Of course there was Ishtar, the expensive Warren Beatty-Dustin Hoffman-Elaine May disaster, but let’s look at some other A-film laugh-deserts that thought of everything but the script. Forget turds like Caddyshack II or any David Spade, Rob Schneider, Pauly Shore, or film with Ernest, American Pie, Dumb and Dumber or National Lampoon Presents in the title, or any film with a line item for drugs in the production budget.

Under the Rainbow (1981) – Another Chevy Chase bomb. Had this film been made in the 1960s, it might have starred Jack Lemmon, and the humor might have been less offensive. Interesting concept, but the squadron of writers listed is a clue that no one knew what they were doing. Carrie Fisher is wasted in the film.

Wild Wild West (1999) – Huge, expensive misfire. Will Smith, Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld. Giant steam-powered spider? Where was the humor? Again, a lot of writers, bad sign on a movie.

Grown Ups (2010) – The entire Adam Sandler film gang and SNL buddies. This film made money, but why? When Sandler has to explain the jokes, and they aren’t funny, time to make Grown Ups 2. Actually, most Adam Sandler films, but Grown Ups was a huge disappointment considering the cast.

The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (2000) – Based on the classic television cartoon characters created by Jay Ward. Starring Robert De Niro, Jason Alexander, Rene Russo, Randy Quaid and a host of others. A box office bomb. Silly, not funny. The cartoon was witty and sarcastic.

Chips (2017) – Written, directed and starring Dax Shepard. With Michael Pena on Ponch. Stick with the TV show. The film was not clever and failed to replicate the vibe of the original show. There was no good reason for this film to be made.

Surfer, Dude (2008) Why did Matthew McConaughey make this film? Moronic.

Loose Cannons (1990) – Never heard of this one? Dan Aykroyd and Gene Hackman. An odd pairing and an unfunny script. Aykroyd’s character has multiple personalities. This would be a bad SNL skit. No wonder Hackman was difficult to work with, he could smell a turd. At least the check cashed.

Bewitched (2006) – Another attempt to take a sacred television series and adapt it to the big screen. Will Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine, et al. Directed by Nora Ephron and it still didn’t work.

A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) – A film by, and starring, Seth McFarland, with Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Neil Patrick Harris, Giovanni Ribisi, Sarah Silverman, and Liam Neeson. What were they thinking?

Showtime (2002) – Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro. Murphy was in a big career slump and someone told De Niro that he was a natural comedian. They lied. A cop buddy film. This was painful to watch.

Leatherheads (2008) – George Clooney’s story of early pro football. Not a terrible film, but a disappointing one. The premise, star power and budget should have yielded something more cohesive and funny. It’s a bad blend of slapstick, rom-com and screwball. The level of disappointment is huge.

Holly Moses! (1980) – An obscure film by Gary Weis (SNL), starring Dudley Moore, Richard Pryor, Laraine Newman, Dom DeLuise and Jack Gilford. A Biblical satire that is generally not funny. Yes, it has amusing moments, but overall a disappointing effort. The script and direction are substandard. Cocaine probably deserves a production credit.
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This is hardly an exhaustive list. Watch for part two. I believe that my sequel will be more entertaining than Ted 2, Police Academy 6, Home Alone 3, Bad Santa 2, Another Stakeout, Son of the Mask, Evan Almighty, Blues Brothers 2000, Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd, Beverly Hills Cop 3, Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo, Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 or Big Top Pee-wee.






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