A New Joint Made for Smokin' - Smokin' Swine BBQ

I'm back!  I admittedly took a small hiatus from blogging...or I was a little busy, with a dash of extremely lazy, during my downtime the last few months.  Whatevs.  Any which way you cut it, I'm back and I have a brand new local restaurant for you - Smokin' Swine BBQ in the bustling metropolis of Hampton.

Full Disclosure Statement - I am NOT a BBQ enthusiast, snob, connoisseur, or junkie; I don't have a favorite type, blend, sauce, technique, or geographic preference.  I just like good food.  All types. I do not discriminate based on anything other than taste. So BOOM. Take that, BBQ purists.

Smokin' Swine BBQ planted their restaurant roots here on Main Street, Hampton.  They've been open for about 2 months, and seem to be picking up steam.  Which is a good thing, because not only would I like to see Hampton's little hamlet of a downtown grow, but I can walk to this place. And they seem to be doing a pretty good little business.

They occupy a beautiful, old storefront with large picture windows to let in the light on the front, and small, special events/function space in the back.  The feel of the place is warm and inviting, with the creaky wooden floors, bead board, exposed brick, and slight industrial feel. When we entered, we were warmly greeted and seated, and quickly served our beverages.  Pretty good start if you ask me.

Looking over their not so vast menu, I would say their proteins run the BBQ spectrum - chicken, pork and beef - and most come in the form of sandwiches and platters, as well as sliders.  Traditional BBQ preparations.  BUT, they have gone out of the BBQ box and have a BBQ burrito and Smoked BBQ potato.  Can't wait to try those two - I'll do anything for extra carbs in the form of a tuber, and I'm a sucker for anything in the form of a wrap. Mmmmm, I'm drooling just thinking about them.


When we went, we had the kiddos, so we were able to sample the kids menu.  And a note to all the 'rents out there, they have three kids items - pulled pork sandwich, grilled cheese, and good ole chicken tenders.  Can't go wrong with those choices!  Our bambinos had the grilled cheese and pulled pork, and both were fans.  Kids meals come with a drink and one side item.

As for Chris and I, we went for the pulled pork sandwich and brisket sandwich.  Both were quite delicious on their own, but were made better by the perfectly toasted Texas toast.  Who doesn't like a toasted bread slathered in butter?  Everything's betta with butta, people.  I would love to show you all the photos of our meals, but we forgot.  Whoopsies.

Their meat comes "dry", but if that's not your jam, instead you like it saucy, no fear.  Smokin' Swine makes five truly delish sauces from scratch.  The sauces fit all the major BBQ types, with vinegar, molasses, and mustard based sauces, as well as something I'm unfamiliar with - Alabama White, which tastes like ranch with a horseradish kick.  Being as I don't have a preference, I tried all five, and ALL were good.  Are they true to the region which they represent?  I dunno.  But they're good...real good.

The sides on offer are standard fare: beans, brunswick stew, slaw, fries, etc.  They were good, Chris said the brunswick stew was great.  I, however, was not a fan.  But, then again, in general, I don't like the stuff.  I'm a Yankee, what can I say.

They also have a good beer selection on draft, nice bar area with stools and large TVs, and homemade desserts.  AND, something I think is important - the bathrooms.  They were clean, well stocked, and had cool wooden sinks.  A clean bathroom makes me feel good about the place's kitchen.  Weird jump?  Not to me - if you keep your bathroom nice and tidy, it makes me think you probably do the same in the kitchen.  And I like my food coming from a tidy kitchen, don't you?

Overall, a nice, reasonably priced, tasty local restaurant.  Is it THE BEST BBQ ever?  No, I've had some I've preferred more, but not locally.  Shane's is good and this is probably on that level, but if I can support a local small business and go away with a satisfied belly, then I'm all for it.  It's definitely worth a try, folks.  But that's just my opinion.  What's yours?

Smokin' Swine BBQ
5 East Main Street, Hampton, GA

Lone Survivor

 

First things first...Go see this movie. It is just as good as everyone is saying it is. It is intense, unsettling, tense, and ultimately awe-inspiring.  Adapted from the book by Marcus Luttrell, Lone Survivor reminds us in shocking, up-close fashion, that the military have extremely difficult jobs and deserve our respect and gratitude.

From a directorial standpoint, Peter Berg, does a marvelous job. This is, by far, his best film to date.    Many former SEALS, including Marcus Luttrell, have attested to the films gritty authenticity. Having never served in the military, I will have to take their word on this. In fact, Luttrell said the only thing missing was the smell of the blood.  Interestingly, Lone Survivor focuses purely on the fated mission and the way these brave men respond under extreme duress. Unlike the acclaimed Black Hawk Down, there are no political undertones here. We are forced to exist in the moment with these men, rather than debate over the decisions and circumstances that put them there. Coupled with his 2007 film The Kingdom, Berg seems to have stumbled into his wheelhouse.

Relentless in nature, Lone Survivor, from its opening scene, grabs you by the throat and stands on your chest.  The middle 45 minutes of the film have been compared to Saving Private Ryan in raw emotion and frenzied intensity. I'll let you be the judge of that.  

From a casting standpoint, Lone Survivor is top-notch. Mark Wahlberg even lived with Marcus Luttrell for a period of time in order to learn more about the heroic soldier he was portraying onscreen. Ben Foster is Ben Foster, and by that I mean great. He doesn't get enough work in my opinion. He's fantastic, and this is no exception. 

Ultimately, it is difficult to say I enjoyed this film.   Instead, after the dust settled, I walked away feeling like I had been a part of an unflinching memorial to these brave soldiers and many like them who put their lives on the line daily for the preservation of our nation.

In Case You Missed It

The end of the year means lots of food, friends, and family. It means travel, parties, and many other commitments. With everything going on, it's easy to miss many of the movies that hit the theater and DVD. Now that the New Year has come and gone, you might want to check out a movie on a cold winter's night and having indulged in so much frivolity over the holidays I have no doubt that you are clueless about what to rent.  So, I've done all the work for you!  Here's a quick rundown of some of the movies that might strike your fancy.





Runner, Runner, while not an award winner, is an entertaining film with the always solid Justin Timberlake and the constantly improving Ben Affleck.   Considering the potential of the film, it lacked real punch, but is a good choice for a pizza night at home.  If only it had been directed by Affleck, it would have been much more impactful.

Closed Circuit got mixed reviews from critics, but don't let that scare you away.  It features a good cast and an interesting story. A couple of my criticisms would be the story lacks significant depth and suspense. It is my opinion that the film is about 20 minutes too short, therefore preventing it from exploring some of the more compelling elements of the film, namely the Orwellian nature of the world we now live in.

Aint Them Bodies Saints was a film that I was greatly anticipating. Sadly, I cannot recommend it. Slow and plodding with a limited payoff.  Casey Affleck and Ben Foster are two of my favorite actors. They are truly some of the most talented actors working today. However, this film just doesn't quite grab you. The themes of the movie are quite intriguing. It just wasn't executed well.

Favorite Films of 2013

I missed a lot of really good movies last year! And my guess is, you probably did too. So just in case you missed any of these films, here is my list of my favorite movies of 2013. And this is simply a list. If you want to read the full reviews, you'll have to go back and read them on your own.

5. Disconnect
4. Mud
3. Iron Man 3
2. Zero Dark Thirty
1. Prisoners

And if you've seen any of these, please let me know. These are the movies I've missed but want to see!!

5. Out of the Furnace
4. The Rocket
3. The Counselor
2. Captain Phillips
1. Dallas Buyer's Club

See you at the movies in 2014!!

Catching Fire

Katniss is back and she does not disappoint!  Jennifer Lawrence has given us a female heroine we can get behind. She is, to borrow a line from Catching Fire, our mockingjay. 

After devouring the Suzanne Collins novels, I was excited to learn the books were being adapted for the big screen. After The Hunger Games, I was pleased with what I felt was a faithful and entertaining adaptation.  Though The Hunger Games was a solid movie, Lionsgate, the film's production company, brought in a new director and two new screenwriters for the sequel.  And it paid off in spades!! Francis Lawrence, who has done some suspect work in the past (Constantine anyone?), did a fantastic job with Catching Fire!

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is better than its predecessor. Filmed in IMAX, it is truly an immersive experience that pulls you into the gritty action with fierce intimacy and keeps you engaged with a beautifully shot and brilliantly produced juggernaut. This film is far more emotionally compelling and less clunky than the first, and delivers as one of the best I've seen this year.

At almost 2 1/2 hours, Catching Fire still feels like it was shortened in order to accommodate theater audiences.  Massively entertaining, this film could have easily been 3 hours in length and probably would have been better for it.  Though done well, there is simply too much going on in the original story to efficiently put it on the screen.  Kudos to Lawrence (Francis, not Jennifer) who does an amazing job in telling the story in a way that feels complete.

As you all know, however, the story is far from complete.  With two films yet to go, we are only half way through Katniss's epic story. Fans of the story will be pleased with the ending of Catching Fire. Those of you who are coming to the party late may need a little help understanding what's going on, so let me encourage you to go back and read the books.

Bottom Line: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is great.  I really enjoyed it!! If you can, pay the extra cash to see it IMAX.   Parents beware, however. The movie is rated PG-13 for a reason. Though the film does not contain large amounts of language or gore, the subject matter is simply too disturbing for young children who will not understand the social and political themes that serve as the story's foundation.  

Thor 2: The Dark World

This pains me to write because I had relatively high expectations for another installment in the epic Marvel catalog. Maybe I was not in the mood or something, but this film simply fell flat for me. Perhaps it was just me, but I've read numerous reviews by folks who make statements like, "The best movie of the year!" and "Way better than the first!". My first thought is that those people were stoned. The best part of the film was a 15 second clip featuring Captain America. Yes, the Dark Elves were way cool and quite menacing. but the story was uninspired and left me unfulfilled.

I'm not going to completely blame this on director Alan Taylor, but this is his first attempt at a major action film. And you can tell. Though the film gets decidedly better in the second half, it can't seem to overcome its murky beginning.  Here's a piece of advice: Superhero films DO NOT have to rely SO HEAVILY on CGI.  There's a lot to be said for real character development, dramatic acting, and storytelling.  Too bad Taylor didn't follow my advice.

Other than the perfect Tom Hiddleston as Loki, the rest of the cast ranges between good and lackluster. Hemsworth is obviously great as Thor but he has absolutely no chemistry with Natalie Portman. Stellan Skarsgard provides some hilarious moments and Jaimie Alexander looks good in Asgard attire.

Overall, Thor has never been my favorite Marvel character so it's no surprise that I don't love this franchise. However, I really enjoyed the first film as well as Thor's contribution to The Avengers. The Dark World just didn't quite capture my full attention.

If you're looking for something to take your teenage son to see, this is a good choice. It was entertaining, don't get me wrong. Just don't expect to be awed.   Oh...and I almost forgot!  Make sure to stay for BOTH of the extra scenes!!

Looking for Something to Rent?

Ever find yourself standing at the RedBox with a confused look on your face? Do you spend an hour staring blankly at the Netflix list with no idea what to put in your queue? Well, have no fear! Chris is here!! Able to shorten your DVD decision time with a single ordinary opinion!  I've done all the hard work for you. No more wasting your valuable time or money with a poor rental decision.

Now, what you're about to read is not my typical film review. In fact, for more in depth analysis, you'll have to message me or give me a call. Instead, I'm about to drop some knowledge on you with a few down and dirty opinions of some current releases. So, get ready! Grab and pencil and take some notes.

 

The East
Really interesting story about corporate espionage and environmental terrorism. I enjoyed this film on the flight from Atlanta to Quito, Ecuador. It features a great cast, highlighted by Alexander Skarsgard and Ellen Page. Definitely worth your time.





Hangover 3
Much like Hangover 2, if you were able to make a montage of all of the Zach Galifianakis lines and just watch those, it would be a hilarious 15 minutes of your day. Otherwise, don't bother.

The Internship
If you liked Wedding Crashers, you'll be disappointed with this. It features the magical tandem of Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson so The Intersnhip looks promising. But it's like setting up a hot date with a beautiful girl on Match.com only to find out when you meet her at the restaurant that she is actually a tranny with a fetish for unicorns.
 
 
The Purge
Great premise with awesome potential to explore some difficult questions about the human condition, society, civic responsibility and the political and economic factors that influence them. This movie addresses none of those. Absolutely terrible. Seldom has a movie had such an intriguing and compelling concept and fallen so far short of its possibilities.




This is the End
With the exception of a few funny moments from various members of this epic ensemble cast, this movie is terrible. In fact, the only thing that kept running through my mind during this crap fest was, "WHEN is the end?!?"
                                 

 
Tyrannosaur
Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but if you can hang in there through the language and THICK British accents, you'll find a powerful film about the weight and consequences of our human weakness. This film is brilliantly acted and expertly directed. Desperation, fear, jealously, rage, hope and redemption are woven together to result in an overlooked but must-see film.



White House Down
This is the most realistic film about a terrorist attack on the White House that you will ever see.  Just kidding. This version makes the Gerard Butler version of the SAME MOVIE look like a documentary.  It's funny and entertaining, with Channing Tatum making another solid stride toward becoming the Schwarzenegger of the modern age. (And that's a good thing!) But it's a little too long and because of it's too often reliance on comic relief, falls short of it's more dramatic cousin.