Life http://www.cinemaroll.com/tags/Life New posts about Life An Excellent Movie http://www.cinemaroll.com/Cinemarolling/An-Excellent-Movie.287157 The movie “A Wednesday” by Indian-Bollywood is a unique criticism against terrorism. It must be translated in other languages. It reflects the frustration of people living in those terrified area or metropolitan cities. Movies on terrorism after 9/11 incidents are like a pet theme. However, this movie is one of it type with a unique thought where a common person due to frustration becomes an extremist mastermind. He tried to teach lesson to those extremists who feel honored on bomb blast in Bombay city in different years. On the other hand, he criticized the political system that actually banded knee and made deal with those extremists who hijacked an Air India flight and took it to Kabul few years back. That was the major victory for terrorists because Indian government realized top most wanted culprits.

The best knockout part was last telephonic conversation by Mr. Nasser to the police commissioner Mr. Anupam Kher. Do not miss to watch this great film. Still a question arise in mind how to justify terrorism?

All sources of media are projecting on Muslim extremists since 9/11 World Trade Center. This is causing deep odium as well as hatred for believers of Islam, which is second largest in number. Just few hundreds are not only terrifying western world but also their own people. I wish if some one can make the movie to understand what these extremist are doing is marking the whole as symbol of terrorism. Are the attackers or suicide bombers are true Muslims?

]]> Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:23:37 PST All Secrets Released http://www.cinemaroll.com/Mystery/All-Secrets-Released.278587 (short review-just plot): Successful debut of ‘All Secrets”by Thomas Wotan Suski
Thomas Wotan Suski-Edinburgh 2007; 65min, music: Ralph Zarmüle;
Shakti Edwards, Ali de Souza

Maria(Shakti Edwards) is looking after her elder, terminally ill mum who is stuck to bed and all she needs is morpheme, more and more every day, to smooth her pain. Maria is feeling depressed and helpless for there is not much she can do. Left on her own with her problem she decides to call a suicide helpline to get some help and support. But she dials the wrong number and instead she gets through to Black( Ali de Souza)-an eccentric painter who is living in solitude at the seaside…..and that is how their unusual story begins…..

(long review): ‘All Secrets’ released !-a debut of a young Polish filmmaker, Thomas Wotan Suski

‘All Secrets’-impossibly brilliant film presenting the growing emotion between two people who by accident met ‘on the phone’-not a very common way of striking up a friendship, not to say love. Surely, most of us experience it individually and in different way …but when we find somebody we want to spend the rest of our life with, does it mean we should give up all our secrets then, and share them with that person…?

Following the plot, the audience do not have to pick their brains in order to understand the movie as the scenes are very well-organized, move up chronologically and smoothly touching humans’ hearts, minds and souls. There might be a clear division into: introduction, the main plot, continuation and the open ending so the audience just cannot get lost and confused. The plot is simple and common but interesting and easy to follow at the same time. What is more, this is just this ’simplicity’ presented in a unique and unusual way that makes the film so special. Also, it keeps us in suspense till the very end, and even then leaves our imagination open. Additionally, all the small details and symbols enrich the movie and create an united and complete picture of the whole story, which is as following:

Maria(Shakti Edwards)is looking after her dying mother. With nobody’s support she struggles with her problem on her own as long as she can. Sad and depressed Maria decides to call ‘suicide helpline’ for help but accidentally she dials a wrong number and Black (Ali de Souza) answers. He turns out to be a painter who is living lonely in a beautiful villa at the seaside. Coincidently, they start conversation and at the same time profound emotions between them begin sparkling….

Maria and Black’s relationship develops ‘on the phone’. Clearly, that is language –or rather successful communication-that is so magnetic and draws them towards each other. Oddly enough, they are falling in love with their voices, not even knowing theirs physical appearance- which frequently seems to be the case in reality . But maybe that is the point, maybe that is what the director wanted to pay our attention to as well: the importance of ‘talk’- often forgotten skill nowadays.
Also, together with Maria we are waiting for the moment of their first meeting; she would like to name the voice she knows so well, to give it the owner…but…is it going to happen? What about Black, does he have a secret that forces him to shun people or is it his own choice..?

Tom is taking us into the real-life world filled with emotions and problems and concerns resulting from them that we have to deal with every day at one time or another. I am sure everybody can identify themselves a bit with the main characters.

The story unfolded in the movie takes its origins in ‘Black Oceans’ by Dukaj- Wotan’s favorite famous sci-fi Polish writer- whose book was inspiration for the young director.
He took the main idea from him leaving sci-fi factors and special effects behind. Conversely, he concentrated on the simple feeling between two people and the need of being listened to, understood, not mentioning loved…Thomas unraveled the long process of forging a special emotional bond between people basing on the common understanding as a priority- phenomenon so uncommon in our contemporary world. That is why Maria and her boyfriend James (Elek Kish) are not compatible couple; their minds just differ. Consequently, when there is no communication there is no bond, cannot be a good relationship then; seems so easy,… but so hard to achieve. Obviously, the simplest things are the most difficult to get .Paradox of life.

‘All Secrets’ is a unique treat to watch captivating from the outset. Thomas seems to’ be born’ with video camera, can easily grasp the moment in pictures with a masterly precision. With meager budget and a handful of debutant actors and actresses, Wotan created a very good film. Professional, thought-provoking and engrossing; exercises our imagination and fuels up curiosity, leaves the ending open for our individual interpretation and at the same time makes us waiting for another part…., shall we?

]]> Tue, 30 Sep 2008 14:45:30 PST First Day High http://www.cinemaroll.com/Comedy/First-Day-High.275587

This movie is under the production of Star Cinema.  The title and theme is derived from the Rexona deodorant commercial.  The main casts for this movie are Kim Chiu, Gerard Anderson, Jason Abalos, Geoff Eigenman, and Maja Salvador.  This film is directed by Mario Cornejo and was released last 2006.

Synopsis:

Indie is a nerd kind of a girl who priorities her education. She has a crush on MJ2, the basketball varsity of the school who is undecided for his priorities. Nathan is the very nice guy who is always there to help his friends. Ga-el doesn't like basketball even though he is pushed by his father, the coach of the basketball varsity team, for he loves arts.  He is a sculptor and painter.  He lives in a dormitory with other delinquent teens.  Pre is has an interest to pursue a membership in an elite school's sorority.

Nathan wants to help his friends so he created an accident by poisoning the whole varsity team except for MJ2. Indie also helps in creating the chemical or the poison.  In short, both of them are responsible for this accident.   In the end, she helps in creating a formula for the antidote. She enjoys the diversity after all,. Pre learns to love her parents and be herself. Ga-el did what is right and exposed the gambling sindicate. He was understand by his father that he loves arts than sports. MJ2 learned to balance between his lovelife and being a varsity player. He learned to become true to himself.

Conclusion:

This move wanted to teach the viewers that we should enjoy the diversity around us and be true to ourselves. Whether we are young or adult, we should expose our strengths and learn to stand up from failures.  We also should turn our weaknesses into strengths.  This is the values I got from this film.  It is a good film for teens who wants to have a fresh start when they want to enter to college.

]]> Sun, 28 Sep 2008 04:16:24 PST What We Can Learn From Our Children http://www.cinemaroll.com/Animation/What-We-Can-Learn-From-Our-Children.274565 We can learn so much as adults from children's movies. The next time your child begs to watch the same movie' again', pay attention to the content, it just may be portraying the very message that you want your children to learn and also yourself.

Let's take for example Walt Disney's movie “Chicken Little”. This classic children's story is redone to fit modern times and is full of modern day issues that we all experienced as kids to one degree or another. Chicken Little is put into the box as a complete dork and feels that there is no way out. He is constantly ridiculed for his beliefs and likes and his only survival tools are the few friends that he has that are also outcasts. Chicken's father is overly critical of him and has made him feel that he can never measure up to his far reaching standard's or his past accomplishments. Daddy is living in the past glory of his High School athletic standouts and is disappointed that Chicken Little is nothing like him. This in turn constantly sets poor Chicken up for failure in his father's eyes. Does any of this sound or feel familure to anyone?

Next we have Foxy Loxy who is the typical “mean girl” of Chicken Little's class. She is the girl who picks at anyone with a weakness just to make herself feel better. Foxy is the ringleader to Goosy Loosy, who in turn is such a follower, so desperate to be liked, and so afraid to be on the receiving end of Foxy's taunts, that she will do the fox's bidding at will. Foxy is the thorn in Chicken's world and the epitome of insecurity. Once again, we all either knew a Foxy or we were Foxy.

Now, Chicken Little breaks out of his constraints and proves that he is “somebody”. The little guy wins the baseball game, saves the town from destruction, finally has approval, but more importantly an apology and affection, from his father, AND gets the girl all in the course of about 60 minutes. Foxy changes her ways and becomes kind and caring from fear of her life. Goosy Loosy doesn't change and is zapped from the planet.

What you may ask do we learn from all of this? Well, if you are a “chicken little” bust open the box you were placed in and be free to be yourself. The first rule of acceptance from others is self acceptance first. So what if you were considered a nerd in school, we are all adults now and should be on a level playing field. Besides, embrace the dorkiness inside of you, for nerds rule the world, jocks reminisce. Leave the parent issues behind if you can. The issues were always theirs in the first place and they pushed them on you, so push them back to the rightful owner and move on. If you were or are a “foxy” then take the quote “today is a changing day” to heart and change! You might be surprised at the happiness that life has in store for you when you change not only your behavior, but your everyday outlook. If changing is not on your agenda, then be prepared to be “zapped” from people's lives as they grow and evolve and don't want your toxic behavior in their lives. Lastly, if you were a victim of a “foxy”, try to forgive and forget and hope that the “mean girl” grew up to be a “nice and kind girl”---if she didn't, just give her a zap!

Always remember that today is indeed a changing day and we can all make the world a better place if we just remember to stop a moment and see through the eyes of our children.

]]> Sat, 27 Sep 2008 07:23:39 PST Stranded: Self-preservation: Endurance, Unity and the Breaking of a Taboo http://www.cinemaroll.com/Drama/Self-Preservation-Endurance-Unity-and-the-Breaking-of-a-Taboo.238601 With "Stranded: I've Come From a Plane That Crashed on the Mountains," there could be emerging a cottage industry of film disasters on
mountains requiring reenactments. Its predecessor is Touching the Void, a
story of rescue and escape from death told by the mountain climbers who lived
through an impossible experience. They sit before the cameras and relate
a death-defying climb as narration for the footage depicting what seems to be
pure fiction.

"Stranded" relates what a traveling rugby team and their relatives did to sustain
an airplane crash on a remote Andean glacier at the height of winter and, similarly,
defy death for 72 days. Sixteen of the 45 passengers returned, and here tell of
the events from their point of view. We hear of the particular anguish and
fears each survivor went through, as we watch archival footage and
reenactments so well staged and portrayed that it makes one wonder how they
did it. The impression of reality is such that the filmmaking team had to
deal with some suffering in depicting the story. The result is as much
a testament to documentary filmmaker Gonzalo Arijon's excellent story
structure as it is to extreme human drama.

Starting with the joy of anticipation on the team's day of departure, Arijon moves to the youthful exuberance on the plane in the early part of the journey that turns to dread as their craft enters unstable weather over the snow-filled mountains. Then, the horror of crash landing when the engines weren't powerful enough to ascend over an upcoming peak. The nightmare begins. The fact of having survived so long--well after the plane's store of food will have been exhausted--raises the question of extremes. On the one hand the scandal of crossing the line of a major human taboo, cannibalism and, on the other, the miracle of survival against the extreme odds themselves.

In the final analysis, I think most would agree, you can only identify with these people's plight and condone the necessities of self preservation. In 1973 the issue turned into Alive, a documentary non-fiction bestseller. Later, in 1993, a movie based on the book and starring Ethan Hawke was released. But Arijon, a childhood friend of the survivors who, after all, were all home-town boys from Montevideo, Uruguay, didn't think the account was complete. With the benefit of still-vivid memories, he returns to it thirty years later and presents the full picture, with all the harrowing details of shifting physical, mental and spiritual adaptations to meet the changing conditions as expressed by those who came out of it alive.

One of the survivors' main points (and justification for the film) is their universal agreement that it was sustained unity that made survival for so long possible. This was a team that lived up to what may be the most challenging test of the concept that one could imagine.

]]> Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:25:32 PST Five Top Olympic Movies http://www.cinemaroll.com/Cinemarolling/Five-Top-Olympic-Movies.221203 Chariots of Fire:

The Oscar wining film is based on the true story of two British athletes, played by Ben Cross and Ian Charles, who competed against each other in the 1924 Olympics.

Miracle

The 2004 Movie tells the story of the US men's Olympic ice hockey team that won the gold medal in 1980.Its victory over the Soviet Union in the final was termed as the Miracle on Ice.

Cool Runnings

This 1993 comedy was loosely based on the Jamaican Bobsled team which competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics at Alberta, Canada.The movie was directed by Jon Turteltaub.

The Cutting Edge

The 1992 flick is about a pair of American Olympic figure skaters who face off against the Soviet team.

Munich

The 2005 Steven Spielberg film is based on Israeli government' secret retaliation to the 1972 Munich massacre of Isareli Olympic athletes by militants of the Black September outfit.

]]> Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:28:42 PST Horrifying Encounters http://www.cinemaroll.com/Horror/Horrifying-Encounters.209605 Before I begin writing the course of my stories, I would like to warn those with a weak hear to stop reading them as they held some horrifying encounters some might consider bizarre to believe or see them as practical joke. My stories are genuine without any Hollywoodic or FX touch and defiantly not a joke as they happened to me.

I was raised up with the knowledge of that we live in a placed shared by us people and Jinn as mentioned in holy books. Such stories were told by my mom as she experienced them and to frightened us to sleep early and to stay home at noon when we were children however, not until I was 14 when I first experienced it and later again.

I was asleep with my sisters in the room when I was awaken by the sound of water splashing in the bathroom, I thought one of my sisters is in there but my two sisters were in their beds and the water was still pouring loudly as if someone is bathing. I looked at the watch it was 2am. It was strange that I didn't feel scared but I was so curious to find out what is happening. I walk towards the bathroom, switched the lights on and slammed the door open!! The hair in my body stood as a very cold breeze ran through my body and went passed me. It was like a blow of cold wind I was stunned for a moment but still went in the bath to find the floor and the sink wet. I searched for a leak and looked at the tap but nothing! I sworn I heard someone washing up but found a cold breeze in the scorching hot of the summer. I told my mom and she said they live among us and they use our water sometimes but they are harmless!!! , she meant the Jinn, and I said maybe. I told my sisters and when ever they needed to use the toilet they woke me up!!!

Harmless!!! Yes You bet. If you find that story ridiculous my second encounter ended up with a slap in the face that I can still feel after 10 years of the accident.

That day we decided to rent a horror movie (Ghost buster) an old one and one would laugh to see it now but ten years back it looked scary. Anyways with my two sisters and one of my brothers, together we were watching the film and were commenting on the ghosts ”saying where are you we are watching you in a movie. See yourself…” To be frank the movie wasn't scary but when one of the windows suddenly slammed open in the middle of night freaking everyone in the room we began to see the movie as a warning.

One of my sisters said to me as I was the eldest go and close it. I said no, so we decided to go all together and I looked at the street which was silent and dark. Laughed at their fear and completed watching the movie till the end and because everyone was scared all of us decided to sleep together.

It was about 3am when I was awoken by a hard slap in my face leaving my face burning. The power of the slap made me sit in my bed looking at who on earth did it? Everyone was sound asleep. I was so furious waiting for one of them to burst laughing at the joke but all were moveless. I shook every one of them and they were angry because I woke them up.

The marks in my face were three thin long fingers with strips finger prints which remained till the next day. Now when we come across the movie my sisters and brother point to my slap and always comment on the mysterious opening of the window. Do you think it is over? NO Next time they were visible to me but it can wait for another time. Enjoy your nights!!!.

]]> Thu, 14 Aug 2008 02:15:22 PST Chaos Theory http://www.cinemaroll.com/Comedy/Chaos-Theory.184647 Imagine if you're one of those people that live an organised life? Your every minute is planned, you're every word rehearsed, and always on the best side of what is safe you are undoubtedly a sort of hero to your friends. It is exactly that sort of reliable safety that drew Susan (Emily Mortimer) to Frank (Ryan Reynolds). After years of reliability and safety however, this regulated plan to everything really starts to aggravate Susan who wishes that just once things could run to a different routine. It's in that mindset that she decided to alter the kitchen clock by just ten minutes, but instead of turning it forward she accidentally turned it back; what would happen if a regulated life was thrown ten minutes out on a very important day? Frank is about to find out, and in doing so throws his whole world to the floor like a thousand toothpicks, can Frank return his life to order?

He seems to be here there and everywhere nowadays, and with his last few movies for me Ryan Reynolds has secured himself as a very capable actor. Chaos Theory plays the immortal what if card and Reynolds delivers the ultimate portrayal of the poor schmuck caught in the middle. There is something incredibly understated about Reynolds and it's this factor that makes him so endearing, and also the ideal person to be put on the receiving end of some bad karma. Reynolds has come a long way from Van Wilder (the movie that bought him to the public eye); and considering the short time ago the movie was made Reynolds has dramatically matured in both appearance and acting performance, so much so he seems quite out of place in the movie, almost as if he is too much of a straight up actor to be doing this sort of thing.

Don't let my last sentence fool you, this is by far no slapstick movie, it's a mature thinking person's comedy with lots of moral deliberation and a small amount of reasonable gags; but despite the way the movie is promoted this is more of a mature drama with a comic edge than anything else.

The resulting fact in the delay in Frank leaving for work means that he has a very bad day, how many times have you ran late for work and as a result the whole day does not just gel right? It's this relatively innocent act that Chaos Theory takes and tips it on its head, it's not just his day that's ruined, everything that Frank, Susan, and their friend Buddy (Stuart Townsend) come to know it's destroyed by Susan's actions. Actions are misread, feelings betrayed and simple family basics lost altogether. Essentially Chaos Theory is a "Worm that turned piece" showing a fairly down trodden man snapping and rebelling against a system he has for most of his life been forced to accept.

What is kind of tragic about the movie, is that despite the decent performances from all the cast involved (all of whom are aged from teenage years to late 40's during the course of the movie) suddenly an hour and ten minutes in the movie is thrown to the wind. From a movie I had thoroughly enjoyed from its start I suddenly found myself in the unusual territory of challenging the time myself and desperately hoping the movie would end soon before it became so bad that I grew to hate it. It just becomes so much like kitchen sink drama that I actually found my most mundane days quite appealing. Luckily everything puts itself back together for the last few minutes and you're soon in a more forgiving mood.

Chaos Theory offers the viewer a unique opportunity to look at things through different eyes, it teaches us to be more tolerant and most importantly to trust the word of our partners, the basis of the movie falls on a misunderstanding on one side that results in the revealing of a terrible hidden truth on another; I pondered how many sturdy relationships had something a little hidden in the past that might be enough to devour what love there was. For those that do not want to know, carry on with your head held high, but for those that want a glimpse of what lies on the other side then Chaos Theory becomes almost essential viewing.

]]> Sun, 27 Jul 2008 11:05:19 PST Movie Review: Hassan & Morkos http://www.cinemaroll.com/Comedy/Movie-Review-Hassan--Morkos.175579 When Omar Sharif decides to perform in whatever movie, people just rush to theaters to manage to get a ticket, to save their place to watch him before anyone else takes that place and god knows how many want to get that place.

It is the second week now and theaters are just full not only at peak hours but all day long.

And how couldn't they be? Omar Sharif has returned to Egyptian cinema after years of absence.

Not only he returned to perform in an Egyptian movie but another major Egyptian actor is co-starring in the same movie, Mr. Adel Emam.

Adel Emam is known for his black comedy movies that state dramatic realities in comedy molds.

The movie is written by Yusuf Meaty, a famous writer and journalist.

“Hassan & Morkos” states the reality of the Coptic - Muslim relationship in Egypt.

It shows the different points of view about that relationship according to different layers of the Egyptian community.

The movie genre is of course comedy. Most writers in Egypt tend to write their scripts to be a comedy because they believe that it is the most appealing genre for the majority of the Egyptian people.

I really wished that it weren't a comedy though. The issue discussed in that movie should have been more realistic and intense to describe the real deal not just stating a vague situation.

Actually I wasn't satisfied. I expected a lot more concerning the script and the making.

The thing that really made me like this movie overall is Omar Sharif's performance.

What an outstanding performance by the icon.

Honestly I didn't think he would perform in such a perfect way but even though I am in fact a huge fan, he did surprise me.

The movie plot is about two religious men, one is a Muslim sheikh “Omar Sharif” and the other is a Christian preacher “Adel Emam” and their families.

They were both threatened by the fanatics in both religions and in order to protect them, the government decided to give them fake identities of opposite religions and relocate them.

They accidently meet and a love relationship is formed between the two families as each one thought that the other has the same religion.

Another love story is formed between the Christian family son and the Muslim family daughter.

The whole movie is a pure comedy until every family knows the truth. The whole thing then turns into a drama and here comes the end which for sure wasn't the smartest thing to do.

Another scene that I didn't get is when the truth is discovered the sheikh's wife wore “nekab” which is the strictest form of Islamic outfits.

She wasn't wearing this outfit in the beginning of the movie. She was wearing a normal “hijab” which is the simplest form of the Islamic outfit.

So all of a sudden she decided to wear this when she discovered the truth about the other family!!!

In the end I'd like to say that the movie has tried to state a truth untold which is something all writers should be doing.

Enjoy the joyful performance.

]]> Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:39:45 PST Five Must See Movies Starring Omar Sharif http://www.cinemaroll.com/Drama/Five-Must-See-Movies-Starring-Omar-Sharif.164039 With his deadly eyes, he captured the hearts of millions. Omar Sharif, the legend of all times.

The legendry Egyptian actor Omar Sharif is widely known for tons of great movies that affected millions of all nations worldwide.

Every Egyptian no matter what their status and backgrounds are, is proud of having such a wonderful person and actor that belongs to the same country of them.

Many of you who know Omar Sharif haven't seen his film history before he became an international actor.

Although he performed in many outstanding international movies, our favorite movies for us the Egyptians and Arab generally will be the Egyptian ones he performed in.

These movies are classic. They formed the shape of the history of film making in Egypt.

What adds up to the value of his Egyptian movies is the fact that he acted side by side with our major phenomenal actress Faten Hamama.

Faten Hamama was the most famous actress at that time and she performed with Omar Sharif for the first time in his life from the direction of Yousif Chahin the well-known international director in “Seraa fe El-wady” or “a struggle in the valley”.

The two icons fell in love later and crowned that love with marriage.

So with no further delay let's take a look at the 5 must see movies by Omar Sharif:

  1. Ayamna El-Helwa (1955): aka “Our Happy Days”

    2. Starring with Faten Hamama, Ahmed Ramzy and Abdel- Halim Hafez the legendry singer.

  2. Sayedat El-Kasr (1959): aka “The Palace Lady”

    3. Also starring with Faten Hamama who was his wife at that time.

  3. Fe Baytena Ragol (1961): aka “A Man in Our House”

    4. A patriotic movie describes the history of Egypt long with a beautiful love story between the patriot and the simple girl who helped him in his struggle.

    Starring with Zebeda Tharwat, Hassan Youssef and Hussin Reyad.

  4. Lawaet Elhob (1960): aka “The Agony of Love”

    5. An agonized love story between a tortured wife and a young man who loves her.

    Starring Shadia who is one of our amazing female singers and Ahmed Mazhar.

  5. Nahr Elhob (1961): aka “The Love River”

    6. This movie is the Arabic adaptation of “Anna Karenina” of Leo Tolstoy and by far the most beautiful sensational love story the Egyptian cinema has encountered.

    It is definitely a must see!!!!

    Drama with Faten Hamama and Zaky Rostom.

Enjoy : )

]]> Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:13:14 PST