Does Lightyear go boldly were no Disney-Pixar film has gone before? Not really. But the film is leaving critics and fans divided, including us. Chris Evans voices Buzz instead of Tim Allen. The movie is not exactly tied to the Toy Story universe. But it does boast a new slate of characters that are very memorable – including one sweet robo-cat. Find out why Lightyear is creating a buzz in this review. Find out more at https://whiskeyandpopcorn.pinecast.co

After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete Mitchell, aka Maverick, á la Tom Cruise, is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. But then he is pulled into duty as a Top Gun instructor. His mission, (should he choose to accept it!) is to train the best of the best for a dire mission unlike anything these pilots have seen before. Diehard fans of the original might be surprised...

Jurassic World Dominion is the third and final film in the rebooted Jurassic Park franchise. This time the original cast is thrown in with the new cast and the dinosaurs are literally all over the world. Is this film the epic conclusion it's touted to be? Or more like T. Rex fodder? And just how did host Kaely Monahan convince her editors to allow a full podcast on Arizona's dinosaurs? Find out in this episode of Whiskey and Popcorn! Find out more at https://whiskeyandpopcorn.pinecast.co

The Belcher's are on the big screen serving up their biggest adventure to date. Literally. The family is faced with possible closure by their bank and landlord if they don't manage to pay up in time. To make matters worse a sink hole opens right in front of their door. What's a family to do? For the Belcher's they keep on carrying on! Fans of the TV show will be charmed by this movie, if have strong opinions on it, and those who haven't watched it will find it a great introduction. Listen...

Nicholas Cage takes on his greatest performance yet as...himself. In 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent' Cage is playing a fictionalized version of himself. As a washed up, overhyped, actor, he struggles to find work in a town that is no longer interested in him. On top of that, his relationship with his ex-wife and daughter are on the rocks. Then comes a chance to earn some money by traveling to Spain to visit a super fan. Turns out, this fan is part of the Spanish mafia. But this...

The "Fantastic Beasts" franchise feels more like a wounded animal at this point. While highly anticipated, "Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore" earned 31% less than its predecessor "Crimes of Grindelwald." While there was nothing particularly faulty with the film, the franchise feels boring and tired. Take a listen to our review to find out why. Find out more at https://whiskeyandpopcorn.pinecast.co

The 22nd Phoenix Film Festival is here and Whiskey and Popcorn is back at it. Hosts Kaely Monahan and Tuesday Mahrle caught up with the festival's executive director, Jason Carney, to chat this year's highlights, doing multiple festivals so close to one another, and COVID precautions. You can get tickets and schedule details to PFF 22 at www.phoenixfilmfestival.com. Make sure to like and subscribe for more local, Phoenix and Arizona movie news and reviews. Find out more at...

"We are all running from something" is the tagline line for this Maine-made movie. Downeast takes the noir genre and gives it a 2021 update. Lobsterer Tommy lives in a small fishing town that is under the thumb of a gangster. Emma is the sister of his now deceased friend Mikey. The need for answers and closure drive Emma to return to the town. But secrets lie around every lobster trap, and a dangerous game of cat and mouse begins. Downeast won Best Ensemble at the Phoenix Film Festival,...

It's 2025. Kyoka works as a web director in Tokyo. She's still grieving a breakup that tears at her heart. Lonely she decides to purchase a personal care humanoid, a PCH. He arrives and she names him Kai. Able to simulate 60% of human behavior, Kyoka quickly develops feelings for Kai.  But things take a creepier twist when she suddenly discovers she's pregnant. Something that should be impossible.  12 Months of Kai takes the concept of artificial intelligence a step further than most films...

What happens when you call out for one thousand rock musicians to come to your town and play together, all in the hopes of attracting your favorite band? You get an incredible documentary full of joy, spirit, and human greatness. And that's exactly what We Are the Thousand gives us. It's the story about the world's largest rock band and how they got started. Curious about our drink choices? Visit whiskeyandpopcorn.org for the recipes!

Another fun-filled and Arizona-made film, Planet George follows the hijinks of George, a trustworthy doorman fed up with a rash of low-level crimes in the luxury condo complex where he works and lives. With pleas for help going unanswered, by management, George enlists the help of his goofy childhood friend and the pretty girl next door. The mission: solve the mystery of break-ins and reinvent his lackluster life. Curious about our drink choices? Visit whiskeyandpopcorn.org for the recipes!

Beans is the director Tracey Deer's debut feature. Based on true events, twelve-year-old Beans is on the edge: torn between innocent childhood and reckless adolescence; forced to grow up fast and become the tough Mohawk warrior she needs to be during the Oka Crisis, the turbulent Indigenous uprising that tore Quebec and Canada apart for 78 tense days in the summer of 1990. Curious about our drink choices? Visit whiskeyandpopcorn.org for the recipes!

Kicking off our Phoenix Film Festival experience this year, we started with The Immortal Jellyfish. A truly hilarious film that's so off the wall and charming that it easily ranks as one of our top picks this year. Denny, an off-the-grid oddball who calls a nurse hot-line for help with his nasty "fire piss" problem. When a dying man washes ashore, Denny and nurse Linda get caught up in the drama and become madcap partners in crime-solving. Curious about our drink choices? Visit...

Mark Wahlberg and Reid Miller star in this tender story of love, loss, and acceptance. Following the story of father Joe Bell, we learn how his son committed suicided after severe bullying led him to taking his own life. Propelled to walk across the country, Joe tries to come to terms with his son's death while learning to accept his own failings as a parent. This film split us on its merit. Does the story hold up? Is it missing something? Kaely, Tuesday, and returning guest reviewer Jen,...

The story of Anthony Bourdain has in many ways been eclipsed by the shocking news of his suicide. But the chef with the rockstar life style was so much more than that one moment. This incredible artist lived to push boundaries and fill the void in his soul with as much as he could, be it for good or bad. Director Morgan Neville (Won't You Be My Neighbor), pieced together interviews from family, friends, and production team to paint the complex life Tony lived. Choosing to not dwell on...

Kicking off our summer movies is the Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard, starring Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek. It was our first film back in theaters (ahhh movie popcorn!). On it's surface this movie is incredibly stupid, but hosts Kaely and Tuesday fell in love with it. Take a listen to hear why you should see this film! Find out more at https://whiskeyandpopcorn.pinecast.co

Final Account is unlike any World War II documentary you've seen. British filmmaker Luke Holland was drawn to the story of Germany's citizens who lived through the Third Reich not as victims of the Nazis but those who witnessed and even participated in the evil ideology. With interviews from men and women, ranging from SS soldiers to concentration camp guards, Final Account captures Germans' stories and explores Germany's greatest shame from their own perspectives. See Final Account in...

Taking after the incredible film Searching, Director Timur Bekmambetov's Profile makes clever use of the "screenlife" film technique to tell the story of a journalist who attempts to infiltrate the ISIS recruitment scheme for young women. Based on a true story, the narrative's promise is quickly dashed as the film turns away from the actual events of the story to a bloated, infuriating opera of a woman falling in love with the bad guy. Do we recommend this film? You'll have to listen to...

CODA kicked off our Sundance 2021 experience, and what a way to begin! Hosts Kaely and ASL fluent Tuesday offer their insights into how this year's festival went as well as give high marks for this multi-award winning film. Find out more at https://whiskeyandpopcorn.pinecast.co

Minari is a story about a Korean American family who moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home. This is one of our favorite films of 2020, and it is in theaters on February 12 and on demand on February 26th. Find out more at https://whiskeyandpopcorn.pinecast.co

It's that time of year for our annual pilgrimage to the Sundance Film Festival. But it's going to be a bit different this year. Instead of flying up to Park City, Utah, we'll be "remoting in" to the festival to stream the movies and attend the talks and exhibits. Tuesday and Kaely are also super excited to be covering the festival as official press members this year. Here's a preview of just a few of the films we're looking forward to. Make sure to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and...