Rye Smile Films

The Mummy (2017)

This week we unearth one last sarcophagus and this one features Tom Cruise and the attempt to create a Dark Universe with The Mummy from 2017. Journey with us as we discuss this wild attempt to create a cinematic universe built all around the Universal Monsters. We detail this troubled production and all the future plans that never came to be. Is this a misunderstood film or were they just in cancelling this universe when it barely got started? So pour some rye, grab your Mr. Hyde potion, and get ready to run alongside Tom Cruise and the Mummy. Cheers!

The Mummy (1999)

This week we re-enter the tomb of Imhotep and take a look at the classic re-imagining of the Universal Monster classic with The Mummy from 1999. Journey with us as we discuss this wildly fun film that mixes swashbuckling adventure with action oriented horror. We discuss the cast which includes Brendan Fraser, the VFX of the times, along with a look at this year's summer blockbusters. Is this the perfect remix of a Universal Monster or should they've made a straight-forward horror film? So pour some rye, grab the Book of the Dead, and watch out for those Scarab Beetles. Cheers!

Lee Cronin's The Mummy (2026)

This week's episode brings us to a new iteration of a mummy story by way of James Wan and Blumhouse with Lee Cronin's The Mummy. Journey with us as we discuss this director's interesting take on a mummy film that is a mishmash of a bunch of different films coupled with some absolutely shocking moments. Is this the fresh interpretation of a modern monster that we've been waiting for or should the sarcophagus stay sealed on this one? So pour some rye, grab an Egyptian chocolate bar, and get ready to find out what happened to Katie. Cheers! 

The Mummy (1932)

This week we open up a new sarcophagus, but really a new film review cask set all around the world of Mummy films and up first we discuss the one that started it all with The Mummy from 1932. Journey with us as we discuss this original Universal Monster and the return of Boris Karloff. We dive into the interesting cast of characters and if this is really just reheated Dracula. Is this a worthy first installment to the Mummy franchise or is it the weakest of all the monster movies? So pour some rye, grab your Scroll of Thoth, and get ready to summon Imhotep. Cheers!

Marty Supreme (2025)

This week we wrap up our latest sports review cask by heading to the world of table tennis or ping pong and one ambitious player in Marty Supreme. Journey with us as we discuss this insane story, an interesting cast of actors, the world of ping pong, and the unique soundtrack from 80s tracks to Tangerine Dream inspired compositions. Is this a new modern classic or is the film just too chaotic for its own good? So pour some rye, get your orange Marty Supreme ping pong balls, and be prepared to be stressed out about a table tennis movie. Cheers!

The Mighty Ducks (1992)

This week our unorthodox sports cask continues as we venture to the world of Walt Disney to talk about the ultimate underdog of youth sports with The Mighty Ducks. Journey with us as we discuss this rag tag group of players led by a couch who barely wants to be there in Gordon Bombay. We discuss the unique approach to the story and a cast the features many memorable faces. Is this one of the better sports offerings of the 1990s or is it too juvenile for its own good? So pour some rye, grab your ice skates, and get ready to Quack, Quack, Quack. Cheers!

The Color of Money (1986)

Sports! It's time to open up a new film review cask, this one built all around three vastly different sports and this week we head to the pool hall to talk about The Color of Money. Journey with us as we discuss this long-gestating sequel to The Hustler and how this film fits into the Martin Scorsese filmography. How did this cast stack up against the original and is this a career best for Paul Newman? Is this a worthy follow-up to the classic film or is it one of Scorsese's worst films? So pour some rye, get your pool cue case, slam some money on the green, and get ready for the hustle. Cheers!

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!