“An Unfinished Life” -
Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, Jennifer Lopez

Definitely an unusual cast, Redford and Freeman are brilliant and well paired, Lopez is clearly the outsider, not a bad choice, but think it might have been better. In a nutshell, Lopez was married to Redford’s son and they are in a car wreck, she lives, he doesn’t, Redford’s character blames her. Lopez is pregnant at the time of the crash and has a daughter, they show up at Redford’s ranch when Lopez takes one too many beatings from her abusive boyfriend. The rest you’ll have to see. It is a well developed story of family, love, loss and healing. Freeman is the glue that holds it all together despite his own battles with a grizzly bear that did some serious damage. It is a movie about the gift of forgiveness and how to let the pain of the past not take over the future. Some good lessons. All star acting.

Despite an awkward location, Agave has thrived in the last decade. With a refreshing mix of Southwest taste temptations and rock your world margaritas, Agave draws a steady crowd of satisfied regulars and new to the scene. While offering some standards such as homemade (but not tableside here) guacamole with chips, their calamari is the tenderest ever dressed up in blue corn meal and served with a spicy chipotle sauce and a bit of corn, the shrimp and crab egg rolls are a creative bite, tenderloin and lamb are included in a surprisingly taco free menu. Dessert needs work, but it is rare to get that far!

Agave
242 Boulevard SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
404-588-0006

“Trust the Man” -
David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Billy Crudup

What on earth was this bit of fluff and nonsense! With a cast that knows better, what were they thinking. Moore looked consistently wane and pudgy, Gyllenhaal while radiant put up with way too much garbage from the men in her life (yawn). Duchovny and Crudup were pretty standard male cads (and that is being polite). If this is real and true, it is no wonder I am not married and in no hurry to be! I wouldn’t trust any man after this one.

“Cape of Good Hope” -
Debbie Brown, Eriq Ebouaney, Nthati Moshesh, Morne Visser, Quanita Adams

Ohhhh, I love happy endings! This seemed very plausible and much like the roller coaster life can be. Love can conquer all, but sometimes it takes a lot of patience, hard decisions, and overcoming a few bad choices along the way. I didn’t recognize any of the cast, but look forward to seeing them again. Set in South Africa this does include blacks living in shanty towns, a bad boy Africaaner who cheats on his wife, the trust fund baby dog rescuer who is hung up on the bad boy (at least temporarily), the widower hung up o the dog rescuer, and a PHD astrologer who is forced to volunteer as a janitor at the Planetarium to be able to use his education because he is black. It has many more layered and deliciously developed characters whom we get to know well. Perhaps the glue in this is the little South African boy who resists school, stands up for his mother, and is out to earn a buck! Charming and well worth the time.

Edgy retro best describes this gathering place, most popular with the upscale 25-35 something crowd after 10pm. Mix is a suitable counterpart to it’s sister restaurant Haven that devotes to the 35+ crowd 6-10pm. It offers a variety of tapa style bites and a reasonable wine list with a full bar if desired. The point is to see and be seen with all seating facing into the restaurant and a conversation pit (without the step) in red with mod mood lighting at one end. Fun for a late night stopover if you like crowds.

Mix
Village Parkplace Brookhaven
1441 Dresden Dr. NE, Ste. 100
Atlanta, GA 30319
404-969-3250

“Music and Lyrics” -
Hugh Grant, Drew Barrymore

Loved it! Grant and Barrymore are a delightful duet, and both know their best vehicle well, a light romantic comedy. Grant has always been good at playing has beens and this is no exception. It was frighteningly funny to realize that this was inspired by the true story of the Brit hit music group from the 80’s POP. I didn’t remember them at all, but evidently quite a few do and more now, no doubt. I got a real kick out of the rock star Cara as she appeared to be a definite Madonna take off with her East Indian mysticism take on the bump and grind. There is nothing as absurd as reality. Barrymore is perfect as the slightly dizzy plant gal substitute that works for her sister’s weight loss clinic (her sister being a generously portioned lady and a big fan of POP.) Beyond the veneer of dizzy is a young woman of depth and character just waiting for her partner to catch up. She is supportive and encouraging when Grant’s character needs it most and he learns the value of being real and baring it all. Very fun, a bit campy, and with an ahhhhh ending.

“The Fountain” -
Hugh Jackman, Rachel Weisz, Ellen Burstyn

Well this was tragic start to finish. I’m not entirely sure what is was about, but think it was the quest for the fountain of youth, that then morphed into a search for a cure for death. I think I prefer Jackman in lighter roles, he carries them better. Weisz is just so beautiful and airy to look at on screen, she kind of glows. Burstyn looked well and deserved a meatier role had there been one. The weaving of different periods, the frantic searching and chasing almost seemed like “The Secret” in places. I didn’t understand why the entire movie was filmed at night and the hospital was so dark, I know it was done for effect, but I kept wanting to turn the lights on!

One of Atlanta’s true landmarks, Babette’s inhabits an old house just off North Highland Avenue. A charming European café atmosphere complete with a deck off the back beckons in warm weather or cold with fireplaces in two corners inside. The menu is varied seasonally to keep it interesting, the food is always fresh and creative. The start with really small plates, that really are perfect for tasting, then small plates, big plates, and divine dessert. Favorites include a bacon and onion tart, tabouleh with grilled shrimp, a veal piccata that is always available even when not on the menu, grilled salmon with grapefruit, spring lamp stew and much more. Truly delicious butternut squash soup, crisp salads, and desserts like apple almond tartine and chocolate bread pudding fill out the offerings. Great for before the theatre or a romantic night out.

Babette’s Café
573 North Highland Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30307
404-523-9121

“The Queen” -
Helen Mirren, Michael Sheen, James Cromwel

Well, I don’t understand what the fuss was about! I am a fan of Mirren and surely agree she deserves the Oscar, for this I am not sure. Yes, I am sure it was an accurate portrayal of the British monarchy during the time of Princess Diana’s sudden death, and I agree they really botched the handling on this and are lucky to have had Tony Blair step in as he did. But did it warrant an entire movie? This was slow, glum, and tedious to watch, no doubt the reality was not far different. Maybe it is just that we Americans have a fascination with all things Brit particularly to do with the Queen and royalty, it must be that celebrity factor!

Yes, it is a franchise, but in my experience a very good one. They make wine selection very approachable and easy to understand categorized by varietal and almost as basic as by color! Food choices range from generous appetizers of the tapa type with a delicious Mediterranean quesadilla mix including tenderloin with cheddar and caramelized onion and chicken with sundried tomatoe and pesto to shrimp remoulade and antipasto, and pita pisas (aka pizza). A great place for a week night quick bite after work or a Sunday brunch.

The Grape
Phipps Plaza
3500 Peachtree Road Suite 1096 B
Atlanta, GA 30326
678-990-9463

“The Prestige” -
Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johanssen, Michael Caine

I enjoyed the “Illusionist” far more. This was complex, convoluted, and tragically romantic. I guess I am at that peculiar stage where I just don’t understand, any longer, the level of competition that kills not just dreams but lives. This was like the “Wall Street” of magician movies. There are no winners, only bad guys who get ahead regardless. What message is this sending? Yes, Michael Caine is in great form and clearly has had a bit of work done to maintain his ageless demeanor, but after all it is all about magic.

“Catch and Release” -
Jennifer Garner, Timothy Olyphant, Fiona Shaw, Juliette Lewis

How little we truly know of those closest too us! And how willing we are to assume the worst, and pay a debt we don’t even owe. I enjoyed this thoroughly, particularly the happy ending part (okay so they set it up for a sequel, maybe “Cast and Fry?”) Garner is a delight, though I think that character development was a bit weak, I never could figure out what she did for a living or how she met the fiance that suddenly died (or even how he died!) Lewis steals most of her scenes with an overtop blonde vegan masseuse who plays a bit fast and loose but does have an adorable 4 year old boy with her. Shaw seems a unique choice for the mother-in-law, not sure of the significance of the Brit influence since it was unclear about the fiancé.

One of the best kept secrets of Buckhead, Ali Oli sports a stunning artglass dome over the dining room. The room is warmed by a stone fireplace featuring significant statues supporting the stone mantel, and the classic oak bar was imported from Europe. Located across Oak Street from Blue Pointe and a half block across from Phipps, you do have to look or you’ll miss it! With fine dining service in the white tablecloth main room, private events have their own room, and martini and wine aficionados dine at the bar. The menu is evolving still with Smoked Salmon with Herbed Goat Cheese on Crispy Flat Bread among the teasers, my own favorite salad is the Pear & Endive Salad With Crumbled Gorgonzola, Walnuts & Balsamic Vinaigrette and entrees range from a delectable Grilled Lamb Chops to native Grilled Georgia Trout. This was my home away from home, when my kitchen underwent its renovation some time ago. They are really like family!

Ali Oli
Lenox Marketplace
3535 Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30326
404-266-0414