28 years ago, a resigned man with a sense of humour, critic and cinema writer John Wilson, had the brilliant idea of awarding the worst actors and actresses, directors, screenplay writers and films of the American cinematographic industry. Obviously, few have popped along to pick up the prizes recognising them for their lack of talent. But the ceremony is always much more amusing than the Oscars themselves. For example, some people with a sense of humour, like Halle Berry, have given us some memorable moments. I am talking about the memorable 2005 Razzies ceremony where she picked up her Razzie for Catwoman with her Oscar in the other hand, that she had won for best actress in ”Monster’s Ball” in 2004.



This year, the nominees were at the same level as the prize itself (the trophy is a gold spray-painted plastic blackberry about the same size as a golfball, which cost about £2.48 (or 3.50 euros). Worst picture award went to Lindsay Lohan vehicle I Know Who Killed Me. I haven’t seen not one of fellow nominees ”Bratz”, “Daddy Day Camp”, “Norbit” and ”I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” (many of which haven’t even hit Europe yet). But I had a lazy trawl through the internet to pick up the trailer from Eddie Murphy-starring Norbit, so that you get an idea.



Murphy was crowned worst actor of 2007 for this flick. But I have to say I’d have voted for the pathetic Adam Sandler (who was up for ”I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry”).

Linday Lohan had the privilege of being ‘worst actress’ in 2007, and also ran away with the Razzie for ‘worst screen couple’ in a scene where she plays opposite herself in ”I Know Who Killed Me”. Elisha Cuthbert and Diane Keaton were fellow nominees, but they couldn’t compete with Lohan. The pregnant Jessica Alba gets a mention from me for her outstanding non-performance as the invisible woman in Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, which Cafebabel.com itself crowned worst film of 2007 in this blog.

The new category and most original award was ‘worst excuse for a horror movie’, which went to Lohan’s ”I Know Who Killed Me” me again, although I was gunning for Alien vs. Predator.

But don’t be embarrassed if you liked one of these films. I am proud to say I will be a fan until I die of such flash in the pans such as Con Air (1997) or Little Nicky (2000). We’re all allowed a stupid day. Perhaps that’s one of the things that our ever far-off Yankeeland neighbours need to learn.

Translation: Nabeelah Shabbir