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THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN WWW.KANSAN.COM News WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2008
Food: Lost your faith in fast food? Five Guys is a treat. Oh, and save room for the fries.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries changed my opinion about adding more fast-food chains to a city loyal to its locally owned eateries.
When I heard that a new fast food restaurant opened in Lawrence, I figured I didn't need to be excited. Spangles arrived two years ago, and after all the hype, I didn't think Lawrence gained anything extraordinary.
Five Guys' pleasantly surprised me with what I would call the best fast food cheeseburgers in town, and the fries do not disappoint either.
The place was packed when I walked in, which I attributed to the buzz that had been flying around town about how Five Guys is great
The menu was thin, which, in this instance, thin meant simple. I had to choose only between a regular size burger or a small burger, which Five Guys calls the "Little Burger," and then decide which of the 15 free toppings I wanted to add to my circus of calories.
I ordered the regular sized
cheeseburger and I made a mistake. At Five Guys, a regular cheeseburger is a double cheeseburger. It was delicious, but my stomach ran out of room, and I still had a 16 ounce cup full of fries to eat. I should have known the portions would be big after I paid $9.50 for a burger, fries and a drink, but I was excited and not worried about pinching pennies.
My final analysis is Five Guys
serves the best fast food burger in town, but I didn't appreciate being tricked into a double cheeseburger when the "Little Burger;" would have been plenty.
That aside, I will go back and I recommend anyone to give Five Guys Burgers and Fries a try.
Mike Nolan
Movies: Smith's latest a 'fresh' take on superhero films
"Hancock" doesn't hurt Will Smith's reputation as one of the most talented — and frustrating — actors in the business. Smith shines in the starring role, but could've chosen his scripts better: "Hancock" is average, and Smith should be making above average films every time out.
Smith plays Hancock, a misunderstood and alcoholic superhero who rehabilitates his image with help from public relations guru played by Jason Bateman. Hancock's journey to respectability hits a snag when he runs into a former romantic flame and fellow superhero played by Charlize Theron.
The movie's script is far from a masterpiece, but the actors work wonders with what they were handed. Smith turns potentially flat jokes into decent gags with strong timing and delivery, and the Bateman-Theron combination adds some emotional depth to the film.
Director Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) hits a home run with his choice of music. The original score is better than most, and its melancholy tone fits the movie, which is more
reflective than destructive.
"Hancock" isn't the traditional superhero story. There isn't a villain and there isn't gratuitous action. It's an entertaining 90 minutes, but it's a shame Smith isn't working on something better.