Celebrity Life

There will only be 10 limited-edition Space Jam tourbillon watches from this Warner Bros and Kross Studio collaboration.

The post Kross Studio creates a new US$100,000 legacy for Space Jam 2 appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

There will only be 10 limited-edition Space Jam tourbillon watches from this Warner Bros and Kross Studio collaboration.

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Adapting is the name of the game.

With theatres and concert halls closed again in many global locations to stop the spread of Covid-19, artists are instead turning to livestreamed concerts to allow fans to enjoy their music in a new way.

These live performances, which may once have been free, are now vying to become a new revenue stream for the struggling industry. From Dua Lipa, Gorillaz and Jessie J to Liam Gallagher, Major Lazer and Metallica, all kinds of acts are getting in on the game, organising exclusive performances that music fans can watch live from the comfort of their homes. Many artists already tested the water during spring's lockdowns, although without investing too much in the production of these makeshift livestream performances.

Music fans may still remember a laid-back John Legend tinkling the ivories in a bathrobe, or Alessia Cara embarking on an acoustic set in her bathroom for the MTV "Unplugged at Home" series.

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A post shared by John Legend (@johnlegend)

After a few weeks of random and impromptu performances, these virtual gigs upped their game and started being streamed from more prestigious locations, such as London's Alexandra Palace, The Roxy club in Los Angeles and even the V&A Museum. Add high-quality lighting, multiple and varied camera angles, sometimes even special effects, and these once free concerts suddenly morphed into exclusive pay-per-view events.

The cost of technology

Ticket prices vary, although they're often around the US$15 (HK$116) mark. While Dua Lipa promised to take fans on a "kaleidoscope, rocket-filled, journey through time" to discover her latest album for US$15 to 20 on November 27, Billie Eilish charged up to US$30 for livestream tickets to her global virtual concert, "Where Do We Go? The Livestream," broadcast October 24 from Los Angeles. For their money, fans of the iconoclastic singer were given access to the livestream, and could rewatch for up to 24 hours, as well as enjoy reductions on merchandise.

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But that's nothing compared to the US$100 (HK$775) tickets that fans of Jason Isbell snapped up in July to watch a live performance by the folk singer, followed by a Q&A session. The start-up Topeka even cashed in on the interactive experience by proposing a recorded version of Isbell's event for US$25.

At a time when livestreamed concerts are increasingly ubiquitous, music industry pros hope that the enthusiasm for virtual gigs will give a boost to the struggling sector, for which live shows and world tours are a key source of revenue. In fact, revenue from live music stood at some US$26 billion in 2017, according to data from Goldman Sachs, or 42% of turnover in the sector.

[caption id="attachment_212630" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Fans of folk singer Jason Isbell snapped up US100 tickets in July to watch his livestreamed performance. (Image: Jason Isbell/ Alysse Gakfyen/ Instagram)[/caption]

An increasingly diverse offer

But, as the music industry learned to its expense with the onset of streaming, it can be hard to convince consumers to pay for something they once got for free. Especially so in a highly competitive ecosystem where independent artists, concert production companies and tech giants are all vying for music fans' attention — and ideally their money.

On December 5, virtual gig-goers will have the choice between an online show by the band Evanescence, ahead of the release of their new album "The Bitter Truth," a virtual Darlene Love Christmas show, and a livestream performance by Liam Gallagher "Down by the River Thames" in London. It's a tough choice from a musical point of view.

[caption id="attachment_212627" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Rock band Evanescence will hold a livestreamed concert on December 5. (Image: Evanescence/ Facebook)[/caption]

As well as being spoiled for choice as the offer diversifies, certain music fans face the fear of not being tech savvy enough to enjoy livestream gigs. "A rock band with a slightly older audience, those audiences are less rabid from an online engagement perspective," Steve Bursky, the founder of Foundations Music told The New York Times. The management company's clients include Foy Vance, Young the Giant and Lauv.

Conscious of this concern, platforms and artists are reaching out with various tutorials and other explanations to get fans onboard. The aim is to invest in high-quality online gigs in order to bring livestreamed concerts and events into the mainstream. And it seems like these efforts are starting to bear fruit, since 28 percent of Americans said they would pay to watch an online concert, according to a report from Nielsen Music/MCR Data.

"Livestreaming is a new genre, a new form of entertainment. It is not ephemeral. People will doubt it -- but I believe that it will stay and be a complementary form of entertainment that will compete with playlists and videos and live shows," Fabrice Sergent, cofounder of Bandsintown, told Rolling Stone.

(Main image: Live Nation; Featured image: Dua Lipa/ Facebook)

The post Livestreamed Concerts are Fast Becoming the Norm in These Pandemic Times appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

If you thought you'd read everything there is to read by J.R.R. Tolkien — the legendary wordsmith behind The Lord of the Rings series — think again.

A collection of previously unseen writings by the British author are due to be published for the first time in 2021. The collection will take readers straight to the heart of Middle-earth, exploring the land through its geography, its history and its people.

The collection, titled The Nature of Middle-earth, covers themes including Elvish immortality and reincarnation, and the geography of places where some of Tolkien's most famous epic fantasies were set. The collection may even settle the long-running debate among readers of the British writer about whether dwarf women had beards — a debate that's been raging on Reddit for years.

[caption id="attachment_212456" align="aligncenter" width="425"] 'The Nature of Middle-earth' is a collection of previously unseen writings by Tolkien. It's due to be published June 24, 2021. (Image: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media)[/caption]

Considered one of the founding fathers of modern fantasy, Tolkien is best known for his novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, published in 1937 and from 1954 to 1955 respectively. The works became international best-sellers translated into more than 70 languages, as well as Hollywood trilogies directed by Peter Jackson. However, the British author continued to write about Middle-earth in the following decades, right up until the years preceding his death in 1973.

"For him, Middle-earth was part of an entire world to be explored, and the writings in The Nature of Middle-earth reveal the journeys that he took as he sought to better understand his unique creation," explains in a statement Deb Brody, vice-president of the American publishing company, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

The Nature of Middle-earth is a collection of writings edited by Carl F. Hostetter, one of the world's leading Tolkien experts and respected head of the Elvish Linguistic Fellowship. This international organisation, founded in 1988, studies the fictitious languages imagined by J.R.R. Tolkien.

The book is due out June 24, 2021, and is published by HarperCollins in the UK and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in North America.

The post A Collection of Unseen Tolkien Works Will be Published for the First Time in 2021 appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Anyone who thinks chess is boring clearly hasn't seen The Queen's Gambit.

This mini-series, based on the novel of the same name by Walter Tevis, has proved a hit since it landed on Netflix on October 23. So much so that growing numbers of people are trying out the game on their cell phones, maybe in the hope of reaching the same level of expertise as the show's chess prodigy, Beth Harmon.

[caption id="attachment_212381" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The Queen's Gambit follows the life of orphan Beth Harmon, who becomes a chess prodigy. (Image: The Queen's Gambit)[/caption]

The Queen's Gambit follows the life of Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy), who is placed in a Kentucky orphanage as a child following her mother's death in a car accident. There, she discovers an unexpected talent for chess thanks to the janitor, Mr Shaibel (Bill Camp), who teaches her about the game, while also developing a tranquilliser addiction. Beth battles constantly with her addiction over the years, while trying to make her name in the ultra-competitive world of chess grandmasters.

Although entirely fictional, Beth Harmon's rise in the world of chess seems to be inciting viewers to learn about this game, which has been around for over 15 centuries. Since the show's seven episodes landed on Netflix, mobile chess games have been topping search results in various application stores. Daily downloads have also grown by 63 percent in the US and 11% worldwide, according to app specialists AppAnnie. For example, the "Chess" app from AI Factory Limited currently stands at number 14 in the most downloaded paid-for games on Google Play in the US.

[caption id="attachment_212380" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The rise of Beth Harmon (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) in the world of chess is particularly compelling to watch. (Image: Netflix)[/caption]

And this newfound interest in the game goes beyond mobile apps — it's also being seen in publishing. The best-seller The Queen's Gambit rose to 16th place in the most-downloaded fictional e-books in Apple's iBookstore, according to data from Pop Vortex. And that's a respectable place, considering that Walter Tevis's coming-of-age novel was first published in 1983.

Intrigued? Watch it here on Netflix.

(All images: Netflix)

The post How Netflix’s ‘The Queen’s Gambit’ is Making Chess Cool Again appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A Walther PP pistol used in the first-ever James Bond movie will go up for auction next month in Los Angeles.

Scottish acting great Sean Connery, who passed away last month at the age of 90 at his home in the Bahamas, wielded the gun in 1962's Dr. No. It is estimated to fetch US$150,000 to 200,000 (HK$1.16 million to 1.55 million).

"The silhouette of 007 holding this gun would go on to become the James Bond franchise's most iconic image and one of the most recognisable pop culture references of all time," said Martin Nolan, executive director of Julien's Auctions.

In Dr. No, James Bond is ordered by his British Secret Service bosses to reluctantly trade in his old, misfiring Beretta gun for the Walther, which has "a delivery like a brick through a plate glass window."

"The American CIA swear by them," Bond is informed.

Versions of the Walther remain 007's signature firearm, some 25 films later. The deactivated handgun prop, one of two used in Connery's debut film, was owned by the original movie's armorer until it was sold off in a 2006 auction.

It will be one of more than 500 items in the "Icons & Idols Trilogy: Hollywood" auction held in Beverly Hills and online on December 3. Other notable memorabilia will include a pilot's helmet worn by Tom Cruise in Top Gun and Arnold Schwarzenegger's leather motorcycle jacket from Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

[caption id="attachment_212194" align="alignnone" width="1024"] The late Sean Connery's Walther PP pistol used in the first-ever James Bond movie will go up for auction next month in Los Angeles. (Image: AFP)[/caption]

Bond's next cinematic outing — believed to be the final movie for current 007 Daniel Craig — has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. No Time To Die is currently scheduled for an April release.

Connery earned lasting worldwide fame and adoration for his smooth, Scottish-accented portrayal of the suave licensed-to-kill spy over several films.

The first actor to utter the unforgettable "Bond, James Bond," Connery is seen by many fans as giving the definitive portrayal of novelist Ian Fleming's creation. He suffered from dementia in his final years, according to his widow Micheline Roquebrune.

(Main and featured image: Julien's Auctions)

The post Sean Connery’s James Bond Gun to Go Under the Hammer in December appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Nothing beats a weekend cosying up on the couch, armed with popcorn, Netflix, and the best horror movies ever created.

With Halloween just around the corner, now is the perfect time to binge-watch our favourite spooky flicks — and to take our minds off the actual horrors of our real world.

From sinister rituals to séances gone wrong and zombie attacks, our list of the best horror movies to stream on Netflix promises a spine-chilling evening.

Best horror movies on Netflix to watch this Halloween –

1. Verónica

[caption id="attachment_211713" align="aligncenter" width="758"] Verónica, a schoolgirl who is responsible for her younger siblings, conducts a séance at school with her friends in an attempt to connect with her deceased father. (Image: Verónica / IMDB)[/caption]

2017 Spanish horror film Verónica created a stir on social media when viewers claimed that it was so scary that they had to stop watching midway due to its extreme gore. The Paco Plaza-directorial is inspired by a 1992 incident in Madrid when a teenage girl was attacked by a malevolent force after she used an Ouija board at school with her two friends.

Verónica, a schoolgirl who cares for her younger siblings, conducts a séance at school with her friends in an attempt to connect with her deceased father. During the process, the girls conjure an evil spirit that latches itself on Verónica. She then starts witnessing paranormal events at home and tries to protect her family from the demonic presence.

While Verónica did not make big on the award scales, it offered enough blood-curdling moments to deter us from ever messing with Ouija boards.

Watch it here.

2. The Ritual

[caption id="attachment_211714" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Among the best horror movies on Netflix is this British horror-mystery film by David Bruckner, which is inspired by a 2011 Adam Nevill novel of the same name. (Image: The Ritual / IMDB)[/caption]

Picture this: You lose a friend after a tragic incident and decide to honour his or her memory with a hiking trip, only for it to land you in danger — because of one wrong turn. This British horror-mystery film by David Bruckner, inspired by a 2011 Adam Nevill novel of the same name, is based on this premise.

Six months after their friend’s brutal killing, four university buddies decide to reunite for a trek through Sweden’s King’s Trail. Things begin to go awry after one of them injures himself, prompting them to take a shortcut that leads to a series of creepy, unexplained occurrences.

Without giving too much away, what happens next involves a terrifying beast lurking in the woods.

Watch it here.

3. Under The Shadow

Imagine living in a war-torn country where your home, which is supposed to be your safest place, is haunted by a supernatural being. As if you didn’t already have enough problems.

[caption id="attachment_211715" align="aligncenter" width="714"] Babak Anvari’s Persian-language Iranian horror film Under The Shadow takes viewers back to the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war. (Image: Under The Shadow / IMDB)[/caption]

Babak Anvari’s Persian-language Iranian horror film Under The Shadow takes viewers back to the 1980s during the Iran-Iraq war. When a building is hit by a missile, one of its occupants becomes suspicious that it’s cursed by djinns, evil spirits steeped in Middle Eastern folklore, which may attempt to harm her daughter. She then struggles to keep the demons away from her child at home while fighting the fear of losing her husband at war, all at the same time.

While the film begins on a slow pace, it picks up eventually with its masterful combination of the horrors of war and the supernatural, and becomes a gripping, thrilling watch.

Watch it here.

4. Shutter

[caption id="attachment_211716" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] The 2004 film was critically acclaimed for its storyline and execution and became a commercial success worldwide. (Image credit: Shutter / IMDB)[/caption]

A young photographer and his girlfriend start to witness horrifying entities in their pictures after being involved in a hit-and-run accident. They initially think that it is the deceased victim’s soul haunting them, but eventually come to learn that it’s an unpleasant mistake of the past that is refusing to leave them alone.

The 2004 film was critically acclaimed for its storyline and execution and became a commercial success worldwide. It was so popular that it sparked several remakes in English, Hindi and Tamil.

Watch it here.

5. Overlord

[caption id="attachment_211717" align="aligncenter" width="719"] Overlord is set in an alternate World War 2 period. (Image credit: Overlord / IMDB)[/caption]

An action-horror flick, Overlord takes place in an alternate World War 2 setting and follows American soldiers on D-Day when they cross enemy lines — only to discover the dark secrets of Nazi experiments. They then find themselves embroiled in a battle against an army of the undead.

The JJ Abrams-produced film opened to positive reviews for its innovative spin on the war film genre. Do note it doesn’t hold back on the gore and violence — one of its most unnerving scenes depicts a talking severed head.

Watch it here.

This story first appeared on Prestige Singapore

(Main image: Overlord/ IMDB; Featured image: Verónica / IMDB)

The post The Most Spine-Tingling Horror Movies to Watch on Netflix This Halloween appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In need of some light-hearted entertainment?

When the going gets tough, even the toughest could all use a little cheering up. With the pandemic still raging on in other parts of the world, and our travel options remaining heavily limited (though we're looking forward to visiting Singapore soon), 2020 has really been a massive downer.

If you're looking for ways to keep your spirits high, we've got some suggestions. These feel-good Netflix shows will make you laugh and cry — in a good way — and are almost guaranteed to keep you in a positive mood all through the week.

Social distance

Our favourite new show is ‘Social Distance’, an eight-part series based entirely on the COVID-19 pandemic. Each episode features a different cast and storyline touching on topics that hit close to home during these uncertain times: relationship drama, loved ones battling the virus, death, frontlines, and the Black Lives Matter movement. These stories are told through the lens of technology as our current means of communication and as this year would have it, connection.

Watch it here

Emily in Paris

Predictable love interests, Paris, and a red beret — the cliches are many and it’s what makes this show work (among other reasons), the break from reality into a fairytale word. The other reasons being mainly the show’s fashion moments, Emily’s upbeat can-do attitude, and a stellar case including Lily Collins who plays Emily, and Kate Walsh who plays her boss, Madeline.

Watch it here

Blackpink: Light Up The Sky

Blackpink is hailed as the most popular K-pop girl group of all time, and that’s not a status reached without the years of dedication and hard work the K-pop training industry is notoriously known for. This documentary takes a look at the group as individuals and the different backgrounds Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie come from. You don’t have to be a Blink to appreciate the authenticity the girls showcase in this documentary, nor their music.

Watch it here

Song Exploder

While we’re appreciating great music in this list, Song Exploder shines a spotlight on some of the greatest musicians of today’s Hollywood. The show is based on the podcast in which various artists talk about the making of their hit singles. This season includes the likes of Alicia Keys, Lin-Manuel Miranda, R.E.M. and Ty Dolla $ign.

Watch it here

The Cabin With Bert Kreischerem

Haven’t you ever wanted to ditch it all and go live in a cabin somewhere? Comedian Bert Kreischer has, and did. In his new abode he sets out to cleanse his “mind, body and soul”, trying out different therapy techniques and challenges with guest appearances by other celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner, Joel McHale, and Kaley Cuoco.

Watch it here

This story first appeared on Prestige Malaysia

(Main image: Song Exploder/ Netflix; Featured image: Emily in Paris/ Facebook)

The post The Best Feel-Good Netflix Shows to Watch This Weekend appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A series of items once owned by the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson, are set to go under the hammer on October 23 in an online sale held by the Guernsey's auction house.

The "Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson" sale offers fans and art enthusiasts a collection of 80 lots, including artworks that once adorned Neverland, the late singer's vast Californian ranch and private theme park.

Highlights include bronze sculptures, malachite candelabras and the Jackson 5's first contract with Steeltown Records, signed by Joseph Jackson.

[caption id="attachment_211358" align="alignnone" width="1024"] A Peter Pan bronze sculpture, which used to be displayed in Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch. (Image: Guernsey's Auctions)[/caption]

Items in the sale include a bronze statue of Peter Pan and a wooden model of Captain Hook's ship, both estimated to fetch US$30,000 to US$40,000. The latter was gifted to Michael Jackson by the actress Elizabeth Taylor.

Art enthusiasts will also be able to bid for a rare bronze cast of "Gloria Victis" by the French sculptor and painter, Antonin Mercié, estimated to fetch US$75,000 to US$85,000. Other casts of the 1874 statue are currently in collections held by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.

[caption id="attachment_211357" align="aligncenter" width="820"] The Jackson 5's first label contract. (Image: Guernsey's Auctions)[/caption]

The "Treasures Once Owned by Michael Jackson" auction also includes collector's items and memorabilia from the King of Pop's vast musical career, such as the first contract between the Jackson 5 band and the Steeltown Records label. This historic document, signed by Joe Jackson, is expected to fetch US$50,000 to US$100,000. Similarly, an acetate disc of the Jackson 5's first singles could sell for US$10,000 to US$20,000.

According to Artnet News, certain lots in the auction were consigned by Richard LaPointe, who acquired them following a lengthy legal battle with Julien's Auctions and the Jackson estate. The collector, based in Quebec, Canada, had bid on various objects belonging to Michael Jackson that Julien's Auctions planned to sell between April 22 and 25, 2009.

[caption id="attachment_211356" align="aligncenter" width="612"] The Jackson 5's first acetate pressing of singles. (Image: Guernsey's Auctions)[/caption]

This major sale — which could have fetched between US$15 and US$20 million at Julien's Auctions — was ultimately cancelled at the last minute on the request of Michael Jackson's production company, MJJ Productions.

"Now, more than a decade later, the collector has decided to share Michael's cherished items with the world
and give fans the chance to own a piece of the King of Pop's legacy," said Guernsey's Auctions in a press release.

(All images: Guernsey's Auctions)

The post Michael Jackson’s Art Collection Goes Under the Hammer appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

By now, your bosses and colleagues have probably seen more of your abode than you would've ever expected to show them.

With many of us working from home these days, meetings held over video conferencing apps the likes of Zoom and Microsoft Teams have become the new normal. Inevitably, this means letting colleagues into our residences — albeit virtually — and having them catch glimpses of it via our backdrop. Depending on where your workspace is located, this view could range from a boring blank wall to windows or cluttered bookshelves.

Your makeshift office may not be the most glamorous, but there are several easy interior design tricks that you can employ to quickly jazz up the background of your Zoom calls.

Textiles and cushions

If your workstation of choice is the couch or bed, all it takes is a few snazzy throw pillows wrapped in eye-catching fabrics and prints to provide visual interest in the space behind you. Consider dressing your cushions in the Armani/Casa Exclusive Textiles by Rubelli collection, which is inspired by modern art — specifically works by Henri Matisse, Vasilij Kandinskij and Paul Klee.

It showcases striking colour blocks embellished with embroideries, ikat details and intertwined motifs. These are available in various patterns and shades ranging from pastel to neutral hues. More details here.

Houseplants and greenery

Adding houseplants to your home office will help the space look less spartan and bland. Smaller plants like cacti, succulents and spider plants can be displayed on shelves or tables, while larger ones such as philodendrons, snake plants and ZZ plant (Zanzibar Gem) can be placed on the floor to break the monotony of blank walls.

Online plant retailer Flora Houses offers a wide variety of houseplants that will thrive indoors and are generally low-maintenance. Its range includes Japanese fir, fiddle leaf fig and Bird of Paradise. The store provides free doorstep delivery with a minimum spend.

Artworks and paintings

Perhaps houseplants may seem like too much of a commitment, or you simply don't have green fingers. This is where paintings and art pieces make an easier alternative. You can simply hang a couple of them on the wall that constantly forms your video call backdrop.

An Andy Warhol or Basquiat will certainly impress your co-workers, but your art doesn't necessarily have to be expensive or by big name artists. Consider procuring artworks instead from indie galleries such as Odd One Out, which boasts an array of creations by local and international printmakers and illustrators. We can't take our eyes off the above acrylic painting by Micke Lindebergh, which is titled 'Small Yellow Flower Pot' and features colourful blooms accented by quirky squiggles and bright hues.

Statement ornaments and furniture

Inject a dose of quirk into your meeting setup by peppering your background with assorted decorative items and statement furniture pieces. These can be anything from figurines to colourful tiles and dramatic room dividers.

Our go-to is Lala Curio, which is a whimsical wonderland of objets d'art such as brass monkey sculptures, cloisonné birds, and, one of our favourites — an adorable trio of cranes adorned with rock crystal feathers and perched on crystal balls.

Wallpaper

Why settle for one specially curated work area, when you can turn your whole room into an Instagram-worthy space? Wallpaper is a bold and easy solution — if every wall in your room is clad in beautiful prints, you can essentially park yourself in any corner and still have an envy-inducing Zoom backdrop.

Designer wallpaper has seen a resurgence in recent years, and we're obsessed with Christian Lacroix's exquisite Oiseau Fleur vinyl wallpaper, which depicts vibrant botanical and bird motifs against a silk effect embossed base. It comes in two colourways of pink and grey.

(Main image: Brina Blum/ Unsplash; Featured image: Christian Lacroix)

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The items, which include Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber, and an 11-foot "Alien" spaceship, are tipped to fetch up to half a million dollars each.

The post Top Gun’ helmet and ‘Alien’ spaceship in Hollywood props auction appeared first on The Peak Magazine.

The items, which include Obi-Wan Kenobi's lightsaber, and an 11-foot "Alien" spaceship, are tipped to fetch up to half a million dollars each.

For more stories like this, visit www.thepeakmagazine.com.sg.