Shoot The Hostage

The Thing (1982) - S10 E73

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:
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Bonus : Mickey 17

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:
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Best of Nicolas Cage (Coming of Cage) season

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

Season Nine Wrap Show Preview

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:
Vampire’s Kiss
The Rock
Face/Off
Snake Eyes
The Wicker Man
Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans
Mandy
Pig
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

Pig - S09 E72

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:
Is Pig just John Wick with a truffle pig instead of a puppy?
How does the film deconstruct the revenge movie genre?
Why are the chapter titles named after fancy food (Rustic Mushroom Tart, Mom's French Toast, A Bird, a Bottle, and a Salted Baguette)?
Is Adam Arkin related to Alan Arkin? (spoilers – yes, of course!)
What does this film have to say about critics & the commodification of art? (A lot, apparently!)
Was Nicolas Cage almost bitten to death by an untrained pig actor (we have the answer!)
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

Mandy (2018) - S09 E71

Hello, fellow Cage-o-philes! This week, we're almost at the end of our Nicolas Cage season with Panos Cosmatos’s 2018 hallucinatory masterpiece, Mandy.... Sarah was pushing hard for this one, and Dan caved, so buckle up!
In this episode, we're diving deep into the gory, stylized world of Mandy (2018). Expect plenty of Nicolas Cage appreciation, Andrea Riseborough stanning, and Richard Brake love.... We'll be dissecting everything from the film's stunning visuals to its exploration of grief and revenge.
We’ll also be exploring how Panos Cosmatos directs and creates a visually striking and memorable film and try to figure out WTF is up with the Cheddar Goblin.... Plus, we may or may not go on a tangent about evil triangles.
So, strap yourself in you unholy abominations and witness the Rage of Cage!
Season 9 runs until 24th February. 
Would you like to see the full lineup for season 9? 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 90 movie reviews plus all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-8.   
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

Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans - S09 E70

Get ready for another dive into the weird and wonderful world of Nicolas Cage. This time with a bonus Werner Herzog to bring Nic Cage crashing back down to Earth in Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans (2009).
Is this a remake of the Abel Ferrara movie or was it just a cynical attempt to cash in on a well-known title? What is the plot of this film? IS THERE a plot to this film? Why is Nic Cage doing a voice… sometimes? And why are reptiles a major part of this movie?
All that plus the question: Is there a Nicolas Cage character you would have a drink with?
Season 9 runs until 24th February. 
Would you like to see the full lineup for season 9? 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 90 movie reviews plus all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-8.   
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

The Wicker Man (2006) - S09 E69

This week on Shoot a Hostage, Dan and Sarah are diving headfirst into the cinematic mess that is Neil Labute's 2006 remake of The Wicker Man, starring everyone's favorite wild card, Nicolas Cage.
You might be asking yourself why we would subject ourselves (and you, dear listener) to such a film, and frankly, so were we. But curiosity, as they say, killed the cat, and in this case, nearly killed our brains
We're not gonna lie, The Wicker Man (2006) has a reputation for being, well, terrible. With a 3.8 on IMDb and a measly 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s certainly not winning any awards. But is it so bad it's good? Or is it just plain bad? We'll try to figure that out, while dissecting the bizarre choices made by the creators and whether or not it was intended to be a comedy.
Not the bees!
Season 9 runs until 24th February. 
Would you like to see the full lineup for season 9? 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 90 movie reviews plus all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-8.   
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

Snake Eyes (1998) - S09 E68

Welcome back for another episode in Dan’s “Coming of Cage” season.
This week we’re taking a gamble with Brian De Palma’s 1998 neo-noir thriller Snake Eyes, starring, of course, everybody’s favourite national treasure, Nicolas Cage.
Strap in for a ride through Atlantic City as we witness Cage’s charismatic but corrupt detective, Rick Santoro, unravel a sinister conspiracy that goes all the way to the top. We dissect that legendary opening one-take sequence, analysing De Palma’s signature style and cinematography.
Be prepared for hot takes on terrible shirts, questionable romances and a certain tidal wave that should have made it into the final cut of the film.  
It’s fight night baby!
Season 9 runs until 24th February. 
Would you like to see the full lineup for season 9? 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 90 movie reviews plus all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-8.   
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

Face/Off - S09 E67

This week Dan and Sarah take a deep dive into John Woo's 1997 masterpiece of mayhem, Face/Off.
Strap yourselves in as they dissect the film's ludicrous plot, gravity-defying action sequences, and the career-defining performances of Nicolas Cage and John Travolta.
Dan makes a valiant attempt to untangle the film's convoluted science while Sarah ponders the logistical nightmare of swapping all body parts. They also discuss the film's questionable family dynamics and debate whether it's acceptable to introduce your foster child to the joys of face swapping.
Plus, Dan delves into the murky depths of Nic Cage Facts, revealing just how close Cage came to donning the Superman suit and how many times he's walked down the aisle. (Spoiler alert: it's more than you think!)
Season 9 runs until 24th February. 
Would you like to see the full lineup for season 9? 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 90 movie reviews plus all of our end of season wrap shows for seasons 1-8.   
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