I’ve been meaning to weigh in with my Guilty Pleasures post, but I’ve been kinda wrapped up with behind-the-scenes blog stuff this week. I do hope you’re all enjoying the addition of a searchable  inventory.  Now that we have that feature working, it’s time for me to play.

Like Geoff, I doubt that I might feel “guilty” over these choices, but I do recognize that they may not be movies many people would admit to liking. My tastes are my own, and I’m okay with that. My primary expectation from any movie is that I’ll be entertained and I have to admit I’m easily amused. But hey, enough of my yakkin’. Whaddaya say? Let’s boogie!

Although I’m not even certain I believe in the term “Guilty Pleasures” as I have no shame when it comes to my tastes and what people think of them…I do indeed have a movie that I love that everyone else hates.  Really hate. I’m talking of one Freddy Got Fingered. You heard me right.  My best friend and I saw this box-office bomb in the theater when it came out, and both fell in love with it.

Written, directed, and starring one Tom Green, this film is a complete exercise in bad taste, gore, and over-the-top shock humor.  The story, as it were, follows Gourd, (Green) as cartoonist who sets off to La-La land to make all his dreams come true. He winds up working in a cheese sandwich factory.  Along the way, we the viewer are treated to scene after scene of Tom Green being Tom Green. If you’ve seen his previous work, you’ll know if this movie is for you, if you have not, don’t rent this.  A few highlights?  Uh…Tom getting very friendly with a variety of animals, including a bull elephant?  A wheelchair bound girlfriend heavily into S&M?  Tom “helping” a woman give birth? Tom accusing his father of child abuse?  A young boy getting constantly, and pointlessly injured?

Yup. It’s all here.

I think what I like the most about this film is how Tom goes all out to make a movie that he wanted to make. Every frame is filled with crazy, dark, perverse craziness. You will most likely hate this….but you may be one of the few who love it.

Oh! and you get to see Rip Torn’s naked ass. ‘Nuff Said.

You know all those films you rent when no one else is around? Cinematic guilty pleasures that are just as good as hogging that pint of Ben & Jerry’s all to yourself?

It took me awhile to figure out my guilty pleasures. Taking film classes, I was always conscious of what movies I said I enjoyed, because of course your taste in film would be judged mercilessly by those who only watch obscure foreign films or golden age classics. It can be a tough crowd.

So how could I admit that I found joy in sports movies? Those awesomely formulaic flicks that have underdog teams who win the big game last minute (usually in slow motion) while being led by a hard nosed coach or reluctant team captain, whose words of wisdom in the locker room bring tears to your eyes while simultaneously making you a little nauseous.

In addition there is almost always a sidelining love story that sends a girl (or boy) running down to the field/court to sweep the winner off their feet amongst a crowd of cheering fans. Total brain candy.

Here are five cheesy sports pics that make me smile:

Bring It On (2000) - Cheerleaders Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku and Gabrielle Union compete to be champions. This film spawned too many remakes of snotty girls in short skirts, challenging each other to “bring it!”

The Replacements (2000) – Keanu Reeves leads a football team of misfits (because they are always misfits) to win big games during a pro football strike. There are fights, strippers, bad music. It’s great.

A League of Their Own (1992) – Geena Davis and Lori Petty play sisters who join the first professional women’s baseball league. It has Madonna, a constantly drunk Tom Hanks, and plenty of heart tugging girly moments.

Gridiron Gang (2006) – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson leads a team of juvenile criminals. They start a football team to build self-esteem. Moments are had. The jailbird boys learn heart wrenching lessons. Yup. I have seen it more than once. I will stand up and admit it!

The Mighty Ducks (1992) – Emilio Estevez is forced into community service and is given the joke team of pee-wee hockey. They learn sweet skating skills, how to flock together, and there are numerous jokes about getting hit with pucks. I love this movie!