Shoot The Hostage

Alright, film fanatics, gather round your audio devices! Dan and Sarah are back on Shoot the Hostage, and this week we’ve finally braved a cinematic experience that’s less blockbuster and more… well, block-bust. We're talking about Martin Scorsese’s 1982 gem (that the world collectively ignored), The King of Comedy. Settle in as we dissect this certified box office flop, a movie so unloved by initial audiences that, according to Entertainment Tonight, was the biggest flop of 1983.

We'll be trying to unravel why this incredible film, starring the one and only Robert De Niro as the intensely awkward and delusional Rupert Pupkin, alongside the incomparable Jerry Lewis as the beleaguered talk show host Jerry Langford, somehow failed to connect with audiences despite the Scorsese touch. Was the world simply not ready for its cringe comedy and profoundly uncomfortable exploration of fame and obsession?

We'll also be singing the praises (as we see fit) of Sandra Bernhard’s gloriously unhinged performance as Masha, a character who redefines the term 'stan'.... We’ll be tackling the burning questions: Was Rupert the proto-incel? Is his stand-up actually… good? And just how much inspiration did Joker shamelessly borrow from this criminally underseen cult film? (Spoiler: a metric tonne)

What to expect from this episode:

So, if you're a devotee of Martin Scorsese, fascinated by movies that flopped at the box office, or simply seeking a podcast that appreciates a truly unique and disturbingly prescient film, then congratulations, you’ve found your tribe! Subscribe now so you don't miss our descent into the delusional world of a wannabe comedy king!

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

Damn the man! Save the Nightbreed! This week on Shoot the Hostage Dan and Sarah dive headfirst into the gloriously bonkers world of Clive Barker’s 1990 cinematic oddity, Nightbreed!

Based on Barker's own 1988 novella, Cabal, Nightbreed throws us into a world where the real monsters might not be the ones with the gnarly prosthetics. Speaking of gnarly, this film certainly delivers on the creature front, showcasing Barker's unique and utterly twisted imagination. We'll be asking the big questions, like: why does the guy with the face on his stomach get so little screen time? Which creatures are Nightbreed and which aren’t? And what we could do with an army of miniature Clive Barker clones!

In this episode you can also expect:

So, if you're after a deep dive into a horror movie that dared to be different, a film about monsters you might actually root for, and a chat that's as messy and enthusiastic as a rave in Midian, then you've come to the right place!

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

Get ready folks, because this week on Shoot the Hostage, Dan and Sarah bravely (or stupidly) sat through the cinematic turd known as Battlefield Earth (2000). Yes, that's right, we're diving headfirst into what many consider to be not just a box office flop, but a serious contender for the title of worst movie of all time. If you've ever wondered what happens when you try to adapt roughly 40% of a massive thousand-page book by the prolific (in quantity, at least) science fiction writer and Scientology founder, L. Ron Hubbard, into a single film, prepare to have your expectations crater like this movie's box office.

We'll be dissecting this glorious mess starring John Travolta (who lobbied for years to get this passion project made). Prepare for questionable acting choices, baffling plot points and more screen wipes than you can shake a stick at. We’ll also try (and likely fail) to understand the vision of director Roger Christian, whose commentary track apparently suggests we just "don't get it". If you're searching for a podcast that doesn't hold back on its criticism of films based on books that go spectacularly wrong, or if you're simply curious about one of the most notorious movie flops in cinematic history, you've come to the right (or perhaps wrong) place. Trust us, after this episode, you might just consider Waterworld a masterpiece.

In this episode you can expect:

So, strap yourselves in for a bumpy ride as we try to navigate the post-apocalyptic wasteland that is Battlefield Earth!

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

Get ready to "Damn the man! Save the Empire!" because this week on Shoot The Hostage, Dan and Sarah are diving deep into the gloriously messy, utterly 90s, and undeniably flopped cinematic experience that is Empire Records (1995).

It’s not quite Rex Manning Day just yet, depending on when you're listening, but we're close enough to celebrate this box-office flop that holds a special, possibly embarrassing, place in at least one of our hearts.

Join us as we try to figure out why this ensemble piece, directed by Allan Moyle and written by Carol Heikkinen, starring a fresh-faced bunch including Liv Tyler, Renèe Zellweger, Robin Tunney, Ethan Embry... and even a fleeting credit for a certain Tobey Maguire (who may or may not have been lost to the 90s haze on set) failed to ignite the box-office despite its killer soundtrack.

Expect the usual blend of questionable observations and sarcastic commentary as we dissect this quintessential movie released in the 90s. We also ponder:

If you're a fan of hangout movies in the vein of Richard Linklater's character-driven narratives or the retail-centric vibes of early Kevin Smith flicks, you might find something to love (or at least tolerate) in Empire Records.

So, tune in for spoilers aplenty, personal anecdotes, and a deep dive into a film that may have flopped at the box office but definitely left a lasting impression (on some of us, anyway). You might even find yourself wanting to celebrate Rex Manning Day after listening… or maybe not. You’ve been warned!

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

All aboard the Battle Cat! Dan and Sarah don their Power Swords (which look suspiciously like oversized letter openers) to champion another cinematic misfire! On this day, we tackle the 1987 cinematic flop, Masters of the Universe in another instalment looking at movies that flopped at the box-office!

Join us as we take on our first Dolph Lundgren movie and give a standing ovation (from a safe distance) to Frank Langella’s Skeletor.   

Here is just a little of what you can expect from us in this episode:

So, if you’re looking for a Masters of the Universe (1987) podcast or are fascinated by movies that flopped hard, look no further! Take off your cape, lay down your cosmic key and step into our cave of cinematic chat.

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

We’re back for another season of themed movies where this time, we’re focusing on “Flops”!

Get ready to lock your doors and check your blood, because this week on Shoot The Hostage, Dan and Sarah are diving deep into the icy paranoia of John Carpenter's 1982 masterpiece, The Thing! After 12 years of podcasting, Sarah's finally talking about what she calls her favourite movie of all time. No pressure!

Expect the usual foul-mouthed fun as we dissect this creature feature classic, which was a big flop when it first hit cinemas in 1982. We'll be scratching our heads over why this cinematic gold – starring the magnificent Kurt Russell as R.J. MacReady, the moustache-less Wilford Brimley and the always-watchable Keith David didn’t set the box-office alight. We’ll be pondering whether the critical mauling at the time had anything to do with this box office bomb's frosty reception.

In this episode, we'll be getting our teeth into:

So, if you're a fan of movies that didn't do well at the box office but found their audience later, or if you just love a bit of John Carpenter brilliance, then strap in. We promise spoilers and swearing. You’ve been warned!

Have you checked out the excellent podcast with Chris & Joel, Just The Thing? That’s a big recommend whether you’re a fan of The Thing or just movie-chat in general. Check it out!

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

Before we begin the new season on March 24th, it's time for our bonus show.  

We went to see Bong Joon-ho's latest offering, Mickey 17.

Join us as we discuss the director, the cast and Mark Ruffalo's teeth. We keep this one pretty spoiler-lite but as always, we recommend watching it before listening.

Season 10 runs until May 26th with 10 episodes this time

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 and 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

Relive the highlights of our Nicolas Cage movie deep dive in this special compilation episode!

We're revisiting the best (and weirdest) bits from our discussions on films like Vampire's Kiss, Face Off, the infamous Wicker Man remake, and the surprisingly moving Pig.

Expect peak "coming of cage" moments, our takes on Nicolas Cage's filmography, his two-headed snake, and vampire theories. Perfect for die-hard Nic Cage fans or anyone curious about a podcast covering Nicolas Cage films.

Get ready for laughs, insights (questionable), and all the Cage rage you can handle!

Season 10 begins March 24th

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup when it drops on March 10th.

If you do have some loose change consider signing up as a paid member. Our £3 a month Patreon tier will grant you access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month. Plus the back-catalogue of reviews from 2023 & 2024. 

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

Calling all Cage aficionados and connoisseurs of cinematic chaos! Face/Off with us one last time this season as we put a bow on Nicolas Cage with our end of season wrap show.

Lend us your ears for a run-down of the eight movies covered this season which were:

We discuss our favourites and least favourites and have unfiltered opinions on the good, the bad and the Nicolas Cage. Dan voices which movies almost made the cut (including a certain Marty Scorsese film). Sarah has a quiz to test Dan on his choice of theme this season and finally we chat about what we have in store for season 10 which begins March 24th. 

Would you like to see the full lineup for season 10? The only place you can see it is on Patreon but you don't need to be a paying member. Sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup when it drops on March 10th.

This episode as a preview of our season 9 wrap show which is available in full, over on our £3 a month Patreon tier. If you sign up for that you'll get access to all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9 and a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new movies each month.  

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

Shoot the Hostage concludes its Nicolas Cage-a-thon with Pig (2021), a film that proves Nic Cage can do subtle, heartbreaking, and filthy all at once.

Join Dan and Sarah as they wade through the truffle-scented forest of Michael Sarnoski's directorial debut, discussing whether this is an anti-revenge movie or Cage: Pig in the City.

Expect spoilers as we discuss the film's themes, from grief and loss to the pretentious world of gourmet dining.

We'll be asking the big questions, like:

If you're a fan of Nicolas Cage, indie films, or movies that make you think (and maybe cry a little), this episode is for you. We'll also be talking about the performances of Alex Wolff and Adam Arkin, plus Sarah's dream of living in the woods with a pet pig and reliable Wi-Fi.

Listen right until the end to find out which theme you can expect in season 10 which begins March 24th.

If you would like to know the lineup for season 10 ahead of time, the only place we announce our schedule is over on Patreon and you don't even need to be a paying member. Just sign up for a free membership and get access to the lineup. If you have some change rattling around in your pocket, we have a £3.00 a month tier where you'll get access to around 100 movie reviews plus all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-9.   

Enjoy the show but can't support us financially? We get it. You could submit a review on the podcast player you're reading this on right now. Or if you listen on Spotify and you haven't given us a five-star rating yet, what are ye waiting for? It's easy.

If you've done some or all of that and still want to do more, we would love it if you tell a friend about the show.  

Or come find us on social media:

Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube