Today’s Flop Story!

Just a TEASER for now, but if you live in the LOUISVILLE, KY area, mark your calendars for Friday, September 18, because we’re coming to town for a single live show at Whirling Tiger! Watch this space for a link to tickets when they’re available!

Summer Movie Roundup

It’s only June and (in the most technical, astrological sense) summer just started earlier this week — so what better time for an overview of summer movies (so far)? It just makes sense!

Let’s start in mid-May, because that’s when Obsession was released, and it’s still dominating at the box office. (1) I liked it quite a bit — it found ways of being about something without insisting on its metaphors above all, played the audience like a piano (or something more horror-appropriate, like a skeleton rib xylophone), and Inde Navarrette is every bit the new star people say; and (2) it continues the new horror renaissance we seem to be in — specifically horror-comedy, a genre which studios keep fearing but is HUGE when it hits (see also Weapons or, on TV, the great Widow’s Bay).

The Mandalorian and Grogu arrived soon after to get embarrassed by Obsession’s dominance. We did a whole episode on it, so there’s no need to go deep here.

May was rounded out by the release of Backrooms, the anticipated big screen extension of Doogie Howser-aged director Kane Parsons’ internet shorts. I was also taken with this one, although I found its thematic stuff a little wonkier than Obsession — this one’s far less about script than vibes — but if you’re looking for something that stays with you like an especially unnerving nightmare, you’ll be happy. As many have noted, both Obsession and Backrooms come from directors who built their skills and fandom online. I saw a video take somewhere from Griffin Newman, where he was saying that we were finally seeing projects that weren’t trying to take something that worked online and make it work as a movie so much as identifying talent online that could translate to the existing things film does well, and I think that’s exactly right. I saw both of these movies with packed, young, enthusiastic crowds, and (as someone who loves the theatrical experience and doesn’t want it to die out) I was so happy to see kids from a newer generation out at the movies.

June brought the exact opposite — people staying away from Masters of the Universe in droves, other than some stray nerds from my generation (what a weird version of the The Who song that would be, if it was about watching He-Man). I was never a He-Man kid, but I saw this one. Why, other than I host a movie podcast and shell out for a “Regal Unlimited” pass? I think I was seeking the candy blast high of big dumb blockbusters from my childhood, and on that level I liked it… fine. I kind of rolled my eyes whenever it reached for emotional payoffs, and thought the comedy largely sucked (saying that Fisto “fists” people doesn’t get any funnier the ninth time you say it, guys), but whenever it leaned into just being colorful sci-fi/fantasy designs whacking one another with swords, I had a fun time.

Lastly, speaking of birthdays and birthday movies, I chose to drag my wife to Disclosure Day to celebrate my birthday this year. It’s been a wildly divisive movie, but I came down firmly on the side of being delighted by it. I understand the issues people have with it (if you hated it, cool, no need to let me know), but as for myself, I was just happy to have our most naturally gifted cinematic storyteller back with a big sci-fi movie so I could luxuriate in the way the man crafts sequences. It had a giant drop in its second week, thanks to the mixed word of mouth, but it had Spielberg’s fifth best opening weekend (and best ever opening weekend for an “original” project from him).

Despite the drop off, I think the combination of Disclosure Day, Obsession, and Backrooms’ performance vs. that of Mandalorian and Grogu and Masters of the Universe tells an encouraging story about a box office swing towards original stories over recent years’ overwhelming glut of recycled IP. One can dream.

Next on the Podcast

June 27 - We discuss Emerald Fennell’s (actually shockingly financially successful) adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Or, sorry — as the title accurately calls it — “Wuthering Heights” (quotes included). No guest, just classic Peaches. Dan even read all of Wuthering Heights in preparation. That’s commitment, folks!

July 4 - We celebrate the holiday with a mini that has nothing to do with Independence Day! Instead, Stuart quizzes us on which movies by some of our most revered film directors are the highest rated on IMDb and which are the lowest, then we discuss our own opinions!

Plugging Away

NEW plugs:

Dan has a new piece on McSweeney’s, the place that keeps actually-funny prose humor alive! (Looks meaningfully at a certain revered New York periodical). Take a read!

Elliott’s book, Joke Farming, is now available in audiobook form, read by the author! Hey, that’s him! The author is him!

Classic plugs:

Stuart paints Warhammer models/chats with viewers most Fridays on his Twitch channel.

You Made it to the End!

Longtime listener/lovable madman Bill O’Donnell made a podcast app ONLY for listening to The Flop House, with sections sorted by popular guests and clips of favorite bits alongside all of the full episodes. Find it here or search for “Peach Keeper” on the app store (iPhone only, for now)!