Die Hard On A Blank

Philip Gawthorne and Liam Billingham
Die Hard On A Blank

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 each episode of DIE HARD ON A BLANK, hosts Philip Gawthorne and Liam Billingham discuss one major mainstream action movie that was released after DIE HARD.  Phil and Liam break down the story, heroes, villains, action, humor and the 'DIE HARD DNA' that infuse each film, including common cast and crew members. They rate each film and hand out DIE HARD-themed awards. For casual fans and action movie die hards, DIE HARD ON A BLANK is a fun movie discussion podcast that treats the action genre with real respect and love. DIE HARD ON A BLANK is produced by Liam Billingham and Philip Gawthorne. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. 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 at diehardoab@gmail.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. DESPERATE MEASURES with Phil's dad Petey!

    29 JAN

    DESPERATE MEASURES with Phil's dad Petey!

    It’s Die Hard in a hospital! This week, hosts Phil and Liam are taking DESPERATE MEASURES with a very special guest: Peter Gawthorne, aka Phil’s dad!!! When his young son Matthew is in need of a bone-marrow transplant, his father, San Francisco cop Frank Conner (Andy Garcia) searches desperately for a compatible donor. However, the only candidate he can find is incarcerated murderer Peter McCabe (Michael Keaton), a notorious criminal mastermind. After McCabe agrees to partake in the procedure, he uses the process as an opportunity to launch an audacious, violent escape attempt, but as Frank and the authorities attempt to contain the situation, Frank comes to realize that he and McCabe are in a symbiotic relationship – and that he must somehow capture his new nemesis while ensuring McCabe is not killed in the process! In this thrilling episode of DIE HARD ON A BLANK, we tackle this high-stakes action thriller directed by French New Wave titan Barbet Schroeder. With its tense hospital setting and cat-and-mouse dynamics, this film gives the 'Die Hard formula' a fresh, medical twist - complete with explosive action and an unrelentingly evil (yet hugely charismatic) villain. We dive into Keaton’s chilling performance as Peter McCabe, a dangerous sociopath whose bone marrow might be the key to saving a dying boy’s life, and explore Andy Garcia’s portrayal of a desperate father willing to break every rule to save his son. How does this underrated gem measure up against other films in the Die Hard-on-a-[blank] subgenre? We’ve got all the answers! But that’s not all! Joining us this week is a very special guest, Phil’s dad Peter Gawthorne, a devoted listener of the show and a former hospital manager himself! Fan favorite ‘Petey’ brings a fresh perspective on the ‘Die Hard on a Blank’ subgenre, making this a uniquely personal episode you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a lover of 90s thrillers, a Michael Keaton devotee, a Barbet Schroeder aficionado or you’re just here for the father-son banter, this episode has something for everyone! DESPERATE MEASURES trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i63VGK1ElN0 At the time of release, DESPERATE MEASURES is streaming on Fubo and Roku and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango and all the usual platforms. Click here to subscribe to our Patreon feed 48 HOURS OF BUDDY MOVIES! Sign up on the website (instead of the app) to save $$$! www.patreon.com/48hoursofbuddymovies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 33m
  2. DEEP RISING with Rob Hackett!

    15 JAN

    DEEP RISING with Rob Hackett!

    It’s Die Hard in a creature feature! This week, hosts Phil and Liam dive into the murky depths of DEEP RISING with special guest Rob Hackett, an executive at James Wan’s company Atomic Monster! During a rough storm, Captain John Finnegan (Treat Williams) and his crew are hired by a group of mercenaries to take them to an undisclosed location in the South China sea. Unbeknownst to Finnegan, the mercenaries plan to hijack and rob a recently built luxury cruise liner, but when they arrive, they find the massive ship eerily deserted. As the group attempt to uncover this mystery and complete their mission, they realize that the entire ship is infested with deadly tentacular beasties who have slaughtered everyone on board. Can Finnegan and the group find a way to escape this floating death house before the damaged ship sinks into the dark ocean? The episode explores the unique challenges of pulling off a horror-comedy like DEEP RISING, where the tone constantly shifts between gruesome terror and over-the-top action. Rob Hackett lends his expertise from the world of genre filmmaking, shedding light on why blending horror and humor can be so tricky, and why it’s so rewarding when it is executed this skillfully. From the visual effects to the memorable performances, this film serves as a perfect example of how genre-blending can work when the right balance is struck. As always, the discussion wouldn’t be complete without dissecting the ‘Die Hard DNA’ that runs through DEEP RISING - an ensemble of quirky characters trapped in a confined space with a deadly threat, all while a tough-as-nails, monologuing protagonist, played by Treat Williams, steps up to lead the charge. Stay tuned for a look at the film's influences, its lasting cult appeal, and why it’s such an underrated gem in the action-horror world. Plus, don’t miss the always entertaining ‘Die Hard Oscars’ and a thrilling round of ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia! DEEP RISING trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVFEVXIyu00 At the time of release, DEEP RISING is streaming on Hoopla and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Apple TV, Fandango and all the usual platforms. Click here to subscribe to our Patreon feed 48 HOURS OF BUDDY MOVIES! www.patreon.com/48hoursofbuddymovies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 10m
  3. HARD RAIN with Kris Tapley!

    1 JAN

    HARD RAIN with Kris Tapley!

    It’s Die Hard in a flood! This week, hosts Phil and Liam dive headfirst into the watery chaos of HARD RAIN with special guest Kris Tapley of the 50MPH Podcast! As the small midwestern town of Huntingberg, Indiana is overwhelmed by an epic flood, armored car security guard Tom (Christian Slater) finds himself in the middle of heist plot orchestrated by determined thief Jim (Morgan Freeman). Tom attempts to thwart the thieves by hiding the money, but as the water level rises, he soon discovers that the opportunity presented by this natural disaster brings out both the best and the worst in his fellow citizens. Can Tom stop the thieves, avenge his partner’s death, and save the remaining townsfolk, before the dam breaks and the entire area goes completely underwater? In this action-packed episode, the guys explore the film’s unique take on the ‘Die Hard’ paradigm, comparing it to other water-based action thrillers and dissecting the themes of survival, greed, and heroism in a flooded world. What does the film say about human nature in the face of catastrophe? How does HARD RAIN stack up as an action film when compared to others in the genre? And just what the hell is Betty White doing in this movie?! With Kris Tapley’s insights from his years in the world of film criticism, the discussion dives deep into the film’s approach to disaster cinema, its star-studded cast, its Western echoes, and the ambitious technical challenges of bringing a flooded town to life on screen. They also address the oft-repeated urban legend that this film was once considered as a sequel to SPEED! So join the boys for a suitably wet and wild episode! HARD RAIN trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vsmt4B35hsM At the time of release, HARD RAIN is available to stream on Hoopla and Pluto TV and is available to rent or buy on YouTube, Apple TV and Fandango. Click here to subscribe to our Patreon-only podcast, 48 Hours Of Buddy Movies! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    58 min
  4. 48 HOURS OF BUDDY MOVIES FEATURING 48 HRS!

    04/12/2024

    48 HOURS OF BUDDY MOVIES FEATURING 48 HRS!

    It's a buddy movie with a cop and a con! For this inaugural flagship episode of their new show, Phil and Liam discuss Walter Hill’s 1982 masterpiece 48 HRS starring Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy! They talk about the history of the ‘buddy movie’ genre both before and after this film, and explain how this movie changed the game and ushered in a new era. They analyze the picture’s ’48 CHROMOSOMES’, outlining the key elements that would be replicated in subsequent buddy movies, and break down the film in more detail in the ‘Anatomy of an Action Movie’ section, studying the premise, heroes, villains, action, and humor. Finally they test drive a new series of 48 HRS-themed awards, including Best Fit, Best Gratuitous Nude Scene and Most Valuable Weasel! Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7foFz6M0wo 48 HRS is currently streaming on Paramount Plus in the US and is available to rent or buy on Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Fandango. This is the first episode of 48 Hours of Buddy Movies! This episode and our holiday special on Lethal Weapon will be free here and on our Patreon feed. All episodes in January will be for paying listeners only! You can sign up for the paid feed at patreon.com/48hoursofbuddymovies whenever you want to throw us some of your hard-earned cash! "Miami Nights - Extended Theme" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 47m
  5. THE JACKAL, and a very special announcement!

    20/11/2024

    THE JACKAL, and a very special announcement!

    It’s Die Hard in a hitman movie!   This week it’s the DIE HARD ON A BLANK 50th episode bonanza, and Phil and Liam are tracking down THE JACKAL, the 1997 action-thriller starring Bruce Willis, Richard Gere, Sidney Poitier, Diane Venora and J.K. Simmons!   After an FBI raid results in the death of a vicious Russian gangster, the mobster’s aggrieved brother hires an elusive international assassin known as ‘the Jackal’ (Bruce Willis) for a retaliatory killing against a high-profile American target. But because so few people have ever seen this wily hitman in the flesh, FBI Deputy Director Carter Preston (Sidney Poitier) decides to bring one of the Jackal’s former cohorts - imprisoned IRA sniper Declan Mulqueen (Richard Gere) - onto the task force assigned to stop him. Can Carter, Declan and the team track down and take out the Jackal before he completes his deadly mission?   With its high-stakes terrorism plot and escalating action, THE JACKAL shares strong DNA with the DIE HARD series, providing ample material for comparison. Phil also uncovers some fascinating information about alternative casting choices for both films, that spark some captivating thought experiments. Did you know that Richard Gere was formally offered the role of John McClane, and that producer Joel Silver aggressively pursued him for the part?   Phil loves this film, whereas Liam is not so hot on it, so they each present the case for the defense and the prosecution. They discuss the performances of the lead actors, particularly Bruce Willis's portrayal of the cold-blooded assassin, and Richard Gere's complex, reluctant hero, as well as the excellent supporting turns from Sidney Poitier and Diane Venora (Venora-Cast anyone???). The episode also explores the film's reception, examining its critical reviews and box office performance, (and controversies), and the guys discuss how it fits within the broader action-thriller genre of the late 1990s. The late appearance of the Marine heavy helicopter in the film’s finale ticks the ‘Philly Special’ box and sends Phil into delirious rapture!   As always events culminate with the DIE HARD Oscars and the Double Jeopardy trivia quiz, but stay tuned for a very exciting announcement at the end of the show!   THE JACKAL trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nszMBbCZKo4   At the time of release, THE JACKAL is available to watch on Tubi and Starz, and is available to rent or buy on Prime Video, YouTube, Apple/iTunes, Fandango, and all the usual platforms! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 43m
5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

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 each episode of DIE HARD ON A BLANK, hosts Philip Gawthorne and Liam Billingham discuss one major mainstream action movie that was released after DIE HARD.  Phil and Liam break down the story, heroes, villains, action, humor and the 'DIE HARD DNA' that infuse each film, including common cast and crew members. They rate each film and hand out DIE HARD-themed awards. For casual fans and action movie die hards, DIE HARD ON A BLANK is a fun movie discussion podcast that treats the action genre with real respect and love. DIE HARD ON A BLANK is produced by Liam Billingham and Philip Gawthorne. Mike Mayer and Michael Sugar are the executive producers. Tyson Hubley makes our artwork and videos. 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 at diehardoab@gmail.com  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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