# Who greenlighted this cinematic shitshow? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [May 1, 2026, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703 "2026-05-01T18:25:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/141 "2026-05-07T21:15:33Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Sky Captain and the world of Tomorrow- > [@DrDeth](#): > > Which wasnt crap, Oh yes it was! I saw the trailer and thought, “This could be the greatest film EVAH!” It looked stunning. A perfect example of retro-futuristic styling. Then I saw it. “Utter crap” doesn’t begin to describe my feelings. So, yes, it made money from me the first week. But never again. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/142 "2026-05-08T00:07:15Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > I saw the trailer and thought, “This could be the greatest film EVAH!” It looked stunning. A perfect example of retro-futuristic styling. > > Then I saw it. “Utter crap” doesn’t begin to describe my feelings. So, yes, it made money from me the first week. You are not alone. But it rates okay on rotten tomatoes. Mind you, it wasnt anywhere near as good as the previews showed. That would have been a GREAT movie. Instead, we ended up with a disappointing mediocre film. So, we can understand why Greenlit, but it belongs in a special category- “Films that didnt live up to their previews”. ---
**Author:** ![pirviii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pirviii/32/3233_2.png) [@pirviii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pirviii)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/143 "2026-05-09T04:12:25Z")
I will add the Sylvester Stallone movie _Oscar_. A group of us ended up at the movies after a day of drinking. We were the only people in the theater and watched this movie MST3k style. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/144 "2026-05-09T13:20:35Z")
> [@pirviii](#): > > I will add the Sylvester Stallone movie _Oscar_. Sly’s performance as “Snaps” Provolone was a cinematic tour de force. :chef kiss: In all seriousness, I do like this movie, it’s just a screwball farce with a million things going on. It knows the assignment, unlike _Stop or my Mom Will Shoot_. Both movies got terrible reviews, while Oscar is a lofty 62% vs SomMWS’s 22% audience approval at Rotten Tomatoes. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/145 "2026-05-09T14:09:17Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > It knows the assignment, unlike _Stop or my Mom Will Shoot_. The story is that Arnold Schwarzenegger pretended to want this film in order to trick Stallone to make it. Arnold knew it was going to flop. > **[Arnold Schwarzenegger Trolled Sylvester Stallone Into Doing a Comedy He...](https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-arnold-schwarzenegger-tricked-sylvester-stallone-into-making-an-awful-movie/)** > > During their action-star rivalry, Schwarzenegger reportedly pretended to want 'Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot' to trick Stallone into doing it. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/146 "2026-05-09T14:28:11Z")
> [@pirviii](#): > > A group of us ended up at the movies after a day of drinking. We were the only people in the theater and watched this movie MST3k style Heh. This is why I like going to matinees on weekdays. You can talk and heckle the flick all you want and there’s hardly anyone you are bothering. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/147 "2026-05-09T15:26:39Z")
> [@Cheesesteak](#): > > Sly’s performance as “Snaps” Provolone was a cinematic tour de force. > > :chef kiss: > > In all seriousness, I do like this movie, it’s just a screwball farce with a million things going on. It knows the assignment, unlike _Stop or my Mom Will Shoot_. Both movies got terrible reviews, while Oscar is a lofty 62% vs SomMWS’s 22% audience approval at Rotten Tomatoes. Another fan of _Oscar_ here. There was just something about it that reminded me of the old English Comedy of Manners literature and plays. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/148 "2026-05-09T15:29:16Z")
I first saw **Stand by Me** at a weekday matinee. Two M/F couples were also in attendance and when the part with the leeches in Gordie’s underwear played, one of the girls started laughing out loud and the fellow she was with slowly turned his head toward her and began backing away. The look on his face was priceless. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/149 "2026-05-09T18:15:46Z")
> [@pirviii](#): > > I will add the Sylvester Stallone movie _Oscar_. A group of us ended up at the movies after a day of drinking. We were the only people in the theater and watched this movie MST3k style. Rotten Tomatoes and critics- not to mention the box office, do confirm that film was pretty bad. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2026, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/150 "2026-05-09T18:32:53Z")
I saw _Oscar_ when it was in theaters and I recall it being kinda par for the course compared to other comedies of the time. It just wasn’t what people expected from a Stallone film. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/151 "2026-05-10T02:32:55Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > You can talk and heckle the flick all you want and there’s **hardly anyone** you are bothering. (Bolding mine) How many people is it acceptable to bother? ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/152 "2026-05-10T03:00:11Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > How many people is it acceptable to bother I’ll take Paul Lynde for the block. 🤪 ---
**Author:** ![caligulathegod](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caligulathegod/32/9685_2.png) [@caligulathegod](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caligulathegod)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/153 "2026-05-10T03:53:50Z")
On paper, sometimes things look good. Movie based upon a Michael Crichton book, edited by Anne V. Coates, who edited _Lawrence of Arabia_, Allen Daviau, who shot _E.T._ , produced by Frank Marshall, Kathleen Kennedy. Directed by Frank Marshall. Sounds like a sure thing. **CONGO**. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/154 "2026-05-10T03:59:17Z")
That film grossed $151 million in box office on a $50 million budget, I would happily shake the hand of whomever greenlit it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/155 "2026-05-10T09:13:11Z")
Surprised nobody has mentioned _Gigli_. $75.6M to make it, $7.3M at the box office. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/156 "2026-05-10T10:01:22Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Surprised nobody has mentioned _Gigli_. An action-comedy-romance starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, in 2003? Greenlighting it was a no-brainer. The movie failed not because of its concept but because of its execution. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/157 "2026-05-10T13:41:02Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > Heh. This is why I like going to matinees on weekdays. You can talk and heckle the flick all you want and there’s hardly anyone you are bothering Unless you are _truly_ the only one there, you are being an asshole full stop. Young teens are one thing, but one wonders how you can be a full grown ass adult and still not know how to behave in public. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/158 "2026-05-10T13:49:06Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Unless you are _truly_ the only one there, you are being an asshole full stop Nah. If you’re sitting way up in the top row and the only other people are way down in front they can’t even hear you. You don’t think I’d intentionally bother people, do you? Besides, it’s not like I make it a habit to go see bad movies. Just the opposite. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/159 "2026-05-10T14:02:04Z")
**Tommy** 1975 is the rare movie that I walked out on. I endured 15 minutes and suggested to my date that we should leave. Thankfully, it was a cineplex and we went across the hall to enjoy something worth watching. There was another British musical released around the same time with punk rockers in masks assaulting a woman. I walked out on that one too. I can’t remember the name 50 years later. Using rock music to somehow make that movie mainstream really upset me. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 10, 2026, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703/160 "2026-05-10T14:46:12Z")
Ken Russell’s _Lisztomania_? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-greenlighted-this-cinematic-shitshow/1029703.md?page=9)