Top Chef New York Double Elimination Challenge

After the chefs were given a holiday reprieve in the last episode of Top Chef they vowed to redeem themselves in the next elimination challenge. Let’s see if they were able to do that.

Tonight’s Top Chef quick fire challenge was to create a dessert without using a key ingredient; sugar. Once again Radhika came out on top which gave her immunity in the elimination challenge.

Upon visiting the chefs Judge Tom Colicchio gave detailed instructions to the next elimination challenge. This challenge became an opportunity for them to prove themselves as chefs. The chefs could cook whatever they liked without any restrictions or limitations. It was their chance to shine if they could.

Tonight’s Top Chef Twist was that it would be a blind taste testing challenge. Everyone was given a clean slate with the judges so that there wouldn’t be any bias based upon previous challenges. Tonight’s challenge also introduced the new judge for the rest of the season; Judge Toby Young.

There were a couple of dishes that did stand out in the crowd. We had Stefan, Ariane, Jaime and Leah. Jaime who has at times come in a close second was able to finally win a challenge. She won with her seared sea scallops, fennel and garlic cream and shaved fennel salad dish.

The Top Chef bottom three included Carla, Eugene and Melissa. Melissa’s fish taco dish lacked imagination while also not being cooked to perfection being that it was such a simple dish.

Carla’s dish would have been a wonderful vegetarian dish; however she added a protein that ruined it. Carla's lack of confidence in her original idea is what cost her the challenge.

Eugene’s dish was over the top and not cohesive. While Eugene received kudos for originality his finished product did not come together.

With a very tight elimination tonight Carla was spared and we had to say goodbye to Eugene and Melissa.

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Tropic Thunder DVD Movie Review

Tropic Thunder is the making of a movie within a movie. This ensemble cast includes Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Nick Nolte and Tom Cruise.

The movies cast and crew has ventured into the jungle to film a war movie based on a memoir by a Vietnam veteran John Tayback played by Nick Nolte.

The characters include a fading action hero, a hip hop artist, an acclaimed actor, a comedian along with a host of others.

While on location filming a movie the director Damien Cockburn is presented with a series of problems, but none more important than that of the studio executive threatening to close down productions if he doesn’t get it back on track.

Under intense pressure the director turns to the author of the memoir “Tropic Thunder” for guidance. Vietnam veteran John Tayback suggests the director drop the actors into the jungle to illicit genuine performances from its cast.

Unbeknownst to the cast when they are dropped off into a real life situation and that’s when the adventure begins. Immediately the director befalls a mishap but the actors can’t distinguish if it’s real or fake. The main character Tugg Speedman played by Ben Stiller is convinced that everything is being orchestrated by the director and that they are being filmed. Meanwhile, the other actors are not so sure and try to remind Tugg to be cautious.

Not until it’s too late does Tugg Speedman realize that he is in real life dangerous situation but by then it’s too late.

Tropic Thunder will have you laughing from beginning to end. Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of an award winning method actor is so silly that it’s hilarious. During the majority of the movie despite the circumstances he remains in character at all times.

Each part was perfectly cast, including that of Tom Cruise as the Hip Hop dancing menacing studio executive. And that is very evident with his 2009 golden globe nomination.

While watching Ben Stiller you can’t help but to smile. The way he goes about a role you just feel like saying you’re so stupid. How can he keep a straight face playing the fool that he plays?

If you are looking for some laughs with a twist here and there then Tropic Thunder is the movie for you. Ben Stiller fans will definitely enjoy this one.

Tropic Thunder is a movie I would definitely recommend and remember parents it is Rated “R” for a reason.

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Cold Case TV show and Interracial Dating

I’m a fan of CBS’s television show Cold Case and if you have been watching it recently as I have you would have noticed the chemistry developing between two of their main characters. The main characters are Scotty Valens played by Danny Pino and Kat Miller played by Tracie Thoms.

As Detective Pino and Miller have been working cases together and getting closer you notice that when they are together it’s more than just a friendship. It’s more than just being partners. The looks and verbiage between the two just makes you see them as a couple.

In Kat’s search to find a significant other she opens up to her partner Scotty. In those scenes alone you feel the sexual tension.

But then suddenly it was nipped in the bud. They have brought on a new character that is obviously intended for Scotty. And the chemistry between Scotty and this character is non existent. And I think maybe two episodes in they are already beginning to date.

Why CBS? Why Cold Case writers? Is it because two officers in the same department can’t be in a romantic relationship? Or is it because it’s interracial dating?

CBS has done this once before on one of my favorite shows “Judging Amy.” Viewers had actually written to the show stating that they would no longer watch the show if the main character would be involved in an interracial relationship.

If you watched Judging Amy then you may recall that Judge Amy and her assistant Bruce had tremendous chemistry. And no other character that they brought in could surpass theirs even when they brought in actor Adrian Pasdar.

So CBS surprise me. I’m anxiously waiting to see what you will do on Cold Case.