DC Outlook

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere Twitter/X Movie Review

Jeremy Allen White stars in Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere

Home Sweet Home

IMDb Plot: Bruce Springsteen's journey crafting his 1982 album Nebraska, which emerged as he recorded Born in the USA with the E Street Band. Based on Warren Zanes' book. Directed by Scott Cooper.

Maaike Laanstra-Corn stars in STC's The Wild Duck (Photo: Gerry Goodstein)

Chronic Righteousness

Arthur Dobrin once said, "There is always a way to be honest without being brutal." Evidently Gregers Werle didn't get the memo. The brazen character sheds light on unwanted truths in @ShakespeareinDC's The Wild Duck, based on Henrik Ibsen's under-appreciated 1884 play. It's brought to life by a superb cast, most of whom are making their STC debuts: One can only pray they all return (and soon.) Tops amongst them is DC's own Maaike Laanstra-Corn, who is nothing short of stunning as the passionate teenager Hedvig. And she's not alone. Alexander Hurt, Melanie Field and Nick Westrate join her as my favorite theatrical foursome in recent memory.

After the Hunt Twitter/X Movie Review

& (r) star in

Tart Time

IMDb Plot: A college professor finds herself at a personal and professional crossroads when a star pupil levels an accusation against one of her colleagues and a dark secret from her own past threatens to come to light. Directed by Luca Guadagnino.

Spicy Potato Soft Taco & Cinnamon Twists at Taco Bell

The term “hit or miss” often leaps to mind with @tacobell. Perhaps more so than any other fast food establishment. Without question, they’re best in price, as a full meal almost never crosses the $10 barrier (even with a drink & dessert.) Today’s lunch cost a mere $7.92 and included a burrito, taco, drink & an order of Cinnamon Twists. Full tummy? ✅ Winners? My $1.29 Spicy Potato Soft Taco, with pico de galo (an extra $.65) was near-perfect (fried diced potatoes = nice!) B+ and the $2 Mango Peach Refresca B+. In between? Light & airy Cinnamon Twists that are ultra affordable but light on taste as well. B- And then there’s the Cantina Chicken Burrito 🌯 which was on sale for $2 (vs. $6.49) yet still felt overpriced. Dry chicken & zero flavor across the board = no bargain at half the price. D- Bad burrito notwithstanding, it remains a strong value worthy of an overall B. Closer to a hit (than a miss.)

Grade: B

Good Fortune Twitter/X Movie Review

& (r) star in

One Step at a Time

IMDb Plot: A well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker and a wealthy venture capitalist. Directed by Aziz Ansari.

House of Dynamite Twitter/X Movie Review

stars in

Surrender or Suicide

IMDb Plot: When a single, unattributed missile is launched at the United States, a race begins to determine who is responsible and how to respond. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow.

stars in

Game Over

IMDb Plot: A highly sophisticated Program, Ares, is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission. Directed by Joachim Rønning.

Mezeh Mediterranean Grill Twitter/X Food Review II

Kids Falafel Pita Tray at Mezeh Mediterranean Grill

Kids have it easy, don’t they? @mezehgrill offers an adult-size feast for a mere $7.15. Their Kids Falafel Pita Tray fits the bill, featuring a pita sandwich with 2 creamy (although not so flavorful) falafel balls. The romaine lettuce was conspicuously MIA, but luckily I swapped out their corn salsa for a zesty Lebanese Tabbouleh, which brought my s’wich to life. The brown rice barely registered, but their fresh & salty pita chips with sublime hummus (A+) stole the show. I accidentally forgot to order a free sauce (my bad) but you even get an organic apple juice to wash it all down. A for value, and a solid B overall. Healthy and affordable? Sold!

Grade: B

Frankly Pizza Twitter/X Food Review

Cheese & House-made Sausage Pizza at Frankly...Pizza!

Been a while since my last visit to @FranklyPizza and, sorry to say, not as good as I remember. Kept it simple with a Cheese & House-made (pork) Sausage Pie ($18) 12” & flimsy/undercooked with surprisingly little char & even less flavor. Cheese & tomato sauce? Meh. Chewy crust (except in the middle) but thank goodness for some of the best, zestiest sausage I’ve had in years (and plenty of it.) Superb service (thanks Quincy) but the pizza 🍕 just wasn’t on par. P.S. Lovely patio seating.

Grade: C

The Smashing Machine Movie Review

Dwayne Johnson stars in The Smashing Machine

Rock Smash

Rotten Tomatoes Plot: MMA fighter Mark Kerr (Dwayne Johnson) reaches the peak of his career but faces personal hardships along the way. Directed by Benny Safdie.

Crab Keftedes at Chios Taverna

Service hiccups at @wonder in Rosslyn (including network issues on app & nobody out front) signaled doom for my latest order (at Chios Taverna by @chefsymon) My entree was sold out, but Mercedes single-handedly saved the day, becoming Wonder’s unrivaled hero/sponsor in the process. Service like this makes a world of difference. As for my food, $7.95 Lemon 🍋 Potatoes 🥔 were super tender and bursting with advertised lemon flavor. Nice adds of oregano 🌿 & colorful parsley make this one of my new fave potato dishes. Their $14.95 trio of Crab Keftedes had plenty of crab 🦀 filling, brought to life by an abundant dusting of fiery Aleppo peppers over a creamy tahini/yogurt base. Thanks to a brilliant save by Mercedes, I’m walking away a winner. Will wonders never cease?

Grade: B (It still took 45 minutes to get dinner, but this could have been a disaster.)

Alcatraz East Crime Museum to Open New Lobby Exhibit: The Road to Ruin: O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson Ford Bronco

From our friends at Alcatraz East Crime Museum...

Alcatraz East Crime Museum to Open New Lobby Exhibit: The Road to Ruin: O.J. Simpson

A new temporary exhibit will be added to spotlight the 30th anniversary of the infamous trial

To spotlight the anniversary of one of the most infamous trials in U.S. history, Alcatraz East Crime Museum is opening a new temporary exhibit titled The Road to Ruin: O.J. Simpson. The exhibit will open October 3, 2025, and run through December 2025, featuring a variety of artifacts related to the trial. There are additional highlights for the month, including refreshing the Ted Bundy exhibit, Homeschool Days, and the teacher open house.