| Spain... On The Road Again |  | Director: Charles Pinsky
Actors: Gwyneth Paltrow, Mario Batali, Mark Bittman, Claudia Bassols
Studio: DOCURAMA
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.95
Buy New: $18.49
as of 9/5/2010 14:51 EDT details
You Save: $21.46 (54%)
New (20) Used (10) from $18.49
Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 15,992
Format: Box set, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC
Language: English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Discs: 4
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Running Time: 690 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.6 x 1.1
MPN: 767685147429
UPC: 767685147429
EAN: 0767685147429
ASIN: B001HBVE8S
Release Date: January 20, 2009
Shipping: Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
| |
| Similar Items:
| |
| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Follows four people as they travel through Spain exploring the sights and foods of each area they visit.
If you've ever considered traveling to Spain, or have been to certain spots but not everywhere, this is the DVD set for you. The set includes 13 one-hour episodes as well as plenty of sensual extras, especially for the home gourmet. The series follows master chef Mario Batali, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman, Spanish actress Claudia Bassols, and actress Gwyneth Paltrow on a real road trip around Spain, sampling its fantastic cuisine, fancy and plain, and tasting more varieties of wine than your local wine store could ever stock. And the foursome takes in some of the country's most impressive sights and attractions, including much of the countryside that's often overlooked in travel guidebooks. In the group of episodes called "Basking in the Basque Country," for instance, Paltrow and Batali (longtime friends before this series was shot) try organic goat yogurt, a perfectly cooked 65-degree soft-boiled country egg, strong café au lait, and an assortment of freshly baked goodies, all at one breakfast. (Expect to become extremely hungry as you watch.) The group travels to cities, vineyards, tiny towns (where one vegetable farmer treats them to a fabulous meal of freshly picked, then grilled veggies cooked right on the fire, finished with some salt and olive oil--"heaven!" declares Paltrow), and everywhere in between, seeking out the best food and drink and other amenities Spain has to offer. Batali is an old hand on camera; Bittman surprisingly telegenic and self-deprecating, and Bassols a very knowledgeable and companionable guide to her own country. Paltrow she seems to be here largely for her star power, though her Spanish is acceptable and she's very appreciative of the experiences she's privy to. Sometimes Paltrow's waxings can seem a little over the top; of architect Frank Gehry, whose buildings in Bilbao the group visits, she says, "Frank Gehry has to be a good guy, because his buildings are so innovative, and yet so sensitive." (Clearly Paltrow hasn't yet visited the Experience Music Project in Seattle.) But the series' pluses are enormous, and happily the focus on great food (try not to salivate while you watch Bittman and Bassols down tapas made of grilled anchovies and button mushrooms), stunning countryside, and lovely people of Spain. Buen apetito! --A.T. Hurley
|
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 35
 Spain: Not Just Tapas, People! November 23, 2008
Bodhisatva Baby (Sparks, NV United States)
15 out of 21 found this review helpful
I'm nearly going blind watching this show as our antenna does not pick up PBS very well, but I am still addicted! Don't be fooled by the title "Spain". Yes, this takes place in Spain, but it is very much in the format of Mark Bittman's culinary explorations around the world, also aired on PBS. Bittman is a brilliant, self-abasing, mildly abusive food critic for the New York Times, & he is one of the four travelers on this sorta wacky foodie expedition across Spain. No, it's not an insider's Spanish travel guide (though a Spanish actress does join them & offer some bizarre dieting advice), but you're never meant to think it is. They do take some side trips away from food & mussels eaten straight out of the ocean (& wine, so much wine) to do interesting things one can only do in Spain. But mostly it's about eating in Spain & talking about eating in Spain. It might remind you of a college road trip, only with far more fascinating people & a better car (a convertible Mercedes, whereas mine was a Ford Tempo constantly on the verge of dying). Also the food is much better than your college road trips, but the conversation just as meandering & nonsensical & fun. I cannot wait until this comes out on DVD so I can actually see the food & the countryside! Pathetic, yes, I know. I didn't even like Gwyneth Paltrow before I saw this show, & now I think she's just charming & would love to scarf down a paella pan & a plate of french fries with her. We would also need some of that fantastic Spanish wine they keep raving about, & Mark Bittman to make dry assertions, Mario to wax poetic about EVERYTHING, & Claudia to tell us that olive oil cannot possibly make us fat.
Sheer Perfection October 29, 2008
Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn)
13 out of 22 found this review helpful
I am not sure if it is the players, the setting, the food (or all three) but this series resonated deeply. It is, without a doubt, one of the best documentaries ever filmed, a masterwork of editing. First and foremost is Mario - chef, critic, story teller, flirt and gadabout. Gwyneth ("GP") offers insight and humor as well as a good appetite. Mark, the reporter, is the perfect foil to Batali and Claudia is the gorgeous dressing on the salad.
Two distinctive elements stand out: First, they do more than run around gobbling food. They visit sites, investigate history and lore, talk culture and politics and religion AND - the perfect touch - family and kids. Second, the fantastic meals are not at five star restaurants but in mountain shacks, on the beach, in a smoky underground cooker, over an open fire in a vineyard. We are introduced to the cuisine of Spain in a unique and mouthwatering way.
The humor is infectious, like when the gals go to the spa and the guys insist they are going to "work out at the gym". Gwyneth thinks the idea is hilariously preposterous and swears she will run through the vineyard naked if they are exercising. The camera switches from the girls to scenes of Mark and Mario eating, laughing, drinking at one establishment after another. Both offer running commmentary on the food and the trip as the girls undergo beauty treatments. Hilarious!
My grade: A+
Wine, Food, and Friends on Holiday February 2, 2009
T. Blake (Parkville, MO United States)
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
This is a great upbeat road trip. I learned more about Spain than I ever could from a "regular" travel show that just showcased a few cities. This is just a peek at many aspects of Spanish life. Mario seems to know a fair bit about Spanish history and places.
I chose the DVD over the book, since here in the middle of the USA there is no way I can get the fresh seafood that seems to be everywhere in Spain. No. they don't give out recipes, but most of what is eaten is described and cooked right in front of you, often with just salt and olive oil. I would have no trouble recreating many of the dishes in this show given the proper ingredients.
This video inspires rather than instructs. From the well-matched personalities to the catchy music, this is entertaining food TV. If you don't want to watch people eating and talking about eating then you won't like this DVD. It's a casual tour with friends, and some amazing tapas! Just thinking about it has made me ravenous.
Culinary Delight! April 15, 2009
LK (NYC,NY)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you want to take a trip through Spain and it's culinary specialties this is a nice way to do it.
I love this series. I love it so much that hope one day they decide to audition one of us un-famous people to take along on their next road trip!
I felt like I was on a road trip with a nice group of friends that truly enjoyed each other and their experiences.
It was a once in a lifetime trip for Mario Batali, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mark Bittman and Claudia Bassols. Their interest, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn from the people who grew, created and cooked local food was infectious. I don't watch much TV, but I could not wait to see this show on a weekly basis. Which is why I bought is as I missed some shows and just enjoyed it.
They traveled to places one would normally not get to go. They met people who created food that I've always heard of or eaten but never knew where it came from. Plus they stopped at cultural places and gave small historical backgrounds on many places they visited. Mario was the historian, Claudia the interpreter and very smart, Mark was so funny and well versed in food, and I have a new found respect for Gwenyth as she is well read in food, loves food like the rest of us and seems like a very devoted Mom.
You can see some excerpts from the show on line before you buy it. Check it out, if you enjoy food, it's worth the trip!
Absolutely Fantastic September 25, 2009
P. Park (New York, NY)
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
First of all, I've never written an Amazon review, and I just had to because this is my favorite "documentary" of all time. Granted, not all of you may enjoy food, wine, history and travel to the extent I do, but if you do, then you will really enjoy this DVD. Sure the 1 star guy has some valid points, but this is just supposed to be an enjoyable "Road Trip" through Spain in the yes of these 4 great, interesting and laughable people. Don't take anything too seriously and you will enjoy yourself. Although some of the restaurants they went to were "world-class", the focus is not the restaurant, but the food, wine, land and good company.
All in all I wish there were another 11 DVD's to watch. It's really a nice way to rewind on a Fri movie night.
Bravo Mario for putting this together. It's really a treat. (I'd start watching the weight, we don't want you to go the way of Chris Farley.)
Showing reviews 1-5 of 35
|
|
|
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. 4thWeb Family of Brands | Copyrights, Trademarks, 2003-2010, 4thWeb | All Rights Reserved | |
