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Also known as Houdini & Company, The Robbery, The Incident, and (our favorite) Shag-O-Rama.
It also used to have THIS insane image as it’s VHS cover / poster:
The Linguini Incident was the directorial debut of Richard Shepard, the man who would finally get out of “movie jail” when he made 2004’s Matador (starring Pierce Brosnan), then went on to make The Hunting Party (starring Richard Gere), Dom Hemingway (starring Jude Law), and The Perfection (starring Allison Williams).
It was a low budget film by a first time director that somehow snagged the INSANE cast of:
David Bowie
Rosanna Arquette
Ezster Balint
Marlee Matlin (already an Oscar-winner!)
Buck Henry
Andre Gregory
The final edit was taken away from the director, different cuts were released in different countries, and it’s main theatrical release was in Los Angeles in 1992…during the LA riots. When there was a curfew.
30 years later, the co-producer and director got the rights back, sourced the longest 35mm print they could find (an epic story in its own right!) and released this Director’s Cut - 8 minutes shorter than the shortest of the previous cuts!
In this episode we chronicle:
How the film came to be
How they got this insane cast
How it all went wrong in the ultimate end
How this Director’s Cut came to be
How impressive the whole endavor is, at least in this latest form.
(Also how David Bowie met his future wife, Iman, on the set of this film!)
NOTE: The Director’s Cut is only avilable to stream in North America (for free on Tubi!) as of this moment, but the longer European cuts are available everywhere. We’ve only seen the Director’s version, so can’t comment on how they differ. But just so everyoe is aware!
The Beverage Pairings
Dave’s Pairing
Casa E Di Mirafiore Brut 2018, Alta Langa, Piemonte, Italy (AI-free search link)
Alta Langa is a subregion of the larger “Langhe” region (“Langhe” is the plural of “Langa”) which is devoted solely to bubbly. This is a “Metodo Classico” or “Méthode Champenoise” (Champagne style) bubbly, with a second fermentation occuring in bottle, then aged 30 months on its lees.
70% Pinot Nero (aka Pinot Noir), 30% Chardonnay, and vintage! The experience rests somewhere between a Cava and a Champagne. Mostly mineral driven and fruity, great body and fine bubbles, with justa touch of nuttiness and bread on the backend. Truly an excellent bubbly, one the best non-Champagnes I’ve ever had.
THE LINGUINI INCIDENT has an effervesence to it, a bubbliness yet dry satirical humor. It’s not too heavy, and with every sip you have no idea what to expect next. It does it’s own thing while nevertheless being somewhat recognizable in style. A perfect pairing, says Dave,
Dallas’ Pairing
Chimay Grande Reserve Trappist Amber Ale (AI-free search link)
Chimay Grand Réserve (Blue) is a Belgian strong dark ale produced by Chimay Brewery, one of the Trappist breweries in Belgium (meaning it is run by the Trappist Monk Order!)
The Cistercian order (which is closely related to the Trappists) in particular was known for its involvement in wine-making and played a pivotal role in the development of viticulture in Burgundy.
Thirteen Trappist monasteries—six in Belgium, two in the Netherlands, and one each in Austria, Italy, England, France, and Spain— produce beer, but the Authentic Trappist Product label is assigned by the International Trappist Association (ITA) to just ten breweries that meet their strict criteria.
This Grande Réserve was first launched in 1954 as a Christmas ale under the name “Blue Cap.” It’s success and reputation as a strong ale of the highest quality led to it’s year-round production as Chimay Grande Réserve. Today it is the standard bearer of the Chimay range and has become notorious for its amazing cellaring ability. A beer cellar on the grounds of the abbey secures a vast selection of Chimay Blue bottles whose ages span a multitude of decades.
According to Dallas, this beer is like a cross between a PORT and a beer! It matches the sweetness + darkness of the film. The lightness yet sincerity of its story and themes.
Brewery: Chimay Brewery (Abbey of Scourmont)
Style: Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 9% - 11%
IBU (International Bitterness Units): 35-40
Color: Dark brown with reddish hues
Have you ever seen THE LINGUINI INCIDENT?
Have you ever even HEARD of The Linguini Incident?
What would YOU drink with it?
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