The Worst Movies of All Time: Or, What Were They Thinking? (Paperback)

~ (Author)

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 358 pages
• Publisher: Citadel Press; Rev Upd edition (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806520787
• ISBN-13: 978-0806520780
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,581,734 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun weekend read if you are a movie buff., September 27, 2002

By	C. K. Ogi (NW MO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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., April 29, 2002

By	Edward, Rebecca Luhm (Northern Wyoming, WY.) - See all my reviews

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good,could be better,

By A Customer

This review is from: The Worst Movies of All Time: Or : What Were They Thinking? (Paperback)

Michael Sauter rounds up the usual suspects here-"Ishtar","Xanadu","Heaven's Gate",in fact,if you've read any of the Medved books,there's really no need to read this one,since it covers much of the same territory.You could quibble with some of his choices,for instance,he seems to have a thing against Bible movies.(Frankly,I find them just boring,not "Bad".)He even has the gall to pick on Jack Webb's movie "The D.I."!Come on now,that movie is a camp classic!The search for a murdered sand flea is priceless!I do give him credit,though,for including "Manos-The Left Hand of God" in his book.Believe me,this movie is appallingly bad!Next to this,"Plan 9" looks like "Gone with the Wind."