A Good Year (Widescreen Edition)

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A feel-good movie that highlights the beauty of France as much as it does its stars, A Good Year provides a languid, gorgeous viewing experience. Director Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe--who first worked together on the Academy Award-winning Gladiator--are reunited in this romantic film, which is based on Peter Mayle's book A Year in Provence. Crowe plays Max, a workaholic London bonds trader who doesn't know the meaning of vacation. When his uncle dies, leaving him a picturesque estate in the south of France, Max views it as an opportunity to cash in the vinery and pocket the profits. The film is reminiscent of Diane Lane's Under the Tuscan Sun in the way the scenery plays as much of a role in the film as its characters. The lush village and streaming sunlight portray Provence as an idyllic, magical place. Even Max falls under its spell. While not a particularly likeable character, especially in the early part of the film, Max also isn't a bad guy. When he gets the chance to live life at a less manic pace than which he is used to, he finds that a good year isn't dependant on a financial windfall. Though Scott tries to drum up some suspense in the film (Is the beautiful visitor really Max's illegitimate cousin? Will Max fall in love with the feisty local woman he trades quips with?) nothing that happens comes as much of a surprise. Still, while the film doesn't fully utilize Crowe's range of skills, the actor is charming in his role and A Good Year provides a fine time in the cinemas. --Jae-Ha Kim

Extras from A Good Year

Russell Crowe and Co-Stars on Filming in Provence
A Good Year Virtual Vinyard

Beyond A Good Year

A Year in Provence
More from Director Ridley Scott

More from Russell Crowe

Stills from A Good Year

Description

Max Skinner (Russell Crowe) is a highly successful investment expert with no time for life outside work. When his estranged uncle dies, Max inherits the vineyard in France where he grew up as a child, and his first intention is to sell the vineyard as qui

Customer Reviews:

Utterly enjoyable.......2007-08-25

Delightful, wonderful, enchanting, captivating.

I was surprised to see so many so-so reviews of this movie. Maybe I was just in the right mood for it and maybe the fun I was having watching it blinded me to any shortcomings, but even though it was predictable, I still thought it was charming, enjoyable entertainment.

Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott in Light-Hearted Romantic Comedy.......2007-08-18

To inherit and sell off his recently-deceased uncle's real estate including small vineyard and old chateau, Max Skinner, London-based investment broker, flies to Province, France, where he meets a beautiful woman named Fanny -- and finds a new meaning of life. You don't find many surprises in the thin story of "A Good Year" which is shot against the background of beautiful scenery of Province, but probably you don't mind.

Russell Crowe plays bespectacled Max, able but arrogant dealer, and Marion Cotillard plays Fanny, fiery but honest waitress. On the road Max nearly kills Fanny by his careless driving while Fanny in return fills the chateau's empty swimming pool where he is trapped with dirty water. It doesn't take much time for us (and them) to realize that they are made for each other and actually, they are. Crowe may not be the best choice for the role of Max, but still his acting itself is very good and so is Marion Cotillard, who was so memorable in French dark fantasy romance "Love Me If You Dare" as one of the most obstinate lovers in the movie history.

Still somehow I didn't feel the film's story is told in a right way either as romance or comedy. To be a romance, "A Good Year" spends too little time on Fanny, whose character should be more fleshed out. To be a comedy (and it surely tries to be one), Ridley Scott's direction (with some references to Jacques Tati) falls flat. Good as he is, Russell Crowe is not M. Hulot whose silly pratfalls are amusing to see. Several episodes are repeated, about terrifying scorpion, about noisy car navigation system, about bicycle riders, but most of them miss the right timing.

Another disappointing thing about "A Good Year" is its structure. The story is frequently interrupted by flashbacks which show us the relations between Max as little boy (Freddie Highmore) and his uncle (Albert Finney). Max's uncle and his secrets (about wine and women) play a pivotal role in the story, but for all the presence of veteran actor Finney, these flashback scenes fail to present him as interesting person as he should be.

I truly admire his keen instinct for visuals and grand-scale fight scenes created in his works, but for me Ridley Scott is always a hit-and-miss director. I know "A Good Year" is a well-made light-weight romance and should be enjoyed as such, but I at the same time felt that the lightness (or shallowness, some might say) may not be his forte.

Beautifully Filmed, A Gentle Romantic Comedy.......2007-08-08

Listen, no one is going to mistake this light, delicately filmed romantic comedy for Gladiator, but you have to analyze this film within the parameters of the genre. For what it is, it is a charming, low-key slice of life movie that makes brilliant use of its glorious settings as well as its stars.

One bonus for tennis fans -- several pivotal and life-changing scenes are played out on the old red-clay court on the grounds of the estate. The scenes, like the film, are beautifully filmed and deftly played.

Surprisingly sweet & enjoyable!.......2007-08-07

Definitely a piece of fluff, but a charming film, nonetheless. It's not angst-ridden or filled with the weighty matters of the universe -- just a nice film for the times you just want something to make you smile. I enjoyed seeing Russell Crowe's light-hearted side and thought his portrayal of a London LOMBARD (Lots Of Money But A Real D***head) was pretty accurate. The female characters were all strong, independent women and I appreciated that the British, French and American stereotypes were not overblown or exaggerated. It also helped that I happen to love the region of France where most of the film takes place.

Surprisingly enjoyable diversion into wine, women and gorgeously shot scenery.......2007-08-07

The story of a callous and irredeemably nasty market trader, who has to go to Provence to take care of his late Uncle's Estate and finds the change of pace gradually melts his exterior.
It's not the most original of storylines, and in unlikely hands in the form of Ridley `Epic' Scott and Russell `Imposing' Crowe. Ridley Scott doing comedy has a slightly forced feel to it, none more so than when he has Crowe doing slapstick. The scene with Crowe trying to get out of the pool goes on for just a bit too long to be comfortable, and watching Crowe falling about in the mud is somehow just not funny. In addition, the plotline is slight, with the outcome never really in doubt.
Having said that, the screenplay has a lightness to the script which brings at the very least a smile - this may not be out and out comedy, but it is lighthearted enough to be entertaining. The characters all have a touch of reality in an exaggerated form, which grounds the movie, albeit through a rosy lens filtered romantic haze. If you are willing to just go with the flow, enjoy the scenery, the gorgeous cast and the languid pace, then you will be well enough rewarded with a lingering smile at the end.
This is really a 3 star movie, just elevated to 4 stars by a combination of Scott's lushly photographed scenery, and the charming flashbacks with Albert Finney as the uncle and Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the chocolate factory, Finding Neverland) as the young Max Skinner.
A Good Year won't be bothering Oscar any time soon and won't remain on anyone's top ten list - but it's a surprisingly effective change of pace for Scott and Crowe.

Average customer rating:

Utterly enjoyable
Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott in Light-Hearted Romantic Comedy
Beautifully Filmed, A Gentle Romantic Comedy
Surprisingly sweet & enjoyable!
Surprisingly enjoyable diversion into wine, women and gorgeously shot scenery

A Good Year (Full-Screen Edition)
Starring: Freddie Highmore , Albert Finney , Abbie Cornish , Russell Crowe , and Rafe Spall
Director: Ridley Scott
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000LXHK22
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Amazon.com

Extras from A Good Year

Russell Crowe and Co-Stars on Filming in Provence
A Good Year Virtual Vinyard

Beyond A Good Year

A Year in Provence
More from Director Ridley Scott

More from Russell Crowe

Stills from A Good Year

Description

Customer Reviews:

Utterly enjoyable.......2007-08-25

Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott in Light-Hearted Romantic Comedy.......2007-08-18

Beautifully Filmed, A Gentle Romantic Comedy.......2007-08-08

Surprisingly sweet & enjoyable!.......2007-08-07

Surprisingly enjoyable diversion into wine, women and gorgeously shot scenery.......2007-08-07

Average customer rating:

Come on! It is only $8 !

Wines of Northern Italy
Starring: Vineyards of Italy
Manufacturer: Columbia River Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MGUZLG
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Description

Episode One: Trentino is located in Italy's central alpine, near the border of Switzerland and Austria. This mountainous, rugged area is generally unsuited for viniculture. Wine production is centered principally in the valley of the Adige, which is most famous for the five million bottles of Chardonnay-based Spumante it produces annually.

Episode Two: Friuli, in the northeastern-most region of Italy, has long been characterized as a hybrid between Italian, Austrian, and Slavic wine traditions. It is primarily famous for its production of light, fruity white wines.

Episode Three: The Veneto is the most important wine region of northeastern Italy, with an annual production of over 200 million gallons. Among its more famous wines are the incredibly concentrated Amarone and Recioto, as well as the lighter, fruitier, and better known Soave and Valpolicella.

Episode Four: Piedmont is arguably one of Italy's most distinguished and important wine regions. Wine production centers around the Nebbiolo, Piedmont's most noble grape. Along with Tuscany's Sangiovese, it is the grape that has given the largest number of distinguished wines to Italy. The region's legendary red wines include Barolo, Barbaresco, and Gattinara, but equally famous is its Asti Spumante.

Episode Five: Lombardy, in north-central Italy, is the country's largest and most populous region. Although no single grape or varietal style predominates, excellent wine is nonetheless produced in the regions of Valtellina, Oltrepo Pavese, and Franciacorta.

Episode Six: Emilia Romagna stretches across north-central Italy from the Adriatic Sea in the east to Liguria. Among the regions best-known varietal wines is the Lambrusco, a light sparkling red that is often a perfect accompaniment to a summer meal.

Apprx: 2 hrs, color.

Customer Reviews:

Come on! It is only $8 !.......2007-05-11

Sure, it is a series of TV episodes linked together to form a full length DVD, but Come on! It is only $8! There is a lot of information, pretty scenery, and stops at various wine regions. I know the sound quality is kinda poor, but Come on! It is only $8! COME ON!

Average customer rating:

Come on! It is only $9!

Wines of Central & Southern Italy
Starring: Vineyards of Italy
Manufacturer: Columbia River Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000MGUZLQ
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Description

Episode One: Tuscany is one of the most important and distinguished wine regions in Italy. Among the region's legendary wines are Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, and the ever-present Chianti Classico.

Episode Two: Marches stretches from Tuscany to Umbria to the Adriatic coast. Its wines are less well known than those of its more famous neighbors. The chief grape varieties of the region include Sangiovese and Trebbiano.

Episode Three: Lazio is in the heart of Italy. The bulk of the region's wine production is white and is centered in the Castelli Romani, the hill outside of Rome.

Episode Four: Puglia comprises the southernmost region on the "heel" of the Italian boot. The region produces over 350 million gallons of wine and ranks only behind Sicily as Italy's largest producer.

Episode Five: The production of wine in Sicily dates back to the eighth century BC. Today, Sicily has over half a million acres of land devoted to wine grapes and produces over 400 million gallons of wine annually.

Episode Six: Historically, linguistically, and culturally the island of Sardinia seems detached from the mainstream of Italian culture. Wine varieties, not surprisingly, are unique to the island and appear to be primarily of Spanish origin.

Apprx: 2 hrs, color.

Customer Reviews:

Come on! It is only $9!.......2007-05-11

Sure, it is a series of TV episodes linked together to form a full length DVD, but Come on! It is only $9! There is a lot of information, pretty scenery, and stops at various wine regions. I know the sound quality is kinda poor, but Come on! It is only $9! COME ON!

Average customer rating:

Portugal Has A Rich History
So Much Was Missed
A nice video introduction to a beautiful country!
Interesting But Not Informative

Globe Trekker: Portugal & the Azores
Starring: Megan McCormick
Director: Ian Cross
Manufacturer: 555 Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002BSHEI
Release Date: 2004-05-01

Product Description

Located in southern Europe with its west face surrounded by the Atlantic ocean Portugal is known for its sunny climate and superb beach resorts. Visitors are also attracted to the vineyards, stunning inland landscapes and its thriving capital, Lisbon. Traveler Megan McCormick starts her journey in the beautiful Doruro Valley before heading north to trek through the spectacular Peneda Geres National Park. Moving south through Fatima and Santarem, she stops in Lisbon before ending her journey in the idyllic Azores. Along the way... Learn how Port is made in a vineyards. Join a celebration at a local wedding. Visit the chilling human skeletons at the famous Church of Bones. Go whale watching in the Azores. Revive your energy with seaweed therapy.

Customer Reviews:

Portugal Has A Rich History.......2007-09-06

One of the former great European empires, Portugal takes up a fairly large chuck of real estate on the western Peninsula of Spain. The country's territory includes the Azores islands, which is part of this travel DVD. Megan McCormick starts up north in "Peneda Geres," the country's only National Park. She and her guide "Pedro" show us some spectacular scenery up high where the clouds are touching the mountain tops.

From there, her first stop going south on her train trip is through the beautiful Douro Valley - with one vineyard after another - to the coastal city of Porto. Those vineyards, by the way, deal exclusively in "Port" wine. Porto is a wealthy city and the second-biggest in the country.

"Portugal is famous for having potholes the size of moon craters," Megan points out as she rides a bus to her next destination: Santarem, where they have their big bullfighting ring. The trip isn't easy. "They also have the highest rate of deaths on the road in all of Europe. It is incredibly terrifying. I suggest don't look at the road, just enjoy the views.".

It's on the to the capital, Lisbon, where you might think of San Francisco, as the main bridge was inspired by the Golden Gate bridge. Also, being a hilly city, like San Francisco, there are a bunch of cable to take you up and down the steep streets. After a quick look at a unique cathedral in Evora, our host heads to the southern tip of Portugal to the beaches of the Algarve, "the French Rivera of Portugal" and the most popular tourist spot in the country. It has year-round sun, decent beaches and some "sweet" villages, as Meghan puts it. The Moorish architecture is nice on the eyes: beautiful white buildings.

The final trek, a two-hour plane ride west, is to the Azores - nine islands and the westernmost point of Europe. Except for the short story about the 13-month volcanic eruption hundreds of years ago, nothing was that exciting portion of the trip. In fact, the last 20 minutes of this episode, I felt was the host emphasizing herself a little too much. I hate it when the host of travel documentaries tries to be the hit of the show instead of letting the scenery do the job.

So Much Was Missed.......2006-08-17

I was born and raised in Portugal, but now live in the U.S., but most of my family still lives in Portugal. I was so excited when I got this video, but was ultimately disappointed.

First, the guide, Megan McCormick: she was the biggest disappointment. I couldn't get past her quirky humor and flaky behavior and enjoy the sites she was trekking through. At times, I thought it was more about her and not the country she was visiting, which she seemed content to only show us wide angle shots of. Also, she seemed out of breath a lot. I wish Ian would have visited the country instead.

Second, the sites that were picked. So much was missed that are in my opinion more spectacular or interesting places in Portugal to visit: the Serra Da Estrela Mountain region, the rugged coastline in the north with dozens of picturesque fishing villages, Sintra with its phenomenal castles and palaces, the countryside of Alentejo as well as Lagos and Sagres in the Algarve to name a few, not to mention the spectacular islands of Madeira further South of the Azores. In addition, Megan didn't even scratch the surface of Lisbon's many spectacular sites. All the sites that were picked throughout the DVD painted a much more desperately "quainter" portrait of Portugal.

Overall, the DVD does give a nice intro to some out of the way places in Portugal. And the places that weren't so out of the way weren't well presented, painting a more sort of backwater picture of those sites instead.

In any case, Portugal is a country that will not disappoint and has something for everyone: Lisbon teems with night clubs, jazz clubs, art and dozens of interesting as well as bizarre sites from the 12th century castle of Sao Jorge to the sometimes strange BaixAnima festival during the summer months. While most people will head for the sunny beaches of the Algarve overrun by humongous hotel high rises, there are still many beaches all along the vast coastline of Portugal where one can have a much more relaxing experience.

A nice video introduction to a beautiful country!.......2006-06-06

Greetings,

Globe Trekker's "Portugal and the Azores" video tour is a very decent introduction to Portugal and some of the Azores islands.

While the DVD is sparse on great detail, the host, Megan McCormick, is pleasant and at times humourous. Portugal and the Azores have too much history and culture to be crammed into this somewhat short presentation, but, that said, this production performs well in what it does show of this wonderful country and these beautiful islands.

Megan stops in most of the important tourist spots in Portugal and while she by-passes some of the important Azorean islands (such as Terceira), her closing visit to view the whales as they migrate pass the Azores, is fascinating and touching.

This DVD is not meant to give you an in-depth examination of Portugal and the Azores but rather it serves to whet your desire to visit this lovely country and partake in it's rich history and culture. From that standpoint, this video more than accomplishes its mission. I can easily recommend this DVD for the armchair traveller and anyone preparing to visit Portugal and the Azores.

Safe travels to you!

G.Browne

Interesting But Not Informative.......2005-07-31

In preparation for my trip, I found this DVD only interesting and not at all helpful in understanding or appreciating the Azores and Portugal. Don't buy it, try to find it at your local library.

Average customer rating:

Waste of time
Beautiful and Funny!

Tales from the Vineyard - First Taste
Starring: Tales from the Vineyard
Manufacturer: Dragon Well
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006A9IV6
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Description

Tales from the Vineyard: First Taste reveals the mystery and magic behind earth's most storied beverage. With a humorous approach, this chapter in the ongoing DVD series explores the wines of France. Part travelogue, part wine course, this DVD will please the palette of novice and wine connoisseur alike.

DVD Features:
-exquisite photography shot in Hi-Definition
-Bonus disc: "Fear of Wine" includes tips to buying and enjoying wine

Customer Reviews:

Waste of time.......2007-02-26

This slow-moving and shallow piece is more about tart tatin and Joan of Arc than about wine. What information there is about wine is often inaccurate. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are the only two varietals in Burgundy? How about Aligote, or some Gamay for your Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains? And the fragmented ownership of Burgundy's vineyards evolved through partible inheritance, not the variations in the soil. In sum: not much use for beginners, and no use for anyone else.

Beautiful and Funny!.......2004-10-31

Really gorgeous photography make this DVD stand out. Loved
the tour of France, especially visits to places associated
with wine like where they make cheese and the world's best
pear tart! I'm ready to pack my bags and head for the wine
regions of France. The special features are funny and informative, gave me some good information for my next trip to
the wine store. Not overly stuffy! Also really liked the music.
This is part one of a series--can't wait to see what they do with
other wine-producing regions of the world!

Average customer rating:

Understanding Wine
Starring: Travelling Gourmet
Manufacturer: Columbia River Ent.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004Z4T4
Release Date: 2000-11-14

Average customer rating:

Great starter video for wine making

Make Award Winning Wine At Home

Manufacturer: Vision Casters Incorporated
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Features:

Easy to follow step-by-step instructions.
Perfect for beginning winemakers.
Covers fermentation, winemaking kits, yeast selection, clarifying process.
How to avoid home winemaking's "natural enemies".
Learn from experts in the Walla Walla Valley.

ASIN: B000U0B18U

Product Description

DVD Color Produced in the Walla Walla Valley by Vision Casters Incorporated and Million Dollar Media (2007)

Customer Reviews:

Great starter video for wine making.......2007-07-20

Not knowing anything about the wine making process, this video gave me lots of information on the how-to's of wine making. I successfully made my first batch and am aging it now. Wine kits are a great way to be introduced to the wine making steps...not alot of work and virtually foolproof. They also cover making wine with fresh grapes and I plan on trying that this fall.

I also enjoyed the tips from their panel of Walla Walla vintners. That way you know you are doing it right!

Average customer rating:

Small Vineyard Management

Manufacturer: Vine Guy Productions
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

ASIN: B000GHX540

Product Description

Instructs small vineyard cultivators in summer crop management, from bud-break to harvest. Topics covered include: shoot thinning, shoot positioning, fruit thinning, irrigation, harvest and more.

The Man of the Vineyard/Grapeplantation Man~ New Released Korean Drama Boxset

Average customer rating:

Great romantic comedy

The Man of the Vineyard/Grapeplantation Man~ New Released Korean Drama Boxset

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

ASIN: B000LQRFLK

Product Description

Yoon Eun Hye with success in Princess Hours/Palace comes back to our TV screen again. Grapeplantation Man is a comic story about a girl from a big city who moves to a village to make money for starting her own business and meets there a guy working in a grape field. Dreaming of setting up her own apparel firm, Ji-hyun one day receives an alluring offer from her relative who promises her to leave a big grape field when he dies if she works in the field for a year. At first, Ji-hyun insists she will never in her life work on a farm, but eventually ends up becoming a farmer because of her ever complaining mother. Ji-hyun decides to try her best to achieve her dream of becoming an entrepreneur by inheriting the grape field, but being a farmer turns out a challenging task. To make things worse, the guy she meets in the village, Taek-ki, keeps driving her crazy. However, after many twists and turns Ji-hyun adapts to rustic life and opens up to the warmhearted residents of the village as well as ends up falling in love with Taek-ki.

Customer Reviews:

Great romantic comedy.......2007-07-21

When I bought this drama,I didn't watch it immediately. After watching Princess Hours, I liked the actress Yoon Eun Hae. When I found out that she also starred in this drama, I decided to watch it. Sure enough YEH never failed to make you laugh.

This series is awesome. I highly recommend this to everyone who is looking for a romantic comedy with sense.

The copy i had did not have good english subs but it didn't really matter, I got the jest of it.

This is one of my top 5 korean series.

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