MovieChat Forums > Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2012) Discussion > What other food documentaries would you ...

What other food documentaries would you reccomend?

posted 12 years ago by smezzy
17 replies | jump to latest

I don't really want to see any alarmist documentaries about factory farming. I guess what I would like are cooking documentaries? Maybe just positive food movies. I recall liking Botany of Desire as well.

[–] Newt_Rishin 12 years ago

The Restaurateur is a fascinating look at the restaurant business. I also recommend

Kings of Pastry (2009)
Pressure Cooker (2008)

[–] Somnium72 11 years ago

Check out I Like Killing Flies. Kenny Shopsin is quite a character.

[–] TheApostle 8 years ago

I was going to suggest this one. It's actually called "I Like Killing Flies".

[–] ShadyKay 11 years ago

It's not a documentary, but it's about food: Tampopo. It's rather like 'My Fair Lady' with noodles....loved it!

[–] MalmerDK 11 years ago

A lot of people who loved Tampopo also really dig Udon (2006).
I haven't watched Tampopo myself, but I can wholeheartedly recommend Udon.

Protip: Have some Udon or noodle soup ready, because you will be craving it before the end :o)

[–] jianni-997-983384 11 years ago

'Big Night' is also not a documentary, but it's still one of my favourite restaurant/food movies! Stanley Tucci and Tony Shaloub are excellent as brothers in the restaurant business.....check out Ian Holm (yes, Bilbo) as a rival restaurant owner - I'm from a restaurant family and I know several characters like his - he is spot-on!!

[–] dioniys 11 years ago

I watched A Matter of Taste recently and liked it. About fine dining chef in New York.

[–] endymionng 11 years ago

If you can find it then this:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2155349/reference
About the world class danish restaurant Noma.

Ang Lee's second film: Eat Drink Man Woman (1994) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111797/reference has a story, but it really is also close to food porn as this is.

[–] tjloverdog 11 years ago

Watch "I Like Killing Flies"

I wish I could visit Japan and Jiro's restaurant. I dream of Jiro's sushi!

[–] otterprods 11 years ago

I don't really want to see any alarmist documentaries about factory farming.

I hear you on that one. Super Size me was entertaining, but other than that they're all propagandistic rubbish, IMO.

Chocolat is good if you don't mind the rom-com genre. Ratatouille is a classic if you can stand the rats and don't think all animated moves are "for kids". Mystic Pizza is good for the sake of Julia Roberts nostalgia. But, you know, now that I think of it, there aren't any really great food movies that tower above. I see a lot of people citing Eat Drink Man Woman as the best. I haven't seen it though... maybe I should.

Too bad that almost all the food documentaries are those alarmist ones you mentioned... what's up with that? Are people trying to SCARE themselves into shape? I guess you're best off just watching the Food Network, or better yet, Create, which hasn't yet sold out their old Julia Childs-style cooking shows.

Otterprods, to keep those aquatic Mustelidae in line.