Tag: Green Peppers

Pizza and a Movie: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

  • Feta Cheese
  • Garlic
  • Green Peppers

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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.

 

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Pizza and a Movie: Joy

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

  • Green Peppers
  • Ground Beef
  • Shallots

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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.

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Pizza and a Movie: No Escape

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

  • Green Peppers
  • Pepperoni
  • Pineapple

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Movie:

No Escape

Owen Wilson, who stars in this film, is one of my favorite actors.

It’s partly because of the way he talks, and partly because of his imperfect nose. He’s not a pretty boy. And whether the movie is decent, good, or great, I usually like his acting. This was the first one I’ve seen him in that wasn’t a comedy, and the first one where he played a dad. I was drawn into the story, and I liked the movie well enough; for most of it, I was on the edge of my seat. I didn’t even mind the slow motion parts, though I’d heard that some people did.

There was one dialogue scene between Owen Wilson’s character and the one played by Pierce Brosnan that I thought was unnecessary, or at least, badly done. At best, it was distracting, and it didn’t explain that much to me. If you see the film, you’ll know what I’m talking about, so let me know if you agree.

Now for the pizza. As Bill (of Corner Pizza) guessed, we I had decided on the toppings before we arrived. I was in the mood for pepperoni, and the other toppings are two of my favorites. My husband agreed, and everything melanged together nicely.

It was the perfect prelude to a fun weekend * – some of which I already wish I could replay, in slow motion.

* I appeared on the Thriller panel at the 10th annual Decatur Book Festival (my first time there as an author), and I moderated the Urban Fantasy panel, just after. I also signed books at the Atlanta Writers Club Booth, attended two presentations at the Romance Pavilion, and attended an interview with YA (Young Adult) author Sarah Dessen. I had hoped to meet her and talk about writing, books, UNC, and many other things, but before I got an opportunity, she had gone back home to Chapel Hill, NC. 

 

 

 

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Pizza and a Movie: The Gift

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

  • Italian Sausage
  • Pepperoni
  • Mushrooms
  • Bacon
  • Green Peppers
  • Onions
  • Garlic

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Movie:

The Gift

Yes, that’s 7 toppings, not just 3; we went off the page (or, to the bottom of it) this time, and ordered a Specialty Pizza called “The Upper Crust.” It was very good – and colorful.

Then we went to see the film, a suspense that, at times, seemed to borrow from Hitchcock. I was on the edge of my seat (literally) during most of it, and was thankful I had someone’s arm to grab (my husband’s). It was so scary that once or twice I even had to remind myself, This is a movie! It’s not real!

Maybe I liked it because I write thrillers. Or maybe because it was super suspenseful, and was well done. Perhaps both. In any case, if you like that kind of thing, I think you’ll like this film. The bad guy was very bad, and in my opinion, he got what he deserved.

One thing that intrigued me was the title. There were several gifts in The Gift – I didn’t count them up, but like our pizza toppings that night, there were more than 3. Let me put it this way: every time someone opens up one of them, brace yourself.

And make sure you have somebody’s arm to grab.

 

 

 

 

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Pizza and a Movie: Ricki and the Flash

This weekend’s Pizza Toppings at Corner Pizza:

  • Feta Cheese
  • Green Peppers
  • Mushrooms

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Movie:

Ricki and the Flash

No matter what the film, I’ve always loved Meryl Streep.

The first one I remember seeing her in was Kramer vs. Kramer, and I saw it in France (with French subtitles) when I spent a year there in college. In that and every other movie I’ve seen her in, I was awed by her performance. In Ricki and the Flash, she’s wonderful, as usual. I loved the music in this film, too, and hearing her sing.

I won’t say this is the best movie I’ve ever seen – or ever seen her in – but it was good. There was one scene at a round table in a restaurant (near the beginning) that was very funny, and there were many other great moments. Near the end, as people danced at a wedding reception, I found myself wishing that my own had been as memorable, and as much fun.

Which brings me to the pizza pictured above. No, my husband and I didn’t have pizza at our wedding, but we did share this one. And no, we didn’t eat all of it – we saved a few slices and took them home.

I picked all the toppings this time. He agreed, with the caveat that one had to be Green Peppers, because (since he’s been keeping track of our toppings) it was the only one we hadn’t chosen yet. We both like them, so we didn’t know why we hadn’t had them yet; for some reason, we had forgotten to.

If you’re a fan of Meryl Streep, don’t forget to go see her in Ricki – especially if you like stories about the choices we make in life.

 

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