Stinkers Bad Movie Awards
Encyclopedia
The Bad Cinema Society (formerly known as the Hastings Bad Cinema Society) was a Los Angeles-based group of film buffs and movie critics devoted to honoring the worst films ever made.
The society was founded by Mike Lancaster and Ray Wright, two former ushers
who met in the late 1970s at what is now the Pacific Hastings Theater in Pasadena, California
(from which the society originally got its name).
. The Stinkers were similar to the Razzies. Aside from the usual categories one might expect in an Oscar
parody
(worst film, worst actor, etc.), the Stinkers offered other clever categories such as Worst Fake Accent, Most Painfully Unfunny Comedy and Least 'Special' Special Effects. Unlike the Razzie, the Stinkers did not have an awards ceremony.
, the Spice Girls
or anyone connected with the film Gigli
.
for her supporting role in the horror film House of Wax
. Said Lancaster, "To get on the Stinkers ballot you are judged on your performance, not your tabloid persona. Anyone that would put Paris Hilton on a list of the five worst supporting actresses in 2005 didn't see a lot of movies in 2005. I could list 12 actresses who gave worse supporting performances than Paris Hilton."
The very next year, the Stinkers did nominate Paris Hilton
for an award -- Worst Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role -- for her performance in the barely released National Lampoon's Pledge This!
. Society co-founder Mike Lancaster had this to say about Hilton's nomination; "It was like Paris was baiting us, I'm not sure why she needs us to confirm to her that she's a bad actress appearing in a bad movie, but if she has the nerve to play her movie in a theater five minutes from my house, I will take notice. I still have my ticket stub if any one doubts this film played in a theater. It was like a gift from the bad movie gods."
critic Richard Roeper
calling the film Evan Almighty
"a paper-thin alleged comedy with a laugh drought of biblical proportions."
The society was founded by Mike Lancaster and Ray Wright, two former ushers
Usher (occupation)
Ushers assist visitors by formally showing the way in a large building or to their appropriate seats. This may coincide with a security role. The word comes from the French huissier, with the same meaning , ushers were servants or courtiers who showed or ushered visitors in and out of meetings in...
who met in the late 1970s at what is now the Pacific Hastings Theater in Pasadena, California
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
(from which the society originally got its name).
Founding and comparisons to the Razzies
They offered the annual Stinkers Bad Movie Awards, which was a parody of the Academy AwardsAcademy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
. The Stinkers were similar to the Razzies. Aside from the usual categories one might expect in an Oscar
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
(worst film, worst actor, etc.), the Stinkers offered other clever categories such as Worst Fake Accent, Most Painfully Unfunny Comedy and Least 'Special' Special Effects. Unlike the Razzie, the Stinkers did not have an awards ceremony.
The Stinkers' first ballots
The Stinkers' first ballots were handed out to the public in 1997. In the years that followed, the Razzies and Stinkers rarely agreed on a list of nominees or "winners." The Stinkers initially opened their balloting to the general moviegoing public but soon discovered that most people surveyed hadn't seen many of the films on the ballot and often just voted for the person they hated the most, usually someone like Mariah CareyMariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, the Spice Girls
Spice Girls
The Spice Girls were a British pop girl group formed in 1994. The group consisted of Victoria Beckham , Melanie Brown, Emma Bunton, Melanie Chisholm and Geri Halliwell. They were signed to Virgin Records and released their debut single, "Wannabe" in 1996, which hit number-one in more than 30...
or anyone connected with the film Gigli
Gigli
Gigli is a 2003 romantic comedy film written and directed by Martin Brest and starring Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Lainie Kazan....
.
A more selective way of obtaining votes
In 2004, the Stinkers went to a more selective way of obtaining votes. They dismantled their membership and offered ballots by invitation only to a small, select group of film geeks and critics, who had seen a majority of the films during the year.Nominating Paris Hilton
In 2006, the Stinkers refused to nominate hotel heiress Paris HiltonParis Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
for her supporting role in the horror film House of Wax
House of Wax (2005 film)
House of Wax is a 2005 horror film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. It shares the name of a 1953 horror film, which was a remake of the 1933 film Mystery of the Wax Museum. It was released in theaters on May 6, 2005 to negative reviews, but a financial success...
. Said Lancaster, "To get on the Stinkers ballot you are judged on your performance, not your tabloid persona. Anyone that would put Paris Hilton on a list of the five worst supporting actresses in 2005 didn't see a lot of movies in 2005. I could list 12 actresses who gave worse supporting performances than Paris Hilton."
The very next year, the Stinkers did nominate Paris Hilton
Paris Hilton
Paris Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
for an award -- Worst Performance By An Actress In A Leading Role -- for her performance in the barely released National Lampoon's Pledge This!
National Lampoon's Pledge This!
National Lampoon's Pledge This! is a 2006 comedy film starring Paris Hilton, who also served as an executive producer. The film was very poorly received and went straight to video.-Plot:...
. Society co-founder Mike Lancaster had this to say about Hilton's nomination; "It was like Paris was baiting us, I'm not sure why she needs us to confirm to her that she's a bad actress appearing in a bad movie, but if she has the nerve to play her movie in a theater five minutes from my house, I will take notice. I still have my ticket stub if any one doubts this film played in a theater. It was like a gift from the bad movie gods."
The end of an era
In late January 2007, it was announced on the website that following the announcement of the year's winners, the Stinkers website would be officially closed down after ten years on the internet. On July 1, 2007, four months after the announcement of the worst of 2006 winners, the site was taken down. Its final headline was a review quote from Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
critic Richard Roeper
Richard Roeper
Richard E. Roeper is an American columnist and film critic for The Chicago Sun-Times and now a co-host on The Roe Conn Show on WLS-AM...
calling the film Evan Almighty
Evan Almighty
Evan Almighty is a 2007 American religious comedy film and the stand-alone sequel to Bruce Almighty . The film was directed by Tom Shadyac, written by Steve Oedekerk, and starring Steve Carell as the title character. Morgan Freeman also reprised his role as God from the original film. Production of...
"a paper-thin alleged comedy with a laugh drought of biblical proportions."