Alexander Payne has an incredible track record as a director, overseeing a list of amazing pictures during his time, including 2011's "The Descendants" and 1999's "Election." His streak was broken with 2017's "Downsizing," unable to find a proper mood for the misguided comedy, though it was hardly a disaster. Payne is back on his feet in "The Holdovers," reuniting with his "Sideways" star, Paul Giamatti, and the pair once again examined the life of an arrogant man facing the cold reality of his personality, trading the sloshed battleground of wine fields for a private school for boys. Scripted by David Hemingson, "The Holdovers" is completely dedicated to the examination of its characters, putting these nuanced people in a variety of situations that test their resolve and break through their defenses. And it's a wonderful film, carried by pitch-perfect performances and gorgeous cinematography by Eigil Bryld, putting Payne back on track with another human tale of connection. Read the rest at Blu-ray.com