James Wan cannot and will not quit producing movies about evil dolls that refuse to be tossed into the garbage. Such is the case with The Monkey, which has trolled UPROXX [waves to the cursed doll], is helmed by Longlegs director Osgood Perkins, and is based upon Stephen King’s short story that lurks in his Skeleton Crew collection. The film also stars Theo James as twin brothers who encounter this toy in the attic, and much hell breaks loose.
For this popcorn crunching title, Perkins returns to his Neon stomping grounds (after Longlegs‘ success via masterful marketing skills) and has promised that the movie is very much a horror-comedy throwback: “People blow up, people explode; it’s very extreme but it’s very funny… it’s very touching, it’s very nostalgic, it’s very Stephen King.” Very. Now for the logistics.
Is Osgood Perkins’ The Monkey Streaming Online Yet?
Not yet. When it does stream, however, chances are good that it will land on Hulu, which is where Longlegs now lives.
For now, The Monkey is taking off in theaters, where it already scored the best horror opening of the year. Is the year young? Yes, but horror movies tend to be plentiful in the January/February realm, so a “best” qualifier ain’t nothing to sniff at. From the film’s synopsis:
Based on the Stephen King short story, and produced by James Wan (The Conjuring, Saw), The Monkey is a new trip from Longlegs writer/director, Osgood Perkins.
When twin brothers find a mysterious wind-up monkey, a series of outrageous deaths tear their family apart. Twenty-five years later, the monkey begins a new killing spree forcing the estranged brothers to confront the cursed toy.
The Monkey further stars Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Rohan Campbell, Colin O’Brien, Elijah Wood, and Sarah Levy.
I don’t know what was going on for the past seven days, but this week’s column is a doozy. To be fair, a sizable portion of this week’s absurd number of new releases have been sitting in my inbox for at least a month. Still, something seems to have kicked the creative minds of hip-hop into high gear. Here are a few examples:
Rico Nasty made a return to form (a common theme this year, for sure) with the thrash-rap single, “Teethsucker.”
J. Cole ended the drought with an introspective bar-fest called “Clouds,” released via his new blog.
2024’s breakout artist of the year, Doechii, teamed up with Blackpink rapper Jennie on “ExtraL,” a standout lyrical display for both artists.
IDK announced the deluxe edition of his 2024 album, Bravado + Intimo, with the video for “Mario Coins.”
And Quavo got back in his street rap bag with “Trappa Rappa.”
Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending February 21, 2025.
Albums/EPs/Mixtapes
Dave East & Ransom — The Final Call
Dave East/Ransom
I’ve posted about this one a couple of times during its rollout. Two of New York’s most dedicated purveyors of punchlines team up for a gritty, witty display of good, old-fashioned concrete hard battle rap. As Funk Flex would say, “THAT’S BARS, SON!”
Eem Triplin — Melody Of A Memory
Eem Triplin
Due to the packed nature of the past week of projects, I didn’t get the chance to highlight this one the way I wanted, but don’t let that stop you from checking out one of rap’s most unique modern voices. If you took a little 2013 SoundCloud rap and sprinkled some of Tyler The Creator’s secret sauce from the last three albums on it, it’d sound a lot like Eem Triplin.
Hurricane Wisdom — Perfect Storm
Hurricane Wisdom
Another mid-week release that truly deserved a little more shine, picture a less problematic Kodak Black or a more polished-but-street-rooted Luh Tyler, and you’ll get a pretty reasonable bead on where this Florida native is coming from.
Morray — Long Story Short
Morray
Right when I was starting to wonder, “Where’s Morray been?” his new PR team reached out to let us know he was working on a new album AND this mixtape, which explains exactly what he’s been going through as he recalibrated his business and took fellow Fayetteville native J. Cole’s advice about scrapping his old work.
Nardo Wick — Wick
Nardo Wick
Another rapper who’s been flying under the radar recently, the viral sensation whose debut garnered co-signs from the likes of Future, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, and more returns. And wouldn’t you know it, he hasn’t lost a step, reconnecting with two of the three, while Sexyy Red steals the show on their collaboration.
Smif-N-Wessun — Infinity
Smif-N-Wessun
Despite what some of our readers might think, I wouldn’t call myself an “old head” just yet… but there will always be certain acts that ring the knell that tells me such a designation ain’t so far off in my future. I refuse to apologize. This is Real Hip-Hop, as determined by one of those listeners old enough to remember when “backpack rap” was a literal description.
Stalley — Gamla Kyrkogatan
Stalley
I remain fascinated by the evolution of the Ohio rapper who once counted Rick Ross and Wale among his associates. His independent stuff has been sharp, innovative, and unusual, but I never really see his name in online rap convos anymore. This is a true crime, and you can do your part to correct this egregious oversight by giving his latest a spin.
Singles/Videos
310babii — “Bad” Feat. James Brown
The “Soak City” rapper puts a fresh spin on one of rap music’s go-to interpolations, turning those beloved James Brown ad-libs into a turnt-up anthem. For those ready to cry “blasphemy,” keep in mind, this song probably isn’t quite as far removed contextually speaking from what Brown was doing back in the day.
AZ Chike — “Whatx2”
Fresh off his appearance alongside Kendrick Lamar on “Peekaboo” from GNX, South Central’s AZ Chike takes his first steps into the mainstream from the LA underground with the a new single and a new deal with Warner Records. He’s been grinding for a minute; it’s nice to see the work pay off for him.
Curren$y — “Dream Machines” Feat. Premo Rice
Do I really have to sell you on Curren$y and Harry Fraud? Get serious. Press play on this ode to the holy grails of automobiles and watch a lit doobie magically appear between your fingers.
Deante’ Hitchcock — “Runaway Bride”/”On The Edge”
My guy Deante’ has been out of the spotlight for a little minute, but please believe he’s been working on that pen. Today’s double release kicks off his 2025 campaign in earnest, and the soulful, introspective bar work promises another shining body of work coming down the pike.
Joey Fatts — “STK”
Long Beach, California has produced its fair share of rap superstars, but its pulsars and quasars shouldn’t be ignored. Joey Fatts has long been one of those, flying below the radar thanks to his adamant indepent release policy. The bluesy, introspective “STK” appears on Fatts’ new EP, Blood In My Eye, which you can check out here.
Lelo — “Kudos”
Lelo’s got something. The Detroit rapper hasn’t yet lit on the Big One that’ll launch his career beyond the borders of his Midwestern home, but there’s an easygoing, natural charisma there that suggests he just needs to hit the right gear at the right time in the right lane and things will come together for him in a hurry.
Lexa Gates — “What You Wish For”
A standout from Gates’ recent album, Elite Vessel, “What You Wish For” is a smooth-grooving self-reflection with some low-key humblebrags that comes with a creative video that perfectly displays Gates’ acidic sense of humor.
Lola Brooke — “You The One”
Maybe it’s a week late for V-Day, but Lola’s lovey-dovey latest has a timeless quality that makes its romantic content easy to slot onto playlists for birthdays, anniversaries, date nights, and any other occasion where you want to show love… but without letting your thug slip.
Partyof2 — “All 4 The Best”
Formerly known as Grouptherapy, Partyof2’s new represents the group’s new composition as a duo, while “All 4 The Best” displays their revamped chemistry as a result. Positioned as a conversation, it makes excellent use of the give-and-go flow we all know I’m such a fan of, employing boom-bap and earnest empathy for an approach to hip-hop I’m not convinced we’ve ever seen before.
YTB Fatt — “Ghetto Fox” Feat. Rio Da Yung Og
Buckle your seatbelts, the Arkansas and Detroit natives grasp a breakneck beat in their latest collab and hang on for dear life, slinging guffaw-inducing punches all over the place. Expect to hear this bumping out of a lot of tinted-out Chargers this summer.
It’s been five weeks since a new Taylor Sheridan episode has dropped, which honestly feels like a Neo-Western drought (on Paramount Plus) considering that several of the Sicario scribe’s (Yellowstone and standalone) series were running concurrently last fall and through January. Now, the time has finally arrived to revisit this universe’s most popular prequel, 1923. Sheridan actually only intended a single season for this series, but the Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren-starring show proved so appealing that a second chapter was called up to finish Jacob and Cara Dutton’s story.
In doing so, Sheridan will also flesh out Dutton family structure, and later this year, The Madison will continue the present-day Yellowstone saga. Yet at present, only one time-related detail is important.
When Does Taylor Sheridan’s 1923 Season 2 Episode 1 Come Out?
The season premiere will stream on Sunday, February 23 via Paramount Plus.
Get ready for Spencer Dutton to figure prominently into this season during his physical journey. This will also lead to an emotional transformation, as actor Brandon Sklenar (soon to appear in The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney) told Entertainment Weekly. He also believes that a positive reception is coming:
“I know people are going to just be over the moon with how [creator Taylor Sheridan] wrote this journey. It’s so beautiful. It’s such a beautiful character arc … Who we see in episode one and who we see at the end of the second season is an entirely different human being.”
We don’t have to wait much longer. The second season also stars Michelle Randolph, Aminah Nieves, and Timothy Dalton; the show will also introduce Jennifer Carpenter, Augustus Prew, and Janet Montgomery. The first 1923 season is already streaming on Paramount Plus.
The margarita is my all-time favorite cocktail. In my opinion, its mix of bright and tart lime-forward flavors and orange citrus aromatics can’t be beaten; it’s equal parts refreshing and delicious. Now granted, if you’ve only had a margarita at sports bars, parties, and restaurants, you might not share my view, and that’s because those margaritas tend to be sweetened to the point that you can’t taste the agave anymore, or any of the nuance and complexity.
I’m a staunch advocate of the classic margarita — that means three ingredients: fresh lime juice, tequila (preferably additive-free and agave-forward), and an orange liqueur (I like Cointreau). It’s incredibly easy to make and relies on the natural flavors of tequila to do most of the work. The lime and orange liqueur? Those are mainly there to elevate what’s already in the bottle, which is why having the right tequila is paramount.
So to celebrate National Margarita Day — February 22nd, just in time for the weekend — we’re shouting out our five absolute favorite tequilas for a perfect margarita. These five bottles are guaranteed to instantly level up your margarita. For fun, we decided to rank them, but truthfully, you can’t go wrong with any of these bottles, so pick up whichever fits your budget.
You’re going to find Olmeca Altos Plata on a lot of our lists, and that’s because it’s one of the best — and cheapest — workhorse tequilas. There isn’t a job this tequila isn’t perfect for, from shots, to margaritas, to sipping. A $20 bottle you can sip? Believe it, because this additive-free tequila is wonderfully agave-forward and natural tasting. It’s an absolute steal at this price.
For those who care about the nerd sh*t, this tequila is made from slow-cooked agave, tahona crushed, finished with well water, and copper pot distilled.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is almost entirely dominated by roasted agave.
Palate: Heavy on the citrus zest, both orange and lime, mixed with fresh green peppers with a slight lactic quality.
Finish: Initially herbal and smooth but after a while the heat starts to build.
The Bottom Line:
Olmeca Altos is the best choice for the budget-minded.
I will never stop singing the praises of LALO. This brand makes the perfect blanco tequila, probably because aside from a high-proof version, it’s LALO’s only expression. The brand’s commitment to blanco tequila has allowed it to excel.
This blanco is 100% additive-free with a bright agave-forward and fruity flavor.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Bright and zesty citrus on the nose.
Palate: Buttery with hints of cooked agave and caramel.
Finish: Fruity, bright, vegetal, there is a very pure quality to this tequila.
The Bottom Line:
Bright, vegetal, and wonderfully juicy, LALO almost comes across as made explicitly to elevate a margarita, or really any agave-based cocktail.
Tequila Ocho is deep and complex, with a zesty citrus-forward flavor that makes for an ideal foundation for a margarita. When mixed with a solid orange liqueur, those zesty elements are further accentuated, making for a margarita that dances on the tongue.
It’s also expertly made from agave harvested at peak maturity that are slow cooked in brick ovens for 48 hours, rested for 24 more, and then roller mill crushed.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: A perfect mix between zesty orange peel character and warm roasted agave.
Palate: More zest on the palate coupled with earthy slightly floral black pepper and fresh herbs. There is a cilantro-like quality here, so if that’s not your thing, you might be better served by our number two pick.
Finish: More pepper on the aftertaste with a light hint of mint and a pleasing burning aftertaste.
The Bottom Line:
LALO will zesty and pepper qualities to your margarita, offering a mix that is a true treat for your taste buds.
It’s Mijenta’s balance of floral, zesty, and vanilla-sweet flavors that make it a great option for those who like their margaritas on the sweeter side. Like every tequila on this list, Mijenta is additive-free. The liquid is produced at NOM 1412, Destiladora de Los Altos, from highland agave that is cooked in a low-pressure autoclave, roller mill extracted, and distilled via a stainless steel pot.
There is a palpable purity to this tequila that we find very appealing.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: White pepper and agave. There is an initial funkiness to this that shifts into a floral honey tone as you inhale deeper. That might read as a turn-off, but the funk doesn’t translate to the palate.
Palate: Rich and buttery with cooked agave, black pepper, and a dash of vanilla. Elegant and dessert-like without being overly sweet.
Finish: Cinnamon and anise with a slight fruitiness that lives on the aftertaste.
The Bottom Line:
If you want your margaritas packed with delicate natural sweetness, you’re not going to find a better bottle than Mijenta Blanco.
We’re giving the top spot to Siete Leguas because it offers the most complexity, making for a fantastic foundation for both a classic margarita and any variations you decide to experiment with.
This additive-free tequila is produced at NOM 1120, Tequila Siete Leguas. When a tequila is produced at a distillery that shares its name and focuses on a single brand, its safe to assume the liquid is going to be expertly crafted. The agave here is cooked low and slow, tahona crushed and made with natural spring water.
It’s tequila made the old-fashioned way, a testament that low and slow is the way to go.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Warm inviting agave notes with a noticeable wet rock and soil character.
Palate: Earthy and highly vegetal with a strong green grass flavor and some cracked pepper spice.
Finish: Citrusy with a hint of vanilla and some cool mint on the backend.
The Bottom Line:
A wonderful bouquet of grassy, citrus, vanilla, and agave flavors. Equal parts dessert-like and earthy and natural. A complex tequila that will absolutely transform your favorite margarita recipe.
British singer kwn (pronounced “kay-wuhn”) joins the growing class of UK R&B artists who are next-up in the genre’s emerging class across the globe. Look no further than the 2025 MOBO Awards for proof of this as stellar acts like Raye, FLO, Jaz Karis, Sasha Keable, Sinead Harnett, ELmiene, Odeal, and more were highlighted during the ceremony. For kwn, the honor of being celebrated at a future MOBO Awards show, or another similar ceremony, could very well be in her future. The young singer’s career takes a turn for the better with the Kehlani-assisted remix of “worst behaviour.” Though the record is far removed from the beginning days of her career, the sultry remix is the start of something big for kwn.
The “worst behaviour” remix thrives thanks to the undeniable and unavoidable chemistry between kwn and Kehlani, which dates back to their “Clothes Off” collaboration from the latter’s While We Wait 2 project. Both records fearless live at the boundary of peak sensuality as both singers step into each other’s word with bold requests and unfiltered thoughts. As kwn sings, “Can I dare to leave your bed a mess and wet?” on “Clothes Off,” Kehlani promises to “turn into a slip and slide, I’ll make sure you’re satisfied” on the “worst behaviour” remix. Consider their energies matched, something that becomes even more undeniable through the remix’s accompanying music video (scroll down a bit for that).
Collaborations aside, kwn is just as formidable of an artist as she is alongside others. “Eyes Wide Open” yearns for a lover’s return as kwn’s emotions bleeds over the track’s thundering production as she sings of her inability to move on. “Five More” sees her take on the role of the ex who moved on faster than expected (“Don’t tell me I got issues / Just cause I ain’t missing you”) while “Wn Up” mocks an ex who left her for better, but found worse. The aforementioned records are a promising side of what lies ahead for kwn, and as she wraps up her upcoming project, we will see these promising talents come to fruition sooner rather than later.
With the “worst behaviour” remix still in rotation, we put kwn under the Uproxx Music 20 to learn more about inspirations, influences, and aspirations. Scroll down to discover the best of kwn.
Probably my step-grandad playing his piano in his house. Him and my grandma live in Wales and every time we used to visit, we used to wake up to him downstairs playing the keys.
Who or what inspired you to take music seriously?
I think myself to be honest. But my family has always been super supportive and pushed me to keep going.
Do you know how to play an instrument? If so, which one? If not, which instrument do you want to learn how to play?
I used to play the drums back in the day and I’m kinda self-taught on piano. But I’d love to learn guitar or a brass instrument like saxophone or something.
What was your first job?
I worked in a vinyl record shop at the top of my road for a few months when I was like 14/15 before I went to college.
What is your most prized possession?
My Legos.
What is your biggest fear?
Whales and the ocean.
Who is on your music Mt. Rushmore?
I don’t have a lot of artists that have influenced me to be honest. But if I had to pick some: Pharrell, Timbaland, Michael Jackson, and maybe Usher too.
You get 24 hours to yourself to do anything you want, with unlimited resources: What are you doing? And spare no details!
I am bringing Michael Jackson back from the dead and collecting all his unreleased music and taking it for myself. And with whatever hours are left we’ll make a whole new album hahaha.
What is the best song you’ve ever made?
I haven’t made it yet.
What’s a feature you need to secure before you die?
Pharrell!!
If you could appear in a future season of a current TV show, which one would it be and why?
I HAVE to be in Supacell. Maaaaaan what an incredible show from the UK, I think that’s one of the best we’ve had.
Which celebrity do you admire or respect for their personality and why?
I think Doechii is great and just unapologetically her.
Share your opinion on something no one could ever change your mind about.
Steamed white rice is the best side dish on this entire planet earth.
What is the best song you’ve ever heard in your life and what do you love about it?
“Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes. Such an incredibly written story and you don’t ever realize what he’s talking about until you actually read the lyrics and listen again. So simple, but executed so so well.
What’s your favorite city in the world to perform, and what’s a city you’re excited to perform in for the first time?
I haven’t had the chance to perform around the world yet, but everywhere I’ve performed so far has been super good. I’d love to perform in somewhere like Brazil.
You are throwing a music festival. Give us the dream lineup of 5 artists that will perform with you and the location where it would be held.
What would you be doing now if it weren’t for music?
I have no idea. I probably would’ve either carried on with football or chef in a restaurant.
If you could see five years into the future or go five years into the past, which one would you pick and why?
I wouldn’t choose to go back because the life I’ve lived has shaped me already. The mistakes I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned. These are all the parts of my growing process. I wouldn’t go into the future because I just take every day as it comes. There’s no rush. Life is too short. I might as well make it last and enjoy it.
What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?
Just keep swimming, kid, and follow your gut.
It’s 2050. The world hasn’t ended, and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?
Whew, I think I just want people to say I did something different. That I was a turning point in music.
Nobody expected Suits to take off, let alone become a streaming juggernaut, on Netflix. Yet bingewatching of the Meghan Markle-starring show reached a fever pitch (on both Netflix and Peacock) in 2023, nearly four years after the show was cancelled by USA Network. Talk of a revisiting began, and last spring, official word of the Suits LA surfaced with character and plot details eventually unfurling.
The California-set spin off revolves around Black Lane Law, helmed by Ted Black (Stephen Amell of Starz’ Heelz) and his partner, Stewart Lane (Josh McDermitt ^^^ of AMC’s The Walking Dead). The firm will begin this show in a rocky place, and Gabriel Macht will reprise his Harvey Specter role (in at least four episodes) to give Black a hand in righting the ship. Less than a year after production began, the show is set for debut.
When Does Suits LA Premiere On NBC And Peacock?
The NBC premiere happens on Sunday, February 23 at 9:00pm EST and PST. (Beware of social media spoilers.)
The episode will stream via Peacock on Monday, February 24.
In addition to Amell and McDermitt, Suits LA stars Lex Scott Davis, Bryan Greenberg, Alice Lee, Victoria Justice, Azita Ghanizada, Troy Winbush, and Rachelle Goulding. Guest stars (who will include clients of Black Lane Law) include the late John Amos, Kevin Weisman, Brian Baumgartner, Maggie Grace, Matt Letscher, Carson A. Egan, and Patton Freaking Oswalt.
The Dallas Mavericks have had an eventful month, to say the least, as they traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers in the middle of the night for Anthony Davis, and have been dealing with intense fan backlash ever since.
We have seen Mavs fans protest outside the arena — some literally brought a coffin with a Mavs logo on it — and some have gotten kicked out from in the arena for calling for GM Nico Harrison to be fired. Making matters even worse is that after citing conditioning concerns as the main reason for not wanting to pay Luka long-term and insisting this was a win-now move, Davis got hurt in his very first game as a Mav and they are just trying to tread water in the 8-seed currently.
For the good folks in the Mavs organization trying their best to do their jobs regarding ticket sales, in-game presentation, and marketing, the last few weeks have been a nightmare, and that was incredibly evident when the team released a new hype video and theme song with Dallas artist Dorrough. The video, clearly shot well in advance of the trade, had to then be edited to include clips from Davis’ one game in a Mavs uniform and edit out any images of Doncic. The problem there is, as it turns out, Luka has supplied a lot of Mavs highlights and appears on the floor in even more.
The result is, towards the end of the video below, one of the funniest edits you will ever see as they just completely black out Doncic and put a big Mavs logo over his head.
To their credit, they try to do this at other points with other players in the video to make it seem like it was an artistic choice, but there was very clearly was a strong effort not to show Doncic (there’s another time they do it with him on the bench). The first time I watched it I genuinely laughed out loud because I had been told it was funny but was not expecting how egregious it was. Salute to the Mavs video team, though, this is not their fault and they’re just trying to make lemonade right now.
“I’m not really a rye drinker.” “I’ve tried rye, but it’s not for me.” “I just haven’t found a rye that I like.”
It’s still shocking to me that there are so many hardcore bourbon fans out there who still haven’t gotten into America’s original premier whiskey: rye whiskey. It’s a spirit with a fascinating history in America, a bold flavor profile, and in some cases, it’s really not all that different from bourbon. But for whatever reason, despite the monstrous year that rye whiskey had in 2024, here we are in 2025, and you’ve probably heard one of the refrains above. In fact, you might’ve been the one saying it!
Let’s fix that today. As I mentioned above, in some cases, rye whiskey (primarily those made in Kentucky) isn’t even all that dissimilar from high-quality bourbon. So-called “barely legal” ryes with a rye content at 51% still have a healthy amount of corn in the mix to balance those earthier, spicier notes.
The aperture widens considerably if we forget about mash bills and focus purely on flavor. There are a ton of incredible, robust ryes that bring an array of flavors to the table that are both familiar to and completely foreign to bourbon enthusiasts. Similar to how there are some bourbon drinkers who love peated Scotches or agave spirits, you might discover that going wildly off the beaten path leads you to a new happy place.
So, for this list we’ve assembled a good balance of both: rye whiskeys that heavily feature corn and will be instantly recognizable for bourbon fans, as well as downright delicious ryes that might not have any immediate analogs among America’s Native Spirit, but are so damn good that you won’t even care.
These are the absolute best rye whiskeys for bourbon drinkers, tasted and ranked!
Bardstown Bourbon Company’s Origin Series Rye subverts the expectations of 95/5 rye whiskey (whiskey with 95% rye and 5% malted barley in the recipe) by finishing it in hybrid American oak and cherry wood barrels for up to 6 months.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This whiskey packs a familiar 95/5 punch of mint candy on the nose but follows that up with a really warm caramel accent and a touch of sassafras. A tiny bit of tannery smell hangs in the air with some dark chocolate and dandelion as well. Lovely stuff.
Palate: Caramel comes first on the palate before being curtailed by mint candy, cinnamon, barrel char, and leather flavors. It tastes round, smooth, and it has a “clean” taste with a clear delineation between the flavors, which play nicely together but never bleed into one another.
Finish: On the moderate finish, there’s the sassafras from the nose along with a bit of star anise and nutmeg to balance things out against a backdrop of wildflower honey.
Bottom Line:
Bardstown Origin Series Rye might feature a familiar 95/5 rye recipe that certain bourbon drinkers have an aversion to, but it spices things up with plenty of sweetness, sassafras, and dark chocolate. This is distinctly a rye whiskey, but if a bourbon lover can find room in their heart for this one, then the entire world of rye will be open to them.
Ol’ New Riff is a bit of an oxymoron and doubly so because this “Ol’” expression is the newest release in New Riff’s lineup. With a grain bill of 65% balboa rye, 30% heirloom corn, and 15% two-row malted barley, this expression has only been on the market since mid-May 2024.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Admire the air out of this glass as the aroma of candied walnuts and paprika combine with leather, Red Vines, and figs. Then, go in for a second whiff as vanilla and clove appear out of nowhere.
Palate: More ripe figs can be found on the palate, along with an abundance of delicious nutmeg and root beer notes. Plumbing the substantive mouthfeel reveals further flavors like coffee bean and hazelnut spread.
Finish: The finish is where the hazelnut shines, along with a bit of barrel char and cinnamon. It’s also surprisingly long-lasting, and I hate to say that when tasted blind, it did have something of a “dusty” quality, making it seem “Old.”
Bottom Line:
The name of this whiskey is a bit too tongue-in-cheek for my liking, but your tongue & cheek will absolutely adore the liquid itself. New Riff has mastered Bottled in Bond whiskey and the sweet mash process, especially with their rye expressions. This is the finest example of their mastery yet.
Sazerac Rye, or “Baby Saz” as it’s sometimes affectionately called in alternative to the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection’s Sazerac 18, is an entry-level Kentucky rye from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. Originally created as an homage to the cocktail that bears its name, this is a bottle with roots in New Orleans, made in a style that’s instantly recognizable as a corn-driven Kentucky whiskey.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose has features of honey and corn pudding, while the subtle influence of rye spice, clove, candied mint, and faint black pepper is barely perceptible. That said, it is quite a balanced nose, as the baking spices and more traditional rye aromas do a fine job of elevating its overall sweetness.
Palate: Once this whiskey crosses your lips, the flavors of candied orange peels, sweet mint, and corn pudding instantly greet you. With black pepper joining at midpalate, along with a touch of clay and nutmeg, it does increasingly receive some spice balance, though its sweetness is undeniably the marquee flavor. Lastly, the mouthfeel is a bit lean, but it works well with these light and sweet fleeting flavors.
Finish: The finish is very brief but crisp, as it leaves one last gasp of candied citrus notes to go with some caramel and allspice.
Bottom Line:
Sazerac Rye is a whiskey ideally suited for bourbon drinkers looking to cross the Rubicon into rye territory. Its sweet flavor profile is instantly recognizable as one where corn is heavily featured, but despite that, it brings a few surprises to the party as well, which makes it a delightful, albeit modest, neat-sipping rye.
For this showstopping expression, the boys at Pursuit United take three different ryes sourced from Kentucky and Maryland and finish the blend with 36-month air-dried French oak staves that previously held Sherry.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Tropical fruits, herbal tea, and coconut make up the base of the aroma notes, while red berries, sweet mint, and honey accents add to the affair. After sitting in the glass a few beats, the red berry aroma grows in prominence, as does the rise of rye spices and the aforementioned mint.
Palate: The palate on this whiskey is marked by a supple texture that gently cascades over your tongue, giving it a creamy mouthfeel that rewards the sweet flavors of butterscotch, brown sugar, and Rainier cherries while curbing the harshness of black pepper spice, barrel char, and raw mint that offer balance to each sip.
Finish: The finish lingers for a moderate amount of time, leaving behind cinnamon, subtle splashes of milk chocolate, and black-pepper-specked vanilla ice cream before dissipating fully.
Bottom Line:
Pursuit United has never been shy about its commitment to uncovering some of the best-kept secrets in the American whiskey-making landscape and artfully blending them to create something greater than the sum of its parts. For proof of this, behold their Sherry Revere Rye. This balanced and flavorful spin on the rye category offers a bit more sweetness, which is as likely to create new fans from the bourbon world as it is to earn the respect of experienced rye-slugging enthusiasts.
Wilderness Trail is one of the pioneers of sweet mash American whiskey, and while their standard rye has helped to cause a major shift in the market, their latest 7-year release, which debuted in 2023, is looking to change the game again. Age-stated ryes have become all the rage, and Wilderness Trail is well-positioned to ride the wave.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of maple candy sweetness, gentle rye spice, and mellow oak tannins. There’s black pepper and a bit of butterscotch, along with some umami notes that permeate the nosing notes.
Palate: The texture of this whiskey is surprisingly spry, as bubblegum and buttered popcorn come across the palate at first. After chewing the whiskey, a maple candy note comes forth. That maple candy note soon fuses with milk chocolate, nougat, and caramel as the texture becomes leaner and a few more baking spices come into play. Imagine nutmeg and black pepper sprinkled over a Milky Way bar, and you’re not too far off.
Finish: The finish is where a fair amount of mint and rye spice is hiding out, a pleasant reminder that you’re sipping a rye whiskey. The finish is also silky and long-lasting, a credit to the whiskey.
Bottom Line:
Wilderness Trail is well-regarded for making high-quality whiskey, and its rye casts the brightest spotlight on its capability. For this 7-year release, the flavor profile leaves behind the more minty tones in its 4-year product, which might be a turnoff for bourbon fans, and instead introduces darker sweet notes that translate well at a higher age.
Bulleit 12-Year Rye is back again after being originally released in 2019. The 2024 edition actually contains whiskey from the first release, which, if you do the math, means there’s much older whiskey in this blend.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Green caramel apple aromas fill the glass and waft over the rim with a touch of honeyed mint tea, allspice, buttercream, and sweet oak. There’s also a distinctive floral aspect that draws you in.
Palate: Oak and allspice take the lead, but those notes are soon supplanted by a dollop of caramel, a mint milk chocolate shake, and the crisp green apple found on the nose.
Finish: Sweet oak and white pepper are abundant on the finish, which has a medium length that gently recedes, leaving you craving the next sip.
Bottom Line:
Look, Bulleit’s 95% rye and 5% malted barley grain recipe is famous for a reason — it’s a crowd-pleaser that helped redefine the category. With some added age, the whiskey takes on a richer depth of flavor, more aligned with the profile bourbon lovers adore, and it delivers an incredible value that’s well worth taking advantage of while supplies last.
Initially barreled at 125 proof over six years ago, the 2024 Thomas H. Handy saw its proof rise to 127.2 during those years spent maturing in Frankfort, Kentucky, at the Buffalo Trace Distillery. This expression is always the youngest of the group and, as such, is typically the least sought-out despite frequently being one of the collection’s better offerings.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: This year’s Handy begins with an impressive nuttiness, as peanuts, Valencia oranges, herbal tea, and a blend of cinnamon and brown sugar rush up from the glass to greet the nose at first. Over time, there’s an increasingly prominent mint note that latches on to the citrus aroma and forms the body of this whiskey’s stunning bouquet.
Palate: 2024’s Thomas H. Handy opens with a wonderfully heavy mouthfeel that carries orange marmalade, fresh hazelnuts, mint, dark chocolate, and drops of honey across the entirety of your palate. Chewing the whiskey reveals chunks of dark chocolate and touches of oak before it transitions to the finish.
Finish: The medium-to-long finish on this year’s Thomas H. Handy is full of orange blossom notes along with vanilla and peanut shells, making it a real treat from start to finish.
Bottom Line:
Thomas H. Handy is a perpetual dark horse in the race for crowning the best whiskey in the Buffalo Trace Antique Collection each year, but the most recent release of this stuff really has some legs.
By impressing at every stage, from the distinct and delightful nosing notes to the incredibly flavorful drinking experience, which extends through the satisfyingly lengthy finish, the 2024 Thomas H. Handy proves that age is only one variable in the equation of what makes high-quality whiskey. Its punchiness will make it a hit for bourbon fans who like their drinks with some distinct bite.
Knob Creek has been putting out stellar rye for a long time, but their brand new 10-year-old expression was released in early June and is now the oldest age-stated rye in the Knob Creek lineup.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Knob Creek 10-Year Rye is oaky with an intriguing note of petrichor to go along with dark chocolate and a Brazil nut meatiness.
Palate: Pecans and nutmeg are the standout flavors on the palate of this pour, with a bit of wheat toast and honey bolstering this fine-tuned and expertly balanced whiskey. The robust mouthfeel defies its modest proof and serves as a fat red cherry on top.
Finish: More honey and wheat toast define the back end of this pour, while a touch of barrel char contributes to the outstanding finish as well.
Bottom Line:
Knob Creek’s regular 7-year rye is not exactly my jam, but that’s not because it’s flawed. It’s just okay. It’s ironic then that adding some oakiness is just what it needed to turn the dial from ehh to eleven. This is sure to be a new standard for a lot of rye enthusiasts, and it’s one that bourbon lovers should seek out immediately.
For this impressive Double Oaked variant of its standard rye whiskey, Peerless Distilling Co. matures the liquid in a second new American oak cask to beef up the oak wood extraction, darken the color, and enrich the flavors.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Whisps of smoke and oak cast a cloud over richer tones of orange zest, vanilla buttercream, black pepper, and cinnamon on the rich nose of this whiskey. Many of the classic rye tones are obfuscated by the robust oak tones, but that’s not a complaint, as the overall aroma is sumptuous and inviting.
Palate: Molasses-based cinnamon cookies hit the palate with your first sip, which is bolstered by robust oak tones, undercut by juicy orange peels, and elevated by vanilla buttercream. The flavor of herbal tea with mint and subtle hints of cacao nibs begins to pool at midpalate, causing the edges of the tongue to salivate and unlock further cinnamon notes along with a touch of nutmeg and brûléed brown sugar.
Finish: The lingering finish is where the rye spice and orange peel notes finally begin to win out over the darker elements, though the flavor of oak, black pepper, and herbal tea aren’t far behind.
Bottom Line:
I’ve been really impressed with several Peerless expressions over the years, but it wouldn’t be a stretch to say this Double Oaked Rye is among the best of the bunch. While Peerless’ base rye is an incredible, albeit overpriced, display of the dazzling flavors that capable hands can wrest from young rye whiskey, this Double Oaked offering balances the scales of value and quality to a better degree.
9. New England Barrel Company Single Barrel Cask Strength Rye Whiskey
New England Barrel Company is one of the biggest brands in the region, and their superb, sourced stock of whiskey has been turning a lot of heads this year. This exclusive single-barrel expression, hand-selected for Liquor Junction and yielding only 132 bottles, sold like hotcakes and comprises the brand’s oldest sourced rye casks.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Dense caramel and chocolate wafer aromas come tumbling over the glass’s edge, with honeyed mint tea and graham crackers competing with cinnamon bark and flan for your full attention.
Palate: The flavor of chocolate wafers, cinnamon bark, and some fresh sprinkles of nutmeg wash over the palate at first. There’s some mocha and oak at midpalate with potting soil and mint sprouting towards the back of the mouth. The liquid has a nice, viscous, mouth-coating texture, and it drinks well below the proof
Finish: Menthol and barrel char flavors combine with lady fingers and black pepper on the lengthy finish, which lingers courtesy of the proof, which is felt primarily at the midpalate and roof of the mouth.
Bottom Line:
The world of rye whiskey covers so much ground, from light and bright whiskeys to floral, grassy ones and even lush, dark pours. This single barrel selected for Liquor Junction is the last of the bunch, offering a dense, decadent whiskey that truly plumbs depths of flavor that you can only get from well-aged rye. This is exactly the sort of pour that makes you appreciate the depth of richness in the world of rye whiskey because it’s loaded with autumnal spices and well-developed sweetness that’s easy to enjoy all year long.
8. Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Barrel Proof Rye
Jack Daniel’s
ABV: 65.7% Average Price:
The Whiskey:
For this juiced-up expression, Jack Daniel’s takes its standard rye mash bill of 70% rye, 18% corn, and 12% malted barley and subjects it to all of its standard production methods with one key twist: it’s bottled at cask strength.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose is full of nougat, overripe banana peels, caramel, cedar, and spearmint. There are subtler notes along the periphery of the glass, such as black pepper, lemon zest, and apple leather, but those core notes take up a significant amount of space as each of them is impressively distinct and well-developed.
Palate: Vibrant mint blends well with the taste of bananas fosters, and freshly cracked black pepper flavors, which all further fuse with caramel, dense oak, and black tea notes to make up the base of this meaty, delicious whiskey. The mouthfeel is robust and burly with its few “rough edges” tucked neatly behind spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, while maple candy and cedar do additional work sanding down those spiky spots.
Finish: The lengthy finish is full of caramel, subtler banana flavors, and sweet mint accented by black pepper. One of the things this whiskey does most impressively is balance its bold core notes with elegant and purpose-driven accenting flavors, and the finish effectively reestablishes this display.
Bottom Line:
If you only measure by cases sold, Jack Daniel’s is easily one of the most successful whiskey brands on the planet, and yet, despite that, one of their greatest expressions continues to go underrated by hardcore whiskey enthusiasts.
This single-barrel barrel-proof rye is a world-class offering worthy of bourbon lovers’ immediate attention.
Originally launched in 2019, Old Forester Rye quickly became a fan favorite and a bar staple. Utilizing a historic mash bill acquired by Owsley Brown in 1940, Old Forester Rye consists of 65% Rye, 20% Malted Barley, and 15% Corn.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Interestingly, on this blind tasting, there is a lot of mint, rye spice, and lemon meringue on the nose of this whiskey for me. The sweet, lemon meringue notes come with a bit of milk chocolate, and once the sweetness subsides, there’s a bit of black pepper and even cinnamon bark hiding underneath.
Palate: The palate is heavier than expected, and a rush of mint, milk chocolate, honey, and rye spice cascades over the tongue on the first sip. The first takeaway is that this multi-layered sipping experience can reward extended consideration. Chewing reveals a bit of youthful oak and a touch of leather.
Finish: The medium-length finish on this whiskey is where the spices return in full force with black pepper and a touch of cinnamon fusing with rye spice, mint, and honey for a balanced and appropriately timely send-off.
Bottom Line:
It’s easy to see why this rye quickly became a bartender’s favorite. With an impressive, well-defined set of flavors that up the ante on the rye content while retaining a base sweetness that appeals to bourbon fans, Old Forester Rye is one of the most versatile whiskeys on the planet, regardless of category. Whether you’re a neat sipper or a regular cocktail consumer, this bottle belongs on your shelf at home.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye directly reflects Wild Turkey’s burgeoning commitment to making some of the best rye whiskey on the planet. Officially launched in 2020, Rare Breed Rye is a barrel-proof, non-chill filtered blend of Kentucky straight ryes.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Rye spice, sorghum, chocolate truffle dust, and orange buttercream fill the air once this whiskey leaves the bottle and enters the glass. There’s lots of ginger and nutmeg, adding depth to the overall aroma profile, along with touches of crème brûlée and floral notes.
Palate: Waves of orange buttercream spill over the palate, carried by the whiskey’s oily texture. Some well-developed milk chocolate notes introduce a darker sweetness at midpalate to contrast with the citrus quality at the tip of the tongue, along with some freshly cracked black pepper and clove.
Finish: Rising spice is very prominent on the finish, which has a medium length before being curtailed by chocolate truffle dust and fresh mint.
Bottom Line:
Rare Breed Rye is frequently overshadowed by its equally stellar bourbon counterpart, but this killer rye definitely deserves its own shine. With a profile that actually feels like an inversion of Rare Breed Bourbon’s mash bill, this beauty charts its own course while ending up at the same destination: a world of flavor.
Pikesville Rye used to be a pillar of America’s twin whiskey capitals, Maryland and Pennsylvania, calling the former home. Now, this whiskey is made in Kentucky by Heaven Hill but still honors its past with its throwback label.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose on Pikesville Rye is incredibly expressive with dense molasses, pine, rye spice, raw mint, potting soil, and dark chocolate. It’s a tightly wound and delightful nosing experience that rewards your patience as those notes slowly uncoil.
Palate: The tip of the tongue is briefly greeted with the citrus splash of tangerines before dark chocolate, allspice, and raw mint sink their hooks into your palate. The toffee aroma from the nose then makes its way to the palate along with a splash of sorghum, red pepper flakes, and, finally, a turn towards milk chocolate that sweetens it up a bit.
Finish: The lengthy finish is full of hazelnut spread, rye spice, mint, and overtures of freshly cracked black pepper. It continues the bold streak that this whiskey kicked off from the moment I opened the bottle.
Bottom Line:
Pikesville Rye is one of the more full-bodied and robust rye whiskeys on this list, making it perfect for punchy, whiskey-forward cocktails. Bourbon drinkers will admire its breadth of barrel-driven flavors, and while it is certainly a rye— complete with pine and dark chocolate notes — it’s that depth of richness that will bring you over to the dark side.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey is a bottled-in-bond offering from the Buffalo Trace E.H. Taylor lineup, and for a long time, it was the only rye in the lineup. Last year, the world welcomed a barrel-strength version of this offering into the lineup, but given its scarcity, this remains the bottle that bourbon drinkers looking to get into rye should seek out.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: The nose has plenty of clove, lemon, caramel, and baked pear notes, while gentle rye spices can be found at the periphery of each whiff. After some time spent in the glass, bright red cherry notes and cinnamon rise in prominence with some young oak.
Palate: The first sip of this whiskey is impressively slick and viscous, with caramel, bright red cherries, and lemon zest cascading over your tongue. That oily texture allows it to coat your palate, and as the liquid recedes, it leaves further notes of black pepper, a touch of mint, and the faintest indication of dill seed.
Finish: The finish is medium-length, marked by a slight nuttiness and a closing note of black pepper and smoked honey.
Bottom Line:
E.H. Taylor Straight Rye Whiskey has long been noted as a “bourbon drinker’s rye,” and for good reason. Buffalo Trace doesn’t disclose the mash bills of its whiskeys, but this bottle definitely drinks like a “barely legal” Kentucky-style rye, featuring a high percentage of corn and an even higher percentage of enjoyability.
Michter’s is known for being meticulous with their releases, and not just the ultra-premium ones, utilizing proprietary custom filtration for each of their whiskeys. For 2024’s 10-year single barrel, Michter’s uses yet another custom filter to ensure this year’s version is different from years prior while maintaining the expression’s award-winning quality.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Huge scoops of vanilla ice cream with mint sprigs melt out of the glass. With Manuka honey and gentle leather accents in the background, this is such a classic Michter’s rye nose that it’s immediately identifiable. And awesome.
Palate: Rich buttercream, fresh cinnamon bark, creamy milk chocolate, crisp red apples…need I go on? Michter’s always does an incredible job with whiskey at a lower proof, and these 10-year expressions offer the grandest stage for them to showcase that prowess. Here, the mouthfeel is jaw-dropping, and the richness of the flavors hit you in lush waves, one after another, but they never threaten to overwhelm your senses. There’s enough runway for each excellent flavor note to take flight.
Finish: The finish undulates away gently after a considerable length of time, sucking your teeth for more hazelnut cream and sweet oak tones.
Bottom Line:
The beautiful array of aromas in Michter’s 10-Year Single Barrel Rye will definitely appeal to bourbon enthusiasts, but it’s really its robust feature of barrel-driven flavor notes that seal the deal. Worthy of an “A+” on its own, when viewed through the lens of being a “bourbon drinker’s rye,” this expression deserves a ton of extra credit.
2. Frank August Case Study: 03 Winter Cover Rye Whiskey
For their newest Case Study release, Frank August created nine unique batches, each consisting of three selected barrels of straight rye whiskey, and blended them optimally. Notably, this is the first straight rye whiskey in the Case Study series, which has previously highlighted the impressive rising brand’s bourbon blending prowess.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Incredible apple orchard aromas that immediately transport you to a farm in the fall leap out of the glass. There’s some faint cinnamon bark and sage, along with some more distinct honey and muted orange blossom notes that make this whiskey an absolute delight to swirl in your glass and enjoy.
Palate: On the palate, there’s a ton of vanilla ice cream and clove flavor before the apple and cinnamon notes begin to trickle in. It’s incredibly creamy, with crème brûlée enticing the taste buds while gentle oak streaks up the middle of the tongue and floats to the edge of the palate.
Finish: Black pepper, oak, and burnt sugar land on the finish along with some salted caramel sablés
Bottom Line:
This incredibly creamy and well-rounded rye will shock people more accustomed to grassy, peppery takes on the category, but rather than being an imitation bourbon, this one really carves its own lane and leans into the lush apple orchard flavors that will make it a hit all autumn long. With Case Study: 03 representing the brand’s most ambitious foray into the rye category, they’ve earned a ton of respect for their craft and boldly made it known that they’re not just here to stay but that they’ve got next.
Brook Hill is the Rare Character brand’s ne plus ultra expression, which, as you should already know, means this is some absolutely epic whiskey. With a history that dates back to the turn of the 19th century, the modern-day revival of Brook Hill is releasing exclusive bourbons and rye, with a highly limited number of single barrels of the rye hitting the market so far this year.
Tasting Notes:
Nose: Milk chocolate, like the milk in a bowl after you finish your Cocoa Puffs, and sweet mint are most immediately alluring on the nose. Stick around a while, and you’ll also find chunks of toffee, polished leather, and paprika contributing to this dark and brooding nose.
Palate: Candied walnuts hit the palate along with a big spoonful of brown sugar before that Cocoa Puff milk note begins to pool at midpalate, whetting the edges of your tongue. Paprika and barrel char are relegated to the shotgun seat as some nutmeg, Smarties candy, and dried cranberries steer the ship before this transitions into the finish.
Finish: Almost chalky as the texture grips the back of your tongue before tapping out. There’s some oak and nuttiness on the finish, along with drops of honey, but despite the impressive length of those flavors, you’ll probably be on your second glass before you truly appreciate them.
Bottom Line:
After taking home the top prize as our Best Rye Whiskey Of 2024, it should be no surprise to see us lavish praise on Rare Character’s decadent Brook Hill Rye whiskey. However, its unparalleled depth of flavor makes it such an ideal option for bourbon drinkers looking to get into the category. Bourbon drinkers are often in search of bold, rich layers of flavor that they can chew on for hours, and there’s no rye on the market that offers the same lush experience as this one right here.
In general, well-aged (and well-made) ryes should appeal to bourbon fans, and we haven’t tasted a rye whiskey yet that’s as well-made as this one.
Despite the best efforts of certain folks who’d rather overlook the contributions Black Americans have made to culture, science, and technology, it’s still Black History Month.
What better way to celebrate and learn about that history than a film festival of movies that have highlighted Black actors, directors, and culture over the past century? I did just that a couple of years ago, but I had a bit of a head start compared to a lot of people due to my past interest in the Blaxploitation genre.
That’s where film festival programmers like Imani Davis come in. The Chicago transplant is the head programmer for Los Angeles’ American Cinematheque, curating festivals such as Beyond Fest, the highest attended genre film festival in the country, and Davis’ own brainchild, Proof Festival, which exhibits proof-of-concept shorts for industry professionals, helping new and independent filmmakers acquire funding and other connections needed to take their next steps into features.
As the lead programmer, it’s Davis’ job to ensure that films get the audiences they deserve, whether that’s to preserve and promote repertory classics or highlight underserved communities within the film industry — like Black filmmakers, who’ve traditionally been left out of the canon despite being some of the first and most innovative creators and subjects in the space (just check out Jordan Peele’s Nope, a meta-commentary on this phenomenon masquerading as a summer blockbuster monster movie).
Davis graciously sat down for a Zoom interview with Uproxx about her work, from highlighting underseen staples to the importance of uplifting those underrepresented voices for the edification of all cinema. And, of course, she gave her recommendations for the must-see films of Black cinema for Black History Month.
You have one of the coolest jobs I can think of, which is like, “Hey, I think you should watch these movies. These are cool movies.” What are some of the challenges or benefits of being Black in that curator role?
I never thought it was going to be a full-time thing. I studied film studies in undergrad at Ohio State University. I also got my master’s at Northwestern University and dabbled in a lot of things film-related. I really liked the history and theory side of my classes, really geeked out on certain movements such as the rise of the blockbuster in the ’80s and multiplexes and malls and how that changed things.
So, I would geek out on the history part of things. Then, after graduating and exploring things, at first, I really wanted to be a screenwriter. I had a concentration in screenwriting, but I quickly pivoted my first year. I was like, “I love writing, the storytelling aspect of things. I think there’s something else, other things that I want to do in film, too.”
I loved watching movies, loved writing pieces about them, and I then learned about programming in the Chicago indie artist-run space scene. There’s a lot of cool micro cinemas and used abandoned storefronts playing films and such. And there’s this really cool student-run film society at University Of Chicago that anyone could get involved in, called Doc Films. That’s where I learned a lot about programming.
No one was paying me for it in Chicago. I was very much just dabbling, having fun and getting to know people, and getting really involved in this programming community. That’s how I ended up getting connected to the American Cinematheque and it turning into a full-time job. It’s a profession and job that is pretty mystified in general. Not a lot of people know about it. I didn’t even know about it.
What are some aspects of this kind of work that make it rewarding or challenging? Why is it so important for the role to have a Black perspective?
I thought a lot about this in undergrad and in grad school. What is the canon of cinema, especially the western canon? It’s very white. Since the beginning of film as a medium, as an art form, it’s been dominated by older white men. It’s the reason why women are still so underrepresented as directors in the industry. It started as that, so it’s going to take a long time to undo that. Just now, we’re having this moment of seeing more Black directors, the Jordan Peeles, the Ryan Cooglers, the Ava DuVernays. That is all very, very recent.
Of course, they’re pioneers, but even coming into programming with that knowledge of digging back in the older films, even newer films, there’s going to be a lack of diversity. What can I do in my role as a film programmer to unearth and rediscover it, especially now that things are getting restored, too? I remember when I first came in, it was pretty recent when we showed Kathleen Collins’ Losing Ground and that was a restoration. It’s such a beautiful film by a Black woman director, and it’s amazing.
What’s the significance of a budget? We talk about big budget, small budget, and I don’t think anybody knows what a budget actually does.
I feel like the budget is everything, and it is that big distinction between a lot of the times, indie independent versus studio. There aren’t a lot of, especially nowadays, studio-backed films that go below a certain budget. They’re always higher and there’s just more stakes. So I would say the bigger a budget is, the more people are involved and the higher the stakes are. So there are a lot of things that have to come in to justify a bigger budget.
So maybe it’s like, “Oh, it has to be an action or this big-budget action movie, and it has to be these kinds of stars because then it’ll get more international distribution and people will go see it in other countries, too.” There are just more things that get added to the mix.
Things get expensive. That’s the base of a budget, all those line items that add up for the movie. There’s a script fee. There’s the actors, of course. There’s a location, there’s food on set, and you’ve definitely got to feed your people. That is definitely a big one. All the technical aspects. Is there VFX? Is there a special sound that you have to do post-production? Post-production comes into that, the editing, all that stuff.
So what do you look for in films that you want to highlight for American Cinematheque, and how would that differ from something like Proof Festival, which you put on yourself?
Proof is actually one of the American Cinematheque festivals. So when I came in, there was a want to do more with short films and emerging filmmakers in general. We have three theaters that we program at almost every day, and we show all kinds of things, new films, older films. With that, we’re always looking for a balance with the calendar. I think with me and the rest of the programming team, we all have very different, sometimes overlapping tastes, and so you can see that in the calendar, too. That was very intentional to have a well-rounded, diverse programming team that is going out making decisions about the films that we’re showing and what we think that our audience is going to react to.
We have our Beyond Fest audience that is more into horror, thriller, genre films. It’s really eventized with our Beyond Fest screenings. We also have these new restorations, like I mentioned, Losing Ground, which maybe has more of an academic side of the audience that is like, “Oh, I read about that film. I knew about that film from this book and that movement.” So there’s just all different kinds of audiences that we’re trying to reach.
We have a new Neon or A24 movie coming out, and then we’re also showing classic Hollywood things. So, every time we look at the calendar and the month of what’s playing, we want something for everyone represented. That’s always our goal for the day-to-day American Cinematheque. It definitely differs from Proof, which is a short film festival specifically for proof-of-concept short films, because those films haven’t even been made yet.
That’s really cool. When you were talking about getting ready to screen for different tastes and different varieties and things, it reminds me of what I do as a music writer. I have to listen to stuff that I wouldn’t listen to on my own. People sometimes get invited to watch movies or things that they wouldn’t want; “I’m not a horror person, I just can’t handle blood.” What’s your trick or whatever for getting into something that isn’t your genre?
Oh my gosh. I love how you said the genre that I’ll specifically talk about here. I am a big scaredy-cat. I’m not into horror. I feel like I’m a little more into it now, especially since starting this job. We show a lot of it, and I have desensitized myself and grown to appreciate horror for what it is, too. But I just had to do exposure therapy for myself and knowing that a big part of our audience is really into horror. Working at the American Cinematheque, I definitely need to watch horror, grow to appreciate it, know maybe what’s working, what’s not, and know if it’s a good fit for our audience. There’s all different kinds of horror, too. Maybe there’s the blockbuster studio horror and then maybe smaller art house horror.
If you had to distill Black cinematic education down to five movies, which are those movies and what are the criteria you are going to use?
My first instinct is to kind of go back in time. What are those really early films? What can stretch across, what are five films that can hit these different movements and eras to different points in our cinematic history? I do want to include this film that I’ve been talking about the whole time, which hopefully people will watch after they read this: Losing Ground.
It has this reminiscent tone of Black filmmakers getting into their own, portraying their own experiences on screen. Really personal stories in an independent fashion, too. So I think that film is a great showcase of those beginnings. All Dirt Roads Taste Of Salt from Raven Jackson as another example.
And then I feel like I have to put Do The Right Thing in there. I think Spike Lee really represents a Black filmmaker that was really able to have his work inserted into the canon and talked about and written about by scholars and academics.
I’d also want to put something from the LA Rebellion, which was a movement here in California from filmmaking students. Charles Burnett was in that movement, so maybe Killer Of Sheep, of these students that were rebelling against what was out there in terms of Black representation and out there in terms of accessibility for Black filmmakers and funding their really scrappy, beautiful personal films.
That’s three. I’m going to put in Moonlight for sure as a more recent film that I feel is just talked about a lot and has also really stretched the boundaries of how Black cinema is talked about. And another one that’s in that same vein of just big popularity is Get Out.
A newly filed motion related to the matter has raised an eyebrow. Today (February 21), Variety revealed that one of the attorneys representing Diddy has filed to be withdrawn from his case.
According to court documents obtained by the outlet, Anthony Ricco, has asked to be removed from Diddy’s legal team. “Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs,” wrote Ricco in the filing.
Seemingly to not jeopardize attorney-client privilege, Ricco did not disclose any details surrounding his decision to step away. Instead, Ricco provided a vague explanation in the paperwork. Based on Ricco’s motion, there were “sufficient reasons” for the hasty legal maneuver.
Although Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos will reportedly remain on as Diddy’s counsel, Ricco’s departure has raised an eyebrow.
Diddy is currently being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center as he awaits his trial for racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; and transportation to engage in prostitution.
Diddy nor has his remaining legal team issued a public statement regarding Ricco’s motion.
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