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3 Bad Movies, 1 Good One, and 1 Failed Attempt

I don’t watch very many movies. I think the last film I saw in the theatre was Thank You for Smoking (back in March or April, I believe), and Kenny and I don’t even rent enough films to warrant the smallest NetFlix package (fortunately, when we do get the urge to rent something, we can walk across the street to On 15th, usually armed with a 2-for-1 coupon from QFC).

Well, it seems that family visits often offer opportunities to catch up on movies, which we certainly did during our Thanksgiving week in Slidell. We watched 3 films that proved less than popular with their audiences (which changed with each film, but always included Kenny, his cousin David, and me):

  • The Italian Job (the 1969 original, not the Marky Mark remake, which I actually found somewhat enjoyable, if brainless)
  • Edmond
  • Reefer Madness (the 2005 Showtime remake. This one is one of Gary and Lynn’s faves, due to its campy songs, but I was simply not in the mood for the killing spree at the end, especially right after watching Edmond.)

And one that we enjoyed a good deal: Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, starring Val Kilmer and Robert Downey, Jr.

We also attempted to see Stranger than Fiction at the local Slidell cinema, but we left early into the film because the picture was out of focus and shaking (we tried to stick it out, but we were all getting headaches). Incidentally, David saw Stranger than Fiction after arriving home in New York and he enjoyed it, so maybe we should try to head out and see it in theatres rather than waiting for it to arrive at On 15th. :)

Drago’s Seafood

I’m sure Kenny will write a full-fledged review, and I’m not going to try to replace that. All I’m going to say is that if you ever have a chance to visit Drago’s Seafood in Metairie, Louisiana, do it. And make sure you order the charbroiled oysters (they churn out thousands of these every day).

I didn’t even think I liked oysters, but these were amazing. Although, I think just about anything cooked in that amount of butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese would be pretty amazing.

Tennessee-Style Trash Can Turkey (as Practiced in New Orleans)

As promised, some photos of the trash can turkey…

It all starts with a stake in the ground.

Then the turkey gets impaled on the stake. I believe Gary injected this turkey with something yummy.

The trash can goes on top.

And then the hot coals go on top of (and around) the trash can.

The turkey “bakes” this way for a couple of hours. As with a conventional turkey recipe, the baking time depends on the size of the turkey.

The end result was delicious. It had a great smoky flavor that turkey usually lacks.

A Stroll Through the French Quarter

The French Quarter has certainly recovered pretty well, but there were still many signs of the destruction that happened in August 2005.

Many establishments have signs like this, or “now hiring” signs.

Throw me something, FEMA.

One thing hasn’t changed: the daiquiris are still flowing.

Food!

Thanksgiving in New Orleans

Kenny’s dad and stepmom moved to Slidell, Louisiana (a suburb of New Orleans) about two years ago. Just after Hurricane Katrina, Kenny and I both wrote about their experiences during and in the aftermath of the disaster.

Kenny has been out to Slidell once to visit Gary and Lynn since Katrina, but I haven’t had the chance to visit yet (in fact I’ve never been to New Orleans at all). I’m excited to be making my first trip out there this week, for a Wolf clan Thanksgiving celebration (the entire Wolf clan consists of Kenny, his sisters, their father and stepmother, and an aunt and cousin, so it’s not too difficult to get them all together). It’s unfortunate that I never got to see pre-Katrina New Orleans, but in any case I’m glad to be going now and I’ll certainly have my camera with me.

Gary has promised to make us his famous “trash can turkey” (I’m sure Kenny or I will post the recipe in a few days, and I will be sure to post photos of the process) and we will be making the cranberry salsa that was such a big hit with my family in Los Angeles last year.