What's Cooking? (DVD)

A film based around the traditional American festival of thanksgiving hardly lends itself to popular UK cinematic experiences does it? Well, What's Cooking? is exactly that and focuses around preparations for this period, with the Williams family under the spotlight early on. Consisting of mother Audrey (Alfre Woodard), the traditionalist who likes her family get-togethers and hopes for the perfect occasion (I think we can all relate to someone like that can't we?), Husband Ronald (Dennis Haysbert) and his on-off relationship with divided college-aged son, Michael (ERIC K. GEORGE), who may or may not come home for the holidays and last but not least the ...  Read the complete review

Well I'll tell you. Turkey and lots of it. Ooh sounds like I'm about to slate this film doesn't it? I'm not. It's about Thanksgiving (hence the turkey) in the US, something we just don't do over here. We could always be thankful that we managed to get rid of the Americans and have them believe they fought for independence, but really we were glad to see the back of them. This year though I believe that Thanksgiving will get even greater poignancy after the recent terrorist attacks. Thanksgiving is a time when the American families all get together and give thanks for everything that they have. A time for reflection and ...  Read the complete review

Take a group of talented actresses, throw in an Altman-style group of stories, a dash of humour and a sprinkle of conflict, and you have the ingredients for this enjoyable comedy-drama from Bhaji On The Beach writer/director, Chadha. Set during Thanksgiving, the film focuses on four very different LA families preparing for the festivities with the likes of meddling mother-in-laws and uninvited ex-husbands. Funniest is the Seelig household, where Kyra Sedgwick’s parents seem unable to grasp the fact that her guest (Margulies) is also her lover. The film perks up considerably once the dinners are in the oven and familiar crises (rows over the ...  Read the complete review