PANDI'S 'PINIONS

Book Review:
Fray - Two bamboo slayer thumbs up. Joss Whedon's graphic novel picks up where "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" left off, give or take a hundred years.

The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist - Two panda headstands up. Michael Chabon's comic book picks up where "The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay" left off, going back several decades.

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Two space panda hitchhiking thumbs up. Douglas Adam's silly sci-fi book is an amusing little read and is worth checking out if you intend to see the movie version coming out soon (starring Martin Freeman from "The Office" and, more recently, "Shaun of the Dead").

Movie Review:
Donnie Darko, The Director's Cut - Two special feature panda bleats up. The story is still amazingly convoluted and indecipherable, but the extra footage does make a difference and adds some depth to the already fathomless flick.

The Grudge - One tumble session down. This was just a bunch of creepy shots strung together and really was nothing we haven't seen before. I liked it better the first time I saw it when it was called "The Ring".

Restaurant Review:
Etete Restaurant - One bamboo stalk up. The new local Ethiopean restaurant is clean, high-tech (stereo system and plasma screen), and serves good food, but I prefer Meskerram's Kik Alicha.

Stay tuned for the next installment of Pandi's 'Pinions when he reviews Fear and Trembling.