http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/sbovoso Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:40:52 GMT Reviews by sbovoso http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-Chef-review-0179 This is my love hate television series. I am completely hooked on it yet I don't understand the choices they make when they cast the show. I guess it's more important to cast people who will be volatile rather than great chefs, but this country is full of talented cooks. But I watch it anyway. I love seeing what people can come up with on the spur of the moment. I am very suspicious about how people are voted off. If you read -- very quickly -- the small type at the end of the show, you'll notice that it says that the person voted off is chosen after consultation with the producers of the show. In other words, not just the food judges make the decision. It really is based on the personalities involved. Too bad. But still I... Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:40:52 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Top-Chef-review-0179 sbovoso 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-New-York-Times-review-b84d What would a day be without the New York Times? Even if you forgo the news itself, there's books, theater, film, art, dance, music, food, travel and more. A great, world class newspaper that should be available to every high school student in America. Each day has a special section devoted to one special topic. Wednesday is Food and there are always great recipes as well as wine and restaurant reviews (mainly NYC restaurants, of course). Special culinary subjects are covered in depth and with great insight. Friday is a special entertainment section,  with many film reviews (including many you may never get to see if you live in a small town like  mine) which I like to jot down so I can add them to my netflix queue. Sundays are incredible, with a five pound whopper of a paper that is almost impossible to finish but great fun... Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:35:03 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-New-York-Times-review-b84d sbovoso 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/the-Cookoo-review-c5ef This small, quiet film takes place at the end of the 2nd World War. Three people, a Russian soldier, a Finnish sholdier and a Lapland woman are thrown together at her rustic home, all speaking different languages. They forge an existence together in the wilds of Lapland. Never understanding each other verbally, they nevertheless come together in such a delightful way that there's not a moment that doesn't hold your interest. No special effects, and only a handful of people at the beginning of the film that narrows down to just the three main characters. And what characters they are. This is a film that truly tugs at the heartstrings, but in a meaningful way. There is nothing Hollywood about this movie. If you're looking for action, this isn't for you. But if you like films about the human experience, try it, you'll like... Mon, 20 Aug 2007 21:30:36 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/the-Cookoo-review-c5ef sbovoso 5