Mac and Me
| Mac and Me | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Stewart Raffill |
| Produced by | R.J. Louis Mark Damon William B. Kerr |
| Written by | Stewart Raffill Steve Feke |
| Starring | Jade Calegory Lauren Stanley Christine Ebersole Jonathan Ward Katrina Caspary |
| Music by | Alan Silvestri |
| Cinematography | Nick McLean |
| Editing by | Tom Walls |
| Studio | Vision International New Star Entertainment |
| Distributed by | Orion Pictures Home Video: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | August 12, 1988 |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $13,000,000 |
| Box office | $6,424,112 |
Mac and Me is a 1988 sci-fi fantasy film co-written (with Steve Feke) and directed by Stewart Raffill about a "Mysterious Alien Creature" (MAC) that escapes from nefarious NASA agents and is befriended by a young boy who uses a wheelchair. Together, they try to find MAC's family, from whom he has been separated. The film stars Jade Calegory (in his only film appearance), Christine Ebersole, Jonathan Ward, Katrina Caspary and Lauren Stanley. It is also Jennifer Aniston's debut film (playing an uncredited role as an extra).
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[edit] Cast
- Jade Calegory as Eric Cruise
- Christine Ebersole as Janet Cruise
- Jonathan Ward as Michael Cruise
- Katrina Caspary as Courtney
- Lauren Stanley as Debbie
- Vinnie Torrente as Mitford
- Martin West as Wickett
- Ivan J. Rado as Zimmerman
- Danny Cooksey as Jack Jr.
- Laura Waterbury as Linda
[edit] Product placement
The film is known for its numerous and blatant product placements, including Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Skittles and Sears. The main character's name, Mac, is proclaimed by the main character to mean "Mysterious Alien Creature." The only foods the alien requires are Coke and Skittles. A five minute-long impromptu dance number, featuring Ronald McDonald, takes place in a McDonald's franchise, which led Leonard Maltin to call the film "more like a TV commercial than a movie".[1] However, according to Seth Stevenson, "there was no quid pro quo between the filmmakers and these companies."[2] It has long been maintained, possibly mistakenly, that the film's intent was to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House children's charity.[citation needed]
[edit] Box office and shelved sequel
Mac and Me, produced by Vision International and New Star Entertainment and distributed by Orion Pictures, grossed $6,424,112 in the United States.[3]
The film was heavily criticized for being, among other things, similar to other films of the day, most notably E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. It has also been noted that the aliens in the film resemble extraterrestrial characters in the comedy film Ice Pirates.[4]
The film ends with a freeze frame and the words "We'll be back!" superimposed, but after abysmal reviews and dismal box office returns, the planned sequel was shelved.
[edit] Reception
It has been labeled one of the worst films ever made by Rotten Tomatoes, where it holds a 0% rating[5], mainly due to people calling it a product placement inducement, and a rip off of the movie E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial. Mac and Me was also referenced in the 2011 film Paul, which was also about aliens.
[edit] Running gag on Conan O'Brien
The film has gained a measure of notoriety thanks to actor Paul Rudd. As part of a running gag during Rudd's appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, he would show a clip of the wheelchair-using Eric (replaced by a dummy) falling off a cliff, instead of showing clips from the actual film Rudd was there to promote. Most recently, Rudd continued the gag on O'Brien's latest TV show, Conan.[6]
[edit] Awards and nominations
- 1988 Golden Raspberry Awards
- Worst New Star (Ronald McDonald)
- Worst Director (Stewart Raffill)
- Worst Picture (R.J. Louis) (nominated)
- Worst Screenplay (Stewart Raffill and Steve Feke) (nominated)
- 1988 Young Artist Award
- Best Family Animation or Fantasy Motion Picture (nominated)
- Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy (Jade Calegory) (nominated)
- Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy (Tina Caspary) (nominated)
- Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy (Lauren Stanley) (nominated)
[edit] References
- ^ Maltin, Leonard (2003). Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide 2004. Signet. ISBN 0451209400.
- ^ Stevenson, Seth (2007-06-11). "Vitaminwater, Everywhere: Why is David Ortiz shilling for the frou-frou beverage?". Slate. http://www.slate.com/articles/business/ad_report_card/2007/06/vitaminwater_everywhere.single.html.
- ^ Mac and Me at Box Office Mojo
- ^ "Movie Review Mac and Me Takes a Big McBite Out of E.T.". The Los Angeles Times. http://articles.latimes.com/1988-08-15/entertainment/ca-300_1_big-mac. Retrieved 2010-12-05.
- ^ Mac and Me at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ YouTube: MAC AND ME (1988) - infamous wheelchair scene
[edit] External links
- Mac and Me at the Internet Movie Database
- Mac and Me at Box Office Mojo
- Mac and Me at Rotten Tomatoes
- Review at Somethingawful.com
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- 1988 films
- American films
- English-language films
- 1980s adventure films
- 1980s comedy films
- 1980s fantasy films
- 1980s science fiction films
- American adventure films
- American comedy science fiction films
- American fantasy-comedy films
- Films directed by Stewart Raffill
- Alien visitation films
- Children's fantasy films
- McDonald's
- Orion Pictures films
