I hope you are all having a nice 2010 so far. Here in sunny LA it is raining like crazy, which is nice and almost like a season for us! Staying inside and spending some quiet time makes me feel really lucky this week, especially in light of the tragedy in Haiti and other problems affecting nations around the globe. (To make a donation to help in Haiti, go to any of your favorite organizations or try www.redcross.org ) I realized that for many of us, our world view is shaped by what we see on TV and in the movies. I have been fortunate enough to travel to some amazing places and intend to see more, but many people never get the chance to visit other nations or experience exotic cultures outside of the movie theater. Fortunately, there are so many amazing films from countries all over the world that everyone can experience a new culture just by sampling their cinema! For an amazing World Viewing movie party, serve up some foreign flicks and the local cuisine to match. Try “The Commitments” or “My Left Foot” and enjoy some Irish whiskey and some colcannon (potatoes and cabbage, so yummy!). Journey to Italy with some pasta and pinot and a screening of “8 1/2″ or “Bicycle Thieves”. If you are in the mood for sushi and sake, I beg you to add a viewing of “Rashomon” to your evening of Japanese culture. The options for movies set in London are endless, and some of my all time favorites are on that list, but for a really good look at the city try “Love Actually” or “American Werewolf in London” and serve some fish and chips. Basically I’m saying, spin your globe, close your eyes, and wherever it lands go find a movie and dinner and go see the world! It’s important, it’s time, it’s fun and it’s cheaper than a charter flight. Now get going and let me know what you discover!
Posts Tagged ‘“8 1/2″’
World View
Tuesday, January 19th, 2010In the jungle
Sunday, June 21st, 2009Now I like art films as much as the next gal. “The Bicycle Thief” is perfection, “8 1/2″ is exquisite, “Blue Velvet” should be required viewing for anyone over the age of 18. However, I will say, in this public forum that sometimes, nothing beats a good monkey movie. I was going through my movie library yesterday and I noticed that we have nearly a full shelf full of simian-related films. Naturally, the entire , “Planet of the Apes” oeuvre, with a special nod to “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” with Ricardo Montalbon. Then we move on to the classic “Tarzan” of course, but I also love “Greystoke, Legend of Tarzan” with Christoper Lambert (sigh). “Every Which Way But Loose” is awesome and who doesn’t love Clint with Clyde?! “Project X” with Matthew Broderick (sigh) is a good one too. I have to give a shout out to “Monkey Shines” too, in case you are in the mood for a creepy monkey movie. Animated monkey favorites include “Curious George” with Will Farrel and Drew Barrymore doing voices, and one of my latest favorites, “Space Chimps”. And, best for last, “King Kong”! “T’was Beauty that felled the Beast”. Best last line in a movie too. The remake was odd but watchable, but the original is worth seeing again. So, in case you are looking for titles for your next jungle madness party, think about some of these great monkey movies. And frozen bananas dipped in chocolate would be a perfect treat for your audience! (sigh)
