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Showing episodes and shows of
Liam Macik
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Danger Close
Paths of Glory (1957)
Half stoic war epic and half frustrating courtroom melodrama, this early Kubrick film proved unassumingly controversial upon its release in comparison with the auteur’s later works. Banned at one time or another in France, Switzerland, Fascist Spain, and US Military bases, and mostly overshadowed by The Bridge on the River Kwai from the same year, Paths of Glory was not a big hit with audiences and was completely ignored by the Academy. Over the subsequent decades, its critical reception and some recognition from international awards kept it in the cultural consciousness enough to earn gl...
2025-01-08
1h 47
Danger Close
Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
Well, this one hardly needs an introduction and is as epic and sweeping as it gets. This is a film we have been wanting to cover for over two years, and finally the stars aligned. It is on just about every cinephile and film industry professional’s top ten greatest films of all time, often filling the number one spot. If you haven’t seen it, it is well worth watching in the highest quality and biggest screen you can. The 4K restoration is fantastic, and Dune or The English Patient would not be the same without dire...
2024-10-05
2h 16
Danger Close
Platoon (1986)
A lot can (and has) been said about this film. It's one of the very few that might actually achieve the status of "anti-war" film, or at least refrains from glamorizing it. It can't be accused of inaccuracy or overt messaging, because it is admittedly a picture of writer-director Oliver Stone's own experiences volunteering for the American War in Vietnam, fictionalized for the screen, but based on events he saw first hand. While it's the only film Charlie Sheen has ever been good in (disclaimer: this is solely Dan's opinion, you can @ him directly), Willem Dafoe and...
2024-08-11
1h 50
Danger Close
Mulan (1998)
Buckle up, Danger Close fans! We went way off the usual list this time and chose a Disney renaissance film that is also decidedly a war film. From the training scenes, to the battles, to a glorious last minute rescue of the emperor, Mulan fits most of the tropes for a war film. It's also for kids and embraces that 90's Girl Power movement that was so prevalent at the time. You will get to hear us dish about our childhood Disney favorites, debate the quality of the songs and soundtrack, and dissect Disney's intentions with this...
2024-07-19
1h 44
Danger Close
BONUS INTERVIEW - Pulled the Handle! Just Not Very Hard. Part 2 of 2
Here’s part two of Dan’s interview with Fig and RePete from the podcast So There I Was! This half we talk movies a little, with some cool details about the harrier jets in True Lies, and get some personal “oh shit!”flying stories from the guys. If you want to hear more from Fig and RePete, here is their True Lies ep, where they interview their squadron mates who actually flew in the film, and links to the rest of their show. Enjoy! https://sothereiwas.us/episode/16/ Website (with lots of...
2024-07-13
1h 22
Danger Close
BONUS INTERVIEW - We're Not Ready, You Idiot! Part 1 of 2
This week on Danger Close, a Veteran interview with yours truly, Dan! I sat down with two former Marine aviators and we talked about our experiences in the Corps, traded aviation stories, and I even played them a special recording that has not gone public until now! This is part One where Dan mostly talks about his career in the Marines and in aviation, in part Two we will get Fig and RePete’s stories from flying harriers and talk movies a bit. Check out their awesome aviation show So There I Was (li...
2024-06-25
1h 53
Danger Close
FRIGHT PUB / DANGER CLOSE CROSSOVER: Overlord (2018)
For the first time ever, the Fright Pub crew and the Danger Close team get together in person to record a podcast. In Pittsburgh!! If this film is where the Venn diagram of horror films and war films meet, then I guess Liam is where the Venn diagram of our two shows come together! He's...the glue? The central spoke in the wheel? I don't know, this analogy is not working. Anyway, we all had a blast having plenty of drinks in the Fright Pub and seeing what kind of rules we could break in...
2024-06-04
2h 11
Danger Close
BONUS EPISODE: Inception (2010)
We’re back! The show returns with a brand new DCE episode that we decided to release free to everyone. We want to thank our generous Patrons for sticking with us during our much needed break as we caught up with our schedule and got a bunch of recordings done. We have six episodes in the bag that we are editing and will be releasing over the next few months. Back in 2010, Christopher Nolan directed his most ambitious title at the time: a sci-fi heist thriller with an all-star cast and a huge budget. A li...
2024-05-02
2h 21
Danger Close
Black Hawk Down (2001)
Another good example of a modern war film produced before September 11th, this one puts us in the helicopters and humvees of Task Force Ranger during the humanitarian crisis in Somalia in 1993. Dispensing with most of the geo-political complexities that led to US forces deploying to East Africa, the focus here is mostly on the Rangers and Delta Force on the ground, who dropped into a hostile district with all the confidence of overwhelming force and technology, only to find out the hard way that a daytime raid and repetitive tactics were a recipe for disaster. You...
2024-01-12
2h 12
Danger Close
Reports from the Front: Fourteen Hours in Husaybah
Dan sits down with former Marine infantry Sergeant Rich Cervantes. Rich enlisted in the USMC in 2001, and trained as a TOW (Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided) anti-tank gunner. In this exclusive interview, he tells the story of why he joined, his training, and his experience in Iraq over several deployments with the First Marine Division. He was awarded a Purple Heart, a NAM (Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal), and a Bronze Star, both with Valor. Following are the citations: NAM FOR HEROIC ACHIEVEMENT WHILE SERVING AS TUBE LAUNCHED, OPTICALLY TRACKED, WIRE...
2023-11-19
2h 16
Danger Close
To Be or Not to Be (1942)
This isn’t the first WWII film we have covered to be filmed and released while the war was still ongoing, but it is our first comedy that fits those parameters. It often pops up on lists of best comedies ever, and for good reason. The Nazis have invaded Warsaw and a German spy has just landed with damning information about the Polish resistance. It’s up to famed stage actress Maria Tura, her would-be lover, her jealous husband, and a squabbling troop of Shakespearean actors to intercept the spy and keep the intelligence from reaching the Gest...
2023-11-08
1h 30
Danger Close
Oppenheimer (2023)
If you only saw one movie in the summer of 2023… statistically speaking it was probably Barbie. But if you saw two movies in the summer of 2023… okay, statistically it's fairly likely they were both Barbie. But if you saw two movies on the same day in the summer of 2023, there is technically a non-zero chance that today's film wasn’t one of them, but it probably was. Sweeping into the zeitgeist and on its way to grossing over one billion dollars, Christopher Nolan's new three-hour imax 70mm extravaganza seems to be winning over most viewers and almost all of...
2023-09-21
2h 31
Danger Close
Judgment at Nuremberg (1961)
We've talked Nazis before. And we have covered WWII in several films which varied in style and subject manner, but this is our first time dealing with the Holocaust, so we figured we should start with an old classic that is famous for the way it handled its difficult subject matter. Premiering in West Berlin in 1961, Judgment at Nuremberg was met with mostly silence by its German audiences, praise by many critics, and criticism by others. It was a fictional retelling of "The Judges' Trial", one of twelve American military tribunals held after the main Nuremberg Trials...
2023-09-01
2h 09
Danger Close
The Woman King (2022)
First conceived in 2015 and released in 2022, The Woman King had a long, turbulent road to the box office. An historical action epic starring and driven by a cast of black women, it was a tough sell to studios until the overwhelming success of Black Panther proved beyond a doubt that there was not only an audience for films with this kind of representation, but a hungry market as well. The green light and positive reviews did not keep controversy and criticism from creeping into the conversation from every corner of the internet though, and we discuss those ar...
2023-08-01
2h 00
Danger Close
Behind Enemy Lines (2001)
Released in November of 2001, Behind Enemy Lines came out in a totally different time in history. 9/11 had just happened, and tensions were high all over the world, especially in the U.S. This movie is a little dose of “rah-rah NATO” rescuing an American navigator from…Yugoslavians? No, Serbs. But there are Bosnians there too, and Croats? What _exactly _was going on over there? Don’t worry, this movie doesn’t really cover that, and there is no quiz at the end. Loosely based on the 1995 downing of U.S. Air Force pilot Scott O’Grady (who s...
2023-06-16
1h 13
Danger Close
Reports from the Front: The End Goal Is to Make It Home Alive
Dan sits down with good friend and former Marine Sergeant Tyler Funk. Tyler enlisted in the USMC as an Air Traffic Controller in 2003. After some initial training, he volunteered for deployment, and later was selected for the MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit), and an MMT (Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team), a small enlisted team trained to be dropped off by helicopter in the middle of nowhere, set up a dirt airstrip, and have aircraft landing on it with personnel and equipment within 30-40 minutes. To prepare for this role, he had to go through extensive training before...
2023-05-21
1h 45
Danger Close
Top Gun (1986)
Last episode, we talked about a military aviation film. It had some pretty great aerial scenes, the best Cessna vs motorcycle race we have ever seen, and a fun soundtrack! But not nearly as good as the one for the film we are covering today (although apparently some in the audience will debate this point). This movie was released the same year as Iron Eagle, was WAY more successful, and ironically spawned fewer sequels. We are of course talking about Top Gun, and this time around we have a special guest; you have probably heard something that...
2023-04-17
2h 14
Danger Close
Iron Eagle (1986)
1986 was a landmark year for military aviation in cinema. Top Gun came out in May, the very start of the Summer blockbuster season, and immediately boosted Navy recruitment by 10 bajillion percent. That’s not an approximation, those are the official figures from the Navy. 10 bajillion percent. People flocked to this movie, and who could blame them? It was the perfect synthesis of Cool, Sex, Militarism, and Cinema. In Reagan Era America, it was a guaranteed recipe for success. Or was it? Because we aren’t talking about Top Gun. This week, courtesy of our audience choi...
2023-03-25
1h 49
Danger Close
Mutiny on the Bounty (1935)
One of the most famous and most successful retellings of one of the most infamous and highly mythologized incidents in the history of the British Navy, this 1935 adaptation of the novel by Charles Nordhoff and James Newton Hall might be a little old-fashioned for most modern audiences, both in its acting styles and in its special effects. But it was a force to be reckoned with at the 9th annual Academy Awards, winning Best Picture and scoring 3 nominations for its three lead actors in a single category. The facts of the mutiny were twisted, politicized...
2023-02-11
1h 56
Danger Close
The Last of the Mohicans (1992)
One of Michael Mann’s most beloved films, this is the most recent and most enduring of ELEVEN screen adaptations of the historical fiction novel by James Fenimore Cooper, and it takes us to a war we seldom see depicted elsewhere in cinema: The French and Indian War in North America. It follows the journey of the last members of the vanishing Mohican people as they venture through the breathtaking forests and mountains of Northeastern North America in 1757, while Britain and France fight for control of the continent. Their progress is halted when they come to...
2023-01-14
2h 23
Danger Close
Das Boot (1981)
For our first Wolfgang Peterson film, we decided to cover what is often touted as the best submarine film ever, and one that is on most people’s Top Ten War Film lists. Starring a young Jürgen Prochnow as the Captain of U-96 and a cast of mostly unknown actors as his crew, this is the thrilling story of one German submarine crew in the Battle of the Atlantic, stalking Allied cargo and military ships in an effort to reduce their enemies’ combat effectiveness and disrupt their supply chains. Based on the experiences of autho...
2022-12-16
2h 12
Danger Close
All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
With a screenplay based on Erich Maria Remarque’s immensely popular book, first published in 1929, director Edward Berger has taken on the daunting task of leading the first German team to take this story to the big screen. It is written, directed, and portrayed by Germans, and offers a unique perspective to the war film genre: that of a country who started, and lost, two world wars, at a great cost to their own people. World War I had a devastating effect on “the lost generation” all around the world, and Germans have felt the shame, regret, and re...
2022-11-11
1h 50
Danger Close
BONUS EPISODE: Fright Pub: Last Night in Soho (2021)
To give our fans some additional content while we are operating on a reduced release schedule - and in honor of Halloween - we are dropping an episode of our sister Horror Movie podcast, Fright Pub, into the main feed. Listen as Liam, Shaggy, and Lauren drink adult beverages and discuss a different horror movie each week. In this episode, recorded this past April, they discuss Edgar Wright's 2021 slick retro horror. You can find all the other fun episodes of Fright Pub at: https://frightpub.buzzsprout.com/ New episodes every Friday! ...
2022-10-28
1h 04
Danger Close
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
The year is 1990. The Cold War is in full swing, and the threat of thermonuclear world war is ever present. The Soviet Union is…wait…what? Oh the Berlin Wall came down last year? And the Soviet Union is rapidly dissolving? The Iron Curtain is being lifted? Ok then… Checks production notes… The year is 1984. The Cold war is in full swing, and the threat of thermonuclear world war is ever present. The Soviet Union is eagerly deploying a new submarine technology that could tip the delicate balance of power. Under the command of Captain...
2022-10-15
1h 55
Danger Close
Mister Roberts (1955)
A classic example of the once popular "Service Comedy" genre, this hit film was adapted from a hit stage play, in turn adapted from a hit novel. Henry Fonda reprises his role from the stage play as the titular Lieutenant (j.g.) Roberts, alongside a young and hilarious Jack Lemmon playing Ensign Pulver, and our first time with James Cagney as the insufferable Captain guarding his beloved palm tree. Almost none of the actors are age appropriate for their roles, and some of the humor lands firmly in the “cringe” zone, but there is still plenty of meri...
2022-10-01
1h 56
Danger Close
Apocalypse Now (1979)
One of the first big-budget Vietnam War films from the US, the production of Francis Ford Coppola’s epic was quite a war in its own right. The shooting was fraught with issues, including filming in the Philippines where rebels interrupted the work regularly, Coppola putting $7 million of his own funds on the line, and the usual complications that come with the jungle territory, like typhoons. Add to that a main actor who almost died during filming (Martin Sheen) and a bigger than life star who was…let’s say less than professional (Marlon Brando), and yo...
2022-09-16
2h 11
Danger Close
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
Finishing in second place for our third poll in a row earned this film its rightful spot in the Danger Close catalogue. Set in a Japanese prison camp in Thailand in 1943, it pits the principled Lt Col Nicholson (Alec Guinness) against the ruthless camp commandant Col Saito (Sessue Hayakawa) in a battle of character and wit. This fictional story, loosely based on real events, won seven Academy Awards, including David Lean’s first Oscar for Best Director. So whistle while you march to join us as we discuss this world-famous film and its epic story!...
2022-08-26
1h 51
Danger Close
Beau Geste (1939)
Even in a year like 1939 - which gave us the likes of Stagecoach, The Wizard of Oz, and Gone with the Wind - it’s hard to believe that an Oscar-nominated action adventure from a legendary, Oscar winning director, featuring an all-star cast of future Oscar winners, would somehow get lost in the shuffle, but here we are. It’s a film most of you have probably never heard of, but it’s a rollicking yarn that disproves the theory that the remake is never better than the original. When three English brothers all fall under...
2022-08-13
1h 52
Danger Close
Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan (2019)
This film has been requested many times; usually by our Aussie and Kiwi listeners, and occasionally by people who think our podcast is entirely dedicated to this one film from 2019. Well-known down under, but not as much in the rest of the world, this is the story of one of the most famous battles Anzac troops fought in the Vietnam War. They were outnumbered between 10 and 20-to-1, and had it not been for their tactical decision-making, the fight could have had a very different outcome. We’ve done films “based on true events” (and people) many t...
2022-07-29
1h 48
Danger Close
BONUS EPISODE: Independence Day (1996)
Get ready for an alien-invader stompin' good time! In the rare case where Liam loves a film just because it is so fun, we go back to our childhoods and reminisce over the roll-out and execution of this Roland Emerich gem. From a time when a relatively sane Randy Quaid played insane characters (as opposed to just playing himself), comes this surprisingly well-aged "War of the Worlds" style adventure. Buckle up! We are armed and ready, and we're packin! If you enjoy this episode and want to hear us return for T2, you...
2022-07-04
1h 46
Danger Close
The Northman (2022)
Robert Egger’s third film, following The VVitch (2015) and The Lighthouse (2019), The Northman has the largest budget and the biggest scope by far. Set in the late 9th/early 10th centuries in central Europe and Iceland, this epic revenge story is undoubtedly the most thoroughly researched and most accurate Viking film to date. With a phenomenal cast that includes Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Ethan Hawke, the story goes all the way back to the Norse myths that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, and the meticulous production and costume design immerses you in a world from...
2022-07-02
2h 08
Danger Close
A Bridge Too Far (1977)
Well, here we are again. It’s World War II. Another three-hour war film, another big ensemble cast! In some ways a follow-up to The Longest Day (also written by Cornelius Ryan), this time in color, this film depicts Operation Market Garden, which followed the Normandy Landings in September 1944. The Allies dropped forces from the First Allied Airborne Army into the Netherlands, where they would assault and hold several bridges and wait for XXX Corps of the British Second Army to bring in armor and supplies to continue the push into Northern Germany. Di...
2022-06-18
1h 46
Danger Close
Outlaw King (2018)
From director David Mackenzie, who brought us the excellent modern western Hell or High Water in 2016, comes a retelling of the First War of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. Taking place during and after the capture and execution of William Wallace, this film focuses on Robert the Bruce and his allies in their fight for freedom from Edward I Longshanks and from the English invasion and occupation of their homeland. Filmed entirely on location in Scotland and England, it is undoubtedly gorgeous, with great cinematography, wonderful acting, and impressive costume and set design.
2022-06-04
1h 39
Danger Close
The Longest Day (1962)
Hot on the heels of our Saving Private Ryan episode, we return to the beaches of Normandy (this time filmed in Corsica) with the WWII two-time Oscar winning classic, The Longest Day. Clocking in at three hours, this is the longest film we have covered so far, and our first John Wayne flick! It has a star-studded cast that includes Richard Burton, Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, and a few of our old favorites like Edmund O’Brien and Rod Steiger. They portray everyone from General Eisenhower to the junior Officers hitting the beach, with varying levels of...
2022-05-21
1h 57
Danger Close
Tumbledown (1988)
Starring a young Colin Firth and probably no one else you would recognize, this film released on television in the UK six years after the conflict it depicted. We can’t blame you if you haven’t heard about the 1982 war between Argentina and the United Kingdom; after all it only lasted ten weeks. It’s known as the Falklands War to most of the world, and Guerra de las Malvinas to the Argentinians. More about trauma, recovery, and PTSD than it is about the war, Tumbledown tells the story of Scots Guards Lieutenant (that’s LEF-tenant for you...
2022-05-07
1h 41
Danger Close
Charlotte Gray (2001)
Directed by Gillian Armstrong and starring Cate Blanchett in the titular role, this is the fictionalized story of a British SOE (Special Operations Executive) operating in Nazi-occupied France in 1942. The character is a composite of several real women who worked as spies for the Allies during this time period. She is sent on missions to deliver packages to the resistance and help blow up a train, all the while searching for her lover who was shot down behind enemy lines. A mix of spy film, biopic, and WWII thriller, this movie tries to do a lot; and...
2022-04-23
1h 37
Danger Close
1917 (2019)
Easily the biggest WWI film of recent memory, 1917 conjured a variety of opinions from critics and viewers alike. Its 3 Oscar wins (Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Sound Editing) and over 200 total award nominations speak for themselves. Director Sam Mendes, with Roger Deakins as Director of Photography, boldly chose to shoot and edit the film as a “simulated one-shot”, à la“Rope” or “Birdman”. Aside from the usual rivet-counting that always accompanies high-profile war films, the “single-shot” technique might be the most discussed aspect of 1917. So, what did we think about the film, the shooting technique, and the story (lo...
2022-04-08
1h 55
Danger Close
The War Below (2021)
In his directorial feature-film debut, J. P. Watts stretches a £600,000 budget to show us an aspect of World War I we hadn’t really seen before: the British efforts to tunnel underneath no-man’s land in order to lay mines under the German trenches. For those of you who have seen 1917 (our next episode), you will find some familiar territory: filthy trenches, (not so) filthy uniforms, higher-ups obsessed with gaining ground at all costs, and some great cinematography. As you would expect, a $94.2 million budget difference yields…different results. Join the Danger Close team as we exam...
2022-03-25
1h 43
Danger Close
The Imitation Game (2014)
Part biopic, part historical drama, this film tells the story of Alan Turing and the team at Bletchley Park (the eminently secretive Project X) whose work led to the breaking of the German Enigma machines, and arguably to the Allies winning the War. This is one of the best performances we have seen out of Keira Knightley, who plays a brilliant mathematician, opposite Benedict Cumberbatch’s phenomenal portrayal as an awkward and very closeted Alan Turing. Another film that plays fast and loose with the actual historical facts, it embellishes Turing’s direct contributions to the...
2022-03-11
1h 25
Danger Close
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
What has not already been said about this monumental film? The Omaha Beach landing sequence it opens with is one of the most gritty and violently realistic combat scenes ever put on film to this day, and it gave a new generation of viewers an idea of what their grandparents had gone through in that war while they were still around to see it themselves. Critics and viewers alike have long praised it as one of the best war films ever made (despite the admittedly schmaltzy prologue and epilogue). On this episode of...
2022-02-25
2h 35
Danger Close
The Vikings (1958)
Filmed in the fjords of Norway and on the coast of France (standing in for Northumbria), this epic tale set in the ninth century immortalized a singular moment in time. The first film depiction of Viking culture since the Nazis had claimed Norse lore for themselves, the story is based as much in myth and legend as it is in history (like most of what we know about Vikings). Famously the film set that brought Janet Lee and Tony Curtis together so they could bless the world with Jaime Lee Curtis, the casting is phenomenal, although the...
2022-02-11
2h 02
Danger Close
Patton (1970)
Releasing to critical acclaim, this film took home seven Academy Awards, including Best Actor (George C. Scott), and Best Director (Franklin J. Schaffner). It is often at the top of “best war films” lists, and a favorite of film buffs. It follows Patton's various commands through their campaigns in North Africa and the invasion of Europe in the latter part of World War II. It’s widely considered one of George C. Scott’s best performances, and he definitely storms his way through the film. But is the portrayal of General Patton historically accurate? And did...
2022-01-28
2h 09
Danger Close
BONUS EPISODE: The Terminator (1984)
BONUS EPISODE: The Terminator! The Danger Close team is taking their holiday break for this week's release, but we didn't want to leave you all empty-handed. So here is a gift from us, our first Patreon episode from last year! You can listen to two of us gush over one of James Cameron's most popular films, and hear the other host be wrong. If you enjoy this episode and want to hear us return for T2, you can sign up for just $4 a month at: www.dangerclosepod.com/support You will...
2022-01-14
1h 42
Danger Close
Doctor Zhivago (1965)
DISCRETION ADVISED: This film depicts several sexual assaults that are discussed in the episode. Our first David Lean film, but certainly not our last! Set during World War I and the October Revolution of 1917, this love triangle (square? parallelogram?) takes place during turbulent times, and the production spared no expense with its full-scale recreation of ten square blocks of Moscow, thousands of extras, and beautiful vistas captured in Spain and Canada. Based on the book by Boris Pasternak, and banned in the Soviet Union for decades along with the film, this Oscar-winner is...
2021-12-31
1h 41
Danger Close
CHE (2008)
In this sprawling two-part biopic, director Steven Soderbergh shows us the experiences of Ernesto "Che" Guevara during the Cuban revolution in 1956, and Che’s subsequent failed attempt at revolution in Bolivia in 1967. Approaching Gettysburghian lengths, the two parts relay in sometimes oppressive detail (drawing from Guevara’s own journals) the conditions these rebels were up against and the obstacles they faced. The filmmaker knew that he was covering a controversial topic; Che is still simultaneously reviled as a mass murderer by some, and lauded as a hero by others. The film’s critical reception was just a...
2021-12-17
2h 01
Danger Close
The Battle of Algiers (1966)
A rebellion film if there ever was one, Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo's magnum opus dramatizes the fight against French Colonialism in 1950s Algeria. A quintessential example of Italian neorealism, the documentary-style of the filming, the film stock itself, and the use of non-professional actors give this film a gritty, real-life feel. It has been an inspiration to terrorist organizations and governments alike, and is an important and thought-provoking part of cinema history. Next Episode: CHE - Part one and two (2008) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! ...
2021-12-03
1h 35
Danger Close
Hamilton (2015/2020)
Are we doing it? We're doing it! We are diving into our very first musical! Depicting two pivotal battles in the American Revolutionary war (1775-1783), it certainly has some war in it. And it is a FILMed performance of the stage play. It has been a sensation since its debut on Broadway for good reason, and it really does bring some of America's founding fathers to life with that wonderful blend of jazz and hip-hop that only Lin-Manuel Miranda could pull off. Constitutional rap battles, muskets, and adultery, OH MY! Join...
2021-11-20
1h 44
Danger Close
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)
From British director Ken Loach, this story is set in 1920 during the War for Irish Independence, depicting the conflict between Irish militants and occupying British forces, and the internal struggle between the newly formed Irish Free State Army and the IRA. One side supported a treaty with the British, while the other side would only accept an unconditional departure of all British troops from Ireland. Two brothers end up on opposing sides of that conflict in this intimate portrayal of the combat and personal strife between these factions. Just how many Irish words...
2021-11-05
1h 28
Danger Close
Gettysburg (1993)
Groom your beards and dust-off your Civil War uniforms and dresses, cause we are going back to 1863! This popular Ron Maxwell film has no shortage of stellar actors: Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels, Tom Berenger, and even Sam Elliot and his mustache make an epic and most welcome return. But is this just a four and a half hour battle reenactment, or is there something more to it? Do we get a neutral and unbiased depiction of the events, or is there an agenda at work? Join us and find out! Next...
2021-10-22
2h 10
Danger Close
The Blue Max (1966)
If you are a Patron of the show, you will notice that this is our second film starring George Peppard and THIRD film scored by Jerry Goldsmith in a row! Is this just a coincidence, or some weird thing Liam has been doing with our film selection? Who knows! This week's episode brings us a very famous WWI aviation film from director John Guillermin. It has been simultaneously lauded as one of the most accurate depictions of combat flight in that era, and maligned by the author of the book the film is based on for its...
2021-10-08
1h 46
Danger Close
Seven Days in May (1964)
From director John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate, Birdman of Alcatraz, THE Island of Dr. Moreau) and screenwriter Rod Serling (The Twighlight Zone, Planet of the Apes), comes what many consider one of the best political thrillers of all time! It asks questions of us that are just as relevant now as they were around the time of the JFK assassination: Is the President doing what's best for the country? Can our democracy survive a military coup? How did Kirk Douglas possibly shave that chinple?! Next Episode: The Blue Max (1966) Feel...
2021-09-24
1h 41
Danger Close
BONUS EPISODE: Starship Troopers (1997) with Paul Sammon
BONUS EPISODE: Starship Troopers with Paul M. Sammon! Just a taste of our Patreon offerings, for anyone who is on the fence. Dan, Katie, and Liam talk with Hollywood legend and film historian Paul M. Sammon about all the bug-hunting details of this classic film from Dutch director Paul Verhoeven. Paul Sammon has been in the business for a long time and was kind enough to sit down with us and tell us stories about his experiences in the film industry, the history of the film, epic mustaches, and more! He...
2021-09-21
2h 16
Danger Close
We Were Soldiers (2002)
This film is...something. Depicting the first major battle between U.S. forces and the NVA, and the first coordinated use of helicopters in combat, there is no doubt that there is a story here that must be told. The common recollection seems to be that we all liked this film when it came out in 2002. But has it aged well? At first, we were sure Mel Gibson had to have directed and produced the thing...but on closer inspection, it turns out he is only the star of the film. And he's surrounded by great talent...
2021-09-10
2h 06
Danger Close
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)
Based on Patrick O’Brien’s extensive series of novels set during the Napoleonic wars, and touted as one of the most accurate period pieces ever made, this film features Russell Crowe in his prime as Captain "Lucky" Jack Aubrey, several brave little midshipmen, lots of swashbuckling, and...well, what more do you need? Oh right, maybe a proto-Darwinian expedition to the Galapagos complete with giant tortoises and flightless cormorants, a daring and adventurous biologist...and a battle to the death with the French! See if we managed to pick the lesser of two weevils, and join on t...
2021-08-27
1h 51
Danger Close
The Death of Stalin (2017)
From writer/director Armando Iannucci of Veep fame, this dark comedy sheds some light on the inner turmoils of the Soviet government during and after Stalin's death in 1953. Backstabbings and frontstabbings abound, and while it plays it a little loose with the facts, it doesn't have a dull moment. So toss off your cape, lock your doors, and join us before you get reported to the authorities! Available on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming platforms. Next Episode: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003) Feel free to contact...
2021-08-13
1h 31
Danger Close
Throne of Blood (1957)
Our first foray into acclaimed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa's work, his adaptation of Macbeth has it all! A story of murder, betrayal, ghosts, and samurai, 1957's Throne of Blood (The Castle of the Spider's Web) is as epic as it is intense, especially thanks to Toshiro Mifune's over-the-top performance and an unforgettable end scene. Join us as we get in way over our heads on Shakespeare, Noh theatre, katanas, and witches. Available to stream on Criterion channel or Amazon Prime. Note: as a reference, we discuss Justin Kurzel's 2015 Macbeth film in this episode...
2021-07-30
2h 10
Danger Close
Argo (2012)
There are few Hollywood movies more unbelievable than this true story of the mission to rescue six Americans during the Iran Hostage Crisis of 1979, but are the liberties this films takes with the facts justified? Is it pro-CIA propaganda? And is it - in hindsight - deserving of the accolades it received upon its release? Please allow the flight attendant to collect all alcoholic beverages, as we are entering Iranian airspace in the 2012 Ben Affleck-directed Best Picture winner, Argo. Next Episode: Throne of Blood (1957) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! ...
2021-07-16
1h 40
Danger Close
Beau Travail (1999)
Inspired by the Herman Melville novella Billy Budd, and shot on a small budget and in defiance of the French Military, the production of this movie saw more combat than actually ended up on the screen. But this tale of bitter obsession in a unit of the French Foreign Legion is as beautiful as it is confounding. Directed by Claire Denis with Cinematographer Agnes Goddard behind the camera, next week we try our hand at our first bona fide Art Film. Available as a Criterion disk or on their streaming service (free 14-day trial).
2021-07-02
1h 57
Danger Close
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
In our second audience choice episode, Kingdom of Heaven just barely beat out The Dam Busters! But this may have been to our detriment, as us hosts collectively had to watch...something like fifteen hours' worth of this movie. And then we had the meta-struggle of deciding whether to cut our own short and long versions of this very episode! In the end, we pulled together what we thought was the best of both worlds: a deep dive into Ridley Scott's phenomenal set design, swords and armor and all; and a conversation about the deeper meanings behind...
2021-06-18
2h 32
Danger Close
Hot Shots! (1991)
Can we still enjoy early, pre-winning Charlie Sheen? How well does a comedy so firmly rooted in the early 90s hold up? Tune in for our possibly ill-advised break from the serious as we venture into the absurdity of this Gulf War/Top Gun spoof from 1991: HOT SHOTS! Next Episode: Kingdom of Heaven (2005) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Or join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple...
2021-06-04
1h 18
Danger Close
Atonement (2007)
A story told through the eyes of a British woman as a child, young nurse, and old writer, Atonement is an epic romance spanning from the pre-war years to Britain's strategic retreat at Dunkirk. Joe Wright directs a formidable cast, but with...debatable success. Let's see whether Dan and Katie can defend this war film from the onslaught of Liam's cynicism and David Lean's widow's less than flowery appraisal. And somehow Joel Schumacher makes an appearance too. Go figure. Next Episode: Hot Shots! (1991) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our...
2021-05-21
2h 01
Danger Close
Empire of the Sun (1987)
The Japanese invasion of China had been ongoing since the early 1930s, but in coordination with the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Japanese forces moved into allied colonies on the mainland. This included the international section of Shanghai, where Jamie, the spoiled son of a British manufacturer, becomes separated from his parents in the chaos of war and has to fend for himself in a Japanese internment camp. With powerful performances from Christian Bale, John Malkovich, and Miranda Richardson, this is Spielberg at his best, portraying a seldom-depicted theater of WWII in one of his most underrated...
2021-05-07
2h 06
Danger Close
Jojo Rabbit (2019)
In this daring comedy, Taika Waititi tries his hand at historical satire. The story follows a young boy named Jojo in a small German town at the end of WWII; through his interactions with his mother, his imaginary friend Adolf, and a mysterious girl hiding in his attic, Jojo has to come to grips with the reality of Nazi propaganda, and deal with his shifting understanding of the world. Next Episode: Empire of the Sun (1987) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Or join our...
2021-04-23
1h 56
Danger Close
Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
Seita and his little sister Setsuko navigate through the aftermath of the firebombings of Kobe in early 1945. Within months of the attack that shattered their lives, the U.S. would drop the only atomic bombs ever used in warfare and bring the Japanese Empire to an unconditional surrender. But before those weapons of mass destruction, there were others. This is a sad film - even Liam couldn't dick-joke his way out of this one - yet in the depths of its tragedy, it is a masterful depiction of the beauty of humanity and the innocence of childhood. ...
2021-04-09
1h 56
Danger Close
The Caine Mutiny (1954)
A star-studded cast brings the USS Caine to life, a fictional WWII minesweeping-ship commanded by a paranoid and arguably incompetent Captain Queeg (Humphrey Bogart). Training incidents, accusations of icebox theft by the sailors, and finally a dangerous storm that threatens to sink the ship, bring the officers to mutiny, resulting in a third-act court martial for the culprits. Will the Navy side with the Captain, or the crew? Is Queeg a madman? And where the hell are those damn strawberries? Join us and find out! Next Episode: Grave of the Fireflies (1988) ...
2021-03-26
1h 51
Danger Close
They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
Made as a heartfelt tribute to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of the Armistice, Peter Jackson crafted this incredible documentary from hundreds of hours of interviews and never before seen footage from the archives of the Imperial War Museum and the BBC. But it wouldn't be a Peter Jackson film without pulling out every technical trick in the book, including showing it in 3D. Join us as the gang debates, among other things, whether Jackson's cinematic wizardry deepens or cheapens the subject matter, and if one should be kink shamed for a British pooping stick fetish.
2021-03-12
2h 03
Danger Close
The Outpost (2020)
As one of the most realistic and accurate war films ever made, 2020's The Outpost was difficult both to watch and to discuss. Eight U.S. Soldiers lost their lives in the battle depicted, countless others were wounded, and two walked away with The Medal of Honor, something that had not happened in over fifty years. Join us as we talk about how the film was made, how well it serves the memory of those who lost their lives, and of course, how Liam would have done it better. Next Episode: They Shall Not Grow...
2021-02-26
1h 42
Danger Close
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
We didn't mean to drop our first film dealing with the Tet Offensive on the actual Vietnamese Holiday, but sometimes the planets align without any help from us. Join us as we launch this new project and separate the Cowboys from the Jokers with Stanley Kubrick's iconic depiction of the Marine experience in the Vietnam War. Next episode: The Outpost (2020) Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Or join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group If you like the show...
2021-02-12
1h 54
Danger Close
Trailer
In combat, DANGER CLOSE is the term used when calling for fire support if you or other friendly forces are in close proximity to the target. War is Hell, people make films about it, and we love to talk about them. We are Dan, Katie, and Liam, and this...is DANGER CLOSE. Feel free to contact us with any questions or comments! Our website: www.dangerclosepod.com Or join our Facebook group at: Danger Close - Podcast Discussion Group If you like the show, please leave us a review on...
2021-02-09
02 min