I've heard many big things about Big Lou's Pizzeria on San Antonio's southeast side. But nothing prepared me for the big disappointment I encountered there.
Let me first say, if you're a busy establishment, and you know the wait is going to be long, please give your patrons a heads up or add an extra 10-15 minutes just in case. When we arrived, we ordered and were told the wait would be 25 minutes. That was at 7:40 according to our receipt. We were finally seated at about 8:56, and only after we complained.
The wait time was partly the biggest let down. So I figured their pizza would redeem them. Wow, was I wrong. I'm not saying the pizza was bad. In all honesty, my first thought was: "A greasy good time in your mouth!" But then I thought it may have been the fact that we had waited so long to eat. The pizza was mediocre at best. But Big Lou's is really a unique place in San Antonio because they offer such gigantic works of pepperoni and cheese.
On a scale of 1-10, I'm going to have to give them a 3 on the wait time. I understand it's a busy place, but when you say 25 minutes, and actually wait over an hour, it's just wrong. I'm giving their pizza a rating of 6. Only because I heard such great reviews, and they didn't live up to my expectations. I'm giving them a 7 for customer service. They really looked like they were trying.
So my recommendation: If you want to try something new (as I did tonight), go for it. Stop by Big Lou's. They've got like 40" pizzas, but if you want great pizza, don't go to Big Lou's. I did like the beer. I'll give them that much credit.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Powderkids go out with a bang!
Tonight I got to watch the highly anticipated local independently made film, The Powderkids. So I have to give props to my Buddy Calvo and Perla Rivera for putting me on the list. I got there just as they started allowing people into the auditorium where the flick was playing. I was surprised as to how many people were there. It wasn't a sell-out, but unless you consider enough empty seats to make up about two and a half or three rows bad, this turnout was...how can I put this best? It was the shit.
Saw quite a few people out there that I recognized from either Facebook or just familiar hometown faces, including Maclovio Perez, spokesperson for Harlandale ISD, and former WOAI meteorologist, and Brian Alonzo from KSAT-12. And of course all most of the cast of the movie were on hand. Isn't it always strange to see someone in person and realize either how short or tall they really are?
Well if you missed the movie, let me describe it to you this way. This is the Goodfellas for the twentysomethings of today. The lead male character, Lucas, narrates most of the film, but he keeps you up to speed with who's who and how everything falls into place. I was very impressed with most of the acting as well, for people who had never acted before.
I'm not gonna lie! Not everyone was good, but hey, as I said, these guys weren't actors. Still, it was a good story, that seemed to keep the audience in a trance throughout. The film was also screened on BluRay, which made it look that much better.
Calvo wasn't kidding, for a shoestring budget, these guys really went all out and got the bang for their buck! Awesome sound, which of course was all thanks to The Living Room Studio. So the movie will go from here onto film festivals everywhere. I have a good feeling about The Powderkids. I just hope the real critics feel the same. Good luck and congrats to Calvo and his team!
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Nothing kid-like about The Powderkids
By Chris Perez
Just listening to Buddy Calvo, director of the upcoming indie film The Powderkids, was like watching a kid read his Christmas list to Santa Clause. The gleam in his eye, the excitement in his voice, the motioning of his hands...Calvo couldn't wait to tell his story. And when the film is screened at Santikos Palladium theater on Thursday, the audience can witness for themselves exactly why this young director was so anxious.
Calvo and producer, Perla Rivera, are no newbies in the indie film world. In 2008, the two collaborated on Jacob, another low budget film, which like Powderkids, is based on true events.
Like Lucas, the protagonist in The Powderkids, Calvo also took a break from college to find something, another calling if you will. What he found instead were his old high school friends, pretty much doing the same ol' same ol', being wild, partying, and using drugs, but having a thrill ride of their own nonetheless.
"I went to UTSA for a few years. I had a full scholarship, but my grades started slipping," Calvo said. "I had to have a certain grade-point-average for that scholarship, and sure enough I wasn't making it so I left.
That's when Calvo said he began hanging out with his old friends whom suggested that he follow them around and make a movie about their lives.
"That was a weird time," Calvo admits. "I was at Kinko's, I just left UTSA, I broke up with my girlfriend. I had nothing to do."
He said at first, he thought following his friends was just a waste of time. It wasn't until his friend Joe Gallegos, another of the film's producers, suggested Calvo make a movie involving drugs. Calvo said one of his initial thought was a movie about girls and cocaine, possibly called The Powder Room.
Gallegos thought it would be better if the film revolved around him, Calvo, and a few other friends, suggesting they call it The Powderkids. The name stuck.
"It really is a collection of stories," Calvo said. " In the credits it says written and directed by Buddy Calvo. Stories by Buddy Calvo and Joe Gallegos."
So the idea of a few friends involved in a world of drugs just so happened to take shape in this 90-minute drama. Don't let the drama tag fool you. Calvo promised enough action to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Those viewers can also expect to see lots of newcomers in this movie. For being a little "green," as he put it, Calvo said the actors were very convincing. Stephanie Hunter is one of the only faces you may remember if you happened to catch his last film, Jacob.
People should keep in mind the actors were not paid for the long hours they put into this production. The other female lead, Tasja Sachs, said she had so manipulate her time in order to shoot her scenes.
"I worked at FedEx and had to take a lot of time off," Sachs said. "I used all the vacation time, sick days and floating holidays I had. I almost got fired because I spent so much time on the film"
Sachs also recalled an incident in which she called in to work from the set of the movie and had to put on another performance for them as she played the sick role. It was all worth it she admits.
"I totally loved my character. I could relate to her because I have so many friends that are party girls," Sachs said while hiccuping during a phone interview. She admitted to having a few drinks prior to the interview, only proving that she was a reflection of the fun party girl she played in the movie.
After shooting for nine months, and editing for another three or so, Calvo hopes his small budget production will get a huge turnout. His company, Machina Cinema is currently working on smaller projects and taking a percentage of those earnings to put toward his next film.
Even though the company's budget was far from grand, don't expect a cheesy product. Whereas most movies are screened on dvd, The Powderkids will screened on Blu-Ray.
The Powderkids will be screened Thrusday August 19 and Thrusday August 26 at Santikos Palladium Theater located at The Rim on the city's northwest side. Tickets are available online at www.machinacinema.com. But tickets are going fast and will not be sold at the door, so be sure to purchase them soon.
For more information, follow The Powderkids on Twitter @The_Powderkids and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/the.powderkids.
Just listening to Buddy Calvo, director of the upcoming indie film The Powderkids, was like watching a kid read his Christmas list to Santa Clause. The gleam in his eye, the excitement in his voice, the motioning of his hands...Calvo couldn't wait to tell his story. And when the film is screened at Santikos Palladium theater on Thursday, the audience can witness for themselves exactly why this young director was so anxious.
Calvo and producer, Perla Rivera, are no newbies in the indie film world. In 2008, the two collaborated on Jacob, another low budget film, which like Powderkids, is based on true events.
Like Lucas, the protagonist in The Powderkids, Calvo also took a break from college to find something, another calling if you will. What he found instead were his old high school friends, pretty much doing the same ol' same ol', being wild, partying, and using drugs, but having a thrill ride of their own nonetheless.
"I went to UTSA for a few years. I had a full scholarship, but my grades started slipping," Calvo said. "I had to have a certain grade-point-average for that scholarship, and sure enough I wasn't making it so I left.
That's when Calvo said he began hanging out with his old friends whom suggested that he follow them around and make a movie about their lives.
"That was a weird time," Calvo admits. "I was at Kinko's, I just left UTSA, I broke up with my girlfriend. I had nothing to do."
He said at first, he thought following his friends was just a waste of time. It wasn't until his friend Joe Gallegos, another of the film's producers, suggested Calvo make a movie involving drugs. Calvo said one of his initial thought was a movie about girls and cocaine, possibly called The Powder Room.
Gallegos thought it would be better if the film revolved around him, Calvo, and a few other friends, suggesting they call it The Powderkids. The name stuck.
"It really is a collection of stories," Calvo said. " In the credits it says written and directed by Buddy Calvo. Stories by Buddy Calvo and Joe Gallegos."
So the idea of a few friends involved in a world of drugs just so happened to take shape in this 90-minute drama. Don't let the drama tag fool you. Calvo promised enough action to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Those viewers can also expect to see lots of newcomers in this movie. For being a little "green," as he put it, Calvo said the actors were very convincing. Stephanie Hunter is one of the only faces you may remember if you happened to catch his last film, Jacob.
People should keep in mind the actors were not paid for the long hours they put into this production. The other female lead, Tasja Sachs, said she had so manipulate her time in order to shoot her scenes.
"I worked at FedEx and had to take a lot of time off," Sachs said. "I used all the vacation time, sick days and floating holidays I had. I almost got fired because I spent so much time on the film"
Sachs also recalled an incident in which she called in to work from the set of the movie and had to put on another performance for them as she played the sick role. It was all worth it she admits.
"I totally loved my character. I could relate to her because I have so many friends that are party girls," Sachs said while hiccuping during a phone interview. She admitted to having a few drinks prior to the interview, only proving that she was a reflection of the fun party girl she played in the movie.
After shooting for nine months, and editing for another three or so, Calvo hopes his small budget production will get a huge turnout. His company, Machina Cinema is currently working on smaller projects and taking a percentage of those earnings to put toward his next film.
Even though the company's budget was far from grand, don't expect a cheesy product. Whereas most movies are screened on dvd, The Powderkids will screened on Blu-Ray.
The Powderkids will be screened Thrusday August 19 and Thrusday August 26 at Santikos Palladium Theater located at The Rim on the city's northwest side. Tickets are available online at www.machinacinema.com. But tickets are going fast and will not be sold at the door, so be sure to purchase them soon.
For more information, follow The Powderkids on Twitter @The_Powderkids and find them on Facebook at facebook.com/the.powderkids.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Looking for local business and their owners
So I've decided to try this new thing where I, San Antonio's very own TheGossipGuy, go out to local places of business that I think may interest my FB friends. I think I'll try this on a weekly basis or more if time permits. The plan is, I will go to businesses listed on my page and will write up my own review of what I think makes this place what it is (ie. the food, products, services, etc.).
Hopefully local business owners will welcome me rather than run me out...lol! So watch out everyone. I'll be out there lurking around your stores, restaurants, and whatever else you got. Please see terms and conditions below.
Void where prohibited in Texas. You may send me a message via FB to let me know of best day to swing by for specials, sales, drinks, etc. May arrive with company or alone. I reserve the right to walk out if not completely satisfied....LOL
Hopefully local business owners will welcome me rather than run me out...lol! So watch out everyone. I'll be out there lurking around your stores, restaurants, and whatever else you got. Please see terms and conditions below.
Void where prohibited in Texas. You may send me a message via FB to let me know of best day to swing by for specials, sales, drinks, etc. May arrive with company or alone. I reserve the right to walk out if not completely satisfied....LOL
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