Author: diana

“The Fighter”–A Knockout

Written by diana on September 11, 2011. Posted in movie reviews. 3 Comments on “The Fighter”–A Knockout

The 2010 blockbuster and critics’ darling, “The Fighter”, won Academy Awards for best supporting actor (an astounding Christian Bale) and best supporting actress (the masterful Melissa Leo). However, I hate boxing movies, especially the tawdry “doormat turned boxing champion” variety we have seen in movies like “Rocky”. This movie, however, is more in the genre of “Raging Bull” or “Million Dollar Baby”, movies in which “boxing” is a metaphor for the volatility of punches that life can throw to anyone, especially...

Lolo Restaurant–What’s not to like?

Written by diana on September 7, 2011. Posted in Restaurants. No Comments on Lolo Restaurant–What’s not to like?

A few weeks ago we dined at a very small Mexican/Spanish fusion restaurant–Lolo (3234 22nd Street, San Francisco)– that had an innovative menu of succulent morsels, aka tapas, that even foodies like us could find nothing to criticize. This tiny, dark restaurant with cramped tables seating no more than 45 people had friendly service and a quirky, humorous decor–one wall is filled with hanging spoons. The key for us whenever we order a lot of small plates–appetizers, soups and salads–is to test the chef’s skills. So, a tapas restaurant is our idea of culinary...

Picasso–Multiple Images of the Master

Written by diana on August 30, 2011. Posted in Art, Unhealed Wound. 5 Comments on Picasso–Multiple Images of the Master

Opening on June 11 and closing on October 9, the deYoung Museum in San Francisco continues to host an exhibition of more than 100 masterpieces of Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) from Paris’s world-renowned Musée National Picasso. The Bay Area exhibition is made possible only because of the Musée’s temporary closing for extensive remodeling. I have seen the collection in Paris, of which there are more than 5000 paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and collages, an almost overwhelming experience. About two percent of that collection is now on view at the deYoung, demonstrating some but...

Perbacco Ristorante– “Good Times”

Written by diana on August 24, 2011. Posted in Restaurants. 3 Comments on Perbacco Ristorante– “Good Times”

On our visit to San Francisco last weekend we decided to dine at Perbacco ristorante and bar, specialists in Northern Italian cuisine with a focus on the luxurious and lush regional cooking of Piedmont. Loosely translated from the Italian as something like “wow” or “good times”, Perbacco did not disappoint. We had a sumptuous food extravaganza of traditional dishes presented stylishly with perfection in seasonings and freshness of ingredients. The space is large and elegant, a perfect choice for any special occasion or just a treat. For us it was our anniversary and...

“The Fall” — A Mind-Bending Marvel

Written by diana on August 16, 2011. Posted in Art, movie reviews. 6 Comments on “The Fall” — A Mind-Bending Marvel

The visual splendor and breathtaking imagination of “The Fall” made me actually dream of some of the scenes, an experience I rarely have. Reality and fantasy blur into a magical realism that so dazzles the eyes, it suggests a psychedelic otherworldly, perhaps drug-induced journey. This movie is a magical, mystery tour–“The Adventures of Baron von Munchausen” meets “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”. “The Fall” (2008) is two movies in one–and I don’t mean the story within a story that grounds the mind-blowing imagery. I...

“Blue Valentine” –Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

Written by diana on August 7, 2011. Posted in movie reviews, Unhealed Wound. 4 Comments on “Blue Valentine” –Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

This critically acclaimed Sundance 2010 darling features Michelle Williams (in an Oscar-nominated performance) and Ryan Gosling in a Generation X’s portrait of a marriage from hell reminiscent of Tennessee Williams’ classic, “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and John Cassavetes’ “A Woman Under the Influence”. Blue Valentine’s story is simple and straightforward. A young nurse, Cindy Heller (Williams) lives with an abusive father, an adrift mother, and cares for her ailing grandmother. She has endured a violent relationship with a high...