Today was a long and wonderful day! The drive was less stressful and filled with wonderful discoveries.The shoreline of Lake Superior was very accessible and we arrived early enough in Marquette to spend time discovering some of what the town has to offer.
Here are some photos hot off the press.
Our first stop was the charming town of Manistique.
The open air museum includes the original water tower dating to the mid 1800s.An original homestead was reconstructed on the museum property.The best coffee in Manistique! The Cedae Street Cafe.One of our favorite discoveries.
Our next stop was Horseshoe Falls just outside of the charming town of Munising, Michigan.
Spring fed year round.Happy chubby Koi waiting for handouts in the pond.A real meteor from before the ice age. Very cool!
Our next stop was the nearby town of Munising. It’s perfect for a mid day break, shopping, lunch or an afternoon cruise on the lake. No surprise we chose lunch!
Don’t let the simple exterior fool you. This is family owned and operated eatery delivers incredible food.Check out this menu. Everything we tasted was delicious and authentic.Tacos came with beans and rice, a variety of condiments and beverages. High quality at affordable prices!
The highlight of the day was our drive along the Lake Superior Coast. So many jaw dropping stops. Here is a sampling.
Living in the crowded metropolitan area of San Francisco for over three decades, we have only recently discovered the comforting value of driving the back roads of less densely populated areas. In this case, a week long road trip to Northern Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northeastern Minnesota and then back to Metro Milwaukee. Today was leg 1 of our six day drive via rural back roads.
Day 1
Early this morning Mr. Bunny wants to know where we are going!Our newest favorite coffee house in Green Bay, WI.Home of the Green Bay Packers.Our choice for lunch, Hinterland Restaurant Green Bay.Jim, longtime friend Tara and John get caught up on family events over lunch.Delta County is home to our first night in the town of Escanaba, Michigan.A great example of a lighthouse on Lake Michigan and its history.
The following photos are a sample of beauty we enjoyed this afternoon in Escanaba, Michigan.
First, a big shout out to all those comments lately. We love them. Keep ’em coming!
Only two reviews this week. We are heading North for a road trip to explore Northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. (Post to follow).
J&J
Unfriended: Dark Web
Where to begin?! Credit monitoring and identity theft companies market services to protect people from “the dark web” but how much do we really know about it?
In this film a group of 20 somethings get together for a weekly “game night”. When one of the group “finds” a MacBook and takes it as his own only to discover the owner tracks the device once it’s turned on.
All hell breaks loose after that. Threats, intimidation, bullying, and much worse. Some of it not plausible, some of it terrifying if true. In writing this review, we discovered there are two different endings in release. We do not like spoilers so we will not disclose either ending on the chance someone decides to see this film.
Critics and audiences are mixed on this film. It’s rated R for some disturbing violence, language and sexual references. Its genre is listed as a Horror. It’s run time is 88 minutes.
Rating
Equalizer 2
We had forgotten the original Equalizer from 2014 was based on the TV series in the 1980s. (Oh my, don’t do the math.) We don’t remember much about the original except it was very good. Among Denzel Washington’s best work at the time.
It’s interesting from the get go. The story goes back in time a bit with clips that remind the viewer that Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) was a highly trained international operative. His world is rattled in the present when his long time associate and friend Susan is mysteriously murdered.
The cast is compact. Denzel Washington is the lead. Melissa Leo plays lifelong friend Susan. Bill Pullman plays Susan’s husband. Pedro Pascal and Jonathan Scarfe are excellent bad guys. 22 year old Ashton Sanders gives a noteworthy performance as the young neighbor.
Reviews were surprisingly tepid. 50% to 60% favorable. We thought it was much better than that. Our screening was packed. There were some children in attendance much to our surprise. (We feel this film is not appropriate for young viewers.) It is rated R for brutal violence, language and some drug content. It is listed as Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense. It runs 129 minutes.
First, it is set in an alternate universe in Oakland, CA where under employed telemarketers struggle to make sales that impact their paycheck. Suddenly Cassious Green, played by Kakeith Stanfield, is coached by Langston, played by Danny Glover, who teaches Cassious how to find his “white voice” when cold calling potential customers. Before long Cassious becomes a super star who is invited “upstairs” where the heavy hitters work.
The total cast is over 80 actors including most notably, Armie Hammer, Steve Yeun, Michael Sommers, Kate Berlant and Tessa Thompson.
Unfortunately, the film erodes into a bizarre place where excessive drug use and humans are transformed into minotaurs for sex. It goes way off target in our opinion.
Now fasten your seat belts…most critics gave this film great ratings!! Rotten Tomatoes scored it with 95% favorable. Metacritic and Common Sense Media both rated it with 80% favorable. Our rating below speaks for itself.
It’s rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content, graphic nudity and drug use. It’s listed as a Comedy, Science Fiction and Fantasy. Children should never see this film. And in our opinion, no one else should either..
Rating
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
Yes, the movie “pickins” are getting a bit thin. So why not catch a mindless cartoon for an hour or so, right?! We know the franchise from Sony Pictures can deliver quality animation and we know what to expect, right? Well…not as much as we thought.
Drac and his family decide to take a vacation on a Monster Cruise ship as an alternative to their own hotel. All goes well until Drac falls for the Ship’s Captain, Ericka. Soon, all goes wrong when Ericka’s Dad, Van Helsing, plans foul play…
Over 60 actors contribute voices to the characters. Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Jim Gaffigan, Joe Jonas, and Mel Brooks were among our favorites.
It’s rated PG for some action and rude humor. It’s listed as Animation, Comedy, Kids & Family. The run time is 97 minutes. It’s not a bad film. Let’s just say we have had better “vacations”!!
Rating
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
The original is a movie classic and the stage play is even more popular today than ever before. This rendition tweaks the concept quite a bit.
First it’s set in the future of the original. The daughter played by Amanda Seyfried, has completed the renovation of her Mom’s hotel and plans a huge Grand Opening event. As guests slowly gather, bad weather threatens to impede events.
It’s a great cast. Meryl Streep has a cameo appearance. Pierce Brosnan, Stellan Skarsgard, and Colin Firth round out the ‘Dad’ category. Julie Walters and Christine Baranski are fantastic in the ladies section. Cher headlines as the Great Grandmother.
We were surprised to see the critics and some audiences poo pooed the production. We felt it had just the right mix of connection to the original, a few twists to make it interesting and respect for the original story while still keeping it fresh.
It’s rated PG-13 for some suggestive material. Our theater was packed with an audience from adolescents to seniors. It’s listed as a Comedy, Musical and Performing Arts. Run time is 114 minutes.
We are often asked to share our favorite San Francisco restaurants and we finally stopped long enough to formalize a list.
One can always search the internet for the top 10 or 20 restaurants and that list will be sure to please, along with a hefty check.
We decided to share our “go to” places that are “Jim and John approved” without a painful withdrawal from your pocketbook. That said, bear in mind San Francisco has become one of the most expensive cities in the country.
Below are tried and true restaurant recommendations. We have been to all of them, mostly for lunch. And can highly recommend them all. Most are inexpensive by SF standards, but probably expensive by Omaha and Des Moines standards. 😎
Enjoy! J&J
San Tung. Chinese. 1031 Irving Street. Local place with the best Chinese chicken wings in the city. Near Golden Gate Park so lots of college kids go there for take out and then a picnic in the park. We eat in.
Marnee Thai. 1243 9th Avenue near Irving. Very good Thai. Near GG Park.
Naan and Curry. 642 Irving. Very good Indian has been around for years. Very local.
Nopalito. Mexican. 1224 9th Street. Across the street from Marnee Thai. Very gourmet, artisan Mexican. Very good. Not expensive.
(The above four restaurants can be easily reached by the N Judah Muni subway. Get off the train at 9th Avenue.)
Ton Kiang. 5821 Geary Blvd. Our favorite dim sum place and very good Hakka Chinese cuisine. Hakka is a region of China cuisine with very few US restaurants. We go Sunday mornings. But they are open all week all day.
Dragon Beaux. 5700 Geary Blvd. The current hot spot for Chinese, Mongolian BBQ and hot pot dishes. Also excellent dim sum. Popular with twenty-somethings. We are usually the oldest two in the place.
Hong Kong Lounge. 5322 Geary Blvd. Great dim sum and Chinese specialties. Like being in Hong Kong. Very popular and we are sometimes the only two non Asians in a very large place. Especially on weekends.
Akira Japanese Restaurant. 1634 Bush Street. One block from our house and we love it for lunch. Super sushi and teriyaki dishes. Very, very good.
Tea Leaf Salad
Burma Super Star. 309 Clement Street. Excellent Burmese food. Do not miss the tea leaf salad. Literally the best outside Burma. Open for lunch at 11:30.
Tia Margarita. 300 19th Avenue corner of Clement. Excellent Mexican. Old stand by for us been around years.
La Taqueria. 2889 Mission Street. Local place with excellent Mexican food. Consistently rated best burritos in the country and always a top 100 Bay Area restaurant. Very inexpensive. $15 for two. Lots of Central American clientele and menu items.
Old Jerusalem. 2966 Mission. We love this hole in the wall Palestinian place. Humus, kebabs, salads are excellent. Very inexpensive. $22 for two.
Steamed Pork Buns, Chicken salad.
OTD (Out the Door). 2232 Bush Street. Vietnamese. Open Table reservation recommended. We love this place. An easy 15 minute walk from our house. The best won ton noodle soup, steamed buns, chicken salad. Lots of other things. Really good. Their main restaurant, Slanted Door, has a Michelin Star and is in the ferry terminal. OTD is their much less expensive neighborhood joint.
Brenda’s French Soul Food. 652 Polk Street. Just past City Hall. Excellent soul food and very popular. They also have a less crowded place on Divisidero Street.
De Afhganan Kebob House. 1035 Geary Street between Van Ness and Polk. Afghanistan food. Great kebabs and salads and Afghan bread. We go there for lunch before a movie at the nearby AMC. Very inexpensive. $30 for two.
Bun Mee. 2015 Fillmore Street. Great Vietnamese sandwiches. On Fillmore Street which is a very nice upscale shopping/restaurant Street.
WoodHouse Fish Co. 1914 Fillmore. Very good clam chowder, fish and chips, shrimp filled steamed artichoke, etc.
La Mediterranee. 288 Noe at Market Street. Very good and inexpensive Lebanese food. They also have a location on Fillmore Street just past Sacramento Street.
Rose’s Cafe. 2298 Union Street at Steiner. In Cow Hollow neighborhood. Like walking into a Paris cafe. We go for breakfast, but open all day.
Chloe’s. 1399 Church Street. Our favorite breakfast place. Open only for breakfast and lunch. 8:00 to 3:00. The J Church streetcar stops in front. If you go tell TJ that Jim and John and say hello.
Delfina’s. 2406 California Street at Fillmore. Great pizza and other Italian specialties. We really enjoy this place.
Tony’s. 1570 Stockton Street at Washington Square in North Beach. Food Channel says this is the best pizza on the West Coast. Very, very good. In a fun neighborhood.
Near AT&T Ballpark:
21st Amendment. 563 2nd Street. Very good brew pub food and atmosphere. Three blocks from the ballpark. We recommend this place before or after a game.
Mo Mo’s. 760 2nd Street. Very popular and crowded on game days. Super California cuisine but not cheap. Bar area spills out onto the street on game days.
Mission Rock. 817 Terry A. Francois Blvd. south of the ballpark across the street from the under construction Warriors Stadium. Very popular outdoor deck over the bay with great views. Probably best to eat here for lunch on a non game day.
Two Highly Recommended Things to do:
If you go to Alcatraz book on line early and try for an evening tour.
Beach Blanket Babylon. A San Francisco institution and the longest running musical play in the country. This is a must! In North Beach on Green Street. Really not to be missed. They have a ticket office or book online. When the Queen of England was in town she went there! Very political and irreverent. Love it!
This is the second documentary about the life of Whitney Houston. It’s at the same time touching and heart breaking. It uses real footage including amazing performances and the dark erosion of one of the worlds best contemporary singing talents.
It’s also raw, insightful, haunting and tragic. As the film unfolds, Whitney is discovered and begins a meteoric career that plateaus as a superstar with her family, husband Bobby Brown and her childhood demons in tow.
The cast includes Whitney of course, her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, husband Bobby Brown, her mother Cissy Houston, Clive Davis, Robyn Crawford, Gary Houston, L.A. Reid, Mary Jones, Alan Jacobs and over 20 crew members.
We found the film riveting. Her performances are stunning. Her life story and family deeply flawed. We were surprised to see the film is not rated. We also feel the movie is absolutely not appropriate for children. Nonetheless we noticed many children in attendance with parents. The run time is 120 minutes.
Rating
Sanju
This is an interesting and unique film about an East Indian Actor Sanjay Dutt, his enormous success as well as his battle with numerous addictions, time in prison and behavioral demons.
The film was released globally a couple of weeks ago and was greeted with great success. If you have not seen Indian films, this would be a great first choice. There are 14 primary actors from a cast of 50. It is noteworthy that actor Ranbir Kapoor literally transformed himself into the character with extensive hours of hair and makeup. He also spent months of physical training to bulk up to better match the real life character.
It’s a classic Bollywood production. The acting is exaggerated, the language is primarily Hindi, the English subtitles fly across the screen, and the underlying messages are both locally and globally relevant.
It is not rated in the US. It is really a Biography/Drama. There is drug abuse, violence and sexually suggestive so we strongly caution parents that it is not child appropriate. The run time is 2 hours, 35 minutes.
Rating
Skyscraper
This is the latest Dwayne Johnson film. This time building consultant to the tallest building in the world. It is set in Hong Kong in the near future when the bad guys set the building on fire and extort money from the owner.
It is just different and fresh enough to be entertaining. It’s a unique plot, generally well acted with just the right mix of surprise and production features.
The cast is compact. Dwayne Johnson is, of course, the headliner. Neve Campbell plays the wife. Noah Taylor, Pablo Schreiber and Roland Moller are really good bad guys. American actor Ng Chin Han is the building owner and Byron Mann is the top policeman. The special effects are impressive.
It is rated PG-13 for gun violence, action and some strong language. The genre is noted as Action & Adventure, Drama. The run time is 103 minutes.
What a busy, crazy, wonderful, amazing, fabulous get together! We were 17 for the holiday and 25 for the 5th. There was so much love and laughter, perfect weather, tons of chatter, great food, libations and lots of memories.
Little Gracie and Amelia were the youngest and John’s folks were the oldest. We came from California, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Illinois and Wisconsin.
There was plenty of room on the lake (the water was warm and relatively calm). The boat was quite popular with the young and old alike. The back yard was busy with conversations and the house was a buzz until late at night.
Here are some of our favorite photos. Enjoy and let us know what you think!
Much love to all! J&J
Compliments of our neighbors.From our backyard.Niece Brianna and GracieUncles Jim and John with newbie Gracie.Left to right: Jen and Adam Rusniak, Andy Rusniak, William Charles, Kay Burns, Amelia and Sara Rusniak, Howard Burns, Jan and Reed RusniakMatthew and Jennifer maiden launch on the paddle boards!Sara, Amelia and Andy chilling.Lucy and Lily after tubing on the lake.Jen and Adam on a morning paddle.William riding the wake.Just another sunset at the lake.And to all a Good Night!
We are sending out the following two reviews because we will be traveling to Wisconsin starting tomorrow. Once we get settled, we’ll resume our movie reviews and travel posts as activities allow.
Our first week will be filled with family activities including our favorite…time with the two newest nieces, Gracie and Amelia. (They grow and change so fast, one must seize the moment as often as possible!)
We wish the best to everyone for a safe fun filled 4th of July. J&J
Leave No Trace
Wow! This is a powerful story about a father and daughter living “off the grid” in a rugged forest park outside Portland, Oregon.
When they are discovered by Park Police their simple life is replaced by a structured program meant as a path to “normal” living.
The film never really reveals what happened in their lives although we do learn the father appeared to be struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The daughter reveres her Dad, their bond is incredible.
The cast is compact. Thomasin McKenzie is exceptional as Caroline (daughter), Ben Foster is incredible as the Father, Will. Dale Dickey is awesome as the Landlady. Dana Millican is perfect as the Social Worker.
The film is rated PG for thematic material throughout. It is listed as a Drama. It may be okay for older children with some explanation. The run time is 109 minutes. We think this film could garner some Oscar nominations for acting, directing, screenplay. This is a good one, don’t miss it if it appeals to you.
Rating
Boundaries
This is a unique take on a “father, daughter, grandson” road trip story with more than a few twists.
First, all the characters are flawed, but the acting is above average. Next there are lots of stray animals just for dysfunction sake, but the critters are easily forgiven while the humans really need some serious help.
All that said, we enjoyed this film. It’s unique, mostly believable, well acted and doesn’t take itself too seriously. There are some surprisingly funny scenes and a mostly nice road trip.
Vera Farmiga is hilarious as the Mom. Lewis MacDougall is perfect as the son. Christopher Plummer is amazing as the Father/Grandfather. Bobby Cannavale is excellent as the ex-husband and Kristen Schaal is adorable as the sister.
It’s rated R for drug material, language, and some sexual references along with a few nude sketches. It’s called a Comedy/Drama and runs 104 minutes.
Hi Everyone! It’s been an interesting week for movies. There’s been a lull in new releases so this week we decided to explore a couple of new movies released from China.
It was an interesting experience. One in Cantonese, and one in Mandarin, both with English subtitles. The challenge was to speed read the subtitles and pay attention to the visuals at the same time. That is easier said than done. Worth a look if you find them in your area.
J&J
Vivienne Westwood is one of Britain’s iconic fashion designers. This film chronicles her rise to celebrity status and her life and career as a global couture brand.
Ms. Westwood’s conversations range from the Sex Pistols, her resistance to the film’s content, her 26 year marriage to husband Andreas Kronthaler, and a roller coaster journey from near bankruptcy to global success.
The film drifts from a focus on fashion and design to a passion for environmental activism and ultimately her mixed feelings about her own legacy. It is interesting, somewhat confusing, revealing and insightful about the life and times of this unique personality.
The film is not rated, It is listed as a Documentary running 80 minutes. It is currently in limited release.
Rating
Lobster Cop
It’s an odd mix. Four police officers open a lobster restaurant as a cover to catch nearby drug dealers. Much to their surprise their lobster recipe, which includes 13 spices, becomes a huge success.
It’s heavy on the slap stick, quite gritty but funny. The cops are more like the three stooges than police officers. The production is hit and mostly miss.
There are only seven actors in the film, none known to the international market. The film is not rated in the U.S. The genre is Action & Adventure, Comedy. The run time is 94 minutes. Mandarin with English subtitles.
Rating
The Leakers
This action/crime themed film is set in Malaysia. A new infectious disease out break threatens death to millions of people until a vaccine is developed and released by a local pharmaceutical company.
The pharmaceutical Chairman of the Board’s son turns up dead. A reporter and police from Hong Kong and Malaysia start a man hunt for the killer. Along the way a group called the “Leakers” claim to know the “dark truth” behind the scenes.
The story is interesting with lots of twists and lots of action. The production quality is world class. The acting is good with occasional goofy moments.
It’s listed as a thriller. The run time is 1 hour 40 minutes. Cantonese with English subtitles.
