by Michael Adams
New Book Shelves - Upper Level - 791.437A
When coming across the title of this book one might ask themselves, who in their right mind would willingly watch a years worth of terrible movies? Then on top of that, who would read a book about someone watching a years worth of terrible movies? Of course the simple answer is that people spend money watching terrible movies all the time. How else could “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” make over $800 million dollars in worldwide grosses or shallow, cliché, cash grab schlock like “Valentines Day” make twice its domestic budget? That being said, the films included in this text are so singular in their horridness they make Michael Bay look like Francois Truffaut. There is something to be said for that special gem of abused celluloid, something akin to watching a car accident. You really shouldn’t look but it’s that twinge of curiosity that keeps you wondering “just how bad is it?”
Is it for example “Troll 2” bad?
Unfortunately for author Michael Adams plummeting to the bottom of cinematic depths is far worse. Thankfully, Adams trudges away in this masochistic quest with good humor while gaining insight from those involved in these misfired endeavors. From Sylvester Stallone’s soft core porn debut, “The Party at Kitty and Studs” (no, the library does not have this film, and no I will not order it for you) to Vanilla Ice’s fantastic “Rebel Without a Cause” reinterpretation “Cool as Ice,” Adams leaves no crappy movie unwatched.
(What a coincidence, I've got the same pair of pants at home!)
So why read a book about someone watching a years worth of terrible movies, besides the fact that you wouldn’t have to be forced to watch them yourself? What it comes down to is a love of film, even the worst ones. Of course the fact that some are so bad they are unintentionally hilarious doesn't hurt. Ultimately, it’s the need to understand how and why these films got made in the first place that entices the reader to push on. Plus the sheer joy of watching something crash and burn can be its own reward. I mean it doesn’t take a “Superbaby Genius” to figure that out. (And no I won't be ordering that movie either, although we do have "All About Steve" so that should suffice.)
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