>> The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
>> Identity Thief
>> Gangster Squad
>> Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away
>> Lincoln
>> Zero Dark Thirty
>> Hitchcock
>> The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
>> Hyde Park on Hudson
>> Safety Not Guaranteed

Opening 5.10.13
>> The Great Gatsby (PG-13) [trailer]
>> Peeples (PG-13) [trailer]
>> Aftershock (Limited) (R) [trailer]
>> And Now a Word From Our Sponsor (Limited) (NR) [trailer]
>> Erased (Limited) (R) [trailer]
>> Sightseers (Limited) (NR) [trailer]
>> Venus and Serena (Limited) (PG-13) [trailer]

Coming To DVD/Blu-Ray 5.7.13
>> Safe Haven (2013) [buy]
>> Fringe: The Complete Fifth Season [buy]
>> Jack Reacher [buy]
>> Mama [buy]
>> Superman: Unbound [buy]

Las Vegas: Satan Vacations Here
by Victoria Alexander
May 21, 2012

Port Moresby, The most dangerous city in the world, Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris Las Vegas, Devil's Breath: the most dangerous drug in the world, Movie Review: Sound of my Voice, and more...

The most dangerous city in the world? I thought it was Nairobi (affectionately known as "Nairobbery"). We spent several days in Nairobi in 2007. The most common crime in Kenya (especially in Nairobi) is carjacking in order to commit an armed robbery. In virtually every instance, carjackers use weapons to rob their victims. Criminals who commit these crimes will not hesitate to shoot a victim who is the least bit uncooperative, or may appear to hesitate before complying with his/her assailant. This includes victims who may be complying.

Nairobi's streets are infested with vagrants, glue sniffers, drug addicts and peddlers.

We survived Nairobi. We walked around the city every day and never encountered any trouble.

Can we survive Port Moresby?

Port Moresby. We are spending a few days in Port Moresby! I've been doing the research and found this recent article: "Port Moresby gangs rob cruise ship tourists". Port Moresby's image suffered a blow again after passengers from cruise ship Amadea were robbed at two separate locations in the city over the weekend. The robberies prompted Tourist Promotion Authority chief executive officer Peter Vincent to call on the government to curb rising crime, saying it was a poor advertisement for Papua New Guinea. "Port Moresby's image already suffers from being labeled as one of the most-dangerous cities in the world," he said.

The U.S. State Department says: "PNG has a high crime rate. Several U.S. citizen residents and visitors have been victims of a violent crime in recent years. Some victims suffered severe injuries. You are at a greater risk of violent crimes such as robbery or rape if you travel alone. We advise you to travel as part of an organized tour or escort. Carjackings, armed robberies, and stoning of vehicles are problems in and around major cities such as Port Moresby, Lae, Mount Hagen, and Goroka but can occur anywhere."

We will be traveling by truck and spending some time camping! We are staying in all the cities mentioned.

Travelling through PNG is highly dangerous. "Travel on highways outside of major towns can be hazardous. Motor vehicle accidents are a common cause of serious injury. Crowds can react emotionally and violently after road accidents. Crowds form quickly after an accident and may attack those whom they hold responsible, by stoning and/or burning vehicles. Friends and relatives of an injured party may demand immediate compensation from the party they hold responsible for injuries, regardless of legal responsibility." (Pictured: The Asaro Mudmen)

The hoariest advice comes from two travelers who posted on Virtualtourist.com. One traveler posted this:

Favorite thing: On June 7, 2009, I came within 2 inches and 2 minutes of death! While traveling in Pt. Moresby during my transit stay from Madang on the way to Brisbane, I hired a taxi to take me around since I only had about 4 hours. I really wanted to see the Parliament Haus in the center of the city. The taxi driver, who quite possibly was in on the attack, took me to the Parliament grounds. I walked out and started taking pictures. The building itself was closed since it was a Sunday morning. A few minutes later, I was attacked by a mob of about 7-8 people with clubs. They beat me in the head and robbed me of everything I had on me. The taxi driver just stood by and watched the whole incident take place.

Fondest memory: Coming face to face with death by the savages that run around freely preying on tourists in this most dangerous city. Having had such a great trip in Papua New Guinea's other areas such as Madang and yet facing the destruction of all of my good memories of the place and the loss of all of my belongings while flying home with 5 stitches in my head!

And how about this entry? "Come on this airport [Jackson International] isn't that bad. Sure the airport currency counter just got robbed again this month in front of international passengers."

Gordon Ramsey Steak Restaurant at Paris Las Vegas. We are huge fans of Gordon Ramsay's TV shows "Hell's Kitchen," "MasterChef" and "Kitchen Nightmares". We also were dedicated viewers of Ramsay's "The F Word" on BBC America. So when TDH friend and foodie Rob Goald went to Gordon Ramsay Steak on Friday evening for dinner (which opened May 11), I asked him to write up his experience.

Gordon Ramsey Steak Restaurant reviewed by Rob Goald.

There is a serene elegance as I entered the tunnel leading from the floor of the Paris Hotel and Casino into the $5 million, newly minted restaurant. I was led to my table by a beautiful brunette who stood 5'10" and was wearing a military style outfit with black leggings. Her body was model perfect and she opened my napkin and wished me "good appetite". The room was modern with deep comfortable chairs and the ceiling was adorned with a Union Jack flag and a neon sculpture. I was accompanied by two friends (one a former student who was celebrating his admission to the William Boyd School of Law at UNLV).

I was offered filtered water as tap water is deemed unfit for consumption by patrons of this establishment. Also an i-pad was placed on the table so we could order our beverages.

The waiter was friendly and displayed professional demeanor as he took our order and presented a "tree of meats displaying each cut of 28 day dry aged beef". It was impressive!

The breads included a wonderful focaccia, an olive bread and some garlic rolls accompanied by a butter topped with a special aged herb sea salt.

We started with Caesar Salad ($16), and an order of Sonoma Farms Foie Gras ($24).

The Caesar Salad was lightly dressed and the romaine lettuce was crisp and flavorful with the Caesar dressing and a quail egg garnishment. The buttery flavor of the goose liver was ethereal and was served with a raspberry jelly and English muffin.

My 18oz New York Strip Steak ($61) was charred on the outside and red and juicy on the inside. It was several inches thick and was flavorful and tender. It was one of the best steaks I've ever eaten! I added a butter poached lobster tail ($38) and had Yukon Gold potato puree ($12) and sautéed spinach ($12).

I washed it all down with a 24oz bottle of Chimay Ale which is brewed by monks and has a 7% alcohol content.

To wrap up this exquisite dinner I had French-pressed coffee with chocolate coated Amaretto liquor, sticky toffee pudding and chocolate lovers delight deserts which were rich and decadent!

It was all wonderful and Ramsey's place ranks with the best steakhouses in Vegas. Total bill with tax and tip for the three of us was $400 and worth every penny!

Thank you, Rob, for a thorough and perfect restaurant review.

The contemporary steakhouse has 274 seats including a large bar area, chef's table and private dining room in addition to the main room.

Gordon Ramsay Steak is Ramsay's first restaurant here in Las Vegas but Caesars Palace officials have announced his second restaurant will be a gastropub.

We have watched every season of "Hell's Kitchen" and the winner of the 10th season show will win a head chef position at Gordon Ramsay Steak at Paris. The new season premieres June 4.

The most dangerous drug in the world: 'Devil's Breath'. It is a widely used chemical from Colombia that can block free will, wipe memory and even kill. Scopolamine is often blown into faces of victims or added to drinks and within minutes, victims are like 'zombies' - coherent, but with no free will. The drug is made from borrachero tree, which is common in Colombia and in many parts of South America.

I brought a dried flower back from Peru.

Scopolamine can be blown in the face of a passer-by on the street, and within minutes, that person is under the drug's effect - scopolamine is odorless and tasteless. Scopolamine is worse than anthrax and in high doses, it is lethal.

The hazardous drug is currently being dealt on the streets of Colombia.

In ancient times, the drug was given to the mistresses of dead Colombian leaders – they were told to enter their master's grave, where they were buried alive.

In modern times, the CIA used the drug as part of Cold War interrogations, with the hope of using it like a truth serum. Because of the drug's chemical makeup, it also induces powerful hallucinations.

(Photos from recent trip to Peru. I was warned of its deadly reputation.)

However, in more recent years the plants are being grown in the U.S. Americans are growing the drug legally, buying the seeds over the internet, and raising them hydroponically or in gardens. They have become the legal party drug of choice for home growers in the Northwestern U.S., replacing illegal use of LSD and Shrooms. A savvy greenhouse grower can grow the plant indoors anywhere, legally. This means the end product could originate anywhere in the U.S or worldwide for that matter. There is a huge following of American growers on the internet.

Movie Review. SOUND OF MY VOICE. Pretentious, self-serving vehicle glorifying Marling. If you can't get hired, write yourself a role where you are worshipped. Make sure you are the only good looking woman in the film with plenty of golden light close-ups.

Uninteresting filmmaking couple Peter (Christopher Denham) and Lorna (Nicole Vicius) have stumbled on an enigma. There is someone who is claiming to be from the future - 2054. They decide to expose this person as a fraud using a hidden camera. The hilarity begins with the enforcement of S.P.E.C.T.R.E.-like rituals before coming into the presence of Maggie (Brit Marling).

After making contact with the Maggie-underground, hopeful devotees must be vetted, blindfolded, washed, placed in hospital gowns and perform a wacky secret hand dance. Only then can you join the group waiting for the woman from the future to arrive in the basement room.

How do we know she is from the future? Because she says so! Isn't that enough for you? Maggie, long flowing blond hair carefully styled, water-clear blue eyes, and an ethereal aura dripping from her fingertips, says really stupid hackneyed aphorisms.

Brit Marling co-wrote the screenplay with director Zal Batmanglij. Marling also co-wrote and starred in ANOTHER EARTH. Marling and Batmanglij have joined forces for THE EAST opening this year.

No one asks Maggie if FACEBOOK is around in 2054. Are we all Muslims in 2054? No one asks Maggie if FACEBOOK is around in 2054. Are we all Muslims in 2054? Why is Maggie here? To tell 6 people at a time that the world is going to end? Why not tell the world?

When an actor or actress (a) writes their own starring role and/or (b) directs themselves, objectivity is lost. SOUND OF MY VOICE serves no one but Marling. Marling envisions herself as a double-threat talent, but she needs to be mentored by triple-threat Lena Dunham. We want to see real women, not an angelic caricature donning a halo.

Maggie is smug without portfolio. If Maggie has really come back to warn mankind, has she forgotten there are 7.014 billion of us? Maggie is going to need a much bigger basement for recruits. If I had met her, I would have advised her: Get a job and meet a nice guy.

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