Movie And A Beer

Movie And A Beer Episode 23: Legend

In this 'stay at home' episode of Movie And A Beer, we take a look into the past at one of Tom Cruise's first acting roles from 1985, the legendary film LEGEND.  While you may be wondering why we would pick such an old film to review, we discovered that one of us had not seen it before and this demanded we watch it. Any chance to see Tim Curry in a head to toe red devil outfit is a MUST SEE event! 

 

While the movie does have issues, and most if not all of the special effects are really poorly done (including the glitter that's on everything), we did have a good time enjoying a couple of locally sourced beers. We spend some time discussing the finer points of the beers and how these might actually outweigh the quality of the film and acting. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 22: 10 Barrel Guava and Raspberry Crush

On this special double episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss a set of movies to pair up with a couple of wonderful beers from 10 Barrel Brewing. We grouped the films with a few things in mind, and offer up a broad selection of sci-fi classics and wonderful family films.

10 Barrel Brewing provided us with Guava and Raspberry Crush beers and asked "what would you watch with these?" We were lucky enough to discuss with some of their representatives the range and styles of movies that would go well with each of these sour beers and here's the list for each beer:

Guava Crush - Gremlins - Princess Bride - Cars
​Raspberry Crush - Evil Dead - Reservoir Dogs - ​​​E.T.

Movie And A Beer Episode 21: Spirited Away

On this stay-at-home episode of Movie And A Beer, our youth correspondent Otto joined us for a wonderful Japanese animated movie, Spirited Away by Hiyao Miyazaki. Thought of by many as one of the greatest animated films ever made, this film brings you along on a journey of self-discovery and growth of a young girl as she struggles with trying to free herself and parents from the land of the spirits. 

We enjoyed three import beers from Japan during this episode (and taping) with young Otto sipping on a root beer from Henry Weinhard's. The beers included a Yuzu Salt Ale and Umami IPA, both from Yo-Ho Brewing, and a Kirin Ichiban special lager. You'll have to listen to the episode to learn about them and how they fit with this wonderful film.

Movie And A Beer Episode 20: May The 4th Be With You!

On this pandemic stay-at-home episode of Movie And A Beer, we watched a couple of oldies-but-goodies in celebration of May the 4th (Star Wars unofficial holiday) from the TV cartoon Family Guy - Blue Harvest, which is a spoof on Star Wars Episode 4 (New Hope), and Something Something Something Dark Side, a spoof on Star Wars Episode 5 (The Empire Strikes Back). 

While we enjoyed these two wonderful episodes, we enjoyed a few beers that we obtained from a local bar/restaurant (to-go). We discuss the different styles and how they worked and what we recommend for you to enjoy at home during this difficult time. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 19: 3:10 to Yuma

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we talk about the western film 3:10 to Yuma and the two beers we had during it. This film was directed by James Mangold and filmed in New Mexico. It includes Peter Fonda who was in the original film from 1957. 

The story follows outlaw Ben Wade who’s played by Russell Crowe. Ben and his gang terrorize the 1800s Arizona countryside where he frequently targets the Southern Railroad (stagecoach) until he is finally captured. Wade must be brought to trial and taken to federal prison for sentencing and hanging. Dan Evans who's played by Christian Bale volunteers to help take the prisoner to catch the 3:10 train to Yuma. Their relationship is a rough and challenging one throughout the film. Luckily we struck gold with one of the beers selected for this viewing and that brought the story to life. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 18: Coco

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we talk about the animated kids film Coco and the three Mexican beers we sampled while watching. We had with us a special guest who's going to be our kids-movie expert (as he's a kid). We all loved the film as it provides a great story and visual exploration into Mexican religious and cultural traditions. The family dynamic that drives the story is one that is relatable to most kids and those chasing their dreams.

We were excited to share this episode with someone that could provide us a real kids' perspective, and he got to discuss his rootbeer that he enjoyed during the film.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 17: Honey Boy

On this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss the 2019 film Honey Boy which was written by and stars Shia LaBeouf. In the film, he plays James Lort the father to Otis Lort. We discovered that this film is a bit bitter and luckily we had a bitter beer to go with it.

The semi-autobiographical story of Shia is played by two actors, the older one in recovery, Lucas Hedges, and Noah Jupe, the 12-year-old version who's story and life are shared with the audience. Otis is a childhood actor and is just surviving day to day, balancing his chaotic life with a demanding and abusive father. While this is a challenging film to watch, we think it's a good characterization of what it's like to be a young actor and have demanding parents that don't let you be you.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 16: Ford v Ferrari

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss the 2019 Oscar-nominated film Ford v Ferrari starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale and the four (2 American and 2 Italian) beers we sampled while watching it. The film is a long one, over two hours and fit for young adults and kids that are interested in cars. The film covers the struggles of the Ford Motor Company in the 1950s as they attempted to beat Ferrari in the Le Mans 24 hr. road race. 

The two leads develop a strong bond in the film as the learn to trust each other and the cars they are building and experimenting on. While the film does have a lot of racing, there are some memorable moments that made the battle with Ferrari even more fun to watch. 

The four beers we sampled were of the lager variety, and we ended up enjoying all of them, with a split decision on who was the best. Listen in on the episode to hear the details and why we feel you should pick something lighter and enjoyable while viewing this great film.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 15: Little Women

In this installment of Movie And A Beer, we review the recent adaptation of Little Women which is based on the classic novel of the same name, and the beers we enjoyed with it at two different theaters here in Portland Oregon. The story takes place in America during the civil war and follows the March family as the sisters grow up and become adults. 

As with all families, they go through lots of traumatic experiences, and this film covers those with an interesting approach to multiple storylines and flashbacks to trace their history and decision making. 

We watched this film at the St. Johns Twin Cinemas and Cinema 21 here in Portland. We were able to try a variety of beers and would like to recommend that you find a lighter beer to start with and perhaps move onto a heavier one about midway through, as the film and subject matter become more serious and what you enjoy with it should as well. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 14: Jojo Rabbit & Marriage Story

In this double episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss a couple of challenging films, Jojo Rabbit and Marriage Story, and the wonderful beers we enjoyed while watching them. First up was Jojo Rabbit, a WWII comedy/satire that follows the ups and downs of a young 10-year-old boy Jojo during the end of the war and how his view of the Jews and the Nazi regime has been wrong all along. Written and directed by Taika Waititi, the film does have some light-hearted moments, but it's not all fun and games for young Jojo.

We enjoyed some German beers (imports) while watching this film, we highly recommend that you find a Kolsch, or Kolsch style beer to enjoy as it's a lighter film and sipping on a refreshing beverage that is lighter matched up closely.

The second film we review is Marriage Story, a film by Noah Baumbach that covers a messy divorce of an actress played by Scarlett Johansson and her director husband played by Adam Driver. This is what we would call a slow trainwreck that you're forced to watch for over two hours. While the beers we tried and enjoyed were worth the time spent, we have some questions and concerns about this film and how hard it is to watch. 

We purchased a few Irish beers to sample (Guinness, Smithwicks, and Harps) and an American Milk Stout from Left Hand Brewing to contrast against those. We discuss each briefly and highly recommend that you find something you'll enjoy while watching regardless of its origin - foreign or domestic. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 13: 1917

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss the WW1 film 1917 by Sam Mendez. A challenging and visually stunning film based in 1917 that follows a couple of soldiers as they traverse the German front line to deliver an important letter to another British military unit. 

We were able to enjoy this movie at the St. Johns Twin Cinemas here in Portland and enjoyed a couple of small pitchers of Ex Novo's Hoppy Pilsner. We all enjoyed this film but had some reservations about the beer. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 12: Uncut Gems

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we review the film Uncut Gems. This is a great film that follows a jewelry dealer in New York in 2012 as he gambles everything on that 'big win'. 

There are guest appearances by professional (NBA) basketball players and a few well-known Hollywood actors to support an amazing script/story and film. With the film, we enjoyed a locally produced beer, New England/Juicy IPA Orange Whip by Fortside Brewing in Vancouver WA.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 11: Parasite

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we review Parasite, a dark comedy from South Korean (foreign film with subtitles), and briefly discuss the beers we drank at Cinema 21 in Portland OR while watching it.

This is one of the best movies of the past few years that we've seen. Amazing storytelling, amazing acting, plot twists, an examination of the society, and how rich and poor treat each other. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 10: Zombieland 2 Doubletap

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss Zombieland Doubletap, a followup film to the first Zombieland that came out 10 years ago. We watched this film and enjoyed three different beers at the Livingroom Theaters in downtown Portland OR.

We really enjoyed this "zom-bedy" (zombie comedy) as the writing and actors don't take themselves too seriously. They break the fourth wall occasionally and even make fun of the way they portray zombies. Overall a fun film and the beers we picked to go with it were spot on. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 9: Joker

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss the Joker, a film the three of us watched at Regal Cinemas at the Fox Tower in downtown Portland OR. We also discuss each of the beers we enjoyed while screening the film. 

This comic book movie isn’t as much of a superhero film that is a retelling of a comic book character's origin story. It's a direct homage to the 1970's movies that portrayed society and its faults directly. Director Todd Phillips casts Joaquin Phoenix as a mentally ill professional clown Authur Fleck whose life starts to unravel, leading to the birth of the "Joker".

Movie And A Beer Episode 8: Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we enjoy Sierra Nevada Brewing's Oktoberfest, a collaboration beer with Bitburger Brewing in Germany. This German-style lager is 6% ABV and is more true to the style than other US brewers make. It is a wonderful full-bodied and mildly sweet beer that was brewed with Bitburger’s custom 'house' yeast and secret hop blend called Siegelhopfen.

As it's the Halloween season, we picked a horror/slasher genre film to watch with this great beer. The Banana Splits came out in 2019 and unfortunately, this movie left us with a sour taste in our mouth. It's about a long-running children's TV show that does live studio tapings and follows a family that attends one of these. Fleegle, Bingo, Drooper and Snorky are the animatronic characters that perform and are programmed by a mad scientist with the premise that 'The show must go on'. With the cancellation of the show by the network, the robots go crazy and start killing off the audience and other performers and crew. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 7: Sam Adams '76

On this episode of Movie and a Beer, we review Sam Adams ‘76, a new session American Pilsner by the Boston Beer Company. Labeled as 'crushable' or what we refer to as 'sessionable', this lighter (4.7% ABV) lager is a medium-bodied and refreshing take that goes well with most casual beer drinking. 

The movie we paired and watched with this beer was Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle, starring Himesh Patel as Jack Malik, a struggling musician who finds himself being one of only a few people that remembers/knows the Beatles. The movie follows Jack as he realizes that he can become a world-famous musician using the songs of the Beatles. While this is an interesting 'What-If/Rom-Com' film, it's shallow and relies heavily on the music to help the story along. 

Movie And A Beer Episode 6: Mirror Pond Pale Ale

On this episode of Movie And A Beer, we first review the Mirror Pond Pale Ale, one of the long-time favorites of the Portland beer scene.  This Pale Ale has been around for over 30 years and provides a consistent and classic approach to this style of beers in the northwest.

We then discuss the three movies we've watched to pair up with this beer to include: The Raid: Redemption, a great martial arts/cop flick; Blade Runner 2014, the film-noir follow up to one of the greatest sci-fi movies in the past 30 years; and finally Back to the Future 2, which continues the saga of Marty McFly and his time-traveling exploits.  

Movie And A Beer Episode 5: Rocketman

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we discuss the music-biopic Rocketman, the story of Sir Elton John's early life and career told through his career and life's experiences while enjoying a wonderful Belgian Trappist beer.

Even if you aren't familiar with his music, you'll enjoy this movie as it touches on the challenges that we all face in life as we grow up, become adults, and 'face the music'. It's got some wonderful acting and signing by Taron Egerton who plays Sir Elton John and highlights the challenges musicians face within the music industry during the 1970-1980's.

Movie And A Beer Episode 4: Pokémon Detective Pikachu

In this episode of Movie And A Beer, we discuss the movie Pokémon Detective Pikachu and what beer we recommend to enjoy while watching this at the theater or at home.

Even if you're not a fan of the Pokémon game, anime, cartoons, manga, films, or characters, we think you'll enjoy this film with your kids (7+ age) or with friends. It has a great visual appeal with amazing CG environments and Pokémon, the story follows a young adult as he deals with the disappearance of a parent and his feelings towards his current place in life. Ryan Reynolds voices Pikachu and brings a lot of support to the sometimes flat acting and storyline.