Spies Like Us Podcast

Spy Sorge (2003) Part One

The story of Richard Sorge might be lesser known to Western audiences, but his spy operation is considered by many authorities to be possibly the greatest of all time.  A WWI decorated German veteran, he was recruited by the Communist Party to infiltrate the Nazi embassy in Tokyo in the years leading up to WWII.  This accounting of historical events was Masahiro Shinoda’s final film.  

It may be difficult to procure an official copy of this film, but there is a high quality version easily found on YouTube.          

 

Music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

‘Enter the Party’ by Kevin MacLeod

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100240

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Mission: Impossible: 3 (2006) Part Two

Continued discussion of the JJ Abrams version of the Mission: Impossible film formula, and how this film set the tone for massive franchise success going forward.  

Next week we will be discussing a much more serious and historically based topic, the 2003 film Spy Sorge from legendary director Masahiro Shinoda.  Richard Sorge was an infamous spy for Russia that collected information from the Japanese in the build-up to World War II, under the guise of being a Nazi.  Lots of history to dig into there.  

 

Music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

‘Enter the Party’ by Kevin MacLeod

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100240

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Mission: Impossible: 3 (2006) Part One

The Mission:Impossible film franchise has grown into a massive popcorn hit that also gets solid nods from film critics.  But it wasn’t always so.  Here, Dave and Tod lay out their arguments that it is MI3 that sets the tone for this, possibly the current reigning champion of the ‘action spy’ genre.  As always, we are going hypercritical on the tradecraft demonstrated in the film.  Set your expectations of realism quite low, this is a pure thrill ride.        

Music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

‘Enter the Party’ by Kevin MacLeod

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100240

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Brush Pass - Simpsons, Cruella

News items for recent/upcoming releases and announced projects in the spy entertainment sphere.  Also, The Simpsons recently did a spy-themed episode, The Man From G.R.A.M.P.A., and Dave returns from having seen Disney's newest take on Cruella, reporting that there is more espionage involved than the trailers might have led us to believe!  Our quick takes on both of those.   

Our next regularly scheduled episode is Mission Impossible 3.  

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964-68) Part Two

Continued discussion of the television series The Man From U.N.C.L.E., specifically tackling s3e1 The Her Master’s Voice Affair and s2e1 The Summit 5 Affair.     

Reminder:  Bonus content, a commentary track for s3e1 is available at https://www.spieslikeus.net/spies-like-us-podcast/bonus-man-from-uncle-commentary-track

Next week we will be discussing Mission: Impossible 3 (2006) 

Music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

‘Enter the Party’ by Kevin MacLeod

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100240

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1964-68) Part One

You asked for it, here it is!  Seminal spy television series The Man From U.N.C.L.E., specifically tackling s1e23 The Brain Killer Affair and s2e23 The Moonglow Affair.    

Part Two will discuss episodes s3e1 and s4e1.  We had heard that each season of the show has a slightly different flavor so we wanted to sample from all 4 seasons.  

Bonus content, a commentary track for s3e1 is available at https://www.spieslikeus.net/spies-like-us-podcast/bonus-man-from-uncle-commentary-track

Best enjoyed after listening to Part One and before listening to Part Two.  But you do you. 

 

Music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

‘Ice Cold’ by Audionautix

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

‘Enter the Party’ by Kevin MacLeod

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100240

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Let's Rewatch: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) Part Two

Continued discussion of CoaDM with the Let’s Rewatch gang.  Find more great Let’s Rewatch episodes at https://rewatch.libsyn.com/!

Next week will be tackling the seminal spy series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., using s1e23 The Brain Killer Affair and s2e23 The Moonglow Affair as examples.  The following week will continue with discussion of s3e1 and s4e1. 

Let’s Rewatch: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) Part One

Deviating from the standard format, Tod and David visit the super-fun and zany crew of the Let’s Rewatch podcast to discuss CoaDM.  Charlie Kaufman adapts the 'unauthorized autobiography' in which game show impresario Chuck Barris claims to have been a CIA assassin.  George Clooney’s first stab at directing, Sam Rockwell’s first starring role, also featuring Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts.      

Find more great Let’s Rewatch episodes at https://rewatch.libsyn.com/

Brush Pass - Cliff Walkers

Our quick takes on Cliff Walkers, a Chinese film by acclaimed director Zhang Yimou which got a simultaneous U.S. release.  Fresh out of the theater, we bring you our first impressions of this chilly 1930's story of Moscow-trained Chinese patriots attempting to liberate a key prisoner from their Japanese-occupied homeland.  No shortage of cloaks or daggers (literally!) in this one.  

Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh_b1Lv3uh0

Our next regularly scheduled episode is a deviation from standard format, we will be presenting an episode of the Let's Rewatch! podcast on which David and I appeared as guests to discuss Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002).  Charlie Kaufman adapts the 'unauthorized biography' in which game show impresario Chuck Barris claims to have been a CIA assassin.    

Judas and The Black Messiah (2021) Part Two

Recent and realistic, and up for Best Picture.  Based on the true story of FBI informant William O’Neil who infiltrated the Black Panther Party in 1960’s Chicago.  

 

Next week we are going to feature on the Let’s Rewatch podcast and talk about 2002’s Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.  Does it qualify as a spy film?  Let’s have that discussion.  We had a lot of fun chatting movie stuff with this crew, regardless.  

 

Music is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

‘Ice Cold’ by Audionautix

Artist: http://audionautix.com/

‘Enter the Party’ by Kevin MacLeod

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100240

Artist: http://incompetech.com/