This review can only be given in two version, through the eyes of a trekkie and through the eyes of everyone else.

Through the eyes of a trekkie. The movie was not all that good. There was hardly the Star Trek look and feel of the movie which deals with issues or thoughts and how they can be approached to a movie where there was action and adventure and that was it. When Uhura says "An Alternate Reality" to explain to the idiots sitting in the theatre what a break in the space time continuum would mean and where the Enterprise is at that time, I wanted to slap the director / writer / producer whoever was responsible to idiotify the dialog to ensure that people understand it. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. The movie was pathetic if viewed under the prism of a Star Trek experience because it did not have any depth at all.

It was a glossy magazine version of the complete works of Francis Bacon in which the most difficult (sic?) word being used would be junxtapose and even that would have an asterix with the entry at the bottom of the page reading "like, as in, to place together or side by side"

A cheap teenageschoolgirlization of the whole Star Trek franchise. Gene Roddenberry would be turning in his grave.

Through the eyes of common people, simple minded everyday folks, it is a very good movie. There is the regular smattering of action and adventure and the science fiction kick in a fantasy garb that attracts so many people to Star Trek. There are fantastic beasts on far away planets, misshaped humanoid aliens, ill behaved juveniles and objects crashing into each other at high speeds. What more can one want? Add to this, a good story line (simple, straight forward and slightly unpredictable) and good visual and musical effects, and you have a good movie.

Oh, and yes, if we further add magnificent explosions we should be able to explain how, being a sci fi action adventure fantasy movie it fits the bill.

Rating - 3 / 10

A great place to order delivery from. Delivery time may very from 30 - 50 minutes, yes, I will admit that at times they get delayed. But the food is great.

Their pizza's are amazing because of their choice of cheese. The chargha is very good. And of course, the calzone has melted cheese lava mechanisms, what more can one want?

A proper meal would land you in about PKR 300 per head

Rating Sheet
Delivery Speed - 3/10
Quantity and Quality - 7/10
Price - 7/10
Overall - 6/10

Espresso is one of my favourite restaurants and regular haunts in Karachi. For me, the larger, louder, faster Kh e Shahbaz branch is reserved for larger groups of people and the smaller, quieter, slower Zamzama branch is reserved for a group of two to three people max. I love both of them. More so the Zamzama version. Espresso has a characteristic look and feel that I have grown very fond of.

The food is always amazing. I love eggs, and I judge joints on how well they do their eggs. I love Espresso omelettes. Specially the Cheese and Mushroom omelette with cut up pieces of chicken sausages added to it. The Green Apple ice is also highly recommended. The Breakfast Tortilla, although not my taste, is also a higher coveted item on the menu. And another favourite of my friends would be the Chicken Panini Sandwich.

A proper meal would get in about PKR 600 per head.

Rating Sheet
Decor and Ambiance - 8/10
Service and Delivery - 6/10
Quantity and Quality - 7/10
Price - 7/10
Overall - 7/10

Yet another great from Pixar. The movie has all the qualities of a great animated movie. The graphics and artistic elements are amazing. The storyline transforms you to another place. The consistent streak of excellent humour catering to a universal audience makes one wish the movie did not stop. So, whoever and wherever you are, if you can watch it. Watch it now. Rating - 6 / 10

The question being asked is what will people do to escape misery for the promise of opportunities. There are no guarantees in life but what will people give and sacrifice to get to that. This is not about going to the US illegally and doing whatever to get there. It is about what people will do just to experience the hope of happiness. In a world with so much poverty, violence and hunger the question remains very potent. Rating - 6 / 10

The animation was very original and detailed. It is an amazingly original story with a unique touch and feel to it. Being ridiculously scared and not having watched a movie termed as horror in ages does not stop me from saying that this movie gave me the creeps. Very good watch and should be seen by all. Rating - 4 / 10

The story was too far fetched and even that was not put together well. The action sequences were sub par. One hot Italian scientist can not make me like the movie. Don't watch it, wasting one and a half hour of your life is not worth it. Go home and burn your hands with tea, it might actually turn out to be a more satisfying experience because of the reality of the psychological and physical experiences.

Rating - 2 / 10

Movies Reviewed 2009 - June

Yesterday, I had the chance to try the new restaurant, Secret Recipe, that has opened down the lane from Bread People on Khayaban e Shahbaz.

The place immediately caught my eye. The decor and ambiance were appealing and inviting. The service was fine, speed of delivery was good. The quality of the food was very good.

Servings were large and one serving per person seems to be enough for even the most ardent of gluttons.

Binge eating will get in a bill of about PKR 700 per head.

PS - The Chicken Creme Soup, Mushroom Chicken and Caramel Creme Cheese are very good

Rating Sheet
Decor and Ambiance - 5/10
Service and Delivery - 6/10
Quantity and Quality - 7/10
Price - 7/10
Overall - 6/10

Restaurants reviewed from time to time

2009 - June

Karachi
- Secret Recipe - 6/10
- Espresso - 7/10
- Ginoginelle's - 6/10