Rye Smile Films

This week we wrap up our Marvel Phase 2 cask by shrinking down to a minuscule size to talk about Ant-Man. Journey with us as we discuss this odd adventure in the MCU and how the characters and inventions set up many things going forward in this cinematic universe, while also diving into the long road to get this movie made. Does Phase 2 go out on a strong note or is Ant-Man one of the weaker Marvel properties? So pour some rye, grab a case of Pym Particles, and get ready for an ant sized adventure. Cheers!

On this week's episode we head to NYC to discuss our favorite friendly neighborhood superhero with Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Journey with us as we discuss this smash sensation and how it picks up the story threads from the last film while our hero battles a clandestine, formidable antagonist that will matter substantially going forward. Is this the sequel we've been waiting five years for or does Peter Parker have too much on his plate? So pour some rye, grab your arachnid inhibitor, and get ready for some web swinging action with some classic Marvel characters. Cheers!

This week we catch up with Earth's Mightiest Heroes as they take on a dreaded form of AI with Avengers: Age of Ultron. Journey with us as we discuss this second adventure with the superhero team and how it raises the stakes while expanding the growing threat of Infinity Stones. We also breakdown the new additions to the cast while seeing how our heroes have changed since their last team-up. Is this film really as bad as its reputation suggests or is this one of the more important films in the entire MCU? So pour some rye, grab the yellow Mind Stone, and get ready to assemble. Cheers!

It's time to load up Awesome Mix Vol. 1 as we take a trip with the Guardians of the Galaxy from 2014. Journey with us as we discuss how obscure this team was before the film and how this was a huge risk for the future of the MCU. We detail these unique characters and how this story lays the groundwork for the rest of the Infinity Saga. Is this one of the more unique superhero films of all time or does the comedic banter get in the way of emotional storytelling? So pour some rye, grab your Sony Walkman, and get ready for a dance off to save the universe. Cheers!

We step back into the Marvel Cinematic Universe to catch up with the First Avenger as he tackles Hydra and an old friend with Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Journey with us as we discuss how the Russo Brothers shape an entirely different type of Captain America film and how it leans into that classic 1970s political thriller. Is this one of the better films of the MCU or are there better iterations of Captain America? So pour some rye, grab your set of Falcon wings, and get ready to go "on your left." Cheers!

This week we get in the way back machine and hop on board a runaway bus that can't go below 50 miles per hour with our classic episode on Speed. Journey with us as we break down the tenants that make this an action movie classic, a near perfect screenplay, and how this very well might be the best "Die Hard on a Blank" film. So check out this classic summer blockbuster again and relive the excitement starring Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, and Dennis Hopper and directed by Jan de Bont. Cheers!

This week we take a trip to Asgard to catch up with the God of Thunder and his second outing in Phase 2 of the MCU with Thor: The Dark World. Journey with us as we discuss this important film in the Infinity Saga story that introduces us to another Infinity Stone and returns an old villain to a more anti-hero state, albeit while the film juggles some interesting story choices and behind the scenes director shuffling. Is this still the weakest of the Thor films or is it vastly better than we remember? So pour some rye, grab Mjolnir off the coat rack, and get ready to stop the Convergence. Cheers!

This week we venture to Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to discuss our favorite armored avenger with Iron Man 3. Journey with us as we discuss this third film that pits Tony Stark against his archenemy, an evil tech company, and Extremis. We discuss the production timeline of this film and how Shane Black leaves his impression on the trilogy. Is this the best of the Iron Man films or are there too many jump the shark moments? So pour some rye, grab your Mark 42 suit, and get ready for another Iron Man adventure. Cheers!

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!

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!

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! 

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!