What's the worst movie you've ever seen?
1
Think about these questions before watching.
- Can you recall a film you've seen that you would describe as truly awful or a complete waste of time? What specific elements made it so bad, and did you regret watching it?
- Some movies are so poorly made that they gain a 'cult following' – people who love them precisely because they're so bad. What do you think is the appeal of watching a film that is widely considered terrible?
- Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you watched a movie that was objectively bad, but you still found some enjoyment in the experience, perhaps because you were with friends or it was so absurd? Explain.
2
Watch the video carefully. Pay attention to the main ideas and key details.
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Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the video.
01According to the video, what is the basic plot of "The Room" and who are the main characters?
Sample answerThe video explains that "The Room" is about a man named Johnny who believes he has a perfect life with his future wife, Lisa. However, Lisa is secretly having an affair with Johnny's best friend, Mark.
02The video describes "The Room" as an "incoherent piece of American cinema." What examples are given to illustrate this incoherence?
Sample answerThe video mentions that the dialogue often makes no sense, and characters behave in ways that don't line up with how actual humans act. It also points out strange details, like a table full of framed photographs of spoons.
03The video discusses research suggesting that a taste for "trash cinema" might indicate higher intelligence. What are the two primary reasons researchers found for people being attracted to this genre?
Sample answerResearchers found two main reasons. First, people are drawn to its "transgressive nature" and how it "subverts the standards of mainstream filmmaking." Second, it appeals to an "ironic viewing stance," also known as "camp," which can strengthen social bonds.
04The video mentions that fans of "The Room" establish "cultural capital" during screenings. How do "Room veterans" typically demonstrate this "social currency" at these events?
Sample answer"Room veterans" show their cultural capital by knowing most of the lines by heart and participating in all the inside jokes. They also engage in unique fan interactions like throwing plastic spoons, wearing costumes, and yelling call-and-response lines at the screen.
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Decide if each statement is true or false. Correct the false ones.
01Tom Bissell, who co-authored a book on 'The Room,' states that he has watched the movie over 150 times.
02The video mentions research from the Max Planck Institute suggesting that a taste for trash cinema might indicate higher levels of intelligence.
03Susan Sontag's writings are cited to support the idea that the ironic enjoyment of bad entertainment can be a powerful tool for strengthening social connections.
04During screenings of 'The Room,' fans often throw popcorn and wear costumes while yelling call-and-response lines at the screen.
05Even 14 years after its release, 'The Room' continues to have sold-out monthly midnight screenings in various countries across the globe.
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Vocabulary
Vocabulary
These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic.
Examples
a cinematic disaster — a film that is extremely bad, poorly made, or fails spectacularly in its execution.
Usage note: This is a strong, slightly formal collocation used to describe a movie that is considered a complete failure in terms of quality. You can also use the more informal idiom 'a train wreck' for something spectacularly bad but hard to look away from.
cringe-worthy dialogue/acting — dialogue or acting that is so awkward, embarrassing, or poorly executed that it makes you feel uncomfortable.
Usage note: This adjective is often used to describe specific elements of a bad film that make viewers 'cringe' (recoil in embarrassment). It highlights the discomfort caused by poor quality.
so bad it's good — describing something that is of very poor quality but is enjoyable precisely because of its flaws, often in an ironic or campy way.
Usage note: This popular phrase explains why people might enjoy films that are objectively terrible. It implies an appreciation for the unintentional humor or unique experience offered by a flawed work.
a cult classic — a film that has achieved a devoted, niche following, often long after its initial release, despite not being a mainstream success or even being critically panned.
Usage note: These films often develop a unique subculture around them, with fans knowing lines by heart and participating in interactive screenings. It describes a film's enduring appeal to a specific group.
lack narrative coherence — when a story or film does not have a clear, logical, or consistent flow of events, making it difficult to understand the plot.
Usage note: This phrase is often used in film criticism to describe a poorly structured plot where events or character motivations don't make sense together. 'Coherence' refers to the quality of being logical and consistent.
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Discussing bad movies: matching exercise
Match the beginning of each sentence or phrase on the left with its correct ending or definition on the right.
Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right.
A
B
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01Despite its huge budget, the production was widely panned by critics and audiences alike, becoming .
02The amateur performances and made it almost impossible to take the plot seriously.
03Many viewers find the movie utterly terrible, yet it has gained a reputation for being among certain circles.
04Initially ignored by mainstream audiences, the sci-fi flick slowly developed into thanks to its unique vision and dedicated fanbase.
05The director's experimental approach resulted in , leaving many viewers confused about what was happening.
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Grammar: Modal perfects for past events
Grammar
Modal perfects (e.g., 'must have done', 'should have done', 'could have done') allow us to express certainty, possibility, regret, or criticism about actions or situations in the past. They are particularly useful when discussing what went wrong, what could have been different, or making deductions about past events, such as when critiquing a film.
Examples
I should have read the audience reviews before watching that movie; it was a complete waste of time.
Use 'should have + past participle' to express regret or criticism about a past action.
The director must have been incredibly confident in their vision, despite the obvious plot holes.
Use 'must have + past participle' for a strong deduction or conclusion about a past event or state.
They couldn't have spent much on the special effects; they looked like they were from the 1980s.
Use 'couldn't have + past participle' to express strong disbelief or a negative deduction about a past event.
The film could have been a cult classic if the pacing hadn't been so incredibly slow.
Use 'could have + past participle' to talk about a past possibility that did not happen.
The scriptwriters might have intended a deeper meaning, but it just came across as confusing.
Use 'might have + past participle' for a weaker possibility or speculation about a past event.
Key points
- Use 'should have + past participle' to express regret or to say that something was a bad idea in the past.
- Use 'must have + past participle' to make a strong deduction about something that happened or was true in the past.
- Use 'could have + past participle' for past possibilities that didn't happen, and 'couldn't have + past participle' for strong disbelief about a past event.
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Rewrite each sentence using the modal perfect structure indicated to talk about past events.
01I'm sure the director didn't intend for the dialogue to sound so awkward.
Rewrite using 'can't have' to express a strong deduction.
Hint: Think about what was impossible or highly unlikely in the past.
02It's possible that the studio executives overlooked the script's flaws.
Rewrite using 'might have' to express a past possibility.
03I'm certain the audience found the cringe-worthy dialogue memorable, for better or worse.
Rewrite using 'must have' to express a strong deduction.
04It was a mistake for the filmmakers not to address the plot holes; the movie lacked narrative coherence.
Rewrite using 'should have' to express regret or criticism about a past action.
05Despite being a cinematic disaster, the film had the potential to become a cult classic.
Rewrite using 'could have' to express a past possibility or missed opportunity.
06I'm sure many viewers were surprised by how bad the acting was.
Rewrite using 'must have' to express a strong deduction.
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Correcting cinematic errors
Some movies are memorable for all the wrong reasons. Read the sentences below about bad films. Each sentence contains one error in grammar, vocabulary, or usage. Find the error and correct it.
Each sentence contains one error. Find and correct it.
01Many critics considered the film a cinematic disastrous, citing its poor script and acting.
Corrected version
Many critics considered the film a cinematic disastrous, disaster, citing its poor script and acting.
02The lead actor's performance was so bad, he must have been felt incredibly embarrassed during filming.
Corrected version
The lead actor's performance was so bad, he must have been felt incredibly embarrassed during filming.
03Some movies are so bad they're good, achieving a strange appeal despite of their obvious flaws.
Corrected version
Some movies are so bad they're good, achieving a strange appeal despite of their obvious flaws.
04Despite its initial failure, the film eventually became a cult classic, which its dedicated fanbase grew significantly.
Corrected version
Despite its initial failure, the film eventually became a cult classic, which its whose dedicated fanbase grew significantly.
05The plot was so confusing that the film completely lacked a narrative coherence, leaving viewers puzzled.
Corrected version
The plot was so confusing that the film completely lacked a narrative coherence, leaving viewers puzzled.
06The director should have been considered the audience's reaction more carefully before releasing such a controversial ending.
Corrected version
The director should have been considered the audience's reaction more carefully before releasing such a controversial ending.
07Many viewers found the special effects to be quite dated, making the action scenes seem artificial and not convincing.
Corrected version
Many viewers found the special effects to be quite dated, making the action scenes seem artificial and not convincing. unconvincing.
08It's hard to believe that such a poorly made movie could have ever taken off so popular with audiences.
Corrected version
It's hard to believe that such a poorly made movie could have ever taken off become so popular with audiences.
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Words to take with you
Vocabulary
These expressions are not in the video but will help you discuss this topic more fluently.
Examples
Over-the-top acting — acting that is excessively exaggerated, dramatic, or unrealistic, often to the point of being comical or unbelievable.
Use this to describe performances that are too much, not subtle, or seem like they belong in a different, more theatrical production. It's often a characteristic of 'bad' movies. Example: "The villain's over-the-top acting made it hard to take him seriously, even in the most intense scenes."
Plot holes — inconsistencies or illogical gaps in a story's narrative that contradict earlier events, character motivations, or established rules within the story's world.
This plural noun is used to point out flaws in a film's storyline that make it hard to believe or follow. Example: "Despite the exciting action, the film was full of plot holes that made no sense if you thought about them for more than a second."
Unintentional comedy — moments in a film or show that are meant to be serious or dramatic but end up being funny due to poor execution, absurd dialogue, or ridiculous situations.
Use this phrase when a film makes you laugh, but not in the way the creators intended. It's a common characteristic of films that are 'so bad they're good.' Example: "The dramatic death scene turned into unintentional comedy because of the actor's bizarre facial expressions."
To be critically panned — to receive overwhelmingly negative reviews from professional film critics.
This is a passive verb phrase used to describe a film's reception. If a film is critically panned, it means critics hated it. You can also say 'critics panned the film.' Example: "The director's latest movie was critically panned for its weak script and predictable ending."
Stilted dialogue — dialogue that sounds unnatural, forced, or awkward, as if the characters are not speaking like real people would.
Use this adjective + noun phrase to describe lines spoken by characters that feel artificial, stiff, or poorly written, making conversations sound unrealistic. Example: "The romantic scenes suffered from stilted dialogue that made the characters' emotions feel inauthentic."
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Odd one out: film flaws and reception
Discussing movies, especially those we find 'bad,' often involves specific vocabulary. In each group, identify the word or phrase that doesn't belong.
Which word or phrase does not belong in each group? Think about the common connection.
01with the nounCharacteristics of a poorly made film
02with the nounElements contributing to a film's poor quality
03with the nounFilms appreciated despite their flaws
04with the nounNegative critical or audience reactions
05with the nounSpecific flaws in a film
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Useful phrases: discussing films and sharing opinions on their quality
Vocabulary
When talking about movies, especially ones that aren't critically acclaimed, it's useful to have a range of phrases to express your opinions, explain your reasoning, and discuss their impact. These phrases will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and naturally, whether you loved or loathed a film.
Examples
What's your take on [movie title]? I've heard mixed reviews. — To open a discussion and ask for someone's opinion on a film, especially when you know there are differing views.
Register: neutral. Use when you want to invite someone to share their perspective without leading them. You can replace '[movie title]' with the actual name of a film.
Honestly, I thought it was a complete cinematic disaster. — To express a strong, negative opinion about a film's overall quality, suggesting it was extremely bad in many aspects.
Register: informal to neutral. Use when you feel a film was exceptionally poor. 'Honestly' adds emphasis to your genuine opinion.
The dialogue was so cringe-worthy; I could barely watch it. — To describe a specific element of a film (like dialogue or acting) that was embarrassingly bad or awkward, making you uncomfortable.
Register: informal to neutral. Use when a particular aspect of the film made you feel second-hand embarrassment. Can be adapted for 'acting', 'plot', etc.
You know, it was one of those 'so bad it's good' films. — To describe a film that is objectively poor in quality but is enjoyable precisely because of its flaws, often in an ironic or campy way.
Register: informal. Use when you want to explain the peculiar appeal of a poorly made film. The phrase itself is an idiom.
For me, the biggest issue was that it completely lacked narrative coherence. — To explain that a film's story or plot was confusing, illogical, or difficult to follow, making it hard to understand.
Register: neutral. Use when you want to articulate a specific, more analytical criticism about the film's storytelling structure. 'For me' softens the statement slightly.
It's amazing how it went from being panned to becoming a cult classic. — To comment on a film that was initially disliked or ignored by critics but later gained a devoted, niche following.
Register: neutral. Use when discussing the unusual journey of a film's reception over time. 'Panned' means heavily criticized by reviewers.
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From flops to favorites: The paradox of bad movies
Explore how some films, despite their initial reception, manage to find a unique place in cinematic history.
Fill in each blank with the correct word from the word bank.
Word bank
While many films aim for critical acclaim, some unfortunately become disasters, remembered more for their flaws than their merits. Often, these movies suffer from dialogue or wooden acting that makes viewers squirm. Furthermore, a significant problem can be a complete of narrative coherence, leaving audiences utterly confused about the plot. Yet, paradoxically, some of these initially panned films achieve a unique status, becoming classics precisely because they are bad it's good.
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Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.
Word bank
01Despite its huge budget, the film was widely panned by critics and audiences alike, becoming .
02The amateurish performances and unrealistic lines made the entire film difficult to watch, full of .
03Many viewers find themselves strangely drawn to movies that are objectively terrible, enjoying them precisely because they are .
04Decades after its initial release, the obscure horror film gained a devoted following, eventually becoming .
05The director's experimental approach resulted in a story that seemed to jump between unrelated scenes, causing the film to .
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Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.
- Can a "cinematic disaster" truly become a "cult classic"?
- Have you seen a film from your country that is "so bad it's good"?
- What makes "cringe-worthy acting" enjoyable in a "so bad it's good" film?