Review: ‘Shotgun Wedding’ is a rom-com action flick that is big, dumb – and lots of fun

Review: ‘Shotgun Wedding’ is a rom-com action flick that is big, dumb – and lots of fun
Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel in ‘Shotgun Wedding.’ (Supplied)
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Updated 02 February 2023

Review: ‘Shotgun Wedding’ is a rom-com action flick that is big, dumb – and lots of fun

Review: ‘Shotgun Wedding’ is a rom-com action flick that is big, dumb – and lots of fun

LONDON: Cinema, in its purest form, is about escapism. And what could be more escapist than a rom-com starring Jennifer Lopez as a bride whose extravagant beach wedding is gatecrashed by a group of pirates?

Throw in Josh Duhamel as her slightly dopey husband, Lenny Kravitz as a handsome ex-boyfriend and Jennifer Coolidge as her future mother-in-law and you have got just about everything you need for a couple of hours of mindless entertainment.

Just as Darcy (Lopez) and Tom (Duhamel) are having doubts about their imminent nuptials, they find themselves the only ones not taken hostage by a band of fearsome brigands. Sneaking around their luxury destination wedding, the feuding couple must put aside their doubts and team up to save their family and friends.

High art this is not – but that is no bad thing. “Shotgun Wedding,” directed by “Pitch Perfect” and “Sisters” helmer Jason Moore, is a goofy, lovable riot. It flips a bunch of rom-com tropes on their head, has a charismatic lead in Lopez and – most importantly – does not take itself too seriously.

It also has a secret weapon in Coolidge, who is finally getting the plaudits her stellar comedic talents have long deserved, and who absolutely runs away with the movie as Tom’s mother, Carol.

It is not all seamless, for sure. There are some hinky effects work on the set pieces, a few narrative leaps that are telegraphed about an hour in advance, and some rather plodding exposition right around the time the action starts to ramp up.

But “Shotgun Wedding” is such dumb fun it is hard to hold a grudge. It won’t alter your perceptions, and it won’t make you reassess your life choices, but it will make you laugh. And, let’s face it, watching J-Lo whoop a bunch of terrorists is a decent way to spend a couple of hours.


Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 

Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 
Updated 21 March 2023

Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 

Sharon Stone shows off gown by Saudi designer Yousef Akbar at Beverly Hills gala event 

DUBAI: Saudi designer Yousef Akbar has added another Hollywood star to his client list —Sharon Stone.  

The Oscar-winning US actress wore an embellished green dress designed by Akbar to the 2023 Women’s Cancer Research Fund Gala this week.  

Her dress, which was clinched at the waist, featured half-satin and half-sparkling fabric with built-in gloves. Stone accessorized her look with a metallic gold clutch.  

The star received the 2023 Courage Award for her support of breast cancer research and dedication to raising awareness for the cause.  

Upon taking the stage, Stone said: “So often things that start with women get overlooked completely, and I am so grateful to stand for something that doesn’t.” 

The event, which took place in the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills, raised over $2 million to benefit the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, a program of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation that is dedicated to ending disease by advancing research across the globe.


‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip

‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip
Updated 21 March 2023

‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip

‘It will blow your mind,’ US actor Rob Lowe says of Egypt trip

DUBAI: US actor Rob Lowe is the latest Hollywood celebrity to visit Egypt.  

The filmmaker and podcast host shared pictures from his trip to the country this week. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rob Lowe (@roblowe)

“Spent some quality time in this tomb today with the boy king himself! Tutankhamen’s body was only unwrapped last year,” Lowe wrote to his 1.9 million followers, sharing a picture of himself inside the tomb.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Rob Lowe (@roblowe)

He also posed for pictures in front of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids of Giza.  

“Nothing can prepare you for Egypt. No matter how many photos you’ve seen or books you’ve read, it will blow your mind. And the people were amazing,” the actor wrote on Instagram.  

Lowe is not the only celebrity to visit Egypt in recent years. He is joined by John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Katy Perry, Orlando Bloom, Kourtney Kardashian, Will Smith, Jason Derulo and more.


Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 

Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 
Updated 21 March 2023

Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 

Bella Hadid champions up-and-coming Egyptian designer in Las Vegas 

DUBAI: US Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid this week stepped out in a hot red dress by emerging Egyptian designer Amy Shehab as she attended the grand opening of Stanton Social Prime restaurant at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.  

The “Buckle” dress is form-fitting, with a flowy skirt, and has a belt tied around the waist with a square metal buckle. It is off-the-shoulder and features asymmetric draped sleeves.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Bella (@bellahadid)

The designer, who is also followed by Argentinian model Georgina Rodriguez on social media, took to Instagram to share pictures and videos of Hadid at the event.  

The supermodel wore black stiletto heels and kept her brunette hair curly.  

At the opening, Hadid promoted Kin Euphorics, the non-alcoholic drinks and spirits brand she co-founded with Jen Batchelor. 


Men’s race day style tips for the Dubai World Cup  

Men’s race day style tips for the Dubai World Cup  
Updated 21 March 2023

Men’s race day style tips for the Dubai World Cup  

Men’s race day style tips for the Dubai World Cup  

DUBAI: Horse races and fashion have always gone hand in hand, and the Dubai World Cup is no different. Although this year’s edition will be held during Ramadan, avid fans of the races are gearing up to pull out all the style stops as usual. 

Arab News chatted with Gary Sweeney, brand and style director at Ascots and Chapels (also the official tailoring partner for the Dubai World Cup Style Stakes, 2023), to give us a quick men’s style guide for the upcoming races.  

Gary Sweeney, brand and style director at Ascots and Chapels. (Supplied)

Historically, a strict dress code has been in place for the races. Even today, inside the Royal Enclosure at Royal Ascot in the UK, men must wear a morning suit, including a waistcoat, top hat and tie — but not a cravat. However, as menswear continues to evolve, so does the dress code at the races. 

“Breaking the rules is now okay as style is so open and fluid. You can play around with color and textures and wear things you couldn’t in the past. Race day attire now can be your best blazer, a shirt and a tie, or a great suit,” said Sweeney. 

He advises that if it is your first time at the races, do not be afraid of overdressing and taking style risks — but in the right way. Jeans, shorts and sneakers are still a big no. 

The designer advises that if it is your first time at the races, do not be afraid of overdressing and taking style risks. (Supplied)

“A classic, well-cut navy suit with a nice open white shirt would be the perfect beginners’ look,” he explained. 

He also advises men to steer clear of short-legged trousers or jackets and trousers that are too tight. Additionally, Sweeney recommends brushed cotton chinos with a lightweight linen blazer for tailored separates. Sweeney also suggests opting for fabrics like linen and cotton, as they work well in warmer temperatures, versus heavier textiles. 

Race day accessories include eye-catching pocket squares, shoes (brogues or moccasins), and hats. (Supplied)

“For the more sartorially adventurous gent, a cream double-breasted linen suit with a pale blue cotton shirt and a pair of suede loafers would look fantastic. You can dress this up and add some personality through your choice of accessories,” he noted. 

Race day accessories include eye-catching pocket squares, shoes (brogues or moccasins), and hats. Do not be afraid to incorporate playful ties, but do make sure they are the correct length. Ideally, a tie should end at the top of your belt buckle. 


Review: Keira Knightley shines as dogged reporter in ‘Boston Strangler’  

Review: Keira Knightley shines as dogged reporter in ‘Boston Strangler’  
Updated 21 March 2023

Review: Keira Knightley shines as dogged reporter in ‘Boston Strangler’  

Review: Keira Knightley shines as dogged reporter in ‘Boston Strangler’  

CHENNAI: Although the term “serial killer” wasn’t coined until about a decade after the events of new film “Boston Strangler,” out now on Disney+ in the Middle East, the Keira Knightley-starring thriller delves into the case of one of the US’s most notorious serial killers, who police say killed 13 women between 1962-64.  

Writer-director Matt Ruskin weaves this true-crime tale into a film following two female reporters who charted the case for local newspaper the Record American at the time.  

What is great about Ruskin’s work is its novel approach — it has a significant splash of gender politics (which is crucial considering all the killer’s victims were women) as we see how reporters Loretta McLaughlin (played with compelling ease by Knightley) and Jean Cole (Carrie Coon) fight a male-dominated police force and to help trap the Boston Strangler.  

Besides the police, McLaughlin — who begins by begrudgingly working as a Lifestyle reporter, testing out new toasters — also faces hurdles from her editor, who is reluctant to let her onto the male-dominated crime beat. But after her first front page story draws the ire of Boston Police Commissioner McNamara (Bill Camp), the editor asks another reporter, Cole, to help McLaughlin and there is no stopping the two dogged journalists, whose passion and dedication finally help get the Strangler (well, sort of — real life events saw  Albert DeSalvo fail to be convicted of any of the murders, although he did confess to them, before a posthumous DNA test in 2013 revealed he did in fact murder the last victim, Mary Sullivan).  

There are dramatic liberties taken as anyone who dives deeper into the real story will realize after a quick Google search, but the film is riveting.  

Interestingly, 30 years after the murders, McLaughlin wrote an article in the Boston Globe about what egged her on to chase the case. 

“An editor disputed the worth of a series on the four dead women, noting that they were ‘nobodies,’” she wrote. “That was it exactly, I felt. Why should anyone murder four obscure women. That was what made them so interesting… sisters in anonymity, like all of us.”  

Paul Leonard-Morgan’s score is creepy enough to get our hair to stand up on end, though Ruskin wisely avoids showing gore, relying instead on lighting and cinematic tension to instill a sense of horror.