The Brutalist

Out in cinemas 20 February (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce

Laszlo (Brody) is an accomplished architect whose life is ripped apart in the aftermath of the Second World War. A Hungarian Holocaust survivor, Laszlo emigrates to the United States, where he finds refuge at his cousin’s. A series of fateful events leads him to be discovered by a wealthy businessman, Harrison (Pearce), who is fascinated by Laszlo and commissions him to build a community centre dedicated to his late mother. Harrison helps reunite Laszlo with his long-lost wife (Jones) and niece, before his relationship with the architect sours drastically.

SAFRA members enjoy special discounts on MovieMax Member rates and Combo Sets at Shaw Theatres. For more info, go to safra.sg/promotions/shaw-theatres

Adrien Brody: A talent for torment

An Oscar winner for The Pianist, in which he lost a significant amount of weight to portray a frail Holocaust survivor, the actor is the hot favourite to win his second Best Actor award this year.

If ever you needed an actor to portray misery, with deep, soulful eyes, just call Adrien Brody.

The 51-year-old New Yorker, who won the Academy Award in 2003 for playing the title role of The Pianist, as a survivor of the German occupation of Warsaw in World War II, is expected to be nominated for his second Oscar this year.

Before he became the youngest actor to ever win the Best Actor Oscar, aged 29 at the time, Brody was an up-and-coming performer who had first taken acting lessons as a child.

In his 20s, he worked with the enigmatic director Terrence Malick for The Thin Red Line in 1998, and with another notable director, Spike Lee, for the 1999 thriller, Summer of Sam.

Following the success of The Pianist, Brody would go on to star in M Night Shyamalan’s The Village (2004), Peter Jackson’s King Kong (2005), Rian Johnson’s The Brothers Bloom (2008), Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris (2011), and the 2015 Jackie Chan historical action flick, Dragon Blade, opposite John Cusack.

He has also been a frequent collaborator of Wes Anderson’s, appearing in five of the whimsical director’s memorable films, including The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014), The French Despatch (2021), and the most recent, Asteroid City (2023).

On television, Brody has appeared in the hit series Peaky Blinders, Succession, and Winning Time, as well as in Poker Face.

While a deft hand at comedy, and someone who’s also not afraid to dip into action movies, Brody will be known to a wider audience for his dramatic work.

His latest film, The Brutalist, sees him play a woebegone Holocaust survivor from Hungary, who seeks a new life in America after the war, and goes on to meet a rich man who would change his fate.

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy

Out in cinemas 13 February (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Renée Zellweger, Leo Woodall, Hugh Grant

The indomitable Bridget Jones (Zellweger) is back. When we last saw her, she was happily marrying the love of her life – well, one of them – Mark Darcy. In this sequel, we find out that Mark has died and that Bridget is now a 50-something widowed mother of two. Her best friends, of course, believe that she should start dating again. Life must go on, but not with her ex Daniel Cleaver (Grant), who has re-emerged like a persistent stain. Instead, Bridget finds herself falling for a much-younger man (Woodall) and flirting with her children’s teacher, Mr Wallaker. 

Dark Nuns

Out in cinemas 13 February (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Song Hye-kyo, Jeon Yeo-been, Moon Woo-jin

When a young boy is found ailing, a psychiatrist tries to cure the child through medical means. However, others feel the boy is in need of spiritual intervention. Sister Giunia (Song) firmly believes that the child has been possessed by an evil spirit that threatens his life. When an ordained priest is unable to arrive in time to perform an exorcism, she takes matters into her own hands, breaking sacred rules in an attempt to cast the powerful spirit out. Soon, the nun engages the help of Sister Michaela (Jeon), as they discover a dark secret in their convent.

Last Breath

Out in cinemas 27 February (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Woody Harrelson, Cliff Curtis, Simu Liu

A pull, a snap and deep-sea diver Chris Lemons is left utterly alone in the submarine darkness. While conducting a routine repair operation under the sea, Chris and his dive colleague David (Liu) get a sudden, urgent call to abandon their post. A serious system failure aboard their ship at the surface, along with rough seas, meant that the vessel would be drifting imminently instead of staying in place above them. As David is dragged away by the ship, Chris is left trapped, his lifeline snapped, and with only minutes of breathable gas in his emergency tank.

Bob Dylan: A Complete Unknown

Out in cinemas 27 February (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Elle Fanning, Monica Barbaro

Robert Allen Zimmerman, better known as the legendary musician Bob Dylan (Chalamet), moves to New York City in 1961 as a 20-year-old seeking his way in the world. There, he meets the people who would go on to influence his music and shape his career. They include the folk singers Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and Joan Baez (Barbaro). Dylan also meets and falls for a young woman named Sylvie (Fanning), whom he would move in with. As his career takes off, Dylan finds himself drawn to Baez and tries a controversial experiment with his music.

Nosferatu

Out in cinemas 27 February (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Lily-Rose Depp, Nicholas Hoult, Bill Skarsgård

The year is 1838 and Ellen (Depp) and Thomas (Hoult) are a happily married young couple living in the German town of Wisburg. As Thomas pursues his career in real estate, Ellen is increasingly troubled by visions of death and a demonic figure who plagues her dreams. Thomas then unwittingly meets a client, the reclusive Count Orlok (Skarsgard), who turns out to be an ancient evil – a vampire which brings pestilence and bloodlust wherever it goes. The Count, it seems, has a connection with Ellen, who harbours a dark childhood secret.

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The post New On Screen February 2025 – The Return of Bridget Jones, Nosferatu & More appeared first on eNSMAN.

Babygirl

Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Nicole Kidman, Harris Dickinson, Antonio Banderas

Romy (Kidman) is a powerful tech CEO. As a female leader, she is worried about how she is perceived. One day, she meets a young male intern, Samuel (Dickinson), who makes some suggestive and inappropriate remarks. Initially offended, Romy is intrigued by his audacity. Dissatisfied with her own sex life, she goes against her better judgement to start a risky affair with Samuel. As she grapples with the possible consequences of her indiscretion, Samuel shows up at her home uninvited, and meets her husband and children.

SAFRA members enjoy special discounts on MovieMax Member rates and Combo Sets at Shaw Theatres. For more info, go to safra.sg/promotions/shaw-theatres

Nicole Kidman: Don’t call her Baby

An enduring A-list actress since she broke out in 1989 with Dead Calm, the Oscar winner is as in demand as ever, with multiple recent credits, including the erotic thriller, Babygirl.

Nicole Kidman has a list of acting credits and accolades that is far too long to summarise easily.

It is, however, notable that the 57-year-old Hawaii-born Australian has remained at the top of her game for decades, and is still a prolific performer on the small and big screens at this stage of her career.

Growing up in Sydney, Kidman first became interested in acting after watching the classic musical film, The Wizard of Oz. 

Her early career saw her act in Australian TV programmes and films. In 1989, she appeared opposite Sam Neill and Billy Zane in the thriller Dead Calm. 

Garnering positive reviews, Kidman soon made her way to Hollywood, becoming an international star after appearing in the sports action film Days of Thunder (1990) with her future husband Tom Cruise.

She would go on to act in Batman Forever (1995), To Die For (1995), and Eyes Wide Shut (1999), before getting her first Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in 2001’s Baz Luhrmann musical Moulin Rouge!

Kidman would win the Oscar for portraying the English writer Virginia Woolf in The Hours (2002), and prove her enduring quality by earning further Academy Award nominations in 2011 (for Rabbit Hole), in 2017 (for Lion), and most recently in 2022 (for Being the Ricardos).

In the past decade, Kidman has found success on television as well, in series such as Big Little Lies, The Undoing, Nine Perfect Strangers, Expats, The Perfect Couple, and Lioness.

Set to appear in a new film called Welcome to Holland in 2025, co-starring with Gael Garcia Bernal and Matthew Macfadyen, Kidman can soon be seen in Babygirl, where she is a CEO entangled in a steamy affair with a much younger man.

Hidden Face

Out in cinemas 9 January (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Song Seung-heon, Cho Yeo-jeong, Park Ji-hyun

An orchestral conductor, Sung-jin (Song), gets a recorded message from his cellist fiance Su-yeon (Cho), who says she is not ready for marriage and is going away. Just like that, she vanishes without a trace. When she does not return, yet there is no record of her leaving the country, the deepening mystery leads some to wonder about possible foul play. Meanwhile, the devastated Sung-jin falls into the arms of Mi-ju (Park), an old friend of Su-yeon’s. As they end up in bed together, they are unaware that someone is watching them from a secret room.

The Count of Monte Cristo

Out in cinemas 9 January (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Pierre Niney, Bastien Bouillon, Anaïs Demoustier

Edmond Dantes (Niney) is about to marry the love of his life, Mercedes (Demoustier), when he is arrested on their wedding day. Despite his innocence, he is imprisoned. Many years later, after he escapes from prison, Edmond re-emerges in society as the mysterious and wealthy Count of Monte-Cristo. He learns that his unjust incarceration was due to a plot hatched by three men, including Mercedes’ cousin – and now husband – Fernand (Bouillon). Hellbent on revenge, the Count embarks on an elaborate scheme of his own.

Lee

Out in cinemas 16 January (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Kate Winslet, Andy Samberg, Marion Cotillard

Not many former fashion models become war photographers, but at least one did. Elizabeth Miller (Winslet) is an American married to an Englishman when World War II breaks out. Once she becomes a war correspondent for Vogue magazine, she adopts the moniker she is better known for, Lee. During the war, she braves danger to capture vivid images of the conflict in Britain, France and even in Nazi Germany. Along the way, she witnesses the horrors of war, including crimes against humanity, and reconnects with friends across Europe. 

Wolf Man

Out in cinemas 16 January (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Julia Garner, Christopher Abbott, Sam Jaeger

Having inherited the house of his father, who is presumed dead, Blake (Abbott) decides to take his wife (Garner) and daughter to what was his childhood home. The city slickers, who hail from San Francisco, unexpectedly find themselves in a struggle with an unknown creature as they approach the house. In the dead of night and under attack, they barricade themselves inside the house. Suffering a wound inflicted by the creature, Blake starts to show symptoms of infection. His condition worsens to the point where he begins to exhibit some disturbing behaviour.

Companion

Out in cinemas 29 January (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Rupert Friend

Josh (Quaid) and Iris (Thatcher) are a couple. As they get set for a short getaway with his friends, Iris has a nagging feeling that they don’t like her. This feeling is heightened after a strange and tense conversation Iris has with one of the friends, Kat. Josh reassures Iris, telling her that her uneasiness stems from the fact that “Kat hates everybody!” He tells her to relax, to not get weird, and to remember to smile and act happy. What follows is a chain of terrifying and thrilling events that lead to a break-up, and even more severe consequences for all involved.

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post New On Screen January 2025 – Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, The Count of Monte Cristo & More appeared first on eNSMAN.

What better way to celebrate this season of joy and ring in the new year than with your significant other? From the romantic glow of festive lights to dazzling fireworks on New Year’s Eve, these free and affordable date ideas ensure you have a memorable end to 2024 together.

Explore a Festive Wild-erland with Snoopy

This holiday season, embark on a whimsical wildlife adventure with your loved one at Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Snoopy Beagle Scouts while exploring Singapore Zoo and Bird Paradise together. Engage in interactive trails, both physical and digital, challenging your observation and memory skills. It’s game-on as you spot wildlife, complete missions and earn exclusive badges as keepsakes.

Over at the free-to-enter Mandai Wildlife West, a variety of festive fringe activities await. Sketch your own Peanuts comic strip, go shopping at the Christmas market and bring your own pup along for a best dressed dog competition too. The Festive Wild-erland offers a fun and unforgettable experience for animal lovers and Snoopy fans alike.

SAFRA members enjoy up to 40% off admission to Mandai Wildlife Reserve parks; more info at safra.sg/promotions/mandai

Till 5 January 2025; more info at mandai.com

Embark on the gift of Disney Cruise Line

Whisk your partner off to Jewel Changi Airport and sail into a magical date. First, explore whimsical Disney Cruise Line installations at Canopy Park, where you can wander around themed areas like those on the Disney Adventure cruise ship, which sets sail from Singapore from December 2025. Precious moments with your favourite Disney, Pixar and Marvel characters await at every turn.

Then continue your enchanting evening admiring the towering 16m-tall Polo Ralph Lauren Jewel Christmas tree and exploring a snow cabin that’s home to eight Polo Bears. As night falls, witness the spellbinding Christmas Light & Music showcase at the Jewel Rain Vortex, where dancing lights harmonise with timeless Christmas melodies. Stay on for a magical snowfall session, adding a touch of winter wonder to your fairytale evening.

SAFRA members enjoy 10% off Canopy Park attractions; more info at safra.sg/promotions/jewel-changi-airport-2

Till 2 January 2025; more info at jewelchangiairport.com

Experience the magic at Gardens by the Bay

For even more Disney magic, head to Gardens by the Bay, where the festivities are truly blooming. Wander hand-in-hand through the Disney Garden of Wonder, where characters from Mickey Mouse to The Little Mermaid are reimagined as floral topiary sets. Afterwards, take a romantic journey amid miniature American landmarks and onboard vintage Swedish railbus at the Gardens by the Bay Christmas Train Show.

Of course, the season isn’t complete without Christmas Wonderland. Capture special moments under the magnificent Spalliera light display or by the giant Merry Bears. Look forward to carnival games, live performances, festive shopping and dining. For the perfect end to your date, cuddle each other close as the Supertrees dance to Christmas classics, culminating in an enchanting ‘snowfall’ in the tropics.

Till 5 January 2025; more info at gardensbythebay.com.sg

Traverse a Big, Big World on Sentosa

There are huge things happening on Sentosa, and it’s not limited to Resorts World Sentosa either. Get ready to experience a Big, Big World of Dreams at Sentosa Sensoryscape, where you can drift away on giant cloud swings. Then lose yourself in ImagiNite, an illuminating sensory experience with interactive light projections. There’ll also be vibrant street performances, K-pop dance contests, and more festive fun.

Over at Palawan Beach, it’s a Big, Big World of Discovery. In the afternoon, team up to craft a kite and let them soar high in a kite-flying fiesta. After dusk, be mesmerised by The Floating Marvels, giant sea creature inflatables that illuminate the night sky. End the evening – and the year – at Palawan Green with a free movie marathon and spectacular fireworks display to ring in the new year. 

SAFRA members enjoy up to 25% off selected Sentosa attractions; more info at safra.sg/promotions/sentosa-privileges

Till 16 February 2025; more info at abigbigworld.sentosa.com.sg

Let’s Celebrate 2025 with a thrilling countdown

Ring in the New Year with your sweetheart at Mediacorp’s Let’s Celebrate 2025 event at the Singapore Sports Hub. The big show starts at 10pm at OCBC Square, but the party starts early with fun activities like UV face painting and the glow-in-the-dark Neon Playground from 5pm at Stadium Riverside Walk. Pushing the celebrations up a notch are the colourful street performances and roving entertainment acts.

Get swept away by dynamic performances of local and international artists like Regina Song, Taufik Batisah and Australian illusionist Cosentino. If you don’t secure a spot near the main stage, don’t fret. The Stadium Roar and Water Sports Centre are hosting live screenings too. As the night reaches its climax, count down to midnight together, sharing a kiss as the spectacular 15-minute fireworks display illuminates the sky.

If you get there early, drop by the SportsHub Library to immerse in the world of Gustav Klimt. SAFRA members enjoy 20% off tickets to ‘Gustav Klimt – Falling in Gold’; more info at safra.sg/promotions/gustav-klimt

31 December 2024; more info at sportshub.com.sg

Enter a dazzling universe at illumi Singapore

This New Year’s Eve, create a shared memory for the ages with your loved one at illumi Singapore. Stroll through the dazzling universe with over 20 million LED lights illuminating nine immersive worlds, from The Magical Forest to The Tunnel of Colours. Stroll hand-in-hand through these luminous displays, capturing precious moments against the stunning backdrops.

Enjoy the festive atmosphere with the Christmas Edition still in full swing, meeting Santa Claus and experiencing snowfall in a wintry atmosphere at The Infinite Poles. As the night unfolds, find a cosy picnic spot and whisper sweet nothings while relaxing amid the sparkling surroundings. Finally, witness the breathtaking Marina Bay countdown fireworks display from the ultimate vantage point, creating a truly memorable start to 2025.

Till 2 February 2025; more info at illumi.asia

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Festive Fun & Fireworks For (Almost) Free: Where To Celebrate The Year-End & Countdown With Your Sweetheart appeared first on eNSMAN.

Better Man

Out in cinemas 26 December (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton

The pop star Robbie Williams found enduring fame after becoming the youngest member of the boy band Take That. So how did a boy who grew up interested in acting become a global superstar who also has a successful solo career? This biopic attempts to answer that question by charting Williams’ early life and career journey, all while presenting his top hits, including She’s The One, Angels, and Let Me Entertain You. One more thing: Williams is portrayed as a chimpanzee in this film because he said he’s always felt “less evolved” than others.

SAFRA members enjoy special discounts on MovieMax Member rates and Combo Sets at Shaw Theatres. For more info, go to safra.sg/promotions/shaw-theatres

Robbie Williams: He’s the one

The former member of popular boy band Take That has his life story, including a highly successful 25 years as a solo artist, told with an ape avatar in a new biopic.

Robbie Williams is not an actor, but he will soon have top billing in a new film.

A former member, but not the front man, of the 1990s boy band, Take That, Williams has undoubtedly become the most successful among his peers.

When he first found fame, his bandmates got more attention for various reasons.

Gary Barlow was the lead singer and Take That, modelled after the American band New Kids on the Block, really was built around him.

Mark Owen was the most popular member of the band in the beginning, while Howard Donald and Jason Orange were known for their dancing ability. But Williams, the youngest member of the band – he was only 16 when he joined – soon stood out for his extroverted personality.

Williams, now 50, has had his fair share of ups and downs. Over the years, he’s had problems with drug abuse and erratic behaviour.

He first left Take That in 1995, ostensibly to pursue a solo career, after his bandmates confronted him about his behaviour. He would not reconcile with them until 2010.

Despite his issues, including mental health struggles and alcoholism, Williams has had a brilliant career. With more than 77 million records sold worldwide, he is one of the best-selling artists of all time.

His most notable songs include Feel, Rock DJ, Millennium, Better Man, She’s the One, and Angels, which the British public once voted as the number one song they would like to be played at their funeral.

In recent years, he has been in a reflective mood, participating in a Netflix documentary about his career, and now appears – sort of – in a new biopic about him.

Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), Better Man tells the story of Williams’ life in the form of a musical. The most striking thing about this biopic? 

Williams is presented as a chimpanzee using computer-generated imagery. It’s a bold choice, one that’s fitting given Williams’ famous ego, originality, and self-deprecating humour.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Brian Cox, Miranda Otto, Lorraine Ashbourne

Long before the War of the Ring, another tale of conflict played out between two peoples in Middle Earth. The King of Rohan, Helm (Cox), is approached by the leader of the Dunlendings in the name of alliance. The proposal: would Helm agree to let his daughter Hera marry the Dunlending heir apparent, Wulf? After Helm sees through the Dunlending proposal as nothing more than a power grab, he accidentally sparks off a war by killing his counterpart. With conflict imminent, the fate of Rohan and its horsemen, the Rohirrim, lies in Hera’s hands.

Werewolves

Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Frank Grillo, Katrina Law, Lou Diamond Phillips

People are turning into werewolves. Those who turn into werewolves kill many of those who do not. Those who do not try their very best not to be killed. That is essentially the plot of this horror thriller starring Grillo, the action star you may remember as Crossbones from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One year after the horrific “werewolf apocalypse”, scientists try to figure out why millions of seemingly normal people turn into werewolves – and how to stop it from happening again. 

Hellboy: The Crooked Man

Out in cinemas 12 December (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Jack Kesy, Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph

Your favourite big, red demonic hero is back. Hellboy (Kesy), a demon raised by humans, returns as a powerful employee of the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, or BPRD. Along with his partner Bobbie Jo (Rudolph), Hellboy comes across a powerful demonic entity deep in the Appalachian Mountains. There, they meet a local man, Tom (White), who shares his knowledge of the entity, known as The Crooked Man, and some strange goings-on. Together, they must stop The Crooked Man and his followers, a coven of witches who are up to no good.

Mufasa: The Lion King

Out in cinemas 19 December (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr, Seth Rogen

This follow-up to 2019’s The Lion King looks back upon the origins of the kinship between Mufasa and Taka, who would later become known as Scar. As a cub, Mufasa is an orphan who is befriended by Taka, a young lion prince who is supposed to become the next king. Despite some reservations by his family, Taka sees Mufasa as a new brother. As they grow up inseparable, the pair go on many adventures, some innocent, others more perilous. A rival pride soon targets the pair, seeking to establish their own choice for the lion king.

The Prosecutor

Out in cinemas 21 December (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Donnie Yen, Julian Cheung, Michael Hui

The prosecution should convict the guilty and establish the innocence of the innocent. Fok (Yen) is a former policeman with experience in apprehending criminals. After he becomes a prosecutor, he realises that the legal system does not always ensure that justice is served. When he sees a young man being wrongfully accused of a crime he did not commit, the prosecutor becomes hell- bent on clearing his name and bringing the real perpetrators to justice. 

Even if this puts him in the firing line and threatens his career, Fok is relentless.

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post New On Screen December 2024 – Mufasa: The Lion King, Robbie Williams’ Better Man & More appeared first on eNSMAN.

If you haven’t already heard, SAFRA Punggol has unveiled an outdoor leisure space at its Culinary Avenue for diners to enjoy the evening with drinks, food and more importantly, live music!

The Starlit Pavilion Powered by The Bar Project is intended to elevate SAFRA as a unique dining hangout, turning an already bustling food area into a vibrant multi-concept destination for its community. Diners can now enjoy a great meal and continue the evening with drinks and entertainment, all in one place. 

Serving from what they profess to be “the coldest beer in Punggol” to mouth-watering appetisers such as Soy-Glazed Wings and Moo Ping (Thai pork skewers), The Starlit Pavilion Powered by The Bar Project has everything you need for a beautiful night out. Feeling hungry? You can even opt for heartier options like pasta dishes from The Pasta Project, and KEK Seafood bites such as Prawn Roll, Salted Egg Fish Skin and Dough Fritter with Seafood Paste!

Read our review to find out what else you should order when you dine at KEK Seafood!

While top-notch food is a given, the spotlight should also shine on its impressive lineup of musical talents, which The Starlit Pavilion Powered by The Bar Project describes as “lively, inclusive and fun!”.

We speak to the band members of Rush Hour, J.I.V.E as well as Uber Duber to find out what diners can expect from their performances! 

Music hailing from both east and west

Jordan, drummer of Uber Duber (more on them below), will definitely be a familiar sight at The Starlit Pavilion, given that he has also brought his own band, Rush Hour, to this already talent-studded space. And you can expect a musically diverse set that encompasses some of our century’s greatest hits, from the likes of Bon Jovi, JJ Lin and Bruno Mars. His band will be joined by Yoke Ling, Mandopop singer-songwriter who is best known for her velvety and melodious vocal artistry. 

Funnily enough, the band’s name is born out of their fervent love for the eponymous buddy cop blockbuster starring Jackie Chan and Chris Rock. “We adopted the name Rush Hour to highlight our band’s repertoire of being a blend of East and West,” shares Jordan.  

Only eager to please, this collaboration between Rush Hour and Yoke Ling is grounded by their interactions with their audience, personalising a set list that best accommodates the setting and vibe that they want to create. Jordan is excited to engage with the crowd as it is on stage where he feels the most comfortable. “Playing music is our release. We find that this allows us to enjoy our music best!” 

Catch Rush Hour at The Starlit Pavilion Powered by The Bar Project every Friday evening from 8.30pm to 11.45pm!

Good vibes and timeless bilingual hits

There is definitely no shortage of talent with J.I.V.E, an eclectic quartet brought together by a shared love for bilingual hits.

The band is made up of up-and-coming music live-streamer and singer Jonathan, gifted drummer Pearson, as well as seasoned musical veterans George, main guitarist for the band Homeless Scholars ( 流浪学者 ) and Andrew, an accomplished pianist who has performed at venues such as Shanghai Dolly and Shuffle. 

If you enjoy a mix of music genres, J.I.V.E promises a set that “seamlessly transitions between languages”, with lively mashups of international top hits to get you off your feet! From Jay Chou’s emotionally-charged serenades to Coldplay’s anthemic pieces, this larger-than-life band is more than happy to perform crowd favourites to light up The Starlit Pavilion’s vibrant atmosphere. They also intend to get the audience to join in, allowing them to participate in sing-along segments while providing their own song dedications.

“We want to cultivate a musical space where everyone feels part of the performance,” says Andrew, “Seeing people let loose and have fun as a result of our music is a huge motivation!” 

Join J.I.V.E at The Starlit Pavilion Powered by The Bar Project every Saturday evening from 8.30pm to 11.45pm!

Evergreen classics with an uplifting twist

Uber Duber, in a strange way, owes a debt to fate.

Eight years ago, Chen Yi was hanging out at a local dog park when she met Luke. This serendipitous encounter between a classically trained musician and a self-taught pop-rock virtuoso blossomed into a dynamic musical powerhouse that has graced the stages of the Esplanade and Resorts World Sentosa. 

Just recently, this indomitable duo welcomed Jordan, a talented drummer whom they endearingly call ‘the heartbeat of the band’. Together, this three-piece outfit is on a roll, bringing an infectious energy alongside evocative ballads to contemporary venues around Singapore. In their own words, they hope their audience will have a “super-duper good time”, hence the name! 

In fact, Uber Duber has always been a reliably friendly face at The Bar Project, having collaborated multiple times with this communal watering hole to deliver a sensationally spectacular dining experience. “We have been long-time friends with The Bar Project team,” says Chen Yi, commenting that their exciting partnership with SAFRA “feels like a natural extension of that journey.” 

To Chen Yi, music is more than a profession. It’s her creative muse, an escape and for a period of time, her therapy. “Singing has gotten me through some very tough times,” she shares, “I hope my voice can bring comfort and joy to others, whatever they may be going through.”

With Uber Duber performing at The Starlit Pavilion Powered by The Bar Project, you can expect powerful ballads that will rouse, captivate and enliven hearts.

Uber Duber performs every Sunday evening from 7.30pm to 10.30pm at The Starlit Pavilion Powered by The Bar Project.

SAFRA members enjoy 10% discount on The Bar Project and The Pasta Project menu. Chill out with your friends for a memorable night out and WhatsApp The Bar Project at 8020 0588 for reservations.

Want more articles like this, and other lifestyle content right in your inbox? Download the new SAFRA mobile app and opt in for the eNSman Newsletter – you don’t need to be a SAFRA member to subscribe – and never miss another story!

The post Get To Know Your Live Performers At SAFRA Punggol’s Starlit Pavilion appeared first on eNSMAN.

Anora

Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Mikey Madison, Mark Eidelstein, Yura Borisov

Anora (Madison), also known as Ani, is working at a strip club when a scrawny young man comes looking for a good time. He requests a dancer who can speak Russian, and soon Ani and Vanya (Eidelstein) meet. After they hit it off, he proposes she become his girlfriend-for-hire, and stumps up $15,000 cash for Ani to stay with him over a weekend. They go to Las Vegas on a whim, where Vanya this time proposes marriage. Seeing a way out of her miserable life, Ani accepts. However, Vanya’s godfather soon arrives to try to break the young lovebirds apart.

SAFRA members enjoy special discounts on MovieMax Member rates and Combo Sets at Shaw Theatres. For more info, go to safra.sg/promotions/shaw-theatres

Mikey Madison: Out of nowhere, an Oscar contender

A relative unknown, Madison was in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and 2022’s Scream. She could soon win the Academy Award for her role in Anora.

Mikey Madison has been acting for over a decade.

A former competitive horseback rider, the 25-year-old appeared in short films and her first feature film, Liza, Liza, Skies Are Grey (2017), when she was a teenager. 

At around this time, she was starring in a well-regarded, award-winning series called Better Things, playing the unhappy teenage daughter of a single mother. 

In 2018, she appeared in the drama Nostalgia, in a small role as part of an ensemble cast that included Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman and Amber Tamblyn. 

Her first notable role came in Quentin Tarantino’s 2019 film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, where she played a criminal member of the Manson Family opposite Brad Pitt. 

In 2022, as her role on Better Things ended, she played a significant part in the fifth Scream movie, playing a deranged and violent young woman opposite Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. 

Her career-defining role, however, is in her latest work, Anora, which won the Palme d’Or prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. 

Directed by Sean Baker, the film follows Madison as Anora, a sex worker who meets the son of a Russian oligarch and gets caught up in a whirlwind romance. 

After getting the best reviews of her life, seemingly out of nowhere, Madison is currently the early frontrunner for the Best Actress award at the next Academy Awards. 

She could soon be Hollywood’s next “it” girl.

Bookworm

Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Elijah Wood, Nell Fisher, Michael Smiley

Eleven-year-old Mildred (Fisher) is a self-sufficient, self-confident self-proclaimed bookworm. One day, after an accident puts her mother into a coma, her ne’er-do-well father, Strawn (Wood), suddenly appears. The absent father, a magician by trade, is desperate to make amends with Mildred, which leads him to promise to take her camping. Her objective for going into the great outdoors is to get photographic proof that the legendary Canterbury Panther actually exists. With her hapless father in tow, Mildred is determined to achieve her mission.

Red One

Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu

In a world where Santa Claus, also known as Nick, with the codename Red One, is kidnapped by shadowy operatives, his head of security Callum (Johnson) is forced to find an external contractor to help track down his boss. The contractor, a renowned bounty hunter named Jack (Evans), is reluctant to help at first, mainly because he is being forced to do so against his will. But when he realises that there is a possibility of Christmas being cancelled, he warms up to working with Callum to fight otherworldly creatures and monsters, to help rescue Red One.

Gladiator II

Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington

More than 20 years after the events of Gladiator, which saw the great gladiator Maximus (played by Russell Crowe) kill the Emperor Commodus, political intrigue once again reigns in Rome. Lucius (Mescal), the son of Maximus and Commodus’ sister, Lucilla, is taken prisoner by an invading Roman army and forced to fight as a gladiator. The leader of the armed forces, Marcus Acacius (Pascal), also ends up as a gladiator as punishment. As the pair are set on a collision course, a former slave named Macrinus (Washington) plots to take control of Rome. 

Wicked

Out in cinemas 21 November (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Michelle Yeoh

Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? This first part of a two-film adaptation of the acclaimed stage musical of the same name tries to answer these questions. With characters drawn from the classic novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, the story follows the twin arc of two aspiring witches, Elphaba (Erivo) and Galinda (Grande), as they embark on their studies at Shiz University. Under the watchful eye of Madame Morrible (Yeoh) the women are roommates and “frenemies” as they seek to discover if they possess true magic.

Moana 2

Out in cinemas 28 November (Available at Shaw Theatres)

Stars: Auli’i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Scherzinger

Three years following the events of the first movie, after Moana (Cravalho) tag-teams with the demigod Maui (Johnson) to save her people and nature from evil, Moana is called upon to break a curse. As a wayfinder, she and her crew seek to connect with the other people of the ocean. To do so, they need to break the curse the god Nalo has placed on the hidden island of Motufetu, which once upon a time was the link between the various ocean peoples. Along the way, Moana enlists the help of Maui again, to face new enemies and overcome old foes.

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