Meet Batman and other superheroes at Saudi Arabia’s biggest costume party
General Entertainment Authority Chairman Turki Alalshikh urged people not to miss the Kingdom’s “biggest masquerade party”
Turki Alalshikh’s tweet attracted a lot of attention from the public, with a short promotional video receiving over 1.3 million views and over 5,000 retweets
Updated 05 October 2023
Rahaf Jambi
RIYADH: Riyadh Season has served up another surprise, with General Entertainment Authority chairman Turki Alalshikh announcing a costume and cosplay party in Boulevard Riyadh City and Winter Wonderland on March 17 and 18.
In a tweet, Alalshikh urged people not to miss the Kingdom’s “biggest masquerade party” and said that whoever dressed up as an anime or superhero character on March 17 or a movie or TV show character on March 18 would have free access to the boulevard and Winter Wonderland, with daily prizes for the best-dressed people including a car and PS5 consoles.
His tweet attracted a lot of attention from the public, with a short promotional video receiving over 1.3 million views and over 5,000 retweets and people discussing their costumes and what they should wear.
“When I went to buy a costume today, I noticed that the prices of costumes and cosplays had doubled in the stores, and there's only a few shops to buy costumes in Riyadh,” Aamer Al-Harbi, 28, told Arab News.
Shuaib Jameel, 29, said he was excited to go with his friends to the event and that he would dress up as Loki.
“I think that events like this make us connect to our childhood where we used to wear the costumes of superheroes like Spider-Man. I am definitely going with my friends, and we will be dressed up as Marvel characters,” Jameel told Arab News.
The owner of Fancy World costume shop, Hissah Abdullah, commented on the large number of customers who had come to the store, saying staff had to work on their day off just to deliver all of the orders.
She said the majority of orders were for scary costumes, while children preferred to get Spider-Man and Disney princess outfits, and that customers had called her to ask about outfits that would be suitable for the boulevard event.
She added that the event would help costume shop businesses in Riyadh by creating more demand and more jobs in this sector.
A few days ago, people could be seen in Boulevard Riyadh City and in other Riyadh locations dressed up as Batman, Iron Man, and “Squid Game” characters to promote the event, with images of them going viral on social media.
During last month’s Founding Day holiday, Boulevard Riyadh City was packed with people wearing traditional Saudi attire, and this event is expected to prove a major draw for many people as well.
Lionel Boyce talks ‘The Bear’ season 3 and his emotional eulogy scene
Updated 10 min 21 sec ago
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: US actor, writer and singer Lionel Boyce found fame as the mild-mannered pastry chef Marcus Brooks in FX on Hulu’s “The Bear,” streaming in the Middle East on Disney Plus.
In a show that can often be chaotic and anxiety-inducing, Boyce’s character is an island of calm.
Season three picks up with Marcus grieving the recent loss of his ailing mother, and his eulogy provides the season’s most touching scene.
In an interview with Arab News, Boyce joked that he felt terrified he first read the script for the episode.
“I just started reading the script and there was just a lot of words. But, no, I think the first thing I felt was … you just feel for him and it pierces your heart a bit,” he said.
“I think it was cool that you’ve learned about Marcus’ mom in season two in real time, just where she’s at, but you’d never learned who she was and who she was to him before that. Because in season two, you just see how he’s her caretaker. And this eulogy shows how she was the caretaker for him and protected him. And, so, I thought that was really special.”
Boyce avoided reading other famous monologues to prepare for the heart-wrenching scene, but he did remember thinking about a scene in the 2021 film “Judas and the Black Messiah,” featuring Daniel Kaluuya.
“Daniel Kaluuya is on a podium giving a speech. He starts with an emotion and he quickly covers it. I was watching it specifically because it has this arc to it, where he starts with fear and, by the end, he’s absolved of his fear. He’s releasing it. So, I just thought that was cool,” said Boyce.
“I think he reminded me that, in these scenarios, people are just trying to get through the words, you know. They’re trying to do hard stuff, push and suppress these feelings, you don’t want to end up crying. And it’s a hard thing.”
Asked to highlight some fun moments on set, Boyce said: “One of them was just the final scene of season three where they’re at a party at an apartment. That was a lot of fun. Because it was just like, you’re faking a party, but faking a party still means you have a real party. So, everyone is like listening to music, dancing and just like having fun. Even sitting around and hanging out felt very loose, free and fun.
“And then another one was purely because they had some king crab on set. And I love king crab. So, I gotta do some of that. And that was a highlight of my life.”
‘The Bear’ — still a great dish, but in danger of going to waste
Season three of the acclaimed drama delivers high-quality performances again, but little progress
Updated 04 July 2024
Adam Grundey
DUBAI: Season one of ‘The Bear’ was one of television’s greatest surprise hits. A show about the minutiae of everyday life in a restaurant kitchen shouldn’t have been this good, and certainly shouldn’t have appealed to both critics and audiences on such a large scale.
That it did was largely because it’s not really about that. It’s about the sacrifices often required to fulfill creative potential — to become truly great at something. In this case, that creative endeavor happens to be cooking.
It’s also about more than that: Grief, friendship, family, kindness, mental health, love in all its forms… the list goes on.
Season three continues all these themes. And the storytelling techniques remain excellent, from the acting to the dialogue and the cinematography. And it’s as tense, claustrophobic and anxiety-inducing as ever. But the story itself? That doesn’t really move on. And that’s a problem.
Carmen (Jeremy Allen White), the driving force behind the titular restaurant, spends most of the season close to breaking point, driven both by his split from season two love interest Claire (Molly Gordon — seen only in flashbacks for the majority of this season) and the self-doubt that he blames largely on his time working for an abusive former boss Chef David Fields (Joel McHale). Episode one is largely spent on a flashback story of that time, and the finale gives Carmen a chance to confront his tormentor, a showdown that brings Carmen little relief.
Throughout the season, we see Carmen bringing much of the same toxicity into his own kitchen in his quest for the Michelin star he has promised his protégé Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) they will attain. Syd, lest we forget, is supposed to be a partner in the venture, but the will-she-sign-won’t-she-sign-the-agreement story is somehow dragged out over all 10 episodes without being resolved.
That’s typical of the series as a whole. The characters are seemingly all stuck (and if that’s some kind of commentary on the creative process from the writers, then they’ve really overdone it). It’s still a compelling watch — thanks largely to the cast’s obvious love for the work; once again Ebon Moss-Bachrach is a standout as Carmen’s ‘cousin’ Richie, but all the regulars are great — but in terms of forward progress, season three is severely lacking. A large percentage of it consists of flashbacks. And yes, it’s nice to learn more about some of the characters’ backgrounds, but much of that could have been done in far less screentime, and maybe then the show could have looked to the future.
At the moment, “The Bear” feels like a (very good) show treading water. And even the most talented of swimmers can only do that for so long before they need to start going somewhere again. Or sink.
Social media star Islam Afro adds local flavor to Arabic-dub of ‘Despicable Me 4’
Updated 03 July 2024
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Egyptian social media star Islam Afro is bringing the laughs in the Arabic dub of “Despicable Me 4,” showing in cinemas across the Middle East from July 4.
The Dubai-based star voices Sensei O’Sullivan, a karate instructor. In an interview with Arab News, Afro said: “Sensei is a bit tough on kids and loves discipline. I recorded my voice for other characters; however, when I got the opportunity to do Sensei’s role, I felt it was the best fit and I am so glad the studio thought the same.
“We both have curly hair so that is a plus. I think Sensei is a unique character. I had to practice a lot (to ensure) that I hit the right pitch of voice for the character. The team in the studio helped and guided me to deliver in the best way possible.”
A lifelong film buff, Afro said he was over the moon to enter the world of cinema with Illumination, the production team behind “Despicable Me 4.”
“I was given such an amazing opportunity and was guided professionally throughout. I also want to highlight the efforts of the director and producer of the dubbing house in Egypt. They helped me deliver the character in the best way possible,” he said.
He said the biggest challenge about voice dubbing was “having to repeat the voice multiple times and using different voice pitches. I had to excel in that because with animation your voice is the star. People can’t see your face, movement or body language.”
Afro said he was excited for movie fans across the Middle East to enjoy the film in its dubbed format.
“Having this sequel dubbed in Arabic and Egyptian dialect is a massive win for the industry. I would love for people to watch it in Arabic and to check how amazing the quality is, and the voices are,” he told Arab News. “The dialect and script chosen for the character is just perfect and the comedy side of the film is highlighted in a very nice way.”
A social media star known for his comedy sketches, Afro hopes to further progress in the movie industry.
“I am currently working on a mini album, which I am super excited about and hope my audience will enjoy as we are using different styles this time around,” he said. “And after ‘Despicable Me 4’ and my role as Sensei, (I hope to) ultimately get into the movie scene and get more acting opportunities.”
Dubai-based Lindsay Lohan gets nostalgic on ‘Freaky Friday 2’ set
Updated 02 July 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Dubai-based Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan was hit with a major sense of deja vu on the set of her upcoming sequel.
The “Freaky Friday 2” star opened up about feeling like “a little kid again” amid the nostalgic experience of returning to Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California, to film the sequel to her 2003 body-swap family comedy.
“I think really for me was when I went onto the Disney lot. And being back on the Disney lot because that’s not just ‘Freaky Friday’ for me. That’s ‘The Parent Trap,’ that’s ‘Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen,’ that’s ‘Herbie.’ It’s so many moments for me. So, when I got there, I kind of felt like this essence of a little kid again,” said Lohan on “Nightline.”
Reconnect with ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘The Batman’ and more at Jeddah’s new entertainment destination
Comic book displays, virtual and augmented reality games
Several visitors hail venue as ideal for both adults, children
Updated 01 July 2024
Afshan Aziz
JEDDAH: Warner Bros. Discovery’s new indoor entertainment destination in Jeddah is showcasing six concept zones inspired by some of cinema’s most iconic stories.
The venue includes “Batman,” “Tom and Jerry” and “Harry Potter” zones, alongside areas for shoppers.
Enthusiasts will be able to delve into Batman’s storied history and evolution with comic book displays, as well as interactive virtual and augmented reality games.
The Warner Bros. Discovery entertainment zone is open until Aug. 16, featuring interactive, family-friendly attractions and live entertainment. (Instagram/jed.calendar)
The zone featuring Harry Potter’s Magical World zone resembles Hogwarts from the movies. It includes interactive games inspired by the films, including a broomstick ball-throwing contest, and a store replicating the experience of Harry Potter buying his first wand.
Walid Jabbour, managing director of EventBox, said: “The ‘Warner Brothers Discovery Celebration’ is a unique event that brings together the best of Warner Bros. — from 100 years of history encompassing animation studios, ‘Harry Potter,’ movies, and superheroes — all in one place here in Jeddah.”
FASTFACT
The Warner Bros. Discovery entertainment destination includes ‘Batman,’ ‘Tom and Jerry’ and ‘Harry Potter’ zones, alongside areas for shoppers.
He added: “What makes it truly special is that it’s the first time such a comprehensive gathering of Warner’s iconic properties is taking place in Jeddah.
“Bringing this grand spectacle to our audience underscores our commitment, and the enthusiastic response from visitors affirms that having ‘Batman,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ and more all in one location is truly extraordinary.”
Harry Potter’s Magical World includes interactive games inspired by the fictional wizarding world. (AN photos)
Young visitors will also have the opportunity to meet their favorite heroes and characters from Warner Bros. Discovery, including Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash from the “Justice League,” as well as Tom, Jerry, and the Scooby-Doo gang.
Julene Muller, event art director, told Arab News: “The energy and excitement from the crowd have been phenomenal, making this event a vibrant celebration for all ages.”
She added: “There’s always something new to discover, with various experiences, walkthroughs, and plenty of photo opportunities available. And of course, the Batmobile remains a favorite among visitors.”
Aleksandar Radulovic, a crew member of the Tom and Jerry Mini Orchestra, explained: “We are aiming to bring the music of the classic cartoons to life. These are the cartoons we grew up with, and now we want to share them with the younger generation.”
Their ensemble consists of a drummer, trombonist, pianist, bassist, and percussionist who plays the xylophone and produces other effects.
“Everything is meticulously organized, and we’re thrilled to be here. We originally collaborated on these ‘Tom and Jerry’ projects with Warner Bros., starting two years ago in Riyadh,” he added.
Fahad Nazer, a father of three, said: “The fully air-conditioned indoor entertainment area is a lifesaver this summer. My kids explored all the concept zones and had a fantastic time.
“The staff was extremely helpful and supportive, especially with the games, so I didn’t have to worry about my children getting lost.”
He said the crowd control was “impressive with five different time slots for booking tickets, which manages the flow very well and ensures kids can enjoy interactive games with shorter lines.”
Another visitor, Mohammed Harbi, said: “My son was thrilled to train with Superman and Batman. It’s amazing that Jeddah now has such a unique entertainment venue; having Warner Bros. here was a pleasant surprise.
“Experiencing it not only brought joy to our children but also allowed us to reminisce about our own childhood days with the ‘Tom and Jerry’ show. I never imagined we’d have such attractions in the city, and the tickets are affordable.
“However, it was challenging for me with a 9-month-old baby since they don’t allow strollers.”
The entertainment zone is open until Aug. 16.
Highlights and attractions
The “Celebrate Every Story” event features four shows across three stages. On the main stage, there is “Looney Tunes: Get in the Game,” an interactive sports-themed show where Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck compete to become the new team captain of Team Looney Tunes.
The “Tom and Jerry Mini Orchestra Performance” displays classic animations of the iconic cat and mouse duo on a large screen with a live orchestra playing their memorable tunes and sound effects.
The “Justice League Training Show,” allows guests to train alongside Justice League members and assist in saving the day during a live stage event. At the “Scooby-Doo: Mystery at the Mall” show visitors can help Scooby and the gang solve a mysterious case.
At the “Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight Experience” zone visitors can explore the iconic Batmobile from the movie “Batman Returns,” the Keaton Mobile and impressive life-sized figures of Batman, The Joker, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman.
The Animation Zone is a must-visit for cartoon lovers. It brings to life the worlds of “Looney Tunes" and “Scooby-Doo,” with interactive games and mystery-solving adventures.
The Celebration Zone allows visitors to take photographs and relive pivotal moments from the history of Warner Bros.
