Patrice was our guide and took us through a wondrous tour of the underwater cave world of Dos Ojos Centote. We experienced that rush of real discovery and felt both completely safe and truly adventurous at that the same time. Best snorkeling tour I've ever done.

The definitive film on the life of Harvey Milk whose story takes on great meaning in today's divided society. The performances are truly outstanding and the film captures 70's San Francisco with a fresh yet realistic perspective that is unprecedented. This film will be nominated for an Academy Award and will win on the strength of the acting and storytelling and the incredible performances of Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, and Palo Alto's own James Franco.

Even by bay area standards this is a nice place to eat. Lots of tasty selections, brown rice and steamed rice, crab and local seafood, are offered as part of the buffet. Food is fresh and well prepared and they *do* serve alcohol :)

Fast, furious, and fun, it might seem surprising to give this five stars but it was pitch perfect. Hits on a lot of levels: as an entertaining movie, great London hip crime, character development, modern crime, etc. Casting is great, timing and pacing are very clean with knockout performances by Mark Strong and Gerard Butler. Highly recommended as long as you like psychotic crime drama.

Though it's not "Mystic River" or a giant vehicle for Angelina Jolie it is a very good film and satisfying as suspense crime drama. It's also works as a good period piece capturing some of the elements of depression era Los Angeles.

Like a blackout, drunken, haze, this film pulls the viewer along in a surreal blitz of W's life in politics. Centered on the Iraq War with a sequence of flashbacks tracing his rise to power the viewer is left with a montage of George W. Bush. Tremendous performances by the entire cast with Richard Dreyfus as Cheney an obvious choice for an Oscar nomination this year.

Saw Bernie Saunders on Bill Maher's Real Time last week and wow, he gave the clearest and strongest defense of democratic socialism that I've seen. Highly recommended -- if he's in your area, go see him!

Had the classic hot chocolate with espresso infused marshmallows -- out of this world, service could have been a bit faster, but understandable since it's a popular hangout. Not to be missed!

Good place for Italian dishes, great foccacia, caprese salad was very tasty. Italian style, thin crust pizza, plus other dishes. Recommended!

Freakish, plausible, horrific fun *not* for the whole family. Well acted, believable, perfectly paced, and effective. Not since Zach Snyder's remake of "Dawn of the Dead" has anyone done this good a job of scaring the hell out the viewer. Hand-held camera POV so folks who got motion sickness from Cloverfield be warned.

Ridley Scott is back in action with his own hard hitting brand of politically infused action thriller. Masterful performances, by a mixed cast of stars and talented lesser known actors, rocket this movie through a roller coast of twists and turns. See it.

A lot of fun, if not quite for the whole family, and definitely worth a visit for fans of Jason Statham's peculiar brand of action hero. Won't disappoint those who go in knowing what to expect.

Bill Maher, host of Real Time, brings the hammer down on organized religion as only he can. A fearless commentary on one of the most important issues of the day -- worth a viewing by almost anyone.

This is essentially "Wargames meets 2001" in a head on collision. It's 2.5 stars rather than 2.0 since Shia LaBeouf pulls off a more nuanced version of himself than usual. The movie has some nice dark elements around data privacy and mobile networks but ultimately it's probably more effort than it's worth. Good performance by Billy Bob Thornton.

If not *the* Northern California Beach and it's not just for local high school graduation nights either. Not to be missed and well worth the scenic drive out there.

Finally, a romantic comedy that speaks to the cynic buried in all of us (for some folks not so deeply) that uses the standard formula of romantic comedy, even wrapped up in the sappiest of forms (Demi Moore's "Ghost") with hints of "Sixth Sense" and overtones of British Humor. Ricky Gervais is delightful, it's Tea Leoni's best work, and Greg Kinnear is pitch perfect. Don't miss it.

This is a good film, well acted with good pace and direction. It is not especially important given the cast and what could be accomplished. It is entertaining but probably won't garner any serious attention since it doesn't do anything new with the subject of vigilantism or the power of our police.

This is a movie, carried along reasonably well by Samuel Jackson, that is watchable and entertaining but is ultimately a bit too predictable to engage the audience. In addition, there are some disturbing themes that give the movie some memorable scenes but aren't essential to the story. Finally, it's not clear that it's a story that needs to be told.

If John Woo were to make films in Thailand this is probably what it would happen. It's a good action film, with a similar feel as "Ong Bak" -- Cage is brooding and dark, painfully awkward at moments but, for the most part, convincing and watchable in this role. Fans of the "Rain" books by Barry Eisler, a bay area writer, will also probably like this film.

Mongol gives the viewer plenty of wide open steppe and fierce action to fire the imagination. But, in order to make the story more personal the film -- this can be a bit disconcerting if one is expecting a historical "conan" or another "gladiator" so be warned. It is a good, and ultimately satisfying, "part one" but some patience is needed.

Time for another visit -- I went here several years ago, had a tasty bbq lunch outdoors, picked up some good wine, and never forgot it.

Great action, horror, science fiction film and a vehicle for Vin Diesel. Cast dynamics work perfectly perhaps led by the always striking Keith David. Unfortunately, it's easy to overlook this film because of Vin's later films but this is a real gem and one of the top five action/sf films.

Used to be the home of the world's hottest food: The Habanero Burger. A legendary silicon valley hangout -- maybe it's time to reignite that tradition. But, do they have Habanero burgers anymore?!?

While visiting Milan we happened on this great little restaurant. Local people including families dropped in and mixed with the after work crowd. The owner befriended us and gave us liberal samples of local apertifs and drinks -- the whole meal was great and priced "local" :)

Highly recommended!

Great restaurant for a nice dinner out while in Helsinki. Some of the best Indian cuisine I've had and a nice way to spice up an evening out.

One of the more popular haunts for after movies, etc. But, I think they recently started closing sooner since I recently got there at 11:00 PM and faced a shut door. Disappointing and cost them 1/2 a star.

Really great -- good background music for gaming. Not sure if I'll like everything they do but they definitely get one's attention.

Fun but a bit choppy, "War, Inc" is fun and has good action and a fast paced story line. The movie will especially appeal to fans of "Gross Pointe Blank" because they share the same cast in more or less the same roles. At the same time, the movie is not as good as Gross Pointe in terms of writing and story but certainly has a bigger budget and works as dark comedy speculative science fiction.

This eclectic director and writer proved his talent with Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. His later films have been interesting but lacked power and his legendary ability to surprise.

This film works as horror and suspense but there is also a subtle message underneath that I won't spoil here. I'm not sure other reviewers saw that message and the director never makes it explicit but it's there.

The characters and interactions are convincing and sympathetic. Both Leguizamo and Wahlberg do excellent work here as well. The movie and characters are quirky and both of those actors carry it off well.

Great movie and a lot of fun. In retrospect, this is what would be expected -- the Wachowski's blend of new film technique and mainstream production and actors can succeed (and it does here). The revolution they are pushing here is in technique over content though a message of corporate greed is woven nicely into the story. Matthew Fox translates wonderfully to the screen from Lost (much better than in Vantage Point) and is a fun addition.

Always satisfying, great service, well worth the wait. Grab a pager (weekend mornings) and walk around or check out some of the small stores in the area. For breakfast (served all day) try out the Tornado or one of the great Eggs Benedict dishes.

A gorgeous debut film with good performances and dark, scary, moments. It manages to provide a glimpse of colonial India within the frame of a forbidden romance. But, be careful not to confuse this with a romantic date movie -- it's more of a political and social tragedy.

What can be said? Just see it like the rest of the country and enjoy this great streak of movies by the folks who did 40 year old virgin, etc.

Another triumph for David Mamet in a completely new action drama. Mamet uses the tension between principled characters and poignant betrayal better than anyone in the business. He's famous for writing films such as "The Verdict", "Ronin", and realistic drama like "Oleanna". This takes his work into a tribute martial arts film that one might not expect but is delightful.

There are breakout performances by Chiwetel Ejiofor and Alice Braga demonstrating true acting power. Tim Allen, in a minimalist career changing role, is a controlled and compelling figure throughout. Solid support from Joe Mantegna. Everyone is authentic and direct. Amazing film.

This is "Lost in Translation" with political relevance. It has a hard edged realism seldom seen in mainstream American films. Highly watchable, surprisingly powerful, difficult at times but uplifting, this is a film for everyone who has an opinion on immigration and who wants to add dimension to their understanding of loss and it's impact on ordinary people. See it.

A major geek out for the whole family. This event was huge for the computer history museum -- hundreds of people thronged to the museum to hear a lecture by the creator of this exhibit and see a short film about Ada Lovelace.

At one point, the marketing officer for the museum asked how many people were there for the first time and the majority of the audience of hundreds raised their hands. A resounding success for geeks everywhere.

Mixin' the best in new vibes from Web 2.0 and Search Techno this is where it all happens!

Well worth watching with some important elements the most striking element is it's uncanny eye for teenage life. Highly recommended with solid performances by the entire cast and convincing work by Uma Thurman.

For lapsed comic book fans this is brawny retelling of one of Marvel's most enduring superheroes. Robert Downey Jr. is great in this role as is Jeff Bridges. A real knockout!

Keanu Reeves is the big question mark for a movie like this but after reading some reviews (and finding it's written by James Elroy) I decided to give it a try. I was surprised to find it very entertaining! Though not as good as Training Day and certainly not an important film -- it's a solid, well acted, crime action drama that really gets up and moves.

Well acted and genuinely suspenseful this is a good film for fans of Caine's unique brand of intelligent rogue. Well shot and cleanly produced it's an evening well spent at the movies.

Though I don't indulge anymore in steaks I was in recently for a birthday dinner and wow! what a great experience. I had the broiled salmon and it was fantastic -- ordered tasty classic side dishes (garlic mashed potatoes, creamed spinach, sauteed mushrooms) and the chocolate lava cake. Order about half what you're hungry for because portions (except for some appetizers) are big! Expect to share side dishes (upto four people) and desserts (two polite people) ...

A skillful and intense screen adaptation of Scott Smith's bestselling horror novel of the same name. It is a "must see" for fans of horror movies -- at the same time, it is a tightly scripted, well acted, thiller, with sympathetic characters and an engaging script. No significant weak points but not for the faint of heart by any stretch.

Matthew is a popular television actor from the hit show Lost (my favorite character) and he shows a lot of potential as an actor. The jury is still out on whether he will be able to translate to the big screen but one can predict that he will. Reasonable in Vantage Point (though it's not as interesting a part as we might want) we'll look for great things on the Speed Racer film. Ultimately, it will depend on the roles he chooses in these next few years.

Lot's of fun -- Friends of the Library is a concept you can find in many different communities but never done so well as in Palo Alto. You can't help but enjoy the rich array and diverse mix of used books, cds, dvds, games, etc. A major step up from most used bookstores -- highly recommended.

Mike's is a little out of the way but one of the few restaurants in sleepy midtown Palo Alto. More popular for breakfast and lunch than dinner it's still decent food, carefully prepared, and served in a friendly fashion. Prices are pretty manageable and there's a wine list. Certainly upscale enough for a casual romantic dinner or a business lunch.

Tom Hanks has given us many great movies and now as a producer/director gives us meaningful film in the form of tv mini-series such as "John Adams", "Band of Brothers", and other work that educates as well as entertains.

Guaranteed to elevate any film he's in to a more meaningful level. Most recently he demonstrates that in the movie "21" in which he takes a watchable film, that could have ended up being too lightweight, and adds some real backbone and human depth. Look for him in the cast of any film and you won't go wrong.

Mongolian Beef is a special dish here -- a long time favorite before I gave up red meat for New Years -- I recommend it highly. Fast, friendly, service and good lunch specials make this a safe bet.

Good Thai food and reasonable prices make this a favorite with Silicon Valley engineers around the San Mateo area. A bit too quiet and off the beaten path for dinner for most but usually packed at lunch time so get there early or late.

Reminiscent of an early Charles Willeford novel with a good dose of Noir thrown into the mix. It moves well and keeps the viewer in suspense with intelligent and poignant acting. At the same time, it's not completely satisfying -- but, perhaps that's fitting given the structure of this bittersweet melodrama.

Great place for dinner on a Friday night after a fast paced day off SF's financial district. A little more polish would be appreciated but the food is good and the staff is spunky and willing to go the extra mile. Enjoy!

Great little family restaurant with fast delivery and a friendly staff. This has been a familiar haunt for many Palo Alto residents for many years. Try the regionally famous Dan Dan noodles.

One of the silver linings to the last seven years of disastrous politics in the US has been the rise of left libertarian political humorists. Perhaps foremost among these is Bill Maher. Unabashedly provocative and antagonistic he is a force to be reckoned with -- you won't agree with everything he says (he'd likely be pissed if you did) but you will think about what you believe after hearing him.

Regenerating Jack Nicholson's career and capturing the imagination of a generation this is the movie the discerning comic buffs credit with starting the comic book movie phenomenon. Though it spawned several truly unnecessary sequels that doesn't take away from the legacy of this great movie.

Pitch perfect casting, twisty little surprises, and abrupt turns, mark this film as something special. Shot with tight editiing and clean, balanced acting, the movie captures 70's underworld London with continual suspense and menace. There are dark comic moments but this is not Snatch but instead a leaner cousin from The Sexy Beast part of the family. Highly recommended.

Definitely top tier burritos here -- good interior but not really enough room for a big group. Great for a quick bite after shopping at Target.

Doomsday is a strange and, in places incorrectly paced, thrill ride that is a bizarre mashup of The Road Warrior, 28 Days Later, and The Lord of the Rings! Heed the rating warnings because although it is entertaining and watchable it is graphic and even disturbing.

Like Schindler's List this film explores the quiet heroism of concentration camp prisoners. The film is darker and more real as the protagonist is a hardened criminal who works from within the camp to protect his fellow prisoners while impeding Nazi war efforts. It is a worthwhile film that presents the viewer with a clearly defined choice between pragmatic and idealistic approaches to impossibly dire conditions.

Downtown Palo Alto has several good Thai food restaurants and this is one of them. Remodeled in 2007 to have a more upbeat interior it's a nice place for a business lunch as well as a friendly dinner for two after work.

Richard Powers writes with a unique insight into the very heart of the science and technologies that drive our society today. A National Book Award winner (The Echo Maker) who can write convincingly about Artificial Neural Networks (Galatea 2.2) is a rare treasure indeed.

You'll never forget an afternoon at Amsterdam's sex museum (sexmuseum). Makes for a very nice change of pace for tourists and locals alike who are looking for something a bit out of the ordinary. Fun and educational -- probably would make a great field trip for students (albeit ones in college)

Very cool, very fun, place to enjoy an evening of international, on the edge, humor. Do as the Amsterdam folks do, and don't take yourself too seriously and you'll have a great time.

Brings back fond memories of my college days -- I took a date here back in 1982 and though it's more than twenty-five years ago, I still remember it like it was yesterday.

Budget several hours of time if you are in town and love books. If you are in a group have a meetup strategy because you can actually get lost in this epic, legendary, bookstore. Not to be missed!

Powell's is the king of bookstores (and I mean the king) but the "technical" section is a dream come true for geeks and nerds alike. Bring your credit card, a package lunch, and a will to browse dense technical material. You won't be disappointed!

Howard Zinn is an enduring voice for the American left. As with many left wing intellectuals he builds a case for his viewpoint based on rock solid analysis of history and political events. If only the right wing took the same pains to analyze their positions we could have a civilized debate in this country. On the other hand, if the right wing's spokesmen (Rush Limbaugh, etc.) analyzed the issues thoroughly there wouldn't be a significant right wing.

For anyone who thinks they understand Ralph Nader's role in American politics I would "think again" unless you've seen this bold and detailed documentary. This film gives his critics ample time to vent while presenting all aspects of one of our most important independent political alternatives. Bravo!

A friend asked me to write a review since I'm well known in my social circle as a fan of Noam Chomsky. But, what can an average person say about him that's interesting. I can say that reading one of his recent books, "Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance" was a revelation for me.

Perhaps the simplest thing I can say about him is that, though perched at the very top of academic life, he writes and talks about issues that ought to be at the center of our lives as ordinary citizens: ask questions about how powerful corporate interests and their influence on our government.

A movie like Vantage Point tries to provoke and surprise by running through a story from multiple standpoints and revealing new information each time. This type of movie, deriving from Kurosawa's Rashomon, is very effective when used correctly but only mildly interesting when done with less skill. In Vantage POint, the result is a bit more than mildly interesting.

Probably your best bet during tourist season -- they do their best to get you in front of a big breakfast as quickly as possible. One of the two or three best diner style restaurants in the area for a good breakfast before hitting ten mile for your beach walking.

Need an internet cafe? A great latte or double cap? Just stop in and get a good ol' cup o' joe and a fast hookup. Nice owner and great local color to spice up your visit.

A comfortable theater, with good prices and up to the minute movie runs. A real life saver if you're up here for a weekend and don't want to miss the newest blockbuster or art house "sleeper" release.

Clearly the Oscar will help his career and deservedly so -- a truly inspiring actor and artist. He's also surprisingly humble -- keep your eyes open for his next roles.

It's unfortunate that mainstream media removed Dennis Kucinich from the national debate about how we move forward as a country. Of all the candidates, Mr. Kucinich has the clearest record supporting his ideas for how we can build a truly viable future for ourselves in the 21st century.

In good conscience this is the highest rating I can give to a conservative. Though undeniably an honorable man he maintains the same tired conservative rhetoric that has plunged the country into debt: "We need to save money so that our kids have a future." But, why then do we always run up monstrous deficits during conservative republican rule?

She dances as if made of air and light with an unearthly grace. In a recent performance of Giselle with the SF Ballet one reviewer criticized her for being *too* elegant to play Giselle but what a wonderful dancer. Anyone, even people who don't think of themselves as Ballet fans, will appreciate her transcendent talents.

Can't miss -- this is a great old theater in a very cool area of the city. Good cafes and a few bars near it and plenty of street parking or easy walking to get there.

Lively staff, insouciant service, small screens, and cozy atmosphere, all combine to create a great art house theater experience. Good coffee, too!

Okay, you're downtown, taking in a show at the War Memorial or going to a movie at the AMC Van Ness. Where to eat if you want to have a nice lunch or dinner but stay close to Van Ness. Max's has a piano bar and nice street views along with good hearty cuisine.

Though perhaps worth watching for most folks this probably shouldn't be your first choice for a movie night out. A bit too much predictability mixed with uncertain pacing and a cynical, implausible, story line, combine to produce a film that probably didn't need to be made. Fun to watch Diane Lane in a new role for her but other than that I wish I'd waited for the rental.

After, "Land of the Dead," a surprisingly disappointing entry into the modern horror sub-genre for Zombies I was ready to count George Romero out of the race. Compared to "Shaun of the Dead" or the remake of "Dawn of the Dead" his offering had seemed flat and uninteresting. But, just like that, he's back in action with a horrific and funny return to his roots: the grainy and gritty, ultra-dark humor and drama of the originals that started it all.

Great performances by all -- Colin Farrell finds his groove in this entertaining flim. Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes are pitch perfect and funny -- good story and support.

I've been going to Joy for many years -- slightly hidden away on beach park blvd. it's worth finding. Try the house special loose pancake -- you'll be hooked!

Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, all work together to create a wonderful version of this great and dramatic musical. May help introduce a whole new generation to Stephen Sondheim's work.

This is a wonderful cirque du soleil addition -- warm, funny, and exhilarating in the cirque trademark fashion, it is even more accessible for kids and fans of traditional circus. We went to a matinee on a Sunday and the crowd gave the performers a standing ovation at the finish for their courage and creativity. A "must see" show!

The Mist is a grainy, hauntingly effective, perfectly casted, take on one of Stephen King's most cherished stories. This is at once both a scary movie and a surprisingly complex film that touches on very human elements of courage under adversity, loss of hope, redemption, and damnation.