It is amazing how some actors have such a commanding presence in movies that their performances are remembered for ages. For every highly praised movie there is an actor giving a highly praised performance. After watching such a movie and actor, like Brandon Marlo in The Godfather, it is hard to picture that actor as anything less than amazing. Unfortunately, many great actors make some poor decisions that tarnish their reputations. Usually this poor decision is star in a movie that can best be compared to a steaming pile of feces. These are great actors in terrible movies.
George Clooney – Batman & Robin
George Clooney has not only received the honor of formerly being the sexiest man alive, he got to play the World’s Greatest Detective AKA Batman. You might remember this incarnation of batman, he had nipples on his suit. He also had a credit card in the name of Batman. This movie almost killed what was a popular franchise up to that point. I suppose the only real highlight was laughing at Arnold Schwarzenegger’s corny lines as Mr. Freeze. Luckily for Batman fans everywhere, Christian Bale has saved the franchise and erased George Clooney’s Batman from our minds.
Michael Caine – Jaws: The Revenge
Nothing more needs to be said about Jaws: The Revenge other than it is the third movie in the Jaws franchise and it is called Jaws: The Revenge. It is about a shark seeking revenge. Seriously, that is the plot of the movie. Michael Caine was not well known for being Batman’s butler at this time, but still, he has way too much acting credibility to be in a Jaws sequel. All I can say is I hope he got a good paycheck for this embarrassment. Michael Caine has made up for this mistake later in his career, but if he could choose one movie to take back, I’d wager this would be it. As long as he got to keep his pay.
John Travolta – Battlefield Earth
John Travolta has been in some great movies. He has also been in Battlefield Earth. This is like a double whammy of poor decision making, as John Travolta not only starred in Battlefield Earth, but he was also the driving force behind getting this terrible movie made. Battlefield Earth was nothing but a recruitment movie for Scientology, but it would have been more effective if it had been good. Battlefield Earth also ended up as a blemish on respected actor Forest Whitaker’s resume.
Halle Berry – Catwoman
Halle Berry has long been one of the biggest names in Hollywood. Her role in Monster’s Ball cemented her position as one of the premiere actresses of her time. She was also one of the hottest Bond girls to grace the screen. When a Catwoman movie was announced, Halle Berry seemed like the perfect casting choice. She has the right combination of independence and ass kicking ability to make the perfect Catwoman. The writers of the movie decided to ignore all that character development nonsense and instead decided to focus the movie on a creepy cat lady who beats guys up with almost no semblance of plot. This was definitely not a movie Halle Berry will want to remember.
Robert De Niro – The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
Robert De Niro is one of the most highly respected actors of our generation. He has been in such classic movies as Goodfellas, The Untouchables, and Taxi Driver. What is the best way to follow up this kind of success? If you ask De Niro himself, I am sure he will tell you the best way to build on that success is to not play the Russian Spy Boris in a live action Rocky and Bullwinkle movie. Unfortunately, De Niro learned this the hard way. The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle was a complete flop, and De Niro’s caricature of a Russian was not nearly as entertaining as it might have been during the Cold War. Luckily most people don’t remember that there was a Rocky and Bullwinkle movie, and fewer remember Robert De Niro being in it. I think it is safe to say his career recovered.
