Ah, 1988, a year that gifted us with cinematic disasters for the ages. From cringe-worthy plots to hilariously bad performances, these 16 films redefine the art of “so bad, it’s good.” Whether you crave cheesy sci-fi or unintentional comedy, prepare for a rollicking journey through the cinematic mishaps of ’88.
1. Mac and Me
A movie that is a rip-off from “E.T.” as it involves a boy who befriends an alien. “Mac and Me” also heavily integrates product placement, particularly for McDonald’s and Coca-Cola. While product placement is common in movies, the way it’s done here is blatant and distracting, often feeling like a commercial within the film. Maybe this should be titled “Big Mac and Me.”
2. Paramedics
While “Paramedics” attempts to blend action and humor by focusing on two rogue paramedics navigating a series of chaotic situations, the result is a disjointed movie that struggles to maintain a consistent tone. The comedic elements often feel forced and fall flat, failing to elicit genuine laughs from the audience. When it comes to the action scenes, they lack tension. It might be time to call the Paramedics as this film seems to flatline.
3. Johnny Be Good
“Johnny Be Good” revolves around Johnny Walker, played by Anthony Michael Hall, a talented high school football quarterback who is heavily recruited by college teams. The film wanders without a clear direction, failing to build tension or develop meaningful conflicts. A reviewer is astonished that “…anyone has anything positive to say about this thing.”
4. Caddyshack II
This film suffers from the absence of key cast members who made the original “Caddyshack” a comedy classic. The absence of Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, and Rodney Dangerfield leaves a glaring void in the ensemble, as these comedic talents were integral to the charm and humor of the original. Another issue with “Caddyshack II” is that it just copies the plot from the first movie. Don’t waste precious moments of your life watching this.
5. Terror Squad
“Terror Squad” suffers from a poorly developed and clichéd plot. The narrative centers on a group of terrorists taking hostages in a skyscraper, a premise reminiscent of the popular action films of the time. However, the execution lacks originality and depth. The terrorists are portrayed as stereotypical villains with no clear motivations beyond being generic antagonists. The protagonist, played by Chuck Connors, is equally one-note, lacking the complexity and depth that make action heroes memorable. “Peter Maris’ low-budget shoot-em-up shows just how bad the mixture of lack of money and total lack of interest in the quality of the finished product can be.” a movie buff observes.
6. Cocktail
“Cocktail” suffers from a formulaic and predictable plot. The story follows Brian Flanagan, played by Tom Cruise, a young bartender who dreams of making it big in the business. The narrative leans heavily on overused romantic tropes and rags-to-riches clichés, making it feel unoriginal and uninspired. Viewers can often anticipate the story’s progression, robbing the film of any genuine surprises or emotional depth. The romantic relationships in the film feel contrived and lack chemistry, diminishing the emotional impact of the story. Cocktail’s portrayal of bartenders as swaggering, womanizing mixologists perpetuates stereotypes and fails to capture the complexities of the service industry.
7. Hobgoblins
“Hobgoblins” suffers from abysmal production values. The film’s shoestring budget is evident in its poor special effects, amateurish cinematography, and laughably bad creature design. The hobgoblins, supposed to be menacing creatures, are nothing more than hand puppets that fail to instill any fear or suspense. A horror movie fan comments, “It is incomprehensible that this movie was approved by anyone, anywhere, under any circumstances.”
8. Bad Dreams
You might be having dreams of regret about why you watched this trash from 1988. The film follows the story of a young woman named Cynthia, played by Jennifer Rubin, who awakens from a coma after surviving a cult mass suicide. While the initial setup holds potential for psychological horror, the movie quickly descends into clichéd and predictable territory. It borrows heavily from other horror films of the era, particularly “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” without offering anything particularly original or engaging. The horror elements rely on predictable jump scares and dream sequences that lack the creativity and psychological depth necessary to create a genuinely eerie atmosphere. The supernatural aspects of the plot are poorly explained and leave many questions unanswered, such as “Why did I watch this?”
9. Arthur 2: On the Rocks
The film’s plot is uninspired and lacks the charm and wit that made the original “Arthur” a classic. Instead of building upon the endearing story of a lovable alcoholic millionaire finding love, the sequel struggles to find its footing. It places Arthur and Linda, now married, in financial ruin due to Arthur’s decision to give up drinking, but the ensuing misadventures lack the same heart and humor that defined the first film. The attempts to inject dramatic tension into the narrative often come across as melodramatic and forced.
10. Witchcraft
“Witchcraft” centers around a young man who becomes entangled with a coven of witches in his new neighborhood. While the premise has potential, the execution is lackluster, relying on tired horror tropes and failing to offer any originality or depth. The horror elements rely on cheap jump scares and poorly executed practical effects that fail to create a genuinely eerie or terrifying atmosphere. Unfortunately, this movie spawned 16 sequels. It seems as though we have been cursed with crap horror franchises like “Witchcraft”.
11. Dead Heat
“Dead Heat” suffers from a disjointed and poorly constructed plot. The story revolves around two detectives, played by Treat Williams and Joe Piscopo, who uncover a plot involving reanimated corpses. While the concept of zombie cops could have led to a unique and entertaining film, the narrative is bogged down by convoluted subplots, inconsistent pacing, and a lack of clear direction. The plot meanders without effectively balancing its comedic and horror elements, leaving the audience disoriented and unengaged.
12. My Stepmother is an Alien
An extraterrestrial woman who arrives on Earth and marries a widowed scientist. That has the makings of a great comedy, which this isn’t. The film relies heavily on tired and uninspired comedic tropes. You will cringe at the cheap special effects and alien costume. A reviewer suggests “If you want to see a decent movie, rent out anything but this. If you are suffering from insomnia on the other hand…”
13. Rambo III
The original “First Blood” and its sequel “Rambo: First Blood Part II” had compelling stories that delved into deeper themes, “Rambo III” trades depth for a more straightforward, one-dimensional action plot. It places John Rambo in Afghanistan, teaming up with Afghan freedom fighters against the Soviet army. The simplicity of this setup results in a lack of emotional engagement and a predictable movie. “Rambo III” has over-the-top action which often feels gratuitous and unrealistic, diminishing the stakes and leaving little room for genuine suspense or thrills. If you prefer things being shot at and blown up rather than a storyline, this is a film for you.
14. 18 Again!
“18 Again!” suffers from a formulaic and predictable plot. The story centers on the transformation of a grumpy 81-year-old grandfather into his 18-year-old self, leading to a series of comedic misadventures. While body-swap comedies have the potential to explore themes of generational differences and personal growth, the film largely squanders these opportunities in favor of tired and uninspired gags.
15. Everybody’s All American
Gavin Grey’s character, as well as the journeys of his wife, played by Jessica Lange, and best friend, played by Timothy Hutton, feel underdeveloped and fail to connect with the audience on an emotional level. Despite the talented cast, the character’s motivations and actions often seem inexplicable and contrived, contributing to a sense of disengagement. “Eeverybody’s All American” relies heavily on sports clichés and fails to offer a fresh perspective on the genre.
16. Poltergeist III
“Poltergeist III” suffers from a derivative plot. The story revolves around Carol Anne, the young girl targeted by supernatural forces in the previous films, who is now living with her aunt and uncle in a high-rise Chicago apartment building. The movie takes place almost entirely within the confines of the building, leading to a confined and uninspired setting. This installment resorts to repetitive and predictable haunted house cliches. “A dreadful excuse for a thriller, ending the once-popular “Poltergeist” franchise on a shamefaced note.” one fan of these movies complained.
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