newnoir

Not being into reality television, The Restaurant was a surprise for me.

It follows the culinary (and sometimes obviously staged) adventures of Chef Rocco DiSpirito as he attempts to open an Italian American restaurant in the Flatiron section of Manhattan in the early 2000s.

There's some great cameos featured in the series, among them legendary chef and author Anthony Bourdain who lays down the law in one episode how great food is not enough for chefs these days.

Chef Massimiliano "Red" Bartoli makes an appearance as well as Rocco's possible replacement when he proves he truly can cook Southern Italian cuisine.

The cast are a colorful collection of characters, aspiring comedian Pete Giovine, Gideon Horowitz, Lonn Coward and Topher Goodman being among some favorites. There was a sweet romance that blossomed between a waitress, Heather Kristen, and a line cook, Perry, that could have been further explored in the series.

If there's a reality series (so-called) that deserves a reboot it's The Restaurant! Though one of the reasons the restaurant didn't succeed is Rocco seemed more focused on being a celebrity chef than being an actual chef.

Reboot The Restaurant Hollywood! Huzzah!

I enjoyed this entry to the Marvel universe yet as a diehard Sam Raimi fan I came primarily for the inevitable Bruce Campbell cameo as the Pizzaball Vendor and Sam Raimi's 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 spinning in midair. At times the Marvel films start to feel like they're repeating themselves. How often can you see an actor pose dramatically while they unleash their CGI powers upon a villain and send them flying back forty feet? Luckily the Marvel brand humor and snappy dialogue is still here along with two great stinger scenes during and after the end credits. Benedict Cumberbatch of course steals the show as Doctor Stephen Strange. Bruce Campbell forever!

I can't say enough about this fantastic and brilliant film and series. The original Terminal Bar film and the subsequent sequel films are some of the best examples of filmmaking I've ever seen.

The premise is simple, former bartender and manager of the infamous New York City Terminal Bar Sheldon Nadelman tellls stories about his collection of photographs he took of the denizens and derelict customers from his decade long stay at the Terminal Bar. Nadelman tells of how the Terminal Bar began as a primarily Irish American bar and later transformed into the toughest bar in New York.

Nadelman's son Stefan Nadelman directs and animates the photographs, telling the story of this long gone speakeasy with narration, pictures and pitch perfect music.

A book adaptation was later made of Nadelman's photographs. I'd love to see a feature length documentary of the film series with new material. The Terminal Bar was famously captured in a scene in the Martin Scorsese classic film Taxi Driver.

Terminal Bar is a film that's one for the ages.