For many couples who are about to walk down the aisle, zoning in on a wedding date can be a challenge. As someone once said, choosing a wedlock can become a deadlock! Hence, picking your special date is imperative.

To quote Astrologia, “if the lovers select an auspicious date then their marriage could be prosperous and healthy“. Besides choosing a wedding date that brings luck, you’d also want to consider a weekend when most of your loved ones (if not all) are available. On top of that, it is also important to pick a month when the weather is usually beautiful.

According to Beetify, the 5 major wedding dates to get married falls on the second-half of 2018. They are:

1. 15th September (Saturday) – Not advisable for those born under the Dragon Chinese zodiac.
2. 30th September (Sunday) – Not advisable for those born under the Goat Chinese zodiac.
3. 26th October (Friday) – Not advisable for those born under the Rooster Chinese zodiac.
4. 1st December (Saturday) – Not advisable for those born under the Rooster Chinese zodiac.
5. 30th December (Sunday) – Not advisable for those born under the Tiger Chinese zodiac.

Of course, that’s not all. We’ve provided a chart with all the suitable days for marriage in 2018 (which is also the year of the dog). There are 2 versions – English and Chinese – that vary slightly in terms of wedding dates.

Check out the Chinese version by Beetify:

Here is the English version by En.nongli:

Best of luck in planning your wedding

Sources: Beetify, En.nongli / Featured image: Google Images.

The post Getting Married Soon? Here Are The Auspicious Wedding Dates For 2018 appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

When a Thai woman was abandoned by her Korean boyfriend, she threw their illegitimate newborn baby from the 17th floor of her apartment window in Pattaya.

Netchanok Nokyungtong admitted to the police that she had murdered her son after her 40-year-old lover, named Kim, left her to returned to his wife and family in South Korea. The 20-year-woman gave birth to her infant earlier on Tuesday afternoon (7th November).

Not long after giving birth in her flat, Netchanok wrapped her son in a plastic bag and tossed him out her bedroom window. Sources claim that her boyfriend, identified as Kim, had initially tried to convinced her to get an abortion but she “unexpectedly” gave birth.

“Miss Netchanok Nokyungtong gave birth in bathroom where blood was found on the floor. She said she was shocked and not ready for the birth. The boyfriend is a married foreigner from South Korea who did not want to stay with her. She was heartbroken because he returned to his family,” Colonel Apichai Khemphet, head of Pattaya Police, told local paper Chiangrai Times.

A horrified witness, who reportedly lives in the same building in the Banglamung district of the city, recalled that he saw a large object fall past his window and hit the pavement. After he went down to investigate, he was shocked to find a green plastic bag containing a dead baby with the umbilical cord still attached.

Colonel Apichai added, ”This is a very brutal crime, the baby was born in a healthy condition and the mother did not have grief for what had happened. Her boyfriend had left and tried to tell her to abort the baby. She said she did not have money to support the child. She has also now been taken to hospital to be checked. But she will stay in police custody and be prosecuted.”

“It was a difficult immoral decision. On one hand, she killed her own child. On the other, to raise the baby when she has no capability and no money…is not exactly a moral thing to do either. Either way, it’s cruel for the baby. Moral of the story: don’t have unprotected sex when you are not ready to raise a baby,” wrote Facebook user Tyler Chin Wei Sheng.

In Thailand, an expecting mother is only allowed to have abortion under the circumstances, namely “to save the life of women,” “to preserve physical health,” “to preserve mental health,” or in cases of “rape and incest.”

While many felt that the Thai mistress should bare the full blame, others suggest that the boyfriend Kim should also be held accountable.

Sources: Next Shark, All Kpop / Featured image: Viral Press.

The post Thai Mistress Throws Baby Out Window After South Korean Boyfriend Returned To His Wife appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

For the longest time now, Star Wars fans have been wondering, what next? We know that the newest trilogy that centres around Rey, will come to a close in 2019. We also know that Lucasfilm is working on a bunch of Star Wars spinoffs, including 1 about Obi-Wan Kenobi. But, as awesome as the spinoff(s) have been and potentially, will continue to be, it is the main saga that people actually look forward to.

Well, as it turns out, Lucasfilm has been planning something HUGE. Lucasfilm announced today that Rian Johnson, the director of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”, is working on a new Star Wars trilogy. And for the first time in the history of Star Wars, this trilogy WILL NOT revolve around the Skywalkers. Here’s what the Lucasfilm honcho, Kathleen Kennedy had to say:

We all loved working with Rian on The Last Jedi. He’s a creative force, and watching him craft The Last Jedi from start to finish was one of the great joys of my career. Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy.

In a joint statement, Rian Johnson and his longtime collaborator, Ram Bergman (who is working with Johnson on the new trilogy) had this to say:

We had the time of our lives collaborating with Lucasfilm and Disney on The Last Jedi. Star Wars is the greatest modern mythology and we feel very lucky to have contributed to it. We can’t wait to continue with this new series of films.

While the Skywalker saga has been the foundation of “Star Wars” for the longest time, the animated series, comics, and novels have shown us that the universe is much bigger than that. With Lucasfilm choosing to move away from Skywalker family drama, Johnson and Bergman will have a bigger sandbox to play in and explore various storylines and characters, without having to worry too much about continuity.

This news is also an indicator that “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” would most likely be a brilliant film, seeing how much confidence Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy has in Rian Johnson. After all, Kathleen Kennedy is not someone who’s easily pleased, having parted ways with the pairing of Lord & Miller as well as Colin Trevorrow.

Source: Lucasfilm

The post A New Star Wars Trilogy Is In The Works And It Won’t Be About The Skywalkers appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

Rejoice Swifties! We’ve got a TGIF treat courtesy of Taylor Swift’s new song, titled “New Year’s Day”.

Ahead of the highly-anticipated release of “Reputation“, the first live performance of the piano ballad debuted during ABC’s latest episode of “Scandal”. The performance was pre-taped during the Grammy winner’s Secret Sessions in her Rhode Island home.

The 28-year-old singer is seen delivering her heartfelt number to some 100 Swifties in a candlelit setting – many of whom were singing along with her. “New Year’s Day” is a thoughtful track about learning from the good and bad from life’s experiences. There’s also hope that the man she’s infatuated with (we’re looking at you Joe Alwyn), will stick by her through thick and thin.

“There’s glitter on the floor after the party / Girls carrying their shoes down in the lobby / Candle wax and Polaroids on the hardwood floor / You and me from the night before but / Don’t read the last page / But I stay when you’re lost and I’m scared and you’re turning away,” Swift sang. “I want your midnights / But I’ll be cleaning up bottles with you on New Year’s Day.”

Enjoy:

“Reputation” debuts on 10th November.

Sources: Elle, E! News / Featured image: ABC.

The post Taylor Swift Debuts Piano Ballad #NewYearsDay Ahead Of #Reputation Release appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

Impressive light installations, LED swings, light shows, and interactive art to ignite all your senses – we’re talking about Malaysia’s first and largest light art festival.

Called “Between the City and Stars”, the upcoming exhibition is set to take place at Lightbox later this month. The exciting event will bring together international and local artists to showcase their artistic ideas through various mediums.

Located at Sungai Buloh, Lightbox is less than 20 minutes away from Desa ParkCity and One Utama Shopping Mall. Is it worth checking out? There will be plenty of amazing light art displays to capture those Instagram-worthy images. Lightbox even promises that the upcoming light art festival will be an experience “that transports you to the euphoric world between the city and stars”.

Thanks to writer Pui Fun and Eat Pray Love, here are the 6 major exhibits you shouldn’t miss out when you visit “Between the City and Stars”:

1. Dreamscape

• Created by designers Sergio Alves (Portugal) and Henrique Nascimento (The Netherlands), Dreamscape is a sensorial celebration which immerses you in a magical world like never before.

2. LED Light Swings

• Relive your inner childhood by swinging on these futuristic swings.

3. Aurora Laser Show

• Can’t afford to experience the Northern Lights? A new euphoric show awaits you. The Aurora Laser Show will apparently take place for 5 minutes every hour.

4. Brick Lane

• Tomi Heri with Snozze & Snaketwo will preview their “Art On Floor” on the Brick Lane (curated by ArtSeni founder Philip Wong). In addition, those who love to show off their dance moves can also hit the dance floor at the Public Disco section.

5. City Gazing

• Dutch art duo VOUW Justus Bruns & Mingus Vogel will showcase their depiction of Kuala Lumpur city by using thousands of lights.

6. Secret Rendezvous

• This is arguably the most romantic spot dedicated to all you lovers out there. Don’t forget to “lock” your love together

The details to “Between the City and Stars” are as follows:

• Dates: 24th November 2017 – 1st January 2018
• Venue: Lightbox, Sungai Buloh
• Address: Jalan LGSB 1/1, Pusat Komersial LGSB, Off Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor
• Opening hours: 6pm – 11pm (Weekdays); 6pm – 12am (Weekends & Public Holidays)
• Ticketing: RM25 (Early Bird), RM35 (Normal Price)

Don’t miss out on the early bird discount by securing your tickets before 24th November. Each admission ticket is also valid 1 week; that means you’ll get to visit “Between the City and Stars” again and again throughout that duration.

For more information, hit up Lightbox’s official website or visit their Facebook page.

The post 6 Highlights To Check Out At Malaysia’s First Light Art Festival appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

Yesterday, News Straits Times reported that a CEO (no idea who, at that time) of a Malaysian Telco company was arrested in Dubai for drug possession upon arriving from Amsterdam. A couple of things immediately popped into mind.

1. Can someone give this mystery CEO a medal? #TrueHero
2. How were the hookers?

No idea what drugs he was arrested for? I’ll give you a hint:

Then a few hours ago, it turns out that the mystery CEO is non other than Jason Lo of Tune Talk. #Fulamak

But just as I was about to engrave his name on the medal, Jason Lo says that all the rumours are bullshit. He says that he was arrested for being badass like Captain America.

“I landed in Dubai, at the airport my friend tries to stop a fight. Then he gets hit and I jump the guy who turns out to be an undercover cop”

Jason Lo further states that the only thing worse than being in lock up is finding out that people have been spreading rumours about you.

I go to lock up and this guy stalls his statement for weeks. It was horrible. Not as horrible as coming out and hearing rumours of being locked up for every other reason under the sun.

Looks like there are multiple rumours circling the internet. Some suggesting he’s Pablo Escobar, some suggesting he’s Captain America. So be sure to check in for more updates jokes.

Source: Free Malaysia Today

The post Malaysian Telco CEO Arrested For Possession Of Drugs? appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

It’s Fridayyyyy!

You finally made it through a long week of phone calls, e-mails, incessant meeting, rushing to meet impossible deadlines, pleasing clients – and all that while battling crazy traffic every morning. You want to blow off some steam tonight by hitting the bar and chugging down some cold ones, but your bank balance tells you that it cannot be done. You have 2 options now; go home and cry or keep reading this article, because we have compiled some super cheap joints for you to party at tonight – and it won’t hurt your bank balance too much.

1. Barfly, Publika

Barfly has always been famous for their incredibly cheap beer prices, and they have somehow managed to outdo themselves with this new happy hour promo. Every day from 4pm to 8pm (yes, weekends included) you can get a mug of Tiger at Barfly in Publika for only RM5 and a half pint of Guinness for RM7.

Even you miss the happy hour, you’re still in for a treat – they offer 5 mugs of Tiger for RM38, 5 half pints of Guinness for RM40, and 5 half pint of Kilkenny or Heineken for RM45.

2. Twenty Eight, Bangsar 

Another strong contender for cheap beer, wine, whiskey and pretty much everything alcohol. Nestled amongst a row of bars in Jalan Telawi, Twenty Eight easily stands out with throngs of people packing the place up. Every day between 4pm to 7pm, you can get 1 mug of Tiger for only RM5. If you miss the happy hour, 1 full pint of Tiger, Guinness, Kilkenny, or Heineken will all cost you RM15 or less.

Aside from that, you also get 15% off food if you order before 8pm and 20% off the total bill if it’s all ladies in your group.

3. BarAtas, Bangsar 

While we still can’t figure out if the “Atas” in BarAtas is literal or to suggest that its swanky and rococo, we love the fact that most things on the menu are reasonably priced. Located just above Rock Bottom, this place has an eclectic interior, adequate space for dancing, and a DJ spinning on most nights. If you’re up for drinks on Tuesdays, you can take advantage of their “Black Tuesdays” promo and get 1 full pint of Guinness for only RM10! On other nights, you can get a set of 3 Tigers for RM34, or RM30 if you order before 9pm – and that’s one heck of a deal. Also, it’s “Ladies Night” twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

4. D’Legends Bar, Taman Tun Dr Ismail 

D’Legends Bar in Taman Tun has established quite a reputation for serving award-winning beers, and we highly recommend this place if you’re very fussy about how your beer is poured. We’re not just making this up, D’Legends have actually won the Perfect Tiger Serve Award and mastered the art of 2-part pour for Guinness. The best part is that you get to enjoy their award winning Tiger beer for only RM10 if you visit the bar on Mondays to Fridays, between 3:30pm and 5:30 pm.

P.S.: They also provide wifi if you want to work from there!

5. Movida, Changkat  

It’s impossible to resist the sweet deals Movida has to offer, especially when nearing the end of the month. Their happy hour promotion extends up to 9pm, and they have a wider selection of beer; Carlsberg, Connor’s, Kronenbourg, Asahi, and Hoegaarden. If you order before 9pm, you can get a half pint of the selected beers for only RM11 each. They also have pretty good deals for beer towers, the cheapest option would be the Carlsberg tower priced at RM70 during happy hour.

6. Uncle Don’s, SS2  

Of course this is on the list – Uncle Don’s is synonymous with cheap beer and incredibly delicious food. They are most famous for their extra cold Carlsberg mugs which are priced at only RM8.80 each, served in a frosty glass. Most of the food items also reasonably priced – starting from RM7.90 – which means you can easily have dinner and beer for 2 for RM50 or less.

The post 6 Places To Check Out When You’re Broke AF But Still Want Beer appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

Are y’all excited concert-goers? We’re only 1 day away from seeing Ed Sheeran live!

In anticipation of tomorrow’s “Divide” tour, PR Worldwide has released a list of prohibited items that are not allowed into the concert venue at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil. To avoid being forced to leave your belongings behind, it’ll be helpful to take note of the list.

What are the restricted or prohibited items? They are:

• Outside food and beverage (including alcohol)
• Cameras of a professional standard with interchangeable or telephoto lens such as SLRs with lens in excess of 200mm
• Knapsacks, Bags or luggage of dimensions larger than 14 inches x 14 inches x 6 inches
• LED and fan boards larger than 42cm x 29.7cm (i.e. A3 sized)
• Musical instruments and noise makers including but not limited to drums, whistles, vuvuzelas, air horns and loud hailers
• Banners or flags
• Video and audio recording devices
• Tripods, monopods and selfie sticks
• Weapons, or resemblance of weapons
• Glassware or bottles
• Cans or spray cans
• Bicycles, skateboards, skates and scooters
• Any and all other hazardous items

Since the concert is expected to start at 8:30pm with a special guest appearance from Lauv, fans can expect the doors to be open 2 hours prior to that.

For those driving, you can either park your car at Parking C (in front of the National Stadium) or Parking E (using the Majlis Sukan Negara entrance along Lebuhraya Bukit Jalil).

For more information, check out PR Worldwide’s website.

The post The List Of Things Not Allowed Into Ed Sheeran’s Kuala Lumpur Concert appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

For years, Rowan Atkinson has been bogged down by Internet hoax that he died.

At age 62, not only is the English actor very much alive, he is also expecting the birth of his 3rd child in just a few weeks! The arrival of this baby will be his first child with 33-year-old girlfriend, Louise Ford.

Atkinson and Ford have been dating for 3 years since 2014. The pair first met in a comedy play called “The Quartermaine’s Terms” at London’s Wyndham’s Theatre back in 2013. “Rowan and Louise are over the moon and can’t wait for their new arrival. It’s a very happy time for them both,” a source told The Mirror.

The funny Brit already has 2 children – son Ben, 23, and daughter Lily, 21 – from his previous marriage with Sunetra Sastry. Word on the street has it that Atkinson’s 25-year marriage to Sastry ended after a 65-second court hearing. Since then, Daily Mail reported that Lily had decided to ditch the surname Atkinson and adopt her mother’s maiden name, Sastry.

During the 90s, Atkinson’s role as the funny yet frustrating character, Mr Bean, was a worldwide hit. The hapless character was always seen wearing the same suit, had a teddy bear who was his best friend, and always ended up in trouble.

Congrats on the new baby!

Sources: LAD Bible, Daily Mail / Featured image: India Times.

The post Rowan Atkinson AKA Mr Bean Expecting Another Baby At Age 62 appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

The wait may finally be over! One of UK’s biggest boybands – Westlife – will be getting back together.

This news comes courtesy the band’s former manager Louis Walsh. The “X-Factor” judge confirmed that a reunion between Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, and Kian Egan are definitely in the works.

“A Westlife reunion is definitely going to happen – but I have no idea when. I’m still really good friends with all of the lads… I was chatting to Mark Feehily last night about the Christmas album he’s bringing out, and it’s amazing. I’d forgotten how talented he is. I think the reunion will be great, but it’s up to them to decide when they will do it,” Walsh told RSVP Magazine.

Since the Irish music mogul’s comments were made public, fans on social media have been going on a frenzy at the possibility of a Westlife reunion. Several fans are also having their fingers crossed that Brian McFadden (who quit the group in March 2004 to focus on his family and solo career) will rejoin the reunion.

For those that don’t remember, the Westlife members split and went separate ways in 2012 after 14 years together in the music business. To echo many fans, it would be a dream come true if the quartet reunite.

Sources: Daily Mail, Unilad / Featured image: Sligo Today.

The post The Internet Is Flying Without Wings Because Westlife Is Reuniting! appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

Out with the old and in the new: 16 years since its first aired, the popular Taiwanese drama “Meteor Garden” is set to return to the small screen once again.

The upcoming reboot will air sometime next year. While the original series catapulted Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Vic Zhou, Ken Chu, and Barbie Hsu into superstardom, 4 new actors and a new leading lady will follow in their footsteps.

In addition to a magazine feature in Harper’s Bazaar China, a press conference was also held in Shanghai recently to announce the stars of the upcoming show, including the new F4 (Flower 4). Producer Angie Chai shared that the new “Meteor Garden” will be a fuller and flashier adaptation of the Japanese shojo comics. The 48-episode reboot also reportedly has overall budget of NTD 720 million.

“Each of them have a unique quality that is very appealing to me, I believe #NewMeteorGardenF4 will give everyone a different kind of surprise,” Angie was quoted as saying. 20-year-old actress Shen Yue will star as the strong-willed student Shan Chai, who ends up getting involved with the 4 riches and most popular boys in her school, commonly known as the F4.

Without further ado, let’s get to know the new F4:

1. Dylan Wang (王鹤棣)

• From Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
• 19 years old; born in 1998.
• He will be playing Dao Ming Si (previously played by Jerry Yan).
• Dylan is also the youngest actor in the bunch.

2. Darren Chen (官鴻)

• From Taipei, Taiwan.
• 22 years old; born in 1995.
• He will be playing Hua Ze Lei (previously played by Vic Chou).
• Darren was previously involved in the 2016 drama, “Proud Of Love”, where he played the 2nd lead.

3. Connor Leong (梁靖康)

• From Shenzhen, China.
• 23 years old; born in 1994.
• He will be playing Mei Zuo (previously played by Vanness Wu).
• Connor already has a career in modelling.

4. Caesar Wu (吴希泽)

• From Shenzhen, China.
• 21 years old; born in 1996.
• He will be playing Xi Men (previously played by Ken Chu).

You can check out more photoshoot of the boys below:

Do you have a favourite F4 member already?

Sources: The Hive (1)(2), Brilio / Featured image: Harper’s Bazaar China.

The post Meet The New F4 In The 2018 #MeteorGarden Reboot appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

We’re just a couple of sleeps away from this year’s edition of “It’s The Ship“. If this is going to be your first time on the ship, then you’re in luck! Because we’ve taken the liberty to draw up a list of tips (trust us, we’ve been there) to help you not only survive, but thrive on “It’s The Ship 2017”.

Yes, you’re welcome

1. Pack enough swimwear

There’s no dress code per se, but you’re on a ship so you know the drill – remember to pack enough swimwear! In fact, packing for a cruise is just like packing for any other island vacay. So, put them swimwear and casual daytime wear on your packing list, comprende? Floppy hats, flip flops, and sunnies totally welcomed too.

2. Slap on sunblock or suntan

What’s that? You want to soak up some vitamin D and achieve a beautiful, golden brown tan? Then be generous with dat suntan oil. If you’re iffy about tanning/burning (like we are), then slap on heck loads of sunblock. SPF 100, anyone?

3. Have all your moolah ready

Your wallet. Don’t leave home without it. Furthermore, considering the fact that “It’s The Ship 2017” will leave from Singapore to Phuket and then back again, you may need some SGD and Thai baht on hand. Or, you know, just bring your credit/debit card card.

4. Pack a nice #ootn for the gala dinner

If you haven’t heard, there will be a gala dinner on 18th November (Saturday) and 19th November (Sunday), depends on which session you pick. And there’s a theme – Shanghai Nights. Take the opportunity to get creative and rethink what “Oriental” means to you. Time to stand out

5. Study the layout of the Genting Dream

The other fun part about partying on a ship is exploring the ship! But first, you’ll need to do some homework about the Genting Dream i.e. restaurants, lounges, facilities, activities. Wanna go rock climbing? Belt out to your favourite tunes in a karaoke room? Watch a movie? You got it.

6. Disconnect to connect

You’re going to be out at sea so don’t expect the WiFi or your data coverage to work swimmingly well the entire time. In other words, be prepared to disconnect to connect! And detox from the virtual world while making the best of real life

7. Rules are rules, don’t break ’em

Yes, we know that you paid for your shiptastic vacation, but rules and rules. For example, bring a camera for all them moments but please don’t bring a drone. And in case of individual medical needs, please pack your own meds for allergies and such (with a doctor’s prescription) but strictly no drugs or illegal substances mmkay?

8. Plan what/who you want to see

You don’t want to miss your favourite acts. Let’s face it, who does? The set times are out so plan accordingly! Some sets are bound to clash, of course, what with so many fantastic artistes on the lineup. But hey, at least you know well enough to try to make it for half and half each

Above all, to survive this year’s instalment of “It’s The Ship”, definitely, definitely do not forget to have fun! And don’t forget to hashtag all your pictures/videos/Boomerangs with #ITSTHESHIP and #ITSTHESHIP2017.

We’ll leave you now with the official aftermovie of “It’s The Ship 2016”:

For more information, hit up the ship’s website or Facebook page.

The post 8 Tips To Not Only Survive, But Thrive On The Shiptastic #ITSTHESHIP2017 appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

I remember walking out of the cinema in 2013 having watched “Man of Steel”, thinking, what a load of stinky garbage. And not in a “Batman & Robin” kind of way that simultaneously makes you laugh and wish you were struck by lightning, either. No, “Man of Steel” was a snooze fest. So much so, I had to constantly move around in my seat and punch myself in the face to prevent myself from falling asleep. Was it my expectations? Or did the movie literally suck more dick than Maria Ozawa throughout her illustrious career? Perhaps a little bit of both. After watching Christopher Nolan’s masterful “The Dark Knight Trilogy”, I wanted so much more from Warner Bros/DC than whatever “Man of Steel” gave me (which is nothing, btw).

A couple of days ago, I was scrolling through Netflix when I stumbled across “Man of Steel”. Since “Justice League” is hitting the big screens soon, I decided to give this shit show a second chance. Surprisingly, after the first 30 minutes or so, I was neither asleep nor mad. I was actually enjoying the heck out of the movie, paying close attention to every line of dialogue. What changed? Was it my expectations? Or did I actually miss something back when the movie first came out?

The prologue that’s set on Krypton is fantastic. Most of us are familiar with Superman’s backstory. We know that his parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van sent him to earth, right before the destruction of their home planet, Krypton. But watching the tragic events unfold was engrossing. Though the prologue is short, we learn everything there is to know about Krypton and the important people who reside in it. We feel the warmth of Jor-El and Lara. We understand why it’s essential for them to save Kal-El – he’s Krypton’s first natural born in ages – and we witness Zod’s betrayal of his once-friend, Jor-El. But Zod isn’t just a soulless big bad hell-bent on taking over the world. We understand that while his methods are vile, his intentions are good – he wants to save his people, whatever the cost.

The sequences that follow, are even better. We see an adult Clark Kent saving a bunch of people on an oil rig in a BADASS sequence that will make you first pump the air and go yeaaaaahhhh bitches!! And then we see Clark destroy a redneck’s vehicle when he sexually harasses someone. The opening scenes of the movie do a good job in setting the tone. This isn’t going to be like any other Superman film you’ve seen before. This is going to be different. Darker, both literally and with its themes. Zack Snyder chose to drain most of the colour out of this film and covered each frame with a sepia filter. Yet, his visuals are gripping. Whether it’s “300”, “Man of Steel” or “Watchmen”, Zack Snyder has a way of making his movies feel like moving pages of an Alan Moore comic.

In a series of flashback sequences. We see a young Clark Kent – probably 12 years old – saving a bunch of his peers from drowning when his school bus crashes into a river. He singlehandedly lifts the bus and pushes it ashore. He should have been hailed as a hero. Except one of the moms of the kids whom he saved, interrogates Clark’s parents, asking question after question about how Clark could do what he did. Geez, how about a thank you, I will do your laundry for the rest of your life, instead? Clark is sad and confused. He asks his dad if he should have let the kids die. His dad says, “Maybe.” It’s a weird thing for Jonathan Kent to say. Jonathan Kent from the “Smallville” TV Series would have given his son a hug and said “I’m proud of you. You saved a lot of lives today, son.” But the f-life, emo undertones in “Man of Steel” keeps things fresh and adds a layer of importance as to why Superman can’t reveal his identity to the world.

I love “Man of Steel” because it’s dark, realistic (as realistic as a movie about a flying alien that shoots laser beams out of his eyes can be) and takes itself seriously. But there is a scene that is so dark, it feels ridiculous.Why did Clark Kent not save his father from the hurricane??!! The movie can be darker than my asshole, but no son would allow his father to die just to protect his identity. I get it, Kevin Costner is a badass and if he puts his hand up in a Terminator-talk-to-the-hand manner, you listen. But if you’re the invincible man known as the MAN OF STEEL, you better run into a damn hurricane to rescue your dad. Despite that one scene, the first hour of the movie goes by quick. It isn’t “fun,” but it sure as hell is engaging.

And then the second hour of the movie kicked in and I remembered why I left the cinema feeling disappointed, 4 years ago. Roger Ebert once said, “It’s kind of a letdown when a movie begins by redefining the nature of reality, and ends with a shoot-out.” He was referring to “The Matrix.” It sucks, even more, when a movie begins by selling you the importance of being the first natural born on Krypton in ages, only to have the final one hour of the film be a Michael Bay ejaculation. It’s lazy storytelling.

I know, I sound like a hypocritical, pompous clown for bashing on a movie for having a one-hour long action sequence, when I frequently refer to “Mad Max: Fury Road” as a cinematic masterpiece. Here’s the difference. “Mad Max: Fury Road” is a 2-hour long car chase that tells so many stories throughout. It’s poetic and surprisingly feminist. It’s a metaphor for monarchy and religion. It’s a beautiful display of practical effects. Every action set piece is memorable. Mental dudes spray paint their mouths silver and go apeshit. There are grandma mat rempits with shotguns. And while the craziness ensures, THERE IS A DISFIGURED GUY WITH A FLAMETHROWER GUITAR RIDING A TRUCK FULL OF GIGANTIC AMPLIFIERS. Does “Man of Steel” have a disfigured guy with a flamethrower guitar riding a truck full of gigantic amplifiers? No. “Man of Steel” has buildings falling down and dust. Loads and loads of dust. Grey dust. In large quantities.

Why take this route when the movie was just getting interesting? Superman has an interesting conversation with his dead biological dad, gets his suit and learns how to fly in 3 seconds? How about exploring that a little more? Clark has an interesting conversation with his pastor. The pastor looks shaken but does his best to maintain composure when Clark tells him that he’s the ET Zod is looking for. Also, lasts about 5 seconds. Instead of crumbling buildings, we could have gotten to know the Kent family a little better. Perhaps with a little bit more backstory, Clark sacrificing his dad to a hurricane would’ve made more sense.

We could’ve gotten to know Lois Lane a little more. She’s a journalist after all. You have one of the best actresses working today in Amy Adams, and her character is a damsel in distress? God dammit, I would have much rather seen Clark play fetch with his pet dog than watch mindless, substance-less, meaningless action sequences take place for an hour. It’s not even cool action sequences either. You can play with your phone, make toast, eat toast, take a shit and you’ll still not miss anything. I don’t get it. Oh wait, I do. It’s Zack freaking Snyder and F the story is his motto.

The climax only gets interesting again when Superman is choking Zod. You can see the pain in his eyes. He does not want to kill Zod, but realizes he has no choice. When he eventually snaps Zod’s neck, he lets out a scream of agony. It is a brilliant piece of acting by Henry Cavill.

“Man of Steel” is an interesting movie. It is in more ways than one, like “Batman V Superman” – the ultimate cut, not the theatrical edition. It starts off great. The first one hour is something I can watch again and again. The second hour will make you not want to see another Zack Snyder movie again.

The post Revisiting Man of Steel: Is It Really As Bad As People Claim? appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

To quote writer Hilary White, “nothing in life is perfect, but Disneyland comes pretty damn close“. Sure, you may have to bear with the humid weather and crowds. But the happiest place on earth makes it worth it.

In celebration of its 12th year of operation, Hong Kong Disneyland (HKDL) is upping the ante with new magical attractions. Those who have recently been to the theme park, you’ve probably been introduced to “Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover” and the “Iron Man Experience”. Guess what? Disney-park-lovers can expect 2 new more.

1. “Star Wars: Tomorrowland Takeover”

• Launched on June 2016

Thanks to Hong Kong Disneyland, a galaxy far, far away is much closer to Malaysia. Aspiring Jedi apprentices are recruited to don Jedi robes and join a secret training session with Jedi masters. Besides that, guests will get to enter the “Hyperspace Mountain”, a reimagined from Tomorrowland’s classic attraction Space Mountain, and also journey to a hidden Resistance base, the “Star Wars: Command Post”. There, you’ll get to meet Wookiee pilot Chewbacca and resourceful astromech droid R2-D2.

2. “Iron Man Experience”

• Launched on January 2017

Fans of The Avengers were thrilled when the first ever Marvel-themed ride debuted at HKDL’s Tomorrowland earlier this year. In the amazing world of Stark industries, Marvel lovers will get to visit the “Stark Expo” (exhibition halls of Iron Man suites and other leading advancements), take a thrilling aerial tour of the city via the “Iron Man Experience”, and meet the hero himself at the “Iron Man Tech Showcase”.

3. “Royal Princess Garden”

• Opening in December 2017

Although there are many princess-y attractions in HKDL, another brand new Disney princess-themed garden is set to debut next month. The garden will feature the park’s first “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique”, a magical beauty salon where young girls will be given a princess makeover complete with hairstyling, makeup and princess costume. The magical moment wouldn’t be complete without snapping a picture or 2 with their beloved Disney princesses right?

4. “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration”

• Opening in May 2018

You’ve watch the fearless Disney princess on the big screen, now get ready to experience “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration”. An 18-minute live show that will centre on Moana’s adventures in her home village of Motunui. The storyline takes places after the warrior princess has restored the heart of Te Fiti (the all-powerful goddess who creates life). Located in the Adventureland section, visitors will get to enjoy the architecture and decor of Motunui in an entirely new outdoor location.

Here are more highlights happening in the coming months:

Aside from the aforementioned, HKDL also has plans to build a “Frozen” theme park and a full-fledge “Marvel” theme park. More for information, check out HKDL’s Facebook page.

The post 4 New Exciting Attractions At Hong Kong Disneyland appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

To motorists who frequently pass by Dataran Merdeka, you may want to consider an alternative route as Jalan Raja will be closed for at least 1 month, starting tomorrow (Wednesday, 15th November).

Bernama reported that Jalan Raja will re-open next month, on 16th December (Saturday).

The Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister’s Department explained that the road closure was to ensure a smooth flow of visitors to the 2017 Negaraku Expo. The 1-month event – which is intended to promote patriotism – is free.

“The public using this road are advised to find alternative routes to get to their destinations,” reads the statement by the department. Therefore, road users are advised to make use of public transportation (such as LRT, MRT, and the monorail).

Source: Bernama / Featured image: Nonikhairani.

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That’s right, Ringers!

Amazon has confirmed that JRR Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ will be getting its very own television series with multiple seasons in the works. The TV adaptation will revolve around events that happened prior to ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, exploring the storyline leading up to the first LOTR film.

Amazon also said that the deal includes the possibility for a spin-off series. However, a cast for TV series has not been decided yet.

“The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, head of scripted programming at Amazon.

The television adaptation of LOTR will be produced by Amazon Studios in cooperation with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line Cinema.

“We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking The Lord of the Rings fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.” Sharon added.

Peter Jackson’s adaptation of ‘Lord of the Rings’ raked in over $6 billon worldwide, and has won 17 Academy Awards. We can’t to see how the TV version will turn out!

Source: The Guardian, ComicBook

The post ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Will Be Getting Its Very Own TV Show! appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

It all started when Taylor Swift wiped her social media platforms clean 3 months ago. Swifties were confused, shocked, and excited at the prospect of a new album. They were right.

After teasing several cryptic snippets of a snake, the mega superstar unveiled the cover art of her 6th studio album, “Reputation”.  Fans didn’t have to wait long before the official music video to “Look What You Made Me Do” debuted. In addition to a physical CD, fans can also purchase 2 exclusive magazines in the special editions.

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t listen to the entirety of  “Reputation”. We’ve decided to compile a list of interesting fun facts about what you may not know about the songs in her latest album and the magazine copies that come along with it.

1.  Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Swift’s magazines contain the “Reputation” CD. They both feature personal Polaroids and professional shots. Psst, there are even full-page photos of her famous cats, Meredith and Olivia.

2. Although the introductory note (where she reflects on her reputation and life’s circumstances) on both volumes are the same, the poem on the back flap is different.

3. The poem in Volume 1 is called “Why She Disappeared”. In it, the singer seems to be talking about her “fall” from grace. “When she turned to go home/She heard the echoes of new words/’May your heart remain breakable/But never by the same hand twice.” reads one of the lines.

4. Volume 2’s poem is titled “If You’re Anything Like Me”. The line “And no amount of friends at 25/Will fill the empty seats/At the lunch tables of your past/The teams that picked you last… /But Darling you keep trying” basically talks about Swift facing her past and learning to grow from there.

5. Swift confirms on the page that the child who speaks on “Gorgeous” is Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s eldest daughter, James.

6. It is highly speculated that the inspiration behind “Gorgeous” is her current British boyfriend, Joe Alwyn. The suitor is apparently so cool that it irritates the pop star.

7. Swift on “King Of My Heart”: “I think it’s really interesting when people talk about their love stories. There seem to be these definitive phases. And it doesn’t matter how long that phase lasts. There seems to be a moment when you knew it transitioned to the next phase. Everybody has a different story with how they connect with someone else, and what I find interesting are the moments where it switches because you always hope that that switch is going to move you forward and not backward.”

8. According to E! News, the singing sensation references Calvin Harris and Tom Hiddleston. She makes it clear that Alwyn is the king of her heart “cause all the boys and their expensive cars, with their Range Rovers and their Jaguars, never took me quite where you do“. Harris owns a Range Rover while Hiddleston drives a Jaguar.

9. Now that the old Taylor is dead, the 27-year-old reveals that she’s now more open to romance and sexuality as she sings about buying a new outfit just so her man can take off her “Dress”. “Almost every line is something I came up with a year before and then when I was writing the song I just cherry picked. I was really proud of the hook because it sounds like a pick-up line, and yet it is a love song about deep and tender feelings,” she said.

10. Swift on “This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things”: “This is about when people take nice things for granted like friendship or trusting people or being open. Letting people in on your life, trusting people, and respect are all really nice things.”

11. On “Call It What You Want”: “I feel like the album starts with getting out any rebellion or anger or angst and then falling in love and realising that you settle in to what your priorities are and your life changes, but you welcome it because it’s something that matters to you. This last part of the album feels like settling in to where I am now. So it kind of started with where I was when I started making the album and ends with my emotional state now. And this song reflects that probably the best on the album.”

12. On “New Year’s Day”: “There’s something even more romantic about who is going to deal with you on New Year’s Day, who is willing to give you Advil and help you clean up the house. I think that states more of a permanence. And so I was thinking about that and wrote this song. There are 2 lines in this song that I’d been saving for a really long time for the right moment. The 1st is ‘please don’t ever become a stranger whose laugh I could recognise anywhere’ and the other is ‘hold on to the memories they will hold on to you’.”

What are your favourite tracks from “Reputation”? Share them with us in the comments section below.

Sources: Oh No They Didn’t, Entertainment Weekly, E! News / Featured image: Facebook.

The post 12 Things We Know About Taylor Swift’s #Reputation Album & Magazines appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

Stärker Bistro has long been famous for serving freshly brewed award-winning German beer and a delectable menu of sumptuous food. Starting out as Starker Fresh Beer, the Starker Group now boasts a total of seven successful and blooming outlets in Singapore. Their ultimate mission is to reintroduce the old-world style of drinking beer in the modern, hectic lifestyle – and to remind everyone to appreciate the culture of beer drinking just like in the older days.

Malaysians are in luck – Starker Bistro has finally spread its wings to Malaysia – and Team Hype was lucky to get first-hand experience of the Starker Group’s 8th outlet, situated in Taman Sutera Utama, Skudai, Johor Bahru. To sum up our experience; here are 5 reasons why we absolutely loved the all-new Starker Malaysia:

1. Laid-back European villa setting 

Every Starker Bistro has its own, individual, concept – and this one in Johor Bahru adopts an ancient European setting with a rustic interior. As you enter the bistro, you will be greeted with stone walls, wood beam ceilings with faux antler chandeliers, industrial light fixtures, customised furniture, all to encapsulate its European roots and to provide guests with an old-fashioned and homely ambience. The 2-storey building also has an outdoor al-fresco dining area, all in all, the whole place can accommodate up to 300 people.

2. Traditionally brewed fresh German beer to quench your thirst 

It’s truly a paradise for all German beer lovers out there; the Starker Group takes pride in providing the most authentic beer drinking experience for all their patrons. Strictly adhering to its traditional German way of brewing, Starker serves a distinct range of fresh brews – namely the Lager, Dunkel, and Aromatic. Go with the Lager if you’re looking for something raw and refreshing; pick the Dunkel if you fancy something dark but lightweight. Our favourite? The Aromatic – fresh, fragrant, sweet and rejuvenating.

3. Comfort food classics to lift your spirits

We all deal with overwhelming stress at work, and at the end of a stressful day, some of us need to wind down with beer and good food. That’s exactly why Starker Bistro makes sure to provide a range of comfort foods for their patrons, aside from the usual bar bites and tidbits. The Seafood Bisque, with its rich, creamy seafood chunks was a delight on the tummy, while the Gambas on Toast packed a more rich and spicy punch.

We also snacked on the truffle fries while waiting on the main course – once you start, you can’t stop.

4. Truffle pasta for a one-of-a-kind experience 

Truffles are best eaten with a simple dish, like a simple, buttery pasta – and that’s exactly what we got at Starker. A mix of mushrooms in white wine cream sauce sautéed with truffle oil and topped with parmesan cheese, this one was easily the highlight of our day. Simple and ultimately satiating.

5. Stärker Traditional Pork Knuckle – ’nuff said 

What German dining experience will be complete without a set of mouth-watering pork knuckle? The Starker Traditional Pork Knuckle is a Starker signature; it is gracefully marinated and roasted to perfection. Its tender and juicy parts sit on a bed of creamy mash, topped with Sauerkraut – its fall-of-the-bone meat was easy to tear apart and dig into. Served alongside authentic Starker beer sauce; this pork knuckle is super-delish can be shared among four people if you’re small eaters like us.

Hungry yet? Visit Stärker Bistro now: 

• Address: 61, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/3, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor.
• Operating Hours: 3pm until 1am
• Contact Number: 07-554 2260

For more information, visit Starker Malaysia on Facebook.

The post Open For Business: 5 Reasons We Loved Dining At Stärker Malaysia appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

Have you heard VIPs? BIGBANG’s maknae (youngest member) Seungri (승리) will be launching Aori Ramen in Malaysia.

For those that don’t know, Aori Ramen is South Korea’s famous Japanese ramen joint owned by the 27-year-old singer himself. Seungri took to Instagram yesterday (Wednesday, 15th November) to make the announcement himself.

The BIGBANG member wrote, “@aoriramen yes we going to #KL #Malaysia too!” An image of a yukata-clad anime girl holding a bowl of Aori Ramen while a couple of Malaysia’s iconic landmarks can also be seen in the background. No further details were given other than the fact that Seungri’s Aori Ramen store will open in Kuala Lumpur.

Aori Ramen is best known for its tonkotsu ramen. It’s a traditional Hakata-style ramen with a pork-based broth that has chashu pork belly, braised egg, and crushed garlic. Since opening its first branch in Cheongdam-dong on December 2016, Aori Ramen has since expanded up to 14 outlets. Kuala Lumpur will soon be the franchise’s 15th restaurant.

We don’t know about you but we’re already salivating at this collage of delicious ramen

Sources: The Hive, Seungri’s Instagram.

The post BIGBANG’s Seungri Confirms That Aori Ramen Is Opening In Kuala Lumpur appeared first on Hype Malaysia.

As I was watching Aramm a couple of things popped into mind. I remember the horrible Vijay starrer, “Thalaivaa” in 2013. Midway through the movie, Amala Paul, points a gun at Vijay and reveals herself to be an undercover cop. The cinema suddenly awakened (yeap, prior to that, everyone was falling asleep) and went holy shit!! Does a heroine in a Vijay movie AKA just-a-hot-chick-that-dances, actually have a role of substance? Since when did India become woke? Of course, that turned out to be a load of rat shit and by the end of the movie, Amala Paul resigns as a cop to marry the gangster and become a full-time housewife. Just another day in Indian cinema.

Thankfully, that ship has sailed, or at the very least, it has raised its anchor. Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen a slight shift in trend. Earlier this year, Jyothika starred in “Magalir Mattum”, a feminist movie about equality in a household. Nayanthara herself has been starring in a few roles that actually requires her to do more than swing her hips — see Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. “Aramm” is one such movie.

In “Aramm” Nayanthara plays a politician named Madhivadhani. We don’t know anything about her, except that she’s a politician. Usually, I’ll be bummed by this. I like to know if my characters prefer chocolate or vanilla ice cream. I like to know what books they read before they go to bed. The minute details can be the difference between a wonderfully penned, fully realised character and a one-dimensional plot device. But in this movie, it works. Because this isn’t a movie about Madhivadhani. Just like Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk”, this is (mostly) about the event.

The event in “Aramm” is the rescue mission of a girl who fell into an open borewell, which I will get to in a second. The structure of the film is its weakest point. It starts off in the present day, where Madhivadhani is being interrogated by her superior. We learn that she did something a while back that has caused massive unrest among her fellow politicians. We then cut to a flashback. This is the story that actually matters. The interrogation sequences are nothing but jibber jabber. Fluff for the sake of having Nayanthara on screen longer. Without it, our top-billed actress wouldn’t appear in the movie until we’re about 45 minutes in. Which is clearly a problem for producers of this film (and most films) who have dollar signs for eyes.

Anyway, the flashback…

It is here that writer/director Minjur Gopi truly shines. We’re introduced to a family in a small village in the middle of nowhere. They live in a small house, with insufficient beds for every family member. The dad works as a painter, earning just enough for his family to get by. He wants his son to stay in school and hopefully, one day, improve his family’s condition. His son isn’t interested. Instead, he spends most of his time swimming and watching Michael Phelps YouTube videos. The mom wants to buy a cake for her daughter’s birthday, but 500 rupees (RM 32) is too expensive. Manjur Gopi also does a good job in painting the rest of the village. This isn’t the slums you see in “Slumdog Millionaire” but it is still a hard punch to the gut, considering the biggest problem most of us have is our Wi-Fi speed.

The story really kicks in when the daughter falls into an open borewell. Madhivadhani hears about it and being the dedicated politician that she is, decides to help. Madhivadhani calls someone to check on the situation. That person calls someone else, who calls someone else who calls someone else. One of them says he’s on the way, when he’s actually buying cigarettes by the side of the road. The fire brigade breaks down on the way there and the goons spend what feels like bazillion hours, trying to fix it. Meanwhile, the villagers have gathered around the borewell, with no help whatsoever, trying to figure out if the girl is still alive. When all the authorities and medical personnel finally get there, it’s a surprise the girl is even breathing. The events may seem like an exaggeration for comedic purposes. Go on a holiday to India and you’ll see how real the ridiculousness actually is.

The rest of the movie focuses on the rescue mission. The depths people are willing to go (or not go) to save a child’s life. For the most part, it works. Some scenes are heart-wrenching; some are thrilling. But there are moments in which the movie’s tone shifts in a direction I hoped it wouldn’t. I absolutely hate it when movies become tear jerkers. I hate it even more when characters are reduced to crying props. Maybe I can’t relate because I wasn’t born and raised in an Indian village. Perhaps I’m ignorant, but do people actually cry LIKE THAT? Do people cry (loudly) and wail (loudly) and bang their foreheads with their hands (repeatedly) in these kinda situations? The sudden overwhelming melodramatic music, only makes things worse. When these kinda scenes happen – and it does happen a lot in Tamil movies – it takes me out of the movie. And what is supposed to be an emotional scene, becomes cringeworthy and annoying. A little subtlety and nuance go a long way.

Having said that, Nayanthara’s performance in this movie is commendable. Madhivadhani is a strong and highly rationale woman. She always maintains composure, even during the toughest of situations. But there’s also a vulnerability to her character. It’s not easy to play someone who’s always calm in her decision making, yet you know there’s a voice inside her that’s going Dear God, please help me. I’m falling apart. When Nayanthara finally breaks down at the end of the flashback, it is a superb, well-earned moment.

And then the movie cuts back to present for an additional 5 minutes of irrelevant political banter and a Nayanthara slow-mo walk like Kamal Haasan at the end of “Papanasam”. FML.

Dedpewl Rating

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