Cinema Society

Our 27th Season Opener! TODAY'S SPECIAL

Average
Rating

3.5

Tuesday, September 07, 2010, AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

Our 27th Season Opener!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

4:00PM-7:30PM: Membership packets will be distributed this evening in the upstairs balcony above the AMC La Jolla 12 Theatre.

5:00PM or 7:30pm (You Choose!)

THE DAY AFTER PEACE, Auditorium 4 Only!

Discussion will follow screening

AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

Our 27th Season Opener!

TODAY’S SPECIAL

In New York, Samir is a top sous chef in an upmarket Manhattan restaurant but he is passed over for promotion because his cuisine does not have enough of a signature. Upset by this, he resigns much to the surprise of his young female underchef Carrie. His parents are not too happy with his decision either and his pestering mother is now desperate to find him a wife to sort him out.

Worse still, his father suddenly gets ill and Samir has to look after their slummy Indian restaurant. As it turns out, Samir is unfamiliar with how to cook Indian food. In desperation, Samir turns to a taxi driver, Akbar, who swears he cooked for the greats of India. As things spin increasingly out of control, Samir unexpectedly crashes into Carrie while doubling up as the delivery boy. Happily, Akbar's ingredients provide Samir with some unexpected magic.

Starring Aasif Mandvi, Jess Weixler, Madhur Jaffrey, Harish Patel and Kevin Corrigna, TODAY’S SPECIAL is scheduled to open commercially in San Diego on October 8th.

Running Time: 99 Minutes

Rated: TBA

Send a Comment

29-Sep-10: SMM - Rating: 4

I'm reviewing this one after I reviewed the other ones, and I have to say, this has easily been my favorite so far. I'd recommend it to friends.

I'm recently fascinated with the idea of resilience - in this case, the taxi driver's resilience. How is it that some people can experience horrendous loss or trauma and come out the other side with a poitiive attitude? Others who experience the same loss or trauma are crushed by it. It's a mystery.

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Predictable, yes, but uplifting nonetheless.

16-Sep-10: JF - Rating: 3

Predictable but very enjoyable film with terrific actors. I loved the family dynamic and the taxi driver. The main actor/director is also wonderful, such a talented guy!

The most undeveloped element for me was the love story, and some of the editing choices were jarring, such as after the first date. The film cut away from the couple very quickly and felt unfinished. Also why introduce a baby and not explain why this woman was raising the child alone-that felt unresolved. And wouldn't his traditional parents have balked at this relationship?

But all in all liked it very much, and it's nice to see a film about real people and a nice insight into a rich culture.

12-Sep-10: Mroe - Rating: 4

Nice start to the new season (the beginning Short made more sense after the feature film was revealed). I really like the lead actor, Aasif Mandvi, I have seen him in many supporting roles and have always liked his work. I thoroughly enjoyed the Akbar character, who I would have liked to have known and could have listened to him for hours about his life's story/journeys. All that being said I felt the film was little predictable, in fact times found myself getting anxious to move on to the next scene so that Samir would just come to the realization he was going to have to learn Indian cooking and take over the restaurant (all of which we would be a success at).

Of course would have loved to hear from Mr. Mandvi after the film but what we got was better than nothing and the Q&A was still enlightening and enjoyable.

10-Sep-10: Mary - Rating: 4

I don't know if it's the political/social climate right now but I loved this feel-good movie. I'm a huge fan of Aasif Mondvi's and was thrilled that he was at C.S. Also thought the short Bollywood film was the perfect intro.

10-Sep-10: RICH - Rating: 3

A great way to begin the season. Andy is off to a good start. What a full resume our guest had. Who knew? The movie could have been a delightful play. As a film it needed a bit more "punch." The cab driver was the secret "ingredient." And, yes, it did bring a tear or two along the way.

8-Sep-10: Alice - Rating: 3

Pleasant film but weak. The main character was likable but startlingly inept in his family's Indian restaurant kitchen. I found it hard to believe. He had after all been raised in their very ethnic home....and he had worked as a sous chef in an American restaurant for 7 years. It seemed that all he could do was spot health violations. The friendly taxi cab driver played a quirky but agreeable character but was he suppose to be of Indian decent? Could have fooled me.

8-Sep-10: jh - Rating: 4

Career decisions. Family relationships. Dating problems. Due largely to Aasif Mandvi's talents, these serious issues are explored in a light and humorous way in TODAY'S SPECIAL. I also loved the father.

8-Sep-10: Georgi - Rating: 4

Aasif Mandvi was terrific. I've been a huge fan of his for as long as he's been on the Daily Show. Never realized that his resume was so full as far as writing and acting go. Thank you for having him come to be with us. The movie was a perfect start of our season. Perhaps too sweet for some, but it sent us right to Indian food for dinner and lots of warm feelings. Sometimes it's good just to feel good walking out of a movie.

8-Sep-10: pb - Rating: 3

Very sweet film. It was a little too slow moving and predictable for me. Liked the characters very much. The father was great. Really enjoyed meeting the director/actor.