Stoker

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode, Dermot Mulroney, Jacki Weaver
Director: Chan-wook Park
Running Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
Rating: R

Christian Bale set the bar high for smoking hot psychopaths in “American Psycho,” and Matthew Goode almost reaches it in Chan-wook Park’s English-language film debut “Stoker.” This sexy cat and mouse game quickly turns into a thriller, though your imagination gives you almost a better story before we find out this twisted family’s dark secret. Mia Wasikowska is one-noted and difficult to read as India, a troubled teen whose father has just died. However, Mia’s roles don’t usually disappoint. Nicole Kidman is ice cold as India’s mother Evie. Nicole, I love you, but please lay off the Botox.

Wentworth Miller of "Prison Break's" first screenplay has nothing to do with Bram Stoker or “Dracula.” Unless you consider the dysfunctional and disturbed family that lives in a Gothic mansion, and the pale protagonist with jet black hair. The introduction is inventive – credits are knocked over by tennis balls and wisp away with the wind. The film is saturated with beautiful and startling imagery, like hair turning into long blades of grass. Not only is it visually stunning, the story keeps you on your toes.

We meet India on the day of her father’s funeral. We have to wonder if his death caused her depression, or if she was always a bit dark. Probably the latter. Her Uncle Charlie moves in and seduces Evie, who is not a good mother, though we should consider the distant daughter she had to deal with. There are layers of emotion in Evie’s scenes with India, and a few times, the film is taken to a whole new level of disturbing.

Family bonds are tested in flashbacks with Dermot Mulroney as India’s father, and Jacki Weaver as India’s Great Aunt. As Uncle Charlie, Matthew Goode lures you in, though we immediately know something is off. The ending is ambiguous – we’re left wanting closure and an explanation; instead, it just leaves you with a furrowed brow and several questions.

The monumental house, drab costumes and eerie music give you a weird feeling in your stomach the entire time. Ending credits roll in reverse, representative of the backwardness of the movie. Wentworth Miller has come a long way since Prison Break. He has definitely tapped into a new calling. Go see this if you’re into dark films, but you might be a bit creeped out if you watch it alone.

Jeffrey Adams on Fourth

What used to be one of my favorite restaurants in Winston-Salem is now Jeffrey Adams on Fourth. Noma held the coveted spot at the corner of Marshall and 4^th Streets for 3 years until a dwindling business came to a halt. Adams brings pretty good food to the still-cool atmosphere, and it has proven to be the right place to go if you want a killer steak for a reasonable price. It’s run by expert management and an experienced chef, though the too-frequent checkbacks brings down service points.

Co-owner Jeffrey Bassett and General Manager Adam Andrews partnered together for Winston-Salem's beloved Fourth Street Filling Station. The pair swooped up Christopher Fulk, Executive Chef of what used to be Christopher’s Global Cuisine - a wise decision. Fulk's knowledge of ingredients and time in the kitchen is evident. The extensive wine list impressed me, but I was sold on the Cranberry Mojito. Pops of tartness from real cranberries balance out the sweetness of the cranberry juice, simple syrup and fresh mint. I appreciated this inventive take on a classic. Warm yeast rolls are served with herb butter, and it's difficult to have just one.

Pumpkin Ravioli is coated in a Goat Cheese Cream Sauce, with Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Dried Cranberries and a sprinkling of Nutmeg. I added Grilled Shrimp to the dish, to add a bit of sustenance - delicious, but not entirely necessary. The nutmeg is just enough to complement but not overpower the pumpkin. The tanginess of the goat cheese is mirrored in the cranberries, and this is a wonderful combination of seasonal flavors.

The steaks here are money, as in, they ROCK. But ironically, don’t cost a lot. New York Strip, Cowboy Rib Eye, Filets (4 or 8 ounces) and something fun called a Candy Bar Sirloin are your selections. (For those of you keeping tabs, the Candy Bar Sirloin is named that for its shape.) With my 4 ounce filet, perfectly seasoned, I had my choice of two sides. Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese leaves a little something to be desired, but perhaps that’s just because I’m partial to my mom’s recipe. (Seriously, it’s the best.) I searched for the smokiness, and I’m not a fan of macaroni and cheese that feature breadcrumbs on top. Green Beans are a boring side, so go with the Garlic Spinach instead. The kicker for the steaks are the sauces and toppings. Sauteed Port Mushrooms and Onions are outstanding. The saltiness enhances the flavor of the meat, and the glaze drips down the sides.

Jeffrey Adams is on the right track. They definitely have the best location in downtown; now it’s just a matter of keeping consistently good food coming out of the kitchen.

Noble's Grille

I first went to Noble’s Grille in high school when a good friend was the hostess, and I enjoyed many a Caesar Salad, thanks to my babysitting money and immature palate. My most recent visit ten years later secured it as one of the best restaurants I’ve been to as a “grown-up.” The long, wooden bar and open view of the kitchen invites you in, and believe me, you’ll want to stay a while.

A 2010 Terrazas Argentinian Malbec was a great precursor to the evening. Tablemates chose Absolut Martinis and Bombay Sapphire G&Ts. It was a fun night. Sliced Italian Bread is served with high-quality Olive Oil, and Balsamic Vinegar was served alongside upon request. I like a little salt and acid with my oil. Fried Duck Wings, a nightly special, sounded better than the actual execution of the dish. What was called a Spicy Chili Aioli tasted like mayonnaise, and the duck wings were too moist inside the overly-salty breading mixture.

The Fried Oyster Salad presents eight beautiful Fried Oysters on a bed of greens with Bacon, Egg, Roasted Red Peppers and raindrop-shaped “puddles” of Balsamic Vinaigrette. The fried oysters blew the fried duck wings out of the water. The not-too-heavy crunchy coating is a perfect match to the fresh oysters, and the balsamic gives it a nice tang.

Cast Iron Scallops are perfection, and the sides that come with it round out the dish beautifully. Two plump Scallops (three if you order the larger portion, which I thought was a bit odd) lay on a bed of Wilted Spinach, Cubed Sweet Potatoes, Roasted Corn Nage (sauce), Toasted Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and house-made Chorizo, which took it over the top. The smoky, salty richness of the meat highlighted the slight sweetness of the scallops. I am enamored with this dish.

Pan Seared N.C. Flounder has a fun Southwestern flair. Gold Rice, House Andouille, Blistered Red Peppers and Smoked Tomato Nage infuse the flounder with striking flavors. The fish tasted like it was encrusted with homemade salty tortilla chips, which was awesome. The 14-ounce New York Strip is Hickory Grilled, served with Sweet Potato Puree, Broccoli and topped with a killer Shallot Thyme Butter. The salty crust on the steak and herbed butter are a succulent combination. The steak was tender, a perfect medium rare.

In the battle of the steaks, the Cast Iron Filet Mignon surprisingly comes in second. Served with a Yukon Gold Puree, Wood Roasted Vegetables and Bordelaise, the steak had a wonderful crust, but was cooked a little longer and therefore wasn’t as tender.

How could I possibly have room for dessert, you wonder? I have 28 sweet tooths. Coconut Cake has a pound cake-like texture, topped with Buttercream Frosting (a bit lacking if you ask me), Chantilly Cream and Toasted Coconut. Perhaps my taste buds were numb, but it left a little something to be desired. A pinch of salt may have brought the dish together.

Vanilla Crème Brulee is rich, with a tasty, crunchy, burnt sugar topping. It came with a dollop of Chantilly Cream, but fruit would have been nice for a little acidity and texture. The Caramel Cake was my favorite of the desserts. Caramel Sauce, Homeland Creamery Butter Pecan Ice Cream and Candied Pecans are a wonderful supporting cast, but the Brown Sugar Frosting was the star of the show. I gave up ice cream for Lent, but I imagine it was a wonderful addition.

Chef Jim Noble is the owner of 4 restaurants, located throughout Charlotte and Winston-Salem. The man knows what he’s doing. I was thoroughly impressed with the quality of the food, though a bit more attention to detail would have made it impeccable.

Easy A

Starring: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Lisa Kudrow, Patricia Clarkson, Stanley Tucci.
Director: Will Gluck
Running time: 92 minutes
Rating: PG-13

When Emma Stone received a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “Easy A,” I regretted not seeing it in theatres. Now that she’s all over Hollywood, I decided to hop on over to Blockbuster (YES, I’M THE ONLY ONE KEEPING THEM IN BUSINESS) and check it out. In the film, Stone plays an accessible and relatable teenager who uses social media to prove she isn’t a slut.

The concept was fresh, though a bit silly: the heroine accepts bribes from bottom-of-the-totem pole boys at her high school to spread rumors that she’s slept with them. This in turn boosts both the boys’ and her reputation. Sounds like a win-win! The boys pay her with gift certificates, which start pouring in, until one “customer” gives her a 10% off coupon to Bath & Body Works and she realizes, for more reason than one, that this façade is no longer worth it. She decides to come clean to the school (and the world) via YouTube, and tells her side of the story.

Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson lend their brilliance to this film and shine as they did in “The Lovely Bones,” and “Friends with Benefits,” respectively. (Note: Tucci does not play a child molester in this film, but Clarkson once again plays a liberal, hippie mom – she does this effortlessly.)

The strong supporting cast is further backed by Lisa Kudrow as a high school guidance counselor who is having an affair with a yummy Cam Gigandet. Kudrow’s moment of realizing the implications of this affair is a great display of her dramatic acting chops, which we rarely get to see, due in part to her eternal connection to Friends’ Phoebe Buffay.

Amanda Bynes steers away from her usual slapstick, wiseass comedy to play a devout Christian worried for Stone’s reputation. Bynes is better than this role. Penn Badgley is Stone’s love interest in the film, who sticks by her side instead of being repulsed by her actions. Badgley plays the nice guy well, similarly to his character on “Gossip Girl,” (RIP) but without Dan Humphrey’s hipster flair.

“Easy A” makes for a fun girls’ night in. With this many big names attached, you know you’re in for a treat.

Undercurrent

Undercurrent has been a Greensboro favorite for years. Sheer curtains that drape ethereally over the walls, a romantic bar with hardwood floors and upscale "farmer’s market" cuisine make for a vastly enjoyable evening. I really appreciate when places offer small plates, especially smaller servings of entrees. This allows you to try more things without filling up too quickly, or dropping too much cash. After sharing three small plates, I definitely got my fill, and my wallet wasn’t too sore either.

Winos, be warned: you will adore the huge selection. I opted for a 2010 Decero Malbec from Mendoza, with ample berry notes present. Two styles of bread are presented, and I preferred the wheat – there was a cheesy element I couldn’t place! – to the crusty Italian. A bottle of olive oil, a dish of whipped butter and a bowl of parmesan shreds are served alongside the bread. What I thought was a random trio turned out to be a pretty irresistible combination.

Vegetable Napoleon stacks Herbed Phyllo with Butternut Squash Medallions, Smoked Onions and Brie, and is topped with a whimsical Arugula Salad that’s dressed with a Sea Salt-Honey Glaze. The salty and sweet balance is perfection. The brie melts beautifully on top of the butternut squash, and the herbed phyllo provides nice flavor and crunch. I wish this had been stacked to the ceiling.


The small version of the Grilled Carolina Rainbow Trout is plenty. Approximately 6 ounces of trout lays on a substantial bed of Ricotta Gnocchi, Kale, Roasted Butternut Squash and White Balsamic Aioli. Thankfully, the gnocchi didn’t disintegrate, as it tends to when made with ricotta, and the white balsamic aioli is the kicker here. Much like mayo, but tangier, this was a wonderful match to the Parsley-Sunflower Seed Pesto that was drizzled on top. I enjoyed the epicurean flavors here.

Shrimp and Bacon Tart is an appetizer special that I would eat any time of day. This was much like a quiche, but lighter and airier with a buttery crust. Greens are dressed with an almost too-sweet pomegranate vinaigrette, though it provided a necessary acidity.

Head to Undercurrent to share some small plates, or save up for one of their delicious-sounding entrée features. It's a spot to take your parents when they come visit, a second date, or a treat with your friends.