Hops and Box Office Flops

Resident Evil: The Final Chapter – The Trinity of B*****s

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!

Resident Evil: Retribution – Undead Sims

Resident Evil: Retribution carries on the proud tradition of these movies making no sense.
The Red Queen is back, and she's an even bigger bitch; Leon shows up with Barry Burton for reasons; and Wesker is alive — which we knew — but he's defected from Umbrella now.
Things happen, Alice wakes up naked — again — and does backflips — again! And we, the audience, are left to wonder what crime we committed to earn it the penance we're paying.
Now, sit back, sterilize that bite with a Kirkland Lager, and don't get stuck in that Moscow department store! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are commandeering Umbrella's submarine to get the hell out of this nightmare simulator.
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Evil goes global!
Lingering Questions – Are we having fun yet? (31:04)
The "Red Queen" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (44:14)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We conclude Hops and Biohazard Flops with the last entry in the series that stubbornly still refuses to die — Resident Evil: The Final Chapter! (55:38)
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!

Resident Evil 3 and 4 – There is No Why

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!

Resident Evil 1 and 2 – Enter Survival Horror

We come out guns blazing for our look at the Resident Evil film franchise by tackling the first two movies — Resident Evil and Resident Evil Apocalypse!
Now, sit back, search for the truth with a White Rabbit Hazy IPA from Pedal Haus Brewing, and do your best not to die in the Hive! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are genetically modified ass-kicking machines, and we're on a mission!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – A secret experiment. A deadly virus. A fatal mistake!
Lingering Questions – Which one of these did better justice to the games? (39:43)
The "T-Virus" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (57:51)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Hops and Biohazard Flops series with another double feature — Resident Evil: Extinction and Resident Evil: Afterlife! (1:09:00)
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 – Grumpy Ex-Presidents

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!

Primary Colors – Get Out the Vote

Primary Colors is a highly embellished take on the 1992 Presidential campaign of Bill Clinton.
Using that real life run as inspiration, it tells the story of long-shot democrat hopeful Governor Jack Stanton—a deeply flawed, though well-intentioned politician.
Yes, Stanton like his real-life counterpart is a dirty dog. And his wandering eye is a constant source of annoyance for his team.
That aside, despite its way over-exaggerated elements, Primary Colors is a solid movie on the machinations of politics. Thus, the awards praise it garnered was well earned.
Sadly, its status as a critical darling did not translate to box office success. This movie flopped about as hard as the campaign of Stanton's rival, Gov. Fred Picker.
Now, sit back, grab a Sam Adams from the hotel fridge, and pass out those flyers! The Thunderous Wizard,  Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are stumping for Stanton!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown –What went down on the way to the top!
Lingering Questions – If we were running Gov. Stanton's campaign, what would the slogan be? (30:28)
The "Dust Buster" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (41:15)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We conclude our Hops and Electoral Flops series with My Fellow Americans! (55:44)
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 – America, Jesus, Freedom

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!

Swing Vote – Hanging Sad

Swing Vote is about as dated as a film can get, harkening back to a time when politics were more civil and it was conceivable that both parties actually cared about their constituents.
In that sense, it's sort of a time capsule peace. It's also an unfunny mess, where we're stuck rooting for a deadbeat dad as two candidates shamelessly jockey for his decisive vote.
In Swing Vote Kevin Costner, as Bud Johnson, owns that lone vote. It's up to him to decide the winner of the Presidency. The only issue: He is a moron that isn't particularly interested in the race, nor is he aware of the ramifications exercising this immense civic duty could have.
Thus, we're forced to suffer through two hours of him hemming, hawing, and drinking. Yes, he does finally learn his lesson, which culminates in one of the most cheesy scenes we've done on this podcast.
Critics and audiences seemed to agree. Neither enjoyed the film. And Swing Vote didn't even make enough at the box office to recoup its modest $21 million budget.
Now, sit back, help Bud nurse his hangover with a Mangolorian from Naked River Brewery, and hop aboard President Boone's Money Plane! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are unsure who the hell is actually running in this thing!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – One ordinary guy is giving the candidates a reason to run!
Lingering Questions – Was Bud just too big an asshole to root for? (22:58)
The "Egg Salad" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (39:05)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue our Hops and Electoral Flops series with The Campaign! (48:07)
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 – Duct Tape Will Fix It

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!