Matt Reviews Stuff

Matt Reviews Bacchus’ Spring ’12 Vegetarian Dinner

I rarely (read: never) have the opportunity to take advantage of true fine dining. First, of course, because it is cost-prohibitive, but just as importantly, because fine dining restaurants tend not to offer much in the way of vegetarian fare. So when a friend who works at Bacchus, the flagship of the Bartolotta fleet, let … Continue reading »

Matt Reviews “This Is Not a Film”

This Is Not a Film (or In Film Nist in Persian) is a 2011 documentary film (!) by Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi. In December 2010, Panahi was arrested for making a film that had not been approved by the government, and was given a six-year house arrest sentence, as well as a twenty year ban on … Continue reading »

Matt Reviews “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”

When I first viewed the trailer for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, I pretty much wrote it off. It looked like a relatively lazy recycling of tired clichés taken from other feel-good films about life, love, and coming to terms with something-or-other. I’m also usually wary of films with such over-hyped all-star casts. However, I’m … Continue reading »

Matt Reviews “The Pirates! Band of Misfits”

This never would have been my first choice of film to see. However, Steph had a Groupon for movie theater tickets that was expiring the next day, and this was the best available option. I have nothing against kids’ movies, and I do enjoy claymation, so off we went. The Pirates! Band of Misfits is about … Continue reading »

Matt’s Top Ten Chrome Extensions

There’s no hiding it: I am a huge fan of Google Chrome. And I’m not shy about it. If I see you using Firefox (or god forbid, Internet Explorer), I’ll probably say something. One of the many things that I love about Chrome are the fantastic extensions. So as a public service, and in no … Continue reading »

Matt Reviews “Pandora’s Box”

Pandora’s Box (or Die Büchse der Pandora) is a 1929 German silent film directed by G.W. Pabst. As I mentioned in my review of The Artist, my experience with silent film is extremely limited, essentially consisting of Mel Brooks’ Silent Movie, a handful of Chaplin shorts, and now The Artist. Thus, this was my first experience with a … Continue reading »

Matt Reviews “A Labor of Love”

Without a doubt, A Labor of Love was the most uncomfortable film that I saw at the Wisconsin Film Fest, and sandwiched as I was between two older people that I did not know, it was one of the most uncomfortable screenings I’ve sat through ever. You’ll soon see why. A Labor of Love is a … Continue reading »

Downtown Dining Week 2012: The Vegetarian Menus

The restaurants and menus for Downtown Dining Week 2012 were released today. For the uninitiated, Downtown Dining Week is when over forty downtown Milwaukee restaurants offer three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at a deeply reduced rate ($10 for lunch and $20 or $30 for dinner). It’s a fantastic way to try out some new … Continue reading »

Matt Reviews “Mr. Cao Goes to Washington”

Mr. Cao Goes to Washington is a documentary about Joseph Cao, the first Vietnamese American elected to congress. After originally studying to be a Roman Catholic priest and later becoming an immigration attorney, Cao ultimately decided that he could have more of a positive impact in politics. Cao ran for US Representative of his district in … Continue reading »