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Reviews
Li Li (2001)
Amazing
An amazing portrayal of Youssef Idris' Great short story "did you have to turn on the light, Lilly". It doesn't only display the story on the screen, as it also adds characters like, Samy El Adl, & it ads more dimensions to the the main characters. The opening sequence, & the praising scenes, worth a lot. It wasn't surprising that Marwan Hamed, gets to direct the Epical classic "Yakoubian Bulding". The question is why was the ending changed from the story & the film? in the original story, The Sheikh went to lilly & she refused, the same happened in the film, but only in the Sheikh's Mind, it didn't like actually happen. Anyway I always say that the scriptwriter is free to change anything in the original story. Like in Youssef Hesham's Adaptation From another Youssef Idris Story "Akbar El Kabaer" in his film "The Greaest Of Sins". If you want the story, read it, if you want the film see the film.
I think that Marwan Hamed will be one of the most important directors in Egypt. A Must see for short film lovers, & also for Youssef Idriss. Highly recommended
Hob el banat (2003)
pleasant, but....
"hob el banat" is a new romantic comedy from the writer of the classic "sahar el layaly". the movie is charming and pleasant giving the audience a good time while watching it. Laila Elwy did a great job, although it was'nt believable that she's at ahmed ezz's age, ashraf abd el baky was fine though he acted in a theatrical way. khaled abol naga was so believable although his role was one of the worst things in the script, thanks to tamer habib. hanan turk & ahmed ezz were also believable. and the great surprising thing here is the promising hana sheeha. as for ahmed barada, i think he's one of the worst new actors ever. omar khairat was'nt at his best in doing the music here. and i couldnt beleive that the poor photography was by samir bahzan. khaled al haggar was a way better in his earlier "room to rent" i dont know what happened to him here. as for tamer habib, the script wasnt at the same standerd of sahar el layaly by an means. not only because of the story, but also because of the naive dialogoues, preditibility & the buliding of the characters. but all in all the movie is pleasant and worth watching.
Asrar el-banaat (2001)
Haunting
I have seen this movie in its first week end at the theaters. I must say that it exceeded my expectations. It is a very powerful movie that makes you keep thinking about it for the rest of your day.Its haunting, powerful & so full with tiny beautiful details. The way they chose to tell the story in a non-linear way added so much power & imposed great effect, though the ending scene is inspired & effective, its place as a Bergman/Fellini style, within a so realistic movie is to be questioned. & maybe we missed some details in the affair between the 2 kids, but however, the films doesn't come out as a teen movie, its the teenage girl's tragedy that reveals all flows of post 80s Egyptian society. This one is a must see.
Ma'ali al wazir (2002)
WOW! More than outstanding
This film is about an ambiguous person who gets into the position of minister by mistake! But will he leave his chair? No sir. After he became so powerful he starts having nightmare like revealing his corrupted political behavior, and another time he is a magician killed by his wife and daughter and another time when he leaved his position, and many other dreams. By this he decided to go to Alexandria with his assistant ''Ateya" -played by the brilliant "Hesham Abd El-hameed"- to change the atmosphere and he starts telling him everything and the plot twists. Magnificent performances especially Ahmed Zaki who deserves the award he took in Cairo international film festival. Music helped a lot in this film. Appealing direction, but less than appealing editing. The greatest thing about this movie is definitely the screenplay written by the genius "Waheed Hamed". The problem in this movie that it the concepts and the messages can not be understood by everyone due to the use of metaphysical metaphors which contains not only messages about the Egyptian politicians' corruption, but also about philosophical points relating to humanity. Simply great, and try not to miss it if you can watch it.
Al-irhab wal kabab (1992)
a triumph
a complete outstanding Egyptian triumph, which desserve's dozens of awards!!! a contraveursal script from the brave wahid hamed. magnificent performances. a classic black political comedy that would make you laugh to tears. it has to be set on DVDs & sold internationally. *****
Mowaten we mokhber we haramy (2001)
a classic *****
what can i say? its a DAWOOD ABDEL SAYED movie. its great an egyptian classic that the whole world have to see. excellent perfomnances specially KHALED ABOLNAGA and HIND SABRY. THIS FILM HAS TO BE RELEASED ON A DVD COPY FOR THE WHOLE WORLD TO SEE. 20/10 !!!
O (2001)
impressive ****1/2(out of five)
Oh I loved O!!!! when i bought this movie on DVD i was so afraid that it wont be amusing as expected, but after i finished it i repeated it from the beginning and i started watching it again! i thought it would be a regular coll cruel teen-movie when i saw the trailer just like the classic CRUEL INTENTIONS but i found that its so dark so tragic and v.well directed. this movie gives a new meaning for teen-movies, it shows that teen-movies doesnt have to be stupid and simple like the flops SHE'S ALL THAT, BOYS AND GIRLS nor 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU. the performances were more than appealing specially for Josh Harnett although i know the Othello story quite well and certainly the ending i was so touched by the ending. i am impressed
Room to Rent (2000)
wow
for the first time a movie that talk about Arabians and Egyptians specifically without making them barbaric nor ignorant. Although (Taghmaoui) is not Egyptian but his perfomnance was magnificent. The same with (Juliette lewis) who made (Marelin Monro) scenes with all her senses. (Khaled El-Hagar) is unbelievely talented in making every scene so every body could feel the movie as if it is his story even if he didnt pass with the same setiuations. The script by (El-hagar) & (Amanda Stewart) was gorgeous because it made the movie very near and close to and thus entertaining for arabians, & very new for non-Arabians by making them exploding new horizons. Other thing was choosing the using ancient Egyptian myths at the end of the film although non realstic. Generally magnificent. Thumbs up.