#WorldLionDance16: Defending Champion Kun Seng Keng Troupe From Johor Brings It Home Once Again

The best lion dance troupes in the world as well as fans of the art came together last weekend (15th – 17th July) for the 12th Genting World Lion Dance Championship 2016 at Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting.

This year’s competition drew a total of 39 lion dance troupes from 15 countries – US, China, France, Chile, Australia, Taipei, Singapore, Hong Kong, Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Malaysia – that were roaring to go to a battle for the title of world champion.

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15 teams competed in the preliminary rounds on 15th and 16th July (Friday and Saturday) and 10 teams with the highest points qualified for the finals to challenge the defending champion of the 11th Genting World Lion Dance Championship, Kun Seng Keng Lion And Dragon Dance Association from Muar, Johor.

Also representing Malaysia in the finals were 2 other teams from East and West Malaysia: Pertubuhan Kebudayaan Kesenian Dan Kesukanan Tawau Sabah and Kwong Ngai Lion Dance Kuala Lumpur Malaysia.

With 3 Malaysian troupes in the finals and the presence of some of the world’s greatest lion dance performers competing for the highly coveted The World Lion Dance Champion title, the pressure was on.

A competition of such prestige and recognition is not without some judging criteria as well as strict rules and regulations, and failure to abide by them will resulting in a deduction of marks.

For example, each lion troupe must consist of not more than 10 people (1 leader, 1 coach, and 8 members) and a minimum of 6 or a maximum of 8 members are required to take part in the competition. Each team is required to use the Southern Lion with props for their performance but a standard prop of stilts will be provided. All performances can start from any point of the prop, but they have to reach the highest point and finish at any point of the prop in not less than 8 minutes and not more than 12 minutes.

Points are rewarded for coordination and standard of movements (styles and coordination of lion’s head and tail), art and expression (including the lion’s synchronisation with the music), and the accuracy in completing difficulty moves. On the other hand, points can be deducted for falls (seriousness levels of falls vary) or if the performing team is unable to complete the performance.

A panel of 9 judges will decide on the troupes’ marks, with 2 highest marks and 2 lowest marks eliminated to award a final score of the average of the 5 remaining marks. The team with the highest score will then emerge winner of the respective round.

With months of training for every carefully choreographed jump, move, and spin at the mercy of a careless slip of the foot or the miscounting of a beat, the troupes had everything at stake. As such, watching the world-class teams compete in the finals was truly an eye-opening experience.

The Chinese Taipei Dragon & Lion Dance Federation A Team – University of Taipei put on an impressive performance with a beautiful white and silver Southern Lion, completing 17 difficulty moves without a hitch.

Fun fact: Different colours are used to signify the age and character of the lions. The lion with white fur is considered to be the oldest of the lions, while the lion with golden yellow fur is the middle child. The black lion is considered the youngest lion, and the movement of this lion should be fast like a young child or a headstrong teenager. The colours may also represent the character of the lion: the golden lion represents liveliness, the red lion courage, and the green lion friendship. (Wiki)

Upon completing their performance, the lead and 2nd dancer from the Chinese Taipei Dragon & Lion Dance Federation A Team – University of Taipei emerged fist-pumping and embracing their team members in what looked like a victorious yet emotional moment. The troupe would later go on to bag 3rd place (trophy, medals, and USD3,000 in cash prize) in the 12th Genting World Lion Dance Championship 2016.

In 2nd place was the Guangdong Shan Wei Yixin Bi Ling Tang troupe from China who displayed their unique footwork and perfect synchronisation with their instrumental team, complete with backflips on cue from all performing members.

Fun fact: The Southern Lion dance originated from Guangdong, and there are 2 main styles of Guangdong or Cantonese Lion: the Fut San or Fo Shan (佛山; literally: “Buddha Mountain”), and the Hok San or He Shan (鹤山; literally: “Crane Mountain”), both named after their place of origin. (Wiki)

It is no surprise that their well-timed choreography and high energy performance would earn them a place in the top 3 winners of the 12th Genting World Lion Dance Championship 2016. The troupe went home with a trophy, medals, and USD6,000 in cash prize.

Last but not least, the jaw-dropping moment when the defending champion of the 11th Genting World Lion Dance Championship, Kun Seng Keng Lion And Dragon Dance Association from Muar, Johor, took the floor for their award-winning performance.

Fun fact: The Kun Seng Keng Lion And Dragon Dance Association has an impressive track record of awards. As of 2014, the team has 55 international championship titles and 65 national championship titles tucked under its belt, and are 10-time Genting Lion Dance World Championship champions. The troupe’s success even inspired local filmmaker Matt Lai to make an inspirational movie titled, “The Great Lion – Kun Seng Keng“.

Not only did they turn out to be the only team with the most props (perhaps due to the home ground advantage, while other teams were required to ship their props in) and the best creative opening, they also completed 18 difficulty moves with perfect strength, posture, and synchronisation. They may have been the 5th group out of 11 groups to perform at the finals, but it was a no-brainer that the trophy was already in the bag for them the moment their epic performance wrapped up.

The Kun Seng Keng Lion And Dragon Dance Association went home with the 1st place trophy, medals, and a cash prize of USD10,000 that night.

Special thanks to our friends from Resorts World Genting for having us at the 12th Genting World Lion Dance Championship 2016!

Other notable moments from finals include:

For more information, hit up Resorts World Genting’s Facebook page.

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“Over The Moon” Review: A Vivid Lunar Mission That Does Not Stick The Landing

Cute furry animals? Check.
Giddy original songs? Mm-hmm.
Emotional moments that drive the character throughout? Check.

Wha- wait a minute, we’re watching a Disney/PIXAR film!?

Just to be clear, no. This is very much a Netflix production alongside Pearl Studio (formerly known as Oriental DreamWorks). However, from the get-go, “Over The Moon” borrows from these very tropes and that probably stems from the involvement of a Disney legend.

Making his directorial debut with this film is Glen Keane, a former key character animator at Walt Disney Studios, whose impeccable work can be evidenced in classics like “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and The Beast”, and “Tangled”. Lending their voices to the characters in the film are Cathy Ang, Robert G Chiu, Phillipa Soo (“Hamilton”), Ken Jeong (“Crazy Rich Asians”), and John Cho (“Star Trek”).

Losing a loved one at a young age is never easy, and that’s what viewers are introduced to in the opening scenes of “Over The Moon”. The main character, Fei Fei, is seen sharing a tender moment with her Ma Ma and Ba Ba at the very beginning as the legend of Chang’e is being shared.

However, that happiness is not to last as Ma Ma passes away over a couple of scenes. To us, it felt similar to the opening of PIXAR’s “Up”, an emotional grave being dug up which lingers within the main character for the rest of the film. Later sequences in the film also evoke the giddy spiritual colours of “Coco”.

Our lead character, Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) is later shown experiencing the grief of losing her mother. Four years pass. Fei Fei and her father (John Cho) continue to live on their own in a dainty little Chinese town. However, her life seemingly turns upside down when her Ba Ba develops an interest in a new lady, Mrs Zhong (Sandra Oh). The introduction of a new element into the family unit is strange to Fei Fei, especially considering that Mrs Zhong also has a son who comes across as an annoyance to the tween.

As such, as all good protagonists do, Fei Fei decides to take matters into her own hands and attempts to fix this misaligned situation by shooting for the moon. She ponders upon the legend of Chang’e, a lunar deity who gets stuck on the moon, waiting for her long lost love. After hours of scientific research, buying items off the Internet, and crafting her own rocket ship, she blasts off into the stars in the hopes of finding Chang’e and preventing her father’s impending marriage from ever happening. Can she succeed in her small step to the moon, or will it all prove to be a giant misfire?

To be honest, we didn’t actually mind the similarities to other Disney films because “Over The Moon” did have its own thing going on. The first act of the film is set up really well, in a manner that displays Fei Fei’s emotional turmoil to the wind of her father’s marriage. Her father’s loneliness and Fei Fei’s inability to move on are given such nuance that it was hard to not feel sorry for these conflicting heads as they just wanted what was best for each other.

Even the rocket building montage, while seemingly impossible in real life due to the limitations of Newton’s laws and lack of proper resources (yeah, you can’t just expect to build a working rocket with several purchases from the 11.11 sale), still provided great character moments for Fei Fei as her sheer will drove her on.

Long story short, Fei Fei achieves lift-off, blasting into the void of space and lands on the moon. And this second act is where the movie both strikes with luminous ambition and falters at the expense of its narrative.

Audiences are thrust into Lunaria, a luminous equivalent of the Disney castle intro mixed with Asgard’s fantastical foundation. Bubblegum pops abound aboard this high flying realm with its vividly coloured inhabitants. It was as if “Candy Crush” was animated, sans the candy and with uh… mooncakes? Radiant, neon, mooncakes.

The interstellar environment at play here is used to great effect at most times, giving viewers both a sense of scale and to reflect the emotions of certain scenes. In one particular scene, the desolate surface of the moon was juxtaposed with the small crimson wings of Lunarian lions, which we felt was the most beautiful frame of the movie. On the flip side, the neon hitches serve up much delight. However, this same component can also become very overwhelming as you avert your eyes to allow it to rest for a moment.

Now, on to the narrative. Here’s where it gets lost in space. While the first act was set up well, giving viewers enough exposition and comprehension of the lead character’s motives, the subsequent plot doesn’t quite gel together as well.

There is a moment where Fei Fei’s younger soon-to-be stepbrother plays a game of ping-pong with the moon goddess in order to prove his worth to the mission. However, this detracted from the overall flow of the film, what Fei Fei’s motive was. Similarly, Fei Fei’s mission is also riddled with mentions of “the gift”, a MacGuffin that Chang’e tasks her with finding in order for her wishes to be granted. It is not executed particularly well due to how haphazard it gets by its conclusion.

Chang’e is placed in a similarly precarious position as the movie intertwines the actual myth with a modern update for the character. In some way, it succeeds, showing the effects of endless isolation and heartbreak. The unpredictability of her character is also a plus as she barks at her subordinates in frustration but also becomes a benevolent deity that everyone loves. However, her arc suffers as by its end, as we do not have any emotional connection to her plight due to the film’s brash flow. Her constant harping over “the gift” also gets old quickly as we silently wait for Fei Fei to complete her mission.

Don’t get us wrong, there is a lot to like in “Over The Moon”. The musical numbers are unique enough; it’s sweet, sugar-rush of a ride will still appeal to viewers. There is a myriad of neon characters performing light shows. Yeah, there’s all that. But…

As much as it is a visual feast, it doesn’t quite stick the landing than what it initially set out to be: an emotional journey about losing a loved one. Instead, it becomes loud, brash, and loses its focus. It lacks a proper narrative thread, choosing to give more thrills at the expense of its arcs. It becomes mindless fun in a Jack Kirby acid trip which we thought could have been handled better.

“Over The Moon” is currently playing on Netflix.

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#MarigoldHLMilk: Products Recalled From Shelves With Immediate Effect

Marigold HL milk consumers in Malaysia, heads up.

Malaysia Milk Sdn Bhd has issued an immediate recall of its Marigold HL Milk via an official statement dated 15th October 2016 (Saturday). According to the company, the precautionary and voluntary recall is in response to customer feedback on the viscosity of its Marigold HL chocolate milk that appeared higher than usual.

Note: Viscosity refers to the thickness of a liquid. For example, honey has a much higher viscosity than water.

“While customer feedback is specifically on the Marigold HL chocolate milk, nevertheless Malaysia Milk is taking proactive measures to recall other products including Marigold HL plain milk (200ml & 1L), Marigold HL strawberry milk (200ml & 1l), and Marigold HL with plant sterols (1L),” Malaysia Milk Sdn Bhd said, adding that its Quality Control Unit and Manufacturing team had ascertained the source of the issue and subsequently rectified it.

As it turns out, the quality of the milk was compromised due to bacterial contamination. Side effects of consuming the compromised quality of milk may include mild stomach discomfort, but there are no long term side effects. To add on, Malaysia Milk Sdn Bhd General Manager Poh Eng Lip also confirmed that an additional and more stringent Quality Control is now in place on finished products to keep a daily check on products to ensure conformity with the highest international standards.

“Malaysia Milk wishes to apologise for any inconvenience caused by this product recall. Our customers’ health and safety is our top priority and we are doing everything we can to provide as much information and support as possible,” the company said.

The recall affects Marigold HL Milk products that come in 200ml and 1-litre packages with an expiry date of up till 7th November 2016 for Peninsular Malaysia and 11th November for Sabah, Sarawak, and Labuan.

Customers who have purchased the affected products are advised to return them to Malaysia Milk Sdn Bhd for a replacement or contact their customer service team at 1800-885587 or feedback@mmsb.com.my.

For more information and updates regarding the above, visit Marigold Milk’s Facebook page.


A Glimpse At Will & Kate’s First Day In Malaysia

It was the first time The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ever set foot on Malaysian soil. But like most of the world, there’s almost nothing that we don’t already know about the royal couple.

Fairy tale romance, wedding of the century, ambassadors, coupled with hearts of pure gold – such are the new generation of royalties from the UK.

Early yesterday, Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on the second leg of their Asia Pacific tour to commemorate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee.

To most Malaysians, their arrival created history.

Shortly after their arrival, the royal couple headed off to Hospis Malaysia (an organization providing care for patients with life-threatening illnesses) in Kuala Lumpur. The hospice appearance is among the most anticipated events of the nine-day trip.

Another page was added to the history books when The Duchess of Cambridge delivered her maiden speech outside of the UK:

William and I are hugely excited to be in Malaysia – this, our first ever visit. It has been wonderful meeting the patients, families and all the staff here, you have given us the most wonderful welcome. Providing children and their families with a place of support, care and enhancement at a time of great need is simply life-changing. With effective palliative care, lives can be transformed.

To watch Kate’s speech, click! Following which, both Will and Kate took time to speak to the children at Hospis Malaysia, offering comfort and giving them a reason to smile.

Evidently, this was a moment that they would remember – forever. It planted hope in the hearts of the ill-stricken children. (Source)

The Duke and Duchess even participated in carvings with/for the children. Yes, carvings.

Behold, Kate’s interpretation of what makes her happy, as requested by one of the children at Hospis Malaysia:

Also requested by one of the children at Hospis Malaysia, Prince William’s “Tom and Jerry” carving:

Their visit at Hospis Malaysia ended with the launch of the National Paediatric Pallative Care Police by Malaysian Health Minister, Datuk Seri Lieow Tiong Lai. Then, Will and Kate unveiled a commemorative plaque before being presented with batik gifts before leaving.

Later that night, The Duke and Duchess were guests at a dinner thrown by our Agong at the Istana Negara Malaysia. Needless to say, Kate Middleton absolutely dazzled in her gold Alexander McQueen gown. Be still, our hearts. (Source)

Have we already mentioned how beautiful they are? Their Royal Highnesses’ Malaysian tour continues today at they are slated to appear at KLCC Park to visit the cultural fair. Malaysians will also be given a chance-of-a-lifetime opportunity to catch a glimpse of the beautiful couple.

And yes, everyone’s invited. For more deets, click!

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#PottedPotter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience (A Parody) Comes To Kuala Lumpur

Playing to sold out houses all over the world, the Olivier Award-nominated “Potted Potter” – The Unauthorized Harry Experience” – a parody by Dan & Jeff from West End London, takes on the ultimate challenge of condensing all 7 Harry Potter books (and a real life game of Quidditch) into 70 hilarious minutes.

Even if you don’t know the difference between a horcrux and a Hufflepuff, “Potted Potter” will make you roar with laughter.

Created by 2-time Olivier Award-nominated actors Daniel Clarkson and Jefferson Turner, the West End London Harry Potter Comedy Parody – Potted Potter is perfect for ages 10 to Dumbledore (who is very old indeed).

And Malaysia will be their only stop in South East Asia for year 2016 meaning it is an exclusive show for Malaysian fans! So hop on the train at platform 9 ¾ and catch Potted Potter this June 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC).

For more information, visit the organiser’s Facebook page.


#StarWars: Woody Harrelson In Talks To Star In Han Solo Standalone Movie

Woody Harrelson, best known for playing Katniss Everdeen’s mentor in “The Hunger Games” franchise, is in talks to join the “Star Wars” universe.

According to Variety, Harrelson is the top choice to play Han Solo’s mentor in the upcoming Han Solo standalone movie (aka ” The 2nd Star Wars Story”) starring “Hail! Caeser” actor Alden Ehrenreich.

Han Solo was first made famous by “Blade Runner” actor Harrison Ford in 1977 and the film will focus on the origin story of Han Solo and his best friend, Chewbacca (aka Chewie), before he met Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (played by Carrie Fisher). The screen play for the upcoming film will be written by Lawrence Kasdan and Jon Kasdan, with “22 Jump Street” directors, Phil Lord and Chris Miller, attached to direct.

It was also reported that the forthcoming movie will star Emilia Clarke (from “Me Before You”) and Donald Glover (of “Awaken, My Love!” and “Atlanta” fame) as Lando Calrissian. Filming is expected to begin production in January and it will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Allison Shearmur, who worked closely with Harrelson in “The Hunger Games”.

The untitled Han Solo solo film (no pun intended) is slated for release in 25th May 2018.


Safe And Cheaper Travels At Night With MyTeksi

The increase in crime rates, calls for greater precautions.

Malaysia’s leading mobile taxi booking application, MyTeksi, launched it’s latest safety campaign, “Afraid of the Dark” as part of its efforts to create awareness, educate and encourage the public to travel safe by booking a taxi with MyTeksi instead of driving or getting onto a random cab when travelling at night. With MyTeksi’s safe, reliable and fast service, you can be rest assured as you will arrive at your destination safely.

As part of the Afraid of the Dark campaign, MyTeksi is giving its users a RM7 discount for late night bookings from February 24th till March 9th 20014. All you have to do to be entitled for the discount is key in #night into the “Notes to Driver” field for pick-up times between 10.00pm to 5.00am.

Emphasising on safety, MyTeksi has all their taxi drivers’ information documented, guaranteeing that the drives have no outstanding summons. MyTeksi also provide users with all the taxi drivers’ details, records all bookings made on the app and allow users to opt to sharing their taxi ride with friends and family or on social media platforms — with this, friends and family of the user will be able to track the users’ entire MyTeksi journey in real-time by clicking on the link.

For more information regarding the campaign, visit their website!


Justice League Scores 37%: Why People’s Obsession With Rotten Tomatoes Is Ruining Film Criticism

Rotten Tomatoes has just revealed the much-anticipated score for “Justice League”. At the time of the reveal, the film had a certified rotten score of 43% and now stands at a whopping 37%. And with that, DC extremists have gathered the troops, sharpened their pitchforks and are marching towards the Rotten Tomatoes HQ (which they believe is the evil lair of a secret society of critics who are paid off by Marvel/Disney to destroy the “enemy”). And by ‘pitchforks’, I mean keyboards. But this story isn’t about Marvel/Disney bribing critics or jerking them off. They don’t. As evident by my non-existent Ferrari and very-existent blue balls.

Movie critics, like myself, watched “Justice League” a few days ago. Critics from bigger sites in the US (Secret Society of Critics Who Are Paid Off by Marvel – S.S.C. WAPOM) even managed to catch the cinematic event, last week. The embargo was lifted on Wednesday at 3.50pm (MYT) and the reviews broke the internet (or at least the small part of the internet I actually give a shit about). And at the time, the question on everybody’s mind was, where the heck is the Rotten Tomatoes score?!

Rotten Tomatoes launched a new show called “Rotten Tomatoes See It/Skip It”. It is pretty much a Rotten Tomatoes original in which entertainment journalists, Jacqueline Coley and Segun Odualowu, unveil the Rotten Tomatoes score for a particular movie. The show kicked off this week by unveiling the “Justice League” score, and this will be their brand strategy going forward.

Many journalists are bashing Rotten Tomatoes for doing this. Some find it ridiculous that Rotten Tomatoes are holding back on the score, especially for a movie as big as “Justice League”. Frankly, I don’t get what the fuss is about. From a business/marketing standpoint, this is GENIUS. Rotten Tomatoes knows that there is an audience out there, sitting at the edge of their seats, shoving popcorn in their face, eagerly anticipating the revelation. Rotten Tomatoes is merely capitalizing on a readymade market. But this story isn’t about that, either.

The issue isn’t Rotten Tomatoes turning the unveiling of their scores into what Martin Scorsese would call, a bloodthirsty spectator sport. The fact that it has reached a point where they’re able to do it, is what makes me uncomfortable. Whenever I scroll through Facebook, I see people sharing screenshots of Rotten Tomatoes scores. “Guys, this movie has a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. We have to watch it!” Whenever I recommend a movie to a friend, I’ve noticed them either immediately checking the Rotten Tomatoes score: “Bro, you sure it’s worth watching? It’s only 60% on Rotten Tomatoes.”

What’s even worse is when people bring up Rotten Tomatoes score in an argument.

Her: I’m not a fan of this movie because of the performances are mediocre and best and the plot is thin.
Him: No. The movie is good! Check this out *shows Rotten Tomatoes score*

That is perhaps the most ridiculous and feeble point you can bring up when talking about a movie. Unfortunately, that is our current landscape. I’m not going to sit on my high horse and point fingers at people when admittedly, I have caught myself doing the exact same thing, numerous times in the past. But just because the asshole who’s writing this article has done it (not anymore), does not make it okay.

Look, I’m not saying nobody should ever check Rotten Tomatoes anymore. It’s fun, I get it. What I’m saying is that we shouldn’t put too much emphasis on Rotten Tomatoes. Or Metacritic. Or any numerical rating system, for that matter.

Film is art, not math. And by putting too much attention on a score or rating system, you are reducing a film to mere numbers. Here’s a fun fact: There are NO definitive right or wrong answers as to whether or not a movie is good.

And here’s another fun fact that will blow your effing mind:

Sure, movie reviews have facts in them. If someone calls “Minions” a political commentary, that someone would be wrong. If I call “Transformers: Age of Extinction” a satire on religion, you should slap me across my face and send me to a mental asylum. And sure, films can be objectively studied and analysed. You can break down the cinematography, the directing, the writing, the editing, the acting, the sound design, the production design, the score, the soundtrack and on and on and on. Which I find both interesting and important. But at the end of the day, what matters the most is how the movie makes you FEEL.

A couple of years ago, I came across an article by Jason Madanjian, in which he wrote, “I’ve seen plenty of objectively terrible movies that stir something in me that a number could never represent. No movie is above critical evaluation, but plenty are above a one-size-fits-all rating system.” I agree. Say what you want about “The Dark Knight Rises”, but I’ll defend the movie till the day I die, despite recognising all its flaws.

And just like that, there are also objectively excellent films that do nothing for me. “The Godfather” is perfectly written, flawlessly directed and beautifully acted. I recognise that. It is one of the most critically revered films of all time. I understand that. But I’m just not as big a fan of that film as others are. I appreciate it, I don’t love it.

“Shut up dumbass! Who cares what a 24-year-old idiot who calls himself Dedpewl, thinks.”

“Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” has a 56% Rotten Tomatoes score, with an average rating of 6/10. A lot of critics dislike that movie (and the prequels at large) with a passion, myself included. Guess who loves the movie and gave it a near perfect rating of 3.5/4 stars? The granddaddy of film criticism himself, Roger freaking Ebert.

He wrote, “I will say that the stories of the “Star Wars” movies have always been space operas and that the importance of the movies comes from their energy, their sense of fun, their colorful inventions and their state-of-the-art special effects. I do not attend with the hope of gaining insights into human behavior. Unlike many movies, these are made to be looked at more than listened to.”

You know what Roger Ebert gave “Fight Club”? 2/4 stars. “FIGHT CLUB.” One of the most analysed and reanalysed films of the modern age. Go to any filmmaking school and you can bet “Fight Club” will be part of the curriculum. It is a thought-provoking cult classic.

But Roger Ebert says: “It’s macho porn — the sex movie Hollywood has been moving toward for years, in which eroticism between the sexes is replaced by all-guy locker-room fights.”

And I don’t mean critics walk into “Justice League” wearing F**K DC t-shirts, nor do they walk into a Star Wars film thinking, “Screw Star Wars! I’m going purposely write a bad review about it. Star Trek will prevail!!!!” That is ridiculous.

But imagine a critic grew up watching Power Rangers. And all his life he’s been wanting to see Power Rangers in theatres. He walks into the cinema, sees the rangers transform for the first time, on the big screen and hears the classic Power Rangers theme blast through the Dolby Atmos sound system. He’s overwhelmed. Elated. Overcome by his childhood memories. He gets a boner. His body goes into a seizure.

When the end credits roll, he runs home and writes a positive review. He may point out the movie’s objective flaws in his article, but perhaps those flaws do not dampen his overall enjoyment of the film one bit. On the flip side, a critic who didn’t grow up watching Power Rangers, may have been affected by the very same flaws that do not bother the first critic.

There is also the possibility that a critic who’s a huge fan of a pre-existing property, ends up disliking the film adaptation more than the critics who aren’t fans. I’m a huge fan of the Harry Potter books. I credit my writing career to J.K. Rowling and even have a Harry Potter tattoo. But, I dislike most of the Harry Potter movies with a passion because it simply does not do the books justice. I know that I should not compare the books to the movies. I know that I should separate both mediums and honestly, comparing them is not a concious choice I make. But I’m only human and I can’t delete past memories and experiences before entering the cinema. Frankly, I shouldn’t.

Our past experiences and who we are as a person affects our ability to connect with a movie. A mother and a daughter might fancy “Brave” more than a dad and son. A guy might enjoy “Toy Story” more than a girl. To me, “Wonder Woman” is a damn good movie. To some of my female friends, “Wonder Woman” is a powerful, life-changing masterpiece.

I thoroughly enjoyed “Mersal”, despite its many objective flaws. Maybe it’s because there is a part of me that’s simply happy to see someone who shares my skin colour, not play a cab driver with a funny accent or an IT guy with a funny accent, but a genuine badass. Gender/ethnicity/social role is not an excuse for poor filmmaking, but you can’t deny the influence these elements have on one’s feelings.

I got emotional reading this! #RogueOneStarWars pic.twitter.com/kfNXxYxWWI

— diego luna (@diegoluna_) January 4, 2017

Hey, and guess what? Film critics do not have the magical powers to discredit YOUR opinion on any given movie, either. If you’ve been reading my stuff for the past few years, you know that I bloody hate “White Chicks” (the movie, not Caucasian women). And if you have not been reading my stuff, know this: I HATE “WHITE CHICKS”.

But if you laughed your ass off when Terry Crews did whatever the hell he was doing, then good for you, mate. I may joke about it and I may tease you, but the actual fact of the matter is, nobody can tell you how you should or shouldn’t feel about a movie. And believe me when I say, despite what you may think, film critics are not even trying to tell what you should or shouldn’t like, to begin with.

So, if film critics are not the voice of God. If films are so subjective. If the opinions of average joes are just as valid as film critics. If film critics aren’t trying to manipulate your feelings. Then why on earth do I get paid to do what I do?

You see, I am a bit of a loser. And by a bit, I mean a lot. I don’t go to bars, nor do I go clubbing. I don’t go on food hunts. I don’t go on dates. I never get laid. In fact, I don’t even have any friends. All I do, all day, every day is sit on my ass and watch movies. My definition of a lit night is watching Star Wars on IMAX. On a normal week, I go to the cinemas twice. On a lazy week, I go to the cinemas once. On a good week, I’m there three, maybe four times. That’s a lot of movies. But a lot of people have no interest in doing that. Many would much rather spend their hard earned dollars doing something else and are only willing to spare RM 15 on one movie each month, understandably so.

But how do you decide which movie that month, you should spend your money on? How do you decide between watching “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Justice League”? You’ve watched the trailers and both seem enticing. Decisions, decisions, decisions. This is where your friendly neighbourhood financial advisors come in.

Go on the internet and read movie reviews (If you’re too lazy to read, then watch them on YouTube). Read what the writer likes and dislikes about the movie and then, make up your own mind. But remember, don’t just look at the score. I once had an idiot personal message me on Facebook and telling me I should burn in hell for giving “San Andreas” a 5/10. “How can you give this movie such a low score you asshole? Go to hell. The visual effects in this movie are SPECULAR.” First of all, I think you mean ‘spectacular’. And second of all, I did explicitly mention in my review that the visual effects are awesome. I have other reasons for giving the movie an average rating, which that idiot would’ve known if he actually READ IT.

Film criticism is an ART FORM in and of itself. And just like any other art form, it is subjective and a (hopefully honest) reflection of each individual artist. Wesley Morris’ works are complex, Neil Cumpston is vulgar and hilarious.

Movie reviews have never been about the bottom line. Whether Siskel and Ebert give a movie a thumbs up or a thumbs down less important than WHY they did it. It doesn’t matter to me that Roger Ebert gave “Fight Club” two stars. What’s more interesting is how he reached that conclusion. What about the movie didn’t he like and why didn’t he like it? What is it about that movie that I find bloody brilliant, that he doesn’t?

Movie reviews encourage discourse. Whether you agree with a review or not, it prompts you to break down a movie and understand what makes it so powerful or what makes it a snooze fest. If you love a movie, I want to know WHY. If you hate a movie, don’t say, “Meh. It sucks. One star.” Tell me why it makes your insides burn.

I was listening to the Marvel movies episode of the Top 10 show recently (check it out on iTunes under the Schmoes Know Channel. It’s a podcast where two film critics, John Rocha and Matt Knost rank movies), with comic book writer and screenwriter, Marc Andreyko on as a guest. And guess what? He has Ang Lee’s “Hulk” and “The Amazing Spider-Man” movies on his list, ahead of movies like “Captain America: Civil War” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “X-Men: Days of Future Past”.

It is ridiculous and I disagree with almost every single movie that made it on his list. But he was honest and his thought process and reasoning as to why those films resonated with him broadened my perspective and made me see things that I previously did not see. He made me think about things I previously did not think of.

And when you can accomplish that, who cares about numbers and stars and rankings and percentages? Oh, who am I kidding, this is the internet we’re talking about. Marvel bribed me. DC sucks dick. This article is certified fresh, your ass is not. Leave your hate comments below.

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From Celine To Garmin: Dope New Fashion Drops You Gotta Cop!

Attention all fashion lovers – we’re back, back, back again with another installment of our dope new fashion drops series! From Hailey Bieber’s eyewear collection to the perfect timepiece for the ladies, here are 7 fashion drops you should check out:

With her gaze set on this year’s favourite trends, Hailey Bieber’s third Signature Collection for Vogue Eyewear is ready to kick off the new season with six fresh new shapes. From casual and throw-back frames to feminine silhouettes and shimmering tones of the red carpet and the dynamic attitude of contemporary streetstyle, this drop is anything but basic!

Hailey Bieber’s personality shines through transparent acetates and chic opal tones to give modern cat-eyes and slanted rectangles light, feminine appeal, while trendy larger squares define her take on a contemporary classic. All HAILEY BIEBER X VOGUE EYEWEAR frames include a dedicated Hailey Bieber Signature zip-up carry pouch and an exclusive Hailey signature temple.

Discover the collection at www.vogue–eyewear.com and in-store now.

With the aim of infusing the spirit of Raya with a touch of glamour, Carlo Rino has come out with a new dazzling Prism Collection. It exudes the very essence of the vibrant sparklers that illuminate the night sky during Eid with its stunning embossed silver geometric exterior and lavish gold-tone accents, evoking a sense of elegance and grandeur. From the versatile Prism Bob. B Bag to the Carlo GEO Mini Timepieces, get ready to flaunt your fashion flair while keeping the festive spirit of Raya alive.

The Carlo Rino Prism Collection is available at www.carlorino.net , in-store at Carlo Rino boutiques and major departmental stores nationwide.

The latest key bag of Summer 2023 is here – The Celine Triomphe Bag. Embodying the very essence of the Celine Look, a pillar of the Hedi Slimane Silhouette, it upholds the fashion codes of the iconic fashion house. The signature gold-finished hardware, such as the clasp with “CELINE” engraving on the upper part and “PARIS” engraving on the lower part, the four visible screws on the back, and the metal frames for the adjustable shoulder strap with a neo-classical square buckle, highlight the bag’s personality.

Season after season, the Triomphe Signature appears throughout each collection, from leather jewellery to ready-to-wear. Discover more about The Celine Triomphe Bag here.

Puma and Palomo Spain have once again joined forces for Spring/Summer 2023 to create a collection paying homage to classic surf culture with an immersive, genderless and accepting edge. Inspired by surf culture from the 60’s and 70’s, the collection mixes soft pink lavender, aqua green and blue pastel tones with pop touches of bubble gum, yellow, and coral, with 5 different gender-neutral ready-to-wear styles. Footwear includes two different versions of the Slipstream sneaker: a bicolour leather and suede lace-up, and a pink mule with chunky hook-and-loop traps.

The PUMA X Palomo Spain collection will be available at select PUMA stores: PUMA KLCC, PUMA Sunway, PUMA Pavilion KL – as well as retailer Neonshine, with prices ranging from RM219 to RM1,199.

As part of the 2100 lineup, the new GM-B2100GD-9A continues to present the comtemporary interpretation of the very first G-SHOCK. It inherits the lineup’s distinctive octagonal bezel and slim, simple design and is now in a glittering yellow-gold hue on the band, bezel and even the minute facets of the design, such as the side buttons and screws. This model delivers a design that is versatile enough to coordinate with any outfit, thanks to the hairline finish for the top surface and mirror finish on subtly sloping sides that enhance the textural look of the gorgeously gleaming metal.

Retailing at RM2,795, GM-B2100GD-9A is available on Casio Malaysia’s E-Commerce site, G-SHOCK Stores, G-Factory and Casio Authorised Dealers.

New Balance has officially launched the new FuelCell Propel v4! Featuring FuelCell technology, the shoe provides runners with a superior level of responsive underfoot feeling and acceleration energy return propulsion, enabling them to run faster. One of New Balance’s most versatile running shoes, it is crafted for runners of all styles. It distinguishes itself with the addition of a TPU plate positioned between dual layers of high-rebound FuelCell cushioning, resulting in energy return with stiffness in the forefoot for propulsive forward movement.

The New Balance FuelCell Propel v4 is now available in four different colourways at all New Balance stores in Malaysia (excluding Sunway Pyramid) and online at www.newbalance.com.my with a suggested retail price of RM529.00.

Garmin’s new vívomove Trend is a hybrid smartwatch with a classic analog design that is the perfect timepiece for the ladies. A woman’s body is always changing, whether due to dietary changes, menstrual cycle, or pregnancy. Your body is adapting to different eating times and the celebrations in between, especially during Ramadan, as well as the joy of gathering with friends and family. Take advantage of this opportunity to improve your health with Garmin vívomove so you can enjoy Ramadan and Raya without missing out!

Available in several fashionable colorways, including Deep Black, White Cream, French Gray, and Mist Gray – vívomove Trend is accentuated by a stainless-steel bezel, domed glass and a comfortable silicone band.

vívomove Trend has a suggested retail price of RM1,380 and is available on Shopee, Lazada, AECO e-store, Garmin brand stores and authorized retailers.

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Primetime Emmy Awards 2014: #Sherlock Is The Night’s Big Winner

The 66th Primetime Emmy Awards was held at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on 25th August and late night host Seth Meyers kicked off the award with a hilarious opening monologue, poking fun at the crowd’s favourite TV series that were nominated for the award show.

Comedian Andy Samberg then showed up on stage, pretending to be a co-host of Meyers to discuss the iconic TV show theme songs. The comedian then transformed himself into villainous “Game of Thrones” character, Joffrey, during Weird Al Yankovic’s performance. The singer took to the stage to perform a medley of revamped TV show theme songs with his own lyrics.

As the script of “Game of Thrones” is in development, the duo poked fun at the author George R.R Martin by offering him a typewriter before Andy faked his own death as the fallen evil King Joffrey:

While Lena Headey (who plays Cersei Lannister in #GoT) was presenting an award on the show, Andy Samberg showed up as the poisoned Joffrey again and continued the gag by yelling, “Mother, mother, I think I drank poison! Mother, why don’t you love me like you love Uncle Jaime?”

As for the “In Memoriam” segment, American singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles was invited on stage to perform “Smile” and honour well-known entertainment figures including Paul Walker, Casey Kasem, Lauren Bacall, Don Pardo, Sid Caesar, Ann B. Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, James Garner, and many more. The segment then featured a tribute to honour late actor Robin Williams with comedian Billy Crystal delivering a touching tribute to his longtime friend.

“He made us laugh, big time. I spent many happy hours with Robin on stage,” Crystal said. Crystal’s speech was then followed by a short video montage of some of Williams’ best moments on late night television:

Meanwhile, PBS’s detective series “Sherlock” emerged as the big winner of the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards as they collected a whopping total of 7 trophies, including Martin Freeman for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries”, Steven Moffat for “Outstanding Writing for a Mini”, and Benedict Cumberbatch for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Mini”.

Despite leading the award with 19 nominations, HBO’s hit fantasy TV series  “Game of Thrones” nabbed a total of 4 trophies for Creative Emmys instead. With that in mind, who do you think got snubbed at 66th Primetime Emmy Awards?

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie

Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special

* Photos courtesy of the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.

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This Father Gives A “Rude” Response To Magic!

“Rude” – the debut single of the Canadian reggae band called Magic! was released in December 2013 and the catchy track has since gained worldwide recognition. The track with lyrics that go “Why you gotta be so rude? Don’t you know I’m human too? Why you gotta be so rude? I’m gonna marry her anyway” is probably the anthem for boyfriends who are planning to propose. I mean after all, the song is about a boyfriend who calls his girlfriend’s father rude for turning him down when he asked the father for his daughter’s hand in marriage.

Now, Magic! may have gotten boyfriends on their side with “Rude” but we’re pretty sure they were not expecting a father to make a counter rendition of their song. This man and father, Benji Cowart, made up his own version of the track telling the “dad’s side of the story” and his YouTube video has gone viral ever since it’s release on July 10th.

“Seeking permission to marry my princess, son what’s wrong with your big head?” Cowart sang. “It’s the first time I met you, why would I let you run off with my baby girl?

“Get back in your Pinto. It’s time that you go. The answer is no.”

Cowart’s clever play on MAGIC!’s single gives another side to the story and well, it sure did make us laugh.


Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are shooting the Dumb And Dumber sequel!

Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels are back together after twenty years to reprise their distinct roles of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne in the long-awaited and highly demanded sequel to the smash hit that took physical comedy to a whole new level: Dumb and Dumber To.

Adding hype to the excitement, both Jim and Jeff used their social media account to give fans a sneak peak of the comedy. Jeff captioned his photo of the vigorous duo in full costume, “”We’re Back!!! #DumbTo.”

Partner-in-crime, Jim shared another snapshot with his tweet, “How Roland Rolls comes out TODAY but it may be a little too sophisticated for Lloyd and Harry! Yep … THEY’RE BAAAA.”

Emmy Award winner for his role as lead actor in HBO’s The Newsroom, Jeff guaranteed that the sequel will kick the original in the nuts.


iAnnouncement looms, 12th Sept

News has been traveling up, down, and out of the grapevine since the official announcement and release of the iPhone 4S, and judging from the reactions from the obviously underwhelmed “Apple cult followers”, this piece of news should get them back up on their feet again.

That is, if it hasn’t been heavily exaggerated by tech media around the world.

Word on the street is that the tech giant is about to send lovers and haters reeling with a refresh iPhone and the rumoured smaller iPad this September. And now, the “Apple Nazis” have more than one thing to be excited about.

The iPhone 5/”New iPhone”/whatever it’s going to be called, will reportedly be announced on the 12th September before it’s shipped out on the 21st September. Joining the madness will be none other than the “iPad Mini”/”Next iPAD”, which will likely featuring a seven-inch screen.

Or so they say. There are also rumours that new iPod Touch and iPod Nano may be tossed into the equation.

You know what this means? If all this is true, this would probably be Apple’s next big thing since the iPhone 4. Cue crazy excitement and anticipation!


#BaldAndBeautiful: Malaysians Step Up To Raise Funds For Cancer-Stricken Kids

Malaysians restore our faith in humanity as they step up to raise funds for cancer kids.

A number of well wishers will go bald or go bold on March 29th (Sunday) at Waikiki for the 3rd edition of their “Tribute to Kindness Bold & Beautiful charity event”. Held for the third consecutive year, Bold & Beautiful is a fund raiser done to assist poor families whose children are undergoing cancer treatment.

Among the 10 Malaysians that have pledged to go bald to raise funds for the night are Tony Siew (owner of Waikiki Bar), Kuhan Shanmuganathan aka S Kuhan (former National Hockey Captain), communications manager cum budding singer Mel Mohseyn, Michelle Koh, Poojitha Menon, Melanie Lim, Cynthia Santa Maria, Elise Wong, Helen Sta Maria and Yvonne Ham.

Changing things up this year, the organisers have incorporated going “bold” with washable hair colours for those who would like to participate in the event on another level.

Veteran drummer Rik Omar has stepped forward to go “gold” in support of the gold ribbon which signifies childhood cancer. Joining him are Nadia Ham (going purple), Elvira Tang, Christine Das and Juanita Ramayah (the host of Vbuzz / Astro) Vinmeen, Jasmine Yong and Purwaiz Alam.

Each participant will raise a minimum of RM1,000 from their circle of friends to sponsor their shave/colour.

All proceeds raised during the event will go to a specially dedicated fund — The Heston Siew Tribute Fund — which is aimed to render timely aid to many Malaysian children, regardless of gender, age and religion from financially stressed families, who are undergoing treatment at the local public facility.

The fund is governed by a steering committee set up between UMMC’s paediatric oncology department and social welfare unit and Tribute To Kindness (TTK) representatives which comprises club owner Tony Siew, retired hotelier Judy Pow and artiste Joy Victor.

The committee meets every quarter to discuss & review cases. Since last November, The Heston Siew Tribute Fund has disbursed almost RM100,000  to subsidise cancer treatment and drugs to 27 children. Incidentally, Heston Siew is Tony Siew’s son who was diagnosed with AML, a form of child leukaemia when he was eight months old.

Now at three years and in remission, it was in fact the fighting spirit of this little boy which gave this charity group the impetus to further define their role to support the gold ribbon i.e. childhood cancer.

The 2013 inaugural Bald & Beautiful event which saw 27 friends and well wishers going bald raised an astonishing amount of RM105,000. 21 families received aid from the fund.

The second event last year broke the earlier bench mark, with an astounding RM172,000 collected in total. 24 friends went bald and amongst were artistes Elvira Arul & Joy Victor as well as journalists Purwaiz Alam and his son Johan.

Apart from the funds raised during the event, Waikiki Bar will also be donating 20% of sales from the night to the charity. Those who wish to participate by going bald or bold and those who wish to make a donation may contact the organisers on its Facebook page – Tribute To Kindness.

Event details for Bald & Beautiful V 3.0 are as follows:

Admission: RM30nett (first drink, money goes to charity)

More information about Bald & Beautiful V 3.0 can be found here.

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#WeRunKL: KL Roads Closure In Conjunction With The Run & Thaipusam

Selected roads around the city will be closed gradually starting February 1st (Sunday) to make way for two events − Nike We Run KL 2015 and the Thaipusam chariot procession.

KL traffic police chief ACP Mohd Nadzri Hussain said that roads affected for the run on February 1st are Jalan Petaling, Jalan Maharajalela, Jalan Kinabalu, Jalan Hishamuddin, Jalan Raja, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Jalan P. Ramlee, Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Perak, Jalan Kuching, Jalan Loke Yew, Cheras Roundabout (U-turn), the Dewan Bahasa roundabout and Stadium Merdeka. The roads will be closed from 5am to 10am on Sunday.

As for the Thaipusam chariot processions, roads will be closed in stages from February 1st (Sunday) to February 4th (Wednesday).

According to Mohd Nadzri, the procession will start on February 1st at the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S. Lee and proceed along Jalan Sultan, Jalan Pudu, Jalan Tun Perak, Leboh Ampang, Jalan Ampang, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Dang Wangi, past Sogo, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Sri Amar, Jalan Tun Razak (the U-turn in front of the Fire and Rescue Station), Jalan Ipoh (Jalan Salleh), Jalan Kovil Hilir, Lorong Kovil Hulu, Jalan Perhentian, Jalan Ipoh and Jalan Ipoh Batu 5, to Batu Caves.

He further stated that a couple of roads would be closed again during the return procession on February 4th starting at the Sri Subramaniam Temple in Batu Caves and proceeding along Jalan Ipoh Batu 5, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Perhentian, Lorong Kovil Hulu, Jalan Kovil Hilir, Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Ipoh, Jalan Raja Laut, Jalan Dang Wangi, Jalan Munshi Abdullah, Jalan Ampang, Leboh Ampang, Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Sultan, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Jalan Hang Lekir, to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple in Jalan Tun H.S Lee.

Now, should you want to head into the city, it is advised that you utilise public transport. Though, we personally suggest you stay home and enjoy the long-weekend by having movie marathons.

Need help deciding what to watch? Check out any of the list below for ideas. ;)

10 of our favourite modern-day Disney movies

Walt-Disney classics from back in the day


G-SHOCK & Against Lab Teamed Up For The First Time

G-SHOCK is a brand that isn’t afraid to venture into the unknown, with daring yet traditional designs that are suitable for everyone. Casio introduced a groundbreaking collaboration with Against Lab, a Malaysian streetwear brand that celebrates hustlers, today.

Casio and Against Lab are teaming up for the first time to release this limited-edition G-SHOCK DW-6900AL22 timepiece that is only available in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia.

This partnership is inspired by the mental toughness of people who face daily obstacles, and it reflects the quintessential Malaysian spirit; The Grind. This limited-edition timepiece, built for hardness, sturdiness, and tenacity, represents the essence of what Malaysian Grinds, particularly bikers, are made of.

Motorcycles are already a common sight in Malaysia, and they are designed to be economical, easy to maintain, fast, and dependable. It’s utilised for everything from conducting business to completing daily duties. The mentality of G-SHOCK is reflected in the spirits of motorcyclists, as both are founded on the same pillars.

The major design feature for this partnership is the design language inspired by motorbike components. Matte black with little embellishments is the overall aesthetic. The bespoke AGAINST tyre tread graphic and the company phrase “ALL ENDEAVOUR, NO SURRENDER,” both printed on the watchband, are standout features.

The watch face features a clean “AGAINST” tiny logo font, as well as a hidden “A” logo backlight. The metal chrome watch face is inspired by motorbike exhaust pipes, while the orange outline is inspired by signal lights. Finally, the notion is completed with the engraved steel on AGAINST LAB’s brand mascot, “A-Man,” on the rear of the timepiece.

The new watch is retailed at RM500 and will be available from 28th May 2022 (on Casio Lazada Official Store) and 3rd June 2022 (at selected G-SHOCK stores and authorised dealer stores). As a bonus, the Watch comes with a G-SHOCK x Against Lab bandana.

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#2014: The Most Pirated Movies Of The Year

Following up to our top 10 stories of 2014, we’ve decided to throw another listicle into the mix. Yesterday, you read all about the top 10 most pirated TV shows of the year. Now, let’s take a look into the most pirated movies of the year! Wouldn’t you like to know which of your favourite movies came out on top?

“The Wolf of Wall Street” and Disney’s animated film of the year, “Frozen”, were the 2 most pirated films of 2014. Each were downloaded approximately 30 million times this year, according to Variety’s report via Excipio. By the way, despite the positive reviews, “The Wolf of Wall Street” was never shown in Malaysia. In fact, the film even went on to be nominated for several awards including 5 Oscar nominations at the 86th Academy Awards ceremony!

As for “Frozen”, well, that came as no surprise to us considering the fact that the animated film is currently the highest grossing animated film of all time. And that’s not all! “Frozen” was also translated and dubbed into 42 languages and dialects worldwide. Plus, who can forget the theme song that whether you like it or not, grew on you eventually? It’s no wonder that it’s one of our top stories of 2014 too.

Other big films that made the Top-10 list include “Gravity” and “Robocop,” though it’s unclear how many times the 2014 movie was downloaded versus the original 1987 version. Also, unsurprisingly, 3/10 of the top 10 most pirated movies of the year were from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Top 10 most pirated movies of 2014 as follows:

1. The Wolf of Wall Street
2. Frozen (seriously though, why don’t you want to build a snowman?)
3. Robocop
4. Gravity (here’s what we thought of it)
5. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
6. Thor: The Dark World (did you hear that they’re turning Thor into a woman?)
7. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (meanwhile, an African-American Captain America)
8. The Legend of Hercules
9. X-Men: Days Of Future Past (find out if we liked it that much too here)
10. 12 Years A Slave

Do you agree with the above list? Let us know what you think in the comments box below.


#JaydenKoi: Astro Battleground 2016 Champion Laid To Rest

21-year-old Jayden Koi Kian Boon, who was found washed ashore at Pantai Tengah in Langkawi, was laid to rest today (Monday, 15th August).

Jayden, who is a popular figure in the hip hop dance community in Malaysia and well-loved team leader of dance group Red Lycans, was on holiday with 16 friends last week when he was reported missing.

The dance champion was swimming in Pantai Cenang with 2 other friends, 20-year-old Tea Wei Jie and 20-year-old Leong Zhen Yen, when he was swept away by strong currents. His friends were rescued by lifeguards at 1:25pm on Thursday (11th August) but it wasn’t until 22 hours later on Friday (12th August) that Jayden’s body was found washed ashore at Pantai Tengah.

Since then, there has been an outpouring of grief and shock from scores of people from the Malaysian dance community, as well as Jayden’s fans. Many of them took to Facebook to share their condolences and disbelief.

“We have so much to say, but you’re so far away. 我们陪你走下这最后一段路. When you’re here you’re always with us, even though you left, we know that you’ll always be with us,” one of his friends wrote on Facebook.

“Dear Jayden, I don’t have much to say but here’s my last respect to you, I believe God will guide your great soul and I believe you’re in a better place now. I want to remember this day, that people with great heart will always be remembered. Your personality is so strong that you are someone that people will always want to remember not forget. You taught so many people to cherish life and people around them. Everyone loves you and your beautiful soul,” another said.

Under Jayden’s guidance and dedication, Red Lycans emerged champion in the national-level Battleground 2016 hip hop popping dance competition organised by Astro. The group is supposed to represent Malaysia in the Asian Battleground 2016 competition scheduled for 8th October, where they would be competing against top dancers from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Thailand.

Astro Battleground, Astro Malaysia’s dance reality TV series and one of the biggest platforms for street dance in Malaysia, also took to their Facebook page to share a video of Jayden:

Jayden’s wake was held at his family home in Bandar Puteri Puchong before the cortege left for Fairy Memorial Parks in Klang this afternoon.

Rest in peace, Jayden Koi. You will be missed.

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#JAKIM: Concert Promoters Voice Concerns Over New Entertainment Rules

The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) recently became the target of hatred and animosity after imposing limitations on stage performances, dress and behaviour codes, and gender segregation for attendees.

According to a report by MMO, entertainers coming to Malaysia must adhere to the new rules that include:

The rules immediately elicited negative responses from the public, regardless of race and religion.

On 19th April (Sunday), Irish pop rock band The Script arrived in Malaysia for their concert at Stadium Malawati, Shah Alam. The concert was brought to fans by PR Worldwide and it was the first concert being held after JAKIM set the new entertainment guidelines. Thus, PR Worldwide director R. Para and 3 other industry players from the Arts, Life and Events Association (ALIFE) held a mini press conference to voice their concerns over the matter.

LOL Events Sdn Bhd CEO Rizal Kamal, who recently held the Russell Peters “Almost Famous World Tour” at Stadium Malawati, revealed that he felt that the people in Malaysia “do need entertainment and events because it shows the world that we are a progressive country”. As such, the new guidelines gave them a shock because they will “impact the industry and Malaysia as a whole”.

Livescape Group CEO Iqbal Ameer attended the press conference as well.

I think one thing that people failed to remember was that we are the promoters. So, as promoters, what we do is that we provide the platform for the artistes to display or showcase their art. Maybe a comedian, a musician, a pop star, a boy band, or even a DJ. We provide that platform because people want to see it. These are the things you get on the radio and on TV. We are just giving you the experience to watch that live. Instead of us working together to enhance the experience, address any issue that people may have, and move forward, we are going backwards by people who have not set out to have an open dialogue with us. We were shocked because we didn’t even know about it, which is really upsetting.

He also mentioned that “the concert promoters are being passionate at what they do” as “they went through hell to try and put on the shows.”

He added, “If something like this were to actually go through and is in actual ruling, that’s the final nail in the coffin for the entertainment industry here.”

The other concert promoters, including JS Concert director Susan Tan, nodded in agreement with Iqbal’s statement.

Susan, whose company is set to hold the “Live Spectacle: Naruto” live action musical this May, said:

When I first heard about the news, I thought it was a joke. It’s unbelievable, I cannot believe JAKIM came up with rules like that. If they’re going to implement this, it’s not good for our industry. I think Malaysia should be seen as a moderate Islamic country because we can be radical. The rules will have a ripple effect because investors will not dare to come to Malaysia too. No artistes or musicians will want to come to Malaysia to perform if they were asked to “tutup aurat”. Can you imagine asking Justin Bieber to “tutup aurat”? It’s impossible. We have to stand united and fight against this.

She added, “We are doing businesses here. It’s a multibillion dollar business so they can’t just set rules like that. Since we are in an entertainment industry, we have to voice our concerns because the rules are affecting our future.”

From a live event to YouTube to the Internet, Rizal said that there are so many choices for us to consume. Thus, he added that “putting restrictions in every one of those avenues will just bring negative impacts to the entertainment industry and everyone else”.

As a Muslim, I understand where Jakim is coming from. We were taught by Islamic studies since we were kids, so these are the Islamic ways of doing things. But it all depends on what do you want from Malaysia and how we want people to see Malaysia. But the rule that affects me the most is the fact that we can’t have “extreme laughter.”

Iqbal then added that Jakim was actually “undermining the public’s intelligence” when they set the guidelines.

Para also said, “A lot of times when we approached the members of JAKIM, they just ignore us. They should just come to us and come up with a solution that both participants can accept.”

Meanwhile, ALIFE has also released an official statement regarding the guidelines issued by Jakim.

ALIFE President Datuk Razlan Razali also expressed his shock at it because “it would affect various live events” if the guidelines by JAKIM were enforced. Since arts, festival, and events were geared towards contributing RM30 billion to the nation’s economy, the association said “the government’s vision versus what is happening or being implemented on ground is not in sync”.

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Running Man Brothers HaHa & Kim Jong-kook To Hold 1st Concert In Malaysia

“Running Man” stars and musical duo HaHa and Kim Jong-kook will be performing for the very 1st time in Malaysia as part of MacpiePro’s Crazy 20.

The two stars who become friends through the popular Korean variety show “Running Man” formed a musical duo called the Running Man Brothers and have been performing together ever since.

The duo’s debut concert in Malaysia will be held at Malawati Indoor Stadium, Shah Alam, on 2nd March 2019 at 6pm where they will be showcasing their collaborative hits as well as individual songs.

They will also be joined on stage by a special guest and South Korean reggae singer, Skull!

Tickets can be purchased offline from 19th January (12pm) to 20th January from Mcalls Digital Lifestyle Stores in NU Sentral, Sunway Pyramid, Mid Valley Megamall, Dataran Pahlawan Melaka Megamall, Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru and Mcalls Service Center MMall Penang.

It can also be purchased online at MacpiePro’s official website on 21st January 2019 onwards (12pm) with the prices starting from RM153 (Blue Zone), RM243 (Green Zone), RM333 (Purple Zone), RM453 (Yellow Zone) and RM493 (Red Zone).


#MBOCinemas: New Cinema Outlet At The Starling Mall Officially Open

If you’re someone who frequents or lives near Damansara Utama, we’ve got some awesome news for you.

The new MBO Cinemas at The Starling Mall opened its doors to the public yesterday evening (Thursday, 6th April). In case you’re wondering, no, this is not just another cinema. MBO’s new offering has several unique features that can’t be found in any other cinemas in Malaysia.

Did you hear? MBO at The Starling Mall is officially open! Come hang at this new cinema if you’re in Damansara Uptown ? #MBO #MBOCinemas #StarlingMall #DamansaraUptown #Movies

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Apr 6, 2017 at 2:26am PDT

“We’re happy to announce that this new concept will allow urban audience to choose how they want to view a movie. They could either bring the whole family, indulge in a luxurious setting with a loved one or have a more experiential journey with state-of-the-art technology,” said Director of Operations Mariam Yazmin El Bacha in a press release.

Members of the media were invited to the grand launch to have first dips on what MBO’s latest addition has to offer. Besides the introduction of advanced technologies (Barco Laser Projection and Dolby ATMOS), we were also impressed with these following concepts:

Known as MBO’s most intimate hall, MBO Premier not only has a reclining sofa leather chair but also a movable table facing a wall to wall screen. Tickets come with an exclusive snack bag (inclusive of: 22oz soft drinks or mineral water, 46oz popcorn, sandwiches, Ferrero Rocher, and Wet Tissue).

Wait, why does this cinema hall look like a playground? That’s cause MBO now has a special movie hall dedicated to parents and their children. In the MBO Kecil hall, there are Kecil sofa beds, bean bags, and yes, even a playground near the screen. Unlike traditional cinemas, kids are allowed to run and play to their heart’s content.

The MBO Big Screen has, arguably, one of the biggest screen in the country. Coupled with Barco’s laser RGB projector – the first of its kind in Malaysia – and Dolby ATMOS’ quality sound system, movie-goers will be able to step into another world without leaving their seats.

What a treat! For just RM20, you’ll get to experience the full 4D motion experience at MBO at The Starling Mall. So worth it ? #MBO #mbocinemas #StarlingMall #DamansaraUptown #Movies

A post shared by Hype Malaysia (@hypemy) on Apr 6, 2017 at 2:40am PDT

Instead of just watching the action playing on the cinema screen, audiences will also be able to “feel” it. The availability of MX4D with motion seats is the first in Malaysia where the seats will replicate movements on screen to the individuals watching it.

Here’s a snippet of our experience yesterday, courtesy of YouTube user King Daniel:

The new MBO is located at level 5, The Starling, Damansara Uptown. For more information, check out MBO Cinemas’ website here.

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Kristen Stewart Revealed Her Thoughts On Robert Pattinson Being The New Batman

Batman has always been a popular character and the amount of movies based on The Dark Knight reflects that. That being said, with the reveal of Robert Pattinson taking up the mantle of the Gotham citizen, it’ll be interesting to see what his former co-star, Kristen Stewart, thinks about the casting.

We finally have that answer. The the former “Twilight” star was recently asked about who her favourite Batman was, in the video she did for Fandango.

The video that promoted the “Still Alice” star latest film, “Charlie’s Angels”, was release earlier this week. In it, she is joined by her fellow co-star Ella Balinska and Naomi Scott, where they were asked to interview each other.

Eventually, leading to the question everyone was waiting for, “The Angels have a ton of fun Batman banter in the film. We’re putting you on the spot: Who do you believe is the best Batman?”

Which lead to the “American Ultra” star response. “Robert Pattinson, yet to discover,” she said at the time, with Balinska and Scott concurring. “I have all the confidence in that,” she added.

Later Stewart’s co-star, Scoot, then throws her own opinion into the mix, including Zoë Kravitz into her answer. “I totally concur. Him and Zoë Kravitz, who essentially was destined to assume that job,” the “Aladdin” actress said. This prompted more agreement from the 29-year-old.

The actress followed by saying, “Actually, she as of now is Catwoman, I can’t wait to see that. I’ve known those folks for quite a while, clearly. In any case, other than that, for me, Michael Keaton is unquestionably the one.”  Adding to that she said, “I can hardly wait to hear Rob resemble, ‘I’m Batman,’ ”

Pattinson and Stewart have previously dated in the past. But they have since split up in 2013, with the two of them remaining as friends. Currently, British Actor is dating supermodel Suki Waterhouse, while the Californian is dating screenwriter Dylan Meyer.

So while you’re at it why not check out the entire interview in the video below:

Do you think Robert Pattinson has what it takes to be the best Batman? We would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.


#AirAsiaX: Long Haul Budget Airline To Fly Direct To Tehran From KL & Bangkok

On 14th May (Saturday), AirAsia X Bhd and Thai AirAsia X, the long haul subsidiary of Malaysia’s AirAsia, announced Tehran as their latest destination in the group’s route network, connecting both Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok directly to the Iranian capital.

AirAsia X used to fly direct to Tehran but the flights were suspended in 2012 due to sharp fluctuation in Iran’s exchange market. However, with the restoration, the airline hopes to increase the number of tourists who travel to Iran from Southeast Asia and Australia.

AirAsia X CEO Benyamin Ismail said Iran is a large and growing economy and Tehran is a brilliant business city, with the recent lifting of sanctions opening up exciting new prospects for Iran as a tourist destination.

“We believe that the revival of direct flights to Tehran from Kuala Lumpur is timely and we foresee that our direct flights from both ASEAN cities of Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok can improve bilateral relations while encouraging trade and tourism activities between the cities,” he said in a statement.

Direct flights to Tehran from Kuala Lumpur (klia2) and Bangkok (Don Mueang International Airport) will be operated 3 times weekly, with the commencement dates set for 21st and 22nd June respectively.

AirAsia X flights will take off on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday per week from Kuala Lumpur to Tehran and will on Monday and Wednesday and Friday from Tehran to Kuala Lumpur. The airline will also provide flights from Bangkok to Tehran on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

To commemorate the launch of this brand-new route, AirAsia X is offering promotional all-in-fares from as low as RM299 one-way on economy seats and from as low as RM999 one-way on the award-winning Premium Flatbeds departing from Kuala Lumpur.

These promotional fares are available for booking online at airasia.com from now until 29th May 2016 for the travel period from 21st June 2016 departing from Kuala Lumpur.

Sources: Tehran Times, Reuters, TRP, Aviation Pros, NST Online.

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Hype Picks: 11 Things To Do In Klang Valley This Week (21st February-27th February)

Phew, it seems like February went by faster than lightning! We’re actually already at the end of February and it has been almost 2 months since the first time we started lining up weekly events for you.

This week, you can immerse yourself in culture, indulge your ears with good tunes, get your hands on some local books, and surround yourself with fur babies. Hey, we even got a new lepak place for you and your mates to chill at and take Instaworthy pictures!

Location: Dominus Arts Venue, Kuala Lumpur

Give your ear an eargasm this weekend at Dominus Arts with Kamerata KL as they perform euphonious melodies from Elgar, Mendelssohn, and Stamitz. To RSVP your seat, click here.

Location: Meeting point at 7th Floor (hotel main lobby), Four Points By Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown.

Bring stories of the back alleys to life, and immerse yourself in the heritage of Kuala Lumpur this weekend with a guided walk through Kuala Lumpur. Not only do you get to rediscover the memories of the Kuala Lumpur streets, but you might also discover a new Instagrammable spot along the way!

Cosplayers, artists, gamers and anime fans, head over to Sungei Wang this weekend to meet up once again at the exhibition hosted by ANIMANGAKI. Enjoy a variety of interesting activities ranging from special performances, to showcases along with carnival games in the exhibition this week!

A post shared by Central Market Kuala Lumpur (@centralmarketkualalumpur)

Location: Central Market and Kasturi Walk

Not only can you get your hands on and stimulate your minds with locally written and published books at the festival, but you will also get the chance to enjoy film screenings, food trucks, book launches, and many more!

A post shared by POPSICOLA KL (@popsicola.kl)

If you’re looking for a chill spot to lepak with your friends this weekend, then consider this new poolside cafe, POPSICOLA! In addition to the fabulous Instagrammable location, this colourful venue also serve yummy food options!

Location: Lot F223B, First Floor, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 1, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 PJ

We all know how hot the weather is in Malaysia right now! So, if you’re craving some cold goodness for your throat, then opt for this premium Korean milkshake from Perfect Ice with 13 flavours to choose from.

Location: KPWKM Level 3 UTC Pudu Central, Kuala Lumpur

If you’re looking for a new skill to master this week, you’re looking at the right place! You can enroll yourself in a crystal bracelet making workshop this weekend at UTC Pudu Central and learn how to make your very own crystal jewelry.

Furry friends lovers, head over to the biggest Japanese pet shop that has finally opened in LaLaPort BBCC this week. It’s time to pamper your loved furballs back home with some comfort and toys. Plus, you can also hangout with the cats that they have in the store!

Opening Hours: 10am-10pm (subject to change)

Location: 6-G, Jalan SS15/8, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.

If you’re looking for a convenience store that is basically a one-stop centre for all of your needs; from retail-buying, to parcel-sending, then PrestoMart is the one for you. Head over to PrestoMart SS15 this week and check out the various Asian products that they offer. Experience convenience like you’ve never before!

Get a taste of being in Fast and Furious with Tokyo Drift blasting in the background as you drive along the neon lights on the tracks in your drift karts today at Blastacars in Sungei Wang Plaza!

Pandora is back again with another exciting and fun collaboration, and this time it’s with Marvel Cinematic Universe. So, head over to the nearest Pandora outlet to you, and get yourself a superhero charm today! If Pandora believes in heroes, what’s your reason not to?

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Has Jay Chou Been Restricting His Social Media Comments After Upsetting Fans?

Taiwanese singer-song writer Jay Chou (周杰倫) has been keeping his fans waiting on tenterhooks for his new album. Well, they will be getting their wish on 15th July! The Mandopop King will be officially releasing his new album “Greatest Works of Art (最偉大的作品)” on Friday, much to the delight of fans.

Currently, the album is open for pre-orders. While it has left many fans hyped, some are supposedly dissatisfied. Apparently, they aren’t happy that Jay Chou has only released six new songs from his album!

Jay Chou has been keeping netizens updated on his new album, including what songs will be on it. On 8th July, he announced the 12 songs included in the album, including his new tunes. Aside from popular singles like “Mojito”, “Won’t Cry (說好不哭)” and “I Truly Believe (我是如此相信)”, his new songs like “Greatest Works of Art (最偉大的作品)”, “Pink Ocean (粉色海洋)” and “Reflection (倒影)” leave many wondering what he will be bringing to the music scene this time.

However, not all are happy with his song list. In fact, netizens have been complaining that there aren’t enough new songs! Several supposedly saw fit to express their anger directly to the singer via his socials. They apparently told him to quit the music scene and get off the internet. After 6 years of not releasing any albums, this understandably isn’t the welcome Jay Chou expected. He reportedly restricted comments on relevant posts before deleting them entirely.

But his other fans have rallied to support their favourite artist. Several pointed out that although he only has six new songs for fans, Jay Chou previously released five others as singles. “Is it unreasonable to have all the (songs) in his new album now?” a comment asked. Others claimed that true fans would appreciate his work, regardless of the number. “As long as he is willing to write songs for fans for one more day, we will always wait and enjoy!” one exclaimed.

Well, the artist himself isn’t too bothered by the negative comments it seems. He recently announced that he’ll be taking a road trip with his family while waiting for the album to drop. In the meantime, fans are free to order the album and eagerly await its final release.

You can listen to “Greatest Works of Art” here:


#TRECKL: YG Entertainment-Owned Joint, YG Republique, To Open In Kuala Lumpur

TREC Holdings is proud to announce the coming of 2 of Asia’s most prominent F&B and entertainment brands – The Iron Fairies and YG Republique.

The anticipated openings in the 3rd quarter of 2017 at TREC are the brands’ first foray into Kuala Lumpur, further expanding their footprint in the region.

KL-lites and foodies will soon get a taste of the authentic Korean cuisine and dining culture, with the impending arrival of YG Republique – a F&B brand owned by YG Entertainment – which owns record labels, music production company, event management/concert production company, music publishing house, and talent agency that manages the biggest K-Pop’s elite such as BIGBANG, Epik High, BLACKPINK, WINNER, iKON, PSY, CL (of 2NE1 fame), Lee Hi, Choice37, Akdong Musician, and more.

For those of you who are not in the know, YG Republique is a food complex dedicated to YG Entertainment in Myeongdong, Seoul. The complex, which opened last year, consists of a café, pub, and grill restaurant. Samgeori Butcher’s (삼거리 푸줏간), on the other hand, is a YG Entertainment-owned Korean BBQ restaurant located in Hongdae, Seoul’s nightlife district, which opened in 2015. You may remember the news of the restaurant’s opening amid much fanfare, and included an A-list guestlist of YG Entertainment’s artistes such as BIGBANG, 2NE1, PSY, Jinusean, and more.

YG Republique at TREC in Kuala Lumpur will feature 3 F&B brands – K-Pub • K Ramen • Samgeori Butcher’s.

Meanwhile, adding the edge to Terraces and Hive is The Iron Fairies, created and designed by designer extraordinaire Ashley Sutton. The Iron Fairies is known for its extravagant quirks and magical spirit encapsulated in a spell-binding decor. The venue at TREC will be the brand’s 4th outing, with sister venues in Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Tokyo.

The arrival of The Iron Fairies and YG Republique will add to the current foreign brands at Hive and Terraces – Le Noir KL (Singapore) • Wine Connection (Bangkok) • DZH Saunaboat Restaurant (Hong Kong).

Will any of the YG Entertainment artistes be coming for the YG Republique launch at TREC? We’ll find out soon enough ;) More details will be announced for YG Republique and The Iron Fairies in the coming weeks.

For more information, visit TREC KL’s website or Facebook page.

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Malaysian Cinema Industry Voices Out Unfair Treatment Of Forced Closures During MCO

Here in Malaysia, cinemas across the country are still forced to remain close throughout the Movement Control Order (MCO), which might end on 4th March 2021. What’s unfair about this is that several other economic sectors were announced to be reopened which includes non-essential services such as gyms, casinos, spas, and even recreational fishing. It begs the question as to why cinemas here are still closed but other recreational activities are permitted to run as usual. However, other neighbouring Asian countries such as Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia as well as other developed Asian nations like South Korea and Japan have allowed cinemas to operate again. Even India just reopened its movie theaters with 100% capacity.

At this rate, the forced attempt in keeping Malaysian cinemas closed is damaging the country’s cinema industry. It has already lost up to 90% revenue year-on-year. In 2020, more than RM500 million in total losses were garnered last year itself. Things aren’t looking so good here. Moreover, the industry has such a sharp contrast compared with previous years, where it has contributed to the income of over RM1.08 billion and over RM250 million in entertainment tax duties to Malaysia.

It’s already been a year since these continued closures of Malaysian cinemas since the first MCO last March in 2020. People have lost their jobs, cinema locations were permanently closed, and downsizing of operations for all exhibitors were the negative impacts that had resulted from forced shutdowns of movie theatres. At certain occasions, employees have been given pay cuts of roughly 70%. The worst part is Malaysia’s third-largest exhibitor, MBO Cinemas, was forced into voluntary liquidation. Over 25% of cinema screens in the country were permanently shuttered because of forced closures.

This whole situation is not just a disaster in itself, but it’s starting to create financial chaos that will damage the jobs of thousands across a bigger supply chain, which helps guide the entire trade the whole time. Small organisations affected are those in logistics, manufacturing, cleaning, retail, F&B, and many more. The Malaysian cinema industry and its downfalls will also likely affect the local film industry, with over 20,000 Malaysians currently set in filmmaking and production, talent, distribution, and many more examples.

Datuk Dr. Yusof Haslam of Skop Productions stressed, “As a local filmmaker, we have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has staggered the productions of three films including Abang Long Fadil 3, Polis Evo 3, and Mat Kilau, in which we have already invested more than RM20 million to produce. Furthermore, strict SOPs enforced on the creative industry have also further impacted all artists and performers involved”.

The filmmaker continued, “The government must address this situation before it gets worse. The losses incurred by cinema operators since the implementation of the first MCO in 2020 until today must also be taken into account. The paralysis of the cinema industry is not impossible, but should it happen, it would be difficult to recover”.

Persatuan Pemamer Filem Malaysia (MAFE) has created concerted appeals in providing help to the government via Majlis Keselamatan Negara (MKN), Kementerian Kewangan Malaysia (MOF), and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). These requests were made to provide exemption or reduction of entertainment taxes for exhibitors.

What’s upsetting is that even though RM225 million were used to fund and support the arts, culture, and entertainment industry last June in 2020, cinemas were excluded. Again, in November 2020, the 2021 Budget tabled allocated RM100 million for the industry, and cinemas were exempted once more. Until now, cinema operators have not received any financial or stimulus packages from the RM325 million that has been used for the creative industry’s use by the government.

General Tan Sri Datuk Amar and Chairman of MAFE Dr Mohd Ghazali Dato’ Mohd Seth stated, “Given the allowances for certain non-essential industries to reopen over the last few weeks, we believe consumers are beginning to see the discrepancy in which businesses can reopen and which cannot. The cinema industry cannot sustain closure for much longer and it will undoubtedly collapse, affecting the livelihoods of every Malaysian serving across the entire supply chain. We hope that the government will seriously reconsider their decision to allow us to reopen”.

Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic started, cinema operators have went through a set of strict SOP guidelines initiated by authorities. This includes mandatory contact tracing, temperature checks, and social distancing. Moreover, exhibitors have went through constant sanitation after every screening alongside personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by staffs. Not only that, alcohol hand rubs for customers were carried out as well. When cinemas are closed, the operators would perform daily maintenance of seats and equipment. Soon, this will become way too much for them to handle without any income.

These efforts into creating a safe environment for cinemas in Malaysia still won’t allow them to open. Worst of all, not one Covid-19 cluster can be traced back to the cinemas here. Even cinema’s worldwide have never reported a single Covid-19 cluster as well, so Malaysia shouldn’t have an issue in reopening cinemas.

In cinema halls, no mingling or close interactions are allowed and each hall’s capacity has been sharply reduced to no more than 50%, so not even a single physical contact is allowed at all amongst moviegoers. For family members from the same household, MAFE requested an allowance from authorities to ensure they can sit together, with a single seat gap between every two seats. This practice is currently carried out in Singapore. Additionally, we have the recent relaxation of SOPs for dining outside, which does not set a limit for the number of people when seated 1 metre separated from each other.

People need to understand that cinemas are not just for the sake of entertainment purposes, but also an important asset in cultural development in Malaysia. In such depressing times, cinemas also provide audience a comfortable, well-priced and safe place for escapism, similar to other leisure activities like individual sports, casinos, spas, and even gyms.

If movie buffs are following the SOPs alongside having no contact with other patrons, then going to cinemas to watch films is guaranteed as one of the safest entertainment locations outside people’s homes. So why not open it, let the cinemas operate! Help trend #ReopenCinemas across social media.


Hype’s Now Playing: Eva Simons + Koshens – Policeman

Known for her melodious voice, EDM darling, Eva Simons has appeared on some of the biggest tracks of the past year years, including Afrojack’s mega hit “Take Over Control”. Now, Simons, who’s married to Sidney Samson, steps out on her own with a track and video that has drawn inspiration from her EDM roots.

Giving off a reggae vibe, it’s obvious that has put her influences from Major Lazer to work on this track. Featuring her raw vocals and her original funky style, the video looks like something Mad Decent would whip up – only with Simon’s mohawk, personality and voice.

Fun, energetic and funky, “Policeman” makes for Simons’ debut track and video as a solo artiste.

For more on Eva Simons, hit up her social media platforms: Website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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30 Men Posing As Females Are In Trouble After JAIK Raids Birthday Party

A birthday party at a hotel in Bandar Darulaman, Jitra, was interrupted by the Kedah State Islamic Religious Council (JAIK) after they raided the premise on Tuesday (27th October).

During the raid, the council found a total number of 30 individuals who dressed up as women, when in fact they were all men.

The individuals who were in their 20s and 40s were found wearing gowns and even the traditional Kebaya dress. Nevertheless, the raid found the party to be filled with female attendees and senior citizens, with ongoing costume events and karaoke sessions.

Chief Assistant Director of Enforcement Division JAIK, Radzi Abdul Mutalik said the raid was conducted at 10:30pm after receiving information regarding the event. When JAIK arrived, they found numerous guests at the hotel lobby but requested those unrelated to leave the premise.

At the location, Radzi stated, “We asked those who weren’t involved to leave and our investigation found 30 men who were wearing female clothes, suspected to be ‘pondan’ (a male who cross-dresses). Nevertheless, they weren’t arrested, but they were given notice to attend the Kubang Pasu District Islamic Religious Office (PADKP) on the date given.”

He added that all the individuals were residing in the district, while some of them travelled all the way from Selangor. Radzi went on to say that JAIK has issued a warning to the man who is believed to be the host of the party. He was also instructed to attend the district Islamic religious office to assist in the investigation.

Radzi added, “All of them (pondan) will be investigated in accordance with Section 26 of the Kedah Syariah Criminal Offenses Enactment 2014 and if convicted, they can be fined for not up to RM1,000 or be sentenced to a 6 months jail term, or both.” As for the host, he will be investigated in accordance with Section 31 of the same enactment for encouraging immorality.

According to Kedah Syariah laws, it is deemed illegal for a male to cross-dress as a woman and pose in public.


Finding Nemo 2? How About..Finding Dory?

Back in July last year, we mentioned that Pixar studios were going to get busy again with the production of the sequel to the Oscar-winning “Finding Nemo”. At first, people were under the assumption that it was going to be called “Finding Nemo 2“, as with almost all (if not all) animation sequels. Lo and behold, we were all wrong.

Instead of being called, “Finding Nemo 2”, Disney-Pixar announced that it’ll be called “Finding Dory”. Yes, an entire animation film on the absent-minded and chatty blue tang fish. The icing on the cake is the fact that they’re getting comedienne Ellen DeGeneres to be the voice of the silly fish!

Ellen confirmed the news on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”, “I’m excited that it’s finally happening. I read the script and it’s fantastic, it’s hilarious, it’s warm, it’s everything that you want it to be”. On that note, Andrew Stanton (who co-directed “Finding Nemo”) also gave his two cents about the upcoming sequel when he stated, “There is no Dory without Ellen. She won the hearts of moviegoers all over the world – not to mention out team here at Pixar”.

And you know what, though? We have to agree.

“Finding Dory” is set for a 25th November 2013 release.


Mizz Nina’s “Around The World” Concert

Mizz Nina once again reserves her rightful place in the lofty echelons of Malaysia’s pop music universe as she settles into a familiar role-one she loves doing and is exceptionally good at: performing onstage. After close to three years since her debut into mainstream pop in 2010, Mizz Nina is giving back to her fans and long-time supporters with a concert showcasing her past and present repertoire.

Fresh from recording and shooting the video for her new single “Around The World” – an explosive collaboration with K-pop phenom Jay Park – one of Malaysia’s most hardworking pop stars has finally set the date for her first-ever major concert.

[youtube id=”L6DjJvxbEfk” width=”600″ height=”350″]

The one-hour show promises to be a sensational affair for fans of pop, R&B, hip hop and dance music, complemented with a top-notch live band. Besides appearances with special guests Jay Park and husband Noh Salleh (of indie band Hujan), Mizz Nina will be sharing the stage with the original members of Teh Tarik Crew, the group that saw her break into the Malaysian music scene in 1999 as a rapper. It’s a nostalgic return to form for Mizz Nina as well as members Altimet, Fiquetional and DJ Fuzz, who have come a long way since, and going by TTC’s comeback performance at the “Raising The Bar Festival” in January, it will be nothing short of evocative.

Contributing to the production of this live music spectacular is the concert’s creative director Raja Malek, music director Genervie Kam, and head choreographer Marcus Tucker.

“I’m very excited about the team that I’m working with,” says Mizz Nina, who felt it was the right time to hold her own concert now that she had two albums’ worth of material. “They have all been chosen for their production and creative abilities, and I really can’t wait to see everything that we’ve been planning come to life.”

Time: 7:30pm (Doors open), 8:30pm (Show time)

Venue: KL Live @ Life Center, No. 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur

Ticketing: RM70 (Limited Pre-Sale Release only. On sale April 17th 2013 onwards), RM100 (General and At The Door pricing)

*Tickets can be purchased at via AirAsia RedTix here and all Rock Corner and Victoria Music Outlets

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Mannequin in Malacca Turned Out To Be Naked Woman

Meanwhile, in Malacca, some streaking made the attendees of the Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry information centre launch blush a deep red yesterday. A woman, believed to be French and in her 30s, disrupted the opening when she walked in the nude along Jalan Bendahara.

According to K. Nadarajah, the Kampung Chitty Cultural Association chairman, “Initially, I thought it was a mannequin. When we realized ‘it’ was a woman, we just looked away. The awkward situation brought the event to a brief halt”.

In an attempt to salvage the “bare” situation, someone ran to the woman and gave her the flag of a political party to cover her body – but she declined. Following which, security guard P. Saravanan reprimanded her but she was completely nonchalant about it. She replied, “I am going naked to save the world. I am a naturist”.

Needless to say, the police were called and they eventually took her away.