Out in the comedic superhero world 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.
On Episode #135 of Fear and Loathing in Cinema, four cinephiles who, for the episode, style themselves as podcasting pornographers. They slip into something more comfortable this week with Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make a Porno (2008). It was Smith’s answer to the Judd Apatovian moment, when Seth Rogen was America’s schlubby leading man and every joke was equal parts weed, sex, and sentimentality. The film, ostensibly about making a porno, was really about making rent, something even ghosts in haunted houses can relate to these days.
Bryan, Dan, Chelsea, and Preston rewatch the movie with a mix of nostalgia and morbid curiosity, asking whether Smith was earnestly channeling his inner romantic, or simply hitching a ride on the Apatow gravy train. To their surprise, the raunch still works, the sweetness still lands, and the soundtrack cues, Smith’s secret weapon, invite comparisons to Tarantino and James Gunn, though perhaps without the auteur’s couture.
Of course, things spiral. Soon, the hosts are gleefully renaming Hollywood classics with X-rated twists, a parlor game that’s part Criterion Collection, part Craigslist personals. By the end, the episode is less a podcast than an enthusiastic group text performed into microphones which is equal parts filthy and affectionate.
It’s streaming everywhere, and while nudity isn’t required, it’s strongly encouraged.
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WRITTEN BY: BRYAN KLUGER
BRYAN KLUGER, A SEASONED VOICE IN THE REALM OF ENTERTAINMENT CRITICISM, HAS CONTRIBUTED TO A WIDE ARRAY OF PUBLICATIONS INCLUDING ARTS+CULTURE MAGAZINE, HIGH DEF DIGEST, BOOMSTICK COMICS, AND HOUSING WIRE MAGAZINE, AMONG OTHERS.
HIS INSIGHTS ARE ALSO CAPTURED THROUGH HIS PODCASTS; MY BLOODY PODCAST AND FEAR AND LOATHING IN CINEMA PODCAST; WHICH LISTENERS CAN ENJOY ACROSS A VARIETY OF PLATFORMS.
IN ADDITION TO HIS WRITTEN WORK, KLUGER BRINGS HIS EXPERTISE TO THE AIRWAVES, HOSTING TWO LIVE RADIO SHOWS EACH WEEK: SOUNDTRAXXX RADIO ON WEDNESDAYS AND THE ENTERTAINMENT ANSWER ON SUNDAYS. HIS MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO MEDIA AND CULTURE OFFERS A UNIQUE, IMMERSIVE PERSPECTIVE FOR THOSE WHO SEEK BOTH DEPTH AND ENTERTAINMENT.
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