‘Blood Into Wine’

The documentary “Blood Into Wine,” directed by Ryan Page and Christopher Pomerenke, follows Maynard James Keenan and Eric Glomski as they attempt to start a stable of wineries in northern Arizona. Winemaking, you say? In Arizona? That is exactly the response the film is designed to address, as it includes background on the history of the region and winemaking (as well as some handsome nature photography) while making the pitch for the area to possibly be the next Napa.

Keenan’s other job is as a rock star, a creative force behind the art-metal of Tool and A Perfect Circle as well as the parody cabaret of Puscifer. The frisson between his well-crafted personal mystique and the way the film presents him as a dedicated new winemaker learning his craft is intriguing. (Scenes of fans at a wine bottle signing event put his two sides in sharp relief.)

Appearances by diverse pals actress Milla Jovovich and comedian Patton Oswalt -- shot at the Silverlake Wine store -- as well as Wine Spectator’s European bureau chief James Suckling -- also serve as a reminder that Keenan circulates in a number of realms.

The film’s biggest problem is that it can never decide exactly what it wants to be -- a portrait of Keenan, a look at winemaking or a blatant promotional effort for Arizona wine valley tourism. Keenan’s persona is layered enough to remain engaging despite all the sidestepping by the filmmakers; unfortunately, their film is not.

A painfully unfunny bit with Keenan on a faux talk show with comedy duo Tim and Eric, or when the film’s actual directors appear to pretend-pitch Keenan a reality show only drains the film of what positive qualities it does have, mostly the refreshing earnestness with which Keenan sees his winemaking as a “creative process” and part of his own “journey of self-discovery.”

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