I couldn’t resist not taking a nap on these couches

I just got back from Empire Premiere‘s launch in Sodeco and I have to say it wasn’t at all what I expected. I thought it would be a new VIP theater with some additional features and a more expensive entrance but it turned out to be cheaper (20$ the ticket) than the so-called VIP theaters (30$ the ticket) we currently have and comfier. It doesn’t feel like the VIP theaters we currently have, but rather more like a refined place for people aged 35 or more to stay away from the crowded theaters and enjoy a calm and relaxing experience at the movies.

One of the things I loved most is that they joined every two or three seats together, unlike VIP theaters I visited where you are 1 meter apart from the person next to you.

Food-wise, you can either have Sushi with your wine glass from the awesome Le Sushi Bar or just popcorn and soft drinks. I was told they will have a new flavor for the popcorn every week. They were showing the new movie Hitchcock which I highly recommend that you watch.

All in all, Empire Premiere is targeting Lebanese who want to enjoy their movies, avoid crowded theaters and get a little pampered for an extra 10$. There’s nothing wrong with that if you can afford it.

The film will premiere on March 30th, 2013 at 7pm at the Reynolds Performance Hall on the University of Central Arkansas campus. It looks like a nice movie which is why I emailed them to see if it will be shown in Lebanon. I will update you as soon as I have an answer.

The story begins with Tim when he is given an assignment to write a letter to a student at his high school’s adopt-a-school in Beirut. Tim has no idea what to write so, instead, he sends a picture of a move on a chess board. Yara, the Lebanese girl who receives this, sends him a counter-move back and a pen-pal relationship develops between the two revolving around chess.
As Tim graduates from high school and is faced with the difficulties of mapping out his future, Yara is faced with something completely different. In 1982 her country is invaded by Israeli military forces, and she and her family find themselves caught in the middle of a very real war.
As Yara’s world turns into a hell, Tim’s path in life is shaped by her situation in a way that will bring the two closer together than ever. [Link]

You can read more about the movie [Here].

[YouTube]

Apparently Raghad killed herself after getting rejected by Arab Idol’s jury but that’s not yet officially confirmed.

To be honest, I never followed this show nor am I interested by its news but I just watched the video above and don’t quite understand why the judges are behaving that way. Who’s that guy making weird gestures, giggling for no reason and laughing at her? Why are they making fun of her even before she started singing? Who’s the plastic fat chick who can’t even smile?

It’s one thing to be rude and criticize the participant but it’s a talent show after all, so the least you can do is show some respect and let them perform. Anyway, I guess I’ll never understand these talent shows.

If you thought the recently open VIP theaters in Lebanon offer a refined cinema experience, well think again as Sodeco Premiere is set to bring the cinema experience to a whole new level. Six exclusive auditoriums, automatic reclining seats, a butler with a ‘call for service’ button, lounge area, library corner and free WIFI are among the many things Sodeco Premiere is offering.

I managed to get my hands on few pictures showing how the new theater will look like. The launch is tonight and I will be there to check out this new venue. To be honest, I love VIP theaters and sitting on these huge comfy chairs but they are way too expensive.

Stand-Up Comedian Eddie Griffin will be performing on Saturday April 13 from 09:00 pm until 11:00 pm at the Forum de Beyrouth. Tickets available at Virgin Megastore all branches.

I hope he prepared some act for the Lebanese civil remembrance which is on the same day he’s performing because his stand-up takes on religion won’t be very welcome here.

The documentary film telling us the amazing adventure of the the Lebanese Rocket Society will be out soon in theaters across Lebanon by end of this month. I will be attending a press screening next week and posting a quick review. You can read more about it [Here].

The adventure of the Lebanese Rocket Society began, in the early sixties, at Haigazian University, a young Armenian University in Beirut, where a group of students, led by a professor of mathematics, Manoug Manougian, set up the Lebanese Rocket Society to “create and launch rockets for space study and exploration.” They produced the first rocket of the Arab World. The project had no military character and was aimed at promoting science and research.

The adventure, which appears nowadays rather unbelievable and surrealistic, was nevertheless a serious one. Between 1960 and 1967 – at the time of the Space Race, revolutionary ideas, and Pan-Arabism – more than ten solid fuel Cedar rockets were launched. The launchings gave rise to national celebrations. To commemorate the 21st anniversary of Lebanon’s independence, a set of stamps representing the Cedar IV rocket was issued. The Arab defeat of 1967 put an end to the initiative and slowed down the thrive towards this aspect of technological modernity of this part of the world.

Nowadays, considering the world divisions and the bellicose attitudes, it would be unconceivable to allow a small team of dreamers to launch rockets into the skies of the Middle East.

The project enables us to consider the historic events of those years: pan-Arabism, the notion of a vast Arab nation and its decline after the Arab armies were defeated by Israel in 1967. A defeat which confused our societies, our parents’ generation, and which transformed deeply the Arab world and, first and foremost, our image of ourselves.

The documents, photos and mainly films relating to the space project have disappeared.

This unusual and heroic adventure, which had made the front pages of the press, is nowadays forgotten. It appears like an anecdote in the course of history, a story kept secret.

The project investigates the apparent absence of the Lebanese space program from our personal and collective memory, shedding light on our perceptions of the past and present – and our imagination of the future, exploring the notion of a collective dream. Documents and archives as well as reconstitutions and art installations attempt to question this story and the ideas of reenactment, reconstitution and restaged in the present time. [Website]

Spotted on Manar TV – Source

[YouTube]

Georges Eid is the only Lebanese competing and wants to bring the title home. Let’s wish him luck!

Al Batal is a unique concept for Arabic TV that will promote Arab fighters around the region and internationally as MMA becomes increasingly popular. The show will first showcase 14 of the finest amateur welterweight Arab MMA fighters that ADFC team had chosen from different organizations.

Al Batal will start airing on Fox Movies, Fox Sports and FX this April. The shooting is currently taking place in Abu Dhabi, UAE. It’s gonna be legendary. Wait for it! [Source]

The Social Media Awards are happening for the first time in Lebanon and I thought it would be fun to share my nominations for the various categories listed. Before that, here’s how the selection process will occur:

Stage 1: Online Nominations
Members of the online community nominate candidates for different categories via our website www.SMABeirut.com. Users can nominate themselves, friends or an organization on business based on the criteria of each category. Their submission is accompanied by relevant material such as Facebook links, Twitter accounts, blogs and other platforms to support their candidates.

Stage 2: Judges Selection
Based on the nominations received, our team of experienced and celebrity judges from different backgrounds will be narrowing down the nominations in each category to seven (7) nominees within two weeks of closure of nominations. The whole process will be carried out in pure transparency and an announcement event will be held for the press and online community.

Stage 3: Final Vote
Members of the online community are asked to vote for their preference in each category over a period of one month. During this period, nominees will be able to campaign for obtaining votes.

Stage 4: Awards Ceremony
An awards ceremony will be held for over 750 invitees from digital agencies, VIPs and online influencers with entertainment, key guest appearances, and VIP guests bringing Oscar-like award glamour to social media. [SMABeirut]

I took a look at the judges’ list and the ones they chose are more than qualified for this job, with 1 or 2 exceptions which I will not name. One thing that I would have done differently is narrow down the nominations to 4, as I think 7 is too much.

Anyway back to the nominations, here it goes:

Best Blog of the Year
Beirut Spring: I’ve always been astounded by the insights Mustapha provides on the Lebanese society and Lebanon in general despite being abroad. He is concise, convincing, methodical and is among the very few bloggers that I agree with almost always. Oh and he never misses a chance to throw in a new term in every post and make me look for it online.

Best News Blog
Hummus Nation – The good thing about Hummus Nation is that his news are always reliable because he makes them up.

Best Lifestyle Blog
L’armoire De Lana – Lana has been pulling an impressive job ever since she launched her fashion blog. She’s posting daily, tweeting all day long, uploading pictures all the time. She’s doing it right and she totally deserves it.

Best Technology Blog
Tech-Ticker – A website founded by a group of Lebanese Technology enthusiasts covering the latest tech news and reviewing the most recent tech products.

Best Personal Blog
Gino’s Blog – Gino is truly commited to his blog and it shows through his posts. His views on certain topics are as far as they come from the conservative “Lebanese” thinking yet he manages to convince his readers most of the time. Neuromarketing at its best.

Most Engaging Media Personality
Magazine: RagMag’s Editor in Chief Fida Chaaban.
She devotes a lot of times to social media and interacting with readers and that’s not something easy to pull. In fact I don’t think I know any other media personality as devoted as her.

Best Performer
Nemr Abou Nassar: He was funnier when he started and I didn’t like his latest shows but he’s doing a great job online and deserves that award. The problem is here very few performers in Lebanon are active online to begin with.

Best Vocal Artist (Non-Arabic)
Tania Kassis

Most Creative Instagram Account
Mark

Most Viral YouTube Video
I would have loved to say Buzz but it turned out to be a copycat from an old US commercial. I’ll go with LebaneseBrew’s Try Something Brave.

Most Engaging Tweep
TrellaLB

Most Engaging Celebrity on Twitter
Celebrities in Lebanon have no idea how to use Twitter.

Most Engaging Media Personality on Twitter
TV/Journalist: Shada Omar.
Despite having almost 100,000 followers on Twitter, Shada dedicates time to almost everyone that interacts with her and is always interesting to talk to.

Most Engaging Diplomat on Twitter
HMA Tom Fletcher – If you wanna know why, read [this].

Best Business on Twitter
RagMag

Best Organization/NGO on Twitter
Donne Sang Compter

Best Pub/Bar
February30 and The Angry Monkey. The Angry Monkey’s last tweetup was the best I’ve been to in months and the place was packed. Bravo Jessy!

Best Restaurant, Café or Bakery
Roadster Diner and Zaatar W Zeit.

Best Hotel
Phoenicia Beirut.

Best Commercial District Account
LeMall

Best NGO/Community
Donner Sang Compter

Best Startup
Dermandar.

[YouTube]
The Family Guy creator singing “We saw your boobs” song, where he listed the actresses who had gone topless in films- including Meryl Streep, Kate Winslet, Anne Hathaway and Charlize Theron.

Some may find his jokes inappropriate and offensive but I thought MacFarlane was hilarious!

Speaking of the Oscars, here’s a list of winners:
Best Picture: Argo
Directing: Ang Lee, Life of Pi
Actor: Daniel Day-Lewis, Lincoln
Actress: Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Supporting Actress: Anne Hathaway, Les Miserables
Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Django Unchained
Adapted Screenplay: Chris Terrio, Argo
Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino, Django Unchained
Original Score: Life of Pi, Mychael Danna (a Canadian)
Original Song: Skyfall from Skyfall, Adele Adkins and Paul Epworth
Production Design: Lincoln
Film Editing: Argo
Foreign Language Film: Amour, Austria
Documentary (short subject): Inocente
Documentary Feature: Searching for Sugar Man
Live Action Short Film: Curfew
Makeup and Hairstyling: Les Miserables
Costume: Anna Karenina
Sound Editing: Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty (a tie)
Sound Mixing: Les Miserables
Visual Effects: Life of Pi
Cinematography: Life of Pi
Animated Short Film: Paperman
Animated Feature Film: Brave
[Source]

From left to right: Duraid Lahham, Najah Hafeez, Yassin Bakoush, Mohammad al-Shammat, Abdul Latif Fathi, Naji Jaber, Mohammad al-Akkad – Source

Yassin Bakoush was targeted inside his car and killed today in Syria. Yassin was a very well known comedian in Lebanon and the Arab world in the 70s. He is mostly famous for his roles with Duraid Lahham (Aka Ghawar Al-Tousheh).

I honestly had no clue about him until my dad told me who he was and that he was loved in Lebanon. It’s quite sad to hear about so many innocent people, including actors and athletes getting killed in Syria.

Here’s a link to a video showing his dead body but watch out as it’s graphic. [Link]

Ziad Doueiri‘s latest movie “The Attack”

After working for six years on this movie, The Lebanese Cinema Committee rejected the movie because it wasn’t Lebanese enough, and having Israeli actors in it. Doueiri was hoping to nominate his movie for an Oscar under the Foreign Film category.

For those of you who don’t know Ziad Doueiri, he is a Lebanese-born cinematographer, film director and writer, best known for his award winning film West Beirut. He apparently originally worked as a camera assistant under Quentin Tarantinofor movies that include Jackie Brown (film), From Dusk Till Dawn, Pulp Fiction, and Reservoir Dogs. [Wiki]

Instead of supporting Ziad and allowing him to compete (and maybe emerge as a winner) at the 2013 Oscars, the Lebanese Film Committee rejected his movie. Ignorance at its best.

After having been selected at the Telluride Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival, and having won the Special Jury Award at the San Sebastian Film Festival in Spain and the Golden Star at the Marrakesh Film Festival, the film had a high chance of being nominated for the Foreign Film category at the Oscars this year, said Doueiri. There is just one catch: In order to submit a movie to the Oscars, it must be sent in as an official selection from its country of origin – in this case, Lebanon.

And so in October 2012, Doueiri presented his film to Culture Minister Gaby Layoun, who handed it over to the Cinema Committee. But “The Attack” was rejected. “First, they said it was because wasn’t Lebanese enough,” said Doueiri. “And then it was because it wasn’t shot in Lebanon and has Israeli actors in it.” [NowLebanon]

The Attack is expected to be released on May 1, 2013 in France. I don’t know if we will see it in Lebanese theaters. I wouldn’t be surprised if they ban it.

The film, which is based on Yasmina Khadra’s French-language novel by the same name (L’Attentat), is the story of an Arab surgeon living and working in Tel Aviv. After a bomb attack in a Jewish restaurant, the surgeon finds out his wife is the prime suspect. “I was told by Focus Features, a division of Universal Studio, that the film It’s too pro-Palestinian for Americans and too pro-Israeli for Europeans,” explains Doueiri. But as a filmmaker, he believes he should be judged for his film’s quality, not politics. In the end, the US company pulled out of the project a few months prior to the start of filming, and Jean Brehat and Rachid Bouchareb, the French producers of Doueiri’s previous film, “West Beirut,” took the project.

[Source]

Bouquet won the role as the Bond girl Melina Havelock in the 1981 movie For Your Eyes Only. She’s one of the hottest Bond girls and For Your Eyes Only is one of my favorite Bond movies. Carole Bouquet is coming for “Le Mois de la francophonie” and is staying at Phoenicia Hotel.

I can’t believe she’s 55 and still looking that hot [Picture from 2012]. I should email Phoenicia and ask them if it’s possible to meet her.

[YouTube]

According to this LBCI report, and based on a study by the Economist, Lebanon has the highest alcohol consumption per person in the Arab world with 2.23 liters per year.

That’s good news but old news as I remember reading about those stats two years ago. I tried looking for an updated report but couldn’t find any except this old one where you find the 2.23 liters.

The new Die Hard movie ‘A Good Day to Die Hard’ will be released on February 14th in Lebanon. I am a huge “Die Hard” fan and will be looking forward to watching it. Bruce Willis is 57 and still kicks ass!