Not a Bomb

For this installment of Not A Bomb’s “Ani-MAY-e” celebration, the hosts step into the surreal dreamscape of Paprika, Satoshi Kon’s mind-bending animated thriller that continues to blur the line between fantasy and reality nearly two decades after its release. What begins as a psychological mystery quickly spirals into a dazzling exploration of identity, technology, and the fragile barrier between the waking world and the subconscious mind.
The hosts unpack how Paprika weaponizes dream logic to create an intentionally disorienting experience, where transitions between scenes, locations, and even characters occur without warning. They dig into the film’s central conflict between dreams and reality, exploring how the DC Mini device transforms private thoughts into dangerous shared spaces where control, repression, and desire collide. The conversation also highlights how the film questions whether reality itself is any more stable or coherent than the dreams invading it.
There’s plenty of discussion about the film’s unforgettable imagery, from the chaotic parade sequences to the constantly shifting environments that refuse to obey conventional storytelling rules. The hosts examine how Satoshi Kon uses animation as a storytelling tool that could never be replicated in live action, creating scenes that feel simultaneously beautiful, unsettling, and emotionally overwhelming.
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We’d love to hear from you—send your feedback, suggestions, or film recommendations to [email protected] or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy

This week’s experiment: the baffling, bargain-bin martial arts spectacle known as King Kong Fu. A film that dares to ask, “What if a kung fu master… was also a gorilla?” and then refuses to answer that question in any coherent way.
Shot in Wichita, the very place Troy grew up, this cinematic fever dream brings things uncomfortably close to home. Local landmarks, questionable fight choreography, and a surprising amount of gorilla-related mayhem combine into something that feels less like a movie and more like a dare that went too far.
We would explain the plot, but much like the film itself, it seems to wander off halfway through and never fully return. Instead, expect a whirlwind of awkward dialogue, ambitious-but-confusing action, and editing choices that suggest time itself may be broken.
It’s not just a movie, it’s a test of endurance. Of friendship. Of sanity. And on this episode, we find out whether Brad can survive a gorilla with a black belt… or if this is the episode that finally breaks him.
No bananas required. Just emotional support.
Be sure to subscribe to the Gentlemen’s Guide to Midnite Cinema to hear more of Sammy. Also, check out Jose’s podcast - Watch/Skip+ • A podcast on Anchor. Both are highly recommended.
If you want to leave feedback or suggest a movie bomb, please drop us a line at [email protected] or Contact Us - here. Also, if you like what you hear, leave a review on Apple Podcast.
Cast: Brad, Troy, Jose, Sammy

For the month of April, Not A Bomb shines a spotlight on Hong Kong cinema. This week, Troy and Brad take a sharp turn into horror-comedy with Vampire vs. Vampire, a wildly inventive entry in the jiangshi (hopping vampire) subgenre that blends folklore, slapstick, and supernatural mayhem.
Joining Troy and Brad this week is Sophia from the Moviestruck Podcast, who brings a deep well of knowledge to the discussion, having even written about Hong Kong cinema during her college studies. Her insights help ground the conversation in the cultural and historical context of the jiangshi genre, while also highlighting what makes this film such a unique crossover oddity.
The hosts dig into how Vampire vs. Vampire balances tonal extremes, shifting from genuinely creepy moments to outright absurd comedy without losing its footing. They explore Lam Ching-ying’s iconic presence as the stoic yet resourceful priest, and how his performance anchors the film even as things get increasingly ridiculous. There’s also plenty of discussion about the film’s practical effects, choreography, and how it stands apart from more traditional vampire stories.
At its core, the episode examines why this film endures as both a cult favorite and a fascinating cultural mashup, one that reflects Hong Kong cinema’s willingness to experiment, collide genres, and embrace the unexpected.
Brace yourself—this episode is spooky, hilarious, and full of unexpected turns.
Vampire vs. Vampire is Lam Ching-ying and stars Chin Siu-ho, David Lui, Sndra Ng, Billy Lau and Maria Cordero
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 [email protected] or through our contact page. If you enjoy the show, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy, Sophia

For the month of April, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on Hong Kong films. This week, Troy and Brad shift from contemporary action to a raw, visceral reimagining of wuxia as they explore Tsui Hark’s 1995 film The Blade — a brutal, expressionistic take on revenge and identity that strips the genre down to its bone structure.
Set in a bleak, rain‑slick world where honor and survival collide, The Blade follows a young swordsman whose life is shattered by betrayal and violence. Tsui Hark abandons glossy spectacle for something harsher and more immediate: jagged editing, stark production design, and fight choreography that feels dangerous and unpredictable. The film trades polish for pulse, and the result is a movie that looks and sounds like it was carved from steel.
Troy and Brad dig into how Tsui Hark’s direction reframes wuxia tropes: rather than romanticizing violence, the film interrogates it. Long, disorienting sequences and a willingness to linger on aftermath make the emotional stakes feel earned.
The Blade is directed by Tsui Hark and stars Vincent Zhao, Moses Chan, Hung Yan-yan, Song Lei, Austin Wai, Chung Bik-ha, and Valerie Chow.
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 Hong Kong film or a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy

For the month of April, Not A Bomb is shining a spotlight on Hong Kong films. This week, Troy and Brad shift from modern action thrillers to one of John Woo’s most personal and harrowing works: Bullet in the Head. Directed, written, produced, edited, and shaped by John Woo, the film pushes his trademark balletic action into darker, tragic territory.
The film opens in 1967 Hong Kong and moves into the chaos of war‑torn Vietnam, following three childhood friends whose loyalty and innocence are corroded by greed, survival, and the horrors they witness. The narrative moves from raucous camaraderie to harrowing tragedy, making the city and the war zones feel like active, punishing characters in the story.
Troy and Brad were both taken aback by how the film uses violence to mean something, the shootouts and set‑piece carnage are never mere spectacle; they’re instruments of moral and emotional collapse. The hosts dig into how Woo stages chaos with somber precision, using long takes and operatic framing so that every gunshot carries weight. Both hosts agreed the film’s emotional punches land as hard as its physical ones.
The hosts examine the film’s moral center, the breakdown of friendship under pressure, and the ways Woo’s visual language amplifies grief. They also discuss the film’s scale and ambition, and why Bullet in the Head remains a touchstone for Hong Kong cinema fans who want action that hurts as much as it thrills.
Brace yourself: this episode is intense, reflective, and emotionally raw.
Bullet in the Head is directed by John Woo and stars Tony Leung Chiu‑wai, Jacky Cheung, Waise Lee, and Simon Yam.
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 Hong Kong film or a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at [email protected] or through our contact page. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Cast: Brad, Troy