6/28/10

Wassup Everybody! Before you say anything, yes I know, I have been slacking. As I've mentioned in the past, I don't go out to see movies very often anymore, and this has been the reason for the slow reviews. However, this week I'm back having watched a new movie over the weekend...so you can all rejoice!

On a side note, I've started reviewing restaurants on yelp. So look for me next time you're inquiring about a new restaurant in the DMV on the site.

Music:
Gyptian feat. Nicki Minaj --- Hold Yuh (remix)

Gyptian is a Carribean artist who's been around for a while but no one had really heard of him mainstream until this year. If you're an avid hip hop fan and listen to 95.5 of 93.9, you've no doubt heard this song playing this summer. And if not, well you need to youtube it immediately because it is my official summerjam of 2010. I can't get enough of this track from its catchy beat to Gyptain's accent and flow...and even believe it or not...to Minaj's verse. There's nothing to not like about this song. Granted, the lyrics are hard to decipher like many carribean songs, but you can't help but feel good listening to this song, and it's such a chill song when you're in the car. Not only that, but the beat makes you almost want to get up and dance. Anywhoo, check this jam out and pon the river next time you're at the club and you hear it blast from the dj booth. 4.5/5 Stars

Movies:
Grown Ups

As I said, I hardly ever go to see movies anymore. They just cost too damn much, and usually I'd rather just do something else with friends/family. But every once in a while I make an effort to go catch up on movies, especially during the summer blockbuster season. With all the great movies out, you may be wondering why I chose this film, but it had just come out last weekend, and I was in the mood to laugh. Plus, I'm a fan of Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and Chris Rock. David Spade and Rob Schneider, not so much, but the other three were enough to draw me in. Add to that equation to often overlooked, but in my opinion still hot, Salma Hayek, and you've got a pretty packed cast. The movie surpassed my expectations. I was expecting typical Sandler/Schneider type humor, but overall I thought the film was really good. All 5 of the main guys put in their moments of comedic brilliance, and the story/acting was actually halfway decent. If you're a movie junkie who's seen all the major blockbuster hits of this summer, this is a diamond in the rough that might be worth watching. 3.5/5 Stars

Restaurants:
Sakura

When it comes to Japanese cuisine, obviously I'm a fan of sushi. But most Japanese restaurants, especially the steakhouses that are catered to larger groups, feature the teppanyaki flat grill cuisine. And while some of these restaurants are good, on the whole I'm not a huge fan of the genre of food. So for that reason, I had never tried the Sakura restaurant in Mclean despite working for 3 years at MITRE across the street from the restaurant. Then a few weeks back, a friend of mine said I had to go and try the restaurant for one dish, and one dish only....the Pork Katsu (also known as tonkatsu). So I went to the restaurant with her. When you walk in, you're asked whether you want the grill or sushi as the restaurant is divided into halves. We said sushi and sat down. We both ordered the pork katsu and waited for it to come. Once it came, I don't think we said a word to each other for the rest of the meal because we were buried face deep into our bowls, shoveling the tasty morsels of pork and heavily sauced rice into our mouths. I've had my fair share of katsu over the years, but this place easily took the spotlight as my favorite. While it's tough to advise people to go to a restaurant when I haven't tried 95% of the menu, I can tell you that the one dish I did try...was amazing...and so I highly recommend the next time you're in Mclean looking for food, to go to Sakura and get the pork katsu. 4/5 Stars

6/12/10

Ole Ole Ole Ole! Yes friends, I know it's been a long time since I did a review, but that's mainly due to me not going to the movies in a very long time. Nonetheless, I now have a new flick to review this week, so here's the hot joints of the week...World Cup Edition:

Music:
K'Naan --- Waving Flag

Prior to the start of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa this year, submissions were taken by multiple artists for the Anthem for this year's cup. Ultimately, Shakira's song Waka Waka won...but I honestly think K'Naan's song was so much better. If you youtube it, you might even recognize it. But the lyrics are great, the beat is catchy, and it has a very complex but joyous dance. 4.5/5 Stars

Movies:
The Karate Kid

Ever since the first time I saw the trailer for the newest remake of The Karate Kid starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith, I couldn't wait to watch this film. Having now watched it last night, this movie was awesome! It had everything you hoped for from the original film, from the plot to the script to the outcome of the storylines. But being that the film was about Kung Fu, in China, and Jaden Smith is just such a charming little kid like his dad, this movie also had all the modern aspects necessary to keep you entertained. It is a bit of a longer movie, but it's hardly noticeable. Must see movie for anyone who's a fan of the original. 4/5 Stars

Restaurant:
Chao Phra Ya

Located in the Clocktower Shopping Center in Herndon, VA. I only recently tried this restaurant. The problem is that it's located in a shopping center in which the only time I ever go to this center is when I'm already on my way to eat at either the pho restaurant there, the Ned Devines bar there, or the Chuck E Cheese (with my friends and their kid). So I always saw, but never tried the restaurant until recently. However, now that I have, I will go back often. The food here is great. Panang Curry was delicious. Drunken Noodles were great. And they have this one appetizer called "Stuffed Chicken Wings" in which they basically take crab, shrimp, mushrooms, and other garnishes/spices and stuff the paste (crab ball style) into a battered chicken meat on the end of a chicken wing bone. This is the only place I had seen this app, but it was really very good. 4.5/5 Stars