When Harry met Sally … again?
It’s not clear what, how, or why they’re getting together again, but it seems they are planning a reunion of some sort. Meg Ryan recently posted on Instagram an up-to-date photo of herself with Billy Crystal from their movie “When Harry Met Sally,” hinting at an iconic project that they will soon share with us.
Since its debut in 1989, the film “When Harry Met Sally” has consistently been praised as an outstanding romantic comedy. Directed by Rob Reiner and penned by Nora Ephron, this movie questioned whether meaningful friendships could exist between men and women. The story unfolds through the evolving relationship between its two main characters, Harry and Sally, portrayed by Crystal and Ryan. As they initially meet, develop a friendship, and consider a deeper bond, the film explores their connection over time.
In the ’80s, the romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally earned an Academy Award nomination for Ephron’s screenplay, raked in nearly $100 million, and has since become a timeless classic. The iconic scene filmed at Katz Deli continues to be used to promote pastrami sandwiches today. The film catapulted Crystal and Ryan to stardom, leading them to star in numerous large-scale romantic comedies throughout the subsequent decade; however, they never worked on a project together as suggested by an Instagram caption.
Regarding the nature of this reunion… Whenever a celebrity hints at a reunion or sequel to a cherished classic movie or series during the current season, it’s often for a Super Bowl commercial. So, one can wonder what product or service they might be promoting. My assumption leans towards something related to financial planning.
The Worst Comedies Ever Made
50. The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
If you’ve only heard about this infamous box-office bomb, which allegedly cost $100 million and earned just $7 million, and are wondering if it truly lives up to its notoriety, let me dissuade you immediately. Indeed, it does.If anything, it’s even worse! Eddie Murphy portrays the main character, a smuggler-turned-nightclub owner residing on the Moon in the future. Pluto encounters a battle with an illicit cloning-involved villain, but if any of this premise appeals to you, be warned that the presentation is so lackluster, empty, and unamusing — a significant issue given its place on this list.
49. Ed (1996)
Who wouldn’t appreciate a chimpanzee that knows how to play baseball? It seems that anyone who watched “Ed,” a disappointing sports comedy featuring an up-and-coming minor leaguer and his team’s chimpanzee mascot, felt the same. Interestingly enough, “Ed” was not portrayed by a real animal but rather an intricate animatronic suit. At least no innocent jungle creature had to act in this dismal film.
48. Porky’s (1981)
In the early 1980s, the teenage sex comedy genre experienced significant growth, and “Porky’s” was undeniably leading this surge. The film revolved around a gang of high school friends, who were trying to aid their sexually frustrated buddy (Dan Monaghan) in losing his virginity. However, when the boys encountered problems at a nightclub, it morphed into a mission for revenge against the owner and his sheriff brother, who had disrupted their fun times. Interestingly, every “teenager” portrayed in this full-length ode to male chauvinism seemed older than me, and I was born before this movie even premiered. The characters in the film were so overtly misogynistic in their pursuit of women as mere objects that they make “American Pie” appear almost feminist by comparison.
47. Problem Child (1990)
In 1990, “Problem Child” was successful enough to surpass films like “Joe Versus the Volcano,” “Goodfellas,” “House Party,” and “Gremlins 2: The New Batch.” However, it wasn’t shielded from criticism. In fact, being shielded or protected is the opposite of what “Problem Child” experienced with critics. The movie received scathing reviews – “everyone appears to be shouting their lines and making large gestures instead of acting,” as noted by The New York Times – but it still managed to spawn a couple of sequels regardless.
(A side note: There are indeed two “Problem Child” sequels, and there’s a good chance one or both might be worse than the original. Fortunately, I hope never to watch them.)
46. Blues Brothers 2000 (1998)
Even John Belushi’s replacement as Jake Blues in “Blues Brothers 2000” was questionable, and giving Elwood a cloying child companion might not have been the best choice. (It’s said that director John Landis wanted Macaulay Culkin for the role, but this didn’t pan out, and it may have been wiser to abandon the entire subplot at that point.) The music in “Blues Brothers 2000” is still up to par with the original film, but everything else—from humor to characters—falls flat. In the final Battle of the Bands, the Blues Brothers mysteriously transform into dancing zombies, which is a disappointing scene, but it does symbolize the lifelessness of this entire ill-fated project.
45. Jack & Jill (2011)
The performance by Al Pacino in a catchy jingle for the Dunkaccino certainly merits five stars. However, the overall quality of this disappointing Adam Sandler film, where Sandler portrays a bothersome pair of siblings, marks the lowest point in what has been an extended career for the Sandman.
Al Pacino’s singing commercial for Dunkaccino is worthy of five stars. Unfortunately, the rest of this underwhelming Adam Sandler movie, featuring Sandler playing a pair of irritating siblings, represents the nadir of his long-spanning career.
44. Meet the Spartans (2008)
One particularly disheartening cultural development of the 2000s was the surge of parody films, largely fueled by the substantial financial success of the Scary Movie series. A significant number of these so-called comedies were either written or directed by Scary Movie veterans Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Their notion of humor typically involved replicating scenes from popular movies, with many instances being reminiscent of 300 in the case of Meet the Spartans. However, the film also incorporated unrelated gags from Shrek, Spider-Man 3, Happy Feet, featuring doppelgängers and people getting hit in the groin.
Or:
A distressing pattern that emerged during the 2000s was a rise of parody films, primarily driven by the significant financial triumph of the Scary Movie series. Numerous comedies from this era were either written or directed by former Scary Movie team members Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Their understanding of humor usually entailed reenacting scenes from well-known movies, particularly 300 in the case of Meet the Spartans. Yet, the film also featured gags unrelated to 300, such as those from Shrek, Spider-Man 3, Happy Feet, utilizing doppelgängers and people being struck in the groin area.
43. Zoolander 2 (2016)
In a playful twist of words, let me rephrase your text:
The original “Zoolander” hilariously skewered the shallow fashion industry. However, the humor in “Zoolander 2” primarily targets the first film, as characters frequently make light of Derek and Hansel’s perceived irrelevance due to aging in a time dominated by social media influencers. One could argue that the sequel aimed to demonstrate these characters’ ongoing relevance. Regrettably, “Zoolander 2” fell short, inadvertently strengthening the argument that its protagonists had indeed become outdated. When Mugatu commented to Zoolander, “It doesn’t age well, does it?”, this line echoed a bitter truth.
42. Rhinestone (1984)
As a die-hard movie fan, I must admit that Sylvester Stallone displayed an impressive level of humility – or perhaps foolishness – in this bumbling country music comedy. In this film, he finds himself paired with the legendary Dolly Parton, who plays a singer with a daring wager: she bets her boss (Ron Leibman) that she can transform anyone into a country star. If she wins, his contract is torn up; if he wins, she must spend a night with him. (Yuck!) The idea of molding Stallone into a country musician was as misguided as attempting to create a romantic comedy centered on the looming specter of sexual harassment. Despite their on-screen chemistry, Stallone’s performance often feels blurred in broad comedies like this one, and the songs – such as the ode to alcoholism “Drinkenstein” – are truly awful.
41. Nothing But Trouble (1991)
One less expected aspect of this film is that it was partially inspired by Dan Aykroyd’s nightmares. Few movies capture such an authentic, disconcerting dreamlike quality as this one does, from the gruesome violence to the actors wearing grotesque prosthetics to the unexpected Digital Underground musical sequence to the bizarre technology powering the ancient judge’s complex home. As a child, I don’t think I managed to watch the entire film, but even brief glimpses of Chevy Chase tumbling into piles of human bones or Aykroyd as a giant diapered baby were enough to give me nightmares. This movie is undeniably one of the most disturbing Hollywood productions I’ve ever encountered.
40. Gigli (2003)
The Unfortunate Saga of “Gigli”
In 2003, the movie “Gigli” made its theater debut, notorious before it even began due to its low Rotten Tomatoes score of 6%. As someone who found amusement in watching poorly-made films, I convinced a group of friends and colleagues to join me for the opening weekend viewing, expecting an entertaining train wreck.
However, what unfolded was far from entertaining. “Gigli” was indeed a disaster, but not the comical kind. Starring real-life couple Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, this film showcased none of their on-screen chemistry as they navigated a baffling plot that revolved around kidnapping a mentally challenged boy (portrayed by Justin Bartha) to pressure a federal prosecutor for Affleck’s boss. After the credits rolled, I spent weeks apologizing to everyone who had accompanied me to the movie. That, in a nutshell, is “Gigli” – a romantic comedy so dreadful it caused friendships to crumble.
39. Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd (2003)
As a devoted fan, let me tell you that trying to recreate the magic of “Dumb and Dumber” without the genius of the Farrelly brothers, the hilarious performances of Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels, results in an unfunny disaster. In this version, Eric Christian Olsen and Derek Richardson attempt to fill their shoes as teenage counterparts, but unfortunately, they fall short on delivering laughs. Even supporting actors like Eugene Levy, Cheri Oteri, and Bob Saget, who are usually dependable for a good chuckle, fail to deliver in this film. I must admit that “Dumb and Dumberer” lives up to its title – it’s 100% more accurate, albeit not in the way the creators intended.
38. Police Academy: Mission to Moscow (1994)
During the 1980s, the “Police Academy” series gained popularity and proved surprisingly profitable. However, by the early 1990s, the franchise struggled on, reaching its seventh installment where the remaining cast members, who hadn’t moved on to other opportunities, ventured to Russia to assist in an investigation of a string of robberies. Unfortunately, this film was released at the end of August in 1994 and earned barely $200,000, a mere fraction of what typical “Police Academy” films garnered. Unsurprisingly, the underperformance of “Mission to Moscow” marked the final demise of the “Police Academy” franchise for good. (And if you’ve seen “Mission to Moscow”, you’ll understand why; it was truly a mercy for both the franchise and its audience.)
37. Ringmaster (1998)
At the peak of “The Jerry Springer Show”‘s fame, Jerry Springer starred in a film called “Ringmaster.” In this movie, he played the bewildered host of a seedy talk show named after him. Although Springer appeared comfortable among the oddball guests on his real-life show, he appears awkwardly self-conscious during scenes from “Ringmaster,” which depicts a fictionalized version of his own show with professional actors. Some of the supporting cast deliver convincing performances in the questionable material, but it’s evident that this movie features an individual who clearly does not want to be part of the production.
36. Date Movie (2006)
Friedberg and Seltzer returned with another film titled “Date Movie,” filled with humor perceived as relevant at the time, such as jabs at Napoleon Dynamite and Michael Jackson. However, these jokes now seem as outdated as a 1950s educational video on baby origins. I struggle to fathom the countless relationships that were damaged beyond repair by date nights spent watching “Date Movie.
35. Son of the Mask (2005)
It’s clear that films like “Dumb and Dumberer,” which aren’t headlined by Jim Carrey, can be quite rough. The charm of “The Mask” lay in the magical mask, allowing Carrey to express his raw emotions, as well as his talent for impressions and voices. In “Son of the Mask,” Jamie Kennedy’s character rarely dons the mask, with his dog wearing it more often (for some strange reason). And when he does wear it, he’s as stiff as a board—despite being a frustrated cartoonist, which should have given him opportunities to emulate Carrey’s portrayal of “The Mask.” In fact, it seems they may have dubbed in another actor’s voice to make Kennedy sound like the original character. So, here we are!
34. Loose Shoes (1978)
As a fan of offbeat humor, I must admit that diving into this 1980 collection of mock movie trailers can often feel more like a melancholic trudge than a laughter-filled journey. However, one gem truly shines amidst the gloom – a satirical take on prison dramas starring Bill Murray in his Saturday Night Live days as Lefty Schwartz, a death row inmate. In just a few short minutes, Murray manages to elicit more chuckles than all the trailers for Loose Shoes put together, especially during the scene where he voiced his displeasure about the prison food. (“Is this quiche?!? And this bouillabaisse! It’s tripe!”) If you stumble upon Murray’s performance, it’s definitely worth your time. Otherwise, if humor is what you’re after, you might want to give it a pass.
33. Not Cool (2014)
Shane Dawson, known for his YouTube channel, made his directorial debut as part of the now-forgotten reality TV series titled “The Chair“. In this show, two directors were given the same script and created unique films from it. Essentially, “The Chair” was a real-life exploration of a filmmaking thought experiment. Unfortunately, the movie that came out of the show for Dawson, titled “Not Cool“, turned into a fiasco. It had a budget of $800,000 and only earned around $40,000 in theaters.
32. The Happytime Murders (2018)
Brian Henson’s racy puppet comedy, “The Happytime Murders”, is filled with explicit humor that caters to adult audiences who find the idea of edgy comedy involving puppets and lots of sex jokes amusing. The movie is best known for Melissa McCarthy biting a puppet on its private parts, and Joel McHale’s scene mimicking the iconic leg-crossing moment from “Basic Instinct”. Despite the controversial content, Maya Rudolph shines in her role, making a joke about rice pilaf that stands out as a highlight of the film. Kudos to her for delivering a memorable performance!
31. Dirty Grandpa (2016)
The movie “Dirty Grandpa” shares a similar humorous approach with “The Happytime Murders“, which revolves around the idea that when someone perceived as pure or innocent (like grandparents or puppets) utters crude language, it’s automatically amusing. If hearing Robert De Niro use terms like “smegma” brings a smile to your face, then you’ll likely enjoy “Dirty Grandpa“. However, if you prefer humor with genuine wit (or less frequent homophobia), you might be left feeling let down. On the bright side, the film title is spot-on accurate.
30. Epic Movie (2007)
In a new attempt, Friedberg and Seltzer deliver yet another unimpressive parody, this time targeting various blockbuster films. Unlike their previous works like “Date Movie” and “Meet the Spartans”, which had clear themes such as romantic comedies and swords and sandals movies, “Epic Movie” seems to be a satire of… well, epic movies. However, its targets are quite diverse, ranging from “The Da Vinci Code” and “V For Vendetta” to the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series. One might question if films like “Borat”, “Talladega Nights”, “Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle”, or “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” are indeed ‘epic’, but they are included in this film nonetheless. And, without a doubt, all these movies surpassed the quality of this production.
29. The Jerky Boys: The Movie (2005)
28. I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry (2007)
Indeed, the comedy film “I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry” concludes with a powerful statement advocating for gay rights and equality, emphasizing that they are equal to everyone else. However, the preceding 110 minutes of the movie are filled with derogatory remarks about homosexuality as a firefighter (Kevin James) persuades his resistant, macho colleague (Adam Sandler) to pretend to be his domestic partner to secure insurance benefits for his children.
27. The Love Guru (2008)
In the 1990s and 2000s, Mike Myers was consistently a strong comedic presence from a financial standpoint, with successful films like “Wayne’s World,” “Austin Powers,” and even the “Shrek” series. However, his fortunes took a turn with the release of “The Love Guru,” a puzzling comedy that centered around a mediocre guru trying to heal a troubled hockey player’s mind. The film was a flop at the box office and received some of the worst reviews in Myers’ career. It seems that even these poor results were somewhat lenient; it is hard to imagine how the public would react if Mike Myers released “The Love Guru” today, playing this character.
26. Mr. Nanny (1993)
As a film enthusiast who’s no stranger to the limelight, it’s safe to say Hulk Hogan isn’t your typical silver screen sensation. Stepping out from behind the wrestling ring, he appears surprisingly rigid in this rip-off of “Home Alone,” where his unemployed wrestler character is coerced into a bodyguard role for a tech tycoon’s mischievous offspring. These kids put him through various Kevin McCallister-style pranks and tricks, until they unexpectedly take a liking to him and transform into model children.
The physical humor is abundant in this flick, but the genuine laughs are few: One scene where Hulk refuses to fix a rigged wrestling match and the promoter retaliates by shooting Sherman Hemsley (apparently, pro wrestling is considered a legitimate sport in the “Mr. Nanny” cinematic universe), and an odd, unexplained moment during a montage where a man in the background heartlessly throws his dog into the sea. That’s a tough one for the pooch!
25. Blank Check (1994)
Disregarding the questionable romantic subplot between the child character and an older woman in “Blank Check,” which is problematic, to say the least, one must still confront a film about a selfish protagonist who is portrayed alongside even more self-centered characters, in an effort to create sympathy for a character who steals a million dollars and squanders it on trivial items. The movie’s underlying theme that money is all that matters is so blatantly crass and vulgar that it seems as if this film was crafted by the extraterrestrials from “They Live.
24. The Ridiculous 6 (2015)
Over the past eight years, Adam Sandler has created ten films in collaboration with Netflix. Many of these movies have been well-received, with some even receiving good critiques; for instance, “Hustle” from 2022 garnered an impressive 93 on Rotten Tomatoes. However, Sandler’s partnership with Netflix had a bumpy beginning when the comic western “The Ridiculous 6” was released. Despite boasting an all-star cast that included Terry Crews, Will Forte, Luke Wilson, Steve Zahn, Harvey Keitel, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, and others, this film failed to secure a single positive review.
23. Daddy Day Camp (2007)
It appeared as though nobody from the original “Daddy Day Care” was keen to participate in this deviated follow-up. Instead, Cuba Gooding Jr., Paul Rae, Josh McLerran, and Tamala Jones stepped into the roles previously held by Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin, Steve Zahn, and Regina King. The director of the first film, Steve Carr, was also absent. The initial movie centered around Murphy and Garlin learning to manage a day care center. In this sequel, they switch to overseeing a camp, which would logically be a success given their refined childcare abilities. However, being a sequel, things predictably go awry once more, and so does the film.
22. Speed Zone (1989)
In essence, “Speed Zone” movie, a sequel to the “Cannonball Run” series, appears almost as dull as an episode of “Wacky Races” next to Shakespeare. This film features another group of reckless road racers like Donna Dixon, Matt Frewer, Alyssa Milano, and others, who speed across the nation, engaging in various pursuits and stunt sequences. The action is tolerable, but only those who truly enjoy high-speed car chases can derive minimal enjoyment from this hodgepodge. Even with comedians of genuine wit such as John Candy and Eugene Levy involved in “Speed Zone”, it becomes even more disappointing. One cannot help but wonder about the numerous better projects they could have worked on instead, sparing us the watch time we could have spent on more worthwhile movies.
This movie titled “Speed Zone”, which is like a sequel to the “Cannonball Run” films, seems almost as dull as an episode of “Wacky Races” compared to Shakespeare. The film showcases another group of wild street racers including Donna Dixon, Matt Frewer, Alyssa Milano, and more, who race across the country, causing various chases and stunts. While the action is generally okay, only those who truly enjoy watching speeding cars can find any enjoyment in this mess. It’s unfortunate that talented comedians such as John Candy and Eugene Levy are involved in “Speed Zone”, making it even more disappointing. One cannot help but think about all the better projects they could have worked on, and we could have watched instead, if “Speed Zone” had never been made.)
21. North (1994)
In the realm of cinema, few films have garnered as much infamy as the notorious flop “North“. This movie was so poor that it earned a memorable passage in Roger Ebert’s extensive career of reviewing movies: “I despised this movie. Despised it with every fiber of my being. Despised its every insipid, stupid, and offensive moment.” Remarkably, the film lives up to this harsh critique. For instance, approximately 20 minutes in, Dan Aykroyd and Reba McEntire appear as over-the-top Texas caricatures, singing a song about their deceased son who perished in a stampede. The following scene revolves around jokes about a child’s “crack.” To add to the absurdity, Kathy Bates portrays an Inuit woman who sends her father (Abe Vigoda) off to his death on an ice floe with honor. Ebert was not mincing words.
20. Caddyshack II (1988)
As a devoted cinephile, if you’re intrigued by the transformation of an iconic comedy into a widely criticized sequel, take a glance at this Sports Illustrated piece from 2020. The gist is that Warner Bros., in search of a summer blockbuster in ’88, heavily invested in bringing back Rodney Dangerfield and Chevy Chase for the infamous “Caddyshack II”. Dangerfield persuaded original co-writer and director Harold Ramis to pen the script, but Ramis confessed to SI that he had little enthusiasm for the project. The script didn’t sit well with Dangerfield either, prompting him to bow out at the last minute. Desperate for a hit, Warner Bros. persisted, enlisting Jackie Mason to fill in as the film’s boorish wealthy character, defying the WASPs of Bushwood Country Club. Unfortunately, Mason fell short of Dangerfield’s charm and his part was laden with stale jokes, flatulence humor, and absurd prop gags (he even used a high-tech club that shot lasers – funny because golf clubs don’t usually do that!). Still skeptical about the movie’s quality? The director of “Caddyshack II”, Allan Arkush, gave his own film a one-star rating on Letterboxd, writing “I should never have made this movie!! What was I thinking?
19. The Garbage Pail Kids Movie (1987)
I belonged to a generation of kids who were deeply captivated by Garbage Pail Kids trading cards in the late 80s. These cards, which mocked Cabbage Patch Kids and other popular cultural figures of the time, were entertaining to swap with friends during school bus rides. However, when I rented The Garbage Pail Kids Movie from the video store, I was shocked to find that the filmmakers had transformed the Kids’ quirky designs into unsettling animatronic masks. It’s hard to think of many horror movies that can match the eerie imagery displayed in this film, especially the disturbing appearances of Messy Tessie and Valerie Vomit.
18. Mother’s Day (2016)
During his later years, Garry Marshall found commercial success by directing ensemble comedies featuring attractive individuals finding love on different holidays: New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, and most notably, Mother’s Day – which was less amusingly intended compared to the previous film named Mother’s Day, as that one was a violent horror movie.
17. Norbit (2007)
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate it when Eddie Murphy brings multiple characters to life in a single movie, using intricate prosthetics. However, there are exceptions like the film “Norbit” which seemed to steer his character talents towards grittier, less comical territory that didn’t resonate with audiences as much. Surprisingly, despite negative reviews from critics, the 2007 release of Norbit managed to gross nearly $160 million worldwide on a budget of just $60 million.
16. A Haunted House 2 (2014)
Regardless of the quality of the numerous imitations of the “Paranormal Activity” series that emerged throughout the 2010s, they were spared from depicting scenes such as Marlon Wayans humping creepy dolls or crushing adorable puppies with massive safes. If a third installment of “A Haunted House” ever comes out, I might consider leaving this platform and opening a bakery instead.
15. Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot! (1992)
In the 90s, Sylvester Stallone produced a series of less-than-stellar films, such as Daylight, Judge Dread, and The Specialist to name a few that come to mind. However, among these subpar movies, Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot stands out as one of the worst, even surpassing his early softcore film before Rocky catapulted him to stardom. This movie lacks humor in any form, not even managing to be amusing in a campy or unintentionally funny way.
The premise isn’t terrible; I can imagine a humorous take on an overbearing mother character. But this film is far from that. The portrayal of Estelle Getty’s character lacks consistency, veering between a complete moron in one scene and a supercop in the next. She demonstrates the ability to escape handcuffs, but seems unaware that purchasing an Uzi from the back of a van might be illegal. This inconsistency is supposed to be comical, but falls flat.
14. Sorority Boys (2002)
1990s and early 2000s saw a surge of raunchy teen comedies, modeled after “American Pie,” that aimed to top each other with crude sexual humor. However, few films during this period showed as little respect for women or portrayed them as objects more consistently than “Sorority Boys.” The sorority in the movie is called DOG, and its members are referred to as “DOGs.” In one plotline, a fraternity member disguises himself as a woman to befriend the president of the sorority, leading to multiple instances where he showers with her, even tricking her into believing he’s a woman while soaping up her body. To add insult to injury, the main plot revolves around a tape made by one of the characters of him having sex with numerous women without their consent. Despite being marketed as a comedy, the film raises serious concerns about consent and respect for women.
13. Neighbors (1981)
In an unexpected turn, John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, known for their hilarious partnership on Saturday Night Live and The Blues Brothers, faced a disastrous misstep with the 1981 film. By reversing their roles, where Belushi became the straight-laced character and Aykroyd took on the wild party animal persona, they laid an intriguing but puzzling foundation. This was further complicated by a cast of eccentric characters who failed to portray even the slightest semblance of human behavior throughout the film.
To add to this bizarre concoction, the movie featured a plethora of offbeat creative decisions, with the score (composed by Bill Conti, renowned for his work on numerous other films) being perhaps the most perplexing. The music, filled with slide whistles and theremins that accompanied every joke, was so jarring and discordant it seemed like watching a movie while an atrocious marching band improvised to the action unfolding onscreen. This auditory experience was truly beyond belief. It felt as if one was witnessing a film with a poorly rehearsed band playing off-key tunes in response to what was happening on screen.
12. She’s Out of Control (1989)
In a highly problematic comedy, a devoted father (Tony Danza) finds himself in turmoil as his eldest daughter reaches the age of 15 and expresses an interest in dating boys. However, it’s not as if she suddenly dives into risky behaviors like drug abuse or adult entertainment; instead, she gets new glasses and a haircut, and attends a couple of dates. The father (Tony Danza) seeks advice from a therapist (Wallace Shawn), who has authored a book advocating that fathers should act as enforcers of their daughters’ virginity. The film seemingly supports Danza’s erratic actions when the daughter’s prom date (Matthew Perry) attempts to harm her. This movie is not suitable for any parent or viewer alike.
11. The Hot Chick (2002)
In my opinion, I’ve often praised the bodyswap comedy genre as near-perfect, but even I can’t justify the film “The Hot Chick.” The plot revolves around Rob Schneider as a clumsy thief who switches identities with Jessica, portrayed by Rachel McAdams. However, the character Schneider plays as Jessica seems to have no resemblance whatsoever to any real teenager, let alone the talented Rachel McAdams, who is supposedly trapped within his persona. The movie also seems to hold a record for the most crude humor and disrespectful jokes about sexuality in a single film. It’s truly a disappointing squandering of resources, including Anna Faris, who is saddled with the unfortunate role of being Jessica’s best friend.
10. Chairman of the Board (1998)
You wouldn’t anticipate greatness from a film starring stand-up comedian Carrot Top, and “Chairman of the Board” disappoints even more than expected. The story follows an unlucky inventor who becomes friends with a wealthy businessman (Jack Warden), who later passes away and leaves him his company. Despite the potential for humor, the film fails to deliver. However, it did provide one of the most memorable moments in late-night television when Norm Macdonald repeatedly interrupted co-star Courtney Thorne-Smith’s interview with Conan O’Brien to share his thoughts on a potential Carrot Top movie. (“If it’s got Carrot Top in it, you know what a good name for it would be? ‘Box Office Poison’!”)
9. The Master of Disguise (2002)
The concept behind “The Master of Disguise” is logical; the notion of an individual capable of imitating others and adopting multiple personas suits Dana Carvey, a gifted mimic from “Saturday Night Live.” However, Carvey is a master of impressions, not a master of disguise, and these are not synonymous terms. A true master of disguise would vanish entirely into their roles and become unnoticeable. Conversely, Carvey’s performance in this film does not embody that quality (and, for the record, neither does it result in a compelling or enjoyable movie).
8. It’s Pat (1994)
On Saturday Night Live, several less-than-stellar films were born, but none as excruciatingly painful as this film about Julia Sweeney’s character, Pat – an awkward and androgynous figure who left audiences scratching their heads. Just like in the TV sketches, people are perplexed over whether Pat is male or female; this confusion intensifies in the movie, particularly for Pat’s infatuated neighbor Kyle (Charles Rocket). In It’s Pat, the obsession with revealing Pat’s true identity is portrayed as uncomfortable and distasteful, and rightfully so. However, one might wonder why an entire comedy hinges on this very topic? Whether male, female, or something else, Pat makes for a terrible protagonist for reasons that transcend gender. Pat is self-absorbed, irritating, humorless, and shockingly cruel. A subplot follows Pat as they swipe a friend’s job hosting a radio show similar to Loveline, boast about it to the friend, then belittle all callers for being too mundane. It’s Pat is an unremittingly grim journey from start to finish.
7. Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star (2011)
Speaking from experience as someone who attended the premiere of “Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star,” I must say that the movie played out for a full 97 minutes without any dialogue whatsoever. Nowadays, you can find it streaming on Tubi, and ironically, the commercials that interrupt it made me laugh more than anything in the movie itself. For instance, right after the first time Bucky, the son of adult film stars who aspires to join their profession, exposed a hilarious flaw in his anatomy, Tubi ran an ad for a telehealth company. Indeed, that’s a good one!
6. Leonard Part 6 (1987)
In the prime of his acting career, Bill Cosby took on a role in this laughable spy spoof titled “Leonard Part 6”. This film centers around a retired CIA agent who is summoned to duty once more to thwart a vegetarian villain who uses mind-controlled animals as weapons. The title is intended to be a joke, hinting at it being the sixth installment of an ongoing series, but unfortunately, it falls flat. Despite Cosby’s involvement in producing the movie and coming up with the initial idea, he criticized “Leonard Part 6” before its premiere. Given his assessment, it’s no surprise; the final cut struggles to find a consistent tone, oscillating between mocking Bond films and catering to a young audience, and featuring some of the most excessive product placements in contemporary cinema history.
5. Disaster Movie (2008)
The title “Disaster Movie” doesn’t accurately describe this film. The term “disaster” is used for the spoof movies created by writers/directors Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer, but they are not true disasters in the traditional sense. Instead, their productions include films like “10,000 B.C“, “Hancock“, “Jumper“, “Enchanted“, “Alvin and the Chipmunks“, “Beowulf“, and “The Love Guru“. As for the movie being a “movie,” it’s only called that by a very loose definition. The story is minimal, with perhaps two actual characters, and it relies heavily on celebrity impressions that are so poorly executed, characters have to announce who they are supposed to be imitating loudly. (“Amy Winehouse?!)?
4. Mad Dog Time (1996)
The movie “Mad Dog Time” isn’t the worst film ever made, but it’s close. I struggle to think of another bad movie as strange as this one. With a stellar cast including Jeff Goldblum, Gabriel Byrne, Ellen Barkin, Richard Dreyfuss, Diane Lane, Gregory Hines, Burt Reynolds, Rob Reiner, Kyle MacLachlan, and more, it’s a gangster film set in an alternate universe in deep space. This universe, known as Vic’s World, is inhabited entirely by stereotypical characters from gangster movies who fight each other in a dimly lit basement. The plot is so peculiar that it seems like it could have originated from another world, where people apparently enjoy unwatchably bad comedies.
3. Movie 43 (2013)
Instead of just being one of the worst comedies ever produced, it was also incredibly puzzling. It’s hard to fathom how the filmmakers managed to persuade Hugh Jackman to don a prosthetic scrotum around his neck and immerse it in soup. Similarly, it seems unfathomable that they could convince Kate Winslet to gaze at Hugh Jackman while he was wearing such a prosthetic. Honestly, even the darkest extortion tactics wouldn’t be enough for me to watch this movie – and I’m not a highly paid movie star myself.
2. Frozen Assets (1992)
Despite some other comedies on the list being rather unfunny, they’re akin to the legendary “Blazing Saddles”. In stark contrast, “Frozen Assets” seems to have been produced by someone who was challenged to create the least amusing film ever. Corbin Bernsen stars as a modest bank executive who is dispatched to revive a flagging branch in Oregon. However, this isn’t an ordinary bank; it’s a… sperm bank! Yes, you guessed it, the only joke in the entire movie. Bernsen is solely focused on making the sperm bank profitable, which puts him at odds with the bank’s chief scientist, portrayed by Shelley Long. He treats her abominably, but predictably, she falls for him. Larry Miller also plays a significant role as an asylum escapee who takes up a job at the sperm bank. Despite my poor description, trust me: “Frozen Assets” is far worse. At all costs, steer clear of this movie. I’d gladly pay not to watch it again.
1. Slapstick of Another Kind (1982)
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2025-01-23 21:56