Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Failure to Franchise
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 103 - Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016) | 27 Aug 2024 | 01:19:16 | |
We're wrapping up our "Summer Surprise" series with an unexpectedly timely episode. With Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice coming soon, we're taking a look at one of director Tim Burton's lesser remembered films, one that certainly didn't get a sequel (duh). This YA lit adaptation (shudder) is essentially Burton's riff on the X-Men, as Eva Green does her best Professor Xavier impression as the headmistress of a special home for children with unique abilities. Does Burton's unique aesthetic fit well with the source material? Is the film too gruesome for young children? Most importantly, is Eva Green given enough screentime?? We discuss all this and more, as we get stuck inside the time loop that is Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. | |||
| Episode 102 - Child's Play (2019) | 13 Aug 2024 | 01:28:02 | |
"Summer Surprise" continues, with our look at the 2019 reboot of the popular, long-running Child's Play/Chucky franchise. But unlike most reboots, this one had an interesting wrinkle; it was done at a time when the filmmakers behind the original Chucky franchise still had every intention of keeping their series going, as well. So how did this attempt at a separate, parallel Chucky continuity come to be? How did it work to differentiate itself from the other version? And in doing so, did it stay true to the spirit of the original Child's Play, or did it establish too much of its own identity, thus making it hard to view as part of the same franchise? We tackle all these questions, and more. This is for Tupac. | |||
| Episode Ninety-Three - Evilspeak (1981) | 09 Apr 2024 | 01:19:16 | |
Our "Evil Easter" month kicks off with Evilspeak, from 1981...or, uh, 1982. Look, we'll explain. All you need to know is this a Satanic Panic-fueled story of a bullied young cadet at a military academy who uses an Apple II computer to translate the Latin passages in a mysterious old book he finds, in the process allowing demonic forces to take over the computer, and - eventually - him, as well. Yeah, yeah, a really common story, but this one has Clint Howard in his first movie leading role! A gory cult classic that was intense enough to end up on the infamous UK "Video Nasties" list, Evilspeak still didn't manage to earn any sequels, even in a decade quick to create supernatural-slasher franchises when it could. So, what happened? We discuss this, as well as our thoughts on the film, and Clint Howard as a performer, in general. | |||
| Episode Nine - Wild Wild West (1999) | 08 Dec 2020 | 01:42:24 | |
One of the biggest movie stars of the moment, re-teaming with the director of his recent mega-success sci-fi comedy blockbuster for ANOTHER sci-fi comedy blockbuster. What could possibly go wrong? Well, clearly something did, or else we wouldn't be talking about 1999's WILD WILD WEST on this show. So join us as we try to get to the bottom of this infamous mess, with all the misplaced sexual innuendo, casual racism, and giant mechanical spiders it entails. It will be a "wicky-wicky-wild" time. | |||
| Episode Eight - Dredd 3D (2012) | 24 Nov 2020 | 01:56:06 | |
While the failure of 1995's JUDGE DREDD might have left some believing the character's cinematic journey was over, time has shown that Hollywood will let no IP with a substantial enough fanbase be left alone forever. And so, in 2012, we were given a brand-new attempt at bringing Mega-City One's toughest Judge to the screen...and this time, the helmet stays on. But how does the movie stack up even beyond that one crucial detail? Why isn't Karl Urban a bigger star? When is a director maybe NOT a director? And just what exactly does Justin Bieber have to do with all of it? We explore these questions and more in part two of our Judge Dredd spectacular. | |||
| Episode Seven - Judge Dredd (1995) | 10 Nov 2020 | 01:51:26 | |
"He takes off the helmet?!" This became the go-to, angry exclamation of JUDGE DREDD fans around the world when the cult favorite British comic book series was adapted into a 1995 Hollywood summer blockbuster. For these "Dredd-heads," this betrayal of an iconic visual tradition was indicative of a larger sense that the film didn't understand the spirit of their beloved character. But IS the movie really as bad as the comic fans (and, to be fair, most of the rest of the world, too) claimed at the time? And, if so, who is ultimately to blame, when considering a production that was, by most accounts, fraught with tension between the megastar at its center and a young, unproven director determined to do right by the comic he grew up loving? The answers...will probably NOT shock you. But listen anyway! | |||
| Episode Six - A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) | 27 Oct 2020 | 01:36:18 | |
In the wake the financial success of 2009's FRIDAY THE 13th reboot, New Line and Platinum Dunes were eager to revive the other slasher icon of the '80s. But this time, they faced different significant challenges...is it possible to recast Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger? Could a music video director making his feature debut bring the same class and style as horror master Wes Craven? And what would audiences expect to see from a more modern take on the franchise, with a bigger budget and an allegedly more "serious" and "realistic" take on the story? The attempt to answer these questions would result in one of the more maligned examples of the 2000's horror remake boom...but do we believe it deserves its frightfully bad reputation? | |||
| Episode Five - Friday the 13th (2009) | 13 Oct 2020 | 01:50:42 | |
After dominating the slasher sub-genre throughout the '80s, and heading to space and then doing battle with his biggest box-office rival Freddy in the early 2000's, what else was left for everyone's favorite hockey-masked, homicidal mama's boy to do? Why, take part in the horror remake craze of the mid-'00s, of course! This episode, we take a look at Platinum Dunes' 2009 reboot of FRIDAY THE 13th, discussing both its worth as an overall entry in the franchise, and why, despite financial success, it didn't kick-start a new era of Camp Crystal Lake as clearly intended. | |||
| Episode Four - Super Mario Bros. (1993) | 29 Sep 2020 | 01:29:01 | |
"Video game movie." This three-word phrase has sent a shudder down the spine of gamers and movie fans alike for almost three decades. To say this particular sub-genre has a spotty track record is an understatement. And it all started with a failed attempt to begin a new cinematic series featuring the most popular video game franchise of them all. In terms of pop culture in 1993, it didn't get much hotter than Super Mario Brothers...so what exactly went wrong with the movie? In this episode, we take a look at the film's troubled production and bizarre creative decisions, in order to try to answer that question. Plus, the debut of everyone's next favorite podcast-within-a-podcast, "Let's Go, Leguizamo!" | |||
| Episode Three - Waterworld (1995) | 15 Sep 2020 | 01:31:39 | |
After a wave of independent and foreign MAD MAX rip-off films dominated video store shelves throughout the 1980s, Hollywood finally took its own shot, in a big way, at the post-apocalyptic wasteland action genre in the mid-90s. Swapping vast desert for a flooded earth, and starring mega-star (at the time) Kevin Costner, WATERWORLD arrived in theaters amidst bad behind-the-scenes buzz and a reputation as the most expensive movie ever made. But would it be able to overcome all that and still launch a wildly successful franchise?? Well...no. And in this episode, we discuss why not. | |||
| Episode Two - Ghostbusters (2016) | 01 Sep 2020 | 01:24:39 | |
How could the reboot of a beloved '80s comedy classic, coming from the filmmaker behind one of the 2010's most successful comedies and starring a number of popular performers, end up one of the most controversial films in recent memory? The hysteria and heated debates surrounding 2016's GHOSTBUSTERS might be one of the elements it is ultimately best remembered for...but are they really the only reasons this attempted franchise relaunch didn't take off? Join us as we attempt to find out, cause we ain't afraid of no GHOSTBUSTERS discussion. | |||
| Episode One - John Carter (2012) | 18 Aug 2020 | 01:29:30 | |
An iconic character that influenced 100 years of storytelling. An award-winning, critically-acclaimed filmmaker. A rising star in the lead role. All in the hands of the biggest movie studio in the world. When Disney's JOHN CARTER arrived in 2012, it seemed to have a lot going for it. And yet, it ended up arguably the most infamous bomb in recent cinematic history. So what happened? In our first episode, we investigate the behind-the-scenes decisions that may have sunk the film fans had been waiting a century for. | |||
| Episode Zero - Introductions | 09 Aug 2020 | 01:08:15 | |
Before embarking on a bi-weekly quest to chronicle some of Hollywood's most infamous failures, we take a moment to introduce ourselves, and explain what lies ahead. How will we go about discussing the movies we cover? What do we think constitutes a franchise non-starter in the first place? And how do we feel about the modern day dependence on franchise film-making in general? All these questions and more are covered, as we gear up for Failure to Franchise. | |||
| Episode Ninety-Two - Dragon Wars: D-War (2007) | 26 Mar 2024 | 01:16:12 | |
"Monster March Madness" concludes with our look at 2007's totally-normal-named Dragon Wars: D-War, the first South Korean film to receive a wide theatrical release in North America! Wow, with a fact like that, it must be something special, right? Well, yeah, sorta...just not in the way you might think. Join us as we discuss the film's, uh, interesting writer/director, Shim Hyung-rae, before delving into Dragon Wars' FX, characters, and narrative decisions. Take our word for it...this is a wild one. | |||
| Episode Ninety-One - Godzilla (1998) w/ The Kaiju Transmissions Podcast | 12 Mar 2024 | 01:57:17 | |
We're kicking off "Monster March Madness," a month dedicated to giant monster movies, with one of the biggest movies (literally) we've looked at yet, the first American attempt at adapting Godzilla as a Hollywood blockbuster. The Japanese Godzilla series is one of the longest-running, most successful film franchises in cinema history. So what could go wrong when you choose the director of a recent smash-hit sci-fi summer blockbuster and let him loose on the property, armed with cutting-edge Hollywood FX? Well, almost the entire Godzilla fanbase could answer that one for you, but we're gonna discuss it, too! And we're not doing it alone. For this episode, we've recruited two very special guests who are no strangers to this movie or Godzilla, in general - the hosts of the Kaiju Transmissions Podcast, Kyle Byrd & Matt Parmley. So join us for an epic podcast crossover as we talk unsold toys, extreme usage of Simpsons cast-members, Jurassic Park comparisons, and more. | |||
| Episode Ninety - A.X.L. (2018) | 27 Feb 2024 | 01:20:17 | |
"FRIENDruary" concludes, with our look at the 2018 robotic-dog movie that we swear actually exists! No, really! Based on a Kickstarter-funded short film, A.X.L. is yet another movie that combines robo-dogs with the gritty world of off-road motorbike racing. But even if you're sick of that old chestnut, maybe you'll like it more with a little helping of The Punisher himself, Thomas Jane?? Well, maybe not, but even still, why not sit back and listen to our discussion of the movie, as we try to figure out if writer/director Oliver Daly's gamble to turn his short into a big-screen adventure paid off....creatively, if not financially. | |||
| Episode Eighty-Nine - Mac and Me (1988) | 13 Feb 2024 | 01:17:53 | |
We're kicking off "FRIENDruary" with a look at Paul Rudd's "favorite" movie, 1988's Mac & Me. Both a shameless rip-off of Steven Spielberg's E.T. AND a shameless fast-food commercial disguised as a movie, Mac & Me is that special sort of crazy that only Hollywood in the 80s could give us. Over the years, it's developed quite the cult following, but does it truly deserve it? We discuss that question, as well as the thin line between "cute" and "terrifying," the unbelievable alternate ending, and more. So join us for a McDonald's Dance Party and listen on! | |||
| Episode Eighty-Eight - Punisher: War Zone (2008) | 30 Jan 2024 | 01:50:57 | |
The "New Year's Punishment Party" concludes, with our look at 2008's Punisher: War Zone, Frank Castle's final big-screen adventure (to date). In the wake of 2004's Punisher film, attempts were made to create a sequel starring Thomas Jane, but over time the project evolved into a brand-new reboot with a different (and controversial) director, different leading-man, different continuity, and a vastly different tone. Starring the late, great Ray Stevenson, War Zone is an over-the-top, colorful, campy, and extremely bloody take on the Marvel Comics anti-hero. But is this wild swing of a movie truly in the spirit of the character, or is it the misguided mess many critics accused it of being at the time? Listen on to find out our thoughts. | |||
| Episode Eighty-Seven - The Punisher (2004) | 16 Jan 2024 | 01:46:22 | |
The "New Year's Punishment Party" continues, as we take a look at the second big-screen Punisher adaptation, from 2004, starring Thomas Jane and John Travolta. Made as the character was enjoying a second-wave of popularity in the comics world, and produced right on the cusp of the incoming box-office and cultural dominance of comic-book movies, The Punisher (2004) is an interesting snapshot of a strange time for the genre. But does this one get the character right? Does it improve on the lesser-known 1989 version? Does he actually wear the skull logo?? Well, yes, I'll answer that one right now...he does. Join us as we discuss the film's wild tonal swings, the eclectic mix of supporting characters, and the unique revenge plot (and whether or not said plot truly feels like a Punisher movie). | |||
| Episode Eighty-Six - The Punisher (1989) | 02 Jan 2024 | 01:16:25 | |
Failure to Franchise is kicking off 2024 with our "New Year's Punishment Party!" No, it's not a weird S&M thing, ya freaks! Instead, we're spending January looking at not one, not two, but three failed attempts to start a movie franchise based on one of Marvel Comics most popular (and problematic) characters, Frank Castle, AKA the violent vigilante known as The Punisher. First up, we travel back to 1989, the year of Tim Burton's Batman, to look at the year's other comic book movie about a black-clad avenger. What's that? You don't remember another one? That's probably because 1989's The Punisher, starring Dolph Lundgren, was unceremoniously dumped straight-to-video in the US, and is largely forgotten today. But does the first cinematic Punisher movie deserve such a fate, or is it an underappreciated 80s action classic? | |||
| Episode Eighty-Five - The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) | 19 Dec 2023 | 01:36:20 | |
The third annual "Failure to Franchise Presents Trev and Chris-Mas" wraps up (see what I did there?) with a look at 1999's The Thomas Crown Affair, a remake of the 1968 classic heist movie starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway. This time around, the titular main character is played by Pierce Brosnan, taking a break from his then current role as James Bond (heard of it?), to try to add another blockbuster franchise under his belt. But despite bringing Rene Russo and Denis Leary along for the ride, getting acclaimed action director John McTiernan to helm the project, and the movie being a box-office success, Brosnan's hopes for a new franchise were still left unrealized. So what happened? Join us as we close out 2023 by discussing that very question, as well as our own thoughts on the film. | |||
| Episode Eighty-Four - The Nice Guys (2016) | 05 Dec 2023 | 01:20:29 | |
The Third Annual "Failure to Franchise Presents: Trev & Chris-Tmas" kicks off with Trev's present for Chris - a critically acclaimed but audience-ignored neo-noir comic crime-thriller from a celebrated screenwriter and starring two beloved movie stars. So why the heck did The Nice Guys sink like a fish at the box office in 2016? We're here to try to figure it out, as we discuss writer/director Shane Black's distinctive aesthetic, the comic abilities of Ryan Gosling, why a bigger Russell Crowe might be a better Russell Crowe, and how a 12-year-old girl can maybe be the biggest badass in a movie full of tough-talking criminals, bruisers, and detectives. | |||
| Episode 101 - Leon: The Professional (1994) | 30 Jul 2024 | 01:32:47 | |
Our annual "Summer Surprise" series, in which our movies are chosen by an online randomizer, kicks off, with F2F's second Luc Besson. We both loved The Fifth Element, but what do we think of Besson's more grounded, earthbound, 1994 hitman action-thriller, Leon: The Professional? Remembered as the cinematic debut of a young Natalie Portman, and for an iconic, meme-generating Gary Oldman performance, as well as introducing a global audience to French star Jean Reno, the film remains highly controversial today, thirty years after its release, for elements both onscreen and off. But do those controversial elements detract from the movie, or make it more compelling? How much can and should one separate an artist's real life from the art they produce? We ponder this, and much more, as we wade into the dicey waters of discussing Leon: The Professional. | |||
| Episode Eighty-Three - The Flash (2023) | 21 Nov 2023 | 01:44:08 | |
Our "DCPU" series concludes, with the most recent movie we have ever covered! That's right, we're going all the way back to, uh, earlier this year, for an in-depth look at the looong-in-the-works superhero epic, The Flash. Why are we already so confident this one will be a non-starter? Well, between the change in DC cinema leadership since its release, the multiple controversies surrounding the lead actor, and the lackluster box office, it seems a safe bet! But that's only scratching the surface of things to talk about, as we also discuss the film's questionable FX, awkward humor, nostalgia bait, arguably-ghoulish usage of deceased actors, and how weird it is to have a movie featuring beloved actor Michael Keaton return to his iconic Batman role and have it barely make a dent in the public consciousness! But of course, the question is...did we like it?? Listen on and find out. Plus, we end the show by gifting each other our next two movies, as we prepare for our annual "Failure to Franchise presents Trev & Chris-tmas." | |||
| Episode Eighty-Two - Black Adam (2022) | 07 Nov 2023 | 01:30:35 | |
Over ten years in development. A narrative connection to a recently successful superhero franchise starter, Shazam. And a globally beloved megastar in the lead role. And yet none of that could keep 2022's Black Adam from becoming the next entry in our "DCPU" series. So what exactly went wrong with this long-in-the-works entry about one of DC's biggest anti-heroes? How much blame can fall onto that leading man, Dwayne Johnson, who promised to change the hiearchy of the DC universe, but instead walked away from the experience looking more fragile than ever before? And just how dirty did they do Henry Cavill? We discuss all this, and more, as we once again consider whether Johnson's "franchise Viagra" moniker is truly deserved. | |||
| Episode Eighty-One - Green Lantern (2011) | 24 Oct 2023 | 01:37:16 | |
Happy HALoween!! Light your GREEN jack-o-LANTERN, and join us for an extra spooky(?) episode, as we continue our trip through the "DCPU" with 2011's Green Lantern. That's right, the superhero debacle so infamous, even its own star still frequently mocks it today. But how did a comic book movie released at the height of the character's comic popularity, and at a time when superhero movies were undeniably on the rise, end up such a pop culture punching bag? And is the reputation deserved? We discuss these questions, and more! | |||
| Episode Eighty - Superman Returns (2006) | 10 Oct 2023 | 01:51:18 | |
Our look at the "DC-PU" continues, with Superman Returns, directed by...uhh, never mind. The film stars Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, and...uhhh...never mind about that, also. Look, clearly this isn't the easiest movie to talk about that we've ever done, for obvious reasons. But it IS, nonetheless, an important part of the history of arguably the most iconic superhero of them all - an attempt to resurrect and reboot a failed franchise and send it soaring to new heights. But was it perhaps too weighed down by its adherence to what came before? | |||
| Episode Seventy-Nine - Steel (1997) | 26 Sep 2023 | 01:11:13 | |
When is a Superman movie not a Superman movie? Heck, when is a superhero movie barely a superhero movie? And, just because a superstar athlete is charismatic both on and off the court, does that mean they're ready for movie stardom? We ponder all these questions and more, as our look into the "DC-PU" continues with 1997's Steel, starring Shaquille O'Neal. With a mega-producer shepherding the project and one of the world's most beloved cultural icons in the lead, this might have seemed like a can't-miss proposition back in '97. Instead, Steel's ultimate legacy might be a cautionary tale about what happens when a writer/director seemingly doesn't have the same affinity for the source material as the others involved.
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| Episode Seventy-Eight - Supergirl (1984) | 12 Sep 2023 | 01:26:52 | |
You've heard of the DCEU, but for the next three months, we're examining the "DC..P-U." That's right - we're looking at nearly 40 years' worth of failed DC superhero franchise starters. Kicking things off is 1984's Supergirl, a spin-off of the popular Christopher Reeve Superman series, but one so troubled and misguided that DC Comics parent company Warner Bros. washed their hands of it after financing it, and let another company altogether release it. Starring an unknown-at-the-time Helen Slater as Superman's titular cousin, and cinema icon Faye Dunaway as the evil witch Selena, Supergirl is one of Hollywood's first female-led comic book movies...which would probably be more impressive if the story didn't basically boil down to two women fighting over a man. Join us as we look at the good, the bad, and the very weird of this cult favorite(?). | |||
| Episode Seventy-Seven - Artemis Fowl (2020) | 29 Aug 2023 | 01:27:01 | |
"Summer Surprise" concludes with what is, in some ways, our most unexpected episode yet. The randomizer has decided to send us back to a movie we both already watched together during COVID-19 quarantine, a movie neither of us were eager to visit again. It defeated us then...will it somehow defeat us again?? You'll have to listen to find out, as the discussion takes a turn, resulting in one of our most unique episodes yet. But hey, maybe that's appropriate for a Disney family movie where Josh Gad eats dirt and blows it out his ass...literally. | |||
| Episode Seventy-Six - The Haunted Mansion (2003) | 15 Aug 2023 | 01:21:58 | |
"Summer Surprise" continues, with an unexpectedly relevant movie selection from the online randomizer! As Disney's recent Haunted Mansion reboot is currently bombing in theaters (most likely on its way to be covered on this show someday), we take a look back at the original cinematic take on the popular ride, from 2003. Released the same year as Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl, this was meant to seal the deal that theme-park-rides-turned-movies would be Disney's next big movie trend. Starring Eddie Murphy and from one of the co-directors of The Lion King, and based on one Disney's most beloved theme park attractions, it seemed a surefire hit. Instead, the so-so box-office performance and critical drubbing it received more-or-less put the kibosh on any ride-movies not called Pirates for quite some time. So...what went wrong? | |||
| Episode Seventy-Five - Surf Ninjas (1993) | 01 Aug 2023 | 01:16:28 | |
And now, back to our regularly scheduled "Summer Surprise" programming. Travel back with us to the early nineties, a time when the world was still ninja-crazy, Leslie Nielsen's star-power was so on the rise that even a few minutes of screen-time seemed like it might boost a movie, and when Hollywood was ready to see if this Rob Schneider guy from SNL could maybe cross over into movies. Clearly designed by New Line Cinema to capitalize on their Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles success, and meant as a star vehicle for a unique father-son martial arts team, the family action-comedy Surf Ninjas is admirable for its mostly Asian cast...still a rarity today, and almost unheard of from studio movies in 1993. But is that the only nice thing we'll have to say about it? | |||
| Episode Seventy-Four - Source Code (2011) | 18 Jul 2023 | 01:23:36 | |
"Jake JULYenhaal" concludes with a look at 2011's time-travel thriller, Source Code. But wait - was this legit hit actually meant to launch a franchise? We discuss the film's journey from spec script to movie to potential series starter, as well as diving into the movie itself. Do the story's logical and ethical hiccups hamper the film? Does it play fair by its own time travel rules? Is the man of the hour, Jake Gyllenhaal, better served here than he was in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time? And why the heck does Hollywood keep underutilizing Michelle Monaghan and Vera Farmiga? All this, and more! | |||
| Episode ONE HUNDRED - A Look Back (2020 to Now) | 16 Jul 2024 | 01:29:55 | |
Just because the movies we watch might be considered "failures," doesn't mean the same can be said for our podcast! That's right, it's our 100th episode, a special look back at four year's worth of covering Hollywood mistakes, missteps, and misfires. To celebrate the occasion, we've each picked our favorite movies and performances from the 99 films we've featured so far, as well as our least favorite movies, and we also have special shout-outs for the most frequent directors, screenwriters, and actors from the first four years of F2F movies. Plus, as is tradition, we allow an online randomizer to pick our next three movies as we head into our annual "Summer Surprise" theme series. Thank you to everyone who has listened and/or subscribed over these 100 episodes. Here's to the next 100...and probably more, since Hollywood can't seem to permanently learn any lessons! | |||
| Episode Seventy-Three - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) | 04 Jul 2023 | 01:34:05 | |
We interrupt your regularly scheduled "Summer Surprise" programming to instead bring you "Jake JULYenhaal," a month dedicated to the failed franchise starters of Jake Gyllenhaal. First up, the 2010 video-game adaptation Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, a rare example of Gyllenhaal trying his hand at "action blockbuster leading man." Despite a poor track record for previous video game movies, Disney and producer Jerry Bruckheimer were confident this would be the next Pirates of the Caribbean mega-franchise. Well, clearly, that did not happen. So what went wrong? Does the movie live up to the games? Is the casting of the movie too problematic to look past? Is there any movie Ben Kingsley won't do?? We discuss all this, and more! | |||
| Episode Seventy-Two - Maximum Ride (2016) | 20 Jun 2023 | 01:20:30 | |
"Summer Surprise" continues with another YA lit adaptation, this time from one of the world's most successful authors. We're looking at Maximum Ride, the story of lab-created, winged teenagers on the run, based on the popular series by James Patterson. But this one has us in a new, confusing situation, as we're forced to question whether this even counts as a "movie." How does a bestselling series from a widely beloved author become something like...this? That's what we're here to try to figure out, because I guess someone has to do it. | |||
| Episode Seventy-One - The Seeker: The Dark is Rising (2007) | 06 Jun 2023 | 01:24:22 | |
June is here, so you (maybe) know what that means! That's right, it's time for the start of our annual "Summer Surprise," where we let an online randomizer choose which movies from our oh-so-long F2F list we'll be covering next. First up, it's back to the land of misguided YA adaptations trying to cash in on the Harry Potter phenomenon. But this time, the source material actually pre-dates JK Rowling's works, as we examine The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, the 2007 feature adaptation of Susan Cooper's "The Dark is Rising Sequence" of novels from the 60s and 70s. Cooper's five-book series has stood the test of time, so why did we only get one movie, and why is it already mostly forgotten today? Listen on to find out! | |||
| Episode Seventy - The Love Guru (2008) | 23 May 2023 | 01:16:37 | |
"Mike MAY-ers" concludes with our look at 2008's The Love Guru, Mike Myers' ill-fated attempt to kick-start another character-based franchise in the vein of Austin Powers. Instead, this movie essentially ended his days as a leading man. So just what the heck happened? Is the film's heart in the right place, or is it an insensitive, offensive trainwreck that everyone involved with should have known better than to participate in? We discuss all this, plus, we discover the randomly chosen films we'll be watching for our upcoming annual "Summer Surprise" series! | |||
| Episode Sixty-Nine - The Cat in the Hat (2003) | 09 May 2023 | 01:20:33 | |
We're kicking off "Mike May-ers," a month devoted to Canadian comic icon Mike Myers, with a look at his ill-fated Dr. Seuss adaptation, The Cat in the Hat. One of the more..., let's say, perplexing movies we've looked at, this one begs a lot of questions. Do adult jokes have a place in Seuss adaptations? Is the Cat in the Hat an inherently sinister character? What's the logic of the Cat's powers? And should Seuss's short, verse-focused books even be adapted to feature length in the first place? We discuss all this and more, as we examine the movie that made Dr. Seuss's widow swear off any future live-action adaptations of his work! | |||
| Episode Sixty-Eight - The Phantom (1996) | 25 Apr 2023 | 01:27:29 | |
We're closing out two month's of "Pulp Frustration" with a look at 1996's ill-fated adaptation of Lee Falk's classic comic-strip hero, The Phantom. Intended as a star vehicle for Billy Zane, The Phantom was shepherded by two mega-producers, and came complete with a script co-written by beloved genre icon Joe Dante. But when the writers aren't on the same page as, well, nearly everyone else involved, it can spell disaster. How does The Phantom stack up against the other pulp heroes we've seen so far? Is Treat Williams in a different movie than everyone else? And were they honestly expecting audiences to take that costume seriously? We discuss all this, and more, as we "Slam Evil!" | |||
| Episode Sixty-Seven - The Shadow (1994) | 11 Apr 2023 | 01:27:04 | |
"Pulp Frustration" continues, as we look at the movie based on arguably one of the greatest pulp heroes of them all, The Shadow! The Alec Baldwin star vehicle asks an intriguing question: When a character has a complicated, decades-long history, with various origins and abilities established across his different permutations in print, radio, and film, is it easy to make a definitive version of him onscreen? Well...nope! Still, in 1994, they gave it a try anyway. Join us as we discuss the film's odd narrative decisions, the character's debatable big-screen potential, and just what the hell is up with Baldwin's make-up job in the movie. Who know what failures lurk in the wallets of Hollywood? The Shadow knows! | |||
| Episode Sixty-Six - The Rocketeer (1991) | 28 Mar 2023 | 01:44:44 | |
"Pulp Frustration" continues, as we look at another early-90s Disney action movie. But this time, it's not one of the original, beloved pulp characters from yesteryear, but rather an adaptation of a cult favorite 80s comic meant to pay homage to the classic serial heroes of old. Part superhero origin story, part historical pastiche, part Indiana Jones-esque adventure (complete with clubbering Nazi's), The Rocketeer seemed to be an easy recipe for success in a post Batman '89 world. And yet...here we are, covering it on this show. So, what went wrong? Strap on your rocket-pack, head to your local bulldog-shaped diner for a bowl of tomato soup, and give us a listen as we dissect that very conundrum. | |||
| Episode Sixty-Five - Dick Tracy (1990) | 14 Mar 2023 | 01:47:52 | |
We kick off our two-month "Pulp Frustration" series, dedicated to the 90s obsession with adapting pulp heroes to the big screen, with the 1990 Warren Beatty vanity project, Dick Tracy! How long was a Tracy movie in development before finally happening? How did Beatty convince an all-star cast to appear in something so outrageous? Was the character still relevant enough to entice modern audiences of the time? Why did the movie forever change how Disney did business moving forward? What the heck was up with that recent Dick Tracy TV special Beatty made? And how many "Dick" jokes will we succumb to making? All this, and more, as we discuss the primary-color soaked oddity that is Dick Tracy. | |||
| Episode Sixty-Four - Vampire Academy (2014) w/ Special Guest: Jackie Charniga | 28 Feb 2023 | 01:58:14 | |
"Will You Be My VAMPentine" concludes with a trip back to one of our most dreaded genres - the YA Lit adaptation! But this time, we weren't willing to do it alone. We're joined by our friend Jackie, an ardent fan of the Vampire Academy book series, to discuss its 2014 big screen adaptation. With the director of Mean Girls and the writer of Heathers(!!) in charge, what could have possibly gone wrong? Well...about that. We're taking a look at Vampire Academy's place in a post-Twilight world, a questionable romance, a strange protagonist, and a perhaps inappropriate tone, so sink your teeth into this one! (see what I did there?) | |||
| Episode Ninety-Nine - Land of the Lost (2009) | 02 Jul 2024 | 01:34:25 | |
"Summer Sweeps" concludes, with a look at Universal's 2009 attempt to launch another series of big-budget dinosaur adventure movies. This time, they turned to a cult-classic 70s television series from famed producers and puppeteers, Sid & Marty Krofft. But by giving the movie a comedic bent the show never had, and by trading in the practical FX of the original for glossy CGI, did the filmmakers behind Land of the Lost truly pay tribute to the source material, or potentially disrespect it? We discuss this, the merits of juvenile humor, whether Will Ferrell could ever transition to pure drama, and much more. So join us for this final "Summer Sweeps" entry before our 100th Episode spectacular! | |||
| Success to Series #4 - The 'Underworld' Franchise | 21 Feb 2023 | 01:35:34 | |
In this special bonus "Will You Be My VAMPentine"-themed episode of our "Success to Series" spin-off, we're squeezing into our tightest leathers, cranking the early 2000's nu-metal, and diving into the immortal war between vampires and werewolves...err, sorry, "lycans." That's right, it's a look at Underworld, the critically maligned but financially successful action/monster mash-up that we can't help but love...maybe even more than its own leading lady. What is it about this series that attracted so many fans and prestigious British actors alike? We try to figure it out, with an in-depth discussion on the ever-evolving franchise and its tenuous relationship with its own continuity. | |||
| Episode Sixty-Three - Vampirella (1996) | 14 Feb 2023 | 01:33:41 | |
Travel back with us to a time when comic-book movies were less cool (and certainly less respectable), to examine how one of comic's most enduring cult heroines ended up with only one feature film to her name: a little-known, made-for-cable oddity from cult-movie king Roger Corman, and T&A/Schlock movie "maestro" Jim Wynorski. Between a leading lady the director didn't want, to the surprising casting of a famous rock star in the villain role, to a Vegas-based production fraught with problems...Vampirella is definitely one of those movies where the behind-the-scenes might be more interesting than the movie itself. But we're here to talk about it all, as we kick off our month-long event, "Will You Be My VAMPentine?" | |||
| Episode Sixty-Two - Charlie's Angels (2019) | 31 Jan 2023 | 01:30:19 | |
When the latest big-screen reboot of the popular 70s TV series Charlie's Angels - this time written and directed by Elizabeth Banks - hit in 2019, the franchise had already proven its cinematic bankability (Banks-ability??). And yet, despite the much-buzzed-about excitement of seeing Kristen Stewart taking on a "fun" role in a big Hollywood action-blockbuster, and the intrigue of two potential new stars with Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska, Banks's film failed to connect with audiences. But was this simply the fault of the movie itself, or was it - as the director herself would argue in the following days - a distressing sign that the male-dominated action-movie crowd wasn't ready for a female-led film such as this? We offer our thoughts on this, and more, as we finish "Ringing in 2023 with the ABC's of TV." | |||
| Episode Sixty-One - Baywatch (2017) | 17 Jan 2023 | 01:37:03 | |
Baywatch, the series, was once the most watched television show in the world. Baywatch, the movie, was...well...not the most watched movie of 2017, to put it lightly. So, what went wrong? Did they simply wait too long to make a Baywatch movie? Was it a bad idea to go the tongue-in-cheek parody route? Or could the problem perhaps lie with the lead actor, Dwayne Johnson, who - despite his oft-repeated "Franchise Viagra" reputation - failed to rescue this one from the choppy box office waters. We're continuing to "Ring in 2023 with the ABC's of TV," with our look at the Baywatch movie. | |||
| Episode Sixty - The A-Team (2010) | 03 Jan 2023 | 01:25:50 | |
Are you ready to "Ring in 2023 with the ABC's of TV?" That's right - we're kicking off the new year with three episodes dedicated to feature adaptations of beloved TV shows. First up, Joe Carnahan's adaptation of the classic 80s Mr. T action series, The A-Team. This movie version had a lot to accomplish - solidify Liam Neeson's new action-star career resurgence, make a movie star out of UFC fighter Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, prove Sharlto Copley's District 9 success wasn't a fluke, and show that Bradley Cooper could be more than just a comedy star. Did it pull off these missions? Listen on to hear us discuss this, and more! | |||