Farewell to Yasmin Ahmad (1958 to 2009)

Sorry if this post came a bit too late. One of Malaysia's prominent filmmakers Yasmin Ahmad (third from right in a MX file photo) passed away last saturday due to stroke complications. Yasmin was well-known for directing Sepet, a small Malaysian film that garnered numerous awards regionally and internationally. The MX team was fortunate to interview Yasmin when she was here doing the promo rounds for Gubra three years back. Do check out her other film credits which include Mukhsin and the recent Muallaf. Our sincere condolences to her family and the filmmaking circle who lost a talented member.

THE BLUE MANSION MOVIE TO OPEN IN OCTOBER 2009

Golden Village Pictures is proud to be the Singapore
distributor for Glen Goei’s new movie THE BLUE MANSION, a quirky murder mystery about a wealthy tycoon who dies suddenly under mysterious circumstances. He returns as a ghost to try to uncover the secret of his death with the help of his family and the police. The stellar Singaporean/Malaysian cast includes award-winning theatre actresses Tan Kheng Hua, Neo Swee Lin, Pamela Oei as well as Malaysia's leading dramatists Huzir Sulaiman, Patrick Teoh and Claire Wong. The movie also stars Adrian Pang, Sebastian Tan, Lim Kay Siu and Emma Yong. The trailer debuted in cinemas on 9 July and the official movie website is right here: http://www.thebluemansion.com/. The film opens 22 October 2009.

The Final Destination Final Trailer

Your first look at the final trailer for David R. Ellis's The Final Destination. Rest in pieces!

Cathay Cineplexes gets movie-goers hooked on mobile ticketing

As digital technology evolves continuously, mobile ticketing is the newest craze for movie-lovers who enjoy an on-the-go lifestyle and the convenience and mobility of accessing movie schedules, selecting cinema seats, and buying movie tickets on their mobile phones just about anytime and anywhere in Singapore. A recent exclusive tie-up between Cathay Cineplexes and SingTel allows for all SingTel users to book and purchase Cathay Cineplex movie tickets by simply downloading an application, the SingTel Box Office - for free onto their mobile phones, including the iPhone. No data charges apply for this service if the connection is accessed via the SingTel IDEAS (WAP). Cathay Cineplexes is also collaborating with eNETS to offer mobile ticketing services to patrons. Come September 2009, a quick and straight-forward download of the eNETS application onto the mobile phone offers users the option of selecting their preferred choice of movies and purchasing movie tickets.

We hear...

From the team that brought you Infernal Affairs and Protege, Overheard is another gritty film that bounds to engage you till the end. Overheard sets in the background of stock market and insider trading and measures the extent of human integrity versus greed.

Overheard had crossed RMB 10 million on the first day of release, which marked the first crime thriller that hit the mark in China. The accumulative 3 days box office had already surpassed a remarkable figure of RMB 30 million.

With an ensemble of a great production team and stellar cast of Lau Ching Wan, Daniel Wu, Louis Koo, Zhang Jingchu etc, Overheard is set to impress the local audience of its intriguing plot and excellent acting skills of the actors.

Overheard will be released islandwide on 30 July.

Watch out for our review soon!

New Moon rises at Comic-Con

It seems the sun has barely set on the movie phenomenon "Twilight,' and already its sequel "New Moon" is rising with actress Kristen Stewart calling it "a severely emotional movie" in which her character, teenager Bella Swan, is forced to mature through a series of events that imperil not only her but her vampire love Edward Cullen. Co-star Taylor Lautner promised "double the action than there was before,"and said he has packed on the muscle to play werewolf Jacob Black who befriends and protects Bella. "New Moon" which is set for release here on December 3, has Bella maturing into adulthood. She is no longer with her love Edward, and her friendship with Black has grown deeper. But events soon bring the two lovers back together. "There was more to think about," said Stewart about portraying Bella. "It was a more mature part. She's older and has more to deal with.

Relive the magic and magnificence of Michael Jackson:

Golden Village Multiplex will be screening Michael Jackson’s MOONWALKER on Thursday, July 30th 2009. Being the first re-release in Asia on a brand new print, the film will be screened at GV VivoCity for a limited period as part of its tribute and celebration to the pop star’s amazing musical career. Tickets will be on sale from 23 July at www.gv.com.sg or from any GV box office, a week prior to the movie release on 30th of July for the 93 minute movie.

First look for A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

Freddy Krueger returns in “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” donning Freddy’s trademark fedora, red-and-green striped sweater and four-bladed gloves is Academy Award® nominee Jackie Earle Haley. Originally created by Wes Craven in 1984, that film went on to become one of the horror genre’s longest-running, most successful and innovative film series, spawning seven sequels. Now, 25 years later, comes a contemporary incarnation of the Freddy Krueger origin story. The film is produced by Platinum Dunes’ Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller and scheduled for a 2010 release.

150 Days To Storm Warriors...

Watch out for our interview with Ekin Cheng in the coming days... UPDATE: It's Up!

The Hangover *Super Sneaks Party*

GV will be throwing “The Hangover Super Sneaks Party" on the 22nd of July at GV Grand 8pm at $30 / ticket. Include 1 THE HANGOVER movie ticket- 1 THE HANGOVER notebook & $5 The Pump Room voucher- Food and Drinks served by The Pump Room.

Soundtrack Magic

The world of Harry Potter needs no introduction - but here's the first Decca soundtrack in the hugely successful series of films, one that has spawned worldwide soundtrack sales in the millions todate. After a strategic delay in the release of this sixth film, Harry is finally back and the anticipation for his latest adventure is at fever pitch. Needless tosay, this will easily be one of the highest-grossing films of the year. British composer Nicholas Hooper returns to the franchise for a second time, and he has taken John Williams' original themes and worked them into a brand new score full of excitement, wonder and (yes!) magic.


Find out more at the official movie website: http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/harrypotterandthehalf-bloodprince/


Watch out for our review soon. Meanwhile, try your luck at winning a copy of the soundtrack album here, thanks to the kind folks at Universal Music Singapore!

PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF

Based on the novel “The Lightning Thief” by Rick Riordan, trouble-prone teen Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out school but that’s the least of his problems. The gods of Mount Olympus and assorted monsters seem to have walked out of the pages of Percy’s Greek mythology texts and into his life. Zeus’ lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect. Now, Percy and his friends must embark on a cross-country adventure to catch the true thief and unravel a mystery more powerful than the gods themselves. Directed by Chris Columbus who helmed the first two Harry Potter movies. Percy Jackson opens February 11, 2010.

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN CROSSED THE S$8 MILLION MARK

TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN becomes the top grossing film of all time in Singapore in a mere 20 days! The blockbuster sequel has achieved two significant milestones by being the first film ever to cross the S$8 million mark at the local box office and also being the biggest film of all-time, beating the previous record-holder SPIDERMAN 3, which has held the distinction since its 2007 release. The first TRANSFORMERS installment, which was released that same year, was and still remains, the biggest non sequel film of all time with S$7.06 million in ticket sales and is now the third biggest film of all-time in Singapore after SPIDERMAN 3.

Singapore Korean Film Festival 2009 (Updated With Ratings)

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea and InnoForm Media are proud to present Korean Film Festival 2009 from 1st-8th August 2009 at Lido Cineplex. The opening film of the festival is Lost and Found (NC-16 Some Scenes of Intimacy) a highly entertaining and light hearted romantic comedy starring Park Jin-hee. My Wife Got Married (R21 Some Sexual Scenes) is a romance comedy while Rough Cut (M18 Some sexual & violent scenes) focuses on real action in a reel movie. Set in the Vietnam War, Sunny brings us on a journey of self discovery to experience love and humanity. 2008 Festival de Cannes' Best actress JEON Do-yeon and emerging star HA Jung-woo creates an opportunity for revived romance in My Dear Enemy (PG). Beastie Boys (M18 Sexual scenes)provides us with an insight to the colourful nightlife of Korea. The closing film is Dream (M18- Some violence & sexual scenes) by the acclaimed Korean director KIM Ki-duk. Price of each ticket purchased at the box office is $10 and tickets are available for sale via Box Office purchase, Lido Cineplex from 13 July 2009.

DVD...DVD...DVD...DVD...DVD...

No mercy, no rules and only the toughest survive in Fireball Muay Thai Dunk! Martial arts combined with basketball served Thai style. German star Til Schweiger directs and stars as tabloid reporter Ludo who gets into trouble with the law in Rabbit Without Ears. Are you convinced that faith alone can moves mountains? Matilde, a nun believes so in Bad Habits. Take a peek at these foreign productions now available on home video this week.

Michael Moore Unveils Title for New Film

CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY is the newly unveiled title of Oscar®-winner Michael Moore’s latest documentary feature. Golden Village Pictures will be bringing it to local screens on 15 October 2009. On why he chose to make a ‘love story,’ Moore stated that it was time for him to make a ‘relationship movie.’ "It's got it all -- lust, passion, romance, and 14,000 jobs being eliminated every day. CAPITALISM: A LOVE STORY is a documentary about the 2008 financial crisis, the transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration and the stimulus and bailout package.

Johnnie Meets Johnny

Johnnie To meets Johnny Hallyday (a famous French rock star) in Vengeance.

What attracted Johnnie To to Johnny Hallyday?
My producers gave me DVDs of some of his films and concerts. I immediately saw that he had something very masculine about him. The concerts made me understand that he is immensely popular but it was only when I met him that I knew we could work together. His style, his figure, his presence, his face, his incredible eyes that evoked a past that must have been intense. Something immediately clicked between us, despite the language barrier. We liked each other on a human level. I sensed that there was a mutual understanding, a trust. That’s when I knew we could do a film together.

And how did Johnny Hallyday communicate with Johnnie To on the set?
Johnnie To speaks pretty basic English. He would explain everything via William, his excellent bilingual assistant who saved me from depression several times! He was my closest link to Johnnie To. But we would communicate mostly with our eyes, without having to speak.

EKIN CHENG WILL KICK START THE 150-DAYS COUNTDOWN to STORM WARRIORS

Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng will be in Singapore on 20th July to kick start a 150-days countdown event to the Asia-wide release of THE STORM WARRIORS. Ekin Cheng will be unveiling replicas of the two famous swords during the countdown event. These are the weapons used by the movie characters Wind and Cloud respectively. The replicas will be displayed at GV VivoCity till December 2009. The one-hour event will also showcase exclusive footages from the movie.

Singapore Korean Film Festival 2009

Following the success of Singapore Korean Film Festival 2008, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and InnoForm Media are proud to present Korean Film Festival 2009 from 1st-8th August 2009 at Lido Cineplex. The opening film of the festival is Lost and Found a highly entertaining and light hearted romantic comedy starring Park Jin-hee. Romance comedy My Wife Got Married and Rough Cut focuses on real action in a reel movie. Set in the Vietnam War, Sunny brings us on a journey of self discovery to experience love and humanity. 2008 Festival de Cannes' Best actress JEON Do-yeon and emerging star HA Jung-woo creates an opportunity for revived romance in My Dear Enemy. Beastie Boys provides us with an insight to the colourful nightlife of Korea. The closing film is Dream by the acclaimed Korean director KIM Ki-duk. Price of each ticket purchased at the box office is $10 and tickets are available for sale via Box Office purchase, Lido Cineplex from 13 July 2009.

London Premiere of HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE

London Premiere of HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE which took place yesterday (7 July) at the Empire and Odeon, Leicester Square. © Warner Bros. Ent. Publishing Rights © J.K.R

Race To Witch Mountain On DVD & Blu-ray!

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment and Scorpio East Entertainment will release the 2009 sci-fi thriller “Race To Witch Mountain” on DVD, VCD and Blu-ray August 4th. The standard DVD will be available for a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) of $26.90, a VCD at a RRP of $14.90, and in Blu-ray High Definition for a RRP of $39.90.

DVD BONUS FEATURES include• Bloopers• Deleted Scenes (optional commentary by director Andy Fickman)• Featurette: "Dylan & Cole Sprouse: BLU-RAY Disc include • Bloopers• Deleted Scenes (optional commentary by director Andy Fickman)• Promo: "Learn how to take your favourite movies on the go"• "Backstage Disney: Which Mountain?" - director Andy Fickman reveals the film's hidden references to the original movies, Escape to Witch Mountain and Return From Witch Mountain• D-Box Motion capable.

DVD...DVD...DVD...DVD...DVD...

In Fired Up! Ford High's star football players Shawn Colfax and Nick Brady scheme to ditch football camp so they can spend the summer surrounded by beautiful girls at cheer camp. Join Saturday Night Live veterans Amy Poehler, Rachel Dratch and Will Arnett for one huge Spring Breakdown while a motley crew of teachers and ruthless pupils join forces to steal the famous painting "Girl With A Pearl Earring" from the National Gallery in St Trinian's. Go easy, it's the end of the long working week!

Golden Village - KIDS WATCH FOR FREE Promotion

GV’s current KIDS WATCH FOR FREE initiative is a great way for families especially to stretch their dollar and include value-for-money entertainment on the weekends. The Kids promotion will be between 3 August to 20 November 2009.

- FREE Movie Ticket for your child (below 12 years old) with every 2 standard tickets purchase at ALL GV cinemas.

- Promotion is valid from every Monday to Sunday, except Public Holidays, eve of Public Holidays and School Holidays, for any session before 2 pm at ALL GV Cinemas. For every 2 standard ticket purchased, a child below 12 years of age will get to watch the movie for free.

- Promotion is not valid for online and phone booking, premium priced films or events, Gold Class, Corporate bookings, Cinema Europa, group screenings, film marathons, premiers, special events, VIP pass or complimentary passes/tickets.
Not valid for 3D films.

- Promotion is valid for G and PG rated movie titles only.