Midweek Mention Episodes

Send us a Text Message. Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're diving deep into the gritty and provocative world of Trainspotting (1996). Directed by Danny Boyle and based on the novel by Irvine Welsh, this film has left an indelible mark on the landscape of British cinema, offering a raw and unflinching look at the lives of a group of heroin addicts in Edinburgh. Trainspotting doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of addiction. Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh's les...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're diving into the high-octane world of espionage with the 2010 action thriller, SALT. Directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Angelina Jolie in a role that cements her status as a modern action icon, Salt is a film that combines intense action sequences with a plot full of twists and turns. Salt follows Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie), a CIA officer who finds herself on the run after a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. With her loya...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're diving into the quirky and thought-provoking world of "The Gods Must Be Crazy" (1980). This unique comedy film, written and directed by Jamie Uys, has captured audiences with its sharp social commentary wrapped in a series of absurd and humorous events. Set in Botswana, "The Gods Must Be Crazy", tells the story of Xi, a San Bushman who lives a peaceful, traditional life in the Kalahari Desert. His life takes a turn when a Coca-Cola bottl...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're taking a flight into the menacing skies of Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 classic, "The Birds." This film is not only a cornerstone of horror cinema but also a masterclass in suspense and unconventional storytelling. The Birds unfolds in the seemingly tranquil seaside town of Bodega Bay, California, where a series of increasingly violent bird attacks begins to terrorize the residents. The film starts as a light romantic thriller but quickly mor...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're taking aim at a controversial classic that arguably defined an entire genre: Death Wish (1974). Directed by Michael Winner and starring Charles Bronson as the archetypal vigilante, Paul Kersey, this film sparked debate upon its release and continues to be a topic of conversation for cinephiles and critics alike. Death Wish plunges viewers into the grim reality of a New York City plagued by crime and fear. Charles Bronson's Paul Kersey is...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're plunging into the silent yet deafeningly intense world of HUSH. Directed by Mike Flanagan, this home invasion thriller presents a unique twist on the genre by centering on a protagonist who is deaf and mute, adding layers of suspense and vulnerability rarely explored in horror cinema. HUSH unfolds in a secluded house in the woods, home to Maddie Young (played by Kate Siegel), a successful author who lost her ability to hear and speak due...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review! Today, we're locking and loading for a deep dive into the quintessential 80s action-horror classic, Predator (1987). Directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger at his muscle-bound, one-liner-besting peak, "Predator" is a masterclass in tension, action, and the art of the hunt. Predator drops us into the dense, steaming jungles of Central America, where an elite team of commandos, led by Schwarzenegger's Dutch, is on a rescue mission. Ho...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review! Today, we're diving into the eerie, enigmatic, and utterly unforgettable world of The Wicker Man (1973). Directed by Robin Hardy, this British folk horror film has become a cult classic, celebrated for its atmospheric tension, haunting soundtrack, and a storyline that lingers long after the credits roll. The Wicker Man transports us to the remote island of Summerisle, where Police Sergeant Neil Howie (played by Edward Woodward) arrives to investigate the ...

Welcome back to the Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're diving into the cult classic depths of The Hidden (1987), a film that blends the thrills of sci-fi, the pace of action, and the intrigue of crime drama into one unforgettable cinematic experience. The Hidden, directed by Jack Sholder, is a gem from the late '80s that may not have dominated the box office but has since garnered a loyal following for its innovative take on the alien invasion trope. The film sets itself apart by embeddi...

Never has the divide between us been so sharply illustrated than when reviewing 1998's ARMAGEDDON. For Dan, this is a beloved, often quoted action classic watched fondly with generations of family alike, Sidey likens it to the empty pleasure of a fast food meal whereas Reegs raises the usual litany of complaints he levels at every Michael Bay movie: the directors obsession with awesome macho bro's being awesomely macho, the disorientating editing and chaotic camera whirling, the portrayal of off...

Welcome back to the Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're diving into the thrilling world of A Man of Action, a movie that explores the gritty underbelly of criminal enterprise, morality, and the price of a life lived on the edge. The film is loosely inspired by the life of Lucio Urtubia, a Spanish anarchist who orchestrated a large-scale counterfeiting operation targeting a major American bank. The film explores the ideological clash between anarchist principles of collective good and the p...

Welcome back to another episode of Bad Dads Film Review! Today, we're tackling an iconic blend of sports drama and wartime heroics with the 1981 classic, Escape to Victory. Escape to Victory, directed by John Huston, is a film that intriguingly merges the worlds of World War II POW camps with the beautiful game of football (soccer, for our American friends). The movie is set against the backdrop of Nazi-occupied Europe, where a group of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) are roped into playing an ex...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're delving into the DNA of a sci-fi masterpiece, Gattaca. This 1997 film, directed by Andrew Niccol, serves up a thought-provoking look at a future dictated by genetic engineering, where your DNA determines your destiny. Gattaca presents a world where society is divided between the "Valids," those genetically engineered for perfection, and the "In-Valids," conceived naturally and seen as inferior. It's a chilling vision of a future where eu...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're setting our sights on a classic piece of British cinema, The Bulldog Breed. Released in 1960, this film is a delightful mix of comedy, romance, and a dash of patriotism, embodying the charm and wit of early British films. The Bulldog Breed stars the iconic Norman Wisdom, known for his slapstick humor and impeccable comedic timing, as Norman Puckle. After being rejected by the love of his life for not being adventurous enough, Puckle join...

Welcome back to another gripping episode of Bad Dads Film Review! Today, we're stepping into the gritty, raw, and intense world of A Prayer Before Dawn. A Prayer Before Dawn is a harrowing tale of survival set in the notorious Klong Prem Prison in Thailand. Directed by Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, this 2017 film is based on the true story of Billy Moore, a young English boxer who finds himself incarcerated in one of Thailand's most fearsome jails. The movie follows Moore's journey as he navigates ...

ROBOCOP (1987) was almost certainly one of, if not the first, 18 rated movie I ever saw, an ultraviolent and pulpy satire about consumerism, urban decay, privitisation and the military industrial complex. Cheerfully sardonic world building, iconic design and an inimitable performance from Peter Weller together with a script packed full of memorable lines and some genuinely disturbing scenes that have scarred themselves forever into my psyche continue to make this a modern sci-fi masterpiece. ...

Welcome back to another magical episode of Bad Dads Film Review! Today, we're diving into the charming, whimsical, and downright delightful world of Enchanted. Enchanted, released in 2007 and directed by Kevin Lima, cleverly combines the fantastical elements of animated fairy tales with the gritty reality of live-action. This Disney film begins in the animated world of Andalasia, where the typical fairy tale tropes are turned on their head when our heroine, Giselle, is thrust into the real world...

Welcome back to another episode of Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're dialling the time machine back to the late '90s for a dose of rock-n-roll nostalgia with Still Crazy. Still Crazy, a 1998 British comedy-drama directed by Brian Gibson, takes us on a hilarious and heart-warming journey with a fictional '70s rock band, Strange Fruit, as they attempt a comeback after a tumultuous split two decades earlier. It's a story about second chances, the bonds of friendship, and the enduring power of...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review! Today, we're delving into the crime-thriller world with a deep dive into the 1995 classic, Heat. Directed by Michael Mann, Heat is set in the crime-ridden streets of Los Angeles and is known for its gritty realism and intense action. This film isn't just a heist movie; it's a complex narrative exploring the lives and motivations of both the criminals and the law enforcement pursuing them. The story revolves around Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro), a profess...

Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where today we're swapping our usual film fare for some holiday hilarity with the raucous comedy, Office Christmas Party. Office Christmas Party, directed by Josh Gordon and Will Speck, turns the dial up on the traditional holiday get-together. The film captures the essence of every office party you've ever been to – and then takes it to a whole new, uproarious level. It's set in a tech company that decides to throw the ultimate Christmas bash in a desperate...

Welcome back to another episode of Bad Dads Film Review! Today, we're donning our Santa hats and diving into the action-packed, darkly comedic world of Violent Night. Violent Night takes the classic holiday movie and flips it on its head. Think less 'Miracle on 34th Street' and more 'Die Hard' meets 'Bad Santa.' This isn't your typical feel-good Christmas film; it's a wild ride that blends festive cheer with high-octane action. The story unfolds on Christmas Eve, as a group of mercenaries bre...

Hey there, Bad Dads! On today's episode of the Bad Dads Film Review, we're stepping into a time machine and cruising through the streets of 1980s Naples with the Italian biographical comedy, "Mixed by Erry" (2023). Imagine the vibrant, bustling streets of Naples, Italy, where the air buzzes with the latest music hits, all thanks to three brothers and their legendary mixtapes. "Mixed by Erry" isn't just a film; it's a nostalgic journey back to an era where mixtapes were the Spotify of the day,...

Today, we're donning our tuxedos and stepping into the high-stakes world of espionage with the 2006 James Bond reboot, Casino Royale. Casino Royale marks a significant shift in the Bond franchise, introducing Daniel Craig as a more rugged, emotionally complex 007. Gone are the over-the-top gadgets and eyebrow-raising one-liners of previous Bonds. Instead, Craig brings a raw, visceral intensity to the character, along with a vulnerability we hadn't quite seen before. The film, directed by Mart...

Today, we're lacing up our gloves and stepping into the ring with a real underdog story, Cinderella Man. Directed by Ron Howard, Cinderella Man takes us back to the Great Depression, where we meet James J. Braddock, a once-promising boxer forced into retirement after a string of losses. Played with a compelling blend of grit and vulnerability by Russell Crowe, Braddock struggles to support his family during these tough times. But as fate would have it, he gets a second chance – an opportunity to...