Sweet Nothings
This section is all about the sweet taste of compromise.
DINNER AND A MOVIE
My wife and I are media babies, and we tend to speak in movie quotes and commercial jingles. I thought it would be appropriate if I added some helpful hints about possible movie rentals to go with the different recipe sections in my book And He Can Cook! Certainly, the best dinner date will be sans television, with loads of eye contact and meaningful tasting. But sometimes a funny and/or romantic movie can break the ice if you’re too nervous for small talk.
I’ve listed these under Guy Test, Girl Test, and For Both. The “Test” is, can you survive the film? The “Both” is our optional compromise. You’ll understand when you skim through it.
These are all just suggestions. The most important thing you can do is to get to know each other enough to figure out if she/he likes horror films, action, comedy, drama, etc.
Caribbean
Guy Test - Drama: Castaway –Sure, watching Tom Hanks cry over his lost volleyball is a little strange, but you’ll get the sensitivity award.
Girl Test – Comedic Silliness: Club Dred- This is a movie for you. However, if your girl gets it and laughs at the jokes without rolling her eyes, marry her. No really. Do it.
For Both - Comedy: Pirates of the Caribbean –fun way to spend your time and there is cheesecake for you and some eye candy for your girl.
Asian Fusion
Guy Test – Memoirs of A Geisha – Cringe not, lest ye be banished from the couch.
Girl Test – Enter The Dragon – No comment needed.
For Both – Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon – Fighting for you, romantic tragedy for her.
Italian
Guy Test – Only You – Marissa Tomei is hot, but it really is a chick flick.
Girl Test – Good Fellas – “Am I some kind of clown here to amuse you?” Or any other mafia flick. If you’re thinking she might be the one, the real test will be to see if she can sit through a Godfather marathon.
For Both – The Big Night – I’m partial to this one since it involves some of the more complex dishes in Italian cuisine. Also Minnie Driver is supple. Plus it has a great plot and amazing characters.
Mediterranean
Guy Test – Mamma Mia – Lots of singing and dancing. Even for a closet disco fiend-yeah I said it- it was a test for me to sit through this one without wanting to find the remote. But the pay off is worth it. Girls are always thankful when you are willing to watch something they love. Especially if you don’t heavy sigh or complain the whole time. And they remember it.
Girl Test – Clash of The Titans – I can’t stress enough how awesome this movie is even though the effects are ridiculously outdated compared to the CGI wonders of our day. But it has Zeus in it for Christ’s sake! Zeus!
For Both – My Big Fat Greek Wedding – This is more of a romantic comedy, but it’s very funny and has guy tips, like Windex cures everything. Trust me. It does work on zits. You’ll know what I mean when you watch the movie.
Southwest/ South American
Guy Test - Like Water For Chocolate - What the heck does that title even mean? And why is Johnny Depp, who kicked ass in 21 Jump Street…Oh, that’s another chick flick with chocolate in the title. (Women really like chocolate)
Girl Test – Fistful Of Dollars – Technically this could be Mediterranean since it’s a spaghetti western, but it’s got Clint Eastwood in it, minimal dialogue, and lots of guns.
For Both – The Mexican – Brad Pitt for the ladies and Julia Roberts for the guys. And a gun.
COMING SOON-Mood Music
