The series reminded me of the classic Nancy Drew books; both feature young, intelligent girls who are adamant at trying to diligently — and somewhat stealthily — solve mysteries
Updated 12 August 2024
Jasmine Bager
Fans of Holly Jackson’s highly popular 2019 novel, “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder,” can now experience the story visually with the new BBC TV adaptation, which premiered on Netflix this month.
The adaption was made by Poppy Cogan and directed by Dolly Wells. It was developed by Moonage Pictures for BBC Three and is available for streaming on Netflix.
Much like the book, we follow the story alongside 17-year-old Pippa Fitz-Amobi, portrayed by Emma Myers of “Wednesday” fame. Set in a small British town, Pippa’s journey uncovers deep secrets and buried realities.
In the story, Pippa is quiet and timid but also stubbornly refuses to believe what everyone else in town has come to accept, that five years prior, her slightly older school friend, Sal Singh, murdered his girlfriend Andie Bell and then killed himself.
With the looming EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) due date fast approaching —which is required for all seniors to complete for their university application — the studious “good girl” Pippa decides to take it as the perfect opportunity to investigate the case herself.
The truth, she finds out, is much more sinister than she could have ever imagined.
The series reminded me of the classic Nancy Drew books; both feature young, intelligent girls who are adamant at trying to diligently — and somewhat stealthily — solve mysteries. Their goal is to simply know the real story.
The idea of what it means to be a “good girl” is also explored in all its complexity and glory.
“Just because she did this (bad) thing does not mean she’s not a good person,” Pippa says in one scene.
Later on, in another episode, after she had uncovered some harrowing hidden truths, she declares: “There is no such thing as a good person.”
The season is made of six episodes, each of which lasts about 45 minutes. If the TV series is renewed, they have two more books to delve into.
REVIEW: Colin Farrell is resplendent as Batman villain in ‘The Penguin,’ HBO’s new slow-burn crime epic
The spin-off of Matt Reeves’ ‘Batman’ — a lush and fully realized mob drama — drops weekly on OSN from Sept. 20
Updated 14 September 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Audiences will be forgiven for rolling their eyes at yet-another supervillain origin story. But thanks to Colin Farrell’s “The Penguin,” for the first time in a very long time, you won’t walk away from your TV feeling mildly dissatisfied or pining for the long-gone golden age of superhero storytelling.
HBO’s eight-episode limited series — written and created by Lauren LeFranc (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and “Chuck”) — tells the story of the rise of Oswald “the Penguin” Cobb, or just “Oz,” from underworld criminal to mob kingpin; and does so in a richly realized manner that will earn comparisons to TV epics such as “The Sopranos.”
The show begins a week after the events of Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” (2022), where the citizens of Gotham are recovering from the deadly floods released by the Riddler, destroying entire neighborhoods and killing thousands. Oz (Farrell, who again disappears into the role thanks to game-changing prosthetics and acting instincts honed over decades) plans to exploit the chaos of the floods and the power vacuum left behind by the recent death of mob boss Carmine Falcone (Mark Strong).
Helping him in his endeavour is young Victor (Rhenzy Feliz), a wannabe criminal who lost everything to the flood. Oz and Victor’s pseudo father-son dynamic forms the beating heart of a tragic story of corruption, greed and violence; and accurately depicts how monsters are not born but created by a society that is sick at its core.
Additionally stirring the pot is Cristin Milioti’s Sofia Falcone, Carmine Falcone’s daughter who is released from Arkham Asylum after a 10-year stint and is looking to take control of her father’s empire.
“The Penguin” sings when Farrell is on screen. The Irish actor gives the role his all, and watching him go from impulsive and rage-filled violence to quiet vulnerability to easy charm and then wounded puppy is a treat to behold.
And it is not always an easy watch, either. An episode dedicated to Sofia’s backstory that examines her life before, during and immediately after her stint in Arkham Asylum makes for a riveting but incredibly grizzly and difficult sit. Milioti handles Sofia’s justified anger and need for control and power with mesmerizing charm and deliciously dark humor.
With “The Penguin,” LeFranc has created something truly transformative, and no amount of superhero fatigue should keep you from watching it.
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani considers it an honor and responsibility to represent nation’s tourism program
Updated 13 September 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia actor Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, 10, who has been an ambassador for the Saudi Summer Program 2024, has brought an intense passion and energy to the role.
With a career marked by appearances in commercials and TV series, Al-Qahtani’s journey from actor to ambassador highlights a deep connection to his cultural roots and commitment to promoting the country globally.
Al-Qahtani told Arab News: “I’ve always loved performing. I started by acting in ads for big brands like Infiniti Cars, Al-Rajhi Bank and Aramco. These opportunities allowed me to explore different facets of acting and build a solid foundation in the industry.”
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, Saudi actor
His experience includes campaigns for the ministries of health and environment, water and agriculture, as well as the Misk Foundation.
His acting career has been marked by outstanding performances in series including “Al-Deek Al-Azraq” and “Orim.”
Al-Qahtani’s upcoming film, “Shahd,” has also generated considerable excitement among his fans. “Acting is my real passion … Growing up, my culture deeply influenced the roles I chose. I feel fortunate to work on projects that resonate with my heritage and bring our stories to life.”
It’s a special chance to share the beauty and diversity of our country’s summer experiences with the world. I take this role very seriously and am dedicated to making the most of it.
Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani, Saudi actor
Transitioning to his role as the ambassador for the Saudi Summer Program, Al-Qahtani considers it an honor and responsibility.
“I’m thrilled … it’s a special chance to share the beauty and diversity of our country’s summer experiences with the world. I take this role very seriously and am dedicated to making the most of it,” he said.
As part of his duties, Al-Qahtani has been touring Saudi Arabia, exploring various summer destinations and participating in local events.
Al-Qahtani said: “Every place I visit has its own unique charm. Boulevard City in Riyadh is incredibly dynamic, while Jeddah Corniche offers a beautiful blend of sea and city. Abha, where I grew up, holds a special place in my heart, and I’m always excited to share its beauty with others.”
One of the standout moments of his tour was attending the King Cup final in Jeddah. “It was a significant event, and representing the summer program there was a source of immense pride for me. It felt like a perfect blend of sports and cultural celebration.”
A particularly memorable experience for him was meeting Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb in Asir. The meeting offered Al-Qahtani insights into the ongoing efforts to boost the Kingdom’s tourism sector.
“Meeting the minister was an invaluable experience,” he said. “I learned a lot about the strategies and initiatives aimed at promoting tourism in Saudi Arabia. It was inspiring to see the commitment and vision behind these efforts.”
During the interaction, Al-Qahtani held a kite adorned with the program’s logo and Al-Khateeb drew a picture symbolizing summer on it. “(It) was a special moment for me. It felt like a meaningful connection to the program and underscored the collaborative spirit of this initiative.”
Looking ahead, Al-Qahtani is enthusiastic about continuing his acting career while remaining committed to his ambassadorial role.
“I’m excited to keep working as an actor and take on new challenges,” he added. “I’m also dedicated to promoting Saudi Arabia’s cultural and artistic scene. Football is another passion of mine, and I hope to explore opportunities in that area as well.”
The four-month Saudi Summer Program runs until the end of September and includes Asir, Baha, Taif, Jeddah, Riyadh, the Red Sea and AlUla. There have been hundreds of events offered with more than 100 partners.
Saudi rapper Asayel discusses her debut single, ‘Asliyah’
Updated 13 September 2024
Adam Grundey
DUBAI: Saudi rapper, singer and songwriter Asayel Bishi (who uses just her first name as an artist) has released her debut single, “Asliyah” on MDLBeast Records. In it, according to a press release, she “addresses naysayers and doubters with a playful smirk, her words laced with Hejazi slang (Bishi was born and raised in Makkah but now lives in Jeddah) and a wisdom beyond her years.”
The song is billed as “a statement of intent” and will serve, for most, as an introduction to Bishi’s music. Her flow, on this track at least, is deliberate, closer to a spoken-word performance than a rap. And that was a conscious decision, she says.
She released her debut single, “Asliyah” on MDLBeast Records. (Supplied)
“I’m actually telling a story. I’m not really rapping and I’m not singing,” she says. “It’s like I’m talking to someone. This is stuff that really happened to me and stuff that I really want people to know. I’m basically telling how people have mocked my style. And the reasons why they don’t like my style. And at the end, I’m saying, like, ‘OK. I’m here. And I’m entering the scene.’”
The colorful accompanying video was shot on the streets of Jeddah.
“All the locations in the video are very famous (here). The director (Ahmed Lebleb) wanted to reflect the image that, here in Jeddah, you can do these (creative) things. It’s not just about the beach and swimming,” Bishi explains.
The colorful accompanying video was shot on the streets of Jeddah. (Supplied)
“Asliyah,” Bishi tells Arab News, was the first song she wrote in Arabic.
“When I started out, I was writing in English, but when I started working with MDLBeast, they told me, ‘OK, now you need to focus on the Arabic side because you need to communicate with your community,’” she says. “They also told me about other artists — local artists — I should be listening to, like Moayad and Dafencii.”
It’s been an inspiring change, Bishi explains. “I have purpose now,” she says. “I want to do it to improve myself, but also to encourage other girls to go out and to sing, to perform, to write, to rap… to build this female music community.”
‘I Am Georgina’ highlights Saudi Arabia in first trailer for season three
Updated 11 September 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: After two successful seasons, “Soy Georgina” (“I Am Georgina”) is set to return to Netflix with a third season on Sept. 18 that highlights star Georgina Rodriguez's life in Saudi Arabia, according to a trailer dropped by the streaming giant today.
The new season will give a peek inside power couple Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo’s luxurious new life in Saudi Arabia, a move that took place in Dec. 2022 when the Portuguese football legend signed with Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.
The trailer begins with shots of Rodriguez in AlUla, Saudi Arabia’s historic UNESCO heritage site, as she poses in front of the Instagram-famous mirrored Maraya Concert Hall.
There is a strong focus on her long-term partnership with Ronaldo as she’s seen supporting from the stands at various football matches.
The trailer also briefly spotlights Rodriguez and her family – including the couple’s children and her stepson Cristiano Jr. – at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort in Saudi Arabia.
Light-hearted moments show the family spending time at the dinner table at their Saudi home, laughing and making conversation.
The trailer also prominently features Rodriguez at Paris Fashion Week, waiting nervously backstage as she gets ready to walk the runway for Swiss fashion label Vetements.
Saudi box office sells 8.5 million tickets in first half of 2024 with two Saudi films in top three
Updated 11 September 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: The burgeoning Saudi film industry is going from strength to strength.
On Tuesday, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan Al-Saud, Minister of Culture and Governor of the Royal Commission for AlUla, took to X to reveal that the Saudi box office has made SAR 421.8 million ($112,410,096) in the first half of 2024, adding that two of the three leading films were Saudi-produced. He did not reveal the names of the two films.
سوق صناعة السينما مزدهرة، حيث وصلت مبيعات شباك التذاكر السعودي إلى 8.5 مليون تذكرة بإيرادات تجاوزت 421.8 مليون ريال خلال النصف الأول من العام الحالي، وفيلمان سعوديان ضمن أعلى 3 أفلام مبيعاً. #رؤية_السعودية_2030
“Saudi box office sales have reached 8.5 million tickets with revenues exceeding 421.8m SAR during the first half of 2024. Two of the best-selling films amongst the top 3 are Saudi #SaudiVision20230,” he wrote.
Saudi Arabia’s cinema scene has been booming since lifting its 35-year ban in 2018. With 66 theaters across 22 cities and box office sales reaching $919 million in 2023 (up 25% from 2022), the industry is growing at a rapid pace.
While Hollywood films like Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” and Tom Cruise-starring “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning” have contributed to ticket sales, Saudi films have also been making a mark.
Saudi filmmaker Ali Kalthami’s Riyadh-based thriller “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) has been a success since it was released at the beginning of 2024, soaring to the top of the Saudi box office following its screening at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah. The film tells the story of Fahad, who, after getting fired from a call centre, takes a job as a night courier who illegally sells alcohol in order to save his ailing father.
“Sattar,” the Saudi Arabian family comedy about a depressed man who follows his dreams of becoming a freestyle wrestling champion, smashed box office records last year, earning $2.2 million over its first 12 days, instantly making it the highest-grossing Saudi movie of all time, so far.
