Matinee Wednesday: "Julie and Julia"

Wednesday mornings and early afternoons are some of the best times of the week: Holly and I are both home and want to get stuff done. Most of this is serious stuff like doctor visits or grocery shopping.

Sometimes, though, we just catch a nice $5.25 matinee at the University Mall Cinemark.

Today, we took in the 11:55 showing of "Julie and Julia" starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep as the title characters. Both seem very natural and believable (dare I say organic...haha) in their roles, though Holly grew kind of tired with some of Julia/Meryl's over-the-top mannerisms. But then again, that's just who she/they are. Holly and I both enjoyed the genuine laugh-out-loud moments that season the storyline. (Puns clearly intended.)

To be perfectly honest, the other stars in the film are the dishes that the two ladies concoct as the story weaves between their lives. For food lovers like Holly and I, it was great to see the food play just as big a role as the actors themselves. After all, that was the basis of the blog/book/movie in the first place: cooking up the hundreds of recipes in Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Not that Holly and I would particularly eat every single one, but they all at least look appetizing on screen. (Well, almost. Holly's tummy is still a bit sensitive, so she had to look away at some points.)

The only potentially questionable content is a smattering of coarse language, mostly in the second half of the film, including a random f-bomb from Julia's husband. (I mean, really random. Totally out of left field and not really necessary, I think. Kind of like peppers and onions in a Philly cheesesteak.)

Given the heavier fare that has been dominating most of the summer, this is a refreshingly tasty sweet treat.

I swear the food puns are done. Promise.