Back to Main Food in Film Page

Click here to Buy this film on DVD or VHS

Makes a great gift for Food and Film lovers alike

Film Released: 2008

Genre: Action,  Comedy,  Fantasy, Crime,  Drama
Starring: Will Smith,  Charlize Theron,  Jason Bateman
Directed by:  Peter Berg

The film is set in Los Angeles where John Hancock (played by Will Smith) resides. But Hancock is no ordinary man. He has superhuman powers, including the ability to fly and invulnerability and although, he uses his powers to rescue people and stop criminals, he is an unhappy, cynical and depressed being who is unkempt and has taken to drink and causes  millions of dollars of damage to property during his rescues through  general carelessness.  He has become unpopular with the populace  and is looked upon as a positive menace by the police who have subpoenaed him on numerous occasions to account for all the property damage, which, of course, Hancock has ignored .

One day PR Executive Ray Embrey  (played by Jason Bateman),   becomes trapped on a railway line in his car, with a freight train fast approaching. Hancock saves Ray's life, derailing the train and damaging other cars in the process,  and is subsequently jeered by the people present for causing more chaos and damage. However Ray, grateful for his life, thanks him openly and takes him home to meet his son and wife Mary (played by Charlize Theron).  Ray makes it his mission to change his Hancock's public image so that people will love him, despite Hancock's reluctance. Mary seems to have taken an instant dislike to Hancock and tries to convince Ray not to bother....without any success.

Ray sets his PR knowledge to work, and convinces Hancock to turn himself in for his outstanding subpoenas in the hope that whilst Hancock is in jail, the crime rate will increase thus proving he is needed on the streets of LA.  The plan works and the Chief of Police calls on Hancock's help to help stop a violent bank robbery.  Hancock is released and dressed in a new superhero costume devised by Ray, proceeds to rescue a wounded police officer and stop the robbers without causing too much damage. His efforts are applauded by the police and public and he is once again, the city's popular hero.

However after a celebration dinner with Ray and Mary during which Ray has too much to drink and subsequently goes to bed,  Hancock makes a discovery about Mary which is to change all of their lives. As this is such a new film, we won't tell you the ending here.

The food aspect  occurs relatively early in the film, when Ray first takes Hancock home and offers him dinner.

Ray  " We started spaghetti madness about 2 years ago. We do it every Thursday ...

Here's our version of the dish which Mary cooked - Spaghetti with Meatballs - so you can have your own Spaghetti Madness Thursday....or any day.

Happy Cooking!

Back to Main Food in Film Page

Any-day Spaghetti Madness  HT MC 35mins

Serves 4     Beef   Herbs  Vegetables  Spices  Main Course  Eggless

Ingredients
240ml/8fl.oz. Beef Stock
1 x 400g/14oz tin Chopped Tomatoes
A pinch of Sugar
1 level teasp Dried Mixed Herbs
Salt and Pepper
1 Large Onion, finely chopped or grated
450g/1lb Lean Minced Beef
4 tbsp Fresh Breadcrumbs
3 tbsp Freshly Chopped Parsley
Flour for dusting
3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
400g/14oz Long Spaghetti

Instructions

1. Place the stock, tomatoes, sugar and mixed herbs in a medium sized saucepan. Season well with salt and pepper and bring to the boil, stirring. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for 15 -20 minutes.

2. Meanwhile place the mince, breadcrumbs, parsley, onion, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl and mix well with your hands then form into balls about the size of a golf ball, making sure you squeeze the meat to compact each meatball.

3. Roll each meatball in flour to give a light coating on all sides.

4. Heat the oil in a large frying pan until hot then add half the meatballs and brown on all sides. Remove the browned meatballs with a slotted spoon, reheat the oil, adding a little extra if necessary, and brown the remaining meatballs.

5. Pour off any excess oil from the frying pan, return all the meatballs to the frying pan in one layer, then pour the tomato sauce over the meatballs and simmer for 15 minutes, turning the meatballs once or twice during cooking.

6. Meanwhile, heat a large saucepan of water to boiling, add plenty of salt then add the spaghetti and cook for about 10 minutes until al dente.

To serve - drain the pasta in a colander, place in a large sering dish and pour the meatballs and sauce over the top.

Find UK Holiday Cottages