Die Hard On A Blank

It’s Die Hard in a spy series reboot!

This week on the show, Phil and Liam discuss Brian De Palma’s franchise-launching box office behemoth MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE! It’s 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 isn’t a classic ‘Die Hard on a Blank’ scenario, this thrilling movie is nonetheless filled all kinds of ‘Die Hard DNA’, including a key cast member who connects the two action franchises (and the Bond series). The guys go deep on the esteemed director’s 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 Cruise’s career, and explore how this series might be to Cruise what the Die Hard franchise was to Bruce Willis.

 The film’s eclectic international cast makes for an entertaining edition of the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ and the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz has a few doozies for Liam to “chew” on! Red light…green 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/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard on a plane! Again! But a bigger plane than Passenger 57!

This week on the show, Phil and Liam discuss Stuart Baird’s popular 1996 action-thriller EXECUTIVE DECISION starring Kurt Russell and Steven Seagal* (*kinda). Is this one of the best ‘Die Hard on a blank’ films of the era? The guys aim to find out!

 When fanatical terrorists take control of a 747 passenger plane heading from Athens, Greece to Washington D.C., Army intelligence consultant Dr. David Grant (Kurt Russell) informs the pentagon of his suspicion that the terrorists are planning to use a stolen nerve-agent known as DZ-5 to launch a massive attack on the Eastern seaboard. If Grant is correct, this means that the government may have to shoot the plane down before it reaches US airspace, so in a last-ditch attempt to avoid this scenario and save the lives of the 400 passengers on board, Grant reluctantly becomes part of a daring mission led by Special Forces Lt. Col Austin Travis (Steven Seagal), whereby a small strike team will use an experimental aircraft to board the 747 in mid-air, and attempt to take back control of the hijacked plane.

 This film is positively overflowing with ‘DIE HARD DNA’, from the premise to the personnel, which includes the likes of producer Joel Silver, editor Frank J. Urioste, and actress Mary Ellen Trainor, amongst others. The guys discuss how this movie raises the stakes of the ‘Die Hard on a Plane’ paradigm through the utilization of a unique selling point: the treacherous mid-air transfer of a counter-assault team that includes the likes of John Leguizamo, Joe Morton, BD Wong, Whip Hubley and Oliver Platt.

 Despite the film’s slam-bang entertainment value and multi-cultural American cast, the guys still have to wrestle with its uncomfortable racial politics, in particular its portrayal of the fictional Middle-Eastern terrorist group who are led by legendary British thespian Sir David Suchet as ‘Nagi Hassan’. They also discuss the low-key brilliance of Halle Berry’s performance as the courageous flight attendant Jean, Kurt Russell’s ingenious chat-up lines, and the wider symbolic significance of a key character’s death…

 The film’s excellent ensemble cast makes for a highly competitive edition of the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, followed by a fun ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz that will be of particular interest to fans of the late, great, perennially missed JT Walsh! Fasten your seatbelts folks!

 

EXECUTIVE DECISION trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W4wp9_HYm4

 

At the time of release, EXECUTIVE DECISION is streaming on Tubi 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/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Die Hard (on a blank) on another podcast!

This week we joined Kris Tapley on the incredible SPEED oral history podcast 50MPH! We count down what we think are the best action films of the 90s! Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Note: At the top of this episode, we tease our appearance on 50mph, the podcast about SPEED. When we recorded, we thought that episode be out, but it'll be out on May 13, 2024! Find it at the link above.

It’s Die Hard in a desert!

This week on the show, Phil and Liam discuss John Woo’s 1996 action bonanza BROKEN ARROW starring John Travolta and Christian Slater! This is a film that Phil deeply loves and is fiercely protective of, which makes for an interesting conversation when Liam poses the thesis question: can a film be both “dumb” and transcendent at the same time? Together, the boys aim to find the answer!

While flying a stealth bomber over the Utah desert as part of a secret military exercise, Air Force Major Vic Deakins (Travolta) attacks his friend and co-pilot Captain Riley Hale (Slater), causing the aircraft to crash. Hale survives, and with the help of intrepid park ranger Terry Carmichael (Samantha Mathis), he comes to realize that the psychotic Deakins is involved in an elaborate plan to steal the plane’s nuclear missiles and ransom them back to the US government.

Although it may not seem like it on face value, this film is actually full to the brim with ‘DIE HARD DNA’. It also has a number of notable connections to DIE HARD 2, as well as other iconic 90s movies such as UNDER SIEGE, SPEED and even PULP FICTION. The guys unpack all of this, while gushing over their mutual love for John Woo - the great choreographer of chaos - and musing on the notion that BROKEN ARROW might actually be a musical in disguise. They also discuss Travolta’s outlandish performance, Hans Zimmer’s striking score, and the stellar supporting cast, among many other topics.

The show culminates with a hard-fought edition of the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, followed by a challenging edition of the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz! Prepare to go ballistic! 

BROKEN ARROW trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-C4rJM-9QU

 

At the time of release, BROKEN ARROW is streaming on Fubo and FXNow and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Fandango, Spectrum, AMC On Demand and all the usual platforms. 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a time travel movie!

This week on the show, Phil and Liam wrestle with 12 MONKEYS (though not literally, sadly). For this spirited discussion of Terry Gilliam’s challenging 1995 sci-fi mind-bender, the boys are joined by special guest Brad Peyton, director of such blockbuster hits as SAN ANDREAS, RAMPAGE and the forthcoming Netflix sci-fi movie ATLAS starring Jennifer Lopez!

In a dystopian future, a deadly artificially-created virus has wiped out the majority of the human population and forced the small number of survivors to live underground. In an attempt to understand what happened and potentially find a cure, prisoner James Cole (Bruce Willis) is sent back in time to investigate. However, Cole is mistakenly sent back to the wrong time, and is thus assumed to be insane. With the help of compassionate psychologist Dr. Kathryn Railly (Madeline Stowe), the increasingly mentally fragile Cole attempts to complete the mission, find those responsible, and save the future.

The guys debate whether this is Bruce Willis’ greatest dramatic performance and muse on their favorite Bruce Willis roles. They also talk about their respective relationships with director Terry Gilliam and his work, and Brad even describes a memorable encounter with the man himself!

This is a difficult film that require a bankable star to make it commercial viable, and so Brad talks about his personal experiences working with giant movie stars such as Dwayne Johnson and J-Lo, providing a fascinating insight into his creative process, and the delicate dynamic between director and star on a modern movie set. They also talk extensively about 12 MONKEY co-stars Madeline Stowe and Brad Pitt (who was Oscar-nominated for his role as the schizophrenic mental patient/revolutionary Jeffrey Goines) and what Pitt’s eclectic filmography has in common with Bruce Willis’ own career choices.

As always, the show culminates with the Die Hard Oscars, followed by a particularly appropriate edition of the Double Jeopardy trivia quiz! Look out for this week’s convoluted corner – it’s a doozy!

12 MONKEYS trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15s4Y9ffW_o

At the time of release, 12 MONKEYS is streaming on Starz and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu and all the usual platforms

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(4/11/2024) Please re-download this episode as uploaded a we uploaded a new version correcting a mistake from the original!

It’s Die Hard in a hockey arena!

This time on the show, Phil and Liam pile on the cringeworthy hockey puns with special guest Brendan McDonald, producer of the WTF podcast with Marc Maron and an avowed action movie aficionado. Together they analyze the 1995 action movie SUDDEN DEATH – a fondly-remembered film with a classic ‘Die Hard on a Blank’ premise.

After failing to save a young girl during an inferno, troubled former firefighter Darren McCord (Jean-Claude Van Damme) now works as a Fire Marshal for the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh. In an effort to mend fences with his estranged kids, McCord scores them tickets to Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final…but this dream outing soon turns into a nightmare when the stadium is taken over by a group of terrorists led by ruthless bad guy Joshua Foss (Powers Boothe), who holds the visiting Vice President (Raymond J. Barry) for ransom along with various other hostages. 

Phil, Liam and Brendan are all card-carrying members of the Peter Hyams Fan Club, and the guys eagerly discuss their mutual affection for the multi-talented director/writer/cinematographer who helmed SUDDEN DEATH. They also talk about the mysterious appeal of JCVD, Powers Boothe’s divisive performance, and the impact of ice hockey on the zeitgeist in the 1990s (including the NHL Sega games). After taking a cue from the film’s tuxedoed villain Joshua Foss, the guys then skate over to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ to dispense some action movie awards!  

SUDDEN DEATH trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyq2TbL1OG8

At the time of release, SUDDEN DEATH is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in an epic crime saga!

For this suitably epic episode, Phil and Liam are joined by special guest Katie Walsh - top Los Angeles film critic and co-host of the Michael Mann-themed podcast Miami Nice - to discuss the sprawling 1995 masterpiece Heat!

When a team of elite professional thieves led by Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) pull off an audacious armored car robbery that leaves three guards dead, hard-charging Robbery-Homicide detective Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) is assigned to the case. In the process of investigating and surveilling the culprits, Hanna comes to admire McCauley’s tremendous skill and discipline, and even starts to identify with him personally, while still pursuing him and his crew relentlessly across LA. 

Phil, Liam and Katie discuss their respective relationships with the movie over time, and debate whether it deserves to be considered one of the greatest films ever made. They explore its surprisingly high amount of ‘Die Hard DNA’, before delving deep into Heat’s storied production history, a section that also includes a detailed sidebar on Mann’s 1989 TV movie LA Takedown, which became the blueprint for the final film. 

As always, they analyze the ‘hero’ and ‘villain’ of the piece, unpacking what makes these two iconic central characters so compelling, unique and enduring, and they also discuss the ladies of Heat (such as Ashley Judd, Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman, Natalie Portman and Kim Staunton) and their respective roles in the tapestry of this complex and multi-faceted story. They parse through the various spectacular action set-pieces in the film, debate whether Heat would meet the definition to be considered an action movie, and talk about what Henry Rollins looks like in shorts (Google it). After a trip to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ to hand out some action movie awards, events culminate with a suitably intense showdown between Liam and Katie during the Double Jeopardy trivia quiz!

HEAT trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpAhjOvQVj0

At the time of release, HEAT is streaming on Hulu in the US and on Netflix in the UK and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu and all the usual platforms!

 

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in real time!

The ticking clocks are everywhere (and so are the dodgy Christopher Walken impressions) as Phil and Liam discuss the 1995 high-concept thriller Nick of Time!  

Mild-mannered accountant Gene Watson (Johnny Depp) arrives via train to LA’s union station, with his young daughter Lynn in tow. Shortly after his arrival, he is apprehended by Mr. Smith (Christopher Walken) and Ms. Jones (Roma Maffia), who claim to be police officers. Smith then informs Gene that he has 90 minutes to assassinate the visiting Governor of California (Marsha Mason)…or they will kill his daughter.

The guys discuss the potency of this compelling premise and unpack where the movie both succeeds and fails in the execution of its concept. They theorize that, not only is the film filled with ‘Die Hard DNA’, but it also has its roots in Hitchcock, and the paranoid political thrillers of the 1970s. They offer their thoughts on the movie’s own political point of view, its thematic ideas, and the intentions of director John Badham. We also get a glimpse into what really goes on inside Phil’s secret ‘Die Hard on a Blank laboratory’ (where his precious Blu-rays are kept into a fortified vault, protected by a time-lock).

As they break down ‘the anatomy of an action movie’, the boys discuss the unusual yet largely effective casting of Johnny Depp as a straight-laced everyman, rhapsodize over Christopher Walken’s terrifying performance as the satanically evil bad guy ‘Mr. Smith’, and talk about the rest of the supporting cast, that also includes the likes of Charles S. Dutton, Clark Johnson, Yul Vasquez and G.D. Spradlin. As the clocks tick down, the fellas race over to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ to hand out their action movie awards, and complete the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz…in the nick of time!

NICK OF TIME trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cP1TllLDgQ

At the time of release, NICK OF TIME is streaming on Hoopla and PlutoTV and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, AMC On Demand and all the usual platforms!

AMERICAN ENGLISH SOCCER PODCAST

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1652062

 

EYE OF THE DUCK PODCAST

https://eyeoftheduckpod.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a Bond reboot!

In this episode, Phil, Liam, and guest Ben Rufus Green discuss the 1995 James Bond blockbuster GoldenEye and its many connections to the Die Hard franchise. They explore the premise of the film, its self-reflexivity, and the surprisingly high amount of ‘Die Hard DNA’ present in the movie, which goes way beyond the historical connection between the newly-minted 007 Pierce Brosnan and original Die Hard director John McTiernan.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, MI6 agent James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) uncovers a sinister plot led by rogue Russian operatives to use a Soviet-era orbital space weapon codenamed ‘Goldeneye’ to launch an attack on London. In the process, Bond teams up with Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco), a Russian satellite expert, in a globe-trotting race against time to prevent the strike.

The boys discuss the continuity and multiverse aspect of the Bond franchise, share their favorite Bond films, and rate their favorite Bond actors, while also discussing the very particular qualities required to play this iconic role. They also go deep on the films’ excellent villains, with particular attention paid to Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean) and Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen), as well as its leading lady Izabella Scorupco, and the sturdy supporting cast that includes the likes of Robbie Coltrane, Joe Don Baker, Michael Kitchen, Gottfried John, Alan Cumming and Dame Judi Dench as M. 

As this is a Bond movie, fortunately the boys are already wearing their tuxedos, allowing them seamless entry into the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, where awards are dispensed for ‘Exceptional Thief’, ‘Dick of the Movie’, and ‘Best Death. As always the conversation concludes with a Bond-centric edition of the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz!

 For England, James!

GOLDENEYE trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zw8ylP4buA

At the time of release, GOLDENEYE is available to stream on DirecTV and to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Spectrum and all the usual platforms!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard on a train!

 Casey Ryback is back and this time he’s…well…um…I…um…hey look, forget about all that, because the good news is that Eric Bogosian is in this movie! This week Phil and Liam hitch a ride on a hijacked death train as they scrutinize Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, director Geoff Murphy’s 1995 sequel to the original Seagal action classic!

While travelling from Denver to LA via train with his estranged niece Sarah (Katherine Heigl), ex-Navy SEAL Casey Ryback (Seagal) finds himself in the middle of a terrorist takeover led by disgruntled computer genius Travis Dane (Eric Bogosian), who plans to use his experimental government satellite weapon to launch a massive attack on the Eastern seaboard!  

Ok we’ll level with you. This movie isn’t great, but Eric Bogosian IS…so the boys spend much of this episode discussing the life, work and varied career of this remarkably talented renaissance man, including his stage plays, monologues, TV and film career and even his non-fiction book Operation Nemesis. Eric Bogosian forever!

In ‘Anatomy of an Action Movie’, the guys break down the film piece by piece, discussing what works, what doesn’t and why, as well as how this film compares to its slick and stylish predecessor (directed by friend of the show Andrew Davis). But it’s not just a Bogosian love-fest, as there’s also plenty of affection here for the film’s eclectic supporting cast, that includes the likes of Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Banks, Peter Greene and Everett McGill (as mace-imbibing bad guy Marcus Penn).

 The guys ride the rail to attend the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, before wrapping things up with the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz, where this week Liam finally turns the tables on Phil and gets his revenge! After all, when it comes to quizzes, chance favors the prepared mind!

UNDER SIEGE 2 trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LorQZ4TfbTQ

At the time of release, UNDER SIEGE 2 is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu and all the usual platforms!

AMERICAN ENGLISH SOCCER PODCAST

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1652062

EYE OF THE DUCK PODCAST

https://eyeoftheduckpod.com/

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we have a special bonus interview with acclaimed filmmaker William Eubank, director of LOVE, THE SIGNAL, UNDERWATER, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: NEXT OF KIN and the forthcoming military action-thriller LAND OF BAD, starring Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth! The guys talk to William about his relationship with DIE HARD, his favorite action movies of all time, his approach to the action genre, and much more!

 

LAND OF BAD TRAILER:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95eJpJlBfUs

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in New York City!

 

It’s finally here! This week Phil and Liam drill down on one of the most beloved films in the storied Die Hard franchise: Die Hard With A Vengeance! To aid them in their investigation of this all-conquering box office smash, the boys have brought in special guest Chris Tilly, a writer, journalist and editor at Dexterto.com and one of the hosts of the hugely popular film podcast Clash of the Titles.

While back working for the NYPD, detective John McClane (Bruce Willis) is targeted by a mysterious terrorist named Simon (Jeremy Irons), who effectively holds New York hostage and forces McClane to complete a series of deadly puzzles around the city to prevent further attacks. In the process, McClane teams up with Harlem store-owner Zeus Carver (Samuel L. Jackson), and together they uncover Simon’s true agenda…and his real identity!

The guys start by recalling their memories of seeing this hit film upon its release in the summer of 1995, before moving into the ‘Die Hard DNA’ section where they identify who stayed and who left the series in terms of cast and crew. They talk about what makes this film so uniquely ‘New York’, as well as the complex racial politics of the picture, before moving into a detailed discussion about the film’s tortured production history, including an examination of the previous sequel concepts that were explored and abandoned, before Jonathan Hensleigh’s spec script ‘Simon Says’ ultimately became the basis for the third installment in the increasingly popular franchise.

In ‘Anatomy of an Action Movie’, the guys break down the film in terms of its premise, heroes, villains (‘Who’s Your Favorite Terrorist?’ is back!), and the action itself, along with the wisecracking East Coast humor that has become a staple of the series, this time bolstered by the addition of the effervescent Samuel L. Jackson.

The guys dig underneath the Dolby Theatre to attend the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ and steal away some gold statues, before events culminate with an appropriately collaborative edition of the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz!

DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE trailer

At the time of release, DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE is streaming on Hulu, DirectTV, Fubo, and Starz and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, AMC On Demand and all the usual platforms!

AMERICAN ENGLISH SOCCER PODCAST

EYE OF THE DUCK PODCAST

CLASH OF THE TITLES PODCAST

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a nuclear sub!

For this episode, Phil and Liam are joined by special guest Isaac Butler, author of THE METHOD, arguably the definitive book about the evolution of method acting! Isaac is a veritable encyclopedia about the history of the acting craft and he lends his incredible insight to this discussion of CRIMSON TIDE, “an anti-action movie” where two of the greatest screen acting titans go head to head! 

When a US nuclear submarine loses communication with the command structure just as they’ve been ordered to fire their payload against a rogue Russian general, the sub’s two senior officers, Ramsey (Gene Hackman) and Hunter (Denzel Washington) disagree vehemently on whether or not they should launch their nuclear missiles, a situation that ultimately leads to a full-on mutiny, as the specter of World War Three looms large!

Isaac places this bombastic film in context within the lineage of method acting, discusses the differing schools of tradition that Hackman and Washington come from, and explains how their specific training informs their respective approaches towards their craft. The guys also talk about the film as a chamber-piece drama of sorts, and muse on how it compares to other nail-biting Cold War classics such as FAIL SAFE, SEVEN DAYS IN MAY and of course THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. 

They analyze its subtle but significant ‘DIE HARD DNA’ and debate whether or not this is Tony Scott’s best film. They discuss Quentin Tarantino’s controversial contributions to the screenplay, and discuss the complexities wrought by the film’s racial conflict. Finally the boys don their dress whites for the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ and choose to collaborate for a particularly informative edition of the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz!

 CRIMSON TIDE trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS4I2Z1RBIw

At the time of release, CRIMSON TIDE is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, Direct TV, Spectrum TV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in the skydiving world!

Phil and Liam continue to chronicle DIE HARD’s influence on action cinema with a spirited discussion of the 1994 action-thriller DROP ZONE!

After a daring mid-air prison-break results in his brother’s death, US Marshal Pete Nessip (Wesley Snipes) infiltrates the skydiving community in order to track down those responsible. He eventually uncovers the sinister agenda of skydiving master thief Ty Moncrief (Gary Busey), a former DEA Agent who is now attempting steal the identities of uncover narcotics agents in order to sell them to drug traffickers!  

Phil has great personal affection for this picture and recalls his fond memories of seeing it on the big screen as an impressionable kid. The guys discuss its plentiful ‘DIE HARD DNA’ from both a macro and micro standpoint, getting into the nitty gritty of some very specific action beats that bare particular resemblance to the 1988 classic that started it all!

They talk about Wesley Snipes’ evolving journey as a dependable 90s action star, the differences and similarities between the roles he played in the likes of PASSENGER 57, BOILING POINT and RISING SUN, and what all this may have in common with Liam Neeson’s late-career action persona. They also discuss the complicated sexual politics of the film, and praise Yancy Butler’s effervescent performance as the maverick skydiving guru Jess Crossman (a role originally written for a man). There’s plenty of space left to talk about Gary Busey’s scenery-chomping villain, which of course leads to the inevitable LETHAL WEAPON discussion - so you can cross that off that DHOAB bingo card!

The boys also dive into the film’s breathtaking aerial photography and talk about the John Woo-style gunplay, before they pack their chutes and float down to the Dolby Theatre for the ‘Die Hard Oscars’! Finally, the ever-popular ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz is given a fresh twist this week, much to Liam’s continued chagrin!

DROP ZONE trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Weee0u2RlOI

At the time of release, DROP ZONE is available on Paramount+ with Apple TV, DirecTV and Pluto TV, and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a Kids’ Movie!

For this very special Christmas episode, Phil and Liam step outside the usual format to discuss the beloved holiday classic HOME ALONE with special guest Paul Scheer! 

That’s right - the actor, writer, director, author, renaissance man and podcasting superstar Mr. Paul Scheer returns to the show to illuminate the deep and sometimes surprising number of connections between 1988’s DIE HARD and 1990’s HOME ALONE!

After an unfortunate mix-up leads to a young boy named Kevin McAllister (Macauley Culkin) being left home alone while his family are on vacation in Europe, Kevin must learn to fend for himself and defend the house from two determined and persistent burglars (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) who call themselves “the Wet Bandits”!

These three dads discuss their own fond memories of this timeless movie, and what it means to them and their families. As well as talking through the vast number of similarities between the two pictures, they break it all down piece by piece in the tweaked ‘Anatomy of a Christmas Action Movie’ section, where they analyze the premise, the hero, the villains, and vote for their favorite booby traps!

The ugly Xmas sweaters are replaced by svelte tuxedos for a trip to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, where the guys hand out special awards in various Die Hard-themed categories, and festivities culminate with the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz, “where the scores can really change!” So grab some cocoa, roast some chestnuts and cuddle up by the fire with this cozy Christmas episode! Happy holidays to one and all!

Paul’s book, Joyful Recollections of Trauma (which includes a chapter inspired by Paul’s real life Home Alone!), can and should be preordered here!

HOME ALONE trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEDaVHmw7r4

At the time of release, HOME ALONE is streaming on Disney+, Starz and DirecTV and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, Spectrum, AMC and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bonus episode this week as Liam is joined by film producer Gaylyn Fraiche! Gaylyn started her career as an assistant to Curtis Hanson on THE RIVER WILD. On this episode, she tells us sorts of stories from the set, how working on this movie has shaped her career, and the time Curtis Hanson, Meryl Streep, and David Strathairn asked what she thought of a scene.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, Phil and Liam are joined by special guest Blake Howard, film podcaster extraordinaire and the disruptive innovator behind One Heat Minute productions, to discuss the 1994 action-thriller THE RIVER WILD.

Married couple Gail and Tom Hartman (Meryl Streep and David Strathairn) are in the middle of a relationship crisis and on the verge of separation, when they take their young son Roarke (Joseph Mazello) on a whitewater rafting trip. However, their vacation turns into a nightmare when they encounter Wade and Terry (Kevin Bacon and John C. Reilly), two criminals on the lam, who take the family hostage and force them to aid their escape through the notoriously treacherous Idaho rapids.

This is a hugely significant film for multiple reasons. Not only was it one of the first major action movies of the era to have a female lead, but that lead happened to be none other than Meryl Streep!

 The guys start by discussing the film’s ‘Die Hard DNA’, and debate whether it’s actually closer in spirit to DIE HARD or DIE HARD WITH A VENGEANCE. They also talk about where this movie fits in among the popular 90s subgenre of ‘yuppie in peril’ thrillers, and discuss director Curtis Hanson’s eclectic filmography, along with his mastery of suspense and tension.  

They talk about the gravitas that Meryl Streep brings to this fast-paced ‘divorce drama’, and expound the virtues of David Strathairn, Kevin Bacon, John C. Reilly, Joseph Mazello and Benjamin Bratt. They dig into what the film is really saying about family dynamics, and how it was ahead of the curve with its exploration of concepts such as gaslighting, toxic masculinity and micro-aggressions. The guys then take their raft down the L.A. river to get to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, before Blake and Liam go mano-a-mano in the ‘Double Jeopardy Trivia Quiz’! 

THE RIVER WILD trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWew8lWYhtI

At the time of release, THE RIVER WILD is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, Direct TV, Spectrum TV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a skydiving spy caper!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a flying penis!

For this episode, Phil and Liam are joined by special guest Rob Hackett, a producer for James Wan’s company Atomic Monster and a HUGE fan of this wacky1994 skydiving flick. Rob has actually worked with TERMINAL VELOCITY’s director Deran Sarafian, giving him a unique insight into Sarafian’s personality, history and creative process. 

The film’s premise is as follows. After a mysterious woman named Chris Morrow (Nastassja Kinski) seemingly falls to her death during an attempted tandem parachute jump, daredevil skydiver Ditch Brodie (Charlie Sheen) is deemed to be responsible. When Ditch begins his own investigation into what really happened, he finds himself plunged into a deadly world of intrigue and international espionage...where nothing is what it seems.

Rob discusses his memories of seeing the film on opening night, and how it became a comfort-blanket film for him over the ensuing decades. This video-store classic straddles many genres: action, thriller, spy movie, Western and film noir, giving the guys plenty to discuss as they analyze its anatomical parts. It has also has some particularly strong connections to DIE HARD 2, which makes for some interesting discoveries in the ‘Die Hard DNA’ section.

The fellas talk about Charlie Sheen’s brief run as an early-90s action star, the daring casting of Natassja Kinski as the film’s real hero, and the two colorful villlains of the piece, played by James Gandolfini and Christopher McDonald. They also dig into the film’s sexual politics, and debate whether the movie is attempting to be progressive in its subversion of traditional gender roles. The guys then parachute down to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ to hand out some awards, before Rob and Liam go head to head in the ‘Double Jeopardy Trivia Quiz’!

 TERMINAL VELOCITY trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMzjb5OeYng 

At the time of release, TERMINAL VELOCITY is streaming on Hoopla and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Direct TV, AMC and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in the war on drugs!

For this very special episode, Phil and Liam are joined by a VERY special guest: actor, writer, director, comic book author, renaissance man and podcasting superstar PAUL SCHEER! That’s right, the effervescent host of top film podcasts Unspooled and How Do This Get Made? chartered a helicopter and flew in to join Phil and Liam for an intensive analysis of this mid--90s classic! 

The film’s complex plot is thus: after a close friend is murdered by international drug traffickers, the vengeful US President (Donald Moffet) tacitly instructs his National Security team to launch a series of secret military strikes against the parties deemed responsible. Soon the new CIA deputy director Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) discovers himself to be an unwitting pawn in a covert, illegal war between American paramilitary forces and the Colombian drug cartels. As the carnage escalates, Ryan must find a way to quell the bloodshed and expose the corruption at the heart of his own government.  

CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER is the third entry in the Jack Ryan film franchise that started with THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER. That particular movie was of course directed by DIE HARD helmer John McTiernan, meaning that there is plenty of ‘DIE HARD DNA’ in the mix here…but does this motion picture also share some key similarities with Christopher Nolan’s OPPENHEIMER? The guys assess its influences and its legacy, while also wrestling with another burning question: is this the ultimate ‘Dad movie’? 

Paul talks passionately about his deep and long-standing connection with DIE HARD and his youthful love for all things Bruce Willis, and the guys go deep on the film’s eclectic creative contributors, that includes personalities such as Tom Clancy, Harrison Ford, Philip Noyce, John Milius and Steven Zaillian. They also discuss the virtues of an outstanding ensemble cast that features the likes of Willem Dafoe, James Earl Jones, Anne Archer, Thora Birch, Joaquim de Almeida, Henry Czerny, Harris Yulin, Raymond Cruz, Benjamin Bratt and Miguel Sandoval. Paul even discusses the part he’d most love to play! 

The stacked cast makes for a particularly entertaining edition of the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, and a tantalizing trivia quiz provides some stimulating brain-teasers…along with a warm and fuzzy moment or two. This highly entertaining episode is not to be missed - how DARE YOU not listen to it?! 

CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuYb6ZNQaZo

At the time of release, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER is streaming on Paramount + and is available to rent of buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, Direct TV, AMC and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the party pals! This is DIE HARD ON A BLANK, a podcast from Sugar23 that explores the influence of Die Hard on action cinema. In each episode, screenwriter Philip Gawthorne and film podcaster Liam Billingham will talk about one major action movie that was released after DIE HARD - the official sequels, the various imitators, all the way up to recent releases like VIOLENT NIGHT. They'll discuss action icons like Jason Bourne, James Bond, Jack Ryan and Ethan Hunt, and stars like Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes, Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron and of course, Bruce Willis. If you're a casual fan or action movie die hard (get it?), Die Hard On A Blank is for you. Available wherever your get your podcasts and also right here.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in an action comedy spy romp!

This week on the show, spymasters Phil and Liam have recruited special guest Bilge Ebiri - film critic for Vulture and New York magazine – to analyze TRUE LIES, aka “the American blockbuster riff on the French sex farce” (to quote Liam).     

In this bombastic action comedy, seemingly unassuming computer salesman Harry Tasker (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is actually living a double life as an international superspy for the US government’s mysterious ‘Omega Sector’. Harry has managed to keep this secret from his wife Helen (Jamie Lee Curtis) and daughter Dana (Eliza Dushku) for 15 years, but due to circumstances beyond his control, this grand lie is finally exposed, thrusting Harry, Helen and Dana into grave danger at the hands of a ruthless terrorist organization known as ‘Crimson Jihad’.

TRUE LIES was a box office behemoth in the golden summer of 1994, and the guys discuss their memories of its initial release, and their thoughts on how the film’s politics have aged over the last three decades. As ever, this heart-warming story of an emotionally estranged husband and wife battling terrorists together contains a surprising high amount of ‘Die Hard DNA’, and it turns out that this popcorn blockbuster actually touches on some deeper themes about the American nuclear family.  

The trio dig deep on the “reality distortion field” that allowed Arnold to convincingly play a “boring” everyman, sing the praises of the effervescent icon that is Jamie Lee Curtis, and discuss the respective merits of the stellar supporting cast, that includes Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Art Malik, Grant Heslov, Charlton Heston and Tia Carrere. There’s also plenty of chat about the myriad talents of Mr. James Cameron: king of the world, king of the sequel, and king of the third act.

The guys hop in their harrier jump jets and head over to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ to hand out some action movie awards, and as always the frivolity culminates with a delectable trivia quiz that makes you want to stand up and beg for buttermilk!

 

TRUE LIES trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz45Y50ozxE

At the time of release, TRUE LIES is streaming on Hulu, Paramount +/Apple TV and Fubo.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in Boston! This week on the show, Phil and Liam break out their ropiest accents to discuss the 1994 action-thriller BLOWN AWAY, starring Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones. “It’s Die Haaad in Boston! What - you think you better than me or somethin’?”Jimmy Dove (Jeff Bridges), a veteran member of the Boston bomb squad, is planning to retire and settle down with his partner Kate (Suzy Amis) and her daughter Lizzie, when escaped prisoner Ryan Gaerity (Tommy Lee Jones) targets him and his fellow team members in a relentless urban bombing campaign. We come to learn that Jimmy and Ryan have a dark history together that traces back to the troubles in Northern Ireland, where they were both complicit in bombing attacks that had tragic consequences for all involved. Propelled into theatres in the summer of 1994 by its bombastic trailer, BLOWN AWAY was ultimately something of a box-office disappointment, and received heavy criticism for some of the accent work, as well as what was perceived as insensitive Irish stereotyping. However, as Phil and Liam unearth through their incisive analysis, there’s much more going on in this flawed but fascinating film than meets the eye.Boston-native Liam can speak to this film’s evocative cultural milieu from his personal experience growing up as an Irish-American in Massachusetts. He gives his two cents on what the film gets right, what it gets wrong, and what it might be saying about the Irish immigrant experience in America. The guys then take a scenic tour through the nine circles of hell, exploring the film’s striking Catholic imagery, its literary allusions, and its powerful themes of guilt, shame, and suffering.The boys consider dying the LA River green en route to the ‘Die Hard Oscars’, a special guest makes an appearance in the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz to represent the embattled AI community, and due to popular demand, Marco returns…with a vengeance!BLOWN AWAY trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3N-e9BLZFoAt the time of release, BLOWN AWAY is streaming on Max, DirectTV, Cinemax, and AppleTV/Paramount +, and is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, RedBox, AMC and all the usual platforms.Phil on Eye Of The Duck! Liam on Cows In The Field! Blake Howard/Ethan Warren's Jim Henson documentary!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard on a bus!For the show’s 20th episode, Phil and Liam are joined by special guest Kris Tapley - film journalist for Variety, host of the 50 MPH podcast and the world’s foremost expert on this week’s film: SPEED!When hotshot LA SWAT cop Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves) incurs the wrath of mad bomber Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper), Payne responds by rigging a city bus with a unique explosive device, that will arm when the vehicle hits 50mph…and detonate if it drops below it. The first question to ask here is: is this the greatest premise of all time?Kris climbs aboard and takes the boys on a guided tour – via elevator, bus and subway train - of this classic film, examining every nut, bolt and mechanism. They also take a few scenic detours to explore the road not taken…with alternative directors, casting choices, and action sequences.Among other things they will discuss the enduring appeal of Keanu Reeves, the magic of Sandra Bullock, the genius of Dennis Hopper, and the litany of superb supporting performances, from the likes of Jeff Daniels, Joe Morton and Glenn Plummer. They get deep on the creative team, the bus passengers, and even the folks on the elevator get some attention. (Spare a thought for poor Richard Schiff – the unfortunate train driver.) The boys jump on the 2525 bus to make it to ‘The Die Hard Oscars’ in the nick of time, and Liam and Kris duke it out in the trivia section with a tailor-made ‘pop quiz’. They also answer the most burning question of all: is Speed really just ‘Die Hard on a bus’? Or does this astonishing film transcend such a term?Join us for an unbridled celebration of that rare beast: a perfect action movie. Don’t forget your muffins!SPEED trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCh_sxggMFo At the time of release, SPEED is streaming on Fubo and USA and is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a future shock satire!For this week’s episode, Phil and Liam are joined by special guest Nick De Semlyen, editor of Empire magazine and author of the excellent book THE LAST ACTION HEROES. Together they unfreeze DEMOLITION MAN – a deceptively sophisticated sci-fi movie that explores, deconstructs and satirizes action movie archetypes.In a dystopian LA, renegade cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) apprehends his psychotic arch nemesis Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) during a chaotic assault, but Spartan is wrongly blamed for a large number of civilian deaths, and both men are placed in a new cryogenic-penitentiary. When they are awakened 36 years later, Spartan and Phoenix find themselves in a peaceful and seemingly utopian future society, where they quickly resume their violent feud…exposing the sinister truth about this brave new world in the process. Stallone is one of the central figures in Nick’s book, and together the guys analyze the disparity between Sly’s screen persona and who he is in real life – something that Nick can speak to from personal experience. Nick also discusses the insights gained when he interviewed the film’s director, the mercurial Marco Brambilla, a wildly talented artist who seems to have an interest in exploring weighty philosophical themes, and there’s some beefy discussions about the rest of the film’s eclectic cast, that includes Wesley Snipes, Sandra Bullock, Nigel Hawthorne, Denis Leary and Jack Black, who appears briefly as ‘Wasteland Scrap #2’! The boys grab a quick Taco Bell before heading over to ‘Die Hard Oscars’ in their futuristic tuxedos, and Liam and Nick collaborate to great effect in the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz! So alleviate your boggles, enhance your calm and listen now! DEMOLITION MAN trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B5v6QZ5R3g(“That looks like a good movie…”)At the time of release, DEMOLITION MAN is streaming on Max and is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liam and Phil went out to the coast to to have a few laughs this week, so they decided to share an underheard early gem from the podcast: the ORIGINS OF DIE HARD episode.Thanks to everyone who has listened, shared, or told us they like the show. Special thanks to our amazing guests so far. We'll be back in two weeks with DEMOLITION MAN.It's Rambo in a Towering Inferno! In part two of this inaugural episode, Phil and Liam discuss ‘The Anatomy of an Action Movie’, using DIE HARD as an example to analyze the essential components that make an action movie successful (or not). They also discuss DIE HARD’s diffuse origins and influences throughout cinema and literature, with a particular focus on Roderick Thorp’s book ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ - the 1978 novel upon which DIE HARD was based. This episode also marks the first edition of the ‘DIE HARD OSCARS’, where Phil and Liam assign special awards in a variety of bespoke action-movie categories. There’s just enough time for a DIE HARD-themed trivia quiz, before the boys offer their respective opinions on the most burning question of all: is DIE HARD a Christmas movie?!DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created and hosted by Phillip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a serial killer thriller!Or is it Die Hard in a murder mystery? Or Die Hard in a family drama? Or Die Hard in the great American play?! To make sense of all this, Phil and Liam are joined by special guest Sean Fennessey, the host of The Big Picture and a regular guest on The Rewatchables.  The plot of Striking Distance speaks to its surprising level of complexity. After he testifies against his own partner for use of excessive force, Pittsburgh homicide detective Thomas Hardy (Bruce Willis) is exiled from the tight-knit police department and ends up working for the River Rescue division, where he becomes embroiled in a hunt for a serial killer who is dumping bodies in the water. As he launches his own unofficial investigation into the crimes with new partner Jo Christman (Sarah Jessica Parker), Hardy comes to suspect that the killer may be the very same man who murdered his police captain father years earlier.As the son of a cop himself, Sean has a particular insight on the film’s subject matter, which captures a very specific cultural milieu in co-writer/director Rowdy Herrington’s home town of Pittsburgh. They also discuss Sean’s feelings about Die Hard, his thoughts on Bruce Willis’ complicated career, and his fascinating real-life encounter with Dennis Farina, who plays (Willis’ Uncle) Nick DeTillo, in what might be the movie’s standout performance, even amongst a stellar supporting cast that includes Tom Sizemore, John Mahoney, Brion James, Andre Braugher, Tom Atkins and Robert Pastorelli.There’s also in-depth analysis of the film’s possible influences – from iconic 1970s filmmakers like Alan J. Pakula and Sidney Lumet, to great American playwrights like Arthur Miller and Eugene O’Neill – and to the films and TV shows that it may have subsequently influenced – such as CopLand, We Own The Night, Pride & Glory and The Wire. Are the guys giving this largely forgotten film too much credit? Possibly…but that’s up to you to decide!The ‘Die Hard Oscars’ provide some typically strong candidates for awards recognition, before Sean and Liam compete in the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz!STRIKING DISTANCE trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PbX4LXD6EsAt the time of release, STRIKING DISTANCE is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in New Orleans!For this very special episode, Phil is joined by the very person whom he had previously declared to be his “dream guest”: Kyle Brandt! The host of Good Morning Football on the NFL Network and an avowed action movie super-fan! Together, these two enthusiastic action aficionados discuss their feelings about HARD TARGET, on the cusp of its 30th anniversary. Liam was on paternity leave during the recording of this episode, but don’t worry - he still makes a cameo appearance!The film’s plot is thus. When he agrees to help Natasha Binder (Yancy Butler), a young woman searching for her missing father on the streets of New Orleans, Cajun sailor Chance Boudreaux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) stumbles on an organized business that facilitates the hunting of the homeless for wealthy clients. In the process, Chance becomes the cabal’s latest target, but he quickly turns the tables…and soon the hunters become the hunted!Kyle recalls his vivid memories of seeing this film upon its initial release, and no time is spared addressing the elephant in the room - JCVD’s hair - which quickly leads to a spirited discussion about the best and worst mullets in movie history (listen closely NFL fans!). The guys then work their way through their respective histories with Mr. Van Damme, and talk about his wider filmography, as they debate whether this is in fact his best film (and perhaps his best role). HARD TARGET – whose origins trace back to the classic novella ‘A Most Dangerous Game’ – was also the first American film to be directed by action maestro John Woo, making it a rare and decidedly prestigious entry in the JCVD canon. Phil and Kyle also discuss their thoughts on this movie’s incredible villains, played to perfection by Lance Henriksen and Arnold Vosloo, and Kyle rhapsodizes about his childhood hero Wilford Brimley, who delivers a memorable turn here as the colorful Cajun Uncle Douvee. The ‘Die Hard Oscars’ provide plenty more entertainment value, and Kyle finishes on a high with an incredible performance in the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz!HARD TARGET trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pzx4IeYYFgThis episode was produced by Mike Mayer and Olivia Aylmer!At the time of release, HARD TARGET is streaming on Tubi, and is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, RedBox, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard on the run!Phil and Liam are joined by special guests Dominick Nero and Adam Volerich (hosts of the Eye of the Duck film podcast) for an unyielding “hard-target search” of THE FUGITIVE, a hugely influential movie that contemporized the classic ‘chase thriller’ and paved the way for a series of subsequent TV-to-film adaptations, as well as its own spate of imitators (and a direct sequel in 1998).After being wrongly convicted for the murder of his wife, top Chicago surgeon Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) escapes during a prison transfer, and attempts to solve the murder while being relentlessly pursued by a team of cops, led by the dogged, indefatigable U.S Marshal Samuel Gerard (Tommy Lee Jones, in a star-making performance that bagged him an Academy Award). On face value, this beloved picture (which was a box-office smash in the summer of 1993) may not appear to have much in common with Die Hard, but its connections are actually many and varied, as the guys expertly illustrate in their ‘Die Hard DNA’ section. It’s also a surprisingly layered film, filled with prescient socio-economic and socio-political ideas, which gives the guys plenty to discuss as they analyze ‘The Anatomy of an Action Movie’ with the kind of surgical precision that Dr. Richard Kimble himself might approve of! There’s plenty of love for the film’s cast, not just for the two effervescent stars, but also for the likes of Joe Pantoliano, Julianne Moore, Sela Ward, Jane Lynch (yes that Jane Lynch) and Dutch actor Jeroen Krabbe, whose earlier work in Paul Verhoeven’s The Fourth Man – a film that directly influenced Die Hard – is also discussed, along with, of all things, Les Miserables!  This is the first film on the show that was actually nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, adding an air of prestige to this week’s ‘Die Hard Oscars’! Finally, the guys team up - much like a squad of quirky U.S. Marshals - to tackle a challenging edition of the (appropriately named) ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz!   THE FUGITIVE trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETPVU0acnrE At the time of release, THE FUGITIVE is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, RedBox, Vudu, DirectTV, Spectrum and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a meta fantasy satire!Phil and Liam enter the weird and not-so-wonderful world of LAST ACTION HERO, the deconstructionist meta fantasy satire (and infamous box office flop) that has gained a growing cult following in the 30 years since its original release. Last Action Hero wasn’t just a movie, it was a pop-culture juggernaut, but ultimately it failed to deliver on the promise of its admittedly ingenious premise (at least according to Phil): thanks to a “magic ticket”, film-obsessed kid Danny (Austin O’Brien) gets sucked into the world of an action movie and has to team up with his favorite action hero Jack Slater (Arnold Schwarzenegger), using his encyclopedic knowledge of the genre to help solve the case, defeat omnipotent bad guy Benedict (Charles Dance) and save the day.The guys start by discussing their feelings and fandom for Schwarzenegger, whose legacy is currently being reappraised in light of the Netflix documentary Arnold. They recall their memories of the summer of the 1993, where Last Action Hero was crushed at the box office by the might of Jurassic Park, before finding a second, sustained life on home video.Last Action Hero famously had a revolving door of top-tier writers (some credited, some not) during its brief yet tortured production history, including some of the most prominent ‘script doctors’ in Hollywood, notably William Goldman and Carrie Fisher. This leads to a discussion of the exact role of script doctors, as Phil offers his two cents on how the film might have been saved at the story stage. Alternative directors and actors are also discussed, and Liam offers a spirited defense of this much-maligned film, praising its inventiveness, imagination and influence on subsequent meta movies.The ‘Die Hard Oscars’ continue to stoke controversy, and this week’s ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz is almost as complicated and convoluted as the film itself! LAST ACTION HERO trailerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShBw43KJoLk At the time of release, LAST ACTION HERO is streaming on Netflix and Hulu and is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, RedBox, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms. If you're in LA, LAST ACTION HERO screens at the American Cinematheque on July 16, 2023.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard on a mountain! Hang on tight as Phil and Liam grapple with CLIFFHANGER (1993), aided by a very special guest: Jamelle Bouie, columnist for the New York Times Opinion section and the host of the Unclear and Present Danger podcast.After the botched mid-air heist of a US treasury plane results in a violent plane crash, mountain rescue worker Gabe Walker is coerced into helping the ruthless thieves (led by a maniacal John Lithgow) find the missing loot, amidst the forbidding landscape of the Colorado Rockies. Michael Rooker, Janine Turner, Rex Linn, Leon and Craig Fairbrass round out the supporting cast of this spectacularly shot action extravaganza, which was expertly helmed by Finnish filmmaker Renny Harlin (director of Die Hard 2).After three flops in a row, Cliffhanger marked a return to form (and the action genre) for Stallone. The guys discuss their feelings about this action icon, and where this character fits in the pantheon of Stallone’s other roles, in films such as the Rambo franchise, the Rocky franchise, Demolition Man, CopLand (and Judge Dredd). They also discuss director Renny Harlin’s horror roots, and his penchant for cinematic sadism (Jamelle is particularly partial to a stalactite-related death). Lithgow’s wild, Hans Gruber-inspired performance (and questionable “English” accent) also provide plenty of meat for the guys to chew over, and there’s a significant amount of affection reserved for the work of character actors Rex Linn, Vyto Ruginis and Bruce McGill, which leads to a lengthy sidebar on the films of Michael Mann and Spike Lee. Janine Turner is also lauded, but the resolution of her role highlights the problem that many male directors had in successfully serving strong female characters in this era of action cinema. The ‘Die Hard Oscars’ continue to provide fun and frivolity, and this week Liam and Jamelle decide to collaborate for a challenging edition of the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz, which unearths some fascinating casting concepts! CLIFFHANGER TRAILERhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZALfW1ohRIAt the time of release, CLIFFHANGER is streaming on Netflix and Sling and is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, RedBox, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard on a plane (and a carnival)!Take your seats and buckle up as this week Phil and Liam are tackling PASSENGER 57 (1992) with the help of special guest Ronald Young, Jr, a regular contributor to NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour and the host of his own movie podcast Leaving The Theater, as well as the forthcoming Weight For It. Wesley Snipes stars as John Cutter, a former Secret Service agent turned security specialist caught up in the ruthless hijacking of a passenger plane perpetrated by Charles Rane (Bruce Payne). The guys discuss the cultural significance of this popular movie, a box office hit that effectively launched Snipes as a bona fide action star in the 1990s. It was the first of many “DIE HARD on a plane” style films, although it also made an unscheduled stopover in a product-placement littered Louisiana carnival, where Cutter encounters “on the ground racism” (to quote Ronald) courtesy of the local police, led by (Blake’s father) Ernie Lively as the decidedly Dwayne T.Robinson-esque Chief Biggs.The boys break down the character of John Cutter - a haunted hero with a particular set of skills – as they track the continuing evolution of the action hero archetype, and discuss how Bruce Payne’s RADA-training and stage background meant that he had a lot in common with DIE HARD’s Alan Rickman. The film also features a stellar supporting cast of rising stars, including Bruce Greenwood, Elizabeth Hurley and Tom Sizemore (RIP), one of Phil’s favorite actors of the era, who receives a touching tribute in light of his recent passing.This week’s edition of ‘Who’s Your Favorite Terrorist’ requires some pretty esoteric wrestling knowledge, the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ remain as controversial as ever, and the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz takes on added spice due to Ronald’s wish to compete for glory with Liam! Fasten your seatbelts!PASSENGER 57 TRAILERhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqftFJdAvtQ At the time of release, PASSENGER 57 is streaming on Fubo and is available to rent or buy through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, RedBox, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's DIE HARD on a battleship!Phil and Liam take a deep dive into choppy waters as they analyze UNDER SIEGE (1992), one of the earliest (and best) action films to directly replicate the classic DIE HARD formula. In this instance, Steven Seagal stars as Casey Ryback, a former Navy SEAL turned ship’s cook, who springs into action when the USS Missouri is seized by traitorous terrorists looking to hijack its nuclear arsenal…and mayhem swiftly ensues! First off, the boys place this movie in its wider cultural context, noting how this big budget picture marked a departure from the grimy urban thrillers that had been Seagal’s stock and trade up to this point. Much of the credit for the film’s success must go to director Andrew Davis, who had collaborated with Tommy Lee Jones on his previous film THE PACKAGE (1989) and would do so again on THE FUGITIVE (1993), the movie that helped propel Jones from a respected supporting actor into a global movie star.Given the film’s premise, there’s ‘Die Hard DNA’ all over the place, although the boys also discuss the fact that Ryback’s elite military background distinguishes him from ‘the everyman’ John McClane, in yet another notable variation of the ever-evolving action hero archetype. There’s also plenty of enthusiasm here for the extraordinary performances of Tommy Lee Jones and Gary Busey as charismatic villains Strannix and Krill, and another chance to play Phil’s favorite game: ‘Who’s Your Favorite Terrorist?’ Praise is also reserved for the subversive, satirical performance of Erika Eleniak as Playboy playmate Jordan Tate, who elevates a sexist, thankless role with her sly comedic choices. As always, the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ provide plenty of entertainment value, along with (Liam’s least favorite game) the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz, which features a real DIE HARD doozy this week!UNDER SIEGE TRAILERhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcpyOMIUdYQAt the time of release, UNDER SIEGE is streaming on Netflix in the UK and is available to rent or buy in the US through Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, YouTube, RedBox, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Die Hard in a political thriller!This time Phil and Liam dig into the IRA-themed action movie PATRIOT GAMES (1992), the Jack Ryan sequel that Die Hard director John McTiernan was originally supposed to make with Alec Baldwin in the lead role. But fate – and Harrison Ford – had other ideas!While this expansive, globe-trotting political thriller may not bare much resemblance to Die Hard on face value, there’s still a surprisingly high amount of ‘Die Hard DNA’ for the boys to examine with their movie microscopes. This pulsating Paramount picture is also notable for being one of the first mainstream Hollywood action movies to tackle complex and contemporaneous political events: the troubles in Ireland.It’s a particularly important episode for Liam, who has a deep and long-standing connection to this movie and its iconic leading man, Harrison Ford - whose acting style and body of work is discussed in significant detail. The film’s stellar supporting cast - that includes such luminaries as Anne Archer, Sean Bean, Thora Birch, Samuel L. Jackson and James Earl Jones - also gives the guys plenty to chew over, along with the dense literary source material, i.e. Tom Clancy’s 1987 novel of the same name.But despite the heavy subject matter, there’s still plenty of opportunity for games of a more light-hearted nature. As always, the show culminates with the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ and the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz, which now also features the ever-popular ‘Convoluted Corner’!PATRIOT GAMES TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq26pM6Om-AAt the time of release, PATRIOT GAMES is streaming for free on Paramount + and through Amazon Prime Video, MGM +, Showtime, Fubo and the History Channel vault. It is also available to rent or buy through Apple TV, iTunes, YouTube, RedBox, Vudu, DirectTV and all the usual platforms.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD in a hospital!This time, Phil and Liam team up to investigate HARD BOILED (1992), John Woo’s operatic action extravaganza starring legendary actors Chow Yun-fat and Tony Leung, as two very different Hong Kong cops who join forces to take down a ruthless arms dealer.It’s a film that’s often compared to DIE HARD…but does it actually surpass it? Is this actually the greatest action film of all time? The boys debate these controversial questions, while breaking down the various astonishing action sequences that Woo somehow captured in this utterly spectacular 'bullet ballet.' They also discuss the film’s many poetic flourishes, the deceptively deep thematic underpinnings, the soulful tone, the supercool style, and the fabulous supporting cast. Passions and emotions run high in this one! As always there’s the ‘ DIE HARD Oscars’ to look forward to, and an entertaining round of the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz completes the proceedings. So make yourself a Tequila Slammer, grab your clarinet, and soak it all in!HARD BOILED TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtxZHuJNW4DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD in an L.A. Noir!The mismatched duo of Phil and Liam begin a serpentine investigation into THE LAST BOY SCOUT (1991), the ultraviolent private eye picture that combined the talents of multiple action movie icons: star Bruce Willis, director Tony Scott, producer Joel Silver and screenwriter Shane Black. As well as being a buddy movie, this brutal, bruising film also fits into the grand tradition of film noir, and specifically L.A. noir, a subgenre within a subgenre that Phil and Liam are both big fans of. The boys debate whether Joe Hallenbeck is the greatest character Bruce Willis created (John McClane included), how Damon Wayans keeps an unlikeable character likeable, if Milo (Taylor Negron) is the best henchman in the history of action cinema, and what this film is really saying about the sport of football. They praise the performances of Chelsea Field and Halle Berry amidst the mire of meanspirited machismo, and marvel at Shane Black’s incredible skill with characterization, plot, and dialogue, while sharing their mutual love of Tony Scott and his extraordinary body of work. The ‘Die Hard Oscars’ are as hotly contested as ever and the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz unearths some fascinating facts.This episode is dedicated to the memory of the late, great Tony Scott.As this episode is about The Last Boy Scout, it contains explicit language!THE LAST BOY SCOUT TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAGPeBs0G1IAt the time of release, THE LAST BOY SCOUT is available to rent on Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, and DirectTV.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the DIE HARD ECU!This time Phil and Liam wrestle with RICOCHET (1991), Russell Mulcahy’s wild revenge thriller starring Denzel Washington as Nick Styles, a cop turned lawyer who incurs the wrath of John Lithgow’s monstrous criminal Earl Talbot Blake. Not only is this Joel Silver production positively overflowing with ‘Die Hard DNA’, it also takes place in the same extended cinematic universe (ECU) as Die Hard itself! This leads to a fascinating deep dive into the ‘Val Verde Mega Movie Verse’, an expansive ECU that theoretically incorporates multiple films and franchises, including the Alien movies, the Predator movies, both Speed films and Commando, to name but a few! But as well as its many Die Hard connections, this intense, provocative and controversial picture also provides plenty of meat for the boys to chew over on its own terms. Is it just a lurid slice of pulp fiction that’s bereft of any real substance? Or is it an exceptional example of ‘vulgar auteurism’ at its zenith? The boys try to litigate, reach a verdict and pass sentence…but this is one case that may be settled out of court! The movie’s decidedly crude language makes this week’s Die Hard Oscars a NSFW affair, and the ‘Double Jeopardy’ quiz offers up some typically titillating trivia!RICOCHET TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQLxCDvBNd4At the time of release, RICOCHET is streaming for free with a Cinemax Free Trial (available through Amazon Prime Video) and is also available on DirectTV.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD in a prep school!This time Liam and Phil play with TOY SOLDIERS (1991), the fondly remembered teen action-adventure movie starring Sean Astin and Wil Wheaton as unruly prep school students who fight back against marauding Colombian terrorists. This is a hugely important movie historically, especially in the context of this podcast, as it was the very first ‘Die Hard on a Blank’ film outside of the direct Die Hard sequels. The boys illuminate the monumental amount of ‘Die Hard DNA’ contained in the film, from the very obvious to the very subtle, and Liam posits a fascinating theory about the movie’s underlying themes, while Phil rhapsodizes about the great Louis Gossett, Jr. As always there’s some tricky trivia questions to contend with for eager students of the action genre, as well as the always entertaining ‘Die Hard Oscars’. So pack some yoghurt in your lunchbox and give it a listen – or you’ll end up on pots and pans!TOY SOLDIERS trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAIG5SRxPVAAt the time of release, TOY SOLDIERS is streaming on Fubo and Crackle, and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV/iTunes, YouTube, Vudu, RedBox, DirectTV and AMC Theatres On Demand.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD on a train!This time Phil and Liam discuss NARROW MARGIN (1990), Peter Hyams’ highly underrated action-thriller remake starring Gene Hackman and Anne Archer. They talk about the differences and similarities to the original 1952 film noir, the Hitchcockian echoes, and the myriad of subtle Die Hard influences upon this highly suspenseful picture, that earns its place among a grand tradition of train movies. The lads also talk about their affection for the stellar supporting cast, including the two Walshes (M. Emmet and J.T. respectively), Harris Yulin, and James B. Sikking, as well as the ways that this film influenced subsequent action movies such as SPEED, UNDER SIEGE 2: DARK TERRITORY (Eric Bogosian forever) and UNSTOPPABLE. The trivia section goes off the rails (get it?), but the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ soon bring things back on track (but do you get it?). So take your assigned seat, grab a 7&7 from the café car, and enjoy the ride!NARROW MARGIN trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzIjCZfa1EcAt the time of release, NARROW MARGIN is available for purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, iTunes, YouTube and VuDu Fandango. An excellent Blu-ray is also available, featuring two commentaries, one by writer/director/cinematographer Peter Hyams, and one by film critic Peter Tonguette.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD in an airport!Phil and Liam break down the first official DIE HARD sequel, the smash-hit blockbuster DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER (1990). They discuss the evolution of John McClane’s character, the plethora of scary neo-con villains, the film’s complex geo-political influences, the iconic action sequences, the literary source material, the discarded subplots, and the film’s meta qualities (and meta marketing). They also indulge in a spirited “Who’s Your Favorite Terrorist?” discussion and slug it out in the trivia section. As the boys’ excitement starts to overflow, the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ spiral out of control!DIE HARD 2 trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyxfXQ4MGLQAt the time of release, DIE HARD 2: DIE HARDER is available to rent or buy on AppleTV.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD on a submarine!This week, underwater enthusiasts Liam and Phil analyze THE HUNT OF RED OCTOBER (1990), the film that (original DIE HARD director) John McTiernan made at the expense of directing DIE HARD 2. They discuss the movie’s political context, its huge cultural significance in kicking off the popular Jack Ryan franchise, and how as one of the first ‘techno-thrillers’, it elevated the action/espionage genre with its intelligent approach and microcosmic attention to detail. A massively influential film that delivered on the excitement promised in its electrifying original trailer, the lads are huge fans of this Cold War classic.THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiAsQMBSRAAt the time of release, THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER is streaming on Netflix, AMC+, and available for purchase on various streaming services.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD in a Bond movie!In this third episode, Phil and Liam don their tuxedos (but keep their mullets from the ROAD HOUSE episode) to discuss LICENCE TO KILL (1989), the controversial and divisive James Bond movie that marked Timothy Dalton’s final appearance as the legendary secret agent. While placing the film in a wider context as part of the Bond canon, Phil and Liam discuss their personal connections tothis iconic character from their differing cultural perspectives (as a Brit and an American respectively), and examine how the cinematic trends of the time turned this 007 adventure into something wildly different from the Bond films that preceded it. This dark and violent picture is particularly notable in terms of ‘DIE HARD DNA’ - as amongst other things, it features the return of DIE HARD actors Robert Davi and Grand L. Bush…aka FBI Special Agents Big Johnson and Little Johnson (no relation).LICENCE TO KILL trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARLFh3J0Iw8At time of release, LICENCE TO KILL is streaming for free on Paramount +, and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s DIE HARD in a bar! (sort of).In this second episode, Phil and Liam analyze DIE HARD’s influence on ROAD HOUSE (1989), the bar-brawling cult classic starring Patrick Swayze as a philosophical uberbouncer hired to clean up the world’s most depraved drinking establishment. It’s a movie filled with a surprising amount of ‘DIE HARD DNA’, giving Phil and Liam plenty to discuss. Amongst other things, the boys also examine the film’s Kurosawa connections, rhapsodize over Sam Elliott (whom they suspect to be an immortal) and discuss the cinematic significance of casting the legendary Ben Gazzara as the movie’s charismatic villain Brad Wesley. This week’s trivia quiz also unearths some fascinating tidbits about 1980s popular culture.ROAD HOUSE trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oByMeAfwARsAt the time of release, ROAD HOUSE is streaming for free on Netflix.DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing guru. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of this inaugural episode, Phil and Liam discuss ‘The Anatomy of an Action Movie’, using DIE HARD as an example to analyze the essential components that make an action movie successful (or not). They also discuss DIE HARD’s diffuse origins and influences throughout cinema and literature, with a particular focus on Roderick Thorp’s book ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ - the 1978 novel upon which DIE HARD was based. This episode also marks the first edition of the ‘DIE HARD OSCARS’, where Phil and Liam assign special awards in a variety of bespoke action-movie categories. There’s just enough time for a DIE HARD-themed trivia quiz, before the boys offer their respective opinions on the most burning question of all: is DIE HARD a Christmas movie?!DIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Phillip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the party, pals! This is DIE HARD ON A [BLANK] – the podcast that explores the influence of DIE HARD on action cinema…one action movie at a time!In part one of this special inaugural episode, we meet our two hosts – screenwriter Philip Gawthorne and podcast impresario Liam Billingham. The guys introduce themselves and explain their personal connections to, and mutual fascination with, DIE HARD (1988) - arguably the most influential action movie of all time. They analyze the film scene-by-scene, moment by moment, comprehensively examining every nook and cranny of this beloved masterpiece.DIE HARD trailer:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crrv24x-SI8At the time of release, DIE HARD is available to rent or buy on AppleTVDIE HARD ON A BLANK is created, written, and hosted by Philip Gawthorne. Liam Billingham produces and co-hosts the show. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Olivia Aylmer is our marketing consultant. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. Special thanks to Sukee Chew and everyone at Sugar23.You can follow Die Hard On A Blank on Twitter and Instagram here. Follow @liamgbillingham and @philipgawthorne on twitter. You can e-mail us with questions or comments at [email protected]. Get in touch! We want to hear from you!

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the party pals! This is DIE HARD ON A BLANK, a new podcast from Sugar23 that explores the influence of Die Hard on action cinema. In each episode, screenwriter Philip Gawthorne and film podcaster Liam Billingham will talk about one major action movie that was released after DIE HARD - the official sequels, the various imitators, all the way up to recent releases like VIOLENT NIGHT. They'll discuss action icons like Jason Bourne, James Bond, Jack Ryan and Ethan Hunt, and stars like Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, Nicolas Cage, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes, Keanu Reeves, Charlize Theron and of course, Bruce Willis. If you're a casual fan or action movie die hard (get it?), Die Hard On A Blank is for you. First episodes drop December 21st. Be there or be square, melon farmers.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

---

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.