Latest news with #ThePerksofBeingaWallflower
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Nonnas' Review: Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon and Lorraine Bracco Bring the Right Seasoning to Netflix's Comfort-Food Comedy
Like the old-school cooks in his new movie, Stephen Chbosky understands the importance of good ingredients. To tell the story of a middle-aged man's impulsive leap into restaurant ownership, he's gathered an accomplished cast wielding effortless charm. Nonnas is home-style all the way, forgoing jaw-dropping plating for something more reliable and predictable. It will strike a nostalgic chord or two for many viewers, and at any rate offers a welcome change of pace from Netflix's true-crime and action offerings. Vince Vaughn brings an unforced sincerity to the role of inexperienced entrepreneur Joey Scaravella, and the four nonnas (grandmothers) who join him in his unconventional culinary enterprise are played by Lorraine Bracco, Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire and Brenda Vacarro — heavy hitters moving nimbly. Though the movie unabashedly celebrates women in their 70s and 80s, it hasn't the strained sensibility of those 'ain't these old gals something?' comedies that have become a subgenre unto themselves. Essentially an up-with-people optimist, director Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Wonder, Dear Evan Hansen) keeps the laughs in a silly but grounded vein, and the emotional moments unfold with the same understated believability. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' Marks 50th Anniversary With 4K Remaster Vince Vaughn, Susan Sarandon Start an Italian Restaurant in Netflix's 'Nonnas' Trailer 'Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror' Review: An Affectionate, Personal Look at the Cult Movie Phenomenon Working from a screenplay by Liz Maccie that tells a movie version of the origin story of Enoteca Maria, the helmer and his cast — with spot-on design contributions from Diane Lederman and Brenda Abbandandolo — stir up a convincing portrait of middle-class Italian-American New York (played by New Jersey, with a shuttered restaurant, Spirito's, providing the central location). Nostalgia courses through Nonnas, along with a strong sense of community through food; the feature's mantra is 'One does not grow old at the table.' This core idea is vividly evoked, with a fluent kid's-eye-view energy, by DP Florian Ballhaus in the flashback sequence that opens the movie: School-age Joey (Theodore Helm) navigates a big, boisterous family gathering — a typical Sunday in his Brooklyn home — while his mother (Kate Eastman) and grandmother (Karen Giordano), bathed in the golden glow of love, preside in the kitchen. Alone in his childhood home after his mother's death 40 years later, Joey (Vaughn) finds comfort in re-creating the family dishes as best he can from memory. A longing awakened, he makes a trip to the Staten Island farmers' market where his mother and nonna used to buy produce. (Given that Joey doesn't have a car, this is the first of the film's several opportunities for picturesque views of the ferry crossing.) Besides running into Olivia (Linda Cardellini), his high school classmate and the one who got away, he happens upon a run-down restaurant for sale and uses his inheritance as a down payment. This wasn't exactly what his best friend, Bruno (Joe Manganiello), and his wife, Stella (Drea de Matteo), meant when, concerned that Joey would become stuck in grief, they urged him to do something new. But Joey, a mechanic working for the MTA in a job that clearly means little to him beyond a paycheck, is propelled by a vision and won't be stopped: He'll open an Italian restaurant where grandmothers, not trained chefs, do the cooking. The first of many challenges he doesn't foresee is the unwelcoming small-town insularity of some Staten Islanders, encapsulated in the surly suspicions of a market vendor (Michael Rispoli). The four nonnas he enlists (they're all of a grandmotherly age, but two of them have no children) include two friends of the family, Roberta (Bracco, rocking a perma-scowl as a world-class kvetch) and hairdresser and dessert-maker extraordinaire Gia (Sarandon, exuding hard-won equanimity). The two newcomers are Olivia's elegant neighbor Antonella (Vaccaro), still devoted to her long-deceased husband, and former nun Teresa (Shire), who has the air of a bird just let out of a cage, and also a calming wisdom when the food fights take on a regional fervor and Sicily (Roberta) squares off against Bologna (Antonella). Yes, they're types with a capital T, but they're played by actors with personality to spare and no need to go big. By the time the quartet sit down to share limoncello-fueled confessions, they can do so with few words and little fuss. With complementary concision, Vaughn conveys something shellshocked about Joey and, no less, the fighting spirit of someone starting over in a big way, with a new hunger for life — not to mention the elusive recipe for his nonna's Sunday 'gravy,' aka tomato sauce. The supporting performances all click, especially those by Manganiello and de Matteo, delivering a terrific rendition of marital affection through sparring, as well as worry about their friend. Cardellini is the essence of warmth and smarts, and Campbell Scott offers a commanding cameo as a snooty but not heartless food critic. As to the food porn — it isn't. Ballhaus captures the dishes with a straightforwardness that matches the lived-in beauty of the movie as a whole, and there's no indulgent lingering by editor Anne McCabe. (The food itself is not going to pass the vegan test, the capuzzelle especially.) The screenplay by Maccie, who grew up in an Italian-American family in New Jersey (she and Chbosky are married), has a directness that's mostly refreshing, and occasionally too much. The story's intended surprises are telegraphed, and though Joey's setbacks all ring true — bills adding up, trouble with his jerk of a boss (Richie Moriarty), building inspection troubles, a falling-out with Bruno — the resolutions are sometimes undercooked. No subtext goes unexplained, and at times the score underlines what we already know. But the actors always find the grace notes, and there are sparks in the way everyday exchanges turn sharp with compassion. There are welcome laughs too, particularly in Bracco's grump-meister line readings. Nonnas serves up something that doesn't make you work; rather, it invites you to sit down and enjoy. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Goonies' Cast, Then and Now "A Nutless Monkey Could Do Your Job": From Abusive to Angst-Ridden, 16 Memorable Studio Exec Portrayals in Film and TV The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Nonnas movie review: Netflix cooks up flavourless fusion of Kal Ho Naa Ho's Jaya Bachchan storyline with Vince Vaughn's charm
For a movie about food, Nonnas needed to be tastier. The Netflix comedy drama is directed by Stephen Chbosky, who remains best known for helming the film adaptation of his own novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower. It stars Vince Vaughn as Joey, a middle-aged man who deals with the grief of losing his mother by opening an Italian restaurant in his neighbourhood. He has no idea on how to run a food business, but then, he doesn't seem to have a grip on anything else, either. Joey's probably in his 50s, single, working a dead-end job, and utterly unfulfilled in life. Perhaps as an excuse to hold on to his past but also take baby steps towards an uncertain future, he spends all of his inheritance on purchasing a ramshackle spot in New Jersey. Joined by his best friend Bruno, played by Joe Manganiello, Joey sets about renovating the place and turning it into a warm Italian restaurant where the local community can enjoy home-style meals. His winning idea is to hire grandmothers, or 'nonnas', as the chefs. The movie hits all the beats you'd expect, and adheres to genre conventions with the dedication of a line cook at McDonald's following the SOPs. Also read – The Four Seasons review: The Friends reunion you never got; Tina Fey and Steve Carell's Netflix show is a star-studded misfire While Joey deals with many of the same traumas and tribulations as Carmy from The Bear, the film couldn't be more different from that show. While The Bear is a boundary-pushing blast of originality, Nonnas is like a home-cooked meal; comforting and familiar. For some audiences, this would be completely satisfying. But those looking for a more adventurous experience might leave feeling unstimulated. Chbosky gets the cast to dial their performances up to 11; the 'nonnas' are played by legendary stars Lorraine Bracco (Goodfellas), Susan Sarandon (Thelma & Louise), Talia Shire (The Godfather) and Brenda Vaccaro (Midnight Cowboy). They're given their own arcs, but these characters are about as thin as a ginger julienne. If you squint hard enough, the entire plot of Nonnas can be compared to the Jaya Bachchan storyline in Kal Ho Naa Ho, in which Shah Rukh Khan's 'farishta' helps a group of Indian women set up a restaurant in New York City. You'll find that most of that film's characters have counterparts in Nonnas; for instance, Sarandon's character, a pastry specialist, is a lot like Lillete Dubey's character from Kal Ho Naa Ho. There are, of course, emotional overlaps between the two movies as well. But enough has been said about the shared cultural idiosyncrasies of Indians and Italians. This might be a curious observation, but the food itself isn't given much respect in the movie. The 'nonnas' speak about their signature canolis and capuzzelles, but barring a few stray shots, we don't really see the dishes in their full glory. Remember how Jon Favreau filmed Cuban sandwiches in Chef? Or how memorable the omelette in the final of Big Night was? Speaking of that all-time classic — Big Night is perhaps the single greatest food movie ever made — Nonnas makes a reference to it by getting one of its co-directors, Campbell Scott, to make a cameo. He plays a food critic who shows up in the third act. But Joey doesn't need the validation of the press; what he needs is the support of the community. And, for a while, they have their reasons to doubt him. But there is no such thing as an obstacle in a movie like this. Either through blind chance or sheer luck, Joey jumps over every hurdle that Liz Maccie's screenplay throws in his way. For 50 years, people looked at him with pity, but all he needed was to find his calling. Read more – Unfrosted movie review: Jerry Seinfeld's zany comedy satirises Netflix's obsession with snackable content In movies like this, cuisine is a conduit to character development. Joey comes to terms with his mother's death; he develops a bond with the locals, and generates employment for women who'd been put to pasture. And despite Vaughn's uncharacteristically one-note performance, some of his irrepressible charm seeps through. We even get a break-up of sorts, but not the kind you'd expect. That being said, it's unclear who this movie is meant for. Perhaps middle-aged men and women of Joey's age, or audiences looking to relax after a long day at work? Or maybe it's targeted at the folks who enjoyed The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its equally well-made sequel. For them, Nonnas will be no less empowering as a superhero movie is for teenage boys. Nonnas Director – Stephen Chbosky Cast – Vince Vaughn, Linda Cardellini, Joe Manganiello, Susan Sarandon, Talia Shire, Lorraine Bracco, Drea De Mateo, Brenda Vaccaro Rating – 2.5/5 Rohan Naahar is an assistant editor at Indian Express online. He covers pop-culture across formats and mediums. He is a 'Rotten Tomatoes-approved' critic and a member of the Film Critics Guild of India. He previously worked with the Hindustan Times, where he wrote hundreds of film and television reviews, produced videos, and interviewed the biggest names in Indian and international cinema. At the Express, he writes a column titled Post Credits Scene, and has hosted a podcast called Movie Police. You can find him on X at @RohanNaahar, and write to him at He is also on LinkedIn and Instagram. ... Read More
Tom's Guide
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
5 best Paul Rudd movies, ranked
One of the most likable stars in Hollywood, Paul Rudd has generated both audience goodwill and critical praise over the course of his three-decade career. He boasts tremendous variety in his work: big-budget comedies ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin", "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy"), acclaimed dramas ("Romeo + Juliet", The Cider House Rules"), beloved TV series ("Friends", "Parks and Recreation" and an Emmy-nominated turn in "Only Murders in the Building" among them) and, of course, as part of the sprawling, star-studded Marvel Cinematic Universe. The star's latest project is the new A24 bromance comedy "Friendship," the directorial debut from Andrew DeYoung that co-stars cringe-comedy great Tim Robinson. With that funny flick out in theaters in limited release (it will open wide in the U.S. on May 23) and getting a solid 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating out of the gate, let's take a look back at Rudd's other acclaimed projects. Here are five of Paul Rudd's best movies, ranked. Given that Paul Rudd has become so famous in the comedy genre, it's sometimes easy to forget he's a classically trained dramatic actor. He puts both that natural humor and honed pathos to good use in a small but vital role in the 2012 coming-of-age dramedy "The Perks of Being a Wallflower," adapted from the novel of the same name by writer-director Stephen Chbosky. Rudd plays Mr. Anderson, the compassionate English teacher of introvert freshman Charlie Kelmeckis (Logan Lerman), who — along with a pair of upperclassmen misfits played by Emma Watson and Ezra Miller — help the painfully shy young teen shed his wallflower tendencies. As the empathetic educator, Rudd also gets to utter one of the book's most precious lines: "We accept the love we think we deserve." Watch 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' on Max now Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. This bromance-focused 2009 comedy is a spiritual sibling to "Friendship." Rudd plays Peter Klaven, a friendless groom-to-be looking for a best man for his upcoming nuptials to fiancée Zooey (Rashida Jones). When he meets enigmatic investor Sydney Fife (Jason Segel), however, the twosome becomes instant BFFs thanks to their shared enthusiasm for the rock band Rush. Anchored by Rudd and Segel's charm and chemistry, the bro-com is a sweet and silly send-up of the usual romantic comedy tropes, complete with hilariously awkward platonic "first dates" and the customary third-act grand gesture to usher in the pair's happily-ever-after by the movie's end. The main duo is also excellently surrounded by a top-notch comedic ensemble that includes Andy Samberg, Jaime Pressly, Jon Favreau, J.K. Simmons and, memorably, the Hulk himself, Lou Ferrigno. Watch 'I Love You, Man' on Paramount+ now Rudd's big-screen breakout came as the sarcastic ex-stepbrother — and love interest — of Alicia Silverstone's high-school socialite Cher Horowitz in the iconic 1995 comedy "Clueless", a righteous retelling of the classic Jane Austen novel "Emma." Now, the logistics behind the romantic connection between Cher and Rudd's character Josh do make things complicated and, admittedly, a bit creepy looking back, but the actors manage to evade any icky feelings with the sweet-and-salty sparring the Beverly Hills kids regularly engage in. With a cast of mostly unknowns like Rudd, Brittany Murphy and Donald Faison, "Clueless" was a surprise sleeper hit when it debuted in the summer of '95 and in the decades since is now widely regarded as one of the best teen comedies ever. We're totally buggin. Watch Clueless on Paramount+ now For more than 20 years, Rudd has engaged in a very successful creative collaboration with filmmaker Judd Apatow, kicking off with 2004's news-anchor satire "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy." We're particularly partial, though, to their 2007 partnership "Knocked Up" and its 2012 spinoff "This is 40," which sees Rudd star as talent scout Pete, who is married to Leslie Mann's Allison. Opposite Seth Rogen's Ben Stone and Katherine Heigl's Allison Scott — whose one-night stand turns into a very unexpected pregnancy — Rudd and Mann's characters are supposed to be the stable, more responsible foils to those messy, fledgling new parents. But both "Knocked Up" and its successor allow the comedians to fly those freak flags, with psychedelic mushroom trips, hotel-room hijinks and hilarious takedowns of nightclub bouncers. ("Doorman!") Watch 'Knocked Up' on Peacock now The 2015 superhero movie "Ant-Man," based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, proved a huge genre switch-up for Rudd, bringing the comedy star into the action-flick fold and the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, as Scott Lang — a former systems engineer and petty criminal who acquires a suit that allows him to shrink in size but increase in strength — Rudd's easy charm and expert comedic timing are still very much on display, even when behind that futuristic helmet. Rudd would reprise his role as the eponymous Ant-Man in the 2018 sequel "Ant-Man and the Wasp" and its 2023 follow-up "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania", as well as in fellow MCU titles like "Captain America: Civil War" (2016) and "Avengers: Endgame" (2019). (He is also slated to appear in 2026's "Avengers: Doomsday".) So if you love "Paul Rudd, Superhero Star," you can really make an entire movie marathon of it. Watch Ant-Man on Disney+ now
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
I Tried the Famous 'Nonnas' Sunday Sauce—Now I'll Never Make Pasta Without It
Write me a love song? That's incredibly thoughtful. Buy me a gift? I'll be oh-so grateful. But cook me a meal? Now that's true love. We all chuckle when someone tells you the secret ingredient in their dish is 'love,' but isn't it true? Sure, 'love' doesn't replace the extra dash of pepper, but doesn't it always seem like a recipe tastes better when someone else makes it for you? You could make a recipe a hundred times, but it will never taste the same as when your grandma served it to you at her kitchen table. And that's exactly what the new Netflix film 'Nonnas' is all about. 'Nonnas,' which was inspired by a true story, follows Joe Scaravella, played by Vince Vaughn, as he embarks on a journey to open a restaurant in memory of his late mother. The restaurant—which is a real restaurant in Staten Island, New York—Enoteca Maria, is unique because Joe doesn't hire professional chefs. Instead, all the chefs are Italian grandmothers, or Nonnas. As much love as you see on-screen between Joe and his friend Bruno (Joe Manganiello) and the Nonnas, played by Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, and Talia Shire, there's just as much off. 'This is my love letter to my family,' writer Liz Maccie said in an interview with Allrecipes. '[The movie is about] family and that you can find family everywhere.' Even the film itself, which was released on Netflix on May 9, was a family affair. Maccie's husband, Stephen Chbosky, who's known for previous works like 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower,' 'Wonder,' and 'Dear Evan Hansen,' directed the film. 'I was very inspired by Joe's belief in his Nonnas. I was very inspired by Liz's love for her family and the reverence that she has for the women in her family. I was the translator,' Chbosky told Allrecipes. Throughout 'Nonnas,' not only is Joe grappling with the struggles of opening a restaurant, but he's also grieving the loss of his mother. Multiple times in the film, Joe laments that he has never been able to perfect his Nonna's Sunday gravy—or Sunday sauce—because he doesn't have a physical recipe and he can't seem to nail down the secret ingredient. Finally, Joe opens a letter his late mother left for him that he couldn't bring himself to open in the past, and what do you know, it's filled with her and his Nonna's recipes—including the Sunday gravy. Before you blot your tears, this story gets even sweeter. Those recipes we see in the film? Those are actually Maccie's own family recipe cards. 'When my aunt, who was really my Nonna, was passing away, Steve was so incredible and he wrote to her and said, 'You have to write down your recipes for Liz,'' Maccie recalled. 'He convinced her to do it, she did it, she passed away, and he gave it to me as a Christmas gift. So those recipes are actually my family's handwriting.' Because the Sunday gravy plays such an important role in 'Nonnas,' and has an even deeper connection for Maccie and Chbosky, I knew I had to make it. It did require some tinkering because, in the film, we only see the ingredients list and no real directions—but that's pretty true to my grandma's recipes in real life, anyway. It did prove a little trickier than deciphering my grandma's recipes, however, because the secret ingredient Joe discovers in the film is apples. However, after watching 'Nonnas' sauce-making scenes closer, I discovered that Joe's Nonna boiled the apples to make an apple cider-like mixture to add sweetness to the sauce. And, even though Maccie says her family's true secret ingredient is cinnamon, I followed the 'Nonnas' recipe for Sunday gravy. The apple cider may sound like a bizarre addition, but it adds a complex sweetness to the sauce that regular granulated sugar can't replicate. Once you make the recipe, you'll get it. Hey, never doubt a Nonna, even if Lorraine Bracco, who plays Roberta, joked that none of the actresses playing the titular Nonnas in the film actually knew their way around the kitchen. It's a good thing Maccie's Nonna had them covered. Here is how to make the famous 'Nonnas' Sunday Gravy. 2 red apples, quartered 7 cups water 6 links hot or sweet Italian sausage 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 green bell pepper, chopped 2 (14.5-ounce cans) whole tomatoes 1 tablespoon dried or fresh basil, chopped 1 tablespoon dried or fresh oregano, chopped 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 cup fresh parsley In a large pot over medium heat, add apples and water. Allow to simmer until apples are tender and cider is fragrant, about 1 hour. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth; discard apples and set aside to cool. To a skillet over medium-high heat, add sausage links and brown. Drain the fat and set the cooked sausages aside. Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring often, until they are soft and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes and apple cider, cook until smooth. Add basil, oregano, pepper, and parsley. Slice sausages into large chunks and add to the pot. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 6 hours. Serve over cooked pasta of your choice. Read the original article on ALLRECIPES
Tom's Guide
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Netflix's new Vince Vaughn drama is the perfect Mother's Day watch — and it really surprised me
Netflix has just added a heartwarming new drama all about food and family that's based on a true story. If you needed a break from the streaming service's high-octane releases — the likes of "Exterritorial" or "Havoc" — I'd seriously recommend turning to "Nonnas," a new drama that just arrived on the streamer on May 9. Directed by Stephen Chbosky ("The Perks of Being a Wallflower") and written by Liz Maccie, "Nonnas" is a feel-good drama. It centers on an everyday guy who takes the plunge on a bold new business venture: opening a restaurant to serve up home-cooking whipped up in-house entirely by a team of Italian grandmothers (hence the title). If you've spotted "Nonnas" on Netflix and are trying to suss out whether it's worth watching, you can find a little more info — and my full take on the movie — below. Stephen Chbosky's "Nonnas" revolves around born-and-bred Brooklynite Joe (Vince Vaughn), an affable everyman who turns to his family's generations-old recipes for comfort after losing his mother and grandmother. In doing so, he hatches a plan to share that feeling with the community. Using the money from his mother's insurance, Joe purchases an old restaurant in Staten Island. With that money and a little help from his closest friends, Joe reopens the joint as Enoteca Maria, an old-school restaurant with food served up by four grandmothers from different cities in Italy. It's no easy task, but everyone involved stands to be transformed by the restaurant and the comforts it offers. In addition to Vaughn, "Nonnas" also stars Linda Cardellini, Susan Sarandon, Joe Manganiello, Drea de Matteo, Lorraine Bracco, Brenda Vaccaro, and Talia Shire. Going in, I felt like I knew what I was getting with "Nonnas", and my predictions weren't far off. As a movie, it has all the tried-and-true beats of this kind of feel-good watch: the bills are piling up, the restaurant's future looks uncertain, there are personal challenges and pasts recuperated, and friends that pull together when the goings get tough. However, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed my time with "Nonnas" despite that familiar feel. Sure, this is schmaltzy, saccharine viewing, but the sentimentality still works because it's all earnestly performed and solidly written. Vaughn is on fine form in the lead role, but the Nonnas themselves are the true stars, each bringing tons of personality to their respective roles and in turn bouncing off and/or supporting one another with ease. "Nonnas," ultimately, is Netflix in crowd-pleaser mode, but that's no bad thing. If you needed a movie to stream for Mother's Day, "Nonnas" feels practically purpose-built for that exact purpose. If you can forgive the cliches or some questionable New York on-screen geography, you should be in for a good time. It's not the greatest movie anyone will ever watch, but if you're after some easy viewing that your average viewer will be on board with, "Nonnas" should go down as easy as a nice glass of vino. Just don't watch it on an empty stomach; the food all looks mouth-wateringly good. It's not just me who enjoyed "Nonnas", either; the movie seems to have struck a chord with critics, too, judging by that 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes it held at the time of writing (aggregated from a total of 15 reviews). For example, Entertainment Weekly critic Jordan Hoffman summed "Nonnas" up as a "good vibe Netflix comedy" and graded it B+, writing: "Formulaic, dare-I-say-sappy movies, when done right, can be really good, and Nonnas is one such example." Reviewing for Collider, Nate Richard rated "Nonnas" 7/10, writing: "Nonnas most definitely will not go down as one of the best movies of the year, but it is the kind of movie that is perfect to watch with your loved one over the holiday weekend. It's talented cast and tender heart do a lot of the heavy lifting, but it's the kind of movie the mothers in your family will absolutely love." If you could use a little uplift or need to fill a lazy Sunday with a comfort watch, you should stream "Nonnas" on Netflix this weekend. But if you're really not sold on the new movie and still need something to watch, we can help; check out our round-up of all the best movies on Netflix for tons more streaming recommendations for your next movie night.
