I was in Pure Bottle Shock
Bottle Shock Film Review

Alike many of the Bottles in the world that go through Bottle Shock, I was in shock and pure happiness that another film about wine would appear in theatres. And Yes as you may have guessed, Pax and I, were very enthusiastic about the pre-screening we were able to attend thanks to Wine Beagles and Bottle Shock!. We brought along a whole bunch of iYellow Wine Club members to see the pre-screening of the California Wine Film called Bottle Shock. If you're wondering how all of us got tickets, all I have to say is that is pays to come to our events, there are always great giveaways! Also a thanks goes out to Wine Beagles who were a great partner on this event and also were able to come to our pre-screening reception on Monday night!

I had a few thoughts about the film and figured I would do my first ever real film critique. I am no Siskel, Ebert or Roeper, but none the less, I do drink wine for a living and love watching movies, so it can't really be that hard can it? I wonder who really has the better job, film critiques or people in the wine industry. For me life couldn't be any better, wine and great film about wine, I would say "Yes please, I will certainly take seconds."

Here are my thoughts on the film.

CAST & CREW
Overall, Funny, witty, and very enjoyable to watch. Great casting, directing, and writing.

Director: Randall Miller

Producers : Marc Toberoff, Jody Savin, J. Todd Harris, Randall Miller, Marc Lhormer & Brenda Lhormer

Screenwriters: Randall Miller, Jody Savin, Ross Schwartz

Starring:

SOUNDTRACK
Personally, I loved the music. It was very relaxing and suited the film quite well. Wonder where I can buy the Soundtrack... would love to have it, any ideas?

PHOTOGRAPHY
I really enjoyed the vineyard shots that were present many times during the film, that might just be because I am a wino, but at the same time, I think they really captured the beauty of the vine and all the mother nature elements of California (such as the earth, soil, grapes, leaves, sun etc). However, I would have to say that there was a few too many long aerial shots, I kind of felt like I was seeing the same images over and over again. But as said, love looking at any vineyard no matter how many times, it is still beautiful to me : )

SET
The set was just dynamite. I enjoyed the vintage vehicles, the cool chateaus, the bar scenes, and the final wine tasting scene a la Francais was my favourite set with the coolest details, including vintage king and queen chairs, great glassware and a just gorgeous location. The stunning details throughout the film I really enjoyed seeing and appreciating (such as a faded logo on the car door of Chateau Montelena drove mostly by Bo and Jim Barrett).


STORYLINE
Other than the broad concept which was a great and also very American Concept, there were a few things i didn't really like. I didn't like how the only woman in the film wass portrayed in a very sexualized light. Overall, The casting was basically men, with only 2 real woman in the entire film, the other one being a final judge at the finale tasting. Personally I think there could have been a better integration of females into the story line - but that is just me. The end of film was horrible when it came to the romantic part of the storyline. Sam and Bo jump on eachother like they were made for eachother, when clearly this relationship has barely been developed. All in all, the romantic part of the story line wasn't well told, however, the wine story was well told so kudos to California wine!

STYLIST
Ok someone please cut Bo's hair, honestly by the end of movie, I just didn't understand why it couldn't of changed at all, it stayed long and straggly the entire time, so unattractive. However, there were some great coveralls that may very well come back in style (especially on women) after this film!


Overall, I would give the film a 4/5 stars. I think it is definitely worth seeing, especially on the big screen in the Theatre. It obviously isn't a Sideways film - and I bet you're asking why is that? - well the answer is this... Sideways had no pretention, no ideology of "we are American and we need to conquer the world" it really focused on the addition of wine (specifically Pinot Noir) to your lifestyle and loving what it brings. Sideways was Sweet, short and simple. Bottle Shock was very Americanesque in styel and resembled that of an American war movie. However, I am a firm believer in making wine and not war, so overall it is a way better film than an American war film, and even though it was a bit to American, I still enjoyed watching it.

SHOCKING WINES PERFECT FOR THE FILM:
  1. Bottle of Chateau Montelena - Pricy, but a wickedly cool way to experience the film and contribute to its wine authenticity.

  2. Naked - Not you the wine! Get a bunch of people together and taste all the wines you are drinking blind (or Naked as we like to call it!), Gustavo does a great job of picking out wine with his intense palate totally blind in his home "Cheers" like bar. If you're interested in purchasing the Naked Wine Tasting kit, email us for the iYellow Discount!

  3. Red truck Wines - Jim Barret, drove around in a red truck throughout out the film, as did Bo sometimes too, but this is a cool wine, that is also from California and it also has a unique parallel to the film.

Special thanks again goes to our partners for the screening as well as the Shocking Reception!! Wine Beagles and Bottle Shock! :



More info:

To learn more about the Film Bottle Shock click here
To learn more about California Wine click here
To learn more about Chateau Montelena click here
To learn more about Red Truck Wines click here (yes they are available in the LCBO)
To learn/buy the Naked Wine Tasting Kit Click here
To learn more about WIne Beagles click here


Aug 5, 2008