Shoot The Hostage
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.
Episodes

11 hours ago
11 hours ago
Buckle up because this week on Shoot The Hostage, we're hitting the track with a film that definitely ran out of gas at the box office! Dan and Sarah dive headfirst into the glorious box-office flop that is Driven (2001)
We brake down the bewildering plot involving characters played by Kip Pardue, Burt Reynolds, Estella Warren, Gina Gershon (making her second appearance on the podcast) and Robert Sean Leonard. We pull back the curtain on the film's massive budget, chaotic production (including casting just 3 days before shooting), and truly head-scratching moments that lead to "first day on Earth performances".
If you're desperately searching for a podcast covering movies that flopped at the box-office, diving into guilty pleasure movies, or are specifically curious about movies about motorsports and racing, especially a spectacularly bad racing movie, then this is your checkered flag! We tackle everything from the absurd dialogue ("What am I, a piece of wood?" and "You old fish") to Renny Harlin's questionable directing methods. Find out why even Sylvester Stallone himself might regret making this one.
In this episode, expect:
An apology from Dan (it's apology season, after all) for introducing Sarah to this particular film.
Analysis of the film's inaccuracies, from unrealistic race tactics to physics-defying stunts
Commentary on the film's portrayal of women and its overall testosterone driven nature
A brief tangent on mammals
Ideas for how a Driven remake could actually cross the finish line successfully
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

Monday May 05, 2025
Monday May 05, 2025
This week on Shoot the Hostage, Dan and Sarah brave the wasteland of cinema history to grapple with the undisputed heavy artillery of our big old floppy flop season, Tank Girl (1995). Be warned, as is tradition, we swear and spoil.
Sarah chose this one and frankly, it feels like some kind of revenge after Battlefield Earth. Released in 1995 this film doesn't just qualify as a flop, it lives in the flop house and pays rent with lint and disappointment. It somehow made more than Empire Records and Police Academy 7, which, let's be honest, is our primary metric for success.
Based on the very British, very anarchic comic book series and directed by Rachel Talalay, this 1990s comic book movie should have been a slam dunk, or at least a solid ground rule double. We get into the nitty-gritty of why this felt like such missed potential.
Here’s what you can expect from this week’s episode:
Discussions on Lori Petty as Tank Girl (aka Rebecca) and who else lobbied for the role
The uncredited, sophisticated (yet visually questionable) work of Stan Winston Studios on the Rippers
The surprisingly great soundtrack curated by Courtney Love
Dream casting for a potential reboot
Ramblings that connect this film to The Warriors, Scott Pilgrim... and, bizarrely, Roy Scheider in seaQuest DSV.
Why this comic book movie adaptation ultimately crashed and burned at the box office
If you're searching for podcasts about movie flops or maybe just a podcast reviewing box office bombs, retro comic book films, or trying to understand why a film featuring a kick-ass female lead and directed by Rachel Talalay failed so spectacularly, this is the episode for you. Or maybe you just need someone to talk about the fact they made a kangaroo penis for a movie? Look no further!
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

Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
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:
A deep dive into the mystery of why The King of Comedy was a certified box office flop yet has ascended to cult classic status.
Our unfiltered opinions on the unforgettable performances of Robert De Niro, the surprisingly serious Jerry Lewis, and the absolute revelation that is Sandra Bernhard.
A look at the film’s unsettlingly contemporary themes of celebrity worship, the desperate pursuit of fame, and the dark side of parasocial relationships.
Our reliably questionable humour and Dan’s ongoing battle with basic pronunciation.
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

Monday Apr 21, 2025
Monday Apr 21, 2025
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:
Spoiler-filled discussion of Nightbreed (1990)
Enthusiastic (and possibly biased) opinions on the film’s merits
The usual digressions and tangents that may or may not be relevant
Unpacking of Nightbreed’s status as a box-office flop and its subsequent cult following
Analysis of the film’s themes of otherness and societal prejudice
A surprising connection to Red Dwarf
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

Monday Apr 14, 2025
Monday Apr 14, 2025
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:
A scathing takedown of Battlefield Earth from start to finish.
Our bewildered attempts to make sense of the plot and the alien motivations.
Plenty of discussion about John Travolta's… unique? performance and his deep connection to the source material.
Observations on just how a film with a reported budget of $70-80 million (or maybe $40 million) could look this visually unappealing.
Digressions into the bizarre world of Scientology, the religion/cult behind the book.
The definitive answer to whether this truly deserves its reputation as one of the worst films ever made.
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

Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
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:
Questionable romantic gestures involving feet
Sarah's nostalgic love for this film and Dan's slow but steady descent into not-quite-hate
Our general bewilderment at the sheer volume of music crammed into 90-odd minutes
Comparisons to the Breakfast Club (which we covered – check it out)
And why this might have flopped at the box-office
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

Sunday Mar 30, 2025
Sunday Mar 30, 2025
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:
We’ll be dissecting the film’s box-office failure and try to understand why it didn’t connect with audiences.
The film’s adaptation from the Mattel toys, comic books and cartoons of the 1980’s.
How Masters of the Universe could have contributed to the downfall of Cannon Films.
We find out which characters were invented entirely for the 1987 movie and which characters were lifted directly from the MOTU toy range.
Sarah wonders how laser guns are powered.
We bring up Matte paintings again (possibly a running theme in this season).
Who’s the MVP in Masters of the Universe? Clue – it’s not He-Man!
Is Masters of the Universe (1987) kind of underrated? Or is it just rated?
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

Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
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:
The insane practical effects by Rob Bottin (with a little un-credited help from Stan Winston) that still hold up better than most CGI sludge today.
The film's return to the source material novella Who Goes There? and its relationship to the 1951 film The Thing from Another World. Was Carpenter's version a remake, a re-imagining, or something else entirely?
The film's themes – is it a reflection of Cold War paranoia or something more akin to the AIDS epidemic of the early 80's?
OF COURSE, we’ll be arguing about that ending. Who’s A THE THING!
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

Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
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

Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
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

Shoot The Hostage
We're Dan & Sarah; a movie obsessed couple who love nothing more than chatting about film. That's exactly what you'll find here; a conversational show where we pick apart 8 films per season, based on a theme.