Movie Jail: This week's defendant is...Ivan Reitman!

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

This is Movie Jail, a unique maximum security prison that houses some of the worst writers, directors, actors and producers from Hollywood and beyond. Their crimes? The offenses vary from convict to convict but most of these inmates have contributed negatively to the film world to some capacity and his or her misdeeds have covered a long enough period of time that the authorities had to intervene. In each column a defendant is put on trial, arguments are made, and then it is up to YOU, the jury, to decide if the person is guilty or not guilty of crimes against cinema. Their lives are in your hands, dude.

The Defendant

The Case

The Prosecution: Draft Day, No Strings Attached, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Evolution, Six Days, Seven Nights, Fathers' Day, Twins, Legal Eagles

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, Ivan Reitman is known for directing classic comedies like Stripes, Meatballs and the Ghostbusters movies, but his recent films have been very disappointing. And by recent, we mean almost all of his directorial efforts since the early 1990s. Maybe it's a good thing Paul Feig will be helming the next Ghostbusters, because the prosecution isn't sure we would even want Mr. Reitman back for a third film based on his movies as of late.

Mr. Reitman's Draft Day was released earlier this year, and although it is has a fresh rating at Rotten Tomatoes, the film is only at 60%. It also wasn't a hit the box office, and the prosecution didn't think it was an entertaining movie. But the NFL film is a masterpiece compared to many of Mr. Reitman's other movies, especially the ones he did after 1993's Dave. No Strings Attached wasn't completely terrible, but it wasn't exactly a great film either, and My Super Ex-Girlfriend and Evolution were both movies with solid ideas, but poor execution. However, in the prosecution's opinion the film that really stains Mr. Reitman's filmography is the painfully unfunny Fathers' Day starring Robin Williams and Billy Crystal, and the movie was a complete waste of both of the actors' talents.

The defense will argue Mr. Reitman has done some great work as a producer, but for every Animal House, Heavy Metal or Up in the Air, there's also a Post Grad or Hotel for Dogs. Mr. Reitman hasn't been behind the camera for a truly great movie in a long time, and while the prosecution loves his early work, we believe the director needs to be locked up for his recent films.

The Defense: Junior, Dave, Kindergarten Cop, Ghostbusters 2, Ghostbusters, Stripes, Meatballs

Ladies and gentlemen, in many previous trials, it has come down to if someone's good movies outweigh their bad ones, and that's definitely the case with Mr. Reitman. My client is up for Movie Jail because of films like Fathers' Day and Legal Eagles, but the defense doesn't think he'll end up behind bars because of his excellent older comedies.

Mr. Reitman's movies since the 1990s might not be as great as say Ghostbusters or Stripes, but it hasn't been all bad either. The prosecution doesn't like No Strings Attached and Draft Day, however it's not as if the movies received horrible reviews from critics. Again, are they as awesome as his older films? No, but the defense doesn't think they're so awful they should count against Mr. Reitman. Even My Super Ex-Girlfriend has its moments, and there are more than a few people who are fans of the film.

Between his classic comedies and producing credits, the defense just doesn't think Mr. Reitman should be up for Movie Jail. Mr. Reitman owned the the late 1970s and the 80s with his movies, and although there will probably be a few jury members who think he belongs in prison, the defense doubts many will want to send him to Movie Jail. The jury declared Dan Aykroyd was not guilty when he was on trial back in December, and the defense believes the verdict is going to be the same for Mr. Reitman.

IN CLOSING…

What should we do with Mr. Reitman? Are you still a fan of the Ghostbusters director, or do you believe it's time we send him to Movie Jail for his unimpressive recent films? Is Ivan Reitman GUILTY or NOT GUILTY?

COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR VERDICT!

*The cases for and against a defendant going to Movie Jail by the author are not necessarily his views and opinions but they are some of the beliefs that one would use to effectively make an argument for both sides. Not quite a devil's advocate but you get the point. Anyways, this is all in fun so don't take it too seriously. We have a separate jail for those people called "Troll Tower" and believe me you do NOT want to go there.

WHAT SAY YOU, GUILTY OR NOT?

LAST WEEK'S VERDICT

Transformers star Josh Duhamel was found GUILTY of all charges in last week's trial, however some jury members complained they had to look up the actor, or said they "don't care about him." But don't you think that's part of the reason why he was being considered for Movie Jail? Mr. Duhamel will be serving a pretty long prison sentence for his crimes, and he's also not allowed to work on any future Nicholas Sparks adaptations.

PREVIOUS VERDICTS

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