Stinker Madness - The Podcast for Bad Movie Lovers
TV & Film:Film Reviews
Notorious for being one of the biggest flops of all time, can it be as bad as history has made it out to be?
The 1987 film "Ishtar" and let me just say, is...confusing. The movie seems to have garnered a reputation for being a colossal flop, and while I can understand why some might hold that opinion, I believe there's more to it than meets the eye.
Let's start with the positives. It's clear that Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman, two respected actors, had a chemistry that worked on screen. Their comedic timing, though often misfired, had moments of genuine amusement. Moreover, I can't help but appreciate the audacity of the film's premise: two struggling musicians get caught up in a web of international intrigue while trying to make it big in North Africa. It's the sort of outlandish setup that could have resulted in a cult classic if executed differently. Think Romancing the Stone but executed like Condorman.
Yet, execution is where the film struggles most. The jokes, while sometimes clever, often fall flat. The film's pacing is erratic, and at times, it feels like it's meandering without a clear sense of direction. It's as if the film doesn't quite know what it wants to be: a political satire, a buddy comedy, or a musical journey.
Speaking of musical journey, let's talk about the songs. They're bad. Really bad. And that's not a criticism, it's intentional. It's evident that the film's creators wanted to parody the cheesy pop songs of the '80s, and in that regard, they succeeded. Beatty and Hoffman deliver these intentionally bad songs in an intentionally bad manner, and while I respect the commitment, it doesn't necessarily make for an enjoyable viewing experience.
Ultimately, "Ishtar" is a film with good intentions and a willingness to take risks. It tries to do something different and bold, and for that, I can't completely write it off. However, it's clear that it doesn't fully succeed in its ambitions. It's not as bad as its reputation suggests, but it's also not very good. Whether that's enough to warrant a watch, well, that's for you to decide.
The Ice Pirates - Don't pirate the movie
Steel Dawn - Where does all the meat come from?
Krull - Gun Swords, NOPE!
Night Hunter - How vampires went extinct
Messenger of Death - BLOOD FEUD!!!!!!!
Squeeze Play - Its a pickle
Joysticks - The Friar Tuck addiction story
Reindeer Games - Rudy finds his nose
Christmas Twister - Wind Spans and Weather Speeds
Santa's Summer House - Santa kidnaps karate people
The Cartier Affair - As good as Grape Nuts
Allan Quartermain and the Lost City of Gold - It's---ran out of room
Coronasode 15 - The Beast of Teen Wolf
King Solomon's Mine - Adventure for Hire
Sundown: You Better Take Care
Hell of the Living Dead - Hold on to your lunch!
Witchery - Evil Dead 4?
Wish Upon - Hope you like Teen Witch
The Rift - Literally in an octopus' garden
Tango & Cash - Stinker Madness Rerun
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