? AT THE MOVIES-

Bob Marley: One Love(watch trailer, runtime 2:50) pulled on our heartstrings a little. The film, as the name suggests, is a biopic about the globally renowned late reggae singer, songwriter and legend Bob Marley, from his rise to fame in the mid-1970s until his untimely death in 1981.

Unfortunately, the storyline fell flat, barely scratching the surface, and failing to fulfill the film’s purpose. Despite showcasing Marley’s incredible music, achievements, and critical moments, everything seemed portrayed without the necessary context, depth, and exploration of the true story.

The narrative kicks off midway through his career — delving into the political turmoil in Jamaica, where Marley, known for his pacifism, navigated through election-year violence. Occasional flashbacks touched on his beginnings, the love story with his wife, the discovery of Rastafari, and glimpses of his childhood and upbringing.

The plot then shifts to his two years in London, where his career began to take off on a global scale, up until his battle with skin cancer and eventual death. Viewers are left wondering about Marley's emotional state during this period — did he feel betrayed by his country, homesick, or overwhelmed by international fame?

The performances were commendable, with the cast list including Kingsley Ben-Adir (Bob Marley), Lashana Lynch (Rita Marley, his wife) James Norton (Record producer Chris Blackwell), and more. However, the film’s surprise were the producers: Marley’s wife, Rita Marley, and their two children, Ziggy Marley and Cedella Marley — even Brad Pitt shared an executive producer credit.

Reception was mixed, though. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a modest 42%. But his fans thought otherwise, giving it a 92% on the audience score section on Rotten Tomatoes.

While entertaining, the film left us wanting more: We wanted to know the makings of the King of Reggae and how he truly lived — with this film, he’ll continue to be the peaceful enigma we know and love.

WHERE TO WATCH– Bob Marley: One Love is screening in VOX Cinemas at City Center, City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Zamalek Cinema and Sun City Cinema.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

It’s time for some good news. Well, is it news if it’s historical? In any case, Rutger Bregman has some. Whether humans are innately good or bad or neither has been the subject of many philosophical debates, but in Humankind, Bregman makes the argument a historical one.

His multi-disciplinary approach insists that people are good at heart, and argues that a new worldview that acknowledges that will benefit us all. He believes that if we dismantle the negative misconceptions we have about humans being lazy, egotistical, and malevolent, we can channel that goodwill into building a better society.

Bregman guides us gently through a tour of the history of humankind, from the first appearance of the homo sapiens to modern-day elections. The meticulousness of his documentation offers case study after case study that proves that our natural instincts stem from a kind place. That isn’t to say that some historical figures haven’t demonstrated the potential for human evil, but Bregman examines these events with sensitivity and perceptiveness.

WHERE TO FIND IT- Humankind is available on Amazon for USD 11.99 as an ebook, USD 16.99 as a hardback, and USD 17.09 as a paperback, and at Diwan for EGP 600.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

The Bake Bar is a secluded cafe getaway in the Dusit Thani. The cafe gives an air of luxury while also being welcoming. Their menu is expansive, covering drinks, coffee, sandwiches, pizza, dessert, and a variety of breakfast dishes.

It’s easy on the eyes. With a huge outdoor area and a decently sized indoor area, you’ll never feel cramped or like you’re a part of your neighbor’s conversation. The tables are a good size and decently spread apart with fun pastel decor scattered in between.

Not a remote office: While it has all the makings of a great remote work setup, wifi is only available for guests, and outlets are few and far between. If your device is fully charged, though, and you’re willing to use up your hotspot, the calm environment is ideal to focus alongside a quick bite.

The options are simple and taste as advertised, but the coffee leaves more to be desired.We tried the Talk Turkey to Me sandwich which had a sweet kick to it and came with salty fries — they might be a little too salty for some but we liked it. The portion will leave you full so maybe plan to share with a friend if you want a sweet treat later. Other than that, the Danish was light and flaky, satisfying our sweet tooth, but the latte we ordered was more like a cold glass of milk.

Adding to the lovely ambiance is the friendly staff, ready to happily make recommendations and talk you through the menu. Once you make your order, it will be ready promptly and just as you asked, making us feel at ease in the establishment. But it’s worth noting that the items are on the pricier side.

? Per person: EGP 300-500

? Outdoor seating: Yes

? Alcohol: Yes

? Accessibility friendly: Yes

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