Bad news for catfish lovers: the cost of American farm-raised catfish is on the rise, largely in part due to climbing grain prices and cheaper imported seafood alternatives, and restaurateurs are being forced to pass the price increase on to customers.
I'd be frustrated by the costs, but I must admit that I'm not crazy about the bottom-feeding fish; it has a bit of a muddy flavor to me, so I almost never buy it at the store. What about you? Do you buy, cook, or eat catfish?
Source: Flickr User ViNull
Several of you stocked up on movies over the holiday break, so why stop now? This week brings new DVD releases that should keep you on the couch. Along with these films, you can also rent The Last Exorcism, Case 39, Howl, and The Yellow Handkerchief with Kristen Stewart.
Paul Rudd plays Tim, a corporate guy on the lookout for a guest to bring to his boss's annual dinner. There's only requisite: Tim's plus one has to be a total buffoon. Lucky for him, he crosses paths with Barry (Steve Carell) whose favorite hobby is mouse taxidermy. When he goes to the shindig as Tim's date, it's one crude joke and pratfall after another. The film didn't go over well with critics; however, there are a few funny scenes, thanks to quirky supporting characters, including Kristen Schaal and Jemaine Clement. DVD extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes.
Director Robert Rodriguez has some fun with this campy, violent free-for-all. Danny Trejo stars as the title character, a Mexican ex-Federale living in Texas. When he's hired to assassinate an anti-immigration senator (Robert De Niro), but then betrayed by his boss, Machete goes on a bloody revenge bender. Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, and Lindsay Lohan also appear. Many of you opted to see Machete in theaters, but if you're somewhat squeamish, perhaps you'll feel a little more comfortable watching it at home. DVD extras include deleted scenes and an audience reaction track.
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The first time I saw the trailer for the movie Catfish, I didn't think it was real — it's unlike any trailer I've seen. But after heading to an advance screening of the film, which opened in select cities over the weekend, I learned firsthand that it is real.
Without giving away too much (as the film's tagline says "Don't let anyone tell you what it's about"), the film is shot on nontraditional movie cameras — mostly point-and-shoot — and incorporates apps like Google Maps, Google Earth, and lots and lots of Facebook. I had a chance to chat with the filmmakers and stars of the movie, brothers Ariel ("Rel") and Nev Schulmann and friend Henry Joost, and chat about some of the technical aspects of the movie. Check out a few interesting facts from my exclusive interview (don't worry, no spoilers!) after the jump.
In Catfish, out in limited release tomorrow, 20-something NYC photographer Nev Schulman develops a Facebook friendship with 8-year-old artist Abby after she sends him an inspiring painting of one of his published photos. Soon, this friendship leads Nev to "meet" Abby's mother and attractive older sister Megan via Facebook. The site lets them feel like they're really getting to know each other, and Nev lets himself dive into a long-distance courtship with Megan, who lives in Michigan along with the rest of the family. Eventually he's motivated to go across the country to meet her. All of this, from the budding relationship to the eventual meeting, is filmed by Nev's brother Ariel and their friend Henry Joost.
Once they show up in Michigan, they realize everything's not what it seems. As the truth (let's assume it's a real documentary) unravels, the Facebook family gives us a lot to think about when it comes to online relationships and our human need for social interaction. We sat down with the three filmmakers to chat about how they ended up in this unlikely situation and why they didn't run away when confronted with the reality. Check out the interview above, and here's your warning: while we don't give away everything, there may be some spoilers!
To see the trailer, read more.
The documentary Catfish, out Friday, is a modern love story. Under somewhat random circumstances, 20-something Nev befriends a cute girl on Facebook. They get flirty and end up in a long-distance relationship of never-ending phone calls and playful sexts. While his brother and friend film the whole thing, Nev decides to go from NYC to Michigan to meet this Megan. Check out the trailer below.
The crazy twist that follows their courtship has people questioning whether or not it's a real documentary, but the premise is likely enough. Many of us have developed crushes on people we've never met in person. Maybe you flirt with that witty guy who works in your company's office across the country, or have developed a thing for a friend of a friend who shows up in your Facebook feed. Whether or not the attraction remained once you came face to face, I'm wondering: have you ever had feelings for someone you never met?
The trailer for Catfish was sent to me by a pal. It's a classic love 2.0 tale — boy meets girl on Facebook, they have a long-distance courtship, and finally, boy drives cross country to meet the girl for the first time. But it's not all happy endings for this couple. Things get real weird at the end. Though I'm totally intrigued, I can't tell if this is a faux-cumentary (in the vein of The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity) or if it's an honest-to-goodness, real-life warning about the crazies lurking out there on the Internet at all times. Check out the trailer for yourself below, then tell me if you think this documentary is real or fake!
Serving fish lightly fried is a great way to introduce nonfish lovers to the pleasures of the sea. The technique is familiar — who hasn't had fried chicken?! — and the texture is ideal because it's both crunchy and soft.
This recipe takes fried catfish fillets and makes them even more accessible by slathering them with a quick Russian dressing and sticking them in between two pieces of toasted bread. It's a crisp and filling sandwich that makes a well-rounded meal. To check out the recipe, read more
Though organic produce has been at the forefront of the food movement over the last handful of years, sustainable seafood has only recently gained much-needed attention. Fishing practices for some of America's most popular seafood choices (salmon, eel, Chilean sea bass) are putting seafood populations in peril, interrupting aquatic habitats, and causing damaging water pollution.
I'll be the first to admit that it can be hard to keep track of what seafood is and isn't environmentally sound to eat, since it depends on the way it's caught and where it comes from. For those in question, you can always refer to the Seafood Watch, an advisory that will tell you what's OK to eat and what's off-limits. Don't forget these seven surefire seafood options that are, for the most part, always sustainably sound.
From Mississippi catfish cookoffs to Louisiana strawberry celebrations, this week is full of can't-miss Spring food festivities in the South. What delectable diversions will you be hitting up this week? Be sure to chime in below!
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