Wrestling with the “The Wrestler”…

I just got back from seeing “The Wrestler”, a movie that I was absolutely pumped to see.  I really couldn’t wait to see Mickey Rourke again in a film that could blast him back into the stratosphere.  Make no mistake Mickey Rourke is a great actor that can reach inside and rip your heart out with emotion, then punch you in the face with drama.  I have been rooting for Mickey ever since I read the cover article of a magazine that escapes my memory, a couple of years back.

Mickey’s life paralleled mine in many ways.  A product of the eighties, taking on roles that were totally beneath his abilities, chasing the money, spending the money, not understanding the rage, not understanding the 10 year old child wanting his way, using alcohol to self-medicate, never really understanding that there is a responsibility for fame…and ultimately self-destructing in front of the world (my world was a little smaller then his)

I went into this movie wanting to experience the rawness that everyone was talking about, the Oscar worthy performance, the movie that lived up to the hype…and in all honesty, I was left empty.

I felt like I was constantly waiting for the movie and I felt like the film was a bit haphazard.  I come to find out that it was filmed in that way to make a point but that’s the real problem, it never did.

Mickey Rourke’s performances in most of his scenes were awesome.  You could feel his pain but I think the pain was all to real for this once Hollywood Royalty.  Some of the scenes I thought were worthless like the “fucking in the Women’s bathroom scene” and Marisa Tomei showing us her “tits” through out most of the movie.  A funny thing is I’ve been to Cheeques (the strip club, she works in) and you can’t by law show any sexual skin, i.e nipples, vaginal area  in New Jersey.  Maybe the laws have changed but I still didn’t see any reason except to see them.  The part could have still been “complicated” without the gratuitous “breast” exposure as director Darren Aronofsky stated in an interview for the reason why he picked Tomei for the role.

This movie had everything on the surface I would want in a movie…filmed in NJ, shot at some of the “haunts” of my youth, Mickey Rourke (one of my favorite actors), Marisa Tomei (just plain hot), and a Bruce Springsteen song (…that didn’t play until the end).  I’m still wrestling with “The Wrestler”, I think you should go see it if you haven’t but don’t have expectations for it and you will probabaly come out a bit more satisfied then I was.

Release Date: December 19, 2008
Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama And Sports
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Judah Friedlander, Ajay Naidu
Directed By: Darren Aronofsky
Produced By: Vincent Maraval, Agnes Mentre, Jennifer Roth
MPAA Rating: R
Studio: Fox Searchlight

Plot:
Randy “The Ram” Robinson, a 1980s-era pro wrestler, has become a burnt-out shell of his former self. After he has a heart attack during a small-time match, a doctor tells him he could die if he fights again. In an effort to build a new life, Robinson takes a job at a deli, moves in with an aging stripper and tries to build a relationship with her son. But the prospect of a rematch with his old nemesis, the Ayatollah, proves too tempting to resist, even if it means risking his life.

Making Pizza in Rocco’s F@#ked Up World!

There’s been a pizzeria at 678 Shaler Boulevard in my hometown of Ridgefield, NJ ever since I was in grade school. Everyday after school we’d run down and grab the “special” 2 slices and a coke for $1.00 (yea…a dollar!). It was a place that all the neighborhood kids would gather and hang out…sometimes tormenting the owner, Alfredo “Goumba” Morano but always having fun.

23 years ago a friend of mine Richie Sargenti bought the place from “Goumba” and started his career as a “Pizza Man”. Sarge’s Pizza has been a landmark in Ridgefield from the second Richie opened the place. “Sarge” as with lovingly call him always makes you feel like your part of his family…and at one time almost everyone in his family worked there. The stories and good times that come out of Sarge’s Pizza are to numerous to count and leave you always out of breath from laughing so hard.

The aspect of Sarge’s and Richie himself is the generosity and the respect for humanity he has for his customers, the town and community that visit the corner Pizzeria. He’s been a football coach, wrestling coach and a community leader for as long as he has lived here. It has always been an honor to call Richie Sargenti my friend and brother.

Watch this hilarious video of Richie Sargenti teaching Rocco how to make a Pizza.

Sarge’s Pizza
678 Shaler Boulevard
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
Tel: 201-941-5040
Menu | Map

Fun Rocco Fact: Before the property that houses Sarge’s Pizza was a Pizzeria it was a candy store called “Jerry’s” Candy Store where when Rocco was 7 years old his mother caught him stealing a “Ring Pop”

Florio’s Cigar Bar & Grille in New York’s Little Italy

I get asked all the time…”what is my favorite place to go in New York”? Without hesitation or fourthought I immediately blurt out “Little Italy”.

Growing up Italian and around Italians, Little italy has a warm place in my heart.  I remember fondly getting on the 166 bus with my friends and heading into The Port Authority at 8th and 38th and getting on the “N” train to Canal Street.  The few block walk was always met with anticipation and the hunger pang’s for a “Sausage & Peppa’s” sandwich during Little Italy’s “Feast of San Gennaro”.

Those memories are what still drive me to take the “N” train to Canal Street, but now the anticipation is for a plate of ravioli’s, a glass of wine and a hand rolled cigar from the “secret stash” at Florio’s Cigar Bar & Grille.  Nothing beats it.  Larry Amoruso, the owner, Frank Linsalada  and Anthony Coppola are the faces of Florio’s and who literally make you feel like family from the time you walk in until the very last drop of wine is drunk.

It’s always my first stop when I fly into NYC…on more than one occasion I have walked in with my luggage, and it is the last place I eat on my way to the airport to catch my plane back to Albuquerque.

If you love a fresh tasting tomato sauce to compliment your pasta, lasagna, or my favorite…ravioli’s…then this is where you need to go.

Really anything you pick on the menu is going to be awesome.  If it isn’t then I’ll personally buy your next dinner there.  Yea…it’s that F@#kin’ good!

When you go there don’t forget to tell them Rocco sent ya…

Florio’s Cigar Bar & Grille

192 Grand St., New York, NY 10013
nr. Mulberry Street

Phone: 212-226-7610

map | subway directions

Take a look some photos:

Giovanni Terzulli: The most famous waiter in New York’s Little Italy

My favorite place to go in the whole world is still New’s York’s Little Italy and my favorite restaurant when I get there is Florio’s Cigar Bar & Grille. Florio’s is located just off the corner of Grand and Mulberry Street, just across from Ferrara’s.

The owner, Lawrence Amoruso (or son of the owner) is an awesome host along with the other manager’s Frank and Tony. When you arrive at Florio’s you are instantly welcomed in and you realize this is home. I have been going to Florio’s for years and have never had a bad meal…ever! The food always tastes fresh and yummy.

Besides the food being awesome and the cigars to die for, Florio’s has a treasure very rarely seen. That treasure comes in the form of a human being named Giovanni Terzulli: The most famous waiter in Little Italy.

I had the balls to ask Giovanni to sit down and do a brief interview with me while the restaurant was hopping. He obliged. Take a gander for yourself.

This is Classic! Taco Bell Wedding Footage

This is pretty much old news already but I was able to find video footage of the now famous “Taco Bell Wedding”. I guess in these tough economic times you do what you can…
1) Find a bride using internet dating
2) Fly her up to “Normal, Ill”
3) Find a 24 hour Taco Bell
4) Go to TJ Maxx and pick out a $15 dress
5) Find a friend who just got ordained online
6) Get married
…and live happily ever after. Wedding bliss at $200 dollars.

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