Zdravstvuyte tovarisch! This week on Alcohollywood, we’re taking all you comrades for an Eastern bloc party with the 2010 Russian superhero flick Black Lightning! Produced by Timur Bekmambetov (of Night Watch and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter fame), this Russian love letter to blockbuster superhero movies sees Dima, a down on his luck college student, suddenly inherit a flying Volgo automobile modified by Cold War scientists using magic fuel. Slowly learning its powers, he uses it to become the superhero Black Lightning and save Moscow from the machinations of the evil diamond magnate Prof. Viktor Kuptsov.
A derivative yet strangely charming blend of every Western superhero film of the last decade, combined with Russia’s love of fur-lined clothing and dance clubs, make Black Lightning a film worth checking out. Don’t forget to listen to our episode and check out our custom cocktail and drinking rules either!
LISTEN HERE OR DOWNLOAD:
THIS EPISODE’S DRINK: Red Thunder
1 part Eristoff Black vodka
1 part blackberry brandy
6 parts sparkling lemonade
1 part Grand Marnier Titanium
1 part cherry liqueur
splash, vanilla bark bitters
Combine and stir. Garnish with lemon peel.
DRINKING RULES FOR BLACK LIGHTNING:
- Every time a character says “Black Lightning” (Chornaya Molniya)
- Whenever you see a glowing light (from Black Lightning’s engines, headlights, etc.)
- Any time you see product placement (e.g. Mentos, iPhone)
FINISH YOUR DRINK WHEN:
Victor shouts, “Happy New Year’s, kids!”
Join us next week as we eat our spinach and watch the Robert Zemeckis misfire Popeye: The Movie!
