I absolutely loved, loved, loved this movie. The second I knew someone made a silent, black-and-white movie, I knew I was gonna go watch it. I always wonder how it would’ve been to watch the 4:3, black and white picture with nothing but a soundtrack. I though it would’ve been awkward, full of over-acting and annoying melodies. I was definitely wrong, at least when it comes to The Artist. The movie is hilarious, heart-breaking and immensely cute all at the same time.

It’s about George Valentin, a silent movie super-star, and Peppy Miller, a younger actress who would eventually become a star in “talkies” (talking movies). Silent movies become extinct, and Valentin finds himself out of favor, and soon enough broke. Peppy’s fame on the other hand, skyrockets. Their romance persists though, and their paths keep on intersecting.

The supporting actors were regulars we love and admire, in roles that will make you go “asshole” to an actor you usually associate with cuddliness and kindness or “awwwwwww” and almost shed a tear to an actor you’re used to as the mean guy. Above all, Valentin’s dog is my absolute favorite in the movie. I’d do anything to hug that tiny bundle of awesomeness which I felt played the biggest role in invoking laughter, intensity, sadness, compassion, fear and so much more in a movie where only a handful of words are uttered, at the very very end (spoiled it =P).

All in all, the silent movie experience was very enjoyable. You have to respect the actors and musicians, who let you follow the storyline with only an occasional phrase or two flashed on the screen. Go watch it, ASAP. It’s only playing in Sofil Center in Ashrafieh, which I think is pretty adequate, given its old-theater feel with the big comfy chairs and the smooth-edged silver screen.

IMDB: 8.4/10
Me: 10/10

As some of you may already know, I was one of the winners of a competition run by Stoli Vodka last fall. I won a trip to Los Angeles, and access to one of the world’s most awesome parties at the Playboy Mansion (the real one). I have chosen to extend my stay a few extra days in the US to see the sights, visit friends and family, and experience the US first-hand. So, for the next couple of weeks, I’ll be blogging and tweeting from the US, letting you know what the nightlife is like, the people I meet and the places I go. I’m also planning on trying out the best travel apps on Android and iOS, among many other things.

BUT, don’t worry, the Fashal and Leaks will keep coming even though I’m abroad! I’ll be available on FB, Twitter, email and whatsapp, so if you have something you think warrants looking into, please feel free to share! Remember there’s a 10-hour difference, so I might not be as prompt to reply as when I’m in Beirut.

Also, for all the tweeps out there, I’ll be using the hashtag #GinoUSATour for all the photos on-the-go. You in the US? Lemme know, maybe we can have coffee somewhere together! Need something from the US? Lemme know too, I might have some space in my luggage. Can you recommend any places/cities/events/concerts you think I should visit?

So, I’ll see you guys really soon!

via @nabilosan

The rough translation of the ad is:

• To reduce your cellulites
• To erase your wrinkles
• For firmer face skin
• Get rid of your double-chin (thanks Riwa!)
• For better blood circulation
• To stay in shape
• Accentuate your youth
• Relaxing massage

SUUUREEE

]]> http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/17/fashal-lebanon-vibrator-win-from-the-60s/feed/ 3 large Gino large happy-i-see-what-you-did-there-(clean)-l http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/16/he-will-legally-rape-you-the-image-that-scared-the-government-see-you-all-on-saturday/ http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/16/he-will-legally-rape-you-the-image-that-scared-the-government-see-you-all-on-saturday/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:59:26 +0000 Gino http://ginosblog.com/?p=8991 ]]>

The General Security thought this billboard was too “strong”. They watered it down to the versions you see on the streets this week. Pathetic. I’m glad we don’t have to abide by their absurd censorship laws. If you haven’t read my stance on this issue, please do so here now (if you’re a radical religious zealot or just below average IQ, you might find it offensive)

The protest scheduled for February 18 is set to happen in Samir Kassir square, because we couldn’t get approval to do it in Place de L’etoile (how convenient).

Join us on Saturday!

The “Coalition for the Protection of Women,” is a group of Lebanese citizens who refuse the perpetuation of the violence against women under the protection of existing antiquated laws. They stand by the women of their country, who have been raped, beaten and those who have decided that oppression and discrimination under the guise of law is no longer acceptable.

As such, they are calling on the parliamentary subcommittee chaired by MP Samir El-Gisr to halt its subversive activity related to amending a draft law to protect women from conjugal violence originally proposed by the Kafa Association in 2007. The committee has come under significant political pressure from special interest groups who seek to amend the law to ensure that it is ineffective and inapplicable. These amendments have rid the original text of its specificity by expanding it to the rights of children, elderly, men thus maintaining the imbalance of the Lebanese legal code vis-à-vis women.

In light of this grave danger to the rights of at least half of the Lebanese population, and based on their commitment to justice, human rights as well as need to modernize the penal laws, they have decided to organize a sit-in on Saturday, February 18th 2012, from 11am until 2pm, at the Samir Kassir Square. The goal of the demonstration is to pressure the parliamentary committee to stop undermining the original draft law that provides women with sufficient legal and enforceable protection when faced with conjugal violence.

It’s not enough that Lebanese women cannot pass the nationality to their children, but now they are getting their most basic civil rights violated. And you know what else is funny? The Lebanese government rejected the below advertisement (to go public on billboards) because it contains the word “rape”! It seems that we don’t have the right to protest against rape in this country! SHAME! Shame on these politicians who only care about their pockets. What would it take them to reconsider their shameless amendments? What if their sisters or wives or mothers or daughters got raped? Would they stand up then?

JOIN THE FACEBOOK PAGE NOW!

(Press release and some elements borrowed from Mohammad Hijazi. Thanks! =D)

Help me form my own opinion. You guys have always been a source of inspiration and guidance on tough matters, and this is definitely one of those moments.

Last Week’s Poll

The results are somewhat astonishing. Only 28% would never try it, while 39% smoke up regularly, 19% have tried it once or twice and the remaining 13% wouldn’t mind trying it….

So, I guess this is one of the few local industries which the majority of Lebanese people (or at least readers of this blog) encourage generously.

]]> http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/16/poll-of-the-week-stance-on-syria-60-of-you-smoke-or-tried-hashish/feed/ 2 Source: http://fouadhamdan.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-syrian-flag.html Gino Source: http://fouadhamdan.blogspot.com/2011/11/new-syrian-flag.html Screen shot 2012-02-16 at 6.44.35 PM http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/15/the-weekly-leaks-february-30/ http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/15/the-weekly-leaks-february-30/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 21:39:05 +0000 Gino http://ginosblog.com/?p=8980 ]]>

For those of you who frequent Hamra, more specifically the “alley” where Dany’s, Big Shot, Jackie’O and other pubs are located in, you will have noticed a huge banner that reads “Opening February 30″. Well, you’ll be pleased to know that what’s going to open there is just as mind-boggling as the banner, which refers to the venue name, not a date (obviously!).

With Faces and Big Shot under the belt of the guys behind this new pub, the main plan behind “February 30″ is to make every pub-goer go “WTF?!” Every single custom-made piece of furniture and decoration is absurd and bizarre. From welcome mats and stairs on the ceiling, to a Sukleen can remodeled to become a sofa and half a Harley motorcycles for a bar stool, the pub is shaping up to redefine what weird is, even for the often eccentric Hamra. The fine attention to detail is impressive, with every single detail considered and mutated to look like something straight out of a very interesting person’s imagination. In fact, I think the biggest motivation for me to visit will be to look at the finished February 30 and try to find all the peculiarities its makers have conjured up.

That’s all the information I could get hold of concerning the place and concept. BUT, I managed to get my hands on a photo of the interior’s plans (which is not blurry like photos on Facebook =D), which I’m sharing with you below. So, February 29 is February 30′s opening!

]]> http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/15/the-weekly-leaks-february-30/feed/ 2 Lightbox_1329340375194 Gino Lightbox_1329340375194 02 http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/13/avoid-valet-parking-series-gemmayzeh-edition/ http://ginosblog.com/2012/02/13/avoid-valet-parking-series-gemmayzeh-edition/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:06:42 +0000 Gino http://ginosblog.com/?p=8974 ]]> After the unexpected success of the Zaitunay Bay edition, it was only natural to do the Gemmayzeh edition one. Below is a Google Map detailing the locations of parkings I frequent the most. Personally, I’d recommend you find a spot on Mar Mikhael street, but because of the bourgeoning nightlife district there recently, it’s getting tougher to find a parking spot.

My favorite spot is the Freres school’s parking, because the proceeds go to fund scholarships in the school (or at least that’s what the parking ticket says). It’s at the beginning of Gemmayzeh too, so will allow you to do the entire pub-route. There are two others on Pasteur street, parallel to Gouraud street (the main Gemmayzeh street). One is in front of the European Union’s HQ in Lebanon (5,000 LBP) and the other is near Coop D’Etat and Bulldog (5,000 LBP).

There are several smaller ones also, which are garages in the day, and parking by night. They’re tight though, and you might get your car busted there just as much as when you use a valet.

I was an ArabNet Official Blogger last year, and I had a blast attending the conference, live-tweeting it and blogging about the panels and talks and events within the conference. I also met a lot of people from across the Arab World who have become very good friends. Most importantly, I started seeing mobile and web like a boss, and could even start giving advice to businesses and agencies, all thanks to last year’s speakers and panelist, who turned me from a humble Biology student interested in tech, to a web and mobile-savvy person up-to-date with the latest trends, start-ups and the industry in the MENA region. So, here are a few reasons why you might want to attend ArabNet 2012.

1- Meet People

This is the top reason to attend in my opinion. Two years ago, 500 people attended. Last year, around a 1000. This year, it’s expected to surpass 1500 participants from all over the world! Imagine how many business owners will meet the right developers, how many start-ups will meet the right investors and how many designers will pair up with programmers and create the next big site or app.

So, graab a whole bunch of business cards and make new shiny ones, because the real magic of ArabNet doesn’t only happen in the big halls where talks and presentations are held, but the coffe breaks and lunch breaks where you can mingle and network.

2- Diversity

This time around, the conference is five whole days. These days have something in store for everyone from the geeky programmers who slave on building our websites and apps functionality, to the artsy designers obsessed with stream-lining everything, to the seasoned investor trying to make sense of web and mobile, and of course the steadily rising number of aspiring entrepreneurs hoping to make their businesses come to life.

So, if you didn’t know you could hack a Kinect and aren’t interested in learning how, you could miss the first couple of days. But, you’d also be missing out on the lightning talks and getting to meet engineers from companies like Google and Facebook! The Industry Day looks exceptionally exciting this year, the two forum days are a MUST-attend and the Community Day is the culmination of the whole conference where we open up to the general public.

3- Industry Day Debut

The Industry Day is something new this year, and I’m personally looking forward to it. This day will focus on how tech, web and mobile are being used in industries like healthcare, the banking sector, governments, education and other fields that are not exclusively web and mobile, but integrate these technologies to better their performance, experience and output. This is a MUCH-welcome addition in my opinion, after all, focusing exclusively on web and mobile companies and start-ups was sorta limited, now, we have the whole business and services spectrum included!

4- The Speakers

Check this list out. Exactly, wow. You might not want to watch every single one, but there are at least two-dozen that I personally would love to hear speak. Everything from marketers and strategists, to CEOs and rising entrepreneurs, sharing their success stories, analyses and predictions for the future of web and mobile.

5- Looking Back, and Forward

Last year, ArabNet was taking place at the peak of the Arab Springs. Naturally, with web and mobile’s catalyzing role and citizen journalism via social media blossoming, the Arab Spring was a major issue being discussed, with optimism and enthusiasm about the future high. This time around, the Arab World is a changed one, and the inevitable “report card” of the Arab Spring will be an issue that will undoubtedly be present. Also, some struggles are far from over, and understanding their impact and their outcomes with all the brightest minds of the Arab World is reason enough to attend!

6- Better Internet

Lebanon’s notoriously horrible Internet connection and speed last year was the butt of many jokes. Luckily though, we’ve gotten a considerably bump in speed and bandwidth and things like online conferencing and live-streaming will be a breeze. 

For more information and registration, go here!

ANYWAY, in Lebanon, the police, government and all other authorities are corrupt and inept. So, you need to learn to fend for yourself and avoid problems, because you won’t find a listening ear or a helping hand from the police. Also, valet parking isn’t a glamorous job, and its employees are usually gangsters in uniform who enjoy abusing your cars and ripping you off. But, even though this is illegal, a 50,000 LBP bribe to a police officer would be enough to make him turn a blind eye on the violations. So, learn to avoid valet parking, and here’s the first post on how to do that in ZB, where incidents with the bad valet services have been going around Facebook.

So, less whining, more doing guys. Anyone can comment on Facebook and retweet on Twitter. Be useful =P

Green is the underground parking of ZB. You can park there alone, no valet needed.

Red areas are the public parkings, where you can park for 2000-3000 LBP

Yellow is street parking, which is paid during the day and usually free at night