nannykaplan

I must confess, I watched this movie only after learning it was based on a real story. The Sunday Morning show with Jane Pauley recently did a segment on the actual restaurant in Staten Island where nonnas serve as the chefs. They showcased its founder, Joe Scaravella, whose life is the basis for the movie. Vince Vaughn, who plays Joe, rarely disappoints as an actor and I am a big fan. His characteristic charm and charisma are on full display in this heartwarming tale of a man committed to honoring the memory of his mother by opening a restaurant when everyone feels like family. Admittedly, everything about this movie is predictable and schmaltzy, but you wouldn't expect it to be any other way. Be prepared to want to take a trip to New York after seeing it, or at minimum, becoming really hungry for your favorite Italian dish. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make lasagna!

The trailer for this film will automatically reel you in, at least it did for me. Plus, I am a big fan of Steve Coogan's. It's not a blockbuster, but it's enjoyable and tender, and you will no doubt experience it on an emotional level, especially if you have ever known the special love and bond of a pet. It quietly pulls at your heart strings and makes you smile, while also delivering some warm-hearted humor as well as a bit of a history lesson about strife in Argentina in the 1970s. Best of all, this is based on a true story. Now, I am eager to know more about the real man who wrote his memoir which became the basis for this movie.

Oh, how I adored Gilmore Girls and Bunheads, and as a lover of ballet, I felt as though this series had my name written all over it. Sadly, it was a big disappointment. The acting is so over the top and not a single character is likable, not even in a "love to hate" sort of way. I made it through three episodes, then my internal dialogue caught up with my sense of reason as I thought to myself, this is not entertaining in the least and I am not enjoying it. Do yourself a favor and skip it, but definitely go back and watch Bunheads if you never saw it. That series was seriously robbed of its potential after being cancelled after only one season. It was wonderful and showcased the spectacular talent of Sutton Foster, an actress who has many similar qualities to Lauren Graham of Gilmore Girls.