Something's Gotta Give and Pancakes

Another Nancy Meyer film about old people falling in love! I guess you could say I have a type when it comes to movies. Something's Gotta Give is such a great film though! Like all of Nancy Meyer's films, it is set in a beautiful location, with a beautiful house, mouth-watering food, and amazing actors. Ms. Meyer definitely knows what I like in life, and I'm not ashamed about loving everything she does in her films.

The first time I watched this movie was with my parents and I was about eleven years old. Needless to say, I didn't pay attention or understand anything going on. I really started appreciating this movie recently because it was on Netflix and watching it in my early twenties made a difference, and I love it. 

Something's Gotta Give is the hilarious and charming story of Erica Barry and Harry Sanborn (Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson) who meet each other in the most entertaining way possible, he's dating her daughter. Of course, Harry Sanborn is an extremely wealthy older gentleman who dates younger women, and he's been dating them for forty years. Erica Barry is a divorced woman, who writes famous plays and spends her time with her daughter and sister in her gorgeous beach house in the Hamptons. So when Erica and her sister walk in the house to find a half naked older man in the refrigerator, things get a little interesting. 

Harry has a heart attack and has to stay at the house with Erica since he is not fit to travel. During his stay at Erica's the two have some very hilarious run ins with each other and slowly start to develop a friendship which then of course leads to the two realizing they do like each other. Harry and Erica are complete opposites, he's the wild ladies' man and she's the secluded level-headed playwright. They're romance is short lived when he is able to survive on his own. They pair decide to be friends, and even admit they are soulmates. While apart, Erica begins dating the young and handsome doctor, played by Keanu Reeves and begins to finish her play. A play inspired by her and Harry's fling, nonetheless. Harry finds this to be appalling and doesn't want to be the laughing stock Erica has him played out to be. After having a disagreement and agreeing that they are mad at each other, the two decide to move on. Later after some time apart and much thinking, Harry finds Erica in Paris to try and reconcile, only to end up "being the girl" in his opinion. Although, in Harry's case, being the girl pays off.

Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton as Harry Sanborn and Erica Barry

Jack Nicholson is another one of my favorite actors. He is absolutely wonderful in Something's Gotta Give. As always, he carries himself carelessly and confidently. He does a perfect job portraying the devilishly charming, womanizing Harry Sanborn. I'm sucker for Nicholson because I find his voice to be his best selling point when it comes to acting. The way he speaks makes his characters, and Harry Sanborn wouldn't be Haryy Sanborn without Nicholson's low and raspy voice. I may also find his voice to be more than it is since I used to listen to him read "The Elephant's Child" when I was little, but he does have a very recognizable voice is my point.
Diane Keaton is fabulous, as always, in Something's Gotta Give. She was perfect to play the frazzled, occasionally awkward, and talented Erica Barry. Keaton just has the ability to go from being in control and in charge to a mess, which is amazing. I love her mannerisms as Erica in this movie. She is delightfully uncomfortable at times and it makes for some wonderful laughs. Jack and Diane together are just as good, if not better than the acting combs in It's Complicated. That being said, if you liked It's Complicated, you will LOVE Something's Gotta Give. Nancy Meyer is a genius.


One of my favorite scenes in the movie is when Erica gets home after seeing Harry with another woman and can't stop crying. She just keeps sobbing and ugly crying thinking about how things have gone so wrong and realizes her true feelings for him. Honestly, as another woman, I easily relate to her uncontrollable ugly crying. Most of us have dealt with a break-up and found ourselves crying in the shower or in the middle of doing something because it reminds us of him. Well, I have and it's awful, but watching Diane Keaton ugly cry makes me laugh every time. She's so dramatic about it, and it's perfect. 

Every time I watch this movie it seems to be later in the evening and when the scene where they make pancakes comes up, I always want pancakes. Unfortunately, I never ever have pancake mix when that time comes. However, my cousin is always ready to get in the car and go to IHOP for some pancakes. So, I do truly suggest pancakes for this movie. I was going to suggest a pasta dish, but I think this movie is light and carefree...which calls for pancakes because they're light and fluffy. I love to have my pancakes with some fruit on top or if I have a sweet tooth, I like chocolate chip pancakes. 

When I can make my own pancakes, I like to chop up apples and mix them in the pancake batter and cook them. Then I spread peanut butter on top, add a smidgen of maple syrup and put some strawberries on top. It's a little odd, but it is absolutely divine in my opinion. Of course, just simple and fluffy buttermilk pancakes always hit the spot. I prefer to use the Krusteaz pancake mix. It makes THE best pancakes. You can find it most grocery stores and just need to add water to the mix! 

The Wedding Singer and Cupcakes

First I have to admit,  I'm a huge Adam Sandler fan. When my brother and I were younger, he was fixated on Adam Sandler. I think we watched Happy Gilmore three times in a row on a road trip once. I guess he wore off on me, because I'm a sucker for any classic Sandler film, and The Wedding Singer is one of my favorites. 

My friends and I love watching The Wedding Singer on movie nights. The title is deceiving for guys since it has the word wedding in it, but most of the guys who I've watched it with laugh more than the girls. If you've watched other Adam Sandler movies, this one is not at all short of the classic Sandler humor. As always, we get to see the familiar faces some of his closest friends playing minor parts in the film, classic Sandler yelling, and even some of his creative song-writing. The Wedding Singer is a funny romantic comedy, and still embodies the tones of many of Sandler's films that we love. 

Set in the 1980's, Adam Sandler plays a wedding singer, Robbie Hart, who is known for keeping parties going and knowing what to say at the perfect time. Drew Barrymore is the new and doe-eyed innocent waitress who everyone seems to notice at the parties. The two first meet at a wedding while Robbie helps a youngster puke in the garbage bin out back. Of course, sparks seemingly fly during their first encounter in the back of the kitchen. It's revealed that both Robbie and Julia are engaged, and Robbie is getting married that weekend. Julia says she'll see him there since she's a waitress at it. Unfortunately, things don't end so happily for Robbie, his fiance Linda doesn't show up to his wedding and leaves him standing at the altar. 

After Robbie realizes his romance with Linda is over, he has a hard time adjusting to life and falls into a depression. During his next wedding gig, he has a much more negative outlook on love and takes the opportunity to talk about how he will never be happy again and begins singing "Love Stinks." For the people in the movie it's awful, but as the audience it's hilarious to watch Robbie struggle with his emotions and be over dramatic. Julia is a witness to the meltdown and finds Robbie to try and comfort him, but also to remind him that he promised to sing at her wedding.

After Robbie's breakdown, the movie revolves around Julia planning her wedding to Glenn Guglia, who is a successful bond salesman and kind of a jerk. Julia enlists the help of Robbie to help her plan her wedding since she's the new girl in town and he knows everything about the wedding business. Their friendship blossoms and it's painfully obvious that they have a connection worthy of more than just friendship. It's heartbreaking to watch the failed attempts at telling each other their true feelings and watch Julia continue to be engaged to such a jerk. However, throughout all the downs, there are plenty of laughs to be enjoyed during the film. Robbie's friends are hilarious, especially Rose, his singing student, who seems to always keep things awkward and funny. 

This is another movie with a fun soundtrack! It is packed with hits from the 80's that you can't help but sing along to. Plus, you get two original Adam Sandler songs that make you smile. You can't expect to have movie set in the eighties without some David Bowie, Billy Idol, and The Police. Perhaps the best songs played in the movie are the ones performed by the actors. My personal favorite is Jon Lovits singing "Ladie's Night." It is absolutely hilarious. Seeing the actors renditions of popular songs makes the movie fun and adds much more to The Wedding Singer than a ridiculously cute love story. You're bound to have Robbie's original song "Somebody Kill Me" stuck in your head for the next week. 

Since it is a wedding movie, there is a cake tasting scene. I've yet to meet a person who does not like cake. Cake is always fun, but sometimes it can be a bit of a hassle to make. That's why I think cupcakes are the perfect compromise! Cupcakes are just little cakes that are more fun and much easier to make and decorate. I like a classic white cake with buttercream frosting. I just use a Duncan Hines cake mix and follow the directions for cupcakes on the box. When it comes to the frosting, I always make it on my own. It tastes better than the store bought and is actually really simple to make. Here's the recipe I use for Vanilla Buttercream Frosting. Part of the reason I love cupcakes is that you can decorate them anyway you want! You can put food coloring in the frosting and make a fun pink or even buy some sprinkles to spice up plain white frosting. The possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating cupcakes, which make them such an exciting treat.

It's Complicated and Chocolate Croissants

Call me weird for my taste in movies, but It's Complicated is one of my favorites. I watched this movie with my entire family, and no one was disappointed! Everyone loved it, and found it to be charming and hilarious. Of course, we're talking about everyone in the room being between the ages of 18 and 55, but there's really not a lot to complain about when it comes to this movie. It has an all-star cast, beautiful scenery, delicious food, hilarious scenes, and an enjoyable plot. 

The movie centers around a ten year divorced couple, Jane and Jake Adler who are reunited for their son's graduation. While staying at the same hotel, they have an evening of reminiscing, drinking, and dancing which ends with them in bed together. Jane of course immediately regrets their one-night stand and just wants to forget it. However, Jake is convinced that they have found something special and wants to draw this out for as long as he can. The film closely follows Jane as she has the affair, and as she is preparing to add on to her house. Luckily, her architect is a charming man with a sense of humor, Adam Schaffer (played by Steve Martin). Jane and Adam have an almost instantaneous connection. Adam is also a divorcee, who after many years is still trying to cope. The friendship that blossoms is adorable and quirky. Jane's love triangle is seemingly under control until a few bumps come along and her and Jake's children become involved, which of course brings the reality of the situation to ground level. 

Meryl Streep, Steve Martin, and Alec Baldwin are absolutely amazing. I love all three of these people alone, but putting them together in a love triangle is even better! Not to mention, John Krasinski is as adorable and hilarious as ever in this film!

Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin as Jane and Jake Adler

Jane is such a lovable character. She's classy, beautiful, hardworking, and everything I dream of being when I'm older. Well, maybe not the divorced part or having an affair with my ex-husband, but if anyone makes it look desirable, Meryl Streep does. I think Meryl Streep is flawless in anything she does, so I may be a bit biased. Alec Baldwin was perfect to play a devilishly charming ex-husband with a young wife. That seems to be his go-to role, but he really out-does himself in this one. He and Streep are outrageously hilarious together. Steve Martin plays the role of an adorably dorky and sweet architect with a sense of humor. What's not to love about Steve Martin already? He's absolutely endearing in this role, and he and Streep are a match made in heaven. John Krasinski has a small, but very important role in the movie as the Adler's son-in-law. Unfortunately for his character Harley, he knows about the affair and is put in a few very awkward situations with the divorced couple. As awkward as they are for him, they're hilarious for the audience. 

Meryl Streep and Steve Martin as Jane Adler and Adam Schaffer

I have to applaud the music selection in this movie. It's fun, upbeat, and sets the tone of the scenes and movie as a whole, perfectly. Jane eating chocolate cake while stoned with Bennie and the Jets playing in the background just seems right. I think it's something that Jane would have done when she was younger, and gives a carefree feeling to the scene. Jane and Jake dancing to "Wouldn't It Be Nice" adds so much more emotion and insight to the scene. What seems to be a mellow affair with a seemingly happy ending comes to a powerful cliffhanger for Jake and an eye-opener for his young wife Agness. I'm a person who fully believes that the soundtrack to a movie could make it or break it, and this soundtrack definitely passes with flying colors.

Jane's restaurant and bakery

The bakery in this movie is one to lust over! Maybe it's because I dream of having my own bakery one day, but it is a very lovely getup. The glances you get of the delicious fresh baked goods makes my mouth water, not to mention all the food Jane makes in the movie looks divine! I think the best treat to go with this movie is a fresh chocolate croissant! The scene where Jane and Adam come to the bakery and make chocolate croissants is enough to make anyone crave a warm, freshly baked Pain au Chocolat. 

Chocolate Croissants

I love The French Market's freshly baked chocolate croissants, but you can try and make them yourself! I have never attempted to make my own croissants because it is a long process, but if you're ready to go all out, Martha Stewart's Chocolate Croissant Recipe is the way to go. If you're like me, and making your own croissant dough is out of the question, you can simplify the recipe and use store-bought dough and your favorite chocolate. Here's a super easy recipe, Easy Chocolate Croissants. 

Marie Antoinette and French Macarons

This movie is a staple in my "Girl's Night Out" collection. The glamorous life of a queen, delectable desserts, fabulous clothes, and extravagant parties are exactly what my dreams are made of. 

Marie Antoinette seems to be more popular with the ladies than the gentlemen. However, I did make an old boyfriend watch it and he enjoyed it, or so he said. If you don't know the story of Marie Antoinette, the plot can be confusing and seemingly pointless since there isn't a lot dialogue and action going on. However, Sofia Coppola did an excellent job of making every minute of the film visually stimulating, which in my opinion, makes up for the lack of words. 

The colorful outfits, excess of food, lack of rules, and the luxury surrounding Versailles are absolutely captivating. It's hard not to be jealous of the young queen's lifestyle and surroundings. 

Kristen Dunst as Marie Antoinette

One of my favorite additions in the film is the soundtrack. Most of the music is from the 1980s and current, but she does include several baroque pieces to keep the 18th Century feel.Coppola managed to make the music blend in a perfectly odd way. The music makes the movie much more appealing and youthful. 

Aside from the visual and auditory aspects of the film, the story itself is pretty intriguing. I do suggest researching Marie Antoinette if you have absolutely no clue who she was, because like I previously mentioned, there isn't necessarily a lot of dialogue and it can be hard to interpret what is going on. None the less, Kristen Dunst and Jason Schwartzman do a lovely job portraying the young and innocent couple, Marie Antoinette and Louis XVI. 

Jason Schwartzman and Kristen Dunst as the King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette of France

French Macarons 

In my opinion, you can't watch this movie without an abundance of french inspired desserts. My personal favorite for this movie would have to be French Macarons. Throughout the movie you see several macaron towers and plates full of colorful delicious macarons. So why not indulge in them yourself?
French Macarons are pretty simple, but they can be time consuming to make on your own. It is possible to make them though! My favorite recipe is from the queen of the kitchen, Martha Stewart. Click the link to try it out yourself! French Macaron Recipe 

Of course, if baking is not your forte, you can always purchase them. Earth Fare has a small, yet ample selection of flavors. I personally adore the lemon, chocolate, and raspberry flavors. They usually carry about eight different flavors and have a list of flavors you can request.