Step back into the Hyborian Age as the Born to Watch team revisits the sword-swinging, snake-worshipping, bass-drum-thumping fantasy epic that turned Arnold Schwarzenegger from a musclebound oddity into a bona fide cinematic icon. In this week’s episode, Matt, Damo, and Will the Worky unsheath their mics and tackle John Milius' 1982 cult classic in our Conan the Barbarian (1982) Review, a film where dialogue is sparse, but biceps and barbarism are abundant.

From the first clang of steel to the last decapitated villain, the team dissects how Conan carved a path for modern sword-and-sorcery flicks. They marvel at Basil Poledouris' thunderous score, which practically carries the film on its symphonic shoulders, because let’s face it, Arnie wasn’t hired for his monologues (all 76 words of them). The music, paired with breathtaking cinematography and operatic violence, sets a tone so grand it makes modern blockbusters feel like children's theatre.

Matt reminisces about watching Conan far too young, the kind of early exposure to gore and magic that forges lifelong genre fans, or scars. Damo is surprised by how little he remembered and how much more there was to appreciate in the rewatch, especially the high fantasy structure and iconic character archetypes. Meanwhile, while watching it for the first time, Will finds joy in the bizarre mix of stoic barbarism and pseudo-philosophy, and even draws connections to his favourite cult flicks.

The team dives deep into the lore, from Nietzsche quotes (anachronistically inserted, of course) to the Riddle of Steel, and unpacks Conan's journey from orphaned child to vengeful demigod. They salute James Earl Jones’ haunting performance as Thulsa Doom, complete with snake eyes and an even more chilling voice and appreciate how he lends gravitas to a film otherwise packed with loincloths and camo body paint.

There’s plenty of laughs, too. From the bizarrely tame “orgy” scene (more twister than temptation) to the ineptitude of Thulsa Doom’s guards who fall like dominoes, no absurdity is safe. The guys revel in the moments where the film leans into camp, noting that sometimes a little cheese makes the fantasy feast even better.

But it’s not all satire and side-eyes. They pay proper homage to the movie’s impact on pop culture and its clear influence on everything from Game of Thrones to Willow. There's admiration for the throwback practical effects, the majestic (if questionably choreographed) sword fights, and the sheer cinematic ambition that poured from every dust-covered frame.

Of course, no Born to Watch episode would be complete without some detours into the ridiculous. You'll hear about suspiciously hygienic cave-dwellers, the logistics of snake cult recruitment, and even a story involving an orgy, a wall, and a very confident swinger. Yep, it's that kind of episode.

So, whether you’re a lifelong Conan fan or just now discovering that sword and sorcery can be both epic and unintentionally hilarious, this episode is a glorious deep-dive into a film that helped define 1980s fantasy cinema and the Born to Watch crew wouldn’t have it any other way.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Join the conversation:
Is Conan the most iconic role of Arnold’s career?
Does Basil Poledouris’ score make this an all-time great?
What’s the most badass moment in the film?

Please drop us a voicemail at BornToWatch.com.au and be part of the show!

#BornToWatch #ConanTheBarbarian #ArnoldSchwarzenegger #SwordAndSorcery #80sMovies #FantasyEpic #MoviePodcast #BasilPoledouris #JamesEarlJones #CultClassics

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 glory days and how this film shaped their approach to trash talk on and off the court. More than just a sports movie, White Men Can’t Jump is a gritty, witty, and surprisingly layered look at addiction, betrayal, and self-destruction, with a side of slam dunks and “yo mama” jokes.

Woody Harrelson’s Billy Hoyle is the kind of guy who can’t get out of his own way, while Wesley Snipes’ Sidney Deane has charm, ambition, and just enough hustle to burn his own mates. Together, they’re magic on the court, but it’s off the court where their flaws truly shine. Gloria, played by Rosie Perez, may be one of the most annoying characters in cinematic history, but she’s also a vital part of the film’s emotional punch, and maybe, just maybe, part of Billy’s downfall.

The boys ask the big questions: Is this actually a comedy? Or is it a cleverly disguised tragedy about two men who can't get out of their own way? Is Gloria the real villain? And why does Sidney wear a cycling cap to play basketball? There are critical breakdowns of the basketball action (which holds up surprisingly well), deep dives into the fashion, and stories of real-life trash talk glory from the Narrabeen Fitness Camp days.

We cover everything from the impeccable chemistry between Harrelson and Snipes to the deeper themes that still resonate today. And yes, we’ve got the stats: box office, critical reception, director Ron Shelton’s sporting film pedigree, and why this movie may be more about green than black or white.

So grab your Gatorade, stretch out like Billy on the sideline, and settle in for a Born to Watch deep cut that’ll take you back to a simpler time—when all you needed was a ball, a dream, and someone to hustle.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!
Join the conversation:
Is Billy Hoyle the most frustrating character in sports movie history?
Was Gloria's Jeopardy obsession genius or just plain annoying?
Who had the better game—Billy or Sydney?

Please drop us a voicemail at BornToWatch.com.au and be part of the show!

#BornToWatch #WhiteMenCantJump #WesleySnipes #WoodyHarrelson #RosiePerez #90sBasketball #MovieHustle #TrashTalkLegends #RonShelton #MoviePodcast

This week on Born to Watch, we dive headfirst into the bug-infested chaos of Paul Verhoeven’s 1997 cult classic, with our Starship Troopers (1997) Review. It’s brutal, brilliant, and batshit insane and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

With the Born to Watch crew all lined up in the co-ed showers, Whitey, Damo, Dan, and special guest Matty Beer Geek go deep (but not too deep) on the movie that was mocked at release but has grown into a beloved sci-fi satire. Is this just a brainless space action flick? Or is it a razor-sharp takedown of fascism and militarism? Or both? Spoiler: it’s both.

We break down the iconic moments: the ridiculously perfect jawlines of Casper Van Dien and Denise Richards, Michael Ironside chewing scenery like the legend he is, and Jake Busey's teeth doing most of the acting for him. From Zegema Beach to brain bug psychic probes, we cover it all.

Expect plenty of laughs as the boys recall their first times watching it, at sweaty cinemas, VHS marathons, and maybe even the odd midnight screening. Plus, some heartfelt debate: Dizzy or Carmen? Would you sign up to be a citizen or sit back and let the bugs win? And yes, we do get very specific about the co-ed shower logistics (spoiler: prep is key).

There’s also time for a raucous trip down 1997 memory lane. Damo sweats it out in the back row, Dan’s off riding dirt bikes through Romania and eating 19 types of salami, and Matty brings his A-game from the West. We revisit the hottest music of the year, the infamous Playboys of McDonald's video rental section, and mourn the box office fate of Starship Troopers. This misunderstood gem lost money but gained a cult following.

With a budget that would make even the Federation blush, and CGI bugs that still look better than some 2025 blockbusters, Starship Troopers is pure Verhoeven: provocative, pervy, and politically charged.

We also take aim at the critical drubbing this movie received on release, some reviewers clearly didn’t get the joke. We shine a light on the film’s relevance today: Would the satire hit harder in a post-Hunger Games, post-Fury Road world? Is this what our future looks like if TikTok replaces civics education?

In true Born to Watch fashion, we ask the tough questions:

• Is this Verhoeven's secret masterpiece?
• Who's worse: Carmen or the bugs?
• And most importantly, how do you prep for a co-ed shower in boot camp?

Whether you’re a superfan who’s seen it 30 times or a rookie just enlisting in the Mobile Infantry, this episode is for you. So load your Morita rifle, shout “Kill ‘em all!”, and join us as we break down Starship Troopers the only way we know how, boobs, bugs, banter, and all.

Because remember: everyone fights. No one quits. And we were Born to Watch.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts!

📣 Join the conversation:
💬 Is Starship Troopers a misunderstood masterpiece or fascist propaganda in disguise?
🔥 Would you follow Rico into battle or hide in the co-ed showers?
🐛 Is this Paul Verhoeven's smartest dumb movie or his dumbest smart one?

#BornToWatch #StarshipTroopers #PaulVerhoeven #CultClassics #MoviePodcast #SciFiMovies #FilmSatire #90sMovies #CinephileLife #PodcastLife