Announcement of New Movie Project About Breast Cancer

Clover Films and the Health Promotion Board (HPB) are pleased to announce a collaboration to produce a movie starring Singapore’s top actress MediaCorp artiste Zoe Tay (郑惠玉) and promising young actress Christy Yow (姚蕙敏). Tentatively titled “Ge Ai” (割爱), the movie tells the story of how a 40-year-old mother of two battles terminal breast cancer with dignity and courage. The movie showcases her struggles and how she inspires those around her, including a beautiful young model at the peak of her career.

The movie is directed by veteran television and movie director Gerald Lee (李世雄) (“After School”, “Aunty Lucy Slam Dunk”) and supported by producers Jack Choo (朱厚任) and Ling Sock Leng (林淑玲) (“The Maid”, “The Wedding Game”). Renowned media industry personality Danny Yeo (杨君伟) (“Kidnapper”) takes on the role of scriptwriter, together with theatre playwright Lee Shyh Jih (李世炬).

“We aim to produce an inspiring and touching movie that will spotlight the challenges faced by cancer patients and their loved ones. We are happy to be working with many of the top talents of the industry for this project, including MediaCorp artiste Ms. Zoe Tay, who was very touched by the script when it was presented to her. Together with the great production team we have put together, we are confident this will not only be an impactful movie, but also a box office success!” said Mr. Lim Teck, Managing Director of Clover Films.

Production of the movie will commence next week, on 08 March 2010, with its theatrical release slated for October 2010 in Singapore.

Coming Soon: Haunted Changi

A local documentary film is coming our way very soon, which explores the history and legends behind Singapore's infamous location. Mention the name Old Changi Hospital of Singapore and you'll easily get a plethora of supernatural tales. The site's still standing, and it still is creepy even though you're just driving by. In broad daylight. For those unfamiliar, this hospital was built in the 1930s, and was used during WWII when Singapore was under Japanese occupation as a POW camp complete with torture chambers. Spirits of different races and nationalities have been claimed to be seen wandering the premises especially at night.

According to the producer Sheena Chung, the crew had gone in and spent a night at the site with various cameras and captured plenty of strange happenings on film and audio tape. The crew got really sick after the night shoot, with the soundman was down and out for a week. Sheena herself had seen some of the footage and attests its frightening bits, from what she had gleaned so far during post production.

Could this film be our very own Blair Witch equivalent? You decide...

Related Links
Haunted Changi Official Movie Website
Production Blog
Facebook Group

GOEMON - Our 4 Stars Recommendation

Singapore's New (and First) Movie Mag- F*** (Film, Fame & Frank)

While you're already drooling over Christy Yow's topless cover, know that this is actually the inaugural edition of Singapore's new (and first) movie magazine- Film Fame and Frank (or F*** for short). We say first- because FIRST was shut down some nine months ago and has since morphed into a weekly supplement with The New Paper.

The founder of FIRST, Mr. Royston Loh, has since responded to calls for another full-fledged movie magazine and come up with F***, a magazine that's certainly pretty to look at (and we're not just talking about Christy). It's packed with gorgeous stills from movies like Clash of the Titans and Alice in Wonderland and there are movie reviews, DVD reviews and soundtrack reviews as well.

Movie buffs however may find that F*** comes up short on content though and unlike its predecessor, doesn't offer much by way of features and interviews. Of course, this is only its first issue and given the dearth of dedicated media outlets for movies, it'll be exciting to see what F*** has in store for its upcoming issues. We wish F*** all the best in its maiden endeavour!

Happy Go Lucky Gala Premiere

Some pixs from the Happy Go Lucky Gala Premiere held at The Cathay on 23 February. Director Harry Yap and the cast including Fann Wong, Patricia Mok and Richard Low posed for a group picture. One of the other cast member, getai veteran Lau Leng Leng was unable to attend due to prior work commitment. And of course, Singapore's most famous celebrity couple, Mr and Mrs Lee-Wong Fann.

The New Poster from How To Train Your Dragon

From the studio that brought you “Shrek,” “Madagascar” and “Kung Fu Panda” comes “How to Train Your Dragon.” Set in the mythical world of burly Vikings and wild dragons, and based on the book by Cressida Cowell, the action comedy tells the story of Hiccup, a Viking teenager who doesn’t exactly fit in with his tribe’s longstanding tradition of heroic dragon slayers. Catch the new poster image and trailer right here! How To Train Your Dragon (also in 3D) opens here on 25th March.

Toy Story 3 New Characters Revealed Part 3

Stephen Chow to remake "Way of The Dragon"?

Stephen Chow will begin shooting his new film "Tai Chi" which features prominent Hollywood stars Jack Black and Anne Hathaway in the United States in June this year, said Hong Kong media reports. The Hong Kong actor-director last directing effort was "CJ7" in 2008 and even pulled out from the high-profile "The Green Hornet" due to unspecified reasons but his upcoming film "Tai Chi" looks set to make a splash in Hollywood. "Tai Chi" will be based on the 1972 film "Way of the Dragon" starring Bruce Lee. Chow, a big fan of the late kung fu legend Bruce Lee, reportedly went to great lengths to make sure the script was perfect. The film will be Chow's directorial and acting debut in Tinseltown. This piece of news originate from Channelnewsasia

Colin Firth Nets BAFTA AWARD

Festive Films and Cathay Keris Films are proud to announce that A SINGLE MAN’s Colin Firth has scooped this year’s Best Actor Award at the BAFTA . The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) awards ceremony took place at the Royal Opera House last night. Last week, Colin Firth was also named as the best British actor at the London Film Critics' Circle Awards. A SINGLE MAN is slated for release 11th March 2010.

Toy Story 3 New Characters Revealed Part 2

Roman Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" gets best director award in Berlin

Polish-born director Roman Polanski (The Pianist), currently under house arrest in his Swiss chalet has won the best director prize at the Berlin Film Festival for his thriller "The Ghost Writer". The movie is about a ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan) who uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy. The thriller is scheduled to open here on 8 April.

Percy Jackson beats out 72 Tenants, Little Big Soldier and Su Qi Er

Percy Jackson And The Lightning Thief beats out the rest of the competitors, clutching the top spot in the local box-office during the Chinese New Year long weekend. Obviously the gang from 72 Tenants of Prosperity, True Legend aka Su Qi Er and the gigantic cast of Valentine's Day were no match for the wonder boy. Even everyone favourite's action star, Jackie Chan's Little Big Soldier has to settle for the fourth spot. But the biggest winner at the end of the day seems to be Warner Fox who distributes both Percy Jackson and Valentine's Day locally. Anyway, everyone huat ah!

Wishing Everyone A Prosperous Tiger Year!

Before we go off to usher in the new year, on behalf of everyone at mx, here's wishing all of our readers a happy, prosperous Tiger year. In the meantime, don't miss our Valentine's special, an article on Nicholas Sparks' writings called Sparks Of Love. And of course our reviews of the Chinese New Year slate of movies including 72 Tenants of Prosperity, Little Big Soldier, Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, Valentine's Day, True Legend, 14 Blades, The Wolfman and All's Well End's Well 2010. GONG XI FA CAI!

The HK Film Industry is Far From Dying Part 2

Jeff Lau (Kung Fu Cyborg Attraction, Chinese Odyssey) returns in this spoof comedy, "Just Another Pandora's Box" starring Ronald Cheng, Athena Chu and Eric Tsang on 18 March 2010. Quirky director Edmond Pang (Exodus, Isabella)covers the collision of reality and delightfully trivial matters of smokers in another bizarre social movie that stars Miriam Yeung and Shawn Yue in "Love In A Puff" opening 25 March. After the success of "Beast Stalker", director Dante Lam once again demonstrates his taste for high-octane crime thriller. In "Fire of Conscience" starring Richie Ren and Leon Lai, a cop who is being investigated by Internal Affairs was made to team up with a rogue narcotics agent to investigate a prostitute homicide. The action thriller will open on 1 April 2010.

Toy Story 3 New Characters Revealed

Celebrates with Universal Studios Singapore Previews from 14 Feb 2010

Singapore’s first Integrated Resort (IR), Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), will begin the first day of the Tiger year with the soft-opening of its casino and a preview opportunity to stroll through the amazing environments at Universal Studios Singapore and enjoy the specially themed dining and shopping venues that will complement the incredible attractions, rides and shows that soon will be revealed. For sneak peek week, Universal Studios Singapore will open from 5pm to 9pm every night from 14 Feb to 21 Feb. Admission will be by $10 tickets, rebated by a same-value dining voucher. Sale of the tickets starts from 11:18am Friday, 12 Feb 2010. Guests can visit the box office at the Universal Studios Singapore front gate to purchase tickets for another day (there will be no same day ticket sales available).
Following the sneak peek week, Universal Studios Singapore will open on 22 Feb 2010 to Resorts World Sentosa, Genting, and Universal employees followed by limited audiences of staff families, charities and invited guests. It expects to welcome its first public guests in early March.

Mission Impossible IV due end May 2011

Paramount Picutres has confirmed that Tom Cruise will return for the fourth instalment of Mission Impossible. Cruise will also produce, together with J.J Abrams, the director of MI: III and also last summer's "Star Trek". Josh Applebaum and Andre Nemec, who previously worked with Abrams on "Alias" have been tapped to write the script. No director has been attached to the movie as yet, though with Abrams on board for the sequel to "Star Trek", it's unlikely he'll return to the director's chair for this.

EXPERIENCE THE CLASSIC TALE WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Escape to a land of fantasy when Where the Wild Things Are Premieres in Singapore only on Blu-ray and DVD March 2nd. Based on the highly awarded, critically acclaimed children’s book, innovative director, Spike Jonze, collaborates with celebrated author Maurice Sendak to bring one of the most beloved books of all time to home video...a classic story about childhood and the places we go to figure out the world we live in. The Where the Wild Things Are Blu-ray contains more than one hour of Special Features and will be available for $49.90 and on single disc DVD for $26.90.

Rock on with AC/DC and Tony Stark!

Through a unique collaboration between Marvel Studios and Columbia Records, AC/DC’s music will be featured in Marvel Studios’ “IRON MAN 2,” the sequel to the 2008 blockbuster film. In addition, Columbia Records will release the album AC/DC: Iron Man 2 on 19 April 19. AC/DC: Iron Man 2, features 15 classic AC/DC songs selected from ten of the band’s studio albums, ranging from 1976 to 2008.

The film is scheduled for release in US on 7 May.

The debut video from AC/DC: Iron Man 2 is the AC/DC’s classic album cut “Shoot To Thrill,” which was filmed live last month in Buenos Aires during the band’s highly acclaimed Black Ice World Tour. The video also incorporates exclusive footage from “IRON MAN 2”. Check www.acdc.com and www.marvel.com for more information.

“Jon Favreau’s vision and passion for AC/DC’s music blend seamlessly into this incredible film” said Steve Barnett, co-chairman of Columbia Records. "The music really underscores the high energy and excitement of the film.”

Favreau returns to direct “IRON MAN 2,” with Robert Downey Jr. reprising his starring role as the larger-than-life leading character, along with Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell, Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson.

Watch out for more news here!

Goemon - The Legendary Bandit

Yosuke Eguchi (Shaolin Girl) and Ryoko Hirosue (Departures) returns to the big screen in this visual masterpiece which cost 1.5 billon yen to create, "Goemon 大盗五右卫门". In 1582, the mighty warlord Nobunaga was betrayed by his retainer, Mitsuhide. The cruel Hideyoshi subjugated Mitsuhide’s warriors and took over as Ruler of the Kingdom of Japan. Master thief Goemon – the Japanese Robin Hood – steals a wooden box once owned by Mitsuhide. Hideyoshi’s men, including Lord Mitsunari and his legendary ninja Saizo, are after the box and Goemon finds himself fighting for his life. He discovers evidence inside the box of the secret pact between Mitsuhide and Hideyoshi to assassinate Nobunaga. This revelation would tear Japan apart. Moreover Nobunaga was like a father to Goemon – the betrayal could not be more personal. Watch the trailer on MX now!

Kick Ass Ip Man 2 Teaser

Donnie Yen VS Sammo Hung on a table with lots of upside down stools around the table... there's Zero Action and yet it's giving me a frenzy anticipation of things to come! Can't wait for Ip Man 2 to hit cinema this year!

-RLJ via SS-

The HK Film Industry is Far From Dying

After a decade, Derek Yee finally follows up with his 2000 actioner, Double Tap with "Triple Tap", another riverting thriller starring the overexposed Louis Koo and Daniel Wu. This one holds the most potential to be screen locally this year given Yee's reputation and the two suave leading men. Simon Yam on the other hand teams up with Michael Miu in this Wong Jing produced and Keung Kwok Man’s directed crime thriller "Black Ransom" which also stars Fala Chen and Andy On. The trailer looks promising with lots of guns and explosions. But given Wong's reputation, we can't really raise our hopes much except for a typical shoot-em-up HK action flick. The notorious Dennis Law returns with another directing feature "Bad Blood". His movies are never that impressive sad to say but here he is assembling a cast including Simon Yam (again?), Andy On (again?), Ken Lo and Jiang Lu-Xia (from Coweb) in another bloodshed triad tale. The HK film industry is far from dying it seems...p.s. the trailers can be found on everyone's favourite webby, Youtube.

Get Ready to Clash in 3D

After months of speculation, Warner Bros has finally announced that its upcoming remake of Clash of the Titans will be released in 3D. It's no secret the unprecedented success of Avatar has energised studios to consider seriously the format that James Cameron's film was so integral in facilitating the transition to. But come the week of April 2nd, Clash of the Titans will have to slug it out with DreamWorks' How To Train Your Dragon (opening just a week before) and quite possibly Cameron's Avatar for 3D screen space.

Together with Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (in June), Guardians of Ga'Hoole (in Sept) and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part 1 due in Nov), that means WB has all its major releases this year prepped for 3D release.

COLIN FIRTH NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTOR FOR A SINGLE MAN AT THE 82ND ACADEMY AWARDS

Festive Films and Cathay Keris Films are proud to announce that Colin Firth has been nominated for Best Actor in a leading role at the 82nd Academy Awards. The nominations were announced Tuesday, 2nd February. The ceremony is scheduled to take place 7th March at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. A SINGLE MAN is slated for release 11th March 2010. For the rest of the nominees, go to Oscar.com

Save Our Film: A Charity Campaign

2010 is a milestone year for the Asian Film Archive as it celebrates its fifth anniversary and initiates the 'Save Our Film' campaign. The ‘Save Our Film’ campaign aims to raise awareness of Singapore's rich local film heritage and the importance of keeping it alive for our future. Targeting youth aged 15 to 35, the initiative shows them the value of local films and encourages them to seek out local film memories from their elders, thereby using local films to breach the generation gap through collective film memories. The 'Save Our Film' campaign launches in February 2010 with a series of events including 'Save Our Film' posters, flash mob style 10-minute video projections and Singaporeans are invited to share their film memories in the first-ever public Call for Memories. More information on the 'Save Our Film' campaign and events will be released at its Official Website in February 2010.