Reviews

Here's a collection of reviews I've done for publication. If you have any opinions regarding these reviews, feel free to e-mail me with your comments. Due to time constraints many have not yet been posted, and the links are inactive; my apologies. As I acquire more time to format reviews, they'll be updated.

These reviews appeared in Toronto Life Magazine and other publications, in print and online, over the past year or more. See especially the 1998 Toronto Life $25 Gourmet Guide.

• Hip Guide Toronto, by Karen von Hahn
• Against Empire: A Brilliant Expose of the Brutal Realities of U.S. Global Domination, by Michael Parenti
• Reflections of a Siamese Twin: Canada at the End of the Twentieth Century, by John Ralston Saul
• Shredding the Public Interest: Ralph Klein and 25 years of One-Party Government, by Kevin Taft
• Paul: The Mind of the Apostle, by A.N. Wilson

• The Book of Laughter and Forgetting, by Milan Kundera

• The Aztecs of Central Mexico: An Imperial Society, by Frances F. Berdan
• Minoans: Life in Bronze Age Crete, by Rodney Castleden
• The Marvellous Century, by George Woodcock

• (Since Eve ate Apples) Much Depends on Dinner: The extraordinary history and mythology, allure and obsessions, perils and taboos, of an ordinary meal, by Margaret Visser
• The Rituals of Dinner: The Origins, Evolution Eccentricities and Meaning of Table Manners, by Margaret Visser
• The Way We Are, by Margaret Visser

• Accidental City, by Robert Fulford
• Ghost Towns of Ontario, by Ron Brown

• Manufacturing Consent, by Noam Chomsky

• The Holy Blood and the Holy Grail, by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Henry Lincoln
• Footprints of the Gods, by Graham Hancock
• The Message of the Sphinx, by Graham Hancock and Robert Bauval

• Bright Pearl: So-so but luxurious (Chinatown)
• Happy Seven: Plush red chairs, exqusite and inexpensive (Chinatown)
• Henry's Hunan Palace: Comfy Chinese (College West)
• King Noodle: Cheap! Chinese noodle-- a hangout (Chinatown)
• Lotus Garden: Cheap but light vegetarian flavours (Chinatown)
• Pearl Harbourfront: Very High-Class at Queen's Quay (Harbourfront)
• Sian San: Pricey and austere (College / Yonge)
• Swatow: Cheap Chinese noodle (Chinatown)

• Il Bun Ji: Good Korean-Japanese (Little Korea)
• Korean Village: You can't get enough Korean food (Little Korea)
• Masa: Conservative Japanese (King St. West)
• Okonomi House: Authentic Japanese pancake diner (Bloor / Yonge)
• On Woo Japanese Steakhouse: The best anywhere (Chinatown / Kensington Market)
• Rikishi: Sumo-sized portions and tasty, too (Little Korea)
• Sejong: Yummy and served with extras (Little Korea)
• Yamato Steakhouse: Expensive but worth it (Yorkville)

• Golden Thai: Superlative and thorough (King / Church)
• Royal Thai: Cheap but not amazing (Annex - Bloor)
• Tiger Lily: Trendy, cheap and spicy (Queen West)

• Chelinh Village: Cheap and filling in tasteful setting (Chinatown)
• Dang De Lion: Great food at cheap prices (Annex - Bloor)
• Vien Dong: Viet-French-Chinese (Chinatown)

• Arani: Real South Indian (Chinatown) CLOSED
• Nataraj: Sublime Indian (Annex - Bloor)
• Sirtaj Indian Cuisine: Relaxed but stylish, well-prepared food (Yorkville)

• Little Tibet: Authentic NON-CHINESE Tibetan food, if a little heavy (Yorkville)

• Juice for Life: Super-Funky Vegan Place! (Annex - Bloor)
• Lotus Garden: Cheap but light vegetarian flavours (Chinatown)

• The Living Well: Multi-floored, with a subtle fusion of Thai and North American (Yonge / Bloor)

• Cedars' Lebanese Cuisine: Solid Eastern Med (Annex - Bloor)

• Ecco La: Trendy-Fancy (College West)
• Mama Roma: Exquisite Italian! (College West)
• Plaza Flamingo: Buffet-style Ibero-Mediterranean (College West)

Currently Playing

(First-Run, Second-Run or Repertory Cinemas)

• Libertarias: 4
• Life is beautiful: 4
• The Faculty: 2

Action

• Con Air: 1.5
• Face/Off: 2
• Operation Condor: 2
• The Rock: 3

General Drama / Humour

• Black Robe: 4
• In The Company of Men: 4
• Fire: 4
• Ghandi: 4
• Iceman: 3
• L.A. Confidential: 3.5
• The Mission: 4
• The Piano: 4
• Princess Bride: 4
• Sleepers: 4.5
• Tatie Danielle: 3
• When the Cat's Away: 3

Sci-Fi/Horror/Fantasy

• Alien: 3.5
• Blade Runner: 4.5
• Contact: 2.5
• Dark City: 3
• Event Horizon: 3.5
• The Fifth Element: 2
• Lost in Space: 0.5
• Men In Black: 2.5
• Mimic: 2
• Spawn: 3
• Special Series:
• Star Wars: 3
• The Empire Strikes Back: 3.5
• Return of the Jedi: 3