‘Riyadh Laughs’: Comedy nights come to Boulevard Riyadh City
Muvi Cinemas are hosting ‘Riyadh Laughs’ at Boulevard Riyadh City
Confirmed acts include Shaker Al-Shareef, Lama Al-Fard, Twab Adly, Ziyad Saleh and Barakat Al-Asiri
Updated 17 July 2023
Rashid Hassan
RIYADH: Need a laugh? Head on over to Boulevard Riyadh City, where, until Nov. 11, Muvi Cinemas will be hosting “Riyadh Laughs,” a series of stand-up comedy shows.
Organized by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, this comedy season promises to deliver laughter and entertainment with a schedule of 50 shows that will take place every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting at 8:15 p.m.
“Riyadh Laughs” will feature a diverse range of local, regional, and international comedic talents, ensuring a delightful experience for all attendees.
Confirmed acts include the renowned Shaker Al-Shareef, Lama Al-Fard, Twab Adly, Ziyad Saleh and Barakat Al-Asiri.
“Amid this summer break in schools and universities, this is an incredible opportunity to witness top-notch comedy performances in the heart of Riyadh,” university student Fahd Al-Siary told Arab News. “I am planning to go with friends and enjoy it. They have brought the laughs to Boulevard Riyadh City, the trendiest district in the Saudi capital.”
Boulevard Riyadh City is the largest entertainment center in the capital, featuring everything from luxury shops to an array of local and international dining options.
To find out further information on dates and lineups for “Riyadh Laughs,” visit https://www.muvicinemas.com, where you can also purchase tickets starting from the affordable price of SR 175 ($46).
REVIEW: ‘The Bear’ season four is a triumphant return to form
Updated 28 June 2025
Adam Grundey
DUBAI: We should’ve had more faith. Fears (including from this reviewer) that “The Bear” was floundering after the glacial pace of its third season can now be put to bed. Season four is pretty much everything fans of the show could’ve wanted: tense, dramatic, joyous, thought-provoking, funny and deeply moving. And with plenty of further proof that this might be the most talented ensemble cast currently on our screens.
Season three ended with the fate of the titular restaurant in the balance as the team — led by star chef Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto (Jeremy Allen White), his mentee Syd Adamu (Ayo Edebiri), maître d’hôtel Richie Jerimovich (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and business manager Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto (Abby Elliott) — awaited a make-or-break review in the Chicago Tribune. That’s quickly resolved: Despite some highly positive comments, the review is ultimately a dud — thanks largely to Carmy’s stubborn insistence on changing the menu daily; a choice that isn’t just leading to inconsistent performance from his team, but in heavy hits to the budget as they can’t bulk buy from suppliers.
So, that old enemy time takes center stage, as financial backer Uncle Jimmy (Oliver Platt) and his ruthless cost-cutting friend The Computer install a countdown clock in the kitchen, giving the team 1,440 hours to save itself. That clock hits zero in the excellent final episode.
In between times, the development of several characters’ back stories that contributed to the feeling of aimlessness last year starts to pay off here, as much of the action is taken out of the kitchen and into a deeper exploration of what the show is really about: family — the ones we’re born into, the ones we choose, and the ones that choose us. Once again, there’s a Berzatto (extended) family get-together at the season’s heart in a one-hour episode set at Richie’s ex-wife’s wedding. The stage is set for another dysfunctional social disaster. Instead, we get something altogether warmer but equally dramatic. It’s exceptional television.
At the heart of it all is the characters’ continued quest for self-improvement — from Tina’s attempts to improve her cooking speed, through Syd’s efforts to silence her self-doubt, to Carmy’s endeavors to allow emotional connections into his life and stop self-sabotaging.
This season may still be a little too slow for those pining for the claustrophobic hyperactivity of season one, but the creators have found a sweet spot here between that and the stagnation of season three. “The Bear” is back.
Roll the dice: Monopoly Riyadh set to hit shelves this September
New version of the game to feature Riyadh and famous institutions and landmarks, new and old
Monopoly is the best-selling international board game in history, Guinness World Records says
Updated 27 June 2025
Nada Alturki
RIYADH: The launch of a Riyadh edition of the iconic Monopoly board game was announced on Thursday at a preview event that even feature an appearance by the game’s mascot, Mr. Monopoly.
The new version of the game, which will be on sale in September, was created, according to a statement, to celebrate “the rich heritage and modern transformation” of the Kingdom’s capital and features locations including the King Abdullah Financial District, Saudia Airlines, Souk Al-Zal, the Saudi Cup, the Diplomatic Quarter, Tamimi Markets, Jazean coffeeshop, Bujairi Terrace in Diriyah, Olaya Street, and King Fahd Road.
“We strive to include both the traditional and the modern in terms of landmarks and to create a story. So as you’re going through the Monopoly board, you are learning about, and getting insight into, the city of Riyadh, and you’re passing roads that most real residents would pass by on a day-to-day or weekly basis,” Hamad Alowaishiq, founder and chairman of official partner the Saudi Youth Society (SYS), which acted as a cultural advisor for the game’s makers, told Arab News.
Hamad Alowaishiq, Founder and Chairman of the Saudi Youth Society (SYS), recieving a certificate of appreciation at the launch event on Thursday. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
“It’s a responsibility and a pleasure to be representing Riyadh on such a platform. And with that responsibility, we have been dedicated to delivering the identity and culture of Riyadh,” he added.
According to Guinness World Records, Monopoly is the best-selling board game in history, with more than 275 million units sold worldwide over the past 90 years.
“There’s something really interesting about seeing our city culturally represented within an international brand,” Princess Nourah Al-Faisal, vice-chairman of SYS, told Arab News. “It says a lot about how far we’ve come and how important our market and our community has become on the international scale that Monopoly would come and do this—and quite right too.”
“I remember playing this game when I was young with my grandfather and family,” Liam Johnson, the racecourse director of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Cup, told Arab News, adding that he believed the Saudi Cup’s profile would be raised globally by being featured in an edition of a game that “cuts through the different audiences.”
Liam Johnson, the Racecourse Director of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia/The Saudi Cup. (AN Photo by Huda Bashatah)
Diriyah has three places on the board: Wadi Hanifah, Zallal, and Al-Bujairi Terrace — all of which have become staples in Riyadh’s events and hospitality sectors.
“As the birthplace of the Kingdom and its significance to the country, to be able to bring that legacy and that heritage onto the board is a true honor,” Nicola Cope, executive director of brand marketing at Diriyah, told Arab News.
The Ritz-Carlton’s Mazen Allam said: “Over the years, we’ve been privileged to host moments that actually matter, from royal visits, world summits, weddings, quiet weekends, all woven under the fabric of this city. Now, with Monopoly, we get to join families and communities across generations. And the fact that we can create joyful memories that extend beyond our walls is something very special.”
KAFD, home to 95 interconnected buildings, where more than 20,000 people work — not including the thousands of daily visitors and residents, is a pivotal inclusion on the board. Mazroua Al-Mazroua, KAFD’s chief marketing and experience officer, told Arab News: “We all grew up playing Monopoly. We understand the game — it’s strategic, competitive, and centered around real estate. Today, KAFD reflects those same qualities. It’s not just an iconic business district; it’s Saudi Arabia’s first vertical urban city and a dynamic lifestyle destination.
“It only makes sense for KAFD to be featured in the Monopoly Riyadh Edition — a perfect match between a game of strategy and a district that lives and breathes it every day.”
REVIEW: ‘F1: The Movie’ — high-octane entertainment and old-school charm
Updated 26 June 2025
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: There’s a moment in “F1: The Movie,” where you’ll feel like you're flying, all while strapped into a tiny metal box hurtling at a speed you can't comprehend. This is when you realize this isn’t just another sports drama; it’s a sleek love letter to Formula 1, anchored by Brad Pitt’s enduring star power and a surprisingly effective dynamic with relative newcomer Damson Idris.
Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a grizzled former driver lured back to the thrills of the pit lane for one last go. He’s all swagger and scars, but yes, he’s still got it. Pitt’s presence brings gravitas to a film that flirts with the edges of cheesiness but never forgets its emotional core. Whether he’s behind the wheel or delivering motivational growls in the garage, he sells it — and then some.
Opposite him is Idris as Joshua Pearce, a rising star struggling to reconcile his love for the sport with the noise that comes with the fame and money, who becomes Sonny’s reluctant protege. Idris brings a fresh, fiery intensity that balances Pitt’s seasoned cool. The strained mentor-mentee trope has been done to death, but it’s portrayed with sincerity and the right amount of tension here.
Additionally, Kerry Condon delivers a sharp, emotionally solid performance as the team’s no-nonsense engineer, anchoring the high-octane chaos with quiet authority. Her scenes with Pitt crackle with wit and chemistry, and deliver some of the bigger laughs.
Director Joseph Kosinski (“Top Gun: Maverick”) brings his signature high-octane style to the film, especially the race sequences. The sound design is impeccable, the cinematography breathtaking. And composer Hans Zimmer's layered, gorgeously synth-drenched background score goes well with a soundtrack that thumps out rock one minute and smooth R'n'B next.
The film builds toward a final showdown in Abu Dhabi, and while the climax is predictable, it’s executed with such unapologetic flair that you can’t help but cheer. The Yas Marina circuit has never looked more cinematic — it’s the perfect backdrop for a finish that’s equal parts cheesy and thrilling.
“F1” isn’t rewriting the sports-movie playbook, but it really doesn’t need to. It’s crowd-pleasing, adrenaline-fueled, masterfully executed entertainment with more than enough heart to keep it grounded.
Irish hip-hop trio have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza
Some UK politicians, including PM, want group to be axed from iconic festival
Updated 25 June 2025
Arab News
LONDON: Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap are “welcome” at the Glastonbury music festival despite objections by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the event’s co-organizer has said.
The band, which have publicly spoken out against Israel’s war on Gaza, are scheduled to play at the iconic British festival this week.
Member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with a terrorism offense last year after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a show in London. The band said the charge was a “distraction.”
Some politicians, including opposition Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, have called for the trio’s performance at Glastonbury — set for Saturday — to be axed. Starmer this week said Kneecap’s presence at the event would not be “appropriate.”
Emily Eavis, Glastonbury’s co-organizer, told the BBC: “We’re just focusing on bringing the best festival to the people who want to come here … We remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world and … everyone is welcome here.”
Kneecap responded to Starmer in a social media post, saying: “You know what’s ‘not appropriate’ Keir?! Arming a f***ing genocide.”
Rachel Zegler stands by support for Gaza despite backlash
Updated 25 June 2025
Arab News
DUBAI: US actress Rachel Zegler has responded to the backlash she received for speaking out in support of Palestine, saying, “Nothing is worth innocent lives.”
The “West Side Story” star, who played the lead in Disney’s 2025 live-action remake of “Snow White,” came under fire during the film’s press tour for her political posts about the war in Gaza. In a new interview with i-D, she addressed the vitriol she faced — not just for her stance on Palestine, but also the widespread online narrative blaming her for the film’s poor box office performance.
Zegler pushed back against the idea that actors should stay silent on humanitarian issues for fear of professional fallout.
“I can really only echo Hannah Einbinder in saying that a platform becomes a responsibility, and that responsibility is ours to use as we please,” Zegler said, referencing the “Hacks” actor’s powerful remarks at a Human Rights Campaign dinner earlier this year, in which Einbinder criticized Israel’s assault on Gaza and emphasized the need for public figures to speak up.
“My compassion has no boundaries, is really what it is, and my support for one cause does not denounce any others. That’s always been at the core of who I am as a person. It’s the way I was raised,” Zegler continued.
“There are obviously things that are at stake by being outspoken, but nothing is worth innocent lives. My heart doesn’t have a fence around it, and if that is considered my downfall? There are worse things.”
In August 2023, “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” actor expressed support for Palestine when she shared the first official “Snow White” trailer on X. She thanked her fans for their support, before adding in a separate post: “And always remember, free Palestine.”
