Julie & Julia

Based on two true stories of women who were "saved" by cooking 50 years apart, this is a fun movie for anyone who likes to cook. Nora Ephron has brought us another classic. Thank you.

Meryl Streep plays the one and only Julia Child. For those of us who remember watching her on TV way back when, this story is a wonderful flashback. Her lesser known husband is played brilliantly by Stanley Tucci. We should all be such good spouses.

Amy Adams plays a government worker turning 30 who feels lost in New York City. She discovers blogging and cooking and finds herself again. Chris Messina plays her husband while she cooks her way through Julia's book and posts her successes and failures online.

With a very healthy dose of fact these two stories are told parallel to show the many similarities. Foodies should enjoy many of the scenes where both good and bad practices and ingredients are used. Can you spot the biggest, most obvious error in the boeuf bourguignon scenes? No doubt Juia would groan.

Anyone who has been to cooking class should appreciate those scenes and anyone who has blogged will enjoy that association.

Watch this movie with someone who likes butter.

Humboldt County

If you think you know California, think again. If you don't know why some people support the concept that California should be two different states, this movie might give you an idea. Northern California is as different from Southern California as hiking boots are from flips flops.

Jeremy Strong does a great job as the lone straight man in this comic cast. And in his first movie on the action side of the camera he gives us hope that more will be coming soon.

The real stars of the show however are Frances Conroy and Brad Dourif. I love their chemistry and what their characters represent to the rest of us. Brad Dourif is the type of Californian we locals meet every now and then. We would not be California without them.

If you don't mind the near constant peeing in the woods, you may enjoy the beautiful scenery. If nothing else, this film and a very loving portrait of a part of California few ever see. Enjoy it.

Watch this with someone who is dead set against counterculture types and see if they squirm a little.