📽 AT THE MOVIES-

We didn’t think we’d ever call a movie set during the 1944 Nazi invasion of Finland fun, but that’s exactly what Sisu is. Originally debuting at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, Sisu (watch trailer: runtime 2:25) hit commercial theaters to massive success. The film follows Jorma Tommila’s Aatami Korpi, a “one man death squad” turned gold miner, who runs into some unlucky Nazis on his way to the nearest bank to sellhis gold for money. What follows is the deliverance of justice in the form of pure gratuitous violence.

We can’t stress this enough: This movie is not for the faint of heart. While it excels in creating an outrageously fun and captivating experience, there’s no question that it rivals even Tarantino’s penchant for gore, and that some survival techniques (like slitting a Nazi’s throat underwater and inhaling the oxygen escaping his trachea) require a strong suspension of disbelief. You just have to roll with it to enjoy the movie. That being said, the cinematography is beautiful and the camerawork crisp, even while most scenes depict characters in the middle of violent deaths.

Adrenaline-pumping action aside, Tommila's acting chops shine through, providing such a powerful and surprisingly emotional performance that we didn’t even notice that he hadn’t spoken a single word throughout the whole movie, which was in general scarce on dialogue — an incredible accomplishment especially considering the affinity you develop for his character.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can catch this movie at VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, City Stars Cinema, and Cairo Festival City theaters.

The Transformers prequel is a chance for the franchise to correct course. Under a new director, Steven Caple Jr. of Creed II fame, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (watch trailer: runtime 2:32) is a prequel that hopes to steer the franchise in a different direction. While the premise is still pretty much the same, following yet another unsuspecting human thrust into the heart of a longstanding Cybertronian war, the film manages to strike a balance between the overworked “fate of the world” crisis and genuine human drama.

Critics and casual viewers are at war over the ratings. The divide between being called “extremely dumb” by The Guardian and “another annoying robo-flop” by the New York Post and being rated at 94% on Google by users, and given an A- on CinemaScore is stark. We’re on the side of the viewers. Noah and Elena — this movie’s honorary Cybertonians — are effortlessly likable, and the voice acting by Ron Perlman, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and most surprisingly, Pete Davidson, is more convincing — and in Davidson’s case, more amiable — than the mechanic Autobot voices we’re used to. There were some inconsequential flaws peppered throughout, but our only gripe was with how CGI-heavy the movie was. Though it was to be expected, being a movie about giant robots, we desperately miss real-world elements on screen.

WHERE TO WATCH- Buckle in and watch Transformers: Rise of the Beasts at VOX Cinema theaters in City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Citystars Cinema, and Cairo Festival City cinema.

📚 FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

A novel unraveling the dark side of big tech: In his first adult novel, acclaimed young adult author David Yoon draws upon his extensive experience in the tech industry to present a captivating takedown of the digital world. With a lightning-fast pace and poignant observations, Version Zero is a thriller that explores the real dangers of Silicon Valley’s obsession with our data. The story revolves around Max, a data expert working for the social media giant Wren. As he delves deeper into the company's data practices and raises questions about their ethical implications, Max finds himself fired and shunned by the Silicon Valley elite. Fueled by revenge, he embarks on a mission to expose the dark side of big tech.

Just when you think you have it figured out, Yoon throws unexpected twists and turns that keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat, making it a refreshing departure from the typical thriller formula, and allowing it to stand out in a crowded genre. While the book may not deliver a perfect ending that we thought leaned back into the tropes it wanted to avoid, the willingness to take bold risks and tackle unconventional themes outweighs any minor shortcomings. The narrative's ambition and unique approach make up for any loose ends, and readers who appreciate a novel that pushes boundaries will find themselves forgiving the imperfections. Yoon's ability to craft a narrative that feels distinct and original is commendable, and makes for a great binge read.

WHERE TO FIND IT- If you’re looking for something new, you can cop this technological thriller at Cherry Blossom Books for EGP 255.

🍴 HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Grab your new favorite dessert from this food truck: We, too, thought we had exhausted the global supply of baked innovations. From cronuts to savory doughnuts, we thought we’d tried it all. But food truck Croccanteis here to give us new options, including the Hungariancylindrical-shaped chimney cake — a creation that’s crunchy on the outside with a soft and pillowy inside. The hollow pastry makes it the perfect container for any kind of filling you prefer. While some of us loved the rich Maltesers fudge, we found ourselves leaning more towards a refreshing ice cream filling like the decadent oreo belgian white chocolate as the weather warms up. You can find Croccante in a number of locations including in Leven Square mall in New Cairo, keep an eye out for more locations to be announced this summer at the North Coast.

💵 Per person: EGP 80-100

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

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