Oscar watch 2005- Sideways

[blue_lotus13]

I really liked this film. I could tell that it was done by the same people who did "About Schmidt" because it had some of the same qualities. Namely, it showed people's dark sides, and it wasn't always pleasant. This movie was both funny and sad and the dialogue and scenery was great. It made me want to take a wine tour. However, I also enjoyed it because I learned a lot about wine.

Because of the kind of film it is, this picture does not have a shot in hell at Best picture.

Some other notes-

Paul Giamatti (sp?) is an underrated actor. He does melancholy and frustration better than anyone else. He can utter a line and his face will say something completely different. He should have been nominated for best actor. I hope he gets some recognition at some point. He is wonderful.

I liked Thomas Haden Church's performance, but his character made me want to pull out my hair.

Virginia Madsen- I'm very happy that she got nominated for best supporting actress. She definitely comes from what I've decided to call "The Patricia Clarkson school of acting." Patricia Clarkson is swiftly climbing the ladder of actresses I love. She is so understated and not a "star". Virginia Madsen was superb in this role. I loved the scene where she describes how she fell in love with wine. There were some very tender moments between her and Giamatti's character.

Sandra Oh- A nice performance from her. It was nice to see her in a bigger budget movie. I think she's a good actress and I hope she continues to advance. I also noted that her mother is white, so the character must be a transracial adoptee. Neat.

I think I want to read the book now.

Comments

[kumquatmay]

I loved this movie. Loved it. And Paul Giamatti got ripped off. He is one of the only actors in hollywood today who consistently nails performances, dead on.

I've been to the Sanford winery and done the tour there (the first winery they were at--I totally whacked the mr on the arm and was all "I've been there! He's right, the wine is very good.") and I'd heartily reccomend it.

[oyvavoy.livejournal.com]

my favourite part was the speech that the paul giamatti does with virginia madsen about that special grape, the one that needs nurturing and extra special attention, etc. I actually cried during that moment, it was so beautiful.

[stringy.livejournal.com]

I saw this just this afternoon. I loved Giametti and Madsen's acting in this - the scene where he talks about pinot noir and she tells him about why she loves wine is magic. But I've seen a few too many movies lately about middle-aged men dealing with the fact that their lives aren't going to plan, and although this was by far the best of the bunch, I think I've overdosed on that sort of thing. I was thinking of reading the book just to get the (inevitably lost in translation) extra details of the story.

The wine talk made me smile though, and afterwards I was itching for another trip to the Swan Valley (closest wine region to me).