“We may be through with the past, but the past ain’t through with us.”
~ Jimmy Gator, Magnolia
This is not at all what I had planned, but then, so goes life.
I had so much fun yesterday talking about movies, it’s all I wanted to do today. Every other email brought to my mind another happy memory; two hours of cinema followed by three of conversation (I’m an exhausting date).
1999 was so full of cinematic awesome, it busted the seams of the entire millennium. I can’t list every great movie from that year. Well, I could, but I’m pretty sure you’re hoping I won’t.
Because I like to stay right at the bleeding edge of what everybody’s talking about, here’s my list for some of the best films of 1999. Movies are like tickle spots. These are mine. I’ll keep them short and start shorter.
Star Wars: Episode One (this wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone said), The Green Mile, American Beauty, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Eyes Wide Shut (half each, stunning and terrible), The Limey (elegantly savage), South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut, and Election (Reese Witherspoon at her best).
Toy Story 2: How many sequels improve on the original? The Godfather II, The Dark Knight, Terminator 2, Empire Strikes Back….. crickets chirping…. Toy Story redefined animation. Toy Story 2 took everything that worked in the first one and made it like a perfect second date. It was Pixar’s third home run, and the ball flew further than ever before.
The Matrix: I don’t have enough superlatives for the Matrix. Even if I did, they’d be tired by now. The Matrix took Japanese Anime and twisted it into seamless live action, designing camera tricks that have had a half life and a half. It was a perfectly articulated, spiritually confident action movie. Redefining.
Three Kings: I haven’t seen this one in several years, but I’d be surprised if I didn’t love it as much now as I did then. The color palette was like looking on sky I’d never seen. This movie is cool.
The Cider House Rules: This movie feels like a poem, but in a good way. I loved the book, but it’s nowhere near as good as the movie.
Run Lola Run: If you haven’t seen this, do. You have to be in to super frenetic German movies, with a lot of people yelling “Shaizer, Lola!” You also have to be okay with thumping techno, and the same story told three times in a row. If you like all that, and won’t feel ripped off at eighty minutes long, this movie’s rad.
Abre Sus Ojos (Open Your Eyes): I also enjoyed the Cameron Crowe remake, Vanilla Sky, but this one was first. It’s less Rock N’ Roll, more like a lingering trumpet solo.
The Iron Giant: Before Brad Bird went on to blow my mind with the Incredibles and Ratatouille, he made this masterpiece. It’s a love letter to a bygone era, with an intrepid kid, a groovy beatnik, and a giant robot. It was also an abject failure. The fact that Norbit made ten million dollars more on its opening weekend than The Iron Giant did in its entire theatrical run… shame on us.
Being John Malkovich: This introduced me to one of my favorite writers. Charlie Kaufman went on to pen Adaptation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. All three scripts are so unapologetically, idiosyncratically original, they make me want to weep. I haven’t, but the intention’s there. No one writes like this guy.
Fight Club: I did smell the end of this one, but it so didn’t matter. This movie is one of the flat out best directed movies ever. You can’t see the seams. Brad Pitt and Ed Norton; both perfect. This movie takes beautiful metaphor and punches it in the teeth.
Magnolia: I saved this one for last, because… well, golly; it’s just so good. I know this one’s not for everyone, but neither is being an astronaut. This movie is nirvana. Totally drunk on its own ambition, yes, but it exists fully in the world it created. You can hear it breathing. I will watch anything PT Anderson directs, forever. Even if he starts doing direct to DVD mini series’ featuring stick figure versions of the Muppet Babies. I’ll wait in line.
Writer Dad
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Wow. I feel so old now. The Matrix changed everything. Being John Malkovich was just a hoot. Fight Club will always have a special place. Run Lola Run was thoughtful as well as action-packed.
But let us not forget these other gems of ’99:
Office Space
The Mummy (c’mon, you know you liked it)
Blair Witch Project
Princess Mononoke
Michael Martines last blog post..Remarkablogger Manifesto: What Do You Stand For?
Wow. I feel so old now. The Matrix changed everything. Being John Malkovich was just a hoot. Fight Club will always have a special place. Run Lola Run was thoughtful as well as action-packed.
But let us not forget these other gems of ’99:
Office Space
The Mummy (c’mon, you know you liked it)
Blair Witch Project
Princess Mononoke
Michael Martines last blog post..Remarkablogger Manifesto: What Do You Stand For?
Out of those, Fight Club and The Green Mile are my personal faves. Mainly because they’re two of my all time favorite books. Also like the Blair Witch Project, despite the rest of my family not liking it, and of course, working in an office, Office Space is one of my all time faves.
(I have you on RSS now, so you’re not getting rid of me ;))
Out of those, Fight Club and The Green Mile are my personal faves. Mainly because they’re two of my all time favorite books. Also like the Blair Witch Project, despite the rest of my family not liking it, and of course, working in an office, Office Space is one of my all time faves.
(I have you on RSS now, so you’re not getting rid of me ;))
I’m off to the video store!
Dereck Coatneys last blog post..I’m Living a Mile High
I’m off to the video store!
Dereck Coatneys last blog post..I’m Living a Mile High
If you could only watch one movie over and over, what would it be?
J.D. Meiers last blog post..SIGN – The 4 Signs of a Strength
If you could only watch one movie over and over, what would it be?
J.D. Meiers last blog post..SIGN – The 4 Signs of a Strength
I’ll watch anything that Charlie Kaufman writes. Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Human Nature…that man is brilliant.
He also wrote Singles…which was adapted to Friends. Even though he never wanted to make singles into a TV series…someone went and did it anyways.
Matthew Drydens last blog post..An Effort
I’ll watch anything that Charlie Kaufman writes. Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Human Nature…that man is brilliant.
He also wrote Singles…which was adapted to Friends. Even though he never wanted to make singles into a TV series…someone went and did it anyways.
Matthew Drydens last blog post..An Effort
You’ve got a great list of movies here, Writer Dad.
In particular, I did enjoy the Sixth Sense.
The script was brilliant, the acting superb and the direction was excellent. All in all, the ingredients for a great movie.
The twist was what made it really stand out- I remember ‘banning’ friends from telling me what it was until after I’d been to see it.
You’ve got a great list of movies here, Writer Dad.
In particular, I did enjoy the Sixth Sense.
The script was brilliant, the acting superb and the direction was excellent. All in all, the ingredients for a great movie.
The twist was what made it really stand out- I remember ‘banning’ friends from telling me what it was until after I’d been to see it.
Star Wars: Episode One was exactly as bad as everyone said
Tara@From Dawn Till Rusks last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Black Boxes
Star Wars: Episode One was exactly as bad as everyone said
Tara@From Dawn Till Rusks last blog post..Wordless Wednesday: Black Boxes
Your memory is way better than mine! All I remember about 1999 is diapers and a lack of sleep (young kids). I’ll have to check some of these out…
Lances last blog post..The Impact We Have On Others
Your memory is way better than mine! All I remember about 1999 is diapers and a lack of sleep (young kids). I’ll have to check some of these out…
Lances last blog post..The Impact We Have On Others
I was hoping you’d make a post like this! I also stumbled upon this a few minutes ago: http://www.newhotstuff.net/top-10-movies-of-the-90s
90s-movies-alicious!
Nicolas last blog post..Things I Love Thursday
I was hoping you’d make a post like this! I also stumbled upon this a few minutes ago: http://www.newhotstuff.net/top-10-movies-of-the-90s
90s-movies-alicious!
Nicolas last blog post..Things I Love Thursday
I loved Toy Story, too.
BTW – nice theme! hehe
Robins last blog post..Insects Versus Mother Theresa
I loved Toy Story, too.
BTW – nice theme! hehe
Robins last blog post..Insects Versus Mother Theresa
South Park! South Park! South Park!
YEssssssss….!!!
(I especially liked the musical number…..something about uncles’s relations being told to be quiet!)
;-)
Friars last blog post..Motivating Yourself with More Inspirational Quotes
South Park! South Park! South Park!
YEssssssss….!!!
(I especially liked the musical number…..something about uncles’s relations being told to be quiet!)
;-)
Friars last blog post..Motivating Yourself with More Inspirational Quotes
Loved –
Message in a Bottle
The Sixth Sense
The Astronaut’s Wife
Being John Malkovich
God Said “Ha!”
Hated –
Fight Club
Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo
Yawned and Never Finished –
The Matrix
Dogma
Loved –
Message in a Bottle
The Sixth Sense
The Astronaut’s Wife
Being John Malkovich
God Said “Ha!”
Hated –
Fight Club
Deuce Bigalow, Male Gigolo
Yawned and Never Finished –
The Matrix
Dogma
I’m not sure what I was doing in 1999 but it must not have been watching movies! Oh, It comes back to me now, I was working 100 hours a week before someone warned be about the dangers of burning out and having no life… It looks like I have some catching up to do! Thanks for the list, I’m taking notes.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Dirty Dishes in the Sink
I’m not sure what I was doing in 1999 but it must not have been watching movies! Oh, It comes back to me now, I was working 100 hours a week before someone warned be about the dangers of burning out and having no life… It looks like I have some catching up to do! Thanks for the list, I’m taking notes.
Wendi Kelly-Life’s Little Inspirationss last blog post..Dirty Dishes in the Sink
Fight Club!
By chance, have you ever seen “Children of Men”? I know it isn’t a 1999 movie, but frankly it’s incredible.
Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..Designing Your Dream
Fight Club!
By chance, have you ever seen “Children of Men”? I know it isn’t a 1999 movie, but frankly it’s incredible.
Hayden Tompkinss last blog post..Designing Your Dream
Michael: Office Space = Awesome, I did like the mummy, I did not like Blair Witch (super overrated…. sorry), I LOVED Princess Mononoke.
Benjamin: I really wish I could hop on board the Blair Witch boat, I just can’t. I saw it on opening night and everything; just found it wanting.
Dereck: Let me know what you find.
J.D.: From ’99, or all time?
Matthew: He also wrote Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, which I only thought was okay. He has his own directorial debut coming out next month that I’m really looking forward to.
Scott: The Sixth Sense is that rare, perfect film.
Tara: I hear you, I do, but there are too many tiny ones who adore the movie for it to be all bad. Their eyes are not as critical. They were wowed, entertained, and felt like they were pod racing.
Lance: It’s okay. I’m remembering very little about 2002-2007.
Nicola: I’ll check it out this afternoon. Thanks.
Robin: Anything Pixar = Giant smile.
Friar: Thank you for your restraint. That song stays stuck in my head for days. What did you think of Team America? America…. mmm, mmm.
Dot: Fight Club was awesome, but I totally understand why someone would not like it. Deuce Bigalow was an atrocity. Dogma = terrible. Matrix = wonderful, but again, I see why someone would not care for it.
Wendi: Go straight for Magnolia. It’s long and dark, but wonderful. I’d be curious to see what you think.
Hayden: I absolutely love Children of Men. I actually made time to see it in the theater.
Michael: Office Space = Awesome, I did like the mummy, I did not like Blair Witch (super overrated…. sorry), I LOVED Princess Mononoke.
Benjamin: I really wish I could hop on board the Blair Witch boat, I just can’t. I saw it on opening night and everything; just found it wanting.
Dereck: Let me know what you find.
J.D.: From ’99, or all time?
Matthew: He also wrote Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, which I only thought was okay. He has his own directorial debut coming out next month that I’m really looking forward to.
Scott: The Sixth Sense is that rare, perfect film.
Tara: I hear you, I do, but there are too many tiny ones who adore the movie for it to be all bad. Their eyes are not as critical. They were wowed, entertained, and felt like they were pod racing.
Lance: It’s okay. I’m remembering very little about 2002-2007.
Nicola: I’ll check it out this afternoon. Thanks.
Robin: Anything Pixar = Giant smile.
Friar: Thank you for your restraint. That song stays stuck in my head for days. What did you think of Team America? America…. mmm, mmm.
Dot: Fight Club was awesome, but I totally understand why someone would not like it. Deuce Bigalow was an atrocity. Dogma = terrible. Matrix = wonderful, but again, I see why someone would not care for it.
Wendi: Go straight for Magnolia. It’s long and dark, but wonderful. I’d be curious to see what you think.
Hayden: I absolutely love Children of Men. I actually made time to see it in the theater.
Okay, what about this for The Talented Mr. Ripley: I thought it was a good film, but I wondered how it would have played out if Matt Damon played “Dickie” and Jude Law played “Ripley”.
I saw this film with a group and we spent hours in a pub discussing this and other aspects of the film. It’s what we do.
Denguys last blog post..Ten Times Wrong
Okay, what about this for The Talented Mr. Ripley: I thought it was a good film, but I wondered how it would have played out if Matt Damon played “Dickie” and Jude Law played “Ripley”.
I saw this film with a group and we spent hours in a pub discussing this and other aspects of the film. It’s what we do.
Denguys last blog post..Ten Times Wrong
I couldn’t sleep for a week after watching Sixth Sense. “They don’t know they’re dead” . . . that still gives me the creeps. And I loved “American Beauty”.
Marelisas last blog post..Success – On Your Own Terms
I couldn’t sleep for a week after watching Sixth Sense. “They don’t know they’re dead” . . . that still gives me the creeps. And I loved “American Beauty”.
Marelisas last blog post..Success – On Your Own Terms
WD,
Magnolia is excellent. Good pick.
Also, I really enjoyed Vanilla Sky. I did not realize that it was based on an earlier film. That makes sense. I’ve added Abre Sus Ojos to my Netflix queue. It should be right up my alley as I love foreign films. Plus, I get to bore my girlfriend with yet another subtitled awesome movie. :)
Ians last blog post..32nm Chips Coming Soon!
WD,
Magnolia is excellent. Good pick.
Also, I really enjoyed Vanilla Sky. I did not realize that it was based on an earlier film. That makes sense. I’ve added Abre Sus Ojos to my Netflix queue. It should be right up my alley as I love foreign films. Plus, I get to bore my girlfriend with yet another subtitled awesome movie. :)
Ians last blog post..32nm Chips Coming Soon!
@Ian – Vanilla Sky was 2001, but I really liked it, too, even though it seems everyone else hated it. Along the same line, one of favorite movies of all time is the remake of Solaris (2002) with George Clooney.
@Ian – Vanilla Sky was 2001, but I really liked it, too, even though it seems everyone else hated it. Along the same line, one of favorite movies of all time is the remake of Solaris (2002) with George Clooney.
My grandparents owned a movie theater until I was in third grade. I loved walking to the front of the line and nodding to my sister who was selling tickets and who let me in for free. Upstairs, my older brothers ran the projector. At dinner the family would discuss the latest movie and any goof-ups where the camera was reflected in a mirror, the boom-mike’s shadow could be seen, or when a shirt was buttoned differently from one scene to the next. Between books and those movies, my small-town life seemed grander than reality and more full of potential and possibilities.
SpaceAgeSages last blog post..Does life really have an Easy Button?
My grandparents owned a movie theater until I was in third grade. I loved walking to the front of the line and nodding to my sister who was selling tickets and who let me in for free. Upstairs, my older brothers ran the projector. At dinner the family would discuss the latest movie and any goof-ups where the camera was reflected in a mirror, the boom-mike’s shadow could be seen, or when a shirt was buttoned differently from one scene to the next. Between books and those movies, my small-town life seemed grander than reality and more full of potential and possibilities.
SpaceAgeSages last blog post..Does life really have an Easy Button?
Denguy: I’ve wondered that myself. I thought the same thing in The Departed. What if Matt and Leo had switched roles?
Marelisa: Totally creepy, but that’s why it’s awesome. I think I have to watch it this weekend. American Beauty is really watchable (perfect score). I wish the last ten minutes were better.
Ian: Let me know how you like Abre Sus Ojos. I’m curious to know which you prefer.
Michael: I love the Solaris remake. The original is too…. Russian, I guess. The book is super good also.
SpaceAgeSage: That sounds magical. Did you ever see Cinema Paradisio?
Denguy: I’ve wondered that myself. I thought the same thing in The Departed. What if Matt and Leo had switched roles?
Marelisa: Totally creepy, but that’s why it’s awesome. I think I have to watch it this weekend. American Beauty is really watchable (perfect score). I wish the last ten minutes were better.
Ian: Let me know how you like Abre Sus Ojos. I’m curious to know which you prefer.
Michael: I love the Solaris remake. The original is too…. Russian, I guess. The book is super good also.
SpaceAgeSage: That sounds magical. Did you ever see Cinema Paradisio?
Okay, it wasn’t my favourite movie of 1999, but I’ve got to give it props because nobody has mentioned it yet.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Not as great as the first, and seriously, Heather Graham was *terrible* in this one. But come on. Dr. Evil’s lair in the middle of a Starbuck’s? Fat Bastard yelling “Get in my belly!”? The Allen Parsons’ Project?
Or this classic line from Powers himself: “You know what’s remarkable? Is how much England looks in no way like Southern California. ”
I’m laughing about it right now…
~Graham
Graham Strongs last blog post..Lipstick on a Pig or “Hog-Tied Marketing”
Okay, it wasn’t my favourite movie of 1999, but I’ve got to give it props because nobody has mentioned it yet.
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Not as great as the first, and seriously, Heather Graham was *terrible* in this one. But come on. Dr. Evil’s lair in the middle of a Starbuck’s? Fat Bastard yelling “Get in my belly!”? The Allen Parsons’ Project?
Or this classic line from Powers himself: “You know what’s remarkable? Is how much England looks in no way like Southern California. ”
I’m laughing about it right now…
~Graham
Graham Strongs last blog post..Lipstick on a Pig or “Hog-Tied Marketing”
TOO interesting, this post! Literally just after I’ve turned in my OWN movie-fest-of-sorts, here at the library (and I’m generally SO not an avid movie watcher/go-er). Most were all “oldies”, as in, REALLY. OLD. One was, “Being John Malkovich”. VERY quirky, very artsy, very much a “thinker”…worthy of dissection over and over again. I don’t do scary/creepy…too much for me. “The Grudge”? Did me in for MONTHS…no bueno, that sound. My kiddies STILLL love to see me jump when they make that noise…and those eyes…completely devoid of ANYTHING! BRRR…no bueno. ;) C.
TOO interesting, this post! Literally just after I’ve turned in my OWN movie-fest-of-sorts, here at the library (and I’m generally SO not an avid movie watcher/go-er). Most were all “oldies”, as in, REALLY. OLD. One was, “Being John Malkovich”. VERY quirky, very artsy, very much a “thinker”…worthy of dissection over and over again. I don’t do scary/creepy…too much for me. “The Grudge”? Did me in for MONTHS…no bueno, that sound. My kiddies STILLL love to see me jump when they make that noise…and those eyes…completely devoid of ANYTHING! BRRR…no bueno. ;) C.
I always feel so left out in movie conversations. I am not a big movie buff. I can say I despised The Matrix, just as I despise all movies Keanu Reeves is in. Yuck.
Never saw Sixth Sense b/c someone told me the ending.
Meant to see Magnolia. Maybe I will.
I always feel so left out in movie conversations. I am not a big movie buff. I can say I despised The Matrix, just as I despise all movies Keanu Reeves is in. Yuck.
Never saw Sixth Sense b/c someone told me the ending.
Meant to see Magnolia. Maybe I will.
I didn’t realize that The Matrix and Fight Club came out in the same year. (I’m a Netflix kinda gal, so I see things a million years after they’re released.) Those movies were both hugely entertaining and thought-provoking for me. Looking back, 1999 seemed to be a year of awesome movies and complete crap. There’s not a whole lot in the middle here. :)
Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Social Proof and Flying Without a Net
I didn’t realize that The Matrix and Fight Club came out in the same year. (I’m a Netflix kinda gal, so I see things a million years after they’re released.) Those movies were both hugely entertaining and thought-provoking for me. Looking back, 1999 seemed to be a year of awesome movies and complete crap. There’s not a whole lot in the middle here. :)
Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Social Proof and Flying Without a Net