Reel Ripe & Reel Rotten

Denzel Washington has been acting in Hollywood since early in the 1980’s but his highest rated film is 2016’s Fences, which stands at 94% on RottenTomatoes. Originally a theatrical play, the film is a showcase of writing and acting (Washington both directed and stars in the film). Featuring a tight-knit family in 1950s Pittsburgh, Fences is... The post Denzel Washington – Fences (94%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

In our first “B-Roll” episode (where we discuss a film of our choosing from the topics filmography), we discuss the 2002 neo-noir sci-fi thriller, Minority Report! Featuring a plot that examines the battle of free will and determinism, Minority Report is a solid sci-fi movie that might be a tad underrated. How does Cruise work... The post B-Roll: Spielberg & Cruise – Minority Report appeared first on The Pensky File.

Hook might have been excessive and over the top, but it also might have been an attempt to recapture the feeling of E.T.? We discuss the 98% film and try to figure out where the love comes from, and if it’s deserved. Spielberg has been criticized for being schmaltzy and melodramatic, and does it all... The post Steven Spielberg – E.T. (98%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

Steven Spielberg is the highest grossing Hollywood director of all time, and is considered to be one of the greatest filmmakers that the world has ever seen. But even still, he did make “Hook” which is at 29% on Rotten Tomatoes! Clay and Wes discuss the two and a half hour long take on Peter... The post Steven Spielberg – Hook (29%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

Risky Business launched Cruise’s career, and it also ended its directors! A 96% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Risky Business features Cruise as a high school senior who learns some hard lessons about life and prostitution while trying to get into an Ivy League school. Does the satire and tone hold up in 2018, or... The post Tom Cruise – Risky Business (96%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

The power running, intensely emoting, Xenu worshipping Tom Cruise is the next subject of Reel Ripe & Reel Rotten! In this episode we start at the bottom with Cocktail, a 1988 film that currently sits at 5% on Rotten Tomatoes. Cruise plays an up and coming bartender who is unhappy with life at TGIFridays and... The post Tom Cruise – Cocktail (5%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

A Good Year is a perfect example of a director taking on a genre that they are ill suited to handle. A romantic comedy that features very little romance and almost no comedy, A Good Year has Russell Crowe playing an unethical day trader who comes into possession of a vineyard in southern France. His... The post Ridley Scott – A Good Year (25%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

Famed director Ridley Scott is this month’s focus, and we kick things off with the modern classic, “Alien”, which is currently at 97% on RottenTomatoes! When the crew of a towing spaceship intercepts a message from a nearby planetoid, their investigation leads to the discovery of an incredibly dangerous life form. Clay and I discuss... The post Ridley Scott – Alien (97%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

After covering Patrick Stewart last month, it’s time for Clay and Wes to discuss a director! We put the selection up to a vote on Patreon.com, and this short episode will let you know which director we’ll be covering, and which films we’ll be discussing in December 2017. The post December 2017 appeared first on The Pensky File.

After discussing Stewart’s nuanced performance in “Logan”, Clay and I discuss a holiday movie that has no nuance whatsoever. It’s 2015’s “Christmas Eve“! The film may list Patrick Stewart as the lead role, but it’s actually an ensemble piece that tells the stories of six groups of New Yorkers who are all stuck in elevators... The post Patrick Stewart – Christmas Eve (0%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

“Logan” is a 2017 superhero film that features Patrick Stewart as Charles Xavier (the 7th time he’s played that character), the leader of the mutant group called the X-Men. Set in the near future, “Logan” is a genre defying story that features a sick and dying Professor X, a sick and dying Wolverine, and a... The post Patrick Stewart – Logan (93%) appeared first on The Pensky File.

This podcast takes a look at the highs and lows of your favorite Hollywood artists! Each month, Wes and Clay will use Rotten Tomatoes to determine the best and worst film in one individuals filmography. Then you can listen along as they try to figure out what went right and what went wrong! In this... The post Reel Ripe & Reel Rotten: Introduction appeared first on The Pensky File.