Lists!! Underachieving films we inexplicably love
We here at The Devil’s Avocado like our lists to come out on Mondays, and we like them to go to eleven. Here’s one for you:
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal is remaking Drop Dead Fred with British comedian Russell Brand set to portray the title role. Now why in the world would the studio even dare to mess with perfection? This got us here at the Avocado thinking. True, we’re sure that many folks out there don’t often set aside time in the day to ponder the brilliance of Drop Dead Fred, but that’s why you have us. Often a film will touch us and enter into that odd realm where the general public may not agree, but we can’t help but watch the damn thing every single time it’s shown on television. Call it the TBS/TNT Black Hole. If it’s on, we’re stuck on the couch for at least two hours no matter the responsibilities awaiting us. So, without further adieu:
4) Tremors
7) Over the Top
10) Satisfaction
11) Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure
Here’s why:
Drop Dead Fred (1991)
Pheobe Cates may not be the bikini-clad bombshell she was in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, but the love/hate relationship she shares with her childhood imaginary friend allows this film to rise above the dog poop jokes and the cliched “evil mother” villian. Rik Mayall as the irrepressible Fred shines and proves even he can be serious for more than five seconds when Fred and LIzzie tearfully depart.
Point of No Return (1993)
While farfetched, this reinterpretation of Nikita has quite a few things going for it: an impeccable soundtrack focusing heavily on the music of Nina Simone, Harvey Keitel as a merciless “cleaner,” a tortured Gabriel Byrne and a striking Bridget Fonda as his ass-kicking object of affection. There’s some debate on whether Fonda’s Maggie reunites with Dermot Mulroney’s J.P. after Bob falsely confrims her death, allowing her to leave the program or if she walks away from it all to start a whole new life. I’m convinced of the latter.
Best of the Best (1989)
Eric Roberts may be my favorite “B” movie actor of all time. Mickey Rourke is right - somebody should give this guy a great role so he can show the world once and for all the talent that’s been hidden underneath subpar scripts and a cocky exterior. This cheesy tale of a group of good ol’ American boys competing in the Tae Kwon Do world finals puts a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. And who doesn’t love Chris Penn? Forget about the ridiculous sequels, always stick to the original.
Tremors (1990)
Another film with a bundle of questionable sequels, this campy Kevin Bacon vehicle serves up more laughs than screams even when the giant, worm-like creatures kill characters off with abandon. And yet, it’s brilliant fun. Michael Gross and Reba McEntire as the gun-toting couple are priceless!
The Frighteners (1996)
Before Peter Jackson wowed the world with his visually marvelous Lord of the Rings trilogy, he directed this little gem. Michael J. Fox serves up yet another indelible character and Gary Busey’s son Jake is about a frightening as the old man. It’s the teeth, I swear!
Only the Strong (1993)
What is Capoeira? Who cares as long as Mark Dacascos practices the Brazilian martial art shirtless.
Over the Top (1987)
Truck driving and arm wrestling - it’s a white trash dream. Sylvester Stallone contributed his writing chops to this father-and-son-bonding roadtrip flick and Kenny Loggins gave us Meet Me Halfway - the sentimental yin to Footloose’s dance-happy yang.
Cry-Baby (1990)
Johnny Depp as a young, brash Elvis Presley-type who woos the demure, angelic princess and transforms her into a seductive punk from the wrong side of the tracks. It’s like Grease, but with the twisted, campy touch of John Waters.
Late for Dinner (1991)
This touching film belongs to Peter Berg. As a producer, writer and director, Berg dabbles in the sentimental (Friday Night Lights) and the summer blockbuster (Hancock), but as Frank Lovegren he infuses this overlooked sci-fi adventure with warmth and stability. As a mentally challenged man in need of a kidney who, along with his brother-in-law Willie, agree to be cryogenically frozen while on the run from the law only to wake up 29 years later, Berg is the eyes and ears of the audience as he navigates his strange and new surroundings.
Satisfaction (1988)
Grrrl Rock! This film proves that Justine Bateman can’t carry a movie quite like her brother, but a pre-Pretty Woman Julia Roberts and a dreamy Lian Neeson make up for Bateman’s lack of TV-to-big-screen charisma. While it lacks the brevity of a John Hughes classic, who doesn’t want to spend the summer in a band?
Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical Adventure (1977)
Pirates, a giant talking glob of taffy and a fiesty, gloriously dressed doll named Babette - if that’s not enough to love there’s also The Camel with the Wrinkled Knees. This trippy, animated film can verge on creepy, but the songs are memorable (thanks to Sesame Street’s musical director Joe Raposo) and there’s pirates! In this age of remakes, I would love to see what Pixar could do with this toy box romp.
What are some of your favorite movies that cause others to raise their eyebrows in disbelief?
