Don’t ever let it be said that I only shoot wine vids. When Celest came-a-callin’ I was very much looking forward to shooting a video for one of their songs I arrived smiling with my equipment in tow. The setting was 59:1, a fairly fresh live gig club in downtown Munich and the vid was shot on May 8th. Here it is… Stay If You Want To – Enjoy!

Also, some pics of the sound check:

[View with PicLens]

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, God all mighty, Hallelujah. I’ve seen the light and held the hand of the Devil as I walked through the shadows. Free at last, I’m free at last. I have no idea what that means but…

If you like wine – like even this much l..l – the BLOOD INTO WINE trailer (view: bottom of article) alone should make you want more, more, more… if it doesn’t, take two aspirin and call me in the morning. I consider myself very fortunate to have received screening rights, as the chances of me being able to see BLOOD INTO WINE here in Munich are next to nil (unless of course I organise a public screening – hhhhmmmmmm, must analyse).

Flic screens:

[View with PicLens]

BLOOD INTO WINE in a nutshell:

1. Art Film
2. Documentary about winemakers in the Arizona desert
3. Tips on drinking and learning about wine
4. Anti wine snob
5. The wine world is a changin’! The way it’s presented too!
6. Starring: Maynard James Keenan and Eric Glomski
7. Directors: Ryan Page & Christopher Pomerenke
8. Director of Photography: Cary Truelick (TRUE!!!)
9. Editor: Rob Beadle (Mucho Grande!)
10. There’s more to American wine than just California.

The wine industry is going through quite a few changes (good thing), the way wine is being communicated and those doing the communicating have changed immensely (very good thing) and the timing of a documentary like Blood Into Wine definitely couldn’t be better (even better thing).

I’ll say it plain and simply, it’s my favourite wine documentary. Not just because:

1. it stars Maynard Keenan,
2. it’s fabulously shot and edited,
3. it’s funny,
4. the soundtrack is great,
5. it doesn’t take itself too seriously,
6. the characters are real and quite the characters to boot,
7. there’s no bullshit (OK, maybe just a bit – but those are the funny parts)
8. It’s Full-HD
9. Did I mention funny?
10. It explains wine in a easy to understand manner.

…but due to the fact that it’s watchable for 100 minutes.

Like many documentaries made in the past decade, it tackles the “big wine industry” and “wine critic” subject but they aren’t fighting it as some do – it’s accepted as a reality and co-existence is inevitable. In my opinion, this is due to the fact that Maynard has probably met his share of jackals in the music business and this is harmless compared to that.

In addition, the fact that this is a documentary about two people (Maynard Keenan and Eric Glomski) who’ve decided to set up shop in the Arizona Desert – of all places – is constantly present. Vines could have been planted in a number of “easier” places on the planet but these boys chose the desert.

Nothing comes easy! Not only does Maynard mention this towards the end of the film but you really do experience the fact that there’s immense passion involved… and it’s not like they’re trying to hide the fact that it’s a business either – figures are mentioned and it’s not Monopoly money!

Now some’ll probably say “Maynard’s wines sell because of Maynard and this film got made because of him too…” And I’d say you’re right to a certain point – he can get the word out there easier than most but in the end, the product has to speak for itself.

Note: I have yet to try Maynard’s and Eric’s wines, as they’re not available in Germany. Well, not that I know of.

What I think you will get out of this film:

1. Starting up a winery isn’t all romance (you’re probably too tired to screw at the end of the day anyway)
2. Treading a new path is anything but easy
3. Treading a new path is more satisfying
4. It’s possible to grow things in the desert – and make good things out of these things (such as wine)
5. You have to trust your own palate
6. Maynard rocks in more ways than one
7. Wine is for everyone
8. Wine has a way of getting into your veins and not letting go – I don’t mean alcoholism
9. There are options on the wine market, you just have to discover them (when you find them, never settle for second best – start demanding!! Change? Yes we can!)
10. Starting a winery and making it successful takes just as much cash as it does passion
11. Sustainability is the only true way

Who do I think will like this movie?

1. People just discovering wine (decent tips)
2. Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle fans
3. Fans of art movies and well made documentaries
4. People who pride themselves on not settling for second best
5. People who DON’T like the stuffiness that often accompanies wine
6. Fans of the Bikini Bandits (www.bikinibandits.com)

Who do I think won’t like this movie?

1. People who DO like the stuffiness that often accompanies wine

And to those people I say… Fuck you G-MART!

Some of you may say – you’re only pushing BLOOD INTO WINE cuz you’re breakin’ with tradition by doin’ the wine & rock thing and you only wanna meet Maynard & Eric!

And to those people I say… YES! And of course… Fuck you G-MART!

Hallelujah – I’ve seen the light! www.bloodintowine.com

EYQP6A6A8WVN

There’s nothing which helps the flu more than some quick & dirty editing. Quick & dirty editing with iMovie that is – cuz iMovie will frustrate you so much you won’t even remember you have the flu.

Still have to work on the compression and the vid skewed somehow upon uploading to vimeo but you get the clue. Thought I’d leave it online since I run the risk of passing out any minute now. Enjoy :-)

Does this pic even need a comment? Click here for the full size view

OUCH!!!

My buddy Simone from Verona sent me this pic without comment… no wonder!

Now we all know it’s not right to judge a book by its cover, or a wine by its label for that matter… BUT these freaking labels defintely do their job: make you want to drink what’s in the bottle. In this case, I’m gathering it’s Liquid Pitbull!

Whoever Luchador wines hired to design these didn’t go wrong… these Aussies rock and I love them that much more for it. In today’s day and age it’s harder and harder to differentiate on the shelf so great design surely helps regardless of what’s in the bottle. But I have to admit, I’m an aesthetic sucker so I’d definitely give them a try based solely on the labels.

Are they screaming FRUIT EXPLOSION, MEGA EXTRACTION, ANTI DOPING COMITTEE, and OAK OUT THE YINYANG? OUI Monsieur!
Do I care? Non Monsieur.

Too bad I haven’t been able to find them here in Germany!! HELP!

Inferno

Gato Loco

El Diamante

Temblor

The description on the importer’s site (The Grateful Palate) was muj originale:

Big and burly with a meaty, beefy nature, this wine is like a classic Barossa Shiraz with a steroid injection. Four different Luchador characters appear randomly on the front labels. We are introducing 4 new characters with the 2008 vintage:

Luchador “Inferno” loves crab cocktail, tangerines and Baked Alaska. His favorite scent is Heiress. Prefers Roumier to Rousseau.

Luchador “El Diamante” rubs spicy peppers in his eyes and has had five wives. The hammerhead is his favorite shark and he loves spooning.

Luchador “Temblor” is proud to have been Client #10, is addicted to dumplings, and belongs to the Rosicrucian Order. He hates leprechauns and biting his cheek.

Luchador “Gato Loco” is a world-famous orchid collector. He owns four iPods and believes vinyl is for weenies. He never buys water or women.