There’s no better way to commemorate Black Music Month than an evening dedicated to Black excellence and artistry throughout history.
Dearest reader, be prepared for new storylines and arches to come in season 2 of House of the Dragon.
We’re here, we’re queer: Is that still weird to you? HBO’s hit series ‘We’re Here’ returned last Friday on Max with another season following four queens who go to small towns to empower queer people through the power of drag.
The Knockturnal attended an exclusive screening of Turtles All the Way Down hosted by MAX & We all Grow at the Rooftop Cinema Club.
John Green’s beloved 2017 novel, Turtles All the Way Down has been adapted into an emotional teen drama coming soon to Max.
The second season of HBO’s riveting true crime series, The Jinx – Part Two, continues the incredible saga of wealthy real estate heir Robert Durst and the chase to bring him to justice.
When HBO’s ‘The Sympathizer‘ collides with the vibrant world of 626 Night Market, it’s a night of epic indulgence, where every vendor becomes a chapter and every episode a flavorful saga ready for its first bite.
Picture this: you walk into a family restaurant with four of your closest buddies. The individual that greets you is immediately at attention, and politely says, “We’ve been waiting for you.” You follow him to a secluded upstairs table, as he gently picks up and removes the placard that says, “Reserved.” As you take a seat, he announces, “There will be a special menu for you all tonight.”
Bruschetta Pizza: simply delectable
This scenario seems to be straight out of an episode of The Sopranos, and yet there I was, living it in real life. I had been invited to Da Nico Ristorante in downtown Manhattan, which possessed “Tony’s Table”, a special table used as a shrine to The Sopranos and surrounded by The Sopranos memorabilia. Here, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the show, we received a special menu that contained items named with references to the show, such as the Vesuvius Scrapiello or the Not For Tony. A cocktail menu with a similar naming system was provided as well. I felt like I had the power and luxury of a gangster, and for once could understand what it felt like to be in Tony’s shoes.
Not For Tony, but for me
The waiter started us off with a bottle of wine and several appetizers, including a bruschetta pizza, a plate of cold cuts and cheeses, and a plate of hot antipasti that included samples of chicken or cheese finger food. Everyone was extremely attentive and constantly brought new and exciting things for us to try, and we loved every bite of it.
Each plate was perfect
When it came time for the entrees, I know I had to get the Not For Tony, a Sopranos-spin on the classic Eggplant Parmesan. My friends ordered Carmela’s Baked Ziti and an Agent Harris Marsala, and like family, we shared it all.
Cheers.
After that terrific meal, the waiters brought over some desserts, which included a plate of fresh fruit and a plate of zeppole, an italian pastry covered in powdered sugar. We also each were given a shot of a green sweet liquor, which we cheersed and downed simultaneously. As I sat back, I reflected upon the parallels between where I was now and Tony’s restaurant frequents with his friends. Sure, I did not have a criminal empire, but I had friends that I treated like family, laughs, and good food, all of which Tony was very familiar with.
Visit Da Nico Ristorante to see Tony’s Table for yourself, and try some of the best food I have had in recent memory for yourself.
I was but a child in high school when I first randomly chose The Sopranos from a list of possible shows I could watch on my HBO, and having now completed it several times, it has rocketed up to one of my favorite shows of all time, along with Breaking Bad and The Office. With the 25th anniversary of its original premiere upcoming on January 10th, 2024, HBO reached out to me to experience the pilot episode once more in a screening at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Lower Manhattan, in an event that would celebrate the shows popularity, influence, and legacy.
The Alamo Drafthouse VHS collection
The first spectacle was the theater itself. The Alamo Drafthouse was renowned as a theater, restaurant, and bar all rolled into one, offering patrons the unique ability to order food while watching, and having servers bring it to you mid-film. The theater’s love of film was very evident, with a whole room dedicated to professing a spectacular collection of movies all on VHS, and various antique movie posters and memorabilia. It felt like a miniature museum within the theater, and I appreciated the dedication and attention to detail. The theater had also set up a The Sopranos themed backdrop, complete with a fake meat market akin to the one seen in the show, and a small “outdoor” table at which fans could pose with props and clothing from the show. For a brief moment, I was in the show’s universe, and it was magical.
We headed back to the theater and took a seat while the event began. Each person’s seat had a small gift bag which contained The Sopranos merchandise. Mine had a little Funko Pop! figure of Carmela Soprano, which I thought was cute.
My pizza. Tony would be proud.
The night started with a little bit of trivia about the show, and while I was unable to win a prize for any of the questions, I got all of them correct in my head, thinking of the answer a split second before another individual said it each time (I swear). To prepare for the screening, I ordered a brussels sprout pizza and a specialty banana cocktail.
Banana cocktail from the menu
Finally, it was time to return to where it all started. The lights dimmed, and for the fifth time in my life, the pilot of The Sopranos began playing, and I sat back with a smile on my face. This would be the first time in my adult life that I would be watching this show, and right away I could tell that I was picking up on emotions and motives that I had not previously detected. I saw James Gandolfini Jr. begin talking about the ducks as Tony Soprano once more, and watching his amazing performance and thinking ahead to where this show would go in six seasons, I couldn’t help but realize that I desperately needed to rewatch it. This was a show that had started a golden age in modern television, one which was still ongoing.
Ready for the screening
As I watched Gandolfini Jr.’s nuanced performance, I realized truly the impact that this show has had, and shuddered at the thought of where we would have been without it.
I am currently almost through the first season of the show on my fourth rewatch, and I am enjoying and eagerly anticipating every moment of it. This screening of the pilot ignited a dormant love for the show that I have had for a while, and I hope it did the same to the other attendees at the event. A celebration of this show’s 25th anniversary was the perfect way for HBO to bring new interest to the show, and I hope it remains popular and continues to influence generations to come.
Lights, camera, supernatural chills! The eagerly awaited Season 2 of “30 Coins” took center stage at Vidiots Theater on Tuesday, October 24th, for a special screening that left audiences spellbound. As the curtains drew back, the atmosphere was electric, and the excitement was palpable.
The event was a cinematic spectacle, complete with theater concessions, mini-meals, and various beverages that added a touch of indulgence to the evening. The stage was set for an unforgettable night of spine-tingling entertainment.
The screening kicked off promptly, treating attendees to a double feature with Episodes 1 and 2, setting the stage for a heart-pounding journey into the eerie world of Pedraza. As the story unfolds, the once-tranquil town’s residents find themselves incarcerated in a psychiatric hospital, a sinister prelude to the looming supernatural terror.
But the thrills didn’t stop there. After the spine-tingling screening, the audience was in for a special treat—a Q&A session with none other than the creative mastermind behind “30 Coins” himself, Director, Writer, and Executive Producer Álex de la Iglesia. The discussion was skillfully moderated by KCRW’s Anthony Valadez, providing fans with a unique opportunity to delve into the mind behind the series.
Álex de la Iglesia shared insights into his inspiration, revealing that his childhood TV favorites played a significant role in shaping the show. He also spoke about the joy of witnessing his work on the big screen and the sheer delight of experiencing the audience’s reactions in real time.
“30 Coins” Season 2 promises to bring a malevolent new foe to the forefront, a force so formidable that it sends shivers down the devil’s spine. With a masterful blend of horror and suspense, this series keeps fans at the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting what lies ahead in Pedraza.
The Season 2 special screening of “30 Coins” was a night to remember, filled with tantalizing thrills, a dash of nostalgia, and a close encounter with the show’s visionary creator. It left fans craving more of the supernatural adventures that are sure to unfold in the episodes to come.