Movie and TV show reviews

Saudi Drama Against The Patriarchy ‘Hobal’ Beats Hollywood Titles Becoming Standout Local Hit

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The powerful movie titled “Hobal” has resonated deeply with Saudi viewers since its January 2 release. This film depicts a Saudi family being forced by their grandfather to live in seclusion in the desert during the onset of the Gulf War in 1990. When a young girl in the family falls ill, her mother bravely challenges the patriarchy to save her child. The movie has garnered over half a million admissions so far and earned approximately $5.7 million through its distributor Qanwat Group, according to data from the Saudi Film Commission that tracks box office figures in Saudi Arabia.

‘Coexistence, My Ass!,’ ‘Free Leonard Peltier,’ ‘GEN_’ Among Competition Lineup at Thessaloniki Documentary Festival (EXCLUSIVE)

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As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but get excited about the prestigious awards at this festival! The highest honor, the Golden Alexander, doesn’t just come with bragging rights, but also a generous cash prize of 12,000 euros. Not to be outshone, the Silver Alexander carries a nice 5,000 euro cash prize as well. What makes this event even more enticing is that the winner of the Golden Alexander automatically qualifies for consideration in the Documentary Feature category at the Academy Awards!

Uncovering Uruguay’s 1971 Prison Break: The True Story That Changed History

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Under the guidance of Academy Award-nominated directors Cesar Charlone and Fernando Meirelles, who were the director of photography and co-director for the 2003 film “City of God”, respectively, the movie “El Abuso” recounts the actual events of a daring jailbreak in 1971, where 101 political prisoners from the Tupamaros, a renowned urban guerrilla group, managed to escape. One of these fugitives was Pepe Mújica, who went on to become the President of Uruguay.

‘Squid Game’ Actor Gong Yoo, Song Hye-kyo, Kim Seol-hyun, Cha Seung-won, Lee Hanee to Star in Netflix Period Drama ‘Show Business’

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This drama narrates the journey of Min-ja (played by Song), a resilient woman who triumphs over her challenging past to make a mark in Korea’s flourishing music industry. After her impressive performance in the Lunar New Year release “Dark Nuns,” Song shares the screen with Squid Game’s Gong Yoo, portraying Dong-gu, Min-ja’s old friend. As they maneuver through the ruthless entertainment business, their longstanding bond is strained, with Gong’s character showing signs of being unpredictable but highly receptive to Min-ja’s impact.

Alex de la Iglesia-Produced Dystopian Podcast Adaptation ‘Sanctuary’ Heads to Berlinale Series Market Selects

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Sanctuary” (originally titled “Santuario”), a joint production between Spain’s forward-thinking Atresmedia TV (known for shows like “Money Heist” and “Velvet”) and Pokeepsie Films (supported by Banijay in Madrid, makers of “30 Coins”), is an intriguing blend of a less-than-farfetched, ominous setting, and robust female protagonists. This gripping series highlights the depth of female resilience when confronted with imminent peril, all while keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.”

Or more concisely:

“Sanctuary”, a joint Spanish production between Atresmedia TV and Pokeepsie Films, is an intriguing blend of a plausible dark setting and strong female leads. It showcases resilience in the face of danger while keeping viewers captivated.

Selena Gomez Says ‘Some of the Magic Has Disappeared’ Amid ‘Emilia Pérez’ Controversy, but She Has ‘No Regrets’: ‘I Would Do This Movie Over and Over Again’

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This year’s film with the highest number of Oscar nominations has faced a decline in public favor since tweets posted by its lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, in late January emerged, containing views considered controversial about Muslims, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars. In response to this, Netflix has chosen to disassociate from Gascón and is no longer providing her with financial backing for award campaigning.

Korea Box Office: ‘Hitman 2’ Leads Again as ‘Nocturnal’ Debuts in Third Place

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As a fan, I’m thrilled to share that “Hitman 2” held onto its number one spot, earning KRW1.93 billion ($1.3 million) according to Kobis, the Korean Film Council’s tracking service. The film claimed a substantial 27.8% of the market share, but it experienced a significant drop, with revenue diving by 52.9% and admissions plummeting by 55.3%. Over the weekend, a total of 201,556 viewers stepped into cinemas to watch it. Despite this decrease, the movie has amassed an impressive cumulative total of $15.04 million.