Top 10 Trashy But Fun Movies
#10: “Road House” (1989)
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Director Rowdy Herrington’s first name is a great way to describe the surface level appeal of 1989’s “Road House.” There’s a glorious sleaziness on display here, as well as levels of machismo that get absolutely maxed out thanks to the on-screen presence of stars Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott. The film actually feels lived in, like your favorite dive bar, with even ancillary characters given fully-fleshed motivations. Elsewhere, the tough-guy action set pieces, gratuitous nudity and memorable musical score elevate “Road House” beyond mere exploitation, and into the realms of certified, home video bangers.
#9: “Cocaine Bear” (2023)
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The title just sort of says it all doesn’t it? Director Elizabeth Banks probably knew what she was doing when she decided to helm this loose adaptation about a real life bear that accidentally got into some hard drugs. “Cocaine Bear” has a lot of fun with its premise, making good on the 1980s setting without becoming reductive or too parodic. Sure, there’s a freewheeling sense of danger and fun that’s going to go along with any film with a title like this. But Banks wisely dives headfirst into her work, and the movie is made all the better for it.
#8: “Barbarella” (1968)
The swinging sixties were chock full of stylish examples of cinema exploring exciting visual frontiers. Director Roger Vadim was married to star Jane Fonda when he cast her as Barbarella, a free-loving space adventurer who’s tasked with tracking down rogue scientist Durand Durand. This adaptation of a French comic of the same name is a feast for the eyes, turning pop art into high art via its imaginative sets and bold costume design. “Barbarella” also helped shoot Fonda further into international stardom, while simultaneously pushing boundaries with regards to its very European-focused approach to sensuality. There’s just no two ways about it: “Barbarella” is a must-watch.
#7: “Flash Gordon” (1980)
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Comic book movies may be big business. But there are few examples of the medium that actually feel like a graphic novel come to life – at least, not when compared to the greatness of “Flash Gordon.” It’s the ultimate treat of brightly colored, surrealistic visuals, acting as a sumptuous gift to the silver screen. “Flash Gordon” doesn’t do anything in half measures, and feels action-packed from first moment to last. Queen’s ultra-kinetic soundtrack drives the story, as Flash and co. attempt to save earth from tyrant Ming the Merciless’ wreckage. “Flash Gordon” feels BIG one-hundred-percent of the time, and it gleefully indulges in taking its audience along for the ride of their lives.
#6: “Showgirls” (1995)
The 1990s was a treasure trove of erotic dramas/thrillers, from basic cable bump-and-grinds to this, the genre’s mountaintop. “Showgirls” is amongst the most infamous of these films, attempting to balance R-rated intrigue with sexual content that dove gleefully into NC-17 territory. Director Paul Verhoeven did create an edited version for home video, but we’d argue that the only way to watch “Showgirls” is to experience all of the exaggerated antics without any censorship. Star Elizabeth Berkley certainly succeeded in distancing herself from her prior television work, and “Showgirls” is one of the most financially successful NC-17 rated films of all time. Oh, and it’s an absolute hoot to watch, for good measure.
#5: “Snakes on a Plane” (2006)
We’ve all heard about the chicken and the egg, but we’re more concerned with what came first: the title of “Snakes on a Plane” or the plot? It seems it was a bit of both. Regardless, we imagine it must’ve been challenging for screenwriters John Heffernan and Sebastian Gutierrez to come up with story beats that were thrilling enough to match the very “on the nose” moniker. But they found a way to keep us watching. Meanwhile, Samuel L. Jackson helps keep things in line and is endlessly entertaining, as he basically acts out a caricature of himself throughout. Jackson knows what kind of movie he’s in, and has a great time with the premise of venomous serpents rampaging through an airplane.
#4: “Troll 2” (1990)
The husband-and-wife team of director Claudio Fragasso and Rossella Drudi have collaborated on a number of genre films that would easily fit the criteria of this list. It’s “Troll 2” that largely serves as the pair’s cinematic calling card, however – at least when it comes to mainstream infamy. The film’s young star Michael Stephenson even directed a documentary about this unofficial sequel to 1986’s “Troll” (which is not a sequel at all.) That documentary’s title, “Best Worst Movie,” pretty much tells you all you need to know about what kind of flick “Troll 2” is. Seriously, the low-budget and head-scratching content needs to be seen to be believed.
#3: “Sharknado” (2013)
The post-“Jaws” landscape of the mid-to-late-1970s was full of violent, “when animals attack” films that were seeking to capitalize on the hype. “Piranha” was certainly one of the best, assisted by a knowing wink and nod to the genre’s inherently comedic value. Fast forward to 2013, and “Sharknado” did something similar, albeit in an even broader context. The chaos and carnage here is exaggerated to the Nth degree, thanks in part to CGI that doesn’t attempt for a minute to appear realistic, or even “good.” Instead, “Sharknado” aims for low-hanging, genre cinema fruit, but does so with a zeal that’s difficult to resist.
#2: “Plan 9 from Outer Space” (1957)
Here’s a question: if you legitimately enjoy a “bad movie,” does it continue to deserve its reputation as “the worst film ever made”? The biggest sin a movie can commit is being boring, and thankfully, Ed Wood’s “Plan 9 from Outer Space” never is. There’s a childlike joy to the ineptitude that follows the physical execution and narrative clumsiness seen throughout the runtime. Yet, it’s this joy that’s ultimately transferred to the audience, as we watch this low-budget sci-fi schlock come to life on the screen. Wood’s work in exploitation cinema may be well documented by this point, but “Plan 9 from Outer Space” remains a fun – if lowbrow – calling card. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” (1988)
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“Street Fighter” (1994)
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“Leprechaun: Back 2 tha Hood” (2003)
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“Birdemic: Shock and Terror” (2010)
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“Death Race 2000” (1975)
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#1: “The Room” (2003)
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This car wreck of a film continues to garner attention over twenty years after its initial release in 2003. “The Room” has it all: cringeworthy dialogue, embarrassing ADR dubbing, awkward sex scenes and just an overall “huh?” feeling permeating the story. Writer/director/producer/actor Tommy Wiseau has since attempted to label it as a “black comedy” today. But from where we sit, it seems more like he was trying (and failing) to create a great American drama – that’s what makes “The Room'' so trashy. Of course, that same trashiness is precisely what makes watching it so fun. There’s simply no denying this film’s status as a cult classic.
