Chances are you’ve seen a Shane Black movie. He’s had a hand in a plethora of cult classics and Hollywood blockbusters alike. We’ll call his work the Shaneoverse. He started with Lethal Weapon, one of the first movies my father shared with me, which jump-started my love of Black’s signature mix of light humor expertly weaved throughout dark humor. Add intense action, and the noir elements prevalent in his writing, and you’re left with, simply put, a great film. If Lethal Weapon wasn’t enough for you, he also wrote what I consider to be, “my” Goonies: The Monster Squad. Often underappreciated, The Monster Squad is an action movie for kids and kids at heart. It pits evil Dracula along with other classic movie monsters against a stellar team made up of kids and Frankenstein.
What the Shaneoverse does best is Buddy movies. Last Action Hero, Lethal Weapon, The Last Boy Scout, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and Iron Man 3, just to name a few. Black has been writing since 1987 and directing since 2005. This is just a little background on the man behind the latest film to be featured in Spec’s Brewvie Night, The Nice Guys, out in theaters May 20.
The Nice Guys is a new take on the classic 70’s detective story. Full of hit-the-pavement detective work, witticisms, and hilariously high-pitched screams from star Ryan Gosling, the film is a must-see. It represents a return to the heyday of the action movies of the 70’s that also has a few new and exciting twists to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. So what to drink with a movie like this?
Well, I did some very intensive Zach scientific research and found what I think is the perfect beer to go with this film. It’s a new take on a classic and is just as exciting as watching Ryan Gosling fall off of multiple buildings… It is Saint Arnold’s Icon Green German Pale Ale with experimental unnamed hop #7220. It’s a classic pale ale whose body is light golden in color, the nose is bready and fruity, and the taste is, well, pretty fantastic. If you are excepting a bitter first taste you are wrong. You’re hit with an explosion of fruit from the first sip. The beer features hints of pineapple and mango on the front and follows with citrus on the back, complemented by a nice malty, biscuity body. The flavor that lingers after a sip is almost like an orange scone. Not very bitter, but what bitterness there is helps this from being one of those super sweet Pale Ales or IPAs. This varietal reminds me a lot of Nelson Sauvin or a Halleratu Blanc. It sits at a 6.1% ABV, and is excellent at chemistry and balance. The same can be said for The Nice Guys. Black’s writing allows the characters to play off each other non-stop, and showcases the comedic chemistry between stars Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe. The movie is set in Los Angeles, 1978. The first shot of the film pans over a disgraced and dilapidated Hollywood sign, prominently featuring a thick cloud of smog over the city. Just like another Shaneoverse cult classic, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, this is a mystery movie.
The film has a lot of clues that you will need to pay attention to because it all comes together in the end. This film feels like the culmination of the Shaneoverse. The characters are familiar, yet they have their own personalities. The Nice Guys blends Lethal Weapon, The Long Kiss Goodnight and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang into a new, beautiful creature. Black’s directing is simple but clear, showing what you need to see while the story guides you. I highly recommend this movie to people who enjoy action, humor, and of course, the Shaneoverse. I also highly recommend Saint Arnold Icon Green. This new hop flavor has some great and distinct flavors. Pick up a 6 pack of Saint Arnold Icon Green before or after watching this movie at any of your local Spec’s. Go see The Nice Guys opening nationwide May 20, 2016. I would really like to hear your opinions on the combination of this delicious beer and this fantastic movie.
Or if you think I’m just talking crazy, I’d like to hear from you too! Email me at ZachD@specsonline.com if you have any questions.
