Hurricane Sandy Relief Concert

 Hurricane Sandy Relief concert took place on triple 12 aka December 12, 2012. A lot of celebrities answered the phones. Billy Crystal who is from Long Beach, NY hosted the show. Their were a lot of performers that played music. Roger Waters did songs from the wall. Even celebrities talked about the hurricane. All I can tell you all of New York and all of New Jersey are now coming together as one as a big unit to stand strong. You can watch clips from youtube.com or viemo.com and you can download the songs from itunes.com.

written and typed by 

Justin Stenzler

Restaurant Review: Amla

Indian food has always been problematic in my family. My father and sister have a higher tolerance for spiciness than I do, my mother's tolerance is much lower than any of us, and that's before we even get into the problems with specific foodstuffs. As such, it tends to be very difficult to find an Indian restaurant that has enough dishes for everyone to get something that they can eat. However, there is a bright spot on the horizon. Earlier this year a new Indian restaurant opened up right in my neighborhood that offers perhaps a wider array of delicious delicacies than any other eatery we've ever come across.

Built in the same space as a previous Indian restaurant, Amla is different from many similar establishments. When I stopped to look at the menu, I noticed that there were a greater number of vegetarian dishes than the two other major restaurants in the area ("Indian Cafe" and "Indus Valley"). Upon further examination, I decided that this establishment dealt with, at least to a degree, more with foods from the south of India, which has a strong vegetarian tradition. Meats and seafood are on offer as well, along with multiple breads and various rice dishes.

The decor and atmosphere in the restaurant is equally innovative. Warm colors of gold, orange and brown surround the diners; the metal wall sconces are shaped like twisting stems with cut-glass flowers as shades for the light bulbs; Indian music plays softly from multiple speakers; and best of all, the service is impeccable. The only major flaw of the place is their desserts; I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but nearly all of the desserts were dairy-based/made with condensed milk, usually with some other minor element that served as flavoring.


All things considered, Amla is most certainly a worthy addition to the restaurant scene in my neighborhood, and my family and I certainly plan on returning in the future. Based on our experience, the cost was roughly $25 per person, so if you're willing to go for it, I would highly recommend you plan your next date or gathering at this remarkable Indian eatery.

AMLA | NEW YORK'S FINEST INDIAN CUISINE 

Movie Review: Cloud Atlas

If this movie could be summed up in one simple phrase, I would go with "Babel on steroids". Like the 2005 film, Cloud Atlas consisted of a series of interconnecting plot lines that come together to create a single story. Those plot lines were sometimes set hundreds of years apart (from the 19th all the way to at least the 22nd century) and featured locations from around the globe.

Unlike Babel, however, structuring the film in such a way worked significantly to Atlas' disadvantage. Not only were the plot lines larger in number, but the the themes and material being dealt with had immense philosophical, sociopolitical and sometimes metaphysical undertones, so it was quite a lot to take and difficult to follow. This difficulty was further compounded by the fact that each actor (the cast was superb) played at least half a dozen parts throughout the various plot lines. This was not a bad idea in-and-of-itself, but here I think they took it a little too far. Another issue was that some of the characters spoke in such heavy/unusual accents (and sometimes not even in proper English) that a good part of the dialogue was hard to understand.

 
On a more positive note, the photography and visual effects of the film were excellent. The audience is treated to sweeping vistas of the Pacific islands, high-speed car chases on the streets of futuristic Seoul and beautiful views of pre-War Britain. The costuming and make-up were also superb. In many cases they were so good that I didn't know which actors were playing which parts until they were revealed in the closing credits (some actors played characters of both sexes).

As far as the overarching storyline goes, I detected subtle hints of Buddhist philosophy: all life- whether past, present or future- is connected and that there is always a desire to obtain truth and inner peace, no matter how high the cost.

Steve Wilkos Attending NY Comic Con

Television talk show host, Steve Wilkos has just been added to New York Comic Con list of special entertainment guests. He will be signing autographs on Sunday, at the Stamford Media Center booth #1068, from 12pm to 1pm.

Source: New York Comic Con

NYCC Live Streaming from IGN Theater

New York Comic Con is completely sold out. But if you can’t be there, NYCC will live streaming  their biggest panels from IGN Theater, on their website via Twitch TV.  Panels so far confirmed to be live streamed are as follows:

Friday

Comic Book Men 2:45pm - 3:45pm,
Silent Hill Revolution 3D 4pm - 5pm
Robot Chicken  6:30pm-7:30pm

Saturday

Haven 10:30am - 12pm
The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2! 12:15-1:15pm
The Conjuring 1:30pm - 2:00pm
The Bay 2:15pm - 2:45pm
Beautiful Creatures 3pm - 3:30pm
Carrie 3:45pm -4:15pm
Evil Dead 4:15pm - 4:45pm
Walking Dead 5pm - 6pm
Firefly: 10th Anniversary Special Event 6:15pm - 7:15pm

Sunday

Arrow 11am-12pm

It’s not clear though, that any exclusive footage shown at these panels, will see shown on the live stream. These panels will also streamed live on big screen in queue hall for the IGN theater. So if you are at NYCC and get stuck line waiting outside,  you should still be able to watch, most of the panel.

Guillermo Del Toro Attending New York Comic Con

Prolific television and movie director and producer, Guillermo Del Toro will be a New York Comic Con this week, at Jacob Javits Center. He will be signing at the Legendary Entertainment booth from 2pm to 3pm on Friday, Oct, 12. Then he will appear on the Legendary Comics Panel, from 5:15pm to 6:15pm in room 1E07, to discuss upcoming projects, with special surprise guests. Del Toro, will also be signing at Dark Horse Comics booth for“The Strain” from 2pm to 3pm.

Guillermo last appeared at New York Comic Con in 2008, to present “Hellboy”. Since the than he has directed Hellboy 2: Golden Army and Pan's Labyrinth. He also been involved in production of many other films, including Splice, Afraid of the Dark, and  His next directorial debut will be the big-budget sci-fi action film Pacific Rim, coming out next summer. No word yet if Guillermo will discuss or present any footage from Pacific Rim. He also just recently secured a deal with FX network, to produce new tv series based on his critically acclaimed novel “The Strain”.

Stay tuned for more New York Comic Con news and information, later today.

Sources:  Legendary Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics

Sesame Street Celebrates 43 Years

                                                                   

Sesame Street has been on for 43 years. It is the longest running kids show. That have added

cartoons and even added more celebraties. I have been watching that show ever since I was born. It was my second most favorite kids show. My favorite character on the show was Big Bird.

written by

Justin Stenzler

Reading Rainbow Gets an app for i pad

            Levar Burton who was the host and executive producer of Reading Rainbow has been able to get an app for the i pad. It shows videos from all the episodes from the past adventures. It will also show all the adventures for you to choose from. I have been watching Reading Rainbow for 10 years.
It is also has stories for you to choose from.







written by
Justin Stenzler

Cooking Tips 104

Tender Meat
A good way to ensure that your meat stays tender is to marinate it in something acidic. Depending on the flavors of the recipe you're using, this could include worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, or even orange juice. A little olive oil never goes amiss either. Just be creative!

Sanitary Surfaces
When preparing vegetables and meat for the same meal, an important thing to keep in mind is the order of that preparation. Any surface (counter top, cutting board, plate, container ect...) or utensil (knives and other implements) used for raw meat should not be used for raw vegetables or other produce immediately afterwards without properly washing said surfaces and utensils. This will prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. The easiest approach is to prepare all the vegetables first (as long as the recipe allows it) and then move onto the meat, so everything only has to be washed once.

Movie Review/Book Comparison: The Hunger Games

Well, after much deliberation, I took the proverbial plunge and treated myself to what is probably the hottest media franchise so far this year. The much-lauded adaptation of the first novel in Suzanne Collins' trilogy, although less impressive than it would be on the big/IMAX screen (do I regret not seeing it in theaters?), certainly delivered not only an accurate adaption of the original material but more than a healthy dose of action, drama and true human emotion.

As far as accuracy goes, I would give The Hunger Games a solid 85% for staying faithful to the book. All the major players were on the stage and delivered their lines beautifully. The most notable, or rather the most consistent, change was what I would call "trimming". In the book, there are significant stretches where the plot line becomes stilted/monotonous and action is at a minimum. Strictly speaking, however, this is probably a true reflection of how the characters actually felt during the competition; alone in the silent wilderness for hours or days at a time, sleeping with one eye open (cliche, I know, but very apt) while physically and emotionally exhausted, constantly on the watch in every direction with minimal food and water; its enough to make anyone anxious. In the movie, much of that slow-moving narrative, as well as sizable portions of general description and Katniss Everdeen's personal musings (the whole book was told in first person), were eliminated. While not seriously affecting the powerful emotional edge of the story, it did remove a good deal of the back story surrounding various characters, especially the more minor competitors. In this sense, if I had not read the book beforehand, I would have had a much more difficult time following the plot.

Another area of alteration that jumped out at me involved the aesthetics of the film (particularly the food, clothing/physical appearances and various physical settings, which Collins describes in precise detail), but this aspect was a bit more ambiguous than the alterations to the actual storyline. Although various aesthetic elements were altered from the book descriptions, the impact of those elements was still just as impressive (my personal favorite was the parade of the tributes, when Katniss and Peeta came blazing in wearing black leather with blue and orange flames streaming from their backs).

The accompanying music was either dramatic or intimate (sometimes both) when the situation required it, and lent a powerful feeling to the already stunning visuals and emotional plot line.

All in all, I believe that The Hunger Games certainly lives up to its monumental pop culture reputation, but I would recommend reading the original book first, if for no other reason than to fully appreciate Collins' skillful mastery of the hero's journey narrative.

SEE MY REVIEW OF THE ORIGINAL BOOK

Oz: The Great and Powerful Trailer

NY Comic Con Selling All Tickets

San Diego Comic Con the mecca of comic cons, starts up this week. But three months from New York Comic Con will be here. While still not quite as huge as SDDC, NYCC sees over 100,000 people.

Single- day tickets for the 2012 show have gone on sale on their website this week. Comic and anime shops also selling single-day, 3-day and 4-day passes. Also professional registration and VIP tickets will go sale, sometime this month.

Professional registration is for people who want to do business at NYCC, like artists, buyers, creators and publishers. VIP passes give attendees perks through the show, at a higher price. Details on these perks, should posted in next week or two.

These are prices for tickets purchased on the website or at retailers:

Friday: $35
Saturday: $50
Sunday: $ 35
3-Day: $65 (Fri,Sat,Sun)
4-Day: $ 85 (Thurs thru Sun)

Prices for tickets will be higher, if bought onsite. But they will probably sell out before then. I strongly advise, that you buy your tickets by early September. As, in past years, NYCC has started selling out online, just about 2-4 weeks, before it begins. Also, NYCC will mail passes to you if you purchase online, by September 7, 2012 (except outside of the US). If you wait longer, you will have to wait on longer lines to pick up your pass at the show.

NYCC has already announced a comic and entertainment guests coming to show. Which runs between October 11-14. Including, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, from DC comics. Mike Mangolia creater of Hellboy. John Quesada from Marvel, and Sean Astin from the Lord of the Rings and Goonies.  They will be more announcements over the coming months leading up to the show. The programming schedule should be released sometime in September as well.

Katy Perry Part Of Me 3D

This movie is based on the life of one of my favorite performers Katy Perry. She is a great dancer and great singer and her costumes are great. I saw the movie with my mom as a part of my birthday week.
Can't wait to have it on dvd real soon.






by Justin Stenzler

Tribute to Robin Gibb

                                                                          Robin Gibb
                                                                         1949 - 2012
Robin Gibb was a member of the Bee Gess. The Bee Gees was a disco group that I thought was untouchable. I was very talented.  The Bee Gees put in four songs in a movie that John Travolta famous in movie Saturday Night Fever which introduced the style of disco.









by Justin Stenzler                                                                

Tribute to Donna Summer

                                                                     Donna Summer
                                                                        1948 - 2012
 Donna Summer to me was the queen of disco. I have been listening to her since I was 12 years old.
I loved her music. Two or Three years ago she released her new album The Queen Is Back. Her real name was Ladonna Adrian Gaines.









by Justin Stenzler

Restaurant Review: Aquagrill

They say that "fish is brain food". If that's the case, then one of the best universities in the city is undoubtedly Aquagrill, located at 210 Spring Street on 6th avenue. If fish and seafood are your cup of tea (the restaurant has, in addition to the main menu, over 20 varieties of oysters + a full raw bar) and you're willing to spend that extra dollar, then hop the fastest form of transportation you can and get to this place for a culinary experience you'll never forget.

When judging quality of food and quality of service (the two most important qualities of a restaurant experience), Aquagrill was pretty much split 50-50. We had a reservation and showed up on schedule, but weren't seated until ten minutes after our reservation time. The service was, in my Dad's words, "slow and disorganized". Granted, the restaurant was very crowded, but there were plenty of servers and my Dad also said that they shouldn't seat more guests than the kitchen could handle.

Balancing out the somewhat lousy service, however, was some of the best food I've had in a long time. The menu was mostly seafood, but really had something for everyone (steak, chicken, salad ect...). The quality of the meal was simply extraordinary, and my family and I all took tastes of each other's dishes (the apple tart dessert, seen left, was my favorite). All in all, the experience was a positive one, and I would go back to this restaurant in a heartbeat.

Just one piece of advice; if you decide to try this restaurant (which I strongly encourage), remember to make your reservation at a time when the crowds are likely to be smaller (we went on Saturday night- not such a good idea), then just sit back and let the good times roll.

Aquagrill Restaurant, New York City

The Avengers: $207.4 Million Opening Weekend!

The Avengers, the movie that put together marvel superheroes, like Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and the Hulk, broke box office records this weekend. The total weekend gross is $207,438,708 domestic(US & Canada). The highest grossing opening weekend for any box office film, domestically. The previous record was held by Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, at $169,189, 427.

The Avengers made $80,813,985 on Friday, $69,577,990 on Saturday and $57,066,733 on Sunday. Friday's total was the second highest grossing Friday ever. Saturday and Sunday totals where the highest grossing for any box office film, on those days. The film is also fastest film to reach $200 million domestic, in three days. A record previous held by the Dark Knight, in five days.

Internationally, so far it has made $654,838,708 at box office and is on pace to reach $1.0 billion in next few weeks. The film was released in 39 foreign countries a week before the US. Where opening weekend box office records were also broken in counties such Mexico and Brazil.

It's no surprise, The Avengers is doing blockbuster numbers. But the $200 million opening weekend gross, was not expected. One reason is that, the movie pretty much scored very high praise from most critics and audiences. The film received 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and A + from Cinemascore, a market research firm which surveys audiences after the see the films. Many people tweeted about seeing the film 2 or 3 times, just this weekend alone. Another reason is the film saw more money from many 3D sales.


Source: Box Office Mojo, Rotten Tomatoes

Styles of Sachertorte

Every nation has at least one food that typifies their culture. For Austria, the pastry role of its signature cuisine is filled by the famous sachertorte, a dense chocolate cake whose layers are separated by coatings of apricot jam. When I was in Vienna in October of 2010, the Sacher Cafe, claimed inventor of the torte, was just a few blocks away from the hotel. In addition to enjoying a slice at this cafe one evening, I also sampled varieties from a few other locations around the city. It was interesting to see how the different places made slight changes to the pastry (i.e. one place used three layers of cake instead of two, another used a slightly tarter jam ect... ect...).

If you can find Sachertorte in your area, I would recommend trying it. The Sacher Cafe also runs an export business that ships the cake around the world. Check out their website for more details.

Sacher Cafe- Vienna   

Eternal Lovers: Solomon and Sheba

I. His face wise and noble.

II. Her eyes dark and alluring.

III. His hair agleam with oil.

IV. Her skin scented with spices.

V. His robes dyed in rich colors.

VI. Her brow adorned with jewels.

VII. His weapons of bronze and iron.

VIII. Her ornaments of delicate gold.

IX. His fields blanketed in wheat.

X. Her gardens awash with incense.

XI. His forests rich in timber.

XII. Her pastures host exotic animals.

XIII. His palace sheathed in marble.

XIV. Her chambers of ebony and ivory.

XV. His chalice filled with wine.

XVI. Her table laden with fruit.

XVII. His bounty offered many blessings.

XVIII. Her desires were all fulfilled.

XIX. A world away, He loves her still.

XX. A world away, She loves him still.

Sword, Pearl and Rose

The full moon hung low in the starless sky,

its pale light gleaming off a steel halberd

as the sentry kept watch atop the lofty tower.

He drew his cloak fast around his shoulders.

Mid-winter was scarce a fortnight away,

yet the chill that grazed him now was not the work of nature.

His eyes swept across the barren landscape.

Trees and fields lay dead and fallow,

their once bright hues now dull and lifeless.

A sudden sound engaged his failing senses.

Steel and leather clinked like dripping rain

as a mounted figure approached the gate.

The sentry sighted upon the rider’s shield.

His halberd clanged upon the rough-hewn stones

as he blew his horn both loud and long.

The drawbridge lowered with a crash of thunder.

As a circle of torchlight enveloped the darkness,

the stranger drew near and removed his shabby cowl.

Chestnut hair hung ragged beneath a battered helm .

Eyes of piercing emerald shone in the darkness.

The left one bore a slender scar, running down from brow to cheek.

Two pages came running, their eyes ablaze with relief.

One grasped the reins as his master alighted.

The other bore hot mulled wine, steaming in a silver flagon.

The lord plodded wearily across the bridge,

born down by the weight of arms and armor,

and by sheer exhaustion of both body and soul.

The vaulted roof glowed in the light of the torches.

The lord was relieved of dagger and sword,

and so were the burdens of his helm, shield, and bow.

The clink of mail and clang of steel resounded in the hall.

As his armor was removed, piece by bloodstained piece,

the lord felt new life grow beneath his breast.

A page led the lord down a broad stone corridor,

into a room alight with many candles,

and bathed in the scent of fragrant herbs and oils.

A tub of water lay with its white steam curling into the air.

A sight of paradise as the lord had not seen for many a moon,

he disrobed and allowed the water to ease his weary form.

With his body pitted by ragged scars of battle,

and strands of liquid silver running through his hair,

the servants saw that their master had aged in more than years.

The lord was garbed in a robe of fine silk,

and seated down before a glowing fire.

Its merry light cast dancing shadows over his newly weathered face.

Servants came bearing trays and salvers.

Bread and meats were placed before him,

along with cheese, fruit, and the clearest ale.

Sated in body but not in spirit,

the lord bade his servants to retire,

and moved alone down a torch-lit passageway.

He stopped before doors of oak and iron.

With the strength of a lion but the temperance of a lamb,

he eased them open with nary a sound.

The light of a thousand candles met his eyes,

and the air he breathed was thick with incense.

On the cold, stone floor knelt his wife, beads clasped in her hand. 

Softly at first, but growing in tone,

he spoke aloud the sacred vows

they had exchanged so long ago.

The lady froze and rose to her feet.

Turning slowly with precision and care, she gasped aloud,

her round mouth obscured by her outspread hand.

With widespread eyes, she watched him approach.

As gentle as a breeze and blossom,

he brought her hand up to his lips.

His touch sent shivers through her very being.

His strong arms caught her as she nearly fell

and led her slowly from the room.

To their own chamber he led her now.

Silk brocades and woven rugs, as well as a shelf filled all with books

gleamed in the light of the roaring fire.

In the soft-glowing light of the bedside candle,

the lord examined his wife’s fine features.

The most beautiful sight he’d beheld in years.

Her blue-grey eyes like the steel of a sword,

with skin brightly pale as the finest pearl

and lips deep red as spring’s first rose.

Gazing into her sparkling eyes,

The lord stroked his wife’s smooth cheek

and with a gentle touch removed her veil.

Her long raven locks tumbled down,

like a new-made waterfall splitting the rocks

and gleaming wit the slightest silver.

The lord led his wife to bed,

and as his lips at last touched hers,

he deftly shed her every garment.

In the light of the slowly darkening fire,

her body shone like a pearl set in ivory,

and with one swift motion she cast off his robe.

They slipped into the fur-lined bed,

each one feeling the body of the other.

For a time, they lay silent, green and blue forever entwining.

As the fire grew dark and the candle burned low,

the lord looked toward the chamber door,

his keen ears straining for the slightest sound.

Hearing none, he turned back to his wife.

She wore a smile that could undo the heavens,

and he returned the gesture in kind.

Taking a hold of the silken cord,

he gently closed the velvet curtains,

just as the candle spent its last light.

Third Tralier for The Dark Knight Rises

Fans around the world. participating in a viral campaign for the film, unlocked a new trailer for the Dark Knight Rises on Monday. Which hits theaters in July  Like the past two trailers this trailer seems to be bit grim and builds alot of tension. However, more action scenes are shown. Including a bridge explosion, a fight between Batman and Bane, and Batman fighting thugs alongside Catwoman! What do you think of the trailer?

Book Review: The Hunger Games

Two issues, one cultural, one technological, led me to this book. Ever since The Hunger Games film was released earlier this year, it has been a blockbuster success and pop culture phenomenon. Naturally, I was intrigued by it, but was always indecisive about seeing the movie. In addition, a member of my social group had read the book and said that, although the story itself wasn't bad, the writing and certain aspects of the plot just didn't seem logical.

The technological issue runs a little bit deeper. For a long while now, I have heard about, and been involved in, the debates between traditional literature formats and the rapid rise of e-readers (Kindle, Nook, iPad, take your pick). I'd long been reluctant to try my mother's kindle (I just didn't think I'd get the same feeling as actually holding a book in my hands), but when a friend loaned her the first volume of Suzanne Collins' trilogy, I figured "why not?", and finally took the plunge into e-reading.

As a book, The Hunger Games was not exactly groundbreaking, but certainly not the worst thing I've ever read. In a dystopian future United States, 24 young men and women are chosen by annual lottery to compete in "The Hunger Games" (basically, they are made to fight to the death on national television and the winner gets honored with lifetime wealth and glory) as punishment for a past rebellion against the government. One of this year's competitors, Katniss Everdeen, however, is unlike any previous tribute and gives the country a show they'll never forget.

A few aspects of the book make it noteworthy in spite of its somewhat cliche plot line. First and foremost, the story is told in first person from the perspective of Ms. Everdeen, so the entire plot is almost like a psychological analysis of this one main character in relation to her surrounding environment. I've read first person narratives before, but this focused so specifically and intensely on Katniss' thoughts and emotions that it seemed like you were literally seeing the world through her eyes.

Another intriguing feature of the book dealt with themes of tyrannical government and propaganda. While the Capitol city has more food and luxury than it knows what to do with, many people in the districts (and Katniss' district in particular) are on the brink of starvation and living in squalor and poverty. Also, the games themselves serve as a reminder to the people that the government has absolute power and can take away their freedom and their lives at will. As a history buff, these themes really stuck with me and, although heavily caricatured  and "cartoon-ized", could serve as a mirror for dozens of totalitarian and oppressive regimes the world over.

Collins also does an excellent job describing the imagery of the various items, characters, locations and events throughout the story and linking them to the views of Katniss Everdeen. To put it simply, the book contains more than its share of colorful moments.

At this point, I'm still a little unsure about seeing movie, but regardless, I am interested in looking at the second and possibly third book in the trilogy, as the first volume left off on rather a curious high note.

CHECK OUT MY COMPARISON TO THE FEATURE FILM

Restaurant Review: Boat Basin Cafe

One of the best features of New York City is that, despite the bumper-to-bumper buildings, there are plenty of green park spaces to unwind, exercise and generally escape from the streets and noise. Although Central Park has the bigger reputation, Riverside Park has always held the more important place in my heart (though this obviously biased, since I grew up less than a stone's throw away from it). If you know where too look, Riverside Park holds many delightful secrets. Since the weather was so absolutely gorgeous today (4/8/12- strong sun, cloudless sky, perfect breeze, the whole nine yards), my parents and I took a walk in the park and ended up at the 79th Street Boat Basin on the Hudson River. I had passed this cafe several times before, but never tried it. In the end, we gave into temptation.

Although the menu at the Cafe was somewhat limited, the food itself was perfectly scrumptious, and it more than made up for a small menu in location, location, location. As you can see from the image to the left, the terrace is set above and right beside the river, providing a fresh breeze (albeit a little too strong on this particular day) as well as perfect exposure to however much sun each patron desired.

The second layer of the restaurant (right) was directly behind the terrace and separated by heavy plastic screens. It contained a vast open space with a full bar, plenty of tables and, of course, big screen TVs. Despite the fact that it was Easter Sunday (when I assumed most people would be at home with their families), it was a full house with patrons shouting and cheering at whatever game was playing (although honestly it got a bit annoying after a while).

The most unique layer of the restaurant was the furthest in (left). For those not familiar with the area, 79th Street & Riverside Drive is notable for its large traffic circle leading to the Westside Highway, and the third layer of the restaurant was sunk directly into the circle (that curving path on top of the arches is what the cars drive on)! Aside from offering the most sun for any interested patrons, this third layer is a pretty cool spot.

If fancy food is not your preference, but you love outdoor seating and a casual environment, then this is place for you. Drop by on the next sunny day. http://www.boatbasincafe.com/ 

War Horse: Movie/Play Comparison

After seeing a moving performance of the original War Horse (see my review) at Lincoln Center last month, I was curious to see how Steven Spielberg's feature film stacked up. Now that I have viewed both, I think I can safely say that, despite their differences, both are fine pieces of work in their own rights.

In terms of plot line, both the play and the film are essentially the same. Various elements were altered, added or omitted (ect..., ect...) throughout the film, but most of these were relatively minor, and didn't take away from the main message of the story. On the plus side, several distinctive scenes from the play (plowing the field, English and Germans working together to release the star- that would be the horse, Joey- from a trap of barbed wire, and the first appearance of a tank the the battlefield) were beautifully preserved in the film, retaining the spirit and passion seen in the live performance.

In one respect, the film actually out-performed the play. Throughout the story, the horse Joey passed through the care of many different people, French and Germans as well as English. Despite the searing conflict of WWI that served as a backdrop for the story, and no doubt the bitter feelings between these nations, Joey had the ability to bring out the finest qualities in whoever he met (the barbed wire scene referenced above is a perfect example). This theme was visible in the play as well, but Spielberg's abilities brought it further to the main, strengthening the all-powerful theme of hope present in both play and film.

Overall, I would say that Spielberg has done an excellent job preserving the vision, scope and, above all, the spirit of the original War Horse. For anyone unable to see the live performance, his film would be a fine substitute. Go and enjoy.
 

Engineering an Empire

I first discovered this remarkable series essentially by accident, but the results were mindblowing. After viewing a few episodes on YouTube, I was craving for more almost immediately. Hosted by actor Peter Weller (of Robocop fame and apparently holding a Master's Degree in Italian Renaissance art history- see "Da Vinci's World"), the series originally premiered in 2006 and is divided in 14 episodes, each covering a specific culture and/or time period:

1- Rome
2- Egypt
3- Greece
4- Greece: Age of Alexander
5- The Aztecs
6- Carthage
7- The Maya: Death Empire
8- Russia
9- Britain: Blood and Steel
10- The Persians
11- China
12- Napoleon: Steel Monster
13- The Byzantines
14- Da Vinci's World

I've always been a fan of historical documentaries, but Engineering an Empire was something else altogether. In addition to superbly rendered 3-D virtual reconstructions of famous monuments and palaces,  much of the series was filmed on the actual locations where many of the events took place. To cap it all, actors dressed up in historically accurate costumes to portray the famous rulers and other personalities that once walked through those locations and made those events possible. All of these features make the history easier to relate to and well as adding more "realism" to the mix, setting Engineering apart from almost any other documentary series ever made.

The one small drawback of the series (although not one immediately obvious to me- it came via later contemplation) was that there was a little too much emphasis on "western" cultures. The Aztec, Mayan, Persian and Chinese episodes were all well and good, but on the DVD set the Roman and Egyptian episodes were each given their own disks, while the other disks each contained three episodes. Granted, those two episodes were twice the length of all the others, but 4 more episodes would have balanced the whole set out (I thought coverage of India, Japan, the Mongols and the Incas would round out the series very nicely).

In spite of this minor issue, I can safely say that this is one of the most remarkable and diverse historical documentary series' ever produced, and have no qualms about calling it a 'must-have' for any history or engineering enthusiast.

Death of a Salesman at the Ethel Barrymore

 

These days, it's said that the cornerstone of any successful relationship is knowing how to listen (something a favorite college professor of mine made very clear). While that may be true, apparently Willy Loman didn't get the memo. One of Arthur Miller's most famous works, Death of a Salesmen captures the essence of proud, foolish man with an overblown ego who, in the long run, didn't really deserve the cruel hand that fate dealt him and his family.

Although not very familiar with Arthur Miller's work (the only other play of his I've seen or read is All My Sons), I have always been aware of the reputation of Death of a Salesman. While the magnitude of that reputation is certainly true, the foundation of the play is built on surprisingly simple and easy-to-relate-to themes. Philip Seymour Hoffman and his fellow players bring to life everyday issues such as family quarrels, frustration with routine, a difficult job market and, above all, the dramatic and devastating consequences that can result from failing to communicate properly. The case of Willy Loman's two sons could serve as a model for half of the college graduates in this country; working a series of low-level jobs while trying to find their path in life, yearning for social and financial independence and, more than anything else, the burning desire to make successful names of themselves (all in all, the American Dream, as Willy puts it).

The one confusing part of the performance were Willy's (for lack of a better term) flashbacks. Many of the most significant plot points were related via mental recollections of his "past glory" and conversations with his now-dead brother (the guy definitely had problems, let's leave it at that). Most of the time, whenever these mental episodes came into play, the stage was darkened and covered with a projection of golden leaves, but during the few occasions where this feature was left out, it took some time to realize what was "current" and what was just a memory.

The character of Willy Loman reminded me of personality traits present in two characters from short stories I read in college; Abner Snopes in William Faulkner's Barn Burning and Mr. DiMaria in W.D. Wetherell's The Man Who Loved Levittown. Overall, the show was filled with passionate and powerful performances that make it a worthy addition to the Broadway scene.

A little side note; besides the presence of Hoffman, it was apparently a star-studded night all around. On the night I saw the performance (4/3/12), my parents spotted Ethan Hawke in the audience several rows in front of us, and in the restroom during intermission, I ended up washing my hands right next to Owen Wilson. Who else was there that night, I wonder...?

Movie Review: Mad Love

Most people have heard of Katherine of Aragon, the first wife of England's infamous King Henry VIII. Fewer people, perhaps, have heard the story of Juana, Katherine's older sister and wife of Duke Philip of Burgundy. The third daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, Juana's erratic behavior and bouts of hysteria earned her the moniker Juana la Loca ("Joan the Mad"). Spain's official entry for the 2002 Academy Awards, Mad Love captures Juana's story in a powerful and dramatic rendition.

I know very little about Juana's life (although I recently purchased a dual biography of her and Katherine that I plan on reading when able [link]), so cannot fully vouch for the historical accuracy of the film. One thing I can vouch for, however, is the power of performance. Juana (played by Pilar López de Ayala), despite her husband's many infidelities and his attempts to usurp her political power, remains fiercely devoted to him and refuses to let anything stand in her way maintaining both her marriage and her rule. Even at her most erratic moments, de Ayala brings nothing less than pure passion to her portrayal of this vastly misunderstood and powerful woman.

In addition to great performances, the film is superbly costumed, photographed and scored. The only drawback is the narration- every time the narrator describes a scene or plot point, it usually is set several years later along the time line of the film than his previous one, which makes the various sections of the film feel slightly disconnected from each other. Nonetheless, the storyline and powerful performances make the film a must-see for anyone interested in Spanish history

Cooking Tips 103

Cooking rice
One important thing to remember when making rice is to stir it as little as possible. Once or twice to break it up a little is fine, but excess stirring will make it mushy and stick together.

Potato patties
If you have leftover mashed potatoes lying around, make them into croquettes! Just form the potatoes into patties, heat up a frying pan with a little oil (see 101 for an oil tip), crisp them up on both sides, and you've got a tasty treat!

Sweet Sauces
If you plan on using sauces, marinades or other flavorings in your recipes that contain significant amounts of natural or refined sugars (such as fruit preserves, chutneys, certain kinds of teriyaki and BBQ sauces ect...), just be aware that those flavorings can caramelize and burn very easily when exposed to direct heat. Just be conscious that the outside of whatever you're cooking doesn't get too crispy for your liking.

Cooler Weather This Week

The unusually warm weather, we have been enjoying the last few weeks, will come to end this week. A strong cold front will be will be dropping from the north today  Temperatures will falling 40s early tomorrow afternoon into 30s, tomorrow evening. To the left is the NAM weather forecast model. It has temperatures dropping into upper 20s across the area on Monday night. Normally, these temps would not be big deal, at this time year. But after last few weeks, with temperatures in 70s, this might come to shock to you.

It will not be this cold, all week, however. Temperatures will slowly rise back to 45-50, Tuesday afternoon. A warm front will move through the area on Wednesday. High temps back into upper 50s and low 60s, with party sunny skies.

Restaurant Review: Penang

Growing up, Chinese take-out was a staple in my family, and one of my favorite meals of the week. It's still good, but after almost 20 years of ordering from the same restaurant, the menu has grown a bit tiresome (something my mother vehemently echoes on a fairly regular basis). In recent years, the vast expansion of Thai and other East Asian cuisines in the city has allowed me to explore alternatives. One of the finest of these alternatives is the exquisite Malaysian eatery between Amsterdam and Columbus on 72nd street: Penang.

As far as the menu goes, Penang really has something for everyone. Besides catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians, I overheard from a waiter once that the restaurant is dairy-free (don't know if this applies to some of the desserts, though, so it would be good to ask). Unlike many Chinese take-out places, the food is never greasy and always prepared with fresh ingredients (not to mention always delicious- I recommend the Basil Chicken).

In addition to the fabulous menu, the layout of the restaurant is casual yet classy. Long and narrow, but with plenty of elbow room and a full bar in the front. No windows, but the entire front wall (facing the street) is made of glass, letting in just the right amount of light. The most unique part is the restrooms. Two unisex restrooms are separated by a short corridor containing the sinks, making the wait time shorter for both men and women, and no waiting at all if you just want to wash your hands.

If anyone is looking for a change of pace from the usual Chinese food, I highly recommend trying Penang. It's a bit pricey, but the combination of quality food, a cozy atmosphere and all-around good time makes the investment well-worth it.

PENANG NYC WEBSITE

In Search of Myths and Heroes

Ever since I was little, I've always loved folktales and mythology. After becoming enthralled with Michael Wood's famous and amazing series, The Story of India, I wanted to explore his other work. This program focuses on four of the world's most famous mythological stories, explores the actual geographic locations where they were said to have taken place, and analyzes historical and religious texts to see how the myths have been shaped and changed over the centuries and influenced by many different cultural traditions.

The Queen of Sheba
First appearing in the Old Testament of the Bible, this legendary queen is claimed by the Ethiopians to be the mother of their first king via a relationship with King Solomon. In the Yemeni tradition, she is the ruler of a vast kingdom, fabulously wealthy from the historical Arabian incense trade.

Arthur: Once and Future King
While believed by many to be the quintessential English folktale, Arthur's legend was composed over a period of hundreds of years and influenced by stories from Ireland, France and most of all, the rich and enduring traditions of the Celts, Britain's original inhabitants.

Shangri-La
A hidden valley in the Himalayas where the wisdom of humanity is preserved to rebuild the world after violence, corruption and lust for power has destroyed it. Drawing on ancient Indian philosophy, Wood travels straight into Tibet and visits mysterious monasteries and magnificent mountains.

Jason and the Argonauts
One of the most famous of all Greek myths, this story of an ocean voyage to retrieve a magnificent treasure is actually a tale of how the Greeks first started planting colonies in the resource-rich areas of the Black Sea, and how many of those ancient traditions still remain alive today.

The most unique and enchanting aspect of the series is the "storytelling". Whenever a text or source is quoted, the screen displays a black room lit only by candlelight, and a woman (a different one for each episode) recites the words in a soft and mysterious voice (each brings a unique touch, but the one for the "Shangri-La' episode is particularly adept).

Simply put, anyone looking for good historical information, highlighted by dramatic scenery, camerawork and captivating storytelling, this is the series for you!    

Cooking Tips 102

Moist chicken
If you want your chicken to stay nice and moist while grilling, marinate it in yogurt. This technique is often used in the Middle East and India, and adding spices like garlic, cumin and black pepper to the marinade will emulate the flavors of these areas.

Adding eggs
If any recipe requires that raw eggs be added to a hot mixture, wait until the mixture cools unless the recipe says otherwise. Raw eggs + hot mixture will actually end up cooking the eggs and the whole recipe could be ruined.

Chopping peppers
If you are preparing peppers for crudite or some other form of cooking, be sure to remove the seeds before serving or adding them. If any of your guests are not particularly fond of spicy food, this will take away much of the heat of the peppers.

More Warm Weather This Week

Unsually warm weather for this time of year, will make a return this week. With the potential for 80 degree weather, later this week.

 For today, we will see temps in the low to mid 70s, away from the beaches. In Southern Queens and Brooklyn, a sea-breeze this afternoon, may prevent high temps from reaching 70 degrees. Tonight a backdoor cold front (a cold front coming from the east), will cause skies to cloud over and drop temps in 50s this evening than middle to upper 40s overnight. An isolated shower is also possible. Tomorrow with the light east/southeast winds, off the ocean and partly cloudy skies, high temps will only reach between 60-65 degrees.

On Tuesday night, the backdoor cold front, comes back as a warm front. This will cause winds to switch from a east/southeast direction, to a west/southwest direction. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, will have at least partial sunshine, with highs possibly reaching upper 70s to middle 80s. Especially farthest away from the beaches. Another cold front, could give us a chance of showers and t-storms sometime late Thursday or on Friday. But 90% of time, it will be dry.

I will have more updates this week, on the warmth and threat for rainfall.

Cooking Tips 101

Many years of watching cooking shows and practicing in the kitchen have led to the accumulation of many helpful tricks that you may not pick up elsewhere. Here are a few choice ones:

Cooking with oil
To check that oil has reached the right heat for cooking, splash a few drops of water into the pan. If the oil sizzles and spits, it is ready (just be careful not to burn yourself).

Marinating fish
Because of the delicate texture of some types of fish (salmon, tilapia ect...), marinating them in liquid for longer than 10-20 can make them soggy and crumble in the pan when cooking. A thick fish steak like tuna or swordfish can be marinated for significantly longer periods.

Washing strawberries
The best way to clean strawberries is to wipe them with a damp towel. They are porous by nature and will soak up a lot of liquid. If rinsed under running water and not eaten soon afterward, they can rot more quickly.

More tips will undoubtedly come, so stay tuned!

Book Review: The Castle in the Attic

 

Along with Lloyd Alexander's The Book of Three, this story was instrumental in establishing my childhood love of fantasy literature. I remember my mother reading it to me, and later reading it on my own. I loved each and every page, and not just because of the story itself. The main character was someone I identified with on several levels, the most significant being his abiding love of gymnastics (a passion of mine from age 5 until age 17).

Ten-year old William Edward Lawrence has been cared for all his life by Mrs. Eleanor Phillips, an English widow who is preparing to return home at the end of the month. Having no children of her own, as a parting gift she bequeaths to William a scaled-down, fully functional stone model of a medieval castle, complete with a figure of a knight in silver armor, that has been in her family for generations. While dreading the departure of his beloved caretaker, William is given the biggest shock of his young life. At his touch, the figure of the silver knight mysteriously comes alive and reveals an incredible story: Sir Simon (the knight) was cheated of his kingdom by an evil wizard who murdered his father and turned Sir Simon into a lead statue. Eventually, using magic stolen by Sir Simon from the wizard himself, William enters the enchanted kingdom of the Silver Knight and embarks on a quest to defeat the tyrant wizard once and for all.

In addition to my personal gymnastics aspect, William was a character who was very easy to relate to. His feelings of anger, sadness, courage and even social awkwardness are things that all children go through at some time or another. In addition, what little boy doesn't enjoy stories of knights, castles and magic?

Overall, The Castle in the Attic is a touching, poignant and very human story about the joys and sorrows of growing up. You could even say that it was my very first introduction to the classic "hero's journey" archetype so important to my later storytelling interests (Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings ect... ect...). I would highly recommend this story to any child with a love of fantasy, or an adult who wants to recapture some of that sweet, literary magic they enjoyed in their own childhoods.