Hops and Box Office Flops

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania – Shrinking Returns

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania was the bite-sized hero's attempt to elevate the stakes of his solo outings. With Kang—the MCU's big bad in waiting—as the film's central villain, it was meant to serve as a narrative intro for the next Avengers team up.
Alas, that appears like it is not to be. Even before Jonathan Majors, the actor portraying Kang, ran afoul with the law, Quantumania's poor reviews and lagging box office flashed warning bells for Marvel. 
Yes, it did earn $476.1 million at the box office, but that was down from the original's $518.9 million and its precursor's $623.1 million. Worse, Quantumania's 46% on Rotten Tomatoes is one of the worst scores the MCU has ever received.
That critical drubbing is mostly deserved. Quantumania is an overlong and muddled CGI stew of half-baked ideas. It's never thrilling, rarely funny, and squanders its opportunity to make audiences dread what Kang will do to the newest Avengers. Instead, the dude couldn't even topple their tiniest hero. So much for that Dynasty of his.
Now, sit back, take a bite out of a Space Lettuce Double IPA from Monday Night Brewing, and lookout for the little guy! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, Capt. Cash, and Chumpzilla are guzzling that goo!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Witness the beginning of a new dynasty! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – Did Kang work as a villain (not that it matters now)? (28:20)
The "Conqueror's" Trivia Challenge – Chumpzilla challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (58:42)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue Super-Heroic Flops with a movie so bad we couldn't resist discussing it, Madame Web! (1:05:20)
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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

The Flash – A Hop, Skip, and a Tomato Can

The Flash, despite the character's powers, took forever to speed its way to the big screen. Originally announced as part of DC's film slate in 2014, it would be nine long years before it was finally released.
During that time, numerous directors and writers were attached and then detached from the project. Ultimately, amid numerous legal troubles, Ezra Miller would return to star and IT's Andy Muschietti would direct.
Based loosely on the character's Flashpoint comic arc, The Flash went big with a time-hopping, multiverse tampering tale that would see the legendary Michael Keaton return as Batman for the first time in more than 30 years. That alone should have ensured it was a hit. Sadly, it did not.
The Flash could not outrun the negative press for its star, or the shifting sands of the DC film landscape. On a budget as high as $220 million, it grossed just $271.3 million worldwide. Couple that with middling reviews, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is no surprise that this iteration of the Scarlet Speedster will more than likely not be seen again.
Now, sit back, build some friction with a Speedway Stout from Alesmith Brewing Co., and get ready to beeve! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, Capt. Cash, and Chumpzilla are trapped in the Thanagarian Snarebeast's deadly web!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Worlds collide! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – In a film full of DC nostalgia, what was our favorite bit of fan service? (41:40)
The "Multiverse" Trivia Challenge – I challenge the field to trivia about the movie. (1:14:07)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue Super-Heroic Flops with a muddled MCU mess, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania! (1:26:00)
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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

Blue Beetle – Batman's a Fascist

Blue Beetle is the type of superhero film that seems to be in increasingly rare supply these days. It places character firmly over spectacle, and in doing so, gives us one of the most heartfelt comic book films of recent memory.
If you're not familiar with the character, Blue Beetle is sort of extraterrestrial Ironman. The character, Jaime Reyes, is human, but the tech, Khaji Da, is alien. The two form a symbiosis, one where the suit is able to conjure whatever Jaime can imagine. In that way, it is sort of also reminiscent of the Green Lantern's ring.
All that aside, Blue Beetle nails the vibe of someone trying to acclimate to the insane circumstance he finds himself. And it does so without sacrificing the beating heart of its story—Jaime's family.
Sadly, despite being one of the strongest entries in DC's film catalogue, Blue Beetle flopped at the box office, earning a franchise low $130.8 million. Neither strong reviews or James Gunn's promise that the character would return in his soon-to-be rebooted DCU were enough to drum up interest. Truly a bummer.
Now, sit back, let Khaji Da manifest you a can of Blue from SweetWater Brewing, and fire up El Chapulín! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Chumpzilla are catching up on María la del Barrio!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – He's a superhero, whether he likes it or not! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – Is Susan Sarandon confused by the film she's in or just bored by it? (31:23)
The "Khaji Da" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (54:25)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue Super-Heroic Flops with what David Zaslav proclaimed to be the greatest comic movie of all-time, The Flash! (1:07:13)
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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

Half Past Dead – Sentenced to Death Row

Half Past Dead is the last feature film with Steven Seagal as the main star to earn a theatrical release. If one were to track what came after, that would come as no surprise.
In his thankfully short-lived action cinema prime, Seagal was serviceable. Light on charm, looks, and acting acumen, his unique brand of punishment was entertaining enough. But, as the years and the pounds piled on, the sheen wore off. Dramatically.
Half Past Dead is a window into the next two decades of Seagal mumbling and sleep walking his way through increasingly terrible movies. There is little effort and most of the fighting is done by his plethora of stunt doubles.
This would all be sad to watch if we weren't privy to what a tremendous asshole he is. There are very few movie stars who deserved to fall as flat on their face as he did. Even the 3% Half Past Dead scored on Rotten Tomatoes is probably too generous.
Now, sit back, dull your senses with an Arctic Panzer Wolf from 3 Floyd's Brewing, and get those doo rags on! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Capt. Cash are half past caring about this mess of a movie!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – The good, the bad, and the deadly! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – Half Past Dead is an unabashed Die Hard Clone, and it sucks. Which clones of that action classic do we prefer? (33:32)
The "HPD" Trivia Challenge – Capt. Cash challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (44:38)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kickoff our Super-Heroic Flops series with the under appreciated and highly entertaining DC flick, Blue Beetle! (56:23)
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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

Expend4bles – Time to Retire

Expend4bles is the epitome of milking an idea dry. It's lazy, visually a mess, and its narrative is almost completely nonsensical.
Worse, like the third entry in the series, Expend4bles doesn't seem to grasp what made people interested in its concept in the first place. We lose even more of the action stars we all love and replace them with even less interesting people. Sure, this one returns the R rating, but the blood and carnage are swallowed by the horrific green screen and ludicrous plot.
Its greatest offense, though, may be its complete waste of the talents of Tony Jaa and Iko Uwais. If you have two of Asia's great action stars in your movie, then back up and let them make magic.
Sly Stallone, who created the franchise and has served as its main star, is so disinterested in the proceedings that he's barely in the movie; when he is, he mostly sits alone in random vehicles.
Exend4bles is wholly deserving of its seven Razzie Nominations and complete implosion at the box office. And, yet, I still love it. Damn you, nostalgia!
Now, sit back, toast to Barney's memory with a Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale from North Coast Brewing Co., and equip your prescription scope! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Capt. Cash are bashing some skulls with the classics at our local watering hole!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – They'll die when they're dead! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – Which action star did the franchise sorely lack? (38:18)
The "Lucky Ring" Trivia Challenge – I challenge the field to trivia about the movie. (56:24)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We retire Aging Action Star Flops with Half Past Dead, a title that ironically describes Steven Seagal's acting career at the time! (1:06:56)
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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

Killing Gunther – Earthquake Love

Written and directed by Taran Killam, Killing Gunther is a mockumentary centering on a group of incompetent assassins who assemble to take down the world's best hitman.
It is a wonderfully comedic and weird film that was unfortunately slept on by both critics and viewers. Grossing less than $200,000, Killing Gunther never found much of an audience. But it should have.
Its cast of eclectic characters do more than enough to buoy the conceit across its modest 92-minute runtime. Throw in a delightfully off-the-wall turn from Arnold Schwarzenegger (he sings a country song!) as the titular Gunther and you've got yourself a damn good time.
Now, sit back, sing some karaoke with a Sublimely Self-Righteous Black IPA from Stone Brewing, and hope Ashley gets well soon! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Capt. Cash are retiring to Austria to coach field hockey and open a vegetable garden!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – They're out to change the killing business! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – Who would we recruit for our elite assassin team to kill Gunther? (19:22)
The "Erotic Ceramics" Trivia Challenge – I challenge the field to trivia about the movie. (33:05)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue Aging Action Star Flops with Expend4bles! (42:00)
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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

Hollywood Homicide – Stella!

Hollywood Homicide is a delightful mismatched buddy cop comedy. Unfortunately, everyone hated it, including its star—Harrison Ford.
Written and directed by Ron Shelton, of Bull Durham and Tin Cup fame, Hollywood Homicide channels the real life exploits of one-time Los Angeles policeman Robert Souza.
Judging by some of the movie's subplots, reality is indeed stranger than fiction. Speaking of those weaving narrative points, the abundance of them plague the film. There is just too much going on.
That is probably why critics and audiences had such distaste for it. At 30% on Rotten Tomatoes—with an even lower audience score—Hollywood Homicide is one of Ford's worst rated films.
It is also one of his lowest grossing. On a budget of $75 million, it failed to break even $52 million. Book it as a flop, Danno!
Now, sit back, get fancy with a Stella Artois, and practice your big monologue! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and Capt. Cash are doing our damndest to sell this monstrosity on Mount Olympus!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – In Hollywood, no one is who they really want to be! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – Do Ford and Hartnett have chemistry? (32:03)
The "Mount Olympus" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (51:32)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue Aging Action Star Flops with Killing Gunther! (1:04:44)
And, as always, hit us up on 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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

The Great Christmas Movie Debate – Die Hard vs Lethal Weapon

Die Hard and Lethal Weapon are two of the great 80s action movie. That much is indisputable. But they are also both set during the Christmas season.
On this podcast, we debate which is the better Christmas movie. 
So, sit back, revel in the holiday spirit with either a Merry Monkey from Victory Brewing or an Abita Christmas Ale, and don't think you're too old for this shit! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Bling Blake, and a special guest are eating Twinkies and doing our damndest to survive!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Round 1 – Do these movies—Die Hard and Lethal Weapon—have the hallmarks of a holiday film? (00:00)
Round 2 – We each present our irrefutable evidence that our movie is the superior Christmas Movie. (33:31)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We kickoff Season 6 with a series sure to be depressing for all action fans, Aging Action Star Flops. First up: Hollywood Homicide! (57:57)
And, as always, hit us up on 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 Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!

Just Friends – Simply Hopsy

Just Friends is a charming little comedy starring Ryan Reynolds before he ascended into super stardom.
As Chris Brander, Reynolds plays a heavy-set high schooler whose love for his best friend Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart) is unrequited.
Flash forward 10 years and Brander is now fit and successful. He begrudgingly returns to his hometown in New Jersey and takes one last shot with his longtime crush.
Hijinks and hilarity ensue. Not well reviewed at the time of its release and with a middling box office, Just Friends has become a cult classic.
That is thanks in large part to a bonkers performance from Anna Faris as loony pop star Samantha James; and an incredible villainous turn from Chris Klein as Dusty Dinkleman—a fellow high school nerd who also loved Jamie.
If you slept on it in 2005, we don't blame you. But forgiveness is more than saying sorry. It's time to watch Just Friends now! It is a Christmas movie, after all.
Now, sit back, reminisce about old times with a Holly Days IPA from MadTree Brewing, and good luck in those rented skates! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are skiing in jeans as New Jersey's finest should!
This Week’s Segments:
Introduction/Plot Breakdown – He loves her. She loves him not! (00:00)
Lingering Questions – Who of us was "Friend Zoned" in high school? (21:04)
The "Simply Dusty" Trivia Challenge – I challenge the field to trivia about the movie. (34:29)
Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We have the great Christmas movie debate — Die Hard vs Lethal Weapon! (44:11)
And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the Reynolds/Smart reunion and more—from this week’s episode!
You can find this episode of Hops and Box Office Flops on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, Acast, TuneIn, iHeartRadio, Vurbl, Amazon Music, and more!