A sort of “reverse Oscar”, the Raspberry Awards are a film award that highlights the productions considered the “worst” of the year. Established in 1980 as a sort of counterpoint to the season’s prestigious awards, this annual ceremony nominates and rewards the most infamous and poorly rated films in several categories, such as Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Actress, Worst Actor, among others.
Despite its humorous tone, it is considered a bad omen to receive an award of this nature. However, throughout the history of the awards, several films awarded or nominated for the Raspberry have subsequently been reevaluated, achieving cult status and perceived as unfair.
In this context, we have compiled a list of eight films that were once nominated for the Golden Raspberry, but are now appreciated.
Golden Raspberry: Unfairly Named Films
This extremely bizarre and provocative comedy, directed by and starring comedian Tom Green, was largely poorly received by critics upon its release. So much so that the film received seven nominations at the 22nd edition of Raspberry and won five awards, including worst film, worst director and worst actor for Tom Green. However, over the years, this film has developed a solid cult status, with some fans appreciating its bizarre and surreal humor.
In the film, Green plays Gordon, an eccentric, unemployed cartoonist in his thirties who moves back in with his parents and younger brother. When his father (Rip Torn) asks him to leave, Gordon begins spreading false rumors that the old man is sexually abusing his 25-year-old brother.
Criticized for its alleged sensationalism, exaggeration and high sexual content, “Showgirls” was savaged by critics upon its release.
At the 16th Golden Raspberry Awards, the film received 13 nominations, of which it won 7, including Worst Film, Worst Actress (Elizabeth Berkley) and Worst Director (Paul Verhoeven, who received the award personally). Subsequently, in 2000, the film won the award for worst film of the last ten years.
However, “Showgirls” is one of the most famous cases of poorly received films receiving a reevaluation over the years. Today there are numerous critics and cinephiles who consider the film a true masterpiece.
The plot follows a young woman (Elizabeth Berkley) who comes to Las Vegas with dreams of becoming an entertainment star. She finds work as a dancer in a nightclub and discovers the horrors of the entertainment world.
This epic directed by Michael Cimino is known for its negative critical reception and for being a huge commercial failure, leading to the decline of the United Artists studio.
The film received five Razzie nominations and won the award for Worst Director. However, over time, the film has undergone a critical reevaluation and is now considered unfairly mistreated upon its theatrical release.
With Kris Kristofferson, Christopher Walken, Isabelle Huppert, Jeff Bridges and John Hurt in the cast, the plot follows a dispute between land barons in the 1870s.
Incredible as it may seem, the acclaimed horror film “The Blair Witch Project,” celebrated for its pioneering approach to found footage, received two nominations at the 20th Golden Raspberry Awards. The film was nominated for Worst Picture and Worst Actress, and Heather won the award.
However, the film has become a young classic of the horror genre, influencing several films since its release.
The film follows three young people who make a documentary about the Blair Witch myth. They get lost in a forest and face disturbing events.
Considered a cinematic classic, “The Shining” also received Golden Raspberry nominations. In the first edition of the awards, the film competed in two categories: Worst Actress for Shelley Duvall and Worst Director for Stanley Kubrick.
The film managed to escape unscathed, but the mere fact that it was even nominated sounds like heresy or madness nowadays.
Starring Jack Nicholson, the film follows an aspiring writer with writer’s block who decides to take a job as a janitor at an isolated hotel in the mountains. There he faces bizarre supernatural events together with his wife and son.
Despite being a box office success and receiving critical praise, “Dressed to Kill” received three nominations at the inaugural Razzies: Worst Actress (Nancy Allen), Worst Actor (Michael Caine) and Worst Director (Brian De Palma).
Widely acclaimed today, the film follows a mysterious blonde who murders one of a psychiatrist’s patients, then stalks a prostitute who witnesses the murder.
Another unfair film by Brian De Palma nominated for the Raspberry. However, “Body Double” had a poor reception from audiences and critics upon its release, which ended up “justifying” De Palma’s nomination in the Worst Director category.
However, this film is currently considered a cult classic, being one of the most acclaimed in the director’s prestigious filmography.
The plot follows an unemployed actor who takes a temporary job looking after a luxury apartment. There, he watches his sexy neighbor dance through a telescope. However, he ends up witnessing a murder.
Although widely admired today, “Cruising” sparked controversy upon its release due to its controversial approach to New York’s underground gay scene.
As a result, the film received three Golden Raspberry nominations, in the categories of Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Director for William Friedkin.
Starring Al Pacino, the film portrays an undercover New York police officer who infiltrates the gay community to investigate a series of brutal murders.
The next 8 films that were once nominated for the Golden Raspberry, but are now popular appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
