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Neapolitan Pizza and the Independent Record Store

     Sunday I had lunch at The Turning Peel. It is on SE Division. It seems like it was once a small house. There are lots of plants in front with vines growing along the edge of the roof. Inside is very cozy. There is lots of art decorating the darkly painted walls. Other walls are covered in wallpaper. One wall has shelves and a fireplace, which is what makes me think it was once a house. The chairs are mix matched. There is a covered outdoor patio. You scan a QR code, then order and pay on your phone. They will bring the food and drinks to you.  This restaurant is known for their sourdough Neapolitan pizza. I got the fennel sausage pizza, which may have been a special for that day. I didn't realize it would have fresh fennel in it. Which is almost like a celery or a leek. It is served on your own little pizza pan with a small metal rack in it. The pizza was good. I don't think I've had Neapolitan pizza before. I'm not a big fan of the big and partially burnt crust. I like the vibe of the restaurant though. I could be persuaded to go back. After that I saw a special screening of 9 to 5 at the Tomorrow Theater (part of the art museum) where everyone brings their knitting or crochet to work on. It was fun.

Tuesday: They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) 

    Set during the depression, a dance marathon is being held. Gloria, like many others, is desperate for money. When her dance partner doesn't pass the health exam she is left without a partner. Luckily a young man, Robert, has accidentally entered the competition without a partner. With no choice they become partners. There are a wide range of people who enter the marathon from an old sailor to an aspiring actress. They get a 10 minute break every two hours. Other than that they are always moving. The last couple standing will win. It is grueling. Exhaustion goes funny things to people. Gloria wants to win but other aspects in her life make it complicated. I thought this movie was alright. It's sad. I thought maybe it would be for just a couple days. But it went on for over 40 days. That's crazy. How could anyone do that for that long.

Friday: The Last Showgirl (2024)

     Shelly is an aging Las Vegas showgirl. She loves the show. Then she finds out that it will be closing. It's all she's known for the last 30 years. Shelly doesn't know what she will do with her life. She and the other dancers are left scrambling. Her daughter also comes back into her life and she tries to repair that relationship. This movie was ok. I knew it wasn't going to be amazing but I had heard some good things about. People have been talking about Pamela Anderson's performance. Saying it's her best ever. That she could be nominated for an Oscar. But it wasn't very good. It's the level of acting I would have expected from her. Kinda ditzy and not fully there. I don't think she's like that but that's just how it came off. If anyone's acting should be talked about it should be Dave Bautista, who played the theater manager. He did a good job. Clearly more than just the big tough guy. A lot of the shots are somewhat out of focus, on purpose. And half of the movie is just her walking around Vegas looking at the lights or sunset. One or two shots like that is fine, but half the movie is too much. There's no point to it.

Saturday: Empire Records (1995)

     The employees of the independent record store, Empire Records, love working there. It's like a second home. To some more of a real home than their actual home. Their manager does his best to take care of them. Lucas is trusted to close for the night. He finds out that the store might be sold. To try and save it he takes that day's deposit to Jersey City to try and make more money. Instead he loses it all. The next day he is in big trouble. The manager was planning to buy the store but now he can't. The other employees find out the store is being sold. They work together to raise enough money to save it. I thought this movie was good.

Sunday: Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024)

    Years ago Wallace and Gromit had caught a jewel thief who then went to jail. In present day Wallace is still constantly coming up with new inventions. His latest is a robot gnome, Norbot, to help Gromit in his garden. He also starts a business where people can hire Norbot to help in their gardens. The jewel thief is able to hack into the robot and turn him evil. Norbot builds more robot gnomes. Wallace doesn't think anything of the sudden appearance of more gnomes and hires them out. When thefts are then reported from his clients he is accused of robbing them. It's all part of the jewel thief's plan. Gromit must stop him and save Wallace. This movie was alright. It is cute.  

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