Genres

Visitors Review

2013-05-18 05:14:16

Decent body, interesting spices, poor finish

Other than bedding Virginia Madsen and displaying strong self-awareness, Miles our protaganist has limited appeal. His foibles and Jack's (the counter-point protaganist) drive the movie. Interesting the ethos that permits stealing from one's lonely mother for a boys' weekend but balks at philandering. Meanwhile, the philanderer is displaying a sense of principle in not wanting to take a father in law's job offer.The similarities and dissimilarities between Jack and Miles make the movie interesting. A few funny lines ("flutter of Edam cheese") and scenarios (retrieving a lost wallet) are welcome in a story that seems a miserable view of men and men's relationships. Miles is so pathetic, though, that it's surprising that he's been embraced by hordes of vacationing amateur oenthologists wishing to stay at the same crappy motel. I suppose some yuppies have trouble finding their own dives.The redeeming scene in the movie, the one that salvages it from mediocrity, is the revealing exchange between two thoughtful characters explaining their appreciation of wine. Both have reasons that are rooted in their self-image and are surprisingly well-developed.A fun little movie with a different feel and several laughable moments. Plus, Virginia Madsen goes for the loser. Gives some of us hope.

avp5 2013-05-17 07:51:22

awful

I don' t understand! Wtf movie is this? And what rating does it have!!!Bleahhh! I recommend this movie only for middle age impotent alcoholicmen! Genre: Comedy??? I didn't smile once while i saw this ,,movie''!What is so funny about two boring men that are traveling senseless andall the movie they DRINK WINE...ALL THE MOVIE! Words can hardlydescribe how much I hated this movie. The characters are horriblydeveloped, anyone with half a brain can predict what's going to happenin every given scene.Unless you find maudlin, pedantic drunks andconniving sex addicts really amusing I suggest you pass on this one.Sucks

2013-05-14 11:21:08

Maybe 'Sideways' Needs Turned Right-Side-Up

As hyped as this movie supposedly was, I found myself utterly bored throughout. I'm not even sure why this is considered a comedy, considering the only truly laughable moment came within the last quarter of the film. I came away quite disappointed by this one.

Sarah-60 2013-05-13 21:51:17

nice little movie

I had read so much and was really looking forward to this film, assomething out of the ordinary, not your run-of-the-mill Hollywoodfodder.Maybe I was expecting too much, given all the excited reviews, but Iwas mildly disappointed. It was good, I enjoyed it, and I laughed outloud a couple of times, but it wasn't outstanding, unfortunately.Giamatti was, of course, perfect, as he has been every time I've seenhim, and all the performances were excellent. I was totally absorbed,and even shed a tear or two.Maybe it was because I took such a dislike to Jack! (I take the pointfrom another reviewer that we don't have to like the characters toenjoy the film, but I really disliked him! Its a credit to Church'sperformance, obviously, to inspire such a strong reaction, but I simplydidn't like spending time with that character) So yes, it was miles better than most films out there, but far from myfavourite in the last 12 months.

Mr Ben 2013-05-12 06:30:55

Subtle tones of tragedy and comedy make this a refreshing change from the norm - 84%

Sometimes, when I go to the movies as I nearly always do on a Sunday, Ikeep thinking about how much the ticket cost and whether the film wasworth it or not. I still cry real tears at the painful memory of howmuch I paid to see "Stigmata" (£26 for two adults - hey, I was inlove!) and smirk with mischief at seeing "Kill Bill: Vol. 1" for just£3. Some films have a definite feel of how much you'd pay to see them.For example, "The Incredibles" is a film so good that I'd happily pay£10 to see again. Whereas something with Steven Seagal in it shouldcome with a refund. "Sideways" comes in at around £8.50 which is what Ipaid. It is a genuinely funny film but not one that batters you intosubmission. It works it's magic gently and before you know it, you'rehooked.The film takes place in California, a week before the wedding of fadedactor Jack (Thomas Haden Church). He is off on a week-long wine-tastingtrip organized by his best friend Miles (Paul Giamatti), a strugglingwriter and wine connoisseur extraordinaire. Miles' aim is to show Jacka good time, to spend some quality time with his friend drinking somedamn fine Pinot Noir and playing a few rounds of golf. Jack's aim is tomake the most of his numbered days of singledom by getting himself andMiles laid. As both men's agendas become clearer, their friendship istested even further by the arrival of sexy waitress Maya (VirginiaMadsen) and wine expert Stephanie (Sandra Oh).I must confess, I wasn't expecting this to be as funny as it was. Itisn't a laugh-a-minute comedy that goes for the jugular each time. Onceacquainted with the characters, it feels very much like an episode of"Frasier" in that the characters spark off each other very well beforethe whole thing descends into a classic farce. As Miles' once-nobleplan comes crashing down around him, you feel utter sympathy for him ashe bears the brunt of his friend's consequences. Personally, I lay theblame squarely on the shoulders of the excellent Giamatti who makesMiles not only believable but also heart-wrenchingly tragic. Misfortuneafter misfortune continues to rain down upon him until the inevitablehappens, much to our own amusement. Church is the perfect foil,portraying a complete bastard brought down by his own lust yet unawareof Miles' reaction. Together, they hit every mark on the button -whether it's a quick one-liner or a facial response, these two make uslaugh almost at will.To be fair, the film does slow a bit in the middle before rallying onceagain towards the climax. I also found myself wondering how twoseemingly different people could ever have been friends for as long asthey appear to have been. But despite these (admittedly minor) niggles,this is as good a comedy as you'll see this year. It's good to see thatsome people are trying to make comedies that aren't reliant on jokesabout tits, sex and Keenan Ivory Waynes. It won't be to everybody'stastes but personally speaking, this is one that really hits the spot.Like a good Pinot...

afs4 2013-05-11 08:59:26

A realistic Comedy

This movie, in my opinion was a realistic comedy. The characters didnot do funny things on purpose, just the way they lived their lives wasenough to make me laugh out loud a few times in the movie. The movieseemed slow at parts but when you go back and think about it, there isnot really anything bad to think of. The movie related to people,unlike other movies such as Hitch, which the chances of any of thatbeing happening is slim to none. What do You Think>? I am stillwondering How other people felt. Apparently this comment has to be 10lines so I am going to be boring for a second. I also liked the CableGuy a lot. Did anyone else? Maybe I just like weird movies like that,such as the Royal Tannumbaums.

onepocketplayer 2013-05-11 06:57:45

Only losers would enjoy the antics of these scoundrels.

What kind of rotten looser steals money from his deranged/Alzheimer'ssuffering mother? Miles(played by Giamatti)that's who. Paul Giamattimay be the most overrated actor ever. Maybe I am the only one thatthinks this because people are raving about his performance inCinderalla Man (perhaps his worst performance ever IMHO).The onlyreason movie critics liked Sideways was the fact that most ofidentified with the rotten looser Miles. I don't think I laughed oncewhen I saw this offal. I felt more of a sorrow and disappointment thatpeople actually laughed and related with these characters. If you thinkstealing money from elderly women suffering from dementia is admirableof funny or is even acceptable than you might enjoy this movie. I forone was repulsed.

tabuno 2013-05-11 00:24:38

Solid But Not Great

Sideways is a Lost In Translation-like movie that includes a storyline,yet doesn't quite capture the consistent gritty, emotional depth thatit was capable of. This mixed film has its high point in the contrastbetween its lead characters and the fascinating analogies between wineand people, events, and philosophy. Yet, overlooked is the fiancée andany penetrating connection and the aftermath of the indiscretion thatoccurs in the movie...the hurt, confusion especially of the littlegirl. The ending is also predictable and stereotypical...The music is gorgeous and well done, the cinematography is handled inthe Lost in Translation technique of realism, scripted documentarystyle of slice of life photography. However, this movie is overratedfor its lasting impact on the imagination and historical film record. Icontrast Bill Murray's subtle, brilliant performance against thesomewhat more biting performances in Sideways. Seven of Ten Stars.

FcPoliFan 2013-05-08 14:11:39

He gets better in time

Alexander Payne. Yet to have reached a climax, but near to it withSideways. And Sideways is all Payne. Splendid images with refined soundmake up to one of the most beautiful movies in recent history.Visually, it's all but Schmidt's depressive world. But innerly, it'snot that different.Payne is obviously fascinated by how people react in circumstances ofgreat psychical breakdowns and encumbering temptations. He tries to digdeep into the soul to bear out the flaws which make us tick the way wedo. Sideways is just another example of that, after his previous films.However, unlike "About Schmidt" which was a more excruciatingexperience to sit through, "Sideways" feels like a much better polishedproduct. Yeah, it's about the misery of one sad, middle-aged bastardwho goes on a week long trip with his best friend, a "yet to have grownup" adult. This race of people, the "yet to have grown up" adults, areprobably the happiest yet saddest specimens to have walked the earth.They are so versatile in their lack of responsibility that they don'tsee the drama in it. They are the kind of people for who life doesn'tdeliver a "higher purpose". Well, as a matter of fact, that's how mostpeople are - fate less - but some are less aware than others.Thomas Haden Church and Paul Giamatti are fairly good actors given thecharacters they stand for. However, none excels. What I actually find abit troublesome is that, unless any changes occur in the future,Giamatti will be labeled as an actor for the intellectual depressed,which will make it hard for him to stand out while playing such a part.He's good at it, but I doubt true recognition will come between thesewalls. As for Haden, the character fits him like a glove. It's too badthe level of intensity at which he functions is a bit low. If you are familiar to Payne's previous efforts, Sideways will not blowyou away, unless you truly admire this mythical word of the"depressionist". For my own self, Payne's style is still a bit toobleak, although Sideways is full of humorist moments. On the whole, themovie is a good piece and it does represent a step forward for itsreputable director.

2013-05-08 05:32:03

Bring a pillow, some prozac, and a gun ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

First off, I must say that Paul Giamatti is a good actor, He was amazing in Howard Sterns movie "Private parts" but after watching this movie, I only have one thing to say about your average movie goers:THERE SURE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT LIKE BORINGC R A P !!Get a life you drama-novel-midlife-crisis-cry-babies, oh and to those offended by the F word. You old prudes, this movie barley had the F word in it. Boo Hoo! WAHH! Why don't you get out more and stop living under the 1950's rock you were born under. **Oh and Pierpont Snicklefritz, I'm glad you mentioned "intellectually able" because "Obviuosly" is spelled "Obviously" and "suttle" is spelled "subtle" Just goes to show you what kind of people like this movie.

Cynthia Fuchs 2013-05-06 17:29:05

Always a resourceful, thoughtful performer, Madsen almost offsets Sideways' overriding, occasionally prosaic interest in the boys' journey.

adamk-2 2013-05-06 05:30:56

stunningly bad

This jaw-droppingly overrated film had me squirming in my seat, boredto the point of physical pain, right from the onset of the smooooothjazz soundtrack and split-screen montage. Next comes the dislikeable,obnoxious, stupid and thoroughly boring characters, sets them up in atotally unlikely relationship and a clichéd situation and then....justgoes on and on. It was like being stuck in a lift with a bunch of stampcollectors. Nothing rang true, nothing convinced, right down to the(admittedly excellent) Virginia Madsen character, a geek's fantasy ifthere ever was one (like comic book obsessives who dream of discussingthe merits of the Green Lantern with Scarlett Johanssen).And, to illustrate a point, here's my spoiler: Note that sluttywaitress Cammi lives in a run-down, garbage-strewn house and has"nasty" sex (with Bush and Rumsfeld on a TV screen -- oh, the politicalsavagery!). Our nice waitresses, however, live in lovely clapboardhouses with tasteful, cosy furnishings, artful lighting and intimatemusic. Our two male heroes, meanwhile, remain selfish, self-absorbedcretins throughout, a road trip without a destination.Meanwhile, is it just me, or should this film have starred DavidSchwimmer and Matt LeBlanc? The characters -- stereotyped to the pointof pointlessness -- seemed made for them.Me, I don't think I've ever been quite so bored by a film, ever, andthe ending was a merciful release.

David N. Butterworth 2013-04-25 03:41:48

The wine metaphors flow like, er... wine in this bold, boisterous, and eminently quaffable road movie/buddy movie hybrid from director Alexander Payne.

2013-04-24 22:36:23

Quite a let down

Tolbert has it right, this film is over-hyped, over-rated and overwhelmingly dull. I give it a little credit for some occasional humor, but I could find little to care about with Giamatti's character; too little screen time for Virginia Madsen; way too much pretentiousness for the wine-ohs, Sandra included. I did manage to stay awake, just to see if it ever ends. I'll come back an add on to this if it ever does.

Mauricio4XP 2013-04-22 18:51:02

Might as well watch a XXX Movie

I took my mother to see Monster (www.monsterfilm.com) I didn't knowanything about this movie and the scenes that this movie showed. I paidfor the tickets and entered the room, man I really wished I hadn't donethat. My mom got really mad, of how I took her to see that movie, fromthat time she don't trust me and I have to pick really good the moviesI want to watch. Then I saw on TV that Sideways was nominated for somecrap and that was really good and really funny, so I told her thatthere was a really good comedy movie and I was gonna take her. I felt Itook my mother to see some porno junk. We had to walk out of thismovie, I really thought it was a good movie, she was so mad.i really like Million dollar baby really good. No porno in that one

Mike McGranaghan 2013-04-22 10:13:33

Every so often, a movie comes along that just about seems perfect. Sideways is one of those movies.

Josh Larsen 2013-04-21 09:43:08

Giamatti...mostly resembles a walking ulcer, especially when he's inflamed.

Larry Ratliff 2013-04-21 04:28:39

I propose a toast to one of the best, and possibly most courageous, movies of 2004.

Chris L 2013-04-19 04:54:12

Disappointement

I decided to get to know Payne's filmography after watching TheDescendants, which I found was a pretty solid movie. But Sideways is abig disappointment.I didn't get the point of it, I thought the script was weak andsuperficial though it seemed it was supposed to deal with seriousmatters. The narration lacks dynamism and the plot unfolds badly,resulting in a boring, lengthy movie.The protagonists were too shallow and missed substance; the actorsweren't that good (though it has to do with the characters I guess) andI felt they lacked emotions, therefore I wasn't able to connect withand care about them which is always a big flaw in a film.Bottom line is that Sideways' attempt to juggle between comedy, drama,and romance is mediocre at best. Not worth a second watch.

2013-04-18 17:45:55

Another pretentious critics' darling.

I rented this movie with somewhat high hopes that this would be a good film, even though from trailers and such it looked like it would be another overrated critical darling about vapid middle-aged men undergoing a midlife crisis. I could watch only about half an hour of this thing before I realized that it was an overrated critical darling about vapid middle-aged men under going a midlife crisis. I see no need to waste my time watching a movie about two guys I wouldn't bother being in the same room with.It's not that the characters are unlikeable (although they are) or are liars, or cheats. It's that they are so damn boring. They don't want anything interesting, and what they do want, they won't try and get. Thus, there's no story to hold one's interest.And no, I don't insist that movies feature only nice people. Nice people aren't interesting to watch either. I want people who are interesting to watch, who want something (money, power, sex, safety), and the something they want is powerful in their lives. The nothing lives of these people just isn't interesting to watch.I should have known, however, that this critic's darling would be like this. They usually are: About Schmidt, American Beauty (middle-aged-white-guy bashing) Oh well, there's always Shakespeare and his not very nice liars and power-mad heroes.