? AT THE MOVIES-

The new installment of The Exorcist has a lot of potential…but not much else. The sixth in a lineup of Exorcist movies, Believer (watch trailer, runtime: 3:03), might be the first to match the uncanny aesthetic of the ingenious 1977 installment, The Heretic. It is constantly on the verge of brilliance, but consistently falls short. The plot follows the possession of two separate young girls whose narratives converge as their parents and clerics try to deliver them from evil.

The film starts slow and subtle, and Director David Gordon Green — a veteran of horror with three Halloween movies under his belt — introduces the narrative pieces with an expertly crafted combination of silence and misdirection that makes the audience wonder whether the presence of evil has already begun or if we’re being paranoid in anticipation. Unfortunately, the opening third of the movie is the only compelling segment — the large cast and multiple plotlines were eating away at each other in the first two-thirds, none of them getting the attention they deserve.

The film explores possession in other cultures. A first for the franchise,the film innovatively explores other cultures’ beliefs when it comes to possession, and utilizes multiple theologies to attack the demon possessing the girls. Another plus is the performances — we can’t find fault in the acting chops displayed by Leslie Odom Jr., playing one of the girls’ fathers, and the possessed duo played by Lidya Jewett and Olivia O’Neill. While the film is far from awful, we can’t help but feel that with a tighter plot, we would have an instant classic on our hands.

WHERE TO WATCH- Get ready for a sleepless night by watching The Exorcist: Believer at VOX Cinemas in City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, CityStars Stars Cinema, and Cairo Festival City Galaxy Cinemas.

El Khamis Elli Gai tries to bring together Egypt’s comedians but doesn’t bring any laughs. The film (watch trailer, runtime: 2:02) boasts a star-studded ensemble cast with the nation’s most popular comedians in the industry. However, the film failed to maximize the potential of its talent. The storyline lacked originality by picking up on previous film references such as “Al Ens w Al Nems” (watch trailer, runtime: 2:23) and “Banat El Aam” (watch trailer, runtime: 1:40).

Three people, including one couple, were conned into buying a haunted mansion, is the basic premise.Theghosts who inhabit the mansion died in the 40s during a wedding when a genie (Bayoumi Fouad) cursed the couple. At the stroke of midnight, they watch the phantom wedding happen and Nabil (Islam Ebrahem) watches his wife Samar (May Kassab) get possessed by the dead bride’s ghost. As they try to make sense of what happened the local housekeeper who lives off the estate tells them that if they don't break the curse before the upcoming Thursday they’ll turn into ghosts and be imprisoned in the house.

The acting was good but the jokes fell flat. The script relied on tired cliches and the mocking of artists in the entertainment industry that did not incite a chuckle. As for the cinematography, again, it was disappointing with several CGI fails, such as the outlines of the supposed ghosts appearing on screen when they were supposed to be invisible. Comedy enthusiasts may want to steer clear of this film and look for something with more substance and innovation.

WHERE TO WATCH- You can still watch the film at Point 90 Cinema, Cairo Festival City Cinema, VOX Cinema, and CityStars Stars Cinema.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

I was a Boy in the Seventies is a cultural and social biography by the Egyptian novelist and cinema critic Mahmoud Abd El Shakour. This packed Arabic biography takes the reader back to the seventies hey-day, sharing an instrumental timeline of events that made a significant impact on the tapestry of our nation: Sadat’s appearance in the Knesset, Camp David, Mama Nagwa, Bokloz, and Nelly’s Fawazir, among others. Abd El Shakour takes readers on a captivating journey traveling through the critical transformative years between the death of Abdel Nasser and the assassination of Sadat.

Abd El Shakour presents a vivid portrayal of the daily lives of humble Egyptian familiesas he narrates his childhood and adolescent years in Cairo and Upper Egypt. He skillfully weaved together his diaries and personal experiences, creating a broader picture of an entire generation and the vibrant era they inhabited. One notable aspect of the book is Abd El Shakour’s inclusion of his own curated selection of the most beautiful songs from the seventies. Additionally, the book features a group of nostalgic photos showcasing iconic figures from this era. For those interested to know more about the eighties era, there is an extension for this book called “I was a Boy in the Eighties”.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You can find hardcopies at ElKarma Books, Amazon, and DiwanBookstores, it is also on Kindle for USD 8.5.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Di Sforno Pizzeria is a new entrant into the wood-oven baked Neopolitan pizza scene in Zamalek.The restaurant opened last week and is currently delivering their pies via Talabat and through individual pick-up. They will have two small tables set up for in-house meals sometime next week but no plans of expansion have been shared yet.

They are offering a wide array of classic, American-inspired, and vegetarian options.Among the pizzas ordered, the Chicken Ranch was an unusual feature on any Neapolitan pizzeria’s menu. It was acceptable, but the pickled jalapenos gave off a vinegary aroma and flavor which put down the fresh chicken and cheese. The Aglio pizza with the smell of the garlic hit both nose and palate and the cheese was succulent, making this pizza an instant, and affordable, favorite. Aside from the Salsiccia, which was topped with an endless amount of Italian sausages and offered a delicious bite every time, the Carne Calzone won this reviewer's heart, and tummy. The size was not too immense, despite the braided outside dough that was not eaten, the stuffing was sufficient, with proper ricotta, salami, and vegetables — it was meaty without being too heavy and will be the pie to go for the next time it is ordered.

DISCLAIMER- The dough was not really proofed for 24 hours, or the oven was not hot enough for the dough to bubble, which is a classic feature of a Neapolitan pizza.

? Per person: EGP 200-400

? Outdoor seating: No

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: Yes

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