The Unintenional Surrealism of Bad Movies (Part 2)

Earlier we discussed the connection between "bad films" and surrealism.

We need to make a clarification and a correction.

First the correction: Sam Mraovich's Ben & Arthur is no longer the second worst film of all time (according to the IMDB). It is now the fourth worst. The new number two is called Fat Slags - which leads us to our clarification...

Not all bad films are surreal. Case in point, Fat Slags. The film is based on a comic strip from British humor magazine Viz, which we can assume is like a British version of Mad or maybe a less funny version of the awesome British magazine Acne (which we wrote about here). The film stars Jerry O'Connell, Sexy Spicy Geri Halliwell, Naomi Campbell, and most-importantly actor-turned-auteur Dolph Lundgren. Check out the scene below:



Not surreal.

But the ball breaks when the not-even-all-that-fat-woman sits on it, then there's a mild earthquake. Not surreal, it's exagerration at best.

But the scale talks. Not surreal, you can buy those at Target.

But you should list three things about this clip... it's just good writing. I agree, I am a bad writer.

Anyway, this film works on the premise that fat people are funny- and while it's true sometimes; W.C. Fields, Chris Farley, Jon Belushi- it's really overly generous, and frankly unfair to us, the skinny, to simply assume that all overweight people are funny. Think about it Steve Martin, Kate Moss, the mummified remain of King Tutankhamun- all skinny and hilarious.

In summary:
1. Sam Mraovich made the fourth worst film of all time.
2. Sometimes bad movies are just plain bad.
3. Don't hog the comedy spotlight, fatty, us skinny/attractive people could use a break every once in a while...

Dan

The Unintenional Surrealism of Bad Movies

The way we see it any person making art is a good person- well, with a few exceptions, but for the most part, even if the art isn't necessarily good, the world is in some way a better place because it exists. So, we really hate to pick on anyone for trying and failing BUT it is hard to ignore the unintentional surrealism of certain bad movies. Ed Wood's Glen or Glenda is perhaps the ultimate example of the formula "bad movie" = "incredible surrealist art".

That being said, we would love to find a contemporary Ed Wood, someone who, without even the slightest bit of self-awareness, is creating incredible, accidental pieces of art. I think we found him, in fact we've even written about him before, but it wasn't until recently that we bothered to YouTube him.

Sam Mraovich, writer/producer/director/star/cinematographer/editor/composer/casting director of the second worst film of all time (according to the IMDB), Ben & Arthur may be an unintentional genius. Here's a trailer:



Is it satire- is it a satire of satire? Is it camp? Is it a satire of camp? A campy satire of satire or maybe camp? Just a bad movie? It's like it's either a really bad 'gay-interest' film or a parody of 'gay interest' films so savage it is downright homophobic.

Anyway, Sam we support you. Keep doing what you do- and we'll watch it- and enjoy it, though not necessarily in the way you intended us to.

(One last note, just to clarify, while the film looks like it was shot with camcorders in a weekend- it actually got distribution, hence opening it up for study and/or ridicule and/or jealousy.)

Dan

The Best Movie Ever / The Worst Movie Ever

The weekend it came out The Dark Knight flew (get it? oh wait... nevermind...) to #1 on the IMDB's Top 250, obliterating The Godfather and forcing it down to the dreaded #2 spot, where it will remain until the hype dies down and people come to their senses and realize that Christian Bale's Batman voice was just damn goofy.

Anyway, this weekend saw the release of the newest opus from auteurs* Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer, Disaster Movie. And just like The Dark Knight it flew (sank) to the top (bottom) of it's own list, the IMDB's Bottom 100.

Now first off you have to consider that this means people who saw this trailer, thought "that looks sooooooooooooo funnee" (let's assume they think in typos), and then left their house and paid to see it- were disappointed!

Now while I'm sure Sam Mraovich** is relieved about this, it brings up a disturbing trend.

That's right, I'm talking about hyperbolic reactions. This is the best/worst _____ ever, for now...

Seriously hyperbolic reactions are the worst and greatest problem we as a nation have ever faced and now that they have started affecting our lists, we can no longer stand idly by!

So, here's what you do. Go to the the IMDB, give The Dark Knight the 7 or 8 it actually deserves, then go over to Disaster Movie and give it a 1.

That's right. Hyperbolic reactions aside I really do think that it is possible that Disaster Movie is the worst film ever made, so let's keep it at #1 FOREVER and not just until Paris Hilton releases another movie. It sounds crazy, I know, but we can do it. Us, You, and Sam Mraovich.

Let's make history people.

Thank to Cinematical.

Dan

* Just to clarify, that's sarcasm, these talentless hack motherfuckers are absolute proof that Hollywood sees its audience as little more than a gullible wallet that will pay for any garbage they throw at you as long as they call it comedy. And while they deserve your hatred, it is the system that allows them to exist and (holy shit!) make a living making movies that is the real enemy.

** Who I bet has a Google alert set-up for his own name. Hi Sam!