Writer Profile

Wael Khairy

Calling Wael Khairy a film buff would be an understatement. Wael lives for film. Having studied film at the prestigious UCLA, as well as writing for some of the world’s most recognisable publications such as The Spectator and The Chicago-Sun Times, he’s on a mission to make people appreciate film as an art, not just a form of entertainment.

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Oscar Predictions 2015
International film critic Wael Khairy gives us his picks ahead of next week's Academy Awards - and if his past predictions are anything to go by, you can pretty much put your money on them.

17 Feb 2015
The Top 14 Films of 2014
With awards season in full swing and the Oscars just around the corner, international film critic Wael Khairy brings you the movies you totally should have seen by now.

3 Feb 2015
The Babadook: Things That Go Bump in the Cinema
One of the most powerful horror films to come out in a long time, international film critic Wael Khairy remains blown away by The Babadook long after he left the cinema...

23 Nov 2014
Interstellar: Nolan Goes Big
International film critic Wael Khairy dismantles the tendency to compare Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster "Interstellar" to Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey", urging viewers to watch the film based on its own merits instead...

9 Nov 2014
Birdman Soars
Now living in New York, CairoScene's film correspondent gets an early look at the much-anticipated Birdman - fresh off the festival circuit - and finds the strongest acting he's seen this year. Does Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu ever disappoint?

3 Nov 2014
Fury: A Fighting Failure
Wael Khairy casts his eye on the latest big budget World War II drama, finding that the all-star cast and cliched narratives make for a confused film, muddled in mediocrity.

21 Oct 2014
Whiplash: Drumming Up Suspense
Already generating Oscar buzz, Damien Chazelle's Whiplash redefines the classroom genre with intensity, drama and raw emotion. International film critic Wael Khairy sits on the edge of his seat...

18 Oct 2014
The Equalizer: Every Action Movie Ever?
International film critic Wael Khairy delves into the most talked-about action film of the season, noting that, though it might be a little cliched, it successfully combines the most impactful facets of the genre for an action-packed treat.

14 Oct 2014
Robin Williams: A Retrospective Tribute
Cinephile Wael Khairy takes a walk down memory lane, highlighting some of Robin Williams' most iconic roles.

12 Aug 2014
Planet of Human, Animal & Political Rights
International film critic Wael Khairy presents an analytical look at the Planet of the Apes films and the role they've played in assessing, through allegories, the state of the world - most recently the Arab world...

10 Aug 2014
The 14 Best Films of 2014 (So Far)
Seven months into the year, and there's already been a number of films well-worth watching. Our cinephile Wael Khairy runs us through the best of them...

7 Jul 2014
Wael Watches: Godzilla
Nuclear disaster and climate change meet with monstrosities of leviathan proportions as Wael returns to us with why Godzilla is the epic disaster story of the 21st century.

25 May 2014
Screening: Michael Mann Double
Wael Khairy delves into the world of director Michael Mann, presenting two very different yet intrinsically linked films you can watch in full here...

25 Feb 2014
Oscar Predictions
Our resident cinephile Wael Khairy certainly knows a thing or two about the film industry, so check out his predictions of who will win what at the Academy Awards next week.

23 Feb 2014
Screening: Scorsese Triple Bill
Wael Khairy is back with another virtual screening, this time picking three of the legendary Martin Scorsese's signature Big Apple movies, accompanying the whole films with some eye-opening analysis.

15 Feb 2014
12 Years a Slave
Wael Khairy reviews Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, a gut-wrenchingly graphic depiction of the horrors of slavery in America during the 1800s, but finds light at the end of the tunnel...

28 Jan 2014
Massimo Carnevale: Film & Art
Wael Khairy introduces us to the incredibly talented Italian illustrator and his contributions to preserving some of the best known scenes in history.

23 Jan 2014
Virtual Screening: Naked
This week's virtual screening is British urban existentialist tale, Naked, exposing the gritty life a homeless man lives on the streets of London. As ever, it's accompanied by an in-depth review by our film-buff Wael Khairy.

20 Jan 2014
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
In a sea of horrors, thrillers and psychological dramas, Ben Stiller's latest directorial effort is a feel-good film that the whole family can enjoy. Wael Khairy explains why the fantasy hit so close to home.

19 Jan 2014
Top 20 Films of 2013
Ahead of tomorrow's Oscar nominations announcement, our cinephile Wael Khairy gives us his run-down of the best movies of last year. How many will make the cut?

15 Jan 2014
Eric Godon on In Bruges
After giving us a virtual screening and an in-depth review of In Bruges, film buff Wael Khairy exclusively interviews Belgian actor Eric Godon who plays an eccentric arms dealer in the cult hit.

14 Jan 2014
Virtual Screening: In Bruges
A 2008 cult hit, Wael Khairy re-introduces us to In Bruges, the impressive acting it presents, and the layers of symbolism that make this film worthy of a genre of its own. Watch the whole movie here and read Khairy's in-depth analysis...

13 Jan 2014
SCREENING: On the Waterfront
1954 classic On the Waterfront has been chosen this week by Wael Khairy for our virtual screening, accompanied by, as always, an in-depth analysis of the film, starring a young(ish) Marlon Brando.

6 Jan 2014
Grave of the Fireflies
In our second virtual screening, Wael Khairy introduces us to cult classic Japanese animation, Grave of the Fireflies. Stream the whole movie here in HD, and read Khairy's analysis, wherever you are.

30 Dec 2013
47 Ronin - Don't Bother
While Keanu Reeves has never been a critics' favourite, his latest performance - if you can call it that - is his worst to date, as Wael Khairy explains.

29 Dec 2013
Screening: Running Scared
In our first virtual screening, our cinephile, Wael Khairy, has chosen Wayne Kramer’s Running Scared, starring the late Paul Walker. Get comfy, make some popcorn and join us for the first online event of its kind in the Middle East...

23 Dec 2013
The Desolation of Smaug
The second installment in the Hobbit trilogy is well worth the wait, as resident cinefile Wael Khairy explains, taking the saga from small spin-off to an epic series in its own right.

15 Dec 2013
Wael Watches: Gravity
The most talked about film of the year, Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity already has rave reviews. Resident film-buff Wael Khairy explains why it's not just a cinematic triumph; it's an inspirational look at the nature of humanity. *SPOILER ALERT*

28 Oct 2013
World War Z
One of the most believable zombie films to come out in a long time, World War Z is able to draw the audience in from the get go, says Wael Khairy, though it isn't without its flaws...

26 Jun 2013
Man of Steel
With a dream-team behind it, Man of Steel should have been a game-changing film but, as Wael Khairy discovers, it's lacking everything that made Superman so special...

18 Jun 2013
The Place Beyond the Pines
Though it uses cinematic devices to get you hooked, The Place Beyond the pines is still a real, gritty, believable drama, says Wael Khairy.

27 May 2013
The Great Gatsby
Baz Luhrmann's long-awaited The Great Gatsby has film critics split but so long as you don't expect to see the book come to life, you're in for a treat says Wael Khairy...

20 May 2013
Oblivion
This week Wael Khairy enters Oblivion and comes out bored. The only memorable part of Tom Cruise's new multi-million dollar sci-fi movie is the futuristic soundtrack, everything else is dated, says our cinephile in residence...

21 Apr 2013
Roger & I
Our resident film buff Wael Khairy was lucky enough to have known and worked with legendary film critic Roger Ebert for years. Following his recent passing, and in a CairoScene exclusive, Wael opens up about the films and friendship they shared...

9 Apr 2013
A Good Day To Die Hard
Is five too many Die Hards? One was too many, says our resident film buff Wael Khairy. Read on to find out why he thinks it’s a good day to retire the franchise…

25 Feb 2013
Django Unchained
It might be Tarantino as we know him, but the director’s unique style falls flat in Django Unchained says our resident film-freak, Wael Khairy.

10 Feb 2013
Life of Pi
One of the most visually pleasing films of all time, this week our resident cinephile Wael Khairy discusses storytelling and CGI in Ang Lee’s screen adaptation of Life of Pi…

20 Jan 2013
Zero Dark Thirty
Regardless of what critics and the US government have to say about Zero Dark Thirty, two of Hollywood’s most promising females, Katheryn Bigelow and Jessica Chastain, make the controversial movie worth watching.

13 Jan 2013
The Silver Linings Playbook
Is Wael getting all soft on us or is Rom-Com making a comeback? “The Silver Linings Playbook is a slapstick comedy that ranks up there with the best of Hollywood’s long-forgotten classics,” says our cinephile-in-residence…

6 Jan 2013
Flight
For all it's production value and special effects, Wael Khairy finds that Flight is all about the acting.

30 Dec 2012
The Hobbit
Is The Hobbit a case of 'too much of a good thing' or are the whimsical lands of Middle Earth worth yet another trilogy?

16 Dec 2012
End Of Watch
A brutally portrayal of American police departments, Wael Khairy is moved by David Ayer's latest masterpiece which takes a good hard look into the inner workings of the badges and the brains of good cops and bad cops.

9 Dec 2012
Argo
Those Hollywood guys just love the Middle East, don't they? However, Wael Khairy watches Argo and finds that, this time, it's truly a story worth telling.

2 Dec 2012
Twilight Breaking Dawn: Part 2
Finally, someone speaks some sense about the all-too-long Twilight Saga: Vampires should be bad ass. Breaking Dawn is just bad.

25 Nov 2012
Looper
Time-travel is awesome and Looper is a blast from the past golden era of this wonderful subgenre.

18 Nov 2012
Skyfall
James Bond mania has taken over Cairo, from parties to beer bottles. Wael Khairy actually watches the latest installment and finds it "original, genuine, classy and elegantly perfect."

11 Nov 2012

US Goes Crazy After Student Pledges Allegiance in Arabic

Outrage has filled New York as a school, celebrating National Foreign Language Week, allowed a student to recite the Pledge of Allegiance in more

100 Pas Presque Bending Bodies and Time at D-CAF

Bringing Egyptian dancers together with soul-stirring Moroccan music, D-CAF's 100 Pas Presque exploded on the GrEEK Campus this weekend, as a more

Sean Penn Watches ISIS Videos for Reminder Of Horror

The Academy Award winning actor feels that we should be exposed to "real violence" not just movies. more

Shark Attack Kills German Tourist in Marsa Alam

Tragedy has struck the usually idyllic beaches of Marsa Alam as a 53-year old tourist dies from a shark attack. more

26 Most Egyptian Things

That have ever happened. more

10 Worst Egyptian Dance Moves

Now in GIFs! more

Stunning Fashion Photography in 90s Egypt

In the late '80s and early '90s, Fernando Scianna took fashion photography to new levels with two fashion shoots that juxtaposed typical Egyptian more

9 Ingenious Egyptian Things

Well, we have been inventing for 8000 years. We were bound to get a few things right. more

UPDATED: New Tourist Visa Regulations to Enter Egypt

Foreign citizens will now have to obtain their visas PRIOR to arriving in Egypt according to the Egyptian diplomatic mission in New York. more

Alexandria Selling Public Beaches To Private Investors

Alexandria's new governor Hany El-Messiry has announced that some of the most popular public beaches might be up for grabs. more

Shark Attack Kills German Tourist in Marsa Alam

Tragedy has struck the usually idyllic beaches of Marsa Alam as a 53-year old tourist dies from a shark attack. more

The Victim: A Cinematic Feat Against Sexual Harassment

We speak to young Egyptian director Safwan Nasser El Din who, after wowing at Cannes 2014, has just released his short film 'The Victim' online, more

Omar’s Top 9 Adventure Tips If there’s anyone to take adventure advice from, it’s the master mountaineer himself. Get inspired by Omar Samra in 9 easy steps… more	A Tribute to Marquez In light of the passing of one of the greatest contemporary writers, Anam Sufi pays tribute to Gabriel Garcia Marquez. more
The German Buddha If you meet the German Buddha on the road don’t kill him. Ask him to teach you some Kung Fu. Then kill him. more	Dalia Does...Driving And does it damn well. Take note, misogynistic Saudi sheikhs... more

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Wael Khairy

US Goes Crazy After Student Pledges Allegiance in Arabic

100 Pas Presque Bending Bodies and Time at D-CAF

Sean Penn Watches ISIS Videos for Reminder Of Horror

Shark Attack Kills German Tourist in Marsa Alam

26 Most Egyptian Things

10 Worst Egyptian Dance Moves

Stunning Fashion Photography in 90s Egypt

9 Ingenious Egyptian Things

UPDATED: New Tourist Visa Regulations to Enter Egypt

Alexandria Selling Public Beaches To Private Investors

Shark Attack Kills German Tourist in Marsa Alam

The Victim: A Cinematic Feat Against Sexual Harassment

DUO Night @ Tiu

Rewind @ Gu Bar

Nourre Fahmy / Joe El Mestekawy & Ouzo @ CJC

Bedoun Monasba @ Villa Abdou

#3alganoobFlashJam @ The Tap

Omar’s Top 9 Adventure Tips

A Tribute to Marquez

The German Buddha

Dalia Does...Driving