Recently watched The Idea of You on Amazon Prime and I can’t believe how much I liked it. I’ve never been into fan fiction, but this hit all the right spots. Especially if you’re in the mood for something uncomplicated, mindless and slightly charming. Shocked at how much I enjoyed it.
Taste: My Life Through Food By Stanley Tucci - A Review
Available everywhere
Available everywhere
Truly, what a great book. There are only a handful of books I’ve read in a day (Animal Farm, The Bell Jar, White Noise, Mr. Vertigo) and now I get to add this great one to the list. I didn’t intend to read it all on this past Sunday, but a cold kept me in bed and each chapter kept me enthralled. I love days like that. Favourite parts ahead.
The line, “Culinary creativity may be the most perfect art form. It allows for free personal expression like painting, musical composition, or writing and yet fulfills a most practical need: the need to eat. Edible art, what could be better?”
When his father would always comment, “My God, what does the rest of the world eat?!!!!” when his mother would cook some wonderful dinner reminds me so much of any time I cook something especially decadent for my own father and he always says, “I feel sorry for what the peasants are eating tonight!“
Genius idea: “The buttering of the corn… well, it wasn’t just “put knife into butter, put butter on corn with knife.” No. No. Good God. No. A piece of homemade bread was buttered and then used to slather the salted ear of corn, thus, in true Italian fashion, creating two dishes out of one, the ear of corn being the first dish and the homemade bread (now saturated with the melted butter, salt, and sweetness from the buttered kernels) being the second. This may have been the single most delicious part of an an already delicious meal. An act so simply it’s almost stupid.”
I love his entire rant on page 129 about what bullshit it is that certain celebrity chefs don’t really taste their food on certain food shows and that you can always tell.
When he’s talking about how fettuccine Alfredo should only be made with butter and cheese: “Over the years, in many restaurants, the sublimely simple combination of butter and cheese has been altered to satisfy American palates. Cream has crept its way in (unnecessary), as well as chicken (yuck), broccoli (why?), and turkey (really? Fuck off).”
I absolutely loved the chapter on his wife’s way to cook English roast potatoes. My dad has been trying to explain this to me for years and I still haven’t got it quite figured out because of all the smoke involved.
The entire chapter on his battle with cancer is absolutely wild and must have been so hard to write in such detail, especially since it’s all so recent. How his pregnant wife handled all of it is truly beyond me.
Reminders to myself:
Why on earth haven’t I seen his movie Big Night yet?! Christ. I think it’s just so difficult to find. Have to get on this. Must also watch Babette’s Feast (he said it was part of his inspiration for making Big Night).
Must remember to make the tomato salad on page 46.
He mentions that “the truest ragu alla Bolognese recipe” is in the cookbook Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well, published in 1891, by Pellegrino Artusi so now I must make it.
When in Rome, eat the carbonara at the restaurant Pommidoro.
For dried pasta, buy the Cav. Giuseppe Cocco spaghetti, can by found online. It’s supposed to be among the best dried pasta available.
I have never tasted bottarga, but now I must?
Visit the beautiful seaside town of Deauville in France, but do not order andouillette.
Visit Dukes in London for a memorable martini.
If I ever start making martinis at home, see page 201 for reference.
Visit Lo Scoglio on the Amalfi Coast to eat the zucchini pasta that this man talks about at least once a day, it seems. (It’s also a beautiful hotel, so maybe stay there as well).
Fully recommend this book, especially if you want to stay in bed all day and dream of each dish he describes. (Thank you so much to my dear friend Diana for gifting this gem to me!)
Julie & Julia
This is the best Nora Ephron movie that was ever made and I will fight you if you disagree.
I will admit that Amy Adams is so far past unbearable (as an actress and as a character) in this movie, but if you can get past that, you’ll have a great time. The Meryl Streep/Stanley Tucci storyline is the main reason I love it so much. Well, that and all of the cooking scenes. I watch it at least once every three months, don’t tell anyone.
The Count of Monte Cristo
Only two questions for you.
- Do you know the story of The Count of Monte Cristo?
- Have you seen the 2002 film version?
If you know the story already, you may still enjoy the movie, I'm not completely sure. But if you haven't heard the story or seen the movie - YOU NEED TO WATCH THE 2002 VERSION IMMEDIATELY!
I purposely didn't include the trailer since, well, it doesn't do it justice. I saw this movie in theatres with my brother Robbie when it came out and we had zero expectations of it. The only reason we'd agreed to watch it was because we'd seen everything else that was playing (I know, we went to the movies a lot). Usually I loathe all time period films (with the sole exceptions of the Back To The Future movies - can I label those time period pieces?), but thankfully I looked past that detail for this movie.
This movie is fantastic. Every time it's on television, I'll force whomever I'm sitting with to stay and watch it with me. AND I OWN IT! That's saying something, isn't it? God, it's good. Especially if you don't know the story.
Movie To Watch - Jack
I've always said that this is my favourite Francis Ford Coppola movie, but it might just be my favourite Robin Williams one as well. (Though, man... that's a really hard call to make. Have you seen What Dreams May Come? I'll never get over that movie.)
In any case, I love this movie so much. And maybe you're thinking that's only because I saw it so many times as a child and so it'll forever have a sweet spot in my heart... and honestly? Maybe that's the truth of it. If you haven't seen it, you should probably watch it for the first time with your kid or niece or nephew or someone of that age. I really think it holds up well.
Last Holiday
Did you see this movie? It came out in 2006. And honestly? It's a really good time. I'm purposely not posting the trailer for it here since it has one of those trailers that are way too long and give the entire movie away (why does this happen, it makes ZERO sense). And I don't really want to do a point-by-point review of it since it's not technically a "really good movie." It just made me feel so good in a way that makes me watch it once a year or so. Kind of the way that Julie & Julia makes me feel good. Am I confessing too much to you here? Other than my brother Robbie, absolutely no man on earth will think this movie is a good time (is this sexist or just accurate... no idea). But if you're a woman and we're friends? I feel like you should give this a chance at some point. Just a heads up.
Movie To Watch - Baghead
I saw this movie forever ago and I still think about it every so often. Other than really liking it, I like to encourage almost everyone I know to watch it. You can stream it over here, if you like. I absolutely loved it.
(Also, Happy Devil's Night!)
The 10 Sweaty, Summer Movies I Frequent
I will always be into lists. I keep them in my purse, around my house, on my laptop, on my phone - it's a sickness.
I also happen to enjoy theme movies when watched during their appropriate time-of-year. You know what I mean - scary movies in October, Christmas movies in December, high school movies in June and the following movies listed below in the summer months. Why these particular films? Well, most of them are on here 'cause they take place in the heat, but some are on here because of how much I was entertained by them when I binge-watched them on summer break when I was a kid out of school for the season.
Anyway, they're really just listed here on the off-chance that you're looking for something good to watch. (Oh! And on every single rainy day from the years 1993 to approximately 1999, I had to watch Clue. It was a must because it's the perfect movie to watch when it's raining and IT'S MAGICAL it's so good. Everyone who knew me during those years saw this movie.) List time!
1. The Seven Year Itch (1955)
Is it feminist to say LOOK AT THAT ASS? Yes, yes it is. Is the movie actually any good? I think it's all right - actually no, it's terrible. I've only seen it a few times and while I hate the storyline more than a smidge, I love watching her in it. I feel like it puts me in a bit of a trance, she's so lovely to look at. Her clothing, the way she moves. You think that it's stupid to hate this movie and still put it on the list? Well, what can I tell you. Take it up with consumer affairs.
2. Take That Waltz (2011)
Anything that Sarah Polley gets her hands on will be good. That should just be a known sentiment. It's hard to describe why I liked this movie so much, I've only seen it twice. I love the way it shows how grossly in love and embarrassingly unbearable a couple can be with one another. Also, the nudity was great. And how it touched a bit on the expectations of marriage and relationships - loved all that.
3. Some Like It Hot (1959)
I know, I know. I'm sorry that two of her movies are on here. This one made the list mainly because this was the first movie of hers I'd seen and I really loved the whole story. I feel like kids would really like this movie, am I wrong? I'm gonna make one of my nieces watch it and I'll update you.
4. 12 Angry Men (1957)
I know this looks boring. Or was it just me who thought that? I'd been putting off seeing this for YEARS and finally saw it last night. It inspired this post! Such a good movie! "At the beginning, the cameras are all positioned above eye level and mounted with wide-angle lenses to give the appearance of greater distance between the subjects and as the film progresses the cameras slip down to eye level. By the end of the film, nearly all of it is shot below eye level, in close-up and with telephoto lenses to increase the encroaching sense of claustrophobia." - IMDB - Is it just me or is that cool as hell? Such a great movie.
5. Stealing Beauty (1996)
I will always love this movie. It's about a 19 year old girl (Liv Tyler) who goes on a trip alone to Italy, hoping to lose her virginity. Ummmm, best synopsis ever? Or at least that's how it sounded to me (and still does?) when I first read the back cover at Rogers Video fifteen years ago. It still holds up over time. Also, nudity. I feel like teen girls are way more into nudity than teen boys. Just me?
6. Field of Dreams (1989)
"They should have stopped making movies after they made this movie. Nothing will ever be as good." - my dad, about Field of Dreams. Now even if I don't feel as strongly as he does, this movie is fantastic and beautiful and everything you could want in a movie. Am I overselling it? No way, man. If you haven't seen it yet? Yikes. Delete my number.
7. Little Children (2006)
There are so many instances in this movie that made me repeatedly think, "Ugh, that's so wrong," and yet I still purchased and still love watching it. I think it might have something to do with Kate Winslet finally being so unlikable in a movie. I love her when she's likable, but this side of her is just fun as hell to watch. Also, all the sex. OH! And the pedophilia storyline? Memorable as hell.
8. Now and Then (1995)
There's a moment in this movie where you can press pause and (for a split-second) see Devon Sawa's junk. I know this because I've done this many times. You do things like this when you're a kid. It blew my mind. He was such a babe in Casper so discovering a gem like this? C'mon. You're not gonna look? Get off your high horse. It grossed me out, but I still watched it endlessly.
9. The Sandlot (1993)
I always wished I could play sports well after watching movies like this one and Little Giants. I wasn't fast (in the daylight) and I wasn't tall, so I pretty much decided to stick with band when I was younger. That doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy movies like this one, though. And boy howdy, did I ever.
10. Stay Tuned (1992)
This is John Ritter's finest piece of work. I've seen it over a hundred times. It's about a man who watches too much television and then him and his wife get sucked into it and have to go through different kinds of (not regular, but hell-inspired versions of) shows to get out. It is amazing.
Well, that's the list. Don't care for it? That's weird. 'Cause they're all great. 'Except number one, remember.
Safety Not Guaranteed
No one seems to like this movie as much as I do and I'm not really sure why that is the case. Almost all of the people I've told to watch it (friends/family) didn't really care about it like I did. Maybe I shouldn't be starting with these facts to get you to want to watch it, but, well, I figured you should hear the truth. I swear I don't like it just 'cause the 'plass is in it. He's good and all, but the story is just so great. And the ending? Man. I can't tell you how warm it made feel. Fuck, it's a good movie.
The first time I heard about it was when I saw this poster.
Does that poster not make you want to see it? Was it just me?! Anyway, this was definitely my favourite movie that came out that year (I think it was 2012). Pretty sure it's on Netflix. I'll continued to be weirded out by everyone who watches it and doesn't have a good time.
Movie To See - Dallas Buyers Club
Before I begin, I purposely didn't attach the trailer to this post because it makes it better if you don't really know what the movie's about. I summarized the plot to someone the other day and realized that I made it sound way less good than it actually is. So by learning that lesson, I'm not going to say much here.
What will I say? Only that I really didn't expect it to be watchable/great/notable-in-the-slightest and I was surprised by how good it was. Definitely see this.
(If you're thinking, "This is barely a post, Liz" - well, all right. That's fair. Sometimes you don't need to be so wordy. Sometimes a good movie is just a good movie.)