Perfect: Pixar and Pinot

The holidays are a great time to catch up on movies. The studios use December to release their Oscar hopefuls, while the Thanksgiving popcorn movies are still hanging around in theaters. I saw one of each last week and was completely wowed by both.

First up was the terrific The Incredibles, an animated film for grown-ups featuring the usual mix of Pixar accomplishments: stunning imagery, spot-on casting (the decision to cast NPR It Girl Sarah Vowell is in itself Oscar-worthy); great characters; and a whiz-bang, swiftly moving plot. Unlike Pixar's Finding Nemo, which runs often in the Shallow Center household, Incredibles nods to its non-kid audience with something more substantial than winking irony. Rather, it buttresses the visual feast with family themes of surprising depth. Yeah, it's only a cartoon, but its insightful observations on marital dynamics and parent-child relations are more real than a lot of what live-action entertainment manages to achieve.

Additional note: The Incredibles was the first film seen by my daughter in the theater. And she hung in like a trouper -- much of the movie was over her head, but she never asked to go home. And she gave the popcorn two thumbs up.

Rating: *** (of 5)

Alexander Payne's Sideways is garnering huge buzz, and my viewing last week confirmed for me that every bit of it is deserved. The story of a wine-country road trip taken by two mismatched friends -- sad-sack writer wannabe Miles and suave, blow-dried actor Jack -- the film is a deeply satisfying exploration of chasing one's dreams. As Miles, Paul Giamatti is a revelation; the longtime character actor steps into a leading role and delivers a heartfelt, nuanced performance. And Thomas Haden Church -- that's right, Lowell from Wings -- is a perfect and necessary complement as Jack, the happy-go-lucky airhead who keeps Miles, and the movie, from wallowing in excessive introspection. It's been a while since I've seen a film that resonated so much, and kept me thinking for so long, as Sideways has.

Additional notes: Slate wine columnist Mike Steinberger was as impressed by Sideways' wine knowledge as he was by the movie itself. And if you're looking for a great place in the northern Philly burbs to see a movie, the mostly renovated Ambler Theater is a sparkler.

Rating: **** (of 5)

Comments

[Tom G]

I bought "Sideways" in book form a couple of weeks ago, still haven't cracked it open, other than the first 10 pages I read in the bookstore. Your review of the movie is tempting, but I swear I will read the book first!

[gr]

i saw 'life aquatic' during the tween week of holidays and it weas OK. i am a HUGE wes anerson fan and it was...ok.