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Here
is my look back at the last year. Wonderful year IMHO,
and much better than the previous few years. Let's
re-examine the highs and lows of the last film year of
the last century of the last milennium.
 Top
20 Movies
 25. Green
Mile -
While I enjoyed it tremendously, it simply could not live
up to my colossal expectations. Not even close to being
as good as the Shawshank Redemption. Not a bad movie in
any way, The Green Mile was still good enough to crack my
list.
24. Deep
Blue Sea -
The most well-made underwater thriller since the Abyss,
Deep Blue Sea is a thrill ride for people who like to
jump, scream and hold on to the people next to them.
Effects aren't exactly amazing, but the script and
direction are exceptional for the genre.
23. The
Phantom Menace - A
disappointment for sure, but how could it not be? It's a
very enjoyable space opera, with some admirable flaws.
Not as good as its sequels, but it's still a worthy entry
22. Sleepy
Hollow -
Possibly the most gorgeous movie of the year. It's a
movie that completely immerses you into a world of gothic
horror. Tim Burton has done it again.
21. Dick - A
real gem that many people unfortunately missed. Dick is
the hilarious battle of two teenybopper 15-year-old girls
vs. the President of the United States, Richard Nixon.
It's fast, witty and easy to get into.
20. October
Sky - I
usually don't fall for these kind of "Growing up in
the 50's" Nostalgia trips, but October Sky was a
very touching and, I feel sick saying this, heartwarming
film. Corny? Perhaps. But it could probably make the most
cynical of us care for these boys and their dreams.
19. Tarzan -
Tarzan is one of Disney's best-animated features of the
nineties. Tarzan is a real treat for families as well as
a dose of excitement and fun for a moviegoer of any age.
18. Three
Kings -
It's not as high on my list as it is on some other
critic's lists, and while I still enjoyed it, I believe
it is slightly overrated. Still, Three Kings is a smart
and powerful movie about war. An entertaining,
enlightening ride.
17. Man
On the Moon -
An oddball movie about an oddball man. I believe that
Andy Kaufman was not a true human being, so it is fitting
that this is not a true bio-flick. Carry gives perhaps
the best performance of the year.
16. Election -
Smart and Savage. A dead on portrayal of high school
politics and the kind of freaks involved. Reese
Witherspoon is absolutely classic as Tracy Flick. It once
held the spot for best teen flick of the year but with
subsequent viewings it has been replaced with?
15. American Pie -
Destined to become a classic; at least in my eyes. This
is heartwarming, but hilarious entertainment for the
Clearasil Crowd. Sure it's dirty, but so are teenagers. I
should know, I am one.
14. The
Sixth Sense - A
smart movie for people that aren't all that smart (like
me). If you figured out the "secret" than the
movie might not have been the spine-tingling, well
crafted treat it was for the rest of us. A great ghost
story that is already a classic.
13. Lock
Stock and Two Smoking Barrels - A
wonderful mix of wit and style, hampered only by some
occasionally incomprehensible accents. It's a movie of
wonderful moments, blisteringly cool lines and awesome
camera effects. If you haven't yet seen this work of
"British Pulp" then take a look.
12. Dogma -
In a year of wonderful comedies this was still a
highlight. A very worth addition to Kevin Smith's resume.
It has some great ideas on religion and some sharp things
to say, all the while being crafty and hysterical.
11. Summer
of Sam - A
sensual explosion of vivid storytelling. Spike Jones gave
us a real treat with this peek into the lives of a group
of individuals living in terror during the summer of
1977. Great performances and some wonderful visual
creativity from Jones. It's his best "joint" in
a long long time.
10. Talented
Mr. Ripley - A
disturbing and creepy portrayal of a disturbed and creepy
man. Brilliantly well made, like a Hitchcock movie from
heaven. Matt Damon is terrifying while being sympathetic
and Jude Law exudes charisma. Simply put, it's a very
good thriller.
9. Go - A
refreshing joyride of music, colorful characters and pure
ecstasy (literally). A real "trip" into the LA
rave scene than feels like 100% bottled youth. The scrip
brims with wit, poignancy and excitement. Not really
considered a teen flick, it is the best
"youth-oriented" movie of 1999 and is, in fact,
so good that it can be enjoyed by just about anyone of
any age.
8. Iron
Giant -
It really has been a great year for Animation. The Iron
Giant tells us a wonderful story of a boy and his robot,
with funny gags, poignant moments, and important
messages. It just happens to be an animated movie. This
movie is complete proof that any story can be told with
animation and that family films can be enjoyed by
everyone. A magical movie.
7. South
Park - A
laugh riot. No matter how many times I see it, I still
laugh. I laugh so hard it hurts. There is just so much to
laugh at in this movie it makes my head spin. It's far
superior to the television show, as well. The kind of
movie that just thinking about a certain moment makes you
laugh. South Park: Bigger Longer and Uncut is a comedic
masterpiece.
6. The
Matrix -
The Matrix has me. The Matrix has you. The Matrix seems
to have everybody. I really don't have to say that much
about it, since I'm sure you know. I strongly love this
movie and I am so glad that everybody else does too.
5. Being
John Malkovich - A
sleeper about a puppeteer that finds a portal to the mind
of an elite actor? Yes. Could it be the strangest plot of
the decade? Probably. Could it be the strangest film of
the year? Definitely. Spike Jonze (not Jones) directs a
delightful group of actors in a movie that is like a
funny, trippy dream.
4. American
Beauty -
Does any more need to be said about this movie? I think
critics have raved enough about this one. In any case, if
you haven't seen it yet? ask yourself why the hell not?
3. Fight
Club -
Fight Club isn't for everybody, but it sure was for me. A
psychological thriller that brings up some serious points
while at the same time being hilarious, exciting and
wonderfully kinetic. Fight Club is a masterpiece that I
have been unable to forget since I saw it.
2. Run
Lola Run -
Jaw-droppingly cool! Unlike any other movie I've ever
seen, Run Lola Run fired me up and made me feel
fantastic. It's the cinematic equivalent of speed, or
maybe ecstasy. Well it's a good substitute for either
since in supplies the high without any side-effects. If
there's a Run Lola Run cult, somebody please sign me up.
Some of you may have no idea what this movie is? that
shouldn't matter. Just see it. NOW!
1. Toy
Story 2 -
It was difficult to put this on the top of my list, but
after much debate I felt I owed it as much. After all, it
had given me the most purely entertaining theater
experience of the year. I feel, in my heart, that this is
a close to utter perfection as any movie could possibly
get. Its script is one of the sharpest in years and its
animation is absolutely mind-blowing. Toy Story has
always been one of my favorite movies and this one has
topped it. I'm proud that I can admit that Toy Story 2 is
one of my favorite movies of all time.
Worst Movies
10. Jawbreaker -
The worst teen flick of the year. No amount of style
could save this hopelessly mean Heathers knock-off.
9. Varsity
Blues -
One of the most brain dead movies of the year. The movie
speaks down to it's audience like they are babies, and
has absolutely no clue what message it's trying to put
across.
8. Wild
Wild West -
Every single time it appears that something interesting
is going to happen in this movie, everything falls flat.
Includes the worst opening credits of the year. I still
don't know how this project got this boring.
7. The
King and I -
The worst animated movie I have ever seen. Probably.
6. Double
Jeopardy -
Okay so it may not have been that bad, but the fact that
this grossed $120M, while leaving Fight Club in it's dust
makes me sooooo mad!!!! It's a lame, ham-fisted thriller
that gave away everything in the ads! Why did it get this
big?
5. Bats - I though,
looking at the advertisement, "it can't be as bad as
it looks." I was very wrong.
4. Stigmata -
Ok, here's the movie... "Ahhhh, I'm bleeding!"
"Ahhh, I'm bleeding again" " Oh no not
again!" "Ahhhhh, more blood" Does that
sound like a fun time at the movies? Not in the least bit
scary or entertaining.
3. Universal
Soldier: The Return -
When I turn a video off about a half hour into the movie
that's saying something.
2. Baby
Geniuses -
Could a movie get any dumber than this??? Well, there's
always?
1. Wing
Commander -
This movie seemed to be the first fully improvised
theatrical sci-fi flick. That includes the special
effects. I've seen better effects on my playstation,
seriously. What can you say about a movie in which the
bad guys are men in rubber lion suits. I swear I saw the
zipper!
Most Overrated Movie - Central Station
So technically it was a 1998 release but the general
public wasn't really able to see it until early 1999. It
inexplicably garnered tons of critical acclaim. And I
can't see why. Central Station has one unbelievable
performance to its credit, that of Fernanda Montenegro.
She played Dora, a truly wonderful character in a
middling movie. I just wish that this Brazilian film had
more meat on its bones. The plot is nearly non-existent
and while there are many tearful scenes, it is lacking in
true emotion.
* Runners- Up: Analyze This
Affliction (another late 98 release)
Blue
Streak
Most Underrated Movie - Deep Blue Sea
Only the most secure of movie critics loosened up and
enjoyed this stupendously silly yet wonderfully well-made
adventure thrill ride. The most adrenaline available at
the multiplex this summer came in this loud, joyous romp
about Super smart sharks. It's filled with shock scares,
surprises and some great action sequences.
* Runners- Up: Entrapment
Cruel
Intentions
Teaching
Ms. Tingle
Worst Male Performance - Jean Claude Van Damme -
Universal Soldier: The Return
It seems that he's had this title every year of this
decade.
Worst Female Performance - Denise Richards - The World Is
Not Enough
I am fully convinced she is the biggest ditz in all of
Hollywood.
Best Song: Uncle Fukka - South Park
It won't win an Oscar, but maybe it should!
* Runner- Ups: Wild Wild West - Wild Wild West
You'll
be in my Heart - Tarzan
You
Wanted More - American Pie
When
Somebody Loved Me - Toy Story 2
Worst Song - I'll Be Your Everything - Inspector Gadget
Have you heard this crap? It's even worse than N'Sync!
Best Song Soundtrack: Go - No Doubt, Fatboy Slim, Len, DJ
Rap
Watching the movie, I was immersed in the wonderful music
for close to two hours. After I said to myself, "I
have to buy that CD." Boy was I glad I did. A great
movie about raves and drugs makes for a great soundtrack
about raves and drugs.
* Runner- Ups: Cruel Intentions - Blur, Aimee Mann,
Placebo, Fatboy Slim
South
Park - Music from the film, Isaac Hayes, Violent Femmes,
Rush
Detroit
Rock City - K.I.S.S., Everclear, Marilyn Manson
End
of Days - Everlast, Guns n' Roses, Limp Bizkit, Powerman
5000, Korn
Worst Soundtrack: Drive Me Crazy - Brittany Spears,
Barenake Ladies, Backstreet Boys
While, I actually like the title track of this Soundtrack
the rest of it is just thrown together crap hoping that
the demographic pre-teens won't even bother to listen to
the non-Brittney, non-BSB songs. Terrible.
* Runner- Ups: Notting Hill Shania, Boyzone
Runaway
Bride - Dixie Chicks, other country crap
Best Score: Sleepy Hollow - Danny Elfman - The Elfman
returns to his gothic roots with this amazing score that
has the power to really creep out its listeners. A
wonderful, powerful score that and Elfman fan would
consider a masterpiece.
* Runner- Ups: Galaxy Quest
Phantom
Menace
The
World is Not Enough
The
Mummy
Best Use of Score in a Film: The Thomas Crown Affair -
Bill Conti - On CD this music, while still good, just
doesn't have the same power it did accompaning the film.
The film used this bizarre, jazzy score to great effect
by combining it with sultry romance. A great movie with
great music.
Runner- Ups: The Talented Mr. Ripley
American
Beauty
The
World is Not Enough
Sleepy
Hollow
Best Special Effects: The Phantom Menace
Definitely, although it bordered on overkill.
* Runner- Ups: The Matrix
Stuart
Little
Fight
Club
Galaxy
Quest
Worst Special Effects: Wing Commander
Like I said, Playstation effects.
* Runner- Ups: Lake Placid
Wild
Wild West
Deep
Blue Sea
Blair
Witch Project (ha!)
Top
5 most memorable characters of the Year
5. Stuart Little - Awwwww?.. he's just so damn cute!
4. Hogarth Hughes - An intelligent boy with a real big
heart. Sure he's a cliche, but Hogarth is a great kid.
3. Ms. Tingle - Ever had a teacher like this? I hope not.
She's like the Nurse Ratchett of high school.
2. Tracy Flick - The epitome of every
snot-nosed-try-so-hard teen girl. Sadly, I know many
Tracy Flicks.
1. Tyler Durden - An original character to be sure. The
kind of character you can have hour long discussions
about. I'll talk more on this intriguing person in
another issue.
Best on-screen jerk - Doug Hutchison- The Evil guard from
The Green Mile.
Only an A-Hole would hurt Mr. Jingles!
* Runner- Ups: Cartman - South Park
Matthew
Lilliard - She's All That
Best on-screen bitch - Sarah Michelle Geller - Cruel
Intentions
Oh? so... sexy? yet such a bitch.
* Runner- Ups: Reese Witherspoon - Tracy Flick from
Election
Helen
Mirren - Ms. Tingle from Teaching Ms. Tingle
Best Villain: The Headless Horseman - Sleepy Hollow
Whether you like the movie or not, you have to admit he's
one bad Mo-Fo!
* Runner- Ups: Saddam Hussein - South Park
Darth
Maul - Phantom Menace
Hugo
Weaving - The creepy, main Man In Black from the Matrix
Worst Villain: Rupert Everett - Dr. Claw from Inspector
Gadget
They showed his face!!!! Why?????
* Runner- Ups: Kenneth Brannah- Artemis from Wild Wild
West
The
Bats from Bats
Best Comeback - Keanu Reeves - Somehow the terminally
lame Keanu got cool again this year. Can you say? Matrix?
Fastest Rise to Super-stardom - Catherine Zeta Jones -
After only 3 high profile films she is already a
headlining mega-star. If she picks her scripts carefully
she could be the next Julia Roberts.
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