With Oscar nominations set to be announced within the next day, that irascible shadow academy, The Golden Raspberry, has announced its own set of nominations.
Better known as The Razzies, The Golden Raspberry Awards celebrate the utter worst in film over the last twelve months. Founded in 1980 by publicist John J. B. Wilson, the Razzies is intended as a snarky counterpoint to the Oscars.
Unfortunately, just like the Oscars, it is often the case that hype dominates the Razzies.
While this year’s Worst Picture nominations include Fantastic Four; Fifty Shades of Grey; Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2; Pixels; and Jupiter Ascending, we think the Razzies have it slightly wrong. As abominable as Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 may be, there were a lot of worse films last year, and Fifty Shades of Grey is really too obvious a target.
So we’ve pulled together some of the films from the last annum that made us squirm, vomit, choke, or defecate our theatrette cushions with spontaneous fits of self-disgust.
Aloha: Despite an all-star cast including Bill Murray, Emma Stone, Bradley Cooper and Rachel McAdams, Cameron Crowe’s comedy about a military contractor left us unimpressed. What we rated it: $5
By the Sea: Angelina Jolie’s ode to ‘70s arthouse cinema was interesting, but for none of the reasons she intended. A self-indulgent mess with beautiful scenery, we valued it at an overly generous $8.50.
Poltergeist: Why was this necessary? The original is a classic. Is Hollywood that creatively bereft of new ideas? That Sam Raimi was involved depresses us even further. $5.00
Hot Pursuit: Reese Witherspoon and Sophia Vergara in a buddy-cop situation, pursued by murderous drug lords. Our accounts manager loved it, even if no one else did. $5.00
Unfinished Business: In the same year Vince Vaughn surprised us all (pleasantly) by his turn in Season 2 of True Detective, he turned up in this ghastly comedy and reminded us of his truer nature. The Sex Tape of 2015. $5.00
The Last Witch Hunter: If Vin Diesel is all that stands between humanity and the end of the world, we give up now. $7.00
Taken 3: Again? Come on. Actually, the fact that no one actually got taken in this one just makes it worse. A cash cow milked dry. We gave it $10.00, because we’re nice people. Really.
The Transporter Refuelled: It may be refuelled, but this tired franchise ran out of gas long ago. $8.00.
The 36th Golden Raspberry Awards Ceremony will take place on February 27, 2016.
For more info on the Razzies, visit their website.
