July 2012:
Today one has so many options available to spend during wasted time while waiting..and waiting..and waiting wherever you are: Department of Motor Vehicles, dental office, Disneyland, grocery store checkout, Little League practice, etc. Electronic gadgets have married the movie and television industry seamlessly through so many outlets such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Google Play, etc. Smartphones, iPhones, and tablets are quickly invading our day-to-day universe with access to communication, real time driving directions, information research, music, photo sharing, shopping and entertainment. Did you read the incredible story on the sell out of Google's new tablet 'Nexus 7' this week? ZD Net story: http://goo.gl/3TbBD. I am still waiting for my Nexus 7 by the way. The need and desire for such products is growing exponentially. And with that said, here are my 10 movie picks that include the food experience for you to watch during your stationary moments. Ordered alphabetically, not ranking:
Russell Crowe, Marion Cotillard
Max Skinner is a business executive whose time is completely spent doing investment transactions without thought of a personal life-that is, until he inherits a French vineyard from his uncle.
Stephane Audran, Bodil Kjer
On the desolate coast of Denmark lives Martina and Philippa, the beautiful daughters of a devout clergyman who preaches salvation through self-denial. Both girls sacrifice youthful passion to faith and duty, and even many years after their father's death, they keep his austere teachings alive among the townspeople. But with the arrival of Babette, a mysterious refugee from France's civil war,
life for the sisters in their tiny hamlet begins to change. Soon Babette has convinced them to try something truly outrageous, a gourmet French meal. Her feast, of course, scandalizes the local elders. Just who is this strangely talented Babette, who has terrified this pious town with the prospect of losing their soulls for enjoying too much earthly pleasure?
Alan Rickman, Bill Pullman
1976. Napa Valley. One small American Winery and its workers are about to show the French that the world's finest wines will now come from the other red, white and blue. Based on an inspiring true story on the historic "Judgement of Paris".
Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp
Nobody could have imagined the impact that the striking Vianne would make when she arrives in a tranquil, old fashioned French town. In her very unusual chocolate shop, Vianne begins to create mouth-watering confections that almost magically inspire that straight-laced villagers to abandon themselves to temptation and happiness. But it is not until another stranger, the handsome Roux arrives in town that Vianne is finally able to recognize her own desires.
Danny Aiello, Edoardo Ballerini
During the course of one frenzied evening a restaurant owner and bookmaker deals with a potential hostile takeover, a snooty critic, and his attractive dead partner's daughter. The behind the scenes drama of an Italian restaurant through an exciting tale of gangsters and gourmet food.
Meryl Streep, Amy Adams
A culinary legend provides a frustrated office worker with a new recipe for life. The true stories of how Julia Child's life and cookbook inspired a fledgling writer Julie Powell to whip up 524 recipes in 365 days and introduce a new generation to the magic of French cooking. Bon Apetit!
Marco Leonardi, Lumi Cavazos
By channeling her emotions through the sensuous power of cooking, a passionate woman uses food as a mystical form of communication and love-making with her forbidden lover.
Brad Garrett, Lou Romano
In one of Paris' finest restaurants, Remy, a determined young rat aspires to become a renowned French chef. With the help of his friend Linguini, they set off on a fun-filled adventure, setting in motion a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside-down.
Vanessa, Williams, Vivica A. Fox
Sunday dinner at Mother Joe's is a mouth watering 40-year tradition. As seen through the eyes of her grandson Ahmad, love and laughs are always on the menu despite the usual rivalries simmering between his mom Maxine and her sisters Teri and Bird. But when serious bickering starts to tear the family apart, the good times suddenly stop. Now it is up to Ahmad to get everyone back together and teach them the true meaning of soul food.
Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs
Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock makes himself a test subject in this documentary about the commercial food industry. After eating a diet of McDonald's fast food three times a day for one month Spurlock proves the physical and mental effects of consuming fast food. Spurlock also provides a look at the food culture in America through it's schools, corporations and politics. Super Size Me is a movie that sheds a new light on what has become one of our nation's biggest health problems: obesity.
Resources:
www.IMDB.com
www.Amazon.com
