8th Asian Film Awards on 27 March 2014

Celebrating excellence in Asian cinema

This year's AFA sees 26 nominated films and will be held in Macau

The 8th Asian Film Awards takes place on
 27th March, at City of Dreams, Macau

Now into its 8th year, the awards ceremony for the annual Asian Film Awards (AFA) will happen on Thursday, the 27th of March this year. It will take place at the magnificent Dancing Water Theatre within Macau's City of Dreams, which is a casino and tourist resort. The AFA - which is often regarded as the Asian equivalent of the Oscars - was first introduced in 2007, and recognises the cinematic achievements of filmmakers within Asia.

7th AFA last year, held at the Hong Kong
Convention and Exhibition Centre

Celebrity guests Andy Lau and Sylvia Chang at the 7th AFA

From more than a thousand films, 26 of them were successfully nominated for the 14 different award categories this year; these nominations come from 13 countries and regions. The categories celebrate and honour the achievements of various groups of people, such as actors, screenwriters, cinematographers, and costume designers, among others. Six entries were nominated for this year's Best Film award: No Man's Land, The Grandmaster, The Great Passage, The Lunchbox, Snowpiercer, and Stray Dogs. The winners will be determined by a panel consisting of distinguished professionals in the film industry. Peter Ho-Sun Chan will head the panel, and his panel is joined alongside martial artist and filmmaker Donnie Yen, actress Carina Lau, and together with a number of judges from across the region. This includes Singapore film director Eric Khoo. Meanwhile, Jeon Do-yeon, who has won many awards including Best Actress at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival, has been appointed as the ambassador for the 8th AFA.

The Grandmaster, released 10 Jan 2013
The film is nominated for 11 awards

Ilo Ilo, which premièred on 19 May 2013
The film is nominated for two awards

The Grandmaster, written and directed by Wong Kar-wai, is nominated in 11 out of the 14 categories, only missing out Best Newcomer as well as Best Supporting Actor and Actress. It is a martial arts-themed action drama film and staring Tony Leung and Zhang Ziyi. Positively received - both critically and commercially - it has won five Golden Horses and also received two nominations at the 86th Academy Awards.

Just as noteworthy, the Singaporean family film Ilo Ilo bagged two nominations - namely 29 year old Anthony Chen for Best Director, and Malaysian actress Yeo Yann Yann for Best Supporting Actress. Ilo Ilo was presented with the Camera d'Or award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, and subsequently took home four awards at the 50th Golden Horse Awards.

This is the first time the AFA will be held in a city other than Hong Kong. The 8th Asian Film Awards is organised by the Asian Film Awards Academy. The official website is www.asianfilmawards.asia.

Official poster for the 8th Asian Film Awards
"Celebrating Excellence in Asian Cinema"

New GV Bishan to reopen 30 Jan after renovations

After a month of renovation work, the 6-screen GV Bishan at the Junction 8 Mall is expected to be unveiled on Thursday, 30 Jan 2014 in time for the opening of RoboCop.

Golden Village Bishan

Address: Level 4, Junction 8 Mall, 9 Bishan Place, Singapore 579837
Nearest MRT: NS17 CC15 Bishan

Cinema mobile apps for Shaw, Cathay and GV

Shaw Theatres app: cinime

Google Play rating: 3.7 (based on 94 reviews)
App size: 12.30MB
Free to download. For iOS and Android.

cinime app interface

Booking of tickets through cinime
The theatre shown is Lido 1

In addition to allowing users to check movie schedules and book tickets through the app, cinime allows users to unlock rewards and enter contests through a unique in-cinema feature. At the theatre, the cinema screen will prompt users to turn on the app before the commercials. The app will then provide special content, such as interactive contests where users can take part in quizzes shown on the theatre screen through the app in real time. Bonus content can also be unlocked when various commercials are shown, without a need for a 3G or WiFi connection. There is also a feature to scan cinema posters in exchange for "goodies".

With a black background, the app interface is appropriate for use in the dark theatre while the ads are playing, through patrons will be prompted to keep their phones away when the actual movie begins. The latest update even adds a calender reminder feature to the list. This is probably by far the most advanced and interactive cinema app that has been introduced.

To download cinime
Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/shaw-cinime/id686566592
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.yummimedia.shawcinime&hl=en


Cathay Cineplexes app: iCathay
Google Play rating: 3.5 (based on 252 reviews)
App size: 1.56MB
Free to download. For iOS and Android.

iCathay allows users to book movie tickets, view the details of their favourite movies and access the latest promotions at Cathay with the purple-themed app. As with Shaw's cinime and GV's iGV app, users can view the seating plan and select their own seats when booking tickets through iCathay. Users can also submit their feedback and suggestions through the app. The app is simple and requires minimal app permissions when downloaded through Google Play so it sure is a clean cut app.

iCathay app interface

Booking of tickets through iCathay
The theatre shown is The Grand Cathay

To download iCathay
Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/icathay/id427846639
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.csam.cathay.activity&hl=en


Golden Village app: iGV
Google Play rating: 3.2 (based on 239 reviews)
App size: 1.83MB
Free to download. For iOS and Android.

With the iGV app users can book tickets and view information on cinemas or movies conveniently on their phones. It is also integrated with the GV Movie Club loyalty programme as it allows users to log in to their accounts to enjoy discounts. The app is also equipped with a feature that allows patrons at GV City Square to enter the theatres using a QR code that acts as their movie ticket. Together with less than frequent updates for the app, it also appears that some patrons have reported issues booking their tickets through the app.

iGV app interface

Booking of tickets through iGV
The theatre shown is GVmax

To download iGV
Apple App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/sg/app/igv/id293615901
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.innosoft.gvmobile

RoboCop (2014) in cinemas 30 Jan

RoboCop (2014) is a US$120 million reconstruction of the original RoboCop film that was released close to three decades ago. To be released in the United States on 12 February, it is the 4th film in the RoboCop franchise after RoboCop 3 (1993).

"Crime has a new enemy"
Theatrical poster for RoboCop (2014).
The Cuatro Torres Business Area in Madrid, Spain, is in the background.

The two hour film, directed by José Padilha, is set in the year 2028. It is a science-fiction action film with its plot revolving around the organisation OmniCorp and RoboCop (detective Alex Murphy) playing his role in the police squad. Joel Kinnaman, Gary Oldman, Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson form the main cast that are credited on the theatrical poster.

RoboCop (2014) will open in Singapore movie theatres on 30 January, in IMAX and digital format.

Trailers:
5 Sep 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INmtQXUXez8
"When crime is out of control, the only solution isn't human."
7 Nov 2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNIxcH-LyaU
"Some creations can't be controlled."

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