The annual Razzie Awards, known for highlighting the worst in cinema, have once again revealed their nominees just ahead of the prestigious Academy Awards. This year, two films dominate the nominations: Madame Web and Joker: Folie a Deux. Both movies have been nominated for multiple categories, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, and Worst Director. Other notable contenders include Borderlands and Francis Ford Coppola's ambitious yet controversial project, Megalopolis. The awards aim to mix legitimate criticism with some playful jabs, sometimes leading to questionable choices like nominating any two "comedic actors" from Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted for Worst Onscreen Combo. The winners will be announced on March 1st, just before the Oscars.
Madame Web, a spinoff from the Spider-Man franchise, has garnered considerable attention for all the wrong reasons. It received nominations across almost every category, including Worst Picture, Worst Actress for Dakota Johnson, Worst Supporting Actor for Tahar Rahim, Worst Supporting Actress for Emma Roberts, Worst Director for S.J. Clarkson, and Worst Screenplay. Critics argue that the film was rushed into production primarily to capitalize on Sony's Spider-Man intellectual property, lacking a compelling narrative foundation. This approach has led to a movie that barely holds together, much less entertains.
Similarly, Joker: Folie a Deux faced harsh criticism. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga, the film earned nominations for Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Actress, Worst Director for Todd Phillips, Worst Onscreen Combo, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-Off, or Sequel. Despite Phoenix’s previous Oscar win for playing the Joker, this sequel failed to resonate with audiences and critics alike. The film's attempt to expand on the original story seemed to miss the mark, leading to widespread disappointment.
In contrast, Megalopolis, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, stands out as an ambitious but flawed project. While it received nominations for Worst Picture and Worst Director, many argue that its complexity and unique vision set it apart from other nominees. The film aimed to explore deep themes and presented visually stunning moments, even if it occasionally stumbled in execution. Its intentionality and artistic ambition make it a more nuanced entry compared to the formulaic nature of some other nominees.
Other notable mentions include Borderlands, a video game adaptation that struggled to translate its source material into a compelling cinematic experience, earning multiple nominations including Worst Picture. Additionally, Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid, and Unfrosted, featuring Jerry Seinfeld, also made appearances in various categories. The Razzies' tendency to mix genuinely poor performances with what can only be described as cheap shots adds an element of unpredictability to the nominations.
The full list of nominees for the 2024 Razzie Awards reveals a diverse range of films, each contributing to the conversation about what constitutes bad cinema. As the industry reflects on these nominations, it is clear that the Razzies serve not only as a platform for criticism but also as a reminder of the importance of quality storytelling. The announcement of the winners on March 1st will likely spark further debate about the state of contemporary filmmaking and the criteria for evaluating it.