It’s Die Hard on Alcatraz!

This time on the show, Phil and Liam attempt not to explode with excitement as they discuss Michael Bay’s 1996 all-star action classic THE ROCK, with special guest Bilge Ebiri!

When a group of highly trained Marines led by decorated general Francis X. Hummel (Ed Harris) take over Alcatraz and threaten to launch VX poison gas missiles at mainland San Francisco, the government are forced to turn to two unlikely heroes: eccentric FBI chemical weapons specialist Stanley Goodspeed (Nicolas Cage) and enigmatic prisoner John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery), the only man to have ever escape from the legendary penitentiary. 

Phil, Liam and Bilge discuss their memories of seeing this iconic movie upon its initial release, and their respective relationships with it over the years since. They lay out the film’s numerous connections to DIE HARD in the ‘Die Hard DNA’ section and dig deep on its under-discussed thematics, particularly with regards to its complex exploration of patriotism. 

As always, they analyze the film’s heroes, Mason and Goodspeed - two highly innovative characters both played by iconic actors - and debate whether Ed Harris’ General Hummel might be the greatest action movie ‘villain’ of all time. They also talk about as many members of the film’s astonishing supporting cast as time will allow, including the likes of David Morse, Michael Biehn, William Forsythe, Jon Spencer, Tony Todd, Claire Forlani, Vanessa Marcil, Todd Louiso, Gregory Sporleder and many more!

Finally, the guys break into the ‘Die Hard Oscars’ to dispense some action movie awards, and wrap things up with a particularly tricky edition of the ‘Double Jeopardy’ trivia quiz! 

THE ROCK trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3qcNyjj9ZQ

At the time of release, THE ROCK is streaming on Fubo and FXNow in the US and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple/iTunes, Fandango and all the usual platforms!

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