Video: Good Looking Make Romance Worthwhile

He is Ahmed Ezz, the most handsome and tallest Arab actor. She is Donya Samir Ghannem, she is an Egyptian beauty and fashionista. They made a move last year and it was supposed to be the ultimate love story where good looking people take a swing at love. And in those movies, the good looking ones seem to have a limitless supply of cash to afford them the upscale life.

To make the movie a better experience, the voice of Wael Jassar wrapped it the movie and its promotional song. Too bad the movie tanked so bad--it was not a bad movie it was just released when we were talking about the Arab Spring.

I love Wael and his style, he is an adult in the room when you need one. He sounds like he is giving you his heart on a platter each time he sings. He is a true believer and a dreamer who caters romance. At this point, I think Wael should abandon his warm style for a minute and do a fun song. He is great at what he does, but diversification is always a great idea...in this volatile world we live in 

Wael Jassar - Nekhaby Leih / وائل جسار - نخبي ليه

Times Are Changing Saudi Arabia Is Making Movies Now

Dubai Film Festival saw the screening of a new Saudi film that has competed and won in Europe At the Venice Film Festival. A Saudi film with the title "Wajdah" is the talk of town now. The director has made shorts before but this is her first full feature that has been filmed entirely inside the Kingdom.

The director Haifa Al Mansour who wrote and directed the film--she has also acted in the past. This is a movie to celebrate and learn  from--you really cannot limit the human spirit. Saudi Arabia is a conservative society that has shun entertainment--especially the one where females appear. The Sundance Film Institute has supported the film and the director and helped them get into more festivals.

The movie has German producers, making it the first Khaliji--Gulf film brought by a cultural collaboration between Europe and the Gulf region.

"وجدة" فيلم سعودي في المحافل الدَّوليَّة

Despite Clashes, Cairo International Film Festival Presses On

Violence no violence, the celebrities of the world ain't going to stop a party even if Cairo is on fire. The organizers wanted to party so they argued if we do not hold the Cairo Film Festival this year, we risk the event being taken out of the international film festivals agenda. They had to cancel it last year due to the brewing political and social climate.

So the 35th film festival saw the light despite the many hiccups it had--like the minister of culture forgetting his speech and a number of clashes few blocks away. More than fifty films were screened, certainly half of them did not have audience.  Few international filmmakers were present and you will see some of them speaking to the camera. North African cinema was alive and well in the film festival.

Joe Bou Eid won the best director category about his movie filmed in Beirut about his parents love story. and A French film won the best film.

cairo film closing 20121213

WATCH: Ahmed Mekky Funny Movie إعلان فيلم سمير ابو النيل بطولة احمد مكى

This will be the movie of the summer, the one movie that will be able to make 90 million Egyptians and a hundred million more Arabs to laugh will be the new movie by the funny man Ahmed Mekky.

The movie is stuck in the eighties and for those who are nostalgic to characters from that era. Street smart characters are nothing new, but none makes them so local and so random like how actor Ahmed Mekky makes them. And doubling the entertainment by bringing to the screen Lebanese songstress-cum-actress Nicole Saba.

I love the sidekicks, they always get a fair screen time and a fair share of funny one-liners. Ahmed has placed himself the king of one-liners and soundbites. This is the one movie I cannot wait to watch this summer when I visit Egypt.

The trailer shows a lot of pop culture knowledge and lampooning a number of songs and singers like Haifa Wehbe. Aside from that, the movie takes issues with a number of personalities like those talking heads, and the kids who like to brag about change and protesting.

الاعلان الثانى لفيلم سمير ابو النيل لاحمد مكى


إعلان فيلم سمير ابو النيل بطولة احمد مكى

WATCH: #Egyptian Short Film "Youm Sa3b" "فيلم "يوم صعب

This is indeed a hard day, but this is also a movie that was made about the January 25th revolution of Egypt . A comedy about Mubarak. The old man who can get away with many things and blame it on age. While the film is supposed to be about Egypt, it's loaded with sexual references. And that's what sells in Egypt, never mind what they say in public.

"A Hard Day" is the title, and counts various stories about the political stalemate in Egypt at the moment, but the focus is on the people who tell the stores not the events themselves. There are too many odd characters  like the guy who seems to be from the  "Saw" franchise.

Thugs, torture, and women caught in the crossfire are all common tale we have heard form the Egypt, now we get to see them blended together. The short pokes fun of Mubarak, has kind word for the revolution, but it's entertaining.

"Youm Sa3b" The Movie - "فيلم "يوم صعب

Funny Clip For Those Who Know Their Arabic Pop

People who follow singing competitions will tell you, funny stuff happen all the time. But no one can outdo this clip from a B movie movie where an actor is taking part of one of those shows and he mocks half a dozen of Arabic pop references.

While the singing is funny, the lines and the actor's performance are the real deal. You really cannot translate the clip into English because it's play on words, names of celebrities and songs. I find it funny, I hope you do too.

مقطع مضحك من فيلم-اخر كلام

"My Last Valentine In Beirut" The Lebanese Hooker Movie In 3-D

Many rich Arabs think of Lebanon as a brothel, some Lebanese women make a living giving those customers what they want. But Lebanon has one of the most educated and most sophisticated Arab women the world has ever seen. But no one is making movies about those cultured bunch. Only hookers get a movie telling their stories.

Lebanses music vidoe direcotr Salim Al Turk wanted to push the envelop and test the freedom of speech at home. So he made a movie telling a story of one of those hard working with heart of gold hookers. He gave it a cool catchy title "My Last Valentine In Beirut" and he had the film premier it in downtown Beirut at a local cinema house with a big gala.

The film also in 3-D and being dubbed as the first Arab film to be screened in 3-D technology and Salim is taking pride in that. He said the research for the technology took two years. The movie is not without controversy  Telling the story of a prostitute is never easy in a liberal yet traditional culture like Lebanon. It's not surprise Jad Chouery turned out for the screening and complimented the director.

Salim is the fourth music video director to dabble into making films, but they all seem to want to use sex for their movies as promotional strategy. I do not see this is a smart move for the long run. You may be liberal and creative in Lebanon but if your movies does not get a public screening, you lose--even if you win some awards in Europe.

فيلم لبناني عن بائعة هوى يتخطَّى الحواجز

Donia Samir Ghanem, The Next Rock Star

Donia Samir Ghanem is an actress, both of her parents are famous across the Arab world for their acting. She is cool, hip and has a good voice. So, don't get surprised when you hear she is working on music project that will see an album. She did release two singles on the Free Mix album of 2006 which Nasr Mahrous produced.

I know, I am not the only one who thinks she has good voice. She can sell records, and so far she has released few singles, here and there. Most folks really want this album. Donia won't be the first actress to dip her toe into music. Donia has the honor of appearing more than one movie with the funny man and rapper Ahmed Mekky. She has also co-starred alongside Ahmed Hilmi in his latest comedy "X-Large"

Check out her single and live performance in a TV appearance. She ain't gonna be winning any awards, but she will make music that will bring joy in the lives of those who listen to her happy tracks. So far three tracks have been recorded and they will be added to the forthcoming album.

مش قادره أصدق - دنيا.wmv

Listen: اغنية رامز جلال - الخصام ممنوع | Ramez Gallal - El Khesam Mamno3

This annoying TV presenter and actor has just impressed me in a good way. His movie is out on DVD, it's a funny movie and has a funny poster...but what stole the show is his song for the movie. His voice is alright, but what is good overall song. Ramez Gallal had the sickest show in Ramadan where he abducts celebrities and terrorists are involved it was really sick show.

His sweet voice is surprise....I thought he would make a silly song with too many punch lines that kill the song's mood. But he seems like he is using soccer as a metaphor for his love game with the lady he has fallen for. I like this style....the music is not the greatest, but it's upbeat...Another reason why this song is a hit might be explained due to the popularity of soccer. He blended soccer and love in one catchy song.

I think he just made amends with the fans....I will be watching his movie really soon and hope it was funnier than his last movie that felt flat.

 اغنية رامز جلال - الخصام ممنوع | Ramez Gallal - El Khesam Mamno3

Meet The Arab Diva Married Eight Times!

Sabah of Lebanon or Sabah Al Shahroura is that lady who was among the few Arab entertainers to marry many times--eight to be exact. Do not tell me about your traditional marriage and values  there are people like that who mock it with the way they lead their lives.

While many young people out there are unable to get married, there's one celebrity who has at least gotten married seven times. At her prime she was the it girl and she ruled the 60s and part of the 70s too.

1. Najib Al Shmmas, her first hubby and she was 18 at the time, he was the age of her father and it ended in an ugly divorce.
2. Abdallah Al Mubarak was an Arab business man who married Sabah next. They met in a casino where she was performing. Needless to say the marriage lasted just for one month. Al Mubarak asked Sabah to quit the show business, but instead she quit him.
3. Anwar Mansy, the violinist in he band, he loved her and confessed her love to her, only to find out that Sabah feels the same way. He fathered her girl Hoida, but his addiction to gambling and he was prone to violence. Divorce was sought.   
4. Ahmed Farraj, a low level radio personality that appeared on a show that Sabah starred. They married, and denied it for a while, then they started to bicker over modest clothes and song selections. The jealous husband would question the Sabah and even wiretap her phone as well, they divorced three years later in 1963.    
5. Rushdie Abaza, the prince of the silver screen, the manliest man who all of a sudden announced her married to Sabah. They have worked only on one movies, and the wedding was officiated in a Beirut court. The wedding only lasted for 48 hours, the wedding and the divorce were both surprises. 
6. Joe Hammoud, summer of 1970 was a very special time for Sabah and this politician. Joe was the loving kind, he understood the demand of her career, and was supportive, but two years later he was running for office and they divorced.   
7. Wassim Tabarra, a Lebanese comedian, actor  and director who kept his marriage to Sabah for five years. He approached her about his love and they get married in 1973. Sabah cited that the move loves himself more than he loved her and he had a lot of business and artistic ambitions. They had a disagreement while in Canada, so she walked out on him. 
8. Fadi Kuntar of Fadi of Lebanon, they married in 1987. He was a b list singer and almost half her age at that point. They were together for 15 years. According to Sabah he was too busy with his friends and his future. She left him after thinking about it for at least two years. He did get to document her life on film. 

Other reported marriages:

1. Actor Youssef Shaaban - another marriage of creative differences, lasting just a month. Another man who strayed to the stage and briefly into the Lebanese temptress's web. 
2. Joseph Gharib The initial marriage report was an April Fools prank, later turned bon fide wedlock, as reported this month. Her former hair-dresser of 17 years became her husband. At the time she was 85 years old.

That 70s Show Egyptian Samir Saby

Samir Sabry is one of the most random characters in Arabic cinema, he was the good looking boy of the seventies who wanted to dance and sing by the poolside. He did just that and kept appearing in moves for at least 3 decades. He is still around, but neither doe she make movies nor does he sing.

How did he stars his career? Easy, he lived in an apartment building where other celebrities have lived at the time. Abdel Halim Hafiz picked up and thought he has something to offer. Samir did not want to do classy songs or heavy poetic or emotional songs, he wanted to sing whatever comes to mind, stuff you would sing a long to without having to think too much of it.

He used Western melodies and danced to that music in his movies. He is the product of the city of Alexandria that has lived with him all his life, even though he has spent most of his time in Cairo. His name among the artist is "Abu Samrah" Among his friends were Abdel Halim Hafez and the golden Lebanese songstress Sabah

سكر حلوة الدنيا سكر- فيديو- شادية + سمير صبري.wmv


   سمير صبري_ اغنية البحث عن فضيحة.wmv


سمير صبري سقفه قويه


سمير صبرى - اهلا بالحب فى عيده - ارشيف التليفزيون المصرى


عبدالحليم حافظ لقاء تلفزيوني مع نيللي وسمير صبري

Ahmed Mekky And Donya Collaborate Again

They starred together in a number of movies, they made lots of money form their sharing the big screen. Then they made a TV comedy that won people over. Now after rumors of trouble in Paradise  funnyman and rapper Ahmed Mekky is collaborating once again with his muse Donya Samir Ghanem.  Donya is working on a new album, she has released two singles before. Since Mekky has a rap album under his belt and he has sang alongside Donya in their movies theme songs, they will singer again together.

Ahmed Mekky has been reported to have written a number of songs for the album, the album will have eight tracks. It sounds like Donya is working on a pop project with household names like poet Ayman Bahgat Amar attached. Donya has made some waves every time she sang, and people were aksing her to release an album it took a while, but the album is almost ready now.

احمد مكي دور بنفسك من فيلم طير انت Ahmed Mekki Teer Enta

Rest In Peace Waheed Saif, The Funny Man توفي الكوميدي المصري وحيد سيف عن عمر يناهز 74 عاماً

Egypt is getting ready to put to rest one of its funniest comics, actor Waheed Saif has passed away at age 74. He has been struggling with illness for years where his family was paying his medical expenses.  It seems the family has not had any help getting the actors guild to pay for the actors expenses.

His medical condition has gotten worse in the past 15 days. The actors will be buried in his home town, Alexandria. He was doing theater at young age and took part of many Shakespeare plays. Then he moved into movie roles where he made a killing with his unique brand of comedy. He has always been a sidekick but every time we loved his bits and his acting. I know I will miss him, he made us laugh for so many years and send my warmest condolences to his survivors.

Another star has also passed on the same day is Nabil Al Hajrasy who has also done comedies and has never starred in a movie, but was so loved by the movie goers.

توفي مساء اليوم السبت الكوميدي المصري وحيد سيف عن عمر يناهز 74 عاماً في أحد مستشفيات القاهرة، بعد معاناة مع المرض.

Waheed saif vs sh3ban by showme_911

Meet El Sobky Group, Egypt's Film Mafia

Their original trade is meat shop, they were butchers. Then the family decided to enter the film making business, at first they butchered the Egyptian industry with shitty movies, now that they grew large, they are butchering the competition.

Mohamed El Sobky and his clan produce 7 of 10 Egyptian movies, they have the relationships with theaters to get their movies screened there. They hire no talents and then call is a movie, a local dancer, a local singer, a cute Lebanese  a chubby fat guy to crack jokes, a nerd and a bully. Those are the characters in El Sobky movies, they tell the same story over and over.

They do not make movies for messages or for the sake of art, they just want a quick buck and they make their money's worth and make a good profit. Their movies is something critics love to hate, as they are over the top with the sex jokes and showing ghetto Egyptian parts of town. They have said in the past, "We do not like art movies, they do not make money" and they are right.

But as of last the year El Sobky is changing their playbook  they still make mostly silly comedies and singing movies that plays like a wedding. They have also greenlit at least two serious movies this Eid season, and they seem to have gotten good reviews. The surprise is that those serious movies, made some money, but not a lot compared to the supported to be funny blockbusters. Kareem El Sobky is spearheading those movies and he works to see this movies come to light. They are now producing a film for Ahmed Mekky, Egyptian most creative actor

The competing film studios are compiling that the four leading Eid movies are the four movies produced by El Sobky Studios. The two other movies have tanked. The rivals are accusing the company of using dirty tactics. According to a source the people who sell at the tickets booth have been turning people away from the other movies by saying the movies are sold out when in face they are not. If true this is a problem.

The four movies, El Soby produced for the Eid are "ساعة و نص" و"مهمة فى فيلم قديم" و "عبده موتة" والآنسة مامي".  Two of those movies have been called silly and an insult to The Egyptian cinema industry. The other studios have released two movies that did not manage to make much cash at the box office ""جوة اللعبة "و "برتيتا"."

Also, there are other movie houses out there, but since Egypt is an sticky situation  most investors are not putting money for movies. El Sobky knows how to make movies for less, and they are able to cut their costs, and take a risk. Some of their success can be attributed to their know how of those marginalized communities in Egypt, they know how to attract those people to the movies--use music with local singers who sing in simple street slang.

عبده موتة ايوه ايوه شحته كاريكا وزه اورتيجا اوكا 8%

WATCH: The Funniest Egyptian Movie Trailers 2013 "فيلم على جثتي" "" فيلم فبراير الاسود

It seems that the country of Egypt is not done being funny despite all the drama one sees unfold every day, the filmmakers in that nation are gearing up for a funny year.

There are the two most recent film trailers one for the always funny, and creative Ahmed Hilmi who reunited with Ghada Adel, and the second for eccentric dark funny man Khalild Salih. I have always criticized trashy movies, like the ones they make with belly dancers and a half baked singer. But I must admit, those two new trailers make me think the movies will be nothing short of hilarious.
 
I love the twisted humor of the Black February movie that deals with the social classes of Egyot, the ones who change who they are to survive the times. It's a great plot and it comes in a perfect time, great writing al around. The Over My Dead Body, is witty, smart and fast. The jokes are all over the trailer, and the actors seem to have loved being part of this film.

I cannot wait to see those movies, and I hope they make all the money in the world--those are serious films with wonderful scripts and solid casting. Not farcical clowning around.

إعلان فيلم على جثتي - أحمد حلمي - غادة عادل


 تريلر فيلم فبراير الاسود - فيلم لـ محمد أمين

When Singers Act And Actors Sing

In Lebanon this is not a big trend, but in Egypt it's very common for a singer to act and for an actor to sing. Though many more singers turn into acting as few actors turn into singing. This is largely a conspiracy between an underemployed singer, and a greedy producer. The singer thinks he or she can act. And that acting is nothing more than a prolonged music video.

Producers want to try any formula, singers might settle for less, and being a singer, they already have a solid fan base so that helps. And for more reason  singers can star in the promotional movie song to drum up the marketing and the press. Having said that, most singers star in commercial movies where little talent is required. But then you get your all around stars like the legends Shadya and Abed El Halim Hafiz who excelled in both acting and singing. Some would argue that Tamer Hosny is a better actor than Amr Diab (starred in five movies) ever was.

As for actors turning into singing, you get them once in a while, though most sing for their movie or do a song as part of their character. However those do not seem to be very successful. Donya Samir Ghanem is trying to start a music career, Youssra has sang before and Haifa has acted before--she did a fine job. I know there's politics as actors do not like to see singers enter the acting domain.

And there is Mousta Amar who is a composer, turned singer turned actor. While his pop career has not been going well lately, his movies do get a major release. His acting career has been a mixed bag. Then you get so many Lebanese pop songstress trying to act (Maya Nasry, Dolly Chahine, Nicole Saba, Marwa and such). But for the most parts those do not play lead roles, and often have to reveal some skin. I know a lot of producer would shell serious money to see Nancy Ajram in a movie-so far she has declined all offers.  

مصطفى قمر وريهام عبد الغفور يحتفلان بـ"جوه اللعبة"

Examples Of Shameful Things Arab Celebrities Do

1. They like to use English and French words in their interviews--you like in Arabic speaking country, you are speaking to Arabic speaking folks, drop the act please.
2. They go to record a duet with non-Arab stars that no one has ever heard of and then come and tell us you are huge outside that country. First, with all due respect  nobody cares you have done a song with a Romanian, Filipino or some random rapper. Flukes do not often make a solid career. 
3. They do not spend real money on their songs, but when it comes to the music video they pay up top dollar for that. If  your song sucks, ain't nothing going to compensate for that--not even a music video shot in London.   
4. Filmmakers, hire unassuming tourists on the streets in places like Egypt an ask them to be in their movies. If you do not take your movie seriously, why should I?
5. They record, mix, edit their music and movies in a foreign country, when top-notch studios and editing rooms are just as good next door. This does nothing and shows we still suffer from the complex where we prefer foreign talents to equally capable ones. 
6. Wearing clothes with big gigantic global brands on them, some of them are even embarrassing or say idiotic things. I have yet to see someone wearing a cool outfit with Arabic brand of calligraphy on it.  
7. They want to become stars outside their native countries. Not a bad idea, just make sure the art you make represents your country and you will be going overseas. You can make it out there by being you, singing in English is embarrassing do not try. 
8. They have to brag about their awesome phones, nice shoes, fancy car and gadgets. Sure, not a bad thing, but keep on mind your fans do not like you because of these things. If they do not like you, you cannot buy these things no more. 
9. They gave birth to their kids in foreign countries and give them random names. How can I believe your songs' about how much you love the motherland if you do not raise your children in it?
10. They celebrate having a husband who is not from the same place. Like that singer who married a girl from the UK or that Egyptian soccer player who is dating a German lady. The second plays in the  national soccer team. Or that famous Lebanese singer who is singing about being an Arab knight when his own daughter boasts about being a Canadian. It's cool they like diversity, but just because you are diverse it doe snot make you superior.
11. Anything else?

Haifa Wehbe kids songs "Baba Fen" ~ ENGLISH subtitles هيفاء وهبى بابا فين

فليم الحفلة - كليب محمود الحسيني جو تو هيل Listen To This Garbage "Go To Hell" 2013

It sucks to be an Arab looking for original songs nowadays. It seems the movie makers of Egypt have one formula to get their movies sold. Shock the hell out of your movie goers, so they will talk about the movie. Now, they want the promo song to do just that.

Nakes ladies do not cut it anymore, so they bring a guy who sounds like a donkey and give him a one line song "Go To Hell" is that line. A song about Facebook, people who change their names to sounds more hip and those who claim to be from better areas. The song is being used to market the film to folks who do not usually have a TV set, so the radio will pick this song up.

This is fake times we live in, a noise has been captured for a little over a minute and called a new song, where the like singer screams for that time. To hell is where the movie producer and director will certainly go, not because they are artists but because the are anti-art.

The song will air instead of the trailer on those cheap low budget music networks, who are looking for free stuff.

 فليم الحفلة - كليب محمود الحسيني جو تو هيل Go To Hell 2013 


‫كليب محمود الحسينى - جو تو هيل 2013 | من فيلم الحفله

WATCH: The Trailer For "The Party" Movie

This is the slow season, but the first film trailer for 2013 belongs to the new movie "The Party" a mystery movie about business and the abduction of wealth Egyptian people for ransom. The lead are as follows Ahmed Eizz, Ruby and Mohamed Raggab. All worthy names and safe box office darlings.

Ahmed Eizz is the golden boy, Ruby the singer turned actress and has taken part of a number of celebrated films. I imagine Ahmed Raggab is the comic relief  though he has done some action films in the past. The movie is about the high rollers, women and wealth. There will be violence.

The trailer does not tell much  it really adds to the mystery. I like the real looking news clips about chaos and absense of law and order in today's Egypt. The movie blends real stories with fictitious ones. I am sensing it's about the abduction of a wealthy man's wife who is also caught in a love triangle.   
 اعلان فيلم الحفلة بطولة احمد عز ومحمد رجب | 2013

Arab Celebrities Fly First Class, Scientists Stuck In Economy

The cast of a recent comedy film flies to Kuwait in the first class section, living the video. The movie is "Miss. Mommy" The cast including Yasmeen Abdel Aziz, And Hassan Radad get to fly around in the first class section, they got to make a video of their trip living large. But the people who do the hard work and build the country by actually contributing to society are stuck in the cheap seats.

I do not hate living large, I am only making a commentary on the state of the world. People who invent build things, do not make enough money and get none of them attention. But the ones who entertain us and have little education get to walk tall in this world. Not sure who picks the tab for their trip, but I doubt they paid a red penny. They are not fastening their seat-belts and not turning off their electronic devices either.

I like those celebrities too, they make good movie and bring joy int our lives, but we have to agree they are making way too much money. In their defense, do you see them working in any other career if they do not have to act anymore.

في الطائرة ذهاباً لإفتتاح فيلم الآنسة مامي بالكويت