The Magic Castle

As mentioned yesterday I went with +Tatyanna Wilkinson to the Magic Castle. For those unaware this is a private club in Hollywood. Guest invitations are difficult to acquire, but Tatyanna is amazing, and that was taken care of. Should I describe the comical scenes of us in Goodwill looking for a jacket? Suffice it to say that the castle requires a jacket and tie for gentlemen. The dress code is strict and enforced. We found one at the last minute. Even with the guest pass entry is $25 per person, and the valet is $10. The hostess was lovely, and then we said the magic words and went inside. By the way, that’s not a euphemism. You really do have to say the magic word and the secret door opens.

First off we took in John Carney at the Close Up theatre. An intimate venue of 18 seats and eight people standing. His presentation and magic were wonderful. I thought the intimacy of the room really played to his strengths. After his show we dashed upstairs for dinner.

It's true that nobody visits the castle for the food. However the food wasn't bad. My steak was well cooked and well presented, Tatyanna's Beef Wellington wasn't. However this is where the service really shined. Our waiter Kenny apologized and whisked the offending meal away. Although both he and the manager took time to offer her additional choices and apologize she decided to forego a second entree. They bought her meal and our desserts, which were outstanding as well. Dinner for two with a couple glasses of wine is about $200. I thought that even though the meal wasn’t perfect the service was outstanding.

After dinner we had tickets to the Palace of Mystery. Chris Mitchell as MC was joined by Tina Lenert as well as Les Arnold & Dazzle. The show was funny and well-played, especially the finale. Finally we saw Todd Robbins in the Parlour of Prestidigitation. If you’ve never seen the human blockhead, well you kind of have to.

It was, quite literally a magical evening.

Washington

I saw Runner Runner at the movie theater today. My review is that if the bad guy is the only likeable character you don't have much of a film. That being said I like Timberlake as an actor. I liked his roles in Black Snake Moan, The Social Network, Bad Teacher, and In Time. I think that there is a lot of good on the cutting room floor in this film. I walked out of the theatre and it was 37 degrees. Ah well, I am on my way to California tomorrow.

Oregon

I'm in Ashland Oregon. It's a scary drive for an Acrophobic. The road is riddled with sheer drops and canyon bridges. I drove this road on one of the happiest days of my life. That was the day that I went to Corvallis Oregon to bring my daughter home to Sacramento when she was 11. That was a long time ago. I am only 450 miles from my destination and tomorrow I'll be in Bellevue Washington. Quite literally next door to Beast itself, Microsoft. It is the furthest point from home I have traveled. By my route, 3690 miles from Clearwater. I'd have gone the short way were it not for the snowstorms last week across Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. In any case I am vegging in the hotel room. My brain is so much goo from the 2000 miles I have driven since Sunday morning. I miss all of you. 

Oh, and I finished Isaacson's biography of Steve Jobs. I still like Isaacson's work overall, but his treatment is a bit too idolatrous to be considered scholarly. Not that there aren't some ugly things in the book, but Jobs is worshipped too much. 

Don Jon

Tonight I saw Don Jon. Written, directed by, and starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt the film is a modern coming of age film for the 21st Century. Levitt is the titular character a delayed adolescent who excels at anonymous sex with obsessive focus. His supporting cast is phenomenal and includes Tony Danza, Glenne Headley, Julianne Moore, and Scarlett Johansson. Make no mistake, this film has other amazing performances, but none come close to the electric performances of Levitt and Moore. I do not think I have seen as seemingly effortless and intricate a performance from Moore since Boogie Nights. Levitt is also effortless. Even the speech and patter of the actors is incredible.

This is a fantastic film. I urge you to go see it, just not with a date*.

I saw the film at The Look theaters in Addison, Texas.What an amazing experience. Expensive and totally worth it.

*I took a date to see Sex, Lies, and Videotape in 1989. Don’t judge, it was her idea. A truly amazing film, but I never heard from her again.