Bottle Shock, 2008
Fictionalized account leading up to the famed 1976 “Judgement of Paris” blind winetasting in which California staged a major coup by upsetting their French counterparts. The outcome, which thrust Napa Valley and California winemaking onto the world stage, is unfortunately over-shadowed by the multiple soap opera-type subplots of one winemaking family, namely Chateau Montelena and winemaker Jim Barret (Bill Pullman). Thank goodness Alan Rickman (as event organizer Steven Spurrier) is along for the ride to keep us engaged and interested. Worth seeing with the understanding that someday filmmakers will get the point of the story—and actual facts—right. Rated PG-13

Arsenic and Old Lace, 1944
It’s Halloween in Brooklyn. And newly-married Mortimer Brewster (Cary Grant) is anxious to depart for his honeymoon with bride Elaine Harper (Priscilla Lane). But first he must contend with two misguided aunts, two crazy brothers and a cellar full of dead bodies (without going crazy himself). Adapted from the stage play by film director Frank Capra and writer Julius Epstein (Casablanca), this is one of Grant’s most over-the-top, and funniest, performances. Do yourself a favor and pass on the elderberry wine—it tastes just deadly. Rated G.

Eating Raoul, 1983.
This dark comedy directed by and starring Paul Bartel satirizes the loose and free-wheeling sexual revolution in Los Angeles of the early 1980’s. Sales clerk Paul Bland (Bartel) looses his job after ordering an expensive case of Chateau Lafite Rothschild at the wine shop where he’s employed, risking a life-long dream shared by his wife (Mary Woronov) of owning a restaurant. Needing money, the two stumble upon an ingenious and dubious scheme to rob rich Hollywood “swingers” of their money, aided by locksmith/professional thief Raoul Mendoza (Robert Beltran). Rated R.

Blood and Wine, 1997
Gee, Alex (Jack Nicholson) ... maybe if you spent a little more time trying to make a go of your gorgeous little wine shop and less time chasing after Gabriela (Jennifer Lopez), you wouldn’t be so broke that you’d have to partner with sleazy Victor (Michael Caine) to steal that million-dollar diamond necklace. Maybe your wife (Judy Davis) wouldn’t have to beat the crap out of you. Maybe your step-son (Stephen Dorff) wouldn’t have to leave you broken, bruised and bleeding. Of course, maybe you wouldn’t have a plot either. It’s great fun watching as two masters—Nicholson and Caine— work together in this mildly violent and well-directed thriller. Rated R.

A Walk in the Clouds, 1995
Keanu Reeves stars in this gloriously photographed drama (shot at Peter Hayward’s Sonoma, California, ranch) about a Mexican winemaking family in post World War II United States. Reeves, as traveling salesman Paul Sutton, meets unmarried and pregnant Victoria Aragon (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) who is returning home from college. Victoria fears what her “old-world” father (Anthony Quinn) will do upon learning of her pregnancy, so good-samaritan Paul agrees to temporarily pose as her husband while she confronts her dad. You know he’s going to fall in love with her, but there’s a catch— Paul is already married! Rated PG-13.

Babette’s Feast, 1987
“We had no bad intentions ... we had no idea where it might lead. And now we have exposed ourselves to dangerous or, even maybe evil, powers.” Champagne and caviar, evil powers? It seems so to this small religious sect in 19th century Denmark, who agree to “lose all sense of taste” before a lavish French dinner celebrating the 100th birthday of their founder. That’s showing some gratitude to housekeeper Babette, the former head chef of the famed Cafe Anglais in Paris, who has offered to prepare the dinner and subsequently spends all her lottery winnings importing some of France’s greatest delicacies. Fortunately, copious amounts of Amontillado, Veuve Clicquot and Clos du Vougeot, coupled with Babette’s fabulous cuisine, help the parishioners not only to appreciate this wonderful effort, but also mend a lifetime of petty grievances. Hallelujah! Rated G.

Philadelphia Story, 1940
Is Philadelphia society’s marriage event of the year in jeopardy? It seems so when tea-toddling Tracy Lord (Katherine Hepburn) succumbs to the power of Champagne—lots of it—on the eve of her wedding, setting off a chain reaction of plot twists in this sharply-written, sophisticated comedy. Will she marry her intended, or tabloid reporter Macaulay Connor (James Stewart), or someone else waiting in the wings? A must view for fans of Hepburn, Stewart, and Cary Grant. Rated G.

Disclosure, 1994
Aided by a hard-to-find bottle of Chardonnay, Meredith (Demi Moore) seduces ex-lover and current underling Tom (Michael Douglas) in this drama about sexual harassment in the corporate world of high-tech. Things become complicated in the ensuing “he said/she said” harassment suit, especially since it puts a multi-million dollar merger deal at peril. Though Jayson Pahlmeyer’s '91 Chardonnay received minor billing as the wine, its casting none-the-less helped to catapult it to star status. Look for Donald Sutherland in a great supporting role. Rated R.

Dumbo, 1940
Poor Dumbo. He’s been separated from his mother, spurned by his peers, and humiliated by circus clowns. Just when it seems things can’t get any worse, a bottle of accidentally-consumed Champagne sends him into an inebriated evening filled with pink elephants. Can it really be as bad as it seems, or can our little hero vindicate himself? Hey, it’s a Disney movie—what do you think? Rated G.

Sideways, 2004
A study of mid-life crisis as two long-time friends embark on a part bachelor party/part male bonding road trip to California’s Central Coast wine country before one of them is set to be married. Paul Giamatti, as Miles, and Thomas Haden Church, as Jack, play their roles to perfection in what could also be billed as the oenophile's version of The Odd Couple. Funny, sad, and emotionally moving, this Oscar winner for best screenplay (and Best Picture nominee) did wonders for Santa Ynez Valley tourism and sales of Pinot Noir, while sending sales of Merlot (“I’m not drinking any @#%&! Merlot”) into a tailspin. Look for Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh in supporting roles. A joy to watch. Rated R.