Why my first premiere of 2008 will be tomorrow, Jan. 9, for "Mad Money," the first feature released by new indie studio Overture Films:
Like so many in Hollywood, I go to movie premieres for the food. And by "so many," I mean anyone who’s not associated with the movie, not associated with someone who’s associated with the movie or who isn’t using the red carpet and its attendant photographers to help his/her career.
Technically, "so many" probably refers to just me. But now that I’m not on the film beat, food does have a lot to do with whether or not I attend a premiere. And lest anyone condemn me for being a spoiled and iredeemable snob — well, you’re probably right, but first consider: There’s a lot of bad movies made. A LOT. Then consider the experience of said movie starting 45 minutes late (because no one will stop schmoozing and being the first to sit down condemns you as less important than those still standing up) and turns out to be not just bad but twisting-in-your-seat awful. (It should be noted that the bulk of my premiere-going experiences took place before the advent of BlackBerries.)
And afterward? There’s a party, populated largely by the people who made the aforementioned abomination but really wanted to make a good movie, have jobs riding on its success and are hoping every guest will overwhelm them with gratitude and you’re not sure you can look them in the eye. (As my husband says, "We’re earning our shrimp tonight.")
All of this happens more often than anyone cares to think. And even when there’s the promise of a good movie, there’s still the 45-minute thing, and it’s a weeknight and — feh, I can wait.
So: Nothing but love for stars Queen Latifah, Diane Keaton and Katie Holmes and may this be the first step toward career advancement and/or recesuitation for all involved, but I’ll be the first to bolt out of the theater toward the light generated by the three stars in chef jackets: Nancy Silverton, Suzanne Tracht and Carolynn Spence are preparing the post-party feast.
The menu’s after the jump.
MAD MONEY PREMIERE MENU
TRAY PASSED HORS D’OEUVRES
Shrimp and Crab Cakes with Tartar Sauce – (ST)
Jar French Fries with Lobster Béarnaise – (ST)
Boozy Bacon Prunes – (CS)
Mini Sliders – (CS)
Arancine – (NS)
Crostini with White Beans and Radicchio – (NS)
SAVORY STATIONS
Station 1 – Jar
Red Belgian Endive Caesar Salad with Garlic Croutons
Lemongrass Chicken, Kaffir Lime Leaf
Duck Fried Rice
Roasted Asparagus
Station 2 – Bar at Chateau Marmont
Chopped Winter Salad
Seafood Paella
Orreciette with Fennel Pork Sausage and Tomato
Broccoli Rabe
Station 3 – Pizzeria Mozza/Osteria Mozza
Mozza Caprese
Brussels Sprouts with Prosciutto Breadcrumbs
Beets with Horseradish
Baby Peppers with Tuna
theknifefoodblog.wordpress.com 
The only way I’d pay money to see Mad Money is if I could trade my ticket stub for a to-go-container of duck fried rice at Jar.
Just be sure and not to drink the Kool Aid.
You’ll end up down to the Co$ Center getting the crap audited out of ya.
interested in a ticket for mad money. trade food for ticket for premier
I don’t know who you talk to, but I have been going to premieres for 20 years and I don’t think I have ever heard anyone say that they were going for the food. (maybe journos, but that is a whole other animal) It is usually not very good (same caterers for years)…and who wants to eat at 11 when the screening usually lets out? You’re making this up, right? If you mean journalists, you as writer should be more specfific.
I think that’s the point of the piece – rest. guy — that normally food IS NOT THE POINT, so that in this case of the food being good it’s an anomaly, and thus a story! And maybe you don’t eat when the movie lets out, but as having gone for ten years myself, those lines are usually long and pushy — so someone is eating. And if it’s Wolfie doing the catering — they are eating well. Which is nice after a sucky movie …
Big Bomb, you are right. I stand corrected.
I am of the same vein with Restaurant Guy and in fact, Resto Boy, I have a new slogan you may want to start using that my friend and I coined at the Fools Gold premiere,
“Pig OUT, scope OUT, and get OUT!”
For those of you who cannot get it, that means “Eat all the delicious premiere party food, Look at all the eye candy celebs and then get the hell out so we can make it to work the next morning!”