Hot Table: Locations throughout Western Mass.
I admit it: I am a snob when it comes to food, movies and most things in life. I am eternally adamant about supporting local eateries over the dreaded “chain restaurants” when eating out; you will never catch me eating endless fries at Red Robin or devouring whatever random creation Taco Bell has just concocted. I do not get the appeal of these establishments when I can enjoy fresher food from an organization that harbors deeper ties to the region they serve.
When I say I do not eat at chain restaurants, I will note there are two exceptions. One is Hot Table, which sprouted in Springfield in 2007 and has since grown to feature 14 locations across Massachusetts and Connecticut (I will save the other for next week; get your guesses ready!). I applaud Hot Table for its localized approach to expansion, but even more importantly, the franchise is one of the few chain establishments that truly delivers what it promises.
When walking inside Hot Table, patrons are greeted by a sight and smell sensation — the fresh aroma of fragrant vegetables, the sizzling panini ovens working their magic, and, of course, the talented chefs who are carefully curating another panini masterpiece. I’ve always loved basking in cooking as an art form, so it is a consistent joy for me to get to watch the food-making magic right before my eyes.
Hot Table features a carefully calibrated menu bursting with mouthwatering options. Maybe you are a fan of time-honored classics, like steak and cheese, buffalo chicken and barbecue pulled pork. Perhaps you have a hankering for regional favorites, like a cubano panini or southwest chicken. Each dish radiates authenticity, with fresh ingredients and highly customizable toppings allowing every patron to create a picturesque dish. I always lather my steak and cheese panini with a hearty helping of barbecue sauce and bacon; it makes for a great southern twist on a time-honored staple. You really cannot go wrong with any option at Hot Table.
New to Theaters: “Twisters”
Synopsis: As storm season intensifies, the paths of former storm chaser Kate Carter and reckless social-media superstar Tyler Owens collide when terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. The pair and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
The 1996 disaster movie classic “Twister” receives a modern redux in “Twisters” (why come up with another title when you can just add an s!). “Twister” was a beloved oddity for its time; the movie’s seismic financial earnings led to a Universal ride and even a precipitous increase in meteorology majors.
In actuality, the movie is just OK. A lovable cast, including character actor favorites like Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt and Phillip Seymour Hoffman, are adept at carrying a middling screenplay across the finish line. The story is rarely captivating, but the exceptional stunt work and practical effects from director Jan de Bont remain a marvel to witness. I would consider “Twister” an elevated version of the low-budget, B-movie romps that used to populate the big screen.
For better or worse, “Twisters” maintains the status quo from its predecessor. It storms ahead as a full-throttle roller coaster ride that compensates for a faulty screenplay through spectacle and sheer star power.
Credit to writer-director Lee Isaac Chung, the auteur behind 2021’s Oscar-nominated feature “Minari,” for embarking on a solid transition to big-budget filmmaking. Chung is an assured conductor of the disaster madness. The action sequences here, while rarely groundbreaking, always showcase adept camerawork and a strong infusion between practical and computer effects work.
Chung also walks the finite reboot tightrope with great assurance. His film wears the same narrative cloth as “Twisters,” including the same focus on chipper storm-chasing underdogs pursuing scientific innovations against cynical corporate entities. Still, “Twisters” avoids falling into the trap of displaying too much reverence for its predecessor. I am glad this sequel/reboot hybrid skillfully taps into its own creative frequency, although I think the movie would benefit from embracing more of its B-movie sensibility.
The tornadoes may be larger than life, but no force appears grander on screen than star Glen Powell. Powell’s meteoric ascension to movie star status continues to be well-deserved. The actor exudes undeniable magnetism as Tyler, the country-loving wild card who chases twirling tornadoes with reckless abandon. Every time Powell is on screen, the film instantly brightens up. I only wish that the film’s other actors received more to work with. Daisy-Edgar Jones as Kate and Anthony Ramos as Javi, the overseer of the corporate storm-chasing enterprise, are underwhelming in their roles, mainly because the script only serves them generic contrivances.
“Twisters” is the ideal summer movie matinee. It will likely evaporate from viewers’ memory quickly after viewing, yet it still satisfies as enjoyable campy escapism.
