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. Sicario (2015)

    1D AGO

    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
  2. The Sum of All Fears (2002)

    FEB 9

    The Sum of All Fears (2002)

    8 years after thriller maestro Tom Clancy graced us with Clear and Present Danger a hot young Ben Affleck steps into the chinos of CIA analyst Jack Ryan - this time to prevent war between Russia and the United States when a rogue neo-nazi billionaire (sound familiar?) tries to influence US foreign policy (SOUND FAMILIAR?). *This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers* In this edition, the Dudes dig deep into the crazy world of Tom Clancy, somehow stumble upon Qanon in a way we would never have predicted (and rapidly back away from that corner of the internet) and we dissect this aborted reboot of the Jack Ryan franchise that would be market-corrected by Jason Bourne - leading to an awkard dinner date between Affleck and Damon one must assume. Keywords: Jack Ryan, The Sum of All Fears, Tom Clancy, film analysis, cultural context, 9/11 impact, character development, video game adaptation, political commentary, spy thriller, Jack Ryan, political intrigue, military strategy, nuclear threats, character dynamics, film analysis, weapons realism, intelligence, crisis management, cinematic destruction, Midway, film comparisons, character insights, supporting roles, casting highlights, cultural references, military realism, humanizing moments, viewer reactions, spin-off ideas.

    2h 24m
  3. Manhunter (1986)

    JAN 26

    Manhunter (1986)

    Zip that little pointer down to the letter 'D' for DUDES as we return to conclude Michael Mannuary 2026 with crime thriller Manhunter. The film that introduced us to Hannibal Lecter by way of Brian Cox, William Graham via William Petersen and an electrifying Francis Dollarhyde by Tom Noonan. The Dudes dissect another American Giallo adjacent movie featuring Dennis Farina, and get in deep with the weird and unsettling world of Tom Harris' underworld of cannibals and murderers. *This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers* Also we ask what kind of videogame this would be. Manhunter, Michael Mann, crime thriller, Hannibal Lecter, Francis Dolarhyde, 1986 film, psychological thriller, film analysis, Thomas Harris, cinematic techniques, Manhunter, Francis Dollarhyde, serial killer, Michael Mann, film analysis, psychological thriller, character dynamics, cinematography, sound design, law enforcement tropes, Manhunter, Michael Mann, Hannibal Lecter, Brian Cox, film analysis, character study, realism in film, 80s cinema, psychological thriller

    2h 25m
  4. Collateral (2004)

    JAN 12

    Collateral (2004)

    Season 2 kicks off with a thriller deep-dive into propulsive crime thriller from Michael Mann that sees Jamie Foxx's Max - a cabbie with big dreams - take a fare that changes the trajectory of his life, when Tom Cruise's Vincent - a hitman with 5 targets to kill in one night - gets into his cab. This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers. Keywords Collateral, Tom Cruise, Jamie Foxx, film analysis, cinematography, character dynamics, morality, jazz, Los Angeles, action thriller, Max, Vincent, character analysis, film production, technology, communication, nightlife, FBI, cartel, moral dilemma, storytelling, climax, storytelling, filmmaking, casting, quotes, fate, production, weapons handling, soundtrack, Columbo, mundane moments, video game, missed opportunities, CIA

    2h 26m
  5. Mission: Impossible (1996)

    12/22/2025

    Mission: Impossible (1996)

    Your mission, should you choose to accept it is to listen to three espionage-pilled dudes dissect the 1996 Brian De Palma spy thriller Mission: Impossible. Tom Cruise births the franchise that would redefine action cinema as we know it - starring Jon Voight, Emmanuelle Béart, Jean Reno, Ving Rhames, Henry Czerny and Kristin Scott Thomas and Vanessa Redgrave! Stacked cast, big thrills - but a little bit goofier than we remember. Suitably, the dudes reflect on military procurement in Sauron's Mordor among other slightly more serious topics. Slightly. This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers. Clear and Present Dudes will be taking a short hiatus over the festive period but THE DUDES WILL RETURN. Keywords: Mission Impossible, film analysis, Tom Cruise, Brian De Palma, spy genre, cinematic techniques, character dynamics, heist films, 1990s cinema, film legacy, Mission Impossible, Rogue Nation, heist, espionage, Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, spycraft, film analysis, cinematic techniques, Danny Elfman, Mission Impossible, film analysis, character development, memorable quotes, soundtrack, trivia, technology in film, casting choices, CIA themes, audience reviews

    2h 13m
  6. The Untouchables (1987)

    12/09/2025

    The Untouchables (1987)

    "If he pulls a knife, you pull a gun! If he sends one of yours to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue! That's the Chicago way!" This week the dudes are joined by real life (distant) relative of Al Capone, Jen Lounsbury! We unpack Brian De Palma's 1987 crime thriller classic The Untouchables starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro and Andy Garcia. This is a spoilercast and every episode is full spoilers. Keywords: The Untouchables, Brian DePalma, Al Capone, crime film, Ennio Morricone, Sean Connery, 1980s cinema, film analysis, violence in film, character development, Untouchables, Oscar Wallace, Capone, law enforcement, morality, Canadian Mounties, 1930s, film analysis, character dynamics, cultural context, Untouchables, film analysis, violence in cinema, law enforcement, Sean Connery, character development, cinematic techniques, corruption, storytelling, historical context, The Untouchables, Battleship Potemkin, film analysis, courtroom drama, character study, cinematic references, legal system, Frank Nitti, Al Capone, movie themes, Untouchables, casting, film trivia, memorable quotes, historical accuracy, movie recommendations, Prohibition, Alcohol Culture, Military, Marketing, Film Characters, Storytelling, Missed Opportunities, Podcasting, Audience Engagement, Future Films

    2h 22m
  7. Smokin' Aces (2006)

    11/24/2025

    Smokin' Aces (2006)

    This week the Dudes dissect the crazy-busy crime caper Smokin' Aces (2006) directed by Joe Carnahan and starring Ryan Renyolds, Ray Liotta, Jeremy Piven, Chris Pine, Andy Garcia, Alicia Keys, Common... the list goes on! Saanje didn't watch the movie so it was up to Mike and Ruari to explain the plot and boy, did it take some doing. This is a spoilercast and each episode is full spoilers. Keywords: Smoking Aces, film review, character analysis, violence in cinema, dark humor, cinematic techniques, film direction, editing, pacing, movie discussion, Chicago, gunfight, Alicia Keys, sniper, love triangle, survival, betrayal, twists, sequel, Jarhead, Joseph Ruskin, film analysis, character dynamics, quotes, cinematic references, storytelling, missed opportunities, morality, trivia

    2h 5m
  8. A Few Good Men (1992)

    11/07/2025

    A Few Good Men (1992)

    REUPLOAD: Had to remove the movie trailer due to a copyright infringement . Another fast-food slick-ass Persian bazaar episode of Clear and Present Dudes! This week the dudes delve deep into Aaron Sorkin's feature debut - A Few Good Men, director Rob Reiner’s definitive military courtroom drama starring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Jack Nicholson, Kevin Bacon, Keifer Sutherland and Kevin Pollack. We discuss why the dastardly Colonel Jessup is talking about Gitmo like it's Western Front, and how this movie nearly had George Costanza in it! I'm afraid we spend a good deal of the run time quoting the movie, but at least it's very good dialogue. This is a spoilercast, there are spoilers for the whole movie from the start. Keywords: Thriller, courtroom drama, Aaron Sorkin, Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, military thriller, podcast.

    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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