War Machine is Brad Pitt's return to our screens following a hiatus, which resulted from the breakdown of his high-profile marriage to Angelina Jolie.
Pitt plays the lead role in the feature film that has been two years in the making and hotly anticipated by film fans globally.
So, did he and his crew nail it or was it a flop? Reaction has been mixed since the small-screen film dropped on the popular streaming website late on Friday (UAE time).
Netflix was strangely protective of advance screenings for press ahead of its release, but of course the Twitterati and Facebook communities were on hand to provide an immediate honest opinion.
There was plenty of love apparent for the movie, Twitter user @AngusTPaterson posted: “Watching #WarMachine on #netflix it’s absurdist to the max & also depressingly accurate”. @OfficallyEmz was in agreeance: “#Warmachine I absolutely loved it. Brad Pitt was brilliant as always, loved @PoulterWill and @KolaBokinni in it.”
Entertainment website @Collider was brief in its initial assessment posting: “@Netflix’s #WarMachine is “frequently hilarious” and intelligent”, they noted on Twitter, a fan it seems just like fellow website @Premscene who tweeted: “Totally #recommend @NetflixUK #Warmachine #BradPitt is as sublime as he ever was. #NetflixFriday #film #storytelling #mustse,” they tweeted.
Not everyone was convinced however, some saying it lacked "killer instinct", while others declared it "disappointing". Facebook user, Meranda Parada Limperis wasn't impressed: "Worst movie I have ever seen ... if it was a big budget flick, it would probably have tanked Pitt's career!" The New York Times though declared that "at its best, War Machine crackles with irreverent wit, even if American political craziness circa 2009 looks tame compared with the 2017 version".
The review goes on to refer to Pitt and his return to our screens as "engaging and complicated — somehow recalling both the wily and ruthless Aldo Raine of Inglourious Basterds and the lethally stupid Chad Feldheimer of Burn After Reading".
While it is still early days, and the featured UAE extras will no doubt have something to say about it, remember if you don’t want to take the social media or film reviewers word for it, it’s on Netflix for your perusal now.
cnewbould@thenational.ae
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
All about the Sevens
Cape Town Sevens on Saturday and Sunday: Pools A – South Africa, Kenya, France, Russia; B – New Zealand, Australia, Spain, United States; C – England, Scotland, Argentina, Uganda; D – Fiji, Samoa, Canada, Wales
HSBC World Sevens Series standing after first leg in Dubai 1 South Africa; 2 New Zealand; 3 England; 4 Fiji; 5 Australia; 6 Samoa; 7 Kenya; 8 Scotland; 9 France; 10 Spain; 11 Argentina; 12 Canada; 13 Wales; 14 Uganda; 15 United States; 16 Russia
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Los Angeles, from Dh4,975 return, including taxes. The flight time is 16 hours. Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Aeromexico and Southwest all fly direct from Los Angeles to San Jose del Cabo from Dh1,243 return, including taxes. The flight time is two-and-a-half hours.
The trip
Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic’s eight-day Whales Wilderness itinerary costs from US$6,190 (Dh22,736) per person, twin share, including meals, accommodation and excursions, with departures in March and April 2018.
If you go:
The flights: Etihad, Emirates, British Airways and Virgin all fly from the UAE to London from Dh2,700 return, including taxes
The tours: The Tour for Muggles usually runs several times a day, lasts about two-and-a-half hours and costs £14 (Dh67)
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is on now at the Palace Theatre. Tickets need booking significantly in advance
Entrance to the Harry Potter exhibition at the House of MinaLima is free
The hotel: The grand, 1909-built Strand Palace Hotel is in a handy location near the Theatre District and several of the key Harry Potter filming and inspiration sites. The family rooms are spacious, with sofa beds that can accommodate children, and wooden shutters that keep out the light at night. Rooms cost from £170 (Dh808).
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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