Born To Watch - A Movie Podcast

80's Action movie Draft is here, and this week Born to Watch flips the script with something completely different… and completely unhinged.Instead of breaking down a single film, the boys jump into a full snake draft to build the ultimate lineup of 80s action movies. It sounds simple. It absolutely is not.Whitey, Dan, Bones and DJ Glaz enter the draft with a clear plan… which lasts about 30 seconds.The rules are straightforward. Every pick must be an action movie released between 1980 and 1989. The draft runs snake style, meaning the order flips every round. You get limited time to make your pick, justify it, and then immediately deal with the fallout from everyone else.And there is plenty of fallout.From the opening pick, it's clear this isn't just about building the best list. It's about blocking each other, ruining strategies, and making sure no one else gets the movie they really want.There are early shocks, questionable decisions, and a few moments where you can feel the panic set in as certain films start disappearing off the board quicker than expected.What makes this episode work is the mix of chaos and nostalgia.As each round unfolds, the boys dive into what made 80s action so iconic. This was the era of larger-than-life heroes, ridiculous plots, and one-liners that still get quoted today. These weren't just movies; they were part of growing up.There are stories about watching films on VHS, rewinding scenes over and over again, and seeing certain moments for the first time way earlier than probably appropriate. It's the kind of nostalgia that hits immediately if you grew up anywhere near this era.At the same time, the strategy element starts to creep in.Do you take the obvious pick early, or risk it sliding? Do you go sentimental, or try to build the strongest possible lineup? Do you play your own game, or just focus on destroying everyone else's?The answers change round by round.There are moments of pure satisfaction when a pick lands perfectly… and immediate regret when someone else snipes the next one. You can hear it in real time, the shift from confidence to panic as the board starts thinning out.And then there's the banter.This is Born to Watch at its absolute best. Constant interruptions, side stories that go nowhere, ridiculous comparisons, and the kind of insults that only come from years of watching movies together.The draft becomes less about the movies and more about the personalities behind the picks.By the halfway mark, things are properly heated.Lists are starting to take shape, but so are the arguments. Everyone is convinced they're building the best lineup, and no one is willing to admit they've made a bad pick.The tension builds as the rounds continue, with a few wildcard selections thrown in just to keep things unpredictable.By the end, the big question isn't just what movies were picked… It's who actually won.Is it the person with the strongest overall list? The smartest strategy? Or the one who managed to survive the chaos without completely losing their mind?One thing is guaranteed: you'll be yelling at your speakers, thinking of the movies you would have taken.And that’s exactly the point.JOIN THE CONVERSATIONWho had the best draft?What's the greatest 80s action movie of all time?And what did we miss?#80sAction #MovieDraft #BornToWatch #ActionMovies #80sMovies #MoviePodcast #FilmDraft #ClassicMovies #Podcast #Cinema

Face Off 1997 Review is here, and this week the boys take a long, hard look at one of the biggest action blockbusters of the 90s… and ask the question, what the hell happened?Whitey and Gow dive back into Face/Off, the John Woo-directed chaos fest starring John Travolta and Nicolas Cage, a film that once felt groundbreaking but now might just be completely cooked.Right from the start, the boys acknowledge the harsh reality of revisiting old favourites. What once felt like peak cinema now feels like a two-hour fever dream filled with slow motion, overacting, and some of the most questionable plot logic ever put to screen. Whitey sums it up best: the rose-coloured glasses are officially in the bin.The episode kicks off with reflections on the late 90s blockbuster era, a time when bigger always meant better. More explosions, more slow-mo, more everything. And Face Off might just be the ultimate example of that excess. Directed by John Woo, the film leans hard into his signature style, doves, dual pistols, slow motion, and operatic action, but the question is whether it still holds up today.There's a deep dive into the performances, particularly the bizarre dynamic where Travolta and Cage are essentially playing each other. The boys break down the "Cage-ness" of Travolta and the "Travolta-ness" of Cage, and how both actors dial everything up to eleven. Sometimes it works, sometimes it absolutely does not.The plot itself, a cop and a terrorist swapping faces to stop a bomb, gets absolutely torn apart in classic Born to Watch fashion. The more the boys think about it, the less sense it makes. From the prison logic to the healing time of the face surgery, to the complete lack of awareness from literally every other character, the questions just keep piling up.One of the biggest talking points is the film's runtime. At over two hours, it feels bloated, especially given the endless slow-motion sequences. What could have been a tight, high-energy action flick instead becomes a drawn-out spectacle that struggles to justify its length.That said, it's not all bad. There are moments where the film still delivers. The core concept is undeniably bold; the action sequences, while over-the-top, are memorable; and there's a certain nostalgic charm to seeing two massive 90s stars go head-to-head in such a ridiculous premise.The boys also touch on how the film compares to other Cage-era action hits like The Rock and Con Air, with a general consensus that Face Off might be the weakest of the bunch, mainly because it takes itself just a bit too seriously.As always, the episode blends genuine film analysis with plenty of laughs, questionable impressions, and absolute disbelief at some of the film's creative decisions.If you loved this movie growing up, prepare to have your memories challenged. And if you’ve never seen it, well… maybe keep those expectations in check.JOIN THE CONVERSATIONHas Face Off aged badly, or are we being too harsh?Is this peak 90s action or complete chaos?And who did it better, Cage or Travolta?#FaceOff #MoviePodcast #BornToWatch #90sMovies #ActionMovies #NicolasCage #JohnTravolta #FilmReview #MovieReview #Podcast

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 2011 Review is on the table this week, and the boys are diving headfirst into David Fincher’s icy, brutal, and deeply unsettling thriller. What started as scepticism about the need for an English-language remake quickly turns into appreciation, because this is one dark ride that absolutely earns its place.Whitey, Gow, and Dan break down the 2011 adaptation of Stieg Larsson's global phenomenon, unpacking the mystery of Harriet Vanger, the twisted history of one of cinema's worst families, and the unforgettable pairing of Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. From the jump, the lads admit they didn't think this remake was necessary… but by the end, they're more than happy it exists.The episode kicks off in classic Born to Watch fashion with plenty of nonsense, a bit of self-reflection about who talks the most, and a few war stories thrown in for good measure. But once they settle in, the focus shifts to Fincher's signature style, the film's haunting tone, and why Scandinavian crime stories just hit differently.There's a big discussion around rewatchability, with Whitey firmly in the "this is a sneaky background classic" camp, while Gow sits more in one-watch territory due to the film's heavy subject matter. Dan lands somewhere in the middle, crediting Whitey for originally putting him onto the film and admitting it’s grown on him over time.The boys also dive into the casting, with Daniel Craig delivering a more grounded, vulnerable performance compared to his Bond persona, and Rooney Mara absolutely owning the role of Lisbeth Salander. There's plenty of chat about who else could've played the role, including Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson, and why Mara ultimately nailed it.One of the standout discussions centres around Stellan Skarsgård's chilling performance as Martin Vanger, particularly in the film's final act. The tension, the calm menace, and that unforgettable house scene all get the Born to Watch treatment, with the boys calling it one of the most gripping sequences they've covered on the podcast.They also touch on how the film compares to both the original Swedish version and the novel, noting that while the movie simplifies some of the complex family dynamics, it still captures the core of the story incredibly well.Of course, no Born to Watch episode is complete without a look at the numbers. With a 7.8 IMDb rating and an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film sits alongside some seriously heavy hitters, and the boys debate whether it deserves that company.There's also a bit of love for the iconic opening title sequence, which Whitey argues is one of the best ever put to screen, and a fair bit of criticism for the trailer, which apparently gives away far too much of the plot.As always, the episode blends sharp insight with absolute chaos, balancing genuine film appreciation with the kind of banter you'd expect from three blokes who don't take themselves too seriously.If you're into dark thrillers, Fincher films, or just want to hear the boys unpack one of the most disturbing mysteries of the 2010s, this is one you won't want to miss.JOIN THE CONVERSATIONWho talks too much, Whitey or Dan?Is Lisbeth Salander one of the best characters of the 2010s?Is this remake actually better than the original?#TheGirlWithTheDragonTattoo #MoviePodcast #BornToWatch #FilmReview #DavidFincher #DanielCraig #RooneyMara #CrimeThriller #MovieReview #Podcast

The Bourne Identity 2002 Review kicks off a brand-new era of action cinema, and this week on Born to Watch, the boys break down the movie that changed everything.After a chaotic start that only this crew can deliver, Whitey, Dan and Will dive into The Bourne Identity, the film that flipped the script on what an action hero looks like. Gone are the invincible muscle-bound icons of the 80s and 90s, enter Jason Bourne, a confused, calculated and absolutely lethal operator played by Matt Damon in a career-defining role.Pulled from the ocean with no memory and two bullets in his back, Bourne is forced to piece together who he is while being hunted by the very organisation that created him. What follows is a grounded, gritty thriller that trades explosions for realism and spectacle for precision.Whitey reflects on just how many times he's seen this video shop classic (hint: it’s borderline unhealthy), while Will comes in fresh, experiencing Bourne for the first time and questioning how this one slipped through the cracks. Dan, meanwhile, brings the chaos, including losing his phone at sea and somehow tying it back to Bourne's survival odds.The boys dig into what makes this film stand out. The realism. The pacing. The fight choreography that feels raw and believable. And of course, Matt Damon, the unlikely action star who proved everyone wrong. From embassy escapes to park bench beatdowns, Bourne doesn’t just fight, he reacts, and that's what makes it feel so different.There's also plenty of discussion around the supporting cast. Does Marie actually bring anything to the table? Is Chris Cooper quietly elite in everything he touches? And why is Julia Stiles getting top billing for doing absolutely nothing?As always, things go off the rails. There's a debate around whether fishermen are the most honest blokes on earth, a deep dive into Hollywood's best and worst operators, and one of the more ridiculous breakdowns of Bourne's observational skills you'll ever hear.The crew also revisits 2002, a massive year for film, and pits Bourne against the likes of The Two Towers, Spider-Man, and Attack of the Clones… which gets exactly the treatment you'd expect.At its core, The Bourne Identity is more than just a great action movie; it's a reset button for the genre. It paved the way for everything that followed, from Casino Royale to John Wick, and it still holds up over two decades later.So… does it belong in the upper tier of action films? Or is it slightly overrated?You know the drill.Hit play, grab a beer, and let's find out. JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIs Bourne the most realistic action hero ever?Could this movie be made the same way today?And seriously… how does he survive that opening scene?#BourneIdentity #BornToWatch #MoviePodcast #ActionMovies #MattDamon #FilmReview #JasonBourne #2000sMovies #SpyThriller #MovieDiscussion

In this Terminator 2: Judgment Day Review, the Born to Watch crew dives headfirst into what many consider the greatest sequel ever made. James Cameron didn't just follow up the original Terminator… he reinvented the blockbuster. Released in 1991, Terminator 2: Judgment Day changed action movies forever with groundbreaking visual effects, unforgettable characters, and one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's most iconic roles.This week the full team is back, and the discussion kicks off with a simple but loaded question, is Terminator 2 the greatest sequel of all time? From the opening future-war battlefield to the legendary showdown between the T-800 and the liquid-metal T-1000, the boys break down why this film still holds up more than three decades later.Arnold Schwarzenegger returns as the Terminator, but this time the formula is flipped. Instead of hunting Sarah Connor, he's protecting her son, John Connor, the future leader of the human resistance. It's a twist that audiences in 1991 didn't see coming, and it gives the film its emotional core.The crew digs into Schwarzenegger at the absolute peak of his powers. After dominating the 80s with films like Predator, The Running Man and the original Terminator, Arnie was arguably the biggest movie star on the planet when T2 arrived. The famous bar scene, the sunglasses moment, and of course the immortal line "Hasta la vista, baby" all get the Born to Watch treatment.Linda Hamilton also gets her flowers in this episode. Her transformation from the vulnerable Sarah Connor of the first film into the hardened warrior of Judgment Day is one of the most dramatic character evolutions in action movie history. The boys discuss her intense performance, the physical transformation she underwent, and why her portrayal still feels authentic today.Edward Furlong's debut as John Connor sparks plenty of debate, too. Some love his rebellious street-kid energy, others question whether he’s the most annoying teenager ever put in charge of humanity's future. Either way, he plays a crucial role in the film’s emotional arc, and the developing bond between John and the T-800 is one of the movie's biggest surprises.Then there's Robert Patrick's T-1000. With his cold stare, relentless pursuit, and shape-shifting liquid metal body, he created one of the most terrifying villains of the 1990s. The guys break down why the T-1000 works so well and how the visual effects still look incredible today.Of course, no discussion of Terminator 2 would be complete without talking about the action set pieces. The LA River chase, the motorcycle-and-truck pursuit, the hospital escape, and the steel mill finale are all analysed in classic Born to Watch fashion. These scenes helped redefine what audiences expected from blockbuster filmmaking.The episode also dives into the film's massive cultural footprint. From the Guns N' Roses track "You Could Be Mine" to the revolutionary CGI that brought the T-1000 to life, Terminator 2 pushed cinema technology forward and influenced action movies for decades.But the big question remains: Does Terminator 2 actually surpass the original?That's the debate the Born to Watch crew finally settles.So slide into your leathers, fire up the Harley, and join the boys as they revisit one of the biggest and most influential action films ever made.JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIs Terminator 2 the greatest sequel of all time?T-800 or T-1000 — which Terminator wins the showdown?Does Judgment Day beat the original Terminator?Drop us a voicemail at https://www.borntowatch.com.au and be part of the show!Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.#BornToWatch #Terminator2 #JudgmentDay #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #JamesCameron #90sAction #MoviePodcast #SciFiMovies #T1000 #HastaLaVistaBaby

Logan (2017) Review kicks off this week's episode of Born to Watch, and boys… this is not your usual superhero movie.Whitey, Gow and Damo head into the wasteland of 2029 to talk about the final outing for Wolverine, and right from the start the big question is asked, is this actually a superhero movie at all… or is it a western wearing claws?After nearly two decades of Hugh Jackman playing Logan, the X-Men universe throws away the colourful costumes, the CGI sky beams and the multiverse nonsense, and replaces it with dust, silence and a dying hero who just wants it all to end.This week, the boys dive into: • Why Logan feels closer to a Clint Eastwood western than a Marvel film • The emotional weight of Professor X and Logan’s relationship • Laura (X-23) stealing the movie without saying much at all • The brutality and why the R-rating actually matters • Whether this is the greatest superhero film ever madeWhitey argues that this is the natural evolution of comic book movies, a character study about regret and aging rather than saving the world. Gow admits he expected CGI chaos and instead got a real film. Damo questions the timeline, the X-Men continuity and whether the emotional ending works if it doesn't match the earlier movies.The discussion also covers how Logan was clearly inspired by classic westerns, especially Shane, and why the movie works best when it forgets it's part of a franchise entirely.Hugh Jackman delivers possibly his best performance as a broken warrior who no longer heals, drinks too much, hurts constantly and carries decades of guilt. Patrick Stewart's Professor X adds heart and tragedy, while the road-trip structure slowly turns the film into something surprisingly intimate.And then… there's the ending.No big sky battle.No final speech.Just consequences.The boys debate whether Logan's death lands emotionally, if Laura is the future of the character, and why this film changed how studios approached superhero movies afterwards.Is Logan the peak of comic-book cinema? Or just a really good western accidentally starring a superhero?JOIN THE CONVERSATION Is Logan the best comic book movie ever made? Does the R-rating improve superhero films? Is this secretly just a western?Drop us a voicemail at https://www.borntowatch.com.au and be part of the show.Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE and follow Born to Watch for your weekly dose of nostalgia, arguments and completely unnecessary movie rankings.#Logan #BornToWatch #MoviePodcast #Wolverine #HughJackman #XMen #FilmReview #WesternMovies #SuperheroMovies #MovieDebate

This week, the boys jump aboard the Andrea Gail for The Perfect Storm 2000 Review, the Wolfgang Petersen disaster epic that tried to answer one simple question:What if Mother Nature just decided you were finished?It's a Monday night. You've done your research.You head down past Burleigh, just west of Palm Beach. Three chairs are waiting. Gow's checking stats, Damo's preparing the Snorbs Report, and Whitey's tweaking the levels.Game time.Based on the true story of a sword-fishing crew who sailed directly into a once-in-a-lifetime weather system, the film brings together an all-star cast, George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, John C. Reilly, Diane Lane and a collection of "hey-that-guy!" actors, but the real star might just be the ocean itself.Whitey is deep in his Clooney phase and openly declares him possibly "the most handsome man we've ever reviewed," while Gow and Damo debate whether the movie actually needs characters at all once the waves hit 100 feet. Because this is Born to Watch, the conversation doesn’t stay serious for long.We cover:The legendary boat-on-the-wave shotWhy every sea captain is basically Captain AhabThe world's worst job (professional fisherman easily makes the grand final)Mark Wahlberg's historically patchy beardThe glow-stick responsibilities aboard a fishing vesselWhether the crew should've just sailed to Portugal insteadThe boys also dig into the film's strange structure. Half character drama, half disaster movie, half weather documentary, and somehow still compelling once the storm begins. Even critics admitted the storytelling problems stop mattering once the chaos kicks in. There's praise for the James Horner score, debate about the true events versus movie invention, and an unexpected emotional reaction to the funeral scenes. Plus:The 2000 Movie Lottery (Remember the Titans vs Bring It On vs The Cell)Box office success vs critic ratingsThe Snores Report returnsMichael Ironside is officially considered for Born to Watch RoyaltyAnd of course, the most important question of all:If you knew the storm was coming… would you still turn the boat around for the payday?Because sometimes the scariest part of a disaster movie isn't the wave, it’s the decision that leads to it.JOIN THE CREWIf you enjoyed the episode, don't just listen, become part of the Born to Watch community. Leave a rating on Spotify or Apple, drop a YouTube comment, and tell us:Did Billy Tyne make the right call… or did he doom the Andrea Gail?#BornToWatch #ThePerfectStorm #MoviePodcast #FilmReview #GeorgeClooney #MarkWahlberg #DisasterMovies #2000sMovies #TrueStoryMovies #MovieNostalgia

The boys are back for 2026, and they are not easing into it gently. Born to Watch kicks off the new year with a full-blooded dive into one of the most aggressively 80s action films ever put on VHS shelves, Walter Hill's Extreme Prejudice (1987). Cowboy hats, cocaine, mercenaries, sweat, testosterone and a whole lot of unexplained shoulder shots, this one has it all. In this Extreme Prejudice (1987) Review, Whitey, Gow and Damo reunite as the A-team and take on a film that feels like The A-Team pilot collided head-on with a dusty Western, then detonated somewhere on the Texas–Mexico border. At the centre is Nick Nolte at peak brooding intensity, playing a stone-faced Texas Ranger chasing his childhood friend, now a drug-running psychopath in a pristine white suit, played with unhinged gusto by Powers Boothe.Directed by action legend Walter Hill, Extreme Prejudice is the kind of movie that barely pauses for breath. Secret military units officially declared dead, renegade majors, bank robberies, double-crosses, unnecessary nudity and a final act so chaotic it feels like an entire missing movie has been cut out, which, as the boys discover, is pretty much exactly what happened.The cast reads like an 80s action villain roll call. Michael Ironside growls his way through another morally questionable authority role, Clancy Brown looms menacingly, William Forsythe perfects the art of being deeply hateable, and a young Larry B Scott pops in an action film after Revenge of the Nerds turned him into a cult comedy icon. Add in Maria Conchita Alonso, singing badly on purpose, and you have a film bursting at the seams with characters who all look like they should be in different movies.As always, the boys break it down properly. Overs and unders are debated, including the uncomfortable realisation that Extreme Prejudice may make perfect sense if you're sixteen and not at all if you're over forty. There's deep discussion about whether Nick Nolte smiles even once in the entire film, spoiler, he does not, and whether anyone in the 80s understood centre-mass shooting.The Nut-Tuck-Yourself SAG Awards get a workout, with Nolte's pre-Prince of Tides physique under the microscope, and the Snorbs Report pops up exactly where you expect it to. Box office numbers are crunched, Walter Hill's career is put into context, and the boys try to work out how a film with this cast, this director and this level of explosive excess somehow lost money.Film School for F-Wits returns with a look at Hill's obsession with male-driven action cinema, while Hit, Sleeper and Dud for 1987 reminds everyone just how stacked that year really was, from Predator and Lethal Weapon to the absolute disaster that was Revenge of the Nerds II.Add in listener feedback, voicemail chaos, bird-related accusations, corn beef confessions, and a reminder that Born to Watch never takes movies, or itself, too seriously, and you've got the perfect way to start the year.This is sweat-soaked, ridiculous, deeply flawed 80s action cinema, and the boys wouldn't have it any other way.JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIs Extreme Prejudice peak 80s action excess, or just glorious nonsense?Does Nick Nolte smile even once in this movie?Is the final act pure chaos genius, or a missing half-hour of film?Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at BornToWatch.com.auBorn to Watch, because some movies demand to be watched, argued over and mildly roasted.#BornToWatch #ExtremePrejudice #80sActionMovies #WalterHill #NickNolte #ActionMoviePodcast #CultAction #VHSClassics #MoviePodcast #80sCinema

Comedy is the hardest genre to get right. Making people laugh once is tough; making them laugh for decades is almost impossible. Yet here we are in 2026, revisiting a film released in 1980 that still lands gags at a rate modern comedies can only dream of. This week on Born to Watch, Whitey and Gow tackle the undisputed benchmark of parody comedy in our Flying High (Airplane) Review, a movie that didn’t just spoof disaster films; it rewired comedy forever.Known as Flying High here in Australia and Airplane! Everywhere else, this is the film that taught generations how powerful straight-faced absurdity can be. Serious actors, ridiculous situations, relentless visual gags and a script that fires jokes every few seconds without ever stopping to catch its breath. Watching it again now raises the big question: Does it still work in 2026?The short answer, absolutely.From the opening Jaws parody at the airport to the final moments on the runway, this film never lets up. There are jokes in the foreground, jokes in the background, jokes buried inside other jokes, and blink-and-you-miss-it moments that reward repeat viewings again and again. Whitey and Gow break down just how outrageous the gag density really is, and why that non-stop approach is exactly what modern comedies have lost.The cast is a huge part of what makes Flying High work so well. Robert Stack, Lloyd Bridges, Peter Graves and Leslie Nielsen all play it completely straight, refusing to wink at the audience even once. That contrast between deadly serious performances and utterly ridiculous dialogue is the secret sauce. Leslie Nielsen, in particular, launches what would become one of the great comedy second acts of all time, delivering lines like “Surely you can’t be serious” with such conviction that it somehow makes them even funnier.Whitey and Gow also dig into the sheer insanity of the situations. A full hospital bed loaded onto a commercial flight. A child needing a heart transplant mid-air. Everyone eating the fish except the one person who doesn’t get sick. A blow-up autopilot. A guitar smashing passengers in the head as it walks down the aisle. None of it makes sense, and none of it is supposed to.Overs and unders are discussed, with both hosts landing comfortably in the 35 to 40 watch range, a testament to just how embedded this movie is in their DNA. It’s the kind of film that was always in rotation growing up, something the whole family could watch, quote and laugh at together. That shared comedy experience is something Whitey argues we no longer get.The episode also explores how Flying High set the template for everything that followed, from Naked Gun to Hot Shots and beyond, while also pointing out why so many parody films failed to replicate its magic. Awareness of what you are, commitment to the bit, and never stopping the joke train.Critical scores still back it up. A 7.7 on IMDb, 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, and a spot alongside absolute classics in movie history. Not bad for a film that proudly advertised itself as the winner of zero Academy Awards.This episode is packed with favourite scenes, forgotten gags, pop culture moments, questionable jokes that still somehow work, and plenty of Born to Watch side tangents along the way. If you love comedy, parody, or just laughing out loud at things you probably shouldn’t, this is one episode you don’t want to miss.JOIN THE CONVERSATIONIs Flying High the funniest comedy ever made?Which gag still kills you every time?Could a movie like this even get made today?Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at BornToWatch.com.au#FlyingHigh #AirplaneMovie #BornToWatch #ComedyClassic #MoviePodcast #80sMovies #ParodyFilms #FilmReview #CultCinema #LaughOutLoud

In our Ghostbusters 2 (1989) Review, Whitey and Damo strap the proton packs back on and head to New York City for a sequel that arrived five years too late and never quite captured the lightning in a bottle of the original. After seeing Ghostbusters (1984) an almost unhealthy number of times, expectations for the follow-up were sky high. What we got instead was a softer, louder, more kid-friendly sequel that trades sharp satire and genuine menace for slime, singing and some very questionable creative choices.Set against a New Year’s Eve backdrop, Ghostbusters II reunites Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson as the once-celebrated paranormal heroes, now sidelined, sued and reduced to performing at children’s birthday parties. When Dana Barrett’s baby becomes the target of an ancient Carpathian villain named Vigo, the boys are forced back into action to stop an underground river of pink slime, fueled by negative emotions, from swallowing New York whole.On paper, it sounds like a solid premise. In execution, it feels like a sequel constantly fighting itself. The episode breaks down how Ghostbusters II leans heavily on repeating beats from the original, courtroom chaos, montages, and paranormal mayhem, without ever understanding why those moments worked the first time. The result is a film that feels over-lit, over-explained and strangely toothless.Whitey and Damo dig into the tonal confusion at the heart of the movie. Is this meant to be for kids, adults, or fans of the original? The answer seems to be “all of the above”, which unfortunately means it never fully commits to any of them. The darker elements, Vigo, the possessed nanny, the skull-filled subway, hint at something more sinister, but they are quickly undercut by jokes that miss the mark and a finale that relies on good vibes and sing-alongs to save the day.There is still fun to be had. Rick Moranis is once again the MVP, delivering genuine laughs as Lewis Tully, especially in the courtroom scenes and his chemistry with Annie Potts' Janine. Their relationship is one of the few elements that actually evolves from the first film and provides some heart amid the chaos. The Ecto-1 makeover also earns praise, because if you are going to revisit this universe, you may as well do it in style.Unfortunately, other characters fare far worse. Winston is once again sidelined and reduced to explaining the plot in plain English before disappearing for long stretches. Sigourney Weaver, fresh off Aliens and Gorillas in the Mist, is criminally underused. Bill Murray's Peter Venkman, once effortlessly charming, feels disengaged and oddly mean-spirited, lacking the spark that made him iconic.The episode also takes aim at the film's baffling logic, from characters wandering into danger without proton packs to slime that magically stops affecting people once jackets come off. And then there is Vigo himself, a villain with an impressively grim backstory who somehow becomes one of the least threatening antagonists of the era.By the time the Statue of Liberty moonwalks through Manhattan and New Yorkers save the day through collective positivity, Born to Watch has a verdict. Ghostbusters II is not unwatchable, but it is the definition of a sequel made by committee, one that misunderstands its own appeal and plays it far too safe.It is a fascinating case study in how not to follow a classic.JOIN THE CONVERSATION Did Ghostbusters II deserve a reappraisal, or is it a nostalgia trap? Was Vigo ever scary, or just underwritten? Should this franchise have stopped after one film?Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or at BornToWatch.com.au #BornToWatch #Ghostbusters2 #Ghostbusters1990 #MoviePodcast #FilmReview #80sMovies #90sSequels #IvanReitman #BillMurray #MovieNostalgia

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 back-and-forth. What follows is a deeply personal walk through cinema history, from classic black and white films through to modern blockbusters, with each movie tied to a specific time, place, and feeling. These are not rankings, not reviews, and not necessarily the “greatest films of all time”. These are the films that left a permanent mark.The rules were simple. The films had to be movies Born to Watch has never reviewed before, and they had to be experienced in the order Whitey first saw them. What unfolds is a cinematic timeline that mirrors growing up, discovering new genres, and realising that movies can be far more than mere entertainment. They can be confronting, comforting, terrifying, inspiring, and sometimes completely overwhelming.The episode kicks off with The African Queen, a film Whitey first watched as a kid with his Nan, and a gateway into old cinema that opened the door to classics like Casablanca and Captain's Courageous. From there, the conversation moves into The Great Escape, a film both hosts hold in incredibly high regard, not just for its iconic moments, but for its storytelling, tension, and emotional weight that still holds up decades later.As the timeline moves forward, the episode touches on cultural moments that defined entire generations. Seeing Batman (1989) in a packed cinema, complete with Prince's soundtrack and Jack Nicholson's Joker, becomes more than just a movie memory. It becomes a snapshot of adolescence, crushes, embarrassment, and the shared chaos of opening night at the local cinema.The conversation does not shy away from darker territory. Films like Deliverance, The Evil Dead, Psycho, and Schindler's List are discussed not for shock value, but for the way they challenged expectations and forced viewers to confront uncomfortable truths. These are films that stay with you long after the credits roll, sometimes in ways you do not fully understand until years later.Blockbusters also have their place. Terminator 2: Judgment Day is remembered as a near-perfect cinematic experience, combining groundbreaking visual effects with emotional storytelling and characters that audiences genuinely cared about. It is a reminder that big movies can still have heart and depth when done correctly..The episode closes by reflecting on films driven by dialogue and ideas, particularly JFK, a movie that became comfort viewing for Whitey despite its heavy subject matter. It represents how movies can evolve with us, revealing new layers each time we revisit them.This is an episode about memory, growth, and the quiet power of cinema. Whether you agree with every pick or not, these Life Changing Movies will almost certainly spark memories of your own. #BornToWatch #LifeChangingMovies #MovieMemories #FilmPodcast #CinemaLovers #MovieNostalgia #ClassicFilms #FilmDiscussion #MovieFans #PodcastAustralia

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 Part 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 quickly dives into how Back to the Future Part 2 faced enormous expectations. With a to be continued tease at the end of the original, fans were primed, and the pressure was real. As the boys say, sequels rarely outshine their predecessors, but every now and then you get an Empire Strikes Back or a T2. So where does this one land?Whitey shares how the film was a childhood favourite, the one he rewatched the most, and how time has shifted his appreciation back to the original. Gow reveals he saw it at the cinema on release and has clocked well over 15 viewings since, instantly transported by Alan Silvestri’s iconic score. Will talks about how the franchise has simply always been there, one of those movies that defined growing up.From there, the episode fires through the good, the bad and the very strange. There's deep love for the hoverboard, the power-lace Nikes, and that brilliant rooftop confrontation where Marty lures Biff over the edge before swooping up in the DeLorean. The crew gives full credit to the groundbreaking split-screen effects, the energy of Michael J. Fox juggling multiple characters, and the perfect dual performance from Fox and Christopher Lloyd, who are operating at peak one-two punch level.They also dig into the weird bits the film never fully explains. Could Old Biff actually operate the DeLorean? Why does he get sick travelling through time when no one else ever has? Why do Jennifer and Jennifer faint from seeing each other, but Biff does not? How does Marty not realise Hill Valley 1985 has turned into a dystopian biker slum the moment he steps out of the car?From Jaws 19 to the brilliant Jaws VHS window cameo, from Indiana Jones nods to manure trucks, the boys unpack every Easter egg this film throws at you. And of course, there’s a big chat about whether Biff Tannen’s alternate 1985 persona is really just 80s Donald Trump in a green tracksuit. (Spoiler, yes.)The episode also dives into box office numbers, casting trivia, Elizabeth Shue stepping in as Jennifer, and some cracking tangents, including Huey Lewis, yacht rock, Stranger Things, The Little Mermaid, and even John Farnham fronting LRB.By the time the boys reach question time, they've covered everything from the butterfly effect through to whether a single rich bloke can really break the fabric of time. It's pure Born To Watch chaos, big laughs and deep nostalgia for one of the great sequels of our generation.If you love time travel, manure trucks and three blokes talking absolute cinematic nonsense, make sure you follow Born To Watch on Spotify and Apple. Drop us a five-star review, send us a voicemail at borntowatch.com.au and buckle up for the next kickass credit song from the House Band. Great Scott, get on board! #BornToWatch #BackToTheFuture2 #MovieReview #PodcastAustralia #80sMovies #MichaelJFox #ChristopherLloyd #FilmPodcast #RetroMovies #DeLorean

Few films strike the perfect balance between dark humour, bleak violence, and unforgettable characters quite like Fargo (1996). In this week's Born to Watch deep dive, the boys return to the bitter cold of Minnesota to revisit a Coen Brothers classic in our full Fargo Movie 1996 Review. Whitey, Gow and Morgz each recount their own memories of first seeing Fargo, or in Dan's case, pretending he remembers anything from the 90s, before jumping headfirst into one of the most uniquely crafted crime films ever made.The episode kicks off with the lads debating their first screening. Whitey vividly remembers dragging everyone to the Dendy at Martin Place, feeling like a highbrow film buff discovering something special. Gow recalls the off-beat charm hitting him straight away. Dan, naturally, remembers nothing, except that he probably recommended the film, selected the seats, and probably did everything else. Classic Morgz. From there, the group dives into just how extraordinary Fargo's cast was at the time. The Coens pulled together a line-up of "relative nobodies" only to turn them into household names nearly three decades later.The chat quickly turns to Minnesota cold weather, obscure fast-food chains, and one of the great running bits of the episode, exactly how many times Morgz allegedly found himself "accidentally" next to someone mid-romp during their travels. The boys also unpack the brilliance of Frances McDormand's Marge Gunderson, who doesn't even appear in the film's first 34 minutes but completely owns the narrative once she arrives. She's sharp, funny, methodical, and easily one of the greatest characters of the '90s.Whitey breaks down the film's critical reception, comparing its Rotten Tomatoes and IMDb scores with those of past Born to Watch heavy hitters, such as Jaws, Rocky, The Terminator, and Catch Me If You Can. Morgs jumps in with Film School for Fuckheads, exploring how the Coens weaponised "Minnesota Nice" to create tension using politeness, silence, and awkwardness as narrative devices. From the meticulously written stuttering dialogue in William H. Macy's script to the off-kilter pacing of small-town conversations, the Coens built an atmosphere where the horror is subtle, creeping, and drenched in snow.Gow rolls through the cast, shining a spotlight on Steve Buscemi's legendary "funny looking" performance and the near-silent menace of Peter Stormare, who delivers only 18 lines across the film yet becomes one of its most iconic figures. The boys get into the famous wood-chipper scene, the fake "true story" marketing trick, and how half the audience in 1996 genuinely believed the events were real.There's also classic Born to Watch chaos, from detours into Shameless, to the worst movie endings ever made, to hookers in Hawaii, to Playboy magazines in glove boxes, to the eternal question: "Would you make sure your licence plates were right if you'd just kidnapped someone?" Just another Wednesday on Born to Watch.The crew rounds things out with The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, celebrating the film's tight 94-minute runtime, near-perfect dialogue, incredible performances, legendary cinematography from Roger Deakins, and the deep satisfaction of a crime story where normal, everyday people take centre stage.Fargo isn't just a film, it's a vibe. A cold, bleak, funny, violent, polite vibe that the Born to Watch boys unpack with equal parts nostalgia and nonsense. Strap in, grab your Arby’s, and enjoy one of our best episodes yet.#YouBetchaJOIN THE CONVERSATION Is Fargo the greatest dark comedy of the '90s? Does the wood-chipper still make you squirm? And is Marge Gunderson the most likable cop in movie history?Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or BornToWatch.com.auLeave us a five-star review; it helps the show more than you know. #Fargo1996 #FargoMovie1996Review #BornToWatchPodcast #CoenBrothers #FrancesMcDormand #MinnesotaNice #MovieReviewPodcast #90sMovies #DarkComedyFilms #FilmNerds