DC Outlook

Friday, November 14, 2025

Now You See Me: Now You Don't Movie Review

Ariana Greenblatt, Jesse Eisenberg & Dave Franco (r) star in Now You See Me: Now You Don't

Abracadabra!

IMDb Plot: A diamond heist reunites retired Horsemen illusionists with new performers Ariana Greenblatt, Justice Smith and Dominic Sessa as they target dangerous criminals. Directed by Ruben Fleischer.

Detroit Brick Pizza Co. Twitter/X Food Review II

Meatballs in Sauce from Detroit Brick Pizza Co.

Deja Vu? Upon opening my @wonder bag & inspecting my Meatballs in Sauce from Detroit Brick Pizza Co., I couldn’t help but think back to my dismal trio of so-called meatballs from almost 2 months ago @ neighboring Alanza. They earned an F, and these are almost identical (in awfulness.) Tasteless, cold (despite dining in straight away) and wildly disappointing. They use Parmesan instead of Ricotta, but besides that, I swear they’re the same. Still an F. Almost as bad, their $6.95 Brick Onion Rings… cold, stuck together and underdone. You get a lot, but why would you want to eat them?

Grade: F (I’m still a Wonder fan, but I don’t like the direction they’re headed towards. As for Detroit Brick Pizza Co., I wouldn’t try it again if it was 🆓.)

Jennifer Lawrence stars in Die My Love

She Did Start the Fire

IMDb Plot: Grace, a writer and young mother, is slowly slipping into madness. Locked away in an old house in and around Montana, we see her acting increasingly agitated and erratic, leaving her companion, Jackson, increasingly worried and helpless. Directed by Lynne Ramsay.

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