Top ten Hollywood and Bollywood films and shows to watch this weekend, including Kareena Kapoor's new thriller

The Great Indian Family (UAE cinemas): Have you ever been intrigued by the concept of joint families in India where several members of the same clan live together under one roof? If yes, then TGIF could be a great masterclass in the dynamics behind how large families co-exist and navigate crisis. Actor Vicky Kaushal plays the lead in this Hindi-language entertainer about loving family that are occasionally dysfunctional. Going by the trailer, Kaushal plays the amiable and full-of-beans Ved Vyas Triphathi, a devotional singer. He’s the life of any party, but things go awry when he discovers an interesting truth behind his identity/background. Suddenly, he finds himself being treated differently by his loved ones whom he had known all his life. The film, written and directed by Vijay Krishna Acharya, also features former beauty queen Manushi Chhillar, and seasoned talents Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra. What’s not to love about a slice-of-life joint family drama?

Jaane Jaan (Netflix): Director Sujoy Ghosh, behind the compelling thriller ‘Kahaani’ fame, knows a thing or two about keeping you hooked with a good mystery feature. ‘Jaane Jaan’ is unlikely to disappoint. Adapted from the 2005 Japanese novel, The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino, this investigative drama features Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma. Since it’s a murder mystery, we don’t want to give the farm away. All we can tell you is that Kareena Kapoor Khan, who makes her Over-The-Top streaming debut with JJ, plays a single mother embroiled in a murder investigation. And if early reviews are to be believed, Khan and Ahlawat are in good form.

'Expend4bles' (UAE Cinemas): You’ve grown to like the elite group of mercenaries and their exploits in their first three instalments of this action movie franchise headlined by Sylvester Stallone and starring the who’s who of Hollywood actioners — Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Liam Hemsworth, Antonio Banderas and Jet Li. Along the way, they’ve saved hostages from difficult situations and bumped off arms dealers. Stallone is back with part 4 that boasts of an ensemble cast once again, and here too, the expendables must pull off a daring task: stop an extremist organisation from smuggling nuclear warheads that will ignite a World War. If action is your cup of tea, look no further.

'Voy! Voy! Voy!' (UAE Cinemas): The much-anticipated Arabic comedy drama, which even before its release was chosen to represent Egypt at next year’s Oscars, is bound to tickle your funny bones. An ambitious young man, for whom poverty is a constant, decides to take matters into his hands and change his fortunes. The key? Football, which also offers a ticket to Europe. Except there’s one hitch. The game in question is blind football and the protagonist must pretend he is unable to see. Written and directed by Omar Hilal, the movie is said to be inspired by real events and stars Mohammad Farrag in the lead. Actors Nelly Karim, Bayomi Fouad, Taha Eldisouki and Amgad Elhaggar round up its cast.

'Severance' (Apple TV): This mystery thriller, directed by Ben Stiller and Aoife McArdle, takes the notion of not bringing your work home to a whole new level. A few employees of a corporation called Lumon Industries undergo a procedure called severance which helps splitting their memories in a way that they forget about their personal memories during work hours and vice versa. This slow-burn mystery plays out in a very mundane workplace where employees perform everyday tasks, before it becomes a breeding ground for horrific events. The excellent camerawork, stunning background score, and mind-bending plot are worth a watch.

'Ved' (DisneyPlus Hotstar): This Marathi romantic drama is Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh’s directorial debut. It chronicles the journey of a cricketer, grieving for lost love. It’s a film about making peace with the past and of redemption. However, the plot is predictable and if you’re Marathi-speaking, you’ll probably have a bone to pick with the dialogue delivery. However, it’s worth a watch it if you want a not-so-taxing, lazy weekend watch that doesn’t demand too much of your grey cells. Plus, there’s love, there’s cricket, there’s a Salman Khan song and the Riteish-Genelia pairing.

'Only Murders in the Building' (Disney Plus): After the success of seasons 1 and 2, the favourite trio of the John Hoffman-directed comedy thriller is back with another season to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The third season ran the risk of becoming yesterday’s show, but it did not disappoint. With fresh twists and humour, the comeback was as strong as ever. If you’re looking for some light-hearted fun and adventure with a side of crime, then this one’s for you. The stellar performances by Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez will leave you in good humour.

A Haunting in Venice (UAE Cinemas): Attention, Hercule Poirot fans. Your favourite detective is back on the big screen, this time played by Kenneth Branagh and the setting is in Venice. A phalanx of stars form the supporting cast of this thriller, from Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh to Kelly Reilly, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dorman, Tina Fey and Jude Hill. As usual, there’s a murder and there is mystery hanging in the air. Trust our meticulous detective to clear the cobwebs and shine the light on the one responsible. Based on a 1969 Christie novel and directed by Branagh, 'A Haunting In Venice' sees Branagh return as the famed detective Poirot for the third time. He must solve the year-old murder of a guest at a Venice séance. Go for it if you’re a fan of Christie and her style of intricate writing. Fun fact: this movie is a sequel to Branagh’s 'Death On The Nile', also based on an Agatha Christie novel.

Retribution (UAE Cinemas): Action thrillers and Liam Neeson seem inseparable. Remember his famous line from ‘Taken’ (“I will find you and kill you…”), which has made its way to Hollywood history? We don’t know if Neeson will do something similar here, but here’s what we know: he receives a threat call while in a car with his kids with his kids saying the vehicle will explode if they attempt to get out. Yes, if you’re a film buff worth your salt, you may wonder if this sounds eerily similar to the Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock starrer ‘Speed’, but fret not. ‘Retribution’ is a remake of the Spanish movie ‘El desconocido’ — which has already been made in Korean and German. All we will say is, please head to the nearest theatres to find out more.

Mark Antony (UAE Cinemas) Ever since this Tamil movie unveiled its trailer with a cameo by the yesteryear siren ‘Silk’ Smitha, it faced criticism over resurrecting her — with help from technology, a lookalike and the wonders of makeup — only to objectify her. Fans of the actress, however, are having none of it, and the cameo has become a selling point. A gangster drama with time travel elements thrown in and starring Vishal Krishna, SJ Suryah, Suneel, Selvaraghavan and Ritu Varna, ‘Mark Antony’ is having a successful run at the box office. Director-turned-actor Suryah, who has tasted success as the antagonist of late, brings his comic skills to the fore as a ‘disciplined’ gangster, while someone from the future seeks retribution against him. The biggest Tamil release since Rajinikanth's ‘Jailer’ has a lot going for it. Watch it if you’re a fan of gangster dramas.