Film Reviews Episodes

Explore in-depth analyses and opinions of classic and contemporary films as Brad and Bob pair each review with a thoughtful whiskey selection.
Nov. 21, 2022

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: The Revisit

Bob and Brad try to remain civil after re-watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind for the first time since their 2020 episode where Brad scored it as a 2.5/10. How will his score change, if it all? Meanwhile, they sip on three wildly different whiskies from KO Distilling. Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Film & Whiskey Instagram Film & Whiskey Facebook Film & Whiskey Twitter Email us! Join our Discord server! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmwhisk...
19
Nov. 14, 2022

The Princess Bride / Bushmills Red Bush

Bob and Brad wrap up their mini-series of three films by director Rob Reiner with his 1987 comedy classic The Princess Bride. The script for this movie, by screenwriter William Goldman, is considered one of the best ever, but how does Reiner's direction stack up? Our hosts power-rank the 9 main actors of the movie before pivoting to whiskey. This week, they go back to the Bushmills line to try Bushmills Red Bush. Like the standard white label expression, this Irish whiskey is a blend of single ...
18
Nov. 7, 2022

A Few Good Men / Nomad Outland Whisky

Bob and Brad continue their mini-series of three films by director Rob Reiner with his 1992 classic A Few Good Men. The Aaron Sorkin script is legendary, and Reiner's direction is lean and efficient, making this a movie that holds up unbelievably well.. Meanwhile, they try a whisky that was completely new to Bob when he picked it up on vacation: Nomad Outland Whisky. This blended scotch is matured in sherry butts and then shipped to Spain for additional finishing in PX casks. Has a secretly ama...
17
Oct. 31, 2022

Misery / Old Overholt 11-Year Rye

Bob and Brad kick off a mini-series of three films by director Rob Reiner with a Halloween special: his 1990 thriller Misery. They discuss some killer performances by Kathy Bates and James Caan, as well as how Reiner's comic timing is a huge benefit to making an effective suspense thriller. Meanwhile, they try a rye that was exclusively released to the Ohio and Pennsylvania markets: Old Overholt 11-Year. We'd hoped that Beam Suntory would continue releasing this, albeit in a limited capacity, b...
16
Oct. 24, 2022

The Quiet Man / Bushmills

Bob and Brad wrap up their series on director John Ford with 1952's The Quiet Man. An objectively beautiful-looking film, it's also one of Ford's most gentle and good-hearted movies. John Wayne turns in perhaps his most sensitive performance, and our hosts praise Ford for coaxing such a turn form him. Meanwhile, they try one of the world's most popular and affordable Irish whiskeys, Bushmills. How will this under-$25 bottle impress them? Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Film...
15
Oct. 17, 2022

The Searchers / Woodford Reserve Kentucky Straight Malt Whiskey

Bob and Brad continue their series on director John Ford with 1956's The Searchers. Long revered by filmmakers as Ford's best and most influential film, it's also one of his most controversial by today's standards. Our hosts discuss star John Wayne in a career-best performance before diving into some of the film's complex racial issues. Meanwhile, they honor Woodford Reserve master distiller Chris Morris by trying Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey during this, an episode on his favorite film. Our h...
14
Oct. 10, 2022

The Grapes of Wrath / Rabbit Hole Dareringer

Bob and Brad kick off a mini-series of films from director John Ford with 1940's The Grapes of Wrath. Based on one of the "Great American Novels," this movie features iconic lines and performances, though at least one of our hosts thinks that star Henry Fonda may actually be less-than-believable as Tom Joad. Meanwhile, they try a PX-finished wheated bourbon from Rabbit Hole called Dareringer. How will it measure up against other sherry-finished whiskeys they've tried? Film & Whiskey Podcast. N...
13
Oct. 3, 2022

The Grand Budapest Hotel / Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon ft. Patrick H. Willems

Bob and Brad wrap up their Wes Anderson mini-series with his adventure comedy The Grand Budapest Hotel. To help break down what might be Anderson's masterpiece, the guys are joined by their favorite YouTuber, Patrick H. Willems, fresh off the release of his first feature-length film. the trio discuss Ralph Fiennes and his need for more comedic parts, the immaculate set design and cinematography of the film, and somehow work in references to Top Gun: Maverick, Paddington 2, and John Malkovich as ...
12
Sept. 26, 2022

Moonrise Kingdom / Wilderness Trail Small Batch

Bob and Brad keep the Wes Anderson adventure going with his coming-of-age comedy Moonrise Kingdom. Bob is a huge fan of this one, and while Brad likes about 98% of the movie, the 2% he dislikes makes for a very interesting ending to this episode. they discuss the standout performances of Bruce Willis and Edward Norton, along with their thoughts on the under-utilized Frances McDomand. meanwhile, they try Wilderness Trail Small Batch, a bottled-in-bond, high-rye, sweet-mash bourbon from a craft d...
11
Sept. 12, 2022

Rushmore / Stranahan's Original American Single Malt

Bob and Brad kick off a mini-series of Wes Anderson films with his 1998 classic Rushmore. This is just the second Anderson film reviewed on the show, which also means it's brad's second-ever Anderson movie. Our hosts discuss the incredible central performance from Jason Schwartzman, as well as compare the film to The Royal Tenenbaums. Meanwhile, they try Stranahan's Original American Single Malt, a Colorado whiskey that blends 2-5-year-old malt and releases it at 94 proof. How will this America...
10
Sept. 5, 2022

Baby Driver/ Speyburn 10

Bob and Brad wrap up their mini-series of Edgar Wright films with his 2017 action thriller Baby Driver. One of the first films Brad and Bob ever saw together, this impeccably crafted movie bears all of the Edgar Wright hallmarks, and they're all employed to great effect. Our hosts discuss the film's problematic cast members before heaping praise on Lily James, doing everything she can with very little to work with. Meanwhile, they try Speyburn 10, a sub-$30 single malt from the Speyside region...
Sept. 1, 2022

What Makes a Great Director?

Brad walks Bob through his top 5 criteria for a evaluating a great director, and the pair settle on the categories to score each of this season's filmmakers. Meanwhile, they sip on three different whiskies: Lucky Seven The Proprietor 6-year, Nelson Bros. Classic Bourbon, and Five Trail Whiskey. Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Film & Whiskey Instagram Film & Whiskey Facebook Film & Whiskey Twitter Email us! Join our Discord server! Theme music: "New Shoes" by Blue Wednesda...
9
Aug. 29, 2022

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World / Puncher's Chance Bourbon

Bob and Brad continue their mini-series of Edgar Wright films with his 2010 comedy, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. in what can only be the second or third time ever, Bob had never seen this film before. Of course, brad rubs it in, and then the two get down to brass tacks arguing about whether it's actually any good. Meanwhile, they try Puncher's Chance Bourbon, a $30 whiskey in an attractive bottle, promoted actively by UFC figures. But will what's inside the bottle be worth championing? Film & ...
8
Aug. 22, 2022

Shaun of the Dead / The Wiseman Bourbon

Bob and Brad kick their mini-series of Edgar Wright films with his 2004 film Shaun of the Dead. Aside from being an economical 90 minutes, this movie is a prime example of using comedy to drive home a pretty powerful central metaphor. Oh, and Bill Nighy makes our hosts cry, as usual.. Meanwhile, they try The Wiseman Bourbon, a blend of bourbons from Kentucky Owl. At a low proof, how will this stack up against the pretty excellent Wiseman Rye? Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. ...
7
Aug. 15, 2022

Silence / The Wiseman Rye

Bob and Brad finish their mini-series of Martin Scorsese films with his 2016 film Silence. This was the first Scorsese film Brad ever saw, and the hosts discuss how, despite how different it is from movies like Raging Bull, it carries many of the themes of those movies with it. They debate whether Andrew Garfield or Adam Driver is the better actor, and harp on all three of the film's male leads for their Portuguese accents. Meanwhile, they try The Wiseman Rye, a new, more affordable expression ...
6
Aug. 8, 2022

Raging Bull / Jack Daniel's Bonded

Bob and Brad continue their mini-series of Martin Scorsese films with his 1980 film Raging Bull. In 2007, the American Film Institute selected this movie as the fourth-greatest of all time. Bob and Brad disagree, and in fact, only one of them really enjoys the movie. Meanwhile, they try Jack Daniel's Bonded, a somehow-new 100-proof version of America's favorite Tennessee whiskey. At a very affordable $35, how does the slender, 700-mL bottle stack up? Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every ...
5
Aug. 1, 2022

Taxi Driver / Jack Daniel's Triple Mash

Bob and Brad kick off their mini-series of Martin Scorsese films with his 1976 masterpiece, Taxi Driver. For years, Bob wasn't a fan of this one, but he's really come around, and Brad was equally blown away, having watched it for the first time. Of course, they spend some time discussing the towering De Niro performance, as well as screenwriter Paul Schrader's fragile state of mind while writing the film. Meanwhile, they try Jack Daniel's Triple Mash, a new bottled-in-bond blend of whiskies fro...
4
July 25, 2022

Jurassic Park / Barrell Seagrass 16

Bob and Brad wrap up their mini-series of Spielberg films with Bob's all-time favorite movie, the 1993 masterpiece Jurassic Park. Much has been written about the groundbreaking VFX and use of CGI, but our hosts focus in on the outstanding performances that sell the whole thing, as well as the tightly-constructed script. Meanwhile, they revisit Barrell Seagrass, Brad's highest-rated whiskey in the show's history, to sample the new 16-year, ultra-premium version. How will it hold up to other Barr...
3
July 18, 2022

Raiders of the Lost Ark / Laphroaig 10 Cask Strength

Bob and Brad continue their mini-series of Spielberg films with 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark. Often considered a perfect "entertainment," this film certainly doesn't have a lot going on beneath the surface, but that just highlights the filmmaking craft of Spielberg all the more. Our hosts sing the praises of the cast, particularly the supporting players, and are pleasantly surprised by the number of visual gags on display. Meanwhile, they revisit Laphroaig Distillery with the cask-strength ve...
2
July 11, 2022

Close Encounters of the Third Kind / Highland Park Magnus

Bob and Brad continue their mini-series of popular films from director Steven Spielberg, this time with 1977's wildly successful Close Encounters of the Third Kind. A surprisingly interior movie, our hosts are wowed both by its ambition and the remarkable leading turn from Richard Dreyfuss. Meanwhile, our hosts sip on Highland Park Magnus, a lower-proof, non-age-stated single malt Scotch from the Orkney region. This marks the second Highland Park expression in a row. How will it stack up to las...
1
July 4, 2022

Jaws / Highland Park 12

Season Six kicks off with one of the most popular films ever, director Steven Spielberg's breakthrough Jaws. Widely considered one of the best horror movies ever made, the famously-troubled production led to a tightly-edited masterclass in tension. Brad and Bob discuss the film's two very different halves, as well as the unsung acting heroics of Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfus. Meanwhile, our hosts sip on Highland Park 12-year, a lightly-peated single malt Scotch from the Orkney region. This b...
32
June 6, 2022

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 / Rowan's Creek

Bob and Brad wrap up Season 5 with their final Harry Potter review, the series-capping 2011 offering Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2. Director David Yates returns with the last chapter of the franchise, and while the movie is well-regarded by the general public, Bob and Brad are decidedly cooler on it. Meanwhile, they return to Willett Distillery to sample Rowan's Creek, a whiskey that may or may not be the slightly-toned-down version of Bob's favorite, Noah's Mill. How will this 1...
31
May 30, 2022

If Beale Street Could Talk / Cutty Sark

Bob rounds out his Season Five list of movies with Barry Jenkins' 2018 masterpiece If Beale Street Could Talk. Unfairly swallowed up during the awards season, this film ultimately flew under the radar. The guys discuss scene-stealing performances from Stephan James and Colman Domingo, in addition to Regina King's Oscar-winning role. Meanwhile, our hosts sip on Cutty Sark, that ubiquitous blended scotch. At only around $15 a bottle, what should they be expecting in terms of quality? Film & ...
30
May 23, 2022

Mission: Impossible III / Suntory Toki

Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Monday. Film & Whiskey Instagram Film & Whiskey Facebook Film & Whiskey Twitter Email us! Join our Discord server! Theme music: "New Shoes" by Blue Wednesday --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/filmwhiskey/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/filmwhiskey/support