Author Archives: Larry Sanderson

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

Bring Your Own Brigade
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | DocumentaryDirected by Lucy Walker
In her new documentary, Lucy Walker looks at California’s apocalyptic fires and finds more than the usual smoke and politics.


A scene from Lucy Walker’s documentary, “Bring Your Own Brigade.”
By MANOHLA DARGIS

The Macaluso Sisters
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Emma Dante
This moving drama by the filmmaker Emma Dante imagines the ripple effects of a sister’s death across generations in Sicily.


Left to right, Viola Pusateri, Eleonora De Luca, Anita Pomario, Alissa Maria Orlando and Susanna Piraino in “The Macaluso Sisters.”
By BEATRICE LOAYZA

Annette
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Musical, Romance | Directed by Leos Carax
Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard are star-crossed lovers in this hallucinatory musical, written by Sparks and directed by Leos Carax.


In “Annette,” Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard play a performance artist and an opera singer in and out of love.
By A.O. SCOTT

The Last Matinee
NYT Critic’s Pick | Horror | Directed by Maximiliano Contenti
Set in a movie theater, this droll splatterfest is aimed straight at the jugular.


Julieta Spinelli in “The Last Matinee.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Bix: ‘Ain’t None of Them Play Like Him Yet’
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary, Biography, Music | Directed by Brigitte Berman
The composer and cornet player Bix Beiderbecke changed music forever in a very short life. A restored documentary from the ’80s goes into the details.


ix Beiderbecke, center with cornet, in “Bix: ‘Ain’t None of Them Play Like Him Yet,’” a documentary directed by Brigitte Berman.
By GLENN KENNY

— Of Possible Interest —

Vivo
PGAnimation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Musical | Directed by Kirk DeMicco, Brandon Jeffords
The animated musical, about a kinkajou who goes on a journey to deliver a song, may have an uneven story, but the movie’s stellar songs, by Lin-Manuel Miranda, reflect the artist at his best.


From left, Gabi (voiced by Ynairaly Simo) and Vivo (voiced by Lin-Manuel Miranda) in “Vivo.”
By MAYA PHILLIPS

Naked Singularity
RComedy, Crime, Drama | Directed by Chase Palmer
John Boyega plays a harried public defender in this chaotic merger of sci-fi and heist thriller.


John Boyega in “Naked Singularity.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

The Suicide Squad
RAction, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi | Directed by James Gunn
The director James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) shifts from Marvel to DC Comics with some familiar faces and the usual moves.


From left, David Dastmalchian, John Cena, Idris Elba and Daniela Melchior in “The Suicide Squad,” the latest entry in the DC Comics franchise, directed by James Gunn.
By MANOHLA DARGIS

Food! Glorious Food!

With Chop Suey and Loyal Fans, a Montana Kitchen Keeps the Flame Burning
Pekin Noodle Parlor, one of the nation’s oldest Chinese restaurants, says goodbye to its longtime owner but holds tight to its colorful past and city.


By Brett Anderson Photographs by Louise Johns

Camarones Embarazados, the Grilled Shrimp Recipe That Brings the Beach to You
With their cheeky name and rich adobo, these skewered “pregnant shrimp” rule the beaches of Puerto Vallarta and are perfect for grilling at home.


Camarones embarazados translates to pregnant shrimp in Spanish, but it’s a play on words.
By Pati Jinich

This Shrimp Recipe Will Bring You Joy
Millie Peartree’s sheet-pan shrimp boil is as festive as it is delicious.
By Emily Weinstein

THE POUR
California Wine Country Rebuilds as Threats Persist
The drought in Northern California is severe, and the risk of fires remains high. But winemakers are trying to adapt to climate change.


Andrew Holve, the head of winemaking at Newton Vineyards in Napa Valley, examining dead vines in a vineyard block lost to the 2020 fires.
By Eric Asimov

Who Knew?

The baby yard bunny and the backyard squirrel were frolicking in the backyard, and the bunny hopped down off the stairs to eat some weeds. Yay! Bunny.

So the squirrel hops up on the stairs and starts chomping on the cucumber vine and eats a baby cucumber. Then starts eating petunia flowers. Bastard!

Well! Delta! Delta! Delta!

I now personally know two people, both younger than I am, one by a whole lot and the other much closer with post-vaccinated (breakthrough) COVID-19. The oldest one contracted it at a family reunion they held where at least one person (who worked in healthcare — irony much, had not been vaccinated), the second possibly a memorial service — I really don’t know. Several vaccinated people at the family reunion went on to test positive to COVID-19, but at least they are all having extremely mild cases (so far).

While I do not consider myself a nutter (who does, anyway?), this seems too high for the blather that’s getting kicked around in the press.

I suspect Herr Trump has done more damage to the government’s initialism health departments, or that we’re being lied to again for our own ‘protection.’ I know that too many people are watching Faux Newz, but I cannot change that.

Be careful out there and think about masking up, especially indoors. Oh, and tell all your non-vaccinated friends to go get vaccinated or to go to hell — their choice.

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

Sabaya
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Hogir Hirori
This intrepid, immersive documentary follows the men and women who rescue Yazidi girls kidnapped and held by Islamic State fighters in a Syrian refugee camp.


A scene from the documentary “Sabaya,” by Hogir Hirori.
By DEVIKA GIRISH

Fauna
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Nicolás Pereda
This lean meta-drama tackles the fictions typically associated with Mexican culture with droll humor and bold conceptual play.


Lázaro Gabino Rodríguez and Luisa Pardo in “Fauna.”
By BEATRICE LOAYZA

The Green Knight
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Adventure, Drama, Fantasy | Directed by David Lowery
Dev Patel plays a medieval hero on a mysterious quest in David Lowery’s adaptation of the 14th-century Arthurian romance.


Failson, charmer, seeker: Dev Patel stars as Gawain in David Lowery’s “The Green Knight.”
By A.O. SCOTT

Enemies of the State
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Sonia Kennebeck
This documentary on the strange case of Matt DeHart weaves uncertainty into its structure.


Leann and Paul Dehart, the parents of the documentary subject Matt DeHart, in “Enemies of the State.”
By BEN KENIGSBERG

— Of Possible Interest —

The Last Mercenary
Action, Comedy | Directed by David Charhon
In this diverting action comedy, Jean-Claude Van Damme plays a former secret agent forced back into action to save his estranged son.


Jean-Claude Van Damme in “The Last Mercenary.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Food! Glorious Food!

FHome & Garden
Shopping experts share their best advice for saving on groceries
By Laura Daily

How to clean your refrigerator and keep it that way
By Becky Krystal

$600,000 Sexual Harassment Settlement Reached in Batali & Bastianich Case
An investigation by the New York State attorney general describes a culture of widespread sexual harassment and retaliation at the Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group.

The chef Mario Batali has signed an agreement with the New York State attorney general to compensate workers who were sexually harassed at his former restaurants.
The chef Mario Batali has signed an agreement with the New York State attorney general to compensate workers who were sexually harassed at his former restaurants.
Kim Severson

The Right Sandwich for Right Now
Flavored with garlic mayonnaise, chiles, cilantro and lime, Kay Chun’s salt and pepper shrimp roll screams summer.


By EMILY WEINSTEIN

A GOOD APPETITE
How to Make Fast, Easy Skewers on the Grill
Grilling season is in full swing. What better time to perfect this often-tricky technique?

This speedy recipe for fish skewers makes the most out of thick, dense steaks — and doesn’t need much to shine.
This speedy recipe for fish skewers makes the most out of thick, dense steaks — and doesn’t need much to shine..
By Melissa Clark

Bulgogi, Any Way You Slice It
From its origins in ancient Korea to kitchens across the diaspora today, this staple of Korean barbecue means something different to everyone.

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This skirt steak bulgogi tastes best with char from a grill, but a hot skillet on the stovetop would work in a pinch.
By ERIC KIM

EAT
The Best Thing to Eat When It’s Hot
In paneer con tomate, bright and juicy acidity finds a perfect partner with bites of fried cheese.


By TEJAL RAO

15 Easy Recipes for Ripe, In-Season Tomatoes
Let the indisputable star of the summer shine in any one of these delicious dishes.

Ali Slagle’s tomato bruschetta.
Ali Slagle’s tomato bruschetta.
By Tanya Sichynsky

Great Zukes!
You have all the summer squash, and we have loads of recipes.


By SAM SIFTON

FRONT BURNER
Cooking With the Abundance of Maine
“The Maine Farm Table Cookbook” includes recipes from restaurants, farms, dairies and more across the state.


“The Maine Farm Table Cookbook: 125 Homegrown Recipes from the Pine Tree State” by Kate Shaffer (Countryman Press, $24.95).
By FLORENCE FABRICANT

Guac

Pasta Grannies

CRITIC’S NOTEBOOK
The Best Onigiri Are All About the Rice
At these Los Angeles spots, creative Japanese rice balls inspired by home cooking are made to order.


By TEJAL RAO

No-Roll Pie Crusts for Simple Summer Desserts
The perfect pies for lazy days combine buttery press-in crumb shells with no-bake fillings and piles of fresh fruit.


Crumb crusts and chilled fillings make for easy summer desserts.
By Dawn Perry

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

Woodstock 99: Peace Love and Rage
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary, Music | Directed by Garret Price
An HBO documentary examines a music festival that went so far off the rails that it defined an era.


The Woodstock 99 festival, which is the subject of a documentary by Garret Price.
By ELISABETH VINCENTELLI

Ailey
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG-13 | Documentary | Directed by Jamila Wignot
Jamila Wignot explores the life of Alvin Ailey in a new documentary that brings a choreographer to life through movement and words.


The choreographer Alvin Ailey as seen in “Ailey,” a documentary about his life, directed by Jamila Wignot.
By GIA KOURLAS

Eyimofe (This Is My Desire)
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Arie Esiri, Chuko Esiri
The film follows the lives of two individuals in Nigeria who dream of immigrating to Europe to better their prospects.


Jude Akuwudike in “Eyimofe (This Is My Desire).”
By DEVIKA GIRISH

Holy Beasts
NYT Critic’s Pick | Drama | Directed by Israel Cárdenas, Laura Amelia Guzmán
Geraldine Chaplin offers a commanding performance in this sleek tropical thriller.


Geraldine Chaplin in “Holy Beasts.”
By TEO BUGBEE

Food! Glorious Food!

Investors Bet on Foie Gras Grown From Cells in a Lab
Gourmey, a start-up based in Paris, received an additional $10 million in seed funding this week. The company hopes to find a market in the United States amid growing concerns about animal cruelty.

A start-up company called Gourmey is trying to produce foie gras from cultivated cells, rather than the fattened livers of ducks or geese.
A start-up company called Gourmey is trying to produce foie gras from cultivated cells, rather than the fattened livers of ducks or geese.
By Jenny Gross

Organizing a Union in the Disorganized World of Small Restaurants
The stresses of the pandemic and the demands for equity have moved many independent-restaurant workers to start labor-union drives. Will they get results?

The employees of Tattersall Distilling in Minneapolis successfully unionized last August, and have inspired other workers to do the same.
The employees of Tattersall Distilling in Minneapolis successfully unionized last August, and have inspired other workers to do the same.
By Priya Krishna

Learning to Love G.M.O.s
Overblown fears have turned the public against genetically modified food. But the potential benefits have never been greater.
By Jennifer Kahn

Coca-Cola Is Changing the Flavor of a Soda. Again.
The company promised “an even more iconic Coke taste” for its new version of Coke Zero. But some anxious consumers remember the New Coke debacle of 1985.
By Maria Cramer

CRITIC’S NOTEBOOK
In Search of the California Barbecue Tradition
From storied Santa Maria tri-tip on the Central Coast, to barbacoa in Los Angeles, to hot links in West Oakland, the rules for slow-and-low are constantly rewritten here.
A’s BBQ, eastlossoulbarbecue.com

Barba Kush, instagram.com/barbakush

Bludso’s Bar & Que, 609 North La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles; 323-931-2583; barandque.com

Horn Barbecue, 2534 Mandela Parkway, Oakland; 510-225-6101; hornbarbecue.com

Moo’s Craft Barbecue, 2118 N Broadway, Los Angeles; 323-379-3635; mooscraftbarbecue.com

Smoke Queen, smokequeenbbq.com

The Hitching Post, 3325 Point Sal Road, Casmalia; 805-937-6151; hitchingpost1.com
By TEJAL RAO

A GOOD APPETITE
Crispy, Cheesy Arepas You Won’t Soon Forget
A snap to make, these tender, sweet corn arepas de choclo from the food stylist Mariana Velásquez make an excellent summer meal.

Sweet and moist in the center, arepas de choclo are usually filled with cheese.
Sweet and moist in the center, arepas de choclo are usually filled with cheese.
Melissa Clark
By Melissa Clark

16 No-Bake Desserts for Blazing Summer Days
When it’s too hot to turn on the oven, these treats will satisfy your sweet tooth.

Melissa Clark’s no-bake lemon custards with strawberries.
Melissa Clark’s no-bake lemon custards with strawberries.
By Margaux Laskey

FRONT BURNER
It’s Herring Time in Midtown
Aquavit celebrates herring with a summer festival that had to be skipped last year because of the pandemic.


Aquavit Herring Festival, $65 per person, and herring kit for two, $125, aquavit.org.
By Florence Fabricant

Saffron

Crawfish

Cabbage Island Clambake

Trofie Pasta

Exploring Seattle’s Booming Beer Scene
This northwestern city makes some of the most creative craft beers around. The best place to try them is in the Ballard Brewery District.

Obec Brewing is one of a dense cluster of beer breweries in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.
Obec Brewing is one of a dense cluster of beer breweries in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.
By Christopher Solomon

THE POUR
A Wine Worth Waiting For
The 2005 Bordeaux vintage will require decades to evolve and develop. Is that better than wines that are terrific sooner, but not as majestic?

In Bordeaux, winemakers like Pontet-Canet make powerful wines that can endure for decades, long enough to develop complex secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors.
In Bordeaux, winemakers like Pontet-Canet make powerful wines that can endure for decades, long enough to develop complex secondary and tertiary aromas and flavors.
By Eric Asimov

For the First Time, an American Will Run the American Bar in London
The storied cocktail bar, which opened in the 1890s at the Savoy Hotel, has named Shannon Tebay of Death & Co. in New York as its new head bartender.


Shannon Tebay at Death & Co. in New York, where she worked for seven years before being named head bartender at the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London.
By ROBERT SIMONSON

NYT Critic’s Pick Movie(s)

The Hidden Life of Trees
NYT Critic’s Pick | PG | Documentary | Directed by Jörg Adolph, Jan Haft
Jörg Adolph uses the sensorial capacities of cinema to thrillingly visualize a German forester’s contention that trees are social, sentient beings.


A scene from the documentary “The Hidden Life of Trees.”
By DEVIKA GIRISH

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Documentary | Directed by Morgan Neville
Morgan Neville’s sharp and vividly compelling documentary tries to pin down a brilliant, troubled man.


Anthony Bourdain, the subject of the documentary “Roadrunner.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters
NYT Critic’s Pick | Documentary | Directed by Tom Hurwitz, Rosalynde LeBlanc
A striking new documentary explores the enduring legacy of a dance piece created by Bill T. Jones at the height of the AIDS crisis.


A still from the documentary “Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones and D-Man in the Waters.”
By GLENN KENNY

Pig
NYT Critic’s Pick | R | Drama, Thriller | Directed by Michael Sarnoski
Nicolas Cage plays a reclusive truffle hunter in this fiercely controlled character drama.


Nicolas Cage in “Pig.”
By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS

— Of Possible Interest —

No Ordinary Man
Documentary | Directed by Aisling Chin-Yee, Chase Joynt
This documentary sheds light on a prominent jazz musician whose death became a spectacle when it was discovered he was transgender.


Billy Tipton, center, in the documentary “No Ordinary Man.”
By TEO BUGBEE

Food! Glorious Food!

Restaurant Shuts Down for a ‘Day of Kindness’ After Customers Make Its Staff Cry
The owners of Apt Cape Cod, a farm-to-table restaurant in Brewster, Mass., drew a line in the sand against customers’ rude behavior since being allowed to fully reopen.
By NEIL VIGDOR

PepsiCo reports stronger sales as consumers eat out more, but warns of rising prices.
The food and beverage giant said its net revenue surged 20.5 percent to $19.2 billion from a year earlier.
By JULIE CRESWELL

TRILOBITES
Cauliflower and Chaos, Fractals in Every Floret
Scientists take a crack at recreating the hypnotic fractal spirals of the Romanesco cauliflower.


By SABRINA IMBLER

Summer’s Must-Make Chilled Soup
This classic Persian dish is the no-cook meal you need in your life.


By GENEVIEVE KO

Ottolenghi’s Formula for Easy, Delicious Dishes
If you have something fresh, something flavorful and something in need of using up, you’re most of the way to a meal, Yotam Ottolenghi writes.


Turmeric and chiles give these eggs their lively appearance.
By YOTAM OTTOLENGHI

18 Vegetarian Grilling Recipes for Your Next Cookout
Enliven your repertoire with these deeply flavorful vegetarian options.


Jocelyn Ramirez’s grilled mushroom skewers.
By ALEXA WEIBEL

Nigel Slater’s recipe for sautéed peppers and potatoes
A tasty, herby, juicy veggie treat


‘Keep the ingredients partially covered as they cook so that they partly fry, partly steam’: sautéed peppers, potatoes.
By Nigel Slater

Lobster Rolls in New England

Edo Era Noodles

Minnesotan’s Best Ever Food Review Show at Crossroads

The world’s greatest dessert: 10 superb pavlovas – from peach melba to beautiful banoffee


The colourful variant … Kim-Joy’s rainbow pavlova.
By Stuart Heritage

THE POUR
From Savoie, White Wines That Refresh Like Mountain Air
This Alpine region in eastern France was little known until recently. Its gorgeous wines are distinctive and immediately appealing.


By Eric Asimov