A quick glance through this season’s titles reveals that filmmakers, in all their creative glory, are maintaining the tradition of naming movies after the story’s main character. After audiences were introduced to the likes of Katkout, the boxing champion; Zaza, the presidential candidate; and Haha and Tofaha, the freaks, getting acquainted with Tata and Abdo shouldn’t be too much of a shock.

As for the rest of it: What would you expect from low-budget flicks casting a bunch of hooligans (often mistakenly referred to as singers) such as Shando, Saad El-Soghayyar, Shaaban Abdel Rahim and Riko?

Expect this season’s theaters to be flooded with third-rate tunes, most of which are courtesy of Islam Khalil. The now-infamous songwriter has to his credit songs including Eyaal Bee’ah Tahn (Very Kitsch Kids), a duet written for Riko and Saad El-Soghayyar released in this Eid’s Alayya El-Tarab Beltalata (I Swear I’ll Sing). Khalil is also the creator of such immortal ear-polluters as Mesh Bel Tekheen Wala Bel Rofayaa (It Has Nothing To Do With Being Fat or Thin), which Riko delivers in 1/8 Dastet Ashrar (One-Eighth of a Dirty Dozen) and Elha’o (Help!), as well as a duet between — God help us all — Riko and Shaaban Abdel Rahim in Ashraf Haramy (The Most Honorable Thief).

I had a nightmare the other night that instead of making a biopic of Abdel Halim Hafez or Soad Hosny, producers were making films about the exploits of Riko and Shando. I sincerely hope it was just a bad dream. Enjoy this Eid’s guide.

Young comedian Sherif Negm is set to star in the comedy produced by his father, the legendary funnyman Mohammed Negm, with a title that says it all. Negm Jr. plays the role of Tata, an idiot with a superpower in the form of a sixth sense. Since Tata is an idiot, his superpower gets him into trouble. Voluptuous belly dancer/singer Poussy Samir plays his sister, a psychiatrist who constantly saves him when he gets into trouble.

The twist? Amidst all the absurdity, there is still room in the plot for conspiracy theory as certain ‘foreign’ forces try to trick Tata into spying for them.

This film sees yet another retired actress, unveiled this time, return to the screen. After almost 10 years in hiding following her debut in Nazwa (Fling), the pretty-faced Sherine Reda finally returns. Surprisingly, she chose to star opposite small-time comedian Tamer Abdel Moniem and shaabi singer Shaaban Abdel Rahim for her comeback.

In Ashraf Haramy, she plays a police officer in love with a down-on-his-luck thief whom she eventually transforms into an honest person — and who, of course, helps her catch the bad guys at the end.

Abdel Moniem made his cinematic debut with the comedy El-Meshakhasaty (The Impersonator). His next outing, Awwel Marra Teheb Ya Qalby (My Heart Fell in Love for the First Time), was a pure flop, both commercially and critically. Moniem was recently appointed to the post of Director of the Cultural Palace in Garden City, but I assure you Ashraf Haramy is in no way a positive contribution to the nation’s cultural heritage.

Two years ago, Star Academy champion Mohammed Atteya shot to superstardom and went on to release his first album Enta El-Habib (You Are the Lover) and make his silver-screen debut in Dars Khosoosy (Private Lesson) co-starring Saad El-Soghayyar.

Producer Ahmed El-Sobky obviously owns the secret formula of success in contemporary Egyptian cinema. To figure out the formula, think back to last summer’s Lakhmet Rass (Head Jumble): Two to three actors (preferably traditional singers), three or four songs with absurd lyrics (aired relentlessly on satellite TV), a couple of supporting comedians (perhaps Salah Abdallah and Abdallah Meshref) and a belly dancer.

Alayya El-Tarab Beltalata religiously adheres to ‘the formula.’

The plot follows the typical story of a rising singer trying to break into the music business. Belly dancer Dina delivers the rest of the goods.

TV presenter Tarek Allam returns yet again to try his luck in the action genre. In his third starring role — following the massive box office flops Al-Kafeer and El-Agenda El-Hamra (The Red Notebook) — Allam has decided to also play producer. Is it simply because, after his previous failures, he couldn’t find funding for this project?

Allam plays the role of Samy, an ex-convict who joins forces with the scientist Dr. Nessma (Ghanem) to infiltrate a mafia of corrupt businessmen. At the press conference held before the shooting started, Allam said that he prayed for the success of Qalb El-Nar (Heart of Fire) while he was doing his omrah pilgrimage. He later realized the title was meaningless and decided to change it to Mission Difficult — look out Tom Cruise.

This movie, with the story written by Hashem Kaysia (managing director of Infinity TV) and the screenplay by Magdy Youssef, will self-destruct within a couple of days of its release.

Abdo Mawasem sees supporting actor Mohammed Lotfy in his first starring role, acting out a plot strikingly similar to that of last summer’s Katkout (Chick), starring Mohammed Saad.

Once more, it goes without saying that the title refers to Lotfy’s character — a man in search of a new job with every coming season, hence the nickname ‘Mawasem,’ meaning seasons.

Enter Ola Ghanem, who plays a specialist who helps Mawasem discover himself while leading him to become a boxing champ.

Written by Wael Abdallah and Khaled Galal, this film’s trailer, featuring Monty Norman’s infamous James Bond theme (sans contractual rights, of course), began airing on satellite channels before Ramadan.

This action comedy revolves around a team of four con artists headed by mastermind Mayo (Ragab). Mayo and his sidekicks Bobbo (Saleh), Layla (Saba) and Nabila (Abdel Aziz) make a living shaking down wealthy businessmen. Following his appearance as co-star of the TV serial Leqaa Ala Al-Hawa (Leqaa on Air) — in addition to Ezzay El-Banat Tehebbak? (How to Make Girls Fall in Love with You) and Malaky Eskendriyya (Private Alexandria) for cinema — this film presents Ragab in the first lead role of his career. Ragab started off as an assistant to renowned directors Youssef Chahine and Tarek El-Erian before venturing into the world of acting. He was successful at playing the villain, but now aims to become a leading man.

1/8 is director Ramy Imam’s fourth effort, following his debut Amir El-Zalam (The Prince of Darkness) and successful follow-ups Ghaby Menno Feih (Self-Made Idiot) starring Hany Ramzy and Bouha with Mohammed Saad.

As winner of the Best Actor and Best Directorial Debut Awards at the recent Alexandria Film Festival, this romantic drama is probably the only recommended film among this year’s Eid movie marathon.

The quality script, co-written by Ahmed El-Nasser and Samy Hossam, tackles a socially trenchant topic: the way Egyptian men view liberated, independent woman.

The story begins when Essam (Abul Naga) meets Leila (Sabry) in a big fashion company where they both work. During their college years, Leila and Essam used to have feelings for each other but went their separate ways due to him constantly criticizing her behavior. When Essam starts to have problems with his wife (Bassma), his old feelings for Leila are re-ignited. The film features a funny cameo by screenwriter Tamer Habib as a drunken party guest.  et