? AT THE MOVIES-

Cobweb, a psychological thriller produced by Seth Rogen, doesn't bank on its jumpscares and creepy soundtrack to do the work — it’s all in the suspense of the plot and the lead actors’ terrifying performances. Fans of the hit TV show The Boys will be happy to see Antony Starr (who plays Homelander) use a familiar demeanor in this role, giving a strong and quietly unsettling performance. Accompanying him is Lizzie Caplan, who you might have seen in Now You See Me 2 and sitcom Party Down, surprisingly holding up her own outside of the goofy-but-intelligent roles we’ve seen her in.

The movie bravely opens against Barbenheimer, and while it’s too early to tell whether it’ll make strong returns on what Deadline says is a fairly small budget, the movie is doing fairly well with the critics, according to Metacritic.

Our take: We were surprised to like it, though we wouldn’t really call it a scary movie. Rogen, who acts as a producer, seems to be shyly dipping his toes in the genre, and you can see his tentativeness. This pulpy but original story leaves room for a sequel, and we will definitely be seated for it. You can watch the trailer here ( watch trailer, runtime: 2:09).

WHERE TO WATCH- You can find this film at Citystars Cinema, Cairo Festival City and Sun City Cinema.

Hidden Strike strikes out: This new Jackie Chan/John Cena flick, produced by XYZ Films, sees the two action stars Jackie Chan and John Cena come together as two ex-special forces soldiers tasked with escorting a group of civilians through a dangerous part of Baghdad called the highway of death. While it’s categorized as an action-comedy, it’s an action movie the way Jackie Chan movies are action — full of amazingly executed choreography, but ultimately family-friendly conflict — and the comedy never really lands.

The biggest issue with the movie is the lack of chemistry between Chan and Cena. While both actors have strong (separate) performances both in action and comedy under their belt, their energies just don’t match, making the jokes and comic relief fall flat. The bland script was of no help either. The writers seemed determined to include as many sound bites as possible, evident in the trailer ( watch, runtime: 2:44), which reveals nothing about the plot, but is packed with one-liners. The film will also be released worldwide on Netflix on Friday,

WHERE TO WATCH- You can watch the film in Citystars cinemas, Cairo Festival City theaters, and VOX cinemas in Mall of Egypt.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

The Shards marks the long-awaited return of American satirist Bret Easton Ellis to the literary scene, with his first novel in 13 years. This fictionalized autobiography takes readers on a haunting trip through 1980s Los Angeles, as a teenage Bret and his privileged friends navigate the city while a serial killer terrorizes its streets. Looking back on the defining events of their final year in high school, the author delves into a world of deception, mystery, and violence.

The vivid depiction of 80s LA is both enticing and disturbing. Ellis portrays the city's underbelly with a rawness that is not for the timid or faint-hearted. The arrival of Robert Mallory, an attractive and mysterious new student, coincides with the gruesome murders committed by the serial killer known as the Trawler, adding an extra layer of tension to the narrative. The author's intricate character development shines through, allowing readers to form a deep connection with the characters.

At just shy of 600 pages, "The Shards" could have been more concise without sacrificing its impact. Nevertheless, as the final page approaches, a sense of sadness settles in, a testament to the author's ability to create an immersive and compelling world. While the book starts off a little slow, it quickly gains momentum and becomes a page-turner that’s very hard to put down.

WHERE TO FIND IT- This book is available at Cherry Blossom Books for EGP 323.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Labash , slang for mess, is exactly what it sounds like. The restaurant offers a no-nonsense menu of popular fast-food choices alongside endless refills of fries, soft drinks, five sauces, bread and pickles, served literally onto your table that has been covered with ample amounts of butcher’s paper. If you’re wary of the mess, don’t fret — you will be given some black gloves to keep your hands clean.

Pro tip: go in a group Eating with your hands off of a table is an experience you’re going to want to share with others, especially because of how large the portions are. The perfectly grilled chicken skewer was tender and juicy. If you choose to have a burger, don’t expect a regular old patty and bun; the burger is also presented on a skewer, with a cup of melted cheese poured on top during serving. The endless fries are always fresh, and we also loved their fried chicken and beef filet.

Where to find it: The chain has locations across the capital, including in Mall of Arabia, Point90, and Cairo Festival City. It also has branches in the North Coast, in Amwaj, Lavista Bay Avenue Mall, and Porto Marina.

? Per person: EGP 275-550

? Outdoor seating: No

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: Yes

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