by Christina Waters | Jan 29, 2008 | Home, Movies |
It’s not hard to believe, watching There Will Be Blood, that Daniel Day-Lewis could simply do a Google Search for an Oscar, and it would arrive at his door the next day via FedEx. He’s that good. And in this would-be epic by director Paul Thomas Anderson, his ferocious performance outstrips the film attempting to contain it.
Not that it’s difficult to become spellbound by Robert Elswit’s probing camerawork of New Mexico and California, or by the eerily engaging soundtrack by Jonny Greenwood. Blood has visual overtones of The Searchers and Giant, yet its tale of moral depression, greed and loneliness bears even closer resemblance to The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, with some Elmer Gantry thrown in.
The story, based on “Oil” by Upton Sinclair, is as simple and sweeping as Citizen Kane. It is a tale of one man’s blind obsession and how the fortune that follows alienates him from other people, and ultimately his own soul. But Blood is no tragedy, and Day-Lewis’ character, Plainview, is no visionary. He’s a doggedly ruthless, unlikeable, turn-of-the-century entrepreneur driven to prevail by some dark fire.
The opening scene sets the tone — for both the film and for Day-Lewis’ performance. For the first ten minutes there is no dialogue at all, as we watch the physical ordeal of a man out in the middle of nowhere, deep in a pit digging rock with a pickaxe. The sheer desperate hardship of this life is conveyed in every sinew, every throbbing vein of Day-Lewis’ anatomy. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jan 29, 2008 | Home |
Being embraced by the Hero of Chappaquiddick might not be the sort of endorsement an aspiring leader would want. But then, as I watch the cameras pan the Senate at last night’s repeat of every other Bush State of the Union speech, I get a queasy feeling as I see the good ole boys anoint yet another newbe into the male power bull-ring.
Yes that is old Washington deal-maker Teddy Kennedy cozying-up playfully with Obama, a contender without an agenda, a strategic tabula rasa — perfect for manipulation by the rank and file. Of course Teddy — “not-JFK” — Kennedy would not want a person with defined qualifications, clear and proven leadership abilities, a brilliant steel-trap mind. Especially if that person was a woman.
But wait? I thought the Obama people kept shouting about how their candidate wanted a change from the Washington establishment? Hmm, guess they meant some other Washington. (more…)
by Christina Waters | Jan 28, 2008 | Home |
Guess where these incredible ganache-frosted chocolate merlot cakes are being created?
(Answer: read my upcoming Metro Santa Cruz profile – issue of February 6.)
by Christina Waters | Jan 28, 2008 | Home |
We spent a knockout birthday dinner at the very new, very accomplished Limoncello (503 Water Street, on the site of the former Bella Napoli). Thanks to chef Giovanni di Maio, every course was solid — as satisfying as it was beautiful. From creamy buffalo mozzarella and fresh basil, to tender mezzaluna ravioli, natural filet mignon and a classic veal marsala, we were thrilled to have this dining room back in its glory.
The place was packed and every dish looked fabulous.
The secret dessert weapon is a frozen cream parfait utterly saturated with the tangy, sweet limoncello liqueur.
Open for lunch and dinner, grazie tanto.
by Christina Waters | Jan 27, 2008 | Home |
Maybe it was the understated crimson wrapper. Maybe it was the elegant matte finish. Maybe it was the prospect of dark chocolate inflected with something dramatically different. Whatever it was about that bar of Café-Tasse artisenal chocolate I saw at Shoppers, I went for it.
Belgian chocolate noir – and here’s the intriguing bit – laced with Szechuan peppercorn. My my.
This was truly something wonderful – a loveletter to my mouth. The effect went like this. Creamy with a pepper crunch, the sensation was distinctly basso profundo, haunted with the descriptively elusive edge of exotic peppercorns. An improbable sequence of experiences – texturally and flavorwise – unfolding with a delightful persistence of synergy. Like a hot dream that continues long after you’re awake.
Sophisticated chocolate – $3.99 for 3 ounces — and something to remember on Valentine’s Day.
