Turns Out, the Razzies Are Nearly as Despised as the Oscars
Colloquially known as the Razzies, the Golden Raspberry Awards are a 40-year-old Hollywood institution that ostensibly celebrates Hollywood's worst film-making moments and performances as a tongue-in-cheek ode to Tinsel Town.
But what happens when the critics become the critiqued?
The Razzies revealed its picks for the 2022 season on February 7 and, as always, will announce the winners on March 26, a day before the Oscars' award ceremony.
Selected by over 1,100 American and international voting members, the 2022 Razzies picks include everyone from LeBron in Space Jam: A New Legacy to Jared Leto (and "His 17-Pound Latex Face, His Geeky Clothes or His Ridiculous Accent") in House of Gucci.
Some of the nominations are pretty jokey per Razzies tradition: behold the dedicated category for Bruce Willis' recent slew of one-off stinkers.
However, most of the others are pretty cut and dry, with films like meme-turned-movie Karen, Netflix's Diana the Musical, and Dear Evan Hansen garnering the most noms.
It's unsurprising that any institution as spicy as the Razzies would generate blowback but even more people than usual are piling on in reaction to the 2022 Razzie nominations, far outweighing anyone who agrees with see the picks (though no one's sticking up for Bruce Willis, as far as I can see).
In fact, the Razzies are generating as much animosity as its primary rival, the Oscars (an actual award show, mind you), though for different reasons: while folks (rightfully) dump on shows like the Oscars for things like a dire lack of inclusivity, the Razzies are stirring hate by being perceived as, well, hateful.
A common refrain cites the Razzies' past indiscretions, like nominating otherwise beloved films for "WORST DIRECTOR" awards or similar.
I get why film buffs rebuke the Razzies but, also, why all the social media drama? This all comes down to personal taste, anyways, and it's not like even more legitimate venues like the Oscars — which get justifiable hate for things like a dire lack of inclusivity — actually matter for those of us outside the biz.
Really, the Razzies backlash — which I don't necessary disagree with, for what it's worth — just underscores the value of turning one's back on major awards ceremonies decided by a giant panel of anonymous agitators.
Though I have to own a hot take about Affleck, in particular: does anyone really care if an Academy Award and Oscar-winning multi-millionaire gets prodded for a performance that may or may not actually be good?
Anyways, if still interested, read on for a full list of the Razzies' 2022 nominations.
WORST PICTURE
Diana the Musical (The Netflix Version) Infinite Karen Space Jam: A New Legacy The Woman in the Window
WORST ACTOR
Scott Eastwood in Dangerous Roe Hartrampf in Diana the Musical LeBron James in Space Jam: A New Legacy Ben Platt in Dear Evan Hansen Mark Wahlberg in Infinite
WORST ACTRESS
Amy Adams in The Woman in the Window Jeanna de Waal in Diana the Musical Megan Fox in Midnight in the Switchgrass Taryn Manning in Karen Ruby Rose in Vanquish
WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Amy Adams in Dear Evan Hansen Sophie Cookson in Infinite Erin Davie in Diana the Musical Judy Kaye (As BOTH Queen Elizabeth & Barbara Cartland) in Diana the Musical Taryn Manning in Every Last One of Them
WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Ben Affleck in The Last Duel Nick Cannon in The Misfits Mel Gibson in Dangerous Gareth Keegan in Diana the Musical" Jared Leto in House of Gucci
WORST PERFORMANCE by BRUCE WILLIS in a 2021 MOVIE
(Special Category) Bruce Willis in American Siege Bruce Willis in Apex Bruce Willis in Cosmic Sin Bruce Willis in Deadlock Bruce Willis in Fortress Bruce Willis in Midnight in the Switchgrass Bruce Willis in Out of Death Bruce Willis in Survive the Game
WORST SCREEN COUPLE
Any Klutzy Cast Member & Any Lamely Lyricized (or Choreographed) Musical Number in Diana the Musical LeBron James & Any Warner Cartoon Character (or Time-Warner Product) He Dribbles With in Space Jam: A New Legacy Jared Leto & EITHER His 17-Pound Latex Face, His Geeky Clothes or His Ridiculous Accent in House of Gucci Ben Platt & Any Other Character Who Acts Like Platt Singing 24-7 is Normal in Dear Evan Hansen Tom & Jerry (AKA Itchy & Scratchy) in Tom & Jerry the Movie
WORST REMAKE, RIP-OFF or SEQUEL
Karen (Inadvertent Remake of Cruella deVil) Space Jam: A New Legacy Tom & Jerry the Movie Twist (Rap remake of Oliver Twist) The Woman in the Window (Rip-off of "Rear Window")
WORST DIRECTOR
Christopher Ashley for Diana the Musical Stephen Chbosky for Dear Evan Hansen "Coke" Daniels for Karen Renny Harlin for The Misfits Joe Wright for The Woman in the Window
WORST SCREENPLAY
Diana the Musical, Script by Joe DiPietro, Music and Lyrics by DiPietro and David Bryan Karen, Written by "Coke" Daniels "The Misfits, Screenplay by Kurt Wimmer and Robert Henny, Screen Story by Henny Twist, Written by John Wrathall & Sally Collett, Additional Material by Matthew Parkhill, Michael Lindley, Tom Grass & Kevin Lehane from an "Original Idea" by David & Keith Lynch and Simon Thomas The Woman in the Window, Screenplay by Tracy Letts, from the novel by A.J. Finn
