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Community Corner

'J. Edgar': Good Guy or Bad Guy?

Leonardo DiCaprio portrays the man who built and ran the FBI.

J. Edgar Hoover ruled the FBI for decades, nosing around in the private lives of his enemies and friends. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Hoover in Clint Eastwood’s film about one of the most powerful Americans of the last century.

J. Edgar focuses on those closest to Hoover: mother Annie Hoover (Judi Dench), secretary Helen Gandy (Naomi Watts), and FBI associate director and Hoover companion Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer).

DiCaprio, 37, as an aging Hoover is a stretch at times, and I don’t know whether he’s Oscar-worthy in a film full of award possibilities.

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The movie does a great job revealing the top cop's obsession with commies and radicals. It also portrays Hoover as a man always searching for the spotlight while keeping many secrets of his own.

The best thing about this film is the relationship between Hoover and Tolson. That relationship has never been clear, and J. Edgar sticks with the facts: The two were never married, worked side by side for decades and never missed a meal together—and don't you miss this movie.

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The Flick-o-Meter gives J. Edgar four out of five. It is a solid film about a troubled man with too much power.

Location:

J. Edgar can be found in our Smyrna-Vinings Patch at at 3101 Cobb Parkway. Daily Showtimes are at 11:05 a.m., 1:50 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:25 p.m., and 10:10 p.m

After the Movie:

Hungry? Those madly creative and talented chefs at are throwing a grand dinner party on Monday, Nov. 14. Oregon artisan winery Sineann will be the source of the featured vino, while the kitchen ingenuity cooks up special pairings for each one.

The exhaustive Sineann Wine Dinner menu is as follows: Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ 2010 with fennel pollen popcorn; Pinot Gris "Wyeast Vineyard," Columbia Gorge, OR 2010 served with sashimi, ginger citrus granita, radish; Pinot Noir, Oregon 2009 paired with smoked duck, french horn confit, pomegranate seeds; "Abondante" Red Blend (Syrah, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon, Zinfandel), Columbia Valley, WA 2009 with red wine braised octopus stew, basque style; Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, WA 2008 with wagyu, celery root puree, herb infused olive oil, sea salt.

And if you haven’t had enough by then, top off your feast and your senses with Zinfandel, Columbia Valley, OR 2009 paired sweetly with caramelized figs, vanilla ice cream, and pink peppercorn sauce. Always guaranteed to rock your tastebuds, Muss & Turner’s will undoubtedly outdo itself Monday night.

If your interest and appetite are piqued, the dinner is $88.13 per person including gratuity, and tickets may be purchased here. This neighborhood joint “with no culinary boundaries and no pretense,” but certainly a dry sense of humor, specifies the evening’s attire as “something…please.” - Jennifer Duncan

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