tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74472931803165441382024-03-13T17:37:57.260-04:00Dinner and a MovieCombining my passion for cooking and the magic of the movies, I am blogging about the latest movies, TV shows, music and of course, my take on what's going on in the culinary world. My favorite Klingon proverb states, "Revenge is a dish best served cold," but a piping hot chicken pot pie will bring comfort to the coldest hearts!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.comBlogger195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-28567225878195281572011-02-22T13:26:00.000-05:002011-02-22T13:26:45.120-05:00Ginger Scallion Noodles - Easy, Cheap, Delicious!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SnTvuQGGOs/TWPwN9Nf-wI/AAAAAAAABGo/_q3RYE0U0Qg/s1600/gingerscallion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SnTvuQGGOs/TWPwN9Nf-wI/AAAAAAAABGo/_q3RYE0U0Qg/s400/gingerscallion.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Many of you may have heard of David Chang's famous Momofuku ginger scallion noodle recipe. In the book, Chang describes it as sort of your basic Asian dish that is easy to make and delicious to eat. And if you want to keep to its bare necessity principle, it's dirt cheap to make. All you need to have in your pantry are soy sauce, <i>hoisin</i> sauce, sesame oil, fresh ginger and scallion plus a few packs of instant ramen noodles. In a pinch, you can whip up a scrumptious meal within 5 minutes without much thinking or preparation. And if you have some leftover meats like chicken or steak, just heat that up and throw it all together.<br />
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On the one hand, you can try to glamorize the dish all you want and go all Top Chef on it but I say, just keep it simple and enjoy it for what it is. For my version, I am pairing it with some leftover wantons which had I made the day before. Put on a pot of water and depending on how hungry you are, boil one or two packets of ramen noodles. Throw the little sachets of seasoning away.<br />
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On a plate, mix together:<br />
1 tablespoon sesame oil<br />
1/2 tablespoon <i>hoisin</i> sauce<br />
1/2 tablespoon light soy sauce<br />
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh ginger<br />
1-2 stalks of scallions (cut into small segments) - for garnish<br />
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When the noodles are cooked, remove from the pot, drain the excess water and just add it to the plate with the ingredients above already mixed together. Garnish with the scallions and maybe if you like it a little spicy, sprinkle some chili flakes or even some pickled peppers or jalapenos. That's it, really. Simple, no?Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-32536994115229224262011-02-20T12:17:00.000-05:002011-02-20T12:17:43.700-05:00Farro with Clams, Basil and Fresh Tomato Puree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cD6-gBl7OlQ/TWFEsFuZqaI/AAAAAAAABGE/ExSHbIvcZyA/s1600/farro.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cD6-gBl7OlQ/TWFEsFuZqaI/AAAAAAAABGE/ExSHbIvcZyA/s400/farro.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Farro is a grain with ancient roots that seems to have been forgotten by modern day consumers. Seldom do we see it on restaurant menus or on our dinner tables. So, what is farro anyway? Well, that's kind of hard to explain. Searching around the internet, I could only find various ambiguous descriptions of it and by proper definition, its real name isn't even farro. Some call it <i>emmer</i> while others say it is similar to <i>spelt;</i> both are types of wheat. Confused yet? Known as farro in Italy, it is a species of wheat that has been cultivated for hundreds, if not close to a thousand years. It was thought to have fed ancient populations of the Mediterranean and parts of the Middle East for centuries.<br />
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If you are looking for an alternative to pasta, risotto, polenta or rice, why not try farro for a change? Even when cooked, farro has a firm and slightly crunchy texture. I've seen farro utilized in salads but I prefer it as a pasta-like dish. It comes together very well when paired with a fresh tomato sauce, basil and cheese. So I thought why not make a version of linguine and clams but with farro instead.<br />
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First, here's how to cook farro. Very much like risotto, farro should be cooked, simmering in some sort of stock. Here's what you need:<br />
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2 cups farro<br />
1 quart mix of chicken stock and clam juice<br />
1/2 onion (diced)<br />
1 teaspoon chopped garlic<br />
Basil (chiffonade)<br />
2 sprigs of thyme<br />
1 bay leaf (optional)<br />
5 littleneck clams<br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
White wine<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
Fresh tomato puree <a href="http://hock-myculinaryjourney.blogspot.com/2010/09/roasted-heirloom-tomato-basil-soup-with.html">recipe</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1q2Wc6VWvFI/TWFIhqkJBlI/AAAAAAAABGI/v5ZcMUX4rC4/s1600/farro1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1q2Wc6VWvFI/TWFIhqkJBlI/AAAAAAAABGI/v5ZcMUX4rC4/s400/farro1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>So let's cook the farro first. Start by getting a deep pan hot with some olive oil. Sweat the onions and then brown the garlic just enough so that it doesn't burn (typically less than a minute). Add the farro and stir it well to blend with the onions and garlic and cook for about a couple of minutes on medium heat. Add the thyme and bay leaf then add the chicken stock and clam juice mix, enough to cover the farro and turn the heat down to a simmer. Stir the farro every couple of minute or so and add more stock when it starts to evaporate. This process of cooking and adding stock should take about 15-20 minutes. Taste the farro and it should be done when it becomes soft and chewable (not the hard grain that we started with) but still has a little crunch to it. This is like cooking pasta to the <i>al dante</i> stage. Finally, season with salt and pepper. At this point, remove the farro from the pot and set it aside, discarding the wilted thyme and bay leaf.<br />
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In the same pan, melt the butter and cook some minced garlic. Add the tomato puree, a splash of white wine and a cup of clam juice. Add the littleneck clams, bring the heat down and cover the pot until the clams open. After that, add the farro back into the pot together with fresh cut basil, mix well and make sure everything is heated up thoroughly. Serve and garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and more fresh basil. And there you are, my version of linguine and clams with farro instead of pasta. Enjoy!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-26466645116956812332011-02-09T14:04:00.001-05:002011-02-10T07:46:44.650-05:00Mahi-mahi with Stir-Fried Vegetables in Kung Pao Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCU_yd_SXhA/TVPd9UBilHI/AAAAAAAABEk/Eai0TvNjOy0/s1600/mahi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gCU_yd_SXhA/TVPd9UBilHI/AAAAAAAABEk/Eai0TvNjOy0/s400/mahi.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I recently acquired some Sichuan peppers, one of the pillar ingredients used in Sichuan cuisine and also one of the main ingredients in the famous kung pao sauce. With its unique aroma and tongue-numbing feature, I knew I had to try it out on a dish. But there was no way I was making kung pao chicken. Too easy and too familiar. So, last week, while I was at the grocery store, the fish counter had mahi-mahi (its Hawaiian name; also known as dolphin fish) for sale and since I loved its robust flavor and texture, I thought that it would be a good fit for a spicy dish with Sichuan peppers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TVLdGQ83oCI/AAAAAAAABEc/w_3_MCNxncQ/s1600/sichuanpep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TVLdGQ83oCI/AAAAAAAABEc/w_3_MCNxncQ/s320/sichuanpep.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>But first, a little background on these unique peppers. Although the name implies it, Sichuan peppers are not related in any way to black/white peppercorns or chili peppers. It is actually harvested as the outer husk of a tiny berry-like fruit and not an actual pepper. In Mandarin, it is called <i>huājiāo</i> (literally, "flower pepper") and of course, originates from the Sichuan province in China. It is one of the main ingredients used in Chinese five-spice powder and also Japanese <i>shichimi togarashi</i> or seven-spice mix. If you take a single Sichuan pepper and put it on your tongue, you will immediately feel a numbing and tingling sensation caused by a chemical found in the pepper. It is a rather strange feeling and would eventually dissipate in time.<br />
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To make the kung pao sauce, you'll need:<br />
3 teaspoons sugar<br />
1 teaspoon dark soy sauce<br />
1 teaspoon light soy sauce<br />
3 teaspoons Chinkiang black vinegar<br />
1 teaspoon sesame oil<br />
1 teaspoon corn starch (made into a slurry)<br />
1 tablespoon chicken stock<br />
1 large shallot (small dice)<br />
2 cloves garlic (minced)<br />
1/2 teaspoon ginger (minced)<br />
1/4 teaspoon Sichuan peppers (about 7-10)<br />
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Start by toasting the Sichuan peppers over hot oil until fragrant, careful not to burn them. Remove and set the peppers aside, leaving the oil in the pan. Next, fry the shallot and ginger until soft and fragrant and then add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or so. Add the two soy sauces plus the vinegar. Mix well and add the chicken stock, sugar and sesame oil. Let the sauce simmer in the pan while you prepare the corn starch slurry by adding water to the corn starch and dissolving it in about a tablespoon of water. Add about half of the slurry to the sauce to thicken it. Add more if needed. Now, remember the Sichuan pepper that you set aside earlier? Using a spoon or the side of your knife, crush them as much as possible and add half of it to the sauce.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TVLlFXZlSBI/AAAAAAAABEg/rh_5HL2ROZ4/s1600/mahi1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TVLlFXZlSBI/AAAAAAAABEg/rh_5HL2ROZ4/s200/mahi1.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>Now for the vegetables. For an authentic Chinese stir-fry, you can use baby bok choy, snow peas, carrots and baby corn. I would blanch (par cook using boiling water) the snow peas and carrots first. Just add all of the above into the sauce and cook for a few minutes so that every component combines well with the sauce. As for the fish, season the top with salt, pepper and the remaining crushed Sichuan pepper and sauté until cooked. Garnish with scallions and serve.Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-14829331243569529812011-02-03T09:11:00.000-05:002011-02-03T09:11:22.867-05:00Classic Penang Chinese New Year Dish: Fried Jicama-Carrot with Cuttlefish<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUo0e3r6vkI/AAAAAAAABDM/bDVari3gtC8/s1600/jiuhuchar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUo0e3r6vkI/AAAAAAAABDM/bDVari3gtC8/s400/jiuhuchar.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>For as long I remember, growing up in Penang, I've always tasted the dish, <i>jiu hu char</i> (<i>jiu hu</i> means cuttlefish and <i>char</i> means fried) every Chinese New Year. It is one of those staple foods that my mother would cook in honor of the biggest celebration of the year. And the best thing is, it is not the hardest thing to make and it is one of those dishes that gets better as it sits overnight. As the name implies, the main ingredient is of course, cuttlefish and for this dish, we usually use the dried kind, which gets hydrated before using. So, here are the ingredients that you'll need to make this flavorful festive dish:<br />
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1 medium-sized jicama (peeled and shredded)<br />
3-4 carrots (peeled and shredded)<br />
2 leeks (julienned; can be substituted with an onion)<br />
4 cloves garlic (fine dice)<br />
4 dried shiitake mushrooms (hydrated and stems removed; julienned)<br />
2-3 Chinese chives (small dice)<br />
4 dried cuttlefish (hydrated and julienned)<br />
1 tablespoon oyster sauce<br />
1/2 tablespoon sugar<br />
1 tablespoon sweet soy sauce (ABC brand <i>kicap manis</i>)<br />
Light soy sauce and black pepper (to taste)<br />
Iceberg lettuce leaves to serve the dish on<br />
Sambal (the recipe can be found <a href="http://hock-myculinaryjourney.blogspot.com/2010/10/sambal-belacan-spicy-malaysian.html">here</a>) as a spicy condiment<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUq3QflsPpI/AAAAAAAABDQ/RLKGX4nHmuE/s1600/jiuhuchar1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUq3QflsPpI/AAAAAAAABDQ/RLKGX4nHmuE/s400/jiuhuchar1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Before you start, you'll need to hydrate the cuttlefish first. Put the cuttlefish in a small pot of water and bring it to a boil and then bring the heat down to a simmer. Let the cuttlefish cook in the pot of water until soft. That usually takes about an hour or so. As for the shiitake mushrooms, soak them in hot water and remove them when they become soft and pliable. Save the liquid from the pot that you cooked the cuttlefish in as it can be used as a flavorful stock for the dish.<br />
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Using a wok, start by sautéing the leeks until soft and fragrant. Next, cook the garlic for about 30 seconds. Add the jicama, carrots, mushrooms and cuttlefish into the wok and mix everything thoroughly. Season the ingredients with black pepper, oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce, sugar and a little soy sauce. Also, add in about 3-4 tablespoons of the cuttlefish liquid that you saved from earlier. Turn the heat down and let the ingredients cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring and mixing them regularly. Taste and season again if needed. This dish needs to have a good balance of sweet and salty flavors. To serve, scoop some <i>jiu hu char</i> onto a washed iceberg lettuce leaf and topped it off with a thimble of spicy sambal.<br />
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Happy Chinese New Year!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-77807814971375824652011-02-02T13:56:00.000-05:002011-02-02T13:56:00.659-05:00Spicy Gochujang Braised Chicken Thighs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TURDaiO8PEI/AAAAAAAABCU/9eVehsuYc-E/s1600/braisedchix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TURDaiO8PEI/AAAAAAAABCU/9eVehsuYc-E/s400/braisedchix.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>If you are ever stuck on how to cook the tray of chicken thighs in your refrigerator, consider braising as a great and much more delicious alternative to let's say, deep frying or stir-frying. And to add a little kick to the dish, why not spice it up with a little Korean fermented hot pepper paste called <i>gochujang</i> by adding it into the braising liquid. The basic braising principles hold true here as well, so do as you would with lets say, braising short ribs. Here are the ingredients you'll need:<br />
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Chicken thighs (1.5-2lb)<br />
4 carrots (rough chop)<br />
1 large onion (peeled, rough chop)<br />
4 big slices of ginger<br />
4 ribs of celery (rough chop)<br />
1-2 quarts chicken stock/broth<br />
4 cloves garlic (smashed)<br />
2 tablespoons <i>gochujang</i><br />
2 tablespoons tomato paste<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUmnniRrVQI/AAAAAAAABDI/cfys4yBk0OE/s1600/gochuchix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUmnniRrVQI/AAAAAAAABDI/cfys4yBk0OE/s400/gochuchix.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. In a large oven-safe deep pan, heat up 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and sear off the chicken thighs, skin side down first until the skin is crispy yummy. Turn them over and cook the other side until brown. Remove the chicken thighs from the pan and set aside. Add the vegetables (onions, carrots, celery, ginger) to the pan and cook for a couple of minutes. Next, add the garlic and stir well for 30 seconds or so. Be careful not to let the garlic turn brown or burn.<br />
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Deglaze the pan with a splash of the chicken stock and scrape the bottom of the pan to release the yummy bits of chicken stuck on the bottom, add the <i>gochujang</i> and tomato paste and mix well. Transfer the chicken thighs back to the pan, skin side up, and add more chicken stock until it covers most of the chicken but not the crispy skin (we try to keep the skin as crispy as possible). Finally, cover the pan with foil paper and put the pan cover on. Transfer the pan to the oven that is heated up to 375°F and let it cook for approximately an hour.<br />
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When done, remove the chicken from the pan and sieve the braising liquid, removing everything else and saving the liquid. Taste and season the braising liquid with salt and pepper, if needed. If need to, reduce the liquid by a quarter to further intensify the flavors. Use it as gravy, serving the chicken with rice and a vegetable of your choice (I like asparagus). Enjoy!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-39903492788140016222011-01-27T08:50:00.000-05:002011-01-27T08:50:03.751-05:00Pan-Roasted Salmon with Green Lentils<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUDXVCbQ72I/AAAAAAAABBw/rqhbLgNaqZI/s1600/salmonlentil.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUDXVCbQ72I/AAAAAAAABBw/rqhbLgNaqZI/s400/salmonlentil.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>For some reason, lentils complement salmon very well, some might even say it's a classic combination. And the best thing is, there are health benefits as well: low fat, high protein and of course the famed omega-3 fatty acids from the salmon. Here I have a delicious and simple recipe that would easily find a home in any restaurant.<br />
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Let's start with cooking the lentils. It is combined with a lot of the ingredients that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flavor-Bible-Essential-Creativity-Imaginative/dp/0316118400?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Flavor Bible</a> (my personal culinary guide) states go well with lentils. Here are the ingredients:<br />
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1/2 lb. green lentils (washed and soaked for about 15 minutes)<br />
2 carrots (small dice)<br />
4 celery ribs (small dice)<br />
leeks (2-inch portion, julienned)<br />
1/2 onion (small dice)<br />
4 cloves garlic (chopped fine)<br />
3 strips applewood/hickory-smoked bacon (optional if you would like to keep the dish strictly vegetarian)<br />
1 quart chicken or vegetable broth<br />
Parsley (chopped fine, for garnish)<br />
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First, render out the bacon (rough chopped into small squares) in a deep pan on medium heat. If you are vegetarian, use canola/corn oil. Add the onions and leeks and sweat them until tender and fragrant. Next, add the garlic and cook for about a minute. Add the rest of the ingredients (carrots, celery and lentils) and cook for another minute, stirring well. Then pour enough broth into the pan, enough to cover the ingredients and bring the heat down to a simmer. We are now cooking the lentils until they become tender. That process should usually take between 20-25 minutes. As the level of the liquid reduces while it is cooking, add more broth as needed. Also, stir and mix the ingredient in the pot every few minutes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUF3NsNHw1I/AAAAAAAABB0/B2p6XqksUqE/s1600/lentilsalmon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TUF3NsNHw1I/AAAAAAAABB0/B2p6XqksUqE/s320/lentilsalmon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>While the lentils are cooking, let's cook the salmon (skin removed). I usually use 4oz. portions per serving. Get a pan heating with some vegetable oil. Season the fish with salt and pepper and start cooking with the flesh side down. As that sides browns, turn it over and cook the other side. Sometimes, if the salmon is too thick, it may not cook all the way in the pan (you may burn the outside before it is cooked). This is when you need to transfer it into your oven (375°F) and finish cooking it there.<br />
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Now, it is time to start plating. Scoop up a ladle of lentils and place them in the middle of the plate and garnish with some parsley. Place the salmon on the bed of lentils and garnish around the plate with more parsley. Squeeze a little lemon juice onto the fish and you are done. Simple, no? Enjoy!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-88690734497381223632011-01-22T11:22:00.009-05:002011-01-22T11:46:04.485-05:00The Pinky Violence Collection - A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTr80sQZ0AI/AAAAAAAABA0/TGA-BOmPb48/s1600/pv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTr80sQZ0AI/AAAAAAAABA0/TGA-BOmPb48/s1600/pv.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Back in the 1960's, to counter declining theater attendance in Japan, independent movie studios like Toei introduced </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">pinku eiga </span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">or pink films, a form of softcore exploitation films that became very popular in the 60's and 70's. Unlike its hardcore Western counterpart, these pink films were intended for theatrical release and have to conform to strict Japanese screen censorship laws, which prohibits the depiction of genitalia and pronounced sexual activity. Using the genre´s required sex scenes as a form of titillation may be its primary objective but as this new genre grew, it eventually matured into adding some form of character and story development as well. In any case, even offering big helpings of nudity and sex is sometimes not enough to lure skeptical audiences back. To further spice things up, gore and violence was later added into the mix, which, by most account, seems like a natural fit for the exploitation film scene.</span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">So, in the early 1970's, Toei Studios came up with a sub-genre of </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">pinku eiga </span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">that has become known as "Pinky Violence". This new sub-genre of tough-girl exploitation films features unbridled nudity, gratuitous violence and even scenes of bondage and sadomasochism. The executives at Toei figured that by jacking up the "blood and breast" quotient in their films, it would give audiences what they could not see on television. In 1968, Toei achieved some success with their "Red Peony Gambler" films with actress Junko Fuji. When rival studio Toho released the now-famous female revenge film <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lady-Snowblood-Meiko-Kaji/dp/B0001I54U2?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Lady Snowblood</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0001I54U2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, Toei decided to up the ante by creating an ultra-violent film that features even more sex and nudity.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsDDrC5DqI/AAAAAAAABBQ/ndMvFAhkLog/s1600/ike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsDDrC5DqI/AAAAAAAABBQ/ndMvFAhkLog/s1600/ike.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reiko Ike</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Toei essentially had two types of "Pinky Violence" films: one is the </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">sukeban </span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(delinquent girl boss) films and the other, the "Elder Sister" films. Toei´s continued success could be attributed to two of the more famous actresses from this genre, the irresistible Reiko Ike and Miki Sugimoto (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Woman-Handcuffs-Miki-Sugimoto/dp/B000B9E2NQ?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Zero Woman: Red Handcuffs</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000B9E2NQ" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />). While Ike helmed the two "Elder Sister" films to great acclaim, she also teamed up successfully with Sugimoto in three other famed </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">sukeban </span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">films, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Boss-Guerilla/dp/B000HEWGT2?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Girl Boss Guerilla</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000HEWGT2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (Sukeban Gerira), <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Terrifying-Girls-School-Nobuo-Kaneko/dp/B002LFPADY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Terrifying Girls' High School</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002LFPADY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> (Kyoufu Joshi Koukou Bouroku Rinchi Kyoushitsu) and "Criminal Woman – Killing Melody" (Zenka Onna Karoshi Bushi). Ike, the more beautiful of the two, has a classical beauty that is better suited to the period era "Elder Sister" films while Sugimoto has the intense tough chick look that serves her very well in the more modern </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">sukeban </span></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">films.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsDltoExxI/AAAAAAAABBU/_ZMxlORsqsQ/s1600/miki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsDltoExxI/AAAAAAAABBU/_ZMxlORsqsQ/s1600/miki.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miki Sugimoto</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Films from this particular genre almost always follow set plot points that are often recycled and tweaked ever so slightly every now and then. For example, the yakuza gangs, which are mostly entirely made up of men, are often depicted as caricatures that essentially label them as lecherous dim-wits or misogynistic morons who would readily sell out their own mothers for a pack of smokes. The street-wise all-girl criminal gang is also a recurring theme in many Pinky Violence films, where the underdogs are almost always sexy but deadly groups of girls who are capable of going up against the traditional male-dominated yakuza establishment. Most of these characters, especially the male ones, typically behave in an over-the-top and exaggerated manner. Of course, in these films, all the female protagonists are expected to suffer through varieties of sexual humiliation--most likely some forms of bondage or torture--before they return to outwit the gangsters by using not only their voluptuous bodies as bait but most importantly, their brains as well.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">After releasing the two Reiko Ike "Elder Sister" films, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sex-Fury-Reiko-Ike/dp/B000AQKUYK?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Sex and Fury</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000AQKUYK" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Female-Yakuza-Tale-Reiko-Ike/dp/B002LFPACU?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Female Yakuza Tale</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B002LFPACU" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> on great DVD packages earlier (complete with beautiful video restorations), specialty arthouse studio Panik House Entertainment is back with a unique 4-movie DVD set that would make 70´s Japanese exploitation films fans salivate in anticipation. This loaded DVD set, titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pinky-Violence-Collection-Terrifying-Delinquent/dp/B000BLI5UU?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Pinky Violence Collection</a> consists of the following four films:</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Criminal Woman – Killing Melody" (1973) (Zenka Onna Karoshi Bushi)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Delinquent Girl Boss – Worthless To Confess" (1971) (Zubenko Bancho Zange No Neuchi Mo Nai)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Girl Boss Guerilla" (1972) (Sukeban Gerira)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Terrifying Girls´ High School – Lynch Law Classroom" (1973) (Kyoufu Joshi Koukou Bouroku Rinchi Kyoushitsu)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let´s now take a closer look at each of these four movies:</span></div><a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b></b></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTr_2DZOTCI/AAAAAAAABA4/yCYCcKntIR0/s1600/cwkm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTr_2DZOTCI/AAAAAAAABA4/yCYCcKntIR0/s320/cwkm.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><br />
</b></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 24px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>"Criminal Woman – Killing Melody"</b></span></b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><div style="line-height: 0.25in;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span></b></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The one and only movie directed by Atsushi Mihori, "Criminal Woman – Killing Melody" is perhaps the best among the four movies included here. Helmed by both Reiko Ike and Miki Sugimoto, this film further advances the girl gang archetype that is so prevalent in the </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">sukeban </span></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">series of films. It opens with Maki (Ike) foolishly trying to assassinate a Yakuza figure but instead ends up in jail for the unfinished deed. The film then quickly switches to the prison where Maki is incarcerated. There, she gets acquainted with three of her other cellmates, Yukie, Natsuko and Kaoru but runs afoul of the nastiest inmate in the prison, resident bad girl, Masayo (Sugimoto). A woman´s prison seems to be the most ideal setting for exploitation films (remember "Caged Heat"?) but here it does not quite live up to expectations. Featuring only a knife fight between Ike and Sugimoto in the muddy prison compounds, the film then fast-forwards a few years to the day that Maki is released from prison. Having spent her many years behind bars thinking about how to exact revenge on Oba Industries (the yakuza organization responsible for her father´s death), Maki´s determination is as fired up as the first day she went to prison.</span></span></span></span></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTr_7djGzNI/AAAAAAAABA8/KORHos8YSXI/s1600/cwkm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTr_7djGzNI/AAAAAAAABA8/KORHos8YSXI/s1600/cwkm1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Partnering up with her three former prison mates, Maki devises an ingenious plan designed to bring down Oba Industries--by secretly pitting it against a weakened local rival, the Hamayasu clan. Maki´s specific plan is to rile up Tetsu (Takeo Chii) (the mad dog son of Hamayasu´s old leader) and to prod him into attacking Oba´s interest, which would definitely generate a response in kind from Oba. However, Maki´s quest for revenge isn't quite that simple or straightforward. A little bump in the road emerges when her old rival from prison, Masayo, turns out to be the Oba boss´ girl. Things get a little complicated when Masayo is able to recognize one of Maki´s girls when they try to pull a fast one on the Oba gang. What ensues is a pretty nifty story that is fast-paced and chock full of exploitation film staples like nudity, sex, catfights and torture. With "Criminal Woman – Killing Melody", director Mihori is able to craft a wholly enjoyable and creative story that successfully merges the sexually explicit elements of exploitation cinema with touches of drama and even some comedy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Without a doubt, the irresistible Reiko Ike carries this film on her slender and sexy shoulders, with an undeniable screen presence that lights up every scene that she appears in.</span></div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Delinquent Girl Boss – Worthless To Confess"</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Possibly the weakest of the four films, "Delinquent Girl Boss" offers plenty of melodrama but substantially dials down the exploitation elements--to the point where the main star, Reiko Oshida, doesn't even show any skin and we get very few of those outrageous and unrestrained moments that Pinky Violence films are famous for. The fourth and final installment to go under the "Delinquent Girl Boss" (Zubenko Bancho) banner, this film sees the return of director Kazuhiko Yamaguchi, who also directed an earlier entry in this series.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsAMmgz5gI/AAAAAAAABBA/dpADtoMwvwA/s1600/dgb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsAMmgz5gI/AAAAAAAABBA/dpADtoMwvwA/s320/dgb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">This film opens at a girls´ reform school where Rika (Reiko Oshida) and Midori (Yumiko Katayama) are fellow inmates. One day, Midori receives a visit from her father (Junzaburo Ban) whom she´s estranged from, but refuses to see him. Sad and brokenhearted, Midori´s father hands Midori´s favorite childhood toy over to Rika to pass on to his daughter. However, Midori refuses the toy and Rika decides to hold on to it. Years later, Rika, now released from the reform school, looks forward to starting her life anew and she decides to pay Midori a visit and return her toy. There, Rika learns from Midori´s father that she is no longer living there but is shacked up with a good-for-nothing louse somewhere in the city. Taking pity on Rika, Midori´s father offers her a job at his garage, which she gladly accepts. Later on, Rika finds out about the trouble that Midori is having with the local yakuza. It seems that Midori´s unemployed boyfriend is gambling away not only Midori´s already meager earnings but has managed to rack up quite a large debt as well. Now Midori´s father is getting visits from the yakuza, demanding that he clears his daughter´s boyfriend´s debt or else they would hurt both of them.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsBCSzufuI/AAAAAAAABBE/98YQ4TQ60Dw/s1600/dgb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsBCSzufuI/AAAAAAAABBE/98YQ4TQ60Dw/s320/dgb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">After a promising start, the second act of this film essentially lulls its audience into a false sense of melodramatic optimism. In fact, the story becomes so relatively innocuous that one would be hard pressed to notice that he or she is actually watching a Pinky Violence film. If you were expecting topless catfights and unbridled bloodletting, you would be very disappointed till this point. It is only when the final act rolls along that this movie is saved from pummeling further down into exploitation mediocrity. Featuring an all-out vicious fight between the yakuza minions and a group of samurai sword-wielding girls (all clad in shiny red polyester coats) led by Rika, this explosive final scene oddly makes up for all the disappointments thus far. Having sat through so many promising scenes that turned out to be frustrating non-events, this chaotic fight scene at the end brings the film to a memorable and very bloody close.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Girl Boss Guerilla"</b></span></div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b></b></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The third movie in the popular </span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="font-weight: normal;">sukeban </span></i></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">(delinquent girl boss) series, "Girl Boss Guerilla" is a thoroughly enjoyable Pinky Violence film that brings out all the best elements of Japanese exploitation films. Helmed by legendary director Norifumi Suzuki and brought to life by the beautiful and dangerous tag team of Reiko Ike and Miki Sugimoto, "Girl Boss Guerilla", like the other sukeban films, brings forth the ever-popular concept of notorious but sexy all-girl gangs. This time, it is a group of four motorcycle-riding chicks calling itself the Red Helmet Gang and is led by the beautiful but tough Sachiko (Sugimoto). Originating from Shinjuku in Tokyo, the gang has decided to leave the big city behind and move to Kyoto, the birthplace of one of the girls, Yuki. However, these girls run straight into trouble with the local girl gang, setting up a large scale all-girl gang war. Sachiko is able to get the better of the local gang´s leader, Rika in a one-on-one fight for control of the city but Rika tries to renege on the deal. In steps Nami (Reiko Ike), the former leader of the Kyoto gang, to enforce the honor-bound deal made by Rika, effectively surrendering control of the gang to Sachiko. However, we´ve not seen the last of the disgraced Rika. Sachiko must now deal with not only the vengeful Rika but also the local yakuza gang that is demanding money from the girl gang. Thing get complicated when we find out that the yakuza´s leader is none other than Nami´s estranged brother, Nakahara.</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsBbEZpJOI/AAAAAAAABBI/bxrkHQzg3lw/s1600/gbg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsBbEZpJOI/AAAAAAAABBI/bxrkHQzg3lw/s1600/gbg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">After this great opening, "Girl Boss Guerilla" unfortunately gets mired in a rather uninteresting and melodramatic plot that delves into the relationship between Sachiko and her boyfriend, Ichiro, a handsome boxer looking for a break in the sport. Here we get to witness another side to Sugimoto´s on-screen persona, not the tough chick exterior but a tender lover with a soft side. While Sachiko´s love life is an unneeded distraction to the overall plot, Suzuki also saddles us with some low brow and gross-out humor that never quite works. However, like clockwork, Suzuki comes through in the end with a gruesome torture scene and the final confrontation between Sachiko, Nami and the yakuza. Another highlight is the enjoyable fight scene between Sachiko and Nami that starts on land but ends up in the river, with a couple of sexy muddied bodies in between.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>"Terrifying Girls´ High School - Lynch Law Classroom"</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another Norifumi Suzuki offering, "Lynch Law Classroom", like "Girl Boss Guerilla", again features the Reiko Ike and Miki Sugimoto sister act. However, this time Ike gets only a small but memorable role while Sugimoto takes the lead once again. This film starts off with a well-shot and terrifying opening scene that could have come straight out of a B-grade horror movie instead of a Pinky Violence film. As the film opens, we find a frightened young girl, bound, gagged and topless inside some sort of a science lab. Around her is a group of other girls in student uniforms, with their faces covered by surgical masks and wielding scalpels. As the victim´s blood is slowly drained into a clear bottle, she suddenly breaks free and manages to escape to the roof of the building. As the other girls run after her in pursuit, a one-sided fight ensues and the poor victim is seen falling off the roof. This provides a startling but suitable introduction to the members of the Disciplinary Committee, a group of student enforcers who does the cruel bidding of the sadistic and power-hungry assistant principal, Ishihara (Kenji Imai).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsBql2hwcI/AAAAAAAABBM/d12BG-4bRQc/s1600/tghs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTsBql2hwcI/AAAAAAAABBM/d12BG-4bRQc/s1600/tghs.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">This film takes place inside the ironically named School of Hope, a school for troubled girls. Ishihara has his eyes set on the principal´s post, currently held by the weak Mr. Nakata. His intention is to take over Nakata´s position right before the school´s founder, crooked politician Sato (Nobuo Kaneko), arrives to commemorate the school´s 25th anniversary celebration. To achieve his goal, Ishihara gets the Disciplinary Committee to keep the other rebellious students in line and to further seal the deal, he also supplies Sato with young girls for his carnal pleasure.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Things begin to fall apart with the arrival of three new students: girl gang leader Noriko the Cross (Sugimoto), Remi (Misuzu Ota) and Kyoko (Seiko Saburi). Ike makes an appearance as Maki, a former student and Noriko´s rival on the outside. Together, these girls prove to be more than a handful for the Disciplinary Committee and Ishihara. Featuring plenty of nudity, sex and torture, "Lynch Law Classroom" moves a long at a good clip and is able to focus on the essential ingredients that make this film such a joy to watch.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">On face value, "Lynch Law Classroom" may seem like any common exploitation film that features the popular combination of repressed horny teenagers and dirty old men set inside the irresistible all-girl high school. But look deeper and you will find that it contains surprising social commentary on the corrupt nature of authority and the rise of the weak against cruel suffering and indignity. The chaotic but highly enjoyable full-scale riot at the end of the film is a fitting end to one of the best film in this excellent collection.</span></div><div style="line-height: 0.25in; margin-bottom: 0in; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Video:</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b></b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Panik House Entertainment has come through with stunningly beautiful transfers for each of the four movies in this collection. After gushing over the studio´s previous exploitation film releases ("Sex and Fury" and "Female Yakuza Tale"), I'm beginning to think of Panik House as the new Criterion for alternative films. It is remarkable what the studio has done to restore these cult classics from more than 30 years ago. In all the four anamorphic widescreen transfers here (measuring 2.35:1 in aspect ratio), grain is kept to a minimum and the vividly reproduced colors really pop out at you. Most of the dirt on the source material, I believe, has also been cleaned up as well. Some softness in the images persists but this is only due to the age of the material. It's hard to find anything else to complain about with these almost pristine video transfers.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Audio:</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b></b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The only audio option available for all the four films is the original Japanese language Mono track. Even though it is delivered on a single channel (through the center speaker in a 5.1 setup), this Mono track contains almost stereo-like qualities, producing a deep and wide sound field that adds depth to the aural experience. I'm glad that Panik House did not go the route of producing an English dubbed soundtrack that would most certainly diminish the overall impact of these films. For English speakers, an English subtitle option is available.<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Extras:</b></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b></b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Each film comes with almost identical special features with only minor variations in content. The all contain the following:<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Original theatrical trailer</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Image Galleries: Movie poster and production stills (black and white and color)<br />
Production Notes: A short but informative essay concerning the film, the actresses and the director.<br />
Biography: Here you will find background information concerning the director and some of the stars of each film.<br />
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Also available are four audio commentaries, one for each film. The commentators are:<br />
"Criminal Woman – Killing Melody": audio commentary by Andy Klein, editor for online website, L.A. City Beat and Wade Major, film critic for Box Office magazine<br />
"Delinquent Girl Boss – Worthless To Confess": audio commentary by Chris D., author of the book "Outlaw Masters of Japanese Film"</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Girl Boss Guerilla": audio commentary by Panik House president Matt Kennedy and Asian Cult Cinema magazine columnist Wyatt Doyle</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Terrifying Girls´ High School – Lynch Law Classroom": audio commentary by Chris D.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">All four commentaries are not only very informative in terms of content but also a joy to listen to, as the participants are quite knowledgeable on the subject of cult Japanese cinema. This is the way audio commentaries should be done: recruit well-informed individuals who are passionate about the subject matter on-screen.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Packaging:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
This DVD set comes in a special packaging. In keeping with the theme, the outer shell is covered in pink vinyl, with four DVD trays inside housing the discs. Also within the package, which opens like a book, are pages of information about each film. This is not an insert booklet but rather they are bound to the package itself. Also included is a CD that contains a rare audio recording made by Reiko Ike titled, "Reiko Ike Sings!". My review set somehow did not come with the CD, so I can´t say much about it.</span></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><b>Film Value:</b></span></span></span><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
It is inherently hard to justify the existence of a film genre that demeans its female characters and treats them as simply objects that exist solely to satisfy cruel men in a sexual context. However, the world is not perfect and these types of films do exist. However, rather than portray these women as the weaker sex, many of the Japanese exploitation films you see here do use women in strong roles who often use their sexuality to gain revenge against male adversaries or to fight for justice. Panik House has compiled a great collection here comprising four interestingly distinct films from the same genre and era. Some are weaker than others but in the end all four films represent an important genre in Japanese film history that I´m glad is being preserved in such a respectful manner. Kudos to Panik House!</span></span></span></span></span></div>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-26125957135807087412011-01-19T12:07:00.001-05:002011-01-20T11:59:35.138-05:00Tom Yum Goong - Thai Hot and Sour Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTbual7_EsI/AAAAAAAABAI/7Wj4omk3X3A/s1600/tomyumgoong.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTbual7_EsI/AAAAAAAABAI/7Wj4omk3X3A/s400/tomyumgoong.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Visit any Thai restaurant and the first thing you should order is the traditional Thai hot and sour soup, also known as Tom Yum Goong. It is a shrimp/seafood-based soup that contains almost all of the traditional Thai ingredients in a single bowl. If you ever wanted to know what Thai cuisine is about, just have a sip of this delicious soup and you can feel as if you are walking in the streets of Bangkok.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTb2QhkHPZI/AAAAAAAABAM/scqKIbfoO-E/s1600/southeast-asian-flavors-cookbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTb2QhkHPZI/AAAAAAAABAM/scqKIbfoO-E/s1600/southeast-asian-flavors-cookbook.jpg" /></a></div>One of the most accurate and encompassing cookbooks about Thai and other Southeast Asian cuisines is Robert Danhi's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Southeast-Asian-Flavors-Adventures-Singapore/dp/0981633900?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Southeast Asian Flavors: Adventures in Cooking the Foods of Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia & Singapore</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=0981633900" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. The recipe for the soup you see here comes from this book and I can wholeheartedly tell you that it tastes as authentic as it looks. Chef Danhi spent years travelling and eating his way through the Southeast Asian region and in this book, he not only details the most authentic recipes (over 100 of them) from that region, the book is also a one of a kind peek into the varied cultures of the people living there through the food they eat. If you are interested in Asian cuisine, particularly the Southeast Asian variety, then this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0981633900/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=105DBJY7SN9WJ8VKS2A9&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i">book</a> is a must-own. You can also visit the book's companion website <a href="http://southeastasianflavors.com/index.php">here</a>.<br />
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There are two parts to making this complex soup (as I said before, this is Thailand in a bowl). First is to make what Danhi calls roasted red chili paste or <i>nahm prik pow</i> (with emphasis on the last word!). This paste can be the starting point for many Thai dishes including stir-fries and soups. You need:<br />
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1/2 cup vegetable oil<br />
1 tablespoon dried shrimp (hydrate by soaking in warm water for 5 minutes and pat dry)<br />
1 cup sliced shallots<br />
1/2 cup sliced garlic<br />
1/4 cup dried red chilies (stem and seeds removed)<br />
2 tablespoons fish sauce<br />
2 tablespoons tamarind paste<br />
3 tablespoons palm sugar (grated)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Start by heating up the oil in a large wok over medium heat (too hot and the shallots and garlics will blacken too quickly). Add the hydrated shrimp and cook until they darken slightly. Strain, set the shrimp aside and then return oil to the wok. Now fry the shallots, stirring often until they turn golden brown. Again, strain and get the oil back to the wok and repeat the process for the garlic as well. Finally, fry the chilies for just 5-10 seconds, return everything else to the wok and set aside to let it cool. Use wither a mortar and pestle or food processor to puree until fine. In the wok, combine the pureed mixture with the fish sauce, tamarind paste and palm sugar and let it come to a boil and cook for about a minute, stirring constantly. At this point, a nice aroma will waft through your kitchen. Let it cool down and this chili paste can be stored and reused for up to 2 months.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTcW_Q9QRCI/AAAAAAAABAQ/m5NeuZO6cqg/s1600/tygclose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TTcW_Q9QRCI/AAAAAAAABAQ/m5NeuZO6cqg/s320/tygclose.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Phew, now on to the 2nd part of making Tom Yum Goong. The main ingredient that you need to make this soup is shrimp heads. Yes, those succulent heads are the basis for the flavors in the soup and without them, don't even attempt it as the soup would not taste anywhere as good. Here are the ingredients:<br />
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2 lbs. shrimp with head-on<br />
2 tablespoons roasted red chili paste (above)<br />
1 tablespoon minced cilantro stems (reserve the leaves for garnish)<br />
4-6 Thai bird chilies (split in half lengthwise)<br />
8 cups seafood/chicken broth<br />
6 stalks lemongrass (3-inch lengths and lightly bruised)<br />
3 slices galangal<br />
10 kaffir lime leaves (lightly bruised)<br />
2 plum/roma romatoes (medium dice)<br />
1/2 can straw mushrooms (shiitake is good as well)<br />
1/4 cup fish sauce<br />
1/2 cup lime juice<br />
1/4 cup cilantro leaves<br />
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First, peel the shrimp, reserving the heads and shells and leaving the tails attached. Heat up 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan or wok over high heat and cook the shrimp heads and shells, stirring constantly for about a minute. Add the chili paste, bird chilies, cilantro stems and the stock, bring to a boil and then lower to heat to a simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain the soup into a new pot and add the lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves and simmer for another 5 minutes. Add the shrimp, tomatoes, mushrooms and fish sauce. Bring back to a simmer and remove from heat when the shrimp are cooked. Taste and adjust the seasoning with fish sauce and lime juice (no salt needed). Serve immediately and garnish with the cilantro leaves.<br />
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Yes, making Tom Yum Goong can be quite a chore but if you can procure all the exotic ingredients above, you should try it as it is so flavorful and delicious.Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-15227068851422004572011-01-06T11:58:00.000-05:002011-01-06T11:58:03.310-05:00Grilled Honey Chipotle Shrimp Taco with Pineapple Salsa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXdd27idDI/AAAAAAAAA-c/i9OOSbuprBY/s1600/shrimptaco.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXdd27idDI/AAAAAAAAA-c/i9OOSbuprBY/s400/shrimptaco.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>To me, a simple taco should be a delicious bite of freshness and a burst of bold flavors. Somehow, you just can't really find those things in a regular beef taco. This is why I've turned to my favorite seafood, shrimp, for some new taco inspiration. First off, I like spicy food and I happen to have a can of chipotle peppers (in adobo sauce) lying around the pantry. Chipotle are smoked-dried jalapeño peppers and they offer both the smokiness and biting spiciness that I love. So, let's start by making the sweet and spicy marinade for the shrimp.<br />
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Here are the ingredients for the honey-chipotle marinade:<br />
1 lb. shrimp (peeled and deveined)<br />
1 can chipotle peppers in adobo sauce (rough chop the whole peppers)<br />
2 cloves garlic (minced)<br />
1-2 tablespoons honey (depending on how sweet you like it)<br />
1 tablespoon lime juice<br />
A pinch of salt<br />
1 tablespoon tequila (optional)<br />
Add all the ingredients above and marinade the shrimp in it for about 30 minutes or so. Set that aside in the refrigerator.<br />
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Now for the pineapple salsa. You'll need:<br />
1 can pineapple (cut them into small chunks) together with the syrup<br />
1/2 cup frozen corn (thawed)<br />
2 tablespoons cilantro leaves (rough chop)<br />
1 medium tomato (seeds removed, small dice)<br />
1 jalapeño pepper (small dice, optional)<br />
Salt and pepper to taste<br />
Again, mix all the ingredients above and set aside in the refrigerator for the flavors to come together.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXywPgAamI/AAAAAAAAA-g/9h_9vrH3WQ4/s1600/shrimptaco1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXywPgAamI/AAAAAAAAA-g/9h_9vrH3WQ4/s400/shrimptaco1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>As for the other components, chop some iceberg lettuce leaves, grate some colby or monterey jack cheese and pick more cilantro leaves. Also, gather some sour cream. Now on to grilling the shrimp. I like using skewers when I grill shrimp so that they'll all stay together and you can turn them all at once easily. To put it all together, I start with the lettuce on the bottom, followed by some pineapple salsa, sour cream, grated cheese and finally, the shrimp. Just before serving, squeeze some fresh lime juice onto the shrimp to freshen it up and top with some cilantro leaves as garnish. And there you go, a simple yet beautiful dish that you can serve anytime of the day.Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-46662734948204428862011-01-06T10:13:00.001-05:002011-01-06T10:14:56.411-05:00Valhalla Rising: A Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXaq0AVv1I/AAAAAAAAA-M/Hrv2u_aB9RM/s1600/val.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXaq0AVv1I/AAAAAAAAA-M/Hrv2u_aB9RM/s320/val.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn is famous in his home country and Europe for his <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pusher-Trilogy-Nicolas-Winding-Refn/dp/B000I8OMEY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Pusher</a> movie trilogy, three gritty tales of life and death in the Copenhagen crime underworld. One of the big revelations from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pusher-Trilogy-Nicolas-Winding-Refn/dp/B000I8OMEY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Pusher</a> movies is the exciting debut and discovery of actor Mads Mikkelsen. Many of you may not know Mikkelsen by name but I'm sure you would recognize him if I told you he played the role of Bond villain, Le Chiffre in 2006's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Casino-Royale-Collectors-Live-Blu-ray/dp/B001DSNF8C?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Casino Royale</a>. In 2009, Mikkelsen and Refn teamed up again, this time to make a period film set in the year 1000 AD.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/NEW-Valhalla-Rising-Blu-ray/dp/B00429MLXY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Valhalla Rising</a> this movie is violence incarnate. It really is. The viewer can virtually feel and hear every skull cracked, every bone broken, every gut sliced opened and many other perverse ways that a human body can be mutilated. Mikkelsen plays a one-eyed nameless Viking warrior who is held captive by a Scottish clan and is forced to fight to the death against Celtic warriors from other clans for sport. Match after match, the Viking (nicknamed One Eye) brutally dispatches every opponent without even flinching. Skillful in the art of combat, strong, tough and without remorse, One Eye is the perfect killing machine and seems to be a loyal servant to his Celtic masters. The only person around that would dare go near the vicious Viking is a young boy named Are (Maarten Stevenson), who helps secure his chains every day and serves him food. When the perfect opportunity finally arises, One Eye makes his escape, killing his captors in the most cringe-inducing ways. With nowhere else to turn to, Are decides that it is probably better for him to follow One Eye (albeit from a distance) as they roam the Scottish highlands.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXbnoOMeJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/pU4izylR8e8/s1600/valhalla_rising05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXbnoOMeJI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/pU4izylR8e8/s320/valhalla_rising05.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Soon, the unlikely duo come upon a band of English Crusaders, who are on their way to the Holy Lands to fight for their religious cause. Rather than risk getting into a fatal fight, the Crusaders managed to convince One Eye and Are to join them on their journey. After weeks upon weeks of drifting aimlessly on the open sea, they finally stumbled on land but it is not the destination that they initially set out for. Instead of the Holy Lands, they find themselves marooned in the wilds of the New World and facing the vicious wrath of a tribe of native American Indians.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">At its core, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Valhalla-Rising-Mads-Mikkelsen/dp/B0041KT3P8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Valhalla Rising</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0041KT3P8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is an uncomplicated but violent tale of one man's savage journey from one hell into another. However, it somehow manages to stumble badly across the finish line, converting a once promising premise into sort of a 70's head-trip film like no other. It is as if Refn ran out of original ideas on how to develop the story further and decides to cop out and deliver a swirling acid trip into the minds of the characters as they succumb to their own insanity. If Refn intended to deliver a ferocious but poetic film tinged with religious themes, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Valhalla-Rising-Mads-Mikkelsen/dp/B0041KT3P8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Valhalla Rising</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0041KT3P8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> only met half of its goals. It became a mesmerizing exercise in patience towards the end, probably losing most of the audience by that point as many won't be able to make heads nor tails of where the plot is heading.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXcDdianzI/AAAAAAAAA-U/n7hRneSrAWY/s1600/valhalla.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXcDdianzI/AAAAAAAAA-U/n7hRneSrAWY/s320/valhalla.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The film starts out encouraging enough, giving the audience an epic picture of this silent but proud Viking warrior who is forced to kill for the entertainment of others. These opening fights will pummel your senses to its core. Once free of his slavery chains, I expected One Eye to plot revenge against those who have wronged him and go on a massive rampage across the highlands. Instead, the film devolves into a sticky mess that neither carries the story forward nor does it help the audience understand any of what is really going on in the final third of the film. If Refn had wanted to delve into the psychological madness of his protagonist, going on an isolated journey to nowhere with a group of religious wackos is not one of the better ways to do it. Especially hard to get through is the overly long boat journey that, apart from driving some of the men crazy, could have the potential of driving the audience into a deep snooze.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Valhalla-Rising-Mads-Mikkelsen/dp/B0041KT3P8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Valhalla Rising</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0041KT3P8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is divided into six titled chapters, “Wrath,” “Silent Warrior,” “Men of God,” “The Holy Land,” “Hell” and “Sacrifice,” each distinctively describing one part of the story, giving the audience a small glimpse into what to expect. As helpful as that is, it doesn't prepare us for the overt brooding or One Eye's flash-forwards that never gets explained away. Is he some sort of a fallen prophet sent to sacrifice himself for Man? Refn doesn't say and by the end of this convoluted psedo-arty movie, I really can't be bothered to ask.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXcI_BQQuI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/uG0BsNzGxos/s1600/valhalla_rising-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TSXcI_BQQuI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/uG0BsNzGxos/s320/valhalla_rising-5.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Film Value:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Apart from the inspiring opening 30 minutes or so, the only other shining moment within <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Valhalla-Rising-Mads-Mikkelsen/dp/B0041KT3P8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Valhalla Rising</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0041KT3P8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> is Mads Mikkelsen's astonishing performance. Every nuanced emotion (or sometimes the lack thereof) is delivered through his face alone, as One Eye is silent throughout the film. Even as Refn tries to slow things down in the second half of the film with some meditative and somewhat religious observations, it worked against the film and never gave the audience a chance to embrace or enjoy the once-promising plot.</div>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-40071584011852336562010-12-29T21:33:00.000-05:002010-12-29T21:33:14.932-05:00Raw Bar: Oysters 3 Ways to Ring in the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TRvY3-XmAQI/AAAAAAAAA9U/uKHRByCHb90/s1600/oysters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TRvY3-XmAQI/AAAAAAAAA9U/uKHRByCHb90/s400/oysters.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I can't believe that it is already that time of year again and there is no better way to ring in the New Year than with some raw oysters. Here are some ideas, well, 3 of them specifically, on how you can prepare them. But wait, aren't raw oysters best when simply prepared with just a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or a dash or two of tabasco sauce? Well, yes and no. On one hand, yes, they taste delicious just like that. On the other hand, no, you don't have to stick to conventional wisdom to enjoy your oysters. There are other methods of preparation that will bring the best out of your favorite bivalve. Here are three of them:<br />
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One preparation is with the classic French <b>mignonette sauce</b> (see the middle oyster in the photo). The ingredients commonly found in a mignonette are:<br />
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- 1 tablespoon finely minced shallots<br />
- 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar (you can use just about any type of vinegar; another option is to use champagne or red wine vinegar)<br />
- cracked pepper (black or white to taste)<br />
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)<br />
Just mix all of the above in a bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving to let the flavors come together. Very simple, no cooking involved.<br />
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These next two preparations are a little more unconventional and skew towards Asian flavors. The first one (on the right), is spicy and contains Vietnamese flavors:<br />
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- 1 tablespoon garlic-chili sauce<br />
- 2 dashes of fish sauce<br />
- 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar<br />
- chopped cilantro<br />
- a pinch of sugar<br />
Again, mix them all together and set aside.<br />
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Finally, the third and final preparation (on the left) is a little on the sweet side (to counter the briny oyster liquor) and contains the following Japanese ingredients:<br />
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- 1 teaspoon ponzu (citrus soy sauce)<br />
- 1/2 tablespoon mirin (sweet japanese wine)<br />
- 2 tablespoons sake (rice wine)<br />
- 1/2 teaspoon yellow miso<br />
- finely chopped scallions for garnish<br />
Just mix all the ingredients above and set aside until ready to serve.<br />
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And there you have it, three different and distinct sauces for raw oysters, in the style of French, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisines.<br />
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<b>Bon Appétit and a Happy New Year!</b>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-45150711038124568982010-12-26T08:55:00.002-05:002010-12-28T13:38:53.020-05:00Bánh mì - My Bastardized Version!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TRYgzjmRg9I/AAAAAAAAA88/qwj_K8r-mmo/s1600/banminh.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TRYgzjmRg9I/AAAAAAAAA88/qwj_K8r-mmo/s320/banminh.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Look, before you start throwing expletives at me about this not being anything near an original <i>bánh mì</i>, the yummy Vietnamese sandwich with heavy French influences, please let me explain. A few days ago, I was craving for a <i>bánh mì</i> but I was not anywhere near a shop that sells one. So, I looked around the house for ingredients that would help me assemble the Vietnamese sub, which became quite an exercise in resourcefulness.<br />
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OK, so here is what we know about goes into a <i>bánh mì</i>:<br />
- Baguette (a lighter and crispier version with the addition of rice flour)<br />
- pickled daikon and carrots<br />
- fresh cilantro, scallions, cucumber and jalapeño<br />
- mayonnaise and butter<br />
- pork pâté<br />
- grilled/roasted pork belly<br />
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I did not have most of the above but we'll make do.......<br />
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All I had was a seeded bulkie roll, ground pork meat, mayo, cucumber, scallion, cilantro, carrots and daikon. So I got down to work. First I had to pickle the carrots and daikon, which I did by mixing the following together and immersing the julienned carrots and daikon in the resulting liquid for a few hours (overnight if possible):<br />
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar<br />
1/2 cup sugar<br />
1 teaspoons salt<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TRdGBl49hRI/AAAAAAAAA9A/6w1-Ghe2Z44/s1600/banhmi1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TRdGBl49hRI/AAAAAAAAA9A/6w1-Ghe2Z44/s200/banhmi1.JPG" width="170" /></a></div>Setting that aside in the refrigerator, I turned my attention to the pork. To give the pork some Vietnamese flavors, I cooked it with onions and garlic and seasoned with fish sauce and palm sugar, giving it the distinctive sweet-salty-sour flavor. Balancing those flavors are important and you need to taste the pork as you cook it. make sure that the pork renders all its fat out. After scooping the pork out, mix the remaining fat on the pan with some mayo. That would be the spread for the roll.<br />
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Now to put it all together. I like to toast my breads with some garlic butter and here is no different. For the next step, spread the pork fat-mayo mix onto one side of the roll and scoop the pork onto the roll. Add the pickled carrots and daikon and top it all with fresh cilantro and cucumber. To add some spiciness, use either fresh jalapeño/Thai bird chilli or a squirt of sriracha. If you have some lettuce lying around, why not add that as well. To finish, I'll give the assembled sandwich a quick squirt of fish sauce. I now have my own version of <i>banh mi</i>. It may not have all the right components but it sure contains all the flavors of Vietnam with a sprinkling of French influences in it. This is, after all, my own quick and dirty version of <i>banh mi</i>. Enjoy!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-92015370970380304112010-12-16T10:42:00.001-05:002010-12-16T10:43:02.413-05:00The Non-Traditional Christmas Movies List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQodgw5uGSI/AAAAAAAAA7E/TZ9n514HnAs/s1600/upside-down-christmas-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQodgw5uGSI/AAAAAAAAA7E/TZ9n514HnAs/s320/upside-down-christmas-tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Christmas time is all about traditions: the Christmas tree, mistletoes, wrapping presents, baking cookies, hanging the Christmas stockings, family get-togethers, etc. But sometimes, don't you wish you could just say, "Bah! Humbug!" to it all and just crawl under the coffee table and wish that all the holiday stresses would just go away? When it comes to holiday movies, there are plenty of traditions to adhere to as well. You have films like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wonderful-Life-Blu-ray-James-Stewart/dp/B001UHOWXI?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">It's a Wonderful Life</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Disneys-Christmas-Carol-Two-Disc-Blu-ray/dp/B003ZVJFFM?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">A Christmas Carol</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Christmas-Anniversary-Blu-ray-Crosby/dp/B001UHOWX8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">White Christmas</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charlie-Brown-Christmas-Remastered-Deluxe/dp/B001CO42J8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">A Charlie Brown Christmas</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Story-Blu-ray-Peter-Billingsley/dp/B001CW7ZZ8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">A Christmas Story</a> or even <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scrooge-Albert-Finney/dp/B0000AQS5D?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Scrooge</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0000AQS5D" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. But for those who just want to buck tradition for the fun of it, here is my list of non-traditional Christmas movies for your viewing pleasure:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQoeUCPfMCI/AAAAAAAAA7I/ib4Iub_APz0/s1600/hohoho.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQoeUCPfMCI/AAAAAAAAA7I/ib4Iub_APz0/s320/hohoho.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The first movie on my list has got to be <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Die-Hard-Blu-ray/dp/B000WBZZ48?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Die Hard</a>. When Detective John McClane sends a bad guy he just killed down the elevator with the immortal words, "Now I have a machine gun. Ho-Ho-Ho!" scrawled onto his sweatshirt, you just know the real fun is just beginning. The first in a series of 4 really good action flicks, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Die-Hard-Blu-ray/dp/B000WBZZ48?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Die Hard</a> starts with some really bad dudes crashing an office Christmas party and taking hostages. However, what they didn't realize was they had the best cop in New York City trapped inside the building as well. Bruce Willis made the role totally his own, battling all sorts of bad guys with just his resourcefulness and plenty of bravado. A must-see holiday action classic. Also look for Ben Affleck's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reindeer-Games-Blu-Ray-Blu-ray-Affleck/dp/B001RL4K3Y?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Reindeer Games</a> if you like your Christmas to be full of gunfights and double-crosses.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQohIvlpmGI/AAAAAAAAA7M/h53GCOH-LYs/s1600/Billy-Bob-Thornton-Bad-Santa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQohIvlpmGI/AAAAAAAAA7M/h53GCOH-LYs/s320/Billy-Bob-Thornton-Bad-Santa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Next up is probably one of the most anti-Christmas movie ever made, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Santa-Unrated-Version-Directors-Blu-ray/dp/B000R5O01I?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Bad Santa</a>, starring the indomitable Billy Bob Thornton (the ex-Mr. Angelina Jolie) as the worst mall Santa this side of the Mississippi. Playing a miserable conman named Willie, Thornton and his little helper, Marcus (played masterfully by Tony Cox) robs department stores during the Christmas season while disguised as (not-so) jolly Saint Nick. But things turn South (or North, depending on who's perspective) when Willie reluctantly befriends a rotund kid (Brett Kelly)<br />
who might just be the most gullible person in town. For better or worse, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Santa-Unrated-Version-Directors-Blu-ray/dp/B000R5O01I?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Bad Santa</a> is one of the most enjoyable and darkly funny movie to watch during the holiday season. I might even go as far as describing this movie as sweet. Go figure!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQoj2VxIUhI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/WIax8fsdt7U/s1600/nightmare_before_christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQoj2VxIUhI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/WIax8fsdt7U/s320/nightmare_before_christmas.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>Now it is time to venture into the demented mind of Tim Burton, who envisioned a Christmas, if it was helmed, not by a jolly fat man in a red suit but the king of Halloweentown, Jack Skellington. Yes, in Burton's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-Before-Christmas-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B001AIRUP4?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Nightmare Before Christmas</a>, the horrors of Halloween replaces all that is good about the holidays. Toys that attack and eat children, Christmas trees that burst into flames, etc, etc. Yes, you name it, we have it all here. The handmade puppets used for the stop-motion photography is so detailed and gorgeously done, it's a darn shame they will never be used again. But we'll always have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nightmare-Before-Christmas-Blu-ray-Digital/dp/B001AIRUP4?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Nightmare Before Christmas</a>, one of the most endearing tales of holiday misconceptions and thinking you can always do a better job! Ho! Ho! Ho!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQooYXCNItI/AAAAAAAAA7U/8O7Oy5Pl13A/s1600/gremlins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQooYXCNItI/AAAAAAAAA7U/8O7Oy5Pl13A/s320/gremlins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Help! Killer furry animal thingies on the loose! Those tiny Mogwais are so adorable, aren't they? Well, at least until you accidentally feed them after midnight, that is. That is when all hell breaks loose and they turn into the dreaded gremlins and ruin Christmas for an entire town! <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gremlins-Blu-ray-Zach-Galligan/dp/B001AQT0UY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Gremlins</a> (directed by Joe Dante, screenplay by Chris Columbus and executive produced by Steven Spielberg) is a fun comedic romp for all ages. It might be a tad scary for those who are below 5 years old but the older young 'uns should enjoy it. And since we are talking about children's movies here, how about the Macauly Culkin Christmas classic, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Home-Alone-Family-Fun-Blu-ray/dp/B001AQT0VI?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Home Alone</a>? It is probably worth the price of admission just to watch Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern get outwitted by a little boy named Macauly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQorCX5CkuI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/OofqN0xIDcs/s1600/2007_black_christmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQorCX5CkuI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/OofqN0xIDcs/s320/2007_black_christmas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Now we move into the Christmas horror/serial killer territory with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Christmas-Blu-ray-Carlson/dp/B001EAWME2?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Black Christmas</a> (1974 version plus the 2006 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Christmas-Blu-ray-Michelle-Trachtenberg/dp/B001E7LY6W/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1292512188&sr=8-10">remake</a>). The story of a sorority house full of gorgeous college girls who are stalked and then killed by a serial killer over Christmas break must be the dream of all grindhouse moviemakers. And that's probably why they made it twice! While the remake may be more polished and gory, the original had an atmosphere of dread and creepiness going for it. Either way, you can't miss......that is if you are into those kinds of things.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQouPOZ-_3I/AAAAAAAAA7c/Po7I-_-_d1c/s1600/SilentNightDeadlyNight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQouPOZ-_3I/AAAAAAAAA7c/Po7I-_-_d1c/s320/SilentNightDeadlyNight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Finally, we have the most controversial anti-Christmas movie of all time, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Deadly-Jonathan-Best/dp/B000WC38A0?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Silent Night, Deadly Night</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000WC38A0" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. It caused a national uproar when it was released back in 1984 but has since enjoyed a cult following (don't they all?) among horror film enthusiasts. The plot is probably one of the crazier ones out there but it sure does a great job living up to its grindhouse credentials. After watching his parents murdered by a thief in a Santa suit, young Billy Chapman (Robert Brian Wilson) is sent to a Catholic orphanage where he is in turn abused by the iron-fisted Mother Superior (Lilyan Chauvin). All grown up, Billy finally snaps when he is required to wear a Santa suit as part of his job and goes on a killing spree like no other! "You see Santa Claus tonight, you better run boy! You better run for ya life!" Ahhhh......Christmas time, you gotta love it!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-68080282538436024892010-12-15T13:07:00.000-05:002010-12-15T13:07:20.729-05:00Daft Punk - Tron: Legacy Soundtrack - Incredible!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQkCp7I6GfI/AAAAAAAAA7A/gavSU6szNW8/s1600/daft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQkCp7I6GfI/AAAAAAAAA7A/gavSU6szNW8/s1600/daft.jpg" /></a></div>I will be the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of electronica/house music but my recent brush with the just-released <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tron-Legacy-Daft-Punk/dp/B0037KMHRY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tron Legacy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0037KMHRY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> movie soundtrack might just change my outlook for that music genre. With music exclusively composed by the French duo, known collectively as Daft Punk, the soundtrack is a solid amalgam of electronica and symphonic melodies taken to the nth degree. This blending of synthesizers with a full-blown orchestra is nothing new but on this soundtrack, the bar is definitely raised.<br />
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Daft Punk is made up of musicians Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter and were considered pioneers in the French house music scene when they first appeared in the 90's. Their debut album, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Homework-Daft-Punk/dp/B000000WCV?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Homework</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B000000WCV" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, released in 1997, contains the hit singles "Da Funk" and "Alive," and went on to become one of the most influential dance music albums of the 90's. In 2009, Daft Punk won their first Grammys for Best Dance Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Album.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQj5YLcBMkI/AAAAAAAAA68/I6jHxo4ZJS0/s1600/daft-punk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQj5YLcBMkI/AAAAAAAAA68/I6jHxo4ZJS0/s320/daft-punk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This soundtrack reminds me so much of Vangelis' compositions from the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blade-Runner-O-S-T-Vangelis/dp/B000002IZM?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Blade Runner</a> soundtrack or even John Carpenter's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Escape-New-York-1981-Film/dp/B00004SC09?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Escape From New York</a> tracks. But on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tron-Legacy-Daft-Punk/dp/B0037KMHRY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tron Legacy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0037KMHRY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, Daft Punk brings a certain attitude to the sound, both foreboding and dark. The duo's electro-punk sound comes up big on the track "Derezzed" but they mellow out on the track "The Game Has Changed," pushing the horns and violins in the orchestra to layer a melodious tune on top of a pulsating beat. On other tracks like "Recognizer," "Outlands" and "Adagio for TRON," a similarity in the outlying melody can be detected but they differ by letting a different instrument be the star. Overall, this is a very intriguing soundtrack by Daft Punk that puts their musical range on display in a manner that is dramatic and creative. Sometimes the album feels a little restrictive in its overall sound but it is after all based on a single movie, so that is to be expected.<br />
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Daft Punk's work on all the 22 tracks on this soundtrack CD is amazing and one of the best soundtrack albums to come along in a long time. You can sample the songs on either iTunes or on Amazon.com. Let the CD spin on your stereo, turn off all the lights and let the music take you into the world of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tron-Legacy-Daft-Punk/dp/B0037KMHRY?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Tron Legacy</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0037KMHRY" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />. be careful, you might never want to leave. <b>Recommendation: Buy It!</b>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-6592115892322576072010-12-10T09:33:00.002-05:002010-12-15T10:30:00.998-05:00Banana-Walnut Bread - Boston's Flour Bakery Recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQI5-tVu6QI/AAAAAAAAA6c/0wq3Cs97MOU/s1600/bananabread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQI5-tVu6QI/AAAAAAAAA6c/0wq3Cs97MOU/s400/bananabread.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's been several months since I've had two days off from work in a row and this week is the first of, I hope, many more to come. Since I had "more" time to rest this week, I decided to bake. Yup, most people go out, drink and be merry. Me? I like to cook and bake. So, in the past two days, I baked a cheesecake and this banana-walnut bread and made beef taco and roasted 5-spice chicken for dinner. In between, I wrote a couple of movie reviews, killed about a thousand zombies (in a videogame) and watched some TV and an excellent South Korean film titled, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Blu-ray-Hye-ja-Kim/dp/B003JSSPT8?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Mother</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I digress. We are here to talk about the banana-walnut bread and that we shall. I just purchased Chef Joanne Chang's cookbook: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flour-Spectacular-Recipes-Bostons-Bakery/dp/081186944X?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=081186944X" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> and decided to try out the first recipe from it: Flour's Famous Banana Bread. And I must say that it turned out pretty well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are the ingredients:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1.5 cups unbleached all-purpose flour</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 teaspoon baking soda</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 teaspoon kosher salt</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 eggs</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1/2 cup canola oil</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 tablespoons sour cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 teaspoon vanilla extract</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4 very ripe bananas (peeled & mashed)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">3/4 cup toasted walnuts (chopped)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQI6Ciz7R9I/AAAAAAAAA6g/20IYir5Op94/s1600/bananabread1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TQI6Ciz7R9I/AAAAAAAAA6g/20IYir5Op94/s320/bananabread1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In a bowl, sift and mix the dry ingredients of flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set that aside. Using a stand mixer with a whip attachment, beat together the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes on medium speed). Now, push the mixer speed down to low and slowly drizzle in the oil. Add it slowly so that the oil has time to incorporate into the eggs and doesn't deflate the air that has just been beaten into the batter. Next, add the bananas, vanilla extract and sour cream and continue mixing at low speed until everything is fully incorporated.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When done, remove the bowl from the mixer and using a rubber spatula, fold in the dry ingredients, together with the walnuts from earlier into the batter. Make sure that everything is mixed thoroughly and no flour streaks are visible. Pour the batter into a pan-sprayed 9-inch loaf pan. Pre-heat your oven to 325°F and baked for 60-75 minutes. When done, the center should spring back when you press on it. Let it cool for 30 minutes and then pop it out of the pan and what are you waiting for? Start eating!</div>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-36253614684806785772010-12-08T11:47:00.000-05:002010-12-08T11:47:40.487-05:00John Woo's "Hard Boiled" - Blu-ray Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-14UeDoII/AAAAAAAAA5k/jAVm1I2SiYw/s1600/hardboiledcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-14UeDoII/AAAAAAAAA5k/jAVm1I2SiYw/s320/hardboiledcover.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In Chinese cinema, the era between the 1960's and 1970's was dominated by renowned studios like Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest with their array of martial arts (kung-fu) films and costume dramas. In the late 80's and early 90's, Hong Kong cinema went through a renaissance of sort, with the emergence of Cantonese as the de facto language of choice (replacing Mandarin) and new genres like slapstick comedies, semi-erotic films, supernatural stories and most popular of all, full-blown action crime thrillers. That last genre featured gritty and violent contemporary stories romanticizing triad gangsters and the cops who hunt them. It also heralded the discovery of a new crop of action directors like Tsui Hark, Sammo Hung, Ringo Lam, Johnnie To, Jackie Chan and the amazing fight choreography and wire-work of the legendary Yuen Woo-Ping. Perhaps one of the most influential and visionary directors to emerge from that group is none other than John Woo.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2flVqY_I/AAAAAAAAA50/iNezOzVymlM/s1600/tony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2flVqY_I/AAAAAAAAA50/iNezOzVymlM/s320/tony.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Often cited as a big influence of modern directors like Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez and the Wachowski brothers, Woo's movies are most famous for their stylistic gunplay, slow motion action sequences, double pistol-wielding heroes, sunglasses- and trenchcoat-wearing protagonists, guns-in-your-face stand-offs and of course, the famous and symbolic white doves. After a period of glamorizing gangsters in films like “For A Better Tomorrow” and its sequel, plus “The Killer” and “Once a Thief,” John Woo decided to move in a different direction for his next film, “Hard Boiled.” This time, Woo wanted a film that focuses on the good guys instead and as usual, he called upon his most reliable star, Chow Yun-Fat. Believe or not, Chow had collaborated with Woo on all of his so-called triad films and brings with him an element of cockiness and style to whichever role he plays. Like Scorsese and DiCaprio, some directors often produce their best work with certain actors. This Chow Yun-Fat-John Woo collaboration has enabled both men to excel in their work together.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Not many people realize this but “Hard Boiled” is also John Woo's final made-in-Hong Kong film before the director moved to Hollywood to further pad his already impressive resume. If Tarantino could be credited with reviving John Travolta's career with “Pulp Fiction,” then John Woo should be recognized for cementing Travolta's credibility as an action movie star in entertaining movies like “Face/Off” and “Broken Arrow.” By moving to Hollywood, Woo had made the impossible possible by seamlessly melding structured and modern Western filmmaking techniques (as opposed to the free-wheeling Hong Kong moviemaking scene) with his stylized and often violent ballet of flying bullets and bodies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2CM7xjiI/AAAAAAAAA5o/qE3NHbtKha0/s1600/hboil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2CM7xjiI/AAAAAAAAA5o/qE3NHbtKha0/s320/hboil.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Chow plays Inspector Tequila, a jazz clarinet-playing cop who is chasing down a dangerous arms smuggling gang. With his partner Benny (Bowie Lam) at his side, Tequila tracks the men to a busy teahouse where a deal is about to go down. However, all hell breaks loose when the cops try to arrest the bad guys. The ensuing shootout in this opening scene carries some of Woo's signature action style like Chow wielding his double pistols and guys shooting while flinging their bodies across the room from one covered position to another. It even features Chow shooting more than a dozen bullets into two bad guys while sliding down the bannister of a staircase. The final body count is impossibly high (lots of collateral damage) and the violence here is unrelenting and unapologetic. The scene culminates in Benny's death at the hands of one of the bad guys, who is then summarily executed by Tequila without any hint of remorse.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">This violent opening teahouse scene is but a precursor for what is yet to come. Two rival triads are at war over control of the arms smuggling business in Hong Kong, one helmed by the older Uncle Hoi (Kwan Hoi Shan) and the other, headed by a young upstart by the name of Johnny Wong (Anthony Wong). Johnny is a go-for-the-jugular kind of guy and plans to eliminate Hoi's gang by any means possible. And if that means recruiting Hoi's right-hand man and enforcer, Tony (Tony Leung), then so be it. However, unbeknownst to almost everyone, Tony is actually an undercover cop and Tequila's reckless harassment of Johnny only makes his undercover role that much harder to conceal. When ordered by his superior to back off his lone wolf quest to bring Johnny down, Tequila becomes even more determined to go at it alone. Tony must now walk a fine line between making the bad guys think he is a cold-blooded killer and trying not to blow his cover while protecting Tequila from getting killed at the same time. Somehow, these two cops must find a way to communicate and work together to bust Johnny's violent gang.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2HhU_G3I/AAAAAAAAA5s/AcsRM6cKePg/s1600/chow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2HhU_G3I/AAAAAAAAA5s/AcsRM6cKePg/s320/chow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Story-wise, “Hard Boiled” went through a lot of growing pains. The original script was dramatically altered several times and the original screenwriter passed away unexpectedly without ever finishing it. Woo eventually started filming without a finished script and you can sense it in the final cut of the film. New characters were added on the fly and some storylines never get off the ground. For example, Tequila's intimate relationship with fellow inspector Teresa Chang, played by actress Teresa Mo, is hinted in the film but never fleshed out. It just seems jarring to suddenly hear the actors talk about their previous relationship without any background information before that. Also, the Tequila character feels quite one-dimensional, with the film hardly exploring much of the character's state of mind or motivations. Unlike Tequila's, Tony's role is relatively more developed and delves deeply into the emotionally-draining aspects of working undercover for so long. Even Woo's own brief cameo seems so out of place in the context of the film.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">All of these minor issues inflict a toll on the overall storytelling aspect of the film. While “Hard Boiled” may often be recognized by many as a blockbuster action flick, dripping with style and panache, the underdeveloped and patchwork story ultimately gets in the way of wringing the best out of Woo and his two stars, Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung. Don't get me wrong. “Hard Boiled” is still an enjoyable romp to sit through if you are in the mood for some mindless and often riotous gunplay and explosive sequences. If you are looking for a good story to accompany the action, it is better if you look elsewhere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2ME9D87I/AAAAAAAAA5w/gzf-4VaaA6A/s1600/hoi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TP-2ME9D87I/AAAAAAAAA5w/gzf-4VaaA6A/s320/hoi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Video:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Before this Dragon Dynasty release, the only high-definition version of “Hard Boiled” on Blu-ray can only be found as a bonus feature on the Collector's Edition of the Playstation 3 shooter game, “Stranglehold.” As such, the movie can only be played on a Playstation 3 console and not on any standalone Blu-ray player. “Stranglehold” was billed as the sequel to “Hard Boiled” and an idea for a film version of it was kicked around then but it never came to fruition.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">That previous supposedly high-def version of “Hard Boiled” was a horrible mess. It looked like a standard definition (480p) version that was simply upscaled to 1080i. The video was grainy and blocky and never had any textures or any sort of definition to the images. Well, I'm glad to report that this latest Dragon Dynasty version produces a much better video presentation this time around, though not as much as John Woo fans would have hoped for. Coming through in 1080p resolution and preserving its original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, this MPEG4-encoded presentation is inconsistent at best. Some scenes provide good textures and detail while others degenerate into a soft and grainy mess. Although most of the film has been cleaned up, there are some instances of noticeable damage to the print. I am guessing that this is a problem with the source print and can't be fixed easily.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Audio:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Although not clearly stated on the cover or in the menu itself, “Hard Boiled” features a robust Cantonese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix that is a better improvement than the video presentation. The soundtrack shows some semblance of depth and range but then again, it is all relative. It certainly won't blow away any of the newer movie soundtracks but for its age and origin, it sounds great with some aggressive sound design coming through loud and clear. The surround channels and the .1 LFE bass come alive often whenever the action heats up on screen. For English-speaking viewers, you still have to contend with the horrible subtitles, which more often than not, does not really translate what is actually said by the actors. This is a persistent problem that has plagued many Chinese films. Other audio options include English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby 2.0 and Cantonese 2.0 tracks. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish and English SDH.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Extras:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The extras accompanying this disc are recycled from the ones that were made available on the 2007 Ultimate Edition DVD version of “Hard Boiled” from Dragon Dynasty. First up is an engaging audio commentary by resident Hong Kong cinema expert, Bey Logan. I have always loved Logan's commentaries on Dragon Dynasty discs and this one is no different. Logan is at his best when volunteering info about the history of a certain person or location but his own opinions on the more intimate and technical aspects of the film is certainly shaky, considering that he has no access to John Woo himself. Next is “A Baptism of Fire” featurette, which is actually a sit-down interview with John Woo. This interview runs for almost 40 minutes and is quite revealing and very informational. If you really want to know about the history of this film, then you should watch this interview.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Following this, we have three more interviews, one with producer Terence Chang called “Partner In Crime,” one with cast member Philip Chan who plays Tequila's superior, Superintendent Pang called “Art Imitates Life” and finally, one with another cast member, Kwok Chai (nee Philip Kwok) who plays Mad Dog, Johnny's enforcer, called “Mad Dog Bites.” These interviews are interesting in their own right but doesn't come close to John Woo's. Up next is “Hard Boiled Location Guide” where an unknown but attractive woman takes us through the Hong Kong locations that was used in the film and how they look like now. Then there is a short “Making-of” featurette of the video game “Stranglehold” and two trailers for the film, one for the Hong Kong market and the other for the U.S. market.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Film Value:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">While this Dragon Dynasty disc may be the only high-def version (worth mentioning) of “Hard Boiled,” is it really worth the upgrade for those who own other version of the film? There have been other DVD versions from various other companies that contain superior commentary tracks from John Woo and Terence Chang, among others and better subtitles. The high-def video here does not look as good as it should but the audio track is superior and there are some nice extras on this disc. If you are a big fan and can't wait for a better version, then you should pick this one up. It is not the best but it should tide you over until maybe a better one might come along in the future.</div>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-60863139892327862282010-12-03T09:11:00.000-05:002010-12-03T09:11:38.581-05:00Blu-ray Review: "The Twilight Zone: Season 2"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj5j2ySHhI/AAAAAAAAA4c/_KfnX0cLTMs/s1600/Twilight-Zone-season-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj5j2ySHhI/AAAAAAAAA4c/_KfnX0cLTMs/s1600/Twilight-Zone-season-2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Despite its relatively short existence of only five seasons (156 episodes) on television, Rod Serling's anthology series, “The Twilight Zone” should be viewed as a watershed event for the medium. Praised by most critics of its day and cited as childhood inspirations by many future television and movie writers and producers, “The Twilight Zone” not only entertained its audience with some genuinely scary stories, the show also serves as a subtle microphone for Serling to express his views about the various issues plaguing society and the politics of the day. To illustrate what an impact Serling's writing had during the lifespan of the show, he was nominated for an Emmy for “Outstanding Writing Achievement in Drama” three times and won twice (for the first two seasons of the show). The show was also awarded the sci-fi-centric Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation three years in a row.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The second season of “The Twilight Zone” featured some important cosmetic changes that has now become synonymous with the show. Gone is Bernard Herrmann's original haunting theme song and it is now replaced by the all-too-familiar Marius Constant theme that features the distinctive bongos. Gone too is the original Salvatore Dali-esque opening sequence and is replaced by the surreal “signpost” montage with Serling's familiar narration that appropriately ends with, “That's the signpost up ahead, your next stop--the Twilight Zone.” Also new is the on-camera appearance of Serling at the start of each episode to deliver his opening narration (this was previously done as a voice-over).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj55GEv0aI/AAAAAAAAA4g/yrpcg6csRrQ/s1600/beholder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj55GEv0aI/AAAAAAAAA4g/yrpcg6csRrQ/s320/beholder.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Despite these cosmetic changes, the stories themselves have kept their edge and quality from the first season. While the majority of the episodes continue to be written by the trio of Serling, Charles Beaumont and Richard Matheson, a new writer, George Clayton Johnson joined the writing team and penned the rather whimsical episode, “A Penny for Your Thoughts.” Season 2 starts off on familiar ground with the episode titled, “King Nine Will Not Return.” It is actually quite similar in concept and tone to the very first episode from Season 1, “Where Is Everybody?”. Both episodes feature a disoriented man waking up to strange surroundings only to find towards the end that they have been hallucinating. But have they? These are the types of signature stories that “The Twilight Zone” is known for: mysterious or disturbing but always with some kind of a twist ending. As if to continually pound it into our skulls with each episode, in “The Twilight Zone,” nothing is what they seem to be.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Some of the best episodes of the anthology series came from the second season. Among them include “The Invaders,” “The Eye of the Beholder,” “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?,” “Night of the Meek” and “The Howling Man.” But seriously, how can one not love all the episodes? In my view, they are all classics in their own unique way. Take “The Invaders” for instance. It features an old woman living in a rustic cabin as she finds herself invaded by a couple of aliens just a couple of inches tall in comparison to herself. This episode features no dialogue whatsoever until the very end when we finally see the shocking reveal. Then there is “The Eye of the Beholder,” a very telling social commentary on what makes us human and different and that beauty should only be skin-deep. And what about the double twist ending in “Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up?” episode? If you are just looking for some old-fashioned spine-tingling scare, just tune in to “The Howling Man” where the devil takes center stage. It was simply incredible what Serling and his writing team did. And these episodes are only from the second season. There are plenty of other classic episodes sprinkled throughout the series' five seasons. I'm sure that every one of us fans have our own top ten episodes list and can still be surprised by the top choices made by others.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj6Q9IToaI/AAAAAAAAA4k/jwepVWUXtM8/s1600/2martian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj6Q9IToaI/AAAAAAAAA4k/jwepVWUXtM8/s1600/2martian.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Many fans of the series rejoiced when Image Entertainment released “The Twilight Zone: The Definitive Collection” on 28 DVDs back in 2006. Back then, it was indeed the best way for fans to enjoy every episode of the series with restored video. To make this large set even better, lots of new special features were included as well and as expected, the DVD set received rave reviews. Now, Image Entertainment is back and is releasing each season individually on Blu-ray disc. If you thought the 2006 set was the definitive collection, it's time to rethink that notion. Despite its lofty promises, Blu-ray does not always make every movie look or sound better. Most of the time, it does and fortunately for “The Twilight Zone,” the proverbial ball is authoritatively hit out of the ballpark this time. Like the first season's debut on Blu-ray, this one is awesome as well. Fans of the series can rejoice yet again.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Video:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Like the first season's release on Blu-ray, this one continues the excellent run. Encoded in AVC, each episode gets a spanking new 1080p video transfer framed at its original 1.33:1 aspect ratio. The black and white images are almost pristine, looking as if they've gone through some kind of restoration. There are barely any specks nor stains to mar your viewing pleasure and hardly any instances of the dreaded edge enhancement.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Now, if you know your “Twilight Zone” history, you'll know that when new CBS executive James Aubrey took over the network in 1961, he went on a cost-cutting spree and one of his targets was “The Twilight Zone.” So, instead of the usual 35 episodes (like on the first season), he ordered the show to be cut down to 29 episodes and had 6 of those shot on inferior videotape, instead of film. They are “The Lateness of the Hour,” “The Whole Truth,” “Static,” “Twenty Two,” “Long Distance Call” and “The Night of the Meek.” These six episodes unfortunately have a soap opera-ish look to them and is presented here in 1080i. Considering the inferior quality of the source print that it was shot on, these episodes probably look to be as good as they can possibly be. They are slightly blurry and do not have the pristine look of the other filmed episodes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj6jBCLv3I/AAAAAAAAA4o/GEd4dEMz240/s1600/invaders-twilight-zone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPj6jBCLv3I/AAAAAAAAA4o/GEd4dEMz240/s320/invaders-twilight-zone.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Audio:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Each episode comes with two audio uncompressed PCM Mono options, one is restored and remastered and the other is taken unchanged from the original magnetic tapes. They both sound wonderful, with the restored track having a distinct edge. The dialogue is clean and clear without any residue of hissing or other artifacts and the music score is lovingly reproduced. Each episode also comes with English SDH subtitles.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Extras:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As if having remastered video and audio is not enough, this Blu-ray set is also endowed with an impressive array of extras that will blow your mind. Consider this: there are 25 (yes, count them, 25) audio commentaries from various “Twilight Zone” experts, historians, actors, writers and producers, 22 isolated music scores, 15 Radio Dramas, video and vintage audio-only interviews, sponsor billboards, image galleries, alternate end titles and more. I could list them all but that would take up too much space. Suffice to say, every episode comes with its own set of extras and they are all impeccably done. Kudos to Image Entertainment for this lovingly presented set. It is right up there with the works from the Criterion Collection.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Film Value:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">For fans of “The Twilight Zone,” there is no better way to watch your favorite episode than on this Blu-ray release. Not only is the video and audio presentation so beautifully restored and brought into the 21<sup>st</sup> century, you also get an ornate amount of special features to go along with each episode. Until something better comes along, this will definitely be the definitive collection of “The Twilight Zone” episodes from Season 2.</div>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-40538563648129569522010-12-02T13:09:00.001-05:002010-12-02T13:10:14.743-05:00Blu-ray Review: "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPffuu9QZEI/AAAAAAAAA3g/NZRnXWHpKhk/s1600/the-twilight-saga-eclipse-blu-ray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPffuu9QZEI/AAAAAAAAA3g/NZRnXWHpKhk/s400/the-twilight-saga-eclipse-blu-ray.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">I am facing a conundrum and I've begun to realize it more and more as I delve deeper into this review. Here it is: does anyone's opinion, let alone mine, even matter when it comes to anything within the realm of “The Twilight Saga”? I can pretty much guarantee that “Twilight” fans will be lining up at the stores to buy “Eclipse” on the first day that it hits shelves or will have it under their Christmas trees a few weeks from now no matter what is printed here. Even if you don't really care an iota about the Stephenie Meyers phenomenon, you are sure to know someone who does and guess what, you'll probably be buying the movie as a Christmas gift for them anyway. Guilty by association, I say. Husbands or boyfriends will be buying it for their significant others. Mothers will be buying it for themselves and their daughters. Brothers will be buying it for sisters. If you turn everything around, the statements above would still hold true. Such is the power of the “Twilight Saga” and it isn't abating anytime soon.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
<a name='more'></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It is fascinating how three different vampire fictions dominating television and the movies today could be based on the very same human-vampire forbidden love angle yet still be so different in how the same myths within each fiction's universe are explained. I am of course talking about HBO's “True Blood,” WB's “The Vampire Diaries” and of course “The Twilight Saga.” All three series are based on novels with very different settings and of course, tone--some much darker than others. Take for example how sunlight and silver are harmful to vampires in both “True Blood” and “The Vampire Diaries” but in Meyers' novels, vampires sparkle instead (huh?) when exposed to sunlight and silver is never mentioned as an implement of killing the undead. In fact, “The Twilight Saga” is not only less beholden to traditional vampire myths, it also does not place much emphasis on “the how” of killing vampires but focuses on the overarching love story instead, which may help explain its immense popularity among women and girls. However, in constructing the “Twilight” series this way, it also veers toward a more conventional romance storytelling path with a just tinge of the supernatural coloring the seams. In other words, all the three movies so far in “The Twilight Saga” is actually quite straightforward with very few plot twists or surprises.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPff7zCtwTI/AAAAAAAAA3k/Y0sEgb6mECI/s1600/eclipse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPff7zCtwTI/AAAAAAAAA3k/Y0sEgb6mECI/s320/eclipse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Before I dive into “Eclipse,” I think it would be prudent to recap where the story currently stands. At the end of “New Moon,” the show's three main protagonists are faced with a difficult dilemma. After a run-in with the powerful Volturi clan in Italy, the clan hesitantly agrees to release Bella (Kristen Stewart)--who knows the existence of vampires--back to the Cullens with the understanding that she be turned into a vampire or else be killed. However, back in Forks, Jacob (Taylor Lautner) reminds Edward (Robert Pattinson) of the treaty that the Cullens had made with his tribe of werewolves. The treaty states that in order to protect and maintain the uneasy peace between both these sworn enemies, the Cullens must agree not to feed on any humans. Turning Bella into a vampire would obviously break that truce. Hence the impasse. Many deadly wars and feuds have been started because of a woman and this one is no different. While Bella--with her unbounded love for Edward--has no qualms about being turned into a vampire, Edward harbors deep misgivings about the deed and in dramatic fashion, asks Bella to marry him as a condition for turning her.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So, this is where the story stands as we move into the penultimate chapter of “The Twilight Saga.” For the third consecutive time, a new director is brought on board the “Twilight” bandwagon. Following Catherine Hardwicke in “Twilight” and Chris Weitz in “New Moon,” David Slade, whose previous works include “Hard Candy” and another vampire movie, “30 Days of Night,” is thrusts into the spotlight and entrusted with the hopes of millions of fans to do justice to their beloved movie franchise. There would be no worries though as Slade, with the help of screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg (who also penned on the previous two films), is able to maintain the tone and familiarity of the previous films without skipping a beat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPfgac8NRDI/AAAAAAAAA3s/QY4Yl8sK4Ew/s1600/the-twilight-saga-eclipse-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPfgac8NRDI/AAAAAAAAA3s/QY4Yl8sK4Ew/s400/the-twilight-saga-eclipse-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Stripping away the veneer of vampiric romanticism, the “Twilight Saga” is essentially your typical run-of-the-mill romance story. It just happens to possess a few supernatural elements that helps to amp up the interest level by fully engaging in the centuries-old mythical vampire-werewolf feud. What better way to excite the audience than by having these strong mythical creatures fight it out over a fragile human girl? And “Eclipse” continues to explore the far from resolved human-vampire-werewolf love triangle further. At first, Bella is totally convinced that Edward is her one and only love but Jacob's confession of his love begins to cast a shadow on Bella's desire to be a vampire. Muddying matters further is Rosalie (Nikki Reed), of the Cullen clan, who tries to talk Bella out of making the ultimate decision, a decision that she herself did not have any control over. But seriously, how can one resist the temptation of being able to live for eternity with the one that you truly love. Alas, if only life was that simple.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">In the mind of the audience, it all boils down to the matter of making a simple choice: werewolf or vampire, fire or ice, warmth or cold, a (relatively) normal life or one of hiding in the shadows. This recurrent theme is thrown around throughout the movie, culminating with the scene where Bella finds herself freezing in frigid temperatures while hiding out in the mountains but Edward, being what he is, is unable to help warm her up. In steps Jacob to save the day, snuggling up to Bella, with Edward looking on begrudgingly. However simplistic Bella's choices may seem to us, it really isn't. Being turned into a vampire means losing her humanity, family, friends and essentially her life in general. As much as one's life may suck (sorry), is it worth it to give everything up for love? “Eclipse” readily poses the age-old question, can true love really conquer all?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPfgCQFUDMI/AAAAAAAAA3o/V4wC50lLSzE/s1600/newborns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPfgCQFUDMI/AAAAAAAAA3o/V4wC50lLSzE/s400/newborns.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">With the back and forth love story dominating the majority of the movie's runtime, a new and dangerous storm is brewing, this time in Seattle. Someone has been turning people into “newborn” vampires, creating an army of hungry and uncontrollable blood-suckers. At the head of this army is Riley Biers (Xavier Samuel) but someone else is really pulling the strings behind the scenes. And their target is (surprise, surprise) Bella Swan and the Cullens. And watching over (but not reacting to) all the chaos and mayhem that has been plaguing Seattle are the Volturi, led by cold and calculating Jane (Dakota Fanning). Considered vampire royalty, the Volturi clan is supposed to put a stop to any vampires who try to expose the existence of their kind to the world. However, by allowing the “newborns” to attack the Cullens, the clan have finally shown their hand and without a doubt, harbors a much different and more dangerous agenda.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">If you have watched the trailers for “Eclipse,” you must have been excited about the much publicized showdown between the “newborn” army on one side and the Cullens and the werewolves on the other. The build-up to the final battle was massive except for one thing. The actual fight itself lasted for about five minutes of screen time. For me, this was a major letdown that just deflates my and probably a lot of other people's expectations as well. For whatever reason, it seems like the film rushed through its third act and wanted to tie up the loose ends as quickly as possible. This unnecessary rush to end the film makes it feel a tad disjointed when compared to the slower and more emotional scenes from the first half.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Whether “Eclipse” is a necessary bridge to the saga's final chapter, “Breaking Dawn” is questionable. The film spends most of its time meandering around the all-consuming question of whom should Bella choose as her soul mate and her perpetual emotional turmoil. Both hope and doubts are raised and we hear and see the advantages of both sides. But ultimately, it is Bella's question to answer and we thankfully get a definite answer by the end of the film. The “newborn” battle is but a distraction and I am glad the chapter is finally closed on the vengeance-seeking vampire, Victoria (this time played by Bryce Dallas Howard). For what it is worth, I am just glad “Eclipse” is over and done with. Now on to the undoubtedly more exciting 2-part “Breaking Dawn” finale.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Video:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Summit Entertainment brings “Eclipse” to the masses in a Blu-ray/DVD combo disc package. As with most high profile releases these days, “Eclipse” faces the added challenge of producing demo-quality presentations. Anything less would be considered a crime. Well, I'm glad to announce that Summit has risen to the challenge and produced high quality and film-like images that obliterates the massive expectations. The film's 1080p video is gorgeous to look at, with highly detailed textures and beautiful colors that help accentuate the natural settings. Black levels do not dissolve into messy splotches but are instead highly discernible, especially when several dark objects overlap one another. Film grain is visible but it only helps to recreate a cinema-like look to the film. This transfer is indeed beautiful to watch and a top-notch one at that.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Audio:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Like most Blu-ray releases these days, “Eclipse” is endowed with an English language lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack. What else can I say but the audio presentation is another winner in my books. Featuring a full-bodied presentation that makes full use of the entire sound field, it is able to put the home audience smack in the middle of the film. Crisp and clear, the dialogue is never lost or drowned out, even when layered within other sound effects. The surround channels and the .1 LFE are fired up when needed and helps complement and add texture to a warm soundtrack. Howard Shore's beautiful score comes through brilliantly, with the orchestral arrangements adding much weight to the emotional scenes. The only other audio track on this disc is a Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. Subtitles are available in English SDH and Spanish.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Extras:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">An assortment of special features are included on this disc. First up are two audio commentaries, one with the actors Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson and the other with “Twilight” author Stephanie Meyers and producer Wyck Godfrey. The first track lacks any essential information as both the actors sought to only add their own anecdotes from working on the set. It is also punctuated by some long silences. Undoubtedly, the latter commentary track is a more interesting one as the author herself adds some great insights into the story and the overall theme while the producer adds his own technical assessment of the film. This is a great track because it is akin to having J.K. Rowlings do audio commentaries on the Potter films. Next up is a 6-part making-of documentary that is viewable as a standalone feature or in Picture-in-Picture mode. This is an almost 90-minute feature and does an encompassing job showing us what important elements go into making such a high profile film. This is a great documentary for fans of the series. There is also a “Jump To” feature that lets fans jump to and watch their favorite scenes that are categorized under several headings. Rounding up the special features are eight “Deleted/Extended Scenes” with optional commentary by director David Slade, a photo gallery and music videos of “Neutron Star Collision” by Muse and “Eclipse (All Yours)” by Metric. Both songs are presented in standard 480p definition video and are part of the movie's soundtrack CD.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPfg0Taq46I/AAAAAAAAA3w/DvW6ASOQ9Zk/s1600/Twilight-Saga-Eclipse-006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPfg0Taq46I/AAAAAAAAA3w/DvW6ASOQ9Zk/s400/Twilight-Saga-Eclipse-006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><b>Film Value:</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“The Twilight Saga” may not be everyone's cup of tea but we do have to acknowledge its impact as a cultural zeitgeist in this era of mass entertainment. “Eclipse” is the third installment in the series and continues to lay down the emotional foundation in preparation for what is to come in the finale. It answers some burning questions but opens up new and interesting ones. While the “newborn” battle is but a distraction, “Eclipse” takes the audience through an emotional rollercoaster as Bella weighs and fights through self-doubt with regards to her feelings for both Edward and Jacob and her desire to be a vampire. Given the emotional heft of the story, “Eclipse” is able to peek through the shadows and show us some much-needed light. In terms of moving the story forward, “Eclipse” is ultimately a good but not great installment to the series.</div>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-69771813626339002102010-12-01T07:45:00.000-05:002010-12-01T07:45:20.869-05:00Chicken Pot Pie in a Bread Bowl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPWzHRuMzdI/AAAAAAAAA3c/4SGS4cYXagc/s1600/breadbowl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPWzHRuMzdI/AAAAAAAAA3c/4SGS4cYXagc/s400/breadbowl.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>I have always been fascinated by the bread bowl. From the first time I laid my eyes on one, I was intrigued by the concept of an edible food container. Well, I was walking through my local grocery store yesterday and saw that bread bowls were on sale. I had planned to make a quick chicken pot pie and thought what a great idea it would be to use the bread bowl as the container for my pot pie filling instead. So I did! And I have pictures to prove it!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-85942302575056791652010-11-30T12:29:00.000-05:002010-11-30T12:29:16.220-05:00Roasted Sage-Rubbed Cornish Hen with Cranberry and Pecan Stuffing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPT1srGoGCI/AAAAAAAAA3U/3NUwaUjhwDc/s1600/cornishhen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPT1srGoGCI/AAAAAAAAA3U/3NUwaUjhwDc/s400/cornishhen.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The name Cornish hen, in and of itself is a complete and utter misrepresentation of what the product really is. First of all, it does not originate from the Cornwall region of the United Kingdom (ie. not Cornish) nor is it always a hen (it could be either male or female). It is actually just a regular chicken that is slaughtered at a younger age, hence its smaller size. Yes, that's about as exotic as the young bird gets. It is also often referred to as a <i>poussin</i>. But I digress. We are not here to debate the poultry industry's branding methodology but to really talk about how to roast yourself a delicious bird as an alternative to turkey during Thanksgiving. So, read on.<br />
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Here, I have a Cornish hen that is seasoned with a combination of chopped sage (or dried sage powder), garlic powder, thyme, salt, pepper and vegetable oil. Roast it slowly in a 375°F oven between 45 to 60 minutes. In that time span, continue basting the hen a couple of times with the seasoned herbs and oil combo.<br />
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To make the cranberry and pecan stuffing, here is what you'll need:<br />
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1 cup chopped celery<br />
1 cup chopped onions<br />
1 cup chopped carrots<br />
1 cup potato (small cubes)<br />
4 cloves garlic (chopped fine)<br />
1/2 cup dried cranberries<br />
1/2 cup chopped pecans<br />
1/2 teaspoon thyme<br />
1/2 teaspoon sage<br />
1/2 cup chicken stock<br />
4 tablespoons butter<br />
Salt & pepper to taste<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPUz91T4oCI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/X41dNsf7Dd8/s1600/cornishhen1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPUz91T4oCI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/X41dNsf7Dd8/s320/cornishhen1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Melt the butter in a pan and sauté all the vegetables except the garlic, which should only be added at the last moment. Add the herbs, garlic and a splash of chicken stock and continue cooking until all the vegetables are tender. Remove from the heat and set it aside to cool down. In a mixing bowl, shred 2-3 slices of white bread and add the cranberries and pecans. Next, add the cooked vegetable into the bowl, together with another splash of chicken stock and mix thoroughly. Season with salt and pepper. And you are done.<br />
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You can either stuff the stuffing into the Cornish hen when you roast it or just serve it on the side with the hen. Enjoy your Thanksgiving!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-22149884484805005062010-11-27T12:59:00.000-05:002010-11-27T12:59:06.714-05:00Parsnip Puree (with Braised Short Ribs)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPFGS02bZhI/AAAAAAAAA20/3ImPMx7LxvE/s1600/parsnipsrib.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPFGS02bZhI/AAAAAAAAA20/3ImPMx7LxvE/s400/parsnipsrib.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The closest relative to the parsnip is the carrot but it often gets overlooked compared to its more popular orange cousin. Not only does the parsnip's sweetness rivals the carrot's, its starchiness adds a potato-like characteristic to any dish. Flavor-wise, it is like a mild turnip, only sweeter and better. A root vegetable, parsnip can be prepared in many ways. When raw, it can be shredded into a salad or if you like your parsnip cooked, you can roast, boil, braise, steam or sauté. I have found parsnip to be a great compliment to braised short ribs and the best preparation for it is in puree form. Here's the recipe:<br />
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1lb. parsnip<br />
1 1/2 cups light cream<br />
2 tablespoons butter<br />
1/2 onion (rough chop)<br />
2 cloves garlic (rough chop)<br />
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil<br />
Salt & pepper to taste<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPFG0Ffd0aI/AAAAAAAAA24/PSifJdL3HhA/s1600/sribparsnip.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TPFG0Ffd0aI/AAAAAAAAA24/PSifJdL3HhA/s320/sribparsnip.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>First, peel the parsnip and cut them into 1-inch logs. Next, boil them in salted water until they are tender to the touch. This usually takes about 30 minutes or so. In another pot, heat up the cream and butter, bring to a simmer and shut it off. Sauté the onions until tender, add the garlic and cook until slightly brown. Get it off the heat immediately so as the garlic won't burn.<br />
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Add everything into a food processor and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and you are done. Easy, right? To serve, scoop some of the puree onto a plate and top it off with some braised short ribs plus a little of the sauce. Garnish with scallions. For my braised short ribs recipe, look <a href="http://hock-myculinaryjourney.blogspot.com/2010/04/short-and-sweet-of-it-short-ribs-that.html">here</a>.Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-2524798378115944242010-11-19T10:12:00.002-05:002010-11-23T09:51:35.304-05:00So Bad, It's Good? Not These 2 Movies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaO5dSDW-I/AAAAAAAAA2A/0mW6dOGgMVE/s1600/stinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaO5dSDW-I/AAAAAAAAA2A/0mW6dOGgMVE/s320/stinks.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Ever heard of the idiom used on really bad movies? The one that states: "it's so bad, it's good"? This is usually reserved for movies that have become cult classics and heavy on camp. You can even call them guilty pleasures. Perfect examples include the infamous Ed Wood film, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plan-Outer-Space-Bela-Lugosi/dp/B001BSBBGW?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Plan 9 from Outer Space</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=spicthymrestq-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B001BSBBGW" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rocky-Horror-Picture-Anniversary-Blu-ray/dp/B003VS0CWO?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Rocky Horror Picture Show</a> and many of the Grindhouse flicks.<br />
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I recently had the (dis)pleasure of reviewing a couple of really bad movies, both of them horror flicks and both them frankly stunk! There is nothing remotely good about these movies and the idiom above is not to be applied in both these cases. The first is titled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Altitude-Blu-ray-Jessica-Lowndes/dp/B003WJ6VEU?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Altitude</a> and the other is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Damned-Dawn-Blu-ray-Renee-Willner/dp/B00404ME1U?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Damned by Dawn</a>. Read on if you dare!<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Believe me, I tried to go into this movie with an open mind. Yes, I had some preconceived notions about what this film was all about but overall, I tried to keep my expectations in check. To achieve that, I refrained from reading the synopsis of the film but I couldn't help but take a quick glance at the cover art when I removed the disc from its case. Bad move on my part. On the cover is a picture of a small twin-engine plane with a person hanging out the door and H.P. Lovecraft-inspired tentacles reaching out menacingly to it. O-kay....this should be interesting.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Directed by first-time director Kaare Andrews, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Altitude-Blu-ray-Jessica-Lowndes/dp/B003WJ6VEU?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Altitude</a> is so chock full of clichés, I could not only guess what was going to happen next, I could even guess most of the dialogue. If you have watched any teen-oriented horror flick in the past decade, everything about this film is just one déjà vu after another. Every character (all five of them) in this film comes straight out of the “teen horror movie cliché” playbook. Meet Sara (Jessica Lowndes), the requisite heroine (whom by the way, is a brunette; just to differentiate her from her blonde friend, whom you just know will be killed off somewhere in the middle of the movie) and also the pilot of the plane. Her best pal, Mel (Julianna Guill)--yes, the blonde one--is a film buff and decides to record the entire trip (and annoy the other passengers at the same time) on her handheld camera. Then there is Sal (Jake Weary), the requisite dumb jock, who is also Mel's boyfriend. All Sal does is chug beer, act like a moron, put his girlfriend down, rinse and then repeat. Then there is Cory (Ryan Donowho), the sensitive one, the one who plays a guitar, the one who also happens to have the hots for Mel but don't have the guts to tell her. Oh yeah, and Cory is also Sara's cousin (familial ties makes the loss of life that much harder, I guess). Finally, we have Bruce (Landon Liboiron), Sara's boyfriend, who acts serial-killer-weird and has an obvious fear of flying. Unfortunately, no one else notices this (except the audience) until it is too late.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So, now that we have our character stereotypes assembled, let's get on the plane and be frightened!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">But wait, before we get into that, let's get some backstory about Sara. Sara's Mom was a pilot (so is his Dad, go figure!) before she was killed in a freak accident while flying a young family on a routine trip. For some unknown and masochistic reason, Sara decides to get her pilot's license, without her father's knowledge, of course. So the gist of the story goes like this: a group of teens is on their way to attend a concert and Sara has volunteered to fly them all there in a small chartered twin-engine plane. Simple, right? Whatever happened to teens driving a car on a road trip? I guess that's just too cliché nowadays!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaTinkIZcI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/fzC6azhfDmk/s1600/altitude-movie-new-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaTinkIZcI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/fzC6azhfDmk/s320/altitude-movie-new-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So, off they go on their merry way. Everything seems fine until a random screw on the plane comes loose (yes, I'm serious) and jams the tail rudder. You know, the one that makes the plane go up and down. At the point when the screw gets jammed in the rudder, Sara was ascending the plane, hoping to avoid some nasty-looking clouds. So now that it is stuck, the plane keeps climbing unabated. Up and up into the clouds, up into the dark clouds, up into the dark and scary clouds. Panic sets in and that's when all the clichéd dialogue comes flying in, unabated of course. The kids debate and fight among themselves (well, they mostly fight) as to what would be the next step in order to get out of this predicament. Now, not only is the plane climbing to altitudes that are beyond the small plane's limits (which doesn't make much sense) but all the plane's instrumentation starts going bonkers and to make things even worse, the weather outside quickly becomes dark and stormy with plenty of lightning flashes and rolling thunder.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And guess what? Ladies and gents, we are now officially entering the Twilight Zone! Remember those tentacle things I mentioned earlier? They start showing up among the clouds outside the plane but of course, no one else believes the only person who claims to have seen them--Sal. Well, Sal being Sal and everyone knows he's pretty much in a drunken stupor most of his waking hours--what with all the chugging--it is not a big stretch not to believe anything he says. C'est la vie!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">So here are we, five kids on a plane that is stuck flying further up into the stratosphere, with menacing sky-tentacles just beyond the horizon. What else could go wrong, right? Well, Cory decides that this would be a great time for him to show Mel what a brave and swell guy he is and volunteers to be tied to a rope (held on the other end by Sal, nonetheless) and fling himself outside to the plane's tail to lodge the rudder free from that damn screw. Oh, did anyone happen to mention those damn sky-tentacles just lurking outside? How silly will this film go?</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">It comes as no surprise to find out that “Altitude” is a direct-to-video release. With its preposterous storyline, bad dialogue, overacting and the lack of imagination when creating its characters, “Altitude” just isn't any good at all. In trying to explain away the existence of the sky-tentacles, this film jumps right into the realm of a bad TV episode of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twilight-Zone-Complete-Definitive-Collection/dp/B000H5U5EE?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Twilight Zone</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Outer-Limits-Original-1/dp/B000OPOAKW?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Outer Limits</a>. The final reveal will have you slapping your head in disgust and throwing your remote at the TV screen. Seriously, if <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mystery-Science-Theater-3000-Collection/dp/B0002M5TOI?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Mystery Science Theater 3000</a> is brought back some time in the future, this film should be first in line as a great candidate to mock.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaSA_Ny5gI/AAAAAAAAA2I/NdXp9Y-tI9s/s1600/Damned-by-Dawn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaSA_Ny5gI/AAAAAAAAA2I/NdXp9Y-tI9s/s320/Damned-by-Dawn.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">For a second there, I thought there was a retro movie revival or something. I really didn't think that a dated-looking movie like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Damned-Dawn-Blu-ray-Renee-Willner/dp/B00404ME1U?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Damned by Dawn</a> could be made in this digital day and age where sophisticated movie special effects shots could be easily produced by a couple of guys working in a garage. In fact, this movie reminded me so much of another horror film. From 1981 no less! I am referring to none other than Sam Raimi's classic horror flick, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Evil-Dead-Blu-ray-Bruce-Campbell/dp/B003IY48PS?ie=UTF8&tag=spicthymrestq-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">The Evil Dead</a>. Shot on a very low budget and with only makeshift effects, “The Evil Dead” cleverly combined humor with some genuinely scary moments to keep its audience on the edge of their seats. Using extreme camera angles to disorient and terrify, Raimi paced the film to perfection and just kept coming at the audience without letting up. Raimi and his amateur crew was able to accomplish so much with so little money due to their creativity and great passion for filmmaking. Unfortunately for Brett Anstey, writer and director of “Damned By Dawn,” he had a lot of the latter but none of the former.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">“Damned By Dawn” is a 2009 Australian production but the grainy images and low production value make it look dated and retro (in a bad way) more than anything. The story itself suffers from some inconsistencies and there is definitely a major flaw in the overall pacing. However, the core idea of this film is quite original. I have read about banshees in books but have never seen one featured in a film until now. A banshee, deeply rooted in Irish mythology, is a female spirit usually seen as an omen of impending death and is distinguished by its loud mournful wailing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaTRhnxEqI/AAAAAAAAA2M/DYGmPPieWsU/s1600/banshee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaTRhnxEqI/AAAAAAAAA2M/DYGmPPieWsU/s320/banshee.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Using this concept of a banshee coming to claim those who are about to die, Antsey struck on a great idea for a film but the eventual execution clearly did not pan out as expected. First of all, the film is set in Australia, not Ireland, which immediately nullifies the true impact of the banshee myth. Unfortunately, that is the least of its problems. Claire (Renee Willner), together with her boyfriend Paul (Danny Alder), are returning to her family's home in the remote backcountry to visit her frail and ailing grandmother (Dawn Klingberg). Upon arriving, they are greeted by a spooky-looking farmhouse surrounded by a distracting digitally-inserted fog effect. Just like that, I was hit by a sinking feeling that this film would be a chore to get through. Unfortunately, I was right.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">At her deathbed, Claire's grandmother informs her of the impending arrival of a spirit to claim her soul and to not interfere. Apparently, this ghastly visit is sort of a family tradition, with the same spirit having claimed her great-grandmother as well. Just as Nana had predicted, the banshee (Bridget Neval) appears that night, wailing and searching the house (room to room, I might add) for the soul it is about to claim. Dismissing her grandmother's warning as the rant of a dying person, Claire does the unthinkable by evading and then shoving the wailing banshee out of the balcony and impaling it on the fence below, thus saving her beloved Nana from the clutches of the crazy screaming banshee.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">And that's when all hell breaks loose, literally, and the unintended laughs descend upon the film. Thwarted from claiming the soul that she came for, the banshee summons the dead from their resting places to exact revenge and wreck carnage on the living. These ghostly servants of the banshee come in the form of, wait for it, flying skeletons! Not some rotting undead creatures of the night but flying skeletons! Seriously? Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum! How cheesy can one get? Even the make-up on the banshee is not that scary, easily blown off the water by Gene Simmons' KISS face paint!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Not only does this horror film fail in making sure the undead creatures are at least somewhat scary, the pacing of the story is absolutely horrendous, with major lulls in the middle that simply deflates the building tension. Getting past the typical movie scare tactics, quick camera cuts and bad acting, there are hardly any elements within the story that is remotely redeeming. Throw in a low resolution DVD-quality transfer and inferior audio engineering and what you have here is a major train wreck. After watching this mess of a movie, I almost feel like the banshee, screaming my lungs out in sorrow and despair.</div>Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-56851059873613286992010-11-19T09:45:00.000-05:002010-11-19T09:45:31.699-05:00Crunchy Spring Rolls with Spicy Aioli<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaAx-9-mOI/AAAAAAAAA14/ZvfEMM9Sgrs/s1600/springroll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaAx-9-mOI/AAAAAAAAA14/ZvfEMM9Sgrs/s400/springroll.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Suitable as an appetizer or a meal by itself, this crunchy fried spring roll preparation is one of my favorite dishes to make (and to eat, of course). Instead of just keeping it strictly vegetarian, I like add minced shrimp and pork as a filling to give it some great robust flavors. I must admit that this dish can be a little time-consuming but the payoff is great. Here's what you need (makes 10-12 spring rolls):<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
1 packet TYJ Spring Roll Wrappers<br />
1 medium-sized jicama (shredded)<br />
2 carrots (shredded)<br />
2 leeks (julienned - white part only)<br />
4 cloves garlic (minced)<br />
1 medium onion (julienned)<br />
6 shiitake mushrooms (julienned) - you can substitute with regular button mushrooms<br />
2 bunches scallions (use only the green portions) - cut into half-inch in length<br />
1/2 lb minced pork<br />
1/2 lb minced shrimp<br />
2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce<br />
3 tablespoons regular soy sauce (low sodium)<br />
Salt & pepper to taste<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaKtHUDsnI/AAAAAAAAA18/wUlruYo20Yo/s1600/springroll1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOaKtHUDsnI/AAAAAAAAA18/wUlruYo20Yo/s320/springroll1.JPG" width="268" /></a></div><br />
Let's start by making the filling for the spring roll. Start by sautéing the onions until fragrant and soft in a deep wok. Add the garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds. Then add the pork and shrimp plus a little salt and pepper. Keep stirring your wok until the pork and shrimp are almost cooked. Then add all the other vegetables (except the scallions) plus both the soy sauces. Mix the wok well, making sure every ingredients gets cooked properly. Because of the natural liquids jettisoned by the jicama, pork and shrimp as they cook, you don't even have to add any water to the wok. You get all the natural flavors from the ingredients. Taste and season with either of the soy sauces or salt and pepper. You want to make sure the filling has a good sweet and salty balance. When done, turn off the heat and add the scallions.<br />
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Now what you need to do is to drain the delicious liquid out of the filling because if you don't, the gravy will soak the spring roll wrapper and tear it when you deep-fry them. Transfer the filling to a large colander to drain the gravy. You can save the gravy as a dipping sauce for the spring roll or for a rice dish in the near future. This also helps to cool the filling down so that it can easily be handled for the next phase.<br />
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For a closer look at how to construct the spring roll, check out my <a href="http://hock-myculinaryjourney.blogspot.com/2009/10/fried-spring-rolls.html">previous post</a> on this subject. Deep-fry them until golden brown and let the oil drain on a paper towel. As for the spicy aioli condiment, see my previous <a href="http://hock-myculinaryjourney.blogspot.com/2010/11/explosive-spicy-mayo-or-how-i-learned.html">sriracha post</a>. Have fun making your spring rolls!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-39562343130270288492010-11-17T09:18:00.000-05:002010-11-17T09:18:05.201-05:00Blueberry Cheesecake - Not As Hard As You Think<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOMml5vhJfI/AAAAAAAAA1U/a2EgUImECdI/s1600/cheesecake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOMml5vhJfI/AAAAAAAAA1U/a2EgUImECdI/s400/cheesecake.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Ahhhh.....the blueberry cheesecake. First of all, I love all things blueberry: muffins, pies, tarts, shortbreads, cobblers, etc. And my favorite cake is of course, cheesecake. Combine them both and I'm in sweet heaven! When you hear cheesecake, you just can't help but think that it is a daunting task to take on. I mean, how can something that tastes so good be easy to make, right? Well, I'm here to refute that notion. It is not only easy, it costs less than $10 in ingredients to make a 9-inch cake.<br />
<a name='more'></a>Let's start with all the ingredients:<br />
<br />
<u>For the cheesecake:</u><br />
1 1/2 lb. Philadelphia brand cream cheese<br />
3 large eggs<br />
1 can sweetened condensed milk<br />
3 tablespoons lemon juice<br />
1 bag Oreo cookies<br />
2 tablespoons unsalted butter<br />
<br />
<u>For the blueberry puree:</u><br />
1 bag frozen blueberries<br />
5 tablespoons sugar<br />
3 cups water<br />
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar<br />
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In addition, you'll also need a Kitchenaid mixer and a 9-inch springform baking pan.<br />
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If you are looking to just make a plain cheesecake, you can skip this step.<br />
Start by heating up all the ingredients to make the puree in a small pot. The amount of puree resulting from this should be more than enough for the cheesecake. You can probably set aside half of it for future use. Bring the ingredients to a boil and turn it down to a simmer. Let it continue cooking until the blueberries are very soft and the liquid becomes thick. At this point, you can either puree it in a food processor to make it smooth or leave the blueberries in little chunks. I prefer the latter. Cool it down to room temperature.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOPfHUSAiRI/AAAAAAAAA1c/vogXhbMzOzs/s1600/cheesec.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOPfHUSAiRI/AAAAAAAAA1c/vogXhbMzOzs/s320/cheesec.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Now for the cheesecake. Hand-crush the whole bag of Oreo cookies into the mixer and crumble them thoroughly. At the end of the crushing cycle, add the softened butter and incorporate it into the Oreo crumbles. Pan-spray the bottom of the springform pan and with your palm, press the Oreo crumble down to make a dense layer of crust. Bake the crust in the oven at 325°F for 10 minutes.<br />
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While the crust is baking, let's start making the main attraction, the cheesecake. Put the cream cheese (keep it cold) and sweetened condensed milk into the mixer and start it at a slow speed and then gradually go up one speed. Add the eggs, one at a time plus the lemon juice. Let the mixer beat the ingredients until it becomes light and fluffy, about 8 minutes on medium speed. When done, pan-spray the side of the pan and add the cheesecake filling into the pan. At this point you can add the blueberry puree. Bake at 300°F for 55 minutes. Check in at 45 minutes to make sure that the cake is not cracking or already overcooked. Use a toothpick and insert it into the cake and if it is done, the toothpick should come out clean.<br />
<br />
And that's it. Pretty straightforward, isn't it? Enjoy baking while I get back to enjoying the last piece of cake!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7447293180316544138.post-19166577611939061392010-11-16T09:30:00.001-05:002010-11-16T09:32:49.591-05:00Roasted Rosemary Chicken with Collard Greens & Garlic Mashed Potatoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOF0yo3CtjI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Fl1e_D3L2Pw/s1600/roastchix.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOF0yo3CtjI/AAAAAAAAA1I/Fl1e_D3L2Pw/s400/roastchix.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This is one of my favorite chicken preparations and a complete meal on a plate. It is delicious, easy to cook and when paired with collard greens cooked with bacon and garlic-parmesan mashed potatoes drenched with chicken jus, it is simply a great restaurant-quality meal you can have right at home.<br />
<br />
Let's start with marinating the chicken. I love crispy chicken skin, so whenever I roast a chicken, I leave the skin on. This also helps to keep the chicken moist with the thin layer of fat just underneath the skin. For the marinade, I use:<br />
<br />
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary (chopped)<br />
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme (chopped)<br />
3 cloves garlic (chopped fine)<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
1/2 cup olive oil<br />
<a name='more'></a>Marinade the chicken for an hour or more in the refrigerator. Now we can move on to prepping the other components of the dish. First, the garlic-parmesan mashed potatoes:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOKPlhZiVoI/AAAAAAAAA1M/KAirgfh6PTs/s1600/mashed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOKPlhZiVoI/AAAAAAAAA1M/KAirgfh6PTs/s320/mashed.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
2 large Yukon Gold potatoes cut into uniform cubes (boil them in a pot of water)<br />
1/2 cup half & half (warm)<br />
1 tablespoon sour cream<br />
1 teaspoon garlic powder<br />
2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)<br />
1/2 teaspoon onion powder<br />
1/2 cup parmesan cheese<br />
Salt & pepper to taste<br />
<br />
When the potatoes are soft, push them through a portable riser and into a mixing bowl. Add all the other ingredients into a mixing bowl and mix thoroughly and season with salt and pepper. You now have your garlic-parmesan mashed potatoes ready.<br />
<br />
Moving on to the collard greens, start a pot of salted water going on the stove. Here's what you need:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOKR7pUC3hI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/Xnfl32LIonc/s1600/collard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7sLDUFm2RFA/TOKR7pUC3hI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/Xnfl32LIonc/s320/collard.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>1/2 lb. collard greens<br />
1/2 an onion (julienned)<br />
2 cloves garlic<br />
2-3 strips of applewood-smoked bacon<br />
Salt & pepper to taste<br />
<br />
Cut the collard green leaves into medium-sized portions, lobbing the hard stem end off. Blanch the collard greens in the boiling pot of water until it is soft. Next, cut up the strips of bacon into good-sized chunks and get them crisping on a hot pan. Add a little vegetable oil if there is not enough fat rendered out of the bacon to sauté the vegetable in. Start with the onions and cook them until soft and then add the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds or so. Next, add the collard greens, sauté and then season with salt and pepper.<br />
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Now that both your side dishes are done, we can move on to the chicken. Get your oven going at 400F. Take the chicken out of the refrigerator and get a hot non-stick oven-safe pan going on the stove. Add 2 tablespoons of butter and melt it. Now, lay the chicken, skin side down gently onto the pan and leave it there until it browns. Take it off the stove, pour the rest of the marinade onto the chicken, cover the pan with its lid and put it in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is done.<br />
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If you find that the skin is not brown or crispy enough, turn the skin side up and put it under the oven broiler for a minute or two. Now to make the chicken jus gravy for the mashed potatoes. Remove the chicken from the pan and while it is hot, deglaze with a splash of white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to get at the nice bits of chicken stuck at the bottom. Add a cup of chicken stock or water and bring to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon increments of all-purpose flour to the gravy until it thickens to the right consistency. Season with salt and pepper if needed. And you are done. Enjoy your meal!Hockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12607716095877294227noreply@blogger.com0