Wonder Women- Movie Review

By: Hamza Shafique

Who doesn’t like a strong female action character on screen whether its Trinity from Matrix and her iconic slow motion opening kick or more recent android Scarlet Johansson from Ghost in a shell, I love them all, even the most exciting part in horrible Batman vs Superman movie was when wonder woman joins the end fight sequence. Now imagine what will happen if you add elements of romance, innocence, will-power and humor to this female action figure. You will get the wow movie of all time.

Social Connect with Ahad Raza Mir

By: Hamza Shafique

Today for Social Connect we have Hum TV network’s drama ‘Sammi’ famed, long haired handsome actor Ahad Raza Mir. Ahad Raza Mir is the son of veteran Actor Asif Raza Mir and has not only inherited his Father’s good looks but acting talent as well. With his second drama serial already on air, he displays all the signs of a future super star. Here is DDR’s usual 5 questions interview.

Al Hefaiyah Mountain Conservation Center - In and Around UAE

By: Hamza Shafique

Environment and Protected Areas Authority Sharjah has a lot of conservation and learning centers. I had my eyes set on Al Hefaiyah Mountain conservation center since I have been to Wasit Wet Land Center. It took me a while to visit this one as this one was 128 Km away at the base of Hajjar Mountains outside of Kalba. Thanks to recent Easter long weekend, I could finally make this short road trip.

Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - Trailer Review

By: Hamza Shafique

I am so happy to share the much-anticipated final trailer of “Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets” with special thanks to Novo Cinemas UAE for making me the part of this launch.  

This trailer is a visual treat. I watched it on my TV screen in HD with Full surround sound and was engrossed. Valerian is based on French science fiction comics series Valérian and Laureline. Luc Besson is an expert when it comes to Science Fiction Action Films, his last film of this genre ‘LUCY’ was a major success making 11 times its budget, so expectations with this one are also high.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge - Movie Review

By: Hamza Shafique

Finally, a cinematic experience worth writing about, Joachim Ronning/Espen Sandberg’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge” is like a roller-coaster ride. It starts with a high note with the main antagonist Salazar’s introduction and stays at the same note throughout with few ups and down along the way and finishes at even higher note. As we know, throughout the roller-coaster ride people are high on emotions and  similar was the case with me for 129 minutes throughout this fantasy world of pirates. Story, screenplay, treatment, direction and visuals all work superbly well together for this one. And thanks to the IMAX technology, it became one of the best swashbuckler film experience for me.

Alien Covenant - Movie Review

By: Hamza Shafique

I usually don’t take notes while watching a film like other movie reviewers do. My philosophy is to write my unadulterated impression after the film as a review. So, my review/rating completely rely on the fact, ‘how memorable the whole experience is’ and Ridley Scott’s Alien Covenant is not memorable. I just saw it couple of hours ago and I am having hard time recalling most of it. Anyway, I will not say much about the story, it’s a sequel to Prometheus and prequel to Alien series. Story revolves around an expedition sent to colonize a planet but instead of going there they change their plan and go to a much closer planet they find after an accident on the ship, that also wakes crew from their sleep, in this accident they also lose their captain which leaves them with disputed leadership as well.

Everything Everything - Movie Review

By: Hamza Shafique

‘Everything Everything’ has all the potential to be a great young-adult romantic movie like ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ but Stella Meghie’s story telling limits it to an ordinary chick flick.
I have not read the book so can’t tell how much it’s different from the book so my review would be purely from a movie perspective.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 - Movie Review

By: Hamza Shafique

James Gunn‘s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2’ confused me on so many levels. I am not sure if I liked it or not. It’s definitely not a classic like Captain America’s Civil War but it’s also not horrible as Batman vs Superman. I guess it’s somewhere in the middle and my problem is that I am not use to of Marvel films being there.

King Arthur : Legend of the Sword - Movie Review

By: Hamza Shafique

To be honest I wasn’t impressed with the trailers but last weekend there were not many options in cinema so I unwillingly booked for ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’.Tale of King Arthur has been told many times before, in fact I have seen at least 4 films on this subject and all of them were just ordinary. So, I was wondering what new this installment on the same subject can offer but Guy Ritchie’s style of retelling the ancient folklore of King Arthur is quite new and innovative. 

Social Connect with Mansha Pasha

By: Hamza Shafique

“Chalay Thay Saath” was Lollywood’s hope to break the streak of flops this year. Film has now been released and opened to mixed reviews. Despite of mixed reviews, one thing everyone praised and agreed on is the amazing performance by the principal cast. We have already done social connect with Kent S. Leung, Faris Khalid and Osama Tahir. Here is Social Connect with most talented and one of my most favorite member of “Chalay Thay Saath” team, Mansha Pasha.

Sacred Beasts of Manghopir - Throwback Thursday

By: Hamza Shafique

Thanks to Steve Irwin, Crocodile/Alligator became one of my favorite animal, I grew up watching his documentaries and it was always fascinating to see him around them. So, whenever I get the opportunity to witness one, whether its canoeing through Rapti river in Nepal or watching 24 feet King crocodile in Dubai Mall’s underwater zoo, I never let it go. Manghopir is famous for its Mugger crocodiles (species native to Indian subcontinent), So when I was in Karachi in 2011, the visit to this mysterious place was must for me.