📽 AT THE MOVIES-

Inside Out 2 navigates Riley’s teenage angst: Nine years after its beloved predecessor, Inside Out returns with a sequel that has captivated both audiences and critics. This new chapter follows Riley, now a 13-year-old teenager, as she grapples with the tumultuous emotions of adolescence.

The plot: Joined by her two best friends at a hockey camp with older girls, Riley encounters a slew of new emotions — anxiety, envy, boredom, and embarrassment — alongside familiar nostalgia. As her anxiety and fear of failure grow, Riley makes choices she soon regrets, prompting the familiar emotions in her mind to band together in an effort to protect her.

What happens when we get anxious? The film describes the fundamental difference between anxiety and fear in one scene, saying: "Fear protects Riley from the scary stuff she can see. My job is to protect her from the scary stuff she can't see. I plan for the future." Lisa D'Amour, a clinical psychologist consulted by the producers, describes the film's depiction of anxiety and the experience of puberty as " surprisingly accurate."

A film for all ages: The film’s depiction of anxiety is devoid of stigma or exaggeration, but instead how it can reshape our perceptions, beliefs, and ultimately identity. Garnering global admiration, the movie is nearing the bn USD mark and is the highest-grossing American film this year, according to The Guardian.

WHERE TO WATCH: Catch the film in both English and dubbed in Egyptian Arabic, at Vox Cinema in City Center Almaza as well as Mall of Egypt, City Stars Cinema, Cairo Festival City Mall Cinema, and Point90 Cinema. Take a sneak peak at the trailer: (watch, runtime: 2:24)

📚 FROM THE BOOKSTORE-

Miracle Creek is a thrilling courtroom drama that will keep you turning the pages. Set in Miracle Creek, Virginia, it follows the Yoo family, recent immigrants from South Korea, who open a hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) center to provide a better future for their daughter, Mary. However, tragedy strikes when their HBOT chamber explodes during a session, resulting in two deaths and injuries, leading to a gripping courtroom trial that challenges perceptions of truth and justice.

The accident that started it all. The novel begins with the fiery explosion at the Yoo family’s HBOT center, setting the stage for a complex legal battle. Elizabeth Ward, a mother who lost her autistic son in the incident, is accused of murder. As the trial unfolds, secrets emerge, casting doubt on Elizabeth's guilt and revealing the intricate web of relationships and motives surrounding the tragedy.

It might get overwhelming for some: From the Yoos’ desperate quest for indemnity to the struggles of mothers with special-needs children, the story delves deep into the moral dilemmas faced by its characters. As truths are twisted and perceptions shift, the storyline becomes a captivating exploration of the blurred lines between right and wrong.

The novel challenges conventional notions of truth and justice. Through its characters and plot, the book offers a poignant reflection on the complexities of immigration, parenthood, and the pursuit of the American Dream. While the narrative style may not take bold risks, the novel's brave exploration of moral ambiguity and human frailty makes it a standout debut. In the end, it reminds us that reality is often far from black and white, urging readers to question their own perceptions of right and wrong.

You can find it at Cherry Blossom Books.

🍴 HOT AND FRESH OUT OF THE KITCHEN-

Grab your chopsticks and head to Gyoza. Hidden in Mivida’s Lake District this boutique and cozy joint serves all the Asian street food cravings. The simple wooden furniture and street-style designs create an inviting atmosphere, perfect for a casual lunch or a quick dinner.

The stars of the show are, undoubtedly, the gyozas. These dumplings come in two fillings: Chicken and shrimp, so we ordered them both (as we should). When ordering your gyozas you have three options on how they’re cooked: Steamed, pan-seared or fried — we ordered ours steamed, but the owners recommend pan-seared.

Taste test: Steamed to a pearly white sheen, the ground chicken was juicy and well-seasoned all enveloped in the soft embrace of the steamed dough. As for the shrimp, it was tender and not completely ground. In both gyozas, you can taste the seasoning and the difference in the accompanying vegetables, such as scallions. The chicken captured our hearts but we won’t disregard the shrimps.

They do have more than just Gyozas. The restaurant offers a number of other options from Korean hot wings to Chinese Chicken Lo Mein. The stir-fried Chicken Lo Mein has a satisfying chew to it, clinging perfectly to the savory-sweet sauce. Tender chicken pieces added a contrasting bite, while crisp vegetables offered a soft crunch. The sauce itself was a complex dance of umami, with hints of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger, leaving a lingering richness — a definite member of the clean plate club.

Moving on to the fiery Shrimp Udon: In case it wasn’t clear before, this is a spicy dish. The chewy udon noodles were drenched in a rich, savory mix of oyster and soy sauce with red chili slices. The shrimp was plump and succulent — and may we say good quantity — paired with fresh green onions. The noodles weren’t as thick as we expected but it didn’t take away from the overall experience.

💵 Per person: EGP 500-800

🪑 Outdoor seating: Yes

🍺 Alcohol: No

🦽 Accessibility friendly: Yes

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