Mission: Impossible Rogue Nation - Everywhere

These days, attempting to separate the image of Tom Cruise, loony Scientologist elder, from the image of Tom Cruise, Big Movie Star is a nearly impossible mission. But movies like last year's Edge of Tomorrow and this fifth entry in the Mission: Impossible are making it a little easier.

All five M:I movies have had different directors, which is a tradition I hope continues with the inevitable sequels — it lends the series a nice level of unpredictability. And while current director Christopher McQuarrie doesn't bring anything revolutionary or insane to the series, (for that, you'll have to reach back to John Woo's Mission: Impossible 2, which was the nuttiest — and thus my favorite — M:I movie), he has crafted a solid bit of action-filled entertainment, complete with the requisite villain hoping to destroy the world (Sean Harris); an upper level management type who wants to keep the IMF team apart; (Alec Baldwin); and a femme who may be a fatale, or may be a friend (Rebecca Ferguson).

Ferguson steals the show on more than one occasion — which could be a testament to Cruise, who isn't afraid to be upstaged. In fact, he's probably at his best when he's fighting against someone who's clearly a little smarter and/or a little stronger; it gives his Ethan Hunt a nice does of humility, and humor.

Besides, he'd never be able to come close to the moves Ferguson masters in her fight scenes, particularly the classic "lady crushes man's head between her thighs" maneuver, which she tends to combine with an initial flying leap over the guy, resulting in her landing on top, head between legs, neck in perfect position for snapping.

The IMF gang is also back: Ving Rhames as Luther, who does NOT do much leaping in the movie; I think he spends most of it lying down; Jeremy Renner as William Brandt, who has to fight off Alec Baldwin's CIA chief; and; Simon Pegg as Benji, who gets more feet-on-the ground action this go-around.

Sure, the movie's probably about 20 minutes too long, and the ending is the furthest from surprising that you can probably get. But the Mission: Impossible series has always been a nice alternative to the more serious Daniel Craig 007 and Bourne movies, and Rogue Nation is so much fun it almost manages to make you forget about Crazy Cruise. And that's an accomplishment.

Vacation - Everywhere

Sequel? Remake? Reboot? It's all of those and less! Ed Helms stars as Rusty Griswold, son of Clark Griswold, and he wants to recreate that memorable trip to Wally World that he experienced as a kid; Christina Applegate is his wife, who is along for the ride with their two kids. And Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo do indeed turn up in cameos, now grandparents...

Uh-oh. Does that mean one of them ends up tied to the roof of the car?

A LEGO Brickumentary - Presidio

Documentary? Or very long toy ad? You be the judge! The film traces the history of the toy company, from its beginnings in Denmark, to the toy's uses in education and even therapy, to the adult fans who collect the sets and gather for Lego-centered conventions. Narrated by Jason Bateman.

The Look of Silence - Opera Plaza

Companion piece to the Oscar winning documentary The Act of Killing. This follow-up centers on a family related to victims of the 1965 massacre in Indonesia, and their coming face-to-face with two of the men involved--two men who still hold tremendous power in their village.

Samba - Opera Plaza

The directors and star of the French hit The Intouchables reunite for this comedic-drama about a Senegalese migrant to France (Samba Cissé ) who is forced into detention and potential deportation. But help from — and possible romance with — an immigration advocate (Charlotte Gainsbourg) just may change the course of his life.

Wild City - 4 Star

Legendary Hong Kong action director Ringo Lam is back with his first movie since 2007's Triangle, and it's a return to form, centered on a former cop who tries to protect a woman from her evil lawyer ex-boyfriend and his gang of criminals, while also dealing with his no-good brother, and a suitcase full of stolen cash.

Wet Hot American Summer- Clay

Sure, you could prepare for the Netflix series that premiered today by watching the original movie in the comfort of your own home, but what's the fun in that? Why not get your ass off the couch and head on over to the Clay for a midnight showing instead?

And then you can spend the rest of the weekend back on that couch binge watching that series; you're only human!

And now, a helpful tidbit in case you (like me) had planned on trudging to the Inner Sunset this week to check out San Tung and/or San Tung #2: they're closed until Thursday, May 1.

According to the voicemail on the other end of the line, they're on vacation. (Deservedly so as their second spot, located next door, opened a couple weeks ago.)

Alas, those wings will have to wait until May.

While most of us rely on budgets and think of Whole Foods as a pipe dream, there are those of you who can get what you want whenever you want with a simple swipe of an AmEx. Below, our writers have chosen some of the best (and one of the worst) ways in which you can blow your dollars in the Bay Area. Enjoy.

$15,000-a-night penthouse at the Fairmont Hotel
Noted for being the location where world leaders concocted the United Nations Charter 1945, the penthouse at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel will run you a cool $15,000 per night. Coming in at 6,000 square feet, you'll get a several large bedrooms, a grand piano, a formal dining room, a professional kitchen, a two-story circular library, a massive terrace with views of the City, a secret passageway concealed behind one of the bookshelves, a 24-hour butler and chef, and more.
950 Mason (at Mason), S.F.; 415-772-5000

Saison
You've heard about it. The New York Times critic has been there twice, and loves it. Bon Appetit adores it. SF Mag critic Josh Sens concludes that despite the steep price, it's "money well spent." All you need to know is that chef Joshua Skenes and his crew are creating a new Northern California cuisine every night at this restaurant, which is served with understated but meticulous skill by a team of servers and sommeliers led by Mark Bright. If you are an open-minded omnivore with some money saved up who wants to be transported and surprised by nearly every dish in the course of 18 or 20 of them, this is the place for your next splurge. If you're really hard to please and think that you should be served only gold-dusted caviar and endangered species for prices like this, Saison may not be for you. — Jay Barmann
178 Townsend (at Third Street), S.F.; 415-828-7990

Stockton Street Apple Store in San Francisco. (Photo: Steve Rhodes)

Replace Your Laptop At The Apple Store
Is your eight-month-old Powerbook not of the Air and/or Retina variety? Horrifying. Then head over to your nearest Apple Store to replace it. Heck, buy two. Just in case. The line at the Genius Bar can be long if one breaks. — Brock Keeling
Find an Apple store nearest you.

Beauty astounds at Auberge du Soleil. (Photo: Auberge du Soleil)

Auberge du Soleil
So you want to go up to Napa and see how the other half lives for a couple of nights. May we suggest checking out the luxurious hotel, spa, and restaurant tucked into a hill in Rutherford called Auberge du Soleil? Afternoons lunching on the terrace, sitting by the pool overlooking the valley with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, getting a 2-hour massage and a pedicure before dinner from chef Robert Curry — after all this you will probably never want to return to your workaday life, but it will still be a lovely relief. This place is probably second only to Meadowood in terms of the restaurant and spa combo, but has better views and a bit more European flair. And you're just minutes away from a bunch of great wineries on the Silverado Trail. — Jay Barmann

Coi. (Photo: Facebook)

Coi
Daniel Patterson's Coi (pronounced "kwa"), on Broadway in the heart of the bombastic yet unassuming North Beach strip, swims in similar seas as Saison and Benu. However, it's more than just molecular gastronomy. It's more than just lichen. It's an altering experience. And with four stars from Michael Bauer and two from the Michelin crew, it's worth every silver dollar.
373 Broadway (at Montgomery), S.F.; 415-393-9000

Rent Out A Movie Theater For You And Your Friends
Want to watch this year's Oscar bait with little chatter from (increasingly) noisy SF audiences? Rent out a theater for you and your friends. Prices vary depending on which theater you chose. For example, CineArts at the Westfield can run you $1,715 for the smallest theater, while renting out the entire space at Embarcadero Cinemas starts out at $700 per screening. — Brock Keeling
Call theater for details.

Bath time at Campton Hotel. (Photo: Brock Keeling)

Campton Place
Since being taken over by the Taj Hotels group a few years ago, things have only gotten more luxe at this boutique hotel by Union Square. It's perfect for a tony staycation in town, and you'll feel like you traveled somewhere because of all the wealthy foreign nationals who opt for this place — probably because the Taj brand means a lot more outside the U.S. Also, the restaurant, which has a Michelin star, is operating at a very high level under chef Srijith Gopinathan, with beautifully plated, complex dishes that combine French technique with East and South Asian flavors. In fact, the restaurant is worth a splurge by itself, but it's always nice to be able to go right upstairs to bed under 1000-thread-count sheets. — Jay Barmann

Caviar, the signature splurge. (Photo: Christine C. / Yelp)

Brunch at Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay
Brunch at the Ritz-Carlton Resort in HMB is often hailed as the best in the Bay Area. And with good reason. Navio's Sunday brunch offers an alarmingly wide selection of culinary glee, where there is something for every taste including a caviar bar, hot and cold salads, risotto, crab, chocolates, many cheeses, carving stations, bottle after bottle of champagne, and array of deserts. Seatings are at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m., 2 p.m. Brunch runs $98 per guest, minus tax/gratuity; $49 for children ages 5-12; freer for children four years and younger.
Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, 1 Miramontes Point Road, Half Moon Bay, 650-712-7000

With IfOnly, you can join Tim Brown in New York City for a private dinner the weekend of The Big Game. (Photo: Facebook)

IfOnly
In lieu of yet another shiny new toy or gadget, Trevor Traina's newest venture offers the elite "extraordinary experiences." (Think David Fincher's The Game, but less harrowing and sans Sean Penn.) As society reporter Catherine Bigelow notes: "These experiences range in price from $35 for a guaranteed Twitter follow from chef Michael Chiarello to $45,000 for a gourmet kitchen redesign and dinner by chef Tyler Florence." Other options available? Tagging along with Michael Bauer on a review meal, a pasta-making class with Thomas McNaughton, Shakira's dress, a video message from Mike Tyson, and more. Much more. (Note: a good chuck of the proceeds go to local nonprofits and charities.)
www.ifonly.com

The Tenderloin in the AM. (Photo: Bhautik Joshi)

Rent A Place In The Tenderloin
Your IPO went bonkers. You already own a home in the Temescal and up in the Hills. And Sarah Lacy just started following you on Twitter. Isn't it time you greedily rented an understated 1BR in the Tenderloin for the rare overnighter in the CIty? So gritty. So real. After all, that family of four isn't going to displace itself. Sleep well. — Brock Keeling

Honorable mentions

Meadowood Napa Valley Resort & Spa: 900 Meadowood Lane, St Helena; 707-531-4788

Nob Hill Spa at the Huntington Hotel: 1075 California (at Mason), S.F.; 415-474-5400

In the sequel to yesterday's piece in which Brendan Francis Newnam attempted to spark some hetero manlove mischief with a blueberry vegan donut, the CNN correspondant returns with the second half of his less-than-bawdy "Mancation" adventure in our fair city.

After the previous disaster at the Ferry Building, the poor guy tried to rally his friends by steering their admittedly lame Mt. Tam hike towards the Pelican Inn where surely a couple pints of beer and Shepherd's Pie would get his crew prepped for a big afternoon of barhopping in the Mission. Unfortunately, Newnam's pals seemed to be the only people in the greater Bay Area who couldn't summon the energy to do some irresponsible daytime drinking on an "obscene" 70-and-sunny day in February. They settled on a lunch of Arnold Palmers, salads and a cheese plate - menu options some might describe as downright girly. (No offense, ladies, we love the occasional salad.)

SF Examiner has a very important report on what your San Francisco supervisors did during their three weeks off. A few of them did some pretty gay stuff; and one of them did what your SFist editor did during his summer vacations as a youth, literally.

Check it out:

• Board President David Chiu went to China. (Exotic!)
• Supervisor Bevan Dufty went to "Provincetown, R.I." [online edition correction "Provincetown, Mass."] (Because a well-fucked supervisor is an effective supervisor.)
• Eric Mar spent time in a mineral bath in Calistoga. (Refreshing!)
• David Campos went to LA and Cancun, Mexico (Sitting in traffic on the 405 will make one pine for bodyshots.)
• John Avalos body surfed at Huntington Beach, went fishing. (A supervisor after our own heart!)

We're not sure, exactly, what the others did. Maybe they had to go to summer session? Melissa Griffin has some ideas here.

Oh, and since our Day Around the Bay guest bloggers proved even more popular than we had imagined, please stay tuned month for a special block of Day Around the Bay featuring SF supervisors as guest editors. (Side note: for you supervisors who refuse to do it, we'll just have your sworn enemy guest blog for you. We're that serious.) We hope to round them up later this month, as soon as things percolate at City Hall after full meetings resume. (Thanks for the idea, Supervisor Chis Daly!)

While Gavin Newsom's daily itinerary is typically (and aggressively) detail-free, today's public schedule is brimming with loads of information, stuff you might find during a showcase showdown on the Price Is Right. Today, according to SFBG, Mayor Newsom is relaxing in high style in Mexico "on a PG&E-sponsored trip that has nothing to do with San Francisco." (Aside: we are so jealous. We haven't had a vacation in eons, especially one that involved us not having to think about the city of San Francisco every other second. Lucky bastard.)

During his south-of-the-border trip, Newsom will go on a bike ride with the country's Secretary for the Environment, take a tour of the "Virtual Center of Climate Change" with someone named Carlos Gay (hee), and meet with El Presidente for body shots and chips/salsa. Fun!

Check out Newsom's envious schedule after the jump.

With the swine flu almost reaching pandemic levels, cruise ships that were scheduled to head down south to Mexico will instead dock at the Port of San Francisco, as well as Victoria, British Columbia, and Seattle. According to SF Chron, "there were nine ship calls scheduled in May before the flu kept the ships out of Mexico. Now 18 are scheduled" to make appearances on the waterfront. San Francisco, it seems, sees "50 to 60 cruise ship calls a year"; this year, however, we'll have 70. What does this mean? An extra $500,000 in city revenue. "It's excellent," squealed Port of San Francisco marketing director Michael Nerney. Also, in related mixed-message news, SF health officials would like you to stop overreacting to the pig sniffles, please.

Mayor Gavin Newsom had the gall -- the gall! -- to defend his Hawaiian sojourn , saying "I was gone Friday and Saturday...and one of the most remarkable things that’s happened in the last century is the ability to communicate with people in real time and engage in a dialogue and discussion and coordination and collaboration, without necessarily being physically in the same room." And you know what? Good for you, Mayor man.

No, really, this whole Gavin Goes to Hawaii mêlée...isn't. So what? He went to Hawaii after a big ol' election. What difference would have ideally occurred if he was physically present within the 7-by-7 mile confine of San Francisco last Friday and Saturday? Sure, even we freaked out about his absence, but looking back it was a knee-jerk reaction. Sort of in the way that you want your daddy after having a scary, scary nightmare, only to realize he's on a business trip--that's all it was.

And he's right: technology is available for him to be in two places at the same time. (Ah, the genius that is the telephone.) Whatever. Oil-spill devastation aside, no harm done on your part, Gav.