Film Reviews Episodes

Bob and Brad review director Frank Darabont's 1994 classic, The Shawshank Redemption. This movie is ranked #1 on IMDb's Top 250--above even The Godfather. But how does it hold up, and does it deserve that crown? The guys break down how its near-constant presence on TV has helped shape the film's reception and public image. They also try to dig into whether there's a deeper meaning here, or if the movie wears its message on its sleeve. Meanwhile, they move into Week 3 of the September of Scotch...

Bob and Brad revisit director David Fincher's 1999 testosterone-fest, Fight Club. Bob comes out pretty early on his dislike for the movie, even in the face of overwhelming public support for it. The guys break down most of the interpretations of the film in light of our current cultural climate, and they both disagree with all of them. Bob says his major gripe with the movie is that it tries to be too many things at once and doesn't succeed fully at any of them. Meanwhile, they move into Week ...

Bob and Brad revisit the 1961 classic, West Side Story, a movie that Brad's never seen, but both are blown away by how well it holds up. From director Robert Wise's insane filmography to co-director Jerome Robbins' tyrannical style, the behind-the-scenes on this one are pretty great.. Meanwhile, they start a new whiskey-related series: the September of Scotch! For five weeks, they'll be sampling different drams of no-"e" whisky, starting today with Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban. This 12-year finish...

Bob and Brad revisit the absolutely beloved, and yet still somehow underseen, The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. This is a movie that casts a long shadow: it might be the quintessential American "adventure" movie. And it also features some freaking insane performances from Humphrey Bogart and Walter Huston. The guys discuss those performances, as well as that of Tim Holt, who, in his own quiet way, might be the best performer in the whole thing. Meanwhile, thanks to their Instagram friend @bour...

For their 25th episode, Bob and Brad watch the criminally underrated 2002 caper Catch Me If You Can. Critics are finally reevaluating this gem and arguing that it might be one of director Steven Spielberg's best films. The guys discuss how well the movie holds up, while still admitting that there are a few flaws. Topics of discussion include Tom Hanks in a true supporting role, what's going on witht hat weird Boston accent, the always underappreciated Amy Adams, and that weird hooker sequence w...

Bob and Brad travel to Louisville, KY to sit down with Corky Taylor, CEO of Kentucky Peerless Distilling, a brand that's being resurrected after nearly a century lying dormant. They discuss Peerless Rye and the newly-launched Bourbon and sample both, all while discussing Bloodworth, a film directed by Corky's son and on which Corky served as a producer. Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Theme music: "New Shoes" by Blue Wednesday Sound effects via Daniel Simion and espectral ...

65 years on, Bob and Brad look at 1954's best Picture winner, On the Waterfront. Still held up as a prime example of method acting, Marlon Brando's performance is a a large reason the movie is remembered today. The guys discuss whether it holds up, and particularly take issue with the script and the development (and overall lack) of female characters. They also split over who turns in the best supporting role. Is it Karl Malden's priest, Lee J Cobb's union boss, or Rod Steiger as Bando's confli...

In honor of its 10th anniversary, Bob and Brad return to 2009 with a look at (500) Days of Summer. On one of their previous Top Fives episodes, they debated whether this was a comedy or a drama. Now, they debate whether it's even a good movie. One thing's for sure, though: this film is so honest it hurts. Along the way, they talk about the chemistry between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, as Brad roots for Gordon-Levitt's character, Tom, while Bob is #TeamSummer. Meanwhile, they wrap...

In anticipation of Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood, Bob and Brad throw it all the way back to 1994 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction. Despite being one of their favorite films, the guys are shocked at how difficult it is to discuss this non-linear story. Along the way, they talk about the film's central theme of redemption, the beauty of watching Christopher Walken craft a gross story, and Tarantino's underrated ability to get un-subtle actors to play subtle ...

Bob and Brad revisit their childhoods in honor of the 25th anniversary of Disney's The Lion King. They discuss the philosophy of the Circle of Life, the importance of Jeremy Irons to the cast, and question the role of genetics in lion prides. Seriously, is Nala Simba's half-sister, or what? They break to try out a whiskey that won Best in Show at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Henry McKenna Single Barrel Bottled-in-Bond. How real is the hype on this one? Is it worth it at secondar...

The guys sit down to watch their second musical, and this one just so happens to be the most universally-beloved film musical of all time: 1952’s Singin’ in the Rain. They’re in the unique position of being able to compare it to An American in Paris, and do they ever. First, they wonder about director Stanley Donen and his decisions throughout the film, especially having characters break the fourth wall. Still, the camera work is impressive, and you’ve got the always-great Gene Kelly in the lea...

Bob and Brad check out director Ron Howard's 2005 effort Cinderella Man. They discuss how criminally underrated it's turned out to be since its release, and focus on the performance of the two leads, Russell Crowe and Renee Zellweger. Also, they dedicate a whole segment to everyone's favorite character actor, Paul Giamatti. Meanwhile, they open the screw-top plastic cap on a 1.75-liter bottle of Ancient Ancient Age 10-Star. This stuff is dirt cheap but famous among bourbon drinkers for transcen...

Bob and Brad look back at Alfred Hitchcock's masterpiece, 1958's Vertigo, now called the best film of all time by the BFI's Sight and Sound Poll. How does it hold up? Can it possibly live up to the hype? In short, yes. yes it can. But why does it still work so well at making us feel gross? Why's it so unsettling? Here to help them sort out the psychological trauma this movie both explores and causes is friend of the show Jen Lowers. Jen brought along a bottle of Larceny bourbon, and the guys tr...

Bob and Brad take on one of Brad's favorite movies, the original 1977 Star Wars. And no, this movie is not called "Episode IV: A New Hope." Because that's dumb. Bob is unconvinced that this movie holds up, particularly when compared to The Empire Strikes Back, and our hosts proceed to fight like children over its quality. Meanwhile, they sip on a bargain bourbon that the Internet said was good, but they are in agreement that it is very bad indeed: Old Grand-Dad. 0:00 - Intro and Initial Though...

After 20 years in release, Bob and Brad look at 1999's serio-comic satire American Beauty and discuss how to watch it in a post-Spacey culture. Does his most problematic character become even more troubling when coupled with his real-life issues? Does the film even hold up? Meanwhile, they sip on Crown Royal, the most popular Canadian whisky worldwide. Bob is a little concerned by the cheap plastic pint bottle and twist-cap, but Brad doesn't think there's anything to worry about. Whose opinion ...

Brad and Bob decide to watch what is probably Bob's all-time favorite movie. He loves this movie like a child. Will Brad feel the same way? Along the way, they discuss star Humphrey Bogart's nuanced and layered performance and how he doesn't get enough credit for his range. In other news, Ingrid Bergman is incredible, and director Michael Curtiz's decision to let the camera just sit on her face for long periods of time pays off, and then some. They round out their discussion of the cast talking...

Brad and Bob take a look at a movie that your dad has probably fallen asleep watching on AMC, The Great Escape. The consensus is that it still holds up, the script is amazing, and the direction is underrated. It’s tense, claustrophobic, and fun. Also, Brad somehow didn’t know Richard Attenborough was in Jurassic Park. Then, they try the second bottle in their Glenmorangie sampler, the sherry-finished Glenmorangie Lasanta. You’re going to want to hear their scores on this one. PSA: we have a NE...

Bob and Brad sit down with Zach Hollingsworth, founder of Have a Shot of Freedom, and sip on their delicious straight bourbon while talking about Zach's unexpected favorite movie, 1986's An American Tail. You can find Freedom Whiskey on a shelf near you by using the store locator on their website. Consider supporting this awesome veteran-owned-and-operated business while enjoying a great bourbon. Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Theme music: "New Shoes" by Blue Wednesday So...

Bob and Brad take on To Kill a Mockingbird, discussing whether it holds up in 2019, as well as whether director Robert Mulligan was up to the task of adapting the Great American Novel. Also, child actors. SO MANY CHILD ACTORS. Meanwhile, they sip on Tullamore Dew, the world's second-most-popular Irish whiskey. Brad loves it. Like, LOVES it. 0:00 - Intro and Initial Thoughts 29:40 - Tullamore Dew Review 37:08 - Analysis and Final Thoughts Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. T...

Bob and Brad have very different opinions on 2007's cult favorite The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. Like, really, really different. They agree on the quality star Brad Pitt's performance, and that's about it. Luckily, they have Producer Eric in studio to help them sort out their thoughts on the podcast's first rye whiskey, the classic Old Overholt. 0:00 - Intro and Initial Thoughts 25:30 - Old Overholt Review 35:31 - Analysis and Final Thoughts Film & Whiskey Podca...

Bob and Brad take on the controversial Best Picture winner Green Book and discuss its entertainment value, the differences between Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali's acting approaches, and the accusations of it being a "Magical Negro" or "White Savior" film. In between all this, they sip on Heaven Hill 6-Year, a legitimate "value" bourbon that absolutely blows them away. 0:00 - Intro and Initial Thoughts 27:45 - Heaven Hill Green Label Review 37:00 - Analysis and Final Thoughts Film & Whis...

With the release of the 22nd MCU film, Bob and Brad decide to return to where it all started: 2008's Iron Man. They discuss whether it holds up eleven years removed from its release, as well as its problematic treatment of female characters, the messy second half, and Jeff Bridges as the Kool-Aid Man. Meanwhile, they sample their first Tennessee whiskey with the variety's second-leading brand, the popular George Dickel. 0:00 - Intro and Initial Thoughts 23:32 - George Dickel 12 Review 30:45 -...

Bob and Brad continue their tour of local distilleries and their CEOs to talk about making whiskey and the joy of a favorite movie. Today's guest is Mark Morrison of Minglewood Distilling in Wooster, OH. Mark talks about what it means to make his company "local" in every sense of the word before introducing his favorite film, The Shawshank Redemption. Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Theme music: "New Shoes" by Blue Wednesday Sound effects via Daniel Simion and espectral -...

Bob and Brad take on Terrence Malick's 2011 art-house epic The Tree of Life and debate what the heck is going on with the dinosaurs, among other things. They discuss the role of the biblical book of Job and the film's similarities to John Steinbeck's East of Eden. Meanwhile, they return to the world of scotch whisky with a true classic, the ever-popular Glenmorangie 10-year. Spoiler alert: the guys like Scotch now. 0:00 - Intro and Initial Thoughts 26:40 - Glenmorangie 10-year Review 36:00 - ...