? AT THE MOVIES-

Wonka (trailer: runtime: 2:27) was wacky and whimsical. In this prequel to Roald Dahl’s beloved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Timothée Chalamet plays a young, bright eyed and bushy tailed Willy Wonka trying to pursue his chocolate making dreams. But, there are a couple of obstacles he must overcome in his path to becoming a world famous chocolatier.

The greedy hurt the needy, as Wonka’s partner in crime Noodle (Calah Lane) reminds him. The pair, along with three other accomplices, must try to free themselves from an evil innkeeper, Ms. Scrubitt (Olivia Coleman), who holds them hostage in her laundry facility until they can pay off their artificially inflated debts. All the while, a trio of evil chocolatiers, who run a sort of cartel on the tasty treat, try to do everything in their power to prevent Wonka from selling his creations and threatening their own watered down, overpriced product.

Fantastical and flashy: Through song, dance, and colorful displays of all kinds of sweets,we witness the rag-tag group of misfits come together to make Wonka’s dream come true while trying to gain freedom from their debts. The musical features mostly new songs with a couple of old ones from the original 1971 version like Pure Imagination. The sets were fun and interactive, and definitely triggered the nostalgia feels.

But, the heart sometimes got lost in the whimsy. While singing songs of friendship and dream-chasing, those elements didn’t always translate in the vague plotlines. Wonka’s relationship with Noodle was heartwarming, but the rest of the gang deserved more character development. Also, Hugh Grant’s absolutely absurd orange-skinned and green-haired Oompa Loompa character, named Lofty, brought bouts of comedy, but felt more alluded to than actually present in the film. We’re happy his iteration of the tiny chocolate lover is less problematic though.

The star-studded cast delivered on the spectacle. Coleman was fabulous, but we’ve yet to see her disappoint in any of her roles. Lane, although young, stole the show perhaps because of her simplicity in her performance amongst a cast of highly unusual characters.

Chalamet vs. Depp vs. Wilder: Chalamet had big shoes to fill in his reprise of the Wonka role. His embodiment of the chocolatier was less eccentric than Johnny Depp’s (watch trailer: runtime: 2:55) and contained less malevolent undertones than Gene Wilder’s(watch trailer: runtime: 1:35). Luckily, Wonka wasn’t trying to emulate those versions but make something new for itself. Frankly, Chalamet, although having delivered a great performance at times especially in scenes relating to Wonka’s late mother, felt like he was forcing the act a bit. The oddball persona seemed to turn on and off like a light switch and translated scripted loopiness.

Comparisons aside, the movie was fun to watch, nostalgic in every way, and had a few great numbers in it. If you’re older, you can enjoy reliving the adored world of Roald Dahl, but a younger audience would also be enthralled by the spectacle. It hasn’t quite replaced the 1971 or 2005 movies as a comfort watch, but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

You can watch Wonka in theaters atEl Bandar, Galaxy Cineplex Maadi, Zamalek Cinema, Citystars,CFC, VOX Almaza or Mall of Egypt, Sea Cinema Arabella, Renaissance Cinemas, andDandy Mall.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

If you are a night owl, consider this an invitation to join the5 AM Club. The Robin Sharma — a.k.a one of the world’s iconic leadership speakers — authored a life-changing book that delves into the power of waking up early and embracing a morning routine for personal growth and success.

Sharma shares valuable insights, practical techniques, and inspiring stories that might get you to reset your alarm. He uncovers the morning rituals of exceptional minds, accomplished business figures, and entrepreneurs shedding light on how these routines play a vital role in their remarkable accomplishments…

… but he does so with a little story. The narrative is that two struggling individuals: The entrepreneur and the artist, meet a billionaire, who acts as their secret mentor. They both accompany him on a trip around the world where the billionaire and his advisor, The Spellbinder, set them on a path of personal growth and success. Going through this tale, Sharma shares valuable insights and practical guidance on the power of waking up early.

WHERE TO FIND IT- You find the book in Diwan Bookstores, Amazon Egypt, Zumia.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

The winner of chicken dinner? Located in New Cairo’s Downtown Katameya mall, Kimbiz’s is bringing us the goods all the while keeping it simple. With only three sandwiches to choose from, the chicken joint keeps things easy and tasty. After a round of yummy appetizers, it doesn’t hurt to have your options boiled down to the essentials.

They have a variety of mains, aside from their sandwiches. We started off with a diplomat salad, which was nice and fresh before opting for wings: The buffalo and BBQ sauces were a no-brainer for us but you can also go for the Asian or sweeter wings if you feel like switching things up. As far as main courses go, the lemon fettuccine with baked chicken was tasty and of course the range of whole or half chickens with sides is tender and juicy. But we were really there for the sandwiches.

Fry me a river: We’d love to take credit for the pun, but that’s actually the name of the joint’s fried chicken sandwich. The bread was fresh, the chicken crispy and well marinated, and the sides were interesting and we went for the thin fries as a side. If you’re in the mood for a healthier option, the grilled chicken breast sandwich will make you feel less guilty. Couple it with a side of roasted vegetables and you’ve struck a nice, balanced meal. If you’re not super hungry, however, and just want a light pick me up, the chicken wrap is the right order for you.

NOTE- Kimbiz delivers and you can also pick up your order from the store. If you feel like bbq-ing or frying your food yourself? The restaurant offers frozen marinated options that are ready to cook in the comfort of your home.

? Per person: EGP 250-350

? Outdoor seating: No

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: Yes

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