Mom With Benefits vs. Friends With Benefits

You have heard the term friends with benefits before, they even have a movie with that title. This morning, I was at the gym thinking about some of the posts I have written about dating and marriage in the Arab/Muslim communities and realized many of those guys are always on a search for a girl to take home. Most--not all Arab men are good boys, they love their mothers and often times get spoiled by them.

It's only natural for them to look for what they know, someone like their own mother. I know ladies hate this idea, of guys shopping around for a mother they can have a different relationship with. It's not twisted or anything, and it's not limited to an ethnicity. Many guys love a woman that can cook, keeps the house tidy and is a fun person. And down the road to rare their child. On their mind, their own mothers come to mind. Hence, comes the term mom with benefit.

Feel free to disagree with me, but many of us realize that soon but only come to admit it later in life. You may not marry your friend with benefits  but you certainly will snag the mom with benefit on the earliest opportunisty you have. After-all  she cooked you dinner for a reason.   

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Fashion And Celebrities Cultural Precipitation Does Matter

Lebanese singer Myriam Faris goes to attend Paris Fashion week, and she leaves little to the imagination. She literary shows everything there's to see. And even people walking in the streets took notice of this notorious Lebanese pop star.  

At the same function where Myraim was putting on a show, another American celebrity was there, but this time the American celebrity dressed more Conservatively.

Kim Kardashian wore a long black dress that revealed little. No question, Kim can wear whatever she wants like she has always manged to shock people with her outfits. Now compare the two... Myriam feels the pressure, she comes from a culture where people think she might be conservative or she might not get style or she might want to cover up...so what does she do?

Well, this Lebanese Arab girl wears that to tell people "I'm free", "I am bold" Naturally both Arab and Western people were shocked by the choice of wardrobe. Meanwhile Kim, comes form a culture where anything goes, so she does not have to represent her people or try to claim something she is not by trying to shock the system. for Kim to dress in a conservative dress is the shocker--maybe. As of what would Myriam Faris get I am still not sure.

 Many of her fans now are questioning her taste and her style. And those in the West, are shocked, but she is not showing them something new or something that they have not seen before. I do not think she will be giving a role or a new song by one of those international event goers. Just be yourself, will you?

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Does Sacha Baron Cohen Support The Israeli Occupation

Sacha Baron Cohen loves to mock all and everything Arabs and Muslims. All of his three popular movies go out of their way to vilify Arabs and Muslims, like he did in his second film, interviewing some Palestinians guy and labeling him a terrorist. Ayman Abu Aita, a not for profit worker who was labeled terrorist in one of Sacha's movies, The guy sued Sacha in the district of Colombia two years ago. What does a show about a gay model have to do with Palestine beats me. His first movie is also about a journalist from a Muslim republic who does crazy stunts and shows a great deal of ignorance and resentment toward Israel--this really felt forced.
 Bruno and Zionist propaganda?

Now comes the third movie, the Dictator about an Arab/Muslim leader who is designed to make the entire Arab and Muslim faith look bad. While No one has seen the movie, form the many clips and trailers, it's hard to conclude that the movie will have anything nice to say about Muslims and Arabs. Looking back at the place that shapes Shacha's funny bone the London based comedy group Habonim, a group that describes itself as "a Socialist Zionist Culturally Jewish youth movement". Cohen comes from an observant Jewish family, he is a partisan of the Israeli cause

I'm sure when the topic of his support to Israel and its illegal occupation of Palestinian land, he will say this, "I am not engaged in those discussions" Fair enough, but why does bulk of his work focuses on making the Palestinians-like he did in Burno look despicable? An analyst from Bitterlemons.org, who was duped by one of Bruno's pranks had this to say about him "He is exploiting our tragic and painful conflict in the most cynical and deceptive manner. I doubt he'll give us anything in return."He cannot just punch one guy and smile in the face of the other guy and then look at the camera and say I am not taking sides. Take this example, Sacha found enough time to slam the protest over Toronto Film festival for its Tel Aviv event
  
Sure his movies can be funny because using a certain group as a punchline works. I have yet to see one movie or a statement from the actor picking on someone else other than Arabs and Muslims. Sure he did a good job in Hugo--a good movie by the way. It seems that any movie he leads, writes, produces will be doing nothing but advancing stereotypes about the Arab people. He wins when hos movies make a killing and he also wins when he sees his political agenda creeps into the mainstream culture. 

Sacha is free to think what he wants and make any movie he likes to make, but he is not free to claim impartial to the conflict. I only ask that he should be labeled as so, just like Israel labels those international activists and punch them in the face. 

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16 Tired Movie Cliches

Watching movies in the United States have taught me a lot about the culture and the language. When I first arrived to this land 11 years ago, movies were the single most useful tool in learning about America. Not only was watching movies educational it was also fun.

In college it was the best escape I had no trouble locking myself in my dorm room and playing movies back to back. Some days, I recall watching as many as three movies a day. Sad I know, but to be frank, I think my communication skills have gotten better as result of this addiction.

However, a Gazillion movie later, I have begun to figure out the Hollywood formula for making movies, there are so many templates, and characters most movies makers incorporate in their movies. Movies are about stereotypes, and such personalities make a point. Sometimes marketing is to blame for such cookie cutter roles.

If movie goers can relate to a role, then they are most likely to go see the movie. Film makers use such characters because they know they work and that audience have loved such clichés in the past. So next time when watch a movie, chances are you will find one or two of those props. When it comes to Hollywood, creativity is not dead, but it comes with a lot of risks. Movie investors want to make money with little risk. Thus comes reincarnation of movies

Here's my list of movie characters that feel tired.

1. The hooker with a heart of gold


2. The funny minority guy/gal


3. The writer who hates people and loves dogs


4. The quiet but strong ethnic mother


5. The beat-up white homemaker married to an army officer


6. The nerd/South-westerner who spills the beans on those conspiracy and secret government programs


7. The rude, yet charming, New Yorker in search of romance


8. The gun-touting Southerner


9. The thick-accented, history-aware militant Arab


10. The easily-drunk, mace-carrying white chick


11. The fictional "noble savage" who apologizes to the animals and trees


12. The Club-owning sleazy Eastern European, Greek, or Persian


13. The passionate, educated white person who wants to spare the life of a minority person


14. The sperm-spreading, starving and good looking artist


15. The jerk who interrupts the dude/gal when they are about to confess something of significance


16. The young man who has to choose between a gang lifestyle and getting an education

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Romantic Comedy For Arabs?

Romantic comedies all share one thing in common, the final scene is the guy at the airport parking his car in front of the airport gate rushing to stop the girl from taking that flight. Now for that scene alone we will never see in Arab star in a romantic comedy ever.

Now, see the Arab guy parking his car in front of the airport gate, rushing to get inside. If that alone doesn't raise the terror threat, I do not know what will. Somehow making that final scene at a greyhound station is not dramatic enough for viewers.

Whatever the end of the movie is, you can rest assured the squeal will be filmed in Guantanamo prions.

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Kill Those Romantic Movies

What guy do you know enjoy romantic movies? Even those who like romantic movies know they are doing something questionable.

You would never have half of those romance movies if people avoid those two fatal mistakes:

1. Never plan a surprise party for anybody yet along a loved one. it always ends in disaster and you ruin anything good.
2. Never interrupt a couple who are having a conversation, if you do the guy will not finish his sentence and the girl will become the one that got away. Plus, it is kind of rude to butt in people's conversations.

End of story.....we just killed the career of a dozen Hollywood actors and actresses. Sorry about that, but look at the bright side now, you have a lot more time to do things you really liked, things like coke.

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Letters to Juliet

Letters to Juliet is yet another American movie set in Italy and talks about falling in love. Every Italian in the movie is a page of the stereotypical Italian figures. In this movie, Italians are either good cooks, making you awesome pasta, vine owners making tasty wine, or passionate love angels. Gosh I hate be a single Italian accountant, who doesn't drink doesn't know how to cook and doesn't own a cute vespa. They never make movies about those. Like the peaceful Muslim who wants to bake a batch of cookies.

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The Expendables Pay For What You Get for Free

The Expendables is a new movie, the latest American movie about good, handsome and fun loving American special military unit that goes around and kill bloody, violent, money loving Arabs. Even the only non-Arab but yet evil character in the movie was incidentally named General Gaza! Really? Here is What I do not get, why do I need to pay for this when I can just watch Fox News?

Déjà vu....

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I Love You Movies

I have seen a number of good movies in the past few weeks, here is an update
I love You Philip Morris (4.5 Stars out of 5), a con movie about gay man in Texas who never give up in trying to con his way. Jim Carrey is a great cast in this role, running around scamming people and making it look good in the process. Entertaining flick with great cast and mostly convincing plot.

Trailer

Stolen (4 Starts out of 5), a movie about a father in search of his abducted child takes him to a journey back in time in a small town where a father has to deal with a similar story. Interesting movie with some good acting and cinematography. Josh Lucas' best role in a long time

Info

From Paris With Love (4 out of 5), you cannot say no to a great action movie, this was no different, if you miss Wacky John Travolta who can kick you in the chin, please look this movie up, you can never predict what he will do or what twist this movie will take. On another note the director of this movie also directed Taken, but in both movies you can either have the Arab or the Muslim to blame for the problems. The only good Arab in in this directors' work is serving mint tea.

Trailer

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When in Rome....

It was that time of the month that I had to watch a silly movie, the movie that will inspire me...not, the movie that will make me think...not.

At first, I thought this would be just another chick flick rom-com type of movie, but then it was just that...expect there was a good number of my favorite comedians/actors who play supporting roles. I mention Dax Shepard, and Jon Heder...yep, that's the guy from the Napoleon Dynamite movie.

The plot is pretty straightforward, buy professional hard working pleasant white girl...too busy to find love....goes to Italy for little sister's wedding. Meets a guy and then they laugh together, twist...and the rest is history.

Roa and I enjoyed the movie and I think it was really nice to see a movie that does not talk about sex...at least does not show us people sleeping around like most romantic comedies do.

If you like fairytale, or the cast of the movie you should give it a shot, otherwise, you do not have to worry about missing this one...

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Ridley Scott's Robin Hood

This movie was worth it....I really enjoyed this flick a great deal. I made sure to avoid reading what the critics and the vocal movie viewers had to say. I simply wanted to have my own movie experience, pure and simple.

The movie hit the right notes, and it thought me a lot about the way British people see themselves and how proud they are of their history and their hero.

Ridley Scott does not make movies in a calculation, he just makes what he thinks would be a good story to tell. Ever since the Gladiator and he made few dozen movies, some did not go as well. But Robin Hood is a masterpiece. A fresh lock at the legend that we all learned to adore. This is not your typical Robbin Hood just stealing stuff away.

This is about the history of England in the 12th Century, the king and the whole 9 years. The movie also touches on the crusades and the rivalry with the French. Politics, fatherhood, motherhood and knighthood are consistent themes throughout the movie.

I think the casting direcots is worth his paycheck, the cinematography and the landscape are captivating. The customs reminds of Kingdom of Heaven, another Ridley Scott movie. Russell Crowe is back to do the part we have always known he is capable of doing. Cate Blanchett, William Hurt bring their talent and energy that transform the movie into a true epic.

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If You Are Into Lost

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Movies This Weekend

Iron Man was not that good of a movie, it's still entertaining, but I was disappointed as the first one was a great movie all around, this time around the follow up was sub-par. It took too long to get to the movie storyline and I was like, "this is not what I thought it would be." I was glad to have some popcorn with me to enjoy my time. The probelm of this movie was to want to make it into more than one movie story, too many characters that does not get an air time. Too many back stories that do not necessarily enrich the movie. You can wait for the DVD, if you must see it. C+

Kick Ass is a movie I liked and have enjoyed watching. It was witty, action packed, fast, comical and has heart. At times, it was a bit violent, crude, but it all made the movie a better experience. I am sure there will be follow ups to this fun movie, I will by watching them as well. It was a well-made film with great cast and awesome cinematography even a non comic book fan like me can enjoy. A-

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Where the Wild things Are

I finally was able to watch (Where the Wild things Are) the much anticipated movie of 2009. The movies has been on my list for few months now and it was worth the wait.

I must say that I enjoyed it a lot. While I do not know much about the history of the book. It's a story of a boy with big imagination whose mom is struggling with, ends up embarking in a journey to some fantasy land where odd shaped animals live there. the little boy ends up being their kind and getting things done as he wishes them to happen. Politics starts kicking in and the little boy has to fix everyone's problem and make them all love him in the process. It was a good story that has many metaphors to religion, leadership, good governance, faith, love and family. Great picture and a great story that makes you want to think about the things you take for granted and ultimately gives the viewer a lesson about politics.

If you have not seen the movie I really recommend it.

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Our Family' Wedding Review

Just got back from the movies, we saw "Our Family's Wedding" a comedy about an interracial marriage between a Latin Girl and a Black man. It was an average comedy with some laughs, but you would laugh a lot if you were a member of those two groups. I thought they had funny material and a great cast. The subject of the movie however is new and I think it was both a worthy and a timely subjects that has yet to be addressed. Brown and Black relation in LA has always been interesting to watch for me. There are parts where you think you are watching the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" with the family planning and the grandma part. I saw the film in Silver Spring, one of the areas that have a large Latin Community and a huge African American presence, the audience was a mix of both groups. Some parts where funny to the Latin couple next to use and most of the film was hilarious to the three African American ladies seated next to us. I thought the Latin group enjoyed the grandpa's role, the Spanish and both I and them liked Carlos Mencia Trying to act as oppose to stealing jokes. Aside from that, there were few grown up themes that movie tackles like old couples who no longer have the spark, or the non-committal man.

The only white people in the film were on dimensional and they were superficial, uptight or just pathetic (the bartender and DJ) I mean for a change a movie not about white people is good to see. But a movie that tackles issues of race should not minimize the others.

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