PAnews.com, Port Arthur, Texas

Entertainment

Related Photos

  • David Giesbrecht

    images_sizedimage_218120350

Discussion

August 7, 2009

Streep cooks up another winner

By Sean McBride

“Julie & Julia”

Sony Pictures

Directed by Nora Ephron

Starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Stanley Tucci, Chris Messina and Mary Lynn Rajskub

Rated PG-13

 

3 Stars       

 

Hopefully I’m not breaking any news here, but dang, that Meryl Streep sure can act.

Her latest triumph is “Julie & Julia,” a mixed effort of a film that tells two stories. In the main part, Streep plays Julia Child, the woman who taught America to cook in the early 1960s. The story follows Julia and her husband (Stanley Tucci) during their time living in Paris. It’s here that Julia finds her calling in life, and famously learns to cook.

The second story stars Amy Adams as Julie Powell, a modern woman who’s not at all happy with her life. Sensing a kindred spirit in Julia Child, Julie decides to cook every one of the recipes in Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking.” She blogs about her cooking experiences, and while I suppose that foodie-fanatics will enjoy these modern sequences, the problem with the movie is that they are completely overshadowed by Meryl Streep and the Paris scenes.

Streep finds just the right pitch to her portrayal of Child, who has been a magnet for parody due to her unique falsetto. Her line delivery is musical but not a caricature. More importantly, she plays Child with a delightfully cheery air, and her joie de vivre is infectious. I’ve never been a big fan of the City of Lights, but “Julie & Julia” makes me want to chuck it all and enroll in a Parisian cooking school.

Director Nora Ephron is known for her romantic comedies, and while “Julie & Julia” might seem to be out of character, it is very much a love letter to Julia Child. Indeed, we even get to see Julia Child as a sexual being—something decidedly shocking for those of us who only know her as the matronly queen of the PBS kitchen. It’s also a valentine to sumptuously photographed food. You may want to catch an early screening of the film so that you have plenty of time to enjoy a fine dinner after it ends.

The Julie Powell, modern day scenes don’t live up to the standard set by Streep and Tucci, so ultimately the movie is a mildly, hit-and-miss affair. “Julie & Julia” is like a magnificent main course with a mediocre side dish, but the main dish will leave you licking your lips for more. I say Bon Appetit!

 Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published bi-weekly in “The Port Arthur News” and weekly on KFDM-TV. You can also follow Seanthemovie guy on Twitter. Sean welcomes your comments via email at smcbride@kbcitv.com.

 

Text Only
Entertainment
Subscribe today
Community Photos
CMS.jpg

Courtesy Photo
The Central Middle School Band capped off a successful year by competing in the Solo and Ensemble Contest on May 5th. Forty-eight students brought home 66 medals.  Band members who won honors are: Danny Abdullah, Syrina Akbari, Abigail Albright, Max Barclay, Joel Bardwell, Jordan Bardwell, Brandon Baumgardner, Anthony Bennett, James Brindza, Cullen Cessna, Vanessa Daigle, Collin Elliott ,Dyan Emerson, Cyle Hubbard, Colin Jackson, Jennifer Jones, Jordan Jones, Jase Keel, Jessica Koons, Marissa Licatino, Todd Luke, Kade McCorvy, Jordan Mitchell, Kelby Myers, Mason Ouzts, Sara Pierce, Kayla Prestridge, Daniela Rodriguez, Noah Ross, Shae Sanders, Chandler Smith, Brian Speight, Erin Stilley, Arriana Torres and Tommy Truong Central's Band Directors are Joe Vargas and Michelle Melancon. On May 15th, the Band will hold its final performances of the year. They will play in Central's auditorium at 9 AM. Later that evening, they will be part of the Nederland ISD Band Pageant at the Performing Arts Center.  

Video
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium 50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Facebook
Sports Tweets
  • Sports tweets

    Anonymous The Port Arthur News Tue, May 31
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com