WATCH ME: jiro dreams of sushi

a mouthwatering documentary that made me so hungry.... to live. watching the strictly perfect way to prepare sushi that jiro ono (basically my new life coach) still dreams of improving despite his restaurant's 3 shiny Michelin stars, was like watching the word ambition unravel itself in front of my eyes by a cute 85 year old japanese man. and cute in that old people kind of way. i dunno, maybe i needed to clarify. ANYWAY, i've never been to japan, but the fact that this restaurant is in a subway station is impressive to me (especially when subway stations are polluted, rat infested tunnels from what i've gotten accustomed to). i know i know, the japanese are impeccably clean, but it's still something to wow about. 

sure i was salivating at the mouth at the sight of the fresh sake, maguro and unagi, but i was more inspired by jiro's dedication to his job.

when i reach success, jiro will definitely be on my list of people to thank. 

some of my favorite quotes:

jiro ono: always doing what you are told doesn't mean you'll succeed in life. 

shrimp dealer: these days the first thing people want is an easy job. then, they want lots of free time. and then, they want lots of money. but they aren't thinking of building their skills. when you work at a place like jiro's, you are committing to a trade for life. 

jiro ono: once you decide on your occupation... you must immerse yourself in your work. you have to fall in love with your work. never complain about your job. you must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. that's the secret of success... and is the key to being regarded honorably.

yoshikazu ono (his son): always look ahead and above yourself. always try to improve on yourself. always strive to elevate your craft. that's what he taught me. 

 jiro ono: nowadays parents tell their children, 'you can return if it doesn't work out.' when parents say stupid things like that, the kids turn out to be failures.

xx

WATCH ME: "i'll have what she's having"

the power of the fake orgasm. #justsayin. props to meg.

xx

WATCH ME: hbo's GIRLS

"on the totem of chat, the lowest form of communication is facebook, followed by gchat, then texting, then email, then phone. face to face is, of course, ideal, but it's not of this time," - marnie, GIRLS.

one of the highlights of my weekend was a delicious dinner at heirloom cafe in the mission and then a cozy sleepover in the city at my family friend's apt. something i love about restaurants here is how they're so prepared to serve food for people who have food sensitivities (comme moi) so you always feel taken care of and #loved.

my family friend zeena, who never fails to impress, then introduced me to the progressive hbo show GIRLS by exec producer judd apatow (knocked up, 40 year old virgin, bridesmaids+) and i have to say i'm sorta kinda probably a little  obsessed with it. it's almost like sex & the city but better, minus the bling and geared towards girls in their early twenties (but you'll find it funny at any age imo). the acting is so raw and really sucks you in. just don't watch it with your parents cuz you know... they ain't with the timez. they'd consider it heresy and assume the worst, then lock you up and bury the key and all its copies in a putrid dugout somewhere in sinai.  well, maybe that's a bit extreme, but at least my dad would consider it. i'm just saying he doesn't need to be exposed. he once asked me if it's normal for a man to hold a woman's hand on a second date. "only if it went REALLY well," i replied in disgust as i turned my prude halo onto its high beams. 

watch it, i guarantee you'll laugh.

xx

happy birthday, mr president..

a couple friends have convinced me to start watching SMASH, an upbeat perspective on bringing a broadway musical about Marilyn Monroe to life. i've only watched two episodes but i'm liking it!

 note: it's not for those of you who feel the slightest bit nauseus by random breakouts of song and jazz hands. 

i've always loved watching the whole idea of letting us live through the producers and the actors simultaneously. the music and dancing are especially fun to watch. every now and then i'll get an urge to jump up and dance, but of course i suppress it otherwise i'd probably have no one to watch it with anymore. Katherine McPhee (did she win on american idol?) is truly talented and beautiful. hate her a little. whats sort of annoying is why they always tend to make the rookie so innocent! nervous i get, but that whole innocent card is overly played. i'm assuming she'll be shedding it as the show progresses. thoughts on the show anyone?

happy tuesday songbirds xx

TV Shows to Watch: Revenge

My roomie told me to start watching the show Revenge, so I decided to check it out. I've watched an episode and I'm hooked; be prepared for what seems like a modern day Count of Monte Cristo in the Hamptons..

I'm also a little obsessed with Joshua Bowman.

We would probably never get along considering the shirt he's wearing, but he's just really.. nice to look at. This photo doesn't do him justice though, you'll have to watch the first episode.

I also never thought much of Emily VanCamp in Brothers & Sisters, but I really like her in this show too. She's just got this monotone expression that's a reaction for everything, and I'm hoping it's meant to be that way.

I wouldn't mind having a house in the Hamptons, just without all the drama that seems to come with it. This show makes me filter the people there to abnormally rich charity givers who don't have much to do except look good while trying to convince everyone including themselves that they have the perfect family. I should probably watch more than one episode before making all these judgements.

Aflam Qaseera: "A Genie Called Gin"

The Abu Dhabi Film Commission started the production of the six winners of the Aflam Qaseera Production Fund selected for their short scripts, 5 - 12 minutes in length. Each of the six winners are granted 100,000 AED in production funds by the ADFC who will work closely with them during production. The first of the six was a short that I was in called "A Genie Called Gin".

The story follows a very unlucky Jeremy, who meets a genie.. called Gin, who grants him three wishes. My character, Lucy, is the reason he wishes to time travel - and you'll have to stay tuned to find out more!

Yeah.. that's my attempt at sparking your interest :)

The cast and crew were great to work with, I'm only looking forward to bigger projects with them.

Check out a short clip behind the scenes on set by the ADFC. I had no clue what I was saying...

To Method Act or Not to Method Act

Have you watched Breaking Dawn yet? This photo really amuses me, this is Pattinson's trademark "in love" look, but really looks more like he's feeling his hernia flare up. I watched it on Saturday and actually enjoyed it. Oh my god... I know. I'm either getting scowls or cheers of agreement right now. See, I decided to give twilight a read my last semester of uni because after a while I got bored of Boston's freezing weather, and staying in to read was a much better idea..... aaand I've always been a geek who's into sci-fi and fantasy. So this was just a quick easy read. Yes it can be stupid, yes it's for kids, yes it's unrealistic, but for some reason it became a guilty pleasure that I'm not embarrassed about. Anyway, back to Breaking Dawn, I was afraid it would suck like the first part of the 7th Harry Potter movie, but I really liked that we actually go to see the baby, and Bella's transformation. I just have one question, how intense was the sex scene because it was censored here... All we saw was them skinny dipping, then Bella waking up with feathers around her. No, I can't visually imagine what sex with a vampire would be like, so I didn't appreciate the cut.

I was impressed by how frail and sick Bella looked. I remember in the book the description was ghastly, but wow did they portray it well. I got really scared at first that Kristen Stewart actually embodied the character and lost all that weight, because as an aspiring actress the last thing I want to think I have to do is put my health on the line for a role. I found this interview where she explains it was all digital:

It appears that you lost a considerable amount of weight between the honeymoon and when you were pregnant. Was that all digital?

Kristen Stewart: "Yeah, digital totally. I didn't have time. We shot everything...everything was sporadically shot. To do that we would've had to shut down production for a couple of months while I lost the weight or gained it back, whichever we did first."

It looks very genuine.

Kristen Stewart: "It's so cool that you're saying that. That’s great because you do fear that. It does make you feel a little bit like, 'Oh, I hope you guys do a good job,' because I can't do that part and it can ruin you, obviously, if you look ridiculous. Obviously, I don't. So, those guys are amazing at what they do."

(click here for the full interview)

After seeing how amazing digital work is, I really felt bad for actors like Christian Bale, who lost 60 lbs. for his role in The Machinist, where he'd live on like espresso and an apple a day. I think method acting is admirable, just not when it puts you at risk, which most times it seems to do just that. I'm sure he'd never regret his choices, he'd say losing all that weight is the only way he could live that role. I would just be curious to see if someone could do it just as well without all the unhealthy physical work. Check out his photos from the film if you haven't seen it already, bloody scary:

Freida Pinto in Black Gold?

I just have one comment:

Freida Pinto. is. NOT. Arabic.

Maybe one day when actual Arabs are used to represent themselves, movies will be more genuine and convincing.

Thank you and have a nice day.

Good Morning DXB: You better shape up!

Not sure why, but I woke up with this song in my head. Can't complain though, I've got such a busy day ahead of me so having this upbeat tune to push me out of bed was great!

Happy Wednesday! xx

Love for my Djinn Girls

For those of you who don't know, the first movie I acted in, Djinn  - directed by Tobe Hooper, should be out in theatres around January '12. Shot in March and April, it was definitely a wild experience. I'm really hoping it has that thrill factor that Tobe has been known for in his other movies, such as Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Poltergeist.

I have to say though, that one of the main benefits of the movie was working with two of the most beautiful girls I've met, inside and out. Meet Razane Jammal and Aiysha Hart. I expected an experience out of the movie, but definitely not the great friendship we were able to walk away with. 

We got to spend a nice sunny day together while I was in London. As usual, we were complete goofballs, but at least we managed a decent photo :)

Stay tuned for Djinn!

"Be better than the Gap!"

I finally got around to watching Crazy Stupid Love. Really enjoyed it! This is one of those feel good movies I'd own to play in the background over again. The cast was super. Except I wasn't crazy about the babysitter, Analeigh Tipton. Her mouth made my blood boil because she kept trying to open or pout it. THEN I found out she was on America's Next Top Model Cycle 11 and placed 3rd and I really liked her back then. Suddenly my annoyance towards her waned after I realized she's gone a long way; good for her!

I found that Steve Carell and Julianne Moore (who I look up to so much as an actress fyi) had great chemistry together. Kevin Bacon is still around? I haven't missed him much. I got so happy when the son gave that fool a lesson. Gotta say I wouldn't have minded less time around the son and more around Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling. I LOVED his role in this movie. He knows how to charm and get all the ladies without appearing like that proud stuck up prick. How is that possible? I lost all attraction to him in Blue Valentine and now it's all back again. He's got that swagga that'll make any girl's heart melt. Boys out there, let him teach you a couple tips. I'm getting scowls now I bet. 

It shows how revamping your wardrobe and getting a full physical makeover (in every way) can do wonders for you. Of course not to all those who appreciate someone only for their heart and soul; you all are much better than me. I love style. And that confident-charming-wit-that-not-many-have-without-that-necessary-experience attitude, is knee weakening. 

'Checking In' Photoshoot with Pose Magazine Sneak Peeks

After being featured in one of the most popular English newspapers in the UAE, Gulf News, the cast and director of 'Checking In' were invited for a photoshoot and interview by Pose Magazine for next month's issue. Unfortunately, only part of the cast were at the shoot as the rest were vacationing. We look forward to many more shoots with the full cast :)

The feature should be out by September 15th!

Here are some sneak peaks: 

*'Checking In' on Gulf News*

Last December I joined the cast of 'Checking In' and it's finally getting ready for some attention -  "Dubai's about to get more screen time, as director Naim Zaboura plans on showing the lives of the people who drive the Emirate's hospitality industry in a locally made TV series, Checking In." Read the online article here "Dubai takes centerstage in new TV series."  

My Unfortunate Life as a Zombie

I don't remember ever being interested in the storm of Zombie movies that hit the big screens; and yet, somehow acted as one in the short "Envy the Dead" directed by Isa Swain. It was actually a fun experience; from getting my make up done, to shooting in a dingy tunnel for 6 hours, to greeting my dad at 6am physically and literally in a zombie state of mind.

Check out the video to watch me as a very hungry and greedy zombette. I was the lucky one who got to give the protagonist the inevitable, unlucky bite he was dodging throughout. 

Another Almodóvar Movie to look out for!

This definitely left me feeling a bit weird; but there's something about Pedro Almodóvar's style that can do that. La Piel que Habito or the Skin I Live In, is Almodóvar's first drama thriller loosely based on Thierry Jonquet's novel, Tarantula. I get freaked out by realistic representations of drastic bodily changes in labs... reminds me of Frankenstein. From what I understood, it's that whole master/creator story who brings life to a wild being, and ends up losing control of it, concept. I will check it out though since my Lulua recommended it and also because Almovodar's work is always well made.

Good Morning DXB: Girls and Our Hormones

I think this video sums them up quite well. Sorry boys. We love you for putting up with us :)

btw..... did you happen to notice this subliminal message?

Love, depression, outer space, family, confusion: Watch this Trailer

I'm always interested in anything to do with space. I crave so much information about everything out there. That's why I get intrigued by films with references to it all the time. Not so much action films about aliens and slime, which unfortunately seem to be dominating the genre. I prefer the sci-fi that can be more lighthearted, because we don't really know enough to always make it that believable. Or maybe nothing out there would appear believable.

One of my closest friends told me about this trailer, she knows me well. There's something about it that I'm liking. I don't really understand it and there's a lot going on, but something tells me I'd leave the film thinking. I hope so at least. I've recently been really impressed with Kirsten Dunst's performances so I'm looking forward to it.

Pina: Get ready to be intrigued!

What started off as a collaboration turned into more of an homage to the late Pina Bausch, one of the most influential dancers circa 1970s. The documentary by film director Wim Wendors presents the awarded German dancer, choreographer and teacher's most acclaimed work. They started the documentary in 2009 the same year Pina passed. 

Large elaborate sets and eclectic music with tacit symbolism filling over the brim are some of the main components of her work. Interactions between males and females are a strong theme as well. Her style has inspired many including well known directors such as Pedro Almovodar. 

It's no doubt that the collaboration of dance and music have become a lingua franca when precisely pieced. This trailer portrays this well. I find the music (Lilies in the Valley by Jun Miyake) so eerie. The constant repetition feels like a drone slowed down immensely to the point that the individual beats are heard. Definitely stirs the emotions that are being presented. I'm moved. 

Pina's release date was at Berlinale, February 2011 in 3D. I can't wait to get my hands on it! Merci Rahmo xx

Good Morning DXB - A Beautiful Video for You

I fell in love with this video by Bruno Aveillan, French multimedia artist, when I saw it and was initially on edge at the actor's situation and the insurmountable difficulties he faced. At first I remembered the movie White Fang, I used to love it. I watched the making of this video, and the actor had to spend a week with the wolves to feel completely comfortable around them. Without that level of trust between the wolves and the actor the serenity and calmness of their interaction would not have been attained. I really appreciate a video less than 5 minutes that can stir up emotion in me through the subject and story,  as well as the cinematic technique and music. This video especially is a work of art. A big thanks to the superb photographer Jason Gareth for sharing it with me xx

Movie to look out for!

Obviously this is directed to people in DXB where movies take slightly longer to reach :)

i ♥ ryan gosling