Enter The Upside Down At The Stranger Things - The Encounter At Bugis+ Mall (30 June to 1 August 2023)

The supernatural world of Stranger Things, Netflix's popular horror series with an 80's vibe, will manifest on the 7th floor of Bugis+ from 30 June to 1 August 2023. The immersive retail experience called STRANGER THINGS - THE ENCOUNTER is a partnership between Netflix and designer toys and collectibles studio Mighty Jaxx.

Get your 80s' gear ready, and pretend you are Eleven or Mike. Then, gather your gang to take down the dangerous creatures all set to destroy your entire world. You might even want to call upon the Hellfire Club (Red Dot Diva salutes to her fave character, Eddie *sob*) as backup. You will need help, especially when the evil Vecna has plans for world domination.

What you can expect at STRANGER THINGS - THE ENCOUNTER? Check out the list below:

House Of The Dragon Swoops Into SDCC With Interactive Experience, Panel And Launch Of New Niantic Game App

For those who have not gotten enough of Westeros, and still feeling unsatisfied about the finale of HBO original series' GAME OF THRONES, keep your hearts burning for a little while longer. HOUSE OF THE DRAGON, the prequel of the award-winning historical drama, will premiere 22 August on HBO GO, same time as the U.S. telecast.

Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood”, the ten-episode series is set 200 years before the events of GAME OF THRONES, and spills the fiery-fueled tea of the story of House Targaryen, their dragons, and their liaisons with the other Houses. The series stars Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans, as well as additional cast members including Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes and Savannah Steyn.

Leading up to the debut of the new series, HBO Max is set to offer fans an immersive experience called “House of the Dragon: The Dragon’s Den" during San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) from July 21 (Thursday) to July 24 (Sunday). Get ready to be transported to Westeros, where you will be guided through a ceremonial dragon hatching experience as a member of House Targaryen.

Experience The Batman "Unmask The Truth" Pop-up at Shaw House

One of DC's most enduring and iconic superhero is back to the big screen. Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN, starring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader, premiered in local theatres on 3 March 2022. To ramp up the hype and excitement for the new Batman movie, WarnerMedia has turned Orchard Road into an interactive experience for the fans with The Batman “Unmask The Truth" pop-up event.

Its main "Gotham City" is located at Shaw House's ground level. Enter into Gotham's shadowy world to check out the Bat-signal, a life-sized figure of Batman the "Battinson" version, and a cool toy display that includes XM Studios' intricately sculpted collectible "The Batman’s Greatest Battles". Against a replica of the Batcave console, Secretlab has also unveiled their The Batman chair, with a special magnetically detachable bat emblem.

Don't forget about taking your selfies! The movie backdrops provided Red Dot Diva with lots of fun and wacky photo opportunities.

DC Fandome 2021 Returns On 17 October With Sneak Peeks of The Batman and Black Adam

DC Fandome is back again this year! The live global fan extravaganza will happen for one day only on 17 October, Sunday in the Asian region (i.e. 16 October, Sat, USA time). Just like last year, the streaming event is free for all fans to attend.

All you need to do is to suit up and enter into the DC multiverse at DCFanDome.com. The landing page for the event is already up, so you can sign up for a login right now to receive the latest news and updates. DC fans who will be entering DC FanDome for the first time this year can also check out the wonderful video highlights of last year's event on the website.

What will be in store for this year's DC FanDome?

The Star Wars Identities Exhibition at ArtScience Museum Is A Rare Delight

The Star Wars Identities Exhibition, which will open for the public this Saturday (30 January) at the ArtScience Museum (ASM), is something not to be missed!

The show was supposed to open last year, but then the coronavirus arrived, and Red Dot Island promptly went into a 2-month Circuit Breaker. For many months after, businesses and individuals were following strict safety protocols to help keep everyone healthy.

Despite the long wait, ASM and their partners Pico Pro, X3 Productions and Lucasfilm Ltd, the owner of the show's 200+ original Star Wars movie artefacts, have managed to produce a wonderful exhibition that will delight the franchise's fans - both long-timers as well as newbies.

Through several displays of props, concept artwork, sculpts, costumes and character profiles, Star Wars Identities is structured as an interactive personal journey for fans to learn how an identity is shaped in a lifetime.

Red Dot Diva managed to get a sneak peak of the exhibition, totally geeking out like an Ewok at a raucous forest rave. To keep some of the show's surprises and reveals more exciting for the visitors, she will only list down a few key highlights that you should look out for!

Cartoons Underground Returns With An Online Edition from 9 to 13 December 2020

So what if COVID-19 a.k.a. the Big Bad of 2020 is still lurking in the corners of Red Dot Island, and has prevented festivals and events from taking place? Cartoons Underground 2020, the island's very own animation festival, has in fact expanded from a 1-day evening festival to an exciting 5-day online event from 9 to 13 December 2020.

Of course, the festival, which is also South-East Asia's largest, will not be happening in their usual physical venue. Instead, attendees will step into an interactive and vibrant 360° virtual world created by CG lead Enrique Caballero.

Love is in the air

Within this immersive neon-lit cyberpunk 'hood, festival goers will be able to hunt for easter eggs, view films and behind the scene footages, and attend Q&A sessions with directors. Red Dot Diva had a sneak peek of the 360° world, which had tributes to Lady & The Tramp as well as the chef couple from the movie, Ratatouille. According to Enrique Caballero, he felt that during this difficult year, we all needed more love. Since the locals love shopping online, there will also be an art market where you can buy unique items for your own collection or as presents.

While the pandemic continues to rage on in several parts of the world, live action TV and movie productions have either halted or have been delayed. But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining. Seemingly pandemic-proof, the animation industry is set to boom in the next 5 years due to market demand, and for the practical reason that most of the work can be performed remotely.

Red Dot Diva welcomes the rise of animation movies. They are not just for kids and children. There are the cookie-cutter Disneys, Pixars, Dreamworks and well-loved Studio Ghibli films, and then there are so many others that fall in between or out of those familiar lines that are as beautiful and moving.

DC FanDome Part 2 Held on 13 September; HBO Asia and Warner TV Asia Go Into DC Superhero Mode

It's only a few hours to the launch of DC FanDome, the global virtual event entirely about DC Comics and characters from the DC Universe, put together just for the fans. Red Dot Diva is definitely camping out on her iMac, lapping up the exclusive reveals while trying to stay awake via caffeine pumping.

Because the initial schedule had so many panels and sessions which will be running simultaneously, fans had found it hard to choose which ones they wanted to attend. So, to cater to the fans' needs, DC FanDome is now expanded to two separate events. The panels previously announced in the other “Verses” like WatchVerse and KidsVerse, have now been postponed to the second event.

The original event on 23 August (Sunday) has been renamed as DC FanDome: Hall of Heroes with a more streamlined schedule. The live segment will begin at 1 AM (Singapore Time) for 8 hours, kicking off with its first panel on WONDER WOMAN 1984, followed by others for The Sandman Universe, THE BATMAN, THE SUICIDE SQUAD and THE SNYDER CUT of JUSTICE LEAGUE, alongside exclusive programming on comics, games, cartoons, TV series and more. The show will air two more times during the 24-hour period, so that fans from different countries will be able to enjoy the different sessions and announcements.

A second round of the mega fan event called DC FanDome: Explore The Multiverse will be held for 24-hours only on 13 September, 1 AM (Singapore Time). A kids-friendly event called DC Kids FanDome will also launch at the same time, and can be accessed separately as DCKidsFanDome.com.

At this event, fans will have full access to over 100 hours of on-demand programming spanning the vast DC Multiverse of TV series, movies, comics, cartoons, games and more. They can then customise their own schedule, and enjoy as many exclusive panel sessions, screenings and never-before-seen content as they wish within the 24-hour window.

It costs nothing to enter in DC FanDome, so don't miss the great lineup in store on both dates. The event can be accessed on all mobile devices as well as on your desktop and laptop computers. All you have to do is go to this link: https://www.dccomics.com/dcfandome

DC FanDome's Guest Lineup Is Like WHOA... But So Were the Layoffs in WarnerMedia

The global 24-hour virtual fan experience called DC FanDome is set to roll out on August 22 (Sunday August 23, starting at 1 AM Singapore time) with a list of guests like WHOA.

The teaser reel that announced the talent roster was super long and varied, consisting of comic book creators, celebrities from the movies and TV series, those working behind the scenes, the people from WB Games, as well as the presenters and hosts.

Take a look at the guest announcement video here as the over 300 names scroll on and on.. and on...

Tumble into Artscience Museum's Wonderland Exhibition, Opens 13 April 2019

Photo: Phoebe Powell

Look out for the White Rabbit! Then, follow him down the rabbit hole into Wonderland, a new exhibition at Artscience Museum that opens on 13 April 2019. The interactive and whimsical exhibition is based on Lewis Carroll's beloved book series “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and “Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There”.

Red Dot Island is the first stop of Wonderland's global tour. Developed by Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Wonderland aims to enchant readers and audiences with immersive environments consisting of theatrical sets, stunning props and audiovisual works.

Alice and her adventures in Wonderland has inspired countless movies, comics, games since 1865, and has also become a pop culture icon through the ages. The Wonderland exhibition shows how she has been interpreted and adapted through the centuries, by pulling together an amazing range of original behind-the-scenes material that includes over 300 artefacts and objects, like original 19th century manuscripts, first edition books, imaginative drawings, fantastical costumes, films and so much more.

In addition, Wonderland will also show the technological advances and progress with animation, puppetry and special effects from the era during the first Alice movie adaptation by Cecil M Hepworth in 1903 to the recent TV shows and films produced and screened in the 21st century.


Wonderland at ArtScience Museum

Here is a brief run down of what visitors can expect in the upcoming Wonderland exhibit.

Starting from Lewis Carroll's drawing room, visitors will be given their own Lost Map of Wonderland to use as a guide in exploring the area. But first of all, you have to choose to be one of the four characters – the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, the Queen or the Mad Hatter - which will set you on a path consisting of secret doorways, winding corridors, and interactive props that beg to be touched and fiddled with.

Photo: Phoebe Powell

The journey continues through the Hallway of Doors, to the Pool of Tears, the Looking Glass House and then, to the Queen's Croquet Ground, where you can become one of those on screen taking part in a croquet game.

Photo: Phoebe Powell

Most wondrous of all is the immersive centrepiece of the exhibit - the Mad Hatter's Tea Party! Sit down and be one of the kooky guests at a table served with giant tea cups, surrounded by a digitally projected dreamscape.

Photo: Phoebe Powell

Leave the adult world of logic behind when you step into topsy-turvy Wonderland, as things get curiouser and curiouser, and where it is OK if you think you have spotted a glimpse of the Cheshire cat's mysterious grin from the corner of your eye.  


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Tickets are available for purchase from 1 April onwards at all Marina Bay Sands box offices and website. Wonderland opens its trippy doors on 13 April till 22 September 2019

For more information, head to this link - https://www.marinabaysands.com/museum/wonderland.html

Warning! Zombie Attack at Orchard Road, 26 October to 4 November!

During this Halloween, you can help save the world from a Zombie Attack, and it is happening right in the heart of Orchard Road!

A virus outbreak from an unauthorized experiment has caused a group of lab technicians to be zombies, and they have shambled their way to the central shopping district. Grab a squad of four, to navigate a series of obstacles to help contain the virus and grab the anti-toxin. While you are at it, look out for those hungry biters, and slay them with your laser tag.

The fun and immersive event is organized by Unearthed Productions, together with Singapore Tourist Board's Kickstart Fund.

No pre-registration is required. You just need to gather your zombie slaying skills and sign up for duty on site at Grange Road Car Park (beside 313@Somerset), from 26th October to 4th November 2018, 5 PM to 11 PM.

Ticket prices are as follows:
Single pass (1 game play) - $30
Team pass (4 pax) - $120
Special Rates for PAssion Card members and Students - $25

Each game lasts about 15 to 20 minutes, and up to 300 players can play on each day.

There are also no age restrictions. However, children under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult 18 years or older.

For more information, check out the link at www.zombieattack.sg!

ArtScience Museum's Marvel Studios: 10 Years of Heroes Exhibition Needs More Punch

The Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes exhibition, which celebrates the 19 Marvel superhero movies in the last 10 years, opened to the public at ArtScience Museum on 9 June 2018. From now till 30 September, fans will be able to relive their favourite Marvel superhero movie moments at the show.

The project is part of a three-year collaboration between Singapore Tourism Board and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia. For the exhibition, Taiwan-based toy company Beast Kingdom worked with Walt Disney for the concept and displays.

Attended a preview of @artsciencemuseumsg of Marvel Studios - 10 Years of Heroes exhibition which opens this weekend. #DivaatMarvel10ASM #Marvel10ASM #marvel #avengers #superheroes #exhibition #Singapore #artsciencemuseum

A post shared by Red Dot Diva (@reddotdiva) on Jun 9, 2018 at 6:36am PDT

Within the exhibit hall, there are 10 different galleries featuring places from the movies - for example, Stark Industries, Aasgard, and Wakanda. Each of these areas have life-sized statues, static displays, or interactive areas for fans to get their superhero fix.

Red Dot Diva was at the special preview for bloggers to take in the signs and sounds of the exhibition, and here are some of the things you can expect.

ArtScience Museum's "Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes" Exhibition Begins 9 June 2018

"Avengers: Infinity War" is set to have an epic showdown of Thanos versus almost everyone's favourite Marvel superheros. The film, plugged as the biggest movie event of the year, premieres in Red Dot Island on 26 April 2018. It is going to be longest Marvel movie, with a runtime of 2 hours 36 minutes. So, do plan your toilet breaks accordingly!

After watching the "Avengers: Infinity War" movie, Marvel fans can indulge with even more superheroes fun at a special interactive exhibition called "Marvel Studios: Ten Years of Heroes", which will be held at ArtSci Museum. Curating from Marvel's decade of movies (which consists of 19 films in total), the exhibition will present the superheroes, like Iron-Man, Thor, the Hulk, Black Widow, Starlord and more, via cutting-edge AV and media technology.

Fans will be transported into these Marvel cinematic worlds, with interactive exhibits that include segments from the recent international hit "Black Panther", "Thor: Ragnorak", "Avengers: Infinity War" and the upcoming "Ant_man & the Wasp".

LEGO Ninjago Lands at Plaza Singapura from 28 August to 10 September 2017

Do you love ninjas? Especially Ninjas in LEGO form? Oh, and what about dragons? Yes... That too?
Then, you must already be a fan of the Ninjago line from LEGO!

The  LEGO Ninjago Movie is set to open at theatres in September, and the marketing vehicle is out in full force.

Red Dot Diva's friend, Jas the "adult kid", was at the  LEGO Ninjago Challenge Event at Plaza Singapura yesterday. Here's her report on how much fun she had while she was there.

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Similar to the activity booths that were launched at ION when The LEGO Batman Movie opened in cinemas, the LEGO Ninjago Movie has set up a challenge event held at Plaza Singapura.

There is a pop up store by Bricks World selling various Lego sets across the different brands, but of course LEGO Ninjago sets take up the most prominent display.

The LEGO #NINJAGOCHALLENGE Event Play Area consists of 4 stations, the Briefing Station 1, where a staff will explain to you what the entire event is about. (Note that the staff might dissuade adults if there is a line of little kids already waiting in line. Try to gather your own “team” of 3 adult players to take part in the same time slot!)

10 Days of Star Wars: Experience the Force Singapore Festivities at Orchard Road and STGCC 2017 (1 September to 10 September, 2017)!

From 1 September to 8 September 2017, Orchard Road becomes part of the galaxy far far away, as it kicks off a 10-day festival called "Star Wars: Experience the Force Singapore".

1 September is also Force Friday II, a global event when the launch of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" toys and merchandise will be celebrated by fans all over the world. If the first Force Friday in 2015 was any indication, there should be a lot of social media interaction around the globe, as toys are unboxed and fan reactions are shared live. Disney promises that this year's event will be an even more unique experience for the fans, with the use of new technology and more immersive ways to bring the Star Wars universe to life.

Local Star Wars fans will not be not left out either. At ION Basement 4, new items will be released at the stroke of midnight on 1 September (Friday). If you are all out to get the latest stuff, get prepared for a small crowd lining up for the unveiling. So be there early!

The Star Wars festivities at ION Orchard are Free of Charge, and will lead on to even more fun activities held during pop-culture convention, STGCC (9 & 10 September). The entire festival is organised by ReedPOP and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia, with event partner ION Orchard, and the support of the Singapore Tourism Board.

So what can fans expect during the 10 glorious days of "Star Wars: Experience the Force Singapore"?

Be One of the Fast and Furious 8 Crew at Cathay Cineleisure!

It's time to gear up and rev those engines of sweet powerful rides as the latest movie of the Fast and Furious franchise skids into town on April 13.

Directed by F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton), "Fast and Furious 8" (also called The Fate of the Furious in the U.S. market) brings familiar faces like Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez), Roman (Tyrese Gibsons), Frank Petty (Kurt Russell), Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) and Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) back together again. There are also newcomers Scott Eastwood, who plays an agent and Dame Helen Mirren, who appears as Deckard and Owen Shaw's mother.

Just as things are beginning to feel normal, Dom is lured back into crime by a charismatic villainess called Cipher (Charlize Theron), who by the way, is able to control a mass of cars and machines at one time. So Cool!!! The frenetic chase takes the team from Cuba to the busy streets of New York City to the icy plains of the arctic. Will the Furious crew's "family-first" mantra be able to survive Dom's betrayal?

Now, from 31 March to 23 April 2017, you can get your very own taste of being in Dom's kickass, stunt-driving crew! Here's how:

Join the Batmania at the LEGO Batman Movie Activity Area & Fan Event at ION Orchard!

This is the Batman Movie you have all been waiting for!

The awesomely successful "The Lego Movie" was the film that introduced us to the egoistical but hilarious "I'm Batman-I Only Dress In Black"-LEGO Batman (Will Arnett). Since his superhero personality is too Huge to remain in just one movie, the Bat is BACK. This time, he will be calling all the shots (or he thinks he will be) in "The LEGO Batman Movie", by going up against The Joker (Zach Galifianakis) in order to save Gotham City.

Not quite used to working with a team, Batman also faces challenges battling the band of villains together with orphan Dick Grayson aka Robin (Michael Cera), Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl (Rosario Dawson) and the ever loyal and classy butler, Alfred (Ralph Fiennes).

Directed by Chris McKay, and produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Roy Lee, "The LEGO Batman Movie" premieres in Red Dot Island theatres on 9 February 2017!

For the last couple of months, Team Batman ,i.e. LEGO Batman himself, Robin and Batgirl, has been meeting their fans at shopping malls and cinemas around the island. Being hardcore fans of #TeamRichGuys, Red Dot Diva and geek-girl pal Jas managed to catch the trio at Cathay Cineleisure the week before Chinese New Year!

Pokémons Everywhere! Go on the Poke Trail at Singapore Changi Airport

Red Dot Diva is not a Pokémon game player, and yet, she is totally attracted to the uber-cute designs of the characters. See? The game is so evil that it can even lure a non-gamer!

Changi Airport has been cashing in on the Pokémon craze this 2016/ 2017 festive season, with various installations and activities up till 11 Feb 2016. That means, the fun stuff will be around till after Chinese New Year!

Amongst all the activities, Red Dot Diva thought going on the Poké Trail was the most fun. She loves a good hunt and in fact, she went back to Changi Airport three times to try to catch 'em all. Well, at least those that are in the public areas!

A new batch of Pokémons appeared around the airport terminals on 5 December 2016, so on Christmas Eve, she went to check them out together with geek gal pal, Jas. That was her 3rd attempt at searching for the little critters.

Here's Red Dot Diva's route for the Poké Trail around the public areas. If you are coming by train or bus, it may be easiest to start from Terminal 3. When you find the Pokémons, do not forget to take a selfie with them. Then, post at least 3 selfies on your social media accounts with the hashtag #PokemonatChangi. You will get a chance to win something at the lucky spin.

Join the Rebellion or The Empire at Vivocity's "Rogue One" Interactive Event - 28 November to 18 December 2016

Scan of article by my friend, Leonard!

The latest battle between the Rebellion and the Empire is coming soon, and Star Wars can be a part of it at Vivocity's Central Court B, Level 1 from 28 November to 18 December 2016!

The mall is hosting an interactive event leading up to the premiere of "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story". According to a full-page ad published in The Sunday Times' Life Section (dated 27 November 2016), there will a list of very fun and immersive activities in store!

1. Ogle at a 8-metre tall AT-AT Walker at the event.
Red Dot Diva is not sure if it's a similar At-At that she saw at Star Wars Celebration Europe. However, since this is to promote "Rogue One", it would most likely be the version of all-terrain vehicle was shown in the movie's trailer, which are "not, technically, AT-ATs" as tweeted by Lucasfilm's Pablo Hidalgo. They are AT-ACTs, which are larger and used for transporting heavy equipment or ammunition.

Sphero BB-8 Can Now Be Your "The Force Awakens" Movie-watching Mate!

Make some space on the sofa!

That small but charming Sphero BB-8 robot-toy is so ready to watch "The Force Awakens" movie with you!

With his ability to react to certain key scenes via audio cues, this makes BB-8 a perfect mate for watching the movie over and over again. Especially, if your non-geek pals are already bored over the various Star Wars tropes and references, and utterly unimpressed by Kylo-Ren or Rey.

All one needs to do is sit BB-8 on his charging base and make sure he's connected to the app. There is now a new "Watch With Me" option. Place the smart device next to the bot, and let BB-8 do his thang! Apparently, he'll chatter and whistle at junctures, and get freaked out when evil-emo-divo Kylo-Ren appears on screen.

Assemble with Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron" Interactive Event at Vivocity

Don't just watch the "Avengers: Age of Ultron" movie when it premieres in theatres islandwide on 23 April.

Grab your family and a friend or two, and head to Vivocity's Central Court (Level 1) for some fun with the "Avengers: Age of Ultron" interactive displays! The Avengers themed area will be available from now till 3 May 2015, 10 AM to 10 PM. The special event is free of charge.

Red Dot Diva dropped by the mall last Saturday morning to take a peek at the interactive area, and she spent a good enjoyable 15 minutes there doing the following!

1. Ogle at the Life-Sized 3D Superhero Figurines!

One may not have the real-life opportunity to meet a real Avenger, but this is the next best experience one could possible have.