Rye Smile Films

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

This week we go all the way back to 1935 to discuss the original bride and one of the cinema's earliest sequels with The Bride of Frankenstein. Journey with us as we discuss this second part that introduces zany characters, a campy tone, and a revised look for Karloff's Monster. Is this one of the best sequels ever made or is it simply too short to tell the story? So pour some rye, grab your Frankenstein high top shoes and Bride wig, and get ready for a new era of Gods and Monsters. Cheers!

The Bride! (2026)

On this week's episode we venture to the 1930s to discuss the new reimagining of classic monster characters mixed with a twinge of Bonnie and Clyde with Maggie Gyllenhaal's The Bride! Journey with us as we discuss this off the walls crime/monster/romance with all the unique performances and all the wild moments that left us talking or scratching our heads. Is this new take misunderstood or does it have too many ideas for its own good? So pour some rye, do the monster mash, and get to meet Frank and his Bride. Cheers!

MaXXXine (2024)

This week we wrap our time with the X/Pearl trilogy with the final divisive film in that puts Maxine Minx in 1985 Hollywood with MaXXXine. Journey with us as we discuss this horror/thriller and how it pays homage to the Italian Giallo and the films of Brian De Palma. We discuss all the unique call backs to the series and the satire on Hollywood itself. Is this the weakest film in the trilogy or is it completely misunderstood? So pour some rye, VHS copy of The Puritan, and get ready to become a movie star. Cheers!

X (2022)

On this week's episode we continue our cask all around the slasher world of Maxine Minx and Pearl with the 70s era set, X. Journey with us as we discuss this film of dueling halves, the uses of music, the direction from Ti West, and moments that truly come out of nowhere. Is this the best film of the trilogy or the stagnant middle chapter? So pour some rye, load up some film in the camera, and beware of old people. Cheers!

Pearl (2022)

On this week's episode we venture to the world of Ti West and Mia Goth as we dive into the prequel entry of their horror trilogy with Pearl. Journey with us as we discuss this wild origin story for a character that had already made her appearance and how this character study sheds lights on the films to come. Is this the best entry of this modern horror trilogy or is it hampered by limited locations and budget? So pour some rye, set the table, and don't forget to feed Theda. Cheers!

Police Story (1985)

On this week's episode we wrap up our Martial Arts cask by looking at superstar Jackie Chan and one of his earlier films that best shows his unique brand of action and comedy with Police Story. Journey with us as we discuss this unique talent and his upbringing along with dissecting some of the most dynamic action scenes of all time. But is this still a good movie despite all of its praise for the action sequences? So pour some rye, grab an umbrella for your bus ride, and get ready to look for a glass repair specialist. Cheers!

Bloodsport (1988)

This week we step back into the fighting arena with Jean-Claude Van Damme and the film that gave him his big break with Bloodsport. Journey with us as we discuss this wild tournament filled with so many unique fighters while also talking about Cannon Films. Is this an underrated action movie gem or is it to schlocky for its own good? So pour some rye, do the splits while overlooking Hong Kong, and get ready for the Kumite! Kumite! Kumite! Cheers!

Enter the Dragon (1973)

This week we sign up for Han's Tournament and discuss one of the great legends of cinema in Bruce Lee and his seminal film, Enter the Dragon. Journey with us as we discuss the life and career of Mr. Lee and how influential this Hollywood produced martial arts film actually was. But is Enter the Dragon a good film or best when highlighting the talents of Bruce Lee? So pour some rye, get your John Saxon approved turtleneck sweater, and get ready for the ultimate showdown at Han's Tournament. Cheers!

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

Our adventure through Middle Earth comes to a close as we make the final trek to Mount Doom with the epic Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Journey with us as special guest Jonathan as we go over all those extended scenes and how Peter Jackson decided to adapt certain aspects of the book. We discuss the wide cast of characters and those legendary battle sequences. Is this the last great fantasy epic or is it too much of a slog to get through? So pour some rye, grab the one ring to rule them all, and get ready to cast it into the fire to save Middle Earth. Cheers!

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Our quest to Mount Doom continues as we catch up with our companions and all the raised stakes with The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Journey with us and special guest Jonathan as we dive into this wild sequel that puts the pieces in place for its inevitable finale. We discuss everything Gollum and the show stopping scene that is Helm's Deep. Is this one of the best sequels of all time or is hampered by being the second act of a three act film? So pour some rye, cook up some taters, and get ready to showdown with Gollum and a whole bunch of nasty orcs. Cheers!

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The time has come to go on a journey to destroy the Ring of Power and discuss one of the biggest film trilogies of all time and up first is the Fellowship of the Ring. Journey with us and special guest Jonathan as we discuss this dense story and the long road to get this trilogy made. This ensemble cast will be talked about along with the differences from the source text. Is this the most important film of the 21st Century or is it too boring for its own good? So pour some rye, grab your second breakfast, and get ready for the long trek to Mount Doom. Cheers!

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)

On this week's episode we wrap up our time with the Judd Apatow comedies and an awkward trip to Hawaii with Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Journey with us as we discuss this wild cast and the fun screenplay that comes from actor Jason Segel. Listen as we quote this film up and down and breakdown all those amazing supporting characters. Is this a modern comedy classic or is this another standard break-up movie? So pour some rye, grab your Dracula puppet, and get ready because the weather outside is weather. Cheers!

Superbad (2007)

This week we venture back to high school for one crazy night with the cult comedy classic, Superbad. Journey with us as we discuss this autobiographical script from Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and how it fits into the mold of a Judd Apatow comedy. Is this the quintessential high school comedy or is it too crass for most audiences? So pour some rye, grab your McLovin ID, and get ready for the final high school adventure with Seth and Evan. Cheers!

Frankenstein (2025)

This week we serve up some small batch film review with one of the year's most anticipated films and our first time talking about Guillermo del Toro with Frankenstein. Journey with us as we discuss this new adaptation of the classic Mary Shelley novel along with all the design elements that really make this film stand out. And what about the creature himself and his unique design? Is this a modern horror/dramatic masterpiece or is it too dense for its own good? So pour some rye, grab your lab coat, and get ready for an age of Gods and Monsters from Mr. del Toro. Cheers!

The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005)

On this week's episode we start a new film review cask built all around the comedy universe of Judd Apatow and up first is his directorial debut with The 40 Year Old Virgin. Journey with us as we discuss this high concept screenplay and the scenes that made this film a sneaky box office hit. We also discuss the early starts of this comedic cast. Is this still funny 20 years later or has it aged poorly? So pour some rye, grab your still in the box action figures, and don't forget the hot wax. Cheers!

Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)

We wrap up our time with Slasher Sevens by welcoming back Jamie Lee Curtis to the Halloween franchise with Halloween H20: 20 Years Later. Journey with us as we discuss this sequel that pits Michael Myers against Laurie Strode and how it reinvents itself with a new timeline and with a post-Scream influence. Is this the sequel to finally get the series going again or is this a poor attempt to bring back legacy characters? So pour some rye, grab you CGI Michael Myers mask, and get ready to face off with the boogeyman. Cheers!

New Nightmare (1994)

This week we return to Elm Street to do battle with Freddy Krueger once more but this time in the real world with the real actors of the film in New Nightmare. Journey with us as we discuss this wild slasher revival that brings Wes Craven back into the fold as writer/director and a story that blurs the lines with film and reality. Is this the jumpstart the franchise needs or is this meta idea too ridiculous for its own good? So pour some rye, get your T-Rex stuffed animal, and don't forget to read the script. Cheers!

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

On this week's episode we return to the world of the big 3 slasher franchises to discuss the "Magnificent Sevens" and up first we go to Crystal Lake to discuss Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood. Journey with us as we discuss this wild sequel that pits Jason against a telepath in the first film to feature Kane Hodder as the hockey mask killer. Does this film represent the downward spiral of the franchise or does it have some cult film appeal? So pour some rye, grab a can of Slice soda, and be sure to stay away from sleeping bags. Cheers!

Manhunter (1986)

This week, the 'Bowl of Horror' cask comes to a close as we look at the first film to feature the world of Hannibal Lecter with Manhunter. Journey with us as we discuss this adaptation, it's casting, and filmmaker Michael Mann for the very first time. Is this an underseen 1980s thriller or has this story been done better by other films in the series? So pour some rye, grab your tape recorder, and get ready to take down The Tooth Fairy. Cheers!

Rye Smile Rewind: Let the Right One In (2008)

This week we go back in time to revisit our "Passport to Horror" cask with a look back at our episode on Let the Right One In. Journey with us and special guest Dan as we dive into the world of a small but might vampire and the friendship that begins with the next door neighbor. Is this still one of the best modern vampire films? So pour some rye, get your snow shoes, and looks the doors and windows for vampires. Cheers!