Bottle Shock (DVD, 2009, Checkpoint; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

I bought this DVD primarily because I really like the actors who are in it, but I didn't expect the movie itself to be that great; after all, what kind of movie can be made about the wine making business? I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find that the film isn't nearly as dry as the wine itself. "Bottle Shock" combines warmth and humor with beautiful scenery, great music, and actors who do not disappoint. And even though I am part French and have spent much time in France, I found myself enthusiastically cheering on the Americans. If you want to sit back, relax and thoroughly enjoy a movie, this is it.

A fictional treatment based on the 1976 Wine tasting in Paris that put California winemakers on the same stage as the more universally renowned French producers. Top notch preformances from Dennis Farina and Alan Rickman coupled with understated roles for Bill Pullman and Chris Pine make this an enjoyable flick. Rachel Taylor and Eliza Dushku as eye candy don't hurt either. It seems that certain details of the story were changed in the retelling, characters were replaced and invented. Since this was not a documentary but a underdog's tale I found that the literary license was not a hinderance to making this a movie to watch again. It made me want to find out more about the wine tasting and the wineries involved. Any film that interests the audience to find out more about it's subject is good in my opinion.

Great movie about birth of great California wines. New DVD, had a couple of scratches so had to restart a couple of times. If you like wine and want to know some history, it's a must see.

What an interesting storyline~ Based on a true family story, BottleShock is fun for any adult wine drinker or someone who cheers for the underdog. Found the characters to be a bit discomforting in the lovers/friends/tradeoff antics, but the Dad and Son scenes are so true to life~Gotta love/hate the British wine snob!

This is a delightful film based on a true story - enjoyed by wine enthusiasts and those whom enjoy a bit of history. The story begins with Steven Spurrier (Alan Rickman) a snobbish Brit looking for a way to boost his failing wine shop, sets up a wine tasting contest. He heads to California's Napa Valley, pitting his favorite French wines against up-and-coming vintages from California. He assumes that a victory by the French wines will spur people to flock to his store, but he is surprised to find that the California wines are not quite as awful as he had imagined. He is especially intrigued by a Chardonnay made by Jim Barrett (Bill Pullman) a former corporate suit trying to live out his dream, and his son, Bo (Chris Pine), at Chateau Montelena, but Jim is a perfectionist who never thinks his wine is ready and does not want to be involved in the contest, believing it will be a circus and an excuse to embarrass the California wineries. He has a tense relationship with his son, an easygoing surfer dude who seems more interested in the summer intern, Sam (Rachael Taylor), than working in the family business. Meanwhile, the rest of the Napa Valley vintners are excited about participating in the contest, including Gustavo (Freddy Rodriguez), one of Jim's best employees, who is making his own wine on the side with Garcia (Miguel Sandoval). As Spurrier gets closer to deciding which California wines will be selected for the contest, friendships and families threaten to tear apart and love blossoms. Jim and Bo Barrett served as consultants on the film. The period soundtrack features several Doobie Brothers songs as well as 1970s tunes by America, Bad Company, and Foghat.

Good movie that takes the viewer from the California wine country to the vineyards of France. The actor who plays the French wine connoisseur ie excellent. Nice to hear French spoken slowly enough for me to understand. Also lovely scenery.

The movie was outstanding if you are into the Napa Valley wine scene... The best part was that it is a true story, and you come to fiond out through an international contest that California wines rule, and the movie shows the ripple (no pun intended) effect of a few good words and awards to the wine culture.

** CHeck it out if you were around during the early years of wine development from the Calistoga area all the way into the Napa Valley. VERY FUNNY; THOUGHT PROVOKING AND GREAT MOVIE!

This film was actually more than expected! Would have liked more Alan Rickman, but there's never enough of him for us!
A lovely evocation of the mid 70s in the Napa valley and the French come down at the hands of an astonished Rickman as English wine snob.
Lots of good input on the Calif wine makers passion for their wine in an under-appreciating world.
Great acting esp by Bill Pullman as cranky grape grower on the verge of failure.

Got the wrong DVD.......The DVD cas was correct, but the DVD was wrong. I sent 3 e-mails, but haven't heard from them

We enjoyed this DVD since it was actually a "real" story about the California wine industry. The trailers about the actual individuals was interesting. Have already shared this DVD with friends. Strongly recommend viewing this "clean" DVD.

The description of Sideways meets Little Miss Sunshine was inaccurate. This is a very interesting account of how California wine became accepted as a world class wine. And then it's got enough fictional elements added to make it a good story. The movie kept me involved throughout.
We have a B&B in Missouri wine country and got this for the B&B DVD library.

A first rate album. Should be purchased for every enophile you know. A nice story, a great cast and super story.

I came to California in 1970. I remember the early '70s and the wine young adults drank. I never understood the reasoning that French valleys produced the best grapes in the world. California has thousands of valleys and logic says there has to be one that a grape can grow in. This movie tells the story. And today we produce the best in the world. See the movie. Live the story.

I thought that this movie was great. It had all the elements for an excellent story. Clearly set back in the 1970's during the time when California was struggling to be recognized as serious wine growers. This is an all American movie about a family that came together for the good of country, grape & life itself. I really liked it. Go California!

Had the privilage of knowing the cast of characters and wanted to have it for my colleciton. What more is needed to say?

I SUPPOSE THIS MOVIE WAS MADE FOR WINE FOLK AND, SINCE WINE IS MY PASSION, I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS SHOW. FOR NON-WINE FOLK, THIS MOVIE PROVIDES AN ENTERTAINING LOOK AT WHAT LED UP TO THE 1976 PARIS WINE TASTING WHICH TRULY ALTERED THE INDUSTRY. I THOUGHT THE ACTING WAS FIRST RATE, THE PHOTOGRAPHY BROUGHT BACK MANY MEMORIES OF TRIPS TO THE VALLEY AND THOSE IMAGES OF THE 70S ARE GREAT, ESPECIALLY THE CARS. KUDOS TO ALAN RICKMAN AND DENNIS FARINA FOR THEIR WONDERFULLY SUBTLE PERFORMANCES. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE MOVIE ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOVE/ENJOY WINE.