CHRISTOPHER WOOD: PUBLIC ENEMIES REVIEW >>>

Like a good surgeon, a bank robber must maintain a state of order while chaos and bloodshed threaten to erupt at any moment. With time (and law enforcement) in close pursuit, the thief relies on both animalistic cunning and advanced calculation to perform his monetary extraction. This dichotomy between precision and violence, rationality and destruction, finds its way into many of the films by American director Michael Mann. Like his contemporary Stanley Kubrick, Mann instinctively recognizes a showdown between these opposing forces as gripping drama on epic scale. Once again the filmmaker gives in to his obsession with methodical gangsters in his new feature Public Enemies.

I finally got my butt in the theater to review Public Enemies. Check out my review here.

JENNIFER JOHNSON: NEW LUNCH COUNTER INSIDE SANFORD AND SON >>>

Infinite Soups’ new satellite location opened last Monday in Sanford and Son’s Commerce Street floor level. Ten or so rotating soups are offered at the lunch counter, scents mingling in the marble floored dining area.

Heavenly.

My query of “What’s the Roman artichoke like?” was answered swiftly by Laura Adams’ friendly, easy smile and outstretched soup sample. How is such a simple vegetarian soup, containing only soft curled tortellini and hefty chunks of tender artichoke heart swimming in seasoned buttery cream, so complex in flavor?

Similarly, coconut milk adds depth to Jamaican Black Bean and Rice, an otherwise standard vegan soup.

That’s the magic of Infinite Soups â€" turning varied ingredients into delicious, belly-warming creations.

Try breads and cookies from Corina Bakery, too.

Infinite Soups Sanford and Son location is open Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cash or check only. NO CREDIT CARDS.

[Infinite Soups Lunch Counter at Sanford & Son, 744 Commerce, Tacoma]

MICHAEL SWAN: TODAY’S HAPPY HOUR DISCUSSION TOPIC >>>

This is a trailer (SFW) for Hustler's porn parody of Lindsay Lohan’s life.

LINK: South Sound happy hours

MICHAEL SWAN: FREE SCREENING OF SHREK SATURDAY >>>

The original Shrek film takes inside jabs at Disney.  Seriously. The most obvious is that Villain Lord Farquaad (voiced by John Lithgow) was a dead-ringer for Disney head honcho Michael Eisner.

Anyway, there's a story through all the punching: An introverted giant green ogre (Mike Myers in Fat Bastard mode) and his imposing pet donkey (Eddie Murphy) gets called upon by the lord to save a captive, airhead princess (Cameron Diaz).

And you can count the jabs â€" on the big screen â€" for free this Saturday at The Grand Cinema. The Tacoma film house continues its Click! Family Flick series with a 10:30 a.m. screening of Shrek. But don’t dilly dally. Only the first 100 people through the doors will see the flick. Doors open at 10 a.m.

[The Grand Cinema, Shrek, Saturday, July 18, 10:30 a.m., free, 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253.572.6062]

MICHAEL SWAN: GALLERY 301 OPENING SATURDAY >>>

I'm well aware of the seven deadly sins. I watched Gilligan’s Island when I was a kid. I witnessed a short-fused Thurston Howell III blow through his spiteful stack like clockwork. I watched the gluttonous Skipper gobble everything in sight. I tolerated skoochie Ginger bump and grind while I drooled over sweet Mary Ann. And I didn’t laugh when lazy-ass Gilligan, asleep in his hammock, would fall to the ground every time fatty clobbered him with his hat.

Ignoring the moronic morality tale that is G.I., there’s another opportunity to see the seven deadly sins â€" on our own little island that is the Tacoma Dome District. Gallery 301 will explore the age-old vices beginning Saturday when it unveils The Seven Deadly Sins show from 4-6 p.m. The month-long show “tackles the problem of sin in mixed-media art and video. In addition, the show offers commentary by people from different walks of life, who write about sin from the perspective of their profession,” according to the gallery’s press release.

Featured artists and writers include: Mindy Barker, Beautiful Angle, Joe Black, Daniel Blue, Brett Carlson, John Carlton, Chris Causey, Alec Clayton, Bill Dawson, Kyle Dillehay, Lynn Di Nino, Marc Dombrosky, Bagger 288, Erica Fickeisen, Kyle Franklin, Becky Frehse, Walter Gaya, Debra Hannula, Robert Jacklin, Rick Jones, Charles Krafft, Denise Ladenburg, Malcolm McLaren, Linda Nyland, Claudia Riedener, Cathy Sarkowsky, Kathy Schultz, Chris Sharp, Seong Shin, and Niki Sullivan. 

Check out the show Saturday during its two-hour cruise through the art, or something.

[Gallery 301, The Seven Deadly Sins, July 18-Aug. 18, opening July 18 4-6 p.m., 301 Puyallup Ave., Tacoma, 253.250.7745]

MICHAEL SWAN: WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2009 >>>

1. Kim Archer Band will lay down some funk and soul at 7 p.m. inside the Tempest Lounge on Hilltop Tacoma.

2. After 51 years, Olympia's Capital Lakefair this festival has grown to include all of the pomp, pageantry and play we expect from a classic American celebration. Today's activities include opening day ceremonies at noon, and battle of the bands at 6 p.m., plus food and carnival rides on Water Street.

3. Michael Guthrie brings blues, folk and rock to A Rhapsody in Bloom on Sixth Avenue.

4. Love Tacoma invades Woody’s on the Water at 5:30 p.m. for a group hug over cocktails.

5. Poet Jeff Lair will read followed by an open mic when the Olympia Poetry Network takes over Traditions Café at 6:30 p.m.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

JAKE DE PAUL: WEDNESDAY FOOD LINKS >>>

Oh No: Time running out for Little Holland.

Keep This Away From TV: Top Teen Summer Chef Camp July 21-23 in Olympia.

Value Menu Vote: BK will forgo sex in exchange for cheeseburger.

Today's South Sound Specials

Wino Wednesday $3 pours and $5 Rainier Pitchers Night, The Red Hot, 2914 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.0229.

Half-price Wine Night, Merende Restaurant, 813 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.722.1993.

Half-price Wine Night, 4 p.m. to close, Brix 25, 7707 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, 253.858.6626.

Sample two beers for $1, 4-9 p.m., 99 Bottles, 35002 Pacific Hwy. S., Federal Way, 253.838.2558.

Half-price Wine Night, 4-9:30 p.m., Primo Grill, 601 S. Pine, Tacoma, 253.383.7000.

Half-price Wine Night with every bottle on regular wine list is half price, 5-9 p.m., Il Fiasco, 2717 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.6688.

Half-price Wine Night, 5-10 p.m., Woody’s On The Water, 1715 Dock St., Tacoma, 253.272.1433.

Future Things Are Coming

Chris Sparkman of Sparkman Cellars in Woodinville will hold court at Brix 25 Thursday July 16. Sparkman will pair wines with Chef Thad Lyman's five-course dinner for you if you call the Gig Harbor restaurant with $95 in your bank account. Call 253.858.6626 for a spot.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Good News: Pierce County jobless rate shows decline.

$750,000: State ferries receive sliver of the pie.

$491 million: Road officials defend use of stimulus cash.

Yet Another Plane Crash: Iranian airliner goes down minutes after take-off.

Does Not Compute: Even robots are getting laid off in Japan.

China World: China’s foreign reserves top $2 trillion.

Enough Is Enough: YouTube and Twitter prompting users to upgrade their Internet Explorer 6.

PAUL SCHRAG: CONTEMPORARY NORTHWEST NATIVE ARTS EXHIBIT RECEPTION TOMORROW >>>

The Washington State History Museum and the Longhouse Education and Cultural Center at The Evergreen State College are presenting the fourth annual In the Spirit: Contemporary Northwest Native Arts Exhibit, a juried art exhibit showcasing the works of contemporary Native artists, with a free opening and reception tomorrow at 5 p.m. at the Washington State History Museum. Peep native art that connects heritage and contemporary forms of expression. More than 30 artists’ work will be on display through Aug. 30.

[Washington State History Museum, opening reception, Thursday, July 16, 5p.m., exhibit runs through Aug. 30, 1911 Pacific Ave., Tacoma, 253.272.9747]

PAUL SCHRAG: TIME TO SHOW YOUR SKILLS >>>

How does rock climbing on a bike sound?

Awesome?

Then head down to Ruston Way this Saturday near Marine Park at 11 a.m.  The T-Town Throwdown Bike Trials Competition will take place on the rocks, beach, logs and other natural obstacles on the Ruston Way waterfront. Five bad-ass courses for various levels of expertise will be marked among rocks and other natural features.

There will also be a kid’s obstacle course and a beginner’s course.

[Marine Park, 11 a.m., free, 3931 Ruston Way, Tacoma]