I hold a special place in my heart for romantic comedies. Actually, two directors in particular: Nora Ephron and Nancy Meyers. I saw It’s Complicated(2009) in theaters, mainly because I love Nancy Meyers movies and Meryl Streep. And Steve Martin, obviously. There’s a scene where Meryl and Steve’s characters sneak into Meryl’s bakery late at night where she teaches him how to make chocolate croissants. The sequence is flirtatious and fun, but it also made me crave pastries. After seeing that movie, I was inspired to make chocolate croissants, but I haven’t gotten around to it until now (recipe here). I usually prefer plain croissants, but after tasting these fresh out of the oven, I am hooked. These croissants are delightful and will make you want to pack up all of your belongings and hop on the next flight to Paris so you can enjoy them every morning.
[Eat devil's food cake in Prada] When I first saw The Devil Wears Prada, I became intrigued with the fashion industry. I was mesmerized by the beautiful clothes, fast-paced lifestyle, and New York City. After having seen firsthand (I interned at Seventeen Magazine for a summer) how much work goes into putting together a magazine, I now, more than ever, appreciate the magazines I read. The Devil Wears Prada was one of many inspirations to find out more about this world. Pair this movie with devil’s food cake and you’re in for one wickedly good evening.
This past weekend I went to the cinema to see The Iron Lady, starring the incredibly talented Meryl Streep. Streep played the lead role of Margaret Thatcher, for which she won the Golden Globe for Best Actress (Drama). With a budget of around $14 million, the funds were used quite impressively, considering the quality of the film and the portrayal of Margaret Thatcher over six decades. The prosthetics designer, Mark Coulier, did an amazing job turning Streep into Thatcher. Alexandra Roach, who played young Margaret Thatcher, also did a stunning job in her role as the ambitious, passionate, and smart leader.
Meryl Streep with her Golden Globe 2012
Though the film focuses in large part on Thatcher’s dementia and aging, we witness flashbacks in Thatcher’s old age to different times throughout her life and career. Streep noted to the United Press International, “All of us understood through a process of a year before we started shooting what we were wanting from this piece. That it was going to be, not a docudrama, not a chronicling of Margaret Thatcher’s political life. That it would be a very particular look back through her own eyes at selected memories, not in chronological order, in a jumble of memory, regret, glory days. That it would all be part of a reckoning at the end.”
This was one of my favorite quotes from the movie. “Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become…habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become.”
The Iron Lady really made me think about life, aging, and what it means to be a leader. It is powerful, moving, and in its own way, heartbreaking, for many different reasons.
Oscar nominations are today…I feel confident saying that Meryl Streep will receive a nomination for Best Actress, and I do hope that Mark Coulier is given the recognition he deserves, as well.
Update: Oscar nominations have been released! And not only is Meryl Streep nominated for Best Actress, but Mark Coulier and J. Roy Helland have been nominated for Makeup!
Do you like food? Do you like movies? If you answered yes to one or both questions, then you are in the right place!
A Dash of Cinema is your source for recipes to enjoy in front of the big screen and your guide to the world of cinema. Embrace your inner film-foodie, try something new, and indulge!
