Hyperbolic ruminations on food and film
My mom, a teacher, taught my older brother and me to be strong readers by the time we were each 3 years old. She used a variety of books including, of course, Dr. Seuss, whose books I still adore. My favorites, however, were Richard Scarry’s intricate, incredibly detailed “Busytown” books such as “What Do People […]
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final ruminations on 2019 When I looked back over my notes from the past year, I was shocked that some of my favorites were actually from 2019, not 2018; it seems so long ago when I read or watched some of these. I guess it’s been a very long year. Thankfully, the content has been […]
Read MoreI posted on my favorite films last week… here are my other favorites of the year: THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE Hands down my favorite anything of the year. Anything. By far. Mike Flanagan’s reworking of Shirley Jackson’s famous novel (he also riffs generously on Robert Wise’s wonderful 1963 adaptation, The Haunting) is, pardon my french, […]
Read MoreOne of my favorite movies of all time is Rosemary’s Baby, still as chilling and brilliantly acted and directed as it was almost 50 years ago when it debuted. A favorite line in the movie has a modern relevance regarding food. Rosemary (Mia Farrow), as you should know, becomes pregnant after moving into an old gothic […]
Read MoreMy annual review of my favorite books of the year. You cannot go wrong with any of these Best of the Best. The City of Mirrors Justin Cronin’s finale to his magnificent ‘The Passage Trilogy’ is everything a fan of the series could want and much more. Heartfelt, suspenseful, emotionally gripping and ultimately uplifting, The […]
Read MoreYes, constant reader, that’s right, it’s true. Here, come sit beside me and let’s talk. There’s a story within the story. The Master is a romantic at heart. I was 12 years old when Ann McPherson handed me a copy of The Shining. A wonderful woman with a joyous and infectious laugh, Mrs. McPherson was one […]
Read MoreLast week I posted my favorite films of 2015. Here is part 2 of my ‘best of’ list: Only 3 of the many books I read this year make the list… but wow, are these three terrific: A MONSTER CALLS No other narrative in 2015 affected me as deeply as this heartbreaking, brutal yet beautiful novel. […]
Read MorePeople keep asking which cookbooks they should buy. If you take a look at the photo below, you can see I am as good as person to ask as any! So I decided I would do a few posts about how to practically build your cookbook library. It should be noted that the photo below was taken […]
Read MoreTime for another yearly post that is always popular: summer book recommendations. I’ve been tearing through a stack of novels the last few weeks and have come across some true finds. Hopefully there will be one or two you might find as enjoyable. MICHAEL KORTYA I have two picks from Michael Kortya, whose two last novels, The […]
Read MoreI’m having a difficult time believing it is ‘that time of year’ again. Time seems to move so fast. 2013 may have zipped by much too quickly but not without encountering great food and film that deserves mention. Behold, my second annual ‘best of’ list, with the usual extras. FILM Movies first! 2013 was terrific for cinema. […]
Read MoreWe are back! Thanks much for the patience, the Cinema Language seminar was such a success we are doing it yet again in November. In the meantime, I want to give you a few recommendations to get you through the summer. No food this time, as we have a lot of food upcoming, including a […]
Read MoreWell, the year has come to an end, which is a time for many people to reflect. I personally ‘look back and reflect’ about as much as I abstain from food and film. So don’t worry, no emotive reflective ramblings here. I am, however, a list guy. I am such a list guy, in fact, […]
Read MoreAnother holiday weekend has arrived. Memorial Day weekend last, I drove through six national parks on the way from LA to Chicago with one of my best friends. This weekend? I’ll be marathoning… a Homeland marathon, a Sherlock Marathon and a Downton Abbey marathon. It’s couch potato city with what I am told are the three […]
Read MoreSummer is upon us. For many this means an excuse to pick up some books. I pretty much throw books at anyone who breathes. There are few things better than discovering a book so good you find your own world disappearing as you lose yourself in the author’s world. As this happened to me just […]
Read MoreWhile my earliest memory as a child was watching a movie, memories of holding a book occur almost immediately after. I grew up surrounded by books, everywhere. Both my parents were huge bibliophiles. It was rare that either didn’t have a book in hand or at least close by. Additionally, Mom was a teacher and taught […]
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