Failure to Franchise (Trev & Chris 2020)
Explorez tous les épisodes de Failure to Franchise
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Sep 2022 | Episode Fifty-Two - Streets of Fire (1984) | 01:35:55 | |
"Custom cars, kissing in the rain, neon, trains in the night, high-speed pursuit, rumbles, rock stars, motorcycles, jokes in tough situations, leather jackets and questions of honor." These were the elements director Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hrs.) said he wanted to include in Streets of Fire, a "Rock'n'Roll Fable" which he saw as a tribute to everything he loved about movies in his youth. But did this mixture of so many influences result in a pretentious, style-over-substance mess, or an ambitious, cutting-edge, modern action classic? We'll be the judges of that, in the latest installment of our "Fall Back to the 80s" mini-series! | |||
| 27 Oct 2020 | Episode Six - A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) | 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? | |||
| 08 Oct 2024 | Episode 106 - Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001) | 01:26:27 | |
It's a long held belief in Hollywood that, with only a few exceptions, cinematic adaptations of video games just don't work. So perhaps it's not surprising that the makers of the first big-screen Final Fantasy movie in 2001 thought it would be more beneficial to concentrate on at least creating a groundbreaking technological achievement, rather than worry about sticking to the story elements and tone the popular game series was known for. But when that desire ended up causing a lengthy, over-budget, and complicated production, the question became - and remains - was their ambition applaudable or misguided? Or maybe both? We're kicking off "Animation (3D)evastation" by asking that very question...and pondering the possibilities of fully digital movie stars, with Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within. | |||
| 13 Aug 2024 | Episode 102 - Child's Play (2019) | 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. | |||
| 18 Jul 2023 | Episode Seventy-Four - Source Code (2011) | 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! | |||
| 08 Nov 2022 | Episode Fifty-Six - The Pacifier (2005) | 01:47:29 | |
It's a time-honored "rite of passage" tradition. The biggest action stars of Hollywood attempt to also show their softer side with a light family comedy. Schwarzenegger had Kindergarten Cop. Stallone had Stop, Or My Mom Will Shoot! Dwayne Johnson had The Tooth Fairy. John Cena had Playing With Fire. Dolph Lundgren had, uh, Kindergarten Cop 2. And in 2005, one of the industry's more recent rising action stars teamed with Disney to make his own attempt at this image evolution. The film was a big success, but years later - and despite what the star has himself claimed about franchise potential - no sequel has materialized. We investigate why this might be, as we dive into The Pacifier for Part One of "No-Vin-ber," our month-long tribute(?) to Vin Diesel. | |||
| 11 Feb 2025 | Episode 114 - The Sum of All Fears (2002) | 01:42:34 | |
It's out with January, and in with "FebruaRYAN." That's right, this month we're taking a look at Tom Clancy's beloved CIA analyst turned reluctant hero, Jack Ryan. After the successes of The Hunt for Red October, with Alec Baldwin as Ryan, and Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, which saw Harrison Ford take over the role, Paramount Pictures were sure they had a long-running, bulletproof spy-thriller franchise on their hands. And yet, two subsequent attempts to reboot the series were both dead-ends. In this episode, we're looking at the first attempt to relaunch the series with a new origin for the Jack Ryan character, and a new, younger leading man in the role - 2002's The Sum of All Fears, starring Ben Affleck as Ryan. Arriving just months after the tragedy of 9/11, this movie seemed advantageously primed to capitalize on the news of the day in order to muster extra attention. But was the film's story a little too close to recent events for the audience's comfort? And was Ben Affleck's recently changing fortunes as a leading man more of a distraction than a benefit? | |||
| 08 Apr 2025 | Episode 118 - Mile 22 (2018) | 01:21:54 | |
The third installment of "Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" jumps ahead 15 years to 2018, where Mark Wahlberg, now very much a movie star, is looking to team up with director Peter Berg, his recent favorite collaborator, for a new espionage action thriller. But it's a rocky road to get there, as the movie in question was originally developed as a potential star vehicle for a totally different performer. Why did Mile 22 evolve into something else entirely? How did Wahlberg's "James Silva" go from supporting role to main character? What is a "gauntlet movie," and does Mile 22 fit the definition? And, most importantly, is the movie any good, and did it deserve sequels? We discuss all this, and more! | |||
| 17 Aug 2021 | Episode Twenty-Six - Assassin's Creed (2016) | 01:14:25 | |
If ever the "video game movies always suck" axiom was going to be disproved, 2016 ASSASSIN'S CREED seemed like a great candidate to do so. Based on a very successful video game franchise, the movie version came along with a popular leading man determined to do right by the property, an impressive supporting cast, a critically acclaimed director, and the creative involvement of the actual video game company behind the game. Everyone involved seemed intent on making something quite unique and special in the "video game movie" genre. But at what point does that sort of experimentation take a turn for the worse? | |||
| 15 Mar 2022 | Success to Series #1 - James Bond 007 | 01:09:32 | |
And now, for something completely different. In the first edition of our new "spin-off" show, we're turning out attention from the world of failed franchises to franchises that not only very much worked, but that we're big fans of. Join us as we discuss the James Bond franchise, sharing our thoughts on what makes this particular franchise work - why it's so iconic, why it has stood the test of time, and how we each rank the individual Bond actors. All this and more, in what we hope is a little bit of a more positive discussion than usual (though don't worry, we'll be back to talking about failures with our next episode). | |||
| 22 Jun 2021 | Episode Twenty-Two - The Fifth Element (1997) | 01:57:25 | |
When a giant ball of evil that makes phone calls is one of the LEAST wild things in your movie, you know you got a special one. "May-la June-vovich" concludes with a look at Milla's star-making turn in Luc Besson's bonkers sci-fi epic. It doesn't really get any more 90s than this, folks - an engaged, interested Bruce Willis! A super over-the-top Gary Oldman! A constantly screaming Chris Tucker! A healthy mix of CGI and practical effects! And of course, Milla, in her most iconic role ever (sorry, Alice). Plus, we randomly draw the next five movies we'll be covering, as we get ready for the "F2F Summer Surprise!" | |||
| 15 Sep 2020 | Episode Three - Waterworld (1995) | 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. | |||
| 03 Aug 2021 | Episode Twenty-Five - Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) | 01:56:28 | |
Before 2018, the idea of a failed franchise starter in the world of STAR WARS might have seemed somewhat ridiculous. But little did the world know the trials and tribulations that would face SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY, the prequel film many fans already considered to be ill-advised in the first place. Between the much publicized change of directors mid-production (leading to major costly reshoots) and being released in the aftermath of one of the franchise's most divisive films ever, SOLO certainly faced an uphill battle upon its release...a battle the box-office returns would suggest it substantially lost. So what IS the film's ultimate legacy within the STAR WARS franchise? And why exactly is this movie responsible for perhaps our most contentious episode yet? | |||
| 07 May 2024 | Episode Ninety-Five - The Avengers (1998) | 01:26:34 | |
May is here, and that means it's time for "Summer Sweeps," a five-episode look at failed cinematic adaptations of classic television series. First up, The Avengers. No, not those Avengers! We're talking about the 1998 attempted-blockbuster, starring Ralph Fiennes, Uma Thurman, and Sean Connery, based on the cult-classic British spy action-comedy series of the '60s. While the original show - which had a fascinating development history - was popular in both the UK and North America, and made stars out of both Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg, the '98 movie was, well, less well-received. But what went wrong? Does the movie manage to capture the campy-charm of its source material? Can the entirety of a decade-spanning, ever-evolving series really be encapsulated in a 90-minute movie? And is there a potentially more successful longer-cut of the film, waiting to be seen? We discuss all this, and more! | |||
| 11 May 2021 | Episode Nineteen - Ultraviolet (2006) | 01:33:29 | |
What happens when someone makes a vampire movie, but forgets to bring the vampires? Our two month "May-la June-vovich" extravaganza kicks off with a look at ULTRAVIOLET, Milla's 2006 mash-up of THE MATRIX, UNDERWORLD, RESIDENT EVIL, and every techno song you've ever heard. From poorly-rendered CGI to confusing mythology to "gun-kata," this one has it all. So slip on your best color-changing, midriff-baring outfit, and join us for a celebration of this bizarre Milla Jovovich star vehicle. | |||
| 10 May 2022 | Episode Forty-Four - Mortdecai (2015) | 01:38:01 | |
Our "May the Farce be with You" event kicks off with a look at 2015's Mortdecai, the movie that seeks to answer the eternal question - just how many jokes can one film make about a single mustache? While star Johnny Depp had enjoyed an impressive, long-time-coming reign as one of Hollywood's biggest stars during the first decade of the 2000's, his career was clearly floundering by the time he strapped on Mortdecai's signature handlebar mustache...and the resultant critical and box-office reaction certainly didn't help matters. But could this adaptation of the cult series of British novels about an adventurous, aristocratic art dealer really be as bad as its reputation suggests? | |||
| 09 Apr 2024 | Episode Ninety-Three - Evilspeak (1981) | 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. | |||
| 15 Aug 2023 | Episode Seventy-Six - The Haunted Mansion (2003) | 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? | |||
| 04 Jun 2024 | Episode Ninety-Seven - Miami Vice (2006) | 01:38:51 | |
"Summer Sweeps" rolls on, with our look at Michael Mann's 2006 adaptation of his classic '80s detective series, Miami Vice. Coming back to the property that played a big part in making his Hollywood career, and doing so with a recently minted movie star in Colin Farrell and recent Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx, probably seemed like a can't-lose scenario for Mann. But the movie version of Miami Vice was a notoriously chaotic and even dangerous production, before the film itself was released to lackluster box-office and confused reactions from audiences and critics alike, many of whom seem befuddled the film was so different than the show that inspired it. In recent years, the movie has been reclaimed by a devoted cult of fans who say it was simply ahead of its time. So who's right - the Vice-heads, or the original detractors? | |||
| 02 Feb 2021 | Episode Thirteen - Fantastic Four aka Fant4stic (2015) | 01:46:14 | |
A rare case of a superhero movie where the behind-the-scenes drama was more action-packed than anything onscreen, Josh Trank's 2015 reboot of FANTASTIC FOUR has become a go-to example of the dangers of conflicting visions, tonal uncertainty, and conflicts between cast, crew, and studio. But is the movie really AS bad as its reputation? Strap on your blonde wigs and take a listen, as we dive into this infamous attempt to once again bring Marvel's first family to the big screen. | |||
| 23 Nov 2021 | Episode Thirty-Three - Jupiter Ascending (2015) | 01:45:06 | |
In part two of our special month dedicated to the Wachowski's, in preparation for THE MATRIX RESURRECTIONS, we're looking at their last theatrical feature as a filmmaking duo (at least for now) - 2015's ambitious space opera, JUPITER ASCENDING. Is Mila Kunis a worthy replacement for Natalie Portman? Is Channing Tatum best utilized as a half man, half dog super soldier? And just what the hell is Eddie Redmayne trying to do here?? All these questions and more are pondered, as we scrub some toilets and then go on a wild intergalactic adventure. | |||
| 13 Oct 2020 | Episode Five - Friday the 13th (2009) | 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. | |||
| 30 Mar 2021 | Failure to Series #2 - Not Another High School Show | 00:49:37 | |
In the second installment of our spin-off series about failed TV pilots, we're looking at Comedy Central's 2007 attempt to turn the hit 2001 film NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE into a weekly series, with NOT ANOTHER HIGH SCHOOL SHOW. Despite reuniting the original film's creative team, and featuring young up-and-coming stars like Alison Brie and Jennifer Lawrence, the show didn't work nearly as well as the film that inspired it. What went wrong? Well, there's no Chris Evans...but there're gotta be more to it than that. We're here to figure it out. | |||
| 30 Jan 2024 | Episode Eighty-Eight - Punisher: War Zone (2008) | 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. | |||
| 11 Oct 2022 | Episode Fifty-Four - Masters of the Universe (1987) | 01:34:57 | |
After multiple years as a best-selling toy-line and popular animated series, it seemed like a live-action movie was a can't-miss proposition for Mattel's Masters of the Universe property. But between an untested leading man, a notoriously cheap studio, and disagreements over what the movie should be between various involved parties, even the mighty He-Man was no match for the difficulties of Hollywood franchise filmmaking. "Fall Back to the 80s" continues as we take a look at the film that confused and angered many children back in 1987....well, at least the ones who even bothered to see it in the first place. | |||
| 11 Apr 2023 | Episode Sixty-Seven - The Shadow (1994) | 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! | |||
| 21 Dec 2021 | Episode Thirty-Five - Tank Girl (1995) | 01:39:15 | |
When is a Harley Quinn movie NOT a Harley Quinn movie?? When it's the 1995 cult favorite, TANK GIRL! Directed by Rachel Talalay, and starring Lori Petty, Naomi Watts, Ice-T, and Malcolm McDowell, this comic book adaptation introduced the moviegoing public to the titular character, an icon of both indie-comics AND the "Riot Grrl" movement of the 90s. But could a mainstream studio version possibly stay true to the anarchic, anti-authority attitude of the original comic? Find out here, in the second installment of "Failure to Franchise with Trev & Chris-tmas." | |||
| 31 Jan 2023 | Episode Sixty-Two - Charlie's Angels (2019) | 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." | |||
| 21 Nov 2023 | Episode Eighty-Three - The Flash (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." | |||
| 03 Jan 2023 | Episode Sixty - The A-Team (2010) | 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! | |||
| 22 Dec 2020 | Episode Ten - Catwoman (2004) | 01:40:33 | |
When is a Batman movie NOT a Batman movie? How literal can a movie's title be? Can you convince an Academy Award winning actress at the height of her stardom to rub her face in catnip and swat at insects? Is there anything sexier than an alley pick-up game of one-on-one basketball? And who is the mysterious man known only as...Pitof?? In this episode, we answer these questions and more, as we take a look at the ill-fated 2004 attempt to create a new version of an iconic DC comic character. | |||
| 12 Oct 2021 | Episode Thirty - Dracula Untold (2014) | 01:42:23 | |
Given the immense popularity of the Dracula character over the 100+ years since Bram Stoker's original novel, it's not surprising that many fans and writers alike would be keen to explore the origin of the villainous vampire. But how does one go about crafting an "official," audience-pleasing backstory for a character who has enjoyed so many different interpretations throughout the decades? What version of the character do you want to build to? And should the formula you aim to emulate be taken from the popular superhero movies that currently dominate the box-office, instead of the horror genre more commonly associated with the character? An inability to effectively grapple with these questions might play a key role in the downfall of 2014's DRACULA UNTOLD, as our two-month "Curse of the Dark Universe" event continues. | |||
| 16 Jan 2024 | Episode Eighty-Seven - The Punisher (2004) | 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). | |||
| 21 May 2024 | Episode Ninety-Six - The Mod Squad (1999) | 01:25:26 | |
Our "Summers Sweep" look at failed movie adaptations of classic TV series continues, with one of the more "movies that time forgot" entries we've ever covered: the 1999 update of the late 60s/early 70s, "youth-delinquents-turned-undercover-cops" detective series, The Mod Squad. Despite an impressive cast - including Claire Danes, Omar Epps, Giovanni Ribisi, Dennis Farina, Josh Brolin, and Richard Jenkins - the Mod Squad movie still failed to make much of an impact with critics or audiences at the time of its release...or in the years since. Could it be that trying to update a premise so inextricably tied to a particular time-period and youth movement was a bad idea? We ponder this question and more, while also discussing the importance of exposition in origin stories, the value of commercial tie-ins with Levis Jeans, and the risks of "going Full Ribisi." So take a listen, if you can dig it, daddy-o. | |||
| 21 Feb 2023 | Success to Series #4 - Underworld | 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. | |||
| 18 Jan 2022 | Episode Thirty-Seven - Robin Hood (2018) | 01:33:01 | |
In the second installment of "New Year's Robin-lutions," we're jumping forward just eight years, to 2018's ROBIN HOOD. If Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe couldn't deliver a successful franchise based on the legend back in 2010, would an emerging star and a director known mostly for TV fare much better? Well, I think we all know the answer to that. But does upping the action and utilizing time-tested tropes from a multitude of other films and TV shows at least make this one a more entertaining endeavor? | |||
| 24 Sep 2024 | Episode 105 - The Road to El Dorado (2000) | 01:12:08 | |
Our "Animation (2D)evastation" month concludes with The Road to El Dorado, Dreamworks Animation's 2000 attempt not only to pay tribute to the classic Bob Hope & Bing Crosby Road To... movies of the past, but also - more importantly - try to beat Disney at their own game with a rollicking, animated musical adventure. And they even went the distance of recruiting Lion King music collaborators Tim Rice and Elton John to try to recapture the same magic again. So what exactly kept Road to El Dorado from enjoying Lion King-level success? Why does it enjoy a cult following today? And how important is it to have everyone involved with the production of a movie trying to make the same kind of movie? We discuss all this, and more! | |||
| 30 Jul 2024 | Episode 101 - Leon: The Professional (1994) | 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. | |||
| 23 May 2023 | Episode Seventy - The Love Guru (2008) | 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! | |||
| 17 Dec 2024 | Episode 110 - Monster Trucks (2017) | 01:33:23 | |
It's once again the most holly, jolly time of the year - "Failure to Franchise presents Trev and Chris-tmas," when we gift each other movies off our long F2F list that we might otherwise not be getting to anytime soon. First up, Chris gifts Trev a notorious box-office and critical flop that Trev has nonetheless always wanted to see ever since it first half-heartedly sputtered into theaters. But...why? Perhaps it has something to do with the film's bizarre origins. After all, how many would-be Hollywood blockbusters can legitimately claim to come from the mind of an actual four-year-old? Well, Monster Trucks can! So strap in and buckle up, as we take this surprisingly star-studded take on the "boy and his pet monster" trope out for a spin around the track. | |||
| 05 Nov 2024 | Episode 108 - The Saint (1997) | 01:31:35 | |
Here at Failure to Franchise, we love a dependable journeyman. And that's why we're kicking off "Noyce-vember," a one month tribute to one of Hollywood's (well, technically, Australia's) most unsung journeymen directors, Phillip Noyce. First up, his 1997 adaptation of The Saint, a popular vigilante character who had already graced the world of literature, radio, film, and - most notably - a beloved '60s television series starring Roger Moore. For this wannabe movie blockbuster version, Noyce recruited Val Kilmer as the titular master of disguise. After 1995's Batman Forever and Heat culminated a fairly undeniable cinematic run for Kilmer, a few misses in 1996 meant The Saint - the movie he chose to do instead of another Batman film - was an important moment in his career...the moment where moving forward he would either be confirmed as a legitimate, franchise-launching leading man, or seen more a comeback-seeking former star more known for his alleged difficulty to work with. Well, we all know how that worked out. But should The Saint have elevated Kilmer to another level? We discuss this, and much more! | |||
| 18 Jun 2024 | Episode Ninety-Eight - Get Smart (2008) | 01:23:12 | |
"Summer Sweeps" rolls right along, as we turn our attention to the cinematic adaptation of Get Smart, the popular 60s television spy-spoof from comic legends Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. For the movie version, Hollywood recruited heavy-hitters such as Steve Carrell, Anne Hathaway, Alan Arkin, and even Dwayne "Franchise Viagra" Johnson, and were rewarded with a genuine hit. So why didn't the success of the film spawn the hoped-for franchise? What's the deal with straight-to-video spin-off films? How much Subway product placement is too much Subway product placement? And, most importantly, does the Get Smart movie live up to the comedic legacy of the original series? We discuss all this, and more! | |||
| 16 Aug 2022 | Episode Fifty-One - The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) | 01:35:13 | |
It's own lead actors didn't understand the script. The studio had no idea how to market it. And many critics of the time were utterly baffled by it. And yet, over the years, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension has still attracted a devoted cult following. Is this wild tale of a rock'n'roll scientist battling interdimensional aliens actually a misguided failure, or a misunderstood masterpiece? We're here to discuss that very question, in the latest installment of our "Fall Back to the '80s" mini-series. Give a listen, and always remember...wherever you go, there you are. | |||
| 20 Jun 2023 | Episode Seventy-Two - Maximum Ride (2016) | 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. | |||
| 01 Sep 2020 | Episode Two - Ghostbusters (2016) | 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. | |||
| 06 Jul 2021 | Episode Twenty-Three - The Karate Kid (2010) | 01:33:31 | |
Before COBRA KAI resurrected the KARATE KID franchise, another attempt was made to reboot the series on the bring screen - this time with a new set of characters, a different setting, and even a different type of martial arts. Developed by Will & Jada Pinkett Smith as a star vehicle for their young son, Jaden, the new KARATE KID would also feature international mega-star Jackie Chan stepping into the mentor role made famous by Pat Morita. How does this retelling of the story stack up against the original 80s classic? Listen and find out, in the first installment of our "Summer Surprise" editions. | |||
| 05 Dec 2023 | Episode Eighty-Four - The Nice Guys (2016) | 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. | |||
| 21 Jun 2022 | Episode Forty-Seven - Son of the Pink Panther (1993) | 01:26:46 | |
In the second installment of our second annual "Summer Surprise," we're looking at the final feature film of a legendary comedy director. Not only that, but it was another entry in a mega-successful, beloved franchise from that very same director. So why didn't this attempt to restart the series after a long break catch on with audiences? Well, there are many answers to that (and we discuss many of them here), but let's just go ahead and say the transition from Peter Sellers to Roberto Benigni was probably always destined to be a tough sell to audiences. But is there anything here for fans of the previous Pink Panther films to enjoy? Listen on and find out. | |||
| 17 Jan 2023 | Episode Sixty-One - Baywatch (2017) | 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. | |||
| 09 Nov 2021 | Episode Thirty-Two - Speed Racer (2008) | 01:53:07 | |
With the eagerly anticipated MATRIX RESURRECTIONS on the horizon, we're spending November looking at two of the Wachowski's failed attempts at post-MATRIX franchises. First up, their colorful, hyperactive, and heartfelt adaptation of the classic 60s anime series, SPEED RACER. Is it a misguided mess, or an ahead of its time masterpiece? We certainly have our very strong opinion on it. | |||
| 31 Aug 2021 | Episode Twenty-Seven - Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (2011) | 01:21:02 | |
When no sequel materialized for 2006's SUPERMAN RETURNS (a tale to be told in a future episode of this show), it might have seemed like star Brandon Routh's dreams of headlining his own comic book movie franchise were over. But the up-and-coming leading man would get a second chance in 2011...and THEN his dreams of headlining a comic book movie franchise seemed more or less over. So, what happened? In this episode, we take a look at the pitfalls of adapting a popular Italian action-horror comic series for an international audience largely unfamiliar with the character, especially when adding in a modest budget, first-time live-action director, and a collection of well-trodden genre cliches, with 2011's DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT. | |||
| 29 Sep 2020 | Episode Four - Super Mario Bros. (1993) | 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!" | |||
| 27 Apr 2021 | Episode Eighteen - King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) | 01:43:55 | |
With centuries of retold and rewritten tale to choose from when deciding to adapt Arthurian legend for a modern audience, it's easy to see why the task might feel overwhelming. Perhaps the solution is to simply choose the BEST, most interesting elements of the story, and concentrate on those moments for your film. Or, I dunno, maybe the better idea is just to say "eh, don't worry, we'll eventually get to all of it cause we're clearly gonna make six of these babies." That was certainly the approach Warner Bros. took in 2017, when they hired Guy Ritchie - a director more known for tales of down-on-their-luck hoodlums than virtuous knights - to craft a brand new, epic Arthur film, and promised it would be the beginning of a new multi-movie cinematic universe. Spoiler: it wasn't. | |||
| 25 Mar 2025 | Episode 117 - The Italian Job (2003) | 01:42:17 | |
"Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" rolls along into 2003, when a much-in-need-of-a-comeback Mark Wahlberg decided to hop on the then popular trend of remaking classic '60s heist movies, with a modern update of the beloved Michael Caine crime caper The Italian Job. Here, Wahlberg and a crew of fellow eccentric thieves (a "funky bunch," if you will) seek to pull off a heist as revenge against a former compatriot who has done them wrong. The movie's action scenes undeniably started a Mini Cooper popularity boom, but what about the rest of the movie? Is it as sexy as The Thomas Crown Affair? Is it as cool as Ocean's Eleven? Why did one of its stars hate being in it? And, most importantly for our theme, did it reignite Wahlberg's flailing movie star career? We discuss all this, and more! | |||
| 05 Jan 2021 | Episode Eleven - Battleship (2012) | 01:52:53 | |
You sunk our franchise! Get it?? That's right, in this episode, we're looking at BATTLESHIP, the second of TWO failed 2012 Taylor Kitsch blockbusters. This time, it was an attempt to turn a popular board game about naval combat into a TRANSFORMERS-like sci-fi/action series, complete with aliens, bombastic action, and in-your-face patriotism. But why here have there been six TRANSFORMERS movies to date, and only one BATTLESHIP? Listen on to find out. | |||
| 28 Sep 2021 | Episode Twenty-Nine - The Wolfman (2010) | 01:53:27 | |
Undeterred by the failure of 2004's VAN HELSING, Universal Pictures were still eager to resurrect their famous Universal Monsters film properties. In 2006, they signed Benicio Del Toro, a superfan of 1941's THE WOLF MAN, to both produce and star in a remake of the Lon Chaney Jr classic. Four years later, following a tumultuous production period consisting of a last-minute director change, costly reshoots, a strange controversy regarding the score, and multiple release date delays, the new WOLFMAN finally hit theaters...and quickly became one of the costliest bombs in Hollywood history. So what went wrong? Was the film just truly as cursed as its titular protagonist? | |||
| 31 Oct 2022 | Success to Series #3 - The SAW Franchise | 01:32:40 | |
Do you want to play a game? It's Halloween, so we're dropping an extra-special surprise bonus episode. In the latest installment of our "Success to Series" spin-off, we're looking at one of our favorite horror franchises...Saw! That's right, the James Wan/Leigh Whannell created series that used to be synonymous with Halloween...and perhaps will be again soon? We discuss why we think the series is better than its critical reputation suggests, our favorite twists and traps of the various films, and each give our full franchise ranking. All this, and more. So crank up "Hello, Zepp," and give it a listen. | |||
| 28 Mar 2023 | Episode Sixty-Six - The Rocketeer (1991) | 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. | |||
| 25 Apr 2023 | Episode Sixty-Eight - The Phantom (1996) | 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!" | |||
| 22 Nov 2022 | Episode Fifty-Seven - The Last Witch Hunter (2015) | 01:32:03 | |
After Vin Diesel's full return to the Fast & Furious franchise in 2009 steered the series back on track (see what we did there?), he once again enjoyed the sort of clout he hadn't seen since early in his career. He utilized this clout to indulge in some of his "nerdier" sci-fi and fantasy interests. First, by bringing back his beloved Riddick character for a third film. And then, in 2015, by trying to start up a brand-new franchise loosely based on the original character he had created for his own real-life Dungeons & Dragons campaigns. But do audiences want to see Diesel battle witches, warlocks, and monsters as much as they want to see him drive fast cars? "No-VIN-ber" continues with our look at The Last Witch Hunter. | |||
| 12 Sep 2023 | Episode Seventy-Eight - Supergirl (1984) | 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(?). | |||
| 14 Feb 2023 | Episode Sixty-Three - Vampirella (1996) | 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?" | |||
| 25 Feb 2025 | Episode 115 - Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) | 01:37:36 | |
"FebruaRYAN" concludes with a look at 2014's Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. Twelve years after The Sum of All Fears failed to reignite the Jack Ryan franchise, Paramount tried once again to tell a new Ryan origin story, with a new "hot young star of the moment" leading man in the role. But this particular Ryan movie arrived in a post-MCU world, when the importance of "IP" had become even more evident, and the concept of - say it with us - "cinematic universes" had become all the rage. How did that affect the approach to Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit? And why did the movie ultimately suffer essentially the same fate as its predecessor? We discuss all this, and more, as we wrap up our look at failed reboots of Tom Clancy's beloved CIA analyst. | |||
| 27 Feb 2024 | Episode Ninety - A.X.L. (2018) | 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. | |||
| 03 Dec 2024 | Success to Series #5 - Final Destination | 01:29:51 | |
In the return of our "Success to Series" spin-off show, we're taking a look at one of the most popular and unique horror franchises of the 2000s, Final Destination. What is it about the series' pitch-black humor and overly-elaborate death scenes that we find so amusing? We try to get to the bottom of this question, while also exploring the original film's surprising TV origins, sharing our favorite deaths from each installment, ranking the individual films, and paying tribute to the late, great Tony Todd. Plus, we write and share Final Destination-style death scenes for each other! So watch out for falling objects, make sure to step over any tripping hazards, and - whatever you do - don't drive behind any logging trucks while you listen to this in-depth discussion of Final Destination. | |||
| 20 Dec 2022 | Episode Fifty-Nine - Lost in Space (1998) | 01:52:23 | |
In the second installment of this year's "Failure to Franchise with Trev & Chris-tmas," it's a blast from Chris's past, as we're looking at the 90s reboot of a beloved 60s sci-fi series whose reruns were a childhood favorite of Chris's. But does the movie version live up to the show? How does it play for someone less familiar with the original series, like Trev? And why the heck did this thing seemingly kill Matt Leblanc's Hollywood leading man status just as it was beginning? We discuss all this, and more, as we get Blarp'd and examine Lost in Space. | |||
| 22 Oct 2024 | Episode 107 - The Adventures of Tintin (2011) | 01:31:06 | |
An iconic character, beloved around the world. A fairly successful box-office haul. And a creative team including Steven Moffat, Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Kathleen Kennedy, Peter Jackson, and Steven freakin' Spielberg!! What the hell is this movie doing on our show?! That's what we're here to figure out, as "Animation (3D)evastation" concludes with a look at The Adventures of Tintin. Sought after as a movie project by Spielberg as early as 1983, it may have taken over three decades to finally make it to the big screen, but this meant the project had time for its breathtaking motion-capture CGI technology to catch up to the visions of its filmmakers. Would those technological breakthroughs be enough to satisfy the character's global audience...and win over the less familiar American audience? And if not, why not? We discuss this and much more, as we ask the eternal question, "just what is this Tintin guy's deal, anyway?" | |||
| 29 Aug 2023 | Episode Seventy-Seven - Artemis Fowl (2020) | 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. | |||
| 14 Mar 2023 | Episode Sixty-Five - Dick Tracy (1990) | 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. | |||
| 04 Jan 2022 | Episode Thirty-Six - Robin Hood (2010) | 01:16:58 | |
Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2022 by sharing with you our "New Year's Robin-lutions," looking at two of Hollywood's many attempts to adapt the classic legend of Robin Hood. First up, the 2010 film, which - despite one of the most baffling pre-production journeys in film history - still seem poised for big things, as the reunion of Gladiator director and star Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe in a similar big-budget historical action drama. So, uh...what the heck happened?? | |||
| 02 Jul 2024 | Episode Ninety-Nine - Land of the Lost (2009) | 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! | |||
| 25 May 2021 | Episode Twenty - The Three Musketeers (2011) | 01:35:22 | |
Our two-month "May-la June-vovich" extravaganza continues, with a look at a collaboration between Milla Jovovich and her husband, Paul W.S. Anderson. No, not the RESIDENT EVIL movies. And no, not last year's MONSTER HUNTER, either. Instead, we're tackling Anderson's 2011 THREE MUSKETEERS adaptation, in which the writer/director bravely answered the question readers have been asking for almost 200 years - would this story be better with giant flying airships blasting each other with cannons? As for Milla, she takes on the role of Milady de Winter, one of literature's great villains. How did it all shake out? Well, certainly not well enough to get a sequel, but what did WE think of it? | |||
| 04 Jul 2023 | Episode Seventy-Three - Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010) | 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! | |||
| 09 May 2023 | Episode Sixty-Nine - The Cat in the Hat (2003) | 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! | |||
| 10 Nov 2020 | Episode Seven - Judge Dredd (1995) | 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! | |||
| 02 Mar 2021 | Episode Fifteen - The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013) | 01:33:07 | |
F2F's "Mortal March" kicks off with another dive into the waters of YA fantasy cinematic adaptations. This time, we're looking at a tale of half-human/half-angel warriors tasked to protect Earth from vampires, werewolves, and demons, and the "average" teenage girl pulled into their world after learning her secret destiny. It's a tale of ancient runes, goth costuming, and forbidden romance...VERY forbidden romance, in fact. Will the Hollywood version of this story have the guts to tackle one of the most controversial elements of the original book series? What is the point where "a lot" of exposition becomes "too much" exposition? And why did Phil Collins go so hard on the Disney TARZAN soundtrack? (Trust us, that last question actually has a connection here.) | |||
| 08 Jun 2021 | Episode Twenty-One - Hellboy (2019) | 01:51:03 | |
When Guillermo Del Toro's HELLBOY franchise sputtered out, it was only a matter of time until Hollywood tried to give Mike Mignola's popular comic series another cinematic try. With a popular horror movie and TV director at the helm, a fan-favorite geek icon actress as the main villain, and a star from the beloved STRANGER THINGS taking over in the lead role, the ingredients seemed promising. Could this new HELLBOY possibly live up to the high standards set by Del Toro's two films? Well, probably not...but why? We discuss, in the third installment of "May-la June-vovich," two months dedicated to the failed franchise starters of Milla Jovovich. | |||
| 20 Jul 2021 | Episode Twenty-Four - Jem and the Holograms (2015) | 01:33:42 | |
A popular sci-fi/fantasy rock cartoon from the 80s is resurrected for the big screen treatment by one of the most successful production companies in Hollywood. But what seemed like a sure-fire hit was marred by a perceived lack of respect for the source material and a controversial contest that might have exploited the original property's fanbase. We discuss all this and more, as we look at 2015's JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS. | |||
| 26 Apr 2022 | Episode Forty-Three - Sky High (2005) | 01:29:09 | |
In part two of "April Showers Bring April Powers," we're looking at Disney's mid-aughts superhero comedy, Sky High. With Kurt Russell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Danielle Panabaker, Kelly Preston, Bruce Campbell, Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Kevin Heffernan, Lynda Carter, Jim Rash, Cloris Leachman, and even the voice of Patrick Warburton, it's one of the most impressively geek-friendly casts of all time. But was a pre-MCU audience ready for a movie designed to poke fun at tropes that hadn't yet fully entrenched themselves into the very core of the cinematic landscape? Well, we're covering the movie on this show, so you can probably guess at that one. | |||
| 23 Apr 2024 | Episode Ninety-Four - Evil Dead (2013) | 01:35:12 | |
"Evil Easter" concludes, with a look at 2013's Evil Dead...uhhh, remake? Reboot? Re-imagining? Look, whatever you want to call it, it's another movie where a bunch of kids in a cabin get murdered by demonic forces, okay? The question is, without the franchise's beloved, iconic leading man, Bruce Campbell, and with series director Sam Raimi now just in a producer role instead of in the director's chair, could new director Fede Alvarez and a brand new cast manage to capture the bloody-good-time spirit of the original trilogy? And what tone would the 2013 entry even aim for, given the tonal smorgasbord of the first three movies? Come with us as we head to the cabin, stupidly read from the obviously evil book, and seek to answer these questions, and more. | |||
| 12 Apr 2022 | Episode Forty-Two - Hancock (2008) | 01:40:41 | |
In a surprisingly topical kick-off to our "April Showers Bring April Powers" event, we're taking a look at a film where beloved Hollywood "good guy" Will Smith plays a jerk who the public doesn't really trust, and who is in desperate need of some image-restoring PR. Sound oddly familiar? Well, that's just a happy coincidence, because Hancock was actually a long-gestating project - a superhero genre deconstruction that, ironically, hit theaters just as the superhero genre was really about to take off. What do we think of the film's narrative and tonal shifts? Was Will Smith the right man for the job? And where could sequels actually have gone? We discuss all this, and more. | |||
| 28 Feb 2023 | Episode Sixty-Four - Vampire Academy (2014) w/ GUEST! | 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?) | |||
| 07 Nov 2023 | Episode Eighty-Two - Black Adam (2022) | 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. | |||
| 15 Feb 2022 | Episode Thirty-Nine - My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009) | 01:26:55 | |
It's the second installment of "February Frights 3D," AND it's the most romantic time of the year. So what better way to celebrate than with a look at the remake of one of the 80s' signature slashers, My Bloody Valentine. Sure, horror remakes like this were all the rage in the mid to late 00s, but how many starred one of the leads of Supernatural?? Well, alright, the Friday the 13th reboot from that very same year did, as well...but hey, that one didn't have the added benefit of also utilizing the latest in at-the-time cutting edge 3D technology. It's good old fashioned slasher mayhem, coming right at ya in three dimensions, and like the psychotic miner killer himself, we're here to dissect it. | |||
| 07 Jun 2022 | Episode Forty-Six - Men In Black: International (2019) | 01:29:22 | |
It's the first instalment of the second annual "Summer Surprise," where we're letting an online randomizer choose our next watches. First up, a very recent attempt to relaunch a once mega-successful summer sci-fi/comedy blockbuster series...without the original stars or director. But is the addition of two MCU actors (Chris Hemsworth & Tessa Thompson) fresh off the success of another humorous box-office hit (Thor: Ragnarok) enough to nevertheless revive this franchise? Well...no. The real question is...why? What went wrong? And why has one of the most beloved blockbuster hits of the 90s had such a hard time with sequels, in general? All this and more is discussed, as we tackle 2019's Men in Black: International. | |||
| 14 Sep 2021 | Episode Twenty-Eight - Van Helsing (2004) | 01:31:55 | |
Failure to Franchise's two-month "Curse of the Dark Universe" event kicks off, with a look at this much maligned Monster mash from the early 2000s. In the wake of director Stephen Sommers' wildly successful THE MUMMY and THE MUMMY RETURNS, Universal was eager to have him potentially relaunch the entire classic Universal Monsters line. His solution for this was to dive right into a crossover-type film featuring several of the monsters, but not focusing on ANY of them. Instead, Sommer's title character would be a drastic reinvention of Dracula's most famous enemy, now played by one of the biggest up-and-coming movies stars of the era. A hot director. A hot leading man. And a movie full of time-tested iconic horror characters. What could could possibly go wrong with 2004's VAN HELSING? | |||
| 02 Aug 2022 | Episode Fifty - Flash Gordon (1980) | 01:37:24 | |
Join us as we "Fall Back to the 80s" (yeah, we know we're starting in the summer...what of it??), a special three-month event dedicated to some of the most infamous failed franchise starters of the 80s. First up, Dino De Laurentis' cult-classic adaptation of a beloved sci-fi character, Flash Gordon. Not only was this movie clearly made to cash in on the Star Wars-mania of the time, but it even has another fascinating connection to George Lucas. But, needless to say, the movie did not fare as well as Star Wars...could the gamble of hiring an untested newcomer in the titular role have something to do with it? Does it effectively tow the line between "camp" and genuine drama? And just how damn catchy is that Queen theme song, anyway? All this discussed, and more! | |||
| 26 Oct 2021 | Episode Thirty-One - The Mummy (2017) | 01:47:41 | |
Which is ultimately more dangerous - a mummy's curse, or the ego-driven demands of a movie star? Well, one of the two is at least partly responsible for the sinking of not just this episode's movie, but arguably the entire cinematic universe it was meant to kick off. That's right, our two-month "Curse of the Dark Universe" event concludes with the movie that inspired it all - Universal's recent attempt to launch a brand new series of connected franchises starring the classic Universal Monsters. And the film they chose to kick-start it all (after the failure of DRACULA UNTOLD, that is) was the Tom Cruise-starring reboot of THE MUMMY. Cursed, or just misguided? We certainly have our thoughts. | |||
| 16 Feb 2021 | Episode Fourteen - I Am Number Four (2011) | 01:41:41 | |
In the wake of TWILIGHT's pop-culture explosion in 2008, every major studio was looking to launch the next big movie franchise based on a popular Young Adult literary series. In this episode, we take our first dive into these crowded YA waters. When Michael Bay and Steven Spielberg were eager to cash in on the TWILIGHT-craze themselves, they turned to the manuscript of an at-the-time unreleased sci-fi adventure book by a controversial author (writing, with a partner, under the pen-name "Pittacus Lore"), called I AM NUMBER FOUR. While the book WOULD go on to spawn a successful literary series, the movie adaptation...well, we're talking about it on this show, so you get the idea. But what went wrong? Let's discuss. | |||
| 07 Dec 2021 | Episode Thirty-Four - Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013) | 01:28:56 | |
In the first installment of "Failure to Franchise with Trev and Chris-tmas," we're ringing in the holidays by "gifting" each other a single movie from our long list of potential topic films. First up, with 2013's Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Chris attempts to give Trev what was meant as a harmless little fairy tale/action mash-up, in order to pay tribute to the man of the hour himself, Jeremy "Hawkeye" Renner. However, an unforeseen dark element of the film's director's cut is waiting around the corner to potentially destroy our festive spirits. And here we thought it would be all that witch's candy making us sick to our stomachs... | |||
| 01 Feb 2022 | Episode Thirty-Eight - Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013) | 01:32:13 | |
In the first installment of "February Frights 3D," we're looking at Lionsgate's 2013 attempt to relaunch the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Following two entries from Platinum Dunes that established a brand new continuity, the 2013 film instead decided to follow the lead of previous sequels and simply make a direct follow-up to Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic original - this time with the added benefit of the 3D gimmick. But would the surprising story decisions of the film leave fans of the franchise feeling "revved up," or would they be begging for a hammer to the head? | |||
| 19 Nov 2024 | Episode 109 - The Bone Collector (1999) | 01:48:31 | |
"Noyce-vember," our month-long tribute to journeyman director Phillip Noyce, concludes! So how did Noyce follow up the disappointment of 1997's The Saint (which we looked at last time), you ask? Simple - by recruiting one of Hollywood's biggest stars, Denzel Washington, teaming him with a young starlet on the brink of mega-stardom named Angelina Jolie, and putting them together in an adaptation of a recent hit crime-thriller novel. Sounds like a good plan, right? Except he ended up with another failed franchise starter! What's the deal?? Well, we're taking a look at The Bone Collector to see if it's a truly worthy entry in the "90s serial killer movie" canon, or just another tired Se7en wannabe. | |||
| 25 Oct 2022 | Episode Fifty-Five - Shocker (1989) | 01:36:01 | |
In the 70s, Wes Craven shocked unsuspecting audiences with the unrelenting brutality of The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes. In the 80s, he redefined what the slasher-film could be with A Nightmare on Elm Street. In the 90s, he gave horror a thrilling meta-edge with both New Nightmare and Scream. But in 1989, he was, uh, a little less successful with Shocker. So what exactly went wrong with Craven's own attempt to out-do Freddy Krueger with the creation of a new supernatural slasher? Listen on to find out, in the final installment of our "Fall Back to the 80s" miniseries! | |||
| 06 Jun 2023 | Episode Seventy-One - The Seeker: The Dark is Rising (2007) | 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! | |||
| 13 Feb 2024 | Episode Eighty-Nine - Mac and Me (1988) | 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! | |||
| 19 Jul 2022 | Episode Forty-Nine - V.I. Warshawski (1991) | 01:25:22 | |
A bestselling book series about a tough-talking female detective, adapted into a feature starring one of the most successful actresses of the previous decade. It sounds like a can't-miss proposition. And yet 1991's V.I. Warshawski failed to connect with audiences, denying star Kathleen Turner her own crime-thriller franchise. So what happened? Was the hard-boiled style simply out of style? Was the mix of comedy and drama too tough for viewers to take? Or was it just that damn title? Like Warshawski herself, we investigate whether this movie is better than its reception at the time deserved, or if its somewhat forgotten status today is warranted. But be forewarned...even we're a little confused about this one. | |||
| 01 Mar 2022 | Episode Forty - Salt (2010) | 01:26:00 | |
It's a new month, and a new theme. We're kicking off "March Mix-Up," a series devoted to both the bad and good of spy cinema, with a look at Phillip Noyce's Salt, from 2010. Originally developed as a spy thriller franchise for Tom Cruise, the film was ultimately reworked to instead be a star vehicle for Angelina Jolie. Was this an upgrade? Are influences of the Bourne films a hindrance or a benefit? And how does the movie, while only being a little over ten years old, hold up today, in a landscape now dominated by more fanciful superhero fare? Join us as we get salty (sorry, not sorry) while discussing all this and more. | |||
| 26 Sep 2023 | Episode Seventy-Nine - Steel (1997) | 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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| 16 Jul 2024 | Episode ONE HUNDRED - A Look Back (2020 to Now) | 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! | |||
| 10 Sep 2024 | Episode 104 - Doug's 1st Movie (1999) | 01:18:45 | |
"Animation (2D)evastation," a month dedicated to two 2D animated failed franchise starters, kicks off with a look at 1999's Doug's 1st Movie. Based on Doug, the hit series that started as one of the original "Nicktoons" on Nickelodeon, before being bought by Disney and moving to Disney for its later seasons, Doug's 1st Movie was an attempt to see if the series could make the jump to feature length. Though, to be fair, not necessarily theatrical success, at least at first, since the project was first conceived as a straight-to-video effort. So what made Disney change their minds and decide to put it in theaters, and was it a good decision? Well, we're covering it on this show, so you probably know the answer to that, but still, we're here to talk about it! | |||