pamelann Reviews

Masterchef Goes Large (2005– )

No..It's NOT Hells' Kitchen..It's BETTER

[8/10 · 10 November 2006]

As much as I like Hell's Kitchen and I LOVE Gordo, MCGL is only a 30 minute show that actually shows cooking and feedback...ALL OF THE TIME. There's a lot to be learned if you are novice cooks from the US like myself. The vegetables used in Europe are far different than here as well as the recipes.

My husband would laugh because each episode was so serious and when cooking for Michelin Star chefs who critique their every move even down to fingerprints on the plate. I knew European chefs were extremely serious and my husband just didn't get it, but I did and I recommend the show highly.

One other thing...It was admitted by a producer of a top cooking show in Europe that the TV chefs are marginal cooks with an abundance of personality. This show distinguishes that nicely. You can like Rachel Ray and Jamie Oliver but at the end of the day, wouldn't you like the best plate of food possible. See Gordon Ramsey's restaurants. he is 2006 chef of the year or some title like it. Knocking off Jaime Oliver.

Now I'm hungry....

Before Sunset (2004)

Masterful Ending

[10/10 · 22 January 2005]

I have felt cheated at one time or another by a movie where the ending took all of the wind out a film. This film is brilliant.

I do not include any spoilers as I hope my review encourages people to rent this DVD.

If you haven't seen Before Sunrise many of the subtleties of reference to the earlier film will be lost and that...that would be criminal if you truly enjoy a movie where ACTING not plot points are your film devour. After seeing it on the big screen I was waiting with baited breathe to rent both Before Sunrise and Before Sunset together for my fiancée who hadn't heard of either. He was truly moved by Before Sunrise and was anxious to see Before Sunset as the second,third and fourth course to this wonderful meal.

The movie was written by Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke and as you will see in the special features, it was a collaboration spanning 9 years. Now to the point.....

The lovers meet again by chance in Paris where Jesse (Ethan Hawke)is promoting his novel written about his passion for Celine (Julie Delpy) 9 years earlier that only spanned one day and night. It is that one day and night that sustains these characters and in the same way taints the way they look at love since they met years earlier.

The characters effortlessly connect again while taking in a coffee at a café'. You don't sense that this is anything but a lucky coincidence as they pick up with a Decalogue they so enjoyed years earlier as they walk through the Parisian streets. (So beautiful!!) Nothing too personal is mentioned until an hour into the film and that you will need to see, hear and feel for yourselves. To quote the movie would be giving away the secret that unlocks this extraordinary film.

While the characters have moved on since that morning they said goodbye, it is interesting to watch them discover what happened 6 months later that kept them apart.

It is romantic, funny, sad, touching and most of all...loyal to themselves, the respect of time gone by and most importantly, the movie's audience.

4 stars with a recommendation of buying the film.

Lisa Picard Is Famous (2000)

If all actors are as annoying as Lisa Picard, drown them!!!!!

[5/10 · 2 February 2002]

Unique style of movie. Griffin Dunne is terrific. My thoughts on the people interviewed about Lisa Picard were genuine. It seems that she is so self involved, watching her is extremely painful. It's as if she is delusional. If she shooshed and talked over any non theatrical person, she would be slapped.

My favorite character is her boyfriend. Watch it as it provides a "mock" look at actors. It leaves a non actor wondering if that's how all actors; regardless of accomplishment really behave.