Hops and Box Office Flops

So I Married an Axe Murderer came hot off the heels of the mega hit Wayne's World. Unfortunately for Mike Myers, it could not replicate the famous skit's success. Banking just north of $11 million, So I Married and Axe Murderer was a box office bomb. But any child of the 90s will tell you that it's still a damn good time. This is peak Myers, a time when his oddball characters were still funny. It's also his attempt to play the generic male lead. Aside from his dual role of Stuart, the curmudgeonly Scottish father of Charlie, he's just your average joe. The results of that attempt are mixed. Perhaps if they weren't, Myers wouldn't have made it his life's purpose to play increasingly bizarre characters. I guess, what I'm saying is: It's all our fault that The Love Guru happened. Damn us all to hell. Now, sit back, hack open a Fireside Chat from 21st Amendment Brewery, and help resuscitate the downed piper! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, Mayor McCheese, and Bling Blake are hitting open mic night for some sick slam poetry! This Week’s Segments: Palm Springs And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the truth behind The Pentaverate 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!

Summer Catch came at the peak of Freddie Prinze, Jr. mania. He was sort of the king of sub-par romantic comedies in the mid-2000s, and like the rest of his films, this one, too, is mediocre. Full of cringeworthy schmaltz and baseball scenes that strain credibility, Summer Catch is exactly what one would expect from a genre that feasts on the contrived. It's got the local boy (Prinze, Jr.) trying to make it after experiencing a downward spiral; it's got the rich girl (Jessica Biel) who falls for him; and, of course, it has the bad actor, her father (Bruce Davison), who doesn't want his daughter slumming it up with a guy destined to cut grass for a living. Even more obvious than all these stock characters is the fact that Ryan Dunne, the hometown pitcher, will not only achieve his baseball dreams, but he will also land the girl. Cue the corn! Anyway, with a plot as stupid as that and a moronic script to match, it is no wonder Summer Catch was lambasted by critics. It sits at 8% on Rotten Tomatoes with 92 reviews. Its box office fortunes weren't much better. It earned just $19.7 million. Now, sit back, clock a fastball with one hand while holding a cold New Grist Pilsner from Lakefront Brewing in the other, and hand us that cucumber! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are workshopping mascot costumes for our beloved Chatham As! This Week’s Segments: So I Married an Ax Murderer And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the era of Freddie Prinze, Jr. 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!

Werewolves Within—which is as loosely based on a video game as possible—is a horror/comedy whodunnit that relies far more on humor than gore. And, for the most part, it works well. Starring Sam Richardson as bumbling park ranger Finn Wheeler, Werewolves Within never takes itself too seriously. Beaverfield, VT, is a small-town full of eclectic stereotypes of modern America. From the uppity gas pipeline executive to the moronic MAGA tandem to the yogi gay couple, it's a place already full of mistrust. The titular werewolf preys on those seeds of doubt; so, as a viewer, it is up to us to solve who is behind the sowing of the chaos. Hilarity mostly ensues. Now, sit back, gnarl an Imperial Amber from Great Lakes Brewing, and stay off of Emerson's porch! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are throwing axes and dancing to Ace of Base! This Week’s Segments: Summer Catch And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the game it's based on 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!

Renfield is a delightful little horror comedy chronicling the titular character's toxic relationship with his master, Count Dracula. Featuring Nicholas Hoult as Renfield and Nicolas Cage as that overbearing boss, it's a film that works despite its own confusion on what it wants to be. Cage is phenomenal as Dracula and Hoult is charming as the nebbish Renfield. Their interplay almost universally hits. The other identity of the film is a smattering of over-the-top action and balletic gore. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that, too. I just wish there was more of the former. Why? Well, quite simply, Cage is the principal reason to watch Renfield. He is just so damn zany and fun. The fact that he disappears for large sections of the movie as Renfield makes googly eyes at a cop named Rebecca (Awkwafina) hurts the driving narrative of the film. We're here to see Dracula gaslight and manipulate Renfield, so give it to us. Anyway, as I said, this movie is mostly a good time. That sadly did not translate to box office success. On a budget of $65 million, it grossed a putrid $26.7 million. But with decent fan reactions (79% favorability compared to the 58% of critics), Renfield does at least seem destined for semi-cult status. Now, sit back, suck the flavor from Rhinegeist's Franz, and don't make it a sexual thing! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are scouring New Orleans for some nuns or a busload of cheerleaders to feed the Lord of Death's insatiable apetite! This Week’s Segments: Werewolves Within And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the history of Count Dracula on film 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!

The Blackening is a satirical take on the horror genre. Poking fun at the trope of the Black character dying first, it offers an interesting quandary for the killer: If every character is Black, they can't all die first. Based on a skit of the same name, The Blackening makes good on that premise. It is often hilarious, has a ton of fun playing with that central theme, and features a great cast of actors on the rise. Shockingly, despite its strong reviews, The Blackening only made $17.7 million at the box office. Considering its small budget, $5 million, that's not too shabby; but this is a movie we highly recommend, even if you're adverse to scary movies. So, sit back, play some spades while sipping on a Make America Juicy Again from Heretic Brewing, and don't get that trivia question wrong ... or you will die! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are sipping on some Kool-yay and dodging some arrows! This Week’s Segments: Renfield And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the original skit 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!

Any Given Sunday is a brutal, uncompromising look at the world of pro football. It's never subtle—in either its performances or depictions—which unfortunately is what ultimately hamstrings it. Oliver Stone over-directs the hell out of this movie. From its frequent cuts to its odd insertions of clips from other films, Any Given Sunday is full on cinematic whiplash. For the actual football scenes, that chaos works. For everything else, not so much. In fact, Stone's insistence of seizure-inducing framing only detracts from the exceptional acting. And the cast of Any Given Sunday is stacked. Most notably, it boasts Al Pacino as aging coach Tony D'Amato and Jamie Foxx as upstart quarterback Willie Beamen, but it also features Cameron Diaz, John C. McGinley, Ann-Margret, LL Cool J, Lawrence Taylor, Jim Brown, and many more. Despite those issues, this is a quintessential football movie. And, fittingly, in a game that leaves many a good man battered and broken, there are few heroes here. Now, sit back, sack a few Land Shark Lagers, and don't get strokes, give them! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are still spinning like your favorite CD! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastSteamin' BeamenThe Blackening And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the legendary career of LT 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!

Dazed and Confused is flat out a classic. Focusing on a group of wayward teens in 70s Austin, Texas, it somehow remains one of the most relatable looks at the high school experience. Sure, some things don't really translate to the present—the hazing, for example—but few movies have captured the essence of what it's like to feel stuck, even though your whole life is still in front of you. One of the reasons it remains so beloved is its eccentric cast of characters and the budding stars who played them. Dazed and Confused has a cast stacked with actors and actresses on the cusp of fame. From Ben Affleck to Matthew McConaughey to Parker Posey, it helped usher in the next phase of Hollywood stars. And, for some—like McConaughey's Wooderson—their characters in Dazed and Confused are recognized as a seminal role in their filmography. Few movies are as quotable, engaging, and culturally relevant as this, so it's no wonder it remains so prevalent in the cultural zeitgeist. Now, sit back, grab your go-to high school brew, and air raid! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are paddling freshmen and getting ready to party at the Moon Tower! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastAny Given Sunday And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the Oral History of the movie 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!

The Replacements is a fairly derivate football film about a group of underdogs overcoming the odds. It takes elements of Major League, Necessary Roughness, and even the kid-centric Little Giants and throws them into a blender, producing a jumbled blend of bits done better in other movies. Despite all that, The Replacements somehow still works. That is due in large part to the sheer charisma of Keanu Reeves as quarterback Shane Falco and Gene Hackman as old timey coach Jimmy McGinty. Without them, this would just be another hackneyed entry in the sports film pantheon. Even with them, The Replacements struggled to hit its mark upon release. Critics lampooned it as "cliched," penalizing it with 41% on Rotten Tomatoes. And a on a budget of $50 million, it grossed just $50.1 million. But, as I mentioned, it is impossible not to root for Shane Falco—the unlucky lefty who's been given one last shot to conquer his on-field demons. So, sit back, hold onto a Public Pale Ale from DC Brau Brewing with some stickum, and don't cross that picket line! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are hoping all this pain heals. If it does, the glory will last forever! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastDazed and Confused And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the actual Year of the Scab 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!

In The Faculty, a malevolent alien force descends upon Herrington High School and begins taking over—one hapless teacher at a time. It is up to the students—a ragtag group of people who wouldn’t be caught dead together otherwise—to put a stop to it. Written by Kevin Williamson, who also co-wrote Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Faculty is a hip, high school-centric take on Invasion of the Body Snatchers and The Thing. And, it mostly works. Though it is less subtle and gnarly than those other two films, the charming cast elevates its light mystery. And the proceedings are further buoyed by a couple of cool creature effects. Hence why it did fairly well at the box office, earning $63.2 million on a budget of $15 million. Shame to the critics who were so mixed on it. Now, sit back, dry yourself out with a Watermelon Gose from Terrapin Beer Company, and leave those kids alone! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are dissecting a pot sticker to make sure it's not actually an alien pod! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastThe Replacements And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the movie's inspirations 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!

Heavyweights is a kid friendly take on the the traditional slobs versus snobs trope. In it, a group of kids are supposed to be headed to enjoy an awesome summer; but once there, they discover that the beloved owners of Camp Hope were forced to sell to an obnoxious fitness freak, Tony Perkis. It's Perkis' mission to whip these kids into shape—only not for their own benefit. He's trying to sell an infomercial about his patented Perkis System. It then becomes the mission of the titular Heavyweights to take back their summer from the unstable Perkis. Hijinks, hilarity, and a fair bit of sadism ensue. Full of mixed messages about excess weight, the movie can be a tonal rubber band. And Heavyweights is also extremely 90s, which as we all know, was a lawless ass time. Hence why it received general poor reviews and struggled to make a dent at the box office. Despite that, though, it is generally considered a cult classic—especially since Perkis is such a memorable character. Now, sit back, launch a Fat Randy's IPA from Holidaily into the stratosphere with the Blob, and help get those deli meats off your friend's back! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, Capt. Cash, the J-Man, and Bling Blake are high on Perkis Power! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastPerkis SystemThe Faculty And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—Perkis' striking similarity to White Goodman 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!

Wet Hot American Summer is an absolute cult classic. Boasting a cast on the cusp of superstardom, it is everything an eccentric comedy full of funny people should be. As in, it is hilarious. Wet Hot American Summer eschews plot in favor of nonsensical hijinks and non sequiturs. The things that happen vaguely follow its story, but they are much more in service to its anarchic stylings. That sense of chaos and utter unseriousness may have been why it never found its footing at the box office. On a modest budget of just $1.8 million, it failed to break $300,000. That said, Wet Hot American Summer's unabashed spirit of insanity is the primary driver to it gaining cult status, as well as earning it a long-gestating prequel and sequel series on Netflix. So, sit back, talk to a can of Paradise from Masthead Brewing, and take it higher and higher! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are saving some campers from certain river rafting doom! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastHeavyweights And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the Hurricane of Fun 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!

Indian Summer is a heartwarming, ensemble comedy in the vein of The Big Chill. Seven friends, all at differing existential crises, reunite for one last magical summer at Camp Tamakwa, a seminal experience in each of their lives. Their mentor, camp owner Unca Lou, brings them all together because he, too, is at a crossroads. It's his last summer running the camp. That's the backdrop, but what makes Indian Summer work is how relatable it is. Adulthood can be difficult—full of stress and various frustrations. Remembering to have fun in life and embrace the kid inside you is important. A life lesson that our own Chumpzilla could do well to learn from. Unfortunately, Indian Summer couldn't out-paddle the average reaction from the critics (58% on Rotten Tomatoes). It grossed just $14.9 million on a budget of $9 million. Regardless, this is one vacation that is wholly worth your time. So, sit back, fish a Big Henry Hazy IPA from Holidaily Brewing out of the lake, and don't underestimate the shcreck king! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are sneaking out of our cabins to raid the pantry! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastWet Hot American Summer And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the pratfalls of Sam Raimi 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!

Sleepaway Camp is considered an 80s horror cult classic. That is due in large part to its big final act twist. Otherwise, though, it's your general run-of-the-mill slasher that is too often derivative of better films in the genre, especially Friday the 13th. Sleepaway Camp boasts a laughably bad script, one made worse by the casts' delivery of it. And the kills—unfortunately—consistently fail to impress. That said, it is one of the most successful independent films ever made. It grossed more than $11 million on a budget of just $350,000. The reviews, which were initially brutal, have also blossomed over time. Most of us on the pod aren't sure why, but Chumpzilla certainly enjoys it. Now, sit back, fill your belly and a balloon full of Bud Light, and don't cross Mel! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are living our best lives in super short shorts and crop-tops! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastIndian Summer And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the Return to Sleepaway Camp 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!

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is a wonderful and heartfelt sendoff to one of cinema's greatest heroes. It makes bold narrative decisions and gives us an Indy who's a man out of time. That may sound depressing—and there certainly are tough moments—but it's not. The heaviness of Dial of Destiny's story is what makes it work. It can be extremely compelling to see our heroes vulnerable, watching them rise to the occasion and rediscovering themselves. Throw in wonderful performances from Phoebe Waller-Bridge as Indy's goddaughter, Helena Shaw, and Ethann Isidore as Teddy, her loveable sidekick, and Dial of Destiny is a welcome return to form for the franchise. The hallmark magic of the series is alive and well. Despite Spielberg's absence, James Mangold skillfully handles the directing duties. Sadly, Dial of Destiny has failed to hit it big at the box office, grossing just over $337 million thus far. On a budget estimated to be north of $290 million, that just doesn't cut it. That said, unlike Kingdom of the Crystal Skull—which divided series fans—audiences who have seen it seem to love it. So it's only logical to assume people will discover it when it lands on-demand. Now, sit back, spice up your morning with a Mooby’s Chronic-Con “Superficially Mandated Beer” IPA by Societe Brewing, and feel free to punch some Nazis! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are breaking up illegal auctions with the crack of our whips! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastSleepaway Camp And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the legend of the Antikythera 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!

Mac and Me is an unapologetic clone of E.T., a far superior movie. It's weird, loaded with unintentional laughs, and packed with an obscene amount of product placement. We're not joking. Mac and Me boasts a scene of the titular alien dancing on the counter of a McDonald's — in a bear suit, no less. These extraterrestrials also drink Coca Cola as their life blood, a fact that comes sadly into play in the film's later acts. Over the years, it has become a frequent internet meme and for good reason. It's a fairly terrible film, despite its good heart. Hence why on a budget of $13 million, Mac and Me failed to replicate the success of the film it so shamelessly stole from. It grossed just $6.4 million at the box office. Critics were similarly underwhelmed. With a 7% on Rotten Tomatoes, Mac and his clan were better off dead in the desert. Now, sit back, chug a Cosmic Treasures from Jackie O’s Brewery through a straw, and don't engage in extreme wheelchair riding down a hill! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are phoning home or whatever the hell Mac's family does! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastSleepaway Camp And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the Paul Rudd's prank 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!

Heartbeeps was meant to serve as the big screen launching pad for comedian Andy Kaufman. It backfired. Why? Well, it's a mostly nonsensical mess with few laughs, and it buries him under bizarre robot prosthetics. As a performer, Kaufman was known for his showmanship. Heartbeeps robs him of all that, instead turning him into a caricature of his own caricature. Val, the android he plays, is just a watered down Latka Graves from Taxi. Hence why this unfunny mishmash of a film bombed at the box office. On a budget of $12 million, it grossed barely over $2 million, scuttling future plans for its star. Kaufman and his co-stars deserved so much better. Now, sit back, rewire your palette with a Dr. Robot Blackberry Lemon Sour from Monday Night Brewing, and refrain from telling low power jokes! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are just three dim-witted robots looking for love! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastMac and Me And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the brilliance of Andy Kaufman 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!

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace is the sad end to a beloved series. Well, III was also terrible, but there is something uniquely depressing about Superman IV. Perhaps it’s the fact that they coaxed Christopher Reeve into returning by agreeing to center the film on the threat of nuclear escalation; and then as they shot the movie, budget cuts kneecapped the project faster than a speeding bullet. Superman IV was clearly hindered by Cannon’s frugal ways, but it’s a bizarre and poorly written film, as well. The movie’s central antagonist Nuclear Man has the look of a compelling villain, but his voice was dubbed with Gene Hackman’s. A move that truly put the f%*$ in WTF. Couple that with shoddy special effects, a nonsensical love triangle, and a B-plot seemingly taken from an never produced episode of the George Reeves show and you’ve got one of the more notorious superhero movies ever made. Hence, why it bombed with critics and at the box office. Superman IV grossed just $36.7 million worldwide, further worsening the financial woes of Cannon Films. And it’s 10% on Rotten Tomatoes is a far cry from even that of III (29%). Reeve, Margot Kidder, and Hackman all deserved so much better, lest we forget Jackie Cooper and Mark McClure. Now, sit back, go nuclear with a Sol Mexican Lager, and broker world peace through a tender hearted letter! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, Capt. Cash, and Bling Blake are fist-fighting some whacko with press-on nails and feathered hair on the Moon! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastHeartbeeps And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—Proto-Nuclear Man 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!

Tip Toes is an odd movie. Instead of serving as an effective drama that highlights the health and societal struggles of little people, it devolves into utter insanity. Why? Well, Gary Oldman took the lead role of Rolfe, a little person whose twin brother, played by Matthew McConaughey, is going through an existential crisis. Steven, McConaughey, is not a little person, but the rest of his family is. He fears that his baby will be born with dwarfism. On the surface, that sounds like general drama fare; but, it’s impossible to ignore how bizarre the choice to cast Gary Oldman was. He shuffles around on his knees, wears a bulky shoulder pad to make it look like he has a hunchback, and frequently sits inside a couch while his fake legs dangle over the cushions. None of this is an exaggeration. Add in Peter Dinklage as an insane French Marxist and Tiptoes frequently veers into dark territory. Nothing that happens in the movie is as funny or insightful as it hopes to be. So, sit back, ease your bewilderment with a Glowstick IPA from Reformation Brewery, and don't yell, "I'm a dwarf" in public! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are wondering where we can buy a couch with a Gary Oldman-sized whole in it! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the apparent director's cut 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!

With Fast X, our favorite street racers turned international spies again find themselves entangled with another bad guy hell bent on world domination and revenge. This time, it is the deliciously evil Dante, played with the perfect amount of lunacy by Jason Mamoa. Dante is the son of Hernan Reyes, who we last saw meeting his demise in Fast Five. Thus, Fast X is essentially trying to recapture the magic of what is widely believed to be the best film in the series. Whether it accomplishes that goal or not all depends on how much gas you think the series has left in the tank. Fast X is excessively loud, dumb, and over the top in all the best ways—but also all the same ways we've seen before. As a result, it does leave one wondering how much longer Dom and his adopted family can keep the pedal to the metal. Like F9, Fast X's box office is eating the dust of Furious 7 and The Fate of the Furious (Fast 8). Looking to finish with just over $700 million worldwide and with an ultra soft $130 million domestic (as of this writing), the law of diminishing returns appears to be in full effect. The same can be said for its reviews. At 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, Fast X is the worst reviewed entry since the fourth. With two movies to go, all signs point to this needing an exit ramp. So, sit back, send your tastebuds drifting with a Dynamite IPA from Goldwater Brewing, and tail-whip a rolling bomb with a crane! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Bling Blake are going full throttle through the streets of Rome! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastTip Toes And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the Rock's upcoming pseudo-sequel 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!

X-Men Origins: Wolverine is one of the worst superhero movies to come out of the big comic book cinema boom. It ignores basically everything established in the main line of X-Men films to craft a laborious tale of the early days of Logan's heroism. Throwing in heaps and loads of random mutants, X-Men Origins: Wolverine has zero interest in crafting an adequate narrative for its titular hero. Instead, it seems to hope that audiences will just ignore how nonsensical it is because they'll be clamoring for all the future cinematic avenues it opens up. Spoiler: They didn't. Why? Well, this was an absurd and stupid way to approach a character's origin. Moreover, it also butchered several beloved characters in the process—particularly Deadpool, but also Gambit. Hence why critics and audiences hated it. X-Men Origins: Wolverine sits at 38% on Rotten Tomatoes with 259 reviews. It deserved worse. If you love Wolverine, just watch this movie's sequels—if you can even call them that—The Wolverine and the cinema masterclass that is Logan. Now, sit back, dull your senses with a Puppers Beer, and go on a quest for revenge with your sweet new claws! I, the Thunderous Wizard (@WriterTLK), Chumpzilla, and Capt. Cash are throwing down with Weapon XI back to back to back! This Week’s Segments: Double Turn PodcastFast X And, as always, hit us up on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to check out all the interesting factoids—the original script 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!