Sideways [WS]

Alexander Payne's Sideways arrives on DVD with a commentary track recorded by lead actors Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church that goes a long way toward revealing why the film works so well. The two have a genuine rapport with each other. While their comments do not add to anyone's understanding of the film, it is a light and breezy conversation full of self-effacing jibes and warm laughs. The film itself is presented in a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The English soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1, while Spanish and French soundtracks have been recorded in Dolby Digital Surround. Deleted scenes, a making-of-featurette, and the film's theatrical trailer round out his solid release from 20th Century Fox.