Top ten movies and shows from Hollywood and Bollywood to watch this weekend

The Equalizer 3 (UAE Cinemas): Calling all Denzel Washington fans. The two-time Oscar winner is back in action and is in top form as the formidable Robert McCall in the third instalment of the celebrated vigilant action franchise ‘The Equaliser 3’. He takes on a Sicilian mobster mafia in the latest chapter. Said to be the final part in a trilogy, this could be your chance to see Washington flex his muscles as this intriguing and indefatigable government-assassin-turned-vigilante. There’s also Dakota Fanning as a young CIA operative thrown into the mix. This film works largely due to Washington’s incredible screen presence and charisma. His swagger makes the visceral violence including body impalement and sometimes just pure grindhouse fare palatable.

RDX: Robert Dony Xavier (UAE Cinemas): Take a bow, first-time director Nahas Hidayath. He has pulled off an absolute crowd-pleaser with this high-octane action adventure ‘RDX: Robert Dony Xavier’. Starring actors Shane Nigam as Robert, Antony Varghese as Dony, and Neeraj Madhav as Xavier, this fight-filled film has a lot going for it. Robert and Dony are siblings who get along famously well with Xavier. Being young, they get into scruffs that land them into great trouble. Be warned, there’s a lot of bloody fist fights and pummeling, but the audiences will come out happy.

The Wheel Of Time, Season 2 (Amazon Prime): This series is an adaptation of the beloved fantasy book and is set in the mystical world led by Moiraine Damodred (Rosamund Pike), a member of the shadowy and influential all-female organisation called the “Aes Sedai”. When it released in 2021, it was positioned as a fantasy epic that could rival Game Of Thrones or even the Lord Of The Rings and to a large extent has garnered its own loyal following. The tale of five young people from a small town looking to save the world has a lot going for it – magical powers, dark forces, mythical lores. With its meticulously crafted world, compelling characters, and intricate magic system, the series offers a deep look into destiny and power. The first three episode from Season 2 is out now and new episodes from there on will drop every week.

Khushi (UAE Cinemas): Are you in the mood for an amiable, feel-good romantic comedy with incredibly looking lead actors? And yes, they are talented too. This glossy love story, starring Vijay Deverakonda and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, play a young couple who marry against their parents’ wishes. But marriage isn’t for everyone and they learn this painful truth when petty issues begin cropping up in their marital life. The big question remains if the loved-up pair will survive the turbulence. This is a film that delves into the complexities of love, relationships, and family dynamics.

Friday Night Plan (Netflix): This is the perfect benign coming-of-age sibling comedy, if you are done with watching violent and gritty films. Starring late actor Irrfan Khan’s son Babil Khan (a promising talent) and Amrith Jayan, this family entertainer is all about these two brothers bonding after an unexpected Friday night bash at their school. Directed by Vatsal Neelakantan, this entertaining feature about self-discovering and brotherhood is a great one-time watch.

Billions (Starzplay): This riveting financial drama takes us into the ruthless world of New York City’s power brokers. It transports us efficiently into the cutthroat world of hedge fund titan Bobby "Axe" Axelrod, brilliantly portrayed by Damian Lewis, and the relentless U.S. Attorney Chuck Rhoades, brought to life by the exceptional Paul Giamatti. Themes of ambition, loyalty, and morality is explored with a neat hand in this character-driven drama.

One Piece (Netflix): Netflix’s ‘One Piece’ is a popular anime and manga series that has been adapted into a live-action material on Netflix. The story is set in the fascinating world filled with pirates and treasure. At its core, ‘One Piece’ follows the quest of Monkey D Luffy, portrayed by Inaki Godoy and the hunt for the most sought-after treasure in the world. The story goes thus: Whoever discovers the One Piece, a legendary loot, will inherit the coveted title of King Of The Pirates. And Luffy is an ideal candidate to get his hands on it since his unique ability includes his ability to stretch like rubber. This strange power, combined with crazy enthusiasm, makes him a charismatic and endearing protagonist. Filled with epic battles and fantastical islands, this one is a winner by the streaming giant. It stands as a remarkable deviation from the streaming giant’s troubled history with live-action adaptations of anime and manga. This series breaks that curse.

Run The World, Season 2 (Starzplay): Often described as the contemporary take on the hit show ‘Sex And The City’, this comedy-drama centers around the lives of a group of four Black women who are navigating their careers, friendships, and romantic relationships in New York City. With a sharp focus on the experiences of modern Black women, this series address the challenges and triumphs faced by them. Plus, its spotlight on female friendships and supports systems is understandably entertaining and empowering.

Air (Amazon Prime): Ben Affleck is back in the director’s chair with ‘Air’, an inspiring sports drama about the business of the industry and that iconic AIR Jordan deal. Written by Alex Convery, this film is a compelling howdunnit on getting Michael Jordan to sign with Nike leading to the creation of the signature shoe – the Air Jordan. Starring Matt Damon and Affleck, this one is quick-paced film with glib and smartly-written dialogues and humour. Viola Davis is also also a talent to watch out for. And also get ready to feel a sense of wonderful nostalgia for the 1980s once you are done with the film.

Oppenheimer (UAE cinemas): Watch this before it steps out of the UAE cinemas. Director Christopher Nolan’s biopic on Robert J Oppenheimer, credited as the ‘father of the atom bomb’, is an explosive look into the troubled genius’ mind. It’s a cinematic incendiary of our times powered by some brilliant acting and a compelling storyline. The movie, spearheaded by an on-point Cillian Murphy in the titular role, hits you like a sledgehammer as it raises questions on the moral/ethical dilemma faced by the remarkable theoretical physicist after he was tasked with developing nuclear weapons to alter the course of World War II. Great performances and a compelling storyline makes it a must-watch.