38 | DECEMBER 26 • 2019 AT THE MOVIES The epic war film 1917 follows two young British soldiers at the height of WWI. They are given a seemingly impossible mission: to quickly cross German-occupied territory and tell a British 1,600- man battalion that the Germans are planning to ambush them. (Opens Jan. 10.) 1917 has received great advance reviews. The film is nominated for a 2020 Golden Globe award for best dramatic film, and the film’ s director and co-writer, Sam Mendes, 54, is nominated for a Golden Globe for best film direc- tor (Look for Jewish Globe nominees Jan. 2.) Mendes is British. His father, a UK cit- izen of Portuguese descent, isn’ t Jewish. His mother is an English Jew. His par- ents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother. Success came early to Mendes, acclaimed while still in his 20s as a great theater director. He got Oscar-nominated for his first feature film (American Beauty, 1999) and has had many hits since, including the Bond films Skyfall and Spectre. My sense is that Mendes has always been secular. Likewise, the new remake of Little Women got great reviews following its Dec. 7 special one-theater opening. However, unlike 1917, it didn’ t get many Golden Globe nominations. Of course, the film is based on the famous Louisa May Alcott 19th-century novel about four young adult sisters. Timothee Chalamet, 23, plays Theodore “Laurie” Laurence, the only major male part in the film or novel. (Opened Dec. 25) FRIED DONUTS AND MORE On Dec. 21, the Food Network premiered The Ultimate Hanukkah Challenge. Four chefs competed to see who could make the best crispy potato pancakes, succulent brisket and fried jelly donuts. The host is Molly Yeh, 31. The judges were Duff Goldman, 44, a famous pastry chef, and Sharone Hakman, 38, a well-known Los Angeles chef. There was only one live showing. However, catch it online and via on-de- mand. Last week, the Hallmark Channel pulled an ad featuring a lesbian wedding and, after a firestorm of protests, reversed itself and apologized. There wasn’ t a firestorm about two new Hallmark Channel original Chanukah movies that pre- miered this month: Holiday Dates and Double Holiday. However, the films were so bad the New York Times and the Washington Post published long, scathing reviews. The Post called them “Christmas movies with Jewish characters” and said they “relied on anti-Semitic tropes.” The NYT was only a little kinder. Both thought Holiday Date was particularly egregious. The premise is that a woman hires a Jewish actor to play her boyfriend and join her at her family’ s house for Christmas. The NYT says it’ s absurd that he knows nothing about Christmas. They said his “sneaky” role fits anti-Semitic stereotypes. Arts&Life celebrity jews NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST A scene from 1917, a film co-written and directed by Sam Mendes UNIVERSAL PICTURES COMPARE OUR LOW PRICES WITH ANY DELICATESSEN IN TOWN! per person SALAD TRAY $14.99 per person DAIRY TRAY $23.99 SALAD TRAY W/ LOX & CREAM CHEESE $18.99 per person MEAT TRAY $13.99 per person STAR DELI “…one of America’ s finest carryout-only delicatessens! Star’ s reputation has never wavered!” — Danny Raskin Holiday hosting made easy at Star - Order today! OPEN CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S LIMITED HOURS 24555 W. 12 MILE ROAD 248-352-7377 www.stardeli.net Prices subject to change On Star’ s beautiful already low-priced trays $5 OFF Expires 11/30/19. One Per Order. Not Good Holidays. 10 Person Minimum. With this coupon. DELIVERY AVAILABLE LATKES available come as you are 248.438.6741 • www.cayagrill.com 1403 S. Commerce Rd., Wolverine Lake HOURS: Tue - Sun dinner starting at 4:30 p.m. Brunch: Sat and Sun starting at 10 a.m. THE AREA’S MOST POPULAR SMOKEHOUSE BISTRO OFFERING A CASUAL AND FUN DINING EXPERIENCE! Enjoy a casual dining experience focusing on quality food made with local ingredients. House-smoked meats along with fresh seafood, steaks, chops and bistro entrées. Happy Hour Dai l y • Carry Out Cateri ng • Speci al Events Weekend Brunch Receive 10% off your bill when you bring this ad in. Expires 12/31/19.