Pizza and a Movie: 10 Cloverfield Lane

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Banana Peppers
Pineapple
Red Onion

Movie:

10 Cloverfield Lane

I asked my husband to choose the toppings, because I had a phone call coming in when we arrived that I had been waiting to receive. I walked over to a booth while he ordered the pizza and our drinks at the counter.

He did okay (I like banana peppers, and red onion), and thoughtfully selected pineapple (one of my favorites). But it didn’t quite work for me. However, it was because of the combination; it wasn’t the restaurant’s fault.

I had chosen the movie, after glancing at the reviews online. I wish I had paid more attention to the story description, though. I was ready for suspense, but this film was more than that; it was too disturbing, and more like a horror movie, a genre I rarely like. I can’t count the number of times that I either shuddered or (partially) hid my eyes while watching it.

Think: Last year’s film Room, plus a little of the TV show Breaking Bad, plus The Cabin in the Woods, plus a bit of Halloween and even Fargo. (I liked all of those, though.) Throw in a conspiracy theorist/doomsday prepper and some science fiction (neither of which I like), and an ending that begs for a sequel.

Which, if there is one, I won’t want to see.

Ugh. It just didn’t work for me, and I came home being afraid I was going to have nightmares, and had to calm down before I went to sleep.

But even with two “misses,” I still enjoyed the evening out with my husband. It was a date night, and we had a chance to share some time together to talk, laugh, and enjoy each other. We even giggled as we walked out of the theater–not because the film was funny (it wasn’t), but because we just had to laugh at our mistakes.

March 19, 2016 0

Pizza and a Movie: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Feta Cheese
Garlic
Green Peppers

I was ready for feta cheese on a pizza, but somehow the toppings we chose didn’t quite work well together.

Movie:

Whisky Tango Foxtrot

This was more of a drama than a comedy, and at times it seemed a little slow. However, it kept me engaged in the story, and I thought Tina Fey did a great job in her role as a journalist in Afghanistan. There were some very good lines, too, although – due to his Scottish accent – I didn’t quite catch everything that one character said. That’s too bad, and it made me wish that the film had had English subtitles throughout.

This was a decent to good movie, something that seems hard to find right now, just after the Academy Awards. It did a good job touching on what life is like in Afghanistan, and on the culture. All in all, it was a nice change from some of the less than great films we have been to see lately, and the cast of this movie did work well together. My advice, if you go to see it: brush up on your Scottish first.

March 6, 2016 1

Pizza and a Movie: Lady in the Van

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Black Olives
Pineapple
1/2 Italian Sausage, 1/2 Jalapeños

Movie:

Lady in the Van

Just one thing to mention about the pizza: I wanted pineapple, he wanted jalapeños, and this is what we came up with. Some people love jalapeños on a pizza. I don’t.

Now, for the movie. I found this film disturbing, and not very entertaining.

I love Maggie Smith in (almost) anything, and I adore her in Downton Abbey. The best part of this movie was her performance. But the story (billed as “mostly true”) didn’t do it for me. Because of that, and because her character is so different (mentally, and in other ways) in Downton Abbey, it was difficult for me to watch Maggie Smith in this role.

I wondered, afterward, what parts of the story weren’t true, and what parts were left out. If you see it, I think you’ll know what I’m talking about. The treatment of the (real and fictional) lady in the van’s mental illness was terribly unsatisfying for me. Watching the film was like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. And I don’t like that kind of puzzle, anyway.

I’ll be watching the Oscars this weekend, and I don’t believe Lady in the Van has been nominated for anything. Some people, I’ve heard, loved this film, and the performances.

To each his own.

February 27, 2016 0

Pizza and a Movie: 45 Years

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Poblano Peppers
Portobellos
Corn

Movie:

45 Years

The pizza was vegetarian, and it was good. The movie was terrible.

When we walked out of the theater, I said to my husband, “I’d give it a D.” Another couple who was nearby heard me, and the woman said she’d give it an F.

I hate to be negative about movies or books – after all, someone wrote it, produced it, and believed in it. As an author, I don’t want to criticize someone else’s work. Maybe I’m just not sophisticated enough for this film, but in my opinion, it was not very good.

Two reviews I read (afterward) say it better than I can:

“Is it extraordinarily well acted? Yes, but it’s the emotional equivalent of slamming your hand in a door for 90 minutes. Glacierly paced.”

and

“Hugely disappointing, dreadfully slow moving and boring. Honestly one of the worst movies I’ve seen in years.”

Perhaps the plot (or lack of it) bothered me even more because:

I’ve been married for 34 years, and found myself wondering if my husband and I would be like this couple in 11 short years (please, no).
We had a big party for our 25th anniversary, a year after his parents’ (and 5 years after my parents’) 50th. It was a wonderful night and very memorable, and it made up for the fact that we couldn’t afford anything other than cake and cocktails at our wedding’s backyard reception (no dinner, no dancing, and I don’t remember the few toasts).

In short, this was a sad movie, with few redeeming qualities.

As for the pizza, we agreed ahead of time on poblano peppers and corn. I wanted something red (but not meat), and he suggested sliced tomatoes. “They’re two squishy,” I said, so we picked portobellos. It was yummy, and I enjoyed the evening with my husband.

February 14, 2016 2

Pizza and a Movie: Room

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Capers
Feta Cheese
Pepperoni

Movie:

Room

The first thing I wanted to know after seeing this film was: Is it a true story?

The answer is no, but it will remind you of more than a few true stories. If you’re interested in seeing it, you probably already know the storyline: A woman and her son are kept in a small room for several years, and when they come out of it, the world is a brand new place, surreal, and almost unbelievable to her 5 year old son.*

I won’t tell you how they get out, or what life is like for them before or after they do. You have to see the movie to find all that out, and I recommend that you do. But be prepared for something that’s intense and unpredictable. The movie has been nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture, and it deserves the nomination – and maybe even the award. I was riveted by the story, and it was refreshing to note that I didn’t recognize any of the actors, sauf one – and he’s not a huge star.

The pizza was yummy, and we were hungry. I’ve always been a fan of feta cheese, he wanted capers (don’t ask), and pepperoni was a mutual, quick decision. Très bon!

*By the way, the little boy captured my heart, maybe in part because his name is Jack – the same name as my son, whose journey with cancer I write about in ALL THE ABOVE.

January 30, 2016 0

(No) Pizza or a Movie, but a cool (literary) cocktail recipe book!

Last Friday night, because of the ~~horrible weather~~ ~~possible blizzard~~ very cold (for Atlanta) weather, my husband and I passed on Pizza and a Movie, and stayed home (and warm). The next evening, however, we braved the cold temperatures and had dinner out with very dear friends.

So today, I’ve decided to write about a cool little truc – a book* – we picked up last month at an interesting cafe/bookshop in France. Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist is a cocktail recipe book written by Tim Federle and illustrated by Lauren Mortimer. When we my husband spied it on the counter, while we were purchasing another book (we love books), we had to have it!

I’m always fond of twists – whether in literature, my work in progress (a novel), or a martini – and I love the recipe titles. I’ve listed a few below, based on a (favorite) book:

Gin Eyre
Bridget Jones Daiquiri
A Confederacy of Ounces
Rye and Prejudice
The Cooler Purple
Gone with the Wine
The Pitcher of Dorian Grey Goose
Olives ‘n’ Twist
Tequila Mockingbird

There are many more, and we can’t wait to delve into the recipes, which we plan to do, over time.

Because interesting, tasty cocktails “with a literary twist” – over ice, or neat – seem like just the thing for cold weather!

*Not a (literal) translation

January 26, 2016 0

Pizza and a Movie: Star Wars (encore)

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Black Olives
Anchovies
Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Movies:

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens

Yes, we saw Star Wars again (see “Pizza and a Movie” post of 12/30/15), but this time, at our favorite theater in the USA. Without the French subtitles, it was even better (and easier for me to follow) the second time, here at home. I dare say that’s because, in France, I kept checking to make sure the French words on the screen were what the actors were saying. It was slightly distracting.

This is an absolutely great movie, and if you haven’t seen it, I urge you to do so.

As for the pizza we ordered, my husband ~~demanded~~ really wanted Black Olives, and he wanted me to choose the other two toppings. I chose what I did off the top of my head, and it seemed to work.

By the way, since the Oscar nominations just came out, I wanted to compare the nominees for Best Film with my top rated movies of the year (see my “List Post: Nouvelle Année – janvier 2016” of 12/31/15).

My top 5 were (in order):

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Bridge of Spies
The Gift
Brooklyn
Inside Out

and my “Want to See” movies were:

Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
Creed
Steve Jobs
The Big Short

The Oscar nominees were:

The Big Short
Bridge of Spies
Brooklyn
Mad Max: Fury Road
The Martian
The Revenant
Room
Spotlight

How did Star Wars not make it? Je ne sais pas. And I really enjoyed the other 2 movies on my top 5 list that didn’t make it. But 2 of my top 5 did, and 3 of my want to see’s did, too. I saw The Big Short, finally (and also, twice), and I now want to see The Revenant. The only nominees I’m not keen on seeing are #s 7 & 8.

So, there you have it.

January 16, 2016 0

Pizza and a Movie: Joy

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

Green Peppers
Ground Beef
Shallots

Movie:

Joy

The angle of the photo above is a little off – it was on a pizza stand, close to the end of our table. But the pizza was delicious, and “just what the doctor ordered” that evening.

With Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert DeNiro in the cast, this movie somehow reminded me of Silver Linings Playbook. They’re just a good combination of actors. I liked the story, and since it was based – maybe loosely – on a true story, that made it even more appealing. Having stayed home with kids growing up for many years (and constantly cleaning my house), I related to Joy’s invention. Like a lot of people maybe, I thought, Why didn’t I think of that?

I’ve used what she invented, though I’ve never bought anything on QVC. And I’ve known people who came up with great ideas, yet couldn’t get attention or funding for them. What this film seemed to say was, “Never, never, never give up.”

A very good motto, I’d say.

January 11, 2016 0

Postcards from Europe, #18

We did not get this postcard before we left for our trip to France. Must have gotten delayed up north (see the “New York” stamp on the front).

I’ve never been to Strasbourg, and I’m glad that Mademoiselle got to go at Christmastime. Looks like the restaurant where she and her pals ate was picturesque. Perhaps because she was about to return to the USA, she reverted to our way of listing the date (as opposed to the French way) – that is, month/day/year.

Which also happened to be her birthday.

Mademoiselle was in Europe for 18 weeks, and she sent me 18 postcards. She’s safely back in her home country now, and I think she spent her time abroad – and recorded it – very well.

Bonjour!

Currently experiencing Christmas in Strasbourg! There are markets everywhere, the Cathedral is beautiful, and we’ve had plenty of vin chaud and bretzel! If you leave for Mtp before you get this, safe travels! If you don’t, see you soon! I’ve taken it upon myself to get some ornaments, and there is a laughable number of people here wearing stork hats (the bird of the region). Now, on to Alsace, white wine, and Christmas concerts!

Love,

Mademoiselle

12-06-2015

LAST WEEKEND TRIP!

January 9, 2016 0

Postcards from Europe, #17

This card didn’t get to us before we left for our trip to France, but it was terrific to get it with our mail upon our return. We spent lots of time wandering through the rues of Montpellier, in the Centre Ville and the Quartier de l’Ancien Courrier. (If you don’t already, follow me on Instagram at juliemcdermott1 to see photos.)

Being in Montpellier with our daughter was wonderful, and it brought back many memories of my time there, when it was a smaller, quieter town. Back then, I motored around on a mobylette (moped) to and from the apartment I shared with two other students in Palavas-les-flots, the closest beach village on the Mediterranean Sea. Mademoiselle lived with a family in Montpellier, and she got around à pied (on foot) and on the (new to me) tram system.

Mademoiselle and I have a lot in common, and now we each have our time as a student in Montpellier, too. Something I never imagined, when I first wandered around there and began to love the French.

Bonjour!

If this gets to you before you leave, consider this your first welcome to Montpellier! I can’t wait to show you and dad around, introduce you to my host mom and our director, and show you all the fantastic cafés we’ve catalogued during our semester here. I spent last weekend with the Williamsons* and they were absolutely wonderful – just like you said. I also have a parting gift of confiture du lait which is delicious. See you soon!

A bientôt,

Mademoiselle

8-12-2015

P.S. They just turned the Christmas lights on and it’s GORGEOUS!

*The Williamsons are a French family (despite the anglicized last name) who live in Lyon and have been our friends since their son Charles was a summer exchange student chez nous several years ago. Unlike most other French families, Luc and Juliette have 8 (!) children, who are all teens or adults: Marie, Charles, Doriane, Aline, Lucie, Arthur, Blandine, and Astrid. We spent les fêtes de Noel with them this year, and they made us feel very welcome, and a part of the family! We hope they come visit us sometime soon!

December 31, 2015