Hops and Box Office Flops

Sting – Arachnophobia on HGH

Sting is a nasty little creature feature that came and went to little notice.
Released on under 1,000 screens, this tale of a cosmic spider running amok is sure to make the hairs of any arachnophobe stand up.
It's lean; it's mean; and it's got enough gross gore to unsettle even the least squeamish of us. It's like Alien—if the Xenomorph was an eight-legged freak who enjoyed dining on birds, babies, and pups.
Now, sit back, drown the ick with a West Bestern IPA from Belching Beaver, and don't you dare whistle! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are washing ourselves with mothball water to keep Sting away!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Your biggest fear just got bigger! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – How quickly to we flee a building being menaced by a giant arachnid? (21:41)
The "Bug Brothers" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (40:31)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kick off our series of 2024 flops with The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare! (51:12)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

Oddity – Burning Wood Man

Oddity, a small Irish film, is one of the better horror movies of 2024.
It centers on Darcy, whose twin sister Dani was brutally murdered alone in the remote house she was renovating with her husband. Darcy, who is blind, is a medium. When she touches an object, she can peer into its experiences.
She, still unsure of what truly happened to her sister, takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery of Dani’s murder.
A slow burn, Oddity is full of creepy visuals and uses its setting to maximum effect. Horror fans should not sleep on this one.
Now, sit back, peer into the memories of the deceased with a Hop Chowda Hazy IPA from Goldwater Brewing, and don't ring for the bellhop! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK) and Bling Blake are using Olin Boole's glass eye to track down the real killer!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Every murder lives on! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – Best weapon to take down a wood golem? (22:38)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our month-long series dedicated to torturing poor Bling Blake with gross little creature feature, Sting! (38:34)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

In a Violent Nature – Theft is Bad, Eh

In a Violent Nature is an art house version of Friday the 13th. It's minimalist, lacking a score, and generally follows the killer Johnny around as he tromps through the woods.
It's an interesting twist on the classic slasher formula, but its style certainly won't be for everyone. That said, In a Violent Nature deserves credit for daring to be distinct in a genre full of tropes and clones.
That alone probably warranted a better at the box office. It grossed just $4.56 million on a budget of $3 million. Good enough to earn it a sequel, but nothing to write home about.
Now, sit back, enjoy the serene sounds of nature with a Moose Drool from Big Sky Brewing, and don't touch Johnny's locket! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Chumpzilla are trying not to die during our downward facing dog!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Nature is unforgiving! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – Did we enjoy the muted style of the movie? (23:58)
The "White Pine Slaughter" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (50:13)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our month-long series dedicated to torturing poor Bling Blake with another critical darling of the horror world, Oddity! (1:00:48)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

Terrifier 2 – Torturous Viewing

Terrifier 2 ups the ante of the first film in nearly every way. It is brutal, shocking, and repugnant. Despite that, it is hard not to appreciate the practical effect work of Damien Leone—the film's writer, director, editor, and producer. This is a carnival of splatter.
And Art the Clown, the principal antagonist of the Terrifier franchise, is quite creepy. Where the movie fails is in creating a narrative tension. It is disturbing to watch, and the kills only get more grotesque as the movie meanders across its lengthy 138-minute runtime. There is just a distinct lack of pathos to balance out the mayhem.
Too often, Terrifier 2 just feels like an endurance exercise. How long can the viewer survive before they've seen enough mutilation? A person's mileage on that may vary. It just does not make for a compelling movie experience. 
Now, sit back, keep your dinner down with a Smashed Pumpkin from Shipyard Brewing, and remember: there is now why! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, Mayor McCheese and Chumpzilla are waving our white flags because we've had all the viscera we can handle!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Who's laughing now? (0:00)
Lingering Questions – Will we still Terrifier 3 in theaters or did this one sate our appetite for the deranged? (33:32)
The "Art the Clown" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (59:02)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our month-long series dedicated to torturing poor Bling Blake with In a Violent Nature! (1:09:40)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

Rebel Moon Part Two: Curse of Forgiveness – For the Slain King of Beers

Rebel Moon – Part Two Director's Cut: Curse of Forgiveness is the ultimate payoff to our team of rebels coming together.
Essentially, it all culminates in one massive battle scene, where each of our heroes gets their due. It is a visual feast of explosions, violence, and destruction. And, quite frankly, it is awesome.
In the PG-13 cut, The Scargiver, the majority of the battle scenes were in tact; but what makes the Director's Cut so superior is all the small moments of connective tissue it adds.
Our investment in the team, as well as the townspeople of Veldt is much greater with the added context. If you choose to watch one version, then Curse of Forgiveness is the way to go.
Now, sit back, annihilate your tastebuds with a Suckerpunch Dill Pickle Sour from Destihl, find her, and fight! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Chumpzilla are laying the smack down to the Motherworld's forces with an antler in each hand!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – There are no heroes, only rebels! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – Having seen both Director's Cuts, which one did we enjoy more? (26:32)
The "For the Slain King" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (55:13)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kick off a month-long series dedicated to torturing poor Bling Blake with Terrifier 2! (1:11:31)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

Rebel Moon Part One: Chalice of Blood – Pod for the Harvest

Rebel Moon – Part One Director's Cut: Chalice of Blood is the far superior version of the saga’s first installment. Sadly, very few people tuned into the director’s preferred vision of the film when it dropped on Netflix eight months after the PG-13 cut.
Chalice of Blood fixes many of the issues from the trimmed down one, providing much needed connective tissue and time for the viewer to breathe. It also enriches the depth of each out heroes—character beats and moments sorely lacking in A Child of Fire.
Hyper violent, full of eccentric alien creations, and starring a host of excellent actors, Chalice of Blood deserved a better fate than to be lost in the massive catalogue of its streaming service. Even if you disliked the PG-13 cut, the fully realized R version truly warrants a watch.
Now, sit back, prepare for battle with a Vortices Double Hazy IPA from Dark Sky Brewing, and never trust a smuggler! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Chumpzilla are assembling a team of the most badass folks in the galaxy for a showdown with the Motherworld!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – There are no heroes, only rebels! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – In Zack Snyder's space opera, what were our favorite scenes/creations? (28:37)
The "King's Gaze" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (1:09:39)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We do the second of two special episodes covering Zack Snyder's space opera, Rebel Moon – Part Two Director's Cut: The Curse of Forgiveness! (1:21:21)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

Leonard Part 6 – Melted Nonsense

Before Bill Cosby was a serial sex offender (well, concurrently really), he was just an unfunny comedian. And Leonard Part Six is his magnum opus of unfunny.
Leonard Parker is a secret agent, like a moronic James Bond of sorts. This is technically his sixth adventure. The other five are classified! That latter bit you should be happy about.
Why? Because number six is as dumb as humanly possible. It centers on Leonard's battle with the evil Medusa Johnson. Johnson uses animals to enact her nefarious plots, as well as a team of half-naked vegans. Yes, all of this comes into play in a myriad of idiotic scenarios. 
It's all dumb. None of it is charming, witty, or remotely hilarious. And, by the end, you will try to drown yourself in a vat of Jell-O pudding to escape the madness.
Now, sit back, cure your rabbit bites with a Bell’s Hazy Hearted, and prepare to ride an ostrich! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Chumpzilla are smiting murderous veggie-loving terrorists with thawed magic meat!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – America's best-dressed super spy! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – In a film starving for comedic moments, were any of the gags funny? (29:50)
The "Ipso Facto" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (46:54)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We do the first of two special episodes covering Zack Snyder's space opera, Rebel Moon – Part One Director's Cut: Chalice of Blood! (57:51)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

Master of Disguise – Lacking Energico

Dana Carvey is an immensely talented and funny comedian. Sadly, Master of Disguise fails in almost every conceivable way to showcase that.
It is loaded with one-note jokes and costumes that range from idiotic to absurdly racist. Thus, despite being a mild success financially, it failed to launch his career to the next level.
Worse, Master of Disguise was despised by critics, narrowly avoiding a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes by the slimmest of margins—it's a 1%.
Audiences were also not in on the gags. And who can blame them? Most of the jokes far extend their welcome, and most of the absurd disguises do too.
You'll barely laugh, you may cry, and you'll certainly never think of turtles the same.
Now, sit back, blend in with an Oktoberfest from Reformation Brewery, and prepare to steal the Liberty Bell! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Chumpzilla are open-hand slapping evil doers and screaming, "Who's your Daddy?"!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – 1,000 Faces... And Not A Single Clue! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – For a movie centered around elaborate costumes, most of them are stupid. But which is the worst? (37:22)
The "Turtle Club" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (52:05)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We conclude Notorious Flops with an all-time stinker Leonard Part Six! (1:03:57)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!

Highlander II: The Quickening – More Like Whylander

Highlander II: The Quickening takes everything you loved about the original and throws it in the dumpster. A sequel in title only, the film is an utter travesty from start to finish.
Why? Well, instead of the general premise of them simply being immortals, they are now beings from a different planet. They were sent to Earth as punishment for treason, but also inexplicably granted immortality.
It only gets worse from there. Sean Connery returns as Ramirez. Yes, he died in the first one. That doesn't matter here. And, as viewers, it's best not to ask questions. He's charming and famous damnit! Plus, one can't simply expect Highlander II to just coast on bizarre alley sex scenes with Christopher Lambert!
But, I digress, Highlander was a cool genre flick with an interesting premise. Sadly, when forced to flesh out their lore, the writers penned some of the dumbest shit to ever grace the screen. It flopped hard, and it deserved to. It also has the distinction of holding a 0% on Rotten Tomatoes. There couldn't even be one reviewer that liked it.
Now, sit back, drink to your immortal health with a Kilt Lifter from Four Peaks Brewing, and tear down the Shield! The Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, Capt. Cash, and Chumpzilla are plotting a coup on our home planet, Zeist!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – In all their centuries on Earth, nothing could prepare them for...! (0:00)
Lingering Questions – In a movie full of stupid scenes, which was the dumbest? (34:26)
The "Quickening" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (58:12)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue Notorious Flops with Master of Disguise! (1:11:22)
And, as always, hit us up on Threads, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on all your favorite pod catchers!