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Aurum Theatre ScreenX Review: Cinematic Sensation That Deserves Your Attention

Aurum Theatre ScreenX Review: Cinematic Sensation That Deserves Your Attention

Hype Malaysia21-05-2025

There was a time when the movie scene, including theatre halls and films themselves, were rapidly evolving and transforming to better suit changing cinematic tastes. However, after a while, when IMAX got figured out and a few key adjustments were changed to the halls, it seems as though the world of cinema stood still for a moment. After all – what more could be done to enhance your everyday cinema experience?
That's where Aurum Theatre's ScreenX hall comes into play! This massive hall boasts not one but three massive screens that will further immerse you in whatever film you happen to be watching, leaving you at the edge of your very comfortable seat. However, three displays do not necessarily make a good theatre experience great, which is why we will be reviewing the overall viewing experience – from the waiting time all the way to the end of the flick, so that you can decide whether or not you should take your movie viewing to the next level.
Like any movie day, your experience begins right before you even enter the hall. Traditionally, you'd have to secure your ticket a while before you enter the movies. The same can be said for ScreenX, but what sets it apart is what you can do in your downtime before the movie starts. The Aurum Theatre doesn't just contain some rooms for you to watch your movies in – it also has full-blown restaurants and even a cafe. Rather than buying your ticket ahead of time and then wandering around the mall to find a place to eat before the movie, you can enjoy a sweet treat, be it a light or heavy one, without leaving the space.
Just across the ticket counter is the fabled cafe, Kissa. There, you are treated to a whole selection of sweets, coffee, and many more. It has the perfect range of food items to choose from, which is great if you're feeling like something light or heavy. If that isn't enough for you, then you can go over to the restaurant below, the Hokkaido Table, for even bigger meal choices. The food trip does not end there, however, as you're also greeted by a large selection of snacks at the ticketing counter itself. From the classic popcorn, available in all sorts of delectable flavours, to fried classics and even sweet and savoury pastry options, the meals can easily tide you over throughout the movie.
On to the hall itself. As advertised, ScreenX is a massive space with three equally large screens that are plastered on three out of its four walls. With this setup, you can easily enjoy a new, 270-degree viewing experience that will only further immerse you into the film you're watching. Of course, to take advantage of this, the films have to be specially designed with ScreenX in mind, which includes additional footage that widens the field of view.
Naturally, all of this would not matter if the seats did not do it justice. Thankfully, we are happy to report that the seats are out of this world. The moment you sit down, you're immediately sent into a world of comfort thanks to the ultra-plush seats. It's thanks to this that we were able to truly enjoy the recent 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' and its almost three-hour-long runtime in full comfort. Furthermore, the seats feature ample legroom as well as reclining seats, letting you fully melt and relax into your seat. Additionally, in case you happen to get hungry while watching, you can quickly scan the QR code on your personal table and order any snack you want, which is great for those who immediately start chowing down on their popcorn before opening credits even begin.
But with all the preamble out of the way, it's time to discuss the highly advertised 270-degree experience and how it fares. ScreenX is truly a unique way of watching the hottest films on the market. As mentioned earlier, the additional screens extend the visuals to the left and right of the auditorium. This further enhances select moments of the film and engrosses viewers in ways never seen before.
A prime example of this was during our viewing of 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning', specifically the opening scene where The Entity is talking to the audience in a quick refresher. This introduction makes use of the additional screens, bombarding us with this otherworldly sense of awe and dread as we are fully mesmerised by The Entity's grand plan of world destruction and domination. But when it's not threatening us, it's enchanting us with gorgeous visuals of wide shots of wide grasslands, portions of the film that we may have never gotten to see had it not been for ScreenX. Though they are only auxiliary screens, they are still treated to an incredibly potent projector that makes sure that we are viewing nothing but the best visuals possible.
However, this feature is not without its flaws. As you may have guessed, this is a totally unique experience and may leave some viewers completely disoriented. Be it from the additional visuals to the audio bombardment or even the bright projectors at the ceiling, there are several things that can snatch your attention away from the scene at hand. Sure, the screens can pull you in further than film ever could, but they are hardly necessary.
Furthermore, a key issue we had with these screens is their positioning. Had it formed a trapezoid shape rather than commit to its almost box-like form, we might have been fully immersed further, as we are able to take in the entire scene without having to turn our heads. Another issue we had with this is that the movie we were watching didn't really take full advantage of this setup, and the auxiliary screens were largely off for most of the film and only woke up during certain moments. This further ripped us from the immersive experience, as we could see the projector come to life and slowly adjust its brightness to match with the main screen. If the film had accounted for two more screens and had them running for a large portion of the film, then this would be a completely different situation. Of course, this is a nitpick more than anything, so we'll leave the final verdict to those who will experience ScreenX for themselves.
Overall, the ScreenX and the Aurum Theatre experiences are events all on their own, as they are truly gripping and unique takes compared to your usual movie day. From the food to the seats and even to the viewing itself, if you have the opportunity, get your ticket and enjoy this unique movie sensation yourself. Of course, it's not for everyone for various reasons, but it's something worth trying before making your final verdict.
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Aurum Theatre ScreenX Review: Cinematic Sensation That Deserves Your Attention
Aurum Theatre ScreenX Review: Cinematic Sensation That Deserves Your Attention

Hype Malaysia

time21-05-2025

  • Hype Malaysia

Aurum Theatre ScreenX Review: Cinematic Sensation That Deserves Your Attention

There was a time when the movie scene, including theatre halls and films themselves, were rapidly evolving and transforming to better suit changing cinematic tastes. However, after a while, when IMAX got figured out and a few key adjustments were changed to the halls, it seems as though the world of cinema stood still for a moment. After all – what more could be done to enhance your everyday cinema experience? That's where Aurum Theatre's ScreenX hall comes into play! This massive hall boasts not one but three massive screens that will further immerse you in whatever film you happen to be watching, leaving you at the edge of your very comfortable seat. However, three displays do not necessarily make a good theatre experience great, which is why we will be reviewing the overall viewing experience – from the waiting time all the way to the end of the flick, so that you can decide whether or not you should take your movie viewing to the next level. Like any movie day, your experience begins right before you even enter the hall. Traditionally, you'd have to secure your ticket a while before you enter the movies. The same can be said for ScreenX, but what sets it apart is what you can do in your downtime before the movie starts. The Aurum Theatre doesn't just contain some rooms for you to watch your movies in – it also has full-blown restaurants and even a cafe. Rather than buying your ticket ahead of time and then wandering around the mall to find a place to eat before the movie, you can enjoy a sweet treat, be it a light or heavy one, without leaving the space. Just across the ticket counter is the fabled cafe, Kissa. There, you are treated to a whole selection of sweets, coffee, and many more. It has the perfect range of food items to choose from, which is great if you're feeling like something light or heavy. If that isn't enough for you, then you can go over to the restaurant below, the Hokkaido Table, for even bigger meal choices. The food trip does not end there, however, as you're also greeted by a large selection of snacks at the ticketing counter itself. From the classic popcorn, available in all sorts of delectable flavours, to fried classics and even sweet and savoury pastry options, the meals can easily tide you over throughout the movie. On to the hall itself. As advertised, ScreenX is a massive space with three equally large screens that are plastered on three out of its four walls. With this setup, you can easily enjoy a new, 270-degree viewing experience that will only further immerse you into the film you're watching. Of course, to take advantage of this, the films have to be specially designed with ScreenX in mind, which includes additional footage that widens the field of view. Naturally, all of this would not matter if the seats did not do it justice. Thankfully, we are happy to report that the seats are out of this world. The moment you sit down, you're immediately sent into a world of comfort thanks to the ultra-plush seats. It's thanks to this that we were able to truly enjoy the recent 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning' and its almost three-hour-long runtime in full comfort. Furthermore, the seats feature ample legroom as well as reclining seats, letting you fully melt and relax into your seat. Additionally, in case you happen to get hungry while watching, you can quickly scan the QR code on your personal table and order any snack you want, which is great for those who immediately start chowing down on their popcorn before opening credits even begin. But with all the preamble out of the way, it's time to discuss the highly advertised 270-degree experience and how it fares. ScreenX is truly a unique way of watching the hottest films on the market. As mentioned earlier, the additional screens extend the visuals to the left and right of the auditorium. This further enhances select moments of the film and engrosses viewers in ways never seen before. A prime example of this was during our viewing of 'Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning', specifically the opening scene where The Entity is talking to the audience in a quick refresher. This introduction makes use of the additional screens, bombarding us with this otherworldly sense of awe and dread as we are fully mesmerised by The Entity's grand plan of world destruction and domination. But when it's not threatening us, it's enchanting us with gorgeous visuals of wide shots of wide grasslands, portions of the film that we may have never gotten to see had it not been for ScreenX. Though they are only auxiliary screens, they are still treated to an incredibly potent projector that makes sure that we are viewing nothing but the best visuals possible. However, this feature is not without its flaws. As you may have guessed, this is a totally unique experience and may leave some viewers completely disoriented. Be it from the additional visuals to the audio bombardment or even the bright projectors at the ceiling, there are several things that can snatch your attention away from the scene at hand. Sure, the screens can pull you in further than film ever could, but they are hardly necessary. Furthermore, a key issue we had with these screens is their positioning. Had it formed a trapezoid shape rather than commit to its almost box-like form, we might have been fully immersed further, as we are able to take in the entire scene without having to turn our heads. Another issue we had with this is that the movie we were watching didn't really take full advantage of this setup, and the auxiliary screens were largely off for most of the film and only woke up during certain moments. This further ripped us from the immersive experience, as we could see the projector come to life and slowly adjust its brightness to match with the main screen. If the film had accounted for two more screens and had them running for a large portion of the film, then this would be a completely different situation. Of course, this is a nitpick more than anything, so we'll leave the final verdict to those who will experience ScreenX for themselves. Overall, the ScreenX and the Aurum Theatre experiences are events all on their own, as they are truly gripping and unique takes compared to your usual movie day. From the food to the seats and even to the viewing itself, if you have the opportunity, get your ticket and enjoy this unique movie sensation yourself. Of course, it's not for everyone for various reasons, but it's something worth trying before making your final verdict. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news.

Phantom Of The Opera's lead actress, who grew up in Singapore, excited about homecoming show
Phantom Of The Opera's lead actress, who grew up in Singapore, excited about homecoming show

The Star

time07-05-2025

  • The Star

Phantom Of The Opera's lead actress, who grew up in Singapore, excited about homecoming show

SINGAPORE: While stage actress Grace Roberts is British, she considers herself an honorary Singaporean. So, returning to the Lion City feels like a homecoming for the London-based performer, who plays the female lead role of Christine in the upcoming Singapore run of the popular musical The Phantom Of The Opera. Her family migrated to Singapore from Britain when she was a six-week-old baby, and she lived here until she was 18, attending local schools and eating local food. Even after leaving what she calls her home city, she returns quite often. Ahead of the show's opening night at Marina Bay Sands' Sands Theatre on May 9, Roberts tells The Straits Times: 'It always feels great to be back. 'I have so many fond memories here, from watching Imax movies at Science Centre Singapore to playing around the water fountains at Bugis Junction. I have visited the Singapore Zoo at least 50 times and loved its water play area when I was younger.' She also enjoys her satay, chicken rice, char kway teow and Old Chang Kee curry puffs. Roberts, who is in her late 20s, has been playing the titular antagonist's love interest on The Phantom Of The Opera's international tour since 2024. She has performed in Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou, and in Mumbai in India. Roberts (left) in a production of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors at Tanglin Trust School, located at Portsdown Road, in 2014. In the show, she played the female lead Audrey, opposite her schoolmate Kyle Portnoy (right), who acted in the role of Seymour. - TANGLIN TRUST SCHOOL This will be The Phantom Of The Opera's fifth run in Singapore. It was first performed here at the Kallang Theatre in 1995 and then at the Esplanade Theatre in 2007. Live entertainment company Base Entertainment Asia presented the musical at Sands Theatre in 2013 and 2019. In a full-circle moment, she first saw the 2013 production as a teenager, and fell in love with its story, music and costumes. With music by legendary British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show premiered in London in 1986. It features some of the most iconic numbers in musical theatre, such as its haunting title track, the spellbinding The Music Of The Night and the operatic ballad All I Ask Of You. 'The show was so grand,' recalls Roberts. 'Everyone has heard of it, and everyone knows the organ, the chandelier. As a young performer, you just aspire to be part of something so epic. Being able to sing Think Of Me and Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again every night, it feels so amazing.' She adds: 'I think I have been practising for this role for more than five years in my bedroom.' One of her character's defining moments is belting out the ending high note with no accompaniment at the title track's climax. She says: 'I get a big chord from the orchestra, sing three Cs, and then I am on my own. I have to hit it well, because it is so exposed. Thankfully, the stage lighting is on me, so I can't see the audience that much. It removes some nerves because it is like there is nobody there. 'I sometimes do get nervous, but I have done so many shows now that it feels like second nature.' Her family members still live here and have links to Tanglin Trust School, a British international school located in Portsdown Road. Roberts (front row, in front of cake) celebrating her seventh birthday at a McDonald's restaurant in Hougang with her schoolmates from Parry Primary School, and some family friends. Parry Primary School merged with Xinghua Primary School in 2007. - COURTESY OF GRACE ROBERTS Her father, David Roberts, still teaches English at the school. Her mother, Sian Roberts, who is retired, used to teach German there. Both are in their 50s. Her older sister Megan, now a director in a professional services firm in Singapore, also attended the school. Grace Roberts, who attended Parry Primary School (now known as Xinghua Primary School), was from Tanglin Trust School's 2014 cohort during her teen years. She played the female lead Audrey in its production of the musical Little Shop Of Horrors, and was awarded the Tanglin Alumni of the Year Award for Excellence in the Arts in February. The soprano credits her classical training to her former singing teacher Hawk Liu, a Singaporean who gave her vocal lessons when she was 15 to 18. 'He shaped my technique and artistry, introducing me to cantatas composed by Bach and works by Mozart. He really pushed me, and I would not have known I could do what I can do, had he not been my teacher. I genuinely believe he is responsible for my voice's trajectory, and we are still in touch.' Singapore's melting pot of cultures and diverse arts scene were also instrumental in shaping her artistic journey, she adds. Roberts – who is also the writer and editor of Pixie Dust And Passports, a travel blog which focuses on theme park- and Disney-related content – says: 'Growing up here, I saw ballet and opera shows, zitar performances, gospel choirs and Disney On Ice extravaganzas. There were small local shows as well as Wicked and Les Miserables. 'There was so much available to me that would not necessarily have been the case had I been living in another country, and I am thankful for all of it.' Book It/The Phantom Of The Opera Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue When: May 9 to June 22; 8pm (Tuesdays to Saturdays), 2pm (Saturdays), 1 and 6.30pm (Sundays) Admission: $93 to $298 via Marina Bay Sands ( and Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to - The Straits Times/ANN

Trump tariff order on movies leaves film industry flummoxed
Trump tariff order on movies leaves film industry flummoxed

New Straits Times

time06-05-2025

  • New Straits Times

Trump tariff order on movies leaves film industry flummoxed

WASHINGTON: The entertainment industry reacted with a mixture of alarm and bafflement on Monday after President Donald Trump said he would put a 100 per cent tariff on all movies produced outside the US, but issued few details on just how such a levy would work. Trump's Sunday announcement was the latest in his series of levies and threats on various global industries in an effort to boost industrial activity in the United States. But his trade policy, a combination of tariffs, rollbacks and investigations that could lead to more import taxes, has sapped consumer and business confidence due to their confusing implementation and left many businesses in limbo. Tariffs on movies might prove more difficult to implement than even the highly integrated North American automobile industry. It is unclear how tariffs on the film industry would work. Trump did not say whether he envisaged applying tariffs to streaming platforms as well as theatrical releases, or whether tariffs would be based on production costs or box office revenue. It also was not clear whether productions split between the United States and other countries - such as the James Bond or Mission: Impossible films - would be exempt in some fashion. On Monday, the president told reporters he would meet with industry officials first to make sure they liked the idea. The White House said it had not made any final decisions, but noted that Hollywood film production had sharply declined from the previous year. "There is too much uncertainty, and this latest move raises more questions than answers," said PP Foresight analyst Paolo Pescatore. "It doesn't feel like something that will happen in the short term as everyone will be grappling to understand the whole process. Inevitably costs will be passed on to consumers." Trump in January appointed Hollywood veterans Jon Voight, Sylvester Stallone and Mel Gibson to bring the industry back "bigger, better and stronger than ever before," and said on Sunday he wants more movies made in America. The uncertainty sent shares of media companies down across the board on Monday, as it raised fears that such a move would sharply raise costs for Hollywood studios and roil the global entertainment industry. The tariffs, if implemented, could particularly hurt Netflix as the streaming pioneer relies on global production to produce content for international audiences. Its shares were down about 1.5 per cent in afternoon trading. Disney, Warner Bros Discovery and Universal-owner Comcast were little changed after falling earlier. Stocks of theater operators such as Cinemark and IMAX were down 2.1 per cent and 1.6 per cent, respectively, shedding some of their earlier losses. IMAX declined to comment, while others did not respond to requests for comment. 'RISK OF RETALIATORY TARIFFS' Hollywood has been pressing for tax incentives to boost output in Los Angeles, the movie industry's historic home as the glitzy hub of cinema. Studios over the years have shifted production to locations such as the UK, Canada and Australia to take advantage of generous tax credits and lower labor costs. Most of this year's Oscar best picture nominees were filmed outside the US, and a survey among studio executives over their preferred production locations for 2025 to 2026 by ProdPro showed that the top five choices were all elsewhere. Still, tariffs would put further pressure on an industry already reeling from cord-cutting and rising labor costs after the 2023 Hollywood strikes secured higher pay and broader benefits for writers and actors, and it is unclear whether it would accomplish the objective of boosting film production in the US "Raising the cost to produce movies could lead studios to make less content. There's also a risk of retaliatory tariffs against American content overseas," said Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett. Hollywood is already in the crosshairs of China, which vowed last month to curb US movie imports in retaliation for the latest broader tariffs. But analysts said the hit may be limited as box office returns from China have been declining. Still, former senior Commerce official William Reinsch, a senior fellow with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said retaliation against Trump's film tariffs would be devastating. "The retaliation will kill our industry. We have a lot more to lose than to gain," he said, adding it would be difficult to make a national security or national emergency case for movies. Analysts said enforcement would be difficult, as major media conglomerates could restructure operations to skirt the duties, producing content through foreign subsidiaries or licensing content across borders. Trump's threat sparked concern across the global film industry. Leaders in Australia and New Zealand, key locations for Marvel movies and "The Lord of the Rings," said they would defend local film industries. British media union Bectu urged the government to protect the country's "vital" film sector, warning tens of thousands of freelance jobs were on the line. Matthew Stillman, CEO of Prague-based Stillking Films, one of the biggest producers of US-financed international content in Central and Eastern Europe, said the tariff threat risked derailing global production pipelines. "The creation of business and market instability will also have an impact on any medium-term investment strategies as people will be uncertain about what the situation will be in 3 to 5 years," he said.

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