Bennifer's 'Gigli' Sets Razzie Record

By Stephen M. Silverman

Sunday February 29, 2004 01:00 PM EST

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Yahoo Buzz
• E-mail

Chalk up another milestone for "Gigli": On Saturday it became the first movie ever to sweep all six major categories, including worst picture of 2003, at the less-than-stellar 24th annual Razzie Awards, which "dis-honor the worst achievements in film."

"Gigli," the lame romance that tanked at the ticket window and had critics likening it -- unfavorably -- to the Madonna-Guy Ritchie fiasco of 2002's "Swept Away," also took worst actor (Ben Affleck), worst actress (Jennifer Lopez), worst screen couple, and worst screenplay and direction (both by Martin Brest -- with a lot of Janet Jackson-like jokes made at the expense of his last name).

Ever-irreverent (and attracting one of its largest crowds in years), Saturday's ceremony, held in a stuffy, cramped conference room in a Santa Monica hotel a day before the Oscars, began with an homage to "The Cat in the Hat" by Razzies founder John Wilson. Among the movies parodied in Dr. Seuss-like rhyme:

"First there's 'Real Cancun,' made by MTV/Good gracious, how salacious can one movie be?/ It isn't 'Fear Factor,' it wasn't on FOX/ But in reality, it reeked, like six-week-old socks!/ ... Another beach movie, which was equally smelly: 20th Century Flumm-ox's 'From Justin to Kelly.' "

Also clawed: Worst supporting actress Demi Moore, specifically for her fiery death scene in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle," a film that was also named worst remake or sequel. Sylvester Stallone, a Razzie perennial, took his 10th award, this time for his five roles in "Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over." Stallone has received a record 30 nominations in 24 years.

Travis Payne, the choreographer of record on the "American Idol" movie "From Justin to Kelly," received a Special Governors Award for Distinguished Underachievement, though he, like fellow "winner" "Cat in the Hat," which took the new category of "worst excuse for an actual movie (all concept/no content)," did not accept the Razzie in person. Nor did anybody else.

In the case of the "Cat," it was announced that he couldn't attend because "he's busy scaring children at Universal Studios Orlando."

Another nice Razzie touch: During arrivals, guests were treated to the vocal sensation of Annette Funicello, singing such hits as "The Monkey's Uncle" and "(The Mis-Adventures of) Merlin Jones," both from her 1960s hit movies of the same names.