"Mad Money" best movie (premiere) of the year: Food by Silverton, Tracht and Spence

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.