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Moriarty's Rumblings From The Lab #10The Year 1999 So Far and What We Have Yet To See!!!

I LOVE THE CHICKEN! by StuEdwards	Aug 24th, 1999 01:56:03 AM
Come back Moriarty, I LUUURVE the chicken - and your column!
some wee thoughts by Call Me Roy	Aug 24th, 1999 02:14:26 AM
Ah...lists. We like lists. Worst trend of the last decade, for me, was the habit of putting ALL the money shots in the trailer. Worst culprit was M.I.B. (every surprising moment...wasn't). Best trend is sites like this one making it possible for losers like me to self-indulgently get rants like this off their chests.
Iron Giant R.I.P. by cookiepuss	Aug 24th, 1999 02:23:34 AM

Am I actually reading NEWS?!! by stewdog	Aug 24th, 1999 02:30:14 AM
I'll be damned.
by HAL3000	Aug 24th, 1999 02:56:14 AM
yah!!!
Firsties! by YellerDog	Aug 24th, 1999 02:58:10 AM
...at least I hope so. Anyway, Dogma should be awesome, and I've already seen a subbed Mononoke Hime. You guys have got to see a sub of this. Dubs always = bleh. Hopefully Buena Vista won't muck up the DVD and we'll see optional subs with the original Japanese voice track (and score, for that matter! What's up with the changes I'm hearing about? That score rocked!) Extremely cool flick. I loved Iron Giant, but to me, Mononoke is by bounds a greater film. Yeller out.
Fight Club and a tidbit about Magnolia by mademan	Aug 24th, 1999 03:13:20 AM
Every single time I post I plug one thing: Fight Club. I read the book and it was abstract, confusing, weird and spectacular and I knew the only person that could touch this material would be David Fincher. And I'm tired about hearing that Brad Pitt sucks. He doesn't. Did anybody see "12 Monkeys"? He was great in Seven too. As a footnote, I read in this weeks Newsweek about Tom Cruise in Magnolia donning a samurai haircut, hawking products on infomercials, and preaching the joys of chauvenism. Only P.T. Anderson. Or David Fincher.
Chickens by Walter Burns	Aug 24th, 1999 03:56:50 AM
Hey Moriarty/Harry - not everyone was disgusted by the Chicken Run story so please leave the world intact for now (or at lease until CR has been released and seen by us Nick Park fans). Keep those Chicken Run stories coming - especially if you can get any images from the movie. Good to see the feast of (potentially) good stuff to come, though given distribution patterns over here in blighty, half of it will not be released until well into the year 2000.
Iron Giant confusion and such by Teko	Aug 24th, 1999 04:51:06 AM
I'm just so boggled by movie releases. How is it that a film ripped to shreds by critics that everyone comes away from gagging and holding their head (ie, Inspector Gadget) continues to rake in the dough, while a film that gets universally stellar reviews and insanely great word-of-mouth bombs (Iron Giant)?? Is someone funneling money? Why is Iron Giant showing in all of three theaters in the country while Gadget covers America like a blanket?? Do you know ANYONE who saw Gadget who enjoyed themselves? Anyhow..ahem ...I'm rabid to see far more films than I expected to this year. "Green Mile": I haven't seen a single clip or read the books, but Shawshank left me weeping. "Anna and the King": who woulda thought that a dramatic version of 'King and I' would leave me agape? "Bicentennial Man": one of my favorite short stories/novellas of all time on the big screen. "Stuart Little": please oh please don't dumb this down...it has such potential. "Toy Story 2" can be nothing less than terrific. I could go on and on...there's way too much coming for my own good
Gotta Love Tim Robins by Anakin Rocks	Aug 24th, 1999 05:05:48 AM
Well, you just gotta love Tim Robbins. I think he is one of the mot gifted directors out there, both "Bob Roberts" and "Dead Man Walking" were powerful, humane movies which I think of often. I look forward to his next directorial gift. On another note, I love the novel STUART LITTLE, but know nothing about the movie. Does it follow the book? -John
Bicentennial Man Delayed 'Til Summer 2000 by thebigham	Aug 24th, 1999 05:37:05 AM
I am sure that I read somewhere that Robin William's Bicentennial Man has been pushed back to a Summer 2000 release.
Bi. Man Release Date 12/17/99?? by thebigham	Aug 24th, 1999 05:46:20 AM
I just checked Cinematter and supposedly the release date is now 12/17/99. Sorry about my earlier post. Isn't the budget on this one over $100 million??
Re: 1999 by Veidt	Aug 24th, 1999 05:53:56 AM
I'm thirty and I have to say that this is hands down the most incredible year that I've ever seen for film (I lived through some great years in the '70s, of course, but was far too young at the time to see or appreciate films like Godfather I&II, Clockwork Orange, or The Conversation). As a genre fan, 1982 has always been my favorite movie year (the year of Blade Runner, The Thing, Tron, Poltergeist, and Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan among others)but 1999 is shaping up to be one of those years that film buffs will be discussing for decades. Of course, there's a chance that some of these films that we're waiting for so anxiously might not live up to their promise but in the case of films like Sleepy Hollow, Toy Story 2 and The Green Mile it seems unlikely that they'd disappoint. My favorite films of the year so far are (in no special order) Election, South Park, Bowfinger, The Blair Witch Project, The Sixth Sense, eXistenZ, The Matrix, Eyes Wide Shut, Go, and The Iron Giant but as much as I was blown away by these movies, I'm expecting much of the upcoming slate of films to leap past these. Pretty amazing, I'd say. It sure gives the year 2000 a hard act to follow. But as long as Chicken Run's on the horizon, we should be o.k. (seriously!).
Atom Egoyan -- My Vote For Filmmaker Of The Decade by mrbeaks	Aug 24th, 1999 06:05:53 AM
Ranging from THE ADJUSTER to FELICIA'S JOURNEY, in between those two, he made EXOTICA and THE SWEET HEREAFTER, both of which I felt were the best films of the years in which they were released. I'm eagerly awaiting his newest (even if D'Angelo didn't exactly rave about the movie as a whole,) while I'm also looking forward to THE INSIDER, TOY STORY 2, THE GREEN MILE, and THE STRAIGHT STORY (once a Lynch fanatic, always a Lynch fanatic.) I don't know if I'd concur that this is the best year for films this decade, but it's certainly in the running. We'll see how she closes out.
What a wonderful crop! by The Gline	Aug 24th, 1999 06:13:56 AM
Seriously -- there has just been a wealth of eye-opening, challenging and FUN movies lately. And the good news is, it looks like there won't be much of a letup in the flood! I can't remember the last time I was looking forward this badly to so many different things at once. In fact -- I'm not sure there WAS such a time. Life Is Good.
Whiners by Darth Fart	Aug 24th, 1999 06:21:51 AM
Some of you are so damn stupid, you shouldn't be at this site. Not many have anything positive to say. One more thing, you guys moan about this site, why do you keep visiting ? Face it, you are addicted!!
1999 is not this decade's best year by Jeffdaddy	Aug 24th, 1999 06:29:05 AM
That accolade must go to 1993: Schindler's List, The Remains of the Day, The Piano, In the Name of the Father, The Fugitive, The Age of Innocence, Jurassic Park, The Firm, Shadowlands, In the Line of Fire, Philadelphia, Fearless, El Mariachi, Short Cuts...just to name a few. I'd even say years like 1990 (Dances With Wolves, Goodfellas, Awakenings, Avalon), '94 (Pulp Fiction, Shawshank Redemption, Gump, Quiz Show, Nobody's Fool, Bullets Over Broadway), '96 (Fargo, Shine, Jerry Maguire, Secrets and Lies) and...well, just about every other year this decade has been better than what I've seen so far in 1999 (like, say, '95 -- Braveheart, Dead Man Walking, Leaving Las Vegas, Apollo 13). '99 has been a good year, but not quite a banner one so far and certainly not the decade's best. What's most appalling, Mr. Moriarty, is that you do not include "The Red Violin", "The Winslow Boy" or "Run Lola Run" on your best of year so far list. These films, and "The Sixth Sense", are the year's best to date. Now after seeing that COOL trailer for "American Beauty" and loving the buzz of Reiner finally returning to his '80s genius with "The Story of Us", I certainly have high hopes for this year's remaining months. But to say that this is the best year of the decade based solely on what has been released so far is insane, I think. And another thing -- how can you NOT include Harrison Ford's "Random Hearts" in your as-yet-to-see list? Directed by Sydney Pollack and co-starring Kristen Scott Thomas -- man, that is a must see. For the love of God, we're talking about Harrison Ford here!
The Fight Club and Bond - Dalton the best. by Darth Fart	Aug 24th, 1999 06:35:11 AM
I am so excited about The Fight Club. I love everything Fincher has done, I mean Alien 3 was very well directed but the script and premise was a let down. SEVEN - Masterpeice, direction is perfect. The Game - Another great, great film, his second best film. Fincher's style draws me into his world. Dalton - My favourite Bond, nailed the character down. The Living Daylights is an excellent Bond film, not perfect but very very good. It deserves so much more credit.
Moriarty: Nice sum up for END OF DAYS by ABking	Aug 24th, 1999 07:14:28 AM
Hi Moriarty, I'm glad to see that you are now giving EOD the benefit of the doubt until you see it. You say James Cameron has been praising it for weeks? Where did you hear this?
1999 as best year of decade.... by Marvin Martian	Aug 24th, 1999 07:24:04 AM
If you want to argue the point, Moriarty, I'd submit that 1994 was as good as any movie year this decade. Granted, I haven't seen the 1999 fall films like Green Mile or 3 Kings or American Beauty yet, so I may yet change my mind, but...1994 had Pulp Fiction and The Shawshank Redemption, 2 films that would easily make any 10 best list I'd make for this decade, the debut of Kevin Smith (Clerks), Quiz Show, Nobody's Fool, Ed Wood, Bullets Over Broadway, the best chick flick of the decade (Little Women), the best documentary (Hoop Dreams), and excellent genre fare like Speed, 4 Weddings and a Funeral, and The Lion King...As for 1999 so far, I've really liked Election, Go, 6th Sense, and Bowfinger, but I feel that Eyes Wide Shut and Blair Witch are interesting but seriously flawed films (and I say this being a huge Kubrick fan) and other than the 4 films I mentioned above, nothing else in 99 has blown me away yet...hopefully that'll change when I see the fall films, but for now....I'd have to go with 1994 as the best movie year of the decade.
Hey Moriarty--you forgot OCTOBER SKY by Lois Lane	Aug 24th, 1999 07:36:02 AM
This film can't be forgotten already, can it? It maybe wasn't as heartwarming as IRON GIANT, but for a live action sentimental flick...it did its job. Joe Johnston finally made a great film and Jake Gyllenhaal (sp?) will be an actor to watch. This film shone through the dog days of early '99 when VARSITY BLUES and PAYBACK were the box office champs. Get the DVD...good commentary.
I'm with you on Bond by Big Rube	Aug 24th, 1999 07:47:49 AM
Finally, someone else who thought Dalton was a much better Bond than Moore. If only he'd had the chance to go further into the darker side of the character... and with a better script. Thanks for the roundup of other films, I'm ready to go!
Party like it's 1999 by Prankster	Aug 24th, 1999 08:19:28 AM
Ironically, most of the whiners on this board are the ones complaining about whiners. Strange. Anyway. I suppose that, as of this moment, 94 does outrank this year in terms of great movies, but...if half of the projects Moriarty listed live up to their potential, then 1999 will be tops, not just for producing a number of classics, but also for consistency. I mean, which is better, a year that produces a few great films, or a year that produces a whole slew of very good ones? I've been going to the multiplex all summer, and coming away--gasp--satisfied. You can debate the relative merits of The Iron Giant or The Blair Witch Project or Run Lola Run, but there's no debating that these are films that are worthy, whether they succeed for you or not. And the big blockbusters--The Matrix primarily, but also Austin Powers, Tarzan, American Pie, and even...dare I say it?...The Phantom Menace--have all been much more substantial than the Avengageddonzilla crap we got last summer, and for several summers before. I'm getting the impression that the film studios are actually trying, and having the guts to let individual quality shine through. The summer's one true abomination--you know which one I mean--was an unqualified flop...maybe it'll signal the end of Jon Peters and the reign of the overpriced blockbuster. Damn, I'm getting into a good mood! If only Iron Giant hadn't flopped, life would be sweet...
three kings, and, oh, am i first?? by rulookin	Aug 24th, 1999 08:28:07 AM
Is three kings going to be any good???, lokks good, but does it have oscar chances, as some have said???
trailers etc. by Breedlove	Aug 24th, 1999 08:46:08 AM
first let me say that this talk of 1999 as a great year for films strikes me as a little odd. mainly because it's only august and we still have what are supposed to be the best pictures of the year yet to come out (although i guess someone like moriarty has seen a lot of this stuff already). personally, i'll take 1993. it's big 5 of the piano (my single favorite film of the decade, nudging out JFK and jerry maguire), schindler's list, remains of the day (best tony hopkins work ever), the age of innocence (my fave scorcese film), and the fugitive will beat anything. anyway, the real reason i'm posting is because i'm hoping someone can tell me what movies these trailers are attaached to: cradle will rock, magnolia, the talented mr. ripley, the green mile, dogma, sleepy hollow, the insider, man on the moon, the messenger, reindeer games, any given sunday, the end of the affair, holy smoke. i haven't seen any of these trailers yet! boy this fall looks great.
Re: 1994, etc. by Veidt	Aug 24th, 1999 09:19:38 AM
Adding a few mentions to 1994's stellar roster of films: Natural Born Killers, Heavenly Creatures and Red Rock West. If the movie going year were to suddenly end now, I'd say that 1994 was clearly the best of the decade. But '99 has already been a damn fine year and as there's about fifty or so films that look to be just as or even more outstanding than what's already been out set to be released between now and the end of December, I'm confident that this is going to wind up as a real landmark year. It may not be the case but to have new releases from the likes of Martin Scorcese, David Lynch, Michael Mann, Milos Forman, Tim Burton, Kevin Smith, Oliver Stone, David Fincher, Atom Egoyan, Paul Thomas Anderson, Luc Besson, Frank Darabont, David O. Russell and Sam Raimi in the next four months plus so many other films that simply look great is good enough cause for excitement. Can't wait to see how it all pans out.
Good Stuff by Floyd Sanders	Aug 24th, 1999 09:51:31 AM
I'm excited about the upcoming fall schedule. Lots of films I have to see, like The Green Mile, End of Days, and who can forget bringing out the Dead. Even if Scorsese's new flick sucks ass, I'll still be first in line to check it out. So many possibilities. I'm probably most interested in seeing The Fight Club and Magnolia. Wish I could my hands on the scripts.
Re: Rushmore by Veidt	Aug 24th, 1999 09:55:36 AM
Rushmore was actually a 1998 film. It was given a limited run at the end of last year to qualify for the Oscars and then was given a wider release early this year.
Well excuse me by Tiger Ninestein	Aug 24th, 1999 09:58:27 AM
I guess I'm guilty of being one of the "Bastard whiners" from yesterday. Just for your information, I've been a fan of Aardman Animation long before they ever hit the shores of the US. Anyone remember that classic series "Morph"? No?! Oh that's right, you all had it in your head that Wallace and Gromit were somehow the start of it all. Hate to disappoint you but we Brits have been blessed with a steady flow of Aardman animation for oh, let me see, about the last 20 years. Anyway, Chicken Run is something I have been waiting to see get made for as long as I can remember and if Harry has news to report on it that's great. Right now ANY news on this movie is pretty scarce. Which is half the reason why H and M should have saved their outburst of creative writing for another page and instead got right to the point.
About "Diner". by Call me....Roy	Aug 24th, 1999 09:58:41 AM
I CAN NOT BE THE ONLY ONE WHO FINDS THIS MOVIE ABSOLUTELY GOWAWFUL! I've watched it at least four times and every time I find something new to hate about it. IMHO, "Diner" is one of the worst movies ever made. I hate it with every fiber of my being. I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE!! There's got to be someone else out there who hates "Diner" as much as I do. COME ON, I KNOW YOU'RE OUT THERE!
sigh by TechnoAtheist	Aug 24th, 1999 10:09:37 AM
I don't generally read "talk backs". For the most part I find them either painful or hilarious. First my opinions: 1. This is an entertainment site. Harry and Moriarity understand that. Anyone who thinks this site is CNN needs to lay off the drugs. If Harry and Moriarity want to have fun on _their_ site, cool, it's part of the charm. These are guys reviewing fiction, not documentaries. They like fiction, I'm happy to let both of them indulge in a bit. 2. Nick Park does fantastic animation. I still crack up remembering the lion bemoaning that "I don't get out as much as I like". I'll happily go see the movie. I could care less about T3 (I liked the Terminator, and actually feel that T2 detracted from the original story) 3. Harry runs a site and presents his opinions about movies. He does a very nice job of it and happily is making a living at doing something he loves. These are the opinions of a Texas movie goer, not the Pope. He runs ads on the site because folks pay him to run them, not because he "believes in the product". If he likes a movie because of junk he gets, killer. Hell, if he likes a movie because a studio shows up with a semi full of money, fine. THESE ARE HIS OPINIONS! I will continue to visit AICN. If for nothing else, it's got good information on the kind of movies I like (including "Chicken Run") and because I like the styles of the reviews Harry selects. I will not go see a movie just because Mr. Knowles suggests, demands, or pleads that I go see it. Likewise, I will not avoid a movie because it got a bad review here. I'm a grown up that can make my own decisions based on what I know and how interesting a story seems to be.
Earth To Andy by njsarchasm	Aug 24th, 1999 10:33:10 AM
"Earth To Andy is one of the greatest songwriting contributions to rock music today. On the first listen, I was hooked."-Rob DeLeo, StoneTemple Pilots watch for this band ppl!
My thoughts... by Amidala	Aug 24th, 1999 10:37:56 AM
Roy, I don't get Diner either. I find it very boring. I really enjoyed Winslow Boy, Jeremy Northam's performance was excellent. I do know 2 college educated parents who took their children to see Gadget and loved it....
Great stuff by MesnerTrks	Aug 24th, 1999 10:41:53 AM
I am finding myself looking forward to these on Tuesday, and today you don't disapoint. Keep up the good work
No mention of "Stigmata," Professor? by Encelladus	Aug 24th, 1999 11:04:29 AM
First of all, Stanley Kubrick, for his final film, envisioned a wondrous scene in a mansion with the masked elite acting out their secret desires in relative privacy... then failed completely to build a compelling movie around it. Other than that, I agree with the Professor, but what about the up and coming "Stigmata?" Do you know something about this movie we don't? Give it up!
One of the most anticipated fall and winter schedules in recent by spike lee	Aug 24th, 1999 11:08:02 AM
I think this could be the year that major hollywood releases finally take over the oscars from the independents.
Fight Club, Green Mile, End Of Days,The Bone Collector by Cineman	Aug 24th, 1999 11:30:39 AM
I don't remember the last time three movies I was looking forward to so much opened in that three month time period from Oct. to Dec. Fincher is the greatest director working today. Seven is an absolute masterpiece and The Game comes pretty damn close. Well, we get him and two of the best young actors around, Pitt (Yes, Brad Pitt) and Norton. I have been waiting for a movie to fuck with my mind like only a Fincher flick can and I know this will be it. Now The Green Mile is one of the best books I ever read. I was glued to each installment and couldn't wait for the next one. Darabont and Hanks will make this one probably the best King adaptation ever, rightly so since its his best book ever. The Green Mile should be one of the most haunting, depressing films I've ever seen. I've always been a big Arnold fan and I am looking forward to End Of Days more than any other of his films before. It looks like we'll finally see his acting chops along with some great action. Peter Hyams has me a little worried but I'm staying optimistic. Also, though I am not putting it at a level with the other films, how come Moriarty forgot The Bone Collector. I recently saw the trailer and the film looks pretty good.
Episode One, not flawless, but top ten. by Darth Siskel	Aug 24th, 1999 11:32:31 AM
Blair Witch, ack!!! TO put that above StarWars, on any merit is worthy of death. I'm coming for you Moriarty!!!
Where is Ep 1 by Brock Landers	Aug 24th, 1999 11:53:24 AM
Look, before people threaten me - we all know Ep 1 had it's flaws and Jar Jar was annoying, but the Jedi, Villians, and political intrigues were fantastic. Moriarity, we know you were all like all of us guys and have been waiting sixteen years to see the Jedi kicking ass on the big screen, and you know what - WE SAW THAT!!!!!You might disagree, but the Jedi are the greatest heroes of all time. Sure, Keanu Reeves kicking ass with Kung Fu was cool, and an animated Giant was amazing, but nothing, I mean, nothing, beats seeing the greatest heros in the galaxy fighting with lightsabers. C'moooooooooooooon. How about at least number 10? Or maybe an honorable mention at least! Sheesh.
The best year? by KOOM	Aug 24th, 1999 12:19:02 PM
I beg to differ. Sure, I haven't seen many of these movies yet, but I have to say 1994 is one of the best years for movies this decade. That's just me. However, I will say this fall's films look pretty promising. I mean, how often do nearly all of America's great directors (Scorcese, Oliver Stone, Barry Levinson, Milos Forman, etc.) release movies within the same period of time. I can't wait until October.
Good work there. This is what AICN does best. by keeper	Aug 24th, 1999 01:14:16 PM
So, from the looks of things I'll be planning to see Sleepy Hollow, Three Kings looks like a good bet, and Princess Mononoke might be interesting. Bicentennial Man, End of Days, and the Joan of Arc movie also sound tantilizing but seem less certain so I'll put them on my B list and wait untill after I hear the general feedback.
Sleepy Hollow by David Lopan	Aug 24th, 1999 01:17:22 PM
I think everybody is excited at the prospect of seeing Sleepy Hollow.His work usually has aholiday theme in it, mostly Halloween and Christmas, and this puts him right back in it. This is what I believe he does the best. I loved the Nightmare Before Christmas, probably because I grew up with the Rankin/Bass shows, as well as many Harryhausen projects, and you can definitely see that influence on his work. I think it would be hard for a Tim Burton project (which he has complete control of) to not be completely entertaining and intellectually stimulating. I have seen many talkbacks posted where people express their excitement, but I suspect a whole lot of people are secretly anticipating this movie.
I really would put E1 in the top ten. by Drath	Aug 24th, 1999 01:39:59 PM
Yes it had some bad points, but it just didn't suck. It belongs in the top ten. I can tell from the list that I have different interests than Moriarty. For one thing, I don't consider being a sequel to be a limitation. Toy Story 2 would go higher on my list. And I don't care what anyone says, the big comedies, Mystery Men, Austin 2, South Park(and earlier, Analyze This) all never made it to the winner comedy podium. They just weren't that funny, or even somewhat funny. There were maybe two and half good laughs between them. Okay, that's just me. But over all, Star Wars was not the bad movie it's been made out to be. And the Matrix, why isn't that on the top ten? Different strokes. But I hope that lousy critics don't spoil the guaze over "Sleepy Hollow." That one looks good, but I can feel the critics sharpening their pencils and waiting to write those hateful and nasty reviews. George wasn't safe, neither is Tim. Fortunatly, they both have Ray Park working for them, maybe he can roll some heads in the movie critic offices.
fall movies by herrin	Aug 24th, 1999 02:14:20 PM
you forgot 'anywhere but here'.
Ripley! by Henrik	Aug 24th, 1999 02:39:35 PM
I'm right behind you Professor. I'm particularly excited about Ripley. The books get you inside an amoral character and it'll be good to see the 90's version. (I liked the French film, too and was bummed that they changed the ending.) I'm also up for "The Cradle will Rock" because Orson is the man.
Rumblings #10 by caxixi	Aug 24th, 1999 02:51:56 PM
hear hear! you hit the nail right on the head. usually during the summer movie season, there is maybe 2 or 3 really good movies. however, this year it seems like there has been at least twice that. for crying out loud, in one weekend, we had Blair Witch, Iron Giant, and Mystery Men (not he best movie but verty entertaining nonetheless). The fall looks to be packed with lots of goodies too. I can't wait!!!
Best Year? Try WORST!!!! by Funmazer	Aug 24th, 1999 03:11:36 PM
This baffles me. How is this the best year for movies ever? Almost everything I've seen this year has let me down. The Matrix was incredible. A film without any weak spots. The kind of thing we don't see anymore. I didn't think Mummy was that great, but after all the other DRECK this summer, it seemed (in retrospect) pretty good. Iron Giant WAS really good, but, does that matter? The worst thing that happens in film nowadays is when great stuff like 'Giant' gets buried, while everyone sees & praises CRAP like 'Blair Witch'. And you know what will happen? YEARS of cheap 'Blair Witch' rip-offs. I hope you Blair Witch-praisers are ready to choke then all down like the 'Scream' take-offs. Or Austin 2. Geez, talk about low-grade toilet laughs. Well, GET READY FOR MORE! Same goes for Big Daddy. I had hoped after Titanic came out, that it would raise the bar for movies - well, it didn't. NOW I KNOW you will say that's because it sucked. But it's actually because it was so good yet so difficult to produce that no other pansy-ass director would try anything as ambitious. What's easier to rip-off, the grandear of 'Titanic' or the cheap grit of 'Blair Witch'? I agree that 1994 was a good year for movies, as was 1995. In general, I'd say between 1975-1985 had the best span of movies. Just think of them all, and smile. Ok, lastly I am going on record AGAIN as saying that 'Joan Of Arc' will win Best Picture. I'm just letting you all know well ahead of time.
call you...tool by tommy five-tone	Aug 24th, 1999 03:42:06 PM
'diner' is a terrific movie. you are an imbecile.
Bond spoilers by not_a_jedi_yet	Aug 24th, 1999 03:46:41 PM
Geez, I've been avoiding spoilers on THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH like the plague. Then I'm reading this reflective, well-written preview of upcoming flicks and run into a easy-to-figure-out HUGE spoiler concerning the ending of TWINE. AAARRRGGGGH! How about a warning next time?
You guys forgot something... by 0007	Aug 24th, 1999 04:30:03 PM
I cannot believe no one even mentioned The Crow (1994), Rob Roy (1995), or the upcoming "Crow: Salvation" in 2000!
Why the hell hasn't AICN supported THE RED VIOLIN? by Obscure Homage	Aug 24th, 1999 04:40:44 PM
Dude, The Red Violin is far superior to every film that Moriarty placed on his list. Did this film completely fall astray of the AICN movie radar? I emailed Harry with Red Violin praise, but no response was given (presumably because Harry is too busy hooking up info on the site, which I can understand). How did this unforgettable film manage to be ignored by the powers that be on this web domain? If it's still playing in your neck of the woods, see it as soon as humanly possible. It took me completely by surprise, and haunted me days after I witnessed the film. AICN spends so much time manifesting recognition for movies that matter...I am shocked that The Red Violin wasn't one of them.
Shut up Funmazer! by Choda Boy	Aug 24th, 1999 05:01:28 PM
1999 not a great movie year. Please! Sure there were some bad movies that came out this year, not unlike every freaking year! You mention 1995 as a good year. As I recall that summer, Judge Dredd, Power Rangers, and Batman Forever came out. Three horrid movies. The point Moriarty was trying to make was that coming soon we would be getting the best of the year. Maybe, Funmazer, you should stop going to see crap like Big Daddy or Austin 2. Start seeing the good instead of bitching.
I'll 'Fess Up..... I Still Haven't Seen THE RED VIOLIN by mrbeaks	Aug 24th, 1999 05:36:07 PM
And this is coming from someone who loved Girard's THIRTY-TWO SHORT FILMS ABOUT GLENN GOULD. I am without a decent excuse, and deserve to be flogged. Sometimes, I completely let a film slip through my fingers (happened last year with BUFFALO '66,) and this year, it was THE RED VIOLIN. I'd also like to second those who've praised THE WINSLOW BOY. IMO, it's still the best I've seen this year, followed by GO, THE DREAMLIFE OF ANGELS, EYES WIDE SHUT, and THE IRON GIANT. Worst? Well, I did sit through WING COMMANDER, but I'm still having trouble even considering that an actual film; so, I'll go with WILD WILD WEST. Thanks for the giant spider, Peters. Now, could you take a bit off the top, and trim the sides? Oh, and what's up with the dolts above bad-mouthing DINER? It's a great guy flick with a perceptive script by Barry Levinson, and contains an actual, honest-to-god, decent performance from Steve Guttenberg. It's just kind of confounding, 'cause I've never heard anyone express a hatred for it.
The Only Really Great Movies I've seen of '99 by qulg0njln	Aug 24th, 1999 05:59:07 PM
The only 4 star movies of 1999: 1.) The Phantom Menace - I dont care what anyone says it was my favorite of the year and it deserves to be on the list. 2.) the 6th Sense too well done not to be on the list Im 15 and May 19, at 12:00 I will never ever forget, it was the greatest movie experience I have ever had, and TPM gave millions of others the same experience you lucky people got to have in '77 and that is more commendable than any other movie this year or decade.
97-best of the decade! by Griff	Aug 24th, 1999 06:30:57 PM
As years come and go, 99 has had two great films so far. Of Moriarty's list, Election kicked supreme ass, and eXistenZ for me was pretty much ass kicking. I look forward to a lot this fall, not least of all The Straight Story, For Love of the Game, The Green Mile, and as always the new Woody Allen. But for me the decade's best year will be 97, because it produced the decades best films. Though without a doubt there are three films that will be reckoned with for probably ever and are the three key films of the decade, being Goodfellas, Titanic, and of course last but not least, (probably the most important) Pulp Fiction, I still love 97. There are also films I would nominate for best films of the decade, including but not limited to Miller's Crossing, Leon (aka the uncut the Proffesional), Cemetary Man, Bullets Over Broadway, Serial Mom, and Last year's Thin Red Line, A Simple Plan, perhaps even Private Ryan (personal faves included Knock Off, Life is Beautiful, and Velvet Goldmine, but they may not deserve such vaulted attentions. I would hate to argue ad nausiem the values of Knock Off, but as Godard in '62 picked Hatari as the best film of it's year with it's well worn and dispised star John Wayne, I too picked Tsui Hark's JCVD starring action film. I think we were both right, but that is besedes the point). 94 was also a galvinizing year with Fiction, Ed Wood and The Shawshank Redemption. But 97 rocks. I'll show you why. Deconstructing Harry- Directed by Woody Allen, Happy Together- Directed by Wong Kar-Wai, Starship Troopers- Directed by Paul Verhoven, Face/Off- Directed by John Woo, Fireworks - directed by Takeshi Kitano, The Ice Storm- Directed by Ang Lee, L.A. Confidential- Directed by Curtis Hanson, Kundun- Directed by Martin Scorsese, Crash- Directed by David Cronenberg, Lost Highway - Directed by David Lynch The Postman- Directed by Kevin Costner and Jackie Brown - directed by QT. Now some may discount Deconstructing Harry as a Woody Allen film. As a fan of his, I'll allow this thought leeway, though without a doubt he is a great American fimmaker with more than a handful of great films (even if you only like one period of them). Deconstructing Harry could be his best of the decade, but it's so hard for me with him, as films as diverse as Husbands and Wives, Bullets, this one and the light fun of Everyone Says I love you, man, they're hot! Either you love him or you don't, either you think his films are just about Neurotic NY jews, or you get it. But I think is a great film about someone confronting their own demons through their art. Wong Kar Wai (as introduced to many of us through Tarantino's company) directed Ashes of Time, Chungking Express, Fallen Angels, and Happy Together in the 90's. Without a doubt, through those four films, he is THE film maker of that decade. He may be a love/hate director, but his command of cinema, and his ability to turn out what he does, incredible. I find it hard to discuss Wong Kar Wai as he is to me, as close as anyone comes to pure cinema. But goddamn it, watch the fucking movies, as this guy is great. And my relationship to Happy Together fueled by a recommendation by an ex-girlfriend, of all things is my pick, so far, for the best film I've seen in the last ten years. Starship Troopers. Could be the best film of the decade? Verhoven's argueable best American film? An expansion and improvement on the themes of Robocop. You be the judge. I am sick of defending this great film. To Those who don't know Beat Takeshi Kitano's films, immerse one's self. Fox Lorber will be issuing both Violent Cop and Boiling Point on tape soon. Along side Rolling Thunder's Sonatine tape, and NEw Yorker's Fireworks, you can familiarize yourself with a great foriegn filmmaker. Fireworks may be his best film. Brutal, funny, and honest. Whoa, just a great film. As America has weened itself of loving foriegn films that aren't heartwarming and cute as Kurosawa's and Felini's last films haven't even been distributed in America, it's harded to get close to great foriegn filmmakers. Here's one. I nominate Emir Kustrica as another though his '94 made Underground was not released in my home town until 97. Does anyone dislike LA Confidential? If so I volunteer to shoot them. Though the films is immense and breathtakingly good, read the book and your respect for the filmmakers will grow as well. And this film, whoa daddy! So good, and no wrong moves. Russell Crowe is my nominee for the best actor to emerge in the 90's. From Romper Stromper to Quick and the Dead to this. Let's hope the new Michael Mann showcases him as well as those three. Face/Off. Okay The Killer should make the decades best list, as perhaps should HArd Boiled. Face/Off was the first great American Woo film. So what if the premise is unbelievable, I don't give a shit, the action! Oh my god! Also the last time Nicholas Cage gave a good performance. And this is the perfect fusion of Woo's action and soap opera tendencies. To those who thought this film was a soaper, what the fuck is the Killer? This movie and those god damn awesome action scenes. Kundun- not Marty's best, but still damn good, and better than most people's best. and I love the Ice Storm. Great period piece, wonderful performances by a great ensemble What about the Postman. The best Bad movie ever made. The lion, the patriotism. I cried from laughing so hard. The perfect antecedent to Titanic. Jackie Brown, a fucking great movie too, everyone gives good performances and turns a supermarket book into one of the best films about racism in America since Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing. Crash and Lost Highway were great films by great directors turning themselves back into new and old directions. I understand the mixed reactions to both, but neither are easy for filmgoers that think a-b narratives are the only kind. Even if you on't like either of these films, they stick with you. Good Will Hunting and The Apostle were pretty ass kicking too. Good Will launched some career's but is still a fucking great little sudser. I'm also Quite fond of Coppola's The Rainmaker, which is probably the most perfect Sunday afternoon laywer movie ever made, lesiurly and beautifully cast. The Apostle is also a great little juicy morsel for actors like Robert Duval. Titanic is what it is, and I won't touch it, for some brilliant, for others me included, a long voyage filled with cliches: a great movie to be sure, and it has a presense undeniable, but one to be watched and not taken too seriously, much like it's conterpart Gone With the Wind. Boogie Nights might also inspire some to love it too, but I though it was all a masterbaturory journey for a man who at once had contempt for all the people he hung around yet still wanted to be their friends. Still, an important film, none the less. AS 99's season comes to us the next months could be littered with great films, but many will disapoint, and not pulled off to satisfaction, as is the batting average of any year. But 97's roster seems pretty hard to beat, even the small comedies such as Grosse Point Blank, Austin Powers, and Addicted to Love, it's summer actions films like Fifth Element are top notch for what they are. So there you go.
Best year of the decade, my ass!!! by Doughboy	Aug 24th, 1999 07:11:04 PM
Now I realize we're still in the month of August right now, but personally I think this was one of the worst summers in recent memory. The Phantom Menace was a good flick(sorry, Mighty Joe), but still a significant disappointment. Austin Powers Too was the absolute worst movie of the year, hands down! Big Doodoo continued Adam Sandler's descent into Sellout Hell. Wild Wild Worst...nuff said. The Bare Snatch Project was one of the best comedies of the year...and one of the worst horror movies of alltime. Runaway Broad, The Haunting, Inspector Tragic, Teaching Mrs. Dingle, Deep Red Ink, Bowfinger, the list of crap goes on. Yes, there were some solid films out there. Eyes Wide Shut, The Iron Giant, American Pie, South Park, The Sixth Sense, Election, and Mystery Men were all either very good or damn near classics(unfortunately, about half of those movies tanked at the box office). As for the spring, The Matrix, 10 Things I Hate About You, October Sky, Payback, and Analyze This were the only ones that really impressed me. So I ask you, what the hell have you seen so far this year that would lead you to say it's the best lineup of the decade?
You touchy bitches! by Call me....Roy	Aug 24th, 1999 07:21:14 PM
Christ, try and be honest a little bit, and everyone on this friggin board rips you a new rectum! I hate "Diner". I think as far as talk flicks go, it's one of the worst. IT'S CALLED AN OPINON, YOU ASS! You have yours, I have mine. I probably love a lot of shit you hate, so before you calling people names and disrupting the flow.....wait a tic, what am I saying? This is AICN, the internet version of the Patron Saint of Assholes! Flame on, you pathetic little bitch.
end of the year by Jesse Ventura	Aug 24th, 1999 08:40:16 PM

war and peace by Powerslave	Aug 24th, 1999 09:07:19 PM
Next time, Griff, write a book. You'll save us and yourself a lot of trouble.
EYES WIDE SHUT a "special, special film?!? by Captain Harlock	Aug 24th, 1999 10:22:50 PM
(George Clooney Voice): WHUDDERYOU, STONED!!?!?!
1993 films by papasucre	Aug 24th, 1999 10:29:57 PM
I was recently checking out my copy of Cinemania 97 (which i think microsoft should bring back). There's this great article where Roger Ebert hails 1993 as a great year for films, and i totaly agree. these are some of the excelent movies from that year.Schindlers List, Nightmare before christmas, Age of Innocene, the fugitive, the piano, menace II society, searching for bobby fischer, short cuts, jurassic park, in the name of the father, a perfect world, philadelphia, carlitos way, dave, in the line of fire, mad dog and glory, this boys life, whats eating gilbert grape. Lets not forget this wonderful year in movies. The one i think brought forth the best in the decade.
Best Picture possibilities by Jorge Von Zidek	Aug 24th, 1999 10:43:44 PM
you and i must be thinking on the same wavelength because I don't think u left a movie on my to-see list off yours. BTW, I think that the Best Picture Nominees will consist of THE GREEN MILE (if they adapt it right), AMERICAN BEAUTY, THE MESSENGER, CRADLE WILL ROCK, and MAGNOLIA. This is if the Academy pulls their heads out of their asses from last year (no way in HELL that SHAKESPEARE wins over RYAN. if i were Spielberg, i woulda pulled a Kubrick and left the whole hollywood system and moved out of the country.) THE SIXTH SENSE could probably have made it if it came out later in the year or if the fall wasn't so stacked. Anyway, thats just my opinion of what to look for at the Oscars. I know its a little early and I haven't seen these films, but i just got a feeling. If i were a betting man, that's where i'd put my $$$.
An observation of film by mademan	Aug 25th, 1999 12:36:55 AM
This year was a rude awakening to Hollywood. It said that we as the audience grow tired of the formula film. With "Wild Wild West" and it's break-even box office results and "The Blair Witch Project" earing much over three-hundred and fify times it's cost of production, Hollywood was finnaly given the smack across the head it deserved. But it was also a sad year. "The Iron Giant" failed miserably on the level of economics, but made my spirit soar. And the last movie that touched me on this level was Woody Allen's delightful "Everyone Says I Love You". The death of Mario Puzo, and with him, the Godfather franchise. My hope is that with "Fight Club" and "American Beauty", American filmmakers can define film with the introduction of ideas. David Fincher's previous films "Seven" and "The Game", are among the very few of this decade that had me thinking for weeks after. Please, Hollywood, give us substance! Give us a thought provoking science fiction film! The audiences are screaming for it at your gate. And secretly, I believe you are too.
call you...foolish by tommy five-tone	Aug 25th, 1999 12:51:34 AM
relax, butch. you're still wrong, by the way: 'diner' is great.
Alright. by Darth Taun Taun	Aug 25th, 1999 01:10:59 AM
Well. Okay then.
Re-watchability is the true judge of a movie. by Darth Siskel	Aug 25th, 1999 01:40:11 AM
How many of these "great" movies can you stand to watch more than twice? Blair Witch? I think not my friend. Thin Red Line. Hell no. THere is a small few movies that came out this year that are worthy of repeat viewings on an insane scale, on the scale you've seen Ghostbusters, or Raiders, or you know it, the Starwars Trilogy!! Iron Giant will last. The movie is beautiful. The Matrix is pretty damn erection enducing. But there is one movie that had me at least 7 times at the box office. THE PHANTOM MENACE. The movie that gets better & better each time. The movie I've since watched on my Hong Kong bootleg 5 times just this week. Yes folks, The Phantom Menace was best picture based on effects alone. Even if they failed on every other level, which they by far did not!. based on Effects alone, & technical achievment, it should get best picture. And I'm 47th dammit!
A couple of things by Stosslova	Aug 25th, 1999 03:28:07 AM
If I wasn't convinced from what we've seen so far that it's the best year of the decade, Moriarty's large surmation of what we have left to come definitely swings it. All those auteurs! Wow! A couple of things: concerns for the script of 'Bringing Out The Dead' may be unfounded...just look at 'Casino' or 'Cape Fear' more tellingly and see how actually prosaic and obvious stories have been given an astonishingly vital makeover by the Scorsese touch. Secondly, shame on you for putting Ride with the Devil so far down the list. I have been lucky enough to get a sneaky-see at some of the rushes, with music, of this film, and it stunned me. Like you, Ice Storm is one of my biggest greats of my decade, and Ride With the Devil looks equally, although completely contrastingly, as strong. The return of Jim Caviezel is also hugely intriguing. Can't emphasise how beautiful it all looks, though, and the music...oh the music.........
Sam Mendes by Stosslova	Aug 25th, 1999 03:48:20 AM
Oh, and what's with this 'WHO's SAM MENDES, WHERE DID HE COME FROM...' crap???? Get with it, buddy. Sam Mendes has been a great white supernova for the last decade...his theatrical successes are too numerous to give just credit, but this is the man who put a naked Nicole Kidman in 'The Blue Room', this is the man who revolutionized 'Cabaret' with Alan Cummings and the gang on Broadway, this is the man whose 'Othello' toured the world to unanimous acclaim, this is the man who delivered the most extraordinarily rich and moving rendition of Stephen Sondheim's 'Company' there's yet been, this is the man who stages hit after hit at London's Donmar Warehouse...so many of them instantly transfering to Broadway...it was only a matter of time before he hit the movies...some of us have been expecting this for a long time...the man is Midas. Expect big big, real, sophisticated, adult, mature brilliance from him for a long time to come! That's who Sam Mendes is.
Oversight by Stosslova	Aug 25th, 1999 03:50:19 AM
Me once again. Just to say What about Julie Taymor's TITUS ANDRONICUS? You wanna talk about films which will change the face of cinema, she (like Mendes, harking from the theatre) will rock us...
Lynch's Straight Story by Willy Red	Aug 25th, 1999 07:08:51 AM
"For so long, he's been lost in weirdness, trapped in a spiral of making the same damn film over and over, and this is exactly what I've been praying for." Huh?! The same film over and over? You mean one that you can't understand? What a lazy cop-out. I guess the films that he has made in the last decade do share a certain similarity...they are all brilliant. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is quite simply the most underrated film of the nineties, and Lost Highway is right on it's heels. I am as confident that Straight Story will be another masterwork from one of our only true film artists as I am that Disney will drop the ball in marketing and releasing it, just like Ed Wood, Nixon, and Kundun before it.
first by wichull	Aug 25th, 1999 07:10:43 PM
eXisteZ played for one week at my local art house and then just disappeared, without me seeing it. I've been heartbroken since. There've been some great movies this year. My personal favorite is Run Lola Run. just awesome. go see it. it german, its uber-hip, and the soundtrack is sung by lola herself. what more could you want?
99 the best year? by Chthonico	Aug 26th, 1999 12:29:02 AM
To those who think 99 is not the best consider this: John Sayles, Spike Lee, David Cronenberg, Alexander Payne, David Lynch, Martin Scorcese, Lasse Halstrom, Jane Campion, Tim Burton, David O. Russell, Oliver Stone, David Fincher, George Lucas, Barry Levinson, Kevin Smith and STANLEY KUBRICK (to name a few)ALL releasing movies in the same year and all of them either classics, pretty damn good or promising to be so. If nearly every great living filmmaker (and the greatest dead one)can't make you jaded fuckers happy maybe you should just stay at home and watch the WB. Wait till next year when these guys are in development hell or production and you have to sit through studio crap from talentless hacks before you judge. 2000 will suck and will make you appreciate the embarrassment of riches you scoff at now.
FIRE WALKS WITH ME! by Stosslova	Aug 26th, 1999 02:37:27 AM
Willy Red! Way to go! I agree that 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me' is one of the true greats of the decade. In an early case of 'Phantom Menacitis', too many people brought too many preconceptions to that film...by the time of its release, everyone had their own version of Laura Palmer's death in their heads, so Lynch's own, no thanks maam, just wouldn't do. I however thought it was a stunning film - anyone who expected ends to be tied up in it just misses the whole point of Lynch. Just the exposition, involving Chris Isaak and Kiefer Sutherland (both delivering career-best cameos), is absolutely a pitch-perfect overview of the rot at the heart of smalltown Americana. Perfect, concise, and staggeringly effective in every way. And then, half an hour in, when THAT MUSIC starts...man, it just rocks. It is one of the most extraordinarily sad and sophisticated films I've ever seen. Let's get the campaign going right here! Let's here it from more TPFWWM fans! It's time to speak out. Mucho respect, Willy Red.
It's not that we're complaining, Chthonico by Jeffdaddy	Aug 26th, 1999 07:38:21 AM
While I've been one of the ones to challenge Moriarty's claim that '99 is the decades best year, it's not that I (or all others) are necessarily complaining. We just think that, based on what has been seen thus far, that there have been better years this decade. You say, "If nearly every great living filmmaker (and the greatest dead one)can't make you jaded fuckers happy maybe you should just stay at home and watch the WB." We're not jaded, we just don't think this year has been the decade's standard, that's all. For me -- while I agree it is rather impressive indeed to have a year with films by the long list of directors you mentioned -- I don't necessarily think many of those works (or at least the ones I've seen) are their best work. "Summer of Sam" is no "Do The Right Thing". I was intrigued by "Eyes Wide Shut", but didn't see it as the masterpiece that many hailed it (a term so flippantly used nowadays). I've had a good time in 1999, overall, but it's no '93, '94, or even '90. At least not yet. I hope for the best from all the directors you listed, but just because they're making a film doesn't automatically make the film (or the year they're in) great. Let's just wait and see the final product and nix the prejudgment -- whether such judgment is praise or damnation. These directors are men (very talented ones), but not gods. For my two cents (again), the year's best films have been "The Winslow Boy", "The Red Violin", "Run Lola Run", "The Sixth Sense", and probably "The Matrix" as well. As far as I'm concerned, those films and Episode 1 have been the most memorable.
What about Scream 3? by Psyberia	Aug 26th, 1999 09:42:49 AM
All this great info, and nothing on Scream 3?
'99,'94. by Sorcerer	Aug 26th, 1999 05:34:53 PM
I agree that 1999 has been a great year for movies. EYES WIDE SHUT was utterly spellbinding, a worthy last film for Kubrick and the best of the year IMO. eXistenZ was Cronenberg's best film since VIDEODROME. STAR WARS, Jar Jar notwithstanding, was an immensely satisfying action adventure/sci fi epic. THE MUMMY- I suppose it had problems, but it was my first look at Rachel Weisz, so all is forgiven. SOUTH PARK was a brilliant and timely satire (not to mention one of the best musicals since ROCKY HORROR). THE IRON GIANT was utterly wonderful. And I still haven't scoped out BLAIR WITCH. Even though some films failed that shouldn't have and others succeeded without too much merit, I'm glad that audiences and critics disagree sometimes. Last year, I was on the wrong side of mainstream consensus no less than 5 times (in order: GODZILLA, FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, SMALL SOLDIERS, THE AVENGERS and VAMPIRES). So I like to see some squabbling. The rest of the year looks promising. When I first saw the FIGHT CLUB trailer I thought 'this will either be really cool or really horrible.' Then I heard David Fincher was in charge, so my spirits lifted. SLEEPY HOLLOW looks amazing. And Tom Stoppard did rewrites on the script! That said, I think '94 was the best movie year of the decade. ED WOOD, PULP FICTION, THE HUDSUCKER PROXY, QUIZ SHOW, THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, even FORREST GUMP. It was an excellent year, a fine vintage.
re: lab#10 by coltrane	Aug 27th, 1999 04:14:38 PM
While I found your writing eloquent and many of your comments on target, I feel you overestimate the importance of 1999 in film history. For starters, let me acknowledge that I have only seen four of the films on your top ten list thus far this year. Since some of the films have yet to be released and others did not draw my interest, but of those on the list that I have seen, I have some differences in opinion. First, The Sixth Sense was a moderately entertaining one trick pony, whose writer/director stole that trick from the far superior (and far more frightening), Jacob's Ladder. The kid was good, and the revelation well executed, but it simply wasn't anything new and the filmmaker behind it is certainly not one whose next film I'll anxiously await. Blair Witch Project is more of a testament to the power of hype, notably internet hype, than a brilliant movie. I found it frightening and exceptional in its suggestive power, but it too relied on one neat trick. Strong movie...yes. Brilliant...no. Eyes Wide Shut was, as you put it, beautiful. It was also a brilliant example of Kubrick's power as a filmmaker. And it was also the most schizophrenic film I've seen in a long time with a highly disappointing ending. There are brilliant moments, but the film is far too scattered and Cruise does not extend himself (although Kidman was phenomenal). Finally, South Park: another good movie with some caustic satire. It would have made a great two hour special (w/ commercials) on Comedy Central, but it made for a TV show on a big ass TV in theaters. What seemed hilarious and strong armed on television seemed light on the big screen (except for the brilliant 'Uncle Fucker,' song). In my opinion, the only two films that I have seen among titles that are or have been in release, with any right to the title of great movies, are The Matrix and Go. The Matrix seamlessly brought together elements indiginous to the action, sci fi, and martial arts genres, creating a mind bending, ball stomping, ass kicking, joyride of a masterpiece and fulfilled the promise of its sibling filmmakers (whose Bound was a stylish neo-noir classic). Go also reaffirmed the talent of its filmmaker, Doug Liman (Swingers- gotta love it baby!) The action-youth comedy is twisted and brilliantly (albeit ripped off from Pulp Fiction) structured, with more laughs than any bullshit, infantile Mike Myers or Adam Sandler comedy could ever muster. As for the films you anxiously await this fall/winter, I whole heartedly agree on every account. Throw American Beauty and Three Kings in there, and I'd be happy not seeing any other movies this year. I, too, have read the script to Fight Club and have it atop my to-see-list. Your statement that the most dangerous thing about it are the ideas...bravo! So fucking true. Fincher is the most important filmmaker to emerge from this decade. Unfortunately, there are not that many, which is why I found it odd that you were trumping the '90's as a filmmaking milestone. Yes, indy filmmaking flourished and some good films have been made, but all too often, story has been subordinated to everything from maketing tie ins to studio egos. Not that this is entirely new, but the films have weakened by it all like no time before. For every Shawshank, there are a hundred Twisters. I see the '90's more as a stepping stone than as a landmark. Today there is the opportunity for art to arise out of commerce, but the people in charge must realize that the two are not exclusive. They can coexist. By the way...The Mummy! Fucking crap, man.
Oscar 2000 by Brado	Aug 28th, 1999 01:43:57 AM
Is it to early to start talking Oscars? Rather, is it too early to be discussing who will be left out of the Oscars? Regardless, I think that 1999 has, without a doubt, been the best movie year of the last decade, probably longer. There hasn't been this strong a crop of movies in a long time and it'll be interesting to see if some of the current releases (Iron Giant, Blair Witch, American Beauty, etc) are even considered as dark horses when The Academy announces nominations. I'd hate to be the one to have to choose which ones to leave out. Personally, I don't think the best picture has been released yet. That is, I'm hoping for great things from Darabont and Co., as well as Carrey/Foreman and The Fight Club (the trailers don't have much to do with that, however). And let's all hope that The Matrix isn't lost in the shuffle next year...
Lord, I was born a rumblin' man. by Wolfpack	Aug 29th, 2006 08:14:35 PM

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Moriarty's Rumblings From The Lab #10The Year 1999 So Far and What We Have Yet To See!!!

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