“The Best Movie Ever Made! Ever!”
Yes, I am speaking of the 1995 classic “Showgirls”, and who can argue with that? Well, I think many many can.
In fact, I am about to tell you why it’s the perfect choice for this terrific new blogathon underway today!
As the banner say, the terrific blog “Taking Up Room” is hosting a look at films that are “so bad, they’re good!”
Here’s the link to take part:
OK you two, calm down for a moment – time to take an inside look at the 1995 film “Showgirls!”
Let’s begin with this age-restricted trailer, which includes a few choice words and brief nudity:
I truly feel that Director Paul Verhoeven and Writer Joe Eszterhas decided to see what they could get away with – and as the trailer shows, they got away with a lot!
Elizabeth Berkley stars a a “dancer with a dream”: Nomi Malone wants to be a star on the Las Vegas stage. Of course, until that happens she’ll just be stripper.
Berkley came to fame for her role in the TV series “Saved By The Bell”, but “Showgirls” revealed a much sexier side to her:
Well, if you think licking a stripper pole is sexy. You see, “Showgirls” is, for me, one of the worst AND best films of all time – because they HAD to know how over-the-top and outrageous this film was!
The film was directed by Paul Verhoeven, who also made the infamous “Basic Instinct”, where Sharon Stone shocked the world with her revealing leg cross while being interrogated by police:
That was nothing compared to “Showgirls!” Kyle MacLaclan also stars as the head of the casino where Nomi dances in the chorus line…so of course they end up at his mansion where the most ludicrous sex scene of all time takes place in the pool – be warned, she is not wearing clothes but you can’t see much due to all of the splashing water!
I saw this in a theater and the crowd burst out laughing, like it was a comedy!
Gina Gershon is the mega-star of the Vegas stage show – and Nomi does whatever it takes to push her out of the spotlight – literally!
There are SO many moments of “I can’t believe they did that” and most are too graphic and X-rated to show…it was the last major studio film to release a film to theaters with no rating whatsoever!
Robert Davi plays the owner of the strip bar where Nomi gets her start – and once she is a famous Vegas star, he comes to see her backstage. I can’t share the gif with you, but what he says to her, with a completely straight face, it what many consider the funniest line in the entire film.
AND ONE OF THE WORST LINES OF DIALOGUE EVER FEATURED INA MOVIE!
Notoriously controversial when released, “Showgirls” bombed at the box office but has since become a cult favorite and is one of the best selling films on home video – of all time! How does Nomi feel about that?
Now, my personal experience with “Showgirls”
I covered the Cannes Film Festival every year for E! Entertainment Television, and got the chance in 1994 to see 30 minutes of the film, and interview both Berkley and Director Verhoeven. We did two different shows from Cannes, one an official look a the rifles in competiotn,. and a second special highlighting the wild and crazy stuff that also happened there – the show was called “Sex On The Riviera!’
Berkley told me she watched the show with her parents and told them: “next year I’m going to be on Sex On The Riveria” – and she was!
This blogathon is happening at the blog site “Taking Up Room” and the first entry is from “Nitrate Glow”:
They chose the quirky film “Deadhead Miles” and it’s worth heading to their review here to see why!
There are many films throughout history that fit the bill of being “so bad they’re good” – perhaps the most famous of the past decade is this:
Visionary Actor/Producer/Writer/Director Tommy Wiseau unveiled his masterwork and cinema has never been the same:
Well, perhaps, but if you want to see more about this “you must see it to believe it” film, click here – and also see the hilarious film that tells the story behind the movie as well!
I’ve been a movie fan my entire life, and have seen the best and worst that cinema has to offer….but click here and see who watched films that the worst rating in movie history!
If you like these stories, why not sign up to receive emails whenever I post? It’s easy to do, I do NOT collect any information about you at all, there are absolutely NO ads of any kind, just stories about movies, music, books, food, travel and pop culture…
You can sign up by clicking on my blog here and see the note on the right!
If you enjoy this story, please share on social media – and leave me a comment with your “worst film to ever have suffered through!”
Thanks!
Categories: Action Films, Art, Cult Movies, Exploitation films, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Hollywood, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Sexploitation Movies, Talent/Celebrities, True Hollywood Mystery
johnrieber 
Have not seen Showgirls (and, frankly, have no inclination), but have seen The Room which was better than I expected. That’s what happens when you go into a movie with below-zero expectations, yes?
LikeLiked by 1 person
No need to see Showgirls if there is no immediate appeal or curiosity…as for The Room, I read the book about the film and watching it is a fun blast…andyou are absolutely right – lower expectations can allow a film to just entertain and they don’t all have to be oscars winners! Thanks for the comment, always great to hear from you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, that licking the stripper pole thing…I don’t even want to think about where that pole has been, lol. It’s not at all surprising the audience was laughing at this movie. Thanks, John, for joining the blogathon–this was a gutsy choice! 🙂
LikeLike
I vaguely remember Showgirls but I’ve never seen it. I don’t think it would be my cup of tea. That being said I imagine that strippers are also dancers and people have to start somewhere.
LikeLike
Thanks for the shoutout to my entry in the blogathon!
I’ve long wanted to see SHOWGIRLS because I’ve enjoyed what few Paul Verhoeven movies I’ve seen (ROBOCOP is a favorite) and this one looks totally bonkers. One of my favorite YouTube channels did a review of it and it looks hilarious. Great review!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Two things: Verhoeven is a unique Director to be sure – Starship Troopers is a classic…and know that “Showgirls” has some very unpleasant aspects to it as well…why it’s my best AND worst film….but yes, it’s a midnight movie classic now as fans shout out the lines along with the characters and boy, some of the lines are DOOZIES!
LikeLiked by 1 person
so so bad, but why it’s a cult favorite!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never seen it, but I do know it makes a lot of worst movie lists.
LikeLike
I hope you’re sitting down because I have never seen showgirls! It always sounded like a movie that’s so bad. It’s bad, but maybe after your fun review, I will give it look!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s one of a kind to be sure! Hilariously bad in an entertaining way!
LikeLike
Return to Peyton Place: I wanted to leave but we were with another couple. We never went to a movie with another couple again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
HA! I love that! I have suffered through some horrific films as well and always stay to the bitter end and I mean BITTER
LikeLiked by 1 person
Conventional wisdom says that no one sets out to make a bad film, but it seems that the talents behind Showgirls knew exactly what they were doing– it’s not every day that something so universally panned sets home video records!
I have yet to see Showgirls or The Room, and it seems I’ve got some homework to do…
LikeLiked by 2 people
You hit the nail on the head! As my review says, they clearly wanted to see just how far they could push MGM and how much they could get away with – and they got away with it all! There are so many hilarious fun elements to the film, but it does take a very ugly dark turn at the end….so be aware!
LikeLike
One I had to see….and after just remembered her in Save By The Bell….chuq
LikeLike
Thanks for the giggle, this film is perfect fodder for this blogathon. It really is ridiculously silly especially the sex scene.
LikeLike
I have a soft spot for this exploitation classic. I include it with some similar films that are great to watch, but not ‘great films’. ‘Bound’, (also Gershon) ‘Body Double’ (Melanie Griffith), and ‘Wild Things’. (Neve Campbell) Those 4 together would be a great exploitation film-fest weekend!
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes indeed on those choices Pete…inspired selections all – and I happen to own every single one of them! Can’t quite put my finger”Caligula” in that category due to some moments that just aren’t fun at all and the slow, plodding pace! Thanks for the note!
LikeLiked by 1 person