Get Ready for some Pixie Dust...

"Tinkerbell" comes from the slate of animation projects that were announced by Disney earlier and now the full details are out. From two-time Academy Award-winner John Lasseter, chief creative officer of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, and the storytellers at Walt Disney Pictures comes a film that has more stars than pixie dust. "Tinker Bell" will be released on Disney DVD and Blu-ray on October 28 and it will reveal the origin of Peter Pan's fairy pal and delve into the magical role of fairies in nature. It will also include bonus features and here's the trailer.

How To Make A Porno

The first 'improvise' R-rated teaser trailer for writer/director Kevin Smith's "Zack and Miri Make a Porno" is now online at QuickStopEntertainment.com. In the comedy, Zack (Seth Rogen) and Miri (Elizabeth Banks) are two lifelong friends who are deep in debt and enlist the help of their friends to make a porno movie for some quick cash. But as everybody starts "doing" everybody, Zack and Miri realize that they may have more feelings for each other than they previously thought.

Straight to Video #2 - First Snow

Getting sick of the usual crop of blockbuster movies? How about some straight to video titles? Guy Pearce (The Proposition) Piper Perabo (The Prestige) and JK Simmons (Spiderman 3) star in "First Snow" about a man whose life spins out of control after a psychic tells him his days are numbered. The psychic's ominous reading sends Jimmy's life into a tailspin when he learns that his life will soon end but he is safe at least until the first snow of the season. Now with his ultimate fate looming nearer, Jimmy becomes obsessed with revisiting his past in hopes of changing his destiny before it's too late. Rated M18 for Sexual Scenes and coarse language, "First Snow" will hit the shelves in June. See also Straight to Video #1

The Dark Knight Latest Banners

So Dark Yet So Cool...

Presto, the newest Pixar short!

Wondering which short will Pixar premiere this time round? Look no further, Animation World Magazine takes a look at "Presto" the newest Pixar short that will be screened theatrically with "Wall.E". Sounds very very promising...

Sydney Pollack (1934 - 2008)

Oscar-winning filmmaker and producer Sydney Pollack passed away today at the age of 73. The man is renowned for his directorial projects, "Out of Africa", "Tootsie", "The Firm" and also starred in movies such as "Eyes Wide Shut" and "Michael Clayton". In 2006, he shot a feature-length documentary about his friend, the renowned architect "Sketches of Frank Gehry". You can read more about Sydney Pollack in a tribute by LA Times.

The Crystal Skull Says So

No doubt "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" will earn lots of $$$ at the box-office, it has garnered US$269 million worldwide as we speak despite being an embarassingly bad entry in the Indiana Jones series. There's an interesting article at CNET which explains the Indiana Jones' graphics about going unnoticed and why Spielberg "wanted to make sure it looked like all the other" Indy films. Unbelievable, from a technological standpoint it already looks like a CG buffet from start to the end. Digital will always remain as digital for the time being, you can't deceive the human eyes. Your thoughts?

12 LOTUS - One For You, Me & Everyone!

Local director Roytson Tan together with co-producers MediaCorp Raintree Pictures, Scorpio East Pictures, and Infinite Frameworks, are proud to annouce the official title for his upcoming musical movie "12 LOTUS ". Previously known as 1028, the film stars Qi Yu Wu, Mindee Ong and Liu Ling Ling. Written and directed by Royston Tan, 12 LOTUS also features acclaimed music composer Eric Ng and Ricky Ho. 12 LOTUS tells the story of a singer and the heartless men in her life who use and abuse her. Spanning over 1980s, 1990s till the present day, this film will play out against the backdrop of poignant hokkien songs, which will touch audience with their resonance with the lead character. 12 LOTUS will be hitting the cinemas islandwide on 14th August 2008.

"Red Cliff" Promo Reel

Presuming shot by a Chinese reporter at Cannes, this 8 minutes promo reel of "Red Cliff" looks MAJESTIC. (Warning: Might be spoilerish to some).

Access it here...

"Hannah Montana: The Movie"

Production is underway for Walt Disney Pictures’ “Hannah Montana: The Movie,” starring actress-singer Miley Cyrus in her first full-length feature film. Filming in and around Nashville, Tenn., and Los Angeles, “Hannah Montana: The Movie” is slated for a Spring 2009 release in the United States. Miley also lends her voice to Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming animated feature "Bolt."

Director Peter Chelsom (“Shall We Dance?”) helms this music-filled comedy adventure based on Disney Channel's blockbuster television series, “Hannah Montana,” in which Cyrus stars as a teenage girl who lives a secret life as a pop star. The film also features “Hannah Montana” series regulars Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Mitchel Musso and Moises Arias.

Straight to Video - My Sassy Girl Stays Home

The U.S. remake of the 2001 Korean hit romance comedy "My Sassy Girl" which stars Jesse Bradford and Elisha Cuthbert will be available to own on Code 1 DVD from 19th August 2008. It's so pathetic that it wasn't even pick up for theatrical release. Perhaps, remakes liked "One Missed Call" and "Shutter" should stay this way. Ouch!

Prom Night Cancelled

Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls

We are sad to inform you that "Prom Night" previously slated for release (despite seeing the posters plastered everywhere) on June 5, has been moved. A new date will be advised by Sony Pictures. There will be no refunds if you already got your dresses ready.

Yours sincerely,
moviexclusive.com

You Need Not Wait Till the Year 2046

Apparently you need not wait till the year 2046 to catch Wong Kar Wai's "Ashes of Times Redux". It has been scheduled to hit the screens later in the year. And while you are here, drop by to take a look at some of the Asia movies that will come your way in the coming months. More surprises await you.....

Have you done your part in charity?

Dashing local actor Qi Yuwu's initiative of organising an art auction to raise funds for the Singapore Red Cross China Earthquake Appeal was a success. Together with Jasmine Tay of Jasmine Fine Arts, he managed to convince some prominent art collectors in Singapore to donate art pieces for the charity auction. These pieces include "Three Women" by renowned Chinese contemporary artist Ji Xiaofeng, Artist & former Minister of State Mr Lee Khoon Choy's "Tibetan Landscape"and Qi's limited edition lithograph print by China's Su Xinping. Together the charity art auction raised over S$80,000. Yeo Yann Yann, Qi's fellow actress from "881" was roped in just a day before to be co-auctioneer with him. Also initiated by Qi, the ongoing Jasmine Fine Arts china exhibition at the Shangrila Lobby Court will be donating 5% of their sale proceeds to the Appeal as well. The exhibition will continue till 28 May.

Let's Gossip

We just ran a post on Wong Kar Wai. Now the man who is in Cannes has get into a squabble with Mandarin Films' producer Raymond Wong over a movie title. The biopic of "Yip Man", the fourth collaboration between Donnie Yen and Wilson Yip is a story based on the life story of the late martial-art master Yip Man who is known mostly as the teacher of teenage Bruce Lee and a master of Wing Chun style. Wong argued that his company has previously announced to the media a similar project with his fave leading man, Tony Leung as Yip Man but Raymond Wong has unethically beaten him to it. One is an artistic acclaimed film-maker and the other, a fast-mover commercial films churner. Although we hate copycats, it's hard to draw the line between who is right or wrong in this case. Obviously, the audience is smart enough to differentiate both movies when they are released (if WKW's version is out anyway).

How Disney Animation Evolve

This is via Cartoon Brew, a funny crude animatic created by Ryan Peterson, a student of Media Studies at Vassar College about the Michael Eisner years and how Disney got to where it is today. Not entirely historical accurate but still worth a quick peek.

Ashes to Ashes.. Earth to Earth

I know someone in our team is looking forward to this. The 1994 Wong Kar Wai's martial arts classic "Ashes of Time" with a star-studded cast including Tony Leung, the late Leslie Cheung, Brigitte Lin, Maggie Cheung, Carina Lau and Charlie Young gets a redux. "My Blueberry Nights", Wong first foray to Hollywood wasn't much of a success. Will recutting one of his classics improve his flagging reputation we wonder? In other words, how many of you are actually waiting to catch "Ashes of Time Redux"?

Sex, Drugs and All Things Unpleasant

This 2004 TV documentary "Beatles' Biggest Secrets" is a collection of interviews, archival photographs and video footages put together supposedly to expose the deepest and darkest secrets of the Fab Four. Our reviewer John Li found out there's more beneath the fab four that he needs to know. Sex, drugs and all things unpleasant are involved. A pop group just can't do without all these 'accessories'.

I Want One for X'Mas

Watch "Wall-E" comes to live

Here Comes Kungfu Panda

Jack Black hams it up at the DreamWorks' Kung Fu Panda photocall in Cannes. "Panda" is about clumsy Po (Golden Globe nominee Jack Black), the biggest fan of kung fu around...which doesn't exactly come in handy while working every day in his family's noodle shop. When he's unexpectedly chosen to fulfill an ancient prophecy, Po's dreams become reality and he joins the world of kung fu to study alongside his idols, the legendary Furious Five: Tigress (Academy Award® winner Angelina Jolie); Crane (Emmy winner David Cross); Mantis (Emmy nominee Seth Rogen); Viper (Emmy/SAG nominee Lucy Liu); and Monkey (international superstar Jackie Chan) under the leadership of their guru, Master Shifu (two-time Oscar® winner Dustin Hoffman). But before they know it, the vengeful and treacherous snow leopard Tai Lung (Emmy/Golden Globe winner Ian McShane) is headed their way, and it's up to Po to defend everyone from the oncoming threat. Can he turn his dreams of becoming a kung fu master into reality?

At least it sounds much better than last year "Shrek 3". "Kungfu Panda" opens here on the 6th of June.

A POINT-less Sequel

The Hollywood Reporter has it that Jan de Bont ("Speed", "Twister") is onboard to direct the sequel to the 1991's surfer crime flick "Point Break". RGM Entertainment and Essential Entertainment will exec produce this Asia-based follow-up to director Kathryn Bigelow's original, which starred Keanu Reeves as an FBI agent casing a gang of surfer bank robbers. The new film will take place 20 years after the disappearance of one of the criminal surfers (Patrick Swayze). It was reported that the film will shoot in Singapore and Southeast Asia.

We doubt Reeves and Swayze will return and clearly for sure won't be shooting at East Coast.

One Foxy Lady

The "Transformers" babe, Megan Fox was caught on set for her newest pic, "Jennifer's Body" written by Oscar-winner "Juno" writer, Diablo Cody. Megan plays a newly possessed cheerleader who turns into a killer. She can also be seen in the coming "How to Lose Friends & Alienate People". To see more HOT pictures of Megan Fox, click here. Medical assistance might be required for those with a weaker heart.

First Dud from the '08 Summer Wave

Speeding to be the first dud of the 2008 summer blockbuster wave is the Wachowski Brothers' "Speed Racer" (WB/Village Roadshow). With a rumoured US$100 million budget, it only garnered US$20 million for the opening weekend, way below expectations. And costing perhaps a quarter of $100 mil to make is the Ashton 'Give Me Moore' Kutcher and Cameron Diaz rom-com "What Happens In Vegas", the Fox comedy which ironically grossed almost the same amount as Racer. Marvel's first self-financed "Iron Man" on the other hand is still going strong in the US and international markets with an accumulated sum of at least US$342 million. Based on initial box-office figures, we should be seeing more of Tony Stark but might take more than a miracle to see "Speed Racer 2". It's no longer Mach GoGoGo, it's Mach NoNoNo.

Go head over Moon & Sky for your Mum

Finally, it's the weekend and if you have yet shower your mum with love and gifts (Mother's Day is on the 11th May, this Sunday), perhaps a DVD or two might do the trick if your dearest mummy is a fan of romance genres. "Carolina Moon" and "Montana Sky" seem to be the perfect choices.

If that sound a bit cheap, grab something from Gucci, Tiffany or Poh Heng, no doubt that should work perfectly. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all hardworking mothers!

Your Worst Nightmare

For decades they have frightened us on the big screen. Now, the greatest minds in horror unleash their terrifying visions on the small screen with the Emmy & Saturn Award-Winning series, Masters Of Horror. 3 stories from season one: IMPRINT, DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE and INCIDENT ON AND OFF THE MOUNTAIN ROAD comes together for the first time in Masters of Horror Volume 1. Our Reviewer Richard Lim finds out if it really deserves the title.

"Gone Shopping" at Udine Far East Film Festival

At the Udine Far East Film Festival a few days back, our very own Wee Li Lin's "Gone Shopping" had its international premiere and it was very well received with about 900 attendees and lots of great write ups. Watch this space for future updates. Check out their revamped 'Gone Shopping' website in the meantime.

The Real Deal: L.A. Premiere of Iron Man

I'm sure many of you dear readers have attended gala premieres/red carpet events etc before. MX have covered a couple here as well. But the ultimate dream for most movie-goers perhaps is to attend one right in the heart of Hollywood with REAL stars and celebrities gracing the event. While on vacation in L.A., I managed to stumble into one, the IRON MAN premiere at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre on April 30, 2008, in Hollywood California. To see roads being blocked, throngs of fans screaming "Robert Downey Jr!", spotlights that could have lightened one HDB block of flat and dozens of Audis lining up in front of the theater is an amazing experience.

Of course, MX is not that huge a media to be invited there so I could only relate my experience from a tourist's point of view, hoping to get a glimpse of Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow and Terence Howard like many others. Next time you are going L.A., try going to the Grauman's Chinese Theatre and perhaps it might be your turn to get lucky.

Cool "Iron Man" Billboard

Cool "Iron Man" gigantic billboard spotted at Vegas! Love the tagline...

MPA marks World IP Day in Singapore

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) will launch a new anti-piracy trailer titled "What Are You Really Burning?" at the official website www.mpa-i.org to mark World IP Day.
The Anti-Piracy trailer was previewed to invited guests attending the Singapore Premiere for Iron Man today. Voiced by actress Mindee Ong who acted in 881, the top local film in 2007, the anti-piracy trailer reminds its audience that piracy affects the future of the local film industry. The trailer is scheduled to be screened in theaters across the island in the second half of the year.

The Singapore trailer launch joins four other countries in the region - China, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Thailand - with plans for further rollout region-wide later in the year. The trailers were produced in collaboration with the respective local film industries and challenge locals to consider the question “what are you really burning?” before they burn, buy or download pirated films.

World IP Day is an initiative of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and has been celebrated annually on April 26 since its inception in 2001. The day is primarily a chance to reflect on the importance of human innovation and celebrate the important role that IP plays in our daily lives.

“Singapore films are taking a growing share of screen time and box office revenue and finding critical acclaim worldwide. In addition, there are more people than ever before working in this industry, from the camera operators to set designers to sound effects engineers to artwork designers,” said Susan Lee, Director of Legislative and Commercial Affairs and Country Manager of the MPA. “We thank the producers of “881” for joining us in this effort. As online and DVD piracy hurts everyone in the movie industry, it is important that the industry as a whole raises IP awareness”.

Liew Woon Yin, Director General from the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore said, "We applaud this initiative by the Motion Picture Association to educate members of the public about the effects of piracy. As we are focusing on internet piracy this year, we definitely see the relevance and believe this trailer would create greater impact, especially on the youths who are considering a career in the film or media industry. Our partnership with MPA provides a well rounded campaign to reinforce the message, “Say No! to Piracy."

The MPA also participated at the “Parents Seminar 2008 on Cyber Dangers: Practise Safe Downloading” organized by the HIP (Honour Intellectual Property) Alliance, an initiative of the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) on April 26.

Supported by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Community Development, Youth & Sports (MCYS), the half day public seminar was well attended and the parents were rewarded with many practical tips on how they can protect themselves and their children against various Internet risks and the perils of online piracy. Concurrently, the children learnt about basic IP in a fun-filled programme at the Singapore Science Centre. Through various interactive activities, they were taught how to create their own IP so that they can appreciate and understand the importance of respecting the IP rights of others.

First-ever wedding in a cinema at Sony Pictures' Made Of Honour premiere

Ashley Thng and Kevin Foo, both 29, have dated for 11 years and will tie the knot at the premiere of MADE OF HONOUR at Golden Village VivoCity on May 8, 2008. For their once-in-a-lifetime event, the bride and groom will have a fully-sponsored wedding, compliments of some renowned names in the wedding business.

Ashley and Kevin were selected because, just like in the movie, Ashley is getting her best male buddy to be her “maid” of honour. Alvin Aw, 30, has known the bride and groom for 11 years. In fact, he was the “matchmaker” of the couple.

The bride’s make-up will be sponsored by Make Up Store. Their new Wedding Colours range will be used.

The bride’s dress is by Ivan Yong, Creative Designer at Thomson Wedding Collection. With more than 10 years of bridal gown design experience, he has created a signature wedding gown especially for the MADE OF HONOUR Gala Premiere. With the extensive usage of 100 metres of satin, 3,000 pieces of Swarovski crystals and 300 man-hours, the bustier wedding gown is extremely grand with its 2-metre train and beading.

The groom’s and maid-of-honour’s suits are also sponsored by Thomson Wedding Collection. Founded in 1965, Thomson Wedding Collection is one of the leading bridal studios in Singapore. Currently managed by Mr Wilson Phua, handed down by his father, he has readily expanded Thomson Wedding Collection to 2 branches in Singapore, Upper Thomson and Tanjong Pager.

Gala Premiere programme is as follows:

7.30pm Event Commences, hosted by Class 95 DJ
8.00pm Wedding march-in & Solemnization
9.00pm Movie Screening

The couple’s friends and family will watch the movie after the ceremony in the luxury of the Gold Class cinema, sponsored by Golden Village.

“The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” Biggest Premiere Ever in Singapore

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Singapore, will host the biggest premiere event ever in Singapore, for the upcoming blockbuster “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian”.
Set for the Vesak Day on May 19th, the movie will premiere simultaneously for the first time across the various key cinema halls (Cathay, Eng Wah, Golden Village, Shaw) within the town locations, with an expected audience turnout of 3,600.
To top it off, consumers can be part of this commemorative event as the tickets to the premiere will be made available to the public.
In addition to the first of its kind fan experience, each ticket will be bundled in an exquisite Collector’s Edition folio, which contains a call-to-arms letter (by Prince Caspian), a disc of featurettes, a special card skin sticker, and an A3 poster, retailing at $19.90 per set. Only a limited quantity of 3,000 sets will be produced in Singapore and with each set duly serialized.
Consumers can look out for the sale booth from 2nd to 4th May and from 9th to 11th May, at the following cinema locations:

The Cathay Cineplex
Cineleisure Orchard
Eng Wah Suntec
GV Grand, Great World City
GV, Marina Square
Shaw, Bugis Junction
Shaw Lido, Shaw Centre

The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian will open in Singapore theatres on May 29, 2008.