‘Son of the Mask’ can’t hide from Razzie judges

Bad news at the movie box office in 2005 spelled good news for the 26th annual Razzie Awards: an abundance of candidates for consideration as the worst films and performances of the year. Leading the pack in the nominations being announced today: “Son of the Mask,� the sequel (11 years later) to “The Mask� with Jim Carrey, but without Carrey.

“Son of the Mask� garnered eight nominations among the Razzies’ 10 categories, including worst picture, worst actor (Jamie Kennedy), worst director (Lawrence Gutterman) and worst screenplay (Lance Khazei). It was trailed by “The Dukes of Hazzard� with seven nominations and “Dirty Love� with six.

Joining those three as nominees for worst picture were “Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo� and “House of Wax.�

The tongue-in-cheek Razzies are handed out annually by the Golden Raspberry Award Foundation, with nominations and winners chosen by hundreds of film professionals, journalists and fans. Winners will be announced March 4 at the Ivar Theatre in Hollywood, where Halle Berry showed up last year to accept her trophy for “Catwoman.�

-- Lee Margulies