🎥 8 Underrated Action Movies to pair with your Whiskey

More and more, I'm convinced the critics have a vendetta against action movies. Open up rotten tomatoes and you can find many instances where the critic score and the audience score are dramatically different. My explanation for this would be that grading an action flick by the same criterial that you would apply to an art-film or drama likely ignores the directorial intent and audience appeal of a perhaps shallow but thoroughly entertaining film. When you're just looking to kick back and sip some juice, these underrated action movie throwbacks do plenty to check all of your fast-food action boxes.

1. Dredd (2012) - For Stunning Slow motion Action Sequences

Karl Urban takes to the streets as Judge Dredd, a law enforcement officer with cool armor, a cooler gun, and no need for a jury or executioner. This visually impressive film is self aware and offers deadpan humor in addition to excellent camera placement. The movie well captures the gritty dystopian aesthetic of the sci-fi future comic on which it is based. Both critics and audiences thought this movie delivered above and beyond from a quality perspective, but a disappointing lack of marketing throttled box office performance.

Pair With: Peaty Scotch - Laphroaig 10 - As Gruff as the Judge Himself!

2. Van Helsing (2004) - Monster Slaying Action Reaction

Hugh Jackman takes on a myriad of storied enemies in this Monster of the Week Mashup. Critics weren't big fans of the gratuitous use of early 200s CGI and some of the dialog is a bit campy. On the bright side, the action sequences are well done and non-stop. Those in the right mindset may find the banal script amusing. I watch it every Halloween.

Pair With: Sherry Finished Whiskey - Stranahan's Sherry Cask or Glenmorangie Lasanta - Blood!

3. Treasure Planet (2002) - For Watching with your Kids

This futuristic retelling of Treasure Island, the greatest children's story of all time, features excellent animation, a plucky soundtrack, and memorable characters. A lack of princesses contributed to its relatively obscurity, though in my experience people always get excited when you mention it.

Pair With: Salty Scotch - Bunnahabhain 10 yr Single Malt - Taste the brine!

4. IP Man (2008) - Kung Fu the Way it should be

In Hong Kong film set during the Sino-Japanese war, Bruce Lee portrays a skilled wing chun master captured with his family. Fight choreography is impeccable and the acting superb. It was well received when it launched in China but remains relatively niche in the USA. The film went on to receive three sequels.

Pair With: Japanese Whisky - Nikka Coffey Malt or Nikka From the Barrel - Because far East!

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen Movie Poster

5. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) - A Contemporary Fiction Buffet

This mash of up literary leading characters from an assortment of authors features constant action, managing to be quite entertaining in spite of the thin plot and trite dialog that spurred critical ire. Sean Connery joins a large cast outfitted with an impressive assortment of practical effects, jaunty score, and outrageously intricate costumes to defeat a secret evil in a classic world chasing struggle of good versus evil. You'll enjoy this one more if you're relatively well read.

Pair With: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea - Captain Nemo Approved!

A Knights Tale Movie Poster - Heath Ledger

6. A Knights Tale (2001) - Tasteful Anachronism and Jousting

Heath Ledger stars as a peasant who takes the place of his former liege after the knight passes away, pretending to be a noble in order to complete in a series of jousting tournaments in the pursuit of fame, fortune, and love. Loosely based on the Canterbury tales, this well paced film features endearing characters, lively action sequences, and just the right amount of comedy. Listen for a classic rock soundtrack and look for fashion from the finest European brands highlighted by a monotone and dearly medieval setting.

Pair With: Old Grand-Dad 114 - Salute to the old man!

7. Hellboy (2004) - A Smashing Good Time, Surprisingly Funny

Guillermo del Toro directs Ron Perlman in this fun and big-hearted action flick filled with all sorts of baddies, rock-and-roll, and the occasional dry wit. It suffers from some issues with pacing and didn't resonate with some audiences but did better than expected with critics, probably the best action flick of the year. Who doesn't love a demon working for the US government?

Pair With: Barrel Proof Bourbon - Benchmark Barrel Proof - I think he'd like cheap and big bourbon.

8. Pacific Rim (2013) - Big Robots, Bigger Monsters, Epic Fun

One of the more well crafted CGI popcorners, Pacific Rim combines awesome action, solid acting, and a simple plot to satisfy everyone's inner child. The pacing is solid and a great cast helps to carry the momentum forward. What could be better than robots fighting sea kaiju. A boys night favorite!

Pair With: Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Rye or Bourbon - a treat!

🥃Review #15 Costco's Kirkland Small Batch Bourbon

Costco's liquor store is a thing of beauty. While not every Kirkland edition is a hit, there are enough standouts on a fun per dollar ratio to always merit a look. Almost all of the house brands are less than $30, and I'm always excited to take a long shot when the new seasonal releases come around. 📚 Background: Distilled by Barton 1792 in Bardstown Kentucky, Kirkland Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey hits the shelves a few times a year. Mine was from batch 1124. The bottle presentation is supposed to evoke the same feel as other small batch whiskeys and there is a decorative purity seal that is reminiscent of the ever reliable bottled in bond green filigree, albeit in a meaningless red. Unlike its bonded brethren, this edition comes in under 100 proof and does not have any age statement. There's not a whole lot of additional information provided by Costco or the distiller, but we can reasonably assume that it shares a similar pedigree as the entry level 1792...

🥃Review #53: Costco's Kirkland 15YR Highland Single Malt Scotch - 2025

The 2025 release of Costco's Kirkland 15-year Highland Scotch hit shelves in late January and is a recurring installment on an annual cadence. The first pallet to hit my local store sold out almost immediately. Thankfully, we got two more shipments at one pallet each that hung around a bit longer and I was able to snag a bottle. Like in previous years, this Highland Scotch is finished in sherry casks. Alexander Murray & Co. is the bottler with MISA imports out of Texas bringing it to the States for consumption (Costco's standard sourcing pattern for Scotch). The bottle has a nice heft to it and there is an ensconced Alexander Murray Lion adding some nice texture to the front of the bottle. Steve Lipp, CEO of Alexander Murray, calls it "Perfect for after dinner drinking." All-in-all, this shows an attempt to elevate the product and presentation from the ubiquitous blends and non-age stated iterations you'll sometimes find under the Kirkland label. Neither Alex...

🥃 Review #40: Kirkland Islay Single Malt Scotch Whisky (2024)

Like Costco's other Scotches, the Kirkland Signature Islay Single Malt is bottled for Alexander Murray and imported by MISA Imports after being distilled and aged in Scotland (TTB.gov plant registry TX-I-1277). The isle of Islay is one of the southern most islands in Scotland and is one of the five whisky regions ensconced in law. There are only nine active distilleries on the island, and the Islay style is typified by strong peat or smoky flavors. As a single malt, we know that the juice in this bottle comes entirely from one of those nine! All of the distilleries are significantly smaller than Glenlivet and many of the mainland producers. Taste testing has people split between Caol Illa, Bruichladdich (Port Charlotte), and Bunnahabhain as being the source. Caol Illa and Laphroig both have done deals for private brand scotch without rights to name the source distillery, but Laphroig does not match the flavor profile for this bottle. Realistically, Caol Illa is the most likely cand...

🥃Review #29: Costco's Kirkland Blended Canadian Whisky - Is it Crown Royal?

Awarded 91 points and a gold medal by the Beverage Tasting Institute, Kirkland Canadian Whisky is known a great value and many in the popular culture have alleged that it is repackaged Crown Royal due to its relative quality for the price. But is it? 📚 Background: Kirkland first introduced their line of spirits in the 1990s and has expanded their offerings over time. While I wasn't able to find a first release date for this product, the first TTB label in the COLA database is from 2016. The whisky is imported for Costco by Wide World Importers in Louisville Kentucky. Digging a bit further reveals that Wide World Importers is an alternative name for SAZERAC . For me, this conclusively busts the popular myth that Kirkland Canadian is made by Crown Royal (a Diageo property). Sazerac has a number of Canadian Whisky brands in-house, including: Rich & Rare Reserve ($19.99 for 1.75L - No Age Statement), Seagram's VO ($22.99 for 1.75L - Aged Six Years),...

🥃Review #30: Kirkland Bourbon Casked Rum XO

XO stands for "Extra Old" but how does this bottle of Bourbon Casked Rum from Costco's Kirkland Signature line measure up? 📚 Background: Finished in used Cognac barrels, this bottle is a product of Guatemala, imported for Costco by MISA IMPORTS out of Dallas Texas. MISA, named after the founder's children Michael and Sarah, started primarily as a sourcing partner for fine wines, but has since expanded operations into sourcing spirits. MISA's rum brand partners include 1731 , Autentico Nativo , and Navy Island. We would have to guess the maker if not for the back label which clearly identifies one Olivier Dumont, Master Blender. Mr. Dumont works for Les Bienheureux , a French company growing at an alarming rate that has both a foothold in French Whisky and Costa Rican Rum. Les Bienheureux is the company behind "El Pasador De Oro " (roughly translated as "Gold Pin") which has two widely available iterations. The XO version retails for $46.99 a...

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