guilty pleasures: movies so bad, they're actually good

What makes a bad movie good? And I’m not talking Gigli-bad.  I’m talking Plan 9 From Outer Space-bad.  I believe it has to do with comically bad acting, poor production and/or a ludicrous script and plot. I have a thing for “so bad they’re good” films. They’re entertaining and unintentionally funny.  Cases in point:  



1.) Purple Rain - First, let me preface this by saying Purple Rain is one my favorite albums of all time.  And I am certainly not ashamed to say it’s one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s also an ‘80s movie which automatically makes it a “so bad it’s good” contender.  This is definitely among the worst acting and script I’ve come across.  And in spite of the somewhat misogynistic undertones, I just can't get enough of the cheesy dialogue, a too-cool-for-school Prince, the theatrical performances and even the stage humping.  Typical ‘80s and laughable from beginning to end.

2.) Friends 'Til the End - I'm going to assume you haven't heard of or seen this movie.  Why? Because it's a made-for-television film that used to show on VH1 and now only airs on Lifetime every once in a blue. But damnit, I love it. I love it because we actually get to hear Shannen Doherty sing (for real!) and it is baaaaad. So bad, that I actually learned the words to every one of the songs.  Oh, and the Single White Female storyline is hilariously ridiculous and cliche.  It's great.  I've seen it over 10x and can probably recite every line. Which is why I would be the most annoying person to watch this with.

3.) Showgirls - Jesse Spano was hoping to make her big comeback with this one.  All the pieces were there. Nomi Malone was an edgy, daring role that would showcase Berkeley's fit body, stellar dance moves and dramatic (ahem) acting ability.  But something didn't take.  The characters were crude and unlikeable.  The script read like a bad B-movie. And the acting…well, the acting. And my favorite part of this movie? When Nomi pronounces Versace as VerSAIS.  Classic.

4.) Moonwalker - Please please please tell me you've seen this?!  My friend Jen and I used to walk home together from school every day, gather in the living room and pop this baby in the VCR.  And it was like watching it for the first time all over again.  We had so many inside jokes and lines that we referenced from this movie that none of the other eighth-graders wanted to sit with us at lunch anymore (that and the fact that we used to sing Bohemian Rhapsody accompanied by an interpretive dance from yours truly). All to see Michael Jackson frolic with children and dogs in green fields, get chased down by clay people, perform Smooth Criminal for what seems like the entire movie and play the tough guy against the baddie played by Joe freakin' Pesci! In a word, awesome.

5.) Snakes on a Plane - There's not much to be said about this one.  I mean...it's snakes on a plane so that pretty much speaks for itself.  What I find particularly interesting is when this movie is played on basic cable, they edit the most famous line of the movie from “I’ve had it with these motherf**kin snakes on this motherf**kin plane!!!”  to "I've had it with these monkey-fightin' snakes on this Monday to Friday plane!!!".  Those writers...they are clever, aren't they?

I’d love to hear what cheesy, bad movies you love.  Share below!

-jillian m.


{images: IMDB, Mediabistro and Film Affinity}