B movies is a term that most people will find synonymous with “bad” or “low budget.” But actually its name comes from the Golden Age of Hollywood (1927-1960), with the film being the lesser-known second half of a double feature. The more modern usage of the phrase B movie extends to low-budget sci-fi, horror, exploitation films, and even westerns. Some folks may think of Mystery Science Theater 3000 or Rifftrax when they think of B movies, while others think of Ed Wood and Roger Corman. This gave us a lot of room to explore and pick from when selecting our films.
For the meal pairing we went so simple that, well, it’s barely a thematic pairing (so I guess we applied “low budget” thinking to food). Our theme is “foods that begin with B.” Yes, go ahead and groan.
Week 1: Mel’s Pick
Movie: Cat People (1942)
Ollie says, “Boys who come to tea can't expect to stay for dinner.” But then he does and they’re married by Day 3.
This film is one of those Golden Age of Hollywood B movies, created specifically to be the second half of a double feature, and selected by Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1993. There are definitely weird moments and plot holes, but it’s not a bad watch, and the fashion is impeccable.
Check it out if you want to:
Watch a short and moody film (it has a run time of 73 minutes!)
See the original before diving into Paul Schrader’s 1982 erotic horror remake, featuring a song by David Bowie (that he wrote for it).
Meal: Smashed Beef Kebabs with Greek Cucumber Yogurt and Pita
I served this as a “build your own” pita dish, with a homemade tzatziki, veggies, and the smashed kebabs, which had golden raisins and toasted walnuts included. It definitely made for a hearty meal and leftovers.
Week 2: Johnny’s Pick
Movie: Death Race 2000 (1975)
“Women are worth 10 points more than men in all age brackets, teenagers are worth 40 points, toddlers under 12 are worth 70. The big score, however, is anyone over 75, worth a big 100 points.”
When I told my dad about this little film project, he told me how he and his friends went to the drive-in movies to see this movie in the 70s, and how they laughed like hyenas. Watching it with Johnny (a first watch for me, but not him), I could see why my dad and his friends had so much fun with it. The film, directed by Paul Bartel, is absolutely absurd, but it carries through and delivers.
Check it out if you want to:
See some really fun car designs paired with some really weird racing personas.
Marvel at pre-Rocky Sylvester Stallone.
Meal: Broccolini, Sausage, and Orzo Skillet
Johnny found an absolute winner of a dish, especially for the winter months. He added some mushrooms, and while this recipe uses chicken sausage, it could use just about anything as a protein, or just skip it.
Week 3: Mel’s Pick
Movie: Piranha (1978)
A movie chock full of bad decisions and motorboat moving violations. And what the hell was that thing with legs?!
A B-movie classic that spawned Piranha II: The Spawning (1982) directed by James Cameron all the way to 2012’s Piranha 3DD, this was a really fun watch! Throughout the viewing, I repeatedly declared “Girl, what are you DOING?” while laughing. Fun fact: The head of the camp (the real jerkface) is played by Paul Bartel, who directed the previous movie we watched, Death Race 2000.
Check it out if you want to:
Witness everything you shouldn’t do when towing a skier behind a motorboat.
Laugh every time the piranhas “swim” by … they spared no expense on that effect.
Meal: Boar, Smoked Gouda, and Apple Hand Pies with Kale Salad, Pecorino and Walnuts
This meal was delicious, though don’t be fooled: The puff pastry REALLY puffs. So while these hand pies look like they’re jam-packed full of filling … they’re not. That said, they were very tasty, and the kale salad was a perfect pairing. Though, I guess I really missed the opportunity to make a fish dish.
Week 4: Johnny’s Pick
Movie: Laser Mission (1989)
No wonder Rifftrax covered this movie.
This movie is probably the most “B” movie of everything we picked for this month. It’s not good. I know people love The Crow, but Brandon Lee’s acting is bad. Debi Monahan has some decent lines, but they’re delivered like a weird valley girl. And Ernest Borgnine was, well, fine.
Check it out if you want to:
Constantly wonder where in the world they are … yes, it seems to be an African nation, but there is communism? And a whole lot of Spanish? And desert?
Watch a woman spend probably 36+ hours in the strongest heels known to man while crossing a desert.
Meal: BLTs on Ciabatta with Whipped Cream Cheese Spread
For this particular BLT, Johnny mimicked one he used to get at Leto Deli here in Philly. Originally served on a long roll (a Philly staple) with cream cheese as the spread, this was a sandwich he’d often get with his friend Ryan who lived in the area. The sandwich was MUCH better than the movie, by far!
For March, it’s all about martial arts, and let me say, Johnny is excited.