Hops and Box Office Flops

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Stop serving. Start living! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – We can't all die first! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Life is a contact sport! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – It was the last day of school in 1976, a time they'd never forget... if only they could remember! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – Pros on strike. Everyday guys get to play! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – What if your teachers really were from another planet? Think your teachers are aliens? You could be right! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – They never met a hot dog they didn't like... until now! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – High times. Hard bodies. Soft rock. It was the last day of summer camp! (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – A place you'll never forget. A time you'll always remember. (00:00)

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:

• Introduction/Plot Breakdown – You won't be coming home! (00:00)

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!