Watched Shutter Island & LOVED IT!

I don’t do a lot of movie reviews on the blog but after watching Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island Shutter Island last night I had to spread the word about how great this movie is!

The movie takes place in 1954 where Leonardo DiCaprio plays US Marshal Teddy Daniels.  Daniels and his partner Chuck, played by Mark Ruffalo are sent to a mental institution on a remote island to investigate the report of an escaped patient thought to be somewhere on the island.

Categorized as a Drama/Mystery/Thriller Shutter Island has a few disturbing scenes along with great visuals.  Max Von Sydow (I’ll always remember him from Strange Brew) and Ben Kingsley play very convincing roles as Psychiatrists at the hospital.

The movie has one of the better endings I’ve seen in a long time.  I can’t say any more without possibly giving up one of the many plots in the movie.  If you are looking for a captivating 2-hour movie I don’t think you can go wrong with this one!

W.H. Harrison Indiana Bourbon Made in Indiana

News Flash!  Bourbon is NOT limited to production in Kentucky!  Evidently this is a common misconception as the few people who I’ve talked to about the new W.H. Harrison Indiana Bourbon thought the same thing I did.  Kentucky is  however the only state allowed to put its name on the bottle.

Named after the late William Henry Harrison this bourbon follows the Brourbon rules:

  • Bourbon must be made of a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn (maize).
  • Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% alcohol by volume).
  • Neither coloring nor flavoring may be added.
  • Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels.
  • Bourbon must be entered into the barrel at no more than 125 proof (62.5% alcohol by volume).
  • Bourbon, like other whiskeys, may be bottled at not less than 80 proof (40% alcohol by volume).
  • Bourbon that meets the above requirements and has been aged for a minimum of two years may (but is not required to) be called Straight Bourbon.
  • Straight Bourbon aged for a period less than four years must be labeled with the duration of its aging.
  • If an age is stated on the label, it must be the age of the youngest whiskey in the bottle.
  • Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon.

Available a several retail locations in Indiana I’m planning on picking up a bottle for research purposes.  I have a few favorite Kentucky Bourbons so I’m curious to see how W.H. Harrison compares.  More to come on this one…

CALM Act Approved by Congress

Here’s something I thought was already a law!  Congress has just passed the Commercial Advertising Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act and is senting it to POTUS for his signature.  Once signed into effect, the new legislation will require that all advertisers modulate their volume down so it’s no higher than that of the program you’re watching.  More information at Engadget.

Apple Might Have Missed the Boat

Research in Motion (RIM) acquired The Astonishing Tribe (TAT), a Swedish firm who’s known for their incredible User Interface designs.  This could mean great things for those of us who are loyal Blackberry users.  Only time will tell…  This promotional video just scratches the surface of things we could be seeing in the near future.

Fox News – Oops, we thought it was a High Speed Chase!

Sitting in McDonald’s this afternoon watching Fox News… They broke into whatever they were covering to broadcast a car chase in California Miami. The local news copter was following a car that was all over the road & speeding like crazy in and out of traffic. The driver eventually pulled into a parking lot, put on a work shirt and walked into a building. They zoomed out and there were NO POLICE CARS! They were reporting this as a high speed chase & all they had was a guy driving like a lunatic to WORK! Funniest thing I have seen in a long time. It was the “Car Chase That Never Was”!!! Trying to find a video of it. Priceless.

Marsala Sauce

Marsala Sauce

This sauce can be prepared many different ways but I think this recipe is a classic.  You can add pasta, rice or mashed potatoes as a side.  Don’t forget the wine!

3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup onion, diced
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 cup Marsala wine
1 1/2 cups beef stock
Salt and pepper, to taste

1) Add olive oil to heavy hot saucepan.
2) Add onions, garlic, mushrooms, saute until mushrooms are tender.
3) Add flour and cook about 1 minute then deglaze pan with Marsala wine.
4) Add beef stock and cook until thick and flavors are blended

Use this sauce on chicken (grilled or pan fried) or even beef/pork!