Mac and Me

Infobox_Film
name = Mac and Me


caption = Theatrical poster for "Mac and Me"
director = Stewart Raffill
writer = Stewart Raffill,
Steve Feke
music = Alan Silvestri
starring = Jade Calegory,
Christine Ebersole,
Jonathan Ward,
Katrina Caspary,
Lauren Stanley
producer = Mark Damon executive producer,
William B. Kerr executive producer,
R.J. Louis producer
distributor = Orion Pictures
released = August 12, 1988
runtime = 95 min.
language= English
budget = unknown
amg_id = 1:30576
imdb_id = 0095560

"Mac and Me" is a 1988 family film about a disabled boy and an extraterrestrial juvenile. The decision to create it was based largely on the success of "E.T." (1982). The title itself, "Mac and Me", comes from the working title for "E.T." — "E.T. and Me". [ [http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mac_and_me Mac and Me Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes ] ]

Plot

A Mysterious Alien Creature (MAC) escaping from nefarious NASA agents, is befriended by a young boy in a wheelchair. Together, they try and find MAC's family from whom he has been separated.

Product placement

The film is known for its numerous and blatant product placements, including Coca-Cola, Skittles, Sears and McDonald's to name a few. The main character's name, Mac, is a reference to McDonald's Big Mac sandwich. The only food the aliens require are Coke and Skittles. A ten-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".cite book | last = Maltin | first = Leonard | authorlink = Leonard Maltin | title = Leonard Maltin's Movie and Video Guide 2004 | publisher = Signet | date = 2003 | isbn = 0451209400] However, according to Seth Stevenson, "there was no quid pro quo between the filmmakers and these companies." [cite news | publisher = Slate | last = Stevenson | first = Seth | title =Vitaminwater, Everywhere: Why is David Ortiz shilling for the frou-frou beverage? | date = 2007-06-11 | url = http://www.slate.com/id/2167874/pagenum/all/ ] In spite of the latter statement, during the scene where Mac is drinking a Coca-Cola, director Stewart Raffill comedically holds up four $100 bills in the background.

Box office and shelved sequel

"Mac and Me", produced by Vision International and New Star Entertainment and distributed by Orion Pictures grossed $5,935,269 in the United States.

The movie ends with a freeze frame and the words "We'll be back!" superimposed, but after its dismal box office returns the planned sequel was shelved.

It was rated PG for violence in the United States by the MPAA. [ [http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1800091527/info Mac and Me (1988) - Movie Info - Yahoo! Movies ] ]

Cult following

Despite being labeled one of the worst movies ever by both IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes (where it holds a 0% rating), "Mac and Me" has gained a cult following, due in large part to its unintentionally humorous awful production values. An example of which is the poor sound dubbing that takes place during the Sears scene while Eric's mother is riding the escalator: her line is dubbed, "Excuse me. I'll be right back," however, her mouth says the dialogue line "Excuse me, I'll be back in a minute." In addition, there are many other sloppy technical and continuity filming errors throughout the the movie. [ [http://www.moviemistakes.com/film5653 Mac and Me mistakes, goofs and bloopers ] ] Another example is the alien character, Mac, doesn't walk, but instead is strapped to a rolling cart that is never shown to the audience. This gives the film a low-budget appearance with the main characters inability to move without an audible sound of wheels in motion.

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 frequently shows a clip of the wheelchair-bound Eric (Jade Calegory) flying off a cliff while Mac watches on, instead of showing clips from the actual movie Rudd is there to promote. [ [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5le9sYdYkM YouTube: MAC AND ME (1988) - infamous wheelchair scene] ] In the clip of the cliff scene Calegory's part was taken by a mannequin. Later chase scenes that show him skitching appear to have been done by Calegory himself, possibly at low speed with the action sped up in the final print.

Awards and nominations

1988 Golden Raspberry Awards

Four Nominations:
*Worst New Star (Ronald McDonald) [Winner]
*Worst Director (Stewart Raffill) [Winner]
*Worst Picture (R.J. Louis) [Nominated]
*Worst Screenplay (Stewart Raffill, Steve Feke) [Nominated]

=1989 Young Artist Award=

Four Nominations:
*Best Family Animation or Fantasy Motion Picture
*Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy (Jade Calegory)
*Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy (Tina Caspary)
*Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture Comedy or Fantasy (Lauren Stanley)

References

External links

* [http://www.somethingawful.com/d/movie-reviews/mac-and-me.php Review at Somethingawful.com]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNjACYfQlbI McDonalds Endorsed Mac and Me Theatrical Trailer]