying question or makes a ludicrous remark, simply quote Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) and reply, “Hello. Cannot”.

In case you didn’t know, GSC’s “Hello. Cannot” has become a viral meme and such a hit among Malaysians that there are now merchandise with the iconic tagline.

The social media team took advantage of the trend and debuted their own limited edition black T-shirts. Priced at RM29.90 a piece, the short sleeve tee (which is made from cotton) went on sale over the weekend (Saturday, 18th July). It was such a hot commodity that it sold out the very next day.

While movie-goers are still waiting for the “Hello. Cannot” free size tees to restock, GSC has also debuted the black colour reusable face mask – sold at RM20 per piece. Having said that, many have been requesting for GSC to restock the shirts in different sizes and colours.

Curious to know what is #HelloCannot & who is the admin behind the post #GSCAdmin? It all started on 30th June when the cinema’s Facebook admin addressed the new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with sass.

You can pre-order your “Hello. Cannot” merch on Lazada here.


#THG Mockingjay Part 1: Capitol TV Features YouTube Stars For #DistrictVoices

Oh, this is so exciting! The first part of “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay” will be released in a month but before it hits the cinemas, the film’s marketing team teamed up with Google and YouTube stars for “District Voices”!

Created by 5 teams of notable YouTube stars, the new programme “District Voices” will be rolling out a video every day this week for the citizens of Panem through Capitol TV and YouTube. Beginning with Rob Czar & Corrine Leigh of the Threadbanger, the new programme offers a glimpse into the citizens’ skills, productivity, and creativity through the YouTube stars who represent the citizens from different Panem’s districts.

The full schedule of the video series is as follows*:

Lionsgate’s partnership with Google’s YouTube unit is nothing new as they’ve previously collaborated on other projects that connect the top YouTube stars with their audiences through films such as”Godzilla”, the original “Star Wars”, and “Crimson Peak”.

A new “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” soundtrack was recently premiered on BBC 1 Radio Show as well, featuring Miguel’s fantastic vocals and a little bit of Lorde‘s distinctively dark vocals. Titled “This is Not a Game”, The Chemical Brothers produced the song by putting a fresh twist on the gloomy track with some catchy electronic beats.

Unlike the title track “Yellow Flicker Beat“, the song is darker and more angsty than the first track off the Lorde’s curated soundtrack album. You can listen to the song at Billboard, via Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show.

The soundtrack album will be released on 17th November while the film is slated for release on 21st November.