From "Who?" to "Whooooooo!"

Some are Horror movie fans. I am too…as long there is character development and good acting. No slicing and dicing please.

MOVIE: “The Amityville Horror” (2005)

This is a remake of the 1979 classic which starred Margot Kidder and James Brolin (Yes Josh Brolin’s dad). It is the story of the Lutz family starring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George who move into a groovy house in Long Island with their 2 boys and little girl. Little do they know of the family that occupied the house before they took ownership….until weird things begin to happen.

I like that the remake keeps to the original (which is based on a true story). I love the performance of Chloe Moretz as the youngest Lutz and target of the creepiness. She also starred in Kick Ass, and Let Me In and is a promising young actress.

What blew me away, however, is the performance of Ryan Reynolds as George. I’d heard of him from the Van Wilder movies which I never saw. I saw him a slap stick, comedic actor, and then came Amityville….a total departure. He impressed me by completely OWNING the insanity that was George Lutz. Ever since, I have followed his career and enjoyed his work.

What great about this movie is the realism. I was put back into the 70’s with the costuming and set and then sold on the performances. The fact that it’s based on a real life case doesn’t hurt either.

MUNCHIES:  

There is a dinner scene in the movie where the Lutz’s sit down to all American comfort food. Instead of trying to come up with my own recipie, I went to my girl…Rachel Ray. She was my inspiration to get into the kitchen and my gateway to the drug that is The FoodNetwork. Type in the link and enjoy…

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/meatloaf-patties-smashed-potatoes-and-pan-gravy-recipe/index.html

Get Cooking and Keep Watching,

Cecily

The infamous Aussie does it again…….

MOVIE: “The Next Three Days” (2010)

I sometimes miss a movie on the big screen and catch it on video…and regret it. This is one of those times. I would have liked to have experienced this movie in surround sound and with all the visual bells and whistles. HOWEVER, it was still a fantastic movie.

Russell Crowe delivers once again as John Brennan, a husband and father who has some tough life situations thrown his way. His wife, Laura, is accused and convicted of murder. The mental and emotional strains prove to be a lot on her and she attempts suicide. John then goes into hero mode and puts a plan into action to save her sanity and her life.

Crowe does a fantastic job of showing John’s desperation and motivation. There is exceptional character development here coupled with the action. You get a feeling for John’s Blue collar side and his educated side. He is smart enough to be a college professor, yet, tough enough to hang on the streets of Philly. He makes some mistakes along the way, but, uses his wits too. It is a roller coaster ride that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. I’d like to get back on a few more times.

MUNCHIES:  

Ok, time for the “box”. Most grocery stores have “Cheese steak” kits. Pick one up and follow the directions…at least you first time out. After you get the idea…do your own thing and add to the kit.

Get Cooking and Keep Watching,

Cecily

July 17th

I am a lady of the 80’s so let’s Flashback shall we….not Flashdance (tee hee)

MOVIE: “Some Kind of Wonderful” (1987)

Most of us 80’s kids had some John Hughes moment. I picked the lesser glorified of his movies. He didn’t direct it but he did write it. What a cute movie about outsiders getting their moment to shine!

Eric Stolz plays Keith; a blue collar kid who doesn’t quite fit in. His best friend Watts, played by Mary Stuart Masterson is a rocker chick who doesn’t really care to fit in (except with Keith). Lea Thompson is Keith’s love interest, Amanda Jones, who fits in with the rich kids but only on the outskirts.

To see these relationships play out on screen is interesting indeed. I can remember watching this when it came out in ’87 and really thinking it could happen (the mark of a good movie). Of course watching it again, I realize that I WANTED it to happen, but, it is like TOTALLY unrealistic dude. It was fun to be transported back in time and to watch the performances of these leading young people and even their supporting cast. Included were a VERY young Candice Cameron, Elias Koteas, and Maddie Corman. All of whom have gone on to do other movies and continue to work in Hollywood. Pretty Cool!

MUNCHIES:
Talking about turning the ordinary into the Extraordinary…

“Wondrous Hot Chocolate”

Ingredients:
(1 Serving)

1 cup of milk1 package of your favorite Hot Chocolate mix

1-2 DARK Chocolate Hershey’s Kisses

cinnamon

cayenne pepper

Heat your milk and add the Hot Chocolate mix. Drop in the Kisses and add a pinch (literally) of cinnamon and cayenne pepper to taste. It takes the beverage from good to some kind of WONDERFUL!!!

Get Cooking and Keep Watching,

Cecily

Welcome !!!!!

Welcome!!!!!

Hello there...or as Christian Slater in Heathers would put it...."Greetings and Salutations". Cecily Watkins here and, other than God, two of the things I enjoy most are movies and food. SO why not write about them. That is what this blog is all about. I will share my thoughts about movies (past, present and future), along with accompanying food choices and recipes. Welcome and I hope you enjoy........

MOVIE: Beastly (2011)

I JUST saw this one on DVD so this a good place to begin....

I actually had lukewarm hopes for this one and I'm glad that I saw it in the comfort of my home on the small screen. The plot is not new; it is Beauty and the Beast all over again and not in a good way. Maybe it was the acting? It just seemed overly dramatic and over done. Alex Pettyfer does a fair (haha) job as Kyle, the teen dream of his high school. Pettyfer does well at transitioning from the obnoxious pubescent blowhard to the tenderhearted "beast" that wins the affections of the free-spirited, independent, outspoken Lindy played by Vanessa Hudgens. I really liked Pettyfer’s voice for the character as well; I just wasn't feeling the chemistry between the two leads.  I almost wanted to see him get with Kendra, the witch who cast a spell on Kyle to make him ugly, played by Mary-Kate Olsen. Sad to say, but, she, as an evil character, seemed a lot more authentic. I also enjoyed the performance of Neil Patrick Harris as Will, Kyle's tutor and friend. He has some great lines and reminded me of the Doogie Howser that I remember and loved in the 90's. All in all, this is a movie that I saw once and don't have to see again.

MUNCHIES:
Since we’re talking about ugly things that turn out beautifully I recommend what I call a "Scramble" but some restaurants call a "Mess".

Ingredients:
(Serves 4-6)

Hash brown potatoes (I get frozen but if you wanna cut up your own spuds be my guest).
Six eggs

1 small onion (diced)
1 green pepper(diced)
vegetable oil
cheese (I do a Colby/Jack blend....pick your favorite)
garlic powder
cayenne pepper
black pepper
salt

In LARGE skillet drizzle 2-3  tablespoons of vegetable oil and get it nice and hot. Then put in your hash browns. Just as they are getting done and color is just staring to form, put in your onion and green peppers. Let this all come together and cook through. Meanwhile, break your eggs in a bowl and season with salt, garlic powder, cayenne and black pepper to your liking. Add cheese, again to your taste, and whisk eggs incorporating the cheese. Pour egg mixture over potatoes and peppers, keeping the temperature medium to low. Scramble the eggs until done and the cheese is melted. Serve while warm.

Messy looking but sooooooooo tasty. I also add sausage or bacon to the mess but I brown it off first then start the potatoes in the rendered fat.....Mmmmmmmmmm. You can also keep the meat on the side or forgo it all together.

Get Cooking and Keep Watching....
Cecily