Hey friends,
I finished watching The Lord of the Rings last night and I was on an emotional high. I think, no matter what, you have to see the movie in its entirety. I took about 4-5 days top watch it. Each movie is spread over two discs, and so in all I watched 6 discs worth of movie. It is an experience not to be missed. This is what the movies are all about.
I was certainly transported to Middle Earth and I felt like I was with Mr. Frodo and Samwise Gamgee on their trip to Mordor Mountains to destroy the ring! I could not believe how involved I had become with the characters. I was sympathetic/ angry at Smeagol/ Gollum; I was desperate for Mr. Frodo to make it to Mount Mordor; I wanted Aragorn to be re-united with Arwen; I wanted Saruman to die; I wanted the four hobbits to get together! Having been with them for the whole journey, the ending was just so emotional, with Mr. Frodo leaving his group of friends.
If anything, watch the movie in its entirety-- its an expereince not to miss. If I can be picky there are three things that were bugging me:
1) Pippin, the hobbit, was just too annoying for me. The many times he makes a mistake, he just annoyed me a lot. I was beginning to get irritated from him.
2) Where does Legolas gets his endless supply of arrows? Everytime I see his backpack, he has about a handful, and yet he is continuing to shoot arrows as if the supply is endless?
3) At the end, Gandalf comes on an Eagle to lift Mr. Frodo and Samwise from the Mordor Mountain. Why didn't Gandalf lend his Eagle to Mr. Frodo at the beginning to take him to the mountain so Mr. Frodo could save all the walk?
However, despite that, my favorite scene in the movies were:
1) The Mines of Moria sequence (Part one)
2) The Battle at Helm's Deep (Part two) I was freaking out at the sequence with She-Lob, that huge spider. I was shaking and wincing at the scene. Gosh, I hate spiders and I could not imagine Mr. Frodo and Samwise dealing with that huge spider!
Mansur
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Movie :: Phenomenon
Hey you guys!
Since someone requested for me to write more about my favorite movies, I wanted to write about Phenomenon. Many many people who I know watched this movie, and they said that we fell asleep through the movie. They find it too serious, mundane, no excitement, bad soundtrack and plain boring! But to me, it is a movie that speaks out to me and I love it! Phenomenon was released in 1996 and it stars John Travolta, Forest Whitaker and Robert Duvall.
It is about this one simple man, George, who lives in a countryside. His best friend, Nate, is a farmer who fails miserably to grow healthy crops. In this town moves a woman, Lace, with two kids in tow, having left her husband. George tries his best to get to know Lace, but Lace refuses to meet any new men because she is still hurting from her previous relationship.
On George's birthday, as he stumbles out drunk after the party, he sees this bright light in the outer sky. Soon, the light draws closer and George is struck by this mysterious light. George is blinded for a few seconds and falls to the ground. Soon he re-enters the restaurant, and starts telling people about the light he saw. In the midst of it, he moves around the chess pieces that two people are playing and in one simple moves checkmates one player. No one in the restaurant believes George and think he is drunk. George goes home and is restless. He starts reading books. He starts inventing things. He can begins to predict earthquakes. He devises products to help his friend grow healthy crops. He also begins to understand the people around him.
But, despite George's ability to do great things, some people misunderstand him and try to move him away from themselves. Soon he is losing out on his friends and no one wants to be with George. In an accident, he hurts himself and sees the mysterious light disappear. Later in the hospital, he is told that he has brain tumor. I will not spoil the ending for you. Why I like this movie is because it speaks to me. In some ways, I can relate to George.
I used to be someone who would fail to understand things around me in this world. Living in Saudi Arabia, under such a sheltered and comfortable life, I had no idea of the big bad world out there. Once I left, I learnt new things and over the years developed myself into the person I am today. Sure there are some people who do not like the way I am, since I would not join with them in smoking, drinking and drugs, or share their passion for pornography. Because I choose to do this, the other people choose to not hang out with me. So anyways, I can go on and on about the whole thing, but I just wanted to let you know why I like the movie Phenomenon so much. Plus, it has one of the best songs, Change the World by Eric Clapton and one of my favorite love songs Crazy Love by Aaron Neville.
Ok guys, I am out of here!
Mansur
Since someone requested for me to write more about my favorite movies, I wanted to write about Phenomenon. Many many people who I know watched this movie, and they said that we fell asleep through the movie. They find it too serious, mundane, no excitement, bad soundtrack and plain boring! But to me, it is a movie that speaks out to me and I love it! Phenomenon was released in 1996 and it stars John Travolta, Forest Whitaker and Robert Duvall.
It is about this one simple man, George, who lives in a countryside. His best friend, Nate, is a farmer who fails miserably to grow healthy crops. In this town moves a woman, Lace, with two kids in tow, having left her husband. George tries his best to get to know Lace, but Lace refuses to meet any new men because she is still hurting from her previous relationship.
On George's birthday, as he stumbles out drunk after the party, he sees this bright light in the outer sky. Soon, the light draws closer and George is struck by this mysterious light. George is blinded for a few seconds and falls to the ground. Soon he re-enters the restaurant, and starts telling people about the light he saw. In the midst of it, he moves around the chess pieces that two people are playing and in one simple moves checkmates one player. No one in the restaurant believes George and think he is drunk. George goes home and is restless. He starts reading books. He starts inventing things. He can begins to predict earthquakes. He devises products to help his friend grow healthy crops. He also begins to understand the people around him.
But, despite George's ability to do great things, some people misunderstand him and try to move him away from themselves. Soon he is losing out on his friends and no one wants to be with George. In an accident, he hurts himself and sees the mysterious light disappear. Later in the hospital, he is told that he has brain tumor. I will not spoil the ending for you. Why I like this movie is because it speaks to me. In some ways, I can relate to George.
I used to be someone who would fail to understand things around me in this world. Living in Saudi Arabia, under such a sheltered and comfortable life, I had no idea of the big bad world out there. Once I left, I learnt new things and over the years developed myself into the person I am today. Sure there are some people who do not like the way I am, since I would not join with them in smoking, drinking and drugs, or share their passion for pornography. Because I choose to do this, the other people choose to not hang out with me. So anyways, I can go on and on about the whole thing, but I just wanted to let you know why I like the movie Phenomenon so much. Plus, it has one of the best songs, Change the World by Eric Clapton and one of my favorite love songs Crazy Love by Aaron Neville.
Ok guys, I am out of here!
Mansur
Book :: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Hey everyone,
Last night, I was up for two hours and finally finished reading the book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, who is a Britisher. It was a great read and a lot of fun as well.
Its about this 15 year old boy who is a super genius in maths, but very poor in understanding in other people and human relationships. His mother is dead and he is living with his father. One fine day, his neighbor's dog is killed with the garden fork. And our 15 year old boy sets out on a mission to discover who killed the dog. In the process, he stumbles upon other mysteries of his life! It is written in a very different way than a normal novel is written.
It is completely in first person, and reads more like a diary of the boy. It is a detective novel, but there are other elements interspersed as well. This book is also a winner of the Guardian Fiction award in the UK. It may seem like a kids book, but it clearly isn't when some of the charactrs use some swear words and some of the issues, like divorce and affairs are discussed. I would highly recommend it since it is a great and easy read, and you are unlikely to read another novel like this.
Take care you all,
Mansur
Last night, I was up for two hours and finally finished reading the book The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, who is a Britisher. It was a great read and a lot of fun as well.
Its about this 15 year old boy who is a super genius in maths, but very poor in understanding in other people and human relationships. His mother is dead and he is living with his father. One fine day, his neighbor's dog is killed with the garden fork. And our 15 year old boy sets out on a mission to discover who killed the dog. In the process, he stumbles upon other mysteries of his life! It is written in a very different way than a normal novel is written.
It is completely in first person, and reads more like a diary of the boy. It is a detective novel, but there are other elements interspersed as well. This book is also a winner of the Guardian Fiction award in the UK. It may seem like a kids book, but it clearly isn't when some of the charactrs use some swear words and some of the issues, like divorce and affairs are discussed. I would highly recommend it since it is a great and easy read, and you are unlikely to read another novel like this.
Take care you all,
Mansur
Music :: Pehla Nasha
Hey all,
If anything, my favorite Indian movie is called Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. This movie was released back in the early 90s. I remember when I was having my mocks exams in the month of February. My uncle had made me listen to the song from the movie called Pehla Nasha (First Intoxication).
I simply fell in love with the song, and I would listen to it over and over again. So crazy I was over the song, I had this song playing back to back on a cassette on both sides. Once my mocks were over, I sat down and watched the movie. Towards the end of the movie, I was so engrossed into it, I felt like I was in the movie. When the end was over, I was just so amazed bythe whole experience of it: the truimph of the human spirit!
The song Pehla Nasha is unlike any other Indian song, and the picturization of the song is done superbly. I also remember for my Art Appreciation class in school, I showed my entire year the video for the song Pehla Nasha, knowing that half the class would not understand the language! It is a song I still listen today and have to yet to listen to another Indian song that is as good as this. In fact, I am listening to it right. I think this will be that one song which I will tell my children one day that Pehla Nasha is a classic! On top of that, this particular song reminds me a special friendship I had in school.
Mansur
If anything, my favorite Indian movie is called Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. This movie was released back in the early 90s. I remember when I was having my mocks exams in the month of February. My uncle had made me listen to the song from the movie called Pehla Nasha (First Intoxication).
I simply fell in love with the song, and I would listen to it over and over again. So crazy I was over the song, I had this song playing back to back on a cassette on both sides. Once my mocks were over, I sat down and watched the movie. Towards the end of the movie, I was so engrossed into it, I felt like I was in the movie. When the end was over, I was just so amazed bythe whole experience of it: the truimph of the human spirit!
The song Pehla Nasha is unlike any other Indian song, and the picturization of the song is done superbly. I also remember for my Art Appreciation class in school, I showed my entire year the video for the song Pehla Nasha, knowing that half the class would not understand the language! It is a song I still listen today and have to yet to listen to another Indian song that is as good as this. In fact, I am listening to it right. I think this will be that one song which I will tell my children one day that Pehla Nasha is a classic! On top of that, this particular song reminds me a special friendship I had in school.
Mansur
Music :: Stuck On You
Hi friends,
You know what?
There are certain songs that I listen to now, I am instantly transported back to when I was an innocent, naive little boy going to school. On my rough days, I wish I could be that little boy, living a sheltered life, with no worries of life. Hakuna Matata (if you dont know what this means, go watch The Lion King!)
A lot of the songs include: All night long, Careless whispers, Crazy for you, Hello, Thriller, Take on me, Time after time, We are the world, Don't worry be happy, Turn back the clock, Heaven is a place on earth, Man in the mirror, Right here waiting and so many others. However, the one that is guaranteed to take me back to my innocent days is a song by Lionel Richie called Stuck On You.
As childish as I may sound, I can begin to weep as soon as the first line is sung, because all the memories from my school days come back to my mind as if everything just happened yesterday. I am so thankful that I am able to have sweet memories from the past. I know I am talking like an old man, which I am certainly not, and as someone who is not married yet, I know I have many more memories to make.
Mansur
PS. Do any of you have that one song which can take you back many years in an instant?
You know what?
There are certain songs that I listen to now, I am instantly transported back to when I was an innocent, naive little boy going to school. On my rough days, I wish I could be that little boy, living a sheltered life, with no worries of life. Hakuna Matata (if you dont know what this means, go watch The Lion King!)
A lot of the songs include: All night long, Careless whispers, Crazy for you, Hello, Thriller, Take on me, Time after time, We are the world, Don't worry be happy, Turn back the clock, Heaven is a place on earth, Man in the mirror, Right here waiting and so many others. However, the one that is guaranteed to take me back to my innocent days is a song by Lionel Richie called Stuck On You.
As childish as I may sound, I can begin to weep as soon as the first line is sung, because all the memories from my school days come back to my mind as if everything just happened yesterday. I am so thankful that I am able to have sweet memories from the past. I know I am talking like an old man, which I am certainly not, and as someone who is not married yet, I know I have many more memories to make.
Mansur
PS. Do any of you have that one song which can take you back many years in an instant?
Life of Mansur's Reviews
Hi friends,
I am creating a new blog that will include all of my movies, books and music reviews. Some people have been asking what movies are good and ask me where my movie and books reviews are on my blog. So, I thought I shall create a new blog and put all the media stuff there for easier access for the readers. Hope this helps to you who have been asking me.
www.lifeofmansurreviews.blogspot.com
Mansur
I am creating a new blog that will include all of my movies, books and music reviews. Some people have been asking what movies are good and ask me where my movie and books reviews are on my blog. So, I thought I shall create a new blog and put all the media stuff there for easier access for the readers. Hope this helps to you who have been asking me.
www.lifeofmansurreviews.blogspot.com
Mansur
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Saudi King Dead?
Hi friends,
While dining out at Fuddruckers today evening, conversation swayed towards the fate of King Fahd. Is he dead? Is he alive? Has he really recovered? Is his state of being well and recovered a cover-up? If you are looking for answers, you won't find them here because I don't know. What I do have here are insider's stories and speculations.
Saudi friends of ours were sharing that they understand the King is brain-dead and is being kept alive on the respirator machine. If you recall, Yasser Arafat was dead before an official announcement was made publicly of his death. Maybe they would do the same with King Fahd. I believe that the recent visit to the hospital only 'stabilized' his sick condition, and did not make him better than before: just stabilization.
It would be interesting to see what happens in future. I think one thing that everyone, even the Saudis themselves, would agree on is that King Fahd has been rendered inactive in politics for some time while the Crown Prince has been running the show. King Fahd's death could be both good and bad news. Good news could mean more liberty in the country,and bad news could mean a power struggle between the liberals and the conservatives.
There is certainly a sense of confusion about the fate of King Fahd's. The local papers will not talk about whats 'really' happening. Let's pray for a better and more stable future for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Let's also pray that in the event of the King's death, the country doesnt descend into instability in any ways.
Mansur
While dining out at Fuddruckers today evening, conversation swayed towards the fate of King Fahd. Is he dead? Is he alive? Has he really recovered? Is his state of being well and recovered a cover-up? If you are looking for answers, you won't find them here because I don't know. What I do have here are insider's stories and speculations.
Saudi friends of ours were sharing that they understand the King is brain-dead and is being kept alive on the respirator machine. If you recall, Yasser Arafat was dead before an official announcement was made publicly of his death. Maybe they would do the same with King Fahd. I believe that the recent visit to the hospital only 'stabilized' his sick condition, and did not make him better than before: just stabilization.
It would be interesting to see what happens in future. I think one thing that everyone, even the Saudis themselves, would agree on is that King Fahd has been rendered inactive in politics for some time while the Crown Prince has been running the show. King Fahd's death could be both good and bad news. Good news could mean more liberty in the country,and bad news could mean a power struggle between the liberals and the conservatives.
There is certainly a sense of confusion about the fate of King Fahd's. The local papers will not talk about whats 'really' happening. Let's pray for a better and more stable future for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Let's also pray that in the event of the King's death, the country doesnt descend into instability in any ways.
Mansur
Friday, June 10, 2005
Cover Your Face!
Hey friends,
If you are ever in Saudi Arabia, you will notice how censorship takes place on billboards depicting people. Anytime you see the ads for Giordano, Mango, Zara or any other retail shops in a mall, you will see that the faces of the models in the posters are censored. There are at time a huge white spot on the entire face. Other times, the faces are pixellated. I have seen others where the eyes are covered. This form of censorship is seen everywhere on photo ads that you see on billboards.
The basic argument for this form of censorship is that in Islam, any form of replication of a human being through means of photography is prohibited. It is not allowed because only God can create human beings, and man cannot replicate what God does. Taking photos of people, and hanging them up could lead to idolisation and reverence for that person, developing into worshipping that person. This reason is what I hear everytime when I ask people. This reason makes sense when you look at Islamic art: it's entirely calligraphic and abstract art (which in itself is extremely beautiful!!)
My next question then becomes to these people: why aren't the faces of King Fahd and other royalty ever censored in every office you step into? His photos are proudly hung up everywhere. Is that all right then? Why aren't the faces censored in the local newspapers? Why are faces not censored on the huge movie screen showing all the ads?
Which then leads to my next question: is photography prohibited in Islam? According to Islam Online, it isn't. Our Dialogue also says photogrpahy is permissible as long as it's not used for worshipping or anything of a similair nature. However, taking photos for the purpose of idolisation is not allowed, which makes sense. I have two cousins who tell me photography of people and animals are completey forbidden (one of them is from the Salafi group). I myself personally believe that taking photographs is all right. I love taking pictures of my trips abroad, with friends, certain occasions and so on.
I wonder what you all think about this?
Mansur
If you are ever in Saudi Arabia, you will notice how censorship takes place on billboards depicting people. Anytime you see the ads for Giordano, Mango, Zara or any other retail shops in a mall, you will see that the faces of the models in the posters are censored. There are at time a huge white spot on the entire face. Other times, the faces are pixellated. I have seen others where the eyes are covered. This form of censorship is seen everywhere on photo ads that you see on billboards.
The basic argument for this form of censorship is that in Islam, any form of replication of a human being through means of photography is prohibited. It is not allowed because only God can create human beings, and man cannot replicate what God does. Taking photos of people, and hanging them up could lead to idolisation and reverence for that person, developing into worshipping that person. This reason is what I hear everytime when I ask people. This reason makes sense when you look at Islamic art: it's entirely calligraphic and abstract art (which in itself is extremely beautiful!!)
My next question then becomes to these people: why aren't the faces of King Fahd and other royalty ever censored in every office you step into? His photos are proudly hung up everywhere. Is that all right then? Why aren't the faces censored in the local newspapers? Why are faces not censored on the huge movie screen showing all the ads?
Which then leads to my next question: is photography prohibited in Islam? According to Islam Online, it isn't. Our Dialogue also says photogrpahy is permissible as long as it's not used for worshipping or anything of a similair nature. However, taking photos for the purpose of idolisation is not allowed, which makes sense. I have two cousins who tell me photography of people and animals are completey forbidden (one of them is from the Salafi group). I myself personally believe that taking photographs is all right. I love taking pictures of my trips abroad, with friends, certain occasions and so on.
I wonder what you all think about this?
Mansur
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Begging or not?
Hi friends,
A recent survey in Saudi Gazette revealed that 69% of the beggars here are Saudis. I have seen beggars almost everywhere from mainly Afghanistan, Central Asia and Africa. They are mainly small kids or elderly women, carrying small babies. Some of them attempt to sell chewing gum, towel pieces, car cloths, and other small stuff.
I know these beggars form a part of a larger ring of beggary. The kids are dropped off at their points all over the district, and then picked up at the end of the night. Most of the kids that I have talked to reveal that their fathers are unemployed, mothers are sick and so they are forced by their fathers to beg for money. There have been reports of how much money these beggars make, and at times the figures are appalling.
I give money to these small kids who are begging. I give it out of sympathy. I hate to see small kids out like this on the streets. But I have also noticed how some of the beggars will feign illnesses, or pretend to limp, and once the traffic light is green, they are quickly healed so they can run back to the island. I have seen women who talked sadly, and when you say no to them, theyare normal and proceed to the next car.
I wonder if I am encouraging these beggars to beg more when I give them money. A cycle is developed: the more I give, the more they are encouraged to beg. If I don't give, maybe they will stop begging. But then, I would be denying the genuine beggars out there.
Many times, I am in a dilemma. Should I give money? Are these beggars real? Am I encouraging these people to beg for more when I give money? If I don't give, will I be denying a genuine case out there?
Mansur
A recent survey in Saudi Gazette revealed that 69% of the beggars here are Saudis. I have seen beggars almost everywhere from mainly Afghanistan, Central Asia and Africa. They are mainly small kids or elderly women, carrying small babies. Some of them attempt to sell chewing gum, towel pieces, car cloths, and other small stuff.
I know these beggars form a part of a larger ring of beggary. The kids are dropped off at their points all over the district, and then picked up at the end of the night. Most of the kids that I have talked to reveal that their fathers are unemployed, mothers are sick and so they are forced by their fathers to beg for money. There have been reports of how much money these beggars make, and at times the figures are appalling.
I give money to these small kids who are begging. I give it out of sympathy. I hate to see small kids out like this on the streets. But I have also noticed how some of the beggars will feign illnesses, or pretend to limp, and once the traffic light is green, they are quickly healed so they can run back to the island. I have seen women who talked sadly, and when you say no to them, theyare normal and proceed to the next car.
I wonder if I am encouraging these beggars to beg more when I give them money. A cycle is developed: the more I give, the more they are encouraged to beg. If I don't give, maybe they will stop begging. But then, I would be denying the genuine beggars out there.
Many times, I am in a dilemma. Should I give money? Are these beggars real? Am I encouraging these people to beg for more when I give money? If I don't give, will I be denying a genuine case out there?
Mansur
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Jeddah Festival 2005
Hi friends,
If you are planning on visiting KSA soon, plan on seeing Jeddah. Why, you ask? Because the Jeddah Fesitval is about to start soon! Granted, it's not like the Dubai Shopping Festival, or Dubai Summer Surprises, but given it's Jeddah, it's a big deal. The best part for me honestly are the fireworks. I remember the first summer the festival that was held here, there were fireworks every single night. Last year, they were held only on weekends. I always watched them, because one, they are held from the corniche, and my house is right on the corniche, and I simply get up on the rooftop to get a spectacular view. Two, the fireworks are spectacular in itself, and I think they are better than the ones I see in Dubai!
Mansur
If you are planning on visiting KSA soon, plan on seeing Jeddah. Why, you ask? Because the Jeddah Fesitval is about to start soon! Granted, it's not like the Dubai Shopping Festival, or Dubai Summer Surprises, but given it's Jeddah, it's a big deal. The best part for me honestly are the fireworks. I remember the first summer the festival that was held here, there were fireworks every single night. Last year, they were held only on weekends. I always watched them, because one, they are held from the corniche, and my house is right on the corniche, and I simply get up on the rooftop to get a spectacular view. Two, the fireworks are spectacular in itself, and I think they are better than the ones I see in Dubai!
Mansur
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