The Golden Globes have been won, the BAFTA nominees have been announced and Oscars voting is about to close. The annual New Year awards frenzy, which actually kicks off in December with a glut of lesser-known critics and guild awards ceremonies, is well and truly underway.
If you've been watching closely, you may have spotted that a lot of films you haven't seen in UAE cinemas yet have been picking up the trophies, with the likes of Lady Bird, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri and The Shape of Water all picking up multiple nominations at both the Globes and BAFTAs.
In part, that’s because this part of the world quite often gets films a little later than the bigger US and European markets, and in part it’s because the kind of films that pick up awards buzz tend not to be the kind of high-octane, blockbuster fare that make up the bulk of multiplex content. That said, a few bits of shiny metal at the turn of the year are usually enough to result in at least a limited local release if one wasn’t planned already.
So here’s our guide to when, or if, you can see this year’s most talked about movies in UAE cinemas. While we don't know which cinemas these films will be shown in yet, it's likely some might only get a limited release (Vox Cinemas in Mall of the Emirates has a good track record of showing more alternative movies).
*Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Thursday February 22
Martin McDonagh’s black comedy was the big winner at the Globes, with statues for Best Drama, Screenplay, Lead Actress and Supporting Actor in a Drama. The story of Frances McDormand's grieving mother, struggling to bring her daughter's murderer to justice in a seemingly apathetic small town will come to UAE screens next month on Thursday February 22.
*The Shape of Water – Thursday February 1
Guillermo Del Toro’s typically fantastical tale of a mute cleaner in a government research facility who develops a strange relationship with an aquatic test specimen landed the director the Globe for Best director, and it picked up Best Original Score too. It’s in cinemas on the first of next month.
*Lady Bird – no release as yet
Greta Gerwig took a turn behind the camera to write and direct this sweet comedy drama about the trials and tribulations of growing up. The film is carried by the performance of Saoirse Ronan as the titular Lady, so it’s fitting that she picked up the Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for her effort at the Globes. As yet none of the major local distributors have picked the film up, and the main cinema chains had no information on release when we checked, but a good awards season should surely ensure it makes it here at some point, and we will most certainly keep you updated.
*Darkest Hour – released on January 11
You wait ages for a Winston Churchill biopic, then two come along in a year. The better of the pair, which also included Brian Cox in Churchill, was undoubtedly Joe Wright's Gary Oldman version, as evidenced by the British veteran's Globe for Best Lead in a Drama, with a possible BAFTA to follow. The movie is in cinemas now.
*I, Tonya – Thursday March 1
Margot Robbie stars as America’s-sweetheart-turned-public-enemy-number-one Tonya Harding in Craig Gillespie’s biopic of the disgraced figure skater. It will hit cinemas here at the start of March (just before the Oscars).
*Phantom Thread - Thursday February 1
Daniel Day-Lewis bows out with this final film before he retires (well, that's his claim), starring as a glamorous dressmaker in post-war London. It seems inevitable that celebrities will come out of retirement, but if this one was a ruse to soften up the Globes judges, it didn’t work – Day-Lewis had to settle for a Best Actor nomination.
*All the Money in the World – Thursday February 1
Ridley Scott’s latest received an unexpected burst of publicity when the director opted to take on a seemingly impossibly tight reshoot, recasting Christopher Plummer in all of Kevin Spacey’s scenes following Spacey’s abuse disgrace, while sticking to the movie’s December release date. It worked – Plummer was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the Globes.
*The Florida Project – Thursday January 25
Sean Baker takes a poignant look at the life of poor American families in the budget motels that sit in Disneyland’s shadow. Seen largely through the eyes of six-year old Moonee (Brooklynn Prince) and her mum (Bria Vinai), there’s also a widely prized supporting role for Globe nominee Willem Dafoe as motel manager Bobby.
*The Post - Thursday January 18
Awards panels love a good newspaper movie, from Citizen Kane via The Killing Fields to Spotlight, and now Steven Spielberg gets on board with the critically acclaimed The Post. Katharine Graham and Ben Bradley are the hacks in pursuit of a huge government cover up. See it from January 18.
__________
Read more:
Film review: Emirati comedy drama Awar Qalb brings comic relief but too much slapstick
Salman Khan lauds Abu Dhabi as a great filming location
75th Golden Globe Award winners list
__________
The Outsider
Stephen King, Penguin
England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
Essentials
The flights
Etihad (etihad.ae) and flydubai (flydubai.com) fly direct to Baku three times a week from Dh1,250 return, including taxes.
The stay
A seven-night “Fundamental Detox” programme at the Chenot Palace (chenotpalace.com/en) costs from €3,000 (Dh13,197) per person, including taxes, accommodation, 3 medical consultations, 2 nutritional consultations, a detox diet, a body composition analysis, a bio-energetic check-up, four Chenot bio-energetic treatments, six Chenot energetic massages, six hydro-aromatherapy treatments, six phyto-mud treatments, six hydro-jet treatments and access to the gym, indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Additional tests and treatments cost extra.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Company%20profile
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The years Ramadan fell in May
The years Ramadan fell in May
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
21 Lessons for the 21st Century
Yuval Noah Harari, Jonathan Cape
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Baniyas (PA) Group 2 Dh125,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh170,000 (D) 1,900m
8.50pm: Rated Conditions (TB) Dh240,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh175,000 (D)1,200m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
'I Want You Back'
Director:Jason Orley
Stars:Jenny Slate, Charlie Day
Rating:4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on Quran memorisation:
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champioons League semi-final:
First leg: Liverpool 5 Roma 2
Second leg: Wednesday, May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
TV: BeIN Sports, 10.45pm (UAE)
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule
12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)
2pm Formula One final practice
5pm Formula One qualifying
6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
PRO BASH
Thursday’s fixtures
6pm: Hyderabad Nawabs v Pakhtoon Warriors
10pm: Lahore Sikandars v Pakhtoon Blasters
Teams
Chennai Knights, Lahore Sikandars, Pakhtoon Blasters, Abu Dhabi Stars, Abu Dhabi Dragons, Pakhtoon Warriors and Hyderabad Nawabs.
Squad rules
All teams consist of 15-player squads that include those contracted in the diamond (3), platinum (2) and gold (2) categories, plus eight free to sign team members.
Tournament rules
The matches are of 25 over-a-side with an 8-over power play in which only two fielders allowed outside the 30-yard circle. Teams play in a single round robin league followed by the semi-finals and final. The league toppers will feature in the semi-final eliminator.
SCORES
Yorkshire Vikings 144-1 in 12.5 overs
(Tom Kohler 72 not out, Harry Broook 42 not out)
bt Hobart Hurricanes 140-7 in 20 overs
(Caleb Jewell 38, Sean Willis 35, Karl Carver 2-29, Josh Shaw 2-39)
Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
- Ban fruit juice and sodas
- Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
- Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
- Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
- Don’t eat dessert every day
- Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
- Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
- Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
- Eat everything in moderation
Army of the Dead
Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera
Three stars
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS & THE ECONOMY
List of UAE medal winners
Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)
Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)
Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)
The biog
Age: 19
Profession: medical student at UAE university
Favourite book: The Ocean at The End of The Lane by Neil Gaiman
Role model: Parents, followed by Fazza (Shiekh Hamdan bin Mohammed)
Favourite poet: Edger Allen Poe
MATCH INFO
BRIGHTON 0
MANCHESTER UNITED 3
McTominay 44'
Mata 73'
Pogba 80'
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, semi-final result:
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona
Liverpool win 4-3 on aggregate
Champions Legaue final: June 1, Madrid
'Cheb%20Khaled'
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