Sideways is now available on Blu-ray.
Swirl:
For those of you unfamiliar with this vintage, Sideways is a 2004 comedy/drama from Alexander Payne, the director of Election starring Paul Giamatti (Lady in the Water, The Amazing Screw-On Head) as Miles, a high school teacher/novelist/oenologist (wine enthusiast) who takes his friend Jack, played by Thomas Haden Church (Spider-Man 3), on a pre-nuptual vacation to California’s central coast wine country. Miles just wants a mild retreat, while Jack has a more carnal conception of a bachelor’s trip.
“This week is not about me. It is about you. I’m gonna show you a good time. We’re gonna drink a lot of good wine. We’re gonna play some golf. We’re gonna eat some great food and enjoy the scenery and we are going to send you off in style, mon frere.”
“And get your bone smooched.”
Sniff:
Among those caught in the path of Jack’s intended debauchery are Maya (Virginia Madsen – The Hot Spot) and Stephanie (Sandra Oh – Grey’s Anatomy), two single women who work in Miles’ favorite wine bar. ComicsOnline would be remiss if we failed to also note MC Gainey’s brilliant cameo as the cuckolded husband of one of Jack’s conquests. ComicsOnline’s readers and Podcast listeners will remember Gainey as Tom, aka Mister Friendly, from Lost.
Sip:
Extras on this new Blu-ray release are really the only disappointment, and a mild one at that. All we get are the same extras as the DVD release, made up of audio commentary with Giamatti and Hayden Church, seven deleted scenes, and a behind the scenes featurette. Even so, the Blu-ray edition is your best bet. You know how the right wine glass can really make your wine smell and taste its best? Well, with home theatre, environment matters too; with a new 1080p resolution and uncompressed sound, you can now see Sideways in your home theatre in the best possible environment.
ComicsOnline gives Sideways on Blu-ray 4 out of 5 excellent bottles of Santa Ynez Valley Pinot Noir.
