Gran Torino / Benchmark Single Barrel ft. Noah Gittell

In this episode of Film & Whiskey, Bob and Brad are joined by special guest Noah Gittell, a film critic and journalist, to discuss Clint Eastwood's 2008 drama "Gran Torino." The movie follows an aging Korean War veteran named Walt Kowalski, played by Eastwood himself, who becomes involved with a Hmong family in his neighborhood after witnessing a gang initiation ritual. The hosts and their guest analyze the themes of redemption, racism, and masculinity in the film, as well as the performances of the cast. To accompany this poignant and thought-provoking movie, the hosts and their guest sip on Benchmark Single Barrel, a new $25 whiskey from Buffalo Trace. They review the bourbon and share their tasting notes, as well as some interesting information about its production and aging process. The episode also features some fun segments, such as "Two Facts and a Falsehood" and "Let's Make it a Double," where the hosts recommend other movies and whiskies for listeners to enjoy. They wrap up the episode with their final scores and some preview of what's to come. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to the episode 12:15 - Brad Explains the plot of "Gran Torino" 14:15 - Analysis of themes and performances 36:20 - Review of Benchmark Single Barrel 47:00 - Two Facts and a Falsehood 52:30 - Discussion of Clint Eastwood's direction 1:06:45 - Let's Make it a Double 1:11:00 - Final Scores Bob, Brad, and Noah have a lively and engaging conversation about "Gran Torino," delving into the movie's exploration of racism and cultural differences. They discuss the complex character of Walt Kowalski and Eastwood's performance in the role, as well as the supporting cast. The Benchmark Single Barrel whiskey proves to be a perfect match for the film, with its rich flavors and smooth finish. The hosts and their guest describe the whiskey in detail and offer their opinions on its quality. Listeners will also enjoy the fun segments of the episode, such as the trivia game "Two Facts and a Falsehood" and the recommendations of other great movies and whiskies to try. The hosts and their guest provide insightful analysis and witty banter throughout the episode, making it a must-listen for fans of Eastwood or thought-provoking dramas. Film & Whiskey website: ⁠⁠https://filmwhiskey.com/⁠⁠ ⁠Benchmark website⁠ Film & Whiskey Podcast. New episodes every Tuesday. Theme music: "New Shoes" by Blue Wednesday Film & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ Film & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ Film & Whiskey ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us⁠⁠⁠⁠! ⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Discord server! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/filmwhiskey/support