Singapore’s first Fail Film Festival puts the spotlight on bad movies |
- Singapore’s first Fail Film Festival puts the spotlight on bad movies
- Budget 2016 guide: Juggling spending against deficit
- Singapore’s ‘Got To Move’ culminates with a dance carnival tomorrow
- Elton John reunites with band for new album
- Pandora settles with music labels on old songs
- In meteoric rise, Halsey to headline Madison Square Garden
| Singapore’s first Fail Film Festival puts the spotlight on bad movies Posted: 22 Oct 2015 05:39 PM PDT
SINGAPORE, Oct 23 — Tawdry visual effects, a logic-defying plot, cheesy performances, flubbed lines and dialogue littered with eye-rolling gems — these are the perfect ingredients for "so-bad-it's-good" films. Every film fan worth his or her salt know that not all ignoble offerings are created equal. Some movies are so awful, they eventually end up being cult favourites. And if watching these is one of your guilty pleasures, then you can check out the ongoing Fail Film Festival at independent cinema space The Projector. The small initiative kicked off last Saturday with the first film in the Sharknado series, the infamous movie trilogy about a tornado of vicious sharks dumped over Los Angeles. It wraps up with the next two groan-worthy installments today and tomorrow. Organisers and film enthusiasts Marcus Huang, Jeremy Goh, Josh Tang and Christl Li are hoping their festival will create conversations about what failure is. "The idea is to use film as a medium to start a conversation on our society's fear of failure and get people to be more open towards failure by showing that something can be of value even if it is critically panned," shared Li, who is a civil servant by day. "So, don't write off films that aren't critically acclaimed, because you can really enjoy them!" One of the festival's inspirations was an event held by American company Rifftrax, where comedians came in to mock and riff on Sharknado in front of a "live" audience. "Amongst the myriad of B-grade films, Sharknado stands out because it has the so-bad-it's-good cachet. Despite the lower-than-average viewership during its premiere (in 2013), it was a hit on social media and went viral very quickly, with celebrities also chiming in and tweeting about it. "It went on to become the most watched original film encore on the Syfy channel on cable television. "This movie alone helped its production company increase their projected revenue from US$5 million to US$19 million (RM21 million to RM80 million) in 2013," explained Li. The movie — which is described on the Rotten Tomatoes website as a "proud, shameless and gloriously brainless movie" — was the perfect example of a "'fail film' that did not achieve initial success but went on to achieve cult status because audiences appreciated something in it that critics overlooked," said Li. Another inspiration was an event at last year's Sundance Film Festival called Free Fail Film, which encouraged people to embrace failure as an essential part of risk-taking, innovation and creativity. "That is something that we want to embrace ourselves," she said. "When we examined the local film festival scene, we thought every film festival in Singapore centred on pretty serious themes or is geographically based. "Why can't we have a film festival that celebrates the entertaining aspect of film? "Can we bring that communal experience of sitting together with a bunch of friends, riffing at a film, into a larger setting?" That's exactly what they're hoping to achieve with Fail Film Fest: A no-holds-barred, riff-all-you-want audience experience where tweeting, jeering, mock-groaning and interaction is encouraged during the screenings themselves. "We think that the film selection in Singapore is saturated with Hollywood blockbusters or art-house films, and want to provide a different selection to cater to the crowds who want to let their hair down, laugh at films openly and, most importantly, have a fun and entertaining time," said Li. — TODAY * Fail Film Festival's Sharknado 2: The Second One and Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No continue today and tomorrow, respectively, at The Projector. ** For more details, visit http://www.failfilmfestival.com.  |
| Budget 2016 guide: Juggling spending against deficit Posted: 22 Oct 2015 05:36 PM PDT
Southeast Asia's third-largest economy has been roiled by a funding scandal linked to Najib that has spooked foreign investors and contributed to a sell-off in Malaysian markets. Moody's Investors Service has said it will be watching for any signs of slippage in efforts to trim the budget deficit. "He would have to juggle between stimulating a sluggish economy and convincing investors of his fiscal rectitude, while keeping an eye on the political implications of it all," said Wellian Wiranto, an economist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp in Singapore. The budget will be the first under the 11th Malaysia Plan, a development programme for the country for 2016 to 2020. Here's what may be in store. Infrastructure projects The bulk of transportation and highway projects will likely proceed to support construction activity and bolster growth, according to Julia Goh of United Overseas Bank Ltd. Najib may elaborate on planned developments including the Kuala Lumpur- Singapore High Speed Rail, the Pan-Borneo highways and subway line extensions in the capital, she said in a note on October 1. There may also be proposals to boost electricity and clean water supplies to rural areas, according to MIDF Amanah Investment Bank Bhd. Cost relief Malaysia abolished fuel and sugar subsidies in recent years, implemented a new consumption levy in April and raised some toll rates this month. To ease the burden of rising costs, there may be bigger cash handouts to the poor, an acceleration of affordable housing projects, and a potential minimum wage increase, Malayan Banking Bhd analysts said. The government said Thursday it's "well placed" to provide assistance to vulnerable groups. Just don't expect goodies that aren't realistic, state news agency Bernama said, citing a finance ministry official that it didn't identify. Investment incentives As corporate earnings come under pressure in a slowing economy, companies may be reviewing or withholding investment in capacity, said Imran Nurginias Ibrahim of BIMB Securities Research. Friday's budget may offer incentives to stimulate and sustain private sector investments with a focus on boosting productivity, he said. Investment incentives will probably be announced to support small and medium-sized enterprises, agribusiness ventures, as well as to boost manufacturing activities that generate a greater multiplier effect on the economy, Imran said. Subsidy rationalisation The government may consider lowering subsidies for items including flour, cooking oil and liquefied petroleum gas to reduce its operating expenditure, according to RHB Capital Bhd. analysts. Any cuts would only be implemented gradually and need careful planning in view of rising living costs affecting the general population, they said. Sin taxes Wiranto of OCBC said higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol may be "fair game" while UOB's Goh saw it as unlikely because the sectors had been set back by this year's goods and services tax implementation. The "apparent resilience" of brewers could provide the basis for an increase but chances of higher levies on gaming are slim as such taxes are already higher than in neighboring Singapore, RHB said. ― Bloomberg |
| Singapore’s ‘Got To Move’ culminates with a dance carnival tomorrow Posted: 22 Oct 2015 05:34 PM PDT
"Got To Move NOW", which will be held tomorrow from 4pm until 10.30pm at The Promontory @ Marina Bay, will mark the culmination of a month-long dance initiative with events ranging from different kinds of dance classes and workshops catering to different demographics to unusual dance-themed events such as the video game-inspired Space Monkeys, which saw groups of four in a quirky dance face-off, and Dance With Me, an intimate project where dance artist Ming Poon invited members of the public to do a slow dance with him in the streets. Got To Move NOW will comprise performances by Singapore's established dance companies such as Singapore Dance Theatre, THE Dance Company and Era Dance Theatre, school groups as well as amateur groups. A "dance fashion show" will also be presented by MediaCorp online fashion portal StyleXStyle. A "taster corner" as well as dance activity booths are also open to members of the public who want to try out styles such as belly dance, yoga dance or tap dance, or learn how to make their own pointe shoes or do their make-up. In between the dance performances, there will be a mass dance event at 6pm, which will include appearances by the cast of Ah Boys 2 Men. The event will wrap up with an after-dark dance party starting at 8.30pm. "The turnout for our islandwide programmes over the past two weeks has been very positive. Many of the ethnic dance workshops were well-attended by people from different racial groups, underscoring initiatives to bring about this level of cross-cultural integration," said Elaine Ng, director for dance sector development. "We hope that the public continues to take their fiery enthusiasm for dance to Got to Move NOW. We welcome everyone." — TODAY * For more information, visit http://www.nac.gov.sg/gottomovesg or http://www.facebook.com/gottomovesg. |
| Elton John reunites with band for new album Posted: 22 Oct 2015 05:31 PM PDT
NE WYORK, Oct 23 — Elton John yesterday announced his first album in nearly three years, on which the pop legend reunites with longtime backup artists. The 68-year-old English singer said that "Wonderful Crazy Night", his 33rd studio album, will come out worldwide on February 5. A first song from the album, "Looking Up", shows John going back to the blues-rock sound characteristic of his early work, with the song driven by a heavy rhythm guitar. The song — with a chorus in which John sings, "I'm looking up more than I look down" — was released for fans who pre-order the album. If the song — both musically and lyrically — is representative of the album, it marks a return to an upbeat feel for John after his last album, "The Diving Board", a more stripped-down work consisting largely of John singing alone with his piano. "The Diving Board", released in September 2013, was the first album in more than 30 years in which the "Rocket Man" did not include any of his regular band members. "Wonderful Crazy Night" marks a reunion with original drummer Nigel Olsson as well as with guitarist Davey Johnstone, who has been key to John's sound since 1971 and has also played with other stars including Meat Loaf and Rod Stewart. John, while regularly releasing albums, has made his name as one of the highest earning performing artists and maintains an active concert schedule, which includes a residency in Las Vegas. John, who married his partner David Furnish last year, has also been one of the most outspoken celebrities in advocating gay rights. He recently voiced his concerns on the treatment of gays in Russia in a conversation with President Vladimir Putin. — AFP |
| Pandora settles with music labels on old songs Posted: 22 Oct 2015 05:27 PM PDT
NEW YORK, Oct 23 — Internet radio leader Pandora yesterday announced a US$90 million (RM382.788 million) settlement with music labels for playing songs dating before US copyright law took shape in 1972. The deal follows a similar settlement by satellite radio provider Sirius XM, which agreed in June to pay US$210 million over pre-1972 songs. Cary Sherman, chairman of the Recording Industry Association of America, called the latest deal "a significant milestone and a big win for the music community." "Major settlements with Sirius XM and now Pandora means that an iconic generation of artists and the labels that supported them will be paid for the use of their creative works," he said in a statement. US federal law protecting copyright only applies to music recorded on or after February 15, 1972. Individual US states have their own copyright protections, but Pandora and Sirius XM — without the fixed addresses and reach of traditional radio stations — had argued that they were exempt. Pandora said it was reaching the settlement, whose details were not disclosed, with labels including the three major conglomerates — Sony, Universal and Warner. Brian McAndrews, CEO of Pandora, said in the statement that the Internet radio station wanted a "better, collaborative relationship" with the labels. "Together we share a common objective to grow the music industry and support artists," he said. Sirius XM and Pandora came in the crosshairs of legal action after a California judge last year agreed that state law protected pre-1972 copyright for songs. The judge's ruling came as part of a campaign for past compensation led by members of The Turtles, the band best known for the 1967 hit "Happy Together". — AFP |
| In meteoric rise, Halsey to headline Madison Square Garden Posted: 22 Oct 2015 05:23 PM PDT
NEW YORK, Oct 23 — Electropop star Halsey will close a global tour at New York's Madison Square Garden, marking a meteoric rise for the millennial generation heroine who just months ago was playing small clubs. The 21-year-old New Yorker announced the show at one of the world's most prestigious venues on social media yesterday, writing on Twitter simply: "Madison Square Garden!!!!!!!!!!" Halsey, whose real name is Ashley Frangipane, will play at the 20,000-seat Manhattan arena on August 13 next year after a tour that takes her across five continents. Halsey first enjoyed mainstream attention with a self-released song last year and even this summer was playing small festival stages. But she has quickly drawn a fan base with her debut album "Badlands," released in August, a concept album that uses a fictional dystopian land as a metaphor for her mental torment. The album's track "New Americana" has become an anthem for some in the millennial generation, although the biracial singer has explained that the song is about society's embrace of diversity and not wild partying, as some fans have interpreted it. "We are the New Americana / High on legal marijuana / Raised on Biggie and Nirvana / We are the New Americana," she sings, referring both to the country's changing drug laws and to deceased 1990s music legends. Another song off the album, "Gasoline", revolves more explicitly around Halsey's emotional condition as she sings of the bipolar disorder that keeps her stuck in bed. Halsey's success has been credited in part to Apple's new Beats 1 online radio station, whose influential DJ Zane Lowe has chosen "New Americana" as one of his favorite tracks. — AFP |
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