Daniel Kaluuya, centre, puts in an Oscar-worthy performance in 'Judas and the Black Messiah'. AP
Daniel Kaluuya, centre, puts in an Oscar-worthy performance in 'Judas and the Black Messiah'. AP
Daniel Kaluuya, centre, puts in an Oscar-worthy performance in 'Judas and the Black Messiah'. AP
Daniel Kaluuya, centre, puts in an Oscar-worthy performance in 'Judas and the Black Messiah'. AP

'Judas and the Black Messiah' review: Daniel Kaluuya makes compelling case for an Oscar with astounding performance


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JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars

It won't be a surprise to hear that Daniel Kaluuya's performance as Fred Hampton in Judas and the Black Messiah is genuinely astounding.

The first trailer for the biopic all but confirmed Kaluuya had truly embodied the chairman of Chicago’s Black Panther Party chapter throughout the late 1960s. But it’s still remarkable to see just how much heart, power, fragility and charisma the actor brings to the role, all while making sure Hampton feels real and relatable.

Even though it's impossible not to be transfixed by his presence whenever he's on screen, Judas and the Black Messiah isn't simply a vehicle for Kaluuya's talent. The film is too rich, deep and original for that, as co-writer and director Shaka King uses Hampton's life and achievements to present a raw and timely look at racism in the US.

This might be King's second feature film after 2013's Newlyweeds, but his mastery of the camera, intelligent structuring and eye for detail instantly secures his place as one of Hollywood's most exciting filmmakers.

Cinematographer Sean Bobbitt deserves as much kudos, as he manages to perfectly toe the line between beautiful and gritty, without being indulgent. King and his crew's work is more than matched by those in front of the camera.

The aforementioned Kaluuya will undoubtedly take most of the plaudits, and is surely now the front-runner for Best Supporting Actor at this year’s Oscars in April, but his co-stars more than hold their own.

That's particularly true of LaKeith Stanfield, whose character William O'Neal is the Judas in the title, and for all intents and purposes is actually the biopic's lead. After the petty criminal is arrested for impersonating a police officer, because a "badge is scarier than a gun", O'Neal becomes an informant for the FBI, infiltrates the Black Panther Party and becomes close with Hampton.

Stanfield has a much tougher role than Kaluuya, as he has to get his inner turmoil across in a subtle yet still powerful manner. Not only does he achieve this with aplomb, but he also manages to build a genuine rapport with Kaluuya, and their performances exquisitely complement each other.

Dominique Fishback is also revelatory as Hampton’s girlfriend, Deborah Johnson, bringing a tenderness and realism that is essential to the film’s success, while Jesse Plemons, as O’Neal’s FBI handler, continues to make any film better with his presence.

LaKeith Stanfield, foreground centre, plays William O’Neal, the Judas in the film's title. AP
LaKeith Stanfield, foreground centre, plays William O’Neal, the Judas in the film's title. AP

Of course, in the context of last summer's protests after the murder of George Floyd and the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, Judas and the Black Messiah feels all the more integral. More than 50 years after the events of the film, you can't help but recognise how these problems are still prevalent.

The emotional beats of the script might be a tad too familiar, while the performances are so good you're actually left wanting more depth to the characters, but these minor foibles are eclipsed by an exuberance and vitalness that keep you hooked all the way through to its thought-provoking conclusion.

All of which means Judas and the Black Messiah is as riveting as it is provocative. So much so that, even though we're barely into this year, it's impossible not to label it as one of the best films of 2021.

Judas and the Black Messiah will be released in UAE cinemas on Thursday, February 18

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

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7.05pm Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 1,200m

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8.15pm UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (TB) Dh183,650 (D) 1,400m

9.50pm Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m

What She Ate: Six Remarkable Women & the Food That Tells Their Stories
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Museum of the Future in numbers
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  •  30,000 square metres is its total area
  •  17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
  •  14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
  •  1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior 
  •  7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
  •  2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
  •  100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
  •  Dh145 is the price of a ticket

Sui Dhaaga: Made in India

Director: Sharat Katariya

Starring: Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav

3.5/5

Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books

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British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.

Company%20profile
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4.35pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Wafy, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m; Winner: Wildman Jack, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill.

5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

6.20pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m; Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Matterhorn, Mickael Barzalona, Salem bin Ghadayer.

7.30pm: Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Loxley, Mickael Barzalona, Charlie Appleby.

Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Company profile

Company name: Suraasa

Started: 2018

Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker

Based: India, UAE and the UK

Industry: EdTech

Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding

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EPL's youngest
  • Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
    15 years, 181 days old
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    15 years, 235 days old
  • Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
    15 years, 271 days old
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    16 years, 30 days old
  • Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
    16 years, 68 days old
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

War 2

Director: Ayan Mukerji

Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana

Rating: 2/5

Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m, Winner: Zalman, Pat Cosgrave (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Hisham Al Khalediah II, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Qader, Adrie de Vries, Jean de Roualle

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Listed (PA) Dh180,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly

8pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (T) 1,400m, Winner: Nayslayer, Bernardo Pinheiro, Jaber Ramadhan

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
WOMAN AND CHILD

Director: Saeed Roustaee

Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi

Rating: 4/5

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
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  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH

Directed by: Shaka King

Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons

Four stars