Last year was a difficult time for cinemas, with many shutting down because of the pandemic. However, 2021 is already starting to look brighter, as theatres reopen and release dates are announced.
For those who aren't yet ready to go out and watch a movie, there's also plenty of new content coming to streaming services to get excited about.
For Marvel fans, the 20-month wait for a new Marvel Studio release – the longest such stretch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's entire 12-year run of films – is set to come to an end when Spider-Man: No Way Home, starring Tom Holland, hits theatres on December 17.
It will be the third film in the rebooted Spider-Man series, following Spider-Man: Homecoming and Spider-Man: Far From Home. Not much has been revealed about the film, except that there are rumours the previous Spider-Man actors Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield may also appear. Although these have since been shut down by Holland.
Disney+ shows
Disney+ has also announced release dates for two shows from the Marvel universe: The Falcon and The Winter Soldier will land on the streaming service on Friday, March 19; while Loki, in which Tom Hiddleston reprises his role from the Thor film series, will debut on the platform on Friday, June 11.
Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan will again play Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, respectively, in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. It takes place after the events of Avengers: Endgame, when they were given the mantle of Captain America. The duo go on a global adventure that tests their skills.
Loki takes place after Asgard's God of Mischief steals the Tesseract and disappears during the events of Avengers: Endgame. He faces off against the Time Variance Authority. However, in the show, fans will get the Loki who is fresh from his defeat in the first Avengers film, when he had led an alien invasion into New York City in an attempt to become the planet's ruler.
In other Disney+ news, a new Star Wars animated series about an elite group of clones called The Bad Batch will debut on Disney+ on Tuesday, May 4. This will follow the experimental clones in a rapidly changing galaxy following the end of the Clone War.
The date coincides with an unofficial holiday among Star Wars fans who use the catchphrase "May the Fourth be with you".
'No Time to Die' moves UK release date forward
And finally, No Time to Die, Daniel Craig's fifth and final James Bond film, will get a worldwide release on Friday, October 8, but will come out a week early in the UK, on Thursday, September 30.
The spy flick's release date has moved around numerous times because of the pandemic.
Craig's swansong as Bond, a follow-up to 2015's Spectre, is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, with a script co-written by Fleabag's Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
The film also features Lea Seydoux, Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes in reprised roles, with Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas joining the cast.
Best Actor Oscar-winner Rami Malek will also make his Bond debut as the villainous Safin.
With additional reporting from Reuters
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
The five pillars of Islam
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Tips%20for%20holiday%20homeowners
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20several%20factors%20for%20landlords%20to%20consider%20when%20preparing%20to%20establish%20a%20holiday%20home%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3ERevenue%20potential%20of%20the%20unit%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20location%2C%20view%20and%20size%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%3A%20furnished%20or%20unfurnished.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Is%20the%20design%20up%20to%20standard%2C%20while%20being%20catchy%20at%20the%20same%20time%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20model%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20will%20it%20be%20managed%20by%20a%20professional%20operator%20or%20directly%20by%20the%20owner%2C%20how%20often%20does%20the%20owner%20wants%20to%20use%20it%20for%20personal%20reasons%3F%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3E%3Cstrong%3EQuality%20of%20the%20operator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20guest%20reviews%2C%20customer%20experience%20management%2C%20application%20of%20technology%2C%20average%20utilisation%2C%20scope%20of%20services%20rendered%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Adam%20Nowak%2C%20managing%20director%20of%20Ultimate%20Stay%20Vacation%20Homes%20Rental%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
New UK refugee system
- A new “core protection” for refugees moving from permanent to a more basic, temporary protection
- Shortened leave to remain - refugees will receive 30 months instead of five years
- A longer path to settlement with no indefinite settled status until a refugee has spent 20 years in Britain
- To encourage refugees to integrate the government will encourage them to out of the core protection route wherever possible.
- Under core protection there will be no automatic right to family reunion
- Refugees will have a reduced right to public funds
It Was Just an Accident
Director: Jafar Panahi
Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr
Rating: 4/5
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
The line up
Friday: Giggs, Sho Madjozi and Masego
Saturday: Nas, Lion Bbae, Roxanne Shante and DaniLeigh
Sole DXB runs from December 6 to 8 at Dubai Design District. Weekend pass is Dh295 while a one day pass is Dh195. Tickets are available from www.soledxb.com
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now