Staff Writer

Although bestselling American author David Baldacci is better known for his thriller novels, he has managed to write One Summer beautifully. The novel tells the story of a family torn apart by a sudden death, but brought together by a miracle. It follows the characters as they reconcile, overcome their loss and grow closer.

The title is a huge spoiler, which shows just how much of a plot this film has. Set in 1873, aliens want to take over Earth for its supply of gold. They swoop around in fancy alien planes blowing stuff up and abducting people to figure out the weaknesses of the human race. However, when they zoom in on Arizona and abduct half of the townsfolk, including a rich rancher's (Ford) kid, they've finally messed with the wrong guy.

On your way up to the sixth floor of the Platinum Mall on Mohandiseen's busy Shehab Street, you'll get the perfect warm-up as you stretch your calves, making your way up on the mostly broken down escalators. After floor upon floor of dark and deserted shop spaces, you'll finally reach Platinum Gym.

Dining is more than just eating. When we dine out, we look for delicious food, amiable service and a comforting atmosphere. When a restaurant has none of these features, it makes you wonder why it's still in business.

D'Artagnan (Lerman) is a poor country boy and son of a former musketeer with dreams of following in his father's footsteps. He goes to Paris to join the musketeers, where he meets Athos (Macfadyen), Porthos (Stevenson) and Aramis (Evans), the three musketeers who inform him that their golden era is over due to the lack of any real rallying cause. So they fritter away their time drinking and picking petty fights with the Cardinal's (Waltz) guards while pining away for the days of yore.

As per usual with Amr Diab's albums, the whole of Egypt seemed to be on the edge of their seats waiting for the release of Banadeek Ta'ala (I'm Calling You, Come). And as always, the anticipation has been so high that once again songs were leaked online before the official release. However, even the online leaks didn't stop queues of fans from lining up outside shops, waiting patiently to get their copies.

Egyptian sandwich shops seem to be taking a step up in style and innovation when it comes to presentation; from the names of their meals to the menu design and ordering process. It is also one way to compete with the bigger fast food chains and stand out amidst the growing numbers of sandwich joints in Cairo.

After Mubarak's pictures were taken down off the streets, you'd think that the glorification of political leaders had come to an end. Apparently, Picasso Gallery in Zamalek disagree and have launched a group exhibition of artwork commemorating former president Gamal Abd El Nasser, which was inaugurated by his daughter Hoda. The exhibition is titled ‘Abd El Nasser - The Dream' and remembers Abd El Nasser as a leader through various artwork.

Crazy, Stupid, Love recounts three intertwined love stories spanning three different generations. First you have forty-something Cal (Carell) and Emily (Moore). Emily is cheating on Cal with David (Bacon) and wants a divorce. A distraught Cal meets the much younger ladies' man Jacob (Gosling), who teaches Cal his womanising ways and then falls for Hannah (Stone), the only woman who's ever spurned his advances.

If you're not familiar with spicy foods, or come expecting the cuisine here to be similar to the imitation Thai dishes you may find at other restaurants around Cairo, you'll be surprised with Birdcage. This Thai restaurant at the Semiramis Intercontinental in Garden City has food that is bursting with flavours and spices – what they call mild is already quite hot for this reviewer's taste; so be sure to order lots of white rice and drinks if you're not up to the challenge of spicy food.