by Christina Waters | May 24, 2009 | Home, Movies |
What blockbuster author Dan Brown needs more than anything right now is a witness protection program. If English teachers, theological archaeologists and script doctors across the land ever found out where he lives, his life wouldn’t be worth the pixels Ron Howard’s new film is made of. In addition to a jowly Tom Hanks reprising his lifeless role as Harvard “symbologist†Robert Langdon, and semi-smoldering Ayelet Zurer as CERN nuclear physicist with a stripper’s name, Vittoria Vetra — both avoiding even a neutrino of sexual chemistry — Angels & Demons had to be Brown’s high school term paper about that merry band of Renaissance conspirators known as the Illuminati.
Langdon is summoned to Rome where hell’s a poppin’ in the form of a vial of anti-matter (cooked up at CERN) that has fallen into the wrong hands. The Church is in disarray, having just lost one pope and heading toward seclusion in the Sistine Chapel (nice photoshopping here) to vote (more…)
by Christina Waters | May 23, 2009 | Art, Home |
Just to prove to you that UCSC arts scholars are messing with traditional art categories – check out this installation of day-glo orange cones. That’s Sesnon Gallery Director Shelby Graham doing the finishing touches.
At the Irwin Scholars 2009 show — reception May 27, 5-7pm. On exhibit through June 13.
Featuring the award-winning artwork of:
Dana Ashton, Jory Bidart, Ben Blair, Ivan Yi-Heng Huang, Anna Huemmer (the cone queen), Jordan Jurich, Conner MacPhee, Maya Manvi, Danni Tsuboi, Jordan Tynes, Bryce Walker, Vince Waring and Mathew Zefeldt.
by Christina Waters | May 23, 2009 | Home, Wine |
Up front let me say that while this week’s cheap wine discovery — a serviceable Nero d’Avola from Ruggero di Tasso — is not nearly as chewy and robust as the phenomenal Phenom (see post below), it is waaaaay better than almost any $3.99 wine on the planet.
For less than four dollars, you’ll experience a nose of blackberries, a central core of Santa Rosa plums and a decent amount of spice, all packed into a 13% alc. slice of Sicily. This wine could save your budget at the next bbq or large-scale pasta dinner. Chase it with plenty of marinara and your palate will barely know the difference.
At TJs.
by Christina Waters | May 20, 2009 | Wine |
If you’re in Palo Alto this Saturday, May 23rd, you won’t want to miss the debut of Bradley Brown‘s new tasting room surrogate, tucked inside Vino Locale Wine Bar of Palo Alto. From 2pm to 6pm, sample a slew of Big Basin Vineyards wines at Vino Locale. (more…)
by Christina Waters | May 20, 2009 | Food, Home |
When that mad scramble for the new and the trendy gets tiring, it’s time to get back to basics.
Mobo Sushi is not only as good as it ever was, it’s now even bigger. Gone are those beloved (or maddening, depending upon your POV) tiered seats. Now Mobo has expanded all the way to the edge of its property. Tons of room, gorgeous, impeccable sushi.
For when that inevitable craving for sushi brings you to your knees.
Mobo Sushi – 105 River, Santa Cruz 425-1700.
