Shoot The Hostage

Sticking with our season of films about dreams, we turn our head to Ken Russell for the 1980 Sci-Fi/Horror Altered States.  What do we think the visual elements of this film mean? Did John C. Lilly talk to Dolphins? Why did Paddy Chayefsky and Ken Russell fall out? How did a pair of Betty Boop socks convince the cast to be in the film? Why is this in a season of films about dreams? All will be rev...

Come True (2020) is a Horror/Sci-Fi written and directed by Anthony Scott Burns and is the first movie in Dan's season of movies about dreams.  Find out what we think it means, hear us gush about the sound and question if slippers are hard wearing enough for miles of walking on tarmac. Actually we don't discuss footwear at all, that's just one of the notes we didn't talk about. To be fair, there a...

It's that time again. Yes, it's just 1 week before we begin our brand new season so it must be time for a bonus show. This time we thought we would release our Twisters show on the main feed which we dropped over on our Patreon last week.  We go a little spoilery on this one although some would argue that there really isn't that much to spoil. Find out what we thought of Twisters and what was unde...

On August 5th we begin our brand new season with a theme chosen by Dan. This time he's gone for dreams. There are a number of ways to interpret the theme and we have an eclectic mix of movies to talk about over the 8 weeks. We begin with Come True (2020) which drops on 5th August.  Would you like to see the full lineup for season 7? The only place we announce our schedule is over on Patreon and yo...

Our Barbarian show marked the end of Sarah's season of trapped films. But fear not, we still have our wrap show which is available in full over on our Patreon . We'll be back on August 5th with a brand new theme. Look out for the season 7 trailer coming next week and at the same time, we'll drop our season lineup for free members of our Patreon. So make sure you sign up for that to stay up to date...

This week we're covering our most recent movie yet. We sit down to talk about Zach Cregger's Barbarian (2020). We talk about the Writer/Director's inspiration for Barbarian, the unusual changes in tone and how it all fits together.  Sadly, this is the last episode of the season but we'll be back on the main feed with a brand new season on August 5th. If you can't wait until then, check out our Pat...

The Breakfast club is considered by many to be the peak of the John Hughes gold rush of the 80s. Everyone has a favorite John Hughes movie. But where does The Breakfast Club stand in our opinion? Come and find out. We also talk about why Andrew is taping buns together (Dan learns what buns are), Bender’s unacceptable behavior and the fan theory that suggests the entire movie takes place in Allison...

This week we're talking Dogtooth (2009) from Writer/Director Yorgos Lanthimos. In an uncommon scheduling coincidence, this episode ties in with the release of his latest film, Kinds of Kindness, which we'll no doubt cover on our Patreon feed.  But for now, come listen to us discuss what it all means. Why does Yorgos insist on making his audience feel uncomfortable? Is that the point? Why is Rex? S...

This week we delve into Brandon Cronenberg's film Possessor (2020).  We discuss the complex themes, brilliant visual effects and motivations of the main characters.   Season 6  runs until 8th July 2024. For the full season line-up head over to our  Patreon  page and become a free member.  If you like what you hear, please rate and review us on your podcast player of choice. It can be as easy as ra...

As we approach the halfway mark in our season of Trapped movies, we return to the glorious well of John Carpenter with Assault on Precinct 13 (1976). Join us as we discuss the performances from the central cast and how criminally cool Napoleon Wilson is. We also talk a little bit about ice cream.  Season 6  runs until 8th July 2024. For the full season line-up head over to our  Patreon  page and b...

We are taking a slightly darker turn this week with Bad Boy Bubby (1993). The film that search-engines describes as a Comedy/Crime film but we don’t think it’s quite that simple. It’s a film about abuse, growing up, religion and art and doesn’t fit neatly into any one genre. We discuss Rolf de Heer’s vision and the techniques he used to deliver this unusual piece of work to the world. We also talk...

It’s the 2nd episode in Sarah’s season of Trapped films. This time we’re talking Alex Garland’s 2014 Sci-fi/Thriller, Ex Machina. There is so much to cover in Ex Machina which is why it turned into a bumper episode. We get into Alex Garland’s career leading up to Ex Machina and beyond, the 2014 perspective of AI, Domhnall Gleeson’s pyjamas and why billionaires are lunatics. Season 6  runs until 8t...

We're back with a new season. This time Sarah has chosen the theme and carefully put together the lineup of films we're covering over the next 8 weeks.  The first stop in our Trapped season is Vincenzo Natali's Cube (1997.)  Listen as we discuss the production, story, performances and why Sting sings like that. Season 6  runs until 8th July 2024. For the full season line-up head over to our  Patre...

It's bonus show time. This week we talk about the Ryan Gosling fronted action comedy, The Fall Guy.  Next week we begin our sixth season which Sarah has carefully considered and programmed. This time she's gone for "Trapped" as the season's theme with some very interesting movies in the lineup. We kick of with 1997's Cube so if you haven't seen it and want to listen, go see Jeff about a stream.  I...

We are back in just two weeks on May 20th with our brand new season. As Dan chose the theme last time, it's over to Sarah to curate this season's lineup of movies.  Season 6 begins two-weeks from today with the first episode all about being trapped in a Cube. Yes, we're talking Vincenzo Natali's 90's sci-fi/horror, Cube and this is a clip from the first 5 minutes of the show.  Be sure to join us o...

We have reached the end of another season. But before we move on to season 6, we have the small matter of our end of season wrap show to address. This a preview of that show which is available to members of our £3.00 a month Patreon tier.   If you would like to keep listening to us while we're on our main feed hols, you could head over there. For £3.00 a month you'll get access to seasons 1-5 wrap...

We made it to the end of another season. This episode marks the end of our Neo-Western series and we're ending with a banger (and another film that isn't a Neo-Western.) It's Big Trouble in Little China. And you know what Jack Burton always says at a time like this?! Sure he says "I never drive faster that I can see," but he also says "always listen to Shoot The Hostage."  We get into John Carpent...

Welcome friends. It's the penultimate episode in our Neo-Western series of movies and this week we have a good ol' chin wag about Walter Hill's The Warriors.  We talk about Walter Hill as a filmmaker, the intention behind the movie and of course, the costumes. Plus come and find out which are our favourite and least favourite gangs in this film and why there wasn't a William Shatner gang.  Season...

It's episode 6 of 8 in our Neo-Western season and this week we get our teeth stuck into Kathryn Bigelow's 1987 horror, vampire, western, romance Near Dark. Surprisingly, this is the first vampire movie we've covered on the show and it's also the first Lance Henriksen film we've spoken about. It will not be the last of either of those things.  We get into why Bill Paxton was so great IN EVERYTHING,...

Welcome to another edition of our Neo-Western season. This week we take a deep-dive into Waterworld. Once again we are joined by a host of the Just The Thing podcast. Joel Jessup joins us to talk about the questionable ethics of The Mariner, Kevin Costner's ego, a proposed alternative outcome to the bungee scene and anything (everything) else.    Season 5 will run until 22nd April 2024. For the fu...

Episode four of Neo Western season sees us joined by Chris Regan of the awesome Just The Thing podcast. We chat about the 2000 action-thriller oddity Way Of The Gun. Amongst the topics of conversation this week are the absolutely stacked star cast, how we feel about the rampant bigotry in the context of the film, and Christopher McQuarrie's career.   Season 5 will run until 22nd April 2024. For th...

Our third episode in Neo Western season sees us go to Perfection, Nevada to catch up with Earl and Val for a deep burrow into 1990's Tremors. Is it a Western? Well, that's debatable, but hearing Dan justify its inclusion is certainly interesting! We chat about the cast and crew, including Fred Ward, Kevin Bacon and Michael Gross, and we also give our thoughts on how we'd cast our imaginary reboot....

In this episode, we venture into the chilling, snow-covered landscape of Taylor Sheridan's Wind River. We cover everything from Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olson's screen history, to just why this film is so important in addressing some of the real life issues that indigenous people face. We dive into the film's coverage of violence, grief, and the harsh realities of life in isolated, rural Americ...

Join us as we delve into the comic book world of James Mangold's Logan, for one last Wolverine hurrah (but not really). In the first episode of our Neo Western season, we take you on an emotional journey through the gritty landscape of the 2017 film, as well as discovering exactly what makes a Neo Western. We're breaking down the film's themes of family, sacrifice, and finding your people, along w...

Welcome listeners both new and old. We hope you enjoy our thoughts on Madame Web.  Next week we begin our fifth season which is all about Neo-Western movies. On March 4th we kick things off with our first in the 8 episode run with Logan.  If you like what you hear, and would like to support us on Patreon , our £3.00 a month tier will get you access to a minimum of 2 reviews of brand new films per...