Two Hungry Blokes

New Look, New Domain and Expanded Content

2014-08-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

The Two Hungry Blokes is moving to a different blogging service to continue our adventures. After five long years, we decided a facelift is in order and we have finally created a design that we are happy with. All new content can be found at twohungryblokes.com where we will look all things food, culture and entertainment related around the Greater Victoria area and beyond. That means the odd venture into Vancouver, Port Angeles or Seattle as our tiny finances allow. This website will remain as an archive, but if you're looking for any new content, please visit the new site.

The Five Must See Movies of August 1 - 7, 2014

2014-08-01T19:24:00.003-07:00

The Vic Theatre will be showing The Amazing Spider-Man 2 this Sunday, August 3, for a small ticket price of $5. If you didn't get to see the web slinger the first time out or didn't want to spend full ticket price to see this film, now is your chance.

Cinecenta is currently offering a great package for the movie lover in all of us. From July 27 - August 2, get 10 movies for $50. It is available to Students, Cinemagic Members, UVic Alumni, UVic Faculty & Staff and Seniors. There is a limit of two per customer. Offer is available weekdays at the Munchie Bar and nightly at the Cinecenta Box Office.

There is currently no listings for Salt Spring Island's, The Fritz, in this article. At time of publish, their official web site had not been updated.

Please check media for local showtimes, ratings and admission rates.

Cinecenta

Cinecenta is located in the thriving community of the University of Victoria (UVic) campus in Saanich. The theatre offers more than a reasonable rate for general admission while giving discounted rates for UVic students, faculty, staff and alumi. Discounted rates are also available to seniors and children 12 and under. Matinees are $4.75 for all seats.

The Immigrant
USA - 120 mins

Director: James Gray
Writer(s): James Gray and Ric Menello

Cast: Marion Cotillard, Joaquin Phoenix, and Jeremy Renner

Ewa is plucked from the deportation line by Bruno Weiss (Joaquin Phoenix), who hands the guard a few bills to facilitate Ewa's hasty transfer to a Manhattan-bound boat. In fact, Bruno runs a bevy of bawdy women in a burlesque hall, offering their supplemental services to men willing to pay. He keeps his "little doves" several flights up in the tenement where he lives. Phoenix plays this guy with a kind of unpredictable, flummoxed charm. He can be wily and confident one minute, needy and pathetic the next.

Star Cinema

Sidney's Star Cinema is located in the heart of Sidney-by-the-Sea. Equipped with 2 digital projectors and recently outfitted with new comfortable seating, general admission is cheap at $9. Discounts are available to students, seniors and children 3 to 13 years with a low $6 admission for everyone on cheap Tuesdays.

Begin Again
USA - 104 mins

Director: John Carney
Writer(s): John Carney

Cast: Kiera Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, James Corden, Hailee Steinfeld, and Mos Def

A chance encounter between a disgraced music-business executive and a young singer-songwriter new to Manhattan turns into a promising collaboration between the two talents.

Guardians of the Galaxy
USA - 121 mins

Director: James Gunn
Writer(s): James Gunn, Nicole Perlman (written by), Dan Abnett, and Andy Lanning (comic book)

Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, and Djimon Hounsou

In the far reaches of space, an Earth pilot named Peter Quill finds himself the object of a manhunt after stealing an orb coveted by the villainous Ronan.

The Vic Theatre

Located across from the historical Empress Hotel and a short walk from Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour, The Vic Theatre has been entertaining movie-goers since 1993. The theatre shows a wide range of films from foreign to art house, and from rereleases to festival award winners. And Vic Theatre is one of the yearly purveyors of Victoria Film Festival and Victoria Foodie Fim Festival movies.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2
USA - 142 mins
Director: Marc Webb
Writer(s): Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner (screenplay), Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci, Jeff Pinkner, James Vanderbilt (screen story), Stan Lee, and Steve Ditko (Marvel comic book)

Cast: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Jamie Foxx, Dane DeHaan, Colm Feore, Felicity Jones, and Paul Giamatti

When Electro attacks, only Spider-Man can protect NYC from his rage. But having sworn to keep his girlfriend out of danger, can Spidey balance living an ordinary and extraordinary life?

Snowpiercer
South Korea/Czech Republic/USA/France - 126 mins

Director: Joon-ho Bong
Writer(s): Joon-ho Bong, Kelly Masterson (screenplay), Joon-ho Bong (screen story), Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette (based on Le Transperceneige by)

Cast: Chris Evans, Kang-ho Song, Ed Harris, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, and Octavia Spencer

Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges.

Trailer Credit(s): The Weinstein Company, Movieclips Trailers, CBM Trailers, and Sony Pictures Entertainment..

The Five Must See Movies of July 25 - 31, 2014

2014-07-25T21:00:00.002-07:00

Cinecenta is currently offering a great package for the movie lover in all of us. From July 27 - August 2, get 10 movies for $50. It is available to Students, Cinemagic Members, UVic Alumni, UVic Faculty & Staff and Seniors. There is a limit of two per customer. Offer is available weekdays at the Munchie Bar and nightly at the Cinecenta Box Office.

The Vic Theatre has announced their August movie line-up. For film aficianados who missed them the first time around, The Vic will include such titles as The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone), Snowpiercer (Chris Evans and Jamie Bell), Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Matthew Goode) and the box office smash (or stomp) Godzilla (Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen).

The Fritz will be showing an encore presentation of Monty Python Live (Mostly)on July 31st. Their main film however will be the Oscar contender The Fault In our Stars starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort.

Please check media for local showtimes, ratings and admission rates.

Cinecenta

Cinecenta is located in the thriving community of the University of Victoria (UVic) campus in Saanich. The theatre offers more than a reasonable rate for general admission while giving discounted rates for UVic students, faculty, staff and alumi. Discounted rates are also available to seniors and children 12 and under. Matinees are $4.75 for all seats.

The Grand Budapest Hotel
USA/Germany/UK - 100 mins

Director: Wes Anderson
Writer(s): Wes Anderson (story/screenplay), Hugo Guinness (story), and Stefan Zweig (inspired by the writings of)

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, and Jeff Goldblum

Grand Budapest Hotel recounts the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend. The story involves the theft and recovery of a priceless Renaissance painting and the battle for an enormous family fortune -- all against the back-drop of a suddenly and dramatically changing Continent

The Fritz

Star Cinema

Sidney's Star Cinema is located in the heart of Sidney-by-the-Sea. Equipped with 2 digital projectors and recently outfitted with new comfortable seating, general admission is cheap at $9. Discounts are available to students, seniors and children 3 to 13 years with a low $6 admission for everyone on cheap Tuesdays.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
USA - 130 mins

Director: Matt Reeves
Writer(s): Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Pierre Boulle (novel)

Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, and Kodi Smit-McPhee

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

Planes: Fire & Rescue
USA - 83 mins

Director: Roberts Gannaway
Writer(s): Jeffrey M. Howard (characters)
Cast: Dane Cook, Ed Harris, Julie Bowen, Curtis Armstrong, Hal Holbrook, and Wes Studi
When Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he joins forces with fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his team, The Smokejumpers, to battle a massive wildfire. Sequel of Disney's Planes

The Vic Theatre

Located across from the historical Empress Hotel and a short walk from Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour, The Vic Theatre has been entertaining movie-goers since 1993. The theatre shows a wide range of films from foreign to art house, and from rereleases to festival award winners. And Vic Theatre is one of the yearly purveyors of Victoria Film Festival and Victoria Foodie Fim Festival movies.

Life Itself
USA - 120 mins
Director: Steve James

Cast: Roger Ebert, Martin Scorsese, Werner Herzog, and Chaz Ebert

'Life Itself' recounts the surprising and entertaining life of world-renowned film critic and social commentator Roger Ebert - a story that's by turns personal, wistful, funny, painful, and transcendent. The film explores the impact and legacy of Roger Ebert's life: from his Pulitzer Prize-winning film criticism and his nearly quarter-century run with Gene Siskel on their review show, to becoming one of the country's most influential cultural voices, and finally to Roger's inspiring battles with cancer and the resulting physical disability - how he literally and symbolically put a new face on the disease and continued to be a cultural force despite it.

Credit(s): Fox Searchlight Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox..

Trailer Credit(s): Fox Searchlight Pictures.

The Five Must See Movies of July 18 - 24, 2014

2014-07-17T21:44:00.000-07:00

The weekend is here and we all know what that means. No, it doesn't mean you can sit in front of your computer and play World of Warcraft. It means you can do something better by going out with friends and/or loved ones to your local cinema. The smell of the popcorn, the rattle of candy and the slurping of soda hasn't changed in generations.

Are any of you old enough to remember watching a film from the balcony or seeing your first film in Victoria's Coronet. Do you even remember watching movies in the Royal Theatre? If the answer is no to the aforementioned then you are most definitely not old enough. And if you don't have enough memories of going to the movies then perhaps a Saturday night out is what you've been missing.

Please check media for local showtimes, ratings and admission rates.

Cinecenta

Cinecenta is located in the thriving community of the University of Victoria (UVic) campus in Saanich. The theatre offers more than a reasonable rate for general admission while giving discounted rates for UVic students, faculty, staff and alumi. Discounted rates are also available to seniors and children 12 and under. Matinees are $4.75 for all seats.

Breathless (À bout de souffle)
France - 90 mins

Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Writer(s): François Truffaut (story)

Cast: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Jean Seberg, Daniel Boulanger, and Henri-Jacques Huet
Michel Poiccard, an irresponsible sociopath and small-time thief, steals a car and impulsively murders the motorcycle policeman who pursues him. Now wanted by the authorities, he renews his relationship with Patricia Franchini, a hip American girl studying journalism at the Sorbonne, whom he had met in Nice a few weeks earlier.

The Fritz

Located on Salt Spring Island, The Fritz is an up-to-date cinema featuring Dolby Surround Sound, a digital projection system along with everything else you'd expect to find at a cinema in a large city. They have real butter for the popcorn, Sunday matinees, and "cheap" Tuesdays.

Fading Gigolo
USA - 90 mins
Director: John Turturro
Writer(s): John Turturro
Cast: John Turturro, Woody Allen, Vanessa Paradis, Liev Schreiber, Sharon Stone, and Sofía Vergara
Fioravante decides to become a professional Don Juan as a way of making money to help his cash-strapped friend, Murray. With Murray acting as his "manager", the duo quickly finds themselves caught up in the crosscurrents of love and money.

Monty Python Live (Mostly)
UK - ? mins
Cast: John Cleese, Carol Cleveland, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin
These certified instructors in all manners of silly walks and one cast member with breasts reunite for ten performances in London's O2 Arena. So sit back in your comfy chair and for goodness' sake don't expect a Spanish inquisition.

Star Cinema

The Vic Theatre

The Five Must See Movies of July 11 - 17, 2014

2014-07-14T16:20:00.001-07:00

Vancouver Island has alot to offer our residents and visitors when it comes to outdoor festivals, foodie events and even a nature walk or two. But for people like me who enjoy a good film over a good hike, I look to our local movie houses. With the Langford Caprice suffering an early death thanks to progress, I lean on the four remaining indie theatres in my area. Although the Roxy may have converted to live theatre, as Blue Bridge at the Roxy, they still show movies from time to time.

Please check media for local showtimes, ratings and admission rates.

Cinecenta
Cinecenta is located in the thriving community of the University of Victoria (UVic) campus in Saanich. The theatre offers more than a reasonable rate for general admission while giving discounted rates for UVic students, faculty, staff and alumi. Discounted rates are also available to seniors and children 12 and under. Matinees are $4.75 for all seats.

The Railway Man
UK/Australia - 108 mins

Director: Jonathan Teplitzky
Writer(s): Frank Cottrell Boyce & Andy Paterson
Book: Eric Lomax

Cast: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Stellan Skarsgård, Jeremy Irivine.

Railway Man begins with bumbling Colin Firth, bemused Nicole Kidman and a romance on a train. But there’s great pain ahead, deeply buried truths, and ultimately an attempt at redemption and reconciliation. Firth and Kidman are both up for the challenge, complementing the compelling story with measured and memorable performances. Australian director Jonathan Teplitzky’s mystery/drama focuses heavily on the torture and recovery themes in Eric Lomax’s 1995 autobiographical novel.

Eric (Firth) is a retired World War II veteran in the early 1980s, and he has a savant-like knowledge of English railways. He meets Patti (Kidman), a former nurse who is adrift as well. They instantly have an intellectual connection, and the whirlwind affair doesn’t leave time for Patti to fully understand Eric’s demons. As his post-traumatic breakdowns get worse, she pushes him to confront his past.

Sidney's Star Cinema
Sidney's Star Cinema is located in the heart of Sidney-by-the-Sea. Equipped with 2 digital projectors and recently outfitted with new comfortable seating, general admission is cheap at $9. Discounts are available to students, seniors and children 3 to 13 years with a low $6 admission for everyone on cheap Tuesdays.

Chef
USA - 114 mins

Director: Jon Favreau
Writer(s): Jon Favreau

Cast: Jon Favreau, John Leguizamo, Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, Oliver Platt and Bobby Cannavale

A chef who loses his restaurant job starts up a food truck in an effort to reclaim his creative promise, while piecing back together his estranged family.

Fading Gigolo
USA - 90 mins

Director: John Turturro
Writer(s): John Turturro

Cast: John Turturro, Woody Allen, Vanessa Paradis, Liev Schreiber, Sharon Stone, and Sofía Vergara

Fioravante decides to become a professional Don Juan as a way of making money to help his cash-strapped friend, Murray. With Murray acting as his "manager", the duo quickly finds themselves caught up in the crosscurrents of love and money.

The Grand Seduction
Canada - 113 mins

Director: Don McKellar
Writer(s): Michael Dowse and Ken Scott

Cast: Taylor Kitsch, Brendan Gleeson, Liane Balaban, Gordon Pinsent, Mark Critch, Mary Walsh and Cathy Jones

The small harbor of Tickle Cove is in dire need of a doctor so that the town can land a contract to secure a factory which will save the town from financial ruin. Village resident Murray French (Gleeson) leads the search, and when he finds Dr. Paul Lewis (Kitsch) he employs - along with the whole town - tactics to seduce the doctor to stay permanently.

A remake of the original film La grande séduction, written by Ken Scott.

The Vic Theatre
Located across from the historical Empress Hotel and a short walk from Victoria's beautiful Inner Harbour, The Vic Theatre has been entertaining movie-goers since 1993. The theatre shows a wide range of films from foreign to art house, and from rereleases to festival award winners. And Vic Theatre is one of the yearly purveyors of Victoria Film Festival and Victoria Foodie Fim Festival movies.

The German Doctor (AKA Wakolda)
Argentina/Spain/Norway/France - 93 mins

Director: Lucia Puenzo
Writer(s): Àlex Brendemühl, Diego Peretti, Guillermo Pfening

Cast: Àlex Brendemühl, Natalia Oreiro, Diego Peretti

Winner of 11 awards and 18 nonimations

Set in Patagonia, 1960. A German doctor (Alex Brendemuhl) meets an Argentinean family, hoping to start a new life. Eva (Natalia Oreiro), Enzo (Diego Peretti) and their three children welcome the doctor into their home and entrust their young daughter, Lilith (Florencia Bado), to his care, not knowing that they are harboring one of the most dangerous war criminals history has ever seen.

The Lesson Learned in A Tale of Samurai Cooking, A Movie Review

2014-07-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

No foodie or historian should miss out in learning about the history of Japanese cooking in Bushi No Kondate (A Tale Of Samurai Cooking A True Love Story). Despite it being deceptive film set during the early part of the Edo period (1603-1867) of Japan, the tale being presented is more than just about the budding romance that's being stirred up.

The political upheaval that's happening in the Kaga Domain — a huge tract of land owned by a Shogun — is the social climate that this film's many characters have to struggle to eke out their life in. The civil war that occurred between two Shogun brothers, and its subsequent influence upon the people who live in this region was a spark to the Kaga Disturbance that this movie chronicles.

But for the real story that's being cooked up, divorcee Haru (Aya Ueto) gets a second chance at getting a happy life. Back then, women had a harder time in restoring their honour especially if they were separated/disowned by their husband. Haru is content at being a maid, in the service for others. But when her culinary genius is discovered by head chef to the warlord Maeda, maybe she's not cut out to do what this patriarch of the Funaki family hopes to restore -- to turn his surviving son, Yasunobu (Kengo Kora), into a chef. He's no cook; he favours the blade to fight with than to use in the kitchen. He had hoped that responsibility would fall upon his older brother, but fate has other plans for him.

Some viewers may well wonder which one of the two is the better story element to watch. Is it the romance that's slowly developing between Haru and Yasunobu or is it the revolution that's going on. Some knowledge of what went on during this time in Japanese history is required to appreciate the latter. But for curiousity seekers wanting a peek at the feudal world of Japan, this film is very respectable in its presentation of what life was like back then.

The story is simple and sublime. Haru takes up the challenge of teaching Yasunobu the skills needed to be an exceptional chef. Although he is reluctant, the feelings he develops for her is like a simmering stew. Despite a rather long narrative (120mins), the climax is quite exquisite. The tale comes to head with a challenge to the political regime going on and a realization of what this couple's purpose in life is.

Along the way, there are little discourses in how to cook the Funaki way. Their recipes are heralded as exceptionally, and it all begins with knowing how to wash rice properly. The taste of raw fish depends on how well the cut is made. Make it rough, and the surface will hold more sauce when dipped in soy sauce. Make it smooth, and the textures can be savoured upon the diner's tongue. These little details make this film an exciting watch. Just like with any other films that examines the fine art of cooking, it's all in how to make use of regional ingredients to help bring out the flavour than to find the exotic.

In the food that's spotlighted, all the dishes presented are said to be authentic to the period. In the recipes that were developed, the they have become a guide for chefs to come even to this day. That's amazing, and for a few hungry viewers, they may really want to consider where they want to go to find authentic Japanese cuisine. Not all Japanese restaurants can make the dishes right. To find the right balance of ingredients is important.

In this film's case, the juggling act is in how to mix up historical facts with the right fictional elements to make watching this film not feel long. Unfortunately, a bit of that can be felt, but once when the cooking lessons begin, time goes by rather fast!

3½ Blokes out of 5

Looking for that Message in the Bottle in The Lunchbox, A Movie Review

2014-07-02T23:59:00.001-07:00

July 1-3
The Vic Theatre
#106 Nootka Court
808 Douglas Street
Victoria, BC

The Lunchbox is a very honest film about the trials and tribulations of two individuals struggling through life in Mumbai (Bombay), India. When Ila (Nimrat Kaur), a housewife struggling to keep her happiness afloat, and Saajan Fernandes (Irrfan Khan), a claims adjuster feeling uncertain for his future, discover each other, the feelings they develop in their correspondence helps them live through difficult times. Interestingly, the way they meet is through a special lunch delivery service.

Unlike the traditional lunch boxes that kids take to school in North America or delivery services in Japan, where bikes with huge square shaped containers are used, the “take-out” system is different in India. Segmented cylindrical containers (known as tiffins) contain a hot food item (typically cooked fresh that morning) in each part, and it’s delivered in a cloth bag to the office worker. Instead of going out to some diner, they can hit the lunch room. When a city is as huge as Mumbai, just how this delivery system can continue without error has to be asked and the answer is simply that all containers are marked with a unique code to insure the food goes to the right office building, desk and person.

But once in a while, a mistake can happen.

One day, Ila decides to spruce up a meal but when her husband says he doesn't like cauliflower, she starts wondering where her meals are going to. When the lunch container is returned to her empty, she's happy but she has to wonder who has been eating her food. Eventually she includes a note that thanks Fernandes for enjoying the meal. She never bothers to confront the Dabbawala, the person who delivers these packaged lunches, about the mistake because the dialogue these two strike up is like a message in a bottle.

Audiences tired of the way cinematic romances are typically depicted will have to see this film. Although its narrative feels bittersweet and forlorn, the way it helps lifts the spirits is simply in how these two lead characters connect. Quite often, people forget to slow down, if not stop, to smell the roses. Sometimes they fail to notice the person looking back, and smiling, at them.

Some viewers may wonder if how much of Batra’s own personal life is injected into this film. Kahn gives a very understated performance to show the pathos of how the despondent Fernandes has fallen through the cracks. Through the letters he writes to Ila, audiences learn he was once happy. But when his wife died, his world fell apart. He would rather blend into the background than to discover something new. In contrast, Ila seems happy, but there’s problems to be seen when audiences see that the husband is often distant. His behaviour changed since they married, and this use of juxtaposition really brings out the story about Fernandes reconnecting with society. In what he discovers about himself, that’s what makes this film charming.

4 Blokes out of 5

Victoria's Foodie Friday Recap withThe Race for the Golden Scallop

2014-06-21T15:23:00.002-07:00

Victoria 2nd Annual Foodie Film Festival
June 20-23

The Oak Bay Beach Hotel's fabulous Chef Ian Rennie prepared a delectable taste-testing extravaganza with mini fried fish cakes that was very tangy to the senses and some excellently made mini-portions of halibut and fries (accented perfectly with cilantro). Both are to die for. These were not fries, but frites! These thinly slices morsels had all the right soft and crispy textures to define a fried potato. And the fish was fresher than catching it out of the ocean yourself.

These morsels helped kickstart the later evening of Victoria Film Festival's Annual Foodie Film Fest. The first film offered was Jadoo: Kings of Curry, and one festive film monger couldn't want and previewed it through VoD for a teaser for what's to come. With this show now into its second year, this summer program is definitely going to be a delightful annual event.

Today, three more films (none of them sold out at time of press) and mouth-watering foodie delights will soon be offered. If last night was any indication, yes, even the Two Hungry Blokes may need a third stomach to handle everything that's offered. Sadly, even we need a break but will return to look at the final day of the festivities.

THE GOLDEN SCALLOP
MOVIE REVIEW

83min
David Foster Foundation Theatre
Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Fast and Furious is the pace that the participants have to attain in the mockumentary, The Golden Scallop, if they are to win the prize. Three fried fish restaurants located in the New England area are selected to compete for this award. Even some of them seem intent in trying to sabotage their competition! That’s not good, but downright hilarious when caught in the act.

This film is made to spotlight the eccentricity and relationships found within these three cooking establishments and how they relate. Between “The Happy Hooker,” “Fishmonger,” and “The Caped Cod,” the challenge is how long can anyone stand up to the pressure.

This film is a melting pot of many storytelling techniques — from personal interviews to slice of life moments — to get the point across. Some of it works but the rest does not quite get there. This film is made to be in the moment with lots of hand-held shaky cam style recording used. This technique is required when filming around a real kitchen. However, the oil is not hot enough to realize that maybe the run-time is the issue for this film. Had it been trimmed by 10-15 minutes, the narrative could be made tighter.

Fortunately, Judge Wellington (James Cosmo) keeps the movie together. His crusty sailor cum Nixon-esque performance blows it out of the water and his zest that can put many a lemon to shame. Audiences can't help but fall in love with this guy and when compared to the other stars, they seem very hum-drum in their life away from the kitchen.

Perhaps the father-daughter tale is just as interesting. Lindsay (Nicole Steinwedell) does not get to shine unless she feels the pressure from her dad, Buzz (nicely played by Brad Potts). But in her relationship with fellow cook, Seth (Tobias Jelinek), maybe there’s a spark of romantic interest going on. Their Happy Hooker business has been quite sad when Mikail (John Albano), a foreign immigrant, does not do the job right. Some viewers can come to hate him, but that’s an attestment to Albano’s ability to create an unlikable character.

At least this film is an enjoyable watch. People wondering what goes on behind many a kitchen can get a glimpse of some of the possibilities that could happen. Fortunately, not all diners, restaurants or bars operate like that. Heaven forbid Gordon Ramsay come in to rip any of these establishments apart!

3½ Blokes out of 5

People who have missed the screening can find this movie playing at select film festivals and it's available on Amazon's VoD service.

Victoria's 2nd Annual Foodie Film Festival, Zone Pro Site: The Movable Feast

2014-06-17T20:36:00.001-07:00

145min
David Foster Foundation Theatre
Oak Bay Beach Hotel

Saturday • June 21 at 5:00pm

Plenty of hilarity and nostalgia can be found in a theatrical culinary odyssey that looks at the "catering" business in Taiwan.

Zone Pro Site: The Movable Feast shows how a good nostalgic soundtrack can highlight the silliness that's found in this film, and when this film has a zaniness of a classic Stephen Chow movie, perhaps Taiwanese director Chen Yu-hsun (陳玉勳) should pair up with him to show what two well respected visionaries can do. The only difference is that Chow has recognition outside of China. He's known internationally for films like Shaolin Soccer and Kung Fu Hustle.

Their two styles are similar as both filmmakers have a perchance for creating the absurd. Yu-Hsun may not be as well known outside of his home country, and as long as word of mouth continues to praise Zone Pro Site, he may start to get recognition on this side of the Pacific.

Fans of Looney Toon style cartoons, food, and Asian cuisine will love this film. It treats the love for good eats seriously and spotlight the talents of many a performer — most are well known in Taiwan. For a foreigner, they may not know whom any of these people are. For those in the know, to see a Yu-hsun manage a vast cast of A-listers on screen and give them all the screen time they deserve is to be commended.

Leading man Yo Yang plays Hai, a food doctor who goes about fixing botched recipes and comedienne Kimi Hsia plays a naive Wan who is on the run from gangsters looking to collect on her boyfriend's debt. Just where she flees to is back home, to her mother who runs a noodle shop after losing the family's restaurant on a bet. Both are hard-up for money, and when debt collectors are after both of them, their only hope is to enter a banquet catering contest to find who is the best. With a huge cash award, they can wipe their slate clean and begin anew.

But life is not easy when the recipe book Wan inherited is lost. They contain her father's notes on how to bring out the flavours in a wide variety of dishes. With some funky names like pissing shrimp for some dishes and titles like Master Fly Spirit to describe chefs deft in the art of cooking up banquet style meals (up to 12 dishes) on demand, suddenly this movie's title has meaning. In Taiwan, all a chef needs are his tools — his knives — to whip up an authentic meal where ever they travel to. The person takes local ingredients and whips up masterpieces that is both visions of glory and savory pieces of delight.

To understand what it means to be a cook, chef, five star or Michelin rated is not what this film explores. Instead, it's about being a samurai in the kitchen and adhering to certain principals of what it means to be a gastronomic genius. The subtext cannot go unnoticed. The young Wan never understood that of her papa, Master Fly Spirit (Ko Yi-Cheng), every time she hid under the table with a box over her head. She was often scared of some of the things produced in the kitchen. Spirit had hoped he could pass on his knowledge to her, but when she has aspirations to be a model/actress, she's hardly measuring up to either her own or her dad's expectations.

Her life has been that of hanging on to others to get by. When her boyfriend disappears and gangsters are knocking at her apartment door, her fear gets the better of her again and that's when she runs away from the city life and heads back home.

What she finds is Ai Fong (Lin Mei-Hsiu), her mother, barely managing to hold her own, hardly having the skills of a cook, and what they do is to lose hope together. Much of the drama feels serious but Yu-hsun sweetly inserts humour to relieve the tension that's going on. When the gangsters catch up, the mix of sweet social drama and comedy starts to blow up to epic Monty Python style proportions.

Chen Chu-sheng and Chen Wan-hao steal the show as the gangsters. These two have the comedic talent that has no North American equivalent to compare it to. The way they play off each other really must be watched since they provide the best laugh out loud moments when they are forced to learn how to do food prep for the contest. As the catalyst for bringing this film to life, perhaps they are deserving for a spin-off product should Yu-hsun decide to continue to explore the world of catering. It is big business in Asia.

As for what this visionary can do next, all he needs is world-wide recognition than just local support so he can make his mark. At least for residents of Victoria, British Columbia, they can have a few belly aching laughs at marvelling what a humourist filmmaker can make on screen June 21st, 5pm at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel with plenty of spicy duck spring rolls to take into the theatre.

4 Blokes out of 5

Victoria's 2nd Annual Foodie Film Festival, Jadoo, Kings of Curry

2014-06-17T20:16:00.000-07:00

84min
David Foster Foundation Theatre
Oak Bay Beach Hotel Friday
June 20 at 5:30pm

The Simpsons can learn a thing or two about how to repair old familial wounds in Jadoo: Kings of Curry. When a feud splits two brothers — two professional chefs — and their respective families apart, just what will it take to bring them back together? A marriage. Shalini (Amara Karan) and Mark (Sleepy Hollow's Tom Mison) are in love and Shalini's hope is to have a large wedding that both her dad, Raja (Harish Patel), and uncle, Jagi (Kulvinder Ghir), can cook together. But when they are accusing each other of treachery, just exactly what they are angry at each other for is as mysterious as the country that they hail from: India.

The culinary theme that this film uses is to explore how two extremes can blend. That includes how hot headed one of the brothers can be versus a cold one. But when one specializes in starters and the other with main courses, what they have forgotten is in how they complement each other in the kitchen much like the philosophical principle of yin and yang. That's especially important with Indian cuisine.

Even the bride and groom represent two different cultures; to see how Mark can ingrain into Shalani's world is not as important to the overall narrative. To see this subplot quickly resolve itself only serves as mechanism for this film to reach its epilogue.

The tale is more about the brothers and how Shalini can end their dispute. Patel and Ghir certainly show their prowess when they are tearing into other, and to wonder what got them hostile to each other does get addressed. Writer/director Amit Gupta offers very few hints in the form of still images of the two brothers during happier times, younger times, when they were together with their mother, operating a mutually owned restaurant, Jadoo.

In what gets shown in flashbacks, the mystery is rarely explored. This character drama certainly is not without tons of culinary exposition when the two chefs experiment with new recipes. This movie is a feast to the five senses. Viewers can smell and taste the exotic dishes scandalizing the screen. The spices may bring tears to the eye and some may well be licking their lips by the film's end. Sadly, reaching out to taste what's there is not possible.

Some viewers may well need to order a lassi and a bowl full of curry to sate the craving. Word of advice: bring a bag of samosas to share at Victoria's Foodie Film Festival taking place at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel on June 20th at 5:30pm.

3½ Blokes out of 5

Jon Favreau's "Chef" Cooks Up a Delightful Family-Bonding Film

2014-06-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Writer/Director/Actor Jon Favreau certainly has a knack for creating whimsically hilarious movies. He does a better job at films like Swingers and Iron Man than he is with Cowboys & Aliens. But perhaps, that’s because some titles are more ready-made for mass appeal than others. His latest film, Chef, cooks up a delightful tale about Carl Casper (Favreau), a renowned Los Angeles chef who prefers to create gastronomic delights over following the rules.

When he is often challenging restaurant owner Riva (Dustin Hoffman) about what to offer in every night’s top menu selection, he is eventually going to lose his job. When he blows up in front of top food critic Ramsey Michel (nicely played by Oliver Platt), he’s going to need a new line of work.

Thanks to television programs like Eat St. to show foodies where to find fantastic food, the revolution is with chefs who prefer to work their own magic through the window of a food truck. Some do not have the finances to run a proper bistro, so that’s why being portable helps. This film is making its rounds to festivals and theatres around the world to show that touring is a better option.

And that’s what this film builds on as Casper decides to take up serving new Cuban cuisine as he makes his way home. He's reinventing the Cubano, a sandwich that, along with everything else Carl cooks up, looks mouth-wateringly good. It all begins with knowing how to select the right meats, grill the bun and find fresh vegetables. In this film, necessity is the mother of invention.

Viewers will no doubt salivate at the delectable delights that grace the screen. Foodies can find a lesson in how to build the perfect cheese sandwich and heat it up too, or in how to perfectly toast up a Medianoche — a Cuban delight that's built upon roast pork, ham, mustard, swiss cheese and dill pickles. Word to the wise: olive oil makes a huge difference! But can you imagine that oil infused with other flavours? A trip to Olive the Senses located by the Victoria Public Market is required!

At the same time, Casper also learns how to reconnect with a family he’s neglected over the years. Through no fault of his own, he’s separated from his very attractive wife, Inez (Sofia Vergara), a well-to-do socialite, and he has no time for his son, Percy (EmJay Anthony), a social-media savvy 10-year old who constantly asks to go to the market with him. Carl’s resistance only reveals the conflict that he is only creating for himself.

Although he is technically asked to travel to Miami to watch over Percy while Inez works, just what they do together shows that they can mend fences. That’s where this film’s heartwarming moments come. As pops takes up starting a food truck business, he finds that he also needs help. The cameo from Robert Downey Jr. is fun, but it does not add anything to the tale. Instead, the importance of Percy’s surrogate “Uncle Martin” (John Leguizamo) is required if he’s going to succeed. This movie is about partnerships that can be found at home and at work; Martin's loyalty to Casper is important to note in Favreau's well thought out screenplay. He left his job to join Carl because innovation is what motivates both of these chefs to cook.

In what the three become may seem like a story akin to Blues Brothers 2000 — what they do together as a team is a musical odyssey as they travel from Miami to Los Angeles. When they make stops in New Orleans and Texas, that’s when the tunes amps up the narrative. Anyone who enjoys Soul, Salsa and Jazz-inspired sounds will find the selection terrific.

This film effectively uses its tropes very well, especially when the Delta Blues-style number "When My Train Pulls In" by Gary Clark Jr. is playing in the background. Casper has reached the crossroads, and the next choices he makes have to be careful ones. This movie also nicely represents the best of what a father-son and road trip movie should accomplish for its narrative. For the main protagonist, his life is incomplete without his family behind him. Inez knows it, and so does Molly (Scarlett Johansson), in a less than understated role. The only problem is that Carl does not realize it. For some viewers, this movie is arriving just in time for Father’s Day.

4 Blokes out of 5

A Two Hungry Site Update in the Works. Too Hungry for the Movies? Victoria's Foodie Film Festival Returns June 20-23!

2014-05-29T18:04:00.000-07:00

The Two Hungry Blokes have not retired from reporting into our adventures into foodie culture. Posts have slowed down since we discovered that eBlogger is deleting and messing around with a fair number of our posts and images. We are working on moving all our articles to a new system and polishing them up. All new food-specific content we've racked up will be posted at our new site than here.

At the same time, we are also planning on taking on a few new challenges: to expand our exploration into all things Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands based that catches our interest. That will include more forays into dinner theatre, movies or culture and events around town.

To launch things off: The 2nd Annual Victoria Foodie Film Festival returns this June 20-23rd! This year seven films will highlight a global banquet of delights. More information can be found by checking out each film's entry in the Internet Movie Database and tickets can be bought here.

Hey Bartender
Jadoo: Kings of Curry
43rd Golden Scallop
Zone Pro Site: A Movable Feast
A Tale of Samurai Cooking
The Organic Life
Brasserie Romantique

The Victoria Film Festival recommends that tickets be bought in advance. A very limited amount of tickets will be offered at the door as the room where the films are played in has a limited capacity and these shows may not necessarily offer standing room only.

You Take the Hylands...

2014-04-15T15:36:00.002-07:00

Hyland's Fish and Chips
10153 Resthaven Dr.

Sidney, BC

(250) 656-4435

E: Sometimes a random trip to the middle of nowhere in the town of Sidney is good. James was given a tip about where to find some good seafood chowder, and we had a bit of a problem finding Hyland's Fish and Chips.

Fortunately, in this township, the free Wifi along the main strip made our hunt easier. We are not excellent trackers by any means, so one Google Maps search later, we located our destination and it was only a couple of blocks away from the main drag.

J: Ed could've fooled me with the way he kept asking me if we were there yet.

I should have left him cold and hungry on a Sidney street corner, for some granny on a scooter to drive over him.

E: When we walked by Taste of Tokyo, that will never happen. They have an all you can eat buffet Saturday night that can easily fill me up for at least three days.

J: But we knew we had arrived at Hyland's after seeing the exterior decor. I come to expect such flamboyant behaviour from a chippie that wants to get noticed in the middle of all that suburbia.

At least Queen's Grocery, located next door, doesn't need to put out a sandwich board, Hyland's signage is enough of a ad board for the whole block.

E: All I had in mind was that chowder that was much raved about. Was I disappointed? No. I loved the taste of corn mixed in with scallops and shrimp. The creamy base was not all that bad after I added some pep to it. Black pepper does wonders to the right meal.

J: We were greeted as we walked in from the man behind the counter. We were called gentleman and he had the server seat us promptly. The interior was a bit of a mixed bag with trinkets and decor having to do with the sea and then some. I immediately loved this place. It reminded me of dining in a fish shack. The only thing missing now was Popeye walking through the door in a wet plastic Mackintosh (rain coat for the North Americans). But with Popeye comes Bluto and that always spells bad news.

But at least the prices at Hyland's was news of the good sort. They were reasonable. And there was no need to drop my fork under the table and then make a crawl for the rear exit.

E: And seeing James pack his meal in like a bear foraging for winter is something that needed to be seen to be believed.

I was conservative with two fried oysters and prawns to go with my chowder. I thought it lacked a certain freshness when considering how much sea life is available near Sidney. Most of which tasted like they sat in a freezer for a little bit too long.

J: My Captains Platter offered more variety but bore the hallmark of freezer storage. Though the batter was hard and thick, the oyster was like mush as it fell apart in my mouth. That shouldn't have happened. The cod, tiger prawns, clam strips and scallops had their freshness called into question. Their tastes had long since settled down for retirement like many of the residents of Sidney. Only the onion rings fared better

It does pain me to give Hyland's such a poor sounding review. I will still praise them for their grade A service. The owner(s)/employees were kind and saw to our every need. we were treated with respect in a manner that many businesses have forgotten.
And perhaps you'll see an editorial about Victoria's lack of service in future. But for now I'm going to say that Hyland's is a shining example. I'm willing to try them again during the prime season when seafood is usually harvested.
Maybe then I'll see the food on my plate come from the ocean floor instead of the frozen depths.
2½ Blokes out of 5

Your West Coast Events: April 7 - April 13, 2014

2014-04-07T14:22:00.001-07:00

Just some of the events happening among British Columbia's Gulf Islands this week.

Monday, April 7th

The Legacy Series: Yoon Plays Schumann - In his first concerto with the Victoria Symphony, Principal Cellist Brian Yoon will perform Schumann's soulful Cello Concerto. Near the end of the evening, Maestra Tania Miller will conduct Brahm's magnificent and haunting Third Symphony. Performance is 8pm at Victoria's Royal Theatre.

Wednesday, April 9th

Jeeves In Bloom - P.G. Wodehouse's portrayal of daft yet likeable characters from British upper class society continues on Chemainus Theatre's stage. Adapted by Margaret Raether and directed by Mark DuMez, this version sees Bernard Cuffling as respected gentleman's gentleman Jeeves and Warren Bain as young playboy Bertie Wooster. If you are a fan of the Richard Briers and Michael Hordern BBC radio plays or the Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie television series then this play might be a must see. The story is set in late June 1931 in Brinkley Court in Worcestershire. The show runs March 21 - April 26. Check the Chemainus Theatre's official website for show times.

The Victoria Downtown Farmers' Market is hosted every Wednesday 11am to 3pm in the Victoria Public Market (1701 Douglas Street).

Expect some of the most delicious foods brought to your attention by our local growers. Regular vendors such as Cottlestone Apiary, Boughneath Farm, and Saltspring Island Sprouts and Mushrooms will introduce you to the idea of supporting local food makers.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sussex Vampire - Based off the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and adapted by Tony Hubner and Ian Case, the play sees David Radford cast as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation. Giggling Iguana Productions founder Ian Case makes his return as Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Speckled Band in 2002 and 2004) with Sarah Murphy, Susie Mullen, Michael Glover and Emily Case as the cast. Performances will be on April 3-5 and 9-12, 8pm at Craigdarroch Castle.

University of Victoria Anime Club meets every Wednesday at 6pm in room 108 of the Engineering and Computer Science building. Make new friends while watching the latest in Japanese animation. Meetings carry on until 10pm.

Thursday, April 10th

Jeeves In Bloom - P.G. Wodehouse's portrayal of daft yet likable characters from British upper class society continues on Chemainus Theatre's stage. Adapted by Margaret Raether and directed by Mark DuMez, this version sees Bernard Cuffling as respected gentleman's gentleman Jeeves and Warren Bain as young playboy Bertie Wooster. If you are a fan of the Richard Briers and Michael Hordern BBC radio plays or the Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie television series then this play might be a must see. The story is set in late June 1931 in Brinkley Court in Worcestershire. The show runs March 21 - April 26. Check the Chemainus Theatre's official website for show times.

Drive Through Drop off Pet Food Drive at Our Place Society - Make a difference in the lives of the homeless and lower income families. Volunteers will unload your donations of gently used or new pet food. Volunteers will also be accepting cash donations. There is no need to leave the comfort of your own vehicle unless you wish to partake of the hot coffee provided by local business Relish Food and Coffee. Our Place Society is located at 919 Pandora Ave.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sussex Vampire - Based off the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and adapted by Tony Hubner and Ian Case, the play sees David Radford cast as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation. Giggling Iguana Productions founder Ian Case makes his return as Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Speckled Band in 2002 and 2004) with Sarah Murphy, Susie Mullen, Michael Glover and Emily Case as the cast. Performances will be on April 3-5 and 9-12, 8pm at Craigdarroch Castle.

Friday, April 11th

Jeeves In Bloom - P.G. Wodehouse's portrayal of daft yet likable characters from British upper class society continues on Chemainus Theatre's stage. Adapted by Margaret Raether and directed by Mark DuMez, this version sees Bernard Cuffling as respected gentleman's gentleman Jeeves and Warren Bain as young playboy Bertie Wooster. If you are a fan of the Richard Briers and Michael Hordern BBC radio plays or the Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie television series then this play might be a must see. The story is set in late June 1931 in Brinkley Court in Worcestershire. The show runs March 21 - April 26. Check the Chemainus Theatre's official website for show times.

Clayworks Show and Sale at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Some of the artists in attendance will be Betty Burroughs, Debbie Elkins and Cindy Gibson. The show runs Friday, April 11 from 5pm to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sussex Vampire - Based off the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and adapted by Tony Hubner and Ian Case, the play sees David Radford cast as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation. Giggling Iguana Productions founder Ian Case makes his return as Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Speckled Band in 2002 and 2004) with Sarah Murphy, Susie Mullen, Michael Glover and Emily Case as the cast. Performances will be on April 3-5 and 9-12, 8pm at Craigdarroch Castle.

Saturday, April 12th

Jeeves In Bloom - P.G. Wodehouse's portrayal of daft yet likable characters from British upper class society continues on Chemainus Theatre's stage. Adapted by Margaret Raether and directed by Mark DuMez, this version sees Bernard Cuffling as respected gentleman's gentleman Jeeves and Warren Bain as young playboy Bertie Wooster. If you are a fan of the Richard Briers and Michael Hordern BBC radio plays or the Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie television series then this play might be a must see. Thestory is set in late June 1931 in Brinkley Court in Worcestershire. The show runs March 21 - April 26. Check the Chemainus Theatre's official website for show times.

2014 Showcase of Arts and Sale - Biennial Showcase of Arts, featuring over 200 works in acrylics, watercolours, Chinese brush painting, drawing, paper tole, jewelry, lapidary, fibre arts, quilting, wood carving, clay sculpture and photography. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared on site and served in our Palm Court Tea Room. The Juan de Fuca Seniors center is a volunteer run organization with over 1,400 members and close to 100 classes and activities every week. Funds raised helps purchase, supplies, equipment and towards building maintenance.The event is held held April 12 and 13 from 10am to 4pm in the Juan de Fuca Seniors 55+ Activity Centre.

Clayworks Show and Sale at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Some of the artists in attendance will be Betty Burroughs, Debbie Elkins and Cindy Gibson. The show runs Friday, April 11 from 5pm to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

DieMahler Chamber Music Series: Back To Bach - Performances of Brandenburg No. 3, original version. Bach Concerto in E Major, Chaconne for solo violin in a wonderful quartet arrangement, "Aria on the G String". Performances April 12 at St. Mary's Church (1701 Elgin Rd.) in Oak Bay and April 13 at Tom Lee recital Hall (2401 Millstream Rd.) in Langford. Both performances are at 2:30pm.

Sympathetic Ties hosted by David Van Ommen for Medieval Chaos Productions is a LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) opportunity. If your are like minded and wish to take part in a medieval scenario in Duncan, contact Medieval Chaos Productions. The events runs from 3pm to 9pm.

Magic the Gathering - Skyhaven Championships #1 takes place at Skyhaven Games (3458 Tillicum Rd.). Bring your best Magic gaming cards and may the best player win.

Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Sussex Vampire - Based off the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and adapted by Tony Hubner and Ian Case, the play sees David Radford cast as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation. Giggling Iguana Productions founder Ian Case makes his return as Dr. Watson (Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Speckled Band in 2002 and 2004) with Sarah Murphy, Susie Mullen, Michael Glover and Emily Case as the cast. Performances will be on April 3-5 and 9-12, 8pm at Craigdarroch Castle.

Sunday, April 13th

2014 Showcase of Arts and Sale - Biennial Showcase of Arts, featuring over 200 works in acrylics, watercolours, Chinese brush painting, drawing, paper tole, jewelry, lapidary, fibre arts, quilting, wood carving, clay sculpture and photography. Enjoy a delicious lunch prepared on site and served in our Palm Court Tea Room. The Juan de Fuca Seniors center is a volunteer run organization with over 1,400 members and close to 100 classes and activities every week. Funds raised helps purchase, supplies, equipment and towards building maintenance.The event is held held April 12 and 13 from 10am to 4pm. The event is held held April 12 and 13 from 10am to 4pm in the Juan de Fuca Seniors 55+ Activity Centre.

Clayworks Show and Sale at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney. Some of the artists in attendance will be Betty Burroughs, Debbie Elkins and Cindy Gibson. The show runs Friday, April 11 from 5pm to 8pm and Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Admission is free.

DieMahler Chamber Music Series: Back To Bach - Performances of Brandenburg No. 3, original version. Bach Concerto in E Major, Chaconne for solo violin in a wonderful quartet arrangement, "Aria on the G String". Performances April 12 at St. Mary's Church (1701 Elgin Rd.) in Oak Bay and April 13 at Tom Lee recital Hall (2401 Millstream Rd.) in Langford. Both performances are at 2:30pm.

Going Back in Time with 1550's

2014-03-18T18:27:00.000-07:00

1550 Cedar Hill Cross Rd
Gordon Head
Saanich, BC
(250) 472-0047

E: 1550's is one of those cozy bistros which will send diners back in time and if Back to the Future fans will recall, that's where George McFly met his son, Marty, and he would not attempt to date Lorraine Baines until Marty dressed up as a nuclear suited version of Darth Vader. Interestingly enough, on the drinks list was a drink of the same name. Coincidence?

J: At first I thought it was an alcoholic drink so strong that it would give you a force choke. But there is no such luck because it doesn't contain any alcohol. It's similar to a Shirley Temple and has fruity ingredients, hardly a drink for a Sith Lord and more suitable for a Hollywood child star with curls.

E: I did suggest an alcoholic version with some kind of spirit with the name 'dark' attached to it. Dark Rum perhaps? Even this tamed down drink, was quite nice. Normally, I'm not a pepsi soda person, but after it was disguised with the taste of tropical fruits like pineapple and grenadine, I found it rather tasty. But the colour pink does not suit a Sith well. I'm sujre Darth Maul would have issues.

J: 1550s has that 1970's look about it. It reminds me of the decor you could've found at the Noos Pizza Shoppe in Market Square or at Jason's in Bastion Square.

From what I have seen and heard, the 1550's crowd tends to be a mix of adults and university students. This establishment is within reach of the Camosun College's Lansdowne campus, the University of Victoria and St. Michael's. Prices are medium range and they carry a good burger menu, a must if you plan to serve the students.

And there was one burger that caught my eye, a bacon and goat cheese. I love goat cheese but this was advertised as local goat cheese.

E: Interestingly, James did not bleat too much about it. In a curious twist, while James ordered fries for his meal, I want for the garden green salad with my Cajun Chicken Melt. The combination of ingredients intrigued me… is it possible to have a melt on a french bread? Hell yes!

That was one of the tastiest pieces of grilled bread that I've had in a while. I'm sure the lemony taste was more of a result of me sipping down a lemonade than in the dressing, but that food and drink combination worked very well with my meal. The swiss cheese could hardly be tasted, but its nuttiness came out after the fact. The chicken was just done to tender perfection.

J: My goat cheese and bacon beef burger was just as good. The beef was fresh but I'm guessing it wasn't Alberta beef because it lacked that unique flavour. Perhaps I would have paid more for the privilege. But the goat cheese was strong. Goat cheese is much like blue cheese to my taste buds, the stronger the better and this cheese was packing quite a whallop. With each bite my mouth was watering. There was little grease to the burger and because of this I managed to keep myself splash free. And I love the way it was cooked, medium rare with just enough of the pink to, as Ed would say, bring out the tyranosaurus Rex in me.

With this burger option I could have switched to a chicken breast but I wonder how tasty the combo would be if they offered bison. I would pay $1 - $2 just to try it.

E: Well, it better be Alberta bison. Try as I might several times, I just don't think Island Bison is that good. Mind you, that won't stop me herding over to James' plate to sample a few of the fries. They were good, but I would not call them spectacular.

And what was with those fries, they were absolutely delicious. They were crisp but not overly and with enough pepper to keep them from boring me. A little Heinz ketchup and I was like a customer on wings night, stuffing them into my mouth in quick succession. Fortunately I felt generous enough to share with Ed or I didn't want to explode.

E: After my meal, the Death Star in me thought that it would. My meal was very filling. I actually pondered having dessert, but before I could open my mouth, James interrupted saying we didn't need anymore.

I suppose like A New Hope, the Ed will Strike Back!

4 Blokes out of 5

A GottaCon Diner's Guide to the Inner Harbour (Part Two)

2014-02-25T22:15:00.004-08:00

With Gottacon, the ultimate gamer's convention, about to happen this coming weekend, every gamer may well stick with what the Fairmont Empress has to offer (at the Ivy Ballroom) or dine out just for a change of scenery.

If what the hotel is selling seems limited, presented here is part two of the guide to the local eateries within a one block walking distance from the Victoria Conference Centre that the Two Hungry Blokes have sought out for the discriminating eater.

The English Sweet Shop
736 Douglas Street
(250) 382-3325

E: The treats here will keep anyone on a caffininated sugar high. Yes, if you know what to look for in this shoppe, anyone can rocket off to the moon in no time flat during those long nights.

J: The English Sweet Shop has been a Victoria tradition since 1910 but sadly I feel this business model is somewhat outdated. Don't get me wrong; I'm very protective of this establishment but they are being undercut in price by Fairway Market. Since there is no Fairway in the immediate vicinity you may have to visit English Sweet Shop for your British treats -- or you could walk over to Johnson Street to Oh Sugar. They may have a smaller selection of British treats but they have a larger international one.

Website

Milestones Inner Harbour
812 Wharf Street
(250) 381-2244

E: Milestones is a very pricey restaurant, and you can expect to be in here for at least 90 minutes. It's a slow place to kick back with a bunch of friends and enjoy the view ot sunset over the Inner Harbour. But for mad gamers in a rush this is not a good place to get a protein fix. I've been here once, and they messed up my order big time. I wanted a rare steak and got medium.

J: As Ed said, it is pricey. If you have holiday (vacation for you non-Brits) funds to burn, you can do so here.

Website
Urbanspoon Profile

The Soda Shoppe
801 Government Street
(250) 382-4249

E: The Soda Shoppe makes the best cherry Coke hands down. When I really want to treat myself, what they serve is great and I'm only sad there is only a one size fits all cup. Their sugary treats are sweet, but I'm only here for a switzel.

J: It is a tourist trap but it is not one I mind being trapped in. Rogers' Chocolates used to own this place until about March, 2010 when it was bought out by a former employee. This place has so much potential but on my last visit they had yet to reach that potential. If you're a new customer, standing in line-up to order ice cream only to be redirected to another line-up around the back is frustrating as hell. But since GottaCon gamers will be visiting the city in our off-season for tourists, the line-ups will be more tolerable.

Urbanspoon Profile

Sam's Deli and Bistro
805 Government Street
(250) 382-8424

E: I've been to Sam's Deli a fair number of times to say that its the best place for a lunch. Everything is made fresh to dine-in or on the go. Readers can find a full review here.

J: If you work right in the heart of downtown, no day goes by without a delicious bite at Sam's Deli. From delicious soups to sandwiches, Sam's has been the heartbeat of Victoria for over 40 years.

Website
Urbanspoon Profile

Brown's Social House
809 Douglas Street
(250) 388-0200

E: Unless you're part of the social elite, Brown's Social House is definitely not for the layman or gamer. Honestly, there is nothing spectacular about this place in the one visit I made. I'd rather walk up the street to Fatburger if my craving is for a decent hamburger. Fancy digs and overpriced meals does not make for a good start, unless you happen to be working for the Government of British Columbia.

J: Brown's Social House is more for the middle class then the common worker. But Victoria it appears has a fairly large middle class population. A new Browns is under construction in Langford.

E: Uh, James, just what is your definition of middle class? Don't you mean Upper Middle Class?

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Uchida
A22 - 633 Courtney Street
Nootka Court
(250) 388 - 7383

E: Uchida is hands down my most favourite place to visit when I'm in this neighborhood. Tucked inside Nootka Court, I can get a bite for less than $10 and be filled. They even offer rice-balls! I can take some of them to go and nibble away at them during a movie at Vic Theatre (in the afternoons) or stay here to enjoy their gentle miso broth.

J: I agree with Ed on his observations, Uchida is a great place for a bite if you are in the mood for Japanese fusion. But I am at a loss when Ed says it fills him up. Uchida is very high quality but if I want more food ranging from average to above average quality, I walk over to Sushi Plus on Yates Street next to the Odeon Theatre.

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The Sticky Wicket Pub

919 Douglas Street
The Strathcona Hotel
(250) 383-7137

E: The Sticky is a staple of the Victoria night life scene and it's through-n-through a bar. It's definitely a watering hole for many a downtown denizen but when I'm living in the suburbs, I don't feel quite at home here. I'd rather hang out at the Rooftop Surf Club. I'd say this place is definitely worth heading to when with a good group. By yourself, that's just another matter.

J: They have some cozy booths in the Wicket, just perfect for snuggling up to that special someone you just hit it off with at the con. But of course that comes secondary to the gaming, right?

Website
Urbanspoon Profile

A GottaCon Diner's Guide to the Inner Harbour (Part One)

2014-02-25T22:15:00.003-08:00

With Gottacon, the ultimate gamer's convention, about to happen this coming weekend, every gamer may well stick with what the Fairmont Empress has to offer (at the Ivy Ballroom) or dine out just for a change of scenery.

Sadly, due to contractual obligations, no outside food is allowed to be taken into the conference center, but that should not stop people from looking outside for something different to eat. No matter where one goes to dine, the prices will vary and the type of the food will be based on what a person likes.

If what the hotel is selling seems limited, presented here (in no particular order) is a guide to the local eateries within a one block walking distance from the Victoria Conference Centre that the Two Hungry Blokes have sought out for the discriminating eater. Yes even foodie gamer nerds can be picky too.

Cora Breakfast and Lunch
#150 - 850 Douglas Street
(250) 381-2672

E: Haven't been here and nor do I really have an interest to. Cora is basically a Denny's in disguise. Food prices are in the $8-15 range, and unless I really want a tired benny, my better bet is to at least go Bagels on Broad, which is further away.

J: Personally I prefer Smitty's when it comes to franchise breakfast eateries.

Cora was founded in Montreal and as a Canadian, I'd be willing to try this place out just once to see if it suits my taste buds.

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Le Petit Dakar
711 Douglas Street
(250) 380-3705

E: James and I discovered this place one night, and a full review can be found here. I highly recommend this shop for their soothing energy drinks, and the bites come reasonably fast too.

J: I love the hostess, she has such a wonderful personality. The food served here was decent.

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Liberty Cafe and Deli
708 Douglas Street
(250) 383-2213

J: My first and only experience with Liberty was ordering a egg breakfast wrap that wasn't throughly heated (nothing worse than cold runny scrambled eggs). And did I mention the girl behind the counter didn't know proper customer service. The upside is the business is close by and it has a relaxed interior.

E: The Liberty is a place I won't visit unless friends drag me in. The variety of coffee and tea are good, and I like the London Fog, but all the stuff made are prepackaged and off the shelf. Prices are a touch on the high side and this place is more suited for the bibliophile since it has quite the number of book displays.

If I had to make a choice, I'd rather walk across the street to Awesome Coffee, its direct competitor ... (to be continued in next entry).

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Awesome Coffee
717 Douglas Street
(250) 475-2739

E: ... and discover that most of the food and drink items are naturally sourced.

I'd walk the extra couple of meters to Awesome and I feel it's worth it for the variety of take out treats here. Most of what I'd get would be gone before I return to the Bus Station (or the Conference Centre). When I've been in here to get a caffiine rush early in the morning to get to Vancouver on a weekday, they are open promptly at 7am! On weekends, it'll be 8am, and that should be okay.

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Mirage Coffee

817 Government Street

(250) 384-4982

E: Distance-wise for the lazy traveller, I'd stick with Awesome instead of wandering two sides of a block to hit a Mirage.

J: I've never been here (I'm not a coffee drinker) but the interior looks inviting. It is probably a great place to sit in and watch the tourists walk by.

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The Noodle Box
818 Douglas Street
(250) 384-1314

E: At the Noodle Box, the music always plays louder than it should and I'll never understand why. Is it to drive away customers? When considering that their meals are designed to go than stay in, that makes sense. I like to call this place "The Dungeon" for that reason. The noise from all those woks being worked on plus the cranked up radio makes me feel like I'm being tortured.

But when the craving strikes, a healthy meal can be bought at less than $10 with a great selection favourite spicy toppings to pile on top. I've had good and bad take-out from this place over the years, so this place is a buyer's beware.

When this franchise operation actually varies their menu from time to time, it's a place I'll still come back to. But I'd rather hit other franchise addresses more than others. This Douglas Street location has something wrong going for it which makes me wary.

J: The price is right and so is the food. Is it any wonder the franchise grew so quickly from one small cart operation in downtown Victoria. For customers like Ed, your solution is to order take-away.

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The Old Spaghetti Factory
703 Douglas Street
(250) 381-8444

E: This old mainstay of Victoria has never moved or will go away. For people fresh off the Clipper or PCL, it's the first diner they'll see leaving the bus depot and I suspect that's where most of their customers come from.

I don't see the Spaghetti Factory as anything special. I have friends from out of town who seem to like it, but for locals I'm one who will avoid it. The food is nothing to rave about. Their desserts are a step better than the usual, and price-wise, cheaper and tastier can be found elsewhere.

I was a visitor coming into town for the first time and I was stopped by a Stormtrooper, yes there is nothing to see here and I'll gladly move along.

J: If pasta is your game (besides whatever you play at GottaCon) then you can't get much better than the Spaghetti Factory. It's the perfect location (across the street), the prices are reasonable and Spaghetti Factory has a menu for large parties to help make the cost that much more appetizing.

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The Oyster Bar
614 Humboldt Street
(250) 385-4512

E: If you have a lot of money to spend and love oysters, this place (along with Ferris) is the place to go for fresh molluscs from the sea. A full review can be found here.

I really like the selection of food, and the meals can be served quickly if customers ask them to. However, as a bar, it's meant as a place to keep people in to chat away than as a place to get a quick bite.

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Pescatores Seafood and Grill
614 Humboldt Street
(250) 385-4512

E: Pescatores is one of the best places to go for seafood when you are not being served a meal from a chef-in-training. I had the misfortune of that happening on one of my visits. The meal took longer than it should to get out and the meat was overcooked.

That has not detered me from coming back since timing is everything here. The prices are on the mid to high side, on par with what The Oyster Bar's rates are, but as for getting a filling meal, it's worth every penny.

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... to be continued in part two.

There's Nothing New to be Found at the Old Spaghetti Factory

2014-02-20T00:30:00.001-08:00

603 Douglas St.
Victoria, BC
250-381-8444

The rustic flavour of the Old Spaghetti Factory is one of the main draws for some tourists. But for locals, you either love it or hate it.

Originally started in Portland, Oregon, the chain became popular and expanded to all ports at sea. For those people coming out of the Victoria bus depot or the Coho ferry, this restaurant may very well be the first place people can go to have a fast meal before heading off to other destinations unknown.

I had the Spaghetti with Browned Butter and Mizithra Cheese ($11.25). Out of the various dishes I ate here past and present, this one can easily turn any cheese lover into a Homer Simpson. I discovered a new flavour to go “mmmm” over. The sharp, creamy tanginess of the Mizithra really made this dish stand out, and it's grated over simple pasta that’s served al dente.

The meal was almost filling with with a baked french onion soup as a side ($2.25). But I have tasted this soup before with croutons and there wasn't any here. Instead of hot, the soup was warm by the time it was served. There was far too much broth, the beef stock was too strong, and the crisped cheese topping just didn't have the same punch.

And desert didn't even floor me. One type of ice cream offered here is spumoni, and it's traditionally made with chocolate, pistachio, whipped cream, and mixed with candied nuts and fruits. I tasted none and reluctantly finished off the mostly chocolate serving. I think I got the bottom of the barrel and whoever spooned out this request did not bother to think of opening up a new tub when all he found was just chocolate left. I do enjoy this flavour, but I found this place's cocoa offering to be very rich.

While the party I was with got a more balanced scoop, I looked around to complain, but no one was around. I was almost tempted to shout out loud where'd all the pistachio go?

The factory may be a long-time stable for some harbour seals to float over to, I will simply pass by it next time. Instead, I'll be harping over to Roger's Chocolates Soda Shoppe for their creamy delights instead. Their cherry cola soda with whipped cream is to die for.

2½ Blokes out of 5

[Victoria Film Festival '14] Trading an Oyster in for a Film

2014-02-17T23:03:00.004-08:00

614 Humboldt St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 385-4512

No Victoria Film Festival party can be complete without a trip to the Oyster Bar or Spinnakers. Both have been long time supporters of this show, and sometimes they are the venues for one of the many parties going on, past and present. The brew pub even caters and the hors d'oeuvres I get to try out are always exceptional, but sometimes it's just the deserts, namely their ice cream in the springtime, that I'm really after. No matter what the treat, these little bites always knock it right out of the park.

And that should be the size raw oysters should be sampled in. The Victoria Film Festival's Gala Event often serves these tasty treats, but I had to wonder where they came from. I'm assuming the Oyster Bar, and a visit here was definitely on the must hit list.

The service at this establishment is always great, and on the day I went, the staff was accommodating. I only had an hour before a movie screening. I managed to have a pricey sampling of kusshi oysters (3) and they tasted like it is described in the guide. This little postcard is handy so people who want to experiment with different oyster flavours can. I could have gone from a soft cucumber finish to metallic. But today, I stuck with the familiar, and the freshness in both what I ate and the horseradish are always above par in the rare visits I make here. At $3 a pop for the prime stuff, this place is not one I visit often.

Since I was after something quick to heat up, the oyster chowder was right on the money for its flavour ($8.95). The dish is eloquently presented and is served mildly chilled. I can't say if this dish is meant to be presented warm, but given the time I had and what I ate, I can forgive any mistakes that might have incurred. I believe fanny bay is used, and that makes for a decently priced ($8.95) meal. It's not filling but it at least it curbs the hunger pangs. I generally don't use crackers in soups so I didn't notice that it was missing right away.

Generally, my visits are never disappointing but this time, its just one little detail I had to wonder about. That won't stop me from coming back though. When there is a buck a shuck happening every Wednesday as a happy hour treat (only certain regional shellss are available), I will be back for more.

4 Blokes out of 5

[Victoria Film Festival '14] Looking for Hidden Messages in Slow Food Story

2014-02-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

When I have often talked about how really good food must taste, like the flavour from the land it comes from, going to see Slow Food Story at the Victoria Film Festival '14 was a must. I did not know much about what this movie is. Other than the hints from the plot summary in the guide, I purposely did not want to know more than I should before sitting at the balcony.

What I watched was part documentary and part TedX presentation. It felt like I was back in college, sitting in at a Art History class. This movie looks more at the life and times of Carlin Petrini, the founder of the Slow Food Movement, than be a celebration of food. The latter is there, in the form of moving pictures of the food expos and parties that can happen, but there needs to be more to this film than to get political.

The opening segment is a necessity to show audiences who Petrini is and what he is all about. However, this act was very drawn out. The little animated sequences were a very nice touch and that kept me interested in this show. But until the food clips were brought out, I thought this film spent too much time studying the origins of a group of spirited people who wanted to invoke change for the betterment of humanity.

Will I join? I don't know. There's something that I like about being a punk rock food junkie — I like to live by my own rules than to follow any manifestos. When that book was presented, I was hoping for more than glimpses. The arts and craft style deco contained in Il Manifesto had me exploring the layout more than the text. The artist in me was awakening, and part of me wanted to go Salvador Dali on the text.

More than half the film is about the rise of this movement in Italy and how it has grown. I particularly liked the narrative about how the founders have grown close and apart. When one of them passed on, that was more enduring to watch than the slow burn happening that was trying to define what the movement is about. Without a human element, a documentary is never 100% perfect. Slow Food Story is enjoyable because it expounds upon forging community spirit and supporting many local causes. When considering that this movement has a worldwide network of 170 chapters in 150 countries, that's amazing.

As for the political subtext that's inserted into this documentary, I was tuning that out fast. This film cannot operate without it, but I have to note that not everyone particularly enjoys wanting to know how rhetoric works in this particular arena. All I have are images of people carrying swords and guns, and if one party disagrees with another, all hell can break loose.

This documentary will always be around to spread the message. The movement started when McDonald's decided to open a shop in Rome, next to the Spanish Steps. That was enough to cause Petrini to sally forth and rally the masses. This fast food conglomerate is easy to pick on, and its a place I will not go to. Well, maybe for a soda when I'm in the mood or to use their free WiFi, but never to eat.

But until everyone joins in to promote sustainability and mandate accountability, the people that need to be influenced to change for the better will be the business people who runs these mega-corporations, businesses and restaurants. But in this case, just how far this movement will affect the masses, that is the common folk, depend on how far this film's message hits home to the viewers.

For now, the phrase Viva La Revolution is a light cry that is being very gently heard.

3½ Blokes out of 5

[Victoria Film Festival '14] Getting Into the Mystic with In the Magic of the Green Mountains

2014-02-09T23:17:00.001-08:00

Some viewers may well be whistling to John Denver’s Country Roads after watching In the Magic of the Green Mountains. This blissful documentary looks at the life of Jeff and Melanie Carpenter, who undertake a monumental task to start up an organic farm to grow mostly herbs in the hills of Vermont, located in the northeastern United States.

But the toe-tapping bluegrass music is not the only rhythm to be found in this film. Instead, it’s about the perseverance made by two individuals looking to make a difference for everyone who benefits from the plants they grow. From the businesses who source from them to their own emotional well being, this movie is ultimately about man versus Nature — the human one and the elemental one. This movie is like a cheerleader for the 100-mile diet, and although food is not necessarily part of this movie’s presentation, it’s the herbs and how it can be used to heal the soul that makes this movie charming.

Most of the flora being grown have medicinal value, and in most of what’s being grown are being made into teas. Some are medicinal and others are simply used to drink to offer serendipity.

After watching this film, a few people may well head down to the botanists to see what they can buy and grow at home! Quite often, there is no need to buy pre-dried, pre-packaged products of dandelions or nettles when most of which can be grown in a person’s own back yard. In the garden city of Victoria, British Columbia, especially the outlying areas like Blenkinsop Valley or on Salt Spring Island, there are areas where the soil is rich in natural nutrients where they can be grown too, and cultivated for local use.

This movie is fascinating to watch even for someone who is not an agriculturalist. Nearly every detail is explained, including what to look for in soil, so the do it yourselfer can start right away. But visiting a nearby herbal farm will help; this film never forgets that building local community spirit is important, and as this story revealed, nearly three times the number of organic farms have sprouted since the Carpenters started their business. More regional farms will no doubt come when word spreads about how to live green.

And this movie looks gorgeous in high-definition. The beautiful colours from season to season are brought to life. A phenomenon not everyone knows gets mentioned: Snow lightning is a rare act of nature and this film could have scored extra marks for its visual narrative if it showed some of that for real. Unfortunately, some parts of this documentary look storyboarded, and more about who the grandmother is and what she does would have made this film all the better. Some people may wonder if she is a hedge witch, a person who practices the herbal arts by using the natural resources of the land. While neither detracts from its lengthy talk about how to run a successful herbal farm, to include more realistic elements can help give viewers a proper look into the life of the Carpenter family in their struggle to keep their farm healthy and constantly growing.

According to the Carpenter's business website, their operation has been running for 14 or so years. This film looks like it was made in the past two. Some recreations were used to recount some of the Carpenter's past experiences that they described during their struggles in managing this farm. So in this film, there was some cinema magic added too.

4 Blokes out of 5

The Victoria Film Festival offers more than just Foodie Delights!

2014-02-04T13:58:00.000-08:00

Victoria Film Festival
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Runs from Feb 7 - 16

Various Venues

Half of the Two Hungry Blokes is definitely getting excited for the Victoria Film Festival not only for the foodie treats before going to a show, but for the smorgasbord of films offered. This year marks their 20th anniversary, and the celebrations are going to be deep in 60’s nostalgia. Tickets are almost gone for their gala event this coming Friday, but when all the really good films that I want to see are playing on that one night, I had to forgo buying a ticket to this event.

Depending on how well Chinese New Year treats me for lucky money, I may take on a Sips n’ Cinema event instead. This year features Slow Food Story, ¡ATRACO! and Putzel as part of the theme. Fortunately, for those folks just interested in the film Slow Food Story can be seen by itself. I plan on going to see this film along with In the Magic of the Green Mountains.

On my Friday night wish-to-hit-list is The Congress, a sci-fi product that looks like it blends elements of Cool World, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and The Matrix together. When actress Robin Wright plays herself as a starlet struggling to help her young son, she gives up her rights to be on film for a digitized version. Just what happens is a look into a not too distant future if Hollywood has their say. Il Futuro is a must since it features Rutger Hauer. It’s been a long time since I last saw him on screen. I remember him best in Blade Runner, so what I’m after to see, based on my geeky interests, are consistent.

I would like to see the gala film, Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, that night in hopes Colm Meany might be in town. He's one of those underrated stars that I can truly appreciate and I like to meet him and say I really enjoyed all the work, like Law & Order the The Commitments, he has done outside of the Star Trek universe, but that’s unlikely. When considering this film played in European theatres last year and it’s not a world premiere, the chances for the stars to show up is very slim, but the director might be around.

I had the fortune to see this movie in advance, and it's absolutely hilarious! Steve Coogan is brilliant playing this narcissistic media star. The way he bumbles around, thinking he can be a hero, is chuckle-worthy. This movie requires him to deal with Farrell (Meaney's character) while he goes postal — he lost his job at a radio station they both work in. This movie is sort of like The Odd Couple with a huge dose of British style humour mixed in.

But as I said before, as a fan of Meany, he literally steals the show in this film. He's the everyman that audiences will no doubt sympathize for. When the character he plays is gentil, only after giving the working class a voice to hear, this actor nails the pathos easily. Just his work in this film alone makes me want to buy this movie when it comes out on video.

But as for why Farrell remains friends for Partridge, that's a mystery nobody can answer. And that's part of this movie's simple charm. People who cannot get tickets for the Friday night show can catch it again when it is featured on Feb 14th. The question of whether or not this film can be seen as a love story is ironic at best.

Just as equally desired to see is Cas & Dylan. I’m a huge fan of all of Richard Dreyfuss’ works. Tatiana Maslany looks mighty fine too, but the surprise here is that Jason Priestly is the director! As many folks will know, he’s best remembered for being in Beverley Hills, 90210. Yeah, I admit I watched a couple of episodes. This Vancouver born boy might put on an appearance — oh the choices!

I wish The Congress and Il Futuro can get added shows, but these niche products may be too surrealistically weird for a a regular cinephile to enjoy.

Other films that are particularly interesting, that I did get to see in advance are We are the Best, Good Vibrations and Cyber-Seniors. I highly recommend the last film, since there are not many films that are truly humanitarian in its effort to get a positive message out.

As for the rest, I’m intrigued in what Desert Fish has to offer. Can sea life swim in sand? Seriously, this film’s summary mentions it has fairy-tale elements and that’s enough to draw me in. Readers can expect a review to be offered up on multiple online magazines.

Where appropriate, I provide reviews and pieces to other websites/publications like Absolute Underground and Nerd Titan. I will soon be submitting material to Skewed n’ Reviewed (don’t let the bottom credit on the page be deceptive. At least the author’s name is credited at the start) and Vivoscene. I believe more in sharing what I know throughout the world wide web than making some content exclusive to one site.

But readers should not fret. I’m not giving up on Two Hungry Blokes or Otaku no Culture. Those are my platforms to talk about all things food and pop culture, and together, James and I have plans to expand both blogs to focus on all things culture and event related in the Pacific Northwest!

More than Just a taste of Nippon over at Gracepoint, er Oak Bay

2014-01-29T15:56:00.000-08:00

Just Matcha Tea Shop
2021 Oak Bay Avenue
Oak Bay, BC
(250) 813-2456

Kissako Green Tea Cafe
2027 Oak Bay Ave,
Oak Bay, BC
(250) 370-5195

Plenty of green tea flavours can be found over in Oak Bay. Practically next door to each other are Kissako, a green tea cafe, and Just Matcha, a store that specializes on that particular brand of tea. I was in this municipality to watch the filming of Gracepoint, a US remake of BBC’s Broadchurch and I’m always keen to learn from the pros by careful observation from afar. I have the educational background to know what I’m doing in a newsroom, but as for a film/tv set, I feel I’m not not quite there yet.

But when stress levels get high in an occupation that means being on the run (production can see a lot of that), I can become zen-like at Just Matcha. They’re a reasonably new operation (three months) that opened up here. They cater to enthusiasts for this particular blend and carry a fair number of imported products from in-town (like JagaSilk's products) to Japan (their primary supplier is from Uji, Kyoto).

They even carry a candy delicacy. I could not resist and had to buy two bags of Hachi Matcha White Chocolate, hand made in town by The Awesome Possum Tasting Company. While there is a soft amount of sugar used, the flavour is quite nice. The ingredients lists Yabukita Cultivar Matcha tea powder. Between nibbling or letting it melt in my mouth, I much prefer the latter method. It's far more tastier than the really sweet Meiji chocolate that's sold en masse.

But for this tea house, their window display of a special Winter Olympics 2014 blend, a maple matcha latte, drew me in like a moth to a flame. The maple syrup made for a smooth tasting drink, and a touch of chocolate shavings only made this drink all the more exquisite. Whenever I'm getting a drink here, I'm sitting down to enjoy my nectar.

Being on the run with what they offer here just will not do! But I'm sure for Olympians, it will not matter since they burn off their sugary infusion in seconds --and I'm not talking about performance enhancing drugs.

I like how this operation works because patrons can choose any cup that’s on display to drink from. They’re regularly cleaned in a dishwasher so people should not worry about germs. The sizes vary from the traditional cup to the large bowl. Every blend that's on display is available to drink.

The operator, Kip Home, that I talked to while looking around the store is very friendly and it made for a soothing Modernist style architectural atmosphere to enjoy myself in. I’m certainly going to be back whenever I hear filming is happening in Oak Bay for Gracepoint. The fact they’re located a couple of doors down from one of the main shooting locations is going to make my visits very frequent!

However, should I just want to crave a regular sip of green tea, Kissako also works too. This mom and pop operation has been around for some time, but I never thought about appearing until now. The one thing that stood out for me is that the tea is brought to you with a decanter of hot water and a minute timer to properly let the tea leaves steep for the right amount of time. Just pour and serve. I have not even found that in the trendiest of Japanese restaurants in Vancouver or Whistler and those other places can learn a lot from Kissako!

Here, they treat their tea with respect. Even their food is quite nice. I came in when the product was fresh. I opted for a simple tuna and salmon roll. The prices are reasonable, as one would expect for these times ($4.50 per maki order), and I found the tuna to be the far superior fish of the day. The salmon was nice. Even the rice was done properly and I could taste it at every bite. I managed to have a decent lunch for under $15.

There was one thing I have to note after watching Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The nori sheets could have benefited from being treated over a coal flame to bring out its crispiness. That's more of a nitpick detail in an otherwise fine operation. And I'm fairly sure the husband and wife team that runs this new operation were the original folks who ran Futaba in downtown Victoria.

The next time I’m here, I will have to try the bento box. I saw that as the dish another patron ate and it looked good. I'm rarely one who wants to go bento when salmon and tuna is all I want.

As for the cast and crew of Gracepoint who do not want to venture far for a chance to relax or have a quick bite, I think these two nearby establishments can neatly fit the bill. The food they offer is very healthy too!

Just Matcha
4½ Blokes out of 5

Kissako
4 Blokes out of 5

You Don't Need To Be A Japanophile To Like Shiki

2014-01-23T22:15:00.002-08:00

Shiki Sushi
1113 Blanshard St.
Victoria, B.C.
(250) 381-8622

E: I've been to Shiki Sushi more times than James has with his attempts to get out to Sidney. But in a miracle of miracles, to convince him to head here when dinner options were minimal within a certain square block was not too hard. I didn't realize there were a few new menu items, and for once, I didn't do all you can eat.  

J: I really wanted to visit the Noodle Cart after we failed to dine at Pinoy. Ed said Shiki was "pricey."

I was trying to find excuses not to go in and Ed was offering to pay for 1/4 of the bill. That's a Scotsman for you. My first impression was its dimly lit interior. Perhaps it was because of the daylight or maybe I still needed time for my eyes to adjust.   

E:As with most Japanese restaurants, the trend these days in its layout is more modernist than period. It suited me just fine, but for a guy who claims to be a Japanophile, I was mildly taken aback. In looking at the menu, to have two maki dishes named Firecracker and Sexy Man caught my attention. I will have to declare that I am a heterosexual, and after trying these two rolls, I felt even more macho than ever.   

J: But Japanophile doesn't mean I have to like the interior of something just because it's Japanese. The place was too open for my liking. It took me some time to get comfortable.

Maybe on our next trip I'll seat myself at the bar and just devour whatever sushi the chefs can make. My miso based ramen was adequate but it lacked any real flavour. Perhaps if they used some more green onion I would think of it better. But I will agree the sushi was delicious and was the highlight of the visit. Even my dessert couldn't match the taste.

E: And to sit at the sushi bar is a bit of a tradition but I don't think James knows all the etiquette involved, like never whittle the chopsticks. In this day and age where they are disposable, and splinters might occur at one end, I've learned that it should be done under the table than above (where anyone can observe).

Also, If you buy the chef a drink, sometimes he may make up a special roll for you. But this piece of knowledge does not always happen. Depending on the restaurant, the chef is not allowed to drink. To complement my meal, I had the Beef Udon bowl, and it was enjoyable. While I'm used to white udon noodle, I was intrigued at the changing of the guard--the type of noodles used were green in colour!

I'm glad the recipes get changed up quite a bit at Shiki Sushi, so coming here irregularly is always an adventure.    

J:  My chocolate monton came to my table in a sweat. It had a rich flavour but underneath the chocolate layer was what I could describe as a moist brownie interior. It wasn't something I could thoroughly enjoy. 

E: At least the choices of ice cream were better. I saw black sesame offered before in Japanese restaurants and my big question is if this was Island Farms, Shirakiku or made in-house. I actually like the flavour hot, and in my household, we have a small supply of the instant powder stuff at home to make for desserts. To try this cold was different.  

J: If it's Island Farms ice cream then I am once again impressed. I'm not too fond of their regular flavours but the exotics of coconut, mango and now black sesame really stands out. I may have to reconsider my stance on Island Farms. Chapman's is number one to me right now but maybe I should be returning to the days of my youth and perhaps returning to Shiki Sushi. 

3½ Blokes out of 5

Sookjai: The Gem of Antiques Row

2014-01-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

Sookjai Thai
893 Fort St.
Victoria, BC
(250) 383-9945

E: Sometimes it's difficult to find appetizing food from the southern Asian region. When the choices are basically Vietnamese, Malaysian or Filipino, Victoria does have the gambit covered. But James and I wandered up north, along Fort Street, to find a gem of a restaurant, Sookjai Thai — and one cute waitress too.

J: Go for the food, stay for the waitress, huh?

Sookjai has been on the scene since 2003 when the restaurant switched owners. The previous occupant (using a different business name) ran the place as an Italian restaurant.

But there's no need for a history lesson here. After walking in and noticing the ambience, I was hooked. The place says "fine dining." At Sookjai, there's no need to pawn your watch to pay for your meal. If it came down to it I could've sold a pint of blood (I was willing to sacrifice Ed's just in case). The prices are really that good and so is the food... Oh yes and the waitress too, right Ed?

E: She was a definite darling with her sunny disposition and charm. And after embarrassing myself By playing with a stuffed doll that I found at Fan Favourites, her giggle and smile made my day.

Even her suggestions in what to get was a plus when I wasn't sure in what to go for. Well, James deserves some credit too when both of them said get the spring rolls. The banana stuffed delights were surprisingly awesome. The way the banana was warmed to a soft consistency with a crispy exterior was simply exquisite. And I could easily make a meal of this alone!

J: Ed had Link (from the Zelda video game series) out of the bag and was caught playing with it. I haven't seen Ed's face turn that red for a very long time.

The banana filled spring rolls were excellent as Ed said, and for days afterwards I praised the rolls to one of my friends. Now she wants me to return to Sookjai to buy her some.

After the rolls, the fried tofu appetizer with the chilli sauce went down well but the best was yet to come.

E: There's a trick to eating fried tofu cubes. I've had them before on their own but it was never that good. Here, the trick is to give a gentle drizzle of orange juice on top. The flavours are nicely brought out. Both appies went fast while waiting for our main dishes, and they were big!

J: My Phad Thai Moo dish was beautifully made up. It was cooked fresh and with a skill I have not tasted before at Thai restaurants. It did not taste like it was reheated like my dinner at Little Thai in Langford. The noodles were hearty; it had a flavour that was accentuated by the strips of chicken and the crushed peanuts.

Sookjai actually uses mostly crushed peanuts unlike Siam. That was a disaster when the peanut sauce tasted like mud after mixing with the cooking oil. Here there was no mess and my meal suffered little from any oil used. I suspected a flash fry and that would mean our cook is at least competent.

E: My Phad Thai Goong ($13.50) dish was just as delicious, and I concur with James' statement about how well cooked it was. The flash frying did a better job to bring out the prawns' flavour than with any other method. I could get used to coming here to see how the chef handles other sea life.

J: Or how the waitress handles the drinks right Ed?

Sookjai is worth returning to for the banana spring rolls. I'm looking forward to trying their other seafood dishes. And according to our server, they're open for lunch on Saturdays. But should they open for lunch on Sundays, that's reason enough for me to have lunch after the weekly sermon from our priest at Christ Church Cathedral.

4½ Blokes out of 5