Capsule reviews of recent movies that have wine as a central focus.
Sideways 2004 Director Alexander
Payne
For some reason many people in the wine
industry do not like Sideways, referring to it obliquely as “That
Movie.” I love it – buddy movie, road trip movie and the wine
information is reasonably accurate.
Wine Wisdom Rating
movie –
classic
wine accuracy - great
Bottle Shock 2008 Director Randall
Miller
Dramatic re-enactment of the 1976
Judgement of Paris that put California on the world wine map. Wildley
inaccurate, but has some lovely shots of vineyards. If you are
interested in the Judgment of Paris, the history of California wine
and want to be entertained, read Judgement of Paris by George Taber.
One of few wine books written by a writer.
Wine Wisdom Rating
movie – bleh
wine accuracy - bleh minus
Mondovino 2004 Director Jonothan
Nossiter
Documentary on the globalization of the
wine industry with appearances by virtually every major player in the
wine game, and their vineyard dogs. No Michael Moore, Nossiter
manages to be polemic without obnoxiously injecting
himself into the film. Nossiter lets the wine-makers, critics,
importers and consultants speak and slowly they reveal the undercurrents of fascism and racism in our business.
Wine Wisdom Rating
movie –
fantastic, if you are into documentaries
wine accuracy – spot on
Note - Mondovino is very hard to find. If interested let's arrange a viewing.
A Good Year 2006 Director Ridley Scott
Romantic comedy with Russell Crowe.
Follows the chick-flick conventions fairly closely and then you
realize you care about the characters and it is a good movie.
Wine Wisdom Rating
movie – worth a
watch
wine accuracy – well, not so
much
French Kiss 1995 Director Lawrence
Kasden
Romantic comedy with Meg Ryan and Kevin
Kline. Well crafted genre flick with marvelous performances by the
leads. Ignore the weak plot and set-up and you will enjoy
Wine Wisdom Rating
movie – worth a
watch
wine accuracy – good enough
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