Jan 9-15: Restaurant/Cooking Movies

Dates: Jan 9-15, 2011
Theme: Restaurant/Cooking Movies
Films: Waitress (2007), Waiting (2005), Mystic Pizza (1988), Julie & Julia (2009), Spanglish (2004), The Slammin' Salmon (2009), Simply Irresistible (1999), Chocolat (2000)

Sunday Jan 9, 2011: Waitress [PG-13] (2007)
A charming little indie that, sadly, marked the end for a promising and talented filmmaker. Writer/Director/Co-Star Adrienne Shelly was killed shortly before this film was released, and so this was her swan song. What a sweet song it is too.














Monday Jan 10, 2011: Waiting [R] (2005)
It's brash, it's vulgar, it's juvenile and at times; it's hilarious. The cast alone makes this worth seeing at least once. And it's a good movie for a Monday night at home.















Tuesday Jan 11, 2011: Mystic Pizza [R] (1988)
Last week brought us the first "Tuesday pizza and a movie night". It continues with this film that's less about cooking and restaurants than it is angst and life lessons. BUT! When there's a pie on the screen, it looks absolutely delicious! Trust me!














Wednesday Jan 12, 2011: Julie & Julia [PG-13] (2009)
I'll be watching this for the first time this week, so I don't have any clever little remarks to put here. But I've heard what the film lacks in pacing and depth is more than made up for by Meryl Streep's performance as Julia Child. I'm looking forward to it!














Thursday Jan 13, 2011: Spanglish [PG-13] (2004)
More about a family that happens to have a chef as the patriarch than it is about a restaurant or cooking. However... this film easily has the best, most delicious-looking sandwich ever to grace the silver screen. You'll know it when you see it. :)














Friday Jan 14, 20111: The Slammin' Salmon [R] (2009)
Those who have worked in food service seem to be more "in on the joke" than those who haven't. The latest film from Broken Lizard would have been funny regardless of the supporting cast, but the scene-stealing Michael Clarke Duncan as Cleon "Slammin'" Salmon is pitch-perfect here.













Saturday Jan 15, 2011: Simply Irresistible [PG-13] (1999) & Chocolat [PG-13] (2000)
What better way to end a week of food movies than with dessert? This double-feature will definitely satisfy your cinema sweet tooth. First, watch a movie about a magical crab bringing love and good fortune to a talented young chef on her own. That's really what it's about! Then, watch a movie so light-hearted and fun, it'll be a very sweet way to end to your week.