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For the month of April, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on Hong Kong films. This week, Troy and Brad shift from modern action thrillers to one of John Woo’s most personal and harrowing works: Bullet in the Head. Directed, written, produced, edited, and shaped by John Woo, the film pushes his trademark balletic action into darker, tragic territory. The film opens in 1967 Hong Kong and moves into the chaos of war‑torn Vietnam, following three childhood friends whose loyalty and innocence are corroded by greed, survival, and the horrors they witness. The narrative moves from raucous camaraderie to harrowing tragedy, making the city and the war zones feel like active, punishing characters in the story. Troy and Brad were both taken aback by how the film uses violence to mean something, the shootouts and set‑piece carnage are never mere spectacle; they’re instruments of moral and emotional collapse. The hosts dig into how Woo stages chaos with somber precision, using long takes and operatic framing so that every gunshot carries weight. Both hosts agreed the film’s emotional punches land as hard as its physical ones. The hosts examine the film’s moral center, the breakdown of friendship under pressure, and the ways Woo’s visual language amplifies grief. They also discuss the film’s scale and ambition, and why Bullet in the Head remains a touchstone for Hong Kong cinema fans who want action that hurts as much as it thrills. Brace yourself: this episode is intense, reflective, and emotionally raw. Bullet in the Head is directed by John Woo and stars Tony Leung Chiu‑wai, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee, and Simon Yam. 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 Hong Kong film or a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Cast: Brad, Troy

For the month of April, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on Hong Kong films. This week, Troy and Brad shift gears from modern action thrillers to a film that feels like a love letter to classic Hong Kong stunt cinema as they explore Jackie Chan’s 2025 return to the kind of handcrafted, physical filmmaking that made him a legend — The Shadow’s Edge. With jaw‑dropping practical stunts, a surprising amount of warmth, and a few well‑timed laughs, The Shadow’s Edge asks a simple question: can a veteran action star still surprise us when the camera stays close and the risks feel real? Troy and Brad argue yes, both calling it a return to form for Jackie Chan. They dig into how the film trusts physical performance over CGI, how the tone balances grit and levity, and why seeing Chan take hits and improvise in the frame still lands in a way few modern action films manage. Buckle up: this one is equal parts thrilling and tender. The Shadow’s Edge is directed by Larry Yang, and stars Jackie Chan, Zhang Zifeng, Tony Leung Ka-fai, and Ci Sha. 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 Hong Kong film or a cinematic gem (or 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 Podcasts 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 are strapping on their headbands, polishing their katana, and diving into a matchup that blends ‘80s martial‑arts mayhem with ‘90s neo‑samurai intensity. It’s a clash of cultures, a duel of destinies, and—let’s be honest, a celebration of that timeless cinematic art form: white‑guy karate. That’s right, it’s American Ninja vs. The Hunted, and the dojo has never been more chaotic. American Ninja (1985) Directed by Sam Firstenberg and starring Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, Judie Aronson, and Tadashi Yamashita, this Cannon Films classic is the apex of Reagan‑era martial‑arts absurdity. It’s a movie where ninjas fall from trees like confetti, the U.S. Army apparently has no HR department, and the choreography proudly screams, “We taught this guy karate last week.” A cult favorite for anyone who believes the greatest martial art is confidence. The Hunted (1995) Directed by J.F. Lawton and starring Christopher Lambert, John Lone, Joan Chen, and Yoshio Harada, this sleek, bloody thriller drops a confused American businessman into a centuries‑old samurai feud. Lambert, armed with nothing but bewilderment and the fighting instincts of a man who once took a weekend aikido class. It’s stylish, atmospheric, and surprisingly intense, proving that even in the ‘90s, Hollywood couldn’t resist the allure of “What if a regular white guy accidentally became part of a ninja war?” The Matchup This isn’t just a duel—it’s a full‑blown martial‑arts heavyweight fight. Cannon‑era ninja chaos vs. moody samurai noir. Dudikoff’s “I guess I’m a ninja now” energy vs. Lambert’s “I definitely did not sign up for this” panic. Troy and Brad break down which film kicks harder, which one stumbles, and which earns the coveted weekly crown. Expect shurikens, sword fights, questionable accents, and enough white‑guy karate to power a VHS dojo. 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

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

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 January, Not A Bomb asks a very important cinematic question: what happens when actors decide that being in front of the camera just isn’t enough and take a shot at directing themselves? This week, Brad and Troy dive into the wild, weird world of one of cinema’s most unique action heroes — Steven Seagal — and his 1994 directorial debut, On Deadly Ground. What happens when you blend Road House bar‑brawling energy, sprinkle in a little Dances with Wolves spiritualism, and top it off with the explosive absurdity of Commando? You get Seagal as a Native American eco‑warrior battling a cartoonishly evil oil company that’s tearing up the Alaskan wilderness. And if that’s not enough, Michael Caine shows up with the greasiest hair of his career, there’s a bar scene that might belong in the Action Movie Hall of Fame, and Seagal delivers environmental monologues with the confidence that only Steven Seagal can deliver. Is it poorly written? Without question. Is Seagal a terrible director? Oh, absolutely. But does that stop On Deadly Ground from being a fascinating, ridiculous, and thoroughly entertaining action‑adventure? Not a chance. Strap in — this one’s a blizzard of bad decisions, big explosions, and pure ’90s action madness. On Deadly Ground is directed by Steven Seagal and stars Steven Seagal, Michael Cine, Joan, John C. McGinley, R. Lee Ermey, Shari Shattuck, Billy Bob Thornton, Richard Hamilton, Sven-Ole Thorsen, and Mike Starr. 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

It’s a magical day…..for Season 2 of Not A Bomb Presents: Breaking Brad. The premise is simple. Troy, Sammy from GGTMC, and Jose from Watch/Skip+ pick some of the worst films imaginable to see if they can break Brad. To kick off the new season, the guys dive headfirst into their very first Neil Breen experience — Fateful Findings, a movie that boldly asks, “What if one man did everything… and maybe shouldn’t have?” We tried to write a quick synopsis, but that’s scientifically impossible. This film doesn’t have a plot so much as it has… events. Many events. All happening. All at once. In ways no human mind can fully process. Will writer/producer/director/star/caterer/sound editor/makeup artist/set decorator Neil Breen finally be the one to break Brad? Or will Brad ascend to a higher plane of Breen‑lightenment? Only one way to know — Listen and join us on this mystical, laptop‑throwing journey. 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

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 January, Not A Bomb asks a very important cinematic question: what happens when actors decide that being in front of the camera just isn’t enough and take a shot at directing themselves? In the latest episode of Not A Bomb, Troy and Brad crack open one of Hollywood’s strangest sequels — The Two Jakes. Arriving sixteen years after Chinatown, this long‑delayed follow‑up limped into theaters weighed down by production troubles, an unfinished script, and the impossible shadow of one of the greatest neo‑noirs ever made. Jack Nicholson pulls double duty this time, stepping behind the camera while reprising his role as private eye J.J. “Jake” Gittes. But despite the star power and the legacy attached, the film barely made a dent upon release, leaving audiences and critics wondering whether this sequel ever had a fighting chance. Does The Two Jakes earn its place as a continuation of a classic, or is it proof that some stories are better left alone? Troy and Brad dig into the mystery. The Two Jakes is directed by Jack Nicholson and stars Jack Nicolson, Harvey Keitel, Madeleine Stowe, Eli Wallach, Ruben Blades, Frederic Forrest, David Keith, and Richard Farnsworth 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