Thursday, April 17, 2008

Masked Rider: The First

"The evil terrorist organization SHOCKER is kidnapping unwilling citizens and turning them into cyborg inhumanoids used to carry out SHOCKER’s nefarious schemes. The only man who can stand in their way is one of SHOCKER’s own inhumanoid agents who cannot forget his humanity- KAMEN RIDER!" Masked Rider: The First, the 2005 Japanese film described so vividly here by the Japan Information and Culture Center, falls within the Tokusatsu genre, which is characterized by "use of special effects, gigantic monsters, imaginative costumes, and high-flying, fast-paced martial arts fight scenes." If that's speaking to you, the film is playing at the Japan Information and Culture Center on April 24 at 6:30. It's free but reservations are required, you can make them at jiccrsvpspring08@embjapan.org.

Masked Rider: The First
Presented by the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, with the DC Anime Club
3 Lafayette Center
1155 21st St. NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-6949
Thursday, Apr. 24 6:3

Into the Wild

Washington Film Institute is hosting a FREE screening of Into the Wild this Friday night. The movie is directed by Sean Penn, and got great reviews when it was released onto the big screen.

Goethe-Institute
7th & Eye, NW
http://www.goethe.de/ins/us/was/enindex.htm
Showings at 7:00 & 9:30

It is first come first serve, so my only request is that you don't get there before I do.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Biagio Chocolate Tasting

I first went to Biagio Fine Chocolate a few months ago to buy the Vosges bacon chocolate bar for someone who loves both of those things. The store is a little tough to find, particularly when it's dark and pouring rain. But you'll find it, praying as you clutch the railing that a. you don't slip and break your neck on the wet metal staircase and b. even though your anniversary gift will be late, the power of bacon and chocolate will be enough to redeem you with your significant other. After my ordeal getting there, I couldn't resist getting one of their beautiful truffles for myself. The woman behind the counter put on a pair of white cotton gloves, placed the chocolate on a small porcelain dish, and slid it solemnly across the glass. I tossed that baby back in one delicious $2 bite. This Thursday, Biagio is having a tasting to introduce its spring lineup, including Lavender Cranberry, Green Tea, Lime Coconut, Lemon Almond, and Strawberry Mint. Their website helpfully points out that it's a perfect time to get your gifts for Administrative Professionals Week, but if you're reading this you're probably more likely to be on the receiving end of that particular occasion.

Biagio Fine Chocolate
1904 18th Street NW
6:30-8:30