By: Heather Seebach
I recently learned that this 1991 Dan Aykroyd-directed "comedy" is widely hated. I only have fond memories of this one from my childhood, but I'll be honest, I haven't seen it many years. Like most films I will feature on "Guilty Pleasures", an adult-viewing might make me feel differently about it now, but I just don't see the need to tarnish those good memories.
Chevy Chase and Demi Moore star as two recently-acquainted strangers who end up in a small New Jersey coal-mining town. A traffic violation puts them in court before the bizarre centenarian judge Alvin Valkenheiser (played by Aykroyd in heavy makeup). While awaiting sentencing, they stay at the judge's creepy mansion where they endure disgusting food, a family of weird mutants, and countless booby-traps. Aykroyd and John Candy play multiple roles in this one, often in makeup and/or drag.
Nothing but Trouble is flat-out gross and often disturbing, but I say that as a compliment. I still get a little nauseous thinking about the judge cramming that blue-grey sausage into his mouth.
The movie has more in common with a horror film than a comedy, which seems to be its downfall for most people. Still, I have no delusions about the fact that this is a shit movie. Aykroyd tries to shove a socio-political statement about banks into a movie with a roller coaster called Mr. Bonestripper and characters that look like this:
Nothing But Trouble is a mess script-wise, and it's not great for those with weak stomachs, but for fans of 90s cheese, extensive makeup FX, or just flat-out nuts movies, it is a must-see.
Fun Fact: This was the big-screen debut of Tupac Shakur, who appeared along with Digital Underground in a scene where they do an impromptu performance for Judge Valkenheiser.
If you want to check out this insane movie, you can currently grab a new copy on Amazon for just $6:
