Julie & Julia. 2009. Meryl Streep. Amy Adams. Stanley Tucci. And, of course, the writer/director, Nora Ephron. The movie that launched a thousand ironic blogs. Julie & Julia taught America to write about inane things on the internet, and to subsequently obtain book and movie deals from them. It's one year later. Today, we think we live in the world of blockbusters like The Dark Knight and Avatar, but beneath it all is Julie & Julia, the little culinary comedy-drama that could--and nothing can touch it.
The Contender:
Northwestern University student by day, renegade connoisseur of average romantic comedies by night. Too snarky for print, too dumb for legitimate film analysis, and too lazy for anything else, Lawrence Dai was looking for a challenge. And in the Lawrence/Julie & Julia project he found it. Risking his already sad social life, his average GPA, and his high scores on karaokeparty.com, he has signed on for a deranged assignment.
Julie Powell managed to cook her way through all 524 recipes in Child's cookbook in a year, learning valuable life lessons along the way. I hope to learn as much, if not more, by watching the film Julie & Julia every day for a year.
365 days. 365 viewings of Julie & Julia.
One boy and his Netflix Instant account.
How far will it go? Probably, for like a week or something--until the gimmick wears out its welcome. But until then, we can only wait. And wait. And wait...
The Lawrence/Julie & Julia Project. Coming soon to a computer terminal near you.
sometimes I think about dolphins getting killed and then I don't care
ReplyDeleteit's Tuesday. Just a gentle reminder
ReplyDeleteWow. This is impressive, both in terms of its research and its randomness. Kudos!
ReplyDeleteWow. The actual Julie Powell just gave me kudos. I am extremely humbled and honored by your presence on my silly little blog, Ms. Powell. Also, I just want you to know that everything I'm trying to do here is out of respect and admiration for the original Julie/Julia project.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to lie. This is pretty surreal.
you're awesome. but in the same way kamikaze's are awesome...
ReplyDeleteDid you lose a bet, or are you just a complete moron? I mean that in a nice way, but get your crazy on!
ReplyDeleteAs one of the writers of the 'thousands of ironic blogs' spawned by the movie, I salute you for this project! I love the book and the movie, and even I don't think I could do this...
ReplyDeleteCute idea - let's see if you can make it thru a year! :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't get it... cooking a recipe from Julia's cookbook every day actually has a purpose. what are you hoping to gain from this?
ReplyDeleteI am intrigued.
ReplyDeleteThis is my new favorite blog. Bravo, sir.
ReplyDeleteRight now on my blog (this isn't just shameless self-promotion, really) I'm watching a Christmas episode of a different TV show every day from December 1 through 25 and writing about each one. Last year I did the same thing with Christmas movies. I've found this to be pretty challenging at times, but now that I've seen what you're up against...well, no more "woe is me" talk from me ever again.
I only recently saw 'Julie & Julia' and it was indeed delightful. And MBDTF has been my preferred music to write to for the past month, so you won me over pretty quickly.
Keep up the great work. It's a blast so far.
Hi Lawrence, I really liked your blog, so I decided to read it from the beginning. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how Julie P. found your blog only a day after you starting it? Kinda weirds me out. Do her publishers have a hit on the phrase Julie/Julia or something? Weird. Anyway Lawrence I too am reading your blog from the beginning! So glad you were a blog of note, I really like your sense of humor!
ReplyDeleteHi Lawrence, just wanted to let you know how much I admire your perseverance. I sat through this movie for the first time today. and let me tell you it was not easy. I can't imagine sitting through it for the 275th time or whatever. That would be my version of hell.
ReplyDeletethe blue ring got me! following will be a pleasure!
ReplyDeleteI realize that I have joined in on your journey, way late, in the home stretch of your project. lol but this made me laugh and so now I must look forward to playing catch up!
ReplyDeleteI just found this blog and I will read your posts from Day 1 to latest. That's a promise. It will be another Julie Powell/Julia Child journey for me. I'm sure I'm going to love this.
ReplyDeleteUntil then we can only wait. And wait. And wait.
ReplyDelete------------ Just like in "Casablanca" where they wait their chance to get papers and get out. You are crazy (in a good way).
will read your 365 days of julie / julia-ism...
I came here because I read an old interview of you today at Huffington Post after I searched for Julie Power's original blog that led to the movie I watched. Your interview cracked me up and here I am. The above comments are too funny and I will be back tomorrow nite.
ReplyDelete