Day 94: Sideways

Directed By- Alexander Payne

Writer(s)- Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor; Based on the book by- Rex Pickett

Starring- Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Sandra Oh Virginia Madson

Critics Review- "From its first minutes, maybe even from the credits, you know you are see something very special."- Terry Lawson "Detroit Free Press"

Rotten Tomatoes Rating- Critics- 96% Audience- 77%

Out a possible 5 Stars- 4 Stars

My Review-

I have always liked most of movies that Paul Giamatti was in, aside from that remake of The Planet of the Apes. Other than that he is a wonderful actor who deserves an Oscar, now this movie can be added to the movies that he was in that are considered to be his best in my opinion, this was some of his best acting since Cinderella Man, which he should have one a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for, and did not. However after watching this movie I can see that he is able to do any character that he does in his films. This movie would not have worked with out its supporting cast; Church, Madson, and Oh were all really good in this film. Even though I really do not like Oh, because I do not think that she is a very good actress, but I guess that she was okay in this movie. This is the second movie on this list that I have watched from Payne, with two more still to be seen on this list, and from this one and The Descendants it seems like he sort of like the drama, and black comedy films, also making books into movies, which at times may or may not work, and judging by the rotten tomatoes score, it seems to be working out for him. From the beginning of the movie, you realize that you are seeing something different, which is why I agree with he critic above, the movie was different, from the dialogue to the connecting of the characters, seemed genuine. I rather enjoy Payne's films even after just watching two to them. Who ever does the casting for his films does the best job of getting actors you would not thing would do such an amazing job in their roles. This movie was smart, funny and dramatic when it need to be. The only problem I had with it was Sandra Oh, that is why I said before that she did just okay, she was not as good as everyone else, and I did not need to see her having sex in the film that part was just wrong. Thomas Hayden Church was funny and dry as always which he is always like in his movies which makes him funny in almost any movie that he does, and that is what I like about him. I would recommend this movie to anybody who as not seen it, for it is a good watch. The crown jewel of the film was Paul Giamatti's acting and his story, he was on the verge of depression and trying to get away from everything by going on a trip with his best friend (Church). As always it does not go as planned like always but this film does it just right, what makes memorable its like going though something with best friend like this is always the best, and makes for a good story, which it seemed like for these two characters in the movie.