Podcast
Hops and Box Office Flops
Hosted by Hops and Box Office Flops · EN
A film podcast dedicated to the underdogs — the disasters, the bombs, the much maligned! So sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy!
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Episodes
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Jaws 3D – Bland Fish
Aug 1, 202501:13:24Tap to summarizeJaws 3D is the third entry in the killer shark franchise. The original is still widely regarded as a classic. The second is a watchable flick with some decent gore. This one, however, is a shipwreck of epic proportions. From its shoddy 3D effects to its dearth of tension, Jaws 3D never offers anything to justify its existence. Yes, money is why, but having a good idea or two wouldn't have hurt. The titular fish terrorizing a SeaWorld isn't exactly fodder for action and excitement. Critics and audiences agreed, sinking the threequel. Sadly, their disdain for Jaws 3D didn't bury the franchise deep enough. It would rise back to the surface one last time for an even dumber adventure. Now, sit back, ease your fears of the great white with a Devil's Ale from SanTan Brewing, and search that sunken pirate ship! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are perfecting our water skiing stunts with Jaws in hot pursuit! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – A deadly new attraction! Lingering Questions – Did the movie about a killer shark have any cool killer shark murders? (28:07) The "Third Dimension is Terror" Trivia Challenge – The Thunderous Wizard challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (43:07) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We continue celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Jaws by dissecting the second of its terrible sequels, Jaws: The Revenge! (58:27) 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!
Transcribe →The Dark Tower – Let It Fall
Jul 25, 202501:10:13Tap to summarizeThe Dark Tower is a woeful adaptation of Stephen King's beloved book series. Condensing seven mainline stories into one undercooked film, The Dark Tower lacks any of the elements that made the novels so special. It's a speed run, dumbing down the world and its lore so much that there's really no audience for it. Fans of the books were left dumbstruck, and newcomers were just confused. The Dark Tower is a textbook example of not understanding the property you're adapting. And it very much deserves its 16% on Rotten Tomatoes. No thankee sai, Sony. You botched the hell out of this one. Now, sit back, settle your mind with Black Caddis Porter from Wren House Brewing, and never forget the face of your father! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are beguiling people with our powerful magics! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – In a world of superheroes, there's only one Gunslinger! Lingering Questions – Who would be the ideal actor to portray Roland Deschain? (29:09) The "Gunslinger" 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 celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jaws by watching the two terrible sequels. First up is Jaws 3D! (1:00:58) 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!
Transcribe →The Man from UNCLE – Spy Hard
Jul 18, 202501:07:53Tap to summarizeBased on a 60s television show of the same name, The Man from UNCLE attempts to merge the cool of James Bond with real-world Cold War era politics. The results are mixed. Directed by Guy Ritchie, it has all the hallmarks of one of his films—quippy banter, smooth action beats, and heroes that ooze charisma. Well, one of the heroes is charismatic. And it's not the one who allegedly is into cannibalism. Henry Cavill is the engine that drives The Man from UNCLE. And just like his turn in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, he proves he's got the chops to be both comedic and badass. Sadly, audiences never gave this one a chance. On a budget of $75 million, it grossed just north of $110 million. That wasn't nearly enough to warrant the sequel they teased. Now, sit back, stay incognito with a Lord Grey from Three Taverns, and never trust a Nazi scientist! The Thunderous Wizard, Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are enjoying some fine cheese and red wine while Mayor McCheese evades the goons! This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Two sworn enemies ... one common mission! Lingering Questions – How did Cavill never get a crack at Bond? (31:33) The "UNCLE" Trivia Challenge – Bling Blake challenges the field to trivia about the movie. (50:15) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We conclude Flopbusters with the woeful Stephen King adaptation, The Dark Tower! (58:54) 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!
Transcribe →The Alamo – Remember It
Jul 22, 2022Tap to summarizeThe Alamo, directed by John Lee Hancock, is a historical look at the tragic storming of the mission turned fort in 1836 Texas. Though the film boasts incredible sets, well shot historical action, and a wonderful ensemble, it was a box office dud. In fact, it is one of the biggest bombs in history, losing an estimated $146 million. That's nearly 10 Louisiana Purchases. Critics didn't help its prospects. Sitting at 29% on Rotten Tomatoes with 159 reviews, their consensus was unkind. We, unfortunately, have to agree. Outside of Billy Bob Thornton as Davy Crockett, 2004's The Alamo is bereft of personality. It doesn't help that the film is attempting to sell you on characters who are generally written about as being disreputable. The one thing The Alamo does excel at is showing the viewer how dire their situation was. In essence, these 200 or so men were left to die; and the siege on the fort is appropriately harrowing. So, sit back, load a Wild West Wheat from Tombstone Brewing into your beer cannon, and always account for the wind! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, and Chumpzilla are firing up our fiddles to spite Santa Ana's army. This Week’s Segments: Introduction/Plot Breakdown – You will never forget. (00:00) Lingering Questions – After a word from our brothers in beer at Hop Nation USA, we assess where this movie went wrong. (34:53) The "Remember the Alamo" Trivia Challenge – The Double Turn Podcast jumps corner to corner like Davy Crockett across the Mississippi, and then I challenge the field to trivia about the history of Texas. (57:16) Recommendations – We offer our picks for the week and next up: We begin "Hops and Hunting Ground Flops" with the uninspiring sequel to one of cinema's greatest action movies, Predator 2! (1:04:40) And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—how a mission became a pivotal fort 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, and Amazon Music!
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