Chef Boyardee: Wells Fails with Filmmaking Recipe
For his third film outing, director John Wells delves into the catty universe of high-end cuisine with Burnt (formerly titled Adam Jones for its lead character) with the same square generalities formulating the emotionless energy of previous dramas August: Osage County and The Company Men. Bradley Cooper once again plays a smug playboy, one of those confused personalities charged with simultaneous duties as narcissistic tyrant and charismatic romantic lead.
Attempting to extol the high-stakes wheeling and dealing of the fine-dining universe, it’s a film professing to depict the elegance and privilege of a specific scene but couldn’t be any more thanklessly banal. Much like another Bradley Cooper vehicle, the literary minded The Words (2012), the subject matter is sidelined by standard issue formulaic tropes, satisfying every conceivable audience expectation.
A once revered two-star Michelin rated chef, Adam Jones (Cooper), sucks down his...
For his third film outing, director John Wells delves into the catty universe of high-end cuisine with Burnt (formerly titled Adam Jones for its lead character) with the same square generalities formulating the emotionless energy of previous dramas August: Osage County and The Company Men. Bradley Cooper once again plays a smug playboy, one of those confused personalities charged with simultaneous duties as narcissistic tyrant and charismatic romantic lead.
Attempting to extol the high-stakes wheeling and dealing of the fine-dining universe, it’s a film professing to depict the elegance and privilege of a specific scene but couldn’t be any more thanklessly banal. Much like another Bradley Cooper vehicle, the literary minded The Words (2012), the subject matter is sidelined by standard issue formulaic tropes, satisfying every conceivable audience expectation.
A once revered two-star Michelin rated chef, Adam Jones (Cooper), sucks down his...
- 10/30/2015
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
Festival will also see director Rowan Joffe and novelist Sj Watson present Before I Go To Sleep, starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong.
The 34th edition of the Cambridge Film Festival (Aug 28 - Sept 7) is to open with The Kidnapping Of Michel Houellebecq, Guillaume Nicloux’s comedy-drama based in part on true events.
It recounts the disapperance of reclusive French novelist Michel Houellebecq during a book tour in 2011. The rumours of his whereabouts led to endless speculation, including a kidnapping. The film, which stars the novelist as himself, will be presented at the festival by Nicloux.
Special guests at this year’s festival include writer-director Rowan Joffe and novelist Sj Watson who will present Before I Go To Sleep, an amnesiac thriller starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong.
Skip Kite will present his timely tribute to late politican Tony Benn: Will and Testament, while Andrew Sinclair, director of 1972’s...
The 34th edition of the Cambridge Film Festival (Aug 28 - Sept 7) is to open with The Kidnapping Of Michel Houellebecq, Guillaume Nicloux’s comedy-drama based in part on true events.
It recounts the disapperance of reclusive French novelist Michel Houellebecq during a book tour in 2011. The rumours of his whereabouts led to endless speculation, including a kidnapping. The film, which stars the novelist as himself, will be presented at the festival by Nicloux.
Special guests at this year’s festival include writer-director Rowan Joffe and novelist Sj Watson who will present Before I Go To Sleep, an amnesiac thriller starring Nicole Kidman, Colin Firth and Mark Strong.
Skip Kite will present his timely tribute to late politican Tony Benn: Will and Testament, while Andrew Sinclair, director of 1972’s...
- 8/7/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Chef Mate: Cohen’s Poke at the Restaurant World Written for Fast Food Mentality
Connoisseurs of world food porn will perhaps take keen interest in the Gallic trifle, Le Chef, a 2012 title finally unfurling stateside this summer. So wan and frothy with its generic little plot, even fans of Jean Reno will be slightly disappointed at the saccharine ambivalence evident in every aspect. Hardly as sophisticated as other recently released French food fare, like Catherine Frot headlined Haute Cuisine, or even similarly themed American titles like Jon Favreau’s Chef, director Daniel Cohen would seem inspired by a growing universal trend in the appeal of food themes, even though it technically was written and filmed before these. While it’s certainly not a terrible endeavor to experience (to its credit, the film is certainly better than Roger Gaul’s Tasting Menu) Cohen seems perfectly fine with resting in the gutter of floundering cliché,...
Connoisseurs of world food porn will perhaps take keen interest in the Gallic trifle, Le Chef, a 2012 title finally unfurling stateside this summer. So wan and frothy with its generic little plot, even fans of Jean Reno will be slightly disappointed at the saccharine ambivalence evident in every aspect. Hardly as sophisticated as other recently released French food fare, like Catherine Frot headlined Haute Cuisine, or even similarly themed American titles like Jon Favreau’s Chef, director Daniel Cohen would seem inspired by a growing universal trend in the appeal of food themes, even though it technically was written and filmed before these. While it’s certainly not a terrible endeavor to experience (to its credit, the film is certainly better than Roger Gaul’s Tasting Menu) Cohen seems perfectly fine with resting in the gutter of floundering cliché,...
- 7/21/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
This week we kicked off with some technical difficulties, but more importantly we preview the upcoming summer films and let you know what you shouldn’t miss, what you can pass on, and how this summer is going to play out in general… according to us.
We aren’t really reviewing anything, although I do go off on The Tasting Menu for a while, which is a movie that you should check out.
But, mostly we just talk about Guardians of the Galaxy and a host of other movies that are coming your way. You can’t see everything, so you might as well find out what we’re excited about, and what you probably want to avoid like the plague.
Also, we didn’t see Neighbors, and we really wanted to drive that point home.
Give us a listen, and please remember to share, subscribe, and otherwise force your...
We aren’t really reviewing anything, although I do go off on The Tasting Menu for a while, which is a movie that you should check out.
But, mostly we just talk about Guardians of the Galaxy and a host of other movies that are coming your way. You can’t see everything, so you might as well find out what we’re excited about, and what you probably want to avoid like the plague.
Also, we didn’t see Neighbors, and we really wanted to drive that point home.
Give us a listen, and please remember to share, subscribe, and otherwise force your...
- 6/17/2014
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Tasting Menu begins without offering much detail about its story or thematic effort, and it ends without ever showing its cards. It’s the story (sort of) of the last night at the world’s best restaurant, which is closing for uncertain reasons, and with the owner/chef’s future unknown. Said chef, the world-renowned Mar Vidal (Vicenta N’Dongo), thinks it’s time for a change, though the decision to close the restaurant has rocked the culinary world.
But, there is only a sideways sense in which the film can legitimately be said to have anything to do with this restaurant, this night, or this chef. The official synopsis only talks about Marc (Jan Cornet) and Rachel (Claudia Bassols), who happen to have a reservation that they made a year ago. Despite having split up several months ago, they decide they can’t miss the historic last night. It might be awkward,...
But, there is only a sideways sense in which the film can legitimately be said to have anything to do with this restaurant, this night, or this chef. The official synopsis only talks about Marc (Jan Cornet) and Rachel (Claudia Bassols), who happen to have a reservation that they made a year ago. Despite having split up several months ago, they decide they can’t miss the historic last night. It might be awkward,...
- 5/13/2014
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Finger Food: Gaul’s Latest Effort Staunchly Unappetizing
Spanish filmmaker Roger Gaul (known for his 2002 debut, the co-directed Smoking Room) returns with this Irish co-produced venture, Tasting Menu, its cast dictated primarily by geographic funding. Utilizing the banal workings of several intersecting storylines over the course of one evening, this petit bourgeois offering is as unabashedly pretentious as it is stilted, attempting to jackdaw cinematic magic via food porn and various romantic clichés. Several notable cast members are as poorly served as their lesser known counterparts, an ensemble that can’t ever emulsify as neatly as Javier Clavo’s screenplay so desperately wants it to.
Chef Mar (Vicenta N’Dongo) is a reluctant celebrity in her realm, owner of a highly successful restaurant that seats only thirty and is booked for months in advance. However, after finding herself in a creative rut, she decides to close the restaurant, much to...
Spanish filmmaker Roger Gaul (known for his 2002 debut, the co-directed Smoking Room) returns with this Irish co-produced venture, Tasting Menu, its cast dictated primarily by geographic funding. Utilizing the banal workings of several intersecting storylines over the course of one evening, this petit bourgeois offering is as unabashedly pretentious as it is stilted, attempting to jackdaw cinematic magic via food porn and various romantic clichés. Several notable cast members are as poorly served as their lesser known counterparts, an ensemble that can’t ever emulsify as neatly as Javier Clavo’s screenplay so desperately wants it to.
Chef Mar (Vicenta N’Dongo) is a reluctant celebrity in her realm, owner of a highly successful restaurant that seats only thirty and is booked for months in advance. However, after finding herself in a creative rut, she decides to close the restaurant, much to...
- 4/18/2014
- by Nicholas Bell
- IONCINEMA.com
This weekend, Johnny Depp bridges the gap between man and machine in "Transcendence," a small-town father shares his young son's life-changing experience in "Heaven Is for Real," two mother bears watch over their cubs in the documentary "Bears," the BBC America series "Orphan Black" returns for its second season premiere, and "Salem" has its series premiere on Wgn.
Also in theaters this weekend: "A Haunted House 2." Marlon Wayans stars in the horror-parody sequel about a family man plagued by bizarre paranormal events after moving into his dream house. Written and directed by John Turturro, "Fading Gigolo" follows a middle-aged man (Turturro) who becomes a professional gigolo to help his cash-strapped friend, Murray (Woody Allen). In "13 Sins," a salesman down on his luck answers a cryptic phone call that begins a sinister game of risks that financially rewards him for completing the 13 dangerous tasks. "Make Your Move" finds a pair of...
Also in theaters this weekend: "A Haunted House 2." Marlon Wayans stars in the horror-parody sequel about a family man plagued by bizarre paranormal events after moving into his dream house. Written and directed by John Turturro, "Fading Gigolo" follows a middle-aged man (Turturro) who becomes a professional gigolo to help his cash-strapped friend, Murray (Woody Allen). In "13 Sins," a salesman down on his luck answers a cryptic phone call that begins a sinister game of risks that financially rewards him for completing the 13 dangerous tasks. "Make Your Move" finds a pair of...
- 4/17/2014
- by Jonny Black
- Moviefone
So sloppy it can't even adequately follow through on cooking its various plot strands to completion, Tasting Menu concerns the dreary goings-on at the closing night of world-renowned chef Mar's (Vicenta N'dongo) seaside Barcelona restaurant.
There, a motley collection of guests engage in lifeless mini-dramas, from author Rachel's (Claudia Bassols) reunion with her ex-husband, Marc (Jan Cornet) — a meeting complicated by the surprise arrival of Rachel's obnoxious editor boyfriend, Danny (Timothy Gibbs) — to a widowed countess (Fionnula Flanagan) showing up with her husband's urn and involving herself in Rachel and Marc's affairs, to two Japanese investors (Togo Igawa and Akihiko Serikawa) suffering through the company of a grating Spanish guide (Marta Torn&eac...
There, a motley collection of guests engage in lifeless mini-dramas, from author Rachel's (Claudia Bassols) reunion with her ex-husband, Marc (Jan Cornet) — a meeting complicated by the surprise arrival of Rachel's obnoxious editor boyfriend, Danny (Timothy Gibbs) — to a widowed countess (Fionnula Flanagan) showing up with her husband's urn and involving herself in Rachel and Marc's affairs, to two Japanese investors (Togo Igawa and Akihiko Serikawa) suffering through the company of a grating Spanish guide (Marta Torn&eac...
- 4/16/2014
- Village Voice
Title: Tasting Menu Menú degustació) Magnolia Pictures Director: Roger Gual Screenplay: Roger Gual, Javier Calvo based on an original idea by Sílvia González Laá Cast: Jan Cornet, Claudia Bassols, Vicenta N’dongo, Andrew Tarbet, Fionnula Flanagan, Stephen Rea, Togo Igawa, Marta Torné, Akihijo Serikawa, Timothy Gibbs, Screened at: Review 1, NYC, 4/3/14 Opens: April 18, 2014 “Tasting Menu” might be compared by some to “Babette’s Feast,” Gabriel Axel’s film about a remote, 19th Century Danish community whose religious views forbid them to eat more than gruel but who are upended by a fantastic meal prepared by their French housekeeper. But Roger Gual’s movie does not center on food. That’s too bad. [ Read More ]
The post Tasting Menu Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Tasting Menu Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 4/15/2014
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
Av Festival | Goldfrapp: Tales Of Us | Viva! Spanish & Latin American Film Festival | Cinema Made In Italy
Av Festival, Newcastle upon Tyne
This imaginative festival mines the rich theme of "extraction" this year, with a host of films and events exploring human appropriation of raw materials in the broadest sense. It's a very literal theme for Chinese film-maker Wang Bing, whose epic films (such as the 14-hour Crude Oil and The Ditch) convey the full scope of industrial activity. There's music too, as Test Department regroup to bring industrial site Dunston Staiths – a massive structure on the Tyne – back to life for a series of outdoor audio-visual events.
Various venues, Sat to 31 Mar
Goldfrapp: Tales Of Us, Nationwide
No self-respecting music artiste indulges in mere music videos these days. Like Sigur Rós, Kanye West and Beyoncé before her, Alison Goldfrapp has taken things a stage further, producing a 30-minute...
Av Festival, Newcastle upon Tyne
This imaginative festival mines the rich theme of "extraction" this year, with a host of films and events exploring human appropriation of raw materials in the broadest sense. It's a very literal theme for Chinese film-maker Wang Bing, whose epic films (such as the 14-hour Crude Oil and The Ditch) convey the full scope of industrial activity. There's music too, as Test Department regroup to bring industrial site Dunston Staiths – a massive structure on the Tyne – back to life for a series of outdoor audio-visual events.
Various venues, Sat to 31 Mar
Goldfrapp: Tales Of Us, Nationwide
No self-respecting music artiste indulges in mere music videos these days. Like Sigur Rós, Kanye West and Beyoncé before her, Alison Goldfrapp has taken things a stage further, producing a 30-minute...
- 3/1/2014
- by Steve Rose
- The Guardian - Film News
Some films take niche viewing to a whole new level, and oddly enough, a lot of them involve Stephen Rea. That game may have found its new poster child in Tasting Menu, a complex concoction that is ostensibly about Marc and Rachel’s love affair, but doesn’t seem to want to talk about it in the trailer. Sure, we see Marc and Rachel, but the trailer is for a film that is about the closing of the world’s best restaurant, a place depicted as being as oddly out of anyplace as Adams’ Restaurant at the End of the Universe.
Possibly (given the clues in the trailer) existing everywhere and nowhere, there is apparently a best restaurant in the world, and despite achieving this unique status, it is about to close. A fantastic guest list is obviously on hand for this momentous occasion, and in the mix are Marc and Rachel,...
Possibly (given the clues in the trailer) existing everywhere and nowhere, there is apparently a best restaurant in the world, and despite achieving this unique status, it is about to close. A fantastic guest list is obviously on hand for this momentous occasion, and in the mix are Marc and Rachel,...
- 2/28/2014
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Magnolia Pictures has released the trailer and poster for its upcoming film "Tasting Menu," directed by Spanish filmmaker Roger Gual ("Smoking Room"). The film takes place on the last night of "the world's best restaurant," which is closing, but not before serving a final elaborate meal to a group of guests that includes a couple (Claudia Bassols and Jan Cornet) who booked a reservation a year in advance, and who in the time since have split up. The film also stars Stephen Rea and Fionnula Flanagan, and it played at 2013's Hawaii International Film Festival. It hits theaters April 18.
- 2/28/2014
- by Max O'Connell
- Indiewire
Ireland’s Galway Film Fleadh launched its 25th edition last night (July 9) with a screening of Spanish-Irish co-production Tasting Menu [pictured].
Director Roger Gual and star Fionnula Flanagan attended the screening at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre and joined guests afterwards for an opening night party at the Galway Rowing Club. Tasting Menu is produced by Zentropa Spain and Ireland’s Subotica.
The Fleadh runs until July 14, with guests set to include Zachary Quinto, screenwriter Daniel Waters and Julien Temple, who will all take part in masterclasses. Saoirse Ronan will also attend the festival, while Hubbard Casting will deliver a casting workshop.
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins will also attend the Fleadh to present Ronan and James Morris, former Irish Film Board chair and founding member and CEO of Windmill Lane Pictures, with Galway Hookers, the festival’s highest accolade.
Galway is renowned as a platform for new Irish talent, and local films...
Director Roger Gual and star Fionnula Flanagan attended the screening at Galway’s Town Hall Theatre and joined guests afterwards for an opening night party at the Galway Rowing Club. Tasting Menu is produced by Zentropa Spain and Ireland’s Subotica.
The Fleadh runs until July 14, with guests set to include Zachary Quinto, screenwriter Daniel Waters and Julien Temple, who will all take part in masterclasses. Saoirse Ronan will also attend the festival, while Hubbard Casting will deliver a casting workshop.
President of Ireland Michael D Higgins will also attend the Fleadh to present Ronan and James Morris, former Irish Film Board chair and founding member and CEO of Windmill Lane Pictures, with Galway Hookers, the festival’s highest accolade.
Galway is renowned as a platform for new Irish talent, and local films...
- 7/10/2013
- ScreenDaily
The 25th Galway Film Fleadh is to open with Spanish dramedy Tasting Menu, directed by Roger Gual, and close with John Banville adaptation The Sea, directed by Stephen Brown.
Ciaran Hinds, Charlotte Rampling, Natascha McElhone, Rufus Sewell, Bonnie Wright and Sinead Cusack star in Independent-produced The Sea, about a man dealing with the loss of his wife.
Tasting Menu, which stars Fionnula Flanagan, Stephen Rea, Claudia Bassols, Jan Cornet, Rodrigo Cortés and Togo Igawa, follows a couple whose romantic evening at the world’s best restaurant takes an unusual turn.
Producers on the latter are Zentropa and Subotica.
The 25th Galway Film Fleadh runs from July 9-14.
Ciaran Hinds, Charlotte Rampling, Natascha McElhone, Rufus Sewell, Bonnie Wright and Sinead Cusack star in Independent-produced The Sea, about a man dealing with the loss of his wife.
Tasting Menu, which stars Fionnula Flanagan, Stephen Rea, Claudia Bassols, Jan Cornet, Rodrigo Cortés and Togo Igawa, follows a couple whose romantic evening at the world’s best restaurant takes an unusual turn.
Producers on the latter are Zentropa and Subotica.
The 25th Galway Film Fleadh runs from July 9-14.
- 6/20/2013
- by andreas.wiseman@screendaily.com (Andreas Wiseman)
- ScreenDaily
James Franco in his own adaptation of As I Lay Dying, Ben Kingsley as Mazer Rackham in Ender's Game, and Jennifer Hudson in Kasi Lemmons' Black Nativity.
Set photos from Jurassic Park 4, Godzilla, Megan Fox filming Ninja Turtles, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson filming Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Ellen Page as Kitty Pride on the set of X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Posters for White House Down, Drift, A Haunted House 2, The Hangover Part III, Aftershock, August: Osage County, Beneath, concept art from Europa Report.
"New release dates include: 'Nebraska' on November 22nd, 'Inside Llewyn Davis' on December 6th, 'A Haunted House 2' on March 28th 2014, 'Blended' on May 23rd 2014, '21 Jump Street 2' on June 6th 2014, 'Tammy' on July 2nd 2014, and 'Dracula' on August 8th..." (full details)
HBO has released a twelve-minute featurette about the making of Steven Soderbergh's Liberace biopic...
Set photos from Jurassic Park 4, Godzilla, Megan Fox filming Ninja Turtles, Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson filming Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Ellen Page as Kitty Pride on the set of X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Posters for White House Down, Drift, A Haunted House 2, The Hangover Part III, Aftershock, August: Osage County, Beneath, concept art from Europa Report.
"New release dates include: 'Nebraska' on November 22nd, 'Inside Llewyn Davis' on December 6th, 'A Haunted House 2' on March 28th 2014, 'Blended' on May 23rd 2014, '21 Jump Street 2' on June 6th 2014, 'Tammy' on July 2nd 2014, and 'Dracula' on August 8th..." (full details)
HBO has released a twelve-minute featurette about the making of Steven Soderbergh's Liberace biopic...
- 5/6/2013
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
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