Five Spot: Rembrandt, Mu and more

Updated: July 28, 2012 - 4:09 PM

Our five faves of the moment.

Rembrandt van Rijn; Self-Portrait; 1659; Oil on canvas; 33 x 26 in.; National Gallery of Art; Andrew W. Mellon Collection.

Photo: , National Gallery

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1 Who cares if they aren't all genuine Rembrandts? The largest exhibit of the Dutch master's work ever assembled in this country, "Rembrandt in America" includes about 30 paintings by him, plus another 20 or so that were once attributed to his hand but are now thought to be by followers or close associates. In the 17th century, it was common for a master to touch up work by an assistant or student and sell it under his own name. In any case, this is a must-see exhibit at Minneapolis Institute of Arts. Don't miss the adjacent "Rembrandt's Miniature World," featuring 39 fabulous etchings, including five 2-by-2-inch self-portraits of him at age 24. www.artsmia.org.

2 Directed with sardonic detachment by Russian maestro Andrei Zvyagintsev, "Elena" is a riveting psychological suspense film. The story combines a taut domestic drama with a treacherous noir-style plot. Elena is a dutiful 50-ish nurse recently married to elderly, affluent Vladimir, who was once her patient. She is more servant than wife, setting out his meals and medications. Suddenly his long-absent daughter appears. "Elena" unfolds as a fascinating parable of the tensions between Russia's haves and have-nots.

3 It's called Me-TV, as in memorable television. We call it TV comfort food for baby boomers. The network features all those shows boomers grew up with -- "Bonanza," "Perry Mason," "Dick Van Dyke," "Gunsmoke," "Mission: Impossible," "Rockford Files," "The Untouchables," "Star Trek," "The Famous Adventures of Mr. Magoo," "I Love Lucy," to name a few. It's not Netflix or your computer. It's on a KSTP subchannel and cable. www.metvnetwork.com

4 No more Bubba Gump for you, megamall shopper. The Mall of America's newest restaurant is a sleek stunner, even though we've seen it before. The second location of Masu Sushi & Robata brings chef-driven Japanese food to the busy third floor. The Tim McKee-consulted hot spot has transported many of the Minneapolis venue's standouts, including the storied pork belly ramen and the gummi shochu sour drinks. It's only a week old, and we can't think of a better restaurant at the MOA.

5 Mu Performing Arts director Rick Shiomi has skillfully used Asian trappings to interpret the familiar European folk stories that make up "Into the Woods," Stephen Sondheim's labyrinthine fairy-tale mash-up. The cast has many standouts. Katie Bradley is exceptional as a witch, newcomer Maxwell Chonk Thao imbues Jack (of Beanstalk fame) with great empathy and Sara Ochs is more fragile as Cinderella. www.muperformingarts.org.