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Films about cookery or food
A friend's 40th birthday is coming up. He likes cooking, so I thought it'd be nice to get him 40 films about cookery or at least, features European food heavily.
Unfortunately, he doesn't like 'weird films', baking and subtitles.
This rules out films like Udon, Babette's Feast, Tampopo, Le Grand Chef, The God of Cookery, The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover, Chocolat and so on.
I've already bought these:
- Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978)
- Big Night (1996)
- Waitress (2007)
- Julie & Julia (2009)
- Today's Special (2009)
- Toast (2010)
Surprisingly, I can't find anything from the 1960s, 1950s, 1940s and earlier. There must be some, surely?
English-language documentaries about food would be good. I'm not getting him Jiro Dreams of Sushi because he isn't interested in anything East Asian or 'too foreign'.
And please, no cannibalism.
Thanks.
Unfortunately, he doesn't like 'weird films', baking and subtitles.
This rules out films like Udon, Babette's Feast, Tampopo, Le Grand Chef, The God of Cookery, The Cook the Thief His Wife and Her Lover, Chocolat and so on.
I've already bought these:
- Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe? (1978)
- Big Night (1996)
- Waitress (2007)
- Julie & Julia (2009)
- Today's Special (2009)
- Toast (2010)
Surprisingly, I can't find anything from the 1960s, 1950s, 1940s and earlier. There must be some, surely?
English-language documentaries about food would be good. I'm not getting him Jiro Dreams of Sushi because he isn't interested in anything East Asian or 'too foreign'.
And please, no cannibalism.
Thanks. 0
Comments
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229340/reference
You are a good friend, seems a hard task! Good luck Takae, s!
Only one food related atm I can think of is Fast Food Nation, not quite the bill I should imagine!
Although it's really just a film set in a French restaurant rather than about food.
Perhaps you should just get him a Jamie Oliver DVD...
Thanks, everyone. Please keep them coming. Because there isn't many, I'm cheating by adding TV drama DVD box sets to the list. I got those so far:
Kitchen Confidential - with Bradley Cooper as Anthony Bourdain (dear god)
Chef! - with Lenny Henry
Whites - with Alan Davies
In that case definitely add Hannibal season 1 box set. More elegant cooking you will not find anywhere.
Didn't I say 'no cannibalism'?
My friend is one of those straight-laced people, e.g. not the sort that enjoys horror, relentlessly bleak or 'weird' films. He still hasn't forgiven me for talking him into accompanying me to watch Being John Malkovich at cinema.
Once you've made him sit through that ghastly line-up, he'll be begging to watch Tampopo or Babette's Feast..
EDIT: Ooops - shows me, ought to read first post properly. Sorry.
Makes you proper hungry for everything Julia Childs cooked.
The bit with Mr Creosote in the restaurant. Well, you didn't say anything about nobody exploding due to overeating.
Then there is this silly Hallmark movie called "Just Desserts" which is all about the famous Italian torta Barozzi. My grandmother used to bake the Barozzi and that was the only reason why I gave in and watched the movie... which is, in a word, forgettable. Loved the kitchen though and the back of the bakery.
For a documentary, Supersize Me.
"We'll just tell your mom we ate it all".
The Stuff - Cheesy 80's horror film that features a living desert that takes over people's bodies
Julie & Julia: Obviously about cooking
Soylent Green: Food horror
Some serious foody documentaries:
Good iNC
Super size Me
Fast Food Nation
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013)
No Reservations (2007)
Simply Irresistible (1999)
Mystic Pizza (1988) ??
I’ve not seen the following yet:
Dinner Rush (2000)
Is it just another evening at the hugely popular Italian restaurant of proprietor and bookmaker Louis Cropa in New York? Anything but as tonight's guests include; a local police detective and his wife specially invited by the owner; on the balcony rival bookmaker gangsters from Queens who want to become partners in the restaurant; in the corner renowned food critic 'the food nymph' is her usual demanding self; and at the bar, seemingly unnoticed, is Ken. As the evening continues enter Duncan, inveterate gambler and sous-chef on-the-line in the frenetic kitchen downstairs, who acts as the catalyst that causes the evening to draw to its inevitable, explosive, deadly conclusion.
Brooklyn Lobster (2005)
Giorgio's Lobster Farm has been a tradition in Brooklyn for over 65 years. Manned by an eccentric crew and serving the best seafood in the state, the renowned establishment now faces grave financial troubles. The Giorgio family must find a way to hold on to the business or risk losing the cornerstone of their identity. Under pressure, each member of the family is forced to take a new tack in their personal relationships.
Perfect Sense (2011)
An odd epidemic appears across the globe: people suddenly lose one of their senses. At first, it's an outbreak of loss of smell. It's often presaged by a destructive temper tantrum. In this mix are a scientist and a chef - she's Susan, one of a team trying to understand the epidemic; he's Michael, charming and engaging. Susan and Michael begin a relationship in the middle of increasing chaos, as the loss of other senses plagues more people and as civil authorities try to maintain order. Susan's voice-over reflections provide insight. Is love possible in such a changed world? Can anything make perfect sense?
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2980648/reference
Starring Jon Favreau, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr, Sofia Vergara and John Legizamo.
A family film with mix of drama and comedy and a heart of gold.