Movie And A Beer

On our third and final installment of "What kind of zombie is this?" we at Movie And A Beer enjoyed the 2016 Korean horror film Train To Busan. While the movie does a great job of portraying the tension and horror of a zombie outbreak, it also includes some parallels with the social standings and class attitudes that exist within Korean society. It follows a well-to-do fund manager who's neglected daughter convinces her father to take her to visit her estranged mother who lives in Busan via train. The outbreak provides the father with the opportunity to discover what really matters as a human, not just money and prestige. 

Along for the ride, we sampled a variety of flavored Makgulli (rice wine with lactose) and a couple of Sojus (rice wine). These were both surprising and enjoyable as the film was. Give the episode a listen to hear more about rice wines and other Korean drinks and our take on how these foreign films are successful in using zombies as a story telling backdrop.  

On this second installment of "what kind of Zombie are they", Movie And A Beer explores Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead, a Japanese buddy horror film that takes place during a zombie apocalypse in Tokyo. It follows Akira Tendo, a worker drone who's existence is only driven by his sadistic boss. Figuring out he no longer has to go to work, Akira discovers he can actually live his life to the fullest. The action and storytelling are well done, there is some manga style adaptation to the film towards the end, so if you're a fan of that, this movie is for you. 

We had a couple of decent beers with this movie as well. A Japanese rice lager from Crux Fermentation Project (OR), and a robust porter from Little Beast Brewing (OR). Both were pleasant but we did find one was a bit more on-point for the action on the screen. Give this episode a listen to hear about what makes a robust porter "robust" and a brief discussion on adjunct lagering. 

On this zombie driven episode of Movie And A Beer, we watched Apocalipsis Z: El principio del fin, a 2024 Spanish zombie action film staring Francisco Ortiz as Manel. He's a regular guy (lawyer and engineer) trying to make his way through grief and the zombie apocalypse with his wife's cat, Lúculo who represents all that he's fighting for. This isn't your typical horror film, it wouldn't even get a R rating here in the states. It's extremely well directed, written, acted, and shot and tells a great story without relying on the tropes usually associated with zombie films.

We did have a couple of amazing beers with this film as well. A west coast IPA from Boneyard Brewing (OR) and a CDA or Black IPA from ColdFire Brewing (OR). Both were exceptional in their flavor profiles and we really loved them along with this film. Give the episode a listen to hear more about CDA's and the importance of balance in beers.  

On this late 80's episode of Movie And A Beer we watched Miracle Mile, a film about an unlucky guy who first meets the love of his life at the Labara Tarpits Museum (in LA), plays some jazz music for her at a concert, then oversleeps his date later that night only to discover the world's ending in an hour. What does he do? He of course goes to save the girl just to be caught up in a tangled mess of poor decisions and the world ending. 

While that might sound like a huge mess to wade through, the film does hold our interest and we had a couple of amazing beers to sip along the way. First was a collab Fest beer by Gold Dot and Hetty Alice, and the second was an American Brown from now defunct Mt. Tabor Brewing. Listen in for some re-write recommendations and our thoughts on these two exceptional beers. 

We welcome episode 150 of the Movie And A Beer podcast with a delightful thriller movie The Wrath of Becky, which borrows from it's predecessors in the genre with the simple story, excellent acting, and overall appeal to crossover humor, horror, and thriller/revenge films. "You killed my dog..." as a phrase comes to mind. Becky is a distraught teenager trying to find her way through life after a tragic set of events and now is faced with another set of unfortunate circumstances which lead her down a path of revenge and hate. 

While the movie proved that it could punch above it's weight, the two seasonal beers we had, first a pumpkin ale from Grains of Wrath (WA), and a stout from Culmination Brewing (OR) both didn't perform as well as expected with the film. Listen in as we discuss pumpkin spice, stouts and how sequels can be better than their first. 

We celebrate a couple of birthdays on Movie And A Beer with Detective K: Secret Of The Living Dead, a wonderful 2018 Korean historical horror drama that provides the audience with a lot of laughs and some great lessons in how to get revenge against those that have wronged you. Examining just how human vampires can be, the story provides some insights into feudal Korea and how injustices often were justified when trying to hold onto power. 

We had a couple of great beers with this film, a West Coast style lager from Funky Fauna (OR), and a Czech Dark Lager from Wayfinder. Both went really well and we discuss what the decoction method in brewing is during the episode. Give it a listen to hear more. 

This episode of Movie And A Beer brings us a coming of age story based in the 1960's through the lens of kids playing baseball in the film The Sandlot. Newly moved to a new neighborhood, Scottie Smalls (Thomas Guiry) learns how to play baseball while having the summer of his young life. He makes fast friends with his teammates and goes on a number of amazing journeys and faces the Beast to retrieve his fathers signed baseball. 

We were lucky to try a couple of beers that were related to both baseball and things from our childhood. An imperial/double IPA from Chapman Brewing (CA) with some cool-aid like vibes and from Stormbreaker Brewing (OR) the official beer (IPA) of the Portland Pickles baseball team. Listen in on the episode to hear about this great story and these beers. 

On this action packed foreign film episode of Movie And A Beer we watched Kill, a recent movie out of India with 90 minutes of knife wielding mania.  What should be a simple Romeo-and-Juliet style love story between an army commando Amrit and his true love Tulika whom is engaged against her will, they are faced with a gang of knife-wielding thieves led by the ruthless Fani (Raghav Juyal) who terrorize innocent passengers on his train and then the killing begins. 

We sampled a couple of excellent pale ales for this movie, one from Olympia WA by Ilk Beer and the second was by Ruse Brewing (OR). Both were tasty, exemplified the style, and had lots to offer, but one really did go better than the other. Give the episode a listen to hear about this often overlooked beer style and our thoughts on this great action film. 

Movie And A Beer celebrate Portland Pride with this excellent 2024 campy horror drag film from Tubi titled Slay. Along with our special guest host James, we discuss the in's and out's of drag performances when faced with the challenges of a Texas roadhouse, an unfriendly crowd, and of course vampires. With excellent production quality and writing, this movie provides great entertainment and a positive message to the audience of acceptance of one-self and others. 

We were super lucky to find a couple of local beers from Gigantic Brewing (OR) that featured local drag legends, Darcelle (Blond IPA) and a Beermosa by Poison Waters. We discuss their importance to the local Portland scene and how well the beers provided refreshment for the movie. Give the episode a listen to learn about drag and it's importance when faced with adversity.  

On this July 4th nature documentary adjacent installment of Movie And A Beer, we enjoyed the peaceful serenity of the movie Sasquatch Sunset along with our coastal friend Jason whom once again, provides us with some amazing insight and discourse. This somewhat controversial film follows the life of a sasquatch family over the course of a year in the wilds. With potty humor, beautiful cinematography, and a breathtaking soundtrack, this film is definitely worth your while. 

We sought out a couple of beers to sip with this amazing piece of film. First was a Yeti variation from Great Divide Brewing (CO) and the other was a simple and cheap American Lager from 10 Barrel Brewing (OR). Both were exceptional, but one was a clear crowd favorite. Give the episode a listen to hear why and share with us the excitement of this film. 

Here we are, another flashback to the 80's episode of Movie And A Beer! This time around it's Weird Science, a John Hughes coming of age film about a couple of high school misfit nerds who use their computer to create/simulate their perfect woman "Lisa". She's played by Kelly LeBrock who turns their world upside down in just a few days. This movie doesn't hold up well but it is worth watching as it's a time capsule back to 1985 in suburban America. 

We were really fortunate to have both Otto and Randal as guests hosts for this episode and there were pretzels to enjoy along the way besides the two beers that some of us enjoyed. The first beer was a Helles from Bizarre Brewing (WA) and the second was an IPA from Von Ebert Brewing (OR). Both went well, the snacks were on point, and the discussion was fun. Listen in to hear more about pretzels and the movie. 

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we bring together an interesting set of plot twists and turn with the all up in your face violent revenge film in Boy Kills World. Starring Bill Skarsgård as the mute (deaf and unable to speak) child who was raised to become a killer and take revenge for his families murder, he slowly and sure comes to realize that not all things from his past are as he remembers and that he may be doing the wrong things for the wrong person. 

We enjoyed a couple of beers based on their can art and names as they related to this film, however one went way better than the other. A Mexican lager from Level (OR) and a dry hopped pale ale from Oak Union (OR). Give the episode a listen to hear which was the better and learn a few things about this style of beer. 

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we had a special guest host with us to experience an amazing time traveling artistic masterpiece, La Jetée. Released in 1962 by French director Chris Marker it consists of almost entirely still black and white photos, and tells the stable time loop story of a post-nuclear war experiment in time travel. It is 28 minutes long but holds your attention through calming visuals and narration. The more recent movie and TV show 12 Monkies were both based off of this short film. 

We selected a couple of craft ciders to sip along with this great story, one was imported from France and the other was produced by Shilling Cider (WA). One of them really worked along with the film while the other, not so much. Give the episode a listen to hear more about this and the use of narrative in film!

On this war/spy/heist episode of Move And A Beer, we watched The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, a film by Guy Ritchie that stars a bunch of really great actors including Henry Cavill as Gus who leads the group of motley soldiers to take out a secret German submarine restocking base on the coast of Africa. The film is really well done and surprisingly entertaining from start to finish. AND it's also based on true/real events that was recently declassified from the papers of Winston Churchill, so double bonus. 

We were lucky to have a British brown ale from Newcastle to start the movie with, and then we moved onto an Extra Pale Ale by Alvarado Street (CA) which heightened the excitement on the screen. Give the episode a listen to hear about these great beers and our take on this amazing historical spy drama. 

On this throw back to the old days of police car chases and suspense, we watched Bullitt, the classic 1968 cop drama that set the bar for much of the cinema today in regards to car chase scenes. This action film is one of the greats from the 60's, it's up there with any of the Bond films and provides a great platform to discuss film making from that era. 

We enjoyed a couple of phenomenal local beers along with the film. First was a Pilsner from Everybody's Brewing (WA), and the second was a hazy IPA from VICE beer (WA). Both were amazing in their own ways, give the episode a listen to hear about them, the brewing process, and some insights into the use of the chase scene in other films. 

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we're going deep into the heart of Texas with the documentary Boys State. It follows the program of the American Legion developed from the concept that youth should be offered a better perspective of the practical operation of government; that the individual is an integral part, and commensurately responsible, for the character and success of his government.  So, spend a week with 1000+ 17 year old kids on the UT at Austin campus for a week. We do dig into the concept of the film and our thoughts on how the topic was presented and concluded it's worth watching if you're interested in politics, but beyond that, it's pretty dry. 

Along with the youth on the screen, we decided to first go with a Non-Alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing (CT) to salute their efforts, and then followed it up with a shaman-inspired cold-red-IPA from Oak Union Brewing (OR). Give the episode a listen to hear more about these and learn a few things about what makes a good documentary. 

On this spy-centric episode of Movie And A Beer, we enjoyed Kingsmen: The Secret Service, a 2015 film by Matthew Vaughn staring Taron Egerton as Eggsy, a London street thug that's been given an opportunity to become a part of a secret spy agency in England who's first job is to save the world from a crazy tech-billionaire played by Samuel L. Jackson. 

We had a great time watching this and sipping a British beer from Fullers and an ESB by local brewery Away Days (OR). Both were exceptional and went really well with the movie, we even digress into discussing cask beers and what to expect from traditional British style beers. Give the episode a listen to hear all about it. 

On this episode of Movie And A Beer we're brought into a fantasy realm of kingdoms, dragons, and sacrifice staring Millie Bobby Brown in Damsel. It really tries to turn the tropes and typical fantasy movie on it's head while still doing the typical things you find in a fantasy story. We found the aspects of this film interesting in how one might interpret who's actually the 'damsel' in it.

Along the way we also had a couple of interesting locally produced beers to sip. A soft IPA from Kings and Daughters Brewing (OR), and a Mexican lager from Gigantic Brewing (OR). While both had their merits, one really stood out. Not just from the can art and story behind the beer, but also the flavor and approach. Give the episode a listen to learn more about them both.

On this episode of Movie And A Beer, we go on a mission from God, one that lands Jake and Elwood behind bars, but only after saving the orphanage. The Blues Brothers is an iconic music comedy film from the early 1980's that lends itself to more of an SNL sketch than full length film, but somehow it pulls off some movie magic and has become a part of our music and comedy culture. 

Along for the ride we had a couple of great beers, a black lager from Moonlight Brewing (CA), and a really wonderful NE style IPA from Fortside Brewing (WA) that perhaps holds the namesake of the movie. Listen in as we discuss the in's-and-out's of movie magic, storytelling, and how beer and music can make your movie experience an even greater one! 

On this car chasing Aussie accented episode of Movie And A Beer, we enjoyed Mad Max: Fury Road and a couple of amazing beers along the way. This is more of a soft reboot than a prequel or continuation of the Mad Max franchise. With amazing actors, action, and a compelling story, the movie brings us along for an amazing ride through the post-apocalyptic landscape of the Australian outback. 

We were lucky and picked a couple of great beers based on both can artwork and the relationship to the film. The first was a milk-stout from Left Hand Brewing (CO) and it's not hard to figure out why we picked that, considering the main character is missing their left hand, and then a west coast style IPA from Grains of Wrath (WA) Brewing that lent itself to the intensity of the film. Give the episode a listen to hear more about these great beers and this thrill ride of a movie.