AKhamseh88

Writer / Director / Occasional Actor

[akhamseh88]

So, a couple of days ago around the same time I went to #soore_art_university (which for those of you not in the know, is the name of my university where I got my bachelor's from) to pick up my diploma; basically severing any connection I had with the institution and putting an end to that chapter of my life which ran for 6 years. It was, despite my best efforts, a moment of self reflection and putting things into perspective. I've spent (so far) a quarter of my life and almost all of my adult life in that building in the Azadi street. The last two semesters were online classes but the rest was me going there physically, sitting in a class and listening to professors ranging from magnificently incompetent to incredibly well informed. But looking at it, Soore and the six years I spent in it was more than just learning and "career" advancements. It's where I found so many good friendships and did so much of what I consider to be my day-to-day life. Many of the people reading this and being in my life, wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Soore. I'm not going to lie, I don't love Soore. I don't like many of its facets, from the "prison-esque" architecture to the constant fights with faculty over getting new professors and their constant bickering and nagging of adhering to the arbitrary rules of conduct. But, the experiences I had in Soore are part of me now and at least for the moment I can't shake them off. I don't think this phrase has been used more aptly anywhere else but: "whether I like it or not" I've been through Soore. Much like all abusive parasitical relationships, saying goodbye is hard and more nuanced than imagined. So, goodbye I guess, to one hell of an abusive and parasitical relationship between one man and one deeply flawed university. P.S. I was there for 11 semesters, and the pics are from my first to my eleventh one in ascending order. Just a little trip down memory lane. (at Soore University) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiRmYZjtP8S/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akhamseh88]

There are times when there comes a few blows in succession, and the world of cinema loses two fantastically unique visages so close together. Paul Sorvino and David Warner passed away today, two great unique character actors from different sides of Atlantic ocean and each with a certain character in their repertoir. David Warner gave us the stereotypical British aristocratic villain, whether in the electronic world of "Tron" or the surrealistic nightmare of "Time Bandits". Whenever his devilish smile and piercing gaze would appear on the screen, one thing was guaranteed: he was going to give a fantastic performance and maybe show you the joy of villainy. Truly, there was no one else to portray Jack the Ripper! Paul Sorvino, who greatly embodied the image of the Italian Mob Boss. A man who didn't need to hit you over the head with a baseball bat or hold you upside down from the rooftop in order for everyone to understand and experience his might as a mob boss. And if that wasn't enough, he could sing like god himself. The magic of cinema is preserving moments in time, and both of you gave us so many moments to witness and preserve. Thank you Mr. Warner and Mr. Sorvino. You will be missed dearly, as you left us like fools in love . . . #rip #paulsorvino #davidwarner #goodfellas #timebandits #alleluiathedevilscarnival #timeaftertime #repothegeneticopera #tron #thegambler #theomen #god #jacktheripper #actor #characteractor #american #british #cinema #movies #villain https://www.instagram.com/p/CgeJJQ5NhtF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akhamseh88]

The difficulties of trying to have a creative shot! Throughout June I did a self-imposed challenge/experiment, and hopefully by the next month you get to see the results of it. But in the meantime, have a little behind the scenes peak. https://www.instagram.com/p/CfeMQbzNt6F/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akhamseh88]

On May 27th, 1922, Christopher Lee was born. Now there's a century between us and then. For those of you who've bern following me a lot, or know me personally; you are familiar with my strange relationship with the late Sir. The man who persisted amongst odds, and managed to leave a mark (bite mark, pun intended) on the fabric of Cinema. It's hard to imagine the world of Cinema history without him in it. The performances that gave nightmares to generations after generations, from Rasputin to Saruman to the infamous Count Dracula. He is one of those people who managed to inspire me (and doubtlessly many like me) to keep grinding in the world of Cinema and trying to leave scars of Dracula... I mean, scars of our own. He died in 2015, at the age of 93. I still cannot fathom his demise, and part of me wishes he fights death like so many times before and rises again. Today he would've been a century old, but like his most infamous character, he left so many tales for us to celebrate (and fear) him with. Happy 100th Birthday, Sir Christopher Lee! I still remember you. I doubt there are many who can forget. #happybirthday #christopherlee #sirchristopherlee #sarumanthewhite #saruman #thelordoftherings #rasputin #rasputinthemadmonk #countdracula #dracula #horrorofdracula #francisscaramanga #scaramanga #themanwiththegoldengun #lordsummerisle #thewickerman #centenary #horror #cinema #movies https://www.instagram.com/p/CeEYJgHNLaZ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akhamseh88]

Some men get to face off death itself!! Some men... do not... Also a little tease on how these photos are made! #chess #theseventhseal #photography https://www.instagram.com/p/CciUs6ANJfl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[akhamseh88]

One of the greatest things about the world of cinema is that once in a while it highlights a truly magnificent voice that comes in, leaves a big impact, and shapes so many memories. One if tge greatest things about the world of cinema is that once in a while it gives way to a voice like Ivan Reitman. I can't tell you how many times I've seen "Ghostbusters" and laughed my ass off alongside it, or that how many times I've snickered at "Stripes" or "Meatballs". Ivan Reitman was really a voice for weird out of this world comedies and projects. As a writer, as a director, as a producer. So much of what I like about the 1980's has his hand on it, and it's hard to say goodbye to the man who gave me so much great memories. I really did enjoy your crazy world Mr. Reitman. Thank you for inviting us along, and may you rest in peace with the unbusted ghosts. #rip #ivanreitman #comedy #ghostbusters #stripes #meatballs #dave #1980s #cinema #director #movies https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ9FJgTNVWb/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

I really shouldn't be making a post about losing another icon of the New Hollywood so soon, but life is truly unpredictable. Some people go beyond being a star or a superstar, some people get tangled with the identity of filmmaking and the identity of their era, and those people become icons. We lost Sydney Poitier, a truly magnificent actor and a truly wonderful icon. It's kind of a tragedy that his name is usually accompanied by the racial milestones he had to overcome, because beyond all of those he was a magnificent actor and his performances alone could bring his name to the stars; but it tells something of his prowess that he could break every barrier put in front of him and come out as a shining star. The amount of good performances by him is enough to make him immortal, and he shall remain immortal. Rest in peace Mr. Tibbs, rest in peace Dr. Prentice, rest in peace Homer Smith, rest in peace Sydney Poitier. You left a truly big mark . . . Thank you. #rip #sydneypoitier #intheheatofthenight #guesswhoscomingtodinner #liliesofthefield #theycallmemistertibbs #cinema #newhollywood https://www.instagram.com/p/CYb604Jtiky/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

When New Hollywood started gaining attention in the early 1970's, it paved a way for an array of different unique voices to come on the screen and tell their stories their own way. Peter Bogdanovich was one of the loudest in the bunch. A career that spanned many art forms and many genres, and gave us so much crazy stories told in an incredibly moving way. A career that even at its lowest point could still claim "it's the top!", and mean it. It's hard when cinema loses a voice, it's harder when that voice was so prominent. I learnt from Peter Bogdanovich to love cinema, to love making movies, and to tell my stories my own way. A face that is burnt into the history of cinema, and a name that everyone should remember. Rest in peace Peter Bogdanovich. Rest that tell-tale heart now . . . #rip #peterbogdanovich #newhollywood #thelastpictureshow #papermoon #atlonglastlove #mask #director #cinema #movies https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZmOhkNWc8/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

2021, formerly known as a mere extention of 2020, is over. Though certainly an improvment over its predecessor, the shadow of many problems did find their way into it. But how was 2021 for Cinema? A truly mixed bag of very good and very bad. First, the biggest blow delivered was probably the demise of Mr. Stephen Sondheim, the genius, and the man who gave many lovers of musicals the reasons they give for their love. Then we suddenly lost Norm MacDonald, one of those weird voices in comedy, due to an illness that he kept quiet. 2021 took a lot of uniqueness and greatness from the world of Cinema and entertainment; from Ned Beatty and Jean-Paul Belmondo, to even Betty White mere days ago. All of whom will be missed dearly. But on the upside, 2021 was a great year for many movies. Coming out of the swamp that was 2020 there was an array of great movies that graced the silver screen, and for me personally there wasn't a better beacon than the triumphant exercise of "The Green Knight" and the glorious return of Wes Anderson with "The French Dispatch". On a personal note, 2021 was a year to remember. I brought back my YouTube channel with TGTBTI, and continued most things from 2020 (YASP! and The Last Thoughts of a Busy Mind). I even added to them with another podcast in the shape of "Wait, I've Seen It Before!". On top of that I managed to do more crafting and even create my first ever EVA foam project. And that is everything without the overtly personal stuff! So, you can bet that 2021 won't be a year I forget anytime soon. Many problems are coming with us to 2022. The prospect of another quarantine is on our heads, and our loved ones are still not safe from the virus. But if I may play the optimist here, there are more silver linings than before. Cinema is slowly trying to heal, and so is the world; and Jeremy Irons is still alive and working! So, let's bid farewell to 2021, and welcome 2022. What's the worst that could happen 😬😅? #2022 #cinema #stephensondheim #sweeneytodd #normmacdonald #jeanpaulbelmondo #nedbeatty #bettywhite #thegreenknight #thefrenchdispatch #wesanderson #waitiveseenitbefore #thegoodthebadandtheinteresting #podcast #ak88studios #happynewyear https://www.instagram.com/p/CYOZXoGt1Fd/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

As I was organizing my old uni documents, I found a number of photos I took from 2016 to 2017 for my photography courses. So I decided to pick the top 10 best from them and take a look back at them. I never really shared them before, so here (nearly half a decade later) might be a good time and place to do so. There's really no specific subject here, just 10 photos! #photography https://www.instagram.com/p/CXZJG6bNX0H/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

You may have noticed some of the stories, but throughout November I did a self-inflicted challenge called "Western August in November". It was a fun challenge and it meant that I dedicated a substantial amount of time to a genre I love and adore. I also compiled all of the entries, as well as the accompanying texts I have written for them, in one document. You can find that pdf here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cSgSvF8dd7EFcxaGKmiCspo_9E6CmfYH/view?usp=sharing I do want to hear from you though. Which of these 30 movies you have seen before? Which of them are you interested in seeing? The goal of the challenge was a Western-filled month, and hopefully introducing people to this wonderous genre and its many many subgenres; so don't forget to give me some feedback! #themanwhoshotlibertyvalance #thequickandthedead #blazingsaddles #forafewdollarsmore #amillionwaystodieinthewest #hellorhighwater #theycallmetrinity #appaloosa #theballadofbusterscruggs #duckyousucker #theproposition #cowboysandaliens #highnoon #johnnyguitar #dayofanger #shane #thegreatsilence #palerider #anamericantailfievelgoeswest #underwesternstars #hanniecaulder #thesalvation #onceuponatimeinthewest #cryonion #unforgiven #patgarrettandbillythekid #joekidd #westworld #butchcassidyandthesundancekid #theloneranger https://www.instagram.com/p/CW_BNM6NV1c/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

Around a week ago I published a video on "Sweeney Todd" and the genius way that it uses humor to convey horror, and around 7 hours ago I learnt that Stephen Sondheim, the genius man behind the musical, has passed away at the age of 91. Words simply cannot express the gratitude I feel about this man and his work. My journey through Musicals was very much running through his shadow, and the immense influence he had on them. I cannot imagine a world without "Into the Woods" or even "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"; because a world without these Musicals is ceetainly lacking something. From someone who is obsessed with the Musical world, to the late titan that shaped the landscape of them: I will not forget you Mr. Sondheim. I will always attend the tale of Sweeney Todd, thinking of you. Rest in peace, you changed my world. #rip #stephensondheim #sweeneytodd #sweeneytoddthedemonbarberoffleetstreet #intothewoods #afunnythinghappenedonthewaytotheforum #alittlenightmusic #westsidestory #musicaltheatre https://www.instagram.com/p/CWxJkDNtH3H/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

Recommendation: Legit (2013 - 2014) creators: Jim Jefferies, Peter O'Fallon cast: Jim Jefferies, Dan Bakkedahl, DJ Qualls, Mindy Sterling, John Ratzenberger Stand Up Comedians doing sitcoms are a wonderfully dramatic mix of hits ("Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond") and misses ("Mulaney" and "Chicken Soup"). I went into "Legit" not really knowing what to expect, but ended up enjoying it way more than I thought I would. Jefferies is not a good actor, but he had created the show around his usual persona and so he blends in perfectly among other actors, who are doing a great job and makes the show incredibly funny, and honestly sadder than it deserves to be. The ending is still seared in my head, and not for the happiest reasons. The show isn't 100% perfect and not every joke lands. There are jokes that don't work, and continuity that changes from episode to episode, which would be okay in the show if they didn't try to reference back. But the good really outweighs it. I laughed my ass off more times than I care to count, and by the end I really cared about the characters and their emotions (which is harder for a sitcom to achieve). Even small character like Walter managed to stick in my memory and make me feel something for them. Oh also, like any good sitcom it had moments where I yelled out in anger at the screen due to the actions of the characters. I really enjoyed my time watching the show and getting involved in the lives of fictional Jim Jefferies and his surroundings, and I recommend you do too. It's two seasons (26 episodes in total), and has enough great moments to put it firmly in the "hit" column of Stand Up Comedian sitcoms. Well done Mr. Jefferies, I honestly was surprised and delighted by your creation. Oh, it also has a small part for George Lazenby, the thinking man's James Bond 😂. #legit #jimjefferies #peterofallon #danbakkedahl #djqualls #mindysterling #johnratzenberger #comedy #sitcom #tvshow #standup #standupcomedy #ak88recommendation https://www.instagram.com/p/CWvxiuPNO56/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

Sometimes you need to put your tears, sweat and even blood on the line! Pun very much intended. Also, yet another thank you to @mgh1281375, because without his help I wouldn't be able to make this video. Thank you so much mate!! This is a behind a scenes photo for my newest video on "AK88 Studios" Channel (link in my bio), about the Stephen Sondheim musical; "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street". Check it out: https://youtu.be/9W42ECCBSo0 #ak88studios #thegoodthebadandtheinteresting #sweeneytodd #sweeneytoddthedemonbarberoffleetstreet #musical #comedy #horror #stephensondheim #behindthescenes https://www.instagram.com/p/CWgGihhtVKV/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

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Always be vary of the cords around you when you are filming 😅! I also want to thank @mgh1281375 for all the help he did with filming this video. I couldn't have done it without you buddy!! A behind the scenes clip from my newest video on "AK88 Studios" about "Omerta City of Gangsters". Check it out: https://youtu.be/MVsSePdHwZY #ak88studios #thegoodthebadandtheinteresting #omerta #omertacityofgangsters #strategy #videogames #behindthescenes https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDZfEzgAWq/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

Recommendation: Fosse/Verdon (2019) creators: Steven Levenson, Thomas Kail cast: Sam Rockwell, Michelle Williams, Norbert Leo Butz It's hard to be a fan of musicals, or a fan of good movies, and not come across Bob Fosse; and from "All That Jazz" you can sort of figure out what sort of man you've stumbled upon. The amazingly disturbing life of Bob Fosse and his muse, Gwen Verdon, is interesting enough that just making a cookie cutter biographical show would be enough to create an amazing experience, but thankfully "Fosse/Verdon" takes it much more than that! It manages to take an already amazing life story, and through great writing, great acting, great direction and great music elevate it into a masterpiece. This is a great example of biographical drama, especially about someone working as an artist. The everchanging style, to match Fosse's myriad of work, is one of the best decisions made for this show, and on top of that you have amazingly written dialogues acted out by an amazingly competent cast. It's really hard not to get emotional as the characters on the screen get emotional, and on top of them sit the titular characters. Sam Rockwell manages to pay respect to the brilliance and douchy nature of Fosse, but the crown goes to Michelle Williams. Many times throughout the series I forgot that I was watching a performance, and Williams and Verdon became one and the same to me; and that's no small praise. On top of that, the show has the great chance of using a bountiful musical score using the works of Bob Fosse, and the show takes advantage of this chance greatly. Overall, if you like Bob Fosse, musicals, or just biographical dramas about artists; I can't recommend this miniseries enough. If you are not a fan of either, just watch it for the acting and the style. This is a great miniseries, and it shows the depths that you can go with a longer format when trying to portray a life, and especially one as turbulent as Fosse and Verdon's relationship. Go right now and watch it. This show deserves it! #fosseverdon #stevenlevenson #thomaskail #samrockwell #michellewilliams #norbertleobutz #biography #musical #tvshow #bobfosse #gwenverdon #ak88recommendation https://www.instagram.com/p/CURkx8SNZ_q/?utm_medium=tumblr

[akhamseh88]

It's September 19th, which means it's the birthday of the man who singlehandedly has shown some of the best performances in the history of cinema: Jeremy Irons. With a career spanning from independent "Moonlighting" to the blockbuster "Die Hard With a Vengeance", and a good performance in both of them, it's great to see the master of villainy with his unbreakable voice still keeps working and giving us great performances one after the other. Happy birthday Mr. Irons! And here's to more great performances and 73 more years of work! #hbd #jeremyirons #moonlighting #diehardwithavengeance #themanintheironmask #themanwhoknewinfinity #cinema #actor https://www.instagram.com/p/CT_zNM4Lk0h/?utm_medium=tumblr