GV Grand @ Great World City to close for renovations

The Golden Village cinema premises at level 3 of Great World City (GV Grand) will go on renovation, starting from Monday, 16 September.

The cineplex features 6 halls including a Gold Class theatre. Hall 1 was previously named "megascreen" when it used to screen movies in IMAX format until 2004. Additionally, hall 6 is one of GV's biggest cinema halls in terms of seating capacity.

Other cinemas around the Orchard area include Shaw Lido, Cathay Cineleisure, The Cathay and GV Plaza.

Renovation works will last for a month. The new GV Grand is expected to be unveiled in October 2013.

GV Grand

1 Kim Seng Promenade,

#03-29 Great World City,

Singapore 237994

Disney's Planes (movie) - from Cars to Planes

After the films in the Cars franchise - namely Cars (2006) and Cars 2 (2011) - and a lot of Lightning McQueen toys and merchandise, Disney takes flight from land to air to release the first film in the Planes trilogy.

Disney Pixar's Cars (2006)

Disney Pixar's Cars 2 (2011)

The film was released on 9 August in the United States. The character Dusty Crophopper (voiced by Dane Cook), an orange-top and white-bottom cropduster plane, is the protagonist in the 92-minute film. Clearly, the film was made with young children in mind. It has received some less than favourable reviews from professional critics, but is said to have gorgeous colours and amazing computer-generated imagery (as also seen in Cars 2) to keep the younger viewers entertained, and also for the young at heart.

A sequel, titled Planes: Fire & Rescue, has been confirmed and is expected to reach cinemas on July 18, 2014. A video game has also been released in conjunction with the film's opening, and some of our local cinemas have also introduced Planes-themed cups with toppers for its popcorn combo. If Planes would follow the success of the Cars franchise, perhaps soon there would be characters from Planes at the toy store and a bunch of merchandise to come.

Poster for Disney's Planes (opening in Singapore on 5 Sep)
"From above the world of Cars"

From above the world of Cars, Planes opens in Singapore theatres on Thursday, 5 September 2013.

Cathay Jem to open September 6 (new cinema)

The largest multiplex in the west will be unveiled from 6 September.

A roll up banner placed outside the premises of Cathay Jem 

Earlier, an image has been uploaded on the Cathay Cineplexes Facebook page which appears to feature the seating plan of a theatre in Cathay Jem - one that is larger than that of The Grand Cathay. The cinema at Jurong East has previously been forecast to open in August this year.

10 screens altogether
2 Platinum Movie Suites
6 September, Friday is stated as the opening date

50 Jurong Gateway Road, #05-04 Jem
Singapore 608549

2013 most anticipated movie - The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

The most anticipated movie of the year, according to news sources, turns out to be The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

This second film in The Hunger Games trilogy will open in cinemas in November this year. Following the fairly successful release of "The Hunger Games" last year, this might not turn out as a surprise as movie-goers desire for more killing and action in the 75th Annual Hunger Games. The main cast are the same as the previous one, with Jennifer Lawrence taking the spotlight, playing Katniss Everdeen in the film; but this time Francis Lawrence takes over Gary Ross as director.

Catching Fire theatrical poster

This film is expected to be released in IMAX. Fans can expect two more films, in 2013 and 2014, as "Mockingjay" will be split into a two-part final instalment. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is scheduled for release in theatres in the United States on Friday, 22 November 2013.

Sources
Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/03/entertainment-us-mostanticipated-idUSBRE9020CI20130103
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hunger_Games:_Catching_Fire