Books, films that make you think of food

Come rain or come shine there are always good reasons to eat, drink, and cuddle up with a good book or movie. I have a completely sick and twisted crush on scary movies and murder mystery novels, many of which have made sleeping through the night an impossibility for much of my life, and gooey chick flicks and books – anything with Matthew McConaughey booty or Angelina Jolie booby is worth a gander at least. But I must say that in addition to my love of some good T & A, nothing entices me like the allure of a book or movie with lots of hot, sexy, juicy, tasty… food and drink.

And so, for your reading, viewing, eating and drinking pleasure, here is a list of some of my favorite books and movies (with my reasons why, should you give a shit) with the above topics in mind, I hope you enjoy.

Under the Tuscan Sun: Really, who cheats on and then leaves Diane Lane!  The book, on the other hand, kicks ass.  The author, Francis Mayes, is a creative writing professor who lives in San Fran and has a sexy, lazy southern drawl that makes you want to lay in a hammock and drink Prosecco all day.  The way she talks about eating and drinking makes me swoon. Check it out.

A Year In Provence by Peter Mayle: British humor cracks me up.  So proper yet so vulgar all in one neatly wrapped, British package.

Like Water for Chocolate: Enjoyed both the movie and the book.  This is a story of how love and food and feeding people are so connected.  Moral of the story, don’t cook when your mad unless you’re cooking for some asshole.

Chocolate: Johnny Depp, ‘nuff said.

Sideways: I hated Paul Giamatti’s character in this movie, and also hated the other guy. But I like the basis of the story and the enjoyment of lots of good food and wine. As Virginia Madsen says in the film, “wine is a living thing..  Well said, sexy lady.

Bottle Shock: This one is based on a true story and rather significant bit of American wine history. I adore French chardonnay and I like California Chardonnay. Its kinda cool that the French, who don’t think they like American wines, were once fooled into loving them.

The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover: Just a hoot.

Woman on Top: Penelope Cruz, nuff said.

Big Night: Two Italian brothers try to make a go of a restaurant in NYC and do not succeed.  Tony Shalub, who I love as Monk, stars in the heartfelt food-lover’s movie that will make you want to laugh and cry and cook.

Spanglish: I love Adam Sandler and this is a sweet movie of his.  And throw Paz Vega is there for the perfect hotness of both sexes.  So in the movie, Sandler makes a sandwich that is rumored to be one of the best there is.  I’ve made it – and it rocks.  You can Google the “Spanglish Sandwich” recipe, and enjoy it with a glass of whatever you like to drink!

Julie and Julia: I adore Julia, Jacques, Meryl, and Stanley – but I’m sorry, Amy made me want to throw things at my TV.  She’s whiney and un-appealing and I just had my fingers crossed that the real Julie wasn’t such an annoying little bitch. Otherwise, loved it and make me want to cook, eat butter, and drink martinis.  And wear those cute dresses and hats that they wore back then.  Might be time for me to move to Paris.

Eat, Drink, Man, Woman: Sub-titled, so don’t watch when you are sleepy – but a great movie.  A dad raising three daughters on his own and the only time they really hang is over a once a week meal.  The food is amazing, but makes me wonder how the characters stay so damn skinny.

Its Complicated: Meryl, Alec, and that funny guy from The Office make this movie so great.  It’s about getting older, embracing that, and figuring out how to move on – lessons to be embraced by all of us.

Puerto Vellarta on 49 Brai Ccells a Day : Just one of the funniest books ever!  Gil Gevins, the author, is an ex-pat who lives in Puerto Vellarta with his wife Lucy and they own a small curiosity shop down by the water.  Each year during offseason he travels Mexico looking for things to sell in the shop.  This book is a collection of stories about his travels and drinking raicilla, or Mexican moonshine.  Raicilla is said to have hallucinogenic powers and I can attest that it is true – and so much fun!