Nostalgia Trip Episodes

The Poltergeist 1982 Review is here, and this one sits right in that sweet spot of childhood nostalgia and genuine horror. Back in the day, this was the movie that introduced a lot of us to scary films, not full nightmare fuel, but just enough to mess with your head when the lights went out, and the TV started crackling. This week, Whitey, Damo, and special guest Bones dive into one of the most iconic supernatural films of the 80s, and the big question is simple: Does Poltergeist still hold u...

What happens when you try to rank the Best Movies of This Century, one year at a time, with no safety net, no do-overs, and your family sitting right beside you? You get chaos, passion, nostalgia, and one of the most honest movie conversations we've ever recorded on Born to Watch. In this special episode, Matt is joined by two very special guests, his wife, Meagan, and his daughter, Bel, as they attempt the impossible task of selecting the single best movie from every year between 2000 and 20...

There are movies you enjoy, movies you love, and then there are Life Changing Movies, the ones that hit you at the exact right moment and quietly shape how you see the world. In this special Born to Watch episode, Whitey and Gow sit down on the couch for a rare daytime recording to unpack the films that genuinely changed them, not just as movie fans, but as people. Originally planned as a solo episode, Whitey quickly realised this topic needed conversation, reflection, and a bit of friendly b...

Strap in and charge up the Mr Fusion, because this week on Born To Watch, the boys head back, forward and sideways through time with our full Back to the Future 2 (1989) Review. Whitey, G Man and Will settle into the DeLorean for one of the most ambitious sequels of the 1980s, breaking down timelines, hoverboards, self-lacing Nikes and all the glorious 80s optimism jammed into Robert Zemeckis' wild ride. The episode kicks off with the crew riffing on 1989 as a powerhouse movie year, then quic...

What do you get when you combine corrupt cops, a silent Chuck Norris, a robot tank named the Prowler, and one of the most confusingly gritty films of the '80s? You get Code of Silence (1985) and you get this week's episode of Born to Watch. Our first (and possibly last) Chuck Norris movie, this Code Of Silence (1985) Review was one of our hardest yet. Originally meant to be a deep dive into the snow-covered world of Fargo, the team made a bold mid-week pivot. Why? Although the Coen Brothers’ ...

In this special edition of Born to Watch, the team dives back into the deep blue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg's iconic 1975 thriller, Jaws. But this isn't just a rewatch, it’s a cinematic pilgrimage. Hosts Whitey and Dan welcome special guest Paul Glasby to revisit the film not just in spirit, but in spectacle, attending a screening at Hoyts Tweed City, experiencing this Jaws 50th Anniversary Review on the big screen with recliners, giant Pepsi Maxes, and a crew of unsus...

Before Call of Duty, before The Hunger Games, and long before kids with rifles were standard streaming fare, there was Red Dawn, a film where teenagers in Colorado picked up hunting rifles, hid in the woods, and waged war on the Soviet-Cuban invasion of suburban America. In 1984, World War III didn't start with a bang. It began with a history teacher getting machine-gunned through a classroom window. Wolverines, assemble. This Red Dawn 1984 Review is gunna be epic! This week on Born to Watch, t...

This week on Born to Watch, we lace up our Asics, slap on a second singlet, and head to the sun-soaked courts of Venice Beach as we rewind to 1992 with our White Men Can't Jump Review, a film that might be the most gloriously nineties thing we've ever reviewed. From hypercolor hats to bike shorts over trackies, this movie is a time capsule of an era when trash talk was an art form and hustling was a full-time job. Whitey and G Man go deep on this cult classic, remembering their own basketball g...

In a galaxy not so far from nostalgia, the Born to Watch crew rounds out the trilogy that changed cinema forever with our Return of the Jedi (1983) Review. It’s May the Fourth, and there’s no better time to jump back into the world of Ewoks, green lightsabers, and the worst security system in the galaxy. This week, Whitey, G-Man, and Damo dissect the final chapter of the original Star Wars trilogy, the movie that gave us a fully-formed Jedi Luke, Jabba the Hutt in all his slobbery glory, and Le...

In this episode of Born to Watch, we take a wild ride back to 1985 for a Weird Science (1985) Review, where two geeky teens somehow manage to create the perfect woman with a little help from a computer, some questionable science, and a whole lot of 80s magic. But does this John Hughes cult classic still hold up today, or is it a relic best left in the past? Whitey, G Man, and Damo break it all down—the absurd plot, the unforgettable performances, and the film’s impact on pop culture. From Oingo...

In this week's Born to Watch episode, Matt and Damo dive into a quirky 80s classic that inspired guilty pleasure rewatches and dreams of window display romance: Mannequin (1987). Join the guys as they reminisce about how Kim Cattrall's Emmy and Andrew McCarthy's Jonathan brought a spark of movie magic into their lives. From Matt's pre-teen obsession with Kim Cattrall to Damo’s confusion over the movie’s inexplicable ancient Egyptian backstory, no stone is left unturned in this Mannequin (1987) M...

Few films define holiday nostalgia as perfectly as Home Alone. In this Home Alone (1990) Movie Review, we revisit the timeless story of Kevin McCallister, the mischievous yet resourceful eight-year-old who accidentally gets left behind during the Christmas holidays. Directed by Chris Columbus and written by the legendary John Hughes, Home Alone continues to hold a unique place in cinematic history as a family comedy that delivers heart, laughs, and the unmistakable magic of the holiday season. O...

Hey there, Fellow Watchers! This week on Born to Watch, we dive deep into one of the most whimsical, enchanting, and downright bizarre films of the 1970s, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. This technicolour dreamscape of a movie, adapted from Roald Dahl's beloved 1964 children's novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, is a kaleidoscopic journey that weaves together childlike wonder, satirical wit, and a dash of dark humour. But for those who've seen it, it’s much more than just a kids’ mov...

When it comes to classic films that have left an indelible mark on pop culture, few stand out as vividly as The Princess Bride (1987). Directed by Rob Reiner and adapted from William Goldman’s novel of the same name, this film is a rare gem that effortlessly blends adventure, romance, and comedy into a story that continues to captivate audiences across generations. In the latest episode of Born to Watch, Whitey and Damo are joined by our great American mates from the Middle Aged Movie Podcast to...

Hey there, fellow Watchers! Welcome back to another episode of the Born to Watch Podcast. This week, we took a trip down memory lane with the 1988 action flick "Above the Law," which many of us remember fondly from our teenage years. However, revisiting it now, we found that it didn't quite hold up as well as we expected. Let’s dive into why this Steven Seagal debut might be better left in the past. "Above the Law" was directed by Andrew Davis, who later found success with films like "The Fugit...

In the spirit of Christmas we thought we would re release our Xmas episode from 2022 - Love Actually (2003). The whole team where on board for this one and it could have been the episode that sealed the deal for Damo. Merry Xmas from the team at Born to Watch, we hope you have a great New Year "Love Actually," directed by Richard Curtis, is a romantic comedy that has become a staple in the genre, especially during the holiday season. Released in 2003, the film weaves together a tapestry of stor...

"The Breakfast Club," directed by John Hughes, is a seminal film of the 1980s that has transcended its era to become a timeless classic. This 1985 masterpiece delves into the lives of five high school students who, on the surface, embody the quintessential teenage stereotypes: the Brain (Anthony Michael Hall as Brian), the Athlete (Emilio Estevez as Andrew), the Basket Case (Ally Sheedy as Allison), the Princess (Molly Ringwald as Claire), and the Criminal (Judd Nelson as Bender). These characte...

"North Shore," released in 1987, is a film that encapsulates the essence of surfing culture and the timeless quest for belonging and self-discovery. Set against the stunning backdrop of Hawaii's legendary North Shore, the movie follows the journey of Rick Kane (played by Matt Adler), a young surfer from Arizona, as he navigates the challenging waves and complex social dynamics of the surfing world. The film opens in the arid deserts of Arizona, a stark contrast to the lush landscapes of Hawaii....

"National Lampoon's Vacation," released in 1983, is a classic American road comedy film that has stood the test of time. Directed by Harold Ramis and written by John Hughes, based on his own short story, the film presents a hilariously exaggerated portrayal of a family road trip that turns into a series of misadventures. It stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a well-intentioned but bumbling father who is determined to take his family on a cross-country trip to the fictional amusement park, Wall...

The Last Starfighter (1984) Whitey and Gow, and are back with another deep dive into a classic, and today we're joined by none other than Will the Plumber – our long-time fan and guest host for this episode. In the heart of the 1980s, a time when arcades reigned supreme and science fiction cinema was shaping itself into a formidable genre, Nick Castle's "The Last Starfighter" made its debut. A lesser-known gem compared to its contemporaries, the film crafts a narrative that is as old as story...

In 1988, Eddie Murphy and director John Landis combined forces to create "Coming to America," a romantic comedy that went on to become an emblematic staple of 80s cinema. On the surface, it's a story about a prince from a fictional African country who travels to America in search of true love. But as we delve deeper, it reveals a myriad of layers that blend humour, cultural commentary, and romance in a unique blend that stands the test of time. The movie embarks on the journey of Prince Akeem o...

In the annals of cinema history, certain films stand out as timeless classics, and "The Karate Kid" (1984) is undeniably one of them. Directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso and Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, this iconic coming-of-age film has left an indelible mark on generations of moviegoers. With its compelling characters, powerful life lessons, and memorable martial arts sequences, "The Karate Kid" has earned its place as a beloved and enduring piece of American...

Dirty Dancing (1987) is the Born to Watch attempt at getting out of our comfort zone, well for two of us. We will let you decide which team member isn't going to put Baby in a corner. It's rare for a film to capture the essence of a generation, to become a cultural touchstone that transcends time and speaks to audiences across generations. "Dirty Dancing," directed by Emile Ardolino and released in 1987, is one such cinematic gem that has managed to do just that. With its infectious energy, hea...

GREASE (1978) - was a pop culture musical phenomenon that took the world by storm and become a right of passage for any child in the 80s and beyond. The Born to Watch team tackles this classic and hand jive all the way to Graduation. Released over four decades ago, "Grease" (1978) remains an iconic and beloved musical that continues to captivate audiences of all ages with its infectious energy, memorable tunes, and timeless themes. Directed by Randal Kleiser and based on the 1971 musical of the...