Failure to Franchise

By the early '90s, the slasher subgenre that had dominated horror in the '80s was already seen as on life support. But that didn't stop an upstart comic book company, formed in 1986 and already quite successful in the publishing world, from seeing the genre as potentially their ticket to join the movie big leagues. And so, four years before Scream would re-invent and re-popularize the slasher, Dark Horse Comics first tried to revive the genre with a more "traditional," if somewhat dark-comedy skewed, entry. And let's face it, who better to "revive" and "resuscitate" a genre than a doctor? Though, it's safe bet the maniacal doctor played by Larry Drake in this film is not one you'd want making a house call. "June is What the Doctor Ordered" continues, as we take a look at 1992's Doctor Giggles, the film that dares to ask, "just how many medical puns can you fit into one movie??" Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

A new year is almost upon us, but you know what they say: the holiday season isn't officially over until you've listened to part two of "Failure to Franchise presents Trev & Chris-tmas." This time, Trev gifts Chris the long-in-the-works passion project of legendary filmmaker James Cameron, the cyberpunk manga adaptation Alita: Battle Angel. But, wait...if this was Cameron's passion project, why the heck is it directed by Robert Rodriguez? We discuss that and more, including the unique marriage of Cameron and Rodriguez's sensibilities, the eclectic but sometimes wasted cast, and the strengths and weaknesses of the film's worldbuilding. It's a movie that James Cameron still insists will get a sequel, and as the recent Avatar: Fire & Ash box office proves once again, you can never count Big Jim out. But do we really believe him about this one? And do we even want a sequel? Listen on and find out. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

It's a very special F2F Holiday Special! Before we exchange our gifts for our next annual "Failure to Franchise presents Trev & Chris-tmas," we're taking a brief, merry break to visit one of the most beloved Christmas movies of all time, and arguably the last movie to date to enter the "Classic Christmas Movie" canon, 2003's Elf. Directed by a pre-Iron Man and Star Wars Jon Favreau, and starring Will Ferrell in his first major leading role, Elf was a giant hit upon release and continues to delight audiences of all ages every holiday season to this very day...so why was there never a sequel? And, is it possible for anyone not to be entirely charmed by the film? We explore both questions, before gifting each other our next two movies! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

New month, new theme. We're kicking off "CROWvember" with yet another failed franchise starter from the surprisingly-regularly-featured-on-F2F Russell Crowe. But this time, it's a classy, prestige play Oscar contender from acclaimed filmmaker Peter Weir that was, nevertheless, meant to hopefully kick off a cinematic series. Adapted from the long-running "Aubrey/Maturin" period war-drama novel series by Patrick O'Brian, 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a rousing 19th century naval battle action epic. But for all the excitement of ship vs. ship conflict, at the heart of the film is a story of loyalty, duty, and male friendship. In an era unfortunately dominated by displays of male toxicity, did we two dudes find something more admirable and aspirational in the friendship of the two dudes played by Crowe and Paul Bettany? And, do we think even a big Best Picture contender like this could really justify a blockbuster-like series of sequels? We discuss all this and more, as we set out to sail in the choppy waters of "CROWvember." Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

For a special Halloween edition of our "Success to Series" spin-off show, we're taking a break from our usual failures and instead beginning our "Trick 'r(esident) Tre(vil)" theme month, with a loving look at a series we unironically adore - Paul W.S. Anderson's six-film Resident Evil saga (2002-2016), starring Milla Jovovich. We explain why we genuinely enjoy this oft critically-panned series, once again pontificate on the star-power of Jovovich, and try to figure out why we're okay with the huge liberties Anderson took when adapting the video game source material. Ultimately, we take a look at each individual entry in the franchise, sharing our favorite moments and characters, and discuss why the series can possibly be viewed as a deeply personal auteur vision. Yes, that's right, we're still talking about Paul W.S. Anderson movies. So get ready to kick some zombie dogs - and kick aside any concerns about continuity or narrative logic, while you're at it - and join us for an in-depth look at Resident Evil. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

Are you ready to be shafted? No? Well, how about...double-shafted?? Cause we're kicking off "Double-Shafted September," a two-episode series dedicated to both attempts to relaunch the iconic Blaxploitation franchise that started with 1971's Shaft. First up, we're looking at 2000's Shaft (yep, same name), directed by John Singleton, and starring Hollywood's biggest badass M'Fer, Samuel L. Jackson. In this updated version, Jackson plays John Shaft, the nephew of Richard Roundtree's original John Shaft, this time an NYC detective working to bring the wealthy perpetrator of a heinous race-crime (Christian Bale) to justice. But standing in his way is a vindictive local gangster (Jeffrey Wright)...and a troubled behind-the-scenes production which frustrated many involved with making the movie. Is this Shaft as sexy and cool as the original? Was Samuel L. Jackson the right man to inherit the role? And can a supporting performance be both problematic and still arguably the best thing about the movie? We discuss all this, and more! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

"Summer Surprise" continues with...what's this? Another witch movie?? That's right, but this one has a hell of a pedigree. A family dark-fantasy romp from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett, and directed by...Eli Roth?? Huh. So how did the infamous filmmaker behind such extreme horror hits as Cabin Fever, Hostel, and Thanksgiving handle the opportunity to helm a more family-friendly adventure story based on the first book in a popular series of children's novels? Was this still an effective match for his twisted sensibilities, or a defective marriage of contrasting styles? Can Jack Black's unique charisma keep this clock ticking? How does it compare to the Goosebumps films of the same era, also starring Black? Is there such a thing as too many poop jokes? We discuss all this, and more! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd

"Summer Surprise" rolls along, and this time around our online randomizer has chosen a film from perhaps our most dreaded cinematic genre - a "supernatural romance" YA adaptation! That's right, 2013's Beautiful Creatures was another studio attempt to cash-in on and replicate the success of Twilight, and upon its release it was roundly dismissed as such by both critics and audiences. But could this Southern Gothic tale of love and witchcraft possibly work its magic on us? If nothing else, will we fall under the spell of one of the most impressive ensemble casts we've encountered so far, with Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Margo Martindale, Zoey Deutch, and Lois Lane herself, Rachel Brosnahan? Or will we once again be left "cursing" the fates that caused us to watch yet another YA adaptation? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd