Once

I struggles a bit to find a way to start writing about my latest movie experience. It is 6:21am. I've not slept. I stayed up. I don't normally sleep much, but this time it's different. I've been kept up researching and reading and listening to music. Might sound like a normal thing to do, but not when you know that my research and listening have all revolved around this movie...ONCE.

Glen Hansard
Marketa Irglova
The Frames

These three names were unknown to me prior to today. Actually, until a couple of hours ago. Not now though. And never again will they be.

If you're looking for a movie experience with loads of special effects, brilliant direction and cinematography, and high budgets, then this is not for you. This is an independant, low budget production. That said, it is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!

The pleasure I experienced in this filmed is not one that I am familiar with. If I was to pinpoint a single element of the film and say that was it, I would have no trouble whatsoever. It is very clear to me. Once is, by far, our generation's BEST musical. It is a modern day musical in which the music blends in seamlessly with the acting and the script. Unlike most musicals where the music can sometimes almost be an intrusion, ONCE does it brilliantly.

This is a film I strongly recommend to all of you who love independant cinema, independant music, and if you're looking for some inspiration and a story about going after what you want and seeking motivation for chasing your dreams, this isn't a bad one for that!

Definitely on my radar now also are the musicians behind the brilliant songs of the film. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. I can't give them enough credit for the beautiful job done on this film. But having now listened to a bit of their music, I know that it was not a one-hit wonder type effort. These are really talented musicians and, in a world dominated commercially by the Britneys, Christinas and Justins, it is a shame that talents like these remain in the smalltime.

My next objective? Hopefully get in touch with them for some performances in the Middle East! Anyone interested in seeing them here? Has anyone seen this film or heard of them prior to this post?

Unfortunate Miss-hit

We've all heard about Boca Juniors, River Plate, Racing Club, and Newell's Old Boys, even if we're not big football (soccer) fans. However, few have heard or will care much for the news of San Lorenzo and Tigre (two teams playing in the Argentine Football League).

That is, of course, until yesterday. The game which ended in a 2-1 win for San Lorenzo will go down in history as the game in which Gaston Aguirre killed a pigeon!




Aguirre shot the ball in the direction of goal where a group of pigeons was located. A fluff of feathers, birds flew, all except one. The unfortunate one. That pigeon lay still and could not fly to the amazement of the players and referee who gathered around to watch it die. The referee then picked it up, put it on the sideline and went on with the game. [was a minute of silence due here?]

While Aguirre maybe the first football player to ever kill an animal accidentally in a sport that does not involve guns or cars, he's not alone in this unfortunate record.

Baseball:

In a freak accident on March 24, 2001 during the 7th inning of a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants, Randy Johnson who at the time played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, threw a fastball that struck and killed a dove. The unlucky bird swooped across the infield just as Johnson was releasing the ball. After being struck by the pitch, the bird landed dead amid a "sea of feathers." The official call was "no pitch.

On August 4, 1983, Dave Winfield, playing for the NY Yankees, accidentally killed a seagull by throwing a ball at it while warming up before the fifth inning of a game at Toronto's Exhibition Stadium. He doffed his cap in mock sorrow, and fans responded by hurling obscenities and improvised missiles. After the game, he was brought to the Ontario Provincial Police station and arrested for cruelty to animals. He was released after posting a $500 bond.

Golf:

On December 12, 2007, while being filmed for an educational video, Tripp Isenhour allegedly killed a red-shouldered hawk by hitting it with a golf ball. According to court documents, Isenhour was irritated by the noises the hawk was making. He hit golf balls at the bird until one struck it in the head. He was charged with cruely to animals and pleaded no contest.

ORIGINAL SIN

Ive been looking for an original sin

One with a twist and a bit of a spin

And Since I've done all of the old ones

Till they've all been done in

Now I'm just looking

Then I'm gone with the wind

Endlessly searching for an original sin.

You can dance forever.

You got a fire in your feet.

But will it ever be enough?

You know it'll never be enough.

You can fly and never land.

And never need to sleep.

But will it ever be enough?

You know it'll never be enough.

Not enough to make the nightmares go away.

Not enough to make the tears run dry.

Not enough to live a little better everyday.

Everything that they taught us.

Was nothing but lies.

Everything thing they brought us.

Was nothing but bribes.

But itll all be over now -

All I wanted was a piece of the night.

I never got an equal share.

When the stars are out of sight.

And the moon is down -

The natives are so restless tonight.

Ive been looking for an original sin.

One with a twist and a bit of a spin.

Ive done all of the old ones.

Till they've all been done in.

Now I'm just looking -

Then I'm gone with the wind -

Endlessly searching for an original sin.

You can lose yourself in pleasure.

Till your body's going numb.

But will it ever be enough?

You know it'll never be enough.

You can always take whatever.

You conceivably could want.

But will it ever be enough?

You know it'll never be enough.

Not enough to make the nightmares go away.

Not enough to make the tears run dry.

Not enough to live a little better everyday.

Everything that they taught us.

Was nothing but lies.

Everything thing they brought us.

Was nothing but bribes.

But the lies are over now -

All I wanted was a piece of the night.

It never had to get so dark.

When the stars are out of sight.

And the moon is down -

The natives are so restless tonight.

I've been looking for an original sin.

One with a twist and a bit of a spin.

I've done all of the old ones.

Till they've all been done in.

Now I'm just looking -

For an original sin.

I've been looking for the ultimate crime.

Infinite victims, infinitesimal time -

And I'm so guilty for no reason or rhyme.

So now I'm just looking.

And killing some time -

Endlessly searching for the ultimate crime.

I've been looking for an original sin.

One with a twist and a bit of a spin.

I've done all of the old ones.

Till they've all been done in.

Now I'm just looking -

Then I'm gone with the wind -

Endlessly searching for an original sin.

I'm applying for a license to thrill.

Going out on the edge -

Moving in for the kill.

They'll be hell to pay someday.

So put it all on the bill.

Cause well always be paying!

And paying until -

Were beyond expiration.

With a license to thrill.

"Don't du"

I had recently took on what turned out to be a very foolish endeavor. I put aside my trusty Etisalat phone which I had been using for many years now (almost 14 years) and started using the competition, which claims to add life to life.

I have come to the following conclusion:




I have many reasons for this which I will share here with you:

1) If ever there was something that made me feel like slitting my wrist the proper way (along the vein not against it) while poking both my eyes out with very thin needles so the pain is incessant and long and simultaneously shaving the hair on my head using an industrial chainsaw it's the "ding dong" of the text message I received after EVERY SINGLE PHONE CALL I MADE! Why the F#%*@% do I need to know that I have 900 Dirhams left on my phone? I understand it if it was at a certain limit, but this was just ridiculous!!!!!!

2) If you have a business and really feel like losing it because your clients and colleagues and suppliers are unable to reach you at any point of day any where in town because the network that covers that remote part of the Sahara dessert in Africa with no electricity and cables does a better job at connecting people than the UAE's latest pathetic excuse for a mobile network then get a 055 number. Not only will you not be reached even when your trusty handset portrays a full network coverage, but you will be hammered with text messages from the network informing you that "Last week at 15:42 pm you received a call from this number" And you will get that message more that 20 times. Never mind that the call was to inform you that you had won the lottery and a million dollars which had to be claimed within 24 hours or that your wife was in labor!

3) 15% more on all calling credit. WOOOHOOO! That's of course if you're going to use it within a certain period of time. That would absolutely fine by me since I would use it within that period if I was able to fuc@#%@ing dial!!!! Instead I received all sorts of new and innovative messages informing me that services are unavailable!

and the list goes on....

so "du" yourselves a favor and stick to 050! I know I am from now on...back to my old number!

In The News Tomorrow:

"Bush gets formal send-off --- Size 10"
"Ya 3ayb El Shoe-m" (What a shame in Lebanese Arabic)
"Am-Bushed"
.... you get the picture?

Well, if you don't, then this video might help. I have not laughed so hard in a very long time

For those of you who may be wondering why this happened, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN FOR 8 YEARS???

But, I feel some may need an explanation:

- In Arab culture it is considered extremely insulting to show the sole of your show to someone
- Shoes are dirty
- Shoes are sometimes mistakenly stepped with in sh!t.
- Hitting someone with your shoe is possibly worse than spitting on them in Arab culture

hence, what happened to president Bush was to be considered an extreme insult.

- In MOST cultures, invading someone's home is considered somewhat rude
- In MOST cultures, raping/pillaging/etc... are unacceptable
- In MOST cultures, it is considered rude to bomb entire cities looking for oil
- In MOST cultures, the Iraq war would be condemned (most cultures have indeed condemned it)

Yet, GWB still walks, still talks and still has the gall to show up in Iraq unannounced (of course) to make his last farewell and sign an agreement, while the reporter who threw him with a shoe is heard screaming at the end of this video, and I HATE to imagine what is happening to him as we speak.

Here's what I would like to see. That reporter on TV tomorrow, with no make up hiding any bruises he may have gotten, talking and reporting and living a normal life. Possible? Let's see!

The Return of Guy Ritchie....

As far as I'm concerned, Guy Ritchie disappeared in 2000 after he did snatch. Whatever attempt he had between then and now at creating what resembled film was a complete and utter disappointment....UNITL THIS!!!!

In my opinion, Rocknrolla is a masterpiece. Many will disagree, including my good friend Matthew Beckner who liked the film, but wasn't as impressed as I was. True the film is not flawless, I'm sue you'll all agree, but in the end the result was pure adrenaline and entertainment with a bit of laughter thrown in for good measure...

I don't want to ruin the film for anyone, but my personal opinion is this:

1) The film presents a unique insight into the organized underworld in London...
2) The film's cast does a brilliant job, though I'd have to agree with most critics, not all characters were necessary for the film's success. Some could have been done without (like for example Mumbles)
3) I liked the soundtrack a lot and the quality of the sound in the film was astounding
4) The film has some very interesting scenes
5) Cinematography leaves a lot to be desired - Guy needs to fix that on the next one, The Real Rocknrolla!!!!
6) The film could have had a hotter girl in it!
7) Let me know, once you've seen it, which seen in the film is one of the worst scenes ever captured on camera.

Overall....a definite one to watch and be entertained by. If you're going in expecting a Good Will Hunting type film, don't bother. If you think you're going to see something that's better than Lock Stock or Snatch, then save your time and money. But if you want to go have a good laugh and enjoy a well written script with some creative direction and brilliant lines (Some of the best lines I've ever heard) then go watch this film without hesitation!

Let me know your thoughts...until then...adios amigos