The nominees for this year’s Golden Raspberry Awards, or more notoriously known as the Razzies, were announced Monday morning, with “Expend4bles” clinching the top spot. The much-criticized film bagged seven nominations, spearheading the cinematic calamities of the year. Such honours, connoting the worst films and performances of the year, are traditionally declared ahead of the Oscar nominations, setting a humorous, albeit sarcastic, prelude to the prestigious event.
Five Films Competing for Unenviable “Worst Picture” Title
“Expend4bles,” a fading installment of a once-loved franchise, finds itself in the dubious company of four other films aiming for the “worst picture” recognition. The nominees include the horrifying “The Exorcist: Believer,” a 50-years-later remake, “Meg 2: The Trench,” a snarky shark story that failed to make a splash, “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” a flop among 2023’s slew of comic book movies, and “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey,” a distasteful reinterpretation of cherished childhood characters.
The Inglorious Performance Contenders
The acting nominations brought together a mix of previous Oscar winners and Razzie “Repeat Offenders.” Former Oscar recipients Jon Voight, Russell Crowe, and Helen Mirren face off against perpetual Razzie contenders Sylvester Stallone, Megan Fox, and Jennifer Lopez.
Razzie Voters and Announcement Details
Nominations were chosen by 1,179 voters, an eclectic group of movie buffs, film critics, and journalists from 49 U.S. states and two dozen foreign countries. The “winners” will be unveiled on March 9, on the eve of the Oscars.
The Razzies: A Comedic Take on a Challenging Year for Cinema
Amid global pandemic repercussions and a general sense of agoraphobia, the Razzie organizers humorously noted the decline in cinematic experiences. Bouncing back from a particularly challenging year, the industry left behind a trail of disastrous films that the Razzies wasted no time in picking up.
Last Year’s Razzie Notables
In the previous year, Andrew Dominik’s biopic, “Blonde,” had led the Razzie nominations with eight nods, eventually winning the worst picture and worst screenplay awards.
As part of their awards announcement tradition, the Razzie organizers also released a video detailing this year’s laurels. Enjoy this comic montage of this year’s worst cinematic moments.
Wrapping Up
Adhering to a time-honored tradition of comedy and critique, this year’s Razzie nominations have once again highlighted the less than shiny side of Hollywood. With a distinct group of nominees hoping they don’t take home the ill-fated awards, the anticipation for the final announcement is palpable. For more updates on awards season, be sure to keep tuned into our coverage on hitplay.app.
