881 Out Now On DVD!

Scorpio East is pleased to announce the highly-anticipated DVD release of Royston Tan's local box office hit - 881 starring up-and-coming movie star Qi Yu Wu, Mindee Ong, Yeo Yann Yann, May, Choy and popular getai singer Liu Ling Ling. More than 60 minutes of exclusive bonus features such as trailers and song segments that are featured in the movie, as well as never seen before footages such as the making of, deleted scenes and an exclusive segment on a day in the life of Liu Ling Ling are included in 881 DVD. 881 DVD is released in Chinese and Dialect Dialogue with Chinese and English subtitles. 881 VCD will be released in December.

Watch our webby for the full review real soon!

VIC CHOU TO PROMOTE HIS MOVIE DEBUT IN SINGAPORE

Vic Chou Yu Min aka Zai Zai will be coming to Singapore on 4th January 2008 to promote his movie debut in LINGER directed by Johnny To.

In recent years, internationally acclaimed director Johnny To has filmed mostly action movies and this is his first attempt to film a female themed movie purely based on romance. He has fond memories of romance movies and wish to capture those feelings with LINGER.

Vic Chou, a member of the Taiwanese boy band F4, shot to stardom with his role in the Taiwanese drama series Meteor Garden in 2001. He followed up with a solo album, the first member of F4 to do so, in 2002, and was involved in several popular Taiwanese drama series since then.

In his movie debut, Vic Chou plays the role of Tung, a popular college student whose poor temper results in quarrels with his girlfriend, played by Li Bing Bing. One day, he dies in an accident but his spirit lingers in the human world because he still has unresolved regrets. LINGER opens in Singapore cinemas on 10th January 2008 and is co-distributed by Encore Films and Cathay-Keris Films in Singapore.

Official movie website: http://www.encorefilms.com/linger/

The Substation Moving Images 10th Anniversary Celebrations

Most of you will probably already know that The Substation's Moving Images (MI) programme is Singapore's only year-round programme dedicated to local, independent and short film. And it's hard to imagine that 10 years have already flown by!

To celebrate its 10th Anniversary, MI is throwing a big party, so it's one long weekend of film fun, with screenings, talks and even a Movie Paraphernalia Market, from 7th to 10th December (Fri-Sun), all around The Substation premises. And in the tradition of the programme, most admissions are either free, or by donation/pay as you wish.

Fans of local short film maker Jacen Tan (of Tak Giu, Zo Peng and Zo Gang fame) will be pleased to know that The Substation had commissioned him to do a new short film capturing the essence of independent filmmaking in Singapore, and "Zo Hee" (the sequel to "Zo Gang") will make its premiere on 7th Dec 8pm. If you'd see what Jacen had done with his previous works, I'm sure you'll be as excited as me to see how this one will turn out, starring "Merlion Tan" from Zo Gang too! Don't Miss This!

What are you waiting for? Click on the event logo above, or hit this link for details on events and their specific timings. Those of you on Facebook (I know you do) can click on this event link to set yourself a reminder, and to invite your friends along.

See you at The Substation!

A spiritual musical journey at The Darjeeling Limited

Director Wes Anderson's highly anticipated new film THE DARJEELING LIMITED from Fox Searchlight Pictures tells the story of three estranged American brothers (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, and Jason Schwartzman) on a train journey across India, and offers one of the most eclectic soundtracks of contemporary time.

This "spiritual quest" which veers wildly off-course before a new, unplanned journey suddenly begins, is set to the music created by legendary Indian director Satyajit Ray for his own films as well as music from Merchant Ivory's early Indian films.

Abkco Records presents The Darjeeling Limited soundtrack album, which will be released in December to coincide with the movie release on 3 January.

The soundtrack includes music by The Kinks, Peter Sarstedt, French pop singer Joe Dassin as well as The Rolling Stones. In addition, several orchestral classical pieces by Beethoven and Debussy are part of the collection with a total of 22 tracks included in the CD.

In the liner notes to the album, Anderson, comments on the use of the music from Satyajit Ray and Merchant Ivory films, "I am very happy to have been allowed to use the music from these films, which cast such a spell over me, and I hope it will do the same for you in this new context."

Watch out for the soundtrack review on MovieXclusive.com.

The Darjeeling Limited will be released on 3 January.

Fortune Shines Prayer Ceremony

A prayer ceremony was held o the 21st November at Sembawang God of Wealth Temple to mark the start of filming for Fortune Shines in Singapore.

The cast of the film, Mediacorp Campus Superstar 2 winner Shawn Toh, renowned veteran singer/actress Maggie Teng, popular young Mediacorp actor Nathaniel Ho, Mediacorp actress Belinda Lee and 883JIA FM DJ Youyi, director Dennis Wong and representatives from the co-producers were present at the prayer ceremony that was held earlier today.

Filming will commence, and principal photography will last approximately 2 weeks.

Fortune Shines is a collaboration by Scorpio East Pictures Pte Ltd, Illuxions Private Limited and Vividthree Productions Private Limited. The movie is slated for release on DVD/VCD formats in January 2008, before Chinese New Year.

Love... Across the Universe

Revolution Studios' Across the Universe brings together the music of the most influential band of all time and the incomparable vision of Julie Taymor, the creative force behind the Broadway production of "The Lion King" and the critically acclaimed films "Frida" and "Titus."

With a story that spans love and war, civil rights and rock 'n roll, Taymor combines some of the most memorable and iconic music of our time with live action, hand-drawn images, and 3-D animation to create a unique motion picture experience that will challenge the eyes, ears, and mind.

Beginning with over 200 songs by John Lennon & Paul McCartney, as well as George Harrison and Ringo Starr, the filmmakers eventually chose 30 songs that they felt best told the story of a generation.

Across the Universe brings together classic songs by songwriters who defined a generation, including Hey Jude, Dear Prudence, and All You Need Is Love, and the vision of Julie Taymor...

Across the Universe brings together the vision of Julie Taymor and classic songs like Hey Jude, Dear Prudence, All You Need Is Love and more than 30 other songs from the catalog of songwriters who defined a generation.

The soundtrack album containing a collection of favourite hits from John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr is reviewed here.

Across the Universe will be released on 6 December 2007.

Stephen Chow's CJ7 Worldwide Trailer Launch

Stephen Chow's long awaited "CJ7" aka A HOPE is a comedy about a poor laborer father played by himself and his young son. When a fascinating and strange new pet enters their lives, they learn a poignant lesson about the true nature of family and the things money can't buy. Watch out for the Worldwide Trailer Launch will be on 22 November, Thursday at Yahoo, 3.30pm. "CJ7" is scheduled to open on Lunar New Year 2008.

[The Periphery Strikes Back] Perfumed Nightmare (Mababangong Bangungot) (1977)

Screening History: The Periphery Strikes Backis the National Museum’s 120th Anniversary film programme which looks at colonialism and the different ways the East and West view and influence each other through the medium of film.

Mesmerize!

Filipino filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik calls Perfumed Nightmare his "magic carpet", as over the last 30 years, his first film is still bringing him to countries and film festivals around the world, reintroducing the film to new audiences and film students when it's screened in universities. An unconventional film, it is quite hard to believe that this monumental effort is a first film, having captured life in the village, before going overseas to Paris and Munich for the latter half.

Kidlat Tahimik stars as himself, in a semi-autobiographical way, that traces the life of a village boy, and his journey to the outside world. It's like a coming of age story with relevance to today still, with the impact of globalization more keenly felt as the modern world feels more like a global village, and with the almost inevitable assertion and influence of dominant popular cultures over traditional values.

Kidlat (the movie character) is a Jeepney driver, who is an aeronautical buff, having hailing himself as President of the Werner Von Braun club in his village of Balian. A fan of the Voice of America radio show, he gets offered to go to Paris by an American on a botched jamboree (which was then, and still is now, a very keen inclusion of the said country's foreign policy style), to work in the gumball vending machine business. That basically forms the gist of the outline as imagined by Kidlat the filmmaker, who worked on this without a prepared script.

The opening shot where a vehicle crosses to and from a narrow bridge, set the mood of the film - fun, eccentric, unpredictable, almost a mirror of Kidlat's character. Shot on Super 8, the special effects that he had included, and the various narrative techniques incorporated into the movie, makes you marvel at the rather innovative ways a filmmaker with a shoestring budget, gets his story told. I liked very much the fantastical sequences he had put in to tell the back story of his father, as well as the very horrific, almost documentary like style of capturing a village circumcision ritual, which must be seen to be believed, how it will actually would make you reel and feel pain (and you thought the Hard Candy one was bad enough).

There is no doubt that his passion and exuberance shone through this charming, imaginative film, which won him the International Critics Award at the 1977 Berlinale Forum of New Cinema. For those who missed the screening tonight (on 16mm film projection), you can cross your fingers as to a DVD release, possibly as early as next year!

Kidlat himself was present to grace the screening today, and shared quite candidly how he came to be a filmmaker, which was quite by accident, given that he's an economist by training, working in Paris. In a summarized account, it was in part a failed attempt in his trade during the 1974 Munich Olympic Games, where tragedy struck the Games and rendered his trinkets of the mascot unsold. Then he met an American film student, and began to tag along the student's film shoot, from whom he mimicked and learnt some tricks of the trade.

The film was shot in a shoestring budget of $10,000, and he recalled that when Francis Ford Coppola (who released the film in the USA) told an audience it was made with that amount, Kidlat joked that it was probably the amount spent by Coppola in Xeroxing his scripts! In fact, the low cost was also attributed to Kidlat having used expired film stock(!), bought from a friend (at 25% of the cost) who kept them in the fridge because it was expired and didn't have the guts to use it.

Shot in 2 months in the village, it was done without a script, and only with a 2 page treatment of sorts. Kidlat shared that most producers wouldn't go near him with a 10 foot pole, that making films without a script was probably his method - he had only scripted once, and that was for a film for German television. Kidlat had loads to share, like how originally the idea was for Kidlat to be driving his Jeepney in Paris to ferry the American, now an advertising agent, and encounters the many sexy ladies going for shoots, to becoming a gumball vendor, having been extremely curious about who and how these machines actually got refilled - he had staked one of them out until late at night to witness it, but to no avail!

But the highlight of Kidlat's presence tonight, absolutely had to be that little epilogue that he presented after the end credits rolled (which was a creative use of postcards), where he appeared as a "film graduate" hauling his wares consisting ofan array of old film cameras, to shedding his toga for traditional village garb, and showcasing his treasure for the night, a film camera made from bamboo, complete with music and dance! Wish I had recorded that performance :-)

“BEOWULF” SLAYS GLOBAL BOX OFFICE

“Beowulf,” the revolutionary new epic adventure from Academy Award® winner Robert Zemeckis, conquered the worldwide box office as the #1 movie both in the U.S. and internationally. The Shangri-La Entertainment presentation, in association with ImageMovers Productions, was released domestically by Paramount Pictures and is being distributed internationally by Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film, featuring a stellar cast led by Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Angelina Jolie, earned $27.5 million in 3,153 theaters in the U.S. to claim the # 1 spot. In the widest U.S. release to date in Digital 3D, “Beowulf” grabbed roughly 40% of its estimated weekend gross from 740 Digital 3D screens, and 13 % from 84 IMAX 3D screens. “Beowulf” represents Zemeckis’ third highest domestic opening after “What Lies Beneath” and “Castaway.”

Opening day-and-date with the U.S. in select markets, the epic adventure swept across Asia and some European markets, earning an estimated $17.3 in its opening weekend, with nearly 2.4 million admissions from approximately 2,500 prints. International audiences responded to the Digital 3D experience, generating nearly $3 million from 156 IMAX 3D and Digital 3D screens.

The film conquered virtually every Asian market, opening to a strong #1 in Korea (KRW 3.4b/US$3.8m), including the highest ever results for a 3D release (US$ 661k). In Taiwan, “Beowulf” took in nearly 75% share of the top 5 films, and dominating the market with an excellent NT$ 28.7m (US$890k) nationwide. Thailand likewise was swept up in the experience, opening at #1 with a 76% share of the top 5 films in the market, grossing Baht 25m (US$756k). Beowulf also generated #1 openings in Hong Kong (HK$4.3m/US$546k), Malaysia (RM 1.24m/US$373k), Indonesia (RP 3.1m /US$341k) and Singapore (S$811k/US$538k), and earned Php 29m (US$675k) in the Philippines.

Based on the first ever published writing in the English language, “Beowulf” stormed across Europe, earning £2.2m (US$4.5m) in the UK, €1.48m (US$2.2m) in Italy, and €1.45m (US$2.1m) in Germany. In Austria, the film ranked #1, earning an estimated €247k (US$319k) on its opening weekend.

In the coming weeks, Zemeckis’ vision for an all-new “Beowulf” will be unleashed in France, Belgium (21 Nov), Russia, Holland (22 Nov), Spain, Mexico (23 Nov), Australia (29 Nov), Brazil (30 Nov) and Japan (1 Dec).

With “Beowulf,” Zemeckis takes moviegoers on an incredible journey using the powerful performances of his all-star cast enhanced with the newest available performance capture technology. The stellar cast is led by Ray Winstone in the title role. Joining him are Academy Award® winner Anthony Hopkins as the cursed King Hrothgar, John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Brendan Gleeson, Crispin Glover, Alison Lohman and Oscar® winner Angelina Jolie as Grendel’s mother.

“Beowulf” opened in Singapore cinemas on the 15th November is reviewed here

CASTING IS COMPLETE ON “HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE”

Casting has been completed on the much-anticipated sixth installment of the Warner Bros. Pictures Harry Potter film franchise, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” The announcement was made by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

David Yates, who directed this year’s summer blockbuster “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” returns to direct “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” David Heyman, the producer of all of the Harry Potter films, is producing the film, together with David Barron. Screenwriter Steve Kloves, who scripted the first four installments of the film franchise, is adapting the screenplay based on the book by J.K. Rowling.

David Heyman said, “I am really excited that David Yates and all our cast are back for the sixth film and welcome some wonderful new additions to our ensemble. We all share a commitment to Jo Rowling and to Harry Potter fans around the world to keep making these films the best they can be and, as we head into the final installments, I can promise that this level of commitment will not waver.”

Once again heading the cast, Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are reprising their roles as young wizards Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, who are facing new challenges and dangers in the wake of Lord Voldemort’s return. They will be reunited with returning Harry Potter cast members, including Helena Bonham Carter, David Bradley, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Tom Felton, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, Natalia Tena, Julie Walters and David Thewlis, as well as Evanna Lynch, Matthew Lewis and Bonnie Wright.
Two award-winning actors are joining the film’s all-star cast in their first Harry Potter film. Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent (“Iris,” “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”) has been set to play Potions Professor Horace Slughorn, who gives Harry an old Potions textbook that had once belonged to the Half-Blood Prince, which proves invaluable to the young wizard. Award-winning actress Helen McCrory (“Becoming Jane,” “The Queen”) will play Narcissa Malfoy, mother to Draco Malfoy and sister to the evil Bellatrix Lestrange.
Additionally, several young newcomers will be making their feature film debuts in “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” Jessie Cave has won the role of Lavender Brown, who has eyes for Ron Weasley. Nine-year-old Hero Fiennes Tiffin is playing the role of the young Tom Riddle at age 11, while 16-year-old Frank Dillane is playing the teenage Riddle, who is already on the path to becoming the evil Lord Voldemort.

In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” Lord Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and Wizard worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching.

Two-time Oscar nominee Bruno Delbonnel (“A Very Long Engagement,” “Amelie”) will serve as the director of photography, marking his first Harry Potter film. He will be joined by returning Harry Potter veterans, including production designer Stuart Craig, editor Mark Day, costume designer Jany Temime, creature & make-up effects designer Nick Dudman, special effects supervisor John Richardson, visual effects supervisor Tim Burke and composer Nicholas Hooper.

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” will be released on November 20, 2008, by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Cox Sausage Commercial With Dewey Cox

A commercial from the upcoming movie, "Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story."

Jet Li talks about winning an Oscar award for "The Warlords"

(In Chinese)

07最重量級電影《投名狀》近日宣傳如火如荼，第三款3分鐘的加長版預告片也與廣大觀眾見面。一干投名英雄終於悉數登場，這款預告片也交代也較為完整人物關係與故事情節。從預告片上看，觀眾的全部目光都集中在李連杰身上，李連杰用出眾的演技演繹出一個理想與欲望交織在一起的一代梟雄。而李連杰接受媒體電話採訪，坦言沒有必要奢望“奧斯卡稱帝” “得獎如中彩票”，還打哈哈如果得獎，就要拍賣小金人捐助壹基金。

在最近《投名狀》相關的媒體報導中，影片另外兩大主演劉德華和金城武紛紛表示了對李連傑的敬意，稱其在《投名狀》的演出最精彩，相比去年《霍元甲》中李連杰的宗師風範，李連杰此次的梟雄形象更加有血有肉，盪氣迴腸。而點綴。導演陳可辛在放棄申請奧斯卡最佳外語片時就表示，李連杰在美國是主流明星，他在《投名狀》裏的表現完全可以提名奧斯卡影帝，為了李連杰也要放棄最佳外語片去爭取明年的單項獎提名。

對於眾人的厚望，李連杰坦白說，奧斯卡就像買彩票中大獎，不敢抱太多奢望。已經皈依的他對拿獎已經沒有太多衝動，如果真的能夠幸運得獎的話，他一定會把小金人拍賣，所得款項捐助給壹基金。他開玩笑說：“這樣又能幫助到好多人，功勞可以記到奧斯卡的帳上。”

Wish to meet the fresh prince in HK?

Golden Village Movie Club (GV Movie Club) members can stand a chance to win a trip for two to meet Will Smith in Hong Kong at the Asian Premiere of I AM LEGEND.

This exciting opportunity is also open for any movie-lovers who sign-up as GV Movie Club member at www.gv.com.sg .

The GV Movie Club red-carpet experience includes: 2 tickets to the Asian Premiere of I AM LEGEND (with a special appearance by Will Smith) Round-trip economy airfare for 2 to Hong Kong. Two-nights hotel accommodation at The Excelsior, Hong Kong. What are you waiting for? Logon on now to GV website for more details!

KOREAN BLOCKBUSTER "LE GRAND CHEF" STILL NUMBER 1 IN KOREA

For the second consecutive week, LE GRAND CHEF leads the Korean box-office, with more than 1.29 million admissions since it opened on November 1st. After a very successful opening weekend with more than 440,000 admissions, LE GRAND CHEF is enjoying a very solid world of mouth, resulting in a rare increase of the box-office for its second weekend with more than 507,000 admissions.

Based on the best-selling comic book LE GRAND CHEFfollows two aspiring chefs in a national cooking competition, organized to find the true heir of the last Korean Royal Chef of the Chosun Dynasty. The winner will receive the Royal chef famous knife. The film promises food preparation and presentation much in the spirit of Jewel in the Palace. Directed by Jeon Yun-su (My Girl and I).

LE GRAND CHEF opens in Singapore island wide on January 10th. Trailer at http://www.festivefilms.com/legrandchef/

The Warlords Trailer Premiere on Channel U

InnoForm Media, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures and Shaw Organisation are pleased to announce THE WARLORDS, the latest masterpiece by acclaimed award-winning director, Peter Chan will hit cinemas island-wide on 13th December 2007! Comprising an Asian all-star cast of Jet Li, Andy Lau, Takeshi Kaneshiro and China's up-and-rising actress Xu Jinglei, THE WARLORDS is expected to take Singapore by storm. In the month-long wait before THE WARLORDS arrive at our shore, the latest trailer will premiere exclusively on MediaCorp TV Channel U this Wednesday, 14th November 2007 just before The Conqueror's Story which airs at 10:00pm.

Catch the first glimpse of THE WARLORDS trailer on Channel U and get electrified by the grandeur and scale of this crafted blockbuster not to be missed!

The Periphery Strikes Back

A programme of the National Museum Cinémathèque
19 – 20 November 2007
7.30pm
Gallery Theatre
$8 (students enjoy a 20% concession)

The Periphery Strikes Back is the National Museum’s 120th Anniversary film programme which highlights the relationship between colonialism and the formation of museums. The programme also examines the different ways which the East and West view and influence each other through the medium of film.

This selection includes The Island of Demons (1933) by Friedrich Dalsheim, Viktor von Plessen and Walter Spies – a classic film which reinforced the early representation of Balinese culture by the West, and the powerful Indonesia Calling (1946) by Joris Ivens – one of the earliest anti-colonialist documentaries ever made.

Rounding off the programme is the inventive, magical and politically incisive Perfumed Nightmare (1978) by Filipino filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik – a semi-autobiographical film on his awakening to the American cultural colonialism and his subsequent reaction.

Monday 19 Nov, 7.30 pm
The Island of Demons
Dir: Friedrich Dalsheim
1933 / Germany / 74 min


Indonesia Calling
Dir: Joris Ivens
1946 / Australia / 22 min
(Total duration: 96 min)


Tuesday 20 Nov, 7.30 pm
Perfumed Nightmare
Dir: Kidlat Tahimik
1978 / Philippines / 91 min / 16 mm / PG


Ticketing
Please book tickets online at
www.nationalmuseum.sg (go to Online
Booking Page) or at the Visitor Services Counter at the National Museum of Singapore.

The Invisible DVD

Directed by David S. Goyer, the man behind the popular “Blade” franchises, cult movie “Dark City” and of course “Batman Begins” is back with his third directorial attempt "The Invisible". A straight-to-video release here and possibly one of Goyer's unexpectandly low-key output. Just don't let the tagline fool you. Review is visible right here...

5IVE GIRLS VS 2000 DEMONS

We understand the fact that with good movies comes bad movies. The weekend is round the corner so if you are in the mood for trashy bad movie, how about seeing 5ive girls versus 2000 demons? We are not responsible for the tagline, it's on the DVD cover. How bad is it? Our reviewer attempts to decipher it right here. What the devil has gotten into these girls?

GREY'S ANATOMY: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON - SERIOUSLY EXTENDED

TV fans of the successful and err..controversial (you recall the name-calling incident?) GREY'S ANATOMY will be delighted at this Season Three DVD boxset which are now available in stores. For undecided buyers, we plunged in to do a thorough dissection of 1105 minutes of eye-candy and extra features to assist you in your decision. Your route to Seattle Grace Hospital is just right here!

GV VivoCity Celebrates its 1ST Birthday with a Party Bash on 21st November!

On 21st November 2007 , patrons can join Golden Village VivoCity’s first birthday celebrations from 6.00pm to 10.00pm and party to ‘live’ DJ music when they purchase GV VivoCity Anniversary Party Packages. Each ticket holder will receive a party goody bag worth $110 and stand a chance to win a grand prize worth more than $1,800 - a return trip to Bali for two sponsored by Hard Rock Hotel Bali and Jetstar Asia.

The GV VivoCity Anniversary Party Packages will be available from 15th November at GV VivoCity box office or www.gv.com.sg

GV VivoCity Anniversary Party Package The GV VivoCity Anniversary Party Package of $16 includes a movie ticket (for any movie session between 6.00pm – 10pm ), a welcome drink, candy bar treats worth $6 per person and a goody bag worth $110. The goody bag includes a free-entry pass to St James Power Station where patrons can continue to party the night away. Golden Village Movie Club members can purchase this party package at a special price of $15. GV VivoCity Anniversary Gold Class Party Package Movie-lovers looking for a premium party treat can enjoy a GV VivoCity Anniversary Gold Class Party Package with a Gold Class movie session (for any movie session between 6.00pm – 10pm), a three-course-dinner with menu choices from the newly launched delectable Gold Class menu and a glass of house wine, all at a price of $65.

Every patron who purchases a pair of the GV VivoCity Anniversary Party Packages online will stand a chance to win a return trip worth more than $1,800 for two to Bali and a 3-Day-2-Night stay at Hard Rock Bali sponsored by Jetstar Asia and Hard Rock Hotel Bali . Golden Village Movie Club members get double the chances of winning the grand prize.

From 21st November, patrons can also purchase a limited edition GV VivoCity 1st anniversary gift card worth $20. This gift card allows flexi use for movie tickets and candy bar purchases at any of GV cinemas. This limited edition gift card also entitles the holder to enjoy discounts from Tangs, The Face Shop, Chocolat Factory and Powerhouse at St James Power Station.

“When we launched Golden Village VivoCity a year ago, we set an unprecedented standard amongst cinemas in Singapore with Singapore ’s biggest ever 15 hall Cineplex. Our aim is to offer our customers the ultimate movie experience. With GV VivoCity’s first anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to say ‘Thank You’ for all your support and we look forward to your continued patronage.” said Mr. Kenneth Tan, Managing Director, Golden Village Multiplex.

Since its official opening on 21st November 2006 , GV VivoCity has seen record numbers of movie patrons stepping through its cinema complex. Two million patrons were welcomed in this flagship venue throughout the first year, far exceeding expectations of 1 million admissions.

Made In China - Tumulus

Remember "Mr Vampire" back in 1985? That famous vampire comedy thriller headed by the late Lam Ching Ying, Chin Siu-Hou and Ricky Hui. Now decades later, a Made in China Vampire thriller has surfaced on vcd. There's still some familiar HK actors such as Yuen Wah, Candy Lo and Chin Kar Lo (Siu-Ho's brother) in it but are they able to revive the genre that was once so popular at the cinemas? Hop right here to check out the screenshots and detailed review...but first hold your breath!

DORAEMON COMES TO THE CINEMAS!

In conjunction with the opening of Doraemon The Movie, Doraemon the Mascot will be visiting the cinemas to meet and greet movie-goers on Saturday 10 November. Doraemon will be appearing at the following cineplexes at the following times:

12:00pm – 12:20pm Cathay Cineplex AMK Hub, Level 4
1:40pm – 2:00pm Cathay Cineplex Cineleisure Orchard, Levels 5 & 6 3:30pm – 4:00pm GV Vivocity, Level 2

Doraemon The Movie opens 15 November, more info can be found at this link

[Asian Festival of First Films] And the Nominees Are...

The Asian Festival of First Films (AFFF), now into its 3rd edition, will kick off on 27th November this year, and will run through to 4th December, culminating with an Awards Night where the jury will announce the winning films in categories such as Best Director, Best Producer, Best Film, Best Screenplay/Script, Best Cinematographer, Best Male Actor, Best Female Actor, Best Documentary, Best Director of Documentary, and the Purple Orchid Foreign Correspondents Association Choice Award.


The Nomination Night this evening unveiled the nominees in the respective categories, which were selected from a staggering 512 films from 53 countries, as revealed by Festival Director Sanjoy Roy. The selection committee, comprising of Carol Haslam, Gordon Chan, Peggy Chiao, Uma Da Cunha and Sanjay himself, spent 6 days to select the lineup of films in competition. Sanjay reflected that every great filmmaker would have to have their first moment in the sun, and the quality of the films have shown that they are made with passion, blood, sweat and tears. He reminisced what Gordan Chan had said to him, that after making a number of films, he would have thought he knew a lot about filmmaking, but after having seen these first films, it was humbling that he still had a lot to learn.

And it is the passion and belief that these filmmakers emobody, that were celebrated and honoured in today's Nomination Night.

The nominees, as announced by May and Choy Wan, Raymond Lee, Jade Seah and Eric Khoo, are:

BEST FILM
Beautiful (Australia)
Dharm (India)
The Touch of Fate (Taiwan)
Weed (China)

BEST PRODUCER
Dharm (India) - Sheetal Talwar
Lucky Miles (Australia) - Jo Dyer & Lesley Dyer
Vanaja (India) - Latha R Domalpalli
Weed (China) - Wang Liren

BEST DIRECTOR
Kabul Express (India) - Kabir Khan
The Touch of Fate (Taiwan) - Pan Zhi Yuan
Vanaja (India) - Latha R Domalpalli
Weed (China) - Wang Liren

BEST SCREENPLAY / SCRIPT
5 Moments of Infidelity (Australia) - Kate Gorman
Keeping Watch (Taiwan) - Fen Fen Cheng
Owl & the Sparrow (USA) - Stephane Gauger
Weed (China) - Wang Liren

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER
Family on the Sky Lake (China) - Hu Linping
Keeping Watch (Taiwan) - Adili Chen
The Last Lumberjacks (China) - Yu Guangyi
The Touch of Fate (Taiwan) - Hung Tien Ren

BEST MALE ACTOR
Khadak (Germany, Belgium, Netherlands) - Batzul Khayankhyarvaa
The Touch of Fate (Taiwan) - Wu Zhong Tian
Weed (China) - Mai Zi

BEST FEMALE ACTOR
Beautiful (Australia) - Julia Foenander
Keeping Watch (Taiwan) - Haden Kuo
Owl & the Sparrow (USA) - Pham Thi Han
Vanaja (India, USA) - Mamatha Bhukya

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Feet Unbound (Australia) - Ng Khee Jin
Lockout (Australia) - Diane Michael
The Boy Who Died of Fear (Israel) - Idit Avrahami
The Last Lumberjacks (China) - Yu Guangyi
USS Cooper - Return to Ormoc Bay (Philippines) - Irena Leica S Cruz

BEST DIRECTOR OF DOCUMENTARY
Family on the Sky Lake (China) - Hu Linping
Gearing Up - The Fire Within (Hong Kong) - Sheetal S Agarwal
My Palestine (Lebanon, France) - Nadine Naous & Lena Rouxel
Richard (Australia) - Maya Newell
The Migrant (Bangladesh) - Mridul Chowdhary & Sujan Mahmud

Personally I've seen Khee Jin's documentary Feet Unbound during the Singapore International Film Festival, and Kabul Express is high on my list as I've missed its theatrical run late last year. And from the list, it seems that China's Weed by Wang Liren ought to appeal as well, given the multiple nominations it garnered for this year's AFFF.

All fllms and documentaries will be screened at Golden Village Vivocity, the Arts House and HOUSE. This year, for the first time, Delegate Passes will be available at S$100 to industry delegates and film buffs (S$50 for students). This pass will entitle the holder to attend unlimited film screenings, the opening and closing night ceremonies, as well as additional networking sessions and lectures.


Make time for the Festival, and come see the films! For more details and screening schedules, head on down to the official festival website.

InnoForm Media brews the latest Korean Drama Hit Coffee Prince!

Yoon Eun-hye (Princess Hours) brings you endless laughter in this romantic comedy starring as a girl in guy’s disguise!

Rich, irresponsible, and hot-tempered, Han-gyeol (Gong Yoo) is not interested in the family business or attending the blind dates arranged by his grandmother. One day, he mistakes the brash, boyish-looking Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye) for a guy and hires her to pose as his boyfriend to scare off his blind dates! At his grandmother's prodding, Han-gyeol agrees to run a coffee shop “Coffee Prince” for three months, and ends up hiring Eun-chan as a barista. Mistaken to be a man, Eun-chan is happy working at “Coffee Prince”, developing a close friendship with Han-gyeol and his musician cousin Han-sung (Lee Seon-gyun). Complication sets in when Eun-chan and a confused Han-gyeol begin to fall for each other… Starring: Yoon Eun-hye (Princess Hours) /Gong Yoo / Lee Seon-gyun (Behind the White Tower)/ Chae Jung-ahn.

Release Date: DVD Vol 1 Available Now. DVD vol 2 tentative release 9th Nov 07. Rating/ Consumer Advice: PG Dialogue & Subtitles: Korean/ Mandarin Dialogue, Chinese Subtitles Recommended Retail Price: Each vol retails for $29.90 before GST Extras: DVD vol 2 comes with 60 mins of Coffee Prince Special (Making Of)