Ready For A Good Movie? Or Even A “Best Worst” Movie?
Well, this cinephile is holding one of the most wildly entertaining “bad” movies of all time!
The phrase “best worst movie” is not only well known by film buffs, but the title of a terrific documentary as well!
Time For The “Best Worst Movie!”
The documentary “Best Worst Movie” celebrates one of those films – one that is “so bad its good!”
Before I tell you about this terrific documentary, and five of the “best worst” films of all time, something to explain so we are on the same page – THIS is a “best worst” film:
Director Paul Verhoeven decided to “tear the lid off” of Las Vegas with this inside look at the sordid world of “Showgirls”, and it’s a hilariously bad, ridiculous and at times offensive film, which makes it so good!
On the other hand, here is an attempt to “tear the lid off” stripping that was just A HORRIBLE MOVIE!
“Striptease” with Demi Moore was a truly awful film – it was pretentious, condescending and poorly done – even with all that nudity, it was NO FUN AT ALL!
So, with that distinction, let’s get down to some of the “best worst” films ever made – and celebrate them for the effort to be art!
“Best Worst” Movie #5 – “Troll 2!”
The terrific documentary “Best Worst Movie” tells the story of how “Troll 2” became a sensation – years after it was released direct to video!
Here is the vintage 80’s trailer – enjoy!
“Troll 2” is often mentioned as the worst film ever made…and now there is a documentary that looks at the cult that has sprung up around it!
“Best Worst Movie!”
This great documentary looks at the making of “Troll 2” in 1990, and its journey from being crowned the “worst film of all time” to a cherished cult classic.
Check out the trailer:
The “Best Worse Movie” documentary was actually made by the child actor from the movie! He interviews the cast about how the movie changed their lives. He also interviews the Director, who insists that “Troll 2” is a great film!
I chose “Troll 2” as number five only because I wanted to start with it and talk about the great documentary…but next up is a film even movie hater could love:
“Best Worst” Movie #4 – “Birdemic!”
Forget Hitchcock’s “The Birds”, THIS is the film that tears the lid off of wild and REALISTIC bird attacks like this one:
Once you see this trailer, you can never go back!
It takes a certain type of genius to make a film like this – you can read all about it here:
In compiling this list, I knew there were many really awful films, including one I had to share for other reasons:
NOT A “Best Worst” Movie – “Manos, Hands Of Fate!”
I’m taking a short break to prove my point about “Showgirls” vs. “Striptease” – not all “bad” movies deserve to be “best worst” films – case in point: this is “Manos, Hands Of Fate”, widely considered one of the worst films of all time. In Spanish, “Manos” means “hands” – so this film is actually called:
“Hands, Hands Of Fate!”
It’s inept, awful in every way – including NOT being any fun to watch – it’s just awful, even with “Torgo” in a crucial role.
Yes, look for the incredible acting of “TORGO” in this trailer:
Ahem. Well, there was THAT.
You can see, just a horrible movie that gives the viewer no “inside joke” pleasure – but it is of course available on DVD, so if you want to learn more about it, go here:
Now, back to the good stuff: a film that boldly entertains you with a film poster that declares:
“Best Worst” Movie #3 – “Confessions Of A Psycho Cat!”
With a title like that, how could it NOT be deliciously bad – and fun to boot? And guess what? It is! Not only that, the “Raging Bull” himself is in it!
Jake LaMotta Battles The Psycho Cat!
OK, Jake LaMotta wasn’t really in “fighting shape” when he took on his opponent – a rich, eccentric upper east wide woman who likes to hunt men – to death!
Folks, there is SO much to love in this film: bad acting, hilarious “wandering around lost” action sequences in Central Park, and an argument between the “Raging Bull” and THIS woman:
What’s so unusual? Well, based on how it’s shot, it’s clear they were never in the room at the same time! Oh, and at one point she gets upset at his lack of attention (no doubt because he wasn’t there!) and so she goes over to a mirror and does THIS:
Yes, she makes out with herself!
Seen enough? Of course not! Click here to see more trivia about the film, why Jake LaMotta got caught up in it, and more! It’s a celebration of the late “Raging Bull”:
https://johnrieber.com/2017/09/20/rip-to-the-raging-bull-jake-lamotta-his-psycho-cat-movie/
LaMotta always had someone in his corner when he fought, and these films always have some kind of “wing man” in the plot – or in this case:
BLUE-FACED WING WOMEN!
“Best Worst” Movie #2 – “The Body Beneath!”
Imagine a film that promotes itself for being filmed in scary places in England!
The legendarily bad film Director Andy Milligan filmed this in spooky looking places in England, and also had these ladies around to scare the guests:
Here, in all its blue-faced glory, is the trailer:
If you are wondering what the blue-faced ghosts have to do with anything, you’ll never find out by watching the film, but that’s just one reason it’s so much fun to watch!
You can read more about this inept Director – and the many classically bad films he made!
Finally, it’s almost too easy to finish with this movie, but is there really any other choice?
“Best Worst” Movie #1 – Tommy Wiseau’s “The Room!”
From the movie’s poster, which is just a shot of the brooding Actor/Director/Producer/Writer Tommy Wiseau, to one of the greatest trailers of all time, “The Room” cries out to be the best worst film ever!
The trailer only hints at the majesty of this movie:
Now you can experience the greatest bad moments by watching Jame Franco tells the story of the making of the film in the new movie “The Disaster Artist”…see more here:
Let me know what I left off the “best worst” list, and yes, there will be plenty of Ed Wood movies to be mentioned for sure!
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johnrieber 
one of my favorite bad movies – “Gymkata”!!! olympic gymnastics and martial art! I think Wayne Gretzkys wife starred in that one.
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YES! That is a classic “best worst” film – thanks for sharing it!
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I don’t get why ‘Showgirls’ gets such bad press. It’s a visual feast!
I would go with that awful ‘Birdemic’ myself. Those fake birds are not even ‘so bad they’re good’.:)
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, those fake birds are EXACTLY why it’s so bad it’s good – and “Showgirls” is a great movie mostly, you just have to accept everything that’s over-the-top – Verhoeven and Ezterhas were daring the studio to hold them back – and they didn’t!
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Well, John, I am really glad that I have not seen any of these films. Entertaining post.
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But Robbie, they are “so bad they’re good!” The documentary really takes a fascinating look at how, for a small group of people, being involved in the awfulness of “Troll 2” changed their life…
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