4. Independence Day (Should We Celebrate Independence Day?) | Glaring Admissions

4. Independence Day (Should We Celebrate Independence Day?) | Glaring Admissions

Author: Nicholas Abouhamad July 1, 2024 Duration: 1:13:58

Independence Day is a 1996 action/disaster blockbuster that was directed by Roland Emmerich. It stars Bill Pullman, Will Smith, and Jeff Goldblum (among many others) as humans forced to scramble to fight off an alien invasion in the days leading up to the 4th of July. The film was released to massive success back in the 90s and briefly held the title as the second highest grossing film of all time (behind Jurassic Park). Despite it's popularity, and it's notability for helping jumpstart Will Smith's film career, it's also a movie that has received a mixed reception from critics and audiences alike for close to thirty years now. Which brings us to this video: Should we celebrate ID4? Is it actually a good movie? Welp, that's what here to find out.


Digging through the dusty archives of pop culture, Media Obscura-Retro and Obscure TV/Movie Reviews is a conversation among friends who love to unpack the forgotten and the formative. Host Nicholas Abouhamad, a video editor and content creator, is joined by Sierra Watson, Raekwon Davis, and Michael Capurso for deep dives that are equal parts analysis and good-natured debate. The focus here isn't just on the celebrated classics, though they're certainly part of the discussion. This podcast thrives on unearthing the curiosities: the big-budget misfires that vanished from memory, the oddball features that never found an audience, and the shows that somehow defined a moment despite their obscurity. Each episode feels like pulling a strange VHS off a shelf and figuring out what it all means, with plenty of bickering and laughter along the way. You'll hear genuine reviews that come from a place of affection, even for the flawed gems, making it a perfect listen for anyone who thinks the best stories are sometimes hidden in the margins. Tune in for a regular dose of cinematic archaeology, where every forgotten film or television show gets its day in the sun.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Media Obscura - Retro and Obscure TV/Movie Reviews
Podcast Episodes
82. Dragons Forever (Something Sus) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:14
And we're back! Nick and Mike check out 1988's Hong Kong Kung Fu movie "Dragons Forever," starring Jackie Chan, Sammo Hung and Yuen Biao. It's got action, romance (?) and drug dealing kickboxers wearing guy-liner. It's f…
Rerun: Detective Conan (Nick, Cro-magnon P.I.) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:11
Another week, another re-run. Nick hates being sick. On this weeks re-run, Nick and Mike check out the long-running Japanese animated series, Detective Conan! Check out some of our other vintage and strange movie/televis…
81. Cyborg Cop II (Don't Humor Nick) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:02:27
On this week's Media Obscura, the boyz check out 1994's disappointing sequel, Cyborg Boy II. This one still doesn't have cyborg cops/robocops, still has more kungfu than you'd expect from these movies, and is still very…
Rerun: Scrubs (Barbecue and Dr. Funko Cox) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:56
Scrubs! Nick's out of commission again this week, so we're running with a rerun of one of our favorite episodes! On this weeks episode, Nick and Mike check out the classic medical comedy "Scrubs," starring the likes of Z…
80. Mazes and Monsters (Tom Hanks, Roleplayer) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:14
Team Obscura dives headfirst into a world of (very watered down) roleplaying and wonder when they watch 1982's Dungeons & Dragons/Satanic Panic CBS made for TV movie "Mazes & Monsters," starring Tom Hanks! Check out some…
79. The Karate Kid (Cobra Kai, Cobra Why?) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:10
On this weeks Media Obscura, Nick and Mike celebrate Cobra Kai hitting Netflix by checking out 1984's sports movie hallmark, The Karate Kid! High schooler Daniel LaRusso is getting bullied by Johnny Lawrence and his kara…
78. Titanic II (Cold Cuts) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:33
Don't let go (of trying to capitalize on the success of others), am I right? On this weeks Media Obscura, the gang checks out 2010s horrid mockbuster, Titanic II! Who would've thought a triple-threating Van Dyke could do…
Rerun: Shanghai Noon (Not Rush Hour) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:19
We're out with another re-run this week (thanks Nick's still lingering case of mono), which is our episode on 2000's "yeah, this is definitely from the turn of the Millenium" kung-fu/comedy movie, Shanghai Noon! Check ou…
77. Dazed and Confused (Alright, x3) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:51:20
Team Obscura revisits the 1993 cult classic/coming of age movie "Dazed and Confused" on this week's Media Obscura podcast! They also discuss Nick's inability to tell people apart, Mike's refusal to watch movies that give…
Rerun: Man on the Moon (Jung and Reckless) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:17
This weeks (rerun) episode of The Media Obscura Podcast has Nick and Raekwon checking out 1999's criminally underrated Andy Kaufman biopic, "Man on the Moon." Check out some of our other vintage and strange movie/televis…