New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie and freelance writer John Ganz delve into the world of 90s post-Cold War thrillers with Unclear and Present Danger, a podcast that explores America in an age of transition to lone superpower, at once triumphant and unsure of its role in the world.
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© Jamelle Bouie & John Ganz
Unclear and Present Danger
46 Subscribers
Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 Based on 70 reviews
ppurcell
5 out of 5 stars
Insightful and Fun
As a child of the Cold War I’m loving listening to reviews of movies I grew up with and came of age to, through the perspective of some guys who are younger than me but very informed and thoughtful. Every show is fun and introspective. The episodes give me new frames of reference for the experiences of a time when we accepted that nuclear death could come at any moment—a time that ended suddenly, and seems to be forgotten.
Grimoire-esque
5 out of 5 stars
Phenomenal
I swear to God that Jamelle and John made this podcast just for me. I highly suggest you join the Patreon!
wellgee
5 out of 5 stars
Great and informative
I really love this informative and very fun show with two very thoughtful and highly knowledgeable hosts! Please keep the pod going and happy 1-year anniversary!
mjoc1
5 out of 5 stars
Delightful
Just listened to the Pelican Brief review, so cool to have found this resource, delightful.
JacElk
5 out of 5 stars
Smart, fun conversation
I really enjoyed the podcast’s engaging conversations. Smart, fun and informative. I also appreciated the lack of mean spirited reviews. They don’t look down on the material and obviously enjoy and appreciate the film makers effort.
Lady Lawyer Listening
5 out of 5 stars
Smart, accessible, insightful
I could listen to Jamelle Bouie all day. The breadth of historical knowledge, both cultural and political, that the two hosts bring to each episode is extraordinary. What a great show!
rmurchl
3 out of 5 stars
It grows on you.
It would be helpful if the next upcoming film were announced in the show notes or on the web page.
Joey/Cat
5 out of 5 stars
Loving the theme of the Pod
Two intelligent men discussing older movies with a current day perspective.
jwpanzar
5 out of 5 stars
Wonderful
Great concept, well executed
adevn808
5 out of 5 stars
I really can’t think of one, but…
so far, I’ve enjoyed every episode of this podcast.
Logansrun13
5 out of 5 stars
Walk-Off Homerun
Perfect for film and history buffs, especially those born in the 80s which I happen to be. Captures the rare spirit of 90s culture and how it both shines through these movies and also still resonates today. Also a great way to discover and re-discover some real good movies that are kind of sleeper-picks. Like Sleepers (1996)
bananaquiet
4 out of 5 stars
Making sense of the world I was born into
When I was a kid my dad used to watch grainy TV movies about Vietnam and WWII and I never understood it. Why spend so much time learning about something that happened a long time ago. Now, I watch grainy TV movies about Waco and the Cold War. Why? Because I was a child when those things happened. Adults were telling me what to think, but I need to go back as an adult and reevaluate my beliefs. This show is gold. Thank you.
theirv
5 out of 5 stars
Fun, informative, thoughtful
This is a really great podcast exploring our political history, society, and some breakdown of the movie. It is a good companion podcast to The Action Boyz.
pehlke
5 out of 5 stars
A blast from the past
I love discovering (and rediscovering) these great dad movies! Just a wealth of context I never would have grasped during my youth which makes even some of the lesser entries a fascinating watch. I would suggest putting the next film in the episode description due to my own forgetfulness, style guide permitting of course!
Bayouradio
5 out of 5 stars
New Fave
From the opening theme that makes you imagine the darkly lit flag flying over a foreboding shot of various DC landmarks to the final summations, this is an excellent podcast for movie and political junkies. Two smart guys going deep on a movie and its attached themes. It answers the question “will I enjoy a discussion on the largely forgotten SNIPER and American adventurism in Central America?” Oh yes. Yes, you will.
Lamberti37
5 out of 5 stars
worth an hour 2x a month
I just love the content, approach, & personalities of this podcast.
MarylandTransplant
5 out of 5 stars
Fun and Interesting
I love this podcast. It’s fascinating to revisit these movies and think about them in a different way.
Mtethiope
5 out of 5 stars
Great Podcast
One of the best film/left wing podcasts I’ve listened to. Does a great job of situating these films in a broader historical national and international context. Really enjoy John and Jamelle’s rapport and analysis.
Mtethiope
4 out of 5 stars
Great Podcast
One of the best film/left wing podcasts I’ve listened to. Does a great job of situating these films in a broader historical national and international context. Really enjoy John and Jamelle’s rapport and analysis.
cromero.io
5 out of 5 stars
Highly recommended!
Feels like one of those college courses that students lined up to register for because it’s both highly entertaining and enlightening.
Fgomike
5 out of 5 stars
Great podcast
A wide range of movies are reviewed, not just your blockbusters. Makes for an interesting podcast. I would recommend that you watch a movie called the Fourth Protocol staring Michael Caine and Pierce Brosnan. It’s available at no cost on YouTube. It’s an excellent Cold War thriller that Brosnan filmed after he was forced to turn down Bond the first time.
royalkingdynasty
3 out of 5 stars
Raise your game, fellas
I was drawn to this podcast because of both the premise and Jamelle Bouie. I read him in NYT, and his appearances on the Ezra Klein Show are compulsory listening - his thinking and communication skills are so sharp that I will frequently rewind and play an episode again immediately on coming to its end. They are maestro-level performances. Are there two Jamelle Bouies out there? The guy I know is a very talented young writer who is in part responsible for a long-needed refresh and update at the New York Times. Yet this podcast unfolds like a dorm room conversation after too many bong hits. Jamelle is certainly more relaxed here, and much less crisp. The dialogue is at times painfully inarticulate and the insights more pedestrian than I’d expected. Is that the point? John Ganz needs communications coaching. His turns on the microphone are saturated with value-subtracting phrases such as “and so forth and so on,” “sort of like,” “kinda,” “it’s like…you know?” Jamelle cued him at one point, and he began his comment with “Well, yeah. No, I mean it’s like…” This is how teenagers talk. Any insights that you’re bringing to this discussion are obscured by all of this useless verbiage. I’ll check in with this show again at some point, but I expected to subscribe to it today. Not in any hurry to do so after this test drive, however.
The Illusive Man 7916
3 out of 5 stars
Great topic, Weak content
I think this is a great idea for a podcast and there are some fun and thoughtful moments in this podcast. But, generally speaking, the point of view being presented is stale rehashes of left wing critiques of US foreign policy that were themselves half-baked at their inception. Likewise, it presents charicatures of right-wing military porn fantasies that compounds their original stupidity. The critique presented is more a contrast of equally ridiculous left-wing and right-wing fantasies built on a very weak understanding of the way national security institutions actually operate. The lead commentator speaks with the unearned, overestimated confidence of freshman undergrad who is sure that his six hours of course work has gained him complete understanding of and mastery over world events. Still though...the topic is so much fun.
JDH44
5 out of 5 stars
Great idea executed with aplomb
I found this through the “Blank Check” podcast and I’m enthralled. These movies good bad and otherwise are a big part of my childhood and listening to an honest detailed discussion that asks the right questions is fantastic
signandsight
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent and fun analysis
If you are: * a middle aged millennial (or a liberal Jack Ryan dad) * a fan of J Bouie on other podcasts (or his excellent Times column) * especially Blank Check * and a fan of eg Action Boyz * love John Milius but hate Ronald Reagan Then run don’t walk to press the subscribe button. This is unfair but it’s my review so get over it: they have identical voices. It is uncanny but frustrating because you’ll be trying to follow an argument one of them is making and realize that the other one started talking two minutes ago. This isn’t a huge problem because they have basically identical politics ( I think Ganz is a notch too lefty for me but whatever they’re still smart) and are of evidently identical intellect. Excellent addition to the “modern film as synecdoche for modern America” genre by two very qualified and collegial intellectuals.
AV252
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
Great pod that takes me back to my teens. Yes I saw the 90’s Clancy flicks on opening weekend
beeps__
5 out of 5 stars
cattle mutilations are up
listening to Jamelle and John be beacons into such a wonderful genre of american film is a truly enjoyable experience
Taylor Schreiner
3 out of 5 stars
Jamelle is my Freshman Year Roomate
Or he should have been. This is the level of over-analysis of movies I have always wanted — and all about the movies I loved watching in the 90s. I honestly came for the Mike Duncan cameo, but am staying for Jamelle and John.
Omnignorant
5 out of 5 stars
Making sense of the present danger
As a child of Russian immigrants who grew up during the end of the Cold War watching many of these movies as they were released with both western and eastern sensibilities, this discussion really helps me reinterpret the origin of my ideals as well as the disappointing and dangerous world we inhabit today. Ultra nerdy and one of my favorite podcasts ever.
hyland_john
5 out of 5 stars
Really enjoy this!
Smart, funny, thoughtful - appreciate their observations and the interplay between them.
Ser Garlan Tyrell
5 out of 5 stars
Smart and thought provoking
I really look forward to every other Friday when a new episode drops. They do an excellent job putting the movies into historical context, and with recent events, it has become much more relevant than I suspect Jamelle and John might have thought when they began this project. Thanks for the great podcast!
David from Eastwood
5 out of 5 stars
Enjoyed the Conversation.
Always enjoy this Podcast. As someone who has seen most of these movies in the theater it is interesting to review them from a modern perspective. Have not seen Flight of the Intruder in a while but I appreciate Mr. Katz’s insights. Read a review of his book and need to get it. Look forward Star Trek. Undiscovered Country is fantastic. Best to you all. David in Syracuse.
tammeri
5 out of 5 stars
Much needed
I don’t see enough critical or historical theory focused on popular media and this podcast takes on a particularly important topic for this moment in history. Love their analysis & range of conversations.
wellgee
5 out of 5 stars
Episode 9
Is only 2 minutes
ZachtheNihilist
5 out of 5 stars
A fun movie podcast with good history and politics.
I really enjoy listening to Jamelle and John talk about cheesy action movies.
myopic01
5 out of 5 stars
Putting Jack Ryan movies in context.
I am only 2 episodes in but already love it. I was a kid growing up and watching and reading about Jack Ryan in Tom Clancy novels. I think I was too young to really understand how these movies reflected one perspective on American culture at that time. This has been an awesome look back on some of my favorite movies of that time.
Alan Smithee Jr.
5 out of 5 stars
Good show
I love it that episode 10 was just a therapy session.
Burnplant
1 out of 5 stars
A couple ignorant fools watch movies. No insight, no wit, no movie history. Skip
Bad
yumiph
5 out of 5 stars
Timely
Started with Ep 1 this week and then Russia attacked Ukraine - which makes the examination of the politics and movies of the immediate post Cold War era all the more interesting. Great for those who weren’t politically aware in the Nineties and a good refresher for those of us who were. Bonus - they start with The Hunt For Red October 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Yo!Roboto
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Insight
Makes me feel smart for liking dumb movies.
Alec tjfjdjwns
5 out of 5 stars
Makes me like my 90s thrillers more
I love any talk of 90s action, and the hosts’ political insights really enrich those movies. It’s a nice way to get my history vegetables with lots of cinematic sugar on top. The first episode was a bit rough production-wise, but each one is better than the last. Recommended!
QuesyPurpose
5 out of 5 stars
Great podcast to accompany other film pods
I really enjoy the show. As film critics, they sometimes lack a bit, but their insights into the historical context of 90s political thrillers has increased my enjoyment of the genre. One request: release the master list!
ezio
5 out of 5 stars
Pretty pretty good
interesting podcast , and both of them have a well of knowledge about cultural and political movements through American history and how they can like be reflected in film (some might call them connoisseurs of context ) .
Court_Must
4 out of 5 stars
Extremely enlightening and entertaining
Really enjoy this pod. It’s not the best edited thing I’ve ever listened to, but I love the premise, I love these two writers, and what on earth is better than movies and politics.
The OTP
5 out of 5 stars
Refreshing
It’s refreshing to have political archetypes and recent history tied back to the films, scenes, tropes, and attitudes that have influenced much of America’s ideas about foreign affairs, intelligence, and morals.
SPGfan123986
5 out of 5 stars
serious & absurd
lots of fun, takes a serious look at action films with a self aware lens about how silly the wholeendeavor is
CD AR
5 out of 5 stars
Great podcast
Big fan of this genre / please review “The Fourth Protocol” - Michael Caine at his most Caine-ish and Pierce Bronsnin in an early role
earthwoodandfire
5 out of 5 stars
Brilliant
This show really fills a void in movie critique: political context. What Ada Cina ring journey. I really enjoyed the episodes about Hunt for Red October and No Way Out.
computrice
5 out of 5 stars
For people who love great conversations about movies, this is wonderful
I am a huge fan of Jamelle, and it is an absolute treat to hear these conversations. I love a good reason to watch a movie I might not otherwise have thought of, and these guys make you feel like you are all sitting around after dinner doing a deep dive into not just the movie, but its context. Thank you, Jamelle and John!
Andylee_g
5 out of 5 stars
Niche concept, with super broad appeal
I was surprised how thoughtful this podcast about 90s thrillers is. They tie in everything from the making of the films to the audience perspectives with the same level of insight they do for the global politics of the era. Was expecting a very niche podcast that would appeal to national security minded 30-somethings that were fond of political thrillers as children but keep finding myself sharing it with such a broad range of people because it’s funny and super insightful.
turner, d
5 out of 5 stars
I could listen to these guys all day
Wonderful podcast b I’m quite a few years older than the hosts and I really enjoy hearing their interpretations of these artifacts that I experienced first hand. Smart and engaging.
Leftfield78
5 out of 5 stars
Highly Recommended!
This podcast is as fun as it is interesting. I’ve really enjoyed the first 3 episodes and am looking forward to more!
saying facts
4 out of 5 stars
First Two Episodes are GREAT. The Third not so much
The Third Episode completely undersells how much of a reactionary Clancy was. The movie isn’t “inspired” by Iran-Contra; it IS Iran-Contra as told to Clancy by his hero, Ollie North. Greer isn’t Colin Powell; he’s Bill Casey, all the way down to the terminal illness which precluded from taking the blame for his protege (because Casey totally would have, according to the delusions of Clancy and North). Now, I get it. I’m a Gen Xer who lived through this, but one of things I hated about the book and the movie is how Clancy get away with portraying North, a felon, con man, thief, and war criminal as a hero. And, I hate that our two millennials completely missed that part
DinD80202
5 out of 5 stars
Timely and fun review of 90s movies
Great analysis of the post-Cold War era of US action films! Very entertaining and insightful.
Megalopsychos85
5 out of 5 stars
Right up my alley
If you are interested in politics and enjoy watching dad thrillers from the 90s then you are in for a real treat.
MBTheisen
5 out of 5 stars
New Pod which has been good so far.
It is about Two Nerds, who are relaxing from the *gestures* of the now, whose other job is tied to History, News, Culture, and Politics ... well it is the two of them just having fun talking about "Dad Movies" from the 90s as a break. Well it is an awesome hour and helps me get through the week while I do my own grinding job.
via iPhone 11 sry 4 typos
5 out of 5 stars
Great Show, Great Guys!
I named my boat after John Ganz because he lost a bunch of money to me in poker. He and Bouie are great on this podcast.
withasigh
5 out of 5 stars
+++
Highly recommend. Puts the movies of my youth in a fascinating new light.
just_joe_57
5 out of 5 stars
Very thought provoking.
A really interesting look at the 90s from 2 great political thinkers. This podcast offers a unique perspective on the post Cold War US through the lens of action movies. Highly recommended!
patrick swayze fan
5 out of 5 stars
Irony’s Revenge
I’m not a Ganz fan as he’s always overly literate & inscrutable like Max Read at his most obnox. However, Bouie’s presence on the world’s most annoying page on Earth rectifies everything. I first encountered him on Plotz’s centrist pablum pod and we must protect JB!!!
cvermilion
5 out of 5 stars
The best podcast about The Hunt for Red October
Millennials talking 90s Dad Movies, what’s not to like?
a-s-l-8-7
5 out of 5 stars
the berlin wall has fallen but it isn’t 9/11 yet.
how does america’s entertainment-industrial complex deal with the end of history? two insightful dudes try to give us an answer. essential for anyone who rented every harrison ford VHS at blockbuster. subscribe to convince Ganz to get a better mic.
nick west mcleod
5 out of 5 stars
Some things in there don’t react well to bullets...
...but this podcast, along with all the shared properties of the extended bouie-verse (newsletter, photos, historically grounded opinion writing, twitter rants about pacific rim, ebikes, cereal, and zoning ordinances), does.
DavisMW
5 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
Entertaining and insightful
Eric T2021
5 out of 5 stars
Pop Culture + History + Politics = Smart Fun
What stood out in the inaugural episode, among other things, was the nuanced approach to the movie's politics and political moment. That the Hunt for Red October captured a particular collective sentiment that was both post-Cold War and pre-Gulf War (and certainly pre-9/11) was something new to me. That kind of insight, combined with Bouie and Ganz's obvious enthusaism as true movie fans, makes this a can't miss podcast. Hope their plans for future episodes don't miss Sneakers though...
cjd mann
5 out of 5 stars
Smart guys talking about the action movies
I loved growing up. It’s good to think of these movies through a completely different lens.
Jack Ryan's Therapist
5 out of 5 stars
LOVE it. Can't wait to see this pod grow.
It's a weird thing to have had a politics that was so significantly formed in the 80s and 90s, to be now so very critical of those same politics, AND YET still feel a great deal of nostalgia for the cultural ephemera of that time. I grew up reading Clancy (probably way too early) but have outgrown the middle class GOP, cold-war era culture and politics of my youth. I've just not had anywhere to go with this experience, no place to unpack it or critique it--while still acknowledging what it was I loved about the artifacts of the culture. This is the PERFECT pod for that. Like a tv show's pilot, the first episode is a little rough, but all the core parts are there and I can't wait to hear upcoming episodes. Keep up the great work!
Pat The Reviewer
5 out of 5 stars
One Ping Only but 5 stars
Once they got into the analysis it really shines.
swan mann
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing
These guys are the best!!
Dave2180
5 out of 5 stars
Love it
Look… do I love the move Hunt For Red October? Yes. Do I love anyone talking about about Hunt For Red October? Yes. Are these guys smart? Yes. Do want more? Yes!!!
Podcast information
- Amount of episodes
- 36
- Subscribers
- 46
- Verified
- No
- Website
- Explicit content
- No
- Episode type
- episodic
- Podcast link
- https://podvine.com/link/..
- Last upload date
- January 21, 2023
- Last fetch date
- February 1, 2023 12:35 AM
- Upload range
- WEEKLY
- Author
- Jamelle Bouie and John Ganz
- Copyright
- Jamelle Bouie & John Ganz
susbcribers
- Surviving the Game (feat. Gillet Rosenblith)New Episode This week, Jamelle and John are joined by historian Gillet Rosenblith to discuss the 1994 action thriller “Surviving the Game,” a loose adaptation of “The Most Dangerous Game” and a glimpse into anxieties and fears regarding poverty, homelessness and urban decay in the 1990s. They also discuss other, similar films of the era, like John Woo’s “Hard Target,” and they discuss further what distinguishes the action movies of the 1990s from their predecessors in the 70s and 80s. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie UnclearPod And join the Unclear and Present Patreon! For just $5 a month, patrons get access to a bonus show on the films of the Cold War, and much, much more.0 comments0
- The Puppet MastersHappy New Year! In this week’s episode of Unclear and Present Danger, we watch “The Puppet Masters,” an adaptation of a 1951 Robert Heinlein novel that feels aimless in the absence of the original Cold War context. Jamelle and John discuss, among other things, the “Body Snatcher” genre, science fiction as a vehicle for allegory, and the war on drugs. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie UnclearPod And join the Unclear and Present Patreon! For just $5 a month, patrons get access to a bonus show on the films of the Cold War, and much, much more.0 comments0
- Blown Away (feat. Clare Malone)What do you get when you mix Boston, bad accents and a lot of explosions? The 1994 thriller “Blown Away” starring Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones! Jamelle and John are joined by Clare Malone of The New Yorker to talk Irish-American identity, Irish nationalism, the racial politics of Boston and much, much more. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie UnclearPod And join the Unclear and Present Patreon! For just $5 a month, patrons get access to a bonus show on the films of the Cold War, and much, much more.0 comments0
- The Third Man (PATREON PREVIEW)Hello listeners! This on the Patreon week we continued our journey into the work of Graham Greene and Carol Reed with the 1949 British noir “The Third Man.” It suffices to say that this is one of the most famous and acclaimed movies of all time, so Jamelle and John had a lot to say about its production, its writing and its themes. They also spoke a great deal about Orson Welles, the politics of postwar Europe, existentialism, and the career of star Joseph Cotten. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. To hear the full episode, subscribe to the Unclear and Present Patreon and get access to our show on the films (and television) of the Cold War, as well special mailbag episodes, monthly entry into a movie raffle, and whatever else we can think of.0 comments0
- On Deadly GroundIn this week’s episode, Jamelle and John scrape the bottom of the cinematic barrel with the 1994 environmentalist action flick, “On Deadly Ground,” directed by and starring Steven Seagall. It’s not a good movie, but they had a good conversation covering Seagall’s political trajectory, right-wing misogyny, and the psychological origins of authoritarian politics. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie UnclearPod And join the Unclear and Present Patreon! For just $5 a month, patrons get access to a bonus show on the films of the Cold War, and much, much more. Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for February 18, 1994 A Variety review of “On Deadly Ground” Siskel and Ebert review “On Deadly Ground” Next week, Jamelle and John will be joined by The New Yorker’s Clare Malone to discuss “Blown Away” with Jeff Bridges and Tommy Lee Jones.0 comments0
- Our Man in Havana (PATREON PREVIEW)For this week’s Patreon episode, Jamelle and John cover the 1959 film “Our Man in Havana,” an adaptation of a 1958 Graham Greene novel by the same name. We talk Graham Greene, director Carol Reed, and Alec Guinness, the star, as well as esoteric topics like motivated reasoning, the nature of intelligence work, and the power and peril of propaganda. We also, as always, looked at the news for the day the film was released, December 30, 1959. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. To hear the full episode, subscribe to the Unclear and Present Patreon and get access to our show on the films (and television) of the Cold War, as well special mailbag episodes, monthly entry into a movie raffle, and whatever else we can think of.0 comments0
- The Pelican Brief (feat. Jay Willis)In this week’s episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle, John and special guest Jay Willis of Balls and Strikes discuss the 1993 adaptation of John Grisham’s “The Pelican Brief,” and ask whether anything about the movie’s plot actually makes any sense. They also discuss the early days of the conservative legal movement, the political hegemony of capital, and Stanley Tucci. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Jay Willis UnclearPod And join the Unclear and Present Patreon! For just $5 a month, patrons get access to a bonus show on the films of the Cold War, and much, much more. Last week, we covered the 1979 BBC adaptation of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for December 17, 1993 Kirkus book review of “The Pelican Brief.” The Rise of the Conservative Legal Movement: The Battle or Control of the Law0 comments0
- Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (PATREON PREVIEW)We have another Patreon episode for you and this week, it’s a John favorite: the 1979 BBC adaptation of “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.” We go deep into the character of George Smiley, John le Carre’s critique of the British ruling class, and the idea of national “decadence.” Jamelle also spends a little time talking about the American constitutional system, so it’s basically an episode where everyone is on brand. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. To hear the full episode, subscribe to the Unclear and Present Patreon and get access to our show on the films (and television) of the Cold War, as well special mailbag episodes, monthly entry into a movie raffle, and whatever else we can think of.0 comments0
- The Fugitive (feat. Michael Liroff)Jamelle and John are joined by Michael Liroff of the Five Four podcast to discuss “The Fugitive,” a masterpiece of Dad cinema. They talk the liberal politics of the 1990s, the surprisingly nuanced racial politics of the film, and complain, as always, that they just don’t make them like this anymore. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie UnclearPod And join the Unclear and Present Patreon! For just $5 a month, patrons get access to a bonus show on the films of the Cold War, and much, much more. Links from the episode! The New York Times front-page for August 6, 1993 Toni Morrison on Bill Clinton Wikipedia entry on Harold Washington, the 51st mayor of Chicago Also, a quick note: Jamelle said this was the 27th episode of the podcast, ti is actually the 28th! Our apologies for the mistake.0 comments0
- The Hunt for Red October (Take Two)Episode 26 — The Hunt for Red October (Take Two) In this one year anniversary episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John return to the film that started it all, “The Hunt for Red October.” They discuss the film as an elegy for the Cold War era, and further explore the dilemma of American power and identity in the post-Soviet world. Next week’s episode…”The Fugitive.” Contact us! Sign up for our Patreon show on the films of the Cold War! Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie UnclearPod Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for March 2, 19900 comments0
- The FirmEpisode 25 — The Firm In this episode of Unclear and Present Danger, John and Jamelle discuss the 1993 John Grisham film adaptation “The Firm.” They use the genre of the legal thriller to discuss the legalization of American life in the 1990s and the turn from politics in crucible of history to management at its putative end. They also talk about Wilford Brimley, so there’s that too. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie UnclearPod Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for June 30, 1993 Barack Obama’s lost manuscript “ Two Cheers for Politics: Why Democracy is Flawed, Frightening—and Our Best Hope ” Next time on Unclear and Present Danger…Jamelle and John return to “The Hunt for Red October.”0 comments0
- Passenger 57 (feat. Amanda Smith)In this episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John are joined by Amanda Smith of the Disaster Girls podcast to discuss the Wesley Snipes vehicle “Passenger 57,” which features an extremely charismatic Snipes facing off against an off-band Hannibal Lecter and also, casual racism. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! • UnclearPod • John Ganz • Jamelle Bouie • Amanda Smith Links from the episode! • New York Times front-page for November 6, 1992 • Interview with Stewart Raffill, one of the writers for Passenger 57 • Disaster Girls podcast0 comments0
- White SandsSomehow, a crime thriller starring Willem Dafoe, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Mickey Rourke set in the New Mexico desert isn’t especially good. Still, the 1992 film “White Sands” gave Jamelle and John a little bit to discuss for this week’s episode of Unclear and Present Danger. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for April 24, 19920 comments0
- Deep Cover (feat. Adam Serwer)Jamelle, John and special guest Adam Serwer of The Atlantic watch one of the great crime movies of the 1990s — Bill Duke’s “Deep Cover” — and talk about post-Cold War anxiety over the drug trade, Black “tough on crime” politics, and the war on drugs. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for April 15, 1992 James Forman’s book on the Black politics of the early 1990s, “ Locking Up Our Own: Crime and Punishment in Black America.” “ THE 1992 CAMPAIGN: Candidates' Records; Four Years of Bush’s Drug War: New Funds but an Old Strategy ”0 comments0
- Die Hard 2: Die HarderWelcome to episode 22 of Unclear and Present Danger. This week, we watched “Die Hard 2: Die Harder,” the sequel — of course — to “Die Hard.” In this conversation, Jamelle and John talk the 1990s panic over violence in pop culture, the working-class qualities of John McClane, and the lost days of American suspicion of, even hostility to, the military. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! The New York Times front page for July 4, 19900 comments0
- Rising SunOn episode 21 of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John discuss the horrifically problematic 1993 thriller “Rising Sun” starring Wesley Snipes and Sean Connery. It’s lurid, salacious and incredibly racist, which makes it fertile ground for a discussion of the anti-Japanese panic of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Additional topics include Wesley Snipes' career, Michael Crighton’s whole deal, and the question of whether it is even possible to forge a unifying national narrative. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! The Washington Post on the protests against the release of “Rising Sun.” Hobart Rowen on Japan-bashing in the 1980s. Roger Ebert’s review of “Gung Ho.” New York Times front page for July 30, 19930 comments0
- In the Line of FireIn this, our twentieth episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John watched the hit 1993 thriller “In the Line of Fire,” directed by Wolfgang Petersen and starring Clint Eastwood, Rene Russo and John Malkovich. They discuss Eastwood’s career and star persona, the anti-political apathy of the 1990s, and the “end of history” vibes of Eastwood and Malkovich’s characters. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for July 9, 1993 A 2010 Guardian profile of Clint Eastwood. New York Times review of “The Defiant Ones.”0 comments0
- In the Line of Duty: Ambush in WacoFor episode 19 of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John watch “In the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco,” a ripped-from-the-headlines-style movie about the siege at Waco. They use the movie as an occasion to discuss right-wing extremism, abuse and overreach among federal law enforcement, and how both played themselves out in American culture. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for May 23, 1993 “Bring the War Home: The White Power Movement and Paramilitary America” by Kathleen Belew American Experience: Ruby Ridge “Waco: The Rules of Engagement,” a 1997 documentary on the siege and its fallout.0 comments0
- Falling DownJamelle, for one, has been very excited about this episode, an analysis of Joel Schumacher’s 1993 film “Falling Down.” In the conversation, Jamelle and John discuss the populist moment of the early 1990s, the discourse around the “angry white man,” the class politics (or lack thereof) of the film, and the erosion of the post-war anti-fascist consensus. Connor Lynch produced this episode. Artwork by Rachel Eck. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for February 26, 1993 Carol Clover on “Falling Down” in Sight and Sound magazine. A New York Time story on the “race to win over the angry white male” from 1995.0 comments0
- SniperIn this episode of Unclear and President Danger, Jamelle and John discuss “Sniper,” a delightful piece of genre trash that also happens to speak to some of the paranoias and prejudices of the era. To that point, their conversation veers from the anti-Bill Clinton conspiracy theories of the early 1990s to the militia aesthetic that emerged later in the decade. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times front page for January 29, 1993 “The Panama Deception” documentary Wikipedia page for “Soldier of Fortune” magazine.0 comments0
- Under SiegeFor episode 16 of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John discuss “Under Siege,” 1992 action thriller directed by Andrew Davis and starring Steven Seagal in what is clearly his best role. We talk about Seagal’s career, Hollywood’s view of the American military in this era of filmmaking, and the strange, almost left-wing politics of this movie in particular. Jamelle also attempts a bad impression of Seagal. It’s a good time. “Under Siege” is available for rent on Amazon and iTunes. Our logo, as always, is courtesy of the great Rachel Eck, who you can find on Instagram. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times frontpage for October 9, 1992 Steven Seagal’s infamously unwatchable appearance on Saturday Night Live. Scene in “Austin Powers” where Austin learns the Cold War is over.0 comments0
- Sneakers (feat. Mike Duncan)On episode 15 of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John are joined by Mike Duncan ( Revolutions podcast, “ Hero of Two Worlds: The Marquis de Lafayette in the Age of Revolution ”) to discuss the delightful 1992 thriller Sneakers. It’s a movie about a tech mogul who hopes to stage an information revolution and, not surprisingly, John, Jamelle and Mike discuss the internet, social revolutions, and the challenge of building something out of nothing. Our logo, as always, is courtesy of the great Rachel Eck, who you can find on Instagram. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Mike Duncan Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for September 11, 1992 Sneakers Computer Press Kit “Marxism and Politics” by Ralph Miliband0 comments0
- JFK (feat. Alexis Coe)It’s episode 14 of Unclear and Present Danger and we’re talking Oliver Stone’s ridiculous yet incredibly-compelling conspiracy thriller, JFK. Jamelle and John are joined by the historian Alexis Coe to discuss the film, as well as the real John F. Kennedy, his life and legacy. This is a long and fruitful conversation, that covers everything from the Boomer wish-fulfillment which animates the movie to the political consequences of conspiracy-thinking. Once again, our new logo is courtesy of the great Rachel Eck! You can find her on Instagram. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Alexis Coe Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for December 20, 1991 Oliver Stone’s New York Times op-ed defending the film. Miller Center of Public Affairs page on the Kennedy presidency. Politico Magazine on John F. Kennedy and Margaret Coit Once Upon a Secret: My Affair with President John F. Kennedy and Its Aftermath by Mimi Alford0 comments0
- Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (feat. Sam Adler-Bell)Is a Star Trek movie a political and military thriller? We think so! Which is why, for this thirteenth episode of Unclear and Present Danger, Jamelle and John (and their guest, Sam Adler-Bell of the “ Know Your Enemy ” podcast) discussed Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. They talked about the nature of Star Trek’s utopianism, questioned whether the Federation is actually a good thing, and gave a close reading of the film’s Cold War allegory. Our new logo is courtesy of the great Rachel Eck! You can find her on Instagram. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Sam Adler-Bell Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for December 6, 1991 IMDB page for Nicholas Meyer The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek: The First 25 Years0 comments0
- Company BusinessOn episode 12 of Unclear and Present and Danger, Jamelle and John talk about, and puzzle over, the 1991 action comedy (comedic thriller?) “Company Business.” They have an extended discussion of Gene Hackman’s career, talk Mikhail Gorbachev and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and think about the surge of populism that struck American politics in the early 1990s. Our new logo is courtesy of the great Rachel Eck! You can find her on Instagram. Contact us! Follow us on Twitter! John Ganz Jamelle Bouie Links from the episode! New York Times front-page for September 6, 1991 Martin Chilton’s 2020 profile of Gene Hackman “Collapse: The Fall of the Soviet Union” by Vladislav M. Zubok0 comments0
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