Afleveringen
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It's Die Hard in a bonus episode about our other podcast 48 Hours Of Buddy Movies!
Happy New Year! This week weâre jumping on the feed to tell you about the first 10 movies weâre covering on 48 Hours Of Buddy Movies! For the price of a cup of coffee, you can hear us talk about two more movies every month! Come on! What else are you doing with your bearer bonds or krugerrands or hard-earned American dollars?
Visit patreon.com/48hoursofbuddymovies to join the fun for $5 a month!
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Itâs Die Hard in a flood!
This week, hosts Phil and Liam dive headfirst into the watery chaos of HARD RAIN with special guest Kris Tapley of the 50MPH Podcast!
As the small midwestern town of Huntingberg, Indiana is overwhelmed by an epic flood, armored car security guard Tom (Christian Slater) finds himself in the middle of heist plot orchestrated by determined thief Jim (Morgan Freeman). Tom attempts to thwart the thieves by hiding the money, but as the water level rises, he soon discovers that the opportunity presented by this natural disaster brings out both the best and the worst in his fellow citizens. Can Tom stop the thieves, avenge his partnerâs death, and save the remaining townsfolk, before the dam breaks and the entire area goes completely underwater?
In this action-packed episode, the guys explore the filmâs unique take on the âDie Hardâ paradigm, comparing it to other water-based action thrillers and dissecting the themes of survival, greed, and heroism in a flooded world. What does the film say about human nature in the face of catastrophe? How does HARD RAIN stack up as an action film when compared to others in the genre? And just what the hell is Betty White doing in this movie?!
With Kris Tapleyâs insights from his years in the world of film criticism, the discussion dives deep into the filmâs approach to disaster cinema, its star-studded cast, its Western echoes, and the ambitious technical challenges of bringing a flooded town to life on screen. They also address the oft-repeated urban legend that this film was once considered as a sequel to SPEED! So join the boys for a suitably wet and wild episode!
HARD RAIN trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsmt4B35hsM
At the time of release, HARD RAIN is available to stream on Hoopla and Pluto TV and is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Apple TV and Fandango.
Click here to subscribe to our Patreon-only podcast, 48 Hours Of Buddy Movies!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Merry Christmas! Today we're dropping the audio of our appearance on BBC Radio 2 earlier this month! We appeared on BBC Midnight Masterminds to quiz host OJ Borg on Die Hard (what else?) So pull up a chair, pour yourself some eggnog, and see if we can stump you!
If you'd like to see the video version of this, join our patreon! Our episodes this month include Beverly Hills Cop and To Live And Die In LA!
We appreciate your support this year and we hope you'll continue the journey here and on 48 Hours Of Buddy Movies!
See you in the new year!
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Itâs a Buddy Movie with a family man and a burnout / Itâs Die Hard a year before Die Hard!
For this crossover Christmas special, we forced the mismatched podcasts of 48 HOURS OF BUDDY MOVIES and DIE HARD ON A BLANK to team up! (They hated it at first, but eventually reached a place of mutual understanding and respect. This week, Phil and Liam dive deep into Richard Donnerâs iconic 1987 mega-hit Lethal Weapon, starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover. They discuss how this film solidified the formula for the 'buddy cop' genre and turned its two heroes into the ultimate crime-fighting duo. They explore the filmâs themes, especially itâs Vietnam-echoes, as well as the unique chemistry that made Riggs and Murtaugh such an unforgettable double act. They also debut a fresh round of 48 HRS-themed awards, including âBest Fitâ, âMost Valuable Weaselâ and âBest Gratuitous Nude Scene!'
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKeW-MGu-qQ
At the time of release, Lethal Weapon is available is available to rent or buy on Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango YouTube, and Vudu.
Click here to subscribe to our Patreon-only podcast, 48 Hours Of Buddy Movies!
"Miami Nights - Extended Theme" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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It's a buddy movie with a cop and a con!
For this inaugural flagship episode of their new show, Phil and Liam discuss Walter Hillâs 1982 masterpiece 48 HRS starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy! They talk about the history of the âbuddy movieâ genre both before and after this film, and explain how this movie changed the game and ushered in a new era. They analyze the pictureâs â48 CHROMOSOMESâ, outlining the key elements that would be replicated in subsequent buddy movies, and break down the film in more detail in the âAnatomy of an Action Movieâ section, studying the premise, heroes, villains, action, and humor. Finally they test drive a new series of 48 HRS-themed awards, including Best Fit, Best Gratuitous Nude Scene and Most Valuable Weasel!
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7foFz6M0wo
48 HRS is currently streaming on Paramount Plus in the US and is available to rent or buy on Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Fandango.
This is the first episode of 48 Hours of Buddy Movies! This episode and our holiday special on Lethal Weapon will be free here and on our Patreon feed. All episodes in January will be for paying listeners only! You can sign up for the paid feed at patreon.com/48hoursofbuddymovies whenever you want to throw us some of your hard-earned cash!
"Miami Nights - Extended Theme" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in a hitman movie!
This week itâs the DIE HARD ON A BLANK 50th episode bonanza, and Phil and Liam are tracking down THE JACKAL, the 1997 action-thriller starring Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier, Diane Venora and J.K. Simmons!
After an FBI raid results in the death of a vicious Russian gangster, the mobsterâs aggrieved brother hires an elusive international assassin known as âthe Jackalâ (Bruce Willis) for a retaliatory killing against a high-profile American target. But because so few people have ever seen this wily hitman in the flesh, FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier) decides to bring one of the Jackalâs former cohorts - imprisoned IRA sniper Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere) - onto the task force assigned to stop him. Can Carter, Declan and the team track down and take out the Jackal before he completes his deadly mission?
With its high-stakes terrorism plot and escalating action, THE JACKAL shares strong DNA with the DIE HARD series, providing ample material for comparison. Phil also uncovers some fascinating information about alternative casting choices for both films, that spark some captivating thought experiments. Did you know that Richard Gere was formally offered the role of John McClane, and that producer Joel Silver aggressively pursued him for the part?
Phil loves this film, whereas Liam is not so hot on it, so they each present the case for the defense and the prosecution. They discuss the performances of the lead actors, particularly Bruce Willis's portrayal of the cold-blooded assassin, and Richard Gere's complex, reluctant hero, as well as the excellent supporting turns from Sidney Poitier and Diane Venora (Venora-Cast anyone???). The episode also explores the film's reception, examining its critical reviews and box office performance, (and controversies), and the guys discuss how it fits within the broader action-thriller genre of the late 1990s. The late appearance of the Marine heavy helicopter in the filmâs finale ticks the âPhilly Specialâ box and sends Phil into delirious rapture!
As always events culminate with the DIE HARD Oscars and the Double Jeopardy trivia quiz, but stay tuned for a very exciting announcement at the end of the show!
THE JACKAL trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nszMBbCZKo4
At the time of release, THE JACKAL is available to watch on Tubi and Starz, and is available to rent or buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, and all the usual platforms!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Hey folks. We had a small export issue with the episode that resulted in some strange sounds. Please re-download before you listen!
Itâs Die Hard on the Presidentâs plane!
This week, your co-pilots Phil Gawthorne and Liam Billingham take you on a thrilling ride on AIR FORCE ONE, with special guest Adam Volerich from the Eye of the Duck podcast!
Shortly after delivering a controversial speech where he vows to never to negotiate with terrorists, US President James Marshall (Harrison Ford) finds himself on the horns of a dilemma when the Presidential plane known as Air Force One is taken over by a group of ruthless Russian terrorists led by Egor Korshunov (Gary Oldman). With his staff and his family now among the hostages, Marshall must work to resolve the situation and save the day, while his squabbling political colleagues attempt to manage the crisis from the ground. Can Marshall and co defeat the terrorists before his own family are executed, and/or the plane crashes?
The guys dissect this filmâs bountiful âDie Hard DNAâ and dive deep into Hollywood's complex relationship with the Presidency over the years, exploring how the portrayal of the Commander-in-Chief has evolved over time, and what this reveals about American culture and values throughout different eras. In the process, they grapple with a number of thought-provoking questions, such as what's the difference between good jingoism and bad jingoism? Is patriotism really a virtue of the vicious? And are we overthinking all this?
The lads also closely examine Harrison Ford's iconic performance â and the pros and cons of what his persona brings aboard - in a detailed section about the filmâs hero, President James Marshall. The final discussion is as riveting as the film itself, covering themes of leadership, crisis management, and the politics of fear. Events culminate with the Die Hard Oscars and the âDouble Jeopardyâ Trivia Quiz where the scores can really changeâŠif that score isnât spoiled by an annoying blabbermouth aide!
AIR FORCE ONE trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FItgZOuaPVY
At the time of release, AIR FORCE ONE is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Fandango, and all the usual platforms!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in a face swap movie!l
(you can watch this week's episode on YouTube!)
This week, bros Phil Gawthorne and Liam Billingham dive out of an airplane sporting two gold-plated pistols with returning guest Isaac Butler, author of The Method, one of the formative texts of the podcast.
International terrorist Castor Troy (Nicolas Cage) accidentally kills the young son of FBI agent Sean Archer (John Travolta) sparking a long-running feud between the two adversaries. Years later, Troy plants a bomb in LA, but is intercepted by Archer and his team during his getaway. After a chaotic gunfight, Troy ends up in a coma with the exact location of the bomb a mystery. Archer agrees to have Troy's face transplanted onto his own so that he can impersonate him and get the vital information from his imprisoned brother Pollux (Alessandro Nivola) before the bomb detonates. But when Troy awakes from his coma, he steals Archer's face and assumes his identity. With both men now having swapped identities, the stage is set for a final battle between good and evil (But you're still not having any fun!).
FACE/OFF is a pinnacle of action cinema and features two of the most iconic performances of the 90s from Cage and Travolta. So it's fitting that the guys begin the episode by discussing the visceral excitement of this film when it came out before segueing way into a conversation about why this is a movie about acting. Isaac, our acting correspondent, weighs in on why Cage is one of the few innovators left in acting, and how Travola really comes alive as Castor (wooo wee you good lookin'!). They go deep on the idea of doubling in cinema and theater, the psychosexual drama at the core of this action masterpiece, and Isaac tells stories from the set straight from the mouth of Alessandro Nivola!
Events culminate with a runway chase of a âDie Hard Oscarsâ, and red and white boat chase edition of the âDouble Jeopardyâ trivia quiz! This is one peach you could eat for hours!
FACE/OFF trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-nDX0BeFoQ
At the time of recording, FACE/OFF is available to stream on Paramount Plus and Pluto, and for purchase at all the usual places.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard on a cruise ship!
Leeches! Copper poisoning! Vehicles moving very slowly! Or sometimes not at all! Thatâs right folks, itâs the sequel nobody asked for! This week, Phil and Liam are cruising for a bruising as they attempt to make sense of the hideously misguided cinematic atrocity that is SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL! Joining them on this voyage into watery oblivion is none other than Kris Tapley, host of the SPEED oral history podcast 50MPH!
While on a vacation cruise in the Caribbean with her new boyfriend Alex Shaw (Jason Patric), Annie (Sandra Bullock) and Alex find themselves caught up in a nefarious terror plot orchestrated by John Geiger (Willem Dafoe), a disgruntled computer programmer seeking revenge on the shipping company who screwed him over. Geiger seizes control of the cruise shipâs computer systems and threatens to destroy the vessel and everyone on itâŠso can Alex and Annie foil fiendish Geigerâs plan, before the cruise ship crashes? If youâre still awake, maybe youâll find out!
The guys start by discussing the memories of the movieâs release, and their feelings about the prospect of a sequel to Jan De Bontâs peerless original classic, 1994âs SPEED (aka âDIE HARD on a busâ). They also ponder what might have happened to the DIE HARD franchise, had the same choice been made to replace the leading man action hero with another actor.
After talking through the various connections between DIE HARD and SPEED 2 in the âDIE HARD DNAâ section (including an abandoned DIE HARD sequel with an almost identical premise), the boys break down the film piece by piece, from its ill-conceived premise, to the total betrayal of Annieâs character, to the doomed attempt to replace Jack Traven with another gung-ho LAPD SWAT cop and hope nobody minded, to the pitiful villain with a very confused agenda (and a predilection for leeches, lest we forget). This is arguably the worst film thatâs been covered on the podcast so farâŠbut it might also be the funniest episode yet!
SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f7HlX6iW-M
At the time of release, SPEED 2: CRUISE CONTROL is streaming on Starz and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, AMC On Demand and all the usual platforms!
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Itâs Die Hard on a prison plane!
(you can watch this week's episode on YouTube!)
This week, Phil âPhilly Bedlamâ Gawthorne and Liam âThe Coliseumâ Billingham take a high-security flight on CON AIR with special guest Scout Tafoya, aka âThe Massachusetts Manglerâ!
After serving a long and harsh sentence for a self-defense killing, parolee and ex-Army Ranger Cameron Poe (Nicolas Cage) travels on a prisoner transport plane nicknamed âCon Airâ, to meet with his wife and daughter. But when said plane is taken over by vicious criminal mastermind Cyrus âThe Virusâ Grissom (John Malkovich) and his bloodthirsty cohorts, Poe finds himself unable to abandon his friend Baby-O (Mykelti Williamson) and vulnerable female Prison Guard Sally Bishop (Rachel Ticotin), and decides to fight back against the vicious convicts, with the help of unconventional US Marshal Vince Larkin (John Cusack), who assists his efforts from the ground.
As CON AIR is one of the best and most iconic âDIE HARD ON A [BLANK]â films ever made, this is one of our biggest, and most substantive, episodes yet. The guys start out by discussing the origins of these kind of cinematic stories, going all the way back to movies such as STAGECOACH, before digging in on the filmâs plentiful âDie Hard DNAâ. They go deep on the filmâs themes, meanings, and aspirations, and discuss how its politics and portrayals have aged, for better or worse, in the intervening decades since its summer 1997 release. They talk in detail about the three principle stars â Nicolas Cage, John Cusack and John Malkovich â as well as the rest of the stellar supporting cast, along with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Simon West, and writer Scott Rosenberg. Events culminate with a highly contested edition of the âDie Hard Oscarsâ, and a criminally tough âDouble Jeopardyâ trivia quiz! Trust us, this is one flight you donât want to miss!
CON AIR trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Olvpk5BXWCI
At the time of release, CON AIR is streaming on Hulu, TNT, TBS and TruTV in the US and is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, and all the usual platforms!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in the middle of nowhere!
This week, Phil and Liam take a road tripâŠand have a serious BREAKDOWN! They are joined on their journey by Justin and Laura Khoo, the joint hosts of the excellent film/philosophy podcast COWS IN THE FIELD!
While taking a cross-country road-trip to relocate, married couple Jeff and Amy Taylor (Kurt Russell and Kathleen Quinlan) experience car trouble, and end up stranded in the middle of the desert. In an effort to reach a payphone, Amy accepts a ride from a seemingly friendly trucker named Red (JT Walsh)...but when Jeff runs into the same trucker again later, he claims to have never have seen her. Jeff then begins to suspect that Amy has been kidnapped, and that he may be in the middle of a sinister criminal plotâŠ
Our quartet âbreak downâ this bad boy, including its deceptive and surprising âDie Hard DNAâ, and the reasons why itâs simple, ingenious premise is such a grabber. They discuss how this film intersects with the âyuppie in perilâ genre, what it may be exploring about the socio-economics (and class tensions) of the era, and how it taps into our collective primal fears. Phil then requests that the road be cleared for a passionate diatribe on the life and work of the late, great JT Walsh, an iconic character actor with whom he feels a âcosmic connectionâ. The groupâs serpentine trip takes a number of stimulating scenic detours before they arrive at the Die Hard Oscars, and cap things off with the Double Jeopardy trivia quiz!
BREAKDOWN trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm4YfqVbABk
At the time of release, BREAKDOWN is streaming on Paramount Plus, Fubu, Amazon Prime Video and MGM+ in the US and is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, and all the usual platforms!
Watch Die Hard On A Blank on YouTube!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in a museumâŠwith a monster!
Hyams Hive rise up! This week, Phil and Liam take a field trip to visit THE RELIC, Peter Hyamsâ expertly directed 1997 horror flick. They are accompanied on their scientific expedition by special guest Brandon Streussnig, one of the most influential and entertaining film writers around!
After experimenting with psychotropic drugs while on a trip to South America, anthropologist John Whitney makes an alarming discovery, and attempts to prevent the return of several crates of research material to the US. Weeks later, the crates arrive and are sent to their intended destination at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago - an area that is suddenly beset with a series of grisly murders. As detective Vincent DâAgosta (Tom Sizemore) investigates, he and evolutionary biologist Dr. Margot Green (Penelope Ann Miller) come to the horrifying realization that a literal monster is now on the looseâŠand that they, and dozens of other citizens, are now trapped inside the museum along with the marauding beast!
The guys start by discussing the career and filmography of director/shooter Peter Hyams, before moving into a detailed conversation about the origins and evolution of the action-horror subgenre. They delve deep into the filmâs myriad connections to the original 1988 classic in the âDie Hard DNAâ section â but thereâs a big surprise in store for Phil later in the episode! The lads then get more specific about the filmâs two stars and the quality of the Stan Winston-designed monster, before wrapping things up with the Die Hard Oscars and the Double Jeopardy Trivia Quiz!
THE RELIC trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vps9rpCHJFM
At the time of release, THE RELIC is streaming on PlutoTV in the US and is available to rent or buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, and all the usual platforms!
Brandonâs article on Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning can be found here. Happy reading!
https://filmcombatsyndicate.com/universal-soldier-a-revisit-of-the-luc-devereaux-saga-and-learning-to-move-forward/
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in a plane (with very few passengers)!
This week, Phil and Liam are experiencing TURBULENCE, the 1997 action-thriller starring Ray Liotta, Lauren Holly, Hector Elizondo, Ben Cross, Brendan Gleeson, Rachel TicotinâŠand a mystery Die Hard cast member!
On Christmas Eve, convicted serial killer Ryan Weaver (Ray Liotta) is being transported across the country on an almost empty 747, with another prisoner and a group of federal marshals. Once airborne, Weaver escapes and wreaks havoc on board with the cops, passengers and the flight crew. When his actions result in the death of both pilots, it becomes up to lone Flight Attendant Teri Halloran (Lauren Holly) to somehow defeat Weaver and land the plane safely before it crashes!
Thereâs Die Hard (and Die Hard 2) DNA everywhere in this Xmas-set skybound thrill-ride, giving the boys plenty to examine in the comparison section. They also discuss the life and career of the filmâs late star Ray Liotta, listing their favorite performances among his stellar filmography. They talk in detail about the filmâs female cast - notably its leading lady Lauren Holly, and supporting performers Rachel Ticotin and Catherine Hicks â amid the wider context of the movieâs provocative sexual politics. The boys then fly through the âDie Hard Oscarsâ and stick the landing with a dastardly edition of the âDouble Jeopardyâ trivia quiz!
TURBULENCE trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29nriO8ux0Q
At the time of release, TURBULENCE is available to rent or buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, and all the usual platforms!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in a tunnel!
This week, Phil and Liam dig in, around, and underneath DAYLIGHT, Rob Cohenâs 1996 disaster movie starring Sylvester Stallone, Amy Brenneman, Jay O. Sanders, Dan Hedaya, Stan Shaw and Viggo Mortensen!
When a freak accident causes both ends of an underground tunnel in New York to collapse, a group of random strangers find themselves trapped below the Hudson River. The only person seemingly capable of helping them is Kit Latura (Sylvester Stallone), a disgraced former EMS Chief seeking redemption for his role in a past tragedy.
The guys start by discussing the disaster movie genre in general, placing this throwback film in a wider context, as part of a grand tradition of similar motion pictures that date back to their 1970s heyday. The original DIE HARD has its roots in the disaster movie genre, having been directly inspired by THE TOWERING INFERNO, one of several such films discussed (unflinchingly) in the âDie Hard DNAâ section, along with the AIRPORT franchise that influenced DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER.
After analyzing the filmâs premise, hero, and quirky cast of supporting characters (that includes a billionaire rock-climber, an Al Powell-esque uniform cop and a playwright with terrible taste in musicals), Liam presents his Earth-shattering theory that this entire film is in fact a Jesus allegory! The boys bust into âDie Hard Oscarsâ to hand out some action movie awards and cap things off with a mind-boggling edition of the âDouble Jeopardyâ trivia quiz!
DAYLIGHT trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRWIfCpxNK4
At the time of release, DAYLIGHT is streaming on Starz in the US, and is available to rent or buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, and all the usual platforms!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard on the USS Enterprise!
This time of the show, Phil and Liam analyze STAR TREK FIRST CONTACT with the help of special guest Andy Maiorano, host of The AndyPlex podcast and an avowed Star Trek superfan! Set phasers to fun!
When he is informed that a hostile race of cybernetic beings known as The Borg have launched an attack on Earth, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart) disobeys orders to directly engage with the Borg threat. However, upon arrival to the battle zone, he discovers that the planet Earth has been completely subsumed by the Borg, who have used time travel to assimilate the entire planet. Picard follows a Borg craft through a temporal vortex and ends up in the past, sending his trusted first officer Commander William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) down to Earth to make sure that history is not changed. However, in the chaos, the Borg board the Enterprise and begin rapidly assimilating the crew, placing the ship, the planet Earth, and the entire course of history, in grave jeopardy!
First off, the guys start by discussing their respective relationships with this movie and the Star Trek franchise in general, with each of them landing on very different places on the Trekkie spectrum (or Trek-trum?!). The boys analyze this curious specimen in the âDie Hard DNAâ section, where they clarify the number of surprising connections between this futuristic siege movie and John McClaneâs exploits at Nakatomi Plaza. As they break down this Paramount picture yet further in the âAnatomy of an Action Movieâ, the conversation expands into a deeper discussion of Star Trekâs utopian philosophies, and this movieâs unusually thoughtful exploration of the idea of revenge - which makes it something of an outlier in the traditionally bloodthirsty action movie genre.
The boys beam in to the âDie Hard Oscarsâ to hand out some action movie awards (where the Borg Queen commands considerable attention!) before this particular trek is wrapped up with the Double Jeopardy trivia quiz!
STAR TREK FIRST CONTACT trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3NJ49VyjDs
At the time of release, STAR TREK FIRST CONTACT is streaming on Paramount +, Prime Video, Max, Fubo and MGM+ in the US and is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, Spectrum, AMC On Demand and all the usual platforms!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in a ghost town!
This time week, Phil and Liam throw a bottle in the air and follow it into the desert, as they try to make sense of the dark and brooding action/thriller/western/gangster picture LAST MAN STANDING.
During the prohibition era, mysterious gunslinger John Smith (Bruce Willis) rolls into the small, remote border town of Jericho, Texas, where two rival bootlegging gangs have an uneasy and fragile truce. As Smith gets the lay of the land, he works both sides against the other in search of quick profitâŠuntil the conscience that he claims he doesnât have, forces him to pick a side.
After comparing the film to the original 1988 classic in the âDie Hard DNAâ section, the boys discuss their feelings about writer-director-producer Walter Hill and his robust filmography, citing their favorite Hill movies. As this particular film is a credited remake of Akira Kurosawaâs 1961 classic YOJIMBO, Liam is in his element waxing lyrical about the Japanese maestro. Phil also espouses his theory that Hillâs remake is less of an action movie, and more of an existential exploration of purgatory.
The guys also talk about this filmâs remarkable ensemble cast, that features stellar performances from Walter Hill staples John Patrick Kelly and Bruce Dern, as well as the likes of William Sanderson, Leslie Mann, Ken Jenkins, Michael Imperioli, Karina Lombard and of course Christopher Walken as the Tommy Gun-toting mob enforcer Hickey. Finally, the guys bust into the âDie Hard Oscarsâ to fire off some action movie awards, and Phil slings Liam some tough questions in the âDouble Jeopardyâ trivia quiz!
LAST MAN STANDING trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=763cIT4IXoQ
At the time of release, LAST MAN STANDING is streaming on Tubi in the US and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Fandango and all the usual platforms!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Phil and Liam jump on the mic to talk about some guest appearances they have coming up, read a lovely (and crazy!) e-mail from a guest, and wrap about the future of the show.
Cows In The Field (Liam and Phil talk Public Enemies on June 28)
Force Five Podcast (Phil's episode arrives July 1)
Hit Factory Podcast (Liam's episode on Breaking The Waves available now)
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard on Alcatraz!
This time on the show, Phil and Liam attempt not to explode with excitement as they discuss Michael Bayâs 1996 all-star action classic THE ROCK, with special guest Bilge Ebiri!
When a group of highly trained Marines led by decorated general Francis X. Hummel (Ed Harris) take over Alcatraz and threaten to launch VX poison gas missiles at mainland San Francisco, the government are forced to turn to two unlikely heroes: eccentric FBI chemical weapons specialist Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) and enigmatic prisoner John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), the only man to have ever escape from the legendary penitentiary.
Phil, Liam and Bilge discuss their memories of seeing this iconic movie upon its initial release, and their respective relationships with it over the years since. They lay out the filmâs numerous connections to DIE HARD in the âDie Hard DNAâ section and dig deep on its under-discussed thematics, particularly with regards to its complex exploration of patriotism.
As always, they analyze the filmâs heroes, Mason and Goodspeed - two highly innovative characters both played by iconic actors - and debate whether Ed Harrisâ General Hummel might be the greatest action movie âvillainâ of all time. They also talk about as many members of the filmâs astonishing supporting cast as time will allow, including the likes of David Morse, Michael Biehn, William Forsythe, Jon Spencer, Tony Todd, Claire Forlani, Vanessa Marcil, Todd Louiso, Gregory Sporleder and many more!
Finally, the guys break into the âDie Hard Oscarsâ to dispense some action movie awards, and wrap things up with a particularly tricky edition of the âDouble Jeopardyâ trivia quiz!
THE ROCK trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3qcNyjj9ZQ
At the time of release, THE ROCK is streaming on Fubo and FXNow in the US and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, Fandango and all the usual platforms!
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Itâs Die Hard in a spy series reboot!
This week on the show, Phil and Liam discuss Brian De Palmaâs franchise-launching box office behemoth MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE! Itâs DIE HARD in a spy series reboot!
When a mission in Prague goes horribly wrong, IMF agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) ends up as the only survivor, and is therefore wrongly assumed to be a mole that IMF director Kittrich (Henry Czenry) is looking to expose. Hunt goes on the run and plans to steal a valuable NOC list with the help of some disavowed agents, in the hope of exposing the real traitor and clearing his name.
Although this premise isnât a classic âDie Hard on a Blankâ scenario, this thrilling movie is nonetheless filled all kinds of âDie Hard DNAâ, including a key cast member who connects the two action franchises (and the Bond series). The guys go deep on the esteemed directorâs distinctive creative contributions and examine how the underlying sexual tensions between several characters identify this as classic De Palma picture, in spite of outward appearances. They also discuss this pivotal movie in the wider context of Tom Cruiseâs career, and explore how this series might be to Cruise what the Die Hard franchise was to Bruce Willis.
The filmâs eclectic international cast makes for an entertaining edition of the âDie Hard Oscarsâ and the âDouble Jeopardyâ trivia quiz has a few doozies for Liam to âchewâ on! Red lightâŠgreen light!
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI-PobQLr1M
At the time of release, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE is streaming on Paramount Plus, Fubo, and Pluto TV and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Fandango, Flix Fling, AMC On Demand and all the usual platforms.
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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