Movie Review: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

This is one of the best escapist and poignant movies that I have seen in a long time.  Now I have not seen The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, but I am going to look for it in DVD.  This movie is an ensemble performance with many different stories intertwined.

The main story is Sonny and Solena, an engaged couple who are soon to be married.  However they are already experiencing some discord.  Sonny wants to expand and buy another hotel.  With the help of Mrs. Donnelly, one of the residents of his hotel and co-manager, he goes about securing the financing from a venture capitalist firm.  However, somebody else may be after, not only Sonny's second hotel, but also his fiancee(da Da DAA!!!).  And if those troubles aren't enough, he has to please the undercover auditor that the venture capitalist sent.

Meanwhile, one of the couples who also reside at the hotel are experiencing their own discord, but the situation may not be as it seems.  As for Evelyn and Douglas, distractions get in the way of them finally coming together, will they or won't they? And will Ms. Hardcastle finally find love?

The movie makes for a lovely, amusing time with many twists and turns and since there is a happy ending (as if you could doubt it) it all ends with a Bollywood dancing extravaganza!

Tech Breakfast Presentations

This was the first Tech Breakfast I've ever attended.  The idea behind Tech Breakfast is to listen to new tech-oriented businesses do a show and tell presentation.  I wanted to find out what new things were out there so I went.

There were four presentations this morning.  The idea that was most intriguing to me was from 3DP4E.  Their idea was to make 3-dimensional statuettes from children's illustrations using a 3D printer that uses limestone to create the art.  I can see parents and grandparents really liking this idea.  However the statuette is very pricey, at least $160, so people do have to be selective. Check out kidscreationstation.com

The second most intriguing presentation was from TheSquareFoot.  They created a website for businesses to find commercial space according to their requirements -- without the help of a broker.  Kind of like a Kayak type of thing.  It would be a free service to the commercial renter because the company is compensation by the commercial landlord.  See thesquarefoot.com

The other two presentations were Eventuosity which is an app for event planners to make things easier, and Golfswell which helps golf course management to manage flow by minimizing slowdowns.  See eventuosity.com and golfswell.com

Lunch at Sirio Ristorante

They have a great lunch prix fixe for $26.  I was in the area because I was attending a conference at the Metropolitan Club.  It snowed all day so I didn't want to walk too far for a meal, the restaurant was just around the corner from the club.  I was interested in their Restaurant Week lunch, but I thought their regular prix fixe was a better deal.  You get two courses for $26.  I chose a spaghetti carbonara for my antipasto and Tagliata di Manzo (Sliced Skirt Steak) for my secondi course.  So delicious as you can see.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Tagliata di Manzo

It was very filling.  And the service was friendly and prompt.  They also bring you a fresh basket of bread while you're waiting for your food.  

Location: 795 Fifth Avenue (at 61st Street)

I'm Hoping This is the Last Snowfall before Spring...Pleeeaaase!

Central Park South

Movie Review: Kingsman: The Secret Service

If you like your James Bond movie with a dash of Tarantino, then Kingsman is the movie you must see.  It's a slick, campy British action film where the hero is a British underdog from the underclass and the villain is an American billionaire and global warming psycho.  The movie has some unexpected twists which keeps you interested.  It is a British movie so the accent takes some getting used to.  Other than that, the movie is a blast!