Wintour Wunderkind

I am not big on going to the movies (for all the previously listed reasons) and have taken to waiting for dvd releases to keep up to date.  There are a few movies that I really want to see and would in theory be willing to go to a theater to see, although they will probably be Netflix'd.  

"Julie & Julia" has been out for a bit and at this point I will probably wait until it can be viewed on my bedroom tv.  Blogging and food, my interest is obvious.

A must see is "The September Issue" which covers all that must happen at American Vogue for the traditionally largest issue of the year, let alone, in Vogue history.  It's the real life "Devil Wears Prada", just to see some of the conversations between Anna Wintour, Andre Leon Talley and Grace Coddington has to be entertaining and enlightning all at once. (Note: Andre Leon Talley plays tennis with a Louis Vitton towl, cooler and racket sleeve.  That alone is well worth the price of admission.)

Another movie that looks interesting in both concept and artistry is "9".  It would be too wordy to describe the complete concept, it's better to see the trailer.  I will say that it is co-produced by Tim Burton and the character 9's voice is provided by Elijah Wood.  I don't think that with everything combined it could be bad.

Adult Movies

I don't really like the idea of going to the movies as a date.   You are basically sitting quietly for two hours with your companion, then go home.  Why not just stay home and wait for Netflix?  The environment would certainly be more comfortable and if I cooked, the food would be yummilicious.  My husband has a different point of view, he loves going to the movies and thinks they are great for dates. Our differing points of view and taste in movies keep us from going to the movies together.

The Archlight is a place that I have been, but haven't fully appreciated all that they have to offer.  The Hollywood location has the Cinerama Dome, which opened in 1963 and was one of the few theaters in the world capable of exhibiting 3-projector cinerama format film. It has a circular auditorium featuring a huge screen and seats for almost 1,000.  That alone makes the movie going experience different than the norm. 

There are also "21+ Screenings" that only allow those over the age of 21 to attend and have the option to drink beer and wine.  That isn't as much of a draw for me as their cafe's menu selections are.  Of course they serve popcorn, but how about with real butter or their own freshly made caramel corn? Or hummus, gourmet cheese & fruit plate, a variety of salads, sandwiches and pastas, fish & chips and the list goes on (and includes creme brulee and carrot cake).

One more drawing point (for me) is there are weekly screenings of films that are listed on AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list.  "His Girl Friday", "Suddenly Last Summer", "To Catch A Thief" & " Tootsie" are all on the current screening schedule. (At both the Hollywood and Sherman Oaks locations)

prairie home comedy

I am not sure that many other people like "The Prairie Home Companion" film. I know the radio show has had quite a following...forever. But I love, love, love the movie. The cast is unbelievable together and ,although it is an ensemble, all the best scenes and character interactions are initiated and maintained between two characters at a time. Lily Tomlin and Meryl Streep are, surprise, wonderful. Lindsay Lohan looks to be sober, of a decent weight and you can see the talent that has been overshadowed with her personal/public struggles. My favorite characters are played by Woody Harrelson and John C. Reilly they are the singing cowboys, Dusty and Lefty.

The genius of the movie is totally in the details during what seem to be improvisational moments. I have watched it with my full attention a few times. It is now a stop on my television receiver whenever it is playing for background entertainment. I wait for my favorite parts and giggle and rewind a few times. Dusty just told Lefty that he would be better looking if he would cut off his big fat head. (It seems like a dark statement when I say it but totally soft and like a grandma hug when Dusty says it.)

mouth wide shut

I started reading The Omnivores Dilemma last year (about 7 books ago) and what I read before my eventual distraction was interesting enough to make me think twice about what has to happen before food that I buy makes it to my local grocery store. A few times a year I become a (temporary) vegetarian until I crack under the pressure of chicken or a cheeseburger. Now there is a movie coming out, Food Inc. I want to see it and I don't. Willful ignorance. About the film:

In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation's food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that has been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government's regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA. Our nation's food supply is now controlled by a handful of corporations that often put profit ahead of consumer health, the livelihood of the American farmer, the safety of workers and our own environment. We have bigger-breasted chickens, the perfect pork chop, herbicide-resistant soybean seeds, even tomatoes that won't go bad, but we also have new strains of E. coli—the harmful bacteria that causes illness for an estimated 73,000 Americans annually. We are riddled with widespread obesity, particularly among children, and an epidemic level of diabetes among adults.

Featuring interviews with such experts as Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation), Michael Pollan (The Omnivore's Dilemma, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto) along with forward thinking social entrepreneurs like Stonyfield's Gary Hirshberg and Polyface Farms' Joel Salatin, Food, Inc. reveals surprising—and often shocking truths—about what we eat, how it's produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.

To Rent or Not To Rent

It seems like every time I want to rent a movie the selection of what interests me becomes smaller and smaller, especially since I don't like being scared or want to cry, happy or sad tears.   Very little is left once I eliminate anything that has to do with possible end of the world scenarios, the underworld and it's inhabitants and children's movies.  Usually I end up renting independent films but it is hard to know if they are worthwhile since most people where I live don't have the same viewing habits.

The Reelz Channel has a show called "Leonard Maltin's Secret's Out", the purpose of the show is to review films that aren't well known because blockbusters and all their surrounding publicity overshadows what little murmurings the indies are able to afford.  As an added bonus, he also recommends movies that are older, lesser known or forgotten about.  Most helpful.