It may only be February, but I think after seeing &#8220Date Movie,” I can safely say that I have seen the worst movie of 2006.

This would-be comedy is like watching a bad amateur night at the improv, with one terrible gag after another that almost had me heading for the exits well before the final credits.

&#8220Date Movie” tries to follow along the same lines as films like &#8220Scary Movie” (writer/directors Aaron Seltzer and Jason Friedberg both worked on those projects), &#8220The Naked Gun” and &#8220Airplane,” this time spoofing romantic comedies. Alyson Hannigan plays Julia, while Adam Campbell plays her love interest, Grant Fonckyerdoder (sadly, that is supposed to be funny).

The film proceeds to attempt to spoof everything from &#8220When Harry Met Sally,” to &#8220Kill Bill,” but nothing works – basically because just a reference to a film without an actual attempt at a joke isn’t funny.

Bad parodies aren’t the only problem with &#8220Date Movie.” The film is also filled with absolutely disgusting humor that includes zits, back hair on women and cats who use the toilet. If any of those topics brought a smile to your face, then this probably is the movie for you and I don’t think you really need to read any further.

About the only positive thing I can say about &#8220Date Movie” is that it is barely 80 minutes long – and that includes the trailers – meaning I didn’t have to waste that much of my life. Still, I’ve only walked out of one film in 35 years (that would be &#8220Kung Pow” for those who are actually curious). &#8220Date Movie” came awfully close to being walkout No. 2.

I wasted my time. Don’t waste yours.

DVD dandy of the week

This week’s dandy is Rent (B), the adaptation of the popular Broadway musical, which features a great deal of infectious energy and some wonderfully choreographed musical numbers that were enjoyable to watch and listen to.

This isn’t on par with recent musicals like &#8220Chicago” or &#8220Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” but it is still good enough to outshine last year’s rather mediocre &#8220Phantom of the Opera.”

For those not familiar with &#8220Rent,” the story follows a year in the life of seven people living in New York’s East Village in the late 1980s. The group includes filmmaker Mark (Anthony Rapp), musician Roger (Adam Pascal), their former roommate Tom (Jessie L. Martin), his drag queen lover Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), and exotic dancer Mimi (Rosario Dawson). In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, drug addictions and AIDS against the backdrop of a pulsating musical score.

Director Chris Columbus (best known for &#8220Home Alone” and the first two &#8220Harry Potter” films) does an OK job, although I would have been interested in what someone like &#8220Hedwig’s” John Cameron Mitchell could have done behind the camera. Columbus takes a very theatrical approach, practically breaking the film into acts and scenes. It proves to be an agreeable approach to material that necessitates a very intimate feel and setting.

&#8220Rent” isn’t without its flaws. Taye Diggs’ character, Benny, seems more like a plot device than an actual three-dimensional character, and the relationship between Mark’s ex-girlfriend and her lesbian lover does produce one of the soundtrack’s great numbers, but still doesn’t measure up to the rest of the subplots.

Still, it isn’t the story that drives &#8220Rent;” it’s the music. And the music in &#8220Rent” is strong enough to appeal to fans and non-fans alike.

&#8220Rent” is PG-13 for mature thematic material involving drugs and sexuality and some strong language. It is now available on DVD.

&#8220Date Movie”

Starring: Alyson Hannigan

Directed by: Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer

Rating: PG-13 for crude and sexual humor, language

Playing at: Great Escape 12, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: F

Sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton now has reviews available on the Web. Just go to www.bgdailynews.com and click on the Compton’s Critiques link for a quick hit of movies now playing in the area. Micheal can also be reach via e-mail at mcompton@bgdailynews.com.