MovieChat Forums > Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (1991) Discussion > Probably the worst movie ever made, or a...

Probably the worst movie ever made, or at least directed

posted 10 years ago by dellaroccokc
11 replies | jump to latest

So Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead (AKA The Secret to My Success 2: Electric Boogaloo) is one of the most shameless wannabee ripoffs I've seen. You can tell from the image that this movie has on IMDB. The pull quote from the top of the image reads "Its Home Alone Times Five"...Whoever wrote that should be stripped of the right to free speech. It wants you to think that this movie has something to do with a bunch of kids and the fact that they have to deal with being "home alone". But it doesn't. Theres 5 kids and the movie only deals with 2 of them. I say that because they're the only ones who have an arc. One of them plays baseball, one of them had a girlfriend at 11 years old but then didn't for reasons we don't know or care, and one of them fell off a roof. Boy that was wacky.

So it begins with a quick intro to the two main characters, the oldest sister and brother. The brother is a stoner, and the sister...seems to be just a normal girl with normal problems one would have at her age.

RANT ABOUT THE MOM: just about the worst person in the world. Seriously? You leave your 5 kids alone for 2 months? Who the hell does that? Theres no one who does this. This is a premise no one can identify with. Because...WTF. She asked the babysitter if she knows there are 5 kids 1 minute before she leaves. I...I just can't...

So I'm going to skip over the babysitter part. Because its not important. The movie's title is about her dying, and its not the least bit important. Theres no drama from this situation. It passes in 5 minutes and we're done. You figure it can be almost like Weekend At Beernies, where they have to play like she's still alive to people. Like a relative comes by to check on them or whatever and they have to make it seem like she's there. But no, there's two scenes on the phone where the mom's asks where she is and they're just like "uhhhhhhhh shes gone" Problem solved I guess. I said I would skip this but damn, its just shameless.

Ok, so Kelly Bundy needs a job now to pay for food. Which is the only thing the movie shows as a need when the mom is away. Apparently the big house they live in is devoid of food when the mom leaves for 2 months. You figure this could be an amount that a fast food job could handle. But Kelly says F that I'm too good for this ish.

So then she try's to get a high class job at a fashion...place. And she gets one under false pretense. But there's some mean lady trying to bring her down. This is pretty much the stakes of this movie, and why this movie fails (IMO but you all should agree with me). If she gets exposed, there is no bad thing that would happen. She would just lose her job, and her mom would come back a few days later and life would go back to normal. You could say that she was embezzling money and she would have gotten in trouble for that, but it's like 3 grand...maybe probation...not something a movie should be based around.

Blah blah blah, the other kids make appearances here and there...blah blah blah. the stoner wonders if this life of "Rock and Roll!!!" is whats best...blah blah blah workplace sexual harassment...blah blah blah wait, is that David Duchovny? What is he doing here? Why is he in this movie? He could have been written out and the movie would have preformed exactly the same. Nice hair though.

I guess I should just end this thing now. So Veronica Corningstone is going to save the company with her fashion sense. It has never been established that she has a superior fashion ability. She just grabs some clothes, and off she goes. You could have made this make sense in 30 seconds with a scene earlier in the movie with her displaying some sort of fashion opinion at a high end clothes store or something. Showing she has some sort of untapped potential at this. But nah, she's just a young woman, and she's good with clothes. Meh

She for some reason decides to hold a fashion show at her house. You can debate that it was to save money which she didn't have, but that party looked like it cost a s-ton. This was a perfect opportunity to give all the kids a quick arc to show that they can do chores now, I guess. At the party everything goes fine til the boyfriend shows up. I didn't mention him before because he's not really important (they could have made him important but there is a 30 minute stretch where he's not mentioned or appears so whatever). He sees a house with 50 cars parked in front, doesn't recognize the signs that this might not be the best time to confess his love over a loudspeaker, and messes everything up. Doesn't really matter because the Mom shows up and everything's exposed. Which results in nothing. Nothing at all...siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh

Listen, the point is that this movie has no purpose. It is two movies rolled into one, resulting in nothing. You can do a movie about a dead babysitter, and the crazy mishaps resulting in that, or you can do a movie about a girl trying to fake her way into high society...which is what they did. The problem is that we don't have any background or connection with this main character and the danger she's taking in lying about this job she's in. She's just doing it to make some food money. And she'll be ok in a couple of days when mommy gets home. Or maybe not, that woman is terrible.

And this is the director's fault. Somewhere he should have put more meaning in the characters. Giving them more of a reason to be better, or establishing that they are crappy to begin with. The older brother was this, but was done with the subtlety of a wrecking ball. Its your job to give this movie purpose and drive, and it pretty much lacks it all.

LIGHTNING ROUND!!!!

Can we admit that the smoking policy in 1991 is awesome? Like that was 23 years ago, and smoking in offices was just the norm. Man...

The younger brother with the girlfriend is one of the weirdest things shoved into a movie. It establishes it in the beginning, mentions it once in the middle, then at the end, is over and done. No one cared that this happened.

At the end the boss lady offers (crap am I already out of Christina Applegate characters? why is she so famous?) the same job at the company, and she turns it down saying she wants to go to college and learn fashion designing...THATS WHAT THE JOB IS!!!!! That's the job going to college is supposed to get you.

Who paid for that hospital visit?

How was the man who's responsible for Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure turn out this?

[–] DemonSinner 10 years ago

Your dumb this movie was an early 90's classic. Cristina was so hot and it's a fun movie. Why so serious?

[–] dellaroccokc 10 years ago

Good rebuttal. How do I respond to "your dumb"...

[–] roadkill988-1 8 years ago

Your dumb this movie was an early 90's classic. Cristina was so hot and it's a fun movie. Why so serious?

Agreed. Christina Applegate was hot as hell in this movie and this movie isn't supposed to be taken that seriously. I really enjoyed this movie when I was kid and it is a 90s classic with a lot of 80s culture in it too. I don't even know why this topic exists, the TC needs to lighten up.

[–] Hendry_William_French 10 years ago

Listen, the point is that this movie has no purpose. It is two movies rolled into one, resulting in nothing. You can do a movie about a dead babysitter, and the crazy mishaps resulting in that, or you can do a movie about a girl trying to fake her way into high society...which is what they did

I think (like you say) this movie was originally pitched as a scenario when the babysitter goes and its the adventures of five kids alone (this movie came out shortly after Home Alone, thus was likely rushed into production on the back of that). However, I think they realized as they were writing it that the movie couldn't be supported just soley on that home alone premise of the kids having hijinks etc, and had to have the main character doing a Brantley Foster scenario at work. I think it just did work in that respect, as in like I said the movie couldn't last on just one of those two plotlines, and I thought it was quite original to combine the two.

The film was also supported on the back of Christina Applegate who I felt was a talented actress capable of carrying the movie with her role as Sue-Ellen Crandall. I think with any other person cast it probably would not have worked. In terms of young actresses at that time she had a gift and was born to play the part in this movie.

I also think this picture does have a certain type of charm. The early 90s tone is unmistakable - just close enough to the 80s to not quite be considered fully 90s yet and it shows. I grew up watching it with my older sisters and they certainly got a lot out of it. I think it's a more female orientated movie (Roger Ebert mentioned this in his review) and it's something for them, and everyone at the same time. It's not shallow in any way and has a lot of heart and good acting performances. Seriously, there are far, far worse movies out there than this, even if you don't like it.

Water, my ass! Bring this guy some Pepto Bismol!

[–] dellaroccokc 10 years ago

I'm not sure how to respond to this. You basically just make up what you think happened or what would have happened during the making of this film instead of just going off the movie itself. And then base it somehow being good because you like the time setting and you have nostalgia. Your nostalgia will deceive you, don't trust them. There are major problems with this movie, mainly being the plot, and lack of drama. You know, a movie I just thought of that kinda reminds me of this point is another 90's kid movie by the name of Blank Check. Has similar themes, kid/kids living by themselves, a lie to get into high society/nice job, having the risk of people finding out your secret. The difference was that the kid in Blank Check was in actual deep trouble with his lie. And thats the drama of the movie. Now we can go on about funky cold medina's role in the movie and how $1 million couldn't buy all the stuff the kid bought, but the drama of not getting found out is what drives the movie, and it works. Not great on the details, but it works. Now lets go back to Babysitter, and like I said in my review, what happens if they find out Applegate is a fake? Nothing... there is no drama.

Also, saying there's far far worse movies out there then this is a crappy excuse. There will always be crappier movies, because people will always be creating. Doesn't mean you should strive to just be barely better.

[–] Hendry_William_French 10 years ago

It's not just nostalgia that makes the movie okay in my opinion. The film itself has a director coming off of one of the greatest teen comedies of all time in Bill & Ted's - he wasn't some scrub. Even though this doesn't match up to his previous film, his talent is still evident in this movie - the shooting style and momentum especially was above average. It had an excellent cast including Keith Coogan, Joanna Cassidy and Josh Charles who all had roles in cult films leading up to this picture. The dialogue was memorable and so were the characters. This movie does have worth to it.

You mentioned the film blank check which is simply unwatchable. I've never met anyone who's seen that movie nevermind enjoyed it (on the other hand DTMTBD was screened on TV a lot where I lived and everyone I knew watched and liked it in school etc). I don't care if there is something at stake in that movie - the characters, storytelling and film making is totally unmemorable and extremely poor.

There's more to a movie than just something being at stake. DTMTBD is built on its main character trying to adapt to responsibility in life and being depended on by her family - a rite of passage handled in a fun way here. Christina Appelgate makes her role relatable and likeable for the audience. That's the centerpoint and emotional focal point of the movie - you follow and care about what she goes through. When she spills her guts at the end in front of a big audience you feel for her. When her mom shows up unexpectedly and busts her you think "oh $hit". That's when a movie has done its job from a story perspective - you care about the characters (hence this film's somewhat cult status).

Also, you mention nothing at stake here. Well, if she was caught out lifting thousands in petty cash from her office it would've put her boss (whom she had developed a strong relationship with) in serious trouble and would've sent her to juvie - (quote from movie: "I'm an embezzler!"). The whole point of the end party (which is fully Swell's idea) is that it saves the company and its employees and also pays back the petty cash so she herself and her friend is saved. I'd say there's plenty at stake and it's a good (albeit unorthodox) conclusion.

Water, my ass! Bring this guy some Pepto Bismol!

[–] dellaroccokc 10 years ago

Ok...we're talking about the guy who made Man of the House here. Let's not get too crazy. "It had an excellent cast including Keith Coogan, Joanna Cassidy and Josh Charles who all had roles in cult films leading up to this picture." Don't forget David Duchovny. Wasn't his part essential to the movie? Also, I guessing that you're older than me because I couldn't tell you a single other movie those other people did. I guess I'll have to take your opinion about it. But then again you like this movie.

Nice job ignoring the point that I brought up. I wasn't stating that it was a good film. They just have similar plot points (in fact they both have comparisons to Home Alone on their box art). In fact it makes my point stronger that a POS film like that can still be more interesting than watching Applegate get back at that mean receptionist or whatever the point of all that was.

So she goes to juvie? Real gripping. Oh what's poor Christina Applegate going to do? Won't someone worry about the pretty white teenage girl getting misdemeanors!

"There's more to a movie than just something being at stake" Well my friend, like I said, thats called the drama. You need that. Thats what makes movies...movies. Unless you making some sort of experimental movie, thats basically the whole point. Why are you interested in this brat. Are you so impressed that her big transformation of being able to work? How were you sucked into such *beep* and unbelievable plot elements? I'm sorry but you've been tricked.

[–] Hendry_William_French 10 years ago

we're talking about the guy who made Man of the House here

This one was just close enough to Bill & Ted's to mean Herek still had some creative momentum in him (a streak, even).

Also, I guessing that you're older than me because I couldn't tell you a single other movie those other people did. I guess I'll have to take your opinion about it

I'm not sure what age has to do with knowing about actors but Joanna Cassidy was a popular character actress who'd been in Blade Runner and Roger Rabbit among other things. The guy who played Kenny was a prolific kid actor who'd been in Adventures in Babysitting, 1987's Hiding Out and had roles in many major tv shows throughout the 80s. He was also in Toy Soldiers about the time of DTMTBD - an underrated film. Charles had been in Dead Poet's Society, I remembered him well.

They just have similar plot points

I checked out the trailer and it looks like the worst 2-bit aping of home alone imaginable (and I mean shot for shot - the intruders getting terrorized by all the little $hit's toys and gadgets especially). Both films are hugely dissimilar especially tone, make up and characterization.

Why are you interested in this brat

This movie has a decent cult status so I'd assume lots of people like the character and indeed the movie.

Well my friend, like I said, thats called the drama. You need that. Thats what makes movies...movies

Lots of things make a movie a movie. Any good movie should be built on an effective story that's easy to follow.

The drama comes from many angles in that it's a family of kids who get a whole summer alone with the oldest one out supporting them and who in the process experiences love, friendship, heartbreak and independence all while saving her company and cleaning up their ramshackle home (played out in a light tone, though).

By the end the main characters have grown and changed. Problems were overcome (the petty cash embezzelment, the break up, Kenny being a reject etc). Their mother looks on in astonishment at the change of everything around her compared to the mess she left behind.

If you want drama you got the girl admitting in front of a fashion delegation that she just lied to everyone including her boss whom she had been close to. She's humiliated and is exposed as a fraud. She pretended she was a divorced mother and elite fashion school graduate the whole time. I thought that was dramatic how that all unravelled in the end and what was at stake was that you were wondering throughout the movie if she'd actually get away with it all, or what would happen when everything was finally revealed, and how the people she betrayed would react.

In the end her boss forgave her because she knew she was a good person at heart - I liked that (their friendship was well developed over the course of the film). The movie thus succeeded because it had a soul - something that Blank Check does not have, and something that audiences tend to appreciate more than most other things.

Water, my ass! Bring this guy some Pepto Bismol!

[–] Duragizer 9 years ago

I stopped reading at "probably the worst movie ever made". Whatever this movie may be, it's not the worst movie ever made -- not even close.

If this is a consular ship, where is the ambassador?

[–] gdkeen 8 years ago

So a lot of stuff isn't realistic, and it annoys you? WGAF? You're wrong. This movie is great. It's fun, the plot is wacky but fast-paced and coherent, the direcing is unspectacular but well staged, all the performances are solid, the dialogue is relatable and realistic, and most characters, even with little screen time, have actual character arcs. Little scenes like Kenny at his sister's baseball game are golden. Honestly, I think this movie is MUCH better than Bill and Ted.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (22250229) 8 years ago

^haha, what a chode.

What have you seen, like 10 movies in your life??

I just glanced over that poorly-written, long-winded garbage, but it seems you had a problem with the script, not the direction. The direction is fine. You do know there's a world of difference, right?

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