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Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 103: Caddo Lake (2024)This time we are back with a discussion of the direct-to-Max, M. Night-produced movie set in the swamps of Louisiana. A twisty thriller with some cool elements, does this one count as another forgotten dumped-to-streaming loser, or a failurepiece? Listen in to find out!2025-03-151h 54Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 96: Fallout (2024)Sometimes great shows don't get enough attention. Fallout is one of those shows, and a video game adaptation to boot. Listen in as we dish about how this show exceeds expectations and needs to be on your list of things to watch!2024-05-151h 29Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 95: The Tunnel (2012)We love some found footage horror around these parts, and we've recently discovered an overlooked gem that might just be one of the finer examples of low-key horror, especially for fans of the V/H/S series or REC. Listen in, won't you?2024-05-011h 48Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 94: Rebel Moon - Part One (2023)It's another...something from Zack Snyder's unholy alliance with Netflix--a mishmash of Seven Samurai, Star Wars, and tentacle hentai? Join us for a far-ranging discussion of this "content" that may or may not contain the term "dongship."2024-01-222h 46Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 93 - No One Will Save You (2023)In a year of surprising horror projects, Hulu's No One Will Save You, directed by Brian Duffield and featuring a powerhouse performance from lead Kaitlyn Dever, might stand above the rest. Listen in to find out why!2023-12-221h 59Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 92: Death Sentence (2007)Kevin Bacon goes hard in this James Wan-directed "spiritual sequel" to the Death Wish franchise. Backed with solid action and a razor-thin revenge plot, it might just be the Max Payne movie we always deserved, sans the Wahlberg. Listen in, won't you?2023-11-221h 52Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 91: The Phantom (1996)It's a Billy Zane superhero picture where some people appear to understand how goofy and fun things are and some people...don't. Part of the first wave of superhero projects, let's see how this early comic strip to film interpretation holds up, vague racism aside!2023-10-212h 08Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 90: Cobweb (2023)It's a spooky season once again, and we are back with a discussion of a surprise horror release overshadowed by Barbenheimer upon release, but might deserve a slot in your yearly horror movie rotation. Listen in and find out about this indie gem!2023-10-021h 47Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 89: The Covenant (2006)In a return to the show, raconteur and purveyor of 90s action schlock Renny Harlin is back with the most blatant backdoor CW pilot episode ever, The Covenant. Starring a murderer's row of early 2k male models, it's the Craft, but worse and with dudes. Listen in, won't you?2023-09-012h 19Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 88 - Indiana Jones and the Summer Catch Up pt 2 (2023)Hey there! Our in-depth heavy spoiler discussion of Dial of Destiny continues apace!2023-08-111h 31Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 87 - Indiana Jones and the Summer Catch Up pt 1 (2023)It's our annual summer catch up episode, wherein we discuss all the various media we've been consuming, and being our lengthy discussion of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Listen in!2023-08-031h 39Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 86: You Should Have Left (2020)It's House of Leaves meets Stir of Echoes, with some Bacon bits for flavoring. It's another Thriller romp from the mind of David Koepp, but is it worth your time? Listen and find out!2023-07-191h 45Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 85: The Hole in the Ground (2019)Guess what? The new Evil Dead movie is pretty good. Let's take a look at the film that got director Lee Cronin the job. Turns out it's pretty good, too!2023-06-051h 41Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 84: The Hunt (2020)It's Most Dangerous Game, but everyone involved is an idiot except for Betty Gilpin. Do you have any other requirements?2023-05-221h 17Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 83: 65 (2023)It's Adam Driver and dinosaurs. What else do you want out of a movie, really?2023-05-081h 47Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 82: Doom (2005)It's Doom, and, finally, video game adaptations into popular media can be considered art. Let's discuss!2023-04-122h 17Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theather ep 81: Hellboy (2019)We love Hellboy. But sometimes the things you love can make the pain worse. Listen in as we dissect one of the biggest superhero bombs in recent memory. 2023-03-272h 21Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 80: Skinamarink (2022)A lo-fi horror classic or a slog through mediocrity? Let's talk about Skinamarink!2023-03-051h 42Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 79: The Core (2003)It's perhaps the most dunked-on film in a dunked-on genre. Is there any further joy to be mined from the foamy core of The Core? Let's find out!2023-02-112h 44Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 78: Favorite Things 2022 (Movies)It's time to talk about some movies that aren't failures--they're good! Like, unabashedly good!2023-01-222h 15Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 77: Favorite Things 2022 (TV)In which we run down some of our favorite TV shows of 2022. Listen in, won't you?2023-01-061h 57Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 76: The Cell (2000)A visually sumptuous exploration of a serial killer's mind from a visionary director who doesn't get enough recognition? Yes, please. And J-Lo is in it? 2022-12-022h 03Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 75: Guillermo Del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities (2022)Gather round for an internet-friendly ranked list of the 8 excellent episodes of Papa Del Toro's incredible new Netflix show.2022-11-211h 58Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater Episode 74: Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power episodes 6-8 (2022)That guy? Nope, not Sauron. He's just a regular dude. Nothing to see here. 2022-11-022h 12Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 73: Hellraiser (2022)"We have such sights to show you." Sort of.2022-10-152h 15Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 72: Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power episodes 1-5 (2022)"One Show to Rule them All, and in the Darkness, Bore Them."2022-10-012h 37Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 71: Day Shift (2022)What if vampire hunters were just, like, regular folk? Folk who need money for braces and private school payments? What if they were Jamie Foxx? What if they were Snoop Dogg? Why am I asking so many questions? Because after watching this movie, you'll have more questions than answers. Listen in to find out which ones!2022-09-232h 08Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater Ep 70 - Last Shift (2014)In a "we're REAL horror fans" move, this week we discuss 2014's Last Shift--an indie bottle movie set in a real, honest-to-goodness abandoned police station. Cults, hazmat suits, and daddy issues abound, but does it work? Listen in and find out!2022-09-021h 54Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 69: The Gray Man (2022)Is it called "The Gray Man" because it was designed to be this dull and lifeless? Or is some spy stuff or something? Listen in as we try to figure it out!2022-08-152h 16Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 68: Wish Upon (2017)BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR...you might be forced to watch a bad movie about wishes or something. Just sayin'.2022-08-041h 48Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 67: The Grudge (2020)Oh no! We've been grudged! 2022-07-221h 56
Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater Ep 66: Summer Catch UpWe're back, after ONE of us took a lovely vacation through the wonders of the natural world. We're catching up on what we've watched and enjoyed the first half of the year, so join us as we move through our watchlists by streaming service!2022-07-152h 32Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 65: Mandy (2018)Nic Cage is great. Mandy is great. Listen and find out why!2022-06-141h 35Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep64: Old (2021)It's the most recent release from one of Hollywood's most prolific and inscrutable directors. A Twilight Zone episode masquerading as a feature film, is Old still worth your time? Listen in and find out!2022-05-301h 55Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep63: Moonfall (2022)The moon is...falling? Oh, Roland Emmerich.2022-05-161h 54Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater Episode 62: The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)Listen in this week as we discuss an overlooked low-budget horror film from Andre Ovredal. Autopsy! Mystery! Emile Hirsch!2022-04-291h 32Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 61 - Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)On the cusp of the onrushing Raimi-volution, the launch of the Marvel Cinematic Raimi-verse, we thought it might be a good idea to look back at one of iconic director Sam Raimi's strangest projects-the James Franco-fied Oz the Great and Powerful. Join us as we try to figure out if Sam Raimi has ever, actually, made a bad movie. 2022-04-162h 16Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 60: The Last Witch Hunter (2015)Did you know Vin Diesel makes movies other than the Fast and Furious kind? It's true! Listen in to see if One of the D's in D&D stands for Diesel, and most importantly, if The Last Witch Hunter is all about family.2022-04-021h 56Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 59: Ghost in the Shell (2017)Live action anime remakes are typically...uh...not good. Does Ghost in the Shell featuring ScarJo and friends buck the trend? Listen in and find out! 2022-03-181h 33Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 58: Alien 3 (1992)It's one of the worst examples of studio interference and mismanagement ever. It's the first studio film from one of Hollywood's most acclaimed directors. It's Alien 3, but is it a failurepiece? Listen in and find out!2022-03-041h 31Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 57: Clive Barker's Lord of Illusions (1995)Scott Bakula? Check. Genre hybrid combining magic, mystery, and demons? Check. One of the greatest unknown films of 90s horror cinema? Maybe. Listen in and find out!2022-02-182h 44Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 56: The Mangler (1995)In 1995, Tobe Hooper made a Stephen King adaptation called "The Mangler." This was widely regarded as a "bad move." But, what if it wasn't? Listen in and find out!2022-01-252h 11Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 55: New Year Catch-up (Matrix Resurrections, Free Guy, Don't Look Up)This week it's a bit of a catch up episode. The holidays afforded some binging of new media for us both, so we delve into a very long, mostly spoiler-free discussion of the divisive Matrix Resurrections, the surprising Free Guy, and the maddening Don't Look Up.
Matrix Resu-reboot: 0:00 - 49:40
Free Guy: 50:00 - 1:11:44
Don't Look Up 1:11:45 - end2022-01-181h 51Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 54: The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)It's time to discuss some overblown action a la Renny Harlin--the Geena Davis vehicle The Long Kiss Goodnight. It's a Shane Black back of the desk drawer special with all the excess one would expect in the Bruckheimer-fueled world of 90s Hollywood blockbusters. It's a wild ride full of spies, lies, and threats involving children(ies?). Join in as we break down this notoriously overwrought remnant of the 80s action mold.2022-01-031h 35Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 53: The Gate (1987)Up for discussion this week is the sorta-cult classic 80's latchkey kid nightmare movie The Gate. It's got some serious horror chops and some killer special effects for a movie about a few kids fighting demons leaking out of a hole in the ground in suburban Canada. The movie also makes it clear that you should never let a demon pat you on the head, lest you grow eyes in your hands (duh!). Listen in while we break it down, won't you?2021-12-072h 13Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 52: Power Rangers (2017)Go, go nostalgia rangers! Up on the block this week is the most recent attempt to grungily update those teenagers with attitude from Angel Grove. It's sort of okay, but don't worry...they will definitely try again. Listen in as we discuss hot teens, Rita Repulsa, and Krispy Kreme.2021-11-292h 32Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 51: The Empty Man (2020)We are back this week with a horror movie you've never heard of, buried by the studio after years of production problems and clashes with the director. Summarily dropped into theaters mid-pandemic, The Empty Man is a cult classic in the making, so come along as we break down where this movie goes wrong, but also goes very, very right.2021-11-101h 55Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 50: Doctor Sleep (2019)It's the big 5-0 as we hold court for the mighty mister Flanagan once more--this time for his vastly overlooked Doctor Sleep. It's another King adaptation widely considered impossible, but he handles it with a deft hand and may have crafted a worthy, but wildly different, follow-up to a Kubrickian classic. Come find out if the world needs to wake up to this one!2021-10-261h 50Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 49: Midnight Mass (2021)In the first episode of our rebranding to the Flanacast, a podcast devoted to all things Mike Flanagan, we discuss his recent Netflix release, Midnight Mass--a tour de force in his particular brand of quiet, unsettling horror. And no, we aren't rebranding, but let's say the discussion got pretty serious.2021-10-132h 12Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 48: Malignant (2021)Wanna see what happens when you give a horror fan/director a budget and seemingly no restrictions? Then dig into Malignant with us this week!2021-10-012h 20Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 47: Suicide Squad (2016)It's Suicide Squad (the old one). There's really nothing else to say, I guess?2021-08-312h 27Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 46: Fear Street pt 3: 1666 (2021)We are back, and this week it's the delve into the final swan song of the Fear Street Trilogy-1666. It's not great, but maybe this is what we can expect from the next era of horror-so beholden to its predecessors that it struggles to do much new. But if it works, is that all bad?2021-08-171h 44Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 45: Fear Street pt 2: 1978 (2021)It's another deep dive into RL Stine's Fear Street-iverse--this time into the warm and totally safe Camp Nightwing circa 1978. I'm no Dean Martin, but it's beginning to look a lot like Friday the 13th up in here, and not the good ones. Let's dig deep and see just how we feel about the surprisingly okay middle chapter of the Fear Street trilogy.2021-08-022h 05Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 44: Fear Street pt 1: 1994 (2021)We are back with a run down of the first in a trilogy of RL Stine-inspired slasher flicks releasing over three weeks on our good pal Netflix's digital marquee. Come along with us as we discuss whether or not a thing "homage-ing" this hard can inspire the same kind of love as the original things it's homage-ing (uh, it can't). 2021-07-132h 18Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 43: Crimson Peak (2015)This week it's all about Guillermo as we tour the dilapidated mansion of Crimson Peak-a rare box office misfire from one of cinema's most passionate directors. Try not to get red mud on your feet, but the tour is definitely worth your time. Listen in, won't you?2021-06-222h 35Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 42: Woman in the Window (2021)...And we're back with another trip into Netflix country--this time to visit a friend who just can't stop looking out the window. It's another casualty of the Disney/Fox merger--a very well cast but incredibly dull Rear Window knock-off that can't decide if it wants to thrill or befuddle. Join us to find out why!2021-06-142h 09Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 41: Army of the Dead (2021)This week we break into the super-secret, zombie-filled vault in Zack Snyder's heart--Army of the Dead. A surprisingly well-received action-horror flick picked up by Netflix after Warner Bros. dropped it like a blood-covered potato, it should rock our world, but...doesn't. Listen in to find out why!2021-06-032h 42Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 40: Things Heard and Seen (2021)This week it's a dip into Netflix's Things Heard and Seen, a quiet sorta "literary horror" exercise that has lots of good ideas, but maybe gets lost in the countryside trying to make them work. It's a fun discussion as we discuss Amanda Seyfried's wide-eyed gazes into various corners, mysterious sparkles that lead to treasure, and Ghoooooooooosts.2021-05-192h 04Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 39: Mystery Men (1999)It's time to get mysterious with one of the oddest oddball superhero films ever--Mystery Men. With a shockingly excellent cast and a zany take on average Joe superheroes, it might be just the thing you need in our MCU and DCEU saturated media landscape.2021-05-102h 07Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 38: Mortal Kombat (2021)MORTAL KOMBAT! The franchise that should probably have died years ago heads to the silver screen again, but this time with more guts and gore than ever before, not to mention a surprisingly fatalistic cast. It's not great, but is it a failurepiece? Just maybe!2021-04-272h 29Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 37: The Dark Tower (2017)It's the film that fans of the books wish didn't exist--Nikolaj Arcel and Akiva Goldsman's 95-minute adaptation of a beloved 7 book series--The Dark Tower. It's not very good, but Idris Elba? Is that enough? Listen in as I mess up the order of the books!2021-04-192h 55Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 36: I Care a Lot. (2021)This week we dip into the Netflix ocean for a recent release--J Blakeson's I Care a Lot. Buoyed by some very good performances and a slick premise, even when it wades into muddy thematic waters it asks some good questions and points out a situation in our society that doesn't get nearly enough attention. Listen in as we break it down, won't you?2021-04-071h 59Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 35: Cosmic Sin (2021)This week we examine how the mighty can fall into sin. That's right, it's the Bruce Willis "starring" vehicle Cosmic Sin--an attempt to bridge the Netflix content farm style of filmmaking with old school sci-fi action. Uh, it doesn't work. Listen along and find out why, won't you?2021-03-302h 20Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 34: The Hidden (1987)This week we head back to the heady heyday of New Line Cinema in the late 80s for the buddy cop/space invaders-inspired The Hidden. It's Kyle MacLachlan at his most succulent, so come along as we delve into this near-forgotten cult gem.2021-03-162h 22Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 33: The River (TV) (2012)This week we take a break from cinema's failures and turn our attention to one of TV's biggest misses. An expensive, high-concept show produced by the Paranormal Activity creator and Steven Spielberg, The River was a mid-season replacement that only lasted 8 episodes. But, it might just be the found-footage gold mine you've been searching for. Come along on this ride into the Amazon, won't you?2021-03-032h 47Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 32: As Above, So Below (2014)This week we spelunk the depths of the Paris catacombs with the Dowdle Brothers' As Above, So Below. We chat about our history with found footage flicks and whether or not this one ranks with some of the genre's best. Come along for the trip, won't you?2021-02-172h 12Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 31: The Principle - Tenet (2020)This week it's another of 2020's failures--another big-budget blockbuster that might have been too timey-wimey for it's own good. That's right--it's Tenet time. Can it really be that bad? Can it? Huh?2021-02-032h 29Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 30: 20,000 KStews Under the Sea - Underwater (2020)Another casualty of the salty hellscape that was 2020 and the collapse of 20th Century Fox, this week we examine William Eubank's Underwater--an Aliens-inspired action flick that actually has a bit of buoyancy in its diving suit step. But, will Underwater sink or swim? Find out with us, won't you?2021-01-272h 41Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 29: The Fault in our Genes - The New Mutants (2020)Ever wonder what happens when a studio abandons a film? Well wonder no longer! It's time to look closely at the last film released by 20th Century Fox and the whimper that the once might X-Men franchise went out with. Will it sink under the weight of a dying juggernaut or bounce back into the caged ring with an unexpected scrappy bravado? Join us and find out, won't you?2021-01-192h 43Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 28 part 2: Some Kind of Disappointing - Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)Cat people! Winged Amazons! Guys with bad hair on TV! It's the back half of WW84, and it just gets worse from here. Join us as we discuss another unfortunate failure for the DCEU. Update: we had a puppers interruptus in the last episode that I've now edited out! Sorry about that!2021-01-122h 35Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 28 part 1: Some Kind of Disappointing - Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)This week, the first of our two-part breakdown (takedown?) of Wonder Woman 84. With their Extended Universe in shambles, DC found a good thing with Patty Jenkins' first outing, but the follow up leaves a lot to be desired. Come along as we figure out how this FailurePiece in the making came to be. 2021-01-051h 32Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 27: Captain Rocket - The Rocketeer (1991)'Twas right before Christmas and all through the Failurepiece virtual meeting space on Discord, nothing was creeping, not even a devious Nazi spy hiding amongst the Hollywood elite of 1938. That's because this week we're shining a rocket-powered light on Joe Johnston's The Rocketeer-A film that threads so many needles successfully that its lack of success makes no sense at all. Let's find out if it's a failurepiece together, shall we? (Oh, it is)2020-12-232h 52Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 26: Zero Dark 1930 - Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983)This week we're back after a brief hiatus with another messed up family film of the 1980s--in this case Ray Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes. A long gestating film project that Disney brought to life, then sort of killed, then brought back, then fixed, then released. It's a bit of a mess that failed miserably when the house of mouse was desperate for a hit, but riding the line between sweet coming of age story and legitimate horror film gives this movie a little something extra that might just push it into FailurePiece territory. Let's find out, shall...2020-12-152h 13Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 25: Get Sainty - The Punisher (2004)We head back to the content mines to bring you another few hours of grasping for the low-hanging fruit that is the early days of Marvel studios. This time, it's 2004's The Punisher--the Thomas Jane and John Travolta vehicle that was meant to launch yet another franchise. Let's dig in and see if it's still worth our time, shall we?2020-12-012h 24Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 24: Jack and Dorothy's Bogus Journey - Return to Oz (1985)In another episode devoted to 80's family "fun," we explore the initially overlooked, but now cult-classic, Return to Oz. A film rescued from the flames of Disney's incinerator by George Lucas himself and directed by the legendary Walter Murch. It's legitimately terrifying, deeply unsettling, and entirely unforgettable. Let's discover if it's a failurepiece, shall we? 2020-11-242h 48Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 23: Little Monster's Ball - Little Monsters (1989)As part of a new series, this week we delve into one of many 80s "family films." It was the wild west of kiddie content, and Little Monsters, a Beetlejuice-infused Fred Savage vehicle with Howie Mandel in some troubling makeup as backup, might be as far west as the California coastline. Still, it's got some charm and a heaping helping of weird, so let's take a look, shall we?2020-11-172h 38Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 22: An American Mummy in London - The Mummy (2017)Whew. This week's episode took it out of us. We "chose" to discuss one of the greatest failures of modern cinema--the birth and death of a cinematic universe in one fell swoop. That's right. It's the movie that was made to launch a franchise, and it did...right into the sun. Join us for an exasperated discussion of a cinematic blunder of epic proportions, won't you?2020-11-122h 50Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 21: Love Session Number 9 - Session 9 (2001)We round out the month of October with a trip to Danvers asylum, where the boys are busy cleaning up. With a great cast, an unbelievable setting, and a surprisingly compelling portrayal of a man as he slips into madness, Brad Anderson's Session 9 delivers on the spookies. But is it a FailurePiece? Let's find out!2020-11-032h 45Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 20: Rat Race - Pandorum (2009)Another week in Spooktober, and this time it's all about a Paul WS Anderson produced sci-fi horror gem called Pandorum. Directed by then-unknown German auteur Christian Alvart, it stars Ben Foster and Dennis Quaid chewing low-budget scenery like nobody's business. It's not perfect, but will it become a FailurePiece? Let's find out!2020-10-263h 00Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 19: Frightening Ties - The Frighteners (1996)The second week of Spooktober is upon us, and this week it's another horror-comedy classic. The Frighteners, a little film that may have laid the foundation for a little-known filmmaker named Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, delights and chills with a compelling (and final) lead performance from Michael J Fox, another incredible turn from Jeffrey Combs, and produced by Robert Zemeckis himself. It's an October treat that leads to some fun discussion of how mixing genres is a risk, but when it works the payoff is nothing short of...frightening. 2020-10-203h 02Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 18: Disturbia - The 'Burbs (1989)We kick off Spooktober with a long, hard look at Joe Dante's cult classic The 'Burbs. It's a black comedy satire with a great cast, a historic backlot set, and Henry Gibson. While it's certainly achieved status in the years since its release, we think it's not beloved enough (like most of Dante's output), so take a listen and find out why!2020-10-132h 47Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 17: Coster-Waldau and Butler Meet the WormCloud - Gods of Egypt (2016)This week we wrap up the filmography of Alex Proyas--one of the best directors ever. Except for this. It's a long road through the nine gates of the underworld, especially when Gerard Butler's brogue keeps interrupting your attempts to rest. But, is this a film that's worth your time? Let's figure it out!2020-10-053h 09Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 16: Knowing Las Vegas - Knowing (2009)It's another trip to Nic Cage's filmography as we revisit Alex Proyas' Knowing--a disaster flick that doesn't seem to have everything quite figured out. It certainly fits with the crop of Shyamalan-flavored thrillers that dropped in the 00s, but can't decide if it's deep, thematic sci-fi or an excuse to blow things up real good. Let's grab some textbooks from MIT and see if we can't stumble upon some enlightenment, shall we?2020-09-292h 49Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 15: Easy Ghostrider - Ghost Rider (2007)This week it's another of the forgotten era of Marvel filmmaking--the Mark Steven Johnson Ghost Rider. Hot off his surprisingly successful DareFleck, MSJ throws Nic Cage on a motorcycle and let's the magic happen. It's a flawed film from a flawed time in comic book film history, but can a legendary Cage performance and solid CGI save Ghost Rider from Wes Bentley's constant mugging? Let's find out together!2020-09-223h 37Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 14: Murder on the Polar Express - The Snowman (2017)This week, your intrepid co-hosts waddle through the thick Norwegian snow to dissect (snicker) The Snowman. It's a complete disaster of a film that's rare to see from a major studio, but is there a heartbeat under that snowy shell? Let's see!2020-09-152h 44Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 13: Superman: Man in Tights - Superman Returns (2006)In a suitably long episode for a suitably long movie, your intrepid co-hosts delve into Bryan Singer's problematic failure Superman Returns. Debuting in a post-Batman Begins world, this rosy look back to simpler times tried to take Superman seriously while still holding on to that rosy 40s and 50s Americana vibe. It's a loving tribute to Richard Donner's '78 original, but does it hold up today? That's the question we'll explore, in addition to some discussion of Mulan, Tenet, and the new Dune adaptation! Listen in, won't you?2020-09-073h 09Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 12: Teen Wulf Too - 13th Warrior (1999)It's a Crichton week, friendos, and it won't be the last time word-slinger extraordinaire and Jurassic Park scribe Michael "MC JP" Crichton graces our listening holes. It's hard to die harder than the McTiernan/Crichton-helmed 13th Warrrior, and we are dying to figure out why. Katherine is on assignment this week, and I had it in my head that it was episode 13 (it would have been perfect!), but I am joined by my partner in crime Heather for a fun discussion of this impossibly odd take on the Beowulf myth. Take a listen! 2020-08-311h 57Failurepiece TheaterFailurepiece Theater ep 11: The Charge of the Dark Brigade - Dark City (1998)This week, it's an episode focused on one of Failurepiece's favorite directors--Alex Proyas. The visionary behind The Crow, Dark City is his striking follow up, a financial flop that earned the title of best film of 1998 from Roger Ebert. Let's see how it holds up. Come along, won't you?2020-08-242h 25Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 10: Flowers for Chim-Chim - Speed Racer (2008)Another Monday, and another exploration of a cinematic disaster--in this case, one of the biggest box office bombs in history. The Wachowski-directed Speed Racer. Their first post-Matrix project, the siblings from Chi-town chose to adapt and update a beloved 60s anime, but in doing so might have put the wrong actor in the winner's circle and color timed things...a little hot. But, is Speed Racer the PG-rated, family-pleasing action film it was designed to be? Or is it just another last place finish from the notoriously hit-and-miss directors? Tune in and find out!2020-08-172h 48Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 09: Mr. Dredd Went to Town - Dredd (2012)In this week's discussion, your co-hosts rave a little bit about the financial disaster that is 2012's Dredd. Another Alex Garland joint (and maybe more of one than his producer/writer credit calls for), it is a film that has found cult status after solid reviews and a negative box office run. A violent, gory, surprisingly great take on a popular character from the UK comics scene, Dredd attempts to move away from the Sylvester Stallone-powered previous incarnation of the character into something more closely tied to anti-hero's punk roots. Hey--lots of people get tossed off of buildings and...2020-08-102h 42Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 08: The Big Tronowski - Tron: Legacy (2010)In an episode that we could barely wait to do, your grid-lovin' co-hosts crash the system and talk about Joseph Kosinski's criminally underrated Tron: Legacy, one of Disney's pre-Marvel attempts to franchise build in a post-Pirates of the Caribbean world. Is it too generic for its own good? Perhaps. Does it build on a series that most people have never heard of or cared about in attempt to reach critical mass in a marketplace saturated with blockbusters? Definitely. Come along as we try to figure it out, won't you?2020-08-032h 44Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 07 part 2: After Twilight - Twilight (2008)It's the second episode of our breakdown of Catherine Hardwicke's Twilight--the YA rocket engine that launched a thousand franchises. The technical glitches are sorted, the sound quality is back to normal, and our discussion gets deep into the good stuff--like vampire baseball. Take a listen, won't you?2020-07-282h 16Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 07 part 1: After Twilight - Twilight (2008)In this week's first episode of a two-part titanic Twilight breakdown, your co-hosts discuss what they've been watching and get down to some early discussion of Twilight's role in setting the stage for the YA film adaptation revolution before being taken down by some super-not-fun recording issues. We will have to save the rest for next time! 2020-07-271h 10Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 06: Little Mister Sunshine - Sunshine (2007)This week, your intrepid co-hosts get ready to burn alive in the fiery furnace of Danny Boyle's box-office failure Sunshine. A great "hard" sci-fi film populated by actors you'll recognize from Marvel and DC movies, it's a real looker that wonders how we might use a bunch of nukes to restart the sun and the gruesome effects on someone who lives alone in a spaceship for seven years. Take a listen, won't you?
Here's the link to Katherine's detailed breakdown of Sunshine's mythical underpinnings on Medium:
https://medium.com/@baskinator/beyond-the-extremes-rhetoric-and-the-icarian-allusion-in-danny-boyles-sunshine-5710071ea1e32020-07-202h 32Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 05: Some Like it Haderach - Dune (1984)Up on the block this week is a personal fave (for both of us) and perhaps one of the biggest box office bombs of all time--David Lynch's adaptation of Dune. It's packed with messy storytelling, incredible production design, and some undefinable special quality that makes us both love it unreasonably. Come along as we take a verbal stroll through Frank Herbert's incredibly dense world of monsters, madmen, and superbeings, won't you?2020-07-132h 19Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 04: The Ballad of Bruce and Betty - Hulk (2003)Up this week is Ang Lee's Hulk (2003)- the Hulk movie that Marvel would probably prefer you forget. More character drama than smashy-smashy comic book movie, it's a surprisingly deep and complex story about a large green rage monster and the woman who loves him. Join cohosts Tim and Katherine as they bust through some walls to better understand this misunderstood piece of cinematic superhero history. 2020-07-062h 23Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 03 (part 2): Something Silent this Way Comes - Silent Hill (2006)This week Tim and Katherine tackle a video game adaptation--a film genre rife with potential failurepieces--and try to uncover what works and doesn't with Cristophe Gans' visually sumptuous but scriptually disasterous Silent Hill. It's a two-parter! Listen along, won't you?2020-06-281h 16Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 03 (part 1): Something Silent this Way Comes - Silent Hill (2006)This week Tim and Katherine tackle a video game adaptation--a film genre rife with potential failurepieces--and try to uncover what works and doesn't with Cristophe Gans' visually sumptuous but scriptually disasterous Silent Hill. It's a two-parter! Listen along, won't you? 2020-06-281h 50Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 02: When Predator Met Alien - Alien V Predator (2004)This week, your intrepid co-hosts tackle Paul WS Anderson's contribution to the early 2000s obsession with the comic-book-style crossover. We go under the ice for some Alien and Predator action, wonder where the "S" in VS went, and wonder just how much failure one director can experience in a career. In the end, we will see if this film, like the rest, is a failure or failurepiece. Join us, won't you?2020-06-262h 45Failurepiece TheaterFailurePiece Theater ep 01: The Ghost and Mr. Cube - Ghosts of Mars (2001)This week, in our inaugural episode (and first shot at recording a podcast), Tim and Katherine discuss John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars, the 2001 film that would have been an Escape film, but instead we got Ice Cube and Natasha Henstridge on Mars kicking all kinds of butt. Join us for a deep dive discussion on whether or not this film is a failure or a failurepiece, won't you?2020-06-251h 45