Let me start off by overusing a phrase that us fans of Kevin Smith have been amused by and abused to the point of it being funny based on the fact that it’s not even that funny anymore. “Affleck was the bomb in Phantoms Yo!” Based on that conjecture Phantoms will not be involved in this list. Also, I really like Ben Affleck. He’s charming, down to earth, and seemingly unaffected by his Hollywood fame, a rare commodity in Tinsel Town. Unfortunately, his career is vomit worthy. On occasion he hits one out of the park, I’m beyond impressed with “The Town” and found him enjoyable in “Smokin Aces”. Nonetheless every year or so without missing a beat he (or Nic Cage) is in a film that not only graces my top ten worst flicks of the year or reigns supreme as The Worst Film of that year. I dig ya guy, but this list should really make you rethink your career in it’s entirety.
10. Daredevil
I may be alone on this one, but I’ve never liked Daredevil. I thought it was over the top and cheesy. In a time where superhero flicks were really stepping it up in film and challenging the corny stereotypes Daredevil was a regression in the progress other films like X-Men and Batman were doing. I like Colin Farrell and enjoy Jennifer Garner in certain roles, and Affleck as a dude rules, but all of them failed miserably in selling any legitimate character moments, specifically that horrible cliche kissing in the rain scene. Nearly made me hurl in my mouth and throw my controller threw the tele.
9. He's Just Not That Into You
I have the lingering feeling that this was a feminine regression that exploited stereotypes rather than realistic perspectives. As a woman it became difficult to relate to the situations, but as Justin Long cleared up for me, I guess I might be the exception rather than the rule. Even so, I find it difficult to comprehend that too many women left are quite this gullible. What the film did a good job of, was addressing the games and confusion of the dating world, and whether that was properly depicted and truthful information was divulged is up for discussion, but either way the film did succeed at moments of laughter, igniting an honest frustration with both sexes, and an overall sense of entertainment. Then ending itself was a colossal disappointment, with too many nice little bows that did a basic disservice to the “rules” the rest of the film was busy “teaching” women. I can’t say I liked this, though I can’t say it was horrible to watch. Another backward step for men and women in the movies.
8. Surviving Christmas
Surviving Christmas lacked any passion or inspiration. It relied on a gimmick to tell a story that was transparent and heartless. Without any likable characters to latch onto, an insulting plot, and a film that wasn’t even funny, there wasn’t a single reason I could think of to watch this movie again. Ever. Even with the beauty and charisma of Christina Applegate, there was not enough to turn any portion of this Christmas Yuletide into inspirational and important. Surviving Christmas will not survive the years to come.
7. Forces Of Nature
Here we have the perfect example of Ben Affleck and Sandra Bullock at their absolute worst in a film that completely exposes their inabilities as actors because the film itself is absolutely horrible. Because their weaknesses as actors were fully exploited in this ill-fated story about lovers who are or aren’t meant to be, you sitting hoping there is some end to the torture that is in between. I would have been more content watching Elmo instead. Forces Of Nature was by far one of the worst movies in the past ten years, and could possibly be used as a form of punishment or torture for some people. I have viewed it in it’s entirety three times now hoping with age that it may have gained some perspective or wisdom, but if anything it has become a further reminder why Affleck shouldn’t act and Sandra Bullock should stay in the Miss Congeniality genre.
6. Jersey Girl
As a huge fan of Kevin Smith, and a lover of Chasing Amy, I was rooting for Jersey Girl even after I heard all the backlash. After waiting years to see it hoping some of the bad press it received had faded from my memory I unfortunately came to the same conclusion that most film critics and the general public felt. It was poo. Besides Jennifer Lopez is a sure sign that any movie is destined for failure. It was a mundane film with characters that weren’t very likable. A huge disappointment and something way below the writing talents of a man that understands edgy romance.
5. Bounce
This should have been Affleck’s first warning sign that working with his significant other will do nothing to benefit his career. Followed by Jennifer Lopez and then his now wife Jennifer Garner, every one of those films have not benefited his career. As talented as Gwenyth Paltrow is she came off as very one dimensional. The film is created with the intent to manipulate it’s viewer and purposely wants you to have a tear jerking attachment to it. There is no authentic connection to the story or characters. The entire film is a lie meant to prey on stereotyped ideals about it’s audience.
4. Pearl Harbor
In my gut of guts I knew I should have called it a day when Ben Affleck’s character “died”. Even though it was only forty minutes into a three hour movie, it was clearly going to be the highlight and climax of the film and the rest of the film was going to put Lord Of The Rings fourteen endings to shame with one hundred endings. The movie goer in me was glutton for punishment and I kept watching and have decided the results have led me to one conclusion: Pearl Harbor should clearly be put in the horror section at the video stores and rated “NW”, Never Watch.
3. Reindeer Games
Reindeer Games was all about pretty faces and shock and awe. For the stunning beauty of Charlize Theron I made it through it in it’s entirety, but even my adoration of Gary Senise and Denis Farina didn’t save this train-wreck. I’m a fan of the over the top ridiculous action flick, but this film seemed to pull out any insane plot points it could just for the sake of doing it, not even for fun. The extremes it takes is more exhausting than exhilarating, and clearly no one knew how to create an anti-hero, just brain dead villains. Lame to the tenth degree.
2. Gigli
The dialogue, the characters, and the plot is all contrived, and more importantly insults it’s audience. Wildly acclaimed as one of worst movies of all time, it unfortunately lives up to it’s lack of hype. I wouldn’t add it in my ten worst films ever, but it fairly has hit several worst movie lists. It was self indulgent, over the top, and displayed in a way that was ridiculous. The most distressing point of the movie is the forced relationship between Jennifer Lopez and Affleck. As badly written as the relationship was, you’d think they’d manage a spark of chemistry, but there was nothing but deadpan lack of passion.
1. Armageddon
Michael Bay was just the wrong choice for this movie. In fact, having a cast and camera’s was a bad choice for this movie. The script should by all means still be sitting somewhere gathering dust. Instead, we have a movie that spends nearly two and half hours stumbling through weak versions of Ren and Stimpy humor wondering if these oil drillers can achieve their goal more soundly than trained professional blower uppers. They should have just skipped the semantics and sent Micheal Bay directly to the Asteroid. It would have exploded and the movie would have been over in twenty minutes. Twenty of course because Micheal Bay would make sure it was a super big and cool special effect!The only redeeming thing about this film was the Areosmith song and that’s because it was at the end of the movie. What a waste of explosives.
I completely agree with your assessments on ALL of these movies. Right down to the caveat that Charlize Theron made Reindeer Games watchable. So glad they have moved to remake/reboot the Daredevil movie/franchise. Colin Farrell turned Bullseye into a Fetish artist criminal and that stuff is unforgivable. I really hope Ryan Reynolds doesn’t continue to ruin Deadpool as he did in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
I can’t say his role was prevalent enough in Wolverine to say he destroyed it. We only saw Reynolds himself for a fleeting few minutes. Time will tell on that one.
….gobble gobble….
Yub Yub
Ahaha it’s quite something when you can make a top 10 worst movies for any actor. At least, Affleck is on the way back up in terms of street cred the past few years
Now I can’t disagree with any of those although I would probably have Daredevil higher on the list.
Castor recently posted..
I agree he’s gotten a bit wiser in age with his choices, but it’s a shame he has so many bad ones. It was shocking when I was compiling the list.
I’d buried some of these in the furthest corners of my mind…
Armageddon wasn’t that bad. If you’re a 15 year old girl.
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When it came out I was of an age that I should have loved it. I hated it then and my hatred has progressed with time. I’m not even convinced my animosity for the flick is at all reasonable anymore.
Good list Heather. I have intense dislike for every one of these movies. But you are totally right on about the top pick being Armageddon. I too have such an intense hatred for it that I wonder if it isn’t time to reassess just to see to prove to myself it’s not the worst movie ever made. Then I remember the animal crackers, the machine guns on the rover vehicles, Michael Clarke Duncan in a thong, and realize that I’m not that anxious to prove myself wrong.
Like you said, I was also at the key demographic age to be wowed. I even went on the afternoon of the opening day, with my little sis in tow and were both blown away by how awful it was. That, coupled with Godzilla the same summer, might have signaled the death knell of the summer blockbuster for me.
I’m pretty sure that it’s not even Bay’s worst movie but it just feels insulting on every single level. Affleck was horrendous in it as well, barely seeming to be in character for most of the scenes. I’d like to think we can link the tragic Bayification of cinema directly to Armageddon.
You’re so wrong with Armageddon and Jersey Girl but I’m just happy you’re listing again!
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I resent the notion that our lord and savior Ben Affleck – ALL HAIL AFFLECK! – has ever made a bad film. The man makes masterpieces while wetting the bed in the middle of his dreams – most people can’t even do half of that! HALF! So take your blasphemy ways and begone evildoer!
Univarn recently posted..
ARMAGEDDON is cheesy as hell, but i don’t think thats Afflecks fault. Maybe it is.
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ARMAGEDDON isn’t that bad! I mean, it’s cheesy, but thats not Ben Afflecks fault … is it? I always though that was Michael Bay’s fault.
Simon recently posted..A-Z- 70 Easy Rider
Haha, great list! It’s unfortunate that a guy who seems like a decent enough person is in so many terrible movies. I have only seen a few of these (thankfully), but I am totally with you on Daredevil. I’m not sure what happened there, but it was just terrible.
He really does have a weighty catalogue of dodgy films, doesn’t he? I’ve yet to see Forces of Nature. Or have I. Maybe it was so awful that my brain has compartmentalised it into “Forgotten”. I can’t even remember one of his scenes from He’s Just Not That Into You :O
In a way, it’s quite reassuring that a person can go through a patch of such terrible creations and create/star in some great films again! There’s hope for all of us!
He’s nobodies favorite actor, that’s for sure. But he’s roaring out of the gate a director.
Most of these movies are so bad I’ve stayed away from them in the first place.
I’m in the camp of “Daredevil wasn’t as bad as people make it out to be” though.