The infamous Golden Raspberry Award Foundation struck again this week with nomination ballots for the 21st annual Razzie awards, the least sought-after trophies in show business.
The awards, analogous to such satires as the Doo Dah parade mocking the annual Tournament of Roses, spoofs the sanctified Academy Awards, which take no notice of the Razzies.
All the same, they are the bane of such megastars as Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Madonna, Bo Derek, who are favorite targets of the Razzies.
This year the foundation mailed a heads-up to its 504 members, an "Official Nominating Ballot" with suggestions for worst pictures, directors and actors of the year 2000.
It matters not to Razzie officials -- headed by founder John Wilson -- whether a film is a hit, nor does the popularity of stars make a difference. If the membership deems the work awful, disgusting, untenable or obnoxious, it rewards the effort with a Razzie.
Although growing in scope and popularity with the great unwashed, the Hollywood establishment, with few exceptions, treats the Razzies with disdain.
All the same, Wilson and his members doggedly pursue their goal: humiliating filmmakers and actors whose work they feel degrades the art of motion pictures.
Sometimes vituperative, scathing or simply humorous, the categories shame the winners: Worst movie, screenplay, director, actors, and supporting players.
Usually the most amusing category is the "worst screen couple."
This year's suggested nominees:
Any two actors in "Blair Witch 2."
Patricia Arquette and Adam Sandler ("Little Nicky").
Joan Collins and Harvey Korman ("The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas").
Richard Gere and Winona Ryder ("Autumn in New York").
Any two Pokemon(s) ("Pokemon 2000").
Madonna and either Rupert Everett or Benjamin Bratt ("The Next Best Thing").
Tom Cruise and Thandie Newton ("Mission: Impossible 2").
Ah-nold as the real Adam Gibson, and Ah-nold as the clone of Adam Gibson in ("The 6th Day").
And finally, John Travolta and any one sharing the screen with him in "Battlefied Earth."
Be it known that each category on the ballot has space for write-in candidates.
The star or director's status matters not. Salary and box-office data are of no importance to Razzie voters.
In the words of one member, "If a picture or a star stinks, it should be noted publicly with an award."
Thus, some Academy Award winners and major box-office stars can be found among this year's nominees.
For worst actor:
Nicolas Cage ("Gone In 60 Seconds"), Leonardo DiCaprio ("The Beach").
Suggested for worst actor in two pictures were Jim Carrey for "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and "Me, Myself & Irene;" Travolta for "Battlefield Earth" and "Lucky Numbers;" Ah-nold for his double role in "The 6th Day."
Others in the worst actor category: Adam Sandler ("Little Nicky"), Chris O'Donnell("Vertical Limit"), Rupert Everett ("The Next Best Thing"), Burt Reynolds ("The Crew"), and the all-time Razzie favorite Stallone ("Get Carter").
Should Stallone be nominated this year, it will mark his 25th Razzie nomination, encouraging founder Wilson to say, "Last year he was voted worst actor of the past decade and worst actor of the last century. We are seriously considering renaming the category 'The Sylvester Stallone Worst Actor Award.'"
Three current highly regarded actresses were zonked twice each among suggested nominees for worst actress:
Oscar-winner Kim Basinger for two films "Bless The Child" and "I Dreamed of Africa."
Sandra Bullock for "Miss Congeniality" and "28 Days."
Winona Ryder for "Autumn in New York" and "Lost Souls."
Other worst actresses:
Melanie Griffith ("Cecil B. Demented"), Madonna ("The Next Best Thing"), Demi Moore ("Passion of the Mind"), Glenn Close ("102 Dalmatians"), Angelina Jolie ("Gone In 60 Seconds"), Bette Midler ("Isn't She Grating") and Gwyneth Paltrow ("Duets").
Another innovative category is worst remake or sequel, and this time the suggestions are right on the mark:
"Book of Shadows/Blair Witch 2."
"The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas."
"Highlander; Endgame."
"Mission: Impossible 2."
"Pokemon 2000."
"Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas."
"Get Carter."
"Lost Souls" (remake of "The Exorcist").
"102 Dalmatians."
"Red Planet" (remake of "Mission to Mars!").
Bad acting and bad movies apparently are inseparable, at least according to the Razzie hierarchy. Worst picture suggestions:
"Battlefied Earth," "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas," "Dungeons and Dragons," "The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas," "Gone in 60 Seconds," "Little Nicky," "The Next Best Thing" and "The 6th Day."
Ah-nold had the distinction (if such it can be called) of being suggested for worst actor and supporting actor as the clone of Adam Gibson in "The Sixth Day."
Official nominations will be announced Monday, Feb. 12, the day before the Academy Award nominations, and winners (to use the term loosely) will be revealed Saturday March 24, one day ahead of the Oscar ceremonies.
