SepTEMBER 2024

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Horizon, An American Saga

Kevin Costner

Sienna Miller

Sam Worthington

Will Patton

Jamie Campbell Rower

Giovanni Ridisi

2024

HBO/MAX

The first 15 minutes are boring! I stopped watching and came back later and I went in deep. Wagons heading west running into Indians. Indians burning down the settlement. Obnoxious rich couple with the wagon trains. Costner with a hooker and guns. 

Make your popcorn as this movie is almost 3 hours long. At least with streaming, if you have to stop it, you can.

Worth watching…but the ending bugged me. I need to go back and rewatch. 

Wise Guy

2024

2 part series 

HBO/MAX

David Chase’s interview/documentary on the making of the Sopranos..I recently rewatched the whole series. One of my favorite episodes is when Chris and Phil get lost in the woods after the Russian got away. Brilliant.

There are some great inside scenes of the making of the Sopranos. I love the writers. How awesome would it have been to be on that team? WOW

Perfect Days

2023 

Hulu

Directed by one of my favorite directors: Wim Wenders

Koji Yakusho

Tokio Emoto

Arisa Nakano

Koji Yakusho is brillina. We watched about 1/2 the movie in Japanese. His acting is so brilliant we didn’t really need subtitles, but after having subtitles added it was outstanding!!!

The story is Koji Yakusho as Hirayama cleans toilets and is happy with his simple life in Tokyo. He likes trees and photographs them. There is a Japanese name for the light.

Komoreshi - light filtering through foliage. Light and shadows glimmering through the trees. How poetic is that? Book me a lflight to Japan please.

Bottom of the Pot

Persian Recipes and Stories

By Naz Deravian

2018

WOW. This is an awesome cookbook! Great stories and recipes even I can follow as I am a novice) Borani-yeh Kadoo = Summer Squash Yogurt Dip. Yum and not complicated. The tomato cucumber salad is very similar to the salad I’ve been making recently. It is simple and so good! It’s the herbs, a splash of red vinega & oil that make it. I have adding dill and cilantro. 

I seriously do not need anymore cooks boos, however IF I give in, this book will be my next purchase. 

Matlock

2024

CBS

Kathy Bates

Kathy Bates holds it down. Other actors, not so much. Would I watch it again? Only if nothing else was on. Sorry

The Popcorn Factory

Surprise and surprise. Cousin sent a box from the Popcorn factory. So many flavors! I like  all the different fbags and have been slowly opening one bag at a time. One of my favorites so far is the Carmel popcorn. YUM. Great to have a stash of popcorn in various flavors. What are we watching on HBO?

_Thanks Cousins

Ballers

2015-2019

HBO

The Rock

John David Washington

Donovoan W. Carter

Troy Garity

Omar Benson Miller

Rob Coddry

This series is about football players, agents, friends and family.

I like football. I don’t LOVE football, but damn! I never thought about watching this in 2015. What a mistake. Writing and cast is brilliant!!!! This series is frreakin’ hilarious and pointant with the times. Hell yes.

 I am slow to watch this series since it began in 2015, but hell who had HBO or now MAX? (How many networks do we need to PAY? Really???) It’s only five seasons and I’m up to the fourth season. I wish they would bring it back! 

Land of the Bad

2024

Netflix

Russell Crowe

Liam Hensworth

Delta forces unit ends up on some weird ass island near the Philippines to rescue a CIA guy. The air force needs to get them out as the mission has gone bad. 

At first, this movie starts out boring in my book. Bang, Bang, shoot em up…then suddenly one is drawn in. 

I have to make this comment. I have always been against toturing prisoners at Guantanamo Bay from mostly Hollywood movies. However, after watching this movie, I know why the military did it and I understand. I couldn’t have done it myself, but I would have filled the bucket up with water. If I go to hell for mentioning this, so be it. And I say that as I am so sick of all this pussy ass crap ALL the time.

 No one says anything when an a-hole jumps the gates and doesn’t pay or runs out of the store with thousands of dollars of designer goods. It’s the politicians proving some big show boat parade. How dare them!!!;

Remember those scenes from Captain Philips when the military was ready to pop the pirates that had the captain on that raft? Politicians were watching via satellite and were telling them WHAT to do. What a load of crap. 

Remember that scene in a Mark-e Mark movie where the military was on a hill and ran across a man and young boy herding goats? They wanted to tie them up and proceed with the mission, but they didn’t as they said the “higher ups” would be on their asses so they let them go. Of course, the man and boy ran to the village to tell the militants that the US was on the hlll…

Russell Crowe plays 5 time remarried guy that wanted to be a pilot but got stuck behind a desk and satellites. (Or was he only married 4 times?)  

I am putting this movie on my Kick ass list. I’ll be back with the list soon for your enjoyment

 Goodpop.com

OMG. Horrible and Horrible and Horrible.

I bought this right before the 4th thinking ok, red, white and blue USA and all that. Natural, organic, how could I go wrong?YUK AND YUK AND YUK

I call the number on the box. They don’t take calls. Go to the website.

I go to the website and they want the info from the box. I pitched the box along

With the rest of the horrible pops. DO NOT BUY. I am serious. 

Sleeping Dogs

2024

Netflix

Russell Crowe

Harry Greenwood

A retired detective that has lost his memory, but is undergoing treatment. He has to solve an old brutal murder to save a man wrongly accused of murder before his execution date. (What state are they in? What states stil are executing? 27 states still retain the death penalty. I just looked it up.)

I didn’t really like this movie. I thought it was boring and the plot wasn’t that great. I didn’t like the other actors much either. The young guy in love with decent, Harry Gree. If you need to snooze...

XOX

I love this company!!! This was a great deal a few months ago at Costco. I think it was under 20 bucks and that's a bargain!

We all need a bargain now and then. Especially these days, but Trump will fix al that pricing with another phone call.

Hot Dogs

 Got couple of packages on sale at Target. ( I only buy turkey btw. ) Fogot how damn good these are!!!!!

It's a shame they are pricey. It's only a hot dog. Put 'em on the grill. YUM!!!

Do you buy Taco Mix? I do. I loved trader Joes, but they changed the ingredients. It used to be spicier.

I ran out of it and decided to make my own. If you google taco mix, they are all more of less the same. (Even the brand McCormick)

1 tablespoon chili power

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dreid orgeano

I added cayenne pepper and just eyeballed the portion. I also did the same with  garlic powder.

The spice brands I used were Oaktown, Rancho Gordo and  Burlap and Barrel.

My jar of roasted onion from Burlap & Barrel wasn't  separating ( getting old), but still had a good smell.

Do you throw out spices after a certain time? I do....evenutally, but hell I still have a few tins of McCormick.  

 It's tuna in a jar. The reivews on Rancho Gordo's site were good. On a lark I ordered it. 

I was really looking forward to tasting. When I finally did-YUK. TOOOOO FISHY!!!!

Instructions said to refrigerate after opening. The Oil jells up. another YUK ! 

What was I supposedl to do? Nuke it? HELL NO.

Disappointing. 

Big Spoon Pistachio Crunch IS so damn goooood!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been looking for almond butter that hits the spot for YEARS. This stuff is crack!!!!!!

Also, ordered from Rancho Gordo's site. I read the reviews and was sold. Ordered  again! Got a jar for a friend and a back up. YUM AND DOUBLE YUM!

IT IS PRICEY!!!! But worth it!! Almond butter with  bits of pistachio. EXCELLENT.

BUY THIS ONE!! No artificial colors or flavors. NON GMO!!! VEGAN and sea salt. 

IF you can, please read the ingredients on the label. I keep seeing the phrase, BIO ENGINERRED. Scary shit.

BUT don't believe me.  Go to the corporate website and read what they say about it's good for the planet, feeds more people, etc.  I do not believe any of that. DO YOU?

Bought a package because I'm not that good making pie crusts Using a premade one is easy, BUT I was reading the package and it has BIO ENGINEERED ingredients, among words I can't pronounce.  (I didn't read the label before purchasing!)

NEVER AGAIN. I will make my own IF it takes hours and hours

Check this out from rareseeds.com:

-2 cups unbleached all purpose or baking four

-1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-2/3 cups coconut oil (solid state)

-2-6 tablespoons ice water

Sift together dry ingredients

Add wet ingredients and mix with hands or a stand mixer 

Cut ins chunks of coconut oil and mix slowly adding ice water.

Workimg until smooth.

If you want to read more, please check out rareseed.com or my blog: weirtalk.com

I've made this crust a few times. IF I can do it, YOU CAN. :)

I was at a food fair years ago in San Francisco. I was feeling like I was coming down with something. (This was before COVID btw) I had a sample and immediately started feeling better. Sounds like BS or crazy crap, but it’s true!!!

I’ve been buying it ever since! Ferry Bldg mushroom store used to carry it, but no longer does, so you have to order it online. IF you order the right $ amount, which I forget what it is, free shipping! Free shipping. Those are magical words.

And this tea IS magical. It has Chaga in it. Chaga is rich with powerful antioxidant compounds. (Please go to thechagaco.com to read more.)

 I boil water and put a tablespoon of tea in to seep for a while. I pour it through a strainer into a pitcher with cold water. I do this at least twice, seeping the tea in hot water. It makes great iced tea and you feel GOOD. I kid you not!!!!!!

NAVALNY

CNN Documentary on Max

2022

I just watched this documentary a few days ago. I am still in shock. This guy was so brave!!!!

I still can't believe he went BACK to Moscow after knowing they poisoned him. 

He is an INSPIRATIONAL  to all of us.

"My messag ef or the situation when I am killed is very simple: "not give up"...Navalny

IF I lived in Berlin I would support his family and cause  as the scary part  is ...you can damn near see the same possible scenario happening here in America. That is thanks to someone that doesn't want his "golden showers"  out.

Yes, I could be wrong, but WHAT if I'm not? Just a hutch....

-S. Weir 

 Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan

4 Seasons 2018

Amazon Prime

Jack Krasinski

Wendell Pierce

Michael Kelly

Based on Tom Clancy characters, a Former US Marine becomes a CIA analyst. He gets involved with a field assignment and fights a new form of terrorism on a global scale.

I LOVED this series. Hated to see it end.

Expats

Limited Series 

Amazon Prime

2024 

Nicole Kidman

Brian Tee

Sarayu Blue

Jack Hudson

Ji-Young You

I watched this mainly to see the scenes of Hong Kong. Would love to visit just once!  (Was there years ago at the airport only as a stop over. I SHOULD have jumped out!)

It’s about three American women living in Hong Kong whose lives become a bit twisted by an event. I was hoping it would be continued to see what happened next, damn it!

Based on a 2016 novel by Janice Y.K. Lee

-S. Weir

Pain Husters

Netflix

2023

Emily Blunt

Lisa Drake

Chris Evans

Woman out of work gets a job selling legal pain killers making a shit load of cash.

Isn't that what "they" count on? People being desperate for money to damn near do anything to survive??

Based on a true story by Evan Hughes.

The Brothers Sun

Netflix

2024

Michelle Yeah

Justin Chien

Sam Song Li

A Taipei gangster must go to LA to protect his mother and brother because his father is shot in Tawain.

I love this series. BADASS MFers! Amazing stunts and drama along with comedy. I'm there!!!!!

Apologies for not updating this site. No excuses, but will try to do better. Have a great Spring!

-Weir Sisters

STARBUCKS  HOT CHOCOLATE 

Freakin’ YUM!!!!!!!!! This stuff rocks! Double chocolate with little bits that slowly melt. Add a shot of Bailey's and enjoy the holiday. Buy it at Starbucks or Target for about 9 bucks.

-S. Weir

Cousin sent me this cookie book last year. Amazing recipes. I need to get with it and start baking. 

I back off a bit as IF I made up a batch, would anyone eat them except me? Then I put on 10 more pounds. :)

Holding this slot for cousin. He says it’s in the works.  I know he was buy untangling his Christmas lights. 

-S. Weir

The Return of the King (of Queens)

Fox and stream on Hulu

I forgot how funny and seriously funny Family Guy is.

This is a great Christmas episode. Not saying anything else.

YOU have to watch it!!! 

Family guy episod, Season 221

 Episode 9

-S. Weir

My favorite Christmas movie 

That’s a good question. Probably depends on different times in my life. Love Actually is still a favorite. I think  a movie that represents the inner light and joy of the holiday is a Christmas movie. The Little Princess is one that comes to mind. I love the scene where the neighbor fills her attic room with a feast of abundance. In the end her father who was missing and  thought to be dead returns.  That’s the magic of Christmas. 

This year I chose Holiday Affair. I love the tale of everyday working people  at Christmas in the city. Macys has always been one of my favorite the department stores. The theme of the movie still holds true today.  So much shopping is done online  today it has taken away from  the experience. I love at the end  of the movie they are heading for California. 

A parting note. Years ago my sister and I were at Macy’s at Union Square  and Janet Leigh was there signing autograph photos. Now thats magic 

-C. Weir

Little Debbie Christmas Tree Brownies

The packaging looks yummy.  Mailed some to the family. Hopefully, they are tasty. 

Just a  note to say THANK YOU for stopping by and reading our reviews.

Happy Holidays!

-Weir Sisters

Reptile

Netflix 2023

Benicio Del Torro

Justin Timberlale

Alicia Silverstone

This movie...has good and bad. The good is the sound track. Outstanding. Story line is weak in my book....Acting is pretty damn good. I love Benicio Del Torr and Justin as an actor. 

Worth watching, but I just wish the story line was a little tighter.  

Old Dads

Netflix 2023

Bill Burr

Boddy Cannavale

Bokeem Wooddbine

Hell yes! Finally a movie in real time. I hate all that "woke"crap and that shit gets one guy into tons of trouble. Grab your refreshments and be ready to have a good time. I did.

No Hard Feelings

Netflix 2023

Jennifer Lawrence

Andrew Barth Feldman

I thought it would be a cute little movie to relax and watch. It stinks! Bad acting and more bad acting. Was surprised with Jennifer Lawrence as star role. Forget the popcorn, put your jacket on and leave.

NYAD

Netflix 2023

Annette Bening

Jodie Foster

Had no idea what this movie was about. I was sucked right in  when Annette Bening had zero makeup as well as Jodie Foster.  Who does that?

It’s a true story about a woman in her 60’s swimming from Cuba to Florida.  She braved sharks and jellyfish.  She became the first person to swim 110 miles without a protective cage. 

Great story, great acting. This movie is up for awards and should be! One of the best damn movies I"ve seen in a while!!

The Beatle's Now and Then

Max 2023

Paul

Ringo

John

George

You'd think Paul was the soul generator of this song and promoter. Maybe his is, but he had to have Yoko's permission and Ringo's right? 

I just don't like the idea of A I bringing everyone back around. Do you? It's an ok song. Would John really be happy that it was released? I think Yoko could answer that and why didn't we hear any input from her???

It Ain't Over

Max 2023

Lawrence Peter "Yogi " Berra

Yogi's wife

Grand Daughter

Son

A lot of great baseball players

Loved this documentary.❤️  Brought tears to my eyes a few times. If you love baseball, you gotta watch it. 

I  know a LOT of people don't like the Yankees, but  set that aside when watching the story of Yogi.

 I'm proud to have inherited his book from my mom HE signed. 

NOT LOUD ENOUGH. Bought it to put in the bathroom to block out neighbor’s unpermitted dryer vent. It’s got a high pitch noise that goes on for hours as they dry their clothes. Thing is they don’t often clean the dryer vent and it’s even louder.  

It’s hard to find a good ol’ regular sound machine. Most are all that baby crap for sleepy baby. Returned for refund.

I bought a string and decided to buy another. Didn’t pay attention to the details. Only one plug and that means I couldn’t connect them. Returned along with sound machine. Figured if Sally Mae can return kids clothes they’ve outgrown after 6 months, I can return items that don’t work for me, right? How does Target afford to do it?

Corn chips in fall colors! Very Tasty! Even my picky sister ate them and she doesn’t eat that many packaged goods.

Do they still have them? I don’t think so. Limited run, but of course!

Opened the package and made sandwiches. Two  days later, that shit is green. I should have complained as this brand was very pricey. Will not be buying again. EVER.

By far my favorite here in the bay area. It’s pricey, but soooo good!!!

I've been buying their hummus and freshly baked pita bread at the ferry bldg. as don't make it much to the mission these days.

BUT not long ago I read they refuse to serve police at their Mission location. I am no longer buying their hummus. I can’t support them boycotting the police.

It's such a bummer!!! Maybe they changed their policy? I will ask next time I'm at  the ferry bldg and report back. 

REEM’S CALIFORNIA MISSION
2901 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 780-1953

TUES - SAT 8 AM - 3 PM
CLOSED SUNDAYS & MONDAYS

REEM’S CALIFORNIA SF FERRY BUILDING
1 Ferry Building, #19, San Francisco, CA 94105. (510) 852-9390

Mon  CLOSED
Tues-Friday 10 AM - 3 PM
Saturday 9 AM - 3 PM
Sunday 10 AM - 3 PM

I am picky about veggie burgers. I don’t like them really grainy or really tofu-ish.

 I used to love Boca’s, but I swear they changed ingredients. Boca’s is more tofu-ish. Dr. Preager's has more grain with a great combination of vegetables. 

Will continue to buy them until Trader Joes decides to stop ordering them as they often do when I have a favorite product. Damn it!

Found in the freezer section.

The Ritual Killer

2023

Hulu

Morgan Freeman

Rip from Yellow Stone

The ONLY reason I watched this movie was Morgan Freeman & Cole Hauser (Rip from Yellow Stone) are in it. It’s pretty creepy for sure. Not as gory as I thought, thank the Gods.

I think you will like it.

Haunted Mansion

2023

Disney+

Owen Wilson

LaKeith Stanfield

Tiffany Haddish

Rosario Dawson

Danny DeVito 

Jamie Lee Curtis

Chase Dillon

Jared Leto

Movie about a mom that buys a haunted mansion. She has to hire a tour guide, a psychic, a priest and a historian to help exorcise the place.

If you are watching this at home, turn off all your lights. It’s filmed in existing light and it’s hard to see. My Dad always complains about this type of filming. NOW I get it.

The Menu

2022

Hulu

Ralph Fiennes

Anya Taylor-Joy

If you’ve seen the trailer on this movie, you know it’s gonna be weird and gory. How much gory? 

Actually thought there would be more. Is it a parody on French Laundry? Why do I say that? Just get the impression that serious bs goes on and maybe it ISN”T French Laundry. I’ve never ate there. I thought about it when it was still just 100 bucks a meal, but that was looong ago. Decided I’d rather spend my bucks having a beer with money left over. :)

Ralph Fiennes plays the chef. Very serious arty guy for sure. Do the dinners know what they are in for? They THINK they do until….

The Hunt

Hulu

Reviewed by Cousin Bill

 “The Hunt” is a 2020 movie distributed by Universal starring Betty Gilpin and Hilary Swank.  Spoiler Alert:  Humans hunt humans in this movie.  However this theme is nothing new to Hollywood or popular literature.  

In fact most movies of this sort are variations of “The Most Dangerous Game” also published as “The Hounds of Zaroff” from a short story by Richard Connell, circa 1924.  Although based on an old theme this movie stands out from the rest combining edge-of-your-seat action, casual horror and satire with some unexpected plot twists thrown in.  

The main character is played by Betty Gilpin who is outstanding in this role and a definite badass.  This is the first time I’ve seen Betty Gilpin in anything but am now a diehard fan. 

The principal antagonist is played by Hilary Swank whose character is a domineering, elitist snob who looks at the middle class as deplorable.  If you are a fan of extreme graphic violence mixed with nonstop action this movie is for you.

Interview with the Vampire series

Seasons 1 & 2

Netflix

2022

Sam Reid

Jacob Anderson

Bailey Bass

OK! I love the movie from 1994 with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt based on Anne Rice’s novel. Novel was damn good as well. Thus, I hesitated watching this, but once you start watching you are sucked in as a vampire would wanna do ya. 

The history in New Orleans is interesting along with what it was like being a vampire during those times. My bitch is they end the 2nd season with a big event damn it. How long do we have to wait to see what happens? And if they end it in season 3, I sure hope it’s better than the New Amsterdam ending.

The Pope’s Exorcist

Netflix

2023

Russell Crowe

Daniel Zovatto

Alex Essoe

Russell Crowe is the ONLY reason I started watching this. I’m only about a 1/4 into the movie, but just can’t get into it. Will force myself to watch it to the end closer to Halloween. Nothing surprising so far…but I could be wrong.

AND get this: Netflix is raising prices AGAIN. I'm still pissed ONLY one person can watch the network at a time in the household. What a load of crap! 

New Amsterdam

2018-2023

Netflix, Peacock, Fubo TV

Free on NBC

OMG!!!!! THERE'S ANOTHER SEASON.

I am so happy! YOU will love the first episode on season 5.. I cried.

Ryan Eggold - Dr. Max Goodwin

Jock Sims - Dr. Flyod Reynolds

Freeman Agueman- Dr. Helen Sharp

Tyler Labine- Dr. Iggy Frome

Anapam Her- Dr. Vijay Kapoor

Update: OK, I watched ALL of the last season. MOST episodes made me cry they were so heart warming. 

Then they started adding a lot and I mean a LOT of scenes with the characters signing. NO subtitles, WTF? SORRY, but we don't ALL know how to sign.

Also,, Spoiler alert: The ending sucked. I could have written a better ending. BELIEVE ME.

Searching for Soul Food

Hulu

2023S

Alisa Reynolds

Chef Alisa Reynolds travels around the world in search of soul food. Really interesting

Stories and history! Love to visit her restaurant in Los Angeles. My mouth waters reading the menu. My Two Cents info:

5583 W Pico Blvd  

Los Angeles, California, 90019-3920

(323) 879-9881

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

Disney

2023

Chris Pratt

Peter Quill

Chukwudi Iwuji  

Bradley Cooper  

Pom Klementieff  

Dave Bautista  

Karen Gillan  

Vin Diesel 

Austin Freeman 

Stephen Blackehart

I  have never watched Guardians of the Galaxy until NOW. I loved Volume 3. It’s all about Rocket, who is my favorite character. A lot of scenes could have been edited in my book. Bang, fight em and all that, but overall great story telling. Grab your snacks and tune in. It’s worth the journey with the crew!

Secret Invasion

Disney

2023

Emila Clarke (Game of Thrones)

Saumel Jackson

Hard to get into. I’m up to episode 3. Shift changing Aliens. WTF? Will probably give it one more chance, but DANG.......

The Bear

Season 2

Hulu

Jamie Allen White

Ayo Edebiri

Ebon Moss Bacharach

You have to watch all of season 2. When you get to Episode 7, Talk to me. This episode did more for me than the Japanese “Joy” woman could ever do. WOW. OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!

I hated the episode with the drunken mother. Great role by Jamie Lee Curtis, btw, but I just couldn’t take it. 

I think Ebon Moss Bacharach should get an Emmy for Episode 7. Have I convinced you yet to watch?

Let Them All Talk

2020

Max

Meryl Streep

Candice Bergen

Dianne West

This is listed as a comedy. It’s more of a tragedy to me….

Interesting movie. Not your typical “American plot”, if you know what I mean.

Worth Watching!

New Amsterdam

2018-2023

Netflix, Peacock, Fubo TV

Free on NBC

Ryan Eggold - Dr. Max Goodwin

Jock Sims - Dr. Flyod Reynolds

Freeman Agueman- Dr. Helen Sharp

Tyler Labine- Dr. Iggy Frome

Anapam Her- Dr. Vijay Kapoor

I have been streaming New Amsterdam and only have a few episodes left. I LOVE it. Vaguely remember it when it was first released. Why? I just left my job at the hospital and was done with anything medical at that time. I believe they call that burnt out!

Dr. Goodwin (Max) is the medical director. He IS the BEST! He makes me wish I could have worked with someone like that ALL the time. WOW. 

Best good looking guy on this series is Jock Simms. What a hunk and his character is awesome. If I need surgery I want him!!!

Iggy the therapist really knows his shit. Not happy the way they started portraying him in around season 4. New Amsterdam touches on about every damn subject, which in the end is a good thing. (Even Covid) This is THE BEST series I’ve EVER seen on hospitals!!! I’m sad it’s almost over.

What just happened

HULU 2008

Robert De Niro

Sean Penn

Catherine Keener

Bruce Willis

Inside look of the live of a Hollywood producer. It’s not easy getting a movie made. 

This is a sleeper as far as I know. NEVER heard of it, but it IS worth watching especially to see the character Bruce Willis plays.

The Mother

Netflix 2023

Jennifer Lopez

 I honestly thought this would be another fluff movie of hers with no substance. I was wrong! One of the her better movies in a looong time. The plot is predictable, but still entertaining.

Grab your popcorn!!!!

I always use a certain credit card for dining out and to go orders. I check the account online every so often. I noticed the bill was higher at a local place that we picked up an order to go.

I added it up and realized THEY added a tip. A 18% tip!!!! WTF? Call me cheap, but I AM NOT paying an 18% tip on a to go order. SERIOUSLY??? 

Please remember to LOOK at your receipt and total it up so they can’t add on a tip when signing. If you DO wanna tip, be sure to write it down on the TOTAL line when signing. 

If there is no paper copy, send the receipt to your email. Long line behind you? TOOOO BAD. Let them wait. YOU didn’t set up the software. 

A Small Light

2023 Hulu, Disney Plus, National Geographic

Story is told from Miep’s perspective about hiding Anna Franks family during WW2. 

I kept thinking I know the guy playing Otto Frank, but WHO is he? It’s Ray Donovan, baby! Liev Schreiber is awesome! Woman playing Meip is Bel Powley. Sorry to say never heard of her. Also, was Meip THAT young???

I keep thinking about the original story Anne Frank movie. Meip was a lot older.
The family that is hiding with the Franks in the 1959 film is portrayed as greedy pretty much. Shelly Winters plays the wife in that version. 

The Small light from Meep’s perspective is a kinder, gentler version and I love it. So far have seen 4 episodes and look forward to more!!!

Super Slice Pizza

Phone:  (510) 529-4014

Super Slice Pizza is owned by two brothers who recently bought the former Armadillo Pizza.

I've  been here a few times since they have opened.. Got a slice first visit. They weren’t kidding. SUPER is GRANDE. 2nd time got a mushroom pizza and they apologized cuz never had made one. They worried there weren’t enough mushrooms on the pizza and gave us a free soda. Pizza was perfect! 

Last recent visit got a mushroom and garlic pizza. It was great! So happy we have a local pizza place again.

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen 

Phone: (510) 657-9154

I’ve been boycotting them after getting a chicken sandwich a few months ago. That piece of chicken was double fried and greasy!!! YUK and YUK!

Saw their commercial on tv about the limited time fish sandwich and thought, ok…. Got the classic and coleslaw.$4.19 is a bit outrageous for a teeny serving, but since it was Madri Grais figured what the he’ll…

Fish sandwich tasted spicy!! Ordered classic, WTF? Added the fish smelled slightly fishy…but was hungry. I pulled off the breading and it was spicy so again WTF??? The coleslaw was good, but again $4.19? I could buy a cabbage with the necessary ingredients and feed a family of five coleslaw, ok?

nextdoor.com reviews about Popeye’s said there was new management and it went to the dogs. WOOF! WOOF!

Sprouts Deli

510-345-0461

I really like Sprouts. Their prices on produce are decent and they have great sales. Hadn’t gotten a sandwich from their deli in a long time. We decided to get a sandwich and it was huge! Seriously grande! I don’t remember the name of the sandwich, but it was a spicy turkey and cheese sandwich for only $4.99!!! You can’t beat that price! Added the deli department was nicely staffed. WHO DOES THAT? Also, love their roasted chicken.  Yum!

Lucky’s Deli

Phone: 10-524-7282

Go early. Food is fresh. I don’t think they refry their chicken like some grocery stores…. Employees are either really nice or uptight. Depends who is working. Recently got a turkey sandwich with cheese. $8.99 with your choice of bread, lettuce, tomato, etc. Was it worth it? The jury is still out.———

Chef’s Chinese Food

510-525-8737

We try to go when they open as the food is fresh. You usually have to stand in line and order from the steam table. You can order from the menu, but haven’t done that in years.

Sometimes it’s ok, sometimes it’s just tooooo damn greasy.

Last year a friend gave me a set of spices from Oaktown Spice Shop. I LOVED them, but my favorite was Erbe Italian de Lusso. It's a great mixture with garlic, basil, mediterranean oregano, rosemary, marjoram, parsley, green onion, thyme, sage, lemon zest and white pepper. It

salt free. I use it on damn near everything.

I recently ran out and decided to FINALLY venture over to the shop on Solano in Albany. WOW!  SO many great products!

I grabbed the Erbe Italiane de Lusso, some dried Chives and a package of Hibiscus tea.

I wanted to stay longer, but was parked in a street cleaning zone. 

Next time, I want to check out 

EVERYTHING. GREAT place to shop if you are looking for spices, herbs, salts, blends and rubs, and cookbooks! 

I've been buying Rancho Gordo black eyed peas for the past few years.  It's a tradition to eat them every new years day.

We eat them with hotdogs and kraut. I make a salad of the black eyes peas with celery, red onion and Italian salad dressing.

Do they bring good luck for the new year? I don't know, but looking back one thinks, well...it could always have been worse, right?

Jupiter is one of my favorite places to have beer and pizza. Many selections of beer to choose from and a variety of pizza choices.

I like going off hours as it can get crowded as hell. BIG drunk college students yelling, etc. UGH, so hell yes I will take the off hours.

Their patio is wonderful. There's a fountain and if it's cold, they turn on the gas flame heater in the middle. They also have heat lamps.

Sometimes, when hardly anyone is on the patio, I feel like I'm on vacation in some place like Carmel sipping my pilsner.

IF you are ever in downtown Berkeley, check them out. Let me know what you think.

 AND

This is the last review for 2022.  Happy New Year 2023! Thanks for reading.

MICHELLE OBAMA

2022

I have to return this book to the library tomorrow and I'm not finished. DANG.

The Light We Carry is 2022's BE HERE NOW. Seriously!!

Profound, outstanding, motivating and inspirational. I highly recommend this book and it's not because I like and respect the Obama family.

I will buy a copy soon!

GREAT conversation with Robin Rogers and Michelle Obama. Michelle Obama is totally open and honest. WOW.  Awesome to watch!

 JL FIELDS

2020

Another book from the library. My book shelves are over flowing with mostly cookbooks, so I have to to check out books from the library.

This IS the book when one decides to go completely vegan! I'm not ready, but SHOULD BE. Plan on slowly iincorporating more vegetables going forward.

Surprised that the publisher is Rockridge Press in Emeryville. 

ANNA JONES

2021

I haven't spent much time with this book, There is a quote in the beginning from Vogue (UK) that says,  "think Nigella Lawson's How to Eat or Samin Nosrat's Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, " That's a tall order, but I'll go along with it.

I'm not in love with the layout very much. Will try to work past that as she has interesting recipes/advice and  information. 

There's two pages of Ten simple green ideas. I'm ready and not eager to return to the library just yet...

DARSHANA THACKER

2018

I look up Fork Over Knives online a lot for recipes. There is also a magazine that has all kinds of great recipes!  Her recipes really speak to me.

This is what I got bookmarked so far:

Good Morning Bangkoks Salad, Sweet Potato Cornmeal Pancakes, and Double Corn Muffins to name a few. YUM!!!

If I make room for this book, will be looking to purchase it. ( Even though I keep saying NO MORE COOKBOOKS.)

YUM.  Cousin gave me for Christmas. I dipped some bread yesterday while eating meatballs and spahetti. Double YUM.

It's won all kinds of awards and is a family business. Liquid Gold, baby!!!

Dr. Sheil  Shukla

June 2022

 I finally got this book from the library. I LOVE this cookbook. Been trying to eat more vegetables/plant based foods and THIS IS THE ANSWER...if you like Indian food.

I usually keep some spices used in Indian cooking, so I didn't have to buy any.

However, I've ran across a few I know zero about. I've been reseraching and will write about that soon on my blog: WeirTalk.blog

So far have only made one recipe and that was Ringan Na Palita, an eggplant dish from his wife's family while they were dating. It was so GOOD!!

A little labor intensive in the beginning, but once you get past that, no worries!!! I was so thrilled to find a great eggplant recipe! I got the eggplants from the farm box during the summer and it was great to have a new spicy eggplant dish

.

For more information: https://vegoutmag.com/meet-the-team/sheil-shukla/#

The BEST CHIPS ever!!!! The chips are a bit pricey, but they use REAL ingredients.I find them at smaller grocery stores and farmer's markets.

Head over to SF Ferry bldg on a Saturday and they are located  in the back. You will not be disappointed!!

 LESTER WALKER, PIERRE SERRAO, & JOHN GRAY

I was looking for ebooks online at my library and ran across this amazing cookbook. ALL VEGAN and interesting stories. I couldn't begin to absorb it! 

I don't need any more cookbooks as have a HUGE collection, but I want this book!!

Here are a few reviews from Amazon: 

Named a Best Cookbook of 2022 by Barnes & Noble
 

Named a Best Cookbook of Fall 2022 by Food & Wine, Forbes, Philadelphia Inquirer, Publishers Weekly, The Takeout, and more

“This year’s most important cookbook.”
—Vogue
 

“Every recipe comes with an immersive story, bringing you closer to the intent behind the dish.”
—The Strategist, The Year’s Most Giftable Coffee-Table Books

“Featuring vibrant recipes, interviews, art, and photography, this is a compelling culinary manifesto about the nature of Black food. . . . Ghetto Gastro offers an awakening of what Black food was, is, and can become while demonstrating the sheer joy and creativity Black communities generate. With waves of crunch, heat, flavor, and umami, this Bronx culinary collective also inspires discussions about race, history, and long-standing food inequality.”
—Food & Wine

You can order directly from the website:

https://ghettogastro.com/pages/about

1

2/27/2022 - YIPPIE! I got this book for Christm from cousins!

I could eat the whole bag in one sitting. Impluse buying at the grocery store.

YUM! If you are gonna buy junk food, don't mess around. :) 

Sorry the pic is so lame!

Katie Kendrick

Great mixed media book. She suggests ideas to get you going and great techniques to learn. I want to buy this book!!

I googled her and there isn't a lot of info. 

My favorite wheat berries!!!! I bought these at Monterey Market in Berkeley before subscribing for a farm box from Full Belly Farms.

I like wheat berries better than farro and would gladly substitute with these.

Found in the frozen section. It's as good as any dish from a restaurant these days and LESS expensive.

A couple of times its been all dark meat and a bit rubbery, but lately pretty, pretty good! Try it, you will be pleasantly surprised!

Thank God Trader Joes has German bier! It's hard to find around here. GO FIGURE!!! 4 biers in one packages for a great price. I LOVE this bier!!!

If you like ice cream cones, you will LOVE these mini cones from Trader Joes. The inside of cone is coated with chocolate! I could eat the whole box on a hot day. 

YUK and YUK.   Purchased a container of Mi Fiesta guacamole at a local farmers market. I paid WAY TOOOO MUCH for this. Horrible and Horrible!! Why??  They had so much citrus in the guacamole it NEVER turned brown. DO NOT BUY.

Cousin sent me a couple of Fritter cookbooks when I mentioned I was having trouble finding a recipe.  

Both books are great and can be purchased on Amazon. 

I cracked up reading one of them as the author acted like if one were to reveal one of the recipes, there would be hell to pay, etc. GET OVER YOURSELF BUDDY!

After reading through the recipes in both books, suddenly I was finding fritter recipes all over the place, even popping up in newsletters.

My word for this past summer is: FRITTER. You really can not go wrong!!!

Bought these on sale at Sprouts grocery store. They were ok. Would I buy them again? If they were on sale...maybe.

Jeremy White from Shameless is BRILLIANT!! Love the guy that plays his cousin as well. Great damn acting. When they were stressed, so was I! I could easily have chewed off my nails and smoked 3 packs of cigarettes.

Binge watched this and can't wait to see Season 2.

Denny Crane!!! The only reason and really the ONLY reason I thought about watching this series is William Shatner and my Dad.

My dad loved this show so we started watching it.

Hulu has ALL the seasons and I started with the very first episode. I will regret it when I come to the end...but I remember the last and it is BRILLIANT.

What gets me is most of the subject manner is STILL current today. FREAKIN' Scary!!!! You have to watch Alan take on the Supreme Court. BRAVO!!!

I thought this series was on HBO, but it's on HULU. Yippie. They have already done  season 2. It's one of my favorite series as it's so funny!

Selma Gomez, Martin Short & Steve Martin are awesome. 

Love the scenes of NYC.  How lucky to live there and especially in that building!

I watched this series because Ewan McGregor plays Obi-Wan. He is one of my favorite actors!

Young Leia is kidnapped. That's all I'm saying.  I can't wait for Season 2!

One night I was bored so decided to watch Last Blood. MFER. I wish I knew Rambo. I can see why people love Rambo. I am now a fan. I'm seriously thinking about getting a poster. :)

I checked for more Rambo movies, but the rest seem to be on HBO or pay by movie. Hoping Hulu or Netflix gets more Rambo movies SOON.

BTW, if you don't like violence. DO NOT WATCH. 

Holy Crap! IF any of this movie is true and I'm thinking I read it was based on true accounts.....Damn.  

Rambo is in war torn Thailand. Christians wanna save the world and he tells them to go home. They should have!!!!

Mulberries are back in season!!! Pricey this year, but still worth it. Frog Hollow at local farmer's markets are the only places I know to purchase them...BUT if you live in SF, Bi-Rite might have them. YUM and YUM!!!!! Wish I had a tree.

Margo was a brilliant artist. Please stop by and honor her on June 5th. 

Was excited to see this exhibit. I thought it would be a bunch of rooms. It's only one BIG room with limited seating. They had a a few benches and circles on the floor spaced out for Covid. 

With my back, no way in hell was I sitting on the floor.  I think if you were VIP level they offered a cushion.

I love Frida, but I think Van Gogh would be better suited for this type of display/format  as he does a lot of scenery.

Glad to have seen the exhibit as always would have wondered. 

I fast forwarded some of this movie. Mostly the scenes in the beginning are boring.

Added I hated the wig his wife wore. Wife played by Connie Britton.

Never heard about this true story! I got emotional at the end.

Check it out and let me know. Mark Wahlberg is a brilliant actor! 

Gas prices are bullshit! What percentage do we get from Russia? I've read different answers to that question, but it's bleeping minimum. Oil companies are greedy, but we know that.

I just don't want to spend 35 grand on an electric car yet. Do you?? 

2004-2011 Series

One of the BEST TV series EVER. Started watching in on Encore when we had Starz on stinking Dish network. 

(Stinking Dish! But that's another story. I need to write an open letter to the  CEO on my blog- Weirtalk.)

The writing and acting is brilliant!!! Now days since everyone is so... could they  handle the dialogue?

Trust me! If you like Dennis Leary, please watch an episode. You will be freaked & overjoyed!