More on Movies

Having joined Alex J. Cavanaugh’s Top 10 Movie Blogfest yesterday, I discovered I had lots more to say about movies.

What I selected yesterday are my current favourites, not to say things won’t change. I am very fond of The Chronicles of Narnia and have the ones they have made so far. I have all the books and still love to read them now and again. I no longer want to see lots of sex (actually I never did) and violence although I loved things like Bloodsport, Rambo and the Rocky Films. Now I come to think of it, I think the Godfather, not any of the 2nds and 3rds, but the original film, was one of the best. Matt swears he still bears the marks of my fingers where I gripped his arm during the horse scene. Excellent book too. In my pretty long life, I have seen so many movies one way or another, that I have difficulty remembering them anyway unless they come up on TV. I loved all the old musicals like Carousel and Oklahoma and was a devotee of Fiddler on the Roof. In fact now I have written my top 10 I am wondering if I agree with myself.

Going through these, I guess the stories are full of tropes, but they are what I enjoy so I don’t care. I don’t like, nor ever did, films with zombies and vampires although I did read the Twilight Saga. I used to like kung fu and ninja movies but apart from a rerun of Karate Kid which I enjoyed seeing again, I haven’t seen many movies of that genre or calibre for a while, not really since Bruce Lee died.

Then I remembered Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and In the Heat of the Night two really excellent movies, Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. Sidney Poitier was in both movies. I rarely go to the movies any more so wait until they either come out on DVD or I can get them one way or another from iTunes.
One movie which really sticks in my memory was The Song of Bernadette. For a short while I was at a Catholic school (I actually went to 10 different schools) and they took us to see this movie, it was about the young girl who was visited by the Virgin Mary and eventually there was a miracle which became the waters of Lourdes. That film has stuck in my mind for around 68 years, particularly the scene where Bernadette is washing her hands in dirt and talking to the Virgin and everyone else is looking at her as though she is mad. Funny how some things really impress themselves on you.  Another movie like that is Stairway to Heaven made in 1946. No idea how old I was when I saw that. But I always remember David Niven having to ascend the stairway in order to defend himself and argue his right to live. I didn’t realise the original title was A Matter of Life and Death. Then yesterday I suddenly remember 12 Angry Men with Henry Fonda, brilliant.

This recipe comes from our local grocery chain and sounds delicious. Obviously items labelled Blue Menu are particular to President’s Choice, their brand, but I have no doubt you can obtain similar ingredients in your neck of the woods.

Effortless Tomato Fish Stew

President’s Choice

One sausage is all you need to ramp up the flavour in this fast fish stew. Quick enough to make on a weeknight after work!

Serves: 6


Ingredients

2 tsp (10 mL) canola oil
1 PC Blue Menu Lean Italian Pork Sausages cut crosswise in ½-inch (1 cm) coins, then quartered
1 onion, finely chopped
4 large sprigs PC Fresh Thyme
1 large clove garlic, minced
3/4 tsp (4 mL) smoked paprika
1 can (796 mL) PC Blue Menu Diced Tomatoes
1 pkg (280 g) PC Blue Menu Tilapia Skinless Fillets thawed and cut in chunks
1/2 tsp (2 mL) granulated sugar

Instructions

In saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add sausage; cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer sausage to bowl. Add onion and thyme to saucepan; cook over medium heat, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. (Add a little water if sticking to pan.) Stir in garlic and paprika; cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
2. Stir in tomatoes with juices and 1 cup (250 mL) water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; boil uncovered for 3 minutes. Add tilapia, reserved sausage and sugar; reduce heat to medium and simmer uncovered until fish is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.

Have a great day