Les Incompetent

This week on Les Incompetent, as we prepare for Lewis and Clark, we go over all 6 films in the Terminator franchise. What starts out promising, soon turns into one of the most convuluted, confusing, and overproduced messes we have ever seen. 

This week on Les Incompetent, while we prepare for Louis and Clark, we discuss the failure of the Dark Universe, and the utter disaster that was The Mummy from 2017. We go over the failure to make a cohesive story, how the Dark Universe failed before it even began, and how easy it was to lose the heart that was the Dark Universe, in a movie that was made for no one.

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over Paul Thomas Andersons film There Will Be Blood starring Daniel Day Lewis and Paul Dano. We go over the nature of the American businessman in the early 1900's, as well as the nature of Lewis's character Danile Plainview. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish Lon Savages novel Thunder in the Mountain. We go over the end of the mine wars, what both sides got out of the war, and how controlling information paved the way for this event to be forgotten

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over Chapters 6-10 of Lon Savages novel Thunder in the Mountains. We go over the lunacy of committing murder in the middle of the day on the steps of the court house, and getting away with it, we go over the attention to detail, and the storytelling elements this novel brings, and we go over the ever changing landscape of this topic. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover chapters 1-5 of Lou Savages novel Thunder in the Mountain. We go over the books accessibility, historiography, and the how its never been simpler to understand the conflict in West Viriginia. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over John Boormans 1967 film Point Blank starring Lee Marvin. We go over the direction, cinematography, colors, and the overall storytelling of the movie. Needless to say, its a very strange film. 

Thank you for listening! We have made it to a hundred episodes. This is just a sit down, and we just talk about life, living, and the pursuit of happiness; and making each other laugh. Enjoy!

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish Charles Keeneys Novel The Road to Blair Mountain. We go over the successful campaign, how quickly the coal industry collapsed at the end of the 2010's, and Charles Keeneys tips for successful activism. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over chapters 4-5 of Charles Keeneys novel. We discuss controlling the narrative, and not allowing other influences take over, we go over the education of West Virginia, especially the Golden Horseshoe Test, and how aggravating government paperwork can be. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Charles Keeneys novel The Road to Blair Mountain, an account of an activists attempt to save a historical site. He goes over the importance of activisim, and keeping your message clear, what goes too far in getting your message across, and how the state responded to all their attempts. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are covering Alex Cox's film Walker and Albert and David Maysles Grey Gardens. With Walker we discuss the altering of the historical character, how the film feels like a fever dream, and how abandoning accuracy can lead to something very powerful, and create a strong statement. With Grey Gardens, we discuss the moral argument over invading someones personal life, and exploiting someone to make a film. We also discuss the family dynamic, and how it makes watching the film even more uncomfortable. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish James Greens novel The Devil is Here in These Hills. We wrap up the conversation surrounding the Mine War, go over what was accomplished in the states during the Great Depression, and how the rise of the KKK led to new obstacles in the miners struggle. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover John Sayles Film Matewan, based on the historical event that occured in the town. We discuss the accuracy, artistic decisions, the casting, and go over the importance that the film was made, and how difficult it is now to get. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the Second Mine war, the march on Washington, Blair Mountain, and Matewan. We discuss the mindset of what it takes to push someone to choose violence to get their point across, as well as going over the ideas of evil when it comes to captialism. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover part 2 of James Greens Novel The Devil is Here in These Hills. We go over the general elections of West Virginia, the Rise of Sid Hatfields popularity, and tthe increase in action demanded of the miners. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over Joe Johnsons 1999 film October Sky. We discuss the importance of escaping coal country, pursuing your own goals, and refusing to submit to what is expected of you. We also go over the powerful imagery used in the film, and how it showcases a pain and struggle that still has not gone away. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we begin James Green's novel The Devil is Here in These Hills; West Virginias Coal Miners and Their Battle For Freedom. We go over the failure to do anything about the coal companies, even legislation or presidential intervention; we go over the rise of heroes like Mother Jones, and the rise of opposition like the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency. We also go over the inability to really push any of these companies, especially from the prospective of the UMWA, and why socialism became very popular in West Virginia during these times. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go off topic to discuss something we both love; the Predator Movies. We go over every film, the themes of the franchise, what we liked and what we hated, and how where we feel the franchise is headed. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over current events, mostly Iran, Israel, and the United States. We also cover our next topic, which is about the West Virginia Coal Mining Revolts.

This week on Les Incompetent, we are finishing up our talking points of the Vietnam War. We go over what we lost in the war, both in ourselves as a country and as a people, what we gained from the war, and how education on the topic may help future generations stop repeating history. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are going over Randall Wallaces 2002 film We Were Soldiers starring Mel Gibson. Taking place during the Vietnam War, it is a retelling of the Ia Drang Valley and what occured there. We discuss the significance of the film, what did and didn't work, and whether or not this is a faithful adaption of an event during the war. 

FreaThis week on Les Incompetent, we cover the controversial figure throughout a large portion of the Vietnam War, Dr Henry Kissinger. We cover his political philosophy Real Politik, and how it has had massive consequences to Americas foreign policy, while also covering current events to tie into his philosophy, and whether it aligns with Americas ideals. Needless to say, he's a interesting figure for sure. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Frederick Downs Jr's novel Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War. This is a first hand account of a single persons tour of the Vietnam War and it is, arguably, the best to read to understand the conflict. We discuss what was lost, what was gained, and what it was all worth in the end. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are watching Oliver Stones film Born on the Fourth of July starring Tom Cruise. We go over whether it is a good representation of the Vietnam War, PTSD, veterans coming back to society, and if the overall message works. Needless to say, we were not fans of this film.

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss Robert McNamaras novel In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam. We go over the idea of Hindsight, shifting the blame, and putting yourself in the fire the better explain the situation; all of which we felt while reading this book. We also discuss his open debate at Harvard University, which was both an admirable attempt, but also may have done more harm than good. 

This week on Les Incompetent, its a snow day in the Triangle, so Austin will be solo talking about Stephen Kings The Shining and Misery since we are snowed in. Both films showcase isolation, loneliness, and losing yourself, but also the humanity that prevails. We are back next week to discuss Robert McNamaras In Retrospect.

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Francis Ford Coppolas film Apocalypse Now. We cover the significance of the film, the meaning of the ending, and how director cuts have ruined cinema for us all. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the Watergate Scandal, the resignation of Nixon, the fall of Saigon, and what the war was for. We also discuss the veterans reaction to the aftermath, and them coming to terms to what they had been put through. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 9 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War. We cover the Vietnam Veterans joining the anti war effort, the release of the pentagon papers, and the creation of Nixons group of burglars, the plumbers. We also discuss what the Vietnam War was for, what was gained and what was lost. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the year we had. We talk about Napoleon, Pirates, Vietnam, what books we enjoyed, what movies we enjoyed, and a whole lot that we didn't. We talk about how we have grown as a show, we we hope to accomplish in 2026, and how thankful we are to our listeners. Thank you!

Merry Christmas from Les Incompetent! This Holiday Season, we are taking break from the horrors of Vietnam and just hanging out and talking about life. Stop by and hang out, and enjoy your holidays!

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss episode 8 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War. We discuss Nixons Presidency, the vicious and violent reaction to the antiwar movement, and the start of the peace negotiations with Northern Vietnam. We also discuss the death of Ho Chi Minh, and the emerging difficulties of a prolonged war. 

This week on Les Incompetent we go over the 1982 film Rambo starring Sylvester Stallone playing John Rambo, a Vietnam Veteran suffering from PTSD. We go over treatment of Veterans, how Vietnam vets were treated when they came home, and how we have failed veterans in trying to reenter society after war. 

This week on Les Incompetent we cover episode 7 of Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the 1968 election, the growing rise of dissent against the milatary, and the beginning of the Nixon administration. We go indepth to Nixon committing treason earlier than Watergate, and the new commanding force directing the war effort.

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Bao Ninh's novel The Sorrow of War. We go over perspective of a northern Vietnam soldier; one that is severely lacking in the conversation about the war in America, as well as what its like to go back to "normal" after a war has ended. We also go over the ideas of sorrow, regret, and acceptance in understanding what you were fighting for. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 6 of Ken Burns documentary The Vietnam War. In this episode we go over the Tet Offensive, and how it not only solidified American distrust of the war effort, but how it had devastating effects on the people managing the war, especially General Westmoreland. We also go over the rise, and assassination of Robert Kennedy, and how his loss cast a dark shadow at the tail end of the 60's.

This week on Les Incompetent, we continue Ken Burns Documentary The Vietnam War. In this episode, we do a dive into the state of the military, the demons the veterans are still facing, and how difficult the choices they made were. We also talk about the rising anti war movement, and the presidential response to its rise. 

This week on Les Incompetent we are discussing episode 4 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we go over the growing frustration of American Leaders, especially President Johnson during the war. We also go over the emerging anti war movement, and what that meant to the people in charge of the war effort. 

Happy Halloween to all our listeners! This week on Les Incompetent, we go over something that was present during the Vietnam war, and something that everyone was thinking about while our soldiers we over in Asia; Nuclear Fallout. We talk about the various times we have gotten close, the various test we completed around the world, and the impact of us dropping weapons on Japan at the end of WWII. We alos go over who should be allowed to dictate who can have a nuclear arsenal, and if we really should be proliferating weapons of mass destruction. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over episode 3 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we over the importance of historical recordings, especially from the president, the uneasiness of now knowing the war was unwinnable in 1963, and the strategy adjustment the Vietcong used to combat the invading US troops. We also discuss the human aspect of the war, with Ken Burns diving in Mogsie Crockes life.

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 2 of Ken Burns documentary The Vietnam War. On this episode, we go over the struggles facing a newly elected President Kennedy, a deepening Crisis in South Vietnam, a rise in insurgency and rebellions due to negligence, and are shown the happiness one feels when they successfully defend their homeland. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are discussing Dr King, his impact on the civil rights movement, and how his approach to equal rights differed from Malcolm X. We go over Peniel Josefs book The Sword and the Shield as well as Jonathan Eig's King: A Life. We also discuss current events associated with the topic, the harm on inaction, and how going to your leaders is the best way to enact real change. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are joined by our good friend Collin Ruffin to discuss Malcolm X, his teachings, his impact, and what he left behind. We go over readings from Peniel E. Josephs book The Sword and the Shield as well as The Autobiography of Malcolm X as well as going over multiple interviews, lectures, and tapings that are easily acceptable. We discuss how he would look at the world today, how he would view things like the NFL and current political discourse, and if he had a point in how he approached the topic of Black rights in America over MLK.  

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Stanley Kubricks film Full Metal Jacket that is his depiction of the Vietnam War, and what it takes to become a marine. We go over the balance of the movie, and how both parts have their pupose. We also talk about the huamnity people lose in war, and how important it is to have it stay intact. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we begin watching Ken Burns miniseries The Vietnam War. Incredibly indepth, as Ken Burns always delivers, we discuss episode 1, which goes over early Vietnam and their Japanese and French occupation, the French war, and the eventual inclusion of America unto the warfare. We also go over Ho Chi Minh and his incredible popularity, the OSS getting involved in the military, and how all of this feels all too familiar. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are covering Tim O'Briens novel The Things They Carried; A hisotrical fiction account of his time in the Vietnam War, and what is really important. He shows us what a real war story is, how connecting with others is needed in times such as war, and how simple innocence can be corrupted by war. Its an incredibly powerful book, and it shows the humanity on display, something that is always lacking when war is discussed. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Williams Friedkins 1977 box office failure Sorcerer and why it deserves a second look, and maybe a reevaluation. We go over the unfortunate movie it had to go up against at the box office, how this influenced all Top Gear specials, and how the scene on the bridge is a must see for anyone.

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the 1964 New York Worlds Fair, created by the infamous and controversial Robert Moses. We go over creation of the fair, its numerous controversies, Walt Disneys accomodations, and what this fair meant for the future and what Robert Moses didn't want to include. Needless to say, we do not like Robert Moses and it will be pretty clear. Walt Disney did have some pretty great ideas, but he unfortunately died in 1966 and never saw his plans to fruition.  

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the original Blockbuster Jaws from Steven Spielberg. We talk about how this movie revolutionized Hollywood, we discuss the camera work, the practical effects, the effective horror, and how this movie ruined the ocean for so many people, leading to Shark Week. We also discuss how Shark Week has lost the plot, and may need to be reminded why it exists in the first place.