Spies Like Us Podcast
143 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago -Everything from Bond to Bourne, The Man Who Knew Too Much to the Man Who Knew Too Little!
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
Spy Game (2001) Part Two
December 25, 2020 12:00 - 1 hour - 59.5 MBRobert Redford plays a veteran CIA operative who is just a day from retirement when he finds that his golden boy protege (played by Brad Pitt) has gone rogue. When he finds that his CIA superiors are looking for reasons to cut ties with said protege, he initiates a personal crusade to find the truth. Tons of delicious tradecraft in this one. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Spy Game (2001) Part One
December 18, 2020 03:49 - 1 hour - 69.8 MBRobert Redford plays a veteran CIA operative who is just a day from retirement when he finds that his golden boy protege (played by Brad Pitt) has gone rogue. When he finds that his CIA superiors are looking for reasons to cut ties with said protege, he initiates a personal crusade to find the truth. Tons of delicious tradecraft in this one. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) Part Two
December 10, 2020 12:00 - 43 minutes - 39.8 MBIan Fleming’s Bond character was always viewed by Hollywood as a franchise inducer. Ten films in, with crowd pleasing Sean Connery tapping out, they still wanted to push the 007 brand forward, and Roger Moore takes the mantle. How much has changed between 1962 and 1977? Tod and Dave discuss this strange but important decade of Bond, and especially whether Moore is up to the task of passing on the torch. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for det...
Hello Listener
December 10, 2020 11:59 - 2 minutes - 1.9 MBA brief appeal to the audience for feedback and ratings.
The Spy Who Loved Me (1977) Part One
December 03, 2020 12:00 - 42 minutes - 38.9 MBEpisode Thirty Four and Thirty Five (Argo, 2012) Ian Fleming’s Bond character was always viewed by Hollywood as a franchise inducer. Ten films in, with crowd pleasing Sean Connery tapping out, they still wanted to push the 007 brand forward, and Roger Moore takes the mantle. How much has changed between 1962 and 1977? Tod and Dave discuss this strange but important decade of Bond, and especially whether Moore is up to the task of passing on the torch. Music and SFX used under CCA licens...
Argo (2012) Part Two
November 26, 2020 12:00 - 50 minutes - 45.8 MBBen Affleck stars and directs this best picture winner for 2012. Movie adaptation of the real CIA operation in which a fake Hollywood movie was promoted in order to provide cover for the extraction of 6 American diplomats from the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1980. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Argo (2012) Part One
November 19, 2020 12:00 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBMovie adaptation of the real CIA operation in which a fake Hollywood movie was promoted in order to provide cover for the extraction of 6 American diplomats from the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1980. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Spy Kids (2001) Part Two with Yammering Lew
November 12, 2020 12:00 - 47 minutes - 43.3 MBRobert Rodriguez takes a departure from his usual blood-soaked genre sendups to deliver his first blockbuster, a kid friendly spy adventure. Special guest Yammering Lew joins us to discuss! Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Spy Kids (2001) Part One with Yammering Lew
November 05, 2020 12:00 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBRobert Rodriguez takes a departure from his usual blood-soaked genre sendups to deliver his first blockbuster, a kid friendly spy adventure. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) Part Two
October 31, 2020 01:32 - 59 minutes - 54.7 MBGary Oldman tackles the iconic spy character George Smiley in this 2011 adaptation of the 1974 novel by John Le Carre’. It’s a lot of story to fit into 2 hours; does the tradecraft hold up? Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) Part One
October 22, 2020 22:52 - 54 minutes - 49.8 MBGary Oldman tackles the iconic spy character George Smiley in this 2011 adaptation of the 1974 novel by John Le Carre’. It’s a lot of story to fit into 2 hours; does the tradecraft hold up? Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Elim Garak (Star Trek: DS9) Part Two
October 14, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBOur discussion of the Cardassian tailor and retired (?) spy Elim Garak continues with a look at some more of his memorable appearances, including one of the highest-regarded Trek episodes of all time, In the Pale Moonlight. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Elim Garak (Star Trek: DS9) Part One
October 06, 2020 05:19 - 54 minutes - 50 MBNot a lot of science fiction spies out there, but Elim Garak from the Deep Space Nine television series is one of the coolest… and definitely the smirkiest. How does he hold up as a spy character? Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Atomic Blonde (2017) Part Two
October 01, 2020 11:00 - 53 minutes - 48.5 MBWe drill deeper into the tradecraft of the film’s two main characters, Charlize Theron’s Lorraine and James McAvoy’s Percival. Will Lorraine prevail due to superior tradecraft, or simply due to being the heroine of the film? Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Atomic Blonde (2017) Part One
September 24, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 74.3 MBProducer Charlize Theron brings the genius behind the John Wick action sequences, David Leitch, onboard in his first solo directing effort. This film is a triple love affair of brutal action, colorful comic book storytelling, and 80’s billboard hit music. Let’s talk about how it holds up as a spy movie. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Departed (2006) Part Two
September 17, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MBContinued discussion of The Departed. Tension ramps up as Damon (mob mole in the police) and DiCaprio (police mole in the mob) begin to hunt for one another in earnest. Plus a section on the Infernal Affairs source material. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Departed (2006) Part One
September 10, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 70.3 MBMobsters and police run deep cover mole operations against one another in 2006’s Best Picture Oscar winner, which is a remake of the 2002 Hong Kong hit Infernal Affairs. This cops and robbers epic is drenched in tradecraft. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Bourne Supremacy (2004) Part Two
August 13, 2020 11:00 - 59 minutes - 54.3 MBContinued discussion of the Bourne films. Tod and Dave chew into the tradecraft of Supremacy, and discuss how the Bourne character represents doubt and amnesia in the American political psyche at large. You won’t want to miss this one. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Bourne Supremacy (2004) Part One
August 06, 2020 11:00 - 54 minutes - 49.9 MBThe Jason Bourne character changes the game and really sets a new tone for spy movies going forward into the new millennium. Tod and Dave discuss the tradecraft of the Bourne films as well as their impact on spy films at large. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Company Episode 2 (2007) Part Two
July 30, 2020 11:00 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBFictional CIA agent Jack prepares to take part in the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961. Historical (but dramatized) figures in Washington disagree on whether and how the US should proceed with the operation. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Company Episode 2 (2007) Part One
July 23, 2020 11:00 - 39 minutes - 36.2 MBWe revisit the TNT miniseries and give its second episode a careful look. Fictional CIA agent Jack takes part in the Hungarian Revolt of 1956 while historical (but dramatized) figures in Washington disagree on whether and how the US should become involved. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Good Shepherd (2006) Part Two
July 16, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 76.4 MBWhile still primarily standing in for James Angleton, Matt Damon’s character borrows key elements from other historical CIA figures as the film takes us through the dangerous game of counterintelligence and the failed invasion of Cuba in 1961. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Good Shepherd (2006) Part One
July 10, 2020 11:00 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBRobert DeNiro’s brooding, tight-lipped exploration of the origins of the CIA stars Matt Damon as a stand-in for the infamous James Jesus Angleton. We follow his recruitment from Yale’s Skull and Bones society and through his WWII espionage training. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Spies Like Us (1985) Part Two
July 02, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 75.9 MBPart 2 of 2. Last week we discussed the many ways this spy comedy fails to deliver the laughs. This week Tod and Dave dig into all the ways it also pretty much fails to be a spy movie. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Spies Like Us (1985) Part One with Yammering Lew
June 25, 2020 23:56 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBPart 1 of 2. It’s another spy comedy! Or at least it tries to be. It’s one of the most profitable movies of 1985, but looking back now it is kind of hard to figure out why. Friend of the show Yammering Lew joins us to try to solve the mystery. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Sneakers (1992) Part Two
June 18, 2020 04:12 - 58 minutes - 53.2 MBPart 2 of 2. Much beloved for its bright, snappy script and thoroughly enjoyable ensemble, Sneakers has stood the test of time as a spy film that can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. Let’s peek underneath the hood and see if the tradecraft holds up as well. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Sneakers (1992) Part One
June 11, 2020 11:00 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBPart 1 of 2. Much beloved for its bright, snappy script and thoroughly enjoyable ensemble, Sneakers has stood the test of time as a spy film that can be enjoyed by pretty much anyone. Let’s peek underneath the hood and see if the tradecraft holds up as well. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Miss Sloane (2016) Part Two
June 04, 2020 11:00 - 57 minutes - 53.1 MBPart 2 of 2. Miss Sloane is not a traditional spy film by any measure, but the Tradecraft is Real in the psychological game of move and countermove depicted in this oh-so-dirty! depiction of Washington politics. Know your enemy and know what cards they have in their hand. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Miss Sloane (2016) Part 1
May 28, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBMiss Sloane is not a traditional spy film by any measure, but the Tradecraft is Real in the psychological game of move and countermove depicted in this oh-so-dirty! depiction of Washington politics. Know your enemy and know what cards they have in their hand. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Miss Sloane (2016) Part One
May 28, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBPart 1 of 2. Miss Sloane is not a traditional spy film by any measure, but the Tradecraft is Real in the psychological game of move and countermove depicted in this oh-so-dirty! depiction of Washington politics. Know your enemy and know what cards they have in their hand. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Munich (2005) Part 2
May 21, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBPart 2 of 2. Intelligence agency Mossad takes center stage in this Spielberg film about operation Wrath of God. Our Israeli heroes wrestle with troubling questions about the thin line between legitimate counter-terrorism and revenge, as they pursue the perpetrators of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Munich (2005) Part Two
May 21, 2020 11:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBPart 2 of 2. Intelligence agency Mossad takes center stage in this Spielberg film about operation Wrath of God. Our Israeli heroes wrestle with troubling questions about the thin line between legitimate counter-terrorism and revenge, as they pursue the perpetrators of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Munich (2005) Part 1
May 14, 2020 11:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBIntelligence agency Mossad takes center stage in this Spielberg film about operation Wrath of God. Our Israeli heroes wrestle with troubling questions about where the line lies between legitimate counter-terrorism and revenge as they pursue the perpetrators of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Munich (2005) Part One
May 14, 2020 11:00 - 51 minutes - 47 MBIntelligence agency Mossad takes center stage in this Spielberg film about operation Wrath of God. Our Israeli heroes wrestle with troubling questions about where the line lies between legitimate counter-terrorism and revenge as they pursue the perpetrators of the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Samurai Spy (1965)
May 04, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 89.2 MBYou like Ninjas? We got Ninjas. Samurai Spy deals with an important transitional moment in feudal Japan’s history, but is also deeply informed by the Cold War paranoia that infected the age in which the movie was made. Who are the good guys, who are the bad guys? We will have to travel into the fog to find out. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
Our Man Flint (1966)
April 15, 2020 11:00 - 1 hour - 98.8 MBThe ‘Bond Effect’ is in full swing by the mid-sixties. It seems like everyone is scrambling to cash in on the spy craze in movies and television. A lot of serious spy movies are launched here but there is no shortage of silliness. We tackle one of the most immediate and direct Bond parodies here. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
From Russia With Love (1963)
April 02, 2020 02:30 - 1 hour - 108 MBJames Bond is probably the most recognizable movie character of all time, and most certainly the granddaddy of all spy heroes. Does the King deserve to keep wearing that crown 50+ years later? Tod and Dave have their doubts, and we discuss them in depth. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Man Who Knew Too Little (1997)
March 18, 2020 01:43 - 2 hours - 111 MBBill Murray plays the ‘everyman’ drawn into the world of intrigue, but with a comedic twist. In this chess game, the ‘pawn’ is so ignorant of what is going on around him that he inadvertently flips the entire table over. It’s time for us to take a look at how the spy genre is fundamentally open to parody. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
A Most Wanted Man (2014)
February 22, 2020 06:18 - 2 hours - 117 MBTod and Dave tackle a bit of Le Carre in one of his first post-Cold War novels. Let’s take a look at how Intelligence actually operates within a bureaucratic scale, and the human toll that it involves. Given that all spy operations are only truly understood in hindsight, this is about as close of an observation that we might expect. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
La Femme Nikita (1990)
February 22, 2020 06:15 - 2 hours - 126 MBTod and Dave tackle their first ‘action movie’ variant of the spy genre here. Do assassination movies qualify as spy movies? Maybe not all of them do, but we had to put this one in here. We’ll argue that this is a genre-defining moment in cinematic history. Seriously, we think this is a game-changer. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Company (Part One) (2007)
February 22, 2020 06:12 - 2 hours - 116 MBTod and Dave expand their sweep of cinematic spy genre by including The Company, a 2007 TV mini series. It’s a semi-historical but fictionalized view of the Cold War as seen from the perspective of the CIA, and we LOVE that kind of stuff. Doubt me? Go ahead and give it a listen. It’s about to get very spy-nerdy in here. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956)
February 22, 2020 06:08 - 2 hours - 124 MBTod and Dave take another swipe at a classic spy movie, but this time we are tiptoeing our way to the explosion of spy movies in the 60’s. In what ways has Hitchcock paved the way for that by revising his 1934 classic? Let’s discuss the 1956 remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.
The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934)
February 17, 2020 01:47 - 1 hour - 76.4 MBTod and Dave love talking about spy movies, old, new, good and bad. Let’s dig in on this genre and explore! We inaugurate our podcast with an analysis of what could arguably be called the first spy movie of all time. A 1934 Hitchcock classic, The Man Who Knew Too Much. Music and SFX used under CCA license https://www.spieslikeus.net/attributions for details.