Best Worst Movie (2009)

Powerful

Fantastic!

Don't listen to the negative reviews

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I begin with a preface - As a watcher of truly awful movies for the comedic value, Troll 2 has been on my DVD shelf for many years. It is one of the worst movies ever made, making it indeed hilarious. I know it is not a watch for everyone.While going through a documentary phase recently I began to watch 'Best Worst Movie' on Netflix. I had no idea what it was about. I didn't pay particular attention to the description. It starts by telling the story of a southern dentist named George Hardy. He is definitely a pillar of the community and an all-around great guy with a million dollar smile. I couldn't put my finger on it, but for some reason George Hardy looked so familiar to me. Then they point out about 5 minutes in that the always smiling Hardy starred in one of the worst movies ever…Troll 2. The brain synapses fired and I recalled it all immediately.This documentary takes you not only behind the making of this ill-conceived poorly budgeted film back in 1989, but also the lives of all those behind it…then and now. It takes you on the journey of Troll 2; from being a laughable joke to one with an impressive cult following.Michael Stephenson starred as young Joshua in Troll 2, believing it was going to be the start of a long and successful acting career. The movie was a flop and pretty much ruined Michael's dream. Now as an adult, Michael directs the documentary telling the heartwarming story behind many of the actors in the film. It shows us that even the worst of films has a story to tell and indeed a little heart. If you have never screened Troll 2 I guarantee you after watching this documentary you will want to.

Mismarketed as a documentary that seeks to deduce how bad movies get made, "Best Worst Movie" spotlights the cultural impact of "Troll 2", widely considered the worst movie ever made. The principal cast of "Troll 2" were either too young or too inexperienced to realize they were making such a hilariously bad flick. And you can't help but feel sorry for these people as they describe having to come to grips with their involvement in said debacle, back in 1989. But that sympathy doesn't last ling, as they grow to embrace their ironic fame. The funniest parts of "Best Worst Movie" (aside from clips of "Troll 2") are the raucous crowds at the revival screenings, and the cast's own reenactments of the best (worst) scenes from the movie. What's staggering is that the director has no idea he made a terrifically terrible movie. To him, it's a parable that examines the important everyday issues (life, death, food, family). Even when attending a midnight screening, the guys has no idea the movie is celebrated for being so awful.The documentary loses its way in the second half, as it focuses on the lead actor, George Hardy (a small-town dentist) and his time spent languishing at various fan and horror conventions where few have heard of "Troll 2". But the good definitely outweighs the bad here, as this is a thoroughly enjoyable film.I have never seen "Troll 2", and we simply need to fix that.7/10

I liked this movie for many of the same reasons I liked Burton's Ed Wood. There is something about delusional filmmakers making bad movies but believing they aren't bad that touches me. I pity them, I have to laugh at them, I feel a little bad for laughing at them, and in the end, I think them more than a little noble for following their obsessions into delusionville.I've seen Troll 2, and I have to say, it isn't the worst movie of all time. It's goofy, and it's badly acted from top to bottom, but it's not as bad as many movies that were made with 1000 times the budget. It's bad, but not the worst.This documentary also helps us see into the fandom phenomenon, which is such a bizarre American (and beyond) practice, wherein people spend far too much time and energy keeping latched on to some mediocre to awful movie. Surely maturity eventually descends on such folks, and this record of their misspent youth will amaze them as it amazes us outsiders. Sociologists will be looking at the film 100 years from now, I imagine, for this alone.It's hard to see the interviews the the Italian director and cast without concluding that at least some Italians are batpoop insane. Of course, so are some of the American actors and fans.I enjoyed the recreations of the scenes from the movie--what a weird thing to decide to do. I probably laughed hardest at these. I laughed a lot, though I watched it at home by myself; like Troll2, this must be even more fun to watch with a crowd.

The dad's a (laughing gas) dentist. The mom's a (complicated) nut. The daughter's (finger-glassing) embarrassed. The son's (indirectly) an almost no-show. The storekeeper's (literally) insane. The Director's (good-heartedly) delusional. And the goblins are (a little) short on the story.Watch Troll 2. I usually don't say that about films I rate 1/5 stars, though, perhaps I might go back to revisit it, thanks to Best Worst Movie. But, I say watch it in order to appreciate the awesome documentary based on both the popularity of the trash Troll 2 is plus where the actors are today.I'll admit, I don't watch too many documentaries, and that's a pity. For the most part, I enjoy myself tremendously following. That is, for subjects I'm interested in or interested in learning more about. I can't simply Netflix a Iraq or gardening documentary because, frankly, I could care less about either.I did care, however, about more of the background of the phenomenal of Troll 2. And this movie: Best Worst Movie didn't disappoint.Mainly this documentary involves the screenings and conventions either centered or included said movie, to audiences that eat (no pun) it up like it was The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which, not coincidentally enough, they advertise/double bill for here as well. Also, you'll get the "Where are they now" stories – namely the attention-hungry, but incredibly positive and fun, Dr. George Hardy, who played the Dad in Troll 2 and the director of the film. Also, it all-but served as an audio, though equally visual, audio commentary.And like only a FEW commentaries, you will get brutal honesty here. You will see the people involved who readily admit they were confused, bedazzled and embarrassed about the product they put out – and when they finally saw the rarely viewed film. You will also have the defenders of the bad. To each his/her own, but it takes a good person to step back from their project – as I OFTEN DO – and say, "Well, yeah, that was cr*p."On a related note, I finally finished my first official novel 1½ years ago. I wrote one when I was a kid, but that was barely 110 typed pages; hardly a Stephen King chapter. No, this one could be published as is with its current length. Unfortunately, it would need four, five or even eighteen re-writes until I, Mr. Perfectionist, remotely deem it worthy of a paid-editor reading it. I am honest enough to say: "There is a story there; a good story" but incidentally, I know it was horribly written. As is.Stephen King taught me (SEE – or READ: the excellent On Writing book he wrote) to step back away from a project for a period of time. I forget how long, but I did end up waiting a full year. That was really good as I was able to view my "manuscript" with open-eyes and as a third party. I was astonished on how I could put away my own personal feeling and review it like I review the movies on my website. It was gawdawful. That's not to say it can't be re-imagined – God, I hope I do – but I knew then where the problems where.I don't digress here, because this is my point: though I appreciate those (namely, the director, Claudio Fragasso, and actress that played the mother, Margo Prey) who show loyalty to their given projects, you really need to spread some honesty in your life. Thankfully, Fragasso, though blind as he is, he was able to laugh about the comedic reactions those fans had to his "good work."It's not a groundbreaking documentary, but I will report this: it's so lighthearted on just a fun topic. The dentist, Hardy, is just so much fun to watch and he shows his true enthusiasm and eventual true burn out. (Who wouldn't be?) And to me, that was all honesty. In addition, it was great to see the highs and lows of Troll 2's fandom – I mostly dislike documentaries that are diligent in just showing ONE side. Sorry, Michael Moore fans. (Side note: I don't "hate" Michael Moore, as he does, in fact, give me something to think about, but I do want to see both sides at all times in all documentaries. How rare is that?)Sure, you won't learn how McDonald's makes fake meat taste like it came from true cows. You won't learn why America shouldn't be shoving its nose in world affairs. But, you will have a good time and learn about a film that all-but can't simply be duplicated. On purpose.Again, I highly recommend watching Troll 2 first, then (definitely) this documentary and then if you're lucky, catch the Rifftrax version of Troll 2 as they made it all the more enjoyable.Side note: as horrible as the original "sequel" was, I was almost tempted to buy the 20th Anniversary Blu-ray edition just to hear the audio commentary just to learn a little more. Such as the surprisingly out-of-left-field man-on-man love for the "buddies" that was not spoken of during this documentary. Well, luckily, I'll save some money, because the 20th Anniversary "Special Edition" has nothing more than what the original DVD has. When a movie's this bad, a la Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, there's nothing more I want than a funny and apologizing commentary.