My Rating: 3.86/4 (aka Must watch)

One line summary: Two college friends spend a week in SoCal wine country.

The Deets: This is one of my all-time favorite rewatchables – I’ve seen it more times that I can count. I also feel old, realizing that it was released 21 years ago and we saw it in the theatre in NYC. But I will take it as a badge of movie honor. Alexander Payne’s hilarious and witty, Oscar-winning screenplay is played to perfection by all four of its main characters; Giamatti nails it, Thomas Hayden Church comes out of nowhere to bring remarkable hilarity to his role and the road trip duo, and Virginia Madsen should have won an Oscar for her magical and soulful role. While the critics say that the movie promotes drinking, I don’t see it that way. It’s really about a man – two men, or really all of us – trying to find our way in the world, and sometimes it goes sideways. But it always demands boldness.

Perfect for: Kind of anyone who loves a good buddy comedy, but especially if you like Payne’s style (“Holdovers” also great, “Election” razor sharp), and definitely if you love wine, just not Merlot.

Where to watch: You gotta rent it on your favorite streaming service and it will go down easy for a wonderful Sunday watch.

Food pairing: Obviously some wine, ideally with cheese (my suggestion).