The Movie List to End ALL Movie Lists

Over the years, I've mentioned countless fils to people only for them to forget, or to ramble off countless films that are too much to remember all at once. So....this page is a reference for every film I, Hussain feel you should watch, whether to be entertained or for though provoking creativity. 

There is no specific order and I started with some films you (mostly) aren't aware of. It will be updated every so often.

For now just copy and paste the titles i hopes of finding trailers online to se eif you'd like the film, many of them are on netflix. If you think I should add my personal favorites and expand on them let me know!

OldBoy (2003)

Lady Snowblood

Place Beyond the Pines

Requiem for a Dream

Pi

Only God Forgives

Drive (2011)

Newlyweeds

Fright Night (1985)

Train to Busan

It follows

The guest

Jaws

Blue Caprice

What We Do In the Shadows

Under the Shadows

A Girl Walks home alone at night

Babadook

Halloween (1978)

El Topo

Paid in Full

Love Jones

Collateral

Seven Psychopaths

American Werewolf in London

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Scarface

Carlito's Way

The Godfather 1 & II

They Live

Bad Batch

1st day of shooting

*Welcome! This is the third entry to a weekly series of upcoming posts written about our upcoming web series "Shadows" and different aspects involved in pre-production, production and post production, written by Hussain Al-Khalil*

This past Sunday was our first day or production. It had it high moments and some lows. Overall it was a decent start for us as a team. For some it was the first time we did something this big, including myself. I've only ever filmed short films but not a web series. I've kept my other projects to myself not feeling ready to show them to the world till now. You can call this my thesis film.

The main issue we ran into was time. On a no budget shoot like this time is most valuable. Issues with picking up actors made things hard. If we had a budget or even extra hands on set we'd have someone who's sole purpose was to pick them up and it'd saved a lot of time.

Overall there is much to look forward to. My team behind and in front of the camera has really made me happy and have stood by me through the stressful moments and smiled through the good. Our first day got some kinks out and the actors are really building synergy amongst each other as well as the crew. 

We started editing and planning for the next episode. It's work and we run into some tough situations to work around. But a quote from one of my favorite directors Nicolas Winding Refn, "Money is not a creative obstacle, your mind is a creative obstacle." We are really testing that out. Keeping communication is key. We are basically a family now and to keep it together and working the best we must work together and alongside each other. We continue to shoot this weekend and look I will post another article next week.

Throughout the stress you have to take these things as tests for how bad you want it. Feel stressed and you want to quit? You didn't love it hard enough. Life will show you how much you really care for something you think you love to death. I played football and found out how far I'm willing to go to play it. Any dream you have you're gonna chase you're gonna be given tests. Just ask yourself one question: Would you rather put in hard work for something you truly love or work hard doing something else? Anything you want in life is gonna be hard, you gotta dig in and find out how bad you really want it.

 

If you are interested in helping out in any way or any questions feel free to contact us through email on our contact page and comment section.

Also, big thanks to Michael Hooks and Yasmine! Really helped us out getting our project going!

And now, thanks to Priese we have pictures from set.

And Ramadan Kareem!

 

 

 

 

 

Final week before Production

*Welcome! This is the second entry to a weekly series of upcoming posts written about our upcoming web series "Shadows" and different aspects involved in pre-production, production and post production, written by Hussain Al-Khalil*

Last week before we start filming this coming Sunday. I haven't been this excited in a long time. This past Sunday was a great meeting. Touched base with everyone on their focus of the project. The 14th, Sunday is our first day of production. Everything is falling into place. We haev all the locations secured, the prop list is taken care of and scheduling is smooth. 

One thing I've been preparing myself for this past month is Ramadan. As you could assume because of my name I am Muslim. For those that aren't aware Ramadan is the holy month where Muslims around the world fast as well as much more. I wouldn't allow myself to exclude myself from Ramadan but also believe I can go through the filming pacing myself. I've never had to film an extended project while fasting so this will be new for me but I look forward to the challenge. Filming would be a few days a week only for the web series so it'll be good first step to adjust. I won't slow myself too much though, hopefully that'll inspire others to keep pushing later in the days when everyone is tired. Can't let the guy who hasn't eaten anything all day out work you.  It's a blessing though if I do need to lean on my team I have a team around me strong enough to hold me. 

Four locations are involved in the first episode. We'll be shooting at three of them on Sunday and the last the Monday after. Wasn't able to get pictures from last meeting unfortunately but I'll try and take some throughout the week to post here on the blog page for you to see.  

(Shoutout to Michael Hooks for letting us use your place bro, it's much appreciated)

This last week has been all about preparation and also having my producers moving forward with securing everything for the next episode. It takes a lot of focus and passion to execute this. Last week I emphasized a lot on chasing your passion and trusting yourself. This week I'd like to focus on what else...but focus. 

Without focus you cannot succeed. Passion is natural emotions and focus is figuring out how to unleash it. Uncontrollable passion is great but there are times you have to focus and make sure you are executing 100%. Once you have focus everything else becomes clearer, you become more of a complete individual. 

I've had the title of Undefeated Losers in my head since my sophomore year of high school. At first it was just a catchy name but I've gotten older and continue to gain more experiences which put meaning behind it.

Being undefeated, that's how I see myself. That I can do anything I want as long as I put my everything into it. The biggest competition was myself to prove I can do what i believe I can do.

Being a Loser. Well, that's how the world sees you. Tell someone your dreams or goals, they will either shoot you down, or nod but secretly not believe in you. Question why knowing any reason you give them won't be enough to sway them. They won't understand your vision and doubt what you're doing. Doubt you'll be anything but a Loser.

Undefeated Losers: How I see myself and how the world tries to see you.

I could've just wrote that but last time I checked words were still free.

One last thing. Any ideas or dreams you have and feel the need to tell people. Use reverse psychology on yourself. Don't mention them. Not to everyone at least. Cause someone will try and shoot your dreams down. They can't shoot them down if they don't know them. Evaluate who you're talking to before you speak to them to save yourself the stress. 

That's it for this week. Sunday or Monday I'll upload pictures from on set and maybe even a clip just for you :)

Next week I'll update you on filming and video editing. 

 

If you have anything you'd like me to touch upon throughout these weekly articles leave it in the comments below or send it through a email on our 'Contact Us' page