Dinner and a Movie - Slumdog Millionaire and Bengal

Notorious for its incredibly spicy nature and alien looks, Indian food is sometimes shied away from when considering dinner. However, with the right food choices and the right movie, you can bring a great Indian themed evening into your own living room. With the combination of award winning Slumdog Millionaire and acclaimed midtown restaurant Bengal, having a fun Indian night is easy. 

            Slumdog Millionaire was voted as 2008’s best film of the year. Telling the tragic story of a poor Indian boy, it presents a situation in which the least likely person can accomplish the most possible. It is a perfect example of “not judging a book by its cover”. Starring Dev Patel (Airbender (in production)), and directed by Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Sunshine), Slumdog Millionaire presents a pressing issue in a creative and engaging manner.

            Indian bum Jamal Malik has just answered the second to last question on India’s version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” However, the odds are overwhelmingly against him seeing as how someone with no education and little exposure to social life could have answered so many questions correctly – something nobody in the show’s history has done before. Thus many people believe that Jamal has cheated his way through the competition. Thus begins a long and exciting tale of Jamal’s past and how his traumatic experiences have given him the answers to the questions. Ranging from a visit from a superstar celebrity, to his mother’s murder, to his unending efforts to find his lost love, Jamal tells his story to the police investigator who has captured him in an effort to convince him that he is innocent. As the plot progresses the viewer draws closer to the present in Jamal’s story, and closer to the ever-pressing question, will Jamal be allowed to attempt the final question and possibly become one million dollars richer?

            Slumdog Millionaire is a great film. It is visually appealing, has a good plot, and the acting is superb. However, it doesn’t deserve the amount of dedication that it received. While yes, it is a great film that presents an important problem in an innovative and exciting way, it is far from what I would call spectacular. Parts of it were cheesy and predictable, not to mention melodramatic. Yet I thoroughly enjoyed watching it; it is a very good movie that is not only fun to watch, but also re-watchable. However, I did not think that it was deserving of the Best Film award. Something was missing…perhaps it's food! 

            Bengal is a traditional Indian restaurant located at 2010 Biscayne Boulevard. Providing both take-out and delivery, it is perfect for the home movie experience. It has a friendly and efficient wait staff that is prepared to make you comfortable. Located in the midtown area, it is perfect for midtown, downtown, or Miami Beach dwellers to buy fairly inexpensive and delicious Indian food. They have an extensive menu that covers all bases of Indian cuisine. The restaurant is very appealing and peaceful, despite its location on Biscayne Boulevard (somehow no noise seems to penetrate the building). With the right choices, Bengal can definitely provide the food for your perfect Indian night. 

Some of my recommendations are: 

Chicken Tikka Masala ($15.95) – Chicken doused in special sauce with a side of traditional basmati rice, the Chicken Tikka Masala is an iconic Indian meal that is both delicious and satisfying at Bengal. 

Lamb Rogan Josh ($16.95) – With sliced lamb in traditional sauces and herbs along with a side of basmati rice, this meal is perfect for the more experimental customers. 

Note: All meals should be enjoyed with a side of traditional Naan, an Indian bread also available at Bengal. 

For those fonder of spicy Indian foods, the Chicken Curry is good as well. Bengal also offers soups, salads, and vegetarian choices for those less inclined towards Indian cuisine. 

The sheer suspense of the heart-wrenching tale that Slumdog Millionaire presents can only be complimented by the sharp tastes of Bengal’s Indian cuisine. The two together provide a situation which is experienced rarely – a delve into Indian culture. The only issue that might present itself is that you may finish your food early on in the movie, but that’s what delivery is for! When combined together, the exciting and inspiring story in Slumdog Millionaire, and the unique yet delicious flavors of Bengal’s recipes, create a flawless evening centered on Indian customs.

Night At The Museum 2 Review

In the first Night At The Museum, director Shawn Levy showed how a simple artifact could bring an entire museum of artifacts come to life. In the sequel, the audience could use some of that vitality as well. While still a good and enjoyable movie, Night At The Museum 2 fails at coming anywhere close to where Night At The Museum reached. Continuing the story of night guard Larry Daley and the museums that he patrols, Night At The Museum 2 leaves a lot to be desired after seeing its predecessor.

            In Night At The Museum 2 Ben Stiller (Meet The Parents, Zoolander) reprises his role as Larry Daley who, now two years after the incident in the first movie, is a millionaire CEO of a large product company. As time has gone on he has become more and more out of touch with his friends in the Museum of Natural History. In his first visit in over four months he learns that the exhibits are to be moved to the Smithsonian in Washington DC, which serves as a wake-up call for how much he has ignored his friends. It is soon revealed that Ahkmenrah’s brother, Kahmunrah, is at the Smithsonian, and is bent upon obtaining the life-giving tablet so that he can resurrect his undead army. In his exploits to stop Kahmunrah’s efforts, Daley meets a host of historical and artistic figures including Amelia Earhart, Abraham Lincoln, The Thinker, and Napoleon Bonaparte. Other fictional celebrities such as Darth Vader and The Grouch from Sesame Street make cameos as well. As Larry Daley fights to stop Kahmunrah and regain his old friends, we are shown a story filled with adventure, mystery, love, and friendship.

            While it is to be accepted that sequels don’t usually live up to their predecessors, Night At The Museum 2 falls behind more than most do. Compared to the first Night at the Museum, it’s boring. There is action, but it happens in spurts that are short-lived. The majority of the action in the movie is centered on Daley and Earhart running away from antagonists from any number of cultures. However, much of the comedy remains in the film, and it is still a great family movie, only not as enjoyable as the first. In its lonesome, it is fun and exciting. Unfortunately, Levy did such a good job with the first film that the expectations were raised too high for Night At The Museum 2 to meet them. Night At The Museum 2 is a movie to see only when there is nothing else to see, or if you are a diehard fan of the series. Otherwise, it is highly recommended to wait until it is released for DVD and rent it. 

Flanigan's Review

Hailed by many Miami Country Day School students as “the best restaurant in Miami”, Flanigan’s is an iconic factor of the Miami dining scene. With its low prices, great food, unique atmosphere, and game day appeal, Flanigan’s is a favorite to teenagers and sports fans, among many others. With various fishing and surfing paraphernalia, along with countless pictures of customers reeling in huge fish, Flanigan’s gives off a friendly and accepting vibe that no other restaurant matches. Waiters are usually quick and efficient, but really only two things are what makes Flanigan’s so attractive: the food, and the TVs. Flanigan’s can be fairly full, but it is guaranteed to be packed on any day with a sports event. With televisions strategically placed so that no seat misses a moment of the action, loyal fans come to Flanigan’s to enjoy great food and cheer their team on at both home and away games. However, even on days without any sports, Flanigan’s is worth attending purely because of the food quality. Some top choices are:

 

Baby Back Ribs: Award winning, tender, and delicious, Flanigan’s signature item is their Baby Back Ribs. Grilled and smothered in barbeque sauce, no trip to Flanigan’s is complete without ribs. Coupled with their iconic curly fries or Caesar salad, the Baby Back Ribs is the perfect order at Flanigan’s.

 

Chicken Philly: With chicken mixed with optional peppers, onions, and mushrooms, covered with melted cheese in a hoagie bun, the chicken philly is a great choice for those who want a non-beef sandwich. The cheese covers the top of the sandwich completely, which has a practical use for containing additional barbeque sauce into the sandwich.

 

Caribbean Burger: There is just something about the Caribbean Burger that relaxes you as you eat it. A prime hamburger with cheese, bacon, special barbeque sauce, and any other optional toppings, the Caribbean Burger is sure to please and soothe the palette. As the menu claims “The ‘Caribbean’ part is that you forget about everything once you've eaten this burger!”

 

            Flanigan’s is delicious, priced fairly, and, above all else, a fun place to eat at. Going with a few friends can be both a tasty and inexpensive experience that can quickly become a regular event. With locations all over Broward and Dade counties, you are sure to have a Flanigan’s near you, however I suggest the one at 13205 Biscayne Boulevard for game day meals, and the one at 9516 Harding Avenue when with large parties. Their website can be found at www.flanigans.net. Always an appetizing and entertaining place to be at, Flanigan’s can quickly become one of your favorites too. 

Dinner and a Movie review: Sushi Siam + Hero

In Miami there are a great number of options when in comes to take-out food, especially when it comes to Asian food. However, to create the perfect Asian evening, I recommend take-out from Sushi Siam, while watching a rented version of Hero at home.

 

            Hero is a Chinese martial arts epic starring Jet Li (The One, Fearless) and is directed by Zhang Yimou (House of Flying Daggers). It tells the two thousand year old story of warrior Jing Ke who defeated three notorious assassins who were plotting to kill the king of Qin. In a series of flashbacks the story is told, in which beautiful scenery, impressive cinematography, and breathtaking swordsmanship is shown.

            The protagonist, Nameless, retells his encounters with the assassins to the King in a series of flashbacks. Each flashback is encompassed by a single color including blue, green, white, and red. With each color change, the plot twists, revealing new information about the attempts to kill the King and of the nature of Nameless. With each tale, Nameless draws closer to the King, as is his reward, and interactions between the two develop as the King is intrigued as to how one man could do what his entire army could not. Also with each tale, the viewer is wholly enthralled by the flawless swordplay that occurs between Nameless and his opponents.

However, as it is true for many epics, some sacrifices must be made to fully appreciate the beauty of the martial arts in this film; one of the biggest sacrifices must be the appreciation for reality. No, in real life people cannot leap over fifty feet in one bound, nor can they suspend themselves over water with just the tip of their sword, and they definitely cannot protect themselves from hundreds of arrows with nothing more than a sleeve. Yet, once a viewer casts off these inhibitions, the film Hero can be appreciated to its maximum capability. The fact that, in Hero, a single sweep of a sword can cause a powerful gust that can blow and opponent away should not push a viewer away from seeing this film, but rather it should invite the viewer in to have a taste of Asian imagination and fantasy.

In conclusion, Hero is a film that should be seen by all action fans. The fighting is unparalleled, the plot is complex and exciting, and the flair for the unrealistic makes the movie unique and all the more enjoyable. Surprise plot changes, psychological revelations, and thrilling sword fights structure this film, leaving for both a physically and emotionally stimulating experience.

 My recommendation is to watch Hero in its original Mandarin Chinese, with English subtitles.

             

Sushi Siam is a traditional Japanese restaurant with locations all over Miami, including Morningside, Aventura, Key Biscayne, and Brickell. All locations have a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, with a friendly and helpful wait staff. The menu has a wide variety of Asian cuisine, the most popular of which is sushi. However, the menu tends to differ between locations, yet the majority of the restaurants retain many of the same orders. While a little pricey, Sushi Siam has a complex menu that is sure to please all fans of Asian food.

Some of my favorite sushi orders at Sushi Siam are (please note, as locations differ, so may price):

 

Spicy Maguro ($2.50 each): A sushi roll that uses spicy tuna as its meat, it has a kick that most sushi rolls don’t have. Filling and delicious, it is well worth its price.

 

Unagi (3.95 each): Different from most sushi rolls, this eel roll is a taste to be acquired. However, once one has an appreciation for it, it can quickly become a favorite.

 

Tempura Ebi ($2.50): For those that don’t like raw fish, this shrimp tempura roll is perfect. With a fried shrimp running through the middle of this roll, it is a delicious compliment to any other sushi.

 

Other orders that are my favorite include (please note, as locations differ, so may price):

 

Pork Pad Thai ($11.95): Cooked pork mixed with noodles, nuts, vegetables, rice, and sauce, the Pork Pad Thai is a great dinner choice that offers the hungriest of customers an extremely large meal. It is also a reprieve from the overwhelming Japanese presence in the food (if you can’t tell from the name, its from Thailand).

 

Chicken Takatori: A skewer of cooked chicken and vegetables drizzled with a sweet sauce, this meal is perfect for adults and for kids. Tough enough to be pulled off and eaten with utensils, while also tender enough to be eaten right off of the skewer, this choice is a great pick for those who are not very hungry.

 

Salads and soups are also available for order, however there is a low possibility of getting anything that isn’t Asian themed. However, for Asian lovers, this restaurant is perfect.

 

            Now, how do Hero and Sushi Siam combine to make a great Asian evening? Imagine sitting down on your couch in some comfortable clothes with great Japanese take-out, to watch one of the best martial arts films of the twenty-first century. Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it? While the action of Hero may leave your chopsticks suspended for a moment, the flavor of Sushi Siam’s food will quickly revitalize you. The awe-inspiring intricacy of Hero’s plot and action, combined with Sushi Siam’s complete grasp of the Asian palette is a surefire way to create the perfect Asian themed evening, and will quickly have you saying “Domo Arigato” every time.

Next Day Air Review

             There are many, many ways in which to spend $10 and ninety minutes in both a more entertaining and constructive way than to watch Next Day Air (one of those ways being watching a $10 can of paint dry on your wall). An obvious stoner comedy, the only thing funny about the movie is how unoriginal it is. Basically a blended and diluted version of movies like Half Baked and How High, Next Day Air does its best to please an apparent demographic with jokes that its already heard before. Its poor acting and shoddy plot is finalized by a less than average quality gunfight that leaves most everybody disappointed.

            Directed by Benny Boom, Next Day Air stars some of the most prominent B-List African American actors such as Mike Epps (How High, Malibu’s Most Wanted), Donald Faison (Scrubs), and Mos Def (Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy, Be Kind Rewind). The plot follows a number of opposing groups centered on a mistakenly delivered box of cocaine by high deliveryman Leo (Faison). As the two low grade criminals who received the coke celebrate and attempt to sell it to one of their drug dealing brothers, the intended recipient goes on a manhunt to recover the drugs before his drug lord boss finds out. For the next hour some poorly thought out comedy occurs until, finally, the movie ends in a gunfight between all key members of the movie, leaving the survivor with all the money and all the drugs.

            Next Day Air serves little purpose other than to be used as an example of early twenty-first century slang for generations to come. The plot is flawed despite its incredibly linear nature, the acting in unconvincing, and the comedy isn’t very funny. Basically it’s not a good movie (in my opinion), and isn’t worth anybody’s time. All in all, Next Day Air is one package you may want to refuse.

Star Trek Review

One of the most persistent problems that appear when watching a movie that has been based upon a television show is that if the viewer has never seen the show, there is much that is lost in translation. Star Trek does not have that problem. Never having seen the show myself, I spent half the movie trying to calm the goose bumps that the other half had given me. Non-stop action, beautiful visuals, and a small flair for the excessively unreal make this movie an unstoppable and intellectual thrill ride.

Directed by J. J. Abrams (Cloverfield, Lost), Star Trek tells the story of the U.S.S. Enterprise and its crew. Headlined by captain James T. Kirk, played by Chris Pine (Smokin’ Aces), and first officer Spock, played by Zachary Quinto (Heroes), the crew of the Enterprise lead an attack against a crazed Romulan ship commander following a distress call from Spock’s home planet, Vulcan. Featuring other actors such as Eric Bana (Black Hawk Down, Troy), Karl Urban (Lord Of The Rings, The Bourne Supremacy), John Cho (Harold and Kumar), and Simon Pegg (Shaun Of The Dead, Hot Fuzz), Star Trek also includes the psychological transitions that involve living up to a sacrificed father’s reputation and finding the deep seated emotion within one’s self after it had been conditioned to remain dormant. Yet despite that the movie retains its initial draw of thrilling spaceship battles, engaging fight scenes, and indisputably awesome laser fights. As the threat of the Romulan commander, Nero, draws closer, the shifts in power in the Enterprise eventually lead to the discovery of an alternate reality (something any self-respecting sci-fi director must have in his repertoire) that explains why Nero is so determined to destroy both Vulcan and Earth.

One of the things that Abrams does best in his depiction of Star Wars is how he has made an iconic show so ridiculed for it’s fans’ unending admiration (earning them the name Trekkies, which is basically a Star Trek groupie) so appealing to people who have never seen the show. The sleek and futuristic scenes, coupled with the exhilarating fight scenes leave any moviegoer on the edge of their seat. As lasers fly and ships go into warp speed, fans try their best not to blink and thus miss a second of the near unending action. Even the not-so-playful banter between the rebellious Kirk and the naturally logical Spock are exciting on a different plane, leaving audience members enraged and sympathetic towards both parties. That, and a little bit of exaggeration (such as Kirk being able to speak while being dangled by his trachea, Kirk hanging by his fingertips over a multiple thousand foot drop, Kirk running away from a space creature obviously modeled after the monster in Abram’s previous film Cloverfield, or really just anything to do with Kirk at all), make Star Trek a relentless and inescapable delight that is sure to leave viewers completely satisfied.

Star Trek is, up until now, 2009’s best action and sci-fi movie, in my opinion. The action is unparalleled, as are the visuals and special effects. When the action finally takes a break, the polar opposites Kirk and Spock create a mental excitement to complement the one given by the rest of the film. It’s a great pre-summer movie and it is guaranteed to excite. There has been no other movie this year that compares to its invigoration or its aesthetics. However nothing in this movie is as exciting as the flawless action that it presents; the non-stop exhilaration is so intense, that it will get a rise out of the most emotionless Vulcan.

Angels And Demons Review (Book)

A book that has inspired both unquestioning devotees and irritated opponents, The Da Vinci Code has made author Dan Brown a literary celebrity. However, despite Code’s popularity, its predecessor Angels And Demons has had a vastly lower number of readers. While it also sparks controversy, it does so in a less direct way by banking on fictional events rather than supposed facts (as he does in The Da Vinci Code).

            The introductory story of protagonist Robert Langdon, Angels And Demons follows his exploits as he is called in to European science facility CERN to investigate a murder. A professor of symbology at Harvard University, he is called in because the corpse is branded with an ancient symbol used by a supposedly extinct cult called the Illuminati. Shunned by the Catholic Church centuries ago, the science-devoted Illuminati have resurfaced to enact their revenge against the Church. As Langdon and the daughter of the dead man explore Rome, they discover that the four favorite cardinals for papal election have been kidnapped by the Illuminati and that they plan to kill one cardinal every hour, starting at 8 PM, and act that will cultivate at midnight by the detonation of an anti-matter bomb placed under Vatican City. Ironically, the bomb had been stolen from the labs at CERN. As time runs out, Langdon and his partner race across Rome in an effort to capture the Illuminati assassin and halt the destruction of the Catholic Church in a story fraught with action, adventure, betrayal, suspense, love, murder, and surprises.

            The movie equivalent of Angels and Demons will be released in May, with Tom Hanks reprising his role as Robert Langdon. Directed by Ron Howard, it is a crime thriller that follows the same plot as the book in the efforts to stop the terrorist attack. Hopefully better than the previous movie of The Da Vinci Code, Angels And Demons should draw in large crowds opening weekend and is predicted to be a box office leader. However, in my personal opinion, I would read the book first. It is an exciting and thrilling read with surprises and action behind every corner. If you see the movie first, please don’t judge the book by it; the movie may be great but I would definitely read the book no matter what.