Dinner and a DVD
Special Oscar Edition
Pasadena Star-News
Feb. 27, 2006
By Kyra Kirkwood
It's that time of the year
again, when little golden men and big names rule the world, if only for one
night. In honor of Hollywood's biggest award event of the year, why not make a
day out of it? Sure, we might not be able to wear $1.6 million worth of
diamonds or have hundreds of paparazzi flash cameras at us as we glide down the red carpet. But we can still
have some fun. Here you'll find the blueprint for an entire day of
Oscar-nominated joy, complete with an appropriately-renamed meal, snack or
dessert to compliment the flick. So get cozy, call up some friends and enjoy
your Day of DVDs. Thanks, Oscar.
Breakfast
Let's start the day off
right with some feel-good country fare: "Walk the Line." (PG-13)
Studio: Twentieth Century
Fox
Oscar Nods: 5, including "Best
Actor" for Joaquin Phoenix and "Best Actress" for Reese
Witherspoon.
Summary: A heartfelt biopic
about the life and music of the legendary "man in black," Johnny
Cash.
Review:
Amazing music (Joaquin and Reese sang the vocals themselves), smooth-flowing
plot covering many years, flawless acting, great subject matter. It's one of
the best movies of the year. Plus, Joaquin is so nice to watch.
Extra Highlight: 10 deleted
scenes.
What to serve: Some "Hey
Porter! Pancakes with Southern Peach Sauce."
Whip up a batch of your
favorite pancakes, then top with peach sauce, from recipegoldmine.com.
3 cups frozen sliced
peaches, thawed
1/4 cup orange juice
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon grated orange
rind
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
Combine peaches and orange
juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cover, reduce heat, and
simmer, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until peach slices are
tender. Spoon mixture into container of an electric blender; process until
smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Return mixture to saucepan; add
sugar and remaining ingredients, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer,
uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until thickened. Store in
refrigerator. Yields 1 1/2 cups.
What to talk about: The mark
Johnny Cash left on the music industry, the popularity of musical biopics, the intense acting
style of Joaquin.
Morning Snack
Let's move on to women
fighting for equality in "North Country." (R)
Studio: Warner
Summary: Female iron miner
Josey Aimes breaks legal ground and gender barriers with the nation's first
class-action sexual-harassment lawsuit.
Oscar Nods: 2: "Best
Actress" for Charlize Theron and "Best Supporting Actress" for
Frances McDormand.
Review:
A bit too many subplots to keep the film moving smoothly, but the historical
tie-ins and the superb acting of Theron and McDormand make it worth a watch.
Extra Highlight: The "making-of"
documentary.
What to serve: Try "Iron-Mining
BluesŠberry Muffins," since this bakery staple is the official muffin of
Minnesota (recipegoldmine.com).
2 cups flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup milk
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
1 cup fresh blueberries or
frozen, not packed in sugar
Combine dry ingredients in
large mixing bowl. Make well in center of flour mixture and add milk, oil and
egg. Stir until combined. Stir in berries. Spoon dough into pans lined with
muffin papers. Sprinkle top with sugar. Bake in a preheated 400-degree oven for
20 to 25 minutes. Let stand five minutes. Serve warm.
What to talk about: What
constitutes sexual harassment, what is the toughest work environment you've
ever faced?
Lunch
Let's continue with the
strong-women theme. Pop in "Pride & Prejudice." (PG)
Studio: Focus Features
Summary: In this adaptation
of Jane Austen's classic novel, Elizabeth finds herself falling for Mr. Darcy,
the man she swore to loathe for all eternity.
Oscar Nods: 4, including "Best
Actress" for Keira Knightley
Review:
Keira was born to play Elizabeth in this tale of love and misunderstanding.
There's England, clever banter, a fun accent you can annoy your friends with
and a stellar cast. A drawback: you may feel like you're in English lit class.
Extra Highlight: "Jane
Austen: Ahead of Her Time."
What to serve: "First
Impression Finger Sandwiches,"
with tea (in honor of the novel's original title). Fix up some cucumber and
cream cheese, chicken and mustard, deviled ham, tuna with celery, egg salad,
tomato and basil sandwiches on buttered white bread, all with the crusts cut
off.
What to talk about: The timelessness of Austen's writing
and characters, the career of Keira, how romance and courtship have changed
from old-time England until now.
Afternoon Snack
Switch gears and go from
Jane Austen's England to modern-day society in "Crash." (R)
Studio: Lionsgate
Summary: Interlocking
stories exploring racial bigotry and stereotypes.
Oscar Nods: 6, including "Best
Supporting Actor" for Matt Dillon, "Best Director" and "Best
Picture."
Extra Highlight: "Los
Angeles – the other main character."
What to serve: Things get
fiery here, so whip up "Crash Into My Tastebuds" Spicy Chili Dip
(recipegoldmine.com).
5 jalapeño peppers
1 large green pepper, diced
5 large tomatoes, peeled and
diced
1 small onion, diced
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
Combine all ingredients in
food processor until pureed. Transfer to a container with a lid and refrigerate
overnight before serving. Serve with chips.
What to talk about: How can
society fight racism? Do you know anyone like one of the characters? Why has
Hollywood failed to recognize Matt Dillon's talents until now?
Dinner
It's a trip back in time
with "Good Night, and Good Luck" (PG, available 3-14).
Studio: Warner
Summary: In the
Communist-fearing 1950s, broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow challenges
Senator Joseph McCarthy and his fear-mongering ways.
Oscar Nods: 6, including "Best
Director" for George Clooney and "Best Picture."
Extra Highlight: Audio
commentary.
What to serve: Try a 1950s'
dinner staple—pot roast. Or go for a simple twist: Beef Pot Pie with
Potato Biscuit Crust (from www.bettycrocker.com). Here, we'll call it "Good
Beef, and Good Bisquick."
1 piece (1/2 lb) deli roast
beef, cubed (1 1/2 cups)
2 cups frozen mixed
vegetables
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2
cup)
1 jar (12 oz) beef gravy
2/3 cup instant mashed
potatoes (dry)
2/3 cup hot water
1 ½ cups Bisquick®
3 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon freeze-dried
chives
Heat oven to 375 degrees. In
2-quart saucepan, heat beef, frozen vegetables, onion and gravy to boiling over
medium heat, stirring frequently. Boil and stir 1 minute. Keep warm. In medium bowl, stir potatoes and
hot water until well mixed; let stand until water is absorbed. Stir in Bisquick
mix, milk and chives until dough forms. Place dough on surface dusted with
Bisquick mix; gently roll in Bisquick mix to coat. Shape into a ball; knead 10
times. Pat into 11x7-inch rectangle. Fold dough into thirds. Pour beef mixture
into ungreased 11x7-inch glass baking dish. Carefully unfold dough onto beef
mixture. Bake uncovered 30
to 35 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
What to talk about: The
difference 50-plus years has made on the journalism industry, what similar
society situations do we face today, is George the next Robert Redford?
Dessert
Continue the true-life theme
with "Capote" (R, available 3-21).
Studio: Sony Pictures
Summary: In 1959, when a
shocking murder captures the attention of author Truman Capote, he sets out to
investigate it, forming a bond with the killers and writing "In Cold Blood."
Oscar Nods: 5, including "Best
Picture," "Best Supporting Actress" for Catherine Keener and "Best
Actor" for Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Extra Highlight: None.
What to serve: Something
light, such as "In Cold Blood Orange Sherbet" (recipegoldmine.com)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water
2 cups strained blood orange
juice
2 teaspoons fresh lemon
juice
2 teaspoons finely-grated
blood orange zest
2 tablespoons
orange-flavored liqueur or vodka (optional)
3 large egg whites, beaten
until stiff
Combine sugar and water in a
small saucepan and heat until sugar is melted and mixture is clear. Remove and
chill. In a glass bowl, combine chilled sugar syrup, orange juice, lemon juice,
zest and liqueur. Mix thoroughly, then fold in the egg whites using an
over-and-under motion. Continue folding until no egg white streaks remain in
the mixture. Pour mixture into an ice cream maker and freeze until firm,
according to manufacturer's instructions.
What to talk about: Hoffman's
incredible performance, how "In Cold Blood" became a literary
hallmark, why the Academy adores historical subjects.
Midnight Snack
Wrap up your day with some
magical viewing: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" (PG-13,
available 3-7).
Studio: Warner
Summary: In this fourth
chapter of the popular "Harry Potter" series, Harry competes in the
Triwizard Tournament and fights He Who Must Not Be Named—again.
Oscar Nods: 1 ("Art
Direction")
Extra Highlight: "Triwizard
Tournament: Maze"
What
to serve: Choose a favorite teen staple: chocolate. How about "Double
Double Toil and Trouble Delicious Cookie Bars" (www.hersheys.com)?
1/2
cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1-1/2
cups graham cracker crumbs
1
can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2
cups (12-oz. pkg.) HERSHEY'S semi-sweet chocolate chips
1
cup REESE'S peanut butter chips
1
cup HERSHEY'S semi-sweet chocolate
chips
1-1/2
teaspoons shortening
Heat
oven to 350°F. (325° for glass dish). Melt butter in oven in 13x9x2-inch baking
pan. Sprinkle graham cracker
crumbs over butter; pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Top with 2 cups chocolate chips and
peanut butter chips; press down firmly. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly
browned. Cool completely in pan on
wire rack. In small microwave-safe
bowl, place 1 cup chocolate chips and shortening. Microwave on high for 1 to 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth
when stirred. Drizzle over top of
bars. When drizzle is firm, cut
into bars.
What to talk about: The
popularity and literary prowess of J.K. Rowling, if the dynamic trio will
continue all the way through the seventh and final film, the magic and mystery
of a school like Hogwarts.
Night-Owl Snack
OK, insomniacs. Experience
teen-age angst and family dysfunction in "The Squid and the Whale."
(R)
Studio: Sony Pictures
Summary: An autobiographical
coming-of-age story about a teen whose writer-parents are divorcing.
Oscar Nods: 1, "Best
Original Screenplay."
Review: Loosely based on the
true childhood experiences of writer/director Noah Baumbach and his brother in
the 1980s, this flick is one of those uncomfortable comedies that is often
overlooked, but shouldn't be. It's a sad, honest, humorous look at the fallout
of divorce.
Extra Highlight: Try the
interview.
What to serve: a 1980s'
staple—Pop Tarts.
What to talk about: How divorce affects a family, what
would it have been like to have bohemian/writer parents, your teen dramas.