SGVN

May Dinner and a DVD—Pt. 2

May 19, 2006

By Kyra Kirkwood

2. Film (with rating): Match Point (R)

Studio: DreamWorks Home Entertainment

Summary: A hungry-for-more ex-tennis star (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) finds the life he thinks he wants when he begins courting the sister of his very wealthy tennis pupil. But soon he finds himself battling his love of wealth and success with his true passion: his brother-in-law's fiancée Nola (Scarlett Johansson). What begins as a twisted game of wanting it all morphs into a tension-filled lesson on actions and consequences, class ranking and infidelity.

Review: I admit, I watched this film without having the first clue about its plot. I thought it was a "Wimbledon"-like romp. Was I wrong. Not being a Woody Allen fan, I had little hope I'd enjoy this suspense drama. Wrong again. Set in London, "Match Point" has more than its share of British pacing: slow and dry. But while my husband couldn't keep his eyes open during the film, I was riveted. It's intellectual and sexy, but definitely not feel good. Once the infamous family dinner scene unfolded, I found myself tenser than a trampoline, knowing what would happen next yet not believing it could. My favorite parts of the film revolved around Rhys Meyers character transition and the way writer/director Allen played off the tennis analogies: sometimes, the ball hits the net and you win. Or it nicks the net and you lose. Is it luck, or skill? "Match Point" is one of those movies that sticks with you, and causes you to mull over it days after watching.

Extra highlight: None.

What to serve for dinner: Something pig based, in honor of the main character: Baked Pork Chops in Applesauce Gravy (recipegoldmine.com).

5 to 6 pork chops

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

Dash of pepper

1/4 cup catsup

3/4 cups boiling water

1 onion, sliced

1 cup applesauce

Brown pork chops on both sides in skillet; season with salt and pepper. Place pork chops in 9 x 13-inch casserole. Using grease from pork chops, add all other ingredients, except onion. Mix until smooth and thickened. Slice onion and place on top of pork chops. Pour warmed mixture over chops and onions. Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until done. Serve with mashed potatoes.

What to talk about over dinner: What have you sacrificed to gain status, or to keep what you had? What would you do to cover up an affair? Is it luck, or skill, that helps us in life? Or is it a bit of both?

3. Film (with rating): Munich—single-disc widescreen edition (R)

Studio: Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Summary: Inspired by real events. A secret Israeli squad is assigned to track down and kill the 11 Palestinians believed to have planned the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre of 11 Israeli athletes.

Review: Steven Spielberg is behind this gripping drama, so you can almost bank on it being memorable, gritty and thought-provoking. It's based on true-life events, but told in a fictionalized manner. It's more of a study on vengeance from all angles. Both a thinker film and an actioner, "Munich" is multi-layered and complex; there is no one good guy, one bad, helping to cement the film's controversial stance. Star Eric Bana ("The Hulk") is perfectly cast as Avner, while Daniel Craig and Geoffrey Rush also shine.

Extra highlight: none

What to serve for dinner: Go for a 1970s' staple with Swiss Steak (recipegoldmine.com).

1 (1 1/2 to 2 pound) round steak

1 large onion, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Flour

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 cups tomatoes

1 cup water

Cut steak into serving-size pieces. Salt and pepper steak, dredge in flour and pound flour into steak. Brown steak in oil in a large cast iron skillet, then remove from skillet. Sauté the onion in the same skillet. Layer steak and onion in a cast iron Dutch oven and pour tomatoes over. Bake at 350 degrees until fork-tender and the tomato gravy is thick, about 2 or 2 1/2 hours.

What to talk about over dinner: What do you remember about the real 1972 event? What makes Spielberg so loved and hated by many? Do you like films that present both sides? Why or why not?

4. Film (with rating): Date Movie (Unrated version)

Studio: Fox Home Entertainment

Summary: In this spoof of romantic comedies, a frumpy waitress (the irresistibly funny Alyson Hannigan from "American Pie" and the TV series "How I Met Your Mother") is transformed magically into a hottie who attracts the man of her dreams. But as she plans the wedding, she must overcome her fiancé's jealous ex and her own crazy family.

Review: On the DVD, it proudly states that "Date Movie" is the product of two of the six writers behind the "Scary Movie" franchise. That should give you an inkling of the kind of flick we're talking about here. It's irreverent, crude, hysterical, insulting and yet decent to watch with a group of friends on a nothing-else-to-do Friday night. This is no "American Pie." Heck, it's not even a "Scary Movie." But you can't beat a game fashioned out of counting how many popular romances this team butchers and impales. All in good fun.

Extra highlight: "On Dating" featurette

What to serve for dinner: This is high-school boy fare, so serve high-school boy food: pizza (delivery, of course) and beer.

What to talk about over dinner: How many spoofs did you count? What have you done for love? Why…Oh forget it. There's nothing to discuss. Just rip a burp and have another slice of pizza.