Robin Hood - starring Russell Crowe and Cate Blanchett

Review by Steven Harvey and Eric Williams - Off the Bone Barbeque

Hello Off the Bone family! This is Steven Harvey and this is my review of Robin Hood 2010. Now, all I can remember from Robin Hood as a kid, was green tights and the motto "Steal from the rich and give to the poor". Well upon arriving to the advance screening of Robin Hood, my cousin Eric was hungry (and if you have seen him, you know why..lol).

Well he bought a hot dog, popcorn and a drink and the total came to $15. Wow!! Now that was stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. So, I would suggest for you to come by Off the Bone Barbeque before your movie night. For the same $15, you could feed 2 people and get a lot more than popcorn salt.

By the way, thanks to Shane Hefner and Jenn for supplying us with tickets.

Now this movie opens in nice dramatic fashion, in old school 12th century England. Amongst war, poverty and taxes. Hey that sounds a lot like today. The storyline is actually the back story before our hero becomes Robin Hood. Now the biggest problem with this movie, is actually not even the movie itself. It is the impossible expectations that this movie has to try to live up to Gladiator (which also starred Academy Award winner Russell Crowe and mega director Ridley Scott). In comparing the two - this movie falls way short.

Now don't get me wrong, Russell Crowe represents when he is on screen. The battle scenes are intense, and the period setting, scenery and wardrobes are spectacular. It gives you the actual feeling as if you are riding with Robin Hood throughout this adventure. I have seen and enjoyed many great movies made from those era's....Braveheart, Gladiator, Elizabeth and Shakespeare in Love. These great movies all had a captivating storyline with superb acting. But this movie just relies on borrowing bits and pieces from this epics and hopes that we (the audience), will just ride along.

So what is good? The battles, the scenery, the authentic look of the time and culture.
What is bad? The dialogue, the story line and the lack of character development of some of the key players. Toss in a couple of cheesy rally war speeches and you have Robin Hood.

Any beautiful ladies? No... I mean, Academy award winner - Cate Blanchett is unique in her own way, and she does always commands a nice presence on screen. But outside of Cate, unless you like ladies who look like they have not bathed since the 11th century (the movie is set in the 12th century - lol), then you are out of luck.

So on my scale.. I give Robin Hood - an order of ribs. It's good when your hungry, but it is going to leave you wishing you had more.

This is Eric Williams and I must agree with my cousin. I was shocked by the high prices at the concession stand. The only thing good was that you get a FREE refill when you buy the large drink. I don't see why the food was so high?? Just like I could not see my cousin sitting next to me inside the theater.

I guess the ideal thought, is to have a VERY OPEN mind you when see this movie. I admit, that I did go in with some pretense of expecting certain details of this very old tell. As my cousin said - steal from the rich and give to the poor. Now I do remember a little more than him because I am younger than him and better looking too!!! I was looking for Fryer Tuck and Little John to see how the entire gang all hooked up.

Now you must pay attention in the beginning of the movie and listen VERY hard, because the dialogue is a bit of a challenge. You can find yourself very easily lost and saying.."What happened?"..."What did he/she say?" Then you are trying to put pieces together and not sure what is what.... Does anyone have a rewind or previous button?

Now the last time Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott hooked up..........BAM!!!! A great movie and many awards for it. Well, don't even look for a bing (pin drop sound), in this one. Now the fight scenes are great, and the landscape gives that feel of authenticity. Beautiful countryside with all the right props, not holding back any aspect of old England. This movie is more of how Robin Hood became Robin Hood. So if that is your interest, then this is a good movie. Just remember to listen and stay open minded. By the way guys, I must emphasize - NO CUTE GIRLS!!!

So on my scale, I give Robin Hood - a half cooked rack of ribs. Because it looks good, but just not completely finished.

Click here to view the trailer - Robin Hood

Just Wright starring Common, Queen Latifah and Paula Patton

Review by Steven Harvey - Off the Bone Barbeque

First, let me say thanks to Caprice from Dallas Weekly for giving Off the Bone Barbeque some tickets to the advance screening of the romantic comedy - Just Wright at Northpark Mall. I knew this was going to be a great evening when I saw the massive line of people trying to get inside the movie and I recognized that many of them had been to our restaurant in downtown Dallas.

As everyone took their seats, K104's Cat Daddy and their street team - Ion and Carlos, gave away prizes to those lucky enough to get a seat for the show. About 200 people where not as lucky to get in. Then my cousin Eric took the mic, and literally "lit up" and "filled" the entire stage with his energy. He gave some lucky ladies the chance to win some Off the Bone Barbeque dinners.

Now I must tell you, I didn't have much anticipation about the movie, other than I like the actors that are playing the main character roles. Being a true hip hop fan, I love Queen Latifah and Common, and they both had a chemistry that was truly remarkable. Then you would have to be blind, not to be excited to see the beautiful Paula Patton on the big screen.

This is going to be the "date movie" of Summer 2010.

Common plays Scott Wright, an NBA All-Star, basketball player. Who because of his ball handling skills, has his team poised for the playoffs and because of his upbringing is a true gentleman. There is not a time in the movie that you don't truly cheer for him or want to see him with the best person for his life. Sport's fans will enjoy the many NBA player cameos as well as being able to take a peek into the life of a NBA ball player.

Queen Latifah, plays Leslie - a die hard New Jersey Nets fan who works as a physical therapist. Leslie happens to meet her favorite basketball player (Common) and they soon become friends, only for him to fall head over heels for Morgan.

Now Morgan, who is played by Paula Patton (also starred in Deja Vu and Idlewild), is normally cast in movies as the sweet, damsel in distress. Not this time!! In this movie, Paula plays, the very sexy, back stabbing friend, who is after a rich man by any means necessary.

Now, I am sure that every woman in the theater has had this type of friend in their life at one time or another. You know the friend that you know is doing you wrong, but because she is so beautiful and gains so much attention, you still want her around you.

Well, all I could say about Paula Patton and her wardrobe stylist was WOW!! There is a scene, where she is sleep and then waking up in bed that was CRAZY!! Ladies, you may as well go ahead and get mad in advance, cause your man is going to say something to the movie screen. She is so beautiful and shady at the same time, that you truly felt bad for Common's character. I mean, how did he stand a chance.

Come on fella's you know this type of woman. The one that is not right for you, but because she is SO RIGHT in all the right places, that you override common sense, book sense and end up with no cents. All I am saying is that Paula did the d*@# thang!!

Ooops sorry, back to the movie. So, here you have the NBA baller, the "home girl" that is always just the friend, and the seductress. All on a collision course for this thing called love.

What makes this movie so good, is that it reminds us that there is someone that is "Just Wright" for you. Now fellas, she may not be the one in the size 2 dress. And ladies, he may not live in that mansion on the hill. But this movie does remind us, that the right one will be that person that believes in us, even when we don't believe in our self. If you want to enjoy a great date movie and feel great in the process, then this movie is "Just Wright".

Also starring Pam Greir as Queen Latifah's mom and Phylicia Rashad (Mrs. Huxtable), as Common's mom. True legends.

As a rating, I give this movie: A FULL RACK OF RIBS, from Off the Bone Barbeque. Because just like our food, you will want to share it with someone that you love.

Off the Bone Barbeque - May is upon us

What is it that makes you the most excited about the month of May. Is it the beautiful weather? Is it because your a student and school is almost out? Is it an overdue vacation that you have been planning for over a year?

What ever the reason, people has always been excited about the month of May. Some of my favorite reasons are:

1) The season is perfect to eat outdoors and nothing is better than great barbeque under the Texas sun.
2) We can reward our mother on Mother's Day and show her how much we appreciate her unconditional love.
3) It is finally time to show off all the hard work that you put in at the gym. And the ladies pull out the summer attire and show the world why true gentlemen prefer Southern girls.
4) Some of the hottest movies of the summer are released:

Iron Man 2 - May 7th
Robin Hood - May 14th
Shrek Forever After - May 21st
Sex and the City 2 - May 27th
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time - May 28th

5) Nothing is better after a great movie, than some Off the Bone Barbeque.
6) Since there is no Cowboys or Mavericks playing, it gives us a chance to eat more barbeque.
7) Did I mention that the ladies are revealing their hard work from the gym.

So whatever your reason to get excited about this great month, I wish you and your family the best May ever.

Off the Bone Barbeque family

Off the Bone Barbeque - Eagle Eye Movie Premiere

We would like to thank everyone who came out to the Eagle Eye - Movie Special Screening at the Studio Movie Grill (Addison) on Wednesday, September 24th. This movie was highly anticipated with many lining up around the facility trying to get inside to see this blockbuster.

Before the movie starts, I always get a chance to meet our audience and to do a drawing for some exciting prizes. I was able to give away some gift certificates to Off the Bone Barbeque, Shane (Black Business Directory) provided some tickets to see the Temptations and the Four Tops for the drawing and Dorothea "DC" Cole (Flava TV and Driver Select) was able to provide some gas cards to the lucky winners.

Keep logging onto our website and to our blog for our upcoming promotions, movies and parties.

Steven Harvey

Off the Bone Barbeque - The leader in Gourmet Barbeque

Off The Bone Barbeque is a new barbecue concept by award-winning chef, Dwight Harvey, who has quietly become a Dallas' favorite as a result of memorable catering experiences attended by celebrities, politcians and residents from the Dallas Metroplex and beyond.

Located at 1734 South Lamar Street in Downtown Dallas, this new establishment is focused on delivering consistently rich experiences behind a limited range of perfectly smoked BBQ entrees for takeout, take-home and catered meal occasions. You can see both our Store Menu and our Catering Menu online at www.offthebonebarbeque.com

So if you are ready for some great Texas barbecue, you have come to the right place. Here at Off the Bone Barbeque, we serve Gourmet Barbeque. And after one bite into our tender BBQ ribs, your taste buds will never want ordinary barbecue again.

Texas, we present to you - Off The Bone Barbeque. A true gourmet experience.