By Kayla Samek–An important part of getting through the crunch time of Finals Week–whether you have projects, paper, exams, or all three–is taking a break once in awhile.
For me, the best break is watching a movie that gives my brain a break. One that doesn’t require a lot of effort to pay attention to, but is mindless and entertaining. It lets my mind work unconsciously on my assignments while also letting me relax.
Thanks to Netflix and other streaming services, our movie selection is unprecedented. There is a good chance of stumbling upon a hidden gem in the rough rocks. However, the list I’ve compiled are not gems. They are bad films. But, they are entertainingly bad.
SyFy’s Sharknado is the pinnacle of great bad films, which has influenced my taste in films a lot–fortunately or unfortunately. The following are movies I enjoy when I need a break from anything resembling thinking, or intelligence.
They may not be for everyone, but a good bad film is an easy way to get a laugh, especially if watched with friends. Some of these are harder to find than others, due to their age or how they were released. Most of these films are absurd, so the order is arbitrary and my personal ratings scale equally as absurd as the movie.
There is a language warning for the following list, as most of these movies have a PG-13 rating or above.
1. Tommy Wiseau’s The Room (2003)
It is difficult to describe this movie. Widely regarded as one of the worst films ever made, it stars Tommy Wiseau who is also the writer, producer, and director. This movie has to be watched at least once if you consider yourself a lover of films. I rate this film Playing-Catch-In-Tuxedos out of 10.
2. Birdemic (2008)
This is supposed to create a new genre of “romantic thriller,” with a plot that rips off Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, but looks like it was shot on a flip phone. The special effects aren’t much better. Also: clothes hangers are apparently the best weapon to fight off killer eagles. I rate this movie a “THIS IS BIRDEMIC” out of 10.
3. Maximum Overdrive (1986)
This was released in theaters. Based on the novel by Stephen King, and directed by King himself, the horror/thriller tries to make cars and semi-trucks scary. It failed so hard it is listed in the “comedy” genre on IMDB. My rating for Maximum Overdrive is a Demonic Semi-truck out of 10.
4. Doomsday Machine (1972)
The pace of this movie is atrocious. It’s also extremely sexist and seems like it is an adaptation of an adult film. Basically, the world is about to end so three men and four women get sent into space, and the crew speculate why they needed women. The obvious conclusion? To repopulate the earth! This movie is a “Get back to the kitchen!” out of 10.
5. Showgirls (1995)
A young women tries to manipulate her way from stripper to show girl in Vegas. What could have been a semi-decent story turned into a melodrama with silly lines such as “Then everybody got AIDS and shit”. The context of that line does not make it any less ridiculous. This movie is a Boobs-and-Butts out of 10.
6. Wild Wild West (1999)
Will Smith was popular in the 90s. This attempt at a film based on a 60s western tried to cash in on Will Smith, steampunk, and a giant mechanical spider. The best part of the film is the song, “Wild Wild West” Smith produced for the film. This film is simply an Unlikable Will Smith Character out of 10.
7. Dracula 3000 (2004)
The summary of IMDB is simply: “Count Dracula terrorizes the crew of a Spaceship. ” It stars rapper Coolio and really, really bad acting. I rate this a Space Dracula out of 10.
8. Iron Sky (2012)
In 1945, Nazis escaped to the moon and established a secret base. Over 70 years later and they’re planning their revenge. It is a confused movie with an even more confusing premise. Also, it’s getting a sequel. This movie gets a President Sarah Palin out of 10.
9. Aliens on the Moon: the Truth Exposed (2015)
This is a conspiracy documentary. The makers legitimately think they are exposing a governmental cover-up about the Moon landing finding alien bases. This gets a Tinfoil Hat out of 10.
10. Earth Girls Are Easy (1988)
Furry Aliens–played by Jeff Goldblum, Marlon Mayans, and Jim Carrey–land in a pool in California, and the girls that discover them make the aliens their boyfriends after a make-over. The aliens have a special power, however: to make anything orgasm with a single touch. It is also a musical. I give this movie a Weird Sexual Fetish out of 10.
Honorary mentions: Anything by Ed Wood or SyFy’s production company the Asylum.
These are some of my favorite so-bad-they’re-good movies that let you shut off your brain and laugh at the ridiculousness. You may have your favorites, so let me know in the comments!
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