"CROWvember" concludes! Not with another Russell Crowe movie, but with the actual bird! Sorta? I dunno, just roll with us here, as we look at 2024's The Crow, a long-gestating comic book movie franchise reboot that went through a lot of permutations, with multiple directors and leading men attached, before finally arriving (with Rupert Sanders at the helm and Bill Skarsgard in the lead role), and being met with a combination of audience apathy and outright anger. But is the movie better than the reputation it immediately cultivated? Is it a worthy part of the Crow franchise legacy? And does it justify its own existence, despite the concerns of many that it was disrespectful to Brandon Lee and the tragedy of the original film to even make this movie in the first place? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
New month, new theme. We're kicking off "CROWvember" with yet another failed franchise starter from the surprisingly-regularly-featured-on-F2F Russell Crowe. But this time, it's a classy, prestige play Oscar contender from acclaimed filmmaker Peter Weir that was, nevertheless, meant to hopefully kick off a cinematic series. Adapted from the long-running "Aubrey/Maturin" period war-drama novel series by Patrick O'Brian, 2003's Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a rousing 19th century naval battle action epic. But for all the excitement of ship vs. ship conflict, at the heart of the film is a story of loyalty, duty, and male friendship. In an era unfortunately dominated by displays of male toxicity, did we two dudes find something more admirable and aspirational in the friendship of the two dudes played by Crowe and Paul Bettany? And, do we think even a big Best Picture contender like this could really justify a blockbuster-like series of sequels? We discuss all this and more, as we set out to sail in the choppy waters of "CROWvember." Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
Our special "Trick 'r(esident) Tre(vil)" month concludes, with the 2021 cinematic reboot of the Resident Evil series. We've lost Milla Jovovich and Paul W.S. Anderson (except for an in-name-only producer credit), but hey, we've got a crap-ton of 1998 references to make up for it! That's because Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City promised to be a more faithful adaptation of the original video game source material, condensing the first two games into one movie. And yet, even with this allegedly more accurate representation of the beloved video game series, Welcome to Raccoon City clearly did not spawn the same sort of long-running, financially successful franchise that Paul W.S. Anderson's less faithful adaptation did. But...why? We pull out our Palm Pilots and investigate. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
For a special Halloween edition of our "Success to Series" spin-off show, we're taking a break from our usual failures and instead beginning our "Trick 'r(esident) Tre(vil)" theme month, with a loving look at a series we unironically adore - Paul W.S. Anderson's six-film Resident Evil saga (2002-2016), starring Milla Jovovich. We explain why we genuinely enjoy this oft critically-panned series, once again pontificate on the star-power of Jovovich, and try to figure out why we're okay with the huge liberties Anderson took when adapting the video game source material. Ultimately, we take a look at each individual entry in the franchise, sharing our favorite moments and characters, and discuss why the series can possibly be viewed as a deeply personal auteur vision. Yes, that's right, we're still talking about Paul W.S. Anderson movies. So get ready to kick some zombie dogs - and kick aside any concerns about continuity or narrative logic, while you're at it - and join us for an in-depth look at Resident Evil. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"Double-Shafted September" concludes with our look at Shaft, the second reboot of Shaft, following Shaft. Yeah, ok, this is pretty confusing without the years, isn't it? Just to be clear, this is the 2019 version, another attempt to kick-start a version of the franchise with Samuel L. Jackson as John Shaft, Jr. But this time, he's not alone, as the actual, ostensible main character is actually Jr's son, John "JJ" Shaft III, played by The Boys' Jessie T. Usher. JJ is a new kind of Shaft, a nerdy, millennial tech-expert working for the FBI. But when he decides to conduct a personal investigation into the death of a close friend, JJ is forced to team up with his absentee, old-fashioned, private eye father. If you think this sounds like a goofy "buddy cop" premise, you're not wrong, as the 2019 Shaft attempts to take the series in a more comedy-based direction. Is it successful as a comedy? Is it successful as a Shaft movie? Is it even successful as a sequel to the previous Shaft? We discuss all this, and more, as we once again get double-shafted. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
Are you ready to be shafted? No? Well, how about...double-shafted?? Cause we're kicking off "Double-Shafted September," a two-episode series dedicated to both attempts to relaunch the iconic Blaxploitation franchise that started with 1971's Shaft. First up, we're looking at 2000's Shaft (yep, same name), directed by John Singleton, and starring Hollywood's biggest badass M'Fer, Samuel L. Jackson. In this updated version, Jackson plays John Shaft, the nephew of Richard Roundtree's original John Shaft, this time an NYC detective working to bring the wealthy perpetrator of a heinous race-crime (Christian Bale) to justice. But standing in his way is a vindictive local gangster (Jeffrey Wright)...and a troubled behind-the-scenes production which frustrated many involved with making the movie. Is this Shaft as sexy and cool as the original? Was Samuel L. Jackson the right man to inherit the role? And can a supporting performance be both problematic and still arguably the best thing about the movie? We discuss all this, and more! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
Here it is! It's all been building to this! The epic conclusion of "Summer Surprise," and one of our most anticipated....err, or should we say dreaded episodes yet! That's right, it's 1987's The Garbage Pail Kids, based on the controversial, extremely popular, '80s Topps trading card set parodying the mega-successful Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. How does one make a movie out of a non-narrative trading card line? Is the proper target audience for a Garbage Pail Kids movie kids or adults? Can an audience handle over 90 minutes of looking at purposely disgusting mutant children and their various body fluids? Is the world of fashion a proper setting for an anarchic, gross-out comedy? And, most importantly, does "Small Town Witch Summer" continue? We explore all these questions and more, as we finally dive into the intentional stinky, slimy junk-pile that is The Garbage Pail Kids Movie. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"Summer Surprise" continues with...what's this? Another witch movie?? That's right, but this one has a hell of a pedigree. A family dark-fantasy romp from Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment, starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett, and directed by...Eli Roth?? Huh. So how did the infamous filmmaker behind such extreme horror hits as Cabin Fever, Hostel, and Thanksgiving handle the opportunity to helm a more family-friendly adventure story based on the first book in a popular series of children's novels? Was this still an effective match for his twisted sensibilities, or a defective marriage of contrasting styles? Can Jack Black's unique charisma keep this clock ticking? How does it compare to the Goosebumps films of the same era, also starring Black? Is there such a thing as too many poop jokes? We discuss all this, and more! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
The "Summer Surprise" randomizer brings us yet another classic TV show turned big-budget movie, this time with a look at 2002's I Spy, a groundbreaking dramatic spy series from the '60s starring Robert Culp and Bill Cosby, now re-imagined as an action-comedy big-screen adventure starring Owen Wilson and Eddie Murphy. The cinematic I Spy clearly failed to make the impact the filmmakers hoped for, but is it entirely the movie's fault? How much did Eddie Murphy's other then recent box-office bombs hurt the perception of this film? Does original star Bill Cosby's tarnished legacy now further diminish the movie's reputation? Or did the movie itself just miss the mark with the changes it made to the source material? We ponder all these questions and more, in - surprisingly - one of our most contentious episodes in some time! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"Summer Surprise" rolls along, and this time around our online randomizer has chosen a film from perhaps our most dreaded cinematic genre - a "supernatural romance" YA adaptation! That's right, 2013's Beautiful Creatures was another studio attempt to cash-in on and replicate the success of Twilight, and upon its release it was roundly dismissed as such by both critics and audiences. But could this Southern Gothic tale of love and witchcraft possibly work its magic on us? If nothing else, will we fall under the spell of one of the most impressive ensemble casts we've encountered so far, with Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Emma Thompson, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Margo Martindale, Zoey Deutch, and Lois Lane herself, Rachel Brosnahan? Or will we once again be left "cursing" the fates that caused us to watch yet another YA adaptation? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"Summer Surprise," our annual event where an online randomizer picks our slate of summer movies, kicks off with 1988's attempt to turn the iconic TV horror hostess Elvira into an iconic big screen star...which, obviously, didn't quite work out. But why? With Elvira-mania in full swing in the 80s, what kept the spooky and goofy comedy of Elvira: Mistress of the Dark from connecting with movie audiences? We investigate that question, and also explore the history of the Elvira character and fascinating life of Cassandra Peterson, the woman behind Elvira. All the while, Elvira-neophyte Chris worries an admittedly Elvira-obsessed Trev might not be able to contain himself during the discussion. So, c'mon, don't be a boob; and be sure to listen to one of our breast episodes yet! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"Fighting VideoLAMES" concludes, with a look at the adaptation at one of the most popular, financially successful fighting game franchises in the world. But even that pedigree wasn't enough to save the movie from a lengthy struggle to even get released. Disregarded by many fans upset over changes to the source material, and equally disavowed by the game's creators, the Tekken movie is arguably one of the lesser-known cinematic video game adaptations. But does any of that necessarily mean it's bad? We're here to discuss that very question, and also ponder what exactly constitutes a "failed franchise," as this movie did manage a sequel of sorts a few years later. So why are we talking about it here? Listen on to find out! Plus, a preview of our upcoming episodes with the selection of our annual "Summer Surprise" movies! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"Fighting VideoLAMES" continues with a look at the adaptation of Tecmo's Dead or Alive video game franchise. The games, about an international martial arts tournament put on by a mysterious, potentially sinister corporation, are known not only for their fast-paced hand-to-hand combat and colorful roster of characters, but also for their focus on beautiful, badass female characters and, controversially, the "jiggle physics" animation that is used to bring them to life (most infamously seen in the Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball spinoff). The 2006 cinematic adaptation, helmed by Hong Kong martial arts film legend Corey Yuen, looked to embrace the same outlandish, silly, and sexy spirit as the games. But this begs the question; is the resultant film ultimately more exploitative than exciting? We knew we couldn't (shouldn't?) try to answer this question alone, so for this discussion, we've recruited an actual woman (gasp!) to join in the fun. That's right, our friend Jackie returns to F2F to discuss her own experience with video games (and their sometimes heavily gendered nature), before we all dive in dissect DOA: Dead or Alive, in what is, surprisingly, our biggest episode yet! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd Jackie's Twitter
For the latest installment of "Fighting VideoLAMES," we're looking at Capcom's second attempt to bring their beloved Street Fighter II to the big screen. Far from the silly, colorful spectacle of the JCVD/Raul Julia version, this time around Capcom opted for a more grounded, dramatic take, focusing primarily one single Street Fighter character in hopes of kicking off an MCU-like string of sequels ultimately culminating in a big team-up movie. But even with Kristen Kreuk, a hot TV star of the time, in the titular role as one of the video game's most popular characters, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li once again failed to cement Street Fighter as a cinematic brand. So what went wrong this time? How much can you change from the source material before you're no longer really making a true adaptation? And just what is going on with that Chris Klein performance? We discuss all this, and more! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
We're kicking off "Fighting VideoLAMES," a four-episode series covering cinematic adaptions of fighting video-games, with the first of two movies based on one of the most iconic, popular fighting games of all time: 1994's Street Fighter. With an all-star cast including Jean Claude Van Damme and Raul Julia (in his final onscreen appearance), produced by the very company that made the video game, and released while Street Fighter II mania was at a high, the movie seemed like a can't-miss proposition. And, to be fair, the movie was a financial success. But between an extra chaotic production and fan dissatisfaction over liberties taken with the story and characters of the game, the movie still quickly took on the reputation of an infamous cinematic disaster. The question is, is the movie truly an unwatchable mess, or is it actually the enjoyable camp classic its growing cult of fans and defenders over the years claim it to be? Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"Mark WahlTURD & the Yucky Bunch" concludes, as the singer-turned-actor-turned-business-mogul and his frequent collaborator, director Peter Berg, leave behind the growing unpredictability of theatrical box office for the apparent comfort and safety (and big paydays) of the streaming world. But even there, you're not entirely safe from the perils of a failed franchise starter, as you'll hear when we discuss 2020's Spenser Confidential, the cinematic adaptation of a popular series of detective novels which already enjoyed some filmed success in the TV world in previous years. So why wasn't this later made-for-the-small-screen effort able to hook audiences in the same way? And, perhaps more importantly, does that even matter to Wahlberg, as his career and interests have shifted in new directions? Join us for our first ever look at a streaming-exclusive movie! And, as always, stay pray'd up. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
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! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"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! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
Here at Failure to Franchise, we don't like making fun of actors. So trust us when we say our new theme, "Mark WalhTURD and the Yucky Bunch," dedicated to four failed franchise starters from Boston rapper-turned-actor Mark Wahlberg, is, uh, a tribute. First up, 2001's Planet of the Apes remake, which was meant to be Wahlberg's first foray into mega-blockbuster leading man territory. Helmed by beloved Hollywood weirdo Tim Burton, and featuring incredible makeup effects by Rick Baker, the film seemed like a can't-miss attempt to reboot the classic sci-fi franchise. Instead, it left the series in need of another reboot attempt a decade later. What went wrong? We're here to figure it out! Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd
"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. Our Twitter Our Facebook Our Instagram Our YouTube Trev's Letterboxd Chris' Letterboxd