Eid Mubarak Everyone!

Eid Mubarak to everyone who is celebrating!

Eid is a celebration for all Muslims around the world who have fasted for 30 days for Ramadan. Ramadan is when Muslims fast during the hours of daylight. This means no food or drink at all, and it also means stopping bad habits. This helps you feel like you're cleansing your soul of sins and desires. It helps teach you about self-discipline and of the poor people who can't afford to eat. It makes you feel what they are feeling.

Many Muslims will try go to the mosque everyday to prayer and listen to the Quran being read. The Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) during this month. The night the Quran was revealed is known as Lailut ul-Qadr (The Night of Power) this requires a special pray for men and women.

When I break my fast I have a meal with my family and then an hour before I start fasting again I will have a small meal but nothing heavy so I won't be hungry when I wake up. Doing it with your family is the best because you are sharing the same beliefs with each other and helping one another. I think it brings you closer together which is a good thing.

At the end of Ramadan a celebration called Eid-ul-Fitr occurs to show the breaking of the fast and everyone thanks Allah for helping them throughout Ramadan. Muslims come together to celebrate this by dressing up nice and giving out gifts. My father has given me money and my brother various different gifts. As a family we have also given to charity to the poor to help them celebrate.

I am half Turkish and Turkish Muslims say "Bayramınız mübarek olsun" to one another. I think every country have a different way of saying Eid Mubarak but it doesn't matter because we are all celebrating the same thing. 

Later today my father and some of my other family members are going to celebrate with a meal and will thank Allah for all the help he gave us through Ramadan.

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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) Review ★★★★☆

********CONTAINS SPOILERS********

I've never actually watched any of the original films from the Planet of the Apes (1968) franchise, only the remake Planet of the Apes (2001) so my knowledge about the films were limited. I rated Rise of the Planet of the Apes high as it was well made and had an excellent narrative so I had high hopes for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014). I was right, it was brilliant from start to finish with only a few minor cons. 

Okay, so it's 10 years later and no sign of James Franco (he didn't want to return to the franchise) or any other humans for that matter. We go to the forest which we were left with at the end of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. We are shown that the apes have developed hunting skills which assures the audience they have managed to survive the ALZ-113 virus. In Rise of the Planet of the Apes Caesar was lost and was just becoming independent whereas now Caesar is a leader who has developed all the human knowledge he needs to survive and defend his land, he is now a father which shows apes are capable of having a family. Caesar's development makes the audience relate to him more as he is human like, showing the same behaviours and showing he can care for a community. 

The Motion Caption Technology used was breath taking, throughout the entire film it was like I was watching real animals. The detail on every single animal was unbelievable, I had to keep reminding myself they weren't real. When I looked back at the apes in Rise of the Planet of the Apes you could see the improvements which I couldn't believe they managed to do. Andy Serkis did a excellent job as Caesar, capturing all the behaviours and emotions of an ape.

A group of humans are found in the forest searching for a power station as we learn there are a community of humans which survived and have been living close by the apes. A human named Carver panics and shoots Ash, Rocket's son which immediately angers the apes therefore Caesar goes to the humans and demands that they stay in their own territory and the apes will stay in theirs. This all goes fine but then obviously it kicks off with betrayal, jealously, anger and war. 

One of the only problems I had with the film was that there weren't really any character development with the humans. Usually I don't mind that but because they were all new characters I felt we needed to know some more about them. I was surprised that the character Dreyfus wasn't as bad as the trailers made out him to be. It was Carver who was the most cruel human. Some of the humans understood that it wasn't the apes fault that the virus spread but to some it's just easier to blame the apes and hate them. People always fear things that they don't understand. That's why it annoyed me when the humans just wanted to kill them without hearing what they had to say. This is when I didn't feel any emotion towards the humans, even when they were getting captured by the apes because humans would experiment on the apes without a care in the world. In films like this I think the humans are always portrayed in a bad way because in real life I think societies are ignorant to certain things, especially in politics. When the city gets power the first thing Dreyfus does is look at photographs of his family on his iPad. This made me feel sorry for him and it showed that all he wanted was to see his family again. This kind of gives hope back to the humans that they still have emotion. This also shows that humans can't rely on technology like in real life because you need power to survive and there are more important things than technology you have to think about.

Throughout the film I wanted the humans Malcolm, Ellie and Alex to survive, I think because they didn't hesitate when it came to helping and understanding the apes. They understood that the apes had built themselves a life and didn't want it destroyed. They saw they were trying to be equal to humans for example Maurice teaches the other apes how to read. They want to be accepted and treated in the same way.

Throughout the whole film it was emotional and tense especially between Caesar and Koba, two best friends who have been through an ordeal but have to stand for their own beliefs which conflicted with one another. I felt sorry for Koba because he was experimented on and he hated the humans for that, I don't blame him I just think his anger and hatred over took his thinking which led him to betray Caesar. The scene when he begins the war is heartbreaking as he is leading all the apes to their deaths. All the fire around makes the scene powerful, connoting the pain that everyone has felt since the virus spread and the pain the apes went through in the experiments. Unfortunately some of the apes were being burnt alive, this was actually hard to watch because it just seemed so real and if they knew the real reason for them fighting they wouldn't have gone in the first place. However they were scared and had to follow Koba out of fear, this is usually a human trait. 

There were a few continuity moments which linked to Rise of the Planet of the Apes such as when Caesar went back to his old house and went to his old room where he found a video of him when he was younger. It was sad to watch because the audience knew how much he loved Will. It reminded us that Caesar still wants to help and be equal with humans.  The only actors who returned for this film were Andy Serkis, Karin Konoval and Terry Notary. Some of the same characters returned such as Koba but they had changed actors. All the acting was good with all the characters however it was the apes which got all my attention.

I definitely recommend this film and I will be watching all the originals!

Please comment with your thoughts!

Cast

Andy Serkis as Caesar

Karin Konoval as Maurice

Jason Clarke as Malcolm

Keri Russell as Ellie

Toby Kebbell as Koba

Kodi Smit-McPhee as Alexander

Kirk Acevedo as Carver

Gary Oldman as Dreyfus

Nick Thurston as Blue Eyes

Terry Notary as Rocket

Judy Greer as Cornelia

Larramie Doc Shaw as Ash

Director

Matt Reeves

Screenplay

Amanda Silver

Mark Bomback

Scott Z. Burns

Rick Jaffa

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Lovelace (2013) Review ★★☆☆☆

********CONTAINS SPOILERS********

I'm into biographical dramas so I watched Lovelace (2013) a look at how Linda Boreman aka Linda Lovelace became the most famous porn star. The terror which forced her to enter the industry and star in the notorious film Deep Throat (1972).

Amanda Seyfried plays Linda and I thought she did a good job, I felt she captured a vulnerable, victimized yet sexy woman which is what Linda claimed she was, well not the sexy part. She met Chuck Traynor who was a nice guy at first, I guess he lured her in as he was an older man giving her attention. One night Linda was late home after a night out and her mother slapped her causing her to move away and marry Chuck. Chuck who was stuck for cash asked Linda to help him out by doing an adult movie which led her to star in Deep Throat (1972) and there was a main reason why... I think you can guess by the name of the film. Deep Throat (1972) became such a success it made like $600 million while Linda only earned $1,200. So to say she was mugged off is an understatement. Now during all this she claimed Chuck would force her to act in the film by threatening her with a gun and threatening to kill her family. He beat her and forced her to have group sex where he would keep all the money. It gets too much for her and she tells Gerry Damiano who helps her out and sets her free from the industry. The film ends with her promoting her autobiography 'Ordeal' and how the seventeen days she spent in the industry shouldn't define who she is for the rest of her life.

After the film finished I started looking up Linda Lovelace and her allegations towards Chuck Traynor. I found out she had wrote like four autobiographies each claiming she had turned to a feminist, born again christian etc. This makes the Lovelace (2013) lack credibility because it makes you start questioning whether Linda was truthful or not as she was capable of changing her beliefs so many times. I then came across the documentary Inside Deep Throat (2005) which focuses more on how Deep Throat (1972) affected society and more depth about the films production. However there is a brief discussion on Linda and the real Gerry Damiano says that she was happy. Now if this is true Lovelace (2013) have fabricated some scenes such as when Linda goes to Gerry and he helps her. Obviously we will never know the exact truth but personally I think they used scenes like that in Lovelace (2013) to make us feel sorry for Linda which was the films purpose. Lovelace (2013) made out that Linda only starred in one adult film when she actually didn't. She starred in Deep Throat 2 (1974) which wasn't as successful and even posed nude for many magazines.

The film used non linear narrative by adding in flashbacks to show the abuse of Linda, this was a good idea in the sense of a shock factor because the audience don't really realise how bad she is actually getting it but personally I thought it was a waste of time because I think it would have the same effect as you would still see the disturbing scenes. The mise-en-scene throughout the film was great because it had a real 1970's feel to it from the skating ring to the 70's fashion sense.

The quality of the acting by some of the cast was fantastic, especially Amanda Seyfried which I stated before, however James Franco who starred as Hugh Hefner was awkward to watch. They definitely cast the wrong actor for the role because he acted nothing like Hugh. I watch Girls of the Playboy Mansion (also known as The Girls Next Door) which features Hugh Hefner a lot so I know how he is, not just him with a load of girls and in silk pyjamas, but his personality with the girls. James Franco did not show this at all with Amanda Seyfrieds character. Another actor who I thought would have give a better performance was Adam Brody who starred as Harry Reems. The same kind of reasons as James Franco it was so awkward. I mean yeah its meant to be awkward for the audience watching an adult film but he was just not suited for the part. His acting was just flat. The poor quality of some actors ruined it for me as it made it less realistic and boring to watch. There was no need for half of the cameo appearances from known actors as they didn't affect the film at all. The scenes with Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard were excellent because it was intense to watch. It was exciting and sad at the same time and even hard to watch at times especially when he forced her to have sex with him when she didn't want to. But the chemistry between them were believable and great to watch. Sharon Stone was hardly recognisable as she played Linda's mother who was a strict older woman who wanted the best for her daughter. One scene which was heartbreaking to watch was when Linda asks her mum for help but she refusing to give it, the acting quality here was really good.

Overall I think the film completed its aim to make the audience feel sorry for Linda however I felt the film needed more depth, especially with the acting. I expected more as it is an interesting story to know about.

Please comment with your thoughts!

Cast

Amanda Seyfried as Linda Lovelace

Peter Sarsgaard as Chuck Traynor

Hank Azaria as Gerry Damiano

Juno Temple as Patsy

Adam Brody as Harry Reems

James Franco as Hugh Hefner

Sharon Stone as Dorothy Boreman

Robert Patrick as John J. Boreman

Bobby Cannavale as Butchie Peraino

Wes Bentley as Larry Marchiano

Chloe Sevigny as Rebecca

Sarah Jessica Parker as Gloria Steinern

Eric Roberts as Nat Laurendi

Directors

Rob Epstein

Jeffrey Friedman

Screenplay

Andy Bellin

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London Film & Comic Con 2014

Every year I search online for all the upcoming conventions for; London Film & Comic Con (LFCC) provided by Showmasters, Hallowhedon provided by Massive Events, The Vampire Ball provided by Starfury Conventions and Asylum provided by Rogue Events and every time I check to see if anyone I like is going. I see which one will be worth my money because I have to think of travel and accommodation cost, the cost of the tickets and who is going, for example if Hallowhedon has say 5 good guests going then I know it will be worth it. One year the Asylum event had both Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki as the main guests and also there were some really good other guests however I didn't go because it sold out so I learned you gotta be quick to decide when it comes to these kind of events. Anyways this year I was looking through and I came across LFCC and it had already announced at least 7 guests which I would love to meet who were Stan Lee, TJ Thyne, Summer Glau, Jamie Bamber, Edward James Olmos, Juliet Landau and Sean Maher.

I was so excited and told my two friends Amy and Bethan because I knew they loved Stan Lee. It was his last European signing that's why I wanted to get his autograph which was £45 other than that I wasn't really bothered because I would have rather have spent the money on someone else. As we discussed further Amy couldn't make it due to money so it was just me and Bethan. Bethan's friends Adam, Dan and Ben wanted to come so in the end it was us five. At first I was a little worried as I thought I would be going to the guests on my own but Bethan reassured me we would stick together. As the time was coming nearer we had to plan our accommodation, Adam offered us to stay at his uni house however it was all the way in Egham which is far from where I live and was difficult to get to. I would advise people who are going to go to LFCC to book their accommodation way in advance as there are some good reviewed hotels very close to Earls Court Exhibition Centre where the event is held. We had a week to wait when I found the Showmasters forum online where it had said Sean Maher had cancelled. I was gutted as I love the show Firefly, but I got over it as I was still going to see the other guests. I asked my friend if he could take me to London if I paid for the petrol because he was going there for an interview. He even let me stay at his aunties house free of charge which was brilliant because she only lived about 20 minutes away. A day before LFCC on the forum it was announced that Anthony Stewart Head was going, I couldn't believe it another Buffy actor, I was beyond excited because Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my favourite shows.

Bethan, Me, Adam, Ben and Dan

I had to travel to Leicester first to meet my friend because that is where he lives where then we set on our journey. We arrived at LFCC where I met Bethan, Dan, Adam and Ben. As we walked to find the queue, there was one queue for Stan Lee which was very long and one queue for the main hall which was even longer but seemed to be going down faster. We agreed to see Stan Lee the next day, so we head into the other hall's queue. When we got inside all of us were so excited we headed straight to the stalls where they were selling all kinds of merchandise. I think we were all in heaven. As we walked around we could see the guests, they were sat all together in like two parts. The first part we went to some of the guests there included some of the original Power Rangers, Glenn Morshower, WWE wrestlers and Adam Brown. It felt so weird just seeing them sat right there. I could see Lita a WWE Diva who I have loved since I was child but debated whether to get her autograph because I didn't want to spend too much money. We carried on walking around and there they were all the other guests I wanted to see. I got my ticket to see TJ Thyne (Jack Hodgins from Bones) as there was a virtual ticket system for popular guests. While waiting to see him I had to go back to Lita because I knew I would end up regretting it. She didn't have a queue which I think made her a bit moody, she wasn't very friendly but oh well. I went back to TJ Thyne but I was gutted when I heard that we weren't allowed any posed photos with him as he was taking ages. It was my turn to go up and he was so lovely, asking me questions about my day and he personalised my autograph. We asked if we could take a photo of him signing the autograph and he said yes! I was so happy, after the photo he hugged me and kissed me on the cheek. It's great to see an actor appreciate his fans support. 

Me and TJ Thyne

Me and TJ Thyne

I decided I didn't want to see Stan Lee because it was £45 for an autograph and I had read on the forum that no photos at all were allowed, no mobiles and no personalisation's. I thought that was so out of order! So the next day me and Adam queued to get into the main hall whereas the others went to Stan Lee. Not even lying there were thousands there on the Saturday. There were so many more dressed up, they looked great. The queue for people without tickets was unbelievable, god knows if even half of them got in. I straight got the virtual tickets for Anthony Stewart Head, Juliet Landau, Jamie Bamber, Edward James Olmos and I debated on getting Milo Ventimiglia's autograph so got a ticket for him aswell. Bethan and co. ended up coming back to the hall where we were because her ticket number to see Stan Lee was something like 1,600! I couldn't believe it! The others went off and got different guests autographs and I was happy for them because they really were excited, we all were. I queued up for Anthony Stewart Head but when I got to the desk the crew member said no personalisations anymore, gutted wasn't the word. He was nice though, he shook my hand and Bethan took a photo of him signing the photo. Next was Juliet Landau, a little girl in front of me had a little Sunnydale cheerleader outfit on which looked so cute. I got to Juliet and she was so just so nice, I said I was a huge Buffy/Angel fan and she shook and held my hand. Another guest who appreciates the fact she has fans! After I got her autograph I didn't really want to see anyone else because I was so tired of queuing. We walked around looking at different areas and I bought some Angel comics as they were only £1 each, such a bargain. The things to do there was great, there were workshops, free talks, cosplay etc. Something for everyone! Me and the friend who took me to LFCC had to leave that night to get back to Hull so I had to miss out on the Sunday which I wasn't too fussed about because I had seen my main three guests.

Me and Anthony Stewart Head

Me and Juliet Landau

It annoyed me that some guests didn't even shake peoples hands, who did they think they were. That's what I hate about famous people they think they are better than their fans which isn't fair as it is the fans who keep them in an occupation. It's the fans who buy their merchandise and watch them perform. Some people are so devoted they don't realise this. Some of the autographs and photoshoots were so expensive yet they cancel personalisations and some don't even allow any photographs. That part of it ruined it for me because people pay money, for what? to see the "famous" people, to me they are just ordinary people, you're probably asking why waste my money on them then? I look past the fame and money and look at the talent they showed on the shows I loved. The inspiration they do give to others, to act, write, direct whatever it may be. It's just disappointing to find out they don't see it like that when money and fame gets to their head.

Overall I did have a great time and I would recommend going if you like film, television and comics. Not just for the guests but for the other great activities to do and for the atmosphere of being around other fans.

Power Ranger Cosplay

What I advise you to do if you are planning on going; first check the forum for any updates and schedules etc, sort travel and accommodation early to get the best price deals, check the prices of the autographs and photoshoots, check which days each guests are going, take food and drink with you as there are queues for the food areas, time your day so you get to look around both halls, collect your tickets straight away if your guest is using a virtual ticket system so you can walk around and do other things and the most important thing is to buy the tickets online so you don't have to queue for long.

I hope to go again and if any of you fancy it check out the Winter LFCC later this year!

http://www.londonfilmandcomiccon.com/winter/

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Time to get inside my head

I always seem to talk a lot and by that I mean never shutting up which tends to usually annoy my poor friends and family. I always compare, analyse and question different things in life and debate with those who have different views and opinions. I always appreciate other peoples opinions because it allows me to look at things in a new light and helps me be more open minded about life. I thought to myself if I write a blog I can share my ideas with people who have the same interests as me and also to express my opinions on certain topics. 

This sounds like I have no life but I love film and television and hope to have a career in film and television production so I know I will be talking and reviewing a variety of new and old films and series. I love going into depth about them but no one I know really watches the same things or view them to the extent I do, so it will be great to use this blog to do this. I have created blogs before however they were for my media studies and film studies AS/A levels in college. For AS Media I created a music magazine which you can check out here http://s0009864.blogspot.co.uk/ and for A level Media I created a music video which can be seen here http://aiyshacan.blogspot.co.uk/ . For Film Studies I created a short film noir film which can be seen here http://aiysha-can.blogspot.co.uk/ . Having the experience to make videos was brilliant, not only did I film but also I got a chance to edit and write. These are all things I would like to do in the future and it is great that there are websites to show my work. I hope I become more confident with my ideas and create more short films which I can show on this blog. I have always been interested in photography since I first studied it in college but I have never been confident with what I photograph so it would be great to share some ideas and photos on here so that people can comment and discuss with me their opinions which I would be grateful for.

This blog might turn into some form of diary but not just with what i'm doing in my life but also with things I want to explore or my analysis of things for example; fashion trends or travel. This may lead to me looking at new interests and also helping others to discover them. 

Thanks for reading!

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