Razzies are the annual flip side of the Oscars

Above : Glenn Close’s performance in “Hillbilly Elegy” has earned her nominations both for an Oscar and a Razzie. (Photo: Netflix)

As I wrote on Monday , the Motion Picture Academy hands out its awards – its Oscars – annually to what the 8,000-plus member group considers the best film work of the previous year.

In contrast, the group behind the Razzies – properly known as the Golden Raspberry Awards – gives its prizes to what it considers the worst film work of the previous year.

While opinions on what is deemed best or worst vary, critics usually agree on the very worst of Hollywood’s stinkers. Here, for example, are the Razzies nominees for Worst Picture of 2020: “365 Days” (0 percent on Rotten Tomatoes ), “Absolute Proof” (no RT mention at all), “Doolittle” (14 percent on RT), “Fantasy Island” (7 percent on RT), “Music” (8 percent on RT).

Of those films, the only one I’ve seen is “Fantasy Island.” And it definitely has a less-than-attractive aroma. In fact, of the several films listed in nine different categories, I’ve seen only three:

“Fantasy Island” (5 nominations: Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actress for both Lucy Hale and Maggie Q, Worst Screenplay and Worst Remake, Rip-off, or Sequel).

“Hillbilly Elegy” (3 nominations: Close for Worst Supporting Actress, Worst Director for Ron Howard and Worst Screenplay).

“Wonder Woman 1984” (2 nominations: Worst Supporting Actress for Kristen Wiig and Worst Remake, Rip-off, or Sequel).

Of the acting categories, one certainly stands out: Glenn Close as Worst Supporting Actress for her role in “Hillbilly Elegy.” Close, as you’ll note, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress by the Academy for the same performance.

The history of the Razzies goes back only to 1981, when John J.B. Wilson and Mo Murphy held the group’s first ceremony. This year’s awards will be announced on April 24, one day before the Oscars.

It’s fitting that instead of the gold-plated Oscar that the Academy distributes, the Razzies present – according to Wikipedia – “a golf ball-sized raspberry atop a mangled Super 8mm film reel spray-painted gold.”

Seems totally appropriate. Feel free to disagree.