The Gutless Home Chef

#5SecondReview: Kokuho

Explores modern kabuki in Japan through the lens of a yakuza orphan who is taken in by a master actor and trained to be his adopted heir. Gorgeous costumes and makeup (worthy Oscar nom), and riveting performances from the whole cast—especially Yoshizawa as the grown orphan

Made some French onion soup with Gruyère and a sourdough baguette. 😋

Thanks! 😊

Had some leftover yarn 🧶 from the hat I knit for my wife, and it somehow became a matching cowl. No initial pattern. Just knits, purls, cables and a healthy let’s-see-where-this-goes curiosity. Far from perfect, but for my first time going freestyle? I’m pretty chuffed! Working on mittens now. 😊

OK, so you'll get two years chopped off your life, but in exchange you have absolutely perfect pearly teeth and no need for dental work. Ever. From babyhood to grave. Any takers?

#5SecondReview: Diane Warren: Relentless

This doc chronicles Warren's quest to earn an Oscar. Did not enjoy. But I don't want to be all hate-y. So here are three nice things I learned about her:

1. She has an animal rescue farm.
2. She is tenacious.
3. She's an Asperger's success story.

Absolutely. This franchise knows how to cast great talent (and really nice people!).

a knight of the seven kingdoms new series is coming in 2025 ALT: a knight of the seven kingdoms new series is coming in 2025

#5SecondReview: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

It’s got a different vibe, but the characters are adorable and the writing is sharp. Love the relationship between Egg and Dunk. And the big battle? Small in scale but absolutely brutal and riveting. A nice change of pace for the GOT universe.

#5SecondReview: Viva Verdi!

A wonderfully feel-good doc about a retirement home in Milan constructed by the great composer Verdi over 100 years ago to look after the country’s aging and neglected musicians. Pity the song that earned it an Oscar nom has no chance against K Pop Demon Hunters.

Still puzzled about the validity of Melt the ICE hats? A stranger recognized the hat I knit for my wife (modelled by my ugly bald melon below) and struck up a conversation.

Instant comeraderie, followed by a short, constructive discussion overheard by people around them.

Worthwhile, I’d say.

All the Empty Rooms
A heartbreaking look at the victims of school shooting.

Children No More
Worthy subject, clumsily captured.

2/2

#5SecondReview: 2026 Oscar Nominated Doc Shorts

Perfectly a Strangeness
I didn't get it.

The Devil Is Busy
Follows a heroic abortion clinic worker.

Armed Only with a Camera
The killing of a war journalist. Sad.

1/2

Both are opening at our local rep cinema next week. We're lucky that they try to get as many Oscar noms as they can, including all the Oscar nominated shorts screenings. (We usually track down 3 or 4 out of 5 in each category online, never all five, so we still have to go see the full programme.)

Yes! I think that's how my wife found it. She signed up for something. Great doc, too. Did you like it?

We've only got five to go, but they're all lined up...except Viva Verdi! I think I might try getting past the Jolt Film geoblocker with a VPN. That'll be a project for this weekend!

#5SecondReview: 2026 Oscar Nominated Animated Shorts

Butterfly: Great story, meh animation.

Forevergreen: Weird religious overtones.

The Girl Who Cried Pearls: Vivid stop-motion. My pick.

Retirement Plan: A witty, melancholy life lesson.

The Three Sisters: Like a vintage Sesame Street short.

#5SecondReview: 2026 Oscar-Nominated Live Action Shorts

The Singers: Great vibe, characters, music.
A Friend of Dorothy: An ode to the power of plays.
Butcher's Stain: Dark and depressing.
Jane Austen's Period Drama: Basically an SNL digital short.
Two People Exchanging Saliva: French and weird.

a man is making a funny face with his mouth open and his eyes closed . ALT: a man is making a funny face with his mouth open and his eyes closed .

5SecondReview: Face/Off

The concept is so ridiculous it feels like something AI would come up with before gaslighting us into thinking it's totally plausible. And Woo's stylish, unsubtle direction is what it is. Still, it's undeniably fun to watch Cage and Travolta doing impressions of each other.

#5SecondReview: Cutting Through Rocks

Great doc about an Iranian woman who becomes the first elected woman in her district. She's an absolute hero as she fights for girls' rights, helps wives achieve equality, and personally manages the construction of a town park (Leslie Knope would be so proud!).

a group of zootopia characters are dancing in a room with the words " there 's a snake " written on the bottom ALT: a group of zootopia characters are dancing in a room with the words " there 's a snake " written on the bottom

#5SecondReview: Zootopia 2

First one was pretty good. This feels more like a rehash full of fan service jokes. Funny and I suppose even clever (in a punny kind of way), but hardly worthy of Oscar gold.

Thanks! :)

You got my hopes up! But I just tried, and, alas, no. Not available in our region. Thanks, though!

Currently on a WIP! :)

😊

We have loads of that stuff! (My wife does cross stitch.) Great idea!

Ooh, all good ideas. Adding to my shopping list! Thanks.

This is the notions clutch my wife 😍 bought me for Christmas.

I use it constantly. Keeps all the stuff I need (markers, scissors, needles, repair tools, measuring tape, tags, lotion, pins, more) and fits into my WIP satchel.

But there’s still space! What is my mobile #knitting 🧶 kit missing?

Both of those are coming to our local rep cinema. Cutting Through Rocks and Viva Verdi! are the two we're still looking for. They're supposed to be on Mubi, according to some sites, but not up here in Canada!

Spicy, Guinness-infused chili YouTube video by Chad Sapieha

Wanna whip up some chili tonight? May I recommend using my spicy Guinness-infused recipe? Done in an hour! www.youtube.com/shorts/1uaIA...

#5SecondReview: Song Sung Blue

I liked this one more than I thought I would. Some nice, heartfelt moments. Still not a big Neil Diamond fan beyond the big hits, though. I’d have been one of the jerks in the audience wishing the band would just do “Sweet Caroline” rather than stuff like “Soolaimon.”

#5SecondReview: Arco

Better than I expected! Didn’t love the animation style, but I enjoyed the ideas and characters. And Mikki the robot (voiced by Ruffalo and Portman, speaking in unison) is the unsung cinematic hero of the year. It has an almost Iron Giant-level emotional moment near the end.