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

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 cat and mouse that unfolds in Wolfgang Petersen’s taut, tense, and occasionally trope-heavy flick. What follows is a mix of movie breakdowns, personal throwbacks, accidental roastings, and a bold declaration that Malkovich might just rival Hannibal Lecter as one of the great screen psychopaths.

Eastwood: Still Got It (But Also, He’s 63)
Gow calls Eastwood’s performance “Dirty Harry with a blue pill next to the bed.” Whitey thinks it’s flirty, even charming, a rare side of Clint. Will just seems shocked that he’s now the Born to Watch Eastwood expert. The team debates whether Frank Horrigan is one of Clint’s best post-Unforgiven roles or just another iteration of his go-to tough guy with a badge and a haunted past.

Malkovich: BAFTA Noms, Creepy Vibes, and a Murderous Basement
John Malkovich steals the show as Mitch Leary, a former CIA assassin with a grudge, a creepy lair that looks suspiciously like Buffalo Bill’s basement, and a habit of tormenting Clint over the phone. His calm delivery, terrifying intensity, and sheer unpredictability earned him an Academy Award nomination and earned our crew’s unanimous praise. The guys marvel at his screen presence, his range, and yes, his mysterious career choices.

’90s Tropes and Why We Love Them
The gang agrees: In the Line of Fire is soaked in ‘90s action movie tropes, and that’s not a complaint. From overbearing chiefs of staff and cheesy one-liners to conveniently timed sniper reveals and romantic subplots with massive age gaps, the movie wears its era on its sleeve. Renee Russo’s chemistry with Clint is questionable at best, and her role sparks a deep (and hilarious) debate about whether she’s “a good sort” or a “right-light good sort.”

Clint’s Dating Age Gap: A Cinematic Tradition
With Eastwood at 63 and Russo at 39, the romantic tension raises eyebrows. “She’s two years younger than his daughter,” Whitey points out. “It could’ve been a father-daughter thing.” The conversation doesn’t stop there; it spirals into references to Seinfeld, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Monty Burns.

Cat, Mouse, and Jazz Piano
This movie isn’t just about bullets and bravado — it’s got emotional weight too. Frank’s regret over JFK’s assassination adds gravitas to the plot, and the constant tension between him and Leary plays out over landlines and cassette recorders. The team loves the phone calls, the psychological warfare, and yes, Clint’s real-life jazz piano skills.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Eastwood’s “grizzled flirt” energy gets rated
• Malkovich’s villain performance gets compared to movie greats
• The trailer’s original JFK-themed edit sparks a nostalgic digression
• ‘90s newsagents, porno mags, and the glory days of inside sport magazines
• Damo cops heat in the Snobs Report beef from a random footy guy

It’s a movie about obsession, redemption, and running beside the presidential limo at 60+. It’s also a conversation packed with pop culture tangents, Eastwood trivia, and plenty of digs at Morgs (who’s nowhere to defend himself).

LISTEN NOW on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods.

Join the conversation:

• Is In the Line of Fire Clint’s last great performance?
• Did Malkovich deserve the Oscar?
• Is 63 too old to be jogging beside the president’s car?

Drop us a voicemail at BornToWatch.com.au and let us know.

#InTheLineOfFire #ClintEastwood #JohnMalkovich #BornToWatchPodcast #90sThriller #MoviePodcast #ReneeRusso #SecretServiceMovie

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 premise, executed with Tarantino's signature flair for dialogue, tension, and shock value. Whitey, Damo, G-Man, and special guest Dan break down the movie's unforgettable moments, from the iconic opening sequence in the French countryside to the explosive showdown in Shoshanna’s Parisian cinema.

The crew dives deep into the brilliance of Christoph Waltz as Colonel Hans Landa, the “Jew Hunter” whose multilingual charm and chilling brutality won him an Academy Award. Whitey recounts his jaw-dropping experience attending the Inglourious Basterds premiere at the State Theatre in Sydney, where he not only watched the film in stunning 70mm but bumped into Tarantino himself, earning a nod and a “Thanks, mate” from the director. It’s a full-circle fanboy moment that the crew can’t help but roast him for.

Damo, true to form, is sceptical of the film’s pacing and violence, admitting that it took him three separate tries to get through it. He hilariously recalls turning it off twice during the Bear Jew scene — the sound of the bat making contact just too much to handle. Meanwhile, G-Man shines with trivia gold, revealing Tarantino’s decade-long script process and the last-minute discovery of Christoph Waltz, who stole the role from Leonardo DiCaprio. His ability to seamlessly switch between German, French, Italian, and English during his audition left Tarantino and producer Lawrence Bender high-fiving in disbelief.

The team also dissects the infamous basement bar scene — a masterclass in tension and dialogue that only Tarantino could deliver. Michael Fassbender's suave but doomed performance as Lieutenant Archie Hicox gets high praise, while Damo can’t help but admire his old-timey English gentleman look. Whitey and Dan debate whether this is the best opening scene of all time, putting it up against classics like Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Dark Knight.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Born to Watch without a deep dive. Damo declares the movie a “masterpiece of tension,” while G-Man drops the trivia bomb that Tarantino nearly abandoned the script after failing to find the right actor for Landa. It wasn’t until Waltz walked in and blew them away with his quad-lingual performance that the movie finally came together.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Quentin Tarantino’s mastery of dialogue and pacing
• Brad Pitt’s Southern drawl and why Aldo Raine might be his coolest role
• Christoph Waltz’s Oscar-winning turn as Hans Landa
• Why the basement bar scene is Tarantino at his best
• Whitey’s surreal run-in with Tarantino after the Sydney premiere

Inglourious Basterds is the movie where history gets rewritten, Nazis get what’s coming to them, and Tarantino crafts his most ambitious narrative yet. It’s violent, sharp, and endlessly quotable. The team at Born to Watch spares no detail, no roast, and no punchline in their breakdown of this modern classic.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your movie fix.
Join the conversation:

• Is Inglourious Basterds Tarantino's best work?
• Can you handle the Bear Jew scene?
• Where does Hans Landa rank among the all-time great villains?

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

#BornToWatch #InglouriousBasterds #QuentinTarantino #BradPitt #ChristophWaltz #MoviePodcast #CinemaRevenge #NazisGetScalped #WorldWarIIMovies #TarantinoClassic

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 Leia in the most iconic gold bikini of all time. But this isn’t just a victory lap for George Lucas. It’s a breakdown of when blockbuster storytelling meets merchandising mayhem.

From Jabba’s Palace to the forests of Endor, the boys revisit every major beat and plenty of forgotten moments, too. G-Man brings the pop-up book trivia. Damo relives a childhood trauma involving a pirate VHS and missing the first 40 minutes. And Whitey, as always, holds court with the kind of deep lore and dry banter only a man surrounded by Star Wars paraphernalia can muster.

Naturally, there’s love for the spectacle. The speeder bike chase still rips. The throne room showdown between Luke and Vader is the emotional core of the entire saga. The death of the Emperor (before he didn’t die) is satisfying. And the battle on Endor? Say what you want about teddy bears with sticks, but the editing is tight and the score is pure Williams gold.

But it’s not all glowing lightsabers and happy rebel endings. The crew also takes aim at Return of the Jedi’s weaknesses. The overcrowded special edition visuals. The musical abomination that replaced "Yub Nub." The awkward moments that suggest George Lucas might’ve spent a little too long designing action figures.

We then fully evaluate supporting characters, acting chops, and space-worthy athleticism. Mark Hamill's skiff-running form gets roasted. Leia’s suspicious fingernail choices in the bunker get noticed. And the Ewoks? Well, let’s just say there was strong support for showing them feasting on stormtroopers in the final scene.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• The "Salacious Crumbs" rating scale debuts
• The guys debate whether Jedi is a true ending or a corporate compromise
• Han Solo’s charisma vs. the wet sponge that is Hayden Christensen
• Why Luke might be the last Jedi to actually train for the job
• Whether Ewoks are underestimated warriors or just lucky teddy bears

This is Star Wars at peak fandom, part critique, part love letter, and part therapy session for three men who’ve watched this film dozens of times across decades.

From behind-the-scenes changes to Rotten Tomatoes rankings, from the 1983 theatrical experience to the 1997 Special Edition backlash, the Born to Watch crew digs into Return of the Jedi with reverence and razor-sharp commentary. It’s loud, nerdy, and very, very fun.

And yes, Salacious Crumb gets his due.

LISTEN NOW on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your movie fix.

Join the conversation:

• Does Return of the Jedi hold up or sell out?
• Are Ewoks criminally underrated?
• And who’s the real MVP: Luke, Vader… or the green sabre?

Drop us a voicemail at BornToWatch.com.au and join the rebellion.

#BornToWatchPodcast #ReturnOfTheJedi #StarWarsDay #EwokBattle #MayTheFourthBeWithYou #MoviePodcast #JabbaTheHutt #SalaciousCrumb #FinalTrilogy #NostalgiaCinema

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 Tobe Hooper weaponises your imagination with low-budget ingenuity, turning rural Texas into a sweat-drenched nightmare of implied violence, claustrophobia, and screaming madness.

Whitey and Damo break down how the film uses its documentary-style visuals to make you feel like you're inside the nightmare. They discuss the iconic opening narration, the genius use of real animal sounds in place of a traditional soundtrack, and the deeply uncomfortable "dinner scene," which remains one of the most disturbing sequences ever filmed.

The episode also explores the surprising lack of blood, the history of censorship surrounding the movie (which was banned for decades in the UK!), and why Leatherface, chainsaw-wielding, mask-wearing, and alarmingly agile, became an instant horror icon. There’s serious appreciation for how Texas Chainsaw influenced Evil Dead, Seven, Pulp Fiction, and even the style of Star Wars’ opening crawl.

Of course, this wouldn’t be Born to Watch without a few detours:

• Franklin and his endless whining take a brutal roasting, and deservedly so.
• Picking up hitchhikers is a bad move. Hitchhikers carrying photos of slaughtered cows—extra bad move.
• "Don't go in the house, mate" becomes the ultimate horror PSA.
• Damo tells the all-time story of accidentally picking up hitchhikers while having "Northern Beaches Gay Board Riders" accidentally stuck to his car door.

The cast of unknowns stayed unknown, most fading into cult obscurity. But the legacy of the film is undeniable, and the team argues that it might be the rawest and most authentic horror movie ever made.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why a minimal budget made Texas Chainsaw even scarier.
• The genius of Tobe Hooper's “no soundtrack” approach.
• How Sally Hardesty became the prototype for the Final Girl trope.
• That horrifying Grandpa scene and why it still messes us up.
• Whether Leatherface could qualify as CrossFit's most terrifying champion.

It’s loud, it's grimy, it’s uncomfortable, and it's a horror masterclass that still hits like a hammer to the skull.

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

Join the conversation:
Is The Texas Chainsaw Massacre the most disturbing horror film ever made?
Could Leatherface outrun Michael Myers?
Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker... and regretted it?

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

#BornToWatch #TexasChainsawMassacre #TobeHooper #Leatherface #HorrorMovies #1970sCinema #FinalGirl #HorrorPodcast #CultClassics #MovieReview #BornToWatchPodcast