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Posted in E-News on 09. Apr, 2012

JUST STRAYIN A LIL AWAY FROM THE SUPPOSEDLY ENTERTAINMENT ONLY NEWS TO SHOW YOU THIS ARTICLE FROM THE STAR ? MAYBE YOUVE SEEN IT MAYBE YOU HAVENT ..EITHER WAY IT CONCERNS YOUR ENTERTAINMENT GADGETS & YOUR MONEY ? MAGIC WORD ?

VIA : THE STAR

PETALING JAYA: Sipping latte at your favourite cafe, you suddenly remember that you have not paid your credit card bills and decide to make use of the free Wi-fi.

However, before you log on to your bank account using your smartphone or any other mobile device, stop ? a cyber criminal may be lurking nearby, waiting to tap into your transaction and steal important data.

Cybersecurity Malaysia has advised mobile device users against using public Wi-fi to conduct their e-banking, online shopping or important company or personal transactions to avoid courting danger.

?Cyber criminals can easily sniff out important information such as credit card numbers, e-banking username and password via public Wi-fi,? said Cybersecurity CEO Lt-Col (R) Prof Datuk Husin Jazri.

?Mobile devices today carry confidential information such as company e-mail messages, product pictures and customer contact details. Like personal computers, they are vulnerable to spam, viruses, spyware, theft, loss and even phishing attacks.

?The confidentiality and availability of company data will be compromised if a mobile device is misplaced, stolen or hacked into,? he added.

According to Cybersecurity, Malaysia recorded RM2.75bil in losses due to cyber crimes between 2005 and 2010 with the financial sector being the worst hit.

Security technology company Symantec Corporation (Malaysia) said with mobile devices being a part of daily lives, it was easy to forget risks related to personal and corporate data.

Symantec?s State of Mobility Survey this year revealed that 67% of enterprises were already using or planning to use custom mobile applications in their daily operation and transactions.

However, the survey indicated that while one in five agreed that the risks of mobile computing were extremely high, 66% felt that the benefits were worth the dangers.

The survey also showed that organisations here had been impacted by mobile incidents, such as data loss, damage to the brand, productivity loss and loss of customer trust, amounting to an average loss of RM561,305 in Malaysia last year.

?We have reached a tipping point in business? use of mobile devices. The trend is here to stay as companies find them (the benefits) extending expectations,? said Symantec Enterprise Director for Risk and Compliance (Asia Pacific and Japan) Eric Lam.

He advised both consumers and corporations on the need to take responsibility for the security of their mobile devices .

?For consumers, one way to stay safe is to avoid insecure environment for important transactions. If you can?t find a secure environment, save important transmissions until you can connect to a secure environment,? he said.

CREDIT & THANKS :? HARIATI AZIZAN
sunday@thestar.com.my

VIA : THE STAR

He knows his rock from his roll and Amy, of rock band Search fame, will be bringing that by the truckload for The Legendary Concert series.

AMY of Search can certainly rock the skinny jeans like no other. At 53, the frontman of Search, arguably the hottest Malaysian rock band of all time, still looks pretty fly. Apart from his slightly greying hair ? closely cropped on the sides and longer in the middle, kinda like an updated mohawk ? Suhaimi Abdul Rahman, or Amy, as he is lovingly known to fans, is as youthful as ever ? and as trim, too. During a photo shoot preceding this interview, Amy was in his element. Dressed in a pair of blue skinny jeans, a white singlet over which he wore a fitted, satin-lined purple jacket, and a pair of navy blue hi-tops, the rocker was a dream to shoot. He needed no prompting or direction as he delivered pose after pose ? pouting, smirking, staring, squinting and sometimes even smiling. He was doing what he does best ? performing.

But this isn?t news. Anyone familiar with the rocker knows that he is an ace performer, both on stage and off.

Performing, explains Amy, has been his life; something he worked very hard to master early on in his career.

?When I came to KL with Search (from Johor) back in 1981, I had this dream of becoming Malaysia?s rock star. As the front man for Search, I had the duty to promote the band and also myself. I had to be flamboyant. I wanted people to talk about me and I wanted people to want to be like me ? to dress like me, sound like me and look like me. I devoured magazines and read about British rock bands (of my time). I studied them ? their posture, their style ? how they achieved success. I mean, I didn?t want to be Freddie Mercury (of Queen) or anything, but they (rock legends) inspired me to be what I wanted to be,? says Amy candidly. ?That?s the whole game, right? I wanted to be a star.?

And boy, has he become a star ? he is, after all, regarded by many as Malaysia?s ?King of Rock?. Apart from the 25 albums released with Search (including 11 studio albums and various live and collaborative albums), Amy has five solo albums to his name. He has won numerous awards at the Anugerah Industri Muzik and Anugerah Juara Lagu and his live concerts are, till today, almost always sold out.

Scratch that, Amy is no star. He is a rock legend who isn?t about to retire anytime soon. In fact, he is presently readying himself for a series of upcoming concerts nationwide ? The Legendary Concert 2012 ? where he will perform alongside fellow topliners from his era, Zainal Abidin, Jamal Abdillah and Sheila Majid. The idea for the concert was mooted by Zainal, who convinced Amy to sign on.

?I have never been on stage with Zainal even though I have known him since I first came to KL. He was someone I looked up to. You know how ordinary guys who aren?t in a band look enviously at those who are? Well, I used to look enviously at Zainal because his band had already recorded an album and Search had not. (Zainal?s band Headwind recorded their debut album in 1983 while Search?s debut Cinta Buatan Malaysia was released in 1985).

?When Zainal told me about his idea for this concert a year ago, I was interested because I know that a concert organised by him will never be a cap ayam (generic) production. It will be professional and of quality. It has taken some time to materialise but I am certain this collaboration will be good,? says Amy with certainty.

The concert will see the four artistes singing individually as well as collectively.

?Of course I will have to sing Isabella, that is compulsory. It has become like our anthem,? he says to assure the legions of Search fans out there.

But Amy isn?t complaining. He loves performing those hits even though he calculates that he must have sung Isabella ?I don?t know how many thousand times?.

?I really love the thrill of being on stage, the stage fright and everything that comes with it,? he says.

He smiles at my raised-to-the heavens-eyebrows ? Amy Search has stage fright?

?Yes, I still have stage fright. It?s all part of performing. I know my fans have bought tickets to see us perform and show off. That?s really what we do, right? Show off our music, our style. I will be limping backstage with stage fright and it will take me about 10 to 15 minutes to settle down,? he explains.

Though he looks back fondly at his time with Search, Amy is also anticipating what his future has in store for him.

?My journey with Search has been amazing ? one of the greatest journeys of my life. It?s amazing how we survived ? I think it?s because we had good songs and good albums. Also, we projected an image. We were very fashionable ? from skinny jeans to leg warmers to the smeared eyeliner and the gadgets we used on stage. And, we made sure we were prominent ? even when we didn?t have a new album out.

?But now, I?m moving on to another journey, which will be different but still great,? he says, and flashes a smile.

Credit & Thanks :? S. INDRAMALAR / entertainment@thestar.com.my

http://ecentral.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/8/soundnstage/11063424&sec=soundnstage

VIA : THE STAR

Let the music play

Expect nothing less than pure entertainment in The Legendary Concert 2012, featuring A-list class acts Zainal Abidin, Datuk Sheila Majid, Jamal Abdillah and Amy Search.

THROUGHOUT his impressive 32-year career, multiple award-winning singer Zainal Abidin seems to have hedged his bets perfectly to cement his mark in the industry. Besides reaching out to fans through songs featuring ethnic, kampung-styled melodies (Orak Arek and Ikhlas Tapi Jauh) and environmentally driven themes (Hijau), the singer has also touched the hearts of many through fund raising projects such as A Gift From The Heart and volunteer work for the underprivileged, autistic children, the visually-impaired and people with Down syndrome.

Not one to rest on his laurels, the talented composer and musician is organising the nationwide The Legendary Concert 2012 ? Dulu, Kini Dan Selamanya, which will feature jazz queen Datuk Sheila Majid, 1980s pop singer Jamal Abdillah, Amy from rock band Search and Zainal.

The concert is Zainal?s brainchild. Its objective is to resuscitate the dying culture of live and paid concerts for Malaysia?s local music scene.

Man on a mission: Veteran singer/ songwriter Zainal Abidin hopes to resuscitate the local concert culture among Malaysians.

According to Zainal, there is a growing trend where corporate conglomerates are organising free concerts for the public. While such events have benefited the public (and corporate giants), it has resulted in the decline of paying concert goers, giving credence to the proverbial saying, ?Why buy a cow when you can get milk for free??

?There are many nationwide carnivals offering free tickets to the public. Sadly, many Malaysians have lost the excitement of wanting to buy tickets for a concert. Through the upcoming nationwide concert, we hope to change the public?s perception about live shows,? says Zainal, in an exclusive interview at Menara Star in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Although barely a month away, very little is known about Zainal?s tireless efforts to see the fruits of his labour through the concert.

?It has taken me over two years to plan the event (laughs). It wasn?t easy pooling everyone for this as each of us has conflicting schedules. I had to lock the dates down and get the singers to sign an agreement before trying to realise the show,? recalls the jovial singer.

Despite the minor glitches, Zainal cannot wait to perform on stage with the other singers, whom he deems as ?some of his oldest and dearest friends?.

?This is an opportunity every experienced singer would want to have. The best part of it all is that although we are singers from the same industry, we aren?t rivals, but friends who share a passion for music. It is our mission to spread our love for music and unite all races and religions under one roof,? said the veteran entertainer, who is collaborating with Afro Inang Ventures Sdn Bhd and Research Venture Lab Sdn Bhd to organise the concert.

Lights, Camera, Action: Rocker Amy and singer/ songwriter Zainal Abidin had everyone in stitches with their zany and spontaneous antics at the photoshoot.

Zainal selected the trio due to their positive energy, professionalism and talents.

?Sheila, Amy and Jamal and I go back a long way. They are among my closest friends and we work well together. We are from different music genres, too, and have songs to our name that are still recognised today.

?Besides that, all of us have used our talents to help contribute to society. Sheila works closely with many charitable organisations whereas Amy is an icon. Hopefully, he can reach out to the Mat Rempit to be more positive,? shares Zainal, who hopes to attract fans aged between 18 and 60 to the concert.

Besides a chance to get up, close and personal with the singers, Zainal wishes that the string of concerts will evoke memories of Roslan Aziz Productions? much talked about Concert Ikhlas in 1992 at Stadium Merdeka in Kuala Lumpur. ?Over 40,000 people attended the concert in 1992. That unforgettable concert featured Sheila, S.M. Salim, other Roslan Aziz Productions? artistes and myself. Although it has been close to 20 years, fans who had attended the show still hold it close to their heart. There wasn?t any political strings or racial issues attached to the show. It was purely entertainment,? reveals the former lead singer of popular 1980s Malay pop-rock band Headwind.

The Legendary Concert will be staged in five locations nationwide, kicking off in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (May 5) and then moving on to Penang (May 19), Johor Baru, Johor (May 26), Kuching, Sarawak (June 23) and finally, Kuala Lumpur (June 30). Showtime is 9pm.

During the concert, each artiste is set to mesmerise the audience with six of their hit songs. Zainal?s picks include Surat Suraya, Memori Luka, Hijau and a couple of songs from his latest pop folk album, Kompas.

Zainal?s upcoming album features 10 tracks and will be released during the grand finale on June 30. The sixth album, being released after an eight-year hiatus since Puteri, features Zainal?s collaborative efforts with composers Ajai and Mac Chew. So far, two singles ? Kamu and the environment-themed Alam (dedicated to Zainal?s 12-year-old son, Isaac Iman) ? have been released.

?Music arrangement wise, the album has a mature feel. The title of the album is named after the compass, a navigational instrument. Life is like a compass ? it?s our choice to choose the right journey. Through this album, I hope to share my thoughts on freedom and how to manoeuvre life in the right direction,? said the father of four, who plans to release his third single Tercipta Untuk Mu soon.

For the moment though, it?s all about the coming together of legends for a series of concerts which will celebrate the rich musical tapestry and heritage of Malaysian music.

? Tickets to The Legendary Concert are priced at RM100, RM200, RM300 and RM600. Fans can purchase tickets online for all concert locations through legendary.my. The organisers have teamed up with Molpay and Maybank2u to make online purchasing of tickets convenient and secure. For more information, call 012-216 6873.

Credit & Thanks :? SHEELA CHANDRAN /? entertainment@thestar.com.my

VIA : NST

Ah Loong?s ultimate goal

Fourteen stars lend their voices in the animation Bola Kampung The Movie, writes Nur Aqidah Azizi

BOLA Kampung The Movie (BKTM) is set to become the next big thing on the silver screen.

With state-of-the-art animation works, an engaging plot and 14 stars voicing the characters, BKTM is expected to draw a wide interest.

Produced by Animasia Studio, BKTM is a spin-off from television series, Bola Kampung, which has been aired in 16 countries since 2006. It is set to follow the success of Les Copaque?s Geng:Pengembaraan Bermula.

Seventy-eight episodes of Bola Kampung the series have been aired on Disney Channel Asia and Cartoon Network Asia.

Animasia Studio manager director Edmund Chan said he is overwhelmed with the positive feedback from the celebrities behind BKTM.

?At first, I thought it would be hard to get their nod for BKTM. And when they agreed to contribute their voices to the characters, it was too good to be true. They said yes at the first meeting,? he said at the recent launch of BKTM.

Among the celebrities involved in the project are singer Ezlynn, Aizat Amdan, Mamat (Sepah), Steven Tan, Baki Zainal, Noh (Hujan), Douglas Lim, Rahim Omar, Deanna Yusoff, Adila Shakir, Harun Salim Bachik, Harris Alif, Aznil Nawawi and Afdlin Shauki.

BKTM is the story of Amanda, a princess from the virtual game world called Kingdom Hill, who is sent to Kampung Gong Lechar to find the legendary Suria warrior. Suria is believed to be the saviour of her country.

When she arrives at the village, Amanda loses her memory and various interesting events take place after Bola Kampung?s hero Iwan saves her.

Directed by Wong Kuan Loong, or popularly known as Ah Loong, and with 100 per cent local team members, BKTM has a RM6 million budget.

BKTM relies heavily on computer animated technology, hence the high cost.

?We will try to make do with the budget, without comprising quality,? said Ah Loong.

About 100 local animation experts are involved in the effort to produce a world-class animation movie.

?We also have a composer as well as a voice coordinator to make sure that BKTM is at par with other international animation movies.? He added the team took two years to complete the pre-production work.
?So far, we are targeting countries where the series is a hit. This includes Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Turkey.?

On his experience working on animation movies, Ah Loong admitted that he underestimated the challenges.

?I thought working on the animation movie would be a piece of cake since my team and I have been doing the series since 2006. But this turned out to be an eye-opener. There were times when we felt so exhausted.?
?I keep reminding myself and my team that we need to take the project to the finish line. Along the way, we should cherish the experience.? It has always been Ah Loong?s ultimate dream to make an animated movie.
?I grew up watching a popular Japanese cartoon about football, Captain Tsubasa. It generated my interest to make animation suitable for local viewers. And I am proud to be able to see my childhood dream materialise.?

Ah Loong is not the only one who is fulfilling his childhood dream. So is actor-cum-director Afdlin.

?I have always wanted to do a voiceover,? said Afdlin.

?When I received the offer, a part of me already said yes to it.The child in me almost made me jump for joy when I got the part.?

For Ezlynn, being a part of BKTM is set to offer her with a new experience.

?In my family, I?m the one who likes to imitate voices, especially from cartoon characters. I appreciate this opportunity and look forward to broaden my talent in animation productions,? says Ezlynn.

BKTM is scheduled for release at the end of this year.

Credit & Thanks :? nur@nst.com.my? / : Ah Loong?s ultimate goal ? Showbiz ? New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/life-times/showbiz/ah-loong-s-ultimate-goal-1.71276#ixzz1rS4COoYO

VIA : NST

A Titanic treat in 3-D

Oscar-winning Titanic co-producer Jon Landau tells Subhadra Devan what?s new in the 3-D version

JAMES Cameron?s Titanic was re-released worldwide in Real D 3-D and IMAX 3-D yesterday, marking the 100th anniversary of the ship?s ill-fated maiden voyage.

Why does the 1912 RMS Titanic sinking still reverberate in our collective memory?

It could be the much touted fact that it was the largest passenger steamship in the world then, a lot of people died when it sank including famous ones, and maritime law consequently saw changes.

Cameron?s romance-tragedy film, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Jack Dawson, Kate Winslet as Rose DeWitt Bukater, Gloria Stuart as Old Rose, and Billy Zane as Rose?s fiance, Cal Hockley, was a thrilling, engrossing cinematic watch when it came out in 1997.

The Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Lightstorm Entertainment-made film is one of only three films to have received a record 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director.

It is co-produced by the down-to earth Jon Landau, who began his career producing films such as Dick Tracy and Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, before first collaborating with James Cameron on True Lies.
Cameron and Landau, under Lightstorm Entertainment, also co-produced the 2009 3-D spectacle Avatar.

Titanic wraps a love story ? between the rich and poor, about poor people being victimised, with high seas adventure and drama, and awesome bravery ? between the hit of an iceberg and a ship breaking apart.

The 1997 film made men cry, let alone women like me ? and I did each of the three times I saw the film, albeit less at the last time.
The title song, My Heart Will Go On, Celine Dion?s big hit, needs only the first few flute notes to be recognised.

MORE INTIMACY

With all that going for it a decade later, what can a 3-D remake offer?

Says Landau: ?It is now more intimate. You will feel more present, in the moment. For example, when Rose?s mother cinches her corset on her, you are in that moment with her, and can almost feel that the corset tighten.?
He has just finished showing 18 minutes of the 3-D Titanic ? including the wild Irish dance scene at the third-class section ? to Press and industry personnel at a new 3-D cinema mall in Hong Kong.

Landau spices up the event when he brings out the Oscar statuette, drawing gasps and ?waaaahs? from all present. Laughing, Landau says that going through Customs check and the baggage scanner would inevitably draw the question: ?Is that an Oscar??

He passes the Oscar around, pretends to be a Press photographer, then throws the statuette into the air. It is a moment of disbelief, just what Landau says movies ask from their audiences.

?When an audience goes to a movie theatre, you are asking them for a suspension of disbelief. When you present in 3-D, it?s one less thing you are asking them to suspend that belief on? because we see our lives in 3-D. (So) it?s only natural.

?When you see a 2-D movie, the screen itself is an object you are aware of. It reminds you that you are in a theatre.

?When 3-D is done right, the screen itself disappears and the experience becomes voyeuristic.

?People think 3-D is for the action scenes. People are mistaken, it?s not. 3-D is for intimacy? For the moment, when they are flying on the bow of the ship? when their hands are intertwined, that?s when you feel that you are present in that moment.?

No scenes were re-edited, he adds.

WITH 3-D

?What it does is simulate the eye moment. I can see all around the chair. When you move something, there is a blank spot, that is now being filled in by the artist in 3-D.?

It took US$18 million, and 60 weeks, to convert the film into 3-D, says Landau. The film has been digitally re-mastered at 4K (four time the resolution of 2K digital cinema, and ensuring better longevity) and converted to 3-D.
?The re-released version is available in IMAX 3-D and 2-D and the 2-D prints are even better than the negative.?

?We will take into account what kind of theatres the movie will be played at, the light levels. The print masters will be done at different grades. So the master file suitable for that particular cinema will be sent there, and the audience there will get the best presentation available.

?It was difficult to convert Titanic into 3-D. The depth in the film, with use of wide angle lens, made it difficult. Companies doing 3-D conversion prefer soft lighting, and depth costs money. The Titanic 3-D conversion is done at Stereo D, a US company which has the proprietary equipment for the conversion.?

Some people won?t be able to see the difference, and Landau assures that ?one in 10 people don?t see 3-D at all?. ?But those who can will see more details in the 3-D film.?

Landau is working on two sequels for the Avatar, in 3-D, and ?we are starting in earnest very soon?. They will be shot in True 3-D.

He explains that True 3-D is when a film is originally shot in that format, as opposed to being converted. He feels that 3-D conversion should be limited to library titles ? E.T, for example ? and not contemporary ones. ?If you want 3-D, shoot in it.?

The global trend towards 3-D movies have increased since Avatar, with Landau saying that he has high expectations for 3-D films in Asia ?The potential here is phenomenal,? he said. ?We want to draw people out of their homes and into the theatre.?

DicAPRIO?S REACTION

Landau says he has shown the 3-D version of Titanic to DiCaprio in Sydney, where he is filming The Great Gatsby, just before coming to Hong Kong.

?In the beginning, Leo was very verbal, and said, ?Oh my god, I don?t look like that anymore. Then as the movie played on, he seemed caught up in the drama? as if seeing the movie for the first time.
?When Titanic came out, Leo was just 20 years old then.?

UNSINKABLE LOVE

?We are treating it as a new release, despite everyone knowing the ending. And, we are not worried about piracy,? says Landau, as everyone laughs.

The release of Titanic 3-D also marks Paramount Pictures? centennial anniversary. Paramount handles the film?s distribution in the US.

?We think Titanic in 3-D will appeal to a new generation of viewers, and those who have already seen it will relive this great love story.

?Movies offers escapism from real life, a time when you forget about the doctor?s bills, the children?s problems. There are two things true in life ? we all want true love and we all must face death. If Rose could come out of the icy waters, lose her love, and can go on living her daily life, after the Titanic, so can we ? there is hope for all of us. That?s what this film brings.?

To me, it promises another weeper session at the cinema.

Titanic, both in IMAX 3-D and 3-D versions, opened in selected cinemas nationwide yesterday. It is distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Titanic movie trivia

Released in 1997 and by March 1998, it was the first film to earn more than US$1 billion (RM3 billion) worldwide. It became the highest grossing film in history, and remained so for 12 years, until Avatar surpassed it in 2010.
Titanic has won 11 Academy Awards:

Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Dramatic Score, Best Original Songs, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Sound Effects, Best Sound Effect Editing, Best Art Direction and Best Visual Effect.

credit & thanks : By sdevan@nst.com.my

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