Movie Review: The King of Kong

It has been a long time since I did a review and this one will probably be on the short side. That said, I watched a movie that many (all) of you have never heard of. The full title is The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters. It is a documentary that is like no other. Its appeal is limited in scope to me, the kid in Blockbuster who said it was great at the checkout line, and possibly Jeremy.

Given the small audience, I am suprised at how good this movie is. At the end, I was left wondering. If this movie is a fully true and real honest-to-goodness documentary, I am amazed at how "human" hard-core retro gamers are. If it was a spoof, I am fully impressed at the acting of the no-name characters. Given the fact that all the actors in the movie are portraying "himself", I have to believe this is real.

The movie tells the story of the fall of the high score record in Donkey Kong set in 1982 by some guy named Billy Mitchell. The movie portreys the subculture that still surrounds classic 80s era video games. It was amazing to see all those images of my past still in full swing in 2008. The haircuts, the t-shirts, and the 4-bit video was all spot-on.

If you want a trip down memory lane, watch this movie. If you are Jeremy's parents and/or wife and want to understand him and others like him, watch this movie. If you have a deep fascination with sociology or anthropology, watch this movie.

Movie Review: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

A few years ago my wife and I went to New York to see the stage production of Sweeney Todd. I have to say, I was highly impressed. The acting, sets, and overall production were excellent in pretty much every way.

That said, we went to see the big screen (aka, movie) version of it this past Sunday. In my opinion, it was a spectacular movie. It had excellent acting from the entire cast. It managed to present the story in pretty much the same way the stage production did. It used a level of in-your-face violent death that hasn't been seen since the classic slasher films of the 80's. Personally, I can't wait until it comes out on DVD. I can't say enough good things about it.

Usually I present my reviews in a more structured form with a basic plot synopsis and leading cast, but I found myself unable to contain my excitement over this movie in order to do so. Anyway, if you have a strong stomach and don't mind a little blood, go see this movie.

Movie Review: 1408

1408 is a story about Mike Enslin (John Cusack) who researches the paranormal. He writes books to help people "stay scared," except that he debunks pretty much every ghost story he encounters. As he goes through another pile of offers to stay in haunted B&Bs, he encounters a post card for the Dolphin Hotel in New York that says not to stay in 1408. Of course, he decides that he, in fact, must stay in 1408. We learn, at this point, that Mike has a past that "haunts" him, and before the movie is done he will be forced to confront it despite his best efforts to avoid it.

Overall, this was a good movie. In this day and age, "horror movies" usually fall into three categories. Some are more like bedtime stories for small children with the occasional startling moments. Others attempt to be intellectual, requiring the viewer to think about what is going on. The problem with these is that they shove everything out in plain sight, leaving you nothing to think about. Still others fall into the hack-and-slash bloodfest. Most people have been so desensitized to things in movies of the 80s that these modern horror movies seem anemic in comparison.

1408 was different. I found it creepy and a little bit scary. It was well acted, and must have been well directed. You could really connect with the story alone in the dark. The only thing that left me a little disappointed was the ending. Without giving things away, there is a moment in the movie which completely disrupts the suspension of disbelief. Even still, I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good quality horror-thriller.

Restaurant Review: 22 Bowens Wine Bar & Grille - Newport, RI

To use a probably trademarked and copyrighted slogan: "Beef. It's what's for dinner." That is the theme of 22 Bowens Wine Bar & Grille. Serving only USDA Prime grade beef, you can be certain of a quality meal. During the height of summer, this eatery (and Newport, in general) may be crowded and hectic. In the middle of winter, however, it is cozy and relaxing with a nice view of the water.

Regardless of the time of year you go, the food is always fantastic. It is apparent that the meals are prepared with a commitment to quality and attention to detail. What this means to you is that "rare" means rare. This is a welcome change from the typical dining experience. In most restaurants today, you can be glad if you receive something that remotely resembles beef when you order steak.

In this particular instance, my wife had the steak and scallop special which was thoroughly enjoyed by her. I ordered the veal ribs cooked rare and only had one small complaint. Anyone who cooks or grills ribs will know that there is a tough membrane on one side of the ribs. This tissue will dissolve around 180-190 degrees. If your meat will not be cooked to this temperature, it needs to be removed. In the case of my ribs, it was not removed. Since I had them cooked rare, it was quite difficult to separate the bones with anything other than my teeth, which traditional etiquette would say is improper.

Even with the challenge of my entree, I enjoyed my meal. Most especially, I enjoyed my dessert. I had a delicious Bailey's Pot De Creme (aka, custard) with chocolate-covered espresso beans and whipped cream on top. Overall, the prices are a bit high, but not out of reason for the Newport area. I would have to say that 22 Bowens would be one of the best places around to get a high quality meal.

Movie Review: Idiocracy

Luke Wilson stars in this hilarious-yet-simplistic movie about the dumbing down of future American society in the year 2505. Joe Bauers (Wilson) is a go-nowhere completely average military librarian who is selected for a military-run human hibernation experiment which is supposed to last one year. Rita (Maya Rudolph), Joe’s female counterpart in the study, is actually a prostitute. She is selected due to a lack of completely average female soldiers. As expected, something goes wrong causing Joe and Rita to wake up 500 years in the future. As explained by voice-over, the bottom end of the intelligence gene pool out breeds "civilized" society. This results in Joe and Rita being the smartest people alive on the planet.

This movie has quite a few laugh-out-loud moments. If you are up for a good stupid comedy, I can highly recommend this one. While the story is simple, there is almost a scary reality to it. At the risk of turning a simple movie review into a social/political commentary, the dumb far out breed the smart. In a short time, geologically speaking, we will be overwhelmed by those who only speak "Slanglish."

From the title, to the description, to the end credits, this movie delivers exactly what you would expect… 84 minutes of mental diversion and some great laughs to boot.

Movie Review: My Super Ex-Girlfriend

Jenny Johnson (Uma Thurman) plays the role of unsuspecting art gallery owner or coordinator or something in this ultra-predictable, but fast moving movie. Little do we know, she is also known as G-Girl.

Super powers aside, Jenny is super jealous and super controlling and super annoying. No one who is so self absorbed would ever even think about helping anyone other than himself (or in this case, herself). Taken as a generic movie, the characters are completely unlikable, other than supporting characters Vaughn Haige (Rainn Wilson) and Hannah Lewis (Anna Faris). Taken as a comedy, the only real scene that deserved a chuckle was the shark-through-the-window scene which was shown in the trailer.

Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson) rounds out the cast of jerks in this movie. While he is usually a decent straight-man comedy actor, you can only play the role you are given. Unfortunately this was a very one-dimensional role and the greatest acting in the world could not save it.

The one saving grace, as I said, was that this movie was fast moving. One reason for that was the length. At 96 minutes, one barely has time to finish an extra-large bucket of popcorn. Fortunately, the worst this movie will cost you now is rental price. With a lot of movies at Blockbuster going for $1 per day, it is almost worth it to see this movie.

Movie Review: Sin City

Frank Miller's "Sin City" gets better with each passing day since I saw it. Fans of Robert Rodrigues' unique style of visual storytelling will not be disappointed. Those who have seen his other works (Desperado, Once Upon A Time Down In Mexico, Spy Kids, etc.) will instantly recognize his form and format. Those that haven't seen them or don't recall them will be equally impressed.

This movie, based on the comic book of the same name, is black-and-white with splashes of color that really make things pop. Compound that with surreal gun fire effects and scantily clad women and you've got a sure winner.

The story to this movie is more accurately described as three stories (five if you count the opening and closing bits). The stories are well formed with sometimes heavy dialog. If you enjoy 30s/40s gangster stories, you will probably really enjoy them. Each part is loosely tied back to the rest of the movie visually, which is what this movie is really all about.

The cinematography and visual effects for this movie were excellent. In fact, I would have to say that, by far, this was the best visual movie I have ever seen. One could almost turn the sound off and still know what was going on. (When I get the DVD, I plan to try that.)

I can't quite figure out what it is about this movie that makes me like it as much as I do. When I left the movie, my initial thought was that it was good, and certainly worth the money. After letting the movie sit in my mind for a while, I can't seem to think that it was anything less than spectacular.

The movie possesses an all-star cast of Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Jessica Alba, Clive Owen and many others. Rosario Dawson was especially good. In a surprise to me (I hate Gillmore Girls), I really liked Alexis Bledel. Its not that she is a good actress (she really isn't). Its not that she is so attractive (Ok, she is cute, but nothing special). What really did it for me was the effect that they used on her bluer-than-blue eyes.

When it really comes down to it, that is what this movie is all about… the visual effects. I can see this movie being a likely candidate for best director and best cinematography in the various film awards.

Overall, this was a great movie. I can't wait for the DVD.

Restaurant Review: Chen's Restaurant - Wakefield, RI

60 Old Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield, RI

Looking for some huge portions of delicious Chinese food? Try Chen's in Wakefield. This unsuspecting location for a Chinese restaurant with a slight Hawaiian flavor serves some of the best chicken wings around. Of course, those looking for the best hot wings have come to the wrong place. Here the wings are covered with a deliciously sweet oyster sauce served piping hot. The only real down side to these wings is that the high sugar content makes them impossible to handle without burning yourself when they come out of the oven. At $8.40 for a large bowl of wings, it is worth the risk of burns.

The beef teriyaki (8 skewers for $8.20) added on to this would have made a good meal if paired with some fried rice. Instead of stoping with the appetizers, each member of our foursome selected a meal choice. My father-in-law chose the Dye Ten Chicken, at $9.10, and my mother-in-law selected the Cashew Chicken Ding for $9.05. Both were deemed good, although my father-in-law was dissappointed that the waitress didn't inform him that the portion sizes were so large. He felt that his food alone would have been sufficient for 2 people.

My wife couldn't decide whether to have the standard General Tso's Chicken or venture out and try the Shrimp With Garlic Sauce. As a fortunate circumstance there is a menu item called the Dragon & Phoenix which combines the two options for $12.80. She felt that the shrimp were small and the garlic sauce was somewhat bland, but the General Tso's was good and satisfying which made her whole meal experience good.

Finally, I chose the Szechuan Ma Po Bean Curd, at $8.70, with a small side of Shrimp Lo Mein for $6.35. Overall, I felt my meal was excellent. The only thing that kept it from being absolutely perfect was the overly large pieces of tofu. I don't dislike tofu, but their large size prevented them from absorbing the very flavorful sauce.

The syling of the resturant is a traditional "red on red with some black". Unlike most typical take-out style Chinese restaurant, there is more than enough seating to accomodate many parties, which is a welcome change to be able to sit and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Restaurant Review: Ben's Chilli Dogs - Newport, RI

158 Broadway, Newport, RI

Looking for a simple, tasty and affordable lunch? Try Ben's Chilli Dogs. This barebones establishment offers hot dogs with a standard set of toppings for a very good price and with service that is both fast and friendly.

There isn't much more to say about this hot dog joint. They offer your choice of toppings including ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, chilli, cheese and sauerkraut to be served on your dog in a steamed bun. The price ranges from $1 and change to $2 and change. Lunch for 2 people usually comes to around $10 depending on how hungry you are and your choice of toppings.

The decor is just as barebones as the menu. The walls are dressed in wood panelling. Seating consists of 3 booths of 4 people, 2 booths of 2 people and bar stools facing the wall mounted bar-type table. Other than the plants in the front window, the only real adornments in the place are the somewhat amusing but rarely changing anti-Bush propaganda at the register.

When I stop and think about it, if I want a hot dog I can't think of any place I would rather get it than Ben's Chilli Dogs. Some people say New York Systems or Spike's Junkyard Dogs are better, but give me a Ben's any day and I'll be happy, my belly will be full and my wallet won't be empty.

Restaurant Review: Atlanta Bread - Middletown, RI

288 East Main Rd., Middletown, RI

Overall, this new area restaurant did not meet my expectations. I have visited 3 times since they opened and have not been fully satisfied.

First trip:

My wife and I decided to try this new place out for lunch. I ordered the California Avocado Sandwich. The sandwich is as follows: Ripe Avocado Slices with Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Provolone Cheese and Dill Sauce on Tomato Onion Focaccia for $6.39. My wife ordered the Tangy Roast Beef Sandwich. This sandwich is as follows: Roast Beef with Horseradish Cheddar Cheese, Lettuce, Tomato, Red Onion, Spicy Mustard and Mayonnaise on a French Baguette for $6.39. My sandwich was good. It contained a generous amount of avocado and the half-focaccia that it came on was quite flavorful. The roast beef sandwich would probably have been good as well, but apparently the people behind the counter don’t know that there is more than 1 red meat. They made up the correct sandwich with the right bread and toppings, but used pastrami instead. Now, anyone who has ever purchased luncheon meat or eaten pastrami knows how different they are. Apparently, neither of these traits are required for employment.

Second trip:

I wanted a supplement to my lunch, so I figured I would try out their bread-like products. I knew they had an asiago bagel ($0.75) and that sounded like it would hit the spot. Some coworkers had placed a phone order, so I went with them to get my bagel when they picked up their food. They proceeded to the big sign that says, "Pick-up Orders" (or possibly "Order Pickup), while I walked over to the bakery/coffee register. As I ordered my bagel, my coworkers appeared behind me sans food. Apparently, for phone orders, you go to the bakery register to pick them up, but there is no sign indicating this. Upon my return to work, I sat down to eat lunch. I pull out my bagel and am disappointed by the look of it. All the cheese (what little there was) had apparently slid into the center of the bagel-hole. After a bite, I am even less impressed. It seems as if they use an egg-based dough. I guess that is OK, but I didn’t really want a plain egg bagel, I wanted a regular asiago bagel. To complete my disappointment, it looked like a bagel, but didn’t have the boiled-then-baked bagely goodness that I was hoping for. At least it was only 75 cents.

Third (and final for a while) trip:

Again, my wife and I met for lunch. She ordered the minestrone soup for $3.29 and I ordered a chicken salad sandwich for $5.39. The total cost ended up at $10.45, which seemed a little high, but I figured I had just misread the menu. upon paying, I get my receipt and my wife goes to sit down. I look at the slip to double check the price with the menu on the wall. As I look up, I see that my sandwich is listed at $5.39, but I have been charged $6.39. Upon closer inspection, I notice that the item on the receipt is not chicken salad, but a Bella grilled chicken sandwich. I proceed back to the register to get my order corrected. The cashier who took my order seemed confused at the difference between chicken salad and grilled chicken, so I had to explain it to her twice, using the menu as a prop. After we achieved comprehension, she walked to the food assemblers, talks with them for a minute and returns and says, "Ok, you’re all set." I look at her and say, "Uhh, the chicken salad is 1 dollar cheaper." Again, she walks over to the food prep area, then she walks over to the bread register, then back to the food prep area, and finally back to me. She looks me square in the eyes and says, "Its only a dollar. We’re really busy. If you sit down I will bring it to you later." So I go sit down and wait for our order. Our food beeper goes off and I get the food and after a couple minutes, she comes out and drops exactly $1.00 on the table and walks off. I sit there looking at my dollar thinking that its not worth it to bother pointing out that there was tax on that dollar. My wife, on the other hand, did not have that opinion. She went up and got my $0.08 and talked to the supervisor. That turned out to be a good thing because as we finished our meal, the supervisor put a bag down on the table with 2 cookies in it for free. At least they are willing to correct mistakes and try to make good on them. Overall, I would say that the layout and decor of the restaurant was pleasant and warm with a very clean feel to it. There is a nice fireplace in the corner with a couch. The location is convenient and there is ample parking. The menu is somewhat varied and the prices are similar to other area sandwich shops. They have a nice selection of breads and coffees. The cashier service was about average, but the food was prepared quickly. Hopefully, as the employees gain experience, the restaurant will improve.