The Rotten Tomatoes Wall of Shame: The 33 Films with Only One Positive Review
By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Seriously Random Lists | Comments (42)
Of the movies on Rotten Tomatoes that have at least 25 reviews, there have only been 33 by my count that have had a sole defender. Several of the critics responsible for those reviews are intelligent, respected critics (Roger Ebert, Owen Gleiberman, MaryAnn Johanson) who were either very brave or in a very good mood on the day that they reviewed the film listed below. Several others on this list maybe shouldn’t have his or her opinion factored into the Tomatometer, for instance the only two critics that show up twice on this list: Dwayne E. Leslie (who doesn’t seem to be a critic anymore) and Fred Topel, who can’t seem to hold on to a job (he’s written for About.com, Can Magazine, Crave Online, E! Online, FilmStew.com, Hollywood.com, IGN Movies, Madblast.com, MovieWeb, Sci Fi Wire, Screen Junkies, Suite101.com).
These are the 33 Films with a Sole Defender, the defender, and his or her blurb, where available:
Daddy Day Care: Fred Topel, Hollywood.com: “There is a real journey in Daddy Day Camp. Sure, the kids will laugh at the sloppy, muddy, gooey gunk, but the parents may appreciate the other stuff.”
Alone in the Dark: Michelle Alexandria, Eclipse Magazine: Alone In The Dark isn’t going to set the world on fire, but it largely succeeds with what it has to work with. Just don’t take it seriously and you’ll have a fun time.
Kickin’ It Old Schoo: Caroline Kepnes, E! Online: “Yeah, the plot is cheesy, but I like Velveeta every now and then.”
Meet the Spartans: Kam Williams, NewsBlaze: “Don’t expect anything of depth and you won’t be disappointed by this predigested pabulum.”
Texas Rangers: Louis B. Hobson, Jam! Movies: “A hip, cool western featuring some of today’s hottest young stars.”
The In Crowd: Susannah Breslin, TNT’s Rough Cut: “A teen screamer with enough implants for the boys and enough bitchiness for the girls to leave its target demographic lusting and screaming happily.”
Disaster Movie: Jim Schembria, The Age (Austrialia): “A dumb, dumb film, to be sure, but also undeniably funny in more spots than a right-thinking, mature adult person feels comfortable admitting.”
Epic Movie: Owen Glieberman, Entertainment Weekly: “Despite all the scatological high jinks on display, most of the satire is affectionate rather than merciless.”
Crossover: Jim Lane, Sacramento News and Review: “The movie is also burdened by some amateurish acting in supporting roles, but Mackie and Jonathan are the real deal, and they get good support from Wayne Brady as a smarmy sports agent.”
Highlander III: The Sorcerer (Highlander: The Final Dimension): Empire Magazine: “Lame, but in a good way.”
Mr. Magoo: Ken Fox, TV Guide’s Movie Guide: “Instantly forgettable but fun while it lasts.”
Meet the Deedles: Dwayne E. Leslie, Boxoffice Magazine: “Will adults enjoy this film? Some might be amused by the crazy situations and verbal and visual outrageousness—though they probably won’t admit it.”
Kazaam: David Armstrong San Francisco Examiner: “The movie is decidedly old-fashioned, aiming to send kids and their parents out of the theater feeling good about themselves.”
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot: Blake French, Nutzworld
McHale’s Navy: MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher: “A lot like the B movies of old. No huge stars, no Oscar-caliber anything, but diverting and entertaining.”
Speed 2: Cruise Control: Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times: “Movies like this embrace goofiness with an almost sensual pleasure. And so, on a warm summer evening, do I.”
Baby Geniuses: Dwayne E. Leslie, Boxoffice Magazine: “With the recent popularity of baby-themed shows, this film has perfect timing. Younger patrons will be drawn into the fantasy, while the humor is sufficient to keep adults interested.”
Celestine Prophecy: Randy Myers, Contra Costa Times: “Celestine functions both as a thriller and a spiritual film.”
Harry and Max: Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: “
To consider Harry and Max as being about incestuous feelings would be shortchanging it, because the film is really about the evolving nature of love and the need to define it.”
Modigliani: Rex Reed, New York Observer: “A film of vitality, with imagery as haunting and romantic as it is intense.”
The Bridge of San Luis Rey: Liz Braun, Jam! Movies: “It is an intense philosophical undertaking that examines questions of faith, fate and chance.”
Dirty Love: Oz, EFilmCritic.com: “There’s a really good film in here kicking and screaming (and bleeding) to get out.”
Deal: Andrew L. Urban, Urban Cinefile: “It’s not the cards you play but the people … which is why poker movies (in this case Texas Hold’em) are far more interesting than many sports movies”
The Haunting of Molly Hartley: Tony Wong, Toronto Star: “If you get past the retro Nancy Drew title, this is a worthwhile effort.”
BioDome: Rob Blackwelder, SPLICEDWire
Woo: Mary Elizabeth Williams, Salon.com: “Woo may be as skimpy as a sequined halter top, but it’s undeniably appealing nonetheless.”
Robocop 3: David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews: “At the very least, Robocop 3 works as a popcorn movie - something part two couldn’t even manage.”
Milk Money: Clint Morris, Moviehole: “Harris and Griffith are great…Lots of fun”
Mr. Wrong: Martin Scribbs, Low IQ Candaian: “Fascinating in retrospect as a lesbian’s take on dating men.”
Solo: Peter Stack, San Francisco Chronicle: “For what it is, a straightforward sci-fi action movie with an equally straightforward hero, Solo works.”
The Specialist: Fred Topel, About.com: “Good standard Stallone movie. Cool explosions and gratuitous fight scenes.”
Major League 2: Kevin A. Ranson, MovieCrypt.com: “Inexplicably outshines the original.”
Gone Fishin’: Steve Crum, Dispatch-Tribune Newspapers, “Dumb n dumber middle agers Glover & Pesci in land and sea adventures.”
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Comments
Posted by: Malware at August 23, 2011 12:12 AM
I've only seen about 8 of those but I certainly wouldn't defend any of them.