THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF GRAND CINEMAS FREE NOV 2019-JAN 2020 GRAND

20202020 MUSTMUST LISTLIST

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ISSUE 126 FEAT. DOLBY ATMOS A nation makes a stand As we approach the end of an eventful 2019, we are once again LOCATIONS reminded of the power of film to inspire and move us, and to commemorate those pivotal moments in history that define nations. LEBANON KUWAIT We salute the Lebanese people, and wish one and all a prosperous GRAND CINEMAS GRAND AL HAMRA ABC VERDUN LUXURY CENTER new year that lives up to our promise and expectations for a brighter 01 795 697 +965 222 70 334 future. Here’s to the beginning of a new era in 2020. MX4D featuring MX4D ATMOS DOLBY ATMOS Our SPOTLIGHT feature is a fitting tribute to historical moments. GRAND CLASS GRAND GATE MALL Acclaimed director gathers an army of stars — +965 220 56 464 GRAND CINEMAS among them Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson, and ABC ACHRAFIEH 01 209 109 — to tell the epic true story of Midway, the battle that turned the tides 70 415 200 NEW of war. FAMILY FIESTA rounds up the kids’ favourites, including Frozen GRAND GRAND CINEMAS CINEMAS II and Norm of the North 3. Looking for some Nicolas Cage action? ABC DBAYEH NORMA 04 444 650 COMPLEX, AL We prep you for Primal with 5 HOT FACTS. In SEASON PREVIEW, we GRAND CLASS KHIRAN +965 220 93 582 feature a vision of the future in Paradise Hills, in Richard GRAND GALAXY Says Goodbye, music-inspired romance in High Strung and French CINEMAS, CHIYAH dramas Sybil and Demi Soeur, in addition to big action-adventure in 01 544 051 BAHRAIN GRAND CINEMAS Charlie’s Angels and Jumanji: The Next Level. For socially-relevant GRAND LAS THE WALK RIFFA Lebanese comedy, don’t miss Ammar Shalak in Yerbo bi Ezzkon. SALINAS, ENFEH, + 973 1766 3729 NORTH LEBANON Finally, in a special edition of SAVE THE DATE, our 2020 06 540 970 GRAND CLASS MUST LIST gets you in gear for the best of the new year, including GRAND SAIDA, THE SPOT Rosamund Pike in Radioactive, Colin Firth in The Secret Garden, 07 723 026 Robert Downey Jr in Dolittle, regional drama in Arab Blues, the new JORDAN feature and the follow-ups to and . GRAND CINEMAS See you at the movies! CITY MALL +962 65 813 461 IMAX ANITA NASR EDITOR

grandcinemasme.com 3 GOTEAM #dropusamail 28 PUBLISHING DIRECTORS

10 CARLY RAMIA HABIS [email protected] JEAN RAMIA [email protected] 46 EDITOR

ANITA NASR [email protected]

FOR YOUR MARKETING INQUIRIES 24 20 ISAAC FAHED [email protected] RALPH SEMAAN GRANDMAGAZINE [email protected] FOR YOUR NOV 2019 - JAN 2020 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES

MPS T: 01 253 577 GRAND MOMENTS SPOTLIGHT: MIDWAY RIMA KAI 06 Learn all about the star- 24 Roland Emmerich weaves [email protected] studded premieres and events movie magic once again in a GEORGE RAHI happening at Grand, and join thrilling depiction of the epic [email protected] us next time! Featured this battle of Midway, starring Ed issue: Kids flock to Shaun the Skrein, Patrick Wilson and PUBLISHER Sheep: Farmageddon. Nick Jonas. We talk to the battalion of stars. SELIM RAMIA & CO SAVE THE DATE: HABER BLDG, M LEVEL 10 2020 MUST LIST SEASON PREVIEW P.O. BOX 146 In a special edition, we look 28 Check out the movies now HAZMIEH, BEIRUT T: 05 457 146 at the best movies of the playing and coming soon to a F: 05 457 221 upcoming year, including GC near you, featuring Milla www.srndco.com Radioactive, Birds of Prey, Jovovich in Paradise Hills, The Secret Garden, Top Gun: Johnny Depp in Richard Says Maverick, and Goodbye and the Lebanese Dolittle. Mark your calendars. comedy Yerbo bi Ezzkon.

FAMILY FIESTA 5 HOT FACTS 20 The kids won’t want to miss fun 46 Who’s ready for some wild features Frozen II and Spies in action from Nicolas Cage? PRINTED BY Disguise starring . We prep you for the thrills BYBLOS PRINTING SAL Plus, we round up the most with our five top reasons you T: 01 697 111 exciting family movies of 2020. shouldn’t miss Primal. [email protected]

4 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020

GRAND

NON-STOP CHUCKLES

GRANDPREMIERE

nder the patronage of the Grand British Embassy in Beirut, and in attendance of its U Deputy Head of Mission Ben adventure Wastange, SR&CO launched the sequel of Aardman’s most suc- for little cessful release, Shaun The Sheep: Farmageddon, at Grand Cinemas Shaun the ABC Verdun. Invitees enjoyed live animation and face painting by C2C Sheep fans and a mouth-watering cocktail recep- tion by Bartartine before a special screening of the adventure comedy.

Grand Cinemas' sensory- SENSORY friendly screenings offer children with autism and FRIENDLY those with special needs the chance to be enter- SCREENINGS tained in a carefully tailored environment, with adequate WHEN lighting and reduced volume Last Saturday of each month throughout the show. All profits are pledged to WHERE Grand Cinemas ABC Dbayeh the autism program at SESOBEL.

6 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 7 GRAND

GRANDEVENTS Advocates celebrate Beirut Marathon unning is a culture. Beirut Marathon organisers recently Rhosted a special event to celebrate the important role of their advocates, who help them in reaching out to a support network of people and entities from all walks of life. The event, held at Grand Cinemas ABC Achrafieh on September 17, created awareness of the organisation’s mission with the screening of inspirational social impact movies.

GRANDPREMIERE DAY SIX MAKES A GRAND DEBUT Director Layal Rajha held a one- time special screening of her short film Day Six (Wa Fil Yawm Al Sadiss) at Grand Cinemas ABC Achrafieh in attendance of a host of artists and the media. Taken from a true story set in 1982, the film depicts the three monotheistic religions that stand face to face in the struggle over land, faith and ideology. The drama stars Khitam Al Laham and Abdo Chahine.

8 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 9 S AV E READY YOUR ENGINES THEMOVIE FOR THE MOST HOTLY ANTICIPATED DATE UPCOMING RELEASES 2020 MUST FEB BIRDS OF 06 PREY

LIST returns as the fantabulous Harley Quinn. After splitting with the Joker, Harley joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young HISTORY MAKER girl from an evil crime lord.

Marie Curie is the first woman to have won the Nobel Prize, and the only woman to win more than one.

JAN BAD BOYS 16 FOR LIFE Q1 2020 RADIOACTIVE Seventeen years after Bad Boys II, Witness a ferociously original take on the life of Nobel Will Smith and Prize winner (Rosamund Pike) and her are still cleaning up crime. But with extraordinary scientific discoveries through the prism of Marcus now a police inspector and her marriage to husband Pierre and the seismic effects Mike in a midlife crisis, are they still their discovery of radium had on the 20th century. the bad boys of their youth?

10 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 11 2020 MUST LIST

RICHARD JAN DARING 09 JEWELL TALENT Clint Eastwood directs the true story of the security guard who saved thousands at the 1996 Olympics, only to be vilified. FEB ARAB BLUES Iranian born 13 Golshifteh Farahani has taken Hollywood Selma, a psychoanalyst, deals with a cast of colourful by storm, starring new patients after returning home to Tunisia to open a in such stand-out films as Paterson, practice. The touching comedy recently premiered at Pirates of the the Venice Film Festival to much acclaim. Golshifteh Caribbean 5 and Farahani, Majd Mastoura and Aïsha Ben Miled star. Body of Lies.

JAN

02 A house is cursed by a vengeful ghost in the new chapter of the horror franchise, taking place between the events of 2004’s The Grudge and The Grudge 2.

ALSO SHOWING IN

JAN DOLITTLE JAN LITTLE 16 09 WOMEN A BEAUTIFUL Robert Downey Jr stars in the new JAN DAY IN THE adaptation of the children’s book A stupendous line-up of female 30 NEIGHBORHOOD by Hugh Lofting about a doctor who talent, lead by and discovers that he can talk to animals. Emma Watson, herald the big- Tom Hanks portrays Mister The terrific voice cast features Tom screen return of Louisa May Alcott’s Rogers in a timely story of kind- Holland, , Rami classic novel about four sisters com- ness triumphing over cynicism. Malek and . ing of age in the aftermath of war.

12 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020

2020 MUST LIST

JAN LIKE A BOSS 09 Two female friends with very different ideals start a beauty company together in the comedy starring Rose Byrne, APR Salma Hayek and Tiffany Haddish. THE SECRET 2020 GARDEN

Colin Firth and Julie Waters lead a brilliant new take on the venerated classic children’s novel about a prickly and unloved 10-year-old girl who loses her parents and is sent back to England to live with her uncle. There, she uncovers many family secrets.

MAR THE INVISIBLE 05 MAN In a new spin, Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss) receives news of her ex- boyfriend’s suicide, only to begin sensing that he isn’t really gone.

FEB THE KING’S MAR GODZILLA 13 MAN 12 VS KONG A QUIET MAR PLACE 2 As history’s worst tyrants plot to kill The world watches to see which will 19 millions, one man must race against reign as King of the Monsters when Cillian Murphy joins Emily Blunt time to stop them. Journey back to the gigantic Kong faces off against for the follow-up to the surprise the inception of the Kingsmen in a the unstoppable Godzilla. Rebecca horror hit, with John Krasinski star-studded prequel lead by Ralph Hall, Millie Bobby Brown and returning to direct. Fiennes and Harris Dickinson. Alexander Skarsgård star.

14 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 15 2020 MUST LIST

APR BLACK 30 WIDOW Natasha Romanova (), groomed by the KGB as the ultimate operative, sets out Q4 on a quest in . THE KILLER’S 2020 GAME

In the crime romp starring and Ice Cube, a world-weary assassin who’s taken a hit out on himself finds a new reason to live when his girlfriend discovers she’s pregnant, and races across Europe to outrun his would-be killers.

THE NEW APR MUTANTS 02 MAY FAST & After several delays, the first 21 superhero horror movie finally FURIOUS 9 gets its day when five young mutants discover their abilities. Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster will be returning to the franchise, in addition to recent arrivals and . To the delight of fans, APR NO TIME newly announced 09 team members TO DIE include for- LAST NIGHT mer wrestler SEP IN SOHO Bond has left active service, but his John Cena 17 peace is short-lived when an old and Peaky A young woman is mysteriously friend turns up asking for help. What Blinders’ Finn able to enter the 1960s in Edgar is likely to be ’s final Cole. Let’s get Wright’s (Baby Driver, Shaun of turn as 007 features Rami Malek, these engines the Dead) new horror thriller. and Jeffrey Wright. started!

16 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020

2020 MUST LIST

BIOS NOV HOT 28 PROPERTY On a post-apocalyptic earth, a robot built to protect the life of his dying creator’s (Tom Hanks) beloved dog learns about what it means to be human. Q4 RUIN Justin Kurzel 2020 (Assassin’s Creed) will direct the script, which In a gritty revenge thriller starring Matthias topped the 2017 Schoenaerts and Margot Robbie, an ex-Nazi captain Black List, a list of the year’s navigates the ruins of post-WWII Germany determined most-admired to atone for his crimes during the war by hunting down unproduced the surviving members of his former SS Death Squad. scripts.

OCT ETERNALS 29 , Richard Madden and Salma Hayek suit up for the story of a race of immortal beings who shaped our history and civilisations.

JUN TOP GUN: AUG BILL & TED 25 MAVERICK 20 FACE THE MUSIC

JUL TENET 16 Do you feel the need for Thirty years after a most excellent Christopher Nolan’s speed? Well, so do we. comedy adventure, two would-be follow-up to Dunkirk is rumoured dusts off the rockers (the bodacious Keanu to be an action epic revolving pilot suit for the sequel Reeves and Alex Winter) find around international espionage, introducing a new gen- themselves as middle-aged dads time travel and evolution. eration of top guns. still trying to fulfil their destiny.

18 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 EXPERIENCE MX4D Dolby Atmos only at Grand Cinemas ABC Verdun

grandcinemasme.com 19 family fiesta ALSO SHOWING IN

FROZEN II Anna, Elsa, ix years after the global Kristoff and phenomenon, the Frozen Olaf travel sequel reunites the cast and far to solve creative team for a brand an ancient new adventure, no doubt mystery Swith tunes we’ll be singing for the next six years. Why was Elsa born with magical powers? The answer is calling her and threatening her king- IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 21 DIRECTOR CHRIS dom. Together with Anna, Kristoff, BUCK, JENNIFER LEE CAST KRISTEN BELL, IDINA MENZEL, EVAN RACHEL WOOD, JOSH Olaf and Sven, she’ll set out on a GAD, STERLING K. BROWN, JONATHAN GROFF dangerous but remarkable journey. GENRE ADVENTURE COMEDY

also THE ADDAMS showing FAMILY Get ready to snap your fingers! The first family of Halloween is back on the big screen in the first animated comedy about the kookiest family on the block, starring the voices of a large, spectacular cast of celebrities lead by Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz and Martin Short. Funny, outlandish, and completely iconic, the Addams Family redefines what it means to be a good neighbour.

20 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 ARCTIC DOGS wifty the Arctic Fox () works in the mailroom of the Arctic Blast S Delivery Service, but he has much bigger dreams. He yearns to become a Top Dog, the Arctic’s star husky couriers. To prove he can do it, he delivers a package to a secret location, and stumbles on Otto Von Walrus’ (John Cleese) villainous plan to drill beneath the snow, unleashing ancient gas to melt the Arctic and become the world’s supreme ruler. To stop this sinister scheme, Swifty SPIES IN enlists the help of his trusted friends.

IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 7I DIRECTOR AARON WOODLEY GENRE COMEDY ADVENTURE DISGUISE Welcome to

the high- uper spy Lance Sterling JEREMY HEIDI ALEC RENNER KLUM BALDWIN octane, globe- (Smith) and scientist Walter trotting world Beckett (Holland) are almost MEET THE of international exact opposites. Lance is ARCTIC espionage S suave and debonair. Walter ANJELICA JOHN is... not. But what Walter lacks in HUSTON CAST CLEESE social skills he makes up for in smarts and invention, creating the awesome gadgets Lance uses on his IN CINEMAS DECEMBER 26I DIRECTOR TROY epic missions. When events take an QUANE, NICK BRUNO CAST WILL SMITH, TOM OMAR MICHAEL JAMES HOLLAND, , KAREN GILLAN, unexpected turn, they must rely on SY MADSEN FRANCO RASHIDA JONES GENRE ACTION ADVENTURE each other in a whole new way.

DES OURS & THE SEVEN LA FAMEUSE INVASION EN SICILE OMAR W BISAT EL REEH RED SHOES DWARFS To find his long lost son and food to Hodja, a boy from Pjort, borrows a Princes bewitched into dwarfs seek the survive the winter, the great bear king flying carpet to see the world. In return red shoes of a lady in order to break leads his clan down from the mountains he must complete a mission: to find and the spell. Chloë Grace Moretz leads the and into the world of men. return Diamond to her grandfather. cast in this parody with a twist.

grandcinemasme.com 21 family fiesta 2020 rundown ONWARD MAR 5 Tom Holland and Chris Pratt are elf brothers in the Pixar offering. TROLLS WORLD TOUR MAR 19 The fluffy crew takes the music show on the road. MULAN MAR 26 Disney’s beloved warrior princess makes her live- action debut. PETER RABBIT 2 APR 3 NORM OF THE NORTH 3: Margot Robbie joins James Corden in Peter’s KING SIZED ADVENTURE new adventure. e’s back, bigger and better SOUL Have no JUN 18 than ever, and he’s ready to Pixar takes us fear, the get things done! Before plan- on a profound polar bear H ning an awesome wedding journey, featuring king is for his grandfather, our favourite Jamie Foxx. here! polar bear king must complete a daring mission. With the help of his MINIONS 2 JUL 2 Lemming friends, Norm embarks on Discover Gru’s a journey across the world to help IN CINEMAS SOON DIRECTOR RICHARD FINN origin story in CAST ALAN MARRIOTT, ANDREW TOTH, BRIAN recover an artifact from a villainous the bananalicious DOBSON GENRE ADVENTURE COMEDY archaeologist named Dexter. sequel. THE WITCHES OCT 15 The Roald Dahl classic gets an adaptation with Ann Hathaway. THE CROODS 2 DEC 24 The prehistoric Croods are challenged by a rival family.

22 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020

MIDWAY BEST OF EMMERICH

INDEPENDENCE DAY

THE PATRIOT

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW

24 GRAND CINEMAS JUL/AUG 2019 Spotlight

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE ENEMY ARRIVES AT YOUR SHORE? ROLAND EMMERICH DIRECTS A BATTALION OF STARS IN THE EPIC TRUE STORY OF THE BATTLE THAT TURNED THE TIDES OF WAR

he Battle of Midway, a clash between the American fleet and Imperial Japanese Navy, marked a turning point in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The film, based on the real-life events of this heroic MIDWAY feat, tells the story of the leaders and sol- diers who used their instincts, fortitude and bravery toT overcome the odds. It’s a real-life story of brother- hood and camaraderie, and the determination and sacrifice of real-life military heroes to secure victory. Having been decimated by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor only six months earlier, the U.S. Navy was desperately outmanned and outgunned heading into the Battle of Midway. The U.S. military held on to one great advantage: its intelligence operations and collective grit were strongly underes- timated. MIDWAY takes audiences deep inside the complex decision-making of ttactical command – and then straps them inside a bomber ALSO cockpit to experience the most visceral SHOWING IN on-screen telling of one of the great- est battles in warfare history.

IN CINEMAS NOVEMBER 21 DIRECTOR ROLAND EMMERICH CAST ED SKREIN, PATRICK WILSON, , , NICK JONAS, MANDY MOORE, , GENRE ACTION WAR EPIC 138 MINS

grandcinemasme.com 25 TIMELINE TO VICTORY

MARCH 1939 We talk to the massive cast Hitler invades A BATTLEabout the heroic characters that LIKE NO OTHER Czechoslovakia changed the course of history INTELLIGENCE 3 SEPTEMBER Still recovering from Pearl Harbour, US forces relied heavily on 1939 their code-breakers and Britain and intelligence. France declare war on Germany

26 MAY 1940 Dunkirk AKA Operation Dynamo

10 JULY - 31 OCTOBER 1940 Battle of DICK BEST LT COMMANDER ADMIRAL NIMITZ Britain ED SKREIN EDWIN LAYTON WOODY 7 DECEMBER PATRICK WILSON HARRELSON 1941 You see several What I found very After Pearl Harbour, Pearl Harbour versions of Best interesting about him there was a lot of throughout the story. was that he was known pressure on the United 8 DECEMBER First, there’s the cocky as being dry and quick- States to rebuild these 1941 guy who turns off his witted. I think he knew ships quickly, and Britain and US plane’s engine to prove that and used it to his do what they could declare war on to himself he knew how advantage. When you’re to become a power. Japan to land without it. After talking about Military Admiral Nimitz was the Pearl Harbor, [he’s] on a Intelligence... there were right man for the job. one-man mission to win many people who didn’t He was a relentless, JUNE 1942 the war. We ultimately see quite understand it. If you hard-working and Battle of a Best with all of his old worked in Intelligence, thoughtful guy who Midway qualities and emotional you were different from made critical decisions literacy and intelligence. the average soldier or that changed the A true leader of his men. seaman. course of the war. 6 JUNE 1944 D-Day (Allied invasion of ADMIRAL YAMAMOTO Normandy) ETSUSHI TOYOKAWA Yamamoto knew America well, 25 AUGUST and believed there was no chance 1944 to easily win a war with it. That’s Paris liberated why the first action he took was to attack Pearl Harbor. After Pearl 8 MAY 1945 Harbor, the Battle of Midway was a VE Day (Victory big turning point; Japan may have in Europe) won the war if it won at Midway. A BATTLE LIKE NO OTHER MEET THE CAST OF REAL - LIFE HEROES

BATTLESHIPS The Japanese fleet was double that of the US with 4 carriers, 7 battleships and 150 WADE MCCLUSKY JIMMY ANN BEST support ships. WILLIAM LUKE EVANS DOOLITTLE MANDY “BULL” HALSEY AARON ECKHART MOORE DENNIS QUAID

McClusky is a little His personality and Ann and Dick are Halsey was no fan of older than the pilots his attention to detail real partners in their the army brass and was he’s in charge of. He’s were legendary. Doolittle relationship. There’s a known for taking matters experienced much more, and his men knew deep mutual appreciation, into his own hands. and he leads by example. they wouldn’t have the and affection for one He had his own style, What McClusky does... necessary fuel to return another. This isn’t a one- and was brash. But his makes him one of the to the carrier. There were dimensional war movie. connection with his men heroes of the war. As 72 Doolittle Raiders and You’re not just seeing the made him a great leader, much as Midway is a film they all agreed to go on heroics of these men. particularly of so many with huge set pieces and the mission, despite the You’re getting a slice of inexperienced and young big airborne battles, it’s incredible odds against their home life, with their men, some little more also about a brotherhood its success. Some of families and wives, and than boys. They looked at and the union of these them ended up in the sea, a better understanding of Halsey as a father figure pilots risking their lives many of them crashed, what they’re fighting for who was going to get on a daily basis. and some died. and what’s at stake. them through this.

BRUNO GAIDO NICK JONAS AEROPLANES I have an affinity for stories with a focus Despite massive odds, the US on brotherhood and camaraderie. Maybe lost only 150 aircraft to the Japanese airforce’s that’s because I am close to my brothers. I 248 losses. wanted to do justice to Bruno because he was a real American hero. A really important moment for me was when I put the costume on. I thought back to pictures of my grandfather, who served in the military, and immediately sent a picture of me in costume to my grandmother.

grandcinemasme.com 27 NOW SHOWING AND COMING SOON AT GRAND CINEMAS

PARADISE HILLS DIRECTOR ALICE WADDINGTON CAST EMMA ROBERTS, MILLA JOVOVICH, , EIZA GONZALEZ GENRE FANTASY THRILLER COMING SOON

n outspoken young woman named Uma (Roberts) A young A wakes up one morning in woman is sent Paradise Hills, a high-class treatment facility on an isolated Mediterranean to be reformed island led by the Duchess (Jovovich). at a remote Here, well-off families send their facility only daughters to become perfect versions of themselves. Through individu- to learn that ally calibrated treatment regimens the beautiful including etiquette classes, beauty treatments and restricted diets, all exterior physical and emotional shortcom- hides a ings are resolved within two months. sinister Transformation is guaranteed. Uma finds solace and friendship secret in other Paradise Hills residents. But Uma soon realises that lurking behind all this beauty is a sinister secret. It’s a race against the clock as Uma and her friends try to escape Paradise Hills before it consumes them all.

28 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 ALL RELEASE DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

HOW TO FIGHT THE SYSTEM Director Alice Waddington brings us a provocative thriller – both Gothic and ALSO futuristic – about universal SHOWING IN female fears, and the brave women and men who stand up for their rights. and Ella Balinska are working for Question the CHARLIE’S the mysterious Charles Townsend, status quo whose security and investigative ANGELS agency has expanded internation- DIRECTOR ELIZABETH BANKS CAST KRISTEN STEWART, DJIMON HOUNSOU, SAM CLAFLIN ally. With the world’s smartest, GENRE ACTION THRILLER OUT NOV 14 bravest, and most highly trained women all over the globe, there are n director Elizabeth now teams of Angels guided by mul- Banks’ bold vision, Kristen tiple Bosleys taking on the toughest I Stewart, Naomi Scott jobs everywhere.

REAL DEAL Decide your The turbo- charged tale is own destiny based on true events that took place in the run-up to Le Mans ‘66.

Carroll Shelby Choose who and Ken Miles you love Shelby and the fearless British LE MANS ‘66 driver Ken Miles, who together DIRECTOR JAMES MANGOLD CAST MATT battled corporate interference and DAMON, CHRISTIAN BALE, JON BERNTHAL, CAITRIONA BALFE, NOAH JUPE GENRE ACTION the laws of physics to BIO OUT NOV 28 build a revolution- ary race car to ALSO scar winners Matt Damon take on Ferrari SHOWING IN and Christian Bale star in at the 24 Hours O the true story of the vision- of Le Mans in ary American car designer Carroll France in 1966.

grandcinemasme.com 29 A PROFOUND JOURNEY THROUGH THE 5 STAGES OF GRIEF Johnny Depp gives a knockout performance as a man facing the worst news he’ll ever receive.

Denial

RICHARD SAYS GOODBYE Anger

DIRECTOR WAYNE ROBERTS CAST JOHNNY DEPP, DANNY HUSTON, ROSEMARIE DEWITT, ZOEY DEUTCH, ODESSA YOUNG GENRE COMEDY DRAMA COMING SOON

hen a world weary col- lege professor is given a W life-changing diagnosis he decides to throw all pretense and Bargaining conventions to the wind and live his life as boldly and freely as possible. We have With a biting sense of humour, a become a reckless streak, and a touch of mad- culture of fear and ness, he binges through every vice – if I can try and drinking, smoking, sex and hurling insults at anyone who annoys him, steer anyone out giving him more pleasure than he’s of that trap, that had in years. His bravura assault Depression arena of fear, and on the status quo as he runs out the literally just say, clock leads him to come to terms ‘F*** it, I’m living.’ with the truth and embrace the JOHNNY DEPP people he loves for a final hurrah. Don’t miss the hilarious and devas- tating comedy drama about how one man decides to live life to the fullest at the very moment he’s faced with the end of his journey. Acceptance

30 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 31 MUSIC BEAT

HIGH STRUNG: FREE DANCE

DIRECTOR MICHAEL DAMIAN CAST THOMAS pianist in New York’s most antici- DOHERTY, JULIET DOHERTY, JANE SEYMOUR, ACE BHATTI, DESMOND RICHARDSON GENRE pated new Broadway show. In the DANCE ROMANCE COMING SOON sequel to the hit movie High Strung, more than 120 international dancers t’s passion on the dance come together with a dream-team floor as a young chore- of filmmakers for a dramatic love I ographer casts a contem- story set in the thrilling world of porary dancer and an innovative professional dance.

NINE LIVES The hit musical first played on the stage in 1981.

JUDY OUT DEC 12 director Tom Hooper’s (The King’s Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy CATS Garland (played by Renée Zellweger in a Speech, Les Misérables, The Danish stunning performance) arrives in Swinging DIRECTOR TOM HOOPER CAST JAMES CORDEN, Girl) take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s , IDRIS ELBA, JENNIFER HUDSON, London to perform a five-week sold-out IAN MCKELLEN, TAYLOR SWIFT, REBEL WILSON, beloved smash musical. The story run. It is 30 years since she shot to global GENRE CRIME 110 MINS OUT DEC 26 follows a tribe of cats called the stardom in The Wizard of Oz, but if her voice Jellicles, who must decide yearly has weakened, its dramatic intensity has only grown. Featuring some of her best- tellar doesn’t even begin which of them will ascend to the known songs, the film celebrates the voice, to describe the talented Heaviside Layer and come back to a love, and sheer pizzazz of “the world’s S cast of Oscar-winning new Jellicle life. greatest entertainer.”

32 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020

LE FILM SYBIL DIRECTOR JUSTINE TRIET CAST VIRGINIE EFIRA, ADÈLE EXARCHOPOULOS, GASPARD FRANCOPHONE ULLIEL, SANDRA HÜLLER GENRE DRAMA 100 MINS COMING SOON

ark memories intrude on Sibyl’s otherwise mended D life. Perhaps that’s why she hits the brakes on her day job, dropping multiple patients to spend more time working on her first novel – only for the blinking cursor on her screen to glare back at her. In need of a distraction, she takes on a new client: young, fragile actress Margot, who’s mired in a hellish love triangle with Igor, the dreamy, preening leading man on her latest film, and Mika, her jeal- ous, demanding director. Will this be the writing inspiration that Sibyl needs or another drop into despair?

A love triangle fuels a writer’s dark imagination

LES MISÉRABLES DIRECTOR LADJ LY CAST DAMIEN BONNARD, ALEXIS MANENTI, DJIBRIL ZONGA GENRE CRIME DRAMA OUT NOV 28

hen Stéphane joins the Anti-Crime Brigade W of Montfermeil, he doesn’t know what’s in store for him. Meeting his new teammates, Chris and Gwada, he soon discov- ers the tensions that exist between the different groups of the district.

34 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 DEMI SOEURS COMING SOON Lauren, a 29-year-old IT-girl, tries to break into the world of fashion by crashing Parisian parties. Olivia, a 28-year-old psychologist, has two obsessions: to save the her parents’ shop and to find an ideal husband. At the age of 26, Salma, a fiery young history teacher, still lives with her mother in the suburbs. Their roads have no reason to cross - until the day when, on the death of the biological father they never knew, they inherit together a splendid Parisian apartment. For these three sisters who have nothing in common, cohabitation will prove to be explosive, to say the least. An adventure is in store for three strangers who learn they are sisters

obsessed with video games, the idea DONNE-MOI of ​​spending a holiday with his father in the wilderness is a nightmare. DES AILES But when threatens DIRECTOR NICOLAS VANIER CAST JEAN-PAUL ROUVE, MÉLANIE DOUTEY, LILOU FOGLI a flock of Christian’s subject’s, there GENRE ADVENTURE COMING SOON is hope for them all. Father and son will come together for a crazy proj- hristian, a visionary sci- ect: saving an endangered species. entist, studies wild geese. So begins an incredible and perilous C For his son, a teenager journey that will mend the divide.

grandcinemasme.com 35 TRUE COURAGE

DARK WATERS OUT DEC 5 In a film inspired by a shocking true story, an attorney () uncovers a dark secret that connects a growing number of unexplained deaths to one of the world’s largest corporations. BALLOON

DIRECTOR MICHAEL HERBIG CAST FRIEDRICH MÜCKE, ANTJE TRAUE, DAVID KROSS GENRE WAR SUSPENSE BIO COMING SOON A MILLION LITTLE PIECES n 1979 in East Germany, OUT DEC 5 two ordinary families A young aspiring writer in the I bottom of his addictions is longing for freedom interned in a facility to face his secretly form a great escape plan to traumatic past. Aaron Taylor- get across to the West in a hot air Johnson, Odessa Young and Billy balloon in the incredible true story. Bob Thornton star.

BOMBSHELL DIRECTOR JAY ROACH CAST , CHARLIZE THERON, ALLISON JANNEY, MARGOT ROBBIE GENRE DRAMA OUT DEC 19

tarring Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot S Robbie, based on the real scandal, Bombshell is a revealing look inside the most powerful and controversial media empire of all time; and the explosive story of the women who brought down the infamous man who created it.

36 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 37 MADE IN LEBANON

YERBO BI EZZKON

DIRECTOR DAVID ORIAN CAST AMMAR SHALAK, GABRIEL YAMMINE, PAMELA EL KIK, ROLA BEKSMATI, SHADY HADDAD, RAMI ATALLAH, WITH TAKLA CHAMOUN, NICOLAS DANIEL, WAFAA TARABAY, JOSEPH ACAF, GHIDA MAJZOUB, HIND KHADRA, ANTOINE KASSABIAN, SOPHIA FAKHRY, FADY MITREH, ZEINA ZIADEH, AND SAMER EL ACHI GENRE AMMAR SHALAK PAMELA EL KIK ROLA BEKSMATI COMEDY DRAMA COMING SOON

n exceptional social comedy from director A David Orian follows two couples from completely different social and financial backgrounds — SHADY HADDAD RAMI ATALLAH GABRIEL YAMMINE one extravagantly rich (Pamela el Kik, Shady Haddad) and the other I simply haven’t received any good miserably poor (Ammar Shalak, cinema scripts lately... until I received Rola Beksmati). When these two Yerbo bi Ezzkon. Such a deep scenario and polar opposite pairs find themselves smart plot that reflects Lebanese society – having to share the same hospital and even the world – beautifully, showing maternity room, mayhem soon ensues. Some of Lebanon’s favourite AMMAR SHALAK the contrasts in society. stars come together to tell a moving and relevant story about bringing new life into this world in Yerbo Bi Ezzkon (C-Section).

38 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 COMEDY CENTRAL

FAKEBOOK DIRECTOR ELIE HABIB CAST ABDO CHAHINE, BADIH ABOU CHACRA, CARLOS SING IT! AZAR, DOUJA HIJAZI GENRE ACTION CRIME The film features THRILLER OUT DEC 19 LAST George Michael’s holiday classic as well as unreleased n a world where CHRISTMAS DIRECTOR PAUL FEIG CAST EMILIA CLARKE, material by the artist. even his brothers in HENRY GOLDING, EMMA THOMPSON, MICHELLE I arms are against him, YEOH GENRE ROMANCE COMEDY OUT NOV 21 38-year-old police officer Rawad when he walks into her life and Fakhoury executes a mission ate (Emilia Clarke) har- starts to see through so many of impossible to provide a kidney umphs around London, a Kate’s barriers. As London trans- for his dying daughter. The clock K bundle of bad decisions forms into the most wonderful time is ticking and there’s no one to accompanied by the jangle of bells of the year, nothing should work for trust but himself in Fakebook. on her shoes, a consequence of these two. But sometimes, you gotta The crime thriller from director her job as an elf in a year-round let the snow fall where it may, you Elie Habib (Vitamin, Wilaneh, Christmas shop. Tom (Henry gotta listen to your heart … and you Habbet Caramel) stars Abdo Golding) seems too good to be true gotta have faith. Chahine, best known for his memorable performances in Very Big Shot and hit series Al Hayba. Why would you create a fake Facebook account? The new thriller follows one man’s desperate cause

encroaching wildfire, they quickly PLAYING WITH FIRE realise that no amount of training DIRECTOR ANDY FICKMAN CAST JOHN CENA, KEEGAN-MICHAEL KEY, JOHN LEGUIZAMO, could prepare them for their most JUDY GREER GENRE COMEDY OUT NOV 7 challenging job yet – babysitters. Unable to locate the children’s par- hen expert firefighters ents, the firefighters have their lives, come to the rescue of three jobs and fire depot turned upside W siblings in the path of an down these unpredictable forces.

grandcinemasme.com 39 EPIC ADVENTURE ALSO SHOWING IN

n the follow-up to the JUMANJI: massive hit, the gang is I back but the game has changed. As they return to Jumanji THE NEXT to rescue one of their own, they dis- LEVEL cover that nothing is as they expect. DIRECTOR JAKE KASDAN CAST DWAYNE The players will have to brave parts JOHNSON, JACK BLACK, KEVIN HART, KAREN unknown and unexplored, from the GILLAN, NICK JONAS, AWKWAFINA, DANNY arid deserts to the snowy moun- GLOVER, DANNY DEVITO, SER’DARIUS BLAIN, MADISON ISEMAN, MORGAN TURNER GENRE tains, in order to escape the world’s ACTION SCI-FI OUT DEC 12 most dangerous game. : THE RISE OF SKYWALKER DIRECTOR J.J. ABRAMS CAST , OSCAR ISAAC, MARK HAMILL, CARRIE FISHER, LUPITA NYONG’O, DOMHNALL GLEESON GENRE ACTION THRILLER OUT DEC 19

ourney to a galaxy far, far away in an all-new epic ALSO J adventure that sees the SHOWING IN surviving Resistance facing the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.

40 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 41 WHODUNNIT? In a brilliant mystery, features a star-studded CRIME cast of suspects. BUFF

KNIVES OUT

DIRECTOR CAST DANIEL CRAIG, pect. When renowned crime novelist , , , , ANA DE ARMAS, Harlan Thrombey is found dead at GENRE CRIME MYSTERY OUT NOV 28 his estate just after his 85th birthday, debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is ian Johnson pays tribute mysteriously enlisted to investigate. to in a From Harlan’s dysfunctional family to R fresh, modern-day murder his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through mystery where everyone is a sus- the evidence to uncover the truth.

THE GOOD LIAR OUT DEC 5 In a drama that pairs Helen Mirren and pair of cop killers after uncovering Ian McKellen on the big screen for the 21 BRIDGES a massive conspiracy. As the night DIRECTOR BRIAN KIRK CAST CHADWICK first time, career con artist Roy Courtnay BOSEMAN, SIENNA MILLER, TAYLOR KITSCH, unfolds, lines become blurred and can hardly believe his luck when he J.K. SIMMONS GENRE CRIME OUT NOV 21 extreme measures are taken to meets well-to-do widow Betty McLeish prevent the killers from escaping online. As Betty opens her home and life to him, Roy is surprised to find himself n embattled NYPD as the authorities close caring about her, turning what should detective is thrust into a all 21 bridges to prevent any entry be a cut-and-dry swindle into the most A citywide manhunt for a or exit from the iconic island. treacherous tightrope walk of his life.

42 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020

HORROR NON-STOP UNLEASHED THRILLS

DOCTOR SLEEP

THE ROOM MIKE FLANAGAN EWAN DIRECTOR CAST OUT DEC 26 MCGREGOR, REBECCA FERGUSONN GENRE HORROR MYSTERY OUT NOV 21 Kate and Matt move into an old house and soon discover a hidden room that has the extraordinary till irrevocably scarred power to materialise anything they by the trauma he wish for. Their new life becomes S endured as a child, Dan a true fairytale. They indulge 1980 Torrance has fought to find some their every material desire. Yet semblance of peace. But that peace beneath this apparent state of bliss, something darker lurks. The is shattered when he encounters Room could very well turn their Abra, a courageous teenager with dream into a nightmare when it her own powerful extrasensory gives them what they’ve been gift, known as the “shine.” Abra waiting forever and that nature 2019 has sought him out, desperate for was denying them. his help against the merciless True Doctor Sleep continues the story Knot, who feed off the shine of of Danny Torrance, 40 years after innocents. Compelled by Abra’s his terrifying stay at the Overlook fearless embrace of her shine, Hotel in The Shining. Dan calls upon his own powers as never before – reawakening the ghosts of the past.

BLACK CHRISTMAS OUT DEC 12 CODE 8 Hawthorne College is quieting down OUT DEC 5 for the holidays. But as Riley Stone In a world where people with () and her Mu Kappa special abilities are living in Epsilon sisters prepare for the seasonal poverty, Conner joins a crime ring parties, a black-masked stalker begins to pay for his mother’s medical killing sorority women one by one. treatment and soon finds himself clashing with a militarised police.

44 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020

5HOT PRIMAL Nicolas Cage stalks wild prey and an assassin in the upcoming action thriller There’s a deadly jaguar A big-game hunter for zoos has booked passage on a Greek shipping freighter with a fresh haul of exotic and deadly animals from the 1 Amazon, including a rare white jaguar. … and also an assassin On the very same vessel, US authorities are transporting a political assassin in secret. He soon escapes and releases the captive animals, 2 throwing the ship into chaos. Luckily, Nic Cage is on board Who doesn’t want to see Nicolas Cage amid this madness? As seasoned hunter Frank Walsh, he must use all his skills to rein in the 3 wild beasts… and the human ones too. Action pros are at the helm Primal reunites Cage with his Outcast director Nick Powell, whose stunts have formed the action backbone for films like X-Men: The Last 4 Stand and The Bourne Identity. The crew is lit! Joining Powell and Cage on this nightmarish cruise are favourites Jean Grey herself, Famke Janssen, Kevin Durand (X-Men Origins: 5 Wolverine) and goodfella Michael Imperioli.

46 GRAND CINEMAS NOV 2019 – JAN 2020 grandcinemasme.com 47