Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

Pom Wonderful Presents: The Greatest Movie Ever Sold

I have been at the Hot Docs festival all week and have seen such a variety of topics. I don’t write a review on those films because most will not be shown.

It is ironic that I should have come to this film. It had been the opening for the Hot Docs festival.

It is outrageous. It is amusing and also thought provoking.

At times I felt as if I was being taken. I was watching a film about product placement and how we are influenced by the display of products. There are so many product placements in films and we are often unaware of it. Does the subliminal and often overt showing of a product influence us?

Morgan Spurlock makes this film about product placement by overtly and dramatically displaying products The film is about product placement and the products introduced to the audience are also the sponsors of the film. We see him interviewing companies and trying to convince them to use their product in his film. Many companies want no part of it. Many soft drink companies and car companies avoided him.

Morgan Spurlock convinces the directors of Pom (a pomegranate drink) to use the product. You might say he overuses it. Pom is featured in many scenes. Spurlock always has a bottle in his hand. He takes it to meetings and it always seems to be on display.

The film shows how he convinces many companies to allow him to use their name. Blue Jet and the Mini car sign on.

We do learn more about product placement. It creates cash for the products and raises the visibility to the consumer.

I was most impressed with his research. He interviewed government officials and academics who explain the psychology behind the use of product placement. I found these dialogs very interesting.

There is a lot of humor. Spurlock seems to be laughing at himself throughout the film. He went on a late night talk show and wore a jacket that boldly advertised the products that were sponsoring the film.

When he attempts to sign on a product he meets with the directors. His presentations always show he has done a lot of background research and he is very creative in his presentation.

He checked with a lawyer to make sure he couldn’t be sued. I enjoyed the dialog between the lawyer and Spurlock. At the end of the session he asks the lawyer about his fee.($770.00 per hour) Spurlock jokes that it should be less because he is now part of the film.

They discuss if there is such a thing as truth in advertising. What a topic. People are interviewed on the street for their take on that controversial topic.

I was made aware that I should read labels more closely. They can be so misleading.

In some ways I was sorry I saw the film because I was now aiding and abetting product placement. On the other hand I did learn about advertising and I also was amused with the topic.

By the Way Cafe

By The Way 400 Bloor St. W. 416 967 4295

It is like coming home when I enter this familiar restaurant. I know the menu and am guaranteed to have tasty home cooking that pleases. By The Way has been a neighborhood restaurant for many years. The place is always crowded from breakfast until late evening.

Each day there is a special menu listing culinary delights. The emphasis is on healthy Mediterranean style food. I have never been disappointed and always enjoy the spirit of the restaurant as well as the tasty food.

My grandson Alex is leaving in a few days for his cross country tour to initiate his new CD Bridges. I can’t wait for him to come back to Toronto in late June to have his Toronto inauguration.

I wanted to see him to hear all about his extensive plans. He has worked so hard for this tour and I want it to work out well for him. I can’t believe all the details necessary to plan a cross country trip for 5 musicians.

It was still brunch time but our lovely server was willing to have us order from the lunch menu. I should mention that the brunch specials were also very tempting. A variety of egg dishes, waffles, French toast and yogurt are offered daily for the brunch crowd. The Mexican Eggs are my favorite.

I knew without checking I was going to have my very favorite Warm Tuna Nicoise.($12.00) Loin of tuna is grilled to perfection and topped on crispy greens. Potatoes, boiled eggs, crispy French beans and olives are all topped with an herbal dressing. I love this dish and I tend to have it on each visit. Alex also agreed that this was a spectacular lunch dish. Starters offer many choices for those trying to watch calories or dine lightly. The Soup is always tasty and offered at $6.00The Original Quesadilla offers a grilled tortilla with cheese, salsa piquant and sour cream.($7.00) The Bagel, Cream Cheese and Lox is prepared with a Montreal bagel, smoked salmon, capers, onion and cream cheese.($10.00)

I love the Omelettes. The Brie and Mushroom Omelette is a winner.($10.00) Feta Cheese and Tomato Omelette is also a delicious choice.($9:00)

The Middle Eastern Plates are always a winning choice and I have enjoyed it on many occasions. Jerusalem Hummus is prepared with pureed chickpeas in a zesty lemon garlic thane sauce.($6.00) In Israel hummus is a standard dish and always tastes so rich and creamy and flavorful. This hummus is every bit as delicious as anything I have tasted in Israel (and I have eaten hummus around the total country) Two people can happily dine on the Combination Plate.($10.00) A delicious combination of hummus, tabuleh, babaganough and Israeli salad are so delicious and filling.

There is an extensive menu. The specials add additional choices. I find the service speedy and warm. The prices are more than fair. What could be better than a centrally located restaurant offering delicious affordable food? That is why I keep coming back.

United Bakers Dairy Restaurant

United Bakers Dairy Restaurant Lawrence Plaza

416 789 0519

This restaurant is an institution. It offers only dairy products. Sorry meat lovers. You are out of luck here. It is almost like seeing a movie .I like to watch the patrons and the servers. There is a hustle and bustle. The bakery and take out are at the front. That section is always busy. The bread and bagels are very fresh and delicious. The fantastic soup is available for takeout. The bakery section offers a large variety of cakes, cookies and squares. It is a common meeting place for seniors in the area. I think it is so great that the seniors in the area meet here for nourishment and companionship. There is always an abundance of canes and walkers

It also is a great family restaurant. On the weekend be prepared for a long line with large families of several generations waiting for tables. I admire the silver haired servers who always have time to please and are often run off their feet. They are amazing.

My son had been taking a photography course in Huntsville Ont. He and my daughter-in-law were heading back to Chicago. We decided to meet at 8:00 a.m. for an early breakfast. I never eat breakfast but this was an unusual circumstance.

Our family was practically raised at this restaurant. The Split Pea Soup is like no other. It is thick, delicious and flavorful. My son actually asked for soup at this early hour but it was not ready until 9:00 a.m. If he wasn’t heading for an 8 hour drive he would have waited. That is how good the soup is.

Bob and I ordered Scrambled Eggs with Onions and Peppers. It didn’t appear on the menu but this order was no problem. The eggs were creamy and delicious. The onions were perfectly cooked. We had such a good time devouring this wonderful food. The multigrain bagel was very fresh.

My daughter-in-law had a fresh Cream Cheese, Lox and a Bagel. The portion was large and they even had enough to take some for that long ride back to Chicago.

It was obvious that many of the patrons were regulars. One lady arrived and before she even sat down an orange juice and coffee arrived at her plate. I heard her order The Scrambled Eggs Breakfast Special. Two eggs can be ordered cooked in any style with bagel, bread, home fries and sliced tomato

Many people on their way to business stop here daily for breakfast. All breakfast specials include juice and fresh brewed coffee. Waffles and French Toast are popular items. During the day many patrons stop for a pastry and coffee. The Blueberry Buns, Muffins, cupcakes and Rogalech are just a few of those tasty sweets.

At lunch and dinner time Salads and the Soups are the most popular item. The Gefilte Fish Platter is the best in town. My children always loved the Blintzes.

It is an experience to come to this restaurant. The weekends tend to be packed. If possible choose a weekday. Just go. It is am experience well worth the effort.

Oliver & Bonacini

Oliver & Bonacini Bayview Village Shopping Centre

416 590 1399

My mission was to look for a dress for my grandson’s wedding to Hillary. It has to be special. A dear friend agreed to come with me to help me look. I value her taste in clothes and expertise in fashion.

We decided to have lunch before beginning the process. What better place to dine and set the standard of high living.

I couldn’t believe that the total restaurant was occupied. This is a very large restaurant. The menu offers so many choices I really had trouble deciding. Our young server was patient and a delight.

An extensive brunch menu is offered throughout the day. I opted for the Eggs n’ Lox creation.($14.95) I asked to change the brioche to whole wheat bread. Not a problem. The scrambled eggs were moist and so tasty. It is hard to prepare scrambled eggs in a commercial operation. They usually are overdone and dry. These were the best. They were nestled on the toast and covered with a very generous portion of local smoked salmon, chives, grilled asparagus and mascarpone. It was a dish fit for a princess. My friend chose the Savory Smoked Ham Crepe. ($14.95) Two poached eggs, wilted spinach and Thunder Oak Gouda are served in the crepe with mushrooms and hollandaise.

I am told that the Broccoli, Leek, & Goat Cheese Quiche is a total winner.($13.95) It is served with a choice of salad soup or Yukon fries. The Roasted Vegetable Omelette with goat cheese and mixed greens also was appealing.($13.95)

The above mentioned are just a few from the brunch selections.

A mini Pizza with a choice of salad or Yukon fries is a great suggestion for lunch. Margherita is a pizza toped with vine ripened tomatoes, bocconcini cheese and basil ($12.95) Giardinera offers fire roasted red peppers, feta, spinach, balsamic roasted cipolline onions and black olives.($13.25)

Grilled Atlantic Salmon with artichokes, arugula, pickled mushrooms and prosciutto is available for those wanting more substantial food.($18.75) the Classic Burger is 8 oz. of flame broiled lean meat with a dill pickle and Kewpie mayo.($`3.95) Old Macaroni & cheese is always a satisfying tasty dish. It is prepared with white cheddar ad goat cheese.($1250)

I was so impressed with the efficiency of this artful restaurant. It is first class. The menu offers a great variety of tasty dishes. The food was so delicious and of course the plating is inviting and creative.

Oliver & Bonacini have many restaurants throughout the city. The efficiency and creative culinary skill is evident in every restaurant. The service is always impeccable. It is obvious that a great deal of training goes into the staff and it shows.

This exquisite food set us in the mood for our high class shopping in Baview Village. If only I could afford the dresses. I should have gone back to the restaurant for a high calorie dessert and called it a day. It was still a winning afternoon. My friend and I enjoyed our superb lunch and time together. The dress shopping was not as successful. I’ll leave that for another day.

Certified Copy

Certified Copy

I had been up since 3:15 a.m. watching every second of that memorable wedding The movie pickings were limited and with sheer exhaustion I chose the closest film I could find. I knew Juliette Binoche was in the film. She won an award at the Cannes Film Festival for her performance in this film. I had also heard that Tuscany was the setting for the film. What could be better than that?

I really enjoyed the English, French and Italian spoken in the film. Of course there were sub titles for the French and Italian.

It is a delightful film but I do warn you. If you do not like long dialog and philosophical discussion you may be bored. I delighted in the banter between the characters played by Juliette Binoche and the very handsome William Shimell. We never do learn the name of the female character. I found that very strange. She runs an antique shop. She has a precocious son. I would not call their relationship very positive. He is a ‘know it all’ and has comments on everything.

Shimell plays the role of James Miller an author and art historian. They get together after his lecture and he asks her to drive him around the countryside. Tuscany is my favorite spot in the world. They stop in small villages for a coffee or a glass of wine. All the time they are discussing life. They discuss the value of original work over copies. They banter about the topic of simplicity.

In one café he steps outside to take a phone call. She has a fascinating discussion with the café worker. They talk about marriage. In another restaurant we see a bride and groom outside enjoying their festivities and having photos taken. James comments on the illusion of the newlyweds. I loved this scene in the local piazza. The accordion player was adding background music. The old buildings around the square were so beautifully filmed. The bride and groom represented hope and the future. The couple added a sense of reality.

We soon learn the relationship between the antique dealer and the art historian. All the background discussion begins to make sense. Talking about marriage and looking at happy newly weds has a real purpose in developing the plot.

At one point the statement is made. “People must live their lives for themselves.” That does become the central theme of the film. The two main characters are trying to struggle with this concept.

James Miller was rigid and argumentative. He tended to only see his side of the argument. I felt for her because she made such an effort to communicate with him.

There is a lot of dialog but it is worth listening. I loved the background of the small towns in Tuscany. I enjoyed the total experience.

The Burger Cellar

The Burger Cellar 3391 Yonge St 647 345 0084

This was beyond fun! This was more than excellent food! It was a total experience. I have often walked by this burger haven and wandered what was going on inside. The place is totally packed. It is a large restaurant and every seat was taken. People were sitting at the bar and there was a lineup at the door. The dark charcoal walls have a look of elegance. The outstanding high tech light fixtures give this restaurant the look of an upscale restaurant. The wine is artfully displayed. We were happy before we even ordered.

Alex is about ready to leave on a month cross country tour with his jazz band. We wanted to squeeze in one more dinner before he sets out. We were so excited with Burger Cellar.

I hope you will be as fortunate as we were to have Scott as a server. Is he a movie star or maybe a model? I know for sure he is handsome and a superb server. He had a smile on his face and was so accommodating.

The Signature Burgers offers three types of 7.oz premium ground beef. Burgers are served on your choice of sesame bun or a whole wheat bun. Each burger is grilled to order and cooked evenly and served with a selection of condiments.

Alex ordered the Original Classic Burger with Kobe Beef. Kobe beef is from the Japanese breed of cattle Wagu, prized for its extreme marbling in the meat. It is the most prestigious beef in the world. The cattle are fed a fantastic diet that includes pints of beer and the occasional sake massage. The Classic Burger can be ordered with AAA Black Angus ($8.00) Natural ($9.00) or Kobe ($13.00) Lettuce, tomato, red onion and a kosher dill pickle were part of the ensemble. The portion is huge and the taste is exquisite. I ordered the Vegetarian Burger. It is a golden patty of red peppers, grilled zucchini, red onions, baby spinach, pumpkin, cream cheese, chick peas and kidney beans. It is topped with the most amazing avocado and tomato relish and Woolwich goat cheese.($9.00)

We ordered a side of Sweet Potato Fries ($4.00) Crispy and yummy!

Every bite was perfection. It was an enormous portion. I demolished every bite with fervor.

Artisanal Cheeses for toppings can be ordered for $1.50 per item. Two Year Old Bothwell Smoked Cheddar and Ontario Asiago Cheese are just 2 from the selection.

Each hamburger comes with condiments. For $1.00 per item you can order extra toppings such as Caramelized Red Onion or Chipotle Mayo.

There are many hamburgers from which to choose. The Posh Burger offers wild mushroom ragout, white truffle oil and Emma’s mozzarella fior di latte,($12.00-$17.00)

A Turkey Burger is available with avocado, relish, fresh cut watercress and Gruyere cheese.($11.00)

I can’t imagine going to this amazing spot and not ordering a hamburger of some type. It is good to know that traditional food is also available on the menu. Atlantic Salmon is grilled and topped with a white wine lemon chive butter served with Yukon Gold roasted garlic mashed potatoes.($18.00)

Steak Frites offers a 10 oz. AAA Ontario strip loin, topped with red wine shallots, green peppercorn butter served with hand-cut French fries.($21.00)

If you have some room left (and I can’t imagine still being hungry) you might want to be venturesome and order the The Chocolate Burger. ($7.00)

Dare I even suggest that the prices are too reasonable? What an amazing place!

The High Cost of Living

The High Cost Of Living

I want to be supportive of Canadian films. This film won an award at the Toronto Film Festival for the best Canadian first feature. It almost makes it but not quite. The film had a good story but I came away feeling less that totally satisfied. The film takes place in Montreal.

Henry (Zach Braff) looks sleazy, sexy and unkempt in his role of a drug dealer in Montreal. By accident he knocks down a pregnant woman on her way to the hospital.

Nathalie (Isabelle Blais) is the young pregnant woman. Her husband always seems to be busy at meetings and other activities. She can’t reach him when she begins her labor pains and sets out alone for the hospital. She survives the accident but the baby is to be a still birth. Nathalie becomes morose and cannot forgive her husband.

Henry suffers guilt and sets out to find Nathalie. So far I found the story very gripping. Henry buys gifts and offers Nathalie a sanctuary when she leaves her husband. At this point I just couldn’t accept the premise that this woman carrying a dead baby would move in with this unkempt stranger. Henry is so kind and generous to her but after all he is a stranger.

This is a story of grief and coming to turns with it. It is also a story of making up for a bad mistake. Both key players do a fine job but the picture doesn’t quite make the grade.