We have all heard the scandalous slogan “What happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” which is intended to shock and tantalize. I’m wondering, will we soon be hearing “What happens in Campbell Stays in Campbell?” I don’t believe Campbell, like Vallejo, is on the verge of bankruptcy; so desperate for tax revenue that any type of business will do. So what’s going on?

First the Cardiff Lounge made the attempt to go from a bar filled with crusty dirty old guys leering at a lingerie fashion show to a trendy bar filled with better dressed (striped shirts?) dirty old guys leering at a lingerie fashion show.  Then we hear about Hooters plan to take over the old Spoons. But it doesn’t stop there. Next door to Rasputin Music is the new “Foxy Avenue Clips”.  This new shop staffed by provocatively dressed women is there only to provide services geared toward men!

All kidding and wondering aside, “Foxy Avenue Clips” is a class act. This cool barber - grooming shop has been designed for real men. A private place to have their greying/balding hair discreetly and professionally attended to.

Foxy Avenue Clips
1810 South Bascom in Campbell
(408) 371-CLIPS
(408) 371-2547

That’s the feeling I came out with when I ultimately managed to catch Kooza by Cirque du Soleil. I watched a full-fledged circus show about 20 years ago and comparatively, this seemed dressed up and spruced up for the new century.

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I met Nina Hautumm while waiting in the lobby of the San Jose Repertory Theatre. We were both there to see the World Premier of Sherman’s Way. I discovered that Nina herself was a moviemaker. Sharp Cookies is a short comedy (17 minutes) and is one of the winners of the ‘Vuze Audience Favorites.’ I told her that I would catch it on Sunday.

Reaching into her Cinequest Gift Bag, she came up with a 12oz bag of Peet’s Coffee. She asked, “Do you like coffee?” Nina doesn’t drink coffee is the reason she gave it to me.

Nina asked me, “Where are the shops?” She wanted to pick up a few things, maybe some new shoes. Without going into the whole where in the heck are the shops in San Jose debate, I directed her to Santana Row and Valley Fair.

Sharp Cookies

Vuze Audience Favorites

Joaquin Sedillo and Craig Saavedra

The night began in the Filmmaker’s/Press Lounge (refreshments and computers) at the Hotel Montgomery. There were only three other people in the room with me. One was a member of the Cinequest staff, and it thrilled me to find that the other two were filmmakers!

Director/Producer Craig Saavedra (Rhapsody In Bloom) and Director of Photography Joaquin Sedillo (Veronica Mars) were checking things out on the computers when I approached them for an interview.

The unbounded enthusiasm of these passionate filmmakers fueled my desire to be in the audience on the 29th for the World Premiere of ‘Sherman’s Way’

Scheduled Screenings

Hitch a ride Start it up Watch the trailer.

I said goodbye to the guys and walked over to the California Theatre.

Opening Night Film: Eden Court

I was sitting alone in the beautiful California Theatre when I noticed Jason. He was front row and center. I asked if the seat next to him was taken. It turned out to be a good choice. Where better to enjoy a film than to next to the #1 movie fan!

Jason Watches Movies

Eden Court:

The proverbial mid-life crisis is an overused premise in modern film making, but I found Eden Court so entertaining I hardly noticed. The laughs came on cue.

With the approach of Duncan’s 30th birthday he chooses to run away rather than face the hard truths of his life. He tells a friend that he will find the American Dream, even if he must move to Australia to do it.

Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s (Bonnie Duncan) performance could have so easily gone over the top, but she held it to perfection.

Stephnie Weir (Barb) kept on a pink robe and a smile on me.

Eden Court is the movie to pull out on a dreary day.

[AROUND THE BAY screenshot courtesy Alejandro Adams]

I like to consider the Academy Awards Show a nice little warm-up to our 12 days and nights of film excitement. One of the most influential film festivals of the year is happening in downtown San Jose. We will be presented with 250 screenings, 80+ films, with 40 U.S., North American, and World Premiers from which to choose.

This year’s Maverick Award recipients:
Danny Glover - (The Royal Tenebaums, Lethal Weapon)
Michael Keaton - (Batman, Night Shift, and one of my all time favorites - Mr. Mom)
Michael Arndt - (Little Miss Sunshine)
Bobby Moresco - (Million Dollar Baby)

I know I won’t be able to take it all in, so I am going over the film schedule trying to fit in as much as possible.

The Alejandro Adams film AROUND THE BAY featuring local talent Steve Voldseth, is one film I am making a point of screening.

As the title implies the film uses many locations, places we here in the South Bay see everyday. The film will open the doors of an upper-middle-class life. Will we see one of our neighbors or might it hit closer to home?
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Do the survivors trust the rescuers, or do they heed Charlie’s warning?

‘Lost’ is back: ABC 7 tonight from 8:00p - 9:00p and 9:00p - 10:02p
(Note the 2 minutes it will run past 10p)

Last year while covering Cinequest interviews, one of my favorites was ‘A conversation with J.J. Abrams.’

Mr. Abrams shared the surprising way in which ‘Lost’ came about. His love for his craft was apparent, as was his genius. ABC had called on J.J. to take the premise of a plane going down; stranding the passengers on an island. He was then unbelievably asked to come back in just a couple of days to present his scenario for a two-hour pilot. In twelve weeks he was able to pull the story, the characters, and the crew together-’Lost’ was a two-hour pilot, and the rest is history.

The Cinequest Film Festival promises to be even more exciting this year. To be revealed in future posts!

Clear your calendar from February 27 - March 9, 2008

Tickets are available

It’s high time I resumed the Indian restaurant series. At least Gary has been prodding me for long. And it’s good to blog about one of the best that we have — Amber.

It would be difficult to dispute its position as the best Indian restaurant out here. I should say that it’s almost on par with the top restaurants back in India.
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As I walked into The Tech Museum of Innovation, for a special preview of the new Body Worlds 2 & The Three Pound Gem exhibit, I did so with an open mind.

I was pleasantly surprised to find the exhibit, even though in some cases staged with humor, tastefully done. This collection of human plastinates is an enlightening and informational look at our bodies.

The message that ’smoking is bad for you’ is an old one that is often ignored, but there is no ignoring the preserved black smoker’s lung. It will grab your full attention. Moving through the exhibit I was not put off. To the contrary, I was struck with the marvel that is life. I came away from the presentation with admiration for Dr. Gunther von Hagens scientific contribution.

The Exhibit opens September 27, 2007
For Tickets

I would like to thank The Tech and Body Worlds for a most enthralling tour and press conference. They have brought a not to be missed hit show to San José.
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There is always such sensational publicity ‘ballyhoo’ associated with the opening of an Apple Store. Well-heeled people known for their rational behavior, will drive for miles and stand in long lines just to be among those to receive the much coveted T-shirt.    

When I heard that was how it played out last Thursday in Los Gatos, I was almost glad that I hadn’t been able to get off work - almost.

Resembling an iMac, the shiny new Apple Store at 23 N. Santa Cruz Ave. stands out from much of the historic downtown, but still manages to fit in.

It is not a big store, but spacious enough to hold the required essentials. The only drawback would be parking, or rather the lack of convenient parking. Street parking is limited and unfortunately the Apple Store has no back entrance leading to the rear parking lot. Getting any purchase larger than an iPhone out to your car may require pulling a big red Radio Flyer Wagon.

Apple Store
23 N. Santa Cruz Ave.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
(408) 399-3880
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It looks as though the loyal readers of Metroblogging San José did just what Dred242 asked - they helped clear away some of those rusty dinosaurs, monkeys turtles and birds. Now at 55 N. Bascom Ave. there is room for… Dia de Pesca - Si (Sea) Food and Delicias Mejicanas.  

If I decipher their large menu correctly they offer:
Seafood Cocktails  
Soup - Salad
Prawn, Octopus, Shrimp -Tostadas.
Meat, Veggie, SiFood - Super Tostadas
Enchiladas, Tamale, Fajitas, Burrito, Nachos, Taco, etc. etc. etc……….

Along with Coke or Pepsi they have other sodas
Agua Fresca - made fresh daily
Liquados - Mexican fruit smoothie

I’m not sure how they have managed to cram so much produce into the little coach-like restaurant and still have room for the cooks, but it seems to work.

For two people I ordered to go:
Enchilads Mojadas - the veggie - wrapped in flour tortilla, sour cream, cheese and sauce. Served with Spanish rice and green salad.($9.95)
Frijoles Con Queso ($2.95)  
I added Copa De Fruta  fresh fruit salad topped with whipped cream and cinnamon - refreshing. ($4.95)

The look was good, the smell was good, the taste was very good - good enough to go back for more, though I will ask the owner what happened to the missing green salad.

If you try Dia de Pesca, let Metroblogging San José know your opinion.
55 N. Bascom Ave
Open 7 days a week
10:30am - 8pm.
408 287 3722
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