Out On the Town

HAMLET 2
The comedy smash of the 2008 Sundance Film Festival is the irreverent tale of failed actor-turned-worse-high-school-drama teacher Dana Marschz (Steve Coogan), who rallies his Arizona students as he conceives and stages a lighthearted, politically incorrect, musical sequel to Shakespeare's tragedy, Hamlet. Despite objections from school officials and outrage in the community, the overzealous Dana will not be denied his freedom of artistic expression. After all, ''To thine own self be true.'' Co-starring Catherine Keener, David Arquette, Amy Poehler and Elisabeth Shue. Directed by Andrew Fleming (The Craft), who co-wrote the screenplay with Pam Brady (Team America: World Police). Opens Friday at the Landmark E Street Cinemas.

SCOTT POMFRET
The next installment of The Center's OutWrite series offers Scott Pomfret reading from his new book, My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir. Exploring the ''full spectrum of the gay Catholic experience,'' Pomfret's memoir tells the story of one gay man's mission to convince his nemesis, a cardinal, to invite him to serve at weekly mass. Boston-based author Scott Pomfret, who works as a trial attorney with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, has also gained notoriety with his explicit, gay-romance novels. His new memoir touches on a range of topics, including marriage rallies and priest scandals, and features several characters, such as the promiscuous Father McSlutty and Father Bear-Daddy. Tongue-in-cheek sidebars include insight on 10 ways to detect a Catholic gay, and the 10 commandments of reading gay porn. Pomfret will read from and discuss his memoir tonight, Thursday, Aug. 21, at 8 p.m. at Artfully Chocolate/Kingsbury Confections, 1529C 14th St. NW. For more information, visit The Center at www.thedccenter.org.

TROPIC THUNDER

Tropic Thunder, directed by and starring Ben Stiller directed, is without question the funniest, boldest, most original comedy the comic has been involved with to date. He has plenty of folks to graciously thank for it, including castmates Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Nick Nolte and, especially, Robert Downey Jr., as well as co-writers Justin Theroux and Etan Cohen. The story of the making of a Vietnam War movie gone profoundly, horribly wrong, Tropic Thunder aims its slings and arrows in the general direction of Hollywood, hitting one bullseye after another. It's a wacky, wonderful case of life imitating art masquerading as life pretending to be art. A dizzy-making experience on paper, to be sure. But on screen, it's comic nirvana -- a wow, a wonder, a big fat hilarious whoopee cushion. The narrative is endlessly inventive -- it's impossible to guess where the story will head next -- and its offensive humor is hilariously off the charts. Rated R. 107 Minutes. Area theaters. (Randy Shulman)

OPENING

BAGHEAD
Four desperate actors head off into the woods to write the next great American screenplay-without a clue as to how to get it done in this new tragicomedy from The Duplass Brothers (Jay and Mark). While shooting their last feature film The Puffy Chair, a crew member raised the question, ''What's the scariest thing you can think of?'' Someone immediately said, ''A guy with a bag on his head staring into your window.'' Some agreed, but some thought it was downright ridiculous and, if anything, funny (but definitely not scary). Thus, Baghead was born, an attempt to take on the absurdly low-concept idea of a ''guy with a bag on his head.'' Opens Friday at the Landmark E Street Cinemas.

BRIDESHEAD REVISITED

Director Julian Jarrold has trimmed Evelyn Waugh's novel down to the bare necessities. He ensures that the story still ties together as a whole, but sacrifices a smooth, flowing storyline in the interest of brevity (relatively speaking, since the film still clocks in at over two hours). What you're left with is several moments that are just that -- moments. It's the difference between looking at a still taken from a film and watching the entire film. Jarrold deserves credit for creating a final product that still manages to create a slow burn that gradually turns up the heat, but never manages to ignite a flame. Starring Emma Thompson and Matthew Goode. Rated PG-13. 133 minutes. Area theaters. (Tim Plant)

MAMMA MIA!

The name of the game is fun, which is often synonymous with ABBA music. It's practically a requirement to start waving your arms around and sing when the Swedish foursome start one of their famous numbers. So what if the movie featuring their music has a silly plot with more cracks in it than the foundation of the hotel where it takes place? The story is only filler until the next musical note is struck, until the next warble comes out of someone's mouth, until that warble transforms into a familiar song and you want to jump out of your seat and start to dance. Okay, so not every song makes you want to transform into a dancing queen, but more do than don't. Rated PG-13. 108 minutes. Area theaters. (Tim Plant)

PINEAPPLE EXPRESS

This latest addition to the Judd Apatow film collection is cut from classic stoner comedy cloth, but turns weirdly serious, morphing into a shoot-em-up action flick. It's not as funny as it might have been, but it's not an awful way to waste some time. And that's due to James Franco's ''charm the pants off us'' performance as Saul, a sweet-tempered pot dealer with exceedingly strong gay inclinations. The normally beautiful Franco has been downgraded: his hair's a mottled, oily mess; his demeanor not quite in the here and now. And yet he steals every single scene he's in -- no mean feat since he's yanking them away from capable co-star, burly and bearish Seth Rogen, who plays a client of Saul's who witnesses a murder and gets the pair into deep crapola. Rated R. 111 minutes. Area theaters. (Randy Shulman)

JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA

Studio Theatre has gathered a collection of outrageously talented singers -- the ones whose parents perhaps dreamed of one day seeing them singing at the Met -- and has put their sizeable talents behind a production of Jerry Springer: The Opera. And there really is a fair amount of opera going on in this show, though there are also the sounds of a Southern tent revival and some bright, musical-theater tunes accompanying the fancy footwork of a troupe of tap-dancing Ku Klux Klansmen. Yeah. That's right. Tap-dancing Ku Klux Klansmen. It is Springer after all. The production boasts some strong performers, notably Bobby Smith as Satan and Aaron Reeder as the transgender Springer guest, Tremont. Lawrence Redmond toes a steady line as the show's non-singing straight man, Springer. Like the Springer television show Jerry Springer: The Opera wants us to think that it has a deep message to share. But like its television counterpart, the gross spectacle of this musical is the real reason to tune in. Extended through Aug. 31. At the Studio Theater, 1501 14th St. NW. Tickets are $39 to $49. Call 202-332-3300 or visit www.studiotheatre.org. (Tom Avila)

ROOMS a rock romance

There is a spontaneity at work here, an un-choreographed and loosely directed energy that has all the texture and sweat of a garage-band show at some overcrowded, downtown bar. Two people meet and, as often happens in musicals, find love, stardom and tragedy in short order and with time for a reprise. It's the rough edges of the music that make ROOMS an interesting night at the theater. The fine performances of leads Doug Kreeger and Natascia Diaz are rich and have the glow of a well-worn leather jacket. Kreeger has a stealthy, charismatic presence and a voice that goes from boom to whisper to nothing. Diaz is an atomic bomb. She is bright and dazzling and when she opens her mouth she floods the theater to the back row. To Sept. 7. At MetroStage, 1201 N. Royal St., Alexandria. Tickets are $40 to $45. Call 703-548-9044 or visit www.metrowstage.org. (Tom Avila)

1409 PLAYBILL CAFÉ
1409 14th St. NW Washington 202-265-3055 Cost: $$ Serving harried theatre goers and local barflies with the same aplomb, this 10-year-old Logan Circle stalwart is the perfect answer, whether hearty bar fare or a multi-course dinner are on your personal menu. Sumptuous artichoke dip, generous nachos and Playbill's signature ''Naomi's Fries'' star on the appetizer menu while nearly every entreé offering will have you yelling ''encore!'' -- and loosening your belt a notch. Vegetarian options on this mostly traditional American-fare menu abound, while regular dinner specials expand the offerings with flavors from more exotic locals. And be sure to ask about the restaurant's monthly international wine and multi-course dinner special featuring recipes, ingredients and wines unique to that month's featured country or region.

18TH & U DUPLEX DINER

2004 18th St. NW
 Washington 
202-265-9599 Cost: $$ Perched on the border of the Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle neighborhoods, Duplex Diner has long served as a lively and casual gathering spot for D.C.'s gay movers and shakers. The dining room is as social as the bar, with much table hopping and hobnobbing. The food is classic American comfort -- a generous meatloaf, a terrific mac and cheese, unbeatable pork chops, a savory rib eye and a new wedge salad comprised of iceberg lettuce, thick chunks of bacon and bathed in blue cheese dressing -- that adds to the at-home-with-friends feel.

ALBERTO'S
2010 P St. NW 2438 18th St. NW Washington 202-986-2121 Cost: $ Quality can be found at any price. On the low-end of the financial spectrum, Alberto's definitely delivers quality. Alberto De Souza, who owns the two-outlet Alberto's with his wife, Jillian, combines his Chicago-trained sensibility and French influences -- by way of serving as Sofitel Washington's executive chef -- in a stone oven. The result? ''Go Bears!,'' if you go Chicago style, or c'est magnifique! for a, say, thin crust with goat cheese and capers. By the pie, it's the perfect rustic dinner in, or the soothing nightcap slice as you stumble home. Free delivery around Dupont and Adams Morgan.

BANANA CAFÉ
500 Eighth St. SE Washington202-543-5906 Cost: $$ Once the sole reason to frequent Capitol Hill's Barracks Row, Banana Café now has many fellow restaurants around it offering a wide array of options. But the choice is still clear. With its consistently delicious menu offering a blend of Cuban and South American dishes, fast friendly service, delightful decor and ambiance, large outdoor patio, not to mention their perfect margaritas, Banana Café is still the destination restaurant on 8th Street SE. Be sure to venture upstairs to the piano bar to catch the incomparable Gordon Kent on piano.

BEACON BAR & GRILL
1615 Rhode Island Ave. NW Washington 202-872-1126 Cost: $$ If some may consider the Human Rights Campaign building at 17th and Rhode Island a sort of heart of the gay community, perhaps the Beacon Bar & Grill across the street is its stomach. Really, nothing says gay venue like a great happy-hour bar menu -- $5 apiece for mini burgers, crab quesadillas and plenty more. Then there's the elaborate Sunday buffet brunch, with unlimited mimosas, champagne or Bloody Marys; the Saturday night prix fixe wine dinners; or Tuesday's three-course pasta dinners. From bar fare to eggs benedict, Beacon Bar & Grill hits every appetite. Sneak up to the rooftop Beacon Sky-Bar, when open, for one the best views around.

FREDDIE'S BEACH BAR & RESTAURANT
555 South 23rd St. Crystal City 703-685-0555 Cost: $$ Perched atop Crystal City's restaurant row for over seven years, Freddie's Beach Bar has never been the wallflower on the strip. With his signature color purple, neon and beach ephemera dripping from every surface, proprietor Freddie Lutz has created a beachside oasis that'll warm you up and take you to the shore no matter what the weather. And like all top-notch island resorts there's no lack of entertainment -- from Freddie's Follies drag shows to karaoke there's always something to keep the lively, friendly crowd on their toes, just as the menu offerings are sure to keep them in their seats. Freddie's extensive beach menu features an array of hearty appetizers, burgers, and entreés. The crab cakes are some of the best we've had and the buffalo chicken sandwich is mouth-watering. And don't miss the Sunday brunch buffet, offering everything from eggs benedict to General Tso's chicken.

JACK'S RESTAURANT & BAR
1527 17th St. NW Washington 202-332-6767 Cost: $$ The location has proven hit or miss, but Jack's seems to be making a hit. With a mix of European flair and American simplicity -- peppered with a dash of Turkish exoticism -- Jack's is drawing festive crowds to both the bar and bistro. Half-price bottles of wine/champagne on Tuesdays and Thursdays don't hurt, especially when paired with fare that ranges from burgers to pork loin al balsamico. Bon vivants will certainly appreciate the ambitious cocktail menu and Jack's unique birthday celebrations.

KRAMERBOOKS & AFTERWORDS CAFE
1517 Connecticut Ave. NW Washington Cost: $$ For decades, Afterwords Cafe has whipped up a flavor more akin to Greenwich Village than the capital. Whether it's a weekday breakfast of blueberry pancakes or a tower of late-night, signature ''Sharezies'' -- maybe crab cakes, mussels and mushroom crostini? -- Afterwords gives D.C. a taste of the bohemian bistro that nearly never sleeps, even if the Metro does. Don't make a mistake of missing the rockin' beer and wine list, to be enjoyed on the patio or in the cozy, wooden bar.

M STREET BAR & GRILL
2033 M St. NW Washington 202-530-3621 Cost: $$ Sundays at the M Street Bar & Grill are becoming an institution, where table-service brunch and endless mimosas/Bloody Marys are the rule. Yvonne Johnson's jazz accompaniment is the perfect aural digestif with brunch or Thursday dinner. All menus offer solidly American fare with hints of the Middle East and soul cooking at the edges. The two-course dinner for two for $40 makes for a great date -- especially so considering the rooms and suites of the St. Gregory Hotel fill the floors above the restaurant, for those wishing to add their own spice.

SIMPLY HOME
1410 U St. NW Washington 202-232-2522 Cost: $$ Simply Home can make anything look good. Try the restaurant's ''Squid Ink Spaghetti.'' It might not sound too thrilling, but upon delivery, the seafood and green curry meets pasta offering is a work of art, and surprisingly delicious. There are also more familiar dishes for the less adventurous, including appetizers and a variety of Pad Thai entrees. There's a lot to gain from trying something new like Indian Roti Beef or the Burmese Kao Soi Noodles. You can also take a piece of Simply Home's elegant decor home, as the restaurant includes a gift shop selling everything from candles to the elegant, curved glasses the restaurant uses to serve drinks to patrons.