Review: Netflix Korean drama ‘Unlocked’ is stylish but lacks thrills
Updated 23 February 2023
Gautaman Bhaskaran
CHENNAI: In a novel take, Korean Netflix drama “Unlocked” by first-time director Kim Tae-joon is based on a plot driven by one woman’s reliance on her smartphone.
The story is convoluted, with the opening shots portraying Lee Na-mi (played by Chun Woo-hee), who loses her phone, which is her lifeline. It has been stolen by an oddball, Jun-yeong (Im Si-wan), and we know who is behind it so there is no mystery here — but what does he do with it?
The story takes a menacing turn when we realise he is no average petty thief after he returns the phone with a secret tracking device.
He uses every trick in the book to follow Na-mi and even targets her father and career, creating a rift between her and her best friend.
“Unlocked” creates a sense of fear and paranoia about the tiny gadgets we have come to depend on.
This seems to be the message of the movie, but the situations are not entirely plausible and neither is the storyline. The villain is supposed to create an air of menace, but ultimately inspires ennui. Kim Tae-joon uses some great camera shots, but style cannot compensate for the tedious narrative.
Jun-yeong’s father (Kim Hee-won), a detective ridden with guilt over his seven-year estrangement from his son, is weakly written, as is the naïve Na-mi. Most of the other characters are bland, and they seem to zip in and out of frame without creating any lasting impression. A good example of this is Na-mi’s best riend, who just does not seem to have the emotional range to bring any conviction to her part.
On the brighter side, “Unlocked” is much more sedate than a the average K-drama, and avoids over-the-top, loud dramatics and hammed up acting.
World-renowned Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra performed two nights of concerts at Princess Nourah University’s Red Hall
Updated 29 November 2024
Sulafa Alkhunaizi
RIYADH: What does video gaming and the orchestra have in common? Collaboration, immersive experiences, and the art of storytelling at its finest.
The world-renowned Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra spoiled guests with two nights of concerts powered by Qiddiya Gaming at Princess Nourah University’s Red Hall on Thursday and Friday.
Producer and director of Final Fantasy XIV Naoki Yoshida and renowned sound editor and composer Masayoshi Soken took the opportunity to introduce themselves to a full house of fans, wearing traditional Saudi thobes.
The world-renowned Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra was held at Princess Nourah University’s Red Hall on Thursday and Friday. (Supplied)
Arab News had the opportunity to interview Yoshida, Soken, senior story designer Natsuko Ishikawa, and localization supervisor Michael-Christopher Koji Fox.
Yoshida expressed his gratitude toward the game’s loyal fans in the Middle East, saying: “I’m really appreciative of the fans in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia that have loved the Final Fantasy franchise.
“We are finally here to give back to the community that’s loved us and supported us for so long. To be able to bring them the excitement, we are bringing them sound and music.
The event also offered fans a dedicated merchandise area featuring exclusive items and other products shipped directly from Tokyo. (Supplied)
“We don’t envision this as the end; we envision this as something that’s going to connect us into the future.”
In the first part of the concert, the orchestra performed works like “Victory Fanfare” and “Moebius.”
In order to give gamers a true gaming experience, Soken had the idea of creating the same in-game pause during the orchestra’s performance to reflect the battle in the game.
In the first part of the concert, the orchestra performed works like “Victory Fanfare” and “Moebius.” (Supplied)
Soken said: “During that battle, there’s an in-game mechanic where time stops and the player stops, so when playing that song in concert we want the players to feel like that in music; the game experience and their memories of the game are connected in that way.
“We wanted to figure out a way to recreate that time stop while being played in the concert by an orchestra. So the idea we came up with is if time stops in the game, how about making the concert stop?”
Soken’s idea was turned into reality and the crowd was in awe as the orchestra paused for a few seconds.
In charge of creating graphics and videos, Ishikawa said her job was about picking scenes that resonated with the players.
She said: “What we created here feels like it was created by the Final Fantasy development team, even though it’s a concert.”
Unlike a typical concert, in which each song evokes different emotions to each individual, Soken said gaming concerts created a joint emotional experience.
Soken said: “With a game concert, everyone is experiencing the same thing because they experienced the same game, so everyone shares that excitement.”
More than 100 musicians traveled from Japan, accompanied by vocalists, to bring the soundtrack from Final Fantasy XIV to life.
Soken said: “We know that Saudi Arabia and Japan have a long history of friendly collaboration but there has not been a lot with music, and there’s probably been nothing with gaming music.
“The people that experience (the concert) will be able to go home and tell their friends how exciting an experience it was and how these people from Japan brought this great thing that we have never seen before.”
The event also offered fans a dedicated merchandise area featuring exclusive items and other products shipped directly from Tokyo.
Diamond ticket holders also had the opportunity to meet Yoshida, Soken, Ishikawa, and Fox, receiving a signed poster and photo.
With over 30 million total registered players, Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most popular MMORPG games today, while Qiddiya, which was launched in 2018 under the leadership of King Salman, is an emerging capital for entertainment, sports and culture that aims to enhance the quality of life of visitors and residents.
Best and Worst: Saudi influencer Bayan Omar talks entertainment, fashion, and life
Updated 29 November 2024
Hams Saleh
DUBAI: The Saudi influencer shares some favorites — and least-favorites — from entertainment, fashion, and life.
Best TV show/film you’ve ever seen?
“Friends.” I have never seen a series with a cast that is so real. It is relatable even for our culture. For example, I relate a lot to Rachel, because I know a friend here in Saudi Arabia that looks like her and has her personality.
There’s a lot, but one I remember is “Tusk.” It was a bad idea and the animation was terrible.
Best personal style moment so far?
The dress I wore when I was nominated for the Best Content Creator Award in Dubai in 2022. I wore a white dress and I really liked that outfit. Also, every year we have MDLBeast (Soundstorm) in Saudi Arabia and I go all out for that — including the makeup and hair.
Worst personal style moment?
I don’t think I have one. I’ve never worn something that I’m not comfortable with or that I’m not impressed with the style. I like the outfits I put together because I create each one from scratch.
Gold. It just ties everything together and makes it look very nice.
Worst accessory for a little black dress?
Silver. I don’t like how it looks. I also don’t like silver with my skin tone. I feel like it doesn’t suit me. I prefer gold.
Best fashion trend of 2024?
I really like the olive green color trend. And denim skirts — I like to see a lot of forgotten trends like this come back. It takes me back in time and I like that a lot.
Worst fashion trend of 2024?
The neon trend. It grabs attention, but in a bad way. It takes away from the rest of the look. They don’t see your hair or your face, and I hate that.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
“Age is just a number.” My grandma used to say that all the time. She was so young when she passed away — everyone saw her as a young and youthful woman, because her soul was young.
There’s an Arabic saying: “Eat what you like and wear what people like.” I don’t like that advice at all. You cannot represent yourself, or express your personality or your interests while wearing something that other people like. You need to represent yourself through what you like. If you always try to please people, you’ll never succeed.
Best book you’ve ever read?
“The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***.” I always used to think certain things, but I never said them out loud. When I read this book, it was technically saying the same things and beliefs that I had in my mind. So I felt very connected. I got validation.
Worst book you’ve ever read?
I do not have a worst book. Every book you read, you end up learning something from it.
Best holiday destination?
I like Los Angeles and Amsterdam. I feel like I belong in these cities — they are easygoing cities and very simple.
Worst holiday destination?
Istanbul. I didn’t like the people there. They were not very friendly and I don’t know how to communicate with unfriendly people or aggressive people who don’t smile.
Review: Netflix movie ‘The Piano Lesson’ is an intense family affair
Adaptation of August Wilson’s play is a heady, character-led drama
Updated 29 November 2024
Matt Ross
LONDON: To say “The Piano Lesson” is a family affair would be something of an understatement. This cinematic adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play follows a pair of siblings, locked in disagreement about a family heirloom — an engraved piano, ‘liberated’ from the Charles family’s ancestral enslavers and now residing in 1936’s Pittsburgh. But there’s a neat parallel, too, about the film’s journey to the big screen (and Netflix subscribers shortly thereafter), produced as it is by Denzel Washington, directed by son Malcom, co-produced by daughter Katia, and starring son John David Washington as Boy Willie.
Washington (John David, that is) reprises his role from the 2022 stage production, and is joined by fellow castmates Samuel L Jackson (Doaker), Ray Fisher (Lymon) and Michael Potts (Wining Boy).
Boy Willie wants to sell the piano and buy a plot of land following the untimely death of his employer, James Sutter. His sister Bearniece (Danielle Deadwyler), on the other hand, wants to keep it in the family as testament to the suffering endured by their ancestors. What’s more, Bearniece suspects Boy Willie had something to do with Sutter’s death, as she begins seeing the latter’s ghoulish specter around the house. Uncles Doaker and Wining Boy want peace and quiet, while Willie’s friend Lymon simply wants to escape his old life and start over.
It's a complicated, convoluted setup, and Washington (Malcolm, this time) skillfully takes his time establishing who is who, utilizing the kind of character-led exposition better suited for a stage play, in fact. The cast (as you’d expect, given their familiarity with the roles) all turn in powerhouse performances. A rendition of “O’ Berta” is a chilling standout, as is the simmering tension between widowed Bearniece and the affable Lymon.
The only place “The Piano Lesson” falls down is when it leaves the intense trappings of the family house, where it loses a little momentum as it ventures beyond the limits of the stage production. As good as it is, there’s a question of whether this needed remaking as a movie at all — but regardless, “The Piano Lesson” makes for a riveting, unsettling study on familial trauma and legacy.
Eva Longoria joins In Conversation lineup at Red Sea International Film Festival
Updated 28 November 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Hollywood actress Eva Longoria has joined the all-star lineup of speakers at this year’s Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, set to run from Dec. 5-14 in Culture Square in Al-Balad.
She joins previously announced speakers Egyptian star Mona Zaki and Oscar winner Viola Davis, as well as this year’s head of the jury Spike Lee.
The raft of speakers this year also includes filmmaker Michael Mann (“Ferrari”), Egyptian writer and director Mohamed Samy (“Detention Letter”) and Turkish stars Engin Altan Düzyatan and Nurgül Yeşilçay. Also joining the lineup are Indian superstars Ranbir Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan.
In the festival’s Souk Talents program, aimed at up-and-coming creatives, Hollywood star Andrew Garfield will deliver a talk.
The festival will feature 120 films from 81 countries at the new venue — previous editions were held at the city’s Ritz-Carlton hotel — where five purpose-built cinemas and a large auditorium will host back-to-back screenings as well as In Conversation panels with celebrities.
‘It was the darkest year of my life,’ Melissa Barrera says after Gaza support sparks backlash
Updated 27 November 2024
Arab News
DUBAI: Mexican actress Melissa Barrera opened up about how she felt after facing backlash in Hollywood over her comments on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Speaking to The Independent, Barrera said “it was the darkest and hardest year of my life, and I had to reevaluate everything. There were times when I felt like my life was over.”
The 34-year-old actress was fired from “Scream VII” after she took to social media to call for a ceasefire and criticised Israel’s response to the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas. As of Nov. 27, 2024, the death toll in Gaza has reached 44,200, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
“Gaza is currently being treated like a concentration camp,” she wrote in an Instagram story in October 2023. “This is genocide and ethnic cleansing.” In another post, she complained about the supposed bias in Western media reporting, saying: “Western media only shows the other side … why they do that, I will let you deduce for yourself. We don’t need more hate. No Islamophobia. No antisemitism.”
Spyglass, the studio behind the latest Scream films, dropped Barrera from the franchise in response. “We have zero tolerance for antisemitism or the incitement of hate in any form, including false references to genocide, ethnic cleansing, Holocaust distortion or anything that flagrantly crosses the line into hate speech,” the company said in a statement.
Barrera says she then faced almost a year of difficulties in Hollywood.
“It was quiet for like 10 months,” Barrera told The Independent about her acting jobs. “I was still getting offers for small things here and there – I’m not going to lie and say there was nothing – but (the message) was, ‘Oh, she probably doesn’t have work, she’ll say yes to anything.'”
Instead, the actress spent much of 2024 promoting the films she made before the incident, including horror comedy “Abigail” and musical “Your Monster.”
The latter sees Barrera play a soft-spoken actress who finds love again when she meets a terrifying but charming monster that lives in her closet.
The “Your Monster” script came across Barrera’s desk soon after filming “Scream VI” in 2022.
“I kept getting horror scripts, and I wasn’t getting a lot of the really exciting parts I was auditioning for,” she told the newspaper of why she jumped at the role. “I would get (roles) that I wasn’t excited about, and I’ve never been a person that just wants to work for work’s sake. I give so much of myself to acting that if a part of me feels like it’s not worth it, I’m (going to) be miserable.”
