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MORIARTY'S '90s List - 1994 (Part 1)

Killing Zoe = overrated by Jesse Ventura	Feb 9th, 2000 02:21:39 PM
I am shocked to see Killing Zoe on the list of the best films of 1994, the best year of the decade. Ahead of Pulp Fiction? WTF? This is weak in every way that Pulp is the classic that is it. On top of having Eric Stolz be the lead in the film, this is a complete waste of celluloid. Except for a naked Julie Delpy, but if that made a movie good, then An American Werewolf in Paris would be a masterpiece. Fuck Avery, I want my 2 hours back.
The Day Of Moriarty by mrbeaks	Feb 9th, 2000 02:30:22 PM
Dude, I've got a mountain of work to do; yet, I feel the need to respond to every single one of these lists. Stop it! I'll be brief..... I respectfully disagree with your take on KILLING ZOE, which I only saw once, and vowed never to set my eyes upon it again. I'd be okay with your singing its praises had you not placed it above, IMO, one of the decades finest achievements, EXOTICA. In the year of the non-linear story, Egoyan's masterpiece was the most understated, most acutely painful, and the most haunting. It also ends with a final shot that's so vivid, it's actually crept into my dreams (except that Mia Kirschner turns into Lion-O from the Thundercats. I can't explain it either.) And while we're on endings, they don't get more powerful than FRESH. Thanks for mentioning that one. I think I'm gonna have to pop it in tonight.
A few thoughts on Ed Wood... by agentcooper	Feb 9th, 2000 02:58:42 PM
The best scene in ED WOOD is the fictional meeting between Ed and Orson Welles (played beautifully by Vincent D'Onofrio.) The two men speak together as artists, both equal in their convictions. Both vowing to be true to their artistic vision and never bow to studio pressure to compromise. The fact that one is the best director in Hollywood and the other is the worst never enters into the equation. This is why Ed's story works so well. He did what he wanted to do. He brought his vision to the screen and shared it with the world. He was a FILMMAKER, and this made him happy. I often wish I had Ed's courage and conviction to fulfill my wishes. My films might not be any better than his, but at least I would be following my dream. Perhaps there's a lesson to be learned here...
Looking at this list I don't think 94' was a good year... by gilmour	Feb 9th, 2000 03:04:42 PM
I personally always thought Pulp Fiction was a tad overrated. But it has some of the most brilliant writing in a film i've ever seen. Maybe i'm nuts but Ed Wood is just about the only Tim burton film i've ever liked. I hated his batman films more then Shumacher's, was dissapointed by the lack of excitement in Sleepy Hollow and mars Attacks..well we won't go into that. Heavenly Creatures was indeed brilliant.
Cool list but.... by Swiss Toni	Feb 9th, 2000 03:05:16 PM
I must agree with my fellow talkbackers that Killing Zoe bored the pants of me for half of the movie before finally relising that an increase in tempo might be worthwhile. I too vowed to never set my eyes on it again. But, hell, each to his own and it's good to share the memories with you Moriaty. I look forward to more installments. Swiss Toni now has to make love to beautiful women......
"The Woman" by Anton_Sirius	Feb 9th, 2000 03:08:33 PM
It's Anita Mui, dammit! One of the Holy Hong Kong Trinity with Michelle and Maggie (all of whom starred in the Heroic Trio)! It's called imdb.com, Moriarty- check it out.
Pulp Fiction should be higher by Nordling	Feb 9th, 2000 03:38:32 PM
but (having not seen Killing Zoe yet - I know, I'm a heel) I have absolutely no problem with this list. The fact that you included the genius that is Crumb says a truckload. That movie is pound for pound brilliant.
Thanks for mentioning "Fresh"... by FBuxton	Feb 9th, 2000 03:52:52 PM
One of the most overlooked movies of the decade.
I'm already sick of these articles by user id indeed!	Feb 9th, 2000 05:19:24 PM
Please,Moriarity,stop while you're ahead!Please!And where's Freaked?Huh??What,Alex Winters isn't good enough for you??!
what a year-Fiction/Zoe/Shawshank/Red by Lazarus Long	Feb 9th, 2000 05:40:29 PM
possibly a year comparable with 1999, unfortunately overshadowed by the reprehensible garbage that was Forrest Gump (thank God Moriarty didn't have this film in his 15). I admired Killing Zoe as well (that drug hallucination sequence is the most realistic I've experienced), but I really don't think Avary has more talent as a writer or director than Quentin, and how it's in a Top 10, let alone ahead of Pulp Fiction is beyond me. What makes a great film? Shawshank is by all accounts a "perfect film" in that it really doesn't have any flaws. However, my favorite films are the ones that are trying to take a chance on SOMETHING. Something thematic, visually, whatever. I just don't see any "spark" in Shawshank. Beautiful ending, great acting, script, direction. But it didn't "pump my 'nads" like Pulp Fiction did. PF blew the roof off the house. It told all of us aspiring filmmakers that perhaps anything was possible again. And it took all the regular filmgoers on a ride unlike any other in recent years. I think that's deserving of higher merit. Personally I'd have to say that Three Colors: Red was the best film of the year, but it's hard to view it as a seperate entity from Blue and White. I do think it had the best writing of any film of the year, the directing of nearly equal genius. In an honest world, Tringant and Jacob would have both won oscars for perfomances that put shame to Tom Hanks' Rainman riff. I'll claim as I have before that Kieslowski's trilogy is the greatest cinematic achievement of the 90's (also better than anything in the 80's, obviously), and anyone who can sit through subtitles owes it to themselves to experience this masterwork. A quick note: Kieslowski's Decalogue (10 stories meditating on the 10 Commandments all set in an apartment complex) is coming out on DVD this spring. Thank the maker.
I'm glad to see Crumb getting its props by fonebone	Feb 9th, 2000 05:50:46 PM
People tend to forget about documentaries. Crumb is a great film, and Moriarity did a great job describing its appeal. You shouldn't have given away the suicide, however --- SPOILER!
Professional was excellent! 1994 sucked by Stew	Feb 9th, 2000 08:05:30 PM
Films in 1994 aside from the big ones like Forest Gump and Pulp Fiction was a pretty boring year, aside from the trio of Jim Carrey films that was pretty revolutionary as far as comedy went. Profesional was stylish but raw. Oldman was just so evil, in a role that was actually the "good guy" if you look at it a certain way. I always got a weird feeling about Natalie Portman. I mean, it really seemed like she was trying to be sexy, but she was a little girl. Then I realized that was the point. Jean Reno played off that just the right way. And then there was the action. It almost took a backseat, but it was awesome.
Moriarty reaches into the depths of his soul and pulls out... by sth gekko	Feb 9th, 2000 08:16:24 PM
... Killing Zoe??? Are you out of your mind? THIS is one of your great films? I suppose that next we get to hear about how only you "understood" how hip and influential "Ishtar" was? For the love of God, shut up!-- Everybody be cool... YOU be cool.
Killing Zoe-WAY Overrated by Dutch_Engstrom	Feb 9th, 2000 08:30:11 PM
I'd put Killing Zoe on my list as one of the WORST films of '94. It's hard to think of a movie that seems more pointless - unrealistically stupid robbers planning a crime, and then ignoring all the facets of the plan. It was a very hard movie to keep from shutting off, and at the end I wish I had shut it off. Now, as for Pulp Fiction - I firmly believe that in the future, it will be THE movie that defines this decade, and is most fondly remembered. The movie is pure energy, and there's never a wrong step. It announced Tarantino, Jackson, Uma Thurman and others, revived the careers of Travolta and Willis, and I think will influence more future filmmakers than any other 90's film. I enjoyed reading Moriarty's comments, but he isn't giving Pulp Fiction nearly enough props...
Drunken Master II by houndog	Feb 9th, 2000 11:15:05 PM
Bravo! Thanks for including this truly deserving film. I couldn't agree more with the films you mentioned, the order of inclusion however...
Vanya on 42nd Street by Everett Robert	Feb 9th, 2000 11:42:40 PM
I'm so glad you mentioned this my dear Prof. and although I'm sure onone will be reasing this right now, or maybe won't want to comment on it I have to say that Vanya is a tremndous piece of work an dis one of the few Chekov pieces I've enjoyed in my life. I had the oppurtinituy to work on a production of Vanya as an acotr and turned it down to work on the stage crew, and I feel it was the worst mistake of my life one I've contanstly badgered myself about, This movie showed me(after seeing in years later then '94) what I missed out on by not acting in it. Kudos Prof. kudos
Re: Fresh by Veidt	Feb 10th, 2000 12:13:56 AM
I guess I should've read this '94 piece before posting over on the '93 TB. Anyhoo, nice to see this excellent film get a mention.
Exotica-We Saw the Same Movie by RounderAMX	Feb 10th, 2000 01:36:27 AM
I completely agree with your assessment of Exotica. I, like you, didn't think much about the film when it ended. But, I watched it again the next day because I knew it was the type of movie that demanded a second viewing. The movie is ultimately sad, and filled with such depth and substance. The characters, at first, seem to be strangers with nothing in common, but in the end you realize how close their bonds really are. I loved this film and would see it again in an instant.
Once Were Warriors by Snash	Feb 10th, 2000 02:29:27 AM
Hey Moriarty The character is 'Jake the Muss' not Jake the Rock. Don't ask me what a Muss is (i'll ask my hairdresser, she's of Maori origin). Personally, I'd put the film in my top 10 of 1994 - it is one of the most powerful, brutal and numbing films I've seen. I left the cinema with a group of friends and we were speechless. No talking as to what we thought of it - we just said goodbye and walked in silence to our respective cars.
Fuck you all, Killing Zoe is way UNDERRATED. MORIARTY IS RIGHT! by Mickey Finn	Feb 10th, 2000 08:44:37 AM
I like Tarantino as much as the next man, and all the films he has directed so far, including Pulp Fiction, have a warm nest in my heart. BUT KILLING ZOE IS AN AMAZING PICTURE! I'm fed up with the way it gets ignored. It's an extremely original piece of work. I'm not going to ruin it for anybody who hasn't seen it, but Moriarty is absolutely right about the one line of dialogue that transforms the film. But I don't think that even Moriarty understands the implications of it. Remember, what's the last thing Zed sees in the toilet before he passes out? What is it that's spraying all over Zed in the climactic scene in the bank? And what the fuck is that scene all about where Jean-Hughes Anglade snaps his fingers and there's a flash of flame? I tell you all, TalkBackers, THERE ARE HIDDEN DEPTHS TO THIS MOVIE. Go rent it NOW, pay attention to every line, soak up the vivid and unusual atmosphere of each scene, be terrified by Jean-Hughes Anglade's character and its subtle dimensions, and dig that French art-techno soundtrack. Oh yes. When I got my video copy of Killing Zoe four years ago, and when I saw that 'Produced by Quentin Tarantino' was written on the box in huge letters and 'Directed by Roger Avary' was written on the box in small letters, I got a marker and crossed Tarantino's name out. Sorry Quentin. No disrespect. But this is ROGER's film. And a damn fin film it is too.
Drunken Master II by devil0509	Feb 10th, 2000 09:55:03 AM
Thank GOD someone finally recognized this film as, not just fun Jackie Chan shit, but a really fantastic film. Great action, very funny, and finally with a damn good reason for all the fighting. Anita Mui is classic in this movie - for me she just steals the whole show. This is the martial arts movie I always use to introduce people to the genre (this, or Once Upon a Time in China II). Good call, Moriarty.
Killing Zoe is good by quar	Feb 10th, 2000 04:51:46 PM
I think KZ is a GREAT film. Dark deep mood, GREAT funny/scary villian and Stolz is pretty cool too. Delpy is like liquid love. Maybe not EVERYONES cup a tea, but a very valid piece nonetheless. Pulp Fiction is also fab...probably hits more notes that the masses can understand, but that don't make it better.
Killing Zoe- peice of shit by Fuck the police	Feb 10th, 2000 11:10:47 PM
Ed Wood was 1, Pulp was 2, and killing Zoe was one of the worst things I've ever seen, it used violence as it's plot. It was gross, perverse, and stupid. Now, I'm the least moral person alive, but at least I have a plotline.
NBK is loathsome!!!! by say no more	Feb 21st, 2000 09:15:19 PM

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MORIARTY'S '90s List - 1994 (Part 1)

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