Movie And A Beer

Movie And A Beer Episode 123: The Big Lebowski

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we explore "Dude-ism" and the art of kidnapping through the comic sensibilities of the Cohen brothers in The Big Lebowski. Based on real people and real events, an unbelievable turn of events leads Jeff Bridge's character down a path of violence with his bowling buddies Donny and Walter, played by John Goodman and Steve Buscemi. 

The beers we had with this cult classic were reminiscent of the film's title and vibes, a hazy IPA from Baerlic Brewing and a stout from Block 15. Both were good in their own ways, but one stood out way more than the other. Give the episode a listen to hear why.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 122: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

On this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss how your memories are a fickle thing, they make up who and what you are, so don't be like Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and go erasing them. Regret is all that follows. This now cult-favorite film from 2004 was directed by Michel Gondry with a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman, it was coined as an "indy film with a big budget".
We had a couple of sour beers in the fridge and both went really well with the film. A kettle sour from Little Beast Brewing (OR), and a fruited sour from Ecliptic Brewing (OR). Give the episode a listen to hear which was the better of the two.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 121: Smokey and the Bandit

There are few films that impact trucker culture like this one did back in the 70's. Smokey and the Bandit helped solidify the film careers of Sally Fields and Bert Reynolds as the lead actors. We were lucky enough to have a CB-dictionary while watching and looked up some of the great lingo used in the movie. Who would have thought that a truck-load of Coors would cause such a commotion. 

We sampled a couple of beers that had 'travel' related names and can art from Via Brewing (OR) and Matchless Brewing (WA). Both went pretty well, one better than the other. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 120: Back To The Future

It's time for us to sit back and enjoy the crazy antics of time traveling back to the 1950's while getting hit on by your mom when she was a teenager. Not fun for some, more crazy to others. That's the premise on this episode of Movie And A Beer with the classic 1985 film,  Back To The Future. Listen in as we discuss the finer points of skateboarding and alternate realities with our youth correspondent Otto.  

The adults in the room did have the chance to enjoy a couple of lighter beers with this most classic of movies from Leinenkugel's (WI) and Ferment Brewing (OR). Give the episode a listen to hear which went better, and what snacks might be best to enjoy with it. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 119: Spice World

On this really SPICY episode of Movie And A Beer we watched Spice World, the late 1990's extended music video/film that features the Spice Girls music group. Based in London England, Spice World follows the girls as they prepare for their debut music performance at the Royal Albert Hall. While it's shallow and dumb, it's also funny and sincere and holds up over the years. Girl Power! 

The beers we had during the film were both a success like the Spice Girls, as well as a failure, like the movie. One was really good, the other really heat struck and horrible. They were from Old Town Brewing (OR), and Woodland Empire Ale Craft (ID). Give the episode a listen and learn why you shouldn't buy cheap beer off the shelf. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 118: Taxidermia

On this challenging episode of Movie And A Beer, we watched, and experienced Taxidermia, the 2006 Hungarian surrealist comedy-drama horror film directed and co-written by György Pálfi. This will challenge you, you have been warned. It follows three generations of men from the same family and how they fit into and deal with life in Hungary from WW2 to current day. We didn't know what to expect, and boy, this was one hell of a trip. 

The beers we got were purchased at Johns Marketplace in SE Portland and they included a Radler and a Vienna Lager. One was pretty decent and matched the vibe, while the other was a little thin. Listen in to learn which is which. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 117: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

We're all fans of the classic animated cartoons and characters of our youth and Who Framed Roger Rabbit brings them all together in a fun who-done-it murder mystery. This movie brings live action and animation together in a near-seamless visual story. Staring Bob Hoskins as private eye Eddie Valiant who gets tangled up in a cartoon on human instance of murder. 

The beers we enjoyed with this wonderous animated-cum-live-action drama were based off of the can designs. The first was a pale ale from HenHouse Brewing (CA) and the second was an IPA from Ruse Brewing. Both were old beers to match this old movie, but one really stood out. Give the episode a listen to hear why. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 116: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

If you're a fan of animated films, you must go see Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and be ready to have your multi-verse socks blown off. Following the previous Spider-Man animated film, this time around Miles and Gwen both face their choices head on and realize that they don't have to follow everyone else. There are consequences to this choice, but they both are willing to take that chance. 

We were able to watch this at Cinema 21 here in Portland OR, and this is one of the local theaters that provides draft beer as a concession. We had their house Cinema 21 Lager and Kolsh from Zoiglhaus (OR). Both went well, both managed to stand up to the chaos on the screen. Give this episode a listen to hear about some great products that we would like to pursue in alternative time-lines. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 115: Sisu

Sisu is one of the best films we've watched so far this year, Finnish or otherwise. We at Movie And A Beer believe that one can only understand what Sisu is if you experience it for yourself. So, be prepared for a WWII crazy slow story about a man, his dog, and some gold. 

While the film is broken down into chapters that help guide you through the story, the beers we tried were both classic and to the point, just as this film is. The first was a Pale Ale from Stoup Brewing (WA), and the second was an IPA from Living Haus Brewing (OR). Listen to the episode to hear why one stood out more than the other. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 114: Renfield

Regardless if you believe in vampires or not, you have to believe in Nick Cage as Count Dracula and Nicholas Hoult his familiar, R. M. Renfield, in this wonderful horror-comedy titled Renfield. It's got plenty of site gags and excessive gore, it also provides an interesting introspective on taking responsibility for your actions and taking control of your life in trying to get out of a toxic relationship with one's boss. 

The beers were selected based on can art, and we enjoyed an Extra Hoppy Belgian Style Pale Ale from Jester King (TX) and a Sour Ale Fruited Gose from Nightmare Brewing (NY). Both were decent, one provided a familiar complexity that the acting provided. Listen in to hear which and why.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 113: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

There is Honor Among Thieves in some D&D games, where as others, not so much. We were lucky enough to have most of our group that we play with together to watch this movie at the LivingRoom Theater here in Portland and we all enjoyed it as much as anticipated. While the characters often bent the rules of the game in some instances, it did stay pretty close to the 'core feel' of the game.

The theater had a number of different beers available on draft and while none of them were 'new' to us, we certainly enjoyed them before and during the film. They included local beers from Occidental Brewing (OR), Laurelwood Brewing (OR), Ft. George Brewing (OR), and Pfriem Brewing (OR). Give this episode a listen to hear about how much rule bending went on and what beers you might find and enjoy during it as well. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 112: The Five Obstructions

On this most challenging pseudo documentary cum master class on filmmaking episode of Movie And A Beer, we delve into The Five Obstructions, a Lars von Trier vehicle where he challenges his mentor Jorgen Leth to remake his classic black and white experimental film, The Perfect Human five times with different rules or obstructions. 

We decided to go with a similar approach to the beer we tried while watching this strange film, using IPA as the primary style, and exploring four differing sub-classifications of it. The IPAs were from Lagunitas Brewing (CA), Bells Brewing (MI), Sweetwater Brewing (GA), Gigantic Brewing (OR), and Ninkasi Brewing (OR). Each provided a different perspective on the overall style, but we enjoyed one of them way more than the others. Give the episode a listen to hear why. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 111: Monty Python and the Holy Grail

We've traveled back to the era of King Author and his knights of the round table to partake in the quest for the Holy Grail. Monty Python does one hell of a funny sketch, and in 1975 they outdid themselves with this wonderfully funny sketch based full length movie, The Holy Grail. There's many things that one could choose to drink while watching this wonderous masterpiece, and we believe we answered wisely. 

We partook in a cider from Ten Towers Cider Co. (OR), a triple dry hopped hazy Imperial IPA from Androit Theory (VA), a vière from Gallia Sauvages (FR), and a red ale from Block 15 (OR). All went exceptionally well, but one stood out amongst the insults and laughter more than the others did. Listen in to hear which one and why. 

Movie And A Beer Podcast Episode 110: Face/Off

When you think of Nick Cage and John Travolta acting like each other, it wouldn't be much of a stretch as they demonstrate in Face/Off, the 1997 John Woo production that has more sparks, explosions, and references to faces than humanly possible in one film. Although we tried to suspend all belief in reality while watching this one, it's a testament to the courage to tell a crazy story with even crazier actors.

We were able to sip on a couple of IPA's during this film, participating in a little East vs. West coast approach. The East was represented by Commonwealth Brewing (VA) and the West was from Upright Brewing (OR). There is a surprise on which beer was better, along with some surprise analysis of the film, so give the episode a listen to learn more.  

Movie And A Beer Podcast Episode 109: Akira

We traveled to the far East for this episode of Movie And A Beer to explore one of the greatest animated films of all time, one that abruptly changed what we think cartoons could be. Akira is by far one of the most influential animated films from the late 1980's to come out of Japan. It tells a simple story of greed, choice, friendship, and power through a visually stunning futuristic landscape of "Neo-Tokyo".  We shared a couple of imported beers that were also fun and different than what we usually consume while watching films. 

The Asian inspired (imported) beers were a red ale and a citrus infused pale ale, both with tea like qualities and a new(er) approach to the standard flavors we are used too. Give the episode a listen to hear about this amazing film and what beers might go best with it. 

Movie And A Beer Podcast Episode 108: The Guard

It's that time of year to celebrate all things Irish, and with this episode, we embrace the shamrock in all of us with The Guard. This is a great film to learn about Irish culture and life in a small coastal town from the perspective of a 'guarda' or 'policeman'. Starring Brendan Gleeson as the rude cop and Don Cheadle as an American FBI agent forced to work a drug smuggling case with him. 

We really enjoyed a couple of imported Irish beers. A Wexford nitro cream ale and a O'Hara's stout. Give the episode a listen to hear all about those and who we'd pick to play the guard in a remake.  

Movie And A Beer Podcast Episode 107: Over The Top

On this most excellent arm wrestling 80's nostalgia driven episode, we watched Over The Top, a Silvester Stallone vehicle with more than just his 10 year old kid's life at stake. To go along with this high-stakes adventure, we enlisted the help of a couple of beers that you might find in a local truck stop. 

Both beers were purchased at a local grocery store, one being a Miller Lite and the other a Montucky Cold Snacks (MT). Both went exceptionally well with the poor acting and plot holes, give the episode a listen to hear who we'd love to see in the remake!

Movie And A Beer Podcast Episode 106: Point Break

On this surfer and bank robbing episode of Movie And A Beer, we watched Point Break, a classic 1990's action film by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Keanu Reeves as Johnny Utah, a new FBI agent on his first assignment going up against a gang of bank robbers know as the Dead Presidents. But this is no ordinary group of robbers. They're surfers -- led by the charismatic Bodhi (Patrick Swayze). We really loved this classic action flick and the beers we enjoyed with it. 

The two pale ales we picked were from Georgetown Brewing (WA) and Black Plague Brewing (CA). While one was a bit sharp like Johnny was at the start of his undercover work, the other was really well rounded and felt the waves and was able to surf with the best of them at the end. Give the episode a listen to hear which was which. 

Movie And A Beer Podcast Episode 105: The Lady from Shanghai

We went back to 1947 and recorded the episode using an approach like they would have back then, so it's like listening to a radio broadcast to give it more realism. The Lady from Shanghai is an Orson Welles film staring Rita Hayworth, Orson Welles, Everett Sloane, and Glenn Anders in a complex film Noir setting that takes you on a cruise from New York to San Francisco. A murder plot drives this classic with an interesting twist at the end. 

The beers we selected for this were being produced back then and it's quite possible that the scene's that took place in bars in both NYC and SF, the actors could have been drinking them. Narragansett (RI) and Anchor Steam (CA) are quite classic like the film, give the podcast to hear more about them. 

Movie And A Beer Podcast Episode 104: RRR

This is one of the longest films we've ever watched for the podcast, and we're glad we did so. RRR (Rise Roar Revolt) is a foreign film covering a 'fictional' meeting between Raj and Bheem, revolutionaries that were seeking different goals, but through the strength of friendship, they overcome their challenges.

We picked out some IPA's to enjoy from Wayfinder Brewing (OR),  Hetty Alice (OR), and Beachwood Brewing (CA). Give the episode a listen to hear about the history of the IPA and how these beers went with this amazing film.