“Dan in Real Life” -
Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, John Mahoney

Finally, a feel good movie! While Carell will never have the depth and comic genius of Tom Hanks or Jim Carrey, his is sort of a reality version. His humor is less expected and less quirky. This was wonderful and Binoche is always a delight. Widowed Dad to three girls is home for a reunion when he meets gorgeous mystery woman in the bookstore; he returns to the house to be introduced to the same woman (who completely captivated his heart) as his brother’s new and best girlfriend. Torture for the week as he sees the object of his affection romping with his brother, but can’t lay a glove. Even his daughter see the sparks fly. This is a fun take on guy meets girl, guy loses girl, guy gets girl back. The best line in the whole show is spoken by the teenage daughter’s boyfriend “Love isn’t a feeling, it’s an ability.” Brilliant, now if we could just live our relationships like that, it would be significant.

“No Country for Old Men” -
Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson

This was more like no movie for the audience. And this won Oscars? The Coen Brothers have found their new ghoulish muse in Bardem, he is like a Vampirish version of Bandera, and needs a new hair cut badly. Jones has seen better days, he isn’t aging gracefully and as much as I’ve always enjoyed his talent, it is now painful to see him on the screen. Brolin still can’t carry a movie and they seem to keep expecting him to. I know they are saying he is truly hitting his stride, unless that is his stride off the screen, I don’t see it. Harrelson was the light point in this. He always delivers unexpected performances and this was no exception even for a cameo. I grant you that the plains of Texas, windswept, littered with bodies, lawless in a world of drug smuggling and lies is No Country for Old Men, but clearly it isn’t a country for young men or women either as evidenced by the demise of Brolin and his screen wife. This was dark, bleak, and not entertaining in the least. Fargo is still their best and most creative, at least they gave Bardem a nail gun instead of a gun through half of this as an original weapon of choice.

“Vantage Point” -
Matthew Fox, William Hurt, Dennis Quaid, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver

This was Memento meets Ground Hog Day but not as mind twisting or as funny. I think I could have lived with 3-5 vantage points but felt more like 17 and that was too many. I actually left the theatre laughing out loud at the absurdity and I don’t think that was the reaction the makers wanted. The cast was all star, Hurt aging well looking more and more translucent in his own skin; Whitaker playing the innocent bystander and hero; Weaver has definitely had work done and looked fantastic sans makeup as the mobile newsroom director; Quaid looked rode hard and put away wet, he needs to have work done! He also was the superhero and that was the laughable part. This was disjointed, lots of gaps, and I didn’t recognize any of the bad guys so I never got attached.

“The Brave One” -
Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, Nicky Katt, Naveen Andrews

I struggled with this as I know Foster is capable of so much more depth. This felt like the tip of her iceberg. Her fiancé is killed and she is beaten to comatose by thugs in Central Park one night. When she comes to and starts to grapple with the grief, she suddenly becomes acutely aware of the ever darker side of Manhattan. She is a talk radio host focusing on street life, but no longer separate from it, she becomes a night time vigilante. The confusing part is when the cops seem to back her up. While she is anonymous and taking out bad guys, they turn the other cheek, and we are left wondering if because she is getting the bad guys, while illegal, is it okay?

“Eastern Promises” -
Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, Armin Mueller-Stahl

While I do enjoy Viggo, this sort of film, fraught with what I deem to be senseless violence, simply seems to be the most popular genre these days. The best part about this was the title and it held far more promise than the movie shared. In a nutshell this is the incredibly desperate story of a young girl who dies in child birth but leaves behind her diary including the dark secrets of being prostituted by the Russian mafia. In getting the diary translated from Russian to English it falls into the hands of the “godfather” and his full fury is unleashed in quelching it and much more. Viggo is the driver of the family and clean up man whose loyalties become divided by his attraction to the midwife who is seeking justice. Mueller-Stahl and Cassel both turn in terrific performances making the film tolerable, but it simply left me with a bleak feeling of incompleteness.

“Martian Child” -
John Cusack, Joan Cusack, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Bobby Coleman

For recently widowed celebrated scifi author (John Cusack) his path to finding his way back from grief and loneliness is to adopt a young boy (Bobby Coleman) who just doesn’t fit in, determined to claim he is from Mars and only visiting this planet to learn about humanoids. It is a well made match and Cusack is able to share the magical and trying story in his writing to the chagrin of his agent (Platt) and publisher (brilliant cameo by Angelica Huston).

The stage is set, of course, in Los Angeles. Cusack has a divine home in the hills, very Frank Lloyd Wright in look and sensibility. His sister plays well his sister who is completely against his adopting as a single parent. Fortunately Harlee (Peet) is his late wife’s best friend and regularly comes to the rescue. Sparks fly but briefly, long enough to make us consider a sequel . . . The Chronicles of Dracoban? Yes, there is a happy ending so to speak, but it is not as trite and pat as most and the cast is very good.

Surprising that the lead minor got such short shrift in the credits. Cusack shines as the quirky writer, not entirely comfortable with his success and not willing to sell out to keep it. Joan is getting trapped in “perfect Mommy” roles, she’ll need to break out soon or risk a very promising career. Peet is lovely, and this is first time she really carries off the role, however supporting. Platt is amusing, a bit big for such a small role. Huston stole it in the cameo!

The latest addition to restauranteurs Michel and Tonya Arnette’s refreshing take on European style continental dining here in Atlanta; their first is my ever favorite Haven at the opposite end of the block. Valenza replaces the late night Mix, it was a bit young for my taste! This has the heart and spirit of a warm Tuscan bistro with plastered walls, rustic oak and pine accents, and wrought iron chandeliers.

The menu is a treat with the biggest, juiciest, most flavorful mussels appetizer I’ve ever had (and that is nationally!) Salads are crisp and creative augmented by colorful beets, baby lettuces, goat cheese and more. Entrees encompass a lively range of pasta, tagarin with peeky toe crab meat, chanterelles, cippolini and basil; risotto with mushrooms and parmesan; ravioli with roasted butternut squash, pecans, brown butter and sage. Meat dishes sport a meaty osso bucco, roasted chicken, or ribeye steak. My personal favorites are in the seafood with a delicious swordfish with borlotti beans, pancetta, and oven melted tomatoes or their silver hake. It is tough to save room for dessert but do it if you dare! You don’t want to miss peach crostada, sweet corn zeppole, or ricotta and pinenut tart to name but a few of the decadent creations.

Valenza
1441 Dresden Drive, Ste 100
Atlanta, GA
404-969-3233

“Ratatouille”

I have to say I didn’t recognize the voices as anything special, but the movie was. A bit campy, and somewhat predictable but I am a sucker for happy endings. Fun because it involved such a collage of characters from old cartoons married with new ones, done in a style that felt real and not super technized. As always every animation has its lessons and this is about the choices we make between being rats in the rat race eating the garbage we are given, or rising instead to a higher level and creating a life of our own design with our unique talents.

What a surprise behind a rather nondescript façade in a relatively uninhabited part of Piedmont Avenue, this opens to reveal exposed brick walls, stained concrete floors, and long gleaming wood bar, exotic cocktail opportunities, and two distinct dining areas. The first and most coveted is the lounge dining area complete with built in chaises/beds. The dining is done on small plates from trays, tapas style. Black and white movies featuring all black casts are projected on one blank wall, lighting is subtle, artistic, and romantic. It has a very mysterious quality with Victorian Gothic overtones.

The menu is intriguing with a trio of deviled eggs incorporating shrimp, bacon, and traditional style, hoppin john is a festive favorite, chicken and waffles is a surprise on a dinner mennu, lobster macaroni and cheese was very tasty, salmon croquettes are a best seller. All showcase an entertaining mix of down home Southern cooking and global influences including Moroccan style mussels and Piri Piri style pork. The portions are well sized for sharing and exploring the creative culinary talents proffered.

The second dining area is more traditional bistro style with wood tables and chairs, seemingly designed for the lounge areas overflow. Without a reservation you won’t get a seat in the Rare main room, but can linger at the bar and enjoy the people scene.

Rare
554 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, GA
404-541-0665

“No Reservations” -
Catherine Zeta-Jones, Aaron Eckhart, Abigail Breslin, Patricia Clarkson

This is a remake of a French film I had previously seen and loved. I do think the French did a better job, more character development and plot depth but then most American audiences prefer shallower film experiences and focus on the star power. Zeta-Jones is appropriately distant and unifocused as the chef of a celebrated NY restaurant. When her sister and niece are in a car wreck on their way to visit and her sister dies, she is appointed guardian to her niece. Clearly her grown up life doesn’t suit the school age Zoe and it is up to the playfulness of Eckhart’s Nick to reconnect Zoe to her new life. Eckhart is a total scene stealer. No matter how unshaven, he is dreamy! Not sure what the appeal with Zeta-Jones’s Kate is, while she is lovely to look at, she has the warmth of a snow pea. Nick is a delightful romantic, sensitive to the needs of all, and wonderfully grounded. I’ll see anything with Eckhart as I truly feel is has an amazing breadth of talent. Breslin is going to go far if she doesn’t burn out in childhood. Clarkson was an excellent casting choice as foil to Zeta-Jones.