Any Given Sunday Review | Born to Watch Podcast

Our Any Given Sunday Review takes the Born to Watch boys back to 1999 for Oliver Stone's chaotic, testosterone-fuelled dive into the world of professional football. Featuring Al Pacino, Jamie Foxx, Dennis Quaid and peak Cameron Diaz, Any Given Sunday promised everything a sports movie fan could want. But does it still hold up, or is this one all style and no substance?

Whitey, Dan and special guest Will strap on the shoulder pads and revisit Oliver Stone's divisive NFL epic. What starts as a love letter to sports movies quickly turns into an examination of shaky cameras, over-the-top editing, giant egos and one of the most exhausting viewing experiences the boys have tackled in a while.

Al Pacino brings his trademark intensity as veteran coach Tony D'Amato, desperately trying to hold together the Miami Sharks while battling a ruthless owner, rebellious players and a rapidly changing game. Jamie Foxx bursts onto the scene as Willie Beamen, the backup quarterback who suddenly becomes a superstar, while Dennis Quaid delivers a solid performance as ageing veteran Cap Rooney.

Along the way, the boys discuss why Oliver Stone seems determined to assault your eyeballs with every editing trick imaginable. From subliminal gladiator imagery to frantic camera work and changing film stock, Whitey wonders whether the movie is trying too hard to be profound. Dan compares it to Natural Born Killers and argues that Stone's style overwhelms the actual story.

The conversation naturally branches out into memories of 1999, drunken phone calls, encounters with Elizabeth Berkley, backup quarterbacks becoming heroes, and whether there is a more pressure-filled position in sport than an NFL quarterback.

There's also plenty of appreciation for the stacked cast. James Woods shines as the dodgy doctor, LL Cool J delivers one of the biggest dickheads in sports movie history, and Lawrence Taylor proves real athletes can occasionally act. Meanwhile, Cameron Diaz splits the room, with Whitey refusing to give prime Diaz a quickfire vote despite the objections of everyone else.

As always, the boys go deep into the IMDb ratings, box office numbers and critical reviews before throwing around comparisons to Varsity Blues, Office Space, American Beauty and other classics from the legendary year of 1999.

But the biggest question remains. Is Any Given Sunday a genuine sports classic, or is it simply a two-and-a-half-hour migraine wrapped in slow motion and Kid Rock?

One thing is certain. Whether they're discussing football strategy, Oliver Stone's obsession with gladiators or the horrors of professional athlete fashion, Whitey, Dan and Will once again prove that no movie is safe when it lands on Born to Watch.

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This week on Born to Watch, the boys boldly go where they rarely venture, into the world of brand-new cinema, with their Project Hail Mary Movie Review. Based on Andy Weir’s bestselling novel and directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, this 2026 sci-fi epic arrives with huge expectations, a massive budget, and one very important question: can modern Hollywood still make crowd-pleasing blockbuster entertainment that leaves audiences smiling?

Whitey, Damo and special guest Will the Worky strap themselves into the Hail Mary spacecraft and dive headfirst into one of the biggest films of the year. With Ryan Gosling leading the charge as Ryland Grace, a reluctant hero tasked with saving humanity from extinction, the crew break down a film that combines hard science, emotional storytelling, spectacular visuals and a surprising amount of humour.

The boys discuss their experiences seeing the film on the big screen and whether Project Hail Mary is exactly the kind of cinematic event modern audiences have been craving. In an era where many blockbuster films come and go without leaving a lasting impression, this one feels different. It has heart, humour, intelligence, and a genuine sense of wonder that recalls the classic Spielberg and Lucas adventures of decades past.

One of the major talking points is Ryan Gosling's performance. Already one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Gosling continues to prove that he can effortlessly jump between drama, comedy and action. From The Nice Guys to Barbie, he has become one of the few modern actors who are completely willing to take the piss out of themselves, and the Born to Watch crew debate whether anyone in Hollywood currently does it better.

Of course, no discussion of Project Hail Mary would be complete without talking about Rocky. The mysterious alien engineer quickly became a fan favourite after the book's release, and the boys examine why Grace and Rocky's relationship forms the emotional core of the entire film. What could have been a simple science-fiction adventure evolves into a story about friendship, sacrifice and finding the courage to do the right thing when everything is on the line.

Will brings his unique perspective to the conversation after recently finishing the novel, comparing key elements of the book and film while highlighting what made Andy Weir's source material so compelling in the first place. The team also dives into the science behind the story, exploring the concept of astrophage, interstellar travel and whether the movie’s scientific ideas hold up under scrutiny.

As always, the discussion goes far beyond the movie itself. There are debates about modern cinema, movie-going habits, blockbuster filmmaking, favourite Ryan Gosling performances, German stoicism, Bunnings sausage sandwiches and plenty of classic Born to Watch chaos along the way.

The boys also explore the emotional journey of Ryland Grace, from a brilliant scientist hiding from responsibility to a man willing to sacrifice everything for a friend. It is this character arc that elevates Project Hail Mary above standard blockbuster fare and transforms it into something genuinely memorable.

So is Project Hail Mary the best movie of 2026 so far? Does it belong alongside modern sci-fi classics like Aliens? And can a giant alien rock really make grown adults emotional?

There is only one way to find out.

Join the Mission

• Have you read the book?
• Did the movie live up to your expectations?
• Is Ryan Gosling the most likable movie star in Hollywood?
• Where does Project Hail Mary rank among the best sci-fi films of the last decade?

Let us know in the comments and join the conversation.

If you love movie reviews, blockbuster debates, sci-fi adventures and plenty of laughs along the way, subscribe to Born to Watch wherever you get your podcasts.

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This week on Born to Watch, the boys take on one of the most iconic psychological thrillers ever made in this The Sixth Sense 1999 Review. Released in the legendary movie year of 1999, M. Night Shyamalan's breakthrough film became a cultural phenomenon, launching a career, creating one of cinema's most famous twists, and leaving audiences speechless as they walked out of theatres around the world.

Whitey, G-Man and Damo dive deep into the movie that turned Haley Joel Osment into a household name and gave Bruce Willis one of the most memorable performances of his career. More than 25 years later, does The Sixth Sense still hold up? Does the twist remain effective in an era where spoilers dominate social media? And is this actually M. Night Shyamalan's best film?

The crew discuss their memories of first seeing the movie back in 1999, when audiences had the rare opportunity to experience a genuine cinematic surprise before the internet ruined it. They explore how The Sixth Sense became the second-highest-grossing film of the year, behind only Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, and why it remained one of the most talked-about movies of its generation.

Of course, the discussion turns to Bruce Willis and whether this represents the finest acting performance of his career. Known primarily as an action star through films like Die Hard, The Last Boy Scout and Armageddon, Willis took a very different path with Dr Malcolm Crowe. The boys examine how his understated performance anchors the film while allowing Haley Joel Osment to steal almost every scene he appears in.

Speaking of scene-stealers, there is plenty of love for Haley Joel Osment. The team revisits his incredible performance as Cole Sear and debates his ranking among the greatest child actors in movie history. From his emotional vulnerability to the maturity he brought to the role, it is easy to see why he received an Academy Award nomination at such a young age.

The conversation also shines a spotlight on Australia's own Toni Collette. Her heartbreaking performance as Cole's mother remains one of the emotional centres of the film, and the boys discuss whether she was unlucky not to walk away with Oscar gold. The famous car scene receives particular attention, with everyone agreeing it remains one of the most powerful emotional moments in modern cinema.

As always, Born to Watch goes beyond the movie itself. The crew look back at the incredible films released in 1999, discusses where The Sixth Sense sits among the all-time great thrillers, and compares it with other famous twist-ending films that followed in its wake. They also explore how Shyamalan's success with this movie may have created impossible expectations for every project that came afterwards.

Along the way, there are plenty of laughs, stories, random tangents, movie trivia and classic Born to Watch chaos. From airline horror stories to debates about movie awards, nothing is safe once the boys get rolling.

So does The Sixth Sense deserve its reputation as a modern classic? Is the twist still one of the greatest reveals in cinema history? And where does it rank among the best films of 1999?

There is only one way to find out.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

• When did you first see The Sixth Sense?
• Did you figure out the twist before the ending?
• Is this M. Night Shyamalan's best movie?
• Where does Haley Joel Osment rank among the greatest child actors of all time?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion.

If you love movie reviews, nostalgia, classic cinema debates and a few completely unhinged tangents along the way, make sure you subscribe to Born to Watch wherever you get your podcasts.

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