I like Francis Ford Coppola. Yeah, I know he’s made some crappy movies, who hasn’t? He’s also made at least two of the greatest movies ever, so far(I’m still waiting for Megalopolis). I like him because he’s a human fucking being. Just rent Hearts of Darkness: A Filmaker’s Apocalypse. For any creative person, you will have a new found respect for the man. He’s almost lost it all on several occassions because he takes risks and is relentless about his vision.
The one thing I never understood? The Godfather part 3. Why’d he do it? On a recent episode of Sunday Morning Shootout, the director said that he took the movie to save his winery. I can dig that excuse. I respect it. The vision was his winery, the movie a means. It all makes sense.
Frankly, the reason Niebaum-Coppola is such a success has everything to do with the director’s maniacal control (in a good way) and a better understanding of the market, since he is an outsider in a clique-ish industry. I think he runs his winery like he would produce a film–he keeps his eye on the prize, without compromising the vision.

On that note…Coppola has a new rose out/coming out under the Sofia label. It’s 100% Pinot Noir, tart strawberry fruit and lean, drying finish–everything a rose should be. Francis loves rose and this one is faithful to the southern French or Italian numbers. And, in keeping with everything he labels with his daughter’s name, the packaging is key–smart and gorgeous. $15-$18 depending on locale.