Just a man pointing a bull tranquilizer at a coworker
August 30, 2018 1:47 PM Subscribe
Tom Clancy’s Jim Ryan: Up-and-coming CIA analyst and paper salesman Jim Ryan (John Krasinski) is thrust into a dangerous field assignment for the first time...
Okay, but now that I see Wendell Pierce is in this, too, I hanker for a The Wire/The Office mashup. Bunk Moreland would make short work of Jim Halpert.
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:12 PM on August 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:12 PM on August 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
Dwight was a Russian mole the whole time!
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:17 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 2:17 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
OK, the video is pretty good.
posted by rhizome at 2:27 PM on August 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 2:27 PM on August 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
I had been ambivalent about Krasinski, but the more I see from him and think about his work, the more I dislike him. Martin Freeman did a better job in the same or similar role: Office UK vs. Office US and Cargo vs. A Quiet Place (fleshed out, complex characters and good roles for women in the first; not so much in the second, though the young girl is great when she's allowed some screen time). Then there's that weird Benghazi movie he starred in, which at best seems strange that it exists.
He could redeem himself, though, maybe by starring as Taran in a decent Chronicles of Prydain series. Something like that might balance out the Hobbit.
posted by msbrauer at 2:31 PM on August 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
He could redeem himself, though, maybe by starring as Taran in a decent Chronicles of Prydain series. Something like that might balance out the Hobbit.
posted by msbrauer at 2:31 PM on August 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
It's "funny" how much American pop culture involves firearms.
posted by JamesBay at 2:33 PM on August 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
posted by JamesBay at 2:33 PM on August 30, 2018 [12 favorites]
Cute but why is it so long? Seriously, this is a 30 second joke.
posted by Twinge at 2:50 PM on August 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by Twinge at 2:50 PM on August 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
This elicited legitimate chuckles.
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:57 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:57 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Cargo vs. A Quiet Place
I enjoyed Cargo a lot but yeah, A Quiet Place was a huge fizzer for me. So was Hereditary, while we're on the subject of much-lauded horror films.
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:58 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
I enjoyed Cargo a lot but yeah, A Quiet Place was a huge fizzer for me. So was Hereditary, while we're on the subject of much-lauded horror films.
posted by turbid dahlia at 2:58 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Mashup aside, this is what the Guardian thinks of the reboot:
Advance word is that John Krasinski’s new Jack Ryan series isn’t very good, but that isn’t news. Chris Pine’s 2014 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit also fell short by being too anonymous. Ben Affleck was too preening as Ryan in 2002’s The Sum of All Fears. Harrison Ford’s Ryan in 1992’s Patriot Games and 1994’s Clear and Present Danger was too generically gruff. Even when played by Alec Baldwin in 1990’s The Hunt For Red October, Ryan ended up as second fiddle to Sean Connery.
posted by piyushnz at 3:13 PM on August 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Advance word is that John Krasinski’s new Jack Ryan series isn’t very good, but that isn’t news. Chris Pine’s 2014 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit also fell short by being too anonymous. Ben Affleck was too preening as Ryan in 2002’s The Sum of All Fears. Harrison Ford’s Ryan in 1992’s Patriot Games and 1994’s Clear and Present Danger was too generically gruff. Even when played by Alec Baldwin in 1990’s The Hunt For Red October, Ryan ended up as second fiddle to Sean Connery.
posted by piyushnz at 3:13 PM on August 30, 2018 [2 favorites]
Far, far, far too old to place Taran.
posted by Ipsifendus at 3:14 PM on August 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Ipsifendus at 3:14 PM on August 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
Harrison Ford’s Ryan in 1992’s Patriot Games and 1994’s Clear and Present Danger was too generically gruff.
You take that back, Guardian. Harrison Ford is Jack Ryan and he is My President.
posted by dis_integration at 3:45 PM on August 30, 2018 [10 favorites]
You take that back, Guardian. Harrison Ford is Jack Ryan and he is My President.
posted by dis_integration at 3:45 PM on August 30, 2018 [10 favorites]
Shouldn't that be 'Harrison Ford is James Marshall and he is My President'?
posted by biffa at 3:51 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by biffa at 3:51 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Far, far, far too old to place Taran.
What about Fflewddur Fflam? And while we're casting, can we give someone besides Andy Serkis a chance to play motion capture Gurgi ?
posted by ActingTheGoat at 3:57 PM on August 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
What about Fflewddur Fflam? And while we're casting, can we give someone besides Andy Serkis a chance to play motion capture Gurgi ?
posted by ActingTheGoat at 3:57 PM on August 30, 2018 [5 favorites]
Shouldn't that be 'Harrison Ford is James Marshall and he is My President'?
It's true that Jack Ryan is not President in any of the films (that I have seen), but he does become Presidentin Clancy's giant 1996 airplane (natch! the book eerily foreshadows some elements of 9/11) novel Executive Orders. And when I read the book (I would burn through all the airplane novels my dad bought while on his business trips) it was right after I had rented A Clear And Present Danger from Blockbuster, so, Jack Ryan is Harrison Ford is My President.
posted by dis_integration at 3:58 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
It's true that Jack Ryan is not President in any of the films (that I have seen), but he does become Presidentin Clancy's giant 1996 airplane (natch! the book eerily foreshadows some elements of 9/11) novel Executive Orders. And when I read the book (I would burn through all the airplane novels my dad bought while on his business trips) it was right after I had rented A Clear And Present Danger from Blockbuster, so, Jack Ryan is Harrison Ford is My President.
posted by dis_integration at 3:58 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Has Tom Clancy made Jack Ryan the Pope yet, though?
posted by ckape at 4:00 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ckape at 4:00 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
When oh when will they actually make a Rainbow Six movie. NATO needs some love these days.
posted by Apocryphon at 4:09 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Apocryphon at 4:09 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Has Tom Clancy made Jack Ryan the Pope yet, though?
Tom Clancy has been dead for five years (not that this has affected the steady stream of Jack Ryan-adjacent potboilers).
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 4:31 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Tom Clancy has been dead for five years (not that this has affected the steady stream of Jack Ryan-adjacent potboilers).
posted by Mr.Encyclopedia at 4:31 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
I had been ambivalent about Krasinski, but the more I see from him and think about his work, the more I dislike him.
After Krasinski made that BEN-GAWZEE movie, I wrote him off completely. He's just really leaning into the 'Murica! Fuck Yeah! roles isn't he?
posted by haileris23 at 4:40 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
After Krasinski made that BEN-GAWZEE movie, I wrote him off completely. He's just really leaning into the 'Murica! Fuck Yeah! roles isn't he?
posted by haileris23 at 4:40 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
This Threat Level Midnight sequel is confusing. Where's Michael Scarne?
posted by mhum at 4:44 PM on August 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by mhum at 4:44 PM on August 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
My rating of the Jacks Ryan, based on nothing but what I generally think of the people playing them:
1. Harrison Ford
2. Alec Baldwin
3. Chris Pine
4. John Krasinski
5. The Illinois would-be politician of the same name, who dropped out of the Senate race against Barack Obama after everyone found out how much of a turd he was to Jeri "Seven of Nine" Ryan
6. Ben Affleck
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:12 PM on August 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
1. Harrison Ford
2. Alec Baldwin
3. Chris Pine
4. John Krasinski
5. The Illinois would-be politician of the same name, who dropped out of the Senate race against Barack Obama after everyone found out how much of a turd he was to Jeri "Seven of Nine" Ryan
6. Ben Affleck
posted by Halloween Jack at 6:12 PM on August 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
After Krasinski made that BEN-GAWZEE movie, I wrote him off completely. He's just really leaning into the 'Murica! Fuck Yeah! roles isn't he?
I imagine it's a pretty popular Hollywood plan to try to become a character actor, then coast for the rest of your life. If you're a character actor most known for comedies, you can start doing dramas after age 50. If you're known for drama, you start doing comedy.
posted by rhizome at 7:10 PM on August 30, 2018
I imagine it's a pretty popular Hollywood plan to try to become a character actor, then coast for the rest of your life. If you're a character actor most known for comedies, you can start doing dramas after age 50. If you're known for drama, you start doing comedy.
posted by rhizome at 7:10 PM on August 30, 2018
5. The Illinois would-be politician of the same name, who dropped out of the Senate race against Barack Obama after everyone found out how much of a turd he was to Jeri "Seven of Nine" Ryan
Omg, sometime in the past couple of years I told someone—I don't remember who, which is going to make me self-conscious around virtually everyone for awhile—that Paul Ryan was once married to Seven of Nine.
posted by she's not there at 7:11 PM on August 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
Omg, sometime in the past couple of years I told someone—I don't remember who, which is going to make me self-conscious around virtually everyone for awhile—that Paul Ryan was once married to Seven of Nine.
posted by she's not there at 7:11 PM on August 30, 2018 [4 favorites]
On the other hand, since both Ryans fall under the "turd" category, perhaps I'm not the only to have made this mistake.
posted by she's not there at 7:15 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by she's not there at 7:15 PM on August 30, 2018 [1 favorite]
Jack Ryan is his name, "Paul" is just his safe word.
posted by rhizome at 7:16 PM on August 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
posted by rhizome at 7:16 PM on August 30, 2018 [3 favorites]
piyushnz’s link above about overdone characters mentions Sherlock Holmes and I had no idea that so many people played that character!
He’s been played by Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Peter Cook, Christopher Plummer, John Cleese, Ian McKellen, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr, Roger Moore, Frank Langella, Charlton Heston, Jeremy Brett, Peter Lawford, Boris Karloff, Johnny Lee Miller, Taichirō Hirokawa, Benedict Cumberbatch and countless others
posted by gucci mane at 8:32 PM on August 30, 2018
He’s been played by Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Peter Cook, Christopher Plummer, John Cleese, Ian McKellen, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr, Roger Moore, Frank Langella, Charlton Heston, Jeremy Brett, Peter Lawford, Boris Karloff, Johnny Lee Miller, Taichirō Hirokawa, Benedict Cumberbatch and countless others
posted by gucci mane at 8:32 PM on August 30, 2018
And yeah, what is with Krasinski’s choice of that Benghazi movie, and now this? These roles just don’t seem like something he’d match with at all.
posted by gucci mane at 8:36 PM on August 30, 2018
posted by gucci mane at 8:36 PM on August 30, 2018
Career opportunities? Having an "in" with the production company Platinum Dunes? The company's producing partners are Michael Bay, Brad Fuller, and Andrew Form. Bay directed the Benghazi movie, and then the company produced A Quiet Place (starring Krasinski -- and he also directed, after re-writing the screenplay) and the Jack Ryan reboot. And all four are teaming up for this Life on Mars movie (with Krasinski directing again).
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:00 PM on August 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by Iris Gambol at 9:00 PM on August 30, 2018 [6 favorites]
Ahh that does make sense. The Benghazi role seemed so left field for him. I sort of expected him to do more things like his directorial debut, which was a make of Brief Interviews with Hideous Men.
posted by gucci mane at 9:11 PM on August 30, 2018
posted by gucci mane at 9:11 PM on August 30, 2018
Well. Right field, really.
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:37 AM on August 31, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by adamgreenfield at 3:37 AM on August 31, 2018 [4 favorites]
piyushnz’s link above about overdone characters mentions Sherlock Holmes and I had no idea that so many people played that character!
He’s been played by Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee...
And hey, me too! I was Sherlock in a top line video game by Electronic Arts back in the 90s, an experience that still seems surreal in retrospect. Jeremy Brett is my favorite Holmes, though. Really caught the character from Doyle’s writing like no other actor, imho.
RE Krasinski’s Ryan, I just finished the third episode of the latest Amazon series and it’s not terrible. It’s not great, either, mind you. (Within the first 10 minutes of the first episode, there were two really predictable cliches that made me wince, and they pop up again about once an episode.) But still, it’s an entertaining show.
posted by darkstar at 7:02 AM on August 31, 2018 [4 favorites]
He’s been played by Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee...
And hey, me too! I was Sherlock in a top line video game by Electronic Arts back in the 90s, an experience that still seems surreal in retrospect. Jeremy Brett is my favorite Holmes, though. Really caught the character from Doyle’s writing like no other actor, imho.
RE Krasinski’s Ryan, I just finished the third episode of the latest Amazon series and it’s not terrible. It’s not great, either, mind you. (Within the first 10 minutes of the first episode, there were two really predictable cliches that made me wince, and they pop up again about once an episode.) But still, it’s an entertaining show.
posted by darkstar at 7:02 AM on August 31, 2018 [4 favorites]
piyushnz’s link above about overdone characters mentions Sherlock Holmes and I had no idea that so many people played that character!
He’s been played by Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Peter Cook, Christopher Plummer, John Cleese, Ian McKellen, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr, Roger Moore, Frank Langella, Charlton Heston, Jeremy Brett, Peter Lawford, Boris Karloff, Johnny Lee Miller, Taichirō Hirokawa, Benedict Cumberbatch and countless others
It's donors only so no link to the episode unfortunately but the bonus episode of The Adventure Zone this year was a particularly choice rendition of Four Sherlock Holmes and a Vampire
(Who Is Also One of the Aforementioned Sherlock Holmes).
posted by kmz at 8:24 AM on August 31, 2018
He’s been played by Basil Rathbone, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, Peter Cook, Christopher Plummer, John Cleese, Ian McKellen, Johnny Depp, Robert Downey Jr, Roger Moore, Frank Langella, Charlton Heston, Jeremy Brett, Peter Lawford, Boris Karloff, Johnny Lee Miller, Taichirō Hirokawa, Benedict Cumberbatch and countless others
It's donors only so no link to the episode unfortunately but the bonus episode of The Adventure Zone this year was a particularly choice rendition of Four Sherlock Holmes and a Vampire
(Who Is Also One of the Aforementioned Sherlock Holmes).
posted by kmz at 8:24 AM on August 31, 2018
Has Tom Clancy made Jack Ryan the Pope yet, though?
To do that he must first secure the Cardinal of the Kremlin.
posted by Apocryphon at 10:47 AM on August 31, 2018 [2 favorites]
To do that he must first secure the Cardinal of the Kremlin.
posted by Apocryphon at 10:47 AM on August 31, 2018 [2 favorites]
None of those Ryan actors did a good job, and none of those films were particularly enjoyable
Really? One ping only, Stu.
posted by AndrewInDC at 1:35 PM on August 31, 2018
Really? One ping only, Stu.
posted by AndrewInDC at 1:35 PM on August 31, 2018
Now that I think about it, complaining that Baldwin's Ryan isn't any good because he loses the spotlight to Connery is kind of weird. Baldwin's Ryan is the best Ryan because it's also the most plausible Ryan. He's not James Bond-lite. He's a desk analyst kind of in over his head out in the field who kind of has a man-crush on this Soviet sub captain, and he's just trying to get somebody to listen to him. He may technically be the protagonist of the story but the story isn't about him.
posted by AndrewInDC at 1:43 PM on August 31, 2018 [13 favorites]
posted by AndrewInDC at 1:43 PM on August 31, 2018 [13 favorites]
So should I watch this Office? I gather that it's a thing.
posted by doctornemo at 9:00 AM on September 1, 2018
posted by doctornemo at 9:00 AM on September 1, 2018
AndrewinDC succinctly states why Baldwin will always by my One True Ryan.
That it dates from before the character descended into complete jingoism is part of it, too.
posted by uberchet at 10:24 AM on September 3, 2018
That it dates from before the character descended into complete jingoism is part of it, too.
posted by uberchet at 10:24 AM on September 3, 2018
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he he he.
posted by slater at 2:01 PM on August 30, 2018