Reel Beans: A Film and Coffee Podcast

Ben Schneider
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Film History
  • Updated Semimonthly

Two passions, one podcast. Join host Benjamin Schneider and a rotating cast of cinephile guests as we pair exceptional films with exceptional coffee—not just by taste, but by theme. Each episode is a masterclass in cinema and craft roasting, exploring the scenes, symbols, and ideas that spark real-world conversations long after the credits roll. From philosophical depth to cultural commentary, we journey through film history one cup at a time, examining stories that challenge, comfort, and inspire. Come for the cinema, stay for the brew. There's always something worth savoring. Sip. Watch. Repeat. RSSVERIFY

  1. 16h ago

    Viridiana (1961): Ban First, Baptize Later ft. Morally Offensive | Dark Matter Coffee

    In 1961, Luis Buñuel's Viridiana was banned in Spain and declared blasphemous by the Vatican. Centuries earlier, the Catholic Church condemned coffee as "the Devil's drink" due to its Islamic origins - only to later "baptize" it when it proved too delicious to resist. Same institution. Same playbook. This week Reel Beans teams up with Bill Holland of Morally Offensive Podcast to explore Buñuel's masterpiece - a biting satire on religious hypocrisy, the failure of idealism, and the gap between genuine faith and institutional corruption. Both hosts are sipping Dark Matter Coffee from Chicago: Ben with Devil's Lettuce and Bill with Unicorn Blood. In this episode: Why Viridiana was banned and declared blasphemous by the VaticanThe Church's pattern: condemn first, baptize laterThe iconic Last Supper scene and why it still shocksDark Matter Coffee: Chicago's rebellious roaster and why it fits perfectlyMORALLY OFFENSIVE PODCAST Exploring films considered banned or offensive to the Catholic diocese, hosted by Bill Holland. Website: https://www.morallyoffensive.com Instagram: @morallyoffensivepod DARK MATTER COFFEE https://www.darkmattercoffee.com Ben's Pairing: Devil's Lettuce | Bill's Pairing: Unicorn Blood REEL BEANS Films paired with great coffee. Sip. Watch. Repeat. Website: reelbeans.com Instagram: @reel_beans Listen: https://rss.com/podcasts/real-beans/ RESEARCH & FURTHER READING Viridiana - Criterion Collection: https://www.criterion.com/films/373-viridianaThe Viridiana Controversy Explained: https://www.slashfilm.com/723199/the-viridiana-controversy-explained/Criterion Essay - "The Human Comedy" by Michael Wood: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/423-viridiana-the-human-comedyCoffee: How "Satan's Drink" Spread to Europe: https://sacredfootsteps.com/2019/07/12/coffee-how-satans-drink-spread-to-europe-through-the-ottomans/Pope Clement VIII & Coffee - Satan's Brew: https://www.papalartifacts.com/pope-clement-viii-coffee-satans-brew/

    Viridiana (1961): Ban First, Baptize Later ft. Morally Offensive | Dark Matter Coffee

  2. Jul 7

    Top Gun (1986) | Danger Zones & Smooth Operators | Stumptown Nitro Cold Brew

    Top Gun (1986) — Danger Zones & Smooth Operators | Stumptown Nitro Cold Brew Today Ben is joined by Marc Pyskaty and Kathryn Horan from the Cinescare Horror Podcast for a high-flying dive into Top Gun (1986). Ben watches it for the first time. Marc and Kathryn are ready. This could go anywhere. We're drinking Stumptown Nitro Cold Brew — nitrogen-infused, creamy, cascading. Smooth operators deserve a smooth cup. Pour it into a glass and watch the cascade. You'll understand immediately. Where to watch Top Gun: justwatch.com/us/movie/top-gun Find Stumptown Nitro Cold Brew near you (refrigerated, in-store only): stumptowncoffee.com/products/original-nitro-cold-brew-coffee Check out our guests at Cinescare Horror Podcast: cinescarehorror.com | @cinescare Subscribe, find us, and support the show: reelbeans.com | rss.com/podcasts/real-beans | youtube.com/@reelbeans | reelbeans.com/support | @reel_beans

    Top Gun (1986) | Danger Zones & Smooth Operators | Stumptown Nitro Cold Brew

  3. Jun 23

    Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) | Peru Coffee

    In this episode, host Ben welcomes special guests Joe Janz and Matt Speak, the hosts of the Cinescare Podcast, for a deep dive into Steven Spielberg's 1981 action-adventure classic, Raiders of the Lost Ark, paired with a Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC Peru Medium Roast. Ben shares that this was his first time seeing the film, in a sold-out 35mm screening at Quentin Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema in LA. The three discuss what makes the film a near-perfect adventure movie: the thrilling practical effects, groundbreaking in-camera action sequences, iconic cinematography by Douglas Slocombe, and John Williams' legendary score. They also share behind-the-scenes trivia, including the truth about the famous swordsman scene, Spielberg's SpaghettiOs diet in Tunisia, the swimming pool trick used to create the Ark's supernatural spirits, and the real story behind the fly on Belloq's lip. Joe and Matt also give a rundown of their own podcast, Cinescare, and tease an upcoming episode featuring a Malort tasting. Coffee: Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC — Peru Medium Roast (warm cinnamon, caramel, and orange notes) Film: Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), dir. Steven Spielberg 🎙️ Find Cinescare Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow Cinescare on Instagram @cinescare 🌐 More film and coffee recommendations at realbeans.com 💬 Instagram: @real_beans

    Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) | Peru Coffee

  4. Jun 9

    The Truman Show (1998) | Starbucks Veranda Blend

    Ben, along with Casey and Allen discuss The Truman Show and sip Starbucks Veranda Blend. Exploring the timeless themes of The Truman Show, its commentary on reality TV, societal control, and the impact of technology on privacy and authenticity. A deep dive into the film's relevance today and its cultural significance. The Truman Show (Film) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120382/ Where to Watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-truman-show Jim Carrey -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carrey Peter Weir - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Weir The Truman Show Script by Andrew Niccol - https://screenplaydb.com/script/tt0120382/ Starbucks Blonde Roast - https://www.starbucks.com/menu/product/2122324/ Surveillance and Privacy in the Digital Age - https://www.eff.org/issues/privacy Reality TV and Society - https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201911/reality-tv-and-society

    The Truman Show (1998) | Starbucks Veranda Blend

  5. May 26

    Dorothy McGuire Double Feature: Seeing Past the Surface | Gentleman's Agreement & The Enchanted Cottage

    SHOW NOTES Episode Title: Dorothy McGuire Double Feature: Seeing Past the Surface | Gentleman's Agreement & The Enchanted Cottage Description: What do a journalist pretending to be Jewish and a disfigured war veteran falling in love in a magical cottage have in common? They're both about learning to see what's actually there instead of what we've been taught to see. In this double-feature episode, Ben and returning guest Danielle Aubuchon explore two Dorothy McGuire classics asking the same question: What happens when we're forced to see past the surface? Gentleman's Agreement (1947) confronts antisemitism through a journalist who poses as Jewish to expose "polite" prejudice. The Enchanted Cottage (1945) finds beauty in what society deems "imperfect"—a disfigured veteran and a "plain" woman who see each other clearly for the first time. Both films reveal McGuire's range and her gift for playing characters learning to see clearly—whether recognizing unconscious prejudice or discovering their own worth. We explore silent racism, the glass bottles metaphor, and "nice people" who hate prejudice but won't fight it. Paired with Counter Culture's Hologram blend—a coffee that reveals different flavors depending on how you approach it—this episode asks: What would change if we all just actually SAW each other? sip. watch. repeat. Films Discussed: The Enchanted Cottage (1945) - Dir. John CromwellGentleman's Agreement (1947) - Dir. Elia KazanCoffee Pairing: Counter Culture Coffee - Hologram Blend Guest: Danielle Aubuchon | danielleaubuchon.com Featured Performances: Dorothy McGuire, Gregory Peck, Robert Young, John Garfield, Celeste Holm, Anne Revere, Herbert Marshall, Spring Byington, Mildred Natwick Links: Stream Gentleman's Agreement | https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/gentlemans-agreement Stream The Enchanted Cottage | https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-enchanted-cottage Counter Culture Coffee | https://counterculturecoffee.com Danielle Aubuchon | https://danielleaubuchon.com La Jolla Playhouse (co-founded by McGuire, Peck, Ferrer) | https://lajollaplayhouse.org Dorothy McGuire - TCM | https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/133081 Support Reel Beans: https://reelbeans.com/support | https://buymeacoffee.com/reelbeans | https://reelbeans.com/merch Connect: Instagram: @reel_beans | YouTube: @reelbeans | Website: reelbeans.com

    Dorothy McGuire Double Feature: Seeing Past the Surface | Gentleman's Agreement & The Enchanted Cottage

  6. May 12

    The Descent (2005) — What Grows in Darkness | Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

    Season 2 kicks off with a descent into darkness. Join Ben Schneider and Kathryn Horan as they explore Neil Marshall's THE DESCENT (2005) — now in Ben's top ten horror films. Six women. One unmapped cave. Creatures that shouldn't exist. And betrayals that cut deeper than any monster ever could. We're pairing this claustrophobic nightmare with Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee, because Kathryn had a brilliant insight: mushrooms literally grow in caves. What starts as a clever connection becomes something deeper as we explore the Finnish WWII origins of mushroom coffee and why Lion's Mane is exactly what you need when the walls close in. In this episode: Why the UK ending hits different (and harder) than the US versionJuno's fatal mistake: when fight or flight goes horribly wrongWhat makes these women work when so many horror characters don'tNeil Marshall's Argento/Fulci influences and how they shape the terrorThe affair subplot you might have missedCave diving as metaphor for confronting truthWhy all-female casts are still revolutionary in horrorThis one's intense, claustrophobic, and earned every scare. Let's descend. sip. watch. repeat. RESOURCES: The Film: The Descent (2005) - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/ Where to Watch - https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/the-descent The Director & Influences: Neil Marshall - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Marshall Dario Argento - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dario_Argento Lucio Fulci - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucio_Fulci The Coffee: Four Sigmatic Focus Organic Coffee Latte - https://us.foursigmatic.com/products/focus-organic-coffee-latte Connect with Reel Beans: Website: reelbeans.com Instagram: @reel_beans Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/reelbeans

    The Descent (2005) — What Grows in Darkness | Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee

  7. Apr 28

    Thelma & Louise (1991) — Freedom Tastes Like the Open Road | Mt. Comfort Coffee Guatemala Blend

    In the season one finale of Reel Beans, host Ben is joined by returning guest Josh Rozett to celebrate one year of pairing films with coffee. For this milestone episode, Josh shares Ridley Scott's 1991 landmark Thelma & Louise, paired with Mt. Comfort Coffee's Guatemala Blend - a bright, balanced cup that mirrors the film's journey from constraint to freedom. Ben and Josh explore how Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon create one of cinema's most authentic friendships, how Ridley Scott's visual style transforms the Southwest landscape into a character itself, and why the film's refusal to offer easy answers makes it a perfect seasonal closer. From Callie Khouri's Oscar-winning screenplay to that iconic final frame, this conversation examines how Thelma & Louise redefined the road movie by putting two women behind the wheel of their own destiny. The coffee pairing celebrates the heartland craftsmanship of Indianapolis-based Mt. Comfort Coffee, whose Guatemala Blend offers bright citrus and chocolate notes that evolve in the cup - much like the film's deceptively simple setup reveals profound depth. It's the kind of coffee you'd want riding shotgun on a journey toward the horizon. Season one wraps with gratitude for the listeners, supporters, and guests who made this experiment in film-coffee fusion possible. Here's to many more miles ahead. Film: Thelma & Louise (1991) Coffee: Mt. Comfort Coffee Guatemala Blend Guest: Josh Rozett Where to Watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/thelma-and-louise Where to Buy the Coffee: https://mtcomfortcoffee.com | https://www.instacart.com (search "Mt. Comfort Coffee") Episode Links: https://reelbeans.com | https://www.instagram.com/reel_beans | https://www.youtube.com/@reelbeans | https://letterboxd.com/reel_beans | https://rss.com/podcasts/real-beans Support the Show: https://reelbeans.com/merch | https://buymeacoffee.com/reelbeans

    Thelma & Louise (1991) — Freedom Tastes Like the Open Road | Mt. Comfort Coffee Guatemala Blend

  8. Apr 14

    Laura (1944) & Sitting Pretty (1948) — Celebrating the Brilliant & Biting Clifton Webb | Intelligentsia House Blend

    Reel Beans — Episode 24 Clifton Webb Tribute: Laura (1944) & Sitting Pretty (1948) | Intelligentsia House Blend Welcome to Hummingbird Hill. This week we are celebrating one of Hollywood's most brilliant and wildly underrated actors — the one, the only, Clifton Webb. Frequent guest Danielle Aubuchon joins us for a tribute episode covering two sides of Webb's genius: the brooding, obsessive Waldo Lydecker in Otto Preminger's noir classic Laura (1944) and the pompous, hilarious, utterly magnificent Mr. Belvedere in Sitting Pretty (1948). Three Oscar nominations. Never won. Still underrated. Still brilliant. Paired with Intelligentsia House Blend — the everyday coffee for a man who was anything but ordinary. sip. watch. repeat. This Week's Guest Danielle Aubuchon | https://www.danielleaubuchon.com/ This Week's Coffee Intelligentsia House Blend | https://www.intelligentsia.com/products/intelligentsia-house-blend Where to Watch Laura (1944) | https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/laura Sitting Pretty (1948) | https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/sitting-pretty Learn More Clifton Webb — Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_Webb Clifton Webb — IMDb | https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0916067/ Find Reel Beans Website | https://reelbeans.com | Podcast | https://rss.com/podcasts/real-beans/ | Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/reel_beans/ | YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@reelbeans Support the Show Support | https://reelbeans.com/support | Merch | https://reelbeans.com/merch

    Laura (1944) & Sitting Pretty (1948) — Celebrating the Brilliant & Biting Clifton Webb | Intelligentsia House Blend
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4 Ratings

About

Two passions, one podcast. Join host Benjamin Schneider and a rotating cast of cinephile guests as we pair exceptional films with exceptional coffee—not just by taste, but by theme. Each episode is a masterclass in cinema and craft roasting, exploring the scenes, symbols, and ideas that spark real-world conversations long after the credits roll. From philosophical depth to cultural commentary, we journey through film history one cup at a time, examining stories that challenge, comfort, and inspire. Come for the cinema, stay for the brew. There's always something worth savoring. Sip. Watch. Repeat. RSSVERIFY

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