Shoot The Hostage

Shoot The Hostage Podcast
  • 4.0 (1)
  • Film Reviews
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Shoot The Hostage with Sarah & Dan - the movie podcast where we pick one movie at a time and take a deep dive into anything and everything we can. Each season, we dive into a new theme which we take turns in choosing. We tend to choose a diverse pick of films for each season, trying our best to cover different genres & themes. If you’re in the market for a movie podcast with hosts that don’t take themselves too seriously and love films just as much as you, then head over. Take your shoes off and come on in.

  1. 3d ago

    Wake in Fright - S15 E120

    Don’t Wake in Fright because you’ve got a massive hangover; wake up and join us in The Yabba for a cold midi! This week on Shoot the Hostage, we are continuing Sarah’s Liminal Spaces season with a journey into the sun-drenched beer-soaked nightmare of Australian cinema: Ted Kotcheff’s 1971 film, Wake in Fright. In our 6th episode of the season, we follow Gary Bond as John Grant, a bonded schoolteacher who finds himself trapped in a nightmarish cycle of substance abuse and aggressive hospitality in the outback town of Bundanyabba. If you’re looking for weird movies where the heat is as sticky as the floors in the local pub, this one might be for you. We explore how a simple overnight stop transforms into a personal purgatory of horror and nihilism, featuring a terrifying performance from Donald Pleasence and the final screen appearance of the legendary Chips Rafferty. The cinema of Australian new wave doesn’t get much more brutal than this, as we tackle the sausage fest of toxic masculinity and the infamous, real-life kangaroo hunting footage. It’s a bond you can’t escape and a reminder that sometimes the most terrifying thing in the outback is a bloke who just wants one more skooner. What to expect from this episode: Dan kicks things off with a pop quiz about the decimal currency system and espresso machines. We discuss why Wake in Fright is arguably the most Australian movie ever made, despite the director being Canadian. A look at director Ted Kotcheff’s career, from First Blood to the philosophy of Weekend at Bernie’s. We explore the liminal space of Bundanyabba and why it feels like a dusty, inescapable purgatory. The mystery of the aggressive hospitality and why Dan is suspicious to any cars that give way to pedestrians when it conflicts with the highway code. We tackle the elephant in the room: the brutal and controversial kangaroo hunting scene. We break down the repressed feelings and the Socrates of the Outback vibes of Doc Tydon. This season has eight episodes, concluding July 6th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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're a fan of the show and want more content, check out our £3.00 a month tier on Patreon where we release our end of season wrap shows and 2 reviews of brand new movies every month. Plus you'll get access to our back catalogue from 2023 onwards. 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

    1h 8m

  2. Jun 15

    It Follows - S15 E119

    It Follows that we should probably talk about this movie before Dan stages a coup. We’re five episodes deep into our Liminal Spaces season, and Sarah has chosen David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows (2014). While Sarah has watched this enough times to be legally haunted, Dan is still convinced that a Detroit setting should automatically involve more OCP interference or at least a robot that can’t climb stairs. From the weird dreamlike vibes of the anachronistic production design to Disasterpeace’s unforgettable synth score, we’re asking the big questions: Is it about ghost crabs or just the inevitable, slow-walking march towards death? We also explore the cinema of the suburbs where Maika Monroe is often floating on water and Keir Gilchrest is always holding a beer. What to expect from this episode: Dan explains why his knowledge of Detroit begins and ends with Robocop and car manufacturing. Sarah breaks down why David Robert Mitchell used 360 degree pans to create a sense of hyper-alert horror. We debate if Maika Monroe’s character qualifies as a final girl. Chats around the anachronisms, including that legendary (and non-existent) electronic clam-shell phone. We discuss the real-life body found during location scouting that changed the productions plan. We ponder the potential sequel and whether it will go in a full Aliens style James Cameron direction. This season has eight episodes, concluding July 6th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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're a fan of the show and want more content, check out our £3.00 a month tier on Patreon where we release our end of season wrap shows and 2 reviews of brand new movies every month. Plus you'll get access to our back catalogue from 2023 onwards. 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

    1h 15m

  3. Jun 8

    Lost Highway - S15 E118

    We hope you don’t get lost on the highway to this episode because we’re taking a detour into the obtuse, dreamlike world of 90s cinema with David Lynch’s 1997 head-scratcher, Lost Highway. As the fourth entry in our Liminal Spaces season, we’re trying to figure out if we’re on a road to nowhere or just stuck in a psychogenic fugue state. To help us navigate this noir nightmare. We’ve bought back Jamie from the Final Transmission podcast! You might remember Jamie from his debut in our Season 4 episode about The Blair Witch Project, and he’s returned to help us solve a movie that even the director refuses to explain. We tackle the ethereal dualities of Patricia Arquette, wonder why Bill Pullman is so committed to strobe jazz sax solos, and witness the final, heartbreaking performance of Richard Pryor. We also dive into the horror of the Mystery Man played by Robert Blake, discuss the 90s movies trend of circular plagiarism, and finally address why Balthazar Getty has been a rising star since the Filofax era. Plus, Dan reveals his theory that the script was written by Barry Gibb and we explore the cinema of industrial soundtracks featuring Rammstein, Marilyn Manson and David Bowie. What to expect from the episode: We debate whether Fred Madison is the alpha or just a gut with a very overactive imagination. Jamie explains why this is his favourite Lynch film while Dan struggles to find any evidence of someone being kicked from the head or jumping onto a helicopter. We explore the theory that the entire movie was subconsciously inspired by the O.J. Simpson trial. Discussion around David Lynch’s big hat and megaphone approach to on-set social distancing. We investigate the vampiric makeup choices and the quintessentially noir lighting of Peter Deming. This season has eight episodes, concluding July 6th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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're a fan of the show and want more content, check out our £3.00 a month tier on Patreon where we release our end of season wrap shows and 2 reviews of brand new movies every month. Plus you'll get access to our back catalogue from 2023 onwards. 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

    1h 25m

  4. Jun 1

    Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) - S15 E117

    We’re climbing back into the void for the third instalment of our Liminal Space season. After the chaotic vibes of last week, Sarah has led us into the hazy sun-drenched mystery of Peter Weir’s 1975 masterpiece, Picnic at Hanging Rock. It’s a film that defines Australian cinema and remains one of the most haunting pop-culture touchstones of the 1970s, even if Dan is convinced the titular landmark is a self-powered, solar-propelled magic rock with a hidden toaster outlet for your crumpets. We anchor ourselves into the cinema of Victorian repression, exploring how a group of schoolgirls from Appleyard College vanished on Valentine’s Day in 1900. Is the rock simply a geological wonder, or is it an ancient, cosmic horror entity capable of folding time and space? We discuss the ethereal atmosphere created by Weir and the legendary “great wig drama” involving a formidable Rachel Roberts. From Jackie Weaver’s flat cap adventure to the mystery of the 1900 era thin bananas, we’re leaving no stone unturned. What to expect from this episode: Sarah explains why this is the quintessential entry for our liminal space movies season. Dan reveals his theory about the rock being a self-powered solar panel for picnickers. A look at the tyrannical performance of Rachel Roberts and her refusal to look at her co-stars. We discuss the ethereal cinematography and framing. The mystery of the thin bananas and a tangent about why fruit was better in the good old days. Why an American distributor was so angry about the ending, he threw coffee at his TV. A breakdown of some of the deleted scenes from the theatrical cut and the motive behind Peter Weir’s directors cut. The secret clock-stopping powers of the book’s eccentric author. How a teenager almost made the movie before Patricia Lovell stepped in. Dan tries to reconcile if this is a Lovecraftian horror or just a very long afternoon without enough snacks. This season has eight episodes, concluding July 6th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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're a fan of the show and want more content, check out our £3.00 a month tier on Patreon where we release our end of season wrap shows and 2 reviews of brand new movies every month. Plus you'll get access to our back catalogue from 2023 onwards. 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

    1h 17m

  5. May 25

    Messiah of Evil - S15 E116

    Welcome back to the second stop on Sarah’s tour of liminal space movies, and this week we’re descending into the 1973 cult cinema classic, Messiah of Evil. It’s the film that sparked this entire season, and while it might have sat on a shelf for years, it’s currently having a bit of a second coming on the pod. We’re breaking down the dreamlike logic of Point Dune (formerly new Bethlehem) and exploring why this film feels so much like David Lynch’s style, even though it was hitting screens before Eraserhead was a glimmer in Lynch’s eye. We discuss directors Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck ambitious artistic vision and how editor Scott Conrad (of Rocky fame) managed to piece together such an atmospheric experience from a production that literally ran out of money. Beyond the hanging beds and important Mr Blobby tangents, we wade through the claret to get to the iconic supermarket scene to discuss the consumerist ghoul angle. Dan finds a rare moment of connection between the film’s hand-painted murals and his own Dad’s late-night black-tape art projects, while Sarah defends the Dick Smith neon-lurid blood recipe as peak 70s cinema aesthetic. What to expect in this episode: A breakdown of why Walter Hill’s throat-slitting open features the loudest shoe foley in the history of cinema. Sarah explains why the weird movies energy of Messiah of Evil was the specific catalyst for this entire season of liminal space movies. Dan reveals why he’d rather be watching Noel’s House Party. Discussion around the true liminal space horror of derelict theme parks and Mr Blobby World. The obvious but necessary comparisons to David Lynch. We explore the logistical genius of the hanging bed and why it’s the ultimate space-saver unless you live in the Sistine Chapel. Sarah geeks out over the peak 70s era production design, including the Michael Greer white suit and those polyamorous drifter arrangements. We suggest which scenes would have been improved with swapping characters out for clones of Noel Edmunds in a Mr Blobby costume. This season has eight episodes, concluding July 6th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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're a fan of the show and want more content, check out our £3.00 a month tier on Patreon where we release our end of season wrap shows and 2 reviews of brand new movies every month. Plus you'll get access to our back catalogue from 2023 onwards. 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

    1h 20m

  6. May 18

    Triangle (2009) - S15 E115

    Don’t be a square, it’s time to get an acute perspective on our latest pick as we sail into a brand-new season! Dan is convinced we’re kicking off a “season of shapes” having already prepared notes for The Circle, Hex the Hexagon and the Secret Life of Rectangles but Sarah is here to steer the ship back towards her actual theme: Liminal Space Movies. And we’re launching with Christopher Smith’s Triangle (2009). This mind-bending entry into the world of time loops takes us far beyond the Bermuda Triangle and into a dreamlike, transitionary world where the rules of reality are flexible. We delve into Melissa George’s performance as Jess, a mother whose spontaneous trip on a yacht becomes a punishing exploration of identity. Joining her is Michael Dorman, whose character might be a “nice guy”, we’re not quite sure, and a young Liam Hemsworth who is very confident about his Greek mythology pronunciations. From the Overlook Boatel vibes of the ocean liner Aeolus to the meticulously crafted script that rewards repeat viewings, we’re trying to get to the hull of what makes this cult movie so special. Just don’t ask us to explain the mechanics of the time-loop just yet. Give us another ten thousand years! What to expect from this episode: Sarah attempts to define liminal spaces while Dan wonders if his Tiktok feed of endless swimming pools is actually a cry for help. We discuss whether Christopher Smith reached his magnum opus early with this low-budget indie horror masterclass. A deep dive into Melissa George’s incredible ability to maintain emotional continuity. We break down the Sisyphus connections and why pushing a rock up a hill is basically just a 90s retail job. Sarah geeks out about the VFX and that incredible “through the mirror” camera trick. A look at how the UK’s National Lottery helped fund this $12 million time loop nightmare with a big foam finger. We explore the purgatory theory and why you should never, ever make a promise to a cab driver in a black suit. Our seemingly traditional mention of Chris Barrie. This season has eight episodes, concluding July 6th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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're a fan of the show and want more content, check out our £3.00 a month tier on Patreon where we release our end of season wrap shows and 2 reviews of brand new movies every month. Plus you'll get access to our back catalogue from 2023 onwards. 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

    1h 12m

  7. May 11 ·  Bonus

    Bonus : The Beekeeper

    Apologies in advance if this one stings a little. Yes, it’s a bee pun. What else! While we’re currently between seasons, we’re keeping the hive alive by raiding the Patreon archive to bring you this bonus discussion. Today we’re talking about another entry in the Statham vocation cinematic universe, The Beekeeper (2024). In this outing, directed by David Ayer, Statham plays a man who literalises his hobby, proving he’s the Buffy the Vampire Slayer of honey production. We explore why Josh Hutcherson is playing a crypto bro villain, how Jeremy Irons ended up as a fixer, and why Minnie Driver is only on screen for minutes. It’s a film for cinemagoers who want John Wick vibes but with more Sergio Tacchini tennis grear. What to expect from this episode: We discuss why Jason Statham won our 2023 king of turds award. Sarah tries to make sense of the shadowy government syndicate lore that claims there is only ever one active Beekeeper. Dan pitches a gritty spin off titled “The Toilet Keeper”. We marvel at the scripts ability to mention the word Beekeeper roughly five thousand times. We look at Josh Hutcherson’s progression from painting himself into a tree to villainous tech bro. Sarah wonders why Iko Uwais isn’t being cast in these roles and what we must do to make that happen. We shall return! On May 18th we're back with a brand new season. This time chosen by Sarah. The new theme is Liminal Spaces and the first film we're wrapping our heads around is Triangle (2009).  Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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 any day now. Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

    21 min

  8. May 4 ·  Bonus

    Best of Identity Movies

    Come in and make yourself at home. Feel free to lie down on the couch and tell us about your mother. If not, why not check in for one last session in our season of films exploring identity. Before we move on to Liminal Spaces in season fifteen, it’s time to revisit some of our favourite chats from the last eight episodes. We dived into the cinematic identity of everyone from Gotham’s elite to ballet dancers losing their grip on reality. We praised the chameleonic genius of Gary Oldman and questioned Liam Neeson’s facial hair. And we explored how personal character is forged through external events involving a taxi driven by a robot Robert Picardo. What to expect from this episode: Dan explains why he curated a season dedicated to the theme of identity in cinema. We remember the year the Crazy Frog infected our culture while Batman began. We debate whether Liam Neeson suits the 90s street magician look. Discussion around Gary Oldman’s career and his transition from True Romance to Slow Horses. A look at why Darren Aronofsky spent a decade trying to turn a werewolf movie into a swan story. Sarah confesses her love for controversial fiction. We revisit the grotesque experience of watching Dennis Quaid devour shrimp in The Substance. Dan reiterates his one and only rule: Jared Leto is only allowed in movies if he’s playing Jeffrey Tambor. We discover a little-known, deep-cut indie flick called Total Recall and its sweaty puppet Kuato. We shall return! On May 18th we're back with a brand new season. This time chosen by Sarah. The new theme is Liminal Spaces and the first film we're wrapping our heads around is Triangle (2009).  Would you like to see the full lineup for season 15? 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 any day now. Instagram | TikTok | Threads | YouTube

    1 hr
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About

Welcome to Shoot The Hostage with Sarah & Dan - the movie podcast where we pick one movie at a time and take a deep dive into anything and everything we can. Each season, we dive into a new theme which we take turns in choosing. We tend to choose a diverse pick of films for each season, trying our best to cover different genres & themes. If you’re in the market for a movie podcast with hosts that don’t take themselves too seriously and love films just as much as you, then head over. Take your shoes off and come on in.

Information

  • Creator
    Shoot The Hostage Podcast
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Shoot The Hostage

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