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: 100

Media Obscura - Retro and Obscure TV/Movie Reviews
Podcast Episodes
46. Shanghai Noon (Not Rush Hour) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:19
Nick and Raekwon check out the 2000 action-comedy Shanghai Noon on this weeks Media Obscura podcast! It follows Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson as they go on an adventure across the American countryside in order to rescue a…
45. Transylvania 6-5000 (Middle Child Syndrome) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:37:24
Nick and his old-dog-lacking-any-tricks-to-begin-with Mike check out the 1985 horror comedy (emphasis on comedy) Transylvania 6-5000! It's a movie the follows Jeff Goldblum and Ed Begley Jr. as they investigate reports o…
44. The Addams Family Reunion (Gaslighting Mike) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:06
Nick and his new co-host Raekwon check out The Addams Family Reunion on this weeks Media Obscura Podcast! It follows the Addams as they deal with Gomez's grandparents suffering from "Waltzheimer's disease," which is slow…
43. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (The Duran Duran) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:50
On this weeks Media Obscura Podcast, Nick and Mike check out Elvira: Mistress of the Dark! Released in 1988, the movie follows the cult TV horror hostess as she deals with her worst adversary yet... Suburbia! Oh, and the…
42. UHF (Marvel Centipede and Picking on Thera) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:49
Nick and Mike check out the Weird Al vehicle UHF on this weeks Media Obscura Podcast! It's a movie about a lad named George Newman, played by Weird Al, getting the deed to a TV station from his Uncle after winning it in…
41. Army of Darkness (Blow) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:07
This... Is... An episode we're really excited about! On this weeks Media Obscura Podcast, Nick and Mike checked out the Sam Raimi classic, Army of Darkness! I know, I know, "bUt GuYs, ThIs IsN't ObScUrE!" Except that it…
40. Greaser's Palace (If Ya Feel, Ya Heal) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:18
Who here's familiar with Robert Downey? No, not Iron Man, the other one! His Dad! Iron Dad! This week on The Media Obscura Podcast, Nick and Mike check out Robert Downey's 1972 acid western, Greaser's Palace! Twitter: ht…
39. Joey (Bad Kombucha) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:06
So no one told [Nick and Mike] that [watching and discussing the ill-fated Friends spin-off, 'Joey,'] would be this way. They also talk about the way that TV shows like to include clapping/snapping in their themes songs,…
38. That 80's Show (Post-Show Depression) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:10
Nick and Mike check out the very short lived spin-off of the classic sitcom 'That 70's Show,' on this weeks Media Obscura Podcast! They also talk about post-show depression and some other stuff.
37. Plan 9 From Outer Space (New Mike, Who Dis?) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:12
Nick and Mike tackle the 'worst film of all time,' Plan 9 From Outer Space! Nick also builds an AI version of his faithful co-host that... Well, it's got a couple bugs it needs to sort out. They also talk about the proba…