Bottle Shock (2008)

2/4

It might have worked better as a documentary, or better yet a paragraph on Wikipedia.

Full Review | Comment

08/29/08

2/5

Bottle Shock feels more like an excuse to exercise the most familiar of screenwriting formulas than to explore the origins of California's booming wine industry.

Full Review | Comment

08/29/08

4/10

It's is like that bottle of wine that makes you feel like you paid too much for what you got.

Full Review | Comment

08/27/08

3.5/5

There's also Alan Rickman as Steven Spurrier -- and when he's on-screen, all is right with this movie and the world.

Full Review | Comment

08/27/08

2/4

'I detect bacon fat, laced with honey melon,' says a wine lover played by Dennis Farina. Moviegoers are more likely to detect corn, with a bit of ham.

Full Review | Comment

08/25/08

2.0/4

Though this film may be based on a true story, it comes off as a collection of cliches peopled by characters straight out of central casting.

Full Review | Comment

08/24/08

2/4

The people who made Bottle Shock obviously love their wine. They're not that crazy about the French. And they are firm believers in the screenwriting rule of leaving no underdog-formula cliché unused.

Full Review | 1 Comment

08/22/08

2/4

Frankly, the droll Rickman is the most watchable thing about the movie. A subplot dealing with Bo's wine-savvy buddy (Freddy Rodriguez) has its moments, too, but isn't given enough time to come to its fruition.

Full Review | Comment

08/22/08

2/5

Verdict: Chewy, ripe and rounded almost to the point of flabbiness, it finishes rather cleanly; less satisfying is the fragrant bouquet, which contains notes of corn and all-wet underdog.

Full Review | Comment

08/21/08

2/5

Even though the whole thing is based on reality, there's barely a moment that goes by that feels real.

Full Review | Comment

08/18/08

7/10

It's the most amusing wine aficionado film since 'Sideways.'

Full Review | Comment

08/18/08

3/4

If Bottle Shock were a wine, someone would probably call it amusing with a hint of apricot. I'd just call it a heck of a lot of fun.

Full Review | Comment

08/15/08

2/4

Bottle Shock takes a fascinating historic event... and renders it as a sidelight to an overindulged father-son conflict and story lines that start out well but never go anywhere.

Full Review | Comment

08/15/08

4/5

Bottle Shock is... utterly charming.

Full Review | Comment

08/15/08

B-

The re-creation of time and place seems authentic enough, and the performances are convincing, especially Pine's and Taylor's.

Full Review | Comment

08/15/08

N/A

like a wine with a hint of bacon laced with melon, its contrasting elements coalesce to make Bottle Shock a palatable, if not thoroughly nuanced, experience.

Full Review | Comment

08/15/08

7/10

Bottle Shock is a feel good movie in the best possible way. You'll want to bottle this feeling and take it home with you.

Full Review | Comment

08/15/08