Exploring Food and Movies

 Friday: Back to Black (2024)       This is based on a true story. Amy Winehouse had a great voice from a young age. She loved jazz and singers like Billie Holiday. She was discovered by a record label at 19. Amy is successful and a hit. But her record label wants to change her whole act. So she takes some time off. She meets a man named Blake. She falls hard for him. Their relationship is toxic from the beginning. His drug addiction and her growing alcohol addiction only add to it. They are on an off again. She releases another album that does well. Fame and addiction are her downfall. She dies very young. I thought this movie was alright. I wasn't the biggest fan of hers. But she was really popular when I was in high school. It was sad when she died. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Tuesday: Madame Web (2024)       Cassandra is an EMT in New York City. Afte...

 Tuesday: Shirley (2024)       This is based on a true story. Shirley Chisholm started her career as a teacher. Then she became the first black Congresswoman. In 1972 she decided to run for president. She struggled to get endorsements and delegates. She was determined to be elected. No matter what obstacles she faced she kept going. Even if the result is not what she wanted. I thought this movie was alright. It was interesting to learn about her. Wednesday: Miller's Girl (2024)       Cairo is a high school senior. She lives on her own in a grand manor. She reads all the time and is a writer. Her friend, Winnie, convinces her to take a creative writing class with Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller is one hit wonder author who became a teacher. Winnie convinces Cairo that Mr. Miller likes her and that she should pursue him.  Cairo is reluctant at first but then it becomes clear they both have feelings for each other. Mr. Miller gives her a writing assignment. S...

 Tuesday: Bad News Bears (1976)        Morris played minor league baseball in his youth. Now he is an aging drunk who cleans pools. He gets talked into coaching a little league boys team. Morris doesn't really care how well they do, as long as he gets paid he's content. Soon his competitive side comes back. He starts to really coach the team. They still aren't doing very well. He brings in his ex-girlfriend's daughter, Amanda, to be the pitcher. With her help they may have a chance to advance in the league. Morris just has to remember it's about the kids and not his own agenda. I thought this movie was good. Wednesday: Portrait of Jennie (1948)         This movie is set during the depression in New York.    Eben is a struggling artist. He has talent but hasn't found inspiration. One day he meets a young girl in the park. Her name is Jennie. She has a strange quality to her that draws him in. She talks to him like she knows him alrea...

      Saturday I went to Lauretta Jean's. It is on SE Division. It has neighborhood parking near by I think. I parked farther up by a vintage store I went to. Lauretta Jean's is a bakery. They are mostly known for their pies. They also sell other pastries, breakfast, lunch, and hot beverages. It's a fairly small place. There is the main counter on one half and a couple tables on the other half. The wall behind the counter has wallpaper with oranges on it. The rest is painted a medium green. The walls are decorated with art in gold vintage frames. It's very comforting and homey inside. It smells amazing. The service is good and friendly. I got two slices to go. The first was their salted honey pie. It is really good. It has a hard shell and a gooey filling. The filling is like pecan pie filling but with honey. The second slice was chocolate cream pie. It's good but messy. It doesn't travel well. They put each slice in parchment paper then in the same box so they ...

 Wednesday: The Freshman (1990)        Clark moves to New York City to go to film school. On his first day in the city he is robbed and loses everything. He has no money for school books. Then he spots the man who robbed him, Victor, and tracks him down. Victor apologizes and promises to help Clark get a job working for his uncle. His uncle, Carmine (played by Marlon Brando), looks a lot like Vito Corleone from The Godfather. Carmine takes an immediate liking to Clark and offers him a job. All he has to do is pick up a package and deliver it. Soon Clark realizes he is working for a mobster. He's not sure if the money is worth it. I thought this movie was good. It's more of a comedy than a drama. Having Marlon Brando play a caricature of the part he played in The Godfather  is fun. Friday: The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Welfare (2024)         This is based on a true story. The British military is desperate for aide from the U.S. in WWII. G...

 Tuesday: The Big Combo (1955)      A police officer, Leonard, is determined to take down a dangerous mobster called Mr. Brown. It is costing the department too much money to keep going after Brown. After trying to go after Brown's accountant, Leonard makes one more play before being forced to give up the case. He goes after Brown's girlfriend, Susan. Susan ends up in the hospital and Leonard is able to see her. She mentions a name that could crack the case wide open. Leonard has to track the person down. All the while knowing Brown knows he is onto him and has little evidence to take him down. I thought this movie was good. I liked how Brown talked. It was very distinctive. Also there is a cool shot where you don't see one of Brown's goons in the shadows until he lights a match and becomes illuminated by the light. Wednesday: This Happy Feeling (1958)       Janet is at a party with her boss. She leaves the party early in a storm because her boss is hi...

      On Saturday I had lunch at a food cart called Frybaby. It's part of the Lil' America pod on SE Stark. There is street parking. I went later in the day so it was easier to find a spot. It can get busy in that area though from other times I've been in that area. There is plenty of covered tables. As well as heaters which was nice. The truck itself is simple, painted blue. The logo is a crying baby with chubby cheeks and tears. They are known for their Korean fried chicken. I got snow cheese drumsticks. It is sweet and savory. It is also very messy. So messy they give you plastic gloves to eat it with. Which I was grateful for. Still made a mess. The chicken was really well cooked. It was good. I also got a side of kimchi mac and cheese. It was too spicy for me. I couldn't finish it. From what I can tell all the sides are spicy. So if I got back, which I might, I wouldn't get any sides. Monday: Prizzi's Honor (1985)        Charley was taken in as an...