An Intuitive Restaurateur and even more Intuitive Sci-Fi Thriller

Fei’s Café

Rating: 4 out of 5

Location: 2114 E Central, Albuquerque New Mexico 87104

Phone: 505-243-3390

Review:

For all of the hungry people close to the UNM campus, I have
to recommend Fei’s Café. Fei, above all else, is the
most intuitive individual I have met. You only have to
order your favorite dish once, and then the next time
you walk in she will already know what you want. One
time my friend was sick and the only thing she wanted
was some curry stew from Fei’s. Her boyfriend called
in the order and went himself to pick it up for her.
The next time she went in, Fei knew exactly what she
wanted and asked her how she felt. Neither my friend
nor her boyfriend had let on for who the curry stew
was!

Fei is always upbeat and excited to feed whoever is in
her shop and her food is always fresh and nutritious.
Her children help her run her business while her
husband works quietly making orders in the kitchen. My
favorite item off of her menu is a mango smoothie, yet
her pearl milk tea with tapioca balls is a close
second. I also have to recommend the veggie nuggets.
The restaurant only serves vegetarian food, yet I know
many meat eaters who walk out after a meal feeling
full. If you have a little time for lunch, Fei’s is a
good bet. However, if time is an issue or the duck
pond is calling, join the quickly growing number of
hungry people who keep Fei’s phone number on speed
dial.

Review Author: Robin Abeles

Children of Men

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Release Date: January 5, 2007

Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi/Adventure/Thriller

Review:

Alfonso Cuarón’s latest film titled Children of Men is a sci-fi thriller set in the year 2027, a chaotic world where women can no longer bear children, many civilizations have collapsed, and terrorism and inner turmoil threatens to destroy what is left of the human race. When a young woman is found to be pregnant, a guerilla group led by Julian (Julianne Moore) asks Theo (Clive Owen) to transport the woman out of England and into safety.

The film addresses many anxieties felt after 9/11, the London metro bombings, and all other terror attacks, as governments set up Homeland Security Acts and an internal distrust mounts. Foreign citizens and illegal immigrants are isolated and placed into prison camps as they are blamed for much of the violence and a cultural cleansing is used to hopefully repair the destroyed country. An interesting motif found throughout the film is that of the image of eyes on billboards, signs, graffiti, everywhere, representing the constant watch of governments as no one is trusted. Modern societies fear this “Big Brother” surveillance, as people cannot speak freely with the risk of being pegged as a terrorist, and this anxiety is wonderfully portrayed in this film.

While audiences overlook most sci-fi thrillers, this film has stood out as it speaks of current fears felt by many societies, and the direction, cinematography, marks it as one of the most beautiful and progressive films made in the past few years. The film received three Oscar nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Achievement in Editing, and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, as overwhelming support and interest in the film caused it to be one of the most well received films of the year.

Review Author: Carey Billings