'King Corn' comes to town "King Corn" is a documentary about two friends, Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis, both from families with deep roots in Iowa's corn country, who set out to learn where their food comes from. They begin at the beginning, planting one acre of corn, applying for government subsidies, applying herbicide -- doing everything to achieve a 10,000-pound bumper crop. But it's their account of what happens as they attempt to follow their harvest into its ultimate place on grocery store shelves that raises questions about how we eat. The Washington Post said that the movie "pulls the husk off the scandal of modern food production." Minnesota Film Arts is bringing the movie to Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis for one week only, Dec. 7-12. For showtimes, go to www.mnfilmarts.org/oakstreet or call 612-331-3134.

Now in paperback "Hungry Planet: What the World Eats" (Ten Speed Press, $24.95) was the James Beard Cookbook of the Year for 2006, although it's more of a coffee-table journey through 600 meals in 24 countries. Peter Menzel and Faith D'Aluisio visited 30 families from Bosnia to Japan to Texas, snapping a photo of each with a display of all the foods they eat in a week. Stunning documentary photography takes us into markets and kitchens, while the text delves into food costs, family recipes and globalization. The awards committee said the book "reminds us that we all have something in common: mealtime." It's now in paperback at a bookstore near you.

Paula Deen on caffeine We admit to having a certain awestruck/wincing relationship with Paula Deen. Her memoir, "It Ain't All About the Cookin'" was a sometimes harrowing, ultimately stirring story of panic attacks and determination. On the other hand, she gave the world Paula's Fried Butter Balls. In any case, she and her husband are introducing Captain Michael's line of Full Steam Ahead coffees. The flavors are what you'd expect: Paula's Hazelnut Rum Cake, the Lady's Double Chocolate Cream and the praline-inspired Savannah Seduction. There's more info at www.savannahcoffee.com. But while we're on the subject, if you crave the macaroni-and-cheese on a stick at the Minnesota State Fair, Deen's holiday magazine on newsstands now has a recipe for Fried Macaroni and Cheese Balls. And to those who have a problem with the fat content of her recipes, she replies, "Honey, I'm not your nurse -- I'm your cook!"