6.14.10 My Top Ten RIGHT NOW

PLAY Race

I have to admit that I had limited interest in this new work from David Mamet.  His sharp and quick dialogue has fallen flat on Broadway in recent years, from the revival of Oleanna to the awkward Speed the Plow.  But I’m glad I found my way into the theater for what was indeed a sharp and witty work and ultimately honest look at how racism exists in our society.  James Spader is to thank for most of the genius here, although the rest of the cast is able, save for the beautiful Kerry Washington who hasn’t figured out how to modulate her voice, but the show itself is awkwardly paced and doesn’t know how to end a scene… B

PLAY Collected Stories

Yet another new Donald Margulies play has graced the stage of Broadway, just as lovely as Time Stands Still earlier this year.  Dropping in at various moments over the course of ten years, two writers, one at the beginning of her career the other at the end, forge an elegantly depicted bond that can only be broken by the inevitability of life’s ups and downs.  Linda Lavin creates genius from the well-written work, every ounce of her oozing the hermetically sealed writer character.  Sarah Paulson can’t quite match but thankfully doesn’t distract.  It’s an elegant work, surprisingly captivating despite its simplicity… A-

MOVIE Jeux d’enfants

This is one bizarre French film about the price and games people play in the name of eternal love.  Thanks to a witty narrative style (akin to the gone-too-soon TV show Pushing Daisies) and honest acting from Guillaume Canet and the ever gorgeous Marion Cotillard this film floats on a dark fantasy of one-upmanship in a game to see who will finally admit the love that’s there.  While overall, a thrilling piece, there is a scene smack in the middle of the film that took me from such happiness to despair in a split second.  Truly a masterful, if odd, bit of filmmaking… A

FOOD Cork

Small plates seem to be all the rage in DC right now and if they all taste this good, then I say let the small plate reign supreme.  Starting with a meat and cheese platter, we quickly moved into a hearty simple steak, the most delicious fresh cut fries covered in lemon zest and paired with a spicy cocktail sauce, and the fish special which was a lightly seasoned white fish over a bed of corn and pesto.  Everything was fresh and savory, maybe a little too salty at times, but that can be overlooked when imbibing a particularly good crisp and fruity white wine… A-

FOOD Café Oaxaca

This DC establishment serves up delicious authentic mole covered dishes that are mouthwateringly tasty.  My enchiladas were doused in the dark chocolate-y sauce and good to the last bite.  The plantain appetizer, cooked to perfection and covered with sour cream and cheese, was to die for.  And the pitcher of margaritas went down way too smoothly, made with a fantastic smoky tequila. Unfortunately the guacamole wasn’t quite up to snuff, but a small price to pay for an overall excellent meal… B+

PLAY Gabriel

People seem to really love this show, and I’m not sure why.  It’s a well-written piece about the Nazi occupation of the British Channel Islands and a mysterious man who washes up on the shore, taking a page from surrealist Borges, who easily could be a Brit as he could be a German.  All interesting enough, but the show never crackles with the energy that the director thinks it does, demonstrated clearly with a second act musical interlude that is totally illogical (but used my favorite Gorecki symphony, so I was happy).  Oddly paced, with a set that actually made me physically ill, it was just an odd evening of theater when all was said and done…B-

FOOD Russian Vodka Room

If you find yourself in midtown Manhattan in need of a delicious concoction at a reasonable price, this is the place for you.  The darkened set back banquets make for an intimate evening, the quiet atmosphere, flecked with muzak or a live piano that might as well be muzak lends itself perfectly to the odd and delicious air.  My vote is for the White Russian, which seems to be made with a sweetened fruit infused vodka.  If you’re feeling peckish, the duck liver is the way to go, but the portion is so huge, it’s best to share… A

ALBUM Bionic Christina Aguilera

Ok, so I reviewed this album last week, but I need to take another stab at it because there’s some saving grace in there that I overlooked in the midst of my complete and utter sadness over the direction she’s taken.  At the end of the album, three tracks appear by Australian recording artist Sia.  “I Am” is the most intriguing, with its odd rhythm structure and sweeping chorus.  All three are beautifully crafted and well sung, but the entire time, all I could think was I really wish Sia would come out with a new album, because these would sound great with her more unique voice and phrasing… a revised B-

MOVIE Whatever Works

As is often the case with Woody Allen films, even when they’re not particularly good, there’s just enough to make it worth watching.  This falls squarely into that category, feeling like it could have been an excellent short story, but not an off-kilter 90 minutes.  Larry David is, as to be expected, himself, which in many ways works in the Allen nebbish-y complainer category.  The rest of the cast is delightfully quirky but the narrative fails to take any of them on an arc worth discussing (which is all right there in the title).  It was an interesting concept for a much shorter form… B-

MOVIE I Love You, Man

I enjoyed this movie in the theaters and even more so on DVD.  It’s a nice mix of lewd humor, heart and ridiculously likable actors.  Paul Rudd can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned, and his bid for slightly clueless man with only female friends is an adorable take on the metrosexual world we live in.  Rashida Jones is lovely and infectiously irresistible as the fiancé.  But it’s all about Jason Segel, funny as all hell but with just enough charm to not fall into farce.  It’s not a great film, but immensely enjoyable… B+