My old lady cat, Gremlin, often sleeps on my pillow by my head. One night in my sleep, I must have moved suddenly and startled her out of her sleep. She responded by howling and swatting my left temple with her claws. This woke me up screaming. My poor startled husband had no idea what was going on for a few moments...he thought that there must be some sort of intruder in our bedroom, since both the cat and I were making such bloodcurdling noises.
Never was such a fine cast (John Malcovich, Jeremy Irons, Rachel Weisz, etc.) wasted on such a horrid film. I can't imagine how anyone who hadn't read the book would be able to follow what was going on. And I can't imagine how anyone who _had_ read the book could enjoy the film, since it horribly butchered the story. Also, the film makers were trying to steer so clear of "Lord of the Rings" that the elves didn't have pointed ears (which they do in the book) and the dwarves weren't short and sturdy as proper dwarves should be. (And, sadly, I did agree with one reviewer who wrote "I enjoyed this movie more when it was Star Wars.") We did want to see it on the big screen, tho', because we figured the animation of the dragon would be somethin' to see (which it was -- we figure the way is clear for them to start making movies of the "Pern" novels, since Anne McCaffrey would make sure the movie people didn't butcher her stories).
We decided to eat here on a lark, having always wanted to try tapas. We tried four different items from the "hot tapas" menu, and were very pleased with everything we ordered! It was a nice meal for two people. The waitress was good...she wasn't absent for long periods of time, but she didn't hover.
About my only complaint would be that the prices were a bit high, which means that we won't be going back very often. But we will definitely go back...there are items on the menu that I'm looking forward to trying!
The atmosphere is nice...definitely gives the feel of a vintage diner. But the food is mediocre and the waitstaff seems more interested in their personal conversations than in giving good service. We were there on a slow night, and we almost felt like we were interrupting the staff's social life. And what's up with $.80 refills on sodas? (Not that we were offered any refills, but we wouldn't have gone for one, anyway, at that price.)
There is nothing there that would inspire me to go back.
Saw this last night. Gawd, there is TOO much going on in this movie, but it's still too much fun! The head of the East India Company (wanting to corner the shipping/trading market in the area) has had Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner arrested on the authority of the King (going over Miss Swann's father's authority). He intends to use the threat of execution to motivate Will to go find Capt. Sparrow and offer him a "letter of marque" (basically a free pass to pirate on behalf of the Crown) in exchange for the magical item mentioned in the review. In the mix are almost the entire pack of lovable (?) characters from the first movie, all of whom seem to be out for the same prize, and all of whom seem to have each other over a barrel in a complicated web of obligation, double-crossing, and outright blackmail. There are new characters, too, including Tia Dalma, the voodoo queen, and also Will's father, "Bootstrap Bill" Turner, condemned to serve for eternity on Davey Jone's ship, the Flying Dutchman. (Keep an eye on the heart-shaped necklace Jack plunders from Tia Dalma. That might be a clue to mysteries resolved in movie three.)
The movie ends on quite the cliffhanger, with Elizabeth Swann bitterly regretting her own attempt at piratical amorality. A surprise in the very last scene blew me completely away, and anxious to see the next installment!
For those who stay through the end credits, there's one final, humorous moment involving the key-grabbing dog from the jailhouse. (Yes, he's back, too...for a little while, at least!)
I just wish the city would put safety first with these roundabouts and stop putting tall landscaping in the centers that blocks the view of entering traffic from the opposite side. At the roundabout on Monterrey Way, the shrubberies make it difficult at times to see what is entering the traffic circle.
Saw the movie Saturday, and really enjoyed it. In fact, I think I'm in love with Arthur Dent...he's adorable, especially during the scene when he gets choked up looking at the grandeur of the planet factory at Magrathea.
I thought the movie overall had a difficult time maintaining the delightful, quirky tone of the books, but I thought the casting was great, and the bits from the Hitchhiker's Guide were priceless!
I LOVED the opening sequence with the singing dolphins...visually stunning, plus a hysterical send-up of movie musical production numbers!
(Did I mention that I think I'm in love with Arthur Dent?)
P.S. -- I also find that a song runs through my mind that goes "Humma Kavula, mitchi-ka-boola, bibbidy bobbidy boo...." I have to remind myself that these are NOT the Disney lyrics to that song.
I love the buffet, but probably won't be back for dinner. The food is excellent, but the last time we went there during the evening, we waited for over 15 minutes for a waiter to come by the table, and it wasn't a busy night. The waiter who should have been serving us, who knew we were there, was too busy cleaning recently vacated tables to even say "hello" and see what we wanted to drink. We left without ordering, since we felt like fifteen minutes was long enough to be completely ignored by the waitstaff. (Did I mention it wasn't a busy night?)
I'll second the comment about refills being difficult to get. Water is always offered and refilled, but if I have a soda (which I have to make a point to ask for), I am never offered a refill if my glass is empty. I have to ask for another if I want one. I always wonder why this is.
So...I'll definitely go back for the buffet, and not expect anything other than water to drink. But no more evenings out at India Palace for me and my husband! We'll go to Ruchi instead if we want Indian food for dinner.
The Jin Shan Buffet has great food and good service. It's located on K10 on the east edge of town, but it's definitely worth the trip. They have many really excellent seafood specialities, so if you like fish, shrimp, crawfish, and crab, this is the place to go. The sushi is fresh and good, too. Try the almond cookies for dessert!
Random thoughts
My old lady cat, Gremlin, often sleeps on my pillow by my head. One night in my sleep, I must have moved suddenly and startled her out of her sleep. She responded by howling and swatting my left temple with her claws. This woke me up screaming. My poor startled husband had no idea what was going on for a few moments...he thought that there must be some sort of intruder in our bedroom, since both the cat and I were making such bloodcurdling noises.
We were all awake for a bit after that.
March 29, 2007 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
'Eragon' a very draggin' dragon tale
Never was such a fine cast (John Malcovich, Jeremy Irons, Rachel Weisz, etc.) wasted on such a horrid film. I can't imagine how anyone who hadn't read the book would be able to follow what was going on. And I can't imagine how anyone who _had_ read the book could enjoy the film, since it horribly butchered the story. Also, the film makers were trying to steer so clear of "Lord of the Rings" that the elves didn't have pointed ears (which they do in the book) and the dwarves weren't short and sturdy as proper dwarves should be. (And, sadly, I did agree with one reviewer who wrote "I enjoyed this movie more when it was Star Wars.") We did want to see it on the big screen, tho', because we figured the animation of the dragon would be somethin' to see (which it was -- we figure the way is clear for them to start making movies of the "Pern" novels, since Anne McCaffrey would make sure the movie people didn't butcher her stories).
January 8, 2007 at 5:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Ole Tapas Bar
We decided to eat here on a lark, having always wanted to try tapas. We tried four different items from the "hot tapas" menu, and were very pleased with everything we ordered! It was a nice meal for two people. The waitress was good...she wasn't absent for long periods of time, but she didn't hover.
About my only complaint would be that the prices were a bit high, which means that we won't be going back very often. But we will definitely go back...there are items on the menu that I'm looking forward to trying!
November 1, 2006 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Hayes Hamburger & Chili
The atmosphere is nice...definitely gives the feel of a vintage diner. But the food is mediocre and the waitstaff seems more interested in their personal conversations than in giving good service. We were there on a slow night, and we almost felt like we were interrupting the staff's social life. And what's up with $.80 refills on sodas? (Not that we were offered any refills, but we wouldn't have gone for one, anyway, at that price.)
There is nothing there that would inspire me to go back.
October 19, 2006 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
'Pirates' offers mind-numbing ride
Saw this last night. Gawd, there is TOO much going on in this movie, but it's still too much fun! The head of the East India Company (wanting to corner the shipping/trading market in the area) has had Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner arrested on the authority of the King (going over Miss Swann's father's authority). He intends to use the threat of execution to motivate Will to go find Capt. Sparrow and offer him a "letter of marque" (basically a free pass to pirate on behalf of the Crown) in exchange for the magical item mentioned in the review. In the mix are almost the entire pack of lovable (?) characters from the first movie, all of whom seem to be out for the same prize, and all of whom seem to have each other over a barrel in a complicated web of obligation, double-crossing, and outright blackmail. There are new characters, too, including Tia Dalma, the voodoo queen, and also Will's father, "Bootstrap Bill" Turner, condemned to serve for eternity on Davey Jone's ship, the Flying Dutchman. (Keep an eye on the heart-shaped necklace Jack plunders from Tia Dalma. That might be a clue to mysteries resolved in movie three.)
The movie ends on quite the cliffhanger, with Elizabeth Swann bitterly regretting her own attempt at piratical amorality. A surprise in the very last scene blew me completely away, and anxious to see the next installment!
For those who stay through the end credits, there's one final, humorous moment involving the key-grabbing dog from the jailhouse. (Yes, he's back, too...for a little while, at least!)
July 25, 2006 at 4:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I Heart Roundabouts
They'd just replace the dadgummed things if I cut them down or killed them. Sigh.
July 2, 2005 at 8:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
I Heart Roundabouts
I just wish the city would put safety first with these roundabouts and stop putting tall landscaping in the centers that blocks the view of entering traffic from the opposite side. At the roundabout on Monterrey Way, the shrubberies make it difficult at times to see what is entering the traffic circle.
Sure, it's pretty...but is it SAFE????
June 25, 2005 at 8:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
'Hitchhikers' Guide...' is mostly harmless
Saw the movie Saturday, and really enjoyed it. In fact, I think I'm in love with Arthur Dent...he's adorable, especially during the scene when he gets choked up looking at the grandeur of the planet factory at Magrathea.
I thought the movie overall had a difficult time maintaining the delightful, quirky tone of the books, but I thought the casting was great, and the bits from the Hitchhiker's Guide were priceless!
I LOVED the opening sequence with the singing dolphins...visually stunning, plus a hysterical send-up of movie musical production numbers!
(Did I mention that I think I'm in love with Arthur Dent?)
P.S. -- I also find that a song runs through my mind that goes "Humma Kavula, mitchi-ka-boola, bibbidy bobbidy boo...." I have to remind myself that these are NOT the Disney lyrics to that song.
May 11, 2005 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
India Palace
I love the buffet, but probably won't be back for dinner. The food is excellent, but the last time we went there during the evening, we waited for over 15 minutes for a waiter to come by the table, and it wasn't a busy night. The waiter who should have been serving us, who knew we were there, was too busy cleaning recently vacated tables to even say "hello" and see what we wanted to drink. We left without ordering, since we felt like fifteen minutes was long enough to be completely ignored by the waitstaff. (Did I mention it wasn't a busy night?)
I'll second the comment about refills being difficult to get. Water is always offered and refilled, but if I have a soda (which I have to make a point to ask for), I am never offered a refill if my glass is empty. I have to ask for another if I want one. I always wonder why this is.
So...I'll definitely go back for the buffet, and not expect anything other than water to drink. But no more evenings out at India Palace for me and my husband! We'll go to Ruchi instead if we want Indian food for dinner.
March 14, 2005 at 9:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jin Shan Buffet
The Jin Shan Buffet has great food and good service. It's located on K10 on the east edge of town, but it's definitely worth the trip. They have many really excellent seafood specialities, so if you like fish, shrimp, crawfish, and crab, this is the place to go. The sushi is fresh and good, too. Try the almond cookies for dessert!
March 7, 2005 at 5:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )