"I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate." - Julia Child. Everybody loves food and most of us like to spend time in eating. That's OK. But how about cooking?. Cooking is an art which requires lot of 'sense of taste'. In order to be a good cook you must have very good sense of tastes towards food items. These films gives clear thoughts about cooking and it's various interesting aspects which could assist you in many ways. And movies related to cooking are always exquisite, uplifting, exciting, refreshing and tasteful experience.
As a German saying goes..."Love Goes Through The Stomach"...You'll love it in every possible way.
1. Ratatouille (2007)
***A True Brilliance And An Incredibly Imaginative Film***
"Remy: This is me. I think it's apparent that I need to rethink my life a little bit. What's my problem? First of all, I'm a rat. Which means, life is hard. Second, I have a highly developed sense of taste and smell."
"Ratatouille" teaches us to always pursue our hopes and dreams, whatever obstacles or limitations are placed in our way.
Remy, is a small rat with big dreams. Where the other rats have a passion for food, Remy has a passion for cooking food. He aspires to become like his role model and idol: Gusteau - the best chef in all of Paris. After Remy loses his family, he finds himself face to face with Gusteau's restaurant - which is now slowly losing its 5 Star reputation. Unfortunately for Remy, his hero Gusteau suddenly passed away, leaving Remy pondering on what to do. When Remy bumps into Linguini, the garbage boy, they set out on an adventure together, to discover themselves, to discover secrets, and most importantly, to discover the art of real cooking.
This film reaches a certain amount of greatness. The voice casting is perfect, and it will associate with all kinds of audiences. It's a flavor explosion, and you would be without taste not to enjoy this great Pixar dish.
2. Eat Drink Man Woman (1994)
***One Of The Most Exquisite Films About Love And Cooking***
"Chu: Raising daughters is like cooking a meal. You lose your appetite by the time you're finished."
"Chu: Eat, drink, man, woman. Basic human desires. Can't avoid them. All my life, that's all I've ever done. It pisses me off. Is that all their is to life?"
Ang Lee is definitely one of the most truly gifted directors around, and this movie gives evidence to that. It's a strong movie in every respect; thematically, symbolically, and especially in its characters. All of the characters are three dimensional, and all are brought to life with brilliant performances.
"Eat Drink Man Woman" tells the story of a father, Chu, who is a celebrated chef, and his three daughters Jen, Chen and Ning. All three daughters are in their twenties and they still live with their father. Even though each are adults and have their own job, Chu feels responsible for them. They in turn feel responsible for their father and this feeling of obligation stands as a barrier between in their career path and romantic relationships.
This is a movie with something for everyone because it touches on so many levels. It's insightful, confident, deep, touching, and most importantly it's easy to watch and follow. A graceful movie that explores complex themes.
3. Chocolat (2000)
***Beautiful, Tasty And Mouth-melting Magic***
"Vianne Rocher: I have two announcements. Number one, if you enjoyed what you ate here, you're going to love my chocolate festival on Sunday.
Armande Voizin: Advertise on your own time. What's for dessert?
Vianne Rocher: That brings me to number two. It is my duty to announce, that there is no dessert here tonight.
Vianne Rocher: Because it's on Roux's boat.
Armande Voizin: Any complaints, see me."
"Chocolat" story begins in a small and beautiful French village, led by the Comte De Reynaud (Alfred Molina), is a place of contained misery. A group of people who keep their emotions and feelings bottled up and reject all satisfaction in favor religious purity, things need to change. So when the mysterious Vianne Rocher (Juliette Binoche) and her daughter Anouk (Victoire Thivisol) turn up and create the ultimate temptation in the form of life changing chocolate, the Comte is less than overjoyed.
Juliette Binoche is ravishing to look at and conveys the Mary Poppins-type quirkiness that carries the film. Alfred Molina is the reactionary, super-religious mayor of the town who tries to pressure Binoche into leaving, but his portrayal is sympathetic enough that he doesn't destroy the fable-like quality of the film. Johnny Depp is a charming river rat, and you also have two fantastic pros in Judi Dench and Leslie Caron.
A great film for family, dates, or just to be entertained but without the over the top explosions.
4. Like Water for Chocolate (1992)
***An Enjoyable, Intense And Cookbook Turned Fairy-Tale***
"Nacha: You will be so beautiful that the first boy who sees you will want to marry you.
Mama Elena: Nacha! Don't say that. As my youngest daughter, Tita will care for me until the day I die. She won't marry."
"Like Water for Chocolate" was directed by Alfonso Arau in 1992 that is based on the novel written by Laura Esquivel. Like Water for Chocolate is very interesting and different. The main character is a young girl named Tita and the movie tells the entire store of her life. The movie begins with her birth and ends with her death. Most of the magical elements come about through Tita's cooking. Tita loves to cook! Her life is very sheltered because her mother, Dona Elena, is very strict; therefore cooking is the way in which Tita displays her true emotions.
The cinematography is gorgeous, giving an enjoyable view of the Mexican countryside. And the presentation of the food is stunning, making your mouth water.
I recommend Like Water for Chocolate to anyone who feels like he/she is lacking color and passion in life - if watched with an open mind and heart, this beautiful and enigmatic film will stir your senses and imagination.
5. Julie & Julia (2009)
***A Wonderful Drama About Joyful French Cooking***
"Paul Child: Your book is going to change the world."
"Paul Child To Julia: You are the butter to my bread, you are the breath to my life."
The legendary figure of Julia Child, an icon who pioneered techniques she had learned during her years of living in France, was an idol for Julie Powell.
"Julie & Julia" story is about two different women in different times, Julie Powell and Julia Child having the same ambition and obsession towards cooking, showing Julie as a huge fan of Julia as she tries to make 524 of Julia's recipe in a year and how she never gives up on it, similar to her mentor Julia who also never gave up on her desire to cook and learn food and publishing a cookbook of her own,both of them having help from their husbands, and how they are similar in so many ways.
There's no doubt that Meryl Streep had the most demanding part in the movie, playing a woman who is, to many, an icon. Although I haven't been exposed much to Julia Child, Streep seemed to nail the part pretty well and was quite convincing.
6. Big Night (1996)
***An Italian Cinematic Poetry About Food And Cooking***
"Pascal: A guy works all day, he don't want to look at his plate and ask, "What the fuck is this?" He wants to look at his plate, see a steak, and say "I like steak!".
"Primo: To eat good food is to be close to God."
"Big Night" is a hearty, satisfying tale of two Italian brothers coming to America to make it big. Primo and Secondo have two very dissimilar ideals about food and business. The dichotomy that exists between the two brothers provides for both tension and humor and fuels this delightful tale.
The focal point of the film is the chemistry between the characters of Stanley Tucci, portraying a hard-working, pleading, frustrated restaurant owner, whose head carries only logic and a goal for success, and Tony Shalhoub, his brother, whose aggressive passion is for the food he cooks and the mystery and subtext within it, yet his interaction with people is painfully shy.
This is a commentary on principles, sacrifice, desire, ethics and the interplay of these themes with a hearty helping of wit. If you like good stories told in a unique manner, check out this film.
7. Mostly Martha (2001)
***A Heartfelt, Funny And Emotional German Cooking Film***
"In Martha's enchanted kitchen, more than the food is starting to simmer.
With some special ingredients they just might discover a recipe for
passion."
A German film about a top female chef who knows everything about and in terms of – including social interactions, even when communicating with her therapist – it's always food, and nothing else! It's about the life ‘adventures' around her, and when the subject of her 8-year old niece turns up and encounters with an Italian chef happens…she gradually learned to let food not be front and centered , letting herself be open to other things, other persons to come into her 'defensive' space.
Mostly Martha, it is another in the series of films that are food-centric, it is mostly an in-depth look at Martha. The acting is excellent, and writer/director Sandra Nettelbeck has done a wonderful job of letting the actors just act. No sterile scenes or make-ups, very realistic. Spontaneous, emotion-laden; the little girl is very cute. I can definitely recommend it.
8. No Reservations (2007)
***A Lovely Romantic Comedy Family Drama***
"Kate: I wish there was a cookbook for life, you know? Recipes telling us exactly what to do. I know, I know, you're gonna say "How else will you learn, Kate."
Therapist: mm. No, actually I wasn't going to say that. You want to guess again?
Kate: No, no, go ahead.
Therapist: Well what I was going to say was, you know better than anyone, it's the recipes that you create yourself that are the best.
"No Reservations" is delightfully sweet, with a nice romance supported by the magnificent chemistry of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Aaron Eckhart; a good story; a wonderful soundtrack; and the visual of splendorous dishes.
"No Reservations" starts out with Kate, a short tempered chef running her own kitchen. Whenever a customer complains about the smallest thing Kate drags them out of the restaurant. When her sister and niece come to visit, they fall into a deadly car accident and her sister dies. After trying to recuperate after the death of her sister and the raising of her niece she returns to work a week later. Only to discover a new chef working there without her consent. Then things really heat up in the kitchen!
Do not have any reservations about marking the calendar to see this film. It is a feast of fun and feel-good moments.
9. Simply Irresistible (1999)
***A Delicious Romantic Comedy Film For Everyone***
"Jonathan Bendel: I like you, Lois. You're like a man. You think with your nuts."
"Simply Irresistible" revolves around two restaurants; one is the tiny family owned Southern Cross and the other is the uptown glamorous soon-to-be opened Jonathan's. Geller plays Amanda Shelton, the cook at the Southern Cross. Since her mother's death, the restaurant has been on the verge on bankruptcy, mostly because Amanda is a lousy cook. Jonathan's has recruited the best cook around and is perched atop New York's finest department store. Jonathan's is the brain-child of Tom Bartlett (Flanery) and he is determined to make it the most successful restaurant in the city.
Sarah Michelle Gellar did great in the movie as the struggling chief and Sean Patrick Flannery who plays the guy who just cant figure out whats going on.
"Simply Irresistible" works wonderfully as a fantasy. It convinces us that magic is possible if only we have the courage to let it happen. So give this movie a chance. It will inspire you if you let it.
10. Today's Special (2009)
***An Excellent Film About Indian Food***
"Akbar: They don't know what they want. They only know what they've had!"
"Today's Special" is filled with humor, which made the family conflicts, bearable and at times downright funny. The cultural baggage of the Ind-Pak participants was both credible and not exaggerated.
Samir is forced to help out at the family's failing, run-down Indian restaurant -- much to his dismay, because he doesn't know how to cook Indian food. In the process of learning to run the family restaurant and to cook Indian, Samir learns to loosen up and live a little, which begins to show in his cooking.
I would recommend this culinary delight to everyone and couldn't imagine anyone not liking it, but then again there are always those with permanent indigestion. fun and smart movie.
