Conversation with Harry Johns

I love these inmates in Cebu and their Michael Jackson dancing!

a. Rear Window (currently on BBC America this very second)
b. Passport to Pimlico (impossible to find)
c. Christmas story (every Xmas, Justin’s fav)
d. 3 burials (cuz I think Tommy rocks)
e. Saving Private Ryan (best war movie every made)

I may not be a genius in the kitchen, but with these 3 sauces from Men’s Health I can sure seem like one in about 5 minutes to make each.

Michael White’s Salsa Verde

“This is a perfect accompaniment to any fish dish,” says White. “I serve it with striped bass at Marea, but you could serve it with shrimp, lobster salad, or even poultry.”

3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil1/2 cup loosely packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 cup loosely packed chopped fresh mint leaves
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1/4 cup capers, drained and coarsely chopped
2 oil-packed anchovy fillets, rinsed and patted dry
Sea salt and freshly ground pepperFreshly squeezed lemon juice
Blend the oil, parsley, mint, scallions, capers, and anchovies in an electric blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Serve at once, or keep the sauce in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Eric Ripert’s Sauce Vierge

“I like sauce vierge because you can use it on almost any fish, and it can be flavored with almost any herb you happen to have on hand,” says Ripert. “It also keeps well in the fridge for at least 3 days, and with a little acid can be used as a great vinaigrette.”

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Zest of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 small shallot, minced
1/2 garlic clove, minced
3 Tbsp chopped parsleyPlace all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Charles Phan’s Ginger-Chili Fish Sauce
“This is at every Vietnamese dinner table,” says Charles Phan, the executive chef and owner of the Slanted Door, in San Francisco. “We call it nguoc cham. Often it’s just fish sauce, ginger, sugar, vinegar, and Thai chili. This one is used for any white but not superfatty fish, like catfish.”

2 Tbsp minced, peeled ginger
1-2 Thai chilies3 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp white vinegar
4 Tbsp fish sauce
2 Tbsp water
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp chopped scallionsIn a mortar, pound the ginger, Thai chili, and sugar into a paste.
Add the rest of the ingredients and stir.

I always enjoy the ‘goodbye episodes’ of TV hosts like Conan O’Brien as they always end up being the one where they take slightly more risks. Why care, right? (Well I guess there is that job on Fox in the fall everyone is talking about … might leave them one day too ok?) I have to say that this is one of the funnier shows I’ve seen of his and the tonight show. Even enjoyed the Conan tears at the end. And Correll is hilarious (almost as funny as Ricky). Will Ferrell does the same jokes over and over again.

I watched Ricky Gervais do the Globes last night. He has perfected that style of comedy. Basically, to me it looked liked he knew that he would only get one chance to do this, so what the heck, might as well just promote my films and take the piss out of people in front of millions. Why not? Why not indeed.

I have to agree with this Guardian blog about the golden globes. Avatar was a fantastic film but I like this assessment …

“not a victory for populism but evidence of Hollywood’s increasing insularity”

Looks like RG was slated by many critics this morning who didn’t appreciate the jokes. They prefer the meaninglessness or Leno and Letterman. If you can’t remember it, it must be good, right? Basically, to the average American, taking the piss, even if ever so slightly, out of Jennifer Anniston or Mel Gibson is like implying that the Queen Mum actually did smoke woodbines during the blitz. Get a life.

What a bunch of narcissists hollywood actors are. Or at least that’s how they come across at this event. They all look good, sure. Physically perfect in fact. Politically absolutely perfectly aligned. But the whole thing came across as unappetizing self congratulation amongst members of a members-only club. In jokes and thanks to the CAA mega agency abound. Insular is probably exactly the right word.

And one tiny section of the show for foreign films showed the wealth of talent … story telling, innovation, acting talent … that sits outside hollywood. Like the evening news however which will at the end announce foreign wars the foreign film is a thing to be nodded at and tolerated. And this from the Hollywood foreign press association.