Double Feature

May 2007 - What's the worst movie you've ever seen? If it's that bad, maybe it ended up on Rotten Tomatoes' list of the 100 worst-reviewed movies of all time. For this list, "all time" means "1998 or later." Even some movies that came out this year, e.g. Norbit, made the countdown.

By my count, I've seen six flicks on the list. There's #12 Godsend, which even Greg Kinnear couldn't save, and #88 Elektra, which, in my opinion, Jennifer Garner DID save. Here are my thoughts on two other movies which have the dubious distinction of being included among the Worst of the Worst.

#61 Ultraviolet is connected to Godsend by the presence of Cameron Bright in his trademark role as a creepy kid. Milla Jovovich plays Violet. But, the real star of this PG-13 sci-fi thriller from 2006 is the action.

Violet used to be human until she got infected with some sort of AIDS-like blood virus. It turned her into a vampire with superhuman powers. The government is trying to exterminate Violet and her ilk, so Violet steals their secret weapon. It turns out to be a child clone named Six (Bright). He has some sort of antigen in his blood that will not kill the vampires but will cure them. Violet makes it her mission to protect Six at all costs, even if it means killing lots and lots of humans along with quite a few of her own kind.

Overall review: Ehhh, it was OK. Talk about derivative. Just about every scene reminded me of a scene from some other movie. The list includes The Matrix, X-Men, Highlander (movie and TV show), and Kill Bill: Volume I. I also found the plot a little hard to follow. I think it got lost in all the action sequences. Consequently, even though Violet is the hero, I'd have been OK, I think, if she failed in her mission.

The #18 film on the WOTW spreads the message "Don’t dis Christmas!" Tim Allen, Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Akroyd star in 2004's PG-rated Christmas with the Kranks, based on a novel by John Grisham.

Allen and Curtis play Luther and Nora Krank, a couple who has more Christmas spirit than anyone else in their neighborhood.

But, when the Kranks' only daughter decides to spend the holidays in Peru with the Peace Corps, Luther and Nora decide to forego the usual festivities in favor of a Caribbean cruise. No cards, no lights, even the wreath on their door gets tossed. They're ridiculed and reviled by their holiday-spirited neighbors, but – Bah humbug! - the Kranks manage to stay strong. Until Christmas Eve Day when - Surprise! - their daughter announces that she's coming home with her Peruvian fiancé.

Overall review: Ehhh, it was OK. The movie has some good moments as the Kranks insist they're skipping Christmas. But, that only lasts for about 45 minutes of movie time. Unfortunately, this movie has another 45 minutes to go.