Paris NOTTIE, Myers GURU, Shyamalans…
…THE HAPPENING, DISASTER MOVIE and Uwe Boll Rank Among 2008 RAZZIE® Worsts
It wasnt just the American economy that took a disastrous downturn in 2008 so did the quality of Hollywood movie-making. Of the 573 films released last year a record 75 rated forum discussions on the official RAZZIE® Awards web site. This plethora of putrid motion pictures proved a double-edged sword It meant Golden Raspberry Award voters had plenty to choose from but it also made their task of culling the crud down to a mere five contenders each in nine categories berry complicated. What they selected as nominees for this year’s 29th Annual RAZZIE® Awards is the subject of this press release. The eventual winners will be unveiled in intentionally tacky ceremonies set for the now traditional Oscar® eve, Saturday night February 21, 2009 at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood.
Among the contenders for the Worst Picture are several laugh-free comedies, the year’s most laughable vision of the apocalypse, a pair of puerile parodies, a couple of big budget B.O. bombs, and a decidedly un-romantic romantic comedy co-produced by Paris Hilton. The list includes the first ever dual Worst Picture nominees, two films from the same two talent-free writer/directors, both featuring essentially the same cast those twin towers of pop culture babble, DISASTER MOVIE (which lived up or down to its title) and MEET THE SPARTANS (a parody of THE 300 which somehow managed to work references to Britney Spears into an ancient Spartan plot). Other Worst Picture picks: The latest mystery with a twist from that self-important twit (and multiple RAZZIE® winner) M. Night Shyamalan, THE HAPPENING, an eco-disaster tale whose villain drew more guffaws than gasps; The robotic rom-com THE HOTTIE AND THE NOTTIE copping Hilton three of her four RAZZIE® nominations this year alone as the films producer and star; Bad Movie Uber-Meister Uwe Bolls video-game-based fiasco IN THE NAME OF THE KING: A DUNGEON SIEGE TALE, which grossed under $5 million on a $60 million budget and was also a factor in Boll being selected to receive the first Worst Career Achievement RAZZIE® awarded since 1987. And last (and possibly least) the years biggest box office bomb, Mike Myers as a platitude-spouting mystic in the decidedly unloved LOVE GURU. Also singled out for dis-honor: The years third-highest-grossing (and most disappointing) movie, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, as Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel, 2007 Triple Crown RAZZIE® winner Eddie Murphy, back for more abuse in two categories for MEET DAVE; Oscar® winner Al Pacino sporting his third RAZZIE® nomination for both 88 MINUTES and RIGHTEOUS KILL, Pierce Brosnan singing(!) in MAMMA, MIA! as Worst Supporting Actor, Worst Actor choice Larry the Cable Guy, all five top-billed stars of THE WOMEN (jointly vying as Worst Actress)…and more!
Nominees were determined by mailing ballots to 687 voters in 45 U.S. states and 19 foreign countries. The RAZZIES® were created in 1980 as a logical antidote to Tinsel Towns annual glut of self-congratulatory awards by John Wilson, author of THE OFFICIAL RAZZIE® MOVIE GUIDE and EVERYTHING I KNOW I LEARNED AT THE MOVIES. The Barnsdall Theatre is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
Somehow, none of this year’s Razzie nominees surprise me. ~
Warning Comment
Somehow, none of this year’s Razzie nominees surprise me. ~
Warning Comment
Somehow, none of this year’s Razzie nominees surprise me. ~
Warning Comment