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Heidi J. De Vries

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August 20, 2001
You Sexy Thing
Thornhill Cafe. Delectable Thai/French fusion on a quiet street near Montclair Presbyterian. My chicken, artichoke, and cheese ravioli were bathed in a creamy coconut milk sauce with enough spice that I was sniffling by the time I licked the last drop of broth off my plate. A little pricey, but the nice waiter didn't sniff at me when I only ordered a main course without appetizer or wine. Good atmosphere, too (Billie Holiday crooning in the background).

Sexy Beast. Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone star in this slick story of a happily retired gangster who receives an unwelcome visitor sent to lure him back for one final caper. Directed by first-timer Jonathan Glazer, the thoroughly standard plot is made interesting by editing and camerawork reminiscent of Soderbergh and a great soundtrack. Kingsley is brilliant as the thug everyone fears. He is funny, terrifying, and vulnerable, often all at the same time. The inevitable words came out of my mouth as I exited the theater: "Yes, that was the same man who played Gandhi." Also, I saw Sexy Beast with Aimee at the Parkway Speakeasy Theater in Oakland, an establishment which really deserves a paragraph all to itself. Couches, beer and pizza with your movie, a well-edited selection of films. Love it.

n:CODE. The newly reopened DNA Lounge gets my full approval. I had one of those blissful raver moments as I stepped into the club where the music was already going full speed and I could barely wait to get my coat off and my ass onto the floor. It helped that there was a particularly good pack of DJs spinning Friday night: Amber, Plateshifter, Terrac, and SirNod. Excellent vibe and no stripsearch at the door! I'll go back in a couple of weeks to make sure it wasn't a one-time phenomenon.

Rush Hour 2. Jon and I had some time to kill while my car was taking forever to get smogged. We made the right choice in what movie to see. After a shaky start Rush Hour 2 hits its stride and just keeps going. Damn funny, with plenty of awesome stunts from Jackie Chan and goddess Zhang Ziyi (too bad she was eeeeevil). Chris Tucker was delightfully over-the-top as well. May Hong Kong movies continue to exert their influence on Hollywood.

I really should have made it out Saturday night, either to Rant N Rave or to see Stellavision playing in the city. I failed.

Thornhill Cafe
Sexy Beast
Parkway Theater
DNA Lounge
Rush Hour 2



   



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2002

2001


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