http://hollywoodbeginnings.com Fine Dining and Movie Reviews Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:04:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en "Bottle Shock" - Bill Pullman, Alan Rickman, Chris Pine, Rachael Taylor, Dennis Farina While I enjoy the French, there is nothing more fun than trumping them at the wine game and that’s was this is all about. I loved it! First, I’m a big Pullman fan even if he did look a ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/bottle-shock/ "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" - Scarlett Johannsson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Rebecca Hall, Patricia Clarkson I have to confess that I do enjoy Woody Allen and he has gotten mellower but more sexually overt in his advanced film making. He is also (possibly forced) using overseas settings a lot more often since he ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/vicky-cristina-barcelona/ Tucked amongst a handful of evening hot spots, this has a NY brownstone feeling in atmosphere, darkened walls, wine displays, and low light to set the mood. An extensive array of wines by the glass, the taste, and the bottle, this is much like an independent version of The ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/the-burgundy-room/ "27 Dresses" - Katherine Heigl, James Marsden, Malin Akerman, Edward Burns Totally not my scenario having never even been a bridesmaid, I couldn’t imagine loving a “job” so much! (Heigl) Jane clearly does as proven by evenings she juggles two weddings with complete changes in the back of a taxi. Such devotion ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/27-dresses/ "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" - Frances McDormand, Amy Adams, Lee Pace, Ciarán Hinds, Shirley Henderson Can you get a life and discover love, all in one day? This was kind of strange. I love McDormand but honestly putting her as an out of work governess was a stretch even ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/miss-pettigrew-lives-for-a-day/ Painted tin ceiling, marble floors and a zinc-topped bar infuse this hot spot with just a certain “je ne sais quoi.” Cozy like a French café, this gives the illusion of a busy Parisienne bistro. Lunch and dinner offerings include onion soup gratineed with a rich broth, grilled chicken Russel ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/bon-vie-bistro-bar/ "21" - Jim Sturgess, Kevin Spacey, Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth, Aaron Yoo This was brilliant and Spacey and Sturgess are well matched as the upstart mathematical genius and his OCD college professor with a pricey gambling habit. Fishburne seems to be doing a cameo here and that doesn’t fit his larger ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/21/ One of those see-and-be seen kind of places that every city has. This one is auspiciously located on the corner across from the Convention Center. An entertaining array of cocktails and wines coupled with appetizer pizzas including one version with prosciutto, fontina and caramelized onion, smeared with creamy mascarpone. ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/martini-italian-bistro/ "Fool's Gold" - Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey, Donald Sutherland, Ewen Bremner, Alexis Dziena Okay, party movie! Yes, they all had a good time making this one. Seems this is what McConaughey fills his spare time with because it certainly doesn’t belie the depth of his talent. Hudson is always good ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/fools-gold/ "Juno" - Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jason Bateman, Jennifer Garner, Allison Janney, J.K. Simmons When a teenage girl is faced with an unexpected pregnancy, she enlists the aid of her best friend in finding the unborn child a suitable home in this coming-of-age comedy drama.I don’t get what all the fuss was ... http://hollywoodbeginnings.com/2008/09/juno/