? AT THE MOVIES-

Dune Part Two is the pinnacle of sci-fi filmmaking. The unbelievably detailed worldbuilding supported by extensive lore sans tedious exposition, the fleshed-out characters that are as dynamic as the stunning cinematography… Even if he were to hang his hat now, director Dennis Villeneuve could join George Lucas and Peter Jackson in the sci-fi and fantasy Hall of Fame.

Stop here if you haven’t seen Part One. The latest installment in the adaptation of Frank Herbert’s novels (watch trailer, runtime: 3:03) picks up exactly where we left off. In fact, the Fremen are still transporting Jamis’ body home after his duel with Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet). House Harkonnen is back with a vengeance, amplifying its attack on the natives, and Paul rises to the occasion alongside Chani (Zendaya), fiercely trying to evade the prophecy and losing just as intensely.

The plot this time around is richer and busier than the first installment — but it is once again the craftsmanship that places Dune among the greats. From the SFX and VFX to the costume design and the fight choreography, it’s clear that Villeneuve handpicked those excelling in their respective fields to join him in the creation of Part Two.

If Chalamet’s performance felt flat before, this installment makes it painfully clear that it was an artistic choice. Spoilers aside, Paul’s demeanor takes a turn mid-way through the film — though we can’t say we hadn’t seen glimmers of it here and there — and we can say we weren’t prepared. The only aspect we can say was a little lacking was the chemistry between Chalamet and Zendaya. While the co-stars famously get along, their romance is the least believable part of this intergalactic odyssey.

WHERE TO WATCH- If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you Dune? Sorry, we had to. You can snag seats for Dune at VOX Cinemas at City Center Almaza and Mall of Egypt, Cima Arkan, Zawya, Citystars, and Scene Cinema in District 5.

? FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

What happens when a lie snowballs and crashes right into your life? Geeta of TheBandit Queens by Parini Shroff is about to find out. Set in India and in a highly patriarchal society, Geeta is blamed — but not formally accused — of killing her husband after he disappears. But, oddly enough, things start to look up for her: Her community does not shun her, in fact, they appease her, supporting her business and no one wants to cross her, lest they face their husband’s fate.

But her life starts to look a little too appealing on the outside. Husband-less and thriving, her seemingly happy ending is causing women to come to her for help getting rid of their deadbeat husbands so they can follow in her footsteps. The only problem is, she didn’t actually murder her own — she just didn’t correct people nor try to explain herself. No one else knows that though, so the lengths they will go to for her help ruin her serene life and Geeta has to figure out how much she’s willing to sacrifice to preserve it.

Shroff weaves in humor, coming from the absurdity of the situation, with heartfelt motifs of love, belonging, independence, and dealing with abuse. Being based in India, there is also an undertone of social commentary in her writing when it comes to women’s rights and society there. Having a non-western lead is refreshing, allowing a glimpse into the life of a protagonist we’re not used to reading about.

This book is impressive, considering it is Shroff’s first novel. Many others would agree seeing as it is a nominee for Best Debut Novel on Goodreads. It will be interesting to see if she can keep that momentum running in her future projects.

You can find it at Diwan or on Amazon.

? HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Ichiban has the teppanyaki experience you deserve without breaking the bank. In the bustling area of Heliopolis, Ichiban is a sizzling dining experience with the lively atmosphere and the showmanship of the chefs setting the grill. Each dish was expertly prepared right before our eyes on the teppan grill, infusing the air with mouth-watering aromas.

As with teppanyaki restaurants, expect the teppanyaki chef to give you the knives show — and watch as he turns simple ingredients into culinary masterpieces. The seafood platter and fried rice were among the highlights of the meal, both outstanding in flavor and texture. However, the vegetable glass noodles tasted a bit bland, lacking the punch we were expecting. In terms of the chicken dishes, we found the sweet and sour chicken to be superior, with the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess, while the kung pao chicken was slightly overshadowed — but it was a solid dish to order.

They even have a sushi menu. Despite being tempted we were too full to indulge. But we noted the extensive selection available, ranging from raw to fried which caters to a variety of tastes.

Overall it exceeded our expectationswith its delicious food, entertaining ambiance, and attentive service — making it perfect for any occasion and outing. But unfortunately, they currently don’t deliver.

? Per person: EGP 500-800

? Outdoor seating: No

? Alcohol: No

? Accessibility friendly: No

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