In the sprawling 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.

In episode #105, the crew dives headfirst into the '80s teen comedy Just One of the Guys (1985), a film that, much like its genre-mates, initially earned more eye-rolls than accolades. Yet, here they are, a group of podcasting contrarians, ready to defend this cheesy, cross-dressing, high-school farce as an underrated gem. The film, directed by Lisa Gottlieb, tells the story of a high school girl (played by Joyce Hyser) who disguises herself as a boy in order to prove to her school’s predominantly male student body that she’s a serious journalist, and, of course, hilarity and heartbreak ensues. It's the kind of film where logic takes a backseat to '80s charm, but with that, it also gives the gang plenty of fodder for witty commentary and the occasional well-timed jab.
This Week's Highlights:
Beyond the movie at hand, there’s a ton of sidetracking that we’ve come to expect from the Fear and Loathing in Cinema gang. The topics, at times more absurd than the plot of the film they’re discussing, are the lifeblood of this podcast's erratic brilliance. Here's a sneak peek into the conversation:

* Is Quentin Tarantino being a good dad or has fatherhood sent him over the edge? This tangent comes courtesy of a viral interview clip where Tarantino, in classic fashion, drops a few eccentric truths about fatherhood that make one wonder if he's as in control as his film scripts might suggest.
* Kevin Costner’s new show: a hit or a misfire? Not long ago, Costner was everyone's favorite American hero, but as Yellowstone wrapped, the podcast crew takes a long look at what comes next for the actor who’s constantly reinventing himself.
* The MCU might be casting a transgender actor? For better or worse, the MCU remains an evolving cultural juggernaut, and this week’s speculative casting choices reveal how much further it’s willing to go in representing the LGBTQ+ community.
* Blake Lively: What's going on? Chelsea Nicole, ever the pop-culture sleuth, leads the charge on dissecting the actress's recent public moments, pointing out that sometimes, the stories behind the headlines are just as interesting as the films themselves.
* Robert Eggers directing a Labyrinth prequel? This news hit like a bolt of lightning. How will the visionary behind The Witch and The Northman navigate the world of Jim Henson’s beloved puppet creatures? And why, exactly, does the thought of photographing a car make Eggers "ill"?

The crew also manages to wrangle in the ridiculous notion of Pick a Movie/Keep One Actor, the Rest Played by Muppets and if that’s not your idea of podcast gold, I don’t know what is.

 
Movie Analysis: "Just One of the Guys"
As they revisit Just One of the Guys, the hosts attempt to peel back the layers of this teen comedy; scrutinizing everything from the absurdity of the plot to the bizarre yet endearing performances by the cast. They dive into why Just One of the Guys has to be re-evaluated with a modern lens. Is it a film that accurately describes the turbu...