Solid Gold
My favorite Oscar moment?
When Shirley Bassey stepped out of the past and belted out “Goldfinger”—who wasn’t singing along with her?
Go ahead and gloat! I was wrong!
The Academy opted for youth market over cinematic brilliance and replaced judgement with cowardice. Let me deconstruct that for you.
Chosen Best Director Ang Lee, a visionary filmmaker to be sure, was (I guess) the safest mid-way point between the non-nominated Ben Affleck and the overly-powerful Steven Spielberg. (What is this need for Hollywood to loathe the director who has given so many masterpieces to the industry?)
Jennifer Lawrence—who gave a terrific performance—beat out the “older” nominees, and even the child candidate. Again, it will bring in young blood to Oscar awareness.
Christoph Waltz is an uncanny actor, but to have beaten Philip Seymour Hoffman, Tommy Lee Jones, and Robert deNiro? Give me a break.
Sally Field was utterly robbed!!
Only the choice of the magnificent Daniel Day Lewis as Best Actor offered a ray of redemption in the strangest blend of class and tackiness in recent memory. It was also an historic win, since now the Irish-born actor is the only man to have won three Best Actor Oscars.
So let’s review: I was wrong about the Best Picture; wrong about the Best Director; wrong about the Best Actress; wrong about the best supporting Actor & Actress.
I was right on one count alone—Best Actor. This is all simply proof that my radar isn’t on the same wave of mass mediocrity as that of most media consumers. Were the Oscars always political (i.e. about $$$$)? Or am I just now noticing?
the Argh! about Argo
While it isn’t exactly a conspiracy theory, it should be pretty obvious that a lot of the loud buzz about Argo has to do with catering to—and hence attracting—the youth market, the 20somethings who are busy avoiding movie theaters and texting their way to oblivion.
I have adult friends who actually complained that Lincoln was “about history” and they grimaced as if swallowing echinacea straight from the bottle as they said this. Yes, it’s true Abraham Lincoln hasn’t been alive for a long, long time. Does that make Spielberg’s masterpiece somehow dismissible?
Are we so postmodern that even a film about a historical figure is considered incapable of moving, entertaining, enlightening?
But I digress. Back to the hypola around Argo.
Part of it is to whip up the younger market. Another part is to slap around (more…)
Oscar Picks!
It’s that time again – time to pretend you don’t care about the Oscars and then sit for hours glued to your screen.
Who can resist the fawning hypola of the Red Carpet? Stars dressed to the nines in borrowed gowns, borrowed jewels, and borrowed hair extensions. Gushing reporters, screaming fans, wardrobe malfunctions, enough toupées to pave Hollywood Boulevard, yes, it is great to be an American during this four-hour metaphor for everything we have come to stand for. Excess, superficial eye candy, plastic surgery, make-up, and occasionally…..talent.
So who do I think will win?
All the snubbing by other awards processes can’t stop Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln from racking up much deserved Oscars, including Rick Carter (UCSC alum) for Set Design, and Sally Field for Best Supporting Actress.
Best Picture? Ack—that’s a tough one. I’m convinced there was no “best picture this year. There were brilliant small ensembles, such as Argo, or Exotic Marigold Hotel, or Silver Linings Playbook. But not one “big statement” movie. And I have to include Lincoln in this list of almost successes, given the woeful (more…)
O’mei—an enduring culinary gem
I have loved O’mei for over 25 years, and as of last week I still love this low-key house of brilliant flavor combinations, culinary creativity and seasonally-changing menus.
Winter seems to fire the creative juices of O’mei cooks, who have come up with a whole new menu long on chili-laced squash, Sichuan green peppercorns, eggs and house-cured pork belly Small plates now include blistered red peppers with thin-sliced cured pork belly that is as good as the first time you tasted ice cream.
Several entrees of seasonal note include a comforting, spicy stew of pork belly, mixed squashes, Sichuan peppercorns and bits of soft tofu in a dazzling broth(below right). Prawns with minced pork, black beans, peas and egg. And as local fans know, O’mei desserts also dazzle, including a new special of apricot almond custard.
Perhaps it’s human nature to take quality for granted, but I’m thinking this outstanding restaurant should be at the top of everyone’s dining list. Maybe it’s the economy, but this place should be packed nightly.
Remember the expression, use it or lose it?
Tramonti Time!
Yes, this new, lively, friendly pizza parlor does make very delicious pizzas. But they also offer appealing salads, such as the Santa Croce (shown right), which comes to your table absolutely overflowing with argula, kale, purple radicchio, carrots, celery, even toasted hazelnuts—plus Parmesan Reggiano and feta.
It is a rhapsody to the entire idea of an insalata mista—liberally dressed in lemon and olive oil.
Tramonti. More than just killer pizza!
Inside the Flame
A book of sensory adventure: The rituals, passions and discoveries of an engaged life.