Review: ‘Gladiator II’ — entertaining, and a fun romp

Review: ‘Gladiator II’ — entertaining, and a fun romp
Irish actor Paul Mescal (R) poses with British director Ridley Scott on the red carpet upon arrival for the Royal film performance and World premiere of the film "Gladiator II" at the Odeon Lux, in Leicester Square, central London, on November 13, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 16 November 2024
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Review: ‘Gladiator II’ — entertaining, and a fun romp

Review: ‘Gladiator II’ — entertaining, and a fun romp

RIYADH: After years of waiting, “Gladiator II,” a sequel to the epic saga “Gladiator” (2000), has finally hit the screen.

The film, released in VOX Cinemas, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 14, had a premiere at VOX Cinemas, Roshn Front in Riyadh on Tuesday evening.

Directed by legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott, “Gladiator II” continues the epic saga of power, intrigue and vengeance in Ancient Rome.

Starring Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Fred Hechinger, the action genre release offers full entertainment, and serves as a follow-up to Scott’s “Gladiator,” released almost 25 years ago.

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist.

With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

With “Gladiator II” expected to have its work cut out trying to prove it can stand toe to toe with Scott’s highly regarded epic, the film is not exactly what fans have been expecting. It is no patch on the original, to be sure, but it is still a good fun time at the movies, with Mescal and Washington stealing the show. It is entertaining, and a fun romp.

Scott’s return to the Roman arena is something of a repeat, but it is still a thrilling spectacle and Mescal a formidable lead.

Set about 25 years after “Gladiator,” we are reintroduced to Lucius (Mescal), the now grown son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Maximus (Russell Crowe). He lives with his wife and child in Numidia as a respected warrior, but a far cry from his birthright. When a battalion of Roman soldiers, led by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) invades his land, his wife is killed in the battle, resulting in Lucius’ capture and enslavement. Passed along, he ends up in Rome, seen as fodder for the masses.

Obviously inspired by the similar predicament of Maximus, Lucius quietly resolves to fight as a gladiator in the Colosseum. His silent reasoning and overwhelming abilities are noteworthy, capturing the attention of Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave. Macrinus has designs on the throne of Rome, plotting to overthrow young emperors Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) and Geta (Joseph Quinn), taking Lucius under his wing in the process. As all of these people come together and realize Lucius’ connection; blood is spilt and lives are lost, but in the end Lucius takes his revenge.

“Gladiator II” is a good time at the multiplex, both for fans of the first one and those who do not have any extra affection.


‘The Seven Dogs,’ directed by ‘Bad Boys’ filmmakers, begins production in Riyadh

‘The Seven Dogs,’ directed by ‘Bad Boys’ filmmakers, begins production in Riyadh
Updated 32 min 47 sec ago
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‘The Seven Dogs,’ directed by ‘Bad Boys’ filmmakers, begins production in Riyadh

‘The Seven Dogs,’ directed by ‘Bad Boys’ filmmakers, begins production in Riyadh

DUBAI: “The Seven Dogs,” a groundbreaking film for Saudi Arabia starring Egyptian cinema icons Karim Abdel Aziz and Ahmed Ezz, has begun production in Riyadh.
The film is based on a story by Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, with a screenplay by Mohamed El-Dabbah.

The project – directed by the internationally acclaimed duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, known for their work on "Bad Boys for Life” – is making waves for its substantial budget, exceeding $40 million, making it the largest Arabic film production to date, according to Al-Sheikh.

Filming is taking place at the newly inaugurated Al-Hisn Big Time Studios in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Sheikh expressed his enthusiasm on social media, writing, “Today marks an important day in my career and in the history of cinema in my country and the Arab world. Today, filming began for ‘The Seven Dogs,’ a story by myself and the Big Time team, with a screenplay by Mohamed El-Dabbah."

This collaboration between Abdel Aziz and Ezz follows their previous successful projects, including “Kira & El Gin.”

The film's plot details remain under wraps, but the combination of a high-profile cast, experienced directors, and a significant production budget has generated considerable anticipation.


Japan’s Drum Tao deliver heart-pounding beats on Saudi debut

Japan’s Drum Tao deliver heart-pounding beats on Saudi debut
Updated 30 January 2025
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Japan’s Drum Tao deliver heart-pounding beats on Saudi debut

Japan’s Drum Tao deliver heart-pounding beats on Saudi debut

DHAHRAN: Drum Tao, the internationally acclaimed Japanese drumming ensemble, delivered a heart-pounding performance at the King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture’s theater on Wednesday night.

Their show at Ithra, titled “The Dream,” is running nightly until Feb. 1, with two performances on Jan. 31.

For over an hour, the audience regularly clapped in unison. With no lyrics, the performance relied entirely on sight and sound to tell its story.

Their show at Ithra, titled “The Dream,” is running nightly until Feb. 1, with two performances on Jan. 31. (Supplied)

The stage lighting shifted throughout, intending to evoke a range of emotions. The interplay of flute and drums created a soundscape that was at once soft and powerful, gentle yet aggressive.

The energy was serene and melancholic, tender and intense, seamlessly blending contrasts. The seemingly chaotic performance was expertly synchronized and at times humorous.

Known for their fusion of traditional wadaiko drumming, modern choreography, and dynamic storytelling, Drum Tao was founded in 1993 in Oita, Japan.

They have performed in more than 500 cities for more than 9 million spectators worldwide.

The shows are part of a 17-day cultural exchange, “Ithra Cultural Days Japan,” which concludes on Feb. 8. (Supplied)

They made their off-Broadway debut in New York to a sold-out audience in 2016 before bringing their performances to Tokyo and Osaka’s most popular nightclubs in 2022 as a part of Club Tao.

Directed by Drum Tao founder Ikuo Fujitaka, the evening at Ithra fused the thunderous beats of taiko drums with the delicate melodies of Japanese flutes and harps.

The choreography — an athletic feat in itself — added another layer of spectacle, making it a true crowd pleaser.

For the audience, the evening was more than just a performance — it was a vivid exploration of Japanese culture.

The shows are part of a 17-day cultural exchange, “Ithra Cultural Days Japan,” which concludes on Feb. 8.

Other Japanese musicians and artists also traveled to Ithra to showcase their talents.

One of them, Kohei Matsumoto, whose performances can be seen at Ithra’s Lush Garden, spoke to Arab News about how Japanese music is fostering cultural exchange and understanding.

“I’m really happy to see (Saudi) Arabian people enjoying Japanese culture through music — people can experience authentic Japanese traditions here (at Ithra’s Japan cultural days),” Matsumoto said.


Bands Seera and Garwasha flourish in Saudi Arabia’s community-driven music scene

Bands Seera and Garwasha flourish in Saudi Arabia’s community-driven music scene
Updated 29 January 2025
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Bands Seera and Garwasha flourish in Saudi Arabia’s community-driven music scene

Bands Seera and Garwasha flourish in Saudi Arabia’s community-driven music scene

DHAHRAN: Two Saudi bands, Seera and Garwasha, are taking advantage of the flourishing underground music scene in the country by performing at local cultural hubs. 

While the big hitters such as the MDLBEAST-organized SOUNSTORM in Riyadh and Balad Beast in Jeddah draw the crowds — and international superstars — year on year, it is the beloved meeting spots in the country’s urban hubs that have become stages for rising Saudi talents. 

Seera performing at Khobar’s Bohemia Café & Records. (Supplied)

One of those spots is Khobar’s Bohemia Café & Records, where Seera and Garwasha played a packed out gig this past weekend. 

Long known as a cultural hub for music lovers, the meeting place played host to Seera, an all-women band formed in 2022 in Riyadh, who entertained the crowd with their unique sound. 

“A lot of people are intrigued; they want to know what we sound like. They’ve been so supportive, honestly, especially people in the music scene. We’ve had a lot of help from people around. And there’s the people who criticize, but that’s just noise we block out,” Seera’s Meesha told Arab News. Members of the band prefer to go by their first name. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by (@seera_music)

Merging Arabic melodies and rock, the band navigated complex musical landscapes, evoking a gothic energy that resonated with their listeners. 

Seera’s set featured standout tracks “Share3 Al Buhturi” and “Al Fanaa.” 

Bassist Meesha shared the beginning of Seera’s journey as a band, stating, "The singer is my sister, and we’ve always wanted to start a band together. I would post covers of myself on Instagram, and Haya, the guitarist, found me and said, ‘You! I want to start a band with you.’ We were all really excited; we wrote ten songs in one night." 

“And then our missing link was the drummer, whom we met at a French music night she organized. The rest is history,” she later told Arab News. 

Following Seera’s stirring performance, Garwasha took to the stage to showcase their new album, released in November 2024. (Supplied)

Following Seera’s stirring performance, Garwasha took to the stage to showcase their new album, released in November 2024. 

This instrumental Alternative Fusion band, also hailing from Riyadh, is known for blending smooth, synthesizer-laden jazz with a robust Arabic flavor. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by GARWASHA (@_garwasha_)

Guitarist Mazen Lawand, who studied at Berklee College of Music, sub-keyboard player Fawaz Waleed, sub-bass player Saud Alsheikh, and drummer Hassan Alkhedher delivered a thrilling performance with tracks like “Consolacao” and “Batt Habibi.”

 “I describe our music as a characterization of our experiences and influences,” Lawand explained.  

This sentiment was evident throughout their performance as they weaved together a tapestry of sounds that reflected their backgrounds and the rich culture of Saudi Arabia.

As the night continued, one thing became clear; support for local musicians is ever-growing.


South African composer Lebo M reflects on Saudi visit, Disney hits

South African composer Lebo M reflects on Saudi visit, Disney hits
Updated 28 January 2025
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South African composer Lebo M reflects on Saudi visit, Disney hits

South African composer Lebo M reflects on Saudi visit, Disney hits

RIYADH: On his first visit to Saudi Arabia, South African music producer and composer Lebo M sat down with Arab News to discuss his storied career creating Disney hits.

Known for creating the distinctive opening chant of the “Circle of Life” from 1994’s beloved “The Lion King,” M returned to the studio for 2024’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” with a song he composed titled “Ngomso” and “We Go Together,” which he co-composed with Lin-Manuel Miranda.  

The creative talent brought his iconic sound to Riyadh on Friday, joining forces with renowned composer Hans Zimmer at the Mohammed Abdo Arena as part of Riyadh Season’s calendar of events. 

“I got the privilege of leaving (the hotel) and going to the desert and getting the sense of both worlds… I am looking at the evolution of a society of a country in less than five years (since 2018). I appreciated the fact that I came here when it appears that Saudi Arabia is opening up to the world culturally,” he told Arab News after the show.

“I love interacting with people and learning about the country through people, hanging out here and meeting with people... It feels to me like ‘wow,’ I am coming to Saudi Arabia on a new journey of Saudi Arabia that has not been exposed to the world, and that’s exciting.”

M has been in the music business for more than 40 years, starting with his first gig at 13 in Soweto, South Africa, in the midst of apartheid.

Born in 1964, he was forced into exile at the age of 16 after travelling to Lesotho to perform without an ID or passport. After being denied re-entry to South Africa, he settled in Lesotho before moving to the US.

During that time, M faced homelessness but, regardless of the hardships, he continued to pursue his passion for music.

“It never killed my dream of being somebody. When you come from where I come from, where you grew up with people that die young, that politically get arrested, I dreamed that I was going to be somebody,” said M.

“My passion was rerouted, and I discovered Lebo M, the South African artist, because I had something unique.”

His career kickstarted after meeting Zimmer, who recognized his talent and brought him on board to co-write, co-produce, and perform the soundtrack of 1992’s “The Power of One,” which led to global recognition leading to his contributions in “The Lion King.”


Review: Netflix’s documentary ‘Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy’

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Photo/Supplied
Updated 27 January 2025
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Review: Netflix’s documentary ‘Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy’

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  • This phantom promise fosters loyalty and ensures repeat purchases as consumers feel aligned with perceived values or aspirations

The 2024 Netflix documentary, “Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy,” offers a sharp critique of consumer culture through a visually stunning and dynamic presentation.

Directed by Nic Stacey, it delves into the manipulative tactics used by corporations like Amazon, Apple and Adidas to fuel relentless consumerism. It exposes how they deploy psychological strategies in order to keep consumers trapped in a treadmill of purchasing and re-purchasing — often at the expense of the buyers’ well-being and a negative cost to the environment.

The documentary examines how brands use storytelling to forge emotional connections with customers. Experts reveal how companies transform products into symbols of identity, persuading consumers to buy far more than necessary with the false promise of attaining a certain lifestyle or belonging to a community.

This phantom promise fosters loyalty and ensures repeat purchases as consumers feel aligned with perceived values or aspirations.

The environmental and ethical consequences of this disposability-driven culture are central to the film. It questions why consumers are convinced they need to replace items constantly when instead we should prioritize longevity.

Surely, with the advancement in technology and innovation, the devices in our pockets or the clothing in our closets should be built to last? And why are we convinced that we must entirely replace our electronics and fabrics with every new update or season?

The program critiques online shopping, uncovering how algorithms, targeted ads and endless scrolling drive impulsive purchases. It reveals the “free shipping trick,” where consumers buy unnecessary items to meet free-delivery thresholds and highlights the pressure of seasonal events like Black Friday, which foster urgency and overconsumption.

One especially compelling topic is “greenwashing,” where companies project an environmentally responsible image while shifting the burden of sustainability onto consumers. By emphasizing recyclable packaging or eco-friendly claims, brands appear to care about the planet but abdicate responsibility once the sale is made. Many “recyclable” packages are not, the footage shows.

“When we throw it away, we actually don’t throw it away. ‘Away’ doesn’t exist,” the documentary states. “It ends up somewhere else on this planet Earth. And it increasingly has consequences.”

One of the more striking revelations is the deliberate destruction of unsold goods. The documentary exposes how many companies instruct employees to deliberately destroy perfectly usable items to prevent them from being salvaged or resold — prioritizing profits over ethics.

The documentary also stresses that donating the extra stuff we have is not the answer. We simply have too much. We cannot recycle our way out of the waste generated by rampant consumerism.

While the program did not teach us anything entirely new, it is still a sobering reminder that we are not only what we eat, but what we buy.

Ultimately, “Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy” is a call to action, urging viewers to question the broader implications of consumption while holding corporations accountable for their role in perpetuating this vicious and seemingly endless cycle.