[AerostarMonk]

I noticed that a lot of things I love get no respect, no respect at all. I think that's a damn shame because I love the things I love. However, I'm sure that's a given. My thing is, why does it seem few if any people love the things that I love?

If you've ever thought that than I believe this may be the thread for you. We shall celebrate the things in entertainment that seem to get no respect.

Well, for me, I'm going to start with Mystery Men. Back in 1999, the man who directed those Taco Bell dog commercials gave us a fantastic movie about second-string heroes protecting the Rust Belt metropolis of Champion City. Based on characters from the fringe comic, Flaming Carrot, Mystery Men featured such hilarious personalities as the Blue Raja, the cutlery throwing RP-accented hero who refused to throw knives, Mr. Furious, a man who prided himself on the ability to go off at any moment, despite the fact that most of this ability was feigned and actually more a reflection of mild impatience, the Shoveler, who's handiness with a shovel could rival any swordmaster, the Bowler, a woman out to avenge her father's death with the help of a posssesed bowling ball that contained his skull, and Invisble Boy, who could only become invisble when no one looked at him.

I happen to think this movie is one of the best superhero films ever made. The casting was absolutely perfect on all sides, and it had a script that had no illusions of the seriousness of the premise while also being quite quotable as well. However, this movie is not quite loved by too much of anyone at all. Though it's not quite hated to be brought up frequently in arguments for what's wrong with comic-based properties. I think it's fair to say that this movie is more remembered for its contribution to the Smash Mouth video, "All-Star" than anything else.

One strange thing though, is that out of all the movies in the past 20 years based on comics, this is one of the few where the creator of the property was closely involved with the making of the film. It was never lauded for this fact though. In fact unless you spent enough time to listen to the commentary of the movie and extra features you'd never know. Another fact, Ben Stiller refuses to admit to this film. He talked Janeane Garofalo into doing the flick and when it bombed it seemed like he could never live it down. For a guy who's claim to fame is suffering the most humiliating comic moments onscreen, you think playing any angry man in a failing flick wouldn't be such a big deal for him.

I still believe this to be an awesome and entertaining film with inspired casting from Paul Reubens to Tom Waits. And I think this film gets no respect.

So, what do you think gets no respect and why?