What’s Within The “Dark Shadows”?

A show of hands those who love Tim Burton (purveyor of dark, quirky-themed movies)? Good. Now, a show of hands those who love Johnny Depp (“Savvy?”)? Great. And then, now, a show of hands those who love anything Tim Burton and Johnny Depp does together (read: Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Alice in Wonderland)?

Because the first trailer for Tim Burton’s feature film version of the cult TV series, “Dark Shadows” has finally been released. The hype started when a load of images were released periodically, teasing the audience (that would be us) and keeping the world hella curious. Tsk. Sneaky, Tim, sneaky.

But now, these images have officially been set in motion:

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In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet—or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy…until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire and then burying him alive.

Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) has called upon live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), to help with her family troubles.

Also residing in the manor is Elizabeth’s ne’er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloe Moretz); and Roger’s precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gulliver McGrath). The mystery extends beyond the family, to caretaker Willie Loomis, played by Jackie Earle Haley, and David’s new nanny, Victoria Winters, played by Bella Heathcote.

Ahh! We can’t say that Johnny Depp doesn’t look just a little bit more than creepy. Then again, would you have imagined him to be playing a non-quirky character? Oh, and might we add, you’re looking nothing less than vixen-hot, Eva! What a drastic change from your Bond girl image, we must say.

Dark Shadows will be released in Malaysia on the 10th of May 2012.

(Psst. Before you think Dark Shadows is going to ruin your life, don’t – because this is very much a comedy).

We can already foresee it – this is going to be yet another (eight, to be exact) one of those Tim Burton and Johnny Depp magical collaborations. Can’t wait!

For more information, visit their official movie website.


#TomHiddleston: Brit Makes Instagram Debut As Loki; Gets Teased By Robert Downey Jr.

Even though we won’t get to see the charming God of Mischief in action in “Thor: Ragnarok” until next year, actor Tom Hiddleston has decided to give fans a sneak peak of his character.

Yesterday (9th August), the 35-year-old Brit joined Instagram (better late than never right?) to celebrate the return of Loki, Thor’s annoying nemesis and adopted brother. All dressed up in costume and his dark long hair wig, he flashed a “rock on” hand sign in the selfie, which he captioned, “He’s back!”

A photo posted by Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) on Aug 9, 2016 at 6:19am PDT

This snapshot is the first picture we’ve seen of Hiddleston on set. While this photo itself doesn’t really reveal much of anything (compared to Mark Ruffalo’s movie set pics which revealed Chris Hemsworth’s new hairdo as Thor), it’s always nice to see a popular character back in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

“Thor: Ragnarok” will mark Hiddleston’s 4th appearance in the MCU, following his previous outing in “Thor”, “The Avengers”, and “Thor: The Dark World”. Although Loki’s role has been kept under wraps, it is understood that the trickster villain will once again cause trouble for Thor.

During a recent interview at Wizard World in Philadelphia, the handsome actor said, “What I’m interested in really is how his attitudes have changed. I’m 4 years older and Chris [Hemsworth] is 4 years older, and there will just be new things we find in it. The most exciting thing about him is that he is always a trickster. It is trying to find new ways for him to be mischievous, because I love doing that.”

Speaking of mischievous, Hiddleston did receive some sort of a welcome from his fellow Marvel co-star. Robert Downey Jr. took the opportunity to poke fun at his colleague in the best way possible. He reposted a blurry photo of Hiddleston wearing the now-infamous “I [heart] T.S.” tank top with the cheeky caption, “Join me in welcoming the biggest T. Stark fan of them all to Instagram! @twhiddleston.”

A photo posted by Robert Downey Jr. (@robertdowneyjr) on Aug 9, 2016 at 3:09pm PDT

Yeah right RDJ… because T.S. totes stand for Tony Stark. Lol! Regardless, we’re still looking forward to see more “I <3 T.S.” t-shirts in the future.

“Thor: Ragnarok” will smash its way into theatres on 3rd November 2017.

Sources: Screen Rant, E! News, Vanity Fair.

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WINNERS: “That Winter, The Wind Blows” Merch

Thank you for all the official “That Winter, The Wind Blows” merch contest submissions! We now have our lucky 10 winners who will be taking home a bag of ONE TV ASIA awesomeness each. They are:

Come pick up your prizes from our office from 24th June 2013 (Monday) onwards. Remember to bring your IC for verification purposes. Also, we need to stress that prizes are strictly are strictly nontransferable. Hype Malaysia reserves the right to refuse the collection of prizes for those who attempt to transfer it from one contest winner (in whose name it is registered) to another person.

B-13-5 Northpoint Office Suites, Mid Valley City,

Our office hours are 10am to 6pm (Monday to Friday only).


Rachel Zegler: 6 Interesting Facts About The New Snow White Actress

Over the past years, Disney has released many successful live-action movies of its animated classics. The live-action movies include the remake of “Cinderella” (2015), “Beauty and the Beast” (2017), “Aladdin” (2019), “The Lion King” (2019) and many others including 2021’s “Cruella” that had gained worldwide recognition upon its release.

The next titular character who will be making its live-action debut is none other than Snow White of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, Walt Disney Animation Studio’s first animated film. Walt Disney had announced earlier this week that rising Hollywood star Rachel Zegler has been cast as the OG Disney princess.

Here are some interesting facts to know about the young star, Rachel Zegler.

1. She is a YouTuber-turned-actor and self-professed theatre kid from New Jersey.

2. Her YouTube channel, that was created in 2011, has reached over 200k subscribers and it consists of videos of her experience in theatrical production and songs that she has covered.

3. Snow White is not Zegler’s first role as a Disney Princess. She once starred as Ariel of “The Little Mermaid” during her high school days. A photo of her playing Ariel resurfaced as the actress retweeted her 2017 tweet that was captioned “I wanna be a real Disney princess”.

— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) June 22, 2021

4. She received Award nominations for her high school theatrical performances. As the star of her high school theatre program in New Jersey, she had multiple starring roles in the productions of “Beauty and the Beast”, “The Little Mermaid”, “42nd Street” and “Shrek the Musical”. Each role that she received earned her nominations for the Metropolitan High School Theatre Awards or the Metros.

5. Director Mark Webb on why the 20-year-old is the perfect choice: “Rachel’s extraordinary vocal abilities are just the beginning of her gifts. Her strength, intelligence and optimism will become an integral part of rediscovering the joy in this classic Disney fairy tale”.

6. According to Deadline, Disney conducted an extensive search for their lead cast, which eventually landed on Zegler’s footage from her past musical with Steven Spielberg that convinced the production that she was the right choice for the role.

Prior to her iconic Disney princess remake, the actress will star and debut in the much-anticipated Steven Spielberg remake of “West-Side Story” as Maria. She is also set to take a role in the upcoming sequel of DC’s 2019 blockbuster “Shazam”, “Shazam: Fury Of The Gods” alongside Zachary Levi as the titular superhero.

The production of the Disney classic live-action remake is scheduled to begin in 2022.

Sources: The Star, US Magazine, CNN Entertainment, Deadline, Buzzfeed, Empire.

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World’s Top Earning Celebrities 2012

Earlier this month, we released a list of the world’s top earning DJs/producers, according to Forbes. So it’s only right that we write up the next list – the Forbes list of the world’s highest earning celebrities. Basically, this means they’re super filthy rich. Yup.

According to a spokesperson on the Forbes website, the people behind the list determines who the highest paid celebrities are by taking their upfront pay, profit participation, residuals, endorsements, and advertising work into consideration. And if that’s not enough, they also talk to managers, agents, lawyers, and other “in the know” folks to come up with their estimates.

And like we said, if it came from Forbes, it has to be true. Here are the top five highest paid celebrities of the world (2012):

It’s not the first time Oprah Winfrey has sat on this pedestal. We know what you’re thinking – how is it possible since she no longer has her talk show? Ah, but she still has Harpo, her production company. Harpo holds takes in shows such as “Dr. Phil”, “Rachael Ray”, and “The Dr. Oz Show”.

Can’t say we didn’t see this one coming. He did, however, beat Steven Spielberg to it though! Michael’s #2 on this list is largely contributed by the success of the popular “Transformers” franchise, and not just the movies. He’s also making big bucks from billion dollar spin-offs such as toys, merchandise, theme parks rides, etc.

Schindler’s List. Jaws. E.T. Jurassic Park. These are just the few films he’s known for. Let’s not forget how he swiftly moved from film to TV shows such as “Smash” and “Terra Nova”. Proof that Mr. Spielberg has done it right? His TV work has helped him cinch the #3 spot on this list!

Why Jerry? His “Pirate of the Caribbean: on Stranger Tides” went big time in 2011 when it became one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Of course, his other movies, “Prince of Persia” and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” were also notable ones albeit not as box-office-breaking – but still!


Woman Detained For Insulting Agong

Yesterday, a total of 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) lodged a police report against a blogger and a Facebook user for insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah.

Ipoh Barat Umno Youth division chief Shamsul Bahrain Putra Ahmad Shibi led representatives from the NGOs to lodge the police report at the Sungai Senam police station here Monday:

I’m shocked and angry at the disrespectful actions of these people who are racist and would insult – even challenge – the royal institution. I urge the police to take immediate action against the two individuals to curb their actions and ensure that the unity among races in Malaysia is not affected by their actions,” he said, adding that the two should have their citizenships revoked.

In the police report, it was stated that a blogger known as Effi Obefiend with the tweet handle @10befiend and Facebook account holder Melissa Gooi posted the insulting comments. The comments are as follows:

And just today, it was reported that a woman has been detained for allegedly insulting Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah on Facebook.

A Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) spokesperson said the woman was detained by the commission with the assistance of the Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigations Department Tuesday morning:

We have successfully tracked and detained the suspect, who was said to have insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Facebook. The suspect, who is female, was detained to assist in investigations. The investigation was done under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The commission is also requesting for the suspect’s friends to come forward to assist in further investigations.

He added that the suspect was believed to have been in hiding after her identity was revealed on the Internet following the alleged insult. He said the MCMC viewed seriously the abuse of social media to upload content or comments containing elements of insult, especially against the monarchy, adding that the suspect might also be charged under the Sedition Act 1948.

The 32-year-old woman who was detained for allegedly insulting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on Facebook has been released. City deputy CID chief Asst Comm Aziz Zakaria said she was released on the same day after police recorded her statement:

The investigation is still ongoing. We are tracking down four other individuals to assist police in the investigation. They are Weennee Tan, Shuh Chien Loo, Hun Keat Wong and Carol Tay.

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Chernobyl Diaries: Experience The Fallout

The Chernobyl disaster is a true story and a real disaster that took place in Ukraine. On the 26th April 1986, a catastrophic nuclear accident occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant when an explosion and fire released large quantities of radioactive contamination into the atmosphere.

It spread over much of Western USSR and Europe.

Widely considered to have been the worst nuclear power plant accident in history (it involved over 500,000 workers), the disaster is one of only two classified as a “level 7” event on the International Nuclear Event Scale. The only other one that ever came close is the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011.

This year, “Chernobyl Diaries”, an American horror film loosely based on the history of the disaster, will give insight on what has been rumoured to be the “aftermath” of the explosion. Co-produced and directed by Bradley Parker, Chernobyl Diaries uses the real-life 1986 Chernobyl disaster for its backdrop. The entire film was shot on location in Hungary and Serbia.

A group of young adults (of six tourists) make plans to travel across Europe. Intrigued by the Chernobyl disaster, Paul (played by Jonathan Sadowski) suggests that they go on an “extreme tour” of the abandoned town of Prypiat, which sits in the shadow of Chernoyl Nuclear Power Plant. They then hire an extreme tour guide who takes them to the famed site of the nuclear accident:

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And as all horror film goes, in a frightening turn of events, the group soon discovers that they are not alone.  One by one, the members of the group start experiencing “activities” and some attacked by “things”.

What things, exactly? Find out when Chernobyl Diaries is released in our cinemas on 6th September 2012 (Thursday).

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


There Are 3 Long Weekend Holidays In September!

If there is one thing about Malaysians, we are spoilt with holidays.

In addition to the recent Hari Raya and school holidays, there are 3 more long weekends to look forward to next month. Cheers to our September holidays!

Coincidently, all of the following holidays fall on Monday. To extend your holidays, you could either use your annual leave on Friday or Tuesday. That way, you’ll get 4 days off instead of just 3 days.

If you’re travelling within Malaysia or staying put in the Klang Valley, here are some recommendations to check out:


GO: Our Picks Of Things To Do In The Klang Valley This Week! (6th -12th Feb)

Love is in the air folks, which means Valentine’s Day – and all the special activities held in celebration of it – is right around the corner.

Whether you’re planning to spend the day with your boo, or going out by yourself (because life’s too short to not be single) – we have a list of seven things you can do in the Klang Valley this week:

How about we give you a perfect V-Day plan? Bring your boo over to KEDAI KL’s Cinta Sayang Bazaar pop-up and splurge on all the goodies there to show them how much you adore them.

Kamp in Town provides an urban escape for visitors to experience camping under starry nights and dazzling city lights. Get a cup of coffee from curated café roasteries while partaking in social and family activities such as street busking, campfires, funfairs, and games for a relaxing escape without sacrificing modern conveniences. A one-of-a-kind event with over 50 vendors of local cuisine and drinks, arts and crafts, street snacks, botanica and plants, and thrilling displays.

M.A.C Cosmetics’ new Locked Kiss Ink lipsticks will satisfy your lips’ desire for a weightless, longwearing, transfer-proof, and super-pigmented lipcolor! M.A.C.’s latest lipstick collection includes over 25 shades to experiment with, including neutrals, reds, pinks, oranges, mauves, and limited-edition editorial colours.

The M.A.C Locked Kiss Ink interactive area will be open from the 6th to the 12th of February at Mid Valley Megamall. Get out and experiment with all of the beautiful colours and join all the enjoyable activities to win appealing gifts and prizes!
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The season of love is approaching, and what better way to celebrate than with France’s No. 1 premium wheat beer, 1664 Rosé? 1664 Rosé has handpicked special novelties that provide consumers with an unforgettable experience with their loved ones while injecting a whimsical elegance into Valentine’s Day clichés.

1664 Rosé, in collaboration with Dadi Cinema at Pavilion Bukit Bintang Kuala Lumpur has organised a fascinating proclamation of love. At the Le Cinema Lounge 1664, you’ll be enjoying your ideal date night with your partner with a complimentary serving of 1664 Rosé or 1664 Blanc.

Location: Nero Event Space, PJPAC, 1 Utama

Get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience, as Liver and Lung presents Melur The Musical, a terrifying theatre experience that tells the story of Pontianak, a legendary ghost.  Set in Colonial Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, Melur The Musical follows the lives of two women, Melur and Cempaka, who are linked by love and friendship but separated by opposing values. After Melur is brutally killed, a scorned Pontianak emerges, thirsty and desperate for vengeance, and haunts Cempaka and her firstborn.

Date: To be released in 5 phases throughout 2023

Hasbro, the world’s largest toy and entertainment company, revealed a brand-new line of Transformers toys to go with the recently announced new animated series Transformers: EarthSpark. The new Transformers: EarthSpark toy line includes five distinct designs featuring various characters from the new animated series. Tacticons are the first in the new series, followed by the One-Step Flip, Warrior, Deluxe, and Spin Changers.

Customers will receive a RM15 discount on Transformers: EarthSpark figures with a minimum purchase of RM150 on any Transformers items online via Shopee (using the promo code “HASBTRAMY”) or Lazada. This promotion is valid from now until February 28th, 2023.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


#Uber: Clamp Down Fiasco Continues; SPAD To Use Uber App Against Drivers

The Uber fiasco isn’t coming to an end anytime soon, it seems. The authorities have been trying to clamp down on the so-called “illegal service” for more than a year and now, they’ve even found a new and more “effective” way to do so.

According to a report by TMI, citing theSun, the transport authority will be using the mobile phone app to trace private car owners who use their vehicles for the service and blocking renewal of their road tax.

theSun also quoted a government source as saying:

For example, after a certain private car has been identified from the digital log in the Uber app alongside solid evidence of video and photo of their operations, the authority will then send out a notice to the car owner to attend an “interview” with the SPAD enforcement division.

The notice under the Section 225 of the Land Public Transport Act 2010 requires car owners or drivers to assist in investigations of the alleged offence under Section 16 of the Act.

“They are also required to bring along the alleged cars for inspection,” he said, adding that the cars may be subjected to seizure and confiscation for violating the Act.

A senior SPAD official confirmed the latest approach, adding that they will also apply this method for GrabCar soon. To date, SPAD has impounded 145 private cars, including 44 Uber and 97 GrabCar vehicles, since October last year for offering illegal taxi services.


Angelina Jolie Had Both Breasts Removed & Reconstructed

Actress Angelina Jolie announced in a New York Times op-ed article on Tuesday that she underwent a preventive double mastectomy (breast removal) after learning she carries a mutation of the BRCA1 gene, which sharply increases her risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer. Her mother, actress and producer Marcheline Bertrand, died of ovarian cancer in 2007 at the age of 56.

Note: BRCA stands for breast cancer susceptibility genes – a class of genes known as tumor suppressors, according to the National Cancer Institute. Mutation of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes has been linked to hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. A blood test can determine if a woman is “highly susceptible” to the cancers.

In the Times op-ed, titled “My Medical Choice”, multiple award-winning Angelina Jolie said she finished three months of medical procedures at the Pink Lotus Breast Center in California on 27th April that included the mastectomies and reconstruction:

My doctors estimated that I had an 87 percent risk of breast cancer and a 50 percent risk of ovarian cancer, although the risk is different in the case of each woman. Once I knew that this was my reality, I decided to be proactive and to minimize the risk as much I could. I made a decision to have a preventive double mastectomy.

I wanted to write this to tell other women that the decision to have a mastectomy was not easy. But it is one I am very happy that I made. My chances of developing breast cancer have dropped from 87 percent to under 5 percent.

For any woman reading this, I hope it helps you to know you have options. I want to encourage every woman, especially if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, to seek out the information and medical experts who can help you through this aspect of your life, and to make your own informed choices.

The actress has been in a relationship with actor Brad Pitt since the mid-2000s and they are engaged. The couple has three biological and three adopted children. For Angelina Jolie, the decision to undergo double mastectomy ultimately came down to her kids.

“I can tell my children that they don’t need to fear they will lose me to breast cancer”, she said.

It’s a pain Jolie knows all too well from losing her mother to the disease.

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Johnnie Walker® Circuit Lounge: An Experience That Can’t Be Bought

On 23rd March 2013 (Saturday), Johnnie Walker® will play host to an exclusive gathering of A-list celebrities, leaders of commerce, and privileged competition winners to celebrate the race weekend at the Terminal 2 Skypark, Subang.

STEP INSIDE THE CIRCUIT™ this year has raised the bar in its exclusivity and prestige by introducing elite lifestyle experiences for guests who participate in the Circuit Lounge Facebook contest to win. The Grand Prize winner will be rewarded with a high-flying priceless lifestyle experience, with a private helicopter to the Sepang International Circuit for a personally hosted VIP race weekend experience and a chance to meet the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes™ Team.

In addition, six VIP party passes await our the Grand Prize winner with a reserved table at the Johnnie Walker® Circuit Lounge after they arrive in style on the Black Carpet, chauffeured from a 5-Star Hotel Suite in downtown KL. Before the party, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes™ driver Jenson Button may also meet the Johnnie Walker® Circuit Lounge competition winners in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for his Malaysian fans.

Lining up to entertain the guests for the night will be celebrated producer and DJ Ivan Gough, known for his eclectic remixes and legendary tracks over the past 10 years, along with the groovy beats of DJ Vogue Williams, the vivacious Irish model and DJ, and IMMA*BLEEP*YOUUP!, one of the most energetic local DJ trios in Kuala Lumpur, promising to bring their pumped up original sounds and tracks that are sure to rock the night.

For the opportunity to meet 2009 Formula One® World Champion Jenson Button and the chance to get on the exclusive Johnnie Walker® Circuit Lounge guest list, Johnnie Walker® fans should “Like” Johnnie Walker® Malaysia’s Facebook page and enter the Circuit Lounge Facebook contest. Participants of the contest will be able to immerse in an elite lifestyle experience and win a chance of a lifetime, VIP treatment, 140 VIP Circuit Lounge invitations, and getting chauffered to the party in fashion, enveloping fans in the ethos of STEP INSIDE THE CIRCUIT™: an all-encompassing, incomparably posh luxury lifestyle experience.

Dress Code: Black Prestige & Gold Glamour

As committed advocates of responsible drinking and in addition to the “Join The Pact” initiative, Johnnie Walker® will also be actively engaging guests with complimentary Evian® mineral water to reinforce the message of “Never Drink and Drive” and always staying in control. Taxi services will also be on standby to ferry party guests home late.

For more information, visit Johnnie Walker® Malaysia’s Facebook page.


#METMalaysia: Malaysian Meteorological Department Squashes Cold Weather Rumours

You know that piece of news claiming that Malaysia is going to freeze over (somewhat) this month? The one that went viral? Apparently, it isn’t true. Malaysia is still going to be as scorching hot ever for weeks to come.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has released an official statement via its Facebook page to squash rumours about “extreme cold weather” hitting the northern hemisphere including some parts of the country this month.

Last week, MetMalaysia revealed that the El Nino phenomenon has resulted in a drop in rainfall of between 20% and 60% for most areas in the country, rendering the weather hot and dry with temperatures rising by 0.5°C to 2.0°C.

Hence, reports of temperatures dropping to 20°C are false.

The Star Online quoted METMalaysia director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail as saying that the claim was not true and the temperature would remain within the normal range throughout February. “In fact, the statement was not from me. The lowest temperature of 16°C was actually referring to last year’s minimum temperature,” she said when contacted by The Star.

The unverified news report surfaced shortly after it was reported that parts of Asia was hit by record low temperatures including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Vietnam, and Bangkok. The report also claimed that Malaysia might be facing the coldest weather ever this Chinese New Year, with the temperature in some parts of peninsular Malaysia dropping to as low as 16°C due to the “the cold north-easterly wind”.

To be fair, we can see why it was easy to believe the claims, considering the circumstances, but at the same time, a quick search on Google would’ve landed you on this other The Star Online report about a “chilly Chinese New Year”. Dated 24th January 2014.

Meanwhile, the temperature in Malaysia is currently between an average of 23°C to 33°C. Less rainfall is also expected, especially in Sabah and north Sarawak. Yuh huh, you read right – it’s going to be as hot as it has been in the recent weeks and it’s expected to last until June, according to METMalaysia’s statement.

“The last time the country faced an El Nino phenomenon of this high intensity was in 1997 and 1998 when temperatures reached 40.1°C,” said Che Gayah.

Stay hydrated and reduce outdoor activities during these burning times, peeps!

Sources: The Star Online (1), The Star Online (2) / Featured image from Budget Car Rental KL.

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#Deadpool: Early Concept Art For Negasonic Teenage Warhead Unveiled

Ever wondered how Brianna Hildebrand’s Negasonic Teenage Warhead would have looked like in “Deadpool” if she wasn’t almost bald?

Thanks to these newly released concept designs from artist Joshua James Shaw, Marvel fans can get an idea of how Negasonic Teenage Warhead was supposed to look like in the Tim Miller directed film.

Before “Deadpool” hit the big screen, the majority of us had never heard of Negasonic Teenage Warhead and who can blame us? She was basically an obscure character, having only made 3 appearances in the comics, 2 of which she died in and wasn’t even real in the third. Because of her anonymity, the creators of “Deadpool” took the liberty in not only reinventing her mutant ability, but also giving her a complete visual overhaul.

As you can see from the image above, the final version of the costume worn by Hildebrand in the movie was vastly different from Shaw’s early designs. It’s evident that the initial sketches bore a far more likeness to her comics counterpart. Little of these goth-inspired outfits made their way into the final product for this mutant.

“It turns out I was going overboard with the goth look for NTW and Tim wanted us to do a pass of her in a suit close to what Josh Middleton designed for his New Mutant covers. Then the costume department would put together something over the suit to give her the goth look. I’ve learned over the years that some directors care about the source material, and you can guess which ones don’t,” Shaw wrote on his website.

In the end, the powers that be opted for the distinctive shaved head and classic New Mutant-like costume we saw on Hildebrand in “Deadpool”. To echo John Casteele’s words, it’s always a treat for fans when concept arts differ significantly from the final version we see in the film. Because then, we are able to get a better look at how the design progressed.

Even though some of the original iterations bare better resemblance to the comic character’s look, we agree that film version worked better with how the mutant was portrayed. In the comics, Negasonic Teenage Warhead was a telepath with the power to see into the future through her visions and dreams.

The movie version however, choose to abandon this ability “in favour of giving her a power more befitting her name (which was essentially taken from the mutant Cannonball) and an attitude to match”. Based on her costume, fans are already speculating that she will be appearing in the X-Men spinoff, “The New Mutants”, which is currently in development.

Though no official announcement has been made, Hildebrand is expected to reprise her role as Negasonic Teenage Warhead in “Deadpool 2”.

You can see more of Joshua James Shaw’s work at his portfolio here.

Sources: Screen Rant, Movie Pilot, Movie Web.


#GDA Artiste Profile: B.A.P

“Best Absolute Perfect” aka B.A.P is a six-member hip hop South Korean idol boy group that debuted just last year, in January 2012. Members, Bang Yong Guk, Kim Himchan, Daehyun, Youngjae, Jong Up, and Zelo were formally introduced to the music industry when they released their first single, “Warrior”. Their debut EP of the same name was released in February 2012.

Prior to B.A.P’s debut, TS Entertainment teased fans with B.A.P’s leader, Yong Guk’s solo, “I Remember”. The music video featured B2ST’s Yo-seob. Him Chan’s introducing followed soon after when he took on an MC role on MTV Korea’s “The Show”. Zelo and Bang Yong Guk released “Never Give Up” under the moniker “Bang & Zelo”. B.A.P as a whole then starred in a reality show, “Ta-Dah, It’s B.A.P” which aired on SBS MTV. All six members played the roles of aliens that invade Earth.

It was said the concept of B.A.P was especially fashioned in such a way so that the group can stand out from other current K-Pop idol boy groups. So when by the time “Warrior” was released, the B.A.P boys’ fame had already spread like wildfire. During the promotions for the single, they made multiple TV appearances such as M! Countdown, Music Core, Inkigayo, and The Show. When they held their debut showcase in Seoul, over 3,000 came out to see them. And in just two days upon its release, the “Warrior” debut EP sold over 10,000 copies in South Korea alone

B.A.P then went on their Asian showcase tour which included stops in Macao, Thailand, Taiwan, and Malaysia. On 4th August, SBS MTV hosted something they called, “B.A.P Day”, whereby the channel aired reruns of “B.A.P Diary”, “Ta-Dah, It’s B.A.P”, and previously undisclosed videos that were recorded by B.A.p themselves. The only other groups to have received such a great honour were TVXQ and BIGBANG.

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They are also currently in the running to bag the “New Rising K-Pop Star” award and “Single Album of The Year” award for “Warrior” at “Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur”!

Here’s another fact: B.A.P is slated to make an appearance at “Samsung GALAXY The 27th Golden Disk Awards in Kuala Lumpur” (GDA).

To purchase tickets, hit up TicketPro or any of their participating outlets right now! Tickets to the event are available in three tiers, priced at RM999 (Samsung GALAXY Zone), RM688 (Rockpit), and RM199 (Hallyu Zone). We hear that tickets are going to go fast so hurry!

For more information, visit their official website.

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Petrol & Diesel Prices Malaysia For 25th – 31st January 2018

It’s hump day again! And we know what you came here for ;)

Following a few weeks of price increase and decreased, it looks like pump prices have revert back to the similar price range we had at the beginning of the year.

The expected prices for petrol and diesel for 25th – 31st January 2018 are:

The current prices for 18th – 24th January 2018 are:

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


The Reason Why Panic! At The Disco Is Breaking Up After Nearly 2 Decades

Can you believe that American pop-rock band Panic! At The Disco has been around for nearly 2 decades? The band was formed in Las Vegas back in 2004 and has produced multiple hits over the years such as “I Write Sins Not Tragedies”, “Nine in the Afternoon” and “The Ballad of Mona Lisa”.

Fans over the world grew up listening to the band’s tunes, especially during their teenage years. After most of the members left, lead singer Brendon Urie carried the band’s name as a solo project since 2016. Sadly, that project has now come to an end. Here’s the reason why Panic! At The Disco will be no more:

Posted on Instagram last night ( Tuesday 24th January), Panic! At The Disco officially announced their disbandment. Musician Brendon Urie wrote down a farewell post to reminisce about the time he spent with the band and performing for fans all over the world. “Well, it’s been a hell of a journey…Growing up in Vegas I could’ve never imagined where this life would take me. But sometimes a journey must end for a new one to begin,” he wrote.

As for the reason for discontinuing the musical project, it’s that the singer and his wife Sarah Orzechowski are expecting their first child. “I look forward to this next adventure. That said, I am going to bring this chapter of my life to an end and put my focus and energy on my family, and with that Panic! At The Disco will be no more,” he explained.

The Grammy Awards nominee took a moment in the post to thank fans for their support over the years and that it was a privilege to have shared the stage with many talented singers and musicians. Fellow musicians, celebrities, and fans all commented on the post thanking the band for the music and memories over the years since their 2005 debut album “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out”.

But don’t cry those tears just yet as Panic! At The Disco will be leaving a farewell gift for everyone. The band will be going on tour around the UK and Europe in February so if you want to see them live one last time, now would be the perfect opportunity. It may be safe to assume that Brendon will put his current and future solo projects under his name on hold for the same reason.


#LadiesCode: EunB At Rest At Memorial, Granted Last Wish

In her last interview with Newsen on 2nd September, Ladies’ Code member EunB revealed that she had wanted to spend Chuseok with her family. She said,  “I want to spend a normal day eating Chuseok food with my family at home for the first in a long time.”

She explained that she believed “the little things in life are the happiest”.

Last night, Ladies’ Code were returning to Seoul after a schedule at Daegu when the back tire of the van fell out and ran into a wall. Member RiSe sustained serious injuries and had to have an emergency brain surgery that lasted over 9 hours. She’s still unconscious as of now and “under careful observation”. Her parents will be flying from Japan to Korea as they await for her to regain consciousness.

Other members such as Sojung was operated for an arm bone fracture while Ladies Code leader Ashley and member Zuny are being treated for shock at the hospital.

The accident was fatal for EunB as she passed away at the scene.

Following the crash, Ladies’ Code’s agency Polaris Entertainment released several official statements:

After a schedule in Daegu on September 2, Ladies’ Code was headed back to Seoul. Around 1:30 AM in Suwon, an issue occurred with the car′s back wheel coming off. With the rainy road and wheel coming off, the vehicle spun several times, hitting a guardrail.

Due to this, EunB unfortunately passed away. The other members, RiSe is in critical condition while Sojung is injured and hospitalised, currently receiving treatment. The other members, manager, and stylists, who were in the car, did not receive serious injuries.

Our staff is also unable to recover from the shock and are in great sorrow right now. We want to apologise to all the fans and everyone who have received much shock, and we ask for everyone to pray for the quick recovery of the members.

RiSe’s long operation has ended and she’s currently under careful observation. The other members are currently hospitalised in Seoul. Sojung underwent an operation for her bone fracture. Ashley and Zuny did not sustain major injuries, but because of the shock and trauma from the accident they are currently undergoing several examinations and treatment.

EunB’s remains are attended to at Korea University Anam Hospital. Her funeral will be held on the 5th.

EunB’s family, consisting of her mother, father, and younger sibling arrived at the Yongin Seobu Police Station the morning after the crash for their statements.

They were reported to have been struck by disbelief and were sobbing while saying:

We went to the hospital after being contacted at daybreak. She entered the hospital in a deceased state. There was no medical malpractice. We heard that she was on her way to her dorms after attending the recording of KBS’s “Open Concert” in Daegu.

EunB’s memorial is presently being held at Korea University Anan Hospital, with family, friends, and fellow celebrities coming by to say farewell at the funeral hall. As seen in the image above, her picture is encased in a frame and surrounded by flowers.

As at time of writing, her burial site is still undecided.

Upon hearing the tragic news, Ladies’ Code’s fan club (lovingly called LAVELY) came together to grant the late EunB her last wish: To have a number one song. LAVELY then started the campaign and said, “EunB’s one wish was to be #1 on the charts. We hope our that our hopes get sent to the sky, please let us hear ‘I’m Fine Thank You’.”

“I’m Fine Thank You”, a song from their second mini-album skyrocketed to number one on several real-time South Korean music charts after it was released in September last year. Other fans from other groups also joined the campaign. “I’m Fine Thank You” has since reached number one on Bugs, Naver Music, Mnet, MelOn, and Genie:

The most heart-wrenching move above all is how LAVELY, K-Pop fans, and netizens alike have associated the lyrics to “I’m Fine Thank You” to the accident, making the song more significant than ever. The lyrics state, “Today I cry, I wish you happiness forever, good bye,” and “It’s okay to smile thinking of me once in a while.”

Even at rest, it’s EunB’s final dream come true.

Meanwhile, the South Korean police are currently investigating the fatal car crash. According to Yonhap News, police are looking into whether criminal charges will apply to the driver, 27-year-old Park. The police stated, “First, we’re investigating whether the driver was speeding. However, the speed mark didn’t show up due to the rain, and the location of the crash site does not have CCTV. As there were no passing vehicles at the time, we haven’t been able to secure a black box.”

Our hearts go out to Ladies’ Code’s families, friends, loved ones, and LAVELY.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


Justin Bieber Spews Milk On Stage

Justin Bieber had his own “Bieber Fever” when he kicked off his “Believe” tour on Saturday night in Glendale, Arizona.  The pop music sensation vomited twice on stage.

The first incident happened when he was performing “Out Of Town Girl”.  Later on, he was performing “Beauty and a Beat,” when he ran off stage again and stopped the show abruptly for a few minutes.

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According to USA Today, he told his fans after, “I’m sorry, I’m going to slow things down” before playing the ballad, “Fall“, on an acoustic guitar.

“It’s hard for me, you know, not feeling great and throwing up in front of a bunch of people. Will you love me even though I’m throwing up on stage?”, he added. (Source)

Despite being sick as a dog, The Biebs apologized to his fans and he still somehow managed to finish the concert. After the show, superstar tweeted, “Milk was a bad choice! Lol!” and “Great show. Getting better for tomorrow’s show”, along with a photo of him resting in bed. (Source)

Aww, poor Bieber! We hope you’ll get better soon. Stay healthy Justin!


#MRT: New Stations Vandalised Barely A Week After Operations

Barely a week since the 2nd phase of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Sungai Buloh-Kajang (SBK) Line opened, vandalism is already happening.

Mass Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations director Datuk Najmuddin Abdullah said he went around to inspect several MRT stations over the weekend, and was shocked to find damages in the stations’ interior as well as broken items on the property.

Scratches have been found on specially-designed benches in at least four underground stations at Muzium Negara, Pasar Seni, Merdeka and Bukit Bintang, said Mass Rapid Transit Corporation Sdn Bhd (MRT Corp) Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Relations director Datuk Najmuddin Abdullah.

“So many scratches on benches and walls. Damages in toilets – a toilet in an OKU was broken 2 days ago,” he revealed in a Facebook post, adding that closer examination showed that the scratches on the benches, which were built from winning entries in a design competition for students, were not accidentally caused by bags or other items but were most likely acts of vandalism. “We had to remove one of the benches to get it repaired, and have spent RM10,000 to repair the damage caused so far,” he explained.

He spotted a broom stick and a broken spotlight on the rooftop covering Exit F at the Bukit Bintang MRT Station as well. “I’m sure those 2 dead things didn’t walk up the roof by themselves,” he said.

Datuk Najmuddin was also told by his colleagues that they spotted children climbing the Rukun Negara wall at the Merdeka MRT station. “We provide a first class facility but if the society is not ready with first class mentality to embrace it, we are going to waste a lot of money and time unnecessarily to do the repair works,” he wrote.

In other news, the ridership recorded a new high yesterday (Sunday, 23rd July 2017) of 142,313. Phase 1 of the line, from Sungai Buloh to the Semantan station in Kuala Lumpur, was opened in December last year, while the second phase connecting Semantan to Kajang opened last Monday (17th July 2017).

Sources: Najmuddin Abdullah, The Star Online / Featured image: Najmuddin Abdullah.


Pakho Chau Includes Malaysia In His “One Step Closer” Tour

The star of “77 Heartbreaks” (原谅他 77 次) Pakho Chau (周柏豪) is set to return to Malaysia next year as part of his “One Step Closer” tour.

The Hong Kong Cantopop singer and songwriter will be performing at Resorts World Genting’s Arena of Stars on Saturday, 23rd February 2019.

Chau is most definitely not a stranger in Malaysia, having previously performed here several times including in 2013 and 2017.

The 34-year-old singer-actor entered the Hong Kong music industry in 2007 with his debut EP, “Beginning”. His debut single “Same Sky” (同天空) gained plenty of airplay in Hong Kong and became a hit in the country as well as across the region.

Nevertheless, Chau is most known for his 2014’s single “Rumors” (傳聞) which now has more than 1.3 million views on YouTube.

Chau managed to dabble through both singing and acting, earning more than 90 awards and 120 nominations via both of his career.

Details for his “One Step Closer” concert in Malaysia are as follows:-

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Hype’s Movie Review: #TheManFromUncle, A Slick Action Film With Dark Humour

The superhero movie fatigue is a myth, but the spy movie fatigue? It might just be a myth as well and it’s something we never thought we would experience…until now.

In all seriousness, why are there so many spy TV series and movies coming out this year? From Marvel‘s “Agent Carter” to Matthew Vaughn‘s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” to Paul Feig‘s “Spy“, secret agents are everywhere in pop culture right now. Not that we’re complaining, but it made us wonder, “Did we miss the memo or something?”

Directed by Guy Ritchie (of “Sherlock Holmes” fame), “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” is an action comedy spy film based on the 1964 MGM TV series of the same name, which was created by Sam Rolfe. Set in the early 60s, this swoon-worthy Cold War spy movie is about how agents from opposing sides, CIA agent Napoleon Solo (played by Henry Cavill) and the KGB’s Illya Kuryakin (played by Armie Hammer), are forced to team up to locate a missing scientist. This former Nazi scientist is kidnapped by Victoria Vinciguerra, an evil yet incredibly fashionable socialite (played by Elizabeth Debicki) who’s trying to make a nuclear bomb.

The agents do not see eye-to-eye on a lot of things, especially since both agents used to work alone and even tried to kill each other during a mission to extract Gaby Teller (played by Alicia Vikander), the daughter of the missing scientist. But of course, in true Ritchie style, they manage to generate a great combative chemistry while bickering back and forth with playful nicknames and throwing insults at one another.

In many ways, Ritchie has reverted to his earlier form by injecting some of his signature cinematic touches into “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” His filming style is apparent throughout the film – rich with dark humour and slick action set pieces. Though it is based on the cult TV show, Richie does not attempt to put it into the same mould as the spy series. His primary desire seems to be making an extremely elegant film as there is a series of long shots lingering over the characters’ clothes and cars.

As an action comedy film, “The Man From U.N.C.L.E” lacks the best of both action and comedy. At one point, an entire action sequence was cut together as a split-screen montage, making it seem more comical than it should. There are a lot of action sequences being taken off from the film too, as Ritchie has instead focused on what’s going on in the background. This has, inevitably, made the film less exciting and totally anti-climatic.

But perhaps that’s what Ritchie is trying to achieve, bringing out the humour from these vital scenes into the bigger picture. In one particular scene in a hotel, Gaby can be seen dancing in the background (though out of focus) while Illya is stressing out about this mission. In another chase scene, Ritchie focused on having Solo taking his time to relax and enjoy some Italian music before he goes on to save Illya from a troop of Victoria’s underlings.

There’s one particular scene that is slightly ill-natured as well, as Ritchie allows the agents to discuss about torturing a German torturer while the latter’s fate has already been decided. Are all these necessary? Not really. But Ritchie’s intention is obvious as he tries to distract us from the necessary action scenes with his signature dark humour.

Speaking of which, Ritchie certainly did not forget to put its female characters front and centre in the movie as well. This is perhaps a way to dispel the homoerotic subtext between Solo and Illya, similar to how Ritchie put a luscious thief named Irene Adler in his “Sherlock Holmes” film. In “Man From The U.N.C.L.E.”, Vikander offers a little something for the ladies with her role as Gaby. She performs gamely with a feisty personality and unsurprisingly, sparks start flying between her and Illya when she goes undercover as Illya’s fiancee.

Even without 21st century technology, things just seem way cooler back in the 20th century. Solo and Illya’s contrasting styles make for a few stellar action beats and they are possibly the most visually sly scenes we’ve ever seen. Debick does a brilliant job in playing an ace villainess as well, bringing her flair for fashion and some feisty personality to her character.

By the end of the film, it became clear to us that this film is unlike every other spy film. Ritchie seems more thrilled to channel the cool aesthetics and rhythms of 60s movies, which is not really a bad thing. While Daniel Pemberton’s score is done with a grace, there’s a sense of incompleteness in this film.

“The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” is slated for release on 14th August 2015 in Malaysia.

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


#Malaysia: Indonesian Woman & Teenager Killed In Separate Commuter Accidents

An Indonesian woman was hit by a commuter train at KM42.1 near the UKM Bangi station on Sunday (15th May) as she was trying to cross the train tracks.

According to The Star, the victim, Dasma, was hit by the train travelling towards Bangi at 6:30pm. The 65-year-old, who suffered from severe injuries to her head, died at the scene.

Kajang district police chief ACP Othman Nanyan said:

The body of the victim has been sent to the Serdang Hospital for a post-mortem.

In other news, a teenager perished after he was hit by an Electronic Train Service (ETS) in Megat Dewa, Kedah. The 19-year-old boy tried to cross the double-track, but unfortunately, died instantly after the train hit him. The accident occurred at 4:41pm yesterday (15th May).

Kubang Pasu district police chief Superintendent Abdul Rahim Abdullah said:

Due to the impact, parts of his body were torn off and scattered about a kilometer from the location where he was hit. The train stopped for a while after the incident but since there were passengers on board, the train continued its journey south.

Mohd Afendy Yaziz, from Belakang Bernas, Megat Dewa, was believed to have crossed the double-track below the Megat Dewa overhead bridge to visit a shop located on the opposite side of the track.

The body parts of the victim have been collected and sent to the Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital for a post-mortem. The case is being investigated as sudden death.

As freak accidents accidents such as the above become more and more common, we urge readers to not use the train tracks to get to wherever you want, no matter how convenient it might seem. Always stay on the safe side and use the pedestrian crossings or overhead bridge provided.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


#GSCinemas: 13-Screen IOI City Mall Outlet Launched, Features 2 GSC Maxx Halls

Delivering the ultimate movie entertainment experience for movie-fans in the Klang Valley, especially Southern Klang Valley, the newly opened GSC IOI City Mall, Putrajaya showcases 13-screen fully digital halls complete with two GSC Maxx halls for a total capacity of 2,145 seats (including 26 wheelchair spaces).

Note: The GSC Maxx in THX-certified halls featuring larger-than-normal screen size and a steeper floor gradient for uninterrupted viewing pleasure. The halls also come fitted with the latest multi-dimensional cinema “3D” Dolby Atmos audio technology and 4k projectors for higher image resolution and optimum brightness.

Hence, avid movie buffs can look forward to a “larger than life”, totally immersive cinematic experience.

On top of that, the GSC IOI City Mall outlet is also equipped with three 3D halls, so moviegoers can look forward to a whole new level of captivating 3D experience as. And for total customer convenience, this brand new cinema also offers online and mobile ticketing facility including e-Combo purchases via GSC e-Payment and GSC Mobile App (iOS, Android and Windows Phone).

Facilities that we swear by, by the way, because who wants to go through all that hassle just to get his/her hands on some tickets and a serving of regular popcorn, right? Exactly.

In conjunction with the launch, customers are welcome to enjoy Chinese New Year festive cheer with GSC as there will be loads of on-ground movie-themed activities such as “Kingsman: The Secret Service” – Secret Agent Memory Game,  “Dragon Blade” wire buzz game, “Spongebob: Sponge Out of Water” art and craft activity, and “Insurgent” shooting game including special movie character and clown appearances in addition to “Buy 1 Free 1” GSC Maxx vouchers, concession discounts and F&B vouchers from participating partners, all happening at GSC IOI City Mall from 14th Feb – 1st March 2015.

Go on and catch that flick you’ve been dying to watch for weeks at the swanky new GSC IOI City Mall outlet!

For more information, hit up their website or Facebook page.


#UTM: 2 Malaysian Students Successfully Conquer Mount Everest

Unlike a Malaysian student in Australia who’s making headlines for her excessive shopping spree, 2 Malaysian students have been making better use of their time.

According to Bernama, the 2 students from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Skudai, had successfully reached the peak of the world’s highest mountain, Mount Everest, yesterday at 11:45am.

The local university’s vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Wahid Omar told the national news agency that the 2 climbers were: 22-year-old Mohd Farul Aidib Mahamad Yusoff, a second year student at the Faculty of Management, and 28-year-old Azim Afif Ishak, a UTM graduate who is currently coaching Mohd Farul.

“They went to Tibet in April, and over there, they received the services of a Sherpa to guide them. They started the climb from Tibet, and began the ascent to the summit from Camp 3, at 11:45pm yesterday (Sunday),” he said in a statement.

Wahid also added that the 2 young man were expected to return home by early next month.

Congratulations to Farul and Azim for making our country proud! Malaysia boleh indeed :)


#JB: Singaporean Mum & Kids Detained For Hurling Insults At M’sian Immigration Officer

What happens when you insult and challenge the authorities?

3 Singaporeans were arrested and detained for 14 days after they allegedly hurled verbal abuse at a Malaysian immigration officer during a border inspection at the Bangunan Sultan Iskandar Customs, Immigration and Quarantine Complex (CIQ) in Johor Bahru.

The Singaporean family – which consists of a 42-year-old businesswoman known as Quek, and her 2 children aged 18 and 19 respectively – was heading back to Singapore from Johor Bahru when the incident occurred. News about their arrest has been widely shared on Facebook with photos of them in handcuffs as well as the family’s personal details.

A Facebook user name “Pokok Tumbang” was one of the first ones to post it on social media, specifically on a Facebook page called “JB Traffic, Road Blocks and Potholes Report”. The post, which detailed the occurrence in Bahasa Malaysia, has since been removed by either the user or the admin.

According to “Pokok Tumbang”, Quek was told to wind down her rear tinted car window at the checkpoint for routine inspection. After refusing to comply, the Malaysian immigration officer then requested for them to step out of the vehicle. Besides refusing again, the woman flipped the middle finger and shouted vulgarities at the officer, while repeatedly pressing the car horn.

Once detained by the officers on duty, the Singaporeans accused the aforementioned officer of asking for a bribe. For committing the offence, the trio have been detained to facilitate in the ongoing investigations.

“It is an offence to hurl abuse at my men who are just following the procedures during checks. So far our investigation also showed that the officer did not ask for any bribe as alleged by the suspects,” Johor Immigration Department director Datuk Rohaizi Bahari was quoted as saying.

Quek and her children are currently being investigated under Section 56(1) (g) of the Immigration Act, which carries a maximum penalty of RM10,000 fine or serve a maximum jail term of 5 years.

Do you think the Singaporeans deserved to be arrested for insulting the officer? Sound off in the comments section below.

Sources: Roads SG’s Facebook, The Independent, Free Malaysia Today.

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Covid-19: Perhilitan & FRIM Announce Temporary Closure Of Its Facilities

The increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases in the country is sparking major concern among the public in the recent weeks.

In an effort to curb the spread of the deadly virus, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) has announced the temporary closure of all public facilities managed by them, starting today (Tuesday, 6th October) until further notice.

In a statement released by Perhilitan on its official Facebook page, among the facilities involved are Paya Indah Wetlands located in Selangor, Kuala Koh National Park in Kelantan, Penang National Park and also Terengganu National Park.

Meanwhile in Pahang, the list of areas affected include the National Elephant Conservation Centre in Kuala Gandah, Pahang National Park in Sungai Relau, Merapoh, RAMSAR Tasek Bera camping site, as well as the the ever popular tourist spot, Pahang National Park situated in Kuala Tahan.

In a separate statement, the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) has also relayed the sad news on the temporary closure of its facilities including the Botanic Gardens and also the Forest Skywalk in Kepong, Selangor. In case you missed it, the order has been in effect since yesterday (Monday, 5th October).

The announcements are indeed devastating for some. But still, the public’s health and safety should be placed first, especially in light of the current situation surrounding the coronavirus outbreak in Malaysia.


#PeterRabbit: “Suicide Squad” Actress Margot Robbie To Join Voice Cast

Australian actress Margot Robbie will be voicing a bunny in the Columbia Pictures’ adaption of “Peter Rabbit”.

Directed by Will Gluck, the upcoming film stars James Corden as Peter while Rose Byrne as Bea. It was also reported that “Star Wars” star Daisy Ridley, Elizabeth Debicki, and Domnhall Gleeso have joined the voice cast.

“Peter Rabbit” is based on Beatrix Potter best-selling children books of the same name and the lead character was named after a pet rabbit the writer had as a child called Peter Piper. First published in 1902, “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide and as of 2008, the series has sold more than 151 million copies in 35 languages.

Robbie just wrapped production on “Goodbye Christopher Robin”, a film based on “Winnie-the-Pooh”, and she was most recently seen in “Suicide Squad”, “The Legend of Tarzan”, and “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”. She will also lend her voice to DreamWorks’ “Larrikins”.

“Peter Rabbit” is expected to star production in January 2017 and it is slated for an April 2018 release.

The film will be made at Animal Logic in Sydney with the support of the Australian Government through Screen Australia and Screen NSW and in collaboration with Sony Pictures Animation.


Fun Facts: 6 Things You Need To Know About Chris Pratt

With Guardians of the Galaxy premiering on July 31st, things sure are blowing up for Chris Pratt. This A-list actor who starred in movies such as The Lego Movie (2014), Her (2013), Five-Year Engagement (2012), Moneyball (2o11) and Wanted (2007) will be playing the role of Star-Lord in Marvel’s Guardian of the Galaxy.

From his infectious on screen charm, to drastic body changes he undergoes between roles, Pratt is one amazing actor. Why the sudden hype about Pratt, you ask? To be honest, he has been Hollywood’s main man for quite some time now, we’ve just not been paying attention.

Here are 6 things to help you familiarise with Chris Pratt:

Pratt stars alongside Zoe Saldana, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel in the upcoming Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy which opens in cinemas on July 31st (Thursday).

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.


Hype’s Now Playing: Lana Del Rey – Brooklyn Baby

Oh, Lana Del Rey, you sure know how to pull at hipsters’ heartstrings!

Following the release of “West Coast” and “Shades of Cool”, Lana Del Rey now has a new single out, titled, “Brooklyn Baby”. The song is from her upcoming album “Ultraviolence”, which will be out over the weekend. Having heard it more than once ourselves, we can safely say that this song is possibly reaching out to Brooklyn hipster in us.

As usual, the song comes with a dreamy melody and the haunting echo of her voice. Lana’s trademark, of course.

“Brooklyn Baby” was written by Lana Del Rey and her boyfriend, Barrie-James O’Neill. We hear that Black Keys’ frontman Dan Auerbach was also involved in recording in some of the album’s songs and described Lana Del Rey to be a “true eccentric and extremely talented” in his recent interview with Rolling Stone.

There’s no official music video for the song yet but do you think her boyfriend will be featured in the music video? Listen and tell us what you think:


Sungai Buloh Police Clarifies Illegal Gambling Allegations From Hot Burger Malaysia Owner

A video shared by Hot Burger Malaysia owner Asri Janggut on Facebook caused quite a stir among netizens over the weekend.

The entrepreneur claimed that the authorities have not been taking action against illegal gambling premises in the Bandar Baru Sungai Buloh area.

According to Asri, he lodged a complaint about the issue previously. However, he was disappointed after discovering that his identity as a complainant was revealed to the gambling shop’s owner. This in turn affected the safety of his staff working in the area. At the time of writing (Monday, 10th August), the video has accumulated over 5 million views on Facebook.

In response, the police denied Asri’s allegations on social media. According to Sungai Buloh OCPD Supt Shafa’aton Abu Bakar in a live press conference, the authorities had raided the premises two weeks ago, shutting down his claims on inaction over the illegal syndicate.

During the session, Shafa’aton further clarified that the activities of these gambling syndicates are often repetitive. “Whenever we raid these premises, they will shut down its operations. When (business) are starting to slow down, they will resume its business. This syndicate will not break. It will often change,” said the police chief.

She also added that the complainant (Asri)’s action of uploading two live videos on his Facebook account could “tarnish the image of the police force, especially that of the Selangor police, in our efforts to curb illegal gambling in the state especially in Sungai Buloh.”

She added that the police are investigating the matter and will call up Asri to obtain information about his allegations.


Fun Facts: Your Mission? To Check Out These #MI5 Facts Before They Self-Destruct

In a couple of weeks, it’ll be time to go rogue.

Directed by “Jack Reacher” director Christopher McQuarrie, the American action spy film is written by Drew Pearce and Will Staples. Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise will return to reprise his role as IMF Agent Ethan Hunt. He co-produced the film alongside “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J. J. Abrams and David Ellison of Skydance Productions.

With the IMF now disbanded and Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) out in the cold, a new threat – called the Syndicate – soon emerges. The Syndicate is a network of highly skilled operatives who are dedicated to establishing a new world order via an escalating series of terrorist attacks. Faced with what may be the most impossible mission yet, Ethan gathers his team and joins forces with Ilsa Faust (played by Rebecca Ferguson), a disavowed British agent who may or may not be a member of this deadly rogue nation.

Jeremy Renner (of Marvel’s”The Avengers” fame), Ving Rhames (of “Pulp Fiction” fame), and Simon Pegg (of “Star Trek” fame) are set to reprise their respective roles in the film. Alec Baldwin (“30 Rock”), and Rebecca Ferguson (Hercules, The Red Tent) have also officially joined the cast of the film alongside “The Theory of Everything” star Simon McBurney, who is said to be portraying the boss of Ferguson’s character.

You’ve probably already seen the the first teaser trailer, where Tom Cruise got shirtless and death-defying, Alec Baldwin suited up and had on his most menacing look, and the villains were, presumably, villainous.

Now check out these other “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” fun facts before they self-destruct in 5..4..3..

1. Filming for the movie didn’t start until a year after the announcement

Paramount Pictures had announced on 5th August 2013 that Christopher McQuarie would direct and that Tom Cruise would reprise his role as Ethan Hunt. Principal photography began in August 2014 and on 21st August, the first photos from the set in Vienna, Austria were released. “Mission: Impossible” films have had Moscow, Budapest, Prague, Sydney, Burj Khalifa (tallest man-made structure in the world) in Dubai, and Monument Valley, Utah as their locations in the past. This time around, fans can expect to see quite a bit of London, Vienna, as well as Morocco.

2. The release date for “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” was moved up 5 months

On 14th November 2013, Paramount announced that “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” would be released on 25th December 2015. It was supposed to be a Christmas gift for the fans, and it would also give Tom Cruise and his team ample time to fine tune the anticipated sequel before delivery. However, that all abruptly changed. In January 2015, it was announced that the release date was moved up from 25th December to 31st July – that’s 5 whole months! Apparently, it was a decision to avoid clashing with J. J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and which isn’t a bad decision at all.

3. All 5 of the “Mission: Impossible” films had pretty notable directors!

Each of the “Mission: Impossible” films in the entire film series has notable directors. “Mission: Impossible” in 1996 was directed by Brian De Palma (of “Carrie” fame), “Mission: Impossible II” in 2000 was directed by John Woo (of “Face/Off” fame), “Mission: Impossible III” in 2006 was directed by then first-time director J. J. Abrams (of “Star Trek” fame), “Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol” in 2011 was directed by Brad Bird (of “Tomorrowland” fame), and “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” has award-winning Christopher McQuarrie on the bill. Oh, and Tom Cruise co-produced all of the “Mission: Impossible” films.

5. Tom Cruise had his own stuntman, but he preferred to do his own stunts

For “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”, Tom Cruise had a stuntman named Wade Eastwood on set with him. But you’d be surprised to know that the action scene featuring Ethan Hunt climbing and fighting on the outside of a flying Airbus A400M Atlas was filmed without the use of a stunt double. That scene was filmed at RAF Wittering in Cambridgeshire in London and at times, Tom would have to perform the sequence suspended with only 2 safety harnesses on the aircraft 5,000 feet in the air. Whoa.

6. A double-decker bus almost flattened Tom Cruise in London

On 2nd December 2014, Tom was almost hit by a double-decker bus while filming a scene in London. According to E! Online, the 52-year-old was filming for “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation” in London when he absent-mindedly stepped right in front of the oncoming double-decker bus. Fortunately, the bus driver honked loudly and Tom heeded the warning, stepping out of its path just in the nick of time. Phew, that was close.

7. Tom Cruise had to learn how to hold his breath for 6 whole minutes

For “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation”, Tom Cruise trained under diving specialist Kirk Krack. Specifically, breath training. This was to prepare him to hold his breath for 6 minutes to perform an underwater sequence which was filmed in a single long take without any edits/cuts. The reason for no edits/cuts? They just wanted to create a more suspense-filled scene. And just in case you’re thinking, “But 6 minutes isn’t a long time”, try listening to Armin van Buuren and Andrew Rayel’s “EIFORYA” (original mix) and hold your breath all the way through. Yes, exactly.

BONUS: Arnold Schwarzenegger bumped into Tom Cruise during CinemaCon a few months ago. The actors were present to promote their movies, Arnold for “Terminator Genisys” and Tom for “Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, respectively. Arnold later posted up a picture of them together:

A post shared by Arnold Schwarzenegger (@schwarzenegger)

The upcoming espionage film is currently slated for release on 31st July 2015.

Sources: MI5 Wiki, E! Online, Cinema Blend.

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#MissGranny: South Korean Hit Comedy Film To Get 6 Remakes

Korea’s largest entertainment conglomerate CJ E&M wants everyone to feel young again by announcing that a total of 6 remakes for “Miss Granny” will be released in the coming years.

According to Variety, the hit comedy-drama film will be remade in 6 countries including Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Vietnam, and Germany.

This decision is made after the massive success of the original film and its Leste Chen-directed Chinese remake, “20, Once Again“.

Directed by Hwang Dong-Hyuk (of “Silenced” and “My Father” fame), the 2014 rom-com centres on Oh Mal-soon (played by Na Moon-hee), a 74-year-old widow who turns back into a 20-year-old woman after taking a self-portrait at a mysterious photo studio. She changes her name to Oh Doo-ri (played by Shim Eun-kyung) and decides to just see where life takes her in her youthful form.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the movie made USD53.7 million from 865 admissions. The Chinese version of the movie, which starred Luhan and Chen Bolin, became the all-time biggest Korea-China joint production in China with its USD57.4 million gross.

Production on the Vietmanese and Japanese versions have already started, with the former scheduled for a December release.

Directed by Phan Gia Nhat Linh, the Vietnamese version is retitled “Sweet 20”. As for the Japanese version, it is tentatively retitled to “Ayashi Kanojyo”, with Mizuta Nobuo (of “Maiko Haaan!!!” and “The Apology King” fame) helming.

Mikako Tabe and Mitsuko Baisho will co-star in the Japanese remake that is eyed for an early 2016 release. The adaptation is a global project jointly invested by CJ Entertainment, as well as Nippon TV Network Corporation and Shochiku.

C&I Entertainment, which previously produced “Rurouni Kenshin” and “Book of Circus”, is handling the production.

“Miss Granny” is CJ’s signature global project that leads its “one source multi-territory” strategy. It offers various localised products of a given content in order to cater to audiences in different regions.

Kini S. Kim, executive vice president and head of international sales and distribution at CJ, said:

We are focusing on localising the film to appeal to Japanese audiences, like how we did for the Chinese. For example, we tried to put more love stories in the Chinese version and used popular Chinese music for the soundtrack.

“For this new remake, the Japanese director participated in script adaptation in order to better localize the original story,” he added.

Thai, Indonesian, Indian, and German versions of “Miss Granny” are still in development.

Regarding the other 4 remakes, Kini said, “CJ E&M’s global entry strategy has been considered so unique that major foreign studios have taken interest.”

Release dates for the upcoming remakes are not announced yet, but would you watch all the remakes? What do you think of the original film and the Chinese remake? Share your thoughts in the comments box below.

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#HealthMinistry: Motorists Will Be Charged For Parking At Selected Government Hospitals

According to a report by The Malaysian Insider (via Bernama), Deputy Health Minister Datuk Hilmi Yahaya announced at the Parliament yesterday (30th November) that motorists will be charged for parking at hospitals in the central zone of the peninsular.

The Ministry of Health said that this is to avoid abuse of parking areas at the hospitals.

Dr. Hilmi said that the measure will be taken to avoid outsiders or irrelevant quarters from using the free parking facility provided at hospitals. He added that the ministry will be opening tender offers to interested companies to run the hospital parking on a temporary basis. The rates will be set by the ministry.

The rate charged at our car parks will be set by us and those who wish to be involved will have to follow the rate.

He said it as response to a supplementary questions from Datuk Wan Mohammad Khair-il Anuar Wan Ahmad (BN-Kuala Kangsar) regarding the hospital parking spaces being used by those who have no business at the hospital.

Dr. Hilmi also said that the ministry will issue tender to raise the number of parking lots in hospitals nationwide.

Source: The Malaysian Insider via Bernama.


Everything You Need To Know About Netflix’s “The Witcher: Blood Origin” Series

The world of Andrzej Sapkowski’s “The Witcher” books is one that we frankly can’t get enough of. Whether you’re a fan of CD Projekt Red’s amazing games like “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt” or Netflix’s series starring Henry Cavill, we can all agree that we can’t get enough of the adventures of Geralt of Rivia across the Continent. That’s because it’s never just about the titular Witcher himself. The man always seems caught between schemes and machinations of warring kingdoms, powerful rulers and opposing factions. Then, of course, there’s the ever-present danger of the monsters and creatures that stalk the world of the Continent in the wake of a cosmic event known as the Conjunction of the Spheres. Have you ever wondered the world of the Witcher came to be this way? Well, come December, you’ll wonder no more!

Enter “The Witcher: Blood Origin”, a miniseries set over a thousand years before the events of Netflix’s “Witcher” series. One that explores the beginnings of the human kingdoms, the fate of the elves, the arrival of monsters and the creation of the Witchers.

Throughout the second season of “The Witcher”, we see that the elven race is not in great shape. Many live their lives under the oppression of the human kingdoms, namely Redania. This eventually led the leader of the Filavandrel aén Fidháil elves, Francesca Findabair to cast a spell to murder every Redanian human child as revenge for the loss of her own child. One who represented the hope of the elves finally finding a home of their own, or Dol Blathanna. Little did she know, it was Emhyr var Emreis, Emperor of Nilfgaard who had the child killed so that the elves would weaken the Northern Realms for his arrival.

Long ago though, this was not so. The elves and the other elder races of dwarves and gnomes ruled the Continent. Then, the humans arrived through the Conjunction of the Spheres, an event that brought creatures and species from other worlds into the current world of “The Witcher”. At first, the elves greeted the humans as friends and equals…until mankind decided that they wanted to expand. According to the creator of “Blood Origin”, Declan De Barra and executive producer Lauren Hissrich, the miniseries will explore the Golden Age of the Elves and the events leading to the arrival of the humans via the Conjunction of the Spheres.

This era of history has yet to be fleshed out or really explored in Sapkowski’s books or the video games, so we’re curious to see how Netflix will handle such a pivotal part of “The Witcher” universe. The history of the elves at their height before their great fall.

While humanity would eventually take over the Northern Realms, they still had to deal with the various monsters that stalked the land. Beasts like Ghouls, Myriapods, Leshens and Basilisks are just some of the creatures we’ve seen pop up in the Netflix series. To deal with such threats, the Northern rulers tasked their mages and sorcerers to create an army of mutated humans capable of using magic with enhanced strength, the Witchers. The secret to creating Witchers would be eventually lost forever during the Siege of Kaer Morhen as seen in the epic animated film “The Witcher: The Nightmare of the Wolf”.

Well, it won’t be lost to us because “Blood Origin” will also be exploring the story of the first prototype Witcher, which is exciting seeing that so much of their history has been shrouded in mystery. We’re also going to learn about who exactly were the ones responsible for creating the Witchers at Rissberg castle and why they were banished and shunned by society. The identity of the very first Witcher has yet to be revealed in casting but we’re keeping a close eye out on who it might be. We’re finally going to pull back the curtains on the creation of Witchers!

While “Blood Origin” clearly has a lot going on, the main plot of the series, according to the official description on Netflix, the miniseries will primarily follow the story of seven elven outcasts joining forces in a “blood quest against an unstoppable evil”. We’ve already seen three of them in the teaser trailer. The first one is Scian, the very last member of the elven tribe of the nomadic Ghost Clan. Her skills with the blade are unparalleled and she is driven by the desire to find a sacred blade stolen from her people. Scian is played by the Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh.

The second one is Éile, described as “an elite warrior blessed with the voice of a goddess”. She abandoned her post as the Guardian to a queen and now she is a wandering musician. When a great reckoning happens on the Continent, the former warrior is once again forced to return to battle on a quest for vengeance and redemption. Éile is played by Sophia Brown.  The third known member of the seven outcasts is Fjall, an elf from a warrior clan sworn to protect a king. He lost a loved one in battle and like Éile, is on a “path of vengeance across a continent in turmoil”. Fjall will be played by Laurence O’Fuarain.

Now, here’s the really juicy and interesting part. An official post on Netflix’s official companion site, Netflix Tudum, states that Scian, Éile and Fjall will become “entangled with the creation of the first prototype Witcher”. This means that the evil they are facing is within the timeframe in which the human kingdoms are already on the rise, seeing that the Northern rulers commissioned the creation of the Witchers. So based on that fact, it’s very well possible that the evil the elves face is of human origin, namely that of the mages and sorcerers. After all, the humans are the ones that brought about the fall of elvenkind collectively, so it makes sense that quest that these elves of different clans unite against their common enemy.

While the antagonists of “The Witcher: Blood Origin” has yet to be revealed, we certainly caught a glimpse of the future main villain of Netflix’s “The Witcher” series. The Emperor of Nilfgaard isn’t the only one after Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, also known as Ciri. No, there are far darker forces that would seek to abduct Ciri for her magical Elder Blood, a power that allows her to traverse different worlds. Remember those spooky-looking riders riding towards Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri in the second season? To some they are known as the Wraiths of Morhogg, the fans of “The Witcher” games, they are better known as the Wild Hunt.

The humans of the Continent believe them to be ghastly spectres that abduct humans in the night while riding atop undead horses. Their presence in the night sky is seen as a sign of war and ill times ahead. In reality, they are actually an army of Aen Elle elves that come from a world in which elves dominate all other sentient races, unlike their elven cousins living on the Continent, the Aen Seidhe. In the world of the Aen Elle, humans are slaves to their elven masters and it is the Wild Hunt’s job to kidnap more slaves, including humans, from other worlds. The one who leads the Wild Hunt is an Aen Elle general called Eredin Bréacc Glas.

In the final game of CD Projekt Red’s trilogy, “The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt”, Eredin serves as the main antagonist who seeks to capture Ciri and use her Elder Blood to mate their Aen Elle King (gross) so that their child can open a gate for the Aen Elle to conquer all worlds! Throughout the book series and games, Eredin has posed the greatest threat to Geralt and Ciri. So when we learned that Eredin will be making an appearance in “Blood Origin”, we lost our minds! The Lord of the Wild Hunt will be played by Jacob Collins-Levy.

We’ll get to see Eredin’s arrival on the Continent and how his Wild Hunt would soon terrorise the human population and steal them as slaves. Unlike mortal men, the elves age far slower and so Eredin and his Red Riders will live to plague the Continent from the events of “Blood Origin” all the way to the era of the current series. His role in the miniseries could have major implications for the third season of Netflix’s “The Witcher” series, so be sure to pay attention to this guy.

You can unwrap the entire miniseries, “The Witcher: Blood Origin” when it arrives on Netflix on Christmas Day this year!

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#FishLeong: Singer Is The First Malaysian Chinese To Perform At Lincoln Centre

Another singer has put Malaysia on the world map yet again.

Local singer Fish Leong, who has made her mark in the Mandopop scene and is hailed as the “Queen Of Love Songs”, has been recognised as be the 1st Malaysian Chinese to perform at the renowned Lincoln Centre For The Performing Arts.

The songstress made history on 4th December (Sunday), when she performed to a sold-out crowd at the venue. It was also the final show for her “Tu T’appelles L’amour 2016” tour, and aside from New York, she also put on a show for fans in Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, the US, and more.

When contacted by Star2, she expressed, “This is a dream come true! I feel so proud (of this achievement) and it is so meaningful for my music career.”

Malaysian musicians Mac Chew and Jenny Chin, both whom are music arrangers, were there to accompany Leong during the 3-hour show too.

The Lincoln Centre is an internationally renowned venue, known for hosting various local and international acts such as the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Ballad.

Leong kickstarted her career in Taiwan in 1997 after signing with Rock Records, but she only hit mainstream fame 2 years later with the release of her 2nd album “Courage (勇氣)”. She also have had a string of hits after that, most notably “Pain That Breathes (會呼吸的痛)”, “Break Up Happily (分手快樂)”, and “Unfortunately, It’s Not You (可惜不是你)”.

For updates on the singer, remember to keep a lookout on her Facebook page.


Contest: Win #Lucy Premiere Screening Tickets!

From La Femme Nikita and The Professional to The Fifth Element, writer/director Luc Besson has created some of the toughest, most memorable female action heroes in cinematic history. Now, Besson directs Scarlett Johansson in “Lucy“.

“Lucy” is an action-thriller film that centres around a 25-year-old American woman living and studying in Taipei, Taiwan. She is tricked into working as a drug mule by her new boyfriend, whose employer is a Korean mob boss and drug lord named Mr. Jang. Lucy delivers a briefcase to Mr. Jang containing a highly valuable synthetic drug called CPH4. Lucy is captured and a bag of the drug is forcibly sewn into Lucy’s abdomen and that of others who will also transport the drug for sales in Europe. While Lucy is in captivity, one of her captors kicks her in the stomach, breaking the bag, releasing a large quantity of the drug into her system. As a result, she..

..well, wouldn’t you like to find out? And you can!

Thanks to our awesome friends from United International Pictures Malaysia, we’re giving away 80 pairs of passes for the exclusive screening of LUCY! That’s A PAIR of passes per winner.

Time: 9:15pm (Ticket redemption from 8pm onwards)

To win ’em, all you gotta do is tell us:

E-mail your answers with your details (Name, IC, Contact number) to submit@hype.my. There are limited tickets and this will be based on a first-come-first-serve basis so go on and start sending in those e-mails. The faster your are, the higher your chances will be!

Lucy also stars Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman and is produced by Virginie Besson-Silla for EuropaCorp.

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

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The World’s Tallest Swing Just Opened & It’s Scary AF!

If you’re not easily scared, perhaps you should hop on the world’s tallest swing called the Yunyang Longgang Cliff Swing.

Called the “king of all swings”, this new thrilling attraction has been certified by the Guinness World Records as the tallest swing to date. The previous record holder was B!g Rush located in South Africa.

Here are some fun facts about the world’s tallest swing:

To ensure the safety of visitors, the builder and China Special Equipment Inspection and Research Institute have been performing security checks to ensure that the world’s tallest swing can withstand “a magnitude-10 earthquake as well as high winds with gusts of up to 103 miles per hour”.

“Tourists must wear safety clothes certified by the European Union (EU). And in order to provide them with extra protection, we have added tailor-made safety belts on the outside of the clothes,” Shi Xuebin was quoted as saying.

The vertigo-inducing attraction will certainly be a haven for adrenaline junkies.


GSC ScreenX Debuts In 1 Utama With 5 Re-run Blockbusters

Golden Screen Cinema’s brand new screen theatre ScreenX finally makes its long awaited debut exclusively in 1 Utama shopping centre in Petaling Jaya.

In case you missed the boat, the brand new theatre features a panoramic, 270° view cinematic environment that projects film on three walls of the hall. This project is a special collaboration between GSC and South Korea’s CJ 4DPLEX.

Movie-goers can finally get the chance to elevate their cinematic pleasure to a higher level by experiencing ScreenX which promises a more immersive and richer experience while enjoying a movie.

However, keep in mind that not all movies will be available for screening though. As of now, GSC will only provide a “Special ScreenX” re-run showtimes for 5 selected movies. They include:

We will be having a special #ScreenX re-run from today until 4 September in GSC 1 Utama!

All ScreenX re-run tickets will be selling at RM18 each! Tickets will be available 3 days in advance before the showdate.

Full schedule: https://t.co/CxgQQkXP7U pic.twitter.com/JuITNTQGhj

Tickets (which are sold for RM18 each) for the special screenings are now available for purchase. For details on the screening sessions, go here.


#EvolutionWellness: Celebrity Fitness & Fitness First Asia Are Merging Into One Joint Venture

Heads up gym freaks, Celebrity Fitness and Fitness First are joining forces to create a joint venture for their members.

Owned by Evolution Wellness, the merger of these 2 fitness brands promises to bring more locations, packages, and service. The company has a current network of 152 clubs throughout Asia, including operational scale in 4 key countries – Indonesia with 46 clubs; Malaysia with 35 clubs; Thailand with 28 clubs; and Singapore with 21 clubs.

“We’re turning the page and beginning an exciting new chapter for Celebrity Fitness and Fitness First. Over the years, both brands have established themselves as pioneering and trusted names in the health and fitness sector, leading in their markets and delivering excellence and innovation for their members,” said Evolution Wellness CEO Simon Flint.

He added, “Joining forces will allow us to operate with increased scale, reach, and efficiency, to enhance our members’ experience through the continued expansion of our club networks, faster innovation and product evolution, as well as improved service standards.”

So how will this impact both Celebrity Fitness and Fitness First members, you ask? Will there be any changes in membership prices?

According to their website, nothing has changed. However in the coming months, Evolution Wellness will be rolling out some attractive membership options that allows members to have access to both Celebrity Fitness and Fitness First gyms. A pay-as-you-go group fitness packages will also be made available.

Rest assured that both fitness brands will continue to operate separately. In any case, it doesn’t hurt that both brands have decided to leverage on each other rather than compete.

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#AFFSuzukiCup: Bloodshed In Vietnam’s 2-1 Win Over Malaysia, Khairy Apologises

Last night’s AFF Suzuki Cup game saw disappointment when Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya team lost 2 – 1 to Vietnam in the first-leg semi-final at the Shah Alam Stadium. The former AFF Cup Champions seemed to have lost the flair that they had when they played Singapore less than 2 weeks ago, and won over the neighbouring country 3 – 1.

According to NST, a whopping total of 65,000 fans turned up at the Shah Alam Stadium last night to support their teams, which a majority of it being Malaysians. However, when the referee blew the final whistle, things quickly went awry.

As reported by Vietnamese news outlet Tuoi Tre News, shortly after the referee blew the final whistle, a number of Malaysian fans rushed to assault the Vietnamese in the stands. The Malaysian fans were angered by their home team’s loss, fueled by the fact that some of them failed to get a seat and had to stand among the Vietnamese supporters, according to the Tuoi Tre reporter.

NST reported that fans threw kicks and punches at each other until the authorities stopped the fight. Plastic bottles were also hurled at the Vietnamese fans. As such, some Vietnamese fans escaped unscathed but others weren’t as lucky:

As such, a mere few hours ago, Malaysian Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin extended his apology to Vietnamese football fans over the actions of a group of Malaysian thugs who attacked them during the closing stages of the AFF Suzuki Cup first-leg semi-final tie. Khairy also said that while he was waiting for the official report from the police and the Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), he accepted and saw with his own eyes the attack on the Vietnamese fans.

He also posted up a statement on his Facebook page this morning which said:

To me, what was more disappointing last night was not the defeat we faced on the pitch, but the actions of a handful of Malaysian supporters towards the Vietnamese supporters.

Although I am still waiting for an official report from the police and FAM, based on the information I received and what I myself saw, the Vietnamese supporters were attacked by a handful of fans at Stadium Shah Alam Malaysia during the semi-final of the AFF Suzuki Cup .

There is no excuse for violent behaviour. More so towards the guests in our country. Is this the way we treat guests? Regardless if they are here on holiday or if they are working here, this isn’t Malaysian culture.

Because they are irresponsible, they didn’t consider what would happen to our supporters who are going to Hanoi, Vietnam for the second game. Are their actions not considered provocation and therefore poses a security risk to Malaysian fans in Hanoi?

Because these thugs will not apologise and there will be no response from FAM yet, I apologise to the Vietnamese fans who were attacked at the Shah Alam Stadium last night. I will ask the police to investigate this matter immediately and to take the necessary actions. These violent fans do not represent Malaysia. My sincere apologies on behalf of Malaysia for the actions of these small number of irresponsible thugs.

We hope for a great second leg in Hanoi, competitive on the field and friendly in the stands.

Malaysia will head to Hanoi on Thursday (11th Dec) with an impossible mission the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final first leg match at Shah Alam Stadium today.


#Glamping: Malaysia Latches Onto The “Glamorous Camping” Trend

Ever wanted to go camping but not sure if you can rough it out in the jungle? Want to go on a holiday but bored of staying at hotels? Let us introduce you to “glamorous camping”!

“Glamorous camping”, otherwise known as Glamping, is a global trend which offers holidaygoers a chance to be with the great outdoors without having to sacrifice modern comforts (read: 5-star luxury comforts). Or sacrifice their sanity while trying to adjust to the great outdoors. Whichever way you want to think of it. And it’s coming to Malaysia!

The first of its kind will arrive in the Teluk Bahang-Balik Pulau area in Penang. The Glamping site, the first in the country, will be called “Boulder Valley Glamping Resort”. The RM7 million project will be developed on an 22-acre site will be undertaken by Amazing Discovery Sdn Bhd, and will take in its first guests in 2 years.

According to executive director Lee Woon Poom:

There will be 45 “tented camps” that come with attached bathrooms, along with a treetop restaurant, a campfire site and a 100m suspended bridge. Giant boulders on a 1.2ha site will be retained because of their spectacular formation. Even more spectacular is that the resort will be housed amidst flora, fauna, streams and secondary forests. All these will give our guests a unique and amazing experience.

We will not harm nature and will be careful with the greenery and giant boulders. Pathways and tents will be designed and constructed in a way that will not spoil the environmental characteristics of the site.

She also added that guests would be discouraged from television and music in an effort to sustain the serenity of the environment. “We hope campers will enjoy the sounds of nature – chirping birds, clicking cicadas, running stream water and breeze wafting through,” she said.

On another note, while “Boulder Valley Glamping Resort” is Malaysia’s first Glamping resort, there’s one other place that provides a venue for the upscale camping experience that you so desire.

Located at Bentong Town in Pahang, Caravan Serai is an exclusive eco-conscious resort that takes you right into the adventures of being in the great outdoors. From tropical terrains to activities such as ATV rides, jungle trekking, and more, they’ve got the recreational facilities readily accessible to cater to your glamping experience.

Caravan Serai has 7 Safari Tents and other types of accommodation such as 10 villaes and 30 suites. We hear that each luxury private villa comes with private plunge pool surrounded by tropical landscape.

For more information, visit Caravan Serai’s Facebook page. For further enquiries/reservation kindly call +603 79723655.

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Cheras Motorbike Shop Catches Fire; Causes Vehicles To Explode

Oh no! A massive fire broke out at a motorcycle store in Taman Kasturi, Cheras.

Apparently, the shop was engulfed in flames, setting off a chain reaction of vehicle explosions. “The motorbikes at the shop then started to explode one by one,” P. Shankar, an editorial artist at Star Media Group.

Shankar, who witnessed the incident when he was having lunch with his wife nearby, told The Star that people were forced to evacuate and many who parked their cars and motorbikes nearby also rushed to move their vehicles. He shared, “There was a tuition centre above the motorcycle shop with lots of young kids, about 3 or 4 years old.”

According to Shankar, no one was hurt from the fire. “From what I gathered, everyone managed to get out in time. Nobody was hurt,” he explained.

Furthermore, the witness said that he saw and heard a few explosions, adding that he could feel the heat of the flames from 50m away. When he left the area at around 1:10pm, he saw 2 fire trucks rushing to the scene.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined, but we’ll update this post as soon as we have ’em.