Episode 314 - License to Kill
Welcome back to Not A Bomb, the podcast where we resurrect cinema’s most infamous box office disasters and ask the burning question: is it a bomb? This week, Troy and Brad dive into the world of espionage, revenge, and shark tanks with the 1989 James Bond entry License to Kill. And yes, the guys are fully aware this one wasn’t a full‑blown bomb, but it definitely underperformed and remains one of the more divisive chapters in 007’s long cinematic history.
Coming off The Living Daylights, Timothy Dalton returned as Bond in a darker, more brutal story that tossed out the gadgets and globe‑trotting glamour in favor of a personal vendetta against a drug kingpin. Critics and audiences weren’t quite sure what to make of this grittier take, especially at a time when summer blockbusters were leaning hard into big, flashy spectacle. But revisiting the film today, it’s clear Dalton wasn’t just playing Bond — he was proving he deserved to be Bond.
Troy and Brad break down the film’s intense action sequences, its surprisingly grounded tone, and the behind‑the‑scenes decisions that led to one of the most unconventional Bond movies ever made. They also explore how the film’s reputation has evolved, why fans have rallied around Dalton’s interpretation, and how License to Kill quietly paved the way for the more serious Bond era that would arrive decades later.
Grab your shark‑repellent (just in case) and settle in. This is one Bond mission worth revisiting
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: is it a bomb? This week, Troy and Brad dive into the world of espionage, revenge, and shark tanks with the 1989 James Bond entry License to Kill. And yes, the guys are fully aware this one wasn’t a full‑blown bomb, but it definitely underperformed and remains one of the more divisive chapters in 007’s long cinematic history.
Coming off The Living Daylights, Timothy Dalton returned as Bond in a darker, more brutal story that tossed out the gadgets and globe‑trotting glamour in favor of a personal vendetta against a drug kingpin. Critics and audiences weren’t quite sure what to make of this grittier take, especially at a time when summer blockbusters were leaning hard into big, flashy spectacle. But revisiting the film today, it’s clear Dalton wasn’t just playing Bond — he was proving he deserved to be Bond.
Troy and Brad break down the film’s intense action sequences, its surprisingly grounded tone, and the behind‑the‑scenes decisions that led to one of the most unconventional Bond movies ever made. They also explore how the film’s reputation has evolved, why fans have rallied around Dalton’s interpretation, and how License to Kill quietly paved the way for the more serious Bond era that would arrive decades later.
Grab your shark‑repellent (just in case) and settle in. This is one Bond mission worth revisiting
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 313 - 1941
Welcome back to Not A Bomb! — the podcast where we resurrect cinema's most infamous box office disasters and ask the burning question: is it a bomb?
This week, the guys march into the chaos of Steven Spielberg's 1979 war comedy 1941. Fresh off the unprecedented successes of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spielberg was handed the ultimate Hollywood blank check to make whatever he wanted. The result was an enormous, effects-driven comedy about panic erupting across Southern California in the days following Pearl Harbor. While 1941 wasn't a full-blown box office bomb, it fell well short of the massive expectations surrounding Spielberg's first comedy, becoming one of the earliest examples of how even Hollywood's hottest director wasn't immune to a stumble.
But was the film unfairly judged, or is 1941 simply too loud, too chaotic, and too overstuffed for its own good? Troy and Brad break down the film's incredible cast, jaw-dropping practical effects, and the fascinating production that saw Spielberg pushing his filmmaking ambitions to new heights. The hosts also discuss how the film's reputation has evolved over the decades, why it has developed a passionate cult following, and how its perceived failure may have helped shape Spielberg's remarkable run of classics that followed.
Sound the air raid sirens, keep an eye on the Ferris wheel, and join Not A Bomb as they revisit one of Hollywood's most fascinating near-misses, proving that sometimes even a box office disappointment can become an unforgettable piece of blockbuster history.
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: is it a bomb?
This week, the guys march into the chaos of Steven Spielberg's 1979 war comedy 1941. Fresh off the unprecedented successes of Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Spielberg was handed the ultimate Hollywood blank check to make whatever he wanted. The result was an enormous, effects-driven comedy about panic erupting across Southern California in the days following Pearl Harbor. While 1941 wasn't a full-blown box office bomb, it fell well short of the massive expectations surrounding Spielberg's first comedy, becoming one of the earliest examples of how even Hollywood's hottest director wasn't immune to a stumble.
But was the film unfairly judged, or is 1941 simply too loud, too chaotic, and too overstuffed for its own good? Troy and Brad break down the film's incredible cast, jaw-dropping practical effects, and the fascinating production that saw Spielberg pushing his filmmaking ambitions to new heights. The hosts also discuss how the film's reputation has evolved over the decades, why it has developed a passionate cult following, and how its perceived failure may have helped shape Spielberg's remarkable run of classics that followed.
Sound the air raid sirens, keep an eye on the Ferris wheel, and join Not A Bomb as they revisit one of Hollywood's most fascinating near-misses, proving that sometimes even a box office disappointment can become an unforgettable piece of blockbuster history.
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 312 - Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World
Welcome back to Not A Bomb! — the podcast where we resurrect cinema’s most infamous box office disasters and ask the burning question: is it a bomb?
This week, the guys set sail for one of the most ambitious and accomplished films of the 21st century with Peter Weir's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Released in 2003, this sprawling naval epic follows Captain Jack Aubrey and the crew of HMS Surprise as they pursue a powerful French warship across the globe during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite earning critical acclaim, multiple Academy Award wins, and a passionate fanbase, the film never quite became the blockbuster franchise many expected. Over the years, however, Master and Commander has steadily grown in reputation, earning recognition as one of the finest historical adventures ever put to screen.
But does the film deserve its status as a modern masterpiece? Troy and Brad dive into the incredible craftsmanship behind the production, from its obsessive attention to historical detail to its thunderous sea battles and unforgettable performances from Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. The hosts also discuss why director Peter Weir remains one of cinema's most underappreciated filmmakers despite a career that includes classics like The Truman Show, Witness, and Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Hoist the colors, secure the gun decks, and join the chase as Not A Bomb celebrates a film that proves blockbuster filmmaking can still be intelligent, immersive, and endlessly rewatchable.
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: is it a bomb?
This week, the guys set sail for one of the most ambitious and accomplished films of the 21st century with Peter Weir's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Released in 2003, this sprawling naval epic follows Captain Jack Aubrey and the crew of HMS Surprise as they pursue a powerful French warship across the globe during the Napoleonic Wars. Despite earning critical acclaim, multiple Academy Award wins, and a passionate fanbase, the film never quite became the blockbuster franchise many expected. Over the years, however, Master and Commander has steadily grown in reputation, earning recognition as one of the finest historical adventures ever put to screen.
But does the film deserve its status as a modern masterpiece? Troy and Brad dive into the incredible craftsmanship behind the production, from its obsessive attention to historical detail to its thunderous sea battles and unforgettable performances from Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. The hosts also discuss why director Peter Weir remains one of cinema's most underappreciated filmmakers despite a career that includes classics like The Truman Show, Witness, and Picnic at Hanging Rock.
Hoist the colors, secure the gun decks, and join the chase as Not A Bomb celebrates a film that proves blockbuster filmmaking can still be intelligent, immersive, and endlessly rewatchable.
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.