Can't get enough of SIMPSONS?

If you can't enough of the wacky Simpsons in the theater, our columnist John helps you to check out the bookstore for more stuff from one of America's best-loved family.

The Ralph Wiggum Book

The Simpsons Comics Royale

Comic Book Guy's Book of Pop Culture

Lion Dancing

"Dancing Lion" is written and co-directed by one of HK most versatile actor, Francis Ng. He plays Ah Kai, a witty yet lazy man. Forced to perform lion dancing on the street after being lay-off. It stars a bunch of familiar faces as well. So is it good? Click here to find out

Call for Entries Open! Asian Festival of 1st Films 2007

AFFF is back again this year! Check out the details by clicking on the image.

What Time Is It? - It's Time for High School Musical 2!

After last year's #1 platinum-selling High School Musical soundtrack, comes the phenomenal follow-up,The High School Musical 2 Soundtrack!

Featuring the same great catchy tunes from the original High School Musical cast -Vanessa Hudgens, Zac Efron, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, & Lucas Grabeel, the album includes the 1st single "What Time Is It?"

From 17th July till 13th August , pre-order your copy of the High School Musical 2 soundtrack and get a FREE High School Musical 2 single "What Time Is It?" , complete with enhanced movie clips, cast poster and bookmarks!

We have listened to the single and it definitely has all the high energy and everything else we loved about High School Musical. While we await the premiere of the sequel on Disney Channel on 9th September at 7.30pm, watch out for our soundtrack review on moviexclusive.com when it's released on 14th August!

Read our review for High School Musical OST

Read our review for High School Musical: The Concert

Read our review for High School Musical: Remix Edition DVD

Glamour Opening for the Bangkok International Film Festival

Bangkok, Thursday 19 July, 2007 - The opening ceremony of The 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival takes place at SF Cinemas, Central World in Bangkok. International names jetting in include top Indian "Bollywood Dream Girl" Hema Malini, Vietnam top star Johnny Nguyen and the cast of the Vietnam blockbuster "The Rebel" and Thomas Livezey Thai-American Hollywood actor who plays lead roles in "Fangs" and "Unchained", British actress Kate Dickie who takes the lead role in "Red Road" as "Jackie" the CCTV operator in Glasgow who spies on a man from her past on her surveillance cameras.

The 2007 Bangkok International Film Festival will screen more than 100 films from all over the world over the next 10 days.

« 881» Filmmaker Royston Tan & Music Composer Eric Ng

Acclaimed film director Royston Tan together with music composer Eric Ng will be speaking about their experiences working together on their upcoming local musical movie "881" at THE POD this saturday.

DIRECTING ASIA: THE NUMBERS AND THE MUSICAL NOTES
21 July 2007 / 2pm to 3pm
The Pod
National Library Board
100 Victoria Street

881 tells the story of 2 childhood friends who grew up mesmerized by the glitter and glamour of ‘Getai’ and dreamt of becoming ‘Getai’ singers themselves. After being blessed by the Goddess of ‘Getai’, they manage to fulfill their dreams and become leading ‘Getai’ duos.

At the symposium, Mr Royston Tan will be recounting his experiences in creating a musical script for the movie and how he aims to present the spirit of ‘Getai’ on the big screen.

Mr Eric Ng will discuss his challenges about reinventing evergreen dialect songs, to appeal to a younger audience.

Public who are interested to join them at this workshop can simply register at nlprogrammes@nlb.gov.sg before 20th July, 12 noon. The workshop is limited to first 100 entries only.

Produced by Zhao Wei Films, Raintree Pictures, Media Development Authority, Scorpio East and Infinite Frameworks, 881 will be distributed by Golden Village Pictures in Singapore. The movie will hit movie screens island-wide on 9th August 2007.

4th Singapore Short Cuts

Singapore Short Cuts are here again from 11 Aug to 1 Sept. The annual showcase of outstanding short films by local filmmakers features a diverse selection of Singapore short films from documentaries to animation to experimental work with post-screening discussions with the filmmakers. This year local shorts include Bedroom Dancing by Sun Koh, Embryo by Loo Zihan who co-direct Solos and many more.

Watch this space for more details or visit http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/

ADVANCE TICKETS TO 'SECRET' BRING YOU CLOSER TO JAY CHOU

In conjunction with the release of 'Secret' , Cathay-Keris Films and InnoForm Media are proud to present the 'Secret' Tea Dance Party at Dragonfly, St James Power Station on 31st July!

The tea dance party simulates a school dance party as seen in the movie. Fans of Jay Chou will be able to interact with the Asian Superstar through autograph session and games at the party.

Admission passes to the tea dance party are redeemable at Gramophone (located at The Cathay Level 1) from 19th July. Each 'Secret' movie ticket can redeem one admission pass. Each patron can present up to 2 movie tickets per redemption. There are only 800 passes up for grabs, redemption whilst stocks last.

To add on to the excitement, Cathay-Keris Films and InnoForm Media will also be giving away Jay Chou's collectible movie theme song CD single! The first 100 patrons to present the 'Secret' movie ticket at Gramophone (located at The Cathay Level 1) from 1st August will each receive one CD. Each patron can redeem one CD each time.

Patrons can only redeem for either the tea dance pass or CD with their movie tickets.

Advance ticket bookings start 19th July at Cathay Cineplexes, Golden Village cinemas and Shaw Cineplexes.

'Secret' is the directorial debut of Jay Chou and opens 8 August 2007 islandwide. 'Secret' is jointly distributed by Cathay-Keris Films Pte Ltd and InnoForm Media Pte Ltd.

La Vie En Rose - Best Actress race shaping up to be one to watch

This article orginates from VARIETY



Oscar season in half-full swing
Best Actress race shaping up to be one to watch
By TIMOTHY M. GRAY

Marion Cottillard is drawing attention for her 'La Vie en Rose' perf.
The year is half over -- so, in theory, the annual kudos season has seen 50% of its entrants. Of course, this is never the case, but if the first six months are any indication, the actress race is going to be the one to watch this year.

So far, Julie Christie in Lionsgate's "Away From Her," Marion Cotillard of Picturehouse's "La Vie en rose" and Angelina Jolie in Paramount Vantage's "A Mighty Heart" have earned awards buzz. Three serious contenders for five slots make for a lively start.
And while there are isolated possibilities in other categories, the only other race that's crowded is visual effects, thanks to pics such as Warner Bros.' "300," Sony's "Spider-Man 3," Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" and Fox's "Fantastic Four," with July bringing DreamWorks-Par's "Transformers" and WB's latest "Harry Potter."
The first six months of 2007 also offer clues from two festivals that are increasingly key to the awards season: Sundance and Cannes.

Last year, Fox Searchlight acquired "Little Miss Sunshine" at Sundance and turned it into a B.O. and kudos winner. Will lightning strike twice? Searchlight came away from this year's Sundance with "Waitress" and "Under the Same Moon" (formerly "La Misma Luna"). Also at Sundance, the Weinstein Co. acquired the well-received "Grace Is Gone," starring John Cusack, and is sharing "Moon" with Searchlight.

The 2006 Cannes bowed several pics that went on to kudos attention, including Oscar best film contender "Babel." This year, there was a lot of buzz on the Croisette for two films that Miramax will release at the end of the year: the Coen brothers' "No Country for Old Men" and Julian Schnabel's "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." Also a hit there: Picturehouse's "The Orphanage," produced by Guillermo del Toro, who struck gold last year with "Pan's Labyrinth" at Cannes.

There are awards possibilities in other films from the first half of 2007, including Paramount's impeccable David Fincher drama "Zodiac," which may find a wider audience via DVD and screenings.

And while kudos buzz for "Away From Her" and "Mighty Heart" centers on the actresses, those films boast possible contenders in other categories, such as thesp Gordon Pinsent and writer-director Sarah Polley for "Away," and Michael Winterbottom's direction and John Orloff's script for "Heart."

Also worth remembering are Fox Searchlight's "Once" (particularly in the music races), Focus Features' "Evening" and Miramax's "The Hoax."

The first six months have also offered plenty of possibilities in the feature animation, docu and foreign-language races, but more on those at a future date.

Many of the above films may seem like awards darkhorses, but it all depends on what opens later this year. When "Gladiator" and "Crash" bowed, few declared them Oscar front-runners, but as the awards season progressed, their stock rose.

LA VIE EN ROSE opens in Singapore on July 26th

ULTRAMAN MEBIUS & ULTRAMAN BROTHERS

Our columnist, Richard manage to review the "Ultraman Mebius & Ultraman Brothers" DVD with his little nephew. So how's the verdict you may ask? Is Ultraman suitable only for the older generation (like Richard)? Or will it appeal to the younger generation as well? Click here for the full review

Hard to believe the "yellowish big-eye guy" is 40 years old already. Destruction of monsters and buildings, here we go!!!

Prince Hour Preview Screening and Korean Kraze Lucky Draw

InnoForm Media proudly presents the preview screening of Prince Hour. Fans of Korean drama will be able to experience watching the first episode of the much awaited Prince Hour on big screen before its video release!

Prince Hours is a production following the success of Princess Hours. Starring Korea's rising star Se7en, the story revolves around the poor but carefree Lee Hoo (SE7EN) as just a regular joe who delivers take-out for a Chinese restaurant. His life takes a dramatic turn though when he finds out he is actually a member of the royal family. The long-lost prince is brought back to the palace to start a new royal life. But he has trouble adjusting to his newfound identity, not to mention his evolving relationship with longtime friend Soon Ae (Heo Yi Jae) and beautiful blue blood Sae Ryung (Park Shin Hye), whose dream of marrying into the royal family is affected by Lee Hoo's appearance. Adding to his headaches is the determined Lee Joon (Kang Doo), Lee Hoo's rival for the title of Crown Prince who is strongly backed by the extended royal family. The two young men vie for the royal succession as an intricate web of conflicts, plots and schemes unfold around them¡­

Details of Prince Hour Preview Screening

Prince Hours Episode 1
Venue: Junction 8, Top of the 8 (Level 3)
Date/Time: 20th July 2007 (Friday) 7.30pm
Free Screening
*Mandarin Dialogues, Chinese Subtitles

For fans who want to catch Prince Hour, 20 episodes VCD is scheduled for release on 23rd July 2007 and retails at all major retail stores for $43.90. DVD will be released at a later date.

Korean Kraze Lucky Draw (July to October 2007)

This preview officially kicks off InnoForm Media's Korean Kraze whereby purchase of selected Korean dramas (including Lovers and Gong S) will provide a chance to win air tickets to Korea, Missha beauty products, Seoul Garden dinning vouchers in August, September and October monthly draws. A lucky winner to walk home with a BenQ Joybook S41 in October's special draw. So watch Korean dramas and win fantastic prizes! For more details of the draw, please refer to http://www.innoform.com.sg/

Under the Banyan Tree: Open Air Cinema (27 & 28 July 2007)

27 & 28 July, 24 & 25 August, 28 & 29 September, 13 October 2007
Stamford Garden, Free admission
8pm

Celebrate the romance and magic of cinema in the outdoors with Under The Banyan Tree – free monthly movie screenings at the National Museum of Singapore. Catch beloved timeless Hollywood classics and musicals with your family and friends in a cosy open-air setting. Come early with your picnic mats and enjoy a selection of snacks such as pop-corn, hotdogs and candy floss that will be on sale. You also stand a chance to win attractive prizes in our movie trivia contests.



Friday 27 July
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Dir: Blake Edwards
1961 / USA / 115 min / PG

A quintessentially romantic comedy that uses Audrey Hepburn's flighty charm and svelte beauty to dazzling effect, Breakfast at Tiffany’s is Edward Blake’s brilliant adaptation of Truman Capote’s novella of the same name.

Hepburn plays an enchanting urban sophisticate who is always decked out in beautiful designer dresses and lives off the gifts of her admirers. George Peppard is her upstairs neighbour, a struggling writer and ‘kept’ man financed by a steely older woman (Patricia Neal). Edwards' elegant yet light touch, George Axelrod's generous screenplay and Hepburn's mix of knowing experience and naiveté combine to create one of the greatest on-screen romances ever seen.



Saturday 28 July
Psycho
Dir: Alfred Hitchcock
1960 / USA / 109 min / PG

Adapted from the novel by Robert Bloch, Hitchcock’s most famous movie Psycho is a shocker that still keeps people away from showers. Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) is a woman on the run who befriends the shy hotel clerk Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) when she stays at the Bates Motel. What is Norman's sinister secret? Will Lila Crane (Vera Miles) find her sister? And just where is Mrs Bates? After more than forty years since it was first released, Hitchcock’s dark masterpiece still remains the yardstick by which all other thrillers are measured.

For more information, please visit www.nationalmuseum.sg

The Warlords - Shanghai Press Conference, 12 July 07

Co-produced by China Film Group, Hong Kong's Media Asia Films, and Morgan & Chan Films, the costume epic “The Warlords” unveiled Chinese official website by SINA.com today (July 12).

Announced at Shanghai, the film’s director Peter Ho-sun Chan led his main cast members Jet Li and Xu Jinglei, along with executives from the three backers, to launch the site as well as the Mainland promotional and commercial campaign.

The official site contains cinephile-friendly materials on story, characters and various behind-the-scene glimpses. Two interesting features are also included: A special “Culture” column is tailored for history buffs detailing the historical background of the story; and an interactive corner is for netizens to interact online with cast members of “The Warlords” and link to the talents’ respective blogs.

The ceremony also revealed the film’s second teaser poster – A collection of four portraits featuring the stellar cast of Jet Li, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro and Xu Jinglei. Whereas the first Cannes poster emphasizes on the film’s epic scale, these new posters highlight the film’s aesthetics and star power.

“The Warlords” latest trailer also launched in the ceremony, and it will be tagged with “Transformers” in all China cinemas.


China Official website (Simplified Chinese version):
http://warlords.sina.com.cn/
English Official website:
http://www.warlordsthemovie.com

Writer, director and co-producer of Gone Shopping , Wee Li Lin, Singapore ’s most prolific female short filmmaker, will speak about her new film after a 7.00 pm preview screening at Golden Village Cinema Europa on 25 July 2007 (Wednesday). Movie producer, Fuzzy Z. Abideen will also participate in the Gone Shopping’s Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa.

Film enthusiasts can choose to purchase tickets at $10 ($8 for students) to the Gone Shopping movie preview or join in the Blog Aloud session after the film at 8.40pm. The Blog Aloud session will last for 45 minutes. Gone Shopping will start screening in cinemas islandwide from 26 July 2007.

Gone Shopping tells the story of three different individuals who seek answers to their life in shopping centers – Clara, a middle aged woman seeking affection; Renu, a young girl hopes to find independence and Aaron, a young adult hunting for manhood. These individuals cross paths, each with their own strange retail tales, leading the audiences through a journey of love, loss and lunacy in the heart of Singapore.

Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa encourages interactive exchange of ideas by bridging the gap between movie audiences and the filmmakers. The 45 minute Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa sharing session will be featured on a regular basis at no charge, courtesy of Golden Village Multiplex.

Coming up this August, Director Roystan Tan will participate in 881’s Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa.

Preview Tickets for Gone Shopping will be available from 12 July 2007, at GV cinema box offices, AXS Machines or at www.gv.com.sg

Music from TRANSFORMERS

If you are into loud, explosive music then the mega-hit "Transformers" soundtrack might be just for you. Comprising of Linkin Park 'What I've Done" which can be heard in the ending credits of the movie and other songs by Goo-goo Dolls, Smashing Pumpkins and many more! Read our full review here

How about songs from the original 1986 animated movie if you are a nostalgic fan? The cheesy Stan Bush's 'The Touch' is a must for all fans. Check out the 2oth Anniversary version!

The Drummer

Written and directed by Kenneth Bi, "The Drummer" is the first feature film to combine character-driven story with dramatic action and the stunning art of chinese zen drumming. Starring Jaycee Chan, Angelica Lee Sinjie and Tony Leung Ka-Fai. "The Drummer" premiere worldwide in August 2007 and opens here in Singapore on 30 August from Shaw.

We leave you with the official trailer which you can see here

And also a mesmerising MTV featuring cello soloist the Antonio Janigro Grand Prize-winner, Trey Lee.

"Two Chicks Swop Homes"

While it might sound a little crude when first heard but ponder deeper, it's quite a fun cute phrase. Well it's nothing offensive just try to guess a movie title...

Give up? Here goes..ta daaa

Nancy Meyers "The Holiday"

Credit has to go to our ingenious columnist, Richard for coming up with that. Two women who couldn't be more different decides to switch homes and without realising a change of address might also change their love life.
Pick this up and cuddle up with your love one this weekend!
"The Holiday" DVD full review



And don't forget the Hans Zimmer composed soundtrack out in stores too. It's a breezy and free-listening according to our John!

The Metropolitan Opera Comes to Singapore from August 2007

World Class Metropolitan Opera in high-definition digital now comes to Singapore exclusively at Golden Village VivoCity.

Starting this August, Mozart's The Magic Flute (the abridged version) will screen on the big screen from 31 August to 9 September .

Directed by Zhang Yimou, Tan Dun's The First Emperor will screen from 20 to 26 September.

Jay Chou's SECRET tour to Singapore

CATHAY-KERIS FILMS and INNOFORM MEDIA

Proudly Present

Jay Chou's directorial debut SECRET

Jay Chou, singer-actor and now director with his directorial debut SECRET heads to Singapore for the movie promotional tour on 30 July. Singapore is his next stop in his Asian promotional tour after Hong Kong.

SECRET, an original story by Chou, deals with the memory of first love through high school lovers Lun (Jay Chou) and Yu (Guey Lun-Mei). Music is a key element in the movie in which Chou composed and sang the movie theme song also titled SECRET which was released across Asia on Thursday.

Chou will grace the gala premiere at The Cathay (2 Handy Road) on 30 July.

SECRET opens 8 August 2007 in Singapore.

Something Magic for the Mid-Week

It's another long working week so how about watching something "magic" to relax your tired mind. "The Illusionist" which stars the charismatic Edward Norton might be a good choice.

To give you a better view of it, read our columnist's detailed review of the code 3 DVD (which contain the same goodies as the Code 1 version but hell lot affordable!) right here:
Nothing is what it seems....

Abracadabra!

JJ Abram's secret project

Folks over in the states had a surprise treat with a preview trailer of a monster movie that was attached before the Transformer film. The secret project, tentatively entitled "Cloverfield" was described as the best trailer ever seen according to source from First Showing.net .

The trailer apparently begins with a party at a loft in NYC for a guy leaving the city when a sudden earthquake shook, sending everyone into a frenzy. What next comes is total madness. And all this shot on a video camera ala Blair witch style. Panic overcame and the camera drops causing it to blackout. It comes back on again with people running on the streets when all of a sudden a huge flaming thing flew and drops on to the streets revealing a ripped off head of the Statue of Liberty. In a distant, a freaky roar is heard as more objects starts to fly around. The word, “Produced by J.J. Abrams" and “1.18.08″ flashes, along with the credit block of names for about a half second and that was it.

Rumors has been going around that it might be the remake of the hit Korean film The Host which was already bought over, but only time will tell.

Alone for ‘Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa’ with an early preview date

Directors of Thai box office hit Shutter Mr. Parkpoon Wongpoom and Mr Banjong Pisanthanakun will speak about their new film Alone after a 7.00pm preview screening at Golden Village Cinema Europa on 20 July 2007 (Friday). Actress Marsha Wathanapanitch, (Tumruad Lek (Iron Cops), Jong Rak (Pls Love) , Kwa Ja Roo Deang-Sa (The Innocent) ) will also participate in this Blog Aloud session organised by Golden Village.

Film enthusiasts can choose to purchase tickets at $10 to the Alone movie preview or join in the Blog Aloud session after the film at 8.45pm. The Blog Aloud session will last for 45 minutes. Alone will start screening in cinemas islandwide from 26 July 2007.

Alone tells the story of Pim, who used to be half a pair of Siamese twins. After returning to Thailand to visit her ill-stricken mother, she has flashbacks of painful memories and realises that the "warmth" she feels is the feeling of being attached to another person in a bond that cannot be broken.

Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa aims to foster deeper understanding and appreciation of filmmaking between the movie audience and the filmmaker. Golden Village will feature Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa as a regular programme, where filmmakers are invited to a free 45 minute sharing session with film enthusiasts after the preview of the filmmaker’s latest film. Following Alone’s Blog Aloud @ Cinema Europa, two more sessions are scheduled: Gone Shopping (25 July) with director Wee Li Lin and producer Fazila Zainol Abideen and 881 (August) with director Royston Tan.

Tickets to the preview screening of Alone can be purchased at all GV cinema box offices or online at www.gv.com.sg from 6 July 2007.