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 310 - Angel’s Egg
This week, Not A Bomb slows things down for a very different kind of Ani‑MAY‑e pick. The hosts dive into Angel’s Egg, Mamoru Oshii’s 1985 avant‑gothic meditation on faith, memory, and meaning. If last week was all speed and neon, this film is pure atmosphere, built from quiet moments, stark imagery, and a story that refuses to explain itself.
The episode sets the stage by exploring the film’s unusual production history, its cult reputation, and why it remains one of the most debated works in anime. Troy and Brad talk about how Angel’s Egg abandons traditional narrative structure in favor of mood and symbolism, creating a viewing experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
They are joined once again by Mr. Korean Kool, John from the YouTube podcast And Now For Something A Little Bit Different. Few films invite deep discussion like this one, and the trio goes long, stretching the conversation well past the film’s 71‑minute runtime. Together they unpack themes, imagery, and interpretations while debating whether the film is a masterpiece, a puzzle, or something in between.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
Guest: John
This week, Not A Bomb slows things down for a very different kind of Ani‑MAY‑e pick. The hosts dive into Angel’s Egg, Mamoru Oshii’s 1985 avant‑gothic meditation on faith, memory, and meaning. If last week was all speed and neon, this film is pure atmosphere, built from quiet moments, stark imagery, and a story that refuses to explain itself.
The episode sets the stage by exploring the film’s unusual production history, its cult reputation, and why it remains one of the most debated works in anime. Troy and Brad talk about how Angel’s Egg abandons traditional narrative structure in favor of mood and symbolism, creating a viewing experience that lingers long after the credits roll.
They are joined once again by Mr. Korean Kool, John from the YouTube podcast And Now For Something A Little Bit Different. Few films invite deep discussion like this one, and the trio goes long, stretching the conversation well past the film’s 71‑minute runtime. Together they unpack themes, imagery, and interpretations while debating whether the film is a masterpiece, a puzzle, or something in between.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
Guest: John
Episode 309 - Redline (2009)
For this installment of Not A Bomb’s Ani‑MAY‑e celebration, the hosts floor it into Redline — the 2009 hand‑drawn fever dream that treats racing like ritual and animation like pure adrenaline. What reads like a simple, neon‑soaked contest on the surface quickly reveals itself as an all‑out sensory sprint: outrageous vehicle designs, frame‑heavy animation that refuses to idle, and a world where every overtake feels like a declaration. The episode opens by putting Redline in context, its famously long production, cult ascent, and why it still feels like a film that was built to be watched at full throttle.
Troy and Brad take turns unpacking whether Redline works better as an entry point for newcomers or as a reward for longtime anime fans. Is the film’s thin plot a barrier or a feature? The hosts argue it’s intentional: Redline isn’t trying to teach you the rules of its universe so much as strap you in and let the visuals do the talking. That said, they also note moments where the parade of eccentric racers and one‑off set pieces can feel like a dizzying pit lane for viewers who prefer a map.
The gang is happy to welcome back, Mr. Korean Kool - John from the YouTube podcast - And Now For Something A Little Bit Different.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
Guest: John
For this installment of Not A Bomb’s Ani‑MAY‑e celebration, the hosts floor it into Redline — the 2009 hand‑drawn fever dream that treats racing like ritual and animation like pure adrenaline. What reads like a simple, neon‑soaked contest on the surface quickly reveals itself as an all‑out sensory sprint: outrageous vehicle designs, frame‑heavy animation that refuses to idle, and a world where every overtake feels like a declaration. The episode opens by putting Redline in context, its famously long production, cult ascent, and why it still feels like a film that was built to be watched at full throttle.
Troy and Brad take turns unpacking whether Redline works better as an entry point for newcomers or as a reward for longtime anime fans. Is the film’s thin plot a barrier or a feature? The hosts argue it’s intentional: Redline isn’t trying to teach you the rules of its universe so much as strap you in and let the visuals do the talking. That said, they also note moments where the parade of eccentric racers and one‑off set pieces can feel like a dizzying pit lane for viewers who prefer a map.
The gang is happy to welcome back, Mr. Korean Kool - John from the YouTube podcast - And Now For Something A Little Bit Different.
Want to support the show? Check out the Not A Bomb TeePublic store for merch, featuring designs by Ted Blair.
We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy
Guest: John