📽 AT THE MOVIES-

The Expendables 4 is… well, expendable. The poor critical reception of the third installment might have been the reason for the nine-year gap between the typically Sylvester Stallone-led installments, but if that was a stumble, Expend4bles was a fall. While some fans of the franchise may find comfort in the familiarity of the film, others might feel disappointed by its lack of creativity. The action-thriller delivers the genre’s tropes, though at points it does seem like a parody of itself. Our verdict: You will find fun if you go looking for it.

Big premise, little delivery. The story kicks off when this movie’s villains, led by Suarta Rahmat (Iko Uwais), steal nuclear detonators in an effort to start a war between the US and Russia. As with all the other Expendables films, it’s up to this ragtag gang of mercenaries to save the world. Barney (Stallone), Christmas (Jason Statham), Gunner (Dolph Lundgren), Easy (50 Cent) and the rest of the team get together once again to stop World War III, because the CIA is… too busy? Without revealing too much, all we can say is that much of the talent within the cast is sidelined, even Stallone, who once carried the franchise on his shoulders.

Where’s Stallone? Barney Ross only makes a brief appearance this time, passing the torch to Christmas (Statham). This, along with the addition of new blood in Gina (Megan Fox) and Decha (Tony Jaa), as well as a new penchant for close-quarters combat using daggers, marks the only changes in the film. The rest is a rehash of previous high-stakes antics with no time for any exposition, begging the audience to just go with it. Whether or not you decide to accept the film’s limitations will shape how you experience the movie.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can bid The Expendables adieu at VOX Cinemas in City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Citystars Stars Cinema, and Cairo Festival City Galaxy cinemas.

Light Upon Light ( trailer: runtime 1:28 ) tries to discuss the different meanings of light — the literal light that we can see, electrical, candlelight, sun and moon played alongside the ephemeral light that illuminates from within us, with a focus on the Sufi interpretation of light. The Danish director and anthropologist Christian Suhr records intimate moments of faith and reverence through trips, interviews and discussions. In every frame he plays on the element of light — whether it be the stages of the sun’s journey, dancing street lights or enlightened individuals sharing their experience — the viewer is taken on a journey where they feel compelled to chant along and question how to be able to attain that light.

What does the light mean to…? Suhr spent eight years researching, collaborating, and curating the film that intends to capture what the light means to different people. He also inquires about what happens when someone finds or experiences this divine light, and can it be captured on film? The shifts from moments in the public sphere of Egypt, such as the Sayyida Zainab mosque during Ramadan where there are illuminating lights brightening an otherwise dark sky, or the desert where followers of the Shazly Sufi order celebrate his birth, exemplify different moments of the experience that they feel to try and summon the light.

Those that saw the light… Mr Maher is one such gentleman who decided to the join the Al Ashra’af Al Mahdeya group (a religious movement where members claim to be descendents of the Prophet PBUH) after he visited the maqam or grave of Imam Salah El Deen El Qousi. He gives, perhaps, the most honest and heartfelt soliloquies of the light that he felt and failed to describe due to its reverence. Another moment to look out for is when one of the attendees of a Sufi hadra chooses to be part of the Sufi way — her detailed description of the feeling that guided her towards this faith also pulls in viewers.

WHERE TO WATCH- The film will be screening again on Sunday October 1 at 7pm in Zawya cinema.

DISCLAIMER- The movie has only English subtitles and non-English-speaking viewers may struggle to understand the English conversations that are not translated.

📚 FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

A Surgeon and a Maverick: The Life and Pioneering Work of Magdi Yacoub. This biography published by the AUC Press captures the groundbreaking career of the renowned cardiac surgeon Sir Magdi Yacoub. With unprecedented access to Yacoub himself, as well as in-depth and meticulous research, authors and journalists Simon Pearson and Fiona Gorman craft a compelling narrative about the philanthropist who, literally, brought life back into many hearts. The book tracks Yacoub’s journey from his humble beginning in Egypt to his illustrious career in the UK. It illustrates his unwavering determination and exceptional contributions to the field of heart surgery. The book also highlights how he overcame the challenges he faced in London. There is also a nuanced exploration of Yacoub’s character, shedding light on the man behind this illustrious career.

The book illuminates Yacoub’s many medical firsts, from early heart transplants to developing new techniques. It underlines how he performed some of “the first heart transplants in Britain and the first heart-lung transplants in Europe.” He also founded the world-renowned heart transplant center, The Magdi Yacoub Institute, at London’s Harefield Hospital that revolutionized the treatment of children with congenital heart disease.

WHERE TO FIND IT – Hard copies are exclusively available at AUC Bookstores for EGP 750and you can buy the hardcover from Amazon for USD 29.95 or you can go for the Kindle version for USD 14.99.

🍴 HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Stuffit , the new feteer place in Korba, is TikTok’s newest obsession. Hundreds of reviews (and reviews of the reviews, which is a thing now apparently) have catapulted the restaurant to fame. The menu doesn’t boast any innovative flavors, but what makes Stuffit special is their generosity. Each feteera is bursting at the seams with fillings, from sujouk, chicken, and cheese, to all kinds of sweet spreads. The feteer is made fresh in-house, and you can watch the specialists make them as you wait for your own pie.

The menu is short, sweet, and customizable. There’s a satisfying range of both sweet and savory options, and there are plenty of add-ons to choose from. Each feteera is large and bountiful, so it’s best to be a big group. For those who refuse to settle for just one kind, we suggest the share boxes, which come with three fillings: The savory one is divided into sujouk, chicken BBQ, and burger. Meanwhile, the sweet one is sections of Nutella, pistachio, and Lotus spread. For feteer puritans, the meshaltet will never disappoint, and you can choose any spread/dip from a long list that includes honey, mesh, eshta, and tahini. Modern classics that shouldn’t be overlooked are the kiri basterma and the mixed cheese.

The drawbacks: Like most places in Korba, Stuffit has limited seating space, so manage your dining-in expectations. Takeaway isn’t a bad option, especially if you’re sharing the pies with a large group, but sharing one in/on the car is an authentic Egyptian experience. The waiting time varies drastically and skews towards the long side, so carve out at least thirty minutes of your schedule for your pie to be prepared. Some customers have logged two hours, but look on the bright side: The food will be fresh.

💵 Per person: 200-400

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

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