FIrst Blood Vs. Commando (Ep. 0020)

Explicit content warning

01/06/22 • 75 min

7 Listeners

First Blood and Commando - these two films became the blueprint for the modern action movie. While these films have completely different tones, they share the same core: they're built around the concept of the one-man-army while yielding two of the most recognizable and iconic action stars to ever grace the big screen.

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Film Summaries:

Commando

Retired Special Forces soldier John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) lives with daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in isolation, but his privacy is disturbed by former commander Franklin Kirby (James Olson), who warns him that his fellow soldiers are getting killed one by one. After Kirby leaves, Jenny is kidnapped by former Latin American dictator Arius (Dan Hedaya), who wants Matrix to restore him to power. Instead, Matrix sets out to take down the rogue leader and rescue his daughter.

Rating:
R
Genre:
Action
Original Language:
English
Director:
Mark L. Lester
Producer:
Joel Silver
Writer:
Matthew Weisman, Jeph Loeb, Steven E. de Souza, Steven E. de Souza
Release Date (Theaters):
Oct 4, 1985 Wide
Release Date (Streaming):
Nov 1, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA):
$34.9M
Runtime:
1h 30m
Distributor:
20th Century Fox

(Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1004567-commando)

First Blood

Vietnam veteran and drifter John J. Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) wanders into a small Washington town in search of an old friend, but is met with intolerance and brutality by the local sheriff, Will Teasle (Brian Dennehy). When Teasle and his deputies restrain and shave Rambo, he flashes back to his time as a prisoner of war and unleashes his fury on the officers. He narrowly escapes the manhunt, but it will take his former commander (Richard Crenna) to save the hunters from the hunted.

Rating:
R
Genre:
Action, Adventure
Original Language:
English
Director:
Ted Kotcheff
Producer:
Buzz Feitshans, Herb Nanas
Writer:
Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, Sylvester Stallone, David Morrell
Release Date (Streaming):
Nov 23, 2004
Runtime:
1h 35m

(Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/first_blood)

Film Summaries:

Commando

Rating:
R
Genre:
Action
Original Language:
English
Director:
Mark L. Lester
Producer:
Joel Silver
Writer:
Matthew Weisman, Jeph Loeb, Steven E. de Souza, Steven E. de Souza
Release Date (Theaters):
Oct 4, 1985 Wide
Release Date (Streaming):
Nov 1, 2005
Box Office (Gross USA):
$34.9M
Runtime:
1h 30m
Distributor:
20th Century Fox

(Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1004567-commando)

First Blood

Rating:
R
Genre:
Action, Adventure
Original Language:
English
Director:
Ted Kotcheff
Producer:
Buzz Feitshans, Herb Nanas
Writer:
Michael Kozoll, William Sackheim, Sylvester Stallone, David Morrell
Release Date (Streaming):
Nov 23, 2004
Runtime:
1h 35m

(Info courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/first_blood)

Previous Episode

The Santa Clause Vs. Jingle All The Way (Ep. 0019)

4 Recommendations

What started as the Movie Wars Christmas episode turned into a battle of deadbeat dads. Tune in as Kyle, Drew, and Phil determine who made Santa's naughty list. Or better yet, who gets the Turboman?

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Jingle All The Way

Workaholic Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) wants to make things up to his son, Jamie (Jake Lloyd), and wife, Liz (Rita Wilson). He promises to get Jamie the hottest toy of the season, Turbo-Man -- even though it's Christmas Eve and the toy is practically sold out. As Langston hunts down the elusive gift, he runs into mailman Myron (Sinbad), another father on the same quest. With the clock winding down, Langston's moral code is tested as he starts to learn the real meaning of Christmas.

Rating:
PG
Genre:
Comedy, Other, Kids & Family
Original Language:
English
Director:
Brian Levant
Producer:
Michael Barnathan, Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe
Writer:
Randy Kornfield
Release Date (Streaming):
Nov 3, 1998
Box Office (Gross USA):
$60.6M
Runtime:
1h 28m

(Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jingle_all_the_way)

The Santa Clause

Divorced dad Scott (Tim Allen) has custody of his son (Eric Lloyd) on Christmas Eve. After he accidentally kills a man in a Santa suit, they are magically transported to the North Pole, where an elf explains that Scott must take Santa's place before the next Christmas arrives. Scott thinks he's dreaming, but over the next several months he gains weight and grows an inexplicably white beard. Maybe that night at the North Pole wasn't a dream after all -- and maybe Scott has a lot of work to do.

Rating:
PG
Genre:
Other, Comedy, Kids & Family
Original Language:
English
Director:
John Pasquin
Producer:
Bobby Newmyer, Brian Reilly, Jeffrey Silver
Writer:
Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick
Release Date (Theaters):
Nov 11, 1994 Wide
Release Date (Streaming):
Sep 7, 2004
Box Office (Gross USA):
$145.5M
Runtime:
1h 37m

(Courtesy of Rotten Tomatoes https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/santa_clause)

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Patreon Preview: Oscar-Winning VFX Director Tim McGovern talks Dunkirk

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This is a preview of Movie War's interview with the Oscar-Winning VFX Director from Total Recall, Tim McGovern. In this clip, Tim talks about working with Christopher Nolan on Dunkirk. Although we began our discussion with Total Recall, Tim is still working on amazing projects which recently included Dunkirk With Christopher Nolan, First Man starring Ryan Gosling, and The Ghost & The Darkness which starred Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas. Tune in and hear the entire interview including stories about Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Nolan, and how CGI was developed in Hollywood. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27742081 (Become a Patron ) For the price of a latte a month, you can support the show and help us grow. Highlights from Tim's amazing resume(just a few): Dunkirk (Nolan) First Man (Starring Ryan Gosling) Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation Tron Total Recall (Won Special Achievement award at the Oscars) Last Action Hero The Ghost & The Darkness (Starring Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer) Stigmata Equilibrium (starring Christian Bale) Sin City 2 Huntsman: Winter’s War

Movie Wars - FIrst Blood Vs. Commando (Ep. 0020)

Transcript Summary

In this captivating episode titled "First Blood Vs. Commando," delve into the world of action movies as we explore how two iconic films, First Blood and Commando, laid the foundation for the modern action genre. These powerhouse films introduce the concept of the unstoppable one-man-army, challenging the limits of heroism. Commando follows the gripping journey of John Matrix, a retired special forces soldier, who embarks on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter and dismantle a dangerous faction. Meanwhile, First Blood captivates audiences with the story of Vietnam veteran John Rambo as he fights back against a corrupt sheriff and his ruthless deputies. Released in the early 1980s, Commando, directed by Mark L. Lester and produced by Joel Silver, provides an adrenaline-fueled spectacle, while First Blood, directed by Ted Kotcheff and produced by Buzz Feitshans and Herb Nanas, compels viewers with its gritty portrayal of a man pushed to the edge by brutality. Join us as we explore the enduring impact and significance of these unforgettable films that changed the face of action cinema forever.

Transcript

Film Summaries:

Commando

Retired Special Forces soldier John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger) lives with daughter Jenny (Alyssa Milano) in isolation, but his

FIrst Blood Vs. Commando (Ep. 0020) Top Questions Answered

What are the two films discussed in the podcast episode?

"First Blood" and "Commando"

What is the summary of the movie "Commando"?

Retired soldier John Matrix's daughter is kidnapped by a former dictator, leading him to take down the rogue leader and rescue his daughter.

What is the rating of the movie "Commando"?

What is the genre of the movie "Commando"?

Action

What is the summary of the movie "First Blood"?

Vietnam veteran Rambo encounters intolerance and brutality from a local sheriff, triggering his wrath as he evades a manhunt. His former commander is instrumental in saving him and the hunters.