Weekend Watchlist: 10 TV shows and movies to check out

Greenland (UAE cinemas): In this disaster action film, from the producer of the ‘John Wick’ franchise, John Garrity (Gerard Butler), his estranged wife (Morena Baccarin) and their son fight to stay alive, as a planet-destroying comet sets its sights on Earth. Cities are demolished and a global apocalypse is on the horizon, but the Garrity family is determined to find a sanctuary, concluding in a last-minute life-or-death battle in the hopes of a better life.

Archive (UAE cinemas): What if robots had free will and their own needs and wants? This highly rated sci-fi flick combines familiar tropes while also pushing the bounds of the genre, say critics. The year is 2038, and George Almore (Theo James) is trying to build a human-equivalent AI. His latest prototype is nearing completion. But risks run high, and Almore has a secret goal in his head — to reunite with his dead wife.

Trolls World Tour (UAE cinemas): If you’re looking for fun for the whole family, the sequel to the 2016 animation ‘Trolls’ is here, starring the voices of Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Rachel Bloom, Ozzy Osbourne, Mary J Blige, Jamie Dornan, Kenan Thompson and much more. Queen Barb (Bloom), daughter of King Thrash (Osbourne) and the leader of the Hard Rock Trolls, tries to take over the kingdom, so Poppy (Kendrick) and co have to find a way to save the day.

Enola Holmes (Netflix): In this new Netflix original film, Enola Holmes (Millie Bobby Brown), the spunky and unladylike teen sister of world-famous detective Sherlock Holmes (Henry Cavill), wakes up on her 16th birthday in 1884 England to find her mother (Helena Bonham Carter) has gone missing. Equipped with her unconventional education in science, cryptology and martial arts, she embarks on an adventure to find her mum — and ends up outsmarting her brothers, Sherlock and Mycroft (Sam Claflin), as she unravels a dangerous conspiracy surrounding a mysterious young Lord.

Criminal: UK (Netflix): You wouldn’t think a show set mostly in one room would be this intense, but the unique way this crime series is created will leave you on the edge of your seat from the get go. Suspects and police officers spar within an interview suite where mind games and psychological trickery reign. Each episode features one criminal case, and there are just seven episodes in two seasons. (There’s also Criminal: France, Criminal: Spain, Criminal: Germany if you want to go all out).

Something in the Rain (Netflix): A single career woman, who has been through a bit of heartbreak, meets her best friend’s younger brother after years of him being abroad. Of course, sparks fly. This Korean romantic drama doesn’t just deal with their budding romance though. The show touches upon the ‘taboo’ of an older woman getting involved with a younger man, challenges the acceptance of sexism at the work place and sheds light on repressive family traditions.

Hunger Games (Starzplay): If vegging out on the couch with a few movies is your idea of a good weekend, then let the Hunger Games series be your companion. The four-movie franchise, based on the bestselling books, is set in a dystopian future where citizens of Panem are split by districts and forced to send one child each to fight to the death in the Hunger Games. Follow the fearless Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) as she enters the Games and ends up starting a revolution. May the odds be ever in your favour.

Constantine (Starzplay): Years after its release, this dark fantasy drama starring Keanu Reeves is still a brilliant watch. John Constantine, a brooding exorcist, is asked to help a woman investigate her twin sister's apparent suicide. But things are not as they seem. Constantine ends up dealing with angels, demons, monsters and more to get to the bottom of this case.

Rush Hour: In honour of action star Jackie Chan’s latest movie ‘Vanguard’ releasing in the UAE next weekend, it’s worth revisiting this laugh out loud 1998 comedy also starring Chris Tucker. In it, a by-the-book Hong Kong police officer joins forces with a zany LAPD detective to rescue a little girl. Hilarity ensues as they blast through Los Angeles, while trying not to rip each other’s’ heads off, to complete their mission.

Dolly Kitty Aur Who Chamakte Sitare (Netflix): Two cousins Radha/Dolly (Konkona Sen Sharma) and Kajal/Kitty (Bhumi Pednekar) face some interesting family and life challenges in this Hindi drama. A majority of films with liberated female characters have a tendency to vilify them, but director Alankrita Srivastava doesn’t succumb to that familiar narrative. The women in this world are bold and beautiful, and revel in making bewildering choices.