Film Reviews Episodes

Bob and Brad are joined by author and critic Ethan Warren for a deep dive into the emotional waters of William Wyler's 1946 post-war drama, The Best Years of Our Lives. As they dissect this Oscar-winning film from the Hollywood Golden Age, the conversation also tips into the world of whiskey, with a tasting session of the smoky Glenfiddich Fire and Cane. This peated scotch, with its fiery spirit and sweet undertones, almost mirrors the tumultuous yet hopeful journey of the film's protagonists. ...

In this riveting episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad open up their new miniseries by diving into William Wyler's 1959 Oscar-winning epic, Ben-Hur. Starring the incomparable Charlton Heston, this classic film is a mashup of drama, action, and historical gravitas set in the Roman Empire. But that's not all. The duo also takes a sip of the blended scotch whisky, John Barr Reserve Blend, an affordable option for all you whiskey enthusiasts out there. Timestamps (0:00) Intro (07:15) Brad Expl...

Bob and Brad conclude their Stanley Kubrick miniseries with an analysis of the iconic 1957 anti-war film Paths of Glory. Starring Kirk Douglas, this Kubrick masterpiece delves into the complexities of war and human behavior. Then, they explore the world of well-aged Scotch as they taste and review The Singleton of Glendullan 18-Year Single Malt, a Speyside Scotch that packs a punch. From film discussion to whiskey notes, this episode offers a perfect movie & drink pairing for cinephiles and whis...

Film & Whiskey is back with another episode in our Stanley Kubrick Miniseries. This time, we're diving deep into the political satire of Kubrick's 1964 black comedy classic, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. And because no movie experience is complete without a proper drink, we're also treating our palates to Old Bardstown Bottled in Bond Bourbon from the renowned Willett Distillery in Kentucky. (0:00) Intro (06:05) Brad Explains (08:30) Performances, Theme...

In this riveting episode of the Film & Whiskey Podcast, hosts Bob and Brad wind through the twisted corridors of Stanley Kubrick's 1980 horror masterpiece, The Shining. As part of their Stanley Kubrick Miniseries, they explore the film's iconic performances, themes, and cinematography, offering a deep dive into one of Kubrick's best films. But there's a twist! While Bob has a hit-or-miss relationship with Kubrick's work, Brad is not a fan of horror films. How will their opinions clash or converg...

Bob and Brad score director Akira Kurosawa using their trusty five-point metric when it comes to his films "Rashomon," "Seven Samurai," "Ran," "Ikiru," and "High and Low." Then, they try three premium whiskeys from the World Whiskey Society. 0:00 - Scoring Christopher Nolan 19:05 - World Whiskey Society review Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Tuesday. Theme music: "New Shoes" by Blue Wednesday Film & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Film & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In this exciting episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob, Brad, and special guest Zach Johnston, the UPROXX Drinks editor, dive deep into the world of Akira Kurosawa's 1952 drama, Ikiru. With its recent 2022 remake titled "LIVING" starring Bill Nighy, the hosts ponder whether this could be the game-changing Kurosawa film for Brad. The trio then shifts gears to indulge their senses with Mossburn Island Blended Malt Scotch, a whisky imbued with a distinct peat smoke essence. Timestamps: (0:00) Intro ...

In the latest episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad embark on a journey through the world of Japanese cinema, delving deep into Akira Kurosawa's 1963 classic crime thriller, High and Low. Moving away from the samurai genre that they've extensively covered, the hosts explore this sleek narrative set in postwar Japan. What does this transition in Kurosawa's storytelling bring to the table, and how do our hosts react to the change? Then, the episode takes a spirited turn as Bob and Brad review M...

In this latest episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad dive deep into the world of Japanese cinema with an in-depth film analysis of Akira Kurosawa's 1985 masterpiece, Ran. This movie, often heralded as one of Kurosawa's best films, is a retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear set against the backdrop of samurai warfare and political intrigue in Japan. The duo then transitions into the world of spirits, providing a detailed whiskey review of the Ezra Brooks 99 bourbon. A rye-forward bourbon from Lu...

In this riveting episode of Film & Whiskey, hosts Bob and Brad continue their exploration of Akira Kurosawa's influential work with an in-depth analysis of his 1954 masterpiece, Seven Samurai. After Brad's lukewarm response to "Rashomon," will "Seven Samurai" fare better? Then, they taste and review the Amrut Fusion Single Malt Whisky, a distinctive Indian whisky that merges Indian malt with Scottish peated malt. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 04:25 - Brad Explains 08:30 - Performances, Themes 26:...

In this compelling episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad kickstart a miniseries on the iconic Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, beginning with his breakthrough film from 1950, Rashomon. This film analysis is followed by a detailed review of the Glenrothes Bourbon Cask Reserve, a Speyside single malt scotch aged in ex-bourbon casks. Join them for an enlightening combination of movie and whiskey review. Timestamps 0:00 - Intro 05:50 - Brad Explains 07:50 - Performances, Themes 32:00 - Glenr...

Bob and Brad score director Christopher Nolan using their trusty five-point metric when it comes to his films "Dunkirk," "Memento," and "The Prestige." Then, they try two whiskeys from Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company. 0:00 - Scoring Christopher Nolan 18:00 - Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company review On this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad embark on a cinematic journey through the works of renowned director Christopher Nolan. Using their five-point director scoring metric, they analyze Nolan's ...

In this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad wrap up their Christopher Nolan miniseries by delving into the gripping WWII film, Dunkirk. Following the movie discussion, they embark on a whiskey tasting adventure featuring Chivas Regal Mizunara Cask, a unique blended scotch that undergoes finishing in rare Japanese oak casks. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction 07:00 - Brad Explains "Dunkirk" 09:30 - Performances, Themes, and Cinematic Elements 33:00 - Chivas Regal Mizunara Cask Review 41:20...

In this exciting episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad, along with guest host Bilge Ebiri, delve into the world of Christopher Nolan's mesmerizing film, The Prestige. As part of their Christopher Nolan miniseries, they explore the intricacies of this magic-tinged sci-fi thriller that takes place in the Victorian era. Bob, who initially didn't enjoy the film upon its release, and Brad, who has fond memories of seeing it in theaters, seek fresh perspectives and insights from Bilge, the chief fil...

In this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad dive into the mind-bending world of Christopher Nolan's 2000 film, Memento. As the first installment of their Christopher Nolan miniseries, they explore the intricate storytelling and memorable performances that have made this film a cult classic. Then, they venture into the realm of bourbon with a review of Rabbit Hole Cavehill, a four-grain Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Will the bourbon impress them as much as the mind-bending narrative of M...

In this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad conclude their series of Charlie Chaplin-directed films with a deep dive into his 1936 classic Modern Times. They explore the social commentary and comedy present in the film, as well as Chaplin's directorial style and the enduring legacy of his iconic character, the Tramp. Then, they review the Widow Jane Lucky 13 Bourbon, a small-batch, limited edition release known for its unique flavor profile and artisanal distilling techniques. Timestamps: ...

In this episode of the Film & Whiskey podcast, Bob and Brad dive into the thought-provoking world of Charlie Chaplin with his iconic 1940 film The Great Dictator. This Chaplin masterpiece marks his first full use of sound and takes a bold stance against Hitler and the Nazis during a time when America was practicing isolationism. Our hosts compare and contrast this film with Chaplin's previous works, exploring the effectiveness of dialogue-driven comedy and its place within Chaplin's directorial ...

Bob and Brad continue their series of Charlie Chaplin-directed films with his 1925 classic The Gold Rush. One of the most financially successful films of the silent era, this movie is full of iconic Chaplin bits, including his famous "Dance of the Rolls." Our hosts compare and contrast it with last week's film, City Lights, and highlight how much more comedy-oriented this movie is. Then, they try Tamdhu 10, a Speyside single malt that smells and tastes more like a Highland scotch. Is it worth i...

Bob and Brad embark on a new cinematic journey as they begin a series of films directed by the iconic Charlie Chaplin. Their first stop is Chaplin's 1931 masterpiece, City Lights. For Brad, this is his first foray into the world of silent films, so the hosts enlist the expertise of Marya Gates, a renowned critic and silent film historian, to help navigate the nuances of this cinematic gem. Together, they delve into the emotional depth, timeless comedy, and exceptional performance by Chaplin that...

In this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad wrap up their series of films directed by Kathryn Bigelow with a special segment focused on scoring her as a director. They use their unique five-category metric to evaluate her prowess behind the camera and discuss her impact on the world of filmmaking. But that's not all—Bob and Brad also take the opportunity to explore two exciting new American whiskeys. First up is Solum, the new peated single malt introduced in Westland's Outpost Range. They ...

Grab your surfboard and bourbon glass because in this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad are joined by special guest Vince Mancini, a renowned critic and podcaster, to ride the waves of Kathryn Bigelow's adrenaline-fueled 1991 action classic, Point Break. Prepare for an exhilarating discussion as they explore the wild world of bank robberies, extreme sports, and the fine line between friendship and betrayal. And of course, what better way to complement the excitement of the film than with ...

In this episode, Bob and Brad continue their exploration of films directed by Kathryn Bigelow with the intense 2012 thriller Zero Dark Thirty. As they delve into the suspenseful narrative surrounding the hunt for Osama bin Laden, they complement the film with the distinct flavors of David Nicholson Reserve, a high-rye bourbon that adds depth to the experience. The hosts kick off the episode with an in-depth analysis of the performances and direction in "Zero Dark Thirty." They dissect the compe...

In this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad kick off a mini-series of films directed by Kathryn Bigelow with her gripping 2009 war film The Hurt Locker. As they dive into the intense and realistic portrayal of the Iraq War, they pair the film with a much-loved, low-proof rye whiskey from Michter's. Throughout the episode, Bob and Brad explore the themes and direction of "The Hurt Locker," highlighting the tension and psychological depth of the story. They delve into Bigelow's masterful dire...

In this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad wrap up their series of Billy Wilder-directed films by scoring him on their five-category metric. They assign Wilder a score as a director, examining his skills in storytelling, character development, cinematography, and more. After the discussion on Wilder, they shift their focus to the Virginia Distillery Company's VHW Series line, where they review two single malts. Bob and Brad provide their insights on the flavor profiles and discuss how thes...