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!

Sky High

I didn't think Disney made obscure movies. But based on how many of my friends haven't heard of 2005's Sky High I may have to revise this axiom.

This is a delightful and clever comedy about a boy, Will Stronghold, finding his way through his first year of high school. Will is the son of 2 superheroes (Kurt Russell and Kelly Preston), and thus goes to Sky High, a school devoted to teaching teens with super powers.

The cast is amazing - especially the school's staff; including Lynda Carter, Bruce Campbell (!!), and Kids In The Hall stars Dave Foley and Kevin McDonald.

Even its soundtrack is good: 80's songs covered by various artists (and done well), like Devo's hit Through Being Cool performed by They Might Be Giants.

As you may have guessed already, this Disney movie is not for little kids. But I'd suggest this for anyone older than a high school freshman. Adults will really like this too. In fact, I'd put this in my favorite high school movies!

Not the Messiah - He's a Very Naughty Boy

This week's suggestion is mainly for you Monty Python fans - 2010's Not The Messiah.

Filmed at a one-time only showing at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Eric Idle and John Du Prez, the creators of Spamalot, give Python's Life of Brian the same treatment as they did Holy Grail (Spamalot).

This is not a play, as Spamalot is. Rather it's an oratorio - meaning it's just singers, Eric Idle and some memorable cameos standing on-stage in front of a symphony orchestra. There isn't much acting unfortunately, mainly singing.

The other slight drawback for me was that it made me want to watch Life of Brian again (oh nooooooo!)

The singers, orchestra and choir are all excellent and it's a really good show. So if you enjoy Monty Python I'd recommend renting this.

Zombieland

Time to change things up - in more ways than one.

2009's Zombieland is a lot more mainstream than I usually review but...

Every once in a while you watch a movie that captures your sense of humor so perfectly that it becomes an instant classic - like Tremors, Clerks, Supertroopers and now Zombieland.

It's about...it's a zombie flick, do you really need a plot summary??

And like the other movies I just mentioned, this is NOT to be taken too seriously. (Zombie flick!) Sure it's predictable in spots, but it more than makes up for that with it's humor.

This has instantly become my favorite zombie movie, by far. Sorry, George A. Romero, I love the idea of the zombie allegory, but Zombieland is such a pleasure to watch, it's got you beat.

It's not nearly as scary as most zombie movies and not as gory. Although there is some gore. (Zombie flick!)

Rent Zombieland!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

I'd consider this week's suggestion a Must See! It's the 2008 World War II drama The Boy in the Striped Pajamas.

It's about an 8-year old boy and his family who move from the big city, Berlin, to the country. Bruno, the boy, finds it boring and lonely in his new surroundings so he explores the woods behind his house and makes an unusual friend, to say the least, in another boy his age.

This is a BBC film and everyone, including the American actress playing the mother, has a thick British accent that is hard to understand at points. There - that's the bad stuff. (Some have complained about the pacing, especially early, but it's a DRAMA. Shut up, sit still and watch!)

I was skeptical of the premise going in, but the plot is handled with care and precision. All the characters are very 3-dimensional. but most of all, they did wonderful job with the script capturing the innocence of childhood!

This is what sets this movie apart from other great WWII movies - It really is seen though the eyes of a child.

Perhaps, best of all, this movie is hard hitting - how can it not be - but it does not beat you over the head with a sledgehammer like many war movies do.