After eight grueling weeks of opening round competition, the Semi-Finals begin with a bang at Gladiator Arena, as four of the strongest and fastest contenders return to battle the Gladiators one more time for a shot at the Finals. Ally the newlywed has already shown what she's made of by setting a new Eliminator record on her first go 'round. Can she outpace the energetic air force mom they call Major Payne here in the semis? And if Iraq War vet Alexander and all-American speed demon Tim didn't have enough to worry about, tonight we unleash the biggest, baddest Gladiator yet. Are you ready to meet The Beast?

Directed by Alexander Payne, Sideways follows Miles (Paul Giamatti), who is distressed about his lack of success as a novelist, and Jack (Thomas Haden Church), an equally unsuccessful actor with a rapidly approaching wedding. In a last-ditch effort to sow their wild oats, Jack and Miles take off on a final road trip to California's wine country the week prior to Jack's wedding. Both men have goals for the vacation -- Miles wants to turn Jack on to the art of wine tasting, while Jack is concerned with exploiting his last days as a bachelor -- but when the two men come across two fascinating women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh), the duo is forced to examine their morality, and if maturity isn't such a depressing prospect -- at least, for one of them. - Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

Director Alexander Payne and actors Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church discuss what drew them towards the film.

Directed by Alexander Payne, Sideways follows Miles (Paul Giamatti), who is distressed about his lack of success as a novelist, and Jack (Thomas Haden Church), an equally unsuccessful actor with a rapidly approaching wedding. In a last-ditch effort to sow their wild oats, Jack and Miles take off on a final road trip to California's wine country the week prior to Jack's wedding. Both men have goals for the vacation -- Miles wants to turn Jack on to the art of wine tasting, while Jack is concerned with exploiting his last days as a bachelor -- but when the two men come across two fascinating women (Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh), the duo is forced to examine their morality, and if maturity isn't such a depressing prospect -- at least, for one of them. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide.

Jack Nicholson plays retiring insurance actuary Warren Schmidt in Alexander Payne's About Schmidt. Schmidt has settled into a dormant life. He has an unfulfilling marriage to Helen (June Squibb), and conspires to spend as much time away from her as possible. Schmidt's daughter Jeannie (Hope Davis) is engaged to Randall Hertzel (Dermot Mulroney), a man Schmidt believes is entirely unworthy of his daughter. When Helen unexpectedly dies, Warren is adrift until he discovers old love letters sent to his wife from his best friend. This inspires Warren to make a valiant effort to stop his daughter's wedding. His plans start to go awry when he meets Randall's extroverted mother, Roberta (Kathy Bates). About Schmidt was screened at the {~2002 Cannes Film Festival} where many were surprised that Nicholson did not take home the Best Actor award. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide.

Actors Virginia Madsen, Paul Giamatti, and Thomas Haden Church and Director Alexander Payne discuss the close relationships formed on the set.