John Barry (1933 - 2011)

Renowned composer John Barry has passed away of a heart attack. Barry is known for composing the music for 11 James Bond flicks, Out Of Africa, Chaplin and Dances With Wolves among many others. In an illustrious career spanning almost 50 years, Barry won 5 Academy Awards and numerous awards including the BAFTA and Grammy.

MR AND MRS INCREDIBLE Teaser! (Hilarious!)

The CNY season will be upon us in a few days time! With at least five CNY movies fighting for your buck, here's a little teaser for "MR AND MRS INCREDIBLE" that might just encourage you to check out this superhero action-comedy. Enjoy!

Rapunzel arrives on DVD/Blu-ray 29th March 2011

Disney presents a new twist on one of the most hilarious tales ever told in a hair-raising 3D Combo Pack! Your whole family will get tangled up in fun, excitement and adventure as the action leaps off the screen and into your living room in Disney Blu-ray 3D. RAPUNZEL A TANGLED TALE aka TANGLED will be available in 3D BLU-RAY Combo Pack (3D BD + 2D BD) at $59.90, BLU-RAY Combo Pack (2D BD + DVD) at $49.90, Standard DVD with Bonus Features at $26.90 and JUST MOVIE DVD at $14.90. EXCLUSIVE TO BLU-RAY Bonus includes 3 Deleted Scenes, The Making Of A Fairy Tale, 2 Extended Songs, 9 Theatrical Teasers and all DVD Bonuses (2 Original Storybook Openings + 50th Animated Countdown). Let your hair down and get ready to cheer for “Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale.” Bursting with never-before-seen bonus features and jumping to life right before your eyes, it’s even more enchanting in Disney Blu-ray 3D – Magic In A New Dimension.

What Women Want MV

The MV, "Slip Away" for Andy Lau's upcoming romantic comedy WHAT WOMEN WANT co-starring Gong Li. Movie opens 17 February 2011.

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT received four Oscar nominations

Festive Films and Cathay Keris Films are proud to announce that Lisa Cholodenko's The Kids Are All Right received four Oscar nominations today. The critically acclaimed film was nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actress (Annette Bening), Best Supporting Actor (Mark Ruffalo), and Best Original Screenplay. The Kids Are All Right is scheduled for release 24 February 2011.

TRUE GRIT garnered 10 Academy Award Nominations!

TRUE GRIT garnered 10 Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Director - Joel & Ethan Coen, Best Actor - Jeff Bridges and Best Supporting Actress - Hailee Steinfeld. Other nominations include: 1. Best motion picture of the year  2. Performance by an actor in a leading role 3. Performance by an actress in a supporting role 4. Art Direction 5. Achievement in Cinematography 6. Achievement in costume design 7. Achievement in directing 8. Sound Editing 9. Sound Mixing 10. Adapted Screenplay. UIP will be releasing the remake of the Oscar-winning True Grit which stars Matt Damon, Jeff Bridges, Josh Brolin and Hailee Steinfeld come 24 February 2011. Directed and written by Ethan and Joel Coen, True Grit tells the tale of a tough US. Marshal who helps a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer. So far, True Grit has become the Coen brothers' most financially successful movie surpassing their previous Academy Award-winning 'No Country for Old Men.'

SHAOLIN opens islandwide today!

Catch it at some of the biggest screens around town (GVmax, The Grand Cathay, Orchard Cineleisure Halls 3 and 5, Shaw Bugis 1)!

Casting begins on Christopher Nolan's THE DARK KNIGHT RISES

It's only the beginning of 2011, but there's no doubt that one of the most eagerly anticipated movies of 2012 will be the sequel to Christopher Nolan's record-breaking "The Dark Knight". Warner Bros. has announced that Anne Hathaway has been cast as Selina Kyle in “The Dark Knight Rises.”  She will be starring alongside Christian Bale, who returns in the title role of Bruce Wayne/Batman. 

Christopher Nolan stated, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Anne Hathaway, who will be a fantastic addition to our ensemble as we complete our story.” In addition, Tom Hardy has been set to play Bane.  Nolan said, “I am delighted to be working with Tom again and excited to watch him bring to life our new interpretation of one of Batman’s most formidable enemies.”

Nolan will direct the film from a screenplay he wrote with Jonathan Nolan, from a story by Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer.  He will also produce the film with his longtime producing partner, Emma Thomas, and Charles Roven.
   
“The Dark Knight Rises” is slated for release beginning July 20, 2012.

You are Invited to the HOMECOMING of the New Year!

Reunion is part and parcel of CNY- and this year, director Lee Thean-Jeen invites you to join Jack Neo, Mark Lee, Ah Niu, Jacelyn Tay, Rebecca Lim and Huang Wen Hong for a star-studded Homecoming. This local film is a series of stories about family and what it means to come home, capturing the essence of the warmth and the tradition of that annual reunion.

You are invited to a Homecoming with the cast on 24 Jan at 7 pm, GV Marina. For $20 (GV Movie Club Member) and $24 (non-members), you'll have dinner at the Manhattan Fish Market and watch the film before anyone else (yes, that includes us the media)!

You are also invited to meet the cast at a series of roadshows on 30 Jan at the following times and locations:

• 1230pm - Hougang Mall
• 2pm - Jurong Point
• 330pm - Downtown East
• 5pm - AMK Hub
• 7pm - Tiong Bahru Plaza

Reminisce with the ensemble local cast of IT'S A GREAT GREAT WORLD

The younger generation may be unaware, but Great World Amusement Park was an iconic landmark along Kim Seng Road (where Great World City currently stands). This CNY, director Kelvin Tong has assembled the largest group of local and foreign celebrities in a Singapore-made film for the comedy, It's A Great Great World, which spans four stories around Great World's landmarks- Sky Theatre, Ghost Train, Flamingo Nightclub and Wing Choon Yuen Restaurant.

If you already have tickets to the gala premieres at nex, The Cathay or GV Vivocity, good news for you! The cast will be making appearances at the galas. If not, fret not- you can still catch them at these times and locations:

• 22 Jan, 430pm, Chinatown Point
• 22 Jan, 730pm, Compass Point (Uncle Ringo's Funfair)
• 23 Jan, 1pm, Bukit Panjang Plaza
• 23 Jan, 3pm, Lot One
• 23 Jan, 5pm, AMK Hub
• 23 Jan, 7pm, Chinatown CNY Event (next to Singapore Buddha Tooth Relic Temple)

Seeing Stars!

Setting a record for the biggest star tour in Singapore to date was the ensemble cast of the upcoming CNY blockbuster, "I Love Hong Kong", who swung into town on 16 Jan to promote their movie. Those who came included veteran funnyman and funny-woman Eric Tsang and Sandra Ng, as well as TVB artistes such as Fala Chen, Maggie Cheung and Louis Yuen.

And greeting them with loud cheers and whoops was the enthusiastic crowd gathered in front of Jurong Point where the stars made their one and only public appearance wearing "I Heart HK" T-shirts. Each of the cast led by Eric Tsang took turns to say hi to their fans and exhort them to go catch this funny and heartwarming comedy in cinemas 2 Feb. Popular hip-hop duo FAMA also rapped a tune to greet their Singapore fans.

Some of the spectators also had the chance to take home an autographed poster from each and every one of the stars. If the excitement of the crowd was anything to go by, you can be sure that they are ready to profess "I Love Hong Kong".

For more photos of the event, visit our Facebook album.

The Kids Are All Right wins Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) at the Golden Globes!

The ensemble movie "The Kids Are All Right" has deservedly taken home the Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) award at this year's Golden Globes. Written and directed by Lisa Cholodenko, this is the story of two children conceived by artificial insemination and raised by a lesbian couple (Julianne Moore and Annette Bening) who seek out their birth father (Mark Ruffalo) and try to bring him into their family life.

We at MX think that it's a sweet, funny and very thoughtful drama which speaks volumes about family dynamics of a different kind- so don't forget to catch it when it opens in cinemas 24 Feb.

Scrat Changed The World

A very funny teaser to ICE AGE 4: CONTINENTAL DRIFT which is opening July 5th, 2012.

MEET ANDY LAU IN PERSON!

If you, like the people at MX, are ardent Andy Lau fans, then you don't want to miss this rare opportunity to catch him live in person! Andy will be in town with director Benny Chan to promote their new movie "Shaolin" on 20 Jan. They will be meeting the fans at Plaza Singapura, Main Atrium at 7 pm and then heading over to GV Vivocity at 8 pm to grace the gala premiere.

So mark the date and times down on your calendar folks and meanwhile, check out our review of "Shaolin" right here. The movie opens islandwide 21 Jan.

Take Your Pick This Week

This week get ready for a total of 8 new releases at the cineplex near you. Political thriller- Fair Game, musical- Burlesque, horror thrillers - Who R U and Season of the Witch, romance drama - Lover's Discourse, comedy with a local flavor - Lelio Popo and two European comedies, Paris Express and Rabbit Without Ears 2. Take your pick, the choice is yours!

ʻWHEN HAINAN MEETS TEOCHEWʼ SELECTED TO OPEN AQFF 2011

When Hainan Meets Teochew by director Han Yew Kwang has been selected to be the opening film of the Asian Queer Film Festival in 2011! It will also be the Japanese premiere for the film. Dates for the biennial film festival will be announced later. More information about the festival can be obtained from their website http://aqff.jp Information in English can be found here http://aqff.jp/2009/english.html.

Director Han Yew Kwang is elated by the selection, and hopes that the screening of the film in Japan will help to promote a stronger exchange of film culture between the two countries. He also hopes that the Japanese audience will enjoy the film as much as the audience in Singapore. During interviews, Han mentioned that the film was inspired by the two leads, Lee Chau Min and Tan Hong Chye. Their constant banters and bickering gave him so many ideas that his original plan to do a short film became a feature length project instead.

Those who missed When Hainan Meets Teochew previously will get another chance to watch it when it resumes screenings at The Arts House from 13 Jan 2011. The Mandarin and English local film is rated NC-16 for mature theme and some sexual reference. For ticketing information, please visit http://www.bytes.sg/  You can also find the latest updates on their Facebook page. Or visit the official website at: http://18gpictures.com/whmt

Help Fund The Missing Ingredient!

Award-winning freelance television director and producer Sanif Olek is appealing to the masses out there to help him complete his debut feature film Ramuan Rahasia [The Missing Ingredient], which is currently 65% done from the director's own resources, and requires funds and donations to complete the remaining 35%. Production commenced in 2009 but has stalled due to insufficient funds.

The project needs S$300 000 (approx US$230K) more to complete. This fund is required to film the remaining 10 days of shoot, including post-production costs.

"Ramuan Rahasia" [The Missing Ingredient] is inspired by food films such as Ang Lee’s Eat Drink Man Woman, Lars Halström’s Chocolat, Gabriel Axel’s Babette’s Feast and Alfonso Arau’s Like Water For Chocolate, blending spicy food, classic Nusantara Malay songs and unrequited love into a potent concoction fit for international palate, with the cross-cultural themes being a magnet to the international Malay diaspora and lovers of Malay culture around the world. The universal theme of love lost and reconciled should guarantee it a wide potential audience.

As the first full-length Malay-language feature film made in Singapore in possibly forty years(!) this film is also an example of international collaboration, being filmed on two continents with cast and crew from Singapore and Australia, such as the casting coup of Dato' Rahim Razali, a legend in Southeast Asian Malay cinema.

You can find out more details on how to chip in from this appeal page. Don't wait!

BRIEF SYNOPSIS
Rahim Razali stars as a man unable to move past the death of his wife to regain the love of his only son. Blamed for the accident & left paralyzed, Pak Harun is placed in the care of Murni, an at-home nurse. When Murni fails at cooking his late-wife’s most favored Malay dish, Pak Harun’s torment forces Murni to seek guidance from the memory of her family killed in the Aceh tsumani.

Will they find the missing ingredient that unites them all - people from different places, cultures and phases of life - bringing them together to sing the same tune?

TEASER

Previous Teasers/Showreels
Teaser 1

Teaser 2

AMERICA’S FAVORITE LITTLE CHIHUAHUA’S ARE BACK

Everybody’s favorite talking Chihuahuas are back in Disney’s Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2, the comedy that’s a pack of outrageous fun for the whole family.

Puppy mayhem turns the lives of newlywed Chihuahua parents Papi and Chloe upside down when their rambunctious, mischievous puppies present one challenge after another. But when their human owners end up in trouble, the tiny pups will stop at nothing to save them — because in good times and hard times, the family always sticks together. So

Papi, Chloe and the puppies embark on a heroic adventure, proving once again that big heroes come in small packages. Featuring an all-star cast, including George Lopez (voice of Papi), and complete with a litter of bonus features, this heartwarming tale of the meaning of family, friendship and loyalty is a special breed of fun — times five.

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 Blu-ray and DVD with special features including Blooper Faux Paws, “This Is My Paradise” Music Video by Disney Star Bridgit Mendler.

Want to catch a free screening of LELIO POPO?

We are giving away free tickets to catch the comedy, Lelio Popo at AMK Hub this Saturday, 8th January 3pm courtesy of Clover Films. Just drop an email to moviexclusive@gmail.com with email header: "I LOVE LELIO POPO" together with your name, address, IC Number and contact number.

Forever

From the director of Gone Shopping comes Forever, the second feature film of Wee Li Lin. The story is about a flower girl whom since the age of eight, Joey has been in love with the idea of finding that special man and being his bride. The film cheekily distorts the many symbols and sanctities of matrimony that mirror Joey’s distorted view on matrimony. Forever is confirmed to hit Singapore cinemas on March 3, 2011. More details can be found on the official website: http://www.foreverthemovie.com.sg/index.html

Pete Postlethwaite (1946 – 2011)

Oscar-nominated actor Pete Postlethwaite has died at the age of 64, the screen star passed away at a hospital near his home in Shropshire following a long battle with cancer. Postlethwaite received an Academy Award nod in 1994 for his work on IRA biography In The Name Of The Father and was made an OBE in the 2004 New Year's Honours List. Postlethwaite had built up an extensive filmography of over 90 titles and was last seen in Clash of the Titans, Inception, The Town and the upcoming Solomon Kane.

Asian Directors Talk - Derek Tsang & Jimmy Wan

Join Derek Tsang and Jimmy Wan in an exclusive sharing session on Monday 10 January 2011, 7.00 - 8.00pm, Imagination Room, Level 5 National Library Building. Nominated for the Taipei Golden Horse Awards 2010, Lover's Discourse portrays bittersweet segments of couples, family members and close friends going through various stages of love, betrayal and redemption. See lovers indulge in the discourse of flirting with those who make their hearts flutter and fighting against the conventions of love. This film stars Kit Chan, Eason Chan and Eric Tsang. Lover's Discourse opens 13 Jan exclusively at Cathay CineplexesCineleisure Orchard and AMK Hub. This talk is presented by National Library Board in collaboration with Cathay-Keris Films andMusictronic (S) Entertainment.

Register at http://golibrary.nlb.gov.sg/Event.aspx?EventID=35485
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/goarts
Review & Trailer: http://www.moviexclusive.com/review/loversdiscourse/loversdiscourse.html

They are... Back!

As we usher in 2011, great news await us: The hilarious When Hainan Meets Teochew will return for more screenings!

Han Yew Kwang's comedy about a mismatched couple will run for one more week at The Arts House from 13 January. Due to popular demand, this second run aims to reach out to those who have yet to hear about this local film, to those who have failed to catch it the first time round, and also to those who want to laugh their hearts out again.

Tickets priced at $10 ($8 for students, senior citizens, NSF and The Arts House members) are now on sale from The Arts House ticketing website here. So wait no more - go see for yourself what is in store When Hainan Meets Teochew!

Read our review of the film here, and our interview with the director here.

Catch the LITTLE FOCKERS this holiday season!