Licence to Spiel

Delayed almost as long as the film we are talking about, Licence to Spiel finally returns with a full discussion of MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE—DEAD RECKONING PART 1. While we both agree that this is an overlong setup for the upcoming sequel, it's still a fun movie that we enjoyed talking about again. Of course, we still … Continue reading “It Goes On Too Long” is the Motto of this Movie

We come full circle this episode by discussing the television miniseries version of The Bourne Identity (1988) starring Richard Chamberlain, Jaclyn Smith, and a whole slew of “that guys.” Despite the low expectations that typically come with a made-for-tv movie from the 80s, we both enjoyed this one a lot. We do still find time … Continue reading The That-Guy Cavalcade

The Jason Bourne franchise concludes, at least for now, with the appropriately named JASON BOURNE (2016), a movie that we both enjoyed a lot more than we remembered. Of course, we still find time to poke fun at laptop choices, a hacktivist with the worst internet security we have ever seen, and the most amazing … Continue reading The Bourne Redundancy

We're back! After a long and unexpected hiatus, Licence to Spiel returns with a discussion of 2012's THE BOURNE LEGACY (a.k.a. the Bourne film that doesn't have Bourne in it). We would have returned sooner, but we got too distracted by the ins and outs of Rachel Weisz's telephone.

The Jason Bourne story concludes with 2007's THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM, but that didn't stop Universal Pictures from making two more films after this one. For now though, we discuss Motorola RAZR screen resolutions, the fat content of goat's cheese, and whether John McAfee murdered anyone. Thad makes a prediction about Kevin McCarthy that turned out … Continue reading Discount John Heard

Thad and Carl talk about The Bourne Supremacy (2004), a film that added depth to the already-excellent story begun with the previous installment but also inflicted countless Paul Greengrass imitations on the movie world for years to come.

After a bit of a hiatus, Licence to Spiel returns to take a look at one of the best and most influential action film franchises of the 2000s—which continued to be one of the action franchises of the 2010s (but more on that in a few episodes). Today, we tackle the film that started it … Continue reading He's Even the Villain in a Mr. Rogers Biopic!

Our immediate thoughts on MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART 1. WARNING: This show contains spoilers!

Before you go to see the latest Mission: Impossible film, catch up on the previous entry, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT, just like we had planned from the start…

We discuss Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), a movie that is chock full of movie tropes and still manages to be quite excellent. We also get side-tracked by Thad's dislike of opera and the fact that there are too many actors named Laura out there in the world.

It's all about Brad Bird's entry in the franchise, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. We discuss Ethan Hunt's habit of being disavowed, mourn the loss of the IMF Director (served from Dec. 2011 – Dec. 2011), and realize how large screen bezels were back in 2011.

Much like the series itself, Thad and Carl return after an unexpectedly long hiatus to talk about the third installment of the Mission: Impossible franchise, creatively titled Mission: Impossible III. As always, we ask the important questions like, what exactly IS the Rabbit's Foot? How much current does it take to kill you? And how … Continue reading Shockingly Last-Minute Transit Conferences

We continue our look at the Mission: Impossible films with Mission: Impossible 2—a movie that we can certainly say is part of the franchise. But this overblown action film's effect on early 2000s cinema is much greater than you might think. #ReleaseTheWooCut

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to find all Dutch angles, split diopter shots, and humorous computer/tech choices made in this film. Should you fail, the Secretary will disavow all knowledge of your existence. Your download will self-destruct in five seconds. Don't forget to like and subscribe.

On this normal-length episode, we discuss the Extended Edition of Spy (2015), a film that despite some unfortunate choices at times, we both enjoyed quite a bit. However, when the Extended Edition mainly involves literal dick jokes and five punchlines for the same scene, maybe just go with the theatrical version.

A full seven years after the previous entry, the Johnny English franchise concludes (for now) with Johnny English Strikes Again (2018). We discuss whether the series has run its course (it has), bad mobile phone and submarine missile security, and spitball a British version of R.E.D.

This week it's Johnny English Reborn (2011), a fun if not entirely necessary continuation of the Johnny English franchise. Even though Dominic West has a name, and so does his character in this film (it's Simon Ambrose), we refer to him as McNulty throughout.

In this episode, we talk about 2003's Johnny English, the first entry in the occasional film series that has a release schedule comparable to some BBC shows. We also discuss the merits of Mr. Bean and the line of succession to the British throne, and we pour one out for LightScribe.

Licence to Spiel returns, ostensibly to talk about the 1954 TV adaptation of “Casino Royale.” While we do talk about this interesting time capsule of entertainment, we also fall down several rabbit holes, including a long discussion of the 90s cartoon “James Bond, Jr.” Watch Casino Royale (1954) Normally, we would assume anyone listening to … Continue reading Entertainment that Costs Less than Your House

In this episode we discuss Austin Powers in Goldmember from 2002, a film that helps reinforce the Law of Diminishing Returns. is it good? No it's not at all. But it's not the worst film we've watched so far…

In this episode we discuss Austin Powers in Goldmember from 2002, a film that helps reinforce the Law of Diminishing Returns. is it good? No it's not at all. But it's not the worst film we've watched so far...

This episode, we talk about Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), a film that is absolutely hilarious if you are a thirteen-year-old boy. Sadly, Thad and (especially) Carl are much older…

This episode, we talk about Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), a film that is absolutely hilarious if you are a thirteen-year-old boy. Sadly, Thad and (especially) Carl are much older...

Groovy baby! Join us (briefly) in 1960s En-ga-land as we talk about Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997).  It's a film that has certainly dated since it came out but is one we still enjoyed.

Groovy baby! Join us (briefly) in 1960s En-ga-land as we talk about Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997).  It's a film that has certainly dated since it came out but is one we still enjoyed. 

In this episode, we watched 1996's Spy Hard, so you don't have to. While occasionally funny, this movie mostly made us question its casting choices, acting choices, and random non sequitur movie references. We also make a comment that you would only ever hear on this podcast.

In this episode, we watched 1996's Spy Hard, so you don't have to. While occasionally funny, this movie mostly made us question its casting choices, acting choices, and random non sequitur movie references. We also make a comment that you would only ever hear on this podcast.

Normally we have to go out of our way to find opportunities to talk about Star Trek in our Bond podcast. This week though, we are talking about the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Our Man Bashir." So if you thought we've gotten overly nerdy before...   Embarrassing correction: Carl erroneously referred to the episode of TOS where Kirk is possessed by Sargon as "Yesterday is Tomorrow," which isn't even an episode of Star Trek. There IS an episode called "Tomorrow is Yesterday" but that's not the right episode title either. The correct title is "Return to Tomorrow." Carl is hereby docked 5 Geek Cred Points.

Normally we have to go out of our way to find opportunities to talk about Star Trek in our Bond podcast. This week though, we are talking about the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Our Man Bashir.” So if you thought we've gotten overly nerdy before… Embarrassing correction: Carl erroneously referred to the episode … Continue reading When Fandoms Collide

Remember when James Cameron made movies you wanted to see? We leave the world of James Bond for the first time to talk about True Lies (1994), a movie we feel safe in predicting will be more fun than Avatar 17.

Remember when James Cameron made movies you wanted to see? We leave the world of James Bond for the first time to talk about True Lies (1994), a movie we feel safe in predicting will be more fun than Avatar 17.

The year 1967 saw two James Bond films hit theaters. One involved a plot to steal space capsules from a secret volcano lair and yet was somehow the less insane of the two. Sadly, we watched Casino Royale (1967) this week instead.

The year 1967 saw two James Bond films hit theaters. One involved a plot to steal space capsules from a secret volcano lair and yet was somehow the less insane of the two. Sadly, we watched Casino Royale (1967) this week instead.

We discuss Thunderb…er…Never Say Never Again (1983): Kevin McClory's answer to Octopussy. While neither film is very good, this one at least has Sean Connery, that glorious early 80s aesthetic, and yes, a whole lot of ass shots.

We discuss Thunderb...er...Never Say Never Again (1983): Kevin McClory's answer to Octopussy. While neither film is very good, this one at least has Sean Connery, that glorious early 80s aesthetic, and yes, a whole lot of ass shots.

The Daniel Craig era of James Bond ends with a bang, quite literally, with No Time To Die—a film so delayed we've actually talked about it two separate times now. We now eagerly await the follow up: The Return of Dou Dou.

The Daniel Craig era of James Bond ends with a bang, quite literally, with No Time To Die—a film so delayed we've actually talked about it two separate times now. We now eagerly await the follow up: The Return of Dou Dou.  

Several times in this episode we complain about a certain Bond movie not coming out. The same movie we talked about back in Episode 4. And the one we will also talk about next time. It's almost as inexplicable as Bond's lack of brain damage, Mr. White's secret room hidden behind a plaster wall, or … Continue reading They Should Have Cut Off Christoph Waltz's Earlobes

Several times in this episode we complain about a certain Bond movie not coming out. The same movie we talked about back in Episode 4. And the one we will also talk about next time. It's almost as inexplicable as Bond's lack of brain damage, Mr. White's secret room hidden behind a plaster wall, or pretty much anything else that happens in this film. 

In this 50th Anniversary outing, James Bond must contend with the looming spectre of old age. It's still more nefarious than the villain's so-called plot. Did we mention that this is only Daniel Craig's third film?

In this 50th Anniversary outing, James Bond must contend with the looming spectre of old age. It's still more nefarious than the villain's so-called plot. Did we mention that this is only Daniel Craig's third film?

In his first-ever direct sequel, James Bond must contend with dubious alternative fuels, questionable editorial decisions, and David Harbour's mustache.

In his first-ever direct sequel, James Bond must contend with dubious alternative fuels, questionable editorial decisions, and David Harbour's mustache.

Daniel Craig is here to save the day and the franchise with a plethora of Sony gadgets!

Daniel Craig is here to save the day and the franchise with a plethora of Sony gadgets!

Pierce Brosnan returns to Die Another Day, but first he has to make a lot of double entendres. 

Pierce Brosnan returns to Die Another Day, but first he has to make a lot of double entendres.

Despite some overlong action scenes and an ending stuffed with Christmas puns, we can't help but wonder if this one might have actually benefitted from a longer runtime. This episode might not make up for a rather long and unexpected hiatus, but it's such a perfect place to start.

Despite some overlong action scenes and an ending stuffed with Christmas puns, we can't help but wonder if this one might have actually benefitted from a longer runtime. This episode might not make up for a rather long and unexpected hiatus, but it's such a perfect place to start.

What do Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Pryce, Julian Fellowes, Geoffrey Palmer, and Teri Hatcher have in common? They all starred in Tomorrow Never Dies with Hugh Bonneville. Or is that just fake news? 

What do Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Pryce, Julian Fellowes, Geoffrey Palmer, and Teri Hatcher have in common? They all starred in Tomorrow Never Dies with Hugh Bonneville. Or is that just fake news?