Make no mistake about it - Mel Gibson’s Apocalypto is a snuff flick from beginning to end. The movie begins with the brutal hunt and slaying of a wild pig and continues the blood letting up until the very end. With that said, Mel Gibson does a great job, just as he did with Passion of the Christ, of creating realistic cinema about ancient times, ancient cultures and distant lands. No one does it better.

Mel Gibsons fixation with over-the-top expressions of brutality are no less evident in this film as they were in The Passion but just as in The Passion the entire story comes off entirely realistic and believable. Truth be told, Mel probably overplays the ‘joy’ and underplays the brutality, but I’m not sure most will appreciate his efforts to make the story palatable.

Fundamentally Apocalypto is the best “Rocky” movie you will ever see. Its the story of a small tribe of indigenous south americans who are over-run by a “modern”, organized military machine (remind you of any one?) and then sold into slavery and sacraficed at the alter.

Essentially one character (our hero/Jesus figure) after being injured, manages to make it into the forest where a hunting party chases him on his way back to help his wife and child who he has hidden. This is where the story gets interesting but unfortunately its only in the last 3rd of the movie do things go from chillingly grotesque to exciting.

I give this movie 3 out of 4 stars - mainly because Mel does such a great job of recreating a setting and his hero is truly admirable. There are lots of socio-political overtones in this movie that are valid even today but I’m sure I will have to see it one or two more times to grasp them all.

If you have a stomach for Mel Gibsons sense of reality and mythology then I think you will find this movie engaging and entertaining. If you are, however, looking for a pleasant Saturday afternoon at the movies, you may want to choose something different.

Read Slate’s Review Here:

http://www.slate.com/id/2155107/fr/rss/

Put Some Style on Your Christmas Wish List

With just a few weeks to go before Christmas I’m sure you are finding yourself dressing up more and more for the many Holiday parties and family events going on. To add to the shopping time crunch, it’s coming down to the wire in terms of last minutes gifts.

With a mega mall on the west side and newly constructed outdoor behemoth on the east there is certainly no shortage of places to blow your cash on a gift of fashion for yourself or others. However the real question is just how special a fashion gift are you looking for?

The Fashion Experience

To help you answer that question, I spent some quality time with Chris Corley, general manager, of MP/Two Urban Fashion Experience on North Jefferson Street. MP/Two specializes in men’s fine fashions, sportwear, accessories and other fashion forward garments for men and women.

If you are even thinking about comparing mall stores to a boutique like MP/Two, STOP! Chris will tell you that the distinctive selection, quality, experience and relationship you build at a boutique is more valuable than what you can get at a mall. “I have a list of clients that includes NBA players, bartenders and office workers alike and they all love it here,” says Chris. “We have fashion for everybody, and a great attitude about helping people express their personal style.”

When it comes to looking good for Holiday events, MP/Two is the place to go. Chris has spent over 10 years honing his fashion skills as a personal shopper and store manager in the upscale department stores and fashion boutiques of Minneapolis. His love for dressing people is evident. I watch in amazement as he whips together outfits that go from the front of the office to back of the club as quick as you can punch the clock. Being well dressed, Chris says, is in the details. Not only do you need the jeans, shirt, blazer and the shoes, but he points out that the belt, socks and tie are what really make the clothes match the man.

Chris’s skills don’t stop there. He is not only a professional in men’s wear, but he outfits Milwaukee’s beautiful ladies as well. MP/Two offers a full line of women’s wear. Boasting designer brands like 575, Splendid, Parasuco and Joe’s Jeans in the women’s department, MP/Two leaves no curve unfitted or nape un-collared. “Women’s clothes is where fashion really shines,” says Chris. “We have custom selections of top brands that really accentuate a woman’s features. And really, the clothes are all about accenting what your body already does well.”

What’s Hot This Season

So we know Chris Corley is the man to see, so let’s talk about some must-haves and great gifts for the holiday season.

The number one hot thing right now for ladies, according to Chris, is the 80’s inspired “cigarette jean.” This is a pair of jeans that are cut very skinny and has a straight leg. To keep the 80’s look going, Chris says to pair them with a long blouse, a waist belt and some heels. “Don’t be afraid of color, right now reds, yellows, bright blues, stripes and light fade denims are in, even though it is winter.”

For men, good fitting denim is always in. Chris says put your man in a good pair of jeans and a classic striped shirt. And then make him tuck it in. If you’re going for a more sophisticated look, then go with slacks, brown or black, a cashmere V-neck with shirt and tie underneath. Good Looking, clean shoes are the key to sophistication. This is a very good look for those semi formal office parties and family dinners.

Some other hot items for men are anything from the Jhane Barnes’ collection. “Jhane’s clothes are so funky and cool,” says Chris, “They really embody what urban fashion is.” Another good item is a new wallet. Get him to ditch that thick tri-fold card and cash holder for something a little more avantguard. The Leather Island brand is retro Rock & Roll and offers paper-thin no fold wallets that are hand designed by Bill Lavin. All Leather Island items feature one of a kind colorful artistic impressions.

Also, Chris says, consider an embroidered fitted Tee as a gift. “This is the kind of item a guy who wants to be noticed will wear. It is very much what the beautiful people want,” he says jokingly. MP/Two carries an embroidered long sleeve Tee from Dulce Leche that makes you never want to wear anything else.

Gifts for Others

To round out your gift shopping needs, MP/Two also has a wide selection of cufflinks, ties, bow ties, socks, belts, watches and sunglasses all starting around $50. There is even an awesome all-inclusive shaving kit for men called About Face. It comes in a military inspired carrying case and it rings in under $50.

In my opinion, one of the best items in the store is the Canali cologne. It smells like a blend of perfection and sexy.

50 ml’s is $45 and 100ml’s goes for $60, both are almost a five-finger-discount type deal when it comes to cologne prices these days.

Stop into MP/Two and see Chris anytime, he is a joy to talk to and when you leave the store you will be looking good. Ladies (and single guys) make sure you check out MP/Two’s Ladies Night on December 15 from 5-10pm, ladies will receive 15% off your purchases and in true downtown style, there are cocktails available for guests 21 and over. The night also features the Uneek Jewelry collection.

MP/Two
825 N. Jefferson Street
http://www.myspace.com/mptwoexperience

Written by Jack Roman

Complete Photo Gallery

It was a freezing cold night on December 2^nd as my wife and I walked into the Mad Planet in Milwaukee. The headliner was Marcella, a group we’d seen before and enjoyed greatly. I hadn’t checked on the openers to find out what to expect, but I’m glad I didn’t, because my expectations were completely blown away.

The night started with an incredible band from Appleton called Sunday Flood. This band is heavy, passionate, and intense. Sunday Flood has the rhythmic complexity of Tool, with odd time signatures and intricate drumming, but with a melodic sound all their own. From the very first song, I was hooked. My foot was tapping, my head was bopping, and my lips were smiling. Each member brought incredible talent and voice to the band. The singer part sang and part screamed, giving emotional intensity to the already physically intense riffs. The bass player had the gain cranked, while still retaining both melodic and rhythmic importance in the band. The guitars drove the songs forward in a roller-coaster ride of dynamic hard rock.

Find out More About Sunday Flood and Listen to Tracks at:

http://myspace.com/sundayflood

The second band was another one for complex musical tastes. Self-Evident, from Minneapolis, was as intense and rhythmically complicated as Sunday Flood, but in a different way. As a jazz enthusiast, I can always spot a metal band that has dabbled in the genre, and Self-Evident definitely has a jazz flair to their music. They use intricate rhythms and staccato riffs filled with full jazz chords and dissonance that would get Thelonious Monk bopping his head and spinning, while still retaining a rock and roll edge to the music, making the band completely unique and original.

Find out More about Self Evident and Listen to Tracks at:

http://myspace.com/selfevident
http://www.self-evident.net

The final band was Marcella, which rounded out the evening very nicely, giving us a laid back sound that felt calming at the end of the night. Marcella is a female fronted rock group with dynamic tunes and tight musicianship. The singer/pianist gives the music a sultry, playful edge that commands the attention of the audience, while the guitarist on the other side of the stage dabbles in different effects and ways of playing that gives the music more atmosphere and modernity. The rhythm section creates a swinging bluesy feel that lures in everyone else who hasn’t already succumbed to the music.

This was one of the best local concerts I’ve been to in quite a while. It was one of those rare nights where each band left me wanting more. You can check out all three bands on their Myspace pages.

Find out More About Marcella and Listen to Tracks at:

http://www.myspace.com/marcellamusic
http://www.marcellamusic.com

Written by Andy Zupke
http://www.myspace.com/bigandybassplayer

Monsoon’s rich and detailed atmosphere is what my guests and I first noticed when we stepped inside. It is a bit surprising to find a place like Monsoon in the Cathedral Square area. Sure there is some ethnic flavor nearby but most tend to have an ‘Americana’ feel to them. Not Monsoon. I immediately felt like I was transported to a different country and it was a nice sensation.

The next thing I noticed was the attention to detail which I find is often overlooked in many other places I frequent. The wall hangings, the statues and wood all add to the deep, rich, Asian atmosphere.

My guests and I tried several delicious appetizers including the Chicken Lettuce Wrap ($8) and the Calimari ($9) and we weren’t left disappointed. The Chicken Lettuce Wrap immediately became my favorite. It’s marinated in a sweet hoisan sauce and is presented with leaves from a head of lettuce - I loved it and have returned since to order it again.

Calimari at many places is simply calimari. I’m sure you’ve tried it and know what I’m talking about, but at Monsoon I think you’ll find it to be a different experience. First, it’s seasoned with salt and pepper which really sets off the Calimari. It is then presented with a spicy Thai sauce that adds to an already great taste. It’s better here than anywhere else that I’ve had it. Definitely worth giving it a try.

A word of advice - The portions of the appetizers are very generous so plan your dining experience accordingly. You can surely order a few appetizers and share them among friends and feel satisfied.

Dinners range between $13 and $19. We ordered the Cashew Chicken, the Kung Pao Chicken and the Teriyaki Tenderloin (pictured below). I ordered the tenderloin to be cooked medium and that’s exactly how it came out - medium. I’m always a bit skeptical if the chef can get it right but fortunately I wasn’t let down.

My favorite dish so far is the Kung Pao Chicken which is incredibly flavorful. Monsoon’s ‘fusion’ displays itself in the sauces they use to complement each meal. Sweet, spicy, thick and rich, each of the dishes has a distinct flair to it which made the experience vastly different from standard Asia fare.

The Cashew Chicken (pictured below) came off a bit spicy for my taste and I think in the future I will ask them to tone this dish down a bit.

The last item we tasted was the Crunchy Tuna Roll. Sushi? Chinese? Asian? I was surprised to see an extensive maki menu at Monsoon and wanted to give it a try. The maki didnt arrive with soy, wasabi, and ginger as I would have preferred but upon request they promptly delivered my training wheels and the sushi rivaled even the most focused of sushi establishments. The only unfortunate part of the experience was that by this time I was so incredibly stuffed that I pretty much had to go home and sleep it off.

I don’t recommend gorging yourself the way my party did, however, if you intend to go out and eat some great food with a tasty pizazz I highly recommend the food and the atmosphere at Monsoon.

– Edit –

Since the writing of this review the Cathedral Square location has been closed but is still serving at their Brookfield location:

BROOKFIELD, WI
17800 W. Bluemound Road
Phone: 262-782-SAKE Fax: 262-782-8844 (Wok-side)
Located between Calhoun Road & Brookfield Road.
Sunday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm