Showbiz: Blockbusters get sharp
HIZREEN KAMAL
TV viewers can expect some of the most eagerly awaited films from HBO Asia, in high definition. HIZREEN KAMAL has a sneak peek at the goodies in store
BRACE yourself for an exciting year as HBO Asia churns out some of the most eagerly anticipated series, mini-series, original movies and blockbusters.And the best part is, they will come in high definition on HBO HD (Astro Channel 431), the first regional movie channel to broadcast in HD in Asia. The roster includes the provocative HBO Original production The Pacific, a 10-part mini-series based on the true story of three US marines in the Pacific battleground during World War II.
Produced by Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and Gary Goetzman (the team behind the Emmy-winning Band of Brothers), The Pacific stars James Badge Dale, Joseph Mozzello and Jon Seda.
Expect it to air here next month. Costing US$200 million (RM680 million), The Pacific is one of the most expensive series that HBO has invested in to date, according to HBO Asia senior vice president of sales and marketing Jacelyn Kek.
This mini-series offers a motion-picture theatrical effect, she said in a recent teleconference interview. she added that two-thirds of the top 50 US blockbusters making their debut this year will be aired over HBO.
among these are Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, The Hangover, Star Trek, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, fast And Furious and Angels & Demons. others include Terminator: Salvation, Cloudy With a Sign Of Meatballs, Monsters vs Aliens, G.I.
Joe: The Rise Of Cobra, Seven Pounds, Burn After Reading and The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button. Most will premiere on Sundays under the See it First Sundays slot at 9pm, and on Tuesdays between 7pm and 11pm.
“All HBO Original series are thought-provoking, award-winning series with a really unconventional theme.
It’s such a signature for the channel when we talk about these shows,” said Kek, who has been with HBO Asia since 1992.
other HBO Original productions set to premiere this year are United States Of Tara (a 12-episode series), starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Toni Collette, Taking Chance (with Kevin Bacon in a Golden Globe-winning performance in a mini-series or motion picture made for TV) and Grey Gardens (with Drew Barrymore clinching the Globes’ best performance by an actress in a mini-series or motion picture made for TV).
there is also the no.
1 Ladies Detective Agency, which will air in the third quarter.
Starring Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose and Lucian Msamati, this seven-episode drama series is based on Alexander McCall Smith’s series of novels about the adventures of Precious Ramotswe, the proprietor of the only female-owned detective agency in Botswana.
Airing on in The fourth quarter will see into The Storm.
This HBO Original Movie continues the story from its award-winning film, The Gathering Storm, offering an intimate look at Winston Churchill, whose prowess as a wartime leader undermined his political career and threatened his marriage to his lifelong supporter, Clemmie.
Starring Brendan Gleeson, Janet McTeer, Len Cariou and James D’Arcy, it nabbed two Emmy wins, including the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie award for Gleeson.
Also not to be missed is the HBO Original comedy series, How to make it in America in the fourth quarter.
This eight-episode series follows two enterprising Brooklyn men in their 20s as they hustle their way through New York City, determined to achieve the American Dream.
it stars Bryan Greenberg, Victor Rasuk, Luis Guzman, Lake Bell and Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi.
Look out for new seasons of Big Love (Season Four)in the middle of the year, Entourage (Season Seven) and Hung (Season Two) later in the year.
The Max channel, a refresh of Cinemax (Astro Channel 412), is quickly gaining a large following too.
“We now see the channel as more skewed towards a male audience,” Kek said.
one of the biggest events for Max this year is the mini-series Spartacus: Blood And Sand.
to be aired in the middle of the year, the 13-episode series is a classic tale of the Republic’s infamous rebel.
it stars Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah and Peter Mensah.
The third quarter will see the third season of the highly rated series, true Blood.
it won an Emmy, a Television Critics’ Association award and a Golden Globe for best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series – Drama for Anna Paquin.
Based on the meticulously crafted world of novelist Charlaine Harris, the third season will build on its colourful cast of supernatural misfits, particularly telepathic waitress Sookie, and her vampire soulmate, bill.
At the service of Bill’s less virtuous vampire associates, Sookie is drawn into a series of catastrophes that will put their love to the test.
The 12 one-hour episodes also stars Stephen Moyer, Alexander Skarsgard, Ryan Kwanten and Sam Trammell.
Blockbusters premiering over Max include Underworld: The Rise Of The Lycans, Zombie Strippers and April Fool’s Day.
Showbiz: Blockbusters get sharp