After the success of Joe Dante's “Piranha” in 1978, work quickly began on a sequel. The script was changing all the time and the budget was getting smaller. When director Miller Drake was fired by the producer moments before the start of filming, James Cameron – at that time a special effects specialist, and in the future a cinema visionary, king of the world and Oscar winner for “Titanic” – sat behind the film's camera.
The creator of “Terminator” did not participate in the editing of the film, nor was he allowed to watch the material he created. Desperate, Cameron broke into a studio in Rome while producers were at the Cannes Film Festival. He wanted to reinstall production. Unfortunately, he was caught red-handed. He distanced himself from “Piranha II” for years. He later joked that it was the best horror comedy about flying piranhas ever.
“Psych” from 1998 was a remake of “Psycho” by Alfred Hitchcock. Gus Van Sant decided on a controversial idea and almost recreated the iconic horror film shot by shot. He added some threads, adapted the production to modern technology, and shot the whole thing in color – so many new things. The reception of both films was also different. “Psycho” was controversial, but years later it was considered a groundbreaking work. Meanwhile, “Psychol” met with mostly negative reception.
Similarities to the original and the additions introduced were criticized, including: Norman Bates' sexuality. It was pointed out that Vince Vaughn, who played him, was miscast. The film was awarded three Golden Raspberries: for the worst remake or sequel, director and supporting actress (Anne Heche).
The film was about an eleven-year-old boy who goes on a journey around the world to find perfect parents. Behind the camera was Rob Reiner, the creator of “When Harry Met Sally”, “Misery” and “Men of Honor” – a director who usually had no problem striking a chord with the audience. When he finally did stumble, it was of catastrophic proportions.
Critics didn't know how Reiner could sign off on such a dud. “I hate this movie. I hate, hate, hate, hate this movie. I really hate it. I hate every mocking, stupid, empty and offensive moment to the audience. I hate the thought that anyone would like it. I hate the insulting suggestion that the audience will she had a good time on it,” sneered Roger Ebert, the doyen of American film criticism. It ended with a financial failure and six nominations for the Golden Raspberry Awards.
Guy Ritchie, who made his name with gangster comedies, made a romantic comedy in 2002, which is a remake of Lina Wertmüller's 1974 film. The production was about the feeling that develops between a woman and a man on a desert island. Ritchie cast Madonna, who was his wife at the time, in the lead role. The reception of the production was rather cool. “Further proof that Madonna is a terrible actress,” we read in the reviews.
The singer herself said that the media was attracted to her. She also thought that Ritchie was too successful with his first films, and that's how critics work – they always drag you down. “Cruise into the Unknown” was “awarded” with five Golden Raspberries: for the worst film of the year, actress (Madonna), on-screen couple, remake’u or sequel and director.
An unsuccessful end to a great career. John Schlesinger's “Midnight Cowboy” from 1969 revolutionized American cinema. We would all prefer to forget about “Almost Perfect Arrangement” from 2000, which concludes the director's filmography. The plot focuses on two friends – a heterosexual woman and a homosexual man – who decide to have a child together. When five years later she wants to start a relationship and move out, a court battle for custody begins.
Critics were left scratching their heads and didn't know what had happened to the outstanding director. His hit comedy was nominated for five Golden Raspberry Awards. Madonna was “awarded” for the worst female role.
In 1994, the creator of “The Godfather” and “Apocalypse Now” made a film about a boy who ages four times faster due to a rare disease. At the age of ten, he looks like a forty-year-old man. The titular Jack was played by Robin Williams, a master of comedy improvisation. Sounds like a recipe for a hit. Unfortunately, something went wrong.
“Jack” didn't move or entertain. Coppola was unable to channel Williams' energy well, and the humorous moments did not fit with the hero's tragedy. “‘Jack’ was a movie that everyone hated and I was constantly cursed and ridiculed. I have to admit that ‘Jack’ he's sweet and funny,” Coppola said. “I know I should be ashamed of him, but I'm not. I don't understand why everyone hated him so much. Maybe because of the nature of the movie itself. It was believed that since I did ‘Apocalypse time’then I am a director of Marta's stature’Scorsese's ego, and suddenly I'm filming a Disney movie with Robin Williams. And I'm always happy to make any kind of film.”
Attempts to adapt Herbert's “Dune” have been made over many years. Producer Dino de Laurentiis finally managed to raise the budget, and David Lynch, fresh off the success of “The Elephant Man,” became the director. Everyone believed that this would be the beginning of a blockbuster series. And then the shooting began – dragging on forever, plagued by more problems and generating additional costs.
Critics unanimously declared “Dune” one of the worst films of 1984. “The movie took nine minutes to rob me of all my expectations,” wrote Roger Ebert. The plot was criticized for being confusing and completely incomprehensible to people who had not read the book before. Reviewers also pointed out that the film is visually ugly and some of its scenes are downright repulsive.