Chronic Listaholic

All of these appear on multiple worst-movie lists

1. Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959). Often called the worst film ever made, there’s no question this is ultralow-budget Ed Wood (cardboard tombstones that blow over, visible boom mikes and innumerable other goofs). But it’s so campy, so corny, it never fails to make me laugh out loud.
2. Staying Alive (1983). This sequel to Saturday Night Fever takes Tony Manero from the discos of Brooklyn to a Broadway stage. It was co-written, directed and co-produced by Sylvester Stallone. Almost everyone thinks calling it a piece of crap is undue praise. I’ve liked it from the first time I saw it. I like the (predictable) story, the (stereotyped) characters and most of the (very ’80s) music. And jeebus, Travolta was ripped.
3. The Postman (1996). Okay, so it’s not the same as the superb novel by David Brin. Not many books do survive the translation to film. It’s still very well done, and its concept of a post-nuclear-war world is more plausible than most. And Kevin Costner is gorgeous.
4. Jason X (2002). Too many people fail to appreciate the creepalicious combination of sci-fi and horror in such movies as the Alien and Predator series. But how can you not love a cyborg Jason Voorhees? (Can you believe I even found the original classic Friday the 13th on some bad-movie lists?!?! Madness.)
5. Mars Attacks! (1996). I don’t get why this movie caught so much flak. Did people not realize it’s a spoof? I thought it was funny as hell. You gotta love a movie with Jack Nicholson AND Jack Black in the cast. Plus, Tom Jones saves the world!!!
6. Waterworld (1995). Although it’s widely regarded as the Heaven’s Gate of sci-fi films, I’ve never understood why this movie bombed. The massive budget is evident in the stunning cinematography, the acting is excellent (Dennis Hopper as a one-eyed dictator!), and the story fascinating. Oh, and Kevin Costner is the most gorgeous he’s ever been.
7. Shanghai Surprise (1986). There are two reasons this movie was panned: Sean Penn and Madonna. People weren’t ready to accept her in a role so opposite her singing persona, and everyone was sick of hearing about the famous couple. I saw this movie in 1986, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Entertaining story and decent acting. In my mind, this film’s bad rep was simply a case of punishing the stars for their celebrity.
8. Sahara (2005). You can’t make me not like a Clive Cussler-book-based movie! You can’t, you can’t, you can’t! Not even if you cast Matthew McConaughey as the macho Dirk Pitt and Steve Zahn as hirsute Italian Al Giordino.
9. Grease 2 (1982). John Travolta made the first one a huge hit. The sequel has a young Michelle Pfeiffer instead. This time it’s good boy-bad girl. But what I most love is the soundtrack (especially “Who’s That Guy?”) — and the good memories associated with viewings of this movie.
10. Armageddon [1998]. The only reason people trash this movie is because it has Ben Affleck in it. Come on! BRUCE WILLIS, people! Bruce Willis saves the world! What more could you ask for?

[tags]Bad movies, sci-fi, people are mean[/tags]

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