Hops and Box Office Flops

Expendables 2 is the ideal sequel. Overflowing with testosterone, bulging veins, and well-timed quips, it fulfills the promise made by its predecessor — to bring back the mayhem and stars from yesteryear for a smorgasbord of insane action. It's literally perfect. No notes. Watch it now, or rest in pieces! So, sit back, get locked and loaded with a Capiche? from Paperback Brewing Co., and we now pronounce you man and knife! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are gearing up to take down the Sangs! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Back for war! Lingering Questions – How does one hear about an opening with the Expendables? (28:53) The "Lucky Ring Part Deux" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (46:57) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kickoff Tubi Roulette with Party Monster! (55:02) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

Sidekicks is essentially The Karate Kid with a giant dose of wish fulfillment. In it, Barry Gabrewski (played by the late Jonathan Brandis) spends his days daydreaming about busting skulls with his favorite action hero, Chuck Norris. Of course, since this is a kid learns karate to better himself movie, he ultimately meets Norris, gets the girl, bests his bully, and overcomes the issues that have plagued him. Along the way, we get some good old timey 90s racism and a handful of fantasies themed around Norris' filmography. Sidekicks isn't exactly high art, but it will remind you that Norris generally just plays himself, as he does here, and the key to life is learning how to dodge dumplings. Now, sit back, douse those bricks with a Pupil IPA from Societe Brewing, and chase those dreams! The Thunderous Wizard and Bling Blake are donning our dusters and mullets to kick some mafia ass! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Barry Gabrewski is about to learn that the greatest weapon you possess is self-control! Lingering Questions – Who's our ideal action movie partner? (26:02) The "Mr. Dumpling" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (46:28) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Hops and Kicking Jeans Flops series with Firewalker! (55:55) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

For Your Consideration is another mockumentary from acclaimed satirist Christopher Guest. But unlike his previous efforts, this one failed to capture the hearts of longtime fans. Taking aim at the absurdity of Hollywood, For Your Consideration fails to find the magic of his prior three films. The characters are less likable, the target is far larger, and the narrative focus just never finds its center. Its reviews and tepid box office reception reflect that dip in quality. With a budget double that of A Mighty Wind's ($12 million), it grossed less than a third of that movie's total ($5.9 million). Now, sit back, prep your Oscars speech while enjoying a Backyard Berry from Blake's, and go easy on the face lift! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are going home for Purim! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – A film about the movies, about the movies! Lingering Questions – Why didn't this work better? (38:46) The "Hollywood Now" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (51:35) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We begin our Hops and Kicking Jeans Flops series with Invasion USA! (1:03:10) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

A cult classic, Waiting for Guffman is a mockumentary chronicling a small community theatre's production of its town's history. Boasting a host of exceptional improv actors — Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, and Fred Willard to name a few — the Christopher Guest written and directed feature is jam packed with laughs. Guest, who also serves as the films lead Corky St. Clair, is in his comfort zone here. He gets the material, letting the actors take command and playing to their immense comedic strengths. Although it is beloved now, Waiting for Guffman was not a huge hit. In fact, it barely made it to the big screen. Its critical success, however, did lead to several more films in the same vein — Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration. All of which are worth watching, as well. So, sit back, calm those jitters with a Fear.Movie.Lions Hazy Double IPA, and break a leg! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are done working for these bastard people! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – A Broadway-style musical... about a town that's not exactly on Broadway! Lingering Questions – Of the Guest films, which is our favorite? (36:13) The "Red, White, and Blaine" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (1:03:21) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Catherine O'Hara series with Matthew Vaughn's bastard cousin to the Kingsman franchise, Argylle! (1:17:23) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

Grab your badge, Kid! It's time to clean up the streets with Dick Tracy! So, sit back, tease Mumbles with an ice cold Cadence from Reformation Brewery, and never eat oysters with Lips Manlis! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are shaking down the mob one club at a time! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Their turf. Their game. Their rules. They didn't count on HIS law! Lingering Questions – What worked best in this movie? (39:05) The "Breathless Mahoney" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (49:47) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We take a quick detour from our Catherine O'Hara series to celebrate the life and legacy of James Van Der Beek with Varsity Blues! (59:32) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

Eternals is a noble misfire for the MCU. Directed by winner of the 2021 Best Director Oscar, Chloe Zhao, it attempts to elevate the superhero movie genre. One problem: It's super boring. Eternals, which rambles on for an excruciating 156 minutes, never finds its footing. Plagued by bland characters and a distinct lack of charm, it is never able to distinguish itself among the sea of Marvel movies. And bad news for the House of Mouse, Eternals tepid reviews were only half the problem. Those were trumped by its lack of box office bucks. The latter has more than likely doomed these immortal warriors to the catalogue of one and dones. Now, sit back, stare into the middle distance with a Nordic Jam Lager from Two Pitchers, and put Pip in the drunk tank! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are riding Deviants across the monochrome sky! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – The end was just the beginning! Lingering Questions – Would we care to see these characters again? (49:21) The "Deviants" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (1:10:17) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We conclude our Best Director Flops series with double the Will Smith in Gemini Man! (1:23:10) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

Francis Ford Coppola is one of the greatest directors ever. Period. Yet even his resume is not devoid of misfires and flops. Enter Jack, a dramedy about a 10-year old kid trapped in the body of a grown man. No, this isn't Big. In this 1996 film, the titular kiddo, Jack Powell, ages far faster than his peers. With that odd condition comes its own set of issues. As one may assume, yes, poor Jack would have a very short lifespan. Therein lies the problems. Not that a family film shouldn't include some moments of seriousness, but Jack generally doesn't balance the whimsy and the melancholy well. Hence its poor reception from critics. That aside, there is an earnestness to Robin Williams' performance, and the movie does have a few laughs. Are there enough for it to warrant a watch? That probably depends on the individual viewer's tastes. Now, sit back, age gracefully with a Buenos Tiempos from Belching Beaver Brewing, and save those red Gummy Bears! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are drunkenly hashing out all our problems with Paulie. This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – For some people, 40 is the new 10. For Jack Powell, it's the other way around — literally! Lingering Questions – What do we want to be when we grow up? (30:54) The "Real Rectal Rockets" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (47:42) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Best Director Flops series with Steven Spielberg's Hook! (59:55) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

We've mercifully finished the fight! After four grueling pods and six movies, we conclude our Biohazard Flops series with Resident Evil: The Final Chapter. Frankly, we don't have the energy to attempt to dissect how this made more than $300 million worldwide. We survived, and that's all that matters. Now, sit back, give in to the T-Virus with a Harvest Zombie from KCBC, and sneak through that goddamn laser hallway again! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are finding the least annoying clone of Mayor McCheese to hang out with! It's going poorly. This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Back to the Hive! Lingering Questions – It's done. It never made sense. But did some of the nonsense work? (29:20) The "Final Chap-turd" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (52:54) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We our historical, monumental, shocking 300th episode with ... We're still not sure! (1:09:11) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

Through bites and claw marks, we soldier on in our Resident Evil franchise retrospective by tackling the second pairing of movies — Resident Evil: Extinction and Resident Evil: Afterlife! Like the T-Virus, the series has mutated to something indescribably heinous, devouring even more money than its first two iterations. Now, sit back, toast to that infection with a Social Studies Pizza Party from Streetside Brewing, and protect your eyes from the crows! The Thunderous Wizard and Chumpzilla are having far too much fun watching Bling Blake struggle to climb the prop Eiffel Tower. This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Extinction! Experimentation! Evolution! Lingering Questions – Honestly, what the hell is happening? (55:56) The "If the Bus is Rockin', It's Probably Zombie Birds" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (1:10:36) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue Hops and Biohazard Flops with the fifth entry in the series that, like its subject matter, refuses to die — Resident Evil: Retribution! (1:26:12) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

My Fellow Americans is serviceable mismatched duo comedy starring James Garner and Jack Lemmon as two former Presidents on the run from some nefarious government agents. As former political rivals, Russell P. Kramer (Lemmon) and Matt Douglas (Garner) are thrust together after Kramer is framed for a bribe he didn't take. Some decent laughs and witty repartee ensue. This is very much Grumpy Old Men with Presidents and not neighbors. But, hey, that's a winning formula after all! My Fellow Americans, however, did not attain nearly the success of its inspiration. Hence its appearance on this pod. Now, sit back, reflect on your legacy with a Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, and buy that cook book! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are somewhere over the rainbow! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – A comedy about life, liberty, and the pursuit of two ex-presidents! Lingering Questions – Who would get our vote: Kramer or Douglas? (25:38) The "Hail to the Chief" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (40:45) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kickoff our Hops and Biohazard Flops series with a double feature — Resident Evil and Resident Evil Apocalypse! (57:56) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

The Campaign is an outlandish look at two dimwits vying for votes on the local stump circuit, and it is quite funny. Democratic candidate Cam Brady (Will Ferrell) duels with Republican Marty Huggins (Zach Galifianakis) for what should've been an uncontested election. Hilarity ensues. What's most shocking about The Campaign isn't the lengths Brady will go to ensure he maintains his seat; it's that the movie flopped. Starring two comedic heavy hitters in their prime, this should've been a no-brainer. Alas, it wasn't, so if you haven't seen it, we recommend you do. Now, sit back, ignore whatever is happening in that porta-john with a Truth from Rhinegeist Brewery, and cast your vote! The Thunderous Wizard and Bling Blake are pushing it real good! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Filipino tilt-a-whirl operators are our nation's backbone! Lingering Questions – Why didn't this capture a larger audience? (28:26) The "Tickle Shits" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (48:12) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Hops and Electoral Flops series with Primary Colors! (1:00:48) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

Skyscraper is our highest grossing Try Hard Flop, but it’s also our dullest. A paint-by-numbers action movie with very little action to speak of, this thing is a CGI-bloated algorithm of genre tropes. Instead of just allowing the Rock to go full 80s badass, we get the wounded warrior poet, who begrudgingly picks back up his “sword” to clear his name and save his family. If only the villains were similarly overwritten. They’re just there because it’s necessary to have them. Skyscraper doesn’t even bother to give them coherent motivations or pathos. Unlike the building in the film, movie execs should’ve just let this script burn. Now, sit back, gain some liquid courage with a Stumble Berry from Fat Head's Brewery, and jump off that crane! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are lost in this idiotic hall of digital mirrors! Help! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Don't look down! Lingering Questions – In a movie full of implausible nonsense, what plot element was the most ludicrous? (38:56) The "Safe Room" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (1:00:20) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kickoff our Hops and Electoral Flops series with Swing Vote! (1:09:36) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!

Toy Soldiers is the proof that Samwise Gamgee isn't just a stupid, fat Hobbit. He was once a dickish prep school kid, who played by his own rules. Despite his poor behaviors and utter disrespect for authority, he's also capable of heroic feats. That is the central concept behind Toy Soldiers—trust fund kids versus Colombian terrorists. Like all Die Hard-inspired films, we know how it will end—improbably and with a dose of good old American spirit! Though it is now considered a cult classic, this isn't one of the finer clones of the 1988 classic that spawned the genre. Is it serviceable? Sure. But there's a reason it flopped, grossing just above $15 million on a budget of $10 million; and its 41% on Rotten Tomatoes isn't exactly off the mark. But, hey, where else are you going to get to see a bunch of horny teens best vaguely racist depictions of South American ne'er-do-wells?! Now, sit back, smuggle in a few This is Growing Up Hazy IPAs from Roses by the Stairs, and swap those circuits! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake may be a bunch of rejects, but we're going to save the day! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Terrorists have taken over Regis Academy, and they're about to receive a lesson they will never forget! Lingering Questions – Who would be our go-to hero to rescue these prep school dorks in their time of need? (27:09) The "What's Pazanpans" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (39:39) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Try Hard Flops series with the lesser of the crisis in D.C. movies, White House Down! (51:16) And, as always, hit us up on Threads, X, Facebook, Bluesky, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!