Movie And A Beer

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we visit 2004 and experienced an amazing horse race across the Arabian Desert in Hidalgo. Rugged cowboy Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is an expert horseman who is at the end of his career and performs (mostly drunk) in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Honor is at steak when Sheik Riyadh (Omar Sharif) challenges the Americans to a long-distance horse race that is called the Ocean of Fire. Hopkins has the support of his friends and travels to the Middle East with his American mustang Hidalgo. Loss and challenges abound as they cross the desert and face the impossible.

While the movie is over 2 hours long, we were able to sip on three great beers along the way to help us cope with the dry desert on the screen. First up was an American Lager collaboration between Grand Fir (OR) and Pelican Brewing, second up was a Kolsch by Van Henion Brewing (OR), bring up the rear was a Mexican style Lager from Norte Beer (OR). Each brought something unique to the film and we discuss a bit of the history and cultural approaches the film takes. Give the episode a listen to hear about this and much, much more. 

We revisit 1999 with The Mummy, a romantic comedy blended nicely with an action film staring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. These two along with a large group of excellent supporting characters are mixed up in an expedition of treasure-seeking explorers in the Sahara Desert in 1925. Stumbling upon an ancient tomb, the hunters unwittingly set loose a 3,000-year-old curse in Hamunaptra by accidentally resurrecting The Mummy named Imhotep at the City of the Dead. 

With a two hour movie, we decided to go with three beers while watching. We started with a West Coast IPA from Grains of Wrath (WA), second was a Hazy IPA from Long Beach Beer Lab (CA), and lastly a Rice Lager from Wayfinder Beer (OR). All three were decent, some went along better than expected. Listen to the episode to hear about these and some history around action films of the late 1990's. 

On this wartime and historical drama driven episode of Movie And A Beer, we watched Pressure, a 2026 film directed by Anthony Maras. Based on a play about the decision made by the Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower (Brendan Fraser) to go or not to go on June 5th, the projected D-Day invasion of France. The weather forecast is the driving force behind the choices made and decision to delay D-Day. The two main weather forecasters, Scottish Captain James Stagg (Andrew Scott) and his American counterpart Irving Krick (Chris Messina) burn up the screen with conflict and challenges to their scientific methods. The story is gripping, the acting is pretty decent, and the location and historical footage that is included make this a worth while watch.

We had a couple of beers to go with this movie. First was a Summer Shandy from Block 15 (OR), followed by an American IPA by Kings and Daughters Brewing (OR). One really didn't go with the film while the other was spot on. Give the episode a listen to hear why, and a rundown on what the scientific method is and what it matters in this movie. 

2025 Japan brings us this episode of Movie And A Beer with Rental Family, a drama that follows Phillip, an American actor (Brendan Fraser) who lives and works in Tokyo and struggles to find purpose until he lands an unusual gig acting or playing different roles to help people find some happiness and joy in their lives. Directed by HIKARI, this film has great actors and the story brings traditional Japanese life to the screen in a way that is honorable to their culture and expectations, while showing they can also be rigid and challenging. 

We had a couple of great beers along the way, first was a Portland Xtra Pale Ale from Vice Beer (WA) and then a West Coast IPA from Obelisk (OR). While one really stood out, both were decent and were worth checking out. Give the episode a listen to hear about those beers and some great discussion about this unique experience in Japan. 

On this fantasy driven episode of Movie And A Beer, we review The Yinyang Master, a Chinese release from 2021. This is a big screen adaption of the mobile game "Onmyoji" which is a story about a feud that erupts between the human and demon realms. It closely follows Yinyang master Qing Ming as he teams up with disgraced guard Yuan Boya to vanquish a demonic threat as a conspiracy looms. While this story is not terribly complex, the visuals and overall impact of the writing is well thought out and worth the two hours to watch it. 

We enjoyed a couple of beers along the way, first up was a  Czech style lager from Ruse Brewing (OR), second up was a Dark Lager from Single Hill Brewing (WA). Give the episode a listen to hear about these and a great discussion about the story and how it provides a great perspective on topics like slavery and forgiveness. 

On this sci-fi driven episode of Movie And A Beer we watched the classic 1974 movie Zardoz. Directed by John Boorman with Sean Connery, Charlotte Rampling, and Sara Kestelman in staring roles. It explores the ruling class of beings called Eternals and their boredom with immortality in the year 2293. Zed (Sean Connery) is one of their Brutals who helps manage the lower class and discovers that Zardoz is a fake god by stowing away inside of it secretly, which travels to the protected lands of the Eternals known as the Vortex. Once in the Vortex, Zed upends their stagnant, sexless, and eternally bored society, leading to wild philosophical consequences.

Along the way we sipped on a couple of great beers and first up was a Pale Ale from Away Days (OR) and second was a Helles Lager from Cooper Mountain Ale Works (OR). There was one that was slightly better than the other, give the episode a listen to hear which, and our take on how this movie is worth the watch. 

On this latest episode of Movie And A Beer, we examine one of the greatest sci-fi films of the 1980's with The Terminator. James Cameron's time-travel masterpiece with a cyborg assassin played by Arnold Schwarzenegger as it tries to kill the mother of the future's rebellion leader, Sarah Connor, played by Linda Hamilton. While it's dated with limited special effects, the story holds up and draws you into the past as it follows Sarah's escape from the Terminator with the help of future soldier Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn). It's worth a watch with great sound design, realistic battles, car chases, and explosions. 

Along the way we enjoyed a couple of Helles Lagers from Mirage brewing (WA) and 8 Bit Brewing (CA). One was a bit better than the other, but you'll have to listen to the episode to hear why. 

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we explore the world of Ex Machina. Directed by Alex Garland, this 2015 movie presents what would happen if AI or a robot with AI could fool you? The visuals are amazing, the science fiction is believable, the acting incredible, and the environment created brings you along for the ride. There are many questions asked in the film of both humanity and the AI, and we do our best to ask and answer some of these questions ourselves. 

Along the way, we had a couple of beers, first up was an old school recipe IPA from Hetty Alice Brewing (OR) and the other was a Hazy IPA from Little Beast Brewing (OR). One was a bit more successful than the average. Give the episode a listen to hear about our take on AI and the success of this film in presenting the questions such as "what happens if I fail your test?" 

We're back in the 80's with this episode of Movie And A Beer, it's Big Trouble in Little China staring Kurt Russel as Jack Burton, a truck driving loud mouth that seems to stumble himself out of danger more times than not. Jack just can't seem to catch a break as he get's mixed up with a magical plot put into motion by Lo Pan, a 2000 year old Chinese wizard that's trying to become mortal again in the depths of the San Francisco China Town. Jack helps his friend rescue the two green eyed ladies before Lo Pan marries and kills them. With plenty of action and groovy special effects, this kung-fu comedy driven spoof is one of the cultural touchstones of those that grew up in the 80's. 

We had a couple of great beers along the way, including a rice lager from Wayfinder Beer (OR), and a collaboration double dry hopped double IPA from Widomaker and Other Half Brewing. Give the episode a listen to hear about these beers and a great discussion about acting and how to deliver lines. 

On this fantasy driven episode of Movie And A Beer, we encountered the Princess Bride, a 1987 classic from director Rob Reiner. This is a pretty straight forward fairy tale adventure about a beautiful young woman (Buttercup) and her one true love (Westley) as told by a grandfather to his grandson who's a bit under the weather. There are a lot of homage being paid to older films that relied upon acting and dialogue more than set and special effects. With tons of one-liners that are memorable and part of our cultural lexicon today, this is definitely worth a watch. 

Along the way we also had a couple of great beers from two local nano-breweries here in the Portland area. First up was a Dry Rye Helles Lager from Duality Brewing (OR), followed up by a Dry-Hopped Rice Lager w/ flowers from Tiny Giants (OR). Both were delicate and brought a bit of depth while watching the movie. Give the episode a listen to hear about our favorite parts and why these beers went so well with them.

With the recent rise of AI here in present day, we at Movie And A Beer figured it would be a good time to revisit some of the past movies that exemplify what "might" or "could" happen if we don't pay attention. Which brings us to the 1991 James Cameron action blockbuster, Terminator 2: Judgement Day staring Edward Furlong as young John Connor, Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator, Robert Patrick as the T-1000 newer model Terminator, with Linda Hamilton reprising her role as Sarah Connor. This epic sequel takes place 11 years after the first Terminator movie and brings a whole bunch of baggage with it. We discuss in a lot of details the visual and sound editing and effects used in the film and how it combined a lot of different film-making techniques that were not so common back in 1991, as well as enjoyed a couple of beers along the way. 

First up was a Northern style Pilsner from Urban Chestnut Brewing (MO) via Dutchless Ales (NY) followed by a juicy NE Style IPA from Trap Door Brewing (WA). Both had their high and low points along with the movie. Give the episode a listen to hear about that and an in-depth discussion about explosions and munitions. 

Here we are with another super-hero installment of Movie And A Beer, this time it's The Batman which was released in 2022 from director Matt Reeves. We follow a young Batman, played by Robert Pattinson as he uncovers a long time plot within the city of Gotham that involves his own family. The film is more of a ‘70s crime drama in it's aesthetic and presentation visually and this lends to the realism that is missing from most of the super-hero genre today. 

During the lengthy film, we enjoyed a couple of local beers. First up was a Helles Lager from Brujos Brewing (OR) followed by a West coast IPA collab from Grains of Wrath (WA) and Boneyard Brewing (OR). Both provided a good quality of flavor to go along with the action on the screen. Give the episode a listen as we discuss in great length the aspects of this iteration of Batman in film and how it fits into existing cannon.  

With nostalgia in our bones, we at Movie And A Beer appreciate the finer nuances of the craft when it pays homage to the Golden Age of Cinema....this time around, it's Hail, Caesar!, a Cohen brothers production. Set in the 1950's it follows studio boss Eddie Mannix played by Josh Brolin as he sets out to handle the day to day activities and chaos that is taking place on the movie lot. The main plot follows the story of one of their biggest stars getting kidnapped by Communist sympathizers and Eddie's job is to get him back and save the film.

Along with some amazing visuals and acting, we enjoyed a couple of beers along with the movie. First up as a pilsner from Silver Falls Brewing (OR), followed by an IPA from Old Town Brewing (OR). Both provided a great and refreshing addition to the film. Listen in to hear more about the history of Old Town Pizza & Brewing and what it means to get "shanghaied". 

For this episode of Movie And A Beer we go back to 1999 and experience the episodic The 13th Warrior. One of the many films to come out around that same time that works both as an historical drama and mythical journey for the protagonist of the film. Antonio Banderas portrays  Ahmad ibn Fadlan, who by no fault of his own, finds himself in the company of Vikings on a quest to vanquish an evil demon. While the story is simplistic, there is a lot of well thought out character development in both cultural and symbolic nature that brings the viewer along with a keen sense of what it takes to build trust and become a part of a close nit group. 

We were also lucky to have a couple of really well made beers along for the ride. First up was a Kolsch style ale from VICE BEER (WA), followed by a double decocted Bock from Wayfinder (OR). Both provided a clean and complex pallet to go along with the movie. Listen in to hear about what the decoction method is in brewing and how it helps create a unique profile for you to enjoy. 

With amazing special effects and writing, Movie And A Beer found ourselves in the midst of a challenging yet provocative sci-fi driven and all around good film titled Gentlemen Broncos. Released in 2009, it was written by Jared and Jerusha Hess and directed by Jared Hess of Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre fame. The film stars Michael Angarano, Jemaine Clement, Jennifer Coolidge, and Sam Rockwell and follows a teenage author whose fantasy story is plagiarized by an established author, as well as made into a low-budget film by a local director. It has a lot of interesting humor and the plight of the young author is one that we could all relate to and understand how one's expectations are rarely met when it comes to your dreams and life. 

While enjoying the movie, we sipped on a couple of great beers. First up was a rye pale ale from local Leikam Brewing, a local spot out in SE Portland, followed by a 'tavern stout' collab from a couple of Seattle breweries, Human People Beer and Bizarre Brewing. We have a great discussion about stouts and other dark beers, so give the episode a listen to hear about that and what other films we might pair up with astounding movie. 

On this teenage story episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss with our youth correspondent Otto the recent film Apollo 10 1⁄2: A Space Age Childhood , by Richard Linklater. The film is pseudo-autobiographical in nature and takes you to the moon and back in this story about growing up in the 1960s in Houston, TX. Visually, it's animated but most of the scenes were filmed live-action and then later turned into the rotoscoped style as the director has done on some of his previous films. This feels like an ad for the 1960's with the injection of products and daily life of teen's during that time brought to you in vivid color. 

We enjoyed a couple of beers along the way as well, including a West Coast style Pilsner from Roses By The Stairs (AZ), and followed that with an IPA from Binary Brewing Co. (OR). Both lent a nice flavor to the visuals while we watched. Listen in to hear about those, and a lot of other conversations about growing up and how events like this impact our lives.  

On this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss the exceptionally well done movie Train Dreams, a 2025 release directed by Clint Bentley and based off of a novella by the same name that follows the life of Robert Grainier, a logger and railroad worker who leads a life of unexpected depth and beauty in the rapidly changing America of the early 20th Century. The acting, visuals, music/atmosphere, and directing is some of the best we've all seen in a long while. You should check this amazing piece of art out and while we did such, we also had a couple of beers along the way.

The first beer up was a west coast IPA collaboration between Fort George (OR) and Ghost Town (CA) that focused a lot on Moasic hops, and the second was a barrel aged porter from Montavilla Brew Works (OR) that was amazingly smooth and complex like the movie. Give the episode a listen to hear about these beers and our take on the beauty that was America back in the late 1800's. 

On this Holiday episode of Movie And A Beer, we watched and enjoyed Bad Santa, a black comedy about a couple of guys that take advantage of the Christmas spirit and learn a valuable lesson in the end. Staring Billy Bob Thornton as the seasonal mall Santa Willie, Marcus (played by Tony Cox) as his partner in crime who spend each holiday working at a different department store where they rob it on Christmas Eve. Willie befriends a chubby loner boy (played by Brett Kelly), and a local bartender Sue (played by Lauren Graham) who has Santa issues. Their last heist goes wrong when the mall Security Manager Gin (played by Bernie Mac) wants in on the action. 

We enjoyed a couple of really great seasonal local(ish) beers along with this movie. A CDA from Pelican Brewing (OR), and a Winter Warmer from Deschutes Brewing (OR). Give the episode a listen to hear some history of the Christmas holiday and our takes on why the movie actually has a good ending. 

On this science vs. humanity episode of Movie And A Beer, we review the 2025 remake of classic horror and monster driven story by Mary Shelly, Frankenstein. This movie adaptation by Guillermo Del Toro is one of the best that's been produced in recent memory due to the character driven performances and beautifully executed visuals. We do a deep dive into how this retelling could be a nod to how AI is being treated today, and what we might learn from fiction such as this.  

As this was a 2.5 hr movie, we went with three different beers. The first was a dark ale from Little Beast Brewing (OR), second up was a collaboration from Wayfinder Beer (OR), and last up was a west coast IPA from Grand Fir (OR) and Brujos Brewing (OR) respectively (also a collab). All three had their distinct impacts on us as we watched and we discuss in some detail why that is. Give the episode a listen to hear about this and other great topics!

On this period piece episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss Hedda, a modern reimagining of 1891 play Hedda Gabler.  This updated early 20th century screen adaptation is by writer/director Nia DaCosta. Staring Tessa Thompson as Hedda, she finds herself struggling with a past lover and now rival while striving to get what she wants for her current life. Over the course of one crazy evening, many long-repressed desires and hidden secrets engulf her and everyone around her into a spiral of manipulation, passion, and betrayal.

While enjoying this amazing piece of art on the screen, we enjoyed a couple of beers. A nice Mexican lager from Loowit Brewing (WA) and the second was a Milk Stout from Threshold Brewing and Blending (OR). We discuss how these did and didn't go with the various parts of the film and consider what might actually work for such a complex story. Give the episode a listen to hear about that and much, much more.