Hops and Box Office Flops

Argylle – Poor Henry

Argylle is a spy movie about mistaken identity that lacks a clear one itself.
Full of convoluted plot twists and set pieces overrun by pastels and other insane imagery, Argylle is a film that clearly thinks it is far better than it actually is.
One can forgive that self-assurance considering its director, Matthew Vaughn, has quite a track record of success—including in the genre.
That said, the irrational confidence Vaughn displays throughout Argylle's painful 140+-minute runtime is mind-boggling—as are its increasingly stupid double crosses.
Argylle, which was planned to be a trilogy, not only earned every bit of the hate critics heaped on it, it also deserved its massive flop status.
So, sit back, jog your memory with a Strawberry Blonde Ale from SanTan Brewing, and don't forget the cat! The Thunderous Wizard and Bling Blake are whirly birding all over Director Ritter's secret hideout!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – The greater the spy, the bigger the lie!
Lingering Questions – In a film that can't constrain itself, what scene was the most over-indulgent? (25:48)
The "Strangers on a Train" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (42:25)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We conclude our Catherine O'Hara series with another delightful Christopher Guest comedy, For Your Consideration! (53:45)
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!

Waiting for Guffman – Still Waiting

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!

Varsity Blues – A F*****g 10!

To honor the late James Van Der Beek, who we lost far too soon, we're doing a special episode on the 1999 high school football classic Varsity Blues.
So, sit back, complain about your asshole coach over a few Budweisers, and play for each other! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are helping West Canaan finally remove that eyesore of a statue!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – In a town where winning is everything, these guys have nothing to lose!
Lingering Questions – What will we remember Van Der Beek for: this or Dawson's Creek? (44:02)
The "Oop-Dee-Oop" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (1:11:59)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We return to our Catherine O'Hara series Waiting for Guffman! (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!

Dick Tracy – In Honor of Texie Garcia

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!

Gemini Man – Enter the Uncanny Valley

Gemini Man—directed by two-time Best Director winner Ang Lee—is a misguided exercise.
Filmed in a format almost no theaters could play, Lee's insistence on pushing the technological bounds of cinema did little to help the movie. Instead of revving up the frames per second, Lee would've been better served to revise the script.
Full of cliches and tropes, Gemini Man feels like a the retread of a film from the 90s. Considering it came out in 2019, that is not a compliment. Critics were not kind to its plot or the excruciating fully digital version of Will Smith. Turns out the higher the definition, the creepier it looks.
Now, sit back, fight back the CGI tears with a Wrenovation IPA from Wren House Brewing, and don't donate your DNA to Clay Varris! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are planning to clone a better, less sleepy version of McCheese to hang out with!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Meet your match!
Lingering Questions – Our favorite movies to feature an actor in dual roles? (29:20)
The "Dolly the Sheep" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (57:20)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kickoff our series dedicated to the late—an exceptionally great—Catherine O'Hara with Dick Tracy! (1:14:36)
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!

Eternals – A Historical Slog

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!

Hook – We Believe

Hook is a wonderfully charming movie about rediscovering the joys of one's youth. That said, critics hated it when it was released in 1991, and its director, Steven Spielberg, isn't all that high on it either. The latter is a little puzzling.
Sure, Hook is too long and gets oddly dark at times, but there is still so much to enjoy. Principally, both Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook and Robin Williams as Pan all grown up are just having a blast.
Their performances, coupled with imaginative practical effects and the cadre of endearing Lost Boys, make this a return trip to Neverland well worth taking.
Now, sit back, Bangarang with a Free Wave Hazy IPA from Athletic Brewing, and make way for the Thud Ball! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are trapped in the Boo Box. Help!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – To live would be an awfully big adventure!
Lingering Questions – How dirty did they do poor Rufio? (40:54)
The "Happy Thoughts" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (59:57)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Best Director Flops series with an epic MCU misfire, Eternals! (1:14:06)
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!

Jack – Tree House of Horrors

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!

Batman v Superman – The Red Capes are Coming

After seven years and 299 episodes, it was only fitting we'd tackle the film that's been a lightning rod with fans—and the hosts of this podcast—since its release in March 2016.
Love it or hate it, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice remains in the comic book cultural zeitgeist; and it was the first in a chain of events that led to the eventual downfall of the previous iteration of the DCU.
Now, sit back, knuckle up with a Buffalo Nickel from Wren House Brewing, and smuggle all the sweet goods from the White Portuguese! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are hopping over to Metropolis to drink Lex Luthor dry.
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Son of Krypton versus Bat of Gotham!
Lingering Questions – Were we able to break Chumpzilla's spirit? (54:47)
The "Manors on the Wayne" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (1:38:09)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We will see you in the new year for the kickoff of season 8! (1:55:43)
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!