? AT THE MOVIES-

The Creator is the Man v AI showdown we didn’t know we wanted. Sci-fi veteran Gareth Edwards, known for the tumultuous but brilliant Rogue One, was destined to make this movie. After reports of incessant studio interference, tense creative differences, and numerous reshoots in the making of the Star Wars prequel, the director was given full creative reign to fulfill his vision in The Creator (watch trailer, runtime: 2:36). He uses it to deliver a concept-forward, expectation-subverting Man v AI thriller — one of the most original and thoughtful sci-fi films in recent years.

The true brilliance of The Creator is the world-building. It is set in a world where AI has effectively become a pillar of society, existing peacefully alongside people for decades… until it detonates a nuclear bomb in the middle of Los Angeles. This is the catalyst behind our protagonist, Joshua (John David Washington), being forced to join a team searching for a weapon developed by the mysterious Creator. At times, parts of the plot and the relationships between the characters feel rushed, as most of the film is dedicated to creating a believable and comprehensive vision of the future. However, the film is still a stunning feat of the genre as a whole and evidence of Edward’s skill as a visual storyteller.

Does “original” sci-fi even really exist anymore? It’s difficult to come up with a dystopian future when our technology has seemingly caught up with the boundaries of human imagination. At the very least, sci-fi concepts have become regurgitated forms of already existing IP, whether from books or video games. But once in a while, a novel idea is born, and The Creator is the proof. Unfortunately, like many of its predecessors, it struggles to strike the balance between storytelling and character development.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can find The Creator in VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Citystars Stars Cinemas, and Cairo Festival City Galaxy theaters.

Playing in Zawya tomorrow is Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel (watch trailer, runtime: 2:25).This 2014 masterpiece, that despite nearly aging a decade, is timeless: The film’s set, choreographed movement and performances by the actors make it an instant classic favorite that fans of the director would happily go back to again and again. Many a film critic has noted it to be Anderson’s opus, since all the director’s trademark elements seem to be perfected — from his eccentric characters to the immaculate cinematography and unusual plot.

It begins as a third person narrative, where an author (unnamed) is reading pages from his most popular novel “The Grand Budapest Hotel” which is inspired by a chance dinner he had with Zero Mustafa (F. Murray Abraham/ Tony Revolori), who used to work in the hotel and retells how he came into his fortune. Mustafa speaks fondly of Gustave H. (Ralph Fiennes), the suave and impeccable concierge of The Grand Budapest Hotel who comes into a painting left to him by Madame D. (Tilda Swinton), a dowager who, like many others, had an affair with Gustave. However, Dmitri (Adrien Brody), Madame D’s son, tries to frame Gustave as his mother’s murderer to get his hands on the painting, and as anticipated, trouble and mischief ensue as an ensemble of characters come together to ensure that Gustave is innocent.

The cinematography is an organic character in itself, with Anderson’s experience at the keel he uses all the tools in his shed to engross the viewer. As they return back to the 1930s, so does the hotel, into a set that is akin to the European like Hollywood sets. Panoramic aspect ratios change three times to symbolize three different time periods. Another key feature is the color palette that is astonishingly pronounced and performances by the lead actors that don’t miss. Overall, the film feels more fantastical than cinematic, eerily akin to reading a storybook and playing it as a reel in our mind, which in this case, is a summary of Anderson’s approach to filmmaking.

WHERE TO WATCH IT- The film will be playing one more time in Zawya cinema tonight at 7pm.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

David Sirota’s Back to Our Future — subtitled How the 1980s Explain the World We Live in Now — is a time capsule of 1980s memorabilia. From Wall Street scandals to the release of The Karate Kid, Sirota explains in minute detail how the events of that decade have affected life as we know it to this day. More than just a walk down memory lane, Back to Our Future is a critique of the ills that plague contemporary American society.

While the book is wildly entertaining and enlightening, it still packs a punch. Sirota, who used to work for Bernie Sanders, argues that movies, advertisements, and TV shows forever changed the way Americans view the world, promoting jingoistic ideology and sowing seeds of egocentrism and overconsumption. While some ideas may seem far-fetched, he shows how certain elements could indubitably be seemingly harmless but effective contributors to the American worldview alongside major incidents such as the bombing of the American military base in Lebanon in 1983 or the TWA Flight 847 hijacking in 1985.

The book, originally written in 2011, may feel a little out of the loop. Sirota undoubtedly would have much more to say about the past 12 years, but his claims about the decades preceding this one still stand. He may occasionally make sweeping remarks to fit his thesis, but many of his arguments are meticulously researched and almost stubbornly well-informed.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can get your copy of Back to Our Future from Cherry Blossom Books for EGP 148.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Searching for a tranquil escape from the bustle of the city? Lavender, nestled amid lush greenery in New Cairo’s Mountain View compound, is a good option for a relaxing breakfast, lunch or dinner. The restaurant features an outdoor veranda overlooking flowering gardens and a pool. Alternatively, if you prefer an indoor ambiance, you can dine inside. Lavender operates from 9am until 12am on weekdays and extends its opening hours to 1am on weekends.

The menu does not follow a unified theme. Instead, it has a wide range of items from different international cuisines including pasta, pizza, main course, salads, appetizers, and desserts — plus, they serve sushi and teppanyaki. During our visit, we had the chance to try several dishes from different sections of the menu: Aside from the traditional choices we can recommend The Scallopini Gorgonzola, which involves South African veal cubes buttered with a blue cheese sauce, with a side of roasted potato wedges, vegetables, or white rice. If you are dining with a group, you can share some of their appetizers such as the fried shrimp basket or chicken schnitzel bites to whet your palate before the main course.

Try the teppanyaki. If you enjoy watching your meal being made, give their live teppanyaki a go, where they offer different choices such as shrimp, lobster, salmon, beef filet, and chicken. If you like sharing food with others, their combos will be satisfying. All teppanyaki dishes are served with vegetables and white rice.

PRO TIP- It is recommended to call them to make a reservation. You can also reserve the place or part of it for a special occasion. But do note thatkids under 15 are not allowed after 9pm.

? Per person: 500

? Outdoor seating: Yes

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: No

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