Not a Bomb

Oh boy, strap in for this transgressive episode of Not A Bomb as the gang welcomes back Josh, from The VHS Files podcast, to examine the 2013 science fiction film - Under the Skin. Loosely based on the book of the same name, Under the Skin finds Scarlett Johansson as an alien preying on men in Scotland.

Under the Skin was critically adored and won numerous awards upon its release. However, audiences were left with a ton of unanswered questions and a lackluster ending.

Join us as we discuss transgressive cinema, Mr. Skin, and unsexy sexiness. Ultimately, the gang decides if Under the Skin is truly a bomb.

Under the Skin is directed by Johnathan Glazer and stars Scarlett Johansson.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast. Also, please catch out our friends over at The VHS Files.

Ahoy matey, and welcome back to another exciting episode of Not A Bomb Podcast. For this week’s show, Troy and Brad are joined by Eric from The VHS Files, to discuss 1995’s swashbuckling adventure film - Cutthroat Island. This pirate movie once held the infamous distinction as being the biggest box office flop of all time and put the final nail in the coffin of Carolco Pictures.

Cutthroat Island had a notoriously troubled production. Numerous crew members were fired. The script was continually rewritten, and a broken pipe caused massive amounts of sewage to pour into the water tank inhabited by actors. All of these issues created a budget out of control and bad press for the filmmakers.

The guys breakdown the history of Carolco and examine the downfall of one of the most successful independent motion picture production companies of all time. Plus, Troy finally becomes a man. And we actually find out if we should worry about dying from quicksand?

Cutthroat Island is directed by Renny Harlin and stars Geena Davis, Matthew Modine, Frank Langella, Maury Chaykin, Patrick Malahide, and Stan Shaw.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Be sure to check out of friends over at The VHS Files.

Cast: Brad, Troy, Eric

On this special episode of Not A Bomb, Troy and Brad record the podcast in person for the very first time. For this momentous occasion, the guys sit around Brad’s kitchen table and discuss the 1984 science fiction film - The Adventures of Buckroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. Known as one of the weirdest, most impenetrable films of all time, Buckroo Banzai follows our titular character as he battles aliens from the Planet 10. Oh, and he also develops a rocket car that can go into the 8th dimension, falls in love with the identical twin sister of his late wife, and……..starts a band that specializes in yacht rock with an edge. Yeah, the movie might be a little eccentric.

Listen as Troy and Brad try to describe the plot of the film, discuss the Oscar worthy performance of John Lithgow, and hey - what is that watermelon for? Ultimately, the guys decide whether or not a man born to an American mother and a Japanese father is truly a bomb.

The Adventures of Buckroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension is directed by W.D. Richter and stars Peter Weller, Ellen Barkin, John Lithgow, Jeff Goldblum, and Christopher Lloyd.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy

Hello Comrade, and welcome greatest movie film podcast - Not a Bomb.

On this episode, Troy, Brad, and John assemble to tackle the 2015 spy film - The Man from U.N.C.L.E. The film is directed by every fifteen year old’s favorite director, Guy Ritchie, and based on the 1960’s television show of the same name! The Man from U.N.C.L.E was supposed to be Warner Bros answer to James Bond, Jason Borne, and every other spy franchise that was making lots of money. Sadly, when The Man from U.N.C.L.E. was released, Tom Cruise was dominating the box office with Mission Impossible and the studio reportedly lost $80 million.

Listen as the guys talk about their favorite movies based on tv shows, jazz music, and boxer droppers. Yep, that’s right - boxer droppers.

The Man from U.N.C.L.E is directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Jared Harris, and Hugh Grant.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy, John

Welcome back to another exciting episode of Not A Bomb! This week, Troy and Brad are, once again, joined by their good friend, Bret, to discuss the 2007 Danny Boyle directed Sunshine. In this sci-fi/action/disaster/slasher film, the sun is dying and the only way to save the Earth from eternal cold is blowing it up. Yes, you read that correctly. Hollywood science in all it’s glory! Listen as the guys talk about science (yuck) and use their limited knowledge to discuss nuclear fusion, the sun’s life expectancy, and Chris Evans’ bad haircut. Oh, and Troy gets to say Michele Yeoh’s name throughout the entire episode over and over and over…

Released by Fox Searchlight, Sunshine never opened in more than 500 theaters and, coupled with the notorious third act tonal shift, the movie failed to recoup its production budget.

Spoiler alert, someone on this episode really does not like this movie and its not Brad. Big surprise!

Sunshine is directed by Danny Boyle, and stars Cillian Murphy, Rose Byrne, Cliff Curtis, Chris Evans, Troy Garity, Hiroyuki Sanada, Benedict Wong, and Michelle Yeoh.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy, Bret

On this episode of Not A Bomb, romance is in the air as Troy and Brad light some candles, play some soft music, and discuss 2020’s Love and Monsters. Directed by Michael Matthews, Love and Monsters is a heartfelt, monster adventure film about….well, love and monsters. Listen to Troy and Brad fall head over heals for Dylan O’Brien and gush over the dog acting of Boy.

Released during the COVID-19 pandemic, Love and Monsters was criminally underseen and didn’t come anywhere close to making back its production budget. However, this is one of the most fun, imaginative films Not A Bomb has discussed during our run. This is one of the best movies of 2020! Seriously, do yourself a favor and SEE THIS MOVIE!

Love and Monsters is directed by Michael Matthews, and stars Dylan O’Brien, Jessica Henwick, Dan Ewing, Ariana Greenblatt, and Michael Rooker.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy

Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go! That’s right folks! On this episode of Not A Bomb Podcast, the gang tackles the 2008 sports/action film - Speed Racer. Based on the anime/magna of the same name, Speed Racer is known as one of the biggest movie bombs of all time. To help Troy and Brad discuss such a colossal cinema failure, Sammy, from Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnight Cinema comes to the show.

Speed Racer is brought to the big screen by the visionary directors - The Wachowskis. Following the success of the Matrix trilogy, The Wachowskis took over the troubled production at the request of Warner Brothers Studios and producer Joel Silver. Sadly, the film failed to start and never had a chance at the box office. Critics did nothing to assure anyone other than 12 year old boys that they would enjoy the film and the movie lost close to $100 million. Oh wait, is that Shaft and the dude from Ninja Assassin?!?!?!?!

Speed Racer is directed by The Wachowskis and stars Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, John Goodman, Susan Sarandon, Matthew Fox, Benno Furmann, Hiroyuki Sanada, Rain, and Richard Roundtree.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Also, don’t forget to listen to one of best film podcasts on the internet, The Gentleman’s Guide to Midnight Cinema! They just talked about their 1000th movie on episode 526!!!!

Cast: Brad, Troy, Sammy

For the finale of listener request month, Not A Bomb is joined by the sensational Jose to discuss the 1995 Paul Verhoeven film - Showgirls. Yes, the most famous NC-17 film of all time (so probably best not to listen with the kids around)! Showgirls was both a critical and financial bomb and singlehandedly destroyed the reputation of star Elizabeth Berkley.

Our amazing friend Jose drops some fascinating knowledge about Showgirls, the making of the film, and the people behind the camera. Troy and Brad’s contribution isn’t as informative but they do ask important questions like how does Nomi talk with so much teeth showing all the time. Also, did you know that Robert Davi was in Die Hard?

Be warned - this episode goes some places and is definitely not safe for work - thanks Troy!

Showgirls is directed by Paul Verhoeven and stars Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi, Alan Rachins, and Gina Ravera.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy, Jose

On this week’s episode of Not A Bomb, TV has invaded the podcast as Troy, Brad, and John tackle 2005’s Serenity. The film acts as the conclusion to the short-lived 2002 Fox television series, Firefly, which was cancelled during its first and only season.

Serenity and Firefly were created by Joss Whedon of Buffy and Angel fame (possibly, two of the greatest shows of all time according to one host). Despite the high anticipation from the Firefly fans, Serenity was not too “shiny” at the box office and performed poorly. The film did, however, garner favorable reviews and still lives on as a cult favorite.

The gang kicks off the show talking about their favorite television shows and then takes a look back at Joss Whedon’s career. They also examine why this beloved movie failed to attract more fans. There is a lot of talk about Serenity’s theme song which might be one of the worst things in music history. Ever. Seriously, it’s that terrible.

Serenity is directed by Joss Whedon and star Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, Chiwetel Ejofor, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, and Morena Baccarin.

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy, John

On this week’s listener requested episode, Not A Bomb examines the 1992 dark comedy/science fiction film, Memoirs of an Invisible Man, from legendary director John Carpenter. This critically panned film stars Chevy Chase as the titular invisible man as he struggles to eat food, put on clothes, evade capture from the government, and solidify a relationship with Daryl Hannah. Audiences were not excited about this hybrid film and it was a box office dud!

Troy and Brad could not tackle such a film without the help from their friend and fellow podcaster, Josh, from The VHS Files podcast. The trio find themselves trying to figure out whether a serious, Hitchcock-type film is the right move for Chevy Chase. Ultimately, the guys debate if Memoirs of an Invisible Man deserved to be called a bomb.

Also, this week Not a Bomb is having a giveaway. You could win a copy of “My Year of Chevy: One Guy’s Journey Through the Films of Chevy Chase” by film critic Mike McGrahaghan. To win, just email us your recommendation for a movie bomb ([email protected]). If we pick yours, we’ll send you a copy of this fantastic book. (US Residents only).

If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected]. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.

Cast: Brad, Troy, Josh