Don't expect Lord of the Rings fans to attend any social gatherings this weekend as season two of The Rings of Power returns. Meanwhile, Oscar-winning director Lee Daniels assembles a group of acclaimed actors for his horror film, which is based on a true story.
Apple TV+ is also jumping into the K-pop craze with a new series that offers fans an intimate look behind the scenes at the lives of three top artists. And the creator of the hit Spanish show Elite returns with a medical drama, featuring a few known faces.
Here are some of the latest music, movies and shows to stream this week.
New shows to stream
The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power season two (Prime Video, August 29)
Set thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, The Rings of Power was a critical and commercial success following its release in 2022, becoming Prime Video's most-watched original series.
Building on season one, the second is set to plunge its most beloved characters into even more darkness, challenging each to find their place. "As friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, elves, dwarves, orcs, men, wizards and Harfoots face a growing struggle," reads a Prime Video teaser. "In the face of mounting adversity, the forces of good fight fiercely to hold on to what matters to them the most: each other."
The first three episodes of season two will be released on Thursday, with subsequent new episodes released weekly.
Kaos (Netflix, August 29)
Jeff Goldblum gives Greek mythology a modern spin in this dark comedy by acclaimed British writer and actor Charlie Covell. Set in contemporary times, Goldblum plays Zeus, the cruel and stylish ruler of the gods. One day, he discovers a wrinkle on his forehead, which causes him to fear that his end is near. His paranoia is not entirely unfounded, however, as it is soon revealed that old enemies and his own family are scheming to bring him down. As the balance in the universe is threatened, it's up to three disparate humans to save the world and restore balance.
“Charlie Covell’s writing leapt off the page and struck my gizzard like a lightning bolt as something spectacularly smart, surprising, unexpected, profound and deeply moving," Goldblum recently said of the show.
K-Pop Idols (Apple TV+, August 30)
Apple TV+ is not the first place you'd turn to for K-pop content, but its new six-part series promises to offer fans an unprecedented backstage pass into the musical lives of beloved artist Jessi, boy band Cravity and girl group Blackswan. The series follows Jessi as she embarks on her first solo tour; Cravity navigate the pressures of impressing their agency; and Blackswan grapple with internal tensions and dramatic shake-ups.
"As the journey unfolds, audiences will experience the highs and lows of the K-pop world, from international performances and family connections to unexpected news and pivotal career decisions," reads the description on Apple TV+. "The series culminates in a powerful exploration of dreams, reality and the relentless drive to succeed on the global stage – as a K-pop idol."
Breathless (Netflix, August 30)
From Carlos Montero, the creator of the hit show Elite, comes Netflix's answer to Grey's Anatomy. The Spanish show stars several recognised faces including Manu Rios (Elite) and Najwa Nimri (Money Heist).
Set in a hospital called the Joaquin Sorolla, the show follows the lives of doctors and residents working in a frenetic environment where lives are saved and emotions and tensions run high every single minute. But when a strike breaks out in the hospital, cutting off essential supplies and services, hierarchies and loyalties are tested with potentially lethal consequences.
Wa Baynaa Miead (OSN+, September 1)
This new Arabic drama follows the lives of two blended families – Hassan, a widower, who's raising four sons, and Nadia, a widow, who has four daughters. As their lives intertwine, they confront societal expectations and deal with grief, while navigating the complexity of their situation. Along the way, the show deals with themes of love, loss and resilience.
New movies to stream
The Deliverance (Netflix, August 30)
Daniels brings together an A-list cast for his horror film, which is based on a true story. Starring Andra Day, Glenn Close and Caleb McLaughlin, the film follows Ebony Jackson (Day), a struggling single mother who moves her family into a new home for a fresh start. But when strange occurrences inside the home raise the suspicions of Child Protective Services, Ebony finds herself fighting for her life and the souls of her children.
New music to stream
Telos by Zedd (August 30)
It's been almost 10 years since the DJ and producer released his last album, 2015's True Colors, which featured hits such as I Want You to Know featuring Selena Gomez.
In the run-up to the release of his latest album, Telos, Zedd revealed how he started writing Out of Time, the album's first single featuring Bea Miller, back in 2015 but was never able to finish it. That changed when he met Miller.
"Her voice added an emotional depth that completed the song," he said. "Out of Time really encapsulates the DNA of the Telos album, which is why I chose it to be the song that introduces this new era."
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
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How The Debt Panel's advice helped readers in 2019
December 11: 'My husband died, so what happens to the Dh240,000 he owes in the UAE?'
JL, a housewife from India, wrote to us about her husband, who died earlier this month. He left behind an outstanding loan of Dh240,000 and she was hoping to pay it off with an insurance policy he had taken out. She also wanted to recover some of her husband’s end-of-service liabilities to help support her and her son.
“I have no words to thank you for helping me out,” she wrote to The Debt Panel after receiving the panellists' comments. “The advice has given me an idea of the present status of the loan and how to take it up further. I will draft a letter and send it to the email ID on the bank’s website along with the death certificate. I hope and pray to find a way out of this.”
November 26: ‘I owe Dh100,000 because my employer has not paid me for a year’
SL, a financial services employee from India, left the UAE in June after quitting his job because his employer had not paid him since November 2018. He owes Dh103,800 on four debts and was told by the panellists he may be able to use the insolvency law to solve his issue.
SL thanked the panellists for their efforts. "Indeed, I have some clarity on the consequence of the case and the next steps to take regarding my situation," he says. "Hopefully, I will be able to provide a positive testimony soon."
October 15: 'I lost my job and left the UAE owing Dh71,000. Can I return?'
MS, an energy sector employee from South Africa, left the UAE in August after losing his Dh12,000 job. He was struggling to meet the repayments while securing a new position in the UAE and feared he would be detained if he returned. He has now secured a new job and will return to the Emirates this month.
“The insolvency law is indeed a relief to hear,” he says. "I will not apply for insolvency at this stage. I have been able to pay something towards my loan and credit card. As it stands, I only have a one-month deficit, which I will be able to recover by the end of December."
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
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Director: Saeed Roustaee
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The%20Beekeeper
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDavid%20Ayer%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EJason%20Statham%2C%20Josh%20Hutcherson%2C%20Emmy%20Raver-Lampman%2C%20Minnie%20Driver%2C%20Jeremy%20Irons%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa
Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong
Rating: 3/5
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Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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