Amadeus

Wednesday, November 19, 2008 we watched Amadeus (1984) and had Composed Salad with Fig Vinaigrette

F. Murray Abraham earned a Best Actor Oscar for his imperious performance as Antonio Salieri, a mediocre composer whose churlish young rival, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce), wins immortality with his musical genius. Salieri, not happy to see his talent eclipsed, deviously plots revenge. Sly and compelling from start to finish, Amadeus also won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (Milos Forman). Wolfy's laugh is haunting to say the least!

The dinner was delectable--especially the tasty fig dressing. Also, what's not to love about panko breaded and pan fried goat cheese rounds? It was the first time Lindsey and I had fresh figs! Mmm.

In attendance: Eric, Lindsey, and Barb (the only one to stay awake!)
Ratings: Movie = 3, Dinner = 4.25

Get Smart

Wednesday, November 12, 2008 we watched Get Smart featuring the incomparable Steve Carell (and a amazing cameo performance by Bill Murray). The dinner was titled "Get Sm-artichokes" and we made Braised Greek Chicken with Artichokes.

Maxwell Smart (Steve Carell) is on a mission to thwart the latest plot for world domination by the evil crime syndicate known as KAOS. When the headquarters of U.S. spy agency Control is attacked and the identities of its agents compromised, the Chief (Alan Arkin) has no choice but to promote his ever-eager analyst Maxwell Smart, who has always dreamt of working in the field alongside stalwart superstar Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson). Smart is partnered instead with the lovely-but-lethal veteran Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway). Given little field experience and even less time, Smart-armed with nothing but a few spy-tech gadgets and his unbridled enthusiasm-must thwart the doomsday plans of KAOS head Siegfried.

This recipe was super easy and yummy. All it took was braising the chicken, pouring in some lemon juice, a jar of artichokes, and fresh oregano. We placed it all atop some orzo and added a veggie-carrots. Let's not forget the dessert-Oreo Cakesters! Who knew Oreos could get better?

In attendance: Barb, Eric, and Lindsey

Ratings: Movie = 3.75, Dinner = 3.875

O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Wednesday, November 5, 2008 our movie was O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) and we dined on A Roasted Vegetable Odyssey (Roasted Fall Vegetable Soup and Roasted Vegetable Sandwiches)

Three convicts (George Clooney, John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson) break out of jail during the 1920s with an eye toward retrieving a cache of hidden money. Along the way, they fast-talk their way out of jams, sidestep alluring riverside sirens and record a hit country song. O Brother is a rollicking romp in the tradition of Bob Hope and Bing Crosby's "road" pictures.

The veggies took about twice as long to roast as the recipe called for (approx. 50 mins.), but the soup was so simple and tasty. For the sandwiches, we roasted sweet onion wedges along with the soup vegetables and added homemade roasted red bell peppers and sauteed portobella mushroom strips. To assemble, slice an Amoroso's hoagie roll, slather with a garlic-and-herb spreadable cheese and add the hot veggies. Presto!

In attendance: Lindsey, Barb, Eric, Daniel (Barb's brother)

Ratings: Movie = 3.25, Dinner = 4.25

Ghost World

Tuesday, October 28, 2008 we watched Ghost World (2001) and ate Rotisserie Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches with Southern Green Beans and Corn Salad

Geeky humor that really snarls pervades this movie riff on the legendary underground comic/graphic novel by Daniel Clowes. Mopey high schooler Enid (Thora Birch) and her equally disaffected friend Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) are a couple of slackers with a penchant for hurtful practical jokes. But when Enid begins to bond with one of their targets (Steve Buscemi), look out -- teen angst might give way to real feeling.

Dinner was simple and yummy. What's not to love about bacony green beans and creamy corn?

In attendance: Lindsey, Eric and Barb

Ratings: Movie = 3, Dinner = 3.625

Risky Business

Tuesday, October 21, 2008 the movie was Risky Business (1983) and our dinner was Tighty Whitey Soup (Rosemary White Bean Soup)

A pair of briefs, a Bob Seger tune and some heartfelt lip-syncing catapulted Tom Cruise to stardom in this Golden Globe-nominated teen comedy. When his parents leave on vacation, high schooler Joel Goodsen (Cruise) -- with some help from a prostitute named Lana (Rebecca De Mornay) -- turns opportunity into disaster as he transforms the family home into a brothel, sees a Porsche end up in Lake Michigan and watches his Princeton dreams fade.

The soup's not much to look at, but was very easy and tasty. We added a simple bruschetta on the side: crusty bread brushed with olive oil, broiled; topped with a mixture of fresh chopped tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper.

In attendance: Lindsey, Barb and Eric

Ratings: Movie = 3.25, Dinner = 3.5

Terms of Endearment

Wednesday, October 8, 2008 we watched Terms of Endearment (1983) and made Quiche MacLaine

Mothers are from Mars, and daughters are from Venus in this warm, offbeat story adapted from Larry McMurtry's novel. Director James L. Brooks seamlessly tells the story of a mother and daughter whose lives are changed by the men they love and their abiding love for each other. Terms of Endearment won five Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress (MacLaine), Best Supporting Actor (Jack Nicholson), Best Director and Best Screenplay.

The quiche was delectable!

In attendance: Barb and Lindsey

Ratings: Movie = 4.5, Dinner = 3