Movie Maniac

‘Tammy’ joins the list of worst movie titles

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Melissa McCarthy stars in “Tammy,” opening Wednesday. Names as titles tell us nothing about the film, but it could have been worse. Courtesy of Warner Bros.

The title of a movie is very important.

It must pique our interest. It must evoke a mood. It must perfectly sum up what the movie is about.

So I ask you, does “Tammy” do that? (It’s a comedy starring Melissa McCarthy that opens Wednesday.)

No, it does not. I hate character names as titles because they tell us absolutely nothing about the movie. One-name titles are cop-outs – lazy writing and even lazier marketing. (I’m talking to you, too, “Lucy” — the upcoming Scarlett Johansson actioner.)

But it could have been worse. Way worse. Here, then, is a look at some of Hollywood’s worst movie titles:

“The Goods: Live Hard. Sell Hard.”

“xXx”

“Thir13en Ghosts”

“Our Vines Have Tender Grapes”

“Live Free or Die Hard”

“I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”
Two

“$”

“Sssssss”

Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Squeakquel”

“Quantum of Solace”

“Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo”

“Gigli” not

“Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever”

“The Squid and the Whale”

“Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant”


“Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood”

This story was originally published June 27, 2014 at 3:20 PM with the headline "‘Tammy’ joins the list of worst movie titles."

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