Movie Review: Chef

Chef is a movie we have all seen before in one form or another. It is not original in the least, but for some reason it still works. It is the story of an inattentive father, ex-husband, and chef who has lost his way. After a particularly ill conceived blow up, he finds himself unemployed, with no prospects, and a son whom he barely knows. The film chronicles the build up to the blow up and the subsequent attempt he makes to reconstruct his life, his career, and ultimately rediscover himself and those who care about him.

Candy Review: Mike and Ike's Autumn Medley

Who doesn't like Mike and Ikes? You? You? Perhaps You? Wait, you don't know what a Mike and Ike is? Have you not been in a movie theater in he last 50-years? Sure, not all theaters have them, but they are quite popular as a movie snack. Not to mention, the fact that they have existed in a number of varieties since they arrived way back in 1940. Since they are nearly 70-years old, you are probably wondering why I should be writing about them now? That is easy enough to answer. Candy maker Just Born has just introduced a mix of flavors to welcome the Fall season. Enter the Autumn Medley.

Mike and Ike's are a jelly bean like candy that take away the seasonal stigma of the gummy candy and make them a worthwhile year round treat. They are larger than your average jelly bean, but have the same heft and feel. They have a not-too-hard coating around just the right amount of chewy fruit flavor jelly. They are sticky, but not to the point of causing much filling danger (unlike dreaded Jujyfruits, you need to suck on those things forever to get rid of the danger). The flavors tend to the tangy side and have a pleasant bite on first chew and a lingering aftertaste (one that blends well with a swig of Cherry Coke or root beer). The big thing is choosing the right flavor combination, but that is not what we are here for.

Autumn Medley comes in a suitably adorned package. The bag has warm Autumn shades along with a scarecrow and a few pumpkins. It certainly gets me in the mood for some cool weather chews. Then I noticed the flavor lineup. The listing made me do a double take followed by a "Huh?" Not exactly the kind of reaction you would expect for a candy lover and a bag of sweets.



What had me acting all strange? What was it that kept me from devouring the bag immediately? It was the listing of cherry, orange, strawberry, and lemon as the flavors of the contents. Really? Who thought that combination screamed Autumn Medley? My guess is that it has more to do with the colors than with the flavors. The yellow, orange, and two shades of red do mirror the better palette of Fall leaves.

I would have loved to see them take some flavor chances and offer some Jelly Belly style flavors like perhaps variations on apple, pumpkin pie, or perhaps a seasonal berry like blackberry? I guess that may not be as appealing as the traditional flavors, but it would have been interesting, no?

In any case, while the included flavors do not scream Fall, their colors do. Setting that aside, the flavors are quite good. The strawberry has nice initial taste berry taste that lingers until the first bite, when it changes, it is good but I cannot quite describe that taste. The only issue with strawberry is that color is bit hard to differentiate from cherry, makes it a bit of surprise when you get one. Cherry holds its flavor longer through the chewing process, and I have always been a sucker for cherry. Moving along to orange, this has a decent taste, although it is my least favorite in the bag. Finally, we have lemon, this is the tartest of the bunch, and it is equal to cherry in terms of lasting flavor. The fun comes in eating a handful and allowing the mix to balance itself out in some odd chewy fruit flavor that does not really taste like anything that it is supposed to.

So, in closing, this is a very likable candy. It does not really stand out as an Autumn Medley, but it is a good mix of flavors nonetheless. No, it is not experimental or expand the traditional candy flavors, but so what. It is candy, after all, kind of hard to mess that up. Buy yourself a bag, sit down, open the bag, start a movie and enjoy.

Halloween Brings Chocolate Cat Peeps

When you think of marshmallow Peeps, what do you think of? Don't lie, everybody thinks of Peeps at one time or another. For me, I think of Easter. There are some candies that seem to be locked into a holiday, like candy corn for Halloween, candy canes for Christmas, those conversation hearts for Valentine's Day, and, of course, Peeps for Easter (besides the even more traditional chocolate bunny). Then there are the candies that make seasonal adjustments for the varied seasons, with the most notable being M&M's, but it also appears that candy corn has also made the adjustment (although I have never seen any of the seasonal varieties myself). Peeps, and their maker Just Born, are also in on the seasonal varieties, and this year they have introduced a number of varieties, including brand new chocolate mousse flavor marshmallow cats.

You know, I had no idea there were so many different kinds of Peeps. I knew of yellow and pink chicks, the fluffy ones (the yellow ones are my favorite), the flat bunnies of the same color, and last year I saw white snowmen around Christmas. However, a quick pass over the Peeps official site reveals all sorts of Easter colored bunnies, creme eggs, and tulips; plus hearts, bears, and vanilla creme eggs for Valentine's Day; ghosts, pumpkins, and now cats for Halloween; and snowmen, trees, and gingerbread men for Christmas. Wow! Peeps are all over the place!

Now, before I get to this new flavor for Halloween, there must be a little discussion about how to eat a peep. There are two primary ways, in my estimation, one is correct and one is just wrong. The correct way is to simply rip open the package, grab one of the frightened critters by the head, ruthlessly tear it away from its family, and bite its little head off. Repeat as needed until the entire family has passed on to another realm. The other, incorrect, fashion is also the one that my father endorse and that is to rip the package open and then let them set for a few weeks until the marshmallow has turned hard, likely from their frightened anticipation of when the end will come. You know, they become petrified! Oh, I know, I am quite funny. In all seriousness, this is just cruel and unusual punishment, not just for the frightened Peeps, but for me as well, as I just want to eat them all right up.

I saw the press release just recently and must admit to being intrigued. What would a chocolate mousse flavor marshmallow cat taste like? I have no idea, but I do think I want to find out. I mean, the regular Peeps are quite the tasty treat and chocolate usually makes things taste even better, so the thought process would seem to safely lead to this being a delightful concoction. I have a few in my possession, just waiting to be torn open and devoured.

The first thing I did was take a package to work with me. Once there I proceeded to distribute the contents of said package amongst some of my adventurous co-workers, a few of whom seemed to be all too eager. The only requirement to get a cat was that they email me a brief reaction to the experience. You can read their statements at the end of this column. Now, it is my turn, I can almost hear them meowing to me. If you will excuse me.....
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All right, I am back, one package has all but disappeared. The first thing that struck me upon breaking the seal is the aroma. It smelled almost like a package of cocoa mix. It was light and pleasant. With the chocolaty scent in the air I proceeded to rip the plastic off the rest of the package and distribute the soft treats to my family.

I was surprised at the texture, the chocolate coating was much lighter and less grainy than what is found on regular Peeps. On top of that, the fluff part of the treat felt smoother between my fingers. You have to be careful when separating them, so as not to decapitate the poor kitty. Once I freed one from his Siamese shackles I proceeded to inelegantly bite its head off. The taste is smooth, it has a nice chocolate flavor from the powdery coating, followed by a soft fluffiness from the chocolate flavored marshmallow. It is a light taste, not too sweet, and I think it will be very easy to consume mass quantities.

I must say I am quite pleased with this variation on tradition. It retains the characteristics that make a Peep a Peep while adding a new twist on the taste. On top of that, it is hard to resist the cat shapes, they are perfect for the season and are sure to brighten ones day.

What else can I say? I really like the chocolate cats. Crack open a package, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy on a brisk Autumn evening. The more you eat, the harder it will be to share them.

Now, as promised, here are the reactions of my co-workers, some are more detailed than others:
Dominick Paredi: "It was really good"

Brian Olson: "Well compared to other Peep flavors and styles, I enjoyed the flavor of this Peep. The chocolate smell of the peep was very sweet and had a distinct chocolate smell.

I found that the texture of this peep was different compared to other branded peeps. I find peeps to be somewhat gritty and “taffy like”, but this peep was smooth and soft and melted rather quickly in your mouth.

The taste was great. It reminded me of the marshmallows in Count Chocula which I invite any time of the year. The coloring could have fit a more Halloween theme, as a “brown” cat does not fit the idea of a “black cat” but I don’t think that is something they can change with the nature of the peep, maybe they can dye it with a darker dye.

I enjoy it and plan to purchase some more tomorrow."


Gil Ludlow: "Sweet, Chocolaty, Fluffy Goodness with a hint of Coco flavoring. Great for Halloween and would compliment a cup of Hot Coco very nicely."

Nancy Sarubbe: "After smelling this item before eating, it smelled like powder hot chocolate, after eating this item, the texture was good. I did expect the granules of sugar to be a bit bigger on the outside of this item. This is a tasty item that I would most likely purchase in the store."

Phil Foley: "A hint of hot cocoa graced my nose pleasantly as I took my first bite of this delectable confection. A flavorful and warming addition to the just born confectionery company. Perfect as a winter season companion to a cup of hot cocoa. I certainly had sincere enjoyment from this product."

Martin Davis: "Interesting taste, at first it seemed awful, but if you let it simmer in your mouth before swallowing it you got the flavor. Was interesting for a peep. I'd possibly buy some."

Rich Halstein: "These taste like Yoo-Hoo's in candy form. They also leave a wonderful aftertaste of chocolate."

The Joy of Unsalted Popcorn

Popcorn is a glorious thing. It is the one snack that goes hand in hand with my love for the movies. The funny thing is, there is no one point in time that I can point to and definitively say, "This is the moment when I knew I loved this hot popped vegetable." Actually, I am not sure anyone would ever say that; still, there is no diminishing my love for the snack.

I was walking through the lobby of the local Regal Cinemas (the best theater in the area, hands down) when I noticed a new sign. The sign was touting a new addition to their concessions menu: salt-free popcorn. I was actually a little shocked, but in a good way. I never thought I would see this particular item up for sale.

Theaters tend to take at least a little bit of pride in their popcorn. I am sure you all have been to a couple of different theater chains, but have you noticed the difference in the flavor of the different popcorns? I do. There was actually a time when popcorn quality was a factor I considered when I decided where to go see the latest releases. Yes, I do realize that sounds a little bit weird.

Each theater/chain has their own additive of salt and seasonings that is added to the popper with each new batch. It is this powdery substance that gives the popcorn that uneven yellowing and gets salt into every nook and cranny. The next time you are on line waiting for your favorite bagged snack, watch when they add the popcorn. There will be a scoop of kernels followed by a small scoop of the additive. I have no problem with this, despite the obvious health risks that comes with eating just about any kind of snack. I actually like the Regal chain's flavor. AMC's popcorn is also pretty good. Both of those are better than a couple of other locals.

I have also been to theaters that offered other flavor enhancers. There was a theater I went to once, a few years back, in White Plains, New York, that offered cheese, Parmesan garlic, and caramel flavoring. There were "flavor stations" with the additives in a saltshaker-like container. Believe me, the caramel was quite tasty.

All of these different flavorings bring me back to this unsalted option. It made me think about how much we attempt to cover the flavor of any given item. You have a baked potato, but you load it up with sour cream and chives. You have a steak and you slather it with barbecue sauce or ketchup (blasphemy!), and you have popcorn and you cover it in salt and golden flavoring (it isn't really butter at all). All this does is distract you from the pure flavor of the base item.

Whatever happened to enjoying food for what it is without covering it up with something else? I actually love the taste of pure, untainted popcorn. I used to have a stovetop popcorn popper. It looked like a big aluminum pot with a lid and a crank handle. I would use half the needed oil (it is a little healthier and still does the job) and pop up some unadulterated corn and eat it as is, sans salt or butter.

Many scoff at me and my "bland" popcorn, but I loved it. The taste of popcorn does not need any covering up. Sure, it is not the most flavorful of snacks in this form, but it has a clean taste that really hits the spot. I recommend you try it.

Regal's offering, whether it be this location or the entire chain, is a fantastic addition to their menu and I hope it lasts. I will have to be sure to commend management for the decision. I have noticed that when I do eat it, I do not feel as weird after polishing off the bag, and I do not have a shirt covered in salt!

There is another aspect to this offering that goes beyond my liking the unencumbered taste; it has to do with health reasons. You see, if you did not already know, salt is bad for you. It is a key ingredient in high blood pressure, which is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Perhaps this is a reason for the offering?

The last thing we need is for movie lovers keeling over in the theater face-first into a jumbo bucket. In this day and age of obesity in every age group, we need to start at least trying to eat a little healthier.

I am as guilty as the next guy when it comes to poor eating habits. I am far from what you would call svelte, and am among the obese of the nation. I admit this as freely as I admit to trying to make a difference. It is a slow battle and my willpower is often very weak. This may be a small step, but it is a step nonetheless. Unsalted popcorn, in addition to being free from sodium, also has a lower fat and calorie count, making it a little easier on the conscience to eat.

So, in the end, if you love popcorn as much as I do, try it unsalted. It may not have the same flavor pop as those kernels with the salt and the butter, but it is a great snack and healthier, too!

It's October? Time for Candy Corn!

How anyone can say they don't like candy corn is beyond me, aside from the fact that each year retailers probably trot out the same bags of corn as the year before. Does this stuff have an expiration date? You know what they say about Twinkies...

I cannot remember when my love affair with the kernel shaped candy began. Each October brings a new season to eat the stuff, and I make sure to ingest a few pounds over the course of the month. It is the perfect time of year to eat it. From the coloring to the changing seasons, from the approach of Halloween to the proliferation of horror movies, there is just something about October that feels right for eating candy corn.

You may be wondering why it is only October that I eat candy corn. Well, it is the easiest time of year to find the stuff, you can't go by the candy aisle at the local grocery store, Target, or Wal-mart and not see bags and bags piled high just waiting to be devoured. More importantly, as delicious as it is, there is only so much of it that a person can ingest before getting that awful sick stomach feeling (but it is so worth it). October is the month I have chosen to engorge myself, based on the ease of access as well as its association with Halloween.

It is curious to note that Halloween is not the only holiday with candy corn. "Reindeer Corn" is made at Christmas, with the yellow replaced by red and the orange replaced with green. "Cupid Corn" is made at Valentines, with yellow and orange replaced with red and pink. Finally there is "Bunny Corn" made at Easter, with many colors made for each kernel such as yellow, pink, green, blue, purple and white. However, none of them can equal the glee that can be had with the traditional yellow, orange, and white pieces.

Although my enjoyment of candy corn knows few bounds, there are a few. Firstly, it has to be candy corn and not those candy corn flavored pumpkins. You know the things I'm talking about, they are about the size of a sour ball (you do know what a sour ball is, don't you?), orange colored, and look like, duh, a pumpkin. The taste may be approximately the same but the experience is vastly different. You can't just grab a handful and stuff them in your mouth, oh no. At most you can do two or three at a time before it starts to become awkward. Then there is the texture, the size creates much more internal surface area for the soft stuff, and it is a bit much. The traditional kernel is the perfect size, allowing for the right mix of harder outer layer and soft innards. This pumpkin shape also affects the taste. There is a distinctly different taste, likely due to the increased volume beneath the outer layer. In short, pumpkins are no alternative for the kernels. Don't you dare try passing off those pumpkins on me.

Oh yes, that was just the first thing. The other major boundary on my enjoyment of candy corn is the brand. It has to be Brach's. They have been making the confectionary treat for over 100 years. They have the experience and the know how to make it just the right way. Sure, there are very few ingredients, but it is the quality of said ingredients. I have had other brands, and they are never quite right. The others tend to get the texture wrong, they are always a bit grainier, and the taste is also just a bit off. Nothing can match Brach's in the candy corn department.

What is the attraction of candy corn? I really have no idea. The combination of honey and high fructose corn syrup (which has been getting a bad rap in the press of late) and a few other choice ingredients come together in a symphony of flavor and texture. There is no other distinctly Halloween treat that can measure up.

All of us candy corn fans owe a debt of thanks to George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company who created the candy way back in the 1880s. Although, it was not until 1898 when the Goelitz Candy Company (which would eventually become Jelly Belly) began manufacturing the candy and linked it to Halloween. The how and why of this link up is unclear, but it works!

Won't you join me enjoying a bag of candy corn? Remember: One serving of Brach's candy corn (26 pieces) contains 140 calories, 0 grams of fat, 0 grams of protein, and 28 grams of sugar. That's fewer calories than a cup of raisins!

It is still early in the month to prepare for the big day. October 30th is the official candy corn day! Will you be ready?

To help you get ready, here is something you may want to try with a bag of candy corn and the previously mentioned Twinkie. I cannot lay claim to this, but it sounds pretty tasty to me! Take a Twinkie and press pieces of candy corn into it, pointy side into the cake. Create rows of corn. After inserting a good number of the candies and you will have yourself candy corn on the cob! My teeth are aching with anticipation (or is that horror?).

Dutchess County Fair 2007: A Journey into Food

There are plenty of reasons to go to the county fair. Some go for the farm animals, some for the arts and crafts, others go for the rides and carnival games, some even go for the talent performances. None of those are why I go to the fair. Of course I do enjoy checking out those aspects of the fair, but they are not why I look forward to it every year. My purpose for going to the fair, my mission, if you will, can be categorized by a single word: food.

Yes, the main reason that I make the trek across the county to the crowded grounds is to eat as much food as I possibly can. The only sad thing is that I never eat as much as I intend. It is inevitable that something else will catch my eye, or my stomach proves not to be quite as big as I thought it was, or some other factor intervenes with my enjoyment of all the fair has to offer.

This year, the day that I was able to go proved to be the hottest one of the celebration. Temperatures reached the upper 90's and humidity was very high. Now, if you know me, you will know that heat and I do not get along. Not at all. I was dripping with sweat the entire day, while my exposed flesh started to cook in the bright sunlight. I swear, I was beginning to feel like the various roasted and grilled foods I was eating. Still, I did my best to partake in what I could, knowing there was going to be much I would miss out on. All despite my best efforts.

When I left, I knew I had eaten all I could, yet I still felt the pangs of regret knowing all of the good eats I had to leave behind. I could also hear the cries of the chicken, the whimpers of the beef, the absolute anguish of all things fried as I left through the exit gate. They, too, were devastated that I would not be able to eat them. Rest assured, there is always next year. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I arrived at 11:00. My first goal was to get something to eat. You see, I had not yet had anything and was beginning to hear the whispers of the food. Not the vendors mind you, the food itself was calling to me, imploring that I choose them. At this point, allow me to say that I am not one for onions and peppers, so I shy away from the sausage and peppers and cheese steaks. I also tend to avoid the standard issue hamburgers and hot dogs, preferring the things I couldn't get at the local fast food joint. I also don't go for pizza. Honestly, who goes to the fair for pizza?

The first place I headed when I got through the gate was a building which plays host to Blondie's. They had a new item on the menu, a chicken bacon ranch pita. Now, I have to say that this particular item was absolutely delicious. The pita shell was fresh, and it was filled with a generous amount of grilled chicken, whole pieces of cut up strips of bacon (none of that diced bacon bit stuff), piled high with chopped lettuce and tomato, and finally drenched in ranch sauce. This was a very easy, if slightly messy, eat. Paired with a Pepsi, this was a great way to start the day.

While letting that settle, I took the requisite pass through the animal shed. It is not my favorite part of the day, obviously, but the fair is never a complete experience without getting a nose full of cow manure. This was a quick visit, followed by a pass through the old farm tools exhibit. This is always kind of neat, seeing the ingenius gas powered tools used to cut logs, split wood, move water, and other necessary jobs.

With the animals and old engine tour done, it was time for something else to eat. This time I went to a stand advertising boneless pork rib sandwiches. I went over and ordered one up. "Onions and peppers?" they asked. "No, thank you," I responded. I took the nicely sized rib on a bun, smothered in barbecue sauce, found a place to sit, and took a bite. Oh, heavenly pork product. Not quite as tasty as the pita I had earlier, but still quite good. It was tender and the sauce had a nice flavor. That went down with a bottle of water.

After that, a journey up to the craft buildings was in order. There were all sorts of vendors selling all manner of goods. Rain gutters, leather jackets, belts, stone carvings, local food stuffs (like hot sauces and coated nuts), crystals, painted slates, you name it, you could probably find it. That led to a walk through the rides area, a place I knew better than to partake in, considering the food I was hoping to eat.

Our next stop was the pig races, a fair tradition that I find humorous, but not terribly exciting. What it did do to me, was get me ready for something cool. Obviously I stopped by a cart selling root beer floats. There is something magical about the combination of soft serve ice cream and the god of sodas. It was a good size cup and had plenty of ice cream in it. Perfect for cooling off on this excessively hot day.

Next stand to visit was the one run by Native Americans from Arizona. They sell all manner of jewelry and fetishes (small, intricately carved animals made of various stones). These small items are very cool in the level of detail and craft put into each one, however they were a little out of my price range.

We left that tent and made our way to the roast corn stand. This is a recent discovery for me. Ears of corn, roasted on a grill in the husk, then shucked, coated in butter and salt and ready to be devoured. Quite delicious.

The corn was washed down with a lime fizz, which was quite disappointing. It started off really tasty and fizzy, but it quickly turned into this watery, nasty tasting fluid. It did serve a purpose, though, as it was filled high with ice and felt extraordinarily good when placed against the face. It's icy coldness latching onto my sweat covered face.

By now the heat was starting to get to me, and the chicken and pig in my stomach were fighting over the corn in a sludge of lime fizz and root beer. I was seriously wondering if I was going to be able to satisfy my quest to eat myself into an absolute stupor. I tell you, it wasn't looking good.

A little more walking around, which led to my purchase of a new belt and a skull crafted from stone, allowed to be get closer to eating some more. By now, it was getting later in the afternoon and my body was about to give out, but I still had a little bit of room left.

One sandwich place I always like to visit sells pork and roast beef sandwichs, while the spits cooking the meat are out on display tempting anyone who walks by. Since I already had pork, I opted for the roast beef. "Cheese?" "Yes" "Salt, pepper, horse radish?" "Just salt and pepper." "Gravy?" "Definitely." Took my sandwich and a root beer, found an empty bench and bit into the tender slices of meat. It is absolutely delicious. This is a stand that always has one of the longest lines of any of the vendors there. It is worth all the time you need to wait for it.

The last thing that I was able to fit in was a fresh fruit smoothie. A delicious concoction of strawberries, bananas, and ice. It had a delightfully crunchy texture from the ice and strawberry seeds. Very refreshing at the end of a long hot day, even though I hadn't intended on that being the case.

Now to give you an idea of what I missed.I love to finish the day with a shake from the 4H stand, they are easily some of the best things you'll ever taste, but time did not allow for it. Then there were stands with fresh cut French fries, fried dough, chicken and shrimp skewers, cream puffs, hot pretzels, frozen bananas, deep fried oreos, deep fried candy bars, deep fried pickles, the list goes on and on.

Oh yes, the day isn't finished until you pick up a bag of fresh roasted peanuts to take home. These things are fantastic.

OK, that about does it for the day. The food was great, sun was high, and I was completely exhausted by the time I got home. Next year I will have to work on my stamina.

The lesson of this is work out your stomach in time for the fair, work on your heat and sun endurance, and eat anything and everything you can.

Food stuffs pics:

Stands and stuffs pics:

Me at the end of the day:

The Subtle Art of Movie Snack Selection

If you thought that your movie preparation consisted of trying to figure out which movie to see, which can be tough enough considering how many of you there are and trying to satisfy all tastes, you would be wrong. No movie is complete without the snack. Snack choices range from the simple to the complex and can go well beyond the standard choice of popcorn. Beyond that, there are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the right snack to plunk down the cash for before making your way down the long hallway to the darkened theater.

Now, I don't know about you, but I love movie theater popcorn. There is nothing quite like the salty crunch of a fresh bag of popcorn at the local cineplex. Sure, you have to take out a loan to pay for it all, but you cannot tell me that it isn't worth it. Still, as much as I enjoy that salty snack, there is no denying my sweet tooth, or my enjoyment of certain chocolate based goodies, there is also the time when all that is needed is a tin of your favorite brand of mint. After selecting the snack, there is generally a requirement for a beverage, and there are choices there as well.

I have always wondered if there was a formula that good be applied to help select the perfect snack, but there is nothing scientific about it. There are many factors that can be consider, and after I weighed everything out in my head and made a decision, I have found, on occasion, that I will change my mind at just the moment that I get to the counter. Essentially, I have thrown out all of the careful consideration I had just gone through.

OK, let's take a look at the factors that can affect the snack selection process, and there is no order of importance, these can be weighed in any order, or you may find something else to factor in, or you may pick and choose which ones apply to any given cineplex journey.

• What did you have for lunch, if anything?
• How long is the movie?
• What is the proximity of the theater to the bathroom?
• What is predominant today? Salty crunch, or a sweet tooth?
• Are you planning a meal afterwards?
• What type of movie is it?
• Have you partaken in any movie type snacks recently that you don't want again so soon?

All of this, and more, can affect which snacks you choose. For example, I have found that movies such as Ghost Rider almost always require the intake of popcorn, while a comedy like, say, Clerks II would be more suited to a sweet candy like Skittles. As a general rule, the longer the movieis, the more I tend towards candy over popcorn, like when I saw Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, the choice was Peanut M&M's, a candy that satisfies the need to crunch, but can also last a decent amount of time, depending on your personal eating style. Big dramatic films can go either way, so it generally comes down to length, the longer ones get the candy, while the shorter ones get the popcorn.

Another factor is the beverage. If I get popcorn, it is always going to be soda, and depending on what I had to drink recently, it will either be Cherry Coke or root beer, with the occasional slide over to the Sprite spout. With candy, I usually choose bottled water, although root beer goes very well with the Peanut M&M's.

Going back to the factors list, proximity to the bathroom could come into play, especially if you just had lunch (or dinner), and have chosen a good sized soda to accompany your snack. I hate to miss any of the film, especially due to the call of nature, so depending on your bladder size, you may want to factor in the long walk to the rest rooms, when you select that gallon jug of your favorite soda.

There are still other times when I want to limit my intake of movie snacks which are sure to help me to an early grave. Even in those cases, I still want to have something with me, if for no other reason than my innate need to have something. In those cases I opt for a bottle of water. A bottle of water can last me the entire movie, and is something I actually like to drink.

And finally, above all things, I am always sure to have a well stocked package of mints on my person, and sometimes two different kinds of mints. I have something of a mint addiction. Currently, I am never too far from a tin filled with Eclipse Winterfrost or cinnamon mints, and more often than not I also have a pack of the new Doublemint mints.

There are also an entire host of other choices, depending on your theater. I have been to theaters that offer hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, french fries, and all sorts of other items. However, I have never been able to go with those choices, just not in my bag of movie snacks. There is also one selection that I despise, one thing that should never be allowed into a theater. So help me, if you bring nachos into a theater. Now, it is not that I don't like nachos, it is just that they are way too noisy a snack to allow in. I cannot stand hearing the crunching of those chips. Popcorn I can deal with, no problem, but nachos just grind my gears.

So, as you can see, there is a lot to be considered between deciding what movie you are going to see and walking up to the ticket taker. My snack selection goes through man permutations, though I will always swear by the old standy of popcorn and soda.

Always be sure to carefully weigh you options. Movie snacks are an important part of the experience, and a bad snack choice can ruin a perfectly good movie.

For some added inspiration, there are plenty of old snack time intermission ads: