30th Golden Raspberry Awards
The 30th Golden Raspberry Awards, commonly known as the Razzies, were held on March 6, 2010, at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, California, to satirically honor the worst films and performances from 2009.[1][2] The ceremony, organized by the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation and voted on by over 650 members worldwide, featured Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen as the top "winner" with seven nominations and victories in Worst Picture, Worst Director for Michael Bay, and Worst Screenplay.[3][2] A standout moment was Sandra Bullock's surprise appearance to accept her Worst Actress award for All About Steve, where she distributed DVDs of the film to attendees and delivered a humorous speech, just one day before winning the Academy Award for Best Actress for The Blind Side.[4][3] Other key recipients included the Jonas Brothers as Worst Actor for Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, Sienna Miller as Worst Supporting Actress for G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, and Billy Ray Cyrus as Worst Supporting Actor for Hannah Montana: The Movie.[2][3] The event also introduced special "Worst of the Decade" categories for the 2000s, awarding Battlefield Earth as Worst Picture of the Decade, Eddie Murphy as Worst Actor of the Decade for films like Norbit and Meet Dave, and Paris Hilton as Worst Actress of the Decade for multiple titles including House of Wax and The Hottie and the Nottie.[2][3] Land of the Lost took Worst Remake, Rip-Off or Sequel, while Bullock and co-star Bradley Cooper won Worst Screen Couple for All About Steve.[2] The Razzies, held annually on the eve of the Oscars since 1981, continued their tradition of poking fun at Hollywood's misfires through this milestone edition.[1]Background and Ceremony
Event Overview
The Golden Raspberry Awards, commonly known as the Razzies, are an annual satirical ceremony that honors the worst achievements in film by parodying major award shows like the Oscars. Founded in 1980 by John J.B. Wilson and co-founder Mo Murphy, the awards were created to humorously critique cinematic failures, with winners announced on the eve of the Academy Awards to emphasize the contrast between critical acclaim and disdain.[5][2] The 30th Golden Raspberry Awards recognized the poorest films and performances from 2009, while also commemorating the end of the 2000s decade through dedicated "Worst of the Decade" categories across various fields. Nominations were revealed on February 1, 2010, with final winners selected via ballots cast by 657 members of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, spanning 47 U.S. states and 19 countries.[6][2] One of the ceremony's most memorable moments occurred on March 6, 2010, at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, California, when Sandra Bullock accepted the Worst Actress award for All About Steve—a gesture of good sportsmanship that preceded her Academy Award win for Best Actress in The Blind Side the following evening, making her the first performer to claim both honors within 24 hours.[4]Date, Location, and Format
The 30th Golden Raspberry Awards ceremony was held on March 6, 2010, at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, California.[2][3][7] This timing aligned the event with "Oscar Eve," positioning it as a humorous prelude to the Academy Awards ceremony the following day.[8] Organized by the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, the event followed the longstanding low-budget, satirical format of the Razzies, featuring no live television broadcast and relying instead on post-ceremony press releases for public dissemination of results.[9][3] The production emphasized comedic mockery and self-deprecating humor, with awards presented in a casual, irreverent style that highlighted the absurdity of cinematic misfires.[5] Marking the 30th anniversary of the awards, the ceremony introduced special "Worst of the Decade" categories to retrospectively recognize the most egregious films, actors, and achievements from 2000 to 2009, adding a milestone element to the proceedings.[2]Nomination Announcement and Voting Process
The nominations for the 30th Golden Raspberry Awards were determined through a voting process conducted by the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, an organization founded in 1980 to recognize cinematic underachievements. Ballots were mailed to 647 members—comprising film enthusiasts, critics, and industry observers—spread across 46 U.S. states and 19 foreign countries, allowing them to independently select what they deemed the worst accomplishments in various categories such as acting, directing, and screen ensemble for films released in 2009.[10][11] Members focused their votes on highlighting egregious examples of poor performance and production quality, with the top five vote recipients in each category advancing as nominees, maintaining the Razzies' tradition of parodying major awards by emphasizing satirical critique over merit. This ballot-based system ensured a broad, decentralized input, though final tallies were compiled by the foundation's organizers. For categories without a clear majority, the process prioritized the highest vote counts to form shortlists, underscoring the awards' humorous intent to "own the bad" in Hollywood.[12][11] The nominees were officially announced on February 1, 2010, via a press release distributed by the foundation, which detailed the top five contenders per category for the 2009 film awards, alongside special decade-spanning honors. This timing, just weeks before the ceremony on March 6, 2010, aligned with the Razzies' custom of preceding the Academy Awards, amplifying its parodic effect through timely media coverage. The press release highlighted a "banner year for bad movies," framing the selections as a collective judgment on the year's most notorious flops.[10][11][8] In addition to the standard categories for 2009 releases, the 30th ceremony featured separate voting for "Worst of the Decade" awards, covering films from 2000 to 2009 and including distinctions like Worst Picture, Actor, Actress, Screenplay, and Ensemble of the Decade. These were tallied independently on the same ballots to allow members to reflect on cumulative poor performances over the ten-year period, with nominees similarly limited to the top five per category for focused satirical impact. This dual-track approach expanded the awards' scope, inviting voters to assess long-term trends in cinematic missteps alongside annual critiques.[10][11]Awards for 2009 Films
Worst Picture and Screenplay Categories
The Worst Picture category at the 30th Golden Raspberry Awards recognized Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, directed by Michael Bay, as the year's most egregious cinematic failure among 2009 releases.[7] This Paramount Pictures blockbuster, a sequel to the 2007 Transformers film, swept three major categories, including Worst Director for Bay and Worst Screenplay for writers Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci, and Alex Kurtzman.[2] The film's nomination tally reached seven, tying it with Universal's Land of the Lost for the most of the evening, highlighting widespread disdain for its bloated visual effects, incoherent plot, and reliance on explosions over narrative coherence.[13] Critics lambasted the movie for its overlong runtime, stereotypical portrayals, and technical bombast that overshadowed any substantive storytelling, with IGN noting it as emblematic of Hollywood's embrace of spectacle-driven mediocrity.[14] The full slate of Worst Picture nominees included:| Film | Director | Studio |
|---|---|---|
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Winner) | Michael Bay | Paramount Pictures |
| All About Steve | Phil Traill | Fox 2000 Pictures |
| G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra | Stephen Sommers | Paramount Pictures |
| Land of the Lost | Brad Silberling | Universal Pictures |
| Old Dogs | Walt Becker | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Nominee | Film |
|---|---|
| Michael Bay (Winner) | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen |
| Walt Becker | Old Dogs |
| Brad Silberling | Land of the Lost |
| Stephen Sommers | G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra |
| Phil Traill | All About Steve |
| Film |
|---|
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (Winner) |
| All About Steve |
| G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra |
| Land of the Lost |
| The Twilight Saga: New Moon |
| Film |
|---|
| Land of the Lost (Winner) |
| G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra |
| Pink Panther 2 |
| The Twilight Saga: New Moon |
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen |
Acting Categories
The acting categories of the 30th Golden Raspberry Awards critiqued the weakest lead and supporting performances, as well as the most mismatched on-screen pairings, from 2009 theatrical releases. Voted by 657 members of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, these honors were announced on March 6, 2010, at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, California, the evening before the Academy Awards.[7]Worst Actor
The category's winner was the Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin, and Nick) for portraying themselves in the concert film Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, a collective nod to the group's stiff stage presence and limited acting range.[7] The full slate of nominees is presented below:| Nominee | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Jonas Brothers | Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience | Themselves |
| Will Ferrell | Land of the Lost | Dr. Rick Marshall |
| Steve Martin | The Pink Panther 2 | Inspector Jacques Clouseau |
| Eddie Murphy | Imagine That | Evan Danielson |
| John Travolta | Old Dogs | Charlie Reed |
Worst Actress
Sandra Bullock received the Razzie for her role as obsessive crossword puzzle constructor Mary Horowitz in All About Steve, a performance criticized for over-the-top mannerisms and lack of charm. Notably, Bullock accepted the award onstage in person, handing out DVDs of the film to attendees and quipping about returning the next year if audiences still disliked it; this self-deprecating gesture occurred mere hours before she won the Oscar for Best Actress in The Blind Side.[7][19] The nominees were:| Nominee | Film(s) | Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sandra Bullock | All About Steve | Mary Horowitz |
| Beyoncé | Obsessed | Sharon Charles |
| Miley Cyrus | Hannah Montana: The Movie | Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana |
| Megan Fox | Jennifer's Body and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | Jennifer Check and Mikaela Banes |
| Sarah Jessica Parker | Did You Hear About the Morgans? | Meryl Morgan |
Worst Supporting Actor
Billy Ray Cyrus earned the award for his portrayal of widowed father Robby Ray Stewart in Hannah Montana: The Movie, faulted for wooden delivery and uninspired father-daughter dynamics.[7] Nominees included:| Nominee | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Billy Ray Cyrus | Hannah Montana: The Movie | Robby Ray Stewart |
| Hugh Hefner | Miss March | Himself |
| Robert Pattinson | The Twilight Saga: New Moon | Edward Cullen |
| Jorma Taccone | Land of the Lost | Cha-Ka |
| Marlon Wayans | G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra | Ripcord |
Worst Supporting Actress
Sienna Miller won for her turn as the villainous Baroness in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, a role derided for exaggerated accents and minimal depth amid the film's action-heavy spectacle.[7] The category's nominees were:| Nominee | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sienna Miller | G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra | The Baroness |
| Candice Bergen | Bride Wars | Marion St. Claire |
| Ali Larter | Obsessed | Lisa Sheridan |
| Kelly Preston | Old Dogs | Vicki Greer |
| Julie White | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | Judy Witwicky |
Worst Screen Couple
The Razzie for Worst Screen Couple went to Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper as mismatched reporter and puzzle enthusiast in All About Steve, highlighting their purported lack of romantic spark. This win doubled down on Bullock's sweep in the category.[7] Other nominees encompassed:| Nominees | Film |
|---|---|
| Sandra Bullock and Bradley Cooper | All About Steve |
| Any two (or more) Jonas Brothers | Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience |
| Will Ferrell and any co-star, creature, or "comic riff" | Land of the Lost |
| Shia LaBeouf and either Megan Fox or any Transformer | Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen |
| Kristen Stewart and either Taylor Lautner or Robert Pattinson | The Twilight Saga: New Moon |
Worst of the Decade Awards
Decade-Worst Picture and Screenplay
The 30th Golden Raspberry Awards introduced special categories recognizing the worst achievements of the 2000s decade, with the Worst Picture of the Decade awarded to Battlefield Earth (2000), a science fiction film adapted from L. Ron Hubbard's novel and starring John Travolta.[20] The film, produced by Franchise Pictures and released by Warner Bros., was widely criticized for its poor acting, dialogue, special effects, and overall execution, earning a 3% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 151 reviews.[21] Its ties to Scientology—stemming from Hubbard's founding of the church and Travolta's involvement as a prominent member—drew additional scrutiny, with some reviewers accusing the production of embedding promotional elements for the religion, though Travolta denied any subliminal messaging.[22] The film's commercial failure, grossing $29.8 million against a $75 million budget, further cemented its notoriety as a hallmark of cinematic excess and poor judgment. The nominees for Worst Picture of the Decade were selected from films that had previously dominated annual Razzie categories, highlighting recurring patterns of flawed storytelling and production in the 2000s. Battlefield Earth stood out for sweeping seven Razzies in 2001, including Worst Picture, Worst Actor (Travolta), and Worst Screenplay. Other nominees included films like Gigli (2003), which earned six Razzies for its convoluted romantic comedy plot involving Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, and I Know Who Killed Me (2007), which received eight nominations for its bizarre thriller elements and Lindsay Lohan's dual-role performance. The full list of nominees is as follows:| Film | Year | Notable Razzie Wins from Original Year |
|---|---|---|
| Battlefield Earth (Winner) | 2000 | 7 wins (including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Screenplay) |
| Freddy Got Fingered | 2001 | 5 wins (including Worst Picture, Worst Actor, Worst Director) |
| Gigli | 2003 | 6 wins (including Worst Picture, Worst Director, Worst Screen Couple) |
| I Know Who Killed Me | 2007 | 8 wins (including Worst Picture, Worst Actress, Worst Screenplay) |
| Swept Away | 2002 | 5 wins (including Worst Picture, Worst Actress, Worst Director) |
Decade-Worst Acting and Ensemble
The 30th Golden Raspberry Awards introduced special "Worst of the Decade" categories to retrospectively critique performances from 2000 to 2009, with a particular emphasis on acting that exemplified poor execution, lack of charisma, or mismatched portrayals over the period. These awards highlighted recurring offenders in Hollywood's output during the decade, often tying into films already notorious for their overall quality issues. The voting process mirrored the annual Razzies, relying on public ballots from members of the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation.[24] For Worst Actor of the Decade, Eddie Murphy received the award, recognized for a string of lackluster comedic and dramatic roles that critics lambasted for overreliance on outdated stereotypes and diminished energy compared to his 1980s peak. Nominees included Ben Affleck, cited for wooden deliveries in action and romantic leads; Mike Myers, faulted for repetitive character work in franchise sequels; Rob Schneider, derided for grating physical comedy in ensemble comedies; and John Travolta, criticized for stiff performances in sci-fi and family films. Murphy's win underscored a decade where his shift toward family-friendly vehicles failed to recapture his earlier versatility, leading to perceptions of phoned-in efforts.[2][25] The Worst Actress of the Decade went to Paris Hilton, whose limited acting appearances were panned for delivering lines with minimal emotional range or authenticity, often prioritizing her celebrity persona over character depth. Other nominees were Jessica Alba, noted for monotone recitals in action thrillers; Jennifer Lopez, critiqued for inconsistent accents and chemistry in romantic vehicles; Lindsay Lohan, highlighted for erratic portrayals amid personal controversies; and Madonna, faulted for self-indulgent directing and acting in personal projects. Hilton's recognition emphasized how non-professional entrants could dominate poorly received films through sheer visibility rather than skill.[24][25] In the Worst Screen Couple category, a three-way tie occurred: Paris Hilton paired with either of her on-screen boyfriends in films like House of Wax or Bottoms Up, Fred Durst with his guitar in Population 2, and Paris Hilton with various wardrobe elements in House of Wax or Bottoms Up. These pairings were mocked for embodying awkward chemistry, forced intimacy, or bizarre non-actor inclusions that distracted from narrative coherence. The multiple nods to Hilton reflected her decade-spanning reputation for pairings that amplified discomfort rather than tension.[2] The Worst Screen Ensemble of the Decade was awarded to the entire cast of Battlefield Earth, comprising actors like John Travolta, Forest Whitaker, and Barry Pepper, whose collective efforts were derided for unnatural line deliveries, exaggerated mannerisms, and failure to gel as a unit in a sci-fi epic. Group dynamics were particularly criticized for amplifying the film's stilted dialogue and illogical interactions, turning ensemble scenes into caricatures of poor collaboration. This award capped the film's legacy as a decade-defining example of mismatched talents undermining a high-profile production.[24]Films and Results Analysis
Films with Multiple Nominations
In the 30th Golden Raspberry Awards, which honored the worst films of 2009, a handful of titles dominated the nomination tallies, reflecting widespread disdain for their storytelling, performances, and production choices. Land of the Lost and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen tied for the most nominations with seven each, spanning major categories like Worst Picture and technical misfires. These films exemplified the era's blockbuster excesses, drawing ire for prioritizing visual bombast over coherent narratives.[6] All About Steve secured five nominations, focusing heavily on its lead performances and romantic pairing, while G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra received six nominations with critiques aimed at its action sequences and supporting cast. Other notable entries included Old Dogs and The Twilight Saga: New Moon, each with four nominations, highlighting family comedies and teen fantasies as additional targets.[13] The following table summarizes the top films by nomination volume, including their wins and select key categories:| Film | Nominations | Wins | Key Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen | 7 | 3 | Worst Picture (win), Worst Director (Michael Bay, win), Worst Screenplay (win) |
| Land of the Lost | 7 | 1 | Worst Picture (nom), Worst Prequel/Remake/Rip-off/Sequel (win), Worst Director (Brad Silberling, nom) |
| All About Steve | 5 | 2 | Worst Picture (nom), Worst Actress (Sandra Bullock, win), Worst Screen Couple (Bullock & Bradley Cooper, win) |
| G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra | 6 | 1 | Worst Picture (nom), Worst Supporting Actress (Sienna Miller, win), Worst Screenplay (nom) |
| Old Dogs | 4 | 0 | Worst Picture (nom), Worst Actor (John Travolta, nom), Worst Director (nom) |
| The Twilight Saga: New Moon | 4 | 0 | Worst Supporting Actor (Robert Pattinson, nom), Worst Screenplay (nom), Worst Screen Couple (nom) |