I Finally Rented "Sideways"

[stopbush]

and I really liked it.

I had avoided renting it because a couple that we're friends with really disliked it. I figured it was another one of those small movies that got over-hyped, like "Garden State" (which I couldn't stand...barely made it through that one). But I found Sideways to be a thoroughly enjoyable slice-of-life flick.

Also rented "The Life Aquatic" which was OK, but I was a bit disappointed in it overall.

[giant_robot]

1. I didn't care for it...

...I think it was overhyped. It put my gf to sleep, and it really dragged for me. It had its moments, but it's an overall thumbs down for me.

[Misunderestimator]

2. I have a feeling it's one of those films that will be mainly split along

gender lines as to who liked it or not... I found it tediously boring and fought hard to stay awake through it... pretty much all I remember of it. A buddy film, I guess. :shrug:

[stopbush]

3. I think I liked the whole wine country setting, and there were

enough humorous moments to keep it moving.

Or, maybe I was just surprised. When I saw "from the director of Election and About Schmidt" on the cover, I almost put it back on the shelf: those two movies sucked, at least for me. Maybe I was expecting this to totally suck, and when it didn't, I had a good experience.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. That's the Central Coast

Not what's actually called Wine Country in Ca which is north of SF

[mike_c]

4. I LOVED "The Life Aquatic...."

I thought it was one of Bill Murray's best movies, on a par with "Caddy Shack." In some ways far better, e.g. more mature humor.

[Lindsey]

5. I thought Sideways was wonderful..but then I saw it before any hype...

I think the hype can really have negative consequences...it definitely did for me in "Lost in Translation." I was so disappointed in that one.

[redsoxliberal]

6. I thought it was really funny.

[Dukkha]

7. I watched it last night too

It was much darker and tragic than I expected but had some laughs. The character Jack was morally bankrupt and immature while Miles was just completely coming apart. It was like watching a train wreck in slow motion when he was first blowing it with Maya. I lived in Norther CA for years so I could definitely relate to all the wine sipping pretentious yuppies in the film. Stephanie was an enjoyable free spirited hippy girl, the exact type mid-life creeps like Jack go for. Maya was the best. Very complex and deep person who was perfect for Miles. The highlight of the comedy of course was the full frontal male nudity scene. Hilarious!

Also the name of the character, sitting with his son, who tells Jack to tone down his language is Dr. Hendricks, the principal from Alexander Payne's film "Election". His name appears in the credits as "Vacationing Dr. Walt Hendricks" to explain his presence in California instead of Nebraska.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. I liked the tension in it

[ucmike]

8. way overhyped and misrepresented in advertising

the acting was great, i've seen most of the cast in other stuff and thought they did a good job acting a somewhat tedious and dragged out plot that really didn't go anywhere and took its time getting there. it was billed as a madcap buddy adventure, but was actually much darker and dealt with some pretty unflattering character flaws.

overall it wasn't the worst, but i wouldn't recommend it.