June 2023 Edition

By: Renee Riendeau / Movie Revelations
Finally! A great movie! A must see! It’s been a
long time since I’ve been emotionally moved
and feel
strongly about any recent film.
This PG-13 true story, Chevalier
is exceptional. It’s set in the 18 th
century and tells a tale of music,
love, and insurmountable adversity.
“Chevalier” is a 2022
biographical drama based on the
life of the famous French Caribbean
musician, Chevalier de Saint
George. He was the illegitimate
son of a slave owner and a French
plantation owner.
Being of mixed race, he rises to
improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist, composer
and champion fencer. It’s complete with a love affair and falling out
with Marie Antoinette. Sadly, his career was eventually hampered by
racism.
22
Chevalier
What Za Matter?
By: Pat Alexander / Art of Entertaining
Do you love playing the game of Scrabble?
I did, until I learned it’s played with words
that never made the Oxford
English Dictionary.
As someone who loves words and finds the
Oxford really good reading, I’m offended by the
nonsensical words that make up the Scrabble
dictionary.
Have you ever entered a restaurant, sat down,
and ordered Za? Your waiter then scratches the
order upon his pad and leaves to give it to the
kitchen. Never happened!
Za is Scrabble’s version of Pizza. Now, please, tell
me in what universe are you ever going to say the
words “I’d like the Za”?
And that is just one of the many words that make
up the Scrabble dictionary. I know how the Oxford
was painstakingly put together over many years,
but who put this together? Certainly not a lover of
the English language.
The problem is, I love the game in spite of all this. So, if you want
to play with someone who refuses to play by the rules (of Scrabble, of
course), I’m your gal.
And speaking of rules and words, they also apply to food. Scalloped
June 2023
Written by Stefani Robinson and directed by Stephen Williams, they
have developed a solid and handsome portrait of Chevalier. Actor Kevin
Harrison, Jr. walks the walk; part strut, part bounce, all self-confidence
and radiates from knowledge of being brilliant, gifted, and adored.
This prodigy makes him
appealing to the French rich and
famous with his cockiness and
charisma. Other excellent actors are
Samara Weaving, Lucy Boyton, and
Marton Csokas.
The music, set design and
production value are of top notch
quality. The costumes are excellent
depicting the 18 th century.
This magnetic historical fiction
story was beautiful, painful, filled
with high drama, and a surprise
ending. It is a visual treat as well as an auditory one. I am happy to rate
“Chevalier” with a big 5 out of a 5 movie rating!
Renee Riendeau is the movie reviewer for The Vegas Voice. Renee can
be reached at rriendeau@aol.com and is anxious to hear from you.
potatoes do not contain cheese. If you add cheese, you are making
potatoes au gratin.
It’s like ordering a delicious, rare filet mignon and getting a filet of
pork. Even beautifully done, it’s still not the desired
beef.
Enough of the things that make a literal person
cringe. I recently came across an old recipe I
used to make frequently but forgot about. It’s not
chicken cacciatore, just good old chicken in rice.
Give it a try and see what you think.
Easy Chicken in Rice: In large skillet, brown 2
seasoned skin-on chicken breasts (or thighs) in 2
tbs. olive oil. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook
until lightly browned.
Remove chicken from pan. Add one 28 ounce can
crushed Italian tomatoes, 1 tbs. onion powder, one
tsp. each kosher salt, ground pepper and dried basil
and ½ cup dry red wine. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Add one cup rice, 2 cups water and 1 tsp. salt. Stir.
Add chicken back to pan, cover and cook until rice
is done, about 20 minutes.
Check chicken for doneness. Taste for seasoning. Add julienned fresh
basil. Serve hot.
Pat Alexander writes about all things home. She is well known for
her cooking, parties and interior design, and consults on kitchen
and bath remodels.