Clear and Present Dudes: A Thriller Movies Podcast

Ruari O’Toole | Michael Dunbar | Saanje Bjorkson
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It's a defence podcast! It's a cinema podcast! It's Clear and Present Dudes! Join Naval officers and Tom Clancy fans Mike Dunbar and Saanje Björkson and resident civvy expert Ruari O' Toole as we dissect spy and political thrillers, courtroom dramas, crime movies and military action films from the ’70s–10s in a spoilercast format. What began as a mission to watch every Tom Clancy adaptation became unpreventable mission‑creep: we watch the films, unpack the heroes and villains, the Ships and the submarines! For casual fans and military enthusiasts alike! Follow the Insta @clearandpresentdudes

  1. Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper (1984)

    6 DAYS AGO

    Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper (1984)

    The Dudes don (Johnson) their Ray Bans and pastel suits, fire up the Ferrari Testarossa and hit the beach in this deep dive into the iconic feature-length pilot of Miami Vice. It's a vibe. It's a scene. It's groundbreaking TV that changed the medium forever, and gave us some of the sexiest most dramatic music videos of all time. It made Phil Collins seem cool. It made Leonard Cohen into a gangster, and it gave the world Phillip Michael Thomas, before taking him back again. *Spoilers! This is a spoiler cast and we are spoiling this 42 year-old movie* This episode explores the iconic TV series Miami Vice, its cultural impact, production details, and memorable scenes, with insights into its aesthetic, music, and character dynamics. A must-listen for fans of 80s TV and crime dramas. Join us as we explore the iconic style, memorable scenes, and behind-the-scenes stories of Miami Vice, featuring insights into its cinematic techniques, cultural impact, and the careers of its stars. Perfect for fans and newcomers alike, this episode delves into what makes the show a timeless classic. Join us as we explore the iconic TV series Miami Vice, its cultural impact, memorable quotes, fashion, and behind-the-scenes insights. Dive into a nostalgic journey through 80s style, music, and legendary moments that defined a generation. keywords Miami Vice, 80s TV, Michael Mann, crime drama, pop culture, TV analysis, music video style, Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas Miami Vice, 80s TV, cinematic style, Don Johnson, Philip Michael Thomas, TV history, pop culture, crime drama, Miami, nostalgia Miami Vice, 80s TV, Michael Mann, TV nostalgia, fashion, music, iconic quotes, police dramas, pop culture

    2h 11m
  2. Cisco Pike (1971)

    20 APR

    Cisco Pike (1971)

    The Dude's observe the special date with a stoner-adjacent thriller (in name only) Cisco Pike, starring Kris Kristofferson, Gene Hackman and Karen Black! Kris walks around a bunch. We hear some of his music. Gene Hackman sweats. We talk about a bunch of other movies because 2 out of 3 dudes did not love it! This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers, not that you can spoil this. Cisco Pike, Kris Kristofferson, 1970s cinema, drug culture, film analysis, cult classics film analysis, Gene Hackman, Harry Dean Stanton, cinema history, movie discussion, actor careers, film themes, classic movies, industry insights, film critique film analysis, cult classics, movie discussion, director spin, fan theories, Gene Hackman, 70s LA, movie missed opportunities

    2h 3m
  3. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

    6 APR

    Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014)

    The Dudes return to Tom Clancy spy thriller territory with YET ANOTHER reboot of Jack Ryan! This time Chris Pine is at the helm, with Kenneth Branagh directing. The Dudes discuss the Cathy Ryan power rankings, and why Keira Knightley is maybe the best? Controversial. Maybe that should be the youtube thumbnail. Anyway this movie is a bit weird, and so is this episode! This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers. Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit, spy thriller, film analysis, movie review, Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, film critique, espionage movies Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit, spy movies, film analysis, geopolitics, casting, action movies, film critique Jack Ryan, espionage, film analysis, movie review, CIA, Kenneth Branagh, film locations, spy movies, action films, movie critique

    2h 10m
  4. Goncharov (1973)

    1 APR ·  BONUS

    Goncharov (1973)

    The Dudes ask not for whom the bell tolls, for it tolls for Goncharov! The crime thriller arthouse Italian gangster flick from the mind of Martin Scorsese, Matteo Sciochezze, produced by Domenico Procacci goes under the magnifying glass. Starring Robert De Niro and the eponymous 'Lo Straniero' Goncharov, and co-starring a stacked cast including Cybill Shepherd, Al Pacino, Harvey Keitel, Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Sophia Loren, and incredibly an uncredited Lynda Carter. The dudes dig deep into a bold piece of queer filmmaking which would inspire films such as Dog Day Afternoon, and find a lot of enjoy in this detailed plot recap and analysis of 1973's strangest lost film. The film has been restored and receives a Criterion Collection release later this year. This review is based on the 2hr 18 cut from the digitised bootlegs of George Lucas. *This is a SPOILERCAST and every episode is full spoilers* Keywords: Goncharov, Italian cinema, film analysis, conspiracy theories, 1973 movies, crime drama, film symbolism, character study Goncharov, film analysis, cult classics, cinematic techniques, film themes, character analysis, movie secrets

    2h 21m
  5. The Fugitive (1993)

    23 MAR

    The Fugitive (1993)

    FIND THAT MAN! The Dudes are on the hunt for the one-armed man, while we flee the long prosthetic arm of the law in this week's crime thriller The Fugitive! Starring PEAK Harrison Ford, Academy Award winning Tommy Lee Jones, and JOE PANTOLIANO. Dr Richard Kimble is man convicted of murdering his wife, but when the chance to escape the bus taking him to prison arises, he seizes it and becomes...THE FUGITIVE. *This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers* We merry dudes, despite numerous technical challenges do our thing, and I think for once we really get deep into what kind of video game you could make out of the movie. Kudos to Lucy James from Friends Per Second who managed to stealth a mention on the pod when Ruari read out her Letterboxd review by pure chance. Geordies unite!

    2h 14m
  6. Podcasthon 2026 Special - Fateful Findings (2012) for Trash Cats Rescue

    16 MAR ·  BONUS

    Podcasthon 2026 Special - Fateful Findings (2012) for Trash Cats Rescue

    Thriller cinema has never met an auteur like Neil Breen before - this week the dudes continue hacking these government systems and find out about the weirdest movie you haven't seen! In support of Podcasthon 2026 and Trash Cats Rescue this special Bonusode is fun way to try and shed light on a subject we dudes care deeply about - cats, and how great they are, and how they shouldn't live in cat misery, underfed and poorly. Trash Cats rescue https://trashcatrescue.org/ is an adoption centre in Pittsburg which helps out less fortunate kitties and gets them loving homes. *This is a spoilercast. You cannot spoil this movie though.* Neil Breen, Faithful Findings, outsider art, bad movies, podcast, film analysis, auteur theory, so bad it's good, cult films, independent cinema Neil Breen, film analysis, character development, sexism, absurdity, relationships, plot twists, therapy, substance abuse, filmmaking Neil Breen, absurdity, dark humor, film analysis, cinematic chaos, cult films, Breen's narrative, character analysis, filmmaking, movie critique Neil Breen, filmmaking, quotes, character dynamics, missed opportunities, political commentary, casting choices, weaponry, audience reactions, reviews

    2h 25m
  7. Mission Impossible: III (2006)

    9 MAR

    Mission Impossible: III (2006)

    Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall! And the Dudes are with him as we delve into the franchise-saving spy action thriller hit Mission Impossible III (M:I:III). JJ Abrams takes his swing at the franchise, bolstered by hit turns by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Michelle Monaghan, returning Ving Rhames, and introducing Simon Pegg as recurring character Benji Dunn. *This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers* In this episode, the Dudes ask WHAT THE F**K is the Rabbit's Foot? What is going on with Michelle Monaghan that she'd marry this dude when she thinks he's going to a conference? And why is PSH so angry at the end? Didn't he get what he wanted? There's also a bit so grim that I can't believe I left it in. This episode has dropped 2 weeks early because of technical trouble with the planned episode The Fugitive (1993). It is coming, we're really sorry.

    2h 15m
  8. Sicario (2015)

    23 FEB

    Sicario (2015)

    This is a land of wolves, and you are not a wolf! 🐺 CAPD takes on the thrilling "Sicario" this week. We have cops and robbers and spies too in this multi-hyphenate thriller - but it's as dark as the come. Emily Blunt gives a career-defining turn as Kate Macer, a FBI agent pulled into a shady Government op to unseat the leader of the Sonora cartel. Josh Brolin and Benicio Del Toro support in turns equally menacing and charming. Easily the grimmest movie we've covered - stand by for a Jon Bernthal jumpscare. *This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers* If you want to watch the Stephen Soderberg silent and B&W cut of Raiders of the Lost Ark - it can be found on his blog here: https://extension765.com/blogs/soderblog/raiders Listeners, I (Mike) edited out a 7 minute discussion about camoflage clothing patterns. If you want to hear that, email me at clearandpresentdudes@gmail.com and explain to me in 200 words why you'd want to hear that. Keywords: Sicario, Denis Villeneuve, Emily Blunt, drug cartel, political commentary, cinematography, character analysis, action thriller, Robert Duvall, film review, Sicario, film analysis, character development, law enforcement, CIA, violence, misogyny, technology, emotional impact, identity crisis, Hollywood, casting, performances, character development, weapons, film techniques, dialogue, storytelling, video games, adaptations

    2h 13m
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About

It's a defence podcast! It's a cinema podcast! It's Clear and Present Dudes! Join Naval officers and Tom Clancy fans Mike Dunbar and Saanje Björkson and resident civvy expert Ruari O' Toole as we dissect spy and political thrillers, courtroom dramas, crime movies and military action films from the ’70s–10s in a spoilercast format. What began as a mission to watch every Tom Clancy adaptation became unpreventable mission‑creep: we watch the films, unpack the heroes and villains, the Ships and the submarines! For casual fans and military enthusiasts alike! Follow the Insta @clearandpresentdudes

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