Films are generally grouped by genre, time period, etc... Another way they are grouped is as Feature (or 'A') films, and 'B' films. The B-films generally exhibit inferior writing and directing, and (usually bad) unknown or has-been actors. They also usually have modest budgets. While B-films sometimes garner 'cult' followings, most would never be added to any critical canon.

Okay. so WHY is "Tank Girl" so often put in the category of B-film (and it is... just google reviews for it)? Lori Petty was huge, at least for a while... primarily because of the success of this film. Naomi Watts was far from unknown. The rest of the cast are seasoned veterans (like Malcolm McDowell as the villain) and pop icons like Ice-T and Iggy Pop. The budget? Not exactly small... fairly lavish special-effects, etc. So why is this film so easily relegated to B status?

Well, let's not let everyone answer at once!

This one was a hard one. And I'm settling in with this answer: I DON'T KNOW.
I think this is such a hard assignment because everybody seems to like the movie in class - and far be it from us to actually like a B rated movie. I mean come on we have better taste then that right? right? (knodding and smiling obnoxiously)
Seriously, the whole time we were watching the movie I was wondering this very question. I swear. I was thinking this has to be a B movie simply because I've never seen it. I mean I saw a commercial for it once and thought it looked cool but that was it. And I was actually going to ask you about it at the end of class Clarke, thanks for ruining it!

Alhough I have no idea I'm going to give it a guess. I've read about 25-30 reviews on this movie. They were mixed. Some were pretty harsh. Some were pretty flattering. But most were indifferent, so to speak. The majority said that it was a fun, funny movie that had no plot or character power at all. But for all that I read no one could give a concrete reason on why they didn't like it exactly - except when mentioning the whole song and dance with the strippers, i cringed a little at that part too between giggles. So I read that crap for nothing! Great! Thanks again Clarke!

I'm just going to go with the fact that it isn't a conventional movie. It doesn't have conventional characters. And people don't like that. People get "confused" by that. I think when you go too far outside of people's comfort levels they are prone not to like it. ---and I'll stick with that.

Umm...well, NO. No, i'm just playing. I think your attempt to answer the question at hand was a rather good one. However, the conventional usage of this movie isn't up for debate. I think the characters are not the problem, nor the subject matter. As I have expressed, it seems to have a gender specific problem. There are PLENTY of movies that have no "conventional" appearance; however, those movies, i.e. Star Wars, Matrix, etc., gross BILLIONS!
Close...but no cigar...
Nevertheless, I think your attempt to reply to Prof. Clarke's question is dully noted. I hadn't even thought about the "conventions" used in this movie until you brought up your argument!
thanks for the interesting read!
~B

Tank girl is often put into a category of being a B-Rated movie because of the fact that most movies that have a low budget normally don't have as good special effects as an A-Rated movie. Also, Tank girl may be considered B-rated because of the storyline and the characters and etc as well???

Alright, first of all, Lori Petti was made famous through her work in that movie with all the females who played baseball. I can’t remember the name of that specific movie, but I know Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell were in that movie. I want to say its name is like Girls in the Dugout (I know that’s not it)-maybe it will come to me as I continue to type.
Next, this movie would NEVER be canonized because it doesn’t display a certain amount of dramatic instances. It seems like every time something serious happens, i.e. the little girl gets kidnapped, the protagonist’s love interest dies, etc., it is followed by some stupid remark or vulgar language. There is no OBVIOUS connection that can be made towards this movie and another movie in this same genre. Granted, some of Neo’s characteristics are rather extreme; however, in the type of society we live in, especially white-male dominated, it is difficult to promote “chick-flicks” as movies deserving to be in the canon of post-modernism.
I think Tank Girl is a wonderfully made movie for that specific genre; however, we all know that movie will NEVER be looked at as great. Can you name two films that have women as protagonist of the pomo genre that are considered a template for other movies to immolate? Heck, can you even name one?
 

(YOU HAVE TO READ THE STRING OF EMAILS THAT I SENT BEFORE YOU READ THIS! IF YOU DON'T THIS POST WON'T MAKE ANY SENSE!)I know I posted up my message twice...don't ask me why, BUT does anyone know the name of that movie with the ladies playing basebally. I don't feel like googling it right now!
For some reason "Angels in the Outfield" keeps on coming to mind, but I know that's not it!
OR, if you don't fill like coming up with the real name, let's start making up possible names for a movie like that!
1) Playgirls
2) Girls with Bats
Any other suggestions?

The movie was A League of Their Own.

Alright, first of all, Lori Petti was made famous through her work in that movie with all the females who played baseball. I can’t remember the name of that specific movie, but I know Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, and Rosie O’Donnell were in that movie. I want to say its name is like Girls in the Dugout (I know that’s not it)-maybe it will come to me as I continue to type.
Next, this movie would NEVER be canonized because it doesn’t display a certain amount of dramatic instances. It seems like every time something serious happens, i.e. the little girl gets kidnapped, the protagonist’s love interest dies, etc., it is followed by some stupid remark or vulgar language. There is no OBVIOUS connection that can be made towards this movie and another movie in this same genre. Granted, some of Neo’s characteristics are rather extreme; however, in the type of society we live in, especially white-male dominated, it is difficult to promote “chick-flicks” as movies deserving to be in the canon of post-modernism.
I think Tank Girl is a wonderfully made movie for that specific genre; however, we all know that movie will NEVER be looked at as great. Can you name two films that have women as protagonist of the pomo genre that are considered a template for other movies to immolate? Heck, can you even name one?
 

Great points made by everyone and i agree with most of them. but what about the theory it was not created to be an "A" movie. PoMo has a strange sense of humor, it is all about the inside joke. "The Rockey HOrror Picture Show" was suposedly doomed from the betginning yet was still made. it is a cult classic to anyone that ever felt a little strange. i think that is why "Tank Girl" is the inside joke for the girls growing up that wanted to be a cross between Betty Page and Courtney Love. It may not have been an "A" movie but it will be watched 10 years from now. infact the reason i first watched "Tank Girl" was because i reckognized the villian from "Clock Work Orange" a movie from the 60"s. it did not hurt that my style greatly resembled rebecca's when i was in highschool. Not everything is created to please the mainstream.

While Tank Girl does not meet all the criteria for a “B” movie, the movie does have many of the hallmarks of the traditional “B” movie. Generally speaking, “B” movies have little or no redeeming social, artistic, or intellectual value. I personally love Tank Girl; however, I would be hard pressed to defend its long lasting contributions socially, artistically or intellectually. In addition, “B” movies are not commercially successful (by this I really mean financially profitable). I don’t think Tank Girl raked in the BIG BUCKS. Indeed, if not for the secondary market the “B” movie would face certain oblivion. Seems to me Tank Girl fits this standard. I know I saw Tank Girl for the first time on video, not in the theater. Finally, I think “B” movies defy parody. Think about the movie parodies one sees on SNL, MadTV, Letterman, Leno etc. It is the canonized-critically acclaimed-“A” movie that is spoofed (GWTW, Citizen Kane, Casa Blanca, Star Wars...) It is the “B” movie that is beyond spoofing. How can one parody Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Swamp Thing, Night of the Living Dead OR Tank Girl ?????

Well first I have to say that this movie wasn't in the right category to be rated as an A movie or even a B movie just for the simple fact that it wasn't meant for the adult rating system. The movie came out during the time of the Spice Girls and girl power was on the rise so the movie was made to empower young girls aging from 12 to 16. So if we were to ask someone in that age group it would be considered a definite A movie. But do to the fact that we are of a more mature crowd we wouldn't be able to appreciate the movie. Also the star actress of the movie was not an A lister, now granted she stared in movies with others that could be considered top actors such as Pualie Shore, Madonna, and even Rosie O'Donald. But to consider the star of Tank Girl to be a star is laughable she is merily a supporting actress. I say that because I was more interested in seeing what Ice-T was going to do than what she was going to do next. So I would consider this a B movie just because of the cult of girl powered teenagers that paid eight dollors to go see it.

For me, Tank Girl is given B status for a couple of reasons. First, Tank Girl reminded me of when I used to watch the stories on channel 9 and would turn to the stories on channel 7 and they would look low budget. Also, it’s really difficult to show a visual of what the future looks like and not come out corny. This movie reminded me of The Fifth Element with Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Chris Tucker. Good movie but the whole futuristic scene was hard to grasp, kind of corny like Tank Girl. Also, I wasn’t sure what the cartoon portion added to the movie. In Kill Bill, the use of cartoon made a brutally graphic scene “watchable” that was clear and it didn’t make me feel like I was watching a part adult movie and part children's movie.

 

A movie no! B movie yes! After reading all of the postings I have to say everyone is coming from similar but different approaches, and isnt that what Pomo is all about? Like Clarke says,"It's all in how you read the text." Anyway Tank Girl is an interesting, attention getter movie but fits well in the B movie catagory. Why you ask? The special effects, cyber punk reality, and sassy female anti-hero make the movie.
The movie which promotes "girl power" was an excelent attempt of success considering it did come out around the time of the Spice Girls, "girl power era." I believe the writer was trying to stretch this fad of girl power to the end. Unfortunately he stretched it so far that it popped back in his face! Although Tank Girl is interesting, I just dont think the world is ready for a sassy,whitty,alternative anti-hero. Personnally I believe the target audience was too narrow, only tageting tom boy, female,teeny boppers and not the mass audience. Maybe the movie would have been better acclaimed if it was a HBO,Showtime, and or Cinemax original? But then again the movie probably would have been considered an A movie if the anti-hero was not as sassy,whitty, or alternative, but then the movie would have not fit into his "girl power" theme. Just a thought!

Congrats!!!!! to everyone.... this is how a posting should be conducted..... :D)

I think everyone has made great points. From what I have found on the web, the difference between "A" and "B" movies, solely relies on the actor(s) involved and the "pre-shot" budget. Now, it is quite appearant that "task-girl" didn't have an large budget, however, as wierd as the film may appear to be it is loaded with more substance than some "A" list movies who gross millions. The classification as a "B" movie....well you do the math.

I agree mostly with the idea that Tank Girl was not created to be an "A" movie. It is a comedy that does in fact have a quirky sense of humor. Tank Girl's aim was obviously not to win an academy award. In fact in lacks the components that make up the average "A" movie and is a blatent attempt at "trying to be different" as other cult classics like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, The Warriors, or the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Here is a uestion...What is the difference between a cult classic and a B movie or is it the same thing ?

"Tank Girl" is rated as a B-film because it appears to be low budget;however, the fact is "Tank Girl" is not a low budget film. The sets are very grungy and the lighting is dark, and that sets a bad mood (for me at least). Also the special effects are not dymnaic, and the story line is kind of bizarre. I'm agreeing with Bradon here. It seems as if the movie is unclear, and just as Brandon said, every time a meaningful event takes place there is a sarcastic remark or action. That is kind of confussing, and it makes you wonder what is the point of the movie. I had neither heard of "Tank Girl" nor had I seen a preview for the film, before watching it in class. I also have never heard of Lori Petti. "Tank Girl" sits in a category of its own, and that could be a reason why it is a B-rated film.

It has taken me awhile to figure out the answer to this question, but as with
pomo, I think there is no one right answer. I would definitely say a movie is an
“A” or “B” movie simply due to luck. I say this because I know supposed “A”
movies with large budgets and well known actors, but do not do well, and vice
versa. As for the theory that “Tank Girl” was made a “B” movie, I do not agree
because I do not believe any move is made to be anything other than a box
office smash or an “A” movie. It is just luck that some do well and some do
not. That is like someone writing a paper and aiming for a “C” and not an “A.”
When writing a paper, do we not all aim for an “A?” Another example is
“Passion of the Christ”: who would have thought it would have done so well? I
have seen many good supposed “B” movies that were actually “A” movies, but
that did not do well in the box office. I think what it comes down to is the fact
that some movies are more successful than others in the box office, but not
always because of the budget and cast of the movie.