Born To Watch - A Movie Podcast

Matthew White
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Join four old mates on a cinematic journey like no other in the "Born to Watch Movie Podcast" the podcast where movies aren't just watched, they're experienced. Each week, dive into the films that reshaped their lives and, perhaps, even the world. With many thousands of hours of movie-watching under their belts, these friends bring a unique, seasoned perspective where they don't take themselves or the movies too seriously.

  1. 5d ago

    The Untouchables (1987)

    This week on Born to Watch, we head into Prohibition-era Chicago for The Untouchables 1987 Review, revisiting Brian De Palma's stylish gangster classic starring Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, Robert De Niro and Andy Garcia. It's cops, Capone, Tommy guns, questionable accents, immaculate suits and enough testosterone to make this one of the great 1980s sausage fests. More importantly, this special episode is dedicated to our great mate Chupperz, who requested the film. Chupperz, this one is for you. Released in 1987, The Untouchables takes us into the battle between federal agent Eliot Ness and Chicago crime boss Al Capone. Kevin Costner plays Ness as the ultimate straight-laced good guy, determined to bring Capone down legally, at least until Chicago starts teaching him that playing by the rules might not be enough. Enter Sean Connery as Jimmy Malone.Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the role, and the boys spend plenty of time discussing whether he is also the real star of the movie. Malone brings the experience, attitude, and gravitas Ness needs, along with one of the best approaches to law enforcement ever put on screen. If they pull a knife, you might want to start thinking about bringing something slightly more substantial. Then there's Andy Garcia as George Stone, young, ridiculously cool, deadly accurate and sporting enough back hair to qualify as an additional cast member. Garcia doesn't need many lines to make an impression. He simply turns up, looks cool and shoots people with an accuracy that would make most action heroes jealous. And then we get Bobby De Niro. Robert De Niro goes full method as Al Capone, putting on the weight and delivering a wonderfully smug, intimidating performance. The problem? Whitey wants more of him. A lot more. The discussion turns to whether The Untouchables missed an opportunity by keeping Capone relatively limited, instead of giving De Niro more screen time and letting the film explore both sides of the battle. There's also plenty of love for Brian De Palma's direction. This movie is packed with memorable filmmaking, from brutal moments of violence to beautifully constructed suspense. The famous Union Station sequence remains the standout, slowly tightening the tension before everything explodes. Even if the boys have a few questions about that pram, the woman carrying it, the strangely busy midnight railway station and why nobody thought to give her a hand. The episode also digs into Ennio Morricone's brilliant score, one of the elements that immediately gives The Untouchables its identity. The music is bold, instantly recognisable and a massive part of why the movie still feels so cinematic decades later. Of course, this is Born to Watch, so respectful film analysis only lasts so long. The boys question continuity problems, Sean Connery's Scottish take on an Irish accent, Frank Nitti's questionable escape plan, Capone's all-in-one grooming experience, Costner's white-knight energy, and whether a piece of paper listing bribed jurors would really be enough to send a courtroom completely sideways. There's also the usual trip through The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Snorbs Report, Film School for F-Wits, quotables, trivia and the random tangents that somehow turn a discussion about a Brian De Palma gangster movie into conversations that have absolutely no right being there. But beneath all the piss-taking is genuine appreciation for a movie that still looks fantastic. The costumes, locations, production design and old-school filmmaking give The Untouchables a scale and atmosphere that remains impressive nearly four decades later. Is Costner charismatic enough to carry it? Is Connery actually the MVP? Should De Niro have been given far more screen time? Is the Union Station shootout still one of the great action sequences of the 1980s? And most importantly, where does The Untouchables eventually land in the sacred halls of the Born to Watch Rank Bank? You’ll have to listen to find out. JOIN THE CONVERSATION Think The Untouchables is an untouchable 1980s classic? Let us know your favourite scene, character and quote.  And if you've got a movie you think deserves the full Born to Watch treatment, send it our way. Just remember, as Chupperz discovered, getting your movie selected also means giving the boys permission to absolutely tear it apart. Born to Watch, the Movie Review Podcast where we don't take the movies, or ourselves, too seriously. #TheUntouchables #TheUntouchables1987 #BornToWatch #MovieReviewPodcast #KevinCostner #SeanConnery #RobertDeNiro #AndyGarcia #BrianDePalma #80sMovies

  2. Sep 1

    Fright Night (1985)

    This week on Born to Watch, we sink our teeth into a Fright Night 1985 Review, revisiting one of the most recognisable vampire movies of the VHS era. For Whitey, this one comes loaded with childhood nostalgia, a movie discovered through an unforgettable video shop cover and watched countless times growing up. For Gow and Damo, however, this is essentially fresh blood. So, after more than 40 years, does Fright Night still deliver the perfect combination of horror, comedy and '80s vampire cool, or should some childhood favourites remain safely buried in the past? Directed by Tom Holland, Fright Night stars William Ragsdale as Charlie Brewster, a teenager who discovers that his charming new neighbour, Jerry Dandrige, is actually a vampire. Naturally, nobody believes him. Not his mum, not his girlfriend Amy, not the police, and certainly not washed-up television horror host Peter Vincent. Unfortunately for Charlie, Jerry knows that Charlie knows, and things are about to get considerably more complicated. The boys start with the nostalgia factor, and this might be one of the biggest tests yet of whether childhood memories can survive a modern rewatch. Whitey remembers Fright Night as the ideal gateway horror movie, scary enough for a young teenager but funny and accessible enough to keep bringing him back. Gow and Damo don't have that emotional safety net, so they judge the film in the cold, unforgiving light of 2026. That difference produces exactly the sort of Born to Watch discussion you'd expect. Chris Sarandon's Jerry Dandrige gets plenty of attention. Smooth, ridiculously confident and rocking some magnificent '80s wardrobe choices, Jerry might be the strongest thing the movie has going for it. The nightclub sequence gets examined, the seductive vampire powers are discussed, and Whitey can't help noticing some serious Michael Douglas vibes years before Basic Instinct arrived. Then there's Roddy McDowall as Peter Vincent, the former movie vampire killer who discovers that dealing with the real thing is considerably different from acting in front of a camera. The boys look back at McDowall's incredible career, from Planet of the Apes to his decades of film and television work, while deciding just how much Peter Vincent adds to Fright Night. But we need to talk about Evil Ed. Oh dear. Stephen Geoffreys' performance becomes one of the episode's biggest talking points, and not necessarily for the reasons the filmmakers hoped. Is Evil Ed deliberately annoying? Is he supposed to be funny? Is he operating in a completely different movie from everybody else? And most importantly, just how high can the Born to Watch annoyance scale actually go? The boys also dive into Amanda Bearse as Amy, William Ragsdale's Charlie, Charlie's questionable decision-making, Jerry's supernatural seduction abilities and the wonderfully bizarre logic that comes with trying to convince the police that the bloke next door is a vampire. There is plenty to admire visually. The practical effects still provide some of Fright Night's strongest moments, particularly as the film heads towards its creature-heavy finale. Melting faces, transformations, wolves, vampires, mist-covered houses, and gloriously physical '80s effects all remind us why this era of horror still has such a passionate following. Naturally, being Born to Watch, the conversation doesn't remain focused on vampires for very long. The boys wander through the movies of 1985, revisit the glory days of video shops, discuss horror films as a childhood rite of passage, remember a time when Australian television had only a handful of channels, somehow find their way into Married... with Children, debate vampire rules and take several conversational detours that absolutely nobody planned. There's also the usual critical analysis, questionable observations, movie trivia, overs and unders, the trailer breakdown, the Good, the Bad and the Ugly, and enough inappropriate vampire discussion to ensure Bram Stoker is spinning violently in his grave. The biggest question, though, remains simple. Can nostalgia save Fright Night? For one member of the Born to Watch crew, this was once a genuine childhood favourite. Decades later, surrounded by two first-time viewers and forced to examine every strange performance, plot decision and ageing effect, those memories are about to face their toughest test yet. Grab the garlic, check the mirrors, lock the bedroom window and whatever you do, don't invite the new neighbour inside. It's time for Fright Night on Born to Watch. Born to Watch, the movie review podcast where we don't take the movies, or ourselves, too seriously. #FrightNight #FrightNight1985 #FrightNightReview #BornToWatch #MovieReviewPodcast #80sMovies #80sHorror #VampireMovies #HorrorMovies #CultMovies

  3. Aug 25

    Rambo III (1988)

    If a movie was ever made for the Born to Watch treatment, this is it. In our Rambo III 1988 Review, Whitey is joined by two certified ’80s action tragics, Bones and DJ Glazby, to revisit Sylvester Stallone at his biggest, most shredded and possibly most ridiculous. The Russians are back, Colonel Trautman needs rescuing, Afghanistan is the battlefield, and John J. Rambo is about to discover that retirement is apparently not an option. For Whitey, Rambo isn’t simply another action franchise. John J. Rambo has basically been part of his movie-watching life forever, and Rambo III was the first instalment he saw on the big screen. Bones and Glaz have similar credentials, with all three admitting they’ve probably watched these movies more than 100 times. That level of unhealthy familiarity can only mean one thing: two hours of remembering lines, picking apart scenes and asking questions nobody involved in the production ever expected anyone to ask. Released in 1988, Rambo III takes everything from the previous film and turns the dial past eleven. Bigger budget. Bigger explosions. Bigger weapons. Bigger muscles. Bigger hair. Stallone is in absolutely outrageous condition, sporting a physique that sends the boys down several completely unnecessary conversational rabbit holes. The story begins with Rambo attempting to live a peaceful life in Thailand before Colonel Trautman arrives asking for help with a mission into Afghanistan. Rambo declines, Trautman heads off without him and promptly gets himself captured. Naturally, Rambo changes his mind and goes after his old mate. Simple. What follows is peak late-’80s action excess. The boys dive into Rambo's magnificent opening stick fight, that red headband, the suspiciously dangerous spectator arrangements and the logistical nightmare of figuring out who exactly everyone is betting on. There are questions about the ridiculous staircase Trautman climbs to find Rambo, Rambo’s magnificent 1988 hair and whether Colonel Trautman might be one of the oldest soldiers ever voluntarily sent behind enemy lines. Then there’s Stallone himself. Rambo talks considerably more this time around, although nobody is going to mistake him for Shakespeare, and the boys discuss whether Sly knew exactly what sort of movie he was making or genuinely believed there was something much more profound buried underneath all those explosions. One thing everyone can agree on is that the practical action still looks fantastic.Real explosions, squibs, stunt work, enormous military hardware and physical effects give Rambo III a weight that many modern CGI-heavy action movies struggle to recreate. The cave sequence in particular gets plenty of love, with Whitey arguing that Rambo hunting enemies through the darkness is exactly where the character is at his best. Even the sound of Rambo firing an arrow gets nominated as one of cinema’s great instantly recognisable noises. There's also plenty of behind-the-scenes madness. The film carried an enormous budget for its time, went through a director change early in production and ultimately became one of the biggest action productions of its era. Somehow, the Razzies still came calling, something the boys have very strong opinions about. Because this is Born to Watch, Rambo III also leads us into the wider Rambo universe. The boys attempt to rank the entire franchise, debate First Blood versus the increasingly outrageous sequels, revisit Rambo II and discuss where Rambo III belongs among Stallone’s greatest action achievements. And then comes the most important question. Does Rambo III still work? It’s too long. It’s incredibly stupid in places. Its politics have aged in fascinating ways. Colonel Trautman may be surprisingly useless. But when Stallone picks up the bow, the explosions start, and that glorious Jerry Goldsmith score kicks into gear, none of that seems to matter quite as much. This is Born to Watch, The Movie Review Podcast where we don’t take the movies, or ourselves, too seriously. Strap yourself in, tighten the headband and prepare for peak Stallone. Rambo III is back. #RamboIII #Rambo #SylvesterStallone #80sMovies #80sAction #ActionMovies #MovieReview #BornToWatch #MoviePodcast #Stallone

  4. Aug 18

    Get Shorty (1995)

    The boys are heading back to the decade of slick crime flicks, sharp dialogue and Hollywood cool for our Get Shorty 1995 Movie Review. This is peak John Travolta, riding the post-Pulp Fiction wave; Gene Hackman is doing comedy without really doing comedy, and Dennis Farina has arrived to swear at practically everyone in Los Angeles. Welcome back to Born to Watch, the Movie Review Podcast where we don't take the movies or ourselves too seriously. This week Whitey and Gow are joined by a returning Dan, who has finally wandered back into the studio after his extended sabbatical. It doesn't take long before old stories, old insults and the questionable exploits of 1990s G start flying around the room. But eventually, somehow, we get to Get Shorty. Adapted from the Elmore Leonard novel and directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, Get Shorty drops loan shark Chili Palmer into Hollywood and quickly discovers that the movie business might be even more crooked than organised crime. Chili comes to Los Angeles chasing money and ends up chasing something completely different, a shot at the movies. And nobody could play Chili Palmer quite like John Travolta. The boys dig into Travolta's incredible mid-'90s resurgence and why Chili might be one of his coolest performances. This isn't the dialled-up Travolta of Face/Off or the villainous version from Broken Arrow. Chili is controlled, confident, charismatic and almost impossible to rattle. As Whitey puts it, he's basically Vincent Vega without the heroin problem. Then there's Gene Hackman as B-movie producer Harry Zimm. Hackman was apparently reluctant to play comedy, which makes his performance even better. He plays Harry almost completely straight while chaos unfolds around him, and the result is bloody funny. Rene Russo brings Karen Flores to life, Danny DeVito sends up the Hollywood superstar as Martin Weir, Delroy Lindo is outstanding as Bo Catlett, and a pre-Sopranos James Gandolfini turns up as Bear. But then there's Dennis Farina. Farina's Ray "Bones" Barboni has no interest in becoming a producer, landing a movie deal or joining Hollywood's endless b******t machine. He wants his money. That's it. His delivery, aggression, and complete inability to understand why everyone else is suddenly obsessed with making movies produce some of the episode's biggest laughs. By the time the boys get to Star of the Show, Farina is very much in the conversation. The real star, however, might be the dialogue. The boys talk about how Get Shorty captures Elmore Leonard's distinctive rhythm, humour and effortless conversations. Whitey remembers absolutely hammering this movie after first seeing it at Hoyts with the boys, watching it repeatedly on VHS because he loved the back-and-forth between the characters. That leads perfectly into Film School for F-Wits, where Dan dives into Elmore Leonard. Get Shorty was Leonard's favourite adaptation of his work, and the boys explore the run that also gave us Jackie Brown and Out of Sight. Dan also breaks down Leonard's famous approach to writing, including natural dialogue, avoiding unnecessary exposition and one beautifully simple philosophy: if your writing sounds like writing, rewrite it. There's also plenty buried in Listen to This, including the actors considered for Chili Palmer, Danny DeVito originally being lined up for the role, James Gandolfini's performance attracting the attention of David Chase, Tarantino's connection to the project and Travolta's determination to protect Leonard's dialogue. Add The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, 1995 movie memories, Quickfire, quotables and the G-Man's wonderfully ridiculous Born to Get Shorty Kick Arse Credit Song, and we've got ourselves another proper Born to Watch outing. Is Get Shorty still one of the smartest crime comedies of the '90s? Does Travolta's Chili Palmer remain one of cinema's coolest operators? And can Dennis Farina steal an entire movie simply by being Dennis Farina? There's only one way to find out. Join Whitey, Gow and Dan as Born to Watch heads to Hollywood, where everybody wants to be in the movie business, even the gangsters. #GetShorty #GetShortyMovie #JohnTravolta #GeneHackman #DennisFarina #ElmoreLeonard #90sMovies #MovieReview #MoviePodcast #BornToWatch

  5. Aug 11

    The Warriors (1979)

    The Warriors 1979 Review is finally here, and this week on Born to Watch, Whitey, Gow and Damo are heading deep into enemy territory for a movie they've been circling since the early days of the podcast. Walter Hill's 1979 cult classic has leather vests, painted faces, subway trains, some of the strangest gangs ever assembled and one very simple objective: get back to Coney Island alive. The Movie Review Podcast, where we don't take the movies or ourselves too seriously, is about to find out if The Warriors can still come out to play. For the boys, this isn't just another movie review. The Warriors carries some serious childhood baggage. This was one of those movies you heard about before you actually saw it. The video shop cover caught your eye; older kids talked about it, and somehow the movie's reputation became almost as important as the movie itself. Whitey remembers hammering it during his teenage years, while Damo recalls hiring it on VHS and watching the bloody thing twice back-to-back. That's the sort of nostalgia we're dealing with here. The setup remains magnificent. Cyrus has a dream. Get every gang in New York together, stop fighting each other and realise they collectively outnumber the cops. CAN YOU DIG IT? Unfortunately, Luther can't. Cyrus goes down, The Warriors get blamed, and suddenly a crew from Coney Island is stranded in the Bronx with every gang in New York looking to collect. What follows is essentially one long journey home through a New York City that feels like it exists in another universe. Whitey, Gow and Damo get stuck into Walter Hill's world-building and the collection of gangs roaming the streets. The Turnbull ACs look genuinely terrifying. The Lizzies have guns but apparently attended the Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy. The Orphans desperately want someone to take them seriously. And then there are the Baseball Furies. Baseball uniforms. Painted faces. Baseball bats. It shouldn't work. It absolutely works. The boys also give plenty of love to Barry De Vorzon's brilliant score. From the opening moments, that pulsing soundtrack drags you straight into The Warriors' version of New York, and the music accompanying the Baseball Furies chase remains an absolute belter. Then there's the cast. Michael Beck brings the brooding as Swan, while James Remar is perfectly unhinged as Ajax, a bloke who seems about five seconds away from causing a problem in every scene he enters. But David Patrick Kelly's Luther may own the movie. Three bottles on his fingers. "Warriors... come out to play-ay." An improvised moment that became one of the most recognisable scenes in cult movie history. Of course, nostalgia only gets you so far on Born to Watch. The boys ask whether a film with such a notorious reputation is actually violent enough. They question the shooting ability of the Lizzies, the sheer amount of running required while wearing a leather vest with no shirt, and whether the final confrontation delivers the payoff the movie has been building towards. There's also plenty of Walter Hill appreciation, including his incredible run through movies like Southern Comfort, 48 Hrs., Streets of Fire, Red Heat and Last Man Standing. Where does The Warriors land? You'll have to listen. After more than four years and 226 episodes, the F-Wits have finally made it back to Coney Island. Grab your vest, paint your face, jump on the subway and come along for the ride. WARRIORS... COME OUT TO PLAY-AY! JOIN THE BORN TO WATCH CREW Love the show? Follow Born to Watch, leave us a five-star review and, most importantly, share the episode with another movie-loving F-Wit. Because podcasts don't grow on their own, people. Can you dig it? #TheWarriors #TheWarriors1979 #BornToWatch #MovieReviewPodcast #CultMovies #WalterHill #ClassicMovies #1970sMovies #BaseballFuries #CanYouDigIt

  6. Aug 4

    Crimson Tide (1995)

    This week on Born to Watch, we're diving deep beneath the surface for our Crimson Tide (1995) Review, revisiting Tony Scott's tense 1995 submarine thriller starring two absolute acting heavyweights, Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. It's a film packed with military drama, explosive confrontations, unforgettable performances, and enough pressure to make anyone glad they never enlisted in the Navy. Whitey and Damo return to the captain's chair to break down one of Tony Scott's most underrated films, a movie that proves you don't need endless explosions to create edge-of-your-seat tension. When a US nuclear submarine receives an incomplete launch order during an international crisis, Captain Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) and Executive Officer Ron Hunter (Denzel Washington) find themselves locked in a battle that could determine the fate of the entire world. At its heart, Crimson Tide isn't really about submarines or nuclear weapons. It's about leadership. Gene Hackman delivers one of the most intimidating performances of his legendary career as the old-school Captain Ramsey, a man who believes orders are meant to be followed without question. Opposite him is Denzel Washington, calm, measured, and incredibly composed as Hunter, the officer who believes thinking before acting might just save millions of lives. The chemistry between these two acting giants drives every scene. Every conversation feels like a heavyweight boxing match where neither man wants to blink first. Whitey and Damo debate whose side they'd be on, whether Ramsey is a fearless wartime leader or simply an egotistical loose cannon, and whether Hunter's calm approach would really survive under the pressure of nuclear war. Of course, this is Born to Watch, so things quickly drift into discussions about sweaty submarines, impossible flat-top haircuts, George Dzundza somehow fitting through submarine hatches, Tony Scott's signature directing style, Hans Zimmer's early military score, and why James Gandolfini was already becoming Hollywood's go-to bloke for playing absolute jerks before The Sopranos. The boys also revisit Tony Scott's incredible filmography, comparing him to brother Ridley Scott, while reminiscing about classics including Top Gun, True Romance, The Last Boy Scout, Enemy of the State, Man on Fire, Deja Vu and more. Is Tony Scott one of the greatest blockbuster directors of the 1990s? The debate certainly gets underway. As always, there's plenty of Born to Watch goodness along the way. Expect the IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes comparisons, the VHS synopsis, the 1995 Hit, Sleeper and Dud, plenty of movie trivia, questionable observations, and enough laughs to break the tension inside the USS Alabama. The discussion also shines a light on the incredible supporting cast. Viggo Mortensen appears long before becoming Aragorn, James Gandolfini is perfectly cast as another intimidating authority figure, while early performances from Ryan Phillippe and Steve Zahn provide plenty of "I forgot they were in this!" moments. The episode also explores whether Crimson Tide deserves its reputation as one of the greatest submarine films ever made. How does it compare to The Hunt for Red October? Is Gene Hackman's Captain Ramsey one of cinema's best military leaders or one of its most dangerous? Does Denzel Washington quietly deliver one of the finest performances of his career? If you love intense thrillers, powerhouse acting performances, Tony Scott's kinetic filmmaking style, or simply enjoy hearing four mates argue passionately about movies while constantly getting distracted by completely unrelated topics, this episode is for you. So grab your popcorn, secure the launch keys, and prepare to dive deep into one of the smartest action thrillers of the 1990s. Have you seen Crimson Tide? We'd love to know whose side you're on. Was Captain Ramsey right to follow orders without hesitation, or did Hunter make the only decision that could save humanity?  Join the conversation across all our social channels and let us know your thoughts. Don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and tell a movie-loving mate about Born to Watch. Your support helps us keep revisiting the films we all grew up with. #BornToWatch #CrimsonTide #CrimsonTide1995 #MovieReview #TonyScott #DenzelWashington #GeneHackman #90sMovies #FilmPodcast #MoviePodcast

  7. Jul 28

    Big Wednesday (1978)

    This week on Born to Watch, the boys dive into a true cult classic with our Big Wednesday Movie Review, the coming-of-age surfing epic that has inspired generations of surfers while leaving plenty of movie fans wondering what all the fuss is about. Directed by the legendary John Milius, Big Wednesday isn't just about riding waves; it's about growing up, friendships, the passing of time, and the harsh reality that life eventually catches up with everyone.  Whitey, G-Man and Damo paddle out into one of the most personal films ever covered on the podcast, and the discussion quickly reveals a massive divide. For G-Man, this is sacred territory, a film that captures everything he loves about surfing culture and the changing seasons of life. For Whitey, it's a movie full of unanswered questions that leaves him searching for meaning between the swells. Somewhere in the middle sits Damo, appreciating both the spectacular surfing sequences and the emotional weight hidden beneath the surface. The boys break down the journey of Matt, Jack and Leroy, three lifelong mates whose lives unfold across more than a decade as they chase waves, girls, parties, responsibility and eventually the mythical Big Wednesday itself. Is the famous swell simply a perfect wave, or is it a metaphor for life's biggest moments? G-Man comes armed with enough knowledge to teach a university course on the film, explaining the significance of each swell and how every chapter represents another stage of growing older. Along the way, the conversation drifts into everything that makes Born to Watch what it is. Whitey questions why nobody seems capable of explaining anything in 1970s cinema, Damo reminisces about recording surfing competitions onto VHS tapes before the internet existed, and G-Man somehow turns an episode about surfing into a passionate defence of Jan-Michael Vincent's career. Speaking of Jan-Michael Vincent, the boys explore what should have been one of Hollywood's biggest success stories. Blessed with movie star looks and undeniable charisma, Vincent seemed destined to become one of the industry's leading men before a series of personal struggles derailed his career. They also examine the careers of William Katt, Gary Busey, Lea Purcell and the incredible creative team behind the film, including legendary director John Milius and composer Basil Poledouris. As always, the regular segments are packed with laughs. The team looks back at 1978, discussing classics including The Deer Hunter, Grease, Superman, Animal House and Every Which Way But Loose. The Snorb's Report uncovers another unforgettable scene from Animal House, while Hit, Sleeper, Dud delivers recommendations ranging from Midnight Express and The Wild Geese through to the gloriously ridiculous disaster movie The Swarm. Of course, no Born to Watch episode would be complete without random tangents. There are discussions about beach culture, lending surfboards to complete strangers, teenage house parties, Bear's outrageous life choices, surfing legends, Airwolf, The Greatest American Hero, Star Wars auditions, Gary Busey's teeth, and whether anyone has ever actually met an old surfer who correctly predicted the mythical "Big Wednesday". Whether you grew up quoting Matt Johnson, dreamed of chasing perfect waves, or you've never understood surfing culture at all, this episode celebrates a film that means something different to everyone who watches it. Some see an unforgettable surfing movie. Others see one of the greatest coming-of-age stories ever made. Whitey still isn't entirely sure what he watched. So grab a beer, wax the board, paddle out with the boys, and join us as we revisit one of cinema's most beloved cult classics. The waves are building, the friendships are tested, and eventually, Big Wednesday arrives. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe, leave us a review, and share Born to Watch with your mates. Every new listener helps us keep celebrating the movies we all grew up loving, one classic at a time. #BornToWatch #BigWednesday #BigWednesdayMovieReview #MoviePodcast #SurfMovies #JohnMilius #CultClassic #FilmReview #MovieLovers #PodcastAustralia

  8. Jul 21

    Air Force One (1997)

    This week on Born to Watch, it's time for our Air Force One Movie Review, the movie review podcast where we don't take the movies or ourselves too seriously. Whitey, G-Man, and Will the Worky climb aboard one of the most patriotic action films ever made, as Harrison Ford swaps his whip and fedora for the Oval Office and proves that sometimes the President really can save the day. Released in 1997 and directed by Wolfgang Petersen, Air Force One became one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, delivering a simple but irresistible premise. Terrorists hijack the President's plane, take his family hostage and quickly discover they've picked a fight with a Commander-in-Chief who just happens to be a Medal of Honour recipient. The boys dive into whether this 90s action favourite still holds up almost three decades later, or whether nostalgia is doing most of the heavy lifting. Harrison Ford once again proves why he remains one of Hollywood's greatest accidental heroes. Whether he's Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Dr Richard Kimble or President James Marshall, Ford has a knack for making ordinary people believe they can survive extraordinary situations. The team discusses why his grounded style works so well and why he's able to elevate even the most over-the-top action movies. Of course, no discussion of Air Force One would be complete without Gary Oldman. His performance as terrorist Ivan Korshunov is as intense as ever, even if the boys question whether one of cinema's greatest actors deserved a stronger script. Along the way, they celebrate Oldman's incredible career, from Leon and True Romance through to The Dark Knight, Darkest Hour and beyond. As always, the movie quickly becomes secondary to the ridiculous questions that only Born to Watch can ask. Just how many parachutes does Air Force One actually carry?Why is everyone smiling after jumping out of a plane somewhere over Kazakhstan?Does a 1997 satellite phone really keep working at 20,000 feet?Why is there an endless supply of drinks hidden in the cargo hold?And how exactly does one MiG fighter somehow survive an entire squadron attack just so the movie can have one more action sequence?The crew also takes aim at some wonderfully cheesy taglines, debates whether this is one of cinema's greatest presidential action thrillers, and wonders if Australians will ever truly understand America's obsession with the presidency. Elsewhere, G-Man delivers another outstanding Ordinary People segment, covering Harrison Ford, Gary Oldman, Glenn Close and a cast full of "that guy" character actors you've seen in dozens of movies. There's also a look back at the massive year that was 1997, including Titanic, Men in Black, The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Good Will Hunting. Hit, Sleeper or Dud returns with another trio of recommendations, including Wesley Snipes' underrated Murder at 1600, the Spanish original that inspired Vanilla Sky, and one of the greatest movie titles ever discovered in the Dud category. As always, expect plenty of laughs, terrible impressions, completely unnecessary tangents, and more than a few moments where the logic of Hollywood action films is left hanging out the side of the aircraft. So buckle up, secure your tray table, prepare for decompression, and remember one thing... Get off my podcast! If you enjoy what we do, we'd love your support. Subscribe wherever you listen, leave us a five-star review, share the episode with your mates, and follow Born to Watch across social media. Every listen helps us keep celebrating the movies we all grew up with, one ridiculous review at a time. #AirForceOne #HarrisonFord #GaryOldman #WolfgangPetersen #MovieReview #BornToWatchPodcast #90sMovies #ActionMovies #FilmPodcast #GetOffMyPlane

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Join four old mates on a cinematic journey like no other in the "Born to Watch Movie Podcast" the podcast where movies aren't just watched, they're experienced. Each week, dive into the films that reshaped their lives and, perhaps, even the world. With many thousands of hours of movie-watching under their belts, these friends bring a unique, seasoned perspective where they don't take themselves or the movies too seriously.

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