Fun Facts: Experience The Power Of Four With These #FantasticFour Facts

Remember that time when Chris Evans wasn’t playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but was instead playing a superhero known as Human Torch in 2005’s “Fantastic Four”?

Well, times have changed. The movie recently gotten itself a reboot treatment at 20th Century Fox and it boasts a whole new star-studded cast.

Miles Teller, who recently rose to international fame through his role in “Whiplash”, is playing Mr. Fantastic/Reed Richards in the movie alongside Michael B. Jordan‘s The Human Torch/Johnny Storm, Kate Mara‘s The Invisible Woman/Sue Storm, and Jamie Bell‘s The Thing/Ben Grimm. “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” actor Toby Kebbell will play Doctor Doom while Reg E. Cathey and Tim Blake Nelson will play Dr. Franklin Stom and The Mole Man/Harvey Elder respectively.

With “Chronicles”director Josh Trank attached to helm, the reboot, which is also the 3rd “Fantastic Four” film, will offer a contemporary re-imagining of Marvel’s original and longest-running superhero team. It will centre on 4 young outsiders who teleport to an alternate and dangerous universe, which alters their physical form in shocking ways. Their lives irrevocably upended, the team must learn to harness their daunting new abilities and work together to save Earth from a former friend turned enemy.

In conjunction with the impending release of “Fantastic Four”, here are some fun facts you should know about the movie:

1. The origins of the characters are based on their “Ultimate Marvel” origin

The plot is said to be based on “Ultimate Fantastic Four”, the original comics that was illustrated by Adam Kubert and co-written by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Millar.

Producer Simon Kinberg described the story as “a celebration of all the Fantastic Four comics, the notion of this dysfunctional surrogate family of scientists that come together and this idea that it’s almost more like a science adventure than a superhero film”. Michael B. Jordan has instead described it as “a bunch of kids that had an accident and have disabilities now that they have to cope with, and try to find a life afterwards”.

2. The team will wear “containment suits” first before eventually donning the classic costumes

Rather than donning the traditional superhero costumes, the team will be wearing “containment suits” when they first posses their special abilities. According to Michael B. Jordan, this is because the director will provide a “grounded and gritty” take on the film.

Their decision to alter the costume may throw fans off, but Miles Teller told Screen Crush that viewers will eventually see something more traditional because the suit we’ll see for the majority of the film is not the team’s final look. He said:

These are the beta versions of the costumes, which is great (…) But, yeah it would be very odd if the Fantastic Four didn’t don the traditional costumes. You’ve got to. There is some servicing there. You’ve got to give that to the fans. That’s what it’s all about.

Meanwhile, the white uniforms that they wore on their trip to the Negative Zone were said to be based on the Fantastic Four’s “Future Foundation” uniforms.

3. Margot Robbie auditioned for the role of Susan Storm/The Invisible Woman

Margot Robbie, who will star as Harley Quinn in DC Comics film “Suicide Squad“, was among the actresses who auditioned for the role of Susan Storm/The Invisible Woman before Kate Mara was cast. The other stars in contention were Saoirse Ronan, Allison Williams, and Emmy Rossum. Sasha Pieterse also auditioned for the role, but was considered too young for the part. At one point, African American actress Samira Wiley (of “Orange Is the New Black” fame) was also considered for the part.

The role was eventually snagged by Mara, who previously appeared as US Marshall in Marvel’s “Iron Man 2”. It marks her 2nd time playing a member of a team of superheroes as she first played a superhero in 2006’s “Zoom”. Ironically, she also appeared as the Invisible Woman in an episode of “Robot Chicken” in 2005.

4. Jon Snow Kit Harington could have played Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic!

Miles Teller is the first American actor to portray Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic as his role was previously portrayed by British actors Alex Hyde-White and Ioan Gruffudd in the 1994’s version and the 2005’s version of “The Fantastic Four” respectively.

But before Teller was cast, Kit Harington, who is best known for his role as Jon Snow in HBO‘s “Game of Thrones“, auditioned for the role of Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic as well. Anton Yelchin, Richard Madden, and Jack O’Connell also auditioned for the role, but Teller emerged as the studio’s top choice instead.

5. Jamie Bell is the first British actor to play Ben Grimm/The Thing

Terry Crews had publicly expressed interest in playing Ben Grimm. Kiefer Sutherland was the original choice for Ben Grimm. Chet Hanks, the son of Tom Hanks, made his feature film debut here as Jimmy Grimm. Jamie Bell consulted his “The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn” (2011) co-star and motion capture artist Andy Serkis for assistance on his role as The Thing.

In contrast, Jamie Bell is the first British actor to play Ben Grimm/The Thing; his predecessors, Michael Bailey Smith and Michael Chiklis, were American. And for the first time, The Thing will be created in CGI rather than through prosthetics and make-up.

6. Michael B. Jordan emerged as the director’s first choice to play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch

Michael B. Jordan reunited with director Josh Trank through this film as they’ve previously worked together on 2012’s “Chronicles”. Due to his outstanding performance, he emerged as Trank’s first choice to play Johnny Storm/The Human Torch. This marks Jordan’s 2nd time portraying a superhero as he provided the voice of Cyborg in the 2013 animated movie, “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox”. It also mark his 2nd time working with Teller as they perviously starred together in 2014’s “That Awkward Moment”.

Regarding the mixed ethnicities shown in the Storm family, Trank revealed that it represents his view of 21st century families:

I have a mixed family. When I go home for Christmas, you’ll see white people and black people; that’s normal to me.

During an industry event, Jordan ran into Chris Evans and ended up talking about about the role. According to Jordan, Evans said, “Man, I can’t give you anything. You’re great, you’re awesome. Just do your thing. And enjoy it. It’s gonna be fun.”

7. Toby Kebbell was 20th Century Fox’s first choice for the role of Dr. Doom

Before Toby Kebbell was cast, a slew of Hollywood A-listers including Eddie Redmayne, Jack Huston, Domhnall Gleeson, and Sam Riley were considered for the role of Dr. Doom. Kebbell naturally became the studio’s first choice to play the role as he has had experience in playing villains in other films.

Kebbell will first appear as a computer programmer before turning into a villain who acquired metal skin after travelling into the alternate universe. His appearance in this film is based on the “Ultimate Marvel” version of himself and he will incorporate elements from the “Ultimate Marvel” version of Annihilus (a being with metallic skin and green eyes) and the Mole Man (a being of an alternate realm).

According to Kebbell, his character will don 2 costumes in the film. However, the hardest part about playing the role was getting his voice right while wearing the costumes.

“Fantastic Four” is set to be released on 6th August 2015.

For more information, visit the movie’s official website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Sources: Screen Rant, Screen Crush, comicbook.com, comicbookmovie.com, io9.

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#Rio2016: Lee Chong Wei Wins Against Lin Dan; Will Face Chen Long In The Finals

Datuk Lee Chong Wei fought neck-and-neck against China’s Lin Dan and after 3 sets, the Malaysian shuttler won against his longtime rival for a spot in the Rio 2016 men’s singles badminton finals.

Though Chong Wei lost the first set 15-21, he quickly picked up in the 2nd set, winning Lin Dan with a strong score of 21-11. In the 3rd set, the 2 athletes performed formidably and the game was so close, the match went into a deuce. But despite the pressure, the world #1 gained 2 additional points, winning the set with 22-20. The match lasted for 79 minutes and the 2 exchanged T-shirts and hugged after the match.

NST quoted Chong Wei as saying, “The London final came into my mind when Lin Dan drew level at 20-20 but I told myself to forget it. I told myself to focus on what was happening now and I am so happy to have made the final. Lin Dan congratulated me and told me there could be only one winner today. I am so glad that it was me. Now, it is about the final and I will give my best”.

The duo is considered to have one of the biggest rivalries in badminton, with Lin Dan winning over Chong Wei 25 times in 36 previous matches. The Chinese shuttler won gold in the last 2 Olympics (2008 and 2012) while Chong Wei won silver.

This is 33-year-old Lee Chong Wei’s 3rd attempt at a gold medal and he will be up against China’s Chen Long, who beat Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen 21-14, 21-15 in straight sets.

The men’s single badminton final and bronze medal match will take place on Saturday (20th August) at 8:20pm and 7:30pm Malaysian time respectively.

Congrats, Datuk :) we’re all behind you! You can do this!


Awards Season With The Golden Globes

Oh how we love the year end. Holidays, sales, Christmas, and the awards season. One month shy from the 70th Annual Golden Globes Awards (to be held in Los Angeles on 13th January 2013), the nominees are officially out and in full view of the world.

Not surprisingly, Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” picked up a couple of Golden Globe nominations – and by a couple, we mean a whopping total of seven nominations. One of which includes a nomination for the “Best Picture, Drama” trophy. Coming close to Spielberg’s work of art are “Argo” and “Django Unchained”, with five nominations each respectively.

More importantly, one of our favourites this year, “Les Misérables” has managed to rake up four nominations. Not a word of dispute whatsoever there!

In the running for “Best Animation” are none other than Disney’s “babies” such as “Frakenweenie”, “Wreck-It Ralph” (Yay!), and “Brave”. One nomination came from DreamWorks’ “Rise of the Guardians”, which is totally befitting albeit this makes it a stiff competition. Also, we could go on and on about the nominees list but we’ll leave that up to you to discuss.

The complete list of Golden Globes nominees as follows:

Best Actress, Television Comedy Or Musical:

Best Actor, Television Comedy Or Musical:

Best Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television:

Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:

Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:

Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television:

For more information, visit their official website.

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Contest: Win Passes To David Blaine’s “Real or Magic” Live in Malaysia

Alright, you’ve probably heard murmurings about this on our social media platforms e.g. Twitter, Facebook. It’s time for us to come out and say that, yes, it’s true! Thanks to our awesome friends from Livescape Asia, we’re giving away 5 pairs of tickets to watch David Blaine’s “Real or Magic” show in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

But first, a little introduction to the man himself.

Known to be the world’s most enigmatic magician, David Blaine started off conventionally as a street magician who is known for his mind blowing endurance stunts such as “Frozen in Time” in which he was frozen into a block of ice for 72 hours. Other stunts include “Above the Below”, in which he went without food for 44 days and “Vertigo”, where he stood for 44 hours on a 22-inch platform.

His television specials have had huge ratings worldwide, his first “David Blaine: Street Magic” and “David Blaine: Magic Man”. His recent celebrity packed special “David Blaine: Real or Magic” had Katy Perry, Will Smith & family, Harrison Ford, Breaking Bad duo Aaron Paul & Bryan Cranston, Ricky Gervais and many more marvel at his tricks.

And now, you have a chance to watch him live at his “Real or Magic” show. Deets are as follows:

Ticketing: VIP – RM648 (Limited, Meet & Greet), Platinum – RM518, Gold – RM418, Silver – RM318, Bronze – RM248, Cat 5 – RM188 (Free Seating), Cat 6 – RM138 (Free Seating) via TicketPro.

As mentioned, we’re giving away 5 pairs of tickets (Cat 6 tickets worth RM138 each) to his show!

How to win ’em? Read this post carefully and answer the following questions:

E-mail your details (Name, IC number, Contact) and your answers to submit@hype.my and if you’re the winner, we’ll contact you via e-mail after the submissions have closed.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to check out the pre-show to David Blaine’s “Real or Magic” tour, happening at Publika! Deets here.


#MH17: SIA’s “Bad Taste” Social Media Posts

Uh oh, here comes another social-update-related drama.

Following news of the crash of Malaysia Airlines flight #MH17, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said posted up a Facebook status and Twitter update to inform customers that its aircraft have been rerouted away from Ukrainian airspace. However, Facebook users have more or less spammed Singapore Airlines’ Facebook page with disapproval and claimed that it was “aimed at taking advantage of a tragedy”.

Why, you ask? Maybe it’s because the status updates read as such:

As seen in the screenshot above, the Facebook status update has been shared over a thousand times. At time of writing, it has generated over 700 comments.

The main reason why the above claim is being questioned is because yesterday, the Singapore Straits Times referred to Flightradar24 and reported that Singapore Airlines SQ351 were within 15 miles (25km) of the ill-fated MH17 when it disappeared and crashed.

Facebook users have brandished their “keyboard warrior” skills and while armed with sheer rage, flooded Singapore Airlines’ Facebook page with comments. One user wrote, “SQ was the second highest user of Ukraine airspace. How many lives have they endangered?” while another said, “Err…hello, SQ351 was right behind MH17. It changed path upon receiving info MH17 was down. A bit sensitivity?”

There were also other one-worded but just as angry comments such as liar, shameful, tacky, and disrespectful.

And that’s not to say that Singapore Airlines was deliberately doing it in bad faith. Perhaps their initial intention was to say that they no longer fly that route instead of saying that they don’t use that route? Some rephrasing would’ve made a world of a difference, we think.

What do you guys make of it? Did you find that insensitive, perhaps just as insensitive as what Singaporean blogger-turned-celebrity Dawn Yang said yesterday?

Singapore Airlines has since apologised for the seemingly “insensitive” social media posts.

“We are aware that our Facebook and Twitter update on Friday morning may have come across as insensitive to some,” an SIA spokesperson said in reply to queries from Channel NewsAsia. The post was in response to requests from customers who had asked for information about the airline’s flight routes, the spokesperson said in a statement.

“We recognise that the information could have been better communicated and we sincerely apologise if it had offended our customers and anyone else in the online community,” the statement said. It added that SIA is “deeply saddened” by what happened to flight MH17. “Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the passengers and crew who perished on board.”

Meanwhile, we’ve created a special Spotify playlist in remembrance of the lives that were lost. Also, for more timely and verified updates, please visit Malaysia Airlines’ official website and follow their Twitter account. Families of passengers and crew may contact +603 7884 1234 (Malaysia) or +31703487770 (Netherlands).

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#JurassicWorld: Director Colin Trevorrow Says, “The Park Is Open” With Poster

A new poster has just been revealed for Colin Trevorrow’s sci-fi terror adventure, Jurassic World! Trevorrow himself tweeted the image, which you can check out in the gallery viewer below, alongside the new tagline, “The Park is Open”!

Jurassic World takes places 22 years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar now features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, Jurassic World, as originally envisioned by John Hammond. This new park is owned by the Masrani Corporation. Owen (played by Chris Pratt), a member of Jurassic World’s on-site staff, conducts behavioural research on the Velociraptors. After many years, Jurassic World’s attendance rates begin to decline and a new attraction, created to re-spark visitor interest, gravely backfires.

Ooh. Doesn’t the above poster look eerily familiar? We know, right?

Jurassic World is slated for a 11th June 2015 release in Malaysian cinemas nationwide.


(UPDATE) “Avengers: #AgeofUltron” Reveals Teaser Trailer At #SDCC2014

One would think that Marvel was on a mission to take over not just the 2014 San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) but also, the world. Reveal after reveal, the cinematic universe has proved just one thing – that they have no intentions whatsoever of not being cool. This saying is evident from the series of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” concept art posters that they’ve just released.

It was later revealed that the concept art posters will combine to make one, big, gigantic “Avengers: Age of Ultron” poster.

And just when you think the surprises would stop there, it doesn’t.

The #SDCC2014 Marvel movie panel aka one of the most highly-anticipated events following Marvel’s earlier movie lineup announcement, saw special guest appearances by the movie cast.

Robert Downey, Jr. playfully strutted into the hall to the sounds of Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” before throwing flowers into the audience. The rest of the cast followed, and although the crowd went absolutely crazy, Iron Man was a difficult act to follow.

Here they are, save for Scarlett Johansson aka #ScarJo, who is currently busy being pregnant:

All together, now! The cast & crew of @Avengers #AgeOfUltron take over the #HallH stage at the Marvel Studios panel. pic.twitter.com/Iy35qC4zAE

— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 27, 2014

On top of that, the panel attendees were also treated to a sneak peek at the “Avengers: Age of Ultron” trailer!

While we don’t have access to the actual video (yet), but we hear that it had the crowd at the hall jumping on their feet and cheering along with the panelists after it was shown. This site has given a pretty good description of it:

The three to four minute preview kicks off with all the Avengers together. They’re having a party. Everyone is drinking. Iron Man is trying to lift Thor’s hammer and he can’t. He grabs Iron Man’s hand and still can’t pull it up. Thor is enjoying watching all the Avengers try. Hulk can’t do it either…but he’s not angry. Captain America is almost able to pull it up and it scares Thor. Thor says they’re all not worthy of holding his hammer, but then the party gets disrupted by the film’s villain: Ultron. We transition to a montage of war clips. “This is the end. The end of the path”, Iron Man says. Iron Man is wearing the Hulkbuster armor in one scene. There is lots of battle footage in snow-covered areas. “There are no strings on me”, Ultron says at the end. Then we see Iron Man looking at Captain America, Thor, and a ton of other people dead on the ground.

It all sounds very epic and we can’t wait to watch the trailer!

Watch the Marvel “Avenges: Age of Ultron” SDCC 2014 panel here:

Keep your fingers (and toes) crossed and maybe Marvel will make the trailer available to everyone very soon.

The cast of “Avengers: Age of Ultron” also spent a good chunk of their time meeting fans and signing autographs at SDCC 2014. If you’ve got time (the video below is more than an hour long), feast your eyes on these extremely good looking people. We’re not even being biased:

Oh gosh! The moment you’ve all been waiting for is finally here – Marvel has made the teaser trailer for the upcoming “Avengers: Age of Ultron” available to us! We had to watch this 2-minute long video over and over again because we simply can’t get enough of it! From the looks of it, it’s going to exceed expectations when the movie hits the silver screens worldwide.

What’s that? You’d rather watch the full trailer? The one that was screened during the 2014 San Diego Comic Con (SDCC) panel? You wish is our, or rather Marvel’s, command. Enjoy:

“Avengers: Age of Ultron” is scheduled for a May 2015 release. It will be released in Malaysia on 23rd April 2015.

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

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#AF1: Nike Launches The Nike Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit, The Lightest Ever

34 years after its launch and 2,000 iterations later, the Air Force 1 — an iconic shoe with roots in basketball and legend status in street culture — remains one of Nike’s most recognisable silhouettes. As a foundational design, it also presents an opportunity to reimagine new visions of classics.

To usher the icon into the future, while taking its legacy, use and symbolism into consideration, Nike designers tasked themselves with marrying the original silhouette and Nike’s breathable, lightweight Flyknit material.

When applying Flyknit, the teams collaborated to engineer the exact structures and textures necessary to maintain the shape and paneling of the original Air Force 1.

They focused on keeping the original stance of the tip, saddle, foxing and vamp, as well as the perforations in the vamp, by programming thicker, firmer yarn on the raised tip and undulating eye stay. Flyknit technology enabled the design team to precisely micro-engineer every stitch to create the featherweight upper for maximum comfort and minimal weight, while it also reduced manufacturing waste and the amount of material used.

The shoe became not only the lightest Air Force 1 ever made, approximately half the weight of the original, but also the first Flyknit shoe to include a leather Swoosh logo.

Half the weight of the original Air Force 1, The Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit debuts in Flyknit favourite, multicolour, and University Red for Nike Sportswear, plus a classic all-white Air Force 1 colourway for NikeLab.

The Air Force 1 Ultra Flyknit is available now via Nike’s interactive and shoppable lookbook here and 28th January on Nike.com and retailers worldwide.

For more information, hit up Nike’s website.


“Raya and The Last Dragon” Review: Disney’s Latest Is A Beautiful And Charming Cultural Spotlight On Southeast Asia

Walt Disney Animation, the studio responsible for animated hits such as “Frozen” and “Wreck-It Ralph” offers up a new animated treat for us to sink our teeth into. This time, however, it hits closer to home as a blend of Southeast Asian cultures makes its way into the hearty and action-infused “Raya and The Last Dragon”.

So, has the Mouse House done it again? Have they got another hit on their hands? Let’s take a look.

In “Raya and The Last Dragon”, audiences are introduced to the ancient world of Kumandra, where dragons and humans once lived side by side in peace. The lush and prosper of the land was not to last as a multitude of Druun, a mindless plague of evil hell-bent on petrifying Kumandra and its inhabitants, attacked. Only the dragons, beings with mystical abilities, were capable of stopping the Druun. When all hope had faded, the last pieces of dragon magic came together to form a white orb, effectively repelling the Druun and saving the day, at a monumental cost.

But o’ the folly of mankind. With the orb containing power, and the last of the dragons missing, a ravenous lust overcame Kumandra and its people. Subsequently, five distinct nations: Tail, Talon, Spine, Fang, and Heart arose from the infighting, with the latter safeguarding the orb in a stone temple.

500 years passed and the land was still divided. All that was about to change with the arrival of Raya, a young princess from the kingdom of Heart who goes on a quest across the land to find the legendary last dragon, Sisudatu, who holds the key to uniting the lands and banishing the Druun once more.

Well, well, well. If that does not sound like a riff on the opening credits of “The Last Airbender”, we don’t know what is. Indeed, one could easily draw parallels between the world of Kumandra and the beloved Nickelodeon franchise. Divided nations with distinguished ideologies. Mythical creatures that appear to be an amalgamation of real-life fauna. Glazes of martial arts combat. While the overlap here is noteworthy, “Raya” is in no way a carbon copy of said animated property and maintains its own bestial form.

We applaud the studio for doing wonders with their characters in the past decade, adding layers and depth to their being instead of hollow eggshells – which were fine for its time, don’t get us wrong, but the I-want-it-I-got-it fantasy in “Snow White” or “Cinderella” doesn’t exactly hold up in the modern sense. To put things in perspective, the narrative of Elsa and Anna in “Frozen” brought about a new wave of independence with regard to its female leads like never before. The trope of having its princesses be nothing but one-note guy-getters, hell-nah. Instead, royalty has evolved into accessible vessels, owning the ability to be independent, grieve accordingly, and love (be it romantic, platonic, or sibling-like).

Like her predecessors before her, Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) plays the role of the flawed hero. Having lost her father and sole-mentor figure, Chief Benja (Daniel Dae Kim), to the Druun when she was still a preteen meant that she had to traverse through five years of hurt while on her noble quest to get her father back. Even when the gears begin to turn and things eventually started to go her way, the plethora of issues rooted within her essence counteractively plagued the mission. To her, the only way forward was to not place her trust in people. The scars from a betrayal that caused the loss of her father during the start of the film lingered on in her mind.

Now, there are two adjacent characters who provide a great dynamic with Raya due to their contrasting viewpoints and essences.

First up, let’s discuss the entity that is aligned with Raya. Sisu, voiced by a hilariously enthusiastic Awkwafina, is the last dragon in all of Kumandra. Now, despite having lost her entire species/siblings to the Druun, Sisu’s outlook of the world contradicts that of Raya’s in which she places her faith in people. Her amusing charm resonates on the screen with a certain naivety as she herself is not aware of the dangers of, simply put, trusting strangers. Tons of her goofy personality is played off for laughs, as there is a running gag of her intending to achieve a goal by granting the opposite party a gift (seriously, that had us chuckling on the floor, rolling on our bellies the entire time).

In some ways, “Raya and The Last Dragon” bounces off this aspect, giving Raya and Sisu equal opportunities to prove their cases, some for gags, some with more solemn implications. Over the course of the film, Sisu gets captured and blindsided in more ways than one, and she acknowledges that, stunned at what humans are capable of. Likewise, the streetsmart Raya falters into the very same snares with regards to her own notions. It’s poetry in a manner unlike any other whereby we see the flaws of both sides, but we see why they work.

On the other hand of the spectrum lies the relative villain of this story, Namaari (Gemma Chan), princess of Fang. She’s the Iscariot who shoved Raya to her lowest point, arguably prompting the inner rift in our title character and bringing all of Kumandra into doom and gloom. Nevertheless, there may be a misconstrued conception. She, along with Fang’s ruler, intend to fight for all of Kumandra, to unite the nations under one roof. There’s a saviour complex to Namaari, which has noble intentions but is also very flawed.

So, over here we have this triad of personalities that clash, flinting and sparking till we get to our climax which melds everything down to one single theme that is…

“Trust”. The word is spewed countless times throughout the course of the narrative. “Trust”. It’s something the isolationist would shy away from. And that’s what “Raya” attempts to bestow upon its viewers, young and old. There is beauty in placing our faith in our community. There is a great virtue in letting go even if we do not know whether things will work out the way we intend them to be. But we have to try, we have to believe that others will keep up a good fight, or to do the right thing.

As much as trust is given much emphasis within the story, Adele Lim and Qui Nguyen’s script is not foolproof. As a matter of fact, it tends to doubt its audience more often than not. This is a glaring concern throughout “Raya” whereby the dialogue or giant title cards end up being exposition-heavy, retreading the same path over and over till we got our heads pounded in over who’s who, where’s where and what the state of Kumandra is like over and over again. This was a really odd choice to go for considering the depth and emphasis on trust that was deposited into the characters.

Besides, it might also seem very template-based as the pace does run pretty quickly in here. Despite multiple breathing spaces, the MacGuffins in this film are literally snapped up in the blink of an eye. It’s not exactly too big of a problem as the aforementioned sequences can be hilarious for some but we truly wish the script had allowed for more of a conflict rather than resorting to convenient get-away circumstances just to get our viewers to where the heroes had to be by the climax.

Now, onward to the technicalities of the film, simply put, it is a gorgeous sight. Now, if you’re living in or have visited the various landscapes of Southeast Asia, you’ll be familiar with the humid tropical weather. That aspect is so well adapted here with the textures of the forests, fogs and rivers being picturesque captures, brought to life on the big screen. Scenes like these, accompanied by James Newton Howard’s gamelan infused score, were sights to behold.

Besides, the design department did not mess around when it came to getting all sorts of Southeast Asian cultural details out there. From the opening scene itself, we are given an expository treat of a vivid ‘wayang kulit’ display. Some of the structures were very reminiscent of Minangkabau architecture. Of course, there were liberties with how they managed the designs of the garb and cultural practices of the people of Kumandra, but it was all done in a respectful manner, which we can agree that we are pleased about.

Oh, and the scenes with food? Just feast your eyes. Layer cakes, mangosteens, broth akin to tom yum, shrimp paste, dragon fruits, and that delectable, sweet, heavenly satay. Mmm mmm (smacks lips*).

God, Disney. Why’d you gotta make that tummy rumble? We had to resist every urge to reach out to the screen for a bite because damn, they just look good. Okay. Now, we’re hungry.

Another aspect to be praised is the fight choreography. “Raya” features a number of kinetic action-packed battles which were top notch. There’s a mix of Silat and Muay Thai involved, which gave rise to fast-paced hand to hand combat along with the use of distinctive weapons such as Raya’s keris.

“Raya and The Last Dragon” takes all our appreciation, unquestionably, for bringing cultures close to our heart and the traditionality we grew up with to the big screen. A love-letter to Southeast Asia, “Raya” is. It maintains its charm with compelling characters, cute tots and critters, and a blend of humour which landed quite well. Although we certainly wish it could have bent the formula and resorted to trusting its audience no matter the age, “Raya” still gave us one fun visual feast for the eyes.

No doubt, with “Raya”, we certainly hope that the Westernised view of perceiving Asians only as Oriental have now been quashed. If it has, Disney’s latest is already a winner. Understanding the world one step at a time is important and if “Moana” and “Raya” can tell unique tales with respect to the regions they were inspired from, what’s there to say that we won’t see other cultures get the limelight?

Now, if you’ll excuse us, we’re gonna head out and grab some satay.

Disney’s “Raya and The Last Dragon” is currently playing in cinemas nationwide.

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"Raya and The Last Dragon" is a formulaic outing with regards to its storytelling but manages to imbue all sorts of charm, drama, and wit into its essence to weave a colourful South-East Asian cultural tapestry.


(UPDATE) #FooFighters: American Band To Return To Bangkok & Singapore After 21 Years

On 23rd April, Thai live events promoter Godzillionaire Ent. Thailand posted up a teaser on their Facebook page hinting at the next big artiste that they’ll be bringing to Bangkok. The teaser image consists of names of acts who are slated to perform at this year’s Summer Sonic Festival, Japan’s annual multi-day music event. Among the names listed on the line-up are such as Calvin Harris, Black Eyed Peas, Justice, Sum 41, Pennywise, Foo Fighters, R3HAB, Liam Gallagher, Charli XCX, and more.

Ah, but never in our wildest dreams would we have ever imagined that Godzillionaire Ent. Thailand was hinting at them:

That’s right! Foo Fighters will be returning to Bangkok after 21 years (they were last there in 1996, performing alongside Sonic Youth and Beastie Boys) :D The caption reads, “พร้อมแล้วใช่ไหม??????? ชาวร็อคเตรียมเฮกันได้เลย…!!! คอยติดตามอัพเดทข่าวสารผ่านทางเพจ” (Translation via asialive365: “You ready? Rock fans rejoice!!! Stay tuned for updates on this page.”)

Foo Fighters consists of members Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, and Chris Shiflett. Although frontman and founder Dave Grohl previously said that they were going on an indefinite hiatus, the multi Grammy-winning band is currently working their 9th studio album. And as always, when there’s new music, there’s likely going to be a tour. In fact, the band is scheduled tour across Europe (Budapest, Prague, Paris) in June and July!

Although not much is known about Foo Fighter’s gig in Bangkok, Thailand as of yet, it’s important to note that the Summer Sonic Festival 2017 will take place over the 19th and 20th August weekend. We’ll make an educated guess and say that it may happen around the same time, give or take a couple of weeks.

First Coldplay, then Britney Spears, and now Foo Fighters? Whoa, Thailand. You’re on a roll!

Awwyiss :) Foo Fighters will not only be holding their long-awaited concert in Bangkok, but they will also be performing in Singapore!

The American band took to Instagram to announce the good news. They said, “The Foos are coming to Asia this August! Get ready.”

A post shared by Foo Fighters (@foofighters)

Details for Foo Fighters’ Southeast Asia tour are as below:

Note: Tickets go on sale at 10am on 22nd May via thaiticketmajor.com.

Note: Tickets go on sale at 10am on 23rd May through sportshubtix.com.

For more info, visit Foo Fighter’s website.

Sources: Godzillionaire Ent. Thailand, CoS / Featured image: CoS.


Hype’s Must Watch: Mr. Six (老炮儿)

“Mr. Six” (老炮儿) (previously known as “Fading Wave”) is an upcoming 2015 Chinese action comedy film directed by Guan Hu and written by Dong Runnian. It stars Feng Xiaogang, Zhang Hanyu, Li Yifeng, Xu Qing, and former EXO member Wu Yifan.

In “Mr. Six”, Wu Yifan will portray the role of a young man named Xiao Fei (Xiao Ye Er). He recently left his fans absolutely stunned when he sported his new “hairdo” at an event in Beijing, and according to SBS.com.au, it was initially thought that he had shaved his hair for his role in the movie.

However, that might not be entirely true (thanks for the tip, @winterfan!) as Wu Yifan can be seen sporting a full head of platinum/silver hair in the “Mr. Six” trailer.

“Mr. Six” tells of an old 50-something-year-old street punk called “Lao Pao Er” who has reigned over the Beijing streets as the neighbourhood kingpin for many years. One day, when his mischievous son causes a dispute against a much younger drag-racing street gang leader, he steps up to help defend him. “Lao Pao Er” then discovers that the younger generation of gang members have already named this drag racer as his successor, and he no longer holds any ground in the street scene.

Main cast members Feng Xiaogang and Li Yifeng are scheduled the 72nd Venice International Film Festival, where the film will close in an out-of-competition screening. “Mr. Six” has also been selected to be screened in the Special Presentations section of the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival.

“Mr. Six” is scheduled to be released on 24th December 2015 in China.

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Bye Bye, Adam Levine & Anne Vyalitsyna!

So, dreams do come true (it’s possible for a man to date a Victoria’s Secret Angel) and dream couples do get together, but everything has to come to an end – eventually.

It has been confirmed that Adam Levine and Anne Vyalitsyna have split up.

Let’s rewind it a little though and go back to when they first met.

Adam and Anne met at the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue release party in Las Vegas in 2010. It was by chance that Maroon 5 was performing at the event. You would think that the love story would included them both catching each other’s eye and sparks flying but, no.

They both had bad first impressions of each other and they certainly didn’t hit it off immediately. As a matter of fact, Anne previously said, “He thought I was a stuck-up bitch and I kind of thought he was a douchebag musician.”

The couple reportedly had a huge argument earlier in February this year and it almost tore their relationship apart. But Adam admitted publicly, “This is the most functional relationship I’ve ever been in. I don’t want to screw it up.” and added that he was determined to make it work.

But despite all that, Anne Vyalitsyna said in a statement to People magazine, “Adam and I have decided to separate in an amicable and supportive manner. We still love and respect each other as friends. I wish him all the best.”

Anne, we’re not sure if you’re aware of this but your most recent ex once has a four-year relationship with former Vogue editor, Jane Herman. And after that didn’t work out, he detailed his heartbreak over their break up, channeled via Maroon 5’s “Songs About Jane” album.


Interview: Romy On Debut Single “Lifetime” & Being A Solo Artist Vs Being In The xx

The xx‘s Romy Madley Croft has just released her first solo single “Lifetime”, which was written and recorded in London during lockdown. The track is essentially about the euphoria of being reunited with friends, family, and loved ones.

The past year has reignited her passion of DJ-ing. Her love for emotional club music with timeless songwriting is reflected in “Lifetime” – which is described as “an exhilarating piece of driving, warm, club-influenced pop”. In this interview, Romy talks about escapism during difficult times and a glimpse of what’s to come.

Q: You just released your first single, “Lifetime”. What made you want to release a solo single?

“Lifetime” was written and recorded when I was in lockdown a few months ago. I was at home and I was missing my family and friends – missing going out and having experiences that gave me a sense of euphoria and I was really trying to create that for myself in the music. The upbeat rhythm hopefully helps you feel that too!

Q: “Lifetime” seems to have this very danceable feeling to it. Was that your intention?

I’m glad that it gives you that impression. Definitely, I love dance music – especially pop dance music – where there is an amazing song well contained within an upbeat track. I’ve always loved Club Classics, things that unite a room and people can sing along to as well as dance.

Q: What is the message behind the track?

A few people have said to me that this song is joyful and has positivity. It’s about celebrating togetherness, love, connectivity, and appreciating the moment before it’s gone. So there’s lots of messages I’d like to get across but mostly positive things.

Q: Did the current pandemic change your lifestyle? Did it also affect your music?

The pandemic has made me slow down and spend more time being self-reflective, which is not bad for my lyrics and to be more poetic. It forced me to be more innovative in collaborating – sending parts over the internet and trying to force myself to get better at producing for myself.

Q: You’ve co-written a few tracks with other musicians like Mark Ronson, Benny Blacnco, Silk City and Dua Lipa. Was it different working with those artists and with The xx?

I’ve really enjoyed collaborating with other artists and writing for other people – it’s very different to writing with The xx. With The xx I’m working with my two oldest, best friends, we have a very different way of working together we just do it all ourselves, it’s very intimate. With the pop writing stuff it’s less intimate, you work with strangers, I found it scary at times. But I was craving a new experience and I think it’s good to be pushed out of your comfort zone.

Q: Can you tell us what can we expect from your upcoming solo album?

You can definitely expect more club inspired music. It’s still very much songwriting so there’s lots of emotion and I really care about the lyrics, but I want it to be an album you can dance to.

Q: Would you be able to share with us a little about The xx’s coming album?

I think the reason I’m excited to do a solo album is to get new skills, learn more, become inspired and bring these things into an xx album. We’ve only ever worked together really, we’ve made 3 albums, and I’m really excited to come back to a fourth album with fresh energy.

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy)

“Lifetime” is accompanied by a lyric video created by designer Patrick Savile and animator Connor Campbell. Watch it here:

Romy is expected to release her debut album sometime next year.

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British Royals Take Action Against Pictures

Following the shocking piece of news about The Duchess of Wales’ topless photos on Friday morning, the British royals immediately launched legal action against French magazine “Closer”.

When asked, Closer’s Editor-in-Chief Lauren Pieau, reportedly said, “Intimate pictures exist that we haven’t published and will not publish. Probably other newspapers will choose to publish them”.

Pieau has also insisted that Closer has no regrets about printing the pictures.

The magazine is said to be part of the media empire, called “Mondadori Group”, belonging to former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. While quick action was taken in response to the breach of 30-year-old Kate’s privacy and for causing her embarrassment, another publication announced that they too, have plans to publish pictures.

“Chi” (an Italian weekly) stated that they will be printing a “special issue” devoting 26 pages to the candid pictures of Kate – with a gross and distasteful headline that reads, “The Queen is Naked!”. Here’s the thing though, Chi is also published by Berlusconi’s Mondadori Group. (Source)

Palace officials at their office at St. James’ Palace released a statement to the public that said:

Their Royal Highnesses have been hugely saddened to learn that a French publication and a photographer have invaded their privacy in such a grotesque and totally unjustifiable manner. The incident is reminiscent of the worst excesses of the press and paparazzi during the life of Diana, Princess of Wales, and all the more upsetting to The Duke and Duchess for being so. Their Royal Highnesses had every expectation of privacy in the remote house. It is unthinkable that anyone should take such photographs, let alone publish them.

For a long time now, Prince William, who was devastated by his mother’s death, has always made it known that he blames the paparazzi for the tragic accident in 1997.

The British press have also rushed to the defence of The Duke and Duchess, Prince William and Kate after the pictures were released. Most of them too, drew comparisons between Kate and the late Diana.

In a recent issue, Daily Mirror denounced Closer magazine as a “peeping tom” and said, “Public figures who behave well have the right to a private life. A long lens prying on Kate sunbathing topless on a private estate is a clear breach of this right”.

The statement went on to say, “A French media which chose not to expose the love child of President Mitterrand and the behavious of Dominique Staruss-Kahn shouldn’t be hounding a British royal!”

Even The Sun (known for publishing nude pictures of Prince Harry during a “wild Vegas night out”) have refused to print Kate’s photos. Good on you!


Contest: “Uncharted” Merchandise & Movie Tickets Up For Grabs

Following his massive blockbuster success for “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, Tom Holland will be trading his Spidey suit for the white henley of treasure hunter Nathan Drake in “Uncharted”.

Based on the popular video game of the same name, many believe that “Uncharted” will follow the early adventure days of Nathan Drake, while combining storylines, characters and set pieces from the 4 main games.

“Street-smart thief Nathan Drake (Tom Holland) is recruited by seasoned treasure hunter Victor ‘Sully’ Sullivan (Mark Wahlberg) to recover a fortune lost by Ferdinand Magellan 500 years ago. What starts as a heist job for the duo becomes a globe-trotting, white-knuckle race to reach the prize before the ruthless Moncada (Antonio Banderas), who believes he and his family are the rightful heirs. If Nate and Sully can decipher the clues and solve one of the world’s oldest mysteries, they stand to find $5 billion in treasure and perhaps even Nate’s long-lost brother…but only if they can learn to work together.”

In conjunction with the premiere of “Uncharted”, we’ve got some awesome movie merchandise and 10 pairs of in-season passes to give away. (*Do note that the merchandise will be given out randomly and are subject to availability.)

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Yoyo Mung: “Being Pregnant Is Like Being In Jail”

Last month, the newly-married Ekin Cheng denied up, down, left, right, and center that his wife, Yoyo Mung may be pregnant. He openly claimed that he’s not ready to enter fatherhood and that the decision has nothing to do with his health or Yoyo’s vanity. This comes after the couple arranged a super secret wedding in Tokyo, which was eventually exposed anyway.

The 46-year-old Hong Kong actor and 40-year-old Yoyo Mung were dating for seven years because they reportedly wed in a top-secret ceremony held at a French restaurant in Tokyo. And by “French restaurant”, we mean Aimee Vibert (a restaurant with two Michelin stars). According to Chinese media sources, guests were invited to “dinner” but no details about their nuptials were revealed until they arrived at the venue.

Because of the nature of such a “rushed” event kept on such a tight lid, rumours have been flying ever since about the possibility of a shotgun wedding. To which Yoyo has also stepped up to speak (of the pregnancy) – albeit harshly.

“To me, ten months of pregnancy is like being in jail. There was once I dreamt I was pregnant and was fretting over which school my child would go to, and had to fill up a lot of forms. It was a real nightmare!”, she lamented.  She also added that another reason she didn’t want children is because of Ekin’s attitude towards them, claiming that he really spoils children.

Okay, Yoyo. If you say so. Meanwhile, we’re waiting for baby news. That is all.


#RedVelvet: SM Entertainment’s Girl Group Welcomes 5th Member

In July last year, Korean entertainment powerhouse SM Entertainment confirmed that they’ll be “releasing” a new wave of idols. The idols, which would later be part of a group named, “Red Velvet”, consists of 4 members including the members from SM pre-debut team, “SM Rookies” – Wendy, Seulgi, and Irene.

Then, Red Velvet debuted with a song and a dance, and much fanfare alongside their hit single, “Happiness”. The initial impression of the group was nothing short of infectious bubbly-ness and sugary sweet cuteness because of the way their first music video was done. In fact, the girls (Wendy, Seulgi, Irene, and Joy) garnered great response from the fans for their psychedelic concept, said to be a mix of f(x)’s experimental concept and SNSD Girls’ Generation’s mainstream pop concept.

Soon after, the girls made headlines again for their sexy and sultry cover of S.E.S’ “Be Natural”. The pleasant surprise was also warmly received by their fans, with many applauding them for their versatility as well as singing and dancing skills. Red Velvet went on to perform as multiple live stages and music shows, allowing their group’s name to quickly gain traction in the media.

But SM Entertainment wasn’t quite done with dishing out surprises for Red Velvet yet!

The agency just announced today, ahead of the girls’ official debut, that an additional member has been added to the group. Of course, this is only coming after all 4 members have taken part in pretty heavy promotional campaigns for the group.

According to akp, the new member (as seen in the picture above) was actually revealed as part of the pre-debut team S.M.ROOKIES and she even performed during the SMTOWN concert in Seoul, August 2014. She’s skilled in not only singing, but also rapping, and dancing. We know, we know – you’ve all grown quite comfortable with Red Velvet being a 4-member group.

But hey, as they all say, the more the merrier ;)

So, you guys, meet Yeri aka the latest member of Red Velvet:

Following the release of the above teaser videos, SM Entertainment also confirmed that Red Velvet’s mini album will be called “Ice Cream Cake”. Lock the 18th March 2015 date down because that’s when these irresistibly new wave of gorgeous idols will finally debut!

For more information, visit Red Velvet’s Facebook page.


The Loaf Opens 9th Outlet At Paradigm Mall

In 2006, The Loaf opened its first outlet in the picturesque setting of Telaga Harbour, Langkawi Island. Holding strong to its philosophy of producing premium breads and pastries, The Loaf uses traditional Japanese techniques and the freshest of natural and chemical-free ingredients, both imported and locally produced.

One of the many baking techniques includes the complex “Levain” method (the French term for what we commonly call “sourdough“). In simpler terms, it’s basically the usage of a simple mixture of flour and water to capture wild yeast, build over a period of days to be strong enough to raise a loaf of bread.

It was this special technique that earned The Loaf its status as Malaysia’s premium bakery, one that’s like no other.

The Loaf’s Chef Fujitaka, the lead man in the Japanese-inspired bakery, bistro, and cafe’s hard work claims, “We want to offer our customers the concept of ‘More Than Fresh’ and with our freshly-baked breads, we can guarantee the best freshness and customer satisfaction. The Loaf offers premium products in that the ovens and many of the raw materials as these are superior product to those sold locally. Other necessary baking items are imported from Belgium, France, and Australia. While The Loaf is very much Japanese in its product range and cooking style, there is still a Malaysian feel to the product as it is considered important that this is expressed through some of the items being offered our guests.”

Clearly, it has come a long way since the opening of its first outlet six years ago.

As a matter of fact, The Loaf launched its ninth outlet yesterday at Paradigm Mall. The grand opening was officiated by owner and the man who has made the business his post-retirement past time,  YA Bhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad accompanied by his wife, YA Bhg Tun Dr Siti Hasmah:

[youtube id=”mFC_9FXnCXE” width=”600″ height=”350″]

At the launch, YA Bhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joked, “I’m learning a lot about business – it’s slightly different from being Prime Minister. But still, watching The Loaf grow is very satisfactory, it’s very satisfying.”

Said to be the group’s second largest outlet after an outlet in Bangsar Village II, The Loaf Paradigm Mall (located at Level G) offers a bursting menu of not only the highest quality breads and pastries but also a variety of healthy and wholesome breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food menu is coupled with a refreshing host of beverages such as coffee, mocktails, juices, tea, and aerated drinks.

The Loaf’s recipes also includes local elements t showcase the diverse culture Malaysia has to offer, in an effort to make the delicious world-class breads and pastries accessible to more Malaysians.

For more pictures from the grand opening, go here.

For more information, visit The Loaf’s website or their Facebook page. For more timely updates, follow their Twitter account.

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Jim Carrey & Jeff Daniels Reveal #LUCY Spoof Posters

You mean, there’s going to be a #LUCY film part 2? Or is Jim Carrey planning to make a LUCY spoof? Well, not quite.

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels recently revealed spoof posters via social media, rousing their fans’ curiosities. Riffing on the imminent release of Luc Besson’s sic-fi action flick Lucy starring Scarlett Johansson the two posters for Harry and Lloyd read, “The average person uses 10% of their brain capacity. Imagine what he could do with 1%.”

— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) August 15, 2014

But before you get too excited thinking that Jim Carrey has gone all gung-ho with a bold attempt to spoof LUCY (which has yet to be released in Malaysia, mind you), the spoof posters are actually referring to “Dumb and Dumber To”, a sequel to “Dumb and Dumber”.

“Dumb and Dumber” is a 1994 American road-buddy comedy film starring Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels. “Dumb and Dumber To” will see the comeback of the leading actors, accompanied by stars Laurie Holden and Kathleen Turner. The sequel picks up 20 years after the last adventure of the good-hearted yet dimwitted best friends, Harry Dunne (played by Jeff Daniels) and Lloyd Christmas (played by Jim Carrey). The original film’s directors, Peter and Bobby Farrelly, take Lloyd and Harry on a road trip to find a child Harry never knew he had and the responsibility neither should ever, ever be given.

Prepare to get your Harry on, people! #dumbanddumberto pic.twitter.com/PAZCe4suva

— Jeff Daniels (@Jeff_Daniels) August 15, 2014

Oh boy, we can’t wait to see what nonsense these 2 doofuses will get up to this time! “Dumb and Dumber To” is slated for a 19th December release.

For more information, visit the movie’s official “Dumblr“.


FoodPanda Malaysia Rating Shows Massive Drop Following Boycott

One of the most popular food delivery app FoodPanda Malaysia recently showed a significant downfall following everyone’s decision to boycott their ongoing service.

We believe that the people have showed their disagreement against the controversial statement addressed by their managing director, Sayantan Das as a response to his employer’s petition to increase their salary.

For those who are curious, Sayantan claimed that if the riders “showed no interest in doing their jobs, they can always give them to other rider. The main point is, if you don’t want to work (for FoodPanda), we’re okay because rules will never change if you continue with the strike.”

His statement in turn received a number of negative reactions among local netizens. Most of them expressed their disappointment towards the managing director for not doing his job properly in taking care of his worker’s welfare. Some also felt that his statement came out as insulting and showed no respect towards the riders.

I've uninstalled foodpanda. I can't support a company that doesn't give a shit about employees' welfare. To the riders affected, I hope they prosper elsewhere.

— 💋 fiqah (@lipstickfiqs) October 10, 2019

In addition, it’s reported that the rating of FoodPanda has dropped significantly as a result of the backlash. According to VOCKET, the rating of the app decreased from 4.4 points to a only 1.3 points.

More and more people had began leaving lukewarm reviews as a sign to boycott ongoing FoodPanda services. Check out their reactions below:

Jahanam @foodpanda_my rating dh jadi 1.3. Drop dari 4.4 last week..babai la pic.twitter.com/bbt7vpWnep

Kan dh marah rakyat malaysia. @foodpanda_my pic.twitter.com/ocGdEk8GNV

We hope that the ongoing dispute will reach its settlement soon. In the meantime, you can check out 5 other interesting food delivery apps apart from FoodPanda to suit your cravings.

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Evan & Jamie’s Sweet Child

It seems like just yesterday that Evan Rachel Wood and Jamie Bell tied the knot in the presence of their families and friends. And then there was that crazy story about them getting robbed only shortly (about a week) after they were married. So maybe that instigated the whole act of not jinxing it for themselves?

See, the last time rumours about being pregnant surfaced, she was adamant on slamming ‘em. In November 2012, the initial word about Evan carrying a bun in the oven arose, only to have Evan herself debunking the myth.

Upon hearing the rumours, she quickly took it to Twitter by saying, “Sorry to disappoint, but no baby on the way here!”

Ah but this time, the 25-year-old actress and husband are expecting their bundle of joy for real. We know this because she cheekily tweeted:

However, now further details were revealed by the couple of their rep, including the sex of the baby or a due date. We do know, however, that their baby is due sometime in this coming year. Yay! Much love and hugs to the newlyweds!


foodpanda Launches PandaPro For Pro-Like Perks!

foodpanda patrons, rejoice! In parallel with its 9th anniversary celebrations, foodpanda has officially launched an all-new monthly subscription plan, pandapro for its customers to dine, shop and live like a pro along with exclusive rewards and benefits on the app’s food essentials and services.

Pandapro will be available for an early-bird subscription at RM14.90 per month for a limited time only. Users that have subscribed to pandapro can instantly enjoy exclusive discounts of 15% and above, along with the usual discounts offered on delivery at selected restaurants within foodpanda.

The offer does not end there! In hopes of boosting customer’s foodpanda experience, subscribed users will also enjoy 12 free deliveries on orders above RM25. Not only that, an extra 5% discount on pick-up orders as well as two 20% discount vouchers for pandamart orders that are above RM45 will be available for pandapro subscribers to savour.

“With more Malaysians staying home and relying on services such as ours for meals and their daily necessities, this plan would give them access to even greater deals and excellent savings,” said Jay Ar Juan, commercial Director of foodpanda Malaysia during the launch.

So, don’t wait any longer and unleash your Pandapro on foodpanda.


Twitter User Admits To Making False Claims About McDonald’s Ayam Goreng McD

Earlier this week, the internet went bananas after a Twitter user known as Arabella claimed that McDonald’s Malaysia had served her a piece of Ayam Goreng McD with a bunch of maggots in it.

Not only that, she even accompanied the shocking post with the photo of the spoiled fried chicken, much to the dismay of many netizens.

In her most recent update on her Twitter, the young lady came forth to apologise over her false claims. In the post, she admitted that she had acted rashly in spreading the false claims about the dish. According to her, she had actually bought the chicken and kept it in room temperature for several days!

As a result of exposure to the temperature, the food became contaminated. Realising her mistake, she then apologised to McDonald’s Malaysia for all the wrong allegations made against the fast food chain. The netizen concluded by stating that she had consented to do so without any coercion or intimidation from any parties.

Many members of Twitterville weren’t buying her apology, though. Arabella ended up receiving tons of backlash from netizens. In this case, they argued that it wasn’t right for her to spread such slander. Others also told the girl to be prepared in case McDonald’s decides to take legal action.

Scrolling through the replies, a lot of people criticised her for being foolish. Hopefully this is a lesson learned.

McDonald’s Malaysia has released a statement and plans to take legal action against the netizen. Read what the company said here.

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Boston Manhunt Over, Suspect Caught

Tamerlan Tsarnaev. That was the name of the first suspect (now dead) believed to be involved with the Boston Marathon bombings. In pictures released by the FBI, he was the one wearing a dark hat, sunglasses, and a backpack. Tamerlan came from the Russian Caucasus region and moved to Kazakhstan at a young age before going to the United States several years ago.

The second suspect, wearing a white cap in the pictures, is his 19-year-old brother, Dzhokar Tsarnaev.

In a state-run Russia Today interview with the Tsarnaev brothers’ mother, Zubeidat Tsarnaev, she said:

It’s impossible for them to do such things. I am really telling you that this is a setup. My son would never keep it in secret. If there is anyone who would know it would be me. He wouldn’t hide it. But there was never word. My youngest was raised from eight years in America. My older was really properly raised in our house. Nobody talked about terrorism.

Their mother still refused to believe that her sons Tamerlan and Dzhokar were involved in the marathon bombings and subsequent shootout.

Meanwhile, minutes after US authorities indicated a massive manhunt for a suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings appeared to come up empty Friday, police “engaged” a possible suspect. Watertown was literally standstill as police offers in full body armor, carrying automatic weapons conducted their door-to-door search of the area.

The city’s subway, bus, Amtrak train and Greyhound and regional Bolt Bus services were shut down. Taxi service across the city also was suspended for a time during the manhunt. Every Boston area school was closed. Boston’s public transit authority sent city buses to Watertown to evacuate residents while bomb experts combed the surroundings for possible explosives.

During the police operations sweep, authorities then managed to corner a person believed to be Dzhokar Tsarnaev on a boat in a yard in Watertown. Multiple explosions near the site where authorities have engaged the suspect were heard by the CNN crews. The nail-biting confrontation eventually led to his arrest:

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the surviving suspect in the Boston Marathon bombings was shot in the throat and he also reportedly has injuries to his tongue. He now lays seriously wounded in a hospital pending investigations. He’s still unable to speak and therefore unable to facilitate interrogations.


Enjoy Live Music While You Shop At The Balcony KL’s Bizzare Bazaar

Looking for a place to enjoy music while you shop? We’ve got just what you need.

Together with local band Rhythm Nation, The Balcony KL will be having its first ever Bizzare Bazaar Festival. Taking place on July 27th, 2014, this will be the inaugural episode of a quarterly event that will be held at The Balcony KL in order to provide a platform for and to support local musicians and local apparels.

Aimed to bring local musicians and vendors together for the soul purpose of showcasing music, arts and culture from the urban scene in Malaysia, the first episode of Bizzare Bazaar will feature performances by Jumero, An Honest Mistake, Wanted Symphony, M.I.O, DLS, DJ CTOO and more.

Some of the local venders that are participating in the festival include Wolfgang, Jahlurve, Free Range Concept, Uptown Playaz, Macha, Peas Not Included, Cherry Bomb, Bliss Cupcakes, and Urban Niche.


#Marvel: 20th Century Fox Will Be Releasing 3 “X-Men” Movies In 2018

2018 is going to be a huge year for the “X-Men” universe as 20th Century Fox has officially confirmed the release dates for 3 movies.

Not only is Ryan Reynolds’ highly-anticipated “Deadpool 2” arriving in theatres next year, fans will also be treated to 2 other “X-Men” spin-offs – “New Mutants” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix”.

The most mysterious project from the “X-Men” slate, “New Mutants”, is the first film out of the gate next year. The spin-off will focus on a group of fledgling mutant superheroes undergoing training to harness their powers. The new line-up of characters include Wolfsbane (the Scottish character with werewolf-like transformation abilities), Magik (the younger sister of Colossus), Dani Moonstar aka Mirage, Cannonball, Sunspot, and Warlock.

There was no doubt that the popular “Deadpool” was going to get a sequel. After hitting a few bumpy roads with Tim Miller infamously leaving the director’s chair, he was replaced by “John Wick” co-director David Leitch. “Deadpool 2” recently cast Zazie Beetz as Domino and Josh Brolin as Cable. After dropping the first teaser trailer last month, we’re anxious to see what is in store for this new team.

Previously titled “X-Men: Supernova”, “Dark Phoenix”  will revisit the Jean Grey/Phoenix saga. “Game of Thrones” actress Sophie Turner will be reprising the titular role. You may remember that “X-Men: Apocalypse” established that she was already wrestling with some deep, hidden powers, which she used to defeat En Sabah Nur. This movie will show us how she came to host the Phoenix.

The younger cast from “Apocalypse” are expected to return. No word yet if James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult will reprise their roles.

Sources: Screen Rant, Cinema Blend/ Featured image: Movie Web.

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Papa Idola’s TikTok Gets Banned After Video Of Him Kissing A Young Boy Goes Viral

A founder of a business organisation got netizens buzzing over his disturbing action in exhibiting his love towards a teenage boy, whom he claimed to be his adopted brother – by kissing him on the lips!

In his TikTok posts, the guy, known as Papa Idola, clarified that the family has taken care of the boy since he was a child. But still, his actions was met with tons of backlash from netizens all over the internet.

The issue even caught the attention of religious activist, Akhi Fairuz Al-Jengkawi. He took to his Twitter to express his shock upon seeing the clips showing the younger individual being taken advantage like that. As stated by Akhi Fairuz himself, it is possible that the teenager is a victim of sexual grooming.

The replies section was flooded with many Twitterverse members venting out their frustration and disgust towards the public figure for normalising the wrong thing. Some even called for the responsible parties to take action against the TikTok user before his behaviour becomes worse.

In another thread, Akhi Fairuz shared an update that Papa Idola’s account has been banned by TikTok, due to multiple Community Guidelines violations. “Thank you TikTok for banning this account straight away. Let us all wait for the authorities to take action,” he tweeted.

Based on our finding on Instagram, Papa Idola has since set his page to private mode, presumably to avoid from being further attacked by local cybernauts.


#TheRoofTerraceFilmClub: Experience Pop Up Rooftop Cinema At TREC KL

Those of you who had the chance to experience watching movies on a rooftop and want more, you’re in luck, cause there’s going to be another round outdoor cinema event this month.

The creators of the popular HeliPad Cinema have introduced a new spinoff – The Roof-terrace Film Club – which is a new version of open air cinematic experience with a different 360-view rooftop view.

Just like HeliPad Cinema, Roof-terrace Film Club will be featuring different vintage Hollywood movies for a limited time only at Le Noir, The Hive, TREC. For this month, the selected nostalgic films are “Romeo & Juliet”, “Insidious”, and “Slumdog Millionaire”, with 2 screenings each (7:30pm and 10pm) on the same night.

“We provide every guest with a comfy deck/directors chair, however seating is unallocated so we recommend larger groups to arrive early to ensure you can all sit together! Once settled, feel free to sit back, relax, and enjoy the film,” reads the statement on their website. In addition, wireless headphones, a house drink, and an unlimited popcorn cup are also provided.

Here are some information about the 3 movies:

“The classic story of Romeo and Juliet, set in a modern-day city of Verona Beach. The Montagues and Capulets are two feuding families, whose children meet and fall in love. They have to hide their love from the world because they know that their parents will not allow them to be together.”

“Parents (Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne) take drastic measures when it seems their new home is haunted and their comatose son (Ty Simpkins) is possessed by a malevolent entity.”

“As 18-year-old Jamal Malik (Dev Patel) answers questions on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” flashbacks show how he got there. Part of a stable of young thieves after their mother dies, Jamal and his brother, Salim, survive on the streets of Mumbai. Salim finds the life of crime agreeable, but Jamal scrapes by with small jobs until landing a spot on the game show.”

The details to Roof-terrace Film Club’s movies screenings are as follows:

For further ticket enquiries, check out Roof-terrace Film Club’s website.

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13 Things To Do While You’re Vibing In Langkawi!

Langkawi is without a doubt the top option when searching for the ideal tropical getaway in Malaysia. Awarded the UNESCO Global Geopark classification, Langkawi is surrounded by blue waters, has the most beautiful waterfalls and woodland valleys, and is teeming with hidden riches that are sure to make for an epic escape.

After three years of the pandemic, Langkawi has become the most popular holiday destination in Malaysia. We recently got a chance to visit this beautiful island and we’re super surprised to see some old but “new” attractions available. So, without further ado, let’s dive into 13 of the best things you can now do in Langkawi!

Known as Dataran Helang, this stunning location is one of the most instantly-recognisable features on Langkawi island and a must-see attraction. The Eagle Square, which is formed by a 12-meter-tall statue in the shape of an eagle, is known for its stunning architecture and surroundings. You won’t want to miss this photo opportunity, which is surrounded by terraces, bridges, and picturesque little fountains. Families and guests are welcome to take a leisurely stroll around the area in the morning or evening or watch the ferries arrive and depart from the harbour.

Take a journey on the world’s steepest cable car to experience Langkawi’s lush vegetation. You will be able to see the entirety of Langkawi Island from 708 metres above sea level, as well as, unexpectedly, Southern Thailand! This is an absolute “must see” for all visitors because of the enormous granite towers and ridges that offer breathtaking 360-degree panoramic vistas.

Nothing compares to taking some time to unwind at Pantai Cenang. Cenang Beach is the area of Langkawi with the most activity. This is the spot to go to take in the sunset views, as it is a beautiful location with lots of multi-coloured bean bags on the sand. Get there early, reserve a beanbag, enjoy the music, and while you wait for the shows to begin, fill up on food and beverages at adjacent restaurants. Fire baton juggling, throwing and catching, spinning glittering “poi”, and lighting up the night with a huge cone of flame thrown from a rod are some of the performances. This is one activity that will definitely brighten your evening!

An unspoiled natural reserve with a variety of geo-sites filled with amazing plants and animals; and stunning geological formations including huge limestone rocks and fossils, caverns and lagoons, beaches, and of course, dense mangrove forests. Keep a look out for some amazing species in the mangrove area and on the muddy flats. In addition to monkeys, mud crabs, and squirrels, you may also encounter monitor lizards, which are able to dive into the water with ease and stay there for an extended amount of time. There is a floating fish farm close by. They house enormous open-air aquariums where you may witness a staggering variety of species. There are other undiscovered caves in this area that are hidden by the extensive mangrove roots. Here you can see mangroves that are more than a century old. The oldest mangroves are also surrounded by Langkawi’s tallest limestone rock formation.

Put taking a sunset cruise at the top of your Langkawi to-do list if you’re seeking activities in the city at night. It’s fantastic for groups of friends or families, but it’s also one of the most romantic things to do in Langkawi for a couple. There are various sunset cruises you can take, some of which include drinks, while the better ones also include a delectable supper.

The cruise we went on was called the all-in catamari. However, experiences may vary. Since it pretty much rains often these days, the water might get choppy. So, for safety, be sure to consume necessary medication to avoid getting seasick.

The 32-acre Langkawi Craft Complex, which is situated on Jalan Teluk Yu in the subdistrict of Bohor on Langkawi Island, has been in business since 1996. The complex’s architecture is adorned with Islamic-themed elements with the goal of enhancing the wall decorations and creating a harmonious fusion with Malay architecture. The Heritage Museum and the Customs & Wedding are both located in the Langkawi handmade Complex, which also offers visitors the chance to buy a variety of local handmade products. Visitors can capture special moments at the Dataran Tangga Seribu (A Thousand Staircase Square), one of the emblems at the Langkawi Craft Complex, in addition to participating in interactive craft activities.

Whether you buy keychains or t-shirts, the most common thing everyone brings home from Langkawi are definitely chocolates and booze. But seriously, Langkawi has tonnes of duty-free shops that sell branded chocolates and booze for really low prices. You can grab as much chocolate as you like! But do be mindful that purchasing booze has its limitations.

The Telaga Tujuh Waterfalls is undoubtedly one of Langkawi’s most stunning and impressive tourist attractions. This magnificent natural feature, which is made up of several natural pools, can be found in the northwest region of the island. These formations are sourced from a single peak, Mount Mag Cincang, by seven distinct waterfalls. Telaga Tujuh’s ethereal and beautiful landscape has earned it the nickname “land of the fairies” among the locals. While you’re here, enjoy the scenery from the two viewing platforms or go swimming in the waters.

An island-hopping trip is one of the best things to do in Langkawi, and it’s a must if you’re curious about the island. Numerous distinct islands are visited on tours. Pulau Dayang Bunting, the second-largest island in Langkawi, is a well-liked destination for tourists. Lake of the Pregnant Maiden is the island’s most well-known attraction. You can rest or engage in a variety of Langkawi island activities here, like swimming and paddle boarding.

For a variety of water sports, like diving and snorkelling, Langkawi is just great. You can, of course, do this on your own while visiting Langkawi, or even better, join a Langkawi day tour that takes you to some of the island’s top locations for observing marine life.

A day trip to the nearby Palau Payar, which is only one hour away by speed boat, is one of the most well-liked snorkelling and diving excursions. You may dive and snorkel in the clear water on this stunning Langkawi beach, either from the shore or from a platform in the middle of the ocean.

By boat, explore the mangrove forest reserve and discover its ecology, flora, migratory bird population, and function as a nursery for young marine life. Then, for a fun-filled day, visit the floating fish farm, the Bat Cave, the Crocodile Cave, participate in an eagle feeding, and end the day with a stunning view of the Andaman Sea.

Alternatively, you might decide to take a kayak tour of a nearby fish farm and mangrove area. Get on a kayak and paddle through the mangrove forest to see the native flora and animals, including sea eagles and kites, kingfishers, herons, mudskippers, fiddler crabs, and monitor lizards. Your kayaking guide can provide information on nature and the surrounding area.

A mausoleum built in memory of the fabled Mahsuri binti Pandak Mayah, whose sister-in-law was envious of her beauty and spread rumours that she had been unfaithful to her husband. Mahsuri, who had been sentenced to death without a hearing, professed her innocence while casting a curse on Langkawi that would cause the island to experience famine for seven generations. It turned out to be true because Langkawi only recently recovered from its dry spell and is now considered as a major tourist destination.

A few wooden cottages serve as a small museum showing some of Mahsuri’s jewels, as well as the tool used to execute her. Use this opportunity to learn more about the lovely Mahsuri, while enjoying ancient Malay architecture and creativity. Additionally, there is a mausoleum with a succinct statement about Mahsuri’s fate that is enclosed in a white square and surrounded by lovely vegetation.

See over 100 excellent 3D art works produced by 23 skilled Korean artisans and a few knowledgeable local experts. Mythical creatures can be seen emerging from the picture frames, or you can see a man’s hand reaching out from his portrait to welcome you. This is the second-largest museum of 3D art in the world and unquestionably the largest in all of Malaysia. It spans three levels of a building and a total floor area of about 2,000 square metres. The art museum is divided into a few zones or sections, each with a distinct subject and kind of 3D craftsmanship. There are many kinds of zones, such as an aquarium zone with images of marine life, a safari zone with artwork featuring animals, a few zones where you can interact with art objects, and dream zones where you’ll feel as though you’re wandering through dreams.

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Music Legend Kenny G Coming To Malaysia For Solo Concert

Kenny Gorelick, better known as Kenny G, is returning to his favourite spot in Malaysia to serenade local fans. Originally scheduled to perform here before the Covid-19 outbreak, his concert was postponed a couple of times before it was cancelled.

For all those of you who have been anticipating his return, we’ve got good news! The legendary saxophonist has included our country in his world tour, so go ahead and mark your calendar – the date is 2nd April. As expected, the 66-year-old Grammy winner will be performing at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting again.

“Since becoming a household name in the ’80s, the musician has religiously practiced the saxophone for up to four hours a day, every day. Kenny has remained active on the music scene and stayed connected with fans. Apart from his many tour dates, Kenny released a new album “New Standards” in 2021 that features 11 original compositions inspired by the Jazz Ballads of the ’50s and ’60s. He has stayed current through unexpected music crossovers with megastar artistes Kanye West and The Weeknd in the recent years which attracted and appealed to newer fans.

Kenny G has once again proven his unrivalled popularity and how his music has stayed relevant for so long with a music documentary “Listening to Kenny G” specially crafted and filmed featuring his unconventional journey to the top, his legacy in music and the jazz purists’ feathers he’s ruffled along the way. The film, premiered on HKB, also details his Seattle upbringing and the massive success of hit songs like ‘Silhouette’, ‘Songbird’ and ‘Sentimental‘.”

Brought to you by Star Planet, the details to Kenny G’s solo concert in Malaysia concert are as follows:

Tickets will officially go on sale via my.bookmyshow.com or rwgenting.com on 27th January 2023 from 2pm onwards. For more info, click here.


GSC Malaysia Gives Away 25,000 Tickets!

We just heard, and we’re not kidding. This is definitely not an April Fools’ joke.

In celebration of Golden Screen Cinemas’ (GSC) 25th birthday, they are giving out a whopping take-your-breath-away number of 25,000 tickets nationwide!

It’s still really early in the day so if you’re already up and about, go grab your tickets because it starts from 10am onwards for these selected movies. So if you’re looking to catch The Lorax, Mirror Mirror, The Vow, The Hunger Games, or Wrath Of The Titans, don’t wait! The queue might already be building up as you read.

Do take note, however, that it’s by first come first serve basis and that the free tickets do not apply to the Digital-3D, Maxx, Premiere Class, GSC Signature, and Gold Class halls. Which is really fine by us, hey. A free movie is a free movie, right?

All you have to do is print out this ad and present it at the counter:

Drop everything. Rush right over for the ticket redemption for any movie of your choice that is slated for a 2:50pm or later screening. Pretty perfect for an after lunch flick, if you ask us.

For more information, visit their website.


2013 VIMA Winners

VIMA is the Southeast Asian Music awards and had winners and performers attending from Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The awards, held at The View, G Tower on 24th February 2013 (Sunday) had an attendance of 600 people made up mostly of celebrities and well known musicians.

The highlight of the night was Poetic Ammo regrouping on stage after more than a decade to receive their VIMA “Hall of Fame” award. Also in attendance was Karyawan President, Datuk Freddie Fernandez, who gave away the “Hall of Fame” award to Jeff Siah, founder of Positive Tone.

“Thank You For Existing” Award: Homogenic (Indonesia) & Masia One (Singapore)

The Galaxtar Award for Best Digital Tech Album: Bunkface’s Augmented Reality ‘Bunk Not Dead” (First AR album in Asia)

Best Produce : Roshan Jamrock (Malaysia)

Best Overall Female Act: Amirah Ali (Malaysia)

Best Overall Male Act: Emir, Blackstar (Indonesia)

Best Collaboration: Masia One (Singapore) featuring Pharell, The Game & Isis Salam

Best College Act: SOG (Sekumpulan Orang Gila)

Best Genre-Bender: Psycho.Unit – Ghetto Disco (Malaysia)

Best Music Video: G.L.A (Malaysia) – Ubah (Malaysia)

Winners of Best Chinese Song – SLap! from Sarawak and Stephanie Liu (Silver)

Best Chinese Song: SLaP (Sarawak, Malaysia) – “壞習慣”

Best Punjabi Song: Raina Arvinder : Hai Ni Teri Yaad

Best Indian Song: Thyivya feat Shane X’treme, Mista Carey & D7 of S.L.Y SQUAD for “Inni Vendham”

Best Instrumental/World Song: Iwanouz (Indonesia) – Islands of Papua

Social Media Champion of Southeast Asia: Lady Kash & Krissy (Singapore)

For more information, visit their official website.

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LMFAO = Dunzo! Peace Out!

Yup. It’s true. LA duo, Redfoo and SkyBlu, the uncle and newphew party rockin’ team, otherwise known as LMFAO, have announced that they’re breaking up. The announcement just came in minutes ago, when Redfoo told the media that LMFAO are taking a break to pursue individual interests.

So weird though – they were just here a few months ago!

“I feel like we’ve been doing this for so long, five or six year. And we’re kind of like saying, well, let’s just do what’s natural and just kind of explore that, instead of like forcing it all the time”, Redfoo said.

When asked if we’ll still hear their music in the foreseeable future, Redfoo replied that he and SkyBlu were headed in “difference directions” and didn’t know when the pair would ever reunite musically.

Redfoo took the opportunity to announce that it’s not the end of him just yet. So it’s okay, guys. Now we can all look forward to Redfoo’s fashion line and solo career.


Hype’s Now Playing: Eric Prydz vs Chvrches – Tether

Remember that time we sat down with Scottish synth-pop trio CHVRCHES for an interview before their live performance at Urbanscapes Satellite Show?

Well, when we asked them whether they’ve been approached by any DJ or producer for a collaboration, Martin told us this:

After 2 months of anticipation, CHVRCHES’ secret collaboration has finally been revealed on BBC Radio 1 as Zane Lowe’s “Hottest Record in the World”. As it turns out, it was the debut of Eric Prydz‘s fantastic rework of CHVRCHES track, “Tether”.

Eric Sheridan Prydz, also known by his stage names Pryda and Cirez D, is a Swedish DJ and producer based in Los Angeles, California. He produces his own music and runs multiple record labels including Pryda, Pryda Friends and Mouseville. Under Mouseville Records, he releases techno tracks under the stage name Cirez D. The Swedish DJ was originally slated to make his debut on our shores at Future Music Festival Asia (FMFA) 2014 before the authorities cancelled the 3rd day of the event.

Prydz has gained recognition from both underground and mainstream fans for his techno tracks and pop remixes. In 2013, his essential mix was named Essential Mix of the Year by Pete Tong (whom we met during International Music Summit (IMS) Asia last year).

After celebrating 10th anniversary of his Pryda record label last year, the Swedish house master is gearing up for the release of his new LP by unveiling his rework of CHVRCHES’s “Tether.”

Prydz explained he first started working on the edit during his 2014 tour of Australia with Future Music Festival. After spending the Northern summer “perfecting the arrangement,” he is now ready to share the final product.” And the result? It’s beautiful and we can’t stop hitting the “play” button.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/188340767″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]

So far, Eric Prydz’s remixed version of “Tether” can only be streamed online as the song is slated for official release on March 29.

While we were away for our long Chinese New Year holiday, the official music video for Eric Prydz’s remix on CHVRCHES’ “Tether” has been uploaded to Prydz’s official YouTube page.

For more information, visit Eric Prydz’s Facebook page or Twitter and don’t forget to follow CHVRCHES on Facebook or Twitter more updates.

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Patrick J. Adams: Beyond The Suit

Onscreen (read: “Suits”), Patrick J. Adams is Mike Ross, a young man without a law degree but with a photographic memory. Off it, he’s just your average 31-year-old guy except the fact that he’s dating gorgeous “Pretty Little Liars” star Troian Bellisario and that he’s an amazing photographer.

So amazing that this other talent of his (besides acting) is being picked up by people like Jimmy Fallon, for one, and also the media who have made it a point to ask him about his photography in interviews. When asked about his unexpected interest in the art, he said:

I’ve just always been fascinated with captured moments. I’ve always been amazed how a story or a feeling or a conflict can be so effectively communicated in a single image. The fascination must have begun with photos of my family and of distant grandparents who I never knew but who were part of me. I poured over photos as a kid. I made books and made my parents tell me who everyone was. Then I started photographing my family and my life and my friends and then slowly started documenting the world and the things that stuck out to me. Shooting photos has always been a way for me to have a conversation with myself about the world around me. Sharing the photos with friends and online is then a way to deepen that conversation and welcome other people into it. But the joy of it comes with doing of it. The product of the work isn’t really vital to me yet.

Here are some of the awesomeness that he has taken. Prepare to be duly impressed:

“Wow”, right? And you thought he was only good at playing a lawyer!

Patrick has a website that showcases his photography and composition skills, as well as a Tumblr so check them out for more beautiful shots.


#NaomiPrice: “Rumour Has It – Adele’s Life And Songs” Musical To Be Held At KLPAC

“Rumour Has It” that the theatre actress famed for playing British pop icon Adele is having a musical in town this September!

The said musical, titled “Rumour Has It – Adele’s Life and Songs”, will be be held from 21st – 25th September at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) and it stars Australian theatre actress and “The Voice” contestant Naomi Price.

Debuted in 2015, the musical tells the story of Adele Laurie Blue Adkins’ rise to fame and how she conquered the world with her 30-million selling masterpiece, “21”. The musical also features 7 of Australia’s finest musicians and the British singer’s greatest hits, including “Rolling in the Deep”, “Set Fire to the Rain”, “Someone Like You”, and the Oscar-winning “Skyfall”.

The musical’s lead, Naomi Price, has received rave reviews for her world-class vocals and her stage performance in “Rumour Has It” even won her a Matilda Award for “Best Musical or Cabaret”.

Brought to you by Milestone Production, the details to “Rumour Has It – Adele’s Life and Songs” are as follows:

Concert tickets are already on sale and can be purchased at Ticket Pro.

For more information, visit Naomi Price’s official Facebook page.


#ZoukSingapore: Did Najib’s Son Force Fadi (Of Aly & Fila) Out To Perform?

You’ve seen the video, now here’s some perspective.

Over the weekend, rumours were rife that Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak’s youngest son Norashman “forced” a guest DJ at Zouk Singapore out so that he can play a set. This guest DJ was none other than Egyptian DJ/producer Fila of trance duo Aly & Fila.

What ensued was a social media shitstorm when a partygoer shared a video from the “scene”, that showed Fila (real name Fadi Wassef aka Fadi) addressing the crowd saying, “I will see you somewhere in the future, not in Zouk anymore, because I won’t play in Zouk any f***ing more. They insulted me, but I love you guys.”

The video, originally captioned, “Najib’s son force Fadi to stop his set & this is what Fadi #AlyandFila says to New Zouk’s management…” has since gone viral, racking up 1,400 shares.

Fadi’s message was met with loud jeers from the crowd (in the video), followed by an influx of nasty comments from netizens, with many calling Najib’s son out to be the “culprit” of this entire fiasco and slamming Zouk Singapore for “bringing politics into music”. In not so many words, people were not happy.

Later that day, Zouk Singapore released a statement to say that the incident happened due to “a misunderstanding”, stressing that they “respect all their artistes and make it a point to ensure that all artistes are able to complete their sets without interference”. A follow-up statement further clarified that Fadi was not at any point in time asked to end his set prematurely. But Zouk Singapore did not deny that Norashman played a set on its premises.

Naturally, it would be pretty easy for a person to immediately have his/her crosshair on Norashman. Simply because the video of Fadi speaking to the crowd and Zouk Singapore’s vague statements barely covered the entire story.

Now, from what has been reported, Fadi’s contract with Zouk Singapore stated that he was supposed to play from 1:30am to 3:30am on 6th March (Sunday). But according to Fadi’s statement on Aly & Fila’s Facebook page, prior to his set, he was told by Zouk Singapore’s management that he’s allowed to play until 4:15am and then play an extra 15 minutes more. Fadi then went to the DJ console, where he was introduced to Zouk Singapore’s new owner and a “VIP guest”, who happened to be Najib Razak’s youngest son, Norashman.

Note: Guest DJs are known to play past their contracted set times at Zouk Singapore. Nothing strange about that.

However, at 3:30am, Zouk Singapore’s management approached Fadi and asked if he was willing to play a back-to-back set with Norashman. To which Fadi said no, of course. After all, he’s a professional artiste who takes great pride in his work. 15 minutes later (at 3:45am), Zouk Singapore’s management spoke to Fadi again and told him that he will have to stop as “the new owner wants the VIP guest to play”.

A post shared by Zouk Singapore (@zouksingapore)

Keywords here being “the new owner wants the VIP guest to play”.

This was echoed by Rizal Mansor (the aide to Norashman’s mother, Rosmah Mansor) who said that Norashman never asked to play at the club and that he only did so because he was invited to. By whom, you ask? Zouk Singapore’s new owner.

Let’s rewind. Was Fadi wrong for grabbing the mic at the DJ console and addressing the crowd in such a manner before storming out of the club? Fadi said, “I did what I did to defend my right as a human being not as a famous DJ or whatever. I was insulted and I reacted. I didn’t expect that it would go viral like that, but this is what I call Karma. I just wanted to let our fans who payed money to see me know the reason why I stopped my set and I didn’t play the 3 hours like every time I have been there.”

Did Norashman really force Fadi to end his set prematurely so that he could take over the decks? Fadi’s statement made no mention whatsoever about being forced out of the DJ console by Norashman. So what’s the truth then? You’ve seen the video, you’ve read the story, you’ve noted the keywords.

Sources: Zouk Singapore’s Facebook page, Straits Times, malaysiakini, Aly & Fila’s Facebook page, Rizal Mansor’s Facebook page / Featured image from Zouk Singapore’s Instagram.

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GSC Admin Calls Out Netizen Over “Wonder Woman 1984” Piracy

Malaysian theatre chain, Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC), recently went on a little tirade over a message they received via social media.

GSC posted a screen capture of the message from the individual which read “I (watched “Wonder Woman 1984”) HD quality in my house” followed by an image of the movie playing on the individual’s television set.

GSC then lamented upon the various responses that the cinema chain had gotten from the public (presumably) with regard to the release of the latest DC outing.

“Why pay when you can watch it for free?”

“Accept it. Piracy will always be there no matter how (much) you fight.”

No doubt, this sort of behaviour was intolerable for the cinema chain as they moved on to make their stances on such acts known, chowing down on the issue of piracy. The post also chided the perpetrator, stating that if someone were to commit a misdeed, would he go out of their way to gleefully inform the entire universe and life itself of his act?

Indeed, many netizens have stepped forward with their thoughts. The following details some of their responses.

Cinemas in Malaysia have had it tough since the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented back in March. Of course, sales have been down due to them not being able to operate. Nevertheless, even when they are able to open their doors, there’s a scarcity of content for them to provide to the public.

This brings us to our next point: the ever-decreasing window between theatrical-VOD (video-on-demand) releases.

Disney’s “Mulan” was one such film that had a theatrical release where Disney+ was not available. On the flipside, in countries such as the United States, no theatrical release was given and as such, the movie played exclusively on the Mouse House’s streaming service. The same hybrid release model was also applied for “Wonder Woman 1984” and “Soul” which were released over the past two weeks.

The issue here is that content released on streaming tends to be pirated rather easily as there are no regulatory parties monitoring and barring such illicit activities when you are in the comfort of your own home. So, naturally, you would be able to find an illegal copy of the film on the web within a matter of hours after the film is released.

These illegal copies do impact our theatre chains as the emphasis on convenience continues to grow within societies. As these aforementioned copies can be watched for free via torrents or an illegal streaming website, more and more individuals would be discouraged from driving to the theatre to watch the same film legally. They would need to spend their time and money to do so.

Of course, if there are legal avenues to conduct an activity but an individual decides that he/she does not want to pursue such due to other factors, the affected party would not be able to stop them. Nevertheless, rubbing salt in the wound is a big no-no. Depriving someone of their bread and butter is one thing. But telling the affected party that you committed the act to their face is downright unacceptable.

In the end, cinemas do need our love and support during these trying times. The least we could do is to empathise with them. Indeed, we could do better, don’t you agree?