In the steep skateboarding ramps of film podcasts, Fear and Loathing in Cinema sets itself apart with its irreverent blend of pop culture critique, nostalgic deep-dives, and a razor-sharp, at times almost uncomfortably candid, dissection of cinematic relics that were once scorned but now, with the benefit of time, seem worthy of a second look. Hosted by a group of unpredictable yet undeniably insightful voices; Bryan Kluger, a media director with a sharp sense of irony of offensive things; Dan Moran, a lawyer who brings an often absurd legal perspective of the film industry and Kevin Costner; Preston Barta, a film critic with a taste for the heart-warmingly obscure branch of cinema; and Chelsea Nicole, a culture critic who digs into the nuances of social dynamics and horror; Fear and Loathing in Cinema Podcast thrives in that rare space between sincere analysis and gut-busting humor.
In the latest episode of Fear and Loathing in Cinema(#112), the podcast crew takes a spirited ride through the 2003 skateboarding comedy Grind, a film that, like its protagonists, often stumbles but somehow finds its footing in the chaos. Directed by Casey La Scala, Grind follows three adolescent skateboarders on their quest to catch the eye of the elite pros and, ultimately, make a name for themselves in the high-flying world of competitive skating. The film is a classic coming-of-age yarn, albeit one wrapped in the trappings of outrageous pranks, gleaming optimism, and an uncanny devotion to friendship. Beneath its slapstick gags, there lies an unrefined heart, as the boys; not only with their wheels but with their awkward dance moves and borderline absurd stunts, grapple with the passage from adolescence to adulthood. It’s a comedy about defying expectations while learning what it means to be loyal to those who matter most.
This Week’s Highlights:
As always, the hosts of this podcast stray far from the beaten path, sidetracking in ways that somehow feel more entertaining than the very movie they’ve gathered to dissect. The absurdities that unfold become a crucial part of the show’s charm, its conversational energy the perfect counterpart to the movie under scrutiny. Among the many bizarre diversions in this week’s discussion:
- Conan O’Brien returning for Oscars Next Year.
- Colin Farrell is now in Sgt Rock rather than Daniel Craig.
- Saw XI allegedly not happening over creative and corporate disputes.
- Steven Soderbergh says plastics could be the entry point for the Contagion sequel.
- Starship Troopers film is in the works by Neill Blomkamp
- Is the Happy Gilmore 2 trailer too sad?
And, of course, the gang winds up pondering the most ridiculous hypothetical of all: What movie has the best opening scene? If that’s not a moment of podcast gold, I’m not sure what is.
Movie Analysis: Grind (2003)
What makes Grind a particularly fascinating relic is the constellation of super stars who were still in their formative years, making their earliest forays into mainstream cinema. These actors; many of whom would go on to become household names, are barely recognizable in their early 2000s avatars, adding a layer of nostalgia to the viewing experience that can’t help but draw a smile from those old enough to remember the era. Watching them here is a peculiar thrill, like stumbling upon a yearbook photo of a friend who would later become a legend, their awkward charm and youthful exuberance frozen in time.
Since Chelsea and Dan are notably absent in this episode, the stage is left for Wade Davis, a Seattle-based podcaster and part-time hostage negotiator, to dive deep into the terrain of “so bad it’s good” cinema. Davis dissects Grind with a sense of both reverence and irreverence, tackling questions that, on the surface, seem trivial but reveal deeper insights into the film’s appeal. Does the humor in Grind still hold up? Is there enough unpolished charm to carry its nearly two-hour runtime? And perhaps most provocatively: does skateboarding in the film still feel as fun, as radical, as it once did?
Despite Grind’s critical reception; which, at the time of its release, could best be described as underwhelming, there’s an undeniable sense of joy in revisiting it. Its exuberance is contagious, even if the film sometimes trips over its own ambitions. It’s a delightful conversation, one that asks whether Grind; a film almost universally dismissed except by Brad Pitt, who apparently harbors a soft spot for it, might, in hindsight, hold more value than originally thought. As the podcast crew explores these angles with a healthy dose of humor and critical generosity, they make a compelling case that perhaps Grind is more than just a relic of the early 2000s. It might just be the kind of unapologetically ridiculous film that we all need right now.
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Thank you for listening.
WRITTEN BY: BRYAN KLUGER
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