Episode 292 - The Two Jakes
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 NotABombPod@gmail.com 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.
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 NotABombPod@gmail.com 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.
Episode 291 - Star Trek V: The Final Frontier
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 Podcast, we boldly go where many fans wish the franchise hadn’t with Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. William Shatner steps fully into the captain’s chair — pulling double (and triple) duty as director, co-writer, and star — and the results are… complicated. We break down Shatner’s ambitions behind the camera, the notoriously troubled production, studio interference, budget issues, and how a film built around big ideas about faith and God ultimately became one of the most debated — and often maligned — entries in the Star Trek film series.
Joining us for this journey beyond the galactic barrier is Sammy from The Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnight Cinema, who helps us ask the forbidden question: is Star Trek V really as bad as its reputation? While the film is frequently labeled one of the worst in the franchise, we dig into its themes, character moments, and oddball sincerity to see if there’s a misunderstood Trek hiding beneath the camp, chaos, and infamous missteps. Strap in, grab your favorite Tribble, and prepare for a spirited reassessment of one of Star Trek’s most controversial adventures.
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 NotABombPod@gmail.com 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.
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 Podcast, we boldly go where many fans wish the franchise hadn’t with Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. William Shatner steps fully into the captain’s chair — pulling double (and triple) duty as director, co-writer, and star — and the results are… complicated. We break down Shatner’s ambitions behind the camera, the notoriously troubled production, studio interference, budget issues, and how a film built around big ideas about faith and God ultimately became one of the most debated — and often maligned — entries in the Star Trek film series.
Joining us for this journey beyond the galactic barrier is Sammy from The Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnight Cinema, who helps us ask the forbidden question: is Star Trek V really as bad as its reputation? While the film is frequently labeled one of the worst in the franchise, we dig into its themes, character moments, and oddball sincerity to see if there’s a misunderstood Trek hiding beneath the camp, chaos, and infamous missteps. Strap in, grab your favorite Tribble, and prepare for a spirited reassessment of one of Star Trek’s most controversial adventures.
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 NotABombPod@gmail.com 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.
Episode 290 - The Quest
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? Troy and Brad are “kicking” things off with The Quest, the 1996 martial‑arts adventure film both directed by — and starring — the Muscles from Brussels himself, Jean‑Claude Van Damme.
Upon release, The Quest didn’t exactly spin‑kick its way into critics’ hearts. Reviews were mixed at best, with many calling it a reheated blend of better tournament movies and a vanity project that proved JCVD might be more comfortable throwing roundhouses than calling “action.” Financially, the film limped across the finish line, earning modest box office returns that fell far short of Van Damme’s earlier hits. In short: not a total disaster, but definitely not the triumphant directorial debut he probably envisioned.
One part Bloodsport, one part Street Fighter, one part Enter the Dragon, and all parts dumb, The Quest might be the perfect argument for actors to stay in their lanes. But hey — it does feature plenty of sweaty, oily dudes kicking each other in the face. Is that enough to win Troy and Brad over?
Only one way to find out — listen now!
The Quest is directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme and stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, James Remar, Janet Gunn, Jack McGee, Aki Aleong, and Louis Mandylor.
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 NotABombPod@gmail.com 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.
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? Troy and Brad are “kicking” things off with The Quest, the 1996 martial‑arts adventure film both directed by — and starring — the Muscles from Brussels himself, Jean‑Claude Van Damme.
Upon release, The Quest didn’t exactly spin‑kick its way into critics’ hearts. Reviews were mixed at best, with many calling it a reheated blend of better tournament movies and a vanity project that proved JCVD might be more comfortable throwing roundhouses than calling “action.” Financially, the film limped across the finish line, earning modest box office returns that fell far short of Van Damme’s earlier hits. In short: not a total disaster, but definitely not the triumphant directorial debut he probably envisioned.
One part Bloodsport, one part Street Fighter, one part Enter the Dragon, and all parts dumb, The Quest might be the perfect argument for actors to stay in their lanes. But hey — it does feature plenty of sweaty, oily dudes kicking each other in the face. Is that enough to win Troy and Brad over?
Only one way to find out — listen now!
The Quest is directed by Jean-Claude Van Damme and stars Jean-Claude Van Damme, Roger Moore, James Remar, Janet Gunn, Jack McGee, Aki Aleong, and Louis Mandylor.
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 NotABombPod@gmail.com 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.