Gold

Matthew McConaughey’s character isn’t particularly attractive – visually or otherwise – in “Gold” (2016). Given the fact that much of McConaughey’s popularity rests in aesthetics, it’s not surprising this movie was quickly shuffled into the discount bin at Blockbuster (theoretically, I mean, after all, the movie is set in the 1980s). That’s too bad, because if you can see through the haze of Seagram’s and Marlboro, there’s a complex and interesting story (and Bryce Dallas Howard) there. Maybe too complex (the story, not Bryce). But it’s not like you’re tired of 1980s-based films about commodities dealing (“Trading Places” was a long time ago).

Bottle Shock

You watch a simple, elegant movie like “Bottle Shock” (2008) and you think to yourself, “movie-making isn’t as hard a process as some people say it is.” Get some good actors, a good script, some pretty scenery and that’s that. I mean, heck, I grilled and ate a T-bone steak, drank a growler of beer, talked to my sister on the phone, and posted a blog (not this blog, a different blog that actually pays money) all while watching this movie and I never once got confused, lost interest or stopped liking it. And it’s just a movie about wine.