
Razzies release worst-movie list
By DAVID GERMAIN
AP Movie Writer
Feb. 10, 2003
Voters for the Razzies, an annual spoof of the Academy Awards, have a message for Britney Spears and Madonna: Don’t quit your day jobs as pop divas.
Spears’ teen buddy flick ‘‘Crossroads’’ had a leading eight Razzie nominations and Madonna’s island-romance bomb ‘‘Swept Away’’ received seven, including worst picture and worst actress for both movies.
‘‘Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones,’’ also received seven nominations, among them worst picture and director for George Lucas, creator of the sci-fi saga.
The other worst-picture contenders are Eddie Murphy’s sci-fi comedy ‘‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’’ and Roberto Benigni’s live-action version of ‘‘Pinocchio.’’
Nominees for the 23rd annual Razzies, organized by the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, were to be announced Monday, a day before Oscar nominations. Razzie ‘‘winners’’ will be announced March 22, the eve of the Oscar ceremony.
Madonna personally had four nominations: Worst actress for ‘‘Swept Away,’’ directed by her husband, Guy Ritchie (a nominee for worst director and worst screenplay); worst screen couple, paired with Adriano Giannini in ‘‘Swept Away’’; worst supporting actress for the James Bond adventure ‘‘Die Another Day’’; and worst song for the ‘‘Die Another Day’’ title tune, which she co-wrote.
What was so bad about ‘‘Swept Away,’’ a remake of a 1975 Italian film about a rich snob stranded on an island with a handsome sailor?
‘‘What wasn’t?’’ said Razzies founder John Wilson. ‘‘It’s a really awful remake of a highly regarded movie. I think it’s the most blatant example of the fact that Madonna simply cannot act. It’s as though she decided she’s going to be a movie star and will keep inflicting these movies on us till we cry uncle. But this one may finally end her film career.’’
Madonna previously received four worst-actress Razzies for such movies as ‘‘Shanghai Surprise’’ and ‘‘Who’s That Girl?’’ The Razzies also named her worst actress of the 20th century.
Spears, whose pop-queen career arc has drawn comparisons to Madonna’s, also could continue her predecessor’s tradition of bad acting, Wilson said.
‘‘Britney Spears is a Madonna wannabe,’’ Wilson said. ‘‘Madonna is on the outs, and Britney could be picking up the torch, or the spear, perhaps.’’
Besides Madonna and Spears, worst-actress nominees are Angelina Jolie for ‘‘Life or Something Like It’’; Jennifer Lopez for ‘‘Enough’’ and ‘‘Maid in Manhattan’’; and Winona Ryder for ‘‘Mr. Deeds.’’
Benigni was nominated in the actor, director and screenplay categories for ‘‘Pinocchio.’’ Other worst-actor contenders are Giannini for ‘‘Swept Away’’; Eddie Murphy for ‘‘Pluto Nash,’’ ‘‘I Spy’’ and ‘‘Showtime’’; Steven Seagal for ‘‘Half Past Dead’’; and Adam Sandler for ‘‘Adam Sandler’s 8 Crazy Nights’’ and ‘‘Mr. Deeds.’’
The Razzies added a new category, most flatulent teen-targeted movie, meant to ‘‘dishonor the often moronic movies Hollywood is forever aiming at the acne-and-braces set.’’ Nominees are ‘‘Adam Sandler’s 8 Crazy Nights,’’ ‘‘Crossroads,’’ ‘‘Jackass: The Movie,’’ ‘‘Scooby-Doo’’ and ‘‘XXX.’’
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