Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Why Wasn't It Better?
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) | The Magic Begins | 25 Sep 2024 | 01:29:06 | |
Also called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. One of the biggest, most beloved film series of all time got off to an enormously successful start in 2001. Precious few films reached the level of hype that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone did. And it mostly lived up to the hype! Guest Zion Parker returns for our Season Five finale. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Insider (1999) | Michael Mann's Overlooked Masterpiece | 18 Sep 2024 | 01:34:25 | |
Headlined by outstanding performances from Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer, and an absolutely loaded supporting cast, The Insider is Michael Mann's most critically successful film. It was also a complete flop at the box office in 1999. Let's discuss this fascinating film for its upcoming twenty-fifth anniversary. Guest Garret Ohringer returns to proclaim his love for it. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Twisters (2024) | The Sequel Nobody Needed | 21 Jul 2024 | 01:09:34 | |
Twisters is a legacy sequel to one of the most iconic, popular diaster movies of the 1990's. There's been a lot of hype for this despite doubts about its viability as a so-called sequel. Was it worth it? Guest Zion Parker returns to the podcast to discuss. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Valkyrie (2008) | Tom Cruise Tries to Kill Hitler | 17 Jul 2024 | 01:14:32 | |
Since it's the 80th anniversary of the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, we decided to cover Valkyrie. Despite Tom Cruise headlining a very impressive cast and being directed by Bryan Singer, this film came and went without much fanfare. Based on all of the above it should have been a bigger deal. Does it deserve more love, or could it have been better? ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) | WTF Happened? | 10 Jul 2024 | 01:33:42 | |
One of the biggest box office bombs of all time, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was an ambitious attempt at making photorealistic CGI. Square and Columbia gambled and lost big with this one. It has little in common with its source material. It's a perfect choice for the podcast. Guest Kai Wang returns to the podcast to share his thoughts. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Live and Let Die (1973) | Roger Moore's Voodoo Debut | 03 Jul 2024 | 01:32:23 | |
It's time to begin the Roger Moore era. Live and Let Die was an unorthodox debut performance but this one is fun. James Bond travels to New York City, New Orleans, and the fictional island nation of San Monique to battle Mr. Big! Paul McCartney gave us a tremendous title song. Yet the film has aged curiously. Guest Paul Kind returns to the podcast to share his thoughts. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Batman (1989) | The Film That Created the Modern Superhero | 26 Jun 2024 | 01:23:25 | |
For many years this was considered the "good" Batman film. Michael Keaton was an offbeat choice. Jack Nicholson got the bag. Tim Burton's 1989 take on the Caped Crusader was a megahit that changed not only the superhero genre, but the movie industry as a whole. Does it hold up? Fist time guest Tom Paradiso joins the podcast to discuss. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Time Machine (1960) | A Sci-Fi Classic That Still Works | 19 Jun 2024 | 01:14:14 | |
A listener request! H.G. Wells' The Time Machine is one of the most beloved science-fiction novels of all time. This 1960 version was the first high-profile film adaptation. How does it stack up more than sixty years later? Guest Ben Hill returns to the podcast to weigh in. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Inside Out 2 | A Worthy Sequel? | 15 Jun 2024 | 01:07:55 | |
The sequel to one of the most well-regarded animated films of the 2010's. Is it just another Disney cash grab, or is this a more natural sequel? Let's explore our feelings a bit as we talk about Pixar's newest film, Inside Out 2. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Ghost in the Shell (2017) | A Beautiful but Hollow Adaptation | 12 Jun 2024 | 01:15:46 | |
It's the Season Five premier! Ghost in the Shell is one of the most popular, influential anime of all time. After years in development hell the Hollywood adaptation finally happened in 2017 amidst a scorn of whitewashing criticism. Scarlett Johansson bravely (or foolishly) took the starring role. Does it deserve the hate or was it a better attempt at adapting anime than we all remembered? Guest Nathan Perry returns to the podcast to weigh in. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) | The First Death of X-Men | 05 Jun 2024 | 01:06:43 | |
X-Men: The Last Stand was supposed to be the final entry. Brett Ratner replaced Bryan Singer. They pulled out all the stops. They spent all the money. The result was something Fox deemed bad enough to literally write it out of existence with another film. First time guest Ben Hill joins to the podcast to share his thoughts. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Thor: The Dark World | Nobody's Favorite Marvel | 11 Sep 2024 | 01:30:19 | |
Thor: The Dark World is generally considered one of the weakest entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Many fans will tell you to skip it. But it made plenty of money. Is its reputation deserved or should it get more love? Guest Dennis Berscak returns to discuss. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Antz (1998) | DreamWorks' Animation Debut | 29 May 2024 | 01:07:34 | |
Antz was DreamWorks' first, and very accelerated, attempt at animation. They cast famous actors for the voices. They spent loads of money. And it still managed to be overshadowed by its Pixar rival, A Bug's Life. History has not been kind to its legacy. Guest Ryan Moran returns to share his opinion. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Diamonds Are Forever (1971) | The Strangest Bond Movie by Far | 22 May 2024 | 01:21:39 | |
After the one-off George Lazenby experiment, EON brought back the original James Bond. Diamonds Are Forever would be Sean Connery's sixth and last (official) outing as 007. The result was a film that is banana nut bread crazy. It's definitely not good but strangely fun to watch. Guest Peter Baldeo returns to the podcast to rant about Diamonds Are Forever. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom | Indy Goes Dark and We Love It | 15 May 2024 | 01:46:15 | |
Hold onto your potatoes! Released forty years ago, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom was originally the black sheep of the trilogy. Its reputation shifted over the years, particularly after the release of the 4th film. Steven Spielberg himself dislikes it. Does it deserve more love? Producer Eric Taylor returns to the podcast to share his thoughts. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Iron Man 3 | Reassessing a Misunderstood Marvel Movie | 08 May 2024 | 01:24:48 | |
Iron Man 3 made a ton of money but instantly became one of the most divisive Marvel films. Many were upset over its treatment of the Mandarin. Others loved how it focused on Tony Stark's personal battles. Which makes it perfect to discuss! Guest Garret Ohringer returns to the podcast to proclaim his love for this. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Towering Inferno (1974) | The Disaster Genre Peak | 01 May 2024 | 01:17:25 | |
A fire breaks out in a star-studded San Francisco skyscraper. This was the pinnacle of the 1970's disaster movie genre. Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, William Holden, and Faye Dunaway were just a few of the stars involved in producer Irwin Allen's magnum opus. That alone makes it watchable, right? Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Towering Inferno. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Day After Tomorrow (2004) | They Tried to Warn Us | 24 Apr 2024 | 01:09:14 | |
In 2004 Roland Emmerich, some actors, and a lot of CGI tried to warn us about global warming by giving us a dangerously cheesy disaster movie called The Day After Tomorrow. If nothing else, it's (kind of) a cool title. Is it worthy of the jokes or is it a fun guilty pleasure? Guest Taylor Schuurmans returns to the podcast to decry his hatred for this film. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) | The One With George Lazenby | 17 Apr 2024 | 01:38:32 | |
No other James Bond film has seen its reputation change over time quite like On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Faced with the insurmountable task of replacing Sean Connery, George Lazenby's sole effort as 007 befuddled fans in 1969. Considered a failure at the time, OHMSS is now seen as one of the series' best entries. What do we think of it? Veteran guest Nathan Perry returns to the podcast to share his thoughts. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Star Trek III: The Search for Spock | Sandwiched in the Middle | 10 Apr 2024 | 01:05:54 | |
The second part of what's known as the Genesis Trilogy, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock has a mixed legacy amongst fans. As an odd-numbered film in the series, it's sometimes labeled as one of the "bad" Trek films. The crew of the Enterprise go on a journey to find their recently-deceased comrade, Spock. Does that make sense? It's okay if it doesn't. Guest Paul Kind returns to the podcast to share his thoughts on The Search for Spock. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny (2016) | A Sequel You Never Heard Of | 03 Apr 2024 | 01:09:04 | |
A sequel to one of the most beloved films ever. A sequel that most people don't even realize exists. Why wasn't Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny better? Why wasn't it a bigger deal than it was? Nothing about it adds up. Patrick and Anton try to figure out one of the most challenging films they've ever covered. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Passion of the Christ | Mel Gibson's Controversial Masterpiece | 28 Mar 2024 | 01:24:25 | |
One of the most controversial films of its era was released just over twenty years ago. Should it be considered as such? The Mel Gibson of it all certainly added fuel to the fire. Guest Nathan Perry returns to the podcast to discuss The Passion of the Christ. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| On Deadly Ground (1994) | Steven Seagal Directs Himself | 04 Sep 2024 | 01:17:28 | |
On Deadly Ground was the first and only movie directed by Steven Seagal. Believe it or not this was a fairly big deal in 1994 when Seagal was a legit action star. Michael Caine showed up to collect a paycheck. A lot of stuff got blown up. Guest Tom Paradiso returns to talk about one of Seagal's proudest works. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Incredible Hulk (2008) | The One Marvel Wants to Forget | 26 Mar 2024 | 01:16:11 | |
Marvel decided to give the Hulk one more go with the newly-formed MCU in 2008. Edward Norton's involvement had everyone excited. Yet it turned out to be the Marvel movie that Marvel doesn't want anything to do with. Why wasn't it better? Guest Ryan Moran returns to the podcast to share his thoughts on The Incredible Hulk. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Hulk (2003) | Ang Lee's Superhero Misadventure | 20 Mar 2024 | 01:35:23 | |
The first part of our Hulk double feature. An auteur like Ang Lee doing a superhero movie was a very big deal in 2003. Everyone expected great things from this. Most agree that it failed. But why? Garret Ohringer returns to the podcast to defend Hulk. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) | The Disney Post-Renaissance Failure | 13 Mar 2024 | 01:04:45 | |
A listener request! Someone reminded us that we need to cover a traditional Disney animated film, so here's one of their lesser known, least successful efforts. Atlantis: The Lost Empire was supposed to take Disney in a new direction. Instead it got swallowed up at the box office in the summer of 2001. Like all Disney flops, it has its fans. Patrick and Anton discuss. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| True Lies (1994) | James Cameron & Arnold Schwarzenegger's Fun Finale | 06 Mar 2024 | 01:22:29 | |
It's the thirtieth anniversary of True Lies! And it's finally coming to 4k. Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron teamed up again to give us one of the most famous action movies of its era. Jamie Lee Curtis gave one us one of her best performances. Tom Arnold gave us his best work. How does it stack up after thirty years? Guest Sean O'Connor returns to the podcast to talk about one of his favorite action movies. __ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Abyss (1989) | James Cameron Under Pressure | 28 Feb 2024 | 01:05:06 | |
James Cameron has finally made The Abyss available in a proper 4k format! We decided to cover it in honor of this esteemed event. This overlong, over-budget underwater adventure was Cameron's only real commercial disappointment, but it's beloved by its fans. Does it deserve classic status? __ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| You Only Live Twice (1967) | James Bond Going Japanese | 21 Feb 2024 | 01:23:54 | |
When American and Soviet spacecraft go missing, James Bond brings his talents to Japan to prevent World War III. Sean Connery was growing tired of the role by this point. You Only Live Twice provided a lot of material for Austin Powers and other parodies. It's equally silly and iconic. Should it have been better? Veteran guest Peter Baldeo shares his thoughts on his first experience with You Only Live Twice. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) | An Elegant, Stylish Remake | 14 Feb 2024 | 01:12:26 | |
Here's an underrated romance-ish film for Valentine's Day. The rare remake that succeeded! The Thomas Crown Affair is in some ways the best James Bond movie that Pierce Brosnan was never in. He had some serious chemistry with Rene Russo. It ended up being John McTiernan's final quality contribution to cinema. Some traditionalists will tell you it's unworthy of the Thomas Crown name. Don't listen to them. Patrick and Anton discuss. __ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Oppenheimer (2023) | Christopher Nolan's Masterpiece? | 07 Feb 2024 | 01:26:26 | |
The most financially successful biopic ever was brought to us by none other than Christopher Nolan. Cillian Murphy was given his first starring role, headlining an all star cast that includes Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon, and Emily Blunt. Oppenheimer has been heralded by many as Nolan's best work and it's getting all the awards buzz. Could it have been better? First time guest Zion Parker joins the podcast to share his thoughts. __ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! Guest Zion Parker's LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/zzionparker | |||
| Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith | Don't Let Anyone Fool You | 31 Jan 2024 | 01:31:44 | |
The epic conclusion to the much-maligned prequel trilogy makes the perfect way to end our season. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is considered by many to be the best of the prequels . . . but is it? First time guest Kai Wang joins the podcast to rant about Anakin Skywalker's fall to the Dark Side. ___ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Man With the Golden Gun (1974) | Roger Moore's Bizarre Bond Outing | 28 Aug 2024 | 01:44:47 | |
He has a powerful weapon. He charges one million a shot. It's the 50th anniversary of The Man With the Golden Golden Gun! Generally seen as a low point in the James Bond series, it's a bit of an odd duck. Roger Moore's sophomore slump, if you will . . . or was it? Is it actually underrated? We certainly got a great performance from Christopher Lee. Guest Garret Ohringer returns for his first Bond experience on Why Wasn't It Better. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Captain America: The First Avenger | The World War II Marvel Movie | 24 Jan 2024 | 01:17:08 | |
Another foray into the MCU. The first Captain America is often overshadowed by its more successful sequels. Is it underappreciated? Marvel had to get this one right. Did they? Guest Tyler Van Fossen returns to discuss Captain America: The First Avenger. Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Poseidon Adventure (1972) | The Greatest Disaster Movie | 17 Jan 2024 | 01:13:27 | |
It's fun to talk about disaster films and Irwin Allen was the king of disaster. Gene Hackman and Ernest Borgnine lead an all star cast in The Poseidon Adventure, one of the most famous and successful examples of the genre. A rogue wave capsizes an ocean liner, forcing those trapped inside to fight their way through some truly impressive production design. Guest Paul Kind returns to talk about The Poseidon Adventure. ___ Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Gran Turismo (2023) | Overlooked Entertainment | 10 Jan 2024 | 01:11:56 | |
A listener request! Gran Turismo should have been a bigger deal than it was. Inspired by the hugely popular video game series and based on the true story of Jann Mardenborough. Director Neill Blomkamp's involvement should have generated more buzz, right? In and out of theaters in a flash, it did not make a lot at the box office. Veteran guest and GT enthusiast Peter Baldeo returns to the podcast to discuss Gran Turismo. ___ Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Lord of the Rings (1978) | Ralph Bakshi's Incomplete Attempt | 03 Jan 2024 | 01:28:20 | |
Until Peter Jackson's trilogy, this was really the only thing Tolkien fans had. Ralph Bakshi's animated Lord of the Rings is an incomplete yet ambitious attempt at adapting the fantasy classic. Producer Eric Taylor returns for our 50th episode as we discuss our sole animated film of the season. __ Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Never Say Never Again (1983) | Sean Connery's Unofficial Bond Return | 29 Dec 2023 | 01:30:49 | |
Sean Connery was back as James Bond for the seventh and final time! An unofficial remake of Thunderball, Never Say Never Again had a complicated production thanks to the court case surrounding it. Was it worth all the money and legal headaches? Friend of the show Tyler Van Fossen returns to discuss. ___ Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Thunderball (1965) | The Peak of Bondmania | 27 Dec 2023 | 01:24:15 | |
Thunderball represented the height of Bond Mania in the 1960's. Sean Connery was in peak form as 007. A bizarre legal case ultimately led to this film which is best known for its lush (or boring) underwater sequences. Bond fans tend to either love this one or hate it. Guest Ryan Moran returns to the podcast to talk about his newfound appreciation for James Bond. ___ Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Eyes Wide Shut (1999) | Stanley Kubrick's Final Contribution to Cinema | 25 Dec 2023 | 01:19:24 | |
Merry Christmas! Stanley Kubrick's final work is technically a Christmas movie. It's also one of the most thought-provoking, internet-conspiracy films of all time. Eyes Wide Shut starred then-married couple Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman in a tale about marriage or fidelio or something. Patrick and Anton discuss in a very special Christmas episode. ___ Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) | Jim Carrey's Christmas Nightmare Classic | 20 Dec 2023 | 01:10:44 | |
How the Grinch Stole Christmas was the first live action Dr. Seuss adaptation. It was a smash hit at the box office. Jim Carrey was universally praised for his performance as the Grinch. Ron Howard directed this at the peak of his career. And yet, some viewers felt like they got a lump of coal in their stockings watching this. Is it a beloved Christmas classic or a butchery of its source material? First time guest Ryan Moran joins the podcast to defend his love for the Grinch. ___ Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Home Alone 2: Lost In New York | Is It Actually Good? | 13 Dec 2023 | 01:13:44 | |
We're beginning the Christmas season by covering the sequel to one of the most beloved movies of all time. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York was a blatant cash grab sequel, trying to do everything the first film did without breaking any new ground whatsoever. It's perfect for Why Wasn't It Better. Guest Nathan Perry returns to the podcast to talk about Home Alone 2. ___ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-wasnt-it-better/id1716624431 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Avatar: The Way of Water | The Biggest Bloated Sequel | 06 Dec 2023 | 01:31:36 | |
The sequel to the highest-grossing movie of all time took an awful long time to get made James Cameron is a perfectionist. We decided to cover this on the one year anniversary of Avatar: The Way of Water. Regardless of what you think of it, audiences wanted this. It crushed it at the box office. Guest Sean O'Connor returns to share his thoughts. ___ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-wasnt-it-better/id1716624431 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970) | The Only Pearl Harbor Movie You Need | 21 Aug 2024 | 01:19:10 | |
World War II pseudo-classic about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Tora! Tora! Tora! was an ambitious co-production between the United States and Japan. It was also a very expensive failure when it was released in 1970. Does it deserve a better reputation? We think so. Guest Peter Baldeo returns to discuss. ___ Please consider joining our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wwibofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/wwibpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Last Samurai (2003) | Tom Cruise's Misunderstood Masterpiece | 29 Nov 2023 | 01:11:25 | |
It's the twentieth anniversary of The Last Samurai! Does it fall into the white savior trope? Or is it Tom Cruise's most underrated film? Directed by the talented Edward Zwick, The Last Samurai was a box office hit that received mixed reviews and continues to have a misunderstood legacy two decades later. Guest Peter Baldeo returns to the podcast to share his thoughts. ___ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-wasnt-it-better/id1716624431 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The Killer (2023) | David Fincher's Unorthodox Thriller | 24 Nov 2023 | 01:08:30 | |
It's a very special Black Friday episode! Anything David Fincher does is going to generate buzz and The Killer is no exception, even if it's a Netflix release. The Killer stars Michael Fassbender as a nameless assassin in this adaptation of a French graphic novel. Is it worthy of the Fincher name? Or does it suffer from that "Netflix look?" Patrick and Anton discuss in a bonus episode. ___ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-wasnt-it-better/id1716624431 Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Cleopatra (1963) | Hollywood's Biggest Fiasco | 22 Nov 2023 | 01:19:08 | |
Adjusted for inflation, Cleopatra is still one of the three most expensive films ever made, even sixty years after its release. Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton's real-life affair dominated the tabloids and overshadowed what was the grandest film of its era. Four hours long and beautiful to look at, it's certainly epic but it has an infamous reputation as one of Hollywood's costliest failures. Guest Paul Kind returns to the podcast to discuss Cleopatra. ___ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Rising Sun (1993) | Connery & Snipes At Their Best | 15 Nov 2023 | 01:16:14 | |
Another anniversary film! 1993 was the pinnacle of Michael Crichton adaptations. Rising Sun was released within weeks of Jurassic Park. Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes team up to solve a mysterious murder involving US-Japanese relations and corporate intrigue. Basically forgotten but worth revisiting. Tyler Van Fossen returns to the podcast to talk about Rising Sun. ___ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003) | Sean Connery's Unhappy Retirement | 08 Nov 2023 | 01:38:27 | |
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen marks the start of our anniversary series for this season. Released twenty years ago, it's probably best known for being the final screen appearance of Sir Sean Connery. LXG was supposed to be a unique entry in the comic genre. Instead it was met with mockery. Does it deserve all the hate it received? First time guest Garret Ohringer joins the podcast to discuss. ___ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||
| Halloween II (1981) | John Carpenter's Reluctant Return | 31 Oct 2023 | 01:13:31 | |
Our third and final horror film we're covering this season, Halloween II. It's easy to forget that this direct sequel to the 1978 original was supposed to be the end of Michael Myers. John Carpenter was heavily involved but not as director. Halloween II has a mixed legacy with horror fans. First time guest Sean O'Connor joins the podcast to share his thoughts. __ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/72nZWQLXOJsxbkgpiqOffu Twitter: https://twitter.com/WWIBpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wwib_official YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whywasntitbetter Email: wwibpodcast@gmail.com Subscribe! Rate! Review! Tell a friend! | |||