The Dragon Pearl
Director: Mario Andreacchio
Starring: Louis Corbett, Wang Ji, Li Lin Jin, Sam Neill
***
This action-adventure film sees Corbett and Li play teenage friends in China. They discover a hitherto buried ancient dragon, who helps them find an ancient and powerful magic pearl.
There's a lot to like about this movie: a decent plot as well as spirited performances from both the youngsters and old hands such as Neill. There are problems with the special effects (especially the poorly animated dragon), and compared with the expensive Hollywood fantasy flicks, this may be difficult to take seriously.
However, the energy of the film may carry younger viewers through its technical flaws. An enjoyable, throwaway adventure with the filmmakers making the most of China's landscapes and a strong cast to elevate the cheap-looking CGI.
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While you're here
Transgender report
The bio
Favourite book: Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer
Favourite quote: “The world makes way for the man who knows where he is going.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson, American essayist
Favourite Authors: Arab poet Abu At-Tayyib Al-Mutanabbi
Favourite Emirati food: Luqaimat, a deep-fried dough soaked in date syrup
Hobbies: Reading and drawing
While you're here
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Tomorrow 2021
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
