In addition to rounding up the 50 worst movies of all time with an insightful and skewering wit, the author turns his attention to the tacky trends and beaten-to-death genres that have filled double bills for decades. What was the worst Elvis movie? The lamest Madonna movie? They're all here, along with an affectionate round-up of the "Baddest of the Bs", those ultra-tacky, low-budget movies that have earned them everlasting distinction in the pantheon of schlock.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
Sauter's book is the latest addition to the canon of bad movie appreciation, and its organization is as kitschy as the movies themselves. Refreshingly opinionated, Sauter refuses to straddle fences, but there's no real rhyme or reason behind his selections. They run the gamut, from insipid genres (rock musicals and biker films) to schlock horror (Ed Wood's notorious output) to ill-conceived literary adaptations (The Fountainhead) and films hopelessly out of time and place (Paint Your Wagon). Sauter gloats most at blockbuster bombs, such as Cleopatra?there is a noticeable glint in this film critic's eye when, despite big budgets, technological wizardry and tried-and-true formulas, Hollywood still manages to fall flat on its face. Moments of wry tenderness for real duds are tinctured with caustic criticism. "Sign of the Times" sections approach genre analysis in terms of insight, and some historical overview is provided. Bad movies are an easy target, perhaps, but an amusing one. Recommended.?Jayne Plymale-Jackson, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Athens
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
No movie book collection should be without this fresh look at cinema's dregs. Concentrating on fairly recent American fare (who can argue with that?), Sauter serves up the obvious choices (Ed Wood flicks, Heaven's Gate), the awful but forgotten (Myra Breckinridge, The Green Berets), and the once revered but truly terrible (The Greatest Show on Earth, A Summer Place). Making flouting accepted film-buff evaluations one of the book's strengths, he recaps the plot, mentions notable performances, and cites behind-the-scenes madness for each film. Like many chroniclers of bad stuff, Sauter seems to secretly enjoy junk, which, given the likes of Liz Taylor's Cleopatra and Howard the Duck, is easy to do. Of course, with all the trash Hollyweird offers, some of it had to fail to make Sauter's cut. Yet if Mommie Dearest deserves inclusion (and it does), why not Imitation of Life (either version) or The Alamo? Oh, well. Grab Sauter to browse while screening Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and you won't be sorry--about the book. Mike Tribby
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun weekend read if you are a movie buff.,
By
This review is from: The Worst Movies of All Time: Or, What Were They Thinking? (Paperback)
I enjoyed this book if, for nothing more than it is refreshing to read something that doesn't extoll the cinematic masterpiece all film books seem to call their subjects.While some of the choices may seem harsh, I must agree with most of them, (I will even admit to hating myself for the fact I can watch Grease 2, even though it is an undeniably bad film!) and some just made me cackle with delight. (The chapter on 'A Star is Born' is chock full of painful truth!) And I was surprised to find some films in there (The 10 Commandments...but I like his arguments). I recommend this book for an enjoyable read, but not as a serious film reference.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Funny and Insightful Work.,
By Edward, Rebecca Luhm (Northern Wyoming, WY.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Worst Movies of All Time: Or, What Were They Thinking? (Paperback)
Michael Sauter is a very good writer. Their are so many books anymore on the best movies of all time that is person decided to write a book that was totally the opposite. One of my favorite parts is were he attacks all of the fallow ups horror movies like Friday the 13th and Halloween have spawd. I have never heard anyone do a better job of making fun of somthing.
5.0 out of 5 stars
He's a smart guy,
By
This review is from: The Worst Movies of All Time: Or, What Were They Thinking? (Paperback)
One of the things I like about this is that this person writes with a sense of humor and wit, with self-depracating charm and cynicism, that you have to "get it," to get it.
It's a good overall review. I disagree with some of the other reviewers, though. Perhaps they left their third-person lookers-on personas by their front doors. When it comes to this genre, that's an unfortunate thing to leave behind! Too bad. They missed out. Do another one, Michael!
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