Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Razz Like a Lion

The Razzies - my favorite movie awards - have been handed out, and Fifty Shades of Grey, that steamy sex sensation of 2015, won - or lost, depending on whose side you're on - big, earning awards for worst picture, worst actor (Jamie Dornan), worst actress (Dakota Johnson), worst screen combo (both of the above), and worst screenplay.  The movie's commercial success proved that the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation isn't going to overlook bad movies just because a lot of people like them. Meanwhile, Kaley Cuoco of TV's "The Big Bang Theory" hasn't been able to replicate her talents for the big screen; she won worst supporting actress for two movies - Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip and The Wedding Ringer. The sci-fi film Jupiter Ascending, which took a beating from the press and the public, garnered a lot of nominations and won Eddie Redmayne the worst supporting actor booby prize.
I'm sorry that Adam Sandler and Kevin James didn't win any Razzies, but I was amazed at how many reputable actors were nominated for Razzies - Redmayne, Johnny Depp, Julianne Moore, and Jennifer Lopez. Not to mention Katherine Heigl. (Just kidding.) It just goes to show you that esteemed actors are human and make mistakes, even though the fun of following the Razzies is watching no-talents like Sandler and Heigl get their due.
The Razzies aren't entirely mean-spirited. The foundation now has a Redeemer Award for previous Razzie winners who give performances that remind us that, yes, they are talented actors. This year's Redeemer Award went to Sylvester Stallone for reprising his character Rocky Balboa in Creed, a movie that brings Rocky's story full circle as he helps the son of his old friend Apollo Creed make it in the boxing world. Good for him; Sly annoyed me in the 1980s with his stupid action movies, but I have to admit, I have a soft spot for the guy.
The full winners list is in this article.

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