Bad movies you like for the actors alone
Are there any movies you realize are a bit shit, but you enjoy them anyway because of the actors or a particular performance? Here's some that come to mind for me:
- Australia (2008): I found it bloated, tonally uneven, and playing to every Australian stereotype in the book, but with a cast that includes Kidman, Jackman and a truckload of local legends like Bryan Brown, Jack Thompson, David Gulpilil, Ben Mendelsohn and Barry Otto I can overlook its excesses and enjoy it for the thrill of seeing all these amazing actors in one film.
- The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014): I still maintain that there was absolutely no need to stretch The Hobbit into three films. New Line wanted a new LOTR trilogy and they would get one even if it meant padding each film with overlong sequences that add little to the heart of the story. Even still, Martin Freeman was the absolute embodiment of Bilbo Baggins, pretty much exactly as I had envisaged the character in my head when I first read the book in my early teens. He is very much the equal of Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen in terms of actors who fit into Middle Earth like a hand in a glove.
- Rhinestone (1984): There is no reason why a musical/comedy/romance film starring Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone should work.... and it doesn't. In fact, it's possibly one of the most hair-brained pieces of casting in the history of movies and the trite and try-hard script doesn't do it any favours either. Plus Sly sings, which is as fucking disturbing as you would imagine. I've still seen it numerous times. What can I say, I love them both, and in some ways I thank them for giving us this polished turd of a film. A true guilty pleasure.
Barb Wire (1996): No one seems to know what the hell they are doing in this ridiculous movie and I love it! Pam Anderson on a bike in black leather all shooty and booby with Temuera Morrison fresh off Once Were Warriors trailing behind looking like he just stepped on to the wrong movie set. It is stupid in pretty much every way. Thoroughly recommended.
What are yours?