entertainment


Tako Grill brings a bit of Japan to Bethesda

By Merlyn Deng | Sept. 14, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

People often catch a peculiarly-shaped red balloon in the corner of their eye while rushing along the busy streets of Wisconsin Avenue a few blocks away from the Bethesda Metro station. The red balloon is a well-known landmark and signature of the Japanese restaurant, Tako Grill. The grill is both a restaurant and a sake (Japanese rice wine) bar, and serves not only varied but also delectable Japanese cuisine.


"Emily Rose" is too schizophrenic to function

By Jeff Guo | Sept. 13, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

Imagine "Law and Order." Now imagine "Law and Order" with a screaming, hysterical girl with an appetite for spiders. That's the gist of "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," which features the young, pretty Jennifer Carpenter in a role that consists entirely of flailing like a harpooned walrus.


The new "O Season"

By Devon Madison | Sept. 13, 2005, midnight | In Television »

Warning: This story contains spoilers for the season premiere of "The OC." On Thursday evening, thousands of OC fanatics geared up for the premiere of the third season of the popular show, fondly remembering every episode last season from start to finish. "The OC" is a drama about teens and families who live in Orange County, California, and are forced to deal with the dramas of alcoholism, drug addiction, adultery and the overall issues of living a wealthy life. However, if you missed the last couple of episodes or are new to the show, here's a brief recap on what has happened so far.


"An Unfinished Life": An unfinished story

By Christine Kim | Sept. 13, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

Director Lasse Halstrom's "An Unfinished Life" combines the beautiful country setting of a Wyoming ranch with brilliant acting to create one of this summer's most memorable, yet plot-less films. Although the movie has its flaws, Halstrom's ability to turn the seemingly typical cowboy romance story into a dramatic, emotional tale manages to be both heartwarming and moving.


Fajita Coast: An alternative to fast food

By Mary Donahue | Sept. 12, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

The Four Corners area does not offer students much more than fast food and one or two small sit down restaurants. However, Fajita Coast, located where the old seafood restaurant Fred and Harry's used to be, is a sit down restaurant with fresh and appetizing lunch and dinner options.


Solid "Plans"

By Eve Gleichman | Sept. 12, 2005, midnight | In Music »

In 1967, the Beatles came out with "Magical Mystery Tour," a film that is still often described as something only a true Beatle fanatic could appreciate. The production is totally over the top, containing flashy scenery and performances which strongly suggest the combination of hallucinogenic substances and boundless imaginations. Among the wacky performances included in the film is a cut from the jazz-rock-comedy group, the "Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band," featuring their parodist, "Death Cab for Cutie." In the song, the group narrates a taxi accident, in the style of honky-tonk, turning an otherwise grim story line into a comedic routine. The song was made even stranger with the Beatles' decision to synchronize the audio with a striptease act by 1960's icon Jan Carson.


Tropical what...?

By Becca Sausville | Sept. 8, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

It takes a special type of American to truly appreciate foreign films. Scores of foreign films are released in limited theaters across the United States each year, but only a few manage to burrow their ways into the hearts of Americans. Who can really say why some movies just can't break into the wonderland of wide release? Well, it's easy to tell with "Tropical Malady," a Thai film filled with interesting cinematography, a confusing plot and complex existential situations.


"A Sound of Thunder" blunders

By Baijia Jiang | Sept. 8, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

The best way to describe Peter Hyam's new sci-fi adventure movie "A Sound of Thunder" is a good idea gone bad - horribly bad. Based on Ray Bradbury's short story of the same name, the movie combines the originally interesting themes of time travel and evolution and mixes them into a jumbled mess, leaving viewers wanting to thunder out the door.


Kanye West: 'Late' but worth it

By Josh Zipin | Sept. 8, 2005, midnight | In Music »

"I'm trying to right my wrongs/ But it's funny the same wrongs help me write this song," Kanye West raps on his new album "Late Registration." West is by no means a typical rapper, most notably he never grew up in a rough neighborhood. Instead of the traditional thug who raps of his past, West doesn't hide his middle-class upbringing and consequently produces a different kind of sound. In the case of "Late Registration," different is most certainly a positive.


"Transporter 2" delivers the goods

By Robert Feasley | Sept. 7, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

With femme fatales, "French Connection" inspired car chase scenes, a balding Australian with moves like Jackie Chan, hot cars and more explosions than the National Mall on July 4, "Transporter 2" accomplishes exactly what its predecessor, "The Transporter" does; it returns to basics, which in an age where Tom Cruise can set the standards with Mission Impossible II, is more than just a welcome change.


Dramatically real "Funny Ha Ha"

By Justin Vlasits | Sept. 7, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

Andrew Bujalski's directorial debut brought an easy world of free love and free beer into a light that reflects raw emotion and simplicity. "Funny Ha Ha" is a snapshot of the life of Marnie (Kate Dollenmayer), a Bostonian who is looking for a permanent job and a real love. She is depressed with the way her life revolves around drinking and partying, but does not know what to do instead.


"Underclassman” fails to make the grade

By Adam Yalowitz | Sept. 7, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

"Underclassman," starring Nick Cannon, is exactly what it aims to be — an underdeveloped, generic comedy aimed at a teen audience with extremely low expectations. Most of the movies coming out of Hollywood today, especially the comedies, are terrible, but people go see them anyway.


"The Constant Gardener" thrills and satisfies

By Nora Boedecker | Sept. 7, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

When a film is advertised as a "thriller" audiences usually conjure images of high speed car chases, scantily clad women and of course, lots and lots of explosions. However, "The Constant Gardener" has none of these features, which is, perhaps, what makes it so extraordinary.


An everyday delight

By Alexis Egan | Sept. 6, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

A little slice of heaven lies amid the daily bustle of construction workers, shopping teens and harried mothers in Old Town Takoma at 6923 Laurel Ave. Although it's been there for years, Everyday Gourmet has the friendly staff and beautiful decor of a freshly opened café.


Momo Taro Sushi: A taste of Japan in Rockville

By Lois Bangiolo | Sept. 6, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

The first greeting customers get at Momo Taro Sushi in Rockville is from a gold cat just inside the entrance that waves its left paw to all who enter. The next greeting patrons get comes from one of the hosts or hostesses, who graciously seat guests at a table or sushi bar. Larger groups can request more private, traditional style seating on the side of the restaurant, complete with cushions to kneel on.


Cubano's: It's all about the Mojo

By Devon Madison | Sept. 2, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

Cubano's, a relatively small Cuban restaurant in Silver Spring sits across the street from the well known Mi Rancho. The restaurant's size, cost, and proximity to the very popular Mi Rancho causes it to often be overlooked.


A dropkick to success

By Alexis Egan | Aug. 24, 2005, midnight | In Music »

Perfect Irish punk is hard to come by. You don't want too many bagpipes, but without them, the songs seem lacking. A proper balance between old and new is needed; too many traditional ballads seem outdated, while too few is too modern. And variety is just as important as the traditional choice (or not) of songs. For the first time in their nine year career, Dropkick Murphys succeed in all aspects of the Irish punk genre.


Black's Bar and Kitchen: Off the hook

By Eve Gleichman | Aug. 23, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

Not often does one find sixteen varieties of fresh oysters on the menu of a somewhat hidden restaurant in the middle of a busy town. At Black's Bar and Kitchen, these fresh oysters are only a fraction of the seafood options on the menu, and the rest is equally impressive. The bill may not be easy on the teen wallet, but it sure seems worth it when you're served some of the freshest seafood in town.


A real taste of China

By Phillip Allen | Aug. 22, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

Over the past three decades Chinese food has taken its place alongside pizza and fast food as one of Americas favorite quick meals. Don't know what to eat? Just order Chinese! This degradation of Chinas cuisine has created a void of high quality sit-down restaurants. This cavity has been filled since 1987 by City Lights of China Restaurant, widely regarded by Washingtonians as the best Chinese in the city. A result of the restaurant's success in its original location in Dupont Circle allowed it to branch off into two new locations in Bethesda and Ronald Reagan Center food court.


Great pizzas, great artwork - great time!

By Mary Donahue | Aug. 21, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

Nestled inside the Rock Creek Shopping Center, three miles from downtown Silver Spring, the redDog Cafe offers a modern alternative to the typical family night out. Providing an extensive menu that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner options, the cafe attracts many couples and families.


Mix, match; Reach and grab

By Meaghan Mallari | Aug. 16, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

Outside the rush of downtown Silver Spring and chain restaurants lies Addis Ababa, a traditional, culturally-decorated Ethiopian restaurant that provides great food and a great excuse to eat with your hands.


Lumos Harry Potter?

By Alexis Egan | Aug. 5, 2005, midnight | In Books »

"It was nearing midnight and the Prime Minister was sitting alone in his office, reading a long memo that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind," and so begins the sixth installment in JK Rowling's best selling Harry Potter series, "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince."


A "noteworthy "album

By Eve Gleichman | Aug. 1, 2005, midnight | In Music »

With eleven years of establishment and six successful albums, InToneNation (ITN), Blair's student-run a cappella group, has made quite a name for itself. In this case, the name is "Leave a Message After the Tone," ITN's seventh and most recent release. The album is a live recording from May, complete with nineteen tracks which demonstrate the group's strengths and show their potential for the future.


"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory": Willy weird

By Eve Gleichman | July 28, 2005, midnight | In Movies »

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory


History, grease and plastic forks

By Simon Kanter | July 13, 2005, midnight | In Restaurant Reviews »

In 1958, in the heyday of the African American entertainment district that centered around U Street, Ben Ali and his wife Virginia opened not just a restaurant, but a piece of Washington D.C.'s vibrant history. During the riots that tore through the streets of downtown after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., Ben's Chili Bowl was the only place still open while the mobs stormed down the avenue. But Ben's has outlived that era, and while the neighborhood around it is slowly drifting towards urban renewal, it has thrived on two things alone: preservation and really good chili.

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