Blood Into Wine

I'm cautiously suggesting this new documentary - Blood Into Wine.

Maynard James Keenan, singer from Tool and A Perfect Circle fame, started a vineyard and wine making facility in northern Arizona a few years ago - a region NOT previously synonymous with either. Blood Into Wine is its story.

With help from Eric Glomski, he's painstakingly started producing a very small amount of grapes (compared to most vineyards) which they sculpt into a couple different blends of vino.

This is a very interesting documentary and the wine - or at least one of the three varieties - sounds like a "Must try". But I have a couple issues with it.

I'm not sure if I'd care one little bit if I weren't a fan of Keenan's. [Maybe my audience could help me answer that.]

Secondly, there are some scenes put in for comic relief that were NOT funny. It's not a good thing to watch a movie for the first time and want to fast forward past certain actors. Yes, actors. Inserted into what appears to be all documentary are splashed a fake cable-access interview show (a-la Wayne's World) that is just way too painful to sit through,

Lastly, there's NO Tool or A Perfect Circle music. They have some of Keenan's Andy Kaufman-esqe band Puscifer, but not Tool?? OK, minor critique at best.

This review really isn't bad. I really enjoyed it - mainly for the interviews with Maynard and Eric. And even a lot of the DVD extras are worthwhile - although most are just unedited, longer versions of what appears in the movie.

Rent and give me your opinion!

War, Inc.

Today's suggestion is a 2008 comedy produced, co-written and starring John Cusack - War, Inc.

It's set in a fictional Middle-Eastern country after the first privately-run war. A US company, headed by a former vice president, sends their ace "trouble shooter" (read: assassin) to take out the opposition. While battling his own old demons, new complications arise as he has to organize a high-profile pop star's wedding and he starts falling for an anti-war journalist.

The cast is great: John Cusack is the assassin, Marisa Tomei as the reporter, Hillary Duff (I never thought I'd blog about a movie with HER!) as the pop star diva, Joan Cusack, Ben Kingsley and Dan Aykroyd. All are superb.

This is a sometimes biting satire, sometimes silly, somewhat violent film with a nod here and there to spaghetti westerns. The action is top-notch and the humor is varied, smart and actually funny!

It's also reminiscent of Grosse Point Blank - not only in cast but in characters, plot and humor. But there are enough distinctions to let this film stand on its own. Rent both and have a double feature!