Bad Films

There's good advice in this month's Sight and Sound from the king of trash John Waters. Asked at a Q&A by someone in the audience for filmmaking tips for their 12 year old son he told them to "show him everything, good or bad, especially the bad."

I like to think that I learn something about filmmaking every time I watch a film regardless of it's quality. And in some ways you can learn a lot more from the mistakes filmmakers have made than by a near perfect film; a Raging Bull or an Annie Hall say.

When choosing a film to screen at my 40th birthday party I thought it would be cool to show a cult film that would be fun to watch with a crowd but not necessarily something I considered an example of good filmmaking. I watched a few films that always crop up in the 'so bad they are good' lists and although they were entertaining in parts I soon grew bored of their technical shortcomings.

In the end I went with Cannon Films Sylvester Stallone vehicle from 1987 'Over the Top' - I think the only film ever to be set in the world of pro arm wrestling, and it proved to be a big hit with the audience. It is a bad film but technically proficient; well shot, well edited and with a fantastic Giorgio Moroder produced score, and I think this makes it easier to immerse yourself in and really enjoy the terrible script and (over) acting.