Franchise Killer: Recent Episodes
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Welcome to Franchise Killer, a podcast where we pick movie franchises, or wannabe franchises, review them film-by-film and see where things went wrong….or right.
On this episode we close out what for a long time was the Matrix trilogy with THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS. It's the only one of the three to be mixed-to-negatively received and left a bit of a stink on the franchise. Since then, the stocks of RELOADED and REVOLUTIONS have risen, but do we side with the original consensus, or do we feel this one was unfairly maligned? More importantly, what are YOUR thoughts on this movie and the trilogy as a whole?
We may still be riding the high after watching the absolutely stellar THE MATRIX, but duty calls, so we're diving right into the sequel: THE MATRIX RELOADED. The film was arguably one of the most anticipated movies of its time, and is often sited as a bit of a disappointment when compared to the first. Still, it and it's sequel have seen a bit of a re-appraisal. Do we agree with the original consensus that this is not a good film, or are we compelled by the direction it takes. Find out in the episode.
This week we're diving into another BIG franchise...THE MATRIX! A film that triggered the first Keanu Reeves renaissance and catapulted The Wachowskis into mainstream consciousness. We talk about this film's many technological advancements, it's action, the music, the actors, the philosophy! It's got it all. What are your thoughts on THE MATRIX?
NEW MINISERIES ALERT! We're kicking of the "Simulation Theory" miniseries with the divisive Steven Spielberg-directed film: READY PLAYER ONE. It's one of our more contentious discussions and some (faint) battle lines are drawn. What are you thoughts on this nostalgia-fueled CGI fest?
We've come to the end of another miniseries, and what better way to close it out than with a movie that literally has "Conclusion" in the title. That's right, this week we're talking about the epic finale to the Baahubali franchise...BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION!
This week we talk about our first Tollywood film, BAAHUBALI: THE BEGINNING! This epic genre fusion filled with abrupt tonal shifts worked wonders on us and had us pumping our fists and waiting with bated breath for the sequel. While it's not perfect, every element of this movie provoked lively conversation. What are YOUR thoughts on BAAHUBALI: THE BEGINNING?
On this week's episode we talk about IRON MONKEY directed by the legendary Yuen Woo-ping. As novice martial arts film fans we were blown away by the action choreography on display in this film. Another thing most of us didn't know? Well, in keeping with AJ's "Hoods from different Hoods" mini-series...it's kind of a Robin Hood story! Have YOU seen IRON MONKEY, and if you have, are you a fan? Let us know your thoughts.
On this week's episode we poke two holes in a piece of cloth, call it a mask, and get right into talking about THE LEGEND OF ZORRO! It's a sequel that took seven years to see the light of day, yet seems like almost no original ideas were poured into it during that time. Some of us like it more than others. Do you have thoughts on this (PG-rated!) sequel to THE MASK OF ZORRO?
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On this episode we're talking about Martin Campbell's THE MASK OF ZORRO! It's a swashbuckler that makes us long for the way movies used to be made. These days every blockbuster feels like a two-hour slog through CGI sludge. Not so with Zorro. Charismatic actors, palpable romance, excellent fight choreography and a compelling story, this one has it all. What are your thoughts on this '90s semi-classic?
Also, if you enjoy our podcast and have spare coin to give, you can donate to our paypal account. Link:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fkpodcast
It's that time again. The Summer Movie Wager...plus half of Spring! We gather together to make our predictions for the highest grossing movies of the Summer (+Spring) movie season. A lot is at stake, as in, whoever wins gets a prize in the $30-40 range. What films do you think will top the list? Which ones will bomb? And what are your hot takes? We want to hear them all.
Also, if you enjoy our podcast and have spare coin to give, you can donate to our paypal account. Link:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/fkpodcast
In this week's episode we're closing out our Robin Hood trilogy with ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES. It's been a bumpy ride with this legacy character so far...and that trend continues! We can't quite figure out if we like this one or not, but there's certainly qualities to this film that remain immensely nostalgic, and for good reason. What are you thoughts on this 1991 semi-classic?
This week we talk about Ridley Scott's gritty take on ROBIN HOOD. This is the third historical epic Scott had directed at the time, which begs the question: How does it hold up compared to the likes of GLADIATOR and KINGDOM OF HEAVEN?
We're kicking off a new miniseries: 'Hoods from different hoods', a mini-series about vigilantes that serve the needs of oppressed peoples. Let's just say there's a good amount of taking from the rich and giving to the poor. We're kicking things off on an...interesting note with Otto Bathurst's ROBIN HOOD (2018). What are your thoughts on this film, and additionally, how do you feel about bow-and-arrow machine guns?
After a little time off, we're back with one of our biggest episodes yet. David's 'Superhero Status: It's Complicated!' mini-series comes to an epic close with Zack Snyder's WATCHMEN! It's a film we feel is unfairly maligned despite most agreeing that it may actually be the filmmaker's best work. What are your thoughts on the adaptation of the iconic "impossible to adapt" graphic novel by the king of curmudgeons, Alan Moore?
This week we close out the Eastrail 177 trilogy with the massively polarizing GLASS. We were fans of both UNBREAKABLE and SPLIT, and we knew going in that this one would be more contentious. SO...where do we stand with this one? Where do YOU stand? For our thoughts listen to the episode, and for yours, please drop a comment and let us know what GLASS means to you.
(SPOILERS)This week we're talking about the most unexpected back-door sequel of all time...SPLIT! We think the film is great, but the end almost steals all of the buzz. What are your thoughts on this surprising sequel to UNBREAKABLE?
Just in time for KNOCK AT THE CABIN we're diving into our first M. Night Shyamalan film! It's the movie that was originally perceived as a sophomore slump, but now has its place among the holy trinity of the director's filmography. It's UNBREAKABLE! What are your thoughts on this film? Is it the filmmaker's best work (Something we may or may not have disagreements over in this episode)? Leave a comment!
HO HO HOOOOO!! It's time for a Franchise Killer Christmas Special! Join us this week as David takes his first stab at hosting on our first Christmas movie ever, ELF. This Jon Favreau film came out of nowhere in the early 2000s to surprise us all with Will Ferrell's first leading role. Are we all on the same page with this bombastic piece of winter wonderland cinema? Did it do enough work to cement itself as a Christmas classic, or does it run Santa's Sleigh into the snow? Listen to find out! What are YOUR thoughts on Elf?Please leave us a review and tell us what you think!We also have an Instagram where I would like you to go to ELF post and comment your TOP 3 favorite holiday films!
PS. Our good friend James Caldwell gave us a nice little present this year with a special intro just for this Christmas special. THANKS BUDDY! So if you liked it and are in need of an audio engineer, you can reach out to him on his instagram: @garbanzo.bean
It's time to talk 'Kick-Ass 2', one of many disappointing sequels to comic book adaptations of the time including: 'Sin City A Dame to Kill For', '300: Rise of an Empire' and 'Red 2'..the list goes on. Does that mean we disliked it though? You'll have to find out in the episode. What are your thoughts on this sequel? Do you wish the franchise had kept going after this one? Let us know in the comments.
We're talking 'Kick-Ass' this week; a film that subverts tired superhero tropes while sprinkling in the crassness of 'Superbad' throughout for some added flavor. It's also a big breakout moment for Matthew Vaughn, who has since solidified his name as one of the more interesting comic book movie directors to watch, even though much like James Cameron, he's committed to directing every entry in a franchise he inexplicably feels bound to. Did 'Kick-Ass' work for us? Find out in the episode and tell us YOUR thoughts on the film in the comments.
This week we're talking about HANCOCK, and surprisingly it's the first time we've been able to get a Will Smith film on the board. Talk about putting your best foot forward. HANCOCK is frequently regarded as a tale of two films; one pretty good, and one pretty bad. Join us as we try to ignore previous biases and view this film through a fresh, more analytical lens. What are you thoughts on Peter Berg's foray into the superhero genre?
!!NEW MINISERIES ALERT!! The Superhero Status: It's Complicated miniseries begins!! This week we dive into a vat of acid and come out with a corrosive dvd copy of THE TOXIC AVENGER! It’s a film we had hoped to cover before Halloween but missed the date, so you’ll hear lots of talk about this being our “Halloween movie” even though most people don’t even associate this as horror. In addition to this, sorry this isn’t our Hancock episode as we promised at the end of the last episode, but we had to squeeze this one in. Anyhow, THE TOXIC AVENGER is a special movie that maybe we just don’t “get”, what are your thoughts on this true cult classic?
This week we're talking about a film that has about as firm a grasp on its title as it does the science behind how time loops work. The movie is EDGE OF TOMORROW, and this week we welcome Alex and Sharon Shaw from the School of Movies podcast to help us sort out all this nonsense.
You can find School of Movies wherever you listen to your podcasts and at schoolofmovies.podbean.com
After a long Summer and late Spring of movie releases, the box office has finally settled down and the results to our Summer (and Spring) Movie Wager are here! Come and join the party and let us know what you thought of this Summer's releases and their respective performances at the box office.
We've finally made it to the end of the long and winding road that is the Terminator franchise...and we're ready to meet our dark fate. Ignore that. We're talking TERMINATOR: DARK FATE, which is at least the third attempt to kick-start a new trilogy and the second film to try to erase previous films in the franchise in an effort to give the series a face-lift. Is it successful? Find out what we thought in the episode, and also give us YOUR thoughts on TERMINATOR: DARK FATE and the franchise as a whole.
We’ve slowly but surely been making our way through the Terminator franchise and we’re finally at what most would agree is the nadir of the series: TERMINATOR GENISYS. That being said, it’s still a Terminator film, which means that despite its constant attempts at self-sabotage, there are still interesting questions and ideas in the film worth talking about, and by default it's nowhere near some of the worst films we've covered on this podcast. What are YOUR thoughts on TERMINATOR: GENISYS?
This week we’re talking TERMINATOR SALVATION! By critic standards it’s the first Terminator film to receive more negative reviews than positive, and remains to this day to be one of the more divisive Terminator films. That’s why this week Julio Olivera from The Contrarians podcast joins us to shed some light on why perhaps the naysayers are wrong, and why it's a tragedy that this franchise remains too gun-shy to push the limits of where they can go. What are YOUR thoughts on TERMINATOR SALVATION?
Check out The Contrarians wherever you listen to your podcasts and at www.wearethecontrarians.com
This week we come down from the high that was T2 and settle in to the rest of what this franchise has to offer with TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES. This is where paths start to split; some like 3, some like 4, some like...6? Anyway, we have positive things to say about this one but there are definitely some chinks in the armor that are starting to show. What are YOUR thoughts on TERMINATOR 3?
This week we come down from the high that was T2 and settle in to the rest of what this franchise has to offer with TERMINATOR 3: RISE OF THE MACHINES. This is where paths start to split; some like 3, some like 4, some like...6? Anyway, we have positive things to say about this one but there are definitely some chinks in the armor that are starting to show. What are YOUR thoughts on TERMINATOR 3?
We took a week off, but I think we've made up for it with this massive episode all about TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY! It's one of the biggest blockbusters of all time and in a way, the sole guarantor for each of its four sequels. So, is this James Cameron's best film? Is it Arnold's best role? What are YOUR thoughts on T2?
We took a week off, but I think we've made up for it with this massive episode all about TERMINATOR 2: JUDGEMENT DAY! It's one of the biggest blockbusters of all time and in a way, the sole guarantor for each of its four sequels. So, is this James Cameron's best film? Is it Arnold's best role? What are YOUR thoughts on T2?
This week we're beginning a six week journey where we'll be exploring the TERMINATOR universe! And of course, we're starting with James Cameron's breakout film, THE TERMINATOR! This movie was the first sign that James Cameron (and to a similar extent Arnold Schwarzenegger) might be someone to pay attention to. Little did everyone know that he would go on to become one of the biggest directors of all time. What are your thoughts on THE TERMINATOR?
Believe it or not, this is the 107th time we've recorded this episode about SOURCE CODE, and the first time we've been able to successfully upload it and thus finally break the seemingly infinite time loop we've been caught in. And yes, if you're wondering, we're starting a new miniseries all about...time loops! SOURCE CODE was Duncan Jones' second feature and it came out at a time when gimmicky, high-concept sci-fi was a thing. Remember LIMITLESS and THE ADJUSTMENT BEAUREU? They all three came out in same year. The question is: was SOURCE CODE the best of them? What are your thoughts?
We're closing out yet another miniseries with one of the biggest cult classics yet: SCOTT PILGRIM VS. THE WORLD! Despite some of our mixed feelings on the titular Scott Pilgrim, it's pretty much a love fest for the entire episode, and we can't wait until we get to talk about another Edgar Wright film. What are your thoughts on SCOTT PILGRIM?
On this week's episode we're talking about Zack Snyder's SUCKER PUNCH. It's the first film directed by Zack Snyder that's not an adaptation. PURE. UNFILTERED. SNYDER. And we'll say this...it's a movie! Is it good? Well...uh...what are YOUR thoughts on SUCKER PUNCH?
Grab your tots and make sure they're zipped securely in your cargo shorts pocket because we're talking NAPOLEON DYNAMITE! It's one of the bigger cult classics that's notable for its very small budget and its breakout box office success. What are your thoughts on the film? Does it deserve its cult classic status?
This week we're getting into another cult favorite, DONNIE DARKO. It's a film with so much on its mind, every scene introduces something new and if you're not paying attention you may lose the thread. Thankfully David did his homework this week and keeps us from scratching our heads too much. What are YOUR thoughts on DONNIE DARKO?
This week we're starting a new mini-series, the deep breath surreal coming-of-age cult favorite miniseries, and we're starting with the widely mis-marketed, and misunderstood JENNIFER'S BODY. While we still have criticisms and some of us like it more than others, it's definitely a perfect example of a film that didn't get a fair shake and has only grown more respected over time. What are YOUR thoughts on JENNIFER'S BODY?
This week we ENTER THE DRAGON! That's right, we're talking about the Bruce Lee classic that with a forceful kick and a punch brought Kung Fu films fully into the mainstream. I mean, who didn't have an uncle that practiced nunchucks in his parents' garage because of this movie? Something else noteworthy: this is the only good film in Noah's miniseries and I think we're all thankful he ended on a high note, still, it's been an amusing run. What are your thoughts on ENTER THE DRAGON?
ENDGAME! No, not that Endgame...HIGHLANDER: ENDGAME roaring applause. That's right, we're covering the epic conclusion to a franchise featuring god-like, lightning-powered beings that "Go for the head". Sadly, they're not named Thor, and this is not an Avengers movie.
Maybe it's some undiagnosed illness that we all share, but we found more to like in 'Highlander III: The Sorcerer' despite its near-unanimous negative reception, that or 'Highlander II' was just THAT bad and it made this one look better. Yeah, it's probably the latter. What are YOUR thoughts on Highlander III?
Well, we wanted to talk about 'Highlander', but didn't take into consideration the great price we would have to pay for doing so: watching the three sequels. So is 'Highlander II: The Quickening' the best of the worst, or the absolute bottom of the barrel?
There can be only one they said. Well, we've got four. But hey, let's keep things positive, this one's pretty good right?...Actually, it's still a pretty bumpy ride. Still, while some of us feel this film is critically flawed and doesn't hold up, others think it's a true cult classic in the greatest sense of the word. What are YOUR thoughts on HIGHLANDER?
We're closing out our discussions on the Mortal Kombat film franchise with...MORTAL KOMBAT (2021). This reboot seeks to take the series in a grittier more grounded direction and also punches in the gore cheat code. Now the big question is...is it better than the 1995 original cult classic of the same name? What are your thoughts?
We get in touch with our animalities on this episode and as Nighthawk would say; it's pretty cool! The movie we're talking about this week is often regarded as one of the worst ever made...MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION. It would seem a movie of this quality would definitively kill the franchise, but there's a bit of a twist ending. What are your thoughts on MORTAL KOMBAT: ANNIHILATION?
Mooooortal Koooombat!
Kano! Liu Kang! Raiden! Johnny Cage! Scorpion! Sub-Zero! Sonya! They're all here, and yes, we've been fist-pumping to that amazing work of techno brilliance by Techno Syndrome ever since our re-watch. That said, is the movie nearly as good as the music? What are your thoughts on the semi-cult classic, MORTAL KOMBAT?
Special bonus episode! Inspired by The Film Cast's annual Summer Movie Wager, we decided to have one as well and we've recorded it for posterity. The game? Each one of the hosts has submitted a top 10 ranking for how they think the Summer and mid-to-late Spring box office is going to play out. The host who has the most accurate placement of their picks by the end of September wins. The rules are explained more in-depth in the episode. We hope you enjoy!
This week we're closing out our Disaster movie miniseries with another heavy-hitter, TWISTER! This is an undeniably entertaining and nostalgic film for us 90's kids, but does it hold up to today's standards? What are YOUR thoughts on TWISTER?
In this week's episode Dwayne Johnson smells what the San Andreas fault is cookin' and turns what should be a harrowing event with mass casualties into a popcorn-munching symphony of destruction with virtually no tension. What are your thoughts on San Andreas?
This week we're talking about Steven Soderbergh's spookily accurate-to-real-times CONTAGION. While we're all impressed by how close the film hit to home, not all of us agree on how successful it is as a narrative. What are your thoughts on CONTAGION?
This week we're discussing 2012! It's the film that correctly predicted in 2009 that because the Mayan calendar would come to an end in 2012, we would be inundated by massive earthquakes, eruptions, floods and every other disaster that you could imagine, all of which would ultimately lead to the near complete destruction of the world. Good thing three Noah's arcs were built. So we come to you from beyond the grave to cover this film and hopefully impart wisdom upon those who survived so they do not suffer the same fate when another ancient calendar expires.
We did it, 100 episodes, and what better movie to celebrate that accomplishment than to talk about one of the biggest success stories in cinematic history; James Cameron's TITANIC. Now I know what you're thinking; isn't this a podcast about franchises? Yes, but believe it or not, there is a very small argument as to why this film qualifies. Despite the light franchise talk, this is a jam-packed episode, and it kicks off our next mini-series covering...DISASTER MOVIES! So put on your life vests and jump on in, the water's ice-f***ing-cold.
This week we're talking about Neill Blomkamp's highly ambitious debut, DISTRICT 9! The film, which was made on a small budget yet still looks like it can hang with the big boys is still a fascinating film to dig into. What are your thoughts on DISTRICT 9?
This week we're talking about the...sequel to 'Moon'? Well, we've been known to stretch the premise of what constitutes a franchise so who cares, we're talking Duncan Jones's 'Mute'! This is our first Netflix film and as a result the first episode without a box office conversation...Sad! What are your thoughts on 'Mute'?
On this episode we talk about a film that tries to prove multiple times if Sam Rockwell can out-act himself. That's right, we're covering Duncan Jones's indie sci-fi film, 'Moon'. It's a movie that a good handful of us had regrettably never seen. What are YOUR thoughts on 'Moon'?
This week we're talking about Andrew Niccol's cerebral science fiction film, 'Gattaca'. The movie didn't do well at the box office but has developed something of a cult following, and we're here to discuss whether or not it holds up. Do you think 'Gattaca' deserves a spot among the greats, or did it deserve its classification as a box office bomb?
Is there a more impossible task than to follow up Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey? Maybe, but this has to be one of the most challenging undertakings in cinematic history. The movie in question is '2010: The Year We Make Contact', a film that has been sort of swept under the rug over the years. We discuss whether or not this film deserves to be reclaimed and placed back on the shelf next to its predecessor. What are you thoughts on 2010?
2001: A Space Odyssey...the franchise! Said no one ever. But here we are. Yes, this week we're talking about the highly influential sci-fi epic '2001: A Space Odyssey', one of the many Kubrick films to show the world how it's really done. In this lengthy episode we dig deep into this highly ambitious film and find its ambiguity to be infinitely more satisfying than all the other films that spoon-feed us the answers.
You wanted the spice? You get the spice. Only catch? This particular spice is over 35 years old. That's right, we're talking about the highly polarizing David Lynch film, DUNE! It's easily our longest episode and its filled to the brim with all sorts of interesting tidbits about both the film and the book upon which it's based, and yes, there's some franchise talk as well. In addition, we've never been more curious to hear YOUR thoughts, so comment below!
We close out our Robin William's miniseries with a stone-cold classic, Good Will Hunting! Yes, the franchise strand here is verrry thin, but it exists, so that was enough of an excuse to talk about it. What are your thoughts on 'Good Will Hunting'?
This week we're talking about 'Good Morning, Vietnam', featuring Robin William's seminal, break-out performance as Adrian Cronauer. What's surprising is that we very nearly got a sequel to this film with a script that sits locked away in the Disney vault, of all places. What are YOUR thoughts on Barry Levinson's 'Good Morning, Vietnam'?
We're talking Flubber this week. Some of us are nostalgic for this film's goofy antics, some of us aren't. What are your thoughts on this remake of 'The Absent-Minded Professor'?
This week we're talking about...THE FISHER KING! We know, it's not a franchise! But it's too late for that, we already talked about it. Despite this film not having any designs on potential sequels, we still had a great conversation about Terry Gilliam's work. Have you seen THE FISHER KING? What are your thoughts?
This week we're talking about Steven Spielberg's HOOK! Yes, it's strange that this is the first Spielberg film we've decided to talk about, but the miniseries is all about Robin Williams, so how could we not? Surprisingly, It's also one of our most divisive episodes yet. Do you think 'Hook' is a classic? Or does it deserve its obscenely low RT score of 29%?
This week we're talking about Disney's ALADDIN! A film that was formative for many of us. It also gave audiences one of the most memorable Robin Williams performances of all time in the Genie...and he didn't even want to be credited! What are your thoughts on Disney's Aladdin? Is this top 5 Disney?
This week we're starting a new mini-series! We will be talking about a collection of films all starring...Robin Williams! As you can see by the episode title, we're starting with 'Mrs. Doubtfire', a film that was nostalgic to some of us and not as much to others. This definitely plays into how much each of us enjoyed the film upon re-watch and resulted in some of our most divergent opinions yet. What are your thoughts on 'Mrs. Doubtfire'?
We're closing out our Monkey Business Mini-series with Peter Jackson's KING KONG! Many complain about how this film takes too long to get to Skull Island, but we sort of like how Jackson builds the anticipation towards the inevitable reveal of the mighty Kong. What are your thoughts on this epic (and epically long) remake?
We watched Brad Peyton's RAMPAGE this week, a film that scientifically proves that we were right all along - you CAN in fact surf a busted helicopter down a falling skyscraper. Also, if someone has big arms - Don't fight them!
Alexander Skarsgard makes numerous animal mating calls, Margot Robbie responds positively to said mating calls, Samuel L. Jackson eats ants, Christoph Waltz chokes people with rosary beads. What do these actions have in common? Well, they're all featured in THE LEGEND OF TARZAN, a film that shows that you can take Tarzan out of the jungle, but you can't take the jungle out of Tarzan. But did we like it? Share YOUR thoughts on the movie in the comments.
Stop your crying, it'll be alright...because we're talking about Disney's TARZAN! Did Disney shoot themselves in the foot when they decided to only make direct-to-dvd sequels to this film, or was it the right call to have this be the one-and-only animated theatrical Tarzan movie? What are your thoughts on Disney's Tarzan?
Hey everyone! As you may have noticed during our Monkey Business mini-series we have brand spanking new intro. We don't get to use every second of it in the episodes themselves so we thought it would only be fair to give everyone the ability to hear it in its entirety, as well as give credit to the masterminds behind it.
A BIG thanks to James Caldwell: He is the producer of this track. He took some ideas of ours and ran with them. If you have any podcast intro needs or maybe just a jingle you're looking to make, he's your guy. You can reach out to us if you have an inquiries.
thefranchisekillerpodcast@gmail.com
Another shoutout to Ben Dubois who wrote and recorded the guitar parts for this track. We were expecting a fun and engaging riff, but this went the extra mile. Thank you so much Ben!
You can find Ben on Instagram @benjamin_dubenjamin
We've got another ape tussle to talk about. The final film in the rebooted Apes franchise might be called 'War for the Planet of the Apes', but it's actually more of a prison break movie...and we like that! Also, do you think this entry solidifies this trio of films as one of the all-time bests?
This week we’re talking about Matt Reeves’ Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’, the follow-up to a film many weren’t expecting to be as good as it was. Is ‘Dawn’ able to bring the franchise to even loftier heights? Find out in this episode!
Shoutout to James Caldwell and Ben Dubois for our new intro music! James is a kick-ass producer and Ben wrote and recorded the guitar parts. If you like it, please leave a comment! Also be on the lookout for a full release of the intro music. It will be the whole piece and have links in the description for Ben and James. We didn't get to use all of it for the intro, but it will have it's own separate file on here for everyone to enjoy!
This week we're talking about RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, one of the few films whose top billed actor's performance was completely motion-captured. Are we fans of this reboot?
Shoutout to James Caldwell and Ben Dubois for our new intro music! James is a kick-ass producer and Ben wrote and recorded the guitar parts. If you like it, please leave a comment! Also be on the lookout for a full release of the intro music. It will be the whole piece and have links in the description for Ben and James. We didn't get to use all of it for the intro, but it will have it's own separate file on here for everyone to enjoy!
On this episode we kick off the Monkey Business mini-series with Tim Burton's PLANET OF THE APES (Yes, we know apes are not monkeys, just go with it). Can Mark Wahlberg lead this franchise, or do the titular apes outshine him? We have thoughts, many thoughts.
We're closing out our Stephen King mini-series with Mike Flanagan's DOCTOR SLEEP. Flanagan took on the seemingly impossible task of following up a stone-cold classic; Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. Does it pay off, or should the Overlook hotel have stayed closed forever?
This week we're talking about Stanley Kubrick's...THE SHINING! There was so much to discuss in this episode that it ended up being our longest yet. Honestly, how could it not be with all the outlandish conspiracy theories associated with literally every frame of this film. It's one of our favorite episodes thus far and we hope you enjoy it. Please let us know YOUR thoughts on 'The Shining' in the comments.
The mighty Stephen King has only directed one movie in his lifetime, and maybe that's for a good reason. The movie in question is 'Maximum Overdrive', and it's...well...it's something. Listen to us reckon with King's magnum opus on this episode.
It's been 27 years and Pennywise has missed us...I wish we could say the feeling was mutual. This is our episode covering the second and FINAL film in the IT franchise. Does this movie bring the series to a satisfying conclusion?
----more----We're keeping it King this week with quite the heavy-hitter...IT! That's right, Pennywise is cackling/drooling his way onto our podcast and we couldn't be more happy (terrified) to face him head-on. Does Andy Muschietti's adaptation live up to the source material and is it better than the 1990 miniseries? Find out on this episode.
This week we're talking about our first film of many based off of the works of Stephen King! That's right, this mini-series is all about the King of horror, and we're kicking it off with an underrated gem: 'Silver Bullet'! Strap in, this is going to be a fun bunch of films.
This week we're rounding out our Greek mythology mini-series with Tarsem Singh's visually stunning IMMORTALS! Greek mythology was strangely in-vogue during the time this film was released, so is this movie the best of the bunch?
This week we close out the short but sweet (?) Titans franchise with...Wrath of the Titans! The film is a continuation/soft reboot for the franchise that some of us feel didn't get the attention it deserved. What are your thoughts on Wrath of the Titans and how does it compare to the original two in the franchise?
This week we talk about our first remake! That's right, we're discussing Louis Leterrier's 'Clash of the Titans', a film that was more successful than the original at kickstarting its own franchise. What are your thoughts on the remake of 'Clash', is it better/worse than the original?
We're keeping it Harryhausen this week with another live-action/stop-motion classic...'Clash of the Titans'! Can it hold a candle to the last film we covered, 'Jason and the Argonauts'? And were there plans for a sequel? Find out in the episode!
On this week's episode we talk about Don Chaffey's 'Jason and the Argonauts'! This film boasts some truly groundbreaking visual effects work from none other than the legend himself: Ray Harryhausen. Is Harryhausen's involvement enough to solidify this film as a classic?
Anyone who listens to this show knows that we reference one of our more obscure early episodes quite a bit. In that episode we talk about 'The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor', an episode where our very own David, in an unprecedented historical moment for the podcast, rated the film a 7-out-of-10. Now you're caught up. If there is any demand that we dredge up old episodes and release them sporadically on the main feed we might be open to it, y'know, just for funsies.
NOTE: Please excuse the poor audio
We close out our discussions about the Percy Jackson franchise with PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS, the second and final film in its series. Does the sequel improve upon the original, or does it sink even lower down into the depths of Charybdis's gullet? Find out on our episode.
We kick off our Greek mythology mini-series with 'Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief'! This film came out during the craze where just about every YA novel was getting a film adaptation. Is this one of the few movies that is successfully brought to life from the page, or should it be cast aside like many of the other failed YA adaptations?
This is our SECOND awards show! This time we're talking about vigilantes/hitman movies. The films nominated for this show are as follows: 'The Equalizer', 'The Equalizer 2', 'Eastern Promises', 'Leon: The Professional', 'Colombiana', 'Sicario' and 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado'. Enjoy!
This week we talk about 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado', a film that had the impossible task of living up to Denis Villeneuve's unimpeachable 'Sicario'. Does the film hold its own? Or does it crack under pressure?
On this week's episode we're talking about Denis Villeneuve's 'Sicario'! It turns out Juarez might not be the #1 location to put on your travel itinerary, who would have thought?
This week we're talking about Olivier Megaton's 'Colombiana'. The film is a loose spiritual sequel to 'Leon: The Professional' but is NOTHING like that film. Find out in this episode if that works in this movie's favor.
This week we're talking about Luc Besson's 'Leon: The Professional'. Did we enjoy this assassin-with-a-heart story? It features a Gary Oldman performance where he goes completely off the rails, so that should be one indicator. Let us know your thoughts on the film and our episode!
Did you know that David Cronenberg wanted to make a sequel to Eastern Promises? Neither did we. Do you think this film deserves a sequel, or should it be left alone?
We're talking about Antoine Fuqua's 'The Equalizer 2' this week. Does Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua's fourth collaboration result in another success? Find out in the episode!
Vigilantes are the name of the game for this new series. We're starting with 'The Equalizer', a movie that spawned one sequel (so far). Is this film just an afterthought, or is there enough meat on this bone for a full-fledged franchise?
This is our first awards show! We give our (meaningless) awards to the films included in our latest mini-series: 2-D animated dark horse films that never got as much love as the cooler kids on the block. The nominees include: 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire', 'The Prince of Egypt', 'The Road to El Dorado', 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron', 'Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas' and 'Treasure Planet'. This is a taste of the content we will providing exclusively for our upcoming Patreon episodes, so stay tuned!
We're closing the book on our series of 2-D animated films with 'Treasure Planet'; the film that just about killed 2-D animation for Disney if not for two other stragglers that released a few years later. Is 'Treasure Planet' an underrated gem, or did it deserve to be a box office dud? Find out on our episode.
We close the book on Dreamworks’ 2-D animated films with Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas. This was the end of 2-D animation for Dreamworks, though the writing had been on the wall for quite some time. What are your thoughts on Sinbad?
We continue our journey through Dreamworks' hand-drawn animated films with 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'. After the financial bomb that was 'The Road to El Dorado', does Bryan Adams' dulcet tones help steer 'Spirit' towards success?
On this week's episode we continue our journey through Dreamworks' short-lived time in the realm of hand-drawn animation with 'The Road to El Dorado'! Is this another film that doesn't get the recognition it deserves, or should it be forgotten along with the rest of the failed animated films of this era?
note This week we have no announcement for the next episode due to a last-minute addition. Next week's episode we will be covering 'Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron'.
This week we get biblical with Dreamworks' 'The Prince of Egypt'! Dreamworks has always been seen as the underdog to Disney, but this film proved that the up-and-coming studio had all of the necessary ingredients to measure up to the house of mouse's output.
This week we're submerging into the depths to talk about 'Atlantis: The Lost Empire'! It's one of a handful of failed Disney projects released in the late 1990's-early-2000's that had designs on being a successful franchise. While it didn't get a (theatrical) sequel, did we still enjoy our time with this film?
We're closing out the Die Hard franchise with John Moore's 'A Good Day to Die Hard'. The film is widely known as the worst in the franchise, but do we agree with the general consensus? And is this the end of Die Hard as we know it?
This week we're talking about 'Live Free or Die Hard'! In this 2007 film McClane says goodbye to the hair, and hello to cyber-terrorists. It's been twelve years since the last Die Hard; are the filmmakers still able to recapture what makes this franchise tick?
First we died hard, then we died harder...now its time to die with a vengeance! What does that mean? Who knows, but we try to figure it out in this episode!
Normally we just talk about a movie, but this week we talk HARDER about DIE HARD 2! Nothing can match the original, but Renny Harlin's sequel does its best to up the ante. Is the film any good? And does it damage or help the Die Hard franchise as a whole? Find out in the episode.
Yippee Ki Yay Mother-listeners! On this episode we're talking about the one-and-only DIE HARD! This is the start of a 5-film series that is sure to be filled with ups-and-downs, but we can all at least agree that the first film is an absolute action classic. If you enjoy the episode please rate/like/subscribe.
On this week's episode we're talking about DRAGONHEART. This film is a bit of an odd duck; many of us find it to be a nostalgic good time, but also agree that it hasn't aged well from a technical standpoint. So where do we fall overall on this one? And why didn't it get any theatrical sequels? Find out in our episode.
This week we talk about Rob Bowman's REIGN OF FIRE! This is a film we feel has been unfairly maligned by critics and actually has some substance on top of the post-apocalyptic dragon mayhem. If you enjoy the episode please rate/like/subscribe.
On this week's episode we take to the skies to talk about the 2006 YA fantasy adaptation, 'Eragon'! This was a film that was meant to follow in the footsteps of fantasy epics such as 'The Lord of the Rings', 'The Chronicles of Narnia' and 'Harry Potter' and hopefully spawn its own successful franchise. It did no such thing, but does that mean it was a total loss? Listen and find out! If you enjoy the episode please like/rate/subscribe.
On this week’s episode we close out the Blade trilogy with BLADE: TRINITY! While many feel that this film is the weakest in the franchise, it’s still not without redeeming qualities, heck, it’s got a vampire Pomeranian, what more could you ask for? If you enjoy the episode please rate/like/subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.
This week we're discussing Guillermo del Toro's BLADE II, a film that is distinctly different from the first film in the franchise. Do we fall on the positive end of the spectrum for this sequel? Find out in the episode. If you enjoy the episode, please like/rate/subscribe.
This week we keep the blood flowing with Blade! This film established Wesley Snipes as the titular Blade, and is also the first Marvel comics adaptation to kick off the renaissance of superhero films that we are still enjoying to this day. If you enjoy the episode please like/rate/subscribe, it helps!
On this week’s episode it’s all about Queen of the Damned, the second film in the Vampire Chronicles series. Gone is the deliciously over-the-top Lestat played by Tom Cruise, but no worries, we have a new Lestat who likes to get down with some sick nu-metal jams, y’know, the only type of music that can raise ancient vampire queens such as Akasha from the dead. If you enjoy the episode, please like/rate/subscribe!
On this week’s episode we prep the stakes and holy water to talk about Interview with the Vampire! It’s the first of two films in The Vampire Chronicles franchise and is the only film to feature both Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the same movie. What did we think of this gothic horror film? And did it spell trouble for the sequel? If you enjoy the episode please rate/like/follow/subscribe.
This week we talk about Stephen Sommers’ monster mash Van Helsing! It’s a nostalgic one for some of us and for some reason we talk more about CGI than we ever have on any other episode. Does Van Helsing hold up? Was it even any good to begin with? Find out in the episode. If you enjoy our podcast please like/subscribe/follow/rate wherever you are listening, it all helps!
On this week’s episode we talk about the last film in the Ocean’s franchise: Ocean’s 8! We’ve all been back and forth on these movies throughout the past three episodes, so will this film tip the scale? We also discuss how this franchise has held up over the years and whether or not it has a future.
On this week's episode we're closing out the Ocean's trilogy with 'Ocean's Thirteen'! The film takes the franchise back to its bread-and-butter: a good 'ol casino heist where the Ocean's crew steal from a hotel tycoon played by none other than Al Pacino. We've been up-and-down when it comes to these movies so far, so is the third time the charm?
This week we're talking about Steven Soderbergh's 'Ocean's Twelve'! Many regard this film as the worst in the series, but sometimes we have a tendency to go against the grain. Are we able to laser-field dance through this Julia Roberts-filled obstacle course and come out unscathed? Listen and find out!
On this episode we break into the Ocean's Eleven vault! This star-studded film hits a lot of sweet spots, but some of us are surprisingly indifferent to its charms. Does the movie still end up on the positive end of our scale, or do we want to lock it up and throw away the key?
On this week’s episode we close the curtains on the Now You See Me franchise with, you guessed it, Now You See Me 2! Is it better than the first? Some of us seem to think so, but more importantly, will this franchise live on? If you enjoy the episode please like/subscribe/rate/follow.
On this episode we talk about Louis Leterrier’s modern magician caper. The film is one of the more unlikely hits of 2013, and we had more than a few disagreements on the merits of the movie. If you enjoy the episode please help support our podcast by liking/subscribing/following/rating, it all helps!
On this episode we venture into Quentin Tarantino’s violent western whodunit, The Hateful Eight! This is a film that came very close to not being made and, more surprisingly, was originally written as a direct sequel to Django Unchained.
On this episode we cover our first Quentin Tarantino film! Did you know that at one point Django Unchained had a sequel planned? Neither did we. If you enjoy our podcast please like/follow/rate/subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts.
On this week's episode we talk about the final film in the Dollars trilogy, 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly'. Does the film live up to its monumental reputation?
On this week’s episode we talk about the middle child of the Man With No Name trilogy, FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE! This movie caught us a little by surprise, seeing as how it’s the least talked about film of the three films.
This week we make our way through the bloody western pastures of the iconic A FISTFUL OF DOLLARS, the film that made a name for three titans of cinema: Sergio Leone, Ennio Morricone and Clint Eastwood. We have many thoughts on the first installment in this epic western trilogy, it’s going to be quite the ride!
This week we journey out yonder, but it ain’t gonna be your typical western, there’s aliens abducting ranch hands out in the pasture. Yessir and yes ma’am, we’re talking about Jon Favreau’s Western/Sci-fi clash; COWBOYS & ALIENS! Is this a match that feels wrong like pickles on a PB&J or does this film sing like pineapples on pizza? (Yeah, we said it, and if you would just open up your palate, you’d like it too!)
This week we close out the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise with PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES! Does the film inject new life into the franchise, or does it sink the ship? Whether we liked the film or not, we had a blast sending this series off into the horizon. If you enjoy this podcast please like/subscribe/follow/rate wherever you listen to your podcasts.
This week we talk about the fourth film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. The divide continues as we dispute the merits of the Rob Marshall-directed film. If you enjoy what you hear, please rate/subcribe/follow wherever you listen to your podcasts, everything helps!
On this week’s podcast we’re talking about PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD’S END. This is where things get weird with the franchise and the division between our group grows even further apart in regards to our approval of the film. If you enjoy the episode please follow/rate/subscribe, every little gesture helps us!
On this week’s episode we’re talking about PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MAN’S CHEST. It would be an understatement to say that this is where a bit of a rift occurs between the group, and things get a bit heated. If you enjoy the episode please follow/rate/subscribe so we can keep this little engine of a podcast chugging.
This week we’re talking about one of our favorites: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Though we all have nostalgia for this popular pirating adventure, do we still have the same feelings of affection towards it almost two decades later, and does it successfully open the door for its four sequels? Find out in our episode!
This week we’re talking about the “side-quel” to Blade Runner, Paul W.S. Anderson’s Soldier. Spoiler: there might be a reason you don’t hear this one mentioned too often.
This week we cover the monolithic sequel to BLADE RUNNER; Denis Villenueve's BLADE RUNNER 2049! Did this film end the Blade Runner franchise, or is there more to come?
This week we’re talking about Ridley Scott's legendary cult-favorite, Blade Runner. We all watched the final cut version and we had some surprisingly divisive debates over various aspects of the film.
We open up a can-o-cyberpunk this week starting with Rupert Sanders' Ghost in the Shell (2017). Do we think the film compares favorably to the classic anime? Listen and find out!
No one asked for it, but we're doing it anyway...'The NeverEnding Story II: The Second Part. Listen to us break down this franchise once and for all and put it to bed forever.
This week we dip into the '80s for the first time. We're talking about Wolfgang Petersen's 'The NeverEnding Story'. It's our longest episode thus far, and it's also a bit of a divisive one, so strap in!
We talk about Marc Forster's World War Z in this weeks episode of Franchise Killer! Heated discussions over the quality of this film were had, and it also has one of the strangest reasons for not getting a sequel.
This week we discuss Juan Carlos Fresnadillo’s 28 Weeks Later! Did it kill the franchise? Or did it save it? There hasn’t been a sequel in thirteen years so you be the judge. Still, there’s more to this franchise than meets the eye, 28 Months Later is not out of the question!
We're covering Danny Boyle’s ambitious “zombie” film, 28 Days Later, the first of two movies in this franchise. Did this franchise get off to a successful start?
franchise killer, movies
This week we talk about Ben Stiller’s big budget war comedy, 'Tropic Thunder'! This is a film that, at the very least, wanted a spin-off, but didn’t get it. We talk about why.
This week we talk about Antoine Fuqua's King Arthur! It's not exactly a franchise in the traditional sense, but we're sure Disney would have made a sequel had it been successful.
This week we talk about Andrew Stanton’s sci-fi epic, John Carter. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that it didn’t work out to well for Disney on this one. We talk about why.
This week we cover The Girl in the Spider’s Web, the sequel-not-sequel to David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Fede Alvarez, who took the reigns from Fincher, decides to take Lisbeth Salander in a completely different direction.
This week we cover David Fincher’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a film that could have spawned sequels but it only received a soft reboot in the form of The Girl in the Spider’s Web.
This week on Franchise Killer we cover Peter Weir's 'Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World'! It's the type of film that normally doesn't have franchise designs, yet, that's exactly what the studio and filmmakers were hoping for.
This week we close out the the Chronicles of Narnia trilogy with The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Why didn't this franchise get a fourth entry?