The films that are more likely to win a RAZZIE in honor of their poor quality rather than an Oscar still have a special place in film history and pop culture, says a Purdue University film expert.
"We don't give awards to the worst novels, right?" says Lance Duerfahrd, an assistant professor of English. "So why do we love to rank the bad movies? There's something special about the bad ones, and they can be just as trophy-worthy as the great ones."
The Golden Raspberry (RAZZIE) Awards, which are the night before the March 7 Academy Awards, present dis-honors for Worst Achievements in Film in categories such as worst picture, worst prequel and worst screen couple.
"The RAZZIES are significant because they serve a practical function," he says. "They warn audiences about particularly bad cinema. A bad movie can have a toxic effect on people looking to be entertained by it. The RAZZIES can save you the two hours you might have spent trying to enjoy a movie such as 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,' which is nominated for worst picture."
Films are labeled bad because of poor acting, botched special effects or trite storylines, says Duerfahrd, who studies film history and has published articles about bad movies such as "Plan 9 from Outer Space."
"These films can be every bit as exceptional as the films at the top of the ladder," Duerfahrd says. "Bad films can deliver just as a strong an affect as a great film, but often the effect it delivers is not intended, such as humor. And sometimes, these films become successful even though they are panned as bad."
Some films, such as "Little Shop of Horrors," even develop cultlike followings or make it as a Broadway musical, he says.
"Everyday life resembles a bad film more than it resembles what we see in an Oscar film," he says. "In real life there is disappointment and things don't go according to plan. Sometimes these films are more true to life."