The Next Reel Film Podcast

How does Bruce Willis work as the older John McClane? How is Mac Justin Long as his sidekick? And did Maggie Q really do her own stunts? We talk about all this and more on this week’s show!

Show Notes

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"You’re a Timex watch in a digital age."

Making a sequel is always a challenge, but making the fourth film in a franchise after a twelve-year hiatus seems like a recipe for disaster. Luckily, the team behind Live Free or Die Hard found a director who was a huge fan of the franchise and worked hard with his team to not just make a great film but to really make a sequel to the original film that was better than the others. Some people disagree but the box office shows that Len Wiseman’s take on the franchise was quite the success. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our Die Hard series with Wiseman’s 2007 film Live Free or Die Hard.

We talk about why we enjoy this film so much and why we think some people had real issues with Wiseman’s direction (even if we didn’t). We chat about how well Bruce Willis works as John McClane in this installment and why his turn as the older, non-tech savvy cop struggling with how his life has shaped up works so well for the film. We touch on the other actors in the film – Justin Long, Timothy Olyphant, Cliff Curtis, Mary Elizabeth Olmstead and more – and talk about what they bring to the table. We revel in the amount of practical effects and stuntwork this team puts forth, really wowing us with the lengths they would go to so they could make the film that much cooler. We look at the semi-vs-F35 sequence and ponder the absurdities of the action in context of the franchise. We look at the brilliant parkour stunts done by Cyril Raffaelli and dig a bit into the history of it. And we look at the variety of “Yippie-ki-yays” in the series and rank ‘em.

It’s a fun film with a lot going for it, and certainly stands out as the best film since the first one. We have a great time talking about it on the show this week, so check it out then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

 

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.