In the radio waves 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 (Episode #114), the podcast’s ever-incisive crew sets their sights on Trap, the latest offering from M. Night Shyamalan, an auteur whose career remains one of Hollywood’s more unpredictable roller coasters. Released in 2024, Trap stars Josh Hartnett, an actor experiencing something of a renaissance, as a serial killer who stalks his prey amid the frenzied chaos of a pop-star concert.
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:
- Michael Mann said he finished Heat 2 screenplay and handed it to Warner Bros.
- Zack Snyder to direct Brawler for UFC.
- Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Legal series for Discovery+
- What is David Fincher’s Best Film?
- Coyote vs Acme finally lands distribution.
- Spider-Man 4: Brand New Day is coming soon.
- Jason Statham’s Working Man leads box office.
And, of course, the gang winds up pondering the most ridiculous hypothetical of all: What concert would you be trapped at? If that’s not a moment of podcast gold, I’m not sure what is.
Movie Analysis: Trap (2024)
The conversation turns, inevitably, to the elephant in the room: Is Trap a return to form for Shyamalan, a director whose brilliance and bafflements often arrive in equal measure? Or is it another perplexing entry in his oeuvre, destined to be dissected and debated rather than revered? The consensus among the hosts is pinpointed, but one thing emerges crystal clear, Hartnett, in his darkly charismatic performance, is the film’s undeniable centerpiece.
Then there’s the matter of nepotism, that ever-persistent specter haunting the halls of Hollywood. Shyamalan’s daughter, appearing in Trap as both actress and singer, becomes a focal point of the discussion, not for her merits, but for the unfortunate reality that she is, in the podcast’s estimation, the film’s weakest link. The crew grapples with a larger question: When does familial favoritism cross the line from indulgence to artistic detriment? And is this insidious trend, of offspring shoehorned into the spotlight, reaching epidemic proportions in contemporary cinema?
Whether Trap is a misfire or a masterstroke remains up for debate. But in the hands of Fear and Loathing in Cinema, the film serves as a lens through which to examine Hollywood’s ongoing love affair with its own lineage, sometimes to dazzling effect, sometimes to disastrous consequence.
In the end, one thing is certain: this is a film that will have everyone praising Josh Hartnett and not much else.
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Thank you for listening.
WRITTEN BY: BRYAN KLUGER
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