The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio
The Star Online: Entertainment: TV & Radio |
| Interesting TV programmes for 2012 Posted: 02 Jan 2012 05:18 AM PST Programmes to look forward to this year. TELEVISION viewing has become a great pastime for many these days thanks to the wonderful shows that are available for our pleasure. Now, besides the returning favourites, there are a couple of new series that are worth getting comfortable on the sofa for. Here are some of them. 8TV Revenge – Those of you who have been missing good old fashioned catfight will not be disappointed with this new series. Loosely based on The Count Of Monte Cristo – with a female protagonist this time around – the series follows Amanda Clarke (Emily Van Camp) as she plots revenge on the Graysons for destroying her family 17 years ago. With a new name and steely determination, Amanda sets her sights on the regal-like Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe), who practically rules over the other priviliged people who live in the Hamptons. But Victoria is not an easy woman to bring down even though she seems too busy planning for one party after another. What makes the series a must-watch on your list is how they tell the story, that gets you immediately hooked. Revenge begins with a man getting shot and a wedding – whose wedding and who got shot? Well, now, that would be telling. Hip Hoppin' Asia – A local variety series that sees hip hop artiste Joe Flizzow travelling to different parts of Asia to learn how others define the hip hop experience, and share with them his love for this genre. HBO Luck – A series from director Michael Mann and Deadwood creator David Milch, which takes a look at the world of horse racing at a California racetrack. Dustin Hoffman leads the cast as Chester "Ace" Bernstein, an intuitive tough guy who has always been involved in gambling – from bookmaking and money laundering to casino operations. Others in the cast include Dennis Farina, Nick Nolte, John Ortiz, Richard Kind, Ian Hart and Kevin Dunn. Veep – A comedy series set in Washington, DC, Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars as former Senator Selina Meyer, who becomes Vice President, only to discover the job is nothing like she expected, but everything she was warned about. MAX Spartacus: Vengeance – On the heels of the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus that concluded Spartacus: Blood And Sand, the gladiator rebellion continues and begins to strike fear into the heart of the Roman Republic. Gaius Claudius Glaber and his Roman troops are sent to Capua to crush the growing band of freed slaves. And our hero Spartacus is presented with an interesting choice. The lead role is now played by Liam McIntyre, but the series still features blood-soaked action, exotic sexuality, villainy and heroism. DIVA Suits – While the premise of the show is in a law firm revolving around a very sharp lawyer (in a suit, of course) named Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), the series is really about the friendship between Specter and young Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams). Ross has the ability to read things only once to process the material and remember each word verbatim. This skill is especially handy as he is a college dropout who must find his way as a lawyer, with Specter as his mentor. The street-smart Ross brings a different kind of edge to the law firm, but that doesn't mean his murky past doesn't haunt him. Adams received a Golden Globe nomination for his work in Suits. Also in the cast are Gina Torres and Rick Hoffman. Smash – Steven Spielberg is executive producing this series which centres on the drama behind the staging of a Broadway musical. The normal song and dance is expected, but what isn't is how entertaining it is to watch Debra Messing and Jack Davenport play a producer and a choreographer, respectively, while Katharine McPhee showcases talent in portraying a budding star. AXN Pan Am – See first-hand the action behind the glamorous world of flight attendants, or as they were referred to in the 1960s, stewardesses. The story focuses on four women working at Pan Am, a global airline that flew many of the world's powerful people. Laura Cameron (Margot Robbie) is about to get married when she decides that being a stay-home wife is not the life she wants. She wants to be like her sister, Kate (Kelli Garner), who is an air stewardess. On the same flight are Maggie (Christina Ricci) and French-born Colette (Karinne Vanasse). The series is based on executive producer Nancy Hult Ganis' experience working for the airline for seven years. Gunis went on to talk to more than 20 Pan Am stewardesses from that era for a more accurate take on this occupation. By the way, there's a bit of espionage in the series too. The Firm – In 1993, director Sydney Pollack explored John Grisham's book on the big screen with Tom Cruise. This year, that same material is apparently ripe for a TV series starring Josh Lucas and two Battlestar Galactica alumni, Tricia Helfer and Callum Keith Rennie. TV9 The Nine Lives Of Chloe King – Skyler Samuels plays 16-year-old Chloe King who discovers she has cat-like abilities and is the descendant of an ancient race called the Mai. This turns out to be a good thing, especially when she is hunted by an assassin bent on ridding the world of people like her. Actually, the pilot starts with her dying. Fortunately, she has eight more lives – although she figures it's a good idea not to use up those numbers too soon – and that her safety is a priority with other Mai members. Also, she may be the key to protecting the race and she can't kiss a human without killing him. Even though the series itself was killed off after just 10 episodes, it's still worth watching just to see Samuels in the title role. Teen Wolf – Yet another teen burdened with an animal-like ability. Scott McCall (Tyler Posey) is attacked by a werewolf and is now cursed to turn into one come full moon. Universal Channel Grimm – You know those creatures that the Grimm brothers wrote about in their books of fairy tales. What if they were actual creatures who live among us? Detective Nick Burkhardt (David Giuntoli) learns that he is a direct descendent of the Grimm family. This also means, he has to carry a responsibility that has been carried by members of Grimm before him. As he goes about his job as a police detective, he learns that there is always a darker reason behind a crime. Here's a hint, it has something to do with creatures in the books. At the same time, these so-called being can reform and be a great help to him, like a certain Big Bad Wolf that used to eat up little girls wearing red riding hoods. BIO Channel Disney Pixar – Here's a chance to visit Disney Pixar, a company that brought to life films like Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, A Bug's Life, Up and The Incredibles. The man in charge – John Lasseter – has also been busy bringing back some of Disney's classics like The Lion King and The Beauty & The Beast back to the big-screen in 3D format, besides creating new features like the recent Tangled. This documentary traces the creative process from the storyboard to the silver screen. See the sketches that brought to life the likes of Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Bambi And Dumbo, and explore the computer-generated artwork in the more modern classics. History Channel Siti Nurhaliza Special – On her 33th birthday (Jan 11), the singer with a golden voice shares her life story – from a child who learned early the meaning of providing for her family to following her passion and finally finding stardom. Ntv7 Nikita – Nikita has worn many faces over the years on both the film and television screens. Now, she looks like Maggie Q. Nikita, an assassin trained by an agency known as the Division, has escaped its clutches and is now trying to bring it down. Although she is really good at taking down guys and shooting with an aim to kill, Nikita cannot bring down the well-oiled Division without help. Meanwhile, the agents – especially one very serious one named Michael (Shane West), who happens to be Nikita's trainer – have been directed to take her down. In all her versions, Nikita is forever grappling with guilt over the things she has done for Division. Hence, this updated version is interesting as she finally does something which is to use the skills taught by the Division to make things right. Aunty Must Go Crazy – Get ready for a "kampung" version of Amazing Race. This series showcases older participants as they go across Malaysia to compete in all kinds of challenges that any Malaysian would be familiar with, to win cash and prizes. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Enjoy a new era of entertainment Posted: 02 Jan 2012 05:18 AM PST Fox International Channels adds to your entertainment pleasure. ALL movie buffs out there, hear this! Fox International Channels ushers in 2012 with the launch of new channels on Astro, featuring latest Hollywood blockbusters, original drama series, live events, concerts and award-winning documentaries. Fans can now enjoy a whole new era of entertainment as Fox International Channels presents its all-new Fox Movies Premium (FMP) (Astro Ch 413) and Fox Movies Premium HD (FMP HD) (Astro Ch 433). The launch of the new channel is part of Fox International Channels' commitment to further strengthen its lead position in the entertainment genre, where Star Movies and Star Movies HD will be evolving to the new FMP and FMP HD, respectively. According to Basil Chua, Fox International Channels' director and territory head for Malaysia, FMP is a first-of-its-kind which is also a revolutionary new viewer-centric approach to the movie and entertainment channel. FMP provides first-run, exclusive and live content, as well as cutting-edge, advanced services. With its unique combination of first-run Hollywood blockbuster movies, acclaimed original series, live concerts and special events, and provocative documentaries, the channel provides an unmatched entertainment experience. The services built around FMP includes a separate HD simulcast channel in Dolby 5.1-channel surround sound. "With blockbuster premieres, exclusive content and new features such as high-definition viewing, and Dolby 5.1-channel surround sound, FMP and FMP HD are not only changing the way movie lovers will be entertained in Malaysia, but is taking the whole viewing experience to the next level," said Chua during the channel's launch recently. Viewers will not only get all the Hollywood blockbusters they love, they will also benefit from the new line-up of original drama series, live events, concerts and award-winning documentaries. "The new FMP channel is a revolutionary new approach to the movie channel genre. We know that our fans demand more than just movies, so, we have created an incredible next-generation channel that we know they will love," added Chua. "With all the first and exclusive content, together with added features that will enhance our viewing experience, FMP is redefining the 'premium' Pay-TV channel," he said. Both channels will kick off the new year with the latest Hollywood hits, including the premiere of Tron: Legacy, The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader, The Switch, Gulliver's Travels, and original drama series like The Walking Dead. Viewers will also get to indulge in their love for music as FMP and FMP HD will be saluting the King of Pop, the late Michael Jackson, in February. To bring movie fans closer to their favourite Hollywood stars, both channels will also broadcast every major film awards ceremony of 2012 live and exclusive as part of its special events offering. The awards season will kick off with the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards featuring Ricky Gervais who returns as host on Jan 16, followed by the 18th Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan 30. The awards fever will continue with the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Feb 13 and the 84th Annual Academy Awards on Feb 27. At a glance, Sunday Mega Movie slot offers an exciting mix: Indian movie It's A Wonderful Afterlife (Jan 8, 10pm), Vietnamese action movie Clash featuring Veronica Ngo and Johnny Tri Nguyen (Jan 14, 9pm), The Switch (Jan 15, 10pm), The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader (Jan 22, 10pm) and Gulliver's Travels (Jan 29, 10pm). And to add merry to the Year of the Dragon, it will air Shanghai Knights (Jan 23, 10pm), Ice Age (Jan 24, 10pm), The Last Song (Jan 25, 10pm), Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (Jan 27, 10pm) and X-Men: The Last Stand (Jan 28, 10pm). Next month, the fun continues with Sunday premieres of I Am Number Four (Feb 5, 10pm) and Season Of The Witch (Feb 12,10pm). There are also four of the most critically acclaimed Oscar-nominated and winning films to be screened in the two weeks leading up to the Academy Award: Rabbit Hole (Feb 18, 10pm), The Fighter (Feb 19, 10pm), Blue Valentine (Feb 25, 10pm) and Black Swan (Feb 26, 10pm). And for Jackson fans, there will be Michael Forever tribute concert (Feb 11, 9pm) and Michael Jackson's This Is It (Feb 11, 10.35pm). The Walking Dead, the year's most critically acclaimed and successful TV series, is scheduled on Fridays at 10pm beginning Feb 11, where viewers can catch up on all episodes from the latest season back-to-back. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 02 Jan 2012 03:25 AM PST ASTRO subscribers can usher in the new year with the much anticipated return of Astro Fiesta Channels on Astro channel 150-152 in SD and Astro channel 155-157 in HD till Jan 8. Subscribers are treated to a preview of the all new and exclusive Fox Family Movies channels, which will be available on Astro channel 152 in SD and Astro channel 157 in HD for a limited time (from now till Jan 8). Viewers can look forward to family movies including The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause, Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and Toy Story 1, 2, 3. There is also Star World HD (Astro channel 722), launched on Dec 26, as an addition to the High-Definition channels currently on the Astro B.yond platform. Astro B.yond customers subscribing to the Astro Variety package can watch many of their favourite shows on Star World HD – American Idol S11, Glee S3, Junior MasterChef Australia S2, Dancing With The Stars, America's Next Top Model S17 and many more. Fans should not miss the all new TV series of Nickelodeon's Kung Fu Panda: The Legend Of Awesomeness, whereby the first episode will premiere exclusively on the Astro Fiesta channel prior to being shown on the Nickeoldeon channel. Other favourites include Ben 10: Secret Of The Omnitrix, Phineas And Ferb The Movie: Across The Second Dimension and The Amazing World Of Gumball. Music lovers will be treated to Konsert Aura 3 Diva featuring Malaysia's top three divas Datuk Siti Nurhaliza, Ella and Ramlah Ram and the recent Suara Kami concert with top notch local acts the likes of Yuna, Hujan, Pop Shuvit and international superstars Hins Cheung, RaNia and Nelly. Other highlights are The 2011 Astro Classic Golden Melody Finals, Vivian Chow Specials, K-Pop Countdown, 2011 MTV Europe Music Awards, MTV World Stage 2011, Elton John – Red Piano, Andrea Bocelli – Concerto: One Night In Central Park, Nirvana – Live At The Paramount and Amy Winehouse: Live In London. Also in the line-up are movies Kembar Siang, My Sassy Girl 2, Manmadhan Ambu, Engeyum Kadhal and Hindi mega hit Bodyguard. This year's Astro Fiesta has also included another special line-up of some of the finest documentaries about Malaysia: Discovery Channel's Revealed: Malaysia's Royal Rites, National Geographic's A Leader's Legacy: Tun Abdul Razak and The Untold Truth About Super Mokh. For more information, log on to www.astro.com.my. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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