ORDER OF MYTHS PREMIERE
You really missed out if you didn't catch the premiere of Order of Myths last night at the Saenger. Even the impressive advance hype - a review in the New York Times, screening at Cannes and selection for Sundance - didn't do the film justice. The film opened with what for me were two setups. The first, Maskers talking about how there really does not exist any division in Mardi Gras. "Bullshit," I muttered. The next is the (White) Queen Helen Meaher. I laughed at what I thought to be the funny coincidence that she was a Meaher.

The film weaves back and forth, seemingly about to present a lavish puff of pastry about our gracious southern ways. And then the Butler drops the serving dish! No "color by Pathe", no palatable placebos, a truck, a hard dose of reality, as the film digs deeply into the underbelly of Mobile Mardi Gras. It discusses not only the mundane and the good but also the "bad" (in a Yankee, or PC, or Liberal, "you ain't from around here are ya?" kind of way) and the good and the bad as we locals understand and (perhaps unfortunately) accept as normal. It ended on an up beat by showing the tremendous efforts being made by everyone on both sides of the racial divide.

If the Societies are a metaphor for the two communities then last night's premiere itself presented the tension and dichotomy in Mobile's two racial societies. Everyone who was everyone was there. And, while it might be easy to dismiss what Ms. Brown has to say (and show), it could not have been lost on the gentry, the captive audience in attendance, that many are in total agreement with what the film shows and the need to get along in this race relations thing. That alone was worth the price of admission.

The Order of Myths - a film by Margaret Brown

MOVIE PREMIERES HERE
The Mobile premiere of Order of Myths is this Thursday at the Saenger at 7pm. This film by Margaret Brown has gotten some attention in the international arts community and looks like something worth seeing. Check out the trailer (no, not that kind of trailer) at their website.

Speaking of movies, two recent movies of note, both of them foreign movies, both having to do with Jews and both of them remarkably moving: Black Book and Broken Wings. Paul Verhoeven's Black Book is a Dutch film about a woman hiding out in Holland during the nazi occupation. Verhoeven has made big main stream blockbusters and this one has that feel. Broken Wings, on the other hand, has the feel of a little independent movie. Set in Israel this story about a mother and her kids is on the other end of the spectrum but is every bit, perhaps even more, satisfying. And, in the interest of equal time, another film well worth seeing - and for the same feel good reasons - is the Lebanese (christian) film Caramel, about a bunch of ladies in a beauty shop. (Eddie Murphy eat your heart out.)

FOOD FRONT: MIDTOWN
I'm aware of only three changes in Midtown Fare: Mellow Mushroom, Trolley's and The Pillars.
Mellow Mushroom just opened a new site at the Loop. I'd been hearing that is the place to go but I don't venture much past Broad Street except maybe to visit Mohawk Street or eat at my favorite, Yen's Restaurant. So, here they go and open up just a few blocks from Mohawk. What a great place! And, although it looks like something put together in San Francisco, these guys are from Auburn! War damn Eagle.
Good Friend Tammy Morgan has taken over the Michael's Midtown (the second one, not THE Michael's Midtown Cafe) and just won some well-deserved raves from the Nappy Awards. Although it has the "joint" ambiance - like the Blind Mule - Trolley's will shock the hell out of you at how way-past-good the food is and how pleasant they make you feel in there. It's like a joint in Austin. Having come from Guido's (and Texas) Tammy knows how to put together a fine, but still non-pretentious, dining experience. They have these leetle-beeety burgers with bloooo cheeeese that are just perfect. And, they are giving Silver Horse a run for their money as a favorite nighttime bar spot. Rocky Top!
As for The Pillars, since I was thinking about this email and their touting of the new Tapas menu, we went there Friday night for super. Never ordered the tapas as it looked pretty ho hum. (Go to the Global Grill in Pensacola or downtown to David Rasp's Royal Scam). The service was great, the food excellent but it looks like they're taking a beating from all of the new competion. Your parents' friends were there reliving the golden Mims years but not many others.
Speaking of competition, I was telling Anhn over at The Bakery about Mike Ivy and his new place and she got all pumped up about beefing up the menu, beginning with Sushi on Thursdays. If you're looking for muchies to pack in the beach basket, The Bakery is still the place to go, it's on your way and is owned by friends. But, don't forget that 219 (conti and joachim, also owned by friends) has a market with some really great consumables and they seem to be better prepared for things like sandwiches and meals. (But you have to get there before 2 on Saturdays and they're not open Sundays. WTF?).
If you haven't done the market at Cathedral Square you are missing out on a special treat. Don't know how long that is going to go on.
PS: I had assumed that Mike Ivy's invitation to lunch meant he was open for business. That's still pending.
PPS: Roll Tide!

FOOD FRONT: DOWNTOWN
Some interesting shifts in the local food front lately. Sadly Guido's has closed. Zitzos' has lost their lease and is probably on its last legs. After a costly and disastrous move from "the cellar" occasioned by some sort of building malfunction, our favorite Greek ladies have been told by the building management that the smell from their food is some sort of distraction. (Probably has nothing to do with the new building right across the street and the fact that they're trying to sell that white elephant. Speaking of which, the Joe Cain Cafe is getting good feedback. Their menu looks good.) That's a shame, because the new location on the mezzanine floor was such a perfect fit and it looked like Claire and Momma Zitsos might actually get a break.
On a positive note, Michael Ivy has started a new joint in the old Uncle Simi's building and is open for lunch. (Don't know much right now, I'll tell you after I go there for lunch today.) The address is 101 N. Conception. Last week Jo and I were looking for a decent place to have a salad. Woody Walker recommended The Blind Mule. If you haven't been there you are really missing out. (BTW: Ditto, If you haven't tired out the Bicycle Shop's MexMenu.) The Mule is something well worth keeping a locals' secret. The place is oh-so-perfectly low-rent (in a good, Thirsties - not in a Greyhound terminal or Hayley's bathroon - kind of way). Not only is the ambiance pleasant, when you get the menu (and your food) you'll be really knocked out.