Spot Reviews 11/28/25
Nov 28 2025
A House of Dynamite (2025) [/] Suspense/thriller/drama. An ICBM is launched from the Pacific Ocean headed towards America. With only minutes to react we see (I guess in real-time) how three groups of people respond: Captain Olivia Walker (Rebecca Ferguson) in charge of the White House Situation Room organizing the response (including the Army using Anti-Ballistic Missiles); Deputy National Security Advisor Jake Baerington (Gabriel Basso) trying to inject caution since we don't know who fired the missile and also trying to make sure the Russians aren't spooked by our military activitities; and the President of the United States (Idris Elba) who is in the middle of a meet-and-greet when the crisis occurs... The three stories are told in series so each time we jump back in time. The story also ends before the missile impacts which I guess is a bit frustrating but I guess the point of the movie is showing a realistic scenario of what might happen at the start of the emergency.
All of You (2024) [-] Apple TV movie. Simon (Brett Goldstein) and Laura (Imogen Poots) are best friends but in a world where science can find your soulmate Laura takes the test and is matched with Lukas (Steven Cree). Laura and Lukas get married and have a kid while Simon remains her good friend and dates but they don’t stick because he’s been in love with Laura… I watched the first half hour and it’s subdued and depressing. I’m not sure why the science part since Laura and Lukas are “soulmates” but it doesn’t feel that way — it’s more like it was an arranged marriage and they’re both ok enough with the arrangement.
Cityscapes: Sim Builder (2023) [/] Apple Arcade SimCity type of game on where you lay down tiles and build your city. Although fairly complicated it prompts you when things are lacking and the tutorial is rather long. Maybe this type of game is beyond me now -- I wish it had difficulty levels such that basic is like SimCity, moderate more like SimCity 2, and so on adding more and more layers.
Sky River Casino [/] This is a casino in Elk Grove near my parents' place. It's basically a huge open room with lots of video game machines where you bet money to win money. I did see one or two dealer tables -- not sure if it was poker or black jack. You play with ID cards you can load with cash (and you get $10 free each Wednesday). Any winnings are given out as receipts which you can then cash in at the cashiers or add the funds to your bank account via your bank card. There are also restaurants and you get $5 off a $10+ meal every Wednesday.
No.5 House, San Mateo [+] Dined in for dinner with CSr. A small place and was packed during their Saturday night soft opening. Chinese comfort food, you order on an app (each table has a QR code) and the food came quickly. Xiao Long Bao (6 for $14), Spicy Dumplings (8 for $14, this is won tons with sauce), Hot & Spicy Tofu ($17, this is ma po tofu with pork), Hot & Sour Soup (bowl for $4), White Rice (bowl for $2.50). Nothing was actually spicy to me but all still good. Generous amount of pork in ma po tofu. Hot & Sour Soup had lots of ingredients. All the food was perfectly fine though it’s hard for me to tell when Chinese food is above average.
All of You (2024) [-] Apple TV movie. Simon (Brett Goldstein) and Laura (Imogen Poots) are best friends but in a world where science can find your soulmate Laura takes the test and is matched with Lukas (Steven Cree). Laura and Lukas get married and have a kid while Simon remains her good friend and dates but they don’t stick because he’s been in love with Laura… I watched the first half hour and it’s subdued and depressing. I’m not sure why the science part since Laura and Lukas are “soulmates” but it doesn’t feel that way — it’s more like it was an arranged marriage and they’re both ok enough with the arrangement.
Cityscapes: Sim Builder (2023) [/] Apple Arcade SimCity type of game on where you lay down tiles and build your city. Although fairly complicated it prompts you when things are lacking and the tutorial is rather long. Maybe this type of game is beyond me now -- I wish it had difficulty levels such that basic is like SimCity, moderate more like SimCity 2, and so on adding more and more layers.
Sky River Casino [/] This is a casino in Elk Grove near my parents' place. It's basically a huge open room with lots of video game machines where you bet money to win money. I did see one or two dealer tables -- not sure if it was poker or black jack. You play with ID cards you can load with cash (and you get $10 free each Wednesday). Any winnings are given out as receipts which you can then cash in at the cashiers or add the funds to your bank account via your bank card. There are also restaurants and you get $5 off a $10+ meal every Wednesday.
No.5 House, San Mateo [+] Dined in for dinner with CSr. A small place and was packed during their Saturday night soft opening. Chinese comfort food, you order on an app (each table has a QR code) and the food came quickly. Xiao Long Bao (6 for $14), Spicy Dumplings (8 for $14, this is won tons with sauce), Hot & Spicy Tofu ($17, this is ma po tofu with pork), Hot & Sour Soup (bowl for $4), White Rice (bowl for $2.50). Nothing was actually spicy to me but all still good. Generous amount of pork in ma po tofu. Hot & Sour Soup had lots of ingredients. All the food was perfectly fine though it’s hard for me to tell when Chinese food is above average.