https://arab.news/pscq6
DUBAI: This all-action thriller from South Korea, which landed on Netflix early this month, has hints of “John Wick,” “Killing Eve” and — as you might have guessed — “Kill Bill.” That’s not to say it’s derivative, however. The dialogue is smarter than your usual action flick, and the fight sequences have their own unique appeal that will satisfy fans of all of the above.
Gill Bok-soon (played by one of South Korea’s greatest actresses, Jeon Do-yeon) is a middle-aged single mother whose relationship with her 15-year-old daughter Jae-yeong has hit a rocky patch. It doesn’t help that her attempts to convince Jae-yeong to be honest with her are hampered somewhat by the fact that Bok-soon herself is living a double life. While her daughter and the other mothers at Jae-yeong’s posh private school believe she is an executive at an events company, Bok-soon is, in fact, one of the world’s finest contract killers — the star assassin at MK Ent, the country’s biggest such firm, where she is worshipped by her colleagues. Most of them, anyway.
Her greatest gift is her ability to play out a series of probably outcomes in her head almost instantly before picking the right move to emerge victorious — a skill played out on screen through initially confusing but ultimately satisfying flashforwards. The final, impressively choreographed showdown sees numerous such scenes play out, layered over each other.
Bok-soon is a favorite (for several reasons) of the MK CEO, Cha Min-kyu, but not so popular with his creepy sister, Cha Min-hee, a company director. When Bok-soon has an unusual lapse in moral judgment (in that she actually shows some morals, following a conversation with her daughter) and fails to carry out a “show” (as MK calls its contracts), it gives Min-hee the excuse she has been looking for, and Bok-soon becomes the target, instead of the hunter.
It’s not the most original of storylines, admittedly, but writer-director Byun Sung-hyun shows some serious action chops with some captivating fight scenes and the narrative zips along impressively (although the film could easily have come in at under two hours, rather than its current 137 minutes, without losing any of its impact).
Jeon Do-yeon carries the film, playing Bok-soon with a pitch-perfect blend of arrogance and grace mingled with self-doubt and self-loathing. Bok-soon is constantly weighing herself against her daughter’s evident moral courage and finding herself lacking. Her fight to mend that relationship is as enthralling and challenging as any of her “shows.”
DUBAI: US superstar Beyonce on Wednesday wore a show-stopping yellow bodysuit by Lebanese designer Nicolas Jebran during her Renaissance World Tour stop in St. Louis, Missouri.
The custom-made ensemble was covered in pearls, beads and had three-dimensional stripes. She also wore matching yellow heels.
To top off her look, she wore yellow glasses with a black frame that wrapped around her head.
A post shared by Beyoncé (@beyonce)
Jebran isn’t the only Arab designer Beyonce has been championing on her 57-stop world tour that will wrap up in October.
Since the tour began in May, the music sensation has been spotted in heels by Romanian Jordanian designer Amina Muaddi on a number of occasions.
“I’m so happy to be part of this queen’s historic tour. Every time I see her on stage, I’m in complete awe of her — the ultimate supernova. Grateful to @beyonce and her team of incredible creatives for these @aminamuaddiofficial moments on stage,” Muaddi previously posted on Instagram.
The singer has hit the stage in ensembles by a number of leading designers and labels, including Alexander McQueen, Loewe, Gucci, Fendi and David Koma, among many others.
DUBAI: From superheroes and sci-fi epics to period pieces and a desert drama, here are the best movies coming your way before the end of the year
‘Hajjan’
Director: Abu Bakr Shawky
Starring: Abdelmohsen Al-Nemer, Ibrahim Al-Hsawi, Omar Alatawi, Alshaimaa Tayeb
Release date: Premieres at Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 11
This big-budget Saudi-set adventure movie tells the coming-of-age tale of a young boy called Matar and his camel Hofira, “an inseperable couple that form a bond based on survival and being on the run,” according to Shawky’s director’s statement. Matar’s older brother dreams of becoming a champion camel jockey, but those dreams are cut short by foul play in a race. Matar sets out to avenge him by becoming a jockey himself. Shawky’s statement continues: “The themes of identity and freedom are at the center of the story as Matar, Hofira and Matar’s former rival-turned-friend Majd are outcasts … trying to find acceptance.”
‘The Kill Room’
Director: Nicol Paone
Starring: Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Manganiello
Release date: Sept. 28
In Paone’s dark comedy thriller, hitman Reggie (Manganiello) becomes an accidental star of the art world when a money laundering scheme dreamed up by his boss (Jackson) and art dealer Patrice (Thurman) is unexpectedly successful. Also notable as the first film in which Thurman will star with her daughter, Maya Hawke.
‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
Director: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone
Release date: Oct. 20
A multi-reunion between the director and two of his favorite stars, DiCaprio and De Niro, who last starred together decades ago, “Killers of the Flower Moon” centers around a series of murders of Native Americans from the Osage Nation in the 1920s. The killings took place after oil was discovered on Osage land, oil that the local white population is eager to ensure they profit from. Based on the book of the same name by David Grann.
‘Dune: Part Two’
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Zendaya
Release date: Nov. 2
Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part One” put the lie to the long-standing belief that Frank Herbert’s novels were “unfilmable,” marrying Herbert’s vision with his own to create a superb sci-fi epic. Part two will see Chalamet’s Paul Atreides seek revenge against those who wiped out his family, with some help from the Chani and his new allies, the Fremen. Along the way, he must somehow prevent the nightmarish future that he has foreseen.
‘The Marvels’
Director: Nia DaCosta
Starring: Brie Larson, Teyonah Parris, Iman Vellani, Zawe Ashton
Release date: Nov. 9
The 33rd film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is both a sequel to 2019’s “Captain Marvel” and a continuation of the “Ms. Marvel” TV series. Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Larson), astronaut Monica Rambeau (Parris), and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Vellani), team up together after discovering that they swap places every time they use their powers.
‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Tom Blyth, Rachel Zegler, Hunter Schafer, Jason Schwartzman
Release date: Nov. 16
Audiences will be returning to the dystopian universe of “The Hunger Games,” but this fifth entry in the film franchise inspired by Suzanne Collins’ novels serves as a prequel set 64 years previously. Blyth stars as a young Coriolanus Snow (the future president of Panem and villain of the previous movies), who is serving as a mentor for the upcoming Hunger Games and forms a bond with the tribute from District 12: Lucy Gray Baird. Expect revelations about what happened to turn Snow into the monster of the first four films.
‘Wish’
Directors: Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn
Voice cast: Ariana DeBose, Chris Pine, Alan Tudyk
Release date: Nov. 23
This year is Disney’s 100th anniversary, so big things are expected of “Wish,” focuses on, as the name suggests, the power of wishes. Set in the kingdom of Rosas, it tells the story of 17-year-old Asha, who suspects there is a darkness at the heart of Rosas’ King Magnifico, but can’t convince anyone else of those suspicions. Her pleas for assistance are answered by a fallen star. Together, they must save the kingdom.
‘Napoleon’
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby, Tahar Rahim
Release date: Nov. 23
Historical epic based on the life of the famed military commander and politician Napoleon Bonaparte and his passionate, volatile relationship with Empress Josephine. It covers Napoleon’s extraordinary rise to power during and after the French Revolution, which saw him become leader of the French Republic and later emperor of the French Empire.
‘Wonka’
Director: Paul King
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Olivia Coleman, Sally Hawkins, Keegan-Michael Key
Release date: Dec. 15
Musical fantasy film that tells the story of a young Willie Wonka (the factory owner in Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”). It explores how the eccentric businessman spent several years traveling the world to hone his craft, and how he met the mysterious Oompa Loompas who staff his magical factory.
‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’
Director: James Wan
Starring: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Patrick Wilson
Release date: Dec. 21
The half-Atlantean, half-human king of Atlantis returns in DC’s big winter blockbuster. Details are sketchy, but Aquaman will apparently be forming “an uneasy alliance with an unlikely ally” as he strives to save his kingdom — and the rest of the planet — after an ancient power is unleashed on Earth.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top film and television artists are working in the country’s first original Netflix show, reported a leading American film publication on Wednesday, which is based on a bestselling Urdu-language novel and expected to attract significant viewership from South Asia and beyond.
According to Variety magazine, “Jo Bachay Hain Sang Samait Lo” will feature Fawad and Mahira Khan along with Sanam Saeed, Ahad Raza Mir and Hamza Ali Abbasi.
“The series is an official adaptation of Farhat Ishtiaq’s bestselling 2013 Urdu-language novel of the same name,” the magazine reported. “It revolves around Sikandar, a Harvard law student who experiences a life-changing incident that makes him keep others at bay.”
“The show is being shot in Italy, the U.K. and Pakistan,” it added. “A streaming date has not been revealed yet.”
All the top artists in the show have a significant fan base in Pakistan, India and other countries with people of South Asian descent.
Fawad and Mahira Khan featured in the country’s highest-grossing film, “The Legend of Maula Jatt,” along with Abbasi.
Their Netflix show is currently under production by Dubai-based Momina Duraid Films that has previously worked on several major movies.
DUBAI: Concertgoers can now purchase tickets to SOUNDSTORM ’23, MDLBEAST’s biggest music festival set to take place in Banban, Riyadh, from Dec. 14-16.
Starting from Aug. 24, music lovers can grab their tickets for the multi-genre festival at a 25% discount.
A post shared by Soundstorm Music Festival (@mdlbeast.soundstorm)
The first batch of tickets will consist of four tiers, ranging from General Admission to VIB, VIB+, and VIB Balcona tickets with a range of prices.
Talal Albahiti, MDLBEAST Chief Operating Officer and Head of Talent Booking & Events, said in a statement, “In addition to showcasing a constellation of international stars, SOUNDSTORM will provide unique opportunities for local talents to perform and connect with musicians and artists from around the world.”
In its 2022 edition, more than 600,000 fans attended the festival. Attendees enjoyed 260 hours of live music from 200 artists, including globally recognized stars such as Bruno Mars, Post Malone, DJ Khaled, David Guetta, Swedish House Mafia, and more.
LONDON: It is hard to imagine a busier person working in television right now than Taylor Sheridan. After all, the writer-creator of “Yellowstone,” “Mayor of Kingstown,” “1883,” “Tulsa King” and “1923” has at least two other shows in the works, “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” and “Land Man” — and his latest production, “Special Ops: Lioness” has just launched on Paramount+.
Clearly, Sheridan knows a thing or two about putting together a successful show. And it is a reputation he seems sure to burnish with “Lioness” — a slick, stylish thriller series about a CIA program which recruits female operatives to identify, befriend and (ultimately) betray the wives, girlfriends and daughters of high-value terrorists.
The Lioness program is headed up by Joe (a brilliantly efficient Zoe Saldana) who, at the start of the show, is forced to sacrifice one of her operatives to complete a mission. She returns home to her not-quite-estranged husband and kids and sets her sights on new recruit Cruz Manuelos (Laysla De Oliveira).
In Manuelos (who escaped an abusive boyfriend to join the Marines), Joe may have found her next Lioness — if the two can overcome their wariness of each other. Cynics among viewers might just suspect that their initial frostiness could give way to a sense of mutual respect, but with only the first two episodes available at premiere, we will have to wait and see.
A post shared by SpecialOps Lioness (@specialopslioness)
There is an incredible supporting cast for “Special Ops: Lioness,” including Morgan Freeman, Nicole Kidman and Michael Kelly — though, it must be said, Freeman is yet to be seen by the end of episode two, while Kidman and Kelly rack up about three minutes of screen time between them. But that is OK, because Saldana and De Oliveira prove more than capable of carrying the weight.
Scenes between the two sizzle, while the hint of more spycraft during Manuelos’ first mission (she is sent to befriend the daughter of a suspected terrorist) promises plenty of nerve-shredding hijinks.
Sheridan’s shows tend to be characterized by brilliant performances from expertly-chosen leads and, with “Special Ops: Lioness,” that trend seems set to continue.