By Sara Newberry In 2001, the first Shake Shack opened in New York City’s Madison Square Park, after opening seasonally as a wheeled cart, intended to raise funds to rebuild the park. After three successful summers, the first permanent Shack opened in the same park, and quickly became a destination for New Yorkers and tourists […]
By Chic DiCiccio The premise of “Yesterday” is fascinating. What if someone woke up one day and The Beatles never existed, but one person could recall all their songs? If that person were a musician, they would have a bevy of songs to pawn off as their own thus catapulting them to fame and fortune. […]
By Chic DiCiccio All of the “Toy Story” movies touch on themes that kids and adults both understand. There’s the fear of abandonment, uncertainty and finding your purpose for being. It’s all pretty deep stuff. Of course, the brilliance is that it’s done in a hilarious fashion and every moment earns the emotionalism that is […]
By Sara Newberry I am sometimes mystified by Dallas diners. There seems to be a deep and abiding love for average to mediocre food in this town. Places like Idle Rye and The Blind Butcher, who served well-crafted, interesting food, are closing their doors, while spots that are serving unseasoned and uninspiring plates are doing […]
By Chic DiCiccio After the sixth or seventh zombie that staggers on screen while moaning on and on about “wifi” or “Xanax,” “The Dead Don’t Die” may leave audiences moaning themselves. For writer/director Jim Jarmusch, a filmmaker noted for his minimalist style, his hot take on American consumerism has nary a subtle point and seems […]
By Chic DiCiccio It’s a shame “Dark Phoenix” is the last entry in the X-Men franchise that Fox (bought out by Disney) will be producing. It would be interesting to see if they could screw up the same story for a third time. The fascinating aspect of this $200 million disaster is that the impressive […]
By Sara Newberry I’m a regular at Torchy’s. I’ve been to Rusty Taco multiple times. But for some reason, I had never visited Velvet Taco before a couple of weeks ago. Like the other two places, the flavors are mostly not traditional taco flavors: here you’ll see fillings like Chicken Tikka and Shrimp & Grits […]
By Chic DiCiccio “Oh no. They say he’s got to go, go, go, Godzilla.” For anyone interested in a movie that contains traditional story elements such as “plot” or “character,” those lyrics will absolutely ring true. That goofy Blue Oyster Cult song is more entertaining than “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” and if you’ve never […]
By Chic DiCiccio The pitchforks and torches are on the ready. Fans are prepared to revolt and critics (including this one) are salivating at the chance to smite Disney for their opportunism. The live action remake of “Aladdin,” one of the most beloved cartoon films of all time, is ripe for dismissal. Sheath your weaponry, […]
By Sara Newberry I remember when the farthest southeast corner of Hillside Village was home to a Blockbuster Video. Now it’s home to Lakewood’s newest neighborhood favorite, Hillside Tavern. Open by the team behind local favorites Rapscallion, Boulevardier and Veritas Wine Room, it seems destined to succeed. Indeed, both times I visited, the dining room […]