“Fracture” -
Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn

I’m a huge Hopkins fan anyway and have to say that this might just be the long awaited break Gosling has been seeking. He’s always had a sort of quirky appeal with unplumbed depths possible and the persistence of a David in the face of Goliath. The short version is that Hopkins character finds his wife is cheating and he premeditates her murder complete with a way to waste the lover and get himself off the hook. It is a rather brilliant plan and we do feel for him as he is the jilted husband, but there is something dark that lurks beneath. Ever since he played Hannibal Lecter there is almost always a murky monster that Hopkins barely contains. He stalks Gosling pushing him just a bit too far and finds he is outsmarted and out maneuvered. Gosling has his own lessons to learn about blind ambition, the good of man (or not), and passion amongst traitors. This is a tangled web but woven well and with star power that is rare these days.

Okay, now I know a lot of you have been here, I had too, but had not had a rewarding experience until just recently. Perhaps it was the company! Regardless, they seated us in a secondary room, a bit quieter than the main hall, and conducive to comfortable conversation. The main room really can be a challenge with all of its hard surfaces bouncing sound and inhibiting discussion. The music overall seems an odd choice for a contemporary hot spot, as it was danceable top forty hits from the 70’s and 80’s including Michael Jackson!

We enjoyed a selection of appetizers from a divine toasted goat cheese ciabatta, more like a brioche, to a Creole shrimp and grits with bacon, and a refreshing salad with candied pecans. Dinner was delicious diver scallops tenderly grilled with sautéed greens and their legendary steak frites. I even managed a dessert of a pistachio financier with figs and crème anglaise, perfection. One Midtown has redeemed itself even if I still don’t understand the neon lavender door lighting…

One Midtown Kitchen
559 Dutch Valley Road
Atlanta, GA 30324
404-892-4111

“Starter for 10″ -
James McAvoy, Rebecca Hall, Alice Eve, Benedice Cumberbatch, Dominic Cooper

I love Brit humor anyway and their romances always feel much more down to earth and real to me than the Hollywood beautiful people stuff. This is refreshing perhaps because it had so many new faces to me, and the “ugly duckling” wins in it. She is far from ugly but when you stack up a tall, slim brunette with political views, and activist tendencies against a gorgeous, buxom, bright blond with no such ambitions and instead dreams of being an actress, well you get the picture. It is a valuable lesson in friendships, forgiveness, and following your heart, (not other parts South!) As long as our lead can remember he has wanted to be on University Quiz Show, he gets a scholarship and leaves his pals by the wayside and heads off to get a real education. The hilarity is complete with Tarts and Vicars parties, impossible room mates, and best friends that can be real cads. Check this one out!

Located conveniently in the Midtown theatre district, this Latin fusion contemporary restaurant comes to us from the creator of Sia in Duluth. With Chef Gerardo Ramos, Mexican native, at the helm, we are treated to such mouthwatering specialties as pomegranate glazed organic salmon and quinoa, sea scallop ceviche with corn and avocado, and shrimp and tomato basil grilled arepa to name but a few. The atmosphere is cozy and colorful and weekend nights offer live music. It is another tasty addition to Atlanta’s global cuisine.

Mitra
818 Juniper St Ne
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-875-5515