Supergirl

While celebrating her 23^rd birthday off-planet, Kara “Supergirl” Zor-El (Milly Alcock) encounters young Ruthye Knoll (Eve Ridley), who attempts to enlist her in her quest for revenge against Brigand leader Krem (Matthias Schoenaerts), who murdered her parents. Though disinclined to help at first, Supergirl soon finds herself drawn into the fray, racing against the clock to save one of her closest companions.

For the past fifteen years or so, DC’s cinematic offerings have been uneven (to put it charitably). If Supergirl is anything to go by, that’s a trend that shows no signs of changing under James Gunn’s DC Studios watch.

First, the good: for all of the baseless carping over her casting, Alcock does quite well in the title role. She’s positioned as a cynical counterpoint to her nerdy cousin Superman (David Corensweat), and her sloppy, drunken antics bear that out. However, the film’s exploration of her backstory lets Alcock show her range and give Kara depth in the process. The other standout performance arguably belongs to Jason Momoa as the fearsome bounty hunter Lobo (who seems to be having a blast), but his screentime and impact on the story are both negligible. Though the visual darkness sometimes makes the action difficult to follow, Craig Gillespie’s direction is at least energetic, and there are a few eye-popping moments.

That said, Supergirl is narratively weak. Though based on Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s well-regarded Woman of Tomorrow comic book series, Ana Noguiera’s writing is a thinly-plotted hash of cinematic cliches that can’t help but evoke better-made films. You’ll find traces of everything from Mad Max: Fury Road to True Grit and more here. Schoenaerts as Krem is contemptible but forgettable, and the hamminess of the performance works against the character’s menace.  

Warner Brothers has been responsible for so many lackluster-to-dreadful DC adaptations that it’s hard to come down too hard on Supergirl, which at least manages to be sometimes fun. However, it’s both a step down from its immediate predecessor (2025’s Superman) and a plea to get Alcock some better material to work with.

Shukkranaa Indian Cuisine

Located at 500 Americhase Drive in Greensboro, Shukkraana Indian Cuisine offers North Indian fare for lunch and dinner every day except for Monday. Catering and online ordering are available.

My last time rolling the dice on a new (for me) Indian eatery ended in disappointment, but I am not one to be so easily deterred. After looking at the menus for a few places, Shukkranaa seemed worth a gamble. The menu boasts everything you’d expect (curries, biryanis, breads, plenty of vegetarian dishes), and under other circumstances, I’d be all over the chicken 65. However, I wanted to give one of their quick lunch specials a try. Available in vegetarian and non-vegetarian versions, the offerings change daily, but they include an appetizer, two curries, salad, rice, bread, and a dessert. At $13 veg/$15 non-veg, that seemed like a good deal for the money.

I placed an online order for that day’s vegetarian special (paneer kadhai and daal makhani), and it was ready when I arrived. Though Shukkranaa’s location (a strip mall near a motel up 68) screams “nondescript,” the interior seemed more inviting, and the gentleman at the register was polite.

 

After a short drive home, I was able to enjoy a better-than-expected lunch. It came largely as advertised with a pakora as the appetizer, naan as the bread, and a piece of galub jamun as the dessert (though the “salad” was just a few assorted vegetables). The rice was fragrant, the sauces creamy, the portion size more than respectable, and to my relief, Shukkranaa does NOT hold back on flavor.

I don’t know if the dine-in experience would be as impressive, and there are certainly other Indian eateries to choose from in the immediate area, but for tasty, convenient takeout, count Shuukranaa as a name to remember.

The Death of Robin Hood

 

In 1247, an aged Robin Hood (Hugh Jackman) is still an outlaw on the run from both the authorities and revenge-minded family members of the many he has killed in the course of his banditry. He disdains the tales that have turned him into a folk hero and welcomes his demise. When tragedy befalls his friend Little John (Bill Skarsgard), he nearly gets his wish. The kindness of a prioress (Jodie Comer) and the appearance of an orphaned girl give him an unexpected new purpose.

Give writer-director Michael Sarnoski credit: amid the countless adaptations and retellings of Robin Hood, his manages to stand out. The Death of Robin Hood is dark and brooding and works to actively deconstruct the mythologizing of its protagonist, an ambitious move that could have worked in a film less leaden and inconsistent.

Jackman’s casting in the title role is equal parts blessing and curse. He’s done the “aging antihero with a violent past” thing before, and he’s well-suited to the task, but his turn as Robin Hood lacks the emotional heft of his work in Logan. The supporting roles aren’t terribly demanding either, but they are at least well cast. Skarsgard makes for an imposing Little John, and while Comer seems at first a vision of benevolence, her character proves to have more layers.

Add to these performances some striking scenery, and The Death of Robin Hood might have been a well-crafted if not terribly enjoyable film were it not for the uneven pacing. The first half hour or so is packed with brutal violence, which would shock the psyche if much of it didn’t play out in the dark and the mud. The rest of the film is far more pensive – and far slower. Given the implications of the title, it feels less like a gradual march toward redemption and more like a ponderous delaying of the inevitable.

The Death of Robin Hood is worth checking out for its premise alone, but it probably isn’t a movie you’ll want to go back to again.

Unfettered Books

 

Located at 337 South Davie Street in Downtown Greensboro, Unfettered Books sells books and fabric. It will include a coffee bar in the near future.

Full disclosure: Brian, the co-owner, is a friend and colleague. Were that not the case, however, this is still a business I would be glad to support. Housed in a historic building, Unfettered offers an inviting atmosphere. Exposed brick walls and wood crate shelving are the antithesis of cookie-cutter corporate presentation. Unfettered is currently operating at half capacity during its “soft open” phase, and so the selection isn’t huge. However, it still offers a variety of genres, plus Brian and Lisa will be glad to order a title if you don’t see it on the shelves. There’s also an assortment of yarn for the fabric folks.

 

Given that Scuppernong Books is only a few blocks away, it can be tempting to see Unfettered as a redundancy. However, thanks to an intimate space, a dedicated Native Lit section, and a customer-centered approach, Unfettered has all the makings of a valuable addition to downtown.

Noor Kitchen & Cocktails

Located at 4312 Big Tree Way in Greensboro, Noor Kitchen & Cocktails offers Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner every day except Tuesday. There is a full bar and a lunch buffet on weekends. Event hosting and online ordering are available.

I was craving an Indian buffet and wanted to try somewhere new. That curiosity brought me to Noor, which had been on my radar since it opened a few years back. I wish I could say that it was worth the wait, but my experience here suggested otherwise.

Positives first: Noor is both spacious and stylish with plenty of seating in both the bar and dining areas. Sujan proved to be an attentive and courteous server.

That said, the buffet was somewhat underwhelming. It was smaller than those I’ve found elsewhere in the area. While it offered a solid mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, those offerings were the epitome of playing it safe. Only the hakka noodles (not always an Indian buffet staple) and butter chicken (better than average) really stood out. Nothing else, from the tandoori chicken to the daal to the naan, was prepared poorly, but it was fairly forgettable. Granted, buffet food needs to appeal to a wide range of diners with varying levels of spice tolerance, and so I went in not expecting any heat. Take spiciness out of the equation, however, and the flavors still felt subdued. At least the $20 seemed reasonable for what was offered.

It’s possible that Noor really shines if you order off the regular menu, and so I wouldn’t rule out a return here. The next time I want a weekend lunch buffet, however, I think I’ll stick to Taaza.

 

Texasversary Review Roundup

 For our ten-year anniversary, Lara and I hit up Austin (her for the first time, me for the second), followed by a quick trip to Waco to visit family.

 

Hilton Austin

 

Location: 500 East 4^th Street in Downtown Austin.

We looked into a few downtown hotels before settling on the Hilton. The location, price point (not hideously expensive), and trust in the Hilton brand steered us here. Fortunately, it proved to be the right decision.

Situated right near the former Convention Center, the Hilton is proximate to restaurants, coffee shops, bars, clubs, museums, and more. The building’s height also makes it easy to find if you’re wandering around downtown.

Inside, the Hilton is spacious, well-staffed, and well-maintained. All of the staff we interacted with were courteous, and the front desk was even kind enough to send us some prosecco and cake for our anniversary, a thoughtful personal touch.

Our room proved to be clean, comfortable, and quiet. It was advertised as a “city view” room, and it delivered.

Had we relied on the hotel’s restaurants or needed its (hideously expensive) valet parking, we might have had more room for complaint, but for our purposes, the Hilton was a fine pick.

 

Moonshine

Previous review here. It’s a much more enjoyable place when you catch them at a less busy time. The food remains tasty. I didn’t know that I was missing the magic of smoked shrimp on fried green tomatoes until now. The banana pudding, served in a Mason jar, is a winner, too.

 

The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center

 

One of two locations (Laguna Gloria on West 35^th Street is the other), TheContemporary Austin — Jones Center offers a stunning exterior mural (“Man Who Fell to Earth” by Manik Raj Nakra) but not much inside. Though it spans two floors, it’s a small museum with little content. The few exhibits included lacked breadth: one consisted of variations of the same work. While the $10 admission does cover both locations, it definitely isn’t worth it for Jones Center alone.

Taqueria de Diez

 

Located at 206 Trinity Street in Downtown Austin (with other locations on South Lamar and in West Lake Hills), Taqueria de Diez (aka D/10) offers Tijuana-style tacos and related fare. It is open from 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday-Wednesday and 11:30-1 a.m. Thursday-Saturday. Online ordering (through Uber Eats) and pick-up catering are available.

The best way to describe this joint is as a taco reverse speakeasy. Go down an alleyway, enter a bar, and pass through a door with a tacos sign, and you’ll find a bustling taqueria that slings some of the best tacos in town. Tortillas are homemade, and pastor is cooked on a trompo. Don’t feel like a taco? You can also snag a quesadilla or tostada-like volcanes. There are several salsa options, and drinks include Mexican Cokes and horchata, among others.

We ended up getting two tacos (pastor and carne asada), a nopales quesadilla, and an order of chips and guac. At $5 to $6 a taco, this wasn’t cheap despite the no-frills surroundings, but it was well worth it. Everything looked and tasted fresh and smelled amazing. D/10 is known for its pastor, and it’s easy to see why. Served in strips rather than chunks, it boasts a crisp edge and a nice bit of pineapple flavor. However, the asada, the salsa crema, and even the chips are all stellar here.

 

While seating may be hard to come by, on food alone, Taqueria de Diez is a solid ten.

 

Marlow

 

Located at 700 East 6^th Street in Downtown Austin, Marlow offers beer, wine, and craft cocktails every day except Monday. There is live music on Thursdays. Happy hour discounts are available Tuesday-Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In search of a bar that wasn’t packed on a Friday night, we were lucky to stumble across Marlow. The atmosphere is dark and cozy. There’s enough of a vibe for this place to feel lively even when it’s mostly empty, yet it also avoids the earsplitting noise that may come with a more crowded venue. The bartenders are amicable, and the menu showcases some creative – and creatively named – cocktails. Lara went with a Moon Song (rum, blackberry, lime, and honey with lavender cold foam) and an espresso martini and enjoyed both. I opted for a zero proof drink: the high and mighty (agave, nonalcoholic ginger and floral liqueurs, jasmine tea, and spiced salt). It was refreshing but didn’t quite hit the mark for me. What should have been complex and balanced came across as overly floral.

 

All told, Marlow is worth a visit even if it is unlikely to wow you.

Austin Nature & Science Center

Located at 2389 Stratford Drive in Austin’s Zilker Park, the Nature & Science Center offers walking trails and plant and animal exhibits. It is open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon – 5 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free.

I didn’t know what to expect from this place. Some science centers are kids-only affairs (despite not being billed as such) while others have more to offer visitors of all ages. Fortunately, the Austin Nature & Science Center ended up falling in the latter category. The main building houses an assortment of bones, shells, and rocks (as well as an axolotl tank) and another building is home to various reptiles. Outside areas include a dino pit (where kids can dig for fossils) and several animal enclosures. What makes the latter unique is that the animals are rehab/rescue cases. They include everything from a bobcat to a porcupine to a 34-year-old one-eyed owl (!!) and more.

 

Granted, Austin Nature & Science Center does offer more for a younger crowd, and it isn’t particularly easy to get to by bus, but it’s hard to argue with a chance to take in flora and fauna for free.

 

Cooper’s BBQ

 

Located at 217 Congress Avenue in Downtown Austin (with other locations in Fort Worth, College Station, New Braunfels, and Llano), Cooper’s BBQ offers pit-smoked Texas barbecue. It is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Catering orders and private rooms are available, and the restaurant occasionally hosts live music.

A long-running Texas barbecue joint known (for better or for worse) as being George W. Bush’s favorite, Cooper’s largely lived up to its reputation. The restaurant has a classic look (wood, brick, and ducts), and the menu – meats priced by the pound on a chalkboard – adds to the retro appeal. Those meats are cut to order by a pitmaster. After making your selection, you proceed down a cafeteria-style line and pick your sides. Sauce, pickles, and Wonder Bread are free.

We opted for some brisket, a jalapeno sausage link, potato salad, and creamed corn. The brisket was tender and flavorful if a bit fatty while the sausage boasted a firm bite and a winning combination of spicy and cheesy. Unexpectedly, the creamed corn ended up being a highlight. If that’s a side you usually avoid, Cooper’s version may end up converting you.

 

That said, the potato salad was nothing special and the sauce was very tomato-and-vinegar-forward. As to be expected given Cooper’s location and reputation, prices are also quite high (as in almost $40 a pound for brisket). That’s not outrageous for a “name” BBQ place in Austin though if I had to pay that after waiting in a long line, I might walk away disappointed.

Cooper’s is not the best Texas BBQ you’re likely to find, but it’s a pretty damn solid representation thereof.

 

 

Maiko Sushi

Located at 207 San Jacinto Boulevard in Downtown Austin, Maiko Sushi offers Japanese cuisine for lunch and dinner seven days a week. There are Happy Hour food and drink specials from 4 p.m. to close. Online ordering is available.

We were in search of a low-key dinner after a busy day, and Maiko proved to be a perfect fit. The atmosphere is well-lit and comfortable, and our server was top-notch. While the regular menu offers a lot, the happy hour menu had plenty to choose from in its own right. We went with a tuna gyoza appetizer followed by a trio of rolls: the Warehouse District (tuna, salmon, white fish, avocado, masago), the Hawaii 5-0 (escolar, kani, mango, fried coconut, and sweet Thai chili sauce), and the Tiger Eye (smoked salmon, cream cheese, jalapeno, soy paper).

 

All of the food proved satisfying. The spicy tuna gyoza (with guacamole and Thai chili sauce) might have been better as a cold dish, but we had no regrets trying it warm. Finding a favorite among the sushi rolls was a challenge as all three brought something different: fresh flavors from the Warehouse, a satisfying crunch and a bit of sweetness from the Hawaii, and some smoky and spicy notes from the Tiger Eye. The rolls are normally in the upper teens though thankfully, happy hour pricing shaved a few dollars off that cost.

With so many other dining options nearby, Maiko is easy to overlook. I’m glad that we didn’t, however, as it made for an excellent meal.

 

Grá Mór

Located at 200 East 6^th Street in Downtown Austin, Gra Mor offers Irish cuisine, coffee, and cocktails from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

With a name that translates to big/lots of love, Grá Mór, an offshoot of The Dead Rabbit, seems to be tempting fate. Admittedly, an Irish café in a historical building oozes charm. While the atmosphere alone is a powerful lure, the menu is no slouch, either. Grá Mór offers small plates, large plates, salads, pastries, coffee drinks, and cocktails.

We came in search of breakfast and split an order of Scotch eggs and a Full Irish, to which we added a Banana Cream Cold Brew and a Blueberry Crumble Latte. The food came promptly, and it largely hit the spot. The eggs featured crumbly sausage and a crispy coating while the Full Irish boasted a copious amount of food: eggs, bacon, sausage, black and white pudding, grilled tomato, baked beans, potato bread, and butter. The housemade syrups in the coffees were a nice touch though neither coffee was particularly strong. While $29 for the Full Irish seemed fair for the quantity, $15 for a mere two eggs per order is enough to prompt an “Are ye mad?”

 

Overall, if the price doesn’t bother you, Grá Mór does have quite a bit to like (if not love).

 

 

Baris

Located at 904 North Valley Mills Drive in Waco, Baris offers pizza and Italian cuisine. It is open for lunch and dinner every day except Monday. While it doesn’t sell alcohol, it has a BYOB policy. Lunch specials are available from 11-3.

A classic casual red sauce joint, there is something comforting in the familiarity Baris offers. The old-school interior and the panoply of familiar favorites (pizza, calzone, spaghetti and meatballs, tortellini, manicotti, and more) will take you back to childhood if you grew up with places like this one. Entrees run in the teens here, which is starting to seem more and more like a value these days.

The food, however, is pretty solidly average. I went with spaghetti and white clam sauce, and while I’ve had (and made) better versions of this dish, I appreciated the addition of black pepper. Lara opted for a veggie calzone, which tasted fine yet was decidedly lacking in ricotta. Surprisingly, the rolls (hot, fresh, and generously sized) were above par.

 

Is Baris good Italian? Not if you’ve had much Italian. Is Baris satisfying in its own way? You betcha.

The Mandalorian and Grogu

Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal), his adoptive son Grogu, and pilot Zeb (voiced by Steve Blum) track down leaders of the former Galactic Empire on behalf of New Republic leader Ward (Sigourney Weaver). Ward promises a big payday if Djarin can bring in the mysterious leader Coin. Unfortunately, the only ones who know Coin’s whereabouts are the Hutt Twins, who have taken over their fearsome brother Jabba’s criminal empire. They offer Djarin what he seeks if he rescues their nephew Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White), who has become indebted to the crime lord Janu. However, Rotta, who has become a respected and feared gladiator, wants nothing to do with his father’s legacy and refuses Djarin’s aid.

The first Star Wars film in years, The Mandalorian and Grogu is barely Star Wars and barely a film. The latter is not necessarily a bad thing as series in the Star Wars universe such as Andor were at their best when they largely sidestepped the franchise’s mythology. However, The Mandalorian and Grogu lacks not only a strong connection to the film series proper but also enough heft for it to work on its own.

A continuation of (and rumored replacement for) the successful Mandalorian series, the film retains a few of the series’ charms. Ludwig Goransson, who created the show’s memorable theme song, is back to score the film. That music, coupled with a variety of distinctive settings (from Bladerunneresque cityscapes to a cavelike Hutt palace) and well-choreographed action (stuntman Lateef Crowder puts his capoeira background to good use in Djarin’s armor), ensure that The Mandalorian and Grogu is, at the very least, visually entertaining.

The writing, however, is decidedly lackluster. While the show never had strong dialogue, that deficiency is joined by uneven pacing, predictable plotting, and a general lack of anything too much at stake. Given their previous success with Star Wars properties, it’s disappointing to watch Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni fumble this badly.

For starters, the movie has the feel of two episodes of the show stitched together, right down to the false ending about an hour in. It also draws on audience familiarity with prior characterization without moving it forward in any meaningful way. If anything, it takes a step back. Djarin’s protectiveness toward Grogu was previously well-established, and that gets re-hashed here. Grogu, who was trained by both Mandalorians and Luke Skywalker, seems to forget he can do anything useful for far too much of the runtime. It’s hard to fault Pascal or White (or Weaver, who fits right in) for their performances such as they are, but they really weren’t given much to work with.

Some of the secondary casting is baffling. Martin Scorsese, of all people, shows up to voice a four-armed street food vendor and reluctant informant who shares the director’s famously bushy eyebrows. This would be less weird (especially in light of Werner Herzog’s acting role in the show’s first season) if Scorsese wasn’t such a vocal critic of franchised, commodified filmmaking. Meanwhile, whatever mystery or intrigue was supposed to surround his character fizzled the moment the filmmakers cast Johnny Coyne as someone who practically shares his name. Who could that mysterious Coin be? Surely not Coyne.

All and all, The Mandalorian and Grogu is passable entertainment. It isn’t incompetent enough to be offensively substandard or even unintentionally funny, instead settling for largely forgettable. Favreau and Filoni, take note: this is NOT the way.