by Christina Waters | Dec 28, 2012 | Home |
Vanity Fair meets Readers Digest in this opulent bit of conceptual eye candy for those who can manage to overlook, or temporarily abandon Leo Tolstoy’s towering novel.
And for those who didn’t get enough of Keira Knightley’s collarbones in either Atonement or A Dangerous Method, you’re in for a treat. Not only does the gaunt, gorgeous British “actress” bare bones a plenty, but she also gives us an in-depth view of every one of her vertebrae, a view worthy of any medical school anatomy seminar. And God can she wear hats!
Am I being too harsh? At this point I must provide complete disclosure: I am actually reading the eponymous novel by the aforementioned 19th century author. (Yes, I am one of those who, in high school, opted for four readings of Madame Bovary in lieu of (more…)
by Christina Waters | Dec 27, 2012 | Home |
Finally! I caught up with some of the major films this season, and I did it in a back-to-back viewing marathon (okay, mini-marathon) in the days before Christmas.
Here’s my quick take on Argo, the Ben Affleck-directed political caper. A total movie movie, it’s worth your time, money, and a bag of popcorn.
With the cheerfully ascerbic Alan Arkin, looking every inch his entire 200 years, and the cheerfully cynical John Goodman chewing up the edges of this true-life tale, Argo offers us a finely-calibrated, edge-of-your-seat political thriller, loaded with tightly calibrated acting finesse and split-second timing. As a director, Affleck is truly surprising. The film thrashes deftly through the events of a few weeks during the Iran hostage situation of 1980.
As an “actor” Affleck is nothing to write home about, in fact he’s practically absent while he’s present on-screen. But he manages to nail down the steady central core of CIA operative Tony Mendez, whose assignment is to get six American diplomatic workers (more…)
by Christina Waters | Dec 26, 2012 | Home |
I plan to hang out frequently at The Abbey Coffee house on Highland Street this new year. I am obviously the last to know about this place, tucked inside a church complex just off Mission Street. Warm, inviting, loaded with designer pastries and spot on espresso drinks, it is also a wifi oasis filled with couches, armchairs and plenty of tables for meetings. Thanks to Tom Brezsny for turning me on to The Abbey.
by Christina Waters | Dec 17, 2012 | Home |
As of December 31st, Le Cigare Volant restaurant will close.
I spent some time today sitting with winemaker/restaurateur Randall Grahm deconstructing the situation. And essentially, it’s no big mystery. “To do a proper restaurant,” Grahm told me, “you have to know what you’re doing. You have to have the wit to locate your restaurant in the right place, to know your clientele, to be on the premisses 200% of the time—to be a real restaurateur.”
In other words, he continued with a wry smile, “you have to know what you’re doing.”
Grahm, who admits that restaurant managing is not his first language—”nor my second or third”—says that running two huge businesses (more…)
by Christina Waters | Dec 17, 2012 | Home |
I am getting lots of email from folks who are beside themselves with rage and frustration over the very loud, invasive “holiday” train currently busy lowering property values in the Westside. And all the way downtown.
Interrupting concert performances, waking babies from their naps, causing post-traumatic stress, threats of moving from the area—all of this because some person of influence had a bright idea. Does no one ever consider the consequences of their actions?
This YouTube comes from an irate neighbor Jesse Corona who is determined that whomever perpetrated the unbearable and persistant train horn will put on the brakes.
Train whistle yes. Loud and persistent train whistle no.
by Christina Waters | Dec 16, 2012 | Home |
Here – direct from Iowa Pacific spokeswoman Amy Helstrup – is the schedule of remaining train operation times for December:
Wednesday- Dec 19 2:30pm, 4:15pm & 5:45pm
Thursday- Dec 20th 4:15pm & 5:45pm
Friday- Dec 21st 4:15pm, 5:45pm & 7:15pm
Saturday- Dec 22nd 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:15pm, 5:45pm & 7:15pm
FINAL DAY Sunday- Dec 23rd 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:15pm, 5:45pm & 7:15pm
Whew!
