Movie Review: Sideways

Quality film. If you like stuff like Lost in Translation (ok) or Garden State (even better), then you should like this, though this film has a more clearly defined story than the two former films. It's directed by Alexander Payne, the chap that made About Schmidt and Election, and has about the same level of humour, so's you know what to expect... I laughed out loud a few times, though on my own*. I think that Paul Giamatti fella, who's been in Private Parts ('Pig Vomit'), Confidence, American Splendor and, how could I forget, Big Moma's House, is a very watchable actor. I'm not gay. He's just a good actor, as is Thomas Haden Church (would Thomas Church not do? or is it so's not to get muddled up with all the other Thomas Churches...?!) I think I appreciated all the wine references a bit more than I would have 3 weeks ago, having done a little research in what wine to get for the wedding, though the amount I have left, I'd might have well saveed a buck or two and got some Lambrini. Anyway, I think I learnt a little more having watched the film too, with Giamatti trying teach Church the finer points of wine tasting. It won two Golden Globes for best comedy and best screenplay and should pick something up at the Oscars this weekend. The movies Website is neat too. (Is 'neat' an acceptable appreciative word to use? I'm sick of saying 'cool'... I don't surf, or snowboard. Maybe I should. Is 'neat' even spelt correctly?).

*I actually saw this film on my own billy lonesome. One week after being wed and I'm already taking myself to the cinema! That's not strictly true; Jana took me there on her way to work. I really need a drivers license...and a car.

Sideways: Corking.

Pinot Noir gets its close-up - Miles from "Sideways" has replaced Robert M. Parker Jr., at least temporarily, as America's most influential wine critic. Miles likes Pinot Noir, so suddenly Pinot Noir is the "it" wine that Merlot was 15 years ago. [SFGate.com]