Larchmont Chronicle
march 2015
SECTION One
23
Entertainment
Old West crackles, Firth excels as usual, Canter's cameo The Salvation (9/10): The traditions of Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Westerns and Fred Zinnemann and Carl Foreman’s “High Noon” permeate this violent tale of revenge and retribution At the set in the Old Movies West. Starring Danish superwith star Mads MikTony kelsen, aided Medley by fine performances by the entire cast, especially Eva Green, who utters not a word, the tension crackles throughout, highlighted by crisp editing, fine cinematography, and a wonderful score. Kingsman: The Secret Service (8/10): Director Matthew Vaughn has done an excellent job of keeping the action moving throughout this entertaining thriller/spoof of the James Bond genre. Although marred by repeated scenes of disgusting graphic violence, he mixes action and humor well. Colin Firth gives his usual excellent performance and Taron Egerton shows himself to be a fine talent. The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (8/10): Bollywood comes to Hollywood in this second installment. Enhanced by captivating performances by the cast of senior citizens and the spectacular color that typifies Bollywood, this is another touching winner, closing with a rousing Bollywood dance. Deli Man (8/10): This excellent documentary tells the story of 160 years of tradition of the Jewish delicatessen by
profiling the story of Ziggy Gruber, a Yiddish speaking French-trained chef and thirdgeneration delicatessen man, who operates Kenny and Ziggy’s in Houston, Texas. Along the way we are introduced to other delis around the world like Nate and Al’s and Canter’s in Los Angeles. Also interviewed are prominent connoisseurs of Deli, like Jerry Stiller, Alan Dershowitz, and Larry King. McFarland USA (5/10): Even though heartwarming, this far too long rehash of an oft-told tale germinating with 1955’s “The Blackboard Jungle” about a teacher who gets the most out of reluctant students is burdened by a torpid lack of pace and an unnecessary Hollywood backstory that is totally bogus and detracts from the real story. Focus (4/10): Stuck in a movie that clearly thinks it is far more scintillating than it really is, Will Smith and Margot Robbie (the naked blonde in “The Wolf of Wall Street”) lack even a scintilla of chemistry, mouth lines that fall far short of being funny or clever, and perform deeds that strain credulity beyond the breaking point, leading up to an ending that is nothing short of absurd. Jupiter Ascending (2/10): The only reason to see this movie is to watch the 3-D and special effects but, good as
RESTAURANT & COCKTAILS
they are, they are certainly not worth 127 minutes trapped in a theater with Channing Tatum and this story. Even worse is watching Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne muddle through a role he will certainly want to forget, not unlike Paul Newman who was always trying to run away from his performance in 1954’s “The Silver Chalice.” Fifty Shades of Grey (2/10): Lowlighted by the abysmal
casting of maladroit Jamie Dornan in the title role as an unconvincing, indeed laughable, entrepreneur and sexual dominator, except for the nudity this is the least erotic soft core porn film one could imagine. Dakota Johnson does a lot of moaning and groaning leading me to visualize a director wearing plus fours with a megaphone out of camera range, yelling, “Moan!” and “Groan!” The idea of sitting
through two sequels is almost more than one can bear. Seventh Son (1/10): How could two Oscar-winners like Jeff Bridges and Julianne Moore sign on for special effects-laden crapola like this? My advice to the filmmakers? Reap as much as possible out of the opening weekend, before people can spread the word—and get out of town fast. Visit tonymedley.com.
AT THE LINE HOTEL
Fun, food, art at Commissary
Koreatown’s Line Hotel showcases the eclectic cooking of Roy Choi, famous for launching the food truck craze. His iconoclastic approach to On the dining is again Menu on display here. by In addition to the previously Helene reviewed POT Seifer restaurant, he runs the POT lobby bar, the café, and Commissary, a restaurant housed in the hotel’s rooftop greenhouse. Draped with hanging plants and writhing aluminum air ducts, Commissary boasts mismatched chairs, cocktails served in plastic deli takeout containers and menus
delivered in manila envelopes addressed to celebrities— casual chic with a wink and wry smile. T h e menu itself consists entirely of food drawings, and states: “Welcome to Commissary. There are no description words. I know, I know. Don’t freak out. Trust the pictures. This is the experience. Point and build. And have a great time." And then the fun starts. Point to $8 carrots and you’re rewarded with a delicious plate of roasted heirlooms flavor-boosted by
a complex avocado and tomatillo sauce, which also appears to good effect on the $24 scallops. $12 eggplant chunks are cooked in Thai coconut curry. $12 cauliflower florets are enhanced by tempura batter. The $24 black bass was delicious; the overpowering sauce on the $30 steak was not. Overall, the food is good, not outstanding, yet this playful and brash restaurant is a thoroughly amusing place to eat. Life’s too short to take every bite that seriously. Commissary, The Line Hotel, 2nd Floor Greenhouse, 3515 Wilshire Blvd., 213-3683030. Open Mon. – Fri 7 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
TORTOISE and the HARE A WO R L D P R E M I E R M U S I C A L
Presents
Book, Music & Lyrics by CAROL WEISS Directed by DANIEL SMITH Musical Direction by WAYNE MOORE
Lunch & Dinner Every Day of the Year
3357 Wilshire Blvd. • 213-385-7275
©LC 0406
Restaurant Hours: Mon. - Tues. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Wed. - Sat. 11 a.m. to midnight Sun. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Bar Open till 1:00 a.m. Mon.-Thurs. ~ 1:30 a.m. Fri., & Sat.
Bogie’s Liquor We Deliver 2 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Open 7 Days Hours: Open 6 a.m. Close 2 a.m. Photo by Mike Jittlov
PERFORMANCES BEGIN MARCH 1 ST è FIVE WEEKS ONLY
Call 323-469-1414
Assistance League Theatre è 1367 N. St. Andrews Place, Hollywood ©LC1110
5753 Melrose Ave.
Ticket Donation $12
CALL NOW FOR TICKETS! 323●469●1970 or visit www.nineoclockplayers.com