Talk about co-incidences and just desserts. Whoever said "dont buy pirated DVDs" was absolutely right!
My son has been whining about not having been able to watch Ironman while all his friends did (yup, I know its a very old whine but kids tend to get fixated!) so when I saw a DVD at Hyper, I decided to buy it. I knew it was piratd but decided to buy it nevertheless! Occassionally, its good to contribute to the parallel economy. In any case he or I were not going to get to watch in a theatre now, and, I had not been able to find the original. At the least, it would stop his constant cry for Ironman!
Came home to a very excited child, who immediately ripped open the cover and decided to watch it NOW! To our utter surprise, nay, shock, the movie came dubbed in Hindi (India's national language)!! If this was not surprise enough, the next 10 minutes were in English and then again Hindi! Rather discerning DVD eh, language suited to the country of the audience, lol!
Clearly this had been originally dubbed for the Indian market, but obviously the guy who was dubbing was napping, so got his tracks mixed up! Or this was his idea of international integration, lol!!
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label movies. Show all posts
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Zee Aflam - Hindi movies!
The first thing that strikes you, being an Indian, when you get to Cairo, is the average Egyptian's passion for Indian movies. Not to mention Egypt's national obsession for India's aging superstar - Amitabh Bachhan!
In our first month in Cairo, we would be very amused by cries of Hindi? India? Amitabh Bachhan? Vendors, passer-byes & shopkeepers, would want to know if we knew Amiabh Bachhan! I had guys in Khan recounting Hindi movies which I had probably seen when I was 10 or 11....
On querying, I was informed that Hindi movies were banned in Egypt for the last many years. Banned? I was a little puzzled till one of my Egyptian friends explained that courtesy the Indian movie mania that had the Egypians in a full Nelson at all times, the government had to ban movies to protect the local film industry!
It was only last year that a Hindi movie was released after many years in theatres, and no prizes for guessing whose movie it was! Amitabh Bachhan, of course!
I remember going to see the premier,and being completely astounded at the cat calls, whistles, clapping, hysteria, yelling and screaming with which his entry on the screen was greeted. That kind of explained a lot of things, and, made me a lot more tolerant the next time I was accosted by cries of Amitabh Bachhan!
Zeroing in on this craze for Hindi movies, Zee Tv, one of the big television houses in India, has launched a new free to air 24 hour television channel Zee Aflam. Available on Nilesat, the channel is the first of its kind in the region and features Hindi films that are subtitled and adapted specially for Arab family viewing.
The ads on the channel are in Arabic and have Arabic versions of popular Hindi movie songs and are absolutely delightful.. see an ad below...
The films have been edited down to a more appealing two hour format suitable for local viewing. From my husband's colleagues and my Egyptian friends I believe that in Cairo at least, the channel is a big hit..esp during Ramadan where families sit down after Iftaar to watch yet another Bollywood flick! Check out the ad below...
The channel telecasts movies under 4 categories:
Romantic movies (Al Film Al Romansy) come under the heading From the Heart to the Heart (Min Al Qalb Ela Al Qalb) and are screened every Wednesday at 22:00 hours (KSA) 23:30 hours UAE.
The second category features the films of Amitabh Bachchan, the biggest movie star of the millennium, and is headed host Amitabh as your Guest (Khali Amitabh Daifak). The films include a collection of his all time greats as well as his current worldwide hits. Screening times are every Thursday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
Friday is family movie time (Film Al Juma’a Al Aeli) when Zee Aflam presents its Friday for Family Gathering (Al Juma’a Iljam’ah) program of comedy, drama and wholesome entertainment that enriches the family movie watching experience. Friday viewing times are 22:00 KSA 23:00 UAE.
Category four, The Best of Bollywood (Rawa’ea Bollywood), features world famous movies under the heading This is the Best (Wala Arwa’a) and includes all time famous hits starring the biggest names in Hindi cinema. The Best of Bollywood can be seen every Saturday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
So for all those Indians who do not have Pehla, and, long for a slice of home, or those who would like to see what Bollywood churns out in such large numbers, you can search Nilesat for Zee Aflam, sit back, relax and enjoy the movies!!
In our first month in Cairo, we would be very amused by cries of Hindi? India? Amitabh Bachhan? Vendors, passer-byes & shopkeepers, would want to know if we knew Amiabh Bachhan! I had guys in Khan recounting Hindi movies which I had probably seen when I was 10 or 11....
On querying, I was informed that Hindi movies were banned in Egypt for the last many years. Banned? I was a little puzzled till one of my Egyptian friends explained that courtesy the Indian movie mania that had the Egypians in a full Nelson at all times, the government had to ban movies to protect the local film industry!
It was only last year that a Hindi movie was released after many years in theatres, and no prizes for guessing whose movie it was! Amitabh Bachhan, of course!
I remember going to see the premier,and being completely astounded at the cat calls, whistles, clapping, hysteria, yelling and screaming with which his entry on the screen was greeted. That kind of explained a lot of things, and, made me a lot more tolerant the next time I was accosted by cries of Amitabh Bachhan!
Zeroing in on this craze for Hindi movies, Zee Tv, one of the big television houses in India, has launched a new free to air 24 hour television channel Zee Aflam. Available on Nilesat, the channel is the first of its kind in the region and features Hindi films that are subtitled and adapted specially for Arab family viewing.
The ads on the channel are in Arabic and have Arabic versions of popular Hindi movie songs and are absolutely delightful.. see an ad below...
The films have been edited down to a more appealing two hour format suitable for local viewing. From my husband's colleagues and my Egyptian friends I believe that in Cairo at least, the channel is a big hit..esp during Ramadan where families sit down after Iftaar to watch yet another Bollywood flick! Check out the ad below...
The channel telecasts movies under 4 categories:
Romantic movies (Al Film Al Romansy) come under the heading From the Heart to the Heart (Min Al Qalb Ela Al Qalb) and are screened every Wednesday at 22:00 hours (KSA) 23:30 hours UAE.
The second category features the films of Amitabh Bachchan, the biggest movie star of the millennium, and is headed host Amitabh as your Guest (Khali Amitabh Daifak). The films include a collection of his all time greats as well as his current worldwide hits. Screening times are every Thursday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
Friday is family movie time (Film Al Juma’a Al Aeli) when Zee Aflam presents its Friday for Family Gathering (Al Juma’a Iljam’ah) program of comedy, drama and wholesome entertainment that enriches the family movie watching experience. Friday viewing times are 22:00 KSA 23:00 UAE.
Category four, The Best of Bollywood (Rawa’ea Bollywood), features world famous movies under the heading This is the Best (Wala Arwa’a) and includes all time famous hits starring the biggest names in Hindi cinema. The Best of Bollywood can be seen every Saturday at 19:30 KSA 20:30 UAE.
So for all those Indians who do not have Pehla, and, long for a slice of home, or those who would like to see what Bollywood churns out in such large numbers, you can search Nilesat for Zee Aflam, sit back, relax and enjoy the movies!!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Indiana Jones, coffee, chips and more!!
Went to see Indiana Jones at Bandar. While its very convinient, there is something about Bandar which is not quite right but I can't put my finger to it. Or maybe it's just my imagination? But who cares? Its there, screens English movies and is my favourite place to go see kiddie movies. Yeah, that's where I head everytime son wants to see a movie.
However, this time it was to see Indiana Jones though we took my son along.
Given that Indiana Jones is directed by Spielberg, coupled with the fact that I have wonderful memories of the earlier three, I had great expectations from this one. I guess at some level I expecetd to re-live my earlier memories through this one, but it was a bit dissapointing. Harrison Ford, much as I still love his sardonic smile, looks every bit of his 65 years and his whip doesn't crack as sharply as it did many years ago. The story is long winded and stretched and at times a little disjointed. I suspect Spielberg wanted the movie to be old fashioned and much in the same style as the earlier movies, and, to that extent he's succeeded.
My enjoyment of the movie was not enhanced by the numerous demands for coffee, soft drinks, chips and popcorn placed on me!. Mommy, why do movie halls in Maadi only stock popcorn and chips and some chocolates? Why not burgers, hamburgers, nachos with cheese, sandwiches etc? Difficult to explain to my 7 year old hungry son "they're like this only!!"
Given these endless "tiffin" breaks, the sense of the movie being disjointed was wonderfully enhanced. Didn't get to see the end either cos my son decided that he definately wanted to check out the interiors of the public restrooms. I am still trying to decide whether the end is worth sitting through the movie again, though if I be honest, it did rekindle some wonderful memories...methinks, maybe, just maybe I might go see it agian, and, this time without interruptions...
I think the person who enjoyed it the most was my son. He now wants to watch the earlier 3 movies - now that's something I'd be happy to do with him!!
However, this time it was to see Indiana Jones though we took my son along.
Given that Indiana Jones is directed by Spielberg, coupled with the fact that I have wonderful memories of the earlier three, I had great expectations from this one. I guess at some level I expecetd to re-live my earlier memories through this one, but it was a bit dissapointing. Harrison Ford, much as I still love his sardonic smile, looks every bit of his 65 years and his whip doesn't crack as sharply as it did many years ago. The story is long winded and stretched and at times a little disjointed. I suspect Spielberg wanted the movie to be old fashioned and much in the same style as the earlier movies, and, to that extent he's succeeded.
My enjoyment of the movie was not enhanced by the numerous demands for coffee, soft drinks, chips and popcorn placed on me!. Mommy, why do movie halls in Maadi only stock popcorn and chips and some chocolates? Why not burgers, hamburgers, nachos with cheese, sandwiches etc? Difficult to explain to my 7 year old hungry son "they're like this only!!"Given these endless "tiffin" breaks, the sense of the movie being disjointed was wonderfully enhanced. Didn't get to see the end either cos my son decided that he definately wanted to check out the interiors of the public restrooms. I am still trying to decide whether the end is worth sitting through the movie again, though if I be honest, it did rekindle some wonderful memories...methinks, maybe, just maybe I might go see it agian, and, this time without interruptions...
I think the person who enjoyed it the most was my son. He now wants to watch the earlier 3 movies - now that's something I'd be happy to do with him!!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Horton hears a Who
Took 5 seven year old boys to see gold ol' Horton to Maadi Family Land and more than once through the movie wondered why?The movie is nice but meant strictly for children (unlike a Madagascar). There is a limit to which you can stretch a Dr Suess book and make even an one and a half hour movie out of it. But the kids know the character from having read Horton in school and they absolutely loved it!
The "wondered why" stems not so much from the movie as from the kids. Stepped out to buy popcorn in the break, and came back to a hysterical scenario. Inspired by Horton, the kids were doing a butt dance on the platform next to the screen. Had to rush to pull them down and interrupt the audience's unexpected intermission entertainment. I must admit, it was rather funny, and, it kept them occupied!!
All in all, an entertaining afternoon for the kids. Family Land is quite decent and easily accessible.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Online DVD rentals in Cairo
Ok, so maybe I am a slow on finding out stuff, but just discovered that you have an online DVD rental company in Cairo. Yipee, now maybe I can get to watch some decent movies in the comfort of my home, and, on my version of a home theatre!
You can log on to http://www.egdvd.com/
They ship everywhere inside Cairo; Giza; 6th of October; Alrehab and 5th District. The service is 7 days a week. You receive the DVD same day if you order before 12:00 pm or next day if you order after that.
There is no limit for number of rental times during the month. No. of DVDs you can rent depends on your subscription plan and number of extra DVDs you order. The delivery service is free. technically theer is no time limit on keping the DVD, but they recommend max of a week.
The subscription plans are
Plan 1: 1 at a time. Unlimited monthly rentals. Price: L.E 50
Plan 2: 2 at a time. Unlimited monthly rentals. Price: L.E 80
Plan 3: 3 at a time. Unlimited monthly rentals. Price: L.E 100
It sounds great, but I have no idea what are the kind of titles that they keep... Will have to browse their website and then figure out.
You can log on to http://www.egdvd.com/
They ship everywhere inside Cairo; Giza; 6th of October; Alrehab and 5th District. The service is 7 days a week. You receive the DVD same day if you order before 12:00 pm or next day if you order after that.
There is no limit for number of rental times during the month. No. of DVDs you can rent depends on your subscription plan and number of extra DVDs you order. The delivery service is free. technically theer is no time limit on keping the DVD, but they recommend max of a week.
The subscription plans are
Plan 1: 1 at a time. Unlimited monthly rentals. Price: L.E 50
Plan 2: 2 at a time. Unlimited monthly rentals. Price: L.E 80
Plan 3: 3 at a time. Unlimited monthly rentals. Price: L.E 100
It sounds great, but I have no idea what are the kind of titles that they keep... Will have to browse their website and then figure out.
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