The 44th Golden Raspberry Awards, or Razzies, nominations were unveiled, with action film ‘Expend4bles’ securing a staggering seven nods. Scheduled for March 9, a day before the Oscars, the Razzies promise to spotlight the less stellar side of the film industry. Sylvester Stallone’s ‘Expend4bles,’ also known as ‘The Expendables 4,’ emerged as the frontrunner with seven nominations. The film received nods in categories such as worst picture, worst supporting actor (Stallone), and worst director (Scott Waugh).
Following closely were the horror films ‘The Exorcist: Believer’ and the unconventional ‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey,’ each securing five nominations. The latter, a dark reimagining of A.A. Milne’s classic characters as serial killers, brought a unique twist to the Razzie nominations.
Superhero movies faced their share of Razzie nominations, with ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ and ‘Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania’ receiving four nominations each. The awards humorously shed light on the challenges faced by these high-budget productions.
Background and Controversies: Changes in the Razzie Awards
Recent controversies, including the nomination and subsequent retraction of awards for a young actor, prompted changes in the Razzie nomination process. Actors and filmmakers under the age of 18 are now excluded. The awards also retracted a Razzie given to Bruce Willis in 2022 following his aphasia diagnosis.
Notable individual nominations include Russell Crowe for worst actor in ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ and Megan Fox, a familiar face in Razzie nods, for worst supporting actress in ‘Expend4bles’ and worst actress in ‘Johnny & Clyde.’
The Razzies encompass various categories, including the worst screenplay and the worst on-screen couple. ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ found itself nominated for worst sequel, marking the end of Harrison Ford’s iconic role.
Razzies Eve Tradition: Winners Announced March 9
Dubbed the “ugly cousin to the Oscars,” the Razzies maintain their tradition of announcing winners on the eve of the Oscars. This year, on March 9, the ceremony promises a lighthearted contrast to the more serious celebration of excellence in the film industry.
In summary, the Razzie Awards, with ‘Expend4bles’ leading the nominations, bring a playful acknowledgment to the less successful aspects of cinema. As the film industry braces for both acclaim and critique, the Razzies offer a humorous take on the films that missed the mark in 2023.
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