Die Hard On A Blank

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!

It’s a Buddy Movie with a family man and a burnout / It’s 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 Donner’s 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 film’s themes, especially it’s 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 ‘Best Fit’, ‘Most Valuable Weasel’ and ‘Best Gratuitous Nude Scene!'

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 Hill’s 1982 masterpiece 48 HRS starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy! They talk about the history of the ‘buddy movie’ genre both before and after this film, and explain how this movie changed the game and ushered in a new era. They analyze the picture’s ’48 CHROMOSOMES’, outlining the key elements that would be replicated in subsequent buddy movies, and break down the film in more detail in the ‘Anatomy of an Action Movie’ 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!

It’s Die Hard in a hitman movie!

This week it’s 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 mobster’s aggrieved brother hires an elusive international assassin known as ‘the Jackal’ (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 Jackal’s 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 film’s finale ticks the ‘Philly Special’ 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:

Hey folks. We had a small export issue with the episode that resulted in some strange sounds. Please re-download before you listen!

It’s Die Hard on the President’s 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 film’s bountiful ‘Die Hard DNA’ 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 – and the pros and cons of what his persona brings aboard - in a detailed section about the film’s 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 ‘Double Jeopardy’ Trivia Quiz where the scores can really change…if that score isn’t spoiled by an annoying blabbermouth aide!