Two musicals in two weeks? What is Hollywood trying to do to American film audiences? Culture us? Bah humbug! I’m actually a big fan of musicals, but on the live stage where they belong. Only a small handful of popular stage musicals have successfully made the transition to film, and after the recent bunch in 2014, including the boring “Jersey…
As you know from my test drive experiences so far, I wasn’t looking to go back to Toyota because the egg-shaped designs in recent years have made it hard for me to see. My next test drive in this series was going to be Nissan — and I had already made up my mind that I wanted a Versa —…
Lei Chic’s guide to the long Christmas weekend’s best events.
Chef Mavro opening his box of Perigord truffles.If you are into truffles, as I am, you love everything about them: The taste, the smell, even the way they look. I love truffles so much, I carry a small container of truffle salt in my purse for those times when the dish in front of me needs a little extra fabulousness.I…
With the holiday season in full swing, you might be battling the bulge, and in dire need of a detox or cleanse. With most Americans gaining a pound to two per holiday, healthy holiday eating can be almost impossible. But if you love Shabu Shabu, this could very well be just what the doctor ordered.Shabu Shabu House new owner Kazuyo…
You know all of those film purists who rage against Hollywood’s trend of remaking films from the past? Movies like “Annie” make their case that much stronger. It’s not that it’s a terrible film. It’s just a pointless one. I’m a fan of musicals, but am very cautious when it comes to their big-screen versions. There’s just something about musicals…
We’re giving away 15 pairs of tickets to an advance VIP screening of “The Interview,” an action-comedy starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, about two tabloid TV guys who discover that North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, and land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. The advance screening of…
James Corden and Meryl Streep star in “Into the Woods,” a modern twist on beloved fairy tales that explores the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. In theaters nationwide Dec. 25, 2014. Photo by: Peter Mountain. © 2014 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.We’re giving away 15 pairs of tickets to an advance VIP screening of Disney’s “Into the…
Is the term “pop culturist” just a fancy way of saying “nerd?” Yes. In the same way “wine enthusiast” is a fancy way of saying “wino.” The thing is, I’m too old to be a “nerd.” I’ve got kids. I’ve got a mortgage. I can no longer eat Jack in the Box monster tacos. And I know I’m not alone….
Another nice day trip (or two) would be to the tiny town of Obuse, just outside of Nagano. It’s cute. It’s quiet. It’s known for sake. What else do you need? In all seriousness, the town is noted because the famous painter Katsushika Hokusai spent his senior years there (and I believe is also buried there). Hokusai’s most famous work is…
Although the big city is fun, it’s nice to get away and see what kinds of rural escapes are nearby. One of those spots is Niigata, an area north of Tokyo. We caught the JR Express (just a couple of hours at most) to check it out and spend the night. The area is known for its great rice and…
After performing at 140 shows across North America, Australia and Asia, Jake Shimabukuro is returning home to close out his 2014 worldwide tour with the 3rd Annual Jake Shimabukuro & Friends Concert on Friday, Dec. 5, at Blaisdell Concert Hall. This will be a truly memorable show, with the ukulele star reuniting on stage for the first time in 14…
Remember Hiromi Go? I had a couple of very OMG moments on this trip, one of them being at our visit to a spot called Yoyogi Milk Hall. I don’t know why it’s called a Milk Hall — although there are many throughout the country — but this place could have been named anything and I still would have been…
Ross Mihara (left) and Genei Wagan’s Hideki Irie.This Japan trip was different in that I met up with a lot of Hawaii ex-pats who now call this destination, home. One of them is Ross Mihara, whom you may remember as a sports anchor on KGMB back in the early 1990s. About 20 years ago, he made his way to Tokyo by…
Shopping for uni at Tsukiji. No trip to Tokyo is complete without a visit to the famous Tsukiji Fish Market, the oldest and largest of its kind in the world. In fact, if you’re headed there soon, it’s a must, because the operations are moving to a new facility in Toyosu in 2016. While the new place is probably more functional…
Whiplash (2014) Left to right: Miles Teller as Andrew and J.K. Simmons as FletcherThe winter season is upon us and that means movie studios will be releasing their hopefuls for all the upcoming awards, most notably the Oscars. Here are my reviews of the first batch of these films, along with prediction about which major Oscar categories they will be…
Funnyman Gabriel Iglesias brings his electric, no-boundaries show to Blaisdell Arena this weekend, performing on Friday and Saturday nights. Iglesias is one of the country’s top stand-up comedians, performing at sold-out concerts across the United States and internationally. He also is a familiar face on television and on the big screen; he’s part of the highly anticipated sequel to “Magic…
Missed the MAMo fashion show? Watch this video.
HONOLULU Magazine caught up with Jake Shimabukuro during a brief visit to Honolulu.
Missed the fashion show by Project Runway Season 13 star Kini Zamora and Dinko Satta? Watch this video.
(Sponsored) Everyone knows about Big Island Candies’ chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies, given as gifts or passed around the office. But the Hilo-based company actually creates a lot of other plain and chocolate-dipped confections. On Oahu, you can find a good range of Big Island Candies treats at its Ala Moana store. But I recently visited the Hilo factory, just five minutes…
Missed the Neiman Marcus fashion show? Watch this video.
Missed the Hawaiian Airlines fashion show? Watch this video.
Missed the Get Out! runway show? Watch this video.
