Date Night - A Blog by Mari: Fancy being Alone? Then take a hike!

Ever see that show The Young Ones? There’s an episode where Neil is walking through a graveyard, and he passes a grave digger who is obviously excavating. He asks the man, “Aye, do you dig graves?”

And the gravedigger answers: “Yeah, I like ‘em. They’re all right.”

I’m a road trip digger.

That was a horrible tie-in, I know.

I’m looking for a connection with you, reader. Work with me.

Okay, maybe you haven’t seen The Young Ones. Have you ever driven from far inland toward the coast until you couldn’t drive anymore? Alone?

I did it when I lived in Northern California. And I stood at the edge of California’s skin and looked out at the ocean, and I felt like I was exhaling after holding my breath for too long.

I was told that Californian’s are some of the most creative, intellectual, and innovative beings in the United States because of that big empty ocean. When you’re given an open space to stare at, your mind is filled with endless possibility–free to imagine, create, and believe in fairy tales if need be. All this according to a nasty rumor (actually, my professor told me it’s been evidenced in a study. I like to believe that it was conducted by Mensa and not the California Board of Tourism, because we are. Pretty sure it’s true. I dated a guy whose mother was an interior designer, and she said, “Every room of a house should have an open or blank wall. Your eyes and your mind need a place to rest.”).

My thoughts are like road trips with detours so let’s get back on track.

I’ve done lonely drives in DC, many cities in Europe, Asia, Australia… I sometimes felt like I needed a Sonny to my Cher–a co-pilot to my Captain Over, over.

Then, I made a road trip into the Los Padres National Forest with a man.

This guy drove under a waterfall and let it splash on me, he didn’t refuse when I asked if we could listen to Playboy talk radio on sirius—interesting discussion about how to bring a woman to orgasm—and he actually listened to the discussion. Our jokes clicked like every key-in-hole innuendo you can think of.

We stopped at outlooks and looked out, standing a few feet apart with our hands in our pockets, in easy silence. Roger, Roger—I did enjoy having a co-pilot to my Captain Over, over.

And, as we stood at the look out, peering out over the hills and valleys of Ventura, minds opening like the valley below us, I told the man about my solo adventures. Maybe that’s why he was quiet. He was quietly thinking, “Man, this chick is fuckin’ lonely!”

I said to him, “I realize that I was alone on my trips, but I wasn’t always lonely. There’s a difference.”

Sure, I would have liked someone to ooh and ahh at everything with me, but the ultimate test of our own self-love is how we feel when we’re alone. Can we stand to be with ourselves without constantly desiring a companion?

Alone, I could turn the radio on and off as I desired, and enjoy the silence said Depeche Mode. I could eat in the car and dribble mayonnaise on my shirt without feeling too embarrassed and whisper to myself, “It’s okay, slob. I still love you.” I could think as deeply as I wanted while exhaling over the Pacific ocean… and maybe cry like a little baby when I felt my soul come up to say hello. Or I could concentrate on the lyrics of a song and get lost on some insane railroad of thought without being derailed by another person.

Henry David Thoreau isolated himself up at Walden Woods and look what he did with the time. Oh, hell… I love being with others on road trips, I’m just saying that alone does not always mean lonely.

Two purposes to this blog:

1. To shoot the shit about how valuable solitude is and express how much I dig a road trip—with or without people (preferably with company), and

2. to share some resources. With a little bit of fingering and determination (just a little), you will come … to find (maybe) some quiet places, away from crowds, to connect with someone else, or yourself.

Here she blows — 5 WEBSITES:

Trails.com

http://www.trails.com/trailfinder/browsebymap/?q=93001#trailid=HGS360-036&lat=34.48926&lon=-119.29941&zoom=12&m=terrain&a=ALL

Move the map around to maneuver through different hikes, bike rides, or drives in the Ventura area. Once you find a path you like, the website will ask you to register and pay. FUGHEDABOUTIT!! Google the name of the hike… guaranteed, someone has posted free directions.

Mountain Travel Guide: Ventura County Hikes

http://www.mountaintravelguide.com/California/Ventura/Hiking/VenturaHikingTrails.htm

List form rather than a map. Also lists trails in other states.

Ventura County Star

http://www.vcstar.com/news/sports/recreation/hikes/

Ventura County Star photo editor and hike guru Gary Phelps leads you on some of best hikes in and around Ventura County. Make sure you read first.. some of these hikes require the Adventure Pass for parking.

Local Hikes

http://www.localhikes.com/

It reads “Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange County” at the top of the page, but there are a few Thousand Oaks hikes in there, too.

Ventura River Trail

http://www.ventura-usa.com/includes/media/docs/Ventura-River-Trail-Guide.PDF

Not really a website, but a PDF brochure. Did you know that there is a trail near the river?

One little Pic from our drive:

Looking out over Ventura.

Published by permission. Visit Mari's blog at http://www.mari-go-round.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: The Crazies

The Crazies (2010)

Timothy Olyphant and Radha Mitchell

The Sheriff (Olyphant) of a small town is forced to shoot a local at their season opening baseball game. What he doesn’t know is that he is the first of many people in this inconsequential town to be infected. A plane has mysteriously crashed and brought with it some unknown virus that is infecting the town’s drinking water. It isn’t until the military shows up and quarantines the town, shooting any who resist them, that the Sheriff realizes that this might be out of his control. Infected people lurk around every corner, killing without any emotion. Determined to find a way to get his pregnant wife (Mitchell) safely out of the dangerous locked down town, they must find a way out before they are killed or become one of the “crazies”.

This is a remake of the 1973 version with the same name, which I have not seen. This is my opinion only of the remake. This version is a typical horror film. Nothing overly special or memorable about it. It’s not really that scary, the “crazies” are local town folk turned zombie-like. But after a couple bullets in them, they don’t talk much. Who hasn’t seen that in a horror film about a million times? There are some pretty bloody scenes, nothing overly done. I recommend skipping this one, though I am a fan of Timothy Olyphant, this is not one of his better films.

Scene:

I'm not going to put my "favorite scene" on here because my favorite is at the end of the movie and I didn't want to spoil anything for those who have not watched the movie. So enjoy the clip ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mcz7_3JslAU&feature=channel

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Food in Life - A Blog by Jen: Flashback

A gazillion years ago I opted to move out of my parents comfy (free) home and move out in to the world of the grown ups....It doesn't matter that I was barely 18 and was working as a waitress at the Victoria pub making minimum wage and tips...I flipped the P's the bird and was out of there!!!!

Yay me! Parties every night featuring super fun people (I think), boxed pink wine, cheap beer and entertainment that consisted of a coffee table and a few quarters. The house was in a "super fabulous" neighborhood that featured one break in to our house and a stolen car crashing in to our front wall. We scooted out of there right quick in to a studio in midtown that is a dim memory.

You might notice that I didn't mention food, and this is a food blog, right? Because in our first house we subsisted on rice and canned tomatoes with some Top Ramen thrown in for variety. My second apartment I know there was a kitchen but I can honestly tell you I have no recollection of ever cooking there.

Then my friend and I were persuaded to move to LA to live with another friend and share a gorgeous townhouse close to UCSB and join in the party life that our friend was enjoying. The rent would be cheap because there were 8 of us living in a 2 bedroom + a loft with one couple sharing the living room couch. Crowded to say the least, but as we all had jobs and were constantly out and about at night in Westwood partying it didn't feel as squished as it might have. But after while we weaned out the couch couple and it was down to 6 chicks living in there. Me + Heidi in the loft, Mandy & Dre in one bedroom and Paula and Marnie in the last. The last two girls were the only "outsiders" in the house as the rest had all migrated from Ventura for a more active social and party life. Paula and Marnie were straight up LA/OC girls from hoity toity neighborhoods with fat bank accounts supporting their college and social lives. Attending UCLA, involved in sororities, they were everything that us beach dwelling, beer drinking, down to earth chicks were not. At 19, they were shopping at Niemans and we were shopping at Macy's when we were lucky. There were many occasions that they made me feel inferior if only because of the difference in our financial standing. I had two jobs and was hanging by a thread to stay there, where they only had to dip in to the trust fund to get whatever their hearts desired.

The scales tipped though, when it came to things like cooking. Mandy, Dre, Heidi and I had all come from a place where we could and would cook....our moms took the time to make dinner and share their knowledge with us. On the rare occasion that we could afford fresh meat I would buy a whole chicken and marinate and roast it...filling our three story condo with smells from home. Paula and Marnie would come home and ask me if I was Betty Crocker or call me Holly Hobby Homemaker.....My skin is pretty thick so I would laugh it off as they scooted out the door to go to dinner at Houston's or some other fun chi chi restaurant in LA while we were housebound eating my soy sauce & brown sugar marinated chicken with rice because we had no money to go out to eat. Green eyed monster much? A little.

Until the day that I caught Paula cooking.

I walked down the hallway to our front door smelling a rancid horrible smell that only got worse as I got nearer. I opened the door and the smell hit me like a brick wall and I saw Paula flailing in the kitchen flapping a pot holder trying to get a pot to the sink while wisps of smoke were sneaking from the lid.

After helping her calm down and turn off the smoke alarm I tried to get out of her what happened and how it could be fixed (because that is what I do). As it turns out she was trying to cook because she was trying to lose a little weight and was trying to have some steamed veggies for dinner. I opened up the pot and looked inside the double boiled to find char crusted broccoli stuck to the inside.

I asked "Did you walk away?"

She said "no...."

Puzzled I looked at her again and asked "how did you prepare the broccoli?"

She replied "I just cut it up and put it in the steamer....."

My next question was "did you put water in the steamer?"

*crickets*

*more crickets*

Paula "No, I thought I could just put it in the steamer and it would get steamed"

Me after a long awestuck pause "Paula, exactly where in the EFF do you think steam comes from????????"

After that I didn't feel as inferior to the trust fund bound, sorority mentality, under educated girls I lived with because at last I had something up on them.

That's Betty Fucking Crocker to you bitch.

Printed by permission. Visit Jen's blog @ http://foodinlife.blogspot.com/

Food in Life - A Blog by Jen: Forbidden Fruit

There are several different fruits that are considered to be the forbidden fruit from Genesis in the bible....the apple tops the list as it's Latin roots refer to an "evil", however I prefer to think of the #2 choice which is the common fig.
In my way of thinking it makes sense, right? They ate the fruit, got caught eating it (oops!)and then covered up their privates with the ample leaves to walk out of the Garden of Eden. Apple leaves would have been just a smidge more risque for both parties, assuming of course that Adam was bigger than a Vienna sausage. But I'm not here to debate the bible, just to share with you my absolute love and adoration of this forbidden fruit.

Figs are a very seasonal fruit with a shelf life that is too short....they also don't ship well so for those who don't live in our beautiful climate there is little chance to get them fresh. When they are in season, I (and those around me with the same addiction) tend to gorge on them and serve them in any number of fun ways. Being that they are a fruit you will often see them in desserts, but they are so versatile that in just the past few weeks I have made them in 4 different preparations and combinations that all, quite frankly, kick some serious butt.

#1 Fig Crisp

One of my Dad's workers brought us figs from a neighboring ranch....these things were absolutely gargantuan! Each one fit in the palm of my hand and were so beautifully ripe, sweet and juicy that I could just see them as the bottom of a crisp with brown sugar and oatmeal topping. It was absolutely divine!

#2 Fig & Meyer Lemon Preserves

Same figs, just a little overripe and ready to turn to mush.....so I diced them up, sliced some Meyer lemons (skins and all), added about a cup of sugar and boiled them down until they turned in to a thick fragrant jam. I have put this on my toast for the last week and am soooooo addicted that I don't know what I am going to do when it is gone. The candied lemon peel in there give it an amazing depth of flavor.

#3 Took the Fig Preserves, spread it on thin crust pizza dough, added Duck Confit & Bleu Cheese.

Salty and sweet.....Best. Dessert. Pizza. Ever. If you are not crazy like me and have duck confit at your fingertips at all times, you could substitute prosciutto or even crisped bacon.

#4 Salted Pork Chops with Sage, Shallots & Figs

Again with the salty and sweet thing, this is easy and absolutely wonderful. My mom told me she adds a little port to it at the end, so I may try that next time. This recipe is intended for one, although the pork chop was big enough that I ate half one night and had the other for lunch the next day!

Pork Chops with Figs & Sage



1 Large Bone In Pork Chop (or boneless if you like)
1 T Salt (I used Smoked Sea Salt)
1 T Ground Sage
2 T Olive Oil, divided
1 Large Shallot
6 Medium Figs, stemmed & quartered
2 Cups White Wine
2 T Chopped Fresh Sage
1 T Butter
Salt & Pepper to taste

In a mortar & pestle, grind salt and sage together until finely ground. Sprinkle on both sides of the pork chop and let it sit for at least 2 hours.
Heat 1 T olive oil in a skillet and sear pork chop on both sides until browned, but not cooked all the way through. Set aside. Add remaining oil to pan and add shallots, saute until soft and add figs. Cook briefly over medium heat and then add wine and sage. Cook until the sauce is reduced a bit and add in pork chop, cook until the chop is cooked through. Season the sauce to taste, you will most likely not need any salt.

Printed by permission. Visit Jen's blog @ http://foodinlife.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: Date Night

Date Night (2010)

Steve Carell and Tina Fey

Phil (Carell) and Claire (Fey) Foster’s lives revolve around their careers, children and everyday suburban lifestyle. Date night is just another part of the couple’s same boring routine. After deciding to try to get that old spark back, the couple head out to Claws, a hot new restaurant in the city. With no reservations, Phil quickly improvises and takes another couple’s reservations. What they don’t know is that along with a table for two, they also get what just happens leads to the most exciting night of their lives.

The boring New Jersey married couple doesn’t back down from the bad guys! After an evening of mistaken identities, dirty cops, prostitution and extortion, the two are able to put the spark back in their marriage. Tina Fey and Steve Carell are two of Hollywood’s funniest actors. Together they are great. The movie includes a worthy mention for its supporting cast including Mark Wahlberg, James Franco, Mila Kunis, Ray Liotta, Mark Ruffalo and even Will.I.Am. It wasn’t the funniest movie, the storyline wasn’t riveting, but it gives you a good few chuckles. It would be a great date night movie!

Favorite Scene:

The car chase between Phil and Carol and the dirty cops in which a NYC cab is brought along for the ride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1RxvDNc4AY Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: The Back-up Plan

The Back-up Plan (2010)

Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin

Zoe has a plan. After dating left much to be desired and never meeting “the one”, Zoe (Lopez) has decided to take matters into her own hands. She wants a baby and tired of waiting for the other half, now its time for the back up plan. Except the back up plan doesn’t include Stan (O'Loughlin). Unable to deny the feelings that she has for him, Zoe must find a way to tell him she is pregnant. Stan, upon hearing the news, isn’t quick to congratulate her and now, if there is any chance they both must learn to open up and stop running from what scares them the most, love.

Let’s face it, society tells us first comes love, next the marriage and then the kids. This movie starts with the kids and then looks for love. It was a new twist on the traditional love story, but unfortunately there wasn’t any chemistry for me between the two actors. The single mothers support group Zoe joins shortly after her insemination displays a group of unattractive, unintelligent and secretly unhappy women which Zoe finds she doesn’t truly feel a part of. I thought it was an inappropriate display. The two characters, once learning of the pregnancy, cling to each other for support after countless failed relationships. It was left in the first ten minutes of the movie. This is supposed to be a romantic comedy, but where was the romance and comedy?

Favorite Scene:
Not very many to chose from since I wasn't too impressed with the movie as a whole, but this one was "cute".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1iDJXBbVHo

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Date Night - A Blog by Mari: Lessons Learned

I shit my pants in public, twice.

About 8 years ago when I was in the Navy, my pipes were clogged and my boyfriend at the time, Bob, recommended I take 2 extra strength Ex lax.

“That’s what I do,” he said with a shrug.

All 6’2″ and 220 pounds of him.

I didn’t consider the size difference, nor did I read the box, but I willingly placed my bowels in his hands and drank the pills down.

Later that day, we were on a walk and he was a few feet ahead of me, and I yelled, giggling, “Bob, listen!”

He turned around.

I farted, but it wasn’t a fart. I smiled like a donut.

Bob said, “Did you…?”

“I just shit my pants…” I moaned.

He fell to the grass on his knees, I backed into the nearest bathroom and scooped my sad underwear free of chunks.

The next day, in full uniform, I retold the story to the guys in my workshop and they all got a good chuckle. A few minutes later, we were at morning quarters, and I tried to whisper a fart from my asscheeks. My thong underwear was a fair dealer that day; it kindly split the “shart” down the center and gave each pant leg an equal helping. Bless boot straps because my pant legs were like buckets, catching every last drop of mud.

“Hey,” I whispered to Russ Boulware, “I gotta go home and change my pants.”

Boulware asked, “You shit yourself again?”

Lessons:

1. just because someone loves you, it doesn’t mean they know what’s best for you.
2. I can shit on myself; however, it’s different when someone else shits on me, which leads into my next story–

This weekend, Saturday Night, my date got mad at me for being late to our date and he shit on me, but not literally.

After my delay, we walked to Winchester’s on Main Street and the doorman told us that we were too late, and they had stopped serving food. My date released a small flood of irritation at me while the doorman watched. I felt a rush of blood to my cheeks and tried to drag my date away from the door.

He said, “I told you that you were running late! I told you to hurry!”

We’ve been on several dates and this was the first time I had been late, so I wanted to punch him in the nuts for being shitty in front of a stranger who was probably sick of seeing couples bitch at each other over bullshit reasons.

I pulled the man away from Winchester’s and said, “Listen, I’m sorry I was late, but don’t ever talk to me like that in front of strangers. Praise in public, punish in private. If you ever have a problem with something I do, talk to me about it. Not a stranger.”

His turn to be surprised. He said he didn’t feel as though he truly scolded me in front of the doorman. He apologized.

With each of these stories I tell about dating, I know there’s a lesson to be learned, otherwise, I wouldn’t bore you with the details of my average life. Maybe the lesson is to be on time? To not let someone publicly embarrass you, regardless of what it is you’ve done?

For me, another lesson? No date has been wasted time. Each one has worked like one piece of a mosaic that is filling in a very colorful picture. The end result, the beautiful image hidden beneath, will only make sense after all of the colors have been filled, experiences had, shit splattered, etc.

And, as my friend LIbby said, “If a bad date is anything, it’s an awesome story to tell over breakfast the next morning.”

Published by permission. Visit Mari's blog at http://www.mari-go-round.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: The Last Song

The Last Song (2010)

Miley Cyrus, Greg Kinnear, Liam Hemsworth

Ronnie (Cyrus) and her brother, Jonah (Bobby Coleman) are sent to spend the summer with their father (Kinnear). Since the divorce between her parents, the relationship with her father has suffered. It is his ultimate decision that this will be the summer he makes amends. To get to know the daughter he once knew, the one who shared his passion for music. While avoiding her father’s attempts at reconciliation at all costs, Ronnie meets Will (Hemsworth), a local in this small southern beach community. The obvious attraction between them brings them closer together and a close friendship ensues. As their relationship deepens, Ronnie begins to open up and let her guard down. In one summer, Ronnie will find what it means to love, forgive and let go.

I was nervous watching this movie. Of course after reading such a wonderful book, you can’t expect the movie version to live up to your standards. After reading “Dear John” also by Nicholas Sparks and seeing the movie I was disappointed to say the least. (FYI, a movie that will never be apart of my beloved movie collection) As the movie developed, I found that the movie stayed true, or as true as any movie will allow. The movie is not only about first love, but also the love between a father and daughter. Miley Cyrus was a perfect fit as Ronnie, also being a teenager, stuck in between being a girl and becoming a woman. Ronnie is a strong character, one that behind the façade, loves with her whole heart. A daughter that a father would be proud of. The movie tone is slow but sweet and has a good balance of both her scenes with Will and her father. For me, Greg Kinnear was amazing; he is one of my favorites in the roles of supporting actor. Personally, I would suggest cuddling up with this book and enjoying the beautiful story the way Nicholas Sparks wrote it and then watching the movie, it will make you appreciate it that much more!

Favorite Scene: Something a little different this time, I've decided to post the video of "When I Look at You" by Miley Cyrus. This video is for the movie, has some great clips and has a beautiful melody. Enjoy!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_VdwVr-Ua4&feature=related

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Food in Life - A Blog by Jen: Drunk Pickle

One night a few weeks ago....well maybe like a month ago....I was gifted with an overabundance of cucumbers from Papas ranch. Japanese cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, pickling type cucumbers and your garden variety grocery store cukes were littered on my counter and in my fridge. I gave them to my friends who live in my complex, traded my BFF for fresh blueberries from her great aunts farm and took them to work to gift to the folks that I spend most of my days with.

And I still had leftovers.

Greek salads, sour cream cucumber salad....dipped in hummus and salted. I ate them until I was sick of them. And yet I still had one monster left and had no desire to eat it.

It sat in my fridge for a couple days until one night.....

After an ass-full of wine....

I decided to make a pickle out of it.

Yes, that would be "A" pickle...like one freaking pickle. Not a batch, but one.

Because I was drunk and thought that making a pickle sounded like a fine old idea. And hey! I had a jar! That almost fit the pickle....kind of....I only had to trim the ends a little bit to make it fit.

Then I googled "pickle". And then I googled "how to make pickles". And maybe "Dill Pickles".

And I can't tell you half of what I found because most of it was too damn confusing and complicated for my grape soaked brain. So I think I took some info from one...from another and then I made the rest of it up.

I do know that I took some water and salt and vinegar and I boiled it with some garlic. I vaguely remember tasting it and thinking it was kind of OK...threw some dried dill in the pot and simmered for a minute (I think).

I don't remember sterilizing the jar, but I might have. I shoved the pickle inside the jar and poured the boiled water/salt/vinegar stuff over it and threw the lid on top tightly.

The I turned the jar upside down and stumbled up the stairs to bed.

Woke the next morning and turned it over to find the seal was nice and tight and popped my pickle in the fridge to think about itself. Yay me!

I've been checking it out for the past few weeks thinking I should really try my drunk pickle, but never really felt like a pickle (because you have to be in the mood, right?) until tonight.

I cracked the seal....

Pulled it out of the jar and stood it up because really, how many pickles do you know that can stand up on their own?????

Sliced it up.....

And you know what?

Drunk pickles kind of kick ass.

If only I could remember what I put in it now.

Printed by permission. Visit Jen's blog @ http://foodinlife.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: Get Him to the Greek

Get Him to the Greek (2010)

Russell Brand and Jonah Hill

Who could be more difficult than a Rockstar? Aaron Greenberg (Hill) is directed by his record producer boss Sergio (P. Diddy) to get rock superstar Aldous Snow (Brand) to his concert at the Greek. Aldous, once a thriving rock legend, falls to the bottom with his highly scrutinized hit, "African Child". In result, his wife takes his son and moves to Los Angeles. Aldous agrees to his highly publicized performance at the Greek theater, but makes plans to see his ex, Jackie Q (Rose Byrne) along the way and win back her love and in essence find new meaning to his life. Aaron will do anything, including breaking a few laws and lying to his girlfriend, to get the job done and with only 72 hours, the clock is ticking.

The cast is absolute comedy genius. Brand and Hill are hilarious. Aldous seems like your typical rockstar on the outside but inside he's just as lovable as any regular guy. If you have an open mind and aren't easily shocked, this movie will be a favorite for the comedy lovers. Though Brand's performances are over the top, for this movie it is just right, leveling out with Hill's straight faced comedy. Diddy has done well for himself, breaking out in the comedy genre with this film. I can't say its going to be one of those films that will keep you in hysterics the entire time and might be less funny the more you watch it. But it's definitely enjoyable the first go-round.

Favorite Scene:

When Aaron smokes his first "jeffrey", stroking the furry walls. DAMN funny.

(no clip available yet)

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: The Runaways

The Runaways (2010)

Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning

The true story of Joan Jett and Cherie Currie, two members of the 70's teenage girl rock band, The Runaways. When Cherie (Fanning) is approached by a manager, Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon) and Joan (Stewart) she is quick to jump at the chance to live like a rockstar. The girls are quickly thrown into a life of drugs, cheap motels and sleazy venues. After huge hits and a quick rise to stardom, the group takes off on a tour to Japan, while their manager Fowley banks on the girl's earnings. Cherie and Joan grow closer and throw themselves fully into their music and life on the edge. After returning home to work on a new album, Currie finds herself burnout and unable to take anymore.

Who doesn't love rock and roll?! The movie does a great job of re-creating the 70's and the music of The Runaways. I have to admit that I was disappointed in Fanning's role as Currie. In her previous movies I am used to seeing her as childlike and to see her dancing around the stage painted with make up and dressed up in lingerie, it seemed a little disturbing. Stewart took a little bit of a back seat to Fanning's character, but it was her performance that truly stood out for me and would have like to see more of her character in the movie. It might not be a movie that will be favorite for years to come, but it an interesting insight into the story of Cherie Currie and Joan Jett.

Favorite Scene:

I chose a scene to highlight Stewart's performance. She was really good in this role and it was a good choice to have Stewart and Fanning do their own vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7Hjmx5kz9w&feature=channel

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: Brothers

Brothers (2009)

Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman

Two brothers, one off fighting for our country, the other back home attempting to find redemption after serving time in prison. Sam (Maguire) the eldest is living a perfect life. He is married to high school sweetheart, has two beautiful daughters and serves heroically as a Captain in the Marines. Tommy (Gyllenhaal), having just been released from prison after robbing a bank, finds the only one to welcome him home is his older brother. Not long after Sam is deployed, his helicopter is shot down and his family back home is notified that he is presumed dead. It is Tommy who steps up and takes responsibility for Sam's family. Grace (Portman) first resists Tommy's support, but then begins to find comfort in his presence. Sam, not dead, is trapped and imprisoned with a fellow Marine. Sam is witness and participant to horrific events and returns a broken man, now reversing roles with Tommy.

The movie has a very strong cast. As the movie progresses, we begin to understand Tommy better, finding his behavior the result of his tumultuous relationship with his father Hank (Sam Shepard) and his father's constant reminder that he is not his brother Sam. Gyllenhaal for me really stands out in this movie. This movies has little violence and is not centered around war but instead the individual character's relationships. This is a very good movie about redemption and finding your way home to the ones who truly love and support you.

Favorite Scene:

The scene when Sam professes that he isn't a hero and seems to have hit rock bottom. Tommy is the only one able to get through to him at this point and declares this a family matter to the police who now stand between him and his brother.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSuWpaSdAJM

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: Twilight

Twilight (2008)

Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson

Teenage girl meets and falls in love with most beautiful boy in school. But, turns out he's a vampire. But not just your average blood sucking, burns in daylight, only awake at night vampire. Edward Cullen (Pattinson) is a vegetarian vampire, only feeds off animals, never sleeps and sparkles in the sunshine. Bella (Stewart) moves to Forks, WA to give her mother and new husband some time alone, and spend more time with her father, Chief Swan (Billy Burke) the sheriff of this small, nearly sun-less town. To the surprise of this humane vampire, Bella turns out to be the most appetizing of all other humans. He struggles with his desire to get the know this seemingly insignificant girl and killing her. The Cullen family supports Edwards in whatever he feels is the best way in dealing with the "Bella" situation, but the more he gets to know her, the more his feelings for her change. Bella is also quite intrigued by Edward and eventually finds out his secret. To is complete dismay, she actually pursues a relationship with him. Though it is Edward's struggle with this new relationship that is greater. He finds he is always saving her from peril, dangers he takes full responsibility for.

First I have to say, if you have read the book, you may be highly disappointed. Personally, I watched the movie and went out and bought the first book of the series the same night. Immediately I was hooked. But upon re-watching the movie, I found that so much of the storyline had been cut from the movie and that we didn't get to see the deeper levels of the relationship between Bella and Edward. Nor did we really get to know Alice Cullen, Edward's adoptive sister (Ashley Greene). The supportive cast is good, but not great. The location where the film was shot was excellent. If you are a Twilight fan, you are going to "like" this movie, not love it. This movie is definitely geared more to the young adults.

Favorite Scene:

The scene between Bella and Edward in Biology class. In this moment, Edward lets his guard down and tries to get to know Bella.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etXBoFKkxNw&feature=related

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: Inception

Inception (2010)

Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Inception, a first part or stage of subsequent events. There is your definition.

In this movie, Cobb (DiCaprio) leads a group of thieves into the deep, unconscious crevices of an unsuspecting victim's mind. They are experts in infiltrating your dreams by extracting information and/or persuasion. This particularly deceptive team consists of their expert/leader, Cobb (DiCaprio), an architect, Ariadne (Page), a researcher (Gordon-Levitt), a forger/impersonator, Eames (Tom Hardy), a chemist, Yusuf (Dileep Rao) and accompanied by Saito, (Ken Watanabe) the man who hired Cobb. This seems to be the last job for Cobb, but in order to go back to the life he desperately misses, he must first finish this assignment, confront his own hidden past and make sure his team does not become trapped in limbo, similar to a permanent coma. The team decides on a three level dream set up. In order to return from each separate dream sequence, they must all receive a "kick", or a shift in gravity. All kicks must be timed just right in order for you to be kicked back into each dream before finally returning to reality.

Everyone has seen the previews for this movie. They are absolutely incredible. The use of slow motion to enhance your perception of what is going on around you, the spatial and dimension changes using CGI are amazing. The story definitely keeps up as well. Pay close attention to the children and to Mal (Marion Cotillard), because an extractor isn't the only thing dangerous in your subconscious mind. It can also be memories and regrets. You may need to watch this movie more than once to get the full gist of what is being thrown at you, but it will be interesting every time you watch it as you are sure to find things you missed before. In my opinion, most movies that Leonardo DiCaprio or Ellen Page are in are worth watching at least once.

Favorite Scene:

There are so many stunning visual effects that it is hard to chose just one. But I would have to say probably where Cobb gives Ariadne a lesson on dream architecture and shared dreaming. It also gives us, the viewer insight into how the process of shared dreaming works. Enjoy ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eAuBSTinYw

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

Reel Opinions - A Blog by Melissa: Dedication

Dedication (2007)

With Mandy Moore and Billy Crudrup

If you like romance films then its a safe bet that this film will touch your heart. The two characters aren't your average happy-go-lucky duo, but that's the beautiful part of their story. Lucy (Moore) steps into Henry's (Crudrup) life at a very unwelcoming moment. His best friend and closest father figure has recently passed away. The two were partners in the children's book world. Lucy is hired as his new illustrator and Henry obviously resents having to work with her. Its a very slow start and Henry, due to his own childhood demons, is quick to push her away and attack her with insults. Lucy and Henry eventually find safe ground and learn to tolerate each other and in effect you see a less guarded Henry.

This movie is one of my favorites because the two are not obvious romance heroines. I appreciate their story and can't help but feel protective over Henry. Lucy is a sweet character who is probably more likely to be hurt by Henry but ultimately will be the one to save him. In her, he is able to find his redeeming quality and find someone he can give love to and have it returned.

Favorite scene:

Definitely the bathroom scene. "You're like princess shit! The fairytales."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX_EDhMbINg

Printed by permission. Visit Melissa's blog @ http://reelopinions-melissa.blogspot.com/

The Dish - A critic's review of Old New York Deli & Bakery Co

Not the fanciest of deli's in Ventura County, this is casual dining - or as we say, less expensive than the other delis in town - and just as tasty for most of us. Been dining at their locations since the mid 90's and always enjoy a great bagel, shmear, sandwich or bakery good.

This is more than just a bagel factory, they offer a full breakfast - made to order - with just about anything you desire. Samples a plenty, you just can't seem to walk away without noshing on a bakery sample or a seasonal favorite. This is a deli where they know your name - maybe I just eat there too often.

They serve sandwiches and pizza (Newbury Park location only), but it's their bagels that customers continue to talk about. They are authentic boiled and hearth baked. We are talking New York style, unless you consider the chocolate chip bagels grandpa eats every week.

As a deli fanatic and trust me I've eaten my share, there are more glamorous deli's in Ventura County and Los Angeles. There are tastier morsels at almost twice the fare at some places, but Old New York is a neighborhood staple that is sure to please even the pickiest bubala and the best of the goyem that Ventura County has to offer.

With two locations - Camarillo and Newbury Park, we suggest you visit their third location in Mammoth the next time you hit the slopes.

Old New York Deli and Bakery Co is located in Camarillo at 4972 Verdugo Way and in Newbury Park at 2700 Teller Rd. #A.

The Dish - A critic's review of Cafe Bariloche

After a drive back from Santa Barbara to Thousand Oaks, we opted to have lunch in Ventura. My chops were hungry and my brain wanted a delicious meal full of flavor. No cheeseburger or pizza for me. The wife and I stopped into Cafe Bariloche, a South American gem in Ventura on the corner of Main St and California.

I had read many mixed reviews of the restaurant and knew they were very popular for South American cuisine foodies in Ventura County. But would a regular guy like me, who likes food from just about anywhere, like the tastes from down under... Mexico.

The food looked great and they had some terrific lunch specials on the menu. We were greeted quickly and sat at a table next to the front door. Any closer to the door and my ass would have been on the sidewalk. Not that my bottom is that big, but you know what I mean.

There were other empty seats, so I suggested we move from this lovely inside patio section to a window seat. I was hoping for some live music but it was only 1:30pm. Guess ya have to wait until dinner. After some prompting, the waitress suggested the empanadas. There were so many to choose from - in assorted flavors and meats - not just the usual suspects - we're talking:

- Argentinean Beef
Ground beef, sautéed onions, tomatoes, green onions, green olives, and spices.

- Chilean Beef
Chopped beef, sautéed onions, raisins, greek olive and spices.

- Chicken
Chopped chicken, sautéed onions, tomatoes, Greek olives and spices.

- Corn
Corn, squash, onions and spices.

- Rajas
Roasted chili poblanos, diced potatoes, roasted onions, Jack cheese and spices.

- Seafood
Scallops, shrimp, fish, sautéed onions, and spices.

Plus whole wheat empanadas:

- Mushroom
Diced mushrooms, sautéed onions, raisins, Greek olives and spices.

- Ratatouille
Eggplant, zucchini, red bell peppers, tomatoes, sautéed onions, Greek olive and spices. -

Spinach and Feta
Sautéed spinach, feta cheese, Greek olive and spices.

- Potato and Cheese
Diced potatoes, jack cheese, roasted onions and spices.

So we asked her suggestion and the most popular were the Argentinean Beef, Chilean Beef and the Rajas. There was a lunch special that included 2 empanadas and a small salad of your choice for only $10. That was an incredible deal.

We each choose the lunch special (there were many other selections available) ordering 4 different empanadas to share. We took her 3 suggestions and added a chicken version too. We felt this was smart and we would sample our way through South America or at least as many different flavors under $20 at Cafe Bariloche.

We chose 2 salads:

- Brazilan Kale
Brazilian style kale sautéed in olive oil and garlic topped with Pine nuts and feta (served hot).

- Bariloche Salad
Romaine, baby mix lettuce, carrots, roma tomatoes, red onions, apples, grapes, toasted pine nuts topped with feta cheese and red pepper vinaigrette.

The waitress placed 2 magnificent sauces on the table to dip with the empanadas. One was fiery in flavor and green in color, the other full of oils and herbs. The lunch plates were delivered and the meals looked scrumptious. Now, it has been along time since I had an empanada - NEVER from South America. Yes, I have eaten them at Mexican restaurants.

The outer dough on these bad boys were VERY HARD. Are they supposed to be hard like a hockey puck? These are not Grandma's chicken pot pie crusts. Once we sawed them open, the meat and flavors were wonderful... Until we added the sauces. Now please understand, the sauces were wonderful - but, I could no longer taste the flavors of what was inside the empanadas. I am sure they were delicious. But all I ever tasted was an overpowering element of sauces and empanada dough.

The surprise winner? The Brazilan Kale salad was the bomb! Great flavors and served hot. Reminded me of a hot spinach salad. You must order this. Wow!!! The other salad was just okay. Could have done without it.

We talked about our empanadas, questioning which was the beef, which was the chicken, etc. Once done with our lunch, we were craving more flavors to try and explore. We're we disappointed? No, not really. We would certainly re-visit them again perhaps picking another entree. Next time, we'll go for dinner and music.

Meanwhile, we look forward to their new location in Camarillo opening in August. Cafe Bariloche is located in Ventura at 500 E. Main Street.

The Dish - A critic's review of Brophy Bros

What a life my cousin has... he's married to a wonderful woman, is a ski & snowboard instructor during the winter in Snow Valley and operates the Arrowhead Queen tour boat on Lake Arrowhead in the summer. Yes, I'm jealous.

So he has a couple of days off and he drives down the mountain with his woman to surf in Ventura. Sets up camp at the Crowne Plaza and puts on the dusty wet suit for some surfing.

Figures he'll ask a local where/when to surf - and you do you think he bumps into? Of all people in Ventura, he sees some surfin' looking dude to ask some questions and it's Chipper Bro - surfing extraordinaire - and founder of the Aloha Beach Festival in Ventura to whom Ventura Night Out is a proud sponsor.

After an afternoon of surfing and fun, he catches up with me and the Mrs at one of our favorite watering holes for happy hour (shhh, don't tell anyone - it's our little secret) - Brophy Bros in Ventura at the Harbor. We had so much fun catching up with each other and swapping stories and jokes. We sat at the bar and fed our faces with food and drinks. Even our 8 year old came along hanging out like a big boy, watching the ball games on TV and chugging a few Shirley Temples (I mean James Bonds, sorry dude).

If you haven't been to Brophy Bros for happy hour, you've been missing out on a bunch. They rock and let me tell you why!

This is what we ate:

- Beer Boiled Shrimp
- Garlic Baked Shrimp - 3 orders
- Oysters Rockefeller
- Ceviche
- Fried Calamari
- Fish N Chips
- Cheeseburger/Fries for the Big Guy

This is what we drank: (won't tell you how many)
- Bloody Mary's
- Margaritas
- Shirley Temples (I mean James Bonds)

The food and drink are superb. Now hear me out for a moment... I can be super critical and obnoxious when it comes to a review. Like I said... the drinks are outstanding. Did I mention the drinks were very good? Oh, I just did. When you order a Bloody Mary at most other establishments, they lack a few needed ingredients to make it just right or they'll add sea salt to the rim of the glass similar to a margarita. That just makes it ordinary.

But at Brophy Bros they rim the glass with celery salt. Wow! You just want to lick the rim of your high-ball. Not a bad concept. They should change the name of the drink to "Rim Lickin' Bloody Mary". If only they would add an extra dash of Worcestershire sauce to give it that extra pop.

As for the food - the food is actually very, very good and the portions are extremely fair too. The Mrs, who does not care for fried food very much, enjoyed the calamari and the fish n chips. Not too greasy and tasted very yummy. Happy hour prices are extremely happy - less than $6 per dish for everything we ate. Drinks were less than $4 each. Danny the bartender was fantastic. We missed Admiral James but will catch him another time.

Did we eat too much? We could have eaten more - but the folks next to us would have taken pics and posted them on Facebook and entered us in the VC Fair "You're as Big as an Ox Eating Contest". So we left the place and headed to Pirates in Oxnard for a some after-dinner drinks (dessert for the Big Guy) and conversation with owner Jeff. Oh what a night.

Brophy Bros is located at 1559 Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. Pirates Restaurant is located at 450 S. Victoria Av in Oxnard.