When the kids and I got free time, that is when we finished doing homework and household chores, we sit half an hour to read a bible-based book or a good whole hour to watch a film. Thanks to hubby we do not need to borrow or buy DVDs. He copied our most favorite movies and animes in one hard drive and set it up with the TV, a sort of entertainment system sans DVD player.
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Aside from Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, we also enjoy superhero movies. 🙂 Batman, X-men, Iron man, the Avengers and the chibi versions.  True, these films are on the violent side and in the past I’ve often expressed my dislike for watching movies and playing games of this genre. Maybe I’ve overcomed this animosity over the years…I just see to it that my kids knew that these movies shouldn’t be something to imitate. 🙂 Well, less the explosives and death-defying stunts all that’s left are harsh words and loud sound effects.

One of the films that I limit them to watch is Hancock (2008) with Will Smith playing the title role of John Hancock, a homeless superhero. I watch this often alone. Here’s a trailer where you’d see him holding a bottle of vodka as he flies, where he tosses a kid who calls him jackass…(sorry, that’s all I can get)…

   
Anyway, spaghetti with meatballs was often seen in the movie, that’s because the dish is Ray Embrey’s (Jason Bateman) favorite. He happened to be a public relations spokesperson that Hancock saved as he almost died, trapped in his car on a railroad track with an incoming freight train. This is where Hancock’s story of redemption began but along came Mary (Charlize Theron), Embrey’s wife…who was cold and distant to Hancock. She cooked those meatballs of course! I was surprised at the turnout of this film…perhaps it is the twist that others find messy that makes me watch this film…The approach was original and disparate from the usual heroic movies I’ve seen.True, Will Smith has had his share of awesome movies and many think that this movie isn’t for him…well, no. The guy is one very good actor. (He follows Johnny Depp in our list of most loved Hollywood actors.) He did a great job portraying the useless hero whom the citizens see as a liability instead of a helper. And that is why the movie seems off. Casting one of the most charming movie stars to play a charmless, unloved lout is totally sardonic.Well, who would need much meat when Will Smith is in it? 😉 You can  have the bowl up there!

 

Ingredients:

Meatballs:
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
3 slices bread, crumbled
2 pounds lean ground beef
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 clove garlic, smashed, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
.
Sauce:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 large can (28 to 36 ounces total) crushed Italian tomatoes
2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
16 ounces thin spaghetti
Parmesan cheese
Preparation:

Recipe for spaghetti and meatballs

Make meatballs. In a medium bowl, beat eggs lightly; add milk and bread and let stand for about 5 minutes. Add ground beef, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper; mix gently until well blended. Shape into about 24 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place meatballs in a generously greased large shallow baking pan. Bake meatballs at 450° for 25 minutes.

In a Dutch oven, in hot oil over medium heat, sauté onion until tender and just begins to turn golden. Add remaining sauce ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding more salt, if necessary. Add meatballs; cover and simmer 50 to 60 minutes longer, stirring from time to time.

Cook spaghetti according to package directions; drain.

Serve spaghetti topped with meatballs in sauce; sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.

(recipe lifted fom about.com)

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