Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)
Written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldric, James Wan, Jason Momoa, & Thomas Pa’a Sibbett
Directed by James Wan
Starring (in these scenes): Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Patrick Wilson as Ocean Master
Chef’s Note: Here we find Arthur playing a very bro-style prank on his bro, Orm. He is so suffused with glee at the success of his ruse, it barely seems to register with him that Orm actually enjoys this “shrimp of the land.”
Pranks and referring to pizza as ‘ZA aside, Arthur does make a good point about not letting prejudice get in the way of enjoying good food. And Orm does take his advice later, which seems a quite hopeful note for someone who, in the past, has orchestrated biblical floods to destroy all surface dwellers (not to mention he is obviously taking an interest in our icons of ocean mythology).
I really get the sense that what Orm is appreciating here is the crunchy texture the cockroach provides, more than any flavor it might impart.
That said, the flavor of cockroaches apparently varies quite a bit: there are reports of “greasy chicken“, “blue cheese“, “cottage cheese“, “fried fish“, etc.
In any case, I think Orm, like most Atlanteans, is familiar with, and appreciates, piquant flavor profiles.
Chef’s Note: When Orm first sits down for his cheeseburger, he pays the waitress with a gold doubloon.
This feels like a nice nod to this earlier moment in the comics:
Chef’s Note: Where is Orm eating? I like the old school aesthetic. Reminds me of the clam shacks I went to in Maine in the summer when I was young.
I checked a few shooting location sites but there was zero information on this particular restaurant scene.
They did mention Malibu as one of the main locations so after a little bit of photographic research I’m pretty sure I can say that he’s eating at the Malibu Farm Pier Cafe–
