Marriage is, traditionally, a recognised union between 2 people. It came as a shock to many netizens when a wedding invitation card of a groom in Indonesia getting married to 2 brides at once went viral online.
Polygamy has been around for a long time. Not only is the practice legal but it is also becoming mainstream in Indonesia. Men are allowed to marry up to 4 wives. There’s even an app called AyoPolgami that allows men to search for women willing to share husband with others.
Source: Palembang
The weddings, which is set to take place in South Sumatra next year, has been criticised by netizens online – even by those who are supportive of polygamy. Certain parties feel that a Muslim man should learn to live with his first wife before tying the knot with another woman.
At first, many were suspicious about this polygamy wedding. However, Panser, the head of Teluk Kijing Village in Banyuasin (where the nuptials is reportedly taking place) confirmed the news. “Yes, it is true, there are (getting married) 2 women with 1 man (Cindra). One of the women is indeed one of our citizen (Indah Lestari), I have made the marriage certificate too,” Panser told Detik.
Cindra and his first wife Indah will be exchanging vows on 5th November. Perawati, the 2nd bride who comes from a neighbouring village, will be tying the knot with the groom on 8th November. There will be a wedding reception the following day, on 9th November, where all 3 of them will celebrate their matrimony together.
Source: Facebook
Panser added that this is not the first polygamy wedding in the village. “In this village, there have been 3 times when a man was married to 2 women and held a reception together. The reason is that they love each other and it has been agreed upon from the beginning, before the wedding,” he was quoted as saying.
What do y’all think? Would you ever consent to a polygamy marriage?
Sources: Coconuts, Muhammad Bachroni’s Facebook/ Featured image: Palembang.
Grab your broomsticks Potterheads, there’s a new “Harry Potter”-themed cafe in Malaysia and it’s called Hedwig Books & Cafe.
As its name suggests, it is a book cafe where visitors can enjoy scrumptious food and drinks while enjoying a good read from a wide selection of books (titles in Bahasa Melayu are also available). If that isn’t good enough, you and your friends can even bond over boardgames.
Source: Facebook
Inspired by the well-loved Potterverse, Hedwig Books & Cafe even has Harry Potter-themed robes, signature Potter glasses, wands, and scarves to dress up and pose around the Hogwarts-themed decor.
Besides the Hogwarts crest, house banners, and tabletop chandelier, this venue even have its own Platform and 9 ¾ signage! Yep, every muggle entering this cafe will get the chance to turn themselves into wizards or witches, and snap some Instaworthy shots.
So where is it located? Unfortunately for KL-ites, Hedwig Books & Cafe is situated in Kelantan so you’re probably going to have to use some Floo powder to get you there. But it’ll be well-worth the trip because there are mouth-watering desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings. Some of them include the adorable wizard hat cupcakes (Hedwig Cupcakes), a variety of pastries, and western food.
The cafe’s range of drinks, which are priced between RM4 – RM9, include coffee, non-caffeine beverages, soda drinks, and blends (try the Sweet Potato). They also have plans to add Butterbeer to their menu in the near future. It’s the perfect excuse to bask in the aromatic brews and enjoy your food.
The owner of Hedwig Books & Cafe is Raiha Hanafi. She decided to return to her hometown in Kelantan after working in Kuala Lumpur her whole life. “It has been my life-long dream to open a book cafe since I’m an avid reader myself. I got the inspiration when I was studying in San Diego, California. I went to this beautiful book café and felt the sudden desire to have a similar café in Malaysia”, she told Rojak Daily.
The 47-year-old Kelantanese native added, “My children and I are huge Harry Potter fans, and we hope other fans can enjoy this place.” When asked if she has any plans to expand her business to other parts of Malaysia, Raiha replied, “I’m considering to expand my business to KL if the response is good. We’ll see”.
Source: Facebook
The details to Hedwig Books & Cafe are as follows:
Address:PT 1667 Tingkat 1, Jalan Raja Perempuan Zainab 2, Kubang Kerian, Kota Bharu
Fantastic news, Ed Sheeran fans! It looks like his show in Kuala Lumpur is a go for sure
Ed will start his Asia tour on 11th Nov 2017 in Singapore, and the tour dates in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (that’s us!), Bangkok, Mumbai, and Dubai will go ahead as originally scheduled. The Osaka, Tokyo, and Manila tour dates will be rescheduled to April 2018, and all tickets for the original shows will remain valid for the new dates.
Despite best efforts, due to scheduling conflicts and limited venue availability in April 2018, Ed Sheeran has been forced to cancel his tour dates in Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Jakarta.
Ed commented, “A follow-up visit to my doctors today confirmed that I will be good to go from the Singapore shows onwards. Osaka, Tokyo and Manila will be rescheduled for April 2018. My dates in Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong and Jakarta will sadly need to be cancelled as it’s just been impossible to reschedule these for next year. I’m really gutted that not all the postponed dates could be rescheduled and I am working hard with my team to try and come back to these places as soon as I can to see all of you. I’m sorry to everyone who has been affected by this.”
The full list of dates and venues are as follows:
Ed was rushed to the hospital about a week ago after being hit by a car while cycling through the streets of London. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter suffered a broken arm, forcing him to cancel several shows.
Good to hear that he’s on the mend and that he will be making his way here after all! See you soon, Ed
The internet was abuzz when it was rumoured that Datuk Seri Dr Hasmiza Othman, or better known as Dato’ Seri Vida (DSV) and her much-younger personal assistant, Ahmad Iqbal Zukefli, were in a romantic relationship.
Yesterday evening (Thursday, 26th October), Berita Harian reported that the 23-year-old chap is no longer Dato’ Seri Vida’s assistant. Does this mean that he has been fired by the 45-year-old cosmetic millionaire?
Source: Glam Lelaki
In order to squash dating rumours, DSV made the decision to transfer Iqbal to the marketing department as of yesterday. Moving forward, Iqbal will be focusing on expanding the Pamoga Health & Beauty products. “He won’t even need to see my face as often,” said the Malaysian celebrity, insisting that “we are employer and employee, there is nothing more between us“.
This comes after DSV’s 12-year-old daughter Cik B (real name Nur Edlynn Zamileen Muhammad Amin) expressed her disapproval at Iqbal on her Instagram post. She even called him an “attention seeker” and accused him of wanting her mother’s fame and fortune. DSV even admitted that the recent gossip has tarnish her image as a businesswoman.
Source: BH/Glam
In speaking with MStar, the Malaysian diva confessed that it is tricky when getting into a relationship because she may not know the person’s true intention. “It is undeniable that I want a man who can care for me and love my children and me, but I have yet to find that someone truly special,” she told the publication.
“Cik B and Kacak (her 10-year-old son Muhammad Eric Zacquan) need to be given attention, they are still traumatised from my divorce. They hope to be loved by a father but when they started to show trust and affection, the marriage ended in divorce,” DVS shared, referring to her 3rd marriage that ended in April.
Penangites are a proud bunch, we take pride in our little island as the food capital that is gifted with delicious food, beautiful beaches, alluring colonial architecture, and two tall and handsome bridges.
We’re totally okay with tourists and out-of-towners flocking to Penang to get a taste of the island, and in fact we usually try our best to help you make the most out your stay in Penang. However, there are a few pet peeves that come with dealing with our friends from out of town – and there are also a few things you should probably know about us.
So here goes:
If you drive a car with a KL plate – we will judge you
Source: The Star Online
The Penang-KL rivalry should never be taken lightly, it gets as serious as Malaysia vs Singapore, and even as vehement as Manchester United vs Liverpool. Penang is a small island and you can bet that our island is always crammed with cars, and it only gets worse during holiday seasons. So when we see cars on the road with the “B” or “W” license plate, we naturally blame you for all the bad traffic. And no, you cannot cut into our lanes even if your blinker is on. Speaking of blinkers…
2. We really don’t like to indicate when we’re changing lanes
Source: Star Property MY
Also, we cut into your lane whenever we feel like it. Oh wait, you know that already.
3. No, we’re not hanging out at “Antarabangsa”
Source: TimeOut Penang
When I was growing up, my dad would Hulk-out if anyone at home even mentioned the word “Antarabangsa” – so much so that I didn’t dare ask what it is and why can’t we say the word. As I got older, I realised that it was merely a liquor store that sells really cheap alcohol. The logic behind my dad barring us from mentioning the word was more of a cultural reason, as girls are not to be seen hanging out at a cheap liquor store. There is also no proper seating, they only provide plastic chairs and tables outside.
However, Antarabangsa now has a 4-and-a-half star rating on TripAdvisor and also recommended by TimeOut Penang – it has evolved into a place for tourists to hang out and meet people from all walks of life. While that does sound fun for people outside of Penang, we still prefer going to an air-conditioned bar and live bands to get our alcohol fix. Or, we can grab beers from Antarabangsa and go drink elsewhere.
4. “Nasi kandar beratur? PLEASE, NO!”
Source: HungryGoWhere
A common misconception about Penangites is that we have nasi kandar like #alldayerrday. While we do crave for it, we don’t have it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. Also, we have our favourite “secret” joints and we steer clear of the usual popular and touristy nasi kandar spots. Of course the food at nasi kandar beratur is good, but we know where to get even better ones – and we’re not big fans of queueing up.
5. “So what’s good in Penang?” / “KILL YOURSELF”
Source: Live Less Ordinary
I mean, you’re in Penang, so everything is good. Why would you go to the food capital and ask, “What’s good here?” Tell me what you want to eat and I’ll bring you to a random place and it will be amazing because it’s Penang – I rest my case.
6. “Ipoh has better food” / “I hereby banish you from this island”
DON’T EVEN. BYE.
7. “Can we go to Kek Lok Si then Batu Feringghi”/ “Are you out of your mind?”
Source: Genius
First of all, for Penangites, any place that is beyond 15 minutes is far. 20 minutes? Super far. 30 minutes? Forget it, might as well drive to the Ipoh Zoo. To go from Kek Lok Si to Batu Feringghi is almost equivalent to flying from Japan to South Africa – one end of the world to another. Yes, we get it, you want to do touristy things and then hit the beach to cool it off, but perhaps let us take care of the itinerary for you.
Malaysians, get ready to bid farewell to several hypermarkets
Reports reveal that 5 Giant outlets will be closing down by 5th November. This information was confirmed by Giant owner, GCH Retail (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd yesterday (Thursday, 26th October). According to GCH Retail, the affected outlets have reached the end of its lease term.
Source: Bernama
The 5 Giant hypermarkets that will cease operations are:
Giant Sri Manjung (Perak)
Giant Sungai Petani (Kedah)
Giant Shah Alam City Centre (Selangor)
Giant Selayang Lama (Selangor)
Giant Sibu (Sarawak)
GCH Retail, who currently operates 54 stores in Malaysia, also announced that the Giant outlet in Bercham, Perak, will be moved to a new location. The new venue is said to be much more spacious – it doubles the size of the current store – and will provide more offerings and product options.
Source: The Smart Local
“In addition, by the end of this year, GCH Retail will be relaunching a new exciting concept store by Cold Storage in KLCC (Kuala Lumpur City Centre). The group will continue to deploy its resources to raise the bar to create positive retail experiences for our customers. We look forward to serve our customers in all our stores located across the country,” the statement by GCH Retail reads.
Besides Giant, GCH Retail also owns Cold Storage, Mercato, and Jasons Food Hall stores.
Halloween is less than a week away and 3 things come to mind – scares, candy, and movies! Half of the fun is not what happens on 31st October but the days leading up to it.
In order to help get you into the Halloween spirit, we’ve decided to compile a list of past and present films for your own horror movie marathons. Although several remakes have found mainstream success recently, we’ve also included some all-time popular favourites to give yourself a good scare.
Take your pick:
1. “Casper”
Source: Gen Xpose
Release Date: May 1995
Cast: Malachi Pearson, Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Amy Brenneman
Our first suggestion is probably the only children-friendly movie in the list. Directed by Brad Silberling, the 1995 animated comedy is loosely based on the comic cartoon Casper the Friendly Ghost. When a paranormal expert and his daughter move into an abandoned house, they realise that it is haunted by a friendly ghost and his prankster uncles, known as the Ghostly Trio. If anything, watching this ghost story again will certainly bring back some childhood Halloween nostalgia.
2. “The Craft”
Source: Cinema Blend
Release Date: May 1996
Cast: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True
Can you believe that it has been more than 2 decades since “The Craft” was released? For those who are not familiar, the cult classic centres on Sarah Bailey, who transfers to a Catholic prep high school in Los Angeles and joins a trio of outcasts to form a coven. Together, they discover their interest in witchcraft but when the girls start casting spells and using their powers on those who wronged them, karma comes back to bite them hard.
3. “A Tale Of Two Sisters”
Release Date: June 2003
Cast: Im Soo-jung, Moon Geun-young, Yum Jung-ah, Kim Kap-soo
Inspired by a Korean folktale, “A Tale Of Two Sisters” (장화, 홍련) is a psychological thriller that centres on a released patient from a mental institution who returns home to be with her sister. The sibling duo, Su-mi and Su-yeon, are forced to endure a hate/tolerate relationship with their icy stepmother in their haunted mansion. To quote Rolling Stone, “offbeat camera angles disorient the viewer, making it all the more startling when apparitions leap out of the shadows. By the time the movie reveals all its secrets, a dysfunctional family has morphed into its own kind of monster”.
Set in 1944 against a fascist regime backdrop in Spain, “Pan’s Labyrinth” is said to be the “Alice in Wonderland” for grown-ups, with the horrors of reality and dark fantasy blending together. The chilling story centres on Ofelia, a girl who is sent along with her expecting mother to live with her stepfather. In her loneliness, the lonely and dreamy child would dream of fantastical creatures and secret destinies. One night, Ofelia meets an old faun who reveals that she’s a princess. In order to prove her royalty, she must survive 3 gruesome tasks. If she fails, she won’t be able to claim the title of the true princess, and with it, immortality.
5. “Orphan”
Source: Warner Bros.
Release Date: July 2009
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman
Kate and John Colema are rebuilding their troubled marriage after the death of their unborn 3rd child. Devastated, the couple tries to regain some normalcy into their lives by adopting another child. When they first come in contact with a 9-year-old girl named Esther, at the St. Marina Orphanage, they become enamoured by her sophistication. Little do they know that Esther is actually a manipulative and violent 33-year-old woman named Leena Klammer.
6. “The Conjuring”
Source: Facebook
Release Date: July 2013
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor
Based on a true story, “The Conjuring” has all the horror elements to keep your pulse thumping! Married couple Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are world renowned paranormal investigators, must confront a powerful demonic entity when a family is terrorised by its dark presence. The film unfolds like a docudrama that makes good use of old school terror tactics such as clowns and dolls, as well as ghosts in sheets. Remember the hand clap game scene? That still gives us the chills.
7. “Split”
Source: Universal Pictures
Release Date: January 2017
Cast: James McAvoy, Anya Taylor Joy, Betty Buckley
Kevin is a troubled young man who suffers from split-personality disorder. That means he has multiple personalities – 23 to be exact – fighting for control over his body. Played masterfully by James McAvoy, the Brit actor is convincingly funny and silly one moment, then creepy and malevolent in the next. Not all 23 personalities are given equal screen time, but they are all distinct and believable. Having said that, “Split” wouldn’t be a M. Night Shyamalan film without a surprise twist at the end.
8. “Get Out”
Source: Universal Pictures
Release Date: 2017
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, and Caleb Landry Jones
Helmed and written by Jordan Peele, the psychological thriller film perfectly combines horror, comedy, and chair-grabbing tension. The monster in this movie is racism. When a young African-American man named Chris visits his white girlfriend Rose’s family for the first time, a series of weird events start to follow. If there’s something moviegoers can expect, it’s the fact that something’s going to go wrong. Sure, there are plenty of intentional laughs here but just when you least expect it, the movie will dump a bucket of ice water on you.
9. “IT”
Source: Warner Bros.
Release Date: September 2017
Cast: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer, Sophia Lillis, Wyatt Oleff
The 1990 “IT” movie is perhaps the main reason why kids from the 80s and the 90s are terrified of clowns. Based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name, the remake is set in the town of Derry, Maine. As children begin to disappear, a group of young kids (known as The Losers Club) are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil villain named Pennywise the Dancing Clown, whose history of murder and violence date back for centuries.
10. “Haunted Hotel”
Source: GSC
Release Date: October 2017
Cast: Li Chuan, Aom Sushar
In promoting Malaysia to tourists, award-winning director Ryon Lee is using horror to draw people here. Since its opening, “Haunted Hotel” has managed to become a box office hit in China by making RM10 million! Not bad for a Malaysian production. Featuring the famous haunted Amber Courts apartment in Genting Highlands, the story follows Bai Ling who checks into a haunted hotel by mistake. Upon realising that the venue has all sorts of creepiness around, she and her friends try to escape. However, escaping ain’t going to be easy.
Don’t forget to check out our other horror-themed lists below:
Ever since Jay Chou (周杰倫) and Hannah Quinlivan (昆凌) welcomed their son into the world, baby Romeo has been kept from the public eye.
However, Taiwanese TV personality Matilda Tao made the mistake of accidentally exposing Romeo’s face to the world when she posted a photo on Facebook. The aforementioned image has since been deleted from her social media account.
Source: Weibo/Facebook
Initially, Matilda only intended to show a black gift box with the J and H logo, with the words “Our Prince Has Arrived”. The decorated box with a crown logo contained a fried chicken and glutinous rice. “This is the most classic form of glutinous rice for Romeo’s full month. He is a really handsome boy and I wish the Chou family all the best,” wrote Matilda.
Fans were quick to point out that a clear image of Romeo’s face was attached to at the side of the gift box. The tiny tot can be seen sleeping soundly with his eyes close. Realising her mistake, Matilda removed the picture 40 minutes later. By then, netizens had already saved it and repost it on social media.
Source: Facebook
Jay, 38, and Hannah, 24, welcomed their first child, Hathaway in July 2015 after tying the knot in January that same year.
For those who are curious, you can view Romeo’s unpixelated face here.
Ever since our Miss Universe Malaysia 2017’s “nasi lemak” dress was unveiled, it has raked in both positive and negative feedback from Malaysians.
The dress, donned by Samantha Katie James and designed by Brian Khoo, was deemed “unique” and “creative” by some, while others think that it is a tad too much and could have been designed differently.
One Malaysian decided to take on the task to come with his own rendition of the “nasi lemak” dress.
Photographer and video director Rafil Thazali designed and shared his own version the evening gown on Facebook, and it quickly became a hit among netizens.
Source: Rafil Thazali
“Being a local Malaysian myself, I observe how our mak cik packs our favourite nasi lemak by cupping the rice and sambal etc. So I made this design backwards to give a pouring motion as though the delicious nasi lemak is served on our plate.” Rafil Thazali said of his design.
“The main items such as banana leaf (cape), sambal (sleeve & waist deco), kacang/nuts (abdomen), rice (skirt), ikan bilis (headpiece) and egg (inner skirt) were positioned as precisely as I can to resemble the neat presentation of our favourite food.” he added.
Rafil Thazali explained that the dress will be incorporated with local fabric elements like songket, kebaya lace, saree silk, and a “Chinese red element” to represent the different races in Malaysia all coming together in harmony. He also hopes that his version of the dress will be chosen to be worn by Samantha Katie James at the Miss Universe 2017 beauty pageant in Las Vegas on 26th November.
We’re getting closer and closer but not close enough to the release of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and Disney has just released another short teaser. Needless to say, it will get you more hyped than you already are, making your cumulative hype level rise higher than the Burj Khalifa building effing SKY. And no, that wasn’t a hype.my pun.
Check out the awesome clip below.
The trailer mostly features shots that we’ve already seen before, but it does provide us with fresh perspectives. The standout would be Luke Skywalker on the ground, looking up at Rey and saying, “This is not going to go the way you think.” The trailer then cuts to Rey, lifting up her lightsaber, looking down at Luke. Or is she looking down at Luke? Did she just defeat her master? Or is this all misdirection?
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to watch that clip another 742 times.
We pleaded for it to end. They did not listen. And now the family is tearing apart.
The 7th “Fast and Furious” movie is a mixed bag. The plot is thin, yet convoluted. Seriously, Dom (Vin Diesel) and his extended family are willing to help the government find a magic device because it will help them find Jason Statham (doubt anyone cares about the name of his character), because apparently, Jason Statham is very difficult to locate. Except, Jason Statham ISN’T very difficult to locate because he shows up wherever Dom and his family go. So, why agree to help the government at all? #Facepalm
BUT just when you’re about to punch yourself in the face and leave the cinema, the Paul Walker tribute happens and you’re like, “THIS IS THE BEST DAMN MOVIE EVER!!!”
That should’ve been the end, though. But nope, Universal churned out another one, this time with a giant submarine and Charlize Theron in dreadlocks. Talk about keeping things interesting. Well as it turns out things were even more interesting behind the scenes of “Fast 8” as The Rock and Vin Diesel developed major beef with one another. It was reported that The Rock was unhappy with Vin Diesel’s attitude onset.
Now, it looks like Tyrese Gibson, who plays the witty Roman Pierce in the “Fast and Furious” franchise has issues with The Rock too. Check out his Instagram post below.
Okay, first of all, I don’t understand half of what he’s saying. But it’s very clear that he wants The Rock out. Or maybe it’s someone else entirely. Who the hell is DEWAYNE? Is it Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s alter ego, Dewayne “The Pebble” Johnson? I’m confused.
There’s also the possibility that this could all just be a huge marketing scheme by The Rock and Tyrese Gibson. But, It’s also important to point out that Tyrese Gibson is probably having a tough time right now because of court cases that center around him and his family.
A few months ago, another member of the Toretto family, Michelle Rodriguez, threatened to leave the franchise if the franchise doesn’t give females more prominent roles, which is, of course, a more than fair request.
Former flames Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber have been spotted hanging out over the last couple weeks, and they are only getting more and more comfortable with each other.
The two were spotted hanging out and spending time together at Selena’s LA home, and then also seen having breakfast together.
Most recently, Selena and Justin have been spotted riding around in bikes – Selena sporting a big smile on her face despite her recent break-up with The Weekend. Selena and The Weeknd dated for at least 10 months – and the two parted ways as Selena and Justin’s friendship got more intimate by the day.
If you’ve always wanted to sleep in a MUJI showroom, your retail wish is about to become a reality. That’s because the minimalist brand is about to launch its first ever MUJI Hotels early next year.
Known for practical yet stylish household designs, MUJI has not only ventured into restaurant and cafes but the Japanese lifestyle brand will soon be stepping into the hospitality business.
Source: MUJI
Surprisingly, the first 2 MUJI Hotels will be opening in China instead of Japan. Set to open in Shenzhen on 18th January 2018 and in Beijing on 20th March 2018, Japan’s first MUJI Hotel will only debut the following year, during spring 2019. The 3rd outlet is slated for the upscale Ginza district in Tokyo. It is also currently where the largest MUJI store, MUJI Yurakucho, is situated.
Not much details has been revealed about these highly-anticipated MUJI Hotels, but Business Insider Japan reported that the Shenzhen branch will feature 79 rooms in 5 different layouts. The “anti-gorgeous, anti-cheap concept” will also be furnished with MUJI products – from the toothbrushes to the bed sheets.
“The goal is to offer great sleep at the right price, provide a space supporting both body and mind while away from home, and connect travellers to local people and places,” reads the official press release. While staying in MUJI Hotel, travellers will be given access to the fitness room, conference room, and other hotel facilities on the vicinity. Visitors can also dine in at the restaurant located on the lower levels.
As for Tokyo’s MUJI hotel, a 10-story building is currently in development. The lower 6 levels will be used for retail. The remaining 4 levels will be for the hotel. Just like its China counterparts, the hotel will be decked out in MUJI furnishings that is reflective of its minimalist designs.
A man in Kota Bharu was recently sentenced to 6 months behind bars for injuring his 1st wife. The reason being? He couldn’t stand her repetitive nagging when it wasn’t her night. After losing patience, he lashed out on her by hitting her face and head.
Source: iStock
Astro Awani reported yesterday (Thursday, 2nd November), that the accuser, Harun Talib, pleaded guilty after the charges were read by Majistret Mohd Azrul Hasyim Mohammad. The incident took place at Jalan Sri Cemerlang over the weekend on 28th October at approximately 11:15pm.
According to the site, the 55-year-old Kelantanese lost his temper after his first wife, Miss Maehyae, repeatedly called him to send over a motorcycle to her house even though it wasn’t her turn that night. She had even accused him of not fairly dividing his time between her and the 2nd wife.
Source: Astro Awani
Harun Talib has since been charged under Section 323 Section 326 (a) of the Penal Code for causing hurt.
Sam Smith’s appearance in the latest episode of “Carpool Karaoke” with James Corden is hands down the funniest episode to date!
This instalment of the “Carpool Karaoke” was especially entertaining as we got to see a hilarious and quirky side of a usually dark and brooding Sam Smith. The “Stay With Me” singer gushed over American girl-band Fifth Harmony and revealed that he absolutely has to listen to “Work From Home” before leaving the house.
Sam also dished that he was incredibly star-struck when he met actor Ryan Gosling.
The most notable part of the episode was when Sam started talking about his wedding plans – explaining how he’d start the wedding with a funeral to his “single self”, and then proceed with the wedding ceremony.
He also absolutely freaked out when James Corden brought on Fifth Harmony to surprise him towards the end!
The more important question though, is it any good?
Source: EATSplorations
Inspired by the British takeaway food, Fish and Chips, McDonald’s Fish & Fries is exactly as the suggests. The dish comes with a tender fish fillet that is fried to golden perfection as well as McDonald’s signature fries that we all know and love. Diners can choose between 3 sauces: Sweet and Sour, Tartar, and Thousand Island.
Sounds (and looks) pretty appetising right? Not so fast.
Several netizens who have tried the new Fish & Fries took to Lowyat forum to voice their disappointment. According to them, the serving looks rather bland and the portion is small (more suited for kids). Based on the screen shot below, 1 piece of fish fillet costs RM13.95 while an additional fish fillet would come up to RM19.95. Both sets come with fries and a soft drink.
Source: Lowyat
Someone even joked that the fish fillets are leftovers from the previous Thai Fish Burger. Fish & Fries is apparently only available at selected branches for the time being.
Judging from the 2 contrasting pictures, would you still try it?
Are fast food franchises competing to come up with weirder combinations? After previously releasing fried chicken with cheese as well as the spicy chicken, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has recently introduced another creation. It’s the limited edition spicy chocolate chicken named Chochiks.
Unfortunately, it’s only available in Indonesia for now
Source: Eat & Treats
We bet you didn’t see this coming. Chochiks features crispy chicken drizzled with spicy chocolate sauce dressed on top! Diners can either order a la carte with just the chicken, or the set meal that comes together with a drink and french fries or rice. The set meal is priced at Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) 30,445, which is approximately RM9.60.
At first glance, we cant help but feel a little skeptical about this new dish. A quick look on social media revealed an overwhelming response by netizens about the recent menu. “I don’t like chocolate, can I replace it with matcha?” asked @ichatrikusumaa on Twitter. “I already tried it and (…) I don’t like it, the chocolate (sauce) is very thick and I couldn’t taste the spices,” Instagram user, ellsa97, shared.
Meanwhile, Facebook user Christine Budiarto suggested, “If it’s possible, the (chocolate) sauce should be separated from the fried chicken. If it’s not delicious, the (fried) chicken can still be eaten and I can bring the chocolate sauce home, freeze it and savour it as a snack.”
Source: Instagram
If KFC’s spicy chocolate chicken debuts in Malaysia, would you give it a try?
I initially wanted to write a regular review of “Mersal”, starring Vijay, which I found myself enjoying more and more with each repeated viewing. And that’s saying something because I am not a fan of Vijay at all. But a conversation with my cousin inspired me to pen something else. “Why is it OKAY when Vijay stars in a mass movie, but not Ajith?” he asked me. It is important to note that at this point in our conversation, I was shitting all over Ajith’s previous movies like “Vedalam”, “Veeram” and his most recent abomination, “Vivegam”. As you probably figured out, my cousin is a huge fan of Ajith.
But first…
WTF does a ‘mass movie’ mean?
source: comicbook.com
The term ‘mass’ movie or more commonly known as a ‘masala’ movie does not refer to the spices you would put in curry. In the Indian film industry, these terms pretty much mean popcorn blockbuster. What differs from the Hollywood and Indian cinema landscape is that Hollywood pop culture generally revolves around franchises and giant properties – Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel Cinematic Universe, etc – while Indian pop culture, for the most part, revolves around the MOVIE STARS. Rajnikanth, Kamal Hassan, Vijay, Ajith, etc.
Even the deep animosity that runs between fans are similar. Star Wars fans and Star Trek fans have been fighting for galaxy supremacy since the dawn of time. And just like fans of the DCEU and MCU, Vijay fans and Ajith fans beat each other to a pulp send angry tweets to one another on a daily. And if you’re a fan who points out flaws of your own beloved properties/star, then you’re deemed a traitor and will be stoned to death or at the very least, kicked out of your family’s hypothetical Rajnikanth fan club. #thanksdad
Whether it’s Hollywood or Bollywood, popcorn blockbusters are usually a mixture of larger than life characters and a middle finger to real-world science. How is Rajnikanth able to singlehandedly beat the living crap out of 52 people? I don’t know, ask John Wick. I have no problem suspending my disbelief and accepting the fact that a magician is also quite possibly a ninja, just like I have no problem accepting the fact that a radioactive spider bite could turn you into a superhero. It’s AWESOME. But if you watch “Fast and Furious 6” and find Vin Diesel jumping from his car to catch Letty mid-air, more annoying than awesome, then don’t bother watching any Indian masala movie, too.
But don’t get me wrong…
Being a masala movie DOES NOT excuse poor logic.
via: Hindustan Times
I know, it sounds like I just contradicted everything I wrote above. Hear me out. Every movie/franchise, regardless of how over the top it is, needs to establish certain rules or a sandbox if you will. The sandbox can be completely batshit crazy, but within the batshit crazy sandbox, things have to be CONSISTENT. Within the batshit crazy sandbox, characters and their motivations need to make sense.
“Mersal” for the most part, does not suffer from this problem, but it is not void of it. The final action sequence standouts in particular. The unspoken rules that the movie establishes at the start is:
Maaran is the doctor. Sure, he may push a few security guards away to save a person’s life, but he’s generally not someone who would engage in a fist fight.
Vetri is the magician/badass/ass-kicker.
In fact, there is an awesome action scene that takes place midway through the movie where Vetri beats the crap outta the villains and saves Maaran. It makes perfect sense. However, in the final action sequence, Maaran tells his injured brother, Vetri, “Who says a doctor can’t fight? Now watch me kick some bad guy butt.” While the action sequence that transpires immediately after is fun to watch, it somewhat devalues whatever that happened before. If Maaran can fight, why did Vetri need to save him? And if Maaran can fight, why then did he and his brother Vetri need to switch their clothes before the cops arrived?
Also, the entire back and forth Maaran has with his adopted mother (Kovai Sarala) concerning his parentage does not make an ounce of sense.
Having said that, these inconsistencies do not make me frustrated. Okay, that’s a lie. It does make me frustrated a little. But there is enough good stuff in this movie to make me forgive that minor error.
What does annoy the crap outta me is when Vijay’s character in “Bairavaa” gives a girl flowers and professes his love for her, immediately after she tells him a story of how her best friend got raped by a corrupt businessman.
Her: My best friend got raped and murdered.
Him: Oh, I love you.
Me: KILL ME.
I experienced the same kinda frustration watching “Thor: Ragnarok” recently. Why is Thor cracking jokes while talking to the fire demon, Surtur? It’s a comedy. I get it. But the Thor movies have never been comedies. And Thor has never been a comedian. Are you telling me that after Loki “died” in “Thor: The Dark World”, Thor went for comedy classes to cope with his sadness? Hmm, now that I think of it, it kinda makes sense.
The meat behind the Masala.
Mersal is first and foremost a revenge thriller, but at the same time, it is also an explicit commentary on the medical landscape in India. I’m not saying a movie needs to have a MESSAGE to be good. On the contrary, when it comes to popcorn blockbusters, more often than not, the simplest of approaches is usually the best. But time and time again, popcorn blockbusters try to be something MORE. When it works, like in the case of “Mersal,” it’s awesome; when it doesn’t (which is, most of the time), it comes off as pretentious.
Rajnikanth’s “Kabali” comes to mind. There are flashbacks in “Kabali” that TRY to comment on the struggles Indians in Malaysia had to face prior to the country’s independence. Only, the entire arc feels completely forced. It’s as if the movie pauses and goes, “Okay guys, this is where we insert our completely-irrelevant-to-the-story message,” and then turns into a sappy love story?
In “Mersal” the message is delivered in an organic way. We’re treated to a fantastic flashback in which we see Vetrimaaran (Vetri and Maaran’s dad, also played by Vijay) and his wife (Nithya Menen) get screwed over by a corrupt doctor. All those years later, Vetri is avenging his father’s death. While the message is as obvious as it gets, it doesn’t feel like the movie is trying to shove the message down your throat. Because we understand why the characters are doing what they’re doing. Even when Vetri delivers a speech right at the end, providing facts and figures about the medical industry, it works.
Songs that tell stories.
Just like how being a popcorn blockbuster does not excuse a lapse in logic, being a musical does not mean you can throw in as many songs as you like for no reason. Does the song add anything to the movie? Does the movie deteriorate if the song is removed? Take “La La Land” for example. I love the movie and it is still one of my favourite movies of the year. But is the opening number really necessary, though? It does a good job of letting people know that it’s going to be a musical, but would the movie be any different without the song? No.
“Mersal” comes with four songs. Two of which are just there for the sake of having a hot chick dance. Don’t get me wrong. The songs are nice and I wouldn’t complain if they’re playing on the radio. But how does “Maacho” and “Neethanae” add anything to the movie? I might give “Maacho” the slight pass because at the very least there was some manipulation going on, on Vetri’s end during the song sequence – like him bribing the Russian lady. But “Neethanae” is completely pointless. Love songs only work if romance plays an important part in the movie. “Sirukki Vaasam” works perfectly in Dhanush’s “Kodi” and “A Lovely Night” in “La La Land”. With that said, the other two songs in “Mersal” – “Mersal Arasan” and “Aalaporaan Thamizhan” – are EXCELLENT. In fact, I will even make the bold statement that it’s some of AR Rahman’s best ever.
Look guys, I’m not saying “Mersal” is a perfect film, far from it in fact. The flaws are easy to spot. The flashbacks take up a large chunk of the runtime and Sathyaraj is completely wasted as the police officer – he’s nothing but a plot device to transition to the flashbacks. However, together with screenwriter K.V. Vijayendra Prasad (“Baahubali 1 & 2”), director Atlee has crafted a thoroughly enjoyable film with a strong emotional core and protagonists we can get behind. Even the overabundance of Vijay worshipping that happens throughout the movie isn’t as annoying as many of his other films because he’s a DOCTOR. Heck, this movie won me over the moment Dr. Maaran speaks Tamil at an international press conference and all the non-Indian people in the crowd used earphones that are attached to a translating device. Believe it or not, in most Tamil movies including VIVEGAM, the Americans/Europeans can all somehow understand and speak Tamil fluently.
To answer the question that started this entire piece, “Mass” is not a measure of quality. Calling a movie MASS, does not indicate whether a movie is worth watching or not. There are good popcorn blockbusters and there are bad ones. There are also shitty ones, which Ajith has been acting in recently.
Another Malaysian celebrity has just gotten engaged. Congrats to Shila Amzah (茜拉) and Haris Idraki Elias!
The famous Mandopop singer and her beau celebrated their engagement with close family and friends in Cheras (where her family lives) last night (Friday, 3rd November). The intimate ceremony also marked the first time the 27-year-old star introduced her lover to the media and fans.
Source: Instagram
So who is this Haris? The 28-year-old groom-to-be currently works in the financial sector in London. Multiple reports also confirm that he was previously a reporter for The Star newspaper back in 2015.
The official statement released on the songstress’ Facebook page reads:
“Shila and Haris have been dating and soul mates to each other for quite some time, while Shila has been touring China and Asia to perform, the couple has been keeping in touch via Skype; when one night (…) Mr Elias made a marriage proposal to Shila. The proposal was blessed by both parents with a wedding planned to be held in 2018.
Shila Amzah will continue her professional music career producing music in different languages, touring to different parts of the world and truly supported by the newest member to the family. We wish to extend this great news to the friends, fans and media who have supported Shila with tremendous love throughout her career and beyond, and trusting this is to be shared among the good people who embrace this happy and special occasion.”
Source: Kakifoto
The talented pop star also took to her Instagram account to express her gratitude and love for her leading man.
“Dear Haris,
7 years ago, I never realised what an incredible journey we were embarking upon together. I never would have believed that the 21-year-old boy with wavy hair and the sweetest smile I’ve ever seen would grow into the strong, hardworking, and loving man that will be waiting for me till the end of time.
I never dreamed that I would find someone who changed me to see the world in the way that you do – a man who makes me laugh and love with abandon, a man who even after all these years being apart still gives me butterflies when he walks through the door. I didn’t believe that I could find a man who would remind me every single day to dream bigger, to work harder, to open my heart to the possibilities of this beautiful life.”
Source: Facebook
She continued, “I never realised that I could love anyone as much as I love you. I love your quirky humour, your obsession with books and art. I adore your beautiful brown eyes, the way you read for me before I go to bed. I love those nights when we Skype every weekends, the way you listen to my crazy ideas and catch me when I fall… Often literally.
“I love you not only for who you are, but for who you inspire me to be. I love that over the past 7 years, our feelings for each other has always been there like we were made for each other. Even on the days when I have struggled, when the future seemed uncertain, not once did I have to walk alone.”
Source: Twitter
She added, “7 years of growing up, but never growing apart despite of the distance conquering all that life put in our way, day by day, we grew together. Haris, you are the reason that I fight so incredibly hard to be the best person that I can be. You give me a reason to make every single day even better than the last. You have shown me what it means to live and love, to give of my heart fully, to wake up every morning with the hope of helping others.
You are my soulmate. My other half. The piece of my heart that I never knew was missing.
And the promise of a lifetime together.
Your Future Wife, The *Almost* Mrs. Haris”
Take a look at more photos and a video below:
We’re excited for Shila and Haris’ next chapter to begin
Jackie Chan is best known for his action and comedy films, but did you know that he was once a porn star?
For those that didn’t know, the legendary actor previously starred in a Hong Kong adult comedy, “All In The Family” (花飛滿城春), which came out in 1975. According to Wikipedia, the movie contains 1 of only 2 sex scenes the 63-year-old entertainer has ever done.
Source: Google images
Many fans were shocked to find out when this news first came to light. Jackie Chan claimed that he accepted the job offer in order to make a living and has no regret over the decision. The famous star also remarked that there is a difference between porn and conservative porn.
“I had to do anything I could to make a living 31 years ago, but I don’t think it’s a big deal, even Marlon Brando used to be exposed in his movies. The porn movie at that time was more conservative than the current films,” he was quoted as saying.
Source: Scandal Shack
It is also interesting to note that “All In The Family” is the only Jackie Chan movie where he wasn’t involved in a single fight or stunt sequence. You can watch a 10-minute clip of it here.
Sources: Hangat, Lipstiq / Featured image: Google Images.
