The Little Mermaid: 5 Facts About The New Prince Eric, Jonah Hauer-King

The news it out. Disney live adaptation of “The Little Mermaid” has found their Prince Eric, and his name is Jonah Hauer-King.

Who? Yes, we know. He’s not a very well known name among the big time celebrities. But the London native is no spring chicken himself, as he has been in the industry for years. So with him nabbing the role of Prince Eric, it’s only a matter of time before he goes big.

But before he reach that critical big time status. Why don’t we take this opportunity to get to know more about our mysterious Prince Eric.

The 24-year-old was born in London on 30th May 1995, where he was raise with two older sisters. The parents of the star is Jeremy King, a British restauranteur, and his American mother Debra Hauer, who is a theater producer. Thus allowing him to hold both UK and US citizenships; the actor feels attach to both.

“Being American is definitely part of my identity,” he told Snow Patrol last year. “I feel in some ways very English, but I’ve also spent a lot of time in America and feel like that’s part of myself.”

Sometimes actors and actresses have the stick of not being too bright. Well none of that here, as the future Prince Eric once studied at Cambridge University. This was before he started focusing on his acting career of course. He then graduated in 2017 with a first class degree in Theology and Religious Studies.

Every journey starts with a single step. And “The Little Women” star started his first step into the film industry in 2017’s “The Last Photograph”. There, he was joined by actor and director Danny Huston along with actress Stacy Martin, Michelle Ryan and Sarita Choudhury. In the movie, he played Luke Hammond the son of Huston’s character Tom Hammond, who died in the Pam Am Flight 103 bombing of 1988.

Of course, nabbing the iconic role of Prince Eric requires some vocal range. Especially when he needs to stand beside Halle Bailey who is part of the music group Chloe x Halle. But rest assured, he has that part of his performance well covered. Since he already has two soundtrack credits to his name on the series, “Little Women” and “Postcard From London”.

If you’re still skeptical about his singing, then why not check it out for yourself in the video below:

If you’re already weak on the knees and can’t wait to see his performance, then have no fear, as the “Little Women” actor has starred in several movies and series already. The latest of which is a series called “World On Fire”. In the miniseries, Jonah plays the character Harry Chase, who is a British translator that joined the army as an officer in World War 2.

What are your thoughts on our new Prince Eric, Jonah Hauer-King?

In the meantime, here are more info on “The Little Mermaid“.

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#Coffee: Would You Sip On A Cuppa That’s Made Out Of Elephant Poop?

Coffee lovers, if you thought that the “Kopi Luwak” was a strange way of making coffee, then this one is going to send your taste buds into an overdrive.

“Kopi Luwak” or civet coffee, which originates from Indonesia, refers to the seeds of coffee berries once they have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet, a shy cat-like wild creature. Over the past few decades, it has been branded the ultimate “bling” coffee and a celebrity in its own right because you can bet that it’s hella expensive, priced anywhere between USD120- USD600 per pound.

Sure, it does look a little gross knowing that what’s pictured above came from a civet’s butt. But that, my friends, is considered “exotic”. Dung or no dung. In fact, according to TMI, it’s so popular that even certain Malaysian individuals have taken it upon themselves to come up with their own version of “Kopi Luwak” known as “Musang Coffee”.

We need to also note that despite the fame that “Kopi Luwak” has garnered over the years, it has also gained quite a reputation for being a cruel industry. In a report by The Guardian, the naturally shy and solitary nocturnal creatures suffer greatly from the stress of being caged in proximity to other luwaks, and the unnatural emphasis on coffee cherries in their diet causes other health problems too; they fight among themselves, gnaw off their own legs, start passing blood in their scats, and frequently die.

Anyway, we digress. Our point to all of the above facts is that in Thailand, people have begun making elephant dung coffee. According to AFP via Yahoo! News, in a remote corner of Thailand bordering Myanmar and Laos, one 44-year-old Canadian is overseeing this project – using the digestive tract of elephant to create a high-end brew for coffee connoisseurs.

Black Ivory Coffee founder Blake Dinkin said that he decided on going ahead with the project because it was “a perfect legitimate enterprise that blends conservation with business”. He revealed that lions and giraffes also made the shortlist of prospective coffee filters, but eventually he settled on elephants after discovering that the creatures sometimes eat coffee during periods of drought in Southeast Asia.

The enzymes in the elephant’s stomach function as a kind of slow cooker, where the coffee beans marinate alongside the herbs and fruits the animal also eats. As the beans work their way through the elephant’s digestive tract – a 17-hour process – the digestive acid takes the bitterness out of the bean. The mahouts’ (a “mahout” is a person who rides an elephant) wives collect the coffee beans from the elephant dung, before washing and drying them in the sun, a division of labour that is helping to boost the local community’s income.

To make a kilo of coffee, the elephants have to have consumed around 33 kilos of the beans, along with their usual ration of rice and bananas.

“I lose a lot of beans in the bath in the morning,” he said, explaining that the elephants sometimes defecate in the river while bathing. And just in case that you’re under the impression that this could be a cruel trade, Blake also added that he has teamed up with an elephant rescue charity which saves the creatures from the tourist trade.

Black Ivory coffee will soon be available at high-end establishments in Paris, Zurich, Copenhagen and Moscow. But for now it is sold exclusively at luxury hotels in Asia, mostly in Thailand but also Singapore and Hong Kong.

Would you pay for it? Because according to Black Ivory Coffee’s Wikipedia page, it’s priced at USD1,100 per kilogram. Heck, would you try it even if it was given to you free of charge?

Sources: The Guardian (1), Yahoo! News, TMI, The Guardian (2), Black Ivory Coffee’s Wikipedia page / Featured image from AFP.


Contest: “The Boy Next Door” Premiere Screening Passes Winners

If you haven’t heard, Jennifer Lopez aka J.Lo will be seen next in upcoming movie, “The Boy Next Door“. The movie will be released in a cinema near you on 22nd Jan 2015 but, the good news is, we’ve got a premiere screening coming up for this one! We ran the contest about a week ago and we now have the winners of ’em exclusive passes.

Congratulations, peeps! That’s 4 premiere tickets per winner. Of course, all of this was only possible thanks to our awesome friends from United International Pictures Malaysia.

IMPORTANT: As stated in our contest T&C, winners are required to redeem their tickets at the cinema. Please present your IC for identification purposes. Tickets are strictly non-transferable. Hype Malaysia reserves the right to refuse the collection of tickets for those who attempt to transfer it from one contest winner (in whose name it is registered) to another person.

Deets of the premiere screening are as follows:

The collection of tickets start from 8:30pm onwards.

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

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HTC Launches Windows Phones

HTC, a global leader in mobile innovation and design, unveils the first signature Windows Phones, the stunning Windows® Phone 8X and 8S by HTC® at a regional launch event in Singapore. The smartphones feature the new Windows Phone 8 operating system and boast iconic design, studio-quality sound with Beats Audio™ and incredible camera capabilities.

The only phone with Live Tiles, Windows Phone has a clear, differentiated vision and the consumer experience has been widely recognized as being groundbreaking, innovative and fresh. HTC created the Windows Phone 8X and 8S to blend the virtual and the physical utilizing a three dimensional, pure uni-body design based on the Windows Phone Live Tiles.  The Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC are perfectly sculpted with a dramatic taper making them feel magically thin in your hand.

Because color is such an integral part of the Windows Phone experience, HTC is bringing bold, sophisticated and adventurous colors in a premium matte finish to these devices. The Windows Phone 8X will come California Blue and Graphite Black, The Windows Phone 8S by HTC will be available in Fiesta Red and Atlantic Blue.

For the first time, HTC is introducing a 2.1mp, f/2.0 aperture, 88° ultra-wide angle front-facing camera that allows up to four people and more to be captured at once. It also supports 1080p video capture.  The rear camera sports an 8mp sensor with backside-illumination (BSI) for improved low-light performance, along with an f/2.0 aperture, 28mm lens and the dedicated HTC ImageChip.  A physical shutter button makes it quick and easy to capture spontaneous action, even if the phone is locked.

Exclusively available on HTC smartphones, Beats Audio provides authentic, studio-quality sound that delivers the spirit of the original recording.

The Windows Phone 8X by HTC featuring Beats Audio also offers a unique audio amplifier powering the 3.5mm audio jack and the speaker, boosting the audio signal for even better sound no matter if you’re listening to music, playing a game or watching a video.

The Windows Phone 8X by HTC features a beautiful, 4.3” HD-resolution super LCD 2 screen protected from everyday bumps and scrapes by lightweight Gorilla® Glass 2, while optical lamination reduces reflections and glare, ensuring you see every detail.  The Windows Phone 8S by HTC boasts a bright super LCD 4” screen with Gorilla® Glass, allowing users to see the Windows Phone Live Tiles, and every message and photo, with crystal clarity and sparkling color.

With the Windows Phone 8X and 8S by HTC people can carry their favorite music, movies and photos with them wherever they go. With the Windows Phone Store and Xbox Live, it is easier than ever to enjoy the latest video, music and games on the move.

The Windows Phone 8X by HTC will be available in mid-November 2012; and the Windows Phone 8S by HTC will be available in early December 2012. Recommended retail price: Windows Phone 8X by HTC (RM1,799) and Windows Phone 8S by HTC (RM999).

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

For more information, please visit their website.


#BendGate: Here Comes The #Apple #iPhone6Plus Spoofs, Because Malleable

The moment is was discovered that the #iPhone6Plus was physically buggy aka malleable, brands and the general public alike jumped in on a chance to spoof the issue. This is of course not the first time that Apple has garnered such reactions from their products. Remember what happened right after the iPhone 6 launch? What about the really ridiculous but also really funny #iPhone6Questions which trended on Twitter?

This time around, for something this catastrophic, you can only imagine the kind of spoofs/parodies/gags that have since surfaced!

For example, spotted on the photo-sharing website imgur.com, a tongue-in-cheek website has touted it as a “feature” called “Flex”. The page displays an image of a bent #iPhone6 with the tagline, “Introducing Flex” before going on to say, “Apple’s revolutionary patent aluminium alloy lets users create a more enjoyable viewing experience by molding the iPhone.”

Just in case you were wondering how far the phablet-like smartphone can bend, App Partner Development has shared this “enlightening” tweet:

iPhone #Bendgate – how far does it ACTUALLY bend? http://t.co/Usu7MdriTA pic.twitter.com/0nJvlxIj2F

— App Partner (@AppPartner) September 24, 2014

Can you imagine what Spanish artist Salvador Dali, best known for the striking and bizarre images in his surrealist work such as “The Persistence of Memory” would come up with if he had to do an artwork for Apple?

#bendgate LEAKED: new iPhone Dali Edition! pic.twitter.com/0aOi9bteOX — Phone Designer (@PhoneDesigner) September 24, 2014

Daily LOL site 9gag has apparently come up with the best solution to a bending iPhone 6 Plus!

What, you don’t believe us? They shared it themselves:

iPhone 6 Plus Repair Kit #BendGate #BendGhazi #iPhone6bend http://t.co/GB64HM6dxu pic.twitter.com/U9uqFFYdWX

Needless to say, smartphone makers have gotten busy in the past 24 hours too.

Predictably, LG Mobile, the makers of the “LG G Flex” has hit them where it hurts most:

Our phone doesn’t bend, it flexes…on purpose. #bendgate pic.twitter.com/d1DudxDQgf — LG USA Mobile (@LGUSAMobile) September 24, 2014

Let’s not forget that tech fans are especially conscious about this iPhone 6 Plus flaw.

So much so that they even recalled the Samsung Galaxy Round, which was launched in late 2013:

@russellholly Once again Samsung beat Apple to market. #BendGate pic.twitter.com/riMpY2BeJa

— Clifton Thomas (@cliftonmthomas) September 23, 2014

In fact, Samsung themselves didn’t pass up on the chance to troll Apple (yet again).

And this next one. Oh, you know, because it’s the most innovative privacy feature in a smartphone yet!

Disclaimer: Viewing angles may vary from pocket to pocket:

Most innovative privacy feature in a smartphone yet! http://t.co/99K3CCaVES #bendgate #iphone6 #BendGhazi pic.twitter.com/IdnO7zhZIF — Psst! (@getpsst) September 24, 2014

Even the confectionary KitKat has jumped onto the iPhone 6 Plus spoofs bandwagon.

We don’t bend, we #break. #bendgate #iPhone6plus pic.twitter.com/uippCg4kCi — KITKAT (@KITKAT) September 24, 2014

If you thought that car maker Ford was friends with Apple, well, the next #BendGate mockery will change your mind.

Not all bends are bad … http://t.co/v2vvTjcmIa #bendgate ^RW pic.twitter.com/ymmK4Kf5Zu — Ford in Europe (@FordEu) September 25, 2014

Delta Light, too, found it hard to contain themselves from tweeting a gag.

In case you’re wondering, our TOURNESOL is bent. On purpose. #BendGate #iPhone6plus pic.twitter.com/hRkUq77lC0

— Delta Light (@deltalight) September 25, 2014

And let’s not forget burgers. Because of course burgers will bend if left in your pocket.

But why you’d put a burger in your pocket is beyond us, really:

WARNING: Whataburger WILL bend if left in your pocket. #bendgate pic.twitter.com/wXcUpfVFoS — Whataburger® (@Whataburger) September 24, 2014

We’re still waiting for Apple to respond to this matter.

Meanwhile, in case you missed it, a Toronto-based tech blogger Unbox Therapy demonstrated just how much force it takes to bend the smartphone. By using his own iPhone 6 Plus “for the sake of science” and with bare hands, may we add.

If you already own the iPhone 6 Plus or if you’ve ordered it and it’s on its way to you, you might just want to invest in a case to further protect it. And it’s not rocket science but for the love of your smartphone, don’t put it in your back pocket and don’t sit on it.

Also, tech giant Apple has since released an official statement regarding the #BendGate issue. Read it here.

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#KingKong: Toby Kebbell Reunites With Tom Hiddleston In “Kong: Skull Island”

It looks like English actor Toby Kebbell is all ready to make his way to the Skull Island soon.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kebbell will be joining a slew of Hollywood A-listers to star in the upcoming “King Kong” prequel movie, “Kong: Skull Island“. The film will see a reunion between Kebbell and Tom Hiddleston as both actors previously worked together with Steven Spielberg in 2011’s “War Horse“.

Legendary Pictures and Universal Studios are still wrapping up the cast for the movie, but they’ve already found their potential replacements for the roles that were supposed to be portrayed by J.K. Simmons and Michael Keaton. Best known for his role as Agent Nick Fury in Marvel‘s “Avengers“, Samuel L. Jackson is said to be in early talks to replace Simmons. John C. Reily (of “Wreck-It Ralph” and “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” fame) is high on the list to fill in as Keaton’s replacement.

Details regarding Kebbell’s role are still being kept under wraps, but he turned out to be Legendary’s favourite as he is already set to star as Durotan in Legendary’s upcoming film adaptation of a famed video game franchise, “Warcraft“. In “Kong: Skull Island”, he will star opposite Hiddleston, Tom Wilkinson (of “Batman Begins” fame), Brie Larson (of “Trainwreck” fame), and Corey Hawkins (of “Straight Outta Compton” fame).

Jordan Vogt-Roberts (“The Kings of Summer”) will direct the film based on a script by John Gatins and Max Borenstein. Thomas Tull (“Godzilla“, “The Dark Knight”, and “Pacific Rim”) and Jon Jashni (“Godzilla” and “Warcraft”) will produce while Alex Garcia (“Godzilla”) will serve as the executive producer.

The film will be released in 3D and IMAX 3D by Universal Pictures.

Kebbell, who recently played Dr. Doom in 20th Century Fox‘s “Fantastic Four“, will be seen next in MGM’s “Ben-Hur”.


“Anita” Review: Experiencing The Legendary Cantopop Singer’s Biopic

Who is Anita Mui? For many adults and maybe a few younger ones, Anita Mui is one of the greatest Hong Kong singers of all time. With an incredible voice and a flair for Cantopop, Anita had a presence that commanded the stage as soon as she stepped on it.

Fondly known to her friends and family as Mui Yim-fong (梅艷芳), the legendary artiste left her mark on history before she left the world due to cervical cancer. Her story was very well known then. However, it has been nearly two decades since her passing and “the daughter of Hong Kong” has become only a legend.

Last week, 18th November, a biopic on her life was released in cinemas as a tribute to the Cantopop star. It tells her story, allowing some an opportunity to know her better and others a chance to see the star alive on-screen again. Here’s our experience with the famous idol:

“Anita” covers the singer’s rise to fame, and the realisation she made along the way. Of course, a few embellishments were made so don’t treat the movie like a history book. The story starts with young Mui’s passion for singing which becomes her guiding light as she continues to grow, both as an artiste and as a person.

You’ll see her dedication to her craft and the sacrifices she makes for it, before ending everything with one last concert. The movie has a cast of both known and budding stars such as Louis Koo, Lam Ka-tung, Louise Wong who played the singer herself and Malaysian actress Fish Liew who took on the role of Anita’s sister.

Anita may be remembered for her voice and acting skills, but her stunning costumes played a big part in holding her audiences’ attention as well. Throughout the movie, viewers will get to see Louise portray the artiste in the various costumes which characterised different parts of Anita’s life. However, it can be hard to focus on the costumes with everything going on. As such, an exhibit featuring her iconic costumes were displayed on dolls. Here are a couple of pics we got of it:

As mentioned, “Anita” is meant to tell the singer’s story. Sure, there are embellishments but that is what makes a good story. For those who don’t know her, it is a good way to be introduced to the singer. It’s in parts inspiring and moving, leaving many in tears as the singer fights to overcome obstacles thrown her way.

One theme that really sticks in the mind is Anita’s need to be remembered. From the first step she takes on stage till her final steps off it, Anita asks, “Will you remember me?” Her every action searches for affirmation even after she reaches the top and long after she’s gone. Her biopic is an answer to that.

So, who is Anita Mui? “Anita” shows us that she’s more than a singer, an actress, an artiste. Mui Yim-fong was a girl who made it big but still wondered, as many of us do really, “Will you remember me?“

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#MyBadBromance: Book In “Bro Don’t Like That La Bro” Series Taken Off Bookshelves In Singapore

Uh-oh, Malaysian author Ernest Ng might have gotten himself into trouble.

The 2nd book in his popular series “Bro, Don’t Like That La, Bro” was taken off bookshelves at Popular Bookstore outlets in Singapore yesterday (Wednesday, 12th October) after several parents complained about its inappropriate content.

The book, “My Bad Bromance” was deemed to be unsuitable for young kids as it contained several references to the male genitals. Popular Bookstore said that it took “immediate action to ensure that the book has been removed from our shelves” after receiving a huge amount of complaints from concerned parents.

In a statement dated today (Thursday, 13th October), the bookstore said that the book is meant to be for those aged 18 and above, and each copy came with a “mature content” warning to inform the public. It was also placed under the “Local Interest” category in the adults section.

The bookstore apologised for the misunderstanding, stating, “We understand the concerns of the public regarding the sale of the book in our stores. Popular takes any feedback from the public seriously and we sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused. (We will) comply with any future advisories on appropriate retail measures.”

Ng also commented on the issue on his personal Facebook page, thanking those who messaged him about the fiasco. He also informed the public that everything is “under control”.

Sources: The Straits Times, Ernest Ng’s Facebook.


Lee Cronin’s “Evil Dead Rise”: Review, Ending & Creatures Explained

In the world of horror, Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” film franchise has always stood as a cinematic landmark when it comes to classic, fun gross-out thrills. The franchise has seen several movements from its quintessential roots as polished and engaging cabin horror films to fun, zany horror comedies with “Army of Darkness” and 2015’s “Ash vs Evil Dead” series. In 2013 though, the franchise gave us a modern retelling of five teenagers tampering with forces beyond their control and facing the gory consequences of playing with the dead. While the attempt to steer the franchise in a direction to revive its roots had admirable intentions, it didn’t quite capture the mind-blowing highs of the original 1981 forerunner. It was by no means unfaithful or disrespectful to the grizzly spirit of the franchise…it just felt more like a lingering corpse than resurrected Deadite.

This time, however, relative newcomer Lee Cronin steps in with a fresh vision for the franchise, moving the terror from the isolation of a creepy cabin to the descending perversion of a not-so-happy home. Will Cronin’s “Evil Dead Rise” propel the property to new terrifying heights or will it prove a gaudier, more effects-heavy ripoff of Ari Aster’s “Hereditary”? Let’s find out!

Lee Cronin makes a bold statement in the opening scene of the film which sets the tone and expectations for the rest of it. He’s here to do one thing and one thing only: to severely unnerve you. To that effect, “Evil Dead Rise” is an absolute masterpiece. The plot of the film follows the story of Alyssa Sutherland’s Ellie, a single mother of three who has to deal with her prodigal now-pregnant sister, Beth who is played by Lily Sullivan. When Ellie’s son Danny stumbles upon a mysterious book in the aftermath of an earthquake, all hell is unleashed on the dilapidated apartment floor. Ellie is possessed by the Deadites and now the family must survive through the night.

Though simple in its premise, Cronin demonstrates a profound understanding of the horror genre. It isn’t just about stellar effects and intense creeps (which they are plenty of here), true horror comes from the violation of what is known and sacred. Here, Cronin plays on the pain and agony of watching a loved one be destroyed from the inside out before coming to terms that something else now wears their face. Something that mirrors a very familiar trauma of the real world all too well but this time it’s amped to eleven and you’re trapped with the victims. That being said, Cronin deftly balances the infinite cruelty of the Deadites with bone-chilling terror and jet-black humorous foreplay. We won’t lie, there are moments when we found ourselves laughing at the sick barbs thrown by the demons.

Actor Alyssa Sutherland’s performance as the possessed Ellie is hands-down the best part of the entire film. Right from the moment of her possession, Sutherland brings a relentless passion to her role as a demented, gleeful spawn from the pit of hell. Everything from her facial ticks to her unnatural contortions and movements serves to confront us with the terrifying biological reality of the situation. All done with minimal CGI and mostly practical effects. Simply astounding.

One gripe we had was with the three kids Danny, Bridget and Kassie played by Morgan Davies, Gabrielle Echols and Nell Fisher. When the proverbial shit hits the fan, the three of them are meant to serve as the emotional anchor for the audience. While we wouldn’t say that they were dispassionate, they were showing more poise and restraint than any sane human would if placed in such a diabolical situation. Fear not though because they become much more interesting near the end. Lily Sullivan does a decent enough job as the badass aunt struggling to save her family but she’s easily overshadowed by Sutherland’s demonic presence on screen.

All this glorious madness is made possible by Cronin’s skilled special effects team. The film has clearly not forgotten its roots, and proceeds to deliver a gore feast that will have you skipping meals for days! Through sharp and visceral camerawork and a rather nasty eye for detail and body horror, Cronin and company manage to wring so much power and versatility from the use of practical effects and performances in the horror sequences. Sometimes it’s played for dramatic tension. Sometimes it’s played to intimidate. And sometimes it’s just played for a sick laugh! We don’t want to give too much away but let’s just say, you won’t be looking at cheese graters the same way ever again!

Lee Cronin’s “Evil Dead Rise” boldly removes itself from the nostalgic comfort zone to bring us easily one of the best instalments in the franchise to date. So lovingly faithful to the spirit of the original films and yet so unapologetic in its approach to fright and fun, it is a stirring triumph for fans and a strong introduction for a new generation. It is as relentless, horrifying and sinisterly silly as any Deadite we’ve seen thus far and we love it!

In the world of “Evil Dead”, there are no real happy endings because evil always returns. However, Beth does manage to save her niece Kassie and her unborn baby from the clutches of the Deadites who decided to pull a Rat King from “The Last of Us- Part II” and merge the three possessed members of the family to form a conjoined entity. Through the help of a wood chipper, Beth seemingly defeats the demons by destroying their possessed bodies. The two flee and survive the ordeal. Unfortunately, a young teenage girl named Jessica looking to go on a trip with her friend becomes the latest victim of the Deadites as she enters the bloody parking lot of the apartment. Thus, we now know how the rampage at the lake in the film’s prologue begins.

Based on the ending, it seems that “Evil Dead Rise” is hinting that a future sequel will most likely be set near the lake area and woods, much like the original film. If that’s the case, then we could also see a new version of Ash Williams and friends hanging out in the woods, only to be confronted by a possessed Jessica. The ending of the film also implies that Beth could take up the mantle of becoming the new Ash Williams, who becomes a renowned hunter of Deadites and slayer of evil!

Some of you might be wondering: What exactly were the creatures possessing Ellie and the residents of the apartment? Well, they’re sadistic demonic entities that used to reign over the Earth before humanity came along and they were banished to an alternate spiritual realm, sometimes known as Hell or the Deadlands. The only way they can manifest in the real world is through possessing a host. Unfortunately, the souls of their hosts are often dragged into that realm with them unless their still-living body is exorcised of the Deadite’s influence or someone goes to the realm to free their souls to enter into presumably Heaven. So yes, the souls of Ellie, Bridget, Danny and the residents of the apartment are trapped with the Deadites in the afterlife till further notice. Bummer.

Well, is there any way to truly destroy a Deadite once and for all? Officially speaking, the answer is no. Destroying or severely wounding their hosts’ bodies may slow them down for a second but they’ll either find a way to recover or just possess a new one. Deadites can be exorcised from the bodies of humans and sent back to their realm through various religious or holy tools but that doesn’t really solve the problem.

The Deadites are primarily linked to the Book of the Dead, so perhaps if someone found a way to destroy it, they would lose their main way of getting free on Earth. In any case, we’re interested to see how Lee Cronin and Warner Bros. Pictures plan to build on the legacy of Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead” universe and where it’ll go from here!

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Lee Cronin's "Evil Dead Rise" boldly removes itself from the nostalgic comfort zone to bring us easily one of the best instalments in the franchise to date. So lovingly faithful to the spirit of the original films and yet so unapologetic in its approach to fright and fun, it is a stirring triumph for fans and a strong introduction for a new generation. It is as relentless, horrifying and sinisterly silly as any Deadite we've seen thus far and we love it!


#JAKIM: New Entertainment Rules Restrict Dressing, Lyrics, & Crowd Interaction

According to a report by MMO, entertainers coming to Malaysia will now have to adhere to new rules prepared by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM), which imposes limitations on stage performances, dress and behaviour codes, and gender segregation for attendees.

The rules, which were released by the department this week, also stipulate that an artiste should not have a criminal record, whether in a Shariah or civil court, and should maintain a “noble personality” and “good morals”, even outside the performance. During a performance, the artiste must “dress decently” in attire that covers their “aurat”, which refers to the “intimate body parts” that Muslims must cover with clothing.

Also listed were concert guidelines covering songs, video clips, lyrics, and performances.

Performances, songs, events, and music videos must not insult religious sensitivities, the nation and any race, while the use of any symbolism that go against Islamic teachings and faith is also forbidden. Song lyrics should contain “goodness and pure values”, in addition to “bringing awareness” and “leading to repentance”.

The music accompanying the lyrics, on the other hand, should “motivate positive atmosphere” and “bring peace”, instead of evoking “negative emotions that contradict Islamic teachings”.

For stage performances, JAKIM insists that jokes told should be “sparing”, must “toe the line”, and should not lead to “extreme laughter”. Entertainers are also forbidden from making light of “serious and mournful matters”.

(Editor: We don’t even know what “extreme laughter” is supposed to mean? Anyone care to discuss this?)

Finally, the rules also ban interaction between men and women attendees of any performance.

According to The Star Online, males and females are to be segregated during concerts. In a section dealing with the organisation of entertainment events, JAKIM said programmes should not allow “mixing of males and females in the audience” or mingling.

The guidelines were drafted last year but were only approved during the 107th National Fatwa Committee Meeting held on 10th and 11th February this year. The 2007 edition listed six guidelines for concerts, and there are 11 in the latest set.

The previous guidelines, which included none of the abovementioned rules, were focused on prohibiting elements of vice and idolatry in performances, in addition to ensuring that entertainment events “benefit the well-being of the public”. According to JAKIM, the new list is meant to assist the authorities in ensuring that entertainment programmes are based on the Islamic faith and codes, and moral values.

The new guidelines also specify that any entertainment events must be referred to the authorities for guidance.

Following a controversial fanmeeting event featuring South Korean idol boy group B1A4 which saw the idols hugging 3-tudung clad Malay girls on stage, JAKIM had said that the Federal Territories Islamic Department (JAWI) was empowered to act on the organisers as it was under its jurisdiction.

JAKIM director-general Datuk Othman Mustapha commented the incident “shamed Malaysia and the Muslim community”. “Did all the agencies and the organiser of the event take heed of this guideline? This concert was not referred to Jakim, in fact Jakim had no idea about the event,” he said.

On 2nd April, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek said the organisers of the controversial B1A4 fanmeeting event, TGM Events, had been blacklisted. Shabery added that enforcement activities with other relevant agencies and local authorities have been improved to avoid the incident from recurring.

Although the guidelines are not considered as binding law, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, had in January, advised approving authorities to remind event organisers to adhere to the list made by JAKIM.

Read the concert guidelines on JAKIM’s website here.

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Hype’s Now Playing: Sam Smith — I’m Not The Only One

When it comes to being broken-hearted, no one does it better than Dianna Agron, who starred in the latest music video of Sam Smith’s “I’m Not The Only One”.

The “Glee” star snagged the lead role in the music video as she played the heartbroken wife who gets cheated on by her unfaithful husband (played by Chris Messina). The video puts the 50s marriage issue in the limelight as the wife has to pretend to live a happily married life even though her husband was having an affair with another woman.

The emotional track starts off on a good note with a slow tempo and a touch of gospel from Sam Smith’s vocal. But once it reaches the chorus, it turns into a virtual shoutout to those who’ve been cheated on by their loved ones. Sam Smith sings:

You say I’m crazy, cause you don’t think I know what you’ve done,

But when you call me baby, I know I’m not the only one.

Throughout the entire length of the video, Dianna Argon clearly portrays that she has been let down by her husband’s infidelity. However, despite the broken wedding vows, she still has to put on a straight face to mask her emotional breakdown.

Smith’s wonderful voice and Agron’s remarkable performance are the reasons why the video has made it into the list of the most heartbreaking music videos we’ve ever watched:

“I’m Not The Only One” is Sam Smith’s latest single from her debut album, “In The Lonely Hour”. It is on its way to become one of the hit singles after “Money On My Mind” and “Stay With Me”.

For more information about his album, visit his official website and Facebook page!


#2PM: JYP Entertainment Releases Track List for “No.5”; #MyHouse To Be Title Track

BIGBANG, SHINee, EXO, and MBLAQ had their turns, and now, 2PM will be the latest boy group to flaunt their chops to their beloved Hottests (as 2PM fans are lovingly known).

In anticipation for 2PM’s comeback, JYP Entertainment has released the track list for the group’s upcoming album, “No.5”. The track list looks like a restaurant menu at first sight, but upon closer inspection, one can see that it has the words “User Guide” written at the top left of the photo. The track list also offers tips from the members on how to enjoy the songs.

The members of 2PM also contributed to 11 out of the 12 song from the album, with members Jun.K, Junho, Taecyeon and Chansung writing, composing, and producing several songs.

JYP Entertainment has also released teaser photos of the members, showing them in casual wear, though exuding an air of sexiness. Take a look at it here:

The boys will be starring in Naver’s comeback special titled “2PM Naver Starcast On Air”, and the music video for “My House” will be unveiled during the broadcast. The comeback special will see Jun.K and Wooyoung in the MC positions while the rest of the members talk about their daily lives and take this opportunity to interact with fans.

The album “No.5” will also be released digitally and physically on 15th June 2015.


#PokémonsOfNewYork: “Real-Life Stories” Of Pokémons Hit The Interwebs

You’ve heard of “Humans of New York“, “Humans of Uber“, and even our own local version, “Humans of Malaysia“. Now, there’s a version for the fictional inhabitants of the world of Pokémon – “Pokémons Of New York“.

The Facebook page, which was set up earlier on Tuesday (12th July), features photos of different pocket monsters along with inspirational and honest captions detailing their “life stories”.

The page was started as a response to the popularity of Pokémon GO, an augmented reality game that spurs players to get out of their comfort zone and explore the world. Last we check, Pokémons Of New York has amassed more than 7,000 likes and that number is rising steadily. Not bad for a page that’s only 3 days old.

The page gained a lot of positive response from netizens as it adds character and personality to the various Pokémons who are portrayed in the movies, anime, and games. Since these creatures can’t verbally communicate with humans, the page has created online personas for them, causing us to love the world of Pokémon even more.

Some of the tales are downright hilarious, like this one:

Well, this page isn’t the only amusing thing to hit us this week, as a bunch of Pokémon GO memes surfaced on the interwebs. If you ask us, Pokémon GO might not be such a bad thing after all, with all the humorous posts floating around social media to cheer people up.

Wanna read more of these fictional yet “inspiring” stories? Head on to Pokémons of New York‘s Facebook page and follow them!

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9 Sustainable Malaysian Fashion Brands We Totally Stan!

Believe it or not, the biggest contributor to pollution and climate change is the fashion industry. This might give us consumers pause and the spur to make a change – but each of us cutting back on some clothes, bags and accessories, isn’t gonna help.

Thankfully, local companies are already setting the standard by employing eco-friendly materials in their clothing and leading the way. This covers biodegradable, recyclable materials and packaging. So if you’d love to do mother nature some good and convert to a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle – and still look lit – then add these Malaysian fashion brands to your list.

Diversity and sustainability are the main values of this brand.

A post shared by T H E M O D E S T B R A N D (@themodestbrand.co)

The Modest Brand is a modest athleisure label that caters to today’s ladies by providing them with stylish and cosy apparel. They work to support a community that feels that modesty, regardless of backgrounds and beliefs, is a kind of liberation rather than constraint in an effort to redefine the modest fashion industry. This company, which places a priority on helping the environment, uses recycled materials in all of its goods and packaging. Its clothing, which is produced from recycled cotton, polyester, and nylon, is meant to be comfortable for women of all sizes and shapes, whether they are exercising, relaxing at home, or running errands.

They base their collections on three main themes: Beyond the Gym, Homest Feel, and The ATH Icons, which capture the spirit of athleisure apparel while enhancing it for daily attire. The designs are meant to ensure freedom of mobility as well as freedom of style, with equal portions of comfort and style. Although it’s not yet fully sustainable, The Modest Brand is working towards this goal by constantly innovating and taking into account all the steps in the manufacturing chain.

Think cute, quality and sustainable activewear!

With workout pieces that are strong, enduring, and classic, this activewear combines practicality with sustainability. In addition to using Econyl regenerated nylon, a material created entirely from recycled fishing nets and fabric scraps, Terrae also uses sustainable packaging, FSC-certified tags and collateral sleeves, plant-based garment bags that are completely biodegradable, and recyclable envelopes. They found their activities not only reduced trash but also reused already existing home wastes, going beyond simply turning daily food waste into colours. T-shirts, tote bags, scrunchies, and scarves from TwoFrens are available for purchase; you can find more information on their Instagram profile.

A post shared by FERN (@fernbatikcollective)

The brand was established in 2015 by Fern Chua, who was also the winner of the Malaysian company MyCreative Ventures’ Fashion Pitch competition in 2013. It is renowned for its distinctive, one-of-a-kind designs that also pay homage to Malaysian culture. Sustainability is a constant goal for FERN. They commit to it every day through various activities. They do it in three ways:

A post shared by TwoFrens (@twofrens.co)

When it comes to recycling food waste like orange peel, vegetable stems, and banana peel, one way is to use them as compost. Yet, there is another application for such waste, and TwoFrens is attempting to achieve this by employing natural materials as fabric dye for their products. In the fashion industry, textile dye is undoubtedly one of the worst polluters that has had devastating consequences on environments and nearby communities. Hence, TwoFrens creates its line of clothing and accessories using natural colours derived from beetroot, flowers, and other sources rather than dangerous chemicals.

A post shared by OZERO Swimwear (@ozeroswimwear)

OZERO Swimwear is an eco-friendly brand designed by Russian model Elena Cheurina, who is based in Kuala Lumpur. Elena was inspired by the designers she worked with and saw how much love and passion they put into their works while living and working as a model, mostly in tropical places. As a result, she made the decision to launch Ozero Swimwear, a brand designed specifically for tropical living.

Fun fact: in Russian, OZERO means “lake”, hence why each swimwear style in their collection bears the name of a lake in Russia and around the world, such as Baikal, Ladoga, Rotorua, Malawi, Como and more. ECONYL®, a recycled nylon fibre made from salvaged plastic waste like fishing nets and industrial plastic, is used in the creation of Ozero Swimwear items. In addition to offering great form retention, chlorine and suntan cream resistance, and UV protection, this finest Italian fabric is also remarkably soft and long-lasting.

MUNI is an artisanal natural dye clothing line that specialises in hand-dying fabrics with tropical plants. Also, this environmentally friendly brand aims to uplift people’s spirits by using earth-based hues. Wearing MUNI honours the people, process, and planet while uplifting your emotions with handcrafted, raw plant dyes.

A little bit of history: MUNI began its adventure in 2017 when its founder, Muni Osman, went on a trip to Bali that changed his life and inspired him to rediscover his roots and appreciate living in the tropics. As a means of expressing their culture, the people of Bali would inventively use common natural resources to create stunning and detailed artwork. Muni also believed that the company could give customers, from all walks of life, a way to express their connection to nature through clothing. Besides clothing, MUNI also produces tote bag and pouches that come in amazing designs and colourways.

A post shared by Frankitas – Bags & Home Decor (@frankitas)

Francisca Turner Shaik, better known as Franki, founded Frankitas in 2014 after giving birth to her three children in Malaysia. The company’s founder wanted to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces while also working to create a sustainable community of weavers throughout Asia and beyond.

Frankitas, known for their striking and lovely batik bags, also makes colourful, artisanal accessories. The firm helps skilled local artisans from Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, India, and Central Asia produce their handmade goods in the interests of maintaining regional culture and customs. No two items are exactly the same thanks to the use of traditional textile themes like Ikat, Batik, Songket, Tenun, and Rangrang, and that’s part of their appeal!

A post shared by TALEE | Knot Design (@talee_studio)

Sustainable design company Talee, based in Malaysia, crafts one-of-a-kind, architecturally-inspired tassel earrings from natural, eco-friendly materials. Interestingly, the Malay word tali (Talee) translates to rope and denotes strength, hope, and human ties. Similar to how her father’s brain injury was treated, founder Lorraine Lee got the idea for the earrings from the act of tying knots.

Exclusive lifestyle company Wustler® caters to all women. Every woman should be raised, according to the company, especially during the most crucial hours of the day: sleeping, working, and everything in between. Wustler concentrates on developing exclusive collections of classic, trend-defying, opulent yet reasonably priced loungewear, sleepwear, and essential items with this in mind. Dreamy, incredibly soft, and permeable, their unique silky fabric blend of Rayon and Viscose – a regenerated cellulose fiber created from wood pulp – is their secret weapon. For extra personal touches, Wulster also provides a complimentary customising service.

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Remembering Jonghyun: 10 Nostalgic Music By The SHINee Vocalist

In an ever growing industry like Kpop, it’s easy to forget the humanity behind the masks of skin tight costumes, glittery eye shadow and neon dyed hair. Often marked as a soulless, plastic factory-like production house with extreme work conditions, it’s no secret that the industry has no time and place for mental health. Yet the world seemed to come to a stand-still on this date last year.

Today, 18th December, marks a year that SHINee vocalist and soloist, Kim Jonghyun has passed away.

It’s not easy experiencing loss, ever. Most of us never did know Jonghyun personally, but due to his empathetic nature and sensitivity that he always hinted in his craft—it was hard not to feel connected. Personally, it was hard for yours truly to even listen to his music or be reminded of him again.

“The relationship between artist and fans is not simply only something just beautiful. We expect, disappoint, impress, get angry with each other. It’s a relationship of a person to person that goes through these emotions several times.”

It’s funny how fitting it is when dealing with a tricky situation much like this one. Jonghyun wanted us to experience his music and himself like a person, not of an out of reach idol. He allowed us to get upset at him, and even angry; because it’s only human to feel so.

Much too often, we choose to remember the passing of people as tragedies instead of celebrating them. While what happened to Jonghyun was unfortunate, he is so much more than just his mental illness and death. He was a true artist; constantly expanding his circles by venturing in different fields such as poetry and even being a radio deejay. The man was everything we could be proud of, and managed to achieve so many heights despite it all.

And so today, instead of mourning, we choose to celebrate an artist that was and will always be well loved by all. Here are top 10 tracks by written or performed by the one and only, Jonghyun.

Sexy is a word that if often associated with Jonghyun and it was especially obvious in this alluring, slow track. Performed by fellow labelmates EXO, Jonghyun writes about a scandalous relationship that involves them constantly meeting at “their place” or “my place”. The suggestive nature of the song works perfectly with the choice of choreo EXO chose to go along with, making it an absolute treat for fans.

“Modern Times” was IU’s tribute album to the genre of jazz, which only made it fitting to include Jonghyun on a track. It was the first time he wrote a song for another artist, and “A Gloomy Clock” feels like an acoustic track with influences of bossa nova. IU’s airy vocals complement Jonghyun’s breathy ones; together they form a harmonious wonder.

Perhaps the most notable as it was his last single before his passing, “Lonely” tells the tale of being so used to feeling alone, even in a relationship. A collaboration with label mate Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation, the song quickly became the soundtrack of many after his passing.

Being the last album from Jonghyun, it was hard to listen to “Shinin” without being reminded of the reality of the situation. However, the song itself was such an upbeat and cheery number—just the way Jonghyun should be remembered by.

As bright as he was, Jonghyun was able to pen to most heartbreaking songs to life. “Elevator” is one of them, beginning with an incredibly sombre piano intro. What seems like a simple ballad is then elevated by strings and his vocals. A song about being stuck in the ups and downs of life—much akin to an elevator—it is haunting to listen to him say how he struggles to meet his own eyes in the mirror. It captures Jonghyun at his most vulnerable, and is arguably one of his best ballads due to its simplistic nature.

Yet another emotional number, “Symptoms” is a vocally raw performance. It takes advantage of SHINee’s vocal ability as we hear all 5 members belt through the track. Despite gaining attention for their impeccable dance moves, “Symptoms” speaks for itself. Without the garnishing of an over-the-top choreography, the track rebeverates through SHINee’s discography as one of their finest ballads.

The colourful title track of his first full solo album, “She Is” paints a world of neon so bright that the music video literally had to be dimmed down. The lyrics are innocent and tells the tale of the light and airy feeling of first falling in love. The bright, upbeat tempo and synth melt gorgeously together, producing a cheerful yet funky pop song that we can’t keep ourselves from smiling when listening.

When Jonghyun first announced a solo album, Shawols were curious as to what his own colour would be. A pleasant surprise in the form of smooth R&B, neo soul and synth was the answer. “Deja-Boo” is an effortlessly stylish track that exudes his natural charm. With R&B legend Zion T. singing alongside him, the smooth and sexy number will always be something that defines Jonghyun’s genre as a soloist.

With incredible vocals, Lee Hi has earned a name for herself after her K-pop Star days—but it was with this ballad that gained her the most recognition. Jonghyun wrote the song for the soloist when she felt anxious, with reassuring lyrics such as, “It’s okay to make mistakes sometimes, because everyone does.” Despite being a somewhat minimalist ballad, it’s in the powerful chorus that the emotions really hit.

It’s no contest when it comes to this song. A song off their debut album, Jonghyun was only 18 years old when he first recorded the track. Being the first solo song sung by him, the dramatic and emotional ballad haunts listeners to this day. Despite being a cover, the delivery is done with such fervour that it almost feels like an original.

With over a decade’s worth of songs, he will always be remembered as an artist who was dedicated to staying true to his craft above all. Thank you for all the years of laughter, tears and hard work.

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#ABGT150: Above & Beyond’s Group Therapy 150th Episode Show In Sydney

Following sold out shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden and London’s Alexandra Palace, Above & Beyond have announced that the 150th episode of their Group Therapy radio show (ABGT150) will be broadcast live from Allphones Arena in Sydney, Australia, on 26th September (Saturday) in partnership with Totem Onelove Group.

Note: Totem Onelove Group is one of Australia’s premier and award winning electronic music companies. They’re also the people responsible for the annual Stereosonic festivals.

Above & Beyond’s previous visit to Sydney on New Year’s Eve saw them sell out the Hordern Pavilion in under an hour, and now Jono, Tony, and Paavo are bringing their annual ABGT radio celebration to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time, for what will be their biggest Australian headline show to date.

“After ringing in the New Year with our Australian fans we knew this was the right place to celebrate our biggest show of the year,” said Above & Beyond’s Paavo Siljamäki.

If the success of their ABGT100 show was anything to go by, we know for a fact that their ABGT150 show is going to be one of the best things Australians have ever seen.

To avoid disappointment, fans are encouraged to sign-up for first access to ABGT150 tickets now here. Those who register with their e-mail address by midnight of 19th April will be sent a link giving them a chance to purchase tickets 2 hours before the general on-sale.

Watch the Group Therapy ribbons unfurl over Sydney’s iconic harbour in the official #ABGT150 launch video, featuring Above & Beyond’s new single “Peace Of Mind” with Zoë Johnston, taken from the trio’s iTunes chart-topping album, “We Are All We Need”:

Yes. We’re officially jealous. What wouldn’t we give to be able to hear “Sun & Moon” live at Allphones Arena in Sydney?

For more information, hit up Above & Beyond’s website.


Princess Leia Was Supposed To Be The Last Jedi, Revealed Carrie Fisher’s Brother

“I will not be the last Jedi,” was the words Luke Skywalker uttered at the end of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. At the time, many audience would assume that he was hinting at Rey, with the screen immediately cutting to her.

But that was not originally the case, as revealed by Carrie Fisher’s brother to Yahoo Entertainment. According to Todd Fisher, his sister’s character Leia, was supposed to emerge as a full-fledge Jedi in the movie – complete with her very own lightsaber.

That said, the studio was forced to make changes when they learned about the iconic actress’s death, in late 2016. “She was going to be the big payoff in the final film,” the brother said, adding, “She was going to be the last Jedi, so to speak. That’s cool right?”

The idea of Leia being a Jedi Warrior would have fitted well within the movie. This was made more apparently, when the fans were teased about in the 2017’s flick. The scene was when the princess used the force to pull herself to safety, after she was thrown into outer space by the First Order.

It would have been interesting to see how her story would have developed in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker”. Would she be training Daisy Ridley’s character? Would she sacrifice herself for the greater good like what her brother or Obi-wan did? Guess we would never really know.

One thing is for sure – that the scavenger-turn-Jedi Rey was always going to be the main focus and the Last Jedi. But we will still keep an eye out on how they will conclude Leia’s story.

The scenes with the icon in the upcoming movie will be incorporating unused footages from “Star Wars: The Force Awaken”. “They had eight minutes of footage,”  Fisher told Yahoo. “They grabbed every frame and analysed it… and then reverse-engineered it and [got] it into the story the right way. It’s kind of magical.”

When asked about how the “reverse-engineering” was done, the brother refused to elaborate. But he did add that director J.J. Abram found a way to address the lost in an emotional way. “This is in its own way a payoff… it’s Carrie talking to us all from beyond,”  he added.

At the meant time, why not check out the latest trailer one last time. And see the hug between Rey and Leia below:

We do hope the movie does well and can recoup the respect of some fans who felt betrayed by Disney. And we especially hope that the new movie can finally answer the question of what Rey’s final name is.

The movie is set to release in cinema on 19th December 2019.

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Anne-Marie’s KL Concert Seating Plan & Ticketing Details Revealed

Anne-Marie is set to debut her first ever concert in Kuala Lumpur!

After several weeks of teasing, Warner Music Malaysia has finally released official details regarding UK breakthrough artist’s “Live in Malaysia” concert. Scroll down for more information.

In partnership with Lazada Malaysia to drive the Shoppertainment movement, Anne-Marie’s concert tickets will sold exclusively via LazMall on the Lazada app, and on the website itself.

“As Warner Music Malaysia, we’ve worked very hard in bringing in Anne-Marie for an exclusive concert, and fans will be very, very excited to hear her hits like ‘2002’, ‘Friends’ and more. They can look forward to having a good time at this concert!” said Warner Music Malaysia’s Managing Director Darren Choy.

The details to Anne-Marie’s “Live in Malaysia” concert are as follows:

Concert tickets will go on sale on 17th May 2019 from 12am onwards via lazada.com.my/shop/warner-music-malaysia.


Amanda Bynes Charged For Marijuana Misdemeanors

Oh, Amanda. Luck certainly hasn’t been on your side in recent times.

Amanda Bynes (of Nickelodeon’s “All That” fame) was arrested yesterday in midtown Manhattan after she threw a marijuana bong out of a window. The former child star, now 27 years of age, found herself in a challenging situation when building officials at her apartment called police to complain she was rolling a joint and smoking pot in the lobby.

The officers went to her apartment on the 36th floor where they said they saw heavy smoke and a bong sitting on the kitchen counter. They said she tossed the bong out the window in front of them, prosecutors said. She then said to the police, “It was just a vase”.

A vase, really? Out the window of an apartment unit on the 36th floor?

Amanda was then held overnight at a police precinct before she pulled up to court in a squad car where she was greeted by a crush of media. She was also charged with attempted tampering with evidence and unlawful possession of marijuana, all misdemeanors. This is, of course, not her first time getting into trouble with the law.

At the end of last year, she was charged with driving on a suspended license after it was temporarily taken away from her after two hit-and-run cases where she was accused of leaving the scene without providing proper information. She has also pleaded not guilty to drunken driving in a separate case.

Sigh! If she’s not careful, she’s going to go down the same road as LiLo.


#SuperKam2: The Second Kam-ming (PJ & Penang)

ToniQ Creative is proud to present the revival of the comedy cabaret that everyone loves and craves for yet again, “SUPER KAM 2: THE SECOND KAM-MING”. Due to the overwhelming response from the last show, “SUPER KAM 2” will be restaged in Petaling Jaya once again! The show will also tour to Penang as a gesture of appreciation for Penang fans who have been loyal followers of Joanne Kam’s magic touch in the comedy arts.

The second coming of the funny army will regroup once again to wield their superpowers of gut-busting comedic antics, unapologetic dry humour and hilarious stand-up, featuring Joanne Kam Poh Poh, Sharul Channa, Shamaine Othman, and hosted by Papi Zak with special appearances by Bibi K Poh (PJ), and Daphne Iking (Penang).

Audiences will also be treated to a screening of the pilot episode of the much anticipated SUPER KAM web series directed by Gavin Yap.

*The show runs for 100 minutes without intermission.
 **The show contains adult language. Recommended for mature audiences only.

For more information, visit ToniQ Creative’s Facebook page.

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#JurassicWorld2: Details Regarding Upcoming Sequel, Including Working Title, Revealed

If you’ve been patiently waiting for information on the 2nd “Jurassic World” film since the iconic franchise made its big return to the silver screens last year, well, we’ve got the deets!

Although “Jurassic World” director Colin Trevorrow will not be working on “Jurassic World 2” due to “Star Wars: Episode IX“, he’s staying on to co-write the film’s screenplay and act as a producer.

In a recent interview with Jurassic Outpost, he revealed that “Jurassic World 2” would have a very scary storyline, more so than its predecessors.

“It will be more suspenseful and scary. It’s just the way it’s designed. It’s the way the story plays out. I knew I wanted (J.A.) Bayona to direct it long before anyone ever heard that was a possibility, so the whole thing was just built around his skillset,” Colin said.

For the uninitiated, Spanish film director J.A Bayona is best known for directing the 2007 horror film, “The Orphanage”. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007 and received a 10-minute ovation from the audience. The immensely successful film broke records and later went on to earn J.A Bayona the “Best New Director” accolade at the 2008 Goya Awards in Spain.

In a separate interview with El Mundo, Colin explained that while the first film was a reflection of problems inherent in capitalist society, “Jurassic World 2” will take on the subject of animal abuse. “The dinosaurs will be a parable of the treatment animals receive today: the abuse, medical experimentation, pets, having wild animals in zoos like prisons, the use the military has made of them, animals as weapons,” he revealed.

Production for “Jurassic World 2” will start in Hawaii (aka fictional island Isla Nubar) in February 2017, and filming will also take place in London. As for the working title for “Jurassic World 2”, currently, it’s “Ancient Futures”. But keep in mind that it might not be the final title for when it premieres in the cinemas.

Meanwhile, Chris Pratt (Owen Grady) and Bryce Dallas Howard (Claire Dearing) will be returning to their roles for “Jurassic World 2”. The highly anticipated sequel is currently scheduled for release on 22nd June 2018.

Sources: Digital Spy, El Mundo, Comicbook.


#Travel: The World’s Longest Flight (Qatar Airways’ #QR920) Lands In New Zealand

Qatar Airways’ flight QR920 is officially the world’s longest commercial flight having landed in New Zealand’s largest and busiest airport after travelling 14,535 kilometres (9,032 miles) on the Doha-Auckland route.

The airline took the liberty to update their Twitter followers upon landing, saying, “We’ve officially landed in New Zealand, the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud.’ Kia ora!” This was echoed by Auckland Airport’s official Twitter account with a warm greeting upon the flight’s arrival.

We’ve officially landed in New Zealand, the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud.’ Kia ora! #AucklandTogether pic.twitter.com/d0BNsWRU9f

— Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) February 5, 2017

Touchdown! Welcome to @qatarairways flight QR920, landed at 07:20 from @HIAQatar! pic.twitter.com/OQDgI5pE2i

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) February 5, 2017

The plane, a long-range Boeing 777-200LR that crossed a whopping total of 10 time zones on its marathon flight, landed 5 minutes ahead of schedule after lasting 16 hours and 23 minutes. Qatar Airways quipped that the flight was longer than the entire “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” trilogies which were filmed in New Zealand.

As for the crew on board, the QR920 passengers were attended to by 15 cabin crew who served 1,100 cups of tea and coffee, 2,000 cold drinks, and 1,036 meals during the flight while 4 pilots were at the helm.

In keeping with international tradition to welcome inaugural flights, the Auckland airport rescue service showered the plane with water cannons on arrival.

Real-time air traffic Twitter account Flightradar24 later tweeted that the next Qatar Airways flight on the Doha-Auckland route was preparing to depart from Auckland Airport, adding, “Scheduled at 17.5 hours, the current longest flight in the world.”

#QR921—@AKL_Airport–@HIAQatar preparing to depart. Scheduled at 17.5 hours, the current longest flight in the world. https://t.co/xoHDuQEwZc pic.twitter.com/lTbbBBgYVf

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 6, 2017

Last year, Emirates launched what was then thought to be the world’s longest non-stop scheduled commercial flight between Dubai and New Zealand, spanning 14,200 kilometres (8,824 miles). The flight, Emirates 449, left Dubai and touched down in Auckland on 3rd March 2016 after traversing 14,200 kilometres.

Sources: The Guardian, Qatar Airways, Auckland Airport, Flightradar24, The Independent / Featured image: Qatar Airways.

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Hype Picks: Best Things To Do In The Klang Valley This Week(1st August – 7th August)

Every day’s the same old routine—wake up, go to work/school, come home, sleep—and then we do it all over again. Obviously, we need a little break from our tedious lifestyle, something that could make us anticipate the coming weeks with joy instead of dreading every single minute of it.

From exciting shopping sprees to grooving to vintage tunes, we even have workshops and classes to learn a new skill or two! And if you like new things, we have tons of newly launched products for you to check out. So, what are you waiting for? Browse through Hype’s best picks this week and have the most fun you’ve ever had in your entire life!

Location: Mid Valley Exhibition Centre, KL

Over 300 booths with more than 5,000 products to choose from, if you’re a foodie then you should visit the Tastefully Food Expo! Look forward to stunning performances and giveaways worth up to RM68,888 and participate in the lucky draw by purchasing up to RM100. Many more activities await you at this celebration of all the “Buatan Malaysia” you can find!

2. Brand’s InnerShine x Watsons Concourse Event

Location:  Mid Valley Megamall, Kuala Lumpur (Concourse Area, aras LG)

If you’re looking for the recipe to the elixir of life, then try InnerShine. In collaboration with Watsons, InnerShine intends to shower their customers with confidence and radiant glow with their all-natural goodness products. Don’t miss out on promotions and exclusive gifts up to RM35,888 and main prize—a 2D1N at Lexis Hibiscus PD.

Stay for the freebies, diet tip, samples and photobooth session! For more information, head on over to their Facebook.

This themed ACG festival will host exhibitions and special activities with the aim of providing a “matsuri” event style. You can experience fun games like the Digimon Card game, performances, purchase ACG merchandise and much more. Admission is free, too! Check out their website for the latest annoucements.

4. Sunny Side Up Market – Merdeka Edition 2022

Location: Slate at The Row, 44-48 Jalan Doraisamy, Kuala Lumpur

In conjunction with the National Day celebration happening this month, Sunny Side Up Market is back with it’s new theme, the Merdeka edition! Immerse yourself in the curations of all-Malaysian brands and local small businesses—original products, gifts, souvenirs, treats, fashion accessories, home decor and many more. Head on over to Facebook to find out more!

Location: REXXKL, 80, Jalan Sultan 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

To mark the one year celebration of her album “Over You”, Dasha Logan will be performing her album live infront of everyone. Featuring guest performances by  DJ Kirstie, Bourbon Lassi and K-Town Clan! Remove your stress and sway with the music on this night to remember. Tickets are priced at RM80 and can be bought here.

Location: Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre

Make a date with vinyl collectors at this one day event that centres around music collecting for the community. There’s much to anticipate such as music chit chat and sharing sessions with music collectors alike, indie music vendors, trading posts, curated music and so much more.

Browse through a collection of vinyls and have a drink at the bar as you soak in the sea of tunes and vibes. Free admission to all vinyl lovers. For more information, check out their Instagram.

7. The Hilton Kuala Lumpur Wedding Showcase

Location: Grand Ballroom & Sentral Ballroom, Hilton Kuala Lumpur

Marvel at this wedding showcase—an event that brings together professional wedding planners, top bridal designers and renowned wedding chaperones to give you a taste of what your fairytale wedding would look like. Check out the latest wedding trends and also stand a chance to win a 5D4N stay at Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa for your honeymoon.

Can’t make it on these days? A private meeting can be arranged, so rest assured. Visit their website to find out more.

8. Oh My Pet Expo – Desa Park City Waterfront

Neabot Malaysia welcomes you to join in the Desa Park City Pet Bazaar along with your furkids. Bring your doggies for a stroll around the park and indulge them in a pampering session with stalls selling dog foods, accessories and costumes. The exciting event is the Shiba Inu gathering that happens at 6pm so don’t miss it!

Don’t forget to try out Asia’s No.1 5 in 1 Pet Grooming Vacuum – Neabot P1 Pro for stylish grooming! Hurry because this will be the last pet bazaar for this year.

Location: BookXcess Sunsuria Forum, SB-1, Sunsuria Forum, Seksyen U13, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor 40170

You know how tarot readers could predict your future and almost always get it right? Don’t you ever have that feeling of learning how to do it as well? Now, you can with this FREE 15-minute reading at Book Xcess, Sunsuria Forum and gain some clarity and focus in your life. If you’re interested, you can book an appointment via email at maynaik01@gmail.com or WhatsApp 018 3867939.

Many attractions await you at this fun-filled, thrilling, adventure-seeking wonderland. Some include the Jurassic Park-themed attraction—99 Dinosaur Park—featuring two giant T-Rex’s, the Magical Bridge that lights up with lovelocks aligning the railings and also the 12 zodiac walkway with 12 zodiac animal statues.

99 Wonderland Park also features a Night Zoo that harbours the cutest animals such as tapirs, deers, ducks, raccoons, capybaras and wild animals, too! To know more about the entrance fee, visit their website to buy the tickets.

Ever thought of venturing into the world of Maze Runner but with the possibility of not dying painfully? Now, you can at the Maze Mirror Park at Nilai! We advise you not to run as you navigate your way through the endless maze of mirrors because you could run into yourself which is still painful, though not as deadly. Don’t miss out on the chance to take Instagram-worth pics!

Location: The Parc, Nilai Impian, Negeri Sembilan

Date: 27th July – 12th August (Weekdays only)

Location: No 10, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Who doesn’t love a sale? Especially one that has up to 90% discount of items such as modest wear, scarves, accessories and cosmetics. NITA Cosmetics is holding a warehouse sale with prices as low as RM5. Seems like a pretty good deal to us. You could also check out their famous 2-in-1 Pemadam Foundation & Concealer, 3-in-1 Brow Jam and also get a NITA Tote Bag to go.

Tokyo Street—Pavilion KL’s award-winning themed precinct—celebrates its 11th anniversary! Tokyo Street’s celebrations promises numerous Japanese activities, culture, shopping and dining in conjunction with 40 years of the Look East Policy (LEP).

Plunge into the streets of Japan with some attractions that include the “Art of Kimono” exhibition, Japanese pop-ups, AniMangaki convention and “Harajuku Street” pop-up and indulge yourself with an immense variety of Japanese shopping and authentic restaurants right here in Tokyo Street.

1. Rubber Stamp Carving Workshop (One Day in Autumn)

Location: A SPACE TO_. (Opposite Seventeen Mall), 936-1, Jalan 17/38, Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya

Learn how to carve rubber stamps and create beautiful autumn inspired artworks, designed to decorate your journals, cards, papers and more. The fees include RM185 per person and RM360 for two. For those who have purchased their rubber stamp starter kit and would like to attend this class, the fee is only RM160 per person.

Prior booking is required and can be done at this site. To know more, feel free to visit their Facebook and Instagram.

1. FOLLOW ME Extra Strength Natural Anti-Bacterial Range

FOLLOW ME has just introduced their Anti-Bacterial Body Wash Deluxe Gold Range with enhanced Natural Anti-Bacterial Protection—FOLLOW ME Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Charcoal and FOLLOW ME Anti-Bacterial Daily Detox Tea Tree.

This brand-new FOLLOW ME Deluxe Gold Anti-Bacterial body wash is developed with a superior extra strength plant-based formulation that kills 99.999% germs and harmful bacteria, enriched with natural plant extracts like tea tree and charcoal in the Deluxe Gold formula.

Latest innovations, modern technologies and enhanced features are core elements that makes up ASICS in their mission to improve performance and movement through sports, sneakers and fitness apparel. Therefore, ASICS has launched their new collection from all categories—Performance Running, Core Performance Sports, SPORTSTYLE and Apparel—to strengthen their campaign #LiveUplifted at ASICS Autumn Winter 2022 Regional Brand Day.

The new products from the ASICS Autumn Winter 2022 collection is available at ASICS stores, department stores, leading stores across the country, and online.

Giving a chance for every women in the country to achieve that ‘perfectly imperfect hair’, Krisin Ess has expanded its presence in Asia after its successful launch in the US. With twenty-two years of being a hairstylist and colourist, Kristin has used her expertise and insight into designing the 16-piece collection that helps you on your mission to achieve the most beautiful of hairstyles, priced between RM61 to RM79.

An extensive variety of cleansers, conditioners, serums, and hair masks is available exclusively in Watsons Malaysia stores and online.

4. HUAWEI Matebook 16s and HUAWEI Matebook D 16

Tech geeks, get ready to witness the latest technological advancement HUAWEI has to offer— the HUAWEI MateBook D16 and MateBook 16s! Both are available for pre-order until 5th August, along with freebies, such as the HUAWEI Stylish Backpack and other goodies worth more than RM1,000 and RM 1,700.

For more information on these products, head on over to the company’s website or if you want regular updates, you could follow Huawei on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Neetashini Kanendran contributed to this article

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After Earth: Sci-Fi Bleh?

Director M Night Shyamalan has, in the past, made movies that leave people in their seats while the credits rolled, thoroughly confused. We can think of two of such movies (“Lady in the Water” and “The Village”) that really, have no reason for being. So when we heard that he was going to be behind “After Earth” starring Will Smith and his son Jaden Smith, we couldn’t help but audibly groan. In how many ways is this going to be ruined despite the cast we really, really want to see?

Released just in time for Father’s Day (apt, since father and son Smith are playing lead roles in it), “After Earth” centers around a tale of the post-apocalyptic Earth, destroyed by Mother Nature gone mental plus pollution plus everything bad that Discovery Channel has ever warned you about. Conveniently, Cypher (played by Will Smith) and Kitai (played by Jaden Smith) crashes on Earth during space travel a thousand years in the future. Cypher gets injured, which leaves Kitai to try to survive amidst evolved fauna and flora while attempting to save them both.

Did we also mention that Earth is now a hostile place (low oxygen levels, thermal shifts, the works)? Cue your typical intergalactic drama right here.

So Kitai sets out to recover a vital distress flare which he can only do by conquering a beast that thrives on and feeds on human fear. And as you could imagine, “showing no fear” is the only way the both of them would have any chance of making it out of the violent Earth alive. Sure, it sounds easy peasy until giant baboons and poisonous leeches, on top of a mysterious guilt trip from the past are throwing into the mix and suddenly, the path that leads to survival and success is almost nonexistent. Fate alone will not save them both:

[youtube id=”CZIt20emgLY” width=”600″ height=”350″]

Do they make it out alive? Will Cypher and Kitai make it out of a killer planet alive? Is “After Earth” M Night Shyamalan’s sci-fi success or sci-fi “bleh”? Catch “After Earth” in a cinema near you today and find out.

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


Interview: Breakbot & Irfane On What They Love About Paris

Is Paris always a good idea? The answer is yes, especially if the tour guides are two of the city’s most legendary producers and DJs – Breakbot and Irfane – who will be showing you the real Paris that they know and love on YouTube.

The brainchild of Singapore-based events agency Collective Minds, “Paris My Neighbourhood” is a street-style documentary filmed in partnership with Ed Banger Records and the Embassy of France in Singapore. It is part of vOilah! 2020, the annual festival that showcases the best of French and Singaporean innovation and creativity.

“Irfane and Breakbot have been travelling with us around Asia many times and for almost a decade now. This idea was spawned by our trip to Paris last year, when this dangerous duo showed us around instead,” says Zaran, Co-Founder of Collective Minds. “Their Paris was very different from the Paris we see in the movies. Despite current travel restrictions, we still want to wander the world so we thought this would be the perfect antidote. We can transport ourselves to their neighbourhood, even if it’s just for a few minutes.”

Besides seeing the beauty of Paris through their visionary eyes, the documentary will spotlight their favourite places for music, arts and culture, as well as food and drinks. The documentary also features cultural icon Busy P (real name Pedro Winter), the founder of Ed Banger Records.

“We had never done something like this before and that comes with a little stress. But we are grounded by the vision of wanting the documentary to be as genuine and intimate as possible, reflecting our – Breakbot and I – daily lives in the 18th arrondissement of Paris (Barbès). It’s a lively place with a great socioeconomic and demographic diversity, like much of Singapore,” Irfane comments.

The feature is heavily influenced by Breakbot and Irfane’s priorities in life – food and music – and for a sneak peek on what the series has to offer, please see some of the itinerary highlights below:
● Go crate digging at the best record stores in Paris like Balades Sonores and Dizonord.
● Appreciate contemporary art (Galerie Ruttowksi) and film at Cinémathèque Française
and Bibliothèque François Truffaut.
● Breakbot and Irfane’s gastronomic journey in Barbès for quality French brasserie
cuisine, natural wine bar and small plates restaurant Déviant, and the only cheesemaker
in Paris, La Laiterie de Paris.
● See French fashion at its best at Porte de Clignancourt design flea market.
● Visit music studios like Ed Banger Records, Motorbass Studio and Monsieur Francis
Vanot’s synth repair store.

Matthieu Dartiguenave, the Regional Music Attaché at the Embassy of France in Singapore, also shares, “The vOilah! France Singapore Festival highlights the strategic partnership between the two countries, and the Ed Banger label is deeply connected to the City-State. Each time the artists of the collective visit, it is a huge success! Even though travelling is no longer possible, ‘Paris My Neighbourhood’ is an online invitation to wander in the Paris of Breakbot and Irfane – a multicultural Paris of chance encounters where lifestyle, cuisine and personalities meet – and to discover Paris as you’ve never seen it before.”

1. Could you provide 2-3 more insider spots for either arts and culture, music or F&B?

Irfane: There’s a very good cinema in Barbès, Le Louxor. It is 99-years-old, and you can definitely feel the history of the place when you watch a movie. Built in 1920 by Henry Zipcy, it’s one of the only cinemas left from pre-war entertainment and possibly the oldest movie palace of Paris. It was an Egyptian Revival marvel of Paris – very luxurious for the neighbourhood – but it failed to find an audience. It got better showing “exotic” films from Bollywood, North Africa and even erotic features at night. In the 1980s, it turned into a nightclub until it was abandoned for 20 years. Saved from demolition, the City of Paris actually restored it into a lavish theatre; buying a movie ticket also gives you access to the bar-cum-restaurant with a rooftop terrace, offering a nice view of the neighbourhood.

Breakbot: It is a famous place but I always recommend visitors to check the Centre Pompidou, a.k.a Beaubourg. The quirky “high-tech” architecture and the view alone are worth the visit, but the permanent collection is breathtaking, the exhibitions (at the Musée National d’Art Moderne) are always interesting and the library is a great source of inspiration. It’s also home to IRCAM, a centre for music and acoustic research.

Irfane: Our aim to offer some insight into our everyday life and spots. The only place we discovered together was Chapelle XIV (Shown in episode 1) as it opened recently. I’ve been a patron of their first store which is in the 20th arrondissement for some years now, so I was very happy to learn they had opened a space closer to ours.

2. Tell us more about the charm of Barbès using 1-2 personal stories/experiences. And how has Barbès/Paris inspired your work?

Breakbot: The charm of Barbès is definitely bound to its diversity. When you walk on the streets it sometimes feels like you’re traveling. One street will have a community from one country and the next street you’re in a different continent. This is most inspiring because each country has a different cultural tradition, and there’s a lot to learn.

Irfane: And it’s the diverse community, and, in turn, a constant exposure to different people from different backgrounds and different countries, that will sometimes inspire us to create.

Breakbot: Since our output is always the fruit of our surroundings and the way we channel it, there is some influence. Especially the coffee (shown in episode 1)! Keeps me awake.

3. How has life been in the midst of lockdowns (and ongoing events), and why is it important for you to film this series now? On that note, why is it important for countries to continue supporting one another (like Singapore and France with Voilah!).

Breakbot: The pandemic has obviously stopped us from touring. We spend more time in our neighbourhood than we ever did, and yet there’s always something new to discover. Showcasing the shops and places we love in Paris is a way to show them our support. We care about the fact that they make our lives better by the quality of their hard work. If traveling is impossible right now you can at least prepare it virtually! I believe that sharing culture between countries is very important at the moment.

Irfane: To be honest, the pandemic has actually given us the time and headspace to really focus on the music without the stress of travelling, so it has worked pretty well for our creative flow!

4. Any recent or upcoming releases people can look out for?

Irfane: New music! Working on an EP but in the meantime, finishing a track with our buddy Yuksek that will be featured on a compilation available on Bandcamp.

Breakbot: All profit will go to an NGO helping out in the aftermath of the Beirut explosion. The release date is slated for 24th November 2020.

Enjoy episode 1 and 2 of “Paris My Neighbourhood” below:

Credit responses to Breakbot (Thibaut Jean-Marie Michel Berland), Irfane (Christopher Irfane Khan-Acito) and Collective Minds.

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Top 5 Netflix Original Series You Need To Watch Before 2021 Ends

If binge-watching was an Olympic-level sport, then 2021 was the year of athletes! With COVID-19 robbing us of the better half of a year, we turned to streaming services like Netflix to fill the void. To live vicariously through the eyes of their many, many fictional characters. This year, though, Netflix delivered some A-grade original content. We’re not talking about just high-quality entertainment here. Oh no, there were series this year that utterly changed the landscape of visual storytelling.

For so long, we’ve thought cinematic action sequences, groundbreaking animation and award-winning performances to be squarely locked within the realm of theatrical films and maybe HBO. Netflix provides a stunning rebuttal to that notion. In fact, there could very well be an argument for long form television to be the superior mode of storytelling.

Some of you die-hard cinephiles are probably sharpening your pitchforks right now but these entries below will definitely give cause to pause. So it is with great honour, that we present our list for the best TV series of 2021 that you can only find on Netflix!

Creator Mike Flanagan more than redeems himself for 2020’s “The Haunting of Bly Manor” with a series that truly left us with nightmares by the end of it, “Midnight Mass”. On the surface, the series seems to be your typical small-town creature feature in the form of a prolonged miniseries. However, beneath the vernier is an emotionally complex and terrifying tale about what happens when people blindly follow after charismatic religious leaders. Beyond the spooky imagery and jaw-dropping reveal near the end, the series is most disturbing when it appeals to our collective sense of faith and despair amidst this year.

We all want to believe some miracle will save us from suffering but to what extent are we willing to sacrifice our morality? “Midnight Mass” delivers the answer and it chilled us to the core. Two actors who should absolutely be nominated for an Emmy Award this year are Hamish Linklater as Father Paul and Rahul Kohli as Sheriff Hassan. Their performances in “Midnight Mass” are some of the most heartbreaking and realistic depictions of people in communities of faith. So often in media, there’s the tendency to depict people of faith as credulous, violent fanatics or cynical hypocrites. Here, though, Flanagan’s characters feel just as human as the frightened viewers from across the screen.

How do we best describe a premise as brilliantly messed up as Hwang Dong-hyuk’s “Squid Game”? Think of it as the most f**ked episode of “Black Mirror” made into a series set in Korea. Even then, that analogy can’t quite encapsulate all the themes and socio-political intricacies of South Korea’s capitalist class system. Look, if you like watching people get murdered while playing cute children’s games in a bid to win a buttload of cash, then this is the show for you! Yeah, that explanation should do it. Dong-hyuk’s series is a scathing indictment against the cruel economic reality of South Korean society. One that feels right at home with films like Boog Jong-ho’s “Snowpiercer” and “Parasite”.

There’s something incredibly unique in the way Korean filmmakers and showrunners approach acting and performance. There’s an inherent intensity and desperation that American and western dramas can’t quite replicate. “Squid Game” has utterly convinced us that the dread, hunger and emotional vulnerability seen characters like Gi-Hun and Sang Woo are not some hyperbolic caricatures of the poor. No, this is human nature, and try as we may, we could not look away. Neither should you.

So many times, Netflix would start strong with an amazing series like “House of Cards” or “Daredevil” only to have them end on a whimper or be cancelled altogether. Álex Pina’s “Money Heist” (or “La casa de papel “) does not disappoint. It started off with a bang and it ends with the greatest heist plan ever to put to screen. If you’ve been following the series thus far, then you know that the series has evolved past being an ambitious Spanish crime thriller and into a global phenomena. An epic showdown between libertine revolutionaries and corrupt government officials and authorities. What started as a badass heist has errupted in a war for the hearts and minds of the Spanish people with the fate of a nation at stake.

This year, we were treated to both Money Heist Part 5’s Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, with each volume containing five episodes each. There was never a moment throughout Part 5 in which fans rested easy. At any moment, it truly felt like any one of our favourite characters could be taken out, which indeed did happen. Nonetheless, the series ends on a high-note that left us a jubilant, weeping mess and frankly that’s all we could really ask for out of Pina and company. Magnifico, magnifico, magnifico!

Video-game films are mostly rushed, awful cash-grabs that bank on fan-service and nostalgia. Well, we can’t argue with that sentiment. As for video-game based TV shows though, you’d be completely and utterly wrong on that count.  Just look at the love and care dedicated to shows like “DOTA: Dragon’s Blood”, “Dragon’s Dogma” and “The Witcher” on Netflix. Polished, high-budget fantasy series that honour their source material while still innovating on established lore to create something new and unique. This glorious trend all started with one particular Netflix series, made by creators Adi Shankar and Warren Ellis: “Castlevania”.

It started strong with a captivating and agonisingly human take on the show’s chief antagonist Vlad Dracula Tepes. From there, it branched out from immaculate fantasy action to vampiric political drama to existential discourse. Yes, a bloody video-game show will make you question the very nature of good and evil. This year, we were treated to aspectacular final season that completely subverted our expectations while simultaneously giving us more of what we loved. For that, we gave it our highest grade because it truly is groundbreaking.

Yes, that’s right, we’re giving the final two spots on our list to two video-game based series. The world has truly gone mad! Full disclosure: we know nothing about League of Legends (LoL). Nothing about the lore, the characters or the gameplay. Apparently, even die-hard fans admit that the game itself is scant on details. Against all odds, Riot Games alongside the wickedly talented Fortiche Production have created what can only be described as a CGI-rendered oil painting brought to life. Without ever launching into lengthy loredump monologues, “Arcane” tells us everything we need to know about the world of Piltover and Zaun through stunning imagery. The artstyle alone is already revolutionary, with its ability to display an overwhelming amount of detail for both sweeping vistas and facial animation.

To match the series’ gorgeous visuals, “Arcane” has a story that feels as fantastical as it is realistic. In contrast to its elements of colourful techno-sorcery and ornate steampunk scientific optimism, there is a dark reality hidden beneath the surface. We dare you to find a fantasy series that deals with such heavy themes like class struggle, police brutality, substance abuse, trauma and nationhood. All at the same time! Yet the series never gets lost in its heady concepts because it is grounded by a strong emotional core. At its heart, this series is a tragedy about two sisters, Jinx and Violet. A story about how violence and poverty ultimately breaks them. The series is already renewed for another season and we could not be happier. Without a shadow of a doubt, “Arcane” is the best Netflix series of 2021!

Do you agree with our list? Were the other shows you think belong on it? Be sure to let us know with a comment!