< Previous60 September 30 – October 13 2020 timeoutdubai.com EVEN BY THIS year’s standards, 1968 was a grim 12 months in American life. As the body count racked up in Vietnam, so it did on US soil. Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy met their end at the hands of gunmen, tensions between left and right boiled over from the Senate to the streets and a culture war blazed – even without the help of social media. Somehow, Aaron Sorkin crams all that tumult and complexity into a ferociously articulate courtroom drama that zeroes in on a specific yet hugely emblematic moment and plays it out with stirring passion and quickfire dialogue. The Chicago Seven of the title are a group of anti-war protestors blamed for rioting outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention and put in the dock. As per the real events to which the film sticks faithfully, they’re actually eight for the bulk of the runtime. Black Panthers co-founder Bobby Seale (Watchmen’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is also indicted on the most circumstantial evidence. The suspicion is voiced at one point that he’s there mainly ‘to frighten the jury’. By the time the trial gets underway it’s 1969, Nixon is in power and the system is reasserting itself via any oppressive means at its disposal. Context is provided via a rollicking opening that takes in the film’s chunky ensemble of characters. The device is meant to distract from the volume of info that you’re receiving – and like most of the movie’s many lighter moments, it works a treat. The protests are tackled later in flashback, recreated in all their confusion and violent intensity as exhibits during the trial. While Sorkin the director gives all eight defendants screen time, Sorkin the screenwriter wisely divides the meat of the film between just four: moderate activist Tom Hayden (Eddie Redmayne), radical firebrands Jerry Rubin (Jeremy Strong) and Abbie Hoffman (Sacha Baron Cohen) and the outraged Seale. Trying to forge a coherent defence out of this disparate band is Mark Rylance’s civil rights lawyer (though the lawyerless Seale takes whispered courtroom advice from fellow Panther, Fred Hampton). Ranged against them are Joseph Gordon- Levitt’s ambitious young prosecutor and an ultra-partisan judge who dishes out contempt charges like confetti. A terrific Frank Langella plays him with snobby hateur. Initially, there’s a whiff of miscasting in the air. Strong’s Jerry Rubin and Sacha Baron Cohen’s Abbie Hoffman stride into frame for the first time, one with an offbeat Midwestern twang, the other sporting a curly hairpiece: it’s all a bit ‘Cheech and Chong Go to Court’. But it’s a false impression. Strong shakes off his clenched Succession persona with a zonked-out charm and unexpectedly evolves into the film’s heart. Baron Cohen is flat-out great, flexing his dramatic muscles without losing his comic edge. His climactic scene with Redmayne is rocket-fuelled. Redmayne, meanwhile, delivers the film’s showstopping moment at the end of a nicely dialled-back performance. Sorkin is in equally unshowy form. As you’d expect from the man behind The West Wing The Trial of the Chicago 7 On Screen Edited by Colin Armstrong & Darragh Murphy timeoutdubai.com/gaming-tech timeoutdubai.com/fi lms TOD_2018_Film Leader_11384366.indd 6028/09/2020 12:20:23timeoutdubai.com September 30 – October 13 2020 61 WHAT IS IT... A retelling of a big moment in modern US history WHY GO... For the ensemble cast’s performances DIRECTOR Aaron Sorkin RELEASE DATE On Netflix from Oct 16 The War With Grandpa Director: Tim Hill Starring: Robert De Niro, Uma Thurman, Christopher Walken Released: Oct 1 Cementing his place in the ‘actors who star in bad movies with grandpa in the title’ club is Robert De Niro. In fact, if it existed, he would be the de facto leader. This was due to come out two years ago. The 2ND Director: Brian Skiba Starring: Ryan Phillipe, Jack Griffo, Casper Van Dien Released: Oct 1 Former heartthrob Ryan Phillipe plays a secret service agent who goes to pick up his estranged son from college only to end up in a hostage situation. Why does that always happen? THREE MORE TO WATCH Vanguard Director: Stanley Tong Starring: Jackie Chang, Yang Yang, Jackson Lou Released: Oct 8 As much of an action film as it is possible to get, Jackie Chan’s latest was shot all over the world and features stunts in planes, trains and automobiles (and boats, probably). There’s plenty of Dubai in it, too. and The Social Network, he delivers the odd zinger (‘This is the Academy Awards of protestors,’ notes one defendant, ‘and it’s an honour just to be nominated’). Mostly, though, he lets the story speak for itself, focusing on the key moments from the six-month trial and keeping things pacy with fluid camera moves and smart edits. Not everything lands. A subplot between a female cop who lures a lovestruck Rubin into a honeytrap elbows in on the film’s solemn climax, and Sorkin struggles to make space for well-developed female characters. But when it all clicks, when its terrific cast is in full flow in that packed courtroom, it’s truly stirring stuff. Phil De Semlyen TOD_2018_Film Leader_11384366.indd 6128/09/2020 12:20:3362 September 30 – October 13 2020 timeoutdubai.com Gaming So, is it worth adding an extra Dhs2,000 for a delightfully strange upgrade? Read on to find out. Design First things first – what are these colours on the keyboard? Why are there ‘A’s’ all over the place? And why does our spacebar say ‘VOID’? They’re not RGB light up keys, that’s the special Acronym touch, with other unique designs including the directions on the top-left of the WASD keys and double- function key symbols on the top-left of each key. It’s stylistically futuristic that might not A laptop – but make it fashion The lowdown on the ROG Zephyrus G14 ACRNM Special Edition THERE ARE CERTAIN instances that have a song to match it – think Fairytale of New York for Christmas or The Final Countdown for, of course, Arrested Development. Well, every time we opened up the absolutely surreal ROG Zephyrus G14 ACRNM Special Edition laptop, we heard Uptown Funk playing in the back of our minds. Basically, clothing brand (and now known system designer) Acronym has teamed up with gaming brand Republic of Gamers (ROG) to deliver a one-of-a-kind fashionable laptop. Hey, if designers can do it for clothes, why not for hardware? And what a machine they’ve decided to give a makeover. The ROG Zephyrus G14 has already made waves in the industry by pushing the limits on ultra-portability – thanks to its superb AMD CPU and beast of an Nvidia GPU in a slim and sleek design. n the ACRNM on t have a e of New York down for, of be for everyone’s tastes, but ours for sure. We haven’t even got to the actual futuristic part. The ROG Zephyrus G14 ACRNM sports an AniMe Matrix LED display on its lid, meaning we can display custom text effects, animations and patterns in their LED glory. We had Time Out Dubai blaze across our lids every ten seconds, and the time of day as our personal clock. It also comes with eight Acronym- designed animations exclusive to the laptop. Underneath also comes with a variety of cool logos, including a ‘ZPHYRS’ font, ROG logo and other designs we’re not too familiar with. Do they look good though? They do, 62 - 63_GAMING_11377969.indd 6228/09/2020 12:16:10On Screen timeoutdubai.com September 30 – October 13 2020 63 30fps, and for just how expansive and pretty that game is on a laptop, that’s astounding stuff. So, high-end gaming on the go? This is the machine. ROG also comes with the Armoury Crate, which customises the temperature, screen style for what type of game we’re playing and even boasts a silent mode to keep those fans nice and quiet – which works very well. Extra bits With so much packed into the ROG Zephyrus G14 ACRNM, there has to be something that’s scrapped, and that’s the webcam. Now more than ever, it’s near essential to have a camera for online meetings and recordings. The trade- off is thin side bezel for its IPS-level QHD 60Hz display. From watching videos to playing high- demanding games, it’s easy on the eyes. It also has a wicked battery life, especially for a gaming laptop. In terms of multi-tasking we found we were going from watching a series, doing work and playing a quick game of Valorant without a stutter (thanks AMD CPU) over six hours, and the battery had gone down to only 40 percent. Now that’s impressive, and it has an 11-hour battery life. Of course, playing higher demanding games such as Battlefield V takes more of a toll, but still gets around an hour of game time. Another neat feature (and button) the ACRNM Special Edition adds is The Brain. Made by Errolson’s brother, Harlan Hugh, it acts as a task manager of sorts that aims to map your brain – from to-do lists at work to planning your next vacation. We didn’t use it to its full potential, but we can definitely see this as a fantastic aid to independent workers and content creators, as we could add designs, graphics and documents to work on. The Bottom Line We think of it like this: you know that stand- out jacket or dress you got for a pretty dirham that you always adore wearing? That’s the ROG Zephyrus G14 ACRNM in laptop form. Its design may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s always going get second glances. It’s a joy to use, and a powerhouse of a rig that we’re sure will stand the test of time, making it justify its pricetag. O Time Out receives products on loan for review. Time Out’s product reviews are not influenced by external sources. KEY FACTS 14-inch chassis, 20mm thin 14-inch IPS-level QHD 60Hz display (2560x1440) AniMe Matrix LED display 8-core 16-thread AMD Ryzen 9 CPU NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU with Max-Q design 32GB DDR4 SDRAM One HDMI port, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C (one display port), one USB 3.2 Gen 1 port KEY FACTS 14-inch chassis 20mm thin 14-inch IPS-lev QHD 60Hz disp (2560x1440) AniMe Matrix LE display 8-core 16-threa Ryzen 9 CPU NVIDIA GeForce 2060 GPU with design 32GB DDR4 SD One HDMI port USB 3.2 Gen 2 (one display po USB 3.2 Gen 1 indeed. Not that we get to see these seeing as they’re underneath, but its still a stylish touch. As for the Zephyrus G14 itself, it’s slick and slim. The touchpad is made with quality in mind, and opening the lid lifts the laptop off its base as another way of cooling the system down. Although, when using a mouse, we found that heat blasting onto our right hand. Something to keep in mind. Speaking of, we’re surprised at how cool it stays no matter what game we’re playing. Not once have we felt it heating up (heat blast aside and bar Red Dead Redemption 2 on max settings), a real triumph considering all the high-end tech packed in such as small size. Performance There really isn’t much to say, other than it can play anything. As in, anything at max or high settings. Under the hood, it has a 8-core 16-thread AMD Ryzen 9 CPU, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, 32GB of RAM and a QHD 60Hz display (2560x1440). Here’s the lowdown: Doom Eternal on ultra-settings at 90 fps and Battlefield V at an average of 60fps. Games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 at max settings were just over 62 - 63_GAMING_11377969.indd 6328/09/2020 12:16:2064 September 30 – October 13 2020 timeoutdubai.com Kick-start your fitness regime this winter Fitness first IF YOU’VE SPENT much of this year indoors and on the sofa, you’re not alone, and now’s the time to kick-start your fitness regime. We caught up with Jamie Bassi from Fit Squad DXB to talk us through his top tips. Monitor and log your nutrition Nutrition is one of the biggest things that should be tracked and logged to prevent weight being increased over a period of time. MyFitnessPal is a great food logging app that you can use. It’s free to help you keep in your calorie target, which the app does for you upon entering your details. Track your steps Invest into a step pedometer and set a target of steps to achieve on a daily basis, it’s about keeping active and moving more but on a regular basis. A target of 8,000 a day for beginners, 10,000 for intermediate and 12,000 for advanced is a good place to start. Heart rate in a fat burning zone Exercise through HIIT (high intensity interval training) to take your heart rate into a fat burning zone three to four times per week. HIIT is very effective and can be done in a short period of time. Try doing star jumps, high knees, plank and squat jumps – 30 seconds on and 30 seconds off over four rounds. This will take your heart rate into a powerful fat burning zone and can be done at home easily, so there’s no need to join a gym. Water intake Water intake is very important and needs to be at a minimum of two to three litres per day. The benefits of drinking lots of water include increased energy levels and relief of fatigue. It also promotes weight loss and improves your skin. Good Quality Sleep This is the most important. Sleep in my opinion is free cardio. Sleep promotes weight loss and helps muscle build, depending on what you’re trying to achieve or even a maintenance level, helps reduce stress, strengthens your immune system which is even important now, and essentially puts you in a better mood. Sport & Wellbeing Edited by Amy Mathieson timeoutdubai.com/sport-wellbeing 64 - 65_S&W LEADER_11370532.indd 6428/09/2020 12:17:55timeoutdubai.com September 30 – October 13 2020 65 7 Minute Workout It’s… well… fairly self-explanatory really, isn’t it? This tidy app houses more than 200 different at-home, bodyweight workouts that will help you diversify your exercise regime to achieve your goals. Want to burn fat and work on your core? There’s a plan for that. What about if you need to work out late at night, and don’t want to wake the neighbours? There are also some silent-mode workouts that will make sure you keep it super quiet in the unsociable hours. Upgrade your workout with a subscription option, but the free option isn’t half bad. O Available on the App Store and Google App Store. FITLOV This home-grown app helps connect people who want at-home personal training, with personal trainers who will train clients in their own house. There are hundreds of trainers to choose from across the UAE, private PT sessions start from Dhs190, and trainers thoroughly clean and disinfect all of their equipment before and after every session. O Visit fitlov.com for more information. Les Mills On Demand The global fitness brand that delivers coaching, training, equipment and programmes to gyms around the world is helping people stuck at home by making some of its on-demand content completely free of charge. Content will be passed through to its partner gyms and trainers to pass on to customers for free, but you can also get a free trial of its On Demand platform to watch a tonne of workout videos tailored for athletes of various abilities. There’s no commitment to a long- term contract and you can cancel at any time. O Visit watch.lesmillsondemand.com/free-content for more information. 3 TO TRY Fitness aps “Invest in a step pedometer and set a target” 64 - 65_S&W LEADER_11370532.indd 6528/09/2020 12:18:0466 September 30 – October 13 2020 timeoutdubai.com 1 Al Zorah Despite being just a short drive away from Dubai, Al Zorah feels like a completely different world – one which is greener, and definitely calmer. You can visit the Al Zorah Nature Reserve, which has one million square metres of mangroves, and plenty of bird and marine life including flamingos and herons, or just head to the beach to enjoy the pristine sands. Day trips here are always spectacular, but we love taking a staycation to really add to those holiday vibes. A stay at The Oberoi Beach Resort will instantly transport you to a place where your worries are miles away, and it’s a great way to recharge, without having to leave the country. 2 Hatta While there are plenty of skyscrapers for you to climb and enjoy the view from, shooting upwards in a lift just can’t compare to successfully hiking up a mountain. The rugged mountains of Hatta are just meant to be explored, or, if you’re more adventurous, flung down by bike. Sure, you can kayak around the Louvre Abu Dhabi or go stand-up paddleboarding at the beach, but the same experience at Hatta Dam just has a certain je nais se quoi. After living in the UAE for a while, you’ve no doubt stayed at plenty of five-star hotels with all the glitz and glam you can handle – but there’s nowhere in the city that has the rustic charm of the cabins you can stay at in Hatta. 3 Sir Bani Yas Island It would be pointless to try and compare Sir Bani Yas Island to one of your favourite holiday destinations, as this spot is totally unique. It’s sort of like a combination of an African safari trip and one of those lazy holidays where you do nothing but lie by the pool. Half of the island is a wildlife reserve, with 17,000 Ways to vacation without leaving the country Four UAE destinations that feel like you’re on holiday #THEBACKPAGE free-roaming animals, including Arabian oryx, gazelles, giraffes, hyenas and cheetahs, while the rest of the island is home to the three Anantara resorts which offer up next-level luxury. Any Instagram shot taken here is bound to lead to questions asking where on earth it is – it just doesn’t seem real that this amazing location is in the UAE. 4 Lebanon Island The World project is something that would only ever be attempted in the UAE. Like Burj Khalifa, or Palm Jumeirah, the project is incredibly ambitious and completely iconic. Lebanon Island is one of the few with any infrastructure right now and has everything you could possibly need to enjoy a proper holiday, with two beaches, a swimming pool, and plenty of sun loungers for relaxing on. We can’t promise it’ll make you feel like you’re in Byblos, but it certainly does feel like you’ve been transported to your ideal holiday island. 66_TOD_2018_BACK PAGE_11384367.indd 6628/09/2020 12:18:51Untitled-5 128/09/2020 15:23:23ORDER AHEAD YOUR SHACK FAVES NOW! Visit order.ShakeShack.me or scan the QR code Order online now and we’ll have your order ready to enjoy at the Shack or safely sealed and waiting for you to pick up and enjoy at home. Untitled-3 127/09/2020 11:41:25Next >