I gathered 7 different variations of the ever popular Cinnamon Toast Crunch to make my version of Rice Krispy Treats. I saw one version that adds condensed milk and vanilla with the brown butter, so I went that way. It is a sugar, yet tasty overload. I brought it to the party and shared it with my neighbor. I have so much leftover cereal. 🙄 Happy 4th!
This is #6 on my Hidden Gems list and was released in 1991.
Writer/Director Albert Brooks was never better than as the neurotic and newly deceased, Daniel Miller. Miller dies and finds himself in the afterlife in between limbo and Heaven where he must go to court, and defend his past life. His lawyer is Bob Diamond played by Rip Torn and my favorite character in this comedy. If you liked Torn in The Larry Sanders show, you will absolutely love him as his optimistic attorney.
Then there is the joyful Meryl Streep as Julia. She is the love interest of Daniel. She is so carefree and happy, the opposite of him, and it makes him uncomfortable. Brooks plays Woody Allen better than Woody Allen. The food scenes are my favorite example of that. Gotta love that waiter.
There is so much to love about their performances and the writing is so clever. The movie really makes you think about your own life and all the decisions, good and bad, you have made along the way.
This is one great sorbet. It was both creamy and icy in the best of ways. The flavor was incredible. My new favorite sorbet.
Gotta change it up now and then. Those are caraway seeds from the rye. No man is left behind. #YumYum
This is #5 from my Hidden Gems List.
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The Commitments has my favorite musical moment of any film. An Irish R&B band is created of talented musicians, but their personalities clash. When they get a chance to perform, "Try a Little Tenderness" in front of a live audience, it is like they are blessed by the Heavens above. The movie builds to this magical moment and you are happy to be part of the audience.
#4 of my Hidden Gems List
Danny Aiello has never been better playing Joe, the father of Renata played by Holly Hunter. Renata is struggling in life until she meets her soul mate, the much older, Sam Sharpe played by Richard Dreyfus. Dreyfus is so good playing this successful salesman that is super nice that he is super annoying to Renata's family. Especially Joe who does his best to accept Sam for his daughter. This one is special and very relatable to most of us that have a Sam in our lives.
Those tight shiny bodysuits made her an instant early crush.
My #3 of 20 hidden gems is a courtroom comedy. The opening court scene is a great way to start a movie. Judd Nelson is Stormy Weathers, a young brash lawyer that puts himself in the spotlight. In doing so, he must defend the king of the cringe, Douglas Benoit, played by John Hurt, at the top of his game. Nelson's scenes with Hurt were glorious and the way Hurt commanded the screen shows you how incredibly talented he is. Especially the final court scene.
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After the successes of The Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire, this lead role was supposed to be Nelson's launching pad, but he couldn't cross that blockbuster star line.
My next film off of my best Hidden Gems list is such a New Yorker flick. With Brooklyn to Long Island accents, this coming of cage story about a young man, Jeffrey, (Matt Dillon) coming from a Brooklyn blue collar family gets a taste of the rich life at a private beach club in the Hamptons. Richard Crenna plays Phil Brody, a smooth talking businessman that takes Jeffrey under his wing. Meanwhile, his hardworking father, Arthur played by Héctor Elizondo wants Jeffrey to go to college. The hand gestures, accents and demeanors of these two are so gloriously on the money. Having grown up on Long Island with 2 parents from Brooklyn, I know.
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There is so much to love about Dillon's awkward and naive character. The chewing scene cracks me up every time. Then there is the stunning Janet Jones as Jeffrey's girlfriend and Brody's daughter. She is charmed by Jeffrey because he is different from the rich, socialite friends she hangs out with. Watching them together feels like the average guy has a chance at the beauty queen.
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This is also Marisa Tomei's 1st film.
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I am a big fan of chunky PB swirl style of ice cream. Purchased at Whole Foods when it was on sale, but it is already one of the cheaper brands there. If this swirl was found in Butter Pecan or Pistachio flavors, I would be in ice cream nirvana. Or even a PB&J style.
This is my oldest from my Hidden Gems list. My list spans from 1980-2025. Hero at Large (1980) with the late great John Ritter. When given a chance to be a hero, who would stand up or shrink under the pressure? Ritter plays Steve Nicholls, a struggling actor who took that leap.
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A little cheddar and gouda. #YumYum
I went out with a pizza group and while the pizza was pretty mid, these bacon-wrapped jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese, cheddar and brisket was off the hook. Every restaurant should have these on their appetizer list.
Anyone have a similar recipe to share?