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I was a huge fan of Bourdain’s, having watched his shows No Reservations, The Layover and Parts Unknown over the last thirteen years. His death hit me harder than I ever expected the death of a celebrity to affect me. In death, I realized how big an influence he played in shaping me as a person, especially when it came to food, travel and understanding different cultures and people around the world. And I am not the only one. The Internet is full of touching tributes from his friends and fans who, like me, are mourning the loss of a genuinely good person. One of the tributes I read ended with a line that slayed me. “The world needs more Anthony Bourdains. Tragically, now it has none.”

In 2009, Bourdain visited Baltimore as part of a No Reservations episode dedicated to the “rust belt” cities of Baltimore, Buffalo and Detroit. It struck me, and others, as odd since Baltimore is not a typical “rust belt” city. It was also disappointing that Bourdain wasn’t dedicating a full episode to Baltimore as it deserved, and had to share time with those other cities. While in Baltimore, Bourdain reminisced on his brief time as a chef in the city in the early 1980’s bemoaning the city’s lack of good drugs. Not surprisingly, the No Reservations Baltimore segment took on a The Wire vibe as Bourdain hung out with Felicia Pearson, the actress who portrayed Snoop on the show as well as Jay Landsman, visiting Mo’s Seafood and Chaps Pit Beef with them respectively. In short, it was a show that did not portray Baltimore in the most positive light.

Long before, and now after his death I have always imagined what a proper full episode would have looked like had Bourdain visited Baltimore and the region. Here’s my take on what that episode could have been.

Bourdain arrives in Baltimore, commenting on the “rust belt” episode and how he pissed a lot of people off by short shifting the city and its residents. “I’m as loved in this city about as much as Jeffrey Maier,” Bourdain would say in his smarmy, self-depreciating way while arriving at BWI. Maybe his pal Zamir Gotta would come along for the ride again as he did on the “rust belt” episode. I personally would prefer to see what Eric Ripert would have thought about Baltimore’s signature offerings — crabcakes, pit beef and Natty Boh. The interplay between Bourdain and Gotta or Ripert was always a highlight of those episodes.

The first stop is Faidley’s at Lexington Market where Bourdain tries a crabcake and some of the more adventurous fare offered there, such as frog legs, raccoons and muskrat. “Muskrat?” Bourdain would muse upon seeing that it’s in season. I’m guessing a joke about “Muskrat Love” by Captain and Tennille would be in order. He would talk to owners Bill and Nancy Devine, and if you’ve ever been to Faidley’s, you’d definitely recognize them since they’re always there. (Shout out to Bill for giving me a Faidley’s hat on Opening Day a few years ago. I’m still wearing it in good health, Bill.) Bourdain would be a fan of the crabcake, which is among my favorites in the area, and it would be a perfect segue way to getting Bourdain on a crabbing boat.

If you’ve ever seen an episode where Bourdain attempts to fish or snorkel for lobster or octopus you’d know that those segments often end in failure, sometimes with dead sea life being thrown into the water for him to “catch”, sending Bourdain into a pissed off drinking rage, as happened on the Parts Unknown episode in Sicily. But today, Bourdain is successful. He learns how to tie chicken necks to crab traps and pull them out of the water. They catch a bushel. His host offers to have him over that night for a crab feast.

Later that day Bourdain would visit Sagamore Spirit Distillery with owner Kevin Plank, who also owns Under Armour and has plans to develop Port Covington. Here Bourdain would talk about the dangers of gentrification and the need for affordable housing, issues surrounding the Port Covington development, while sipping on Rye whiskey. “If there was whiskey this good when I was a chef here, I would have had a whole different opinion of Baltimore.” That night, Bourdain attends the crab feast at a home on the water. There’s a bonfire and music. Kids chase each other on the lawn. He picks crabs among a dozen or so locals, eats grilled corn on the cob and drinks cold Natty Boh. “You have to love the can,” he’d say. “You know a beer is good when the cartoon on the can is winking at you.”

The next mourning, Bourdain visits the neighborhood of Sandtown-Winchester with The Wire creator, David Simon. (Fun fact, Bourdain was a writer on Simon’s Treme.) “So we need to speak about the elephant in the room,” Bourdain would say while wandering through the neighborhood with State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby or Mayor Catherine Pugh. “The increase of crime in Baltimore since Gray’s death.” A video clip plays, summarizing Freddy Gray’s death, the ensuing riots, the trial, and the subsequent increased crime rate which has taken the lives of hundreds of Baltimoreans since then. This would be the deep part of the episode, showing off the dark heart of Baltimore City.

There would need to be a commercial break in order to transition to a lighter subject matter, which would be the region’s thriving microbrewery industry, including representatives from Flying Dog (Bourdain has always been a fan of artist Ralph Steadman), Union, Heavy Seas and Brewer’s Art. “So you guys have to explain something to me,” Bourdain would say. “Everywhere I go, I see this Natty Boh guy winking at me. He’s even winking at you from the sky. The beer isn’t even brewed in Maryland anymore and honestly, it’s not even that good. So why are people drinking that, or any other macro swill, over good locally-brewed beer like this?” Then there would be an discussion of the retro-beer craze that struck hipsters in the 2000’s but has given way to more microbreweries and the need for drinking better beer.

Then he’d go to Woodberry Kitchen, the premier restaurant in the city, and chat with James Beard Award winning chef, Spike Gjerde to speak about the ever-changing culinary scene in Baltimore. “Is Baltimore a fine-dining city?” Bourdain would ask. “I see people sitting on picnic tables, picking crabs, drinking beer out of a pitcher. DC is right down the road and is a fine dining city. Is there enough room for upscale dining in Baltimore? Is there a market for it? And if so, what does that look like?” Gjerde would temper his reply. “Yes and no,” and go on to explain that Woodberry Kitchen uses local ingredients to do upscale local food and that many upscale restaurants in the city do the same. “Baltimore has a very proud, very unique culinary history. Heavy in seafood: crabs, oysters, rockfish. You can do those things very simply — raw, fried or grilled. Or you can elevate those things with French cooking techniques or serve them in a very straight-forward way. And neither one is better than the other. Just different.”

With the episode winding to a close, Bourdain crosses the bay bridge to explore the eastern shore: Easton, Cambridge, Salisbury – meeting the watermen and crab pickers, many of them immigrants on seasonal work visas hit hard by the Trump administration — who live off the bay and its tributaries. He ends up in Ocean City. “This takes me back to my childhood at Asbury Park,” Bourdian would say while walking the boardwalk. He’d stop at Thrasher’s for some French fries and ask the server for some ketchup and get a mean look. “I feared for my life just now,” Bourdain would crack, savoring the fries and trying to keep the seagulls at bay.

Back on the western shore, Bourdain would visit Annapolis and squeeze into a narrow booth at Chick and Ruth’s Delly to share a meal with Governor Larry Hogan. Bourdain would order a crabcake. “I’ve had wonderful crabcakes here. It seems impossible to screw up, so why are there so many terrible crabcakes out there?” Bourdain would muse. “Crabcakes and football, that’s what Maryland does,” Hogan would say with a smile before explaining the secrets to a good crabcake. “It’s all about the lump crab meat and the moisture level of the binder.” Then Bourdain would get down to business. “Tell me about the future for Baltimore, and Maryland.” Bourdain would say. “What does that look like?” Hogan would give a measured answer, one that promises that the best is yet to come, juxtaposed with the images of blighted Baltimore neighborhoods.

Bourdain ends the episode with a patented, introspective final thought, somehow encapsulating the region better than many lifelong residents. The final image would be of Bourdain standing on some rundown dock on the harbor, overlooking the million-dollar waterfront condos, maybe the Under Armour campus behind him. “What the future holds for Baltimore, and Maryland, is anyone’s guess.”

The credits roll.

If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline number, 1-800-273-8255.

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Getting past the miserable final score, how was the whole experience? While it’s tough to separate the game from the experience, overall I came away with a positive opinion about the NFL in London. Here are my personal takeaways from my trip.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

London is crazy about the NFL

The NFL has been playing games in London since 2007, the year the current Wembley Stadium opened. It’s tough to argue that the last 10 years haven’t cultivated the NFL in London and the UK as a whole. And that’s without mentioning the WLAF and NFL Europe, where the London Monarchs played from 1991 to 1998. Add to that a large ex-pat population — not just from America but from countries like Germany as well, which haven’t hurt. On Sunday, there were NFL jerseys everywhere. Not just Ravens and Jaguars jerseys, either. All teams were represented. I even saw someone wearing a 49ers Kyle Juszczyk on the tube. This was a celebration of the NFL. The pub I visited after the game was broadcasting NFL games on TV’s beside TV’s broadcasting soccer matches. I know London will probably never get a fulltime NFL team, but based on what I saw while I was there, it would work, and work well.

Ravens fans travel well

This is old news, but it was reaffirmed by what I saw across the pond. For a team with a fanbase confined to a specific geographic area, unlike the Steelers or Cowboys, Ravens fans travel. I did see a bunch of Jaguars jerseys but they were completely outnumbered by Ravens jerseys. The official Ravens team bar, The Admiralty, in Trafalgar Square, was mobbed for most of the weekend and during the Ravens two-hour pep rally on Saturday night it was impossible to get inside, where former players like Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis gave speeches.

But the Ravens do have fans overseas, too

I sat in front of a Ravens fan from the UK and listened to his displeasure with how our team was playing. “I can’t believe I woke up at four for this,” he said as the Jaguars scored another touchdown to put the game out of reach, which I later learned required a four hour drive to catch a bus for another two our ride to London. His friend replied, “These people came from America!” I struck up a conversation with him shortly after, asking him how he came to root for the Ravens. “The Wire,” he responded. Knowing the show is a big hit in the UK, it’s no surprise that the Ravens have received a bump in their international fanbase from it. I also have a friend from Germany who was a Ravens fan while living there before moving to America and eventually marrying another Ravens fan. So while we may not be the Steelers or Cowboys when it comes to a national and worldwide fanbase, there are Ravens fans out there across the globe. Maybe it’s not a coincidence that the game had the largest attendance of any London game played in London so far.

The tailgating could use some work

My wife and I didn’t plan to tailgate at the stadium – we met a friend living in London for food and drinks at a nearby pub – but we were going to head over early to check out the tailgate scene. We did have some friends who went to the official tailgate party, but they told us it was closed to the public shortly after they entered, which was still two hours before kickoff. We arrived at the Wembley tube stop around an hour before kickoff and proceeded to join dozens of others who bought beer at a convenience store along the walkway from the tube station and drank out front. I didn’t expect a tailgate experience like Baltimore, with purple RV’s and grills, but I did expect more than what I saw.

Make no mistake, this is a Jaguars home game

Perhaps it was lost in all the fanfare and the expectation that this would feel more like a Ravens home game based on the fans in the stands, this was treated as a bonafide Jaguars home game. I attended another Ravens debacle against the Jaguars, the 2011 Monday night game in Jacksonville, so I was familiar with their home game rituals, cheers and videos. The only thing that was missing was mascot Jaxson De Ville bungee-jumping from the roof of Wembley like he does for home games at EverBank Field. Maybe I was being naïve, but I was a little surprised when the Ravens came out as a team, and the Jaguars were introduced by player. I thought the game would be treated more as a neutral game, but that isn’t the case at all. On top of that, the people in the stands who aren’t fans of the Ravens or Jaguars defaulted to rooting for the home team. Maybe it’s a tradition by now since the Jaguars have been playing a home game in London since 2013 and have bred some familiarity amongst local fans.

Inside Wembley, the game is the game

Once the National Anthem (complete with a Baltimore “O”) and God Save the Queen (which was very cool to hear in person, with a majority of local fans singing along) were over and the game began it was the same product we get in the states. People cheer and bemoan their team. I even heard someone allude to Ray Lewis being a murder. Beer and food lines are long and people are loud inside the bathroom. You could play these things on Mars and it would still be the same old game.

So you heard it from someone who was fortunate, or unfortunate, to be there in person. Thankfully we proceeded to fly to Spain early the next day, so the game was forgotten much faster than usual. If the Ravens play there again, I won’t be there, but maybe you will be and I hope the outcome is better for you than it was for me.

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I’ve been to a bunch of these establishments, and promise to cross the others off my bucket list as soon as humanly possible. For the bars I haven’t been to, I relied on Yelp reviews and pictures for the respective blurb. Forgive me. Not all the stations are represented, due to the lack of bars within walking distance, or the safety of the neighborhoods themselves. But here it is. Behold, The Baltimore Light Rail Bar Crawl.

(You can discuss this article here on the BSL Board.)

Starting from the north…

Hunt Valley – Coal Fire Pizza (112 Shawan Road, Cockeysville)

We kick off the northern end of the Light Rail Bar Crawl with…a chain restaurant. But rest assured, Coal Fire is at least a local chain and they do have a bar. They also have awesome pizza and you need something in your stomach before you start drinking, and what is better at absorbing booze than pizza?

Warren Road – Towne Tavern & Spirits (10257 York Road, Cockeysville)

Towne Tavern & Spirits is a homey-sytle bar with drink specials, crabcakes, wings and (according to Yelp pics) a framed John Elway jersey? Didn’t he turn his back on Baltimore after being drafted by the Colts and start the landslide that ended with the Colts moving to Indy? I guess we won’t hold it against them…they are pretty much the only bar close by.

Timonium Fairgrounds – Wits End Saloon (9603 Deereco Rad, Lutherville-Timonium)

A dimly-lit bar with an extensive whiskey list. Hey, go big or go home. They also have craft beer, cocktails and a small menu specializing in burgers and sammies. The N’awlins Style Creole Fish Tacos sound awesome.

Lutherville – Ocean Pride Seafood (1534 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium)

I keep hearing awesome things about this place. Apparently their crabs and crabcakes are out of this world and they were recently chosen as Maryland’s most iconic restaurant in Thrillist’s “Most Iconic Restaurant in Each State” list. So they must be doing something right.

Mt. Washington – The Nickel Taphouse (1604 Kelly Ave, Baltimore)

Extensive list of craft beer on tap. A couple white and red wines on tap, too. Cocktails, of which The Painkiller is gonna get ordered by me in the very near future.

Woodberry – Union Craft Brewing (1700 Union Ave, Baltimore)

Ah, Woodberry, you seemed to spring up from abandoned warehouses and mills overnight. Now home to what is probably Baltimore’s most famous restaurant, Woodberry Kitchen, and a kick-ass brewery, Union Craft Brewing. Take in a flight of their beer on their picnic tables outside.

North Avenue – WC Harlan (400 West 23rd Street, Baltimore)

This speakeasy-style bar may be a tad hard to find, but relax, it’s there. Just use the black door to the right. Inside, it’ll be packed and you’ll probably wait 15 minutes for a drink, but it’s well worth it.

Cultural Center — Mount Royal Tavern (1204 Mount Royal Ave, Baltimore)

I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never been to this fine bar, AKA “The Dirt Church”. But that will change, and soon. And if the nickname for this dive bar doesn’t instantly make you want to go there as well, I don’t know what else to tell you.

Centre Street – The Local Oyster (520 Park Ave, Baltimore)

I’ve been obsessing over the Mount Vernon Marketplace a lot lately, so I might as well take the time to name drop since The Local Oyster is located inside the market. Slurp a dozen oysters, drink a beer and wander around the rest of the market before moving move on to…

Lexington Market – Faidley’s (203 North Paca Street, Baltimore)

Another market! But how can you not? Faidley’s is famous for their crabcakes, still hand-formed by the descendants of John W. Faidley, this place is the pride of Baltimore. They may not be the best crabcakes, but they’re easily top 3, and the most iconic. Make sure to get two beers when you order to avoid having to wait for another in that long ass line. Faidley’s also has more than just crabcakes, like oysters and fresh fish. Oh and muskrat, if it’s in season of course. The market closes at 6 PM and is closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.

University Center/Baltimore Street – Alewife (21 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore)

The go-to before or after a show at the Hippodrome, Alewife has the bomb draft beer list and great burgers. And splurge for the duck fat fries.

Convention Center – Pratt Street Ale House (206 West Pratt Street, Baltimore)

The neighborhood bar of the Inner Harbor. Oliver beer on tap. Bottomless brunch on weekends. Not a bad place for a drink before or after an O’s game. Conveniently located close to the light rail station.

Camden Yards – Pickles (520 Washington Blvd, Baltimore)

What else needs to be said? So I won’t say anything.

Hamburg Street – Mums (1132 South Hanover Street, Baltimore)

Yeah, I know Federal Hill is teeming with bars but I said Mums. Why? Order a #1 special, which is a Natty Boh with a shot of Evil, and you’ll know why.

Baltimore Highlands – Shannon’s Pub & Grille (4401 Annapolis Road, Halethorpe)

I don’t always go to bars in Baltimore Highlands, but when I do, I go to Shannon’s.

Cromwell Station – Seaside Restaurant & Crab House (224 Crain Highway, Glen Burnie)

This is where the “choose your own adventure” begins since you’ll have to decide where you want to end this thing, and if you choose Cromwell, might as well celebrate your accomplishment by picking some crabs and drinking cold beer, because you need one more drink, or better yet, a pitcher.

BWI Airport – Obryki’s (BWI Airport)

If you choose BWI – and why wouldn’t you – you can go to the only remaining Obryki’s location in the area for a crabcake before you catch a flight to escape all the debauchery from this bar crawl. But seriously, I think you have to pass through security to reach Obryki’s, so maybe save that one for your next flight.

So there you have it. Did I miss anything? Do you have a favorite close to a light rail stop that you think I should have mentioned? If so, why? And when do you want to do this with me?

The post The Baltimore Light Rail Bar Crawl appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

A mix-up during the presentation for Best Picture at the Oscars sent the La La Land team up to the podium to accept the award, but after some confusion, it was revealed that Moonlight took home the ultimate prize.

It made for some exciting drama – let’s face it the Oscars usually settle into monotony during the broadcast, especially toward the end – so it was fun to watch something of interest take place aside from names being read from an envelope.

I think Moonlight deserved the award. It’s a film that on its surface is hard and gritty – I imagine it was the least viewed of the nominees because the subject matter is somewhat unsettling. The trailer, which was one of the best trailers of the year, doesn’t exactly make one say “I need to see that!” But Moonlight was a personal, touching film that explored the humanity and the isolation of a black, gay child named Chiron growing up in Miami. His mother is a drug addict and the man he looks to for fatherly advice is the man that sells her drugs. As he grows up (the film takes place at 3 different times in Chiron’s life) he grapples with his sexuality, identity and what it means to be a [gay] man in the inner city. And by the end we see Chrion reconnect with the one person who truly knew him throughout his life at a diner – it’s a beautiful, understated scene, and one of the year’s best.

It’s those flourishes of humanity in otherwise downbeat, melancholy films that are a common theme that runs through many of the nominated films, from Arrival, all the way through the alphabetical list of nominees. Many people would say this year’s movies, aside from La La Land, are depressing slogs through tragedy, and they do appear that way on the surface, but one doesn’t have to look hard to find the uplifting nature of each of these films.

That’s also what made the music for these films so wonderful – and I think this is perhaps one of the best years for movie scores, as well. The music from Moonlight is hauntingly beautiful and when heard while watching the film, impacts you on a level different than most film scores. The same can of the foreboding score from Jackie and even the not-nominated score from Arrival. On the other hand there’s the bittersweet scores such as Lion and La La Land that’ll have you reaching for a tissue.

So it comes as no surprise that I think 2016 will go down as a truly great year for movies. I always view 2007 as perhaps the highpoint of cinema in my lifetime. Films such as No County for Old Men, There Will Be Blood, Zodiac, Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford were movies about tough men dominating their surroundings. Even genre fare such as 300, 28 Weeks Later, Smokin’ Aces and Grindhouse thrilled audiences and scored good reviews with unique approaches. But I think 2016 gives 2007 a run for its money. 

The year was packed with movies of elevated quality when compared to previous years. I already wrote an article about how horror got its groove back in ’16, but even other genre films such as Deadpool, Captain America: Civil War, Zootopia, The Jungle Book, The Shallows, The Infiltrator, War Dogs, Blood Father, Doctor Strange and Star Wars: Rogue One were among the year’s best films outside of the prestige pictures aiming for Oscar nominations. And that doesn’t account for the prestige pics such as Nocturnal Animals, Patriots Day, Deepwater Horizon, The Founder and Frank and Lola that were shut out from the Oscars or not as represented as much as they perhaps should have been.

So coming out of the 2016 movie season I’m excited about film again. After a few down years, where generic PG-13 CGI comic book films dominated the landscape, I’m excited for Logan, a hard-boiled R-rated Wolverine film. Hopefully Logan, with last year’s Deadpool, pushes mainstream comic book films into a darker, more mature direction where there are actual stakes and the films don’t resemble Saturday morning cartoons where everyone’s alive at the end and the plot has been reset. And there’s already been well-received films released so far in 2017 – in a season that resembles a dumping ground for movies to boot, such as Split, The Lego Batman Movie, John Wick Chapter 2 and Get Out. These films have already lit up the box office and garnered acclaim from critics – and it’s not even March yet!

So what are your thoughts? Is Moonlight the best movie of the year? Think something else was better? Are you excited for 2017? Let me know on the BSL message board.

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WOW is based out of Iceland, so all flights to destinations in Europe fly through Keflavik Airport and require a transfer to another WOW flight. And like most budget airlines, WOW charges for everything, and I do mean everything, including water. There’s also no in-flight entertainment, so be sure to bring a book or a movie to watch on your own. Otherwise, my flight on WOW didn’t feel like a typical budget airline. During the booking process you have the option to choose your seat for a fee, but we didn’t and we were still seated together in a row with two seat whereas some budget airlines will seat you separately. So you can definitely forgo some of the added charges during booking. And on the Airbus A320 from BWI to Iceland those seats were spacious and surprisingly comfortable. I’ll take comfort over free amenities any day.

Flight times aren’t much longer than a direct flight, either. It takes about five hours and fifteen minutes to reach Iceland from Baltimore. Keflavik Airport is also pretty small, so they make their connections tight – around forty-five minutes to an hour and twenty minutes – and then you’re on your next flight. It was about two and a half hours from Iceland to Amsterdam, so about eight hours flight time in total. Not bad. And I can tell you, if you fly somewhere in Europe with a transfer, I guarantee it’ll be faster with WOW. Returning flights to the US are a little longer, adding perhaps an hour to the flight time in total.

So how much did this budget airfare cost? Our total to and from Amsterdam, including one check-in bag, was around $900, which would be a bargain for just one person on a big name airline, so I can’t recommend WOW enough. And with destinations including Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Edinburgh, Paris, Stockholm, Reyjkavik and more, WOW is definitely an airline to consider when you’re planning your next overseas adventure.      

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That’s right, horror films.

I’ve long had an affinity for horror films ever since I was a child and my parents forbid me from watching the movies that used to air every Saturday afternoon on WNUV. Even censored, these films had a lasting effect on me as a young movie fan. Sure, there’s T&A and gore that are (unfairly) synonymous with many horror films, but for me it’s more about the atmosphere and the suspense, which is probably why Halloween and The Exorcist remain two of my favorite horror films. These films are very much horror films, yes, but more importantly, they are films that happen to be horror.

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And that’s what’s been lost in the horror genre — the feeling that you’re watching a film, first — one that just happens to be a horror film. Think Silence of the Lambs. I don’t necessarily think of that film to be a horror film – but in many ways it’s one of the best horror films ever, and the last (and maybe final) horror film to win Best Picture. Maybe it’s the slasher films that saw their rise in the early 80’s, or the clichés that most horror films can’t free themselves from, but horror films get a bad rap these days, and usually for good reason. Ever scanned through the list of Redbox films available for rent? There’s dozens and dozens of low-budget horror films polluting the menu, making it harder to find the respectable film you want to rent. But there are still good horror films out there and 2016 is shaping up to be a high water mark for the genre.  It’s not even fall yet and already we’ve had almost a dozen horror films that have stood on their own, not just as horror films, but excellent films, period.

Although it was screened at the Sundance Film Festival way back in January 2015, The Witch kicked off the year with its wide release in 2016 and has been one of the best-reviewed films of the year, according to Rotten Tomatoes, where its “certified fresh” at 91%. The film takes place in colonial New England, uses authentic dialog of the times, which resulted in this viewer needing to rely on subtitles, and tells the tale of an isolated family’s possible possession by a witch. In a time where infantile America was all fire and brimstone, this family has been forced into exile for being too religious. And this ultra-religious fanaticism results in a thrilling dynamic when family members start to disappear. Is it God’s will? Or is there something more sinister to blame?

Then there’s Green Room (91%). I may need a second to compose myself after having flashbacks from this film….OK, I’m better now. Jeremy Saulnier burst onto the scene with the neo-noir Blue Ruin, my favorite film from 2014, and has one-upped himself with Green Room, a claustrophobic survival film about a punk rock band playing a concert in neo-Nazi backwoods Oregon that witness a murder inside the club. Needless to say, the perpetrators want to make sure this band doesn’t come out for their encore. Saulnier’s matter-of-fact approach to violence is unsettling. I’ve not been filled with dread while watching a film in a long time – maybe never at this level. Combine that with one of the last performances from Anton Yelchin, who plays a character reluctant to become violent in order to survive a violent situation. Yelchin is the beating heart of the film, even in his tragic real-life death. Contrasting Yelchin’s character is Patrick Stewart’s  menacing club owner who meticulously plans the band’s demise in order to cover up the murder. I can’t recommend this film enough, but you’ve also been warned.

I’ve not yet seen 10 Cloverfield Lane but it also has a rating of 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. How it dovetails in with 2008’s Cloverfield is a mystery I’m excited to find out. Meanwhile, The Conjuring 2 scored an 80% rating – surprising for a horror sequel. The shark-terrorizes-surfer film, The Shallows notched 77%. Even the threequel, The Purge: Election Year nabbed a respectable 54%.

Netflix’s original film, Hush, about a deaf writer being stalked by a masked intruder in the middle of nowhere, sits at 100% with 13 reviews. The director, Mike Flanagan, is a Towson State University alum and has risen through the horror ranks quickly, having directed the well-reviewed Oculus, and has been rumored to be directing a new entry in the Halloween series which is good news to fans of that series.

But the three horror films I’m most excited about in 2016 are surprisingly big studio releases. Fans of the genre have recently had to rely on indie or foreign films to give us good horror – but many of the films I just mentioned were wide-release major studio films.

Up first is Lights Out (76%) about a demon that can only be seen in the dark. This leads to many potential scares just by flicking the light switch on and off. The Rotten Tomatoes summary says, “Lights Out makes skillful use of sturdy genre tropes — and some terrific performances — for an unsettling, fright-filled experience that delivers superior chills without skimping on story.” Sign me up.

Next up is Don’t Breathe (86%) currently the number 1 movie in America, having just made $26 million dollars during its opening weekend. That may not sound like much in the era where $150 million opening weekends occur regularly, but for an R-rated horror film opening up during the dog days of summer, it’s a thrilling success story for the horror genre. Directed by Fede Alvarez, who helmed the Evil Dead remake and achieved the impossible – remaking one of the most popular cult horror films of all time – and in many ways improving upon the original. Alvarez has scored another winner with Don’t Breathe, about three burglars who quickly realize the blind war vet they planned to rob is more deadly than they could have ever imagined. Like Flanagan, Alvarez has quickly become a horror director to watch.

Rounding out these anticipated horror films is Blair Witch. Yup, we’re talking about a sequel to The Blair Witch Project. It’s hard to believe it’s been 17 years since the release of the original, but after a turkey of a sequel in 2000, the Blair Witch franchise sat dormant until Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett (the team behind You’re Next and The Guest) made this film in secret, dropping the premiere on a crowd of unsuspecting Comic-Con attendees in late July. Thinking they were seeing a horror film called, The Woods, which would have been great since Wingard and Barrett have established themselves as the masters of 80’s nostalgia horror, the crowd actually viewed the new sequel to the original film. Early reviews at Rotten Tomatoes are flawless – 100% with 8 reviews in. Horror fansite, Bloody Disgusting compared it to The Exorcist (yeah they went there!), saying “Blair Witch is a horror game changer that will completely wreck you…it may just be the first film since The Exorcist that will leave younger audiences scarred for life.” Now I don’t expect to have people vomiting and passing out during showings of the movie, but that bold comparison to one of the best movies ever, period, can’t help but get me excited to see it when it comes out September 16. If the success of Wingard and Barrett’s previous films are any indicator of how good Blair Witch will be, the early praise it’s been receiving will be well received.

Are there any other horror movies that you’ve seen this year that deserve to be celebrated for helping revive the genre? Let me know, come discuss it in the BSL Forum.

The post The Year Horror Got Its Groove Back appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

(Where do you stop on your way to the beach? Have any suggestions? Discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

Just Over the Bridge You can take the first exit east of the bridge to reach Kentmorr Marina, located about ten minutes south of route 50 where Kentmorr Restaurant is situated right along side the marina, giving you a front row seat to the boats coming and going. Nearby is Dirty Dave’s Tiki Bar, located on a sandy bayside beach. It would be great place to catch a sunset. And even though it would make a great stop on the way to the beach, Dirty Dave’s is a destination in its own right, especially for those days where the weather’s great and you’ve got nothing to do. Heading east, Kent Narrows has around ten or so bar/restaurants to choose from and one of my favorites is the laid back Big Owl Tiki Bar, situated on a pier stretching over the water, offering good pub food and drink specials. The Jetty and Red Eye Dock Bar offer the same kind of atmosphere and if you want something a little more fancy, Annie’s Steak and Seafood is highly recommended.

To 50 or Not to 50?

There are two kinds of people who go to the beach – those who take Route 50 and those who take Route 404. The decision largely depends on where you’re staying, and people who stay north of OC tend to take 404, which is shorter, but has a few merging areas that can get clogged up and it’s one lane for most of way, resulting in what can be a longer drive.Taking Route 50 is longer, distance-wise, but has more lanes, and more traffic lights. However, Route 50 does give you more food choices than 404. More on 404 later. For now, we’re sticking with Route 50.

Easton First up is Easton, a charming landlocked town that offers several excellent dining options. In downtown Easton, there’s Out of the Fire, offering pizza, mussels, lamb and steak. Staying with upscale dining there’s Bartlett Pear Inn offering a dining experience reminiscent of D.C. For mid-level dining, Brasserie Brightwell offers fresh seafood in a rustic atmosphere and Victory Garden Café, which is located outside of downtown Easton but is well worth the diversion, has upscale pub food with an Asian twist. And if you just want a quick stop that isn’t a fast food chain, check out Roberto’s Pizza located on the Easton Parkway bypass. If you happen to be driving through Easton on a Saturday between the hours between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. there’s the Easton Farmer’s Market in the parking lot on North Harrison Street. Across the street there’s the Piazza Italian Market offering gourmet meats and cheese, as well as other cooking necessities you may want to take with you.

Cambridge Further south on Route 50 is Cambridge, which also has a good selection of restaurants, including The High Spot,which was recently featured on a “best burgers in Maryland” list. Stoked specializes in wood fired pizza, wings, pasta and sandwiches. Jimmy and Sook’s is focused on seafood and Rock Lobstah does – you guessed it – lobster rolls. Meanwhile, Don Chuy’s Taqueria is a no frills Mexican joint with quality food. RAR Brewery calls Cambridge home, and their tasting room & restaurant has sushi, crab pizza and shuffleboard. Just south of Cambridge is Layton’s Chance Winery offering very approachable sweet and summer-themed wines.

Salisbury Next up is Salisbury, home of Evolution Brewery, and their Public House Restaurant featuring EVO beer and a huge menu including burgers, charcuterie & cheese. For fast food lovers, check out The Cook Out, a North Carolina fast food chain that has made its way up north and planted a location near Salisbury State University. Their combo meals giving you a burger and two sides of which can include chicken nuggets, corn dog, quesadilla, hush puppies, coleslaw or fries. Then there’s the milkshake menu, consisting of over 30 options. Located south of Salisbury, but worth the trip, is Bordeleau Winery. Their wines are among the best in Maryland including a great buttery Chardonnay. The property backs up to the winding Wicomico Creek making for a relaxing tasting experience. Route 404 For those of you taking Route 404, your options are more limited, but there are some gems to be found a long the way. Denton offers up Market Street Public House, serving up everything from fish and chips to tacos. Further down 404 close to Bridgeville, DE is Vanderwende Farm Creamery, which has, hands down the best ice cream I’ve ever had. Many people must feel the same, since the lines can snake around the store and the parking lot stays packed with cars.

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So where are you? You’re tubing on the Potomac River. That historic town? It’s Harpers Ferry. And it’s one of the most affordable and fun things you can do within a 75-minute drive of Baltimore.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

You could use one of the many outfitters found around Harpers Ferry, and I’ve used River Riders several times before. For around $40 a person you’ll be given a tube, life-jacket and transportation to and from the river. It’s not a bad deal, but you’ll be doing a lot of hurry-up-and-wait while filling out waiver forms, watching safety videos and waiting in lines for the bus. With a little preparation you could go on your own for cheaper, with more freedom and have a longer trip on the river. Here’s how you do it.

First, you’re going to need your own gear: river tube, life-jacket, a pump that fits Boston valves, water shoes, and a cooler tube. All of this can be found at Wal-Mart, Dick’s Sporting Goods or Amazon for about as much as you’d spend if you used the outfitter twice. I’ve never had trouble with the Intex River Run tubes, which can be found at Wal-Mart for around $10-15.

OK, so now you’ve got all your gear, your beer, and some food packed up in a cooler. You’re ready to get on the water. But first, a few words of wisdom.

When it comes to alcohol, you need to be discreet and responsible. Drinking is allowed while you’re on the river, but it is forbidden on either side of the river, and if a ranger catches you with an open container on either riverbank, you can expect a hefty fine. Many outfitters will officially say they don’t allow alcohol, but it’s more of a disclaimer. They don’t check coolers, and again, once you’re on the river, it’s allowed. You also don’t want to drink too much, being that you’re on a river with some fast water and deep spots that can be dangerous if mixed with lots of alcohol. If you drove to get there, well, you’re going to need to drive home. And don’t bring glass bottles onto the river. I’ve seen first hand what can go wrong when you do and it’s not pretty.

Secondly, ALWAYS wear a life-jacket. Yeah it can be uncomfortable but it could also save your life. Just recently, two men drowned on the Potomac River when their fishing boat capsized. The next day, a woman drowned while tubing on the Shenandoah not too far away. These unfortunate deaths illustrate how the river demands to be taken seriously. You came here to have fun, right? Don’t turn it into a tragedy. Wear that life-jacket at all times. Stay safe.

Now let’s get to the fun stuff.

You’re going to need at least two cars. Park the first car at the take-out location. I’ve been using a take-out point on the Maryland side of the river between Sandy Hook and Knoxville and parking a car on Keep Tryst Road, where it comes to a sharp U-turn. Leave a car there, preferably one with a keypad on the door allowing you to lock the key in the car so you don’t have to worry about taking it on the river. It’s a good idea to walk to the river from here so you can familiarize yourself with the takeout spot so don’t miss it when you’re on the river. Cross over the train tracks and find the C&O Canal toe path. Make a right. Walk about a tenth of a mile and find a trail that enters into the woods. I am pretty sure the trail is unmarked, but you won’t miss it. Follow that down to the river and enter the clearing there. Look around and find a feature that you’ll be able to spot later on. In fact, it’s a good idea to bring a neon pink ribbon — or something easy to see — and tie it to a tree. Hike back to your car. Now, pile all your tubing mates and gear into the second car and heard towards River Riders (you’ll also want to stop for ice at the gas station along the way if you haven’t gotten ice already – there’s a gas station on the Virginia side of the Route 340 bridge) where you’ll need to buy a parking pass for $5. The parking pass is for the River Riders campground, where you’ll be launching from and leaving the car. Here’s a hint: River Riders is always swamped during the weekend, so don’t wait in ANY of the lines. Go inside and flag down a worker – you may need to be aggressive while doing this because buying a pass takes 30 seconds, whereas all the other people in line are spending minutes filling out disclaimer forms. Once you’ve got that parking pass in hand, head to the campground and show the pass to the attendant there. It’ll probably be Petey so tell him I said hi.

Once you’ve inflated all your gear and packed your cooler full of food and drinks, you’re ready for the river. The put in location is flat water, and you’re going to need to paddle across the river, but take your time doing this. Soon you’ll hear the sound of rushing water. It’s time for some action. Try to stay to your left. There’s a shaded maze of small chutes and rapids on this side of the river that culminates in a long wave train. Depending on the water levels, you may need to lift up your butt to avoid slamming into rocks, but otherwise you’ll enjoy the ride and the view of Harpers Ferry to your right.  

Once you pass under the railroad and pedestrian bridges, you’ll enter into the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. I recommend paddling toward the right side of the river for the rocks on that side. It’s a good location for lunch. If you’re lucky you’ll find the same two rocks that I use for the break, since there’s a nice chute running through them, creating a little waterslide that you can go down sans tube. I usually keep my vest on for buoyancy to avoid raking my butt on the rocks below the surface. At the bottom of the chute there’s somewhat of a whirlpool where we hang out after eating and enjoy a few drinks before continuing down river.

Once back in your tube, go through that waterslide between the rocks and continue to stay right. Up ahead you’ll see a large rock – larger than any others – with a bunch of people on it. It’s a party spot for locals and some tubers, so naturally my friends and I have named it “Party Rock” even though its official name is Bass Rock. It’s pretty much a frat party, so if that’s not your thing, continue down the rapid directly to the left of Bass Rock; the partiers will egg you on and cheer or jeer you as you pass, depending on the outcome. This is the biggest chute on this section of the river, so make sure you’ve secured your cooler to avoid having it tip over and scatter all your trash into the river. You can wipe out here, and there’s no shame in it, but be careful not to hurt yourself, spill your cooler or lose your tube. If you do want to hang at Bass Rock for a while, find a safe place to leave your tube and make your way toward the rock. You’ll run into some friendly people who will probably offer you beer and tips on how to jump into the rapid below. It’s around eight feet deep, so I wouldn’t advise you to dive into the water here, although people do all kinds of dives and flips that are beyond my talent and courage level. When the water is high, the river will push you down river fast so swim hard out of the current. At normal levels, it’s pretty easy to make your way back to Bass Rock for another jump.

Continuing down river from Bass Rock, the river mellows out. Directly under the Route 340 bridge is the Potomac Wayside Park, which is the takeout spot for several outfitters, so a lot of people will end their journey here. Unfortunately there is no parking allowed here, or else this would be the most logical takeout spot. You can take another break here; there’s a great waterfall just up the trail and to the right but be prepared for a shock, the water is much colder than the river. But on a hot day it’s refreshing to stand under the falling water and hear the deafening rush of it coming down from above.

You’re coming toward the end of the journey now, but there’s still a ways to go. Once you go under the Route 340 Bridge, there’s another outfitter takeout spot to the right, but you want to get left. If you cut hard across the river – and this is tough to do – you can enter into a shaded section of water that splits off from the river just beyond the bridge. If you do this, your work is done as the takeout spot is on the left side of the river. If not, you can take your time getting across. It’s all flat water here, so you can relax for the remainder of the ride. About an hour or so later, you’ll start to hear rushing water again but you won’t be going through that. This is the takeout spot. Look for the pink ribbon if you left yourself one, and if not, there’s a good chance you’ll see people splashing about in the water since it’s a popular section of the river. There’s a rocky beach that’s pretty easy to spot from the river, so keep an eye out for that. Israel Creek empties into the river here. Take all your gear out and make sure you haven’t left any trash behind and make your way up the trail and toward your car. Once you’ve deflated all your gear and loaded it into the car, drive your car to the River Riders campground to retrieve car #2.

And that’s it. You’re all done. And, by doing this yourself, you’ve saved time and money. It may be a lot of work, but it’s worth it.

Trust me.

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They range from people making wine in their garage to sprawling multi-acre vineyards that look like they’ve been dropped into Maryland and Virginia from the Napa Valley. Maryland wine has gotten a bad label in the past for subpar wines that are usually on the sweet side, but that has changed with upscale wineries such as Black Ankle, Boordy, and Bordeleau Vineyards making very solid wine in the Old Line State. Meanwhile, Linganore Winery has become a destination in and of itself with its several wine festivals throughout the year and the addition of Red Shedman Brewery on site.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

But it’s northern Virginia that has really excelled in the last decade, producing wine that is on par with, and better than, much of the wine from California. Loudon County has an excellent wine trail consisting of 40 wineries. But to keep you from getting overwhelmed, here’s a four-winery tour to get you acclimated to local wine.

Breaux Vineyards

Breaux Vineyards, located minutes from Harpers Ferry, is perhaps the best place to start. It’s a beautiful 104-acre Tuscan inspired vineyard with a huge tasting room and grounds capable of handling large events, such as their Cajun Festival each June. Across the street is 868 Estate Vineyards, serving up delicious wines and food on grounds that include the upscale Grandale Restaurant, cornhole boards and live music. Further down the road is Hillsborough Vineyards, and while their wine is a step down from the first two, the view from their Adirondack chairs beneath a shaded trellis makes up for it. End this mini-tour at North Gate Vineyard, one of my favorites, with friendly service, great wines including a great Cabernet Franc, an outdoor fireplace and live music.

Sunset Hills Winery

If you’re not ready for the day to end yet there’s still plenty of wineries to explore from there. You’ll pass Two Twisted Posts on your way to Breaux, and even though it’s a new winery, their wine is already established as some of the best in Northern Virginia. Also close by are Sunset Hills, 8 Chains North, Corcoran and Creek’s Edge Winery. And just north of Leesburg, there’s Tarara, Hidden Brook, Lost Creek, Winery 32 and Fabbioli – and for the beer lovers out there, check out Vanish, a farm brewery that grows their own hops and serves awesome BBQ.

And really, this section of Loudon County is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Virginia wine. There’s more wine in Middleburg, Fauquier County and further south around Charlottesville. There’s barely a part of Virginia that doesn’t have a winery – and a good one at that.

So the next time the wife or girlfriend wants you to plan a day or weekend trip tell her, “Don’t worry babe. I’ve got this covered.”

The post Exploring Local Wineries appeared first on Baltimore Sports and Life.

Allegiant Air, a discount airline that I’ve previously flown from Hagerstown to Sarasota without a problem recently launched six* non-stop routes from BWI, including Savannah. The flights depart and return on Sundays and Thursdays making it a nice long weekend trip.

(You can discuss this on the BSL Board here.)

I punched in dates for mid-September on the Allegiant website and at $98 per person, round trip, it’s a steal. Driving to Savannah takes approximately nine and a half hours, and with I-95 always under some form of construction, you can bet that drive time is even longer. Believe me, I did the drive last spring and got caught in several mystifying late night traffic jams. It’s miserable.

That said, Allegiant isn’t known for their on-time accuracy but hey, it’s basically a Megabus with wings so as long as there aren’t any multiple hour delays, it shouldn’t be a big deal. And while I hate the adage, “you get what you pay for,” Allegiant is priced low for a reason, so keep that in mind when you show up to the airport. Chances are you’ll depart and arrive on time, or close to it, but it’s best to be prepared.

Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport is located just a short distance outside of the downtown area, and a ride on the 100x bus to downtown is $5 one way, $8 for round trip fare, making the bus – or a taxi if that’s your kinda thing – the only transportation you’ll need for the weekend. You’ll obviously need a car if you plan to do some exploring outside of the city but I recommend you stay in town, so bring some comfortable shoes because Savannah is very much a walking city. And what better way to sightsee than with an adult beverage? Alcohol consumption is allowed in downtown Savannah so long as the beverage is consumed from a 16-ounce cup, which naturally makes this a party town, as evidenced from the many bachelorette parties you’ll see, not to mention St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah is supposed to be legendary.

Some of the watering holes I visited were Treylor Park, a homey bar with a patio out back and great pub grub. Then there was Jen’s and Friends where a seemingly endless menu of martinis made this a favorite for those bachelorette parties I mentioned earlier. Rocks on the Roof, a rooftop bar (duh) on top of the riverfront Bohemian Hotel offers slightly higher prices, but comes with great views of the Savannah River and surrounding area. For an upscale cocktail visit the Perch Bar located just south of Forsyth Park which is an excellent green space in town surrounded by sprawling southern homes.

But don’t just come for the drinking scene, this is a gorgeous city that will waste no time seducing you. Spanish Moss trees grow everywhere here, giving one ample shade from the blistering sun while exploring – and explore you will. Just wandering around the city looking at the houses is a pastime here. There’s also dozens of “squares” or mini-parks located throughout the city. One of them might look familiar; Chippewa Square was the filming location for the park bench scenes in Forrest Gump. There isn’t a bench there now, but the surroundings will look familiar to any fan of the film.

The food in Savannah was also very good, rounding out the triumvirate of scenery, drinks and food that make any city stand out. I never made it to Zunzi’s for a sub but I will make it my number one food destination when I return. We dined on the seasonal menu at Local 11 Ten after getting that drink atPerch Bar, and you can order any of their 300 wines by the glass – a rarity. Perhaps the city’s most famous dining establishment, The Olde Pink House was a unique dining experience that lived up to its reputation (ask to sit in the wine cave if possible) and I can’t say enough about that bar snacks at Treylor Park. Breakfast at Clary’s hit the spot and may also look familiar to movie buffs, being as a scene from Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil was filmed here among other places throughout the city. The film is based on a book of the same name, which was based on a real-life murder that took place here too. You can’t come to Savannah without hearing about the book or movie so you may want to brush up on one — or both — before you arrive to be ahead of the game.

So there you have it. Book your trip to Savannah and enjoy the freedom of drinking while walking and taking in the lovely sights of one of America’s small city gems.

*The other Allegiant Air destinations from BWI are Asheville, Cincinnati, Lexington and Tulsa.

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