SGVN

April Dinner and a DVD

March 30, 2006

By Kyra Kirkwood

1. Film (with rating): Memoirs of a Geisha (PG-13)

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Summary: In this romantic epic and six-time Academy Award nominated film, a young Japanese girl is torn from her penniless family to work as a servant in a geisha house before WWII. She blossoms into the legendary geisha, Sayuri, haunted by a secret love.

Review: It took eight years for author Arthur Golden's best-selling novel to make it to the big screen, but with director Rob Marshall's brilliance, "Geisha" looks even more visually stunning than fans of the novel ever dreamed it could be. The acting (Ziyi Zhang, Ken Watanabe, Michelle Yeoh) is groundbreaking, the makeup and costumes are breathtaking and the film sticks close to its literary origins—no small feat. Despite not having enough time for 360-degrees of character development as experienced in the novel, "Geisha" is still a keeper.

Extra highlight: "A Geisha's Dance."

What to serve for dinner: Okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style dinner pancake, from allrecipes.com.

1 cup chopped cooked chicken

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage

1/4 cup shredded carrots

3 green onions, chopped

12 fresh green beans, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 small green bell pepper, cut into thin strips

1 small zucchini, cut into thin strips

3 eggs, lightly beaten

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup chicken stock

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

In a large bowl, mix chicken, cabbage, carrots, green onions, green beans, green bell pepper and zucchini. In a separate bowl, beat together eggs, flour, chicken stock and soy sauce. Pour batter over chicken mixture and toss to thoroughly coat. Mix vegetable oil and sesame oil in a skillet over medium heat. Scoop about 1/4 cup batter into skillet, enough to make a 2 1/2 inch circle. Cover and cook 4 minutes, or until bottom is golden brown. Flip and continue cooking 4 minutes, or until cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Serve with your favorite sauce.

What to talk about over dessert: The plight of geishas, books you'd love to see made into movies, how long it took geishas to get dressed and made-up.

1-A: And while you're watching "Geisha," set the kids up in the family room withä

Film: Chicken Little (G)

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Summary: Chicken Little and his misfit pals must hatch a plan to save the planet from aliens.

Review: First, I had to get over the whole "American Idol" Kevin Covais/Chicken Little comparison. Once done, I could enjoy the flick. This is no "The Incredibles," and viewers older than 10 won't be captivated by the plot. But it's beautifully created and has some funny moments, despite its unoriginality and uninspired song choices.

Extra Highlight: Karaoke Sing-Along.

What to serve for dinner: Chicken fingers.

What to talk about over dessert: How would you save the world from aliens? What friends would you have help you?

Make this family night, with a double feature of kid-friendly films:

2. Film: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (PG) Special Two-Disc Collector's Edition

Studio: Walt Disney Pictures

Summary: The four Pevensie siblings of WWII England, who enter the world of Narnia through a magical wardrobe, fight to overcome the White Witchπs powerful hold over the land.

Review: From C.S. Lewis's beloved book, this movie comes to the big screen in all its CGI glory. Some of the literary nuances and Christian themes are lost in this Hollywood version, replaced instead with commercial tones that ring clichÈ—all of which is sure to disappoint die-hard Lewis fans. But overall, the film does have its moments, and the acting talent of Tilde Swinton is a treasure to behold. Plus, the visual imagery is a technological dream.

Extra Highlight: Take your pick—there are more than 10 hours of bonus features to try. Start with "Anatomy of the Scene: The Melting River."

What to serve for dinner: Try some Narnai-themed food as seen in the "The Narnia Cookbook: Foods from C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia." Or if you can't find that rare book, go for an English standard: a roast with Yorkshire Pudding (from www.recipezaar.com/).

1 ¾ cup flour

4 eggs , beaten

10 oz. milk

1 1/2 tablespoons beef drippings, for batter

3 ½ oz. beef drippings

Mix the flour and salt and sift them into a large mixing bowl. Make a well and add the eggs, 1 1/2tbsp of the beef drippings, half the milk and beat everything until smooth. Whisk in the remaining milk. Set batter aside for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 450∞. Place a spoonful of dripping in each muffin tin and heat in the oven until piping hot and starting to smoke. Whisk the batter again and very carefully pour into the hot tins, filling each compartment to about 3/4. Bake immediately for 10-15 minutes. Don't open the oven door after 10 minutes. They should be golden brown, risen on the outside with a deep depression in the center.

What to talk about over dinner: What would your magical land look like? What's the best adventure you've ever been on with your siblings? What would you do if you found a magical wardrobe? How could this have been a better film?

2-A. Film: Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (PG)

Studio: DreamWorks

Summary: A horse trainer and his daughter fight to help an injured racehorse, changing everyone's life in the process.

Review: Starring Dakota Fanning and Kurt Russell, this film is a true tear-jerking family flick. The 11-year-old Fanning is a jewel, growing more and more with each movie role and proving time and time again she's already a star of supreme caliber. Director/writer John Gatins keeps the schmaltzy stuff to a minimum, letting the actors' talents and the gift of the story paint the picture. The message, beautiful Kentucky backdrop, acting quality—all of it adds up to one terrific, tissue-filled film.

Extra Highlight: "Who Is Mariah's Storm?" the story of the real horse who inspired the film.

What to serve for dessert: Kentucky, horsesälet's go with something minty. No, not Mint Juleps. Try Chocolate Mint Brownies (www.allrecipes.com)

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 (16 ounce) can chocolate syrup

4 eggs

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

3 tablespoons crËme de menthe liqueur

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

6 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cream together 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup butter or margarine. Stir in 1 cup flour and mix well. Pour in chocolate syrup. Beat eggs and add to mixture. Stir in salt and vanilla. Pour batter into 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool.

To make topping: Melt 1/2 cup butter and mix with 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar and crËme de menthe. Let cool slightly and spread over brownies Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and 6 tablespoons of butter and pour over the top of the mint topping. Let brownies and toppings cool completely and cut into 2 inch squares.

What to talk about over dessert: What would you do to save an animal? What makes Dakota Fanning so special? Can horses understand us? What movie made you go through a box of Kleenex?

3. Film: Brokeback Mountain (R)

Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Summary: Two young men working as sheepherders on Brokeback Mountain in the summer of 1963 are drawn into an unexpected, life-long relationship filled with love and loss.

Review: Who hasn't heard about this film, or the jokes made by countless television comedians? Based on a short story by Pulitzer-winning author Annie Proulx, "Brokeback" swept the Oscar nominations and surprised many by not winning the "Best Picture" prize. Sure, Ang Lee directed a gay cowboy movie. But it's so much more than that. It's about heartbreak and the inability to be yourself. The scenery is breathtaking and the acting chops of Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are spectacular. "Brokeback" is one of those rare films that is as good as they say.

Extra Highlight: "On Being A Cowboy," with Ledger and Gyllenhaal discussing their preparations for the film.

What to serve for dinner: Cowboy Chili Stew (recipegoldmine.com)

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, diced

1 (14 ounce) can creamed corn

1 (14 ounce) can hot chili with beans

1 (14 ounce) can pork and beans

1 (14 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 small can diced green chilies

Shredded mild Cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef and onion until done; drain. Combine remaining ingredients except cheese. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Top with cheese and serve with cornbread.

What to talk about over dessert: Have you ever had a forbidden love? When have you felt you had to hide who you really are? Did this film get shafted at the Academy Awards? What was the strongest scene?

4. Film: Hostel (R)

Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Summary: Two American thrill-seekers find themselves victims of a murder-for-profit business while backpacking in Eastern Europe and lured to a hostel in an out-of-the-way Slovakian town.

Review: Readers of this column know I love-love-love horror movies, the scarier, the better. This flick, presented by Quentin Tarantino, is one giant nightmare of human trafficking, sex tourism and torture. It's not as frightening as other films in the genre; it seems to depend more on shock and gore than thrills. Lots of gore. Director Eli Roth ("Cabin Fever," another gross-fest), is reported to say, "Hopefully fans will watch it until they puke, which to me is like a standing ovation." So bring along your barf bags, pop in the DVD and prepare to be terrified and disgusted. Don't watch "Hostel" if you're into character development, moving sub-plots or keeping your lunch down.

Extra Highlight: ≥Kill the Car≤ multi-angle interactive feature

What to serve for dinner: You might want to eat after watching "Hostel." Even so, let's keep it light and puke-resistant: vegetable soup, from The Reluctant Gourmet.com.

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 medium sized onion

2 each carrot

1 bunch of green beans

8 each button mushrooms

4 cups chicken stock

3 cups water

6 each potato

salt and pepper

1/4 cup parsley

Chop up the onion, slice the carrots into 1/4 inch thick pieces, trim and halve the green beans. Slice the mushrooms into 1/4 inch pieces, chop the potatoes into quarters or smaller, and chop the parsley. Heat butter and oil on medium high in a soup pot. SautÈ onion, carrot, green beans for 3-4 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook for another 2 minutes. Add chicken stock and water, potatoes, and season with salt & pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and cook at a gentle boil until the potatoes are tender (approx. 15 minutes). Add parsley just before the potatoes are cooked. Season to taste and serve with warm bread and butter.

What to talk about over dessert: Why do we gravitate toward horror movies? How do today's gore-fests compare with the less-is-more thrillers like "Psycho?" Have you ever stayed at a European hostel?

5. Film: Match Point (R)

Studio: DreamWorks

Summary:

Review:

Extra Highlight:

What to serve for dinner:

What to talk about over dessert: