Guilty Pleasures: Film Edition

I previously wrote an article defending my film snobbery. I will admit to being fond of pretentious indie films and obscure silent movies. I use the term cinema and discuss mise-en-scene. Yet, I harbour a secret love for some of the worst movies ever made. Take a look at the list of guilty pleasures which are essential for a night of indulgence.

1) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days: I could put the entire romantic comedy genre here, but I chose this film. Journalist Andie (my favourite wasted talent, Kate Hudson) pitches an article investigating the classic ways to lose a guy after 10 days; Ad executive Benjamin (Matthew McConaughey) takes a misogynistic bet he can make any woman fall in love with him in 10 days. Obviously, they end up together. The plot is unrealistic, but who wants realism in a rom-com? We want to see people falling in love and living happily ever after like a sexy fairytale. Putting that aside, the film is funny. The dialogue is far from Woody Allen-esque sophistication, but it makes you laugh. At the end of a hard day, all I want is pretty people and simple humour.

2) Con Air: Nicolas Cage plays an honourable prisoner who is put in jail for defending his woman like a good Southern man. During his flight home the other convicts take over the plane, leaving Nic to take them down. Think Snakes on a Plane with murderers and rapists rather than reptiles and Samuel L. Jackson. Cage’s acting is ropey as usual, but there are some excellent performances. In particular, Steve Buscemi nails his interpretation of a serial killer reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter. The premise is preposterous and the plot is tainted by the simplified good versus evil approach American films adopt, but the explosions and car chases provide an unbeatable mindless thrill.

3) Death of a Cheerleader: This is the most obscure feature on the list, but one of my favourites. This made for TV movie stars Tori Spelling, who has a career simply because her father produced basically every 90s TV show. That tells you all you need to know about the calibre of this film. It’s based on the real life murder of a cheerleader by a high school outcast. Every scene is badly acted and unbearably cheesy, but that is part of the charm. Get some popcorn and settle down for an unintentionally hilarious experience which you can watch here. Whoever comes up with a drinking game for this film is my new best friend.

4) Sharknado: I’m obsessed with low budget movies about sharks, but Sharknado is the most famous example. This is the ultimate definition of a guilty pleasure. The cast is terrible, the special effects are cheap, and the premise involves a tornado picking up sharks from the sea and dropping them in public places. The reason the film is so appealing is that it knows how terrible it is and revels in that fact. Not once does anyone think to move away from the shark infested waters. Instead they stick around and wield chainsaws to defend themselves. The best part? There’s a planned sequel. Expect more gore and more Z-list actors.