Shoot The Hostage

Shoot The Hostage Podcast
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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. 1D AGO

    Gattaca - S14 E108

    Welcome back to our Identity season, where Dan continues to force his personal favourites onto the show. This week, we’re here to discuss Andrew Niccol’s 1997 directorial debut, Gattaca (1997). We dive in to see if this 90s sci-fi classic still holds up or if it’s just a sterile nightmare of brutalist architecture and electric cars. We’re examining the character identities in a world where your career path is determined by a vial of pee strapped to your leg and where the “trash man” himself, Danny DeVito, is lurking in the producer credits. If you’re looking for movies about genetic engineering that feature 12-fingered pianists and a suspicious lack of clutter, this is the episode for you. We discuss the iconic cast, featuring Ethan Hawke as a “God birth” infiltrating the elite, Uma Thurman being generally flawless and a “smug-faced” Jude Law who is legally perfect but shattered emotionally. We also unpack the heavy themes of capitalism and how these films about gene manipulation often predict a terrifyingly white future. What to expect from this episode: Fond recollection of 1997 VHS rentals and the surprising emergence of the “slightly smaller” video cases Sarah questions the logistics of the “Clark Kent principle” and how a pair of glasses can fool a high-tech society Unpacking the meanings behind character names Discussion around the retro futuristic production design and why every cop is wearing a big hat Theories on how the swimming sequences fit into the wider narrative Exploration of the heavy themes of capitalism and how the world of Gattaca is built for profit rather than people Dan reveals the secret Cronenbergian deleted scene involving snooker cues for arms This season has eight episodes, concluding April 27th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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 a minimum of 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 7m

  2. MAR 2

    Batman Begins - S14 E107

    Holy identity crisis Batman! It’s time to tumble into a brand-new season of Shoot the Hostage. This time, the theme is Identity and we’re kicking off with Christopher Nolan’s “grounded” take on the superhero genre, Batman Begins (2005). While Nolan was busy trying to convince the world that a billionaire in a rubber suit is grounded, we’re here to ask the tough questions like why Christian Bale sounds like he’s gargling gravel and how Liam Neeson ended up looking like a 90s street magician with a Fu Manchu complex. We’ll be navigating the cinema of the mid-2000s, discussing whether Gary Oldman is just a collection of various chameleons in a trench coat and why Cillian Murphy seems to be the only person who realised he was actually in a comic book movie. We also look at the character identities of altruistic billionaires and wonder if Michael Caine is just playing everyone’s favourite Tory father figure. In this episode, you can expect: Dan’s reasons for choosing the theme of “Identity” We discuss the Darren Aronofsky Batman film that probably would have had Martha Wayne shooting up in crime alley. The croissant-based origins of the Batmobile. We revisit the dark days of 2005 when the Crazy Frog was the pinnacle of cultural achievement. Debate regarding the physics of a water vaporiser that somehow ignores the fact that humans are made of mostly water. We discuss why Christopher Nolan films are best enjoyed at 3pm on a Sunday with very specific speakers. The sliding doors moment in this movie with Joe Chill in the courthouse. This season has eight episodes, concluding April 27th Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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 a minimum of 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

  3. FEB 23 · BONUS

    Bonus : Best of Shoot The Hostage 2025 - Part 3 of 3

    Before embarking on a new season next week, this is the third and final instalment of our 2025 clip shows, featuring the best of our recent conversations over the last 12 months. From debating the anatomical accuracy of kangaroo prosthetics to Danny “Boyling” down the legendary career of the British filmmaker, we’re covering all cinematic bases. Join us for the usual film discussion and tangents as we ponder the filmmaking “genius” of Renny Harlin and why Sylvester Stallone’s head looks like it was pasted onto a car with glue and a prayer. We also give flowers to the likes of Lori Petty, Jeff Bridges and Burt Reynolds, while wondering if Michael Ironside and Roy Scheider were the ultimate “fish guys” of the 90s.   What to expect from the show: Discover why Ron Perlman was sadly passed over for the role of a mutant kangaroo. Hear the disturbing search for a lost, degraded silicone prosthetic from the Stann Winston estate. Learn how Davina McCall was nearly elevated from host of Streetmate to a Spice Girl. Dan defends his yearly tradition of watching Driven, despite Sarah’s best efforst to leave the room. We speculate whether a talking dolphin in SeaQuest DSV is actually the peak of 90s television. Sarah reveals her dark past as a digital deity who tortured The Sims with clown paintings and lack of sanitation. The American Pie franchise gets a gritty, environmental reboot involving socks and methane. Find out why locking the butler in the freezer in Tomb Raider 2 is a universal gaming experience. We are back March 2nd for season 14! This time the theme is "Identity" Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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 a minimum of 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 2m

  4. FEB 16 · BONUS

    Bonus : Best of Shoot The Hostage 2025 - Part 2 of 3

    We didn’t want to leave you all searching for a missing pig before the new season begins on March 2nd. Which is why we’re releasing part two of our three-part best-of 2025 clips shows. For cinephiles who love a good disaster, we’re diving back into our “Flops” season – a true comedy of errors where we learned that even Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro aren’t immune to box-office bombing. Whether you’re a regular cinemagoer or a film observation nerd who lives for a good spreadsheet, this episode has a Thing or two for everyone. We’re dissecting the mastery of John Carpenter, the “freakiness” of Clive Barker and why Kurt Russell is correct when he states he is “tired of everyone’s shit”. What to expect from the show: We discuss why John Carpenter’s The Thing is the second-best thing from 1982. Questioning the costumes worn by Dolph Lundgren whilst playing He-Man. Unpacking the scientific logic of Master of the Universe and breaking down the meaning of a “Chromon” Tales of creative accounting leading to the bankrupting of production companies. A look at the “Clive Barker freakiness” and the three different versions of Nightbreed. We debate if anyone in the world actually prefers Jim Davidson to a disembodied AI voice. We are back March 2nd for season 14! This time the theme is "Identity" Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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 a minimum of 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

    53 min

  5. FEB 9 · BONUS

    Bonus : Best of Shoot The Hostage 2025 - Part 1 of 3

    Welcome to a very Nic Cage focused bonus episode of Shoot the Hostage. Now, look, we know you guys were expecting the grand premier of Dan’s “Identity” season today, but life has a funny way of throwing a Pig at your plans. Due to some family bereavement and health complications behind the scenes, we’ve had to push the new season back to March 2nd. We’re deeply sorry for the delay but we promise the upcoming eight-film deep dive into identity will be the best thing ever released on the internet. To keep you lovely cinephiles and cinemagoers satiated while we regroup, we are digging into our 2025 archive of main feed episodes. Over the next 3 weeks we’re sharing some of our favourite moments from the podcast in 2025. Enjoy! What to expect from the show: The terrifying image of Pauly Shore and Nicolas Cage running around Vegas in dressing gowns. Why the podcast was almost called “Wheezing the Juice”. A breakdown of why talking about Fantastic Four in a bar is the ultimate aphrodisiac. The logistical nightmare of turning a couch into a coffin. The “Beige Volvo” connecting thread that links three of the 90s’ biggest action movies. An unsolicited impression of Werner Herzog We are back March 2nd for season 14! This time the theme is "Identity" Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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 a minimum of 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 2m

  6. FEB 2 · BONUS

    Bonus : Top Five Films of 2025

    Yes, it’s February! Yes, it’s a bit late for an end of year show! But we refuse to let the calendar dictate when our cinematic celebrations conclude. This week we’re unleashing our top 5 films of 2025 where we use a bargain bin blu ray toss to decide their ranking. Beyond the top five, we get into the nitty-gritty of 2025 movies, asking the tough questions like: does Aaron Taylor-Johnson have a modern face or where is that Bill Murray documentary? We’re not just reading lists; we’re also dissecting tracking shots, analysing “dangerous weirdo” performances from the likes of Benicio del Toro and Amy Madigan while also praising the technical brilliance of Danny Boyle. What to expect from this episode: Dan makes a series of excuses for why his year doesn’t officially end until January 32nd. Sarah details her pilgrimage to High Wycombe for the Labyrinth Experience. Tales of inflatable-based cinema rejection. Announcing our individual top 5 movies of 2025. Somehow combining our list to come up with our official top 5 films of 2025. Honourable mentions of films that almost made the top 5. Movies we missed and films we still want to see. 2025 documentaries we watched. A look at 2025 Stephen King adaptations. Worst films of 2025. We are back Monday 2nd March for season 14! This time the theme is "Identity" Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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 a minimum of 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 39m

  7. JAN 26 · BONUS

    Best of True Crime Films

    Welcome to a special clip show of Shoot the Hostage, where Dan and Sarah revisit the highs, the lows, and the incredibly bleak mid-points of our true crime films season. Whether you’re a regular listener of a newbie looking for the best true crime movie podcast to binge while hiding from the “water wars,” this episode is the perfect entry point. We’ve spent the last few months analysing flicks depicting real-life lawbreaking, covering everything from the relentless misery of Snowtown to the questionable Italian accents of House of Gucci. We’ve analysed the psychology of serial killers, discussed gender identity in film, and spent an unhealthy amount of time wondering why Jared Leto decided to play a Gucci heir like he was auditioning for Super Mario Bros. In this episode, we look back at the stellar work of filmmakers like Patty Jenkins, Ridley Scott and Spike Lee, while giving flowers to Margot Robbie, Hilary Swank and the undisputed king of the season, Paul Walter Hauser. We also touch on Martin Scorses’s filmography, with Sarah offering the glowing endorsement that she likes “about half” of his movies. It’s a criminally packed episode featuring talk of physical media hoarding, South Korean thrillers, and why Clint Eastwood might just be a “frosty old man” making one take movies. What to expect from the best of true crime movies episode: Reaching triple digits triggers a contemplation on legacy versus obsolescence. Streaming availability in East Asia leads to a call for virtual private network sponsors. Sarah explains her retirement plan involving a VHS store and hoarding water. Urine-processing technology becomes a central pillar of a post-society business plan. A deep dive into the “subtle” bookends of Ridley Scott, as explained by Dan. The shocking revelation that Tom Savini actually created the entire universe. A final reminder to rate the show five stars before the AI avatars take over the podcast We are back on February 9th with Dan's identity season and our first episode is all about a small indie film you may not have heard of called Batman Begins.  Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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. 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

    51 min

  8. JAN 19 · BONUS

    Season Thirteen Wrap Show Preview

    We are committing to our final sentence as we deliver a verdict on our true crime films season. Before we shred the documents, please enjoy this sneak peek regarding our malfeasance-themed recap. We traversed the globe – from desert landscapes to separate nations to investigate these dark stories, making the last eight weeks feel like a life sentence. Sarah explains how her academic path in behavioural science and shock-value tapes from her youth sparked an interest in true crime cinema. She also explains why she dragged us through the grim streets of Snowtown and the high-stakes fraud of the Wolf of Wall Street. Whether you’re looking for true crime podcasts or just want to hear us argue about whether Ridley Scott’s House of Gucci is a masterpiece or a total train wreck, this episode has you covered. We give our final verdict on the performances of Margot Robbie, Charlize Theron and even that Zac Efron Ted Bundy movie we can never quite name. What to expect from the episode: The sound of the traditional can opening to begin the show which was definitely a real can. A breakdown of the full season lineup from Monster (2003) to the flamboyant House of Gucci. Sarah explains how a teenage interest in psychology led to a season full of serial killer cinema. Dan reflects on how analytical shields helped him endure the depressing nature of the lineup. A look back at our “long road” recording across different countries and how it aged us. The ultimate paradox: how one film can be both terrible and a favourite of the season. Our traditional wrap show quiz, this time, prepared by Dan. Details on how to access the full episode and the new season which begins February 9th. We shall return! February 9th sees the beginning of season 14 which Dan gets to choose this time. Be there or be square! Would you like to see the full lineup for season 14? 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

    11 min
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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
    153
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Shoot The Hostage