Film Discussion Episodes

Clint Eastwood might be known for playing grizzled, hard-as-nails lawmen, but in our In the Line of Fire (1993) Review, he takes things in a different direction, just slightly. This week, the Born to Watch crew dives into this overlooked 90s political thriller that pits Eastwood’s aging Secret Service agent Frank Horrigan against one of cinema’s most memorable villains: John Malkovich as the terrifying Mitch Leary. Whitey, G-Man, and Will “The Worky” are in studio to unpack the deadly game of ca...

This week on Born to Watch , the team takes aim at one of Quentin Tarantino’s most audacious creations with their Inglourious Basterds (2009) Review . Set in Nazi-occupied France during World War II, Tarantino weaves together a brutal tale of revenge, propaganda, and pure cinematic spectacle. Brad Pitt leads the charge as Lieutenant Aldo Raine, a grizzled American soldier commanding a team of Jewish fighters with one simple mission, kill Nazis and collect their scalps. It’s a deliciously violent...

This week on Born to Watch , we dive into the horror landmark that changed the game: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) . Brutal, raw, and grimy in a way that still shocks today, this episode sees Whitey and Damo take on one of the most infamous cult classics ever made, with Morgz and Gow hilariously "noping out" after the first five minutes. Despite its terrifying reputation, the team quickly notes something surprising: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre isn't about gore, it's about dread. Director To...

With Anzac Day just around the corner, Born to Watch honours a defining moment in Australian cinema with our Gallipoli (1981) Movie Review . Directed by Peter Weir and starring a young, raw Mel Gibson alongside Mark Lee, this film is more than a war story, it’s a devastating portrait of friendship, sacrifice, and the tragic cost of blind patriotism. In this episode, Whitey and G-Man revisit the classic through a lens shaped by age, memory, and national identity. From the iconic opening scenes of...

Welcome back to Born to Watch , where this week the team tackles the endlessly rewatchable, criminally underappreciated Edge of Tomorrow (2014). Strap in as Whitey, Damo, and Dan on the Land gear up for a sci-fi action loop fest featuring Tom Cruise in one of his most against-type roles, Emily Blunt as a full-metal badass, and a time-travel plot that actually sticks the landing. Enjoy our Edge of Tomorrow (2014) Review! The boys jump right into the paradox-riddled battlefield, first marveling at...

This week, the team takes on one of the biggest cinematic phenomena of the early '90s: The Bodyguard (1992) . A film that smashed box office records, made slow dancing cool again, and somehow convinced us that a love story between a moody security expert and a petulant pop diva was cinema gold. On paper, this had it all: the biggest male movie star in the world, Kevin Costner and the most powerful voice on the planet, Whitney Houston, in her film debut. But does that combo equal instant classic,...

In this emotionally charged episode of Born to Watch , the team marches into the searing heat and moral quagmire of Oliver Stone’s Platoon (1986), a film that’s arguably the definitive Vietnam War movie of its era. Whitey, G-Man, and the V8 Interrupter Dan revisit the battlefield with a mix of reverence, nostalgia, and hard truths, dissecting the film’s impact, legacy, and the deep emotional chord it struck back in the day—and still does today. Kicking off with stories of their first encounters ...

In this week’s episode of Born to Watch , the team dives deep into Escape from New York (1981), John Carpenter’s gritty, neon-lit vision of a crime-ridden future. With Kurt Russell cementing his status as an ‘80s action legend, this film delivers an unforgettable mix of tension, synth-driven suspense, and one of cinema’s most iconic antiheroes. It blends action, science fiction, and a bleak, dystopian aesthetic to create a story that has stood the test of time. The crime rate has skyrocketed, ch...

Welcome back to Born to Watch , the movie podcast where we dive deep into the films that define genres, push boundaries, and leave audiences speechless. This week, we’re tackling one of the greatest action films of the modern era with our Mad Max Fury Road (2015) Movie Review . When George Miller resurrected the Mad Max franchise in 2015, nobody expected just how monumental Fury Road would become. A two-hour adrenaline rush packed with death-defying stunts, high-speed chases, and jaw-dropping pr...

1999 is often hailed as one of the greatest years in cinema history, and in this episode of Born to Watch , we’re diving deep into one of its most iconic and controversial films with our Fight Club (1999) Movie Review . David Fincher’s mind-bending psychological thriller took audiences on a chaotic ride through identity, masculinity, and anti-consumerist rebellion. With unforgettable performances from Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, and Helena Bonham Carter, Fight Club became a cult phenomenon—despite...

We’re strapping in for a wild ride to Mars this week on Born to Watch with our 1990 sci-fi blockbuster Total Recall (1990) Review. Whitey, Gow, Damo, and Dan are back in full force for the first time in 2025 to dive into Arnold Schwarzenegger's mind-bending journey through memory wipes, mutant revolutions, and three-breasted surprises. This is peak Arnie, folks—at the top of both the box office and his biceps game. We break down the epic mind games cooked up by Paul Verhoeven, whose signature bl...

When it comes to the greatest films of all time, few are as universally beloved as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial . In this E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial Review , Whitey and Gow take a deep dive into Spielberg’s sci-fi classic, joined by a special guest to tackle “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” in true Born to Watch style. Whether it’s your first time experiencing this heartwarming tale or a nostalgic revisit, this episode breaks down why this film has cemented itself as one of the greatest family mo...

In this week’s episode of Born to Watch , Whitey and Damo tackle one of the most polarising blockbusters in cinematic history— Star Wars: The Last Jedi . You’ve heard it before: The Last Jedi either reignited the saga with bold creativity or sent it careening off a cliff into a galaxy far, far away from anything recognisable. For Whitey and Damo, it’s the latter, and they aren’t afraid to say it. If you’re tuning in for a spirited debate, prepare for a critical breakdown of what went wrong in th...

Hey there, fellow watchers! It’s your host Whitey, flying solo once again for this special edition of Born to Watch . After last week’s popular solo mailbox episode, he’s back on the mic, diving deep into the year that was 2024—a year that, in Whitey’s words, wasn’t exactly Hollywood’s finest. With a trusty mix of humour, honesty, and more than a few nostalgic callbacks to the glory days of video shops, Whitey gives us his take on the Good , the Bad , and the downright Ugly movies of 2024. This ...

As 2024 comes to a close, Born to Watch wraps up the year with a special solo episode featuring Whitey at the helm! In this relaxed and festive instalment, Whitey's Mailbag tackles three of the most intriguing questions sent in by fans. It’s the perfect mix of holiday cheer, movie talk, and podcast nostalgia—a must-listen for longtime followers and new listeners alike. 🎄 Holiday Watchlist Recommendations: Looking to keep your spirits bright through the festive season? Whitey delivers his go-to l...

In this Blood Diamond (2006) Movie Review , we explore Edward Zwick’s gripping drama that shines a stark light on the human cost of the diamond trade. Set against the backdrop of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war, the film weaves an intense story of survival, greed, and redemption through the intertwined lives of a smuggler, a fisherman, and a journalist. With unforgettable performances by Leonardo DiCaprio, Djimon Hounsou, and Jennifer Connelly, Blood Diamond is a heart-pounding thriller that for...

In the late 1980s, few movies encapsulated the aspirational vibe of the era quite like Cocktail . Released in 1988, this romantic drama, directed by Roger Donaldson and starring a magnetic Tom Cruise, is a cocktail of ambition, love, and the search for identity. For this week’s episode of Born to Watch , we’re deep-diving into this cult classic. In this Cocktail (1988) Movie Review , we’ll explore the film’s signature style, performances, and its lasting impact on pop culture. The Story of Brian...

Buckle up for this comprehensive Braveheart (1995) Movie Review - a journey into the heart of one of Hollywood’s most iconic films. Few films, like Braveheart, have managed to carve a lasting legacy in cinematic and cultural history. Released in 1995, this historical epic directed by and starring Mel Gibson became an instant classic, captivating audiences with its sweeping storytelling, larger-than-life battles, and deeply emotional core. For this week’s episode of Born to Watch , we’re diving h...

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000) wasn’t just a movie—it was an event, a cultural phenomenon that revived the sword-and-sandal epic for a modern audience. In this week’s Born to Watch podcast episode, we take a deep dive with our Gladiator (2000) Movie Review, a timeless classic that set the bar for historical dramas, earning critical acclaim and five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. With stunning visuals, a poignant score, and unforgettable performances, Gladiator remains one of cinema’s g...

Few films define absurdist comedy, as well as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004). Directed by Adam McKay and starring Will Ferrell as the legendary, moustachioed newscaster Ron Burgundy, Anchorman carved a bold path through comedy with an all-star cast, offbeat humour, and unforgettable quotes that have lingered in pop culture. In this Anchorman (2004) Movie Review , we’re diving deep into what makes this cult classic not just a film but an icon of comedy—and one of the most quotable m...

In the world of British crime cinema, few films capture the frenetic energy and dark humour of the underworld quite like Snatch (2000). Directed by Guy Ritchie, Snatch is a heist film on steroids, merging British grit with slapstick absurdity and a labyrinthine plot filled with double-crosses stolen diamonds, and unlikely heroes. For our latest Born to Watch podcast episode, we dive into what makes Snatch such a stand-out in the crime genre and why its impact remains strong 20 years after its re...

Joker: Folie à Deux is a follow-up that takes the foundations of 2019’s Joker and, quite frankly, leaves them in the dust. Directed once again by Todd Phillips, this sequel trades in the raw, grounded intensity of the first film for a flashy, surreal spectacle that feels jarringly out of place. Where Joker delivered a chilling psychological portrait of Arthur Fleck’s descent into madness, Folie à Deux seems content with superficial theatrics and stylistic excess, abandoning the careful character...

If ever there was a film that brings true terror out of something as every day as fan meeting their idol, Stephen King’s Misery (1990) is that film. Directed by Rob Reiner and based on the bestselling novel by Stephen King, Misery tells a haunting story that swaps out supernatural threats for the all-too-real horror of human obsession. Released at the dawn of the '90s and now over 30 years old, Misery remains one of the most potent psychological horror films of our time. It is a perfect Hallowee...

When we look back at late-90s cinema, few films hit the nerve of an era quite like Enemy of the State (1998). Directed by Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the film was released when the internet was still in its infancy, and the public’s understanding of digital surveillance was minimal at best. Fast-forward to today and Enemy of the State feels less like a cautionary tale and more like a prediction of the modern world. Starring Will Smith in one of his first dramatic leading roles ...