Review: A fantastic Denzel Washington makes ‘The Equalizer 3’ a hit

Review: A fantastic Denzel Washington makes ‘The Equalizer 3’ a hit
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Updated 25 September 2023
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Review: A fantastic Denzel Washington makes ‘The Equalizer 3’ a hit

Review: A fantastic Denzel Washington makes ‘The Equalizer 3’ a hit

CHENNAI: The fantastic Denzel Washington returns in this third and final part of the franchise, “The Equalizer 3,” as government-assassin-turned-vigilante Robert McCall. The movie also sees director Antoine Fuqua getting together with Washington after “Training Day,” “The Magnificent Seven” and the first two parts of “The Equalizer.” The seamless style, spell-binding action and lead star make this film a hit.

McCall finds a home, and kinship, in a small community in a small town, and steps in to protect its inhabitants when danger begins to stalk them.

As the first minutes of this drama begin to unfold. we see a man walking through a vineyard with bodies all around. They have all been shot, and even as McCall finishes off the wicked in what appears like a fantasy out of the blue, Fuqua does manage to inject a tiny bit of realism. Our man does get hurt and has to depend on a kind-hearted cop (Eugenio Mastrandrea) to take him to a doctor in the town.

His recuperation time gives him an opportunity to make friends with the locals — and these are a motley group. A priest, a man who runs a cafe and even a fish-seller. McCall soon begins to feel at home and forms a warm bond with them. But his trained eye never misses a beat and he senses danger lurking beneath the surface — the mafia, of course. Its nefarious players have a firm hold on the locals. McCall takes the help of a CIA operative, Dakota Fanning, and swings into action.

The script by Richard Wenk is simple and lends itself to an easy understanding of the narrative. Plot revelations are quick to come and help in taking the work forward. The bad guys are bad, and the plot makes it clear that although McCall may be as violent, he is friendly and helpful – qualities that charm the townsfolk. 

Washington holds the movie together and it is a joy to watch him take on the mafia, blow by blow. In contrast, Fanning brings out his humorous side. The third star of the show is the scenery – the Italian vistas are glorious.


Metallica to perform in Riyadh in December

Metallica to perform in Riyadh in December
Updated 28 November 2023
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Metallica to perform in Riyadh in December

Metallica to perform in Riyadh in December

DUBAI: US metal band Metallica is set to perform in Saudi Arabia for the first time in December at the Kingdom’s much-anticipated music festival Soundstorm by MDLBeast.

The group’s gig will be in Riyadh on Dec. 14, the first night of the three-day event.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Metallica (@metallica)

The festival is also hosting international stars including Chris Brown, Pharrell Williams, Her, Tiesto, David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas, J Balvin and Anne-Marie.

Some of the Arab stars who will hit the stage include Elissa, Mahmoud El-Esseily, Hakeem, Majid Al-Mohandis, Mohamed Ramadan, Omaima Taleb, Rabeh Saqr, Dalia Mubarak, Ruby, Nancy Ajram, Ramy Sabry, Ahmed Saad, Hamid El-Shari and more.

The festival is yet to announce more international and regional artists taking part in this year’s edition.

Metallica’s Saudi show is part of the group’s M72 World Tour.


Khadra sisters, Bella Hadid pay tribute to their grandparents

Khadra sisters, Bella Hadid pay tribute to their grandparents
Updated 28 November 2023
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Khadra sisters, Bella Hadid pay tribute to their grandparents

Khadra sisters, Bella Hadid pay tribute to their grandparents

DUBAI: US Palestinian beauty entrepreneurs Simi and Haze Khadra, as well as US Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid, took to social media this week to pay tribute to their respective grandparents.  

The Khadra twins — beauty entrepreneurs and DJs who grew up between Riyadh, Dubai and London and are now regulars on the Los Angeles social scene — shared a post lauding their grandmother on her birthday.  

“Happy birthday to our grandmother, teta Fairouz, who was born in Akka, Palestine. Like all four of our grandparents, she was forcibly expelled from her home as a child by Israeli forces in 1948 … she is the most selfless human we know — always displaying the remarkable strength, generosity, and integrity Palestinians are known for.” 

The Khadra sisters paid tribute to their Palestinian grandmother, far right, on social media. (Instagram)

The twins took to Instagram earlier this month to announce that they would donate all sales from their makeup brand SimiHaze Beauty until Nov. 27 on the brand’s website to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).  

“PCRF is working on getting children out of Gaza for free medical care. Simi & Haze have a trusting relationship with the PCRF, having completed successful fundraising campaigns together that have yielded dramatic improvements to children’s lives by bringing them the medical care they need to survive,” they posed on Instagram.  

Meanwhile, Hadid took to Instagram Stories to celebrate her grandfather.  

Bella Hadid shared a photo of her grandfather on Monday. (Instagram)

“He passed away when I was young but his memory is still inside my head,” she posted alongside a photograph of her paternal grandfather, adding: “His laugh, and his hug, and his voice and the fact that he could not be buried in the place where he was born and where his father and father’s father were born and died in the city they built — this is one of the many reasons I strive for a free, equal, liberated Palestine. I hope you are proud.” 

Earlier this month, Hadid marked her father’s birthday with special post on Instagram that celebrated his Palestinian roots.   

The 27-year-old catwalk star posted a picture of her and real estate mogul Mohamed Hadid from last year at the “Labour of Love” exhibition in Doha, which investigated the symbolism of the Palestinian thobe.  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Simi & Haze (@simihaze)

“Happy birthday to my baba … born in Nazareth, Palestine November 6, 1948,” Bella captioned her post.   

In an earlier post, she shared the story of her father who was born in the year of the Nakba or “The Catastrophe” in 1948.  

“Nine days after he was born, he, in his mother’s arms, along with his family were expelled from their home of Palestine, becoming refugees, away from a place they once called home,” she said.  

“My grandparents, never being allowed to return. My family witnessed 75 years of violence against Palestinian people — most notably, brutal settler invasions which led to the destruction of entire communities, murder in cold blood and the forcible removal of families from their homes,” she added. 


Diane Kruger to be honored at Red Sea International Film Festival as organizers finalize jury

Diane Kruger to be honored at Red Sea International Film Festival as organizers finalize jury
Updated 27 November 2023
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Diane Kruger to be honored at Red Sea International Film Festival as organizers finalize jury

Diane Kruger to be honored at Red Sea International Film Festival as organizers finalize jury

DUBAI: German actress Diane Kruger, Bollywood star Ranveer Singh and Saudi actor-writer Abdullah Al-Sadhan will receive career honors at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival.

The festival will kick off on Thursday with a screening of Iraqi director Yasir Al-Yasiri’s fantasy “HWJN” as the opener. The event will run through Dec. 9.

Mohammed Al-Turki, CEO of the Red Sea Film Foundation, said of this year’s honorees: “This year we are honouring Ranveer Singh, an icon of Hindi cinema; Diane Kruger, who has delivered us a series of unforgettable characters from Helen of Troy to Tarantino’s Bridget von Hammersmark and affected us with her powerhouse performance of the avenging Angel Katja in Fatih Akin’s ‘In the Fade’; as well as the hugely beloved Abdullah Al-Sadhan who has been a mainstay of Saudi entertainment through ‘Tash ma Tash’ for two decades and will also appear in this year’s competition title ‘Norah.’ We are thrilled to be recognising each of their varied and deep contributions to cinema and to have them with us for our third edition.”

As for the festival’s jury, Joining Baz Luhrmann, who is presiding over the main Red Sea jury, are Swedish-American actor Joel Kinnaman (“Suicide Squad”); Freida Pinto (“Slumdog Millionaire”); Egyptian actor Amina Khalil; (“Grand Hotel”) and Spain’s Paz Vega (“Sex and Lucía,” “The OA”). 


MDLBeast transforms Jeddah landmark into music venue

MDLBeast transforms Jeddah landmark into music venue
Updated 26 November 2023
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MDLBeast transforms Jeddah landmark into music venue

MDLBeast transforms Jeddah landmark into music venue
  • Every Friday evening until Dec. 29, the desalination plant will harness groovy beats for locals

JEDDAH: MDLBeast’s Tahlia event took Jeddah’s renowned water desalination plant and turned it into a vibrant music destination. The unusual experience has redefined music venues in the Kingdom and highlighted a new extraordinary setting for performances.

Held on Friday evenings from Nov. 24 until Dec. 29, Tahlia by MDLBeast is a biweekly musical extravaganza that promises to enthrall audiences. The excitement kicked off with Pink Bunny igniting the crowd and setting an energetic tone for the evening. The Engineers, 39 Kingdom and Claptone followed suit, delivering unforgettable sets that had the audience begging for more.

Saudi DJ Pink Bunny set an energetic tone for Tahlia. (Instagram/pinkbunny.music)

However, it was the performances of Sebastian Ingrosso and Tiesto that truly stole the show. Ingrosso surprised the crowd with his latest song at the end of his performance, sending them into a fever of excitement. Tiesto’s stage was a spectacle of laser displays, breathtaking lighting, fireworks and ribbon blasts, creating an immersive experience that kept the audience dancing.

One attendee, Haneen, said: “I’ve never experienced anything like Tahlia before. The venue was stunning, and the performances were mind-blowing. It’s amazing to see Jeddah embracing such innovative and unique music events.”

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tahlia by MDLBeast is a biweekly musical event held on Friday evenings until Dec. 29.

• The first event featured Pink Bunny, Sebastian Ingrosso, Tiesto, The Engineers, 39 Kingdom and Claptone.

• Tahlia general admission is for SR249 ($67) and VIP for SR899.

• For booking tickets and more information, visit mdlbeast.com.

With more than 2000 enthusiastic visitors, MDLBeast’s Tahlia witnessed a diverse gathering of music lovers who came together to experience the magic of the internationally renowned DJs. The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd’s energy was palpable throughout the event.

The launch of Tahlia follows the resounding success achieved by MDLBeast through its recent events in Riyadh, Jeddah and AlUla. These endeavors exemplify the organization’s pioneering efforts in creating innovative music spaces in the Kingdom. By introducing new concepts for small-scale concerts and international musical events, MDLBeast aims to enrich the creative economy of the music entertainment industry in Saudi Arabia.

With more than 2,000 attendees, MDLBeast’s Tahlia witnessed an energetic gathering of music lovers at a stunning new location in Jeddah. (AN photos by Mohammed Hashim Nadeem)

Sharon James, who visited Jeddah for work, said: “I had the opportunity to attend the festival. I was truly taken aback by the electrifying performances … the VIB area was a fantastic addition, with a wide range of delicious food and refreshing beverages. It added an extra level of excitement and made the festival even more happening.”

Khalid Saleh, another visitor, said: “The energy at Tahlia was contagious. The combination of the unique venue, transformed from a desalination plant into a music spot, and the incredible DJs, created an unforgettable experience. MDLBeast has truly raised the bar for music events in Saudi Arabia.”

According to MDLBeast, the Tahlia venue is not a typical music spot but the touch of uniqueness makes it even more special for music lovers to revel in the best rhythms and musical performances by international, regional and local DJs.

Fans can purchase tickets for Tahlia through the MDLBeast website, with two tiers available: General admission for SR249 ($67) and VIP for SR899. Additionally, the website offers packages for attending Tahlia along with the Moja music event at Jeddah Waves.

 

 


Lyna Khoudri hits Marrakech International Film Festival red carpet  

Lyna Khoudri hits Marrakech International Film Festival red carpet  
Updated 26 November 2023
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Lyna Khoudri hits Marrakech International Film Festival red carpet  

Lyna Khoudri hits Marrakech International Film Festival red carpet  

DUBAI: French Algerian actress Lyna Khoudri was on hand at a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Marrakech International Film Festival on Saturday — and she showed off a chic Chanel outfit in the process.  

Khoudri, who is a brand ambassador for the luxury French label, hit the red carpet in a minidress in the brand’s signature tweed, elevated with silver embroidered detailing.  

Lyna Khoudri was on hand at a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the Marrakech International Film Festival. (Getty Images)

She attended the ceremony alongside other A-list stars, including Faical Laraichi, Tilda Swinton, Jessica Chastain — who is this year’s festival jury head — Isabelle Huppert and Melita Toscan du Plantier.  

Chastain opted for a custom-made black-and-pink gown by French label Balmain at the event, a day after she graced the opening night’s red carpet in a shimmering silver jump suit from Armani Prive’s Fall 2021 couture collection. On the opening night, Chastain was joined on stage by fellow jury members, including Iranian actress Zar Amir, French actress and comedian Camille Cottin, Australian actor and director Joel Edgerton, British director Joanna Hogg, US director Dee Rees, Swedish filmmaker Tarik Saleh and Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgard. 

Organizers said that they looked forward to showcasing cinema from Morocco, the Middle East and Africa. Throughout the week, they plan to honor Moroccan director Faouzi Bensaidi and workshop films from throughout the region in a developmental program that was set to be presided over by director Martin Scorsese, who has since pulled out due to personal reasons.  

The festival opened on Friday with Richard Linklater’s action-comedy “Hit Man.”  

For her part, Khoudri rose to prominence in her role as Nedjma in Mounia Meddour’s critically acclaimed drama “Papicha.” For her work in the film, she won the Orizzonti Award for best actress at the 74th Venice Film Festival, and she was nominated in the Cesar Awards’ most promising actress category.  

Khoudri also starred in the 2019 mini-series “Les Sauvages” and in 2016’s “Blood on the Docks.”  

Notably, she was cast in Wes Anderson’s 2021 comedy “The French Dispatch” alongside Hollywood stars Timothee Chalamet, Bill Murray, Tilda Swinton, and Owen Wilson.  

In 2023, she was nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category at the 48th Cesar Awards, France’s equivalent of the Oscars.   

Khoudri was nominated for her role in filmmaker Cedric Jimenez's “Novembre,” which tells the story of the terrorist attacks in Paris on the night of Nov. 13, 2015. She plays Samia, a charitable young woman who volunteers at a homeless camp. Her flat mate is bankrolling her cousin, one of the terrorists.