Posted on 09/13/2005 11:31:27 AM PDT by Houmatt
Just for fun, what is the WORST film you have EVER seen? And why?
I know a lot of you will be inclined to insert a Michael Moore film, but I am talking about films that are supposed to be fiction.
To begin, here is my personal pick: Ron Howard's The Grinch.
Surely we all remember the classic story from Dr. Seuss. Very simple, all about the spirit of Christmas.
Now, we get to the film. To begin with, the Whos are portrayed as the exact dead opposite of what they are in the story: They are quite materialistic.
Then, there seems to be something happening concurrent to the X-mas celebration. Just what the hell is the "Whobilation?" The audience is never told.
And there's the Grinch. The story says nobody knows why he hates Christmas. So, naturally, he is given a back story that rather implies he should be hating the Whos, or at least certain Whos, but certainly not Christmas. AND he is given a love interest (played by Christine Baranski).
Considering the target audience of the book (and therefore the film), there is some humor and a particular dress worn by the aforementioned Baranski early on (accented by a camera angle) that is just not suitable for that audience. So why have it? Heaven only knows.
Finally, when we get to the stealing part of the story, we see the Grinch predicting some very upset Whos. Now we all know what happens in the original story. But guess what? In this version of the story, the Grinch is proven right. In fact, it takes one of the Whos to talk the others into believing Christmas is more than just toys and trees.
I was shocked when I saw this film upon its release in theaters. Was it true Theodor Geisel's widow actually approved of this? How could she, when it absolutely violated everything her late husband was trying to impart with his beloved masterpiece in children's storytelling?
Whatever the truth was, one thing was certain: This film was an abomination. It was not merely bad; it was offensive. And I have never been so angered by a film like that to this day.
It is worth mentioning, as an aside, the film went on to make $250 million dollars domestic box office, making it perhaps the most profitable Ron Howard directed film to date. However, about three years later, when they decided to repeat or at least further the insult with another Seuss classic, Cat in the Hat, people saw right through it and gave it the b*tch slap it deserved.
There ought to be a law banning any more Hollywood adaptations of Dr Seuss books (Grinch, Cat in the Hat, etc.)
There ought to be a law banning any more Hollywood.
Worst of all time: The Big Chill. I'm still pi***d that I paid money to see it.
An Officer and a Gentleman.
At the rate box office takes are declining, the law of supply and demand will probably do the job just fine.
To each his own I guess, it's one of my all-time favorites.
On my worst list:
Speed 2 The Hulk
The Talented Mr. Ripley (SNORE.................)
I liked "Groundhog Day" I watch it again sometimes for some chuckles.
"Punch Drunk Love". Gawd-awful. Would have walked out if it wasn't for my date. And "Tadpole" - if the sex roles were reversed it would have been nothing more than a movie about a 40-something pervert lusting after a teenager.
Yeah, the thought Glenn Close's character does not tell Mary Kay Place's character to go to hell and get out of the house after the latter says she wants the former's hubby to impregnate her was a classic in emptyheadedness.
Titanic. What a snooze fest...
The only good part was when Leo sank to the ocean floor.
re: Assasination Tango: Duvall just wanted to show off his hot, young girlfriend, Luciana Pedraza. They have been together and he has been living with her since she was in her mid 20s, beleive it or not. She is only in her 30s today.
I can't blame him for showing her off. ;-)
"...what is the WORST film you have EVER seen?"
"Vice Squad" (1986). The only movie that I've ever walked out on, and I've seen plenty of turkeys. I was even drunk but couldn't take any more.
Interesting. Personally I enjoy that movie.
Most disappointing: Sideways
The Neverending Story Krippendorf's Tribe Young Einstein Twister Safe at Home (Mantle and Maris acting as wooden as their bats) American Ninja Can't Stop the Music Xanadu
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