445 - DEAD PRESIDENTS (1995) + GORDON'S WAR (1973) ft. Justin LaLiberty
Summary
Hosts Josh Lewis and Jamie Miller are joined by Vinegar Syndrome’s Justin LaLiberte to discuss a double feature of New York-set films about Vietnam veterans: Ossie Davis’s 1970s blaxploitation film *Gordon’s War* and the Hughes Brothers’ 1995 crime drama *Dead Presidents*. The episode explores how both movies depict disenfranchised Black veterans using violence to reclaim their communities, while also critiquing Disney’s ownership and limited distribution of these politically charged works.
Topics discussed
Intro, Patreon plugs, and guest introduction
Guest background and film availability politics
Dead Presidents: Context, marketing, and themes
Dead Presidents: Character arcs and Vietnam transition
Dead Presidents: PTSD, domestic drama, and heist setup
Dead Presidents: The heist, climax, and final rating
Gordon's War: Intro, Ossie Davis, and blaxploitation context
Gordon's War: Plot setup, crew assembly, and tactics
Gordon's War: Action sequences and location authenticity
Gordon's War: Stunts, finale, and final rating
Exploitation genre discussion and upcoming screenings
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