Out in the land of white elephant 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.
Here we are again, gathered for our annual White Elephant episode of Fear and Loathing in Cinema Podcast, a tradition in which Bryan, Dan, Preston, and Chelsea select a movie and secretly foist it upon another unsuspecting co-host. Historically, this exercise has had a fifty–fifty chance of devolving into chaos of a nude and possibly indictable nature. But 2025, like so many strange years before it, surprised us. We went classy. Civilized, even. This development was especially alarming given that it runs directly counter to Bryan’s personal brand.
This year’s cinematic offerings are as follows: Topsy-Turvy (1999), The Interpreter (2005), Sanctuary (2022), and In the Shadow of the Moon (2019). Films that span genres, decades, and emotional temperature ranges, like a particularly curated but slightly unhinged streaming queue. Who gave what to whom remains a mystery best solved by listening, though the choices may prompt you to reassess how well these people actually know one another.
As if that weren’t enough, we also exchange real, tangible gifts. You know, objects you can hold, admire, and immediately question, resulting in genuine delight, confusion, and laughter you can hear through your speakers. So happy holidays from all of us. These films may be white elephants, but they’re magnificent ones, and we’re proud to parade them through the living room.
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Thank you for listening.
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.
