Appaloosa & Other Fun Things

After a long anticipated wait, I finally got to see Ed Harris' latest film, the retro Western, Appaloosa. I've been wanting to see it since I first saw the trailer. So many Westerns these days try to be classic, but they get caught up in these complex, shades of grey plotlines that leave the viewer wondering, 'who's the real bad guy?' Fortunately, Appaloosa makes the good guys and the bad guys stand apart clearly. The only complexity is the relationship between the two main characters, played by Ed Harris and Viggo Mortensen, and the love triangle they form with Renee Zellweger. It's a classic, brooding, macho Western at the top of its game. The music is straight from the 60s and 70s speghetti Western, with a little less twang - the only way you can tell it was written this decade. The cinematography is breathtaking. Dean Semlar was brought in by Harris to be the director of photography, and Semlar brings his special touch to the film. The man is a genius when it comes to shooting the background so that it resonates with the viewer. His work on Dances with Wolves was legendary and he brings the same eye to Appaloosa.

Harris and Mortensen are delightful in the roles of Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch. The male relationship is a central theme for exploration in the film. Cole and Hitch are best friends, brothers in arms, wise leader with his journeyman apprentice, all rolled into one. In the age of the Hollywood bromance, it's delightful and refreshing to watch two men be men.

Other fun things I've been up to: ate out at Menya restaurant on Broadway. Totally delish little Japanese Ramen shop. I had the tonkotsu ramen which was scrumptious. Most ramen that I've had in the past has been miso based, or has had Western style broth. This style of rame comes in a pork-bone broth that is opaque, a little thicker, and totally tasty. The gyoza is also to-die-for. Be sure to order a meal set so that you don't have to share!

Watched Into The Wild starring Emile Hirsch. This is the first film I've seen starring Hirsch, and the first film directed by Sean Penn that I've seen in a while. I read the Jon Krakauer book last year and I'm glad I waited a few months to watch the movie. When details are super fresh, I always feel a little bit sad when the movie doesn't live up to the story that can be presented on the page. In this case, though, I loved how Penn adapted the story to the screen. The photography, the dialogue and voiceovers, and the flashbacks in the story all play perfectly to my memory of the book. Totally worth checking out, especially for all my adventure-loving friends up in Sun Peaks.

Tonight, (Monday!) I'm off to listen to Drew Hayden Taylor read at the Vancouver Library, then to a poetry reading at Cafe des Soleils. Literature for all!

Things I'm lovin' right now

A few things on my radar right now:

1) Dine Out Vancouver is coming up. YAHOO! This annual event is truly stellar. There are around 180 restaurants involved this year. Here's how it works: In January and February, Vancouver restaurants used to have difficulty getting people in the door (after Christmas, the purse-strings were tied pretty tight). So, a few marketing and tourism types got together to brainstorm a way to keep the food scene afloat until Valentine's Day. The result? A multi-week extravaganza of bargain-priced table d'hotes that brought foodies out in droves. Some of the city's top tables started offering 3-course meals for $15, $25 or $35. It was a win-win for everyone. Restaurants were packed every night for 2 weeks, and food lovers got the opportunity to sample dozens of restaurants at prices that wouldn't break the bank.

Last year was my first Dine Out experience. I had been working at Manhattan Restaurant the previous fall, so I had an insider's look at how the event was set up and its effect on the local food community. I only managed to make it out to one restaurant, Rain City Grill, but it was absolutely delicious and I couldn't wait until this year. I'm working on reservations right now, but I've left it a little late, so who knows where I'll end up eating. I'll keep you posted!

2) Three great musicians that I'm digging: Jon Holden, DJ Reset and Sweet Electra.

All great electronica, Jon Holden and DJ Reset fall under the modern house category, while Sweet Electra is a little more dance. Fun, catchy tracks that are on my iPod right now:

- from Jon Holden, I'm loving Shadows

- from DJ Reset, Crush has become my new favorite sunrise song

- from Sweet Electra, Firefly totally makes me groove

I actually heard Sweet Electra for the first time last year on the Chillcast, one of my favorite podcasts, hosted by the lovely Anji Bee. For anyone who is in to down tempo world, ambient or great vocals, you should definitely check this podcast out. Anji often gives away free songs featured on her podcasts, and always has links to every single song she plays - talk about dedication.

3) Guilty book pleasure of the moment: The Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. I read the first two in the series last fall; they are completely addictive but also completely fluffy, making them very satisfying if you like feeling of reading many many pages in a short amount of time. I'm currently on book 3 of the series, Eclipse. The saga is moving along quite nicely and at this rate, I anticipate I will reach the height of vampiric lust in the next couple of days. I love teen fiction.