Not a Bomb

This week’s experiment: the pint-sized action sequel The Impossible Kid, starring the endlessly charming Weng Weng. After the crew unexpectedly fell in love with the chaotic brilliance of For Your Height Only, they’re diving back in… and happily so.

And somehow, the magic is still there.

What could have easily felt like a retread instead leans into everything that made the first film so special, the inventive action, the earnest weirdness, and a lead performance that’s impossible not to root for. Sure, it’s scrappy. Sure, it’s unconventional. But that’s exactly where the charm lives.

This time, instead of asking “what are we watching?” the better question might be “why are we smiling so much?” The gadgets are still wild, the plot still zigzags in unexpected ways, but it all comes together into something that feels genuinely fun, and surprisingly heartfelt.

It’s not just a sequel… it’s a reminder that sometimes lightning can strike twice.

And on this episode, instead of trying to break Brad, the guys might have accidentally found something they all just… enjoy.

Be sure to subscribe to the Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema to hear more of Sammy. Also, check out Jose’s podcast - Watch/Skip+ • A podcast on Anchor. Both are highly recommended.

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

Cast: Brad, Troy, Jose, Sammy

There’s something special about early ‘90s boxing movies. They live in that sweet spot between grit and charm—before everything became overly polished, but after the genre had already gone a few rounds with audiences. For Episode 301 of Not A Bomb, we step into the ring with two films that don’t always get a title shot: Gladiator (1992) and Diggstown (1992).

Here is the tale of the tape:

Gladiator (1992)

Gladiator comes out swinging with raw, underground energy. It’s a coming-of-age story that doesn’t pull its punches, following a young fighter caught in a world where every decision feels like going toe-to-toe with disaster.

This movie fights in close quarters, dirty, aggressive, and personal. There’s no dancing around the ring here. Every hit lands, and you feel it. It’s the kind of film that wins on sheer grit… even if it occasionally looks like it forgot the game plan between rounds.

Gladiator Rowdy Herrington and stars Cuba Gooding Jr., James Marshall, Robert Loggia, Ossie Davis, and Brain Dennehy.

Diggstown (1992)

Diggstown, meanwhile, is light on its feet and heavy on charm. It’s less about haymakers and more about the long con—built around a bet that feels like the cinematic equivalent of calling your shot before the fight even starts.

This film shadowboxes with expectations. It jabs, it dodges, and every now and then it lands a clever uppercut of a twist. It may not hit as hard as Gladiator, but it definitely knows how to score points with the judges (and the audience).

Diggstown is directed by Michael Ritchie and stars James Woods, Louis Gossett Jr., Oliver Platt, Heather Graham, Bruce Dern

We Want to Hear From You

Got a cinematic flop you want us to tackle? Drop us a line at [email protected] or reach out through our contact page. Reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify help us grow and keep the chaos coming.

Cast: Brad, Troy

For our 300th episode, Not A Bomb takes a moment to look back on nearly six years of exploring overlooked and misunderstood films. Brad and Troy reflect on the evolution of the show, the community that has grown around it, and the conversations that have shaped its identity.

To mark the milestone, the episode revisits Michael Mann’s Heat (1995) — a film that has long been part of the podcast’s internal history. Though never a “bomb,” Heat is a work whose reputation has deepened over time, making it a fitting choice for this moment. The discussion examines the film’s legacy, performances, craftsmanship, and themes, drawing on ideas explored in past blog posts while offering new perspective.

Episode 300 serves as both a celebration and a reaffirmation of the show’s purpose: to give films the thoughtful attention they deserve and to continue discovering the stories behind them.

Heat is directed by Michael Mann and stars Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Tom Sizemore, Diane Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Mykelti Williamson, Wes Studi, Ted Levine, Jon Voight, and Val Kilmer

Support the Show

Want to help support the show? Head over to the Not A Bomb Tee Public store and check our merchandise. Special thanks to Ted Blair for the amazing designs!

We're committed to hearing your feedback and suggestions. If there's a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. Your reviews and feedback are what drive us. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

Cast: Brad, Troy

For the entire month of March, the guys at Not A Bomb are throwing it back to their old Movie Matchup format, pitting notorious box office bombs against each other in a battle for redemption. Two flops enter… only one survives. There can only be one!

This week, Troy and Brad aren’t just stepping into the ring, they’re calling the fight of the century. It’s a bruising, bare‑knuckle, cinematic heavyweight showdown between two crime‑soaked epics: King of New York and Gangs of New York. Decades apart, stylistically worlds away, but both swinging for the fences with operatic violence, towering performances, and enough swagger to level a city block.

King of New York

Directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Christopher Walken, Laurence Fishburne, Wesley Snipes, David Caruso, Victor Argo, and Giancarlo Esposito, this neon‑drenched gangster fever dream follows drug lord Frank White as he storms back into New York’s underworld after a stint in prison. It’s stylish, chaotic, and packed with performances so intense they practically melt through the screen.

Gangs of New York

Directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Daniel Day‑Lewis, Cameron Diaz, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and John C. Reilly, this sprawling historical epic throws you into the blood‑soaked streets of 1860s Manhattan. Rival factions. Political corruption. Revenge quests. And at the center of it all, Daniel Day‑Lewis delivering one of the most terrifying, magnetic performances of his career as Bill the Butcher.

This isn’t just a comparison; it’s a clash of titans. Frank White vs. Bill the Butcher. Modern crime mythmaking vs. historical gangland opera. Ferrara’s gritty, punk‑rock filmmaking vs. Scorsese’s grand, blood‑stained spectacle. Troy and Brad break down which film lands the cleanest hits, which one stumbles, and which earns the coveted weekly crown. Expect fireworks, body blows, and enough cinematic carnage to fill Madison Square Garden.

Got a cinematic flop you want us to tackle? Drop us a line at [email protected] or reach out through our contact page. Reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify help us grow and keep the chaos coming.

Cast: Brad, Troy

For the entire month of March, the guys at Not A Bomb are throwing it back to their old Movie Matchup format—pitting notorious box office bombs against each other in a battle for redemption. Two flops enter… only one survives. There can only be one!

Crank up the amps, listeners, because this week we’re going full volume with a double feature of rock‑and‑roll misfits: Airheads and The Rocker. That’s right, Troy and Brad are diving into two cult‑leaning comedies about musicians who refuse to let obscurity, bad decisions, or basic common sense get in their way.

Airheads (1994)

Directed by Michael Lehmann and starring Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Michael McKean, Ernie Hudson, Judd Nelson, and Joe Mantegna, this ‘90s cult favorite asks the truly important questions: What happens when your band can’t get airplay and your best plan is… taking a radio station hostage? How did one movie manage to pack in this many iconic comedic faces? And why, despite all the chaos, does it still feel painfully relatable to every band that’s ever played a half-empty club while their drummer argues about artistic integrity?

The Rocker (2008)

Directed by Peter Cattaneo and starring Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Josh Gad, Emma Stone, Teddy Geiger, Jeff Garlin, and Jane Lynch, this one brings the arena‑rock energy with a side of midlife crisis.

The Matchup

From hostage‑taking metalheads to a washed‑up drummer chasing redemption, the guys break down which film hits the right notes, which one bombs, and which earns the coveted weekly crown. It’s an episode packed with laughs, nostalgia, big hair, bigger egos, and enough rock‑movie absurdity to fill a stadium.

We Want to Hear From You

Got a cinematic flop you want us to tackle? Drop us a line at [email protected] or reach out through our contact page. Reviews on Apple Podcasts or Spotify help us grow and keep the chaos coming.

Cast: Brad, Troy

For the month of February, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on some of the greatest Black directors in cinematic history. This week, Troy and Brad dive into their first film from legendary music‑video visionary Hype Williams with his 1998 crime drama Belly, a film that’s as visually bold as it is culturally influential.

Anchored by performances from DMX and Nas, the film brings Willams’ unmistakable aesthetic to every frame — surreal lighting, striking color palettes, and kinetic camera work, creating a dreamlike, hypnotic atmosphere that feels ripped straight from the golden era of hip‑hop. It’s a world where every shot looks like an album cover and every moment feels charged with style and attitude. While critics were divided on its narrative, Belly has endured as a cult classic, influencing filmmakers, musicians, and visual artists for decades. It’s messy, ambitious, and unlike anything else released in its era, which makes it perfect for the Not A Bomb treatment. The guys are also happy to bring friend of the show, Zo from Back Look Cinema Podcast back to the show! Be sure you go support his show!

Belly is directed by Hype Williams and stars DMX, Nas, Taral Hicks, Method Man, Tionne “T‑Boz” Watkins, and Hassan Johnson.

Support the Show

Want to help support the show? Head over to the Not A Bomb Tee Public store and check our merchandise. Special thanks to Ted Blair for the amazing designs!

We're committed to hearing your feedback and suggestions. If there's a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. Your reviews and feedback are what drive us. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

Cast: Brad, Troy

Special Guest: Zo

Love is in the air… which means it’s time for a group of so-called friends to emotionally waterboard their buddy with terrible cinema.

This week’s experiment: the glitter-soaked fever dream starring Paris Hilton — The Hottie and the Nottie. A romantic comedy that bravely asks, “Can true love conquer all?” …and then immediately tests that theory against a script that absolutely cannot.

We would break down the plot, but that would imply there’s structure. Instead, imagine a loose collection of baffling decisions, early-2000s fashion choices, and jokes that feel like they were rescued from a rejected middle school notebook — all stitched together with lip gloss and desperation.

It’s a movie that doesn’t just challenge beauty standards and rom-com tropes… it challenges friendships. And on this episode, we find out whether love is patient, love is kind — and whether Brad can survive 90 minutes of this without filing a formal complaint.

Happy Valentine’s Day. Bring chocolate. And emotional support.

Be sure to subscribe to the Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema to hear more of Sammy. Also, check out Jose’s podcast - Watch/Skip+ • A podcast on Anchor. Both are highly recommended.

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

Cast: Brad, Troy, Jose, Sammy

For the month of February, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on some of the greatest Black directors in cinematic history. This week, Troy and Brad shift gears from grounded crime dramas to full‑throttle grindhouse fantasy as they explore their first film from RZA — the Wu‑Tang Clan legend turned filmmaker — with his 2012 martial‑arts epic The Man with the Iron Fists.

Set in the chaotic, neon‑splashed world of Jungle Village, the film follows a humble blacksmith who becomes entangled in a violent power struggle between assassins, warriors, mercenaries, and one extremely committed Russell Crowe. Drawing inspiration from Shaw Brothers classics, spaghetti westerns, and old‑school kung fu cinema, RZA blends genre homage with his own hip‑hop sensibilities to create something loud, stylish, and completely unrestrained.

With bone‑crunching fight scenes, outrageous characters, and a world that feels ripped straight from a fever‑dream comic book, The Man with the Iron Fists asks a simple question: can pure passion and love for martial‑arts cinema overcome a chaotic script and some questionable acting choices? Troy and Brad dig into RZA’s directorial vision, the film’s wild production energy, and why this gonzo kung‑fu mashup has earned a cult following.

Sharpen your blades — this one gets rowdy.

The Man with the Iron Fists is directed by RZA and stars Russell Crowe, Cung Lee, Lucy Liu, Bryon Mann, RZA, Rick Yune, David Bautista, and Jamie Chung

Want to help support the show? Head over to the Not A Bomb Tee Public store and check our merchandise. Special thanks to Ted Blair for the amazing designs!

We're committed to hearing your feedback and suggestions. If there's a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. Your reviews and feedback are what drive us. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

Cast: Brad, Troy

Welcome back to Not A Bomb!—the podcast where we resurrect cinema’s most infamous box office disasters and ask the burning question: was it really that bad? We’re celebrating five years of cinematic redemption.

For the month of February, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on some of the greatest Black directors in cinematic history. This week, Troy and Brad take on their very first Spike Lee joint with his 1995 crime drama Clockers — a film that blends gritty realism, moral complexity, and Lee’s unmistakable visual style.

Set in a Brooklyn housing project, Clockers allows Spike Lee to use his sharp eye for cultural tension, systemic injustice, and the lived realities of urban America, the film becomes more than a crime story — it’s a layered portrait of community, policing, and the cycles that trap people in impossible choices.

Is Clockers one of Spike Lee’s most underrated films? And how does it fit into the larger conversation about ’90s crime cinema and Black storytelling on screen? Troy and Brad dig into all of it.

Clockers is directed by Spike Lee and stars Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Mikhi Phifer, Isaiah Washington, and Ketih David.

Want to help support the show? Head over to the Not A Bomb Tee Public store and check our merchandise. Special thanks to Ted Blair for the amazing designs!

We're committed to hearing your feedback and suggestions. If there's a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. Your reviews and feedback are what drive us. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

Cast: Brad, Troy

Welcome back to Not A Bomb! —the podcast where we resurrect cinema’s most infamous box office disasters and ask the burning question: was it really that bad? We’re celebrating five years of cinematic redemption.

For the month of February, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on some of the greatest Black directors in cinematic history. And look — Brad and Troy fully acknowledge that two white guys aren’t exactly the cultural authorities here. But they are passionate about movies, and they wanted to take time to celebrate a handful of incredible filmmakers and the films that deserve more love.

This week, the guys dive into one of the most underrated neo‑noirs of the ’90s: Devil in a Blue Dress (1995). Directed by the criminally overlooked Carl Franklin, the film follows Denzel Washington as Easy Rawlins, a WWII veteran navigating postwar Los Angeles who gets pulled into a mystery involving a missing femme fatale, political secrets, and the kind of corruption noir fans live for.

With a powerhouse cast, razor‑sharp direction, and a richly atmospheric take on the genre, Devil in a Blue Dress raises a big question: is this one of the greatest noir films ever made? Brad and Troy dig into the performances, the themes, the legacy, and why Carl Franklin deserves far more recognition than he gets.

Hard-boiled and sharp-edged, this soul-scarred noir doesn’t ask for the spotlight — it takes it. Press play and step into the night.

Devil in a Blue Dress is directed by Carl Franklin and stars Denzel Washington, Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, Don Cheadle, and Maury Chaykin

Want to help support the show? Head over to the Not A Bomb Tee Public store and check our merchandise. Special thanks to Ted Blair for the amazing designs!

We're committed to hearing your feedback and suggestions. If there's a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. Your reviews and feedback are what drive us. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.

Cast: Brad, Troy