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.

STREAM THIS NEW SHOW:

The Recruit
Netflix, 16 December

From being one of Netflix’s go-to actors for a romcom movie, Noah Centineo is back on the streaming platform to lead a spy adventure series, The Recruit. Noah plays as a newbie lawyer at the CIA. But during his first few days, he discovers a threatening letter from a former asset. This leads him into the dangerous world of international politics and Noah must find a way to keep his job and his life. No big deal. Noah stars with Laura Haddock, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Fivel Stewart, Colton Dunn, and Aarti Mann for the series hitting the streamer this Friday.

GET THE POPCORN FOR THIS:

Pinocchio
Netflix, Now Streaming

As the trailer says, this is “a story you may think you know, but you don’t”.

Now listed as one of the top movies on Netflix, the movie is a reinvention of the original 1883 story by Italian writer Carlo Collodi by Oscar-winning filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. In this version, the setting is transposed to the 1930s against the backdrop of the rise of the Italian fascism. The movie is actually the third adaptation of the classic tale only this year but critics are saying that del Toro’s version is a decidedly grownup, darker and a heartfelt take on the whimsical story of the wooden puppet who came to life.

Aside from Gregory Mann playing as Pinocchio, the film also features a powerhouse voice cast lead by Ewan McGregor, Finn Wolfhard, Ron Perlman, David Bradley, Tilda Swinton, Cate Blanchett, Christoph Waltz, Burn Gorman and more.

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:

A World of Curiosities
Louise Penny

This week brings a new novel from New York Times Best Selling Author – Louise Penny. ‘A World of Curiosities’ is the 18th book in the Chief Inspector Armand Gamache book series. In this edition, Inspector Gamache is battling mysteries that reach the very heart of his life… and home.

A young man and woman have reappeared in the Sûreté du Québec investigators’ lives after many years. They are the children of horror – it was their mother’s murder that brought Chief Inspector Gamache and his partner Inspector Beauvoir together all those years ago.

As Chief Inspector Gamache works to uncover answers – and secrets from the past emerge – his alarm grows when a letter is discovered. In it, a man describes his terror when bricking up an attic room somewhere in the village. Inside the room there are puzzles within puzzles, and hidden messages warning of mayhem and revenge.

In unsealing that room, an old enemy is released into their world and into their lives.

CRANK UP THE VOLUME FOR THIS:

Fast & Furious: Drift Tape (Phonk Vol. 1) 
Various Artists, 16 December

As the country gears up for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ finals and the celebration of Qatar National Day, you can turn the speakers up with this music genre called Phonk that is taking off the charts. This genre is what inspired the latest ‘Fast and Furious’ mixtape releasing this Friday. Phonk is a subgenre of hip hop and trap music directly inspired by 1990s Memphis rap. It’s official Spotify playlist has now garnered over 3 millions likes. Check it out and get phonky!

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.

Author: Weslee Dizon, Charlotte Wright

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