Rye Smile Films

The Omen (1976)

It's time to get spooky! Rye Smile Films is entering the realm of horror for a new cask called, "Horror Plus One." Up first is a look at The Omen with our special guest, Rob. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the iconic sequences to the casting of Gregory Peck. Is this film still scary or has it become watered down? Our Flight this week asks us to cast a narrator for the film. We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing demon/possession films. So pour a stiff drink, grab your favorite blanket, and get ready for a scary good time. Cheers!

Rocky Balboa (2006)

The Rocky journey comes to an end this week as we tackle the "final" entry in the series, Rocky Balboa. Journey with us as we take this emotional journey to send our protagonist into the sunset properly. Is this maybe the best entry in the series or has the formula become stale by now? Our Flight this week is a creative one to come up with sequels to some beloved sports movies. We wrap up with a Nightcap ranking the Rocky series. So pour some rye, lace up those gloves, and get ready to step into the ring one last time. Cheers!

Rocky V (1990)

This week on Rye Smile Films, listen to Matt and Jesse get TKO'd as they take on Rocky V. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the obscene plot to the climactic street fight, in what was supposed to be the swan song for the franchise. Is this a worthy conclusion or is this a losing effort? Our Flight this week asks, "What is the worst 5th film in a franchise?" We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing our own versions of Rocky V. So pour one or two Ryes, lace up the boxing gloves, and head to the street. Cheers!

Rocky IV (1985)

Ring the bell for round number four as we continue our Rocky franchise cask review with a look at Rocky IV from 1985. Journey with us as we take on the most fast paced film thus far and our most formidable opponent, Ivan Drago. Is this franchise showing signs of fatigue or is this the best entry yet? Our Flight this week asks, "What are your top 3 favorite non-Rocky Stallone roles?" We wrap up with a Nightcap recasting the Rocky films with contemporary actors. So pour some more Rye, grab your birthday robot, and get ready for a boxing war. Cheers!

Rocky III (1982)

It's time to jump back in the ring as we continue our Rocky franchise cask with a look at, Rocky III. Journey with us as we discuss the rise and fall from grace that our lead character goes through. Is this another successful entry into the series or is it already showing signs of fatigue? Our Flight this week is a guest entry which asks, "What is the worst 2nd film in a trilogy?" We wrap up with a Nightcap, also a guest entry, all about which franchises should have stopped after film one. So pour some Rye, grab your boxing gloves, and get ready to reclaim the Eye of the Tiger. Cheers!

Rocky II (1979)

This week we continue with our Rocky franchise cask review and a look at the first sequel, Rocky II. Journey with us as we discuss everything from Apollo Creed to the brilliant training montages. Is this a worthy sequel to the original or does it lose the fight? Our Flight this week asks, "What is your favorite sequel that takes place right after the original?" We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing our favorite films from some of the other Rocky cast members. So pour some more rye, grab your gloves, and get ready for round two. Cheers!

Rocky (1976)

This week we are starting a massive new film review cask that's all about the Rocky franchise starring Sylvester Stallone. Up first is the original that started it all, Rocky, from 1976. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the origins of this film to all the colorful characters shown on the screen. Is this the quintessential boxing film or is there a better one to show the sport. Our Flight this week is a discussion on why we call the show Rye Smile Films. Our Nightcap asks, "What is your favorite film where the hero doesn't win?" So pour some bourbon, grab your boxing gloves, and get ready to head to meet the Italian Stallion. Cheers!

Die Hard (1988)

This week we wrap up our single location cask with a look at the seminal action film of all time, Die Hard. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the tight story to the wide assortment of characters. Is this truly the best action film of all time or have others done it better? Our Flight this week asks, "What are your top 3 favorite Bruce Willis roles?" We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing the best Die Hard knockoffs. So pour some Rye, come out to the coast, and get ready for some yippie-ki-yay action. Cheers!

Reservoir Dogs (1992)

This week we pay a visit to Quentin Tarantino again as we stay in a mostly singular location with a look at, Reservoir Dogs. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the format of the story to the use of music to cover the violence. Is this a worthy debut for the director or is this a lesser effort? Our Flight this week asks, "What is your favorite dialogue sequence from a Tarantino film?" We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing the best first film in a director's filmography. So pour some Rye, leave a tip, and get ready for the heist. Cheers!

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976)

Today we start a brand new film review cask built all around mostly single location films and up first in the John Carpenter cult classic, Assault on Precinct 13. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the low budget ingenuity of Carpenter to that killer soundtrack. Is this still an enjoyable B-Movie or does the lack of money show? Our Flight this week is a discussion of our favorite Carpenter soundtracks. We wrap up this episode with a Nightcap discussing villains from Carpenter films. So pour some Rye, grab a scope of vanilla twist, and get ready to hold off Street Thunder. Cheers!

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003)

It's time to wrap up the "Summer Movie Hall of Shame" with a movie, that on paper is a good idea, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the wide assortment of literary characters to the "plot" of the film. Is this the saving grace for this cask or is this another bomb we have to diffuse? Our Flight this week is a conversation about Sean Connery and some of his legendary roles. We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing who we'd like to see as the villain in a LXG sequel. So pour another stiff drink, grab your sword or lab beakers, and get ready to "assemble" kind of. Cheers!

The Happening (2008)

It's gonna be another rough week for Matt and Jesse as they take a dive at M. Night Shyamalan's, The Happening. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the "antagonist" to all the questionable decisions made in the making of this film. Is this Shyamalan's worst movie or are we being too hard on it? Our Flight this week is a discussion about Shyamalan's filmmaking style. We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing what we've recently seen. So pour another stiff drink, grab your plastic plants, and get ready to take on, The Happening. Cheers!

Battlefield Earth (2000)

Oh this is going to get rough! This week we are starting the "Summer Movie Hall of Shame" and up first is the John Travolta opus, Battlefield Earth. Journey with us as we try to figure out the plot of this thing while talking about how it even got made. Does this film live up to its reputation or is it better than we'd expect? Our Flight this week is a conversation about some interesting movie news regarding Michael Keaton. We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing some recently seen films. So pour a stiff drink, grab your gold, and get ready to take on the Psychlos. Cheers!

Total Recall (1990)

It's time to say "Hasta La Vista" for this film review cask as we wrap up with a look at the 1990 sci-fi film, Total Recall. Journey with us as we discuss this film's origins and break down yet another Paul Verhoeven film. Does this film still feel like a good memory or should it be rekalled for good? Our Flight this week asks, "What sequel to a Schwarzenegger film do you want to see?" We wrap up with a Nightcap by playing the Nintendo version of Total Recall. So pour a nice drink, pack your bags, and get ready to head to Mars. Cheers!

Predator (1987)

It's time to get to the "Choppa" as we continue our Schwarzenegger cask with a look at the sci-fi classic, Predator. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the early Predator designs to the climatic showdown between Arnold and the titular antagonist. Is this film still a trophy in the Predator's collection or has it been bleeding all these years? Our Flight this week asks, "What 3 film characters do you want to see take on The Predator?" We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing our favorite Stan Winston creation. So pour a drink, grab old painless, and get ready for the hunt! Cheers!

The Running Man (1987)

Hasta La Vista! Or rather, the name of our new review cask built all around Arnold Schwarzenegger. Up first is a look at, The Running Man, based on the novel by Richard Bachman. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the story to the intricate layout of the game. Does this film win the top prize or has it lost speed over the year. The Flight this week asks, "Pick 3 game show hosts and cast them as film villains." We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing our favorite dystopian scenarios. So pour a drink, grab your running suit, and get ready for the race of your life. Cheers!

Top Gun (1986)

This week Rye Smile Films feels the need for speed with the final film in our "Summer Box Office Hall of Fame: Part Two" cask with a look at, Top Gun. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the casting to the hit soundtrack. Does this film still hit Mach 4 or is it more inverted? Our Flight for the week asks, "Who are the top 3 actors/actresses who have never won an Oscar?" We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing what Tom Cruise role we'd like to see next. So pour some rye, grab your aviators, and enter the Danger Zone. Cheers!

Back to the Future (1985)

Jump in the time machine and join Rye Smile Films as we discuss the 1985 summer box office champ, Back to the Future. Journey with us as we break down this smart screenplay and discuss everything from the characters to the origins of the story. Does this film fair well in the present or is best left as a relic of the past? Our Flight this week asks, "Who is your favorite movie scientist?" We wrap up with a Nightcap discussing casting changes that worked out well for a film. So pour one on the rocks, grab your flux capacitor, and get ready to head Back to the Future! Cheers!

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

This week we continue with our "Summer Box Office Hall of Fame: Part Two" cask and a look at the mega hit from 1982, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. Journey with us as we discuss everything from the origins of the story to thematic elements of the film. Is this Spielberg's masterpiece or should that honor go to another one of his films? Our Flight this week asks, "What is your most traumatic film moment as a child?" We wrap up this episode with a Nightcap from a special little guest. So pour some rye, grab your Speak & Spell, and get ready to phone home! Cheers!

Batman (1989)

Rye Smile Films is making a return to an old cask with, "The Summer Box Office Hall of Fame: Part Two." Up first is the film that gave us our first iteration of The Dark Knight on the big screen, Batman. Journey with us as we discuss everything from casting to the Prince music. Does this film represent the character well or have other versions done it better? Our Flight this week asks, "Who would you cast for Hugo Strange, Hush, and Jason Todd?" We wrap with a Nightcap discussing our pitches for a Batman story we want told. So pour some dark rye, fire up the Batmobile, and get ready to head to Tim Burton's Gotham. Cheers!