Snap Judgement Reviews

TV

TOP CHEF ALL STARS

(Bravo TV)

Season 8 of Bravo’s award-winning reality cooking competition is welcoming back previous contestants from its past seven seasons to vie for the honorable title of Top Chef that eluded them in the past.  With a chance for redemption, a total of 18 chefs, all of whom nearly won the competition during their season, will once again compete in “Quick Fire” and “Elimination” challenges to determine who has the culinary skills and creativity to step ahead of the rest of the pack and come out victorious the second time around.  Host Padma Lakshmi, and returning judges Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, will be looking for the chefs to create culinary masterpieces with one-of-a-kind creativity and exceptional technique.  The returning contestants must also impress a new judge this season, best-selling author and chef, Anthony Bourdain, who will no doubt expect nothing less than extraordinary dishes from the competing chefs.  Special guest judges are slated to participate in challenges this season, including southern-comfort food chef Paula Dean, the sweets-loving Sesame Street gang and teen heart-throb Joe Jonas, adding more audience appeal to the competitive drama of cooking.  The gourmet masters will be faced with many similar challenges seen in past seasons, including the ever-stressful, yet viewer-favorite “Restaurant Wars.”  Viewers won’t be disappointed with this season’s exciting new challenges, some of which require the chefs to “capture” their own fresh ingredients.  Several challenges will involve partners and teams, but ultimately, only one culinary artist can be named Top Chef.  Each contestant will be pushed to the limit, and this season is one not to be missed.  Given a second opportunity at winning a title they came so close to before, every chef will surely be coming with their A-game, and chaos and rivalry are certain to sprout in the kitchen this season.  A

Stephanie Skangos

FILM

THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT

(Focus Features)

The perception of a “normal” family as being one made up of a father, mother and their children, is evolving, and today’s families come in all forms and sizes.  Lisa Cholodenko’s latest film delves into this notion of a modern-day family, exploring the structure of a family headed by two moms.  Annette Bening and Julianne Moore star as a middle-aged lesbian couple, raising two teenagers, both of whom were conceived with the help of a sperm donor.  Before the eldest child, played by the up-and-coming young Australian actress Mia Wasikowska, who recently starred as the title role in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, leaves for college, she fulfills her promise to her younger brother to find the man responsible for their conception. When Bening and Moore find out that their children have invited their sperm donor into their lives, played with warm sensitivity and eagerness by Mark Ruffalo, any “normalcy” that this family had managed to achieve begins to crumble.  Tensions start to arise between Bening, the strong, practical and in-charge half of the partnership, and Moore, the down-to-earth open soul, when Moore begins to accept Ruffalo into their children’s lives, as well as hers, leaving Bening as the only one hard-pressed to keep Ruffalo at bay.  Cholodenko’s focus on the disruption of a family when an important person, albeit a stranger, enters the scene, speaks to any type of family circle, not just one with same-sex parents.  And although finding their father is overwhelming and exciting for the children, they soon realize that perhaps the strong father-figure they felt was lacking in their lives wasn’t missing at all.  Ultimately, Cholodenko highlights the struggles of change felt by Bening and Moore’s characters and their perseverance to remain all right.  B+

Stephanie Skangos

Gwyneth’s Surprising Performance

Country Strong

Movie Review

By: Grecia Garcia

Over the course of Gwyneth Paltrow’s career and numerous awards, this is by far her stand out performance. The making of this movie allowed Paltrow to be seen and heard by music producers in the music industry. In the moments of weeks after the release of Country Strong, music labels were aggressively in talks of record contracts and planning Paltrow’s nonexistent music career. 

Country Strong gives the life of  Kelley Canter, a mega country star played by Gwyneth Paltrow. The film begins with Canter in rehab and manager-husband (Tim Mc Graw) taking her out of her program a month early to begin the much anticipated music comeback. Throughout the movie, Canter battles with her alcohol addictions and is incapable of finishing her three-stop country tour. In the midst of battling her demons, Canter finds herself intimately involved with her talented opening act Beau (Garett Hedlund) and her tour manager. Ultimately the film gives the life of a music star who slowly diminishes and loses control over everything.

This movie proved Paltrow’s music talent, and her charm on stage. She draws the audience with her tunes and country swag. Overall this movie delivers great performances by Paltrow and her manager-husband Tim Mc Graw. 

B+

                                                                                        Photo By: yahoosearch.com

ADELE, 21

                                                                 Adele, 21

                             ★★★★★

Tina Turner may have asked ‘What’s love got to do with it?’ but for British singer/song writer, Adele, love and heartbreak—alongside astounding vocal talent—was inspiration, once again, for her sophomore, follow-up album, 21. The album, which was eagerly awaited by fans and music lovers across the world, was released in the U.S. on February 22. The British vocal sensation introduced her talent with her debut record, 19, which won her two Grammy awards in 2009. Heartbreak may be ugly, but Adele’s voice is far from it—proven in her new album, which amplifies her already lovable and original sound from 19.  With more mature ballads like “Rolling in the Deep,” “Rumour Has It,” “Set Fire to the Rain,” the artist shows off a more mature, blues/jazzy feel.  The upbeat start to the album is a twist to the later ‘should have been’, ‘could have been’ ballads like “Turning Tables,” “Don’t you Remember,” “One and Only,” that leave listeners on the same heartbreak cathartic rollercoaster as Adele.  It is not just her down-to-earth, truly genuine voice that out-sets her from other artists, but the extremely poignant self-written lyrics that go along with it.  Adele ends her second album with a pulsing, yet lingering edge with “Someone Like You.” Whether you are suffering through your own personal heartbreak, or just can’t get enough of the British star’s voice, 21, is an album you’ll want to have…on repeat.

Key Tracks: “Someone Like You,” “Turning Tables,” “Don’t You Remember,” “One and Only”

 Stephanie Cafano

(image from www.adele.tv)

Music: Angus & Julia Stone—Down The Way

Listening to Angus & Julia Stone's new album Down The Way is a joyful experience. The Australian-born brother-and-sister team seem to inject every song with a playful, yet emotional brilliance which never too much to being embarrassingly. Down The Way is their second album, and during the time the band have travelled all over the world to prepared this album. Down The Way is an accomplished collection of delicate acoustic melodies with childen-like innocence.

In the vocals the Stones have managed to retain the best aspects and have built upon them. The harmonies are still strong, and at times is gorgeous. Julia has tried to keep an innocence, yet a bit sad sense in her sound.

The lush and sweet opener “Hold On” is a perfect introduction, with Julia’s delicate vocal enchanting everything with the sweet tones. The song “Big Jet Plane” is another great example of their incorporation of arrangements, with violin punctuating the boyish vocals of Angus. And in ”Santa Monica Dream” seems the two voices coming together, perfectly complementing each other.

Angus & Julia have put together a good album. Listen Down The Way is a charming, unpretentious enjoyment. It’s like a coffee shop or park bench that you’d like to think no one else knows about—put there simply for you to appreciate.

✭✭✭✭✭

Winnie Huang

The Life of José Hernandez

A tough up-bringing with a happy ending

By: Grecia Garcia

José Hernandez grew up in a 14-foot trailer in the scalding hot city of El Centro, California just 20 miles south of the Mexican border. A young man now, Hernandez remembers the sight of his parents day after day converting their kitchen table into their bed and having to share a twin bed with his older sister, Ale. This is the life of a man who valued his family, the joy of a full meal, and playing with his remote control truck (he was a Baja-off -Roading fanatic from a young age) after school. José Hernandez walks a different man now -- as a young successful PR Agent who seems to live the ultimate bachelor lifestyle.

Sitting crossed-legged in a velvet burgundy lounge chair at a local coffee joint in the Outer Sunset district in San Francisco, California. Hernandez sits and begins to recall the memories of a life filled with struggle.

 “First, I would wake up and wonder whether my dad would sell enough radiators to eat dinner that day. I also remember a lot of fighting between my mom and dad over money every morning” he says.

After a short stare, he looked into a blank space and after a few seconds of silence he seemed to recuperate. When speaking of his parents’ constant fighting over financial reasons, Hernandez still seemed to be emotionally affected.

photo credited by: Chico State Athletics

 “My dad used to sell radiators and my mom was an architect but stopped working after she had my younger brother. So as a child, my dad was the primary bread giver,” he says. Hernandez added that due to a single bread giver, his family suffered a great deal of financial discomfort. Hernandez adds that he was unable to contribute financially due to his athletic commitments out side of school.

As a stay-at-home mother, Anita was forced to quit her job to raise her four children. When asked about his mother Hernandez seemed to feel so much admiration for his mother but his voice also hinted a sense of resentment. “My mom is one of the smartest women I know and it makes me angry every time I think about her sacrifice for us. My mom was very successful (in her career) before she had us but she said she had to stop because my sister and I were too close together in age.”

 Hernandez felt his mother had the power to take his family from their difficult financial situation but felt short, “she seemed to give up, and lost confidence in herself,” he says. Due to his parent’s economical struggle over the years, Hernandez and his younger sister, Ale felt it was up to them to make it better.

Hernandez is currently a public relations agent for the Ford Dealership in San Jose, California. His job consists of dealing with the company’s Baja- Off-Roading trophy trucks and the exclusive and limited edition Ford Mustang Rouge -- a job he now calls his “dream job.” (As a child Hernandez would spend his afternoons with his remote control trucks). Hernandez reached the success he now holds through the help of his athletic scholarship at Chico State.

When asked about his parents’ trials and sacrifices prompted in his life decisions, he seemed to find a lot of enjoyment in speaking about his father and running. “My father has been a big inspiration to me. My dad would take me on runs when I was a little boy and he would enter me in local races,” he says.

His father, José Moron was a former Olympian runner for Mexico, and it was Moron who gave Hernandez the training tools to become an All-American runner and essentially receive a full ride scholarship to Chico State. Due to his athletic ability Hernandez was able to attend college where now has a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a concentration in Marketing.

 “I love my job and I’m just thankful. Coming from a poor upbringing I have to say I’m still scared of being poor again. I always think about those times when I would pray to God to help me get out of that life, and it brings me to tears. I just want to work and work and be happy, finally,” he says.

"I remember both my sister and I would sleep on the top bunk and my parent would sleep on the bigger bed (He laughs in an awkward way). My parent slept on the kitchen table, which converted into a bed at night."

Tramy Tsal

“I like to take what I love to the darkness or opposite side, that can always make things more fun”

By Winnie Huang

A fairy tale story, a rock & roll album, and a vintage style accessory. It’s hard to imagine these three things have any connection, but Tramy Tsal mixes these together. Influenced by her love of fairy tale stories and British fashion, she created an individual style for her designs.

She’s dressed in a lace blouse, chiffon long skirt. If you walk on the street, you will definitely notice this stylish girl. Maybe you will think she as a model, a young girl with beautiful face, a British style fan, but it is hard to imagine this charming girl is a young designer of the year, is a famous blogger, and also, a housewife.

Tsal grew up in Taiwan, studied her BA degree in fashion design. “ To be honest, I am interesting in design, but the real job that I want is become a housewife,” she said. “ I find a job after I graduated, it’s an easy job, so that I can concentrate on my housewife dream.” But reality is not a fairy tale, after she worked as a designer assistant for almost one year, she found it’s not enough for her to stay in Asia to be a small designer and a normal housewife. She decided to quit her job and go to England to study jewelry design; she also traveled the globe just want to find the inspiration for her works. “ Thanks to my husband. He is always be my side when I feel frustrated, and supports every decision that I’ve made,“ she smiles, “ It’s really hard to find someone who has same interest as you, and always been sweet for you, right?” She never thinks that one day she would become a famous accessory designer.

Tsal found she became enamored of England and Goethe style when she traveled the world. Romantic stories have always been Tsal’s favorite design influence, but not only this; she also tries to mix some darkness and violent ideas in her works. “After all, life not fairy tale, it’s never perfect! “Says Tsal.

“I like to think what I love to the darkness or opposite side, that can always make things more fun when I am doing my brain storming.” She explained softly. “ The new collection “Shot CoCo” was basic on her life story, she was a legendry for fashion, but also, her life was full of tragedy. She has been a great influence in this big industry, I always think what the world would become if CoCo not exist.” Saluted CoCo Chanel was the idea for her to design “Shot CoCo. —The necklace.” 

By the first year when she went back to Taiwan and launched her first collection to the market, she was accused of plagiarizing some famous designer’s work. “ That was like the worst things happened to me in my life,” says Tsal. She had be frame up by another designer whom jealous of her worked, and lost some of her customers. “I seriously learned a lesson after that, I finally realized that to be a good designer, it’s not only about how good your works can be, it also about knowing this big market.”

Now the questions haven’t turned into impediments for her anymore. Having through the experience of being accused of plagiarizing, and had come to a dead end in her design, she finally found her way of living in this industry. Her works has been notice by medias and celebrities, and she was awarded “The Young designer of the Year” from Taiwan designer association. Since 2010, Tsal has introduced her designer to different country outside Taiwan. Now she is ready to show the whole world a specially unique Britpop and vintage style that only belongs to “Tramy Tsal” We looking forward to see her designs in US. 

Making Metal Magic

San Francisco jewelry designer Shana Astrachan shares her perspective on the business and talks about her love for all things crafty.

By: Stephanie Cafano

Tools and Books. It may not be what your average 15-year-old girl finds interesting, but for Shana Astrachan it was everything. Finding tools in her childhood home in New Hampshire led to curiosity and experimenting, and later will explain her passion for her career in jewelry making.

Just a few blocks off the 24^th street BART stop, in the Mission District, lies the artist’s pop-up shop. She notes proudly that she extended her time at the Urban Interstice Gallery. Don’t be fooled by the tiny space where Astrachan has been showcasing her work since November 2010. Astrachan’s designs are carefully decorated throughout the gallery as well as little gadgets and trinkets that show off the artist’s creative personality. From tiny, simple metal stud earrings to shiny bright-pink sequined necklaces, there’s no denying that the artist possesses a unique and edgy style that can draw any lover of jewelry into her shop.

“You came at a good time,” Astrachan says, as she fiddles behind a set of curtains to find a chair.  The door to the shop is left wide open, allowing a nice breeze to filter in. Wearing a dark navy blue dress with a blue cardigan, with her own complimentary jewelry pieces—a very Anthropologie look—the petite artist gets situated behind her very clean, organized desk.

“I was always around jewelry,” Astrachan says with a smile. The artist adds that her
aunt owned a jewelry gallery on Newbury Street, Boston’s fashion haven.

After studying under the prestigious metal maker, Timothy McCreight, who Astrachan describes as “the god of jewelry education” at the Maine College of Art in Portland, the young artist packed up her life to move across the country.  “I wanted to be in a city with other artists. San Francisco has a really rich history of early jewelry studio work,” she says.

After moving to San Francisco in 1996, the artist, then 21 years old, joined the Bay Area’s Metal Arts Guild, and a year later would join a Metal Art’s Critique group. Throughout the years, Astrachan has served as the exhibition coordinator and guild librarian for the group. The guild has been around since the early '50s, and has between 200-300 members.

Being a young artist at the time, the guild and critique group were a great foundation for Astrachan’s career. Her active involvement not only allowed her to meet several other artists, but also provided her with feedback as well as inspiration. “I tend to get my influences from other designers,” she says. “I’m always looking at others' work.” Amongst her greatest influences are Alexander Caulder, Mary Rank, and Wendy Ramshaw.  “My aesthetic influences are very simple and early modern,” Astrachan notes.

Like many other types of artists, making a career out of your passion isn’t always an easy start. The young designer had to work several part time jobs when she first moved to the Bay Area. However, she was determined to make a living out of her dream. “There were a few times over the years where I have gotten in over my head,” Astrachan says. “I did get a business license right away, so I could start selling my work to stores.”

Since her move to San Francisco, she has been featured in several jewelry education books as well as exhibitions in museum galleries around the world.  “I just had one of these pieces come back from the National Metals Museum in Tennessee. That was kind of an honor to show in the museum. It was a major exhibition,” she adds. 

“I also have pieces coming back to me from a gallery in Florida, for a show that was sponsored by Ikea. It focused on jewelry pieces made from recycled materials,” Astrachan says. “It was great because I already had pieces I made from a few years back that were made out of parts from Ikea.”

Besides her love for metal, Astrachan loves experimenting with all sorts of materials. When asked what three materials she couldn’t live without, she sighs and says “I feel like there are a million.” Being open with new materials is what draws the artists to her unique designs.  The jewelry maker adds that she loves the flexibility of mohair silk and the playfulness/fun of sequins.

While running the pop-up shop, the artist still finds time to make it to her studio, which is also conveniently located in the Mission. “My studio days are long,” Astrachan says with a laugh. “Right now I’m doing almost everything on my own, from the book-keeping to the marketing to the invoicing to the ordering materials to actually making the work."

The artist adds that she did just hire her first intern. “Why didn’t I think of that sooner?” she giggles. “Hopefully it will help me be more productive, and someday lead to actually having an employee.”

In the midst of an economic recession, young artists may worry about not being able to continue a career out of their passion.  Although it may have crossed her mind, Astrachan never second-guesses her career choice. “I would definitely like to have a few more accounts and selling more places. I would like the opportunity to work with other materials,” she says. “I’m open to all possibilities.”

(IMAGE from www.shanaastrachan.com/bio.html)