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

Welcome back movie lovers. This week there are not many options at the movie theatres, but there’s a bonus event going on that will surely pique your interest. If you’re into intense action movies, look no further than Overlord, a movie about World War II that will get your heart racing, while The Girl in the Spider’s Web offers a more dramatic take on a crime thriller. But if you’re looking for something more festive, then don’t miss The Grinch, an animation film about the number one hater of Christmas.

The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A New Dragon Tattoo Story

What’s it about? A story of cybercrimes and government corruption. Follow as hacker Lisbeth Salander, and journalist Mikael Blomkvist find themselves caught in the middle of it all, as tension rises, and plot twists twirl.

The good: Based on the international bestseller, this is another Dragon Tattoo story that follows a with a lot of conflicting factors. Fede Alvarez, the director, has experience in successful horror flicks, and can add a touch of thrill to it all, complemented by the great acting chops of Claire Foy.

The bad: Building on the success of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) might seem like a positive, but it will always draw high expectations, something the movie may not be able to live up to.

The Grinch

What’s it about? The Grinch needs no introduction, he’s the biggest hater of Christmas, and is played by the immensely talented Benedict Cumberbatch. It tells the story of how the Grinch tries to spoil Christmas for everyone with his unique team.

The good: The movie comes from the creators of Despicable Me (2010), The Secret Life of Pets (2016), and Sing (2016), which is already a boost. Not to mention the talented cast headed by Benedict Cumberbatch, and including Rashida Jones and Pharrell Williams. It’s a perfect family movie that looks like a lot of fun.

The bad: While this movie seems like a safe bet, it still is a bit risky. Such animation movies can get riddled with clichés, making for a boring watch that may only succeed in entertaining kids.

Overlord 

What’s it about? Overlord tells the story of the Normandy landings. The movie follows two American soldiers on that historical day, known as the largest seaborne invasion in history. However, historical accuracy may not be 100%, as this flick adds its own thrilling twist on the events.

The good: Between them, the writers have been involved in movies such as The Revenant (2015), Captain Philips (2013), and The Hunger Games (2012). The trailer will give you goosebumps, and the plot shows a whole lot of potential, and it has some positive reviews on the likes of Rotten Tomatoes.

The bad: While the writers may have some experience, director Julius Avery has only been at the helm of one full-length narrative film, Son of a Gun. Plus none of the actors are big household names.

BONUS: Panorama of the European Film

Panorama of the European Film is organised by production company Aflam Masr El Alamia, Zawya Cinema, and in collaboration with the European Union. It will show 65 movies from 26 European countries. You can catch the shows at Zawya Cinema, Zamalek Cinema, the French Institution, and Goethe Institut. To learn more about the festival and the screenings, check out the full schedule here.

To find out where and when you can catch these films, check out the Cairo 360 Cinema Guide.