Weekend watchlist: 10 TV shows and movies to check out

‘Bheemente Vazhi’ (UAE cinemas): This Malayalam-language comedy starring Kunchacko Boban, Jinu Joseph and Chemban Vinod Jose is getting rave reviews after it released in Kerala last week and it’s now playing in UAE cinemas. Boban plays a small-town guy who’s a bit of jerk and who gets embroiled in a situation where he tries to widen one of the roads in his neighbourhood. It’s a situational comedy about ordinary people doing ordinary stuff in the most extraordinary way. Boban is in top form in the title role and every actor in this Ashiq Abu production is brilliantly cast. If you are in the mood for a clean, family entertainer then this should be your first stop.

‘Sooryavanshi’ (Netflix): For those who missed watching Akshay Kumar’s cop universe film ‘Sooryavanshi’ in the UAE theatres, then sweat not. The star-studded film, also starring the bride-to-be Katrina Kaif, will keep you hook for a few hours as the leading hero flushes his city from evil elements. There’s terrorism, glamorous songs and dance, and star cameos with Ranveer Singh going for it. Directed by Rohit Shetty who has a pulse on humour and drama, ‘Sooryavanshi’ makes for a good weekend watch.

‘Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui’ (UAE cinemas): If you are in the mood to watch a romantic comedy between a Zumba instructor (Vaani Kapoor) and her gym regular (Ayushmann Khurrana), then make sure you make time for this one. These two talents are always in fine form and the trailers indicate that they have a good chemistry between them. It’s pegged as an unconventional love story of two adults who have something to hide.

‘Holidate’ (Netflix): It’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit, and what better way to do it than with some cheesy Christmas romances? In this one, Sloane (Emma Roberts) and Jackson (Luke Bracey) are two people who hate the holidays and are always single at that time. However, these two strangers end up meeting one particularly bad Christmas and decide to be each other’s “holidate” for every festive occasion in the year.

‘The Kindred’ (UAE cinemas): Horror films are always in season and this one is sure to put a chill down your spine. A woman who suffers from amnesia puts together the events that led to her father’s suicide. However, she ends up being haunted by the ghosts of children that she thinks her father murdered.

‘Radioactive’ (UAE cinemas): Get a crash course in one of the most interesting women who changed the course of science — Marie Curie. The biographical drama film stars Rosamund Pike as the physicist who discovers radium and polonium and soon discovers radioactivity. It’s written by Jack Thorne and directed by Marjane Satrapi and is based on the 2010 graphic novel ‘Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout by Lauren Redniss’.

‘Sing 2’ (UAE cinemas): Grab your kids and take them to the cutest new animated movie to hit cinemas. In it, the koala Buster Moon and his cast of animal performers are ready to perform a dazzling stage extravaganza however, there’s a problem. He has to locate and convince a reclusive rock star to join them. It features the voice acting of Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Nick Kroll, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Offerman and more.

‘Monsta X: The Dreaming’ (UAE cinemas): Delve into the lives of K-Pop group Monsta X in this concert documentary that features never-before-seen footage, interviews and special performances from Shownu, Minhyuk, Kihyun, Hyungwon, Joohoney and I.M. The film comes ahead of the release of the group’s English album, ‘The Dreaming’.

‘Power of the Dog’ (Netflix): Director Jane Campion’s award-winning movie is definitely one to check out over the weekend for its subtle storytelling and amazing cast. It’s about angry rancher Phil Burbank who hates his brother’s new wife and her son. His domineering nature creates problems with them, until something unexpected happens. It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons and Kodi Smit-McPhee.

‘Encounter’ (Amazon Prime Video): Actor Riz Ahmed stars in this sci-fi movie with an intriguing storyline. In it, a decorated Marine goes on a rescue mission to save his two young sons from a mysterious, alien force. It also stars Octavia Spencer and Rory Cochrane, and is directed by Michael Pearce.