Review of Blood Into Wine (2010) by Ján S — 22 Sep 2010

Look, I think it's no secret that amongst the many artists I cite as being influential on me as a musician, Maynard James Keenan is always close to the top of that list. In the past two decades, the man has given us some of the best music I've ever listened to, not to mention it's helped me through countless situations through out my life. I remember reading an article a few years back about Keenan shacking up in an old ghost town out in Arizona and starting a wine business, and more then anything I just figured perhaps it was another phase into a rock star's life. However, what Maynard proves here is that while making music is what he loves and knows, making wine is his true passion.

Sure, like most documentaries, I'm always amazed at the great lengths that directors go to explain the topic, even something that can be considered quite boring to people like wine making, however I found it fascinating. I know others won't. The story of his first wine, Judith, named after his mother, is rather touching and moving. But it's just fascinating to see this otherwise mysterious rock star on an actual screen and talking to people for once. As I've always known, Maynard James Keenan is just a regular guy, whom likes to live out of the limelight as much as possible.

There's some obvious humor in this movie that's poking fun at him, which I did find hilarious, and I was also blown away that Keenan is actually good friends with Milla Jovovich, that was random, but all in all "Blood Into Wine" is a great documentary, one that's worth anyone's time.