Warrior (2011)

movie still found here

Nick Nolte is nominated for an Oscar this year for his portrayal of recovering alcoholic father, Paddy Conlon. His two sons Brenden (Joel Edgerton) and Tommy (Tom Hardy) use their tumultuous childhood memories as fuel for the fire as they battle it out in the Ultimate Fighting Ring. Nick Nolte gave the best performance I have ever seen from him and the brothers were not so shabby themselves.

If you are like us, you will wonder where did these guys come from? What have I seen them in before? Its driving me crazy! So here it the low-down:

photo found here 

Joel Edgerton (handsome dude on the right in above picture) has appeared in: Animal Kindom (previously posted by MND2), Star Wars Episode II and III (Owen Lars), King Arthur and other films

photo found here

Tom Hardy (handsome dude on the left in the above picture): will be playing Bane in two upcoming Batman movies and has had a big year appearing in Warrior and Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy. He was also in Inception, Black Hawk Down, and others.

I look forward to catching their performances in these and upcoming films. As for Warrior, we would all recommend it to anyone-it had all the necessary components, great plot, action, superb acting, and lots of tugging on the heart-strings.

Movie Rating: 

Plot: 3.75 stars

Cinematography: 3.5 stars

Acting: 4.25 stars 

Average: 3.8 stars  

Black Eyed Pea Soup with Sage Sausage and Kale

adapted from this recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound bulk pork sausage with sage

1 stalk celery, diced

1/2 sweet red pepper, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

4 cups chicken stock

1 package brown and wild rice seasoned mix (we used Seeds of Change Persia Seven Whole Grain Pilaf Blend)

2 cans black eyed peas, drained

2 cans diced tomatoes with liquid

1 cup water

1 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

6 ounces kale

parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Heat a large skillet on medium high heat. Crumble the sausage into the skillet and cook until all traces of pink are gone. Add one cup chicken stock, celery, sweet red pepper, and onion. Stir well, scraping the bottom to release browned bits. Cook until vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, in a large soup pot over medium-high heat, add the remaining 3 cups of chicken stock, the rice mix with seasoning packet and the black eyed peas. Bring to a boil.

Add in the sausage and vegetable mixture along with the tomatoes, water, salt and peper, and red pepper flakes. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the rice is done. 

Add the kale and simmer for an additional 10 minutes. Garnish with shaves parmesan cheese.

Dinner Rating: 

Movie Relevance: 4.8 stars

Taste: 4.8 stars

Average: 4.8 stars