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

Atonement

Wednesday, October 1, 2008 we watched Atonement (2007) and made Dinner at the Tallis's (Beef Bourguignon)

In the movie, a childhood lie irrevocably changes the lives of several people forever. When 13-year-old Briony Tallis (Saoirse Ronan) misinterprets a moment of flirtation between her older sister Cecilia (Keira Knightley) and a servant's son, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), her confusion causes her to finger Robbie as the perpetrator of a crime. Brenda Blethyn and Vanessa Redgrave co-star in this Oscar nominee for Best Picture.

The dinner was the perfect meal for a rainy October night. Thankfully Rachael Ray's version was very quick and delicious. We substituted 2 white onions for the frozen pearl onions. Mmm! Instead of egg noodles we made potatoes and I got a loaf of rustic bread from the Terminal Market as an accompaniment. The wine in the recipe (we used pinot noir) tasted just as good in a glass!

In attendance: Eric, Lindsey & Barb
Ratings: Movie = 3.67/Dinner = 3.75

The Hustler

Wednesday, September 24th we watched The Hustler (1961) starring Paul Newman just 4 days before his death. So sad! That night we made Biryani Burgers with Mango Salsa and Yogurt Sauce in Pita Pockets. We also all fell asleep.

"Fast" Eddie Felson is a small-time pool hustler with a lot of talent but a self-destructive attitude. His bravado causes him to challenge the legendary "Minnesota Fats" to a high-stakes match, but he loses in a heartbreaking marathon. Now broke and without his long-time manager, Felson faces an uphill battle to regain his confidence and his game. It isn't until he hits rock bottom that he agrees to join up with ruthless and cutthroat manager Bert Gordon. Gordon agrees to take him on the road to learn the ropes. But Felson soon realizes that making it to the top could cost him his soul, and perhaps his girlfriend. Will he decide that this is too steep a price to pay in time to save himself?

In attendance: Barb, Eric, Lindsey, and Laurie

Ratings:
Paul Newman's awesomeness couldn't save the movie from putting us to sleep and so we gave the movie: 2.5 stars.
The dinner fared slightly better receiving: 3 stars

Some Like It Hot

Thursday, September 18th, 2008 we watched Some Like It Hot (1959) and for dinner we ordered wings from Billy Murphy's, because Some Like Them Hot!

Marilyn Monroe is so sexy! Wow. With its transvestitism, palpable sex and murder, Billy Wilder's legendary screwball comedy reveals dark, hilarious roots. Musicians Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis accidentally witness the St. Valentine's Day Massacre and get out of town the only way they know how -- dressed as women. On the road to Florida with an all-girl band, they meet Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe), and things start to heat up in this legendary farce.

The wings were an assortment of mild, honey barbecue and, of course, HOT (our favorite). We added an iceberg lettuce wedge with ranch dressing on the side to try and stay a tiny bit healthy.

In attendance: Lindsey and Barb
Ratings: Movie 4.75/Dinner 2.75

From Here to Eternity

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 we watched From Here to Eternity (1953) and made Huli Huli Chicken with Pineapple Wild Rice Salad

In the movie, the date which lives in infamy lives on. This gripping adaptation of James Jones' novel about Army life is set in Hawaii in the idyllic days just before December 7, 1941. Eight Oscars include Best Picture, Screenplay, Supporting Actress (Donna Reed) and Supporting Actor (Frank Sinatra). Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr rolling around in the waves and sand ranks as one of the hottest love scenes in screen history.

Dinner was very tasty--the chicken was a hit, and the salad was yummy. We ate the rice salad hot rather than room temperature or cold... seemed more appetizing that way.

In attendance: Lindsey, Barb and Eric
Ratings: Movie 4.25/Dinner 3.75

Shaun of the Dead

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008 we watched Shaun of the Dead (2004) and made Dinner at the Winchester Pub (Bangers and Mash with Leek and Cider Gravy)

In Shaun of the Dead, Thirty-something slacker Shaun (Simon Pegg) has no clue what to do with his life or with his relationship with girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield). But when the unthinkable happens and zombies begin to roam the streets of London terrorizing residents, including his beloved and his mother, Shaun realizes he must act quickly to save Liz from danger and keep their relationship from spiraling out of his hands forever.

The dinner was very tasty (with a rather phallic presentation!). We used chicken sausage with granny smith apples from Martin's Quality Meats and Sausage at the Reading Terminal Market--YUM! With a little improvisation (no cider to be found, used apple juice instead), it turned out deliciously.

In attendance: Lindsey, Barb and Eric
Ratings: Movie = 3.75/Dinner = 4.25