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Clear and Present Dudes: A Thriller Movies Podcast: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Ruari O’Toole | Michael Dunbar | Saanje Bjorkson
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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- 1 weeks ago2h 20m
Jack Reacher Reacharound Pt 1: Jack Reacher (2012) and Never Go Back (2016)
The Dudes delve deep into the crime thriller vigilante justice world of Jack Reacher - former military policeman investigator turned civilian drifter with nothing to lose and strong moral compass. Here in Jack Reacher (2012) and its Sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, the titular Jack is played by Tom Cruise. We try to brush off the basic criticism (he's a bit short) and try and focus on the positives. FOR ONCE we have a possible answer for "how does this shit go down in Germany?"
- 3 weeks ago2h 41m
Master and Commander: Far Side of the World (2003)
Quick's the word and sharp's the action! The Dudes hoist the mainsail, get a broad reach on the Acheron and make hot pursuit for the Horn! 1805! OCEANS ARE BATTLEFIELDS! SHIPS ARE STICK INSECTS! IRISH DOCTORS ARE SPIES! HOBBITS ARE SAILORS! The Dudes dive deep into 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. In this episode of Clear and Present Dudes, we review and analyse Peter Weir’s 2003 naval war film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, starring Russell Crowe as Captain Jack Aubrey and Paul Bettany as Dr Stephen Maturin. We discuss the film’s historical accuracy, Royal Navy detail, Napoleonic warfare, naval gunnery, the Acheron, HMS Surprise, Patrick O’Brian’s Aubrey–Maturin novels, the soundtrack, the cast, the best quotes, and why this should have launched a full Master and Commander franchise.Master and Commander, Russell Crowe, Paul Bettany, Peter Weir, Patrick O’Brian, Aubrey Maturin, Royal Navy, Napoleonic Wars, naval warfare, historical accuracy, war movies, military movies, dad cinema, film review, movie podcast, Clear and Present Dudes
- May 4, 20262h 10m
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. keywordsMiami 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
- Apr 20, 20262h 3m
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
- Apr 6, 20262h 9m
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
- Apr 1, 20262h 20m
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
- Mar 23, 20262h 14m
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!
- Mar 16, 20262h 25m
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
About Clear and Present Dudes: A Thriller Movies Podcast
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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