Gary Winick 1961 - 2011

Director/Producer Gary Winick who gave audience the recent Amanda Seyfried's Letters To Juliet, Anne Hathaway's Bride Wars, Dakota Fanning's Charlotte's Web and Jennifer Garner's 13 Going On 30 has passed away. While you might not necessary be a fan of the man's movies yet his most enduring legacy is likely the one he left on a smaller community, the thousands of filmmakers who have and will continue to benefit from his work as a digital pioneer at the turn of the century as the founder of InDigEnt, the collective he created with Cinetic's John Sloss and IFC Films to make films for under $100,000 on digital video.

The 83rd Academy Awards Winners List (P.S. Let us know your views! http://on.fb.me/eJ70P5)

Best Picture- Iain Canning,Emile Sherman, Gareth Unwin, The King's Speech

Best Actor- Colin Firth, The King's Speech

Best Actress- Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Best Director- Tom Hooper, The King's Speech

Best Original Song- Randy Newman, Toy Story 3

Best Editing- Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall, The Social Network

Best Visual Effects- Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley, Pete Bebb, Paul J. Franklin, Inception

Best Documentary Feature- Charles Ferguson, Audrey Marrs, Inside Job

Best Live Action Short- Luke Matheny, God of Love

Best Documentary Short- Karen Goodman, Kirk Simon, Strangers No More

Best Costume Design- Colleen Atwood, Alice In Wonderland

Best Makeup- Rick Baker, Dave Elsey, The Wolfman

Best Sound Editing- Richard King, Inception

Best Sound Mixing- Lora Hirschberg, Garry Rizzo, Ed Novick, Inception

Best Original Score- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, The Social Network

Best Supporting Actor- Christian Bale, The Fighter

Best Foreign Language Film- Susanne Bier, In A Better World

Best Original Screenplay- David Seidler, The King's Speech

Best Adapted Screenplay- Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Best Animated Feature Film- Lee Unkrich, Toy Story 3

Best Animated Short Film- Shaun Tan, Andrew Ruhemann, The Lost Thing

Best Supporting Actress- Melissa Leo, The Fighter

Best Cinematography- Wally Pfister, Inception

Best Art Direction- Robert Stromberg, Karen O'Hara, Alice In Wonderland

Soundtrack of Life

"A visceral thrilling story that will take an audience on a never before experienced journey and prove what we can do when we choose life." - That's what the synopsis of the Oscar-nominated 127 Hours says. What's a composer to do with a film like that?

Academy Award-winning composer A.R. Rahman of Slumdog Millionaire fame shines again, creating an atmospheric and transcendent music score to capture the heart and soul of the film.

And we know that because we had given the soundtrack album a spin. So watch out for the review on movieXclusive.com, and find out how you can win a copy of the CD by watching this space!

TOY STORY Gang Goes Hawaii

Entertainment Weekly has your first look at images from the new six-minute "Toy Story" short that will play in theaters in front of Cars 2. In the short, titled "Hawaiian Vacation," Barbie and Ken mess up plans to take a trip, so their toy friends re-create a romantic getaway at home. Gary Rydstrom (Pixar's "Lifted" in which a young alien is taking a test in humans abduction) is the director of this new short.

When Hainan Meets Teochew... in Hong Kong

Alright!

More specifically, at the Hong Kong International Film Festival that is, which runs from 20th March to 5th April, with the film making its international premiere after its successful limited commercial run in Singapore. For those attending the festival, keep a lookout for the film as it will be screened under the Global Vision section, devoted to new works from around the world.

For industry players, the film will also be screened at the Hong Kong FILMART from 21 to 24 March, held in conjunction with the HKIFF. And as previously mentioned, When Hainan Meets Teochew will also be going to Tokyo to open the Asian Queer Film Festival in May 2011.

If you still haven't seen the film, you can do so now - the final local screening will be tomorrow 25th Feb 2011, 7pm at Sinema Old School - get your tickets rightaway!

DVD...DVD...DVD...DVD...DVD...

From Clover Films and TS Laser comes three home videos for your viewing pleasure. First is Close To You, for those who enjoy watching irritatingly cute Taiwanese drama series. It has all the elements which are present in a respected Taiwan idol drama. Cute guys. Check. Cute girls. Check. Cameos from well known pop stars. Check. And it stars none other than Eddie Peng and Ming Dao. Our local 'Ah Jie' aka Zoe Tay and Kenny Ho stars in this Health Promotion Board's endorsed breast cancer drama called Love Cuts. Unfortunately, we could only wish that this was a TV commercial instead of a long drawn feature film. Last but not least, IRIS the movie details the exploits of secret agent Hyun-jun played by G.I. Joe-Lee Byung-hun, action + teary romance + exotic locations, IRIS the movie is a decent Asian espionage movie to kill a boring weekend.

In His Time: The Films of Edward Yang

The National Museum Cinémathèque is proud to present the works of Edward Yang (杨德昌) from 2 to 13 March 2011. In His Time: The Films of Edward Yang, offers audience the opportunity to savour all of the legendary director’s films. When Edward Yang passed away in 2007, he left behind eight masterpieces that made an indelible mark on world cinema. A self-taught filmmaker and often noted as one of the leading figures of the Taiwanese New Wave, he always pushed the boundaries of filmmaking in Taiwan at that time , resulting in films that often explored the real struggles and experiences Taiwanese faced.

Considered as one of the leading figures of the Taiwanese New Wave, Yang pushed the boundaries of filmmaking in his country at that time, charting a new direction for his contemporaries and Taiwanese cinema as a result. Known for his commitment to the use of film for cultural critique and social commentary, Yang’s films are stark and candid reflections of Taiwanese society. Through the study of intertwining lives of urban individuals, his films often revealed the most commonplace yet intense themes of life such as the search for identity and love in the midst of chaotic city lives. His cinematic brilliance garnered him a string of international accolades, including the coveted Best Director Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 for the movie Yi Yi(一一, 2000).

For complete details of In His Time: The Films of Edward Yang please visit http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/

Getting STONE and MONSTERS

MONSTERS, the little indie sci-fi movie which star newcomers Scoot McNairy and Whitney Able and is written, shot and directed by BAFTA award-winning, EMMY Nominated CGI animator Gareth Edwards will be available on DVD, 18 February 2011. Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro, Oscar® nominee Edward Norton and Milla Jovovich deliver powerful performances as a seasoned corrections official and a scheming inmate whose lives become dangerously intertwined in this 'gritty and engrossing thriller' called STONE. This tale of passion, betrayal and corruption skillfully weaves together the parallel journeys of two men grappling with dark impulses, as the line between lawman and lawbreaker becomes precariously thin is rated M18 for Sexual Scenes And Coarse Language is available for sale and rental now.

TRON LEGACY On 3D Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (3D BD + 2 BD), Blu-ray™ Combo Pack¹ (2D BD + DVD), Standard DVD & JUST Movie DVD² 5th April 2011

Disney presents a high-tech motion picture unlike anything you’ve ever seen. Immerse yourself in the digital world of TRON, as celebrated actor Jeff Bridges stars in a revolutionary visual effects adventure beyond imagination. TRON LEGACY will be available in 3D BLU-RAY Combo Pack (3D BD + 2D BD) at RRP$59.90, BLU-RAY Combo Pack (2D BD +DVD) at RRP$49.90, Standard DVD with Bonus Features at RRP$26.90 and JUST MOVIE DVD² at RRP$14.90 come 5th April 2011. Blu-ray Bonus Features include First Look At TRON: Uprising, The Disney XD Animated Series, Visualizing TRON, Installing The Cast.

The Kids Are All Right gets restricted screening

After a long wait, the ensemble film "The Kids Are All Right" is finally opening in Singapore on Feb 24. Well, that is, with an R21 (Homosexual Theme) rating and a restricted screening to just one screen.

Yes, you read that right, it can only be screened in one theatre, and Festive has chosen Cineleisure Orchard to be that exclusive location. This is the first time MDA has laid down such a regulation and it is to us utterly appalling.

Does it seriously think that allowing the movie to be screened at more locations and by extension widening its reach will cause people to consider the 'alternative lifestyle' MDA feels the movie encourages? We vehemently disagree.

Anyhow, we at MX would like to appeal to all our readers to watch the film and support Festive for their efforts to bring in this movie. Go catch in when it opens!

The Amazing Spider-Man

Columbia Pictures announced today that the title of the next Spider-Man film will be The Amazing Spider-Man.

The studio simultaneously released a photo of Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, thefirst shot of Garfield in the famous full mask and suit. The film, which is now in production and is being shot entirely in 3D, will be released on July 3, 2012. The film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, Martin Sheen, and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay by James Vanderbilt and Alvin Sargent and Steve Kloves based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the Marvel Entertainment production for Columbia Pictures. The executive producers are Stan Lee, Kevin Feige, and
Michael Grillo. The film’s official website is http://www.theamazingspiderman-movie.com/

X-Men: First Class Teaser

JAPANESE REMAKE OF GHOST 《人鬼情未了》

Ghost which starred Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze captured the hearts of the audience in 1990 with the romance between Sam Wheat and Molly Jensen. Its famous pottery wheel scene was also reprised in other future movies. Ghost has also made the theme song ‘Unchained Melody’ a classic hit.

Ghost the Japanese remake of the 1990 version will hit the screens in Singapore on 10 March. Ghost starring Japanese popular actress Nanako Matsushima (松岛菜菜子) and Korean heartthrob Song Seung Heon (宋承宪) is set in modern Japan. Veteran actress Kiki Kirin (树木希林) reprises the role of Whoopi Goldberg as the psychic.
Popular Japanese singer, Ken Hirai (平井堅) gave the song ‘Unchained Melody’ a new lease of life. He also sang the new theme song, ‘Aishiteru’ which means ‘I Love You’ in Japanese.

HOMECOMING - The Most Successful Collaboration Ever Between Singapore & Malaysia!

HOMECOMING is now proving to be the most successful collaboration between Singapore and Malaysia. Since its release on 19 January 2011 in Malaysia, the film has scored RM$3.3 million at the box office, and continues to pull in Malaysian audiences through its 3rd week of release! Having struck box office gold in Malaysia, HOMECOMING now sets its sights on hitting a home run at the Singapore box office. The movie was released in Singapore on 3 February 2011 and has been well received by critics and moviegoers alike. Please refer to HOMECOMING’s Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/homecomingfilm for more movie promotions.

SHAOLIN 《新少林寺》IS ANDY LAU’S HIGHEST GROSSING FILM IN SINGAPORE!

SHAOLIN 《新少林寺》collected an outstanding S$ 2.254 million at the local box office as of 7 February 2011 and become Andy Lau’s highest grossing film in Singapore! The movie opened in Singapore on 21 January 2011. SHAOLIN surpasses previous Andy Lau’s movies at the Singapore box office including, DETECTIVE DEE AND THE MYSTERY OF THE PHANTOM FLAME (2010), THE WARLORDS (2007), PROTÉGÉ (2007) etc. Andy Lau says “It is heartening to receive such good news on the box office. I want to thank the audience for their support. SHAOLIN is a very sincere production. I hope that Singapore audience will continue their support and catch the movie in cinemas.” SHAOLIN also soars at the box offices in other parts of Asia. The movie collected more than HK$16.5 million in Hong Kong and more than RM$5 million in Malaysia.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never World Premiere Live Webcast

Are you a Belieber?

Paramount Pictures has teamed up with Livestream to present the live movie premiere of JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER - a live 2 ½-hour purple carpet event, which will begin airing online tomorrow, February 9th at 9:00 am Singapore time. It marks the first time Paramount will stream a movie premiere exclusively on Livestream. Fans worldwide can watch together as the purple carpet event is streamed free at http://www.justinbieberneversaynever.com/intl/aa/bieberpremiere/ and http://www.facebook.com/JustinBieber. Check out live stream's minute-by-minute coverage on Twitter.com by going to http://twitter.com/justinbieber. In addition, there will be a pre-show exclusive at 8.00 am Singapore time for behind the scenes look at Justin - with special celebrity appearances and never before seen clips - as the countdown begins for his movie's premiere at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
Movie Opens in Digital 3D and 2D in Singapore on April 14, 2011.

Hear ye, hear ye! It's The King's Speech!

With nominations in 12 categories, Tom Hooper's The King's Speech is what you'd want to look out for at the upcoming 83rd Academy Awards.

The soundtrack score crafted by the Oscar nominated Alexandre Desplat features classically-inspired orchestral music which sensitively and elegantly mirrors the on-screen drama. Desplat himself conducts the score with piano solos played by Dave Arch.

The humble microphone has a poignantly ominous presence within the film, reflecting the King’s fear of public speaking. Coincidentally, when Director of Engineering Peter Cobbin was told the recording would take place at Abbey Road Studios he recalled discovering some microphones dating back to 1923 in the EMI Archive at the studios. The EMI Archive Trust granted permission for these to be used and so the recording was made using the very microphone through which King George VI used to give his speeches, bearing the royal coat of arms and insignia.

Read our review of the soundtrack here, and watch this space to stand a chance to win a copy of the album!

Awesome Super Bowl TV Spots!

Still having holiday blues? Here's some awesome Super Bowl TV Spots showcasing the upcoming summer hits to while away those boring times behind your workstations:-

More freaking damages from Michael Bay's TRANSFORMERS 3: DARK OF THE MOON

First moving visual of Marvel's CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER

Indy and James Bond joined hands in COWBOYS & ALIENS

Spielberg + Abrams = SUPER 8

Battle between the marines and aliens is going to happen in BATTLE: LOS ANGELES

The Fast & Furious is going rock hard in FAST FIVE

The getting better and better THOR

More pirate mayhem from Captain Jack Sparrow, PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: ON STRANGER TIDES

From the creators of Ice Age comes RIO

Enjoy!

movieXclusive.com Wishes All Readers A Prosperous, Happy Rabbit New Year!

Before we go for some sumptuous steamboat, here's a recap of all the Lunar New Year releases in the cineplexes. Eric Tsang and his team of renowned HK/TVB artistes are back for another feel-good comedy I LOVE HONG KONG. How about a Vincent Kok's period comedy, MR AND MRS INCREDIBLE starring Louis Cool and Sandra Ng to whip up your appetite for movies? Local flavours? Yup we got them right here. Kelvin Tong's ensemble piece, IT'S A GREAT GREAT WORLD takes viewers back to a forgotten era where Tua Seh Kai equals to the intergrated resorts of today. Like it or not, Karen Neo aka Jack Neo is back on the big screen, HOMECOMING, a series of intertwining stories about an ensemble of people on both sides of the Causeway. Raymond Wong's infamous cash cow, ALL'S WELL END'S WELL 2011 brought Cecilia Cheung and Donnie Yen onboard in an effort to charm the audience. If you are looking for something different, Feng Xiaogang's rom-com, IF YOU ARE THE ONE II, the long-delayed THE REBOUND and Jay Chou's Hollywood debut (if you missed it last weekend), THE GREEN HORNET might be your choice as well. Happy New Year, everyone!