The Crow (1994) Review is finally here, and the Born to Watch boys are diving headfirst into one of the most iconic cult films of the 1990s. Directed by Australian filmmaker Alex Proyas and forever linked to the tragic death of Brandon Lee during production, The Crow has become far more than just another comic book adaptation. It's a film surrounded by myth, emotion and an unforgettable soundtrack, but does the movie itself still deserve its legendary reputation?

Whitey is joined by Gow, Damo and returning fan favourite Adam "Strangles" Strang as they revisit the dark, rain-soaked streets of Detroit to find out whether Eric Draven's tale of love, revenge and redemption still flies more than three decades later.

From the opening scene, the boys tackle the elephant in the room. Has The Crow become more famous because of Brandon Lee's tragic passing than because of the movie itself? It's a question that sparks one of the episode's biggest debates as they separate the film from the legend surrounding it.

There is no denying the visual impact. Alex Proyas creates one of cinema's most distinctive gothic worlds, drenched in perpetual darkness, flickering fire and endless rain. Whitey argues it could be one of the best-looking films of the decade, while the panel discusses whether the relentless black colour palette enhances the atmosphere or simply makes it impossible to see what's happening half the time.

Brandon Lee delivers a performance filled with charisma, physicality and vulnerability as Eric Draven, a murdered musician brought back from the dead by a mysterious crow to seek revenge on the gang responsible for killing him and his fiancée. Along the way, the boys question the film's mythology, wonder why so little is explained about the supernatural rules and debate whether audiences are expected to simply accept everything without asking questions.

The laughs continue as the conversation drifts into grandad slippers, Skippy, Video Ezy memories, terrible engagement rings, goth fashion, VHS collections and one of Damo's most detailed Snorbs Reports yet. As always, no tangent is off limits.

The cast also comes under the microscope. Michael Wincott's gloriously over-the-top Top Dollar, Ernie Hudson's compassionate Sergeant Albrecht and the unforgettable David Patrick Kelly all receive plenty of love, while the panel reflects on Brandon Lee's short but promising career and imagines what Hollywood might have looked like had tragedy never struck.

As the discussion unfolds, comparisons are made to other revenge classics, including John Wick, The Warriors and Darkman, while Whitey questions whether the film spends enough time developing its central love story for audiences to truly care about Eric's mission.

The boys also explore the incredible year that was 1994, discussing how The Crow stacked up against cinematic heavyweights like Pulp Fiction, Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Speed and The Lion King. It's another reminder of just how stacked one of Hollywood's greatest years really was.

Of course, it wouldn't be Born to Watch without the regular favourites. IMDb ratings, Rotten Tomatoes scores, box office numbers, Question Time, the Snorbs Report, hilarious listener interaction and plenty of brutal honesty all feature as the team works towards the all-important final verdict.

So, does The Crow still deserve its place among the greatest cult movies ever made? Has its reputation been elevated by tragedy, or is it genuinely one of the defining films of the 1990s? Join Whitey, Gow, Damo and Strangles as they break down every crow, every quote and every questionable fashion choice in another laugh-out-loud episode of Born to Watch.

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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.

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• 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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