1. What best describes the central conflict in Materialists, which was released on August 13?
a) A matchmaker who finds her own perfect match by cosying up with a billionaire.
b) A cynical matchmaker who is torn between her meticulously curated love life and her messy ex.
c) A dating-app entrepreneur exploring love in both digital and real worlds.
d) A professional matchmaker who gives up love entirely for her work.
3. Welcome to Punjab, which was released this month, falls into which genre?
a) Romantic Pakistani drama celebrating cultural roots and love.
b) Action-thriller set across the borderlands of Punjab.
c) Historical biopic of Punjab’s independence era.
d) Sci-fi drama exploring futuristic Punjab.
2. What’s the premise of Freakier Friday, the sequel to the 2003 hit comedy film Freaky Friday?
a) A time-travel twist on the classic Friday the 13th.
b) A documentary spoof about Halloween-themed high school pranks.
c) A prank-based horror-comedy with a haunted weekend theme.
d) A chaotic body-swap sequel featuring four characters.
5. Which of the following synopsis best encapsulates Nobody 2?
a) A goofy caper with oversized props and cartoon action.
b) A sweeping historical saga about weapons through the ages.
c) A family getaway turned brutal action thriller as the ex-hitman returns.
d) A superhero spoof full of absurd and satirical gadgets.
4. Relay, releasing later this month, stars which British-Pakistani actor?
a) Iqbal Theba
b) Riz Ahmed
c) Kumail Nanjiani
d) Farhan Tahir
Answers
1. The correct answer is b.
At its heart, Materialists is a romantic dramedy that thrives on emotional tension. The story follows Lucy, a high-powered matchmaker in New York City who has built her career on crafting “perfect” romantic pairings for her clients. Everything in Lucy’s professional and personal life has been curated perfectly — until she unexpectedly reunites with an ex.
The film not only revels in quick-witted exchanges but also asks deeper questions: is love about flawless compatibility or embracing messy, imperfect passion? The tug of war between Lucy’s current “ideal” partner and the rekindled spark with her ex brings humour, conflict, and raises the emotional stakes of the film.
2. The correct answer is d.
If you thought one body-swap was enough, Freakier Friday doubles — or rather quadruples — the mayhem. Released this past week, this sequel brings back Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis in their much-loved roles as daughter and mother, respectively. Decades older but still capable of finding themselves in hilariously improbable situations, this time their body swap mix-up isn’t only for them — two more characters are caught in the exchange, weaving a complicated identity web.
Fans of the original 2003 movie will also be gratified by nostalgia as well as newly added comic set-pieces.
3. The correct answer is a.
Welcome to Punjab is a romantic drama starring Aadi Khan and Zara Hayat. The film tells a love story, with the narrative — centred on the customs and cultural fabric of Punjab — also exploring the question of identity and a sense of belonging. Released on August 14, the film’s homage to cultural heritage on a day of national Independence and pride was a deliberate move. Sajid Hasan, Arjumand Raheem, Javed Sheikh, and Bushra Ansari are also part of the cast.
4. The correct answer is b.
In Relay, Riz Ahmed stars as Tom (a.k.a. Ash), a solitary “fixer” who works anonymously to broker payoffs between corrupt corporations and whistleblowers. The whole story pivots on a late-night phone call from a biotech whistleblower Sarah (Lily James) threatening to expose toxic secrets. This sets off a tense cat-and-mouse chase. Relay takes its cue from various atmospheric thrillers like Michael Clayton and Zodiac, but balances itself with emotional depth and moral tension. The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and will have a limited theatre release on August 22. Though Iqbal Theba, Kumail Nanjiani, and Farhan Tahir are well-known British-Pakistani and American-Pakistani actors, none of them are involved in this film.
5. The correct answer is c.
Bob Odenkirk, best known for the hit series Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, returns as Hutch Mansell in this high-adrenaline sequel to the sleeper hit Nobody. Retired from his violent past, Hutch attempts to treat his family to a much-needed holiday at a theme park. But peace is short-lived when local thugs cross his path — and misjudge exactly who they are up against.
Odenkirk brings his wearied charm and unpredictable rage to the screen, making sure the audience roots for him even when the body count keeps rising. Nobody 2 delivers the blend of old-time storytelling with gritty action that defined the first film.