Though the token snow -- a bit thicker when I had to trek from the train later on -- falling last night seemed to suggest the talk of a "blizzard" was again exaggerated, it appears we here in NYC really are getting a touch of the season. Finally. A bit too warm for my tastes. Actually requiring a long sleeve shirt yesterday was a bit of a rarity. Pain for some people, but let it snow, I say. After all, I no longer have to shovel the darn stuff.
I was coming home from watching Something New when the snow truly started to make itself known. A mixed bag. It concerns a rising star (uptight) black businesswoman unsure of her place in the business world (with its "black tax" ... still seen on some level as a "plantation" -- take that Sen. Clinton!) and still searching for that Ideal Black Man (IBM). Imagine her surprise when she falls for the (white) guy landscaping the backyard of her new home! And, who is that playing his father in the final scene? Is her dad really the guy from the Aflac commercials? (Yes.)
The plot has a "high concept" taste to it, but is handled nicely ... and in a tasteful (and PG-13 ... how many adult movies still have that rating?) manner. The characters mainly ring true and generally are all people who you enjoy spending time with while watching the film. It is a good first effort by the director and the star deserves some more exposure. Nonetheless, I think the story is a bit jumpy at spots (the screenwriter also does not appear to have much experience, especially on a full length feature) and a few times the dialogue sounded a bit too preachy. So, I was not totally satisfied with the entire package, though it is still worth watching as superior fare.
Overall, it is one of those "not quite" movies that still have enough pleasing parts that it is not a disappointment, but actually a nice viewing experience. This often is true for lesser known films, but sometimes more popular ones also warrant the label. Finally, the very fact it respectively supplies a black woman's view of things deserves respect. How many films can say that?
As to dinner, Chevy's ... pretty good (chain) Mexican food (servings also nice), needs more appetizers and desserts. The glass of beer (good) and dessert (boring) were overpriced; the main course fair. And, this habit of serving coffee ... ten minutes pass ... dessert, really has to go. Service not great, but we had time to waste, so that was not an issue.