MADE OF HONOR
PLOT: Reverse "My Best Friend's Wedding"
THOUGHT: Stick to McDreamy, McDreamy! Seriously!
IN FIVE: 1.5/5
BEE HIVE: http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/madeofhonor/
INDIANA JONES: CURSE OF THE COLLIDING PLOTLINES...er, I mean KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL
PLOT: Jumps, traps, hats and subterfuge.
THOUGHT: Dr. Jones is a...Scientologist now?
IN FIVE: 2/5
SEE WHY: http://www.indianajones.com/site/index.html
And that's a wrap.
samedi 24 mai 2008
lundi 19 mai 2008
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN
Darker and much more serious than its predecessor, the latest installment in the vaguely Biblical Narnia series had the double brother-sister quartet teaming up with another cute Brit to fight some bad guys, befriend some talking animals and make me question whether or not I'm a sexual predator. I mean, come on, between both Ben Barns (Prince Caspian) and William Moseley (King Peter the Magnificent--and indeed, he is, dahling) playing high school age heroes, can you blame me? But I did my homework; I looked them both up on IMDB--Ben's 27 and little Will's 21.
Cute just-of-agers aside, I can't decide if PRINCE CASPIAN interested me or bored me. The action was cool, but the plot felt very...aged. I wanted a children's film, and instead I got a borderline war epic, complete with blood, wounds, shrilly delivered battle cries, and lions, tigers and bears--oh my. I was expecting the Pevensie kids to grow up, but I almost found myself saddened by the weight of maturity they had to bear by story's end. They were disenchanted soldiers before the movie hit an hour and thirty. Luckily, by the time they announced they were once again deserting Narnia for Canada--er, I mean London--at film's end, they'd been rewarded for their bravery, if not via an awkward yet enjoyable love scene between Susan and Prince Can-we-elope-together Caspian, but by the love and acceptance of their friends--which, really, is what all children seek. Turns out it was a kids film after all.
PLOT: Aslan ain't done just yet.
THOUGHT: Kids grow up so fast!
IN FIVE: 3/5
THE FILM: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/
Cute just-of-agers aside, I can't decide if PRINCE CASPIAN interested me or bored me. The action was cool, but the plot felt very...aged. I wanted a children's film, and instead I got a borderline war epic, complete with blood, wounds, shrilly delivered battle cries, and lions, tigers and bears--oh my. I was expecting the Pevensie kids to grow up, but I almost found myself saddened by the weight of maturity they had to bear by story's end. They were disenchanted soldiers before the movie hit an hour and thirty. Luckily, by the time they announced they were once again deserting Narnia for Canada--er, I mean London--at film's end, they'd been rewarded for their bravery, if not via an awkward yet enjoyable love scene between Susan and Prince Can-we-elope-together Caspian, but by the love and acceptance of their friends--which, really, is what all children seek. Turns out it was a kids film after all.
PLOT: Aslan ain't done just yet.
THOUGHT: Kids grow up so fast!
IN FIVE: 3/5
THE FILM: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/narnia/
dimanche 18 mai 2008
The leaf is always greener... (lunch)
A new "you must think we're healthy"-themed restaurant has opened in My Hills called GREENLEAF. Two words that immediately make me think of spas, golfing and zero-calorie living, or in short, the good life. Had to try.
Now, poor little GREENLEAF has some stiff competition at its post on the edge of BH, sandwiched between a Subway and what seems to be an antique store at a little-to-no parking spot on Wilshire B, but I want to give her the benefit of the doubt. Only open two weeks, and already the line at the door is long and hungry and long and...waiting.
My friends and I (one, yes, Connecticut, and the other we'll call Sparks) ventured to eat cheaply at our newfound eatery, one, because we were in a rush and two, because we're only feigning to be living on that side of the fence (the good life side). But lucky for us, though the joint is slow, pricey, it isn't. With under ten bucks spent, I ate and was content, if not for a few shortcomings that the newbie restau has yet to iron out.
FIVE TIPS TO KEEP GREENLEAF FROM WITHERING AWAY
1. Carbon Copies. Invest in them. The man at the door who (unnecessarily) took our orders wrote everything down--count it--one, two, TWICE; one copy for us, one for the salad preparers to begin making our meal. And he wrote SLOWLY. I enjoyed the so-called "personal touch" of having him take jabs at the lettuce wraps I chose to construct, but honestly, would have been better if that time spent on banter had been put towards efficiently preparing my meal.
2. Shorthand. This is another speed issue. Silly me (so silly!), I ordered pomegranate vinaigrette for my first tofu cilantro mushroom lettuce wrap (weird huh?). And slowish, bantering manager man wrote it out, letter by letter, on each of his non-carbon-copy-producing receipt pages. Um...pom vin, anyone? Or even PV. Learn shorthand, and you will save at least 30seconds per customer.
3. Amenities. I would have liked a place to get more napkins, a place to get some spices to flavor my meal, if desired, some cups next to the water machine...these things make a restaurant go round. As opposed to "go down."
4. Staff. The man at the register was very nice, even after he handed me someone else's order (and I didn't notice until I sat down and opened it, about to bite in). But there were about seven others behind him running about and to what end, I couldn't tell. For all their bustle, the line was still long, and their overall confusion was pungent. But then again, maybe we should blame manager man.
5. Desserts. I think they mentioned cookies. I saw a few, packed into a bowl behind the register, stacked like so many forgotten Pillsbury break-and-bakes waiting to find love at the lips of an unpicky child. I was not that child. Give me REAL cookies, Greenleaf. 'Cause I know your salads aren't that healthy. You don't have to hide your cookies in shame.
OVERALL: 3/5, with hope of improvement
WHAT I GOT: two orders of lettuce wraps: (1)grilled tofu, cilantro and mushroom with pom vin - $3; (2)bbq shrimp, candied ginger and almonds - $4, total = $7.58 w/tax (though really, they should round off their prices to multiples of five...tip #6).
THE SPOT: http://gourmetchopshop.com/
After lunch, we saw PRINCE CASPIAN, and today (dimanche) I saw MADE OF HONOR. More on that to come.
Now, poor little GREENLEAF has some stiff competition at its post on the edge of BH, sandwiched between a Subway and what seems to be an antique store at a little-to-no parking spot on Wilshire B, but I want to give her the benefit of the doubt. Only open two weeks, and already the line at the door is long and hungry and long and...waiting.
My friends and I (one, yes, Connecticut, and the other we'll call Sparks) ventured to eat cheaply at our newfound eatery, one, because we were in a rush and two, because we're only feigning to be living on that side of the fence (the good life side). But lucky for us, though the joint is slow, pricey, it isn't. With under ten bucks spent, I ate and was content, if not for a few shortcomings that the newbie restau has yet to iron out.
FIVE TIPS TO KEEP GREENLEAF FROM WITHERING AWAY
1. Carbon Copies. Invest in them. The man at the door who (unnecessarily) took our orders wrote everything down--count it--one, two, TWICE; one copy for us, one for the salad preparers to begin making our meal. And he wrote SLOWLY. I enjoyed the so-called "personal touch" of having him take jabs at the lettuce wraps I chose to construct, but honestly, would have been better if that time spent on banter had been put towards efficiently preparing my meal.
2. Shorthand. This is another speed issue. Silly me (so silly!), I ordered pomegranate vinaigrette for my first tofu cilantro mushroom lettuce wrap (weird huh?). And slowish, bantering manager man wrote it out, letter by letter, on each of his non-carbon-copy-producing receipt pages. Um...pom vin, anyone? Or even PV. Learn shorthand, and you will save at least 30seconds per customer.
3. Amenities. I would have liked a place to get more napkins, a place to get some spices to flavor my meal, if desired, some cups next to the water machine...these things make a restaurant go round. As opposed to "go down."
4. Staff. The man at the register was very nice, even after he handed me someone else's order (and I didn't notice until I sat down and opened it, about to bite in). But there were about seven others behind him running about and to what end, I couldn't tell. For all their bustle, the line was still long, and their overall confusion was pungent. But then again, maybe we should blame manager man.
5. Desserts. I think they mentioned cookies. I saw a few, packed into a bowl behind the register, stacked like so many forgotten Pillsbury break-and-bakes waiting to find love at the lips of an unpicky child. I was not that child. Give me REAL cookies, Greenleaf. 'Cause I know your salads aren't that healthy. You don't have to hide your cookies in shame.
OVERALL: 3/5, with hope of improvement
WHAT I GOT: two orders of lettuce wraps: (1)grilled tofu, cilantro and mushroom with pom vin - $3; (2)bbq shrimp, candied ginger and almonds - $4, total = $7.58 w/tax (though really, they should round off their prices to multiples of five...tip #6).
THE SPOT: http://gourmetchopshop.com/
After lunch, we saw PRINCE CASPIAN, and today (dimanche) I saw MADE OF HONOR. More on that to come.
dimanche 11 mai 2008
THE FALL
There is something about Lee Pace's career choices that baffle and impress me. He is a man's actor; he plays a role as if he lives for it, whether he be a pre-op transexual (SOLDIER'S GIRL), a secret agent of the CIA (THE GOOD SHEPHERD), a suicidal stuntman (THE FALL) or a shy pastry chef with supernatural powers ("Pushing Daisies"). In my mind, actually, he doesn't play characters at all--he works. He works his way into a role, so much so that you forget he ever worked at anything else.
That's the first reason why I desperately fell in love with Tarsem Singh's THE FALL. The second reason was Catinca Untaru who embodies the role of Alexandria, the young girl who's acting chops at the age of eight speak loads for her cinematic future. You go, little girl!
This film is breathtaking in its artistry and compelling in story; both full of meaning and completely nonsensical. "Man in hospital tells little girl story that she vividly imagines as true," is the gist, but here, the pictures definitely speak louder than words.
PLOT: Fantasy and reality are interchangeable.
THOUGHT: And they should both be scored by Beethoven. (that's right)
IN FIVE: 4.5/5
THE FILM: http://www.thefallthemovie.com/
That's the first reason why I desperately fell in love with Tarsem Singh's THE FALL. The second reason was Catinca Untaru who embodies the role of Alexandria, the young girl who's acting chops at the age of eight speak loads for her cinematic future. You go, little girl!
This film is breathtaking in its artistry and compelling in story; both full of meaning and completely nonsensical. "Man in hospital tells little girl story that she vividly imagines as true," is the gist, but here, the pictures definitely speak louder than words.
PLOT: Fantasy and reality are interchangeable.
THOUGHT: And they should both be scored by Beethoven. (that's right)
IN FIVE: 4.5/5
THE FILM: http://www.thefallthemovie.com/
brunch & tea on samedi
Met with a couple girlfriends for brunch on Saturday at the beach-side location of JACK N JILL'S, a popular little place apparently known for its muffins and its egg masterpieces. All I had was a flavored coupa with rice milk, but what my friends ordered looked "formidable," as the French say.
My coffee was flavored hazelnut, and though it made me slightly ill (I didn't realise rice milk had dairy...is that dumb?), it tasted good before that! I won't fault them for their food, either, which was large-portioned and tasty to my fasting eye (I had to abstain, as I had already made food plans with another friend for just two hours later). The only disappointing peccadillo of my brief stay at JJ's, then, was their lack of a recycling bin. They were serving green tea at the door and invited their patrons to promptly garbage their plastic, eco-unfriendly cups. And for a place that had ORGANIC stamped on everything, I just expected a wider-cast net of earth-love. Apparently organic is just a trend and not a way of life to Jack n Jill's. So be it; I'll bring my own cup next time.
After my non-brunch, I walked the pier with Connecticut and her friend British Visitor. We did a little shopping then stepped into YE OLDE KINGS HEAD for high tea. Yes, high tea. (You see that? I will be international no matter where I stay.) Though the selection of teas was minimal (Earl Grey, Darjeeling or English Breakfast), the most important three were there, and the selection of mini sandwiches and bite-sized cakes that followed complimented our tea choices grandly.
We were seated in a room with very low leather booths whose walls were deep red and paneled into sections that celebrated a few prolific kings of England's royal history. It all felt very authentic, and with British Visitor there to verify both our meal and our surroundings, it almost felt like a history class, or at least a brief seminar on British culture, but better, because there was food. And so I tried everything, even the sandwich of cheese and pickle spread (it was good). The tea was complete--with raisin scones, jam and Devonshire cream, as well as egg sandwiches, cucumber cheese sandwiches and both Battenberg marzipan and Victoria sponge cake--and it left us completely stuffed. Luckily, we were able to walk it off up and down the promenade for the rest of the afternoon.
BRUNCH: http://www.eatatjacknjills.com/
IN FIVE: (can I really rate it if I didn't eat there?) 3.5/5
TEA: http://www.yeoldekingshead.com/
IN FIVE: 4/5 Definitely worth giving a try.
My coffee was flavored hazelnut, and though it made me slightly ill (I didn't realise rice milk had dairy...is that dumb?), it tasted good before that! I won't fault them for their food, either, which was large-portioned and tasty to my fasting eye (I had to abstain, as I had already made food plans with another friend for just two hours later). The only disappointing peccadillo of my brief stay at JJ's, then, was their lack of a recycling bin. They were serving green tea at the door and invited their patrons to promptly garbage their plastic, eco-unfriendly cups. And for a place that had ORGANIC stamped on everything, I just expected a wider-cast net of earth-love. Apparently organic is just a trend and not a way of life to Jack n Jill's. So be it; I'll bring my own cup next time.
After my non-brunch, I walked the pier with Connecticut and her friend British Visitor. We did a little shopping then stepped into YE OLDE KINGS HEAD for high tea. Yes, high tea. (You see that? I will be international no matter where I stay.) Though the selection of teas was minimal (Earl Grey, Darjeeling or English Breakfast), the most important three were there, and the selection of mini sandwiches and bite-sized cakes that followed complimented our tea choices grandly.
We were seated in a room with very low leather booths whose walls were deep red and paneled into sections that celebrated a few prolific kings of England's royal history. It all felt very authentic, and with British Visitor there to verify both our meal and our surroundings, it almost felt like a history class, or at least a brief seminar on British culture, but better, because there was food. And so I tried everything, even the sandwich of cheese and pickle spread (it was good). The tea was complete--with raisin scones, jam and Devonshire cream, as well as egg sandwiches, cucumber cheese sandwiches and both Battenberg marzipan and Victoria sponge cake--and it left us completely stuffed. Luckily, we were able to walk it off up and down the promenade for the rest of the afternoon.
BRUNCH: http://www.eatatjacknjills.com/
IN FIVE: (can I really rate it if I didn't eat there?) 3.5/5
TEA: http://www.yeoldekingshead.com/
IN FIVE: 4/5 Definitely worth giving a try.
samedi 10 mai 2008
Falcon (dinner)
Or: Make me one more drink, hold the gnocchi.
A very good girlfriend, who we'll call Handy (as in, she always keeps a drink...), organised her birthday dinner at a spot in Hollywood last night: FALCON. The company was varied and fabulous, and we wore the glimmer of celebration well. Too bad our venue did not.
Now, I'll have to admit that I was immediately suspicious of Handy's birthday restaurant choice, seeing as I had never before heard of the place. But despite the aura I like to portray that concentrates on my concentrated levels of in-the-know, it's fair to admit that I'm still new to Fire City, so I don't know *all* the dazzling places to perch and nibble (or be nibbled). For instance, but two days prior, I was invited to a different birthday bash at The Green Door, and I went "oooh," but had no idea what it meant. Apparently Green Door is the Villa's cousin: a posh, celeb-watchers nighttime candy. Two weeks ago, both those names meant nothing to me, and though they still sort of don't (I'll stick to frequenting trivia night at Busby's, thank you), their mention makes me remember that I'm still learning when and how to "oooh," Fire-City style.
At any rate, I didn't want to judge Handy's taste based on my slightly inflated in-the-know (even after glancing over Falcon's website and taking a peek at her "sister restaurants," I was still drawing an absolute blank), so I bit my tongue, declared my excitement and actually became so upon the promise of trying something new, i.e., practicing one of life's truest passions. Unfortunately, Falcon failed on several counts. Here are...
FIVE REASONS WHY FALCON FAILED
1. Lack of menu options. Not only is their menu priced high and its choices slim--you can pick from about ten things, all decidedly grouped in the tired menu heading of "American eclectic"--but at 9pm on a Friday night with about four other parties dining in the entire restaurant, they announced they had run out of gnocchi. When your menu has four meals on it, you are not allowed to run out of anything. Shame on you, Falcon.
2. Slow service. Though we were seated promptly upon entry, and our waiters were kind, smiley and good-looking enough for the Hollywood scene (I'm disgusted that I just typed that...NOT), they were not quick. We were without waters for about 10 minutes and without drinks for about 15 after that. A gracious smile from our waitress, Krystal, at every turn, but pangs of hunger resultant from their dowdy bread basket (three pretzel sticks, two large crackers and one dinner roll...for a party of ten? Luckily they brought a second when we balked) left us unmoved.
3. Music. Their in-house DJ should quit his night job and go back to accounting. The mix of Moby-esque tunes interrupted by bad scratching and off-beat track changes actually made it into our conversation too often to be ignored.
4. Decor. Or rather, heating? The set-up of Falcon, I'll admit, is lovely: wide, dark oak "sofas" have rich red pillows adorning their girth. The tables are low and comfortably narrow, I imagine, to encourage conversation over the din of bad music, and in fact, the sunken exterior patio and adjacent candlelit bar would make a great dance space if Falcon decided to quit trying that whole dinner thing and just become a nightclub. But seeing as exterior, currently, is still eating space, Falcon should make amends to its decorating (i.e., should have cut down that tree above our table so we could fit a heat lamp right there). It's strange that it has been so chilly recently, and I probably shouldn't blame Falcon for the fact that I had to keep my jacket on all through dinner, but frankly, Falcon lacked the heat-lampage to justify seating us outside. And there was too much tree.
5. The quality of the patronage. Now, we were amongst the patrons, but as young, hip 20-somethings with no inhibitions on a Friday night, we were the most happening thing at Falcon that Friday, and in a city like Fire City--and in a neighborhood like Hollywood--we should not have been. When I go out, I want my experience to be like taking an AP Chem class. Not that I want to be constantly confused and fighting back tears--I just don't want to be the smartest person in the room. If there's no challenge, I'm in the wrong place. This is why I took AP classes in high school and why I took graduate level classes as an undergrad: the thrill of the challenge. If I walk into a club or bar or anywhere and I'm one of the smartest-looking people there, I'm in the wrong bar. I want to earn my hotness, not have it given to me by default. In this town, that's the marking of a bad venue. And/or Busby's.
THE UPPER: Drinks were absolutely fabulous. Strong, solid beverages they were; and for their flavor, practically worth their Hollywood pricetag. If I ever come back to Falcon, it will be for the deliciously fruity concoction, the caipirosa. They took so long to bring our food, I was feeling awfully festive when it finally did arrive. And I kinda liked that.
IN FIVE: 2/5, because I'm rating it as a restaurant, not a bar. I'll admit the drinks deserve higher.
THE (otherwise forgettable) SPOT: http://www.falconslair.com/
A very good girlfriend, who we'll call Handy (as in, she always keeps a drink...), organised her birthday dinner at a spot in Hollywood last night: FALCON. The company was varied and fabulous, and we wore the glimmer of celebration well. Too bad our venue did not.
Now, I'll have to admit that I was immediately suspicious of Handy's birthday restaurant choice, seeing as I had never before heard of the place. But despite the aura I like to portray that concentrates on my concentrated levels of in-the-know, it's fair to admit that I'm still new to Fire City, so I don't know *all* the dazzling places to perch and nibble (or be nibbled). For instance, but two days prior, I was invited to a different birthday bash at The Green Door, and I went "oooh," but had no idea what it meant. Apparently Green Door is the Villa's cousin: a posh, celeb-watchers nighttime candy. Two weeks ago, both those names meant nothing to me, and though they still sort of don't (I'll stick to frequenting trivia night at Busby's, thank you), their mention makes me remember that I'm still learning when and how to "oooh," Fire-City style.
At any rate, I didn't want to judge Handy's taste based on my slightly inflated in-the-know (even after glancing over Falcon's website and taking a peek at her "sister restaurants," I was still drawing an absolute blank), so I bit my tongue, declared my excitement and actually became so upon the promise of trying something new, i.e., practicing one of life's truest passions. Unfortunately, Falcon failed on several counts. Here are...
FIVE REASONS WHY FALCON FAILED
1. Lack of menu options. Not only is their menu priced high and its choices slim--you can pick from about ten things, all decidedly grouped in the tired menu heading of "American eclectic"--but at 9pm on a Friday night with about four other parties dining in the entire restaurant, they announced they had run out of gnocchi. When your menu has four meals on it, you are not allowed to run out of anything. Shame on you, Falcon.
2. Slow service. Though we were seated promptly upon entry, and our waiters were kind, smiley and good-looking enough for the Hollywood scene (I'm disgusted that I just typed that...NOT), they were not quick. We were without waters for about 10 minutes and without drinks for about 15 after that. A gracious smile from our waitress, Krystal, at every turn, but pangs of hunger resultant from their dowdy bread basket (three pretzel sticks, two large crackers and one dinner roll...for a party of ten? Luckily they brought a second when we balked) left us unmoved.
3. Music. Their in-house DJ should quit his night job and go back to accounting. The mix of Moby-esque tunes interrupted by bad scratching and off-beat track changes actually made it into our conversation too often to be ignored.
4. Decor. Or rather, heating? The set-up of Falcon, I'll admit, is lovely: wide, dark oak "sofas" have rich red pillows adorning their girth. The tables are low and comfortably narrow, I imagine, to encourage conversation over the din of bad music, and in fact, the sunken exterior patio and adjacent candlelit bar would make a great dance space if Falcon decided to quit trying that whole dinner thing and just become a nightclub. But seeing as exterior, currently, is still eating space, Falcon should make amends to its decorating (i.e., should have cut down that tree above our table so we could fit a heat lamp right there). It's strange that it has been so chilly recently, and I probably shouldn't blame Falcon for the fact that I had to keep my jacket on all through dinner, but frankly, Falcon lacked the heat-lampage to justify seating us outside. And there was too much tree.
5. The quality of the patronage. Now, we were amongst the patrons, but as young, hip 20-somethings with no inhibitions on a Friday night, we were the most happening thing at Falcon that Friday, and in a city like Fire City--and in a neighborhood like Hollywood--we should not have been. When I go out, I want my experience to be like taking an AP Chem class. Not that I want to be constantly confused and fighting back tears--I just don't want to be the smartest person in the room. If there's no challenge, I'm in the wrong place. This is why I took AP classes in high school and why I took graduate level classes as an undergrad: the thrill of the challenge. If I walk into a club or bar or anywhere and I'm one of the smartest-looking people there, I'm in the wrong bar. I want to earn my hotness, not have it given to me by default. In this town, that's the marking of a bad venue. And/or Busby's.
THE UPPER: Drinks were absolutely fabulous. Strong, solid beverages they were; and for their flavor, practically worth their Hollywood pricetag. If I ever come back to Falcon, it will be for the deliciously fruity concoction, the caipirosa. They took so long to bring our food, I was feeling awfully festive when it finally did arrive. And I kinda liked that.
IN FIVE: 2/5, because I'm rating it as a restaurant, not a bar. I'll admit the drinks deserve higher.
THE (otherwise forgettable) SPOT: http://www.falconslair.com/
jeudi 8 mai 2008
Titulary: of, or relating to, titles
Not to be confused with "tittilary: of, or relating to, the area found at, or near, either breast."*
I recently have been dwelling upon the titles of my postings, realising that for movie reviews, I always title my post with the name of the film, but for restaurant reviews, I usually attempt some supercilious stab at wordy wit. Why is that? If anything, I figure it makes it easy to find my musings on movies but less so to discover the bars and restaurants where I've chosen to quaff my thirst and satisfy my hunger.
So the question doth loometh: shalt I change the method? As yet, undecided.
And by the way, just found out RDJr of IRON MAN infamy makes a cameo in the upcoming, craptastic, un-sequel THE INCREDIBLE HULK. And since I support RDJ in all activities (illicit drug use aside), I now have to see it. Siiiiiigh, I'll get over it.
* = not actually a word
I recently have been dwelling upon the titles of my postings, realising that for movie reviews, I always title my post with the name of the film, but for restaurant reviews, I usually attempt some supercilious stab at wordy wit. Why is that? If anything, I figure it makes it easy to find my musings on movies but less so to discover the bars and restaurants where I've chosen to quaff my thirst and satisfy my hunger.
So the question doth loometh: shalt I change the method? As yet, undecided.
And by the way, just found out RDJr of IRON MAN infamy makes a cameo in the upcoming, craptastic, un-sequel THE INCREDIBLE HULK. And since I support RDJ in all activities (illicit drug use aside), I now have to see it. Siiiiiigh, I'll get over it.
* = not actually a word
mardi 6 mai 2008
Une bonne petite porte à la côté
I'm usually on time. And I'm as efficient as an enema. Two things that make me a good assistant.
In belated celebration of "National Professional Assistant's Day" (did you know that was a holiday? There's also a Boss's Day--EVERY OTHER DAY OF THE YEAR!...and on October 16th), my boss was so kind as to take me out to lunch. We went to a French bistro of my choosing, THE LITTLE NEXT DOOR, which is, ironically (or more like "obviously") next door to its sister food hang, THE LITTLE DOOR. Both owned and operated by real, live French people, the service was slow--or shall we say...leisurely?--and the food was delicious. Since the place had been recommended by friends who had visited for breakfast several times, I was stocked with favorable anticipation that let loose upon arrival. I spoke French to my waiter, and (hopefully) impressed my boss.
I chose the appetizer crab cakes as my meal. They were "Moroccan blue crab," and our waiter, who claimed to be from Morocco, assured me they were divine. I'm a fan of the cake du crab, and I usually judge a restaurant based on this particular patty, so I couldn't decline. The side salad with which they were served was light, of bitter greens and garbanzo beans, and dusted with salt, and the sauce that accompanied the cakes was generous and flavorful, if a touch too thick. But the crab cakes got a B+, if you wanted a score. A bit stiff at the interior, and not enough flake against the fork upon cutting.
My boss ate a pesto chicken sandwich partnered with peppered shoestrings. From the looks of it, he liked what he saw, though do note that the restau carries no ketchup. Ketchup is for les americains.
We finished our meal with cappuccino and an espresso, and with a coffee and a pistachio macaroon, respectively (I went for the pistache, natch; and my espresso was Lavazza, which I la-loved-ah), and then we hailed the tab. So I bid our waiter Au revoir and admired the dessert case from behind my dark sunglasses. Ah, nostalgia, you tasted so good.
IN FIVE: 3.5/5, but the macaroons get a 4. And I'm definitely willing to try Little Next for breakfast.
THE SPOT: http://www.thelittledoor.com/lndsplash.html
In belated celebration of "National Professional Assistant's Day" (did you know that was a holiday? There's also a Boss's Day--EVERY OTHER DAY OF THE YEAR!...and on October 16th), my boss was so kind as to take me out to lunch. We went to a French bistro of my choosing, THE LITTLE NEXT DOOR, which is, ironically (or more like "obviously") next door to its sister food hang, THE LITTLE DOOR. Both owned and operated by real, live French people, the service was slow--or shall we say...leisurely?--and the food was delicious. Since the place had been recommended by friends who had visited for breakfast several times, I was stocked with favorable anticipation that let loose upon arrival. I spoke French to my waiter, and (hopefully) impressed my boss.
I chose the appetizer crab cakes as my meal. They were "Moroccan blue crab," and our waiter, who claimed to be from Morocco, assured me they were divine. I'm a fan of the cake du crab, and I usually judge a restaurant based on this particular patty, so I couldn't decline. The side salad with which they were served was light, of bitter greens and garbanzo beans, and dusted with salt, and the sauce that accompanied the cakes was generous and flavorful, if a touch too thick. But the crab cakes got a B+, if you wanted a score. A bit stiff at the interior, and not enough flake against the fork upon cutting.
My boss ate a pesto chicken sandwich partnered with peppered shoestrings. From the looks of it, he liked what he saw, though do note that the restau carries no ketchup. Ketchup is for les americains.
We finished our meal with cappuccino and an espresso, and with a coffee and a pistachio macaroon, respectively (I went for the pistache, natch; and my espresso was Lavazza, which I la-loved-ah), and then we hailed the tab. So I bid our waiter Au revoir and admired the dessert case from behind my dark sunglasses. Ah, nostalgia, you tasted so good.
IN FIVE: 3.5/5, but the macaroons get a 4. And I'm definitely willing to try Little Next for breakfast.
THE SPOT: http://www.thelittledoor.com/lndsplash.html
two in the pink: Cinco de Mayo at Pink Taco
It's a bit of a lie; I spent quatro de mayo at PINK TACO, but well, I had plans on Monday. And Pink Taco, though trying so hard for glitterati, Mexican kitsch--or perhaps because it's trying so hard--is a spot you can go through life missing out on.
The place was geared up for a festive Cinco weekend, and we caught it at its height--next to empty at about 6pm on a Sunday. Sure, we still had to wait ten minutes for a table, and yeah, our waitress forgot to bring our drinks until we asked, and yes, our chip bowl was only filled once--and I had to ask the manager before that happened--but the margs were good. And at the lucky-for-me Cinco price of $8, they were WAY good. I recommend the Pink Margarita (HA, if you're a GIRL!), but for that one, go easy on the salt.
Food-wise, we stuck it straight and just had two plates of nachos. As my friend put it, "That's the only thing I really want to trust to them." Are we Mexi-snobs? Apparently. I don't eat at Taco Bell either.
IN FIVE: 2.5/5 (OKAY, 2.5 in the pink. And for no real reason, just that I prefer waitresses that aren't named "Dior" and who don't wear gold, midget-sized bangles. And also because I prefer EL CHOLO)
THE SPOT: http://www.pinktaco.com/
The place was geared up for a festive Cinco weekend, and we caught it at its height--next to empty at about 6pm on a Sunday. Sure, we still had to wait ten minutes for a table, and yeah, our waitress forgot to bring our drinks until we asked, and yes, our chip bowl was only filled once--and I had to ask the manager before that happened--but the margs were good. And at the lucky-for-me Cinco price of $8, they were WAY good. I recommend the Pink Margarita (HA, if you're a GIRL!), but for that one, go easy on the salt.
Food-wise, we stuck it straight and just had two plates of nachos. As my friend put it, "That's the only thing I really want to trust to them." Are we Mexi-snobs? Apparently. I don't eat at Taco Bell either.
IN FIVE: 2.5/5 (OKAY, 2.5 in the pink. And for no real reason, just that I prefer waitresses that aren't named "Dior" and who don't wear gold, midget-sized bangles. And also because I prefer EL CHOLO)
THE SPOT: http://www.pinktaco.com/
WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS
Free screening.
That's all I'm saying. Because I know it seems odd that I would have willfully attended a movie starring Ashton Kutcher and/or Cameron Diaz--let alone the two of them together--and paid my good money to do so. But I didn't, so there. It was free. But by the eye of Zeus, it was actually neither a waste of my good money (free, remember?) nor my good time. It was fun. It was...cute. It was...rather enjoyable. AND I USUALLY HATE ROMANTIC COMEDIES.
Now, the last free screening I attended thanks to a random invite was for STREET KINGS, so my newfound skepticism concerning free gifts (everything costs something), left me with very (read: VERY) low expectations for this particular feature. And what with Goofy Face and I-Can-Eat-A-Banana-Sideways-With-The-Peel-Still-On Fried-Skin Smiley Girl (was that harsh?), my Annoyance Meter was set on HIGH. But the promise of free popcorn wooed me into the theatre. That, and the movie's clever though realistically somewhat fallible premise. Plus, I hadn't puked in my mouth in a while, so I thought, what the hey. But really, who doesn't want to see a movie about two people who get married accidentally in Vegas? Who hasn't feared that might happen to them one trip or another...or has it already happened?
Ashton's up to his old tricks with mostly physical comedy (that's where you make the money, baby, put THE GUARDIAN behind you), but alongside Banana Girl, they somehow work. There's a middle scene where Cameron gets too wet for next to no reason, and I really almost threw up ON people during the last five minutes of the flick, but besides these two minor script flaws, I gleefully was L'ing-O-L (or do people say LOL-ing?) the whole movie long. There were no animal gags (I hate you, FAILURE TO LAUNCH), no overwhelming plot holes (see: everything starring Kate Hudson post-ALMOST FAMOUS), and no Kate Hudson (yeah, I said that). And there was Rob Corddry!
THE PLOT: They should've had a pre-nup.
THE THOUGHT: I wanna go to Vegas!
IN FIVE: 3.5/5*
MAN ALIVE!: http://www.whathappensinvegasmovie.com/
* = I think I used to have a rule that no rom-com, by merit of the entire genre's puerile ridiculousness, merits a score above three. But look at that! Ashton broke the barrier! This is alarming.
That's all I'm saying. Because I know it seems odd that I would have willfully attended a movie starring Ashton Kutcher and/or Cameron Diaz--let alone the two of them together--and paid my good money to do so. But I didn't, so there. It was free. But by the eye of Zeus, it was actually neither a waste of my good money (free, remember?) nor my good time. It was fun. It was...cute. It was...rather enjoyable. AND I USUALLY HATE ROMANTIC COMEDIES.
Now, the last free screening I attended thanks to a random invite was for STREET KINGS, so my newfound skepticism concerning free gifts (everything costs something), left me with very (read: VERY) low expectations for this particular feature. And what with Goofy Face and I-Can-Eat-A-Banana-Sideways-With-The-Peel-Still-On Fried-Skin Smiley Girl (was that harsh?), my Annoyance Meter was set on HIGH. But the promise of free popcorn wooed me into the theatre. That, and the movie's clever though realistically somewhat fallible premise. Plus, I hadn't puked in my mouth in a while, so I thought, what the hey. But really, who doesn't want to see a movie about two people who get married accidentally in Vegas? Who hasn't feared that might happen to them one trip or another...or has it already happened?
Ashton's up to his old tricks with mostly physical comedy (that's where you make the money, baby, put THE GUARDIAN behind you), but alongside Banana Girl, they somehow work. There's a middle scene where Cameron gets too wet for next to no reason, and I really almost threw up ON people during the last five minutes of the flick, but besides these two minor script flaws, I gleefully was L'ing-O-L (or do people say LOL-ing?) the whole movie long. There were no animal gags (I hate you, FAILURE TO LAUNCH), no overwhelming plot holes (see: everything starring Kate Hudson post-ALMOST FAMOUS), and no Kate Hudson (yeah, I said that). And there was Rob Corddry!
THE PLOT: They should've had a pre-nup.
THE THOUGHT: I wanna go to Vegas!
IN FIVE: 3.5/5*
MAN ALIVE!: http://www.whathappensinvegasmovie.com/
* = I think I used to have a rule that no rom-com, by merit of the entire genre's puerile ridiculousness, merits a score above three. But look at that! Ashton broke the barrier! This is alarming.
lundi 5 mai 2008
Absolutely ridiculous, I don't paint.
5 REASONS WHY IRON MAN IS THE BEST SUPERHERO MOVIE OF THE YEAR, NAY, THE DECADE:
1. Impeccable casting. Unlike ALL THREE SPIDERMAN MOVIES (Kirstin Dunst, you fraud!), this film nails it. From the sensational Robert Downey Jr., to Gwenyth Paltrow in her first blockbuster role since AUSTIN POWERS, to the over-the-top but actually kinda spot-on villain, Jeff Bridges, to the slightly useless but subtly humorous Terrance Howard, no role feels wrong. I'm even giving Clark Gregg a shout (Go SHIELD; you earned it).
2. Superior directing. Jon Favreau, WIMBLEDON was great...and so was ELF...and the even lesser known ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE...I'm being sarcastic. Congrats, this film will forever be your new calling card. It was funny where it needed to be, never heavy-handed and action-packed 'til the very end. And there was no f'ing Toby Maguire trying to sexy dance. Ugh. Get ready for the Jay Abrams big bucks, Fav, you're a member of the club. (And for the record, you're taking Brett Ratner's spot. X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, we're so over you.)
3. The dialogue is worth repeating, and the plot remains in tact throughout. There are a lot of good one-liners--probably more than a bit of ad-lib from RDJr, but if there's anyone who can run with it, he can. Did anyone see KISS, KISS, BANG, BANG? No? Well, you should have. And unlike superhero movies where plot holes are covered by a series of explosions (and/or dance numbers...) this movie gave adequate exposition without a two-hour long sequence in Siberia during which our hero hones his craft (yes, I slept through that, Christian Bale). You still have the back story, and as someone who didn't even know what or who Iorn Man was before seeing this movie, I jumped on board the plot (give or take a few errors in physics) very easily. The pace was steady, the humor consistent, all that. And in my opinion, that's how an action movie should unroll (PIRATES 3, I'm talking to you).
4. We root for the underdog. Not only is IRON MAN, like BATMAN, an unconventional superhero (i.e., he wasn't born on another planet or with birth mutations or bitten by something hairy), but his story is the fabulous stuff of fairy tale. Super rich super genius gets a heart and wants to save the world. Awwww. It's a pleasure to watch how a normal man (moulah and MENSA-status aside) begins leading a fantastic life (more fantastic than sleeping with super models every night?) and through that process, becomes more normal to us all. I like that he's smart. That's the bottom line. I'll root for the nerd, even if his movie is weighed down by constant product-placement.
5. The numbers don't lie. Just $10 million short of SPIDERMAN's opening ($104 as compared to the webbed private dancer's $114) on a standard three-day weekend, IRON MAN is making history. It's the second-biggest non-sequel opening ever, and the eighth-biggest three-day debut of all time. Eat that, skeptics. And then go see that. You will not be disappointed. Unless you're just a Debbie Downer who hates having a fantastic good time at the cinema. But I guess there's a superhero movie for you, too. It's called SUPERHERO MOVIE.
one more time for the kids: http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
1. Impeccable casting. Unlike ALL THREE SPIDERMAN MOVIES (Kirstin Dunst, you fraud!), this film nails it. From the sensational Robert Downey Jr., to Gwenyth Paltrow in her first blockbuster role since AUSTIN POWERS, to the over-the-top but actually kinda spot-on villain, Jeff Bridges, to the slightly useless but subtly humorous Terrance Howard, no role feels wrong. I'm even giving Clark Gregg a shout (Go SHIELD; you earned it).
2. Superior directing. Jon Favreau, WIMBLEDON was great...and so was ELF...and the even lesser known ZATHURA: A SPACE ADVENTURE...I'm being sarcastic. Congrats, this film will forever be your new calling card. It was funny where it needed to be, never heavy-handed and action-packed 'til the very end. And there was no f'ing Toby Maguire trying to sexy dance. Ugh. Get ready for the Jay Abrams big bucks, Fav, you're a member of the club. (And for the record, you're taking Brett Ratner's spot. X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, we're so over you.)
3. The dialogue is worth repeating, and the plot remains in tact throughout. There are a lot of good one-liners--probably more than a bit of ad-lib from RDJr, but if there's anyone who can run with it, he can. Did anyone see KISS, KISS, BANG, BANG? No? Well, you should have. And unlike superhero movies where plot holes are covered by a series of explosions (and/or dance numbers...) this movie gave adequate exposition without a two-hour long sequence in Siberia during which our hero hones his craft (yes, I slept through that, Christian Bale). You still have the back story, and as someone who didn't even know what or who Iorn Man was before seeing this movie, I jumped on board the plot (give or take a few errors in physics) very easily. The pace was steady, the humor consistent, all that. And in my opinion, that's how an action movie should unroll (PIRATES 3, I'm talking to you).
4. We root for the underdog. Not only is IRON MAN, like BATMAN, an unconventional superhero (i.e., he wasn't born on another planet or with birth mutations or bitten by something hairy), but his story is the fabulous stuff of fairy tale. Super rich super genius gets a heart and wants to save the world. Awwww. It's a pleasure to watch how a normal man (moulah and MENSA-status aside) begins leading a fantastic life (more fantastic than sleeping with super models every night?) and through that process, becomes more normal to us all. I like that he's smart. That's the bottom line. I'll root for the nerd, even if his movie is weighed down by constant product-placement.
5. The numbers don't lie. Just $10 million short of SPIDERMAN's opening ($104 as compared to the webbed private dancer's $114) on a standard three-day weekend, IRON MAN is making history. It's the second-biggest non-sequel opening ever, and the eighth-biggest three-day debut of all time. Eat that, skeptics. And then go see that. You will not be disappointed. Unless you're just a Debbie Downer who hates having a fantastic good time at the cinema. But I guess there's a superhero movie for you, too. It's called SUPERHERO MOVIE.
one more time for the kids: http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
jeudi 1 mai 2008
IRON MAN
Dear Summer Movie Season,
You may now begin.
You might still be tired from last year, when the top seven MPA sudios all crossed $1 billion in international receipts for the first time ever and you made cinematic history, but you're smart enough to know three seasons of sleep is enough hibernation. And this weekend, the film IRON MAN is giving you the right to jump-start, man up and kick into high gear.
Here we are, on the first day of May 2008--that's actually a bit early for you, I imagine--it's not even that hot outside--but I hope you're listening, because it's time for you to heat up. Just ask Robert Downey Jr. who lit the movie theatre screen on fire with his performance as Tony Stark. IRON MAN may be a lesser known suited man of mystery, but he is surely striking a claim on the Marvel movie space now. And with the delightful Gwyneth Paltrow at his side, he's sure to score big. Sure, there are other superhero movies worth anticipating in the coming months--DARK NIGHT and (for the purposes of argument) HANCOCK both hit in July, and though I don't really want to mention it, THE INCREDIBLE HULK is also nigh--but I argue now that there is no movie this summer that will rival the movie I just watched tonight. And so, my dear Summer Movie Season, bide your time no longer. You're officially ON. Chug a Red Bull if you have to; I usually do before a long drive.
Looking forward to spending time with you!
Also, please tell AMC to start serving kettle corn.
Thanks a mil,
--letop5
the plot: RDJr rocks a red suit.
the thought: GO, GO SEE IT NOW.
in five: 4.5/5 (I'm taking off .5 for some physics flaws...'cause I'm a nerd)
THE FILM (also known as the best super hero movie of the DECADE):
http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
+special mad props to JON FAVREAU, the ham director who put himself in at least four scenes. We ran into on our way out of the early (8pm) screening (he was going in for the 11pm). We told him his film rocked, he told us, "Hey, thanks." *HEARTS*
You may now begin.
You might still be tired from last year, when the top seven MPA sudios all crossed $1 billion in international receipts for the first time ever and you made cinematic history, but you're smart enough to know three seasons of sleep is enough hibernation. And this weekend, the film IRON MAN is giving you the right to jump-start, man up and kick into high gear.
Here we are, on the first day of May 2008--that's actually a bit early for you, I imagine--it's not even that hot outside--but I hope you're listening, because it's time for you to heat up. Just ask Robert Downey Jr. who lit the movie theatre screen on fire with his performance as Tony Stark. IRON MAN may be a lesser known suited man of mystery, but he is surely striking a claim on the Marvel movie space now. And with the delightful Gwyneth Paltrow at his side, he's sure to score big. Sure, there are other superhero movies worth anticipating in the coming months--DARK NIGHT and (for the purposes of argument) HANCOCK both hit in July, and though I don't really want to mention it, THE INCREDIBLE HULK is also nigh--but I argue now that there is no movie this summer that will rival the movie I just watched tonight. And so, my dear Summer Movie Season, bide your time no longer. You're officially ON. Chug a Red Bull if you have to; I usually do before a long drive.
Looking forward to spending time with you!
Also, please tell AMC to start serving kettle corn.
Thanks a mil,
--letop5
the plot: RDJr rocks a red suit.
the thought: GO, GO SEE IT NOW.
in five: 4.5/5 (I'm taking off .5 for some physics flaws...'cause I'm a nerd)
THE FILM (also known as the best super hero movie of the DECADE):
http://ironmanmovie.marvel.com/
+special mad props to JON FAVREAU, the ham director who put himself in at least four scenes. We ran into on our way out of the early (8pm) screening (he was going in for the 11pm). We told him his film rocked, he told us, "Hey, thanks." *HEARTS*
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