Cinematic: Ghost Protocol: Mission Failed to Portray Reality

Lamiaa ElKholy |Dubai

Mission Impossible Ghost Protocol has been highly anticipated here in Dubai since Tom Cruise’s memorable stunts on top of the Burj Khalifa as he dangled and hopped across the world’s tallest building.

With the release of the trailer and the never before seen on a Western film, footage of the tower we all held our breath as Tom struggled to stay attached to the glistening glass.

But how every patch we have seen translated on the big screen when it was time for the real thing was really disappointing!

When it came to action and explosives Mission Impossible 4 did what the film does best; it delivered, but when it came to portraying the scenes shot in the UAE, it was quite a shock how the movie sustained Hollywood’s long tradition of stereotyping the Middle East.

We can’t deny that the geographical nature of the region does involve vast deserts, camels and sandstorms as the film depicts, however to introduce the city on screen with Tom driving his four wheel across oceans of sand you can’t help but wonder which airport did the IMF team choose for landing?!

Routs leading to Burj Khalifa which lies in the most constructed urban districts in Dubai seemed to be on the edge of some oasis where camels intercept your way and traditional souks are erected just around the corner!

Dubai’s landmarks, streets the whole city surrounding the Burj was completely edited out in the movie!

When the location supposedly changes to India again the film brings us to one of Dubai’s most luxurious hotels; Zabeel Saray at the Plam Jumeirah where the Dubai Film Festival had its closing ceremony last Wednesday, deluding the viewer to believe that this place lies in India!

It might be rather exotic to a Western audience to maintain the illusion of Middle Eastern desert life but it would certainly feel weird if New Yorkers had to watch actors ride on horseback to head to the statue of liberty and rush out of the Empire states building into a chase in China Town! Would the film makers dare shoot in a popular European location and claim it is in the big apple?

In the world of movies everything is credible but what was expected from a huge production lead by Tom Cruise who was hugely welcomed in the UAE was definitely to stay true to the story it is trying to tell!

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Thriller

Directed by:

Brad Bird

Movie Cast:

Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyqvist, Vladimir Mashkov, Josh Holloway, Anil Kapoor, Lea Seydoux, Tom Wilkinson.

Cinematic: Avatar in Defense of The Other

Avatar is a movie that has rocked the world and certainly mine. It's revolutionary in every aspect of its making. James Cameron takes the most acceptable form of transgression of our modernity, the right to ravish lands for resources, and turns it into an epic story of the perspectives and lives of the victimized Alien, the expendable Other. He takes a crippled marine to experience the unique unison with a man-made alien avatar that gives him infinite access to physical freedoms that can only be real in dreams. The Avatar is supposed to mingle with alien masses of planet Pandora, convince them to let go of their sacred lands which is lying on top of a huge natural resource the human military forces relentlessly seek. The movie takes us to Pandora's divine haven and its magnificent inhabitants and creatures, their beliefs and rituals and gradually have us witness the change that overtakes that soldier who becomes the leader, the chosen one that brings victory to the oppressed. A story that can not be broken into a few lines, for each and every detail carries a message that must be analyzed in depth.

For the first time a western movie explicitly points a finger against warfare, against imperial assault, and transgressions which are justified in the name of survival, wealth and upper interests. And for the first time, the point of view of the natives are treated with respect and is represented without sarcastic overtones.


Cameron utilizes every tool in this movie and particularly an unsurpassed CGI simulation system for the actors to convey feelings, movement and actual real life reactions so that the Avatar experience is not only an idea in the movie but also an actual experience enjoyed by the actors. The massive production is reflected in the superb quality of 3D massive Avatars and the minute details of their design to perfection.

The repeated words the natives use to bound, " I see you" is amazing for the layers of meanings, they reflect. It represents their spiritual insight, their unified vision, their common values and respect for the choices and the decisions of its individuals; certain they are always motivated by the best interest of the community. When Neytiri saves and brings Jake Sully's avatar to her tribe every one respects her decision. When Jake becomes one of her people he repeats the words to reveal his inner transformation.

One of the most expressive moments of the movie is when Jake seeks to be taught the ways of the tribe and he is told "you can't fill a cup that's already full." and Jake replies "believe me, I'm an empty cup." Unlike the brainwashed soldiers, Jake didn't receive the training or the preconceived misconceptions that mobilize the arsenal behind him. In fact, he lost his freedom and the life of his twin brother in the name of such invasions. Jake is made the perfect receptor, the perfect open minded character that is meant to see. Being a mindless follower ripped him and left him empty. These qualities become the essence of his eminent leadership that's prophesied from the minute Neytiri aims her arrow to kill him and he is saved by the peaceful passage of a holy seed.


God as one with nature is evident in the celestial beauty of Pandora, cleverly named after the mythical box of evils that once opened it unleashes evil, and in the invisible energy that lurks at its every corner binding all as one. When Jake prays for support, he summons the divine forces that bring them to victory in a moment of desperation and once everyone has done what's right within their capacity. Jake laments the loss of green to a state of destruction that he refuses to let happen to his newly known world and genuinely attempts to stop it from happening again.

The amazing ending, the moment Neitiri saves Jake again this time as a human is awesome! and the communal ritual that seals Jake's final rebirth or resurrection by dying to his old crippled form, is an epic visual spectacle to a puzzled audience that doesn't wish to see Jake hooked up to the simulator or departed from his love and new home. The movie is a milestone in the history of cinema and I say in the shamefull history of mankind.

I clap with every molecule in my being!

Cinematic: Surregates

Surrogates is the latest movie I have watched. It's a Sci-Fi film by Bruce Willis who gets to play both a futuristic & human cop controlling an advanced surrogate body that's connected to his nerve system along with humanity at large. Every person gets the luxury of a custom made human robot that gets to deal with the outside world while he/she lies comfortably at the convenience of their living room. As surrogates vanquish and get replaced, humans remain safe & sheltered from danger until an unprecedented occurrence of brutal deaths, while being connected, threatens the lives of users and the purpose of the product. The heightened action scenes, visual effects & make up give the movie its unique features. It's a thriller that's worth watching as it raises questions about man/ machine & the advances of science at the expense of human values.

Cinematic: Pick a team!

Upon the request of my bff Manoosha I had to post something about Kivanc Tatlitug, aka Muhanad in the Turkish romance Noor. The hype for the Turkish invader of Egyptian screen and women's heart's in the Arab world can only be compared to the hype surrounding Rob Pattinson around the globe. I must say that Egypt is a breeder of hunks too! I vote for Ahmed Ezz in support of local merchandise ;P
-L.

Cinematic: Rob as Ian in The Host?

Ever since I've read Stephanie Meyer's The Host, I've been unable to imagine someone other than Rob playing Ian in a cinematic adaptation. Now that The Host's casting is being chosen by Meyer & the producers (posted earlier, review here), I'm shouting out Rob for Ian pleaaaaase! dark hair fits Rob too:( come squeal with me, lol.
-L.

Cinematic: "The Host" is becoming a movie!

If you are Twilight saga freak like me this would be exciting news! Stephenie Meyer's The Host is to become a movie. "Producers Nick Wechsler, Steve and Paula Mae Schwartz have used their own money to acquire screen rights to “The Host,” the first adult novel written by Stephenie Meyer, author of the “Twilight” series." read here. The Host is a sci-fi thriller that I found as outstanding & as hooking as Twilight though nothing can measure up to Edward Cullen even if Meyer herself tries.
-L.
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Cinematic: Transformers in Egypt

Shia LaBeouf bigger than the pyramids of course!

It's always possible for a Megatron to be slightly taller than the Sphinx

Transformers Revenge of The Fallen, pays Egypt a happy visit! as the battle between the Megatrons & the Decepticons heats up! I'm always thrilled to see our land marks on the silver screen but I just can't get over watching the pyramid get demolished. Egypt is a hot spot in movies these days; Twilight? Apotamkin? rings a bell? yes, we suck blood, we're scary. Iron Man? the terrorist? yes, we breed them! needless to say that we sleep under camels and wrap ourselves with tents (we do worse!). Why is it too much to see the "Other" as "Normal"? Why the constant stigmatization of any thing Egyptian? Hard feelings since the Exodus? We weren't there... The da** Pharaoh got what he deserved...just saying, Gosh!
-L.

Cinematic

Crazy about movies? Yes! I've always been a movie addict since I was ten. My first movie obsession was E.T. & my current is Twilight as most of you know by now:)
So Cinematic is the special place to feed my movie addiction. In Cinematic we can discuss & review classic or current films that we have enjoyed.
-L.