Funnyman Adel Imam Won't Go To Jail, Says Court

Back in February 2012, a lower court in Egypt found the seasoned Egyptian comedic actor Adel Imam guilty of disrespecting religion and being offensive. They have given him a three month jail sentence and a fine of roughly 2 thousand US dollars. He appealed with a higher court and was backed by pretty much everyone with a brain in Egypt.

Today he was cleared of those charges, and the decision is final. The court has found the actor innocent as he did not intend to offend any religion, but he wanted to show some negative manners and behaviors in the Egyptian society.  I think this is a fair trial and did away with all the media wars. Court of laws should be Independent and they have shown as much. All these talking heads need to feel ashamed. And Mr. Asran Mansour, the attorney who have brought the case should stop his senseless attacks on entertainers.

Imam is Arab world's most famous living comic actors. The actor has frequently poked fun at authorities and politicians during a 40-year career, has one month to appeal and will remain free until that process was concluded today. Adel Imam cheered the ruling and have spoke well of both the legal system and the entertainment industry in Egypt

Adel Imam Mout dial dahk

Anti-Islam Film "Innocence of Muslims" Kills People

For starter, I wish we Muslims do not get worked up as much about things that are offensive to us. This rage can be used against us and it certainly can be used to harm others among us. If we get upset every time a moron makes a vile movie about Islam, draws a cartoon of the prophet, or says dumb things, we are in trouble. Because certain people will use that to get us to react in a certain way to show others that we are not civilized. But this is what we have to deal with. We should not kill people even if we do not like them, this should be our attitude. Having said that, I'm a free speech absolutist - but I'm not an anti-religion absolutist

The teaser movie "Innocence of Muslims", depicts Muhammad as a fraud and a womanizer. that has been making the rounds on the internet had 54 actors in and and close to 50 people behind the camera it cost 5 million dollars to make. We are also being told that it was financed by a 100 Jewish funders. The director of the film is an Israeli who lives in California and now is in hiding. He made this movie despite the facts he knows what will happen. He now has blood on his hands. Why did he release the movie now?

Now this is where my opinion kicks in, Obama is trying to get elected and he is having to answer a lot of questions. Now he has to explain to the American people about the death of American diplomats in Libya and trouble in Egypt. It will not make things easier for him. If anything many ultraconservative Israelis seem not like him and are more interested in seeing him gone. The preview was also released on the 11th anniversary of 9/11.

It seems the director wants to see this get worse, he is adding gasoline to the fire....with statements like "Islam is a cancer" and 100 Jewish people funded my project. I think most Jewish people are smart enough not to put a dime for such a project. And then this is this annoying Coptic activists lawyer who has been attached to the film. He is a disgrace to his people and he is making his life much worse for his peers. He is not helping them. For this reason, more than a 130 Coptic group have spoken out against this film and the activist.

News from this film overshadowed a very important trial in Egypt where the verdict was handed on September 12, 2012. The Arab world most famous comedic actor Adel Imam was cleared of charges that his movies disrespect religions and promote vice. This was a key moment as most entertainers in Egypt watched with interest this big trial. Unfortunately, the film, embassy events and the casualties have been the news.

The movie goes out of its way to insult Islam and the prophet. The film has nothing to say about Islam and rather an assortment of ill informed and vile interpretations of events that taken place 1500 years ago. The crew had the right to make a movie about this, I also have the right to scream fire in a packed movie theater or tell the bus people there's a bomb. This is all free speech, but we all self censor our speech for the betterment of everyone. Aside from the obvious white washing where the cast is largely made out of white actors, this movie has a bad taste and no artistic integrity.

I have said before, the West should not fear weak Muslims nor strong ones, they should only fear those who feel disrespected. It's then when people feel vulnerable and their acts do not always make sense. I hope the film crew are feeling extra excited today as they watch their country men murdered by angry mob upset with a movie they made to advance their lunatic agenda.

On a personal note, a cousin of mine was murdered (and his body was disrespected) by a mob in June 2007 in Gaza. I am not the one to approve of mob justice.  

Update: The American patriots should think abut how one Israeli filmmaker is making the world is more dangerous place for Americans. It only takes an idiot to rally up the easily offended religious mobs. Why did he chose America, not Israel as a place to make his vile movie?

Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman on US Embassy protests
   

Hamada Helal and Boushra In A Duet

Hamada Helal is a man, but he feels like a little girl when he stands next to manly funny girl Boushra....it's just the plot of their movie. In reality they are both cool people who have a great success in both music and films. They have shared the screen this year to bring us a comedy about a girly man and a touch chick with a lot of zingers.

As part of the promotional strategy to push the movie out there, Hamada released two songs, one where he walks around in a Sponge Bob outfit and the one you see below a romantic songs with a lot of humor about married life in laymen terms. I see both actors are trying to sneak out a funnier line or some physical humor--it's all for the kids.

The movie is doing very well--third in the box office sales, but it seems like a fun movie that the whole family can enjoy. One thing I do not like, this peasant class in Egypt gets a bad rep in their movie--and so many other movies--they are really good people who are also smart.

Hamada Helal Ana khayef

Hamda Helal Cool Sumner Sponge Bob Song

Hamda Helal earns his biggest paycheck form his movies, he gets good money as he ashes on his fans love. He is a very lovable guy with a sweet personality and a great natural sense of humor. Kids love him, and so do their parents, so he turns out people to movies. His latest is a comedy--he has made action/drama too.

The one movie that people will flock to theaters to see is his hit move Mr. and Mrs. Awees. It's PG rated with some crude humor. I want to see this movie by this family man who knows how to carry a movie.

Not sure how sponge bob fits in the picture, but it looks like a Halloween party at some fancy home. It's catchy song with a cool beat. Hamda can sing and apprnetly he also composed the music for this promo song. Another cool lady shares the screen with him, Bushra who hold her own ground and bring a lot of flavorsome lines into this family friendly production.

 Hamada Helal - Spong Bob / حمادة هلال - سبونج بوب

Sara VS Nasser ساره و ناصر Rap VS Pop

Duets can be often off the cob which to say they are corny. Part of making a duet is showing that you believe and if you have to put an act, you should not hesitate.

Here's a music video that will not have you think corny. A Jordanian rapper who appeared on Star Academy wears customs and peacocks as he tries to stand out from the pack. She is young and mature, she is also Egyptian or sounds like one. A grownup girl gets to meet the childish dude, this ought to be fun to watch

The clip is made by a guy who watched a lot of blockbuster movies. Spider-man, Batman, 300, the Matrix, X-Men and sponge Bob. Why is Nasser shouting and getting worked up so bad? There is some cute battling between pop and rap. I like Nasser walking around in his underwear showing off his guns. Watch any giggle

Adar Tetadar - Sara VS Nasser قدر تتقدر - ساره و ناصر

Simple Lahzet Da3f - Moustafa Amar / جزء من اغنية لحظة ضعف - مصطفى قمر

Moustafa Amar is back with a new movie, the movie will not screen in the Eid season, this is his first movie since 2010--his last movie did not do so well. Moustafa Amar was a box office sensation in the mid 2000, but then things changed and he has not manged (or found) a movie that will make top dollars. Due to conflicting sechduels and maybe tough competition the movie has been delayed until further notice.

"Lahzet Da'ef" is the film's title. I am hoping this latest movie of his will do the trick. The plot seems a bit dated, Amar runs an advertising company and then he finds himself caught in a murder, so he runs for his life and tries to proof his innocence. The movie did start to film in October 2011, but due to a number of production issues, the movie was not finished this May 2012.

We got a teaser of the movies' main song, it carries the title of the movie as well and seems to put Moustafa back in the zone.

Simple Lahzet Da3f - Moustafa Amar / جزء من اغنية لحظة ضعف - مصطفى قمر

كليب احمد سعد - انا انسان | من فيلم الالماني The Darkest Egyptian Movie To Date

Thugs are a reality in Egypt and they rule the streets with their muscles, intimidation and weapons. Thugs and bullies are a reality in poor areas around Cairo, they serve a purpose. It's not an Egyptian phenomena organized crime is all over the world, but in Egypt things got easy for a while due to the absence of aw enforcement.  

An Egyptian movie seems to have done a fine job chronicling the life of one hell of a thug, a hero sometimes who indulges in a life of weapons, muscles, ladies and money. I shivered when saw this promo song with some shots form the movie that seems to keep it real

The actor is right for the job, he has figured the looks and the heart of the role. Music is a big part of thugs life, that's why the movie has had at least four original songs. I would want see this movie, the human emotions reflected by and the many characters in supporting role are amazing.

كليب احمد سعد - انا انسان | من فيلم الالماني

Najah Salem, One More Underrated Lebanese Diva

 Najah called Egypt a home and never forgotten that Egypt opened its arms to this lady when she needed a place to live away form the wars. Najah Salam is a Lebanese singer and actress. Born in Beirut on March 13 1931, the daughter of a prominent poet and lutenist, known throughout the Arab world. Like many of her peers Najah started singing in school choirs until 1948, when her father embarked in Cairo to present her to the likes of Oum Kalthoum, Farid Al Atrash, Asmahan.

Her first works came in 1949, as she performed in Ramallah, Baghdad, and Damascus etc. She returned in 1950 to Lebanon to record on Lebanese television some new songs which are Ala Masrahika Ya Dunia, and to also play in several films such as Ala kifek, Ibnu Duat, Alchab Al Asmar, Al Dunia LamaTadhak. She is a Lebanese singer who has masted various styles of singing including the Lebanese folklore songs. .
But Najah's rise to fame came to light in 1956 when her love of pan-Arabism brought her many fans and she traveled to places like Tunisia and Algeria. In 1956 she has also appeared in Cannes where she brought her film to the festival goers.

It wasn't until between 1970 and 1974, when Najah visited each single Arab country and performed there. Her Lebanese songs are far more famous than the ones she did, even though most of her other songs were inspired by Oum Kalthoum. One of the many titled Najah has earned is the one closest to her heart-- Ashikat Masr, the one who swooned by Egypt.

She left Lebanon for years during the war years, and only returned toward the end of her career where she did her country proud and helped enrich the music scene. Najah Salem's musical adventures stand as a testament to our life of live and love of all things gorgeous.
  بالسلامة يا حبيبي بالسلامة


نجاح سلام _ ميل يا غزيل najah salam - mayel ya ghzayel

Mohamed Nour Singer Turned Actor Shines In Game Over

Neither his singing career nor his new found career of acting is over, but the charming singer with exotic eyes is helping sell a movie in which he co-starred with not one but two strong female leads. I thought Nour's career was dead on arrival last year when he sang for Mubarak and apologized to him. But he is not done yet. The singer joined the cast of adapted comedy movie "Game Over" where he plays a police officer.

But one of the songs that appear in the movie or at least help sell it is one of Nour's and It's a nice summer treat with a lot of rights going for it. It's romantic summer playful beach side song where Nour does his thing so well. As he sings he falls in love with Mai Ezzdeen about the games of a new found love--chicken games who shows that he/she needs the other more.

It's beautiful song with the title "It (his heart) will win" I like Nour and think his days with WAMA have done him a solid, but he is one of the few members who have manged to have a career on their own. Thus Nour now joins his band mate Ahmed Fahmy who has appeared in scores of flicks. 

The clip can be seen as corny, the dance moments are weak, but it appears as if the actors have chemistry on screen. I do know that Nour is happily married.

فيلم جيم اوفر..محمد نور .. هو الي هيكسب ..

فيلم الالماني All Songs From Thug Life "El Almany"

Egyptian cinema is raving about a movie with the title El-Almany which means the German. A movie that chronicles the life of a street thug in Egypt. If you have not noticed, there are many street thugs in Egypt at the moment. And those people all have stories, they steal things, intimidate people, hurt people and sometimes kill them. Chaos brings out the worst in humanity.

To market the movie, the producers have hired a drove of popular folksy singer to sing for the movie. Those songs are in the Sha'abi style. The music of the poor people and the places where the call home. The same places are also the home of many of those thugs.

All commentators are not too happy about thugs, but most are not too pleased with this kind of music either. To be frank, the movie needs to sell and make money. I think this will be establishing the lead actor in the film, Mohammed Ramadan as a box officer sensation.

Enjoy the street festivals, and the music.

شحتة كاريكا حارة عجيبة | من فيلم الالماني " توزيع فيجو "

اغنية سمسم شهاب - تاعب روحى | من فيلم الالمانى

اغنيه بوسي اه يا دنيا - من فيلم الالماني

Hisham Abbas And Computer CG In Helm Aziz

Arab filmmakers are still trying to figure out a way to make good CG work and incorporate it in films. Egyptian romance comedy flick Helm Aziz might go down as the first film to include crisp comuter generated graphics. The graphics are much better than we have scene in previous films and other music videos. They seem more elaborate.

This is a big budget film with Egyptian heartthrob Ahmed Aziz and Sharif Muneer the guy who does so well in complex characters. To promote the film, they have hired Hisham Abbas, a fixture of Arabic pop who seems to be MIA for the past 7 years or so.

This is not a great song, it's just fun to hear Hisham Abbas once again. His voice radiates happiness and a throwback.
 هشام عباس - متتهورش من فيلم حلم عزيز | Hisham Abbas - Matethawarsh

Egypt Lost In 1967, This Song Offered Hope

Israel attacked Egypt in 1967 and sneakingly destroyed that country's ability to fight back. Israel occupied The Sinai Desert, Gaza, The West Bank, East Jerusalem and The Golan Heights. Not too many movies in Egypt dealt with the loss, but the entire country and along with it the rest of the Arab nations were humiliated by this defeat.

But Egypt went back to work and did what they wanted to do in 1973. However, a movie that was produced in 1972 dealt with the 1967 loss, and evoked so many memories of unity and call to arms. You see a legendary actor Mahmoud Yaseen standing in for Egypt and talking about the war. The song is titled, long lives your smile Egypt.

The movies tells the story of an Army unit that held their ground and refused to retreat even though the Egyptian army has bailed out on them. It's a movies about real heroes. The movie's title is a "Song on the Passage/Path" You see an Egyptian army officer deliver one line that always goes on my mind which is, "Are We Going to defeat Them With a Song? "

 أغنية على الممر - تعيشي يا ضحكة مصر

Saad Soghayar: The Jackass Meets The Talentless

Ammar or Qamar, is a Lebanese B list singer who does not have a good name in the business--she tried to accuse a rich guy of fathering her out of wedlock baby. He is not even a man, he does not move like one for sure and he sleeps with anything that walks or so is his reputation.

Here's what passes for a duet nowadays, a singer and another one she danced and sings and so does he. The song does not matter, because it really sucks. She is there to look good and show some skin, he got nothing that resembles decency. This is like a PG-13 rated strip club scene.

This clip comes to promote a movie that so far has failed to make anything back to its investors. A movie that  have not seen and do not plan to. So far they have featured at least 4 songs from the movie. They even use a little girl to carry an adult language--a sleazy kind.

كليب سعد الصغير و قمر - قمر 14

Using Children in Arab Cinema To Say Adults Stuff

The little girl's name is Jana and she is all over Egypt's entertainment at he moment, she has stared in at least three movies to date. She has appeared in a music video with Sandy and on top of that she has a talk show on TV where she interviews celebrities.

The girl is innocent, but the adults in the music video are not. The lyrics are suggestive sexually, the lead female voice in the song Amar sounds like she is part of a porno using her sexy voice when in fact she is telling a story to kids. This is the sickest part of Egyptian pop culture where they put kids in those circumstances and use them as mouthpieces for perverted dialogue.

I think this movie will make tons of dollars as dumb movies seem to do well at the moment.

أغنية كان ياما كان - من فيلم حصل خير

With Game Over Shitty Egyptian Movies Are Not Over

Every time I like to give Egyptian cinema some credit for making good movies and to their credit they have done better movies, I get cold feet. Here's why these shitty movies keep coming, they are cheap to make and they do not have to have a decent plot, just big names and three jokes and song. And that's what it takes to bring down an entire culture.

And yes, of course producers now worry about not making their money back as Egypt shifts shapes every minute. But my beef is with two leading females who accept to be in such silly movies...Game Over is the name of the movie where Yosra and Mai Ezdeen would star along one another and duke it out.

While those are two super stars from two different eras, I am baffled by their role...did they really need that paycheck this bad? Worse, their song to promote the movie is auto-tune for insane people. All that aside, the movie is one long stereotypes about women jealousy and getting in the gutter to bring back one gigantic ghetto movie. No wonder Yosra has been on the attacks in defense of Freedom of Expression, that's her way of wanting to make lame movies.


Haqi Baraqabti - Mai Ez El Din ft.Yosra حقى برقبتى - مى عز الدين ويسرا

Controversy Breaks In Lebanon Over "Tanoura Maxi" Movie

The dream of each capable music video director is to make a full feature film. Joe Abou Eid directed many successful and sometimes fascinating music videos, but in 2012 he is pushing his debut film, a Lebanese story inspired by his parents. The film has been going around town and being screened in a number of film festivals. A love story in times of war.

The director is answering his critics. The attacks on the film have been coming from all sides as some see the movie anti-christian. The film shows a scene when a fire is set in a church. Some did not like that, so Joe is answering his critics and telling them this is one scene that has a message. "If the movie disrespects Christianity, I would be the first one to stop it" I like artists to have the freedom they need, but sometimes this is hard when you try to do something edgy. Lebanese TV personality Tony Abou Khalifah is leading the pack of critics.

Tony is charging the censors with neglectfulness as they allow such a picture to be released. Prostitution, sex all at a church is something that should not be green lit. Churches should not be a place where people have sex argues Tony. I am choosing to side with Tony on this one who is making a compelling case, anyone who wants to win an award in Europe, either insults prophet Mohammad or insults Christianity. You cannot just re-enforce the stereotype that Lebanese women are whores, which is another cheap way to get the attention of a punish of older white males who vote for their movies.

 طوني خليفة يفتح النار على جو بوعيد بسبب تنورة ماكسي TANNOURA MAXI تنوره ماكسي Official Trailer (HD)

تريلر فيلم حلم عزيز - احمد عز | Trailer Helm Aziz Movie - Ahmed Ezz

Egyptian Cinema is taking a giant step as they venture into the world of Fantasia cinema making. Fantasy is a difficult genera to make, it's costly and it requires top talents to animators and graphic crews to make the work look good. Thus, Egyptian filmmakers have kept away from this genera.

But this year, we are destined to see the birth of what I call the first decent attempt on fantasy in Arabic and Egyptian cinema. The movie is with Ahmed Ezz, titled Helm Aziz. Aziz's dream or a dear dream. A movie about a playboy who goes to sleep and runs into his dead father who messes with hi and teaches him a lesson from beyond the grave.

This is one movie, I think that I would like to see, maybe there are many over the top party scenes with some suggestive phrases as I see from the preview, but over all this seems like the movie not to miss. I am impressed by the colors and the graphics where you get the idea it's heaven or hell.  

Here's the preview with HD quality, so enjoy
 تريلر فيلم حلم عزيز - احمد عز | Trailer Helm Aziz Movie - Ahmed Ezz

Andrew McKenzie, Helping Arabs Blow Stuff Up

South Africa has many legends and celebrities, one of them has just made it big in the Arab world, and his name is Andrew McKenzie, this south African stunt coordinator has just collaborated with what might the biggest action flick the Arab world has produced to date. Al Maslaha Andrew has worked on big box flicks like Doomsday, The Island and The Scorpion King.

Andrew has been helping Arabic movies with stunts and action since 2009 when hefirst collaborated with Ahmed El Sakka for Ibrahim Al Abyyad. But his better work with Arabic films was in "Escaping Tel Aviv", an action packed film that respects the mind of viewers. Andrew was there at the premiere for the movie along with the stars, man this guy looks like a giant.

His showreel for some of his stunts are also attached below. I am impressed that Arab cinema is able to attract top talents like that of Mr. McKenzie. His work makes going to see a movie in theater a compelling experience. International Stunt Team Showreel أحمد السقا في إفتتاح فيلم المصلحة

Mena Fadaly Haters Won't Go Out of Business!

Few celebrities can boast about the many hate groups that have dedicated for them. Tamer Hosny is a legend in this department. The female version of Tamer is also Egyptian and her name is Mena Fadaly. Up to 2010 she was one of the hottest actresses in the business. She is the cute and home girl spunky chick that all guys wanted to see in movies and tv shows.

Then she had an idea, why not do a birthday party for herself. Something usually would be cool and fun. But then the party has turned into a bash where Mena wore half a dozen of outfits in the evening and danced rather suggestively with a number of guests. It was men who caused the trouble for the actress and then other men took the pictures and leaked them to the press.  

If there's anything Egyptians hate is a girl trying to have fun at some dudes present and then some older guy will appear on TV and talk about the corrupt society. Mena had a nervous breakdown, appeared on many TV shoes deafening herself and then she said she will quit. She blamed the sleazy people whom she used to call friends for the scandal. Things went back to normal few months later and the whole country got busy with the Arab Spring thing.

And then few weeks ago, Mena said one more outrageous thing that opened an old wound. There are not a single man in Egypt who she likes, she said no man could impress her enough. She said she has a crush on some Turkish soap opera actor. That was something stupid to say, but Mena is releasing a song about how proud she is of being Egyptian. If you can call this is a song, you might be too drunk to tell the difference. Mena does not have any vocal talents, she can only be a cute face.

I did though enjoy the soccer clips she has incorporated in the music video.

منه فضالى مصريه انا اغنيه جديده لمصر

Lebanese Amar Making Sexual Harassment OK In Egypt!

I have been to Egyptian produce market, the people there are not at gorgeous nor as well dressed as this music video make them out to be. In the clip below, you will see three Egyptian dudes duke it out over a Lebanese girl who dances and moves in suggestive manner. These people live in a vacuum, this is yet another crappy movie from sleazy Egyptian movie producer El Sabaky.

These movies do make a profit, and their formula is simple, get a Lebanese girl, a local singer and two other actors with a little girl, then you get yourself a movie that no blockbuster, but makes enough money. This time, they hired Amar, a mother out of wedlock and we do not know who the father is. This is an issue because Amar sued a big TV exec alleging he is the father only to find out that the father is some broke guy.

Anyhow, Ammar is not the only one to blame here, but she seems to want to work now and she got a role in this movie due this summer. She seems to play a little Lola character girl that drives other men crazy. She is at the market now shopping when three different duded try to win over her heart. Ammar who is at least 27 playing a 17 year old girl. Her comeback to all of them, I will tell my brother and my father!  


Rannet Kholkhaly - Amar رنة خلخالى - قمر