Since today is National Garlic Day I naturally had to point out one of the most famous garlic scenes in movie history. Do you remember the prison dinner scene in Goodfellas? You know the one where Paul Sorvino is slicing ridiculously thin pieces of garlic with a razor blade?
"He was in a year for contempt and he had this wonderful system for doing the garlic. He used a razor and he used to slice it so thin that it used to liquefy in the pan with just a little oil. It was a very good system."
It's hard not to think of that scene whenever I chop up garlic. Same goes for making spaghetti sauce with meatballs. Also, I love how even though they're in prison, they have access to everything including bread, cheese, prosciutto, steak, salami and lobster.
To check out the full dinner scene (which, is accompanied by one of my favorite songs, "Beyond the Sea," by Bobby Darin), and get a great recipe for a three-meat meatball (just like Goodfellas "Veal, beef and pork... you gotta have the pork."), read more
In honor of his first Best Director win, this week's Movie Night is all about Scorsese. There are additional, equally worthy titles beyond the ones listed here (see also: Casino), and some you should avoid, such as Gangs of New York, but this will get you started. So check these out, and yes, I'm talkin' to you.
Goodfellas
"As far back as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a gangster," says Henry Hill, the young Irish-Italian Broolynite at the center of this crime drama, which is based on a true story. Henry (Ray Liotta) and his two friends Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci) and Jimmy Conway (Robert DeNiro) climb their way up the mobster ladder, beginning with robbery and eventually working their way to violent crime. The film earned Scorsese kudos all around for his detailed character work, deft ability to create a specific mood, and sharp depiction of the criminal mind.
Two more, so read more
