Cookaholics Bulletin Board

Okay, some people rebel at the thought of being termed a "Foodie" and if you are one, my apology, but I do so enjoy alliteration.

Some movies I've enjoyed:

Mostly Martha

German language with subtitles, a rather neurotic chef becomes responsible for her sister's child. Subsequently her employer hires an outgoing foreign chef, who is alternately infuriating and intriguing for our talented heroine. Hollywood remade this, but the original is much superior.

Tampopo

A Japanese flick with subtitles, a enigmatic truck driver helps a budding cook create the perfect noodle shop. Charming mini-stories are part of the plot. Mentioned in series Fraiser, the movie Daphne and Niles ended up watching on their date. (tidbit courtesy of IMDB)

Eat Drink Man Woman

Chinese (Taiwan) based, English subtitles, circles around the family of a master chef, his three daughters and their traditional Sunday meal. The opening sequence of food prep is worth the whole price of admission.

Thanks for posting this. I love foreign movies (Shall We Dance? - the Japanese version is still a favorite) I'll have a look on Netflix...

Another great German movie (although not about food) is Goodbye Lenin. It takes place during the fall of East Germany. A good loyal party woman, a single mother, is in a coma during the whole political uprising. She comes out of it unexpectedly and her family is told to keep her as calm as possible. Her son goes through enormous lengths to prevent her from learning about the fall. It is hysterical and touching and also gives a good insight to how quickly things changed there.

I also loved the food scenes in Shirley Valentine. The close ups of the English breakfasts, and chips frying are then contrasted with the sensuous Greek food. Monsoon Wedding also did food well. As did Moon Struck. I can't think of any movies I have seen currently where food is given such a nice role. The restaurant one but that Tatoosh mentions (can't remember the name) uses food as a vehicle for a love story. There is a nice croissant making scene in It's Complicated (plus Steve Martin getting stoned is excellent). Julie and Juliet was pure food porn in the best possible way, but we don't even need to mention that one, do we?

Mary

I love "Eat Drink Man Woman". One of my favorite food movies
fitzie

Tell me you didn't love Ratatouille

The Cook, the Thief, His Wife, and Her Lover -- Food is used so viscerally in that movie, by turns sensual and repulsive. Also, I love the scene where the cook explains how he prices menu items. "I charge a lot for anything black. Grapes, olives, blackcurrants. People like to remind themselves of death, eating black food is like consuming death, like saying, 'Death, I'm eating you.' Black truffles are the most expensive. And caviar. Death and birth. The end and the beginning."

There was a great food movie set in 19th century Sweden about a mysterious French servant who wins the lottery or inherits money and spends it all on giving a dinner party for the two sisters she works for -- can't remember the name of it and now it's driving me crazy.

Sanity is restored...fear not...

Babettes gæstebud also known as Babettes Feast

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDbQ6ktcFPQ

Tatoosh, All,

Seconded on Eat Drink Man Woman and Tampopo. For that matter, The Wedding Banquet is also an excellent film, but not about food. Do not watch Tampopo on an empty stomach.

More good food movies:

Like Water for Chocolate is a combination Mexican cooking frenzy and run-on orgy, told in a mythological style. Good date film.

Garlic Is As Good As Ten Mothers is a mockumentary about the start of Chez Panisse. Borrow it from your library, don't pay for it; it's fun as part of a food-film event but doesn't stand on its own.

Big Night is a bittersweet film about two guys with dreams and an Italian restaurant. Also an ode to high-end Sicilian food.

And then there's Ratatouille, of course.