Tune in each week as Marhaba delves into the wonderful world of popular culture to find the best new TV series, movies, books, and music.
BINGE WATCH THIS:
Stranger Things Season 4
Netflix, 27 May
The fourth season of the Netflix hit series Stranger Things is finally dropping this weekend! The new episodes pick up six months after the events of the Season 3 finale at the Starcourt Mall, and the main gang is separated for high school. A new supernatural threat also surfaces, leaving the people of Hawkins on edge once again. The first eight minutes of the first episode are out now (watch below). And with the way things look, the new season seems to be darker. The season’s first volume includes seven episodes and is set to premiere this Friday. The second volume includes episodes 8 and 9, with a 1 July premiere date.
GET THE POPCORN FOR THIS:
The Valet
Hulu, Now Streaming
If you’re jonesing for another romantic comedy this weekend, get your fix with this genre entry from Hulu. The Valet centres on the fake relationship between the characters of Eugenio Derbez (CODA) and Samara Weaving (Ready or Not) that was staged to avoid a PR nightmare. Derbez plays Antonio, who works as a valet at a restaurant in Beverly Hills. Situated in the same city yet seemingly living on another planet is movie star Olivia Allan (Weaving), who’s been carrying on a secret affair with Vincent Royce (Max Greenfield, New Girl). After the secret lovers got caught in a paparazzi photo together, they had to do everything so they could save their careers. Coincidentally, Antonio was also in the snapshot, spurring the idea that he was not just a mere bystander. The Valet is an English-language reimagining of Francis Veber’s 2006 French hit La Doublure and is now streaming on Hulu.
Related: See our Cinema Listings for all the latest releases you can watch in Qatar!
SETTLE IN WITH A CUP OF TEA AND READ THIS:
The Stardust Thief
Chelsea Abdullah
American-Kuwaiti writer Chelsea Abdullah grew up in Kuwait listening to stories such as those from One Thousand and One Nights. Inspired by these tales, The Stardust Thief is Book 1 in The Sandsea Trilogy, a stunning new adventure weaving mythology and vibrant world-building – and the first adult Arab fantasy series written by an Arab woman.
In Book 1, we are introduced to a land where jinn are hunted for their life-giving blood. Loulie al-Nazari, aka the Midnight Merchant, is a criminal who hunts and sells illegal magic with her jinn bodyguard. When she saves the life of a prince, she is forced by his father, the Sultan, to retrieve a rare relic: a magical lamp with the power to restore nature to their lands by annihilating all jinn. The Stardust Thief is an incredible story incorporating Arab folklore with characters you will both love and hate. And a book that will leave you anxiously waiting for the next in the series!
CRANK UP THE VOLUME FOR THIS:
Top Gun: Maverick (Music From The Motion Picture)
Lady Gaga & Hans Zimmer, Harold Faltermeyer, 27 May
Thirty-six years on from the original Tom Cruise movie, the sequel Top Gun Maverick comes to cinemas this Friday. Simultaneously, the movie’s soundtrack will also drop featuring songs from Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer. Other songs include OneRepublic’s new release for the movie I Ain’t Worried and familiar songs from the previous film such as Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins and Jerry Lee Lewis’ Great Balls of Fire.
We update weekly with all-new choices, so make sure to bookmark this page! Check out more Marhaba recommendations of the best movies, shows, books, and music here.
Authors: Weslee Dizon, Sarah Palmer
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