Dinner and a DVD
November issue
SGVN
10/25/05
By Kyra Kirkwood
1. Film: Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (PG)
Studio: Warner Home Video
Summary: Four lifelong friends are separated for the first
time, so they decide to share a pair of second-hand jeans as both good luck
charm and way to keep them bonded together. Based on the Ann Brashares'
bestselling novel.
Review: Everyone knows that
finding one pair of jeans that fit you like a glove is pretty magical. To
discover one pair of jeans that fits four different-sized teen girls perfectly,
well, that's nothing short of miraculous. In this touching, coming-of-age
story, the magic doesn't just stop with denim. These cherished jeans accompany
each girl during that life-changing summer before their senior year in high
school, seeing them through milestones before being passed along to the next friend
on the list. The film doesn't speak down to its teen-girl mainstay audience,
and thus wins over them, their grandparents and every viewer in between. The
up-and-coming castÑ Amber Tamblyn ("Joan of
Arcadia"), Alexis Bledel, America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Jenna BoydÑhelps
bring the messages home without any syrupy preaching. It's one of those rare films that the
whole family can watch together. Yes, even the guys.
Extra Highlight: "Suckumentary," a rough cut of the documentary that
the characters of Tibby and Bailey filmed that summer.
What to serve for dinner: Go for a traditional teen-girl
feast: big mixed salads and cheese fries with a side of ranch dressing.
Lone Star Steakhouse
Amarillo Cheese Fries and Dip (recipegoldmine.com)
1 (8 ounce) bottle ranch salad
dressing
1 (1.25 ounce) envelope of taco
seasoning
1 (32 ounce) package frozen
spicy French fries, prepared as directed
4 strips crisply-cooked bacon,
crumbled
1/2 cup shredded Monterey jack
or Colby cheese
Combine ranch dressing and taco
seasoning; set aside. Sprinkle cheese and bacon evenly over fries on the baking
sheet. Return fries to hot oven until cheese has melted. Serve with ranch
dressing sauce for dipping.
What to talk about over dessert: Who were your best friends in school? Did you have any
friendship token like those magical jeans? What was the most memorable thing
that happened to you in high school? Why are good jeans so hard to find?
2. Film: Mr. & Mrs. Smith (PG-13)
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Summary: A married couple, with five (or six? Who can
remember?) years of vanilla-tainted marital doldrums, only finds the spice
their dull partnership lacks when they discover the other's secret profession:
trained assassins hired to kill one another.
Review: Even if you're not a fan of these two actors,
"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" is a completely enjoyable romp in Suburbia.
From the fight scenes with knives to the cutting-edge banter between Brad Pitt
and Angelina Jolie, this film was one of the delights at the summer box office.
Sure, on the surface, it's about a couple who live lives hidden from their
spouses and then try to kill each other. But under that layer rests a modern
expose of marriage and what can happen when two people stop communicating and
trying to make their union work. Some of the scenes are delightfully reminiscent
of that disturbing classic, "War of the Roses," yet "Mr. &
Mrs. Smith" has extra, easy chemistry and camaraderie. A favorite scene:
the argument staged in the get-away car. How often have married couples done
that? Hopefully, without the gunplayÉ.
Extra Highlight: Check out the deleted scenes, like the one with supporting
star Vince Vaughn's "kitchen diatribes."
What to serve for dinner: It's time to take the kids over to
Grandma's, dust off those candles, turn on Billie Holiday and whip up something
sexy to eat: cut fruit (strawberries, orange slices, grapes), boiled soybeans
in the pod (called Edamame. Get them at Trader Joe's in the frozen section) and
California rolls.
(From recipegoldmine.com)
Nori (seaweed)
Prepared sushi rice
Crabmeat, cut into pieces
Avocado, peeled and cut into
fine pieces
Cucumber, peeled, seeded and
cut into fine strips
Toasted sesame seeds
Cut nori sheet in half and
place it on bamboo mat, shiny side down. Dampen your fingers in water. Spread a
thin layer of sushi rice over the seaweed, but do not cover completely. Leave a
1-inch margin at the ends uncovered to seal the roll. Lay crabmeat, avocado and
cucumber lengthwise. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. To roll: slowly fold the end
of the mat closest to you over the filling and tuck it in. Use medium pressure
to create a compact tube. Remove the mat from around the roll, press in the
loose ends and place it on a cutting board, seam side down. Using a wet, sharp
knife, slice the roll in half then into six equal pieces. Serve with wasabi,
soy sauce and pickled ginger.
(If this is too much work,
check out the selection of these in the refrigerated section at Trader Joe's or
Henry's markets.)
What to talk about over dessert: What's one secret your
spouse doesn't know about you? Could you imagine keeping a whole separate life
private from your spouse? Do you ever fantasize about being a suburban soccer
parent by day, trained assassin/spy/CIA operative/jewel thief by night? Do
secrets revealed bring people closer, like in the film? What's the most passionate
moment you've ever had?
3. Film: War of the Worlds (PG-13), Two-Disc Limited Edition
DVD
Studio: DreamWorks Home Entertainment
Summary: A father fights to save his family, and mankind,
from a deadly alien invasion in this contemporary retelling of the classic H.G.
Wells' sci-fi classic.
Review: It's Steven Spielberg, but it's no "Close
Encounters of the Third Kind." Still good, but the aliens sure aren't. Nope,
this time around, the visitors are out for blood. This much-anticipated
blockbuster stars Tom Cruise and the ever-charming Dakota Fanning, who actually
outshines Cruise in nearly all of their scenes together. Cruise, prone to
overacting at times, plays Ray Ferrier almost perfectly without succumbing to
"show me the money!" cheesiness. Spielberg does a good job weaving in
today's fears (terrorism, regional destruction, unknown enemies) into the
classic storyline. Unfortunately, the aliens look a bit dopey, and some of the
special effects are pedestrian, but many do rise above the bar (like the storm
early on in the film). The bleak tone and desperation that settles on the
survivors after the aliens make their intentions known comes across perfectly,
in a fine balance between hope and terror. The ending is tight, almost too
quick, which seems even quicker after the lengthy death-and-destruction footage
that seeped off the screen for the previous 100 minutes.
Extra Highlight: Nostalgic sorts can revisit the story that
started it all with "Steven Spielberg and the Original War of the
Worlds," and those sci-fi techies out there can drool over the
ground-breaking special-effects in "Designing the Enemy: Tripods and
Aliens."
What to serve for dinner: Let's tip our hat to the
health-conscious Dakota Fanning character Rachel who tried to get her family to
eat hummus and vegetables instead of greasy takeout.
(Courtesy of "California
Pizza Kitchen-Pasta, Salads, Soups, and Sides" (Copyright: 1999) )
10 medium garlic cloves
3 cups drained canned
cannellini beans or great
northern,
about two 15 ounce cans
1/2 cup sesame paste (tahini)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon
juice
1 tablespoon plus 1/2 teaspoon
soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup cold water, if needed
California Pizza Kitchen Checca
2 tablespoons minced fresh
Italian parsley
Fit a food processor with the
steel blade. Process the garlic cloves until finely minced, stopping the
processor occasionally to scrape down the sides of the work bowl. Add the beans
and pulse the machine a few times to chop coarsely. With the machine running,
puree them while you slowly pour the sesame paste through the feed tube. Still
with the motor running, pour olive oil, lemon juice, and soy sauce through the
feed tube, stopping the processor occasionally to scrape down the sides of the
bowl. Stop the processor, open the lid, and add the salt, cumin, coriander and
cayenne. Process until thoroughly blended. If the puree seems too thick for
dipping or spreading, pulse in 1/4 to 1/2 cup cold water. Transfer the puree to
a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate.
Next, preheat the oven to 250
degrees. Put the pita breads in the oven and heat until thoroughly warmed, 6 to
8 minutes. Carefully remove and cut into wedges. Place the chilled hummus in a
serving plate or bowl and arrange the tomato Checca on top (see below). Garnish
with the chopped parsley and surround with pita triangles. Serve immediately.
2 pounds Roma tomatoes, cut
into 1/2-inch dice
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
In a mixing bowl, toss together the ingredients, mixing thoroughly.
Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until serving time.
What to talk about over dessert: Are we alone? If not, who
else is out there? Would aliens be destructive, parasitic or curious? How far
will Dakota Fanning's star soar? Do you think Tom Cruise's Scientology
promotion during press events for this film helped or hurt it at the box
office?
4. Film: Deuce Bigalow European
Gigolo (R)
Studio: Sony/Columbia
Summary: Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo, is tricked once again
into man-whoring, only this time, he's in Amsterdam and other top man-whores and
prosti-dudes are being murdered. It's up to Deuce to clear his friend/pimp's
name and find out who really did it.
Review: It's a sequel, and it has a mostly naked Rob Schneider,
AND it uses words like "prosti-dudes." But it's good. Not "American
Pie" good, but just eh-shoulder-shrug-good. And not nearly as good as the
first film, but watchable and worthy of a few one-liner repeaters the next day.
Mainly, it's rude, crude, beyond politically incorrect and homophobic. The
highlight is the reappearance of some "Deuce" originals, like Oded Fehr,
and Eddie Griffin. Schneider is funny, in his hairy-deer-in-the-headlights way,
but even his shtick gets tired after awhile. "European Gigolo" is
definitely one to watch in the company of the intoxicated trying to recall
their youth, or by yourself when you're too tired to get up and flick the
remote.
Extra Highlight: Any of the behind-the-scenes featurettes, such as "Man-Hoe
101," and "So You Want To Be A Man-Whore"
What to serve for dinner: If you're going to watch frat-boy
fare, eat like a frat boy: pizza (make that delivery, not DiGiorno) and canned
beer, whatever is on sale.
What to talk about over dessert: Don't talk, just belch. But
if you insist on gabbing, discuss the long-term prospects of Rob Schneider's
post-"SNL" career, the popularity of crude-rude cinema laden with genitalia
jokes, the possibility of a "Deuce Part Three" and why
"man-whore" is such fun to say.
++++++
5. Film: Madagascar (PG)
Studio: DreamWorks
Summary: Four
Central Park Zoo animals in New York City find themselves shipwrecked on the
island of Madagascar, and together, they must figure out how to survive in the
wild and discover the true meaning of the phrase "itÕs a jungle out there."
Review: A truly enjoyable family film, with enough adult insider jokes to keep those over the age of eight entertained and tickled. The all-star voice castÑBen Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith and David Schwimmer (perfectly cast as Melman the hypochondriac Giraffe) Ñ mixed with state-of-the-art computer animation that pays homage to animation legends like Chuck Jones and Tex Avery makes "Madagascar" a keeper. It's not "Shrek," especially for the older viewer, but it can stand on its own. The plot is strange, the humor razor-sharp at times and the characters some of the most unusual to grace the animated screen. Lots of poop-and-bum jokes (of course! What comedy these days doesn't make some giant gag out of body parts and functions?), but the writers don't rely on those to completely propel the comedic train. The natural talent of the actors, especially Schwimmer, do the script justice.
Extra Highlight: Commentaries are usually required, boring and banal, but do
give this one a listen: Penguin commentary, with thoughts and insight from the
four plotting, psychotic penguins.
What to serve for dinner: Serve New York classics: New York style pizza and cheesecake.
New York Cheesecake (recipegoldmine.com)
10 rectangular chocolate graham
crackers
3/4 cup ground pecans
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
(at room temperature)
Place graham crackers in large
plastic food storage bag. Finely crush with rolling pin. Place in bowl and add
pecans, sugar and cinnamon; mix well. Add butter and mix until well blended.
Scatter crumb mixture over bottom of 9-inch spring-form pan. Cover with plastic
wrap. Press evenly over bottom and up sides of pan. Refrigerate until ready to
use.
32 ounces cream cheese (at room
temperature)
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Whole strawberries (optional)
Fresh mint sprigs (optional)
Beat cream cheese in large bowl
with electric mixer or in food processor, until well blended and smooth.
Gradually beat in sugar until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating
well after each addition. Add lemon juice and vanilla extract; beat until
blended. Pour cheese filling evenly into crust-lined pan. Bake cheesecake at
350 degrees for 50 minutes or until the center is set. Remove the pan to a wire
rack to cool completely. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours or overnight.
To serve, remove side of pan. Cut into wedges. Garnish with
whole strawberries and fresh mint sprigs if desired.
What to talk about over dessert: Where have you ever felt
like a fish out of water? Do you think comedies today rely too much on
"potty humor?" Ever known anyone like the penguins? What actors do
you think are just cut out to do voice workÑonly? If you could travel to one place unexpectedly, where would it
be? What would you do to help your friends?
6. Film: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (PG)
Studio: Warner
Summary: A young, poor boy with a big heart wins a trip
inside the mysterious chocolate factory run by the reclusive, unique Willy
Wonka.
Review: I preferred the
original version with Gene Wilder, especially the ending. But this remake does
a very decent job following in its footsteps. Johnny Depp as Wonka was a
brilliant move. Though he's no Wilder, he casts his own bizarre magic and makes
us believe he's a nutty candy maker with a passion for Oompa-Loompas. OK, so
the songs of the latter creep me out, especially when they're combined with
dancing. But those special effects are some of the best in the film, if you
don't count the awesome Violet Beauregarde stint as a blueberry. I've always
enjoyed that scene. Overall, the film looks fantastic and surreal, filled with
larger-than-life visions that compliment the film's plot. The overall highlight
is Freddie Highmore as Charlie. The sweet way he weaves together innocence and
determination prove that he's just the actor Depp said he was while working
with him on "Finding Neverland." The relationship between Charlie and
his parents, especially Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) is precious. In this remake,
we learn a bit more about why Willy Wonka is who he is. The backstory is
touching at times, but not altogether necessary for us to take a shine to the
famous candymaker. This remake stayed somewhat true to the original film, but
deviated in a few ways that made me long for that 1971 classic.
Extra Highlight: "Oompa-Loompa Dance," where you can learn how to
dance just like one of these pint-sized people.
What to serve for dinner: Do you really need a primer for this one? Chocolate, of course! Serve up buckets of candy bars and tasty morsels as an appetizer, then dive into the main meal: Chicken Mole (a Mexican chocolate-like sauce). For dessert, chocolate ice cream with hot-fudge and chocolate whipped cream. Or, if you prefer, go for a blueberry pie. In real form, not the gum version.
Chicken Mole (both from
recipegoldmine.com)
8 serving-size pieces chicken
or turkey
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon pepper
1 (8 1/2 ounce) jar mole sauce
1/2 cup enchilada sauce or
tomato sauce
1/2 to 1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon creamy peanut
butter
1 square dark, unsweetened
chocolate
1 tablespoon sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Heat
a deep oven-proof Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, and cook
until brown on all sides, about 20 minutes. Season chicken with 1 teaspoon sat
and pepper. Cover pan with lid and place in oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until
chicken juices run clear.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine mole sauce, enchilada or tomato sauce and chicken broth, beginning with 1/2 cup. Add more as needed to adjust consistency and flavor. Heat to boiling; reduce heat to simmer. Stir in peanut butter, chocolate and sugar. Cook and stir until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes. Continue simmering 10 minutes longer. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste. If sauce seems too thick, add just enough water or chicken stock to thin to desired consistency. Remove chicken from oven and pour sauce over chicken. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees. Return chicken to oven, covered, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is tender, almost falling off the bone. Serve with white or Mexican rice or tortillas.
1 cup chilled whipping cream
1/3 cup Hershey's syrup
2 tablespoons confectionersÕ
sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
In small mixer bowl, combine all ingredients; beat until
soft peaks form. Serve with sundae.
What to talk about over dessert: What childhood event has
influenced who you are today? Have you ever gotten something you once could
only dream about? What is your "golden ticket?" What are your
feelings about chocolate? What would be the coolest candy ever invented? What's
up with Johnny Depp's teeth in this film?
1. Film:
Studio:
Summary:
Review:
Extra Highlight:
What to serve for dinner:
What to talk about over dessert: