Rating: 
Summary: Typical Thanksgiving Day
Review: This movie was great. It shows a typical thanksgiving day in four different households. It goes without saying, there are
problems in every family. If you are expecting A WALTON MOUNTAIN THANKSGIVING or even THANKSGIVING WITH THE CLEAVERS, I'm sorry this is real.
Rating:
Summary: A look at the "American" family
Review: This wonderful movie by Gurinder Chadha, the British-Indian director of "Bend It Like Beckham," tells the story of 4 Los Angeles families and their take on Thanksgiving celebrations. These African-American, Latino, Jewish, and Vietnamese families seem very different but their stories are connected by their relationships and hardships with eachother and their identity as Americans. Chadha also weaves in many controversial issues such as lesbianism, interracial romance, gun violence, multiculturalism and assimilation against a visual feast of traditional and ethnic foods.
This film, like all Chadha's films, is a masterpiece. She has the ability to address very controversial and complicated issues while maintaining an up-beat pace. Her films are also visually stunning with beautiful and authentic cultural elements. Chadha really understands and respects diverse cultures. I highly reccommend her first film "Bhaji on the Beach" and keep a look out for the up-comming film "The Mistress of Spices" directed by Chadha's husband based on the book by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. This will star the Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai who is in Chadha's film "Bride and Prejudice," another great film to see!
Rating: 
Summary: What's Cooking
Review: What's Cooking is a film that the whole family can enjoy. Well written, acted and directed the film tells the story of four family's of different ethnic backgrounds getting together to celebrate Thanksgiving. Featuring an all star cast featuring Joan Chen, Julianna Margulies, Mercedes Ruehl, Kyra Sedgwick, Alfre Woodard and A. Martinez to name a few. Written & Directed by Gurinder Chadha and produced by Jeffrey Taylor, Ethan Hurt and Steven D. Kravitz for Because Entertainment the film skillfully weaves together a story that is both interesting and entertaining. I would highly recommend this film to anybody that enjoys the cinema but is put off by the vulgarity in so many of today's films.
Rating:
Summary: great cast and a realistic story....
Review: WHAT'S COOKING is a great film in not one but two genres: the family-holiday film and the contemporary American-family drama. This is a much better effort than Jodie Foster's HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. There are many family-holiday movies, but this one stands out for several reasons:1) excellent casting including two of the most underused actresses working today: Mercedes Ruehl and Alfre Woodard. Every role they've done has been excellent and genuine. Kyra Sedgwick, Lanie Kazan, Joan Chen and Julianna Margulies are all strong female characters, which is not seen often in American cinema. 2) a great storyline that follow 4 contemporary American families (Jewish, Hispanic, African-American and Asian) through the ups and downs of family and friends sharing not only a holiday meal, but their secrets, emotions and personal conflicts. 3) the director edited the film so each story has time to develop: you feel like the characters are given time to express themselves. 4) the ending makes sense, and is not overly dramatic or sensational. some movies make you feel like you've wasted 2 hours on getting nowhere. overall, well worth your time!
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