The toys are back in town! In probably our most personal episode yet, we took our kids on their first theater trip to see Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. Join us as we break down the latest adventure where Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the gang face their greatest threat yet: a kid's tablet, Lilypad . We’re discussing the new characters, the emotional beats of this movie and the whole franchise, and whether this sequel truly hits the mark. Shake a drink and join us!

Toy Meets Tech: Discussing the film’s central conflict as traditional toys go head-to-head with modern gadgets like Lilypad.

The Iconic Voice Cast Returns: We reflect on Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack reprising their iconic roles and how some of the characters are starting to sound older.

A Host of New Faces: We discuss and praise some of the new additions of Greta Lee as Lilypad and Conan O'Brien as Smarty Pants.

Evolution of the Franchise and Pixar's Technical Prowess: How does this 2026 release compare to the rest of the Toy Story Saga, and we dive into how Pixar's animation style has changed for better or worse over the years.

The Human Elements of Toy Story: We discuss how the series hits your emotions differently as a kid vs an adult, the emotional aspects of Jessie's storyline within the film, and how tough it can be seeing your kids grow up.

Do you read Sutter Cane? Join Cocktails & Classics as we step into the nightmarish world of John Carpenter’s In the Mouth of Madness. We’re dissecting the mind-bending reality, cosmic horror, and the terrifying influence of horror literature on the screen. From Sam Neill’s mighty morphing accent, his descent into insanity, and the ultimate meta-horror finale, grab a drink and prepare to lose your mind with us in this deep dive.

The Final Movie in The Apocalypse Trilogy: We take a look at the thematic elements of In the Mouth of Madness that make it the third installment of Carpenter’s trilogy.

Too Much Meta-Horror?: We discuss how the film breaks the fourth wall and explores the power of the author/storyteller, but is it too many layers deep at some points?

Lovecraftian Influence: Analyzing the cosmic dread, cults, and the "Great Old Ones" without ever needing a tentacle monster.

The Sutter Cane Phenomenon: We explore how Stephen King and H.P Lovecraft served as inspirations for the film, and how Sutter Cane plays into the greater narrative as the "Villain".

"Carpenterian Monsters": After watching our double feature of John Carpenter movies, does John have a certain "style" of monster?

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It’s all in the reflexes! This week on Cocktails & Classics, we're taking a wild ride with the 1986 John Carpenter masterpiece, "Big Trouble in Little China." Join us as we break down the bumbling charm of Jack Burton, the mystical underworld of Lo Pan, and the genre-bending brilliance of this cult classic. Shake up a drink and join the adventure! Don't miss this deep dive into 80s movie gold.

TOPICS:

The Jack Burton Paradox: Why a "hero" who is constantly out of his depth works so well.
Carpenter’s Genre Fusion: Discussing the blend of martial arts, supernatural fantasy, and 1980s American action.
80s Practical Magic: How the film’s unique look and "bizarre scenarios" hold up today.
Behind the Scenes: Kurt Russell’s performance vs. the "hero" archetype, and the film's legacy as a misunderstood box-office bomb that became a cult phenomenon.