OTR has yet another new gem for you to try! Taste of Belgium is the perfect place to go if you’re not looking for a full meal but have a sweet tooth craving and want a nice glass of wine or an authentic Belgian beer. They’re known mostly for their incredible homemade Belgian waffles with fresh strawberries, chocolate sauce and whipped cream (if that’s what you want on it.) You could also choose from their large selection of fresh baked goods. I tried their dark chocolate red velvet cake pop. It was just enough to satisfy your craving for sweets without filling you up too much. I’ve also heard their homemade waffle fries are worth the trip alone, which I will definitely be trying next time I visit. Take a friend there and try some fresh local made desserts. It’s a perfect place to take a first date. Get out there and experience your city, OTR has a lot of great things to offer now and Taste of Belgium is one of them!

OTR is full of new contemporary city style restaurants to try, including one of Vine streets newer tapas restaurants, Abigail Street. If you’re not familiar with what a tapas restaurant is, its best explained as small dishes. You and a friend, or a date, can order a couple small dishes to share with your table so everyone gets to try a variety of different menu items. They have anything from incredible potato dishes to lamb, and seafood bisque’s. The wine menu is quite large, I highly suggest trying a glass. I won’t lie and say I know a lot about wine, but I can say that their most affordable glass (the house wine) was actually the most delicious wine I’ve ever tasted. This restaurant is slightly on the pricy side but worth trying if you’re looking to expand your horizons for a special occasion.  The atmosphere is casual; I wouldn’t say you need to dress super fancy for this restaurant, either. OTR is filling up with quality restaurants that are comfortable for all kinds of people to try without feeling out of place. The interior has local art and cool contemporary furniture yet it still keeps some of its classic charm from the original building. Treat yourself and try this restaurant.

1. Dub Collective, Featuring Hulk – May 17th

Thursday, May 17^th the Madison Theater presents New Era Entertainment and Dub Collective 9 featuring the Hulk. At just $10 for admission, New Era Entertainment is bringing new artists to you! This is a 17 and up event, 21 to drink. Presale tickets are available at www.cincytickets.com. You can find music samples from the Hulk at soundcloud.com.

 2. MainStreet Stride Parade – May 18^th

Want everyone to know about your student group? Then come to MainStreet Stride. Go on UC’s website to sign your organization up to march in the 7^th annual parade. This event will start Friday, May 18^th at noon in the University Pavillion.

 3. Stadium Steps Challenge – May 19^th

Come fight diabetes and obesity by taking one step at a time at the 2^nd annual Stadium steps challenge. Created last year by students from the “Proudly Pennies” campaign, this event will be held in Nippert Stadium with participants taking nearly 1,500 steps. This event starts at 11 AM.

 4. Sigma Sigma Das Karnival – May 19th

Come celebrate Cincinnati’s German heritage at the 73^rd annual carnival in Sigma Sigma commons! It starts at 6 PM and goes until 1 AM on Saturday, May 19^th.

 5. Asian Food Fest 2012 at the Banks – May 19^th-20^th

If you find yourself hungry on the weekend make sure to stop by this year’s Asian Food Festival. It has expanded over the years and has more to offer than ever before! With tons of authentic Asian and Asian-inspired foods, this festival will also have live music and games for children. It is to be help Saturday, May 19^th and Sunday May 20^th in the Banks of Downtown Cincinnati on West Freedom Way.

For the sixth consecutive year, Marvel has had the first big film of the summer. Unfortunately, that hasn’t always meant they’ve had the best film of the summer. Of the five previous releases, only 2008’s Iron Man was really a great movie. Every other one, including 2010’s Iron Man 2, has either been just okay, or not good. But fear not friends, The Avengers, the anticipated combination of several of Marvel’s greatest heroes, is finally here and I’m pleased to say that it’s probably the best start to summer we’ve had in a long time.

The movie is a collaboration of four of Marvel’s great heroes: Iron Man (once again played by Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America(once again Chris Evans), Thor (once again Chris Hemsworth), and the Incredible Hulk (now played by Mark Ruffalo, taking over for Edward Norton, who played the role in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk). The team is also joined by the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner).

In the movie, the heroes are brought together by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson, who has appeared in cameos in all of the previous films) who needs them to help him recover a sacred cube of power. The cube has been stolen by Thor’s evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddleson) who plans to use its powers for evil. The team bickers with each other quite a bit at first, but soon realizes the only way to achieve their ultimate goal is to work together.

Of course I won’t spoil too much of the plot (I want everyone to see the movie if they haven’t already seen it). I will, however, say that Marvel fans will be pleased with the outcome of this movie. The plot is good, the characters are well developed, and there’s the perfect blend of action and humor at the same time. Downey Jr. once again delivers a great bunch of humor and all of the other actors, particularly Hemsworth and Evans, give superb performances. Plus, director Joss Whedon does a great job with keeping the characters and story true to their comic book origins.

In general, this is a great film. While it does get extremely loud at some points and the plot jumps around quite a bit, all of that can be overlooked. The Avengers also meets another goal: being the first summer blockbuster of the year, it tells us what kind of a summer we’re in for at the movies. Last year, Thor showed that we were in for an okay summer, which we got. However, The Avengers is better, and proves that this summer is most likely going to be a great summer at the movies.

Amazing Spider-Man anyone?

The Avengers

9 (out of 10)

Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo

Directed by Joss Whedon

2 hour 22 minutes

Grab a cheeseburger, don your American flag, and break out your swords as Eric Vale invades the Dennis Daniel Show.

THIS FRIDAY at 6PM EST on Bearcastradio.com

Bakersfield is not your typical taco joint. This restaurant is owned by the same creators and owners of Currito, but Bakersfield takes on a more restaurant style feel with a contemporary bar atmosphere.  The inside is awesome; you don’t need to dress fancy for this place, either. They serve the most incredible gourmet tacos for only $3 each. Yes they’re small, but with an order of the most delicious salsa and chips you’ll ever have, you won’t want more than 2 tacos. The salsa and chips alone are worth the visit. They include 2 types of salsas, one being a salsa Verde and another one is a smokier dark red salsa with a kick to it. They don’t stop with the salsa; if you enjoy the fresh taste of cilantro and avocado, you must order their guacamole with your salsa and chips. I’ve never tasted better and fresher tasting guacamole in my life.

Bakersfield also has daily specials such as a boot of PBR with a shot of one of their many types of tequila for only $5. If you’re a tequila drinker, you will want to visit Bakersfield. They have a very large Tequila menu along with several Mexican beers and other Cincinnati favorites as well. Check out Bakersfield at 1213 Vine Street in Over The Rhine. You will end up telling your friends about it.

1.      Reds vs. Nationals: Fri, May 11^th, 7:10 PM at Great American Ball Park

UC alumni, students, faculty, staff, and donors can get tickets for this Friday’s Reds game vs. the Washington Nationals.  Bring your UC spirit as the Reds take on the Nationals at home.  Be sure to stay after the game for the first fireworks Friday of the year.

 2.      The McManor Project, Springfest: Sat, May 12^th, Noon- 2am, Sterling McMillan Pool

Formerly known as Project WestFest.  The event is free to attend, and will include music from DJ’s Air Blair, Play it again Sam, and Drowsy, with a performance by JOLA the Trunk Boi at 10 PM.

 3.      RHA Block Party: Sat, May 12^th, PM , 2-6PM, cul-de-sac between Scioto, Jefferson, Turner, and Dabney Halls

The Residence Hall Association is throwing its annual Summer Kick-off Block party.  Stop by for some free food, games and music with your friends this Saturday.

 4.      Newport, KY Jazz Festival: Sat, May 12^th, Noon-10PM, Sun, May 13^th, Noon-6:30 PM, Newport on the Levee

All this weekend,Newporton the Levee will be the place for Cincinnati Jazz lovers to be.  Enjoy the shops and atmosphere ofNewportwith jazz music all day.  Some performers are Old Green Eyes, Cincy Brass, and the Blue Wisp Band.

 5.      Hunter Hayes in Concert: Fri, May 11^th, 7:00 PM, Bogart’s

Country lovers won’t want to miss this performance by this young, up and coming country star.  Known as the Justin Bieber of country music, Hunter Hayes will be taking the stage at Bogart’s on Friday.

If you’re a big fan of the Three Stooges, like me, you were probably really excited for this new film adaption about those three loveable losers. This movie went through a lot of trouble before it finally got released, but now we finally get to see how the Farrelly Brothers did in their attempt to revive the Stooges. Unfortunately, what we hoped for, and what we get, are two different things.

What we hoped for: A funny slapstick comedy with wit, fun, and justice to the original Stooges.

What we get: A toilet humor filled comedy with a weak plot, raunchy humor, and no justice to the original Stooges.

The film is broken down into three “shorts” that are all just a continuation of the same story. Moe (played by Chris Diamantopoulos), Larry (Sean Hayes from Will and Grace) and Curly (Will Sasso from Mad TV) were left at an orphanage when they were babies. 35 years later, they still live at the orphanage as “handymen,” though they don’t really do anything but mess things up. One day the head of the orphanage (Brian Doyle-Murray) announces that the orphanage will be closed unless a large sum of money can be raised.

Not wanting to see the orphanage closed, the Stooges go off to try and raise the money. Unfortunately, nothing they do seems to work. But the Stooges don’t lose hope and are determined to try to do whatever it takes to save the orphanage.

There is also a subplot involving a former child at the orphanage (Kirby Heyborne) and his wife (Sofia Vergara) and the want to destroy him and the Stooges. All in all, the plot of this film is dopey, silly, and, above all, weak. The fact that this film is broken into three “shorts” that all follow the same story really doesn’t make much sense.

However, the feature that really hurts the film the worst is its consistent toilet humor. There are various jokes relating to toilet talk and crude humor that really hurts the film. One scene in particular involving the Stooges in a maternity ward is incredibly stupid. Plus, a scene where Moe drops a lobster in Larry’s pants and his voice hits a high note is clearly in there just for a cheap laugh.

I will give the film a few good points. Some of the individual humor jokes are actually pretty funny, such as the scenes involving sledgehammers, eye pokes, and bell repair. Also, the actors playing the Stooges, Sasso especially, look, act, and talk very much like the original goons we all know and love. But, sadly, those individual laughs aren’t enough to save this film from its lame plot and too many toilet jokes.

Stooge Fans, prepare to be disappointed.

The Three Stooges

5 (out of 10)

Stars: Will Sasso, Sean Hayes, Chris Diamantopoulos

Directed by Peter and Bobby Farrelly

1 hour 32 minutes

21 Jump Street could’ve been one of two types of movies. It either could’ve been funny and enjoyable, or really dumb and stupid. But, I’m pleased to say, that this buddy cop comedy is the better of the two choices. Thanks to Jonah Hill’s clever writing, this movie is a fun ride with lots of great comedy to laugh at along the way.

The film is based on a TV show that aired on FOX from 1987-1991 and starred Johnny Depp. However, as opposed to taking the same characters from the show and incorporating the same plot, the story focuses on new characters and is updated for its current time. In the story, two new officers, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) and Jenko (Channing Tatum) start off as complete failures. Schmidt may be smart, but he can’t fight and Jenko can shoot and tackle, but can’t even remember the Miranda Rights.

After failing at their first mission, the two are then assigned a special mission. Reporting to21 Jump Street, an old abandoned church that serves as a hideout for a secret police force, they meet Captain Dickson (Ice Cube) who gives them a special mission. The mission is to investigate a local high school and figure out the source of a local drug problem. While in the school, Schmidt and Jenko have to disguise as high school students and try to get information.

While at the school, the two cops begin to search around for clues. However, due to Jenko’s unintelligence, he ends up with Schmidt’s schedule of “nerd” classes and Schmidt ends up with Jenko’s schedule of “easy” classes. Because of this, Jenko ends up hanging out with a bunch of nerds while Schmidt ends up with a lot of cool kids, including one of the drug dealers and a pretty girl named Molly (Brie Larson).

The movie has a lot of funny moments. From car chases to high school humor jokes, this is one movie that really puts a lot together and really does a good job with it. While some of the jokes are annoying at points, and there are probably about 100 too many f-words (mainly coming from Ice Cube’s character), all of that is overlooked with the countless jokes that actually make fun of buddy cop movies.

Hill and Tatum are also really great as a cop duo. Each one adds that characteristic that the other one is missing. They’re opposites who are just perfect for each other. Plus the other actors in the movie are also very well put together.

Anyone who was a fan of the original Johnny Depp show need not worry. The only real thing similar to the original show in this movie is the title. The difference in characters and the updates for this current time are really well played out and do no disrespect to the old show. 21 Jump Street is a film any college student can enjoy.

Oh, by the way, keep an eye out for a surprise cameo.

21 Jump Street

7 (out of 10)

Stars: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube

Directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller

1 hour 49 minutes