Dustin Hoffman Marathon: Part 2

We have concluded our Dustin Hoffman marathon: awards have been handed out (the esteemed Hoffies), toasts have been made and the champagne bottles are empty.  Here are my thoughts on the back half of these six films.

Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979):  Kramer vs. Kramer was the only film in this marathon I had seen.  I have fuzzy memories of seeing this when I was younger on television but I certainly couldn't remember it well enough to use my impeccable critic skills to analyze its merits.  After watching it again, I can definitely say that Kramer vs. Kramer is a good old fashioned melodrama in the best sense.  Dustin Hoffman is Ted Kramer, a hardworking dad to an adorable mop headed little boy, who is left by his wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep, in a solid supporting role).  Joanna gave up her own career to be a stay at home mom, something she feels she was forced into by Ted (and by society.  The 70's feminist message, while still relevant in some ways, seems hopelessly archaic in others).  The movie does read as a bit dated with talk of her having to leave her family to become an independent working woman, but the transformation of Hoffman from a caring but distant father to a capable parent is affecting and sweet.  The court battle at the end is handled fairly well.  The very last seen was a little too neat for me, but otherwise a solid film.

Isn't she lovely?

Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982):  Tootsie is a ridiculous 1980's comedy.  Everyone knows the basic premise:  Dustin Hoffman in a dress!  As Michael, a difficult New York actor that can't get a job, Hoffman is serviceable.  But as Dorothy, the character Michael creates to get a role on a soap opera, he is magical.  Charming, open, funny and flirtatious, Dorothy is a great film heroine.  She stands up to the men who try to degrade her and, along the way, makes friends with her costar,  Julie (Jessica Lange), who she helps to  take charge of her own life.  Tootsie is cute and really isn't that funny (there are a couple choice moments) but I couldn't get enough of Dorothy.

Ishtar (Elaine May, 1987):  Yes, this is one of the most notorious flops of all times and yes it isn't that great of a movie, but I am glad I watched this for at least one reason.  The opening of the film is absolutely genius: it shows our two heroes (Hoffman and Warren Beatty), a pretty terrible songwriting team, working on their song "Dangerous Business" (see the video above.  I will warn you that you may have this song in your head for weeks like I have).  It is funny and really shows the creative process well and completely endears us to the lead characters right off the bat.  It tells us everything we need to know about them and their relationship.  In fact, the first hour or so of the movie is actually pretty great, showing their struggles to work together and trying to achieve their dream of success a la Simon and Garfunkel.  It is only when they go to Ishtar to perform at a nightclub and unwittingly become embroiled in a scheme to topple the corrupt government does this movie become worthy of its reputation.  I liked the chemistry between Hoffman and Beatty and I thought Beatty was really wonderful as a dumb lump of a man.  Anytime they were singing or working on songs, I was completely engaged; the rest of the time, I was bored silly.

This turned out to be a pretty fun marathon.  Our next marathon will cover the films of David Cronenberg.

Cheers,

Julie

It's Noon Somewhere...Lemon Drop

This is what happens after a couple lemon drops.  Proceed with caution.

If I had to pick my all time favorite cocktail, I would probably go with a Lemon Drop.  Every time either my Dad or K ask me for my cocktail order and I say Lemon Drop, I see their faces droop a little. The recipe that both my Dad and K use is known as the Nelson Lemon Drop since it was developed by  my Dad.  And although it is delicious, as they will both tell you, "it's a pain in the ass".  This drink requires quite a few ingredients, plus you have to squeeze the lemon (and you really have to get all that juice out of it!) as well as sugaring the rim of a glass.  That may be true but it is also refreshing, sweet, tart and packs a surprising punch! I think a lemon drop is worth the trouble every time. Plus, it can cause the extreme joy seen above. :)

Lemon Drop:

1.5 oz Citron Vodka
1.5 oz Triple Sec / Cointreau
1.5 oz Sour Mix
1.5 oz Lemon Juice (I usually just use the juice of one lemon)
1 teaspoon Powdered or Super Fine Sugar


Mix all ingredients in a shaker and strain into a chilled glass with a sugared rim.




I sometimes do a variation with lime and that is quite tasty as well.

 It is the perfect drink to enjoy while the weather is still warm (of course, for me it is a year round drink ).

Cheers!

Julie

Five Things I Love This Week

1. The West Wing: K and I don't watch a lot of t.v. shows together but we have watched a couple together either live or on DVD and we both enjoy the experience of watching it together. So after K gave up on Breaking Bad, (I soldiered on alone on that one) we decided to watch another show together.  After much debate, we decided on Aaron Sorkin's The West Wing.  It takes us a long time to watch shows and this is a long one (so it may take us years, literally) but I had forgotten how great it was.  All of the characters are so rich and Sorkin's writing is as ever intelligent and quick. Plus, in this election year,  it makes K and I feel extra American and makes me wish once again we had a president like Jed Bartlett.

2. Kate Spade Wallet: I got this gorgeous wallet for my thirtieth (eek!) birthday in July and have been loving it ever since.  I adore the gorgeous blue color and the polka dot (!) interior.  Plus, I love all of the pockets in the wallet and the wonderful zippered closure.  It is my first truly adult wallet and I always feel extra fancy pulling it out!

3. Meeting Jason Baldwin: Last week I had the privilege of meeting someone I admire very much.  While at a store, I recognized a customer as Jason Baldwin, one of the West Memphis Three.  If you don't know the story of the West Memphis Three, it is amazing, inspiring and very tragic.  In 1993, three young boys were found murdered in the woods in Arkansas.  Three outcast teenage boys were convicted of the murder with no physical evidence and an extremely weak case.  Their wrongful conviction for nearly 20 years was chronicled in the Paradise Lost documentary series (like most documentaries it is not truly unbiased, but it tells the story really well and shows the amazing lack of evidence and the ridiculous trial that led to their conviction and imprisonment).  The three now grown men were freed last year with an Alford plea.  I have been following the case since 2001 and was thrilled to be able to spend a few minutes with Jason and tell him how much his story meant to me. The fact that he was kind and seemed genuinely happy in his life filled me with joy and awe.  If you don't know about this story, please seek it out.

Clearly I am not the next Helmut Newton. 

4.  Steve Madden Studded Flats: I knew I needed new black flats when I realized mine were completely worn out on the sides (how does that even happen!?).  So I did what I always do, I perused my personal bible, Nordstrom.com.  I found these fabulous flats for less than fifty bucks!  They are perfectly on trend for fall (studded!) and so far are wonderfully comfortable!  

5.  Salmon:  Yes, I am from the Pacific Northwest and I have eaten salmon all my life (in fact, when I was a child, sharks were my favorite animal, so every time we had fish, my parents told me we were eating shark.  Why I wanted to eat my favorite animal, I will never know). I have always loved many different kinds of seafood, but have always found salmon to be too fishy for me.  But in the last few weeks, I have made two salmon recipes that I actually enjoyed (which with salmon meant that I ate all of it without giving half it to the dogs or K).  Plus, they have been easy to cook so part of my fear of cooking seafood has been alleviated as well.   I have been on the lookout for yummy recipes on Pinterest and my large collection of cookbooks and can't wait to try some more!