The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

(Image credit: Los Angeles Times)

Happy New Year! 2020 is bringing along a shiny new batch of fresh releases, and we cannot wait to dig in. We have a Johnny Depp feature, a horror flick, an animation, and Cats! Here’s what to expect…

The Professor

What is it about? This dark comedy follows college professor, Richard (Johnny Depp) as he copes with a terminal disease in ways that shock his wife (Rosemarie DeWitt) and school chancellor (Ron Livingston). Knowing he only has six months left, he transforms his life into a rebellious, and hilarious, crusade against authority.

The good: The film provides comic relief for those who face similar circumstances. Granted, Depp’s too-cool-for-school demeanour keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats with one chuckle after the other.

The bad: The cast is primarily reliant on Depp’s performance, since the rest of the actors appear to lack depth of character. Moreover, the plotline seems a tad – unintentionally – clumsy.

The Grudge

What is it about? This horror follows the terrifying events that occur in a haunted house, where a young mother had murdered her family. Attempting to investigate the case are a detective and a single mother; however, they discover that the cursed house dooms everyone who enters it with a violent death.

The good: If you’re one to fancy jump scares and shower scenes with creepy hands sinking into the character’s hair, you are definitely in for a treat!

The bad: Yet another remake of Takashi Shimizu’s 2002 Japanese horror film, Ju-On: The Grudge? Cringe.

Boonie Bears: Blast into the Past

What is it about? This adventure animation follows fluffy bears, Briar and Bramble, along with their human friend, Vick on a journey into the primitive age. All kinds of exotic dangers arise on their way back to the 21^st century.

The good: Friendship is such a valuable lesson to teach to young kids, and that’s exactly what the feature highlights throughout its plotline.

The bad: We reckon older audience might snooze halfway through the film!

Cats

What is it about? Based on the popular stage production, the star-studded drama features Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Francesca Hayward, Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, James Corden, Rebel Wilson, and Jason Derulo. The film, directed by Les Miserable and The King’s Speech’s Tom Hooper, follows a tribe of cats called the Jellicles, who annually decide which one of them will ascend to the Heaviside Layer, and come back to a new Jellicle life.

The good: The diverse cast, which is filled with the biggest names in the industry, along with the renowned director’s vision, draw in a wide audience of all ages. Watching the cast flex their acting and singing skills is something you cannot simply miss.

The bad: The reviews are rolling in, and most of them are mocking the nightmarish graphics and chaotic narrative. Should Cats have stayed in its glorious days of Broadway? Does the film qualify as a… cat-astrophe?