Vegetarian: Week Three

Vegetarian day #17.

Trent: Do we ever get a cheat day?

Nelson: No. Vegetarians don’t get “cheat days.” It’s not a diet.

Well, day before yesterday, I received my copy of Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals. I was instantly reminded of how much I love his writing and just moments later horrified and enlightened by some of his insight, logic, and research. If he was a homosexual, he would be perfect. I will not divulge specifics here because Trent is patiently waiting for his turn with Jon (which he could fill by finishing Catching Fire…just a polite reminder/suggestion/plead/leaning-towards-command.)

We are on our 17^th day of being meat-free and going strong. Yesterday, I ate approximately half of a 10 oz. container of hummus with roasted pine nuts on celery for dinner (and a veggie corndog and innumerable bite-sized pieces of candy). 

But this Sunday, Trent and I brunched at our new favorite restaurant called M. Henry which is situated in Andersonville. This. Place. Is. The. Shit. They have vegetarian options galore. I had a roasted poblano pepper stuffed with eggs, soyrizo, mozzarella, topped with red adobo sauce, and served with Mexicali rice, French (fattier) sour cream, masa tortillas, and sweet plantains.

(< that is the  plate. YUM!) 

Words cannot… they just cast cannot.

Then, I indulged in a half serving of their “out of this world breakfast bread pudding” (pictured right >) which is more like flan topped with warm peaches and blackberries. It was very rich and very very good.  I wish I had taken it to go or just had this as my entree because it was very filling. 

However, I have no regrets and hope we go back soon.

On another note:

Last night, I watched The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and found it absolutely delightful. The ensemble performance is just wonderful (especially Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, and the high-energy, high-stakes, full-of-heart Dev Patel.) I thought the script was a little over-long and got a bit tedious towards the end, but it did set-up the conclusion very nicely and benefited from the strong cast and no-fuss direction that allowed them to shine. The film has a lovely message of making the most of your life and learning to roll with the punches. I wonder if it will be able to find any Oscar nominations... Dench has received a Golden Globe nod for her work, Smith is nominated for a SAG award, and the entire ensemble has been recognized by SAG. Yet, will any one of them be able to standout enough  to earn a spot? The film was released in the summer and has been available on dvd since September. What's to become of this little gem? Dench and Smith stand the best chance, but Tom Wilkinson might be able to sneak in or maybe for Best Adapted Screenplay or perhaps the film will be up for the top prize... there are ten slots that can be filled. hmmmmm.
4/5 Stars. 

3 Golden Globe Nominated Films Reviewed

Hyde Park on Hudson & Hitchcock

On days when I am doing a double feature, I try to find the best coupling of times among the movies I want to see. I try to make sure there is as little layover time as possible so I am not too tempted by the buttery popcorn and Reese’s Pieces. This particular pairing turned out to be intriguing in their generational parallels and warmly welcome in stylistic differences.

Hyde Park on Hudson felt like an after-school special attempting to be naughty. The meandering script shied away from the more scandalous affairs surrounding President Roosevelt and his mistresses to focus on the ensuing comedy of manners instead. Bill Murray (in a Golden Globe nominated performance)  and Laura Linney safely portray FDR and his cousin which further hinders Richard Nelson’s blandly written characters. However, this fares well for Samuel West and Olivia Coleman (King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) for they give the film the bit of buoyancy present. After seeing the film, I was left thinking that maybe it was meant for a different generation. Perhaps, older audiences craved a simple, neutered retelling of an important and mostly uneventful weekend that changed the course of history.

I entered Hitchcock expecting a similar biopic treatment meant for a different generation. I was thankfully mistaken. Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren not only infused the titular character and his wife, Alma, with destructive carnal desire, but also accompanied it with earnest longing and passionate jealousy. Hopkins’ wonderful physical transformation is nicely matched with his behavioral changes. His unflinching facial austerity serves for the comedic moments and he wisely selects when to soften his expression for emotional impact. Mirren earned Golden Globe and SAG nominations by boldly embodying a headstrong woman with sexuality, unfaltering wit, and accenting her with loving patience, and loyalty. She makes her Alfred’s equal in intellect and determination – just as it should be – and by doing so anchors the film. Scarlett Johansson nails Janet Leigh’s onscreen performances but struggles a bit in the casual encounters. The script wisely focuses on Hitchcock and Alma’s marital struggles in the midst of their perilous professional time, but feels uneven in tone and intent. Yet, for a film targeted to a different generation, Hitchcock infused life, energy, and humor into an American icon, which Hyde Park on Hudson completely failed to do. HYDE PARK ON HUDSON 2.5/5 Stars. HITCHCOCK 3.5/5 Stars.

The Deep Blue Sea

After hearing of Rachel Weisz’s Golden Globe Nomination for The Deep Blue Sea, I was pleased to find it available instantly on Netflix. While her performance is an interesting mix of strength and frailty, the film’s style and pacing does not allow her to feel fully engrossed. There are strong supporting performances as well, but the film overall falls flat under Terence Davies’ direction of his own scattered adaptation. The costume design, original music, and overall production design greatly excels the final product. 2/5 Stars




Anybody else seeing any of these three films? What did you think?? 

SAG Nomination Reactions

SAG Nomination Reactions

goshcrapdarnit! I harbored serious hopes of Jake Gyllenhaal earning a nomination for his ferocious and charming performance in End of Watch. However, the film’s critical praise was dampened by its September release date and basically non-existent campaigning. This practically throws him out of the Oscar race. Guess I’ll have to content myself that the Critics’ Choice Awards sited him in Best Actor in an Action Movie. Sigh.

Joaquin Phoenix is ignored after an incredible, comeback performance in The Master. I didn’t care for the film as a whole, but believe he made the strongest showing in the film and holds together what bit of coherence the movie possesses. Amy Adams was also ignored in the Supporting Actress category. Although, her performance was more easily dismissed as it was challengingly underplayed.   

Yet, their absences made room for Hugh Jackman (Les Misérables) and Nicole Kidman (The Paperboy). I have yet to see these two films, but adore these two Aussies’ previous work. Welcome back, Nicole. I’ve missed you.

It’s no surprise that Jennifer Lawrence was selected for Silver Linings Playbook. She has had a great year between SLP and The Hunger Games. I have loved her since Winter’s Bone and the affair continues. Yet, I was surprised to see Emmanuelle Riva not included for Amour after winning multiple precursors.

It’s great to see Helen Mirren (Hitchcock) and Naomi Watts (The Impossible) in the running, but part of me was hoping to see    Mary Elizabeth Winsted (Smashed) amongst the names; at least she has an Independent Spirit nom with which to content herself.

The Supporting Actor category is all over the place. The exclusion of critical favorites Leonard DiCaprio (Django Unchained) and Matthew McConaughey (Magic Mike) is saddening. Also, personal favorites of mine, Sam Rockwell’s hilarious turn in Seven Psychopaths and Bryan Cranston’s standout performance in Argo went unmentioned. I think McConaughey, Rockwell, and Cranston all were better than Philip Seymour Hoffman’s nominated effort in The Master. Lastly, why is everyone in love with Tommy Lee Jones’ performance in Lincoln? Am I the only person that found him out of place and distracting??

YAY for Chris Messina being included in Best Ensemble for Argo! He is having a great year that also includes great performances in Celeste and Jesse Forever and Ruby Sparks. Hopefully, he will keep this momentum going.