peijeantsai

Comments by peijeantsai

Paul Blart: Mall Cop

With funnyman Adam Sandler's name attached to this, you really hope Paul Blart: Mall Cop will make you laugh so hard, that the pleasure of watching it will make up for the guilt of enjoying such a dumb comedy. Unfortunately, the film falls just short of hilarity, as Kevin James (hilarious in TV's "King of Queens" and "Hitch") delivers an unexpectedly flat performance as Blart, a shopping mall guard who dreams of state trooperhood, so much so that he tries to ticket a scooter-bound elderly man for reckless driving. The first twenty minutes crawls -- like a Saturday Night Live sketch gone on too long -- as the film slowly portrays a lonely middle-aged single dad, riding a single joke that isn't that funny to begin with and which gets old very fast (haha, he's a fat middle-aged mall cop, haha, we get it -- now what?). James plays the character so stoically as to be safe. The film is only truly funny when it takes comic risks with its knocks on illegal immigration and Internet shopping. But the film quickly saves itself with a sudden turn to plot over character development. A gang of thugs takes over the mall, forcing everyone out except a handful of hostages while the robbers sweep the stores for credit card codes. With his segway in tow, Blart, the only mall cop inside, then takes them down one by one, including the leader (hilarious played by Keir O'Donnell, who played Rachel McAdam's the gay artist brother in "Wedding Crashers"). The rest of the film actually executes pretty smoothly, making it a solid rental that won't disappoint Kevin James fans or those who just want a light comedy that actually works. Still, there are much funnier movies than this.
— October 7, 2009 5:42 p.m.

Car Crime

PistolPete, since it's become a problem area, Stoney Peak Drive in Carmel Mountain is actually on the list of 23 streets throughout San Diego that are included in new ban. Here is a complete list of all the streets that will be affected: STREET BEGINNING LIMIT TO ENDING LIMIT Midway Drive 2300 Barnett Avenue to 3600 Sports Arena Blvd. Rosecrans Street 1100 Canon Street to 3630 Camino del Rio West Sports Arena Boulevard 2400 Pacific Hwy. to 3900 Midway Drive 33rd Street 4300 Meade Avenue to 4399 El Cajon Boulevard Adams Avenue 3100 Boundary Street to 3159 West Mountain View El Cajon Boulevard 3150 Iowa Street to 3299 33rd Street Home Avenue Interstate 805 to 4699 Home Avenue (East Limit) Meade Avenue 3174 Boundary Avenue to 3200 32nd Street University Avenue 4300 43rd Street to 4399 44th Street Wightman Street 3500 35th Street to 3999 40th Street Euclid Avenue 2000 Elm Street to 2000 54th Street Cardiff 8400 Jamacha to 8500 San Felipe Logan Avenue 35th Street to 36th Street Home Avenue 4400 Fairmount to 4500 45th Street Bernardo Center Drive 15500 Camino Crisalida to 17749 West Bernardo Road Paseo Lucido 11800 Bernardo Hghts Pkwy (W) to 12700 Bernardo Hghts Pkwy (E) Rancho Bernardo Road 11900 Bernardo Center Drive to 12300 Bernardo Oaks Drive Stoney Peak Drive 11700 Carmel Mountain Road to 11800 World Trade Drive Boyd Avenue 3100 Acworth Avenue to 3750 Genesee Avenue Clairemont Dr. (north side) Interstate 5 to 2600 Denver Street Convoy Street 3800 Ostrow Street to 4100 Othello Avenue Moraga Avenue (west side) 3700 Balboa Avenue to 3800 Cadden Drive Morena Boulevard 4000 Avati Drive to 4799 Jutland Street
— August 30, 2009 2:50 p.m.

Shanghai City Restaurant

Shanghai City is one of the best-kept secrets among San Diego's Chinese community (immigrant and American-born), but anyone who enjoys authentic Chinese food served in an inviting Asian-decorated atmosphere (just look at the elaborate ceilings here) should try out this treasure. Greasy, cheap takeout -- this is NOT. Located in a Convoy Street strip mall, the restaurant specializes in Shanghai cuisine, such as "xiao lung bao" (small dragon dumplings), housemade medallion-shaped pork-and-cabbage dumplings filled with soup in every bite. The "guoc tie" (fried potstickers) outshine the competition at the more popular Dumpling Inn. Beyond appetizers, the entrees offer large portions for around $9 to $14. The steamed or dry-braised "longli" fish are unforgettable, as are the hot clay pot stews, which arrive bubbling hot on your table. Get in after 9 p.m. and a special late-night menu offers smaller portions of select dishes for as little as $5.95, an incredible value. Try the tomato-sauce cod slices, or the "si zi tou" (lion's head), vaguely listed as "meatballs in brown sauce." The sauce is fragrant and rich; the meat, tender and slow-cooked. Though their flavorful, quality dishes alone are worth the trip, their service is also much better than most Chinese restaurants. I promise you will return again and again and again.
— January 17, 2009 3:20 p.m.

W.

Looking for cheap shots at #43? TV commercials paint "W." as a comedy with clips such as Bush's infamous remark, "Is are children learning?" But if you're a liberal looking for one last jab at the outgoing commander-in-chief, you might be disappointed with Oliver Stone's touching biopic of the now lame-duck president. The film is sympathetic but not outright endearing toward George W. Bush, a simple-minded Texan with a love for baseball and partying, thrust into politics through his desperate need to please his demanding father. It's a lifelong losing battle young men can identify with, and Josh Brolin, in the title role, effortlessly portrays this pain beyond his dead-on impersonation of the President. Well made and immensely entertaining, this is more of a portrait/character film than a political film. Stone, however, does delve into Bush's presidency and criticizes the decision to start the Iraq war. (Here, Colin Powell comes out as the sole voice of reason, and is ultimately the fall guy for the administration's mistakes.) Though the likeness is slim, James Cromwell is fantastic as Bush Sr., the forever dissatisfied father. Richard Dreyfuss' performance as Cheney is as downright scary as the real Imperialist warmonger himself.
— November 6, 2008 11:04 p.m.