Our radio show, Salon Saturday is focusing on a new format covering film and culture as well as wine. I will do an occasional post here when the material warrants it. This post covers films of 2001 and also a fascinating wine tasting party I attended that included some legendary wines.
Most Loved Film: 2001
There’s often a gap between most awarded films and most loved. The list here is those published by the NY Times. How many times have I chanced upon a headline from this New York newspaper? Countless times, and not just for the Sunday funnies. Whether these are some of your own most-loved films is open to debate, but few things engage folks in conversation more than film. So let’s open the discussion.
In a previous show we covered the year 2000, which was a watershed for most loved movies. Now we venture into 2001 and first up in honor of Arthur C. Clark is a Sci-Fi tale of the kind Spielberg has made his own
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001): Dir Steven Spielberg, Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, Frances O’Conner
A fascinating multi-watch movie that now would not need the explanation of the 2-letter acronym. In fact, increasing interest in all things AI makes the movie even more relevant for new viewers.
Both of Ebert’s reviews of this film (2001 and 2011) not only bring more meaning to the film, but give us a glimpse of the way Ebert’s mind works and his ability to reevaluate his criticism. Interestingly Kubrick was the first to tackle the subject, but turned it over to Spielberg.
Ali (2001): Dir Michael Mann, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, John Voight
A missed opportunity is how Ebert saw this film and he thought some serious editing would help, but he thought the focus was all wrong. Nonetheless, Smith almost makes us forget this in a fine performance and its worth seeing for that and Voight’s role as Howard Cosell.
Bridget Jones Diary (2001): Dir Sharon McQuire, Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant
Well of course this had to be in a most-loved category and Zellweger sells it even when the Brits swore a girl from Texas could hardly be right for the role of, what else? A well-loved novel. In Ebert’s review he added, “(Sight & Sound, the British film magazine, has an ear for nuances and says the accent is “just a little too studiedly posh,” which from them is praise.)”
The Business of Strangers (2001): Dir Patrict Stettner, Stockard Channing, Julia Styles
Two hard-edged female executives play off each other to our delight.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000): Dir Ang Lee, Chow Yow Fat, Michelle Yeoh, Ziyi Zhangi
A young Chinese warrior steals a sword from a famed swordsman and then escapes into a world of romantic adventure with a mysterious man in the frontier of the nation. A Metascore of 94 suggests that lots of folks loved this film, which debuted in 2001. Any number of movies set in China with similar themes followed.
The Deep End (2001): Dir Scott McGehee/David Siegel, Tilda Swinton, Johnathan Tucker
A woman spirals out of control while trying to keep her son from being found culpable in a murder investigation. A neo Noir crime film based on a 1947 crime novel filmed once before in 1949 as The Reckless Moment.
The Devil’s Backbone (2001): Dir Guillermo del Toro, Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noreiga
After Carlos – a 12-year-old whose father has died in the Spanish Civil War – arrives at an ominous boys’ orphanage, he discovers the school is haunted and has many dark secrets which he must uncover.
Del Toro was only 36 when he made this feature after Cronos (1994) and Mimic (1997) and directs with a sure hand. While he’s attracted to the horror genre it’s a device to tell his stories.
From Hell (2001): Dir Hughes bros., Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm
After five ritualistic murders are committed in 1888 London, Inspector Abberline’s assignment is to investigate the “Jack the Ripper” murders. Along with a string of mutilated prostitutes, he uncovers a conspiracy involving the government.
Beginning with The Lodger (1927) directed by Alfred Hitchcock the Ripper murders have done good business documenting the hideous crimes of the first modern day serial killer. This version is atmospheric and includes a Holmes-like inspector (Depp) and a near-Watson sidekick in Sgt. Godley.
Ghost World (2001): Dir Terry Zwigoff, Steve Buscemi, Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson
Two eccentric best friends graduate high school and respond to a man’s romance-seeking newspaper ad as a gag, only to find their lives becoming increasingly complicated.
Roger Ebert: “The movie sidesteps the happy ending Hollywood executives think lobotomized audiences need as an all-clear to leave the theater.”
James Berardinelli remarked, It’s a refreshing change from the usual summer fare, offering interesting characters, smart dialogue, biting satire (the concept of “high art” gets shredded), and dark comedy. Zwigoff, who brought us the brilliant portrait of cartoonist R. Crumb in the documentary Crumb, clearly feels at home in this territory (which abuts plots of land occupied by Solondz, David Lynch, and the Coen Brothers)
The “Are these wines still good”? Party
A good friend of ours, Lynn Martinez decided to empty out some of her suspect wines that were over the hill, but of high enough quality that they should be experienced. Seeing how wines have aged, how well they’ve held up and then our wondering sense of what were they like younger, all made for a great wine party.
The food was varied and sumptuous, the huge tenderloin steaks Tony grilled were awesome and the fellowship of other wine lovers made this one of the most enjoyable and memorable wine events I’ve ever experienced.
Opening many of these wines, the cork separated half way so I had to carefully ease the remainder out. In other cases an Ah-So had to be employed. An Ah-So is a two bladed device that inserts on both sides of the cork to extract it. The ullage was minimal and flavors and color still held.
Ullage (from the French ouillage) is a winemaking term that has several meanings but most commonly refers to the headspace of air between wine and the top of the container holding the wine.
1992 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Diamond Jubilee (Vivino $500)
Remoissenet’s 1992s all reveal ripe fruit, higher acidity than most white burgundies (remember, the malolactic was blocked), and laudable purity. The finest wine in the 1992 portfolio is the Corton-Charlemagne-Diamond Jubilee. The complex orange, mineral, smoky, buttery, apple aromas are combined with full body, superb concentration, and crisp acidity. How does a 33 year-old Chardonnay hold up? Well the color was still golden and the aroma and palate while diminished was still balanced. An amazing wine.
1985 Chateau Brane-Cantenac Margaux ($177)
Rusty, brick colored, this smoke, cassis, ash and earthy scented wine is medium bodied and ends with a short, black cherry note. This is fully mature and requires drinking sooner than later. Oops, this was definitely later, but the wine was still balanced if only a shadow of its former self.
1999 Gevrey-Chambertin Claude Dugat ($311)
This one was still going strong, dark fruit, savory but not too complex. The wine is a Pinot Noir from the Cote de Nuits of Burgundy.
1981 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva, Penedés, Spain Cab S.
Still going strong, full and rich. The Spanish love to age their wines and this one saw a lot of time in oak before release with ripe Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that insured its longevity.
1993 Mascarello Dolcetto d’Alba Piemonte, Italy
I didn’t expect this one to be any good. Dolcetto is normally a light-bodied wine, but I was wrong, still quite drinkable. The grapes were obviously ripper and of sturdy quality that would have been more typical of a Nebbiolo-based wine.
2000 Tenuta di Trinoro Rosso di Toscana
95 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate: “Franchetti once again takes ripeness to the extreme with his stunning 2000 Tenuta di Trinoro (55% Cabernet Franc, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot). It is a flamboyant wine packed with generous sensations of blackberry liqueur, jammy dark fruit, bell peppers, cassis and minerals. Fat and opulent on the palate, it displays a youthful, muscular personality, with outstanding finesse for a wine of this size. It is an awesome effort.
This was a Super Tuscan that lived up to its name, made with all French Bordeaux grapes and still impressive.
2000 Feudi di San Gregorio Sirica Irpinia
Feudi di San Gregorio was founded in 1986 in Sorbo Serpico, near Mount Vesuvio and has become one of the region’s largest and most recognized producers of Falanghina, Fiano Di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Aglianico. Sirica is the grape here; discovered by the winery in an abandoned vineyard and registered as a rare variety, DNA suggests a link to Syrah, Teroldego and possibly Refosco (both northern Italian indigenous varieties). Expect lots of dark fruit and savory notes.
This was the first time I’d tasted this heritage grape. The upper portions of Mount Vesuvio produce superior grapes, vibrant and infused with the volcanic soil. Wow!
1999 Girgich Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
“This dramatic and flamboyant wine is as big as they get, but never loses focus. Gigantic in its black currant flavors and well oaked, yet there’s a core in the tannins and acids that keeps this monster on a short leash. Will age for the long haul. —S.H.” – 92/100, Wine Enthusiast
Mike Girgich crafted the winning Chateau Montelena Chardonnay at the Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976 before co-founding this Napa winery. I was looking forward to tasting this wine from the moment I arrived. Yeah this one did age for the long haul.
2003 Blackjack ranch Allusion Los Olivos
Still holding firm, would have been $14 in 2016 and 90 points.
Thank you Lynn for a fabulous tasting experience!
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