Hey friends,
On Thursday morning, at 1am, there were tremors felt in Dubai/ Sharjah. This isnt the first time, but something like the 3rd time already. The last one happened in November last year, when I was in Pakistan. I always fear for this city should God forbid an earthquake strikes here. When I was in university, my civil engineering professor, who is also an earthquake expert, claims that if an earthquake strikes here, then the building will fall down like a pack of cards, all because the engineers here dont take into consideration the earthquake codes when designing buildings! It's no joke that Dubai/ Sharjah is experiencing tremors of this kind. I mean, God forbid, what if there is an earthquake and the older buildings fall down? It's not a good thing to think off.
On a more lighter note, I am not sure how many of you have heard that supermodel Naomi Campbell celebrated her birthday here last month at Burj Al Arab, which was spread over three days epitomizing the height of luxury and extravagance. One of her friend invited for the birthday was rapper star, who I honestly had not heard off before, Dallas Austin from the States. He was apprehended here at the Dubai airport for possessing cocaine. Now we all know that drugs are forbidden from being brought into the country and it carries a jail sentence.
However, the judges here in Dubai are thinking of pardoning Dallas Austin, all because they think he brought in the cocaine for personal use and not for peddling. So, like, can anyone bring in cocaine and claim it's for personal use? I don't think so. It becomes so clear that the judges here want to let go of Dallas Austin because he is a celebrity and he is an American, and should Dubai put him into jail, the American media will give Dubai a very bad name! At the back of my mind, I knew he would be released, because Dubai likes to caters to the interests of the West. I wonder why the ordinary people who are caught are not being pardoned?
Mansur
Friday, June 30, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Scar(r)ed for Life
Hey friends,
It didn't help when A Nightmare on Elm Street came out, and my uncle would scare me into thinking Freddy Kruger was hiding in my attic. He claimed the reflection I saw on the ceiling A/C vent were Freddy's eyes. The scratching noise on my window were Freddy's blades on his glove (it was just a tree!)
What all this did to me was sent me on a rebound action. Instead of being scared, I chose to prove to them I am not scared, and soon started watching scary movies. I watched with much earnest all horror movies like Omen, The Shining as well as The Exorcist. I also watched cheap b-grade horror movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and Friday the 13th. I developed an affinity for Stephen King books, and before I knew it, I was a huge horror movie fan, till today.
So without further ado, here are my top 10 most scariest films of all time.
1. The Exorcist
I saw this for the first time when I was 12. Underaged to watch an R-rated film. I was so freaked out half way through as I was watching it alone at night, I had to stop the movie and finish it the following morning. It's supposedly based on a real life exorcism case, but what made it scary was the realism factor, the very life-like story, and to see the transformation of a sweet 12 year old into a demonic figure was too scary. Modern day horror films just cannot compete with The Exorcist in fear factor. In fact, the hospital scenes are scary enough. The Tubular Bells music is scary on its own!
Scariest Moment: The entire movie!
Fear Factor: 9/10
2. The Shining
A Stephen King classic. The story of Jack Torrance and his wife and son, who looks after a deserted hotel in the winter in the midst of snowy mountains. The creepy atmosphere, the haunting music and the scary transformation of Jack into a maniacal husband/ father wanting to chop off the heads of his wife/ son.
Scariest Moment: The image of Jack afetr he is frozen to death (that image was imprinted in my mind for a long time!)
Fear Factor: 9/10
3. The Omen (1977)
The first movie of its kind dealing with the Anti-Christ. The idea that an Anti-Christ would be born is very much real as mentioned in the Holy Books, so a movie based on that idea upped the fear factor.
Scariest Moment: When Robert finally opens the grave to discover that his adopted son was indeed a Jackal!
Fear Factor: 8/10
4. Rosemary's Baby
Another one that followed the similar theme based on Anti-Christ. The birth of the baby, the neighbors turning out to be Satan worshippers and the ending. It was the ending that made it all the more scary because the Anti-Christ is born and Rosemary loses her battle.
Scariest Moment: When Rosemary is led in a trance whereby she is raped by Satan
Fear Factor: 7/10
5. Carrie
Another Stephen King Classic. Carrie dealt with her life as she is tormented and bullied in school, but little do others realize Carrie has telekinetic powers, which is unleased at her prom after she is dumped on with pig's blood. It's outdated, but on it's own, it's scary enough.
Scariest Moment: Carrie's arm reaching out to grab her friend at her gravesite. Still freaks me out!
Fear Factor: 7/10
6. The Blair Witch Project
A very controversial choice for many, but a year before the movie was released the world was convinced of the legend of the Blair Witch through it's website. I too was caught up in it, and so when the movie came out, I watched it on a school night, all alone in the massive theatre. I was freaked out because I was led to believe the footage was all real. The ending totally freaked me out and I was not able to sleep that night as I went back home all alone.
Scariest Moment: The end where Heather enters the basement to see her friend Mike standing, facing the wall, when Heather is suddenly knocked out. *shivers*
Fear Factor: 9/10
7. The Silence of the Lamb
I had read the book, and I remember getting a shiver down my spine towards the end when Agent Starling is at the killer's house, and she sees a moth, which confirms to her she is facing the notorious serial killer! I panicked as I feared for Agent Starling! The movie captured that fear quite well. This movie is more of a psychological horror as it's all in the mind.
Scariest Moment: When Hannibal the Cannibal talks about what he did with a man: he hate his liver with chianti...!
Fear Factor: 7/10
8. It
A mini series based on Stephen King's massive novel. As a kid, this movie freaked me out because of the devlish clown. I never looked at a clown the way I used to after seeing this movie! I was convinced clows were people behind a disguise whose sole aim was to entice kids with balloons and treats to kill them! It dealt with the issue of fears kids have, and how that fear, if not taken care off carries on into the adult life too. These kids, come back to the town as adults to kill off that fear.
Scariest Moment: The opening scene where a kid has a conversation with the clown in the gutter. Next minute we know, the poor kid is dragged down the gutter through the narrow opening!
Fear Factor: 5/10
9. Prince of Darkness
A bunch of PhD Students investigate an old church where they find some water container, and slowly over time realize they are being used to bring Satan into the world. There is so much tension as the movie builds up to the finale. Will Satan be released into the world, or will our heros save the world? It's again an all too realistic and clever movie. The haunting music is enough to unsettle you.
Scariest Moment: Satan's hand coming out of the mirror...will he come out?
Fear Factor: 8/10
10. Misery
Misery is one of my all time favorite movie. Based on a novel by Stephen King of the same name, Misery is about a famed author who crashes his car in a remote mountainous area, where he is rescued and held hostage by his number one fan Annie. The whole sense of isolation, being held against your will in a lonely area by a crazed woman is scary enough. How the writer manages to hold his battle with Annie forms the rest of the story. There is a lot of tension and suspense in the movie, and everytime I watch it, I I still get tense and excited by it. There are only two main characters, and Annie is one crazy and scary woman to be around! (Annie played by Kathy Bates won best actress Oscar for her role!)
Scariest Moment: The “hobbling” scene, where Annie breaks the writer’s ankles with a sledgehammer.
Fear Factor: 8/10
Other Notable Mentions: Alien, The Thing, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, The Elephant Man, The Fly, Friday the 13th, The Sixth Sense, Reeker, Wolf Creek, The Descent
Mansur
It didn't help when A Nightmare on Elm Street came out, and my uncle would scare me into thinking Freddy Kruger was hiding in my attic. He claimed the reflection I saw on the ceiling A/C vent were Freddy's eyes. The scratching noise on my window were Freddy's blades on his glove (it was just a tree!)
What all this did to me was sent me on a rebound action. Instead of being scared, I chose to prove to them I am not scared, and soon started watching scary movies. I watched with much earnest all horror movies like Omen, The Shining as well as The Exorcist. I also watched cheap b-grade horror movies like A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween and Friday the 13th. I developed an affinity for Stephen King books, and before I knew it, I was a huge horror movie fan, till today.
So without further ado, here are my top 10 most scariest films of all time.
1. The Exorcist
I saw this for the first time when I was 12. Underaged to watch an R-rated film. I was so freaked out half way through as I was watching it alone at night, I had to stop the movie and finish it the following morning. It's supposedly based on a real life exorcism case, but what made it scary was the realism factor, the very life-like story, and to see the transformation of a sweet 12 year old into a demonic figure was too scary. Modern day horror films just cannot compete with The Exorcist in fear factor. In fact, the hospital scenes are scary enough. The Tubular Bells music is scary on its own!
Scariest Moment: The entire movie!
Fear Factor: 9/10
2. The Shining
A Stephen King classic. The story of Jack Torrance and his wife and son, who looks after a deserted hotel in the winter in the midst of snowy mountains. The creepy atmosphere, the haunting music and the scary transformation of Jack into a maniacal husband/ father wanting to chop off the heads of his wife/ son.
Scariest Moment: The image of Jack afetr he is frozen to death (that image was imprinted in my mind for a long time!)
Fear Factor: 9/10
3. The Omen (1977)
The first movie of its kind dealing with the Anti-Christ. The idea that an Anti-Christ would be born is very much real as mentioned in the Holy Books, so a movie based on that idea upped the fear factor.
Scariest Moment: When Robert finally opens the grave to discover that his adopted son was indeed a Jackal!
Fear Factor: 8/10
4. Rosemary's Baby
Another one that followed the similar theme based on Anti-Christ. The birth of the baby, the neighbors turning out to be Satan worshippers and the ending. It was the ending that made it all the more scary because the Anti-Christ is born and Rosemary loses her battle.
Scariest Moment: When Rosemary is led in a trance whereby she is raped by Satan
Fear Factor: 7/10
5. Carrie
Another Stephen King Classic. Carrie dealt with her life as she is tormented and bullied in school, but little do others realize Carrie has telekinetic powers, which is unleased at her prom after she is dumped on with pig's blood. It's outdated, but on it's own, it's scary enough.
Scariest Moment: Carrie's arm reaching out to grab her friend at her gravesite. Still freaks me out!
Fear Factor: 7/10
6. The Blair Witch Project
A very controversial choice for many, but a year before the movie was released the world was convinced of the legend of the Blair Witch through it's website. I too was caught up in it, and so when the movie came out, I watched it on a school night, all alone in the massive theatre. I was freaked out because I was led to believe the footage was all real. The ending totally freaked me out and I was not able to sleep that night as I went back home all alone.
Scariest Moment: The end where Heather enters the basement to see her friend Mike standing, facing the wall, when Heather is suddenly knocked out. *shivers*
Fear Factor: 9/10
7. The Silence of the Lamb
I had read the book, and I remember getting a shiver down my spine towards the end when Agent Starling is at the killer's house, and she sees a moth, which confirms to her she is facing the notorious serial killer! I panicked as I feared for Agent Starling! The movie captured that fear quite well. This movie is more of a psychological horror as it's all in the mind.
Scariest Moment: When Hannibal the Cannibal talks about what he did with a man: he hate his liver with chianti...!
Fear Factor: 7/10
8. It
A mini series based on Stephen King's massive novel. As a kid, this movie freaked me out because of the devlish clown. I never looked at a clown the way I used to after seeing this movie! I was convinced clows were people behind a disguise whose sole aim was to entice kids with balloons and treats to kill them! It dealt with the issue of fears kids have, and how that fear, if not taken care off carries on into the adult life too. These kids, come back to the town as adults to kill off that fear.
Scariest Moment: The opening scene where a kid has a conversation with the clown in the gutter. Next minute we know, the poor kid is dragged down the gutter through the narrow opening!
Fear Factor: 5/10
9. Prince of Darkness
A bunch of PhD Students investigate an old church where they find some water container, and slowly over time realize they are being used to bring Satan into the world. There is so much tension as the movie builds up to the finale. Will Satan be released into the world, or will our heros save the world? It's again an all too realistic and clever movie. The haunting music is enough to unsettle you.
Scariest Moment: Satan's hand coming out of the mirror...will he come out?
Fear Factor: 8/10
10. Misery
Misery is one of my all time favorite movie. Based on a novel by Stephen King of the same name, Misery is about a famed author who crashes his car in a remote mountainous area, where he is rescued and held hostage by his number one fan Annie. The whole sense of isolation, being held against your will in a lonely area by a crazed woman is scary enough. How the writer manages to hold his battle with Annie forms the rest of the story. There is a lot of tension and suspense in the movie, and everytime I watch it, I I still get tense and excited by it. There are only two main characters, and Annie is one crazy and scary woman to be around! (Annie played by Kathy Bates won best actress Oscar for her role!)
Scariest Moment: The “hobbling” scene, where Annie breaks the writer’s ankles with a sledgehammer.
Fear Factor: 8/10
Other Notable Mentions: Alien, The Thing, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, The Elephant Man, The Fly, Friday the 13th, The Sixth Sense, Reeker, Wolf Creek, The Descent
Mansur
Monday, June 26, 2006
Movie :: Reeker
Hello friends,
Sometimes independent horror movies are scarier and better made than
the mainstream horror movies. Reeker is one such case, and having seen
The Omen 666 recently, the makers of Omen should have sought a lesson
from the makers of Reeker.
Reeker is one of those low budget, independent horror film that many
will not have heard about. I didn't know anything about it till it was
screened here. The movie may start off like any other horror movie,
but this one is actually quite well made.
Three guys (Jack, Trip and Nelson) and two girls (Gretchen and Cookie)
are on their way through a lone desert highway. Jack is blind, which
Trip finds out later. Trip himself has stolen a massive dose of
Ecstasy pill, and is somewhat on the run from the guy he stole from.
The second Gretchen finds out Trip has illegal amount of Ecstasy
pills, she stops the car and asks him to get out. Cookie takes the
opportunity to go to the toilet. Suddenly, the ground shakes with such
a force, as if a nuclear explosion has taken place. Jack, the blind
guy, can immediately sense that an earthquake on a scale of 5.12 has
taken place. They all pile up and get to the nearest motel, which
seems abandoned, where their car stops working. Trip begins to realize
something funny is going on. Soon, the guy from whom Trip had stole
the drug is on their case. During the night, a stranger passes by
looking for his wife. But something else is going on. They begin to
smell something funny. Cookie goes out, and she smells something and
she knows she is dead. Trip and Nelson also smell the weird smell and
they face directly with the Reeker!
Gretchen finds clues in the abandoned motel. She and Jack have to face
the Reeker too, but they can get away safely if they "fight" the
Reeker. How Gretchen and her blind friend Jack make an attempt to
escape forms the rest of the story.
However, the cool thing is that there is a massive twist at the end, a
la The Sixth Sense. You don't see it coming, and once the twist is
revealed do you realize why things happened the way they did. It's
actually a pretty clever horror movie. True to its genre, there
definitely some scenes that stood out and made you scared. The brief
opening scene is scary enough, with the sliced-in-half dog walking on
its two front legs!
Enough said!
Mansur
Sometimes independent horror movies are scarier and better made than
the mainstream horror movies. Reeker is one such case, and having seen
The Omen 666 recently, the makers of Omen should have sought a lesson
from the makers of Reeker.
Reeker is one of those low budget, independent horror film that many
will not have heard about. I didn't know anything about it till it was
screened here. The movie may start off like any other horror movie,
but this one is actually quite well made.
Three guys (Jack, Trip and Nelson) and two girls (Gretchen and Cookie)
are on their way through a lone desert highway. Jack is blind, which
Trip finds out later. Trip himself has stolen a massive dose of
Ecstasy pill, and is somewhat on the run from the guy he stole from.
The second Gretchen finds out Trip has illegal amount of Ecstasy
pills, she stops the car and asks him to get out. Cookie takes the
opportunity to go to the toilet. Suddenly, the ground shakes with such
a force, as if a nuclear explosion has taken place. Jack, the blind
guy, can immediately sense that an earthquake on a scale of 5.12 has
taken place. They all pile up and get to the nearest motel, which
seems abandoned, where their car stops working. Trip begins to realize
something funny is going on. Soon, the guy from whom Trip had stole
the drug is on their case. During the night, a stranger passes by
looking for his wife. But something else is going on. They begin to
smell something funny. Cookie goes out, and she smells something and
she knows she is dead. Trip and Nelson also smell the weird smell and
they face directly with the Reeker!
Gretchen finds clues in the abandoned motel. She and Jack have to face
the Reeker too, but they can get away safely if they "fight" the
Reeker. How Gretchen and her blind friend Jack make an attempt to
escape forms the rest of the story.
However, the cool thing is that there is a massive twist at the end, a
la The Sixth Sense. You don't see it coming, and once the twist is
revealed do you realize why things happened the way they did. It's
actually a pretty clever horror movie. True to its genre, there
definitely some scenes that stood out and made you scared. The brief
opening scene is scary enough, with the sliced-in-half dog walking on
its two front legs!
Enough said!
Mansur
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Consider This...
Consider This
After Fred Astaire’s first screen test, the memo from the testing director of MGM, dated 1933, said, “can’t act! Slightly Bald! Can dance a little!” Astaire kept that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills home.
Socrates was called, “An immoral corrupter of youth.”
When Peter J. Daniel was in the fourth grade, his teacher, Mrs. Phillips, constantly said, “Peter J. Daniel, you’re no good, you’re a bad apple and you’re never going to amount to anything.” Peter was totally illiterate until he was 26. A friend stayed up with him all night and read him a copy of Think and Grow Rich. Now he owns the street corners he used to fight on and just published his latest book: Mrs. Phillips, You Were Wrong.
Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was encouraged to find work as a servant or seamstress by her family.
Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless as a composer.
The parents of the famous opera singer Enrico Caruso wanted him to be an engineer. His teachers said he had no voice at all and could not sing.
Charles Darwin, father of the Theory of Evolution, gave up a medical career and was told by his father, “You care for nothing but shooting, dogs, and rat catching.” In his autobiography, Darwin wrote, “I was considered by my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard in intellect.
Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt Disney also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.
Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything.
Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four years old and didn’t read until he was seven. His teacher described him as “mentally slow, unsociable and adrift forever in his foolish dreams.” He was expelled and refused admittance to Zurich Polytechnic School.
Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15 out of 22 in chemistry.
Isaac Newton did very poorly in grade school.
The sculptor Rodin’s father said, “I have an idiot for a son.” Described as the worst pupil in the school, Rodin failed three times to secure admittance to the school of art. His uncle called him uneducable.
Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, flunked out of college. He was described as “both unable and unwilling to learn.”
Playwright Tennessee Williams was enraged when his play, Me, Vasha was not chosen in a class competition at Washington University where he was enrolled in English XVI. The teacher recalled that Williams denounced the judges’ choices and their intelligence.
F. W. Woolworth’s employers at the dry goods store said he had not enough sense to wait upon customers.
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Babe Ruth, considered by sports historians to be the greatest athlete of all time and famous for setting the home run record, also holds the record for strikeouts.
Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until he was 62, and then only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks. His greatest contributions came when he was a “senior citizen.”
Eighteen publishers turned down Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull, before Macmillan finally published it in 1970. By 1975 it had sold more than seven million copies in the U.S. alone.
Richard Hooker worked for seven years on his humorous war novel, M*A*S*H, only to have it rejected by 21 publishers before Morrow decided to publish it. It became a runaway bestseller, spawning a blockbusting movie and highly successful television series.
By Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen
from A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul
After Fred Astaire’s first screen test, the memo from the testing director of MGM, dated 1933, said, “can’t act! Slightly Bald! Can dance a little!” Astaire kept that memo over the fireplace in his Beverly Hills home.
Socrates was called, “An immoral corrupter of youth.”
When Peter J. Daniel was in the fourth grade, his teacher, Mrs. Phillips, constantly said, “Peter J. Daniel, you’re no good, you’re a bad apple and you’re never going to amount to anything.” Peter was totally illiterate until he was 26. A friend stayed up with him all night and read him a copy of Think and Grow Rich. Now he owns the street corners he used to fight on and just published his latest book: Mrs. Phillips, You Were Wrong.
Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was encouraged to find work as a servant or seamstress by her family.
Beethoven handled the violin awkwardly and preferred playing his own compositions instead of improving his technique. His teacher called him hopeless as a composer.
The parents of the famous opera singer Enrico Caruso wanted him to be an engineer. His teachers said he had no voice at all and could not sing.
Charles Darwin, father of the Theory of Evolution, gave up a medical career and was told by his father, “You care for nothing but shooting, dogs, and rat catching.” In his autobiography, Darwin wrote, “I was considered by my father, a very ordinary boy, rather below the common standard in intellect.
Walt Disney was fired by a newspaper editor for lack of ideas. Walt Disney also went bankrupt several times before he built Disneyland.
Thomas Edison’s teachers said he was too stupid to learn anything.
Albert Einstein did not speak until he was four years old and didn’t read until he was seven. His teacher described him as “mentally slow, unsociable and adrift forever in his foolish dreams.” He was expelled and refused admittance to Zurich Polytechnic School.
Louis Pasteur was only a mediocre pupil in undergraduate studies and ranked 15 out of 22 in chemistry.
Isaac Newton did very poorly in grade school.
The sculptor Rodin’s father said, “I have an idiot for a son.” Described as the worst pupil in the school, Rodin failed three times to secure admittance to the school of art. His uncle called him uneducable.
Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace, flunked out of college. He was described as “both unable and unwilling to learn.”
Playwright Tennessee Williams was enraged when his play, Me, Vasha was not chosen in a class competition at Washington University where he was enrolled in English XVI. The teacher recalled that Williams denounced the judges’ choices and their intelligence.
F. W. Woolworth’s employers at the dry goods store said he had not enough sense to wait upon customers.
Henry Ford failed and went broke five times before he finally succeeded.
Babe Ruth, considered by sports historians to be the greatest athlete of all time and famous for setting the home run record, also holds the record for strikeouts.
Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He did not become Prime Minister of England until he was 62, and then only after a lifetime of defeats and setbacks. His greatest contributions came when he was a “senior citizen.”
Eighteen publishers turned down Richard Bach’s Jonathan Livingston Seagull, before Macmillan finally published it in 1970. By 1975 it had sold more than seven million copies in the U.S. alone.
Richard Hooker worked for seven years on his humorous war novel, M*A*S*H, only to have it rejected by 21 publishers before Morrow decided to publish it. It became a runaway bestseller, spawning a blockbusting movie and highly successful television series.
By Jack Canfield and Mark V. Hansen
from A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Blunt saves a girl
Hey friends,
Remember how much I went on and on about how awesome James Blunt is with his music. Well, guess what, a girl who was in a coma was awoke when she heard the song You're Beautiful by Blunt on the radio. Indeed, Blunt songs has power and passion in them.
Mansur
Remember how much I went on and on about how awesome James Blunt is with his music. Well, guess what, a girl who was in a coma was awoke when she heard the song You're Beautiful by Blunt on the radio. Indeed, Blunt songs has power and passion in them.
Mansur
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Movie :: Poseidon
Hey friends,
A better movie I enjoyed was Poseidon, based on another classic The Poseidon Adventure. I wish the makers of The Omen 666 could learn something from the makers of Poseidon in how to remake classic movies.
Wolfgang Peterson, director of Poseidon, has also directed The Perfect Storm, another movie about boat in peril situation. Poseidon is a movie all about the special effects, and surprisingly enough, characters too. This movie is meaner and wilder than Titanic.
An ex-naval officer, a gay retired architect, an ex-fireman, his daughter and secret lover, a mother and her kid are the people who we follow as the massive cruise liner is capsized and turned upside down by a massive rogue wave. Once the boat is upside down, our heros have to make their way to the bottom of the ship, which now at the top. They have to cross an elevator shaft with disastrous consequences. They have to get across the atrium with more disastrous consequences. They have to go through ventilation shaft, only to find the other end is blocked and water rising fast rendering them blocked. They have to get through lot more and every situation is filled with tension and suspense. Several key characters die, which only makes you wonder who will survive because once you see someone you don't expect to die, you are left with confusion as to who will survive. Only when the movie end do you realize you have been holding your breath the whole time.
Poseidon is an experience, and as a disaster movie, it does require a high level of disbelief (how can a kid hold his breath for more such a long time?) We are introduced to our characters briefly enough for you to not love nor hate them. Over their journey to the top of the boat, you slowly begin to develop affection for these people and soon you don't want anyone to die, not even the kid!
However, this movie is not about logic or character study, but the real star of this movie is the special effects. The rogue wave, the cruise ship capsizing, the water breaking in flooding the ballroom, the tower of fire, the propellers etc. The effects made this movie believable and a lot of fun.
Watch it for the effects and no-brainer action movie and leave the movie completely satisfied.
Mansur
PS I always used to imagine walking on ceilings in my house as a kid. This movie is captures that essence to walk on celings!
A better movie I enjoyed was Poseidon, based on another classic The Poseidon Adventure. I wish the makers of The Omen 666 could learn something from the makers of Poseidon in how to remake classic movies.
Wolfgang Peterson, director of Poseidon, has also directed The Perfect Storm, another movie about boat in peril situation. Poseidon is a movie all about the special effects, and surprisingly enough, characters too. This movie is meaner and wilder than Titanic.
An ex-naval officer, a gay retired architect, an ex-fireman, his daughter and secret lover, a mother and her kid are the people who we follow as the massive cruise liner is capsized and turned upside down by a massive rogue wave. Once the boat is upside down, our heros have to make their way to the bottom of the ship, which now at the top. They have to cross an elevator shaft with disastrous consequences. They have to get across the atrium with more disastrous consequences. They have to go through ventilation shaft, only to find the other end is blocked and water rising fast rendering them blocked. They have to get through lot more and every situation is filled with tension and suspense. Several key characters die, which only makes you wonder who will survive because once you see someone you don't expect to die, you are left with confusion as to who will survive. Only when the movie end do you realize you have been holding your breath the whole time.
Poseidon is an experience, and as a disaster movie, it does require a high level of disbelief (how can a kid hold his breath for more such a long time?) We are introduced to our characters briefly enough for you to not love nor hate them. Over their journey to the top of the boat, you slowly begin to develop affection for these people and soon you don't want anyone to die, not even the kid!
However, this movie is not about logic or character study, but the real star of this movie is the special effects. The rogue wave, the cruise ship capsizing, the water breaking in flooding the ballroom, the tower of fire, the propellers etc. The effects made this movie believable and a lot of fun.
Watch it for the effects and no-brainer action movie and leave the movie completely satisfied.
Mansur
PS I always used to imagine walking on ceilings in my house as a kid. This movie is captures that essence to walk on celings!
Movie :: The Omen 666
Hello friends,
I got to see The Omen 666 today. When I first heard about this movie, I was horrifed. Why should they mess up the original Omen (1970s)? The original one is a classic. Why the need to update it. Well, after watching the movie, it became clear that the makers of this movie only reason to remake a classic was because of the date 6th June 2006. In one word: crappy remake!
Clearly the newer version has been updated for the 21st Century. With the sightings of the three comets, teh Vatican is alerted to the fact that the Anti-Christ has been born. 9/11, Tsunami, Abu Ghraib Scandal, wars, famine etc are all shown as a beginning to the end of world events. In Rome, a baby is born to an American diplomat, Robert. We soon learn the baby dies. Instead, the priest offers another baby and the diplomat's wife, Kate, is not told about the adopted baby. Soon, things take a good turn for the family. They are transferred to London, and after a freak accident of another senior diplomat, Robert's position at the Embassy is elevated.
Things look good in London when a priest approaches Robert to tell him of the shocking truth about the adopted baby, whose mother he claims is a jackal. Robert refuses to believe the priest. Then, at Damien's 5th birthday party, the nanny commits suicide. A new nanny approaches the family seemingly from out of nowhere, who we learn is there to protect Damien. Kate and Damien's relationship becomes awkward and they grow apart. A photographer at the birthday had taken pictures of the nanny and of the priest at the embassy discovers something startling. Their deaths had been foreshadowed in the pictures. The priest is also eventually killed a la Final Destination style. Robert begins to seriously consider the idea that his adopted son may actually be the Anti-Christ. The rest of the movies follows his and the photographer's journey to Rome and Israel, where they find out how to kill the boy and prevent the world from the destruction by the anti-Christ.
I can clearly do a side by side comparison study of the old and new version but that's pointless because clearly the older one is still a classic, more creepy and more realistic. The newer one is made for the 90s. Fans of the older one will not like the new one, and people who haven't seen the old one may enjoy the new one.
However, having said all that, I did notice several changes that were welcome in the new one. One was the two dream sequence Kate has of her son. They were creepy in their own right, but took away from the realism of the movie. Secondly, the color red was used prominently to foreshadow something evil. Case in points:
1. a red balloon is seen floating in the sky, soon after the nanny commits suicide
2. kate is wearing a bright red robe in a white bathroom, soon after she sees a freak in her bathroom mirror
3. the priest sees a guy/ girl in a red overcoat run, as well as a red post box in london, as well as a by-stander with a red umbrella, soon after he is killed.
4. the photographer and robert pass by a musem with red banners, soon after the photographer is killed
There are several other "red" clues. To the more serious movie buffs, they will notice this idea of red has picked up straight from The Sixt Sense, where the color red was prominently to signify evil and good.
The Omen 666, although ok for the 90s, is certainly not a classic. The actors on their own are ok, but compared to Gregory Peck and Lee Rimmick in the older version, these new actors are quite pale.
At the end of it all, it does become obvious the movie was made clearly for the 6/6/06 date and not for any other reason. You cannot help but leave the cinema feeling they could have done a lot more!
I give it 2 out 5, for being an inferior version of a classic movie.
Mansur
I got to see The Omen 666 today. When I first heard about this movie, I was horrifed. Why should they mess up the original Omen (1970s)? The original one is a classic. Why the need to update it. Well, after watching the movie, it became clear that the makers of this movie only reason to remake a classic was because of the date 6th June 2006. In one word: crappy remake!
Clearly the newer version has been updated for the 21st Century. With the sightings of the three comets, teh Vatican is alerted to the fact that the Anti-Christ has been born. 9/11, Tsunami, Abu Ghraib Scandal, wars, famine etc are all shown as a beginning to the end of world events. In Rome, a baby is born to an American diplomat, Robert. We soon learn the baby dies. Instead, the priest offers another baby and the diplomat's wife, Kate, is not told about the adopted baby. Soon, things take a good turn for the family. They are transferred to London, and after a freak accident of another senior diplomat, Robert's position at the Embassy is elevated.
Things look good in London when a priest approaches Robert to tell him of the shocking truth about the adopted baby, whose mother he claims is a jackal. Robert refuses to believe the priest. Then, at Damien's 5th birthday party, the nanny commits suicide. A new nanny approaches the family seemingly from out of nowhere, who we learn is there to protect Damien. Kate and Damien's relationship becomes awkward and they grow apart. A photographer at the birthday had taken pictures of the nanny and of the priest at the embassy discovers something startling. Their deaths had been foreshadowed in the pictures. The priest is also eventually killed a la Final Destination style. Robert begins to seriously consider the idea that his adopted son may actually be the Anti-Christ. The rest of the movies follows his and the photographer's journey to Rome and Israel, where they find out how to kill the boy and prevent the world from the destruction by the anti-Christ.
I can clearly do a side by side comparison study of the old and new version but that's pointless because clearly the older one is still a classic, more creepy and more realistic. The newer one is made for the 90s. Fans of the older one will not like the new one, and people who haven't seen the old one may enjoy the new one.
However, having said all that, I did notice several changes that were welcome in the new one. One was the two dream sequence Kate has of her son. They were creepy in their own right, but took away from the realism of the movie. Secondly, the color red was used prominently to foreshadow something evil. Case in points:
1. a red balloon is seen floating in the sky, soon after the nanny commits suicide
2. kate is wearing a bright red robe in a white bathroom, soon after she sees a freak in her bathroom mirror
3. the priest sees a guy/ girl in a red overcoat run, as well as a red post box in london, as well as a by-stander with a red umbrella, soon after he is killed.
4. the photographer and robert pass by a musem with red banners, soon after the photographer is killed
There are several other "red" clues. To the more serious movie buffs, they will notice this idea of red has picked up straight from The Sixt Sense, where the color red was prominently to signify evil and good.
The Omen 666, although ok for the 90s, is certainly not a classic. The actors on their own are ok, but compared to Gregory Peck and Lee Rimmick in the older version, these new actors are quite pale.
At the end of it all, it does become obvious the movie was made clearly for the 6/6/06 date and not for any other reason. You cannot help but leave the cinema feeling they could have done a lot more!
I give it 2 out 5, for being an inferior version of a classic movie.
Mansur
All Things Jeddah
Hello friends,
I have added an All Things Jeddah links on the side bar. I have mentioned a couple of articles I had written on Jeddah, as well as links from the internet. If anyone of you know other websites that deal with Jeddah, please let me know. I shall add it to the links section. Thanks.
Mansur
I have added an All Things Jeddah links on the side bar. I have mentioned a couple of articles I had written on Jeddah, as well as links from the internet. If anyone of you know other websites that deal with Jeddah, please let me know. I shall add it to the links section. Thanks.
Mansur
Monday, June 19, 2006
The Call to Prayer
Hey friends,
Today morning, the mosque next to my house called out for prayer for Fajr. For the first time, I literally had tears in my eyes as I heard the imam call out the prayer (azhan). I wished so badly that I could close my eyes and awake myself up in Makkah. I was missing the azhan that is led in Makkah. The azhan is so unique, and because I had become so used to it, I don't think I will ever forget it. I switched my tv to Saudi channel 2, but did not find the azhan yet, because I am one hour ahead of Saudi. A lump formed in my throat as my mind raced through the probably 100s of times I have been to Makkah. More than Makkah, I was missing Medina. I don't think I can ever find a more peaceful place to live than in Medina.
I don't know how many of you know of Zain Bikha. He is a Muslim who has produced an album after his experience of Hajj. I bought his album and wept all the way through as he narrates melodiously his experiences of Hajj. Mountains of Makkah, Medina, Arafat, Prayer, Stoning the devil and so much more. His songs made it all the more personal and meaningful considering I have performed my Hajj this year, so I could relate to him 110% the experiences he felt. It also made me realize the true purpose of my life. It made me so much more aware of my existence on this planet. I am here for a reason, and Allah has a plan for my life. He has given life to me, and He has given me guidance. The choice is now up to me how I follow His guidance.
I will leave you with several excerpts from his album Mountains of Makkah.
Sabr and Shukr
There was so much on my mind
In my bed I lay
I turned to my side
I heard a voice say
“Stop all your whining,
Heart breaks declining,
You’ve got so much more than most
Look how you’re sleeping,
How much you’ve eaten
Don’t you know that you’re supposed to say/
Sabr and Shukr
Are wonderful thing s
The praises to Allah
We should always sing
When things go right
It’s from Him not me,
And when they are all
We get through patiently.
Forgive me when I whine
Later that day on my way
I saw a boy with eyes of blue
He watched the other children play
And he did not know what to do
I stopped to watch him then I said,
“Why don’t you join the others still?”
He kept on looking straight ahead
And I knew he could not hear
Oh Allah , oh Allah
Forgive me when I whine
I have two legs to walk upon
And the world is mine.
-----
It's actually a great album, and honestly, it's the first album of its kind that I have bought. I am so glad to see people like Yusuf Islam and Zain Bikha come up with modern, contemporary songs which is relevant to today's world.
Mansur
Today morning, the mosque next to my house called out for prayer for Fajr. For the first time, I literally had tears in my eyes as I heard the imam call out the prayer (azhan). I wished so badly that I could close my eyes and awake myself up in Makkah. I was missing the azhan that is led in Makkah. The azhan is so unique, and because I had become so used to it, I don't think I will ever forget it. I switched my tv to Saudi channel 2, but did not find the azhan yet, because I am one hour ahead of Saudi. A lump formed in my throat as my mind raced through the probably 100s of times I have been to Makkah. More than Makkah, I was missing Medina. I don't think I can ever find a more peaceful place to live than in Medina.
I don't know how many of you know of Zain Bikha. He is a Muslim who has produced an album after his experience of Hajj. I bought his album and wept all the way through as he narrates melodiously his experiences of Hajj. Mountains of Makkah, Medina, Arafat, Prayer, Stoning the devil and so much more. His songs made it all the more personal and meaningful considering I have performed my Hajj this year, so I could relate to him 110% the experiences he felt. It also made me realize the true purpose of my life. It made me so much more aware of my existence on this planet. I am here for a reason, and Allah has a plan for my life. He has given life to me, and He has given me guidance. The choice is now up to me how I follow His guidance.
I will leave you with several excerpts from his album Mountains of Makkah.
Sabr and Shukr
There was so much on my mind
In my bed I lay
I turned to my side
I heard a voice say
“Stop all your whining,
Heart breaks declining,
You’ve got so much more than most
Look how you’re sleeping,
How much you’ve eaten
Don’t you know that you’re supposed to say/
Sabr and Shukr
Are wonderful thing s
The praises to Allah
We should always sing
When things go right
It’s from Him not me,
And when they are all
We get through patiently.
Forgive me when I whine
Later that day on my way
I saw a boy with eyes of blue
He watched the other children play
And he did not know what to do
I stopped to watch him then I said,
“Why don’t you join the others still?”
He kept on looking straight ahead
And I knew he could not hear
Oh Allah , oh Allah
Forgive me when I whine
I have two legs to walk upon
And the world is mine.
-----
It's actually a great album, and honestly, it's the first album of its kind that I have bought. I am so glad to see people like Yusuf Islam and Zain Bikha come up with modern, contemporary songs which is relevant to today's world.
Mansur
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Farewell Jeddah
Hello friends,
So it's finally over and done with. I have officially left Jeddah. I had about ten days there to do as much as I could, and I tell you, my days had been filled with packing, attending dinners and spending quality time with my parents and sister. We also went to Medina, spent a night there, as well went to Makkah and did my farewell tawaf. A lot of my time was spent at home, making the most of my time there.
I was only months old when we moved to Jeddah. I practically grew up there. I went to three different schools there. I worked there for a year. I have way too many precious memories of being in Jeddah. I was in complete denial the whole week I was there. I would tell myself I am not leaving.
It was only when I arrived in Dubai today morning that I thought what a crappy city Dubai is. I wanted to go back to Jeddah so badly. I miss the tranquility and peacefulness of being in Jeddah. I miss the not-so-crowded traffic. I miss Jarir and Al Baik. I miss Tahliyah street and the malls. I miss the corniche. I miss my home.
The good news is that I still have my residency permit for another year, but the bad news is that it seems unlikely I will get to to visit Jeddah anytime soon, and even if I do, my house won't be there. However, having said that, I must say that as I was leaving Jeddah for the airport, I saw positive signs of changes. Newer malls were cropping up. Roads were being developed and fixed. Laws and regulations were eased, and depsite the restrictions placed on women (driving etc)and other negative aspects of the city (which city isnt flawless?), my sister and I still love Jeddah the way it is.
Today I was reflecting over the last 29 years I have spent in Jeddah, and there were way too many memories, and it seems like that everything around me reminds me of Jeddah. When the mosque next to my house called for prayer, I was reminded of the prayer I would hear in Makkah and I wept a little. When it was evening time here, I missed my home and the family routine we had in Jeddah. When I went to McDonalds, I was reminded of the Saudi who served me at McDonalds in Jeddah. When I went grocery shopping, I was reminded of Sawary Superstore (grocery shopping is miles better in Jeddah!)
I have to keep things in perspective. I spent 29 years of my life in Jeddah. Now, I have to look forward to the next 30 years fo my life. In order for me to live for my future, I have to let go off my past, but I cannot simply do that overnight. So if you all can bear with me, I will be taking some time off from blogging as I feel really crappy being here in Dubai.
Mansur
So it's finally over and done with. I have officially left Jeddah. I had about ten days there to do as much as I could, and I tell you, my days had been filled with packing, attending dinners and spending quality time with my parents and sister. We also went to Medina, spent a night there, as well went to Makkah and did my farewell tawaf. A lot of my time was spent at home, making the most of my time there.
I was only months old when we moved to Jeddah. I practically grew up there. I went to three different schools there. I worked there for a year. I have way too many precious memories of being in Jeddah. I was in complete denial the whole week I was there. I would tell myself I am not leaving.
It was only when I arrived in Dubai today morning that I thought what a crappy city Dubai is. I wanted to go back to Jeddah so badly. I miss the tranquility and peacefulness of being in Jeddah. I miss the not-so-crowded traffic. I miss Jarir and Al Baik. I miss Tahliyah street and the malls. I miss the corniche. I miss my home.
The good news is that I still have my residency permit for another year, but the bad news is that it seems unlikely I will get to to visit Jeddah anytime soon, and even if I do, my house won't be there. However, having said that, I must say that as I was leaving Jeddah for the airport, I saw positive signs of changes. Newer malls were cropping up. Roads were being developed and fixed. Laws and regulations were eased, and depsite the restrictions placed on women (driving etc)and other negative aspects of the city (which city isnt flawless?), my sister and I still love Jeddah the way it is.
Today I was reflecting over the last 29 years I have spent in Jeddah, and there were way too many memories, and it seems like that everything around me reminds me of Jeddah. When the mosque next to my house called for prayer, I was reminded of the prayer I would hear in Makkah and I wept a little. When it was evening time here, I missed my home and the family routine we had in Jeddah. When I went to McDonalds, I was reminded of the Saudi who served me at McDonalds in Jeddah. When I went grocery shopping, I was reminded of Sawary Superstore (grocery shopping is miles better in Jeddah!)
I have to keep things in perspective. I spent 29 years of my life in Jeddah. Now, I have to look forward to the next 30 years fo my life. In order for me to live for my future, I have to let go off my past, but I cannot simply do that overnight. So if you all can bear with me, I will be taking some time off from blogging as I feel really crappy being here in Dubai.
Mansur
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Jeddah!
Hello all,
I am going to Jeddah today. This will be my last trip. I know I have made much noise about this being my last trip, but I think I will really sad about leaving Jeddah. I grew up there. It's always been home for me, even though we never really integrated into Saudi society. I always loved Jeddah, and I started liking it a lot more once I left school to study abroad. I am going to make the most of my short trip this time. I was making a list of places where I have to go and take pictures, which includes Al-Baik too (the best chicken place to eat!)
I shall be returning on the 16th of June. I am not sure if I will have time to blog when I am in Jeddah, since our evenings will be filled with attending farewell dinners!
If anyone is in Jeddah, and would like to meet up, let me know!
Mansur
I am going to Jeddah today. This will be my last trip. I know I have made much noise about this being my last trip, but I think I will really sad about leaving Jeddah. I grew up there. It's always been home for me, even though we never really integrated into Saudi society. I always loved Jeddah, and I started liking it a lot more once I left school to study abroad. I am going to make the most of my short trip this time. I was making a list of places where I have to go and take pictures, which includes Al-Baik too (the best chicken place to eat!)
I shall be returning on the 16th of June. I am not sure if I will have time to blog when I am in Jeddah, since our evenings will be filled with attending farewell dinners!
If anyone is in Jeddah, and would like to meet up, let me know!
Mansur
Monday, June 05, 2006
666: The Omen
Hey friends,
Tomorrow is the dreaded date...the 6th of June (6th month) 2006. It's the number 666 that is deadly. According to the Bible the number 666 refers to the Beast, the Anti-Christ. A friend told me here that according to the Quran, the number 666 also refers to the Anti-Christ. It is precisely because of this date this year, 6/6/6 that the studio executives decided to remake The Omen, which is all about the birth of a boy who is destined to become the Anti-Christ, for his scalp bears the number 666.
Now, I am not sure if its a good idea to remake a classic horror film from the 70s. The Omen is one of the better horror movies out there (alongside The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby). Why should they tamper with it? Remember how they messed up the old Psycho by remaking and updating it for the 90s? I sure hope they don't mess with the classic The Omen.
As for now, The Omen, being released on a scary date will rake in the moolah because of the clever marketing gimmick. I am sure someone must have said a year ago: Hey, the date 6/6/6 sounds interesting- let's remake The Omen and release it on this date.
Kudos to the guy/gal who thought of that!
Mansur
Tomorrow is the dreaded date...the 6th of June (6th month) 2006. It's the number 666 that is deadly. According to the Bible the number 666 refers to the Beast, the Anti-Christ. A friend told me here that according to the Quran, the number 666 also refers to the Anti-Christ. It is precisely because of this date this year, 6/6/6 that the studio executives decided to remake The Omen, which is all about the birth of a boy who is destined to become the Anti-Christ, for his scalp bears the number 666.
Now, I am not sure if its a good idea to remake a classic horror film from the 70s. The Omen is one of the better horror movies out there (alongside The Exorcist, Rosemary's Baby). Why should they tamper with it? Remember how they messed up the old Psycho by remaking and updating it for the 90s? I sure hope they don't mess with the classic The Omen.
As for now, The Omen, being released on a scary date will rake in the moolah because of the clever marketing gimmick. I am sure someone must have said a year ago: Hey, the date 6/6/6 sounds interesting- let's remake The Omen and release it on this date.
Kudos to the guy/gal who thought of that!
Mansur
The Da Vinci Code Banned!
Hello friends,
Guess what? Pakistan has decided to ban the movie The Da Vinci Code. As we all know, Pakistan is one country with the highest rate of piracy crime, and I am sure once the movie is banned, the prices of the pirated DVD will skyrocket. I begin to think-- of all the times the minorities have been mistreated in my country, the sudden support from the government seems funny. Maybe, it might take a situation like this-- banning the book and movie-- to unite the Muslims and Christians.
I wonder where the government went when The Passion of the Christ was released. I know Muslims don't necessarily agree with what happened to Christ in that movie (resurrection) so wasnt the sensibilities of the Muslims hurt then?
Mansur
Guess what? Pakistan has decided to ban the movie The Da Vinci Code. As we all know, Pakistan is one country with the highest rate of piracy crime, and I am sure once the movie is banned, the prices of the pirated DVD will skyrocket. I begin to think-- of all the times the minorities have been mistreated in my country, the sudden support from the government seems funny. Maybe, it might take a situation like this-- banning the book and movie-- to unite the Muslims and Christians.
I wonder where the government went when The Passion of the Christ was released. I know Muslims don't necessarily agree with what happened to Christ in that movie (resurrection) so wasnt the sensibilities of the Muslims hurt then?
Mansur
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Movie :: Fanaa (Indian)
Hey friends,
Fanaa (destroyed/ annihilated), the most eagerly awaited movie of the year has been finally released, and I deliberately avoided all reviews/ previews/ music so I could experience the movie without any preconceived notions. (They have already shortlisted Rang De Basanti, Water and Fanaa as the forerunners to the Oscars for best foreign movie)
I cannot tell you how awesome this movie was. For once, I watched an Indian movie that literally kept me at the edge of my seat, which no other movie has managed to evoke out of me.
Story:
Zooni Ali Beg (Kajol) is a Kashmiri girl, and the only child in her family. Zooni, who is a blind woman, has never ventured out of her idyllic home, comes to New Delhi with her aunt and friends for a show which they had prepared for. In Delhi, they are shown around the city by the ever so lively guide Rehan Qadri (Aamir Khan). Zooni, whose mother had always encouraged Zooni to seek out her prince charming, instantly falls in love with Rehan, as the two of them share poetry back and forth. Much to the dislike of her friend, Zooni spends time alone with Rehan. So much in love are they, that Rehan even organizes surgery to restore Zooni’s eyesight.
As soon as Zooni recovers from her surgery, we find her being escorted by the police to the morgue, where she identifies Rehan as one of the victim of the bomb blast at one of the government building. Zooni is left with no choice but to take all the memories of Rehan she has in the brief time they were together.
Meanwhile, the Anti-terrorism unit in India identifies the mastermind behind the bomb blast--- who turns out to be none other than Rehan Qadri himself, or is it?
Seven years later.
Rehan is sent on a mission to infiltrate the Indian army, and trigger off the detonator which threatens to kill thousands of people. He is partly successful in his mission as he faces opposition. During a wild chase on snow mobiles, Rehan is horrifically hurt and stabbed, but he fights back and walks away to seek help.
He comes to a lone house, and knocking on the door brings out Zooni, and a little boy who is also Rehan. It becomes clear to us that this little boy is the child of Rehan and Zooni. But, Zooni doesn’t believe this man at the door is Rehan, and because Rehan went undercover in the army, is wearing a jacket with the name tag of Sanjeev. Zooni, her son and her father all know Rehan as Major Sanjeev.
Only Rehan knows the truth of who he is, and he tries very hard to avoid disclosing himself. But old feeling surfaces, and one powerful scene, where Zooni and Rehan sing old songs to each other, reveals the true identity of Rehan.
What happens next forms the crux of the story. Will they come back together? Will she forgive him? Can she kill her husband, who is also a terrorist? Can you give any sympathy to a terrorist? Should he be killed or spared? Will he fulfill his mission or choose to be with his wife and kid? We don’t know till the very end of the movie.
My Views:
I cannot tell you what a delight it was to watch both Aamir and Kajol perform. I was totally immersed in their story, and never once did it seem like they are acting because they were extremely natural! Power-packed performances from both of them made this movie a worthy one. I was literally on the edge of my seat because I had no idea how the movie would end. Lots of questions, which are answered towards the end, made Fanaa one of the best movie in a long time!
I cannot get over the acting, since the second half of the movie solely focuses on Kajol and Aamir, and one would wonder why these two awesome actors were never paired before. Kajol has proven herself to be an actress of top caliber, and Aamir, as usual, has proven his versatility and acting.
I will stop watching the movie awards show if this movie doesn’t get the acting awards it surely deserves!
I now want the DVD!!
Mansur
Fanaa (destroyed/ annihilated), the most eagerly awaited movie of the year has been finally released, and I deliberately avoided all reviews/ previews/ music so I could experience the movie without any preconceived notions. (They have already shortlisted Rang De Basanti, Water and Fanaa as the forerunners to the Oscars for best foreign movie)
I cannot tell you how awesome this movie was. For once, I watched an Indian movie that literally kept me at the edge of my seat, which no other movie has managed to evoke out of me.
Story:
Zooni Ali Beg (Kajol) is a Kashmiri girl, and the only child in her family. Zooni, who is a blind woman, has never ventured out of her idyllic home, comes to New Delhi with her aunt and friends for a show which they had prepared for. In Delhi, they are shown around the city by the ever so lively guide Rehan Qadri (Aamir Khan). Zooni, whose mother had always encouraged Zooni to seek out her prince charming, instantly falls in love with Rehan, as the two of them share poetry back and forth. Much to the dislike of her friend, Zooni spends time alone with Rehan. So much in love are they, that Rehan even organizes surgery to restore Zooni’s eyesight.
As soon as Zooni recovers from her surgery, we find her being escorted by the police to the morgue, where she identifies Rehan as one of the victim of the bomb blast at one of the government building. Zooni is left with no choice but to take all the memories of Rehan she has in the brief time they were together.
Meanwhile, the Anti-terrorism unit in India identifies the mastermind behind the bomb blast--- who turns out to be none other than Rehan Qadri himself, or is it?
Seven years later.
Rehan is sent on a mission to infiltrate the Indian army, and trigger off the detonator which threatens to kill thousands of people. He is partly successful in his mission as he faces opposition. During a wild chase on snow mobiles, Rehan is horrifically hurt and stabbed, but he fights back and walks away to seek help.
He comes to a lone house, and knocking on the door brings out Zooni, and a little boy who is also Rehan. It becomes clear to us that this little boy is the child of Rehan and Zooni. But, Zooni doesn’t believe this man at the door is Rehan, and because Rehan went undercover in the army, is wearing a jacket with the name tag of Sanjeev. Zooni, her son and her father all know Rehan as Major Sanjeev.
Only Rehan knows the truth of who he is, and he tries very hard to avoid disclosing himself. But old feeling surfaces, and one powerful scene, where Zooni and Rehan sing old songs to each other, reveals the true identity of Rehan.
What happens next forms the crux of the story. Will they come back together? Will she forgive him? Can she kill her husband, who is also a terrorist? Can you give any sympathy to a terrorist? Should he be killed or spared? Will he fulfill his mission or choose to be with his wife and kid? We don’t know till the very end of the movie.
My Views:
I cannot tell you what a delight it was to watch both Aamir and Kajol perform. I was totally immersed in their story, and never once did it seem like they are acting because they were extremely natural! Power-packed performances from both of them made this movie a worthy one. I was literally on the edge of my seat because I had no idea how the movie would end. Lots of questions, which are answered towards the end, made Fanaa one of the best movie in a long time!
I cannot get over the acting, since the second half of the movie solely focuses on Kajol and Aamir, and one would wonder why these two awesome actors were never paired before. Kajol has proven herself to be an actress of top caliber, and Aamir, as usual, has proven his versatility and acting.
I will stop watching the movie awards show if this movie doesn’t get the acting awards it surely deserves!
I now want the DVD!!
Mansur
Friday, June 02, 2006
Movie :: The Da Vinci Code
Hey friends,
So I finally killed my curiosity and excitement by watching The Da Vinci Code on Wednesday.I was filled with sheer excitement and exhilaration as I decided to watch it right after I finished my work. I could not wait to see it the next day, I had to see the movie the day it was released here!
In my opinion, the movie was exactly how I had imagined it would be when I read the book. The details in the book translated exactly the way it did on the screen. I was just in love with the movie, not to mention my favorite actor Tom Hanks. I assume every one knows what the movie is about, and the less I talk about the plot line and the controversy the better it is for those who havent seen it yet.
I must give credit to all the actors for performing so amazingly well. Tom Hanks plays Robert Langdon, and he manages to eschews out a character totally believable. We are dragged into the whole situation and we trudge along with Langdon as he sets out to solve the clues. In comes Sophie Neveu, played by Audrey Tautou (Amelie), who is a cryptologist. They are both called to the Louvre museum where the curator has been bloodily murdered. One clue leads them to another, which leads them to another, and so they are sent on a wild chase to find out the "holy grail" whose clues are left in paintings done by Leonardo da Vinci.
Silas (Paul Bettany), the albino monk, brings the right about of creepiness and humanity into his character. Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) is just the perfect fit for his role as the crippled professor. Bezu (Jean Reno) is hot on the trail to capture Langdon who is the suspect in the murder of the curator. Arigonasa (Alfred Molina) fits his role perfectly.
In short, a highly watchable movie filled with tense moments, and one hell of a roller coaster ride as we start off in Paris, all the way to Zurich, Rome to London! I love adventure movies, but The Da Vinci Code is part adventure, part fictional, part factual and extremely controversial as we led through the expose of who Jesus really was and what the Church covered up for the last 2000 years.
As they say, is the life of Jesus the Greatest Story Ever TOLD, or the Greatest Story Ever SOLD?
You see the movie, do your research and come up with your own conclusions!
Mansur
PS One thing to keep in mind, which the makers of the film are also stressing is that it's fiction. Enjoy The Da Vinci Code as a blockbuster, summer, fun-fare kind of movie. Don't interpret it as a lesson in history or theology.
So I finally killed my curiosity and excitement by watching The Da Vinci Code on Wednesday.I was filled with sheer excitement and exhilaration as I decided to watch it right after I finished my work. I could not wait to see it the next day, I had to see the movie the day it was released here!
In my opinion, the movie was exactly how I had imagined it would be when I read the book. The details in the book translated exactly the way it did on the screen. I was just in love with the movie, not to mention my favorite actor Tom Hanks. I assume every one knows what the movie is about, and the less I talk about the plot line and the controversy the better it is for those who havent seen it yet.
I must give credit to all the actors for performing so amazingly well. Tom Hanks plays Robert Langdon, and he manages to eschews out a character totally believable. We are dragged into the whole situation and we trudge along with Langdon as he sets out to solve the clues. In comes Sophie Neveu, played by Audrey Tautou (Amelie), who is a cryptologist. They are both called to the Louvre museum where the curator has been bloodily murdered. One clue leads them to another, which leads them to another, and so they are sent on a wild chase to find out the "holy grail" whose clues are left in paintings done by Leonardo da Vinci.
Silas (Paul Bettany), the albino monk, brings the right about of creepiness and humanity into his character. Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen) is just the perfect fit for his role as the crippled professor. Bezu (Jean Reno) is hot on the trail to capture Langdon who is the suspect in the murder of the curator. Arigonasa (Alfred Molina) fits his role perfectly.
In short, a highly watchable movie filled with tense moments, and one hell of a roller coaster ride as we start off in Paris, all the way to Zurich, Rome to London! I love adventure movies, but The Da Vinci Code is part adventure, part fictional, part factual and extremely controversial as we led through the expose of who Jesus really was and what the Church covered up for the last 2000 years.
As they say, is the life of Jesus the Greatest Story Ever TOLD, or the Greatest Story Ever SOLD?
You see the movie, do your research and come up with your own conclusions!
Mansur
PS One thing to keep in mind, which the makers of the film are also stressing is that it's fiction. Enjoy The Da Vinci Code as a blockbuster, summer, fun-fare kind of movie. Don't interpret it as a lesson in history or theology.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
A Naked Man in Dubai...almost!
Hello friends,
Imagine driving down Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai. You are sipping coffee from your Starbucks mug, with the Channel 4 FM on announcing the next line up on latest songs. You see the usual traffic, and witness the Burj Dubai rising up slowly. Then, all of a sudden, you see a naked man (well, almost) walking right down in the middle of the street. How absurd. If you don't believe me, here is the news report! Thank God the man was walking with the traffic and not against the traffic, thus sparing the drivers of witnessing his manhood!
(I think it also helps me answer the question of what men wear under their dishdasha/ thobes!)
Mansur
Imagine driving down Sheikh Zayed road in Dubai. You are sipping coffee from your Starbucks mug, with the Channel 4 FM on announcing the next line up on latest songs. You see the usual traffic, and witness the Burj Dubai rising up slowly. Then, all of a sudden, you see a naked man (well, almost) walking right down in the middle of the street. How absurd. If you don't believe me, here is the news report! Thank God the man was walking with the traffic and not against the traffic, thus sparing the drivers of witnessing his manhood!
(I think it also helps me answer the question of what men wear under their dishdasha/ thobes!)
Mansur
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