GSC's Japanese Film Festival 2013 kicks off today!

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GSC's Japanese Film Festival 2013 kicks off today!

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The annual Japanese Film Festival (JFF) by Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) kicks off on this very day in Klang Valley! Always awesome to get to catch some great films on big screen at a lower price. So what's in store for us this year? Read on...

Main organisers, Japan Foundation and the Embassy of Japan in Malaysia celebrated the launch of JFF 2013 today with a delicious spread of Japanese cuisine and a preview screening of romance comedy movie Ken & Mary (Digital 2D) in GSC Pavilion KL.

Host for the evening was H.E. Mr Shigeru Nakamura, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia, together with Mr Shoichi Toyoda (Director of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur) and Ms Kyoko Kugai (Senior Program Officer of Japan Foundation Kuala Lumpur).

Joining them was honoured guests, Ms Koh Mei Lee (GSC, Chief Executive Officer), H.E. Mr Liudmila Vorobyeva (Ambassador of Russia to Malaysia), H.E. Mr Mario Sammartino (Ambassador of Italy to Malaysia), H.E. Mr Ong Keng Yong (High Commisioner of Singapore), Mr Hiroshi Matsuura (Minister of Japan), Mr. Koichi Wada (General Manager, Mitsubishi Corporation) and Mr. Shuichi Yoshida (General Manager, Mitsui & Co).

“We are indeed privileged to be here for the World Premiere of Ken & Mary which to my understanding, will only be screened in Japan in November. Once again, a great job to the organizing team for bringing in world premieres for 3 consecutive years to our Malaysian audience”, said Ms Koh Mei Lee (GSC, Chief Executive Officer) in her welcome speech during the launch.

She further adds, “This movie stars the multi-talented veteran, Takenaka Naoto, heartthrob Hu Bing, Kitano Kii and Malaysia’s very own raja lawak, Zizan, which was shot on location in Malaysia by director Fukasaku Kenta in Digital 2D format.”

2013 marks the 10th year anniversary for JFF being held here in GSC International Screens in GSC Pavilion KL, Mid Valley and 1 Utama (New Wing) and GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang. For the first time, the film festival will be extended to East Malaysia in GSC CityOne Megamall, Kuching and GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu over a 4 day period each at both the locations.

“This year also commemorates the 40th year of ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation, 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan Club Kuala Lumpur, and 30th anniversary of the Japanese Chamber of Trade & Industry in Malaysia. It is my sincere desire to see the friendship between Malaysia and Japan continue to grow and deepen in the next 30, 40 and 50 years to come,” said H.E. Mr Shigeru Nakamura (Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia) in his speech.

A total of nine (9) Japanese movies will be featured in the film festival, which includes a famous manga and anime series, Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea in Digital 2D (stay tuned for my review for this). Not to be missed movies include romance comedy The Great Passage and heart-warming culinary comedy, The Chef of South Polar. Animation movie Oblivion Island: Haruka and the Magic Mirror is highly recommended for children and family.

JFF 2013 will commenced on Sept 12 – 17 in GSC International Screens, Klang Valley, Sept 19 – 22 in GSC Gurney Plaza, Penang, Sept 26 – 29 in GSC CityOne Megamall, Kuching and Oct 3 – 6 in GSC Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu. Tickets for the movies will be priced at RM6 each except for Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea which will be priced at GSC’s prevailing ticket pricing for Digital 2D format.

For movie details and more information on Japanese Film Festival 2013, kindly log on to www.jfkl.org.my and www.gsc.com.my.


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Over 4,000 donated to GSC-HOPE's funding to help the underprivileged

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Over 4,000 donated to GSC-HOPE's funding to help the underprivileged

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Special treat for the donors

As a reward for corporate and individual donors for the recent GSC-HOPE worldwide Malaysia donation drive, over 4,000 movie fans and members of charity homes were treated to a special screening of The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones at selected GSC cinemas throughout Malaysia on last Saturday (August 24th 2013).

As part of GSC’s CSR project for the year, GSC Exhibition together with movie distributor GSC Movies Sdn Bhd contributed both the hall and movie as an incentive for the donors with every minimum of RM15 donated.

The guests were also rewarded with The Mortal Instrument runes in tattoo format ie for “Angelic Powers” and “Strength” as a goodwill gesture for their participation in the donation drive and acknowledgement as Instruments of Good.

“The donation drive has been simply awesome”, said Ms Samantha Sim, Chairman for HOPE worldwide Malaysia who was present at the screening in GSC Tropicana City Mall. “It’s great to know there are people out there who have responded so positively to our cause especially to the GSC team. These funds will go a long way to help the underprivileged community in terms of poverty and social exclusion “, she added.

If you read my review on the film, y'all would know that I'm not a fan of this adaptation but it doesn't matter. It helped make this donation drive successful, and the kids and teens from these communities seem to have enjoyed it. Lives were changed! =)

Do charity by catching "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" on 24 Aug

Blog Events and Happenings Films and TV

Do charity by catching "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" on 24 Aug

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GSC collaborates with HOPE Worldwide Malaysia on a donation drive to help underprivileged community

Are you planning to pay to watch the upcoming film The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones? Why not do a little charity by watching it next Saturday (24 August 2013) at 10:30am? With every minimum of RM15 donated, Golden Screen Cinemas will offer a complimentary ticket to the special screening of the select GSC cinema of your choice. All donations are to fund HOPE Worldwide Malaysia's community projects for the less fortunate.

Apparently with just RM60, two needy children can receive quality healthcare so on that basis alone, any amount of donation pretty much counts. If you donated RM15, you contributed 25% of two children's healthcare, and you would've changed lives. Besides, RM15 is pretty much the normal ticket price anyway for a newly released blockbuster movie. So donch be a lazy butt. Go donate, get the free tickets, wake up in the morning next Saturday (I understand that it's hard but think of the poor families and kids) and enjoy the movie! Even if the film sucked, you'd be happy that you've done a decent thing for others.

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is based on the 1st of a series of best selling novels by Cassandra Clare. The story centres around Clary Fray, a seemingly ordinary teenager who discovers that she is a descendent of a line of Shadowhunters, a secret cadre of young half-angle warriors locked in an ancient battle to protect the human world from assorted demons. The movie, directed by Harald Zwart and stars Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower, is distributed by GSC Movies and will open in cinemas nationwide on August 22. (Note: Movie classification to be confirmed at this point in time).

In addition to the free tickets, all donations will be issued with a tax exempted receipt in recognition of the support given. All cash/cheque/postal orders/Bank Drafts can be issued to Persatuan Kebajikan Hope Worldwide Kuala Lumpur and be given to Marketing Department, Golden Screen Cinemas Sdn. Bhd. Headquarters in KL or via the participating GSC cinemas.

Kindly log on to GSC.com.my or GSC Facebook Page for more details. Interested donors could also contact GSC Marketing directly via email marketing@gsc.com.my / Tel: 03-7806 8888 or HOPE worldwide Malaysia (Ms Katy Lee) email Katylee@hopeww.org.my /Tel: 03-4050 2541.

Review on The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones is posted here.


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The Wolverine: World Premiere Arrivals Live Streaming HERE!

The Wolverine: World Premiere Arrivals Live Streaming HERE!

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Watch the Online Broadcast of the Red Carpet Arrivals of THE WOLVERINE World Premiere live from London at 1:00am Malaysian time on July 17th 2013 right here

Yes, I do mean right here on this page itself. The image below will become a LiveStream player when the broadcast begins.

You can contribute to this event by submitting questions & comments on Facebook and Twitter using this hashtag #thewolverinelive now. Who knows, maybe they'd pick your post out of the millions ha-ha!



Alternatively, you could watch it at this blog's FB Page here.

Then on the following day (July 18th 2013) at 11:05pm Malaysian time, there will be an MSN Exclusive Live Chat with Hugh Jackman and James Mangold where fans around the globe can ask questions live via face-to-face on Skype! It'd be quite awkward if someone came on and just says fuck you Jackman, the movie looks like crap (awesome publicity though). Anyway, I'm interested to see how it goes 'cause it's never been done before apparently. Log on to MSN Entertainment Malaysia at that time to catch it. Hashtag for this event is #msnwolverine.

Brought to you by 20th Century Fox Malaysia.

Catch MIMMA on ESPN Star Sports

Films and TV Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)

Catch MIMMA on ESPN Star Sports

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Television... only still use it to watch sports. Not sure if you guys knew about this but the Malaysian Invasion Mixed Martial Arts (MIMMA) TV reality series have been showing on Astro ESPN Star Sports (channel 813) on every Wednesday for the past two weeks.

Each episode shows highlights and fights of the tournament from the tryouts until the Grand Finals, with the background story and interview with the participants along with some MMA 101 featuring local fighters like Peter Davis and Gianni Subba. Nothing like The Ultimate Fighter as it's made more relatable to local audience, especially for those who're new fans of this sport.

The following is the TV broadcast schedule of MIMMA:

Tonight's episode will be showing the Quarter Finals and next week will be the Semi Finals, which I've already covered here (spoiler alert!). If you wish to catch the Grand Finals live at Stadium Negara KL on the 15th of June instead waiting for the TV version of it on the week after, tickets are available on RedTix.AirAsia.com.

FAFF 2013 begins; funny censorship at opening launch

Blog Events and Happenings Films and TV

FAFF 2013 begins; funny censorship at opening launch

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The French Art & Film Festival 2013 was officially launched in Malaysia on Thursday (25 April) at GSC Pavilion with awesome cocktails served to the invited guests before a screening of the romance comedy Popular. Somehow this formulaic chick flick manages to make typewriting in the late 50s an interesting and sexy subject. The most memorable moment of the evening was when the sex scene and middle finger-showing in the movie was manually censored with a hand covering the projector. The entire hall couldn't hold back their laughter with some even applauding to that. I strongly believe that none of the FAFF featured films are actually censored at all.

With the doubled amount of featured films compared to last year (from 7 to 15), the organisers AFKL expect to sell over 10,000 movie tickets in total. Four of the films feature Juliet Binoche, one of the most celebrated French actresses whom AFKL intends to honour this occasion. Digital 2D titles such as The Chef, What's in a name and Popular will only be screened once in KL and then in Penang. Some of the other French-cultured lineups such as the French market and street theater will kick off next week. For more about FAFF 2013, click here. For a scanned copy of the movie screening schedule, click here.

The FAFF 2013 opening launch was graced with the presence of (from left to right in the top photo) Terence Ong (Pernod Ricard), Marie Julie (Alliance Francaise), Agnes Dovert (Alliance Francaise), H.E. Martine Dorance (Ambassador of France to Malaysia), YBhg Datuk Seri Haji Ahmad Phesal (Mayor of KL), Y.A.M. Tengku Zatashah (President of Alliance Francaise), Koh Mei Lee (GSC) and Stephane Dovert (French Embassy).

Giveaway: Free tickets to catch FAFF 2013 movies!

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Giveaway: Free tickets to catch FAFF 2013 movies!

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Read about French Art & Film Festival (FAFF) 2013 here.

5 hilarious comedies, 4 engaging dramas, 2 fun animations and 4 Juliette Binoche-focused films will be featured in the coming FAFF, and 15 lucky readers will be able to watch one or two of them for free!

Courtesy of Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur, I have 15 pairs of free movie ticket vouchers to be given away here. To win a pair, just follow these simple steps:

1. Like the Facebook Page of FAFF and ColourlessOpinions.com.
2. Answer this simple question: How many movies in total are featured by FAFF 2013? (The hint is above!)
3. Email your answer along with your Name, IC No., Tel. No. and Email Add. to tony@colourlessopinions.com.
4. The first 15 with the correct answer will each win a pair of FAFF 2013 movie ticket vouchers.

Terms & Conditions

1. Winners will be notified through email. No reply required.
2. Winners must collect the tickets at Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur's office before 30 April 2013. The address and operating hours will be emailed to winners.
3. The movie ticket vouchers are not valid for screenings at GSC Gurney Plaza Penang.
4. The movie ticket vouchers are valid for all titles featured by FAFF 2013 except Popular, What’s In A Name, and The Chef.
5. ColourlessOpinions.com is only responsible for running this giveaway and therefore cannot be held responsible should there be any cancellations, unwanted incidents, etc.
6. All decisions are final. No appeals will be entertained.

FAFF 2013 MOVIE SCHEDULE

Click to enlarge.

French Art & Film Festival 2013: Back in Malaysia!

Blog Events and Happenings Films and TV

French Art & Film Festival 2013: Back in Malaysia!

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Oh yes, if you love the French lifestyle and culture, or wish to experience it, this festival is for you.

Organized by Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur (AFKL) and the Embassy of France to Malaysia, the French Art and Film Festival (FAFF) is back for its 12th edition from 25th of April to 26th of May 2013 in Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

The annual Festival offers a potpourri selection of performing arts and cultural events as well as a selection of fifteen movies from the best and latest French cinematic landscape. Besides the movies, the line-up of the festival includes photography exhibition, street theatre, French market, as well as champagne and wine tasting events.

The French Film Festival sets FAFF in motion with its movie screenings at Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) in Kuala Lumpur (Pavilion, Mid Valley and One Utama) from 25th April to 12th May and in Penang (GSC Gurney Plaza) from 16th to 26th May. The Festival features an extravaganza of movie screenings ranging from comedy to drama, and from animated movies to focus. With a vast range of genres, the movie screenings are a major attraction to audience from various ages and with diverse interests. All French movies are with English subtitles. The French Film Festival is supported by the Institut Français.

Some of the main highlights of the line-up for this year include the limited screenings of comedy movies, which comprise Populaire (Popular), Le Prenom (What’s in a Name) and Comme un Chef(The Chef). As for drama genre, a not-to-be-missed movie is L’Exercice de l’Etat (The Minister) that revolves around speed, power struggle, chaos, economic crisis, and more in an increasingly complex and hostile world. Le Tableau (The Painting) is an animated movie that suits not only adults, but also children due to the story line’s suspense and mysterious elements that would elicit the curiosity of the audience. Almost all of the movies selected for FAFF 2013 screenings have been nominated for numerous awards in multiple international film festivals, and more than half of the movies have received awards for their nominations.

Four of the films feature Juliette Binoche, a multi-award winning French actress. FAFF 2013 intends to showcase her incredible talent, her capability of playing very different roles. During the press conference, the organising panel admitted that some of the titles are indeed censored but thanks to our inconsistent Malaysian Board of Censorship (as usual), the screening of Le Hussard sur le toit (The Horseman on the Roof) that we had later on that day was completely uncut. Even the full frontal nude body of Binoche (if that wasn't a body double) was shown.

Another highlight of The Festival is an interactive, contemporary and comical street theatre that involves the audience, but in complete mime silence! This extravaganza is staged by a renowned street theatre artiste, Freddy Coudboul, who is well known in France for performing in various street art festivals. For The Festival, audience can get ready for a crazy, hilarious and unique performance as Freddy performs the show entitled Flochard dans Bla, Bla, Bla in Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus on 3rd May, 12:30pm, and Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur, Lorong Gurney Centre on 4th May, 6pm.

The Festival also brings to light a photography exhibition by Françoise Huguier from 10th to 24th May held at The Westin Kuala Lumpur, Level One. The exhibition, Vertical / Horizontal, Interieur / Exterieur, showcases an immersion into the middle classes of the three capital cities of South East Asia: Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. The photographer observed as closely as possible the major catalysts in the modernization process in these parts of Asia. Through a patient and curious perspective, she explored their everyday life from interior and exterior.

Audience can indulge in the French lifestyle and explore the art of French living at a distinctive French market, Le Marché De France. The French Market takes place at the garden of Alliance Française de Kuala Lumpur, Lorong Gurney Centre on 4th May, from 5pm onwards with the participation of booths from French companies alongside the amusing comical theatre of Freddy Coudboul, petanque competition and lucky draws. This French Market is co-organized with the Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MFCCI) to promote French regional culinary specialties and lifestyle products.

A not-to-be-missed rendez-vous during The Festival is the Champagne and Cognac tasting. Audience and special invited guests can expect a complete sensual and spiritual experience of French Champagne tasting sessions at 4pm and French Cognac tasting sessions at 6pm on 11th and 12th May in Q Bar, The Westin Kuala Lumpur. The tasting sessions are conducted by a professional sommelier from The Sommelier Association of Malaysia (SOMLAY).

Stay tuned to read up about my experience at the opening of FAFF 2013 that will be happening on the 25th later this month.

Malaysia's largest Lotus convoy gathering ever! | Firsthand experience

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Malaysia's largest Lotus convoy gathering ever! | Firsthand experience

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The largest convoy of Lotus sport cars ever in Malaysia happened last Sunday (7 April) morning... and courtesy of Nuffnang and Nusantara Edaran Filem, I was in it! How cool was that? Over 9000!!! A total of 68 Lotus cars with 17 of them being Lotus Evora's. The convoy was from the Lotus Cars Malaysia Flagship Showroom in Sg Penchala, TTDI, to Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, led by the Chrome Lotus Evora driven by Asia's fastest female racer Natasha Seatter (in photo below).

The whole event was obviously to promote the film, The Host. There was a special screening at the GSC of where the convoy ended but of course, I totally skipped it (I've already reviewed movie here). The Chrome Lotus Evora (in images above & below) is specially manufactured to be featured in the movie but for road safety reasons, the replica Natasha drove was only a sticker-ed chrome, which explains why it doesn't look as reflective and beautiful as it is in the film.

This will definitely be one of the highlights of the year for me 'cause it was the first time I've ever been in a convoy like this and also, the first time I've ever rode in a genuine sport car. I was the passenger of a yellow Lotus Exige S V6 (in photo on the right). I have to admit, I wasn't really excited about the whole thing until I got into the car and felt its power. It's so sexy, god damn it, I absolutely loved it. It's just unfortunate that it was a slowed-down convoy instead of an all-out one. They had the traffic police to block off all vehicles and traffic lights while escorting all 68 of the Lotus cars all the way to our destination in KL. Vrooooom!

My driver for the convoy was Mazlan, from Lotus. During the ride in the convoy, he shared some pretty interesting facts about the cars: the Lotus Evora was actually released in 2011 whereas the model that I was in was just launched in January this year. The price range of an Evora is between RM480,000 to RM670,000 depending on specifications. It's more expensive than the Exige S V6 due its size and luxurious design. He also kinda said that the Exige S V6 is faster and more powerful than the Evora, and that he's hit 300 (km/hour) before with it.

During the screening of the movie, I took a cab back to my Proton Saga. I paused and stared a while before opening the door. And there it was, I felt it for the first time... that it sucks. I now want to own a sport car. Tun Dr. Mahathir, you're so rich, sponsor me one please. I promise I won't blog about you. You help me, I help you.

Okay okay, don't get mad, was just kiddin' yo. He was there to grace the event as well. Anyway, here's more photos I had taken during the event. It's one of those days I wished I had more than just a Blackberry to take pictures.

All 68 Lotus cars lined up ready to be led by Evora's.

This yellow Lotus Evora actually looks better in this photo.

Sexy back.

Interior of a Lotus Evora.

In the powerful Lotus Exige S V6 during the convoy.

Mazlan was the driver. Not much space for me take proper photo.

Did the Putraline bus try to join in?

Arrived the entrance of Pavilion KL; all parked in display.

Dare to show parking skills!